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a yr 7”." .2. I. a.» n:- .19 . p, u. r. snowman-sewed: alswmmygw.¢§yfifgvnuafmvvvwflc. 3- ..m .â€" Wk. him zuw;.rvt~¢?â€" ._ ~.‘_l _ _< .. e. .. X". _ I V: '14 .:;‘ ‘7 .. .-.E.;gv.:e.fi (Mr: 3.... W "’V‘C‘Vjvihrwf‘Kv' ‘ VVV'VV < .4 {.1 Hi." ‘ ...1..= ._.. - . ». vmm‘s'svwcww' . War-ac “so “‘V¢WL,‘V/-H .. . .‘fl a”. ~ «av-v CHAPTER XX.â€"â€"(Continued). She was anxious and nervous enough befcu: she began. but at the end of the first note of the song her nervousness and aelfmnsciousness slid from her like a. loose . garment. The clear. well-trained voiceâ€"~for the Chevalier was a good mae- ter. and had trained her wellâ€"rose. in the ~ intense silence. as melodious as a. boil. She had not only a good voice, but she sang with expression: for the Chevalier. had chosen one of Tosti'e love ballads, and Mina sang with her heart as well as her. verse. I The outburst of hearty and generous, applause startled her. She swept a curb- Bey. and went off the platform. and was erected by the Chevalier with a nod and a. smile of satisfaction and approval. "They want. some more." he said. “You, must go on again. Sing them ‘Homo. Sweet Home’ That. always fetches them: for. though they are within an hour and a half of London, of course they feel as if they were a couple of thousand miles from home. Go on, my dear! What are; you trembling about? Just you remem- er what I told you, and think only of the song. and forget that the people are. there." I Mina went on again. and sang the bal- lad which has stirred and racked so many ‘ thousands of hearts: and the applause was deafening. Even the orchestra joined in it: and. it need not be said. there were . tears of loving pride in Elisha's eyes. The Chevalier saw that Mina was go- ing to be a great success. and his vision‘ carried beyond Lea-on-Sauds to the large‘ provincial towns. to London itself; and. of course. he was eager to secure a pos-! sible gold mine: business is business. lie offered there. and then to give Mina three ' pounds a week with an engagement for; three years; and it seemed such an enorn mous income to her and Elisha. that theyl would have agreed to the proposal. But here Tibby stepped in. - Heaven knows where she had gained' that knowledge of the world which. aided ‘by her native shrewdnees. made her. though seemingly little more than a child in years, a woman of business capable of meeting the Chevalier on equal terms. She had seen the effect which Mina's grace and beauty and her sweet. clear voice had wrought upon the audience. and she, too, saw that Mina was going to be_ a success. 1 "Three pounds a week!" she exclaimedu "It isn’t likely! Why. that old Robinson must think we're a set of jugginses. 'I don't say that two of us ain’t." she .put in darkly: "but he's got to take me into account. Three pounds a week! Why. Mina will be getting more than that pre- sently for a. single song; she'll be worth thirty or forty younds a. week: _ p’r’aps more, ever so much more. Don't you go an' sign no such agreement. father. No; if he likes 'to take the management of Mina. in hand. he’ll have to be satisfied with a commission, like any other agent. You leave me to talk to 'im.” l They did so; and. to his astonishment,= tho Chevalier found himself confronted by a woman's wit and sharpness concealed. in the form of a weird creature. whose face was that of a pococious child. but. whose mental acutencss proved more than 'a match for him. He had to content him- self with a. commission on Mina's carn- ings; and it. may be hinted. .to Tibby’s credit. that it was by no means an exor- bitant one. Tibby also secured an en- gngement for Elisha in the Chevalicr's orchestra during the term of Mina’s con-_ A Dark Shadow; Or. A Coming vengeance her happiness. had rested. But she wns possessed of more good sense than falls to the lot of most girls of her age: and she reminded herself inocssantly that _he had-yea. deserted her: that on reflection he had decided he could not marry her. It was her duty to herself. to her self- respect. to forget him. But forgetfulncss, like several other things we sometimes crave. will not. come at bidding. The season is a. short one at such places as Lemon-Sands; and immediately the Chevalier's engagement ran out they started on a provincial tour. Tibby ac- companicd the others; but, of coursehnot