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_ ,/.-. w_»‘.-,-~.N»v.., . . _-,,A‘~.M,”Mw4/l, . . . ill low} "Two offers of marriage in one day! Well, which suitor is to receive the happy affirmative. Meta. f" The speaker, a middle-aged woman. regarded the girl before her with evid- ent admiration and affection. Meta Randall's fair face wore a per- plexed expression, and her sweet voice trembled as she replied.â€" "If I only knew. auntie !" To one less versed in the character of the girl than Mrs. Preston, the sincere regret in her tone would have been amâ€" ple assurance that neither coquetry nor vanity had induced such a reply. The elder lady observed her curious- ly for a moment and than said: “Since both men are handsome and equally eligible, you should trust on- tirely to your heart to decide." "But, auntie dear. my heart sheaps as favorably for one as the other. Henry and Philip have been my oom- rades, my cavaliers, from childhood. It would seem unnatural not to love them both. I feel that I could marry either to-morrow and never regret my choice. I am sure I love them equally. Was ever a poor girl in such a piti- able condition of uncertainty? Do choose my husband for me i" she en- treated. as she dropped upon a cushion at Mrs. Preston's feet. The aunt gently patted. the upon her lap. "It's a great responsibility. Meta, to place upon my shoulders. What if, after all, I should choose the wrong one? But I have a plan at least. How feasible it may prove. you are the one to determine." As Mrs. Preston unfolded her scheme Mcta’s drooping head was lifted; then smiles of delight chased each other ovâ€" er her features; and finally. as the head older woman finished speaking, she sprang to her feet. oxclaiming joy- ously: "Just the thing, you dear, original auntie! Now take this. and this. and this!” and laughing merrily, she kiss- ed her again an! again. “There, sweetheart, there! Better wait and learn the success of the plan.” said Mrs. Preston. "Those letters must be answered immediately." she added, pointing to the crumpled missiv’es on the floor. ‘ "Yes, indeed!" the girl replied, as she picked up the letters. “Oh, it’s too funny l" she added as she ran gay- lyv from this room. That evening. in response to the in- vitations she had sent to them, Henry Davis and l-‘hilipStanton called upon her. Mr. Davis arrived a few minutes later than Mr.Stanton. andalook of disappointment was plainly apparent upon the face of each at the unexpectâ€" ed presence of the other. Miss_ Ran- dall. however, was in the best of spirits and she talked gayly upon minor topics until a feeling of mutual friendship was apparently established between the men. Then, with womanly tact, she gravely introduced the subject which concerned them all. "Henryâ€"Philip," she began, "I have invited you here. not, indeed, to an- swer the question which both of you have so honored me by asking. but to make a proposition to you. You will think me an odd girl, perhaps, but at least you cannot reproach me for eith- er coquetry nor dishonesty when tell you that my answer holds a condition. hirst, 1 want to ask you one question: Have I ever, by word or look or action, signified to either that he was a favor- ite in my regard? In all the years of our friendship, have I ever manifested any affection for one that I have not as freely accorded to the other i" The flush which gradually suffused her face displayed the excitement her candor had provoked, and she drew a deep breath of relief as both men aim- ultaneously answered: "Never!" “‘l'hanks. Now listen to my frank admission. As far as l have been able to analyze my feelings 1 am sure 1 love you both equally. As 1 can ac- ccpt but one. the question must be de- cided for meâ€"hence the condition. If either or both refuse to accept it I must stipulate that our past harmon- ious relations be sustained without any future reference to the possibility of marriage with cithcr. And now the condition 1" "The condition l" both men quickly repeated. "I propose a bicycle race between us three. 