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CHAPTER XXVI. hfennwhilc, quite unaware of the troubles in which Vassalla was inâ€" volve l, Carmela was enjoying herself very much at Bellfield. She was in much better spirits than she had been previous, as her conversation with Fosâ€" ter and Ronald had relieved her mind of a great weight, and she had come to the conclusion that her sister was not guilty, in which case she would one ;stopping at Bellfield, was in ex- cellent spirits, and the influence of merry company, and was as gay and joyous as anyone prev cent. It being Bell’s birthday, they decid- ed to celebrate it with a picnic at Eedmcnham Abbey, and were all down at Hurley lock, embarking in the as he had dis’fiovei‘Jsip‘EymldWall doubt, that Miss Lester was if; love with him, and he was only waiting for a good opportunity to propose. A mer rier party was never on the river than the young people from Hurley. k And 'what a delightful morning it ‘rva-slo'n the river in this glowing July weather. They had no servants with them, as Sir Mark preferred full free- dom for once, and the young men rowed the boats quickly up, passing other gay parties on the way. Up the placid stream they went,past Lady Place, with it's quaint old roof and mellowâ€"tinted walls, under the nil-wooden bridge that springs 0. Thames; up through; the still ith the broad green meadows ‘ filled with quiet cattle, lies of the Ferry Hotel came in sight, and 1 shore. They found with young men in j. in ruins of the pine ibeck affair, and the only to be found in which stands at llhe back, near hays'tacks; but surely the F" building, with its ruined tower, over- i grown with ivy, quaint windows, L scribbled all over with names, and its lowâ€"roofed door, with the famous motâ€" , to, “Fay ce que voudrais,” are genâ€" i nine enough. , After they had explored the Abbey, Wm” ’ all the party strolled away inland to see! the lions of the locality. An oldâ€" fashioned street it is that leads 7 through the village of Modmenh'am, with the flintâ€"built houses on, either side, overgrown with ivy, add one can imagine, a cavalieiz, after the defeat of unlucky fes Stuart, spurring syd’ftly down the lonely road, in his wild flight for safety. . Char Then the church, with the square; Norman tower around which the rocks are always wheeling and cawing, castâ€" ing its mighty shadow over the green At this moment they heard a THE MYSTERIOUSCRIME - ' i not have to marry her cousin. Every-, so Carmela feltv "' ’-‘” momma, l.l’at was especially exuberant, l a the great i .._._.. ON THE 8.8. NEPTUNE , church stands the "Dog and Bldgfld‘,” is very old hostel, with mellowâ€"tinted i roofs and numerous gables, and with- ;in, lowâ€"ceilinged rooms with great ibeams overhead, and queer, twisted gstaircases, and unexpected cupboards } all over the house. , l Ah the back, high up on the hill. :a‘nd commanding a magnificent View of the Thames Valley, stands the istern-looking, old farm-house, said to have been mentioned in the Domesday { Book, and where Charles II. and pretâ€" ‘ty, witty Nell Gwynne are reported to have stayed for a night. Then, farâ€" ther on, the quiet little village of Humble-don, through which it is said Charles I. rode with a brilliant train of gallant cavaliers, on his way to meet his rebellious subjects, The whole neighborhood is full of antiquities and traditions, which - lend a peculiar charm to the place. \Vhen they grew weary of sightâ€" seeing, the whole party went down again to the river, and getting into the boats, rowed up the stream for a considerable distance, and ultimately decided to hold their picnic just beâ€" low Hambledon Look, with the pleas- ant murmur of the \Veir in their ears. Such a scene officonfusion, getting out the luncheonâ€"everyone seated round in attitudes graceful and otherâ€" wise, with the clatter of dishes, the popping of champagne corks, and a perfect Babel of voices. " This is jolly,”'said Pat, with his mouth full. "'I’m fond of Arcadian simplicity.” I " Especially when it‘s accompanied by champagne,” cried Bubbles, raising his glass to his lips. Begad