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The Brussels Post, 1891-8-21, Page 66 THE BRUSSELS POST HIS FIRST WIFE'S ASHES. When Captain Durant's wife diel he was sorely stricken with grief at her loss, and Would not be comforted. He had hardly time to enjoy his great,lappinees or to know his adored wife, for he lad been only a mouth married when she wale taken from him, in the midst of their honeymoon tour in Italy. Just as they were about to return to England, she fell ill and seccumbed to typhoid fever, iu spite of the skillea physi. cans called in to attend her, and the devot. ed care of her husband, who never left her bedside until she breathed her last. At the end she courageouelsi tried to con. sole him. " f was not possible," she said, "to be so happy for long. It was too great happi• mess, it could not last. Do na weep. Let me go asleep without the impression of your sad face. Smile at . . ." rend she week• ly lifted her hand andlaid it caressingly on his cheek. " I want you," she said, " to preserve your martial air always. I loved you dearly, Will you do something for me 1 I would like to be always near you, even in deeth, Let me be cremated, reduced to a little hemp of ashes, which you can carry everywhere with you. I will never disturb you cityour work—it seems curious to call a tiny heap of ashes " I"—but so it will be. You will sometimes glance at me, and thus can never forsget me altogether." When Captain Durant returned home, his friends found him much changed. He had grown thin and haggard, his eyes had lost their brightness, and his step its wonted elasticity. " Courage, Durant," his colonel often said to him. " 33e a man," repeated his brother offi- cers. But all the sunshine and joy had gone ont of his life, ana the once brilliant soldier seemed utterly broken for over He would not allow auyone to touch his baggage, and it was with no little care that he, weeping, drew forth from his portmen- teau an artistic malachite vase, total solemnly forbade his orderly ever on any considera. tion to lay hands upon it. "A remembrance of the poor young lady ?" the soldier dared to ask. " Yes . . . a remembrauce" ; and when he was alone he knelt before the urn which contained his wife's ashes, end wept bitterly. He paced ie et night cm 0 cabinet in full view of his bed, in order that his eyes might alight upon it when not closed in sleep. A. few days afterwards his leave ended, and he returned to his duties, but he was as an alien to his companions ; he joined in none of their pleasures and amusements, seeming to live only in the memory of his beloved wife. He had hung her portrait in every room in his house, and, strange to say, it was amongst those reed. lections that he passed his least sad hours. The contemplation of the malachite urn gradually produced a less agonizing effect on the widower'and no longer caused him the painful heart•spasms of the first days of his affliction. He was now able to picture his wife as she had been in the prime of health and beauty, gay., smiling, and happy. He went over his journey in Italy with her, and was happy in the remembrance of the bright the radant hours they had passed together. When he was at work the urn was plaoed on his writiug.table, and he reflected how, in her life -time whilst he studied, she would vest herself quietly near hint, and read or work tranquilly and silently, without dia. turbing him. Six months passed and grew into a year, and it began to happen now and then that the Captam occasionally forgot the urn in his study at night instead of carrying it to hia bedroom, and finished by leaving it for good in the study. Not because the memory of his wife was less dear to him, but because he in due time reflected that such a funeral depositwas unhealthy in a sleeping chamber, day it was as usual surrounded by fresh violets and roses, her favourite flowers. At the end of two years Durant returned to his bachelor mode of life. "Yoe. have no right to bury yourself alive," said his friends and his wife's rela- tions• " you must go into the world again.' So 'the Captain once more accepted in. vitations, and visited the quarters of his brother officers, joined in their revels, and one night actually invited them all to a wine -party at hie own house. The cham- pagne was excellent, and tbe company de. lightful ; laughter, songs, and merriment avere the order of the night,and after supper the guests adjourned to the study, where the urn stood upon the table, severe and grim. Songs were resumed, and the sounds of revelry filled the room, in the midst of which Durant suddenly remembered "the presence of the dead," as he Was wont to call the urn ; and grasping it hurriedly, rushed out of the room and deposited it in an upper chamber where dwelt some old and musty volumes, maps and fire -arms. On the morrow, determined that profanation like that of the prececting night shouldnot again occur, he resolved to transform this spare room where he had deposited the precious urn into a species of funeral chapel, and