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

HEAD CONSTABLE SUED. By arrangement between the parties, the action for libel, trespass, and assault brought by Mrs. Margaret Mann against the Head Con- stable of Liverpool was on Thursday settled by payment to the plaintiff of fifty guineas and costs. Mr. Rigby Swift, who appeared for the Head Constable, said that these, terms were, agreed to on condition that there should be no verdict, and that the record should be withdrawn. Previously, after arguments by counsel, Judge Taylor held that the notice sent by the Head Constable to the plaintiff's landlord as to the alleged character of her house was, though libellous, privileged.

-1 USES OF HEATHER. After being harvested, heather is carried away in many dimetiong-a, part to the tan. works for tanning leather, more to the com- monest class of bruehmakers, for besoms and scrubbing, brushes, a. certain portion to poor cottars for beds (made of coarse sacking, and the heather sloped flowery tops upward), another portion is need for bedding for cattle, to be sacked until winter requires it. The largest part, however, its, used for making houses of the poorest class, mixed with earth.

ELECTRICITY LIKE WATER. Electricity is likened to water. Sir Oliver Lodge mentiont3. that it i» no more a form of energy than water, but, like water, it may be a vehicle of energy, when a high level or in motion. Electricity cannot be manufactured lik,e heat. It can only be moved! from place to •place, like water, and its energy must be in the form'of motion or of strain. Electricity under strain constitutes a current and magnetism; electricity in vibration constitute.s light.

Mr. Charles Bursley has just completed fifty years' service as a ringer at the Ringwood (Hampshire) parish church. Mr. Will Crooks, M.P., at the opening of the Co-operative Exhibition, said:—A young couple is always perfect—never like any other couple who failed. That's all right till they've got no frying-pan. H. E. Atkins, of Leicester, the well-known chess master, has won the British championship at the Southport Chese Congress, as his score of 8, reached by beating G. E. Wainwright, can- not be reached by any other competitor.

UKBURIED FOR TEN DAYS. RED TAPE SCANDAL. A strange burial scandal has occurred at Ber- mondsey. The Rev. H. Pitt, vicar of St. Mary's Newing- ton, applied to Mr. Rose on Saturday at tho Tower-bridge Police-court for advice and assist- ance in a case of desertion. A woman died in Mancia-road, Old Kent-road, on the Bermondsey side of the street, last Thurs- day week, leaving two young children. Her hus- band drew the insurance money, and after mak- ing arrangements for the funeral, disappeared with the money, leaving his dead wife unburied. The body was removed to the mortuary, but the Poor Law authorities stated that it could not be buried until Wednesday next, and the delay was creating a scandal. The Magistrate I should think so, in the month of August. How long has the woman C> been dead? Mr. Pitt: Ten days. The Rev. H. Pitt promised to use his influence to put an end to the scandal.

THE KING AT MARIENBAD. DELAYED BY A THUNDERSTORM. Prince and Princess Mirko of Montenegro and Sir William Goschen, the British Ambassador in Vienna, lunched with King Edward oa Saturday at Marienbad. A heavy thunderstorm, accompanied by torrential rain, broke over Marienbad in tha afternoon. Fortunately His Majesty had not started on his daily motor-car ride, and conse. quently waited until the storm had passed over before setting out. In the evening the King visited the opera. King Edward, accompanied by his suite, the British Ambassador, and the staff of the Embassy, attended Divine service at the English church at noon on Sunday. Thb Ttev. B. P. Cole, Hononary Canon of Bristol, preached t, sermon, and the Rev, H. E. Sharpe, Vicar of Newport, Isle of Wight, read the prayers. His Majesty lunched at Glutzen with the Hon, B. Stonor, and dined at the Hotel Rubbezahl. In the afternoon the King attended a Wagner concert at the Café Bellevue.

SUNDAY HOUSEBREAKING. DARING FEAT. The Cranbourn, a large public-house at the corner of St. Martin's-lane and Cranbourn-street, was broken into on Sunday afternoon between three and six p.m., when the house was closed to the public and when the staff had retired to the upper rooms, leaving the saloon and the bar deserted. It would seem that an entrance was effected by forcing one of the side doors. Cash to the amount; of about £ 70 was taken, but some bank notes were left untouched. This is not an isolated case of robbery at a London public-house on a Sunday afternoon, and it is believed that there is a gang of thieves who are making a speciality of this system of robbery.

I AN EFFICIENT ARMY. I SPEECH BY LORD ROBERTS. An efficient Army is the best means of averting conflict," said Lord Roberts, after unveiling a memorial at Llanelly on Saturday to the local men who fell in the South African war. What he wanted to see was not merely an effi- cient Regular Army and Auxiliary Forces, but the whole manhood of the nation as a great potential reserve of force. We should then be so powerful that no nation would think of going to war with us.

