Evening Express

SIIORT STORY. m Bessie's Lover. Bessie Maiden, her bright and fresh young ( face growing with animation and happiness, greeted Frank Meredith with a tender smile 18 be entered the empty private bar of the Pink Dragon just before closing time. Their lips met tremblingly for an instant, and then Bessie withdrew quickly as the land- lord, a middle-aged man with a dark, keen face and a pair of restless black eyes, entered the bar. saying, "Your sapper is ready, Miss Maiden. I'll attend to the bar. Good night." "Good night, sir," she replied, exchanging a tender glance with her lover as she retreated into the parlour of the Pink Dragon, where MJ'<I. Jacobs, the landlord's mother, a lean and cadaverous-looking old woman, was counting the day's "takings" with the restless and feverish intensity of inveterate greed and miserliness. After the lapse of a few minutes the shutters were put up, the lights in the bar were extin- guishsd, and ilas Jacobs joined his mother, who was now alone in the parlour. Bessie having already retired for the night, after a hasty and meagre supper of bread and butter and a glass of thin ale. Mother and son then proceeded to hold secret council together on a subject in which it was evident they both took a deep and lively inte- i rest. I'm quite positive I'm right, mother," said Silas in a low voice, handing a printed slip to his mother. There can be no doubt about it." Yes, tleary, it certainly looks like business." she replied, but before starting seriously with our plan, don't you think you ought to go down to this place and make inquiries?" "I'm going down to-morrow." After a short pause she leant across the tabK and clutched his wrist with her talon-like fingers, saying Sri as, we have one great danger to fe-.ir-that artist fellow that comes into the bar every night seems very sweat on her." Pshaw I ain't afraid of him." He paused for a moment and then added, with a fierce and malignant -co,-I: "In any case. I shan't allow myself t« be done out of the prize by that fellow-not if I had tc- He checked himself, adding in a low voice "But thre'll bo no occasion for running any risks, I hope." The Pink Dragon was a small and dilapi- dated tavern in the pari-h of Chiswick. stand- ing in an obscure thoroughfare close to the river, with a neglected garden at the back of ths house running down to the Thames a weed-strewn plot, of ground which was never likely to receive much attention from the pire- sent money-grubbing occupants of this old riverside hostelry. On the following day, Bessie was surprised to observe a marked change in Mrs. Jacobs's manner towards her, the old lady becoming all at once extremely amiable and considerate, going so far even as to offer her a few words of maternal advice on the danger of encourag- ing the attentions of admirers who frequented the bar of the Pink Dragon. "I don't like the look of that young fellow who comes into the bar every night," said Mrs. Jacobs, after dwelling for some time on the many excellent qualities of her son. "Take my advice," she added gravely, "and have nothing to do with him." "Do you mean Mr. Meredith—the gentleman ( who was in the private bar to-night?" asked Bessie, flushing angrily. Mrs. Jacobs nodded. "Then I beg to tell you, Mrs. Jacobs, that Mr. Meredith is very, very dear to me. and I shall not listen to a word against him—not j a single word "Oh, indeed!" exclaime-I the eld woman, her sharp face instantly assuming an expression of minister malevolence. Further conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Silas, and leaving mother and son together Becsic retired to her own rooms, glad I to escape at last from the comTJanbnhip of the close and crafty old landlady of the Pink Dragon. On the following evening, much to her annoyance, Bessie was sent by Mrs. Jacobs on siundry shopping errands, and on her return she was disappointed to find Frank absent from his customary corner in th2 private bar; nor did he call at the Pink Dragon that night, a circum tance which occasioned her no little anxiety and annoyance, for he had never before missed a day without paying her'a visit. Fearing that he was ill, she got up earlier than usual on the following morning and ran np the street to his studio, which was only a short distance from the tavern. She found Mary, Frank's old domestic, clean- ing the steps, and questioned her upon the subject. "I can't understand it, mivs," replied the servant, who knc,T of '-he tender relations j which existed between her master and the pretty barmaid of the Pink Dragon. "Mr. Meredith went out last, n'ght to visit you, and I saw him myself enter the Dragon—but he has not been heme s.nco. Not hom2 since!" repeated Bessie, a strange feeling of alarm