Cheshire Observer

I u A CHESTER HINT. I Here is a hint that will prove helpful to many I Chester men and women. It is given by one of our nelghbvurs-a Chester woman. I am ploascd to give a testimonial for Doan'd backache kidney pills," says Mrs. M. Fair- clough, 25, Castle-street, Chester; "and I think it right that I should do so. in return for the great amount of good the pills have done me. "Previous to taking Doari's medicine I had suffered for a long time with distressing pain in my back—just in the small part. My back was so weak that at times I could scarcely get about, and it was a hard matter for me to get up after stooping. I was aho subject to severe attacks of rheumatism. 1 could get. no relief from anything I triod until I began with Doan'.s backache kidney pills. I These have acted splendidly in my case, and havo done me a wonderful lot of good. I shall always be pleased to speak in praise of the medicine.—(Signed) M. Fairclough." Dean's backache kidney pills are two shillings and ninepence per box ?six box,?8 for tbi?4l.?". shillings and ninepence). Of all chemists and I stores, or post, free, on receipt of price, direct I from Fogter-McClehan Co.. 8. Wells-street, Oxford-street, London, W. Be sure you get the same kind of pille as Mrs. Fairciough had.

KELSALLJS PUBLIC-HOUSES. T INHABITANTS' PETITION. I A petition, signed by 344 of the principal rate- payers of Kelsa.1] and the immediate district, com- plaining of the excessive number of public- houses, was presented to the magistrates at the Eddisbury Petty Sessions on Monday. It read as follcvs: "We, the undersigned residents of Kelsall and district, respectfully desire to call your attention to the number of licensed houses in this district, there being six such houses within cne mile and a quarter of each other, two being less than one hundred yardl) apart, and a third within a quarter of a mile. We respectfully urge that this number is con siderabiy in eic-ese of tiie requirements of the district, and the urgent necessity there is for taking mea»uic« to reduoe the existing number of licences. The Chairman (Mr. J. Tomkinson, M.P.), said all the magistrates could do was to receive the petition and assure the petitioners that it would receive their best consideration before the next Brewster Sessions, which would be held at the beginning of February. The Magistrates' O-erk pointed out that the magistrates would be prcpa-red to receive in tJx, usual way evidence which would have to V. given on oath.

SUMMER-END FAG. I 4 WHY YOU SHOULD TRY BILE BEANS. I In the stress and strain of modern life busi- ness mon and women can seldom find time for rest and recreation. The fight for supremacy and the struggle for existence are so keen that bcdy, brain and nerve arc strained to the uttermost. Especially is this so in the enervating summer weather, and a.t the approach of autumn most people are shewing unn istakable signs of "fag." When the body rebe's and health shews signs of breaking, so-called tonics and pick- me-ups are u-sually resorted to. Such unnatural and artificial props eoon fail to overcome the utter weariness of brain and nerve, and the danger of collapse becomes imminent. I But Bile B ans, a true and natural tonic, never fail. Ordinary tonics rely on stimulation for suocefe3; but the body cannot thrive on stimulants, which whip up the weary frame to brief, convulsive efforts, followed by inevitable relapse and greater weakness. The Bile Beans Way is Nature's Way. Bile Beans first cleanse the liver, stomach, and bowels of unnatural accumulations; then they feed the starved nerves with pure rich j blood, and by revitalising and touching up all the functions of the body, they speedily restore the jaded brain to crisp health and energy. B;le Beans for Biliousness are obtainable of all chemists and medicine vendors at Is. lAd. and 2s. 9d. t

 PLEA OF THE FATHER OF TWENTY.- I A defendant at Hank'y on Monday was successful in proving exteumÜing circumstances. He was I charged with neglecting to send his fourteen-year- old daughter to acbool, and in defence he pleaded I that be had brought up a family of twenty I children. The Stipendiary dismissed the case, with a mild caution.

