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The Exeter Advocate, 1891-11-19, Page 2sellteniOnnianeetalle. Ultd )1114100." Re thought he hada miesion To be a ooliticiaa And Ffhow the boys some tricke they never. lamer ; Ile bed a little money, This mav iteleed soundfunnik roe in Polities 'tis "boodle" ' tem" and He was a very eood fellow! So free, so aka, so inellow, The gang an grew to love him knoi•e and more. They pushed him and. they groomed lam, They miffed hint and they boomed:him, They swelled his heaa fourteen by twenty- four. Ile kept the " boodle" flowing, . The gang kept loudly blowing, They had ta eineh on everythii ng n sight. They kept nim swiftly moving, They Said. he was improving, Re never slept a wink by day or night. He never kicked or grumbled, fle never (WM tumbled ; lle thought he'd soon goo office, honor, fame, Rut, alas 1 in the convention Ris name tliey didn't mention, And be didn't have a dollar to his name. KISS HELEN'S LOVERS. "Tho young lady was wearing a very handsome waCch set with brilliante" he volunteered, eddressiug the porter. " It was an enaiueled hunter as far as I cou ld see born where I sat in the carriage. She took it out and looked at it more than once before we reached—" " Do you know the lady ?" inquired the porter, looking hard at the man. " Are Thu acquainted? Is she a friend of years ?" " 1 have never seen the young ledy in my Rio until toglay. I was in the traiu when she got in at Meriton." Then the porter leaned out of the car- riaee and called loudly for " Bill," who, in the shape of another porter, preeently scrivecl, accompanied by the guard and. a policeman, by whom Helen was questioned closely-, and by whom her companion was keenly scrutinized. The train which had halted outside tho station in order that the tickets might be collected, now proceeded into Si. David' e station, the policeman and "Bill" remaining in the carriage, the former still cross-examining Miss Mitford aeld keeping a watchful eye on the man. Helen told her Bhort story concisely ; she was not the kind of woman who outwardly loses her head or grows confused in an un- pleasant emergency ; though, in truth, she was frightened and miserable at heart, she preserved a dignity of manner calculateci to freeze her interrogators. When the train drew up alongside the crowded Exeter platform, the man with whom Helen had traveled collected his be- longings and was about to leave the e e car- riage, had not the policeman interposed, civilly enough, but decidedly. "I am sorry, sir, but we shall want to speak to you. The circumstances are not altogether satisfactory, I'm afraid. Before reaching this lady looked at her watch, it was safe then. She falls asleep almost immediately on leaving , you were alone in the carriage with her ; when the awakes the watch is gone, likewise the purse. The circumstances, as you'll allow, i are not satisfactory, and it s my duty to sift them to the bottom." The man turned first red and then very pale. " Them you suspect me of stealing?" he demauded, and the dismay in his voice touched Helen ; she turned her gray eyes compassionately upon him. " I am Quite euro he did not do it," she said quickly, addressing the policeman. "Thank you ma'am," said the man. " What reason have you for saying that, Miss ?" inquired the policeman, sternly. I can see he is an honest man," Helen answered ; her feminine logic was not con- vincing. • "She had none other than a womana reason, She thought him so, because she thought him so." The policeman smilei grimly. "He will have to prove himself an honest man by turning out his pockets for one thing and giving a satisfactory account of himself for another. Will you kindly oblige me with your name sir, your business and your destination?" "No difficulty about the one or the other. My name is Smithers, William Smithers, native of Barforcl, county of Warwick. I'm a gentleman's servant, valet to Mr. Albert Jones, who is travelling in a first-class smoking compartment in the front pare of this train. We are on our way to Newton . Noelcombe, North Devon, the seat of Sir Adolphus Jones, Knight, father to Inv 2> The polieemanlistened to this explanation attentively, then turned with a wise and skeptical smile to Bill. " We must find this Mr. Albert Jones, , Bill," he said. At that moment there hurried past the 1 carriage window a tall, good-looking young' man, whose face was wrinkled with a frown, and who scannecl the crowd upon the plat- form in evident and impatient search for some one whose duty it was to be found. , "That is my master," cried Mr. Smithers, ' with a note of triumph in his voice. "Ask the gentleman to step here a mo- ment," said the policeman, addressing "Bili" "1 must get out," Helen said,desparately. "1 have to change trains here, I can not wait." "We must settle up this matter before you go, Miss." "Then we must settle it outside, on the platform. I can not stay here.", As she spoke, "Bill," accompanied by the gentleman, reached the door, which stood 4m.a . This Mr. Albert Jones