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-======- -¡- -= [AIL RIGHTS RESERVED.) MALMORA: STORY OF THE ISLE OF MAN. BY AUGUSTA SQUIRES, Author oj "Saved by Death." An Eviction and its Consequences," &c. dec. CHAPTER XXIX. THE DEATH SCENE.—THE CONFESSION. JEHE fore part of the cavern formed a kind d vaulted chamber. A tallow candle threw its feeble rays upon the gaunt form ex- tended on the straw. Fierce passions were etill warring in the troubled soul, and cast a ghastly light on the pinched face, over Which was stealing the great shadow of ap- proaching death. Malmora sat on a stool near the improvised couch, bending forward with eager intentness. Every word which fell from the slowly-stiffening lips was like the infliction of a wound. The priest, clad in a coarse garment, stood on the other side, holding a crucifix before the eyes of the dying woman. In the background, with purple heather for a shroud, from which the cold face gleamed white as a marble mask, reposed the form of the dead, with the cross at its feet, and the wax lights making tiny radiant circles amidst the surrounding gloom. "Me hate t' ye, sure an' it war past the tellin' cried Molly, her dim eyes suddenly flashing fire. Why did you dislike us ? asked Mal- mora. Becos rich ye were, an' honoured, poor we were, an' despised, me an' my son. An' the blood av princes is it not runnin' in our veins ? "Surely that was unjust," said Mal- mora. Molly remained silent. Now that the final moment had arrived she still delayed. "Must I confess?" she asked, addressing the priest. If you wish to save your soul." She raised herself on one elbow, and peered into that other face which was bent towards her own. Yer husband, i' faith it war me that shot him!" The words broke from her suddenly, savagely, then her chin fell upon her breast. A quick cry of pain issued from Malmora's lips. Me it war as did the deed," continued Molly. Sure an' didn't he spake agen me son at the trial? An', by the saints, I swore as I'd ha' me revenge on him an' hisn." She put the white hair from her face with an impatient hand. The memories of the past were fanning into flame the waning spark of life within her. Th' way he would hev t' goo I knew A- short cut across the country I took. At the old tholthan I war afore him. Meself I hid behind th' fuchsia hedge. Sure the shot was aimed thrue that found his heart! There was something wild and fierce in the old woman's aspect, as she raised herself, .stretched forth her right arm, and made a gesture, as though her curved finger were placed on the trigger of a gun. Through Malmora's mind there flashed the recollection of that sound-the report of fire- arms—which she had heard so distinctly in her dream-trance at the moment of her hus- band's death. Molly fell back upon the straw a white- ness succeeded the transient flush which had tinged her cheek. She appeared to be pas- sing into a kind of lethargy, but Malmora's next words reached her consciousness. And Frida-niy little daughter-did you take her life also ? Molly made a strong effort to master the deadly faintness which nearly overpowered her. The priest held a stimulant to her lips, which she imbibed eagerly. "A black deed war that, the innocent babe, the purty little one! When hom' I com'- yer husband shot—my grandchild war in convulsions an' died a few minutes after in my arms. Oh me heart i wild it war wi' luv an' hate. I swore as yer child's life should pay for mine. Into the nursery I stole at night. Oh! for me will there ever be for- giveness? The sweet eyes at her! Sure an' her pleading glance has been loike poisoned arrows i' me heart." She put her shaking hand to her forehead and brushed away the clinging drops of agony. Ma morasatwith fingers stiffly intertwined, incapable of speech. A slight movement on the pant of Father O'Lara, as he supported Molly's drooping head on his shoulder, aroused her at last. "You say, that soon after you returned home your grandchild died, but is not Elfin your grandchild ? Molly opened her eyes. Kith nor kin is she av mine." Who is she then? Sure an' she is one av yer own family." "Oh woman! woman! do not play with me! Do not tell me falsehoods in this the last hour of your life." Yer sister's child she be." "Sybil's? Her name I don't remember it is foreign. But truth it ba I