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The Brussels Post, 1895-7-5, Page 2TIECE BRUSSELS' POST. JUa.x '6, 18.9 HEART TO HEART -1 CIi, L0YJ3'S UNERRING CHOICE;. CHAPTER I. "ToIOSo ayp5 OF MIL" "Veleta, sweet vi'lete, ouly a penny a bunch, lror feed's sake,sir,do buy a bunolt, pleaded a childish, treble voice at dark Deloraine's elbow,ae he descended the step of the "Pall Mall Restaurant," where lie had been dining with noire friends, and button ed Iris ureter closely round him to protect hinneelf front the bitter northeastwind that swept through the streets, The speaker was only a poor tittle Street Arab, Lour -headed, bear•faoted,'clothed in tattered freak, which left her shoulders and amus uncovered, Long elf locks streamed down her book, and in spite of dirt and starvation her features, though pinched and ' wan, were refined and delicate. Deloraine, who was as liberal a man as ever lived, thrust his hand into the pocket of hie ulster and pulled out some Loose coppers which he flung to the little girl, taking in return the bunch of white and purple blossoms, which she o60r• ed him. "It's werry hard to live, air, and thank'ee," exclaimed the child, lifting, as she spoke, a pair of the most exquisite eyes in the world to Doloraine'e face. He started as if he had been shot as he met the gaze of those childish eye=, and, turning aside, hurried down the steps and moron the pavement to the hansom whioh was waiting for him, and giving the address to the sleepy cabby, flung himself back in the vehicle with a muttered exolamatiouof surprise and agita- tion. Hie fashionable suit of chambers was soon reached, and his attentive valet step. ped forward to take his master's coat, to wheel the easy chair closer to the blazing Ore, and to set the spiritatand and box of Cigars on the Chippendale table by Deter. sine's side. "You oan go now, Austin," eaid his master. "I shell not require you again to- night." As the man bade his master a respeotful good -night and noiselessly left the room, beloraine mixed himself a glass of grog, lit a cigar, and, leaning back in his chair, relapsed into a reverie. It was the daint- ieatimaginable thing in the way of a sitting. room, this bachelor drawing -room in Mar Deloraine's chambers. The oak panelling was a delightful background for the Veno. tiau mirrors, shelves of exquisite old china, riohlybound books, bronzee,braekets,ahoiee hothouse flowers and water color drawings by the most famous artists of the day. The three ta.l windows were hung with curtains of nage Breen velvet, and the black and gold furniture was covered with the same costly stuff. A carved oak buffet was loaded with some huge gold salvers and racing oupe and tankards. The room was lit with a profusion of wax can- dles—Deloraine abominated gas—and a splendid fire blazed on the wide hearth, by the side of which sat the owner of this pleasant room—a tall, dark, weary.looking man about forty years of age, with a tired, dissatisfied expression in his deep eyes and about the curves of his proud mouth which told a tale of suffering and sorrow—met, and'perhape endured—not too patiently. While he smoked his cigar and gazed with a dreamy look into the red heart of the glowing fire his thoughts were busy with the almost forgotten past whioh had been recalled eo painfully to his memory that night by the eyes—so deeply, darkly, beautifully blue—ot the little flower girl. "Good Heavens 1" he said to himself, " how like she is to Kate, I have never seen so wonderful a resemblance ! What a fool I must be when a pejo of blue eyes— a chance likeness—ehouldiiiliave power to move me in this way ! 'Poor Katie I"— with a bitter, restless sigh—poor, foolish, jealous girl I I wonder what has become of her 1 Ali, the wine of life has never had quite the same flavor since she left mc," And Deloraine drained his glass, and quiokly refilled it, striving to drown reoolieotions—perhaps remanse —as 00 uneasy u man has done before, in the cup which, if it cheers, moat certainly inebri- ates. '" Plague on that child, with her blue eyes and her violets," he exclaimed, as he set down hist empty glass and lung his cigar into the grate. " She has brought Katie into my mind tn•night, and Ithought all that folly was over and done with. A villa in St. John's Wood, a brougham and a ' tiger,' sealskin and diamonds 1 That's been the end of my Katie, I fear 1 Height)! I'm nick of Loudon, I'll be Otto the Abbey next week and have some trout fishing. By Jove 1"—as the eilvery tones of the time. piece chimed the hour—" It's one o'clock ; Pll turn in now and forget all the Lolly of whioh that obtld eoatrangely reminded me, in a uoud might's rest." Midnight in London 1 A bitter north. oat