The Merthyr Express

-=- More and more mothers are baking Scones, Cakes and Pastry for tea Pt home. Once you ge! to know how easy it is | and how little time it takes with j 'Paisley Flour (Trade Mark). the sure raising powder- you will do likewise. Baking with "Paidey Flour" is nearly twice P, as cheap as using cake or sponge flours or mixtures. Paisley Flour" it made by Brown & Polion, and it toki in 7d.. 3%d. and td. packets with recipes.

i POET'S CORNER. 0 U, When over vale and lea t The amber lights fade slowly, And the eventide, All perfumed breathes of you; Then heart's delight, Sweet axe your lips for me, Jj When swift the shadows fall, Bringing me—you! a And when beyond the sea I The pearl-dawn opens slowly, a And the world awakes, j- Radiant, and glad of you; t. Then, heart's delight, c Love lights your eyes for me, s And life to me means love, 0 And love meaiw—you. & J. FBANCIS DAVIES ("Egerton Grey"), In the "IdleT," April, 1909. \&bezcanaid. e t THE TREASURED BOOK. t t) little book, I loved you so; J It seems such little while ago. s I loved you, though I scarce knew why, r And moved to smile and moved to sigh j Each day I turned your pages o'er g I found more comfort than before. For the old time's sake I love you still, Dear little book, and always will, g The lines I marked, the foolish phrase, t Seemed passing fine in those old day- j. Now wi&?r grown I am, and yet ) Outgrowing you brings but regret. j fcfc. -—— i

SA;N A" DY I OBBANMMINT* Of THI UtmillV OUMI ,1 Superior to Copaiba. Cufcebs and Injections. I No nauseating effects with these Capwies, I Thousands use them with universal success. | WILCOX, 49, Hay market, London. Post iree, 3]6, <

A PHENOMENAL SUCCESS. LONDON, May 20tli. The dispensers of Cadum, tha new discovery for the cure of eczema, have decided to allow chemists generally to supply it. Heretofore it could only be obtained direct from the laboratories. Since the change in the method of distri. bution, Cadum has met with the most phe. nomenal success of anything introduced to the drug trade in the last 30 years. Boots, Ltd., and other chemists, now supply the special 6d. size recently adopted, also the large Is. box. The great success is not surprising when it is remembered that in eczema cases Cadum stops the itching with the first application, proceeds to heal immediately and cures chronic cases in a few weeks. In minor skin troubles, such as pimples, blackheads, acne, herpes, blotches, rash, etc., results show after an overnight application.

A wealthy but parsimonious man met a well. known physician at a dinner party, and thought it would be an opportunity of obtaining gratu- itous advice. "Do you know, doctor," no said, as soon as there was a chance, "I know a man who suffers so desperately from neuralgia that at times he can do nothing but howl with pain? What would you do ij^that case?" "I suppose," replied the medical man, "I should howl with pain, too?"- •

FOR MATRON AND MAID. THE REAL GIRL. There are some girls who. like the porcu- pine, turn their bristles to the world. The ma- ."i v, unfortunately, lire charming to the ex- •^ric.r and a bitter disap)>omttncni to those who dip within. J r a man's valet, holds the key to his char- acter, it takes the onlooker upon family life to know a girl as she is, not an she poses to tw. The family itself is not always a competent judsjo of tbo nature of its different members. MotneHy Icve and fatherly affection arc great Winders, and the frankness of brother or sister is as apt to underesiinr.ato as overestimate a girl's real nature. But the <Tl.est in that family, if she stays long enough, is sure to have a shrewd idea of actual values. WIIEN MAKING BLOUSES. Several nice points there aro in the fitting of a shirt blouse that every home sewer does not know and many dressmakers neglect. Almost invariably after the seams of a shirt blouse have been put together with a fair degree of accu- racy, tho novice will generally make the mis- take of trying to fit the sleeve before the col- lar is fastened on. This last is not possible. The blouse should be put on the wearer, or on a. figure, with the seams tacked only. A neckband or a collar finished at its lower edge, acd of the correct length, should be laid over the blouse and around the neck, then carefully pinned fast so that there are no puckers in the biojisc. With the garment now in hand, the collar is tacked exactly as it was pinned, and then the sleeve tacked in. VERY COMPANIONABLE. The girl who knows how to find happiness as she goes along, a little to-day, a bit to-night, and just a trifle more to-jnorrow, is a. most "liv- able" person. Geniuses may leave legacies of great achievement to futuro generations, but they are not always happy companions to live with. Nor arc many so-called successful men and women. They are too occupied by the task of being successful and brilliant to enjoy life, and they think that he who seeks and is often content with small pleasures is rather a weakling. But if there were no people content to do the small things of the world, what a dreary desert life would be fer the majority. W RENOVATIONS. Tihere is nothing magical about tho art of dyeing. It is a. group of facts, and the expert is the one who has the ability to keep these facts in mind to draw from as the occasion requires. first., study the fabric. Make yourself famil- iar with the several fibres that enter into the composition of the different materials. This can be determined sometimes by a single ex- amination, but often the mixture is of such a nature that experts arc baffled. Generally this can be determined by ravelling out the threads each way of the cloth, from a small piece, and trying them in a flame. Cotton burns freely without odour; wool singes, with