1899-12-02 — Page 5

(Published by Arrangement.)

THE HOUSE WITH ONE LIGHT,

BY

EVELYN EVERETT GREEN, (Author of "Fir Tree Farm? “ Two Enthur

justs," "èle, etc.)”.

{COPYRIGHT.]

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1899.

My thoughts were far enough from Eastbury as I turned my steps back thither at length, when suddenly from the crown of a lonely little emin ence far away from the high road or any build- ing fanw the strong gleam in that deserted house, falling in long bright rays right across the sleeping meadows.

And the house was empty-not a soul living there.

I

away these two weeks post up at the old Hall, | by all I had gone through, “It would have and last night he murdered his father in his killed me ifif how can I say it?" bed, and took the money chest off with him He suddenly gathered me into his arms, and and has bid it nobody knows where

1 lay still in his embrace, a great hush falling upon us,

*We belonged to each other, I think, from the very first-1 at least felt it.' Now you are mine altogether, my darling. You have given me back my life-and now that life must be always yours: We will let nothing part us any more.*

A sudden thrill ran through me like a power ful electric shock. I sat down to the table and asked my landlady to tell me more details. She was only too happy to comply.

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"O Geoffrey!" 1 cried, "O Geoffrey !" It It was all I could find to say, but it was enough. He held me close to his faithful heart, and our lips met in the first kiss.

"No, Misa, there's nobody lives there now. It's all shut up which seems a pity for a fine house like that. But old Squire, he's a bit queer in his head; and if he chooses to shut up the Hall and live in a bit of a cottage with two proximity of his own home. Could it be poss he always' slept in the old man's room by the old servants-why nobody can stop him, you

see."

"Is he mad, then I didn't know you had a Squire here?"

"Oyes-old Squire Hardcastle. We've had Hardcastles here as long as anybody cau remember; but it seems as though this one would be the last," and the woman sighed as though sorry about something,

Is there a story about them?" I asked, for, as it was a wet evening and I had not many books, I was rather glad of a bit of gossip with my land-lady, who was a pleasant soul of the sort one only meets rarely now-a-days. "Get cup,and 11 pour you out a cup of tea another with me, and you shall tell me the story to pass the time.

Suddenly the longing after an adventure came upon me. I had no fear of ghosts Lefore my eyes. I began to suspect that the old miser himself returned to his deserted house at night perhaps to secrete some gathered hoard, or perhaps to remove some hoard to the nearer ble to get a peep at him at his work? I was light of foot and active, and the old house was ble to climb up as far as the window from clothed in tangled ivy.". Might it not be possi- which the light streamed out, and see what it all meant?.

THE DEAD GENERAL.

SIR WILLIAM PENN SYMONS..

A STRIKING PERSONALITY.

AN EVENTFUL CAREER.

While we are elated with the brilliant victory of the battle of Glencoe, we all must be bowed down in sorrow at the news of the terrible cost. Natal, the cock pit of South Africa, has seen another shocking sacrifice of human life. The mortality amongst officers is too horrifying to contemplate, and the long list of dead and wounded must bring keen sorrow to all.

we

First amongst those stain is General Sir Pean Symons, the tender of Friday's fight, a great and gallant soldier, and a man in whom in India have especial interest. The fact that the dead General is the mother of two well known Bombay gentlemen, Mr. J. Lyttleton Symons, and Mr. Hugh Symons, brings the calamity close to our door and gives us addi- tional cause for sorrow.

serving in Madras ho, was the Master of the camest worship of Bacchus, adding verbally. Octacamund Hunt, and was famed for show- And other things I do not care to mention. And ing splendid sport. His cheery musical | don't be surprised when I tell you, he is a "Halloa!" and the many merry gallops he gave | Mastor of Arts." the field will long be remembered by commades Truly, the trees that wave so gently over the of both services, civil and military. He loved seats in the summer winds could, if gifted with A good horse, and was an excellent judge of one. speech, tell many a pitiful story of the waifs Yet agitin Synons wielded the pen ofa ready and strays who frequent the very shady side of writer; he had the somewhat rare gift of clear, Piccadilly at night-Rangoon Times, Lerse expression, and had not infrequently lent valuable aid to a chief with less command of style and language.

We deplore his loss, but he has gone to his account with the record of a great soldier, and he will live in history as the General who was the first to avenge Majula Mill-Advocate of India,

LES MISERABLES.

Piccadilly, with its diversified and ever- changing crowds, always appeals to the artistic eye. Everything that wealth can obtain and that human ingenuity can devise is lavished upon the kaleidoscopic and gaily coloured masses that find their way to the queen of thoroughfares.