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out of play. Among the old playera, Bloomer, H. Roberts and Lumburg ac- quitted themselves creditably, while Haswell, Baird-Jones and Roberts played a good game. For once in a way Green did not figure as promi- nently as usual. The Kaleyards were best served forward by Riley and the inside right, the latter playing a particularly fine game. Dodd waa rather loose in goaJ, but Lloyd was to be relied on at back. The Conn ah'a Quay Vice. also played a trial match on Saturday. The "probables" shewed good form, special praise being due to Austin, J. C. Roberts and Morns. The latter scored a capital goal during the course of the game. Before they play their first League match the team will no doubt have yet another trial game, as on Saturday the heat was too severe for accurate judgment of the players' capabilitics. The season was opened at Helsbv on Satur- day with a visit for the first time from Hale- bank Athletic, who have this year been promoted from tho second to the first division of the I. Zingari League. The conditions under which the game wa.s played were anything but favour- able for football, the heat being intense, but on the whole the home team, which included several of last season's reserves, performed vory creditably, winning in ea.sy fashion by five goals to one. The home sido started against the sun and slight breeze. Haiebank were the first to be- come aggressive, gaining a fruitless corner, and being afterwards penalised for offside. Another corner was gained, but Bell relieved. Helsby got going, a comer resulting. From a pass by Griffiths, Hughes put in a nice run, but his final effort was wide. Directly afterwards Wright, the visitors' custodian, cleared smartly from Hughes. Considering the heat, the game was vigorously contested, the visitors, although lack- ing in combination, displaying much determina- tion. Lloyd and Bell. the home backs, were very safe, and Warbuitou. who played in goal vioe Jones, had little to do. Shaw put Antrobus in possession with a nice pass, and from the ensuing centre Griffiths caused Wright to rush out and clear. Helsby were now having much the better of the play, and after scoring a couple of offside goals, from a scrimmage in the goalmouth Lockett rushed the ball through. Soon after L!oyd, one of the I 'home baeks, was hurt and left the field. The I visitors afteTwarcfe attacked strongly, and War- burton effected several excellent clearances. Helsby then resumed the attack, and had hard lines in not increasing their score. At half- time, whioh was soon afterwards called, the score remained 1—0 in the home team's favour. Directly after the restart Lockett, by a fine effort, scored Helsby's second goal, and this was followed by a third, obtained by Shaw with a capital shot. Play quietened1 down, the heat evidently having its effect on the players. A corner to the home t-ide was cleared, and then the v sitors had a turn. From an attack. Hand- ley beat Warburtot) with a good shot. Helsby again passed and gained several corners, which were, however, fruitless. Eventually Griffiths scored the home team's fourth goal with a fine shot. Play slowed down considerably, most of the players shewing signs of distress, but Hclsby who continued to have the best of matters, scored again through Shaw. On Wednesday a large crowd witnessed an interesting game between the Connah's Quay Wednesday and Flint Wednesday on the former's ground. The weather was fine, but windy. Hughes won the toss for the locals, who kicked with the wind. They immediately pressed, and Flint responded gamely. The locals soon asserted their superiority, and gave Owen plenty to do in goal. After many struggles Evans eventually found the net. Five minutes later two additional goals were regis- tered by Hughes. Flint afterwards had a spell of the attack, but the strong wind frustrated their efforts. The interval arrived with the Whites leading by three clear goal. Even play followed upon the resumption. Barber and Thompson played well for the visitors. Blane saved several shote in capital style, and was well covered by Hughes and Griffiths. Fenwick stopped a rush by the visitors, and Hughes, taking possession, dashed through at a great pace, but was tripped. A penalty was awarded, but he kicked yards wide. He made amends by scoring a splendid goal after outwitting several opponents. Tho game I began to deteriorate in its interest until Thomp- son notched a simple goal for the "Black and WTiites." This enlivened matters, and Flint began to IShew good form, but Hughes was in I I his best mood. and repelled their attacks. The final arrived shortly afterwards, and the locals won an interesting game by four goals to one. Saltney Carriage Works opened the season on Saturday by playing Wallasey in a West Cheshire League fixture. There was a very fair gate when