mE CLOCKMAKER'S CHRISTMAS GIFT.|1913-12-25|The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

mE CLOCKMAKER'S CHRISTMAS…

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[ALL RIGHTS REHIRTED.] mE CLOCKMAKER'S CHRISTMAS GIFT. BY BEATRICE HERON-MAXWELL. "You wore in a factory yourself once, father." The sentence, quietly and un aggressively spoken, stopped Jasper Redwood in tlhe midsr. of s. voieat speech, am! he stared at his son in nee for a. moment, the frown deepening on his rugged, massive brow, while bis brown «ws gleamed with anger. And wbac if I was ? he demanded, roughly. Is it for you to throw it in my teeth now that, I've worked my way up to be luaeter wlic-ve I was man? Who gets tibe profit of my er me that?" "I do," Roger, in a level tone, "and I'm grateful for it. I wasn't meaning lID vex vo: —only to remind you that there's tm good i &t .he bottom are at the bop. Some make their cltanec—as you did-Othcr. haven't- tii-e sense- or tbe pluck. But they'r- not to be of that." "I'm not de-pising anyone," retorted Red- wood. "All I inv son can look higher than the d'P g'xjr of ..1 foreman in a jam j laatorv for his wife." "Ycu looL higher than happiness." persisted R-ger: tw bet. t tiling there is. and money v.on'i, huy it. I could never care for anyone bu: Lucy Bridge." R-ed-wood fbitiig himself into a chair and reached; for a cigar, which he clipped in an exasperated way, v-hile ho still eyed his eon afcormiiy. It's not." went on Ro<-er. ns if she was ignorant or c-zumou. She was -.te-Ii taught at a Board School got the manners of a lady, and she'* a- nr-ettv and near and self- rt-s-reacting as any 11 in the land. She didn't set i- >• cap T me. y-c u said just now. I s< rvi Vie out. anrl (she .-aid 'No' three times 'vefore -;)'" ?aid 'Yep. An exclu at", a o? scent tea] annoyance «Bca'pe<f Re Knew how to make you keen mvked. "The cirls don't want teaching vi you "11011 are cor.earned." Roger hurt, i showed it. "Very well- father. l"< own and above- boar(t with ? r,~ yon are angry and titt-i, you're jarcasi'- better drop the subject." And how aniu- the girl ? Are von going to drop her I shall never give Li,v up." "Have you told h»>r have nothing but vonr s.larv a* av clerk iif you marry against mr *« is-li? "Yes. I s eid I w" dependent em you one day." "That .« one of the days she said. 'No,' I expect." Roger did not He loved- his cross- grained, hea-d old i.j-her, and hurt him that j the old should be so savay. He had ex- peered op^osatior. but not such bitter wrath and con-deranitt.cn. t h<ere are plenty of <rie, daughters of 'I ■»*to-do traddsmen. you might have had for the as-kin g." grv:n'bh:fl Herlwood. Perha.pe. I don't want, any of them." "I had thought of or tv • for you, and then there'•-• she 00 rate' daughter. They're I baddy off. btH- well --c'-ed, and Father, please don't. I have no inten- tion of iaarryi!]• anyone but Lucy. If I can't have I'll -ta.' single." u: 11 you think I should welcome her with opon arT."R? "I t-hi-ghi yoa would ask her here for Christmas, seeing that tike's -a motherless girl, and hae a dull home for Her holi-daye." It W6E< lledw-i.-iod'e turn tu be- silent now. The very andacitv—^ he thought it--ol Boger's proposition t-ook hio breatli away. I Who was Luey Rridge, that she should some and i,n liie house as his fiancee? He had never seen the- girL but, he knew 4a tny of her type, and, disco uniting Roger's k) fat nation, felt he eould describe her exactly. He had1 not takeT. the big Manor bourse Out- odde Whipperto'.i, and spent hundreds of Bounds on Ttiaking it eomfGi*;a'nIe and urn to llate, for the sake of entertaining Lucy Bridge « her kind. In fact. be had already invited Nlw Aine- worth, the elderly lady wlioee father had ow-ied the Manor, to spend Christmas tide Ctnera, and to lrin2 a young nieoe and nephew With hex, ao ;av u f*>tion which they hod all aooeprtod. Vague hopes about Roger and tflie n>ieoe, IKitt-y kiii,worth, h io1 begun to ferment in his brain; ir was a crushing bftaw to find that his eon had a! r. -.dv fn^strarted' them. And then an i,kü flashed into mind. M Let the girl come," he thought. Show Roger dilTvreriice between and these alhers-leavo him bis head a bit, and ten to one he will give her up of hÍ6 own accord." "Well." he taiu. "I auppoet- it's no good arguing dl a young c:ha.p who's in love. Let her c-orr-. « d Hay Christmas. I make no pro- 1Q 1,(1 yo,u--I'm oommit-ting myself to OOIiliing-mt if you can't, be satisfied with your fit CLriatmae here withou-i her, she m'l com" For r nvrnenL Roger's pride rebelled agaimst the idea of the girl he khdised being an unwanted guept. but he reflected that it was best policy to take this grunying permxs- •ion and c-ivc b'r the chance to meke her own way with his f;.Ihe-r. So Oil Chri tmas Eve Lucy Bridge arrived lit thjfa ■> to fiiMi a house-ful of peopl, all prosper-ir- and vveli dares&ed, a.nd pleased "tb iliA'inseivee and each other. Roger had wished to meet her at the station and briiijj h2i.' home with him. but hi? father put so many difficulties in the wav that he gave it up tI\ner than vex the old r. an at the very out of her visit. She was eh own in, therefore, to the inner hall, where tea was going on, as an ordinary visitor, and Miss A ins worth, who had been I fIId by Redwood to play hostess, rose &nd cam# to meet her. Redwood had dropped a hint to her that the girl wae of rather humble origin, and it WM therefore with an added touch of kindness that Miss Ainsworth greeted Lucy, for ahe was descended from people who had gained their nobility by noble deeds, and the new vice of snobbery waa un- known to her. Roger, tingling v. ith pride touched with nervousness, was relieved to <)uen,eas see hov quietly Lucy responded tr' all the introductions, and how gently she anew-ered Mr. Red^vood s patronising and noisy greeting. Roger's description of Lucy as "pretty had not prepared anyone for the unusual ftttractiveno*ri d her appearance. She was, Tennyson's worde, "'divinely tall, and mot* divinely fair." A srr-.tll head, with nut- htwwn hn-ir swathed round it, deep hazel •y«- a beautiful mooth, and a lovely clear I JOmpiexirii v t--e undeniable charms, and in addition ih-o had the natural manner which is too unaffected to be self-conscious. The musioal voice, too, possessed by so many peorde who live amongst the hum of xA,w!