IN MOONLIGHT.
The white moon (Ills the silent sky.
Ami kUrtlng ut li'-r feet
Tho white Hoods rlrw uD'1 lap the shore
Itold lovers, rash ntitl llect.
But i swifter Hood to feel her Bway.
Ami rush In ii rcstluw tidt
Is thn love that leaps from my heart In words
For her whom I rnlk liesldij.
The white moon slip from tho sllnt sky,
Tlif Mia Mlis from the shore.,
Anil Iwel to my happy, nileut heart
Swee(s the Howl of wunla ouco moro.
But not tl'.l the waves hnv kKveil the beach.
Awl tlie noon has kissed tho tea.
And (Hit mull. KTM Pthcnrt, I too
Have kl3M.nl been WLsmhI by thco.
-A. w. n
Art of 1'o1I1iIiib DIuiuoniR
Tlu art of cutting and polishing dia
monds with their own jiowdcr wa intro
ducotl in Eurox. according to tho gener
ally received account, by Louis van
Bergen, or Benrnem. who, in Paris,
studied the handicraft, then imperfectly
practiced. He. revolutionized the trade
and established a mild of diamond cut
ters in Bruges. In 147.5. nearly twenty
years after ho had made the discovery",
if it was a ditcovery, he was entrusted
with the tusk of cutting three large rough
diamond1' for Charles the Bold, duke of
Imrgtwlv. For hi.' work ho received
1J.00U d'k-aU. The largest was the fauiou?
Satiey diamond, whicii was lost in the
battle of Oran.'on. The eoeond after
wards belonged to Pope Sixttts IV. The
third, a triangular shaped stonewva. sot
in ti rui'; and given to Louis XL New
York Mail and Expreta.
The Crvut CliiTintie Cycle.
According to the calculations of M.
Adolphe d'Assier, based on the assump
tion tliat the coincidence of the earth's
perihelion passage with tlio summer sol
stice every 21.000 year marks the regu
lar recurrence of a northern glacial
period, the last glacial lH-nod. culminated
Hn 02.j0 B. U.othe alternating period rf
Kgrcatcst northern warmth occurred A. D.
: 1250, and the ice iieriod now apnroaeh-
2;g will reach it greatest height A. D.
rll.ToO. Lviuenco of the plow cooling
Eihiring the past. 000 ye:u-s is teen in the
changes recorded in the northern ImiitH
of the growth snd ripening of certain
f .fruits. Arkansaw Tra veler.
Itiihirnml by Invironuient.
Mmv a man is saved from tho com
pany of 1 he defiled and tho defiling by
tho sweetness and light of a cheery
M hou ". Many a woman, in the tofcscsfion
of a house which invites the actualiza
tion of her womanly concepts of tho
nmenitioM of diK-oml ivn art. finds the
cares of the household no drudgery and
tier worn lightened and urigmeneu uy
'tho cheerfulness of her environment.
Unman nature is always more or less in
fluenced by environment, and the house
which one builds and lives in has much
to do in Imping his character and dispo
sition. Pioneer Press.
l'nlson of tlio Aznlln.
In tho splendid (lowering time of tho
aznl ui it i. interesting to remember the
old story of the Pontic variety. Beneath
the fragranco of these Howera lurks a
subtle poison, and it was from them that
i! o honey was collected by the bees of
Pont us, which, when eaten by tho Greek
soldi, rs in the famous retreat of tho Ten
Thmisan'', produced extraordinary oyinp
toms of poisoning. Xonophon btates
that after eating it tho men fell stupefied
in all directions, so that the camp looked
like a battlefield covered with corpses.
Boston Journal.
lie lllail.id Ills Noe.
A correspondent relates that, while
hunting in Colorado last year, his eyes
were painfully affected by a long inarch
Dii now, with a bright sun. The guide,
also feeling the glare, slopped, and tak
ing some burned wood from a stump,
'blacked his no- and under the eyes well
Qiwn on the cheek bone. On liemgaskcd
tho reason ho said it stopped enow blind
ness, and an tho glare was very strong
tho hunter did the same, and found im
media'o relief. lie did this all tho time
he was out, and never found tho snow
affect his eyes in any way. Nature.
Keeping I If in IiQTott.
"E Iward, dear, 1 hardly know my own
heart," said tho girl, softly, "and you
iiiu -t give mo a littlo time to think it all
over.''
"Will you want very much time?" he
asked. te:iderlyHiid hopefully. "When
inav I ciune for an answer?"
Im :. 1 iw, sweet voice, the girl replied:
"At i lie end of tho Reason.'' And she
an"" languidly, adjusted her tournuro
Owitii the gentle tap indicativo of noble
birth, and moved gracefully awav.
Life.
Wanted Soinnlioily to Itn fiorry.
Dying Benedict I bequeath every dol
lar to my wife. IIao you got hat
down?
Lawyer Yea.
Dying Benedict On condition that eho
tnarruM within a year.
