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ONLY A MONTH; OR, A CURIOUS MYSTERY EXPLAINED. -J CHAPTER VIII.-<Cont'd.) "Not at all. I shall take a walk before going to the office. I tell you what, Sigrid, you shall come with me and got a new English story at Hi-.ver's, to cheer you in Frithiof's absence. What was the novel some one- told you gave the best descrip- tion of English home life?" "'Wives and Daughters,'" said Sigrid. "Well, let us get it, then, and afterward we will take a turn abovo Walkcndorf's Tower, and see if there is any sign of our vessels from Iceland." "You heard good news of them last month, did you not?" asked Sigrid. "No definite news, but every- thing was very hopeful. They sent word by the steamer to Gr"uiton, and telegraphed from there to on- station in Oifjord." "What did they say?" "That as yet there had been no catch of herrings, but that every- thing was most promising, as plenty of whales were seen every ilay at the mouth of the fjord. Oh, I uai perfectly satisfied. I have had no anxiety about the expedition sinoe then." So father and daughter set out together. Beyer's shop had fai- cinations for them both ; she l ; ns;er- xl long in the neighborhood of "the Taudiintz shelves, while Herr Faick discussed the news with some one behind the counter, and admired the pictures temptingly displa/ed. "Look here, Sigrid!" he exclaim- ed. "Did you ever see a prettier little water-color than that? Ber gin in winter, from the harbor What is the price of it f A hun dred kroner? I must really have it. It shall be a present to you in memory of our walk." Sigrid was delighted with the pic- ture. They walked away together, planning where it should hang at borne, and saying how it was just the sort of thing Frithiof would like. "It is quite a pity we did not see it when he was away in Germany, V would have liked to have it when be- was suffering from heiraweh," \i<] 8igrid. "Well, all that sort of thing is over for him, I hope," said Herr Falck. "No need that he should be away from Bergen any more, except now and then for a holiday. And if ever you marry a foreigner, Sig- rid, you will be able to take Bergen with yo'.i as a consolation." They made their way up to a lit- tle wooded hill above the fortress, which commanded a wide and beau- tiful view. "Ah!" cried Herr Falck. "Look there, Rigrid ! Look, look .' there is surely a vessel coming." Khc gazed out seaward. "You have better eyes than I Lave, father. Whereabouts? Oh, yes, now I see, ever so far away. Do you think it i- one of yours?" "I can't tell yet," said Herr Falck ; and glancing at him the saw that he was in an agony of impati- ence, and that the old, troubled look had come back to his face. Again the nameless fear which had seized her in the summer took possession of her. "Yes. yes," cried Herr Falck at length, "I am almost sure it is one of our Oifjord vessels. Yes; I am certain it is the 'Solid.' Now the groat question ie this ; is she loaded or only ballasted?" "I think she is rather low in the water, father, don't you?" "I hope so; I hope o," eaid Herr Falck. The ship was drawing nearer and nearer, and every moment Sigrid realized more that it wai not ai he had first hoped. She glanced apprehensively at her father. "I can't bear this any longer, Sigrid," he exclaimed. "We will do down to Tydskebryggen, and take a boat and row out to her." They hurried away, speaking nev- er a word. As they threaded their way through the busy harbor, she b<>gan to feel a little more cheer- ful. "We must hope for the best," said Herr Falck. Just as they nearod the "Solid" the anchor dropped. "You had better wait here," eaid Herr Falck, "while I go on board. I'll not keep you long, dear." Nevertheless, anxious waiting al- ways does seem long, and Sigrid, spite of her sealskin jacket, shiver- ed as she sat in the little boat. When her father rejoined her, her worst fears were realized. He nei- ther looked at her nor spoke to her, but, just giving a word of di- rection to the boatman, sat down in his place with folded arms and bent head. She knew instantly that some terrible disaster must have happen- ed, but she did not dare to ask what it was, she just sat still listen- ing to the monotonous stroke of the oars, and with an uneasy wonder in her mind as to what would happen next. They were nearing the shore, and at last her father spoke. "Pay the man, Sigrid," he said, and with an unsteady hand he gave her his purse. They walked away together in the direction of the of- fice. "You must not be too anxious, dear child," he said. "I will ex- plain all to you this evening, have had a heavy lose." "But, little father, you look so ill," pleaded