FOOTBALL COMMENTS.
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1899.
"these three" countries as the source of the. expected explosion. Further, it now transpires that the Empress Dowager's.
WAR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
are not being held merely for the sake of doing her honour but really in order to gather around her all her highest military officers with whom she can hold a grand consultation on the present crisis without exciting the suspicions of the
be expected to ask
*** Boer Treachery and British
Indignation.
CALCUTTA, November toth
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He thought he realised the miserable truth now, and he got up and looked out of the window. Her voice came to him across the room; trembling with emotion
"But you don't think—he will come back i "Why not?". "I don't know. I didn't think he could now.
who had been left behind Wele very minch like you in these mat
hard fought all through, every player was work. Ministers of the Foreign Powers; who might These statements are not limited to the of at the end of the fortnight. He was afraid supposed secreta papers and follow hiri by tery," he said hily, “If he did come back now.
The match on Monday last between the Club and the Royal Artillery was, without doubt, the best which has taken place this season: The Club were without Howard and Lowe while the Artillery were without several from the 38th Co otherwise froth teams were at practically full strength. From start to finish the game was ing for all he was worth and the result was an spirited a game as the spectators could wish for. The result was a draw, neither side having scored. During the latter half, the Club were pressing most of the time,.but otherwise there was no advantage on either side. The Artillery played upwelland, considering that the team had probably never played together before, played a very good game indeed. Their, defence was the strongest part of the team, especially the half-backs, and the centre half in particular. This gentleman played in socks and shoes and seemed to trouble" no more about kicks or bruises than if he had been playing in the nursery. The forwards played a good game but were not very well together, the right wing not seeming to be able to combine with each other or the rest of the forwards. The Club defence played a very hard game and were, without doubt, the mainstay of the team, in fact it was a back and half-back's match. The two Club backs aquitted themselves very it well, especially the right back and was a treat to watch his powerful kicking at times, a feature which has been lacking in the Club back play for several sea- Bons. The left back, although not playing quite so strongly as his mate, shaped very well and shewed he possessed both speed and resource. With a little more practice these two will make a very useful pair. There was stothing much to choose between the halves, they all worked hard and vigorously; a little wildness and carelessness.was, at times, to be observed in their play, particularly the wing halves, but this should disappear as the season progresses.
The forwards worked well, up to a certain point and there they failed altogether. This, of course, was the point where they needed to play best; viz; gear their opponents' goal. The left wing played very well together And there was not very much wrong with them except an inclination to keep the ball in their own corner too long. The right wing and the centre forward, although doing well in midfield, played shockingly in front if goal, keeping the ball to themselves, taking it forward and back, stopping it for several moments to get in the position they liked best to shoot from, and generally fiddling about with it in a most reprehensible manner The result was they hardly ever shot at all. The sooner they.manage
to grasp the
idea that they must shoot or pass, parti- cularly the former, as so011 as they first touch the ball and not wait until their opponents give them a favourable opportunity, the better. The more shooting the more goals are scored and if they can't bave the ball as they want it, they should take it as they get it and not mess about with it till it is taken away from them. Another important point they have to learn is that a pass is no good at all unless the ball goes to one of their own men and not only goes to him but goes so that he can get hold of it.
*
The second team drew their match on Wednesday but there was not much football in it, the players rushing about all over the place on the lets-have-a-kick-at-any-price" prin- ciple. Let us hope they will soon settle stead. ily down to trying to play the game.
Two excellent Rugby match were played, expecially Thursday's, and the. Club may con- gratulate themselves on winning it. With a little careful training the team should with practice from one of the strongest which has represented the Club for many seasons.
We understand the Barfeurs are very dis appointed at their entry being too late for the competition. It was received by telegram two days after the draw,
It appears they were ignorant of the time the entries closed and thought it was the same as last season when the time was extended on account of the present. Regiment not arriving till Xmas. A special commitee meeting is being call to consider their application to be allowed to enter.. Everyone would like to see them-in the competition but we do not see how the Committee can very well consent to let them take part now unfess the consent is obtained of every team which has entered.
COMING EVENTS.