Lawyer But why insist upon that?
Dying Benedict Becauso I want some
body to bo torry that I died. liarpor's
Bazar.
Well Op In Ills Ixisson.
Pr fe-or (of elaart in journalism)
What is I he difference lietween an edi
torial and an editorial wragraph?
S:u lent An editorial is of the same
nature ns an editorial jwragniph. hut id
larv , and doosn t have an mucn to say,
Ila.-por's Bazar.
A Purfeet Lifeboat.
Tii
fiel 1 f f invention is still opon for a
r i fv t lifeboat. The icoyal National
i it. l.ut inhtituta reports tliat "medals
wi r n!;"i red for a meclianically propelled
hii -t. ut nonoof the varum dos.gus
r. i. l fulfilled tl" requiremeuu.
Chicago Ikrsld.
Cmtt Vantut ItaJililtJ.
(. Cits ar found to le the bcel cxtrrmi
liai. i - f rabl iis in Now Zealu' '.. 1 hoy
d ;- !avo among um jwii'ig o:i
es M-nio oecuoiw scan! n r
v i.' -' fcotn.
Lit
M..i-'ul Ltl-i'iifwa a MU-r to the
t.,, iH la t w-rd "Lt nn
p .t ma 1 'i i' 1 1 ' '''," lA
ui.il. i. men, . .y fc..l li r. f li- a.
.jMity
.uc in lb i:
h. I
I ailn
;..ni. rl.
pin i
dr.-1
HOW DOTTLES ARE WASHED.
Tlio Olil Pa1ilonel Jlethoili No Ix)iise.r
Kiuplo.eil New lroooo.
It 3 said that physicians of Elisabeth.
N. .1., have attributed the deaih of a
prominent Son of Temperance of that
city to lead poisoning, caused hv drink
ing temperance leverages out of bottles I
which nave been cleansed by the uso of
shot. The theory is that the rattling of
shot in tho bottles has caused the lead
from which the shot is made to adhero to
the glass and 6iiliequentiy to U taken up
by the liquid when the kittles are re
filled. There are probably a few old
fahioncd Utttlcrs who clean not only
tempera.ico drink bottles, but also wine
botthw. with bhot: but tliat is not tho
practice in the latest approved bottling
establishments. Theio is one in South
Fifth avenue whero 5,000 liottles are
cleaned every day, and thoroughly
cleaned without the use of t-hot.
Ordinary root beer and sarsaparilla
Iwttlos are easily cleaned, because tho
material used in them is readily and
quickly soluble in cold water. The liot
tles are dumped, throat up. into a big tub
of clean cold water, which is kept clean
by constant replenishment. Each lxttle
is quickly filled and allowed to soak a
short time. Then tho cleaner grasps
1hrv or four bottles in his two hands,
hoi. line; tliern thnutup, al shakes them
vigorously, that tssullicient to dislodge
the sugary coating, and then tje Ixittles
are inverted and allowed to drain olT.
As they are made of transparent green
glass, it is easy to see when they are
clemi. Care is taken to wash out any
flie-j that have been sepulohered in the
Ifotthsin their search for sweet things.
The old tiushionod stono bottles that were
formerly w-ed for root leor havo long
been discarded, as too heavy and costly.
Tho cleaning of soda water bottles is
more carefully done. Hero warm water
u UM.nl, find the workman manipulates a
fouf pronged tool that looks like a fork
E.ich piong is mounted with a stiir blade
of lndi i rubber, of such hlu;pe that when
the prong is thrust Into tlio bottle the
rublier blade reaches tho inner side of the
battle. In front of tho workmen is a
cocoa mat. The kittles aro filled, the
prangs thrust in, jRid then the four liot
tles at once are rolled across tho mat.
This serves a double purjioso. Tho mat
cleans tho outeide of the liottle, and the
rolling brings the whole insido of tho bot
tle in contact with the rubber blade. A
few vigorous rolls cleans the bottle thor
oughly, and then it is rinsed and ready
for ue.
Still another proctws is used for lagei
beer bottles, which require, even more
vigorous washing. This is done by a
machine with revolving spindled, on
which aro placed rubber brushes. The
bottle is thrust over tho spindle, which is
run by steam, and running water carries
off the scum. Each bottle then gets a
thorough internal scouring.
It is. in fact, an essential element of
success in tho bottling business to keep
tho bottles clean, and no manufacturer
who expects to keep his custom would
daro neglect tho essential element of
cleanliness. The element of cost prevents,
if no other considerations could do so, the
slow and tedious method of cleaning bot
tles with uhot. There was a bottle wash
ing machine in use here not long ago
which cleansed liottles with revolving
bristle brushes, but the wear and tear of
bristles was found to lie too expensive,
although tho work done w:us very effec
tive. The substitution of rubber blades
for the bristles proves to bo cheaper and
quite as thorough.
