1899-09-02 — Page 5

(Published by Arranguseni.) RICHARD: COMMON-PLACE ROMANCE,

BY

THE REV. S., BAKING GOULD, Author of Mekalah,” “John Herring

[COPYRIGHT.]

Every village has, or has had, its neer-do weel, and also, uno pay assuredly say, the con verse a star, a youth who has tiren to position and to influence far above that were his by birth. There is no country in the world, Anie cricu possibly excepted, where there are facilities for a youth of energy and

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1899.

FOR BLONDE AND BRUNETTE.

Suddenly she stopped away, as with a effort.

gardens be could trust, and plants require the | as woolman one of the same surname. It was mission. Paola told them that I was from the downright red hair could wear nothing busp and down before him. Then she continuedi

grandmother and, naturally, Mary Kelloway, But such holidays could not be frequently ac- conded, for his master knew he could trust "Richard, and was doubtful whom else in his

most careful watching and tending. One day's neglect in watering, one night's frost unforseen, may ruin hundreds of pounds' worth of goods. The thrip, the mealy bug, the scale are enemies to be grappled with and fought with incessant vigilance, and the green fly with its legions coming none know whence, appearing at all seasons, must be combated with smoke and Gishurst's compound without intermission.

One day, aliout noon, or a little after, a stranger came into the nursery gardens, and entering one of the epnservatories where was

to inake his way. But there is somergence Richard, neked if he child see Mr. Kewe.

now that gives a lad a chance of rising, some- thing fat less generally diffused than intelligence and less conspicuous than energy, which is in immense demand, and at a premium and that is honesty. In ancient Greece the churlish phi losopher is said to have fit a lamp and gone about the streets by day looking for an honest man. It is, perhaps, the falling of advanced and widespread culture that it encourages mental at the expense of moral progress nay, further, that with the development of inental advance there is momal retrogression. Every man is now in such a hurry to make himself comfortable that he loses all scruple as to the way in which he sets about it, and so misses the one way paramount over all others, that of common honesty.

This lack of integrity is the thing thar alt employers complain of They can no longer repose trust in their workmen, in their clerks all have to be watched. There is no question as to their abilities, only as to their honesty.

This leads me to tell the story, which is quite true of a young man with whose career am well acquainted, from childhood till. he was prematurely cut off whilst in the ripe ness of his powers, trusted; esteemed and loved by all with whom he was brought in contact. He began life. with little to favour him. His father was a quarryman who was killed by a fall of rock, and his mother died not long after, never having recovered from the shock of the loss of a dearly loved young hus band. So the orphan boy was left to be brought up by his grandriother, a widow, who went out charring for her maintenance, and who received eighteen pence and a loaf per week from the parish.

The master, answered the young man, "is just now at his dinner, if it be particularly desired I could run to his house.

By no means," interrupted the visitor. should like to have a walk round the grounds and through the houses, and I daresay you will be good coough to accompany nic. I have an hour at my disposal, and I would rather spend it here than anywhere else, I will await the arrival of Mr. Kewe,"

Accordingly Richard accompanied the visitor about the nursery, and told him the names of the plants, putting aside such as the stranger ordered or selected.

"I don't know how is is," said the latter, pointing with his stick to a row of flourishing rhododendrons, "but you, and all my friends grow these to perfection, whilst there is a fatali. ly with mine; they won't slower, or if they do, they throw out-sickly bloom, apl the plants continually die and have to be removed.? soil

It depends on the soil, sir. What is your

are on chalk."

|

brother, Richard, had been. Advanced from gardener to steward of the St., Ledger estates Faithful in his garden, he was faithful in his management of the property, and he appointed not on account of any personal pride in Richard that the relationship was kept a secret; it was at the express wish of his brother John.

"Look-ye here," said john. "You're a gen'le an, Dick, in broadcloth and silk 'at. Pm but a poor rumimagy labourin' man. Now if you favours me anyway, and my lord puts me up a bit, folk'll say, 'Oh, it's all becos he's Mr. Richard's brother. So, I recken 'll be best to keep that quiet, and then you can give me a feg up as I desarves it."

And John, partly by his brother's favour, mainly by his own good conduct, was advanced, but the relationship was not discovered 'till one day Richard was dead. He had caught a chill that settled on his chest, and hurried him off at the age of forty-five.