- at I get the rhythm of it in their Wood, was hers. Kedwood's heart mMiga.ve him. for he had aaaated on her fueling and looking awkward ia the conij,, ho had asked to meet her. Kitty Ainsworth, already more than half in love w:rl- handsome Roger, wws n ■ittl^ taken tback w lie a sh. the eager ^Unlucss Oil his Jool: Lucy's hand, and noted that mger titan he need have while he < h r. She was a, wilful, spoilt girl. R.C: ,ned to a great deal of admiration, ird Siad already begun to wonder whether die w-uld engaged before the year was Hit. Sk* «*Qed Roger to her side, and kept r, m tallrog for so ne minutes, but, his ab. tiracted anawers showed her that his thoughts vere wai,d- ring with his Lucy Jfidge. So she decided to make friends with j c- jclcj. and Fee if she oould eircunavent them < iuat way "Isn't this a delightful old house?" sh< said, perching herself on the arm of Lucy> chair. It's like home to me, you know because my aunt-Au,nt Cecilia, over there- used to live here. Do let me show you over it.' Lucy assented, and, linking an arm in hera Kitty threw a glance of invitation over hei shoulder to Roger. He joined them directly, and the three rambled from room to room, I along dark corridors and up winding stair- cases. until finally on the top floor they came to the Clock Room, allotted to Lucy. It was a quaint little latticed chamber under the eaves, with odds and ends of old furniture weeded out from larger and more important rooms, and might have seemed gloomy. with its dark oak :irid sombre tapestry hangings, but for a fire of Yule logs in the wide chimncy that filled it with a crimison glow. On the narrow earved-wood mantel stood a curious clock, in ebony, with a gilded metal network over the- wood, and mantel stood a curious clock. in ebony, with a gilded metal network over the- wood, and I, gold lettering round the rlial. i:, tl centre of which was a figure carrying r sevthe—a grim, .stark figure that looked Death. Beneath, set in a garland of blood-red flowers, was an engraved inscription "Avenged by the Destroyer Tmi. I give thee- death with my one." "What a wonderful old uioJ." Lucy exclaimed. "It has a weird history. Ki; rv answered. "I don't think I had better tell it i■> you, as you are going to sleep her; "I'm ;:0: ivrvous," Lucy dvc-ir. d. "Do tell me." Better not." interposed R; ;yv. quickly; it mi2,in giv•? you bad dreams." j Kitty laughed derisively. "Ye." have the old fashioned idea about women Fed- wood,' she said. "You think we always scream or faint at everything." He knows that I don't," remarked Lucy, with a tender mil. at him. Kitty intercepted the snrle and began to see I ligoo So these two Here lovers, aud her own I chance with Roger was a forlorn hope! It mad.^ her feel a little spiteful. The story is much too interesting to be lost, .-he .said, and Christmas Evo is just j the time for it. Come down to the hall and I'll tell it to everybody." They follow-.1, her dr,vn>rs. -.v'l-re every- [ one was sitting in the firelight. ,oid the idea of a ghostly tale was hailed .with joy. a; of a ghostly tale was hailed .with joy. A wicked ours," said Kitty. who lived about a hundred years ago, married someone beneath hi-n and, after treating her very badly fnr y .deserted her end v fnt "broad. She won, one of her I mind with g f. because she ,11 loved him, in spite of his unkindness, and u.-ed to sit all day long counting the hours until site should see him again. She had an idea that when the clock struck twelve he v, ,1.1 return; and one night—I believe "L was :1. Christmas time-slle was found lying dead, with her arms round :he clock, and its hands pointing to midnight. Some said that he iviurned. and that her rca-soti came bck to her at sight of him, and she reproached him, whereupon he killed her; others declare that she died of a broken heart. At all events, her father, who was an old clockmaker in the town, swore that he would be revenged. He made a clock with very beautiful chimes, and took nearly two years over the workmanship cf it. When my great grand- father returned at last to the Manor the old man came up here, and there was a terrible scene; but in the end the quarrel was made up on Christmas Eve, and, in token of recon- ciliation. he gave this clock, which he {if!.id was the masterpiec of his life, and asked his son-in-law to place it in his bedroom. SIr Hugo Ainsworth accepted it in order to get rid of the old man, and directly the clock- maker was gone ordered it to be taken away and broken np. For some reason or other, however, all his household refused to touch it. They were superstitious about it, and warned him that unless the clock was kept going misfortune would come to the house. Sir Hugo was furious at first, but after a time he began to be afraid of it himself, and though he would not have it in any of the rooms he used, nor allow it to be wound up, he did not part with it. Some people say that it will not go again until the Ainsworth race is coming to an end, and that it has a.n evil influence on anyone who comes near it It has been up in the little room where it is now for years and years. No one ever movee it in case they should set it going, as that would be a bad omen." There was silence after Kitty's gay