Abergavenny Chronicle

Restoration of Hampton Court Palace flower beds has been begun. Discharge notices of men in the clothing department of "VSS^olwich Arsenal have been suspended. Miss Alice Winder died at Garston, Liver- pool, in her 105th year. She was born the day a-fter the battle of Waterloo. Aged 81, Major-General Fowler-Butler, a Kandahar veteran, who rode to hounds last season, has died at the Hall, Burton-under- Needwood, Staffs. Whitechap el -road is a sort of Mayfair of the district. If you want to use bad lan- guage go to the by-streets.Mr. Rooth. the Thames magietra-te.

PENSION PROBLEMS: II HOW TO SOLVE THEM. I I By AN EXPERT. I Another Pension Improvement Out-of- Work Donation of the Ex-Service Man- Panels of Business Men Assist Ex- Officers to Find Employment About Educational Grants for Ex Service Students. I FREE ADVICE TO OUR READERS. Attention is called to the fact that the Minister of Pensions has arranged for the payment of temporary pension to discharged disabled men at the rate of 40s. a week in- "tead of 27s. 6d., during the first four weeks after discharge, and thereafter until the an- nouncement of the desicion as to the award of pension or gratuity. This concession takes effect as from September 3 last, and brings the temporary allowance into line with the increased pension rates recently an- nounced. It applies only to men discharged invalided, and not to demobilised men. # You will have noticed that the Govern- ment have decided not to continue unem- ployment donation to civilian men and women. Unemployment donation will, how- ever, be continued to ex-service men and women in mobile corps whose period on donation has expired. This donation will be at the rate of 20s. per week for men and 10s. per week for women, without supplementary allowances. The pericd oÏ donation wil extend between November 24 and March 31, during which time a maxi- mum of nine weeks donation may be drawn. As I encounter a good deaJ of misv.nder standing about the question of release from the Army, it will no doubt serve a useful purpose if I here .set out a plain statement of the facts. All Derby men and Volunteers will be embarked from their present stations Dr theatres for release by February 1 next. All other N.C.O.s and men who joined for continuous service before July 1, 1917. will be dispatched in the same way by March 1, 1920. Men who joined for continuous ser- vice before July 1, 1918, will be sent home by March 15, 1920, and all others by April 1, 1920. All demobilisable men from India will be dispatched for release by February 1, 1920. Four out of every five of the conscript army have been released already, and, a-fter April 1, the Army will be a purely voluntary one. Panels of business men, representing most of the trades and professions, are sitting 5very week to assist the Appointments De- partment of the Ministry of Labour in its extremely difficult task of finding employ- ment for demobilised officers. Tnis is a re- cent development, and. as a result of it, fresh offers of employment are already' soming in—in some cases, from firms who tiave created jobs for ex-officers. The great advantage of this new arrange- ment is that applicants are interviewed oy men of their own calling or by business men belonging to the calling that they wish to follow. Something like four hundred busi- ness men are giving up half a day a week to voluntary work on these panels, and theirs is the responsibility of allotting such vacant posts as are notified to the Depart- ment. The future of ex-officers whose quali- fications can only be described as "clerical" presents a most difficult problem. But, with the active goodwill of the business com- munity, it should not be an insuperable- one. To take up a small job in civil life after exercising authority in the Army is a hard pill to swallow, but it has to be done by many men who are not experts, where there are prospects of making good. I lock for increasingly satisfactory results from the working of these panels of business men, whose assistance and advice should be of the utmost value to the applicants. It may interest you to know that the amount of money already set aside to pro- vide grants for ex-service students pursuing full-time courses of higher education at uni- versities and other institutions for higher education is £ 6,000,000. The awards already made commit the Board of Education to an expenditure of about < £ 4,500,000 for about 15,000 approved applicants. From the pre- sent rate of applications, I learn that it appears probable that the remaining • £ 1,500.000' will be fully absorbed without any extension of the scheme to ex-members of Auxiliary forces. The scheme is entirely limited to men who have served during the war in units of the Army, Navy, or Air Force. tLe Minictry While it is not possible for the Ministry of Pensions to start asylums all over the country, discharged soldiers su?ering from mental derangement produced by wounds or shell-shock are treated as private patients in the institutions where they reside. The cost of their maintenance and of the special privileges which private patients enioy are paid for out of pension funds. The men are placed as close as possible to their own homes, so as to be near their friends- < The total disablement rate of pension for seamen and Marines has been increased from 27s. 6d. and bonus to 40s., as in the case of soldiers and airmen of private's rank. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. No. 218—F. F. II., Hea,-Icern.-Make a claim to your Local War Pensions Com- mittee for pension on the ground of dis. ability contracted on service, and thev will have you medically examined. Committee's address can be obtained from the post office. No. 219--D. S. T., Brcdgar.—Do not think an announcement has been made. When it is, I will draw attention to it. No. 221—"Canterbury."—Separation al- lowance is payable to any person who has acted in the place of a parent, and 1M wholly or mainly supported the man for a year prior to enlistment. Claim a fat-rate pension on Form P.A.5, obtainable at any post office; fill it in and send it to the Regi- mental Paymaster of the man's unit, if your case is in accordance with the facts as stated above. No. 222—F. H., S. Acton. --Make a claim for a flat-rate parent's pension from your Local War Pensions Committee, whose ad- dress can be obtained from the post office. You might also write to the Secretary, War Office (Accounts 4), Imperial Institute, South Kensington, S-W. 7., and ask if any war gratuity is due on account of your son, giving full particulars, regimental number, rank, length cf service, etc. Our Pensions Expert is anxious- to assisl sailors and soldiers and their wives and de pendents in dealing with intricacies of tht War Pensions System. Address your queries to "Pensions Ex pert," c/o Iklitor of this paper. All essen tial facts should be stated as briefly as pos- sible, such as name, number, rank, regi- ment of soldier, name and rating of sailer particulars of families and separation al lowance and (in inquiries concerning ciyi. liabilities) pre-war or pre-enlistment in come, present or war income, and full lia biliti-es. Do not send any documents, birtt certificates, or discharge papers, etc. Will correspondents please make a poinl of sending their regimental number, rack name, and regiment?

