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.rx^sS* â- 4^' ijM:..:w>.x..:..:..>.>.x«:..:..:«:..:..:~:.<">.> I Hr. Fitfield's f I Secret.... S $• ♦ 8•♦•^•:•♦^•:-^♦^♦^•^•>•:"^•^•^•^♦•^♦:•♦:-^•:• The general opinion in Fallowlay rilluge wus that Mr. Fitfleld had Bade u small forliiiie in business inJ retired. He had the sober, re- spectable apjicaraiicx' of a tradesminu Who had cloue sufficiently ^vell in liis "lino" to retire ut tlic age of 'orty-five. Of course, Fallowhvy, ike almost every other village, hiid is scandal-uionRcrs, au<l the Ful- pwlay branch of this huge corponi- .lon were wont to suy that Mr. Fit- ield'.s "line" could hardly havo been espectablu since ho was so extremely cticeiit ns to what it wa.s. And it must he frankly adaiitted 'allowlaylinn scandal-mongers had .o little excuse for being .suspicioua * Mr. FitlJeld, for he was souiethiiig f ft mystery. His poA^t, his oiitece- leiits, ancxstors, .source of revenue, *ere all alike mysteriou.s. All that Was known of him was that he had lived in the creo|>er-clad cottage next to Sexton's for three years; that he arrival there from .some un- known place; that he wa.s a widow- er, with an unu.sually pretty daUKli- ler of eighteen, niuncd Jinny, who iPas the apple of his eye; that he was ». highly respectable looking and ;ivil. Well-spoken man; that his cre- dit was good at tlic Fallowlay gcn- ;ral .stores, and that he made fairly !requent journeys in almo.^t every di- rection radiating from Fallowiay. Mr. Fit/ielU would very proliably have escaped £ii.si)icion if ho had not so resolutely, though tacitly, declin- Hi to talk about hiin.«elf. ' Though far from being unneighborly or taci- turn, no one in Fallowlay was ever able to extract from him the most trifling bit of infoniiallon as to his lu-ivate alTairs. There was a strange fact of which Fallowlay had not even the faintest Kuspicion â€" that Jinny was uo ig- norant as anyone as to "how Mr. l'"it- lield made hi.s money and what took him away from home from time to time. Moreover, Jinny knew her father did not wish her to be ac- quainted with the facts, whatever they were, and. being as good a girl ttS she was pretty, she never trie«l to find out. She respected her father's secret as she loved him, and in course of time found another subject, for her thoughts. This .siiibject Was by name John Clements. Clem, as he was known, locally, was a young fanner â€" a great hearted, honest ycoiaan, whom everyone liked. Clem fell in love witli Jinny one day when he was on the way to church in his black coat and silk hat, and hhe was gathering carnations In the front garden. Clem had met Mr. FiUield once or twice ere that and the two men had got on very well togeUier, but until that Hun- day Clem had never troubled to look twice at Fitficld's cottage or garden. After that Sunday, how- ever. Clem had looked well into the garden and up at the windows every lime he i)as.sed the cott^ige, whicJi he certainly did much more frecpieut- ly than he had any occa.'^'ion to do. Whatever poiiit of the compass happene<l to be his dc.stination, Bomeliow it always seemed that the shortest way lay along the broad, white, dusty road past Fitfield's cot^ tage. And he always walked on Fitfield's side of the road, because It was the shortci curve. A thou- sand surveyors coid<l not have con- vinced him that there was not a two-strides difference between the two curves. And (it is queer how circumstances (sometimes adal)t thom- ficlves to people) Clem fell in with Mr. Fitlield nmch more frequently after than before that memorable Sunday when he first set eyes on pretty Jinny. The two men met at all »orts of unlikely places, and" Clem laid him- self out to win golden opinions. Hut Bomchow, Mr. FiUield proved him- self to be a dilhcult man to handle lie WHS ideas'ant, cheery, and friend- ly, but not sufficiently so to satisfy Clem, who, failing to draw Mr. Fit held over to his farm, liegan to de- BT'air of over getting an invitation to sit at table with .linn.v. Clem tried prize cattle, fine crop.M, jioul- try, and pigs to allure Jinny's fath- er to the farm, and got deejicr mid deeper into thrr slough of despond as he discovered