im- mediately gave orderathat e Gothic window should be Placed therein, and a niche and altar arranged at the end of the room. There the urn was placed, and surrounded with immortelles. Some time afterwards, perceiving thatthese had changed colour for want of air and light, Captain Durant re- placed them by china flowers of the most costly make and great beauty, and so the urn remained tranquilly in this refuge. After three years of widowhood Durant took to himself another wife. Why, he could not exactly say, He was not deeper. ately in love, although his new wife WOO sufficiently attractive, and he had but one excuse for refilling the vacant place. The lady WAS remarkably like his first wife, with the sole defeot of jealousy—a jealousy, which caused her to suspecteverything,every word, every look ; and the knowledge that he still reteined tender memories of the dead caused her inexpressible anger and s.nnoYanee. Durant dared not now keep the urn in any prominent place, so it was seoretly and with reverent hands taken down from its niche, and stowed away io alumberroom in the upper story of the house. Mettere improved as time rent on, and peace and happiness reigned with the young couple. Durant was more than once oil the verge of reyealing the mystery of the uto to his wife, but hie courage always failed him et the last, and be (area not, In duo time a son WAS brim and Mrs, Derantfound in neeessary to clear out and make use of the room whore the urn lay for. gotten. Theloy of becoming rt father killed all remorse in the heart of Durant,and he wieb• ed the christening :Olio nem and Naive as possible, lona seut ievitetione far and wiclo for a large dinner party. On his retui n from larmoke on the dity of 111/R "vont Mrs, Durant itsked him to take a at the dinlier.table, ati eh° had arrang. the floral deeorations with her on n bends. In the midst of the festive board stood the inalaehite vase, containing a booth of glorious ;ad roses 1' YOR dear old stupid," Bahl the littly, " you hid away thot lovely MSC, the mos. valuable of all the things you eollected dur- ing your jourocy in Italy. I funucl it in the lumber.rooin lillecl with dust, it 11111)3thave lain there en age," With dust 1" muttered Durant, pale as death " 1411,1 What—What did you do with the duet? "01,, 1 threw it on Ole rose boa—that is to say as miteh of it as was not Beattetied by the wind. What do you think of my flowers, tell me 2" " Exquisitely arranged," said the soldier with a stifled sigh. And in the fresh and sweetly perfuined roses, the petals of whish closed softly like the lips of a young girl to the kiss of love, he believedhe beheld the smiles ana blushes of Ids dead wlfe. No Old Raids In Rouge, The daughter is a great pet in Russian amilies—perhapsbeeausethere are generally note sons than daughters. Take the ment- ors of the Imperial family Rs an example, nd we find twenty.two grand dukes awl illy seven grand duchesses; and this may be Used to be abont the average proportion in lost families, The neeecssity for men in he rural districts as assistants in the agri- ultural labors of their fathers has given ise to a saying "0110 son be no sal ; two otos are lutlf a, son ; but three aro a whole on." Notwithstanding the pricle and satis- action with which the birth of a boy is 'ailed, the little girl is the darling, the object of the tenderast affection and care of parents and brothers, not to speak of other adoring relatives Much Le not expected of ler in the way of assistance in the family ; the is indulged as far as their meaus and circumstancee permit, and she takes it collet. y and as her clue, but it is rarely that she does not voluntarily and tacitly contribute ler shire in helping her mother. Her occu• petitions are much the same as these of all European girls, but parish work in 11118Sill existeth not for her, She cannot hav classes at Sunday -School, as religion i taught by priests or deacons. It would 10 thought quite extraordinary and improper were a young unmarried girl to visit the sick and poor in towns, but in villiages it is sometimes done under the direction of mamma or granffinamma. She is undoubtedly fond of pleasures, likes to be well dressed, and generally adores daocing. 11 0015 is not the Russian girl's forte, nor is solo singing. liost of the Institutkas,though theythrough• ly know the theory of musio, play like a child of twelve ; of course, there are 53 -cep tions, but it is seldom you find a girl able to play a quadrille or polka ofthand. Girls marry very young in Russia, and there are very few of those most estimable individuals called old maids. There are no colonies for the Russians to run away to and the stetistics show that the birth o boys much exceed those of girls. Long engagetnents are not aproved of, theyseldom laainglonger thane few months' during which time the fiancee is the mistress of the house. Her girl friends assemble to help her with the trousseau, the seising afternoon gonerally ending in a daoce after tea, when the bridegroom drops in with few bachelor