The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

HE LOST HIS LIFE! Yes! and that through carelessness. If the thousands who are afflicted considered for a moment their danger and take Bushes't Bltyd. Pills, they would at once be relieved ef their paint and cured of their dangerous diseases. For bad blood is the original eause of most diseases that the human race is subject to. They purify, strengthen, -and tiimulmte the Blotd and the chief organs of the body, thereby restoring and pre- serriag health. Sold everywhere at Is. ltd., 2s. 9d and 4s. 6..

A. "BITTER SECRET." CHAPTER Y. Continued. He did not wait to answer her, for he saw (ill tin peril, and, moreover, a motion of St. John's ha.i< as lie beiit out above Lady Gwendolyn urged him lco speed. In less than two minutes he had roused the under coachman, and the grooms: in two mon till Y were under Lady Gwendolyn's window whilst the yard-man had been despatched on horseback i, the market town for the tire-engine. But when the ladder was put against the wtil i, was found to be at least ifve yards too short; an. St. John who had seen the red line under tlie door, and had surreptitiously placed a wet towel there could scarcely repress an exclamation of horror tti. dismay. For lie knew that the time was ver\ short; and coon a minute's delay might take awa\ Jheir V-?*- ihance. ",r.e ol(i Etri -,in(i his (laughter sat side by side, "nand in hand, quite calm, both of them, leaving St. John to give directions, feeling that he was tin most capable of the three, and would save them il it it were possible. Have yon another la.dler anvwhere?" St. John shoute»l „ .i; DUt 100K sliarp. mere isn't another on the premises, sir," "Then we are lost," St. John said within himself, but he turned a cheerful voice, nevertheless, to Lord Yoxford and Lady Gwendolyn. The ladder is not long enough to reach to the window, and there is no other," he said, addressing himself to the latter. Can your woman's wit help us to an expedi- ent e" Couldn't we lower ourselves with the sheets as far as the Illlltlcr? It i. It's worth trying, at any rate." 8he brought the sheets and quilt, which St. John knotted together, using all the strength of his strong hands to tighten the knots, lest they should give way in mid-air; then he turned to Lady Gwendolyn. It is ready now," he said. Come." But she stepped aside with a resolute face. "No- thing should induce me to go before papa; and do not waste valuable time in persuasions, for I would open the door and rush into the flames before I would yield an inch. You see, therefore, that if I am to be saved at all it must be in my own way. St. John turned then to tho Earl. "You hear what she says, sir." It is absurd, St. John. I am an old man." For that very reason you must go first," replied his daughter, placing her arms about him and giv- ing him a loving kiss, which would stand for a kiss of farewell if they never met again. Don't you see, dear, that by liesitating you are depriving me of my only chance, for I will not go before you, if I die twenty times over." He saw she was determined, and allowed St. John to attach the cord round his waist, without another word, and help him over the window-sill. St. John had already tied it to the heaviest piece of furni- ture in the room, for the Earl was a tall, powerful man, and he doubted his power to support him un- aided, but was able to steady it as Lord Yoxford let go the sill and grasped at the rope, disappearing c from his daughter's sight just as the door fell in with a crash, and a volume of smoke and flame burst into the room. Fortunately, the Earl was still an active man and presently St. John, to his relief, heard Iii, voice, l'am all right," and the rope swung loose. He lost not a momcllt in drawing it up, but half. stifled by the smoke, faint from the scorching heat. Lady Gwendolyn could only murmur, It is no use, St. John; I have not the strength save vour self." "Never!" he answered, emphatically, "if 1 can't save you we will die together." He shouted frantically out of the window, "Some one—the strongest head amongst you—come up the ladder and catch her ladyship, I tiii going to let hei down. Now, Gwndolyn," he added, turning to