that none of them liad »nv magnetic powers over Mr. r'it Held. One bright, victorious day Clem discovpi'cd J!r. Fitfield "fnncieil" carnations. Until that nrioment he I .1(1 not known the diflerence between :i carnalioM and a pink; but in ono ivild swoop theie passed over him a :i.s5vionate regard for carnations ich ns no:ie but a grower could en- tertain. He received an Invitation to inspect Mr. Fitilcld's carnations the following day. lie parted ni the strange man to go straight to the neighboring town, where bought n number of the most o>ry cnriiationn in the possession local florist. The iiick of found their way Into Mr. Fit- 'Seld's garden a few days Inter, for the latter went over to the farm to Inspect the flywcrs whldi Clem art- fully diVribcd to him while bonding over Mr. FitfleUl's flowers and .nteal- <ng ICotfli nl Jinny. And poor Clem gavo liiinscll numy n headache read- lag h>|e i:\iti tbe night hooks about ''^'''nA''"^''* and their culture. He *1g|<r!||ut' mean to l;e caught napping. ;*SnVthis way Clem knew Jinny lov- ^ her, and taught her how to love. In a short tim« Jinny knew more al)out love than Clem. "'Ti» wo- man's whole existence." One evening Fitlield did a strange thing â€" strange for him. He went over to the farm and searched for CIcm until he found him. I'li-m was pleased at this until he noted the strange light in Mr. Fit- field's eye, when he felt .uneasy, won- dering what Was coming. "Mr. Clements," said Fitlield, af- ter a pau.se, as heavy as the summer air, when they had exhausted or- dinary topis, "I've noticed, or I've fancied Fve seen, an affection spring- ing up between you and my Jinriy." "Mr. Fitfield, may 1 be frank with you and say 1 love your daughter with all my heart?" "Sorry for it. Sorry, more than Surry, that ahe'f> fond of you. A marriage between you is absolutely impos-sible." Fitlield's tongue suggested only re- gret; he showed no anger, but his nnmner was very firm. "Impossible? Why, sir?" Cfem demanded. "If Misa Jinny and I love each other, and I can make her a good home Look round my farm! It is unencumbered â€" I haven't borrowed a penny, but I've lent very many pounds. Ask the bankers how I stand with them. As to character, ask the rector or Mrs. C'himmers. who have known me all my life, if I'm a fit man to take Ali.'-s Jinny for m,v wife. Point to a. shabby spot in my jacket, and I'll undertake never to speak to Jinny again. Uut my fortune's sound, an<l my character is sounder; and I love Jinny with all my heart and man- hood, and I won't admit there's anything in this world to be a bar between us." "Well spoken, Mr. Clements; I like to hear a man boast that his repu- tiition's sound. But " Mr. Fit- field .'lighed deeply, lodked at the ground between his feet, at Clem's leggings, at his own linger nails, an I sighed again. "But Jinny's not a fit wife for you â€" or any other honest man." "If you weren't her fatlier I'd knock you down far that!" cried Clem, in a hot passion. "Because you don't understand me â€" or won't; because you want to draw out of me what I cannot, will not tell you. Jinny's the best girl that tver lived, and few men love their aaughters â€" even when, as in my ca.se, they're all they have to loveâ€" as I love mine. But she is not a lit woman for an honest man, because â€" because she's my daugh- ter." As he cease<l speaking Fitfield turned his back upon Clem and trod down a worm-cast with the point of his toe. His face was white as death. It was as much Fitfield's manner a.s his words that held Clem speech- less. "11. ore's a secret about mo, Mr. Cleiricnts," Fitfield said, trending down another worm-csist, "which if it became known would turn every- one in rallowIa.v agnln.st mo wid Jinny â€" and you would be one of the very first to .shun us. Jinny does not know the .secret^-doesn't even siuspect it, and I pray Heaven she never may. If you love her you'll help me to keep her from suspect- ing. I cannot let you go on court- ing my Jinny, Mr. Clements, for you can never marry her â€" nor wo\ild any other honest man â€" so long as her father lives. I couldn't let Jinny nuirry a nuin with it still a secret, to be betrayed some day, perhaps, and