1 am to have the precedence of one b10ck in starting. It is to be- a. three-mile race upon the macadamized road between this house and .Crystal Spring. The one who overtakes me be- fore or as we reach the spring will not not only be the winner of the race. but also of a wife. If you overtake me at the some time. you will draw lots to are who is the victor." The faces of the men were an odd ' expression. but they promptly exclaim- ed: "We agree." It was a beautiful May morning. good the picturesque road leading to Crystal Spring was on appropriate one for a race which must‘in any case of- ford o. romantic ending. alt was bor- dered with hedges and stately trees odorous with fodder buds and leaves. from among which busy little builders carolcd merry accompaniments to their nor-easing labor. The. novelty of this rare for a wife excited much plossmt comment from the group of friends and cyclists who had gathered in Mrs. Preston's. front yard. responsive to her invitation to watch the start of the trio and accom- pany them upon the race. It was just 10 o'clock when Meta Randall. neatly attired in a cycling suit of olive green with giinling silver trimming. passed out of the house and greeted her friends with a pleasant good morning A murmur of admiration rose from the feminine portion of the company as she stood for a brief second 'beside her wheel. Selfâ€"possessed but modest. in the cool green of her costume she ap- peared a. part of the natural picture which surrounded her. A bed of daf- fodils grew close to her feet. and she stooped and gathered a. bunch of the brave yellow blossoms and fastened them securely at her belt. Then with a merry laugh and a graceful toss of the head toward Davis and Stanton. at the quick ring of a bicycle bell. the sig- nal for starting. declining the profferâ€" ed assistance of the competitors she mounted her wheel and sped quickly down the road. She had nearly reached the first corner when, at a second sig- nal. the two men were away. A third ring. and the merry company mounted. following as rapidly as possible the two flying contestants. ."What a. glorious spin I” thought Meta, as the swift motion .sent the ex- ultant blood leaping through every artery. and every fiber of her body thrilled with the exuberant joy of living. 4 Easter and faster she flow along. un- til her efforts seemcd involuntary. To herself she seemed impalpable and en- dowed with a. freedom as perfect as the breeze which fanned her crimson check and tenderly lifted the curls about her face. So completely did nature’s influence enthrall her that no thought of the ride, its purpose, or the tWo men who were speeding so closely behind her. entered her mind until a shout inform- ed her of the fact that Davis was ahead of Stanton and rapidly gaining on her. Then, quicker than a flash of light, came that for which she had previously so longedâ€"the knowledge that one of these men was dearer to her than the other. Pure, tender and sweet, yet full of fear it came. causing a quick gaSping for breath and a deepening flush upon the cheeks as she realized that perhaps the knowledge came too late. and that if Harry Dav1s won the race the happiness of two lives must certainly be wrecked. ' With a. voiceless‘prayer more fervent than any she had ever breathed before. she redoubled her own efforts to reach the spring as she heard the gentle whizzing of a. wheel behind her. “Philip, Philip, Philipl” appealingly resounded through her brain like a human voice. 1n agony she clutched more firmly the handle bars. bent her body forward as she exerted every mus- cle to the uttermost. and pedaled with the greatest rapidity in her determina- tion to win the goal ahead of Davis. If she succeeded there was one more chance for Stanton to win by drawing lots. But the spring was just in sight, and now so near that she fancied she could hear the crystal water as it tinkled softly into its rocky basin. If Davis should win! “Oh. no! Not that 1” she whispered. She was trembling with excitement; a sudden mist clouded her sightâ€"a. rumbling in her ears partially deafen- ed her, whenâ€"oh, thank God, the goal was reached! Then there was a far off shout, the heavy breathing ofa man beside her, a gentle touch upon her arm, and next-â€" A sense of dizziness and the recollec- tion of falling from her whee! came to her as she opened her eyes and sawâ€"- not Davis, but Philip Stanton. bending over her with tender solicitude and uttering loving exclamations. THE TRIUMPH 0F TITUS. Scenes at the Siege and Capture ochrn- solenl. The total number of those who per- sisted in'the seige and capture of Jer- usalem is estimated by Josephus at 1,- 100,000 persons; 97,000 were taken cap- tive by the Romans. Of these, 700 of the finest and strongest were select- ed to grace the triumphal procession of Titus. The old and weak, who could not be used, the Romans had butch- ered in cold blood; those over seven- teen years of age were part of them sent into the Egyptian mines. part of them forced to appear in bat- tle with wild beasts and to be torn to pieces by them, or to fight as gladâ€" iators with one another to delight the eyes of the heathen populace.. . In Cacsarea Philippi alone, at the cele- bration of the birthday of Domitian, more than 2,500 Jews shed their blood in the arena. The males under sev- enteen ytcars of age. and the women were sold directly into slavery. Titus, with allhisprisoners. andnll his booty. marched to Rome, where he had a. brilliant triumph in the year 71 A.D.; the seared vessels of the temple were carried before the "Imperator" and Simon and John, for the first time shoulder to shoulder. were obliged to march before the chariot of the victor habitams' and a few isolated islands] his period. with the 70!! chosen captives. Simon. being the real leader. was first scourg- ed and then throttled at the stake. in _..._.