but very little flame and gives out a. disagreeable odour, as of burning horn or hair; silk burM more freely than cotton, and care should be taken to note the difference, for cotton masquerades in unexpected places as silk, and gives trouble to the unsuspecting dyer. HYGIENIC SLEEP. The first great rule for hygienic sleep is a clean, well-made bed, with covers which are warm, but not burdensome. The experienced woman who is furnishing a home knows that if there is one point in which she is justified in extravagance it is in the matter of good mattresses and a plentiful supply of bedclothing. When a woman complains of sleeping poorly at night, and you know that her bed is com- fortable and scientifically made, and her room carefully ventilated, there is yet the question of her garb for sleeping to be considered be- fore thinking that there is anything physically or mentally at fault with her. TWO MARKS OF BEAUTY. Beautiful eyes and brows are. in one sense, a. special gift of nature. Many a plain woman is redeemed by fine eyes; many a, pretty face spoiled by red-rimmed, dull, lustreless eyes. But at the same time, a great deal may be done to make even unpromising eyes clear and at- tractive, to render eyes which are only passably pretty really beautiful. Attention to the general health will go far to make the eyes clear and bright and prevent fatigue, even when they are called upon to do a great deal of work. Have you never noticed the dull eyes of a person afflicted with dyspepsia, the yellow tinge of overfeeding and neglected liver; the lustre- less eyes of the woman who sleeps in an ill- ventilated room, who takes no exercise, and spends all her spare time reading qovels over the fire? POINTS OF FASHION. Shepherd check Princess gowns are rather like coats. Their fastening goes over to the left hip, and then buttons down to the hem. Big revers of satin or chiffon velvet are the up-to-date set-off. The over-sleeve that nearly reaches the elbow is. becoming more and more general. It belongs to the dress, whilst the long sleeve is part of the guimpe. "Braiding" is done witb fine silk ribbon on some of the smart net blouses. Hand-painted blousea of lace are now being worn with dressy tailored suits. Artistic gowns of neutral tones are fashioned of flexible linen or rep. Self-bands coarsely embroidered with Russian, Egyptian, or Bulgarian designs decorate these dresses. Most effective tailor-made gowns a.re being ordered of mohair. Satin rather than dull silk is chosen as the under-dress for coarse net blouses and gowns. Many of the new jabots a.nd collars have tiny bands of colour or coloured embroidery at the top. Embroidered chantilly is becoming a tremen- dous favourite for guimpes and sleeves. Redingotes of fine white sergo braided with soutache are for summer wear. They are cut long and loose, and have big pearl buttons for fastenings. HINTS FOR THE HOME. Renovating Stained Boards.—If the stained boards of your floor have become light with constant wear, rub well with paraffin oil, and they will become beautifully dark; then polish with beeswax and turpentine. Home Remedy for Relieving Bronchitis.— Take 2 oz. of honey, 1 oz. olive oil, yolks of throe new laid eggs, and the juice of three le- mons. A teaspoonful to be taken four or are times a day. Most splendid recipe. Prevent Custard from Curdling.—When mak- ing boiled custard the milk should be made thoroughly hot before being added to the eggs. If it should qome to boiling point it will not curdle. It ij also a great improvement to the custard. Creamed Whiting.—Take two filleted whit- ing, lay in buttered dish (a macaroni dish would be suitable), season with pepper and salt, and^ a small finely-chopped onion, and pour over fish a gill of cream. Grate some cheese on top, and bake till a light brown. Very delicious, and a change from ordinary cooked fish. Whit. ing cooked this way- resembles sole. Delicious Rhubarb Jelly.—-Get some fresh red rhubarb, wash, wipe, but don't peal. Cut I up and put in a preserving pan, with one large cup of water. Simmer till juicG is extracted, strain through a jelly bag, and 1 lb. lump sugar to each large cup of juice. Stir till it boils, boil for ten minutes or longer if it does not appear firm. Pour into pots, store in a cool dry place. Marmalade Cake.—Take one and a-half cup- fuls of milk, half a cupful of castor sugar, half a teaspoonful of carbonate of soda, a pinch of tartaric acid,' one egg. Mix the flour, soda, and acid in a basin, whisk the egg. put in the milk, whisk again; add the marmalade to the milk, stir well, and add the other ingredients. Pour on a flat buttered tin, and bake in a slow oven for half an hour. Coffee "Scones.—Sift together twice a cupful of flour, half a cupful of sugar, half a tea- spoonful of salt, half a teaspoonful of ground cinnamon, a heaping teaspoonful of baking powder. Mix this into a soft dough with four tabiespoonfuls of melted butter, a well-beaten eggs, and half a cupful of sweet milk. Spread in a shallow pan, sprinkle thickly with sugar and cinnamon, and bake in a quick oven. Serve hot with butter or jam. Lemon Butter and Cocoanut Tartlets.—For short crust, rub from 4 oz. to 6 oz. of butter, according to richness of pastry desired, into i lb. flour; add a dessertspoonful of castor sugar; beat the yolk of an egg with two table- spoonsful of cold water, add gradually to the flour and mix to a paste. Pastry must not be too stiff, but the less water used the shorter the crust will be. Roll out £ in. in thickness; line pattypans, prick twice with a fork, bake a light brown, brush over with an egg, then fill cases with lemon butter. Sprinkle liberally with desiccated cocoanut. Have you anything to Sell? Advertise in our Want Columns, and it ia as good as sold.