ruin her happiness ami her husband's. And if 1 confessed the secret it would make any man who loved her shun her. That is the position. I ask you to refrain f. cm pressing me to say more, and to believe nic when I say that for yo- r own good, for Jinny's good, imd for my peace of mind you had b.tter see very little of her in fu- ture." "liut .linny and I are avowed lovirs, Mr. ' l'"illield! " Clem cried, baldly understanding all he had jusl \v ard. Fittield turned round quickly an.. Knit his brows. "I've been a fool," he cried. "I've let you two pla.v with lire becuu.so I saw it made Jinny happy. And ni>w it mu.st bum you both." "Jinny loves me with all her ho rl." 1 itficld nodded slowly and sighed deeply. •I will speak to her to-night," he said. "Anil I will come over in the w. irning to >ce you." He held out his hand. Clem look- ed at it and liesitated. "It's a clean band, Clem," said Fitlield, reproachfully; "it never did any man an injustice or committod an unlawful dee<l. You don't know the secret; you only know one e.\- Ists, and yet you refuse my hand! I can ask for no greater proof that you would turn away from Jinny and nie if you knew what 1 know." "No, Mr. Fitlield," cried Clem, eaRcrly. "I don't turn away from cither of you; I was only wonder- ing." They shook hands hcortily, but sadly, as men over a grave, and, without a word, separnted. Tho same evening Fittield spoke of Clem to .linny. Ho had gone so often, but on this particular even-~ Ing his serious thoughts gavo him a grave tone and manner in spite of himself, and Jinny blushed most becomingly. "I dor.'t think he'll he coming here quite »o <iftcn after Tyliut 1 said to him this evening," snld Fitfield, awkwardly. â- â- Not coming here? Why, father, what did yon eay to him?" she ex- rlainiod, with iindijguiBcd astontsh- meut. Ho went to where she sat sewing and, leaning on tho table, looked earnestly Into her eager face. "Jinriy, do you truly love him?" he asked from me." •Why, father again " the in her voice 'Don't hide anything if ho never came little choking sound - told her heart much more truly than her added, "I should miss him more than I can say." Fitfield raised himself from the ta- ble and walked over to tho window. His glance passed over the neat little garden, over the thick privet- hedge, and fixed itsoU on some vague point in the line of hills in tho dis- tance. His face was white and hag- garcl. "Why should I stand between a man and my Jinny, who dcptyid for their happiness upon a union to which I am an absolute bar?" he thought to himself. "If I went away or died the secret ^vould never "be known. . . . She would miss me. . . . she would miss mo; but how does a father compare to a husband? Somehow or other the truth is sure to come out sooner or later, and her life will be ruined â€" she might tiu-n against me in horror; and he might desert her and leave her shamed be-, fore ever.v one who knew her. Clem could grant her every wish . . he would be good to her. . . Jinny," ho .said, aloud, "you might put the usual things to- gether in my bag for me. I'm going away lor a day or two to-morrow." Ho went out straight to the farm, and explained to Clem thatjie might be away longer than usual'. Would t^lem give Jinny a look in once a day for him and see that she was all right? Clem's heart jumping into his mouth precluded him from answering, but the handshake he gave Fitfield emphatically meant "Yes." Clem saw Fitfield to the gate. Very few words passed between them, for one was revelling in his happiness to come and the other was weighing his pleasures past. Men cannot say much at such times. Fitlield lingered at the gate moodi- ly. Clem lent on the top bar and fidgeted with tho latch, lie was beginning to feel the awkwardness of the total lack of sympathy be- tween hini and .linny's father. "Clem," said Fitliidd, at last, speaking in a hoarse voice, "I don't Want Jinn.v to know, but the jour- ney I'm going to nniUe entail.s some risks â€" some danger. If anythfng should hafipcn â€" if anything should prevent mo returning, you would marry my Jiimy, wouldn't you, and be good to her? Kh?" ''Mr. Fitfield, you may stake your life on it!" Clem roi)licd, almost fiercely. Fitlield nodded drearily. "Uut where are you going t.o face danger? What danger?" (;iem ask- ed, a trifle suspiciously. "1 cannot tell you, Cleui, 1 needn't tell you â€" of cour.se, I'll get back safe enou!