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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe New Era, 1884-02-08, Page 7aCaa-ai 7"."."1.11.11.1111111111111.1PPP"— e February 818840 creeviog Vp the Stairs, tbe softy fallhog twUlgbt Of &weary, weary day, With a quiet Otos. entered where the children wer.eat pier; 1 was brooding oar some trouble Which bad met me unawarei Wben a woe voice mune riegh4t "Me is oreepiog up the etairs.• - A11 it touched the tenderest heart strings vvitit a breath and force divine, ' and such melodies awakened. As 110 wording ca11. detna ataaf turaeo to see our darling, All forgetful of my cares, When. I saw the atm creature Slowly creeping up the lattligh Step by step ehe bravely! clambered On her Maoism:di, and knees, Vino uP a constant chattering, ore a magpie in the trees, Tin at last sits roaclyea tloo toranoet, when o'er all her ,t °rhea affaire She deligoteci stood a victor, Mani:weeping up the atairs. Faiotinglyeart, behold an image of pupae brief and struggling life, Whose hest prizer, must Ise capturea with a neble,:earuent strite; Onward, upward reacning ever, Bonding to the weight of cares, )7E'Vug, looxingi still expecting, We go creeping op me stairs. . On their stop e may be no carpet, By tiseir side may be no rail; gandii and knees way often pain ue, And the heart may almoet fail, San above there is the glory, which no sodumess impairs, with it rest and soy for ever, After creeping Up the stairs. COUSIN FELIX. BY ATITTIOU Or "Mss UOLLY," ABLIOIA," BYO. • CRAFTER 1. Charity Warburton was seated over the eohoolroom fire in Silverdale Hall, her feet on the feeder, her elbows on her knees, her two hands ruffling the brown looks, her..eyea the while staring forlornly now at the blazing lire, now at an:apen letter !ling in her lap. -Only six months ago, when for the last time Miss Warburton. bade adieu.to Ekes - lie House, and those who had been tichool- friends for many a year,"she had felt that a life full of unkuown joy was opening out before her, that now the season. of trouble was over with school—and lo, already life was proving itself not to be entirely a bed of roses. • • , That morniug, the 10th of. Decetmber, day forever to be marked on the-oalendar • of fate with a black mark, the first down. fall to her hopes'lled been given, and now it was twilight, and in thecleserted school. room, for poilie was our, she was consider- ing this trouble that had overtaken her. She was a little bawildored still, could even yet scarcely oomprehend the tale that her father had related to her, • "You are grown tip now, dear," he had commenced by saying, „" and there are others Who remember it, even if I had for- gotten, for you 'aro eight years younger than Felix, and here oomes the letter tell- ing me he is twenty-five." • And after this preamble, Mr, Warburton had proceeded to tell his story to his wont dering, startled daughter. • ., "My brother—your 'unele Edward, my dear—my elder brother, you undersand 2 . So the property should have been his, but it was not entailed, and my father made a most unjust will cutting him off fromevery- thing he should have had, bemhee he mar- ried, as wee thought, beneath Mei.' Thus everything came to me. He, Edward, Raid it was better Bo. We were alwayp..great so well friends; my dear, loved each oth that even this did not divide us. "For of course, as I was blind that was what he meant. No, do not , Charity. Was not that &leer I feIty I could not have worked for my living, and he Stich a great, strong fellow he always was —not in the least like me. "So we parted good friends, and When you were eight years old, and your mother died, then we agreed that when Fait should be twenty-five he should come t� England, and if you should both be willing, he should marry you, and heal thiel breach that has lasted for so long; end having no son, I was glad to think that thus the old place would'return to its rightful owner:" "But, father, enpposing when he comes; I"—hesitating 44 should pot like him ?"' • "But you must not think that possible." And then with a quiok turn of his head, "You care for no one else?" "No, no." "That is all right. Well, if he islike hie father, at I hear heti, he will be a good husband for you. And," pulsing toe hand over her brown head caressingly, "When I go, I shall like to know I have left my motherless daughter with some ohe to take care of her. You can read "'your uncle's letter," putting an envelope `with an Ameri- can postmark into her hind. Cousin Sarah read it to me this morning." Cousin Sarah Was the elderly lady who looked after widowed Mr. Warborton'a house for him. Caarity spread the letter out on her lap and read every word it con- tained carefully. Not much _Mite made out of it. • A pleasant, identity lottery suth se any man might write to Ins brother.Full of family detaile, which all fell unmeaningly on Charity's eare, only" at the end came theone little sentence which riveted her