Then John Noble stood forward, and when Lord S. Ledger said something about Richard being laid in the churchyard of St. Ledger, then John said, "Please, iny lord, no. I'm Richard's own brother, and I knowed his heart's wishes, as was told to none other. He sent for me when he was a dyin,' and ser he to me I've got a double grave made at the dear old home, in the churchyard, and Mary she be there, and there lay me by her. Us was together only one month, but now us shall be together world wi'out end, Amen.'”

MYSTERY OF FAMOUS TREASURE OF THE SAN LEON MONASTERY.

It is an American who came nearest to soly. "I don't know. Most things do well. Weing the problem of the great treasure trove of the San Leon Church of Mexico. He is J. F. Ball, a recently returned initier and prospector for gold.

That is it, sir. The rhododendron has in thrive on hay, nor a horse on getton chops. aversion to lime in any form. A man will not

Each plant tras its own proper soil in which it thrives. Give it other soil and it languishes and dies, Excuse me, sir, for a moment.".

Richard ran to a boy who was fifting and re- moving a young thuja.

Look here," he said. "My hoy, when you take a baby from one room to another you de not carry it by the hair of its little head, do you? No, you put yourarm under and bear it easily thas. You are transplanting that tree in altoge

You hold it-suspend it

ther a wrong manner.

It is scarcely two summers ago," said Mr. establishment near Guadauope y Calvo, in Bell, that I was at the head of a quartz milling Ghihuahua. There were about fifty swarthy and powerful peons, or semi-slave half-breeds, over thein. I also had a privilege of taking on working under me, and I had absolute power

new hands.

for work at the mill. He seemed to be a man One day a curious title Mexican applied of intelligence above the average, and had very diminutive beside the six foot, greasers," who were able to carry 500 pounds of gold quartz on their backs, but took pity on him and hired him.

We had not penetrated the niountain district far-nur very promised land-when we hap pened upon three of the patrolling soldiers. They haited us and demanded to know our States and seeking a purchase of a ranch, that I could not speak ward of Spanish and that he was my valet and interpreter. We ex changed compliments and passed on. only a few miles further they came after us pollell and plied us with more questions, laving us a second time. When this was repeated a third time Francesco whispered, Senor, you down the fat one ahead and I will Kill the other two. I am a dead shat. We cannot be stopped here on the very threshold of success."

But

to

"But I demurred. There was to be no killing for me, I knew the consequences, and preferred that the gold should be untarnished with blood The soldiers demanded that, we go down the city and get permission of the government to pass into the mountains. This I knew was impossible to do just then, and we went down in the direction thirty miles utterly disconsolate, my companion continually calling to me to wheel round and do the trick that would liberate us.

"Not daring to enter the city, we camped outside for five days, undecided. For three days we argued; then there came a woman evidently Francesco's former sweetheart. She on the scene. She was a very beautiful creature,

was the only one in the country who had.

A little while ago the very mistaken belief, I can't. God couldn't bring his herven down prevailed that persons with chestnut or even

upon earth for us! light blue and certain shades of green if they

He tumed away with a low

Groan. She paced wished to look their best. Now there is nothThink of the child! It is to him I make this. ing on the contrary, that is more unbecoming him last. So young, but so manly! I can hear ancrifice. I shall never forget. the day I saw than these two colours to such a one, unless brows of lashes, she has a very fair skin and "Tather dink eyr

The most attractive hue that a woman with a shade of red in her hair can wear is as near the colour of her locks as possible--only dark- er is some uuterial without glass, such as cash- mere, face cloth, or velvet.

Womea

Blonde women with fair, somewhat colour- less skins can wear any shade, either in the scarlet and amber are more becoming to them daytime or at night. If anything, brilliant-

with a high colour should, of course, avoid red than to their dark-haired sisters

and pink for evening wear, but will look hand soune in light green mauve and blus. Dárk women with little colour can wear light pink and com yellow with the best effect.

Black is wonderfully becoming to bloode women, and to those who have auburn ar ved hair, but it should be snit, ustreless black such as de chine crepe. Hun's veiling or chifun. White may be combined with it very effectually. Brunettes, on the contrary, should not attempt black unless it glistens, like

him now, as he spoke so gently of his mother, His 'beautiful lady-mother!! And of 'my dear father, my good father! When I grow up I shall be like father,' he said. 'Oh! I can't bear it!"

She stopped before him.

It would cling to him for ever-your boy. Go back to him. But-no matter where you are, you will know I am praying for you!?