A virtuous and uniform discharge of little duties requires as great a degree of fortitude as actions which are called heroic, and at the same time procure more honour and happiness. —Rosseau

I™ COOK j always uses I BOR WICK'S UJ BAKING POWDER | ■"■■■ £ 1 • M'V■«, J•#.#. _o-. ,fe; A CLEAN SHEET, '¿-' A new era has dawned in the method W I ma'<,nS clothes white. Once—it was if ( a troL,k'e and could only be done by > Jf exposing the garments to pure country /iVvk air or by the use of injurious chemicals. Now every housewife can ensure ^ji snowy white linen by using OMO. ll The Oxygen properties of pure air are u Vn FULL DIRECTIONS ON BVBRY PACKBT. /j 1 BLEACHES &CLEAMSES. Y 0 4

t FOR THE YOUNG FOLKS. i QUEER "DOGS." Day and night, night and day, Charlie had travelled across America, catching from the win- dows of the flying train gardens, grassy pas- tures, big barns and houses, acres of grave- vines, miles of wheat-fields, cities, and towns. "But they have great big ant-hills here," said Charlie, "big as our largest dish-pan. If the train would stop, maybe they'd look big as a little wash-tub." "See the prairie-dogs!" said the lady in the next seat. "Where? Where? I don't see anv!" cried Char We, feeling glad that he was on the train and that the dogs, which must be wild, fierce things, most as big as lions, were off on the plains. "Everywhere in the field, close by the track, and all around. Those are not ant-hills; they are prairie-dog huts. This is a prairie-dog village." "I don't see any dogs. I see a stick on the top of each ant-hill. What makes the sticks fall1 down? Why, are they the dogs? They jump dowp and frisk away so fast I can't setf where they go. There goes one, and there, and there, and there!" he cried. "They burrow for a long distance under- ground," said Mrs. Leo. "But they aren't dogs at all! They aren't as large as woodchucks! About as large as squirrels, aren't they?" "Yes, just about." "Oh, I must get some pictures of them to send back to London," said Charlie. But al- though he searched through every store he could not find a single picture of a prairie-dog village, because the "dogs" are so shy it is almost impossible to photograph them. THE BOY'S SACRIFICE. He was a good little boy and very thoughtful. When he heard about a scarcity of water in some parts of the country he came to his mother and slipped his hand into hers: "Mother," he said, "is it true that in some places the little boys and girls have scarcely enough water to drink?" "That is what the papers say, my dear." "Mother," he presently said, "I'd like to give up something for these poor little boys and girls." His mother gave him a fond look. "Yes, dear. And what would you like to give up?" "Mother," he said in his earnest way, "as long as the water is so very scarce, I think I ought' to give up being washed." WISHES. Wishes, they are but little things, Less than a bird with tiny wings; Yet we are wishing all the day, We wish the rain would go away; We wish the way was not so long; We wish the feeble ones were strong, That they no more might suffer pain; We wish that we were grown to men. If we could make our wishes true, What would you wish that you might do? One wish that's good there is, I know, i That we may better, kinder grow, e Doing each day what good we can. As child, and, when we're grown, as man; And just this wish we too may frame, That everyone would do the same.

DISTRESSING BRONCHITIS, I Hacking Cough and Blood-spitting. A REMARKABLE CURE. Mrs. J. Hurst, 37, Byrom-street, High Park, Southport, writes:—"I suffered for over a year from a distressing bronchial cough which no- thing could apparently relieve, and I got so low and weak from coughing and spitting phlegm and blood that I could scarcely walk. I was under the doc., who said I had chronic bronchitis, but nothing he gave me did me any good, and I tried various so-called cough reme- dies, until I despaired of ever being better. At last I tried your wonderful Cough Cure, and the first bottle relieved me, and now I am perfectly cured and as well as ever." Veno's Lightning Cough Cure is a perfect remedy for coughs, colds, bronchitis, asthma, catarrh, and all chest and lung troubles. Price 9 £ d., b. lid., and 2s. 9d. of all chemist*.