>:h! But â€" liui lest 1 shouldn't, I should like you to know from me that each one of the things the fools of this village hint tU as being an explanation of what they cannot ui.derstaiul is .vroiig â€" false, utterly and abominably false; I !i;ivc no crime to haunt me; r.o disuviue- ful past . behind me; broke off suddenly, "Good-night. Clem," voice, hurried away. Clem looked around about expect- ing to SCO someone who had caused Fitlield to suddenly cease s|>caking and dei^art. Hut tliere wus no one in sight, and after a few minutes he returned to the house to Uiiiik over all the slrangeness and lavstrry into the midst of which his' love had plunged him. and to coiiiil tho min- utes till tho morrow which would give him a right to call upon Jinny ns her i)rotector. Three weeks passed, and Fallowlay saw nothing, heard nothing of Mr. Fitlield. Clem was a great support and comforter to .linny <luring those weary Weeks of wailing. K(. went to see her every day. but he never men- tioned to her llie convorsation he had had with her father the nigiit I'.cforo ho wont av.uy. lOvcry word I'itlield had siioken to him that night, however, bad sunk deep into his mind, and at the end of tlie three weeks he felt sure Jinny's fatlier would never retiiin. He giMilly urg- e<t .linny to marry him. and riiially she con.stMited to (i.x a day, for she was all alone in the worhl; she could not deny herself the pleasure of Clem's visits, the help of his advice, and she feared the gossips of the village. Clem set to work to find nut what had become of l''illield. Tliero was Utile material to work upon, lie was traced to a town forty miles away, and. tliere the thread snapped. F.very day the conviction that Fit- field was dead olttained a stronger hold upon Clem, and one day he started to hunt the truth, working on this hypothesis. lie made all his ini|uiries himself, because he fear- ed to employ professional agents lest Fitlield's secret should be stumbled upon. After many weeks of wasted energy Clem found hiiu.self ini|uiring into tho identity of every corpse upon whom a coronci 's jury had sat since the time of Fitfield's disappearance. It was a huge task, hut VAem had a sort of instinctive feeling that it would lead him right in the end. It did. One day Clem stood in Walt row Police Station inquiring into tho death of a man who had been run over on tho line between Walt row and Brnysleigh on the night follow- no ' I To and snying in ,t hi'Sky had read up the report of ths in- quest. The body had not been idcn- tillod, but the evidence admitted of no other verdict than that of sui- cide. The description of the body seemed to Clem very like the ap- pearance of Fitfield. "Yes; we've got a photo, of him, taken after death," said tho inspec- tor whom Clem saw. "But I don't think you can throw any light on the matter. The identity has been established since the inquest. That's the photo." Clem took it, and started. It was Fitfield, without a doubt. Clem tried to hide his agitation. "What was his name?" he asked. "Well, we had an official hint to say nothing about it; but between you and me the poor fellow was Mr. Masters, the public hangman." Clem reeled and went pale. "Did you know him?" the inspec- tor asked, kindly. Clem gurgled something and left. He went str.aight home to Fallow- lay, straight to .linny. ".linny," he said, it is as I fear- ed." "He is dead," she whispered. "He met with an accident. He was a strange man, and you and I must respect his wish not to at- tempt to solve his secret. Jinny, we can respect his memory at the same time." He took -her in his arms. ".linny, m.v darling," he said, "I will be both father and husband, and we'll leave Fallowlay, so it will be easier for you to learn I can be both and more to you." â€" London Tif-Uits. t About the I I ....House I HOMEMADE WINES. Homemade wines are economical and delicious, and each possesses some medicinal qualities. The re- cipe