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tmmn^v^^:}c^^»*<ii^^»^'Oi-Â¥Xi^m»^»^v^ i THE STEWARD'S SON | CHAPTER IV. The owner of the voice which Norah had heard, under »ur.h peculiar and iiiystci'ious circumstances, felt, his way down the steps to the lower ter- race and from thence to the luwn, and there almost stumbled over a young man who was sitting on a i)aiik with his knees clasped in his hands. •Hullo, what the douco Why, it's you, Jack!" he exclaimed in nmazcmcnt. " Whore on oarth did you come from?" His friend stared at him, then laughed shortly. It was a pleasant laugh, that matched the voice and the face, which was strikingly hand- Bomo and niunly. "Why, you wore up there just now!" "Was I? Then I was quite una- T/are of it. My dear Cyril, I have never left this bank, I know a bank." "Do you mean to say you were not up there?" interrupted Cyril incrcrtu- lo'isly. "Why, man, I heard you." "l»id you? Kxtraordinary! I give you my word I huven't opened my lips." "What!" exclaimed Cyril. "Oh, come now, Jack, you are playing it a little t'jo low down. I tell you, I heard you quoting that line about tho moon from Uomeo and Juliet!" The other turned his spectacles -ip to the handsome face with slow and profound surprise. "I'pon my word, Cyril, this busi- ness, or tho moon, has been too much for you. I quoted ShakcB- peiiru! My dear follow, I havo snt here since you left me, and 1 haven't opened my lips! In fact, I've sat here long enough to grow a crop of the Very flncut kind of rheumatism. This midsummer nmdncHs of yours is growing serious. l''or Heaven's sake, let us get away while we've a chance. About Hhakospcaro! Why, my dear fellow, I've been in too much of a funk all tho time, for every mom- ent I've fancied I heard an 'honest watchdog' or a kcq>er or a gardener, or something of tho kind. Come along!" and ho rose and strut- yo" '' >'''^« a ''"P ch«d himself. "Hut â€" but if it wasn't you who wore up thoru and spoke, who Was if.'" demanded Cyril. "Ask me another," responded his friend with a stilled .vnwn. "Cyril, you have been star gazing or moon raking until you have lost your NuMses. Who should bo up there. Do yqu think if any one had been ho would have stopped to tulk po;'try with you? Not he? He'd have rung tho alarm bell, sprung a rattle or riddled you with a revolver; and that's what will happen to both of us if wo don't clour out," and h_ almost yawned his spectacles od. I "Slop chafllng for a moment, Jack. | I tell .you that I saw â€" no, heard sonio one up on tho terrnret I went up there in the durk and was sitting on tho top step waiting for the moon to clear, when a voice â€" yours, as I thought, imitating a woman's â€" Kuid; 'Hwear not by the moon!' â€" you know the lines. And I answered. I went on talking to you, as 1 thought and though I got no reply 1 fancied you Wore too (righteiiod to carry on a conversation in sui-h dangerous nearness to tho house â€" und â€" uiid " he put his hand to his brow â€" "(Jroat Heaven!" a blu.sh rose to his tunned face, "Iâ€" I, thinking you hud gono clown, uttered somes nonsense. No, it was not nonsensu; but, Jack, I Was not alonol Homo one was Ihoru! Who *a» It?" "Who's to tell! A womaii'i voice, you say? Aro you sure?" "(Juilo sum now." "A housemaid, probabl.v." "Well, my dear Cyril, it's tho only .uggestlon i _^^ca., ^^ mak. ^^^ Jl^ ^^.^ ^^^^ ._.i .i,„ 1- „. iiL-,.i« trate<l a sample of ma then his the way Bhouldn't a pearc? I toll you she la as nowadays to know him as her mis tress is."