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I o o o o o , o o ‘ £0 0.. 0.09.00.0‘ $0.90!... t.«.u.0 0.0 0.06.09; 0.0 0.00.. .0 9.9 0:. 2 , 0’ to 9 o o o 0 10:9 0.0 6’. 0 o . . o 0.9 _ .9. .O. ‘ . O o . A .0. ' . O 800’. 0‘0 o’oo’o 0‘0 o‘nznzo I. 9’. o‘o o’oo’u’o o’oo‘u'oa'ufi 9.. 0:. gently insinuatcd a couple of large envelopes and one small one by the «side of my plate. fatter with avidity. knew codid wait. We. cheque. vmmmvy‘v'vvvvv-vv . is my shoulder. inn meant luck.” 'ly. "Bring me some more 'little -'uns' as soon as you like."_ hev'ry mornin.” seems ter grip me ’ere,” ed, laying her. dressedyerself back to yer an' sees exclaimed, touched by her kindly in- terest. back rather frequently lately,ha.ven’t gentlemen, who treat me so ungra- OO 06 Fun-.- CD -_-‘ l‘. C?!) a. _ 01:: :: ;. CD 93 q C13 3 0 0"... .0000... Adelinaâ€"the slatternly maid-ofâ€"allâ€" work -â€"â€" sidled up to my table and I pounced on the The others I Eagerly tearing it open I. disclosed “Hooray!” exclaimed the girl, over “I thort that little “Luck it is, Adelina," I cried gaiâ€" bring yer one Somethink allus she returnâ€" hand on her breast, “when I brings them wot yer've adâ€" “I wish I could trer lice." “You’re a good sort, Adelina,” I “They have been coming But never mind, the tide will they? Some day, my girl, ,these turn. ciously will beg me to write for them, and thenâ€"I won’t forget my friends. Now, what’s the. best news this morning? ’ ' 1 “Well, the front sittin’ room's bin took,” she replied, brushing the tousled hair from her forehead. "A lydy an' a little 'un come and en- giged yesterd’y. Yer could see in a hit as she were a lydy, and no error, but Mother Grabbit mide her stump up a week in advarncc. ‘No never- p'y writin’ gents fer me,’ ses she. 'Mister topâ€"floor-back’ll 'ave ter clean ’is pretty slick, or there’ll ,be another ticket in the winder.’ I thort yer’d like ter know.” “It’s very kind of you,‘ Adelina. Give my respects to Mrs. Grabbit, and request her to send me the change out of this." Adelina disappeared, flourishing the cheque in her grimy fingers, and after demolishing my frugal breakâ€" fast I took up my fountain pen and concentrated my attention on the morning's work. The day before a local bootmaker had given me a commission to pre- pare him a. trade-bringing leaflet, and the accepted “copy” meant a new pair of badlyâ€"needed boots. To such expedients had necessity brought me. If luck held good, the afternoon might bring a, new hat. The field of literature was wide, and the day that I had dreamed of when I might command my price was long delayed. In the meantime the desire to live was still strong within me, and such hackâ€"workâ€"distasteful as it wasâ€"and the rare acceptances of my legitimate journalistic “copy,” kept me out of the gutter. Some day I should reap the reward of my perâ€" sis-tent striving. My novel was even then approaching completion. But the present vital question Was how to provide the next meal. The production of satisfactory copy for that shoemaker proved a. matter more difficult than I anticipated. The usual stereotyped platitudes would not pass with my up-toâ€"date patron. Telling argument, condensed in a. series of Convincing phrases which had never been advanced before, Was his stipulation, and after spoiling several sheets of good paper it struck me that the subject, like my own footwear, had already been painfully worn. Stuffing the few last shreds from my pouch into my briar, I lay back and endeavored to gather inâ€" spiration from the curling smoke. Absorbed in the evolution or a new idea that unexpectedly came to me, I did not notice that my door had been pushed open a little way, and I was brought back to my surroundings by a gentle whisper: “Halloa, man; how’s ’00?” Dropping my feet hastily from the table I turned and gazed in the di- rection from which the small voice had come, and my first expression of annoyance at being disturbed gave Way to an involuntary smile. There, in the doorway, appeared a smiling little face crowned with an aureole of golden curls. As my eyes