attention. "1 auppose Charity- ter grown maanotala, Fait* twenty-afth lyirthdaya MO.3113Iffilta3a:D7,a50'"O'Iri ghedt -11 a.0' IWO willing, and WlifietridreiMPOrtata, Ler young men are pot always tractable in matrimonial mat- ters—who should know this better than I —he might go over to England and pay you a visit." • And this was the sentence on Which Miss Warburtan'a eyes' were still fixed, an -she sat that same evening in the eropty schoolroom. But she was nob fated to eit there alone long. Enter to her the youog sister to whom .she was already beginning to envyr as safe at least from one evil, that of having a.husbaud forced upon her, and it was not very long b fore that same sister was made awarcrd the dark shadow that had fallen ae a Charity's happy life. • "112 is too cruel," she •ed in the fashion .of impetuous youth, tY whom the remov- ing of mountains se me naught. .4' It is impossibleyou sy, bo sosuaritioed. Why, dear Charity, ou, who can do any- thing with fa)her, moisttell him it is absurd. Wilt, darling,',' throwing a tender arm about4ter, "you bays may to say you will not permit it, and father would agree." " If/you. had heard him,' Pollie, yOu would have said yes juat as I did. He told hui he had planned stud hoped it ever abase, mother died, and that he would be, oh so terribly disappointed, if it did not thou to paean Charity was 'walking up and—down-the thorn now with hands bleeped behind her' head, 'in a pretty falnoi, she had; but there was no thought of, pretty Moveraente at pretent. Everytbing was 100 terribly real with that fatal letter lying On the hearthrug, where it had fallen when she rose, to admit of any light thoughts, "011, Pollie dear, I •wish I were beak at oohed 1 I wish I Were an Old, ma woman!" with foolish inoiniebteney, fee ,X bed to give in. 1 could,not really oppose the dear oldfitther; end at bet," coloring 0. little, "I had With ray 'Own. band 140eit down and write!, begging him to coma', 4' Oh, poor Olienty 1" cleat. itWeatalielt Pollie, what did you etty 2" • • 44 AB little as poseilde." ' "What did you call him?" "There vrati net Pinola choice," remarked • fjjearity grimly,"But I Wan nob going to Jump into the lioo'saftwe quite as if 1 liked i„b, so I laid, 4 Dear Mr, WarbUrton'"•-" "Oh, I am so glad!" interrupted Pollie breethleeely. “I was BO afraid you might have paid 4 Dear Felix.'" "Nokindeed," cried Charity, pattebig ip. her peeing up e,ied down and drawing her Water towards her ; and they stood thus together at the window, a pretty picture enough, and fog a moment her sore young heart felt at rest, for theme aietera were all in all to each other. "Well, go on. What did you say next?" 44.,Tust what. father told 131e. That we should be gle,d'te 800 him, if be. W0414 00Me. and spend a fortnight with us, and that hoped he would arrange it,' ." Nothing elm 2" Charity reddened a little. "just one little thing .more, 1 did not think it was Wrong, though I did not tell father. I said it wee father. Who helped' be would. come. as Pollie would have interrupted her, 'you will understand why I said it, when I • telt yen somethiug else, for there is some- thing worm to tell you even than thaawhioli , you have heard." . • What 2" inquired Pollie anXiously, and • oreepieg yet nearertoher eister as she spoke, and clasping her arms yet more tightly about her. '( Oh, Charity, you are crying 1 I felt ateer fall. Chanty, dear, don't ory 1 • • Only those two tears fell, and then Mimi Warburton lifted her • hande and brushed them away. "No, I will not ory," she • timid, raising her head proudly, 4' ',have done nothing -to be ashamed of.. But, Rollie, he does not want it either, Uncle Edward says in hie letter : Felix will," Italie, go,' but ab, •Pollie, lb was evident Ithin the leffer that he was not anxious himself to come—onlykis father has persuaded him, Just aammelais pertinaded m.o.!, • ' •"Never mind, Charitr'clarling ; don't mind anything he bas said, don't.think of him again. Perhaps be won'tcome— whatever the reason, it would be a great comfort; :perhaps. he • will marry some one else, or perhaps—all Orb of thinge may. happen between this and ' then. Why; a Month, anything may happen in anthathl" So with Many endearments Willie led her Water bade to the fireplace, and Wog ao, again caught eight Of Mr:. Warburton's letter., • • • . She teemed.' down to pick* it up, but Oliazity With aliiiek.'movement prevented her. 4' Don't touch it-," she eried, u it is 1,tisr And with Much show of disdain, elte lifted the offending sheet of paper with the tongs, and dropped it into thehottest part of the fire, and 'there 'the oistere watehed it. with something tesemblingjoy„ till it had entirely. ceased to be. • ' But even then. its miserable:6urport did not die with it; an& sometimes Charity's impetuous young heart rebelled so angrily • against this invisible chain that bound ,her, •that not even Pollie's comforting voice: could instil completion.; and pollee tainly invented