voice died away. and a sort of spell ,e.emed to hold everyone captivp. The fire had died down, and in the eemi- darkness Roger's hand sought and found Lucy's. ,nd he whispered, "I shall take the clock away from your room, sweetheart." "No, no," she whispered back; "it might bring you bad luck: You mustn't move it on any -account." Then someone made a laughing remark and turned on the electric light, suggesting a game of coon-can before dinner, and instantly the storv ws forgotten in the excitement of the game. Three people only remembered it: Kitty, Roger, and Lucy. The dressing-gong for dinner sounded while the game was still in progress, and at last, when everyone hurried upstairs to drees, it was close upon the dinner-hour. Lucy, unpacking quickly, eager to make herself look her best for this eventful night, noticed nothing unusual in her room until Kitty tapped at her door and asked if she was ready. Come in." Lucy answered, glad to have someone's opinion on the .simple white ninon which was her only evening dress. Do I look all right? she asked Kitty, relieved to find that Miss Ainsworth's dress was quite as simple as her own. Quite right—ripping answered Kitty. "Come along down." Then, as they went to the door, she stopped suddenly and pointed to the mantelpiece. rc Why," she exclaimed, with a tragic accent, the clock is going The hands had moved since they looked at it in the afternoon, and were pointing now to half-past seven, while, as they stood there, a silvery chime tolled the half-hour, and the -low, soft tick-tack showed that the wheels 80 long silent had resumed their work. "How extraordinary!" said Kitty. "I wonder what it means? Aren't you afraid, Miss Bridge ? But Lucy, seized with a swift distrust of her, answered steadily, Oh, no—nothing of of that eort makes me nervous. I don't mind at all." "Well, I wouldn't be you for anything!" Kitty declared. Nothing would induce an Ainsworth to sleep in a room with that clock Lucy dec. ned, however, to be alarmed, and they went down. She made a point of not telling Roger that the clock had begun to go, and was vexed to find later in the evening that Kitty had done so. It seemed as if the girl was bent on making mischief between them. Roger implored Lucy to let him fetch the clock away from her room and put it in the hall, but she refused, and they were nearer to a quarrel than they had ever been. The fact of the clock's sudde.n return to business reached Redwood's ears, and he made light of the superstition concerning it, and spoke rather rudely in a bantering way to Lucy. She answered him with her usual sweet- ness, and a touch of dignity that incensed him. Ifeng it:" he said to Roger later, "she's full of airs and graoes, this girl of yours, and thinks she's good enough for anyone. She may be-but, not for my son." Father:" said Roger, di-,maved," you surely do not dislike heor. You cannot help seeing that she is fit to mix with your friends, and would not.disgrace you in any way as a daughter-in-law." She's not my daughter-in-law yet," re- torted his father disagreeably; "and there's someone else here who would have no objec tion to taking that place. You're a fool, Roger; you don't know which side your bread is buttered." It was a terrible disappointment to Roger. He had hoped so much from Lucy's own power to charm, and did not realise that she had herself baulked his father's scheme, and angered him all the more. The evening, however, for the rest of the house-party waa one of joyous excitement, with aU the usual Christmas merry-making, and it waa arfter midnight wh they all said good-night &t the foot of th staircase and dispersed to their rooms. Only onoe had Roger succeeded in getting five minuu alone with Liu-y—when vmr." one having deserted the (irLNi-ing-rocia U bake in the dining-room, they found them-elves at last toget-hi r. She wa. j>:ts-sing out after the others pfcei) he caught her hand. Lucy." he said, "I'm sorry I was vexed over the dock. But you are so precious to me. my darling If harm came to you what should I ? What harm could come from a clock?" she asked. You foolish boy." He folded her in his arms and kissed the sweet, reproving lips. "You are my life," he murmured, fondly. And then Kitty's voice rang through the hall calling for Lucy. nnd their golden moment was over. As she entered her bedroom Lucy felt a curious, shrinking dislike of the clock, and wished that. she had yielded to Roger's wish to take it away. But that would have proved her a coward, and given success to Kitty's mitSch;evous plan. For Lucy felt no doubt at all that Kitty herself had set the clock going on purpose to frighten her. The soft tick haunted her as she moved about tlv room, and the words inside the garland kept repeating themselves in her brain. What did they mean? She found herself pondering over them, and wondering what sinister motive the old clockmaker had when he set the in there. The clock seemed to have become a living thing, and its two keyholes- were like eyes watching ii-er unwinkingly. The room felt oppressively warm, and the glow from the log fire, which had been -so pleasant before, seemed like a- crimson I flood, that drowned her c'c 1 yg-e and made a lurid background for thor.e. is of vague dis- aster and tragedy. "Suppose," -die thought to herself, "I wanted to escape from this room and t(he door was locked. Could I get out by the wanted to escape from this room and tihe door was locked. Could I get out by the winc!