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CHAPTER If.â€"â€"(Conti_nucd). Although I opened my eyes, all was, -of course, an utter blank before me. Yet I felt instinctively, as every blind person does, the presence of some one in my immediate vicinity, and present- ly, after long reflectIOn, l suddenly aSkedâ€" “Where am I? What has happened?" “You have been run over, and your "head is injured," answered a strange harsh voice. hoarseand altogether curi- ‘ous. “But tell me. Your eyes have a ~curi0us look in them. Can‘t you see?’ ' “No,” I responded. “Unfortunately, ' am totally blind." “Blind!” gasped the voice, in appar- ent amazement. “Then that accounts for your accidentl" “But where am I?" I inquired eagerly. “You need not trouble, I assure you,’ . answered the voice, pleasantly. “You “Certainly ’not. Having witnessed your accident. I am trying to do what little I can for you." The voice, a man's, was low-pitched; .and, further, it struck me as being dis- gulsed. “May I not know the name of my good Samaritan?" I inquired. “The name is entirely unnecessary." the voice responded. “From your card- case I see that your name is fieaton. and that fStrand." “Yes.” I answered. It was evident, jthen, that whoever was this person who had taken compassion upon me in my helplessness, he had. through my pockets. “How long have you been blind?" the voice inquired, hoarse and deep. I-knew you live in Essex Street already been syllables being pronounced differently in various words. My hearing had for- tunately returned to me again, and those who are blind are quick to detect that it was disguised by certain of thel may be. “For a year or more," I answered. “And does your head still pain you very much?" inquired the voice, while at the same moment I felt a cool hand placed upon my throbbing brow. 'In an instant I seized it by the wrist. The hand tried to wrench itself free, but not before I had felt the slimness of the fingers, the rings upon them, and the softness of the palm. - It was a woman’s. She had cleverly disguised her voice to cause me to be: lievc that it was a man's. I placed my right hand upon her- arm and felt it bare. Upon her wrist was a CtlI‘lOIlS bracelet, thin but strangely pliable, evi- dently made of some ingeniously work- ed and twisted wire. I could not recol- lect ever having seen such a bangle "upon a woman’s wrist before. The arm was bare; her skirts were of si'k. My nurse was evidently in an evening toilette. “Although I cannot see you, madam, I thank you for your kind attention," I said, a trifle piqued that she should have endeavored to mislead me by her voice. She drew her hand away quickly, with a slight cry, as though annoyed . at mydiscovery. “I witnessed your accident," she ex- plained simply. in a sweet, well-modu- lated voice, evidently her own. By her tone, she was no doubt young, and I wondered whether she was pretty. Truly this evening adventure of mine was a curious one. “How did it urged. “You were crossing 'the road, and were knocked down by a cab. My doc- tor has already examined you. and says that you are- not seriously hurt. t is a mere scalp-wound, therefore you may rest content. and. cengratulate yourself upon a very narrow escape." “I congratulate. myself upon falling into the hands of a friend," I said. “Oh. it is really nothing!" exclaimed the voice. of my unknown hostess with an educated accent. “In a few hours you will. no doubt, be all right. Rest, and in the morning the carriage shall take you home." “Then it is not yet morning?” I in- quired, vaguely wondering what hour it might be. “.\'0, not yet." The response sounded afar off. and I felt somehow that my strength was suddenly failing me. A heavy, drowsy feeling crept over me. and my mind :secmcd filled with conflicting thoughts, '.until suddenly, and quite unconsciously, I fell asleep, the cool, soft. sympathe- tic hand still upon my brow. When I awoke it was with a refresh- ed feeling. No one was. however, in my immediate vicinity. My kind pro- happen? Tell me," I teciress had left me, yet I heard voices in conversation in the adjoining room. The door communicating was closed, but there was the unmistakable pop of a champagnctoork and a jingling of thin glasses that told of festivity. ‘n whose house, I wondered, was I a guest? is . . ' . .' .. any unusual sound, however slight \ BM 30” can “me 301” blgu'llwc‘ Was she beautiful? surroundings were elegant, mans shrill, piercing scream rang