Mr. G. H. Roborts, Food Controller, and Mr. C. B. Ilarmsworth, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, have loft London to attend the sittings of the Supreme Economic Coun- cil at Rome. A world conference of Zionist delegates-- first since 1313-wl 11 be held from January 18 to the 23rd, 1920, in Basle, and-will con- sider mainly the reconstitution of Palestine as the national home of the Jewish people. From a enow-covered garden at Cranbrook (Kent), a local resident gathered a dishful of green peas. After having all her sails blown away, which caused her to anchor off the island cf Alderncy, the French ketch St. Louis has drafted ou-t to sea without anyone on board.

f S THIS WEEK IN THE GARDEN ?j In Nature's infinite book of secrecy (? l?? A little I can read.-Nntony ? ??opoy/'o. ?t- ) u- Lachenalia.—If still in a cold frame, this South African Cowslip should now be brought into a cool greenhouse. (Mve the plants the lightest position available on a shelf or sLige near the roof glass. Feed with liquid manure. An Amateur's Orchid.—Coelogyne cristata is a favourite for a hanging basket in the greenhouse. Do not over-water the r- li n ts during the short days of winter. Often there is sufficient, or almost sufficient, mois- ture in the atmosphere at this season of the year to keep the pseudo-bulbs plump. # # # Purchasing Bulbs. Buyers af bulbs should always place their orders in good time, in order to get the best choice. Quality can only be expected by paying a fair price. Collections of bulbs from ifrms of repute are reliable enough, but it is risky to purchaee from unknown sources. Size does not always denote quality. Tulips should be of good size and firm, also Daffodils. Bulibs pushing their growths are less reliable than dormant, ones. sinco energy is loet in starting before planting. An endeavour should therefore be made always to get planting cone in good season so that roots may be made well in advance of the topmost growth. # f. Basic Slag.—Being a slow-acting" fer tiliser, and one which does not injure grow- ing crops, a fairly free use of basic slag may be recommended when forking over beds and borders between growing plants. For this purpose, apply a dressing of about 4oz. to the square yard. If used when trenching or digging borders, a little more than this can be applied. It is a lasting manure. Greenhouse Climbers.—Though the final pruning is not done until later, considerable shortening of the growths of numerous climbers is desirable. Notable examples are Fuchsias, Plumbagos, Abutilons, Honey- suckles, Solanum Wendlandii, Bougain- villeas, and Allamandas. By doing this now much more light will reach th-e pot-plants on the stages. Climbing rose? should be pruned. Cut the strings holding the branches so that they may be thoroughly cleansed with weak insecticide. Hydrangea.—For three or four months the Hydrangea should be rested by keeping the soil fairly dry, giving water only f '1 becomes parched. The most jmportant thing is to keep the fat buds plump, and not allow them to damp, or commence to grow prematurely. Local circumstances wi d L. cide the best place to winter them. If ppaca permits, stand the pots on a shelf in a coo' greenhouse, or lay them on tftieir sides under the greenhouse (-tag". Farms'' this. winter in A inst-p". of ",11(<1 or fr-me,. Pruning Old Orchard Tree.s.-The centres of old trees are frequently overcrowded, and I with these it is not much use to attempt pruning by cutting a little here and there. < It will generally be necessary to remove whole branches, and for this the saw is the best tool. When the saw has been used, the wounds thus made should be trimmed round with a sharp knife to assist them in healing quickly. Rhubarb.—Lift a few of the strongest clumps, taking care to get a good portion of roots attached. If these are stood in a warm cellar or beneath the stage in the greenhouse and kept constantly syringed. each eye wil] soon start into growth find sticks of good size will be forthcoming early in the year. Pruning Peaches.—Mistakes are made in doing this; these are usually too drastic, or allow too much growth to remain on the trees. When the old wood that can be spared has been pruned out after fruiting, as it should be, the winter pruning is simplified. Only allow sufficient young wood to remain to cover the wall space pro- perly and carry the crop in the coming season. Young shoots should be about 6in. apart. Trained in this way, there is not much danger of overcrowding; after-treat- ment should be correct, of course. Broad Beans.—Those with a soil suitable for the purpose may make a sowing of Broad Beans this month with fair hopes of securing some early pods. Light soil with good drainage and a fairly sheltered border give the best results. It is waste of seed to sow on land that is heavy. It is advisable to sow more thickly than is usual for spring sowings. Protecting Plants Out of Doors.—Many choice plants in the open, though hardy enough in ordinary winters, are apt to perish if no protection is afforded them in very severe weather. A good plan with such plants, whether rock plants or other- wise, ie to protect them .with a glass cover- ing in one of the two forms shown in the sketch. Snow and excessive wet are often more harmful than frost, and such a cover- ing will ward off both; permit plenty of air to reach them without in any way harming them. Hollyhock.