Night shows Piccadilly at her best, and be comes her in the same way as black silk dress does a splendid fair woman. The constant procession of carriages passing to and fro filled with the mighty and the beautiful of the land; a passing glance is sometimes caught through the window of the closed Car- riage of priceless gems and pretty faces, and there is everything to suggest the most pleasant and luxurious side of life. Towards the Green Park we find ourselves in the thick of Clubland, clearly indicated by the plentitude of white shirt fronts that fit between the shadows and the light.

"It's an awful thing, Miss. I heard all about it from Robbins, who got it straight from the policeman. Old Mills came running to him close on half-past twelve last night, to say he'd found the old man murdered in his bed. seems he had been in to look to his master at a quarter before twelve, because he rang his bell sharp like. The dog wasn't in the house, and

box which folks suppose held his money, and Mills out after him. He says he was hunting the Squire wouldn't rest without him, and sent

about, may be the best part of half-an-hour, but couldn't find the creature anywhere. Then he goes back-and finds the old Squire lying in the bed with his throat cut from ear to ear awful to see. Off he sets for the police; Mr. Geoffrey is hanging about the place, because he's seen him more than once. fle believed he was hidding somewhere up at the Hall; and that he'd decoyed the dog away on purpose, and was watching his chance to get in and kill the old man. That's what he said, and the police man went straight to the Hall, and there was Mr. Geoffrey, sure enough, in a queer place he used to be fond of when he lived at home, what they called a laboratory, or something of that sort, and there were queer red stains on his hands, and he seemed put about at being found, and was that upset when he heard his father was killed that all was sure he'd done is, and wanted Mills to have the blame. So the

Up to the arrival of Sir George White at crowner's to come to-day, and he'll he com. mitted for treat as sure as eggs is eggs. Olto Durban, General Symons was in supreme con- think as Mr. Geoffrey we thought so much on,

trol at Natal, and the burden of responsibi It is heredirectly opposite some of the most palatial buildings in London, replete with should end his days on the gallows," and Mrs.lity rested on his shoulders at a most anxious Muffler fairly wept in her wingting of sorrow, and trying time, when the forces were vastly in every comfort to assuage fine, stale shadow adequate and when the Young Boer party might living-that poverty, the grim, stalking shadow excitement, and horror.

of wealth, hides its rags and misery in the have precipitated hostilities at any moment. The arrival of the troops from India averted deep gloom of night and the shades of the leafy that danger and General White had the satisfac boughs of the trees that line the pavement tion of taking over a command which was not

which borders the Green Park. The majority in such a serious condition as that in which his of the waifs and strays who occasionally oc predecessor held it.

cupy the seats are distinctly above the ordin- General Symons reverted to second inary type of tramp that generally monopolises the seats provided by a charitable vestry or command. His personality was of a very striking kind. Wheh he lead Friday's brilliant thoughtful society. As a matter of course, some isolated specimen of the loafer tramp infantry charge he was no longer in his first youth; adverse chances had long makes itself known, and on the evening of my retarded his advancement, and he had only visit, one uncouth and besotted-looking vaga attained the grade he held at the lale age of bond, surrounded by three slatternly other, went so far as to ask in mock-tender accents fifty-seven. Yet, to look at him, he might have

Hc after my health. One of the poor creatures, been taken for not more than forty. exhibited none of the characteristics of the

who looked the picture of despair, gave a feeble veteran nearing the finish of his career. It had laugh at the coarse impudence of her tattered been a varied and eventful career moreover; cavalier. But the other two stared in a mean- his life was spent and stirring scenes in all ingless fashion into space suggestive of utter climates all over the world. Yet this trying hopelessness. During a later interrogation of service left little outward mark upon the man. one of these poor creatures I found her to be a. Symons might have had the gik of perennial person of some education, and I remarked on youth.

the fact to her.