was of pre- ppesessing appearance. He was a handsome, prosperous, genial, young man. His easy temper was very seldom ruffled, indeed a fess contented man than he could have found little to grumble at in his smooth and golden path. But just now he looked hot and irritated, and he spoke angrily. "What on earth is all'thie about, Smith- ers? Why on earth will you travel third when I pay for your second-class ticket? You are so infernally economical that you deserve to be locked up !" Then catching sight of Helen's figure from behind the policeman, whither she had withdrawn on his approach he went ort with charitable 'interest and some condescension. "11 that is the per- son who fancies Smithers has got her puree, I can assfire her that she's mistaken. Smithers don't rob me so I am sure he would not rob her. But if she can't get home without a ticket, I hope she will allow me to provide her with anyrnoney she may want." This open -headed generosity, this cop- venient suggestion should surely have been received with gratitude and thanks, but exasperated, robbed, proud Helen chose to be offended. With the mien of an affronted princess she pushed her way past the police- men and answered this overbearing gentle- man with extraordinary dignity and cold- ness. " I did not think that your man had ;stolen my thin,ge. I knew that he had not. And I Want, nothing but to be allowed to leave the carriage. Would you kinkly let nse pass?" 1 CHAPTER III. " Virlsorie humble rrieans watch nob His haughty- spirit," Sltalatipeare. Miss Mitford's voles), Awe and manner were so unexpeeted ars to he te little etart. ling. But the young num inistantly stood aside and mimed his hat with an ingratiatiug stuile. He smiled, not became) h fouod her manner amusing, but because it was his habit to smile where women were concerned, yhcy were always so very,gratious to him that he had never yet found ornasion to frown in their company. He half offered his hand to help her alight front the car- riage, but he was just a moment too late, she was already on the platform. She found that the train to Noelcombe was behind its tines ; it would not be in for half an hour. During the earlier part of that iuterval, Smithers, who was now exon- erated from suspicion, And Helen formed the nucleus of group consisting Of several officials, the policemo.n and Smithers' mas- ter, who, to that young persou's annoyance, had entered with officious intereet into the discussion concerning her loss. He was a young man of some energy, and energy to those who live idle lives is a superiluoue possession, of which they are glad to had opportuuity to rid themselves. Besides which Miss Mitford was an unusuallypretty girl and in distress. So he took the investi- gation of the affair into his own hands, directed every measure which was adopted for the recovery of the property, asked a hundred questions and sho-wed some talent for the detective trade. The cross-examination to which she was compelled to submit was not the least un- pleasant part of the unfortunate day. At length, the subject, exhaustive as it proved, was brought to an abrupt conclusion by the arrival of the Plymouth Zulu. Helen with- drew to the ladies' waiting room where she sat, sulking, in the !stifling heat of that crowded. room. She was cross, hot, tired, but she was glad to escape from her un- desirable notoriety and still more glad to be quiet of the persistent gaze and. searching interrogations of that complacent son of the low -born, purse -proud Sir Adolphus ,Tones, whose condescending attentions were intoler- able. "The train won't be in for ten minutes," he said, at once. "1 hope you don't mind my having sent for you, but I thought you would like a cup of tea, or something before you go on." Mr. Jones young, good-looking, popular among his febow-men, and heir to a pro- digious income, was not likely to be humble nor blind to his own advantages. The kind maidens and their still kinder mothers, with whom he came in contact at every stage of his life, had flattered and cajoled him into the belief that his personal attractions were irresistible. Of the more aubstantial attractions which he possessed they were evidently oblivious, and he, to do him justice, did not suspect his guileless flatterers of ulterior designs, but accepted their proffered friendship with frank pleasure, ascribing his popularity with the fair sex to any reason and every reason but the right one. With an appreciative eye, he noted the beauty of Miss Mitford's graceful figure ; the turn of her throat, the erect pose of her head, the length of her curly lashes, the dimple that cleft her round chin, and the curve of her short, upper lip. She was more than pretty—she was beautiful, and just the style of girl whom he admired • he wished to eee more of her ; he would like to hear her talk. How silent she was, and how solemn—saddened, no doubt, by her depressing position. He would like to see her smile ; her smile ought to be very sweet ; there was a suspicion of a dimple indenting her pale