è)ow?" She rai ,ed the blind and peered out. Far below a. pale glint showed -where the moat lay, with its sluggish water. surrounding that wing, of the house. that wing, of the house. To de-v -id from her room would be im- possible. Even if she had the courage to swing herself down from such a height by the ivy, a single slip, a treacherous branch, and she would be flung into the water beneath. Chiding herself for fears that she argued were senseless, she went back to the fire- place and stood there, a graceful figure re- flected in the mirror albove it. her beautiful hair hanging over her shoulders, a white dressing-gown wrapped' round her. At this moment the clock chimed one. She could see it in the ghu-is, and as she stared at its diai, fascinated once more by the weird mystery surrounding it, a strange and dreadful change took place in it.. The dial slid downwards until it was oovered by the ebony stand, and in its place appeared a woman's face—pale, with parted lips and tear-laden eyes, that were full of a Dtassionate re D roach. .Lucy s senses reeled. For an instant she thought she must faint, and then her ears, quickened by terror, caught a whirring 0 sound, souf, yet continuous, that had taken the place of the monotonous tick-tack. In an in-i-ant her wife had returned, and a frenzy of courage came to her aid. She ran to the window and flung it open, then with her limbs shaking under her she approached the clock. The beautiful, pathetic, angry eyes seemed to menace her now, but she had gone beyond fear, and seizing the clock with both hands she carried it to the window and cast it down- wards into space. There was an instant's pause as it clove the air, and then it touched the water. The explosion th.at followed shook the Manor to its foundations, broke all the win- dows on that side of the house, and sent great j-e-ts of water up into the air as though a vol- cano had burst its bonds.! Sounds of flying footsteps and terrified voices arose, but it was Roger who, bursting open the door of Lucy's room, rushed in and found her unconscious on the floor by the window. He carried her swiftly down to Miss Ainsworth, where restoratives brought her round—to find herself the heroine of the hour. "My dear," said Jasper Redwood brokenly, a little later, I can't ever forgive myself. You have saved all our lives—there's not a doubt of it. But for your courage the clock would have killed everyone of us. The in- fernal machine, timed to go off as soon as it struck one and the woman's portrait had taken the place of the dial, would have made the Manor a ruin. It was meant for thit—a diabolical plan The old clockmaker plotted his revenge well. You've saved Roger's home —I hope you'll share it with him. I shall be proud of you." And he stooped and kissed the pale face of his future daughter-in-law. Kitty, humble amd subdued, came smiling through her tears presently to ask forgive- ness. I set the clock going," she confessed, "just to be spiteful. I deserved to be blown up. Won't you pleaae blow me up, Lucy?" But Lucy, still very shattered from her ordeal, was ordered by the doctor, when he came, to have complete rest all Christmas Day, with only Roorr's companionship to be- guile the hours. "She's had a bit of a shock," the doctor said to Roger, with a twinkling eye, but she'll be ao right to-morrow. Keep her quiet, Mr. Redwood. I daresay she won't find her Christmas too dull. It was a piece of wonder- ful luck her being here. That clock would have sent you all to kingdom come' in an- other moment but for Miss Lucy's presence of mind and pluck. I congratulate you 1 I hope you will have many happy Christmasea together. And the Manor house-party, realising how great the danger had been, echoed LLe wiah. [THE END.]

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE…

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BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. The Brecon Auxiliary. The annual meeting of the Brecon auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society was held on Wednesday afternoon last week at Bethel Hall, the Mayor (Councillor Evan Morgan) in the chair The proceedings were opened by the Revs. D. Miall Edwards and Tudor Jones The Mayor, in the course of his remarks, said the Bible Society bad done more than any other society for the civilisation and the world, and it had a great deal of important work yi-t to carry out. (Hear, hear.) Mr C. W. Be"t (chairman of the committee), in moving the adoption of the report, said it was a pity that the society was not more visibly sup- ported, but be was quite sure ttmt deep interest was taken in its work in Brecon. There was no doubt that the Bible unadulterated and unadorned was far better than any other book. (Hear. hear). They in Brecon had had some controversy with the parent society as to the date when the auxiliary was first started in Brecon. The parent society maintained that this year was its cen- tenary, but as far as he (Mr Lest) could gather from the minute books it was established in the year 1815. At any rate they could say that the Br> con nuxiliaiy had been in existence for nearly a hundred years. They would find from the balance shpet that the sum of H5 17s öd had been collected during the year, and they would with other subscriptions, be able to send E20 to the P Al-Int society, leaving a balance of il 3s 7d in hand. Mrs A. N. Phillips seconded and the report was adopted. The deputation from the parent society, the Rev. D. Eurof Walters, Swansea, then delivered an interesting address on the work of the society. He said the Bible had now been translated into 4;)() different languages, an increase of 10 on the year, last year was a record one in the annals or the society, and a noteworthy event was that the Bible-bad been printed in Esperanto. On the motion of Mr James homas. seconded by Mr W. A. Wright a vote or thnnnS was passed to he deputation, and en the proposn] of Mr Best seconded by Prof M all Ed wards a similar compli- ment was paid the chairman.

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"MORE OF THE WORN-OUT TYPE."