Curiosity and the desire to solve the mystery got the upper hand, and off I started in the direction of the old house as fast as my feet would carry me, and as straight as the crow flies. As I noted the extreme loneliness of the country I was not surprised that the light had apparently remained unnoticed by the villagers. They could see nothing of it from their cottages or from the high road. It was only visible here and there through a gap in the trees from a hillock on the wild com- mon. It might burn there a month unob- "Well, Miss," began Mrs. Muffler, when this served, I thought, but all the same I would arrangement had been carried out to our mumyself try and find out what it meant. tual satisfaction, "I don't know that it'll sound With cautions steps, 1 approached the house much to you, coming from London and furrin through a gap in the hedge nude by boys de parts and hearing so many odd things; but sirous to obtain fruit and nuts from the neglect we countryfolks thinks a deal of what haped gardens. The whole house seemed to lie pens hereabouts. Squire Hardcastle was sleeping in shadow and silence, and only from always a bit of a miser, and he never kept that one upper window did a thin shaft of light open house as his fathers, had done, and shine out strong and clear. 1-looked up at it they do say he and his wife had scenes and saw that it came through a round hole in together, and that she pined out, of chagrin shutter, a hole that might possibly be un and vexation. However, I don't know if that's known to the inhabitant of the room. The room true. But, at least, she died when Master was in a sort of lower, and the tower was draped Geoffrey was twelve years old; and after that in tangled ivy. But there was a better and easier things were menner than ever, and the poor lad way of mounting to the window than by the ivy, Aed: had a sad time of it when he came home for little spiral staircase wound up to the very top just his holidays. His father did send him to school, in the angle where the tower jutted from the and he got to college too, for he took a scholar house itself, and to each of the upper tower. ship, and the old man seemed as though he rooms was a balcony, so that by standing on couldn't forbear to let him use it, even though this balcony I felt sure that I could look straight he did have to help him with an allowance through the hole and into the room. which folks said was very miserable and mean, for a man in Master Geoffrey's position. How ever, he did well at college, and we were all fond of him here; but he came less and less;

till one time when he had done his course, and wanted his father to do something for him-we don't quite know what; but at any rate the old Squire wouldn't do it, and there was a dreadful quarrel over it, folks say.

Was that before the Hall was shut up?* "Yes, just before..., Old Squire wag ́living in one wing then with the same queer old pair of servants as he's got still. They are as near in their ways as he, and suited him. Well, Master Geoffrey, he came home, and there was a great quarrel about something-everybody says it was money--and then he went away next day in hot anger, and the old Squire shut up the Hall and went to live at one of his lodges, and there he's lived ever since, letting every thing go to rack and ruin, and folks say it's just to spite Mr. Geoffrey, who will have to come into it by and by, as it's all entailed; but they say the old man buries all the money he saves year by year, so that his soa shall never

a

I think I felt a good deal more nervous now that I was really creeping up the crazy little stairway than I had done in planning ay more precarious ascent by the ivy, but curiosity drew the on, step by step, and at last I reached the level of that room from which the light s steadily out. My heart beat fast, and I stepped with extreme caution upon the little balcony, and then holding hard-by the ivy, I raised my self on tip-tos, and found that I could just look comfortably in the roon.

And what did I see? Nothing at all dread ful. A table strewn with papers and with a number of vessels and test-tubes suggestive of a laboratory, a very powerful lamp burning over- head and shedding a strong light upon every thing; and the figure of a man with his back toward me-mixing, with extreme care, some ingredients in a mmar, and pounding them together gently, bending from time to time over his papers as he worked, or added some fresh ingredient to the compound.

Not a grizzled old miser after all. No secret hoard or mystery to excite the imagination. Just an ordinary young man-for the figure was

dark and curling-working out some chemical problem, having probably hired this old labora tory from the miser for a few gold pieces,

1 felt that my face was very pale. But I pre- tended to be busy with my breakfast as I ask. "What does Mr. Geoffrey say about him- self?"

"O, Miss, I don't hardly know; Pm afraid all's not well with Mr. Geoffrey. When folks get changing their names and calling them selves different like, and living in furrin parts, one never knows where you have them. He's called himself Mr. Castleton these many years, and folks do say that he's a professor or some thing; but it don't seem right to go un so. But must get to the inquest and hear it all. never thought to hear Mr. Geoffrey committed to take lis trial for his life.

If Mrs. Mufiler felt she must go-be sure I did the same. I knew that come what might 1 must bear the evidence, for if the story I had heard was correctly reported, 1, and I alone, might have the power of saving an innocent man from an awful charge. I feared to ask too many questions lest I should hear after all that the murder had been committed earlier in the

night, and my evidence might go for nothing; but I pressed into the room by Mrs. Muffler's side, closely veiled, when it was known that proceedings were about to be commenced; and when I saw Mr. Castleton standing calm and pale very near to two sturdy representatives of loral justice. I felt my heart give such a leap that I was afraid it would be heard all over the room.

The coroner took his sent. The jury, who

and proceedings commenced.