cheek. How white, how travel-eoiled, how grave she looked. He was so sorry for her. But her conduct was disappointing, for she, with frigid polite- ness, refused his offer of tea, and turned to re-enter the ladies' waiting room. " Why not wait here ?" he inquired, earnestly. " I should like to rest until the train is in," whith what he called her unfortunate governess manner. " You can rest out here," pointing to an adjacent bench ; "there is more air out here. It is much better for you than being stifled among all those women. Do come, you are looking so awfully done up, and I will bring you a cup of tea down here. Bat the waiting -room door had closed behind her before his sentence was ended. It was evident that she was very gauche, but it was also evident to her observant and good-natured companion that she was tired out; he was convinced that she had refused hie offer from some other motive than disin- clination for the proffered refreshment. "It is an awkward thing for a shy girl to accept anything from a strange fellow," he reflected. "1 was clumsy; I must manage it better. She shall have her tea, I earear, for I know she is dying for it," and he walked off to the refreshment room. A few minutes later a maid, accompanied by Smithers, and carrying tea, cake, bis- cuits, and a plate filled with white -heart cherries, entered the ladies' waiting -room. There, at Smithers' direction, the tray was placed on the table by Helen's side, with the words— "The gentleman desired. me to bring these, ma'am." The retreating figure showed no conscious- ness of Helen's quick disclaimer— " It is a mistake. I ordered nothing—I • want nothing." That tea and those seductiv-e cherries stood untested a this foolish girl's elbow ; she looked at them wistfully, but she touched them not. When her train came into the station, she felt that she was turn- ing her back on a terrible temptation, as , she bustled out upon the crowded platform, , where she was immediately joined by Mr. Jones. "This way if you please. I've got you a 1 carriage. My man will see to your luggage ; it is with mine." And he hustled her on till they reached 1 an empty compartment, the door of which was held open by Smithers. "1 am traveling third," she said, glanc- ing within the carriage. " This is first." I "Tho man—the who -do -yon -call it at I the ticket oface"—stammering over the prevaricationee" gave me a first-class ticket for you." [As indeed he had done, and had been ! paid for it, too.] "Thank you, but I like third bet; it— ib is coolest." I "As you please." This girl was lees shy than disagreeable after alL "1 am going in there," indicating the smoking.carriage - next door, "80 you would get this place to yourself. The rest, of the train is very much crowded." Helen hesitated. She believed that the white ticket which he held had been pro- vided by the generosity of the railway com- pany she also believed that by a fortunate coincidence—not by bribery and corruption —the selected compartment happened to be empty—the only compartment in the full Smithers, with respectful mien, patiently held the door open. " Take your seats !' shouted a porter at, her ellmw. An eager crowd of exeited excursionists surged past ; dttinken man staggered close to here Mr. donee said nothing, but preserved an indif- ferent, air. The drunken man settled tho question. • Helen shrunk away in disgust frornliim, and maying, I really think I will go id heire,'' entered the Carriage pre- cipitately, and with eeme keg of digriity. There was an exeureion to Exeter fronl Daanstaple to -day," Mr, Jones explained. They go back by thia train. We Wield get rid of the orowd there." II° Was standing en the platform, still With his lkana on the sill of the (Ten window. He Was thiuking thet it would have been pleasanter to travel with thelaandsome girl than to smoke next door, He was in search of an excuse to change his mind and join her. Miss Mitford, with a cam and, inap- proachable mien, returned hie titeady gaze. An excuee was not easy to find, but just before the train, stared he gave her an ink. ling of his intention bv his last words— You will find some papers in there if you care to look at thetn. I shall see you again at Barnstaple ; 1 ellen have done my smoke by that time. Au revoir." He means to travel with me from Barn- staple to Noelcombe," Helen concluded, closing her lips tight and not looking amia- ble. That is precisely what he had meant, and what he else proceeded te do. At Barnstaple he entered the carriage, as though it was a matter of course that he should do so, and taking the seat op- posite to its occupant, he said : "I hope you don't mind my coming in here? There were such a lot of men in the other carriage that they smoked me out." She made some inarticulate sound which suggested her indifference to his movements. A pile of illustrated papers lay, where he had placed them beside her on the seat. Ile pointed at thorn and asked whether she had been reading. "Ib is too hot to read," ahe eaid. "Perhaps you are one of the