"Do not leave me," he begged. "Don't!" she said, huskily, "it is so hard as it is "

"They went up the hill together, as far as he stile, from where she could see the lights of Carey Hill,

"What will you do ï" he asked.. "Work. And you??

"I shall work, too," be echoed.

they were about to shut the door upon a tomb They gazed at each other silently. It was if or ever. Then he went away,

At the steps she met the minister

have done good work to-day," he said. "After the sermon, one of the congregation went to my poor ones and donated enough to

recognize him as a new personality. For a satin, silk or brilliantine, or else should br❘ keep them : the winter."--Kangoon Times.

day or two they mooned about the place, and then the girl disappeared.

the sutt-aterials with jet or rcheve themy

near the throat with some other colour white.

"Francesco was like one,insane after "that.

Elderly women with white hair and clear What tidings the gil brought or whether be complexions appear at their best in black, ha toid her his secret or not, I never discovered, others should not hesitate to combine it with Once and for the last time Francisco asked the

some.calour when theircomplexions are sallow if I would go on up the mountains, killing

or their hair a mongrel ting that is neither a everything in our way to success. Still I stond

grey nor yet blonde nor black, even in mourn- my ground, and the next morning at daybreaking a fresh, dainty look can be given by wear- I awoke and there by my side stood mying white ruches or mull collars and cuff, while Francesco's rifle and belt, all the money, with site.

out of mourning every colour is now permis- clothing I had given him even to the last stitch. strict memorandum of accounts, and the When I hunted about camp for the anan he was gone.

A PASTEL IN SOMBRE COLOURS.

A CHOST IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Yes, anal a most peculiar ghost, too; not an ordinary, ancestral spectre, but the mystic double of a lady who is both alive and wefl; and can in no way account for the mys terious apparition. Among the officials who have suites of rooms allotted to them within the precincts of the House of Par- liament, is Mr. Archibald J... Milman, wife and funny, he has charming rooms Clerk Assistant of the House, With his just ofthe Speaker's Gourt, "The dining room in particular is a very beautiful chamber, panelled nearly to the ceiling, and decorated with some very exquisite blue and white China, room, together with others of the suite, opens and a good many valuable vid prints. This out of a kind of transverse corridor. Not once light too, the exact counterpart of Mrs. Milman has been seen to pass up and down the corridor in and out of the rouns-and always in the absence of the lady herself.

The lat grew up lanky, and looked insuffici- by the delicate twigs and leafage, and leave the evidently travelled a great distance. He looked She only pointed into the river far below. this haven of rest, be used.to hold service in or twice, but several times, and in broad day-

catly feit. The squire of the parish took him early into his service to clean boots and run er rands at sixpence a day, and after a while, as the follow proved trusty, advanced him to be a. butler boy in the house, in livery, to clean #knives and attend the door.

Tasty and good the lad remained in this con tion also, liut it was not congenial to him. One day the housemaid told the mistress, with alangh, Please, malam, what do you think? Every now and then I've found bits of wood laid one across another under Richard's bed. I couldn't make but what it meant,

Jast I've found out He's made an ar rangement with the gardener on certain mornings to be up very early before his re- gular work begins, that he may go round the greenhouses with him and help hun there, and a bit in the gardens. Richard won't be a minute late for his work in the house, but he do so dearly love to be in the garden that he'll get up at four o'clock to go there, and as he's a heavy sleeper, he has the notion that if he makes a lile cross under his bed putting one stick across another, and says erit, I want to be waked at four o'clock. Then sure. enough at that hour he will ris

When his master and mistress knew the lad's taste, and heard from him how much happier he would be in the gardens than in the house, they put him with the gardener, and he laid aside his livery never to resume it.

Too unsupported, dropping the soil and ex posing every fibre. Treat a plant with as much consideration and tenderness as a baby, and it will thank you."

At that moment Mr. Kewe appeared, and Richard with a bow withdrew, but not before be had heard the nurseryman address the visitar as "My Lord". A

When Richard had gone out of earshot, the visitor, who was Lord St. Ledger said to Mr. Kewe, I have come here to ask you 10 help me. have lost my good old head gardener. Poor fellow, he has had brain fever, and is quite beyond managing the gardens again. His head and memory affected, and his nervous irritability make him unable to carry on smoothly with the others. ve pensioned him, and now I want another, and that speedily. I have no under gardener fit to advance into his room."