Sigrid. "Must you in- deed go to the office? Why not come home and rest?" "Rest?" said Herr Falck, dream- ily. "Rest? Not, not just yet- not just yet. Send the carriage for me this afternoon, and say nothing about it to any one ; I'll explain it to you later on." So the father and daughter part- ed, and Sigrid went home to bear as best she could her day of sus- pense. Herr Falck returned later on, looking very ill and complain- ing of headache. She persuaded him to lie down in his study, and would not ask him the question which was trembling on her lips. But in the evening he spoke to her. "You are a good child, Sigrid, a good child," he said, caressing her hand. "And now you must hear all, though I would give much to keep it from you. The IceJand ex pedition haK failed, dear; the ves- sels have come back empty." "Docs it mean such a very great loss to you, father?" she asWd. "I will explain to you." he said more eagerly ; "I should like you to understand how it has come about. For some time trade has been very bad, and last year and the year be- fore I had some heavy losses con- nected with the Lofoten part of the business." He seemed to take almost a plea- sure in giving her all sorts of de- tails which she could not half un- derstand ; she heard in a confused way of the three steamers sent to Nordland in the summer with emp- ty barrels and salt for the herrings ; ohe heard about buying at the Bourse of Bergen large quantities, so that Herr Falck had ten thou- sand barrels at a time, and had been obliged to realize them at ruinous prices. "You do not understand all this, my Sigrid," he said, smiling at her puzzled face. "Well, I'll tell you the rest more simply. Things were looking as bad as possible, and when in the summer I heard that Hau- gesund had caught thousands of barrels of herrings in the fjords of WOULD KNOW HIM ANYWHERE. Visitor "And so this is little Willie, whom I haven't seen inco the night he was born. But I'd know you anywhere, my dear, bj vour voice." Judge. Iceland, I made np my mind to try the Bame plan, and to stake all on that last throw. I chartered sail- ing vessels, hired hands, bought nets, and the expedition set off ; I knew that if it came back with full barrels I should be a rich man, and that if it failed, there was no help for it ; my business nhist go to piec- eg." Sigrid gave a little cry. "You will be bankrupt !" she exclaimed. "Oh, surely not that, father not that!" "There is yet one hope," said Herr Falck. "If the rumor I heard in the summer is false, and if I can still keep the connection with Mor- gans, that guarantees me 7,200 kroner a year, in that case T have no doubt we could avoid open bank- ruptcy." "But how?" said Sigrid. ' don't understarta." "The Morgans would never keep me as their agent if I were declared a bankrupt, and, to avoid that, I think my creditors would accept as payment the outcome of all my pro- perty, and would give me what we call voluntary agreement; it is a form of winding up a failing con cern which is very often employed. They would be the gainers in the long run, because of course they would not allow me to keep my 7,- 200 kroner untouched, so in any case, my child, I have brought you to poverty." He covered his face with his hands. Sigrid put her arm about him, kissing his hair, his hands, his forehead. "I do not mind poverty, little fa- ther; I mind only that you are so troubled," she said. "And surely, surely they will not take the agency from you after all these years ! Oh, poverty will be nothing, if only we can keep from disgrace if only others need not be dragged down too!" They were interrupted by a tap at the door, and Swanhild stole in, making the pretty little courtesy without which no well-bred Nor- wegian child enters or leaves a room. "Mayn't I come and say good- night to you, little father?" ehe asked. "I got on ever so well at school, just as you said, after our merry breakfast." The sight of the child's unconsci- ous happiness was more than he could endure ; he closed his eyes that she might not see the scalding tears which filled them. "How dreadfully ill father looks,'' said Swanhild, uneasily. "His head is very bad," said Sig- rid. "Kiss him, dear, and then run to bed." But Herr Falck roused himself. "I too will go up," he said. "Bed is the best place, eh, Swan- hild? God bless you, little one; good-night. What, are you going to be my walking-stick?" And thus, steadying himself by the child, he went up to his room. At breakfast the next morning he was in his place as usual, but he seemed very poorly. About eleven o'clock there was a ring at the door-bell ; the servant brought in a telegram for Herr Falck. A sort of wild