The Brussels Post, 1891-12-18, Page 22
TELE,' BRUSSELS POST. DEC, 18, 1891.
9-16r...01014101.LLLLW...._ h=LhhiireerreseiereaaraIinisesenheauntsichontichirentatilioesalhaTetraacoatalealuseseaaa0sereeswesaTItaIwaIalL=ZIeMenaerielrieeereenan0W110110MISSKSOSSFIneeMahasairCs1.1000.11111.11100,011.01000.0talhanWLWW1IvesranceassesnealtataLsianatilsarethwaisinasitsivacce.:Throsr,
A TERRIBLE OHRISTMAS EVE,
.....•-..
Two or three years ago, in the best poesi
ble epirits and with the happiest anspiees, I
took a sem in a firstelaes 0:11.1.1,040 at Lemke
Road Statimi, Menchester, with a tielteit in
my peoltet whieli preelaimed, nay 11MM:taint
to be far eolith. It seal the night befort
t.lieristuuts Eve, at about eleven e'elotik, fat
1 remember the train started itt 1 I .-.20, 'Ph
huge etation was filled with noisy bustlin
life ; groups of all elaeses of people hustle,
and. jostled. eigill other on the platform
snorting eugines imired, roared, and scream
ed ; trams were mutinually arriving and de
parting ; petters were crying incessantly
,g` By your leave 1" and wheeling ponderoe
tiecks laden w illi Chriettnes hetnpers, liar
rels of °pater, ea., . a a•eteel 1.1.11, ,aLlk.,
of oranges, 1« is es of eaes, ,, 11,A:els i if 14011,
trunks, par•iela packagea 4,1 every ,Inep
and thee, 1 feta) and there some axis month
individual would walk candy through tht
bustling orowd, and take his seat in a pre
vionsly.eugaged compartment, while tastes
fortunate fellow •ei eit tares jostled an,
serambleel for their plages. On the whol
however it Wai a gOOLI.113M13ared crowd
nearly every fate in it bearing that expres
skin oi eheerfuluese and good humour tha
tieeins pieulier to Chrismastide.
As to tuyeelf, I felt la•inniting over with
good fethavsliip tew.,als all mankind -so
lunch 0 . lliat I. hal nat the least objeetion
to take:a a a,ei Ili a earnage that was oe,
capita'. (y ; ... - . i ceillookiog maiden ladies
and a i' • t , . , 'y a:title:Iran, wise stormed
at cee•ie le• 1i in •gr -re,1 ffe(1 the reilsely
• •
porters in pa, 1 Luba. : wial in the fuluess o
my heari I ..... , u luesiened to upen the ilool
a•1 the ir lie tv.,-. on the point of moving, 0
admit a li a assoel d dicato•looking yoting
woman wiiiiii a very young lialw in eer aricS
anel 0 'ail. of tIn , e rx. three yiers draggle.,
00 bee ,4i1-1,--fer which pieee of benevelinee
I reeeive,1 ainie withering glanees from the
two &Inc, i-iis and 3 wrathful growl from the
stout oid goli lemaii.
Nine ef these little iticiilents disturbed
the serenity of my mind, I acknowledged
frown* and sour glences with a emeciliatery
smile, made room for the poling mother aud
her charges, leaned back it, Cho earriage,
and indulaell in a delightful reeerie-for
there was bites in store for meat the termln-
ation of my jouruey. I was going to spend
Christmas with the dearest creature in the
whole world -the sweeteet blue-eyed darling
that eve(' gladdened the eyes of a limn and
a. lover, who, moreover, lived in one of
the cosiest, most hospitable country -houses
in Kent, and had the most amiable aud see-
sible of perents, the merriest, most good-
natured of sistees, ono the jolliest brothers
in the uniVerse, Not only did 1 euitieipate
spending a delightfully happy Christmas,
but I 41018 looking forward to a still greeter
joy ; fur on New Yeer's Day we were going
to be rearvied at the little village church Of
Briarly, and after that I was to take my
bride home to a fine new house near Itlan-
electeter, where everything WaS so epick and
span, so b ight, tuxedoes, end pretty, that
I Was *Um my ilitrling would be enraptured
with it ; and. I Imew It needed only the sun.
shine of her dear presences to make it the
happiest imme in the world.
1 was in what most people would call
leasy cireuzustences "-not a inillionnaire,
hut a long Way from being poor, I was the
owner of te flourishing menufactory, and re-
ceived a very satieftteiory annual balance -
(duet from the Mends of my accountant ;
there seemed therefore to be no olend on my
mental horizon, no metes for the futnre to
disttirb the happitess of my reverie, as the
train rushed an through the darkness.
I WaS too excited to sleep, though the
stout olti gentlem•en soon exchanged his
iraseible growls for heavy snores plainly
audible above the din and rattle of the train.
ihe spinsters on the opposite watt sat very
erect and rigid for some time ;but presently
there was a vacant expression in the eyee
of one : then her eyelids drooped, her head
sank back and ehe slept with wide-open
mouth and. a somewhat mere subdued. snore
than her ris-a•ris, Far more decorous was
the behavior of her companion ; she
still maintreined her upright, position,
though her head nodded spasmodical-
ly, and she struggled gallantly to
keep het' eyee open.
The two babies, I was glad to observe,
were Loth sleeping quietly -one in the
mother's 11.01114, and the mime strete lied along
the seat with his head in her lap. I von --
tined to spread my rug over his Tatum'
mottled legs, and in return received is look
of gratitelle frem the pale, th•eid-lookine
mother which brought anon rather an :411:
enutiortieble feeling of tightness et my
throat, and caused me le ga:;,... for some aloe
at the •larkeneil window, down which
steamy tears were flowing, relleetiug a blur.
red likeness of myself.
