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About Bohemia nugget. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1899-1907 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 4, 1903)
jTlie Contrabandist lOne Life's Secret! 1 S! $$$$$$$$$$$$$S$$$$w$w?$$3$$$$S3 PIIAPTHU XV. It was night. Helen Montauban had filtered tier upartmeut, and securing the door, gave way to the passionate feelings toss le Clalrvllle had kissed ami congrat nlateil the young girl to her heart'a con- tent. Everywhere there were smiles; ev erywhere there were hippy hearts, save born of ft dire suspicion, which had keen I hi one bosom. rAnlcllnir In Iim lil-Mlst for hours. 1110 I Thn rAiinir mitnt lm.l lfll-nn I.U r-nntln Inlcrvlew lwtween her father and Hose In I Udell out upon the terrace; he had told tho morning, the hint nt a confession, the . i,cr j,0 W,lej to talk with her alone, and thousand slight yet convincing tokens of j ,10 yMW wc) ,lllt wuc, suo was to fooling witnessed that afternoon and hMr To nelen. Louis had been wont to evening In her close yet silent and itenllhr wntrh over actions anil woras. something peculiar In the manner of the marquis, and the occasional say yet mys terious jests of the Count do Clalrvllle - all combined to awaken within her the bitterest and most tormenting distrust and suspicion. "I will know I will knowl" she said to herself. A little while she waited, till sh was nble to nssuuio a manner of per fect composure, and then, lifting an ala baster lamp from the toilet, sho crossed the gallery and entered the apartment op posite, Itoso had dismissed her maid and was bruihlng out her hair, whoso rich folds, falling around her light shape, almost concealed it with their shining veil. She turned from the mirror as Mademoiselle Montauban entered, and a lovely smilo brightened over her sweet face. Ah, I am so clad you have come, Helen I" she said, running to her and throwing those fair, snowy arms about her In an Innocent, loving and happy em' brace. And Helen Montauban, bending her beautiful head, cnlralr and with seeming kindness and affection, kissed Rose on her forehead. The girl shuddered. "How cold you are, Helen! Are you 111? Your 11ns are like IccI" "No, I am not 111, dear child, and I think It must be because you are so warm, so excited, so happy, that you lin- aglne me to bo cold. I have come to sit with you a little while before I retire, "You were kind to come. I wanted to see you j I was waiting for you." She sat down by the side of Mademoiselle Montauban and put her arms about her again. "Well, yon wished to see me is that all?" asked Helen, attempting something like playfulness in her manner. "I wished to to tell you something, and now I have not the courage." Itose hid her face on her companion's breast again. "Helen, it was about Louis. Those sweet eyes were hidden;-it was well; they could not see the stony fierce ness of that wild, white face above, that grew wilder and whiter as the girlish, timid confession was made. Helen Montauban, crushing with calm and terrible force the thousand mad emo tions in her breast, that struggled to have way, compelled herself to utter, softly: "Go on, Hose; I am interested I am listening; go on!" And Itose told her all all, from begin ning to end, with her fair head lying on that stormy heart, whose gathering fires her Innocent, whispered, bashful words fed with a fearful sustenance. Helen Montauban listened. She heard all this every word, every syllable of this con fession, and each word, each syllable, struck her with a deadly blow. The de liberate stab of the midnight murderer tells with no deeper power. Vet she list ened, and stirred not; she spoke some times, made some remark or comment, and then listened again. 'I here was a kind of savage agony within, that dwelt upon that simple, love story la Its every detail, and comprehended It with sharp and greedy eagerness; but at the close, all memory of those details departed. All that was left of that story, gathered into threes. words three single words, that Rose, with bashful joy, whispered as she finished i "He loves me Louis loves mer And Helen Montauban said to herself. "Ilodoves another; he does not love me!" The words were branded Into her heart they were written there In characters of fire! they were Ineffaceable. "You are not going yet? do not go yet. dear, Helen!" murmured Rose. "Stay with me a little longer." iler soft eyes, raised so tenderly, so pleadingly, to that face, shone with dlylne beauty. The gold-tinged tresses, flowing about her graceful head, were like, the glory that surrounds the brow of a saint. Thus seemed this young girl, as she stood uerore the dark, stately Helen, whose proud face was calm and quiet, whose splendid eyes shot forth no shaft of the smothered fire within. liut Helen .Montauoan uttered some gentle words and turned away. She bade Itose a pleasant good night before she went. out, and then, taking her by the hand, bent down once more and kissed her. With that kiss she swore hatred- undying, eternal; revenge, speedy and sure, to the one who had robbed her of his love. And Itose sought her pillow to dream such dreams as youth and Joy may bring, even while hate and revenge, with. "Sleepless eyes, watched over her. Helen Montauban secured herself In the privacy and stillness of her chamber, 4ml putting her lamp on her own dressing table, threw herself upon the couch, not , . ' ml.