On Monday afternoon on the Happy Valley, the Hongkong Football Club will play A Com pany of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Kick-off at a quarter past four o'clock. The Club team will be:-F. H. Kew, goal; B. C. M. Johnston and C. H. P. Hay, halves, H. W. Looker, C. T. Kew and W. H. Howard, halves; J. E. Lee, H. E. Green, J. F. Noble, H. C. R. Hancock and J, D, Danby, forwards.
On Wednesday, the Hongkong Football Club A will play H.M. destroyers Fame and Whiting: Kick-off at half past four sharp. The A team will be D. Wood, goal; C. H. P. Hay and H. Pinckney, backs T. W, Homby, S. L. Jenkins and A. M. Beattie, halves). E. Lee, E. J. Libeaud, A. F. Williamson, H. A. Seth and F. H. Kew, forwards.
On Thursday, the Club will play a retum' match with the Navy under Rugby rules.
The following Shield Ties Lave been Arranged
Baturday, Dec
9th, D Co., R.W.F., v.· H Company, R.W.F
Saturday, Dec. 16th, A Company, R,W.F., 2. 38th Company, R.A
Friday, Dec. 22nd, Engineers' Institute, v. F. Company, R.W.F
Saturday, Dec. a3rd¡ G. Company, R.W.F., v. Victoria Recreation Club..
Saturday, Dec. 30th, Hongkong Football Club'z, 25th Company, Southern Division, R.A.
CORRESPONDENCE.
【We do not uncveanrily andoraa the opinions expressed by Correspondents in this column.)
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UNPLEASANT QUESTIONS
of General officers. The consultation in ques tion took place three days ago in the Empiress Dowager's Palace, at which there were present Jung Lu, Generalissimo of the Chinese arinies of the North; his four Generals of Corps, Sung Ch'ing Tung Fu-hsiang (these twa hold the rank of Marshal, Kung pao) Nlch Sze-cheng, and Yuan Shih-kai; and Princes Ching and Tuan, Commandant-General and Vice-Commandant-General, respectively, of the Peking Field Force, and other Muchu troops in the capital. The result was kept secret, the greatest care being taken to clear out all but the most trusted eunuchs and Palace also significant of the signs of the times that. officers on duty from the Throne-ball. It is
on.
that Joan, with her childish, truthful soul, would soon learn to loathe a man who had won her affections under such circumstances, And if the disclosure did cause her pain at first, would he not be there to comfort her?
Have you seen Joan?" said Catharine to Arthur the next morning, after breakfast, she woke up with a headache this morning and would not have anything to eat. And now she has gone out and I can't find her."
"No."
I thought not. Then you see both of you. would be acting on the sanie impulse. He has done this, and he can come back and face punishment for your sake; you know him for what he is, and you can go on loving him---for his sake."
"Only he hasn't come back,” she said, quietly, He was growing tired of the` argument and made a movement to leave.
"I suppose you will not be down in the mor ting when I go?" he said and took her hand,
"I don't know. Must you go?" she said, and her eyes looked moist, I don't want you to go". she added fretfully, Joan was not used to being thwarted.
| bir identity. For he hasssolved now that, I and he was looking forward with elation to the come what might, he would confess the whole moment when he should declare himself in his ridiculous plot when the danition of the agree- true character, when he came across Joan in ment was up; the concealment of the truth, the hall, looking white and-unhappy.. A dull A special telegram from London tistes that which he had originally believed would be pos• feeling of alarm passed through in Had the utmost indignation is being felt, and sible, was now out of the question. His pride Alphonse, after all, evaded his vigilance ?. But expressed, in all parts of the country owing to alone, for he was almost morbidly proud, re- there was nothing noticeable in their farewell the persistent reports received from the seat of strained him from suggesting to Alphonse that greeting in the porch; and as the supposed if I had been he--oh, I don't know what mão war of the gross acts of treachery of the Boers, the disclosure should be made at once, instead African explorer drove away from the door, bisure like,"
treacherous conduct of the enemy in the action of the derision of his gay-minded friend, and to pack up his chief's near Ladysmith; but it is deliberately, stated he waited as to the reason of such a grand “mobilisation" that they have in more than one instance fired dragged early and silently while the days a morning train, wis telling himself hopefully would you send him away ??..
