PARDONED A ’IHRILLING CHRISTMAS STORY BY “JACK FROST." ACT THE SIXTH. Bertram Dene was anxious about Myrtle'e misty now that the Duke had taken the ï¬eld against him again, for well he gueeeed m†9°" Beeky P‘ide 1’“ Wthhwmth° for he erosived his interlocutor spoke place of Myrtle. ' T!†"m" 9â€â€ h‘d 1°†F‘l'l‘" 11â€" said he would not have flattered himself. almost by stealth, so fearful was Dene lest anyou should track them. .B" “d 1°“ w°rd With a†h°“'°.kâ€p" 5° father had met with an accident and was discharge the servants and to remain herself waking be, coming. as caretaker. He took a chalet in the Alps far from thel tracks of tourists, and meant to remain there till his innocence could be proved. Society had turned its back upon him. An dent," lb, replied, mum“, iscaptd convict enacting the role of a mil- ionaire and giving princely entertainments “namely. was undorbtedly amongst the latest of novel- ties, but it had its drawbacks. Myrtle was very beautiful and engaging, , . n and young men very impressionable. only fancy a noble lord waking up one morning} to find he had for a daughter-in-law the j daughter of an escaped convict l These considerations did but weigh as the dust in the balance, compared with the I safety of his daughter. Among the solitude of these snowy moun- . ; 5- 1 talus there was freedom from dancerâ€"time j c "V'ng “6 vs 186' to think and counterplot his implacable massage“ eyeing Molly with evident din, enemy. Molly Sprigglns was not in love with her new abode ; but she loved Myrtle, and to be near her was the chief thing. “ When are we going back to London, Alias Myrtle 2" she asked, it's getting near Christmas now. “asn't last Christ- mas jolly ?’ “ i see no chance of returning in time, .idolly ; why, child, it only wants a week to Christmas.†“ Give me Englishmen anyday btfore these furrln chaps ; why, they can't even isbber to you." “That's not their fault,“ laughed Myrtle ; I " you ought t: learn their language, and i then you’d find them nice people enough." " Catch me wastin’ my time," snapped Molly ; “ one chap took off his but the other day, and laughed in my face.†“Ila mount to be polite," laughed Myrtle. "‘ i paid him off," snorted Molly; “I gave him a “ wunner on the head with my umbrellaâ€"be ought to understand English after that.†“I'm afraid you miss your old home, Molly?" “It isn’; that, Miss Myrtle. ' I'm happy enough where you are. It's not being able to cantinue that’s breaking my heart.†“ Are you going to leave me, Molly?" filyrflo asked in surprise. “Me, miss? Catch me." "But you said you couldn’t continue." “Lurks, miss, you don't see how the cat jumps. 1 mean to be continued next week. .l'vo got up to, ob, such a lovely part in the tale l'm reading; where the bold, bad, one- syed brigand runs away with a real prin- cess; and the bottle unssd sea serpent puts tall round a mountain, meaning, of course, to topple it over; and now I can‘t continue â€"-â€"ii’s too bad. " srtram Dme entered at this moment equipped for hunting, and kissed Myrtle lenderly. “Do stay at home, papa." she pleaded. “Why, dear Myrtle? You need have no anxiety about me, darling; l’m suitor here by for than in England." “I can’t give you aroason; but I’ve had had dreams lately." “ Your digestion is out of orderâ€"you must take more exercise, my pet. Good day. dear, l'm off. l'vo secured the services of experienced guide, and hope to bring home can ojlul'ge game.†Sac kissed him and watched him while he remained In sight,full oi a presentimeut oi wining evil. No such fears occupied the breast of Bertram Dane, Whose nerves had I Duke of Brittany lListenâ€"“To Mons, gathered strength among these mountainous lastncsses. So far as he was personally concerned, he dii not regret the change from England. 110 had heard from his old friend Pierre 'l'.