Thus we traveled on for many mike,
Midnight passed, and we entered on the
" wee ema' hems ayent the twall'," I be-
came wretchedly eold and ininany, ieriteble
and qua( i elsorne ; a savage desire filled me
to pull. the sharp frosty nose of my nodding
companion, who would not resign herself
comfortably to sleep, but still alternately
glared and nodded., and wee, moreover,
afflicted with a most depressing influenza,
Each moment my feeling of nervous irrita.
tion became intensified, and at last I eon.
eeived a morbid idea that I should never
survive thu miseriee of the joiune ,
Only ono incident occurred to rank the
monotony. I had notice 1 t hae the young
mother grew rather reale,' end nervous as
we approached the station where the tickets
were generally collected , and, when we
reaohed it, and the door was flung open by a
surly °Riedel, nhe timidly handed 11 hn a third.
class tioltM, faintly murmuring that all the
other carriages were filled before she could
Secure a seat,
" Oh, come," said the "nen geuffly-"none
of that InunWe: I Just: bundle out of this !
You're not going to travel first.class with a
third ticket, I can tell you I"
She bad hastily rousted the sleeping boy,
who now roared lustily, But T could not sit
there and se° the poor tired oreatere drag
her babies into a draughty third.class car-
riage on such it night. do I interposed,
satisfied the tieket•eolleoter, and had the
gratification of seeing the little family once
more settled as comfortably as dreams tomes
would admit,
It was nearly eight o'clock when the raw
grey light of dawn etruggled in at. the MI'.
tinge window and discloaed to emelt of us
our haggard wmphegone 'faces ; and o. few
minutes later the train drew slowly into
another bust ling station, where we all alight-
ed and (lispersed, What social amiable in.
dividuals we had proved ourselvee to he
After tho usnal Manlier of English travellers,
we five people -not fitelhding the babies -
had been shot up toget hor throe:di a whole
night, and, with the exception ef the youtig 1
mothelog warm expression rff gratitude for
the small service I hail rendered her, none
of us had spoke') fen agreeable word 1 and
we parted es inutoly lia we had ow -yelled,
1 wits 80011 seated before a leaeing fire in
the coll»mroom of the eitilway hotel, where
1 eorisoled myeetf for the night's miseries ; 1
with -fried steak and kideepin cede fowl, el. 1 I
reteva. After doing ample justice 10 this i a
repaid, I (lend in it comfortable arinmhair (
1
1 or an hour before I resumed my joniney, 1
The 'snivel of my train Was tinnouneeil
last and, after Knother period of chill die-
. temente 1, I rettelled the pretty rustle station
liriar:y.
t1ranin..; my nook oat ;;1 the aearh.ge
don., hole:Ida bright muiling face under a
menicttish fur hat, and in another moment
, had elaered in my arms a dear little figure
. clad in a ruliy-eolouved dress :hid Warm
• twalekin facket, receiving a mock rebuke for
g iright f it proceeding in so nubile is place.
. I del not tee! abashed. The stationmiuster
and the port „srs of Briarly StatImi wore well
reigitaitited W11.11.1110 1111,1 101111 the bifurcating
. tibject of iny visit ; and, RS for the strangers
who had lett the rain and were inerehing
s along the platform, what did 1 eare for them?
" Now then, Nle, Min Hope, if you call
• eoneleseezel to netiee any one less interesting
thee Blanelie, here are Nettie teed I ready
te we'll a mere), Christmas, and many of '01111 '
1 turned to greet my future Inv ther.imlaw
Ted. the &ale et of Blanche's brothers, and.
his sister Hattie ; and fee a few minutes Nye
kept up 41 delightful clatter with our talk
I and laughter.
" 1 must hurry off to ' The Maypole,' 1
said at last, •iand rid trayself of this railway
; grime, lief ire I ten put in an appearance at
Sunnymede. I see Junes has taken possession
of my lugeace."
Blauche's home being crowded with Christ.
mas mid wedding guests and her mother have
Mg very rigid notiens of propriety, it had
been deemed expedient for me to take up
•
my quarters at the village inn ir tn which 1
',elle( net have the slightest objection, as I
knew iron) experience thet " The Maypole'
was one of the most comfortable raid delight-
. ft!: of homely old fashioxed coulitry innte,
dettant only half a mile trout Settneyhiede
ler:Lege.
\ en will net be long before yon „loin us
, will you duel: 1" said Blanehe, as we parted
at the corn •1 of the lane leading to " Tho
Mayoole :" and they turned in another di-
reetben towerds 11,nue. " We ale at eight a
lit th. later on your account -and we are to
t have a carpet -dame until the waits eome."
" Yea ; hurry up, Jack 1" cried T.od,
We'll have a regular jolly Christmas Eve.
Tata for the present 1"
•• 111 be with you in an hour, or less," I
said as 1 strode oft
When I reahhecl the inn, I found that my
bigwig° had already arrived and been placed
in my bed-rooin, where a bright tire burned.
Everything wore a cheerful ede of expecte.
tion and welcome which was very grateful
to a tired traveler. The cause of my visit
to Briarly was as well known. at the inn as
at tho railwayestation or anywhere else in
the little primative village, for that mattee.
This was uot by ney means niy/ first appear.