lingered on the pleas- ing picture some chord of memory was touched within me, and I star- ed, spellbound. incapable of uttering a single word. The little apparition arched her head roguishly on one side, and after favoring my sanc~ tum with a critical survey toddled inside and proceeded to gather up the scattered sheets with which I had strewed the floor and replace them neatly ,on the table edge. “You's untidy, I'se afraid,” she reproved me. “My mammy told me never to leave fings lying about, but to always put them back in their proper places." I felt properly re- buked. “I beg your pardon, young lady,” I stammered, lamely. “You , see, I didn’t expect company." She placed her hand confidingly on mine and looked up into my serious face. “What’s your name?" she lisped. “Jack,” I returned. “What's yours?" "I'm Nellie.” she replied; We’ve come to you knowâ€"down- “Manmia’s Nellie. live here now. stairs." - “It’s very nice of you to call, Nellie,” I said, taking her on my knee. “You must often come and see me; will you?” “Oh, yes," she returned, readily. “Will you tell me a story? Mamma often does, you know." story at a moment’s notice! percritical , maker; and :was pleased to express, . approval of _ ’00," she said, decidedly.‘ go now; buth shall come again to hear about the wicked 'ogre.” ed her lips for a kiss, and toddled to the she cried. feet on the stairs had died aWay I sat sucking at my empty pipe and staring vacantly at the ceiling. and something expression conjured up the memory of days long past. _ shabby room, and in its stead floated before me the sweet face of a. wo- man-Nellieâ€"my bride that was to beâ€"the woman whom, through my own madness for. ever. memory of that mad night when I had blindly, recklessly thrown away all my hope of future happiness came back to torture meâ€"the card-strewn room, misty with smoke and rocking with the fumes of wine; Jim Dens‘on. my professed contemptuous; the men about the ta- ble, egging me on to ruinâ€"“Another hand, old change! less staking, " the blurred cards, the passing 0f pa- per, and Denson’s mocking laugh -â€" heavens! my ears still! announcement that I Was his debtor to the tune of seven hundred; the display of his hand; the confession that he was my rival; his threat to ruin me if the money Was not forthâ€" coming as I realized I had my paroxysm of madness; the look of hate on his face as he crept from the room after I had struck him to the floorâ€" swept rapidly through my brain, as if displayed before my gaze by the maSic of some mental cinemato- denly to cease and unconsciously I graph. And then the picture faded, gripped her shoulder. and the pipe drOpped from my “Tell me,” I whispered, fearfully. mouth. A ruined gambler, I had not “What has happened?" dared to face her. Broken and “She come up ter see yer this ashamed, I had, buried myself in this sordid quarter of the great haunts, name, I had lived the eternity of years away. formed me lost had become Denson's wife. but Heaven knOWS I had suffered for my folly. - this little child bring up again the bitter past? tion of her sweet, innocent face Set my heart that I had thought long dead, and bring the eyes? such idle regret. pening of seven The Present was all-pressing. Again I took up my pen and applied self to the working out of the idea. Presently it was finished, and I went forth to submit it to my benefactor. “The past is dead,”-I soliloquized, as I strode “The future only lives.” ed the little maid Would come again. of many, and as the days went by gradually little Nellie twined herself round my lonely heart until I lockâ€" ed for her coming father looks to the kiss of greeting from the When she failed to come, which Was but rarely, the day seemed black and the future never more hopeless. The precious moments when she sat on my knee, her little face wrapt with wonder at the her, lifted me out of the depths and stimulated me to renewed effort. 