friends. Another wedding is thus often arranged ; anti so on, by little, till, like the fifteen cards in the game of " old maid," they pair off, and one, gener• all of the sterner sex, St left—forlorn. I a n New Consumption Cure. And now it is Dr. Lannelongue, a Paris physician, whose star is in the ascendant, end who is heralded abroad as the discover- er of anew consumption cure. The remedy is no other than chloride of zinc, which Dr. Lannelongue affirms he has used in the treatment of infantile tuberculosis with the most gratifying results. Notwithstanding the bitter disappointment which the public have experienced in Da Koch's tuberculine which is now elmost universally condemned is futile, and by many declared to be fatal, the announcement of this new ewe is said to have produced a profound sensation not only10 frigid academie and scien bilk. circles, i but n the clubs, Wes and newspapers of the Gay Capital. "The very next day," says the Paris correspondent of the New York Herald, "Dr. Lannelongue was be- sieged with hundreds of letters from tuber- culous patients in Paris, and now thousands from Germany, Italy, England, Russia, Spain, Switzerland are flowing in upon him. The excitement is almost as great as that which followed Dr. Koch's announcement." That those who are afflicted with this fatal malady should snatch at this new stew is easily understood. It would be most unwise, however, for the press to show the same haste in praising this latest remedy that it displayed in advertising the supposed vir- tues of the now discarded and almost for. gotten tuberculine. Its recent experience should make it cautious and unwilling to lend itself to the creation of hopes which must end in bitter disappointment. This is the advice of an " Ameeican Doctor," at present in Paris, who writes that the de. monstration is not by any means conclusive. He counsel:, the nowrnedical pest to mod. erate pffilic opinion, always prots to become enthusiestic over medical discoveries, and to tell infirm, tuberculous patients who heve already had a severe lesson by the absolute fetility of the Berlin expornnents that the encouragffig vision now placed before their eyes may yet turn out to be only a mirage and that the cure of tuberculosis by other means than hygiene and open air is still to be discovered. This is prudent counsel and it is hoped it will not be lost on those for whom it is intended. France and Sism. According. to European dispatches' France is meditating new oonquests in the east and 15 preparing to add Siam to her pos, sessions. It is alleged that she has long had a covetous eye on this country and that she is anxious to become mistress of pro- vinces and kingdoms in the Far East to console her for the loss of India end to re- p_ay her in some degree for her suicidebn Egypt. 'Unfortunately for her ambitions projects China claims a conqueror's interest in Siam, and it is not likely that the man who rules in Pekin will acquiesce cheerfully in a French conquest of a country which is tributary to himself, France herself denies that there is any tat LI' in the story, Little dependence can be placed on such a however, since if alit bad any am. bitious design it is not likely thai: she would at this stage openly proelaim it to the world.. That 1i/hick mikes tho story %Trois, able is not her denial but the feet that to engage in on enterprise of this kind she walla have to tette her eyo off her inveterate enemy in Europe, Ana it ie doubtfel if ler any consideration she would consent tn do Otto Should the report prove tlineEnglana's neighbor may mon find herself involved 151 war the extent 1)11(1 01t 0(115111030 af W111C11 no 1115105 cen foresee. TWO TESTS, By Alta E. 000111(10. 1' BUSS, 1°10513iS 1" asked Virginia, Thorne, coming into her coesin's room, " Why, what is this 'f 111 trotthle, Clear 1" She took the childish, sensitive face be. tween hee hands and turned it towards hat Flossie tried to smile, but the red oyes end quivering lips could not be 1 isguieed, Vire gmia drew her gently down on the lounge. " Tell Cowie all about it, pet. Maybe she can reduce your mountain to a mole hill, Is it Lyle Richmond ?" Virginia was seven yenta the elder of the two and regarded Flossie, still a timid and sensitive child at seventeen, with an almost motherly affection and care. Her strouger nature, cool, sensible, yet, tender, Was Flossie s refuge when crushed ovith shame or sorrow over some Rents blunder or sharp word. So now, thoegh the younger girl only nodded and burst into tears, she had no idea of withholding her confidence. Vir- ginia smiled a little, then frowned, but Flossie's eyes were bidden on her bronst, " Poor little girl 1 Does it make her neck ache to stretch up to his ideal height ?" she asked, a hint of irritation even in the loving mischief of her tone. 1 What has he said or done now ?" She knew Lyle Rio' mond, his fastiffions taste, ad critical judgment. To love him might indeed be a good education, to para- phrase the old compliment, but it wes by eo means likely to