"You want an elderly ruan, any lord ?" "I want a good man, and an honest one, and one who understands the business.

now,

You torics "Bardens, bot-houses, and conserva-

If he had only been a little 'older,”-began the nurseryman.

Oh, I am not particular as to age." "21 1 was merely considering, my lord,-that man who has been round the gardens with you"

"Would suit me exactly," interrupted Lord St. Ledger took a fancy to hini at once. and honesty,"

Honest! Honest as the day. And as for intelligence, there is no lack of that, Experience may be wanting,"

"I'll take him," said Lord St Ledger, "1 took stock of the fellow whilst. he was going round with me."

"I am sorry to part with him," said the nur- seryman," and yet I should be more sorry to stand in the way of Richard's advancement."

No sooner had the young man news of his engagement, and that he had to look to a com- fortable cottage, a good, income, and employ ment in which he was sure he could be happy and give satisfaction to his employers, than he kastened to his native place, which he had been unable to re-visit for six months.

44

He worked faithfully and well to the limit the reasers who were about him on ever of his strength. He had nothing to do with side. ***One night Theard a faint rap on my door and found it to be my curious workman. His just as I was retiring. I asked the visitor in,

face was the picture of misery, have a great secret to tell you,' he said I can trust silent. no one but you and I cannot longer remain

You will never regret granting, this request.

me

into my hands some of the queerest octagon- Lock at these, sir,' he said, softly, putting shaped gold coins of antique design that i had

ever seen.

'Do you know what they are? Well I will tell you. They are part of the hidden treasures of San Leon,'

"My veins tingled at the sound. I knew the history of the country well enough to know that in 1856, during a temporary disturbance of Mexico, the rich treasures of the San Leon a revolutionary nature, so frequent in Old church, amounting to same $8,000,000 in gold, tugether with valuable relics and altar pieces, were stolen and carried into the mountains, no one knew whither.

I turned the coins over in my hand, feeling à queer sense of stepping upon perilous but. fascinating ground. And do you know where placed his hand on his heart as he said Before God, I swear it ! Then after a pause, Listen, senor, while I tell you a little of my history.

"My people are from Toluca, near the City devil, with some of my father's blood in his of Mexico. I was an only son. A little peon veins, was brought up with me. He was of the When he became old enough to shift for him lower order and was thrifty, content with little.

self he bought a little herd of goats and tended them himself. One day as he was gathering them together to drive them down the canyon out of reach of the mountain lions he missed onc. He started back, calling for the missing

followed on blindly over. the ties. A mile "I tracked him toward the railroad and

beyond the curve i saw a woman on the railroad her. It was the beautiful creature I had seen bridge, bent down as if weeping. I came upon about camp. I asked her what was the matter, There I discerned the still form of Francesco floating face up in the limpid waters. He was suicide.The reason? I never discovered whether it was love or madness. I think, how ever, that in his cupidity he really killed his and the love affair aggravated him to despers half-brother Paolo, was insane with remorse, tion. Of that I do not know, but one thing am certain, Francesco had the secret of the great San Leon treasure which I came within an ace of sharing with him, but which will now remain a secret probably for another hun. dred, yes, it may be a thousand years."--Call.

WAS IT OLO CUSTOM? We could imagine a London police magistrate's face if he were offered a chit or an 1.0.U. for the fine imposed on a prisoner? This happened a the Mixed Court a couple of days ago, says the Shanghai Daily Press. A Chinese news paper proprietor was fined $50 for publishing an and give a 1.O.U. for the balance. The Chin indecent advertisement and he offered to pay $15, ese interpreter went one better and offered to discount the I.Q.U."! Not only did the Court not faint on hearing the offer but actually appeared to favour it and it was repeated the following day. The British Assessor, of course was not listening to such a proposal and so the unfortunate Chinese journalist's offer to settle malters on a business basis fell to the ground. In is not unlikely this is one of the ways of the bill-book and a discount account, and on a man being fined he would sign a chit for it, payable at the end of the month. But it seems strange that such an offer should he made to a court under British supervision. It would be thought that after all these years of dealings with the foreigners any intelligent Chinaman would riage of justice look as if it were journeying know a bit better than that. It makes the car over a rocky road...