the president (the Rev. T. P. Dimond Hogg kicked oft. Dobson opened the score for Saltney after fifteen minutes' play. No more goale were added, and when half-time arrived Saltney led by one goal. The second half was very evenly contested, but no goals were soored, and Saltney won by the only goal of the match. Connah's Quay and distriot football clubs will this season have an opportunity of competing for another challenge cup. In the past the number of local trophies have been few, and the proprietors of the "Ob- server" have stepped forward and! kindly offered a cup to be named "The 'Observer' Challenge Cup, which is to be competed for in the medal competition by all the local clubs. The conditions governing the compe- tition are as follows:—"Open to clubs within a radius of two miles of Connah's Quay; that not more than three league players be in- cluded in each club; that a player can only pay for one club; all ties being played on the Connah's Quay Twenties' ground, they shall take all gate receipts" MedaJs will be given by the Twenties F.C. Football en- thusasm in this district reaches a high pit-eh during the season, and the large number of supporters of the local clubs bears ample testimony to this fact. The now cup should infuse a keener spirit into the competi- tion and help to foster the interest which is every week aroused in tho district over tb- popular winter pastime. An anonymous correspondent has drawn our attention to a statement published in our columns on the 25th August to the effoot that the Oonnah's Quay Victoria F.C. was not in a very flourishing financial condition. This, he asserts, is untrue, end goes on to sav that the cub s finances are sound, and that they have aheady paid their initial expenses. Our repre- sentative, who was responsible for the state- ment, writes: "The club, I know for a fact, were not in possession of a single penny when they made application to become members a' the league. My statement did not suggest that for a moment., but now I take the liberty of saying so. If they were a few pounds in hand, even then they would not be in a very lfourish- ing condition. An official's personal remarks were, We can easily subscribe weekly towards the referee's fees.' When it comes to that, the club is certainly 'not in a very flourishing finan- cial condition FIXTURES. The following matches will be played to-day (Saturday) on the ground of the first-named club FRIENDLY. Chester v. Whdtchurch. CHESTER AND DISTRICT LEAGUE.. < First Division. Kaleyards v. HooLe Queen s Ferry v. Rossett Helsby v. Connah's Quay Twenty Ellesmere Port v. Ruthin-road, Wrexham Second Division. Sandycroft v. Seal and Albion Buckley v. Depot Chester St. Oswald's v. Saltney Kelsall v. Chester Albion Chester Rovers v. St. Werburgh'e Shotton Swifts v. Mold Junction COVENTRY TESTIMONIAL. Uwing to tne action ot the J? ootbaii Association, which prevented a really organised scheme, the shilling testimonial fund to Chester's old goal- keeper realised only 38s. We have forwarded this sum to Mr. W. Coventry, Hungerford-road, Crewe, and he has replied acknowledging it. He also writes:—"I also wish to tender my sincere thanks to you for the kind action you have taken in the matter, and to those who have so kindly contributed."

CRICKET NOTES. The death knell of cricket has already sounded. The interest in the summer pastime is now on the wane, though it is dying a hard death. This is not at all surprising when one remembers the tropical weather of the closing days of August, and considers how much more auspicious it was than the first month of the season. After this week the attention of the majority of sportsmen will be centred on the national winter game, and the 1906 cricket sea- son will be a. thing of the past. Eaton Park on Saturday credited themselves with one of the best victories of the season. Their opponents wero Hoole, and the game was played at Eaton under a scorching sun. The Eatonians batted first, and loot Garforth when ten runs had been recorded. After this, however, Mountford and Major Clifford made a praise- worthy stand and gave the Hoole fielders some of the warmest practice they have experienced this season. The partnership was not severed until the score had been taken to 112. The Major credited himself with only 12 runs, but Mountford hit out freely, and 77 runs stood against his name when he was clean bowled by Lomas. This is the second successive high score of Mountford's, and on Saturday his total included eight boundaries and six hits for three runs. Afterwards another capital stand was made by Captain Huntsman and E. Wells, who simply broke the hearte of the visiting bowlers. The former augmented the score by 45 runs, while the latter carried out his bat for 40. At the fall of the sixth wicket the score stood at 211, and the Eaton captain wisely declared. The Hoole batsmen