The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

-r_ [ALL BIGHTS SSSEttVED-1 ATIJIiiFIN"THE NIGHT 1 I 1 u i.1 Lc.u -Á-" I I By CLIVE R FEXN I ■Ax-f:\or of "The Pilgrr'm and the Star," "A i'trcr Yoke," "Scouts Three," "The I; Romance," &e. I, c..c,J h< Jii:t after dinner at the splendid country hen :■ of Lord Hurst up the silvery Thames. ••• atitiful summer night. The guests were ¡ v to music, billiards, or to on tile wide white toy ace which over- locked as fine a stretch of uia exqui&ite river a> !w.ir be seen. I-Iarg-uerite Towers, a tall girl, wonderfully wiih large, dreamy eyes, stood, uncer- tain for a moment in an attftiuk? of suspense. Was he going to let her go free? That was the question which made her Jife a tor- Iîié',¡t ju.t the}!. I She was one of the brtlliant house-party as a s'nger, although she was treated as a dis- tinguished guest, for her fame had circled the sic be. She gave a little sigh of thankfulness, for IFli!Q Valentine Lang hovering near, as if I summoning up his courage to speak, but her pleasure TO short- lived. Ere the young I man could join her and HlY what was in his mind, John Drake, the man she dreaded inore than anyone in the world, came -brusquely through the terraee door. He flicked the ash off his cigar as he said, in a tone of command': I have something to say to you, Miss Towers. Please give nfe ft minute. The l'mOrD-ing-rCÚ!11 IS empty. Wo can go there." The girl drew back. A look of fear as well as of anger came into her eyes. Was this man never going to leave her in peace? "I am afraid," she said, "that I cannot 'listen I to you now. Some other time." It wps no tl!z, Drake dropped his hand on her wrist. You must listen to me now," he hissed out. "Reti-winber what you are and what I know. Com* this way. You need not tremble. I shall not detain you long." Lang had drawn back. He bit his mous- tache as lie saw the terms on which the girl he loved stood1 with that man, for whom he entertained a cordial dislike. The two moved along the terrace and entered the morning- reom, talking in whispers as they went. "Remember t-hifl," TVake said" "I have made up my mind, and I 'always have my v ay. For the present you have little to 'do, but you are my slave. Yon will obey me. The past lives. You would have to come down from your high place, my dear lady,, if I let the world know what you really are. Yon would not be received here as a visitor. But there, I am not going to waste my time to threatening you. You ore a sensible girl enough, and the knowledge is there "—he tapped his chest—"safe as houses so long as you are good and do as you are told. But let m6 assure you that ft will be Hry un- pleasant for you if you axe troublesome. You have kept me at arm's length too long. We are partners, and had far better make a match of it. You with your voice and I with AIV-busille.ss-we &hall on famously. What do you say? I love yon, and-" Marguerite gave a I.-toe shriek of appre- hension as the fuH meaning of the scoun- drel's worcte flashed upon her. Love met You she cried, her face crimson. "You!" There was ouoh news and oentempt in her tone that Drake drew back, but he speedily recovered himself. "Yes, I love yon," he said coolly. There is nothing very remarkable is that, is there? If you detabt 106k in yrrtir glasS." He seized her wrist and held it prisoned. I love you, and I am going to make you my fe. I permit yoc to oome here and mix in tiigh society, but only on the understanding th.vl you recognise me as your master. I keep my eye on you, &M I will not have voting fools like this Lflng hanging round your skirtf. Make up your mind as to that, my girl. Now, don't get tragic. You are not on the stage now." I am not tragic," she cried, with a little ga«p. But I will never marry yon." Tiii-re was a harsfc, disagreeable iaugh. So ron say, but the set is drawn, Meg. I intend to murry you. To-morrow I t.ha-11 be leaving her.probably I shall go abroad for a time—but I w ft»h, to leave fcomeone here at home who will look after my interests. You are that person, and that is why this marriage must take place before I go. Ah! I see from your expression that you really imagined I was going to leave you here aloae. Not at ail." "I wiil never marry yml," said the girl, hotly, as she dragged her hand away. "Do you wish to loc-e all-all that you would care a straw aboetT Yon women are all the same. Your place in society-e-ery- thing is at stake, reflect on that. Do you want the past with ka black aide to come up and hit you—for people to know what you were before yon were a popular favourite? Think it over, my dear girl. A quiet wed- ding, in town to-morrow morning, and I will leave you alone—for the present. You can have as many Langs dangling after you then as von please. My wish »s your law. There, you shad hear from me in an hour or so. I see you are being waited for. Yon can go a-rid make love with any young fool you chooM." He seized t-he girl by her shoulders and looked into her eyes before releasing her, and walked, away out of the room and down the terrace; The piri went slowly out j on to the terrace and sank dotim on a low chair. Miss Towers, Wit are friends, sue we not?" Marguerite gave a nervous start. She had not heard the approach of the young man who was betiding ovdt her. "Mr. Lang, how you frightened me!" I ■" I am sorry, but wfakt about my answer? Why, you are trembling." She gave a hys- terical little sob. Come, tell me that it is a-T rieht—that I may hope. Don't cry. It is all right?" V", it is all wrong," she said, wVtftilly. I am in what you woulQI ea-ll a tight oor- mer-and you cotrld not help rre out." "I don't know so much about thai," ow-d Lang. u always told me that you would ttik me to help when you were in difficulties. see. I am here.. Tijere is something v-rong. Well, let's make a match for it. I can attend to any diffieultier, I daren't, Viri, she said. Wlii-? Has that bounder Drake anything to do iiT Y«6; but don't ask me aay more, Val. If you knew all—oh, rt worrtfl be the end. y Ot; wOTldl never speak to me again." "I should not care what H wsg," he said with poooion. You wati eoneent to do as I uk f She had risen and was facing iIIm, one hand resting on the stone balustrade. You ask me to be your wife all the same, although vou do not. know the truth?" I believe in you," he sa^d, huskily. N"e>th mo you could say or do would alter me." "I will tell you everything," she said, in a l low voice. Then you can decide; but not Come to me 'to-morrow. All shall be in your hands. Oh, Val, I thank you, but p'eafte leave me now." Lang raieed iter hand and kissed it before walking slowly awiv. a new t.. in Jwi. v =- -¿- ^anrt'erite start"! tip in bed .'ate that nicnt, ii'tening intently. Tl;e mwent slie was lir.rry-i»a on s>ome c!ti;cs. She ?ee;i;orl to be aet-intr under ?oirc? fr.btle in- fluence. It w«s lialf in her nrnd to run D'.vay, not, to put Lang to ths test. It was Uie one brsve thing to da—to efface herself, t'> make a dividing line between the danger that menaec-d her and herself. S1:-? would si,art anew, slip out of the house, and vanish f;)r ever. P, I iV a', ? Well, she would write iff hun later, and tell hins that it was for his sake ar, well that she had gone., Xo man jught to be put to such a proof. Slie crept to the door and switched off the l^trie light. There was someone below, alld she stood i-liel-e quivering; but in a second she had* overcome h..r weakness, and. ercep.'iisr as f-Mently ap a eliadow, she pis?