her. rouse yourself a littlo; the air will revive yuu when you are once outside. Hold fast with hot' hands to the rope it is only a little way, and GOt; bless you." •' God bless you, St. John," and she held up hei face to be kissed, with the innocence of a child. He pressed her lips once, and then he lifted hei in his arms, just as the flames reached her skirts and licked their lips greedily at the thought of their exquisite prey; and receiving the assurance that some one was waiting for her, he gently launched her into the darkness, with a last recommendation to hold fast and to have courage. His hair was singed now, for the fire lull seized upon the dainty white bed, and all the prelty things with which Lady Gwendolyn had surrounded her- self, and was making for the heavy chest of drawers, to which St. John had tied the rope, and without which he could not hope to escape under any cir- cumstances. He saw the wood begin to char, be-in •> too solid to catch easily, and watched it with a curi- ous sort of calmness. After all, 1 e was not sti;t that he desired life. Without Lady Gwendolyn il could not be worth much: and though she had of- fered her lips for his kiss, it was such a little wiiil- ago since she had told him that a marriage between them was impossible. Stupitied and blinded by the smoke, indifferent to his fate, his hand just held the rope slackly as the leant his Ilead against the window-sill tor a breath of air, and looked down on the group assem- bled there—weird, dark figures, whose faces were strangely illumined by the flames that were burst- ing out of the hall windows. St. John would never have moved an inch lie believed his fate would he sealed, only that out ol this group a slender figure, that lie recognised even at such a moment, pressed to the front, and a clear sweet voice called to him with impassioned earnest- ness,"St.Jobn, St. John, rouse yourself, fo) Heaven's sake! We are both safe, Sf. John." Even if he had been at his last gasp this voicr would have had the power to rouse him. He drew up the cord, fastened it about his waist, andclimleJ dizzily over the window-sill. His head swam, hi swung himself down, and his clammy hands scarce felt the rope, but someone was waiting on the ladder, and guided his feet on the rung, at the very second that the rope gave way above, and the flames caught the wood-work of the window. They received him with a lieartv cheer when he staggered forward into the midst of them but he heard only a confused roar, like the sound of the sea in a storm and then he fell forward insensible at Lady Gwen- dolyn's feet. ¡., CHAPTER VI. When St. John came to, he found himselj in bed at a rarmhousts not far from the Cas- tle and the first face his eyes saw on opening was the lovely compassionate one of his kinswoman, Lady Gwendolyn. I am so glad you are better," she said, with 8 Jivine smile, as she stooped down to him until het balmy breath fannelllus cheek." I have been so terribly anxious." li What happened to me ? Did I full ? he asked, having a very confused recollection of what l ad happened the last part of the time ho had spent in the burning room. "No, it was only a strain. Dr. Darley says you had exerted yourself beyond your strength, and that and the stifling atmosphere caused you to swoon. He has just gone in to see papa, who is rathpr shaken, and then you can question him your- self-" And what about the Castle, Gwendolyn ? They have saved the other wings, where the pictures and plate were. Luckily, tile winll sct the right way and as three engines arrived simul- taneously, they were able to prevent the mischief from spreading any farther." "Do you know how the fire arose, Gwen- dolyn ? No; probably through some carelessness on the part of one of the housemaids, but, of course, they will none of them confess." "1 am glad the old pictures were saved, for yuu; father's sake: he valued them so highly." There was a pause, and then lie added. •' iiow long have 1 been insensible "dearly eight hours. 1 began to think yot ore never coming to life again, l'upa was terribU nxious." "And you, Gwendolyn?" he asked, taking pos- ession of the little hand that rested 011 the coverlet einptingly close to his lips. "I—I—was anxious too, St. John. Do you sup- )ose I am so horribly ungrateful I could forget you ,itvt,-i lily life ?" You amply paid me for the small service I did tor you, Gwendolyn." 