111100 at 13riarly, whieh had been a most
attractive place during the fifteen motalis
ot my engegement, and even before that
eventiel period, so 1 was welcomed all
retina with smiling faces aid good wishes
Landlord and landlady, chamber-1mill and
waiter, ostler, stable -boy, cook, scalletiy-
maid-caeh and tell contrived to have apeep
at, or exchange a greeting with Miss 131anehe
NS atren's '' intended" ; and it 117110 With
feeling of satisfaction and something like
self-importance that I sat down in a ann.
fortable old-fasluoneel easy-ehaw before the
bed -room fire to regale myself with a cup of
strong entree before eommeneing rny toilet.
As I sat them it oceurred to me
that this \vita a good opportunity fo
inspecting the presents I had brought, and
to assure myself of the safe ty of the diamond
bracelet intended for Blanche. Not Unit I
lited any doubt about the metier, because
I had kept the ease containing these tree,
elves in my charge all through thu journey;
it was mo; 0 fee the gratfieretion of looking at
the beautiful ornament and imagining its
effect ou the mosey round arm for which it
was intended
Unlocking a small hanibbms, I drew fortlt
the morocco ease, and, opening it gamed
with delight at the glittering hand,
Manche will he pleased, I said to my-
self ; it will sparkle on her dear arm on
our wedding -day -bless her I should like to
load lice with diamonds, or anything else
the heart of woman most desires."
Then I drew forth other gases -a iliamOnd
brooch for namtna.in-law, a pin set with
the same preeions stones for Fyn. in-law,
gold loekets with illOnegramS lor the girls,
Mut studs for the boys. They were all right,
mid aS I hoped, ham:some and imit-
able, I led intened presenting them
on the morrow -Christmas Day ; but,
ws I cased at them, I ehanged my mind,
teed deeeleil to take them svith nu, that
eight, I neyer coald postpone a pleasere,
told I wanted to bee Blanche.'0 fliee brighten
01141 her eyes sparkle at her new treasure.
.Zso, I could not watt entil the morrow.
t411,801y among under -growth and Iniatilren
Wien to ramble About ail nighl, whits
Bliewhe grew frantie et my neleappearaneu
1 thought I knew the path by heart fur I
was in 11110 very wood 1 leed proper/0d to my
darliug and received her shy whisper o
tionsent, 'nest wile in the summer -HMO
With 1.110 eunethine tareaming down legatee.'
the leaves, with the hirds singing, butter
flies 'lilting to and fro, and flowers tilling
the air with thole fragettnee ; now, in tli
darkness, glootnydoelting treee attend lilac!
and ennilirc Ihre ghostly figures, euggeeting
thought)) of gnomes and gobline,
" SVInia a fool you mast have been I" I
said 10 myself for the hundredth time. I
had to walk. warily, for 1 felt sure I was
close to Blackman's Pool, 1 thought I reool.
looted a certain 011110p of trees beneath which
wo hold a piOnie during the preoeding sum-
mit, ; and 1 remembered that we pulled our.
selves about in 11 111110 13111111 on the pool,
which Frank deelared to he thirty or forty
foot deep in some placee. Very lovely it
looked on that 0111110101. day, with the settleg
sun shining upon it, turning its waters to
gold ; but what a hlaok, inky, horrible pool
to fall into on Christmas Eve !
I then remembered having seen a cottage
Mose by among the treee, and was just
wondeeing if I was oear and whether its
inmates eould dived me, when I heard a
ruatling alnong the bracken, and 01110
wo.nan flying towavds me, wringing hor
hands in distress,
" Ole, eir, what merciful providenee 1ms
sent you here just now My intsbaud lute
' had an amehleut, and es lyiug on the thew
of our uottage. 014, he will die I can't
move him, aml there is not a soul with me
to fetch a doctor. DO 001110 and 1101p 1110 401.
the love of Heaven 1"
Without pausing to ingnire into the
nature of the ambient, I hastily follesved
the woman who walking along rapidly,
soon lod me 'to the door oi a Craay tumble-
down het. A light slump through a very
small window, anal embed whata wretch-
ed, iliatemlitioned hovel it appeared. I
passed iusale, and, to nay astomehment, the
women carefully looked the door and then
dieappeared. I looked round for the
wounded ran whom I had (3»11C to aid, but
saw no signs of such a being. Then follow-
ed the most dreadful experience I ever pass
MI through. Without a warning sound, 2
felt myself suddenly seized from bellied and
pinioned ; legs were then tied, and I
Was thrown violently e the floor. I saw that,
my captors were two powerfel villainous.
looking men, and at the tirst glue Liss of
their facies all hope seemed to die within
me, I °aired what resistance I eoultl, but
was helpless in their Minds.
In an outburst of wild hat impotent rage
demanded to know for what purpose I had
been decoyed thither, and ordered theta to
set me at liberty instantly.
"Not if we knows it 1" said one of the
men, with an oath. " Yer don't, get away
that easy, my fine feller, I bet I It's not
often we catch the likes o' you. We 10001
see the colony a' yet. money ; and my mete
here'e taken a fancy to this fine watch and
chain. I'd like these studs, and tide flash
ring, so we'll relieve you of '001. I'd advise
yer to hold yet jaw too, or I'll hove to show
you how."
The other mon was busy searching my
pockets ; and, as I felt his hand on the ease
of jewels, I could not refrain Beim uttering
a loud cry for help, although I knew how
w0000 than useless it was. Distantly 'I
received a blow which loosened my teeth
and made my mouth bleed.
" What-yee wou't bold yer row ? Then
we'll make yer ?" said my (Mai 10 11 1:. tying a
filthy red handkerchief ovee my mouth (es a
gag, and then proceeded with his search for
booty.