you’re not slow in finding out what I mean,” said Ryan, laughâ€" dieg in boating ing, and filling his glass. “ Imitation’s the sincerest flattery,” ts memories ofi observed Miss Lester, gayly, trying to d the orgies they! cut up a. rather wiry chicken. "I beâ€" llieve this fowl was a pedestrian, his .at the“ preseth Abbey less are so touch.” “Try some of the breast,” said Sir genuine ruins of ol.d are liIiII‘k; “Ht even/t3, hasn’t the solitary pillar eight legs, like the birds you get on board ship." "That’s true enough,” cried Pat; “ everyone seems to get legs of fowls on boardâ€"perhaps they’re like Manx menâ€"got three legs‘." “ Or a hundred, like a centipcde,” ' said Bubbles. ‘ ‘Oh, this conversation is frivolous,” Said Put, raising his glass; "so I’ll propose a toast: 'to the health of Miss: Trevor, and many happy returns of the day.” This was, of course, drank by every- one with acclamation, and then the male portion of the company sang, "She’s a jolly good fellow,” rather inâ€" congruously, it must be confessed. "I wish Monteith was here,” said Pat, when this was done. , lCarmela staid nothing, but looked much, for in her secret heart, that is just what she had been wishing, wild grass, beneath which the quiet deadi whoop from the river, and saw a boat sleep soundly, as they have done for so- many hundred years. Opposite the Nervous As a result of much confinement within doors, and the consequent lack of fresh air and healthful exercise, most women not only lose much. in figure and complexion. but also suf- fer more or less from serious bodily . derangements. as the result of thin, watery blood and exhausted nervous system. I More than nine-tenths of the cases 'rectly due to a weakened condition of the nerves. and can be cured ._thoroughly and permanenin by lak- blood and revitalize the depleted ner- vous system. It takes time to build up the system anew, to fill the. shrivelled arteries with new, rich blood. restore tivitios of the bodily organs, but the perststent use of Dr. Chase's Nerve Food will accomplish these results and bring health and happiness to weak nervous and suffering women. Mrs. Chas. H. Jones, Pierceton, Qua, writesâ€"“For years I have great sufferer with my heart ‘ nerves. I would take shaking spclzs, “m*_twm I lilac an s a hosts at " of diseases peculiar to women are- di-I fling mild outdoor'exercise, breathingf plenty of pure, fresh air, and usrng, Dr. C‘hase's Nerve Food to form. new ; the , wasted. nerve cells and renew the ac- _ been ag and ‘ coming quickly up the stream, rowâ€" ed by a single man. llhlfll By Curing Their Peculiar Ills Dr. Chase's Nerve Food a Surprising Restorative “For Pale, Weak, Women. and a dizzy, swimming feeling would come over me. Night after night I woull never close my eyes, and my head would ache as though it would burst. At last I had to keep to my bed, and though my docth attended me from fall until spring, his medi- cine did not help me. I have now tak- en fine boxes of Dr. Chase’s Nerve Food, and it has done me more good than Ievcr believed a medicine could ' do. \Vords fail to express my grati- ' lude for the wonderful cure brought about by this treatment.” Mrs. Margaret Iron, Tower Hill, N. B., writes ;â€" 9 “Dr. Chase's Nerve Fool has done ,me a worlzl of good. I was so weak ‘ that Icoull not walk twice the length of the house. Sin-cc using Dr. Chase’s Nerve Food Ihave been completely re- : stored. Ican walk a mile without any inconvenience. Though 76 years old, and quite fleshy, Ido my own house- work, and considerable sewing, knit- ting and reading besides, Dr. Chase’s Nerve Fool has proved of inestimablc - value to me.’ Dr. Chase’s Nerve Food, 50cm. 2. box, at all dealers. or Edmanson. MBales d: (10., Toronto. “Gad,” cried Bulbbles, who had-the sharpest eyes of anyone, "it’s Monâ€" teitl; himself. Speak of the Devilâ€"â€""‘ " Hold your tongue,” said Pat, "don’t be personal." It was Ronald, looking happy and jolly in his flannels, quite a different being from the gloomy youth of the previous week. He soon brought hi: ligh-t little craft, to shore, and sprang can to the green tulrf, to be welcomed. "' My dear lad,” said Sir Mark, “I am’ delighted to see you, especially as your arrival is so unexpected.” “How did you find us out 2” asked Carmela, giving him her hand. “' Oh, easily enough,” replied Ronâ€" ald gayly, "I came down to Maidenâ€" head, drove over to Bellfield, and findâ€" ing’ it was deserted. learned from the servants where you were so here I am.” f‘IIurrah for that ” cried Pat ;. "is drink a curse ?” “Egad, I’m not sure. I’ll try, if you’ve no objection," said Ronald. \Vhereat, Mr. Ryan grinned, and handed his friend a glass and abut- tle, all to himself. The luncheon was resumed, and then the party began to break up into lit- tle groups. Pat, of course, going with Miss Lester, while Bell went under the wing of Bubbles, though shesecâ€" retly sighed for the society of Gerald Foster. e‘o, in a short time, Ronald found himself alone with Carmela, whose eyes turned on him, with eager expectation. “\Vell,” she asked, “ is there anyâ€" thing new ?” "Ye-s; I’ve seen your sister.” "And she is innocent?” “ Yes, and moreover, has told us who committed the crime.” Carmela was startled. ' " Does she know who did it 'l” " She says 50. Your cousin l” “ What, Matteo ’4" rising to her feet. |"Oh, impossible 1" “Of course that’s what he says, al- so," said Ronald, shrugging his shoul- ders; “‘ but your sister accused him, and he has been arrested.” “\Vill they hang him ’4’” " If they prove him guilty, no doubt; but first, they must prove the case.” "‘I cannot believe it of my cousin, he had no motive.” ‘ ‘IvIrs'. Verscnoyle says he hadâ€"that he- was in love with her.” "Yes,. he was, seven years ago,” not without a certain feminine spite, to kill poor Leopold Vers‘choyle now. Maltese gentlemen don’t avenge themâ€" selves in such a cowardly way." " \VeLl, Vassalla says he can prove his innocence,but there’s one thing to be said, the whole secret of Ver- schoyle's death lies between your sis- ter and Vassalzla.” “How on earth will it all end '5” said Carmela, in a bewildered tone; “but,” with a sudden thought, "if Vassalla is guilty, I am not bound to marry him now.” “Of course not,” said Ronald, taking one of iii-er hands, "I want you to marry me.” , She snatched her hand away. “' Holw Lian you talk so at such a time ‘3” she cried, her face flushing. "‘ Because I lolve you,” he replied, “ and I want to have the assurance from your lips that you love me.” " How can you marry the cousin of a, possible criminal?” - {‘1 don't care a bit about that; I want to marry you.” "\Vait till this affair is ended.” " Oh, I don’t mind that; Vassalla will be brought to his trial in a few weeks, and then it will be decided one way or another. But Carmela,” taking her hand once more, ” when it is! all over will you marry me 2’” [She paused simply: ‘ Yes.” Ronald took her in his arms kissed her. r~ u. CHAPTER XXVII. Of course it is not to be wondered at that the arrest of Vassalla made a great sensation. True, Vassalla was not'a very well known man; but then the strangeness of the case, which was reported with numerous embellish~ ments in all the papers, attracted evâ€" erybodyis notice, And then the way the crime had been brought home to him by the divorced wife of the dead manâ€"in fact, it was quite a. romance. The curious part of the whole case was) that Vassalla. obstinately refused to say anything in his own defence. and his persistent silence was takâ€" en as an acknowledgment of his guilt. lBut the Marchese only smiled grimly when spoken to, and said he could defend himself well enough when the time came, andvmoreover, would be in a position to punish Mrs. Vcr~ schovyle. As for that lady, she was quite the heroine of the hourâ€"not exactly in a , .5 “ but that would not have induced him, moment, then said,, and? l l l inasmuch as it enabled him to bring complimentary sense, perhapsâ€"but evâ€" erybody wanted to see a woman with such an exciting history, who had .livorced her husband, and then accus- ed her cons-in of being his murderer. Plenty of papers wanted to interview her, but she declined to allow herself to: be seen, and generally sat at home in a