- "Huhl it was the voice of a lady." "Thanks; you said Just now you thought it was mine." "I said " retorted (!yrll; with a stifled sigh he allowed compntdon to draw him awuy. Keeping in tho shadow of uhrulihery they made their through tho orimmental grounds, cr<issed tho park and reache<l tho villnKo, and atuppecl at The ahociuors as the inn was called. Inn is rather a dlgnldod name for tho little place, which was a rambling cottage owned by a widow of a former Court ser- vant, who let two or three of tho rooms as lodgings, and sold boer, candles, tobacco and peg-tops, and other articles too numerous to men- tion. In one end of tho tiny place. Tho two y0ung men entered tho silling room and Jack turned up tho pnrnffln lamp, whllo Cyrli dropped Into B chair ond starotl thoughtfully into vacancy. .lack got a plpo from the mantel iihelf and lit it; than, adjusting his spectacles, gaxed relloctivcly at his musing companion. Now that Vho.v wore In tho light one could sn« the contrast between tho two men. Tho one, Cyril nurne with tho peculiar bearing of a man who has gone in for athletics, and with a face that was not only hand- some, but possessed of that winsome ease and grace which one is accustom- ed to associate with good birth and high training. His hands were small, yet strong-looking; his clothes sat upon him after the fashion which bringeth delight to tho heart of the tailor, and there was an air of com- mand obout the dark eyes and clean- cut mouth, noticeable oven when, as now, ho was in repose. The other. Jack Wesley, was, of a more commonplace type. Ho was rather awkward in oppcarance, with bent shoulders, and there was that look about him which belongs to the brain-worker. It was a good- natured, shrewd face, though the eyes behimi the spoctacles had ac- (|Uired something of a cynical expres- sion. Those two young men were fast friends. Jack thought Cyril the per- fection of manhood, and admired hini for nil the qualities which he (Jack) lacked; and t:yril regarded his friend us u genius unrecogni/.ed as .vet by the world, but as one whose light would shine out brightly some day. And yet as Jack regarded his sil- ent companion there was a certain curious questioning expression In his eyes. "I am rehictant to disturb your meditations, on which no doubt the fate of nations depends," he said in his slow, good-naturedly cynical tone "but my more material nature Is craving for a wWsk.v and soda, and the cupboard is immediately behind you." Cyril Hume started slightly and whe('le<l his chair aside, then got up and began pacing the room with (juick, re>itle.ss steps. Juck Wesley mixed a couple of drinks with deliberulo precision. "Walk up, walk up!" he murmured, "tho lion is now about to be fedâ€" or rather drinked. I wond< .• how much Mrs. Fnglish, tho luudludy, will [ charge for the carpet ; perhaps if round tho other side of the table Thus adjured, C.vril Btopi)p<l short, and t:iking up his glass, seated him- self on the table. "Thai's belter." remarked tlack Wesle.v, dropping into the chair; "now We can talk â€" that is, if you can tear your mind away from the romantic episode of the mysterious voice on the li-rrnce; and I should Just like to nsk you, my dear Cyril, what ; ;)U intend to do?" "What I intend to do?" "Kxactl.v," said Jack, puffing at his pipe and nursing his knee, a fav- orite trick of his. "When u week ago you ranio into â€" burst into would be tho niorc^ exact expressionâ€" my cham- bers with the pro|)osal Ihnt 1 should ucconipHii.v you on a trip to Sant- li'igh. County llerks, you o.sserted, in response to ni.v question 'Why?' that you wanted in.- to startle the artis- tic world, and blu/en .your name on Iho bend roll of l'"nme. You also re- marked that it woidd bo a capital chance for ni.v getting a few ruslic Ideos for a poem, a novel, or a pla.v. Is not that so?" Cyril nodded with a half smile. "In a Aveak nionicnt, a ver.v weak moment, I consented. I may remark that I nlwa.vs do consent to your proposals, and that I never fail to ruo my weakness. This Instance is no exception to the gi<nerul rule. Wo havo been in this secluded spot two whole days. Your sketches are re- presented by that Jiisune outline of a tree," ho pointed his pipe at a can- vas on an oasol, "and my rustic iileas have not yet s<igge.sted them- selves. 