FUN AND FANCY. Mark Twain says: "None but the brave de- serve the fair; and none but the brave can live with some of them." A temperance editor, in drawing attention to an article against ardent spirits in one of his papers, says: "For the effect of intemperance see our inside." Mother: "Wn.1, baby, what. are you doing?" Baby (with her ear in crack in floor above the dining room): "Don't know, but nursie does it. "Punch." First juvenile cyclist (struggling with large- sifced machine): "Where shall we say we've been to-day?" Second juvenile cyclist: "Why, how d'you mean?" "Oh, for swank." An architect remarked to a lady that he had been to see the great, nave in the new church. The lady replied: "Don't mention names—I know the man to whom you refer. "Man," says Victor Hugo, "was the oonun- drdm of the eighteenth century; woman is the conundrum of the nineteenth century." An American editor adds: "We can't guess her, but will never give her up. No, never." Mrs. O'Toole: "She's takin' on awful. Her husband got three years—but he kin git twelve months off for good behaviour." Mrs. Dooley: "Tell her to rest aisy. Sure, an' he may not behave himself." Goodart: "You didn't actually tell him that I didn't think him much of a poet?" Wiseman: "Sure." Goodart: "Oh! I wouldn't have had you do that for the world-" Wiseman: "Nonsense! That doesn't hurt him. It only makes him pity you." Mrs. Nurich was in the jewellery store. "Here arc some new souvenir spoons we have just got in," said the clerk, placing a tray for her in- spection. "Oh. ain't those lovely!" she ex- claimed, "I must have some of those! Our cook makes such lovely souvenir." One of the lady visitors attached to a Ber- mondsey Church was speaking to some of the young factory girls on the impropriety of chaf- fing young men as they passed them iT) the street. "You never see us do such a thing." the visitor urged. "No, miss." was the reply, "and we are so sorry for yer!" Wife "For mercy's sake, if you must smoke, smoke cigars, and not that horrid pipe." Hus- band "I smoke a pipe for the sake of eco- nomy." "Do you smoke a pipe in your office?" "N-o, I smoke cigars there." "Well, you smoke your pipe there, and tell the firm it's for the sake of economy. They'll soon raise your salary." Tramp: "Thankee, mum; it's a fine dinner you've sriven me, mum. There's only one thing more I'd ask in th' world, an' that's a smoke." Kind Lady: "You can have that, and wel- come. There's a box of cigars in the closet which I gave my husband for a present-" Tramp (hastily): "Never mind, mum. I've got a pipe, an' I saw an old cabbage down th' road." A Yorkshireman lay on his death-bed, his wife tending him, whilst several sympathetic neighbours stood by the foot of the bed. "Saeboddie owes us saemich," murmured the dying man, evidently as a reminder to his wife. "Eh, 'es sensible to t'last," the vyfe observed proudly to the neighbours. "An' us owes sae- boddie samicli," the poor man added. "Nob- but 'ark 'ow 'e raaves," was the wife's prompt oorrection. "An American" was dining in Paris, and had ordered a certain kind of cheese, of whijn he knew nothing, at a. guess. Shortly afie. ward he called the waiter peremptorily. "Take that cheese away," he said testily. "What is ea the matter with it?" asked the waiter, delaying. "What shall I bring you instead?" "Don't bring me anything instead," said the man, still more testily. "Take it away, I tell iou! don't you see it is e*.Unf; my bread V'-

-ot: L THOMAS DAVIES, POSTING MASTER AND CAB PROPRIETOR "f N thanking the public for the libera] patronage received from them for many years past il. u bei"S. <n succession to his father, the oldest established Cab Proprietor in Mer- thyr-begs to invite special attention to his large and complete facilities for Posting, and in particular to his ample arrangements for Funerals, He has recently added to his stock of hearses a new handsome Glass Panelled Hearse, and is now prepared to supply hearses for funerals from 10s. upwards. Arrangements can he made with parties at a distance either by letter or by personally waiting upon them. Wedding Carriages kept. Brakes for pleasure parties upon the most reasonable terms. ADDRESSES.- CASTLE HOTEL LIVERY STABLES, AND BUSH HOTEL LIVERY STABLES Merthyr Tydfil. slice B PEED g} CCA ■ ■ MAKES CYCLING EASY. DB Mfl| For bridging the valley and breasting the BSnffl HjKgMB hill, this Gear, cyclists say, ia H8B* INVINCIBLE STILL* Four t i m e 5 as m a Ii Y Sturmey-Arcliers in use as all other 3-speed gears put together. Fits any cycle. BEWARE If made imitittions, and en having the 1 Stui-may-Archer, the gear- witr- ball-bearings. Send p.e. for iIIuI- and instruc. tive booklet. ARCHER (L Mf GEARS, Ltd., 1 Y Jf- NOTTINGHAM 1 I Humber.Ltd., cleman- J 'arravis H f.K rdu oia oia I I I Cycles I 'TSV Mr. W. H. Miien, of 3, Kneller Villas, Hounslow, owns a Jnpfll Wftm' Humber which he has ridden 70,000 miles in 8 years riding, for V&K. business purposes every day, and it is still in excellent order, so Ssfijjf t that he writes "Hnmbers Cannot be equalled for Qjgj hard wear, reliability and long life." JafUjU Send to-day for illustrated Catalogue (with easy payment terms) post free. vW, THOMAS BROS., 130, High-street, MERTHYR. i' A. BUCHAN & CO., Lawn Shop, RHYMNEY. JgLs r j' T. AENKINS, TREDEGAR. I llF You will never be f short of anything f r you want for your cakes or puddings I if you keep a packet [ or two