be a pleaeure for one of Flossie's sensitive nature. She had been sorry from the first tliat her little cousin's fancy had taken this turn, natural as it was Lyle Richmond was a prince in appear- ance, education, 'mother, not lacking in wealth, nor even the lesser matter of moral- ity. Oh, yes, a prince among men, but Is pence very well aware of his own attrac- tions, and determined to accept nothing lees than a prince of sweetness, purity, and wis- dom for his bride. Flossie was sweet and pure enough for any man, Virginia thonght, knitting her brows, but it is scarcely fair to expect a, girl to be a paragon of wisdom at seventeen. In her secret heart she doubted whether even Lyle Richmoud at seven and twenty was quite capable of judging:every one ac- curately, She admired him of course. Who could help it ? But Flossie's distress rather warped her judgment. " Come, pet, tell Cousin. What has he said now ? " "Nothing, " Flossie sobbed. " He is a gentleman, and of course he won't say any. thing. Oh, 'Virginia, I would give anythieg if only he weren't,—just for one half hour —so 1 could find out what he really does think." " My dear, gentleman and hypocrite are not necessarily synonyms," Virginia pro. tested, laughingly. "I didn t mean that," Flossie sighed. "But I do think it is awful to go among folks that are always the same, whether you please them or offend them. You never know whether you as e hurting their feelings or not, for they keep smiling right along. You may have shocked them fearfully, and not know it till weeks after." "Be corhforted, clear," her cousin answer- ed dryly. "Such models of de ortment are rare in this world, outside of the etiquette books. Moreover, a true lady or gentleman never takes offence where none was meant, and isn't easily shocked by a trifling mistake. I tnink you are malting yourself miserable about nothing, again. -4Virginia," suddenly sitting upend look - 'ng at her cousin with questioning eyes, " Was I a perfect simpleton ? Didn't Ile act as if he—liked me?" "Everybody thougtt so," Virginia an- swered. "And I haven't been presuming enough to disgust him, have 1 9" she asked, piteous- ly. "Certainly not, dear," and Virginia smiled a little. As if shy, tender-hearted, little Meade could disgust any one—even Sir Oracle himself ! " Than I don't know what is the matter ?" the girl sighed. "Perhaps I don't know enough. Anyway Ile hasn't spoken to me for almost two weeks." "'Hasn't spoken to you ?' " 'Virginia echoed in dismay. "That is serious." " Ob, he has been polite, of course," Flossie said drearily. 'But it is just be. cause he is a gentleman, and don't count. I mean he hasn't spoken to me on purpose as if he wanted to, not once." "That does look odd," Virginia admitted, knitting her brows again. Of course, the most plausible explanation was that Lyle Richmond had not returned Flossie's fancy, and diernvering that gossips were coupling their names was quietly avoiding any farther cause for such talk. A less honorable man might have showed all the partiality he had, without meaning anything, but she bad thoeght Lyle Riehmond more scrupulous. " I don't understand it, dear," she said frankly, "But there might be half a dozen satisfactory explanations. Cheer up, and I'll soon find out what the matter is I" "Von can't make me (my better," Flossie answered hopelessly, "nor smarter either. And I believe he has found somebody more suitable to him." " Perhaps he has," Virginia admitted. "But there's time enough to cry oyer spilt milk when you are sure it is spilt, Twouldn't worry yet.', " He never said anything definite," the yoanger girl sighed. "Perhaps I was a goose to feel so but—Virgina, wouldn't you think it meant something if e oentleman pot his arm around you, end kissed you?" "Depends on the inew With Lyle Rich- mond, yes. Did het" Flossle nodded. "That moonlight night we were all out in the rose -garden. Hadn't I a right to think he meant something ?" " You shouldn't have allowed it," said Virginia gravely. "I know, and I wouldn't if it had been anybody else. But Lyle Richmond—I couldn't insult him by as good as snying to him, You aren't behevinglike a gentleman,' could I ?" It was tio manifest an impossibility for timid little Flossie, thaS Virginia did not argee the point, only asked, " What did he 89'90% 11y a SOMpli111011t. I thought perheps he might have said something more, but the others wore so near, just beyond the rose, hedge, and so—" She broke clown in confusion. Virginia bent and kininth her, a little anx• lonely. " Then'dear, it all hinges on one question. 