for rhubarb wine was given me by one of our state officials, and it never fails. . lihubarb Wine. â€" Pull rhubarb, wash, but do not peel, cut in sduall pieces (one-half inch long, even short- er if you desire, as the more sur- face exposed the more juice will be extracted). To every five pounds of rhubarb add one gallon of water. Let stand live days, stirring several times each day. The stirring is important. I'ress out the liquor liglitly. To every gallon, add four pounds granulated sugar, one lem- on sliced, and a penny's worth of isinglass. Stir thoroughly. Fill jara, kegs or receptacle usedr level full, and stand in a warm place to fermoat. It will talic from three to five days to finish fermentation. As the scum floats ofl', fill jar from another kept for tho purpose. This latter jar should be skimmed sev- eral times each day to take off scum, which of course cannot run olT, as the receptacle is not full. It will look clear when fermentation censes. 'Hien seat or plug tightly, and let stand six months. Then drain off tlie clear wine from the dregs, bottle, cork, and seal. A white, sparkling wine. Blackberry Wine. â€" Take plump ber- ries, put in jar and barely cover with cold water. Wash well with wood- en mashes. Let stand one du.v. .Strain through jelly bag. To each gallon of juice, add three pounds brown or granulated sugar for ra- ther tart wine, and four p iinds for a pleasant sweet. Fill jars level full, ns in preceding recipe, and let stand three days, and longer it fer- mentation has not cea.sed. The third day several sheets of brown paper might bo added. When tenuenlation has entirely ceased, till jars full, seal. In February or March, drain wine from dregs, bottle and seal. Kaspbcrry currant and elderberry wines inu.v be made the same way. With strawberries onl,v a pint of wa- ter should be added to each gallon of berries if you want a rich wine. It .you desire a heavy, rich wine, use less water in each of the above. Crape Wineâ€" Mrs. Wing had such splendid wine that 1 begged the fol- lowing recipe from her. Wash, dry and pick grai'os from the stem. I'lace them in layers in vessel to ferment. Let stand a week, or as long as grapes- rise to surface, and keep working. Then strain. To a quart of juice add a small pint of sugar. I'ut in jars as directed above, to ferment. SKim daily as long as scum rises. V.'hen fermenta- tion ceases, pour in jaHS or jugs an<l seal. Let stand six months and drain (or rack off, as U is called). Bottle and s<>al. Ceneral direcUons: Everything in wine making should bo scrupulous- ly clean. The fruit put in sweet jars: the juice, also, put in swi-et . jars. All wines should lie skim- med. Do not entirely, depend on scum floating off. As long as scum rises, wine is fermenting. Just as .loon as scum ceases to rise, seal. Keep close watch of wine tor .several days, if .vou arc not tm expert, to see that it has not bt«n sealed too soon. 11 it shows signs of opening, clean outside of vessel thoroughly and open it in a large disli (an en- an^eled dishpan is good). Other- wise .you might lose a good deal. If left too long before si<aling, wine is apt to be vinegary, or if the fer- nientatioii is not perfect, the refn.se remaining causes the wine to be strong. Wine making is not diftV- cult, but it requires .scriipulous neat- ness, and attention to minute de- tail*. The wine should be kept in a very waxm plac«^ while ferments- ing. A LAUNDRY LESSON. No matter how carefully the deli- cate summer gowns and flue laccs and embroidery may be washed and starched and dried, Vie entire pro- cess of "doing up" tie dainty fab- rics will be a failure unless the irons arc in good condition. Some house- wives will havo in their possessdon irons that have been their mother's before them, and though they have been in constant us« they are still as firm and smooth as any one could wish. Other women, with the same kinds of irons, would by neglect and carcles.sness, in a year or two, render them unfit to use. Where there are many starched clothes to be done up weekly it is a good plan to wash the irons once a week, but where plain clothes and only a few starchotl are to be done, once a month is