0fâ€" tentimes after found myself singing for very glad- ness, wonder at my changed disposition. and one day when I was more than fermition in my nat’ral. glum as a ondertiker’s happrcntice; returned, smiling. mother, sir, novel and, buoyed up with sanguine hopes oilits acceptance, sent it forth to" the publishers. ~.A fortnight drag- ‘ged by, and then one .morning came arbrief- note' requesting me to call upon them. ‘ " “‘5’, . " The curt communication nixed me with misgiving,_ and yetâ€"â€"â€"-. Eager to know the . bes-tor the'iii‘orst, I proceeded to the office. As if in a dream, I caught the far-away mum- ble of the spectacled old gentleman who gripped my hand: “Our reader ‘reports _.favorably upon your-work,' sir; we shall be pleased to arrange termsâ€"3f , . l ., .The room swam, before my eyes. Dazed and half incredulous, I feund myself once more in the street. The struggling and privation were‘over! The future was assured. “"Involuntarily a snatch of song burst from my lips. The people turned and stared after me. Why were they all so sober-faced and glum‘? Surely the World was good. Life was worth the living. Like a man possessed I tore back to my lodging. I wanted to acquaint my little girl with the grand n'eWs.‘ Breathlessly I raced upstairs and summoned Adelina. She came, and I sprang toward her with'the intent to seize her hands. .. “Adelina!” I cried; and the the words died on my lips as I noted her appearance. Her grimy face Was whitened with streaks caused by the tears that had trickled from her eyes. And even as I gazed at her in silent astonishment she raised her apron to her eye and commenced to sob anew as if her heart was breakâ€" ing. “Come, my girl," I murmured, consolingly. “What's the trouble? I Want everybody to be glad this morning. Fortune has come at last. Run down and tell Nellie Uncle Jack wants to see her.” I My cheery Words seemed but to add to her distress, and for some minutes I could get no‘ word from her. _ “Come, Adelina,” I cried, “tell me what’s gone wrong?” “The little ’un," she sobbed, brok- enly. “She's bin an' got ’urt. They thinkâ€" My heart's throbbing seemed sud- Here was a dilemma. Happily the maid was not so hy- as my-fricnd the bootâ€" ‘ ‘I like "I must my recital. With avbewitching smile she pursâ€" door. "I like ’00, Jack," “Good-bye." ‘ Long after the pitâ€"patsothers-little Nellie! The' old familiar name, in the little maid’s Gone was the and folly, I had lost Vivid, as if but , yesterday, the friend, smiling and man! the luck must Here, drink up;” the reck- the swimming room, I could hear it ringing in And in the morning the stunning immediately. My despair, been trapped; The events phantasmagoria of mornin’ jest arter you’d gorn,” she explained, hysterically. “I dunno wot mido 'er do it, but, childlike, she must try ter slide doWn the banâ€" istcr. The nex' ling we knew she wus lyin’ a little tWistcdâ€"up ’eap in the ’all.” I glared incredulously into herhuâ€" mid eyes. i - "Adelina, you are joking?” I cried, presently. "Why she was here as merry as a fairy but yesterday!” “It’s true, sir, ’evin ’elp me!" she faltered. “She's broken all ter pieces, the doctor scs. 'Er muvver is jest Wild. W’y should she ha’ bin marked out, fer this?” she went on, irrationally. “W’y couldn’t it ha’ bin me instid 0’ that blessed little angel?” "Adelina," I cried; “do you think ?” I dared not’ breathe my fears. “’Evin knows' ” she divining my thoughts: an’ see Wot I can do." “How obscured the brightness of my day seemed suddenly to have be- come. How all the glowing future faded away in the face of this unex- pected sorrow. Sick at heart, I dropped into my chair and gazed un- seeingly before me, thinking of all the glad moments her presence had brought me. Surely this tender little blossom should not be snatch- ed away by the rude hand of Death in all its budding Innocence! Hea- ven could not rob us of her sweet young life! For hours I sat there, a prey to blank despair, until I could sit no longer. I felt I must know how it was with her. My anxiety urged me towards the stairs. Almost unconâ€" sciously I found myself standing at the door of the room where she lay, knocking gently on the panel. A soft voice bade me enter, and I stole noiselessly