quiet, private hotel, off the Strand, where she exultc-d over the downfall of Va‘ssalla. ' “He wouldn’t marry me,” she said to herself, vindictively; “ well, we‘ll see how he likes being in prison for murder.” Carmela. came up to- town and had an interview with her, in which Mrs. Verschoyle, lost her temper, as usual. “ He wanted to marry youâ€"~he wanted, to marry you,” she hissed reâ€" peatcdly. “ I couldn’t help that,” retorted Car- mela, angrily; “I certainly did not want to marry him, and would never have. become engaged to him if it had not been to save you.” . “ Hal but to save me from the galâ€" lows I supposeâ€"bah l I do not believe it! he would have accused me of the murder of my husband, the Maltese dog; but he shall die for itâ€"â€"yes, he shall “ Are you sure he committed thisâ€" this crime ’4” said Carmela, hesitatingâ€" 1y "Ye-3, I am sure. Did I not mectl him: coming out of the cabin on thati night; was the stiletto in the dcad‘ man’s breast not the one you gaveI him years ago? Am I sureâ€"bahl if he is: innocent, let him prove it.” There was nothing to be got out of Mrs. Verschoyle, who was simplyI mad with anger, and grew purple in the face, till Carmel-.1 thought she would break a bloodâ€"vessel. "You ought to be grateful to me," she said, furiously; “but for me you would have married Vassalla, then what of your Australian lover?” " You can leave my Australian lover out. of the question,” said Carmela with great spirit. " I am only waiting for. this unhappy affair to be settled, in order to marry him.” " Yes, do, do,” cried Mrs. Verschoyle, , “ and go with him to; Australia. Put1 the ocean between us. I never wish to! see your face again. If it had not been for you, my husband would have loved me.” " He did love you," said Carmela, " but your temper «drove him away.” At this Mrs. Verschorylce burst out into a storm. of anger; so, in order to put a stop to the scene, Carmela left the room and went back to the Langrham, where Sir hIark Trevor waited her. :"I don’t want to see my sister again,” she said, firmly, and. she nev- er did. Of course when the trial came on, the: court was crowded with the most noted people in London. anxious to see the end or” this strange case. li ended more dramatically than thought: it would. To be Continued. meanings;samuraikamikaze}... they 2,, L1,, in. RUBERTS' tillle SPEECH. GOD’S HAY-ID SEEN IN CONSOLI- DATION OF THE EMPIRE. Eiloqm‘n' Town by 'l'rz'zmlr H) Smtlm nls ilxgfirn 550:! the 2n» :11 'apo (‘03-:mauder-ln-Cluefâ€"A €2::lzu2.‘€">’- r'xmy. At the reception in honor of Lord Roberts, in Cape iTow'n the other day, when the British commander rose to respond after the presentation to him of the sword and casket, all preâ€" sent rose to their feet. cheering and waving handkerchiefs. The demonstraâ€" tion continued for sonic minutes. Al it.» conclusion Lord Roberts made an eloquent address. After expressing deep thanks for the honours accord- ed. him, he said the war in South Af- rica had a peculiar interest: for him, to what he hoped was successful conclusion the work entrusted to him twenty years agoâ€"that of dispelling, by force of arms, if necessary, thr- aspiratioms of the Boers to render themselves independent of Bi'iLiL-Li; control. Referring to his abortive visit to the Cape in 1881, he sai zâ€"“Thc wis- drnm of the world is foolishness with God. The; guiding hand of the Om- nipotent will bring out of what to our finite understanding was the moist unfortunate war of 1881, for that war could not have consolidated the whole British Empire as firmly together as this had done, because it was fought by regulars alone, where- 'd. as the present war was fought by the militia, the ycomanry and the volunteers, the admirable and work- manlike colonial contingents all fight- ing as brb'therssinâ€"arms under the dear old flag of our Queen ” ‘ ENGLAND FON "' In *" he held thevunique posit-101% Oti’wc first Field Marshal having the honor to command such an Imperial out- burst. He was convinced, he declared, that this spontaneous outburst of patriotism was not ephemeral. Eng- land had only to give. the signal and her