foot, of a nountain on the edge of a blue lake. Carey Hill was a queer little place at the Is the quaint old house that sheltered the Carey town, further across the valley. Al summer colony dwelt the clergyman from though he was in poor health and had come to the big hall every Sunday afternoon, save the hist Sunday of each month, when he went to preach to his own flock, as he had to lay, the last Sunday in October: It had been one of those blissful days of brilliant landscape-and- became overcast and everything looked gray caressing brecres,but toward sundown the sky and sombre. There was, indeed, but one touch of colour in the whole dun scene-a red rose in Mary More's gray gown. She had started out bright and full of life, but now she felt a the day. The country road wound ahead of her; to the right rose the hill down which she had come, and to the left field of variegat ed grass in the gray shadow. She leaned on the fence and closed her eyes-gyes with the brown of autumn in them.

sound of measured footsteps, the girl heard Faintly through the solemn-stilines came the and looked up. For one instant her face Aushed as red as the rose at her belt and then she grew white again. She looked abou quickly, but though there were many avenues only seitled herself firmly against the old rail of escape, she took no advantage of them. She fence and waited. The man was almost upon her before he was aware of her presence. was walking with bent head, but upon dis

He covering that bit, of gray gown on the earth beneath his feet he looked up. Instantly he uncovered his head. It was a tribute so real, so sincere, so immediate, that Mary More felt it to her heart's core, with the pain of a great appreciation. After a moment's hesitation she

liness--a light I could not have dared to hope "You are my light in this gray day of one-

to find," he said.

compressed lips, but he stopped her.

"You did not know she began, with

Mary, Mary, how should I know where you were? For a whole year I have heard nothing."

"Why are you here?"

"I have been ill and am staying at Carey. town. I have been travelling. It is restful going through the mountains,""

In the gardens he remained for a good many He loves plants. Ile looks, full of intelligence this treasure is? I asked. The little Mexican Mixed Court of old'tinies. Perhaps they kept a held out her hand and he kissed it. years, always the same, reliable in every parti cular, and then an uneasiness became manifest in ha. When he met his master he was embarassed, as though he had something on his mind that he wished to say, and yet shrank from saying. Then the squire received a hint that Richard wished to have a tell" with him in private, and he made occasion for this, and opened the The young man still had difficulties in bringing out what was in his heart, but at last in came forth. He thought he had learned all that could be learned from the head gardener; indeed, in several points, aided by books, the underling believed he knew more than his superior, who, however, was too conservative in his habits to yield his opinions and change his practice. Richard wished to better himself. It was not Increase.of.wages that he desired, but oppor turities of advance in knowledge. He had arrival his joy was somewhat dashed and He was full of hope, full of joy, but on his hesitated for long, because he knew that he his hope clouded. He found that his Mary, owed so much his master, who had been whom he had loved since boyhood, was mani kind to him, and thought for, him for many. festly in years. For this reason he did not wish to in-snatching at every encouraging symptom, she decline. Hoping against hope, convenience him, yet he believed there wore

had not forewarned him, and he saw on his many other lads in the village capable of filling arrival that already she was deathstruck. his place, and the desire in him to progress-in his knowledge of flowers and fruit had become almost irresistible.

Her delicate complexion was delicate to the utmost refinement; her beautiful soft eyes were larger than they had ever seemed, even in childhood; her fovely face was lovelier than ever, with an angelic purity and beauty. saw

Then she told him the truth; but, indeed, he

it for himself.

K4 Mary, dearest," said he, "if there is only a little bit of life left to you, let it be to me also, consulte "Dick, I can but be a burden.'

When the squire heard this, he smiled.

Richard," he said, "I have been thinking the same thing I saw you were being held back, and that is what ought not to be done with any young mind. I have already written about you to air. Kewe, the great nurseryman, and if he values my opinion at all and his own interest, by the end of the week there will be a letter from him to engage you."

Mr. Kews did consult his own interest, and secured this young man. Then, when Richard' came to take his leave, and thank his master again for Adulthink, sir,ough to geld that on trac

with heightened colour he made two young people happy."

"Two Richard? "Yes, sir. There's Mary Kelloway; she has been brought up next door to grandmother and me, and somehow we have always thought of each other as like to be made one some day, and now that I see that I am going ahead in my profession, both Mary and fancy the day Isn't so terribly far off edg

d

Mary Kelloway!" exclaimed the squire, and did not at ones congratulate the young man,

"Yes, sir, there is not a better girl in the I am quite aware of that, Richard, but you Yes, sir, I knew her father and brother died of decline, and that she is delicate herself but, sir her mother's very poor, and more's the

place. know

That-never-a joy as long as you are with worked for, if it be but for a year or two, me. Give me the one thing I have thought of, A year of two! Oh, Dick, only perhaps a month."

