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! l $fi+§+§+fi+§+fi+§+fi+fi+fi+fi+fi+m+§+fidfi f ZHfiWé a _ + + $22 a at g W a 3:: ,3 THE STEWARD’S SON g ‘Cf Â¥u+a+mw+am+c+a+c 4 nwnm+a+a+um+mmm+ CHAPTER XXVIII. The hall porter tore ofi‘ for a doc‘ tor, and Berton knelt beside the stricken old man with a feeling of devout thankfulness. He had narrowly escaped conrniittâ€" ing a second murder! ‘ He was also extremely grateful to the luck which seemed to stand by him through thick and thin. For the first time in his life he had been hurried by passion into ma ing a great mistake; he had shown his hand too soon. and but for this sud- den attack, would have had to leave the house, would have been kic.~.cd out, so, to speak, and been beaten in the game he had played so care fully! But now the old man lay help- less, powerless, smitten, doubtless, to death, and Guildford Berton was saved from the consequences of rashness. , We are told that the dex i1 looks af- ter his own, and (luildford Berton at that moment believed in the su- perstition up to the hilt. In a few moments the room was full of frightened servants, and be- tween them they carried the earl to his room. “he quiet!” said Berton, hoarscly. “Lady Norah must not be alarmed on any account," and he made them walk on tiptoe past her bedroom door. But, quiet as they were, Norah heard them. She had not gone to bed, but had dismissed Harman, and was sitting wrapped in her dressing gown and lost in thought. She was thinking not only of Cyril, but of what Lady Ferndalc had saidâ€"'your’ Guildford Berton. The pronoun haunted her. She heard the passing footsteps, and opening her door, saw the still form carried past. For a moment she stood with her hand on her heart, then she sprang forward, with a low cry. Guildford Berton held up his hand and turned his white face to her. "Don’t be alarmed. He will be all rightâ€"” Norah passed him, and threw her- self beside the bed on which they had laid the earl, and tookhis hand. She could not speak, could not even ask what had happened to him, but knelt, white and silent, and over- wh el med . Berton bent over her, and in [ms Wer to the dumb question in her ter- rified eyes, said: “lie has had a fit. Pray, pray, '(lon't be frightened. I have sent for the doctor. He will get better-â€"" , She turned her face from him, even at that moment with instinctive rc- pulsion, and clung to the thin, limp hand, and “Papa, papa!" dropped from her white lips. “Take her away, persuade her to go!” whispered llerton to Harman, husl-z’ily; but Norah heard him, and shook her head. ' - “No, no! I will, I must stay! Oh, papa, papa!” and the tears rushed to her eyes and she hid her face upon her arm. l-larman sent the terrified servants out of the room, and kneeling beside Norah, begged her to go, but Norah raised her head and shook it. The outburst of grief over, she was calm and collected again, though she was trembling in every limb; ford Berton left the room and waited outside. ' The doctor came and examined the, stricken man with the prof:ssional,. leisurely gravity which carries so much weight. They had got the earl into bed, and he lay. apparently, unâ€"g as like death as life; conscious and can be. “lsâ€"is he very asked Norah. The physician dropped his eyelids in the way a doctor has when he does not mean to tell the whole truth. ' 'j'l‘he ea'rl has had a fit, Norah," he said. “Yes, he is ill; but do not be alarmed. There is always hope, always. Do not distress yourself. Were you with him .whenâ€"â€"-" Norah shook her head and glanced ill? that is it?" very at Guildford Berton, who stood, white and anxious, at the foot of the bed. The doctor nodded, and after a while motioned to Guildford Berton to follow him out of the room. They went down to the library. “It is paralysis?" said Guildford Berton. “You were with the earl when the attaCR occurred?" he said. “Was there any sudden shockâ€"excitement?" l "None. whatever," replied Guild- ford Berton, quietly. "1 had come in from the theatre .and found him sitt- lug here, in that chair. He was given to sitting up late, reading and writing.” The doctor nodded, and waited. “We talked about one thing motherâ€"ordinary topics, and not in any way exciting." "You are sure of that?" intorrupt~ ed the doctor. “Of course. I could repeat almost every word,", answered Berton glibly. ."I had said something that made his , and (l nild- Lady : ‘chY-and a moment after he fell for- ward." . i “Strange,” said the doctor. These 'attacks generally follow upon great excitement or display of passion. gThere are certain signs which indi- gcate the usual cause, tooâ€"hem!" i “Is it a bad attack?" asked Guild- ford Berton, sorrowf'ully ' i “Yes, it is." _ §~ “Andâ€"and you think he will die?" his heart beating quickly. “I do not say that," replied the doctor, gravely. “The earl is an old man, his age is against him, but on the other hand he has led a remark- ably Quiet life of late, has he not?" “Yes, I can say that positively,” said Guildford Berton. “I may tell vyou that I am his most intimate friend, and acquainted with his habâ€" its. A very quiet llI'e." ‘ “That's in his favor. lfor some time.” ! “But he will not recover from his paralysis?" i “It is scarcely probable." The doctor wrote a prescription. : “Send for this please,” he said. “I twill remain here for the presant. The fiyoung lady is Lady Norah, 1 preâ€" lsume? Hem, yes, the earl’s daughter. "l‘here is no son, I believe?" ; lie was a faslviouable physician, iand had the peerage by heart. 