I BOATING DISASTER. THREE LIVES LOST. A boating disaster, resulting in the loss of three lives, occurred in the Mersey, near New Brighton, on Sunday. Two brothers from Coventry, named Warner, and three natives of New Brighton, named Gillies, Sands, and Ball, went" fishing near the bar of the river in the pleasure boat Flora. While returning, a sudden gust of wind caught the boat and capsized it, and all the occupants were thrown into the water. Tine two Warners and Gillies were drowned, but Sands and Ball were picked up by passing vessels, and conveyed to the nearest landing- place. The bodies of the three drowned men have not yet been recoveood..

At the half-yearly meeting of the London Gene, ral Omnibus Company it was stated that the sup- ply of motor-'buses was very backward, and that ,f or some years to come horse traction would still be the backbone of the concern. A boy with a mass of flaming red hair hsis been fined at Liverpool for riding on the buffer of a tramcar. The magistrate said that he might I have been taken for a danger signal. The whole of the Government of Warsaw has been placed under martial law. A further successful trial of submarine sig- nalling has been made by the Trinity House between the Trinity yacht Irene and the North Goodwin lightship,

THE QUEEN OF EOLLAND. I OVERSHADOWED BY SORROW. THE LAST OF THE ROYAL LINE. The public will remember what an impres- sion the bright, bonny, youthful face of Holland's Queen made upon all who attended the festivities held a few years ago in coiin.ection with her inauguration as Queen, tier betrothal and marriage. To-day, says the "Morning Leader," those who knew her then would scarcely recognise the once happy, hopeful girl Queen. There is a shadow over the face, the wonteJ brightness in the eye has disappeared, and a thoughtful, weary expression has taken its place. This was particularly noticed by the British officers of the fleet at Ymuiden who met her a few days ago at Loo. So far she has suffered the bitterest dis- appointment that woman can endure, for Holland has no heir. The whole country, which clings to Wilhelmina as the last of her race, in whom' all their hopes are centred, joins in her disappointment. In the past three years she has aged fifteen, and the Court fboth at The Hague and at Loo is doomed to melancholy, for the shadow is over all. It seems but a few years ago that the palace at The Hague rang with the laughter of the children who came to play with the child Queen. Now all is changed, and the Queen hides her sorrow as many months of the year as she can at Loo.

DEATH OF A BENEFACTRESS. GOOD FRIDAY CEREMONY. The quaint old ceremony performed each Good Friday in the churchyard of St. Bartholo- mew-the-Great is brought to mind by the death of Mrs. Jarratt, of Westgate, who for many years displayed practical sympathy with the aged women of the parish. It will be remem- bered that the ceremony—so old that its com- mencement is loet in the mists of antiquity- consists of the division of a 'certain sum" of money amongst twenty-one poor widows, who attend and pick up sixpences from a tombstone in the churchyard. Mrs. Jarratt's connection with the parish dates back twelve years or more. Being present, in a. casual way, on a certain Good Friday, she was greatly impressed by the needs of the recipients. From that time until the present day Mr. Deputy Turner has been remitted the iEn cf three pounds, twenty-one half-crowns of which go to the widows who secure the sixpences, and three to as many bedridden widows who aie unable to attend. It is confidently believed that the widows who observe the good old Good Friday custom wiJ not suffer, for the will of Mrs. Jarratt, it is thought, contains the necessary provisions fox :ts continuance.

MISTAKEN IDENTITY. ANOTHER REMARKABLE CASE. Another case of mistaken identity came before the magistrate at Bow-street on Thursday, the prisoner being Ernest Marstens, a German, who appeared on remand, charged with stealing two bags from Messrs. Boots, Limited, cash chemists, High Holborn. On the 14th a man went to Messrs. Boots' establishment and selected two bags, which he asked should be sent to Doughty House, Guild- Ford-street, in order that a. lady there might decide which one she would have. The goods were sent, and, it was alleged, obtained from the porter by means of a trick. On the following day the porter &aw prisoner riding on an omnibus in High Holborn, and' told Messrs. Boots' manager that he was the man who Etol<3 the bage. The prisoner denied all knowledge of the transaction, but he was given into custody. It was now stated by a solicitor who appeared for the defence that a great mistake had been made, the prisoner being a respectable man, who knew nothing about Doughty House or the foag3. 1 Mr. Joseph Schaffer, an agent for German goods, carrying on business in Paternoster- square, said prisoner had been in his employ- ment as clerk for about four weeks and, so far as he knew, he was a highly-respectable man. Kathleen Wheat-ley, a waitreGs, gave evidence which showed that at about the time the man was speaking to the porter about the bags in Doughty-street, prisoner was having luncheon at the British Tea Table Company's depot in Newgate-street. Mr. Fenwick said he was sure that no jury would convict on this contradictory evidence, and discharged' the prisoner.