'Is Lyle Richmond capable of trifling with a girl's heart or nob?' If he is the prince you think him, you are distress. ing yourself for not ling, If not, you AP well rid of him even ab the cost of a few weekt of heartache. (3ousin will find gut ust 0S50101 es she can, pot." lint It wasn't easy. Lyle Richinona's perfect politeness and 'complete solf-poeses, shin were an armor of proof, which even Virgthia, bold as she was in Meade's mese, luta not ammo(' to ("Wok outright, 170 WAS 1 leRS11/1t 111111 01011011Ni as ever of Maisie when they mot, Tree, there was something tnieeing from his voice told manner, but it was a vague, intangible saw:thing, httra t mono or define, So more than a fortnight peseta, ana Viegiuia was forced to conolude thet there never had been anything on his part, that the caress of which Flossie thought so inuoh was merely 0 posing gullantry, born of the roses, the 11100111i0G, 11.11 1 1108) sie's childish loveliness, Wrong, no doubt, but hardly singular, and perlutpe ewe princes were not always faultless, Flossie had recovered her spirits in a great maser% " Ho only thought me a child," she concluded abbssot. " I don't care —mutat. Of course there's nobody like him, but then it WRS IlArd WOrk 10 1)C always try- ing to come up to his ideals. It's easier to be with other folks who like me Pat as I am, I suppose Herry Nalsou isn't as fine a gentle. man, but—" Her unfinished eentance was more significent than any words she conlil hove added. " Harry Nelson has the very essence of a gentleman," Virginia, answered decidedly. " He has the faoulty of setting every ono at ease and drawing out the best side of the compalIY." Truth to tell, she thought Flossie would be far happier with Harry Nelson than Lyle Richmond. Ho was far less princely in ttP- penrence and mauler, with less money, and loss classic education, bet every whit as true and honorable, and whet he lacked in fastid- ious taste and critical judgment was made up in quick sympathy and unfailing goner. osity. The shy, seesitive girl, who haa never dared forget her demeanor for a ma meet in the presence of her faeticlioun prince, was perfectly at ease when with Harry IsZ01. 0011, SO, though Richmond was as attentive as ever to the cousins, Flossie generally slip. pe1 away, leaving her elder and more self. poseessed cuusin to enjoy 111S society. Thus relieved from anxiety, Virginia bad almost forgotten the matter when the ex- planation clime. They were standing in the moonlight together, listening to the mellow music floating up from a 11E111(1 011 the rivet. below. " Love's Young Drcam " thrilled through the balmy summer air till the whole scene and hour seemed enchanted, when Virginia felt her companion's arm steal around her waist and lifted startled eyes to meet a gaze that sett bier heart bounding. Was this the secret? Was le only as her cousin he bad petted little Flossie? Was this princely gentleman bet lover? In that bewildering th till it costal effort, even for the stately Virginia to cliaenoage herself from the encircling arm anesny gently, " That is rather a liberty, Mr. Richmond, even considering the moonlight and the music. No offence, you know, 1)11 WO ladies Pike to observe the proprieties." She was almost f ightenea at her own audacity:. As Flossie said, it was very hard to even imply that this perfect gentleman could be guilty of improper conduct. But to her relief he showed no sign of vexation. " So far as being offended, I est g.reatly pleased to find a lady who respects 'herself too much to allow the slightest liberty. Believe me, Miss Thorne, I honor you all the more for that delicacy of feeling.' ms tone was eager and earnest, but Vir- giria telt as if suddenly drenched by a cold wave. She remembered Flossie's tearful plea, anti her eyes seemed rudely opened to something much less pleasant than the be- wildering fano: of a moment ago. The words broke out involuntarily. "So, then, you intentionally took a lib- erty which you believed any woinan of self- respect—with any delicacy of feeling—would not permit. Iain infinitely obliged to you." " Miss Thorne 1" in extreme surprise, " 7 beg you no to consider it in that light. I meant no offense." "No," 'Virginia answered coldly. "Yon simply meant to treat me as you admit no lady who respects herself wonld allow her- self to be treated. Decidedly, I have na right, to be offended." MiaS Thorne ; pray don't look at the matter so. Permit me to explain," Richmond pleaded eagerly, "It was not that I doubt- ed you, or for one moment imagined you lacking in seffirespect or delicacy—no ramie than the examiner doubts the ability of the promising applicant to answer his suestions, It was simply giving you an opportunity to display your cheracter—a test, as it were, to prove your delicate sense of honor." " A test, perhaps, which you are in the habit of applying to your young lady friends?" she asked slowly. "I have often used it. You surely could not imagine I wished to test you especially, Miss Thorne?" "'May I inquire if the results are gener- ally satisfactory ?" Virginn, asked, keeping Iter voice steady with an effort. Her cheeks were burning. What 050055 she had been to harbor that fancy even for a moment This then was the secret that had oost poor little Flossie so many tears. Not unifornay, I am sorry to say," Richmond answered with some embarrass- ment. "I have so often been painfully sur. prised to find such liberties permitted 0 not absolutely encouraged that it is with the greatest of