They were soon gloatimg over the dia.
monde and the other jewels, spreading them
on the rickety table, and turning them over
with their vile fingers. It Wal agony to me
to see in such hands the pretty gems with
which I lioal anticipated adorning my darl-
ing. Then began to hope that, sine° they
had obtained 11 laeger booty than they had
expected, they would set me free • but I
soon found, frem swathes of their whisper-
ed conversation, that snob was fuer from
their intention ; and my heart sickened as
I heard such steeps as "Stun him ! Pitch
hill] in th' tmol Dead men tell ne Wes !
'II the job proper !"
Cold perspiration poured down my face
and the dingy room appeared to swim (.0111111
me as I thought of my poor little love wait.
ieg 00 anxiously for me, while I lay in a
deadly peril. How she would -watch and
waitancl hope, and then (Impair I thought
of the inquiries, the feuitlese smash, the
grief for 1111 and wonder RH 10 111y fate. And
then at last they would find my dead body
rotting in yondor blind: ghastly pool,
In the midet of my terror I vageely noted
everyt hing in 1110 room -the rough en blast-
ed wall noel the Stains which therein had
made trickling through the crevices, the low
roof, the rude brick fireplace, the throe
legged round table at which sat two men on
rough wooden stools or benches, I notteed
also a gen one corner, and a thick hetevy
olub or stick ; an iron crowbar lay on the
floor, an old-fashioted dark lantern hung
against the wall,
Then I began to wonder what, bad become
of the woman who heel so basely decoyed
and trapped me 1 and while I wondered she
mit end the room, and 1 saw she Wall pale -
faced, pock -marked, and dark.haired, and
had n. tat:vale bruise ovor ono eye. She ut-
tered a loud exclamation of delight at
sight of the jewelry ; and one of the ;nen
roughly told her to put away the spoil while
they "finished the )ob " and got rid of ine.
I saw tho woman's face turn IL shade
paler ; and, glanoing uneasily at me, she
muttered a few hasty anti:mama among
which I detected the words, "Not in the
1 1 010' 01) tni ae sViWtore angrily at her, and called
her a fool, but seemed about to comply with
her wishes, for, drawieg on a heavy greet.
cepa and taking the thick club, he and the
other roan lifted me up between them and
carried 1110 out of the hut,
01, the agony of that, moment 1 I prayed
then ea I hail never prayed before.
'We reached the pool, and they put me
down amongst the sodden geese at lis edge.
I could feel the water lopping and weslinig
over my feet, 1.15 thoegh impatient, to draw
nto in, whilst the two men hold coneulta.
tion, one wanting to throw mo in as was,
and the other brute contending that " it;
would be safer to finish him off with a
emelt " before emninitting 010 to the lake. I
listened with a horrible auxiety ; hut al
length they dooltied that it would he Mmes.
slide for me to escape pinio»ed a8 I was ;
and, if, 011 tho other hand, they beat out
Ir.ins, t here might bo ugly marks loft
on the ground te betray them.
Having come to this (100101011, they lifted
me from the ground and swung mo to and
fro to insure my falling In a good diefesioe
away from the 'bank ; and then I (dosed my
eyes while I was flung out, and immediately
afterwards felt myself sinking, sinking,
sinking— There was a crash I I open.
ed my ere again, and found niereelf not at
1110 bottom of Pool, hut stretch-
ed at fiance:1gal itoroas the hearthrug of my
laal-room " The Mitypola," with my bead
among the fire4rons,
" hank Heaven 1" 1 eeelahniel fervent.
t ly, as I rose to illy feet and lookee round
with a bewileleeed mare. Thank Heaven,
t ' was may a dream !"
eil ; it 10148 only a dream I I wass 11) the
3 dear 4,1,1 familiar room ; there were the ettees
. of jewels lying open en the dreeeing-Ittbie
I my empty eetice•eup hall fallen from my
. hand and rolled under the grate, and I was
in dressing -gown und plans. There, be-
e elite the jewels, lay the coveted watell and
the pity of it !--ite limule pointed to
• thirty minutes pied ten, and the dintienhour
at titinnyside was eight 0.01110k, Blanche
would lie frantic
libetti/y I metalled, shaved, dressted, and
adorned myself, gathered up my treasures,
ruelled down -stairs, and in he fultun.s of my
hear) gave the landlord a ferveut grip 01
the hand, wished hiM merry ChriStulas
awl metered an unlimited supply of pnuch
for the 11 11010 of the ritstie emnpany at the
ban' to drink my health. I then ran off,
leaving the good folk of " 'rhe 'Maypole "
very n111011 le doubt as 40 my sanity.
I avoided he path 111 Briarly Wood,
and kept to the road, walking as Met. as 1
poesibly meld. I soon retched the Orange,
through the whitlows of which elione a brile
haat light, catalog a cherry glow out into
the dark night. Sly entrances reused a seta
sailen 0 ,itea among the servants in t he hall,
and ill a few minutee I was siffromuled by a
cluster of whtte-robed ladies and gentlemen
in evening dress, and ear pretty Blanche
was sobbing hysterically in eny (inns, while
1 frail ticelly endeavoured to answer a 0000
(feat ins at onee.
lite all right," 1 said ; "I couldn't, help
. It ! I've had an Itelventure ; anti, if you'll
take your seats quietly by the lire, tell
i you all abott it."
We all greened. oureelvei round t he huge
faro in the library, the light of which show
1 upon the expectant faces of young and old
I Warrens, of 001101114, Mint 0 alla uncles, and
1 sweetheterts, while 1110 pictured faiies of the
, dem band.gone Warrens gloWeil in the re.