I GREAT FUR ROBBERY. I SIX PRISONERS SENTENCED. Six keen-looking foreigners, named Lewis Girtler, Lewis Calib, Solomon Lip'shitz, Jacob Bloom-, Lewis Jacobs, and Marks Smeller, were indicted at Clerkenwell Sessions on Thursday for having been concerned in breaking and entering the warehouse of Bernard Grover and others in Banner-street, St. Luke's, and steal- ing 49,950 squirrel tails and 428 marmct skins, value £ 800. Smeller a.nd Jacobs pleaded guilty. The robbery took place early on the morning of July 7. Some of the prisoners were seen removing the furs in sacks to a van standing by the kerb afterwards, but the men drove away. Subsequently Girtler, Calib, and Lipshitz were arrested at Stratford High-street. The other men were arrested afterwards, and nearly the whole of the stolen property was found nt a shop. Girtler was sentenced to twenty-one months' hard labour, and pay costs of prosecution up to £20! Cairo to three and a-half years' penal servitude and two years' police supervision; Lipshitz to fifteen months' hard labour; Bloom to twenty-three months' hard labour; Jacobs to three years' penal servitude and two- years' police supervision; and Smeller to eighteen months' hard labour.

NEW AIRSHIP INVENTED. The War Office authorities arm interested in a new airship jU6t invented by Mr. Marma- ki<3 a 'Greek subject, and patented in the United Kingdom and the Colonies, thai they have arranged for a commission of officers of the Royal Engineers to inspect the 1arcre working model on its completion, in a few weeks' time. The inventor claims that he has completely surmounted the chief difficulty of the problem —namely, the inability of airships to oppose contrary currents. Mr. Marinakis says that he wik be able to steer his ship in any direction and at any pace. _———————