people who can never read in a train V "1 read sometimes." "It makes your head ache, perhaps ?" " Yes, it does." " Does it make your head ache to look at pictures ?" No "—a, moment's pause; "but talking makes my head ache." " I'm so sorry; that ,is particularly un- fortunate, for I have a question or two which I really inust ask you. Yon see, I ought to have a full description of your watch and purse, a minute account of your fellow-travellers—every particular, in fact, of the circumstances to send up to head- quarters as soon as possible. I am sorry to trouble you, but I want it down in black and white; it would not do to trust to my memory in any important business." He drew out a book—it might have been a note-book—and pencil from his breast pocket, and began in a business -like way to question Helen, and write down her answers. She was impressed by his manner and set at ease by this explanation of his intrusion. "Your name ?' " Helen Mitford." " You came from Meriton, you said— started about 2.30? How far do you live from the station ?" " Two miles." He entered this important item carefully. " Meriton is a pretty village," he re- marked. "1 have often passed through it on my way to Dromore." Helen started and looked at -him. "You know Dromore ?" he pursued. cg yoo "The Chilterns are awfully nice people." Lady Chiltern was Helen's cousin and most intimate friend ; but she had grown frigid again, for what had the Chilterns to do with the notebook, or the theft? "Would you kindly describe your fellow - travellers ?' he proceeded, with solemnity, his pencil poised in the air and his dark eyes watching her expressive face. "A thin, middle-aged man—I thought he was a dissenting minister—sat next to me. There was a woman—a smart woman with feathers and dirty hands—opposite to me. The other people were men; I hardly looked at them. I could not recognize either of \ Viem." E Poker men !" murmured the gentleinan, writing in his book. This superfluity of the dialogue was 'a mistake on his part. A delicate color rose to Helen's cheek ; she averted her eyes and her attention from her vis -avis, and fixed them on the landscape. The scenery through which they were passing was maenifieent. Great hills, topped with rugged bowlders of gray granite, clothed short turf on which droves of horned sheep were browsing, streaked and belted with woods of oak and ash, rose almost perpen- dicularly from out the smiling valleys. "Oh, look," she suddenly cried, with a deep -drawn breath of happiness, pointing through the open window, "there is the sea." A blue and wrinkled belt of water glit- tered between a cleft hill, at the sight of which Mr. Jones, -on being thus accosted, expressed rapture. "Have you never been here before ?" " Never." " It is such a ripping little place, I know you will love it. Whereabouts in Noeleombe are you staying ?" " I don't know exactly where the house be, "1 might have to eee you, don't you know, about this business; I may have for- gotten to ask you some important question, so I ought to know your addresa." "My aunt lives at Carnation Cottage." For some time his governess theory about her had been wavering; it now expired. "How long shall you be down ?" he asked, anxiously. "1 do not know." "You will be here until the week after next?" " Oh, yes." "1 shall probably hear something from the railway company in a few days ; in that onse I will call and tell you what they say —that is, if you will allow me to do so. ' "Thank you ; you are very kind." The words were unimpeachable, but the tone in which they were uttered watt not encouraging. " We shall be very lucky if we can hear of either weteh or purse again." The " we " was offensive to . Miss Mitford. " Yee, the recovery of things lost in that way is so unlikely that I am exceedingly sorry that you troubled yourself at all about the matter." She was very dignified and grand, but he was not awed. "It is the sort of a search I like," he said Miss Elizabeth Mitford WAS in face, die - frankly ; "I shall be as proud as Lucifer if.I position, and in manner, a mild caricature can trace them. If it can be done, it shall of her brother, the rector. be done, I pro,miee you." Her gray hair was arranged in rows of "I don't see how you are going to do it." 1 graduated curls on either side of her tanned "Leave it to me," he told her with an I and weather-beaten face, her long nose smile of superior wisdom. And then lie k dipped over a wide mouth that curled up at diplomatically began to extol the glorious the corners with a bland contentednees country through which they were passing. which was almost, but not quite, a mike There was Morte Point, there tho merciful • her chin receded, and her over -arched eye- lighthouee which guarded the ships off that brows wrinkled her forehead deeply, and sharp peninsula of jagged rocks, there was left her round blue eyes wide open. the famoue Toro'. ther° a Draidkal stone, I She was indifferent to her appearance but there a cromlechIf hit geography was ita- not to her comfort. For