I light as lf they too partieipated in the gen-
! oral joy and Oaf Mess.
I 1310.0ohe nestled on a low chair dose by
my side, with her letnil clasped in mine, as
. if tn feel (pile sure of my Retool presence ;
and, as I glaneed at hoe sweet loving face
and thought what her tender heart would
have sullbred hail iny dream been a reelity,
1 eould not repeees a elnulder.
All were eager to hear my story, and
tiould not resist the temptation of harrow-
ing their feelings ; so I began to toll the tale
itit if my adventures in dreamland had really
happened at Briarly Wood. As I proceed-
ed however to dilate on the horrors of iny
situation in the cottage, I perceived, to my
dismay, that I was scarcely making the im-
pression I desired. The ladies looked pro-
perly horrified and very much impressed ;
but .r detected an expression of inered aloes
amnsement on the faces of Ted and his
Mime, lay respected fablierdu-law-cleot
appeared sternly Indignant, and evidently
suspected me of having imbibed a strongee
liquid then coffee. Worse than all, my der.
ling seemed about to swoon; so, relinquish-
ing 01y desire for sensation, I came hastily
to the end of my story, and, finding it ne-
cessary to place my arrn around Blenche's
waist, assured her that it Wat1 after all noth-
ing but o, dream.
They (Bahia Sp01.9 me, and I was untner-
eiffdly chaffed, Ted actually laving me the
unneuessary citation not to amen uu my
werlding-morning and offering his services to
keep me awake while perfortned niy toilet.
" Poor boy 1" said Mrs. Warren, the only
eonsidevate ereeture in the whole aseembly,
with the exception of my dear " No
wonder you were fatigued after such a long
dreary tourney, and— Deur me, bow
thoughtless we are 1 You have had no din-
ner, and yet see have kept, yea te explain
this I My deer Jaels, 1'ut sure yon must
feel faint '
Away bustled tho dear motherly old lady
ie her black satin and rich Item, not eontent
tu ring the bell and consign -me to the mercy
of a servant, but she heeself superintending
the preparation of a substantial dinner,
daintily set out in the pretty little breakfast -
root», where, with Blanche for my sole com-
panion, prolonged the entertainment gnat
W01001.0 ruthlessly stimmoned to listen to
the l'hen all gathered together
at the drawing-meci windows and listencd
to the group of village choristers singing of
"peace and good will toward mon," with
such teat.; and sweethees that I felt proud
to think that Blanche had been their ehoh•-
mietress. Before the singers had finished
I friend her shedding tears,
" 1111bappy 0/108, ' she assured me-
" oh, 110 1"
No words could. adegnately deeerilie that
Christmas Day, or the incru happy Week
Whieh folloWod, TI10 weather changing
suddenly from cold and dam/muss 10 Mast
sharp frost, we made the Sannyinede 1/1011 -
dam; dee. with our shouts and laughter Oa
we skate7.1 on all the surrounding penile.
We aeled charedee, tableaux, and plays,
sang and ;lanced till tho elieys flew by so
rapidly that they seemed. like et sunny
111(01aritto wedding.moming the winter sun
lighted up the old villiege (Murcia where tho
Christmas deoorations had hewn Suffered to
resmin in my darling'e Minima It streamed
in throngh the stained windows on the shin-
ing holly and laurel, faith% en the white
dresses of Blonehe and her bridesmaids, My
little beide looked like a winter fairy,
enveloped in a cloud of some mysterions
delicate white material, with soft ruffles of
swansdown about her threat and. WriSth,
The diamond bracelet figered sonspicuously,
and was duly admired.
I took an ealy.opportunity of asking Ted
who were the unnotos of the cottage in
Briarly Wood, for I had a enperstitious im-
pfiarrs0.1011 that the place was haunted by leaf-
" 3.)o I know thein 1" said Tod, laughing.
" To be sure I do I They are eat home»,
hard.working young gamekeeper and his
wife, whons I will introduce to you some
day, You see wo kr ew your terrible story
mast be et fermi, though you rehtted it with
sueli tragical expression.'
The next summer when on a sisit to
Sunnytnede (frail° with iny dear little wife,
on the occasion of her sister Afea•y's mar-
riage to the Me young Squire, see had a
glorious Mario in ever -to -be -remembered
Briarly Wood, and I made theacquaintatice
of the young gamekeeper's wife and her fat
healthy beby, tend found the demi, pickle.
esque,comfortable cottage to be Oa unlike the
wretched hovel whieh I still remembered
with a shreider ea the pretty rosy-elleelte,(1
smiling young wife was unlike the repulsive.,
looking woman of my terrible drlota,rna. r.
As I 11 eipping my coffee 1 n11111011 0000
0111. et,riehip, and thought of the last sum.
mer lett one, 1011011 my college 01111111 Ted
Warren bad Melted me down to his father's
place at Briefly to tiell, and otherwise kill
the :die hours of my holiday. Oh, that glor-
hue summer -time -the fun and inerrintent
we heel in thitt hospitable house ! B0SV ilia.
1044.1,011 I felt among the bevy of pret ty slitters
until (mu seemed to shine out from anung
the rest, and I fell over head anti ears in love
with Benehe ! The aourse of our love, true
as it Was, proved the exception to the ride,
and ran as smoothly as the stream in »di 1011
Ted and I fished, or pretended to fish. My
prospects were good, and Blanche loved me,
I believe, Minns!. as 1110011 as I loved hor • 1
had no rival except au imaginary one
in the person of a bluff florid young
Squire, who caused me some jealous
pangs for a few days ea the beginnin
of ottr act:malamute, hat W110 WaS, I foun ,
engeged to 131anche's eldest sister, May.