hope seized her that it might be from Frithiof. He rose from the sofa as she entered. "I am better, Sigrid," he said. "I think I could go to the office. Ah ! a telegram for met" "It has come this minute," she said, watching him as he sat down before his desk. "How extravagant that boy is I" she thought to herself. "Why, it wuld have been enough if he had just put 'All right.' " Then a sudden cry broke from her, for her father had bowed his head on his desk like a man who ia overwhelmed. "Father, father !" she cried, "oh I what is the matter?" For a minute or two he neither spokr nor moved. At last, with an effort, he raised himself. He looked up at her with a face of ftxed de- spair, with eyes whoso anguish wrung her heart. "Sigrid," he said, in a voice un- like his own, "they have taken th agency from me. I am bankrupt !" She put her hand in his, too much stunned to speak. "Poor children !" he moaned. "Ah! my God! my God! Why" The sentence was never ended. He fell heavily forward ; whether he was dead or only fainting she could not tell. She rushed to the door calling for help, and the servants came hurry- ing to the study. They helped to move their master to the sofa, and Sigrid found a sort of comfort in the assurances of her old nurse that it was nothing but a paralytic seiz- ure, that he would soon revive. "I will send Olga for the doctor," she said, breathlessly. "Ay, and for your uncle, too," said the nurse. "He's your own mother's brother, and ought to be here." "Perhaps," said Sigrid, hesitat- ingly. "Yes, Olga, go to Herr Qronvold's house and just tell them of my father's illness. But first for the doctor as quick as you can." Thus they waited till the doctor came. He was an old friend, ami Sigrid felt almost at rest when she had told him all ho wanted to know as to tho beginning of the attack and the cause. (To bo continued.) AT A COORHRESEITATIOR A SOCIETY LADT DESCRIBES THE CEREMONY. now It Was Conducted in the Lat- ter Days of Queen Victoria's Reign. A visit to a relative who was busy with preparations for the forth- coming Court to which she is com- manded, reminded me vividly of my early impressions of a Drawing Room. I first made my bow to Royalty during the latter days of Queen Vic- toria's reign, when Courts were held at the unbecoming hour of three o'clock. On my first appearance at Court I dressed very simply in a white sa- tin gown and train, and wore no jewels. I had the advantage of the private entry. The fortunate few entitled to this privilege are mem- bers of the Corps Diplomatique, foreigners of distinction and mem- bers of the Household. They have the right to drive into the courtyard by a separate en- trance reserved exclusively for their benefit, ami, once inside the Palace, they meet in a room ad- joining the Throne Room, where all crush is avoided, and pass first the Royal presence, while their less for- tunate friends wait their turn be- hind a roped-off barrier. MY FRIEND THE PAGE. Judging from personal experi- ence, if a girl has any natural grace she had far better trust to that to carry her successfully through the ordeal of presentation than to take lessons from one of the many pro- fessors of deportment, who adver- tise their ability to instruct in mat- ters of Court etiquette. A little relat.ve of mine, aged fourteen, who was acting as Page of Honor to ijueen Victoria at the time, st. i <!.i>< erect behind her Majesty, an 1 ' led encouragingly at me as I curtseyed, and I could scarcely refrain from laughing, as we had so often reheareed this scene in private. My little friend the Page fully ap- preciated the importance of his position, as his attendance at Court, for which he received as do the four Pages-in-Waiting 230 a year, entitled him to a whole day's leave from school on the State occasions to which be was com- manded. formerly a post of Page of Hon- or meant a nomination to one of the regiments of Guards, then a costly affair. In the present day bhis dis- tinction is given to the sone of par- ents personally known to the King and Queen, at a stipend of 230 a year, and no other privilege is granted. A boy's duty ends when he attains the age of sixteen and a half years, and he is free to choose his own profession. Presentation at Court in the days of Queen Victoria generally con- cluded by five o'clock in the after- noon, when the debutante and her mother returned home to receive friends and show off their finery. WHAT A STATE BALL IB LIKE. A command to a State ball follow- ed my presentation at Court, and to this I looked forward with the greatest pleasure. When the great night arrived, I dressed myself with more than customary care, and, when my toilette was complete, left homo to call for my mother, who was dining out, and accompany her to Buckingham Palace. The ball begins at eleven o'clock, but guests arrive before that hour IHjj Refined to absolute 'purity sealed tight and protected from any possible contamination Extra Granulated Sugar in this new 5-Pound Package is the cleanset, purest sugar you can buy. Each Package contains 5 full pounds of sugar. Ask your Grocer for it. Canada Sugar etaing Co. Limited. 