'Instead of which,' ns tho e have pcrpo- llkely 'â- ""-"" «* ""'"plo of moil trespassing which ought to havo landed us In the village quod, or obtained for us a chargo of shot or a revolver bullet apiece. I like adventuresâ€" for other persons; as for me, writing about 'em la good enough; and I beg to state that I politely, but emphatic- ally, refuse to accompany you in any further exploit, whether it take tho shape of prowling like burglars nt midnight about a noble mansion, or â-  ' "Kover give way to temptation, Cyril," ho said, succinctly. "And yet I havo vowoU to keep my secret." "Tho fool makes a vow, tho wise man keeps it," murmured Jack. "Did it over occur to you, Jack, that though you and I have been clo.se friends for nearly a twelve- month, you know as little about me as you did tho night we met. You remember? Tho ni;.;ht you found me sauntering over Waterloo Uridge, and looking at the water?" "Yes, I remember," assented Wes- ley. "I was without a penny, with tho key of the strciot." •"'And generally miserable. Having been in the same con<lition myself, I knew tho signs and felt a fellow-feel- ing." "You stopped and spoke." resumed Cyril, his voice so full of music that it stirred the heart of the listener, "and insisted upon my coming home with you and sharing your supper. You asked no questions, and there- fore got no fibs. And you have ask- ed none from that hour to this." "Which proves that I havo not in- herited my Mother Eve's crowni.ig fault â€" curiosity," put in Jack under his breath. "You took mo on trust, helped mo to gain my living â€" wore, in short, that rarest of all rare things, a friend in need; and. as a return for all your kindness, I refuse to confl.lo in you!" There was silence for a moment, then Jack Wesley looked up. "Why should you conllde in me?" ho said. "Keep your secret, what-<. over it may be. my dear Cyril. I am quite content with my ignorance con- cerning it. A man's a poor kind of friend who wants to pry into his chum's private alTairs. And now, will you come bock to London to- morrow?" No, Jack, T cannot." Then I must go alone. All play and no work will make Jock a hun- gry boy. You paint down here os wellâ€" bettor than in town; I must bo near my books.. Yes. I'll return; but â€" " He paused, and getting up, re- garded tho handsome, pensive fuco with a shrewd, kindly smile. "You didn't see the lad.vâ€" old or younq^â€" who quoted Shakespeare on tho ter- race to-night, Cyril?" "No. I know what you mean, and I plead guilly. Jock, III tell you whut keeps nie hero. You will laugh â€"I can't help it. You'll think mo mod, oven if you don't soy so; per- haps I am. Well, then, this after- noon when I left you for n stroll I sauntered toward the court gates to get a view of the house. As I wa.i standing there a carriage come up. It slopped while the lodgekeeper was opening the gales, and I saw on old man and a girl inside. She looked out for a moment. I only caught o glimpse of her foce. but"â€" he paused und looked straight before him, his eyes glowing with a look which Jack Wesley had never observed in them before â€" "I see her now! Jack, it was tho most beautiful face I have over seen. I stood rooted to tho spot. She did not boo me, and her e.ves " lie paused again. "Do you know that picture in tho left-hand corner of the large room of the National Oaller.v, Jack?'' Jack Wesley nodded. Ho was not smiling now. "They were like the girl's in the picture, but lovelier. Her hair " lie stopped again. "If I were to talk for a month I should give you no Idea of the face that haunts me," he went on in a low voice; "of its sweetness, its puiily, ils nameless charm! The carriage went on, and I â€" Just woke!" "And found yourself in love with a face." "Yes, I fell in love with a face! Why don't you lough?" ' 1 was wondering whether yoiijd mind my crying," retorted Jack Wesley, in a low voice; "for, believe me, m.v dear fellow, love is more of a crying than a laughing matter. Did you discover who she wos?" "No. I asked tho lodge-keeper, and ho could not tell me. I came homo, and tho face hovered before mo." His head