"Then let this month be our honeymoon." And so it was The faithful fellow, trae to every one with whom he was brought in contact, was true to his dying love. She came, ghostlike, to church, and 1 shall never forget the pathos, the tender neas, the sincerity with which each took the irrevocable vows which bound in one the ebbing scrap of one life with the flowing vigour of the other

Richard moved his frail, fading Mary to the pretty gardener's cottage at Lord St. Ledger's. the love and devotion of her husband surround- There she ebbed away, happy, peaceful, with ing her,

The story of his marriage reached the ears of the ladies of the castle, and hardly a day passed without some of them..coming to see her, and Lord St Ledger gave orders that fruit and flowers were to be here as she craved for them, whether she desired them or not.

goat.

£13

a trustee,

BANKRUPT FOR SIX MINUTES.

Colonel Mapleson tells a funny story of how He heard faint cric's nfer, but only after he was once bankrupt for the space of six great difficulty and in the closing hour of day.nutes. It came out of a money dispute with behind a ledge of rock and could not retreat. petition in bankruptcy, when the necessary did he find the beast, which had wandered the late, Sir Michael Costa. No adjustment As the herder advanced the goat pushed for-blue paper" was signed by the Registrar in satisfied the latter, and wound up by filing a ward till both stood in a dark and weird cave, in due form. when he saw a gleaming crucifix in the dark-solicitor, and had scarcely got outside when' Then the man struck a match to find his goat, Colonel Mapleson left the court with his ness beyond.

Along on the ledges about him hung what happy thought struck me later, who, hurrying were once leather pouches, but the weight of back to the Registrar, addressed him

follows:--- their load had long burst them, and the floor

"Pending the appointment. of of the cave was a vast heap of dust covered which may take some eight or nine days, gold coin. Crazed with amazement and terror your honour is, in fact, the manager of Her Paolo seized a handful of these coins and dashed out of the cave and thence on down the Majesty's Theatre, and my client thinks it only right to take your honours orders as to the pro- mountain side as if pursued by demons.

duction of Lohengrin on Saturday. Some new He kept his secret well for five days; then skirts, moreover, which might be of calico, but he came to me, his one friend and confidant. which your honour would, perhaps, prefer of When I saw the coins I was crazy. We plan- ned to go up to the mountain canyon the next

silk, are wanted for the ballet in Il Trovatore day, and we did so. I saw that the man spoke next Monday. But the Lohengrin matter is day, th. "I drove my hand into the heap of the mare pressing of the two, and we should be gold, senor, up to the shoulder. It was the glad if you would mee: Herr Richter, who fost treasure of Sar, Leon without the slightest though unwilling to tamper with the score of 10 great a composer as Wagner, thinks some doubt. I have a pistol-here it is, senor you in handling the piece there the pistol went off long duet between 'Elsa and Ortrud' There see, the hammer will not stay cocked. Wells, already on another occasion authorised by the master, might be ventured upon in the with terror, I seized hat and staff and dashed and shot poor Paolo through the heart, Dumb

is an obstinate tenor, mareover, whom your honour might perhaps bring to reason.“ from the cave, hurrying below.

undertake the management of an opera house.

The Registrar was amazed, and in tones of something like dismay, declared he could not He had not considered that he continued, when he signed the paper. him, and there and then tore it up.

He rang for a messenger, caused the paper to be brought to

Paolo. Then my aunt came to me and said, For five days there was no search for poor Francesco, 'you have on Paolo's hat. You must have seen him last. Where is he?" I was speech Here are some strange coins founded hidden less with fright. Morecover," she continued, in his blankets. Whose are they?" I confess that I could have snatched them from her band, were sent to the City of Mexico, and immedi but restrained myself. Two of the colná ately Goverment officials were out there with the news that these coins were part of the lost treasure of San Leon,

NOT A "NATURAL" EXERCISE.