- ....:. i ,i i IV .Bleep, iuo npjrii ui fcai ueu irom those eyes, that gloomed upon vacancy, There was no peace for that heart, beat' lng with hard, fierce, heavy throbs be neath its Bllkvn vesture. Still those words burned upon it their scorching characters "he loves anotherl ' gho had sworn revenge. Tho dream of her whole life had been broken now. It vfos as if a single thread of shining silver had run its glittering line through her.jllfo-woof, and those slender fingers, so lately pressed upon her own, had ruthlessly snapped It asunder, Itoso might bo Innocent of Intention to wrong her-nay, she knew her to be so. And yet, she hated her hated the beautiful face, tho sweet voice, that had won him to lore them. She shuddered as sho seemed to feel onco again tho pressure oflfiat young head upon her bosom. It oppressed suffocated her; she could not breathe. Tho very air of the room was stilling. She Hung open a casement with trembling hands and leaned far out to drink tho cool and dewy air of tho dark midnight This was all she thought of that ven BoaTTee must be had. How It was to work,' or when, was-unknown. Its very shape was yet undefined; but some shape or other It must take soon. At present a'rnguo Idea only floated before her. It was "sweet, In her bitterness of soul, to contemplate It. She would lay her plan carefully. It should be matured to tho roteat perfection, before tho period for give his confidence; It was pleasant to do so; and now, that be had so much to contUc, he turned to her still. Helen Montauban listened quietly to all, and with an iuterest scarcely feigned, Was it not the story of ft ruined hope as well as of n rival s happiness? Every word struck deep and keenly; she felt them but too well; yet she hid her ag ony and listened and sympathised and congratulated till she wondered at her own self-command. And Louis, In the honest sincerity of his own heart, fully trusted In and gratefully credited those false, deceitful, gently uttered assur ances. Helen Montauban had forco of will sufficient to make her an admirable actress. Lord ngerton was much more gay and light-hearted than be had seemed for some time past. Kor always, despite him' self, uneasy and Jealous because of what, with Jaundiced sight, had seemed to him to be the preference of Louis for Helen, he had now experienced a sudden and most welcome sense of freedom from ap prehension that he was relieved of his former fears. True, Mademoiselle Mon tauban treated him with no more favor than formerly; but he did not cease to hope. action came, that there might bo no fall- ureWSho said to herself, "I will never seeItoo Lamonto the brldo of Louis!" ftlfvas known among tho guests at tho chateau the next morning that Rose and VStiut xtera betrothed, and something was whispered, toa, concerning tho romance Btfofhed to the' affair' Toe good Coun- CHAPTER XVI. There was a talk of the approaching wedding day. The impatience of Louis had urged its being fixed at an early pe riod. He asserted that a delay of three months would be quite sufficient. His gay and vivacious yet earnest arguments were half accepted. The marquis was In dined to favor them, thoueh it was evi dently with a sore struggle. It was not until now that he had realized the full depth of his affection for Rose. She had become very dear to bim. Her gentle ness and lunoeence and goodness of heart, her childlike loveliness, and more than all, her likeness to one beloved in by-gone years, endeared her to the heart of this second father. He shrunk from speak ing of the parting, though he could not deny to Louis the boon so earnestly sought. It could be seen, by a close observer. that now, while this discussion was goiug on, and one and another laying plans touching ttie event, Itose herself said lit tie, merely giving assent to the various propositions laid before her, and seeming to lane our a passive pan in tne general action. There was, too, at times, a cer tain gravity, which might as well have been called actual sadness, in her de meanor, and which could not well be ac counted for. Gradually it became so evi dent that it occasioned the deepest un easiness in the breast of Louis. He .en deavored to draw from her the cause of it. She seemed disinclined to acquaint him with the origin of this unusual mood. lou are HI, dear Rose?" he asked. with a lover's solicitude. I am not ill, Louis; Indeed, you alarm yourself unnecessarily." "Then-you are unhappy?' "I am not