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"MORE OF THE WORN-OUT TYPE." The Story of a Horse at Devynock. Magistrate's Strong Comment. At the Devynock Petty Sessions, on Thursday —before Colonel Stuart Morgan (in the chair), Messrs Brychan Jeffreys and Jenkin Williams- Charles Lea, of no fixed abode, labourer, and James Perry, lodging house, Brecon, general dealer, were summoned at the instance of Inspector W. Bowyer, Builth, of the R.S.P.C.A., the former for working a horse while in an unfit state, and Per y for causing the horse to be worked. Mr Lewis Jones, solicitor, Brecon, appeared for Perry, who pleaded not guilty, whilst Lea pleaded guilty. P.S. Davies said that at Devynock. OT the 6th inst., he saw a horse attached to a cart loaded with about 15 cwt. of old iron, in charge of the defendant Lea. Noticing that the horse was restless and evidently much distressed, he examined it and found on the shoulder under the collar a raw wound about the size of a shilling. The collar was pressing upon it. On the stomach he found two raw wounds of about the same size, on which the girth was pressing, cnisint' irritation and pain. Under the animal's tail there was a very large wound about two inches in length. The crupper, which had a rag tied round it, was embe 'ded in the flesh through being sj tinht, and the rag W18 wet with uiood and matiei. i!Li request Lea took the crupper off, and 1 he horse appeared much relieved. Lea refused to unharness the horse, saying it belonged to Perry, Lodging House, Brecon. It was in poor condition. Sometime later be saw Lea at Senn^ bridge still working it, and told him he wou d be reported. Queationed by Mr Lewis Joucs, witness said be had had a conversation with a man named B and that morning, and it was in consequence of it that he went to examine the horse The Clerk Is the horse going to be produced, Mr Jones ? (Laughter). Mr Jones The horse cannot be prouueed it is dead. (Laughter). Mr Jenkin Williams Did it die a natural death ? Mr Jones It was killed. Waiter Blsnd. living at 54. the Strutd, Brecon, who described himself as a general dealer, gave corroborative evidence. Cross-examined, witness admitted being in Lea's company with the same horse the previous day. lie denied that he told Perry that if he did not allow him to go with Lea 1, he would make it worse for him." He did not go specially to Devynock to inform the sergeant of the case. inspector Bowyer said he went to Perry and asked to see the horse. Defendant replied that it w's out working, a'd added Lea has got it, and I don't know wbac time he will be home. There is nothing the matter with the horse except a wound undei its tail, caused oy barbed wire." WitnfPS replied, If that is so, why did you allow Lea to use the crupper ?" Perry replied, The horse has nothing to do with me. I let it out to Lea, who feeds it and pays me by the week Witness requested him to keep it in the following morning so that he could examine it, and be promised to do so. When interviewed on the following morning, Perry stated I have sold the horse to Lea this morning. He has taken it away, and I don't know where he has gone with it. I did not want any bother with it, so I sold it," Later in the day witness went to Mr E. Morgan's yard, in Llanfaes, where he met Perry, and saw the skin of a bay horse. Witness examined the skin and found the wounds described by P.S. Davies. In defence Perry said he hired the horse to Lea, who paid him 2s a day and undertook to feed it. When witness had the horse it had wounds, but they had healed up. The wound under the crupper, witness said, was caused by getting into barbed wire. In C( nsequence, be bought a new breeching, and gave Lea special instructions not to put the crupper 011. In reply to Mr Jenkin Williams, witness said he had nothing to do with the iron which Bland and Lea collected. They took the iron to Mr Evan Morgan's place, and as far as he knew they had the money for it. He had nothing. Lea and Bland were in partnership. Cross-examined by Inspector Bowyer, witness said he sold the hors-e to Lea, but had received nothing for it. It was an arrangement between Lea and his wife that Lea was to destroy the horse and share what he got for the skin with her. He believed, however, that Lea came to his wife and told her that he had had 8s for it, and his wife told him to keep the lot. At the tanyard witness learnt that the price paid was 10s. Iu reply to a quastion by the Chairman, defendant said the bCése did not belong to him, but to his wife. Inspector Bowyer Then I ask that the case be adjourned to enable me to take out a sum- mons against the wife. Charles Griffiths, 52, Free street, in the employ of Mr Evan Morgan, said he saw the wounds on the hide, and he thought they were old. Aibert Richards, Brecon, said he saw the horse the Monday following the day of the offence, and the only fresh sore he could see was that under its tail. There were two or three old wounds. The horse was more of the worn out type of animal." George Green, marine store dealer, Brecon, sai.i he heard Perry teiling Lea, the dny before the offence, not to put the crupper on the horse, and that be bad got a new breeching for it. Af rer considering the matter in private, the Chairman said the Bench fined Lea zCl, or fourteen days in default. They had also decided to convict Perry. They were unanimously of the opinion that he bad caused cruelty to the horse by allowing it to be worked. People in his class bought worn-out horses, and it was entirely in his bands whether they were treated cruelly or not. The Bench felt that in prose- cuting him the Society bad gone to the root of the whole thing. They fined him 12 and £1 7s 9d costs.

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AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR. -.I…