Mr. and Mee. Warren gave a complacent
consent, and before the end of the summer
my darling and I were g tie 1.
Musing thus in front 01 the fire, I grew
somewhat drowsy ; but at leegth rousing
myrielf with an effort, I pat the presents
into my pocket and set off towards Sunny-
mede Orange,
Part of the road skirted a plantation call-
ed Brialy Wood, almost largo and dense
enongh bo called a forest. To walk to
Suntlymede by the road was to make eon.
siderable detour, but a path through the
wood, out off a corner and shortened the
distance by about a quarter of a mile.
As I stayed rather too long at the in»
and the appointed dinuar.hour was fast p.p.
proaehing, I decided to go by the shorter
way, and passed through the little mots-
krown gale loading into tho wood, Very
dark and uninviting 11 looked as 1'
gazed into its blank depths „ and
heard the dreary songlangs of tho
wind awing the gaunt leafless branches
eve/meted, Poe o, few ntoments f hesitated,
unta them with 0, laugh at iny nervousness,
plunged into the darkness, my foot slipping
ever tho wet, epongy grass, Before I had
got hal f.way throngh the wood however, I
repented of ray folly • my boots were wet
and 1 was splesbed with mud ahnost tip to
my oyes. A. Ilt state I should be in to
present myself before the assembled guests 1
What a fool I was, thought, not to have
kept to the mod, oven had it been twice the
lietattee . intewite omnparatively dry mid
tard,whilst tide Wag lilt° 1/011nehming thrmigh
morass. it perfect. 8101101 of Despond eind.
belly, to my deep disgust, 1 fond 1 hail
ost the path, and wets Wandering about
A young la(Iy stepped into a certain drug
atorethoother day to quie, the clerk, o gave
him this and that, and he tienn became red
in the km, Tie was becoming irritated,
"If I keep on," 'hIln said sweetly, " you'll
got mad, won't you ?"
" Yes, wil he pettishly replied.
" " Tel advise yeti not, Doe't beeonuininv
Worked up than you are. It, woulditlt, he
safe," 8110 answered,
" llecauee if yon b000nui madder
put yon in thet drawer aid Nell .you out. to
color old She,WIS at ton 001110 ii, pound,
TIIBRE WBRE GIANTS IN T110$E
.0.1ITS,
some Eitormana minute cried rar ‘1110
Oneti We then the Earth,
In one of his reeent lee:three Prof, (1. A.
Williame allude% to the (lie, every of 11,1,,i
°pennons lizard eighty feet in length. T
prefeesor infer:tete no lit iegspecimen of Hest
magnitude hate teem found) that the epeoles
whieb it represents Mee beemitelhgenevated.
The verily uf his position he endeavors
enforce by an (1111101,01 to the weill•lenowsn
eipetenee of huniten glante in olden 111110
'1 he following is the I ist upon which this
I 1 .1 • I . .
A gla»1 eehibiteel in Rouen in 1 830, Prof,.
\\*Winne says, nutaeured nearly eightee
, feet in height.
florapitts once saw a girl of I 2 years who
was ten feet high.
The giant tastable, brought hem Arabia
to Home during the reign of Claudius Clear,
1V101 ten feet, high.
Mennen', wile lived in the time of 'Eugene
II., unnottrecl 1 1 feet ti inches in height.
Chevalier Serog, While exploring a eavern
in the Peak of Tenerifte, found 0. scull which
must have belonged in a 011111 at lewd fifteen
feet high. it contained sixty porfeet teeth
ot menstrous size.
The giant Ferrogcte, slain by Orlando, the
nephew 441 Charlemagne, WM twenty.eight
feet high and so heavy that no horee could
be foiled that wasstrong enough to hear hiin,
111 11;81 1110 °nib of a «lent was 11011011 at
St. Domain wise initsalave bee at least
thirty feet high during life.
As LI, N leen a 1114111110 skeleton nineteen
fen 1 ie iliSuoVered 1.1011011 France,
' ,.:1, whiall was perfeet with L'Iteexcep.
t i .1. ot the under jaw, held over a beediel of
111 Iti2 1, near the evele of Dauphine, e
numetrotue toinh was diseovered. It was 30
feet long, Di wide, and e high. iuserip-
Lion, Kinteleelitee Rex." was eut, in the
hard, gray stone. The skeleton was foetid
entire, 121., feet long, 111 feet mines
Shollid 01.s, and 3 feet front the breast -bone
to the be ek.
The vicinity of l'alernio, Italy, has yielded
three remarkable human skeletons, one in
1410, one in 1 510, 111111 the last 1520, 'rite
first was '21, tlio second 30, mid the third 3.1
feet in height.
in 1,115 a skoloion was dug np near Mae -
rine, Sicily', the skull of W111011 WaS as large
as a, common wine cask. Each of the teeth
weighed seven minces,.
An Erneriment in larnnotism•
" Are you perfectly willing to lot tne try
an experiment epee you?"
?y,ott won't hurt me, profeseor, will
"Certainly not, nay boy, I nroiniee you,
but your 00080(11 must be voluntary."
" Well, I have no objection, them" and
the boy, (pate well known to ninny present,
et the professor's request, rose from Ms piece
in the audience, went formed and ascended
the platform, Many persons wale looking
en, for the oceesion was a pi•ivate trial of the
hypnotic powers of a wendering Professer.