wind blowing though the streets, and a shower of sleet falling sharply on the pavement. Overhead the bright stare were glittering in the steely blue heavens, and a young crescent moon was slowly rising over the tope of the houses. It was toward the end of March, and the London season was at its height. Carriages rolled through the streets eouveying their oeoupante to every description of gaiety, frivolity and vice. From the doors of a splendid mansion in Belgrave square a striped awning stretched acrossthe pavement, and several policemen etood by in prevent any one from crowding too olosely upon the exquisitely dressed women and high bred men who were entering the monsfon • Huddled up against one of Lha pill.rs of the portico was a little girl, weary, hungry and ragged, who cow- ered there for elicitor from the stinging, eleety shower, which stung her bare shout - dere and thin arms like whips of steel, She had a basket half full of sweet Spring vie. lets and delicate primroses in her nand, which even up to this late hour she had been endeavoringtosellinthe streets, Poo ehildl a few pence, bid up In the corner of her tat. tend pinafore, was all she had gained, and With a heavy heart and hitter tears she stand looking at the dainty, silken -robed and jewelled women who were naming into Lord Craven's princely mansion. In the far-off pest she could remember a woman,' as yomg and beautiful as any of Chao gay company, bending, with sweeping silk garment0 and gleaming jewels, over the laon,tritntned not where she had lain, to. kiss her goodnight before joining any ante of revelry. But that. wee leng ago, and poor Hilda had known nething but poverty and sorrow for half her young life. A policeman, spying her hiding place, told her in rough tones to move cls, and the child wee about to obey him when she °aught sight of a gentleman leaving the. house, 10 whose stalwart figure and . dark, proud faoe he recognized the gentleman who had giveu her many pence on the pre- ceding evening for a single bunch of violets, The poor, friendless little thing felt ahnoet as if she had found a friend, and hurrying after him and thnidly laying her handupon his arm, she implored him to buy some vlo. lets, for " mother's i11, and I don't know what to de," oho sobbed. Mr. Deloraine turned hostily to oanfeent the child, wh000 marvellous eyes hod awakened 80 many bitter memories fn hie heart the night before. i1 It must bn fate," he muttered, then added, aloud " What is the matter, my child ?" for Hilda was weeping bitterly. "Mother's ill," the replied, lifting hor ;eyes, like violets drenched with dew, to Mark Deloraines's face,)" and the landlady aaya 1f she doesn't have a dootor she'lldie, and, oh I I cannot get one tonight, 1 have uo money,"i ebbing as she spoke, "I wtli go with you," returned Delo• rain°, in a voice whioh trembled In spite of his efforts to calm lnmaelf, " and we will see what can be done for your mother. Has she been ill long ?" he added as the driver of the cab he had hastily signalled drew up to the pavement. He opened the door end bade the child enter, pausing ouly to give the address Hilda had given to him to the oshman ere he followed her. During the short drive he heard all the poor child could tell me of her brief his. tory. Her mother had earned a bare ex• istence for herself and her child for some live years by singing at one of the music halls with which London abounds ; a say. ere cold, ought the preceding Autumn, had settled on her oheot, and for many menthe she had b.en too ill to leave herbed They had lived for some time upon the money gained by the sale of their clothes and furniture, and no it was evident, from the little girl's artless narrative, that starvation was staring them in the facia, unless speedy aid arrived. (TO BE OOv4ISYEn.) ONE GOT WORK, THE OTHER A WIFE Two Tales or lteinrn!iuthle Honesty in I,,II, and the Rewards that Were Conferred. ' According to a Paris paper Louis La. °erre, a workingman without work, was walking along the Pont Neuf when he saw a soiled, dirt•begrimed envelope lying in the gutter. He pinked it up and almost fainted when he broke the seal, for the envelope contained bank notes to the value of 1,250 franca. Laserre had eaten noth- ing since the night before, when he had spent his last centime for a bowl of soap. He had slept in ono of the night refuges PARSQNAL POINTERS, A Few neon Aboni ,Some of the Creat yelps or the World. Arthur Balfour, beconnug tired of golf, hes taken to the bioyole, The Brinell Parliament, it f0 eaid, le watohing,Mr. Dal. four's oxperimente in wheeling with dope interest. Samoa np longer hat, (Marine for the aged mother of Robert Louis Stevenson. Ever sinoo the death of