drooped, so that his eyes wore hirideu. "And It WQs on tho hare chance of getting a second glimpse of the face that you ventured on the biirglorious expedition to the court to-night?" "It was," he ossente*! griml.v. "I would go through fire and water to sc>o her again!" "And .vou imagine, suspect, that tho voico you heard was hers?" sug- gested Jack Wesley. "YoB, I think BO. Now you know why I caJmot go back with you, Jack." "I think I understand," said Wes- le.v, gruvel.v. "and .you make a great mistake if you think I am going to try and |iersuade you; but you'll let and I'll leave you to blaze It out. Is there anything I can do beloro I go? Anything in tho shape of"â€" he hesitated and colored slightlyâ€" "Well, to put it bluntly, anything in tho ex- chequer line?". "That's just like you. Jack. No, thank you. I've enough for my mo.st modest wants, and X shall workâ€" no, you needn't smile; 1 mean it." "Well, then, I'll go to bed," said Jack. "Ciood night." , "Stop! We â€" We shan't want to talk over this again to-morrow, and I've remembered ono thing .vou con tlo, or rather refrain from doing. It's this: I've an idea that possibly some- one umy hunt you up and make in- quiries about mc. It's not very pro- bable, but it's possible. If anyone should do so, will you- tell them as little as you can?" "The Sphinx shall not bo more dis- creet. I'll forget that such a person as Cyril Burno exists. " "Thot's just what I want," said Cyril. "Clood night, old follow, and pleasant dreams." Left alone, ho resumed hi.s scat on the tabic, and fell into deep thoURht. I're.sently he took some money from his pocket, and counted it out on tho table. It >vas anything but a large sum. but he appeared satisfied, and returned it to his pocket. In do- ing so his hand came in contact with a small fusee bo.^, and ho drew it out. and looked at it thoughtfully. It was of silver, and bore an elabor- ate monogram, and it seemed to suggest some idea to him, (or, hold- ing it still in his hand, ho opened the door and went into the street. There was a horse-ponrt tl;>se by, and ho walked to It and flung the fusoo case into the middle. It fell with a little splash, atul ho .stood absently looking at tho circle it had made in tho water. "I don't think there is an.ything else," he murmun-l, feeling in his pockets. "Xo. that wos the last link, and it is gono to the froga." Then ho was turning to retrace his steps to the cottage, when ho heard a voice, a woman's voice, in tho lane on the other .side of the pond. "You aro hard â€" hard! Why do you Irent me so? Do you think I am made of stone?" Then a man's voice come in re- sponse. "Non.scnBe! I am prudent for both our sakcs, that is all. Tru.st to me and be patient. Oo home now, and don't fret over nothing." The woman's voice niin-inured com- plainingly for a mouiont, then all was silent. Cyril Burne smiled to himself. "I'm in for adventures tt>-night," he mused. "A lovers' quarrel, I sup- po.se." .-M that moment ho hoard a stop, ^ jnnn's ((Uick, firm step, coming to- ward him, an<l instinctively drew back into the shadow. A tall, thin young man passed him rapidly, and went down tho road, glancing to right and left as if he Were anxious to avoid recognition. Cyril Hume looked after him with a faint wonder and speculation. "If I wore Iho young latly, I should think twice before 1 trustitl you, ray friend," ho said to himself; "you are too cautious and careful in your movements." Then ho wont back to the cottage. IN MERRY OLD ENGLAND KEWS BY MAIL ABOUT JOH» BULL Alffi HIS FKOFLE. Occtirrences In ths Latid Th&V Eeigns Supreme In tho Com- mercial World. The largest door park ja Britain' covers 2,500 acres. It is ia Cheshire. Tho Admiralty havo decided that tho whole of the guns of tho navy shall be 're-sighted. Aliens who cannot road, speak and write English moderately well will not in future, it is said, be accept- ed for naturalization. Lord Haddington, who ha."