MY LITTLE BOY. Against my knee a little head is lylnsc. Two eyes of blue are look.ng in o mine, l'he breath of twilight in the u r iz a.gh- in,r, And twinkling stars amid the azure shine, With mother love the winsome face 1 kiss. And fold the hands so weary of their play. No sweeter joy a mo'her holds than this, Too soon, alas! the little feet will stray. Again I press him to my hungry heart. Ah, me! If I might shield him ever so! Mayhap some day he’ll kiss me and de­ part. And I shall sorrow as I watch him go. Secure I hold him in my arms to-night, And mother-like I lay him down to rest, His curly head upon the pillow white, His dimpled bands soft folded on his breast. I may not go ami leave my darling there, So fair he looks within his cozy bed, Ere one last touch upon the wavy hair. One lingering kiss upon the lips so red. “God bless my darling!” low I whisper then, And silent as a watcher of the night I close the door, low breathing o er again A mother’s prayer to keep his steps aright. —Cincinnati Enquirer. OO Lover's Ruse. Bo 08 OOD morning, Ilnrry! You are looking as if this free mountain air didn't agree with you." ‘‘I wish it didn’t! I wish It would dry me up and blow me away, or an eruption of the earth would send some huge rock down upon me, and end it all!” “O, nonsense, Harry! You are a lit­ tle dyspeptic. Come, have a cigar and face your troubles like a man. I know what tlie matter is; I've seen it all along, my boy! I.et her go, I say, with her villainous-looking foreigner.” ‘‘Of course you’ve seen it. Every­ body's seen how she lias gone on, and I’ve borne It all and said nothing until last night, when, as I had n right, 1 asked an explanation, but I wish I hadn't; I'm sorry site explained it. for it's all over now, and she’s free to have that confounded baron; I wish lie’ll ac­ cidentally shoot or drown himself!'' “That never would do, Harry, for she would go mourning all her days after him, In that case, and you wouldn't stand half the chance you do now. I wish you would make up your mind to let her go. She isn't worthy of you. I'm sure.” “Yes. she is. You don't know her, Fred. She is gentle and good, but am­ bitious. She can't help It. You see, 1 understand her. All her family are ambitious.” ‘■<1! that's it, is It? Probably that Is the way she explained her behavior to you last night':” “No such thing, Fred. She doesn't understand the leal motive which has Induced her to do ns she has done. It is all owing to her bringing tip. She sees a better chance than I can ort'er and falls in love witli that, mid there stand her father mid brothers, ready to encourage the thing. I see how It is." “Then what do you Intend to do?” “I’m in hopes she» will become dis­ gusted with tin* baron before It Is too late. He Isn't much of a fellow, and If It wasn't for his title mid money his chance would be small enough.” “Then you don't think she loves him?” "No. I'm sure she does not.” “Well, all I've to say is that Imogene I.aey Is a vain, mercenary, heartless girl, unworthy of the alTectlon of my friend, Harry Hammond.” "You don't know her, and that Is why you talk so." “Well, perhaps I don't; however. I’ve n plan to propose, which will show you Which way her heart turns; and if she «■ares anything for you she will turn her back square on the baron and'Ills money bugs. Here, take a cigar nnd light It, while I make sure there Is no danger of our conversation being over beard.” Hr. Frederick Mason opened the door of ids room mid looked out, then lie ex­ amined tlu* windows, and, finding the coast clear, resumed Ills sent, mid for some time the two sat earnestly In low. guarded tones. • ••• • • • • • “The view Is very line there. See how the soft rays of the moon glimmer over the lake, and the shadow of th«* overhanging trees; O, how beautiful!” nn, Harry! nr«' you wounded?” she exclaimed. “It Is nothing serious. Good even­ ing,” and In* went away. The next morning n messenger from Mr. Lacy came to request the presence of Mr. Hammond to lunch; and Dr. Mason sent back word that If Mr. Hammond kept quiet he would prob­ ably escape brain fever. No doubt th«' comforting Information that the baron had been made the re­ cipient of a package containing ills mifiiey, which lie had so obligingly al­ lowed himself to be robbed of by the high way nii'.n, and a grateful letter and a visit from Mr. l.acy, assisted th«' sick imin in Ills recovery. For three days aftei ward Dr Mason thought him suf­ ficiently recovered to ride out, nnd a little perfume«! note, that reaelied him on bls return home, completed the euro and enabled him to answer it In person at the dinner table of th«' I.acys. Iinofrene