10 /EXTRA; , . / TM* CANADA '" RRerimiksC Good Meals at Cami The boys at Camp Comfort are using the same stove that they had last year. It was the best they could get. It was a .tore Oil Cool His year tkey fot a New Perfection Oven Abo a New Perfection Toaster Abo a New Perfection Broiler "Gee, what a difference in the meals a good stove makes," said one of the boy*. So ther called thev shack " Camp ComJo.t." And they will tea their mothers and wives about the stove, too. For the New Perfectioa Oil Cook-Bore is as convenient for the home as for the camp. It will bakv. broil, road and toart as well as a tegular coal range. The New Perfection Stove I* twawMacly imfed i. idal. win ..biaci top. <W aUm, iwcl rocla, etc. 1 <> chauicrt. enam- eled Ufoxoiie-blat. Mde wwhl,2of3bure. All deaUn. FmCoot-BMk Wllh CVCT7 Ufrrt- Cook- Book U |l vr a 10 aafl 5 Mali to cover THE IMPERIAL OIL COMPANY, Limited Wiaoipe*. Montreal, St John. Halifax and Qqn City DivUion, Toronto and stand in line to watch the Royal procession enter the ball-room, pre- ceded by the Gold Stick, who walks backwards. To be invited and dance in a Royal quadrille is considered a much-cov- eted honor, but to me it was a doubtful pleasure, as, although I did not disgrace myself, my whole thoughts were so busily employed in remembering my steps, and in endeavoring to copy others, that I had no time to enjoy myself or con- verse with my partner. The latter, I think, mast hare found me a dull companion, for, a> soon as the dance wan over he hur- ried off to my mother, in whoie charge he left me. At one o'clock supper is served in one of the magnificent apartmenti adjoining the long corridor. Supper over, the Royal hosts re- tire in procession as they came, and the guests leisurely take their do- parturc. London Answers. SB COUPON CANADA CEMENT COMPANY LIMITED Herald Building, Montreal Please tend me full particular! of the 1912 FarmciV Prize Conteit, and a free copy of your book "What the Farmer Can Do With Concrete." Name Aiklresi., Willjyou te one of ftie 1O8 feomers who* will receive our Prize jSpnfest checks? THERE will be twelve cash prizes in each of the nine provinces (108 in all) in the 1912 Prize Contest for Canadian Farmers. The 1911 Contest was so successful in awak- ening interest in the use ol Concrete on the farm, that a second contest, in which three times as many prizes are offered, was decided upon for this year. Th Contest this year is divided into three claes. "A," "B" and "C," and there will be four priies in each cLui. (Fint priie, $50; Second prixe, $25; Thud prize, $15; Fourth priie, $10.) Thus there are three $50 Priies. three $25 Ptuei, three $15 prixes, and three $10 Priies, for axu* pitvtnct, DESCRIPTION OF CLASSES In Each Class there will be First, Second, Third and Fourth Prixes ($50, $25, $15, and $10) for Each Province. CLASS "A" Prlzei to be iwitocj lo Ike (mil Niaxn ID eack ptmlan wko ne aMat < .d- ' Ccauol on lk>lt liran In Ikt rev 1911 CLASS "" film lo ke iwrt< lo Ike lour hnaen la eatk frotlica wko MiU fkote- iriph. ol tke tal nnirin uotk eoae wltk "CtaUe" Cement ea tkaer IM la 1*11 CLASS "C" Fttaet lobe iwuiM to Ike felt lowera la eatk ptofian wko (tail la Ike ketl oVim><u>a, telllm kew ur alece al coaoeai work wu <ooe whk i .,1." Ceaual. (latileo l iii. pti M an ke icoNapaaM k? akow- maki or ike work. ) Don't think that you roust use a Urge quantity of cement in order to win a priie. The quantity of cement used does not count in Classes ' 4 B' * and "C. " Many of but year's prise winners used very little cement. When you enter the Contest, you have a chance to win cash priie of $50 as well as the certainty that you will add a pirmantnt mfroromtni to your farm. If you haven't a copy, be sure and ask for our book, "What the Farmer Can Do With Concrete." It will not only suncst many improvements that you can use in entering the Contest, but wia tell you all about the use of concrete on the farm. JXHI r IN row uaie .n J uUtra on Ike r.c K r J coaeon. ot e Mttl cud. U4 we will Miul lull r*TH. w), ol tke Priao CooMI ul> copy ol Wkatlke PIIBKI Cu Do Wllk Caneiela" to ;e kwlMelr free. Addr.ia Publicity Manager Canada Cement Company Umltwd 3005 Herald Bid* - - Montreal . CtMMT <