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"vvvvvwva'r‘f‘ .1... / '1 “ ' I "W I ‘v F 'v V v 1.3-. .5 A.a» v. V. .N, V"! V'\-‘QV V .. p, ,. A ~â€" q w,” -«‘.R .wayvu V'urvvwwvflwvl-rnv-w-‘qv v . w,»n,v-'r-,~.»« p x. D i .V p b l the . beginning. '3. .~324.:;.~â€"â€".-:1..:.wg-.r OR, CHAPTER XLVI.â€"â€"( C ontinued.) “’Are you not going to kiss me, dear?" she asked, sweetly. Frank Littimer .needed no further invitation. It was quiet and secluded there, and nobody could possibly see them. With a little sigh Chris felt her lover's arms about her and his kisses warm on her lips. The clever, brilliant girl had disappeared; a pretty, timid creature stood in her place for the 'time. For the moment Frank Littimer could do no morcl than gaze into her eyes with rupture and amazement. There was plenty of time for explanations. “Let us go into the arbor," Frank suggested. “No, I am not going to release your hand for a. moment. If I do you will fly away again. Chris, dear Chris, why did you serve me so?” i “It was Chris replied. I: absolutely necessary, “It was necessary to deceive Reginald Henson. . But it Was .hard’ work the other night." "(You mean when I came here] andâ€"" " lfTrie'd to steal the Rembrandt. Oh, you needn't explain. I know that you had to come. And We have Henson in our power at last." “I am, afraid that is too good to be true. But tell me everything from! I am as dazed and confused as a tired man rousted outl of a sound sleep.” Chris proceeded to explain from the beginning of all things. It was an exceedingly interesting and exciting narrative to Frank Littimer, and he followed it carefully. remained there all day listening to the music of Chris’s voice and look- ing into her eyes. He had come there miserable and downpost to ask a question, and behold he had sudâ€"' denly found all the joy and sweetness' of existence. ‘ “And so you have accomplished alli this?" he said, at length. “What a; glorious adventure it must have been, i and how clover you 'arel So is Mini David Steel. Many a time I have tried to break through the shackles, but Reginald has always been too strong: for me.” ’ “Well, he’s shot his bolt, Chris smiled. “I haVe just opening'your father's eyes.”- Frank laughed'as he had not laughâ€" ed for a long time. “Do you mean tosay now. ' ' I been “My dear boy, he hasn't the faintâ€" est idea. Neither had you the faintâ€" est idea when I made you a prison- er the other night. But he will know soon.”- “God grant that he may." said, fervently. He bent over and pressed his lips passionately to those of Chris. When he looked up again Lord Littimer was standing before the arbor, wearâ€" ing his most cynical expression. does knOW,’-’ he said. “My young lady, you need not The expression of sweet con- face is infinitely not imagine that one so perfectly selfâ€"possessed could; look like that. It gives me quite a nice sense of superiority. 'And you, sir?'1 Thelast words Were uttered a litâ€" tle sternly. Frank had risen. His face was pale, his manner resolute and respectful. “I came here to ask Miss Lce/ a question, sir, not knowing, of course, who .she was." , _ 7. “And she betrayed herself, eh?" “I am sorry if I have "done so," frank IIHB dear move. fusion on your pleasing. I did _‘ Chris said; “but I' should not have don'erso unless I had been taken‘by, ,. surprise.‘ -"It was so hot that I had. taken ‘off 'my glasses and put -.my hair mp. Then Frank came;up and surprised me." ,. “You have grown an exceedingly pretty girl, Chris." Littimer said, critically. “Of course, I recognise you now. You are nicerâ€"looking than Miss Lee." Chris put her glasses on and rolled her hair down resolutely. “You will be good enough to un- derstand that I am going to con- tinue Miss Lee for the present,” she said. “My task is a long way from being finished yet. Lord Littimer, you are not going to send Frank away?" . Littimer looked undecided. ‘ “I don't know," he said. “Frank, I have heard a great deal to-day to cause me to think that I might have done you a grave injustice. I am not sure. be bad policy for you to remain here. If the news came to the ears of Reginald Henson it might upset MiSS Machiavelli’s plans." “That had not occured to me for the moment,” Chris exclaimed. “On the whole, Frank had better not stay. But I shouui dearly like -to see you two shake hands." Frank Littimer tary gesture, and then