her son elm hoe desired to return to her old eeennetions sed friends in Edinburgh, Mrs, Steven- will soon loeve Samoa, and will snake a brief visit in London on the way home, A Bunion oyoling paper reports that, Count Leo Tolstoi has b000me an euthusi- astio bicyclist and joined the Moscow Cycling Olule. He rides for an hour each day, accompanied by some members of his family, who aro keen oyoliets, tee. Tolstoi' le said to have learned the art in a very short time. His ago is 67. On hor way back from Cape Martin to Farnborough the ex•Emprees Eugeniel, obeyed for a- time in Pari) and-` drove. through the Tuileries Gardena. No one recognized the pale -faced lady dressed in mourning as she drove by the site of what was Duce the royal abode where she enter- tained nearly every eovereigzl-in.Europe. The engagement of .Mise Edith Rocke- feller, the youuger daughter of John D. Rockefeller, and Han old Fowler MoOor• 'nick, son of the late Cyrus H. MoQormiok, of Chicago, is announced. This is another match of millions oonfined wholly to the United States, the Burden-Sloaue wedding at Lenox tide week being the other. Mine Eliza Wesley, the granddaughter of Charles and grandniece of John Wesley, died recently in London at the age of 76. She was a ohureh organist, as were her father and two of her brothers. Her father, Samuel \Veeley, composed his oratorio of "Ruth" a hundred and twenty-one years ago, in 1774, thirteen years botore Mozart wrote "Don Giovanni,"and while Beethoven was a boy of tour. Mout of the English judges have a pet recreation. The ex -Lord Chancellor Hale• Bury's hobby is sword exercile; Mr, Justice Try's is botany ; Mr. Justice Hawkins' is watching horse races and dogs; Mr. Jos - tics Grantham's ie arioket-field ; Mr. Jus- tice Vaughan Williams', diary farming ; Mr. Judo North's, entomology ; Mr. Justioe Chitty's, driving tandem ;Mr. Jus- tice Wille', mountaineering ; and Mr. Jus- tice Routers', training carrier pigeons. Captain Gardner, who died at North. allerton, England, recently, was a veteran of Balakiavo. In the famous charge of the Light Brigate Captain Gardner got as far as the mouth of the Russian cannon when a ball struck the chest of hie horse and threw the rider into the air. When he recovered he found himself across a Russian cannon, He scrambled down and ran fora mile and three-quarters through a storm of shot and shell before he reaohed his comrades, whioh Parisian charity provides for those unfortunates too poor to buy the meanest of lodgings. Before he had time to thoroughly real- ize, perhaps, that in his hand lay a small fortune, enough to support him oomforte bly for a year --he started on a run`for the nearest police official, to whom he surrend- ered the mot ey. Such honesty is as rare in Paris as it would be in London, and the astonished official overwhelmed Laserre with prelims, and ended by asking for hie address, so that he might send to him the reward whioh the owner of the notes would doubt• less give when he should reclaim them, "Alas, Monsieur," Losarre answered sadly, ' 1 have no address to give you. 1 have no money endue home. Tins evenine I am going to try to gain admission at the Hospltelite.de la \uit,' "'Very well," replied the yet- more as. tonisheu official, "if the owner comas to claim his money, I will send for you there. Hold I You look starved. Here's a franc. Get yourself something to eat." He held out the onin, and as Laserre seemed to hesitate about accepting it, said, "Ill lend you this, and you can repay me when you get your reward." Late that evening the owner of the bank notes went to the lodging house in search 01 the Hader, to whom he gave 250 francs as a reward. Not only this, for generosity as well as honesty is rare in such. case, He happened to be a large furniture manufao. turer, and as Leeerre's trade was cabinet making, he gave him luorotive and steady employment next day. Another Parisian tale of treasure trove has as different ending. The real names of the characters in the little drama, whioh is one of the most noticeable peculiarities of the Paris press, are concealed in the news. paper account under the masks of Monsieur Georges N. and Mlle. Angele Y. As Georges N. was passing along the Rue Montmarte about dusk one evening he saw a purse lying on the sidewalk, which he found aoutaioed500 francs in gold. Georges N., though not rioh, had a clerkship at a theueand frame a year, and was therefore in easy oircumetanres,irom a Parisian point of view. When one piol:s up a puree, "findings is keepinee," is the rule generally adhered to, so Georges N. deserves much credit for taking it to a (Jommissaire's. There a young and pretty girl wan tear- fully, relating how she had lost her