on the white flag. The similar experiences in The day before the visit of the two men was the war of 1881 give colour to the reports, and to expire, old Mr. Cronkley called Alphonse consequently the last vestige of sympathy for into his private study, just after breakfast. the Boers is destroyed. A good illustration of They had seen very little of their bost during the feeling at the country at the present juncture their stay. He passed the day among his
books, is found in the somewhat sudden action of rarely spoke at meal times, and since the the Cardiff Conservative Association, which spasmodic attempt he had made on the day of peremptorily called upon Mr. Maclean to resign their arrival to entertain them conventionally, his seat owing to his uncompromising opposi he had left them entirely alone. But this tion to the war. His constituents have long morning he looked anxiously over his spec- Wilde said he would go and look for her, and temporised with him; but up to this point tacles at the young Frenclinan as he entered stepped out on the laws. The moment of the grand disclosure was drawing near, and he was seemed reluctant to take the final step owing the room, and he rubbed his hands and to the undoubied good work he has done in coughed with all the fancied importance of a feeling more lighthearted than he had felt once other directions, and his sturdy independence: man who never does any business whatever. since his arrival in the house. He was rehears- but the wave of Indignation against the Boers
"To-morrow is, I believe, Mr. Wilde, the ing se vigorously in his wind the words in precipitated matters, and swamped all other tenth of November?" he began, motioning which he would explain the situation to Joan, that considerations, save that of abhorrence of Alphonse to a chair on the opposite side of the he forgot the object of his walk, until the sight of shewing no regard for truth and faith. their member's sympathy for nation fireplace.
a little figure in a grey cloak, with a black hog "The tenth of November? Yes, it is."- in her hand, scurrying through the lodge gates All
the
"And on the tenth of November you com some two hundred yards in front of him, recal Cardiff, and it is safe to say no other war dur plete, I believe, your thirty-fifth year;" pro-led his wandering faculties. What could she ba doing there and in that guise? A horrible ing the present century has been so universallyceeded the old man solemnly.
I do," said Alphonse shamelessly, having suspicion flashed through his mind, and with and genuinely popular. Great store is laid on the forthcoming visit of the Kaiser to England, reached the age of thirty-five a few months unconcealed anxiety he leaped the palings into the field, and managed to take u short-cut and the statement made to-day that he will be back.
to the high road by which he was enabled tö accompanied by the Empress has given great satisfaction. Most elaborate.preparations are
meet he casually, face to face, about ten being made to invest the occasion with the
minutes later. utmost importance and to impart the wel- came an unequivocal heartiness. Political cri ties affect to see in the chronological sequence of the visit of the Czar to the Emperor of Ger many and of the latter to the Queen an extents among the three Great Powers, which will prevent the Boer war becoming the excuse for a great Continental conflagration. The action of the Emperor prohibiting German officers, whether active or attached, from taking service in the Transvaal, though belated, is welcomed as a change in German opinion of England, from one of opposition and distrust to that of sympathy and support.
H.I.M. KUANG IISU
this secret Military Council. But since then was also not a pataker in the deliberations of
down to the present time of writing net a day bas passed without at least two secret meetings of these Generals, either at the house where General Tung Fuchsiang is temporarily resi ding, the house of Jung Lu, or at the Palace of Prince Tunn. Evidently the crisis is important enough to sink all private feelings of rivalry, for
A TRUCE
has been patched up between Jung Lu and Prince Ching, made, it is averred, at the express command of the Empress Dowager who thres tened to cashier and imprison any one who disobeyed her order. Hence during the last few days we have been seeing these two power ful subjects of the Empress Dowager hob- nobbing in the Palace Ante-room, a sight that has not been seen for some months.
THE JAPANESE,
and there are at least a hundred of them here as "tourists and what-not, seen to get on with the officials splendidly. Every courtesy is extended to them and the cordiality between the two peoples is being firmly cemented just now, a thing devoutly to de desired.—M. C. D.
News.
WAR NEWS BY WIRE.
From Our Exchanges,
Estcourt.
LONDON, November 8th. Reuter, wiring from Estcourt on the 6th instant, says that a force with artillery has started for an unknown destination; but firing has been heard in the direction of Colenso.
The Bombardment of Mafeking.
BOMBAY, November ştü. A telegram to the Bombay Gazette stales that further news concerning the bombardment of Mafcking shows that the British loss was slight, notwithstanding the terrible cannonade
which the Boers maintained. Under cover of this the Boers advanced in the open to attack the Maxim guns opened a murderous fire, the town. When they got within short range, before which the enemy turned and fled. Their losses were terrible.
