The Contrabandist;
on.
One Life's
oiiapthh xxi.
It wna evening; nnil, In the chamber o(
tho young girl no lately reclaimed from
mo very portals nf den III, lliu deepest mill
lieaa rrlmicil. Hoftlr burned llui ahnilcil
Innipa, casting- n subdued clow nliuul tint
apartment, yet , dlapoied as to leave In
shadow lliv iMirlitlni'il couch nn.l IU slum
bering occupant. For Itunx win alreplng
cnlmly, mi calmly, o quietly, that jou
mlilit nlmnat have thought hrr ilt-ml, Tho
breath Hint Hunted from thoao pnlo Hps
waa arnrrely prrreptlhle, though rmulnr.
a inurli imil lllursa reduced her strrugtli.
Hlic slept, nor dreamed of danger.
I'or Iho first time to-day the Invalid
was left nluiic. Hut aiiddctily the door
near I ho Iiriul of Jho couch wns opened
liolaeloaaly, nml with uluw mul stealthy
million, from Without. A t nil. light
rol.nl, ghost-llko form glided In wltliuut
n noiiml iilinnt-Hhf. except for tho largo,
brilliant ilnrk eyes tlmt gleamed mora
wildly limn evrr to-night, nml Ihu crlm
on apot of excitement burning on either
cheek, whllo nil tlio rrM nf Hint fnco wee
eahy white. It win llrlcn Montmilinnl
What more flltluE time wnn tlrrre for tier
work of aril to t accomptlahrd? Nona
could witness hrr now; iioiid were nrnr
(til place. An.) tlm tiny llssk glramnl
In thn softened Unlit, m ilin drew It from
her Ikiioiii,
Ono hand, hohllnir the vlnl. waa atretrh
nl forth to tlio sllvrr cup art upon tbe
aland liy tlio brdalilo, Courage, and the
work In done. Yet tlmt guilty hand ahook
with frnr, si, drop by drop, the polaon
waa pouri'il Into tlio cup. And llrlrn
MonUiilian glanced fearfully towanla tlio
iloor liy which alio hail cntcrcili lor it l'
moat seemed, to hrr mlsrrable, horror
truck fancy, that aomo ono muat b
watching hrr.
A ahailow hail atartlrd hrr. With a
ghastly smile at her own nrrvntisnraa, ah
Itrnlly mingled thn polaun with thn nluht
drink of Hoar; thru, aa uularlraaly aa alio
had rnlrrrd, returned to hrr own room
acroaa tlm gallery. It waa donal What
hail alio to ftnr now? Who would ever
drram, when Iho hour of death cauir,
that aiirh n tener aa thla had hrrn cm
ployed? Closing I tin door, alio paced her
chamber rratlraaly, with both hanila
rlaaped tightly agalnat hrr heart, whoa
violent throhblnga rcmrd to All with
rlainoroua auund thla awful midnight al
lelic?. I.lttenlng In nluioat Intolerable
auaprnsr, mid purine hrr apartment, oho
waited for aouie algual from tho oppoalto
chamber.
A wholn hour pnaard. Then thcro wna
a aound-n light atrp-ln tho nailery. It
wna tin- Couutraa do Clalrvlllr. rrlurn
IliB to tho hcdaldo of Itnae. Helen Moll
tailban could rnduro thla auapemo no
longer. Hlio inuat aer, with hrr own ryra.
Iho ronclualon of thla Iraiedy. Kinerg
Ins from hrr npartiurnt, thrreforr, alio
Jolonl tho rountrai, aa alio rotrrrd tho
opiioalta door.
"Ah, my dear, la that you? Then you
bare hem aalrrp alao?" aald tho countraa,
amillng. "Hut It la rather chilly to-night
do you not think ao?"
"Yra-lt la cold," uttered llolen Mon
tauban, hoaraely "It la coldl" aud alio
shlvrrrd.
Hh drew near tho flro and crouched
hiidderlngly orrr the broad blaie, The
Countraa do Clalrvlllo went to tho couch
of Itoao nud brnt orrr It for nn Inatant,
"Tho denr child la naleep, I think," abo
aald, presently, returning to tho hearth.
"How refrrahlng-how drllgbtful It la for
one to arc hrr once morn enjoying ao gen
tlo a atumbrrl Poor little Hoiol alio muat
bo well nigh worn out with thla fatigu
ing lllneaa. I wonder," tho lady contln
urd, seating hrrarlf by the hearth, oppo
alto Madrmoiacllo Montauban "1 won
der how her father la down at tho til
lage? They thought he waa dying thla
morning when the marquis went down.