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[Att inGXTS fizsmmroj AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR. By HAROLD BINDLOSS, Bitter rain scourged the Wychope valley, Which winds, deep sunk, among the northerrf moors. A swollen beck filled it with its roar, brown peat water splashed down the ravines, and as the Jord-s N, dangerous, Lawyer IveviiiM-n, who had driven over earlier in the resigned himself to spend- ing Christmas at Wyehope Hall. He had managed the affairs of the Wyehope Bells for o- v yo; and ii vvss no fault of hie that they were liopele .,iy involved. His warnings had proved, use- for the Bells were a reckless, headstrong folk. Now he eat in the dark-knelled '.biwry, while old Heron Bell lay, c-i opied o nit gout, in a big j chair opposite, loo king ruin in the face. Nevinson was sorry for the man, whose troubles li.,(i been addod to by spend- thrift son. Ronald Bed, who had arrived unexpectedly after dark on the previous evening, leant agsusua the mantel in evening dress, with an anxious frown upon his dissi- pated countenance. "So," raid Ii- ron, grimly, "there is nothing to be done You can't negotiate an- other mortgage, and the bank won't allow an overdraft.? They would go as far M five hundred pounds." "A drop in the bucket! Well, I've .had my fling, and now I suppose I must pay for it." .VHi-on, know ddu ,1. ost oi the old rake's extravagance would fall most heavily upon his daugiuer; but the Bolls had never taken much thought for their women folk. Heron turned glo-j.oiiy towards his son. r If I'd done my duty by this whelp when he was young and laehed some sense into him, I'd be less e.oatTt-ssoa to-day." He II was aileiii a lew mo'Uv.ns, and then re- sumed: "There's my .sor.rj in old lead mine. Will none of the L-or:d-).; eoaipauv floaters give a ttou-artd or two for it? The other partners nocid be giad to clear out, and lead is going up." "I saw some ol the leiuling people when I was in town, but they wouldn't consider the thing, lou're making a -serious loss with a handful of urcn v.ork: o„- "Then, since you can't help me, I needn't keep you You Knew my friends, and have, no doubt, assisted some of them to lock up their family ekelei, ns." Nevinson was gad to withdraw. There were guests at Wyehope, for the Bells were i given to hospitality, and when the lawyer went down to s'o:a lieron looked con- temptuousiy at his von. If you d had a gram of pluck, you wouldn't have come skuiidng home, he said, Are there no steamers sailing for America? Even if I could hav bought a ticket-, what could I have done there without money? orl, rejoined his father. "Though it woulu have been aii-e w experience, it I wouldn t have killed you. You're strong enough in body; it's your brain that's weak." Ronald faced him with a sickly e. You miss the point, sir. Suppose 1 had got away? The men wh j hold the bill would have come down on you. They know you'd make a sacrifice to hush the matter up, and gave me r few days to find the money." Yes," said Heron, there's the rub We have nothing to be ,od of; but this is the first time a Bell has stooptd to forgery," Then he blazed up with fierce anger: "Out of my sight, before 1 uo something we')l both regret! lioiitkld left him, and lighted a cigarctte outside the library door. As he went down to the big hall he met his sister, who gave him an eager glance; but he shook his head. "No hope! Nevinson can do nothing!" Hilda Bell's anxious face grew pale, and turning back v iih him, she stopped where a curtain cut them off from the hall. A dance was going on, but the .i,<:{ht waltz music and beat of sliding feet maddened the girl. Her brother stood awkwardly silent, toying with his cigarette. << we must face the worst," she said. It s my due that you should tell me what thar. i6." "A warrant for my arrest. Though the old man s pretty hard, the stir the thine would make would come near killing him." iilda gazed at him with a hunted look in £ <r <7<?s. She was very pxetty and daintily aii.sed, but tuere was a hint of strength and courage in her bearing. "Yes)" she 6aid, he has at least been honourable. You have been indulged at the expense 01 your mother and myself. But. that M a way of ours; the women do not count. ow, i/t is not for your sake but my paranta' 1 must pay again." "I knew you wouldn't fail us, and the matter lies in your hands. After all, Fro- bisli,er is a very good sort." "Too good to come near us," she cried. u a,n man, and I've one brother ■who had to leave the Army and another who's a thief." The blood crept into Ronald's face. > "You hit hard, but you don't understand. How could I foresee the confounded panic on the stock-market or that the rogue of a jockey would pull the horse I backed?" "Well," said Hilda, "for the 6ake of the last shred of the family credit, I suppose you I must be saved." • past him, and, crossing the pol- ished floor, found a man with a strong, cold face and some grey in hia hair looking out for her. ° ihe last dance was ours," he said. lou can have the next," she answered, and Piobisiher smiled as she glanced at the watch in her bracelet. "Ten o'clock; I can't hope it's slow," be remarked. "You have two hours left." "It's right to the minute. Time has some value to me to-night." Though her worda hurt him, he quietly held out his arm, and as th-ey 6wung through a dreamy waltz she studied him. F-rolbisher was twenty years older than her- self, but he was still a vigorous, man, and danced well. What was more, he was rich and willing to come to her father's aid. A-a soon as his terms, were agreed to he could be relied upon, for he was one who exacted all that was his due but never broke his word. When the dance was over she let him lead her into a conservatory, where a few coloured lamps burnt among the flowers. Finding her a seat-, he leant againsit a pillar and regarded her with a smile. Hilda was unusually pretty to-night, but she had a tragic, half rebellious look. It hurt and moved him to pity, because be knew he was to some extent the cause of it. He had admired her since she came home with honours won at a famous college to help her harassed mother in her struggle with financial difficulties. Hilda had brains and oourage, and he knew What she had suffered on her father and brother\s account. Twelve months ago Bell had approved of him as a suitor, but Hilda had, for once, defied tier parente, and demanded a year's grace, and Frobisher promised to wait until Christmas Day. He had, however, engaged to relieve Bell of be; moot, pressing -emhr.rrassancnta as soon as Hilda was betrothed to him. Must I wait for my answer until the last minute?" he asked. "Yes," she said, with, shrinking; "I can't speak until then." Ah he cried, why are you so cold to me? I will be honest. You &re staunch and upright, a man to trust; but one cannot force affection, and in buying my consent from my father you have done a cruel thing." "It looks so; but think! You are unhappy 1 at Wychope, and if left to themselves your people cannot escape disaster. You muet -z. rebel and deaert t&em or they wOl-marry- you to the first rich man who comes &long. His character von,t oount-yoo had one n&r- row escape." Hilda