purse containing 000 francs in gold—all her sav- ings, Georges N. asked her to describe her puree and, as the desoription fitted the one tie had found, he immediately restored it to her with a flowery, complimentary speech. Smiles chased the tears from her faee,and the young couple straightway became oblivious 10 the presence of the Commis - sake, she, iu lauding Georges's honeety to the skies, and he in modesty depreciating his virtues. They left arm in arm, and a few days later the banes for the marriage of thie young couple were announced. A TatoSed, Snake. The sailors of the Gulf of Mexico and the equatorial regions of the Atlantic Ocean ammo themselves, and also turn an imm- aterial honest penny, by e0.ptnriog 'both large and smallanakee of the variety known as Om lemon boa and covering tl:eirbodice. with tattooed lettere' and designs. Ono of these living manuscripts wits recently ex- Minted at Egyptian Hall, London, which had the whole of the third ohapter of Gen. ads 'arid some pieces from Punch totooed upon: his back in indelible letters of various colors. Thousands of thrum tabooed snakes aro annually (Repassed of at tele de,7aneiro. The buyore genorally kill theseanattos and either ekiri them or preserve the entire reptile in alcohol. South specimens are highly prized by both European and North American oolleotore of curiosities. LADY AYLMERJ OHAPTIIR li.Ily, 000800. Ily diet of hard travelling night and day Dick neoompliehed his journey home from India in fifteen days—a short time ie whioh to traverse such adisband* ; but oh, how long it named to Diok'e onxicus heart And feverish imagination 1 The feat P, and O. boat seemed to be °tending still, the pas- engo through the Suez Canal was madden. ing, although they wentstmaighb through, which was ae luoky as unusual. Then there was bite seemingly endless delays in getting off the steamer and into the train at Brindisi, and when at laid they were fairly off, the train seemed 'tocrawl along nofaster than the boat. Yet, in spite of all this impatient and vexatious anxiety, Diok made an unusually quick journey home, and in fifteen days from touching at Bom- bay, he found himeelf walking along the platform of the Viotorla Station: It woe hard on the time of Christmas- crowds of people were hurrying to and ire, most of them with the busy and impatient look upon their faces which oven the dull- est persons generally assume atthe approach >:f the festive season. But Diok did nob trouble himself much about them. He had very little luggage to impede him, all his heavy baggage having been left in the steamer to come by sea—in foot, he had only his ordinary portmanteau andhis hat- box, a couple of rugs and etiok, all these he had with hint in the carriage, eo that ho was almost the first' passenger to get his luggage passed. • " Cab, sir ?" asked his porter. " Yee, hansom,' Dick answered. The man. shouldered the portmanteau and went off to the oab.rank, Dick follow- ing ; but he was not destined 00 reach it without interruption, for se he crossed the less crowded part of the platform, he heard an exclamation of surprise and found him- self face to face with Lady Alymer. " Diok,Diok, is it you'?" ehe cried, star. ing at him. Dick put out his hands to her. "Yes Lady Alymer," he said ; I've come batik. The widely aireolated report that Qneeo Victoria proposed conferring the Order of the Garter on little Queen Wilhelmina, of Holland, is found to be entirely without foundation. It was probably originated by some writer who though tit might be a good thing, and so aneouuced it as a rumour. It would be an unprecedented act, as the Garter has never yet been bestowed on a female foreign sovereign, ann in no ease would it be given to cue under the age of 18. The Queen Regent of Holland and the Empress of Russia hat e both reoeived the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert from the Queen, but the Garter is more sacred, and neither it nor any other are ever given to children. The anniversary of the battle of Water- loo (fought eighty years ago) this month brings out annually some new story eon. noted with that mernorable event. Just now a bliss Stuart, of Chelsea, London, has Leen writing teat her uncle, Ensign Johu Tmpett, was eke youngest officer in the British ranke at the battle. He was four- teen, and a cartoon of the allled: armies entering Paris represents him at the head of a troop of youngsters storming a oonfeo- tionar's and looting Oakes and candies with drawn sword. An interesting veteran of the battle is a Frenchman named Vanoye, who lives near Lyons. He is 102 years old, and began work in a mill when he was five, At 08 he was vigorous enough to plant and cultivate his vegetable