the sake of shade, accurate, Helen did not discover it, but she were a weeeemienmea straw hat, bound, listened to what he paid with interest and 1 for the sake of security, with a black ribbon tingled upon him. 1 beneath her chin. For the sake of Coolness, But when the ,travelers reached Noel- she wore a light chintz gown, faallioned combo Road poor Helen discovered that the • with a view to ease, not elegance ; for the inisfortunea 61 thet unlucky day were not sake of cerivenience, she wore no gloves. yet over. With a culpable want of fore- I have deecribed her in her gardening garb, thought, Me. Jonee desired her to intervieve itid as she spent the greater pert of each station maeter and ticket collector in his day in tine pursuit, and often snatched an preiene.e. Out came his note -book again, hour frorn the night for murderous &Mom and the 6:Atone routine of makes questionon alegs—which is a form of gardening— Which she had &treacly answered had to be this was her perpetual summer costume. tepeathd. At the time the uselese delay The atmoephere within a hundred yard 'fretted her, but when at last she was set free and on emerging from the statioit found that omnibuses and ohs had, alike started for Noelcontbe, leaving her and her box five miles front her destination, he was dismayed end reedy to cry, " Why. didn't you feteh me 2" she in- quired, nueerably, of a porter ; "you saw me here,, you knew I was going to Noel - combo, Why did you let the omnibus start without me l2" I understood you were along ot Mr. Jones, Miss," the man said a " you came up in the train along o' him. His man went on in the cab, but the dogcart is outside waiting." tinglai; Amoment Mr. Jones himself aP• preached and asked Helen anxiously what Was wrong. When she had explained her position and this eelreinating misfortune, he was extremely concerned. He rated the porter with great severity and used unpar- liatnentary language about the thick heads of the west -country people. "However,' he added, turning to Helen with courtly and ingenuous air, it is fortu- nate that my cart is here, for, as I am going your way, I need not tell you how pleased? shall be to drive you to Carnation Cottage." His nkanner was very happy. If Helen had not, by an abrupt turn of her Read, caught sight of a meaning gria on the face of the porthr, she would most likely have sornplied gratefully with this suggestlou, but that grin aroused a suspicion in her mind that determined her immediate action. It would have been a relief to have said something really rude to this presumptuous, low -born stranger ; her eyes were danger- • ously bright, she was very angry. With a meaningless inclination of the head she waived the question, and turning, re-entered the station. After giving the stationmaster sufficient orders for the forwarding of her box at the earliest opportunity, she in- quired from him her way to Noekome'and then witheut looking to the right hand or the left, set off at a rapid pace he the di- rection indicated. - A few minutes later the unconscious offender, Mr, Jones, climbed into his cart and drove off after the dark figure, which was already at some distance from him, and upon which he kept his eyes. He wondered why she would not start with him; perhaps. she was shy of the people at the citation. She had not seemed a bashful young woman; no doubt that studiously cold way of hers was a form of shyness. He would wait until she turned the cornerof the road, and was consequently out of sight of the station, before he picked her up. How well and how quickly she moved.! Neithei heat nor weariness beat down her erect head ; how high she held it ! Her shoulders were rigid as she walked ; there was no undulation, nothing gentle, nor drooping about her ; she had an uncompro- mising back. The sun wee lo w in the west, the air was cooler than it had been all day, a freshening evening bree had risen, yet how pale she looked. Poor girl, she was tired out. , He touched the horse with the whip, and next moment was alongside of her and addressing her by name. " Mies Mitford, you went off in such a hurey ; you had gone in a moment, before I knew where you were. Please get in as quick as you can, the horse won't stand." He leaned over the splash -board and offered her his hand to help her into the cart. - "Thank you, but I'm going to walk to Noelcombe, ' eke answered, moving on as she spoke. He caught sight of her face ; there was animosity in every line of it. "You can't walk," he said, "it would kill you. .It's five miles—more—and an awful road—hills the whole way—hills like O switchback." She did not argue, but she walked on faster : he kept the cart by her aide. "1 assure you that you can't walk," he said, a little irritated and very much sur- prised. "You don't understand, I am not exaggerating—it is five miles if it is a step You don't know what that distance in this part of the country means. You must get in --indeed, you must; you are tired out already." "Thank you, but I would rather walk were the distance ten times