The Firo at Kimberley.
CALCUTTA, November 9th.
A London special states that the fire at Kimberley is reported to have burnt itself out. Fortunately, beyond the destruction of grass for some miles around, no danyage has been done.
A Paris War Fund.
The fund started in Paris in aid of a contin-
the
country- is
same
Native Roports Discredited.
19
And like your father you look marvellously young, ir, considering your age and the perils you have gone througli," wound up the old man, and paused to take breath and collect his ideas. "You do me much honour, Mr. Crookley," said Alphonse with a gesture of respect.
"Your father may have mentioned to you that I was his oldest, his very oldest friend, Mr. Wilde?"
"It was his constant pleasure to dwell upon it, Mr. Crookley,"
"Was it so, indeed? Ah, that was strange, very strange." murmered the other in a surprised undertune, "for 1 always heard that towards the close of his life there was an estrangement between you. That was he impression he left with me when he came to see me for the Inst time. Ah! Charlie Wilde was an odd fellow." "Most eccentric, si rasponded Alphonse, warmly.
"Mr. Marsion,---you?" she exclaimed, chang- ing colour, "ond what right have you to watch mei" she added, imperiously,
"I watch you, Miss Joan?' he answered, lightly. "What should put such an idea into your head? I was just taking my morning stroll. Let me tako your bag; so you are one of those good little people who visit the poor and fatherless, eh?"
"I-no-yes-that's it, of course,” sho fafter- ed, clumsily, "they often are; I mean, I often do. And I like going alone best, Mr. Marston. And it isn't heavy, thank you."
“Oh, I wasn't thinking of coming in with you, but I might as well see you to your desti- ion. I didn't know your parish extended in this direction: how absurdly the boundaries- LONDON, November rolli,
Well, Mr. Wilde," restimed the old man Mr. Marston," she exclaimed suddenly and The cruisers Terrible and Thetis are at
more briskly, "I will give you the particulars passionately, "I must beg you to leave me. Durban. All correspondents agree that the of that last interview. It was very generally wish to be alone this morning. I am not clever native stories of the fighting on the 2nd and known at the time, and it will give you no pain at subterfuges; it is not true that I am going to 3rd instant are baseless, though General to hear it repeated, that he left everything, see any poor people. And I am not going to White's activity somewhat checked the sur
without reservation, to you."
tell you the object of my walk.. Will you kind- rounding movement of the Boers, The
"It was so," assented Alphonse, wonderingly leave me ?? armoured train from Estcourt on the 6th, how-why Anhur had seemed so poor when he first "Surely, since it is your wish," he said, ever, found the Boers occupying Colenso.
but first I must beg you to hear me gravely, for a few moments. I may be gone before you return, and I have something important to tell you, something of the utmost importance." "Will you please be as quick as possible?" she asked him piteously, imoving along the road involuntarily as she spoke.
Re-Inforcements.
The steamer Goth, sailing to-day, will take on the Persia's troops at St. Vincent. The transport fear, with the staffs of three Bri gades, has arrived at Cape Town. The Prince of Wales, accompanied by Lord Wolseley and the Duke of Cambridge, inspected the Life Guards detachment prior to their departure for the Cape.
The War Office, besides the new Division, is mobilising too per cent. of the Army Corps reserve; also a siege-train consisting of 33 officers, 100 men, and 30 howitzers, with abundant store ammunition. The embarkation of the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders on the Bibby liner Cheshire yesterday, at Liver pool, was the cccasion of boundless enthusiasm. The men were jubilant, and whiled away the time at the docks with sword dances and High land flings. Lady White bade farewell to her. son; and all tenders and available. stages on both sides of the Mersey were crowded with people.
Speeches.
knew him
"And it also became known soon after, Mr. Wilde, that this amounted to nothing, for he had withdrawn all his capital from his banker's only two months before his death. And it was never known how he had disposed of this money. His sun was, there, to all appearances, a beggar; and it has only beer by his own most creditable efforts that he has rises to the position he now occupies."