spake, as though before God's throne I stood. There was a silence, in which the short panting breath of the dying woman was as the heavy flap of a beating wing set to mark the passing moments of a departing soul. Malmora perceived that the time was very short in which to solve the mystery of Elfin's birth. She suppressed all emotion, and concentrated her keen and penetrating intellect upon the task before her. Have you any proofs which will confirm your statement? "F theer. Papers, jewels. Sell 'em I couldn't, though, at times, I clemmed." Molly pointed to a large leather case with silver clasps that lay on the straw at her feet. Then she disengaged a small key from a chain suspended from her neck, of which Malmora, at her request, took possession. Molly continued, speaking in quick, jerky gasps. T'Liverpool I went. Found it hard times fto get a living. Went to lodging- house to help th' sarvant do th' work. One day lady and baby come. Lady Sl. write a letter. Sarvant gie it t me to post. Addressed war it t ye. I read th' letter, find lady is ye,r sister. Says 1, Mrs. Maclear ull tek th child, an' she'll ba t' her as th' daughter she has lost. I hated ye an' I thought t' clear oot yer family root an' branch. So I burnt the letter. Th' next day th' lady died. Th' house war *ept by a widow; she took the fever and died. The box I stole. The child I took away, just ter ba oot av th-"f-ell sickness so I told'em. In the ways av^ evil I thought t' bring her up; whm all daftled an' black ter send ner ter ye. "h • •_ But he me son, kiiowed j 5i? ijI v own born child he thought her." Molly relapsed into semi-unconsciousness, i. which state she remained for several minutes; then suddenly she raised herself into a sitting posture, and extended her right arm and forefinger. Her eyes became trans- fixed, as though she were gazing upon a: "vision. 1 "Ah! Ah t The rope, is: it cut f The boat on the waters rides away • v away away 1 T' Christ's Cross i' the clouds is she nailed. Martyred! Martyred 1 See, aligel is, She, now risin'up t' heaven!" 'There was again silence. Maimora did not ctir. The priest kept his vigilant watch; the dead form lay on its 1 couch of heather-bloom, like a voiceless witness from another world. Over Molly's face there stole an expression of cunning, succeeded by a look of malicious satisfaction. It was the last supreme struggle of the lower sense nature over the higher. "Elfin, buried is she beneath the dark, dark sea. The last av yer race! The last av yer race To me the revenge!" Her head fell back upon the straw. The quavering voice was silent for ever. I CHAPTER XXX. I OUT ON THE OCEAN ALONE. I OUT on the ocean alone, where the broad waters stretched into infinite space, where the encircling sky stooped down as though to enclose the world of tossing waves benaath —a world in which there was nothing solid, nothing fixed, where form was ever changing, and colour flushed and paled and melted into varying hues. Elfin sat in the tossing boat confronted by a lingering and cruel death. She looked around in vain for succour; not a sail was in sight. The young life throbbed strongly in her veins, and rose in rebellious protest against the pitiless fate which had decreed its early extinction. The minutes were as ages, the hours as an eternity. The red sun glided down the arc of heaven and sank into the sea. The grey mists of twilight gathered, purple shadows crept across the foam the stars came out, and all around grew the terror of the dark. She clasped her hands, and strained her eyes into the vast immensity. A great awe fell upon her, a vague fear, a sense of an overshadowing and all-embracing Presence she seemed to be face to face with God. Denser grew the night, and wilder raged the sea. Flashes of light crossed the dark, and sounds, like the faint far-off voice of a great multitude, echoed and re-echoed in the clouds. Strange forms emerged from the deep, and melted again into shadow; full was the air of spirit-life, voiceless, and im- palpable. The mystery of the Unknown was above and around her. She grew faint and afraid. She fell prostrate on the bottom of the boat, and covered her eyes with her hands; then the darkness of the sky and the blackness of the sea met together, and enclosed her as in a living tomb. I think she will recover." Elfin opened her