greater than it is." " Under those circumstances I have nothing more to say. ' And, taking off his hat with great cere- mony, Mr. Jones drove off, leaving an irri- tating cloud of dust in his track. Before the cart was out ofsight Helen had repented her decision. "1 was a fool," she maid, "it would have been better to have driven with a ' butcher cr a hangman than this." " This " was a long, steep, stony hill which stretched before her. CHAPTER IV. Long lines of cliff breaking have left a chasm; And in the chasms are foam and yellow sands; Beyond, red roofs about a narrow wharf In cluster; then a molder'd church, and high A long street climbs— Excion ARDEN. Noelcombe was just such another fishing - hamlet as that home of Philip, Enoch and Annie, above described ; but its one nar- row street, after climbing half -way up the broken cliff -aide, was met and lost in row after row of neat, newly -built lodging - houses. Marine Parade, Sea View Terrace and West Cliff Place daily disgorged during the season an innumerable army of "visitors," for whose summer sea -blow these houses had been lately erected by the great patron of -the village, Sir Adolphus Jones, who, in O epeculative way, appreciated the attrac- tive beauty of the place. The old residents of Noelcombe and its neighborhood—among whose number Sir Adolphus was not --conservative to the backbone, regarded those horizontal rows of remunerative houses, and that , enormous mansion, flanked by acres of glass, and over - smart alike in color and design, in the middle distance, with distinct disfavor. But the county patronized Sir Adolphus and his family; rich neighbors who owned an eligible son, daughters'too, sufficiently good-looking and more than sufficiently dowered, who kept open house where cham- pagne flowed like water, where a French cook presided in the sumptuoue kitchen where your presence was eagerly welcomed, and where your wit was sure to be appreci- ated, were acquaintances to be cultivated. of Carnation Cottage was redolent of flowers; the round gyro* plot before the hone° was edged and sprinkled with beds that were thick with blossom. A mall conservatory which opened out of the drawing room, Was a pomplete blaze of color, Miss Mithall'a plants seemed to understand and respond to their owner's love, and half -killed themselves to gratify her by their profuse bloom. The trellised walls of the cottage were concealed by creeping fuchsias'and myrtles, which were trained so as to completely cover them. Against the house was a broad bed of poppies, their scarlet and yellow petals caught the rays of the sinking sun. Ou the window ledges were tiled boxes filled with mignonette, lobelias and marguerites. Ar old-fashioned border of hollyhocks, sun- flowers, sweet peas, candy -tuft, honesty, balsams, phloxes and pansies edged the gravel walk that swept round the grass plot and led to the gate through which Carnation Cottage was reached. This gate was no smart entrance, but a green door let into the cob wall ; by its side was O bell -handle mounted on a brass plate, on which the direction "Ring and walk in " was engraved. .':•31 On the centre of the lawn a tulip tree and a standard magnolia grew side by side, beneath them stood a ruetic garden seat on which Miss, Mitford was now eitting ; she held her watch in her hand, at which she glanced every now and then, with evident anxiety. Presently she rose, and bustling over to the garden door she opened. it and prowled out upon the road, thence she soonk returned very breathless and with an in- creased anxiety depicted on her face. She then hurried into the houseealling " Betsy." People who are desperate use desperate remedies, and if Betsey was not a desperate remedy, she was at least an old servant, who though she was wont to say, "she knew her place," did not keep it, but tyr- annized over her gentle mistress as a "valuable servant" ei.lone knows how to do. When Mise Mitford had repeated her call for " Betsey " several times, she recollected that Betsey was always conscientiously deaf to a call, and only responded to a summons from the bell. So she rang, and then paced to and fro the hall, looking now at the grandfather's clock in the corner,uow at the flowers on the table. An old woman, lean as a rook, with hard, black eyes, and a mouth • which ,twisted down with a curl at the corners, opened a side door and carne into the hall. " Look at the tune, Betsey," cried her .mistref3s, pointing at the clock and shaking her head. ",See how late it is, and that dear child has not yet arrived. I begin to teel sure something has happened. I have been uneasy all day, no doubt' a presenti- ment of misfortune and—" "Thunder in the air, ma'am," inter- rupted Betsey, "and tying up them carna- tions in a blazing sun is enough to give presentiments to mummies." "John tells me that the omnibus came in half an hour ago," pursned Miss Mitford, almost crying. "The flies are even fleeter than the omnibuses. Dear me, dear me, the more I think, the more anxious I be- come. Betsey, where