were never comfortable. Hill was dismissed before a run had been scored, but afterwards Messro. Walton and Daviea batted steadily, and were not separated until 46 runs had been added. The remaining wieldera of tlie willow gave a mediocre ex- hibition, and Hague and North were the only men who reached double figures. The tail end failed to wag at all, and three runs were all that were recorded by the last three wickets. The whole eleven were dismissed for 98, and the suburb team had to accept defeat by 113 runs and five wickets. Boughton Hall credited themselves with a notable win on Saturday, when they vanquished the redoubtable Rook Ferry team by 105 runs. The game was played on the picturesque Bough- ton Hall ground, whioh offered the spectators delightful shady retreats from the tropical sun's rays. Rock Ferry commenced tlie batting, buti their players were never able to face for long the deadly bowling of Rooke and Blencowe. The latter was in fino form, and was responsib le for the dismissal of seven men. Tlie total scoro realised 80, only four men reaching double figures. The home team, always bad the game in hand, and before the fall of the fourth wicket their opponents' score had been passed. The initial batsmen, Stanyor and Day. were cheaply dis- posed of for three runs. Afterwards, however, Donne and Wilson made a capital stand, the former crediting hmself wth 59 runs and the latter scoring 33, all the runs being obtained by sound orioket. Capt. Rooke and Comerford were also in excellent fettle, and knocked the baU all over the ground. On the whole the Wirral ife-idei-s were not sorry when the innings closed for 185 runs, as their task of leather- hunting under such a grilling sun was not ono to be envied. Frodsham premier cricketers concluded their- fixture list on Saturday, when they entertained Warrington second team. The home team, who throughout the season have deplored the ab- sence of several of their best men, managed to put one of the strongest combinations in the field. Frodsham baited first. Hutohings and Cross taking their stand at the wiokeis. The

PCBLI3HED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT. THE HAMPSTEAD MYSTERY By JOHN OAKLEY, Author of "The Blackmailer," "A Gentleman in Khaki," "A Fight for a Name," &c., &c. COPYRIGHT. SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. I CHAPTERS 1, II., and III.—When the story opens, Ronald Normington, tho narrntor, has jutt been released after c,orving a term of im- prisonment for a cÚme which he d,id not com- mit. Four years previously he was staying in Surrey with his friend, Maynard Drew, when a jewel robbery took place at Coy ton Towers, dose by. Some months later Normington was arrested on the charge of stealing the jewels. On the evidence of Carpmaei, a London pawn- broker, of Maynard Drew, and of certain stolen articles being secreted in his rooms, he was convicted and sentenced to five yea/g penal servitude. On his release Normington visits his old landlord, Jcei Hudspirh. who believes in his innocence. They go through the evid- ence together again and come to the concl usion ihat there has been perjury and conspiracy on ¡he part of Ma.yna.rd Drew and others, or else ihat it is a case of mistaken identity. Later an the same evening Normington is followed juid attacked. A mysterious third person inter- venes, however, and his assa.ilant is left for dead. CHAPTER IV. To forward the work of establishing my in- nocence, the first need was money. On that Joe] and I were in perfect agreement, and it was the one point upon which I could expect nc aid from him, nor was I much better off myself. Twenty pounds would have more than represented ail my available assets. The salary of a bank clerk does not lend itself to any rapid accumulation of funds, and I had never been a very fervent devotee of theories of thrift. I had never been a penny in debt in my life,May i: i rd Drew to the ccntrary notwith- standing bur I had also never b< < n more than iighteen or twenty pcunds on the right side. T determined to apply to my cousin Ephraim, not beeausc I had noticed any particularly prominent traits of generosity in him, nor be- eause I had very much hope that be would locede to my request, but simply because he was the only one. Maynard Drew I ruled out of tho possibilities entirely. I believed that the story of the L500 was a pure invention on h's part; at all events, I knew that I had never asked him for the money, and that I had not received his hundred pounds. Had he stolen the jewels, and was all the reft. concocted and irranged by him with the obje>. t of throwing the burden of guiit upon my shoulders? But t here was the parson. Was he in the plot or was he an innocent instrument? Joel put it clearly when I mentioned the thing to him. "Drew sent you some money," he said. "I think we may take that for granted. At all events, he