He possessed all its physical attributes; a trim, light, well-built, active figure, about the middle-height; a face bright Lut hard-bitten; eyes keen and piercing; dark hair and mous tache still untouched with grey. A quick decisive speech, brisk, alert air, strong self-reliant ways showed the masterful spirit. General Symons had great natural aptitudes for the command of men; yet he never obtruded his authority, be did not perpetually worry his horses, his power ful influence over subordinates was exercised quietly, unostentatiously; he lead rather than

very patient and forbearing, ever considerate to all shortcomings, full always of kindly encouragement to renewed endeavour.

Sir. William Symons well illustrated the old saying that everything comes to him who waits. His promotion was very tardy; he has only lately pulled up long leeway that left hin so far behind in the waiting race. At the commencement of the Zulu war 1878-9 he had but just become a captain, and was still at the bottom of the list when a single day, the

have it and they say the old man and woman powerful and muscular, and the hair crisp and had viewed the corpse previously, were sworn, drove, and although his hand was firm, he was

*

know where it is and will get it all when he's gonic.

"What a very odd story," I said, "and where is Mr. Geoffrey gone 7 and what is he doing ?"

"That's what nobody knows, Miss, Mr. Geoffrey was too much away to make friends hereabouts, and when he went, there wasn't anybody to tell us about him. They say he went to furrin parts, and that he had brains enough to get on anywhere. I'm sure I hope he has. It's a crying shame, as we all do say, that a fine promising young man and an only son should be driven from home and made to carn his own living, with this fine property ga- ing to pieces for want of somebody to see after it. But when you've got a half-cracked old miser to deal with, what are you to do ?" -

"And nobody lives in the Hall?-not even a caretaker?"

"No, Miss, not a soul. Old Squire won't have it. He's got all the keys himself, and not a soul is allowed in. It's one of his crazes. He won't let a creature cross the threshold, and all the doors and windows are barred or boarded UP

like, as if it was a prison." Now, the reason why I was curious about the deserted old Hall was that my bedroom window looked straight across at it. Trees shut it in to a very great extent-so much so that I had only realised quite Intely that there was any house there at all; but through a small gap between two limbs of a giant oak, a shaft of light came stream ing night by night straight across from that lonely house to my window the only one it so chanced which looked out that way, I had seen it first by chance, drawing up my blind to admire the effect of the moonlight on the trees; and since then the strength and brilliance of the light had prompted me to look for it regu- larly. It must come from some very powerful lamp I decided, and I was curious to know

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I felt rather as though I had had a slap in the face, and was preparing to turn away and creep home again when the young experimen ter suddenly walked round to the other side of the table towards a red powder, which lay there on a paper. The light fell full upon his face and I drew in my breath with a quick gasp that was almost a cry for the face was that of the man to whom I had so nearly lost my heart two short years back-the face of Mr. Castleton.

I stood gazing at him, fascinated and unable to move. There was no mistaking, the hand some, rather haughty face, the intellectual head, the keen, quick eyes, the square chin, and resolute mouth. I should have known him anywhere, I think; but with this strong light upon his face a mistake was impossible. I stood gazing spell-bound, and when a sudden, lnud noise smote upon my ears I almost gave a cry. 'It was only the church clock striking twelve. I counted the strokes mechanically as they fell upon my car, and still I stood gazing, and gazing at that well-known face. Then suddenly remembering that I was no better than a spy and that I had no business to be there at all, I quickly descended from my coign of vantage, and slipped down the little stairway to join my faithful canine comrade who had remained patiently below.

Mr. Castleton there! Mr. Castleton at East- bury II was so stunned by the revelation that I hardly knew whether or not I was dreaming, Instead of making straight for the gap I wander ed aimlessly about the old, garden, still feeling the charm of being near to him and hat light, until the dog gave a low warning growl, and i heard the sound of a stealthy footstep approach. ing.

The moon was bright enough to show me the approaching person: It was a bowed old man with a wizened face, and he was wheeling something with him in a barrow, which proved to be a very heavy case. He paused so near to me that I was in mortal terror of being seen, but he stopped short under the yew tree and began scraping about, and finally moved a great piece of board which I then saw con- cealed a deep bole, into which, with no small difficulty, he lowered the heavy iron box. Then he covered up the hole, quickly, but very care. fully, pushed the wheelbarrow out of sight in the bushes, and hastily hobbled away, leaving the place just as the chime struck the first quarter after twelve,

the meaning of that solitary light. I had dis an instant, and with a beating heart, I covered by day the neglected-looking old house with its many closed windows: but I slipped into a little nook between two great was not prepared to hear that it was altogether yew trees near to the garden wall, where I was shut up and deserted.