eyes, and found herself lying on a velvet couch in a small cabin, with her head and shoulders supported by pillows, and a rich Oriental rug thrown across her feet. Bending over her was a tall lady, whose brown hair, draped with a piece of costly lace, was thinly streaked with grey. She met Elfin's gaze with that smile of chastened beauty which is seen only on the face of those whose lives are truly spiritual, or who are endowed with some great intel- lectual gift. Elfin experienced a sense of rest, as though a great protecting love were enfolding her. "We will not trouble you to talk at pre- sent, my dear," the voice was sympathetic and persuasive. "You were found early this morning in a little boat, and were rescued by some of the crew. You are quite safe now, and with those to whom it will give the greatest pleasure to render you every kind- ness and attention." Thank you," murmured Elfin feebly. She closed her eyes, and endeavoured to recall all that had transpired. She reviewed the events of the few preceding days, and wondered vaguely what further trials the future had in store. She roused herself at length. The lady whose face had appealed so strong- ly toher sympathy when she first woke to con- sciousness, was seated beneath the port-hole with a piece of delicate embroidery in her hand. Perceiving that Ellin was awake, she laid her work aside, and approached the couch. Are you feeling better, dear?" Yes, thank you." "Now we hope you will soon be quite strong again. Doubtless you wonder where you are. You are on Lord Spendlow's sailing yacht, the Nautilus. His lordship has kindly put the vessel at my disposal for a short time. We shall be n earing a port on the Irish coast presently. If you will furnish me with your name and address, we shall endeavour to send a communication to your friends informing them of your safety." "I have no friends," responded the girl, and the tears flowed slowly down her cheeks." The lady looked at the beautiful face shadowed by grief. Could it be that one so young had already known sorrow ? She had been steeped in it herself, to the lips. Married at an early age to the man of her choice, three children had been given to her. In the midst of her happiness a fatal disease entered her home, and within the space of a few weeks, she was bereft of husband and offspring, and lay herself at the point; of death. But her faith in God's goodness and mercy never wavered. Upon her restoration to health, she consecrated her life to suffer- ing humanity. Many were the homes which had been brightened by her presence; many a weary and despairing one had taken up her burden again with renewed hope, strengthened by her wise counsel, and sus- tained by contact with her brave and noble nature. Unlike Malmora, who had permitted her heart to grow hard under the pressure of a great affliction, this one wore her sorrow as a crown-a crown which gathered light. She possessed the rare gift of magnetic sym- pathy, the power to put herself into another's place and comprehend his difficulties. Few could resist her charm. The gentle out- flow of her spirit seemed to meet and absorb theirs, and draw from them the hidden secret of their hearts. Elfin fell under this irresistible spell. Within a few hours of their first meeting, she had related to her new acquaintance the sad and eventful history of her life. "And where were you living?" enquired the lady. Elfin had carefully refrained from mention- ing the names of persons or places. She hesitated. "You must give me your full confidence, my dear, if I am to help you." "I resided at Balla Mount in the Isle of Man." I divined so. And the name of the lady, who for a time was your benefactress, is Malmora MacLear." You know her?" cried Elfin, in sur- prise. "We were very dear friends in our girl- hood. It appears incredible that Malmora, who was always high-spirited, but warm- hearted and strictly just, can have changed so greatly as to be capable of acting towards you with such unwonted severity." The lady looked out of the port-hole, where the grey waters were scudding past. The narrative had moved her deeply. She felt great compassion for the child, who, from her birth, had been the sport of circum- stances. A portion of your story is not new to me," she said, quietly. Orry told me, many years ago, of his