instantly taking possession of her. The old woman nodded, saying: "Perhaps he went home with some artist friends, miss, and remained for the night." Bessie returned to the tavern in a state of great anxiety and agitation, utterly unable to restrain the fears for her lover's safety which aow worried and perplexed her. • •»••• I want to see Miss Maiden, if you please!" suddenly rang out a sharp clear voice from the bar, the words reaching Bessie as sh2 sat at the dinner-table with Mrs. Jacobs. "Nobody of that name here," replied Silas Jacobs, much to BZBoie,5 amazement. She started to her feet and went towards! the door. Bat Mrs. Jacobs barred the way, saying soothingly- Go on with your dinner, dear. Sit down at once, like a good girl." Let me out, Mrs. Jacobs. I must see who wants me. I insist!" And, clutching the handle, Bessie wrenched the door open in spite of the old woman's j efforts to stop her, and darted into the bar. How do you do, Miss Maiden? Glad to see' you," said a genial-looking man. leaning for- ward and grasping her hand cordially. It was Mr. Pomfr?t from Ravenham, head clerk in the office cf her uncle's lawyer, Mr. Sullington. In a few wcris he explained that by the death of her uncle, who had succumbed to an attack of typhoid fever three weeks previously, she had become the owner of a small estate at Ravenjam, yielding an income of 1700 a year, and also of sundry securities to the value of 115 tflO. Owing to a quarrel with her uncle, she had left his house at Ravcnham three months ago, and had come to London to seek a living for herself in the great city. Th- f-lerk explained that Mr., SlllIingt had advertised for her, the advertisement evidently coming under the notice of the iandiord of the Pink Dragon, for-to auote Pomfret's words -"Mr. Jacobs has been down at Ravenham making inquiries about the business, and I saw him there. Suspecting his object, I ascertained that tie was a Londoner, and at once tele- graphed to a detective to meat him when he reached town and follow him to his residence, wherever it might be. The detective, who is now waiting outside, tracked him down. and telegraphed the addre=3 to me at once." Muttering incoherently. Jacobs retreated irto the parlour, evidently greatly alarmed, his manner revealing a, mind burdened with guilt and anxiety. The detective now entered the bar, and Bessie, unable to restrain her anxiety concern- ing tho safety of Frank Meredith, told the whole story of his trange disappearance to th two men, frankly declaring that she would gladly sacrifice her ncvly-acquircd fortune to preserve him from danger. Smmng at the ingenuous enthusiasm of the girl, the two men held a private consultation for a few minutes, and then the detective put a few searching questions to her. after which I he proceeded to examine the floor of the private bar with close professional scrutiny. That'll do," he said, rising from the flcor. -Now, miss, I mu:t see these people at once and have a. word with them. You had better ccme too, Mr. Pomfret," he added, lifting the flap of the bar and passing into the parlour, followed by Be-zsl.e and the clerk. "I want the key of your cellar at once," said the detective sternly, addressing Mrs. Jacobs and her son, who were on the point of making an hasty exit from the room. "If you don't instantly deliver it I'll break the door open." "He's got it in his hand," cried out Bessie, pointing to Silas Jacobs. In a moment the detective, with a swift movement, snatched the key from Sila. and then, led by Bessie, went down the rickety staircase to the cellar of the Pink Dragon. In a dark corner of the damp and musty place they found Frank Meredith, apparently dead, his mouth cruelly gagged and his limbs bound tightly with strong rope. Under Bessie's care, and by the prompt ap- plication of powerful restoratives, the artist gradually recovered consciousness, and in a few words explained how he had been en- trapped by the Jacobses. On entering the bar on the previous evening, during Bessie's absence, the other bars being empty as usual, Silas Jacobs invited him to take a glass of wine, an invitation which he accepted. Soon afterwards a paralysing sen- sation seamed to take possession of him, and at the same instant the floor gave way, and he was precipitated violently through the trap-door into the cellar below, a fall of quite thirteen feet. The Jacobses fled from ju-tice. but were eventually captured, Silas getting fifteen years' penal sarvitude and his mother ten years. The lovers were soon united, and in a short time Frank achieved a distinguished name for hinuelf in his profession, much to the pride and joy of the loving and devoted young wife, whom he had wcoed and won in the bar of the Pink Dragon. M. L. BARRY.