every hind of comfort that' could be levented, from a Wilt, •Iiiisidi• ." Perhane be would not lite. her when he se,W. her"—not very probable thief, Polite feared, looking at Unpretty face and soft brown"hair,up to the cold. maxim which seems to be alike ,the opinion eif extreme youth and calm old That 'after all, it does not make much difference :Whom you marrY"—" As • long as he , to you," Pollie.added ; 4•4'.ancl 11'' he isn't, ..Charit..darlizigr of. course. fattier would let .you come baell'here, and then, as you Would' not be 'a' wide*, there would ba:n.o fear of.your marrying again, and We might live .happily"thgether ever alter - wards" •." • ,. . • • . • But even this aentereplation of a blissful, but improbable: inters, failed to 'seethe .Charityrand bring ' her into athord:With what wee -coming.' And meanwhile, day after day was slip-$ pug . away, January was well in hand new, and Charity; counting the days aflx thusly; Unwillingly4. found that only . one week more remained to her happy, care, less Orlin:met ' • • Dear, sweet—Charity,-she deserted,,if oNee any one did, a reward, if not here, then by...and-by. . , . . After that • first despair and .struggling. 'spinet the future; she did indeed 'strive to put her Own wilily.' ',Her blind father could not gnat; that the petted daughter, who •did his bidding so cheerfully, and went about the .hoinie always with a oft Weird for every one; found the doing of his will lio hard. • • • • ; • . We hive hire: too well tudisapPoint him, r dine," ehe said once, 44 Beellyelter all; he has not asked ea very 'Much has he 2" • And Pollie tried to say no. - "That we may. love each other.," was the Cherityas own heart new, for AV—he 'should agree—end'the tears. would arise at the thoughts of it—as she had *sell, to please his father, and. them _afterwards elka w.ere.tadiscover that though, she were heart -whole, and might therefoie_ learn' to love him;• yet that be had wine . fair ideal that she caidd never hope to ;Make him forge'tilhen it would be, ab! so sad—and once more the tears would flow, and in •the „dark 'Charity would oreep to. Pollieis roam, and wake her up by dint of Many kissee, to be soothed by means, of the child'ii ever -ready sympathy.,_ And eo at . length a -snorting dawned:: ,WhEof Charity Warburton knew that if .411 went Well,. or ill rather,before the Min set she • should • have lookecl'. upon the face of her futura husband. For, in answer to that little. grudgingly written note bad lionhaothet letter from Uncle Edward, aiig that would leave. by a certain steamer which would' bring "bird to Liaerpool on the, 271h of aanuexy ; and Silverdale was only 'about a theuple Of hours! rail from Liv- erpool. • ' . • • The daylight hat died away, the candles are lit, endin a large bedroem the aliases Watburton ,are considering a very impor- tant question, namely, What Charity, shall wear on this eventful night.es, in epite of a certain pathetic look 10 Mimi Warbili, ton's eyee; which betrays that life is nob all, smiles and, sunshine, and deeplie the feet that the expected stranger lit this long.. talked -of, much:dreaded cousin; yet. atilt he is tt. Man. and ' Charity is a youtig ahd. pretty woman, to that important flatter Of the toilettenannot be quite set alide4. "Say, Pollie," turning mina from con- templating • the Cheerful blazing fire, and looking to where Polhe sat. crouched up in the depths 'of a great armchair -4A say, ehall I try to look. ray very beat:Lot not 2" '11 wee, a -difficult question. Pollie .drew lines Derma her onsooth'browe in her attempts to consider what Was tamest. " ilhould not," atterigth ebe tiaid einphatioally, "1 -should Make motif as hideentaite poe- Bible, and then perhaps he will take a great dielike to you, and will tell father that not for all the Mewl to ogland would ho marry you." Charity shook her head Badlv. ' "Ah 1 Charity," oriea Palm startieg Upright in her eagerneie,' I never thought to an awestruck whisper -44 perhaps he tne,y not like you, and yet Marry you—be. eituse of the money I" .. Alas, Charity's pretty .head, which cop - blued /est two yeare more of worldly wisdom than hersister's, haticontemplated that tiontingencyoften and often. But she did not echo her sister's Word; butput them gently by with that quiet determination to think no evil whiqh had helped to comfort her these past Weehe. "No, Pollie I do riot think that. You -know he iaibson of fatherlt brother, o r • do riot thitik that," with a perceptible pe.Use in the low voice, 44 he would marry 'mauat for the money." No, she thought, not even to Pottle, wouldebe put that fate- ful possibility in words. So she turned away from the fire, and. acting on Pollie'e advice, attired herself in a gown of soft, ailyery gash with a little bunch of snowdrops and fern leaVes as e breast knot, and then for a few brief moments knelt down on the hearthrug at' Pollie'i3 feet, to put off the necessity 01 an • immediate docent. But not many mornents