exactly unhappy, either." One month of the three had passed a war. "There are but two months now, Itose," said the happy young man. And Itose,-evn as she received the kiss her lover gave so fondly, turned away to sigh. He observed It with Increased un easiness. "My dear uncle," he said to the mar quis, "what can all Hose? I am snre she is not quite happy, though she refuses to admit Jt." The marquis did not observe the down cast mood of the young girl for the first time now. He had watched it since Its commencement, and meditated seriously and with deep concern on the subject. At length one day ho sent for her to come to him In the library. "My dear child," he said, "1 must know the reason and the nature of this gloom which continually rests upon your spirits. It Is, as you must be aware, a matter of some anxiety to me. You do not deny that, If not precisely unhappy, there is yet some wish to be granted some desire to be fulfilled, which could restore to you your usual serenity?" "I will not deny it, monsieur," she re turned, quietly and sadly. "And you will not tell me what It Is this wish? Dear Rose, this reserve pains me extremely. I am sure you would not wish to cause me a moment s dis quiet, and yet you unconsciously give me the utmost apprehension, lou confide neither In Helen nor Louis; then I en' treat you to be, at least, frank with me, Is It anything which I can do to gratify you, my child V "Indeed, I scarcely think so," answered Rose; "I do not think any one hero could bring me what I wish. It Is " "Rose, I think I know what you wish, I have thought of it more than once of tho very subject, doubtless, upon which you are secretly dwelling at this moment. lou have not seen your father In a long time, lou are about to take a most Im portant step, and you wish to see him, to tell him of ail this. Is It not so?" The tears quietly escaped from the young girl's downcast eyes. "It Is true, monsieur. I wished to see him. I could not forget him In my hap pinessmy poor father!" And It was very natural, dear Rose. that you should not. Neither did I for get him; but I hardly knew where be could bo found." I knew that, monsieur," sho rejoined, and It was partly on that account that I have been silent all this while." And the good marnnls could easily com prehend the restraint that had also been Instrumental In preventing her from giv ing utterance to tho wish she had so long and sorrowfully cherished. Much as she loved them all, she had shrunk from re minding them, in their seeming forget- fulness, that while her future was occu pying them continually, that her father, poor and homeless and forgotten, might bo glad to clasp his only child onco more In his arms and breatho a father's bless ing over her. They had not qnlto forgotten It, how ever; and now that her deslro wag made nown, the murquls and Louis were equally anxious to seek for him. Though nothing absolute was known concerning his whereabouts, there was somo reason for believing that ho had gone to Lyons, and a faint hope of finding him there. Accordingly, the matter was taken Into consideration, It was about this time that the Count and Countess de Clalrvllle, with Lord fig- erton, had arranged to continue their route to Paris, and as tlier had been en deavorlng to persuade their host and his family to accompany them and spend th time with them tliero until their return, before the union of Rose and Louis, It was decided to adopt tho proposed plan ami remain somo days at Lyons on the way, in order. It possible, to hear some thing concerning Hugh Lanionte, This cotlrso having been fixed upon, preparations were Immediately commenc es ror the journey. Tho Countess ds Clalrvllle could not suppress her Joy at this arrangement. Itoso began to re cover the gentle vivacity and animation natural to her; and Louis, charmed at observing tho change, was the happiest of men. Nor was Lord Ilgerton the one least satisfied of the party. He had looked for ward to his departure from Helen s pres ence with feelings of the utmost pain, Ho had been restless disquieted. Noth Ing but the anticipation of his return thither had relieved his dissatisfaction, His pleasure, then. In the prospect of the approaching journey was as Intense as his discontent had formerly been And how was It with Helen Montau ban? It was well known that sho was pleased with this arrangement. She had expressed her satisfaction more than once In alluding to It, and took an active part in the preparations making for the oc caslon. Hut there was no one In all that parly not even Rose Lamonto herself, seeking tidings of her father who took so deep an Interest In tho thoughts of this journey, l or Helen Montauban had a purposethe bare skeleton of a plan as yet over which she bad been brooking In secrecy and silence through many day past. Her desire, her thirst for re venge, was fierco and unquenchable, Long had she been meditating upon the mode of its