What a aad thing It would liars been If
tho father aud daughter had both died I"
Hlio apoko In nubdticd whlapcra,
Mademolacllo Moutaubnn bent lower
orer tho blaze, warming her bands,
"And peculiar, too," alio returned, In
a low tone. "Hut we cannot be too care
ful of her, oven now; for M. Mery aaya
that, In her preaeut fceblo atnte, the Iraat
excitement or alarm might bo fntal to
her. I dread that, I think, auppoao any
thing nhould happen, after nil our re
joicing? We muat bo ao cautlouil Tho
Iraat thing, you know tho Icaat thing
mlcht kill herl"
Blii; ahook oa aho uttered Ihcao worda;
her ryea were wild nnd atrange. Thoao
delicate, alrndcr handa touched the
flamea, aa aho held them out, but aho
uorrr know It. A apeclca of Inaanlty was
upon tier. Tho protracted contemplation
of thla terrible deed, atrong aa were her
ncrrca, had begun nluioat to tell upon
hrr reaaon.
"I wonder If Hugh t.nmonto Is still Ur
ine?" continued tho countraa, "It is
pity that he could not be brought here;
but Jenn Morel aald they had declared
It Impossible to move, him with aafcty,
llcaldes. It would bo dangerous to Itoao.
perhaps, it he were In her vicinity, for
he would bo mora likely to gain some
knowledgo of his situation. Yet what a
sorrowful thing It la that they cannot bid
each other ndleul
At that moment tho door near the head
of tho couch wna opened. Iloth tho conn
teas and Helen turned to i who en
tored. It waa tho physician, M. Mery
lis paused by tho bcdaldo nn Instnnt, bent
over Itoao and listened, tier resplratloti
waa calm aud regular, though almost Im
perceptible. After regarding her n mo
mcnt, ha advanced allently towards tho
hearth, A chill struck through tho guilty
Helen. Hho had not expected him so
soon, and tho deed wns yet unnccompllah
edl
"Ah, M. Mery, Is that you" said tho
countess; and alio bent eagerly forward,
"How Is "
The physlclnn placed n warning linger
upon his Up,
"Not too loud, my denr ma dame," ho
whispered. "It la all ovcrl"
"Ah,, how audi" Tlio tears rnmo Into
her eyes.
M. Mery sat down, leaning his head
upon his linnd, Ho was very itruvo to
night. Hoftly spoko a scitrcrly audible
voice from tho couch. Tho countess roso
ami went thither,
"You are awake, my denr?" sho said,
gently. "Ah, you hnvo slept so nicely I
And now, you nro thirsty, Wnlt a mo
ment, dear ltoso,"
Hlio turned and took up I lie silver cup
on tho stulid. A mliigllug of Joy nnd hor
ror 'tho most Intrniic, aelted tho mur
deress by the hearth.
"Ono moment, my dear mndamo," an Id
M. Mery, hastily, rising nnd going to
wards her, "Let me giro It to her,"
Ho took tho cup from tho linnd of tho
countess, glnnelng back as ho did ao, nt
Mademoiselle Montnubun, Her hrllilutit
eyes, fixed upon him with nn nwful fas
cination, wero liistnnlly averted, lie
stirred tho coutcutu t Ike cup slowly.
A
TRUE
STORY
OP
THE
SOUTH
OF
FRANCE
Secret!
"It nppenra to me," ho aald, wllh fear
rill (Icllbcrnlloil, "that there Is somethlu
hero which will do our little Invalid n
good. I will reniovw It, If you plenae,
mnilnnir, nud bring something different.
Ami following tbe stealthy figure u
Mndemolaellu Moiilnuhau, na It glide
from tlio apartment, ho cloned Iho door
beliliiil Mm.
They wero alone togntheY In thn gallery,
llgliled only by n slngbi lamp, which but
Mlutly revealed that ghoally form, mov
ing awlftly towards tho uppoaltn cham
ber. Hut, quicker than lightning, hi
grnsp wns upon her arm. Her weird,
whlln fnco gleamed awfully upon him
through the dim twilight. Hut sho apok
no word.
"Count with me."
It wna all he said. Thcro was no pow-
er or resistance In the form braldo him
Itnpblly thoao two dcarcnilod Iho slnlr-
cnan, Ho entered thn llbrnry, with he
arm locked In Ills; I hen bo closed nm
lorked tho door. Ho stood before her.
Hlio wna very still-very while. Only
those terrible ryes burned like lira coal
amid lifeless aahea. Ho held the cup In
hla hand: he mndu her look at It.
"You know what this Is?" he said.
There was no answer,
"You do know. You placed It there
waa s wltneaa of tho deed. Unhappy
iui.su no.vrAUnAN pnn-Ani.to
FATAL ruilUif.
woman! What rril has thai sweet child
done to you? Would you murder your
own sister Margucrlto Montauban?
Duo moment tho guilty woman gated
ai lllm wild r. A irnall. n strum r.
faint cry, nnd alio snnk lu nwful con
vulsions nt hla frrt.
That waa a fearful nk-ht which fol
lowed, but It was only tho commence-
meni or a aeaaon fraucht with niroiir,
Iho mariiula rrturnnl to the chateau
from the deathbed of his brother, to find
lleien atrugg ne between life and death.
Kor wrrka she lar Ullronaelntla nf i,Virv
thing about hrr; only coming out of the
inn stupor that wrapt her. to fall, ever
ind anon. Into thoao terrible ronvtilalona.