were allowed them. All too soon there came a tap at the door, and Miss Warburton's, maid had returnerite. tell them that the geotlemen were already dressed, and in the drawing. room, and that Mr. Wexhurton was asking for his daughter. "I will irthe And edoor had °lend, Charity rose to her feet,still holding Pollie' a hand in hers. •"I wish you were going to dine down- stairs, Polite 'darling, but four is a better number, so father ; but you will be in the drawing-room„after diluter, won't you?" • I* year Charity walked to the door, and then coming hurriedly bade, and kissing tbe obit(' again; "Polite," she staid quickly, eagerly, will you prom*, me not to—dislike him? Even, if you pon't quite like .him at first, will you try 'to wait a little before you quite define, beeause"-4with what was meant to be a smile, though the mouth did causer a little -44 he may be very nice." And, almost before Polile had time to Bay "1 proMise," alb was left alone. - Charity fled down-Btairs as quickly as might be, but in the great, dusky hall she paused to steady, if possible, her beating pulse, at least to put on some outward filuiw of calumets& • But after that one second's hesitation she touted the handle of the, door, and entered the drawing-rooau Yes, there' they all were'. Cousin Sarah, old an stern, who had outlived husband, ohildren, love, and, all the beauties of life, and who. seemed to live apart from.abose with whom hot, lot was oast, in a world of her own. Her dear blind father, for whom everything seemed possible, nay, easy, for had not every step of her seventeen years of life been smoothed by his loving hands. And on the hearthrug a tall, dark -visaged stranger, to whom she dared not lift her 13res. • • • • ' "Ig. thEttyou, Qharity?" questioned Para Warburton, as tho olosing.of the door pro-- elaimed • her entrance.: And- as she answered "Yes," "Oe here, Charity," he said, -bolding out a vielooming hind., " Here is a ead diseppOintment..This, gentleman brings lettere from. my blither tosay that helix hag been obliged to pest. vase his visit for another month, so that. -we ciannot have the•pleaeure of making his acquaintance yet' awhile." • • . • For,one second Charity's heart seemed to stop , beating, the surprise, the relief Were so great; for one second; notWith. standing the .atrange:•eyee that she knew were bent upon her, she could not resist letting heriips curve into a glad, happy smile. It was mush uneFpeeted-xelief Never in her Wildest, most sanguine mo• inehts had ehe thought orthis; Why, a mthoonuent aelo d. ore, of •zzoape..might. open in a tb , ..Withe. great Bigh which told Of.thelead lifted from nel, heart, elie drew °loser yet • 16 her father and took his hand in hers., . She even" lifted ;her' face, with a smile of waleitrae, to the beaker of these joytiota • tidings. • . : "This gent eman--- . • : "Mr. Weston," the stranger. prompted. - "Xs an old -friend of your unole's sol have asked him . to !day with us for the present," said Mr; Warburton courteously: We shall be glad to learn all about my brother's. bendy; from one Who has seen them eo lately." . • ' ' ' Ib is very good of yoia'sii," Mr. Weston. murmured. • • . :•• "1 am glad to Make your acquaintance, and perhaps through, you I shall learn to know my unkomain.. nephew' before he arrives; . You . should' have come down earlier, Charity, and you should have Been' your unalo's letter - whioh • Cousin Sarah. and I have been reading,whilst Mr. Weeton has been dressing, and you would have heard a great deal • that wohld have inter- ested you. But here it dinner; you: shall have the letters afterwatde." . • During the short time • that they were ocoopied in 'crossing the hall to the dining - room, Charity was perfeetly silent. "Not even the knowledge that it was (estranger on whose arm' the was resting, and that politeness, if .nothing, else, required a ieW words It= -11-er,.00tild divert her thianghtt from the, merciful wimple that the chapter of accidents had this day afforded her. ' "A month; it month," her heart kept singinga little hippy tune which smiled about the corners of her mouth, and canted to vanish away, for the time' being, the pathetic ehadow which had Of late dark- ened the yOung eyes. • " • ' • But once. eeated at tahle, ehe looked up, toisee what manner of :man this opposite neighbor might be. ' '.