garden, but an injury to his hip has stopped that. Having grown tired of organ -grinding In the streets of London, that eccentric noble- man Viscount Hinton is now acting as a showman to a kinetoscope entertainment. " There is nothing haughty about Viscount Hinton," Saye the Westminster Budget. " It is an affable and condescending vis- count who shakes you by the hand as you enter the establiehmentand shows you how to put your penny in the Blot. Of course the thing is taking immensely in Leather lane. There are comparatively few vis- counts about this neighbourhood, and the newcomer is regarded with proportionate respect. And it certainly cannot be imputed to him that he shirks his duties. Etery customer that enters receives a cordial welcome at his hoe's, while the duration of his labours certainly exceeds the limits of an eight•hnur day. But, for all that, it is =tab better thee orgao•grinding, hesaye —the labour of which, he explains, has permanently crippled his right arm. A Dream Verified. A remarkable statement was made at an inquest held in Birmingham, England, on the body of a girl, named Rose Forster,. which was found in the canal hear Spring Hill. The deceased Buffered from the :street of a fever contracted some years ago, and since her attack had been particularly alarmed by thunder storms, Dnriog the storm on Wednesday week she left home, ostensibly to visit an aunt. She did not return, and the affair was reported to the police, who were helped by au aunt of the deceased, who related to 'them a strange dream. She dreamed that while passing the canal near Spring Hill she rippled the water with her umbrella, and: the body of the deceased 'donee floated on the surface.. She visited the spot the following morning, and, finding the polio dragging the canal in another part, euggeeted that they should transfer operations to the part she had dreamed of. They did eo, and immedi- ately recovered the bedy. A Fair Dlvfsfon. Mr. Winterbottom.—Emily, the doctor says all we need for these ,colds of ours la whisky and quinine. Mre. Winterbottom. —Opole, if yon think you're going to got. me to take any whisky you are much imetaken !' Mr. Winterbottom.—And I haven't a part!ele of faith in quinine, So I brought them in eepera0e packages. I'm in trouble—horrid trouble." " My dear boy, how ?" she cried. Dick looked about him, he was anxious not to waste a moment in getting to Palace Mansions. " You are going away," be said, uneasily. " I am keeping you. It is a long 'tory, and I am enxipus to get home to my wife-" Your wife, Dick I" oriel Lady Alymer opening her eyes wider than ever. "Why —but there.I won't keep you. Come with tile, I have the brougham here, I've been seeing Constance Seymour off—she has been ataying a few days with me. 1 will drive you where you like, the cab can bring your luggage." "That is. awfully good of you,' said Dick. "I can tell you the whole story as we go along. But first tell me where he is`" "My Lord ? In town," with a aignifi• cant nod. "There is somebody, and 1 don't think be hoe been successful this time. Something is goinf, on, and his temper is fiendish, and I am afraid, my dear Dick, he will take your return bad- ly,, "I don't think, Lady Aylmer," answered Dick steadily, "that he will find himself. in a position to make any remarks on the subject. Then you don't know what he is after just now?" " Not in the loot. And I don't choose to ask the servants, though I dare say they know all about it," she answered. " Then," Diok eaid, "I will tell you. May I close the window? I feel the change of climate a little. Thanks. Well, Lady Aylmer, I have been married more than a year, and he saw my wife, and— and did her the honor to admire her. He sent me out of the way to India, and look at thie," opening his pocketbook and showing her a scrap of newspaper. "I have not hoard from my wife fo more than three months, and then I found this—a a pitiful message from her to me. I have written, telegraphed, eaten my very heart out, and he hoe stopped all oommuni oatio0 between us. She is brooking he heart believing that I am false to her— who liveonly for her." "And ttben you meet my lord—cher will be a reckoning ?" Lady Aylmer said inquiringly. "Yes," auawered Dick, grimly : "ther will be a reokouing, and 1 don't think'Lord Aylmer will venture to question me abou my return home." Lady Aylmer drew a long breath. "A to that, my dear boy, time will show. Lord Aylmer is very fertile in excuses and it audacity. He very possibly may coolly turn the tables on you, 000 the virtuous uncle and pat the better of you. Be prepared fo anything," "He cannot explain intercepted letters and telegrams," cried Dick. "Lord Aylmer is capable of explaining anything," Lady Aylmer answered with conviction. They very soon meshed the road in whioh Palace Mansions may be found, and as th brougham drew up at the entrance to th buildsug,Lady Aylmer uttered an exolama thou of ourpriee. "51y dear buy, you wil omit him in the oat -that le our carriage.' The servants were huddled up in fur over their gorgeous liverles,but Diok knew them instantly. They, too, reoogoize Lady Aylmer, and touched their hats, Go straight fn," she said. " Which are the winrlowa?" "To the right of the door," Dick ons wered. They were scereely an instant, and Diok foie in his pocket. 