-rlon, who was sanguine that before a week had elapsed he would rscoive tho fsxr‘n pardon for a crime he had never committed. in nmi some excellent sport, and Wis resting in a but high up the mountain while the guide prepared luncheon. Full of dreams of coming happiness when truce more he could look the world in the lion, and Myrtle Would no longer bear the ban of havtog a convict father, he closed his eyes. Btfnrn he was aware of it he found him- _ soil bound with a strong rope from behind. Then, throwing himself upon him, the guide tide his legs rightly together, and Bertram has lay helpless. L‘What is the meaning of this outrage. would you murder me? ’ “No, Bertram Dane,†said the duke, tak- Ihg cï¬ his slouched hat and false beard and whiskers. “ I won’t murder you ; cold and me) will kill you. This mountain is not It sly to be visited by sportsmen." “Fiend, devil, release me, and let me right the matter out with you, man to man." “A likely thing i†the duke sneered. “No, Bertram Done, convict, regiolde; kwould be too great an honour to do you in cross swords with you." “If Iescapc yen shall smart for this,’ cried Dane, beside himself with impotent 2n . Elf you do i" laughed his enemy. “D; you know what I intent doing when I have here! ’ “ Nothing honourable." "list your daughter, Myrtle Dane, into my power. I hope you bade her good-bye this morning, for you will never see her again.†“Have you no pity, no mercy for your own sister‘s child . "No, it is because the bore her that I am what 1 am. i. will crush you and your brood 300." “Heaven can pro: at herâ€"I escaped after Insulcrnycars' torture." "Yrs, oaly to die here, to leave your maxilla bODPS to bleach upon the Alps. £ood-bys. New to ï¬nish my vc :geance." lie hi: the miunble man struggling vainly to frnchimsclf from his cords, seek- ‘mg Ii: riven's aid one mom-int, blaspilezxzing Ilfsflext~lcl1 there to dis, “their: hype, with the knowledge that Myrtle would men "As in the pzwc-r of his implacable cucnly. Btrfathcr had been absent only three time," he replied, in answnr to her father‘s j anxious inquiry. " I left her at the chalet." “ Let us hasten there at once." Dsne said, in alarm; " the data is villain enough to make a fresh attempt during our absence." "You my safely trust her to the keep- ing oi Molly, ' Erie replied, with a smile. "No one could gain an entrance easily to hours when a man mounted on a mule rode the chalet while she guards it,“ up to the chalet. “ What did I tell you i ' laughed Erie, "Well, you ugly~looking baboon. who are on reaching the chalet. “ Look at the pre- you a-grinning at l" Molly demanded. parations Molly has made for standing a “Myrtle Dene.’ He said nothing more, siege." Molly was at one of the windows which commanded the approach to the house, with three rifles by her side, four pistols, and a couple of swords, besides several heavy logs of wmd. She readily admitted the party. however, and then Myrtld. joy was complete, for her father and lover were with her. Great, good news was in store for Ber- tram Dane next morning. A latter arrived from Pierre Verion, its contents as folln-v- :â€" “llsas OLs FrilE‘D â€"R j‘llce, you are a free man a: last «your innocence has been fully proved. I am too old travel to the Alps with too (2 .’s n‘rdon; but will meet you on Cnriszmas Ere at Fairla-Wu House, whither you cm return at once. You have nothing to fee. -â€"the papers in every clvilisel c iuhtry will soon ring with an account of your martyrdom. your innocence. Kiss sweet M vrrle for menâ€"Yours ever uevo-‘edly, Plexus. ’ O:dcrs Wcro given to pack up and be 05 at once. M illv was delighted, and danced and sang to her heart's content at the immediate preanect of getting back to London in time for Christmas Day. Myrtle‘s heart was full of delicious jiy, for the stain which had been removed irom her father’s life left her at liberty to wed her handsome lover, Erie Peyton. They arrived in London early on the morn- ing of Cnristmas Eve, and Molly nearly lost the train for Richmond by going in search of her continuations, “Tee Bold. Bad, One- E7ed Brigaud " and “The Bottle Nosed Fiery Sea-Serpent.†Cnristmastido again; the chimneys of Fairlawn House cave signs of the house being once more inhabited. Some of the old servants were back â€" among them “James, ’ Molly's handsome footman. A proud, happy look was on Bartram Dana’s face, as he sat in his library complet- ing his diary. The task brought back to him thoughts of poor Becky Pride, who was resting in Bramp- ton Cemetery. “Ah mo l" he sighed, “my secret has not cost only me dear, but her, toâ€"with all her faults she was true to me and mine, at the last.