fulfillment; but her hands had been In a measure bound; the neces sary facilities for action were difficult to be attained. Now, however, means ot forwarding her wretched schctno were at hand; the approaching Journey opened to her ways and means that she only too eagerly snatched at. With calm and un impassioned deliberation which but as sured a more terrible consummation of her hateful design, she meditated upon the new assistance afforded her now; she looked forward to the method to be adooted. and carcfull mado her calcu lations carefully and coolly. She had no fear no hesitation. Hers were strong passions strong aud fiery, and deep and deadly as well. Love and hate had equal violence when roused In her breast; the love was forgotten now; the hate was uppermost; it was meat and drink to her; It had turned her heart to steel. Compassion, tenderneis, pity all wero banished. The fiends themselves could plot no more mercilessly than this worn' an, when vengeance had once become her obiect. A smoldering firo lay in those proud, dark eyes, as she left the old chateau on the morning of the departure for Lyons. She leaned forward from the carriage window as they wound slowly along ths road leading northward, and looked upon the dark pile that rose against the blue, serene air of the declining autumn. See," said Louis, gaily, "Helen is tak ing a sentimental farewell of home." Nay, cousin, I was thinking of our return, answered she. Then why be thinking already," said the marquis, "of our return? Indeed, 1 am half Inclined, Helen, to believe that you really regret leaving the chateau." So soon? why, that scarcely augurs favorably for the enjoyment of your trip to the gay capital, Helen I I had an Im pression that you anticipated a great deal of pleasure during our sojourn there." "So she does so she docs, 1 am surel Joined in Rose, ns she iook tho hand ot Mademoiselle Montauban affectionately in hers. "We shall both enjoy ourselves shall we not, dear Helen? "Undoubtedly," was the reply; "how can It be otherwise i anu sne snuieu Monsieur," returned Mademoiselle Montauban, "this journey Is, of all things In the world, one of those which I most desire." She leaned hack In the carriage and said no more. Gradually tbey entered upon the road skirting the forest, and then tho chateau and its neighborhood was lost to view. ffo bo continued.) CHILDREN'S AFFECTIONS TRAINED AT HOME. Dy Cora Kocfi fowfamf. When yon come to think ot It, Is It not strange Hint our mothers had such nice children? In our own case the marvel will bo If our children lire not paragons, so luml do wo strive nftor perfee tion. llut our uiotlicra tliolr method, compared f with our own, were unite elementary. They Just JL brought ns up In the Vest way they knew, ntul ivk they did not say much about It, for they took It for granted that everybody knew tlint was what jioy were spending their time In doing. To-day many of tho duties which our mothers took upon themselves) have been relegated to the school. In tho lust education was specifically the wotk of the home. The school's first eon curu ns with tho child's mental habits. Iteyoml this lit only caro was that Its own routine be as little disturbed ns possible. The element of affection might enter Into school Ufa through the personality of the teacher, but It had uo place In tho curriculum. However much the parents might help the school In Its recognized function, the school an thorltles did not feel themselves under any, obligation to return the courtesy. Certainly n step has been taken for ward. Home and school have liecome, as they should lie. Interdependent. The parent Is learning how lo supplement the work of the teacher. The teacher, for his part, Is no lougcr tho mere taskmaster; ho Is tho parent pro tern., to whom during school hours the child looks for sympathy and recognition. There Is no better way ot loarnlug how to' train the affections of your children than by barking bail; to your own childhood and considering how your own parents satis tied or failed you. Was your mother's voice tender ns bIic sitnir you to sleep in front of the low baseburuer? Did your father always wave a greeting to you the mluiito he turned tho corner and saw your eager, watching face pressed close against the window pane? When you came home from school nt noon were you so certain that you n'ould find your mother there that you never had to spoon late about It? Have you glorious memories of stories that your father used to tell you; ot afternoons In the sand pile wHcu your mother made Tillages or mediaeval castles for you and the neighbors' children; of marches In the dusk ot evening with floating banners, paper caps, and Chinese lanterns? Were yon allowed to share In tho housework, making the beds, or filling the woodbox? Could you al ways glvo your parents your childish confidence with n comfortable certainty they would never laugh nt you nor tell anyone else about It? If It happens that you bare all these things and others like these to remember, you do not need learned disputations about ways ot training the affec tions of children. LABOR UNIONS BENEFIT MEN. By C. T. rtrkti. Hmttwmr H'sntte. American labor unions have a tendency to raise the mental standard of tho men. They train a man's Intelligence. The man who Is most fit gets ahead. 