pleasure I recognise one who is so thoroughly my ideal lady." "I think I must say good -night It is growing quite chilly," was the brief answer. "Bub surely you are not offended now that you understand 9-000 thith I have ex. plained my. Inotives?" he 5105051." Mr. Richmond, 1 tnust think it over before deciding whether 1 heve or have not just grounds of offence. At patent, it seems to me that your amuse has been suspicious and disrespectful, to say the least, " But I assure you my respece for you is increased tenfold." " I am sorry, because that simply proves that your 1 espeot for me, until to -night, has been of the smallest. Pray excuse me, wonld rather say no more without time for thorough oonaideration. Good night, And she swepe away, leaving Lyle Rich- mond bewildered, mortified and confused. Her standpoint was so utterly new to him he was at a loco even to understand it, Fa% tidious to a fault, it had seemed te him only prudent to make sure of the delicacy and discretion of any lady who began to interest him, and never before bad ono taken it as Virginia did, Only two or three, even of the half -seer° or so who bore the thee success. fully, had ever required any explanation, and they had been completely satisfied, ser- enely content in lois increased respect, and agreeing that a man must bo on his guard against indelicacy or folly. Virginia's novel view of the subjeot dismayed and troubled him. Could it be possible that hie test had been discourteous or ungentlemanly ? At the earliest hour allowable he called upon tor, eager to have the matter settled. theta Ring room was deserted athis entrance, though scattered needlework gave token of hasty departure told an embroidered pore, morinaie left open opon the table umid shower of small change, while both eilver and bills peeped from its depths. Riehmond smiled, but with a trace of vexation, " She seems very confident of the servant's 110110)1110 W0111(1 not, have thought her so careless, he muttered. Virginia came in soon, emilingplectscottly, but with a inlet:bayous light in her gray eyes, and greetea Min DR if last nightt's mire understanding had never mourned. Ahnost immedietely, the picked up her poittemou. oath and counted over its eoutreits with every appearance of anxiety, Ttiehmond ;smiled, remarlcing ; "Ilather itnpruclent AvtursT 21, 1S01. 11•11a.10•6701.1416.1KIIIMSEINSIMUMVIIMMINIII• to throw teaptaticin around like Oat, isn't it ?" Virginia seemed not to bear, She liatisflud herself the money was all 5(10051 then threw it aside and turned to him with beaming eyes and outstretched hands 1 " 1 wo 50 pleased—so delighted. You have lama the test glorionely. My respect for you Ints in creased t enfold." Richmond stared at her, uncomprehend- ing. "I don't miderstand you at, all, Mists Thorne." " It is A world so full of dishonesty—in. corruptible integrity ie so rare," sighed Virginia, the downcast lids concealing the sparkle in her eyes, " that a lady is forma to be ovations, to apply e delicete test to her frietuls—givethem wo opportunity to display their character, prove their sense of honor as it were. I nal so pleased to 11 1111 a gentleman who respects honself too much tostoop—" ' She stopped short in real alarm. Lyle RI:Almond's brow was thanderous in its wrath. Not trusting himself to !Teak, Ile turned and strode toward the door. Vir- ginia recevered herself and sprang before him with aughing oyes, and detaining hand ; " Mr, Richmond, pray don't look at it so. I meant 110 offense "--then with a total change of tone as she saw he was too indig. nant to recognize his own words, " Lyle Richmond, I did think you were smart enough to see through a milletoms when there was a hole in itt" He stopped and stared at her then as her meaning kasha' upset him, coloured °Per- ceptibly. Miss Thorne ! Surely it didn't sound like that ! " " That 1" Virginia answered with an imperious smile. " Why not 1 " Are not dishovest men as plenty as immodest women, and quite it liable to impose cm the unwary? Why is tny test loss justifiable or more In- sulting than yoors 1" "But, good heavens 1--a, thief--" "1 But good heavens 1--a courtesan— ' " she parodied mockingly. " Mr. Richmond, I think -we are coming to deep water in that direction. Now, if you please, I want to suppose a case. Suppose it gust of wind had chattered my bills over the floor, and you in all friendliness, not dreaming you could be suspected, should hasten to gather them up—to save ma vexation end trouble, teuppose 1 come in fond find you with your hands full of bills, and that I was as suepici• ous as—as I pretended. What conclusion would I naturally draw ? And would that conclusion be justice 9" One fierce 'limited struggle and then—for his was a brave, princely nature, that could conquer even its own angry mortification— the answer 05010 earnestly. " Gross in- justiee surely. I humbly beg your pardon, Miss Thorne, but upon my honor I never dreamed I was insulting any one. I give you my word I never shall ttse that test again." Virginia's hand was extended