__-___â€"_â€"â€". r§:\\\\\\\. l‘ a! y .1. fj.\\“ lil‘Elx‘llll W]; .lili lilullnil .ll’ . r y" ' 2/ ,, A SEA-SICK HORSE, ON BOARD U. S. TRANSPORT ARKANSAS. In common with man, the horse has much to hear of earthly suffering and woe, and perhaps the horse which is: taken off to war without so much as3 his leave being asked or his wishes? for one moment being consulted, sufâ€"l fers the most. Insufficient rations, dir-E ty water, obliged to sleep on the wet: ground. exposed to a plague of flies and verminâ€"all this has man's patient and willing four-footed friend to en- dure in company with his master. Should the unfortunate animal be tak- en to sea. he, too, will suffer from the indescribable ngonies of sea-sickness. which is itself a paragon of miseries compared to which toothache, colic. or neuralgia are but of small aocount. l‘he accompanying sketch of a horse on board the United States transport "Ar- kansas," while en route to Pucrto Rico suffering from the sea malady. will cause any one, especially one who has suffered, to wish the unhappy equine a quick passage, a safe landing and plenty of good forage at his journey‘s endâ€""St. James’ Budget." A'O TES A ND C 011! EVENT 5. Despite that nation's follies and wick- ednesses there is a tinge of pathos in the acknowledgment of the Madrid newspaper. the Liberal, that "Spain‘s mission in the New 'VVorld is complete- ly ended." The. close of a geographical and political connection which has last- ed for more than four ‘centuries is marked by the peace stipulation which I forces the Spanish troops to evacuatei Cuba and Porto Rico. From the hem-; isphere which Spain discovered, which: she colonized earlier than any otherj nation, and on which she once held] more territory than all the other coun- tries combined. the Spanish flag now vanishes. . The magnificent estate which Columbus gave to Isabella and Ferdinand, which the ‘great Charlesl thought was the most valuable part of' his world possessions, and which Phil-i ip, supposed he had bequeathed to his' people in perpetuity, gradually shrunk the Proper militllfe 0f vagueness and He has travelled widely and the last fragment of it Eaves spam] endeavored to see and think for himâ€" in- the mutations of the ages. and now; ish hands forever. Nowhere in the thousands of years, of recorded times does history furnish ’ have followed it, is the sum of his car- a more striking contrast than Spain’sf connection with the New World pre-5 sents. W'hen Philip II. ordered the ar-: rest; of Drake for his presumption ini sailing along the West Indies and theI greater part of North America which had been colonized by any nation be- longed to Spain, and the Pacific Ocean was a Spanish lake. In the year 1800 Spain’s territory stretched ‘from the southerly line of Oregon down to Cape Horn. She had the whole 6% the region , along the west side of the Mississippi! from the Chn'adian line to the Gulf! of Mexico, a. strip of territory north: of the gulf extending east from the; Mississippi, to and including Florida, and almost all of the continent south of that. line. Within the next quarter of a century she had lost all this im- mense domain except the Islands of Cuba and Port Rico which now drop from her hands. Part of it she was coerced into ceding to France; another part, under pressure, she gave to the United States; and ‘lhc rest of itâ€" Mexico. Chili, Peru, Colombia and other states of Central and South America “broke away from her and set up gov- ernment s for themselves. Alone of all the nations which have filled a large place in history Spain| is feebler to-day than she was when this century began. vOf the worldI empire which she had in Philip ll.'sl time, a very large part of which re-‘ mained down to the reign of Ferdin- and VH. nothing is now left outside of the peninsula, except. part of the Philippines. which she will probably! have to surrender. some territory in 5 Africa. which has only a handful of in-I in European waters and in the Paci’ fic. Nothing in the history of any na- nceordance with Roman custom; John tion of the world except the collapse finished his career in prison. 