County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

I TO STEER SUBMARINES. I INVENTION CALCULATED TO REVOLUTIONISE NAVAL WAR. There has been unusual activity at the Admiralty during the past few days. A special meeting of the Board has been held. Officers and officials have been summoned from Ports- mouth and elsewhere. Something has clearly been in the air. We are able to satisfy curiosity as to what this something is. An invention has, we understand, been submitted to the First Lord which claims to solve the difficult problem of steering submarines under water. The difficulty of using the submarine at present lies here. When it sets out to attack a battleship at night, it can only get a general idea of the whereabouts of that battleship before it sinks beneath the waves As soon a it is submerged it has to be directed mainly by guess. It is a chance whether it gets near its'mark, or shoots wide and loses its prey. The new invention is understood to bring into play magnetic forces which will draw the submarine towards the great floating mass of steel which it is seeking to destroy. The battleship will, in fact, act as a magnet to the submarine, and will be made by natural agency to contribute to its own destruction. If the experiments made already on a small scale can be repeated with success under the actual con- ditions of warfare, then the whole method of defending a port against a blockading squadron will be altered. Some go so far even as to say. that naval warfare will be revolutionised altogether. We are not permitted at present to reveal the name of the inventor, but should the Admiralty decide to take the invention up, it will speedily become one of the most familiar names in the Avorld.

AN INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCE. If the appeal from the University of London I for funds to endow an institute of medical science commands the attention which its importance deserves, it should meet with a liberal response. The existing system of medical education in London is in a sense out of date. The medical schools do splendid work consider- ing their resources, but with the means at their disposal they cannot build, equip, and maintain the laboratories which are necessary for modern scientific teaching. There are certain branches of instruction from which the medical schools would glady be set free, so that they could devote all their energies to clinical subjects of medicine and surgery. What the University of London proposes is to take out of the hands of the schools the teaching of physics, chemistry, biology, and physiology, and to centralise instruction on those subjects in the Institute of Medical Science. The institution will not be in competition with the schools. The views of the teachers in those institutions have been ascertained, and no opposi- tion or disapproval is to be apprehended from that quarter. The appeal points out the J exceptional opportunities which London affords for the study of medicine and surgery. Patients I suffering from every kind of disease are to be found in its hospitals. Students may learn from I the experience and skill of physicians and surgeons who are among the most eminent in Europe. The one thing wanted is such an I institute as the University of London proposes to establish.

Premature baldness is being discussed with great seriousness in the London Press. One sufferer, a comparatively young man, suggests sufferer, a comparatively young man, suggests that, as no millionaire seems willing to found a I hair hospital, a society for bald-headed persons be started. This, he says, would enable bald- headed persons to meet on equal terms, and would promote the solution of the great problem.

f — ——— Pushes Mcdicine Aside. Do not take pills and correctives when Shredded Wheat Biscuit and Triscuit will remove conditions brought I Z, about by eating starchy and white I flour products. A natural food like I Shredded Wheat is a body builder. Sample free. C. E. Ingersoll, 53, St. George's House, Eastcheap, E.C.

NO BETTER FOOD." Or. Amdrtw Hwi F.B.SJ: A*. nlW ft X « GOLD MEDALS, ACB

[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] THE MISSING MILLIONAIRE; OR, Who Killed Hose Hammond ? BY M. C. ROWSELL. CHAPTER XX VI.-(Continued.) "As one of his most attached friends, believing in. him as I do, I am here to speak for him, since—er—in your strange, un- accountable prejudice against him, you might refuse him the opportunity to explain -ei--iiis motive in placing you here in this" Prison Pardon me—this refuge from designing persons." He has no rightful control over my actions." Yet, a moral one. You smile. Ah, hedieve me, Mr. Elmore is cruel to be kind. Your angelic charity is no match for a wicked world. You are rich. Where the honey is the wasps swarm. Danger lurked at your every step-as the heiress of James Elmore. Ah, listen I-the reputed heiress- the fortune-hunters "They would have been disappointed," said Norna, with cold disdain. "I would sooner touch boiling pitch than a farthing of that, man's money The value of heroics is not great," said Cleeves, disclosing his gleaming teeth. "They go for what they are worth. Com- mon-sense like yours arrives in time at a more reasonable frame of mind. You Avill do so in detainingme here," interrupted Noma, as she turned from her seat and made her way to the lattice, "this man