A committee of four, elected front theft'
number to see that no inisoldef tem:tibiae and
to be couvinced as far as possible of the fair-
ness and genuitiegess of the proposed experi-
ments, sat upoll the stage. 'Their faces were
earnest and they watched with careftd sena
tiny every move/neat of the man and boy,
intense expectation held the little asacim.
Wage hushed as the professor niade a few
passes over the head and face, aml it
became quickly apple rent, that lie had uom•
pletely lost Ins OW21 volition.
Laughter reigned for a time, for the boy
did many ludicrous things at, the profeseor's
bidding -such flange OA 0,00 less wonderful
in the present day, having grown more com-
mon threugh frequent repetition, and only
regarded as te paseieg and amusing seuree
of wonderment. Having now tested his
subject, thoroilehly, and being satisfied tvi 11,
the strengt I) of 1110 " influence," the peofesser
41111100need to his startied audience) that he
wetild. force all the blood in the right side of
the boy's body to flow into the left side after
which he would prove that this neinstrous
boast 10118 an fad, The 111t1
was ordered to lie dewn, which he did un-
hesitatingly
Following. a netereely perceptible move -
men or " ease " f rem the prof eseor's
hand, a distinct line soon appeared which
seemed to ent the head, face and neck of the
eneonseietis boy into Nes distinct halves
'Me left side became suffused with eolor---it
glowing, healthy -while the right side
hail all the appemence of dead flesh and was
most suggestively and unpleasantly like that
of a corpse. A chilly horror crept over
everyleely ret this surprising exhibition of
hypnotic skill, while an unavoidable fear
that something dreadful might happen found
vent in many exclamations from the excited
lookees-on.
The professor said calmly and with a re.
assuring smile " 'There is no tlanger, and
please to observe hie easy and regular
breathing which is serest proof. Have
patience a moment and I will uempleto the
experimeet by provieg to yeti anst there is
no blood in his right side I"
Then calling for it needle and white thread
he placed a coin holmium the boy's teeth,
the better to hold his mouth open. With
unfaltering trends be pressed the sharp
roecile aotnpletely throngh the cheek froin
the inside and drew it Wok and forth sever-
al times itheough the cheek, inviting atten.
tion to the feet that the thread was not
stained by blood. Truly it was perfectly
white and 0104411, all all cionld teetify after
personal and strict examination. The
needle end thread were also deawn through
the fleshy part of the bey's baud without
discoloring the thread or being followed by
any drops of blood.
The profeasor had kept is word albeit his
audience were nob ready to Wear that they
had not been made the vitethrie of an optical
illusion, With another " pass" or two the
lino down the boy's face born to disappear.
The obedient blood {VMS visibly ebbing hack,
back into the right side, giving at omit) a
per lootly natural tone and reetoring a normal
color, With another " pass "the boy moved
restlessly and finally sal; up, opened his
oyes and looked about him with a sleepy
The audience gathered about him
weathloesly, the lad regarding with woudev
thole ourmint and questIontng gaze,
" Does your cheek hurt, ?" saul ono,
" No, hut it tineles !"
"And 110W 19 your hand ?"
Why," rubbing " it is asleep 1" Ho
then °oft up and w/elked abonle seetnieg y
unenescious that anything mamma had
occurred, end looked the peofesam with
an air of expectenoye He had realised noth-
ing, not. oven any lapse of tame, and fended
lowed( the vim mi of a joke, when the pro-
feneor said Healy ( "'Mutt will do, my !ad."
" Why, don't yoo tenet ine--won't f do?"
he said, and lifit question pc0c0100.1
burst of 141100er which he could cot girder.
stand, Mit which embraced forgiveness for
the professor's daring Rod sne aissful experi-
/1,0111. anil res1.1.0,1 10 good humor eonfi-
dismal ot,(11. Had Dottirboti
ind iv id nada who had tv it it mael i 1, Th hul
100,4 han,y, 1140, 101. del Ilfft 00017 0110 In 0-
40nt give 11'111 pleasant smile and 01010
most linwon 1 IA interest in his well-being?
MAU TO A BURNING LAKB,
811 14 one-third or 11 ilr Atiros0 and Des in
ine Crater or 11A taunt.
'rho 15110a -111g extracts are front 11 private
lelter to 1114 father of W. L, a Cue -
(mamma 101'4111er op the ieland of Kenai,
Hawaiian Iolanda describing a visit to
Kilauea, the roleano near to lido
" A strangedooking cloud lemg over the
spot, but nothing else showed ea where to
look for the grew, wonder, On wo went,
over lava roelt, throe& volcano sand, now
and Lim stopping to strip it bush of oliela
berriee, till et last we reached the ennunit
and eould look down into the great crater
of ItIlatma. What did wn see?" First, a
bolo +even miles in oireumf avenue and three -
to six hundred feet deep, the bottom cover. "
ed -with block, 'shining lava, winch looked
in the distritee neitrly an level and smooth
as a floor, Near one mide of this large open. ,
ing WaS onothee whose bottom we eould not ,-;
nom 13101 100 knew, from the elands of alba .
vapor that rose tip, that here was the groM „
burning lake we had come so far to see.
Six months ago 11.0 0011111 111100 00011 the fire
from thin puha, At that time the 1111101.