meeting with you on the steamer, and of your being left on the Isle of Man in Mrs. MacLear's charge." Orry exclaimed Elfin, in some confu- sion. "My name is Elizabeth Farrant. Orry Langman is my nephew." Oh are you his aunt Elizabeth ?" asked Elfin, eagerly. "He has often spoken to me of your goodness, and wished that I could know you. But he will never love me now." 1 Her lips quivered and her eyes filled with tears. j Mrs. Farrant regarded Elfin with, new interest. "You have seen my nephew recently ? "He has been staying at Balla Mount. We had our last interview the other evening. We were-" She lowered her eyes with a shy, but troubled expression. "Yes, dear," said Mrs. Farrant encourag- ingly. I We were betrothed. But he will cast me off, he will hate me as she does because I belong to those wicked people, and you, too, will shrink from me now you know who I am." Her throat worked convulsively. She buried her head in the cushions and sought to stifle her sobs. A warm cheek was pressed against her own. "My dear, dear, child; the character of your 'ndred will not affect my regard for you. It is a cruel injustice which causes one innocent member of a family to sniffer for the misdeeds of another. Before God each indi- vidual stands alone. You have i/rept into my lonely heart, Elfin; you shall be my child and I will be your mother. I will endeavour, in some measure, to repair the wrong which Mrs. MacLear has done for, by the benefits she has conferred upon you, accustoming you to a life of ease, she has taken upon her- self a moral obligation that cannot be dis- regarded, without violating some of the unwritten laws which regulate human conduct." "I do not quite understand all that you have said but will you be so good as to make me a promise, Mrs. Farrant ? What is it, dear ? "Will you keep the fact of my rescue a secret ? I am already dead to all those who have displayed any interest in me. That dreadful woman who cast me adrift might persecute me, if she knew I were living. She will think I have perished in the sea, and the others will be quite indifferent to my fate." Her voice broke. She hid her face on her friend's breast. I think what you suggest is best," rejoined Mrs. Farrant, after a few minutes reflection. We will cruise about until you are stronger, then we can make our plans for the future." They took up their abode in Paris for the winter. One day, Mrs. Farrant returned home from her drive earlier than usual, and found Elfin seated at the piano singing. She entered the room unobserved. When the young girl had finished, she came forward and proffered her services to Mrs. Farrant to unfasten the difficult clasp of her cloak. You have an exceptipnally fine voice, dear why haven't I heard it before ? Because I could not sing—it made me think of her. But. to-day, the longing came over me it was stronger than myself I had no power to resist." The lady straightened the fingers of her gloves with a thoughtful air. "Have you ever had any ambition to appear before the public ? "Since I have been here it has occurred to me that, perhaps, I might be able to earn my living in that way." Well, we will see. It certainly would be a great advantage to you to be placed in a position of independence. I must admit that I the life of a professional singer is beset with many dangers. You are beautiful, my child. I do not intend to flatter you-beauty, like every other gift, is bestowed by God. It should be held in reverence, and not become to its possessor a cause of pride and vanity. As regards your voice, we will consult Signor Sarti. The stage, is, of course, out of the question, but there remains the concert platform. All exceptional abilities, in a sense, are not our own to reserve exclusively to ourselves; they should be exercised to promote the good, or pleasure, of others." This was a new creed to Elfin. She pon- dered over it long and thoughtfully. Then she looked up into Mrs. Farrant's face with a self-depreciating expression. "I am like a little child I should scarcely know right from wrong without your guidance." "May you ever remain a child in relation to some things, my sweet Elfin." Mrs. Farrant registered a silent vow, that she would watch over and protect the young life which in so mysterious a way had been delivered into her keeping. (To be continued.)