who calls him- self James FIniot-e 11 "Calls himself?" challenged Cleeves, his head fixing with a viperish alertness. "This man is committing a criminal act. I demand to be released instantly Cleeves smiled compassionately. "You don't know what you are saying. Released, to be thrown upon the perils of a hundred harpies-the gibes of an uncharitable world To go unprotected—— My husband is my protector. I demand, to be taken to him "Your husband "-Cleeves's lips writhed convulsively, as if the endeavour to frame words was too great—" your husband is very ill A cry escaped Norna, and she turned pleadingly to Cleeves. "Ah take me to him Have you a heart of stone?" Alas murmured Cleeves, taking her two outstretched hands soothingly, "I can- not do so. Calm yourself-your husband is dead! "No!" she wailed, wrenching her hands free no no "Ah, yes. So ends the little romance," coolly went on Cleeves, as she tottered to a seat and sank down in it— "the little clan- destine arrangement. Now, facts step in to help your perception. Yes, my good friend Temple had his enemies. Men in our un- fortunate position never want for these." "But the debts of the lfirm were all paid." "That makes the matter the more cruel-- I may say more incomprehensible, perhaps. But these things leave grudges, and—er—at all events, the fact remains—poor Horace was the victim of a murderous attack "Where was it made ?" Cleeves hesitated, looking keenly but furtively at Norna. The steady tones perplexed him. Where was it made ?" she went on, still in the same un- broken monotone. "Not far from here," he replied. "It is supposed by poachers, but they contrived to get away. It is most regrettable, of course. Not the less so, that the good fortunes of our firm seem now to have revived in the most brilliant manner. The lost ship has returned with a valuable cargo. And so the old errors are retrieved, the old mistakes die in their merited oblivion. There is always a brighter side to every misfortune." I do not understand you." Cleeves smiled with a gentle confidence. "I think you do, for there is a guileless- ness, a transparency in your nature. Noma —ah!" he hurried on, lifting his hand. to enforce silence on her—"I cannot give you that hated name, and the ill-advised impulses that weighted, shadowed you with it, are dead—impotent. You are free! You are no longer Temple's wife—even in name In name ? He came nearer, stealing behind her, hissing his words into her ear lie could not. see her eyes, blazing with the smouldering indignation of her whole being. Yes, cast aside the conventionality of grief—the flimsy attempt at tears. My dear child, it is superfluous, believe me. It does not even become you. Natures like yours find the assumption of feeling so difficult. Never mind, I can forgive you the indiffer- ence with which you have received this sad intelligence. I can forgive it. It lightens the way for me." For you ? she said, mechanically. "It banishes false delicacy, and—and—er —I love you, Norna and seizing her hand, lie gripped it in an it-oti.liold. "I-er-adore you with—with a passion that man could no more understand than these blocks of stone here." Be silent!" she wailed, imploringly. And I will marry you. Yes, let the world say what it will, I am willing to make you m y wi fe A strange smile broke upon her face. She gazed at him speechlessly. "Yes, yes; I am prepared to brave com- ment, and—er—you shall leave this place free of blame, as my wife. Do you hear? As my wife." Yyur—wife ? she said, in low, discordant tones. "You are worth a great sacrifice," he went on. Your choice is in your own hands. I offer you marriage, Mrs. Temple, tarnished as your name may be. Ah, yes, my child, the world—Mrs. Grundy—knows all about it. Your flight from—er—from the domestic hearth of Bel voir. It was—is—the gossip of half London. The modest joys of poverty, the humdrum of matrimony grew irksome to the brilliant lady once known as Noma Hatlierleigh, and the beautiful bird, so the world judges, flew away. But now Mrs. Temple is a widow No, no cried Norna, passionately. "My wife will be received with open arms My husband is not dead," said Noma. He dropped her hand, and fell back into the misty shadows, his loud, mocking laughter rattling to the crumbling roof as he contem- plated her slender yet majestic figure, her face marble white, illumined by the blazing scorn of her eyes, confronting his cowering glance. You give me the lie ? he hissed. "Yes," she said. "I believe my husband is not dead." Cleeves sprang from where he stood, and furiously stretched out his hands to drag her from the casement. She flung him from her with such force that he fell staggering back- ward. "Touch me," she cried, mounting to the low, broad step of the casement, and dash- ing open the lattices, seized the iron bars that hung already Joose in their decaying holds, and sent them clattering far down into the waves below—"come one step nearer, and I cast myself down 1" He laughed feebly. "To death?" he said. "As it might be," she replied. "At least, to deliverance from you. Go He crept to the tapestry, and clutchin g it, stole one furtive look back towards the window. She had not stirred. The folds of her gown, not whiter than her face, trailed heavily against the blackened oak. The lamp rays caught the blaze of defiant loath- ing in her eyes. He lifted the tapestry, and