1' believe In the survival of the fittest. What Is In a man will come out If he hasachance. The brainiest mechanics, the men who think nnd have a chance to show the results of their think ing, arc the men who make the best capitalists. I believe every mechanic should have a chance to train himself to be a capitalist. Uy this I mean thnt he should have the opportunity to train his mind so thnt he could, so far as his mental equipment Is concerned, be In a position to guide aud direct as well as execute the orders ot others. I tell you there Is nothing so grand In the world as an Intelligent mechanic. He Is of use In the world. I believe In labor unions. I do not believe In trusts as ' they nru to day understood. I.nbor unions have the same right to organize that capital has. The Interests of tho one are hi a parallel degree tho Interests, of tho other. I the United .Stales to day we liuvo somo splendid labor unions, mniiaged In a way to challenge admiration, and wo have some of the worst, llut tho tendency has bee forward. The day wilt coino when American labor unions will have reached such a point of excellence In organlza tlon, under competent management, with logical in I mis the head, that capital will have to recognize them. Arbl t ration will then bo the rulo to settle differences. Strlk will be known only In history. Hut Hie battle for labor Is not yet won. It will not until nil of the unions have rid themselves of tho minority ot ranters who now rulo some of them. Thcso men are good talkers; they aro eloquent on tho platform, yet If you s all they say you will not find a single practical Idea. Y In somu of tho labor unions In this country to-day the men, even now In the minority, rule tho others. I-nbor unions, to succeed, must be logical. THE DECADENCE OT FEMININE BEAUTY. By lady reune. Looking at the pictures and miniatures of a by gone uge, one often wonders whether beauty Is fact or a question of opinion. The pictures of the women of those days do not Impress us with a high standard of what wo consider beauty, They are all moro or less of a manly type, and do not convey nny Idea of tho delicacy and re lliiement we associate with real feminine beauty. (Jueen Kllzntieth Is wonderful In appearance and expression, hut she Is not beautiful. Queen Mary and tho women of her day are simply ugly. When wo get to the highest exposition ot beauty aud charm which tho worl has ever seen beautiful, bewitching, unhappy Mary Stuart -we are fairly battled, for, though there Is graco and dig nity, she docs not represent to us the beauty which was the cause of bloodshed, conspiracy, and crime, and expiated Its sins on the block nt Kotherlngny. Tho beauty of Mary Stuart must have been no dream, no matter of opinion for the men who fought aud died for her did so, lu many cases, from a pnsslon Inspired by her dazzling and mi spcakablo charms. It Is not, however, tilt the days of Reynolds and (lalns borough and Romney that we are compelled to admit that there may be some truth In the opinion of many that there was more real beauty In England In those times than there Is to-day. The Duchess of Devonshire, Lady Spencer, Lady Tavistock, Mrs. Ablngfoii, Mrs. Ltnley, tho grand mother ot the three beautiful Sherldaus, Kitty Fisher, Mrs, Slddous, Mrs. Unthain, nnd the Duchess of Cumberland are women whom any painter must havo exulted In painting, for they possessed a beauty of feature nnd coloring which uo criticism can gainsay, llut, thereafter, with the fx ceptlon of a few dignified pictures by Ijiwrence, the bean ty, or the power of reproducing It, seems to have dlsnp pea red. The women of our day have not deteriorated or IsM tho charm of their grandmothers, but there Is not the same beauty In the early Victorian era, and It Is, we be lieve, because the fashion was ugly, grotesque, and unbe coming to the highest degree. The long wnlsts, the crlno lines, the poke bonnets nnd beflounccd skirts would have ruined tho beauty of a enus, while tho ringlets, tho ban deaux, nnd chignons utterly destroyed tho beauty and shape ot every head and the hair which covered It There Is no beauty so great, so absolute, as not to bo enhanced by the framework In which It Is-set, and the lovely women of every ngo owo some ot their charm to tho background In which they stand. THE WAYSIDE WELL. A Tabloid Proposal. "Blinks has a perfect mania for con densing everything. Did you hear bow he proposed?" "No." "Ho held up an engagement ring be fore the girl's eyes nnd said 'Eh?' " "And what did she say?" "She Just nodded." I xcettent at Thnt. "Are