often enough. Take some clean ammonia soapsuds, and with a cloth, wash the iron well, afterwrard wiping it with a dry cloth; then put them on the back part of the stove to dry thorough- ly- To clean the irons always have a piece of coarse sandpaper or a hand- ful of coarse table salt, or a piece if wrapping paper, on which to rub them. Always have the top of the range perfectly clean before putting on the irons and never allow them to get too hot. If such a thing does happen cool them by setting up on end on the hearth. Some women when in a hurry cool irons by plunging them into cold water, which will very soon spoil them. Don't keep the irons on the stove when not in use, for it is sure to harm the temper of the iron; and don't have irons on the stove when cooking â€" more particularly when the article cooking is one that is apt to flow or boil over, or while frying. After taking an iron from the stove when wanted for use, first rub it over a piece of heavy wrap- ping paper kept for that purpose; then rub the smooth part with a cloth, in which is encased a bit of iKML^.. J3«l» »Ji« irnja vjo-M fiv«r a clean cloth, and then it is ready for the clothes. In ironing starched clothes, if any of the starch sticks to the iron al- ways .scrape it off with a knife be- fore placing it on the stove to heat. Irons should be kept in some closed dry place. .( WITH YOUNG BEETS. Baked Beets.â€" Wash small beets and plivcc in a roasting pan with a little water, adding more hot water as it evaporates, and cook for three hours, or until lender, in a moder- ate oven. Turn them occasionally, being careful not to bruise the skin, as tlio juice will escape, and when done plunge one at a time into cold water and slip off the skins, not a.X- lowing them to cool. Split In halves, i>laco in a heated dish, and pour over them a boiling dressing made with one tablespoon melted butter, two tablespoons vinegar, and a little salt and pepper. Servo very hot. Beet and Fotato Hash. â€" Take equal parts of cold cooked beets and po- tatoes, cut rather small, and cook them in a trying pan with a large lump of butter and three lable- f-pooiis milk. Season to taste, and cook until the milk is absorbed, then serve at once. Beet and Onion Hash. â€" Allow three parts cold cooked beets and one part boiled onions cut rather small, season to taste. Cook in plent.v of butter, and a little milk for ten minutes, and serve hot. Beet I'uddingâ€" Cut the beets into small dice, to one pint allow three well-beaten eggs, one pint sweet milk, and salt and pepper to sea- son. Mix well, and put in a lire- proof pudding dish, set the di.vh in a pan of hot water, and bake until firm. Serve hot as a vegetable. Cold boiled beets hollowed out for cups nuike dainty receptacles for po- tato, cabbage and celery salads, or tilled with ti.e part which lias been removed, cut into dice, and mixed with an equal quantity of cabbage or celery, and dressed with mayon- naise, they will prove delicious. A TASTE OF BLACKBEUUIES. Blackberr.v .Sherbet. â€" Muph three quarts line ripe blackbrriics with one pint sugar, and lot stand one hour. Then add one (luart water and place it over the lire. Cook 20 luinr.'cs from tile time it begins to boil. Add the juice of four lemons, strain, and cool. Then turn it into a freezer. When partly frozen, stir in the whit'-'s two eggs lightly whipped. IJIacUberry Fuddingâ€" Fill a pud- ding dish three-quarters full line fresh blackberries, sprinkle lightly with sugar, and cover with a good crust. Bake three-(juarter<» of an hour, and servo with lemon sauce. Blackberry Muniplings.â€" Sift two cups Hour with two level teasiioons baking powder and a pinch of salt. Beat two eggs Until very light with two level tcasijoons batter .i;i;i 'vso tablespoons sugar. • Add the (lour to (liis irtixture and beat to a smooth, thick Jialler. adding more flour if not thick enough. .Stir in lightly one cup blackberries. which have been wnshed. drained and floured. Drop the batter by spoon- fuls into a pot of boiling salted wa- ter, cooking on'.v a tew at n time. Cover closely, and boil stea.iily ?«)- l.V ten minutes When dor.'. scpvo at once with orange hard sauc«S â-  â-  V. .t