son's would again flock to her ban- ner from the ends of the world. Never had a mother haul more reason to be proud of her sons than had England toâ€"day. God has brought them out of what in the dark days of December hia-cl appeared to them the valley of the shadow of death; and they could now remember the days of tribulation with deep gratitude for the mercy vouchsafed them. ' Lord Robert‘s then paid a deeply moving tribute of gratitude to all who worked with him. He added that his interest in South Africa would not cease on leaving its shores, but that he SilOllllll watch its settlement with the utmost eagerness. Dwelling upon the necessity for co~opcration between the Dutch and English, he said it would be his proudest boast if he could claim to have done nothing but what stress of war had compelled to hinder the , friendly fusion of the two races in the Republics. They must try to forgive and forget all that tended to bitter- nos-s of. feeling, leaving the idea that nothing: remained to be aton-ed for on either side. A GREAT HERITAGE. ” God has given into our hands,” said the Field Marshal, "a great heritage for which a heavy. price has been paid in the blood of the best and bravest; and, we must nolt be neglectful of the trust as We have been in. the'past, but must be able to give a good ac- count of our stelwazrdship. and must remember there are other duties than national glorification.” He declared he could not better con- elm-1e his speech than ’by quoting the . r-st verse of Kipling’s Recessional: Glad of our Fathers, known of old; Lord of our farâ€"flung battle line; Beneath whose a wfu'l hand we hold Dominion over palm and pine, LINE-(1 God bf HoHts be with us yet, Lest we forget, lest we forget.” DYSPEPSIA AND HEADACHE. .â€" An Elderly Lady Tells of Her Cure Through the Usenrur. wnuumw Pink l‘llls After A Scorn of Ozhcr Home-Mas Had Failed. Dyspepsia causes more genuine dis- tress than most diseases that afflict mankind. In this country from one cause or another, its victims are mun- berpd by the hundreds of thousands, and those afflicted always feel tired, worn out and miserable, and are sub- ,iect to fits of melancholy or ill tem- without apparent cause. It is obvious; that the human body, in orâ€" der to perform its. functions, must be properly nourished, and this cannot he done when the food is improperly digested. Those who suffer from in- digestion should exercise care as to and only easin digested foods Qhould be taken. But more than this is requiredâ€"the blood needs atten- tion in order that the stomach may be strengthened, and the secretion of the gastric juices properly carried on. There is no other medicine offered the public that will act so promptly and effectively as Dr. \Villiams’ Pink Pills. Probf of this is given in the case of Mrs. F. X. Doddridge, St. Sauveur, .Qu‘c. In conversation with a report- ;‘lrs. Doddridge said:â€"~"Fm‘ quite a number of years lhave been a ter. riblc sufferer from dyspepsia, accom- rauicd by the: sick headaches that al- most invariably come. with this trou- ble. I suffered from. terrible rains in the stomach, bloating and belching wind. All food scorned to disagree with imc, 21an as a result 0'": ‘the trouble, [was very much run down, and at times I unable to do even light housework. I am sure I tried a score of different medicines. but without success, and as I am (‘1') years of age, 1 had come to be- lieve. that it was hopeless to expect: a- cure. A friend who had used Dr, \Villia'ns’ Pink Pills with good re- sults, urged me to try this medicine, and my husband. brought home a couple 'of box-1‘s. Before they were finished, I! frâ€"lt much better, and we then got another half dozen boxes, 8.1)(1th’8‘9h‘179. completely restored my hv'aith, and: I not only feel better than I have done for years, but ac- tua. ly feel younger. I very cheerfully recommend Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills to similar sufferers. / If your draler does not keep these pills, they will be sent {barmaid at 56 cents a box. or six boxes for 82.50 by addressing the Dr '" Medicine 00., Bror“ rer diet. XVI.) S It