wns tender and kind, and la'fore the evening was over had nil opportunity to confess her repentance, ami Harry went hem«' that night tlm happiest man in town. “Well. Harry, you don't look as If you would like to lie crushed by a rock or otherwise disjiosed of. How Is it? Shall I congratulate you?” "Yes. my bold robber." replied Har­ ry, seating himself In the doctor's room and Joining him In a smake. When th«' autumn months had sent tlu* country visitors back to their city homes Dr. Mason received the wed- illng cards of Mr. nnd Mrs. Hammond. New York News. Serintialy Meant. Everybody knows that great actors nnd singers of lmth sexes receive bush­ till Id: els of love letters yearly. Many, ns “You have de great love for de na­ may In* imagined, are ridiculous in the ture.” extreme, however seriously meant by “(», yes. There Is so much of won­ the writers. A beautiful English sing­ drous beauty to worship In the work er bad recently to Ignore a most tempt­ of the Divine Muster. A scene like tills ing proposal. The unknown wooer was (Ills me «Illi a deep joy, stills the n hair-dresser’s assistant In Camden worldly emotions of my nature, and Town, who laid himself nnd nn Income whispers to my inward sense 'peace be of "thirty five shillings a week (Includ­ with tliee.' ” ing tips)” unconditionally at the feet “And you listen to de voice of de na­ of his adore«! one. He was a mendier ture. mid you be still and happy; but of a church choir, and looked forward when I look nt you I cannot hear the confidently to th«' day when, emancl- voice of anything but mine heart cry­ pated from scissors and razor, "tlieir ing forever «bit it loves you. is there voices might blend on th«* sain«' plat­ Do answer In your heart?” form. nnd lift' 1«' on«' sweet song." He Imogene stood with «towncast look, Is still plying th«' scissors. but made no answer. No light of love beamed in her eyes, nor blush mantled New Fuel. her cheek. She was fully conacloua “Manjak" Is th«' name of a new min­ that her heart gav«' no extra throb, and eral, of a lustrous black, discovered on yet sh«> was ixmsiderlng how to answer tlm Island of Barbadoes. According encouragingly. She waited so long to experts, it Is petrlfled petroleum that her conqianlon s|s>ke again: mixed with solid organic matter. It “Have you no word for me?” w ill form a valuable fuel, far superior “Yon are very kind.” she said, softly. to coal. j With a little sigh ' The wise man seeks a woman with "And you. Will you be kind to me?” an independent fortune rather than a "How can I lie otherwise?" "And you will lie my wit«'?" he asked. | fortune with an Independent womau ■ ■•girly bending down toward her.) attached. DflUVIii |)V DuL KT f1 IT T 1 Tlulll, -------------------------- - GREAT BRITAIN WANTS SLICE OF NEW GOLD FIELDS. Contend« that We Must Give L'p Some of Alaska-American» Construe the Meaning of the Treaty Cine Way, and the British bee Anoth.-r Way. Aside from the Philippine war, the subject »-ugrossing most public atten­ tion is the dispute between the United States and England over the line which cuts Alaska off Canada. The question, officially, is lu the hands of an Anglo- American commission, whose report is being withheld by tlie two govern­ ments because, ns it Is reported, the commission could not agree upon terms. Where the matter will end no­ body knows now, for botli Uncle Sam aud John Bull are anxious to get for their subjects as much of the gold land of Alaska and British Columbia as they can. This commission was as­ signed several other matters of arbitra­ tion or adjustment, but the boundary question is the one which demands tlie quickest settlement, for It is liable any day to create trouble between the two governments. As to the Alaska boundary question, It is unfortunate that the commission gave the United States a compact ter­ ritory, and, admitting that Canada and the United States are always to remain separate countries, it is but reasonable the former should have its outlet on the Pacific In British Columbia. By acquiring Alaska, however, in 18G7, the British outlet 4n the Pacific now inter­ venes between parts of the United States. Curiously but naturally enough. Great Britain, or rather Canada, is now­ seeking another outlet to tlie coast, and this time through what, since tlie ces­ sion of Alaska to the United States thlrty-twa years ago, has always been considered American territory. What historical or treaty right has Great Britain or Canada to such an outlet? The question is not an easy one to an­ swer. Great Britain's title to British North America from the 141st degree of west longitude (meridian of