he drew back. “I'dâ€"I’d rather not,” he said. “At least, not until my character has been fully vindicated. Elea.Ven knows I have suffered enough for a boyish imliscretion." "‘And you have youth on your side. " Littimer said, gravely . ‘ ‘.Wh creas Iâ€"--â€"-‘ ’ A MIDNIGHT CALL that Frank \voul'd'bo present. ...v :‘aMofi‘itt came up doggedly. Evi- dently the presence of Frank Littl- mer disturbed him. Chris motioned He would have 5 he doesn’tI know who you are?" he asked. - And yet: In any case, it would- l ____;__.1E Ill“ LI. "I know, I know. It has been terâ€" rible all round. I took those letters of poor Claire's awaybccause they were sacred property. and for no eye but minoâ€"-â€"â€"" "No oy_e but yours saw them. I was going to send them back again. I wish I had." ‘ “Aye, so do I. I took them and destroyed them. But I take Heaven to witness that I touched nothing else besides. If it was the last word I ever utteredâ€"What is that fellow doing here in that garb? It is one of Henson's most disreputable tools.” Merritt was coming across the terâ€" race. He paused suspiciously as he caught sight of Frank, but Chris, with a friendly wave of her hand, encouraged him to come on. . “It is all part' of.thergame.”" she said. “I sent‘=for our friend Merritt, but when I did so I had no idea Since you are here you might just as well stay and hear, a little more of the strange-doingsof Reginald Henson. The time has come’to‘let Merritt known that I am not the clever lady » burglar'he takes me for." him to a seat, quite‘gaily. “You are very punctual," she said. “I told you I wanted you to give Lord Littimer and myself a little advice and assistance. In the first place we want to know where that gunâ€"metal diamondâ€"mounted cigar- case, at present for sale in Ruttcr's window, came from. We want 'to know how it got there and who Sold it to Rutter's people“. Also we want to know why Van Sncck purchased a similar cigarâ€"case from Walcn's of Brighton.’ " Mcrritt's heavy jaw dropped, his face turned a dull yellow. I-le lookâ€" ed round helplessly for some means of escape, and then relinquished the idea with a sigh. â€"- “Done.” he said. “Clear done. And by a women, too'. A smart woman, I admit, but a woman all the same. And yet why didn'tvyouâ€"L” -Merritt paused, lost in the Contemâ€" plation of a problem beyondhis in- tellectual strength.‘ V - “You have nothing to feat-fl" Chris said, with a‘smile. “Tell us all you- know and conceal nothing,’ and you will be free-when we have done with Von.” 3 Merritt wiped his dry lips with the back of his hand. “I come pcaccablo," he said hoarse- ly. “And I’m going to tell you all about it." ,. . CHAPTER XLVII. There was an uneasy grin on Mar- ritt's face, a suggestion that he did not altogether trust those around him. Hard experience in .the ways of the wicked had taught him the folly of putting his confidence in anyone. Just for the moment the impulse to shuffle was upon him- “If I say nothing, then I can't do any harm," he remarked. sapicntly. “Best, on the whole, for me to keep my tongue between my teeth." “Mr. Henson is a dangerous to cross,” Chris suggested. ‘l‘He is. that.” Merritt agreed. “You don't know him as I (10." Chris conceded the point, though she had her own views on that matâ€" ter. Lord Littimor had seated him- self on the broad- stono bench ~- 'aiong the-terrace, Whence he was watching the scene with the greatestlzest and interest. - . 1 '-'- ' - “You imagine Mr. ‘Honson to be a. friend of- yours‘?’ 9 ~Chr'i‘s asked.;.;_ man ‘ Merritt , nodded and grinned. - S'o ~ long as he was ‘useiul’fto 'chson he ‘ was fairly safe. "Mr. Merritt," Chris asked, sud- denly, “have you chr heard of Reuâ€" ben Taylor?" The effect of the question was elec- triCal. Merritt’s square jaw dropped with a click, there was fear in the furtive eyes that be cast around him. “I read all about Reuben Taylor in one of our very smart papers late- 1y," Chris went on. "It appears that Mr. Taylor is a person who no- body seems to have seen, but who from time to time does a vast ser- vice to the community at large. He is not exactly a philanthropist, for he is well rewarded for his labors both by the police and his clients. Suppose Mr. Merritt here had done some wrong.” “A; great effort of imagination," Littimer murmured, gently. “Had done something wrong and an enemy or quondam friend wants .to ‘put him mvay.’ I believe that is the correct expression. In that case he does not go to the police himself, because he is usually of a and retiring disposition.~ No, he us- ma'dc an involun- ually puts down a-few particulars in the way of a, letter andsends it to Reuben Taylor under cover at a cer- tain address. Is not that quite corâ€" rect, Mr. Merritt?" “Right,” Merritt said, “Some day we shall find out Taylor is, andâ€"e" .. “Never mind that. Do you know that the night before your friend Mr. hoarsoly. who .tion proved to be a great deal less - fessed. 'l'didn't ask any questions-but set .to work at once." ' ‘as Bell had got hold of the ~ta‘in to'bring it here. ,.~. , ‘ ‘G unâ€"metal ' set modest. | - I g. Henson left the Castle he placed in the postâ€"bag a letter addressed to Mr. Reuben Taylm‘? In view of what 1 read recently in the paper alluded to the name struck me as strange. Now, Mr. Merritt, is it possible that letter had anything to do with you?” Merritt did not. appear to hear the question. His eyes were fixed on space; there was a sanguine clenching of his fists as if they had been ab0ut the throats of a foe. “If I had him here.” he murmured. “If I only had him here! He's given me away. After all that I have done for him he's given me away." I-Iis listeners said nothing; they fully appreciated - the situation. Mer- ritt’s presenCe at the Castle was both dangerous and hazardous for Hen- son. “It you went away to-day might be safe?” Chris suggested. “Aye, I might," Merritt said, with a cunning grin in his eyes. “If I had a hundred pounds.” ' Chris glanced significantly at Litti- mer, who nodded and took Up the parable. ., “You shall have the money," he said. “And you Shall go as soon as you have answered Miss Lee's questions." Merritt proclaimed himself eager to say anything. But Merritt's informs- you than she had anticipated. “I stole that picture," Merritt con- "‘1 was brought-doWn "here on purpose. Henson sent to London and said he had a job for mo. It was to get a picture from Dr. Dell. “Did you know what the picture was?" Chrisasked. , “Bless ' you, yes; it was a Remâ€" brandt engraving. Why, it was I who in the first place stole the first Rembrandt from his lordship yonder, in Amsterdam. got into his lord- ship's sittingâ€"romp by climbing down a spout, and I took the picture." “But the other belonged to Shock," said Chris “It did; and Van Sneckha'd to leave Amsterdam hurriedly, being wanted by the police. Honsmn told me that Van Sneak had a second copy of "File Crimson Blind.’ and I had to burgle that as well; and I had to get into Dr. Bell's room and put the second copy in his portmanteau. Why? Ask somebody wiser than me. It was all some deep game of Hen- son's, only you may be pretty sure he didn’t tell me what the game was. I got my money and returned to London and till pretty recently I saw no more of Henson." “But you came again." said Littimer. “Quito lately. your went down to Brighten. Van in to the game lordship. I. I wastold second Rembrandt owing to Henson's careâ€" lessness and‘that he was pretty cer- He did bring it here, and I tried to stop him on the way and he h’alf killed me.” “Those half measuresare so unsat~ isfactory,” Littimer smiled. Merritt grinned. I-Ie fully appre- ciated the humor of the remark. “That attack and the way it was brought about were suggested by Henson," he went on. “if it failed, I was to come up to the Castle here without delay and tell Henson so. I came and he cchl‘Cd my movements whilst I pinched the picture. I had been told that the thing was fasten- ed to the wall, but. a pair of steel pliers made no odds to that. I took the picture home and two days later it vanished. And that's all I know about it.” “Lame and impotent conclusion!“ said Littimer. “Wait a moment." Chris cried. “You found the diamond star which you pawne'dâ€"" for to say as you've forgotten that." “I have forgotten nothing,” Chris said, with a smile. “I want to-know about the cigarâ€"case." - Merritt looked blankly at the speaker. Evidently this was strange grannd to him. ' ‘ -“‘I don't ' know anything about that," he said. “What sort of a cigarâ€"case?”. ~' ’ . ' , with, diamonds. The same case On a similar ‘one to that purchasedvby Van’Snock from Walcn’s - in Brighton. ' Come, " rack yoar brains a bit. Did you ever see anything of Van Sneck about the time of his accident? You know where he. is?" (To be Continued.) “4......