1 low ?" ÐlIl before he could answer her she guessed what ,'ie meant, and turned away, blushing so vividly that -veil I:er shell-like ear and long, slender tlirna. were perfectly crimson. The next minute she had vanished from the room and though he looked for tier eag»rly every time the door opened, she did not it-turn. Dr. Darley, may I get up ?" he said, when the Nl. 1). Try," answered the other, smiling. no vou IIIl'an that I a m too weak "1 should say so. lilit NVIIY you maice up your mind to lie quiet here for a few days ?" For a few days repeated St. John, in a dis- mayed tone; "hut I am nil right doctor." You've a pulse, certainly, but that's about as ni IIC'l LS one etn say. But seriously, Mr. Greville, you had a very severe shock, and must listen to reason, or we shall have you laid up. You are to take plenty of beef-tea, and brandy and water, and -luep as much as you can; and I'll drop in to-night and see how you g~t 011." "1 thank YOIl," answered St. John, with a wry grimace; "the last item in the programme is the only agrceahle part of it. I am not particularly fond of bed at night, but in tho day-time it is a place of torture." You will soon be out of it if you follow my di- rections," returned Dr. Darley, consolingly, as lie went off, leaving his patient to fret and fume in his lavender-scented bed, and to wish with all his heart that he had never made any allusion to the kiss which he still seemed to feel hovering softly about his eager lips- As it would be impossible to occupy the Castle for some time to come, all,1 it was too early to go to town, Lord Yoxford had a good deal of furniture taken from the former place, to Meadowlands, which was about three miles distant, on the other side of tl:e station, and thither they all repaired three days later, when Dr. Darley would allow St. John to be moved. St. John had seen very little of Lady Gwendolyn in the meantime. She made a sort of duty-visit every morning on her father's arm, but after that she did not appear again, though she clllld hardly hnve been too busy, for lie heard her often croning melancholy ballads to the accompaniment of a very old. piano. To be eon tinned.

BUY ONLY ENGLISH WATCHES. BENSON'S c NEW PATENT No. 4668.) "LUDGATE" WATCH Has obtained the HXOBBST AWAIS OF A GrOHiD ZMZZEHD-A-Xj AT THB Inventions Exhibition, 1885 SUTSB. COW £ 5 12$. His 'Ladgate Mm is a buyer Englisn Lever Of my Best London Make with Special Strength." niESErQgAMEB PL&TE MOVEMENT. lewelled roughout in Rubies, True Chronometer Balance, Adjusted for Extremes, With Damp and Dust Proof Patent King Band and Extended Barld. Massive Sterling Silver Dome Caaes, With CRYSTAL GLASS Front, Which combines the Strength of the Huatei with the convenience of the Optra Face Watch. Winds, Sets Bands and Opens at Back. The Immense superiority in Value, Accuracy, and Durability Of the "I/adgate" Watch, to Swist wd Ametieam (cMde in Imitation ef and sold at English), and te tto Old Full-Plate English Lerei (■till MM by «th«r makers), from the great fefects of 1fI¡ieà the Ludgate is exempfr,—u pond by the Award of a COLO MEDAL, —— The only one adjudged to English Watches. The Ludpte" ie of Better Quality and Value Than any Watch hitherto made. The -1 Ludgate ia my Best London Make. Strong, Handsome and Sellable, Wi31 stand the hardest Wear and roughest usage And ie, therefore, the Best Watch For Home, Indian and Colonial Wear, by Railway Men, Miners and Colonists (No. 1, Large Size) Workmen and Artisans (No. 2, as Sketch) Gentlemen# Officers and Men in H.M. Semises, Tooths' and Boys' (No. 3. Small) Will be sent Free and Safe at my Bosk N. To all parts of the World for o£6 6s. Or ip 1R.CARAT GOLD Crystal Glass Casei TWEf.YE GUINEAS (No. 3 Size). .k by 'i accompany Order. tPECTALLY NOTE that J. W. Bsmow k the otlj Maker of a Three-Qnarter Plate English Wateh fot 95 53 in Silver, or Z12 12s in Gold, and that otn Patent Ludgate Waeob 6aimpt be had l&Mttgl or of any other Watebtitdrer in the Ktogd&m. An} Infringement of the Patsiit Bights will A prottsdec