< along the -tecl corridor. Iminc d:n.tely n fn.Nt of her was a small w i iding staircase which served that wing of the man- s n;> leading to the hbran and l-.ondoir. Snmeth iig 'M happening below. Sh-e knew i. now. Her' thoughts flew to Drake. She pained Vile stfiirs. Here she paused, again feeling in the darkness. At the bottom she hesitated again. What if it were as she half f.e,, I rcel ? Drake was busy at his trade. Weli. I give the alarm and take the conr-equenccfj," she murmured. .Nervting her.wif she lmirte a step further, her hand gvidfiig along tile polishedi wood panelling to be brought up sharply by the round knob of the electric light. Before she had realised what &ke had done the knob had turned, and simultaneously with tiie tiny click the staircase and the room beyond were flooded" with tight. There was a hoarse cry. Marguerite was on tiie threshold of the apart- inciii du-ocily bcnejrtli her own bejdrooni, and iHtide iJe saw Iji-itko siooping beiore an open suf. "You!" lie cried, starting up and quickly I buttoning his coat. "-What are you doing •here?" I am here to detect you in your miser- able- work as a common thief." He laughed sardonically as he looked her up and down. ( 4"d what about Jos-the reformed one? What will all-your fine friends say Nv4io4i they learn fciw troth?" "I will do my duty, come what may," said the girl, feare! The scoand'rel dasiied to the window and threw it wide, fumbling the while at- a little locket-l-il»e object which he carried on his wntoh-chaiii, which flft-hed brighit'ly. Do ii then," he cried, contemptuously, as lie' o<ice more turned to her. "What werp you here for!" she asked. His lordfthip poae<?es cert a 11 property which wiU he far better in my keeping." "You will not rob him 1" "Don't be a little fool. Switch off that light, and get hack to bed." "I yha.ll act as I think." "And give the alarm 1 you are mad. What good will it do you?" Ne seemed to be trying to gain time. "Think what it means. You will be arrested as well, whereas, if you belkave i^eiV&ibly, all will be well, ««<J we shall be ab:e to go 08 our way in peace." She made a step towards the door, and her hand was #>uchuvg the bell which would alarm the whole house. Do think again," be said, mockingly. That young prig Lang will never look at yon any more." Oh, you are infamous." Then she pressed the button. Ting, ting, ting went the bell, sounding clear in the silence of the night. Drake glanced about him. For a moment he apemed to hesita-te. Then be 81ow closed the safe, and a full ten aeeonds of painful silence passed. Then the. door at the far end of the room was flung open, and Lord Hurst, Lang, anether guest, and a couple of men-servants oanie hurnfcng into the apartment. Lord Hurst and Lang were earrying brlliard cues." It was Lord Hurst who spoke. Mise Towers," be cried1, "what is the' meaning this?" It is—of, Lora Hurst, that man—he will accuse me, but sit is not true." Xo, my Lord, I shall not accuse lier." He evidently canie to a sudden determina- tion. I have nothing to accuse her of. There, the game's up, I suppose, and-' I he gave a sigh, of rettef as a third man- servant dashed m. Said Ag tjle). imist come up, my Lord," lie Mtid. The poltlÀey found out that there was a thief oil the premises—ah, here they are." Two wearers of police uniform stood in the doorway, and o oo,J.eagi»e in oivilien at- tire stepped briakly forwarrd. I am Detwfive Inspector James, of Scot- laud Yard," he said. "We heard this man was iu the neighbourhood, my Lord," lie went on, as lie towlied Drake on the arm. "Been OJ) therok-out for him for weeks. Sorry to disturb you. Ah, that's all right-,so he hadn't opened your safe." Marguerite had sunk into a seat, and dl dead to what was going on. "I will come round in the morning, my Lord. We will take our man away now." "Drake!" eaid Lord Hurst. "One of^ tny guests—a thief. I cen hardly believe it-" "TII it' no use," said, Drake. "I give in." He held out his hands for the hand- cuffs, which were slipped on. We've got a fly," said the officer. "Get him away," he said to his comrades. Fol- lowed by the others, the two policemen es- corted tfieir prisoner along the main corridor to the main entrance. Five minutes later the party returned to the lounge where the thief had been caught- Marguerite Towers her hand on Lang's RTIII. "He WAS go to denounce me," she-m-id, --but I snppose he wished me to remain here as a fool. -nnt it is quite true. Years ago I was starving in London, and I stole a pair of glows from a shop to get something to eat. People took compassion on me; but by tome means lie discovered the truth and lias been blackmail!me me ever since. And flow- It is forgotten," aid Lang, as he took her hi Ins arlus before them all. An adjournment was made to the billiard room, but Lord Hurst remained belrnd. lie caule rushing in. "Here, I say," he cried, "the safe was opened, acid 8iJ my wife's jewellery and a thousand" in knk-fiote-s--all gone." "Tint Uie. polief," eaid Lang. "They Tliose feJlows were not police," snapped out 11'. ho<t, uri he flew to the telephone and m,*iig the local station. were nil in it. All! That the inspector? Well, listen to this." The tale was burked out ower the wires, ill d, thanks to the energy of the men at headquarters, aided by their local colleagues, the four cou/edei-ates were captured with the booty as they were stepping into the early .morning train at a far distant station. There were smart sentences to foHow fer tfce clever rogues. As for Drnke. he tr:ed to make capital out of what be knew concern ng J'nr^ncr'tc's .past, "but the attempt failed. Those who heard the story felt only sorry for the girl, and glad that fortune .000 happiness imd come to her. rno EKD.1