11010 did not exist. III ita plate wove 111(0
111.1i.114, j011101 by hard lava, like the rest of
he (water lleor, One of these lakes 1011.0 at
14 vel ef the lase, the other hied thrown
up mound Bed' 11 04»10 of broken lava 200
feet. high. Numerous cracks -wore to be
seen twee the bed of the (rater, Neagh
withal email he Snell the burning 114ra belew
while en oeciasional overilew from one of
the lakes sent a fresh alreant over the stir-
facc, All this was suddenly changed. In
1,01411m.y while pert y touritete was visit -
hie he crater they suddenly felt ties floor
give way beneath them. The guide 011041
oat that. they must return as soon es pos-
slide, and the party 10a5 111111U willing to
obey. All that night par1 hron11:00 ehook
1110. gmmul tun' he next aft, rnoon the door
of the claim- sank (loam 7110 FM. The lire
entirely dieteppea rod, While at the same
1'emtvitite buret out. Per several weeks
no lava was in sight.
" Simla that time it has been rising
gradually, until now it is about SOO feet
below the surface, After lingering on the
edge of he crater for some time we 11001 oil
to the Volcano llonse, se111011 is built near
the edge of the crater, on one of the highest
peinte. From hem W0 went down tutu the
matter. On reachieg the 0.1,4e of the sti,all
hole iwe got, our drat glinip,0 of the Limning
lake. I con101,0 the 11 rst tlinught that mune
to me was not OM of wonder nor of awe.
it, emintled ine of the time when We used
to sugar ' 011" and the kettle of yellow syrup
threal tined to boil over. Dot as the day-
light faded the grtsudeur of the whole scene
geadually mune" to me, and felt as if I
euuld et (y there indelinitely, looking dnwn
at that great boiling. eahlron of melted rook,
The hele itself is about a mile iu eiroum.
ferenee, the sides being perpentlieular or
eloping quiekly down to the bottom, The
binning 'eke is alma one-half it mile in
eiremmerenee. It wes not all alive when
11.0 Were 1100e. '11,0 outer edges heal hard-
ened, 141e:tenting 4 black surtace, eeamed
and broken. Thero wern about NiX concentric
oireles nf these eremite, reagh end irregular,
crossed by other cracks, tweaking up the stir.
fare i ti to irregular blooks of !mown rock with
tiery threiede of lava rtmning betweeta All
these blocks, except, the outer row, were
continually moving toward the erater,slowly
at, first, but with ever inereiteing rapidity,
the eracks growing Wider Mail they them.
selves voided over, theie edg,s forming two
bands of fire Limed of the one 111 first, In
the n01111.0 so 10.011-14 010110 .1100.0a itself. All
was glowing hot and terribly active, seeth-
ing, hissing, healing 111a00 of lire, tossing
Itenn skit te eide, Ringing the liege blocke
that flouted in front the sides high up in air,
like so many pehliles and oceadonalty send-
ing op great 11100$100 of tire ty or eevonty
feet bap (Waite while the 0011110,111 roar was
like the distant booming of %storm beaten
beach.
"NoW and then little whitiwitels would
pass over the surface, breakinae, up the solid
inlet and throwing showers of fiery sparks
'11 all directions, while as the light of day
faded. the whole surfeee appeared. eovered
with bright, starry pole is, where the etelted
ate below shone through."
Removal et Stains.
It is impossible to give any rule for any
me thing which removes all stains, Daerent
chubs of stains yield to different treatment,
11111 there are various solutions whiele are
terfeetly successful hi minoring Stah1s in
white goods which yet cannot he used in
iloved. goods because they would alms re-
move the color, As a general rule, all
mains 1)10(11100db), Acid yield to the applica.
ties) of ammonia. Nome achIS On white muslin
or linen meet be treated by themselves, In
such a ease, tie some moda up in the stained
part and boil it in 'soapy water till the stain
disappeare. Alkali stains, on the oontrary,
inust he treated by weak acids. Where the
color is taken out by whitewash, the cloth
should bo soaked in strong vinegar. .AL spot
onsised by tt solution of sodomy be removed
by rubbing it with vinegar. Fruit steins, if
perfectly fresh, may be removed by simply
pouring boiling Witter OVer them. 11 they
are (mite old and on old linen or niuslin,
little gavolle water must be used, but must
be instantly followed by 1h soletion of
one part muriatic acid to live of water.
Mildew stains on white linen or mus-
lin should be treated in the same
way. 111110ro is hardly anything more ob-
stinate than mildew atitins, though they
inn.y sometimes be removed by salts of
lemon, though they 01100111 afterward be
rinsed in clear cold water. Paint stains
yield at onee to turpentine, as every one
knows, but if they are old aucl obetimete
little chloroform will assist materially ii)
the process of softening. Spots on IL color-
ed dress or on carpet which have become
faded iney often be brightened by the nse
of ammonia mixed with a little alcohol. A
,stain of tar is ono of the most difficult to
'eradicate, The first process in removing it
to wet it in oil or butter, Scrape this off
after it has stood for while and apply tor.
pentine, rubbing it vigorously. Lily a
SMoOth, heavy wad of white Meth under it
and apply benzine to it. Wil,811 the
goods, if they aro washable, with a. little
warns water and ammonia, If lb is not
washable apply bensino vigorously and it !
will proCably come out, The pitch from
pine trees is ab»ost as difficult to eradicate,
and its it io of a similar nature may be re-
moved with benzine, washing the cloth
afterward i» strong solution of borax and
water. The stain or ooll'oe yielde only to
boiliug Neater, and that of tea to eold
water',
'0'
The XIntl fro W
Vannia—There comes that pudeleigh
again.
mite (rosigne(1)-011, well, I presume WO
all 1,1100 a cross to bean
Fannie (pettishly)—You don't eitll Min Di A ,„
el'6$9, yon 1
IKate (profeutully)—Qujte eo, Ite's
cross between a either and tt snit of clothes,