tgadnst. An illustrated and Priced BOOK. explaining thr advantages of this Watoh eHT the "wnati EnglisnWatohes sola by all ethto makers, win b sent Fost'rre* on application to J. W. BENSON, MATCHMAKER fQ gjf. TBSQV&E&, A THE STBAH #A0T0BT» Consequent npon the twati t{ fti 09V Msbjb, tha demand, always fpS»t, ha| SO lB*re4M* tft name litate more'extensive Maflhinwlr. tWw WW isabjei as to a £ L oSflaBB for the Lol) GATE' WATCH WIIBOuT DELAY. l)lastra|ed Pamphlet* ef Watofces mm £ 3 to 40OQ ?old and Silver Jewellery, QHMMKS (Honss, Chime ani arret), Eleotro-Pftte, abaMtdtel Boxes.. Free oi application. I!J CLUB A BBQBB TAKIES OF FREBHDLT SOOmTlES, AGENTS and others will find their In a eonsidertibly in oreased by establishing Clubs for the New Patent It Luellate" Wwtoh. Mtt is worth from 26 to .1. mosethan any English Watoh sold, and therefori boand te snperoede all others. Particulars on appli aatien. DAVID OULIJ, Grocer and Provision Dealer AND GENERAL DRAPES, HILL STREET, PONTYPRIDD Prime Welsh Batters, and Best Rem. Cured Bun ilvtp h Stock. MILLINERY, DRESS & MANTLE IIIING BY EXPERIENCED HANDS DONE ON THE PREMISES. Tailoring in all its Branches by Practical and Thorough Experienced Hands AGENT for Messrs. &URTI8 t RABVET8 CELEBRATED BLASTING POWDER- A SPLENDID SHOW OF Confectionery, Chocolate, Biscuits AND FANCY GOODS AT J. COOMBES, Market Street, Pontypridd- TRY OUR CAKE, IT IS THE BEST AND CHEAPEST R. RICHARDS. THE PONTYPRIDD READY-MONEY GROCER, Begs to take this opportunity to thank his numerous customers for their liberal support the past, he also hopes that by paying the same attention to business as he has hithertDi done. and by his style of business, viz.: SMALL PROFITS AND QUICK RETURNS, To still merit a very large sbare of t public patronage. RR. begs to call attention to his STOCK OF ^TILTSHIBl SMOKED BACON AND HAMS [Very Mili ] SMALL LIMERICK HAMS 6^D. PER LB. Suitable for Picnics and saall families 2 Pale White BREAKFAST BACON (Well Cnred.) Eqial to Home Fe FINEST ENGLISH LARD IN BLADDERS 5id PER LB. -CAERPHILLY CHEESE, FRESH WEEKLY, (FINEST QUALITY.) FINEST NEW MILD AMERICAN CHEESE AT REDUCED PRICES. All.Goods delivered Free. A call is respectfully solicited. 48, TAJTF STREET, PONTYPRIDD DAVID THOMAS, J The Ready-Money Grocer, HIGH STREET, PONTYPRIDD, Is Selling Excellent Flour at 2s. per score. D. "3?3EX O3Q0E Si♦ Opposite Court House. ■ + <+ Oi, v X X V v VAV 'ly Printed md PubH.h.dbj B. »»jl 24, Mill-treU, m the CW3 .( Glaiurgin, *rri»y, M»'<* • 18^-

TOPICS OF THE WEEK. WHEX the admission of women to medical degrees was an unsettled question, Sir William Gull took up a position with the party of resist- ance, believing at that time, in common with many of his most distinguished brethren, that such admission would have a deteriorating in- fluence upon medicine and lower the standard of proficiency. Sir William has since seen good reason to change hi.s opinion. Presiding on Saturday at a meeting of the subscribers to the Helen Prideaux Memorial Fund, the celebrated physician made handsome recognition of the high degree of excellence which women had achieved in his profession. He still, however, seems to think that there is some danger likely to arise in the medical education of women from the lack of colleges with the prescriptive authority of time and usage to guard and guide them. But that is a disadvantage which time and the enthusiasm which women manifest in the healing art may be safely depended upon to remove. If they have to pass the same ex- aminations as men there need be little fear that the feminine sensitiveness which Sir William Gull still appears to dread will have an un- favourable effect upon the medical profes- sion. IF the railway carriage is not yet quite what it ought to be so far as public comfort is con- cerned, there can be no question that it has improved immensely since the days when third- class passengers travelled in uncovered "stand- ups," and when the first-class carriage was modelled after the cumbrous stage coach. The Great Northern Railway Company are now, it is said, introducing home comforts and modifi- cations of hotel life into railway travelling, and are running daily between London and Leeds a new car