In which It seemed that nature muat
alnk, worn out with the contest. The
agnation produced by this circumstance.,
strange and sudden as It was, and the
death of his brother, would have been
iiryouii tin powrr to bear had It not been
for tho Incxprcsolblo happiness which It
was permuted him to eniov n the i
corery of his lonc-loat ehlld llntv u-nntd
ho have shuddered had he known the
rcarrul rate which that awect child had
so narrowly eacanedl
Hut tho acenea enacted within tho walls
of tho chateau that night wero mercifully
concealed from him. Fortunately for
neien .Montauban, In tho lllneas which
aucceeitril tbo overwhelming denouement
ot ine nark tragedy wherein sho had tak
en ao terrible a part, there waa no de
lirium, or her wretched secret would In
evitably have been betrayed; nnd M.
Mery, who tended her ennatnnllr. I, nil ,1a.
atroyed all evldenco of her guilt, of which,
ou mat mgnc no had ao providentially
been made awaro by rcturnlni?. unan
nounced, aud entering tho apartment of
mo nivalin just tieroro the stealthy ap
proach of tho murdcrras. Her lllueaa ho
allowed all to attrlbuto to tho agitation,
anxiety nnd excitement attendant ou the
late dauger of Itoao. truatlng that. If alio
recovered, aho would blttrrlr renent. In
secret, her alnful attempt on her alster's
life, and unwilling to add to the shamo
aud agony which sho would feel by be
traying her guilt. Ho could guess nt tho
causo of her enmity towards Itose; for
M. Mery wns a shrewd man; nnd ho ro
solved to expedlto tho union of the lovers
as much as was possible, that, In cnao
the hatred of Helen should bo still un
satisfied, the young girl might bo safe
from her reach, under the protection of
her husbnnd,
Meanwhile tho burial of Henri took
place. It was quiet, unostentatious. Ho
was laid In tho family vault, to rest nt
Inst, nfter a wenry life of sorrow, of
desperation and of crime. Only tho mar
quis aud tho immedlato members of his
family wero tnailo acquainted with tho
history of tho unhappy man, lu the rec
ords which he left behind, Louis return
ed from Paris In tlmo for this burial,
Iteturned, In anticipation of his ap
proaching mnrrlngo day, to find his In
tended brldo but Just recovering from a
dangerous Illness, nnd Helen Montauban,
aa many believed, at tho gates of death;
to lenrn tho story of tlio strangely
chequered Hfo of his decensed relative,
and rccognlxe, In his beloved Hose, n
cousin, nud tho child ao long mourned as
lost by his uuclo. What nn nstoundlng
revelation waa thla.
In tho owning preceding tho bridal
day tho marquis called Hose to him In
tho library, nnd after some remarks, caro
less nud Insignificant enough In them
selves, but accompanied by a manner
that betrayed the emotion agitating him,
ho snld, suddenly!
"Itoso, my child, you have loved your
riuiiori '
"O, yes, monsieur!" sho replied, earn
estly, and with tears standing In her
eyes.
"And you havo also loved me, HosoV"
His voice trembled, despite his efforts to
control himself,
"Ah.Miiy friend, my benefactor, what
have you been to mo but a second fath
er?"
Ho seated himself besldo her.
"It Is sweet, my child, to hear vou ear
this nh, you do not know how sweet to
met Hose, did I not tell you onco that
I lost, fourteen or fifteen years nco. a
child n lovely, gcntlo Infant, whose pic
ture you hnvo seen In tho saloon a child
who was stolen from mo?"
"Yes, monsieur,
"And I hnvo told you that you wero
what that child would bo now If sho wero
living, It Is why you have ever been so
dear to mo. Ah, many n time, Hose, 1
bavo cloiuod rou lu my arms with
emotion of tenderness which, cron tin
you felt, you could not hnvo comnrrlien
edl Kor my child my .Marguerite my
penri-resrmlileil her tnolher-lier aweel
mother, my wife, nnd you were the Im
ngo of both mother nnd child. And now
listen, Hoae, It Is within theao two In
mouths, Hose, Hint- I have dlscorrrcd
wlmt becamo of my lllllo Mnrguerll
niio wns stolen from ma by toy own
brolhrr, Henri, You start. Hose, am!
turn nnlo. It wna ao: It wns hla revenue
Ho would hnvo taken Helen, Iho ehlld nf
her whom ho had loved so madly: but
know that I loved my. youngest darling
the beat Hint I Idolized the daughter of
my lost Marguerite; and he took tli
youngest. Ho reared hrr ns hla own. II
brought her Into this neighborhood, after
nil nlwrnco of two years, during which
time alio had grown nnd altered beyon
recognition, though, when I met her.
nnw n likeness to my wife. Yet I never
suspected. Ho dwelt, a solitary mo
with this little orphun child, whoso moth
er his wife they snld wns dead. II
lived not mora than half a lengiio from
this very dwelling. Thcro my child, un
recognised, expanded Into n lovely worn-
nnhooii. nhn wns '
He wns Interrupted lu his hurried sn
ngltnted recital by n faint cry from ltoso.