within. . The mother Was leaning over the bed, her gaze fixed on the painâ€" drawn features of her child. As I stepped quietly towards herâ€"the worlds of apology for my intrusion on‘my lipsâ€"she turned, and I stop- {Jedâ€"struck dumb. “Jack?” she whispered, hall increâ€" dulously, her eyes dilated in sudden wonder. “Nell?” I cried, amazedly, and could say no more, for the woman who knelt before me'was she who was to have been my wife. Over the years my thoughts flew back, and my head dropped forward on to my breast. I could not meet her gaze. With her hand pressed to her breast she stared at me, her breath comâ€" ing quickly, and presently she fal- tered: "I thoughtâ€"you dead.” disappeared and city far from my old where, under an assumed Seven years ago the papers had in- that the'woman I had Ah, yes, I was a foolâ€"a craven: Why should the unexpected visit of Why did the recollecâ€" aâ€"throb with yearnings blinding mist into my Nellieâ€"pshaw! AWay with That was the hap- long years back! whispered, "I must go my- along the busy street. But I hop- That first visit was the precursor as eagerly as a lips of his loved child! marvels I Wove for she had left me I and would stop suddenly to Even Adelina noted the change, usually cheerful she broke out: "Well, I never did see sich a trans- W’y before that blessed kid come yer were as now yer goes on jes’ like a bloke 'oo’s lookin' forward to the ’appy d'y. Wot d’yer reckon’s tuk yer?” “It’s gaite do coeur, Adelina,” I “Um; it’s a pleasant sorter com- pl'int, any’ow," she remarked. “It is,” said I. “It’s a complaint that’s brought on through an inâ€" dulgence in spiritsâ€"good spirits, Adelina. Don’t look so suspicious.” “Yer never seen the little ’un’s ’avc yer?” she said. “No; of course yer wouldn’t. She’s workin' all the blessed d’y, and sel- dom leaves ’er room. She’s a lit- erary individual, too; but she ain’t like you. I think she must ’ave reg’lar job, cos ev’ry Thursday the postman’s sure to ’avc a letter for Miss Janette Moore. That's ’er nomyâ€"dyploom, yer know. Ever 'eerd on it?” “Yes; she does a weekly column for ‘The'Blzwkbird,’ ” I returned, in- bcd, and I dropped down and smoothed the golden tangle fr01n the child’s brow. “Forgive me,” I whispered, "but I could not rest upstairs. I wanted just to see how it was with Nell; she has grown very dear to me.” The shining eyes were opened Wide, terestedly. “Lucky Woman!" - , __ “Oh, I dunno,” said Adelina; "she firadfgcgvan smile crept over the pal don’t look particularly strong, I can “Unclé Jack 9: came "the whispen ten 3’9“ She's “’Orkin' 0" a book "Mummy this is dear old Uncle too, she told me the.other d’y. Jack” ’ We’ve got some clever lodgers at No. 11, an' don’t yer forgit it!" So the weeks of work were ticked off, relieved by the daily visits of my little Nellie, until the day dawn- ed when I wrote “Finis” to my A blinding mist obscured my vis- ion, and dazedly I turned and stumâ€" bled to the door. The mother rose and stayed me with her hand on my arm. _ "Jack," she falteredâ€"her eyes wet A quiet murmur came from the - little I with tearsâ€""I cannot let you go un- til you know; in. the first bitterness I was ready enough to believe man who ruined you, and he assurâ€" you had fled the country to save yourself from the‘ felon’s cell“ Before hesâ€"my husbandâ€"died he con- fessed the trick by which he forced you to.act as you did; I wanted, you to know I am sorryâ€"â€" With bOWed head I stood, asham- ed. "1 was a fool," I faltered; "I ed me have. been justly punished." And then her hand stole into mine, and quietlyshe said: stay and help ‘me bring the smiles back to our little darling’s face?" if if * * *- *- Sometimes when the busy writer is giving shape to his thoughts, at little golden-haired lassie clambers up on to his knee, and, twining her arms about his neck, laughineg cries: some more about the like you- ‘ ‘Tell me - wicked ogre, daddie, when I used to come to see you.” And daddie throws down his penâ€" if she isn’t 'coming now!,â€"-_ there, London Tit-:Bits. ' â€"â€"-â€"+â€"â€"- or SWEDEN’S KING.