they good to eat?" asked tho visitor, looking nt the pet raccoons. That's about nil they are good for, Miss," replied tho young man who owned tho animals. "It costs mo mighty near half n dollar a day to feed cm." Bafe Fnliject. "Here Is an article I should like to submit for publication, entitled, 'What We Know About Saturn.' " "Rut we know1 absolutely nothing nbout Saturn." "I know it That's why I've written tho article." Philosophy In a Flat. Roomer I don't see how I can live In this little place. Landlady You will find It comforta ble enough by closing the door when tho folding bed Is open and opening the door when the bed Is closed. Denver News. A Nallt'cal Term. Mr. Gadabout I felt a trifle uneasy on shipboard during the first voyngo abroad, especially until I got my sea legs. Miss Einptyhcdde O, I Bee! After that you walked on your feet Ohio State Journal. Mliul III Calllm. "You have a keen sense of humor,' said tho phrenologist, "and a great reverence for old ago." "What a great Joke writer I would have made," murmured the subject. Philadelphia Hc.-ord. A Mnvnble Possession. "John, you bring homo a different um brella every day." 'Well, I tnn't help It; as soon as I pick up one I should like to hang on to some other man In tho olllce claims It." No Use for Anytlilne that Works. Tattered Tomklns What mado you turn down dat Jug of cider wot dat lady offered you? Languid Lawrence Ain't you got senso enough to know dat cider works? Goo'l IMdilance. Mrs. Slcepytzo Henry, iho alarm clock Just went oft. Mr. Blccpylzo Thank goodness! I hope th' )liliig'll never como back. Co lumbus (Ohio) State Journal. He stopped at the wayside well. Where the water was cool and deep There were feathery ferns 'twixt the mossy stones. And gray was the old well-sweep. lie Teft his carriage alone; Nor could coachman or footman tell Why the master stooped lu the dusty road To drink at the wayside well. lie swayed with his gloved hands The well-sweep, creaking and slow. While from seam and scar In the buck' et's side The water splashed back below. Ho lifted It to the curb, And bent to the bucket's brim; No furrows ot time or care had marked The face that looked back at him. He saw but a farmer's boy, As he Btooped o'er the brim to drink. And muddy and tanned was the laughing face That met his over the brink. The eyes were sunny nnd clear, And the brow undlmmcd by care. While from under the rim of tho old straw bat Strayed curls of chestnut hair. Ho turned away with a sigh; Nnr could footman or coachman tell Why the master stopped, in his ride that day. To drink by the wayside well. Walter Learned. MISS PFIISCILLA'S LOVE. 1 BP. therefore, you can make up your mind to trust your dear life to an old soldier who has given his best years to his queen and country, but can offer you an unfailing and respectful devotion" Miss Prlscllla uentiey aroppea a let ter into her lap ana covered, two smooth, prettily pink checks wJth her thin bands. The man with whom she had played when her soft gray hair stuck straight out-from her head In a stiff little brown plait had been back In tho old homo Just a month now, and they had met after a lapse of forty years, and be had remembered. 'Thank your' she whispered but very shyly, and as It even this tacit admission of a satisfied want -was a thing unmaldeuly nnd blamowortby. Oh, God, thank you I" And then she crossed the room to an old-fashioned bureau and- took up a pen-holder with a shaking-hand. "You've been overtlrln' yourself, I can seol" said one Hetsy Ilrlggs, as her mistress walked into her llttlo hall an hour or so later. 'Not at all, Hetsy," said Miss Prls cllla, brightly. I may be a trlflo flushed with the heat, perhaps. I I bad an Important letter to post, and I always feel mora satisfied If a letter Is posted at the general ofllco than In a pillar box." Humph!" said the privileged old servant "There has been a boy both- crln' here for a letter ho said he'd left for you this afternoon, Instead of at No. 32. I said I could giro no answer till you come In. I'm sura there's been more muddles since thnt thero young Miss Hentley settled ten doors lower down than you could count In a month of Suudaysl Sho ate your bit of solo last Thursday week, and never n you'll go and sit down, mum, and I'll take your boots off P' Miss Prlscllla, white suddenly to her very Hps, was staring Incredulously nt the kecn-eyed old woman before her. "A note delivered by hand, Hetsy? Hut It wasn't n mistake. It It can't be!" Hetsy sniffed. "Well, tho boy snld ho'd got orders to tako It on to No. 32, Immediate, aud a scoldln' from his master Into tho bargalnl I told Mm bless me, I'll mnko you n cup of tea In two minutes, Miss Prlssle!" Miss Prlscllla's groping hand had gripped n hard, horny one, as though to save herself from falling. "I'm nil right, Hetsy" there was a strange, piteous expression. In her hluo eyes "quite right. Y'cs, I'll go nnd sit down. But I don't want any