OUR FREE GIFT OF BOOKS. We are presenting gratis to every regular reader of the Evening Express a high-class -.vork. of English literature. The books will be given away at the rate of k 24 every day until every reauir has rece-ved one. Upon the top cf the Second Page of the "Evening Express each day will be found a number, printed in violet ink, which number will be different in every pa!,>e.' that Is printed. Keep this number till the following day, and see if it is gnen in the l st printta beiow. 11 your number is given, take ic to etther of our offices at Swansea, .Newport, Merthyrr-or-Garauf and you will rece.ve either of the above books. If you cannot conveniently call, tear off the purple number and send it to the Evening Express Office, Cardiff, with your name ana address and twopence towards the cost ot postage, and the book chosen by you Will be forwarded to your address. No person is entitled to a second book, even though he be the homer of a selected number, until every leader has recs'v«d a book. VURCIIASEKS of L'ASDAY'3 Evening Express bearing tile foilo-ving 1 Printed in Violet Ink on the Top Left-hand Coiner of Page 2 are entitled t.v a Book — 6i0607 630S67 633128 633472 6365i9 636.65 637277 637666 639034 6JP472 635638 690111 690<>72 6-J3333 693987 694248 694644 694873 698759 691342 ) 699939 700565 700983 701344

WISE AND OTHERWISE. "You used to do a little trading on 'Change, didn't you, Higgs?' "Yes.' "Were you a bull or a bear?" "Neither, Blobbs. I was a lamb." He: I've been watching for a chance to kiss you for the last ten minutes. She: You must be near-sighted. Perdita: If you continue much longer to pay poker with my father I won't marry you. Jack Dashing: If your father continues to play poker much longer with me I won't need to. Mrs. White: And do you mean to say that you and your husband always agree about everyth.ng? Mrs. Black: Always; except, of course, new and then, when he's out of humo-tr or pigheaded, or something of that s?rt. O'Brien: Poor Doherty He's so short- shighteJ he's bound to work him-.elf to death. 0'Grad3': Phwat has bem' shcrtshighted to do with it? O'Brien: ",hoy, he can't see when the boss ain't lookin' an' has to keep shoveilin' away all the time! f Her References.—Mrs. Hiram: And have you any references? Applicant: No. mum. Oi tored tin up. Mrs. Hiram (in surprise): Tore them up? How foolish! Applicant: Yez wadn't think so, mum, if yez had seen 'em! "You don't know what a grief it is to have a husband who thinks he is funny, said Mrs. Wickwire. "What is the trouble, dear?" in- quired Mrs. Watts. "I asked him last evening to bring home some good up-to-date literature, and he bought a bundle of almanacks?" Rcddster: I say, aU fellow, can you lend us a pair of scales for a few days? Married Chum: We have a pair, but I'm sorry to say they are cut of order; they weigh heavy. Rodditer (excitedly): The very thing; we're going fishing! To Make Both Ends Meet.—Long had he struggled. Time and again he had felt tempted to give up the fight, but the inborn stubborn- ness of the man prevented a weak surrender. It was a common fight, a sordid struggle to make both encli meet. Alas he cried. I am too fat. It was too true. Never again would he be the contortionist he had been. I A GREAT IDEA. Fred Why do you encourage your wife to conceal her age ? conc.eal her age? Ed. Well. if he doesn't have birthdays I I don't have to give her any birthday presents. See? "I hear that Charlie is going to get married on the 25th." ^ea—he has only three more on the 25th." Yes-he has only three more days." Little Tommy, who has been reading about an execution: "The last three days they J give him everything to eat that he asks for, don't they, papa?" "I haven't anything new to sing to you to- night, George." "Well, give me something old, then." She broke into a refrain that was "a song of the day" seventeen years before. "That's very, very old, Clara," he remarked at the close. "Yes, George; I sang that to you the night we became engaged." The blonde had quite evidently made up her mind. "As for bifurcated garments-" she began. "Yes?" said the brunette, expectantly. "I don't think much of them, as a general rule. but, of course, there are exceptions." "Of course." "I am not at all opposed to a bifur- cated garment with a man in it." Tommy wished to expedite matters.-Rich, Aunt Why do you bring me this dust, Tommy? Tommy: Because I want you to bite it. Rich Aunt Why do you want me to bite it? Tommy: Because I heard papa say that when you bite the dust we shall get E20,000. The other day a lady was asked by some little girls to come and look at a bridal party of dolls, at whose toilet they had been assisting. On viewing the pretty gathering, she ventured to inquire But where is the bridegroom ?"• Oh, we don't want any men was the prompt reply.