‘ Poet, Linguist, ed of all living est, however, the ordinary. ertheless, any. jects, botany. at all because One day unexpectedly, certain large examination list. “Very creditable, ditable," and badly in botany! many pupils, crestfallcn Majesty’s my pupils wrote yourself! ’ ’ sheets scorn in London,” will and courage. permanent I younger Pit .’ “Europe is of age 3 1-2 understands then, This subject, you know. count for the terrible failure of professor?” your Majesty,” humbly replied tutor, “I really don’t know how to account for the fail- ure. Knowing botany to be strong subject, I coached specially in this study, and the only book we used Was the book on botany you, your Majesty, ~â€"-â€"â€"+' PRAISE FOR CIâ€"IALIBERLAIN. Evidently some of the continental realize the blunder made in holding Mr. Chamberlain up to the of mankind for three years. “It is now fashionable, we believe, says the Temps, "to describe Mr. Chamberlain English statesman after the most ap- proved fashion of the twentieth cenâ€" tury. He has certainly proved His crushing ply~to Count von Buelow last Januâ€" ary left the German chancellor at a disadvantage, unwavering purpose with which has pursued his South African licy, refusing to be blufied from any quarter, recalls the tenacity of the CHILD’S DRESS. Simple little dresses with box-plaited backs and sailor collars are much in vogue for the little tots _of both sexes. To cut this dress for a child 4 yards of material 27 inches wide, 2 3-4 yards 32 inches wide, or 2 1-8 yards 44 inches wide will be required. “Won't you Theologian Is _King Oscar, and Modest Withal. The most learned and accomplish-,- monarchs is unâ€" doubtedly the King of Sweden, says the chople’s Friend. a. marvellous linguist, an able“theo- logian, a, charming poet, and-a fas- cinating conversationalist. Sblmod- is this learned 'monâ€" arch that he gets abSOlutely angry whenever he is told that he possesses - accomplishments and gifts far above Strange to say, nevâ€" there is one thing about him- I-Iis Majesty is which His Majesty’does pride self, about which he is not modest, and that is -’ his knowledge of botâ€" Now, be it understood, Oscar, learned as he is in most subâ€" nothing about His Majesty has, however, produced a small textâ€"book on. the subject, which only obtained notice it happened to written l_by a real live king. the deservedly popular Swedish monarch happened to visit, as was his wont, school in Stockholm, and after a few kind words with the head master, asked to see the latest After scanning the list carefully, King Oscar remarked: indeed; very cre- with a. sigh, “But I am indeed disappointed, pro- fessor, that the boys have done is my pet How do you acâ€" the *- (lid King ‘ 'Wcll, your be 8. SO SO the as an his re- and the he D0â€" The Pester Lloyd, which declared six months ago that Mr. Chamberâ€" lain had no more to lose, says : not now confronted by a sophistical rhetoricia‘n, but by the ablest man of affairs the age has known, intoxicated the world believed unattainable when this country began." with a success years STRONGER. AFTER. THE Wilts: BRITAIN EMERGES WITH; m. ‘ CREASED raEs'rIGE. .__.4 German Papers Confess 'England’s Influence on Continent Is ' Growing. Britain emerges from her greatest struggle since the days of the Na.- wars with enhanced pres tige and increased confidence in her own strength and resources, says a poleonic recent London letter. _ Continental Anglophobia is notI of course, extinct ; but its voice i: becoming fainter in the presence of accomplished facts. has had Though Britail (her teeth in South Afric! for three years, licy of sycophancy, has lost not a single corn tinental power has gained anything at her expense. One European state, oscillating bl! tWeen a policy of bluster and a po mucl that had beenlaboriously acquirei by co-operating with British states manship. If there be any isolation splendid or otherwise, in Europe to day, Germany and not Britain fur nishes the best exemplification.. I OPINION OF AUSTRIANS. In a masterly review of the situa tion the Fremdenblatt, often th! organ of the Austroâ€"Hungarian fo reign office, says :â€" “Even with her hands tied, Brit ain’s influence in the councils 0! Europe has never ceased to he of factual ' and now that her hand! are free, it will be dominant. C 011‘ trary to continental prophecy thre( v years ago, _ the Boer War has not brought home to the British peoplq a sense of helplessmess. It' has enx abled them to realize the extent of British might available in a case of emergency. They ‘know toâ€"day that the vast mines both men and money, to say no overwhelming navy. have scarcely been tapped. Britain is absolutely pean alliances. continent if she will." German opinion, thing of hopelessly opinions, Berliner .men end of gcnce is an of their treasure independent of Euro- She can isolate the where it is not biased by ministerial I recognizes Britain’s en- hanced prestige. Post, dinary faux pas. owe the strengthening of the entente with America, and to the latter the alliance with Japan. any point, Britain looms up larger than ever before." All the SHOWS BRITAIN’S POWER. "It is useless to deny,“ says the “that Britishstates- lost nothing, even when the success of the British arms was a matter of grave doubt. -For however, they must thank the Chin- ese diversion and Russia’s extraor- this, To the former they difference pendence and isolation is illustrated in the British attitude. Viewed from between inde While the the South African war is welcomed, because Great Britain will now be able to take a more active share in questions of purely Euro pean concern, her triumphant emer‘ . a cause of intense chagrin .in circles where hopes of a British alliance had been entertained. It is no secret, for man and Russian statesmen once he lievcd that England, if crippled ii the war, would listen more readil: to the plans for defensive economh the United States. action against instance, that Ger- which some continental powers con- template as the sole remedy for th( economic present Europe: Witlhout England’s conditions if AMERICA’S FOES. participation such a coalition would be limp on ough, and a German alliance has a marketable value, which will in- crease as the crisis on the contineu! becomes moters of more acute. the Anti-American tradt ‘combination England’s assured in dependence is picious. Whatever the future has in To the pro- anything but aus stort for Mr. Chamberlain, there is in: present ascendancy. disputing his The war was “Chamberlain’s war," say his enemies. that the conditions of peace are of his devising and dictation. One his critics said : “Would that the burgh’ers But both admit 0! - threu years ago might have foreseen the inevitable outcome Would that the lying journalism 0! which cared not a the continent,“ of the struggle. whit to humiliate England, had not placed the most ambitious and least scrupulous position where of the Dutch republics ! terms of peace Would say that the not have been easier and more hon- to the vanquished if the scapegoat had been Leyds instead of orable Chamberlain ?' ' incident ’of her statesmen in a his political exist- ence depended upon the annihilation Who shall _.__......+._~â€"â€"â€"- . KING AND .TIâ€"IE CONVICTS. A report of a specially interesting in connection with the King’s visit to Portland Pris-on has leaked out. So delighted was one of a party of convicts at the sight of His Majesty that, setting at dc« rules, he shouted, ‘ “Three cheers for the King.” The fiance all prison cheers were with given by the convicts great heartiness. His Majesty, who smilineg acknowledged this ‘sur- prising outburst of loyalty, consider- ately ordered of that each convict should have on the following Sunday course of “sweets” for dinner. in recognition there- a special This, which consisted of half a pound 0| pudding and two was duly served and wad much appreciated. . syrup. ...,...,..«..-. ">4 ounces of goldel .......4!.w,9....w 13Ai‘Auu‘fl‘auxfuanntmmmhi‘ih. “artwflw. ._s_~ff_ ,. ’ g l I l ‘ficv- .- .- râ€"f-~â€"â€"â€"_ “ -s-:â€"-Wm_~snv . - - M. .. s-v-C-r'a, _<_;,. . :' ._ ,.';m m." . -.a-.- - ~ awry- - - ""13. 4:6,; «.. . I