A inudi !etter way than tho uso of
shot for cleaning Ixittles is to put a small
piece of iron chain with Kinall links into
tho bottles with home water. 1 ins, when
rattled about, will clean a bottle well. Of
course, if a kittle has ken filled With anj
greasy substance, tho only way to clean
it thoroughly is with strong alkali, nml
this is dono by all careful bottlers. New
York Sun.
Tho rieiKtlM of Cloiutt.
The cloud illumination cau,vd hv tin
electric lights of Detroit and Ypsilanti is
occasionally eo well defined in outline, as
been from the An Arlxir oliservatory,
that it occurred to the director to inau
gurate a series of altitude measurements
for tho purpoo of determining the
heights of all forms of clouds visible at
Ann Arbor after twilight.
The central portion of Detroit is about
tbirtv-fivo miles from the observatory
while Ypsilanti is only fifty-eight miles
distant, the azimuths of the two cities
tVffer about 150 clegs., so that tho condi
tions for determining tho heights of the
upper and lower cloqdR can nlways lio
made favorable when tho atniosphero is
sufliciently transparent. When thocloiuls
aro very high, the Detroit illumination is
so well defined that tho proliablo error of
a single measurement of an nltitudo is
only a few minutes of arc. When tho
clouds aro low, tho nearer illumination is
well defined and the farther ono either
invisiblo or coincident with tho apparent
horizon. The greatest and leant heights
recorded up to tho present time aro re
spectively 17, 580 and 770 feet. Amer
ican Meteorological Journal.
HenplrutlonH nml PuImi lleuts.
The duty of a medical examination for
a secret nociety is, indeed, a responsible
one. It is observed that some examiners
havo favorite numbers, which they nl
inoet uniformly uso in making known
tho number of respirations ami the num
ber of pulse beaUi. One examiner al
most always represents the nuiiikr of
respirations to bo nineteen, whilo
another generally makes twenty ns
the number; another still clings
with persistent tenacity to sixteen. Sim
ilar t-tstrments might truthfully lie made
concerning tho number of puloe bcnU
jier minute. Some examiners seem fond
of high and others of low figures. Some
delight in making Uto standing pulse boat
the same us the sitting puU. Leat, whilo
others mako a wide difference in the
pulse kats of these two attitudes. There
s.vrii3 to k no way of accounting for
these uniformly favorite inclinations ex
cept that examiners d not in all cases,
As thty ihoiill, carefully and accurately
iviiiLit t!'e r- piratu) muvemenu umI tho
:uLr. - i'n.-j. Ln tii tii. k-Duocrat.
Ililan l'mal Apotliucurle.
Tii- Kti.:in j'ovcriiiu M Will x rmit
woiai 'i i'i lnvii.jii' !!arin:a uti-u it tlse)1
pa 1 1- ' ' I'" t xun i.n.it . ii ! 'i..' liiel
ale i'j"ld. Aliie'.ll -i r-iMyS
f. :. .tl . ip.i' wdt i,i t ki ad 'Wil iw in-
iriVr l.i-.l... Itiillk lullu'i.
1
leather Deeorntltin Stiggctlnn for
C'irlti!ia Worl; llMcful Kcelpe.
Ornamented leather represents fashion's
latest whim in bandsomo interior decoration,
threatening to supersede oven costly fres
coes. Decorated Luther Is used for finishing
tho walls of libraries, dining rooms and halls.
Only tlio first grades of leather, prepared and
ornamented with greatest skill ami euro, ni
suitable for this exclusive, and costly stylo of
decoration.
An Ilteellent Pmluinic.
Mrs. Henderson recommends tlio following
as ono of tho plainest and tho lest puddings
over cntcn. The ingredients are ono cupfij
of boiled rice (kttor if just cooked and still
hot), three eupfuls of milk, three-quarters of
a cupful of sugar, a table-qwiiful of com
starch, two eggs and flavoring. Dissolve tho
corn starch first with a littlo milk and then
stir in tho rest of tlio milk; add tho yolks
of the eggs and the .sugar knton together,
now put this over the lire (there is lessduuger
of bin ning in n custard kettle), and when Lot
add the hot rice. It "ill seem ns if tliero
wore too much milk for tho rice, but there is
not. Stir it carefully until it k-giiw to
thicken liko tmiled custard, then take it off
tho flrejand add tho flavoring say extract of
lonioii. Put it into n pudding dish and plaeo
it in tho oven. Now kat the whites of tho
eggs to a stiff froth and add a littlo sugar
and flavoring. Tnko the pudding from tho
oven when colored a little, spread tho froth
over tbo top and return it to tho oven for a
fow minutes to givo tbo !&th a delicate
coloring.
Holiday l'ancy Worlf.
Woven matting cuffs such ns butchers use
mako pretty holders for whisk brooms, when
bronzed and bung by ribbon.
A beautiful blotter is mado by covering
two ia.sttiboard leaves for eovei-s with gray
linen, embiniiderinl in solid palm leaves ot
deep blue crewel, tho lea res king nkut an
itieli and a half aimrt aed ut various angles.