—Strictly speaking, this is I perennial; in the garden border few of the toots are long-lived. The usual practice if to raise a few plants from seeds each year to make uT) for losses. to make up for losses. Now when replant- ing the mixed flower borders, only the best of the old roots should be retained, bringing others from seed lines. Frequent renewa] with young plants is one of the best methods to combat the Hollyhock disease. # # The Japanese Primros.e.-In moist and rather shady gardens, Primula japonica should be planted freely. The confined sub- I urban front garden and the sunless north border are ideal positions. Whatever trans- planting is necessary should be done now, to get the plants established in their ineni < posi iti- ons before the coldest days. It is alsc a favourit-e plant for the bog garden. The flowers are borne in whorls on stems, some times more than 2ft. high. The colours of the flowers include purpie-crimson, maroon lilac, and white. Double Daisies.—The garden in spring is not complete without rows or edgings of Double Daisies. Named sorts, including Snowball, Longfellow, Alice, and Rob Hey. can be propagated by division now. Even more interesting is the raising cf Double Daisies from seeds. It is not expected tha-t all the seedlings will have double flowers. In a good strain there are usually a few with single flowers, more with semi-double blossoms, but a good proportion of good double flowers in a variety of colours. The seeds are best sown during May and June, moving the plantg about now from the seed- bed to the flowering positions. bed to the fiower.lng positions. Begonia.Arnong winter-flowering green- house plants the Begonia- occupies an im- portant position. If it is grown with a mixed collection of plants, put the Begonia at the warmer end of the greenhouse. Give a little stimulant once a. week; so-ot water, guano, and cow manure are recommended. Watch the watering carefully; a Begonia should become mod erately dry in winter rather than overdosed with water. Staking.-Staking newly-planted trees must not be neglected. In sheltered places there may not be the same need for support as when trees are in rather exposed posi- tions. When not properly S! .,red, the trees are liable to be blown out or position, and as the soil in which they are planted will 1w to some extent loose, the roots will not then obtain a hold of the new soil so well. Shallots.—It is most important that bii:bf selected for next season's planting should be kept quite cool, or growth at both endn wiH be soon a-parent. Such 8S these cannot be expected to give heavy crops, even tiloiigh planted on very rich ground. # Celery.—Give the latest rows a final soak. ing previous to earthing up fcr the last time. The soil should be broken up very fine, and well pressed against the plants. If this is not observed losses from .frosts or ex- cessive rain will be more likely. Cauliflower in Frames.—Be careful not to overwater seedlings growing in pc'ts. boxes, or planted out. A little dryness at the root at this season will do no harm. If water must be given, get this done early in the day, afterwards admitting a little fresh air to dry the atmosphere. Salsafy.—Although when grown upon light soils this crop may be left in the ground, to be dug as required during the winter, where the &oil is heavy or badly drained it will be better to lift the crop now and, after twisting off the tops, store in. a dry ehed between layers of soil.

Arrangements have been completed by the Canadian Red Cross to enable widows and relatives to visit the graves of Canadians killed in France and Flanders. Mr. Thomas West, an employee at the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway Com- pany's works a-t Ash ford, Kent, has" retired, at the age oi 77. aiter leiii-- in the service of the company 60 years, 59 of which were spent in one -workshop.

I CANADIAN RAILWAYS. I The Canadian National Railways hav-s made many improvements on their main lines. The most important of these changes is probably an extension of the daily tram service now in operation between Winnipeg and Edmonton, through to Vancouver. It is also intended to operate the eastbound train, Winnipeg to Toronto, on Sundays, which will give a daily train service between Winnipeg and Toronto. With the inauguration of a daily service between Winnipeg and Vancouver it is expected the new station at Vancouver—which has been under construction for the past two years— %-i I I be opened to the public and trains operated in and out of the new terminal. The new steel equipment now under con- struction for the National lines is modern in every detail. The first of. approximately, 100 new steel passenger cars have been delivered, and it is confidently expected that the entire order. comprising six classes of cars, will Be completed by the end of January. The new steel passenger equip- ment under order includes 20 tourist cars, 18 standard sleeping cars, nine dining cars, 20 mail cars. 20 first-class coaches, and 13 compartment observation cars.