HOME HINTS. During the trying-on process, it is best ttana, not sit in a chair, when buying ready- made. shoes, as there is much less likelihood oi selecting a pair that fit badly. Black kid gloves in places going vhite from wear, should be lightly painted over with ink mixed with a few drops of olive oil, letting them quite dry before putting them on. A simple, but efficient, country" reined? for summer freckles is to scrape two table- sooonfuls of horseradish into a teacupful of sour milk. Leave covered for three days, and then apply frequently to the parts of the face affected. Ground ginger used for plasters instead of mustard is just as good to draw," and it never blisters. Scraped potato ie a good handy remedy for bitrns renew it as it gets dry. It will not make the wound smart if the skin is broken. A few drops of cider vinegar rubbed into the lianas after" washing clothes will keep them smooth, and take away the spongy feeling they always have after being in water for a good while. Rub magnesia on soiled spots on dainty light- coloured goods. Put plenty on both sides, and when wanted for use again brush well, and the spots will be gone. Old felt hats may be made very useful for polishing furniture or varnished floors. To make a polisher, get an old, soft, long-handled brush, make a good thick pad of any odd pieces of woollen material, and cover with an old felt hat. Nail this on to the worn-out head in such a way that no nails stick out. With this one can "polish stained boards with very little trouble. If the ink-bottle happens to be overturned upon household linen, lose no time in placing a blotter beneath the stain, to soak up as much as possible, and press another from above. Thea immerse the article in a deep vessel containing sweet milk. Wash well with soap and bleach in the sun. Moths in the Carpet.—These can be killed by spreading a cloth wrung out of water on the infected places and then ironing lightly with a hot iron. Don't press hard enough to injure the pile. It is the steam that kills the moth, n/t the pressure. Repeat the treatment once or twice at intervals of about a fortnight. Fyesh eggs may have been hatched meanwhile. Fruit-stained Fingers.—After picking fruit it is eomptime.s difficult to get the stains of juice off the fingers. With a brimstone match it is easv enough. Damp the stains, and then hold in the fumes of a fresbTv-lighted brimstone ir,atch--one of the old-fashioned sort, which lights anywhere, and not merely "on the box." Don't hold your finger near the flame when once the wood begins to burn, or you will raise a I blister in place of the stain. A cloth saturated with paraffin and rubbed over picture and mirror frames will keep flies off. A very great kitchen "helper for a delicate woman is a low sewing-table and a low chair to it. To remove varnish stains from the hands, run with a little methylated spirit, wipe on a rag, and wash thoroughly in soapy water. Clean all kinds of ribbons, silks, and delicate woollens by washing in bejozoline as you would ir. water, and keeping in the open air till the cd'~air is entirely gone. This is excellent to clean gloves, as it will not cause any article to draw or shrink. To air the sick room, cover the patient over r while doing it; let down the window at the top, swine; 600r rapidly, but quietly, backwards and forwards for a few minutes: it will quickly pump the bad air out and draw in the fresh from the window. In kitchens where cockroaches are found borax is invaluable. Powdered borax should be sprinkled round the stove and about all corners and crannies: infested by these disgusting in- sects. When the borax is swept away it should be replaced with more at once, and if this remedy is steadily persisted in the kitchen will be free of the pests in a. surprisingly short time. Of course it is wise, even after the house is clear, to occasionally use the borax again, for there is no security against a new colony Qf cockroaches bc-g brought in with the firewood. I A_- Croutes a, la, Mariniere.— Fry seven or eight round pieces of bread in butter. Pound one fillet of fresh whiting with an equal quantity of dried haddock, season with salt and pepper, and rub it through' a hair -sieve. Work the puree in a basin with half a gill of thick cream and the yolk of an egg. Put the puree on the croutes- in conical form, smoothing it with a palette knife dipped in hot water; cross two strips of anchovy on the top of each, and garnish the space between them with a little passed coral, or coralline pepper, and bake the croutes ten minutes in a, moderate oven. Serve them garnished with fried rsarsley. Chartreuse Ice Moulds.—Beat lightly together fib. of sugar and the yolks of eight eggs, put half a pint of thick cream on to boil. and when it boil/pour in the sugar and egg mixture. Stir well until it thickens, then remove and place in a bowl, setting it to cool in a basin of cold water. Add a little essence of vanilla and half a wineglassful of chartreuse, and place im- mediately in the freezing machine. Then whip half a. pint of cream to a stiff froth and stir it into the mixture. Pile lightly into small paper cases, decorate with a candied cherry in the centre of each, and freeze for two hours. Chicken a la Poulette.—Dissolve one ounce of butter in the chafiing dish, stir in one ounce of flour with a wooden spoon, and add gradually three-quarters pint of white stock. Stir till it tboils, then season with cayenne, white pepper, a pinch of celery salt, a few chopped button mushrooms, and "salt. Have ready some small pieces of chicken, put them into the sauce, cover the chafing dish, and leave till heated through, then add the beaten yolk of an egg to the sauce and serve. Tower P-,icldin.g.-Cilop six ounces of suet finely, mix with half a pound of breadcrumbs, half a pound chopped apples (weigbed_ afte:r be- ing pared and cored), six ounces moist sugar, and a little grated lemon rind. Preea the mix- z, tare tightlv into a buttered mould, tee a floured cloth over/and boil for four hours. Let it fjíand a minute or two, turn out carefully, and send to table. To make a sauce suitable for many boiled puddings, melt one ounoe of small saucepan, draw the pan kac ,ln gradually half an ounce of flour. Cook 'the mix- ture for a minute beating it all tne time with the back of a wooden spoon, then add half a pint of cold water, a little at » time, and stir the sauce till it boils. Boil for three minutes. Flavour with vanilla, lemon, or pineapple. Jellv a la, Bonsa.—Make- a pint of lemon jelly rather and make it a nice consistency with sherry and' brandy..P°"r a little of the jelly into a fancy m«ukl which has a tube in the centre, then arrange slices o_f banana alternately with halves of glaoe chiernes; pour in a little jelly to set then continue the layers of jelly and fruit. reversing the poeition every row, and keeping the mould filled with jell}' When it is turned out. put chopped sweet jelly round it and gar- nish the centre with cream whipped with & epoonful of brandy and a spoonful of castor sugar.

Fifty-three new cases of yellow fever and five deaths are reported from New Orleans. A gigantic trust, with a capital of £ 12,000,000, is being formed to control the six wine-produc- ing provinces of Southern Francs.