Alphonse bowed, and wondered that was coming,
"Mr. Wille, I know what became of that money. Your father came to me, the day after his visit to the banker's, and he entrusted to my care an iron box. That box contained dia- monds to the value of three hundred thousand pounds to be delivered to you by my hands on your thirty-fifth birthday. And that box stands now before you on the table. To-morrow morning it shall be yours"
Alphonse was silent for a moment or two. "And—and my father's reason for his action?" he asked in a voice that seemed to tremble with emotion. A dozen wild schemes were rushing through his mind.
"Was an estimable, if a mistaken one, Mr. Wilde. He said that a man with a character Sir Henry Fowler, speaking at Wolverhamp-like yours would never work his way up if that gent of French and other Continental volunton, declared his conscientious conviction that way were made too easy for him. He said teers, which it was intended to despatch to the present was a just and necessary war of that his should not be the band to ruin his help the Boers, now amounts, after extra defence, which must be supported vigorously son's career. That is the whole story, my boy, ordinary efforts, to a sum sufficient to equip order to end it as speedily as possible, twelve men.
and that is your fortune before you, large The Mayor of Saltash, in Cornwall, is start enough to enable you to live in comfort, and ing in Symons Memorial to be erected in the
not so large as to narrow your character and Parish Church there.
dull your enterprise by laducing you to live in Tuxury. I see you are overwhelmed, and justly so, by such an evidence of a father's love. I understand your feelings, Mr. Wilde, and I shall say nothing if you leave me at once to my books and go and seek solitude and reflec tion. Tomorrow, af ten o'clock; the diamonds shall be yours."
The Fighting round Ladysmith.
LONDON, November 9th.
The Timer in a telegram from Maritzburg dated the 6th instant, says that later accounts of Thursday's and Friday's battles around Lady- amith modify previous details of the engements, which were, however, successful to the British
A Disabled Transport. The transport Persia with a squadron of the 6th Knniskilling Dragoons, has been towed into St. Vincent, having been found, close to the rocks with her shaft broken and other damage.
Royal Condolences. The Queen has written to Lieut. Egerton's. mother condoling with her in her bereavement.
News from Delagoa.
November 10th.
The following telegrams are published by the Times
Dalagoa is full of Secret Service Police. getting information respecting the movements of the Imperial troops The wire from Dela. goa to Pretoria is not cut or broken by the re- cant hurricane. The principal Transvaal Agent here le agent to the Steamer Company. A com, mando of 850 men is near Komati Poort. Wo- men are also leaving Durban for Pretoria with news, passes being too easily granted at Dur | ban. understand a commando from Colenso Is marching on Greytown. I learn, also from English sources, that Johannesburg is stripped | of guns and denuded of men, and police are
composed of Russian Jews,
THE SITUATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HONOKOno Trikoza SIR-I have waded through H. E. To j†“ volume novel, with its humorous preface, in your yesterday's issue, but can make nothing of it. As it seems unfair to provoke him to further painful efforts, this discussion, as fÄT AB
am concerned, is closed.** am, Sir, &
OBSERVER. Hongkong, November 25th, 1899,
PEKING
MYSTERIES. Something very important is evidently on the fadis here just now It looks like the calm preceding a storm, to thote of the lower ranks in the government offices and yamius Officials not "in the know" are wondering what is going to take place, and some have even sent their families south or west, ne ti Eto get them out at the s
The Basutos.
A despatch from Aliwal North emphasises the growing Basuto discontent. Sir G. Y. Lagden is acting splendidly, and Lerothod is willing to accept his advice. Colesberg is quiet.
North Cape Colony,
The destruction by the Boers of the second- bridge at Achtertang was obviously a defensive measure. Attempts to destroy portions of the western railway line, between there and De Aar have been frustrated by admirable precautions and repairing arrangements. The telegraph is stopped north of Burghersdorp.
Details doming in.
BONDAY, roth November,
The Unionist and Conservative Associations at Cardiff, after hearing Mr. Maclean's defence at a public meeting, unanimously requested him to resign, in view of his antagonism to the Government war policy. Mr. Maclean bas re plied that he is considering his decision.
What Precipitated War.
CALCUTTA, November 11th. A London special to the Englishman says that Lord Salisbury's speech at the Galldhall shed a ficod of light upon the genesis of the present hostilities, The real cause of the war, he said, was the increase of the British garrison at the Cape. The Boers had grasped the situation. The presence of alarger number of British troops was a death-blow 20 their hopes of an independent Republic, ex- tending from the Cape to the Zambesl. They determined upon war so soon as they saw the Cape Garrison approaching a certain strength. If this strength had been attained earlier, the Pretoria ultimatum would have been delivered
earlier. it was, therefore, futile for hostile critics to blame the British authorities for not placing troops more expeditiously in the field, as the upshot would have been the same in any event.