out, accompanied by the sound of some Already I had inquirch but had been refused information. Suddenly the voices were hushed, and I could distinguish a woman sayingâ€" “I tell you has blindâ€"stone-blind. If you doubt me, hold that before his face and see if he flinchcs." ‘ A man's voice sounded in a low growl in response, then all was silent. Only the ticking of a clock somewhere near broke the stillness. Whispers. like low._ suspicious ex- changes of confidence, soon afterwards reached my ears. silently, and a few seconds later I fc‘t the soft hand of my protectress again upon my forehead. My sightlcss eyes were wide open, and by that she, of course, knew that I was awake. “Are you better after your sleep?" the well-cultivated voice inquired concern- edly. “Very much," I answered. raising it you will kindly instruct y-ourservant to call me a cab." “Oh dear no," the voice answered pleasantly. “I couldn't think of allow- ing you to go home at this hour, and in your weak state, too. It would be madness. Continue your rest, and you will be quite right again in the morn- mg.” “You are extremely kind." I protest- ed, “but it really couldn’t think of re- maining longer." “Would you like to repay me for what you so very generously term kindness?" she asked. “If so, I would only ask one little favor." “Certainly. I will grant it if it lies within my power," I responded. “Well, it is that you would scribble your name here, in this birthday book of. mine. It will be a little souvenir of this evening.” “But I cannot write well now-a-days. I can't see, you know," I protested. If the handwriting is uneven I will for- give you, in the circun'istanccs'," the voice said merrily; and a moment later : she placed a pen with a handle of ivory or pearl within my hand. “What day of the month?” inquired the sweet voice. “The second of July.” I answered. laughing; and my unknown friend, havâ€" ing opened the book at that page, guided my hand to the paper, scrawled my name. She took both pen and book. and by the departing swish of her skirts I knew that she had left me and had passed into the adjoining room. A strange picture arose in my mind. At any rate her and her low musical voice was that of a young and refined girl of twenty or so. I listened, lying there helpless and sorely puzzled. Again curious whisper- ings in subdued tones sounded from beyond, but almost at that, same mo- ment some one commenced to play up- on the piano Chopin’s “Andante Spin- ato," which prevented me from distingu- ishing either the words uttered or the trend of the discussion. For several minutes the soundof the piano filled [be room, the touch, light and delicate, seeming to be that. of a woman, when, of a sudden, there was a loud smashing of glass, and a wo- whcrcon l heavy object as it fell to the floor. In an instant the music ceased, and at the same moment I heard a man's voice cry wildly.â€"- ‘ “Good God! ed her." ' . Next second there sounded a rapid scuming of feet, a chair was overturned and broken. and from the quick pant- ing and muttered ejaculations it seem- ed as though two persons were closed in deadly embrace. In their frantic, desperate struggle they 'advanced into the room where I was, and I, still ul- tcrly helpless. with only a dark void about me. raised myself in horror and alarm. pnllcd. Some terrible tragedy had occurred. My kind pr’otectrcss had been murder- cu. ' The other two persons, whoever they were. fought fiercely quite close to me, and I could distinctly detect from the vain efforts to shout made by the weak- er that the stronger held him by the throat, and was endeavoring to strangle him. . Of a sudden thcrc'was a quick, dull thud, the' unmistakable sound of a heavy blow,’,followcd by a short agonized Crv. I - “Ah-hf"shrieked the voice of the per- son struck: and at the same instant. a great. weight fell back inertly upon me as I was lying, nearly crushing the breath from m’c. I passed my sensitive hands over it quickly. It was the body of a man. Blood ran warm over my fingers. He had been stabbed to the heart. You’veâ€"why you've kill- The man’s words held me ap- ___â€"_â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"___.â€"___â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"_______- The door had opened . 5 are with friends." m , .. .. . : , . . , ysilf upon my elbow. But I have ; “men I am “Qt 1“ ‘1 hosplml?’ \mubc you far too long, and will go. 1 INCOME 313t,1906 PREMIUMS: First year Renewals Annuity Less fie-assurance INTEREST o c..