MRS. HARRINGTON'S SECRET. BY HENRY FRITH. AUTHOR OF j The Mystery of Moor Farm;" CI The SJceleton Cupboard;" The Black Shaft" The Cruise of the Wasp;" The Huntiny of the Hydra;" "The Lost Trader;" Search for the Talisman;" The Opal Mountain" The Bed Spectre;" The Lock-Keeper's Secret;" #c., #e. [ALL EIGHTS RESERVED.] CHAPTER XVI. MB. JONAS KEDGE FINDS SOMETHING, NEXT morning the news of Mr. Harrington's some- what sudden death was known to the neighbourhood, and, of course, Jonas Kedge heard the news as well as the rest. But it affected him in a different manner. The newspapers also gave him particulars of the railroad accident, and thus he learned that the clerk -who had been with Mr. Faithfull was not dead; but nothing was said concerning the missing pro- perty. If I could only get into all that lawyers' jargon "I might make something of this," he said to his dog Scot. Eh, lad ?" Scot gave a little subdued bark, and without any ostensible reason sat on his hind lees and grinned at his master. For this attention he received a piece of bread, and was happy. Jonas Kedge never ill- treated animals, and children adored the marine- store dealer wherever he went. As soon as breakfast was over, and the hut "tidied up," Mr. Kedge started upon his pro- fessional rounds. I-Teeirried a basket of crockery of a cheap kind, and slung a large bag over his shoulder. The latter was intended for the reception of any suitable articles which he might manage to pick up, and for which he would exchange crockery, knives, or simple female necessaries, for on the fair asex and their influence did Jonas Kedge wisely depend. Round by Oatlands did the marine-store dealer -walk quietly enough, calling here and there, keeping his eyes open and his ears on the alert. By these very natural and simple means he picked up many unconsidered trifles," which he turned to consider- able profit. By a somewhat devious route, he arrived about one p.m., the servants' dinner-hour, at the gate of Ivy Lodge. Now where was I last night?" muttered Jonas, as tisual talking to himself. Let me see. Here's the big laurel. Yes, here's my form.' That's the window, I think. Now, why .should anyone throw things out o' windows into the back premises, in the ,dark-, except to get rid of them on the quiet ? Just so. Jonas, now's your time to make nn observation." The window which Jonas was studying was tightly shut, and the blind was drawn down, in common with all the others. It was placed at the side of the house, and looked over the field and fir plantation which, divided only by a low wooden paling, skirted the grounds appertaining to Ivy Lodge. From this window any article would fall, if thr own. with some little force, into the plantation, or strike the palings. Had the palings been struck, the article, whatever it was, would have sounded against them. So in the garden, as in the plantation, Jonas decided to look. "Business first," he said, as he advanced to the back entrance, keeping a wary look around as he pro- ceeded. Anything in my way to-day, mum ?" he -cried, addressing the cook. The ruler of the kitchen declined to trade with Mr. Kedge, who was, however, in no way daunted. He determined to appeal to female curiosity, in ordor, to gratify his own, for he understood the sex. "Ali it's very sad, mum," he said, and I can quite understand that under the circumstances you wouldn't like to talk but outside people have no such objections, and they do say Ah sighed Mr. Kedge, with a concluding shake of the head, it's very bad, poor old man "What is it you mean, Mr. Kedge?" inquired a housemaid. What are they saying about poor master ?" 11 Well, it ain't for me to repeat such things to ladies like you, but we have queer rumours, and it is odd that he died so sudden at the last, isn't it ?" "Suppose he did," said the what has any- one here to do with it ?" "Nothing, of course. Only last night a friend o' mine saw a window up here open, and something came oiit into the darkness-l can't say what, but it passed into the plantation with a low noise, and the spirit is restless, no doubt." Lord ha' mercy on us cried the girl. Was it poor master's ghost ? It's not anywhere near now, I hope. And last night, late——" Hold your tongue, girl!" said the cook. Don't go telling him all the family business. You go and find your ghost in the plantation. We've no time for chattering now. You can go out that way; the gate's unlocked." "Thank ye, cook," said Jonas, feeling sure that there was some mystery connected with Mr. Har- rington's death. I will go round the back way, with your permission. I might pick up something mleful-a scrap of iron, or some bottles, you know; they're always useful. How is the poor woman up- stairs ?" Very ill, and quite prostrit," replied the house- maid. Poor lady! she has had a sad time! Twice wedded and twice widowed "She is a kind mistress," said Kedge, slyly. "Yes, kind enough likes her own way—and gets it, too. Ah last night we found her nearly dead, and screaming, in the corpse's room." "Ay, ay!" said Jonas, invitingly. "Look here, here's a nice pincushion, Mary, and a bow of ribbon for your dressing-table. So she screamed, did she ?" Yes, awful. Quite upset us. Oh, no, I really ,conldn't, Mr. Kedge-well, there, if I must. You .are very kind, I'm sure," she continued, accepting his gift. Ah, yes, Mr. Kedge, she must have had a fright; and did your friend see it?" The ghost ? Well, I am not sure. He saw a -white hand and arm, and was too frightened, I can tell you. There's something strange." So I tells cook," whispered the housemaid. There's lawyers and wills, and doctors and sudden death, which seems to go together lika natural. Oh, Mr. Kedga!" "Come in, you stupid