completely concealed, and the dog came with That night the rain ceased, and I announced me and obeyed my whispered command to my intention of going out for a moonlight keep silence. atroll, I was five and twenty, and considered that I was quite able to take care of myself. 1 I was almost alone in the world, and had a sufficient, although not a large, fortune. I lived in London for the most part, in pleasant rooms of my own: but from time, to time. I enjoyed burying myself completely for a few weeks in some quiet country place like East- bury, and seeing nobody of my own class during the whole of that time. Some people called me eccentric, but I don't know that I was. I was like many other women, lonely rather from choice than necessity. I might have changed my lot more than once, and have either married, or found congenial companionship with nice women of my acquaintance, but had never made up my mind to the sacrifice of my independence. The memory of a cer tain brief episode in my life a few years back always deterred me. If he had asked me perhaps I would have yielded. But our meet- ing was brief, a sudden breaking-up of plans separated without a farewell. I believed the page closed for ever, but somehow its memory hindered me from opening any other like it.

The house dog followed me; I instructed my landlady not to wait up. I had been cooped up all day, and a long moonlight walk. had attractions for me. I started off at a good pace, and soon left the village far behind th

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The evidence of the doctor was taken first, who affirmed that death had been caused by the infliction of a wound in the throat, and that it was his opinion the wound could not have been self-inflicted.

DREAD DAY OF THE MASSACRE,

of Isandiwhana, pushed him almost to the top. It was his good fortune to be on duty else. where when his comrades fell in heaps under the Zulu assegnis. So, after spending twelve years as a subaltern, three carried him from captain to major, and in six more he was a brevet-colonel. Yet he had no opportunity vouchsafed him in this arduous Zulu campaign at its end he was still a regimental officer, and he was awarded no special honours or distinc tions.

The policman testified to the finding of the body in the condition described by the medical man; and then Mills was called for his state- ment. It was in substance just what Mrs. Muffler had told ipe, and he was perfectly clear as to the time, as was also his old wife. The master had gone to bed at half-past eleven, but had missed the dog last thing. He had rung his bell and then got into bed. Both the old servants answered the unvonted summons, and both saw him alive shortly before midnight. Then the man had gone to seek the dog, and the old woman had retired to bed. She knew nothing of the awful deed done till after the arrival of the policeman, as her husband had not stayed to call her up when he discovered what had happened. Then canu evidence as to the proximity of Geoffrey to the lodge. Mills declured he had seen him His merits had, however, become know to hanging about that very evening, and that he his superiors, and comrades predicted great was almost certain he saw him looking over

things for him if he got an opening. It came the hedge as he went out after the dog. He

when he passed under the personal observation would not swear it positively, because the light of Lord Roberts. That fine judge of a man's was fitful, and the face disappeared so quickly; character and quality was commanding the but he was almost sure of it.

Madras Army when the South Wales Border Another terrible piece of evidence against the regiment, in which Somons was a major, form accused was that a bloody razer had been founded part of it. It would have been a mistake to in the grounds of the old Hall that very morn.

call such a good "all-round" officertis Symons ing, thrown away behind some bushes."

a specialist in any one thing, but he was Little scraps of evidence given by one and especially strong on the rifle, and how it another all pointed to the fact that Geoffrey sould-be wielded. Musketry instruction and knew his father's miserly babits, that there was the desire to bring his men to a high standard a bitter quarrel between the two men, that he in marksmanship was his pet hobby, and he would come into a fine inheritance upon his was cordially encouraged in it by Lord Roberts, father's death, that--

who held exactly the same views.

But I could not listen longer. It was grow. ing more than flesh and blood could bear.

rose up in my seat, and said- "I have sonic evidence to give. May I be.

sworn ?"

There was a sudden, quick exclamation, in a voice i knew to be Geoffrey's, but I dared not look at him. I took the required oath, and told my story, which the reader knows. I could see by the absorbed in- terest on all faces, could tell by the intense hush within the room, what an Impression it was making. I was asked several searching questions, especially as to the time of the pccurrence could I actually swear that I had been watching the movements of Geofrey Hardcastle for some minutes when the church. clock struck twelve? Was I certain of the identity of the old man I had seen with that of Mills the servant, whose evidence I had heard? In fact I was cross questioned with some sharp. ness, but my story was so simple that there was no fear of my being confused or contradict ing myself.

traces of it.