- Mortgagca Debentures and Bonds Loans on PoiiCies Premium Obligations .. Cash in Banks . . Cash at Head Office .. . Du‘e and deferred premiums, Interest due and accrued .. Audited and found correct. NET LEDGER ASSETS, December ...... 9,890,t77.70 . . . .$ 230,636.63 .. 1,519,322.77 3,450.00 $1,753,409.40 20,367.52 out. one. PROFIT AND LOSS .... .... .... Real Estate (Company's Head Office) 30. Thirty-Eighth Annual Report... TO JANUARY 151:, 1908, OF THE flintual Life of Canada HEAD OFFICE, = WATERLOO, ONT. CASH ACCOUNT Surplus 1,733,041.88 509,240.02 1,288.25 $2,134,047.85 BALANCE SH EET ASSETS. ’ .._.......$5,756,070.85 Reserve, lip.c.. . . .. . 3,593,965.84 standard .. . . . . . . 310.019.563.89 . . . . . . 1,410,130.87 Reserve on lapsed policies on which . . . . . . 22,534.21 surrender values are claimable. 4,171.22 75.79 Death Claims unadjusted . . . . . . . . . . 89,350.00 280,494.29 Present value of death claims pay- . 1.505.19 able in instalments . . . . . . 38,506.93 (net).. 319.277.97 Matured Endowments, unadjusted . 1,693.45 .. .... 241,554.91 Premiums paid in advance . . . . . . . . 12,737.18 accounts ... 811,650,409.92 J. M. SCULLY, F.C.A., GEO. Auditor Waterloo, January 29th, 1008. New Business written (gain over 1906, $1,577,855) 1 - - I Insurance in force (gain over 1906, $4,!79,44o) - - - ! Surplus, (gain over 1906, $300,341) - - ... - - and will be distributed among Policyholders in due course. DISBUI‘tSEMENTS. TO POUCYI-IOLDERS: Death Claims Matured Endowments Surrendercd Policies .. '.. “$317,776.50 Annuities . . . . . . '. . EXPENSES, TAXES, BALANCE NET LEDGER ASSETS, December 315i, 1907 .. LIABILITIES. 3%p.c. Due for medical fees and sundry Credit Ledger Balances . . . . . . . . .. Surplus, December 3ist, 1907 . . . . . . (Surplus on Government Standard of Valuation $1,897,358.28.) ’ \ . . 178,785.00 92,138.68 . . . . . 80,805.19 . . . 10,714.93 . S 680,220.30 ETC . . . . 383,981.33 .. 11.069.846.22 812,134,047.85 and 3p.e. . . . . . . 10,936.75 25,730.62 1,503,719.68 611,656,409.92 WE?! ENAST, Managing Director. - $7,08|,402' - $5L09L848 - owes-7:9 .1’ .3 W Booklets containing full report of the Annual Report. held March 51!: 1908, are being published -."- -.."... £.b./_ J..-:.*....'-.".v. ~~:.v:-.-â€". 3;.- ‘-..~-I-';:.--." 'â€"*â€".--â€"- â€" -v ' FLA-f.” r > - A- ». I - . . .m. - - CHAPTER III. The we‘ght of the inert body oppress- ed me, and in striving to extricate my- self it slipped from the couch and slid to the. ground. ‘ l raised myself quickly, not know- ing whether next moment I, too, might be struck down. The faint sound of some one moving stealthin across the thick-pile carpet caused me to sit rigid, holding my breath. I heard the movement distinct- ly. and curiously enough it sounded as though it were a woman, for there was just a faint rustling as though her skirts trailed upon the ground. My quick car to'd me that the person was approaching. fly the panting breath I know that it was the assassin. \\'as I. for, to fall a victim? I tried to call out. but in that moment of agony and horror my tongue refused to articulate. It seemed to cleave to the roof of my mouth. The sound of movement ceased, and I knew that the person was quite close to me. My eyes were wide open, held fixed in expectant horror. I felt a warm breath upon my cheeks, and knew that the unknown assassin was peering into my eyes. Next mo- ment I had an instinctive feeling of something being held a few inches from my face. In an instant thewords that had been spoken by my protcclress recurred to me. She had declared to her compan- ions that. l was blind, and urged them to test me by holding something to my head. This was now being done. The truth of my statement was being proved, pos- sihly by a revolver being held to my brow. If so, my only chance of safety rested in unflinching coolness. My po- sition was certainly a most uncnviable one. For a few moments the panting heart of the assassin thumped close to me; then, aparcntly satisfied, the unknown person moved off in silence without uttering a single word. My first impulse was to jump up and arrest. the progress of the assassin. but on reflection I saw that to do so would only be to invite death. What could I do. blind as I was? Only could I sit and listen. trying to distinguish every detail of the mystery. Yes, I became convinced more than ever that the person leaving the room was not a manâ€"but a woman. Could