in quick cordiality. " Now you are yourself again. Only in all justice you must reverse some of your hasty judgments, for your test WEIS hardly fair. The more thoroughly honor- able the gentlemen, the more innocent and pure the girl, the less likely she is 110 505. spect arty thing wrong. And besides, girls are often very unwilling to hurt their friends' feelings. As one told me, speaking of some liberty you had taken—your test, probably—' I couldn't insult him by as good as saying, You aren't behaving like a gen tleman.' " " Mae Thorne, have mercy t I am over. whelmed," pleaded Richmond. " Very well, let the subject drop, for I see Flossie coming. Keep my secret," she added with a merry glance. " Who knows but I may want to use my teat again? Anyhow', I don't care to have it made public. " " Rely on my silence," Richmond answer - with much gravity, more relieved by the implied promise than be cared to show. But she told Flossie that evening, believ- ing that the little maiden's mortification entittlecl her to the story. The girl laughed, but her comment startled even Virginia who knew her so well : "And then I had to come in before he could make things straight by asking you to marry him ! What a pity 1" "You little goose 1" laughed Virginia. " Whateever faint possibility of such a thing there might have been last night, there is none now. Men make love to women who please and flatter them, not to those who overturn their ideas and mortify theni ' "Some men, maybe, but Lyle Richmond isn't little if he was mistaken," persisted Flossie, Ball loyal to her hero-worship, and under her breath she added, "And I believe he will try to win you for his wife yet, Miss Virginia, and 191 help his wooing all I oan." From which it is plain to be seen that little Flossie was neither resentful nor heart -broken. The Habit of Borrowing. It is the easiest thing in the world to be. gin borrowing a newspaper, then a pattern, then rt recipe, then a book ; some day a gown is borrowed to look at ; another clay oue is borrowed to try on to see if it would be becoming • then a little note goes asking that a fan be 'lent ;and the fan once borrow- ed it becomes the easiest thing in the world to get either e bodice, a bonnet, or an em- broidered petticoat. Nov, when you began, if anybody had told you that you were a moral thief, you would have been most in. dignaut ; and yet that is just what you are, It would be much more honest to borrow your neighbor's money and never to return it, than to Iceopup ss eonstant borrowing of your neighbor's belongings, gettiug out of them the wear that is not yours and the pleasure that is by rights your neighbor's, What the inistress does, the maid does. In the kitchen they do not hesitate to borrow a patent eoffee.pot, and never return ib; a padding dish, a little flavoring extract, some baking powder, or eome oil. lf they wore asked if they returned all bide, they would answer : " Certainly not, why we would be juet as gled to lend to than." And the re- sult is that your servants. imitating your example, become systematic plunderers of your neighbors. My friend, do nob get into the habit of borrowing. It is oue of the most videos you cam possibly acquire. It makes you lose all respect for the rights of other people, end it oan certainly give you none for youoself. The persistene borrower is a more or leas welbspoken•of thief. The boreoWer does not hido her light under a bushel, for in time her friends and acquftint- anoes grow to know of her woalcuess and avoid her. So stop at the book, and do not permit yourself to drift into, tvhaSit is char. ity to call, a very bad 'whit. Truth is violated by falsohood,e,nd it linty be equally outraged by silence. Two Irishmen wore working in 5 garden, when one 01 5.110111 suddenly clien,ppeared, the covering of a 111)0,111 lowing given way, When he arrived at irrrn firm ()gain, the other Irishman (Felix by name) said—‘tlindad, Andrew, I thought ould Sandy had come for ye." " Oh," :odd Andre* " was only Providence tekin'tno out of bac' cum. TIIE WEEKS NEWS. (sls,s,,IIi85l, John Joyce, retiently from Newfoundland, wail instantly killed at, Victoria, B. C., the other clay. Littly Macdontild and Mies Macdonald lave gone to spena a few weeks at Banff, Vhs 10'.overoor.t lateral has returned to Ottawa from his holiday sojourn in Now Brunswick, which lie devoted to salmoo- fitinigs.thought Oat Ha alien will have an encampment of 1 0,000 Matriarchs Militant on the occasion cit next summer's carnival, The City Council of St. Thomas has pass- ed a by-law to (compel gtOCCre to close their places of business every evening except on Saturday at seven o'clock. The .Montreal Exposition Company has lama its :prize liet for the fall exhibition, to be held in Montreal from September I 7th 101t215rt'.hieharcl Wilson, sr„ of the township of Deerham, has threalied fenm a wheat field of eight acres, 4.5i bushels to the aore ; weight pet, bushel, 05,1, pounds, Col. Olegledne and -.Major Clark, commis- sioners to Canada in connection with the schetne