1 took my latolt-key by accident, he whispered. "I littl thought I should' find tt so useful." The next moment he had opened th door, when Amelia Harris, hearing hits, Dame cuiokly out from the kitchen, and fell back aghast to see her ladyehlp end in lords heir, Mr. Aylmer. "You lime," said Diok, in diegnst "Not one word—at your peril," "Mr. Alymer—my lady"—eho began when Lady Alymer stopped her by a wav of hor hand. "Go back to your ltitohen;'woman;" nit said, coldly, " Dick, is there any othe entrance tothis house? No? .[hen loci that door. We shall require that women later, probably," She pointed imporiauely t0 the door nut of which Amelia tied Net nems, and there was no, oho!ce int obedience. All thio had paeeod in u whisper, and Lady Alymer eaid in the sumo tone t0 Diok, t' W hioh is the drawing.room?" '1 That -•-the door 10 esti oloacd," " Ie there oe sorean l" 1$ Yee, "Push 10 open." she said. And even as Diok cautiously did 50, they heard Lord etyloner"e voice epeaking to. seine one within, "glut, Dorothy, my darling, my dear little lave, do not refuse one'? Ie there nothing Ikon do to propitiate you?" Noll pg, Dorothy'e cad, soft voice re- plied, "I wish you would go away—I have mistaken you all along. I thought you were 80 kind and good and fatherly ; but I see my .fnieteke now. I suppose I ought to be angry with you, only it seems ride:ulotta to be angry in that way with an old gentleman like you." 1 am' not old, Dorothy, I should always be young if you eared for me," he replied. Oh, I dare say," answered Dorothy, 1r • differently ; "but I am harried, and 1 am very mfeerable.'"' " Let me make you happy ?" he urged, "'Could you give me the moon if 1 cried for it?" she asked, with a soft norm "Do not talk noneoense, Lord Aylmer. Go Home and try to realize that you have mistaken a good` woman and a faithful wife for something else ; and try, to remem. ber, too, that if you persist in your useless attentions, you become my persecutor, " I shall never give you up," he cried. "No," said Dorothy, wearily, "because you cannot—you cannot give up what yen Wive never had. I am nothing, and have never been anything but a.wieh to you, I' never /Mall be—never," with a euddengnst of passion, "Not if yon stayed on your koeee from now till crank ot doom." "And you think I 'shall take this an. ower?" Ile cried, furiously. "I am sure of it," eaid Dorothy, quietly. "You cannot help yourself, I hove no other to give}ou." You think I will leave you—to go dreaming on about the fellow who betray- ed you and deserted you, who has left you for months without alga or word, who never even told; you his real name, who"-- "Married ho"—"Married me," cried Dorothy, goaded into betraying her secret at last, I am Disk's wife -1 shall. be Lady Aylmer some day." "Damnation 1" cried the old savage in a' fury." "My boy is your hair, my lord," she cried triumphantly,. "eo you seehow likely,' bow very likely the other arrangement is." Then she broke down and began to cry ptteouely. flick went a step furtherinto the room. "Dorothy," said the old. load, "I begof you not to ory like that. I will do any- thing, everything to make you happy. I will settle five thousand a year on you," at which Lady Aylmer spread out her hands expressively to Diak, for the old lord had "cried poor'' for many and many a year. "What I Still no ? Dorothy,be reasonable, think ! You hove compromised yourself with me—I have been hers coutinually— my carriage stands at your door for hours, Dick will never come back, never—I know him so well ; and even if he did, he would never believe you spinet all the evidence which could be brought against you. Why, think of your position now—you aro along in the house with me, except fora woman who is my servant—my tool. Your cousin has gone away for two nays, your old ser- vant is away, toe. At this moment you are absolutely at my mere,." " Olt no, no I" Dorothy cried,as if struggling against him. " Atony mercy," went on the wicked, sneering voice, " and I have uo mercy"— " Nor I I" thundered Dick, dashing the screen aside. ' He had his uncle by the throat ere