1 "No a nephew," replied Berton. lfully understanding the purport of 'the question. “Yes, the Viscount Santloigh. I think it would be well to send for him in case ofâ€"accident." “That is easier said than done, .doctor," he said. “Lord Santleigh's ; whereabouts are not known.” A “Then they should be discarded 'without loss of time. Mind, I don‘t say that there is any immediate danâ€" ger, but ” ' He may live . “I understand. I will do my ut~ 7most to find him; but, as you may be aware, the earl and he have not 1 met ” i “I have-heard something of it,” “said the doctor. “But surely there 3can be little difficulty in finding him! ;M eanwhilcâ€"-â€"" ' _“Please tell me what is to he done. i] am staying in the house, and will ‘ see that your instructions are carried out.” The doctor inclined his head and went upstairs again, and Berton fol- lowed him. Norah was still kneeling beside the :bed, the earl’s hand fast clasped in ghers, and she looked up eagerly as ithe doctor entered. “What is it?" whispered the doctor. | i “Iâ€"I think he moved!" said lVorah ialmost inaiidibly. Even as she spoke, the old man jstirred and opened his eyes. They fwandcred vacautly round the room for a moment, then, as they fell upâ€" on her l'ace, a gleam of something like intelligence came into them, and his lips moved. Guildford Berton, standing at the foot of the bed, felt a sudden thrill of fear. Was the old man coming to his senses? Would he. be able to speak reveal the truth, and expose him? The 9311‘]. looked at her piteously, and then, as he caught sight of Guildford lerton's face, seemed to flash and he looked from him to Norah, and his lips moved. “It is something he wants to tell me,” she murmured. “Oh, what is .it, what is it? Papa, papa! It is I â€"-Norah! Speak to me." i The doctor did not interfere, she bent lower, until her face close. to the old man's lips. The pitcous, imploring look in her eyes grew more intense, and at last in. sound came from his lips. “Yes, papa!" pantcd Norah. With a great effort he gasiied: ! “Scoundrel! Scoundrel! Don’tâ€"-â€"" Then a vacant smile played over his face and he wandered off. "My danghter, your ladyship! My (laugh- ter. Beautiful! Yes. Her motherâ€"â€"” 1'l‘hen his eyes closed, and the face seemed to fall back rigidity. v \V 8.8 icry of thansgiving. I .fully. , Norah with a moan, hid her face, land the doctor laid his hand upon gher shoulder. 3 “You must bear up, Lady Norah," lhe said, gently. , “I am not [that he is quite unconscious, andâ€"~” l .ed, piteously. “I will not let ilet me stay with him?” ford Berton, in an undertone, Norah heard him and murmured Igratitude. “Better send for a nurse, ;and Lady Norah can remain and as: i sist her." Guildford Berton went downstairs; a servant to one of; andl the hospitals, then flung himself into; which the earl had} with l and dispatched :the chair from ifallcn, and covering his eyes his hands, thought deeply. The earl might die, but if he lived, antly’. o . it was scarcely probable that he ’At any rate, Norahâ€"his future would regain the full use of his senses. In either case he, Guiidford women in England. The all his eyes v and , iuto deathlikez Guildford Berton almost uttered a “He is delirious," he said, sorrowâ€" S U 1‘0 ; “Yes, yes, let me stay!” she pleadâ€" ! him rsee, I will not distress him. You will “She must stay," he said to Guild< but her But if he died, how would Ladyi was to be his: inquire, l he told himself, and his eyes wander-. ed to the small iron deco box which] Norah stand? She wife, and he had a right to always accompanied the earl. It would contain either the itself or a copy of it. that at any cost. He sat staring at. the box turning over possibilities in his eager mind until he heard the doctor comâ€" ing down the stairs, and he rose and met him. “He is still the same. I don’t think I can do any more toâ€"night, Mr. Berton; you can send for me if thch should be any change, which I do not anticipate, however. I need scarcely say, that perfect quietude and an absence of all disturbing inâ€" fluences, etc. I am sorry that Lord Santlelgh is not here." will. “He shall be found. I do hope there is some chance for my old friend!” and he turned away and passed his hand over his eyes. “There is a chance of his living, but I fear, I very much fear, that he will never regain the power of speech â€"â€"â€"that is, intelligent speech. Of course, there is no need to apprise