'I‘Il ERE ARE OTHERS. Askinsâ€"What do you think of Puf- fingtoni - .. w Grimshawâ€"In my opinion he is a. man whose reputation wouldn't recog- nize his character if they were to meet on the. public street in the bright light of noonday. â€"â€"-â€"- HOW’ IT AFFECTED HIM. I didn't write letters when I was in love. .You were sensible. Not much I wish I had the money I spent 0% telegi sum. of Alexander's empire after the great Mneedonian's death or Rome‘s fall when Odoacer overturned the shadow throne of the “ Little Augustus," equals the swift and sweeping ruin which has overtaken Spain since the end of the eighteenth century. Yet in this day of Spain‘s tribulation, which her poli- tical infamies an'l imbecilitics have brought upon herself there will be no rejoicing at her fall. -â€"â€"‘ The London newspapers are a good deal divided over the wisdom of Lord Salisbury's choice of Mr. Curzon to succeed Lord Elgin so Viceroy of In- 4 did. The plaud it partly from motives of party loyalty, partly because there is no doubt that Mr. Curzon is a very able man, probably the ablest among the younger Tories, with an immense inâ€" terest in and considerable knowledge of Eastern affairs and sound views as to part England should play therein. The Liberal press regrets the appointment because it considers Mr. Curzon some- what of a jingo and makes no doubt that he will support the Forward Policy and place himself too much in the hands of the military party at Simla, whose influence sible for the retention of Chitral and the revolt of the frontier tribes last year. No doubt the appointment is largely experimental. eign Affairs and answering convenient questions with disdain. self, and, as every one knows. has set down his conclusions on China, Korea and Persia in two or three healthy un- originnl books. That, so far as we ccr. He has never shown himself a. constructive statesman, and people generally do not think of him as a strong man. They may, of course, be mistaken. M‘r. Curzon may turn out to be another Cromwell or Clive the moment he reaches Calcutta. Not much was known of Lord Mayo's capa- city to govern India. when he set sail from England, ministration cessful. 'was undoubtedly ~Mr. Curzon is at least as likely to prove the possession of unexâ€" pected gifts which the world so far has had no chance of discerning in him. For the sake of Mr. Curzon, who is leaving behind him the certainty of brilliant political advancement at home. and for the sake of the great dependency which is passing ‘through aiglrievous crisis, we certainly hope he w . A POOR DRINKER. â€"â€". And the Grant Shakespeare (.‘ouldn‘l Stand the I'm-c. Mr. Frank Harris in the Saturday Review offers tion vof the poet’s death. c ject the anecdote that Shakespeare died of a fever resulting from “a merry meeting" with BU!) Jonson and Michael Drayton at Stratford-on-Avon. The story was published by a clergyman who heard of it about 3!) years after the event. It has shocked imo inâ€" orcdulily a good many people who imâ€" agine Shakespeare to have not been a man. but a demi-god. Now, Mr. Frank Harris surmiscs from a number of passages in Shakesphcar's Works that. he was a poor drinker, and had a great contempt for the drinking customs of But he was bored to death atStratford. and when his friends came to see him he yielded to the tempâ€" tation to drink too much. and paid the penalty. Jonson and Drayton were none the worse for the delmuch. but it killed the poet, who. like his own ‘assio. had "unhappy brains" for this form of indulgence. 'l‘hc theorv is plausible enough. but than. Mr. flar- ro-i spoils it by arguing that Shakes- peare was not only a‘ poor drinker. but also a bad sleeper. The well-known speeches about sleep, Nature's sweet restorer, are cited to show that the writer suffered from insomnia. 'l'hev may mean no more than Shake-Smarty}; observation of the effects of sleeplcrsâ€" moss in others, just as the diatribes against drinking may prove nothing ex- cept that, while. agrcat Lope! him- self. this most sympathetic of all mor- tals could enter into the feelings of men who were constitutionally incap- able of arrrying their liquor. Conservative journals ape was responâ€" Mr. Curzon has made a formidable Under Secretary for For- learns the arts of yet Lord Mayo's adâ€" suc- an ingenious explana- "J‘he com- montators have mostly agreed to re- liiilliiin if Anny 01hr? The German army numbers among its chiefs of regiments many of the my- al ladies of Europe. this being the high- est honor such a military country has in its power to bestow. Almost every regiment in the army has a princely or royal chief. but the position is more» 1y a nominal or honorary one in the case of a foreign reignlng sovereign or of a princess. Sovereigns of petty German States or princes of the Imperial family