Dor- othy, in her surprise, could gasp out his name. " You scoundrel ! you villain 1 he cried, and shook him ae a terrier shakes a rat, flinging him backward . on to a lounge. • " My love 1 my sweetheart !" ha cried, tenderly, turning to Dorothy. " I got your poor little pitful message at last. My poor little lova dear little wife, there has bee nothing worse between ha than that wicked old sinner there," " Dick ! Diok !" was all she could say. During this, Lord Aylmez had very carefully and tenderly gathered himself together and got on to his feet, .when he cautiously made his way in a blind Bort of fashion toward the door. Not so quickly, niy lord," said a voice —one that he knew well, " you have to reckon with me, now. I want to know the meaning of the extraordinary proposals which you made jueb now to your nephew's wife l if you oan settle five .thousand a year upon Mrs. Harrisyou can settle it wMrs. equal ease upon Aylmer, and if you wish to keep this morning's surprise a secret, with all itapleasant little addit-ons of -evidence, suppressed lettere, intercept• ed telegrams, ]nes and dishonor, that is rho price whioh you will pay for the privi- lege." She stood looking at him, a commanding inflexible, haughty preaenoe, secure iu her own rectitude and inher marriage settle• menta; and for the Bret time iu Ma life the savage old lord quailed before her. " I—I—you've done one, allof you," lie muttered indistinctly ; "' that little jade the cleverest of all. But five thousand a year 1 '- I'll l e"—there was a long dread- ful silence; he caught at hie throat with palsied fingers, started blindly round, and fell backward on thelouore again. Lady Aylmer was the first to reach him, " Take your wife away, Dick. These fits aro most distressing to see,"she said. "Oh, yes ; ho has had them before—often. Get me some brandy, and water ; but keep your wife away." She went to tiro window and flung it open, "Mario,' she called, " tell Jones to go for the nearest doctor at ono, and you come in here. Your lord Is in a fit," " Yes, my lady," said Charles ; then added to Barker, " Old codger in alt." I thought there'd be a pretty shine -up be. tween my lady and Mrs. Harris, to say nothing of t:}roomootroad." " Ah 1' eoitl Barker, wisely ; " it was time my lady know what was a -going on." Dr. Franklin was soon on the spot, but ho only shook hie head and said Lord Aylmer' had better be got foto bed at once. "Very serious. We will try all remedies possible ; but I must toll you frankly it f0. a very grave nee," Yes, we understand," said Lady Ayl• mer, calmly, "Perhaps for general satin- faction we hail better oeud off, for our own doctor; but you will stay and meet hire, of course." "Certainly, Lady Aylmer. I ehahl: be meat happy to do so; he replied, So Jones was sent off for Sir Verges 1lf, fany, and 'Lady Aylmer rang the bell whioh: was answered by Amelia Harris who inked frightened out of her nuns, "Oh, Dresser, eaid Lady Aylmer, epeak. leg to her by her reel name, "I want you. Come hero." "Yee, my lady." "I always knew that yeti were a thor- ough!), nnpripoipled wemaa, said the lady, coldly, "but I did not think you would de"eoMndylady1" to stealing lettere." "Not one word I' Lord Aylmer, you see, has had a fit and they are going to get him into bed. If you value your liberty," sigufficantly, "you wiil do what you eau to make yourself useful." " Yes, my lady," meekly, and with an awful fear knocking ab her heart that, if ehe was lucky enough to keep out of prison, Lord Aylmer would doe and she would never get afarthing of the money for whioh ehe had risked her liberty --money by thie time swollen to a thousand pounds. Truly" a More mieorable -woman than Amelia Dresser, otherwico Barris, did not live i0 London town shut der, " Dick," staid lady Aylmer, walking into the little dlning.roon, while the dootor, Marilee and Dresser were oarrtyfng the un- oone0ioue old lord into Dorothy' bedroom, ' your wife cannot in any case stop here. Oh I is that the baby ? What a love I But tell me, would it not be beet for her to take the child to Belgrave square? I suppose you have a nurse, my dear?" Oh, yes. Esther would make me have a nurse." Dorothy answered. e"'" Then just take what you are, likely to want for the night and let the nurse pack op a few things for the child, and take her now, Dick. The carriage is still here. Tell them who she is, of course ; and see that they make her comfortable. It ie bet. for for her to be out of the way of title." " I would rather soup, Lady Aylmer," orled Dorothy. " Don't part me from Dick so soon, for lie would have to oome back here. I will abayinthis room. I will keep quite out of the way,indeed.I will." "Very well -very well," said my