* aat in tho House of Lords for thirty years n.s a Scottish representative peer, own.? estates in four Scottish counr tros which extend to 27,790 acres. Heer in the United Kiagdom conf tains 8 per cent, of proof spirit, while tho lager beer of tho comt/inent contains only 4 per cent. fShuntcrs are mo.st liablo to injury of any clas» of English railway workers. ()ik3 in twelve is injured in a year; of station musters only ono in rU7. Women teachers, especially those Uncertificated and withou.t friends in South Africa, ore warned by tho Colonial Uttlce again»t going to that country in search of omployniont Tho Catholic Herald states that plans have hoen pa.ssod for a new Koman CatJiolie church'. to cost about £.10,000, the gift of the Mar- quis of Bute to tho Catholics of Rothei:a.v. A .strange ofTcct of tho religious revival in Iho north of England la tho increased activity of the Mor- mons. This in especially noticeablo in Kundcrlaind, where a Mormon com- munity has existed for over thirty- fivo .years . tJ ambling amongst the paupers h'aa led tho West Hail> Guardian.s to stop card-playing in their workhouse and infirmary. IJettimg news has boon I lacked <out of the papers, and the inmates are to forfolt all sums of tnonoy oxccodlnt: a shilling found on them. Hetwoon sixty and seventy pounds of honey was obtained when a swarm of bees had been removed from a ro- ce.xs near tho signboard of a woll- kiiown hotel in the neighborhood of DulwicK. The nnino of Grace Darling .stands forth prominently among llriti.9h heroines. The capo she cast about her shouKlers when .she went to the rescue of tho survivors of the For- farshiro is to be cxhibitt>d at the forthcoming Naval Exhibition in London. There i.i to bo a Nelson relic exhi- bition this year nt the Uoyal United .Service hwt itution. Tho Lords of tho Ailniirnlty have consented to li-nd th.' Nelson relics at Gretmwich, ami Lord Nel.'ion will contribute his intoroNting collection of relics which is kept nt Trafalgar, the family place rvcnr .Salisbury. In tho grounds of Luvnl, Haslcmiore fSurro.v), n srcon woodpecker was found hancing out of a hole in a tree. The bird had boon accidentally C^ and tho incident vaiii.shod from his killed through its long tongue hav- was tall and straight, strong-llmbiHl, Wesley regarded him •crlonsly. breaking Into a church. And I would j me say that. If I wore Indeed tho also like to ask, when are you going friend' vou call me, I should secure to return to town?" Cyril Uurno laughed slowly again. "Jock, If you'd been born dumb you'd have been ns nearly perfect as a man could be," ho said. "Thanks for your kind appreciation btit allow mo to ronmrk that that is not an answer to my quostlon. Pleaseâ€" I ask it as a si)ecial favorâ€" don't bogin to pronce up and down again!" I'or Cyril had got olT the table, and threatened to resume his restless i>nclng. Ho desisted, how- ever, and wont and leaned up against the mantelshelf, and looked down at the 8poctaclR<l face with n curious ox- prossinn, half-sad, hulf-wistful. "Jock, you are the only friend I have in the world, and sometimes I am horely tempted to tell .vou, to conllde " Ho stopped, and Jock mind. The canvas at which Jack Wesle,v had pointed attracted his at- tention, and, going up to it, ho took up a piece of charcoal and ropiilly sketched an outline of a woman's head. tiuickly as it was done, it bore o striking resemblance to the head that ho had seen at tho carriage window, to I>o<ly Noroh Arrowdalo. Ho looked at it for a moment with heightened color, then muttering "A libel!" smudged it out impatiently, turned out tho lamp, and wont to bed. (To bo Continued). -f LAROKST HOSPITAL. Berlin will shortly bo able to boast that it contains the largest hospital In tho world. The now instilutiun, whicht is to bo called after the fam- ous physiologist, tho Hudolf Virchow Hospital, will be fitted with accom- mo('.ti.iui. fv,k 2. COO patients. When fully equipped it will havo a stall of (\r>0 physicians, nurses, attendaiiis and