girl!" exclaimed the cook, who returned at this juncture. Go your way, mister, if you please, and don't come chatterm' non- sense to young girls in this house, or you'll be sorry for it." Ah I daresay you are well paid to hold your tongue," said Jonas, with a sneer. "Good-day to you, Maw. Good morning, fireworks I" What vengeance the cook would have inflicted opon Mr. Kedge in return for this opprobrious epithet will never accurately be known, for the insulting individual disappeared quickly by the back premises. There is some secret about this house, and I'll -End it out. It will be a good job done when I find out the heir and sell him the will. Patience is a virtue." So saving, Jonas Iveclge passed through the gate in the palings and gained the little plantation. The path led alongside the farther side of the palisade and tended to a road; then came a very rough, sandy, fir-cone-strewn lane overshadowed by the firs, dark and sweet-smelling, sombre, but health-giving. This path was seldom trodden, though there was an -entrance to it by a gate 011 the road near the avenue to Ivy Lodge. As a rule, the plantation was neglected, and much refuse was deposited along it and within 'it, where ppaiea and trampa offcer)l i0(jged. j ~P en-1 °'} d'scovery, and convinced by some an-1 „ '"a. e ee lnS that he would make a good stroke usmess, onas looked carefully in every direction, if TJltatw !v° h^mgs of the window, and irwouldmostJikdyStl0n ^ticle thrown from For some time his search 1 L Wh his T rgM S r" half-covered in the debris of the trees and decaying cone-husks, Jonas perceived a bottle. It was of deer? "blue shade, apparently empty, and had had 1 In Hp! ,on it This wss now partly obliterated; but 80me of the letters were to be traced. Ah!" muttered Kedge, this was the article Pah how strong it. smells. Now, why should any -woman throw an old bottle out of window so late' in the evening, and why should she have have torn the label off ? I wish there were a few drops in it. Let's see." He carried it carefully into the light, and examined it. Yes, there's something in it, sure enough; t,hickisl; stuff, too, it is. Never mind, my lady. Nver mind Mr. Donald Mackenzie, who wants me lagired' we'll have an observation of this here •circumstance, we will. There's more in this than fiuoets t.Lba human eye, Jonas-' He carefully "stoppered" the phial with a fir-cone, and proceeded into the road. After a more or less successful round he returned home and found all right. The terrier ran to him and licked his hands in his glee. Poor old Scot, you have had no dinner. I forgot you, old man. Here, Scot, here's your food, my lad. You are gettin' too old, my boy. You're no good,. I am afraid." Scot wagged his attenuated tail and openecTiiis old mouth his teeth were not of much use to him now, poor beast, and he looked, as his master put it, booked for the Dogs' Home "-by which Kedge meant that life had few charms, and not much of anything to spare, for Scot. Suddenly an idea seemed to strike the man. He glanced cautiously round, and then busied himself with the dog's food. He next replenished the water- pan and arranged Scot's bed. After a while he went out, leaving his basket and the blue phial in the cupboard. It was quite dark when he returned. He had been unsuccessful in his quest of Donald Mackenzie, and no one had arrived at Ivy Ledge. Turning the key in the door he entered softly, so cautiously, almost fearfully, as if he thought someone were lurking in the rooms, and he wished to surprise him. Even Scot did not hear his master's gentle footfall, and Jonas Kedge took care not to disturb the animal. Passing into the inner room, leaving his old com- panion in his usual resting-place, Kedge struck a light. and then, as cautiously as before, returned into the sitting-room, holding the caudle in front of him. What did he fear? Cautiously he advanced, and thinking the dog was still asleep he touched him with his foot, then rolled him over. The animal lay motionless on his side, dead. I thought as much," muttered Kedge, with a shrug of the shoulders. Poisoned, by Jinfjo Here's an observation with a vengeance. Poor old Scot! Dead! dead CHAPTER XVII I I MR. KEDGE MAKES A BARGAIN. I T-TERF, was a considerable degree of consternation in Ivy Lodge when, somehow or other, a curious sus- picion got abroad that there all was not right. The doctors made an examination, but could not detect any traces of poisoning sufficient to warrant any further proceedings. Signs of irritation there were, but as Aaron Harrington had been well nursed, as the doctors had been in almost daily attendance, and there was no reason why anyone should put the poor old gentleman out of the way," the medical men could only arrive at one conclusion—viz., that their late patient had somehow absorbed small doses of poisonous matter, which had accelerated death, but which alone would not be sufficient to cause death in an healthy person. With a view to save the feelings of the family, they gave a certificate, and the inquest, which at one time had appeared imminent, was dis- pensed with. John Harrington, who had been busily making inquiries and preparations concerning his trip in search of Miss Manville, was greatly shocked when he heard of his uncle's sudden death A note from Alice Mackenzie, written in sympathetic terms, re- called him to the Lodge, where he arrived on the same day on which Mr. Jonas Kedge had secured the bottle on which he attached so much impor- tance. The melancholy rites were performed. Mrs. Har- rington had been too much upset to see the heir, and Donald had kept out of his way as much as possible. Alice only seemed to feel for Harrington, and he found her an