sent the parson with a letter." "Supposing he sent him at a time when he knew I was away. I was away, you know, though I don't think I told Drew." "Just so; all that is worth considering; but the chances of accident were so many. What if I had taken the letter off the parson? I should have given it to you, and the whole thing would have been discovered, supposing, that is, that it was a plot of Drew's." "If he sent the money at a time wh"n he knew I should be out and had a confederate iu this house ready to "He must have had a confederate here," aid Joel said decidedly. "Whoever committed the robbery must have had a confederate here. How could the jewels get into your room else ?" Unless I put them there myself," I said with a faint smile. "Ay lad," old Joel returned drily; "it was because the jury thought that that you went to gaol." was oSvbuc. .t. t T -1 1 A i.1 1 A- ■ 41 "Who could have been the ccn fed. rate ? I asked. "Ay, I have thought of that many times. Let me see, we had five lodgers then. A policeman and his wife were at the top—tv<c rooms they had, a bc-droom and a setting-room. Then there was yourself, and an old fellow of seventy, named Cammel, in the next room to veun;, And, fin any, there was old Mrs. Randall, who had been w:th us ten years, ajid who died here three years ago." ""hete is the policeman?" "He was moved to Chelsea, and I don't know where he is now." {.And the dd man, Cammeil ?" "He stayed with us a year off and on after penr trial, and then went to Sunderland to live with a married daughter. I daresay he is <ftad by this." i made my way early next morning to my cousin Ephraim's office in Clorkenwell, but found the name changed. It was Barlow and B.irlow now, and the Turbll. t had disappeared. However, I went inside to make enquiries, with a result that a little astonished me. The elerk glanced into my face, arid without wait- ing for me to announce the object of my errand motioned me to a cha,ir, and disappeared into in inner room marked "Private." He was ibsenf, however, only a minute or two, and an his return invited me to enter the private office. "Mr. Barlow would l.ke to eee you," he ia:d. I went forward, wondering inwardty what Mt. Barlow could possibly want with a perfect rtranger. My curiosity under that. head was very rapidly satisfied. An elderly man of thin, ilmost cadaverous, aspect, rote from his seat it my entrance and held out h s hand. he said. "Good morning. Mr. Normington," be said. "You know me?" I queried. "Not personally," he responded with a slow itn,"c "my cierk does, and he ident—gave me reur name. You are Mr. Ronald Norming- ion ?" .rOB, ves." I said. "and I came "Quite so, but I expected you yesterday. 5ur client, Mr. Ephraim Turbutt. told us that we might expect you yesterday." "Did be ten ycu my story?" I queried bluntly. "Your s t—, < h. yes, I see, yes, I think I may lav that he told us your story. e were both ideated by this time, and I was beginning to m?lect my wits. I had evidently lone what was expected in making my a.pplic' tion to Ephraim, and my spirits rose a little at tv,c-.n the faint prospect of success Mr. Barlow's words opened. "Is my cou-, Mr. Turbutt, your partner. I as ked. "Oh. no. not at all. He is our client. He has relinquished practice some years now. and I* d IS living at Hindhcad." "Is he wealthy?" "I should ssy that Mr. Turbutt was a man &f very ccnsiderabie—er—resources," be re- sponded. am very glad of that," I 6-id bluntly. "I want to borrow some money from him. Am I to see him?" "Tbat, I regret to say is net feasible," he rep.'ied. "Mr. Turbutt is travel!ing on the Con tinent But b,.fo"c he loft he gave me per- sonal instruction"?. 'I expect my oousin. Mr. Rc.r.a'd Normington, to--er--to r(.-turn to Eng- land on such and such a date, and it ie rather more than possible that lie will call here. If so tell him I have left certain instructions con- ce-:n:ng him with ilfr. Vanneck. "Vanneck. Vanneck," I muttered "the name lee! familiar and yet-" It came back to roe with a ru-h. Vanneck, I remembered now as a friend of my cousin'p, an Australian, with a very pretty daughter, fourteen or fifteen years old. I had met both the man and the girl at Ephraim'? house, and had been. I remembered, a good deal amused at the former's shrewd, hrJf-cynioal outlook i upon zraiikind in general. I had noticed the 1 girl, too, in a merely casual way. as giving • promise of future beauty, though she was too much of a child, and tro shy to claim a more !( detailed attention. "And what is Mr. Vanneck's address?" I asked. "Holme Lea. Cranford-road, Hampstead. I made a note of it on a slip of paper, then rose to take my leave. By the way." I said, as if with a sudden ihcught; "Would it be drscrcet to enquire what connection Mr. Vanneck has with my cousin— with Mr. Turbutt?" "Not at all, not at all, Mr. Vanneck is Mr. Turbutt's private secretary and general manager." "Oh!" "Yes. Precisely what hie duties are I do not know. But he pcsseSSe6 his employer's full confidence, and any arrangements he may make will be as if Mr. Turbutt had made them. I think that ie ail. My instructions were brief and precise. 