More Treachery, -
"One request I must make of you, sir," said Aphanse, as he reached the door, which is that you will say nothing of this to my secretary. He is a most excellent fellow butment?
"or course, should never be trusted too much. I understand of course, these, Frenchmen
you,
Mr. Wilde.". Alphonse winced with a national delicacy, and went at once in search of Joan. She was in the conservatory, watering the plants, and he came up behind her, and made prisoners of her two hands, and kissed her, before she was aware of his presence, She gave a little cry, and blushed all over, and shook herself free.
"May I not have one kiss then, petite ange?" he asked, beseechingly,
"I don't know. I am not sure that it is right. You force me against my will, Arthur. I do love you dear, you know I da; but why may I not tell Kater, It is so hard to under
stad."
A slight look of annoyance passed over his face
“But you are unreasonable, mignożne. Do j you not trust me than?" #Yes, ol, yes, but-
BOMBAY, November 11th. A Bombay Gacette cablegram states that the
"Then if I give you leave to tell her, will you Boers sent in British refugees from the Trans-kiss me once with your sweat lips, of your own vaal under a flag of truce, A party from Lady-
free will" smith, with a flag of truce, went out to ment them; but before they returned within our picket lines the Boer guns opened fire on them."
(Published by Arrangement,)
THE PRIVATE SECRETAHY,
BY
EVELYN SHARP.
[COPYRIGHT.]
PART II,
Her face lighted up with pleasure.
Tell Kate? When may 17 Now, at once?" “To-morrow, petite; only a few hours more, and the whole world shall know, I should have spoken to your father just now if he had not been in such a hurry to return to his read- ing. Now, are you satisfied, pelite dédaigneuse) Then give me my kiss,-so, And now, I have much to say to you, so take your watering-can and look after those poor little thirsty plants of youts, while I tell you what we have been say. ing in the study, and what I am going to do 10-lay,"
"With pleasure," he answered cordially, walking along beside her, "it will not take lang, but it should be said in the form of a humble apology to your sister and your father and yourself"
Then won't it do if you tell them instead *** she broke out impatiently.
"I am afraid it concerns you most, my child," he said, and felt a sudden feeling of pity for her. 1 think there is no need for you to be in such a hurry now. A fortnight ago, Miss Joan, I made a nighty fool of myself, and 1 have been regretting it ever since. Please do not walk so fast-
"I tell you I must hurry, you shall leave me," cried Joan, choking with suppressed anger and emotion. She snatched the bag from his band, and turned and faced him in the middle of the road. "Who are you that dare to stop my path? What would your employer say if he were here? How dare--"
He would not dare to be here." "He dare? He, your master, your superior a thousand times? Go and do what he left you to do, and do not presume to bandy words with with his friends. I-it-it's a great shame," and her eloquence ended in an undignified sob.
He is not my master nor my superior. Out of respect to your presence, Miss Joan, I will not tell you what he is, other than that he is my paid secretary. A week ago, he was my friend also."
"What do you mean? I-I don't understand you. What--what has happened to everything to-day?"
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"I mean that you are the victim of a wretched hoax to which I gave birth fn an impulsive mo- ment, a fortnight ago. I mean that I am Arthur Wilds, and that he, Alphonse Marston, who went to London yesterday, is my secretary. We and if I, for one, bad any suspicion that it was have been masquerading like two scoundrels, going to end like this, I would have shot my. self first."
"But-I-I don't understand," she said again, He explained it all over again, and she looked at him vaguely.
"Then-then-1 am not to go? she said like child who has half learnt its lesson.
a
No, I think not Shall we turn back?" he said gently, and touched her arm. She shrank back from him with a scream.
"What do you mean? I was not going any, where; how dare you stay there and listen? I hate you. So it was through you, and he he-1-Kate, come to me."
She let him carry her indoors, for she was unconscious.
Late that evening, at the end of the most trying day he had ever spent, Catharine came and told him that Joan would like to see him. He found her lying on the sofa in a darkened room, with her face turned to the wail. After all, the grand disclosure was falling rather flat, he thought bitterly.