was gone. I CHAPTER XXVII. I FROM THE BRINK OF THE GRAVE. THE weeks passed on, and Temple's condition remained very critical. The signs of amend- ment yielded only to fresh access of fever, causedmainly by the murderous blow, though the doctors declared an opinion that danger- ous as the wound was in itself, some over- excitement of his mental powers at the time of the attack upon him had probably aggra- vated the evil. If care could bring him through it was not wanting. Mr. Johnstone came to and fro very frequently, often changing guard by the sulT'erer's bedside for a night or day at a time with Mrs. Somers, who was constituted sick-nurse at the suggestion of Johnstone for, as he said, in the absence of her sister from Foxglove Cottage, Mrs. Somers had the best right of entry there, even putting aside the skill and tenderness which she evinced in her difficult task. Mrs. Somer's was certainly the right woman in the right, place. If death could be cheated of his prev there was a chance for her patient, but iL remained very dim. For weeks conscious- ness returned only at brief intervals, and the ravings of his delirium were very terrible for the watchers, as with piteous cries, in tones of wild entreaty, he called upon Noma, re- peating her name incessantly. Sometimes lie would fancy himself at home in Belvoir Street, and brokenly discuss the little trifles of the old happy days. Then the affairs or Panyer Lane would flood in like molten lead into his brain, ifring it to agony. Then sonH hideous dreamirigs seemed to possess him, and he would mutter Cleeves's name, or ramble on confusedly about the sea, and the "Albatross," and prison walls, and sink ex- hausted at last peals of chuckling laughter, amid which the name of Uncle Jim was often more or less distinguishable and Mr. John- stone, in his solicitude for the sufferer, finally took up his own quarters in Foxglove Cottage, allowing no one but Mrs. Somers to share the watch with him, and impressing on her the grave necessity of not repeating one word of the sick man's ravings. "There has been foul play here," he said. "The one way of tracking his would-be assassins to their righteous doom is to main- tain absolute silence till, please Heaven, out poor sufferer can speak again in his right mind, and tell us what he knows." He further impressed upon the doctors the necessity of their forbidding any person whatsoever to so much as enter the cottage. Any messages required to be taken to London or elsewhere, any fetching and carrying, was to be done by Blinker. Blinker was attached to Temple. Blinker was to be implicitly trusted where his heart was concerned in the case, and as Blinker flatly refused to go on doing more than intermittent duty at the old Chantry, he was available to all intents and purposes for any small odd jobs required to be done at Foxglove Cottage. As to going inside the Chantry after dark on those wintry nights that were beginning to set in with their chill gloom, Blinker made a compact with himself that wild horses should not drag him to do it. By a successful combination of threats and bribes, the secret of the Chantry was safe with Blinker. Money was a powerful per- suasive with him. The mortal terror, mingled with aversion, he held Cleeves in was more powerful still. That his tongue would be torn out with red-hot pincers was the mildest punishment to be inflicted. All the same, Blinker was the vulnerable point in Cleeves's plans. The man was half-witted, and Cleeves had been careful to magnify to their utmost the strange delusions and aber- rations he suffered from, so that in the event of his blabbing," anything he said could be jested away but Blinker remained a source of uneasiness to his employer—ten times more so when the meddling Scotchman established himself at Foxglove Cottage. The old Chantry, in fact, was becoming a less secure casket for the stolen treasure than it had at first promised, and the treasure must be either removed or won and worn with as little delay as possible. While these thoughts were exercising Cleeves, a slight improvement showed itself in Temple. The intervals of reason grew longer, and more evidences of returning strength dawned but the first veils of snow covered the ground before he could be moved for the first time to a couch in the old chimney-nook of poor Nance's cottage. The strong arms of Mr. Johnstone laid him tenderly among the cushions, and the in- valid, for some days perfectly conscious and clear-minded, though unable to speak, now fully understood that it was this man who had tended and watched by him night and day. His gratitude shone in his hollow eyes, but the light of returning life was not in them. With memory there came back the awful consciousness of the past. Death would have been preferable to the blank lying before him. Life without Norlia was not life, and the brooding horror and confusion of the time preceding the moment of his being struck down, threatened to quench the glimmering of hope Johnstone had of him. It was one day when he lay thus, with Johnstone seated in the old Windsor-chair, on the opposite side of the hearth, making valiant efforts to interest him in the latest intelligence of the day's paper, that a low knock came at the door. Johnstone laid down his newspaper, and going to the door, opened it, to find Blinker in the porch. "You Blinker ?" But Blinker affehtpted no audible reply. All his senses seemed con- centrated in his eye, which was nxettinone beam of content on Temple. c Yes, All right. Thanks, Blinker," smilingly answered Temple, who was able to interpret Blinker as no one else could do. Anything stirring ? inquired Johnstone, by way of setting the ball of conversation rolling. Only the spooks." replied Blinker, shud- deringly. "Oh! come, now," said Johnstone. "To keep on at that, a sonsie man like you. It's all fancy." "That ain't fancy," said Blinker, baring his brawny arms, and displaying a small but evident discoloration on the fleshy part of it. "The spook gave me that pinch last night. S'lielp me, he did. And says he 'Clear out o'this/he says, or you'll get it harder, not to say 'otter, next time, you comes." "Where was this ?" inquired Johnstone, lifting a silencing finger to Temple. "To feet o' the stairs that leads from the Chantry vaults," replied Blinker. "Oh! nonsense." Clear out b' this, doggedly went on Blinker, for why, the place is in my care,' it says." It ? The spook ? What is he like ? "Like naught I ever see afore. An't naught to be seen but a white sheet, naught to be heard but 'Oh! ah ugh Clear out.' HolIer as a well it speaks. Th'ould Chantry's bin rnoine to see arter these hundreds of years. So take that warnin', and that!' An' off it sheers, out into the dark shadders, droppin' o' some jinglin' thing as it goes." Which, of course, you were too cautious to meddle with?" said Johnstone. Blinker, however, repudiated the irpputa- tion of such cowardice. With a long hazel- twig he had, it appeared, touched the jing- ling thing, and finding that in shape, weight, colour, and impress it was as much like a sovereign as could be, lie had dauntlessly picked it up and pocketed it. "It giv' it me," said Blinker, a little dubi- ously, means to hold on by it-if 'tis b, it; to slio%v jio I'a,j)cy." Nor a uook. ell," "Then what can it be?" challenged Blinker. "How can flesh and blood git in, seeing the way I keep the place locked an' barred ? But tlieere," went on Blinker, glancing fur- tively over his shoulder, "I ain't a-goin' to talk about it. I tell yer. 'Tan't for sayin' I good for dealin' squeer with squeer, as you may say, but. spooks Warn't in the bargain, eh ?" suggestively said Johnstone, as Blinker again shuddered audibly. "An' I'm chucking it up, andhookin' it for Migson's. Any instructions, Mr. Temple, sir ? added Blinker. Johnstone, however, with a. slight gesture unperceived by Temple, intimated, that any hint of business was not to be entered upon with the invalid. "If you're determined to go," said John- stone, I'll walk a stretch of the road with ye," and calling Mrs. Soi i) et's to take his place by Temple, he followed Blinker outside. He felt perfect security in leaving the house, for, isolated and open to attack as the cottage looked, it was in reality now carefully watched and guarded at all points. The murderous attack on Temple had ren- dered the whole community vigilant, not only on his account, but on that of all. An extra guard of police occupied the village and the neighbourhood. The events of the past few months had drawn attention to the fact that out-of-the-World, tranquil little St. Wolfram's was a, marked spot. The result of Johnstone's little stretch in Blinker's com- pany was a compromise in the matter of the man's resolve to take flight, and Mip. on's Wharf did not see him next morning iu his old place. It remained in the charge of a, trustworthy man, who had. occasionally rendered assistance there in company with one or two subordinates selected by Captain Smith, in whose care the place had virtually come. Cleeves, to the good captain's no little disappointment and perplexity, evinced com- paratively small interest in the enormously rich cargo lie had landed for him. Days passed, and Cleeves was not seen in Panyer Lane. When he did come it was to remain for a few hours only. The problem was too much for Captain Smith. He had sailed away for the Cape, leaving Cleeves a keen, smart, and most unmistakably brilliant busi- ness man he returned to find him hollow- eyed, leaden-featured, brooding, now listless, now working himself into paroxysms of ill- temper. His old acquaintances at the Jonquil Club, which he still frequented, gave him a wide berth, for the jaunty, fascinating Julian Cleeves, with his strange magnetic social qualities, his fund of anecdote, his knowledge of the world, was a creature of the past. And so Blinker did not return at once to Migson's. Exactly where he did go was known only to himself and, in a measure, perhaps, to Johnstone. And for a week or two there was no outward change in the even flow of existence at St. Wolfram's; only as the days wore on, shortening into the dusky winter nights, and the rairisfell per- sistently till they congealed into frost, and the clouds became charged with snow, the long, bodily pain and suffering lifted from Temple. It might not have lingered so long after the first perils had been conquered by the vigour of his healthy constitution had the desire to live been stronger in him but for a long time he prayed for death, shrouded as he Was in the shadow of his despair. It was Johnstone—his tender, self consti- tuted nurse, who won him back to life and hope. And yet it was strange his influence was so great over him, for Johnstone