†Servants were busy putting up holly and mistletoe, and other Christmas decorations, when Myrtle entered, a sprig of mistletoe in her pretty white hand, on which she wore an engagement ringâ€"Erie's gift. t Holding the mystic berries over his head, the said, saucily : “I'm going to anticipate Christmas, papa, and‘kiss you, you dear old darling." “What if i. resist ‘2" he asked, laughing, a wealth of tender love and siflction in his eyes. “That would be treason, sir, ' she replied, and forthwith gave him sweet innocent kiss- er, each one straight from the heart. “Papa, ’ she said, presently. “Yes, you audacious puss ; what fresh toll do you want to ex “)0 from your doting old ' father ‘2" ‘:Dotiug, yes ; old, no,†she replied, fond- ly, caressing his hair, as she leaut lovingly on his shoulder. “I wart you to give me a cheque for ï¬fty pounds.†“To buy gewgaws, eh i†he laughed, as he opened a drawer and took out his cheque- book. “No, papa ; to present it as a thank- offering to the poor through our worthy Vicar." “I’ll make it a hundred, my darlingâ€"- rhore, run away ; you're a good girlâ€"I hear Erie's voice." She blushed, and tripped away as lightly as a fawn, to run right into her lover’s arms, who at once snatched the sprig of mistletoe from hnr, and made her pay love‘s toll. AT LAST. only Eng iah. Had he understood what she Myrtle, hearing hrr name, came out, and there learnt from the messenger that her “ Where on earth are you going to, Miss Myrtle 2" Molly asked, when she told her to pack a talise for her. "To my father; he has met with an acci- †I’m coming, too, of course," Molly said, " No, no; you can remain and get things ready for him against I return. Molly " “My name isn't Molly Spriggius if I let u go with that ctr-throat chap alone. \Vhy, he’s the ‘xact pictur' of the Bold, Bad, One-E zed Btigsnd. Where you go I won't be far off." Myrtle was tin wretched to argue the question with her, and presently [DH piir came down ready for the jmrney, Molly “ The mule can carry one only,†said the favour. “What’s that he says, Miss Myrtle?’ Molly asked, tightening her hold on the formidable umbrella. “That the mule will only carry one." “What a fool he must be,†Molly snorted. “Does he think I take it for a homlibus that carries inside and outside? He will have to walk ; so will I.†The follow would have remonstrated, but Molly‘s resolute face deterred him. S) the j urney commenced in silence, Molly walking in the rear of the guide, but close to him, to keep a wary eve upon him. “There's some mischief here,†thought the astute maid. My opinion is that master’s enemy has found him out, and is up to larks. ’ After a lapse of two hours they reached a station, little better than a hut,in the valley, from whence the train could be seen. Myrtle, whosc beauty caused the male passengers to look at her with admiration, was hurrying after the messenger. who was carrying her valise, with Molly coming up behind. when she heard a gentleman say, Witt outstretched handsâ€"- Why, its Myrtle Dane l†“Eris! Oh, I am so glad," she cried, and the next instant was folded in his arms, while the messenger stood aside, an evil look in his eyes. “Where is your father, Myrtle '2" Erie asked. “ He went out shooting this morning. and met with an accident. I am going to him.†“ Howâ€"surely not by that train? I’ve just arrived by it‘; it is express from here until it reaches the French frontier. Myrtle, if you go I must accompany you. There is something very strange in all this. Is that your guide 2†looking in the fellow's direc- tiou. “ Yes, dear Erieâ€"oh 1 how glad I am you are here; it may be treachery.†“ Where are you taking this lady to, fol- low? Erie asked, sharply. R .ising his hat politely, he answeredâ€"- "To her father, monsieur." A paper fluttered to the ground when he rai.ed his hat, and Molly, who had come up and Was listening to the conversation be- tween the lovors. darted forward and picked it up, while the guide uttered a smothered malediction. Molly handed the paper to Erie, who glanced at its contents, and said, excited- ] _. y“ Myrtle, you have barely escaped falling into the hands of you father’s enemyâ€"the Dupon,â€"â€"Tako care of Myrtle Dana, and re- ward the messenger with a hundred francs. I shall be with you Boomâ€"BRITTANY.’ " Molly heard all this, and, gathering its import, made for the guide, snatched the valin from him, and save him a "wunner’ with her umbrella, sayingâ€" “You natty, frog eating ,vlllain, got out, or I’ll pulverise you i†Perceiving‘ihic game was up. the fellow took to his heels, pursued by Molly, shout- in â€" 5‘ Srnp, thief 1 Stop the Bold, Bad, One- eyorl Brigand l" The train was just steaming away, when the fellow opened the door of a carriage, and scrambled in. 15.15 not before Molly. raising her umbrella with both bands, brought it down on his back with all her might, sending him flit on the fl ior like a flounder. Heads were popped out of every carriage, and quite a chorus of cheers and laughter greeted Molly, who stood shaking her um- brella threatcningly, while the train remain- ed in si ht. Luck ly, Erie was able to obtain three mules and the services of a guide, to con. vey them back to tho chalet. Molly, despite the anxiety which oppres- sed the heart of her young mistress and Erie Peyton, caused no small amount of merrimcnt by getting off her "moke," as she called it, whenever the road took a sharp angle round a precipice. The poor guide had no slnscure, for he had to help her to mount and dismount, and Molly was no light weight. The chalet Was reached at last, and it was discovered that Bertram Dene had not returned. " I) he cry, darling," Brio said, tenderly; “ I will ï¬nd himâ€"a hunter can be easily . I tnced_he h“ gone further among the until the time comes for you to confront mountains than he intended, that is all." ‘ him†I romanticsâ€"real shockersâ€"warranted equal to any eclectric machine ever invented. “You‘ll turn your head, Molly,†said Myrtle, with gentle reproof. “Oh i Miss Myrtle, it'slovely ; you should just read about what the four-eyed Amaz an be troubled With the nightmare, on Christ- mas Eve especially.†“She slowed a whole harmy with lightning from two of her eyes, and Watched the larks of another harmy with the other two; fancy. pets, and descand from the heights of imagination to things mundane, much to her regret. But she consoled herself with the thought of making up for lost time on the marrow. ' ’Twas late when Pierre Verlon arrived, bringing with him the szr’s pardon. How he was welcomed by father and daughter need not be statedâ€"to him they mainly owad their present happiness. Dinner was over, and Eric Peyton and Myrtle were playing a game of billiards, both making many flakes. for they were paying more attention to flirting than the game, when Bertram Dene and Pierre Ver- lon entered, both looking much excited. “Myrtle, Erie," Mr. Dane said; "come with me, my children; you shall soon bear and see what manner of man my enemy, the Duke of Brittany, is. He is at the door. Pierre, hide behind the curtain, Luckflyi the guide who accompanied He placed Myrtle and Erie in his study, them from the station know the neighbour milling the secret do“ landï¬llâ€), ppm“ ,, hood well, and being promised a handsome Show the gsntlemm mt hera’ Curticai L, ' a V ' revvard,ccnsentcd to go in search of Bartram “film "3 a“ 331‘3‘6‘1 “we: , 1,,“ ‘ 'Hsvo you come ht-re to insult me only . 5,1,, took the precauï¬on of muting a Havcacare: cont good me too far. I am a large ii iii: of brandy in his pocket, as well {F89 m“ in England Where “Ch men as you us some bum,“ and sandwiche, il ii themselves impotent to work any harm. ,. . , g , I am innocent of crime, and you know it." ’5' din; 0} {mini-'3’ they 3°“ 0,“ ,the “353k “ All England shall ring With the name of 0‘ mo mums mau' and on arny'ng 3: we the convict, the regicide, the man who, to m" found mm wand and mama‘m‘“ gain my sister's fortune, has foisted upon lirle Peyton's anxiety and alarm was in- society a glrlho calls his_daughter. Where tonesâ€"«3: ï¬rst hothought Bertram Dene was is the new? " deadâ€"murdercd. Rushing cut. Myrtle confronted him with A mil" 5330337, howev", 1'05‘01'05 him to l‘. nailizgcyes, and :1 face grantlin its holy pas- .consciousness, and then he told Eric 05 tile j gins, gaging- duke a treachery. “titre I am, ready to defend my father's , "Myrtle is all: ; I met her only its: in . honour with my life 2" s I inspector tried to wrest the revolver from Molly, when Myrtle sought her, was i found stowed away in her bedroom, devour- , ing the back numbers of her favorite horror,5t,icken by this tragedy’abody or did.