1) R ESS-FA 8 filON-HOME. LACE AND MUSLIN GOWX. This illustration is sketched from a beauti- ful gown of lace and muslin applique, worn over an accordion-pleated skirt. The yoke, collar, and tops of sleeves are made of the pleating, which thus simulates an entire under- dress. The uneven line in which the lace-em- broidered muslin fall;; over the pleated skirt I is artistically conceived, and prevents the apparent shortening of the figure that would be caused by a more defined line. The hat is of yellowish straw, with deep crimson roses for trimming. The pleated muslin may be of any colour. It was canary-yellow in the model gown.; the lace applique in finest black Chan- tilly. In biege. muslin over black pleated chiffon this Wpuld be a beautiful dres3; or in creatn-o^lowr over the new blue/with much I grey irt^ it.. ;)- GOSSIP. Miss Isabella Roy, Milbethill, Msrnoch, the oldest person in the county of Banff, has just died. She was born in 1797. Attention is called to the eternal youth of all the fashion-plates. When does one ever see a middle-aged face or figure amongst them? Now is the time for all the hoarded treasures of old lace to be bi-ouglit out and utilised. For even tho rmallest. scraps a U3e may be found in the little points that turn down over the Eemi-transpareut collars of folded chiffon or silk muslin. Larger pieces can be worn as cel- lars, and it is a gocd plan to line these with a fold or two of chiffon in purest white. This not only preserves the lace 2.nd gives firmnes3 for the sewing on of small hooks and eyes, but it also throws the lovely cream of biscuit tint of the old laca into splendid relief. Sleeves, too, can be fashioned of lace, and these may be worn transparent, or lined with a few thick- nesses cf chiffon. | Mrs. Catherine Slingsby, wife of Captain Slingsby, of St riven Park, near Knaresberough. whoie death is announced at the ag3 of 7J years, was the last of the knightly race of Slingsbys who came over with William the Conqueror, and was the sister and sole heir of the late Sir Charlcg, tenth baronet, who was drowned at Nswby in 1869. The title. which thus lapsed, originated in 1628, when Sir Henry Slingsby, the Cavalier, was created a Nova Scotia baronet by Charles I. He was beheaded by Oliver C'rcmwell thirty years later. The late Mrs. Slingsby married, in 186), Captain Thomas Leslie, brother of Sir John Leslie, Bart.. of Glasslough, Monaghan. and they assumed by Royal iiccnce the name and arm3 of Slingsby in 1869.