Lady Norah of this mournful fact, l yet a while.” Guildford Berton let him out, and then returning to the library, softly locked the door and got down the deed box. It was locked and the key was in the earl’s pocket. for a moment irrcsolute. A sharp blow with the poker would smash the lock, no doubt, but the lawyers might ask disagreeable questions. Ilie set the box in its position and stole upstairs. The earl’s valet Was standing' outside the mess, in case he and he ‘ pass. “No, I won’t go in just yet, Laâ€" farge,” he said, 50ftly. “It is not well to have too many in the room. By the way, I think I should remove his lordship’s clothes from the roorn. The sight of them might disturb him. You know his love of neatness.” The man was too bewildered and overcome to feel surprised, but timid- ly went in on tiptoe and gathered the clothes from the chair on they had been thrown. to He stood door in readi- should he wanted, stood aside to let Berton which i “Give them me; I will take ithem to the dressing-room," said iGuildford Berton. “You had better 1not leave your post, in case you may be wanted." “Yes, sir, thank you,” said the valet, and Berton carried the clothes to the dressing-room. The keys were in the coat pocket, and he carried them downstairs into the library. His hand shook as he unlocked the box and turned out the papers, and his heart leaped as he found among them one indorscd: “My last will and testament.” It was on an ordinary sheet of foolscap, and written in the carl’s small, neatâ€"not to say finickingâ€" hand, and Berton made himself com.- ‘ fortable in the easyâ€"chair and read it carefully. His own name, after that of the gold servants “to whom legacies were ibequcathed, occurred first, and the ismall handwriting jumped up and I down before his eyes. Then he laugh- {ed with bitter cynicism. The earl {had left him only a favorite watch land chain, “as a mark of my esteem and regard." A watch and chain for all the years of patient SCI‘ViCU and endurance! Then came the important clause. I .“And the remainder of all that IV possess, or have power to bequeath, H I will to my "daughterâ€"â€" Strange to say, a blank where the written. 'J-Ie puzzled over this singular fact for some minutes, then turned to the occurred name should have been cairl had made the will soon after Norah's arrival at the Court, and he had not known with any certainty whether she had been christened any other name in addition to Norah. Doubtless he had intended to ask and fill in the space, 'but he must have forgotten itâ€"-or being too proud [to ask the question, had put it off from day to day, and left the space blank. Guildford Berton held the will in his hand, thinking almost painfully. He had no great liking for forgery, but he would not have hesitated to manufacture a new will, leaving goverything to himself, if he had {thought it politic to do so. But forgery is, in a sense, more even that murder, and he shook his 1 head. ‘ Busides, what need to alter the .will, seeing that Norah, to whom all was left, would certainly be his wife? For at that moment he. felt assured of his ultimate success than he had ever done. Fate had stood by him ,with persistence almost miraculous. ,and his luck would remain with him 'to the end. He put the will back, and the (iced Ibox in its place, and leaning back, gave himself up to the luxury of anâ€" ticipation. 1f he could only have the titles, as well as Norah and the earl’s money! 01‘ the Court! But they must both |g0 to the wandering vagabond of a. ,nephewâ€"th'o Viscount Santleigh, who ‘was no one knew where! ‘ “Perhaps he might be persuaded to lknowledge of the earl’s illness could ford Berton, might some day reign and rule in the great house at which his father was. steward, his He must seoi and ‘ date, and hit upon the solution. The risky” sell his birthright even now, and the be kept from him," he thought; and at the more thought that he, Guildâ€" blood grcw warm and his heart beat pleasâ€" IA SY (fro WASH“) 'casvr “(0 Tu RN AUTOMATIC {MADE IN QANAQQ; EAsV -, PAYM a Mrs; oil‘s; 29.._;g’m33513g;13.§;5« {.J ‘.1 ,_._.: .1. I. .. I , M ! QHRNADIRNS @‘GUARANTEEQ MACHINE faifiiiii FASTUB‘ED BY Thelhtina ilanuiantuingfh. LIMITED HEAD OFFICE AND "STORIES PEMBROKE. ONT. was-rams BRAKE" WINNIPEG. MAN. l5! lannatyno mt. DISTRlBUTlNG CENTRES: Sherbrooko. Qua, London, Ont, New Westminster, 3,0. Guildford Berton, would take care the existing one should not be de- stroyed. Altogether, he spent a pleasant hour or two, while Norah upstairs sat holding the unconscious hand of the stricken earl. (To be Continued.) W KOREAN IS A FOP. Dress is the Greatest Ambition of Ills Life. The Korean is above everything else a man of the drnwmg room and all his instincts move along the leisurely wuysi of life. Anything like haste or “en prcssemcnt" is unknown to [he elerndl laws that govern him. This character- istic of his is evident in all his actions at all times and under all conceivable circumstances. Being