servants. In connection with tho hospital there will bo a patholo- gical and anatomical laboratory, bath-houso with medico-mochonlcal Institute, section for Kontgon appli- ances, and a separate building also for npothecories. Hitherto the larg- est Uennan hospital was that iit Rppendorf, near Hamburg, with ac- conimotlatlon for 1,000 patients. Tho 8i-/.o of tho new Herlin hospital may bo host shown when compared with tho London Hospital, with "SO botls, and the Marylebono Inlirinnry. with 744. ing become lixed to a crevice of the trunk. Leicester hosiery manufacturers find that the couii>elition of Germany nnd America grows keener every month. Tho (Jernxms are able to produce hosiery at smaller co.«»t than 10ix:i!isli makers, and now the Ameri- cans are following in their wake. Methods of <lealin.g with tho wound- ed on British waTships havo been under con.si<leralion by a special conv- mitteo appointed by tho Admiralty. As a result the newer vessels are being lilted with lifts to work up and down the largo torpedo hatchos, v\rilh facilities for di.schargo between decks. you by moin force ond convey you as a lunatic out of harm's wo.v; that is to Huy. miles awa.v from Hanlloigh Court and the girl who resembles tho Do Vlncl picture. Cyril what good can come of this? I-'or all you know she moy bo oitgagod â€" perhaps marrieih" Cyril almost started, ond bit his Up. ".â- \t nny ratn she Is on o visit to an enrl. .She nmy be no end of a swell horsolt " "And I an> a nilsornble pninlor," broke in Cjril. "1 know. There is nothing you can sn.v that I havo not thought of, und yet I cannot go. Leave mo hero, Jock, for o few days ot least, I know It's niadnoss, but- well, knowing it won't cure it." "I unilerstnnd, old follow, that or- tistic noture of .vimp's has caught fire, PA^'EMRNT OF WIIALEUONE. A curious memento of thn whaling industry of Monterey, In Mexico, Tiy umins in tho pavement loading up from tho street to tho wost door of tho church of San Carlos do Uorro- moo. This is ono of tho churches founded by the Spanish missionary fathers, and is still in ovcollont re- pair. 'I'lio round. mUHbr«om-like ob- jects in tho pavenionl are tho verte- brae of tho groat nianunals. Tho pavement is in good condition and seems to woar well. SULTANS KITCHEN. Tho private kitchen of the Sultan of Turkey is a veritable fortrew, consistinj; of a small chamber »Jt- uatod to the right of the great c.«- trance, und is guardeit by barrcti windows and au armor-plated door. Tho cook olllciates un<ler the ever- watchful eye of tho kelordjhi bachi, one of the most weighty functionar- ies in Yildiz Palace at Constantino- ple, for tho health, tho very life, eve* of tho ruler is at his mercy. When cooked, each dish is fastened with rod wax, bearing tho otlicial seal of tho kalardjht, ond remains hermetically clo.sed until tho seals aro broken in the Sultan's own pr»> soncc. His Majesty's life la passed in a long series of eloborato pre« cautions. However, in splto of the care ho takes of his houlth. Abdul Hamid, otter a reign of twenty-ftv» years, looks prematurely old and broken. His weakness Is sxtrome and his body so thin that it is littU more than a skeleton. HRU HUSINRSS. "Whnl liii.sine.ss is Miss (laddie In?" "O! she's in overvbody business." "Ah! Wholesale, eh?" "Ves, except when it eonics t* a scandal. Sho retails that." KNtH.lSH STATUUE. Statistics havo rccontl.v been col- lected of tho height of 10,000 Eng- lish boy:< and men. At tho age ot Hoventoen these averaged 5ft. 8in,; at tho ago of twenty-two. 5ft. Olv At seventcxin thoy weighed 143 lbs.| at twont.y-two, loll lbs. No nation is iiicroosing in height and weight so rapidly as the Mritish. In fifty years tho overage hos gono up for tho whole notion from 5ft. 7iin. to 5ft. 81 in- The overage height of the Iin- tish vipppr clas.ieii at thirty years of ago is .Mt. 8iin.; of tho farm laborer, .5ft. 7 a-,-li. The criminal rl.iss brings down the average, yi thoit height is but Ofi & 4-51n. â- t i