I AIR-DRIVEN TRAINS. If the new system which is now being ex. perimented with on the Italian State Rail- way proves successful, most of our railways will shortly be driven by air. By this new system air is compressed into big central tanks, from which it is distributed to special air fuel stations along the railway line by means of strong pipes. At these air-fuel stations locomotives will be able to stop and refill their own tanks with compressed air. It is said that the building of air tanks along the railway and the laying of pipes will be nothing' like so costly as electrifica- tion, which requires not only a third line of track, but means altering the engines. With compressed air the modern steam-engine re- quires very little alteration, and so the enormous expense of a complete new set of I engines would be done away with. I

I HELPING THE SOIL. The old theory that fertilisers serve only as plant foods is proving inadequate. In a paper to the Australian Chemical Institute it is noted that this view does not explain whv exhausted, fields are sometimes rich in fertilising elements, why immense quantities of plant food are made available to roots by only average soils, nor why fertility is pro- longed by rotation. The recent suggestion is that fertilisers act as neutralising agents to toxic su'^stances produced by growing crops. Supporting evidence is soil sickness, the extraction of plant-harmful substances I from infertlie soils, th.e effects of weeds, and the stimulation by small quantities of cer- tain fertilisers. Cultivation and Juration I tend to render the poisons harmless.

I WHERE THE BEE SUCKS? I There appears to be considerable differ* ence between "Pure Argentine Honey" and "Pure English Honey." A firm was sum- moned for selling honey, a sample of which was declared by the public analyst to con- tain 65 per cent, of honey and 35 per ceut. of glucose. The defendants contended that I the article was sold as Argentine honey. Cross-examination elicited the fact that I there was a great distinction between British and foreign honey, and that the article was imported described as "Pure I Argentine Honey." The case was dismissed, but it is a warning to the public not to be put off with foreign honey when they re- quire the real product of the bee.

Government is about to place an order for 1,000,000 pairs of army boots. New Italian Chamber: 243 Constitutionals, 55 Socialists, 8 Republicans, and 102 Catholics. Forty thousand disabled men want work. It is estimated that there are at leaet 12,000 officers in London alone without em- ployment.

THE POULTRY YARD ml Helpful Hints for "Backyarders." By "COCKCROW." llji • I have before referred to the advisabilitv of utilising as much garden produce as pos. sible, and those who cultivate gardens should have a plentiful supply of green food just now. When cauliflowers are cut it is advisable to leave as many of the coarser leaves as possible, and the whole plant may then be pulled up and given to the fowsl to peck over. The same advice applies to broccoli, which are, of course, just a handy variation of the cauliflower. Savoys also yield a quantity of coarse leaves for the fowls, and if a nick is made in the stalk when the heart is cut out the plant will throw out several shoots that will come in very useful for green food next spring. POINTS ON FEEDING. The trend of events in recent years has shown the value of cheap bulky vegetable food as an ingredient in the mash, and the value of a moderate allowance of protein in the ration. Owing to war conditions cheap vegetable foods have oome more largely into use, replacing part of the more costly grain. There is amongst owners of valuable stock a. considerable amount of pre- judice against the use of potatoes on the plea that they are too fattening. Reference to any standard table of analyses reveals the fact that as a fattening medium pota- toes have only one quarter the fuel or fat- tening value of any grain in common use. The real objection to the potato as usually fed to poultry is that almost all its dry matter consists of starch. This used alone is valueless as an egg producer, but when mixed with a moderate allowance of animal food can be employed with most satisfactory results. AFTER MCCLTING. About now the earlier moulting hens should be again in good form, and when once feather growth is finished it is just a question of building up physical condition and laying a foundation for the next laying season. A hen should not be forced to lay as soon as she has grown her new feathers, especially if she is to do service in the breeding pen during the coming season, for her spell of laying will be short if she starts before she has stored up a reserve of energy. It is wise, therefore, to withhold stimulat- ing food until you see her reddening up naturally, which is the sign that the system is again ready for the call that will be made upon it. The late moulters are naturally still a source of anxiety, and as long as they are only half-feathered they must have cosy quarters, both day and night. If they are fed carefullv for a week or two they will return to active habits when the new feathers are well grown and they feel better in themselves. It is a good plan to handle the moulters once a week, and 3:. v bird that is found to be going very light should be penned separately for special atteition. K WORD AS TO MATING. A word or two may be advisable a.t the moment on the subject of mating stock. The number of females that can be mated with each male to ensure fertile eggs and vigorous chickens depends upon so many circumstances that no hard and fast rule can be laid down. The weight and size of the birds—whether bred for fancy or utility —together with the breed and strain, are influential factors, but even more important is the individual character of the birds. Ex- cellent results have been known- to be ob- tained by mating twenty-five Leghorn hens with one cockerel, but the breeder who does that must be sure of the vigour of his flock, and it would hardly be safe to advocate the general adoption of this rule. More hatch- ing failures are undoubtedly