I I' I, OUR DAILY CARTOON. 1, I THE TIMID TOURIST. I JOE THE GUIDE: "You will oblige by coming a little nearer please, Mr. Kruger." I THE TOURIST: "No; I positively decline to come any nearer than this reek!" I l_ J

FREE BIRTHS'! COMPETITION. The proprietors, of the "Evening Express" have decided to throw this competition cpen free to reade-rs of this paper, and they will awara A Prize of One Pound to the person sending in. a coupon bearing the coiiect forecast of the riuinbtfr of birth-s which will take place in the 3o ciu"f towns of Great Britain during the week ending July 15. CONDITIONS. Competitors must illl til tlie appended coupon. and send it to Births 'ornpetitici),' Eveiiing Express Office. Cardiff, not ieter than by the first post on Monday, July 17. The tiin o of ilie winner or winners will be made on tha Thursday toliowing. Any number of coupons may be sent in the same envelope. In case of any dispute the Editor's decision wiii be final. Disregard of these condiions will cause the disqualificati jn of the coupons. BIRTHS COMPETITION. IHE NUMBER IS Name •• | AddrM* j The envelope to be marked on the left corner. Births Competition." July 10-115. ■ uji! i— THE GREAT BLOOD PURIFIER, ] rfHOIPSONS BURDOCK JPILLS. u>ercome the worst lorins of diseases, and the toulest state of the Blood, Stoniaeh, Liver, and nw.ys: iliey go to the coie of every disease, where no otlier in edic-ite has power to reach In Boxes, at Is. lid. and 2s. 9d. each. Sold ov all Chemists, or from the Burdock Pill Manu- factory. 44. Oxford-street. Swansea.

( OUR JUNIORS. [Conducted by UNCLE .JOE.] The Evening Express Boys' and Girls' Club was established March 21. 1898, for the purpose of promoting principles of kindness amongst young people. and for the mutual interest and instruction of its members. Young folks desirous of joining are requested to communicate with Uncle Joe. c/o the Editor. Members only are eligible for prizes. Handsome certificates are issued to new members, who may have them on call- ing ar, this office, or else sending penny stamp to cover cost of postage The Ciub now numbers 3428 boys and g'rls. LETTER BOX. Dear Uncle Joe—I have not been trying for your competitions for a long time, but now 1 am going to stftrt in real ea/nast. I hope am going to start in real ea/nast. I hope our club and its members are getting cn all right. Our members have increased wonder- fully since I wrote to you Llst. I hope you will not be very cross with me fcr not having written before, because I hive been very busy in working for- -my -schcci examinations; but] no v the;- are ever, so I have plenty of spare] time. I must also mention that I havo changed schools, and am now attending the Higher tirade School. Dear Uncle Joe, I'enclose in this letter an essay on A "Visit to the Country."—Wishing you, the club. and our members every success, I remain, year loving Niece, 'FLORPIE 3I.MMCND.-I, (Cluh Xo. 19). P.S.—I hope we shall have another drawing compet'tion soon. july 7. 28, Wocd-street, Cardiff. July 7. I THE WHOXG TRAIN. May was going to th? seaside for the first time, and was vc-ry excitcJ about it. She told everyone the met, and she thought the time would never come when silz -t'ill lier mother were to start. But at length they r.oached the station, and, as the ticket collector paused a I moment, before punching their tickets, to read the name of the station to which they were going. May must needs turn round and tell titim to "be quick," for they WCtc going to the Seaside. "All right. Missy, he said, "there's Iplenty of time." But May thought there was no time to spare, and when her mother went to see the luggage labeJeJ, teLmg her little girl to stand quite still, she must needs climb into a train just ready to start, and in a moment—"putt"' went the engine, and away she was wlnrlel. It was tae wrong train, and it was late :n the day before Jluy was brought back by a kind rai.way guard. So mother and May missed their right train, and couid hot go to the sea until the next cay.. You may be May missed their right train, and couid hot go to the sea until the next :cl -ay.. Y.. may be I sure May was more ot)client in future.— "Infant's Magazine" (Messrs. Partridge and c).