• . Not handsome,' elle decided; but very :nearlyee. A pair of very 'dark eyes. and a gmia forehead, andthhoatai " black. inous. ot tache, were ' e pr Othal itenta,, that elle toRk in in %that ha ty glande ; hasty he - cause she caught those 89,Me eyes fired upon her, evidently with Et similar deaths of iniiisatigation, which made her turn her heed euddehly away, and then begin some hasty questions at to the voyage, and other matters relevant to his arrival in England. "He is very quiet, Pollie, dreadfully quiet, but perlittpe lie won't stay verylong," were the conclusive words, as, backin the draw- ing -Mom, Charity poured the .whole mar- vellous tale itito Ponies . wondering euro. ." But he seems nice, and whatever eubjeot father started, he talked quite cleverly ahout, moth .et.alently father was P1004ed with him. And," with at 'sigh, 'Pollie, that it not alwaya the Eiase,:for fatherail so Much !Hoverer than any one else, that I know often he would much rather be alone. But to.night he was qiute happy. Olio we all were I Do you know, Polite; 1 don't think I ever was so happy in all litY life before.". "Not before you had ever' heard' of Causin Felix?" asked Pollie incredulously. " No, certainly not, for then Ilea never known what it was to be unhappy.'° CHAPTEE 11. • After that eveiititil 427th of January, at Silverdale Hall at least, all went merry as a marriage bell. Chezity and Pohle had road together the lettere Mr. Weston had brought letters explanatory and introdtto. of it before. Perhaps," lowenog her thice tOry. All that Edward Warbiirtnri eould say be had hut on paper for the benefit of thie young man. "I have !MOWS WM all his life," be wrote,44 therefore, Leonard, as ray eon has been obliged thus unfortunately to post. none his visit at the lad . moment, and, as Edward Weston, who was to have gone with him fax the sake of visiting the old country, will hot' defer his journey, I send him to you, lioping ,you -will let your usual kindheartedness prompt you to ask himt to stay a short time with you. BO that iu hoe, pitable old Silverdale Hall he may have the ohemoe of making acquaintance with England and Englieh weals in as fortunate a manner as pcossible." So the invitation was given and aocetited vaenrdd:e.oliearte broken at the idea of this stranger enjoying the hospitality of SO. The day% Slipped by; Polite grew bright End cheerful, the pathetic, lookdisappeared from Charityli brown eyee, only returning now and agate when Vigioun of that slowly approaching future darkened for a moment the sunshine of the present. And as the day e peeped, Mr. Weston grew less silent and reserved, and, Will it;be ettid, more and more appreciated by. those amongst whom he had been so strangely thrown, ' Pollie was the firet friend, but to be approved by one sister was tilt; first and •aurest step to -being approved by tbe other. He Mid do everything. All the time the frost lasted, was there ever Buell skater, or cote sq good-natured abouttrying th inetruot a somewhat timid:pupil' in the mysteries of that art? • .. Even' Charity, who was graceful and light on her skates, waspot above taking a lesson from this master; and BB to Polite, , she grew quite bold whilst clinging to the. .tall, strong form, and listening to the voice which was always so filled"with encourage- ment for her puny endeavors. And after the frost had disappeared, an wet, cold days Mak its place, Mr. Weston was not shove a game of battledook and shuttlecock in the long, empty gallery, where were the piotored representations of the Warburton ,Unale Edward. amongst others., to reroina ObaritY, if suchreminder were needed, at the laughed and played vvitlaher sister and Mr. Weston, of the future•that was awaiting her, • -Perhaps it did: for at the eta of the game, ae she' stood flushed with the exile- oise, herbrown head alightly ruffled, her' pretty eyes grew soddenly bad and wist- ful, and turning to Pollie, With a low "You play now," ehetorned away. . • • • • "Are you going to give in already ?'Mr. Weistoe eelted, .t.Why, as 1 beet you yee- teratty, I thought you would have been. eo sure tnaniat your revenge to -day. Audit is'raining fast,' as the girl shook her heacla coming close to her as she spoke, "80 Ilyere is nothing else you oan do except sit over the fire with a book,•end I am sore this is mineh wiser I" • " No, •I do not ,think it OM said very lova. 'alb seemed 10 me," with a' little smile, "that Uncle Edward," pointing to the pietore 0" frovined" and shook-his•head at me, -as dal) remind ine I weargrowriup ; so Earn going. away to do some sewing, 'and write sOrne lettere that I ought to have done • this morning, instead of dawdling away so many hours overbilliards, as we . And 01arity with a determined look on her pretty, soft fame, departed -With a new, but scarcely, as yet, defined trouble at her • But it wan. not to,: rernain undefined for inuoli longer; ' • " , .. For a quarter of an hour she worked diligently, then PoliiiPopened 'the 'school, room door. • • , . "Already, • Polite! Why, the game was not a very. long ode." "'Of course he did agtaare —a' er.ymft--- ttm—iV'WeMlits throwing her. self on the ground at her sister's feet and resting :a amall, brown head against" her .knee. . . • . " 40liexity," after avenue, "do you some- times wish—sometimes think bow niowit would have peen if this had been. COUBill • Felix ?" . '•. • • No answer, but 0harity was malonger sewing. " The Work had fallen into her lap, arid two idle white hands Were clasped above it. ' • . • • '1 think ho is nice," went on the child again after amommat's