Lino mid fill with blotteru s usual.
A pleasant cift for a siidt friend, who can
keep it near tho pillows to enjoy its subdued
odor, is a roso leaf bag. Mako a kg of palo
pink, blito or oliveuk, fourteen inelies long
and fcovott wide, and an overslip of thin sheer
linen or swiss, Kmbroider tlio latter in
silk with a roso and its foliage, with singlo
iiotals ns if thoy hud fallen. Add in outhuo
stitch "Sweets to sweets'' or other pleasant
motto. Kill tho silk sack three-fourths full
with dried roso jietals. Slip tho thin sack
over it and tio with a ribbon ntul bows.
A Docomtlvo I.lttle Cushion.
In tho dainty littlo pin cushion seen in tho
cut may k found a suggestion to ladies who
aro manufacturing their Christmas gifts tio
timcs. This cushion, sometimes called pom
padour, is usually mado to hang on tho dress
ing tablo or bureau, a stylo frequently moro
convenient than tho old one. It represents
ouo of thoso pretty, unpretentious trilled
such as ovcrykxly has uso for at tho holiday
reason.
roMrADiru mn custuo.v.
An ordinary cushion of muslin or drilling
is stuffed with hair and inclosed in a bag of
silk, satin or any preferred material. Tho
bag is just w ido e iough to let tho cushion
slip in, and about two inches longer. It is
flnished at tho top with laeo. After putting
tho cushion in, tho upper part of tho bag is
tied together just al ovo tho cushion with a
cord, over which u ribbon is tied in a largo
bow. A loop of ribbon, with a bow at ono
end, Oi then fastened on to hang tho cushion
by, but may k left off, if preferred. Tho
outside cover or blip is sometime? made of
different colored ribbons joined together
with fancy stitches. Plain covers of solid
color aro very prettv, nnd aro ornamented
with a design or monogram, embroidered or
painted.
A Uceftil ChrlstmnH Vreftont.
Umbrella and parasol caMs to hang on bed
room walls are coining into fashion again, ac
cording to Art (Interchange Very pretty
ones can k mado of denim, which comes in
two colors, golden brown and blue, nnd is
most effective when painted. (M a yard of
this material and cut for tho bnuk a triangu
lar piCQ with n ovul top which mast bo
turned in nnd lound with braid ol tho same
color as tho material; then cut to smaller
pioces largo enough to hold a good sized um
brellaand sew tjieni to tho lwick with tho
samo finish of brid. Paint on tin. 10 pieces
in oils tome appropriate conventional deslgu
or simply a mas3 of flowers, if prefei red; fin
ish with bows of ribbon &A hang on the wall
or door.
Confrc-tlnnn-s' Thick Icing.
Tablo Talk tells lw to make tho i onfpo
tloncrs' thick icing tiQ: will soon lio viiiOd
in tho homo kitchen to glvo tho flnuhin
touch to tho holiday fruit enko. Put ono
pound of granulated uugar and a hah pint
of water in a perfectly clean saucepan, stir
contiuually over tho fl.o until tho sugnr tlls
fcolves, then boil without stirring until tho
syrup spins a heavy thread from a sjwon
dipped into it. Heat tho whites of two cugs
to a very stiff froth; add to them gradua ly
tho syrup, kating rapidly all tho whilo; tlun
add a quarter teat;oonfiU of cream of tartar,
nndboatuntilcoldniidthijk. Flavor to tastj.
Htulllnir for IJalied Poultry.
Stuffing for baked turkey, chicken, etc.,
is made ns follows: Beak sulllcicnt stnlt
bread in cold water to fill tho bird and then
squeorx) it dry in a towel. Put noino butter
in a stewpau, and when ha; stir in n littlo
inlnced oidon, n tnblesixxi.irul or two oi
chopcd panJoy, lialf a tipoonful of pow
dorwl thyroo, a little gratwi nutmeg, loppor,
salt and stock or wator to moisten all suffi
ciently. Stir over the flro until it leaves tho
bottom and sldos of the pan, thou mix in two
eggs.
3111k Cooked Without Scorchln?.
Tlw surest way to cook m'lk without
en robing is in a doublo 1 Killer or a tin that
vits in a bottle of boiling wator. The wetting
of a ksttl with coUl Mater ami allowing it to
remain a few iniauu lief ore tutting tho milk
in will Iwmr the danger of Kxaxhfug.
To llrlRlilen I'iiIUIiiuI Wootl,
A potiAhtd wuod wirfao that Ins grown
did! w1Ui iwiy U UighttMiwI with lhucd
oil. a ilm or two of oil at a time on a
houIui iu ttjsu rub itttkitiy tntt tywily, Um
littl oil and Altail nibbing.
ALL AROUND THE HOUSE.
BAR HARBOR.
A Wild, Weird Tale of Love
and Jdventurc.