of o-ma in the store cup- board. fiere are no nicer cakes or PUd- dings than those made with Cakeoma-the ready-for-use cake and pudding floun Many recipes In each 3 Jd. packet. From grocers and stores every- where. LATHAM & CO. LTD., LIVERPOOL I GAKEOMA PUZZLES. A Booklet containing the 12 Cakeoma Puzzles and solutions, with names and addresses of Cash Prir. Winners, will ba sent post free to anyone on reo "Cel,t of request and an emptv Cakeoma, Spongeoma, or Qnia Self. Rallln, Floor'bae. I 1. I I A Boon to Mothers. I MOTHERS ARE WARNED I 11 against giving their babiaa medicines B which weaken their systems and H stultify their growth. Bat don't 9 try to stop their H Painful Cries 1 by forcing them with food. Their j| cries indicate ailment* which can b* LI rapidly relieved and cured by | JONES' I RED DROPS I THB HEALTHS'TIL BElttUY FOB I! Wind, Gripes, Convulsions, I and all kindred infantile complaints. Pgj ew One dose decides its unique value, |g ensures healthful babie?, ana enables SB Mothers to have quiet days and restful ja nights. |*| Keep a Bottle Handy. 1/1$per bottle. |j nights. |*| S Keep a Bottle Handy. I/ii per bottle. jg ..L To be had from the following Agents:— Merthyr, Mr. V. A. Wills, R.D.S., Chemist, S*1 Victoria Street. Dowlais Mr. Evans, Chemist, Union street. fl Troedyr hrw Messrs. J. D. Jones to Son, Canton I House. I Beaufort Mr. Price. Post-office. 1 Trebarris Mr. Lloyd, Chemist. S Bargoed Mr. Pritcliard. Chemist. S Caerau. MaestegT\ Mr Howells. Chemist. f Pontypridd From all Chemists I House. I Beaufort Mr. Price. Post-office. 1 Trebarris Mr. Lloyd, Chemist. S Bargoed Mr. Pritchard. Chemist. S Caerau. M aestelr. M r Howells. Chemist. f Pontypridd From all Chemists I Tonypandy Mr. Emrys Richards. Chemist. » lilwynypia Mr. J. W. Richards. Chemist. Ca Pentro Ystrad Mr. S. S. James. Royal Storea (J Treorchy Mr. Prothero, Chemist. Treorchy Mr. Davies. ChemisU Treherbert Mr. Evans, Chemist. Ferndale Mr. Burgess. Chemist. Yiiyshir Mr. Lewis, Chemist, vi J'ylorstown Mr. W. R. 'Williams, Chemist. Aliercynon Mr. W. C. Williams. ChemisU j Aberdare Mr. Harris. Chemist. | f Aberaman Mr. I. E. Thomas. Chemist, j Mountain Ash Mr. Williams. Chemist. Mountain Ash Mr. Jones. Chemist Penrhivcciber Mr. A. M..Tones. Chemist. Portli From all Chemis Bargoed Mr. W. Parry-William3, Chemirt JONES & SONS, Mar.ufacturing Chemists, Llanidloes -_u — 4 CLAUKE S B 41 PILLS are warranted to core, in either sex. all acquired or constitutional Discharges £ from the Urinary Organs. Gravel, and Pains in tho back. Free from Mercury. Established upwards of ■ 30 years. In boxes 4s. 6d. each. of all Chemists and Patent Medicine Vendors throughout the World, ox sent (or sixty stamps by the makers. The Lincoln and Midland Counties Drug Csmpany. Lincoln. USE BERRY'S BOOT POLISH— j

gone away. I-I don't know Lord Norchester, and I have no right, perhaps, to judge him, but-but it seems to me very cruel that her husband should have left her in the way sho has been left." Varley looked troubled. "Speaking broadly, of course, you are right, but in a case like this, it is difficult to legislate for others—and Harry is very young." "He was not too young to marry and to carry his will against the wisdom of others." "We all make mistakes, Miss Miinor." "Yes," said Ellen, "but we don't all run away when we find that out. I am afraid that I do not consider that Lord Norchester has any legitimate excuse for doing what he did. To me his conduct where his wife is concerned is not only cruel; it is just a little cowardly, too." When Varley had returned from his inter- view with Walter Barneith he had left the door half open, and jll'o-t as Ellen was making this speech it was pushed a little more widely open, and a young man stood in the entrance. Her words came to his ears most distinctly. He hesitated an instant, then with a curious expression he walked boldly into the room. "Hullo! Dick!" he said. It was Lord Norcheeter. CHAPTER XVI. Round and about Wynche Castle there waa. any amount of excitement, gossip, and commo- tion. By this time the neighbourhood had growu tired of discussing the amazing marriage which Lord Norchester had contracted, even the stories of Lady Norchester's follies and eccentricities had grown stale; but interest was furiously re-aroused when it became known that not only had Lord Norchester returned I firom his motor tour, a reported invalid, but that his mother and sister fyad left the hotel in Tornbury and were actually staying once again at Wynche Castle. How all this had been brought about Ellen hardly realised. With the unexpected and un- announced return of Lord Norchester the great house had changed entirely. There was a bustle of life along its oorridors, and a sense of important business seemed to actuate the servanti. Ellen's own maid, Eliza, was full of oxcitement. "Just fancy his lordship walking in like that! No one never going to the station to meet him —him coming up in a fly, and his arm vaJl strapped up and looking like a ghoat. Well, it takes one's breath away, that it do! Mr. Whit- taker that's his lordship'* valet. miss), lie makes out as his lordship was really hurt a lot more than he lets people know. It waa such a smash-tip-hi.3 splendid new raotor-«ar just a ruin, miM. And did-you see his-lordship, miss? Isn't he 'andsome? Oh, I do think his lord- ship's, the most beautiful young man I've ever seen." 