pause, "and though he -does not • say 'Muth," . lowering her voice, and speaking emphatically, • "1 • dor* beliete that he thinka COUBill Felix is I 'No," as Charity Would have inter- rupted, ant not breaking my promise, for I may say what 1 like until .1"see hint. • But did you Maim at 'luncheon, when -I ;asked him why Cousin Folik had not been able to come, how he grew red, and looked .so uncomfortable, and it was only after quite a long Pause he said that he had bre? .ken his arm. • Charity," kneeling up • now • and clasping her arab round 'her. sititer's „waist,. Charity, ;do • you know.I don't . believe he did break his arm. 1 believe that • Mr. Weston knows it also, and is ashamed to repeat it ;" and with greater ashe- n:mice: " I think that at Oblast moment he 'oduld not make np. his mind to it, and: at any prioe bought another moth's free- dom?" And Charity's sad heart adixtitted that it was toe true. 13ht not•her words. -*E-.110,-Pollie, dearest, youantust.not sag: Such things, You are breaking your pro- mise, for we must believe in him try to believe to him'," she added under her breath,' "until we See.hiM 1" • ' a See Whom?" queitiotiOd a voice from the doorway. "-I' have been everywhere else," continued:Mr, Weston, advancing to , the Udall corner of . the room; "1 have offered my services to Mr.. WarburtanOralv io' declined themwith thanks • to Coteau Sarah,' who deolnied them without, as she was fast 'asleep, ea now I have found iny way up here: Surely," drawing an arill- • chsir to the -opposite corner of the fire, "aant will not send me away. If yon do, as I" am a sociable 'being, and scion tire of my own oonipahy, I shall have to retire to• the kitchen. Now," as o reply came, "" tell the, who is it you ate going to believe in— 'till you see him 2" • "Cousin Felix," replied 'Polite promptly. • "Does •that enigmatical sentence mean you do not believe thatthere is stiolaa Orr. son, Miss Warburton?" • He addressed himself 80 pointedly to her, that.Charity.wae bonnet to answer." "Seeing is believing," she replied, " So they say. But I, for ene,' do not feel much doubt of , the existence of this partioular persona' b.fid she eighed. "That sigh ebunds rather as it you hoped there on! ght be a doubt on the subject." Charity colored at his Words, and 'took up her work Oi300 Wore. • . "What is he like I" questioned. Pollie, tilling.up_another awkward pauee. " Like I":" repeated Mr. Weston musingly. "rsiko2h, it father, only not half Ruch a good 1enotv 4!Are you not fond of him?" ?011ie was sitting up bow 10 her eagcfrnese, and gazing breathlessly at Wir. Wooten. But Charity, on whom his eyes were fixed, had drooped her lids, fold was hard itt,work. "Fond of hien," he said evasively, and he laughed slightly ait he spoke, " That le a very etrong Word, Mies Pollie. I don't die - like him. Sometimes I've felt abode; what you cell,' hind of him, hut On the whole, I think I prefer his father." "1 doal think," said Clherityiriiiieg to her feet, and raising her dbill breein eYee to the dark Once watching her, with mingled, admiration and ennuis°, "that it bright or kind to criticise, and eaY'unkind things about people who are not here to defend themselvee," Although her lip were quivering, she OPeke quito fltnilYt end no one certainly not Mr. Weston, guessed what one, little speech cost her, but then he did not knew the eorrowful secret that was beginning to Id t her feel its presence. So she (nosed' • the roorolatall, Blight figure, through the increasing twilight, and disappeared, leo- lug two muoh-astoniebecl people behind, looking at one another. What bit ?" questioned Mr. Weida; in muoh perturbation. ." What did I say?.! 0400, you must never, never say anything against Cowin Felix, Even if you hate him, you must never Otty ao to Charity. She oanoot bear to hear anything agalost hint. She," with a sob, "Is trying so hard to learn to like him i" "Ent whY cried the man, leaning for- . ward m his earneatne011. • "Why 1" repeated Polite, raising great tragio eyes to his, "why, because ahe has got to marry him, of course l" A long whistle, indicative of thegrettest au r prise, passed Mr. Weston's lips, and then, "Poor Oguein Felix!" he isajd half under bis breath, ;sauntering anross to the window as he spoke, and gazing out into the fast gathering twilight. Preeeotly, however, he turned away from his oontemplatiou of tbe outside World back to • the fireside luiel the girl matted there, "Telt mo about 11." he said abruptly, and Pallid, nothing loth, complied. I (To be continued-) • A. U./MINIS AVANT COVICIRJEC. A Deg- 'Which Anne Abend' at a Car • Nightly for 45 Miles. The first Uniop line night oar on Frank. lin street from the Richmond depot has for a long time met at Spring Garden street a myetarioua avant courier—a long-legged white mongrel deg, which has aroused inteneo curiosity on the part of the oar driver, sityli the Philadelphia, Itepora. "alma er dog," said the latter to a belated reporter, 