I RUINED BY FOREIGNERS. I The terrible depression in the cloth trade has created unprecedented distress in Stroud, the centre of the trade in the West of England, and the surrounding districts. Never in the history of the neighbourhood have rate collectors had so much trouble in getting money. At present eight parishes of union are in arrear with poor rate, and overseers have been notified to appear at the next meeting of guardians to explain matters. Mills have for some time past been clos- ing in all directions, and bills are posted up in all districts advertising mills and machinery for sale. Foreign competition is said to be the cause of the trade depression. j

I RIVAL SCOTTISH CHURCHES. I A statement was made on Monday to the effect that an acute stage had been reached in the Scottish Church dispute, the professors of the United Free Church colleges not having received' their half-yearly salaries, due on September 1, while the ministers of that body had not received their quarter's contribution due a month earlier. An Edinburgh correspondent telegraphs that on inquiry at the offices of both the Free Church and the United Free Church, it was stated that there was not the slightest foundation for the report. A great demonstration was held on Monday night in the Drill Hall, Dumfries, by the United Free Church, in connection with the crisis. Mr. Barber, of Terran, presided over an audience of about 3,000. Lord Overtoun, who was to have been one of the leading speakers, was absent through illness, but sent a letter express- ing the hope that God' would lead the way and bnng order out of the confusion which the amazing London judgment had caused. Prin- cipal Rainy, who was the leading speaker, said the minority who were declared by the Lords to be the Free Church, had a strong view that they were now trustees of the Church properties, and as trustees could not hand these over to other people. If the minority could not agree, the United Free Church must go up to Parlia- ment and lay the matter before their members. Party considerations should not enter into the matter, as there were members on both sides who were equally astonished at the judgment. Some reasonable arrangement should be sought in order that they might go on with the work of God in Scotland. On the motion of Mr. Milligan, of Merkland, chairman of the County Liberal Association, a resolution was adopted condemning the decision of the Lords, and hold- ing to the Union.

Crisp bank notes are in some places likely to be supplanted by soft, velvety OMS, at a saving in cost. The paper is treated chemieaily, and this makes it not only soft and pliable, but anti- septic, while preserving it. Toe United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing are now trying experiments to this end. Ottawa proposes to put a tax ot a dollar per head on bachelors.

POPULAR SCIENCE. Tn. GENTLB DEW. It is said that dew is a great respecter of colours. To prove this, take pieces of glass or board, and paint them red, yellow, green, aud black. Expose them to the outdoor air at night, and you will find that the yellow will be covered with moisture, and the green will be damp, but that the red and black will be perfectly dry. THE PHTHISIS MICROBE. Professor Schron, of Naples, the discoverer of life in crystals, haa found a new microbe which causes phthisis, a microbe quite different from that causing tuberculosis. Professor Schron affirms that this discovery explains why Dr. Koch's serum not only did not cure phthisis, but aggra- vated it. Phthisis and pulmonary tuberculosis have been considered as practically if not actually identical, the popular name for both being con- sumption. SAVE YOUR SKIN. Nobody can really wash either hands or face properly without soap. The face may be given a bath, but if on* has been in the dust, or some hours have elapsed since the face last felt water, then it needs a lather. Soap does hurt the face if it is highly scented, but good soap whitens and softens it. If you do not make a lather, and wash your face with your hands, take a piece of white flannel, wet it, rub the soap over it, and give your face its freshening. Wash the soap off with tepid water; do not shock the skin with very cold water. A WONDERFUL BOAT. A French inventor, Count de Lambert, has per- fected a wonderful auto-boat, whieh travels at the speed of 20 miles per hour. He calls it the bateau glisseur" from the fact that it literally slides on the water, and does not cut its way through, as is the case with all other boats. Fixed to the keel are a number of inchned planes, and as soon as the screw revolves the pressure of the water on these planes raises the boat, thus causingher to skim on the surface. By so doing the resistance of im- mersion is greatly lessened, and the speed conse- quently increased. Should such a boat be feasible on a large scale the Channel trip need only occupy about half-an-hour. HELPING THE BURNT. It is desirable for everyone to know what to do in case of a serious burn, which may happen to any of us at any mo$MBt^ As soon as the are is extinguished the clothes must be removed. If not already thoroughly wet, the injured part should be drenched with water, and the clothes cut away. Everything must be sacrificed to getting them off without pulling, as the slightest dragging brings the skin too. If patches of the clothing adhere and will not drop off they must be allowed to re- main. Dip