'My cousin may call here on such and such a date and if he does refer him to Mr. Vanneck.' We safd good morning, and I turned to go, but paused at the door to put another ques- tion, perhaps an unwise one. but one which under the circumstances was not entirely un- natural. "You said you knew my story" I re- marked. "Yes, I had it from Mr. Turbutt." I nearly asked him whether my cousin be- lieved in my innocence, but I changed phrasing on the spur of the moment. "What was the story he told you?" I de- manded. "That you had been for 6onie years absent from England in charge of some estates of his in Jamaica." Was he lying, or was that the story my cousin really had told him. The old man's face might have been carven in marble for any chance I had of reading into it any expression that might serve as a guide to his inner mind. As I was going out I passed the clerk who had introduced me to Mr. Barlow. "You rccogniscd me," I said. "Yes," he replied, with a rather queer look; "I was with Mr. Turbutt before Mr. Barlow bought the practice." "Uh, then, you knew me before?" "By eight, very well," he responded. "I have been away," I remarked. "Yes, sir," he replied; "so I have heard. In Jamaica, was it not ?" Not a muscle of the fellow's face moved. My own sense told me that he must know the real truth of the matter, and yet he gave no sign. He had been well-schooled, evidently, and meant to carry out his instructions in spirit and in letter. CHAPTER V. My first idea was to write to Mr. Vanneck and get him, if possible, to fix an appointment, but the doubt at; to how much he would know of me, and a dislike to putting my story on paper, stayed my hand in that particular, and I went along to Hainps-tead myself. I met with a rebuff on the very threshold of my venture— Mr. Vanneck was not at home. But Vanneck was, the maid informed me —would I see Miss Vanneck? On the spur of tho moment, and from promptings I did not stay to analyse, I answered in the affirmative, I and wa.;> shewn into a e-mail side room at the back of the hali, evidently, to judge from ite style and equipment, part office, part waiting- room. I caught a glimpse, of the other apart- ments as I parked along, and of a rather spacious conservatory at the rear of the house, and tho impression I gained was one of some- what heavy splendour, not exactly overdone, but certainly a little beyond the appearance of the exterior. Miss Vanneck did net keep me wait- ing. Indeed. I had iiardly placed my hat on the table, and myself in a ohair, ere the door opened and a girl appeared. If it fitted in with my sehcrnc to describe Conetance Vanneck I could hardly do it. Be- cause, you see, it was not only that she was beautiful, but that I loved her. I was not COHRCiüU8 of this at the first meeting, but I think it was there nevertheless, for neither am I conscious that at a Later stage my feelings underwent any striking change. I only know that throughout the wivole of my life, from the day I fir»t taw Constance Vanneck, until thus moment as I write, my heart had been full of her, and the world without her has not counted. The pretty promise of her girlhood had been abundantly fulfilled, and though the was no more than nineteen, she was already a beautiful woman in face and form. Only in her eyes did the light of childhood linger untarnished and — -v- ^.i»wiv wiiuuM n a Mfjiivu with tho passing year--whieh were to come all too eoor; for her. "My name," I said rather bluntly, "is Ronald Normington." A quick smile leapt into her eyes, and she came forward, holding out her hand. "My father expecTed you," she said. He told me he expected you. Oh, I am so sorry he is not at home." She perched herself on a corner of the table and fat swinging one dainty foot backward and forward, looking down at i-to with the utmost friendliness, and with a good deal of the care- lessness and abandon of lingering childhood. "I am afraid he will be late." she went on. He expected a letter or a telegram from you. Wil i you siav? We have a Bparo bedroom." But I rejected that suggestion very decidediy. It was extremely unlikely that Mr. Vanneck would bo a& ignorant of the fads as his daughter evidently was, and he would be anything but well-pleased to find me on his return installed as an honoured guest. I murmured something about another engagement, and rose as if to take my leave. "Oh, but you will stay and have lunch," she put in. It was a sore temptation, but I take no credit to myself that I resisted it. My thoughts just then were fixed upon Mr. Vanneck and his prob- able view of the situation. "I will Ic-cve you an address, I