'I "Yes, I saw him, said Ellen, and she spoke a little grimly. She had not recovered from the shock of being presented to Lord Norches- ter in the very moment in which she had open- ly dared to criticise his action". By what cur- ious ill-luck had he happened to arrive at that moment? "It is the first time," said Ellen vexedly to herself, "that I have over spoken about him in this way to Mr. Varley. It must have sounded horrible She had made her escape from the library as quickly M possible following on her introduo tion to Lord Norchester, and she had run up to her room hot with annoyance and confusion; and when she had gone, Norchester had stretched himseJf on the couch, and had smiled a little faintly at his kinsman. "Evely has been writing me pages of wild- est adulation about thi,3 Miss MilneT," he said. "Evidently she hasn't got a very good opinion of me. She seems rather a stroninded young female, not exactly the angel Evelyn made her out to be." "My dear Harry," Varley answered, "if you will walk into your house in this stealthy fashion, you must expect all you get! Mis- Milner was merely expressing her opinion to me; that opinion was not intended for your cam, and if ehe feels a little strongly about your absence, remember she has been living here now for some time, and she probably has a very good reason for speaking in the way that she does. Why didn't you let me know that you bad arrived? I suppose you were in London last night?" Norchester shook his head. "No. this morning. I came strai ht on. Of course, I struck the elowest train of the day, and upset everybody by driving up here in a fly. They wanted to telephone for the motor- car at the station, but I couldn't wait. Dick, I'm so tired. I feel as if I could go to sleep for months and months. It's my head, you know. I was knocked out of time for I don't know how many hours; such a silly accident, too! Darrell got off with only a few bruises. Poor Galvin, the chauffeur, was left in hospital. I smashed up my arm, as you see. It was a reat jolly business all round." Though he spoke with an attempt at hia char- actertistic buoyant manner, Richard Variby frowned as be heard Norchester's voice, and he looked at him -very keenly; then he said 1 "My deaf Harry, you must get to bed and stay there for a Uttle while." Lord Norchester made a 6lightly impatient movement with his shoulders, ahd lay with closed eyes without speaking for a. little while, and then he said: "Is mother atill at Tornbury 1" "Y Øi!. I believe so." "Weil t fiho's stot to come here." There was the faintest of faint smiles on the young man's face as he added, "I'm going to be very ill, Dick. It sounds a little bit mean, but I am going to be so ill that my mother must come to Wynohe and vou'vo pot to brin? her." "I shall do nothing," Richard Varley answer- ed very firmly, "till I have seen you upstairs and in bed. Was your man with you?" Norchester shook his head. "Whittaker is following with all the traps." "Very well, then, siad Varley, "I shall be your servant. Please to lean on me, Harry. I am going to take you to your room." ##•••• About three hours later, one of the carriages from Wynche Castle conveyed Lady Norchester and her daughter from Tornbury. It had been rather a lengthy business getting Lord Nor- chester up to his room, and when he was finally put to bed, Varley stood looking at him with contracted brows. The young man glanced up at him, and tried to smile. "Whilst I have been away," be said, slowly. and in a voice that was rathor faint, "I turned over every sort of idea in my mind as to how I could prevail upon the mater to come to Wynche; and when the smash up arrived, if you will believe me, Dick, I was almost glad, because I said to myself, "Here's a real "ood ohanoe.' He paused, closed his eyes, and then opened them again. "If you want to know what brought roe home, I came for this" ho said; then he added, "Give me a pencil and a piece of paper." It was the left arm which was strapped across his breast, but he uaed his right hand with difficulty. Darling mother (he scribbled), I am back here. There has been a little accident, and I got a bit hurt, but it isn't serious, only they say I must tttst, eo I suppose I shall be in bed for a little while). I want to see you and Evie. (hn't you come?—Your loving Harry. "That'll do the trick," he said, as he gave this letter to Varley, who morely nodded his head. And the trick was done! Wheif that little note was carried to the mother, she set aside instantly all the old bitter feelings. "We are not going to London," she said to her daughter; 'we are going to Wynche. Harry i8 ill; he wants me." And so, attended by Richard Varley and sur- rounded by all the old deference and attention, the Dowager Lady Norchester went back to her old home. She was taken at once to her son, and Lady Evelyn and Ellen were left alone. Lord Norchester'a wife wts still ordered by the doctor to be confined to her room. She had, however, been told of her husband's re- tarn, and Varley had sent her in a little noW itrfornting her that- the Dowager Lady Nor- chaster1 would be at Wynche almost immediate. 