Kite sprang up with clasped hands and
quivering lips.
"O, tvll mo tell mo who It was!" ah
cried. "Hpeak It wns"
"My chlld-my dniighterl" uttrrrd th
mnrqiila, extending hla nrms to embrace
her; "behold her for they called her
uoao i.amontor
"Ah, my father!" And with the soft
utteranro of that denr name, alio falntci
upon nts lirenst.
Aa a matter of course, Hoae no, Mar
guerite and I,ouls wero united. And
though Marguerite mourned still, with
child s affection, the loss of him whom
she had hitherto regarded as a parent,
yet her heart turned, with natural lore.
to her true father; and the regard which
he hail orrr felt for him. while hrr re
latlonablp to him waa yrt unknown, ex
panded aud drrpened now Into that boll
eat and tenderrst of srntlments a daugh
tor a nnrrtlon.
Helen .Montauban, na soon aa hrr health
become re-established, rnlrrrd a convent.
to enter upon hrr novitiate; and wbrn It
waa expired, naaumrd the veil, that shut
her from a world grown hateful to her,
I no rruatrntiou or her erii itealgn upon
her slater was too much for her to bear;
nnd though, thanks to the mercy of M.
Mery. hrr guilt remained a secret from
all save hlmarlf, yet alio could not rndure
to inert dally with those whoso faapplneas
continually reminded Iter of the fate allk
of her lore and her revenge. Nono knew
why she entered the convent, save M
Mery. Persuasion had availed nothing,
and n nun she became.
l-'mncls ICgerton returned to Paris,
where. In n year or two, he married hsn
pily. Jacques Leroux, shortly after th
loath of hla former lender, returned
the neighborhood of the Chateau Montau
ban, and entered In the service of l,oul
d'Artols, whom ho served faithfully and
who rewarded him well for his many ser
vices.
(Tho end,)
INNOCEfaT LITTLE BOY.
Ho I'ald Ills Lawyer vr.tli the Plun
der He Htolr.
A colony of young lawyers whoso
quarters nro lu the Ashlntid Illock have
been smoking expensive vlsnrn of late
Willi nil the abandon of millionaires.
Tho story uf bow they came lulu lios
session of thu colony Is Just Roltis the
rounds of the legal fraternity.
Attorney L. J. McKlroy recently ro
celveil n cull front n middle-need wo in
nn In Krent distress of niliiil. Her son,
Tommy, bad been arrested for stealing
n package contnliilns rUO cigars from
t lie delivery wagon of n supply bouso
nml wns confined In a cell lu a police
station, with bright prosm-cts for
term lu the bldewell. The only liopo
of tho mother rested In the probability
that a lawyer might find some loophole
of escape, nml she produced enough
money to Interest the lawyer lu tlio
case.
iVttorney McKlroy called upon tlio
prisoner lu his coll, Ho found him to bo
hard-looking streot urchin about 14
years old, with sharp features, and.
keen, shrewd eyes.
"Did you steal those clears, -Tom
my V" Inquired tho lawyer.
'Cert, I stolo do cigars," replied
Toinniy.iwlth a swagger.
"Tommy, I don't bellcvo you stolo
those cigars; I didn't sco you steal
then), said the attorney, looking hard
at tho youthful criminal.
Tlio shrewd eyes contrnctcil, nnd an
expression of comprehension came luto
tho sharp feature.
'Nnw. I didn't steal them cigars," ho
replied promptly.
"Tommy, how old nre you?" Inquired
tho attorney.
"fourteen," replied Tommy, with ovl
dent pride.
I don't hellevo you nre 14, Tommy.
You don't look that old," continued tho
lawyer.
"No p; I'm only 10 years old," re
sponded Tommy,
"Tommy, do yon over cry?"
"Cry? Nnw," said Tommy lu ovldcnt
disgust.
I think you lind better cry n Uttlo
when you coinu before the Judgo to
morrow. Tommy." snld tho lawyer.
"All right," responded Tommy cheer
fully.
Tho next day when Tommy's case
was called his lawyer naked for n Jury
trial. Tho Jury was selected nnd tho
evidence wns Bomowhat damaging.
Then Tommy was put on tho stand.
"Did you steal thoso cigars, Tommy?"
asked tho lawyer.
"No, I didn't," replied Tommy lu a
voice loaded with tears.
"How old nro you, Tommy?"
"I I I'm 10 to-to-dny. It's mo
birthday," sobbed Tommy, nnd tho rest
of his answers wero given between
bursts of affecting sobs. Tho Jury did
not wnsto much time. They found
Tommy "not guilty."
Tho next morning Attorney McKlroy
was sitting In his ofllco when ho.henrd
tlio patter of feet lu tho hall outside
nud n rap nt tho door. When ho opened
It there was no ono lu sight, hut a pack
age wns placed against tho door, open
ing It, tho lawyer found 450 cigars. A
uo.to was slipped under tho string. It
read ns follows:
"Mr. Lawyer: I brings you do see
gnrs 'causo youso got mo off 'foro tho
Judgo. 1 would bring do odder fifty,
hut do gang smoked 'cm on mo,
"TOM,"
New York Oommerclnl Advertiser.
Thn ltlvlorn.
It Is calculated that tho sum of 1LV
000,000 Is spent annually by the 270,0. J
visitors who frequent tho Hlvlera dur
ing tho winter season ot ISO days.
THE GLIMPSE.
How often I have seen In city streets
rioine woman's face, with eyes so like the sky
One looks to see a bird's wing bruah the blue,
Willi lips nrehcil like the veriest bow of love,
And hnlr that folia n glory 'round hrr brow;
And yet within, beneath, behind It nil,
I lore spied, with that Intrnatr sight, my soul,
Huch hungry longluga feeding on themaelves
As would ahniue Kninlne o'er the Iron song
Of wheel nnd hoofs, have heard with spirit ear,
linden foiled by nil lliatnnt sympathy.
The tears of all the mothers of the world.
Hottoii Transcript.
BSiffilHISIBISSSaBffligafflBfflSEBfflfflffl
MY LOST
Yi VEItYTIIINO seemed quite
lg pleasant; It was a magnificent
iprlng afternoon, the park wns
at Its best and I bad met Mrs. Vcntry,
who, it must he explained, was one of
my oldest and most Intelligent friends.
Hho had an elaborate I'rrncli poodle
with her, and both were attired with
exquisite taste. The three of us were
strolling quietly along.
"Joco nnd I walk every nftcrnobn
for the benefit of our health," sho et
plained. "Tho victoria will pick us up
lu a few in I n u tea, so you must Just
give me a full account of your doings.
hat nn age you vo been away! Tell
mo the scheme."
Dear lady, I've been attempting to
shoot tho lion In his own country, 1
nave been slaying the wild pig In Mor
occo, I have "
O. the usual kill expedition!" she
Interrupted. "That doesn't Interest me
In tho least. You know, Hugh, It's al
most preiwsterous! Here you arc, an
utelllgent man of 32, more than com
fortably rich, and you bavo never yet
come to mo with an Interesting lore
episode!"
'I will make amends now," I aald.
gravely.
"Tell me!" she cried, eagerly.
"O, It happened on my way home. I
was putting In a few days at Monte
Carlo. You know I.a Turble, the little
place on tho hillside, behind tbe princi
pality?" She nodded. "Well, I was
struggling up there ry the road, with
some Idea of enjoying tbe view, when,
about half way, a carriage passed. In
It were two Indies, presumably mother
and daughter."
And the younger one?" cried Mrs.
Vcntry.
as gloriously pretty! They were
out of sight In a minute, but when I
reached the place I found tbe carriage
standing outside the Inn, empty. I
wandered round and caught sight of
the ladles again. The girl was climb
ing a rocky piece of ground In order to
get a better view. Jove, If you could
nave seen her!"
Yes, yes!" cried Mrs. Vcntry, lm
patiently. "She wns adorable, made a
pretty picture; but please go on. There
was something else?"
lea, there was something else,"
said. "In moving quickly her foot
slipped on the rocky surfneo and she
fell. I went quickly to her assistance.
It turned out to bo a badly sprained
ankle, and, as she couldn't walk,
helped her to tho Inn, escorted by
mamma. There she fainted from the
pain. I was again of assistance, and
when she came to, I well, you know.
Adela, I studied for a doctor until an
eccentric relative's will made me a pro
fessional loafer. "
"How romantic! And you fell In
love with her?"
Head over cars! If you could bare
heard her voice, seen her "
Ankle?" put In Mrs. Ventry Inno
cently.
Her eyes!" I finished, -with a severe
glance. "O, bcr whole personality was
charming!
'And It was the beginning of an at
tachment? Do tell me how It pro
gressed!"
It didn't progress," I said gloomily.
In the excitement ot tbe affair I for
got to give them my card, and, after
thanking me and asking mc to call.
tiiey urovo on wiiuout tearing me
their address. I spent an entire week
searching, but without success. I had
fallen In love with a divinity, but only
to lose tier tne next moment!"
"Poor old Hugh!" said Mrs. Ventry.
sympatneticaiiy.
Her victoria drew up close to the
curb and she moved toward It.
I have to go on to those tiresome
urahazons now," she said with a sigh,
Sho got 'In, and I lifted tbe French
poodle up on to tho scat beside her,
I continued my stroll, and bad not
gone very far when I caught sight of
tall, handsome, bronzed young man
hurrying toward me.
"All, here you are, Skeff, old man!"
he cried, shaking me warmly by the
hand, "I heard you were back, got
round to your rooms, and your man
told me I might find you In the park,
so came along at once,"
Lord Dennis Qorlson was a nice
young Irishman, lieutenant In a regi
ment lately returned from South Afri
ca. Ho was another of my oldest
friends.
"O, I'm In such a mess, Skeff aud I
want your help!" be exclaimed, de
spondently.
"Oo ahead let's hear the latestl" I
said, with a sigh.