4' ip a queer flab. Why, he makes a 45 -mile run every night ahead of us, as if be was just taking a conatitutional betore early breakfast. He must have a, big appa- tite every (morning. ae's the terror of ovary pat on the routea, itaseeros that every night this singular °spine 'appears ahead of the oar ap it reaches Spring Garden and Franklin. streets. No master what. the weatheris, the long-legged courier is there, and never loses sight of the oar, although always .a few yards in advance,- until the morning dawn begins to brighten in the east and the • oar is on its final round. For three trips the mysterious canine runs' in advance and Ets eacIrtripais 14 mike, counting The constant 'detours after the offending felines, he thus completes a chase of not less than 45•mi1es. ' The dog is as regular as the oar, and always Maintains a fair distance between himself and the horses. • If the oar is driven" fast, he increases his epeed„ and when there is .any let-up in the oar's progress the doglegs also. . As the driver remarked, he is a terror to the oats along the route, and many a mid- night concert bas been broken up' by the distant jingle'of thticar bells, the chorusing Themasee, warned by many previous ex. perienoes shat dangerruns before the tinkling 'sound, (lit:Verse in haste. All efforts td catch tip .with this strange dog havefailed. He keeps his distance, arid disappears as mystemotbly as he Gonne, just as the day brooks and the oar nears Spring Garden strait on its home trip. ; • 'Ladies' Easbion Notes: , Jet belts and baits of jetmingled wath sit - ver and steel heads are in favor.. • White operaoloake are frequentlyalleirted with rich colored embroidery. , • Peacock- game -with metallio blue is fashionahle French combination. A new machine has been invented in Pariis forameuntiog hilaPleated skirts. ' • •' Blaoh tulle dotted with chenille 18 eiquiii- ite over dresses of white Battu.: Goldattfd-eilver gat*, 'spangled' net, aud embroidered tulle are in demand, but lace of good quality holds its ground ahoy:ethers ' • It is said thaf gray tatio Old gray velvet withateel will be as fashionable, or Mom so in the spring as. it has been during the • Enete ofadnoli and wood000k feathers three or seven in .the bunch,, make pretty trimmings for the simple. felt walking.hats of 'yOung ladies. •• • Ono Of Worth's new dresses•seems really to express some of his old artititi6 taste. It is of pale tulle, trimmed With delicate sprays of mimosa. . Fashionable overskirts are now out with some squareness, and often have, a plain baok breadth, gathered slightly., and formed. Otto one pouf. • • • • Paging the ()Weft sin His Meet • • The Hainilton (boa) Fire Department; Under the training and supervision ,of Chief A. W. Attohisomyenot excelled in en:Amity by that of any Other city in the Dominion. Chief Aitohisou, theway, met with a eery deVere aedidetit in driving. to- fire not • long. ago. His head; ahoulders and back were itijured te a • terrible. .manner. Being asked how he -Ia. ocnintedfor' his rapid recovery, he replied: "Simply enough ; St. Jacobs 011 QSU pot any man on his feet, if there is 'any life in him at all. I used that wonderful. mai. ' oioe Irony thestart„ aria the result is. that I am toalay in prime _health and conditioo. alt:gitoobe 0 the panaceathat comets to the relief of he Fireinati foz. rheumatisea burns, ete, served Poo in my trotible and cured ine quickly, completely and perman- ently. It' is"thet standard medicine herein the Fire Departneent," The Pill Man. • • '• The London correspondent of the Man- chester Guardian remarks that the life of 'Mr. Holloway would furnish curious if not interetting material for a biography. 'When he *at considering the line of his henefao- • tiorie he Was prodd of tieing au csioasional guest itt Mrantadstone's breakfast table, and ahaciegh MrEi. Gladttone he became interested irt the welfare of convalescent homes. When talking of his vast affairs he said he believed lie had advertteed in every reseeotable newepaper in exidtence. 'Of late years his businees becitune a vast banking concern,- to whioh the sellieg of patent medicine was allied, and he was utiderstred to say some few yeare ego that his profita oaa dealer in.inoney approached the onotblous sum of te100,000 a year. •'. GENTLIOVEN,—"YOUr Mop Bitters have been of great value to me. Iwaa laid up With typhoid fever for over two months, and could get no. relief Until 'I tried •iitir Hop Bitters. Mo those saffering With debility or any one in feeble health, I cordiallY recbminerid theta. STOETZEL, 683 Pultort treet, Chloago,111 An elegant out -door garment is the long black Velvet paletot trimmed With bear, skin, totowriliciwo ICE if".1140,11014 linteressing Potato et ow taxersertitatery siritettire—"Eao Whotoore. , The fee Roues which b. being Wittier the winter oarnival at Ploptreal •111.a perfect_ w.orkof ext. The palace will he unoovexed and Of 'tt. Composite design of 'arohiteeture, and, Will oontatH HUMer01.1010Werft. Noth- ing, Is in itu „construction but toe. It will Oetoilet, of about. 