tea, or or to bo disturbed for half an hour, please, Betsy," She passed on Into her small, sun bathed Hlttlng-room, aud closed Us door behind her. Miss Hcntleyl Why, of course! Sho had seen Major Duff walking with ber nftcr church on Sunday. Such a young, pretty woman, too Miss Prls cllla put out her hands with an odd. Involuntary gesture, as though sho were avoiding a blow. And then she remembered the letter sho had posted an hour before, nnd they flew to her face, and sho cowered In her chair with tho shame and tho hurt of It all a little, shrunken old woman who had told a man who did not want her that she loved him. ' That evening the somewhat unwill ing Betsy set out to deliver a letter which bad been penned thrco times over beforo Its characters were firm enough to satisfy tho writer. "Dear Major Duff," It ran "I have sent on your lcttor, which was left here by mistake, to Miss Pen elope Hentley. I was always tho mis chievous one In the old days, dear friend, but by this time you will Just bo having a good laugh over the joko which a naughty old woman could not resist playing upon you In pretending that sho had applied Its contents to herself) It really was too bad of her! Pleaso forglvo her, nnd ncccpt very warm wishes for your happiness, from your slnccro old friend, "PHI8GILLA HENTLEY," Miss Prlscllla peered between tho laths of her blind with dim, scared eyes until Betsy's thickset llguro pass ed out by tho garden gat'o. And then sho got down on to her knees. Sho had told her first Ho. 'But bless my eoul. Prlscllla I may say, 'Prlscllla' now, I supposo?" An excitable, white-haired man was tramping Miss Hcntley's sitting-room, blowing hU'iiose violently tho while. I'm ashamed of youl Ami that girl's n Jewell I've ft good mind" ho shot out a. protecting arm which gavo tho Ho to his words "to to marry her nftor all, except that edio wouldn't look nt me!" " "Are you aro you suro?" faltered Miss Prlscllla., She was smiling, cry. j Ing, apologizing. In one fluttering, cm bnrrassed breath, "Am I sure? When sho's Just told mo that she's promised to a strapping young fellow In tho guards! Look what you let me In fori I went this morning to apologlzo and explain llko n man, though I've faced less unpleas nut things on a battlefield, Prlscllla nnd somehow well, out It enme nbout your llttlo Joke, ma'am! And she held her tongue, nnd stood looking out of tho window for a minute or two, and then round sho turned with her eyes nil wet though I'm fluttering myself, mind you, that It was at tho thought of losing mo nnd 'Go and tell Jicr you hold her to her Joke!" says bIio." "Oh, major I I mean Alexander! Sho must bo a a very " Miss PriS' cilia's gentle little votco Inoko sud "dcnly beforo nn adjectlvo came. "Not n word against her, Prlsclllnl" the old soldier wheeled round fiercely "sho's tho sweetest woman, barring one" his rugged face softened Into sudden tenderness "who might havo known that n heart which sho stolo when Its owner was In petticoats and bless me, what does tho old lady want tins time" Betsy was knocking persistently on a hair-opened uoor. "It's thut stupid boy from tho print er's nt tho end of tho road again, mum," sho said In answer to a timid Inquiry. "He still holds to It that ha left a bill hero yesterday by mistake. It's In my mind now that mnybo It'i a nolo I took from tho letter box and slipped at tho back of tho clock to wait for you." Tho Woman at Home. Could Not Fool Iter. Miss Amelia was visiting relatives In ono of the large cities for tho first time. Her experiences Interested her so much that she wroto long letters to her friends at home. Among others was ono In which she described her visit to the business part of tho city. wo went uowntowu to-day she wrote, and Cousin William took us to tho top of ono of tho tall buildings. A man who has an olllce In tho building went wim us. 'All tUs country round "here." ho said, "where this populous city stunds, was unuer tue iaue once." "Where we nro standing?" I suld. "Was all this under water?" "Yes," he said. "This was all under water, too." Then I looked at tho gravel on the roof, nnd on tho roofs of all tho other buildings round us, but I didn't nny anything. I know, though, that nature never put that gravel there. Some peo plo think, because you've never been In a city before, they can make you believe anything. Not the .Least In a Hurry, The now boarder had been threo weeks In tho house. "It Is usual," said tho landlady with great delicacy, "for my lodgers to pay as thoy go." "Oh, that's all right," he replied af. fably, "I'm not going for a long time." San Francisco Wasp, Not Jits The Final flay, "Then you do not dony that you and sho are to bo married next month? "How can I, old man, when I only know that I am determined not to marry," Detroit Free Press. Prim Tart. Mix lYi cups ot flour nnd halt n cup of sugar. With tho tips of tho fingers work In two-thirds of a cup of butler and make to