"Well, before I went to the front.
two years ago, I was a younger man,"
ho began, hesitatingly.
"The argument seems sound," I said.
thoughtfully.
O, you know what I mean, Skeff! I
ns much younger a silly young
fool!" Ho paused. "Well, to cut tho
story short, I fell In lore with an
actress O, not tho popular Idea, Skeff I
Sho was pretty and refined, and taking
a small part In a comedy, I was very
much In love, and If I hadn't been sent
out at tlio time I should have married
her."
"I havo always held that even the
war oftlce occasionally betrays Intelli
gence," I murmured.
"It saved me Just In time. A mar
riage, ot that typo Is altogether Impos
sible for me. You know the stats of
our family finances."
"Hut If tho war office saved you,
Where's tho trouble?" I asked.
"On my return the mater plckod out
DIVINITY.
a wealthy American girl for me. I was
on the point of proposing, when sud
denly I am threatened with the conse
quences of my early Indiscretion."
"The little actress?"
"She wrote to me when I returned.
but I could not see my way to answer,
so didn't This seems to hare made
her rery angry, and- she says she Is
going to bring a breach-of-promlse no
uon. Ana she'll win hands down!" b
added, wllh a groan. She has simply
packets of my letters, and all as lorlng
as you can mako em!
"You're a man of the world. Skeff,
ana paruon my way of puttlog It-
you're got the gift of gab. I want you
to go to tier and talk ber out of It.
Draw a picture of my being forced
against my will Into a hateful mar
riage, tell her that Pre only consented
so that tbe honor of tbe Southbrook
name may be saved. You can do It,
Hkerr you will do It?" be finished, Im
plorlngly.
Tbe Southbrook carriage had drawn
up near us, and her ladyship was lean
ng forward.
"How do you do, Mr. Ekemucton?"
she said, distantly. A proper recognl
tlon of my sterling worth had never
been a feature of her ladyship's atti
tude toward me.
"Dennis, I want you particularly.
will drive you back," she added. In a
tone that admitted of no denial.
The young scamp turned to me for a
second and slipped a band Into tbe in
ner pocket of bis frock coat The next
moment he bad smuggled to me
crumpled envelope.
"Her address I rely on you!" be
whispered. And, with a final appeal
Ing glance, he sprang In beside his
mother, and tbe carriage drove away.
I smoothed out the envelope, and
glanced at tbe address. I read: "Miss
EtUe Drenan. S Westbury Mansions,
Hyde Park. West"
Another quarter of an hour, and 1
was standing before tbe door of No.
5 Westbury Mansions. A trim servant
appeared on the threshold.
"Is Miss Ilrenan disengaged?"
asked, handing In my card. "I've called
on a matter of business, nnd. If she
could spare me a few minutes' conver
sation, I should feel grateful."
The door opened and a young lady
entered.
I rose to my feet, and, as my eyes
fell on ber face, I dropped back a pace,
In amazement She was the lady of
La Turble my lost divinity!
So you hare actually found us out
at last?" she exclaimed, "You can't
think how sorry mother was that she
forgot to glre your our address. It
was unpardonable!"
I pulled myself together with an
effort
To be perfectly honest It is a sheer
accident. I had not the slightest Idea
that Miss Erne Drenan waa your
I saw a slightly puzzled look creep
over ber face. I hesitated for a mo
ment, then plunged Into the object of
my visit.
It's rather a delicate matter, but,
perhaps, I had better begin by explain
ing that I'm tbe oldest friend of Lord
Dennis Gorlson." I paused. "And I
came at his requestas well, shall we
say, a mediator?"
"A mediator la one necessary?" she
said.
"We are hoping so. You see, Dennis
has told me everything, poor boy! How
he fell Tory much In lore with you tie
fore he went out to the war."
"Did he tell you that?" she said.
quietly.
Yes. And, by the way, he gave me
a very accurate description of you," I
continued, with a glance at her. "He
said you were a charming, refined, tal
ented young actress playing comedy
parts In a highly artistic manner."
Ills nresent attitude would seem to
uggest that he has changed his mind,"
I explained the sacrifice ht was mak
ing, pleaded eloquently hi his defense,
drew a touching plcturo of his aged
parents, to whom this marriage meant
so much. She listened silently, with
her face turned away from me.
"And the American girl does ho
love her?" she asked, In a subdued
voice, at tbe conclusion, "
"He'll marry her, be good to her. but
he can never love her! It Is just the
usual vulgar exchange of dollars for
title, brutal but necessary, and vital to
the honor of the Southbrook name.
There, I've put the whole case before
you. lie has had to make hla sacrifice.
SHE WAS THE LADT Or THE TUBB1X.
1 ask you to be generous, m.Vto one
yourself, giro lilm back his letters, let
him offl"
"Hut It was a very good cluniM for
me," she said, doubtfully.
"O, you 'will hare others; yott simply
can't help otr I said, eagerly.
"You think so?" she snld, with a lit
tie blush. She looked perfectly rav
ishing, and for the moment I forgot
myself.