agreeable companion during those four melancholy days. Mrs. Harrington's nerves seemed completely unstrung, and when, after the funeral, she came down in her weeds, John Harrington was almost startled to perceive the alteration in her appearance. This she accounted for, subsequently, in a private interview with John Harrington, and after that he 110 longer wondered. In the meantime, the head clerk from Mr. Faithfull's office arrived according to promise, but had no testamentary document of the deceased in his possession. We have searched the deed-boxes but cannot find the draft," he said. Perhaps, madam, our late-lamented principal left it, or the will, in your hands ?" Mrs. Harrington was too much agitated to respond very coherently, but she was understood to say that Mr. Faitlifull had left her husband's will with him for signature. It had been signed in due course, and witnessed by his clerk and a servant. May I be permitted to read it ?" said the lawyer's clerk, or is Mr. John Edward Harrington already acquainted with the contents ?" I am quite aware of my poor uncle's wishes," said John Harrington; and as, no doubt, he has given effect to them in his will, I am quite willing to post- pone the reading of the document. Mrs. Harrington need not fear my disturbing her here, for I am about to leave England." About to leave England!" exclaimed Mrs. Har- rington. "Is not this a very sudden resolution? Will not you remain to see my poor husband's wishes carried out?" "No, I think not," replied Harrington, who was for the moment impressed by her manner. I am due at Plymouth in four days." Plymouth said Alice. Are you going to live there, Edward?" "No," he answered. I am going to Australia, and when I return-well, till then, 1 will not disturb you, Mrs. Harrington. Aunt, I will see you later if you will give me an hour." "I shall be very pleased, John. I am, of course, greatly upset; but there are some things which we must discuss, and as you may not have known all my late husband's—your poor uncle's—wishes at the last, I will endeavour to explain them to you by the aid of the documents in my possession." Anything I can do I shall be pleased to do on your behalf. h Meantime, of course, you will consider this house your own." "Certainly," replied Mrs. Harrington. John Harrington looked at her curiously. There was something in her tone half-defiant. But he said nothing at that time. After a while he encountered Donald Mackenzie in the garden, and though there was no love lost between the young men, they walked up and down the path at the end near the sunk fence which separated the croquet ground from the meadow beyond. Crouched in the ditch was a man and this man was Jonas Kedge, who had come up that way with the view of making a bargain with Donald Mac- kenzie, who, he judged, would pay him better for the possession of the documents he had "found. He had been on the point of declaring himself when John Harrington appeared. The young men talked for some time amicably enough and at length something said by Donald brought John Harrington to a standstill, and he cried: What did you say, Mackenzie ? I insulted your sister ?" Yes, my mother told me so herself. I wonder, indeed, you can show your face here." I will show you the door pretiy quickly if you do not mind your manners, my young friend. As for your mother, you are either entirely misrepresenting her words or inventing them merely, and I will take no more notice of them. But, if you repeat them, I will treat you as I do all such invoutors liars, if you prefer the term." Indeed! and how may that be?" inquired Donald, sneeringly. I kick them," replied Harrington. "Kick them like curs, as they are. You and your sister know pertectly well that I have always treated her like a I lady in every particular, and you are under some delusion." "There is no delusion at all. Alice told my mother so, and you will find your conduct resented. We did not desire your company, and we do not want it." You cad! don't you forget yourself. This house is mine, and I can turn you out of it. Were it not but let that pass. You are, to say the least of it, very foolish to quarrel with your late protector's heir. You might have gained more by courtesy." Heir! You are giving yourself airs on very little. I happen to know something which perhaps you don't know. The property is left to us—to my mother and her children. You have a few thousands certainly, I believe; but if it is a question of kicking out,' you'll have to go, not 1. We are the owners of Ivy Lodge, ^r- Harrington." John Harrington was so taken aback that he could not speak for a moment. He gazed in a kind of dazed surprise at Donald, who looked at him mock- ingly. "it is not true," he said at last. "The will has been tampered with. So—there is some villany at work here, and you are in it." ) Fear and rage suddenly animated young Mac- kenzie, who advanced quickly and struck the other. Harrington had only time to step back, and so to avoid the attack, which he could not have warded off successfully. "You coward!" he exclaimed; I will give you a lesson, and one you will remember as lonp, as yon live." So saying, he advanced, and as Donald Mackenzie raised his stick, Harrington seized his right hand firmly; then suddenly stooping he caught him up between the thighs, and lifting him upon his broad shoulders as easily as he would have lifted a child, he threw him over upon the grass, where he lay help- less, most terribly shaken and bruised. This trick of defence had served John Harrington before and it is a certain mode of disposing of an adversary if quickly performed. "Stunned, I daresay. Serve him right, the cur. Now for my interview with my dear