Said an observant physician recently

"Yes, it is. You have been ill?” There was admething in her voice so full of feaning that he said: "You care, Mary? In all of that illness I thought only of you, and I should have died but for the uncertainty of it all. Where is she? Does she suffer? Is she well? Is abe ill? All these questions racked me through nights of waking and agony,

To think of really finding you! Oh! Mary, And now that I see you I do not dare ask." Presently he went on, in a wondering tone: He paused and waited, but she said nothing,

dear, I have heard you singing in my dreams the forest, in the city! Everywhere, night and day, your voice has come to nie like Always you and I, alone in the wilderness, and a song sung in eternity. It has been torture, your voice. And to think how near I came to losing its sweetness this time! I should have been home now.

but the minister

"Mr. Cochrane? she interrupted. this afternoon. He spoke so well, so gently. so Yes, Mr. Cochrane came to preach to us feelingly that I tried to feel his great soul of father, of that poor family up on the mountain charity in me. When he spoke, just like a had to go to them I am returning now. To think of meeting you!".

The girl looked off into the dim wood, up at the gray sky into his eyes.

"Is it real? "she murmured. Then she held

I

out her hand.

"Mary My Mary!" "Why did you come?"

"I have been trying to find you a long time." tree, gazing into space as he spoke, as though He dropped her hand and leaned against the he were reciting something he had studied a long time and know by heart

י

reason I should marry her for then she can just a month after the marriage her coffin head of a band, and that they were somewhere pastime. Cycling is tô my mind, an artificial hatched him under her brows. She loved

have more strengthening things than Mre Kelloway can afford to give her

"I am a little afraid, Dick, she will not make A strong and useful wife, though that she is as 520d as gald I do not done fastest

Mare's the reason why I should work hard with both arms and head answered the young gardener, and that, sir, is one reason why have been so sat on getting forward In my pro- fession

Richard was for a few years with the great nursery gardener, Mr. Kovo, who speedily found that nothing advanced in his favour by the squire, his good customer, was unfounded He entrusted more and more sta Ric

and

the latter rapidly acquired knowledge and

Occasionally, when he was allowed a day 2 he would run to his native villaga, and-ses

was brought back to her native village and laid in a grave in a sunny part of the yard.

Make a double grave," said Richard to the sexton, A double grave was made.

What the funeral veibleidster, the squire, went to him, took his arm, and said, Oh, Richard, you have had a terrible, loss."

have had a great gain, sir.”

- “A gain !" "

Yes, sir, I could never have been happy had she not been mine. But she became mine, and who is mine→→for ever.""

вспод

That day when you left me without a word I went back to Mentone, where my wife had her house party. Then I told her about you. She is a thorough woman of fashion and quietly consented to my plan-to settle three-quarters of my fortune upon her and the boy." He "I am not one of those who wish to cry down paused for a moment. The rustle of leaves. the sport of cycling but I certainly think every sounded over their heads in the chill evening "The country was in 'an uproar over the dis-rider should be warned against possible evils breeze. She leaned her elbows upon the fance covery.

-It was thought that Paold was at the that may arise out of over-indulgence in the and in the mountains still with the great treasure, rather than

so well, natural exercise. It is, as it were, The divorce could be obtained by mutual A hundred of the civil military were ordered to partrol all the mountain passes of the district, the propulsion of a wheel.

an adpatation of man's natural movements to consent. Do not shrink, Mary. If you knew how I need you! Every hour of my life is filled Tension schon fed, and for this reason, it seems to me that we should with longing for you I love you so! His In of

the more careful how we adopt ft to the ex voice sane into a whisper. Then he searched "The man

clusion of the elder methods of taking exercise: her eyes, and in the dusk of the dying day she Man is specially bullt for walking, for running, crept to his side like a tired child, leaning her for Jumping and climbing Bur He is not face against the roughness of his gray coat specially adapted for cycling, and this-is why The star in the east came out through the there are so many ingenious inventions that scurrying clouds and night was upon them. serve to make up for his deficiencies.

For a long time they were silent as he smooth Some anthusiasts say, "Let us all-cycle toed back from her white, drawn brow the heavy the utmost, and gradually a race will be evolved waves of her hair, we are specially formed for walking. I take particularly adapted for riding bicycles, just as it that we shall then, all live and have our sleeping rooms and offices on the ground floor, for I have not heard of a cycle that will mount

man's story was so straightforward that I never questioned it nor do i to this day. When he proposed that we return for the rear sure, for he vowed that he would never dare to do so unless I went ahead of him and tumed poor Paolo's open eyes to the wall while we gathered up the golden store, was. with him. The gamble and danger of the game fascinated have pot quite done the story of Richard a new suit of clothes and a ride and equipped me. I took 8300, intrusted it to him, gave him For years there worked in Lord St., Lodger's with a camping outfit, started by rail in the woods" a mail, somewhat rough in manners, south. Neat our destination we left the railroad. slow, but diligent Only after many years was and proceeded on horseback, and securing the truth kapwa that he was Richard's elder | good animals from the ranchers?