due to under- mating than to over-mating. A vigorous Leghorn cockerel, for instance, run with only half a dozen hens is a risky proceeding unless the male is kept confined during pari, of the day. Matmgs of this I-Iiiid are almost certain to result m a majority of y o r, n cockerels. A more even balance is attained when the male runs with a larger hock of hens, as most poultrymen know. I THE LAYING STBAIN. It is often a matter 01 doubt fiB to the most expeditious method of building up a laying- strain, and the best and least expen- sive methods of feeding for egg production. With regard to the tirst, various pitfalls confront the beginner. There is the tempta- tion to use as a stock bird a very prolific hen laying an egg under 2oz. Every con of such a bird will have a tendency to breed pullets having the fault of the granddam, and it is not fair to sell male offspring of such a. hen. Wyandottes with single combs are not infrequently included in the breed- ing pen because they have made good re- cords, and it is not unusual to find them the best layers. The infusion of Leghorn blood in many strains of Wyandottes causes this fault, and the place of all birds with it is in a pen for cross,breds. Poor fertility in White Wyandottes has become a very serious matter and one deserving close investiga- tion. while high mortality amongst the chickens affects equally the White Wyan- dotte and While Leghorn breeds. This mor- tality is. no doubt, in some measure due to faulty methods or using incubators and to badly ventilated brooders. I POINTS IN BREEDING. A point which will be appreciated by breeders is the fact that a hen has never produced a 300-egg daughter The best layers are likely to be bred from hens with a good winter record and a moderate year's record, mated to the son of the heaviest layer obtainable, all other points as well as number being satisfactory. It is not uncommon to buy eggs to produce cockerels, and expect the sisters of these birds to be record breakers. They very rarely are. They have their value, however, as breeders for the following year. In this connection here are some interesting figures. A prllet laid 289 eggs in her pullet year, and znis bird and her four sisters made an average of 261 eggs per bird. The eggs of the 289-egg heai were all hatched, and the pullets carefully recorded. Some of her daughters laid 200 eggs, but the average was only 150 eggs ?? only 150 e?rgs each for the year. In their second vear these birds were bred from, and gave daughters that averaged 2aO e 9 each. Those w h o des-re a h i ?,, Those who desire a high place in laying will be wise to choose the daughter of well bred hens with moderate records, but they must be mated with a male bird of the best lay- ing strain obtainable. LEG WEAKNESS. It is well to remember that immediately a pullet is observed to -it when feeding, and to show signs of leg weakness, she should be placed by herself in a warm, dry coop, on the floor of which is a good bed of soft litter. Her legs may also be put in rately hot water for a minute or two, wiped dry, and then wreH Tubbed with a good em- brocation. As regards diet, soft food should be withheld, and such grains as wheat and oats be given, together with an abundance of good, sound vegetable food. By this means it is highly probable the weakness will be speedily overcome.

It was stated at the London County Council that nothing was being done to fix tablets on buildings which were injured during air raids. The President of the French Republic hat4 conferred the Cross of Commander of the Legion of Honour on Major-General Sir Frederick Hugh Sykes. -1

1 I I ) (y J [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED,] \V/ FL YN 0' THE HILL M or, THE LITTLE WHITE WITCH ? By MADGE BARLOW, WI l'h'\ Author of "Crag Cormac," "The Cairn of the Badger," &c. À' CHAPTER VII (Continued). I WILES OF THE SERPENT. "Her ladyship's dead set against the cousin," mused Dorn, as he went around the corner to hail the ubiquitous Tatthers. "I knew she had a sneering contempt for him, but this goes deeper. Her zeal for me isn't all due to her greed of money either. She's 'hiding something. No matter. If it works in my favour I shan't pry into her secrets. Heigho! What a re- lief to face the daylight after a year's night prowling! I'd have faced it long ago, but Flyn had me under her thumb. Great heaven, how cruel these soft-voiced, delicate little women can be when they've ceased to care! And in addition I have Adonis to reckon with. Wonder where he got his looks. Not from the Darkingtons." Sylvia dawdled about the town until Tatthers had had two hours' start of her, then rode back slowly, and on reaching Paradise Hill repaired to her rooms to plan for Dorn. Several papers thrown on her table since the early postal delivery attracted her. She glanced through, them, yawning over the dull columns m which there was a singular dearth of spicy scandals. Idly scanning the Agony column of the "Times," her listlessness vanished, her mouth opened, and her eyes grew wide and bright. E. C. is peremptorily requested to re- f turn home without delay," she read. Im- t portant tidings. Instant communication r will obviate the necessity of tracing E. C. through an official channel.