aunt. There is underhand dealing here. I must see Alice, too. Can she be in the 'swim?' No, I cannot believe that" As soon as John Harrington had disappeared a shock head was slowly advanced from the ditch. The head, as will be surmised, belonged to Ur. Jonas Kedge, who, at last, saw his opportunity' for an "observation." As pretty a fall as ever I see," he remarked to himself, approvingly. Neat as ninepence, and clean as a whistle, he done it. T'other chap isn't in it with Mister John. Howsumdever, I think I've got the clue, and I'll work it for him. This man will be the best pay, I daresay, when be knows all I have heard." Soliloquising thus, Mr. Kedge made his way across the fence, cautiously looking about him as he did so, and advanced to the place where Donald Mackenzie still lay, indisposed to rise till the buzzing in his ears had ceased. "Holloa, mate!" cried Kedge, cheerfully. "Got a cropper ? Give me your hand. I saw who done it." Donald made no answer until he was assisted to rise, and then he said: Who are you? How did you come here ? Oh I know you Poaching again, I suppose." Now, listen to that!" said Jonas, appealing to an imaginary audience. "Is that kind-is it right ? I assists a young gentleman who has been hurt, and he calls me a poacher. Now is that fair ?" What do you want ?" inquired Mackenzie again. "What do I want? Not much. Only hearing you and the young heir havin' a dispute, I just looked on-and he did give you a pretty one, I must say." Donald Mackenzie made an observation, which, if wishes could hurt, boded no good to John Har- rington. Then he continued: So you listened, did you? Well then, you will repent it, for I will proceed against you for trespass, Mr. Jonas Kedge. The pond matter might have re- minded you, I think." Never mind prosecuting me. Take care of your- self." said Jonas, meaningly. "There's worse offences than trespassin', and if I give the heir a hint "The heir! What heir?" Mr. John Edward Harrington, Esq., to be sure," replied Jonas the heir to this 'ere property. He's my man!" He may be your man, but he is not my master," retorted Donald, grimly. He's not the heir. You have listened to the wrong man." But suppose I say he is-and suppose I can bring testimony to prove it ? Ah !—there's something in that, I think," he added, as Donald started like a guilty thing. Nonsense; you are mad, I tell you. There is no such testimony, and if there were it is not in your possession. You are trying to extort money," scoffed Donald, ill at ease nevertheless. Mr. Harrington, the heir, would give three hun- dred pounds, ready-money down, for what I could tell him. It's worth that to him, and it's worth five hundred to you!" So saying, Mr. Jonas Kedge nodded his head, and looked very knowing indeed. "What are you driving at?" inquired Donald Mackenzie, considerably alarmed at these words. "What do you mean? "I mean money. I can prove what I say. Listen." He whispered three or four words into the young man's ear. Donald Mackenzie started, and turned as p'lle as death. You have these proofs, you say ?" asked Donald. Yes, I have them safe enough," was the reply. "Eriiig them here, then," said the young man. "Not without the money; not me," replied Kedge. You shall have all I can obtain, but in instal- ments," continued Donald Mackenzie. No-none of them. I'll have notes and gold," replied Jonas, cautiously. Where am I to get five hundred pounds, man ?" I know where I can get it; and that's from the heir," said Jonas, doggedly. Hold your tongue, Kedge-someone will hear you. My mother will perhaps manage it; but when do you want it?" asked Donald, nervously. At once. Tell your mamma what I have told you, and she'll find the money "Where shall I pay it to you ?" "At my cottage, in three days' time." I will try. But mind, if I do so, you must go abroad-at once." "I want to go. Come' I'll make a bargain. Give me three-hundred to-morrow night, pay my passage, and I'll go at once," said Kedge. Done exclaimed Donald. "Done replied Jonas, well pleased at the result. I'll be punctual; nine o'clock." Say ten," replied Donald. It will suit me better." chap 17 Very well, sir," said Kedge, more deferentially. Ten o'clock, honour bright!" Donald Mackenzie made no answer to this. He nodded, and walked away much troubled in mind, end suffering in body, to the house. (To be continued.) a..

I ROASTED TO DEATH. Henry Quin, a riveter, who was returning to his home at Cowcaddens, Glasgow, took a passage by the steamer St. Clair at Aberdeen for Leith. About midnight on Saturday he was seen sitting on the ladder leading to the stokehold. He was moved away, and was not seen again until the stea-mer arrived in Leith Roads on Sunday morning, when he was found- sitting 011 the grating of the smoke-'box above the stokehold, literally roasted to death.

I GERMANS AND THE WELSH COAL. I Some members of the syndicate which has recently purchased the WThitworth Estate, near Neath, for mining purposes, went over the estate on Wednesday. d,* i d In an interview one of the syndicate^said that many inaccuracies had been published; it was a fact that the purchase had taker, place, but it was not true that the estate had been purchased by Germans. Germans were the first to make the inquiry which led up to the purchase; but the company would be an English company, and^ Engueti money as well as German money would be vested in it.

It was long after midnight, and the minutes were clicking by like hours. "I love a graceful elm-tree she remarked. "How I wish I were an elm-tree" he responded, quickly. "I wish you were, too." "Why do you?" he inquired, with a world of devotion in his voice. "Because," she replied, "trees leave once a yew, at least!"