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MARY-STREET, CARDIFF. HORTONS ORIGINAL Onlv BENEDICT PILLS. Only for Females. for Females. THOUSANDS OF TESTIMONIALS HAVE JL BEEN RECEIVED from all parts. Females of all ages should take them. They at once remove all obstructions. In boxes, 7id„ Is.jd., and 2s. 9d. Sent Post Free, under cover Id. extra, direct- by the proprietor. G. D. Horton. M.P.S. (from the Birmingham and General Lyir.g-in Hospital). Aston House, Aston-road. North Birmingham. Agents: -Cardiff R. Mnm. ford. Chemist, &c., Meteor-street, Splotlands. and Castle-road, Roath. Merthyr: Willis, Chemist. Georgetown. Swansea: Lloyd, Chemist. Oxford-street. Newport: Young. Chemist. High- street. 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— —-—" copYR IGI-IT. "JUST ATHOONRISE," BY FITZGERALD MOLLOY Author of 'The Devil's Head, "A Justified^ Sinner," "Sweet is Revenge," An Excellent Knave, SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. ( Adel Welman. wife of Arthur Welman, artist, while lunching with her step-father, Monsieur Dore, receives a note saying taat ^.ben Hiidos, a weatthj' Greek credited with mesriieric powers, will call upon her._ He used to he her lover. She had married Welman to save herself from Hiidos, whom she loved, but feared that he would not marry her. Hiidos c' her husband is away from home, and she is forced into a promise to go away with the Greek that night to Paris. Adel meets the Greek at Victoria, and departs with him. On the way to Dover there 13 a frightful accident. Adel's cc-nscicnca and fear of Hiidos lead her to refuse to go further with h m and she returns homeward, while he resumes hi-i journey to France. She fears to face the servants alone BO early in the morning, a= she had told them she would return with her husband. Her father. M. I)ope, takes her. therefore, and ultimately shows a disposition to blackmail her Adel's husband returns soon after she gets back from her escapade, bat she makes up her mind not to confess to him. Mean- while Hildc, has one on to Paris. There he is introduced to the Princess Vera. niece of Prince Kazan. The lover of the Princess Vera was done to death in Russia by the officials, and she is waiting to take vengeance. She becomes a Nihilist, and sees in Hiidos, who is much struck with har. a possible instrument for the furtherance of her schemes. CHAPTER IX.—Continued. On the evening when Aben Hiidos was intro- duced to her. Vera, had taken little notice of him until his intended visit to St. Petersburg had been mentioned, when her calm and searching glance had puzzled and flattered the tenor. Her interest in turn increased on hear- ing he was to ing before their Imperial Majesties, and the had looked at him once more, as if she would penetrate the surface of his manner and gauge the qua.itie3 beneath. For many months it was feared by members of the society that letters forwarded to them from Russia had been opened by the postal authorities. In some cases tiiefe had been sub- jected to chemicals, which, removing the sur- face lines, left bare the cypher beneath, now brought to light. It remained doubtful if the cypher, which invariably contained dangerous secrets, had been mastered by the police and for reasons of their own been sent on. If letters leaving Russia had been subjected to such scrutiny, there was no doubt those enter- ing the Czar's dominions and addres-ed to men already suspected met with similar treatment. Therefore, communication by post of impor- tant proceedings or direct instructions bafl become dangerous, not merely to the success of revolutionary projects, but to the liberties and lives of those to whom they were addressed, whilst the forwarding of dispatches by mes- sengers was not only expensive and inexpe- dient. but was also hazardous to those en- trusted with them. A time had now arrived when it became of the utmost importance that certain instruc- ts ns should ba conveyed to a high Court offi- cial, who, unsuspected by all save the inner circle of the society, sympathised with its aims, which lie was willing to forward. Fear of impli- circle of the society, sympathised with its aims. which lie was willing to forward. Fear of impli- cating him, and of the discovery of carefully- laid plans, had prevented the society from attempting to communicate with him for some months. Designs were, therefore delayed when rips for execution. Could certain letters be placed in his hands the match would be applied to the fuse with a result that might startle Europe. I I If his sympathy could be gained and his help 3ecured Aben Hiidos would have it in his power to deliver those communications on which so much depended. A foreigner, a musician occu- pied by his art. a singer honoured by Imperial patronage, he could not be suspectcd of favour- ing the designs of the soc.et.i, dreaded and watched by the Russian Government. Vera began to consider his introduction to her as the work of fate. Her woman's intui- tion assured her of the attraction she held for him. and she felt certain he would