†"No, thank you, M Jlly. I don’t want to | My! wouldn’t I like to be like her, just i†If you follow Jack Frost, he will show Molly had to tear herself away from her \yeu and take you down into fair Kano- For years she had supported herself by \her industry, when, 10! one Yuletide the The duke started back in blank dismay upended freely, some in Canadian costume. when he saw her, and his discomforture was There Was plenty to eat and drink for all, heightened when Erie Payton stepped for- and aleoprisss for successful competitors. ward. and taking Myrtle by the hand. saidâ€" “ Father, this lady, the daughter of soon- and the viot, as you style him, is my afï¬anced wife ; you are my father, though. till now, I never knew you were D no of Brittany.†“Degenerate boy, unhand her. feet I curse you i" cried the duke ; "he betrayed my sister, and is a low criminal." “Duke, you liel' said moo: "your sister was lawfully married to me and if there is a criminal present it is you. No son of You" shall wed child of mine. My rile, leave him, and come to me. ' “Father ;" cried Erie, "don‘t destroy the happiness of two human beings. I love Myrtle, my cousin ; if you have wronged her father, plead for f orgivenesaâ€"he is too noble to refuse it. And you. sir (turning to D he). be just, and do not visit the faults of my father on my head. ' "Bifcre either of those appealed to mild answer Inspector Urquhart entered, followed by Martha Skinner. Martha Skinner, on seeing the duke, whose face was of a l'svid palinr, pointed at him‘and screamedâ€" “That‘s the man that brought all the trouble on my poor Jack ; he gave him money to do it, curse him. I bid, as long as I could, but they cotcbed me at last.†All eyes were turned on the duke, who Laid,'hoarsely, his passion almost choking im: “I did employ Rthat woman's husband to help me to get possession of my niece, to take her back with mo.to France, so that she might escape from the contaminating in- flurpiuos of her father who is a convict, a gaol- bi . ’ Linking her father's arm in hers, Myrtle said, proudly : "I would rather be the daughter convict-father, than the niece of a cruel man like you." “An escaped convict? ’ cried the iusp “\V'oere from 2†“From Siberia,†said Dene, quietly. “Good luck to you, air, 1 say," replied the inspector. “I‘here's many an innocent man sent there. and ii I am a judge of faces you were one of them.†. At this moment Pierre Verlou came from concealment, and ‘ handing Bertram the C2 u’s pardon and an autograph letter, paid’: “Duke of B:ittauy, these give you the :e. “Isn’t he to be punished?†screamed M irtha Skinner. ‘ “Can the rich tempt the poor to commit crime and then skulk out of it? Inspector, take him in charge; hand- cnï¬â€˜ him! D iu’t let him escapeâ€"don‘t l" She become so violent that she had to be rammed from the room by the police. “I must take you in charge, sir, on your own confession of having incited Skinner to unlawfully abduct one of Her Maj asty’s subjects,†said the inspector, placing his hand on the duke’s shoulder. "To you I owe this,†be biased, glaring at Dane with all the savagery of a tiger brought to bay ; “ you have wrecked the happiness of my sister and ruined mine !’ “ Let Heaven and the world judge between us. You, for twenty-one weary years, have persecuted, punished me for having tempted your sisuer to contract a misazlimncc. Yet you have been guilty of the same thingâ€" perhaps worse, for while your sister could hear my name, on which no stain has ever fallen, your son perhaps cannot inherit your title l†said Done, with all the earnest force of a judge addressing a prisoner. “ ’Tis false ; at my death my son will be Dike of Brittany,†he retorted, savagely ; “but sooner than he should wed your daughter I would kill him with my own hand.