—G." "Stilted old Gid," Sylvia giggled. "Wa •ever anything so fortunate? Eric will have to take a short holiday or Gid will surely upset his apple-cart. While he's away humouring his tyrant, Dorn can obtain a footing at the Hill and be comfortably settled before the other comes to dispute the position. I'll show this to Eric. He'll have to go. He daren't defy Gid. He won't." She ran downstairs. "Tell Miss Macara I've gone to my counsin's, she said to Jaffe. He replied curtly: "Miss Flyn and Mr. Bamfylde are in the garden. Sylvia's heart stood still. What if she were too late? Once he became Flyn's acknowledged affianced lover good-bye to D im's chance and her marriage brokerage, to revenge Oill Cheveral, to the securing of her I.O.tj. for £ 500. She flew to the garden. They were nowhere visible. Along the box- bordered paths she sped, vainly searching. Remembering that the girl's favourite seat was at the lower end where roses rioted in wild profusion, she crushed through the flower-beds and made straight for the spot. They were among the roses, hemmed round with a glory of white and crimson, yellow and fiery red. She was in time, and no more, Sylvia paused to regain her breath, crouching behind the bushes, rage and jealousy consuming her. They sat on a rustic bench beneath a willow. They had ceased to talk, and gazed dreamily at the garden. Eric turned abruptly and swept the white-gowned figure into his embrace, covering her lips with kisses. "My Flym," Sylvia heard him say, "I've never got a chance to speak since that evening in the lane, never a chance to repeat that I love you dearly and devotedly, will always love you, and I want you to-" Flyn sprang out of his arms with a frightened cry as Lady Darkington parted the bushes and stepped between them. | CHAPTER Vill. THE WEB OF CIRCUMSTANCE. Conveniently blind to their agitation, Sylvia took the middle seat, and fanned her- self with a branch of lilac. "I was stewing in the house, and Jaffe suggested the bench under the willow," she said with the composure of the born liar and intriguante. "Flyn, dear, I've left my sun hat m my room. You might run for it, you are cooler than I." This although the girl's cheeks were burning under her hard, amused stare. Glad of any excuse to escape from her ladyship, Flyn rose, and Eric also rose to acoompany her, but Sylvia told him to re- main, as she had a message to deliver, sent him by Lord Darkington. Reluctantly he sat down and groaned. He groaned again when she unfolded her paper and showed him the advertisement. "What shall I do?" he asked vexedly. "Go home for at least a week and pacify Gid." "Impossible! Can't leave your Dearie O," she sneered. "If you don't, Gid will set hit; domestic sleuth- hound, the valet, on your trail, and Simpkins will employ a private detective and take the credit to himself. It's worth the sacrifice of a week to avoid that when you've a mono- maniac to deal with. I'll hold the fort for you meanwhile." "But how can I go? I must give Flyn a reason. "There's the usual one—urgent business." "I hate prevarications," he said vehe- mentlv. "You weren't so particular when you began them." Again Eric felt that he had done wrong to permit this woman to wield the faintest shadow of power over him by continuing in his false position. C< "Confound Gid!" he said irritably. cl I suppose I'd better speak to Flyn." "Pardon me"—Sylvia's cool fingers tight- ened on his wrist—"I should do nothing of the sort were I you. She saw the paper in my hand. She will suspect us of collusion and search for the cause. Be silent. The pretty scene I witnessed a few minutes ago will keep her happy and occupied in your absence. To-morrow you'll write her a note as lover-like as you choose to make it. You'll plead an important telegram, beg her to pardon the haste which forbids a personal leave-taking, and so on. Believe me, it's the better way. Your train starts before she is up in the morning. Your telegram arrives late to-night. The story is quite plausible." "I cfy see her to-night." ■ And' can you produce your telegram if IF]yn practices little wiles in order to get a peep at it?" j "Am I to Spend the remainder of my life concocÍlnf plausible stories?" was his counter query. "By no means. You are a free agent. Tell her all and go with a clear conscience, but—you needn't purchase a return ticket." That crushed his incipient rebellion. He Eat glowering at the roses, chafing under the irritations and restrictions which were the thorns set round about his budding rose of love, unaware of the worse things coming upon him, troubles whose name was legion, trooping to devour him like a pack of ravening wolves. < < When Eric arrived at Euston he found his Uncle Gid awaiting him, a rather terrible- looking old man with a hooked nose and a satyr's grin, leaning on I, a silver-knobbed stick, and scanning the first-class passengers intently. Catching sight of his peccant nephew he hobbled through the crowd and seized him by the coat-tails. "Hello! growled the captive. "What's > the fuss about? Aren't we bad friends?" To which Cheveral senior replied genially, "Devil take me, Eric, I had forgotten." Still gripping him, he delivered a warning on the uselessness of fibs in present circum- stances. "For I'm not altogether senile," said he, elaborating the grin. "I guessed you were in Ireland with Bamfylde, and you've saved me a journey by cutting away from him in answer tc that advertisement. I'm not going to rend you, boy. I hear Bamfylde reformed when Darkington got an agency for him and a likely chance of marrying some female who pays him for .bungling her affairs'. Lord help her!" He marched his nephew to a waiting ibrougham and sat opposite him, 1,iG bane, crossed upon the knôb- of his stick, his peaked, clean-shaven chin resting on them. "We met the train yesterday also, Eric, and we'd have met it to-niorrow. Then I'd have ordered Simpkins to pack and accom- pany me to Ireland. Now I'm spared that annoyance. By the way, I hope you're not entangled with a goose girl or a cow-eyed milkmaid over yonder. Flirt in moderation, but beware of two dangerous feminine types-the rustic ingenue and (irascibly) the Lady Darkington type." I've no fear of you, though," Gid con- tinued. You've had your lesson, thanks to Sylvia, and it's sobered you into the makings of a good husband for Clodagh Farrell. I've got news of her at last, boy, but it'll keep till we get home. That's why I wanted you, to hearten you up by sharing the joyful tidings. Aren't the smell of warm macadam and the petrol stink refresh- ing after the country odours?" He sniffed appreciatively. Superior to cowsheds and pigstyes. Hey?" Eric's reply was inaudible. Does Andy's prospective bride feed pigs?" Great heavens No." And again the elder Cheveral scanned him keenly, some quality in his voice arresting attention. Where's your baV-,ige? he grunted. U Didn't fetch it, I daresay. Wire to Bam- fylde to send it on. You're going to remain with me; no more gadding from post to