â€" TIMING BANANAS. It is generally known that bananas ripe, ‘but few are aware of the care- ful and elaborate time calculations required in setting out the plants and cutting off the fruit in order to insure the arrival of the bananas in proper condition at their dertination. When a plantation is begun, the young plants are set out at certain intervals, so that they will produce at regular prefixed times during the year. A certain number of days be- fore the arrival of a steamer the green fruit is cut, and a close calâ€" culation of the time that will be consumed in the voyage must always be made, else the bananas will be spoiled. Fruit steamers carry steamâ€" heating apparatus to insure a uni- form tcmperature throughout the voyage. The ripening is calculated to occur only after the fruit. has reached the retail dcalcr. ...-â€"~vâ€"._â€".§.__. Suaric (at her music lesson.).â€"“I'd like to catch an old air I heard in the musicâ€"room last night." Proâ€" fessorm."W'ha't air was that?" Susie (dr;m.u.rely)â€"-’-‘Ovh, it was a. million- aire." are shipped while yet green and un- The Dominion Permanent Lean ' company ‘ Fourteenth Aunua Report. The Fourteenth Regular Annual Meeting of the Dominion Permanent Loan Company was held at the Offices A large nuniber of Shareholders were present. March lst, 1905. of the Company on Wednesday, The President, the Hon. J. R. Stratton, occupied the chair. Mr. T. P. Coilce, Viceâ€"President, was requested to act as Secretary. The President presented the following report of the Directors for the year ending December .‘Slst, 1904.: Your. Directors are pleased to be able to state that active and proli- tnble employment has been found for the funds of the past year, the demand for satisfactory loans the Company during being sufficient to call into requisition the available funds of the Company. The earnings for the past year have enabled the Company to declare and pay dividends amounting to $69,134.14, and to permitof the transâ€" fer of $45,000 to the ROScl‘Ve Fund of the Company. After payment of such dividends and the addition to the Reserve Fund of $45,000 and the writing off of $1,444.54 off office furniture and premises, there remains to be placed to the credit of'Profit and Loss the sum of $20,684.68. Your Directors are pleased to be in a position to congratulate the Shareholders upon the gratifying results of the operations and have also pleasure in tcstifying to the general cilicicncy character of the services pany during the past year, agents and stall" of .the Company. of the Com~ All of which is respectfully submitted. rendered by the officials, J. R. STRATTON, President. The Dominion Permanent Loan 00., Toronto. Statement of Account for Year Ending Dec. 318i. 1904.- ASSETS. , ~ Mortgages and other Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... $3,158,. 72 ,Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ' ..... . . . ' 24,528 82 Office Premises and l-‘urniture .......... .. ............................. . 12,293 00 Sundry Accdunts . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......... ' . . . . . 2.250: 66 Imperial Bank and (lash on hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59,508 63 __._____,__ $3,257,513 83 LIABILITIES. To the Public: Deposits and Accrued Interest ......... . .. ..... .. ........... ...$ 212,816 70 Debentures and Accrued Interest .. ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,603,020 83 Surplusâ€"Assets over Liabilities To Shareholders: On Capital Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Contingent Fund ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . u - . n o . Reserve Fund ....... Unclaimed Dividends Dividends payable Jan. 3, 1905 Balanca of Profit and Loss ...... PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT. affecting - . . . . . n o u . u . n . - - . ‘ c n u . n . -. nn .u. M $1,815,837 53 1,441,676 30 $1,223,241. 71 5,96‘l (38 160,000 00 50 07 31,735 16 20,684: 63 1,441,671. .30 $3,257,513 83 Dr. Interest on Debentures and Deposits... ...... ...$ 87,177 51 Written ofi' Office Furniture and PremiSes .. . . . . . . . . . ..... 1,444: 54 Dividends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ . ...... 69,134 14.. ‘ Transferred to Reserve Fund ....... 45,000 00 Balance Profit and Loss ..... . . . . . . . . . . . ......... 