was rugged and often taciturn, at least, incom- municative to a degree. There were times, and frequent times, when he seemed weighed down with the burden of his own thoughts —some private inward care, some vexation of spirit, which darkened ill upon him like the mazes of a wilderness, from which he vainly sought to free himself. But the early days of December saw Temple promoted from the couch to the old Windsor arm-chair, and with some faint hues of health in his cheeks, and the light of the old steadfast determination in his dark, handsome eyes. It was one evening, about ten o'clock, that thisimprovementin himso markedly asserted itself to the eyes of Johnstone, who came in after his customary evening stI-roll-wliiell, more often, than not, lasted a good two hours —that he congratulated him on the change. "Migson will be having you back over- hauling -that precious cargo before long," added Johnstone, taking up Temple's worn, still semi-transparent hand in his, and some- what carefully testing its muscle. I'll ven- ture to say that this hand, now, already might do a deal strait from the shoulder." "Fmmttbe heart, you mean," said Temple, seizing Johnstone's hand and clasping it Avarmly. "/J,-hat shall be its first renewed endea\ oin —to .make you feel what words can ne ver (til \OII God bless you for your good- ness, to, in 6, -jolt n s ton e. Ah,; lad! If there's a grateful word to be spoken* it's no for the likes o' me: I'm but acting for Jjimes Elmore. He'd ha'taken it to heart if his old friend's son had perished in this dastardly attack. But there, we']! not talk of it. A little more flesh on your bones, a little fresh air in your blood, and we'll be having Horace Temple as-as I first saw ye—at—h'm—li'm At Mr. Be] ton's." "At Mr. Belton's if ye will. Come, never sigh, mon. I've news for ye," and putting his hand in the breast-pocket of his coat;, he drew out a letter. Or if ye must sigh, read first and then do as ye Avill. The handwrit ing'11 not be just strange to ye, ma,yhap,"and with a grave smile Johnstone laid the letter down on the,table beside Temple, under the full light of the lamp. NOI-DL I cried Temple, as he read the superscription on the envelope, a,nd tearing it open he drew out a folded sheet of note- paper. It is from Norn a Ah "Doucely, now," murmured Johnstone, as he turned to the hearth and began to refill his pipe. "Ah! She gave you this. You have seen her?' "Read, mon," smiled Johnstone, as he en- jpyably drew the first whiff of his pipe, and watched the vanishing smoke. And Temple read: "DEAREST,—I am shut up here in the old Chantry. I know all you have suffered. Nance Burgis is shut up with me. Blinkeris placed here on guard, but he is our friend. I think he is faithful. Dearest, I can but trust in him. He promises to bring you this. I dare not wait to write more. Your loving wife. "NORNA TEMPLE." I CHAPTER XXVIII. I NEW YEAR'S DAY. I "HASTEN slowly." Of all social by-laws and regulations, is there one more irksome, more wholesome, than this samefesiina lente1 Temple found itgoa,ded him almost to mad- ness when Johnstone imposed it on him. It was unreasonable-it was criminal. There was one thing comrnon-sense prompted—to rush to the Chantry and rescue Noma at any cost. But the Scotchman shook his head. The days of knight-errantry were fled. Even Sir Paladin himself could not have stormed a fortress under the conditions of weakness in which Temple still was. Norna was safe meanwhile. She could not be more secure from harm anywhere. She would indeed be far less safe anywhere. There were times when the wisdom of man was less to be relied on than the foolishness of creatures like Blinker, say. But Temple was not persuaded until once more Jonstone reasoned him to acquiescence by the reminder of consideration for Elmore, by whose advice lie was acting. Yes, I know," said Temple, "a great stake is in the balance— £ 11,000. What then ? "More than any stake of poor, perishing dross is at issue, believe me," said Johnstone, gravely, and with unwonted sternness. Meanwhile your wife is safe. She is watched by friends. Foes cannot touch her. The man she fears and hates cannot touch her-dare not. Do you hear?—dure not. He is not even at present within a hundred miles of her. How should he ue? Is he not seeking Elmore? Uns he not all his work, for time tties ? Listen!" And even as Johnstone spoke, the bells of t!ie old church rang out their Christmas peal. And Temple dropped back lieart-sick and weary with a moan of anguish, for the peace and good-will of that Christmas season Avere not in his breast. Ungovernable rage and indignation swayed him against Cleeves. Meanwhile, St. Wolfram's was in such a state of excitement and consternation, on account of the presence of the ghost in its midst, as sorely to Avorry the vicar. Ordi- narily since living memory in the place could recall, the ghost had come in the October days, and like the shadow that he was had departed within the month. Now, in the face even of all tradition, the friar continued to walk. It seemed as if he intended to see the New Year in. What did it portend? asked the terrified folks. What could be at the bottom of it? as Mr. Carteret observed to Johnstone; but that gentleman main- tained a stolid incredulity till the vicar roundly called him an unbelieving Thomas. "It is not as if I could put the panic down by