He returned to his duties.

|

trembling. "How can you part from him?"

But you love the boy so dearly she said,

She was silent a long time. He could not

For you," he answered quietly.

ses her face through the gloomy which was well, for it was marked with the pain of string(4)

Servants have seen it several times and so occurred quite recently. On returning from a have other people Here is a queer thing that drive one afternoon. Mre. Milman saw a friend in front of her, in the passage or hallway, The friend, who was proceeding in the same direction as burself, passed into one of the rooms opening on to the corridor, and was. heard to say apparently to some one in front of him, "Good afternoon, Mrs Mil- man at the same time closing the door be- hind him. Mrs. Milnan opened it and went in-only to find her friend utterly bewildered: in front of him, and now she had opened the He declared he had seen her go into the room door and come in behind him. It was incom preliensible.

These, or similar occurences, have taken place on several occasions, and although there is nothing whatever to be alarmed at, it is double walking about your own house, and one, uncanny to feel that you have a sort of nattal moreover, of which you yourself can never anything catch a glimpse. It is never safe to assert that there is something inexplainable in this regard to ghosts, bur case is vouched for by independent and entirely reliable witnesses. That the House of Com

with

ons should be haunted by a lady who lives there in the flesh seems a trifle unparliamentary on the face of it, but where no explanation happened must suffice.-M.A.P. is forthcoming, a bare recital of what bas

A GREAT NATIONAL LESSON;

One of the many ideas that I carried away with me Isays George Griffith in Pearson's Magazine from Parkhurst was that all this splendid system-for of course everything.. than that of some clockwork-all this generous was going with a good deal more regularity and humane treatment, this almost exaggerated bumanity-was a mistake ret because it was in any way evil in itself, but because it had begun at the wrong end of things The same wisdom, the same firmness, the same applied by the strong hand of the law to the money, and something like the same system wastrels of our street corners and slums would in a few years cut off the supply of

be infinitely so. that puzzle of the nineteenth century-the habi tual criminal. To this person prison life is preferable to freedom. In Parkhurst it must many times; but why wait till he has become He has told me so himself a crimal de facto before you nourish and

in an industrial army, such as they have made coddle him in this way? Why not take him young, enlist him honourably but firmly of these sinners at Parkhurst, teach him trades, such as they have learnt here, and then, when he has skill enough, apprentice him and hin a fair and square start in life? It is good for a great nation to take care of its citizens but it seems a pity that such care as is practised at Parkhurst should be lavished upou dation of crime, Thore ought to be a ra only after they have s egen national lesson to be learnt from the contrast

Kive

manslaugh

between a sick thief, or forger, terer being carefully fed end nursed and fortable cells in the Parkhurst Hospital, and physicked back to health in one of those com an honest man, who has never wronged a tel low-creature, dying of consumption, compli cated by starvation, on a heap of rags in work and too honest to steal, Landon garret, just because he is too weak to

EXPLAINED.

The oldman in thoshaggy overcoat mencionad something about Midlands, and the passen ger opposite leaned over towards, nim and asked

is

No

4*

Did you say you were from the Midlands? *

; but I have just come from there," Then I want to ask you a few questions How are times up there?

"I dunno."

Is money plenty, or the reverse?"

"Can't say."

But don't you know how this farmers are feeling?"

"No"

"Ia business good or bad in the sowna34.

didn't ask anybody!!

"You-you are not an observing man."" lands to see a widder I used to know, and to

"No. Ibuppose not. I went up to the Mid- ask her to marry me. I got to her house at three o'clock in the afternoon. I asked her have me, and she said she wouldn't, and at three-thirty 1 was on my way back. I didn't see no crops, nor ask about good tlines or bad The folk there may be haldin à reglar jubilco, over gand times or every budy may be goin tos an old fool for spendla' the money to run arter- the workhouse. All I know about it Ja that I'm

a widder in the Midlands when I could Zey married & Kent woman free of charge.

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