†. Stepping back a few press the duke drew a revolver, and before he could be checked, ï¬red at Dene. Erie Peyton, who was standing close to his uncle, seeing his father's intention, threw himself in the way and fell bathed in blood. “Unhappy man, you have slain your own son 1’ Done cried, horror-stricken, while the the in mine, for by this time the duke was nothing else. 1 .Buu‘i ,heiwas, possessed of the strength of a dozen men, and shook the police officer off as if he were a rat. Anotller‘ report, aud',;Charles, Duke of Brittany, fell dead, sluinlby his -,_own hand. At this moment, when all "present were waits in the grounds struck up. “When Angels Watched their Flocks by Night.†EPILOGUE. Two years have passed, and once more Christmas Eve has come with its wonted aides-de-oampâ€"frost and snow. Many changes have taken place in the world ; but Jack Frost remained, as ever, winter's king. But how has it fared with the parsonages of this eventful storyâ€" the record of many Christmases? one of the gardens of Merrie old England. Dane purchased a large estate in Kent, and settled there with his daughter anu â€"yesâ€"his wife, What wife! Surely he could not be guilty of treason to the memory of the wo- man who had braved ever thing for his sakeâ€"a brother's wrath, an , to a certain extent social degradation 1 No ; Bertram Dene was leal and true and the woman he called wife was his ï¬rst love, Marie, the mother of Myrtle. Her brother had obtained a forged cer- tificate of her death to mislead Bartram Dane, and had put her away in a convent. By this be satisï¬ed his vengeance on the convict, then toiling in Siberian mines, and obtained possession of his sister's enormous fortune. But Marie, like her husband, hungered to see her child, and almost concurrently with his escape she managed to leave her convent primn. 'Twas the who had called at Rocky Head in search of Myrtleâ€"only to ï¬nd her gone. newspapers were ï¬lled with the account of the tragedy at Fairlawn House. This culled her to her husband and child, and thus the happy reunion and consumma- tion. She recovered the fortune her late brother had dispossessed her of ; his successor did no: oppose her claim. The anes were beginning to throw off guests retired chesrinv 1r host and hostess to the echo, and wk ’ 3 them and theirs “ A Merry Christmaa’f The family were assembled in the drawing- room, chatting about the recent tournament, when Molly, looking more saucy and plump thauever, c imam-nu whispered something in Myrtle‘s little pink ear, causing her face to pale and flush alternately. Presently Myrtle stole out and was soon folded to her true love's heart. “Eric, is is rash of you to come here," she said softly ; “you know how bitter my father is against our marringe." ‘° Yes, to my coat. I often regret that I had not died on that fatal Christmas Eve." She placed her small wnlte hand on his lips, and saidâ€" “ Erie, for shameâ€"you know that if you had died I could no: have survived you." “ On, my love, think of my misery exiled from you. and plead for me. I once stood between your rather and death." “ Yes, and you saved my life, dear Erie; and also delivered me again when I was in peril-dear papa must have perished on the mountain side but for you. I wish the angel of mercy would touch his heart to- night.†"Amen to that! Let me plead my own cause with him. This is Christmas Eve, when all but those whose hearts are adamant, freely forgive and forget injuries. DJ not seek to turn me from my purpose, darling." “Heaven forbid I should," she said, earn- estly. “I roll you what I will do, dear Erie. I will sing 'Hark the Herald Ar gels Sing.‘ He is very fond of that carol; you can steal in, and perhaps he will relent; dear mother will second your pleading, I know." "He kissed her passionately, and let her go, breathing a silent prayer to Heaven for the success of his own mission. Soon Myrilo‘s pure soprano voice was heard singing her father’s favourite carol. Erie, Duke of Brittany stole in at the door noiselcs-ly, and ere Bertram Dene was aware of it. knelt at his feet. “U solo, on this holy Christmas E vs, let me plead with you for my poor, unhappy father’s forgiveness. Do not bslle those bie'ssed words dear Myrtle is singing-â€" ‘Pouce on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners roconciled.’ Do not couzlnue to visit my father's sins on me, his unhappy sonâ€"give mo Myrtle for my wife, or slay ms at your feet.†While he pleaded Myrtle continued to sing the carol softly, until her tender rendering of it became not a hymn, but a prayer. “ Bertram, dear husband, remember how Heaven has blessed you, and that one day we must all plead for mercy before that G:cat White Throne," said his wife, with solemn earnestness. Myrtle stole softly from the piano, and, nestling her cheek against her father's, said :â€" “ Rimsmbcrl but for Eric I should not have a father now, or you a daughter. How desolate mainma would have been thou." “ Ede, my brave lad, I always loved you as n. souâ€"do how,†Bertram Dane said. “ Against you personally I have no enmity, and, indeed, I have learnt to think forgiv- ingiy of your so appy father; but .i’m loth to bring a curse upon you and Myrtle by joining your hands. Runember how bitter your father was in life.†"lies; but he has gone where he seed things in a purer, clearer light. His sic broke my poor mother‘s heart ; if you discars me from your heart and homeI shall b doubly orphaned." “What say you, dear Wife 2" Bertram Dane asked earnestly. "Give our daughter to him, with all my heart, Bartram 1†“And you, dear Myrtle, will you risk all for love’s sake 1†“Yes, dear father; for no curse has over yet followed true loveâ€"’twas love that bridged over earth and heaven. Yes, I am willing to become Ecle‘s wife." "I am answered, and am content.†Then joining their hands together, he asked Heaven’s blessing rn them, to which Marie, who had suffered so much, said “Amen 1" At this moment Pierre Verion walked in, saying, “A Merry Christmas 1" dear friends, "And a Happy New Your l" Jack Frost, echoing those words, bids his readers "Farewell." [me use] At its close Caristmas carols gang, A CAPTlVI-J WHITE GIRL. Taken by the “luckiest Indians In a null! Into the [Tailed Strict. A correspondent of the Lon ion Graphic who accompanied Lord and Lady Stanley on their trip across the continent, writes to that newspaper that the Blackfoot lndiaus under the fam inn Crowfoot perhaps retain more of their original character than any of the other tribes. A grand reception was accorded to Lord and Lady Stanley. Lady Alice Stan- ley and Miss Lystor braved the possibility of being tomshawked by taking naclï¬c chats with photographic cameras at a‘,war dance by one of the most bellicose of the tribe. He adds : “ A captive of one of the chiefs of the Blackfoot is a little white girl about 9 years old. She was brought into camp on a pony, dressed in rich bead-work vostments, w ich iii became her fair hair and little white face. Full of intelligence, she eat to be sketched and photographed. I only hope that publicity will be the means of this child being handed over to people of her own color, thoughshe is treated with every care and great emotion, I btlieve, by her captors. The fate which awaits her when she is a few years older is sad to contemplate. I was told by a good authority that she h.d been captured during a raid in United S sates territory, in which her father, an tflioer, was killed.†Interesting to Parents. . Mr. Rabt. Liidlaw, of the Oztswa Free Press, says: Our babe was so choked up she could hardly breathe. In fact at one time we feared that she would choke to death. Respiration became more dillizult every minute, for which we could get no relief by the usual remedies formerly used. l Having a bottle of Nasal Ba'm in the house the gloom of that fatal Christmas Eve, and ‘ my wife suggested trying it, and in twenty on this partirrlnr festival had thrown open their spacious grounds, with its immineo sheet of ornamon’al water, I)! a grand skating tournament. Rich and p :or were free to come, and re- minutcs from the first application the child was sleeping and breathit‘g easily, and in twontyfour hours not a sign of the trouble rcm..iued. It is an inValuablc remedy for children as well as grown people. _ . .. umfltihé‘wrm‘ .,.r . .n y“..- I. A, A