1();004/ blooke of ice and Wil1 oat' about.§3,209. The faoado will be. alyoutal60:.-festa And the greateet deptlr•60." fe.et. The. Walla wilt be opetetittted end of' cliffereot elevation; and three thick par. titiona of the: will triseot the building. Poors will be out. in thetiewelle, tie thet. the pliblio can roam, abOut the building ab will, Tile 'Main tower, whichwill beflubbed in t*1, few tleas, wilibe. a :marvel of frozen architeature,•. and • will be 70 feet high. 11 wilt be in three etories, 040 QUO diffeyeSt. in elute° from the -other; Xi -moron windows will be left at intervals in t walla of the structure, which wili he filled in with thin the, On the gala night ofthe carnival the building will be filled witth, aolonteenawho will defend theta fort. front about 1,60(1 "entav-ehoers, who will:dap:k. them,' armed with fireworks, The cross,' fire of Boman !needles and rockets, together with • the: illumination of the ide palace:by twenty -live electric lighte by tlae Palgaagts wilt be a magnificent display. Little elae 18 being epoken of in Montreal at present. than the approaabing winter caroival. •. The Abiding Snow. • Heaven is unusually kind this winter to men aaho own sleighs. Whether the days are cold or warm, dry or. wet, sunny or gloomy, the entity remains. It increases alverybody's store of enjoyment, for thee° who cannot bua or bire sleiglastsannot help • imagining themselves sleighing, and are the pleasures of the imagination to be despised? No one has ever explained why tlso effect of a sleigh ride is peculiarly exhilarating, for no one is in a fit condition to do so except when flying over the snow, and then time • is too precious and delightful to waste on mush prosy work a8 explanation. .Sleighing, like Wye, puts all ranke od the: same level of enjoyment; the man .who spends 11500. • on outter-axid-robee seems just as happy aa the ootintry yooth who sits in a home made 44 jumper,' .but not a 121,1 happier: As for , the oex that likes sleiglling better thao tirt- ing, when was" it aver known to death:To-fit ride because the sleigh was not new and handsome? Never 1 . Take care to be an econOmist 111 pros. &ray ; there isno fear of your being one in adversity.—Zimmermatz. • . ramalmwia."mmoolmoirmo•rINFI•II. COBS E"• THEGREAT- RI1AN REM Sclatic4,•. • Lumbago, Backache, Headache, .Toothache, Sere Throat,SsrellIngs,Strralnt.Bralstot. •' Horns. Scalds, Frost Mies, . *ow ALL OMER BODILY PAM APIS AWES. • Bold by Druggists Rad Dealers everywhere. Flay Cents, boak. Dlreetlons la 11 Languages. • TUE CHARLES A, VOGELER 00. giameison to A. VOGEL= & 094 Baltimore, Rd., IL B. A. A NEW DISCOVERY. ' fert'or several years. we havwfurnished the, Dairymen of America with an excellent arti- ficial color forbuttor; so meritorious that it met • with groat success everywhere receiving tho highest and only 'prizes at both International Dairy Fab% • • ' egricut by patient aid sciontitio chemical it. search we have imprOvedin several points, and. nowoffeethis new color as the best to the tort% It MI Met Color the Buttermilk. it Will Not Turn Rancid. : It Is the . strongest: Grighteet and • • Cheapest Color made, 1244 -Mid, while prepared in oil, lase compound. ed that it is•impessible f I t tohecorne rancid. arsEwARE of all finitations, and ot all other oil colors for they aro liablo to become rancid and spoil the 'butter. r ParIE you cannot get the "Improv'ed” "Write no ;to know where and how tO get it without extra expense.. • (46) WELLS, ItIMA111181Di CO„ Barnacles', Vt. IS A SURE CURE for nit diseases of the Kidneys and LIVER this most iniportint vi• tomiclity anck idllyW—retion:of bo nle infree It has qua:dile yet:bone organ, enabling it to Inaction, stimulating,the 1110 01110, and by keeping condition, effecting its re • charge- . Malaria. 211otri0r,11V0tecngfc,anuk are biliond, dyspeptic, or constipated, Kidney.. Wort will slimly roliove and quickly ouzo. ' • In tho Spring to claims° tho6ysto1ii, coon. Ono ohould. take a thorough cour,so.,of,.t 11, SOL'El SY DRUOVSTS. Pr:ce 7 . (War DOWNS, ELSta ••• MILi1 0 fS. • VallItABLE SAMARA; E 1 . 0 • las stood the test for IPIFTY•THSEE • Z • YEARS, arid has proycil itself the best remedy known for the cure of Consumptions, Coughs, Coids,VVhoopind Cough' artd all 1‘.Ung Diseasesia young °cold. S( ILD EVILRYWIttRh'. '1J1'100 250: Ana 1. 00 per Bottle.. 1.1 -OW NL...12...1 X I R 11101101tAt couNgitywilAr4 BOOK ThiliOVIANT MUNI OIPAL Ornincillore and °facers, centalna brief and familiar styls the municipal laws OntatIO With forms. 210 pages; bound in cloth price on dollar, Address •• PRATO it TtA.oy Liiiblfshers, Stratford PLACE to so0000 VItttoitaftif Education or spsnoorian Pen. •mailships. at- thit SPENCER IAN BuOLNEBO COLLEGE' Mitre Web Cirenlars free C.V.M.E. Web, Eare trine Boolc Wells all. Price 1101111, fitiolod, 00. IlOnj80, do. ilotwo it, Conn. A