the usual argument that I have not seen it myself, and therefore it is not to be seen," ruefully said Mr. Carteret. "I have seen it. I swear—that is, I aftlrm-thatcbeyond all question it has been visible to the naked eye." Your own ? smiled Johnstone. "Mine—nearly every night for this past week or two," Ye're quite positive 'tis not the snow mon yer aiD hands have been creating for the school-children's pleasure ? "The snow man, my good sir, keeps his unvarying watch near the park-gates. There is no place sacred to this goblin monk- Or spirit of health." The vicar smiled faintly. "Last night," he went on, "as distinctly as I see you now, Mr. Johnstone, I saw the. figure cross the moonlit-flooded panes of the Grange picture-gallery on the upper storey, and thence—for I watched sharply, I assure you—by the main door, which it appeared necessary to open for him to get out, and so along the box alley into the park. Following at a safe distance—which I shall have no scruple in curtailing next time I catch sight of him—I saw our spiritual visitant glide on- ward till it reached the ruined arch. There in the dense shadow it was lost. I waited till my feet were congealed, but I saw no more of it." "A ghost that knows his way about, seemingly." "Au old hand-yes. I don't like it; And that business of the old Chantry. Really, I begin to be of the mind of my good people —St. Wolfram's seems bewitched. It is time things were looked into; and when you see Mr. Elmore you would do a good turn to all concerned by telling him-with my com- pliments—that his presence here would be desirable." "Yes, he knows he's wanted," said John- stone. "Oh, nonsense!" shrugged the vicar. "The charge is monstrous. Good-night. By the way, what an improvement in your invalid! It did one's heart good to see him striding over the common yesterday." And the vicar went his onward way, cud- felling his brain to define his estimate of olmstone. Ought it to be pawkie or canny," or how did the kail-yairders put it of such characteristics as distinguished this Mr. Alexander Johnstone, whose impenetrability did not hinder you from liking him, would you or wouldn't you, with all your heart? And in this Way the old year died, and with all its burden of good and ill, joy and sorrow, Avas laid away in Time's great sepulchre; and splendid in a glory of sun- shine and greyish-blue sky, the New Year sprang into being. And the never-staying hours speeding on —on—brought the first twilight. Radiant with myriad stars, it enfolded the figure of Norna, where she sat in her old place beside the ifasement, watching—watching always. Fragile, worn, but still beautiful, her bra ve spirit shone in her eyes, that were luminous with the hope that she had nourished through all the weary time, the hope alternating with racking fear. The ordeal was a fearful one. She knew so little, she dreaded so much. The strange, uncouth, often surly Blinker Avas not to be won to speak. She had tried all her armoury of womanly wiles—kind words, artfully- framed observations, smiles, tears but they had fallen upon her grim gaoler as sweet lipoll it-Oil. Only once he had relented when. he had bidden her write the letter to her husband, but that moment had brought her new life. The terror of the strange creature had melted into trust. Yet if he were treacherous after all—and on that New Year's fading afternoon, the hope was dying fast, for more than a fortnight had passed, and no sign of help bad come. Poor Nance was but an added grief to her. Her heart was torn to see the ceaseless tears that-rolled from the woman's sightless eyes. Always gentle and tender, the unhappy creature seemed oppressed with some melan- choly of despair that was a sort of madness. She was indeed almost dumb now. If Burgis could have known, her condition might have added to his happiness, but Burgis had not been heard of—the much-sought-after Mr. Samuel Burgis was not to be found, not so much as heard of at 'Oinsey "or anywhere else. That sylvan retirement was indeed to let, and its cabbage garden a wilderness vacated long since with some precipitation by its occupants. (To be continued.)

BRUTAL SERGEANT SENTENCED, The German army authorities are still pursuing the question of brutality to private soldiers. A Reuter despatch says that Sergeant Linke of the 18th Infantry Regiment, was sentenced at Kuestrin on Saturday to 18 months' imprisonment and de- gradation for cruelty to soldiers in 17 cases. One man, named Utrowski, was in particular singled out by Linke, who maltreated him when- ever he met him. The curious feature was, as usual, that the men were so afraid of Linke that no one dared to report him, chance alone bringing his cruelty to light. 1

THE CHATHAM SACRILEGE. The Chatham stipendiary magistrate on Satur- day committed three men for trial at the Kent Assizes on a charge of sacrilege at St. Paul's Church, Chatham. They were seen to enter the basement of the church at midnight, by Pol ice- constable Swan, who obtained assistance and ar- rested the men while they were before a large fire in the stokehole. It was subsequently discovered by the verger that one of the doors of the church had been forced open, the altar thrown aside, the offertory- bpxes tampered with, and tallow from tapers was spilt about the church. The accused told the constable that they only went into the basement to sleep.