clothes in a thick solution of common baking soda in water, and lay them over the burnt surface, bandaging lightly to keep them in place. As soon as a dry spot appears on this dressing, wet it with the soda and water by squeezing some on it. There will be no smarting while it is satu- rated and excludes the air. CURING DRUNKARDS. An interesting case of curing a drunkard by sug- gestion during his namrmteep was related by M. Farez at the annual meeting of the French Society of Hypnology and Psychology. The man was an habitual drunkard, who spent his whole time in cafes consuming wine, beer, rum, absinthe, ver- mouth, &c. Although net usually a "rowdy" alcoholic, he occasionally became very violent, and at times refused any kind of treatment. Finally, suggestion was employed during sleep without the man's knowledge, and after some weeks he bad no outburst of violence and improved steadily. After a year and a half of this treatment he was entirely cured, and only drank a little light beer at his meals. THE "TIRED" POISON. Conclusions drawn from practical experiments upon dogs are to the effect that labour of body or of brain causes certain changes in the tissues and blood, and through these changes poison isproduced, and it circulates in the blood. Some studies have been made to illustrate this subject on fifty grammar school children who were about to be inflicted with one of those periodic al grinds." Before taking the examination their muscular strength was tested. Each one lifted all he could upon the dynamometer, and the average number of pounds for three trials was recorded as his strength re- cord." After the examination was over, which lasted two and a half hours, they made the same endeavour to lift all they could. With two excep- tions, none could raise as much as before their in- tense mental activity. FOOD FALLACIES. It is doubtful whether any given food in common use contains constituents which have a selective action, so to speak, on the property of ministering to one part of the body more than another. As a rule, when a food is assumed* to have specific reparative properties—as, for example, a so-called brain or nerve fooa-the fact really is that such food-is easily and quickly assimilated-to the body's general advantage; in a word, in such a case repair quickly overtakes waste and a real purposeful nutrition and restoration are accomplished. A high medical authority feels called upon to once more correct the erroneous popular impression that fish food ministers particularly to the brain, because it contains phosphorus. As a matter of fact, fish does not contain more phosphorus than do the ordinary meat foods, and it certainly does not contain it in a free state. The notion that fish contains phosphorus had, no doubt, its origin in the glowing phosphorescence of fish in the dark. Thfe is wholly due to micro-organisms. The belief, contains phosphorus had, no doubt, its origin in contains phosphorus had, no doubt, its origin in the glowing phosphorescence of fish in the dark. Thfe is wholly due to micro-organisms. The belief, therefore, that fish is a brain food is just about as reasonable as the idea that because a soup is thick and gelatinous it will stick to the ribs." Fish, of course, is excellent food, partly because of the nourishing nature of its constituents and partly because of its digestibility. WHY IS THE SKY BLUE ? The gas we call air is transparent and absolutely colourless. The blue comes from reflected light. Air is never pure; you could not live in it if it were. Countless millions of tiny particles, chiefly of water, are always suspended in it, and these arrest the free passage of light. Each particle has a double reflection—one internal, the other external —and so the reflected rays suffer the usual result of what is called "interference," and show colour. You will notice that the sky appears much bluer if you look straight up than if you look across towards the horizon. The reason is that in theflrat instance you are naturally looking through a much thinner layer of air than in the second. If there were no air, and consequently no watery vapour, and nothing to interfere with the free passage of light, even at mid-day the sky above would look perfectly black, and all the stars plainer than they do now at midnight. ESCAPING HELIUM. A growing belief among physicists is that the earth may lose some of its substance through the' escape of light gases from the upper atmosphere. In support of this view, Dr. Johnstone Stoaey claims to have proven that the Sow of helium into the air from springs is from 3000 to 6000 times more than can be accounted for by the minute quantity dissolved by falling ram, yet the rotative quantity of helium in the atmosphere does not appear to increase. Helium, therefore, must be escaping at a rate equal to its influx. Theoreti- cally, the conditions under which the flights, of gaseous molecules take place in the upper atmos- phere sufficiently explain the outflow as it would only be necessary for the chance of escape of each molecule to occur once in several days in order to; account for the amount recieved by the atmosphere from the earth. 1

Actress (angrily): "Did you,write that criti- cism which said my impersonation of the aban- doned wife was a miserable faUuret" Critic: "Ye-y-e-s; you see, you looked so irresistibly beautiful that it was impossible to fancy that any man could abandon yea."