"Are you better?" he asked awkwardly, and cleared his throat two or three times.
"Oh, I am quite well," hastily; then, after a pause," Mr. Wilde.”
"Yes?"
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I
"No? But can do you no good by waiting, he answered drily, and still, held her hand tilby why are you going to give up all the diamonds?" she asked him, curiously.
I have given them to you, that is all. When Alphonse comes back he will them aver
pass to your keeping. Good-bye." de
Oh, wait a minute, she cried, suddenly and raised herself on her elbow, and looked at him searchingly, Why should
you give them
to me?--I don't understand"
Because loved you first, dear; there is no harm in telling you now, is there?"
"I don't quite understand," she said again, and drew her hand away, "it is all so difficult."
So after all, it was you who shot 'all the leopards, and the bisons, and the Hons, and everything else?" she said, presently,
Oh no," he answered, hastily, that was Alphonse. Good-bye"
He looked at his watch when he got outside the door, consulted Catheriné, aud raanaged 10 catch the last train back to town after all." He walked wearily into his chambers in St. James' Street, somewhere about one o'clock, and the first thing that struck his attention was an iron case placed ostentatiously on the table, and the next was a man sitting in his armi eltair, smok. ing bis best cigars.
Alphonse 1" he gasped.
"Ah, est toi," answered his secretary with the utmost coolness, "I had almost given you up. I thought you were coming up this morn. ing; I have been waiting about all day. "But, pray don't apologise, il n'y a pas de quoi, And how did you leave all our excellent friends? I was well out of it, ch? Ab, my poor mother," and he ended with a burst of laughter.
Wilde flung down his bag and his rug, and tried to meet the bewildering-situation.-Was- he to be angry or amused, frank or diplomatic? He ended in being distinctly weak.
I didn't quite expect to find you here," he said,
"No? But what clae was i to do, mon ami? You had given me no instructions, and had the diamonds to deliver to you. But tell me, I am torn with curiosity, how did they take the disclosure ?"
Arthur had had time to collect his ideas, and he folded his arms and looked at the other man with something like contempt. j
The child whom you have been playing with is quite prostrate."
Alphonse whistled.
"My dear fellow, don't look so tragic, please." She'll soon get over that.' What a little fool. it was, and how reluctantly she made love to me. Engu, I am grateful to her for making my fortnight so pleasant to me. She will lear to be thankful to me for opening her eyes for her. These hopeless ingenues are such börés, v And old Cronklay
#
"You are a bigger scoundrel than I thought you, Marston," said Arthur Wilde, in a voice that was calm with suppressed anger. "She thought you had taken, the diamonds and she loved you in spite of it in spite of everything. And I excused you and said you bad done it for love of her, and I said the diamonds strouid be hers when you came back. It was my in tention to find you, and put you lo a positión- to marry her
ค
Marry her?" shouted Alphonse with a laugh of derision, "Marry her? Ma fot, que penses-tu? When I have a wifo already and two children in the Rue des Courcellès, Nuvise ro dir. Really, Wilde, this is carrying the joke too far now.
The great African explorer was finding the ways of civilised society a little too complicat- ed for him. But through the mass of conflict: ing emotions in his mind there was one gleam of hope, and be held desperately to that as he turned once more to the man who had been
bis friend.
"Get out of this room, Marston, or by heaven I will kick you out. The salary that is owing: to you shall be sent to the address you have just mentioned. You may thank the powers that be for the fact that the poor child pace loved you. Now, ga"
"But after all, he brought back the diamondé,” said Joan to her husband, three months later, as they stood before an unopened black box ini? their fat in Kensington.
"Oh yes, he's all right," answered the African explorer cheerfully, as he tried the lock with his keys, one after another, "I always did belleve in him, even when you thought he had bagged- the diamonds. Hang this lock, what has come to the key 7"
"Excuse me, sir, it was you who thought be had taken the diamonds. And I'm sure be lieved in him first, or else he wouldn't have÷1 mean I shouldn't have-don't you see?"
"Oh yes, I see fast enough, but all the same, poor Alphonse wouldn't have had much. character left if it hadn't been for me. Ah, here we are."