pillar. I want you, and you'll admit I've some claim on- your dutiful affection. Here we are. Get out." Eric assisted his relative to alight, in- wardly resolving to bolt" at the earliest opportunity. Luncheon rounded off Gid's rough edges slightly, but continual harping on the subject of Clodagh spoiled Eric's en- joyment of a meal the Wisp's cooking had taught him how to appreciate. You are aware," said Gid, revelling in the full-bodied port on which his gout and temper flourished, you have long been aware of my earnest desire that you should marry the twin daughter of my former regi- mental comrade, Captain Harry Farrell of the Poona Horse. He was many years my junior, a capital fellow, a universal favourite owing to his peculiarly fascinat- ing manners, but highly inflammable if his haughty pride were touched. He came of a stock as fine as any Ireland has produced, and married a penniless lass whose pedigree put his in the shade, for she traced it back to kings. Her family and Farrell's had been at daggers drawn before the great- grandfathers of both were born, and the latter-day descendants kept up the feud and washed their hands of her when she suc- cumbed to Harry's charms and eloped with him. Four months later he was ordered to India, and had to leave his wife behind him in England. Her health was frail, and she feared the climate, and could not be induced to accompany him. It was the fearful de- pression of his face that first attracted me to Farrell. I drew his story from him, cheered him, got him to share my bungalow, and did all I could to lift the load off his mind, but I dared not offer him money, even a temporary loan, though I knew he tJ forwarded nearly every rupee of his pay to l England, and was often on the rocks. He and I quarrelled occasionally, your J Uncle Gid being a bit of a martinet, but < nothing serious marred our friend&hip until one red-letter day, when the mail brought Harry news that he was the father of twins, whom the plucky little lady with the royal ancestors had decided to christen Clodagh, and—that's the bother, Eric. I can't rc- collect the other name, but it doesn't matter much, because the second twin was a boy. The same mail also brought a legal communication to the effect that Harry had been left a snug legacy by a distant kinsman, and could afford, if he wished, to resign his commission and live wherever he chose. "The double lucky event overpowered him. We stood a champagne supper the night previous to his departure, and most of us grew boisterous. Harry drank freelv, talked excitedly, lost his head, already turned by his good fortune and the news from home. He and I got into an argu- ment about some trivial incident of the morning, and in the heat of it I struck him. He dashed his glass in my face. I caught him by the throat, and they rushed to separate us, and when I came to my senses I was lying alone in the disordered mess- room. "Afterwards they told me that the shock of my onslaught sobered Harry. He took it to heart in a way surprising to those who did not understand all we had been to each other. He left without seeing me. I, the elder, and presumably the more sensible, should have tried to heal the breach. In- stead I sulked. We never met again. "Just as Harry was stepping on the boat's gangway a cablegram was handed to him. It announced the death of his wife. "He went aboard like one who had re- ceived a mortal stroke." "I believe he resided with the children in England, but none of us ever came across him. The next I heard was that he hnd been ruined by the bursting of a financial bubble which pauperised thousands. Vainly I endeavoured to trace him. He hid himself too successfully. Twelve months or so be- fore you sailed for South Africa he died. I do not know where or how. A brief notice appeared in the Gazette,' just his name and age, and formerly of the Poona Hors-e. Gib cleared his vocal tubes, suddenly grown choky, and finished his port at a gulp. "The boy and girl would be able to push their own fortunes, no doubt. Perhaps Mrs. Farrell's people assisted them, perhaps not. The mischief these ancient feuds breed in the blood is hard to eradicate. I should think the Macaras treated them as they treated the mother." Eric started. "Was Mrs. Farrell a Macara? he asked. "Yes, that was her niftidan name. And a cruel lot they must have been. She had a cousin living in London at the time of her death, and he refused to see her when she lay dying with her husband far from her, refused to attend her funeral or speak to Harry. It's scarcely likely they'd do any- thing for the children, is it? Their boast is that they seldom forgive. I hope I shan't go over to the majority till I have the pleasure of kicking one of that Macora clan off my doorstep. 1. A feeling of numb despair possessed Eric. If Flyn belonged to this Macara clan, as Gid called it, and had a blood connection with the Farrells through Captain Harry's wife, then good-bye to his dream of winning her while Gid lived. "Those penniless orphan children have weighed on my mind," Gid sighed. "When the notion of atoning to Harry by uniting you to his daughter took root, I got. Simp- kins to help in a boy-and-girl hunt through- out the city's length and breadth. Simpkins has the detective instinct marvellously de- veloped, and as a valet he's .iniply wasted. His ingenuity in finding clues and following them like a sleuth-hound amazed me. In addition, I enlisted allies amongst our society acquaintances, all pledged to inform me if they met or heard ofClodf/gh and her brother in their fashionable peregrinations, all eager to get their relatives to assist and be links in the chain of helpfulness." "Simpkins and I tracked the London Mapara to his lair," continued the inde- fatigable meddler in other folks' affairs. "A most luxurious and palatial lair, the home of a man of wealth and a scholar, a pampered, selfish, bachelor hermit, who eschewed the world. Unfortunately we were late. He had left to be buried; but we interviewed his housekeeper, and heard from her that ho had done nothing for his cousin's orphans, and had sworn to do nothing. As an