I WOMAN'S WORLD. j A very young girl ought to be WOMEN TO told of the women she should I' AVOID. dread. Beware of the woman, I my dear girl, who tells you all about herself when you first meet her. Beware of ¡ the woman who announces to you that she has never said a disagreeable word about another I woman. Gracious goodness The air will be green when she does begin. The woman who never says a disagreeable word is like the dog who never barks. He bites, and bites to kill. Beware of the woman who is very rich in her caresses to you." American women are given to AMATEUR hobbies and fads, and they lend COOKS. their enthusiasm to whatever they undertake. Just at present, says the Woman at Home," there is a great fancy for cooking among these fashionable women, and it is rarely indeed that one finds a woman in the" smart set" who does not understand how to cook everything from a roast of beef to the most delicious souffles. To be sure, the cooking of meats is not done by the society dame, but she is, nevertheless, sufficiently accomplished to direct her chef just how she wishes it done. It is the especial pride of these society cooks to invent some new and novel dish. They try experiments and patiently persist after many failures, but in the end they produce some really remarkable dainties that will eventually find their way into standard cookery books. The richest and most expensive A DEAR dress in the world is now on DRESS. exhibition at the great World's Fair at St. Louis. This gown cost ten thousand pounds, and has been considered the most wonderful creation of the Parisian dress- maker's art. It was made for the famous Empress Josephine, who, in the height of her popularity, tvas perhaps the most beautiful woman in the world. I The gown weighs seventy-five pounds and has a train fifteen feet long. It is made of the heaviest and richest velvet of the choicest manufacture, I and is bordered with ermine that cost a small fortune. The skirt bodice, and train are studded with hand-worked golden bees, symbolic of the Napoleonic dynasty. Tastefully worked into the gown are many costly jewels. Some good hints are given in a HINTS TO contemporary for women who THE TIRED. come home from shopping, or elsewhere, feeling tired and head- achy. Everybody knows that a cup of good tea, very hot, and not too strong, can be relied on to give relief in many cases but the best remedy of all is to take out the hairpins and rearrange the hair. Better still, let the hair float loose on the shoulders for five or ten minutes before coiling it up again. Another point that the tired woman should remember is that pretty clothes help to brace a woman up. There ought to be a law, saya someone, to make men and women change into fresh clothes upon coming home to spend the evening. They need not be fine clothes, though they may, and should be, brightened up by the addition of a dainty ribbon or lace collar. It is a great mistake to wear an out-of-door dress all the evening. Apart from the harm done to the former, there is some- thing very soothing in the very act of removing one dress and getting into the other. Besides this, no two dresses feel precisely the same. If the tired woman has time, she cannot do better than don a cosy dressing gown after removing her corsets as well as her dress, and take a few gymnastic exercises, lasting, say, ten minutes. Thjgg she should throw herself on a couch, and go to sleep for half an hour. She will then awake as fresh as a lily, enjoy her dinner, and radiate sun- shine and good temper, instead of the peevishness into which one so easily drops when worn out with worry and fatigue. 1. Make your household one TEN GOLDEN harmonious whole, no matter how HOME RULES, small the scale. 2. Use only what you can com- fortably afford in good quality and ample quantity. 3. Let your home appear bright and sunny. It is not easy to be unpleasant in a cheerful room. 4. Treat servants wisely and kindly, and it will be difficult for them to impose or oppose. 5. Have time for everything and be never in a hurry. 6. A certain formality is necessary to save every-day life from triviality, and freedom from looseness. 7. Do not forget that society is the death of home life-hospitality its flower. 8. Know how to talk, and how to listen, how to entertain and how to amuse. 9. Have many interests, but no studies. 