Isn't it exciting?” she said, and peeped under his elbow breathlessy, "I'm so glad you waited for me before you looked at them your.... self. Don't you wonder what they will look
"Is it really true, what you told me this like?" morning, was it? All of it
"I am afraid so¡ Yes”.
ས་ want to know something else, please. Was it you pr-or be, who thought of the whole thing?"
"It was 1, Miss Joan, in the most foolish-*· It was getting late in the afternoon when "Then it was your fault, mostly" she said, Alphonse sought out his unsuspecting friend in turning upon him sharply. He twirled his the garden, and began talking to him in a per-moustache savagely, and felt he was not being turbed tone, .
treated quite fairly.
"Perhaps it was, yes; but I never nieant it to be more than a joke, and I did not know you then. It was Alphonse-
"And then the diamonds, Kate told me they
During the next few days nothing of import. ance occurred. Alphonse scrupulously divided his attentions between the two sisters in public, and Arthur had no reason to believe that he "See here, mon ami, a telegram from my had any opportunity of doing otherwise in poor mother which the mald gave me for you, private. Joan seemed quieter than she had and which I have of course opened. She is A London telegram to the Bombay Garcife been, and showed no further resentment to the dying, Wilde, a terrible complication of lunge states that a pigeon post from Ladysmith supposed French secretary, and indeed went and heart, she has been a sufferer for years. I were yours, and he knew it, and he ran away announces that some wounded and civilians
out of her way to be particularly gentle in her have been removed to the special encampment; manner towards him. But although her fascine waist go to her at once, will you mind if I do not with them just like a common-oh, it is too until to-morrow? 4h ma mère, ma pauvre dreadful," she moaned to herself Presently and the Boers have sent in 99 wounded from
she looked up at him sigain. "Are you going Dundee, all well. Kimberley was safe. on tion became stronger for him every day, he ang
could not help noticing that all her coy remarks Arthur had never heard him express any to-I mean, will they that is, tell me what ybe, som November strand Matzking on October 17th, and all her merriest smiles were reserved for thing our indifference for his mother who what you are going to do about the diamonds?" Praticipated Some Gordan Highlanders wounded at the moments when Alphonse was pickent had been a burden, and a very worleasant"Nothing said the great African explorer. There was a shade more life in her storm does burst. For once the higher officials Blandelaagte declare that the Boers opened and he did not augur well from this circum-one to him for some years; but he at Court have succeeded in keeping a secret fire after showing four white flags, and their stance. He felt himself growing gloomier and himself to utter the conventional amount of voice. But-but I don't see, 1 thought you from leaking to the outside world. But the klits being conspicuous caused many deaths less interesting every day, and he longed for the sympathy, and went indoors to look out a would have to get them back, and namas olga
President Kruger is in good health, and is quite end of the fortnight that he might appear in his train for him, and invent a business reason for "Don't try to see, ilule girl," he said gently, FRANCE; AND JAPAN. big-unmayed by the cause of events." After ha true character, and at least acquire some of his ruddden journey, for the satisfaction of his and gripped the arm of his chair hard," 1: don't
chief topics of comment and has finished his dutles he smokos placidly on Joan's respect, even if her love for Alphonse host. Perhaps he was not sorry to spaed the want them back, that's all. They are for him
#thoughts are turned on, his sleep (the verandah of his house... Ware strong enough to survive the_bijsyal of | departure, of Dhia, masquerading: secretary) | and you?
appear to
And orident
-
There was a dead silence when the lid was at last lifted up with a creak. Arthur put his hand. in once or twice, rummaging about: without saying anything and two big tears slowly rolled
down his wife's checks.
The box was filled with lead and brown peper.
"I always said ho-he was a hopeless case,”. she said presently, drying her eyeh
"He was very clever, too élever for me"- answered her husband thoughtfully, Ah well, we can do without the diamonds since we have one another, can't we, darling?
«Yer➡yos, oh yes, of course, yes. Do put that hold box out of sight, will you?" she said. And I was right with a quiver in her foient about him, wasn't I?
Are you not always right?" he answered, begging the question with a kiss. And the diamonds were really forgotten that time, pra
The letter-which had been sent to the fir Des Couralles, Numere dia, containing Alphonse's salary, was returned a few deve "after. The name of Maratón-was-amknown
thers, in
The diamonds were never rebbyered, and the great African explorer never had another „Astrotary,"