D-V- AMOS
funLisncn iit Srr.ciAt. Aukan(1kmbnt with
tiii: AtTiioiu
CopyrijMtd, JS7, by O. 11". lHUinjham At!
Uight t Rttmtii.
She looked again. She could not bo mis-
Me
f .
r '
SUB LOOKED .'O.UN.
taken. There was that unmistakeable fore
head; that same scowl of sad thought.
As ho stepped down from the porch, a
voice, clear-cut, hard, metallic as his own,
when he chose it to be ao, fell upon his ear.
"Mr. Fairfax. I bolievot"
The man looked up, startled.
Not ten feet from him sat Lydia, n look of
keen, cool triumph on her face Lydia
whom ho had completely forgotten, or sup
posed two thousand miles away 1
"Ureat Heavens I Lady Lydia, you hero 1
What do you want of mo I"
"Immediately to get into this cart. 1
have a littlo business affair to settle with
you."
Her voice was commanding, and tho
words fell from her llpj lllio clean, crisp,
sharply-cut coins.
Fairfax saw there was nothing olso to.
but obey. With eyes fastened upon I
ground! with laggard steps und silent
tho giuve, ho slowly took his seat by Lydia' s
side.
Ha lenow ho was taken wholly at a disad
vantage; bosido ho had by no means recov
ered from tho shock of tho last scene with
Natalie. He seemed to havo lost control
over his wits; to bo utterly powerless to
eopo with even a child, much leas a woman
of the mental caliber of Lydia, whose feel
ings were stirred to tho utmost; whose
faculties were at their brightest and
keenest; Avho also seemed to have them
tinder perfect control. There was remain
ing to him mind enough to know that
silence was hla strongest hold, until those
scattered senses of his could bo collected.
116 had offered to take the reins as ho en
tered, feeling that, aa a woman, with ho
fingers occupied with fancy work,.has tlw
uc coolly took rni: linijs rnoii m:n hamii
advantago over an awkward youth whe
seems unable to disposo of his hands; so ho
with the reins, ould much better gain liU-sulf-contl,
whilo Lydia would bo more apt
to lose heri.
" 1 prefer to drive, myself, sir," she re
plied with dignity.
Then tho suppressed flros of hor angor
flamed forth.
" Aro you a professional brigand! Pos
sibly, this Is tho usual way with American
gentlemen; their method of professing de
votion, chivalry and all that is noble. Aro
courtshipi commonly conducted in this
innnnor, in this mi d.-l Itopublio of your'sl"
Fairfax iiiisweregjiiothhig.
Ho was now gai.inig ground, and sho rap
idly losing. If nhu would only persist in
keeping up this tirade, ho soou would havo
thOjppor hand.
" In my tw.il ry," continued she, in thoso
icv, cutting tones, "when a gentleman pro
fesses to know nothing about a woman und
to care less, wo hardly look to seo him, a
day or two afterwards, ran uway with her
in a mannor befitting iPliarbarlan. Alto
gether, air, you have placed yourself fn a
position exceedingly unenviable, and have
lout the confidence of all respectable per
sons" Whom she meant I "all respecta
ble persoin" was a trlflo uncertain.
"Now," said sho, beginning to grow irri
tated under Fairfax's porulstont silonco and
hor failure to enrage him ; "now, sir, I havo
no time to wastp with you in this mutter;
nor do I care so to do with a man of the
vugtio ideas of right and wrong you seem to
yossess." Her voice assumed a regretful
tj.io, tinged with a shudo of tenderness as
Hho proceeded. "There was u timo when
matters appeared differently" hero she
turned and gave Fairfax a sidelong glance
that proson'od a curious compound of shy
ness, soorufuldeilance, yet curiosity.
Pnirfax, too, at this singular remark,
raliod his oyos in an upward inquiring look.
What could she moan I
Heduinmg hor cabling hauteur, sho went
on :
"I shall not usk. nor do I osro to know
your moUvos, or y ur course in this out
niKOOua aCair," - tiiK wan a deliberate false
hood. She was burning st ilk desire to learn
It ull "I want v U ll you that Natalie must
e lintnodiiiUdy released and, what is more,
sent safely buck. Do you laoan to suy,
wretched fool I that you for a moment sup
jxwed you oookl win her love in this way t
livoji the moot obtuse villain oould not la.l
to stte such a Uuntf wne lupossilile. And
I'm surprisotl tbut it lima of the cuulilni.'
which this prf"ri" .i'rf of yours shows you
u possoss, should fail to perceive it."
Mhe ooatiuucl for soiuo tuns iu this bit
ter, Wluip i mtiaf r.
Jlenuv. tuV 1' ..irfus was fast regaining
hlS Old tlllir l olll.X'Klire
TUfir about Uu strunce
BSBHIhulU.4 t.nti it'le Lvru Uri.i
W64 oIk-h i.i ' l-VO !..! lb' .!''
of othwrs. ." - n'" t" "f la
ixiweriui iniiuit . ma over nor.