10. Do not forget your home should not only be a well-conducted sleeping and boarding place, but truly a home, the centre and focus of all interest, pleasure and happiness for everybody connected with it. The true "old maid," like the OLD MAIDS, true poet, is born, not made, old maidishness being a question of innate character rather than of incidental con- dition. There are old maids of every state and age and sex, says Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler, creatures who revel in fuss, and fatten upon detail, and abide in the narrowest of narrow ruts. Do we not all know married women with large families who are, nevertheless, old maids to the backbone, just as we know adorable elderly spinsters who have the minds of girls and the hearts of mothers ? And do we not also know of the (so called) stronger sex whose absorption in trifles and avidity for gossip proclaim them old maids of the first water ? A few suggestions for church CHURCH decorations may not prove un- DECORATION. welcome now that the harvest festival season is with us. It is desirable to keep the decorations of a building well in harmony also to let the designs be compact and decided, thus avoiding that untidy appearance sometimes witnessed. The pulpit and font gene- rally offer great opportunities for the exercise of ingenuity; also considerable skill is requisite to achieve a success; therefore, these subjects should be apportioned to the most experienced artists in the congregation. The altar needs more simplicity, also the chancel screen, stalls, and window-sills, so they may be undertaken by beginners. The altar looks well adorned by long triangular trays or cut flowers and moss, arranged on each side of the retable. It is better to have one white and the other red, c-v else scarlet and yellow single dahlias can be employed. A large Latin cross of closely-bound heads of wheat looks well on the %ltar, especially if a fine bunch of purple grapes be fastened in the centre. Two large shields prove an effective decoration, the one being of white sateen adorned by purple grapes and a few leaves, also a fringe of oats, and the second shield being composed of red sateen with light grapes. By the sides of the altar tall palms, arums, gladioli, or sunflowers shoull be grouped. Shields and banners look well fastened against the chancel screen, red being edged by oats and white by capsicums. Arrange a bank of moss at the foot, with studs of alternate tomatoes and pale-green apples. Hops may be gracefully twisted along the altar rails, relieved by occasional upright sheaves of corn fastened by tufts of mountain ash berries. Scarlet gladioli in threes, or two and an arum, look well bound against the front of the chancel screen. Two large devices in the shape of a lyre are also effective, the foundation being of millboard covered by closely-bound heads of wheat and the strings of thick, brightly- polished brass wire or gilt cord. For a frail open-work iron or wooden pulpit, a graceful decoration may be managed by employing bands of heather, brown bracken, and fern. Pampas grass, if inserted in pots of mould, can be qniekly "d well arranged round the pedestal of either pulpit or font. The pots should be covered by trails of vine,-and a bunch of grapes in each panel, purple in the middle and light at the sides. -j

"Wanted, a strong horse to do the work of a I country minister," is an advertisement which I Appeared in » newspaper the other day. Appeared in » newspaper the other day.

Lady of the HOUIQ (satirically): "You caa't wash or iron or light the fire? Perhaps you might be able to sit in the breakfast-room and read the morning paper after mv husband has got through with it> The Mistress of the Kitchen: "I think I could do that, ma'am, it the paper had stories in it."

I LIGHT-WEIGHT CONTEST. I The heat between the Serapis Angling Society and the Jubilee Angling Society in the first round of the Anglers' Association challenge shield was fished off on Monday, at Ware. The water was, however, gin bright, and the nsh consequently very shy. At the end of the day's fishing it was found that one of the Jubilee team had caught a small perch and one of the Serapis a email roach. The other ten anglers, five of each side, failed to catch a fish. On weighing in it was found that the roach weighed Wz., wbile the perch was short of that weight by foz., thu* giving the victory to the Serapis. 4