knew it, for ebe had been sougbit by a worn-out libertine; but she asked with a flash of anger, What ia that, to you? Well," be answered, quietly, though Well," he answered, quietly, though I'm not a romantic figure, I have loved you for some time. If I can do nothing else, I can protect you and banish your troubles. I am patient, and love may come." "Yes," she said, "one would be safe with you; but have you counted the cost? You are a man of honour; we can hardly escape open shame." "I think that's not impossible. In fact, in return for your promise, I'll engage to clear your brother." "Then you know the worstT "I have strong suspicions." "If eo, are you not afraid to marry me?" "You," he said, "are different. You have lived in tainted surroundings, but they could not injure you. I should be a foo! if I did not realise the courage and high-rnindedness vou have eh own. As my wife you would be free of your .sordid troubles, and I think I can promise you a cleaner air." Hilda was touched by his earnestness. If there were no escape—and none seeined to offer—she must marry him, and she might have been forced to take a worse husband, but she shrank from the course as a wrong to both. Leaning back in the shadow of a palm, she made no reply, and her thought turned upon the one touch of romance that had brightened her dreary life. It had proved transitory, for her father had promptly nipped it in the bud. Heron Bell, who had often sailed dangerously near the wind and had seen his worst failings reproduced in his sons, had nevertheless a keen family pride. The Bells never married beneath them, so far a.s wealth and station went, but personal character did not count. The Thwaites, who lived on the edge, had been tshe-epf,armors and tenants of Wyehope for generations, and the father of the pr- sent Thwaites had always touched his hat to Heron- Young Georg-, however, had spent ten years in Australia, and made money there, boishVs acquiring the easy manners of a travelled man. Returning home, he had rented another tract of moor from one of Heron's neighbours and bought up a mort- gage of the Bell's, so that he now owned part of his large holding. By degrees people of local importance had. recognised him, but the Beils stood out. Meeting Hilda by chance, Thwaites fell in love with her. The man, who had learnt much in his travels, was handsome, modest, and resolute, and the girl felt drawn to him. Her father, however, issued his ultimatum, and, knowing that if she re- belled she must break with her harassed mother too, Hilda submitted. The sheep- farmer gravely told her that he would wait, and if ever she needed a friend she could count on him. She needed one badly j now, but she had sent George Thwaites no word, and the time in which help could avail was rapidly slipping away. I think we had better go back to the hall," she said. Frobisher bowed, and on rejoining the company Hilda, who was claimed for a dance, took part in it with reckless gaiety. Hope had gone, but she must meet her fate with courage. Her eyes had a feverish glitter, her lips were dry, but her laugh rang clearly, and she matched her partner's jests. Then, as the music stopped, there was a stir near the door, and a man moved up tha middle of the hall, while the dancers gazed at him. His long boots were miry, his clothes were wet. and a trail of water marked his progress across the polished floor. "George Thwaites said a man near Hilda. He must have swum the Wanda beck Turning with heightened colour and startled eyes, the girl held out her hand to the newcomer. "Why are von she asked. "How did you cross the ford? "I've crossed it on. a woree night; grey Dalesman faces water well. Then I had a notion that you needed me." Hilda saw that everybody was watching them, and that her mother would interfere as soon as she could do so wiih-our causing a scene; but she bore the curious scrutiny with nrond <■urn. A h tie said but how did you know? Should I no1' know of anything that troubled you, and are secrets kept in the dale? But I'll own that I only guessed how hard you might be pressed when I heard that Ronald had slunk home." You forget that you are speaking of my brother." "No; hut that you. have srch a brother i lias -always astonished me. Still, this is no rime for fencing; you have a choice to make, and all you have been taught at Wychope will pull hard against the farmer." Oh! Rhe said. with fluttering heart, "you ai h good men." He L, with quiet grace. "I have nothing against my rival. What I feel for you you know; I had once the honour of t-elling you. Now mv first business is with your father His curtnes* did not upon the girl, be- cause it was justified by the likelihood of interruption. He hri come to deliver her; but a pervnr- humour, spring:ng from the reaction of relief, prompted her to mock him. "So yon will r>]<-o m-ike a bid?" "I'm forced," he t)¡a her gravely. "But I onlv m<Miu to buy your rbertv When your brother's e^oane is arranged for, you must ohoo-o vonr heart speaks." She colot-?'] t.) the roois of her hair. This was not lire kind of offer Frobisher had made; but seeing her mother approaching, Thwaites b>ft, h+r. Heron riell was sitting bv the hearth in the library, w.tb his foot upon a cushion, and looked up sharply as his v: came in. "After whnf passed at our I-o-t meeting. I hardly expected this favour," 11, remarked. Things have changed th^n. Be- sides. the season is supposed to be one of goodwill." "In that sense yon are wel,• -TVC. As long as we are able we keep open house; but if you have anv business with me you can come I' to the point." "I mea t to. I'm here to r.-> vou an offer. You could find a use f->r three thou- sand poind. ? Bell starfd. but recovered his rather grim composure. T can't (lp- ly it hut what do you ask in return ? I "Your share in the lead mine and your partners' consent to leave its management to me." "ThaL could be arrarn^d. They'd jumn at a chance of getting their money back; but as you know the rnine doesn't pav. your offer, no doubt, covers ()me other consideration." ) It, does." Thwaites answered, eoollv. j "You ar-" badlv. in need o!' r<<wlT • but I j make no hid for your daughters romd. I cannot- place Miss Bell in such humiliating j position." j Bell flushed ho^r. It was time a Wvehon-e tee-am bad sr>oken in fl, ^i„ (\ 11im. | You \\1\h to apjiearanrwe T hfid not I expected web f-stidiousneAs." he -.nswered, witli a. ,r, "Yotr eye-pctafionfl don't > -e.I worked as n ^ook-duller on "or1 ,rq of I Western Ans ~a!;a, and was .r■■-=-,■ --vos for- tunate in «/>me nrospeetiner. v after see- ing the drifts bv fbe favour of foreman, I'm mv the mine can made to pav. W-3'1' that go. I make one condition—if we ro. to terms, Miss Bell j l),<J be free to m- whom she pleases, and vou must bind yonre-alf to put no pressure on her." "Tiat to ■ t, o s -she must be free -■ T •>, ,TV n The pleases. 