It was the old storv of the subtle ntrength
of will winch silently forces one person to
recognize anether as his superior.
She tries t Insh up her anger, but only
succeeds i;i feeling her growing weakness
more and mere.
Then she lvg.m to reflect, and, in an nct
Ivo contest, reflection generally loses tho
day. What was this alio wm. doing f Hero,
in a straugo country, with a man bIio had
soen but once before, ami on an errand
that few WJinen would hnvo dared, and
luov.-oaien been ashamed to undertake.
SUstoie another glauru at her compan
ion, and now began to notice that firm,
hard mouth; those tightly compressed lips
and tho stern, durintr look about the face.
After all. her knowledge of his character
was almost nothing. Sho began to grow
alarmed.
Fairfax felt, rather than saw It all, and
suddenly leaned forward, with the remark:
"We are coming to a dangerous part of
the road. I will take tho roms, If you
pleaso."
With that he oooly took tho lines from her
hands, nlniobt ore" sho knew what ho wis
about.
She sunk back on tho seat with n scarcely
subdued irasn ef alarm. Sho was now tho
woman all woman; ho the man, and a nmiw
uot to bo trilled with, at that,
"Now," suid he, quietly, but tlrnily.il
vou have 'hushed what you have to say, I
also will say something. However, before
1
begin niv remarks, 1 would liko to tisn
you one question. You have just professed
"to me in utter contempt. How la it,
then, vou did not place the maUer in the
hands" of a detective? How Is it you deal
with mpersouiillyf In otlfr words, how
camo you here, and what do you want with
met '
As he asked her this ho turned suddenly
and sharply around und looked her full In
the face.
Tho question was perfectly natural; but
the effect was cxtraordlbttry, and had he
not been in tho mood that rendered him
proof against surprise, Fairfax would havo
evinced this,
Lydia gasped, shrank back iqion hor seat
and", under the keen scrutiny or those
searching eyes, became crimson, then pale,
and in her confusion it seemed to her that
the quiet, strong face gtuing so ilxedlv Into
hers seemed to read all; that thoso resist
less eves pierced to her very soul's depths
and caught its Inmost secrets, and seemed
tosav: Whatever your answer, I know ull
She stammered out breathlessly, In a tor
rilled, shame-faced manner:
"If you know all, whv do you askl"
"Ah," replied he, mistaking the meaning
of hor answer, but still failing to compre
hend tho cause of her confusion, "yes, 1 do
know all."
Sho hid hor face in hor hands to conceal
her fooling of shamo. Ho could have no re
spect for hor now; and horrible thought!
supposing ho wore to muko it pnbliol
lu unking this discoinposingquostion of his.
Fairfax hud been actuated only by a desire
to learn what wiu publicly known about tho
abduction of tho Princess If his iiccom-
ph.es had been discovered; if others, ho
sldes Lydia, know of his guilt and where
abouts ; or if 'dio only had gained tho secret.
Ho had mode no accusation at all against
hor; andw.u, therefore, takon aback and
completely mystified by this behavior. What
did sho mean ( lie could not stop to reuecu
lie was resolved upon this plan.
His future, at any rate, was ruined so ho
took it for granted. Still ho Vould maki
Iho beat, or circumstances. Ho would se
cure Lydia as a shield to protect, from Iho
shafts oi justice, Dick nnd his other accom
plices. Ho continued:
"Now, 1 will toll you all about It. You
know"
"Stop!" sho .cried, beseechingly, fiho
had becomo desperate. "Stop! Mr. Fair
fax. 1 imi3t explain myself. You say you
know all. You do not. lam not tho bold
creature you boliovo me."
Fairfax listened with growing astonish
aient. Lydia continued:
"Some timo after Natalio'a disappear
ance, a singular dream awakened in my
mind an unpleasant suspicion. 1 drove ib
away, time aud again, lint, timo nnd
again, it returned. A brief conference
with Louvait, tho French detective, only
continued my bolief that this unwolcomo
visitor was right in demanding entertain
ment. Hut, on such slight grounds, how
could I bring accusation against an individ
ual whom I supposed not only a gentleman
but a man of Hlncority one of tlio class
which my oxperiouco, as a rich woman
with flatterers und iiyuophants has led mo
hitherto to bellovo either llctitlous or de
funct? 1 could not do it; mid yet that sus
picion refused to bo put down. Tliero was
but ono resort loft mo -cither to prove it,
or dlsprovo it; and that by myself, alone.
Oh I do not then think itbolduoss or shame
lessnoss that led mo over th nen hi thin un
womanly munuoi"
Fairfax listoned in wondor. Did sho
really moan thnrHho had done thlso shield
hlinf Was it possible that, after all, Dick
was right i
Turning toward Iter again, ho abruptly
asked : e
"Do you mean to say that you actually
caino to Amorica wishing to provo my inno
coneo?" "I do," answered sho, foarlossly, and
looking unflinchingly Into his eyos.