A free hght took place in Georgetown, Dema- rara, because at a Chinese wedding an imported American-Chinaman insisted on substituting for the toast of King Edward that of the "President of the United States." Professor Thomasina, a French savant, has (says "Health") invented a machine which rings little bells in response to varying electrical cur- rents in the air. Thereby he is enabled to be- come a weather prophet.

"You deserve well of your country. I will let your off," said the Wigan County Court judge to Mrs. Fitzgerald, who pleaded that her son could not afford to pay a debt, and added that she had twenty-one sons and six daughters. The first donation from the Transvaal to the Bible Society's Centenary Fund is the sum of 12s. 6d. A prisoner who had been in gaol at Johannesburg for his first offence, on being liberated, made his way to the Bible depot. The society's agent managed to find work for him, and at the end of the first week he returned with this balance, saved from his wages, as a gift to. the society. Overtaken by a heavy shower of rain a lady took refuge in a shop, where she employed the time in making some purchases. "You seem very quiet to-day," she said to the obliging salesman. Yes, niadam," was the reply "just look at the weather! What respectable lady would venture out of doors on a day like this?"

l CHRISTMAS.— Youth, in the heart of faith now wearing old, Hope, in the darkness of this doubt and fear, Love, in the law inexorably severe, Home, in the cosmic exile! I, in the cold, Soon dusk -of this my latest year, behold The beauty of thy coming, and the cheer Familiar, mystical, divine and dear, Feel as in all the years that have been told. About thy forehead and within thine eyes The innocent wisdom of the sage and child— Experience with expectance reconciled- Shines, with ineffable prescience: the surmise Of being, when the years no longer come, Etprnalin youth, and hope, and love and home! —William Dean Howells, in the Christmas Tatler." SMALL WONDER.—Aunt Emily (telling little Johnnie a story): Now early on Christmas morn- ing this bad boy got out of bed and ran over to the mantel where he had hung up his stocking. He found it hanging just where he had left it; but it was empty. Can you tell me why it was empty, Johnnie-why that bad boy found not even a piece of candy in his stocking on Christ- mas morning? Little Johnnie (who has had experience): Because he had swiped everything- in the night.—"Weekly Telegraph" ChiisteBHwr Number.

FISCAL AFFAIRS. r NE\T^A<iLE TARIFF REFORM LEAGUE. 11 ,-1 A. meeting caueci to iorm a oranca 01 me i.arnr Kei'wm Learg«f has been held in Newcastfe-on- Tyne. 'Loi-'d Armstrong presided, and was sup- ported by Mr. George Renwick, M.P., and others. Mr. Renwick read letters from several local manufacturers and merchants expressing sym- pathy with the object of the meeting. Lord Armstrong said that he was glad to be the president at the express wish ox Mr. Cham- berlain, and'he felt sure that the way in which Mr. Chamberlain's proposals had been received on all sides showed at any rate that the people of the country realised that their present fiscal system was by no means a perfect one. All of them who were engaged in manufacturing pur- suits felt that a step ought to be taken to improve the present fiscal conditions. When they con- sidered how bound we were to our great Colonies and how Mr. Chamberlain's policy was to a great extent actuated by a desire to draw these Colonies closer to us he felt sure that it was a matter which deserved the most earnest attention of the country. It was the express wish of Mr. Chamberlain, he added, that Mr. Renwick should be the chairman of the league in New- castle-on-Tyne. Mr. Ridley moved, and Mr. J. J. Candlish, one of the members of Mr. Chamberlain's commis- sion, seconded, the following resolution, which was carried:—"That this meeting of manufac- turers and others interested in the trade and commerce of the country, recognising the neces- sity for an alteration of our present fiscal system, considers it advisable to form a district branch of the Tariff Reform League, with a view of for- warding the objects of the league and the formation of local branches for each district." Lord Armstrong was elected president of the branch, and Mr. Renwick chairman. A strong committee was chosen. THE HORSE TO BACK. Sir Horatio Davies, M.P., speaking at Gilling- ham, Chatham, on Saturday evening, said that he was not only in complete accord with Mr. Balfour and the Government on the fiscal ques- tion, but he was prepared to go as far as Mr. Chamberlain would go. He only regretted that the nation had allowed things to drift so long. Mr. Chamberlain was the horse on which he would put his money. He would stake his politi- cal career on Mr. Chamberlain's policy, for the late Colonial Minister had the interests of thj. great Empire at heart. SUPERSEDING THE GOVERNMENT. Mr. Munro-Ferguson, M.P., addressing a public meeting at Leith on Saturday night, said that Mr. Chamberlain had announced a commis- sion of inquiry of his own, to be conducted by Protectionists. If this was Mr. Chamberlain out of office what would he be like in office? Who called on Mr. Chamberlain to supersede the