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The good shooting which gave us the victory on Friday, and which silenced the Boer guns, was due in some measure to the unfortunate General who fell mortally wounded. The im provement began with Lord Roberts in Madras, and General Symans was his principal agent..

As Assistant Adjutant General for Musketry, Symons carried out the excellent system now introduced in the Presidency, and initiated many reforms which, beginning in the East have since been adopted throughout the British service.

Lord Roberts after this never lost sight of Symons, and henceforth his professional ad- vancement was secure. When the last Burmese war was afoot in 1885 Symoons went with the expendition, first as a staff officer, then as com- mandant of the mounted infantry. Another of his "specialitics" was a deep interest in this hybrid arm. He had been associated with it in South Africa and had recognised its peculiar usefulness under particular conditions and the body he raised in Burma did admirable and most effective work,

THE HUMANITY OF WAR,

Mr. Wyndham reminding the House recently that the Boers are a parly to the Geneva Convention will relieve a good many | ansious households, those especially that have. brothers or relations fighting in the ranks The public, if they had any doubis on the subject before, have come by now to regard. the Boers as the bravest of brave enemies. It may be questioned, however, if they stand much higher in the scale of civilization, according to the popular conception of them than Afridis or cheaper kind of comic paper is kugely respon Zulus. This

for which the- misconception, sible, will, we must hope, be speedily untaught by experience. The Under-Secretary for War

feels certain that the Boers will treat our wounded, if they fall into their hands, with

humanity equal to that which we are em- ploying towards their wounded, without a ande of distinction between Dutch and British. In their own interests they can- not well act otherwise, Without placing implicit confidence in statistics, which are necessarily of the rough-and-ready order, there can be no doubt that their casualties there hitherto been in excess of those telegraphed home by Sir George White, not, as the cam materially altered. It is true that our wounded paign progresses, is the balance likely to be

cannot expect to be treated by the Boer cons with that perfection of skill which will be found in our wards, more especially since Sir William MacCormac, with a patrio- lism beyond all praise, lus placed his unri valled experience, acquired on the battle fields of Wörth and Sedan, at the disposal of the War Office. Their hospital arrangements are. extremely primitive, partly, it is only just to it, add, through want of funds. We may take at least, that our soldiers will not be left to bleed to death on the veldt, and that shelter and attendance of fome kind will be provided for them, -Nor need the public confidence inspired by the Under- Secretary for War be really shaken by the very circumstantial statement of the Daily News correspondent that, at Elands Laagte, a small body of Boers" sniped" the ambulance corps. Such isolated acts of savagery occur in every campaign, and the only comment to be made is that when a man has the rage of battle in him, he becomes little removed from a beast of prey. These outbursts differ entirely from a deliberate determination to carry on warfare with Old Testament ruthlessness; a resolve which no Boer commandant, the old Covenanter spirit "Yes, perhaps I was a lady once." And she notwithstanding, can be supposed to entertain. It is to be noted that Cronje, none too scrupu gave a bitter smile as old memories were.

lous an opponent, has despatched a courteous, stirred. It was the old story of the insidiously worded letter to Colonel Baden-Powell, offer tongue, the weak listener, followed by the

ing facilities for the exchange of wounded and story in the law courts, neglect, remorse, and

prisoners. He may fairly he assumed to have ultimately drink. This woman has had the

acted sincerely, if only for the reason that the painful experience of some times seeing the bargain will be greatly to his advantage. one boy born of her marriage riding on horse.

It is only right, then, to regard the Boers as back the Row, with perhaps not one thought an enemy capable of conducting a war in a of his poor erring mother.

"But why keep the company of that black-temper less barbaric than that of Matabele or Swazis. They would secure, nevertheless, a guard?" I asked of her. "He has found out larger measure of our respect-and it will be that I have an allowance of ten shillings a week, worth something to them by and byif they It all goes in a couple of days, and then be

were to refrain from tampering with the looks after me. Anyway, he is some sort of natives under our rule. The attempt to protection, and a man, or rather the bad re- fection of one."

Farther down 1. found the limp and ill. clothed figure of a boy about fourteen years of age, who had just been awakened from a sleep in the corner of one of the seats. He leaned against the opposite railings of the park with the air of an ill-treated dog. The man who had awakened him wore the air of a workman of the higher grade, and was putting questions to the juvenile waif in a kindly

manner.

Where's your parents?.. "Ain't got any."