Fairfax, seeing that tho girl was very
highly wrought-up and keenly felt tho dis
grace and awkwardness of hor position, it
solved to comfort her. llusides, ho was mor
tal and could scarcely repress a secret feel
ing of exultation over tho fact that ho, the
man of humble fortune had, to such an un
suspected extent, urousod tho interest of
tho greatest "catch" in Kugland.
"You aro mistaken," said ho, "J do not
consider you bold or shameless. It In I
who am disgraced; I who havo ruined my
reputation in tho oyos of two lovely women.
And yet I am not tho abandoned wretch you
mast think me. I told you tho truth at that
fatal ball ut tho Marchioness'. I never had
tixiii tho Princess boforo that evening,
aUmt sundown. I saw hor-nud if you will
havo it-loved hor. Tho whole thing was
in affair or but a moment. You think sho
UA3 suffered and been unhappy. 1 do not.
. believe sho has never been happier sineo
hor brother's death. I never troubled Iior
until to-tky, when sho discovered who I
km, and, naturally, was indignant at learn
ing my. course of duplicity. Hho Is the love
liest, purest and most angollo being on
lurthl"
"Aye I that sho is I" warmly uddod Lydia,
tvitho.it the least tinge of jealousy."
"Of course," ho went on to suy, "I havo
premised to freo hor, und I think you must
trive been- sent hero by u inoreiful provl
Joiico to take her back. I shall put her in
four sole ehargo. Tlio stoauier by which shu
samo Is still iu Now York, but I will telti
nipfi the captain to stop here for you.
i'ou will not rofuso to take charge of her,
aiU you?''.sokl lie, looking up inquiringly.
I luive failad after riluu;f literally every
huig. I even krrewod a largo sum In
'i il'-r to rarty out my plans. If I liavo noth
ing olso to work for, 1 suull ut loust strive
ut reNty tliat. You do nut know that I am
;-oor and profession loss I"
"I know it all. ' replug Lydlu, quhrtly.
'I kll.iW nil nhml .V'lU."
11 w, ' itl.i Iik, iu surprise,
Hd uii'ti i i.l minp.y
"I !. i u at ".! h.. mo "
AM, Umm wu mo Um iwrwy MtriS Oarn-
ioru r
Lydia blushed.
Fairfax looked nt tho girl. Sho certainly
must bo a remarkablo woman to havo
undertaken such an eri-and as sho declared
jho had como upon. Next to his own Prio
ress sho was, assuredly, tho finest womaa
ho had ever seen.
Sho felt hit scrutinizing gaze, and becamo
visibly ombarrassed. lly no means wa
her regard for this man yet gono.
"I ask of you ono moro favor," ho con
tinued. "I shall not seo tho Princess ngnin
nt least, to speak, with her. Will you cll
her that if her suspicions nro aroused na
to my confederates in the deed, I request
her too keep them to herself. If justlco
must bo satisfied, I myself will appear ulono
and suffer any penalty that may freo tlio
Others. Hut I feel quite sure that sho will
livulgenot evon thenatnoof the steamer
that brought her here and takes her back to
France; and 1 think the Lady Lydia Is still
friend enough to stand by mo in kcepimr this
'request hertelf."
"You may depend upon me," said Iydia,
killing out her ungloved hand, and placing
it in Fairfax's in sign of friendship.
Hero Fairfax stopped tho horse. Thoy
wore at the entrance to F.ld-Field.
Handing tho reins to Lydia, ho said:
"If you want my assistance, send a noto
over to tho cottage yonder, whero my nunt
and I am staying. Meauwhilo 1 will order
Ulunehe, the Princess' maid, to prepare nil
things for departure, and will lot her know
when tho steamer is expected."
With a bow, Fairfax was gone, nnd Lydia
slowlvdrovo in alone through the gates of
Eld-Field.
Sho believed now In her llrst intuition
this t(is tho ouo man of her life.
CHAPTKIt XXIV.
LIVED AND LOVlIIl!
All was quiet about the houso.
Tho blinds
wore closed, giving tho impression that tho
inmates were away. Lydia alighted, tied
her horso and walked on to tho porch. Tho
door yielded readily to her touch. Shoen
tored. A huge dog lay on tho floor. Near
by a beautiful littlo girl was quietly playing
with hor doll. Lydia camo in so noiselessly
that neither child nor dog noticed her.
"Now, Max," Dolores was saying, "wo
mustn't mako any noiso. My 'littlo mamma'
has a head-ache and is lying down. Max,
wo ure going away, too, sho says. Wo
shall never seo my Mr. Arnold rox any
more."
Hero tho littlo thing began softly to cry.
Max raised his head, pounded on tho floor
with his tall and began to sniffle In unison
with her; whilo his oyo betokened tho fact
tliat, If possible, ho too would shed a tear.