20,684- 68 $223,440 87" " Cr. , , _ Balance December 31, 1903 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . _ ...... 5. 9,089 91. Interest, Rent, etc., after payment of expenses, including 53,}. arics, Direct-ors' fuss. government taxes and fees ..... 214,350 96 W $223,440 87 AUDITOR’S CERTIFICATE. We have examined the Cash Transactions, Receipts and Payments, the accounts of the assets and investments for the year ended December 3151;, 1904-, and we find the same in good order and properly vouched. We have also examined the Mortgages and Securities, representâ€" ing the assets and investments set out in the above account. and we certify that they Were in possession and safe custody as on DeCember inst, 1904. (Signed) HARRY VIGEON, '(Signed) O. M. HUDSON, Toronto, February 11, 1905. Chartered Accountants. On motion of Mr. Stratton, seconded by Mr. Karo, the above report was unanimously adopted. , The following Directors Were then reâ€"elected: Hon. J. R. Stratton. Pre- sident Trusts and Guarantee Company; D. W. Karn, President of the D. W. Karn Company, Woodstock; C. Kloepfer, Manufacturer and Director Traders Dank, Toronto; T. P. Collee, At a subsequcnt'meeting of the Directors Hon. J. R. Stratton rteâ€"elected President and Mr. T. P. and F. M. Holland, Toronto. was Coffee Vice-President. W THE MA STERY. To lose selfâ€"control is 'to lose the key to any situation. No man who cannot hold-himself in hand can ex- pect to hold others. It has been Well Said‘ that, in'any discussion or disâ€" agreement With another, if you are in the wrongryou cannot afford to lqse your. temper,' and if. you are in the right, there is no occasion to. Or, as a lawyer, has wittin put it, ‘possession is nine points of the law; . self-possession is ten.’ , ____.__+_.__.â€"â€" PEOPLE WHO RADIATE CHEER. Who can estimate the value of a sunny soul Who scatters gladncss and good cheer wherever he goes, instead of gloom and sadness. Everybody is attracted to these cheerful faces and sunny lives, and repelled by the gloomy, the morose and sad. We envy people who radiate cheer whereâ€" ever they go and fling out gladness from every pore. Money, houses and lands look contomptible beside such a disposition. ‘7 who“... WISHING. “That hateful Mrs. Nexdore re- marked to me toâ€"i'lay,“ said the p‘ret- ty young Wife, “that 'beauty is only skin deep.’ " ' "Come nOW, replied her shrewd husband, “what are you leading up to?" “Well, I’d like to have u. little of it was sealskin deep." â€"â€"â€"â€".â€"+â€".‘-.â€"._ A SENSE OF l’liOPlill‘i'l‘V. “You wouldn't. sell your vote, would you?" ~ 1 “N0, suli,” answered Mi- Erastus Pinkloy. “But if a gemmen what’s run-ni-n’ foh o'fiice was to give me two 'dollaiis, common gratitude would make me vote foh him." I Was just. going to say that HA RD W O RIC . Stinjayâ€"See here, when. are you going to pay [me back that dollar. you borrowed~ ' ‘ iouu‘ouglisF-Why, man alive, ,I earn- ed that :dol-lar. I had-to Work with you for a couple of hours before I got it out of yOu. » ' Professorâ€"4‘If"a person in health, but who inmgined himself ill, should send for you, what would you do?" Medical Studentâ€""Gm; him something to make him ill, and then administer an antidote.” Pro- fessonâ€"“Don't waste any more time here; put up your brass nameâ€"plate."- FriendL-a‘r’vYou'vc never been called in consultation, have you?" Young Do.c'ton-J‘YN0; but I’d like to 'be. It’s nice to charge ten. times as much as the other doctor for saying that you don’t kl'ilOW any more about the case than he does.” “Oh, well,” remarked the rejected suitor, -";there are just as many good fish in the sea. as ever came out of it.” “Yes,” agreed the dams-cl, “and there are not so many fisher- men to-day as there were yesterday." “I don’t understand you.” “One of them,” she explained, as she shloWed him a written proposal, “dropped me a line this morning.” The adoring mother surveyed her small son with an admiring eye. "I don’t know what to do with my Willâ€" lic,” she said to her IlOXtrd‘OOl' n'eigh‘r- bor, “he has such a IErge head!" The neighbor .had children of her own. and was both resourceful and niml- bleâ€"to-nguod when it came to paying off old scores. "If there is any danger of his toppling over you might Weight his feet,” she said. l thoughtfully. good“ ._ “SH-gem, tar-4V“ ‘ -_.~V\av-‘.-'_ *vvuu‘.‘ , :.'«<'.r: .'». u :r.~.m.«mnâ€".w.â€"~..'._.