"Why, to conrlnce you," I cried,
I'll "
I Just saved myself In time. She was
utterly charming, and of course, my
lost divinity, and I was as much In
lore with her as ercr; but, stilt, I
badn'.t quite accustomed myself to tbe
breach-or-promlso Idea,
"Well, to conrlnco me, whal?" she
asked with a smile.
I hedged.
"O, that before many years p.is you
win nare one," I said vaguely. "Come,
what do you say will you ho gener
ous and let htm off?"
She gare a little laugh and held out
her hand. "Very well, I promise be
shall beq ulte free as far as 1 am con
cerned."
Her cool, Arm little band pressed
mine, and I felt a thrill go through inc.
I drew up Just In time ngaln. You
see, I bad been looking Into ner eyes,
and, as I bad told Mrs. Ventry, they
were wonderful. Hut ngaln the breach-of-promlse
scheme loomed np before
me.
"Well, now you hare found us, you
will come again, say, to-morrow, for
tea? Mother does so want to thank
your
I tore myself away and walked back
to my rooms. I had plenty of food for
reflection on the way.
"After all, a dlrlnlty Is a divinity,
whether she threatens to bring breach-
of-promlse actions or not," I solilo
quized. "And she didn't really mean
It Directly I pointed out the nature
of the case she was generosity itself.
It was perfectly natural, too, her bclug
angry. Any girl would have done the
same yes, any girl!" I repeated, reas
suringly. I reached my rooms and found a tel
egram awaiting me. I tore It open. It
was from Dennis.
For heaven's sake, don't go; In flurry
gave you address of American Instead
of actress. Qorlson."
Move!" I gasped, as tbe whole sig
nificance of tbe tblng dawned on me.
She discovered tbe mistake almost
Immediately, and kept It up. What
artl"
I thought bard for a few moments,
then came to a decision. I hurried out,
and In a few minutes was buck at
Westbury Mansions.
I was again shown In, and the young
person received me with ber eyes twin
kling with merriment
"There has been a terrible mistake.'"
I began lamely, showing her Denny's
wire. "You see, he was trying not to
let his mother notice blm giving me
the address," I added, In explanation.
"Be merclfull" I Implored, humbly.
There was a pause. "1 wonder what
you are going to do?"
"What I have done," she corrected.
I have kept my word. Directly you
left I sent a letter to him by hand.
don't think be will call again," she
added, meaningly.
'Is there absolutely no help for
him?" I said, with an attempt to re
press the quiver of excitement lu my
tone.
No; the actress episode has quite
decided me. And. somehow, I feel
that as you said, I shall never regret
It I must Just wait In patience until
that other man comes along," she add
ed demurely.
For an example of sheer, base In
gratitude, however. I would Just men
tlon the sad case of Lord DenuU Oorl-
son. He habitually refers to me as a
blundering Idiot," and has expressed
an opinion that he would not care two
straws It be never saw me again.
And Lady Southbrook cuts me dead.
But It doesn't matter, bless youl
have found my divinity, and the other
evening she whispered to me, quite pri
vately, that I might keep her alto
gether. London Sketch.
French Law for Travelers.
English spaktng travelers are likely
to be Imposed upon by French trades
men unless they are famllllar with
their rights and liabilities under the
laws of France.
French dressmakers especially are
very apt to try to make unwnry trav
ellers take Ill-fitting garments. A case
ot this kind recently occured In Paris.
A certain Mme. Glanaclls bad ordered
dresses to tbe amount of thirty-four
hundred francs, and, after many try-
Ings-on and numerous delays, she re
fused to receive them, as they still did
not fit Tho dressmaker nevertheless,
sent them on with the bill in full, and
on refusal of payment, attached Mme,
Glanaclls' entire wardrobe. Mme.
Qlanaclls, in order to save her ward
robe, was obliged to pay the three
thousand three hundred and ninety-five
francs over to the court officer. But
when the case was heard In court tbe
Judge not only ordered tbe three thous
and three hundred and ninety-ore
francs refunded to Mme. Qlanaclls, but
mulcted the dressmaker In a good
round sum for damages, and assessed
upon ber the court costs. He held that
when a woman customer goes to a
dressmaker who claims expertness, she
has a right to demand well-fitttng gar
ments, within a reasonable time, and
without tedious alterations.
He Wanted to Choose.
A small boy was'told by his mother
that there would be a new baby for
blm to play with, as the doctor was go
ing to bring It In bis black bag. That
afternoon tbe youngster appeared at
the office ot the family physician and
said:
"Are you going to bring a new baby
to our house?"
"Yes, my little man," replied the doc-
tor, highly amused.
Then," returned the small boy, "let
me have a look at the kids you have
stock, and I'U pick out the one I
think I'll like best."
Forgetfulneos on Iloth Bides.