can that poor girl be ?" "Mies Helen is a young lady who can take good care of herself, ma'am, better than many twice and thrice her age. Her head is fit for use as well as for ornament, and she holds it high." With Betsey the absent were always right—the present wrong—Miss Elizabeth hardly heard her words she sprung up from her seat and wrung her hands, fearful iii msgvngs began to crowd upon her anxious mind. - "These are dreadful days, Betsey," she said, " the papers teem with horrors. I live so safely here that I do not consider the dangers of others less blessed than myself. Those terrible murderers cut their victims into small portions and throw them here and there over the hedges." Betsey possessed the nineteenth-century weakness—a perniciously skeptical mind ; she even went to the length of occasionally doubting the infallible truth of what she read "on the paper," so now, instead of sharing her companion's fears, she smiled, an acrid, superior smile. "So we hear, ma'am, but we don't see nothing of such things down in these respectable parts, and as for Miss Helen being murdered and made away with, I'd be sorry for the 'ruffian who attempted it 1" 4rPo. he Continued.) An Awful Tragedy! 'Thousands of lives have been sacrificed, thousands of homes made desolate by the fatal mistake of the " old-schoel" physi- Slane, still persisted' in by some, notwith- standing the light thrown upon the subject by modern research, that Consumption is incurable. It is not. Consumption is a scrofulous disease of the lungs, and any remedy that strikes right at the seat of the complaint must and will cure it. Such a remedy is Dr. Pierce' Golden Medical Dis- covery. It is a certain specific for all scrofulous complaints. It was never known to fall if given a fair trial, and that is why the manufacturers sell it under a positive guarantee that if it does not benefit or cure, the money paid for it will be refunded. The only lung remedy possessed of such re- markable curative properties as to warrant its makers in selling it aa trial? Early nisers. "The thrush is audible about 4.50 in the morning. The quail's whistle is heard in the woods at about 3 o'clock. The blackcap turns up at 2.3000 a sum- mer morning. By 4 the blackbird makes the woods re- sound with his melody. The house sparrow and tomtit come last in the bet of early rising birds. The greenfinch is the firat to rise, and sings as early as 1.30 on a summer morn- ing. The lark does not rise until after the chaffinch, linnet and a number of other hedgerow folk have been merrily piping for O good long while." • "Dove and smoke are unable to conceal themselves," and so it is with catarrh. No man suffering from this loathsome disease, can conceal the fa,ot from tho world. No matter how cultured, learned, social or brilliant he is'—while his friends may be polite enough to diesernble their real feelings —his very company is loathsome. What a blessing it would be to humanity, if every person afflicted with catarrh in the head, could only know that Dr. Sage's Catarrh Remedy will positively and permanently cure the worst earn. The manufacturers guarantee to cure every ease or forfeit $500. The remedy is pleasant to use, and costs only 50 centre Dr. Williams' Pink Pills cure men and women, young and old. They rebuild the blood and nervous system, and restore loet energies. If you are ailing give them a fair Wooden—Now, I don't propose—" Mies Smilax—Yes, I've noticed it. "Why do you not eat your apple, Tonmiy ? " "I'm waitin' till Johnny Briggs comes along, Apples taates jots better when there's Come other kid to watch you eat 'ern,". 'TOT* Por., &We AX00-• • sennowes,aellitt. BP904 BOANPRAi aInta: Thee 0.1fit IL.LItUYIUTemp end 1140ore, eupply in a eondee term UM *bate** • litailV needed tee*. loli the Blond, Curing 441 diseasen -corning frt)In Poo a and Wasa nay %gen, or frona erreeeettu atrarons in the BLoon, and also invigorate and ,Tharra» rm the BLO0D and. iiirSTEAS, 'When brOkOn. down by entereetielt„ ereeneal Worry,disease„ excesses and Midis-jar,- VOns• They haVe Selma*, Aomenis an the Seater, Sasereae of beth mon and WoMerrt, restoring Legit woon and correcting all ' InnEGULAILIS' and BUPPREBBIONO. EVERY MAN W" uni°esfigil"Olrultitig, or hie physical powers Bagging, should take thein Pints. They will restore his lost energies, both physical and mental. EVERY WOMAN should take them: They cure ai1 sup- pressions and irregularities. which inevitably entail sickness when neglected. YOUNG MEN sho:ild take these PELL% Th y wal cure the re- sults of youthful bad habits, and strengthen the system. YOUNG WOMEN ThhOti =nth= make them regular. For sale byall druggists, or vrill be sent upon receipt of price (50e. per box), by addressing azrE D. WILLIAMS" MED. CO. Brockville, Ont. A NOVEL BABY TOSSER. -- It's a Basket Attached to* Long Spring. Over in West Philadelphia lives a young lady who has passed the greater part of her life in a basket. She is Miss Madelina Effinger, and is a daughter of Dr. Z. J. Effinger, of 737 North