undertake tie commission at her Nothing could be done, however, without the approval of the society, before which she would lay her project at its next meeting. In the hope of his joining her on her way to or from the hoapital, she had mentioned the days and hours of her attendance. To receive him a':on in her apartments would be impos- sible, whih-t it would be equally inadvisable for her, whilst her aunt and uncle were present, to speak of the letters she wished him to carry, her relatives having no notion she interested herself in political affairs. If he joined her on her way to or from the hospital. Vera, with the permission of the society, would-ask the bÍnger ts convey this secret correspondence into Ru-sia. It was not probable he would refuse her request. CHAPTER X. IN THE LUXEMBOURG GARDENS. One afternoon, a week later than her first meeting with Aben Hiidos. the Princess Vera saw him walking towards her as she returned from the hospital. Independent in all her ways, and caring little for conventionality, she had frcm the tim; she became an art student dispensed with the chaperonage of a nuVd in", hr daily walk, through the streets of Paris, and it was pro- bably owing to the perceptible fact of her foreign origin, as well as to a certain air of dignified self-reliance, that this habit, which no Fi-nch g'.rl would have dared to imitate, ha*d never subjected her to impertinences. She was, therefore, free to discuss the subject up4>ermost in her mind, without being over- heard by or exciting the comments of a ser- vant. It was the first time she had gone to the hospital since his introduction to her; for until the society had deeded as to whether or not he was to be entrusted with the letters, she had avoided the chance of meeting him alone. He had, however, plainly shown that he sought her company, that he desired to gain her friendship- More than once they had met at the restaurant where he had originally seen her, and he had aat beside her in an opera box he had given to her aunt; he had break- fasted with them the following day; and on the afternoons when he supposed her to attend her lectures he had walked about in the I vicinity of the hospital in the hope of meeting her as she left. Only to-day his perseverance had been rewarded, and on catching sight of her he assumed a gratified air. She was too honest to simulate surprise at his appearance, a fact he noticed, as well as that absence of coquetry which under the circum- stances another woman would have shewn. He would have preferred to have seen it, but that it v^as not there only proved how unlike she was to many of her an<* in that unlikgness lay her chief fascination for him. Her greeting was unre?er\ec and friendly, She had shown an interest in h:rm of lata that greatly pleased the singer. Her question, had touched on characteristics i-hat enaylcd him to paint himself in the glowing colours his imagination and egotism lent him and delighted in the thought that he interested her, his inflated vanity blinded him to the fact that her queries were meant to probe his inmost self, to get at t-h-a real ll1:n lying under the frothy surface of his emotions, to gauge the standard of his honour. Ah, Princess, hew fortunate I am h;ive met you," be said. "I am glad ypu^are here. he answered frankly, as it will give )-lie -In opportunity of talking without interruption, which I could not have done in the flat." Her candour and coolness surprised him, and he began to think her like on- of those quaint American girls who regarded th. m.,el\ e., as the equals of men. "May I walk home with you?" he asked. "Certainly," she replied- Whilst beside her he watched her slight figure, with its beauti- ful curves and modulations, the exquisite grace of her movements, the dignified pose of her head. her delicately-gloved hands and little I feet. No detail was overlooked by one who so much appreciated her sex- He concluded there was something fascinating about her, not merely because of her appearance, but of some individual quality of the mind, which he had '1 not found in other women, and that he did not understand. His admiration of her was not due to love; at least, not to such love as he had felt for Adel and scores of other women; but had in it something apart from that, having less of the senses in its composition and as much un- selfishness as was possible to his nature. "Shall we go into the Luxembourg Gardens?" ;he said. leading the way without waiting for his reply. "That will be pleasant." "I think them beautiful, especially at this time of year, but autumn is my favourite season," she remarked. A time of melancholy and delay." It suits me better than spring." The teason of hope." "I have done with that," she answered, in a toni" that seemed to forbid a reply. He locked at her pityingly, her eyes staring into vacancy, her colourless face expressing a calmncss unnatural to her years, a calmness that was the tomb of her despair. It seemed strange to him that at her age she should abandon herself to sorrow, while to much pleasiire might be found in