"Some of you pleasure seekers," said
Rev, Mr. Bosh, "always seem to forget
that there Is such a day as Sunday,"
'Ana some of you holy fellows," re
plied the hard case, "merely forget It
on tbe other six days."--Catholic
Standard and Times. ' '
)))
I GETTING FATHER'S CONSENT. 1
TstTs) $ $ s)$a Afr a) a) a) a) a) Qii
Mr, Tonney smiled Ironically. "Anal
I a'poso I'm only a punkln with no
blood to spenk of an' no heart nt all!"
ho said, with the nlr of holding htm
self nobly In check. Mrs. Tenney re
fused to accept tho challenge. "That's
neither hero nor there yoti'ro beln' a
punkln." sho replied, "What I want to
know, Amos, Is what you'ro got
against O cor go Itnyuiond? He don't
drink; ho smokes, I believe, but only a
pipe, not them cigarettes. Ho's got a
good education, an' still he's willing to
work. An' he's Just lost In love for
Alice."
"Shouldn't wonder 't ho was," said
.Mr. Tenney, complnccntly. "Nothing
strango about Hint, with mo the best
Died man In tho township."
"Why, Amos, I am surprised!" ex
claimed Mrs. Tenney. "You know 's
well you want to know that George
would want Allco Just tho same If she
come from from tho Drommetses,
down Tunkett way."
"Mcbbe," said Mr. Tenney. discreet
ly.
Do you mean that he cares for
Alice because you're well-to-do?" flash
ed Mrs. Tenney.
Not altogether," snld Mr. Tenner.
coolly. "But 'tis hardly likely that he's
unawares of tho fact that Alice will
have all I've got some day. You know
hell never have a penny from any
body." So you mean to glvo me to under
stand that he's scheming an calclat
Ing on Alice's prospects Is that It?"
demanded Mrs. Tenney.
"I ain't accusing him of anything,"
said Mr. Tenney, Impartially. "I'm
merely saying that George Is a poof
young man an' that Alice's prospect
are good."
'You was poor yourself when I mar
ried you," said Mrs. Tenney, reflectively-
I admit It" said Mr. Tenney, as Im
personally as be was able. "But that's
no reason why I should set still an' sea
Alice make the same blunder."
Did pa's being forehanded Influence
you any?" asked Mrs. Tenney.
Mr. Tenney perceived the narrowing
circle of bis wife's reasoning. "If
you're going to be pcrs'nal " he be
gan. Did It, Amos?" persisted Mrs. Ten
ney.
No, It didn't an' you know It" an
swered Mr. Tenney, stiffly.
lou fell In lore with me Just me
didn't you?" Mrs. Tenney knew It
without assurance, but bUc watted anx
iously for her husband's answer.
Ain't you getting kind o mushy.
Ann?" he asked, mildly.
"It was that way. wa'n't It?" Mr.
Tenney continued, robustly.
Mr. Tenney picked up the paper be
bad been reading when the conversa
tion began. "I've always explained It
that way to myself," he replied.
Mrs. Tenney got up and began to
move about the room. "I guess I'll be
stirring." site said. "We expect George
to supper an' to spend the evenln'. Us
an' Alice are engaged. Amos, and I
told 'em I guessed to-night was good's
any to ask your consent"
There was a spluttering exclamation
behind the paper.
"What should you think we'd better
give 'em sliver or money?" Mrs. Ten
ney asked, considerately.
"Just which you think best Ann,"
answered Mr. Tenney, watching his
wife out of the room.
It's all right," Mrs. Tenney contin
ued to Alice In tbe kitchen; "he didn't
begin to go on as your gran'pa did.
When ma spoke to him about your pa
an' me, It took the greatest part o' the
evening to bring him round." Youth'a
Companion.
AUTOMATIC STRAINING DEVICE.
Every woman who has attempted the
task Is well aware of the muscular ef
fort which Is required to strain the
cooked pulp of grapes, currants or other
fruit to separate the Juice for the mak
ing of Jelly. After depositing the pulp,
In a strong cloth sack It becomes neces
sary to treat the latter In about the
same manner as the washwoman treats
a sheet which she has Just taken from
UEAVT KIKO REMOVES THE JUICE.
the water to wring. The harder It can
be squeezed the more Juice will there
be for making the Jelly, and so no
effort la spared to collect all that the
pulp contains. Should the Idea of a
Western woman prore practical for
this purpose, the abavo described meth
od ot treatment wilt no longer be re
sorted to, as the new method Is ob-
lously easier than the old. The wo
man's Intention Is to suspend the cloth
sack, filled with tbe pulp, from a rod
clamped to tho table, with a heavy
Iron ring around the neck of the sack.
his ring by tho sheer force of Its
weight gradually settles downward
over tho bag, compressing its contents
as It falls and expressing tho Juice
Into a receptacle placed beneath for
tho purpose.
Mary I, Lowry, of Indianapolis, Ind.,
Is the Inventor.
A Skeptlo.
"What do statistics show?" Inquired
the man who was warming up to bis
subject.
"As a rule," answered the man who
s always doubtful, "they don't show
uucli except patience aud Industry on
he part of tho man who collected
hem." Washington Star.
Though a man may hide bis cloven
iot, his clovcu breath gives him
4 way.
t