INVENTOR OF THE TELBSOOPIC. The invention of the telescope is ec)iinlonv attributed to Galileo, but according tø CamiUe Flammerion the merit does not eI) tirely belong to the great teacher of iiaatbr, niul'cs at Pif-'a and Padua. A rare printed at the Hague in 1655, written in L#*i | bv Peter Borel, physician to the King I France, and dedicated to the Senate people of Middleburg, the metropolis of Innd, states that the injusti-cc of men øI taken away from your city a glory whi^ justly belongs to it. The true inventor of telescope is Zauharv J oal:nides;" speetacio maker, who fitted up the two first lenses .}11 1590, the one concave and the other coiayell joined by a t-ubc." Other evidence, we told, confirms this, but the date is made little anterior. Moreover, Middleburg telf I scopes were sold in Paris in April, 1609, being the year in which the discovery is attrr buied to Gtuileo. T«> Ciwilco, he.c.or, be*- lonK? the iioiiotir of utilising the invention tot celestial exploration. He constructed a tel;, scope in lead with which he showed bl friends from the Canif anile of Venice, tb* I ships in the Lagoon. On January 7th. 1610, be made his first exninination of the stars with • telescope, the tube of w^iclj was I of cardboard, This criule but precious instrtli t ment" is preserved in the Academy Of Florence. The result 6f thesa observation* was the discovery of the satellites of J up iter*