"Who and what were they?"

raise the Bagutos, which the Resident Com- missioner: Sir, Godfrey Lagden, has placed on record in a despatch to Six Alfred Milner, can only be stigmatized as an act of blundering wickedness. The magistrates have evidently been obliged to exercise their influence to the last ounce in order to prevent that tribe of war like and well-drilled horsemen from swooping down upon the Free State, and carrying slaughter and fire into every farm. They are rewarded by the specious intrigues of the Boer commandant, in langer opposite Maseru, who has been deliberately scheming 10 seduce the paramount chief Lerothadi from his allegiance by an offer most

"Father was an engineer. He went to Ame- calculated to tickle Basute ambitions-namely, rica.",

"Why did he go there?"

"Kowed with mother; and soon after sha died."

"Haven't you heard from your father?" "No, guvinor (a world of pathos in the following), he has forgotten me,”

The Ind's questioner gave him a name and address, and told me once he had the misfortune when a lad to be in the same bitter, lonely position, but thanks to the Bootblack Boys Society taking him up and giving him start, he was now in a good position and foreman over forty men. And never pass a poor, destitute-looking boy without I think of my younger days, and try to do him a turn."

a large tract of land. If it came to the employ ment of native mercenaries, the Boers know very well that for one recruit that they would gain, we should get a hundred from. among the tribes that have smarted under the jumbok or have been dispossessed of their territories. And how casy, too, it would have been to retaliate with another kind of coloured man, with those "Sikhs and other mountain troops of India," which, according to the letter from the notorious Tynan which our Special Correspondent gives us, were to form the. principal forces put in line against the Boer commandos! It may be that the lies of this ranting scoundrel and of incendiaries of his kidney have influenced the more On the seat nearest Hyde Park Corner there uneducated of the Boers, and that they was rather a heated argument taking place be- really cherish a half-belief that the "horrors tween an old gentleman of flushed and benevo- of Wyoming" will be repeated in South lent aspect, who was dressed in a shabby Africa. That excuse, however, will not frock-coat, and trousers. The most striking avail people like General Joubert, who have traits about him were a very dirty grey beard, travelled, and who know that, even if we were a gleaming pair of glasses, and a tall, well-fighting with our backs to the last wall, wa worn silk hat of ancient style and date. He should never resort to such a gross breach was addressing his remarks, which were of a of the unwritten laws of 'South African warfare philosopical nature, to a consumptive-looking man of about forty, who suffered from a very distressing cough.

as the use of black troops against whites. It is to be hoped, therefore, that we shall hear po more of these unscrupulous designs upon the Aidelity of the natives tribes. We should not. repay the Boers in kind, but we could not help adding the item to their side of the score, and that will, in any case, be a heavy one to dis charge.

UNOLAIMED LETTER: AT THE POST OFFICE.

Letters for the following persons is un- claimed at the Post Office -- Beeck & Co., A. Brooks, Captain J. S. Bingham, J. E. Barker, A. M. Baber, Miss Z. Blum, M. Bird, E. G. Bowman, W. Bingham, Mrs. Horrowdale, J. T. Breitag, Mrs. L. Bewick, P. Af

You say that life is still worth living. Bab! and with that cough? Sirl (this to me) this man, still a comparatively young specimen of his order, says he can't get work. His wife and three little children are being taken care of by relatives, while he has to sleep where he can. Sometimes he sleeps with me on this seat. which, ahem, is very comfortable, and delight- fully cool in the summer. He was once the leading cornet player at some of our big theatres. Caught rheumatic fever; laid up nine months; after which the doctor gave him orders never to play again; if he did it would mean | his death. The usual benefit; the usual business which he knew nothing about; and then the failure. Last job, a man's altuation for boy's wages. Is life worth living after that?" snapped out the philosopher of the ancient remarked, why are you here?" I mildly "Not for fresh air, my young friend. I have fought the battle of life, and lost; although have a decent smattering of the mathematics and kindred sciences, and can lisp out the words of some three or four languages. Same tale— Bowlly, a woman. She was my wife. Couldn't under- Bandarema, H. stand my ways. Left me. I was very fond of Boisard, II, ber" and here, the old age took off his Brownlow, E. D. spectacles and carefully wiped them on the Barton, W. T.

of his greasy coat. "So, in her continual. Brückendorff, A absence, I went to the--devil,"

Busch, Mrs. C. M.

Bachmann, Mrs. E.