a drawing room gentleman, dress is the great ambition of his life. From the shoes of his feet lo the topknot on the top of his head he is ordered so as to be seen and ad- mired of men. llis shoes during this year of mourn- ing musl. he spotlessly while. No atom of dust or fly speck shall mar them. His socks beautifully puffed, are stilched to perfection, his pentaloons. big enough for a Brobdiugnng, are padded, quilted and ironed until they come forth look- ing like some mysterious fabric of pol‘ ished marble, his jacket likewise and his overcoat and wrisllels. Not only has he a hemlbund,_ a topâ€" knot and a hat- on his head. but he buys a pair of speclacles and adds lhcm in his already overcharged headgear, and thus rigged, wilh a ring on his finger and a fan in his hand, he goes forth to make his way through this troubled world. .______.+__._â€"â€".. - NEW DRINK CURE. The authorities in Norway have discovered a novel way of curing! drunkenness. The “patient” is plac»I ed under lock and key, and his nour-i ishment consists in great part of- bread soaked in port wine. The first day the drunkard oats his food with pleasure, and even on the second day he enjoys it. On the third day he, finds that it is very monotnous, on! the fourth day he becomes iman tient, and at the end of. eight days; he receives the wine with horror. It seems that the disgust increases, and that this care gives good results. .______.,,._..._._. PATH-EPIC LITTLE DOLLS. Some of the Indian women have a, canvas, very pathetic custom. When an In‘ dian girl dies her mother often sub-i stitutes a doll for the lost little1 one. She fills the empty cradle with! feathers arranged in the form of a child, ind carries this about as shel did her child, crooning to it and! caressing it. Sometimes, instead of3 doing this, she ties the clothes, toys, and other articles belonging to the, little one and, fastening them to the; cradle board, carries it as she (:ri-g ginally did her child. The Ojibways; call these “unlucky dolls," ltecausc‘ they represent the (lead; but tfc In- ldian woman’s idea is that the littlel dead child is too small to find its; wifeâ€"would be one of the wealthiest, way to Paradise, and thar by sub-l could i stituting lto their hair. Mina-«m4 .__,... . ...4. .. POISON IN EGGS. _ .â€" Anofhcr Startling Discovery of ’Fzrsnch Medical Investigation. One by one our most cherished articles of diet disclose deadly designs upon an: well-being under the fostering}: care. at the medical profession, supported my the medical press. Hitherto the egg has been regzudcd as absolutely innocuous. until at Least, it has reached an age which qualifies it to take an active part in politics. But now a French medical man has discovered a hidden danger lurking in its yolk, and the dreadful intelligence has been spread far and wide by the “Lancet.” The yolk of the eggs of hens, ducks, and torloises, he declares, contain a subslzu'ice winch, when injected into the veins, under the skin, or into the general body cavity, eventually causes dculh from an acute inléxicalion 0f the central nervous system. licn’s egg yolk is less toxic than that of the duck, but that of the tortoise 19 more poisonous than eilhcr. It is comforting to observe, however, that the great majority of the general public who cut eggs in the ordinary way are not threatened. ~â€"-â€"â€"â€"â€"+â€"-â€"â€"-â€"- SAVING THE GOLD DUST. ~â€" Prccautious Taken in the Manufactur- ing .lcwellcr‘s Establishment. Washing machines seem all right enough in a laundry, .but they would scarcely be looked for in the estab- lishment of a maniacturing jeweller. Yet they play an important part in such a plant. In a washing machine are washed daily all the aprons and all the blouses worn by the workers employ- ed in the manufacture of articles of gold. Then the water in which these things have been washed is piped to a room where the gold contained in it is extracted and saved. Particles of gold adhere to the hands and faces of the workers in the precious metal, and even get in- 'l‘wicc a day 'all the. operatives wash their hands and faces; and the water is, like that from the washing machine, piped to the extracting room. Here there is installed a big filter, with" its filtering section made of and resembling outwardly the pleated section of a giant square Concertina, as it would look partly drawn out. All the water from the washing machine and from the wash bowls in the factory is forced through this filter; and at regular intervals the filtering section is taken out and the gold removed from it. All the floors in the factory is covered with tar paper, which catch- es and holds all the gold partich that fall upon it. From time to time a new paper covering is laid on the floors, the old being burned for the gold contained in it. By these means there are saved in a factory annually thousands of 'dol~ lars worth of gold that without the doll she will assist itl sucli precautions wmild inevitnblv b; lost.