it be the same individual whose cool. sympathetic hand had only a quar- ttcr of an hour before soothed my brow? The thought held me dumbfounded. I had all along believed that the as- sassin had been a man. but it was cer- tain by the swish of silken Ilounccs that it was a woman. As I listened I heard the click of an electric-light switch at the door of the room, and a couple of minutes later a heavyâ€"door closed. From the hang of the [maker I knew that 1120 street-door had been shut by some person who had left the house. I still sat listening. All was silent. Only the low ticking of the clock broke the dead stillness of the night. The mysterious Woman who had thus made Imr exit had evidently switched off the light. leaving mo in total darkness with the hideous cviitei‘ices of her crime. For some short time longrr I listen- ed my ears open to catch every sound, taut hearing nothing, I now knew that i was alone.‘ Therefore. rising to my feet. I gropcd about until my hands touched the prostrate body of the man, and as I did so he heaved a long sigh, and a quick shudder ran through his frame. The wound had evidently not caused instant-death, but. placing my hand quickly over the heart. I found that it. had now ceased its heating with the final spasm. struck down ere he could utter a singig. word. . My investigations showed that he was about twentyâ€"eight years of age; pram bably fair. by the softness of the hair? and moustache, with even teeth, rathe,’ sharp jawâ€"bones and checks a triflé thin. Having ascertained this much, groped forward with both hands in tho direction of the room wherein the WC? man had been so swiftly done to deatif. It was in darkness, I have no doub-’,, but to me darkness was of no accoun., for I was ever in eternal gloom. 'l‘hr,’ furniture over which I stumbled herp’ and there was covered with silk brrig cade. the -- woodwork being of that-’1 smoothness which had led me to believd that it must be gilded. It was without doubt a fine where I had been lying, for the dimen" sions of the place were quite unusua- and the objects with which my hand.” came into contact were always of character magnificent, and in keeping. with the grandeur of the place. Th5- hcuse- was evidently one of these fine mansions with which the West End 0., I/ondon abounds, apartment. even though I could not see it, was the acme of comfort and ‘11:.- ury.‘ . (To be Continued.) Slowly, and with utmost. care. I pass- _ ed both my hands over the dead man's face in order to obtain some mental picture of his appearance. His hair seemed thick and well parted at. the side, his features those of a young man shavcn save for the moustache, which Was long and well trained. He was in evening clothes, and wore in his shirt a single stud, which, to my touch. seemed of very peculiar shape. I tried to make out. its design. but in vain, when suddenly I remembered that if I took it, it might afterwards give me some clue to- its dcad owner's identity. I took it from the stiff shirt-front and placed it in the pocket of'my vest. His watch-chain was an ordinary curb, I found. with a watch which had the greasy feel of silver. In his pock- cts were a couple of sovereigns and some loose silver. but no letters nor card-case. nothing indeed to lead me to a knowledge of who he really was. In one pocket I found a small pencil-case. and this I also took for my own pur- poses. Half a dozen times I placed my hand upon his heart. whence the blood was slowly f'ozing. but there was no move- ment. The blow had been aimed with such t.-rril-l'- precision that he had been â€"-â€"â€"â€">x« WOULD surr mu nx..cri.v. Mr. Hewligusâ€"ch, I want a boy to take care of my horses. run errands, and do any other kind n2 work that's needed on the premise. Ilavc you a recommendation iron your last cm- .ployer? Applicant (for job â€"ch. sir. The last man I worked for was old llunks. He says I ain't north powder enough to blow me up. Mr. llcwligusâ€"i'll take you. __ ....-.x. STR‘ C’l‘l.Y LOGICAL. “I guess the business of pulling new covers on olt' beaks is one which has never more .han a temporary depres- sion." - “What makes you think that?” “Isn't it naturally on the ieiiound." _.___.vV< I. Hugginsâ€"“l am surprised that you believe the story Brown just told us. Why. i wv.‘nildn't believe it if I told it myself." ' Iluggins~-“Oh, well, in that case neither would I." spacious drawing-room I and certainly this; 55.53-31 , ,' . vwvévVvvv ital}; :r‘.‘ yle g ' aye.“