of forming Scotch crofters' colonies in Britoil Columbm, have Arrived in Mont. real en ronte to Ottawas Passengers who arrived at New York on Monday on board the Portia, front Halifax, say the closing of the toaster canning factor- ies on the west coast of Newfoundland has omitted 1 perfect panic: among thousands of workmen, Abbe Plinauet, cure of Isle du Pintos, who died a few days ago, was the son of a French-Cattail:in farmer tvho bad no fewer then 35 children by two wives, the first of whom gave birth to 27 and the other to eight. Great Rennin. Lord Charles Ker, son of the Duke of Roxburgh, has been ordered to pay his valet 1270, wages and berrowed money, at once, haling which his lordship must go to prison. Right Hon. Henry Chaplin, president of the 130151511 board of agrioniture, hes with- drawn his icill dealing with the Atlantic cattle trade. Andrew Carnegie will soon lay at Peter- head, Scotla,ntl, the foundation stone of a public library to which he has donated 41".1911X1. e reception of Prince Henry of Prussia in England hes presented a marked con trast to that of his brother the Kaiser. He was only accorded the usual official civili- ties. A winding -op order has been notcle in London in the case cif the English bank of the River Platte, whose suspension was recently announced. J oho Conwity , the steamship foreman found guiltyof murderiog the fif teeffiyear• old boy whose body was found in the Hamden clock at Liverpool, on May 10, has been senteutted to death. sateen eases. Mrs Martha D. Washington, wife of a grandson of George Washington, has just died itt Dennison, Texas, aged 71. After a strike of nearly four months the ship carpenters of Chkago are returning to work without conditions. Another sealing schooner has returned to Victoria, 33. C., from 13ehring Sea, having been ordered to leave lay the -United States eteatner Nymphe. Hog cholera is carrying off great numbers of swme in the neighborhood of Waterloo Ia. One farmer has only seven left of a herd of 350. It has been decided to bring actions for damages against, the South Fork Clab for the destruction of property in Johnston, Pa, caused by the great flood. There has been a large increase in the volume of immigration into the United States during the past fiscal year. The tottd number arriving was 555,490, ns against 421,210 during the fiscal year of 1890. The Labor Assembly of Chicago has de- cided to issue %warning to the workmen of the world not to come to Chicago in expec- tation of getting work in connection with the World's Fair. Thirty Russian immigrants who were an rested at Boston on a steamer from Liverpool have been refused pertniesion to land, al3 they are deemed likely to be a public charge. Rev. William N. Perry,pastor of the Cen- tral Presbyterian church at Bowling Great, Ky. was preaching to a largo congregetion on dunday, when he fell dead in the pulpit. Death resulted presumable Rom heart dis. ease. The Nevsfonndland Association of Boston held a meeting on Thursday eveniug, ab which :Teaches were made setting forth the advantages of annexation to the United States, awl asserting that if the proposal were put to a popular vote in the island it would be carried by two-thirds of the popula. tion. General. Gen. Booth, who is on his way tO Africa, will be received is Swaziland by companies of Salvation Army Zulus. The Zulus are said to make excellent converts, the methods of the Salvation .Army suiting their ideas of religion. Another plot on the life of the Czar of Rus- sia is reported. The reciproccity treaty between Slain and the United -States has been published. Tnl.cont lefratinorintaiss.ing of the French and Rue. .ia Last week 5,400 Russian Jews arrived at Hamburg. According to German etatistics, and in- crease in thenumber of suicidesis intimately connected with the increased consumption of potato spirits and other impure alcohols, and the Emperor is anxious to secure legislation prohibiting the manufacture or sale of bad liquors. Several Paris papers publish an alleged telegram from Berlin, sitting that the Kamer was wildly cletink doting Ws cruise on the Hohenzollern, and that it was while under the effect of liquor that he hurt lois leg. The papers also say he is succumbing to the morphia habit. The Soule 'Adam. of Beelin,says the Baron Hirsch committee negotiating with the Italian Government to obtein grants of large tracts of unownpied land in Italy, upon which to settle the Jell% and that the Roth- childs promiee pecuniary support. The 1111115 known as " The Buried Alive," who pissed their timein smell solitary eolle, with thick voile over their faces, have been removed from their convent in Naples by the authorities, end sane to loss rigorous ht. stitutions, " There am no flies on mo," raid Om board,. ing house steak, ' No, " replied the boarding house butter, "111015 nould stereo to death while thoy were trying to get their tooth Omagh you." " But look at the flies on you 1" retorted the steak, " Why don't you run away from them 9 Pie sure you aro strong 01100511,"