a nllff dough with tho yolks of threo eggs, moro or less ac cording to slzo. flour well n deep pudding form. Break off small por- lions of tho dough, pat and roll our, then press against tho bottom and sides of tho pun until It Is entirely cov ered. Brush with while of egg and sttnd nsldo to chill whllo preparing tho fruit. Wash and stono somo fresh prunes', add sugar to sweeten well nnd n rounding tablespoonful of Hour for each quart ot fruit. Kill tho pastry nbout two-thirds full and bako In a mnderatn oven. When about done bent tho yolks of threo eggs with threo rounding tablespoonfuls of sugar, add a cup of hot cream and six macaroons crumbled fine. Pour over thu pudding nnd bake until It Is a dellcnto brown. Beat the whites ot threo eggs to n stiff froth, mid threo rounding tablespoon- fills ot sugar aud vanilla to flavor. Plla Irregularly over tho top and bako slow ly until firm to tho touch. What to Knt Cntil CaUnp, Peel ripe tomatoes and chop them small. Turn Into a colander and allow oil superfluous Juice to drip off. Put tho tomato pulp Into a stone crock and stir Into four quarts of the tomatoit n cup ot salt, n gilt of graUtl horse radish, a half-cup each of while nnd black mustard seed, threo small red peppers, minced, threo celery roots, chopped tine, ono totispoonful of cel ery seed, a small cup of brown sugar, a heaping tablespoonful each ol ground allspice nnd ground cloves, n tenspoonful each ot clunnmoii nnd mace, nnd four cups of strong vine gar. Stir together thoroughly, slatul for several hours, mix ngnln, pour Into bottles and seal. Olmrtrtireml. One pound ot flour, three teaspoon- fills of baking powder, quarter of a pound of butter, half n pound of black molasses, n quarter of n pound ot brown sugar, one ounce of powdered ginger. Mix the flour and baking pow der thoroughly, melt tho butter and mix It with tho molasses and ginger, then Incorporate the whole of the In gredients, which wilt form a soft, dark colored dough. I'ur thick gingerbread ilare the whole mass In a shallow tin. well buttered, nnd bako lu n moder ately hot oven for from three-quarters ot an hour to an hour. f tmwlirrrr Pnlip. Allow a level tablespoonful of ar rowroot to each pint of fruit Juice (or two-thirds fruit Juice to one-third wa ter) and enough sugar to sweeten. Strain tho fruit Juice, bent to boiling. add the arrowroot rublx'd to n pasto with a llttlo cold water, nnd cook un til It Is perfectly clear, adding mean while tho sugar to tnste. Tako from tho lire, ndd a tuhlcspoonful of lemon Juice ond set nsldo to cool.' Servo In small punch glasses or cups. Half till them with finely cracked (Yo aud cover with tho soup. Eat with n teaspoon. I'lckted Clicrrlei. Choose the finest Morello cherries with stems, and put them In salt and water for twenty-four hours, then pour off this, nnd pour tho vinegar over the cherries. The flavor of the fruit needs no additional seasoning. Set the Jars of pickle, well closcd.'ln the sun for n day or two, and the plcklo Is ready. rortnanl Cakes. An equal quantity by weight of flour, butter and powdered sugar, half tho weight ot currants; uao ten eggs to a pound of flour, leaving out threo or four whites (adding them If needed to mix); beat the butter nnd sugnr to n cream, ndd the eggs and flour alternately, then flavor with a half glasafurof rose water. Bako slow ly In small mufllu pans. Totato Cuke. Mix mashed potato with pepper, salt, small proportion ot flour nmi a llttlo baking powder. Mix With milk to proper consistency, roll out to tho thickness of an Inch nnd cut In cakes; grcaso tho frying pan, lay In tho cako and turn ns grlddlo cakes are turned to cook both sides. Mutton Ilrotli. Take a pound nnd n half of fresh mutton, freo from fat; cut It Into thin slices with a sharp knife; put Into a saucepan, salt, pour over It ono quart of cold water, let simmer for an hour, then boll an hour longer. Strain oft tho broth. Season with moro salt If desired. Annla Taffy, Choose firm but tart apples nnd run stick through tho center of each. Roll two pounds of brown sugar In a saucepan with a llttlo water. Roll un til stringy, then dip tho npplcs In II and turn them over and over until they nro covcreu. act on a buttered pan to cool. IMua a la Creole. A very rich fruit dessert Is figs a In crcme. Steam largo figs for fifteen minutes, cut open nt tho widest end, nn mi with a mixturo ot nnrlcot Jnm and chopped English walnuts. Closo tho tigs, roll In powdered sugar, nnd servo with whipped cream. BuRueatlana. A tablespoonful of ammonia In a gal lon of warm water will often restore colors In carpets; It will also reinovo whitewash from them. Old brass may ho cleaned to look llko now by pouring strong ammonia on It, and scrubbing with a scrub- ' brush; rinse In clear water. To dean cotton or linen window blinds the blind should bo spread flat on a table and then rubbod well all over with bread crumbs, yhlswlir make it look quite clean and fresh,