1 eaves her at lihPrtv to reject me." Bell gave him a ««<irch;ng yn .qnit,& of his%nF. eo.r-. r r. PPT. tain admiration for the mi spoke and bore himself wel] • he had brains, and a man who could raise thre^ thousand and a man who could raise three thousand yioun-dis on the sr-ur ^f the meo ->-or to be despised. Moreover. Bell believed hLI; daughter had a tenderness for Thwaites, and his conscience had ooi>a/onallv pricked him for forcing her marriage with Frobisher. "Well." he said, "before I can consider a bargain with you. T must cry off another. W;ll vou ring the bell, and then sit down? A few minutes afterwards Frobisher came I in and glanced keenly at his wet and muddy rival. A b be said. with cool con t-em-pt for his host. I think T understand. This ia j to be something of the nature of an auction." ] "Hard vor(is are out of place," Bell re- joined. You didn't show much mercy when you offered me certain terms, bat now Mr. Thwaites seems more liberal I wish to be fair. If you are to keep your promises, yoa demand my daughter's hand? "My offer holds as I made it." "Tli.n," said Bell, with bitter humour, "since we are using the language of the sale- room, Mr. Thwaites goes one better. He will take over my embarrassments and leave my daughter free." Frobisher raised his eyebrows in surprise. II "If that is so, you can take it that my generosity does not equal his but there are reasons. I am a man of Miss Bell's station, and I can give her the life she was train-ed to' lead; my friends apd tastes are hers. I ven- ture to believe all this should make for her happiness. Is my rival in the same position? Signing to Thwaites to be eilent, Bell an- swered Frobisher: My views on the point are yours; but after all it seems to me that Hilda is best fitted to decide how far the things you name should count. "Then," retorted Frobisher, "you have obviously changed your mind." Circumstiiiccs alter cases," Bell said, drily. I, however, see no wav out of the difficulty except by calling my daughter in." Hilda entered looking verv bite and strained, and when the two mo) rose Bell turned to her. ill" I, in going to place you in an onibarrase- ing position, but it can't be he-l*d, he said. Ihese gentlemen have both done me the honour of asking for your hand, and, as I shall be placed under an obligation to one of them, it seems better that they ohould know you have made a voluntary choice. But, thanks to Mr. Thwaite's generosity, you are free to refuse both." Neither cf them spoke, and the girl grew crimson, but in a few moments her colour faded and she turned to Thwaites with pride In her eyes. If he does not shrink from me after whh-i he has and seen, my choice is made." Try hi mand see," Bell s dd: drily, as Thwaites came forward. Now perhaps the best thing would be for you to make your peace with your mother. Mr. Thwaites is at liberty to assist- you as far as he can." They went out together, and Bell turned to Frobisher with a smile. I suppose you are satisfied? I'm forced to be resigned, though it Kits me hard. There's one small co-noolatio-n-the fellow she has chosen is at least a man." I've seen gentlemen behave much worse," said Haron Bell. [THS 9".1

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ALLEGED FRAUDS KEAR BRECON, Commission Agent Committed for Trial. At a epfccial County Polity SosMone at B,, cori or-, Thurs<d«v—before Mi D.-vii Powell (IU the cbaie), Mt Ev d' "/Torg-in and Dr. G. P. Frcncie—Howtol TtHM.i.s, wbo bflU iodgad at 32, The Wa'-rru, B.-eeor. "vd wis doneritied as a commission ageni ii, food stuffo, etc., was charged with obtaining 2* 6.1 by fabe pre. tc-n.cca irotrs Mr Wta..Jcu- !j, Haaddew, Brecon, on Novoirber 26b; aurl also 11 2a Id froii Miry J. Kadlt), widow, of Nantyfelen, Catbcdino, liwid:, by frlse pre- tfctiht-e, on tbe 2ad inst. Evidence wa given by Mr Jones that defendant called on iiitn, representing himself to be a commission ageut, 1;0(1 offered to sell food rtuffs under tbe name of and Co., Cardiff." At. t:irt v,itu'.sa n. ciinc.i the offer, but. eventually be agreed to toke a big, for which be paid dtrft-rdaa!. 2 6i and received a receipt. He bad not, however, hao the stuff. I Hud witudn nor thought Lw waa dealing with the firm as boated on the circulars which d. fondant bad be would not have yivr-.n the order. Wm. TbomQ, Hams, 39, Mill Lane, Cardiff, h:ii;dresser, said d, fond»,nt ceiled pon him and ftsked to be allowed to have l?tv>ers addressed to him at tbe shop. Wiiues* agreed on payment of a penny per letter. No letters b,d, however, arrived. Witness received a postcard some time ago aI-king that letters addressed to "Howell Thomas, C\.re of Thomas and Co., 39, Mill Lane. Cardiff," should be redireelc: o "The B tub, Newtown." Ther6 waa no such fiitn as TtiOtuae aud Co. at that address. Mrs J. Haaley stated that defendant oailed on litr and pemvdded bfr. to hny a ack ot barley w,-al for 9 61, a puck of bran for 59, 70lbs of floor .0r 5i Id and 36 packets of pig powder for 2s. Witness pail him 223 Id, defendant stating tho food stuff wouli come from Liverpool, arj (I. OF produced circulars of the "Liverpool Manure Company, 29, Water Street, Liverpool." Ho also ,t>1 toe staff would be c&rro paid to TaUliyn station. She had not yf ci the tood staffs Percy Davies, a partner in tbR Liverpool Maacre Co., said they did no. s >ll Larir y meal, bran or flour, and they did not use tbe circulars which deiendann b,Ad produce i. Defendant was not their commission a^ent, ueitber had he any authority to nyu their eceipts. They had received no money from Lum on behalf of Mrs Hadley, bat they reoeived two or ei from hjoi which had been stopped ou scccant of these proceedings P.S. Williams gave evideuce as to the circu- )Arp, etc.,found on defendant wbel) arrested and repeated tbo 8t.aVm ot tn->.de hy Thorns* when arretted to tbe effect that be raid he was egeui Tel; Theresas and Co., and that if be had had the time tho orders would havy been executed. The Bench cowrnit, d defendant to take his trial at. the next Qiarter S cions for the county on January 6 h.

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