the world. Surely love would brighten her life once mere. They entered the gardens,, with their rows of stone statues bordering the paths, their fountains flowing placidly into grey basins, their trees beginning to show touches of umber-brown and bright sienna amongst the green of their fading leafage. The early part I of this October day had been dull, but in the I afternoon the sun had suddenly shone out, as if rejoicing th.vt his strength was not yet spent. Attended by their nurses, smartly- dressed children floated air-balloons or rolled hoops, their voices raised in shonts.of delight -=. groups of art students let loo-e from seme neighbouring studio hurried to the cafes in the Latin Quarter, or stayed to chatter a moment with some passing grisette a few idlers, chiefly elderly men, walked listlessly to and fro. A tall man, in a threadbare frock-coat buttoned tightly round his spare figure, was feeding a cluster of twittering sparrows. His thin, melandholy face, and'long hair under hi-i wide-brimmed hat, gave him the appearance of some poor musician, Fome composer whose genius the world had neglected. As they passed, Aben Hildos pointed to him with his stick, saying: "It is possible that whilst starving himself he feeds the sparrows. "Charity could go no further." she replied. At the sound of their voices he slowly turned and looked after Them attentively, with grim eyes and a side-looking glance that gave a sinister expre-sion to his sharp face. Then, whilst appearing to scatter crumbs to the birds, he watched them seat themselves on a double bench, which permitted wayfarers to rest themselves back to back. "You will find the wmter severe in Russia," she said. "I am told the atmosphere is terribly damp," "When do you start for St. Petersburg?" "I must be there the last week in October. Can I have the pleasure of doing anything for you, of executing any commission whilst in the capital?" he asked, cut of ordinary politeness. She looked at him with a swift and searching glance, such as she had given him on the first evening of their meeting, as if anxious to make sure of his loyalty, to feel certain her trust would be held sacred. "It was about that I wished to talk," she 1 1 said after a slight pause. "I am going to ask a favour of you." The singer felt gratified. "Don't speak of it as a favour, Princess; I shall only be too glad if I can be of the slightest service to you," he: replied. "Parden me. but is not that the language of convention?" she said, without relaxing the gravity of her manner. "Let us consider your answer unspoken lintill have explained what I want. And please remember I am quite pre- I pared for your refusal." He was puzzled by her words, which he was unable to interpret, and by the expression of her face that checked all advances towards familiarity. She differed so widely from those of her sex he had previously met that he scarcely knew how to take her. I "You are certain to have heard of the great sorrow of my life?" she said hurriedly, wish. ing to touch as briefly as possible on so sacred a subject: He merely nodded his head. "One of its results was to make me join a society leagued against the Government of my country. Its chief object is to lessen the suf- ferings of political prisoners by inspiring their persecutors with fear. persecutors with fear. "You are a Nihilist?" Aben Hiidos ex- claimed in surprise. "It is one of the names by which we are known." "You?" he said incredulously. She leant towards him a second, a dull red colour in her chtek3, a glow in her eyes that gave them a new splendour. "I have but one object in life> s^-e said, in a voice that was almost a whisper, and that is to avenge the I man I loved. He looked at her face, kindled with e/ithu- siasm and strenathened with purpose, and realised how much sh-e had suffered, how deep was her love. His next thought was how in- valuable must be the affection of such a woman. Uriconsciously she had added a new force to the attraction she held for him. In a moment Vera, had recovered herself and restrained the feelings she had allowed to over- come her. "You will consider everything I eay as pri- vate? I trust to your honour," she said quietly. Certainly, certainly," he responded. "The favour I am about to ask is that you She paused, then looked round and started, as she saw seated on the bench behind them, his back to hers, the neglected genius who a little while before had been feeding the sparrows. The singer, following her glance, understood her concern. The man's arms were folded across his chest, his bead had fallen forward, whilst the sound of gentle, regular breathing gave the impression that he slept. She rose at once and went forward, Aben Hiidos following. "Are you afraid he overheard?" he asked. "Yes," she answered, much disturbed. "How could I have been so incautious." "He seemed asleep," (To be continued.) printed by the Proprietors, Western Mail Limited, and published by them at their offices, St. Mary-street, Cardiff; at their offices. 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