take command in person. In the case of a princess or a foreign potentate a re- giment. must be chosen from those still without a royal chief, regardless of lo- cality, which, of course, greatly lessons any possible personal acquaintance of the princess-colonel with her regiment. but there is always some little core- mony, and sometimes a very pretty one attached to the nomination. \thn the Queen of the Netherlands visited Berlin four years ago Queen Regent Emma. by birxh a German Princess, was created chief of the West- phalian Infantry regiment, Prince Friedrich of the Netherlands. The re-~ gimcnt, stationed at Mindcn, in West- phalia, had been notified before the- arrival of the Queen Regent, and a deputation, consisting of the acting commander, one captain, one first and one second lieutenant: were summoned to Potsdam by imperial order. The de- putation met Queen Emma at the. stu- lion on her arrival and presented a magnificent bouquet. The following day at the grand parade in Potsdam, the official presentation in the name of the entire regiment took place, the Em- peror himself introducing the deputa- tion to their new chief, who bestowed orders upon them and promised her portrait. There 18 generally some connection between the princess-colonel and the- regiment of which she is made chief. Either the regiment has bccn founded or commanded conspicuously by some male relative. or is drawn from or sla- lioncd at her native province, in the case of a German Princess. There is usually some reason why she should have just this regiment, some reason which is supposed to honor both her- self and the regiment. Here is a list of some of the royal ladies who nt present hold command as colonel in the Germany army: Victoria, Queen of Great Britain, and Ireland. Empress of India; colonel re-v gimcnt of Guard Dragoons. called "Ito- guncnt Queen Victoria of England," stationed at Berlin Victoria. Empress Friedrich of Ger- many. Queen of Prussia, l’rinccss lloy- al of Great Britain and Ireland, Duch- ess of Saxony; colonel of Royal Hus- sars, ‘ Regiment Empress," stationed at l’osen, formerly in Berlin. Victoria Augusta, Empress of Ger- many, Queen of Prussia, born Duchess of Sch]eswigâ€"I'Iolsteinâ€"Sondcrburg Aug- ustenburg; colonel of Schlcswig-Hol- stein‘h‘usilicr regiment 86; "Queen" sl'alioned at Flensburg, Schleswig-Hol- stein. _As reigning Empress, Empress Victoria Augusta has several other honorary Commands Princess Friedrich Carl of Prussia, born Princess of Anhnlt, widow of Prince. Friedrich Carl of Prussia, known as the “lied I’rincc," nephew of Em- peror William I.; colonel of Second Brandenburg Dragoons, No. 12, 'licgi- ment Prince von Armin," stationed at Gnesen Princess Arthur of Great Britain and Ireland, Duchess of Connaught and Strathearne, Duchess of Saxony. born Princess Louisa Margarita of Prussia; daughter of Prince Friedrich Car! ; co!- oncl of Eighth Brandenburg infantry. No. (34, 'Regiment General Ii‘eldmar- shall Prince Friedrich (‘arl of Prussia,“ stationed at Prenslau. 'l‘hc Ifulco of Connaught, Prince Arthur of Great Britain, in also honorary chief of a German regiment, and of no loss aono than the famous “’zlicthcn llussnrs," of Potsdam. a regiment with one of the finest historical records in the or- my. Princess Albrecht of Prussia, niece by marriage to Emperor “'illiam 1.; colonel of Hanovercin Infantry regi- ment. No. 74. stationed in Hanover. Emma. Queen lit-gent of tho NMh~ criands, horn Princess of Waldcck-l‘ry- 3mm; colonel of Second \Vlfslpllfllllln infantry. No. 15, ‘llcgimcnt I’rince Friedrich of the Netherlands,“ station- cd at Mindcn. \i'oslphnlin. ’l'hc lnlcsl addition in the list is the Crown Princess of Greece, Princess So- phin of Prussia, who has just born made colonel of the Guard infantry ro- gimcnt "Queen l‘flirabvlh," stationed at Potsdam. ....... a... BA 1) MA NN E HS. First impressions mean a great deal. The language of the {are and manner is the shorthun‘l of rho mind, and is quickly road. Orison Mardcn cites an example; "Can you write a good band?" ask- ed a man of a boy \\ ho ind applied for if filiUiiilUn. "Yarns," was the answer. “Are you good at figures?" “Yeas,” was the answer again. "That will do. I do not want you." said the merchant, After the boy had gone a friend said, "I know that lad. to be honest and inv dustrious; why don't you try him!“ “Became his manners are bad. He has not learned. to say "i'cs. sir.‘ and 'So. sir.’ " replied the merchant. "if he answerch me. as he did. how will he answer customers?" -~â€"....â€"-*â€"â€"sâ€"-â€".«â€" LON IXJN’S I’l'li'lBI. [9-3le DIED. There are said to be in London alone 8.000 children who on: {ordainâ€"minded. as distinguished from idiots and im- becilco.