lady, smiling. She was very considerate and tender with Dorothy, yet her heart was heavy at the disclosures of the past hour. It' was a ter• riole end even to an unhappy marriage, and l.ady Aylmer, remember, had been, married for love. Well, that exciting day dragged Iritself away. Dorothy would have Diok send off a telegram to Esther and Barbara, announc- ing his return home, For Barbara had recovered very slowly from her acoident, and having taken a ohlll whioh was follow- ed by a0 attack of bronchitis, had been peremptorily ordered off to Bournemouth, whither Esther had taken her. There was so much to tell Diok, so mooch for Dick to tell her, and they sat almost all the afternoon by, the Ore talking. And Lady Aylmer kept watch by the bed of him who had lived so wicked a life, and prayed with, heart and soul for that mercy which he 'bad never troubled to ask for himself, and could'oot ask, now that it was too late. For it was to late I Lord Aylmer never opened his eyes consciously on this world again 1. For several hours he lay breathing hard, and unconscious of all the remedies applied to him, and ot the means by which the doctors tried to arouse him from hie stupor. All in vain l The life which might have beau a noble one, but which had been given over to all manner of soil,, slipped away,and about 6 o'clock, while Dick and his wife were still sitting by the Ore talking with the lights turned! low, Lady Aylmer came gently in. Dick knew in a moment from her manner what had happened. "Lady Aylmer, is it -- And, in answer, Lady Alymer took Dorothy in herr arms and kissed her. "My dear," she said, "yon are Lady Aylmer now." ITIIE Erin.] COMPARATIVE NATIONAL WEALTH. A Remarkable Development or Industry and Wealth: On Ibis Continent. Mr. Mulhall'° latest contribution in statistics is a review of the power and wealth of the United States. Much of it is very technical in character and can only be appreciated by the skilled student of such literature. It shows, however, a remarkabledevelopment of industry and wealth on this continent, and in which of course, Canadians have shared, whioh in a few years, if continued uninterruptedly will give Amet lea the greatest and richest community in the world. Mr. Mulhall first examines the material power by whioh oommodittes are produced, conveyed and distributed reducing the working power of able-bodied men, of horses, and of atom to what are known as foot tone. And he finds the following advance in the daily average tier inhabitant ; 1820, 440 ; 1840, 1,020 1800, 1,240; 1880, 1,045: 1895, 1,940. This latter figure is greater than that apportioned to great Britain, whioh is 1,470; Germany has only 902, France 910, Austria 560 and Italy S80. This superi- ority of productive power in the United States is making its influence felt in accumulated wealth, which has grown, acoording to Mr. Alulhall'e figures, at the following rate, the first column giving the total and the second the average per capita :-- 1810. $ 1,960,000,000 S 205 1840 3,910,000,000 230 1815016,100,000,0(10 514 1330 ., 43,642,08t0,000 870 1890..._. 65,037,000,000 1,039 It isinterestingto note, however, that great a0 is the expanai:u thus shown, the average ia still 20 per cent, less than that of Great Britain, 10 per cent. lees than beat of France, and a little less than that of Holland. Itis noteworthy, too, in conneotioo with presentday politi0al discus - ideas, that the greatest growth has been iu connection with urban production, and that, aueonposying it, there has been a steady and large increase in the wage earn- ings of operatives, the rise being from 10289 in 1860 to 5485 in 1800. Sum• ming up, Mr. Mulhall says The United Staten In 1805 possess by far the greatest productive power in the world that this power has more than trebles since 1800, tieing fibro 30 :to 120 milliards of foot tone daily ;: that the in- tollootual progress of the'nation to attended to in a more liberal mannerthan in Europe, and that the acauinulatton of wealth aver- ages $7,000,000 daily." There is no Mulhall oaloullation of Canada's wealth, but there be roan for thinking, that it is not, amending to popnlatione far behind that of the United States, Very well qualified observerehave'. held that tho'provioco of Ontario embraces within its bounds' 01e best off community of its size in America, whioh, evidently, is equivalent to saying in the world. And the rest of Canada is doing very well by all mounts, If the United States passes the mother lend in the average wealth.' of its people, it will Sabi the British Dominiin in America quite close at its heels. Wife—"That's a per£eot dream of a bon• net." Husband—"Yes; but I'll bet it 0000 a regular nightmare of a price,"