M.

knew the old man. He lived at the lodge,

Symons's war services were continued in and to-night I had just heard that he was

Burma and beyond. He was a Brigadier-head-gear. At last I was told I might at down, and an servant to the old miser who owned the 1tall itself. I supposed he was hiding away some

order was given to the two policemen to go general with the Chin field force; he com treasure chest of his master's, and was rather iron-bound box, and for the wheelbarrow, or

and look in the place I had described for the manded the column from Burma in the Chin Lushai expedition he was, in the Waziristan surprised that the miser should entrust this

Whilst the men were gone axpedition, and quite recently he was actively task to any hired person, However, it was no

we all kept our scats and waited in engaged in the last hard-fought, tedious cam. business of mine, and my heart was so full of breathless expectancy, The time seemed paign Mr. Castleton that I could think of nothing long, but it was not really so, before the men ON OUR NORTH-WEST FRONTIER, glee.

came back wheeling the chest, in the very force and then with a division in the Tirah At first with a brigade in the Tochi field I went home, and as I was undressing barrow in which old Mills had borne it to its heard an unwanted sound of footsteps under hiding place. My story was verified in one expedition. He had been fighting almost my window tramping along the road in the particular. The coroner was satisfied on all continuously for the last fifteen years, and was direction of the lodge, but 1.thought little others. Geoffrey stood a free man, cleared

a past-master in the business of war, knowing enough of it, and after lying awake thinking

He made a close As I returned some hours later my thoughts over my adventure till far into the night, I fell from all shadow of suspicion. The old man every secret, every move

Mills was committed to stand his trial, and study of the drill and tactics of the various had strayed back, I know not how, or why, to asleep, and slept so soundly that it was past flinging up his hands in se agony of remorse arms, artillery, cavalry, and infantry, and could that little hotel on Inko Leman, and my íriond - nine o'clock before I opened my eyes again.

Handle them singly or in combination with ship with Mr. Castleton there. I remembered When I got downstairs I found my landlady

and terror, openly confessed his sín. how bright everything had looked to me then, in a state of the greatest excitement.

Leaving the stifling room, and thankful to be great skill, judgment, and effect. Withal he was calm, clear-hipaded, resolute, prompt, hem hadistered but she hadcem hic is she cried What do you think free of the scene still going on there, I stole temporary departure with his friend for a few has happened last night? The most awful. away into the calm summer evening to find and vigorous in following up an advantage,

tenacious and unyielding when hard pressed day's "mountaineering, the sudden scare of thing. Foor old Squire was murdered in his

Mr. Castleton-Geoffrey-beside me

To complete the portraiture a few words may small.ppx in the hotel, the rapid and determined bad at twelve o'clock just when old Mille bad "Maud" he said in a strange choked volce, be added, "showing his many-sided character, flight of my aunt, whom 1 could not desert gone out to look for the dog which was miss. Is this how we meet again? How can I thank his tastes and traits, and very varied gifts, and the sudden and complete breaking all of ing-and folks say there's no manner of doubt you for what you have done for me to-day 1" Symons was, before everything, a first-class "His wis left him, 1milldly remarked. | Crowe, Miss P, that friendship which had been so much more but that it was his own, son "asidid it ; for it "O don't thank me,” I cried with something i sporteman, He could hunt a pack of hounds | "Why did she do that? The young fellow Cooke, D.- to me than any other I had ever known.

seems that Master Geoffrey has been hiding | almost like a sob, for I was torriblekynhlej:04. As well as he could command troops. When | gavo an expressive gastura byggartive of the Clarke, S.,

+

At that moment a passing young gelleman Cohen, M. C. in evening dress stopped, as if by the old man's Calder, Miss voice and in the near distance carefully scruGrawford, 1. 0, tinised him. He then came up and said. "Is Cong, G. that you?" There was an eloquent silence, Chubb, A. expressive of genuine surprise on one side Cantillo, C. and a deep feeling of shame on the other Charter, P The young man pressed a coin in the elder's Colent, Miss M. hand and slowly turned away. I followed him, Chanson, Mine... and opened a conversation.

Clemens, Mra. 3.

Leopold, E. Marti, A. B. Metman, H. Mamedine, E. Marthens, A. Moses, H. E. H. McRay, A. L. MacDonald, Mrs. E. Morne, G. H. McLeod, Mr. and Mr. Moldajad, P.

Martini, Sig. Mitchell, J. McCoy, J. P.. Maxwell, J. P McGilivray, D. Monsarrat, F, G. McClelland, Miss

Martis, R. Nathan Sons, N:P, Niven, L. Odin, U,

Poincilit, G. H

Petschak, M. Porusso, L. L. Pantoch, T. "Tuitridge, Ci

Piemonge, T. F, Fachoy Mons. Prynn, F. J. Pelloy, E. Lo Paulsen, Dr. A Please, Ci

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