said, "and perhaps Mr. Vanneck will write. üh. but I am suto he will be vexed that he has missed you." she said, evidently distressed that I would give her no opportunity of making a show of hospitality. But 1 remained firm, and ten minutes later took my leave, unwillingly enough, though I hastened it even to the verge, I am afraid, of bad manners. Early next morning I received a telegram reading: Sorry I wos out. Dine with Con- stance and me at Delardi's to-night at seven. I sat puzzling over that wire for the better part of an hour. Jt. wa-s- the Constance which astonished me most, in the first place becauee the interpo'ation of the name was unnecessary unless it were meant to convey a subtle sug- gestion of cordiality; and, secondly, because its p-c-encx, there rather implied a disposition to ignore my misfortunes. W ould Air. Vanneck, I wondered, refer to my supposed residence in Jamaica, as the lawyer and his clerk had done? I determined that if he did spring that upon me I would quo;t:on him bluntly frailkly. I had a dress suit, hidden awav in the boxes old Joel had so carefully safe-guarded, and this I now hauled forth. It -as a trifle the worse for wear, and was made in the stylo of aeven years back. but when one has worn the broad arrow suit one is by no means a faddist upon ono's personal appearance. A visit to a neighbouring draper completed my outfit. and I was thus able to visit Delardi's in the semblance h ocnic of the minor of a gentleman, although some of the minor details might not have born minute investiga- tion. (To be continued )

I ATHLETIC NEWS. I ▲ I FOOTBALL NOTES. I The football season was ushered in on Satur- day in tropical weather. The condi- tions were almost unbearable for cricket let alone football. Locally, however, the en- thusiasm for the winter pastime is so great that no fixtures were abandoned. Though the post- ponement of the games might have been thought unsportsmanlike, a little consider- ation would have shewn it to be the more humane policy, to have at least adjourned the matches until the cool of the evening. The professional football player nowadays is like the gladiator of old. He is a paid servant, and must train himself to the highest efficiency, and never flinch from doing his duty against any combatants or under any conditions. On Satuiday it seemed well nigh impossible for players to chase a football at full speed round the field for ninety minutes. The sun shone like a ball of fire from a cloudless sky, I and even in the shade the hEat neared 90 de- grees. Exertion seeme d unattainable and the spectators lounged in the shade, halites and in many oases coat1essall trying to evade the sun's rays and cool their heated bodies, yet with curious lack of sympathy they loudiy en- couraged the players, who wore the same clothes as in the- depth of winter, to increase the pace and renew their exertions. Surely the Englishman's fascination for his favourite sport reaches at times almost fanaticism. Chester opened the season on Saturday with a glorious victory. The achievement was no mean one as their opponents,. Nantwic-h, are well known in Combination football as a re- doubtable eleven. The weather, as mentioned, was excessively hot, and, considering this, the attendance was large. Chester lined up as fol- lows:-G,cal, E. Coventry; left back, Jones; right back, Cooper; halves, Galley, Granger, and R. Jones; forwards, Schofield, W. Jonee, Walker, Lees, and H. Williams. Right from the commencement the Ccstrians demonstrated their superiority in the front rank. Like a flash of lightning the five for- wards zig-zagged their way down the field, and on each occasion the wing men finished the movement with capital centres which almost brought about the down- fall of the dairymen's goal. This auspicious opening was heralded with loud cheering. The attack was maintained with a persistency that augured well for success. And it was not long before the Cesit-rians registered the first goal of the season. This honour fell to Wallace Jones. During an incursion Walker passed out to Wil- liams, who, with great promptitude, shot the sphere goal wards. The custodian safely fisted the ball away, but W. Jones met the rebound and smartly banged it into the corner of the net. Nantwieh made frequent incursions into the home territory, but the backs defended stub- bornly, and Coventry'» work in the first half was of a light character. W. Jones scored a second goal during a breakaway in a similar manner to his previous success. Shortly after- wards the' Nantwich forwards dashed away, and Betteley placed the ball beyond Coventry's reaich. This loused the Cestrians, and they kept up a continual bombardment of the Nant- wieh goal. Wallace Jones had hard lines on frequent occasions, but he eventually succeeded in adding Chester's third goal with a splendid kick. Resuming the attack a quick