which contains dining-room, smok- ing-room, kitchen, and lavatories, ornamented with taste and skill. The first-named saloon has painted ceilings and side frescoes, alternat- ing with mirrors. A variety in style is afforded by the red monochromes with which a lady artist has ingeniously adorned the smoking- room, by the adaptation of Boucher's Cupids to the subject of railway engineering. The discovery of steam and the formation of the first railway in England are fancifully repre- sented by groups of dainty little figures. Who know but that this travelling aestheticism may extend itself in time to other public carriages, and that that survival of the unfittest-the street omnibus—may some day become a thing of beauty and ajoy to every passenger 0 WHILE the report of another fall of house property in London is not calculated to inspire the inhabitants of that great city with a feeling of safety in their dwellings, the explanation of the occurrence is still more alarming, coming, as it does, after a quick succession of these ac- cidents. The fall on Monday was not of' old property, but of semi-detached villas in course of erection. The front of one house, without any warning, suddenly gave way, causing the entire fabric to collapse, bringing with it the greater part of the adjoining villa. If this is a specimen of modern house property in London it would not seem to be very substantial. And the explanation gives rise to the fear that this state of instability may not be confined to in- dividual cases. The form of brick generally used, is said to be "a compound of brick earth, with which a portion of ashes or coal dust is mixed to promote the burning and hardening of the mixture." But unless the bricks are pro- perly burnt they area most unreliable material, absorbing moisture and becoming as soft as pulp. And not only is this the sort of material used, but it is said that the bulk of London houses are neither designed nor superintended by qualified architects. Evidently some better oversight is needed in London. Happily, these matter are managed better in other large towns now though at one time the jerry builder had free play. MR. JUSTICE HAWKINS has made the latest contribution to the important question- what does or does not constitute ferocity in a dog. The general rule is that before a dog can be convicted of wilful savagery his enemies must prove at least one instance of previous miscon- duct of the same kind. Sometimes several cases of previous ferocity are required, and sometimes even when a dog has made a num- ber of attacks on different persons, qualifying circumstances save his bacon. This was the case in the action Garner v. Drucher which was decided in the Court of Queen's Bench on Sat- urday, and all things considered, we think the dog, a large St. Bernard, has had nearly as much cause for complaint as the plaintiff. It was stated that one day Mrs. Drucher let loose the dog, which immediately capered round the plaintiff—a domestic servant, and then flew at her, knocking her down, tearing her dress, and biting her on both arms in no fewer than four- teen places. Some explanation for this sudden accession of ferocity is suggested by the admis- sion of the plaintiff that she once put pepper on the floor to cure him of his dirty habits." Nor do the previous convictions brought forward put him in a much worse plight. On one occasion it seems he tried to bite his mas- ter who was washing him, and on ano ther occa- sion he was so unreasonable as to show his teeth when his mistress tried to take away a biscuit which he was eating. The judicial opinion that a dog is not necessarily savage be- cause he dislikes being washed or deprived of a biscuit to w»chhe has taken, is obviously rea- sonable, as was the final upshot of the action, viz., an arrangement whereby the dog's life was saved and the injured servant compen- sated.

THE CIVIL SERVICE AND EDUCATION GRANTS. Civil Service estimates for nett financial year sfcew an increase of £ 193,000. Chief increase is 111 Education Grants.

ANOTHER IRISH MURDER IN IRELAND. A Sheriff's bailiff named Finlay was shot dead near Woodford, Ireland, last last. There have ))."n evictions in the neighbourhood recently. 0