Forty-first street.. To be sure Miss Ettinger has only resided, on this mundane sphere less than twelve months, having been born last spring. The fact of her having lived in a basket is pro- bly not BO remarkable as the basket itself, which is a combined cradie, swing and car- riage, the invention of the genial doctor's fertile brain. Miss Madeline is the doctor's first baby, and is, of course, the finest baby in the land. No commonplace cradle would do for her, so the doctor set his wit" to work„ with tho result that Miss Madelina now occupies the most novel cradle in existence. The body is an ordinary wicker basket, oblong in shape, upon which can be attached rockers, converting it into an ordinary cradle, or with the aid of wheels, into a. carriage. But it has rendered its greatest service as a swing, suspended by a spring , from the ceiling of Dr. Ellinger's porch, where little Miss Einziger haa passed the greater part of the summer. The spring, which is an ordinary spiral arrangement, with quite a strong tension, is attached by a cord to the handles of the basket and suspended from a hook in the ceiling. Baby is then placed in the basket, which has previously been made comfortable by the aid of pillows. The basket is pulls4 down and allowed to fly back, thereby set- ting the spring in motion, and away we go. It requires but one pull, and the novel swing vibrates for bouts. much to the de- light and satisfaction of Miss Baby. But now that the weather is too cold to remain out of doors, the swing has been adjusted in the doctor'a office. But what proves Dr. Ellinger to be a man who realizes the blessing of labor-saving machinery, is a device which he has rigged out in his bed- room. Like all other babies, Mise Made- line is notaverse to indulging in a nocturnal concert. On more than one occasion has her paternal relative Walked the floor in the dead watches of the night, amid an atmos- phere of mingled prayers, anathemas and lullabies. But now he is relieved of this, thanks to the basket. Should he be aroused from a dream, per- chance of some fat fee, by that shrill voice which he knows so *ell, iestead of walk- ing the floor for an hour or two, all he is obliged to do is to lazily reach for a cord by his bedside, give it a smart tug and the machinery is set in motion. Baby goes to sleep immediately, and the doctor returns to his dream. The invention is really an ingenious one, and Dr. Ellinger has been strongly advised to have it patented.--Pitiladelphict Record. Popularity off' Bicycling. Indifferent as New Yorkers are to bicy- cling, the sport is steadily growing in popu- larity theoughoutIlie country, and althotigh many bicycles are manufactuted in the -United States and many are imported front Europe, the supply of first-rate machines is not equal to the demand. Meanwhile there is no article of commerce more subject to change than the bicycle. New patents are eonstantly appearing, a.ud although the bicycle, with any but the most careful treatment, is a short-lived machine, most bicycles begin to be old-fashioned before they are worn out. It is a good bieyle that with constant use lasts over five years. On the Threshold. Standing at womanhood's door is she, Clad in her virginal purity. A creature fair as the lilies be. And, like the lilies, alas, how frail; They are borne to earth when the storms pro- 1- veil, And their life goes out in the slimmer gale - When we see a freil and. lovely creature, standing on the threshold between girlhood and womanhood, we shiver with is fear so what may he, because we have seen of many succumb at this critical period of life What is needed at this time is a tonio and invigorant--something that will promote proper functional action of the female organs. The only remedy to be depended on is Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription. This unequaled medicine, which cures diseases peculiar to wonien, is especially valuable at the period when the girl crosses the threshold of womanhood. Used at such O time it never fails to produce a mese benefieM1 result, and many a fragile girl has been tided over one of life's most trying periods by it Mast Choose One or Other. New York Herald : Ireland resembles a good sized volcano just now, a roaring, rumbling, boisterous volcano that has settled down to business, but it is becoming more and more evident that either the hghting must be given up or home rale must be abandoned. The people can't have both, and it's about time for them to make their choice. As a Mire for cold in the head and catarrh Nasal Balm has won a remarkable record from the Adantie to the Pacific. It never fails. Give it a trial. All dealers. A preliminary survey is about to be made for the construction of a tunnel under the Danube ateerierina, similar to the one under the Thames at London. the long delayed millennium Would seem lose dimly far It men were only half as good . As their eweethearte think they are. " It it thei little things that tell," treys an, old adage. Yes, especially the -little letothera,