shot was directed towards Lynch, the Nantwieh goal- keeper, who ran out and cleared the ball. It was. however, met by one of the Chester for- wards, who sent it between the sticks. Then one of the visiting backs, much to the amuse- ment of the onlookers, ran in the goalmouth and fisted the ball away. From the ensuing penalty Walker registered Chester's fourth gcaJ, At the interval the score icad 4-1 in favour of the Cestrians. During the first moiety the pace had been fast, but on turning round this began to tell on the players. The agility and smartness pre- viousl v noticed deteriorated. Indeed the heat seemc-d to affect everybody, and the eupport the teams received was of a mild form. Foot- ball is evidently a thirsty game, as loud laughter was created by one of the players retiring and returning with several lemonades. He was I immediately surrounded by the men of both I teams, who all tasted the liquid, with the re- sult that the game had to be temporarily stopped. On the whole little is to be said for the re- mainder of the play. It was always of a nicdiocre description and of an end to end character. The home men had the better of the exchanges. H. Williams notching two goals, and Walker adding a third from a penalty, which was awaided through Lees being badly fouled. The Nantwich forwards were no match for the home defence, and the result was that the Cestrians eventually retired easy victors by seven goals to one. Though the victory was well deserved it would hardly be fair to judge of the individual merits of the piayers. The heat infused a lethargic spirit into everybody, and the grilling sun seemed to sap aw'ay the men's strength and prevent that consistency of form that one would expect under more favourable conditions. We can, however, assure the many supporters of the ekib that the team is a stronger one than that of twelve months ago. The forwards are heavier, work with more cohesion, and pass and re-p&ss with surprising accuracy. Many of their efforts on Satuiday were spoiled by the long grass, which gave the ground the appear- ance of a grazing field. The halves are strong and exhibit sound judgment. Jones is a to-wer of strength to the full-back line, whi-ch was al- ways reliable. Coventry, in goal, was smart, but he indulged tco much in the fatal habit of dallying with the ball instead of immediately kicking it up the fieid. If only he can cease to do thie he should prove a useful custodian Shotton Swifts, in preparation for their initial struggle with Mold Junction to-day (Saturday), indulged in a trial game on Saturday. The at- tack was pitted against, the defence, and. as was anticipated, the former won, though it was by the narrow margin of only one goal to nil, the point being secured by Srwallman. Among the new-comers Williams, Jones, King, Banks and Fenwick, created favourable impressions. Evans. for the forwards, played an excellent game, and fully deserves a place in the team. His centres were a feature of his display. Dawson was the better of the backs, while the halves, Dawson, Fenwick and Williams, played well. The forwards of the "defence" team pkyed very raggedly indeed, and gave the other defenders little cause for anxiety. Queen's Fei-ry commenced the season well on Saturday, when they ent-ert-a ne-cT Hight-own In- stitute in a Chester and District League garno and won by eight goals to one. The only point scored by Hightown was from a penalty kick. For the Ferry, Jones (3), Latham (3), and Stuart (2) were the scorers. The teaan was well served in goal by Tompkins. The backs were, how ever, very mediocre. Among trhe halves. Stuart played a reliable game. The Hightown team gave a d' sappointing display, and shaped very poorly. Had it not boe-n for one or two smart, saves by their custodian, they would haw suffered a more severe defeat. If only the Queen's Ferry men keep together, they have the making of a really good team, as in addi- tion to the:r cleverness they possess a good aver- age weight. Saturday's tropical weather appeared to affect j Connah's Quay clubs in more than one way. The Twenties, who are the local champions, en- countered Kaleyards Works F.C. in a Chester and District League match on Saturday, and were taken by surprise. It was generally thought that the Twenties would win. but they had to be content with a single point. Tho: Twenties led at the interval by the only goal »eorc<l. In the eecond moiety the visitors obtained a penalty, and Arthur Riley scored. Another goal was scored, so that the second division champions led by two goals to one. Things looked die.me..i for the Twenties until Lumburg equalised. Oonnah's Quay gave a trial to B. Roberts, who played a grand game. The team had several opportunities of scoring, but they went abegging. Blucher at one point of: the game had the goal at hie mercy, but lie; allowed the sphere to roll harmlessly