7It w&b delightful, and yet it gave Ellen a pang to note the jev with Which Evelyn Wynohe re- turned to her home. She ran about like a chiljJ exclaiming happily at renewing acquaintance with all those things she had loved so much. "I never knew how dear Wynche was till now," she said to Ellen, then sha added, "Oh! I do hope things are going to be quite smooth now," because it would b9 a thousand times worse to go away after having come back!" In her enthusiasm she kissed Ellen. "You know," she said, "I can't help feeling that I owe all this to you Oh! I know mother has come now because Harry has had an accident, but still ever sines she has met you I have noticed a difference. She likes you so much, Ellen, so very much." "I am glad," said Ellen Milner. simply; yet the tears came to her eyes, for in truth the loneliness the sense of void in her life were at time almost unendurable, and this little demon- stration of affection was very sweet: moreover the advent of Evelyn Wynche brought a sense of youth and life and light which unconsciously stirred Ellen's heart and roused her spirit. The other girl chattered on untiringly. She had al. ready seen the doctor, and her mind had been eet at rest about her brother; therefore, she was free to give expression to her sense of de- light. "Of course, I know we can't live here," she said; "but I should love to come backwards and forwards" then, in a low voice, she said to Ellen. "I mean to be very sweet to Miriam." And at this moment Miriam's maid came in search of Ellen "Her ladyship would like to speak to you, miss," she said. And Ellen at once rcse to obey. "I will come back if I can," ehe eaid to Lady Evelyn. She found Miriam in her sitting room dress- ed with care, and looking most attractive. There was a patch of colour on her cheeks, and her eyes had the sparkle of excitement in them. "I wanted to tell you," she said to Ellen as the girl drew near, "that I have had to take your rooms away from you. The housekeeper w411 give you two other nice rooms; but tho?c rooms I want for Evelyn; I hope you don't mind ?" "I am only too delighted." said Ellen. warm- Iy. "and I am sure Lady Evelyn will be very pleased, he is verv glad to be back here." Ladv Norchcwtors face coloured hotly, and she bit her lip a little sharply, and then she saidj (' J "I suppose you have been talking with her; -I she hasn't asked for me?" "On the contrary," Ellen said quickly, "she has asked for you several times; but we under- stood that you were not to be disturbed." "I should lik-3 to know who gave that order." said Miriam, reverting to her customary lent mood io: an instant; then fhe dun swiftly. It v/ inore than evident to Ellen t ru. >. Miriam wa? doinir her very best to match her manner to the important event of the momsnU It was the first time indeed that Ellen had reett her wearing this air of dignity. She bJ.<kJ) carefully. She seem-sd very excited, and wl).rl ■she spoke her topic of conversation wa.* I«n.'y Evelyn, and only Lady Evelyn. She did rwa, mention her husband's name; she did not Bftfin to realise that he had returned, or if she real- ised this she was very reticent about it. After a while she r' up. "I am going now," she said, "to see that everything is ail right in Evelyn's room; aim then I am going downstairs. I ought to been there to have received her ( "Will Dr. Marteil approve?" Elicn asked, hurriedly. "Remember you have been very poorly." Miriam only laughed, "Dr. Martel! is an old fool. I mean to do as I like; and I'm quite better now," she added, "I feel all right. Come with me," she com- manded. And so together they walked tho long cor- ridor and up the stairp till they reached the I rooms which Ellen had boen occupying. The housekeeper had turned on throe or four ) housemaids to make the move of Miss Mi] rwrs things and to change these apartments- for Lady Evelyn's use. and now everything was in ordpr. There were flowers on the table, and all the old things which Lady Evelyn had Isft were placed where she would find them again. "Do you think she will bti pleased?" MirM-m asked- in a low voice; which quivered a lle. And in all honestv Ellen rop!ie<i: "I know you will have made her very hppy." She spoke with confidence, "mi With. assur- ance, and in this moment then* was not even a shadow of doubt, or a preirafvtion of anxiety. She was so eager to see Miriam rise to her proper place, and she built largely on these now and unexpected circumstances to bring this about. It was destined for the future to ehow how grievously Ellen was to be disappointed. • Not a little to his own inconvenience, Varley consented to remain a couple of days at Wynche. His business apart, however, he really was anxious to be on the spot at thti most critical moment in the Norchester affairs. There had been a really pleasant meeting be- tween Lady Evelyn and her sister-in-law, and Varley had to confess that he was amazed with the manner in which Miriam had comported herself during a very trying experience. That Lady Evelyn would be kind and gentle, and show a dippo-ition in every way sympathetic Varley had already known would be certain; he had, liowsvor, been a little bit afraid of Miriam. Although he knew (and Ellen had im. pressed this on him) that Norchester's wife undoubtedly was prepared to be particularly attached to Evelyn, his own experiences of her curious temper had not let him hope for too much on her part. Her attitude, therefore, was a very agreeable surprise; more than this, he traced in her a, Ellen had done, that strong I evidence to rise to the occasion, and to bear herself as she felt her position demanded he should. That night thore was a little dinner party composed of Miriam and Lady Evelyn, Ellen, and Mr. Varley. The Dowager Lady