Government and the Crown, and to start on his own account as a legislator, as an ambassador for all the Britains. Beyond the Seas? MR. JOHN BURNS IN EDINBURGH. Mr. John Burns, M.P., speaking in Edinburgh at a meeting of the Young Scots' Society on Saturday, said that the Tariff Committee ap- pointed by Mr. Chamberlain was a packed jury, without a mandate, incapable of inquiry, pre- vented by its very origin and creation from being fair. What these gentlemen were expected to do was to confirm what Joseph said. LORD GEORGE HAMILTON'S POSITION. Lord George Hamilton, who resigned the Secretaryship of State for India over the fiscal controversy, has been formally asked by the Central Conservative Council of Ealing, the constituency wThich he represents, to "support the Government," and the resolution closes with a plain hint that if he refuses the council with- draws its favour from him. To this Lord George has replied, in a letter written on Friday, refusing to comply. The document, which, is not brief, contains some interesting passages. "I am afraid," Lord George says, "that the views of a majority of the committee are irre- 0 concilably antagonistic to the principles I have always held, and invariably expressed in public. I am anti-protectionist; the committee are pro- tectionist. I left the Government because I de- clined to aid and abet a movement which, under the disguise of fiscal reform, meant protection; and I'cannot retrace my steps." He proceeds to examine what are Mr. Bal- four's iiews, which he is asked to support. On the question of the taxation of food his most explicit utterance is that the country is not ready for it. We may fairly infer from this statement that if the constituencies can be cajoled into a transient acquiescence in this prin- ciple he is ready to endorse it and put it into execution. On the second branch of fiscal change, Mr. Chamberlain's policy is clear and unmistakable, viz., a protective 10 per cent. duty upon all manufactured foreign imports. Prominent Cabinet Ministers have already expressed their approval of this policy, and Ministerial candi- dates at bye-elections are not less outspoken; No condemnation of these utterances or pro- fessions has been made By the Prime Minister. The only definite proposition emanating from the Government as a whole is a request that they should have power to freely negotiate with foreign countries. It is indisputable that they already possess this power, and no one, so far as I know, desirec to deprive the Exeeutive of this authority. The use to which it may be put is another matter, and it is not reasonable that I should be asked in advance to pledge myself to blindly support any scheme which, under this authority, Mr. Balfour and his colleagues may hereafter formulate. Recapitulating his own views he adds If protection be substituted for our present system of free imports few communities will more severely suffer from the change than my constituents. With the single exception of Messrs. Thornvcroft there are no greaVtrades or industries within its limits to be benefited by higher prices, but there are tens of thousands to whom a rise in the cost of living will be oppres- sive if not insupportable. This class has immensely increased in numbers during the last 6"I^am" satisfied," he concludes, "from the letters and other communications I have received. that the opposition to protection in my constituency is far stronger than the committee believe. • • • "I am exceedingly sorry, therefore, to be unable to comply with the request forwarded to me. I must, so far as tariff questions are con- cerned, reserve to myself, both parl'iamentarily; and electorally, freedom of action. N. compromise is possible." MR. -WINSTON CHURCHILL AT HALIFAX., Mr. Winston Churchill, M.P., speaking at Halifax on Monday night, said Mr. Chamber- Jain's proposed Tariff Commission was a start- ling innovation in this land of Parliamentary tradition and Constitutional observance. The proceedings of such a body would afford con- tinual opportunities of making terms with every separate interest in the country for its political support at the forthcoming election. In plain English, it would inaugurate a gigantic opera- tion of bargaining for votes and a form of bri- bery and corruption not yet amenable to the criminal law. He was of opinion that the time was fast approaching when Free-traders and Constitutionalists of all creeds and classes and political organisations would have to sink their differences, smooth away their prejudices, and stand together against a common foe. But, after all, it was with the Liberal Party that the main conduct of this great struggle must rest.

Mr. W. Johnson Galioway, m.r., intends to introduce in the House of Commons next Ses- sion a Bill for the repression of musical piracv. Twenty-one vessels, aggregating 30,000 gross tonnage, are laid up at South Wales ports, awaiting the advent of better freights for cut- ward-bound ships. Chance has brought to light another case of brutality in the German army by a sergeant who maltreated a soldier so badly on all occa- sions that he was afraid to speak of the ill- usage, a mere accident revealing what was going usage, a mere accident revealing what was going war.