Lydia looked on for sotno timo without
stirring. Filially, sho walked quietly up M
tho child and, kissing hor, said:
"What is your name, you dear HtUa
girl!"
Dolores looked up but did not show tho
least sign of alarm, or oven surprise Sho
gazed nt Lydia, as If studying hor faco,
Sho at last concluded to mako friends with
tho stranger. Max too had boon viewing tho
now-comor w.vh doubtful oyo, but also do
cided upon peace, lio roso, shook hlmsolf,
and walking up to Lydia, raised ouo tro
mondous paw in token of amity.
"My naino is Dolores my 'littlo mamma' is
up stairs. Who aro you, pretty lady!"
"You may call mo aunt Lydia. I lovo
your 'littlo mamma' too, and want you to
take mo up-stairs to seo her."
"Hut Hho Is ill aud mustn't bo disturbed."
"Yea, but 1 havo como to make hor well.
Como HUlu Dolores, take mo up, or I shall
go by myself."
"Will you mako hor wolH Como, then,
aunt Lydia, I want my littlo inammiv to got
well." Pausing suddenly sho looked in
quiringly up into Lydia's faco, and said:
"Do you know my Mr. Arnold Fox!"
"Yes, my little ono, I do. Why I"
"Ilecauso, if you can mako hor well, I
wish you would bring him back too. I don't
want him to go aud my 'little mumiua' cried
becauso ho was going."
"Well, doarle, I will seo what I can do.1'
Lydio hogau to suspect that mutters bo
tweon Natalie and Fairfax had gono oven
further than she had supposed.
Haud-iu-hand tho pair wont up-stnlrs, fol
lowed by Max, who Boomed to think it hla
bouiuleu duty to attend Dolores wherever
sho went. Natalie's door was shut.
Lydia knocked. No unswor camo. Sho
knocked again and more loudly. Still no
answer. Pushing open tho door, sho looked,
in.
Tho room was darkened.
A flgnro, with
loosoned hair streaming
down over hor
back, with clasped hands
and head bent
down to the covorlid, was
kneeling at tho
bed-nldo. It was Natalio.
Lydia stooped down and "whispered to
Dolores to go and ojioaft to hor. Tho chi d,
placing hor hand on Natlli's shoulder, said:
" 'Littlo mamma,' wako up. Aunt Lydia
wants to seo you."
Natalio slowly turned a pallid faco toward
Dolores. Her eyos wore dimmed by weep
ing, und her cheeks tear-stained. Slowly
arising, sho absout-rnlndedly took tho child,
by the hand und moved lunguldly toward
tho window,appuroiitly absorbed In thought,
nnd not aware of tho tall figure standing
motionless Iu the doorway. She raised tho
curtain and sat dowu In u chair bosido tho
window, with Dolores in hor lap, oblivious
to all about her, and talking rather to her
self than tho girl, in a half-conscious,
dreamy stuto.
"Dolores, my dearest, wo must go. Do
loroB, wo shall hoo him novorngalnlnovcrl"
sho added, emphatically, and, unconsciously
bogun to repeat tho rofrala of uu old ballad r
" For lovo that from tbo liourt hutli tied
Hoturn ni;aln, no more.
No moro again, no moro."
"Natallol" said a clear soft volco, "Are
you not going to speak to mo?"
Kvon tills did notjgeem to awake nor from
hor reverie. Sho slowly und woarily raised
hor head and looked mechanically and un
liitolllgontly nt Lydia, not appearing to
realize who it was,
"Natallol" again said tho snmo volco, a
littlo sharply, and with a tone of alarm in it,
"Natalio, arouso yoursolf. It is I, Lydia,
come to tako you away."
" 'Little inuminu, " brokoln Dolores, "it la
Aunt Lydia como to mako you well."
Nutallu appeared to bo waking from a
stupor. Hho stared, rubbed hor oyca, und
thou u gleam of intelligence shot over her
face. Sho cried out:
"Lydia," and attempted to nrlso and rush,
toward hor friend. Hut sho tottered,
turned deathly palo, and fell forward Into
Lydia's arms. The latter laid hor gently
upon tho couch, and, by dint of mild restor
atives, had tho pleasure ot Boeing tho poor
girl return to consciousness. Tho eyelids
ojienod again, aud tho dartr, lustrous oyo,
recoguUlug tho good Samaritan, beamed
With ulfeetlnu
"Graefotis nidi" said bid Mrs.
Uontly, who wiih reading tin account
of a public dlntior. "Whtit'8 tho mat
tor?" Inquired old Mr. Hontly. "What
tin awful amount o' toast thoso men do
oat! I should think It would muko 'em
thirsty." Harper's llaxar.
Mi's. Van l'rlm "I um astonished,
.Clara, Unit ymi should voluntarily al
low Mr. I'uiithotiy to put his una
uiouml you." Clunt "It wasn't x
tiotly voluntary, mothers nt loa-st m
sldurublo pi-oastiro wtui brought U
hour uuoiuiuVr