dI- stance of his close-fistedness, she told us a connection of his, a young person whom he called Macara, was a "typist in a city office, and he only consented to get her the situa- tion when she bullied him and threatened to die of starvation on his doorstep if he didn't." "Brute!" Eric ejaculated. "She couldn't give us the young person's address, but Simpkins ferreted it out after six weeks' prowling, and again we were late. Her landlady said she was gone, and had seemed greatly agitated when leaving. She knew her attic lodger was a near relation of the rich Macara, but the young person went under an alias, and she couldn't recollect what it was, her lodgers came and left so rapidly. The girl kept herself to herself, and was often short of money. She had taken her trivial belongings away in a car- pet bag, forgetting merely a bit of a book not worth tuppence." "Which you pounced upon," grinned his nephew sourly. "We bought it for a couple of shillings. It was a shabby little edition of Tennyson's In Memoriam,' and on the fly-leaf was in- ecribed—what? Can't think." "Just the words 'With ClodaghV love. Eric felt as he thought a man must feel when the rope tightens round his neck. So," pursued triumphant Gid, "it's evi- dent that Clodagh Farrell was on intimate and affectionate terms with this Miss Macara in spite of the feud between their respective families, and if we find Miss Macara we'll soon find the other. Simpkins is haunting the offices which employ female typists, look- ing for a girl below the medium height, dark curly hair, grey eyes, pale oval face, slight build. The police are beginning to watch Simpkins, but ho doesn't care. He revels in his occupation." And suppose you discover Miss Macara's place of employment or residence? I shall compel her to disgorge all she knows concerning the sister and brother. I won't let her go till I've pumped her dry. If she's uncivil and reluctant to impart in- formation our meeting will be a dashed un- pleasant memory for her. I'll stand no nonsense from her or nnc. of her name. My blood boils when I think of how Harry and his wife were treated. It will be a bad day for her if she and I come to loggerheads." You believe Miss Macara is still in Lon. don? Simpkins docs, and I rely on his judg- ment." "Blessed be Simpkins!" breathed Eric, recovering from fright. And in the event of my refusing to marry Clodagh Farrell after you have found her? he queried. You'll forfeit every penny I can deprive you of, and that will mean titled pauper- ism." You'd disinherit me in favour of Miss Farrell ? Yes, sir, and shut my door against you finally." It's well to know the worst. Have you considered that the lady may be either en- gaged or wed?" I have not. A young woman barely twentv-oue, of gentle birth, and obliged to earn her living, doesn't encounter many eligible suitors, and Harry's daughter would have Harry's pride and her mother's. She'd never stoop. I didn't send for you to re- commence squabbling, Eric. You've long known my mind on the subject, and I wanted to tell you how nearly I am in sight of the goal of my hopes, and to bid you remain with me until they arc consummated." "You are very good," dryly. Your rooms arc as you left them. Make yourself comfortable." yc Thanks, I generally do." "And you'll ponder over what I've said?" "I'm afraid I can't, avoid doing so, uncle." "That's a wise lad," said Gid, patting him on the shoulder, and taking the quiet an- swer as a sign of tractability. But when Eric retired to the smoking- room his air of tranquil boredom vanished, yielding to an expression of lively alarm. Intoxicated by small successes the inspired Simpkins might actually stumble upon the right trail which led to Flyn and Paradise Hill, and the result would be dire confu- sion, violent scenes, his own destruction, Gid's insults added to the deception he him- self had practised, to thrust him for ever outside the pale of Flyn's forgiveness. Oh, what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive," he said with rueful emphasis, sitting hunched up in a chair, his unlit pipe dangling be- tween his fingers, and his merry blue eyes gloomily clouded. A thought occurred to him. He would consult Andy. Andy had a perfect genius for getting out of scrapes and falling on his feet like a cat. He owed Andy a wigging for not replying to his last letter. The prospect of seeing and talking to his chum brightened him. He dressed hurriedly, hailed a Ransom, and was driven t1 the hospital. (To be Continued).

BROMIDE PURPLE TONES. I Photographic purple is a tone that is more often read aibout than seen, although, 01 course, semo gold toning baths axe said tc give it, 'as also are some makes of self-toming paper when treated in some special maimer. The real photographic purple tones were common, enough and very easy to secure on albumen paper, and although purple tonee of a sort jure possible on modern papers, lione but albumen peper can produce the I real photoigraiphic purple tones which oui parents loved so much and expected to get on all photographs. There axe but few workers who have ex. pected to got a photographic purple tone on bromide paper, but a formula is being ad- vooaited that is said to produce it. The "DaiLe of t'he purple varies with different makes of bromide paper, also it depends a little on the developer used to produce the black-and-white picture, and it is possible tih-at a. worker may be using just the right paper and developer to proouce a. picture which will tone to a 'mare or less perfect purple. The process is as follows: Bleach the black-and-white print; in walter 5oz., ammo- nium bromide 90gr., potassium ferricyanide 70gr. Wash for about 10 minutes, and re- develop in a hydroqudnon-e developer made up according to the following formula: (A) Water 5oz., potassium meta-bisulpttidte 45gr., potassium bromide lOgr., hydroq urn one 85gr. (B) Water 5cz., ammonium carbonate <Y.I;. Use equal parts of A and B to form the working developer. Finally wash ik-ell. No further fixing is necessairy. With any paper the depth of t&e developed image will govern the tone to a considerable extent.