MATCHMAKING POSIES. Even in many' English villages (lowers po*' sess a decidcd significance for lovers. BuG I crhaps they do not take quite the same rble as the flowttrs of cel-tiiiii small villages an, hamlets in Switzerland. There a bwneh of edelweiss is quite seriousl? looked upon ItS a proposal of marriage, P given bv a man to a maid. The thought und' lying the quaint custom is that r lover haC risked his life to obtain the little bunch edelweiss, which enly grows in precipitou6 places. Rilould she accept the offering, t. engagement is at once announced. A still more curious idea is that of tIA; young mam who, instead of risking a spoW* declaration of lovo, stakes all on a rose in pot. This be nlaoes. with a little note, oa tW window-sill of the room occupied by tb8 ebjeet of his adoration, and when she is aw#f from home. Then he goes back to his wor* and waits patiently. It will be seen that this method givefi flirt a gro-ut deal of scape. She may leave he* rose blooming on the window-sill for a day two, thus keeping her lover in suspense; buy should she eventually take the bloom before J is quite faded, it sienifiea an acceptance his wooipg.

THE BRAZIL-NUT TREE. The Brazil-nut tree (Bertholletia exoeWf) liS a native of Brazil, Guiana, and nesilfla, forming large forests on the banka of th^ Negro, Amazon, and Orinoco.' Travel^s scribe it as one of the biggest tr both in height and circnm^ere^ee 1 e which are produced dn the. upper pr,BC » take upwards of a year to ripe«i, in' wh>«n etaie they consist of a perfectly round, hard shell iin. thiek, oontaining fifteen to t"(?nlt- five elosely-packed three-sided, roll Lh- sllel! --d seeds (nuts). When ripe the entire fruit fa»'s from the tree. It differg in thi3 respect fro#1 the allied 8apucaya out. whose fruit "Piiw while rtill on the tree, letting the seeds fat to the ground. The leaves are broad &í1d smooth and about 18ia. long. The erect flowef ,spikes are about 2ft. long, and bear MSWDY- creamy whrte flowers, which open (Do by one. The tree is so slow of growth that while the native supply continues abundant, it is not suitable for commercial planting. The may?- ner of the germination of the seeds in a wild state w-as long a matter of speculation. It is > aocomplished as follows: In each fruit there is a small hoie at the point where it. is attached to the stalk. Through this, after » J considerable time, the shoot of one of the germinating seeds contrives to. effect an exit. The other seeds, unable to find an outlet to reach the light, perisk, but they are thought to be useiul in sepving to nourish the solitary. ) plant which grows, and ultimatay bursts the shell confining its roots, which then strike into the soil. Experiments showed that even if the seeds are removed from the fruit case they take a long time to germinate, but that j when the kernels were removed and sown ? the young plants appeared through the soil j after ten days.

CANNIBALS OF ANCIENT EGYPT. It comes as a shock to learn that the ancient Egyptians, whom we have always re- garded as among the most civiuaed and humane people of antiquity, were addicted to cannibalism, human sacrifice, and other dreadful practioes. Dr. Budge, keeper of the 4 Egyptian arttiquities in the British Museum, 4 shows that the Egyptians were from the :j earliest times given to cannibalism, and that while the practice may not have prevailed during the ages of the highest civilisation, j human saorifioe was then shockingly common, < and there must be a suspicion tfiat the J. grosser enormity may have disgraced even the court of sueh a monarch as Rameses the ( Great. The graves of prehistoric Egyptians > contain many incomplete skeletons, and in I" some cases the bones show teeth marks. J ff

I THE EARTH'S AGE. The more recent discussions as to the earth's age have placed the time as follows: Lord Kelvin, in 1882, 20,000,000 to .400,000,000 years, with a probable 96,000,050; in 16 Lord Kelvin revised .his figures to 20,000,000 to 40,000,000 vears; Clarence King and Gar* Varus, in 1893, 24.053.000 years; De Lap- parent, m 1890, 67,000,000 to 90,000.000 years; Charles D. Walcott, secretary to the Smith* soman Institute, in 1893, maximum 5ge 70,000,000 years.

Fixed Price for Eggs. f The Ministry of Food have for some time been considering the advisability of fixing the price of eggs, which threatens to rise very higfc during the coming winter. It has now been practically decided to fix the retail' price at figure that should be equitable to the produoer and at the same time not be beyond the reach of the general public. It is proposed that OW j shall be divided, into two grades, according to ) weight—those weighing 2 ozs. and over ad J those under 2 ozs. The price for eggs of the first grade will be fixed at about 5d.