Norchoster had conveyed her regrets to her son's wife that she was not well enough to leave her room. She begged, therefore, to be excused from coming down- stairs. Her absence was a source of great re- lief, although just at first Ellen had been afraid that perhaps Miriam might misconstrue the tact which had undoubtedly prompted the elder woman to portpon.e their meeting for a little while. The facWhowcver, that her mother-in- law and her si-Uer-in-law were established at Wynche, and that the knowledge of their re- turn would have been quickly circulated round and about, was in itself such a triumph for Miriam that she was content for the moment. Her appearance startled Lady Evelyn that night. Acting on Ellen's suggestion, Miriam put on the white gown which she had worn on that former occasion when she and Ellen had dined together, and with her hair charmingly arranged by her new maid, and wearing a few good jewels, outwardly at least there was no fault to be found with Lord Norchester's choice of a wife. Ellen could not but be gratified at this result of her work, for every little detail in manner and appearance had been suggested by her at one time or another. After dinner, as they I sat apart for a moment. Varley said to the girl: "You have- done marvellously. I hardly re- cognised her to-night." "I am 60 glad," Ellen whispered back to him. At the same time, something prompted her I to say: "But we must not expect too much." She felt instinctively that there was bound to ba & little reaction after all this restraint; moreover she was so sensitive that she already experienced the slightest shadow of difference in Miriam's treatment of herself; and though she smiled at this. attributing it perhaps natjrr- ally to the possibility that the coming of Lady Evelyn would displace her a little from Mir. iam's good opinion, yet there was another ■ suggestion,, aaaqcnatd! with it which Ellen did not wish to"enoounwe, but which onme all the same. This feeling had its rise in the 8Upposi. tion that now probably Miriam would have no further use for her. However, she would not let anything trouble her to-night. Though these people were practically strangers to hgr. yet so warm was li-er sympathy that Ellen felt almost as though this reunion touched her in a personal way. She could so well understand what the realisation of all this must mean to Miriam, and she rejoiced heartily that circum-. stances had put an end to that unhappy barrier which had been the cause of all Miriam's de- moralisation and unhappiness. As for herself, Ellen did not care to dwell too much on the unexpected return of Lord Nor- Chester. She was really very much upset that he should have overheard her outspoken critic- ism of his actions. She had not said anything to Richard Varley about this, but she felt con- vinced that Lord Norchester must have made some remark to the other man about that un- lucky speech. This apart, Ellen found herself at odd times pondering on the strange coin- cidences which should have made her a member of Lord Norchester's household, for though she had not remembered him very definitely, yet at odd times when she had been sitting with Mrs. Chadwick. the recollection of his delight- ful personality had flashed back to her, and she had wondered in that vague way in which we do wonder at time?, whether she would ever be likely to see that young man again. His cour- tesy to her at the station had been so charming, there had been something about him altogether which had attracted Ellen, arising chiefly from the fact that he had been a hunting man, and that he had brought back a little of the atmos. phere in which she had once lived. Those thoughts of him had gone completely after her arrival at Wynche, when she h*d al- most immediately realised that the gallant young man at the station and Lord Norchester were one and the eame person; then he had drifted into another place in her thoughts, she had pitied him and she bad criticised him; she had excused him and she had condemned him and at odd times she had tried to fathom the mystery of his marriage, because intimate ac- quaintance with Miriam had shown that, despite the isnusual beauty, there was so little to attract and hold a man such as she supposed Lord Norchester to be. As she had grown into a deeper sense of responsibility, and allied herself etill more closely with the intimate significance of this marriage, Ellen hAd ceased to remember Lord Norchester as a young irre- sponsible sunny-njitured man, and she had transferred the greater part of her sympathy from him to his wife. Not that she ever grew to really love Miriam, there was 60 much (as she had told Varley in the very beginning) which stood 7,3. tween her and this other woman. But she gave Norchester's wife her loyalty and mte, and anxious thought. She desired Miriarc's happiness. Nothing would have signified greater pleasure to her than to have moulded the young woman into that likeness which clie felt that Lady Norchester ought to take; but Miriam never appealed to her heart as Evelyn had done. The first time she and Evelyn Wynche hAo met, a bond of real sympathy and affection had been struck between them. It was perhaps because Ellen was conscious of this that "he resolutely allied herself more closely to Miriam's side. That vague fear that her influence might lose its value passed into a very definite conviction this very night. (To be continued.)