as an idle member of the arty. Elisha; and Mina would require “coking after more than ever: and then there was the matter of Mind's wardrobe. which. T;boy declared, would demand nearly all her time to superinteud: for it is an article of faith with ladies in Tibby‘s position that an evening dress markedpight gum- ens in a shop window may. mth cunning and perseverance. be satisfactorily copied at home at a quarter of the cost. One of the first places on their route was Manchester. Of course. "Miss Veroni- ca Vernon" was quite unknown in that. metropolis. not only of commerce but of art: so her name. therefore, appeared quite modestly in the programme for a. couple of songs only. The hall was a good one. and crowded: her appearance imme- diately prepossessed the audience in her favor. as usual, and her first song was re- ceived with great admiration. With her second she achieved a marked success; she was not. only encored, but at the find of the encore-she chose the Chevaliers tour de force, “Home. Sweet Home"â€"the applause was vociferous. and she was called back to the platform: until. pale and trembling under the strain of‘ the general excitement. she clung to Tibby. and refused to appear again. Now, it chanced that there had been that afternoon a conference of the local members of the Liberal party. at, which Lord Chesterleigh was present. He had decided to remain until the next day to address another meeting; and after he had finished his dinner at. the hotelâ€"he always insisted upon putting up at. an hotel on these occasions, because he could get to bed early. which he coufd not do if staying as a guest at a private houseâ€" he strolled out. the night being fine _lIe came upon the concert hall, and. bemg passionately fond of music. went in. and was given a seat in a private box by the booking-office clerk, who recognized him and. settling himself, his lordship lcant back. and.'putting politics away from him. was quite prepared to enjoy the music. He had come in some time after the pro- gramme had commenced, but he was. not too late for Mina’s first song. Immediate- ly she appeared. Lord Chestcrlcigh was struck by the grace and modesty of her bearing; and he put up his eyeglass and looked at her with attention. As he did so. he was smitten by a vague sense of having seen her before: yet he could not recollect where or under what circum- stances: he corsulted the programme. but her name. obviously a. stage one, convey- ed nothing to him. The feeling, a troub- lous one, stirred dim depths of his past life. and made him strangely uneasy, even melancholy; and her singing of “Home. Sweet Home," though he admired it3’and applauded it as enthusiastically as the rcstpf the audience, made him still sad- der. Where had he seen her before. of whom did she remind him? He harried his memory with the question; but it re- tract. ~ ‘fuscd to answer. For some reason which has never beeul clearly defined. members of the dramatic and musical professions seem to prefer to work under any other names than their own. Under the rather h’gh-ilown name, Veronica Vernon, with which the Cheva- lier had launched her. she continued to be known; and as she was as yet by no means strong. it was drcided that she should remain for the present at Lea-0n» Funds. The Chevalier was too wise to let her appear too often. and she sang at the Kuraaal for only three nights in the week. On those nights the place was crowded. and she acquired such local fame that visitors came from the neigh- boring watering-places to hear her sing. Now. singing is one of the most bene- ficial exercises that man or woman can lndu‘ge in: and Mina's health improved rapidly; but. though both Elisha and Tib- by were overjoyed at her success. Mina. herself was not elated As all true artists . should. and indecd must be, she was ab- sorbed in her artâ€"that is. while she was practising. or singing before an audience . -â€"but at other times she was preoccupied and melancholy. She seemed to be living in a world of her own; and it was a world of sadness: for she never laughed now, even at Tibby's queer ways and sharp speeches. and she rarely even smiled. , Strange to say. few of us live in the present; some of us live in the future. and ; most of us. alas! live in the past. And Mina was amongst the majority. They all told her that she was going to be, famous. rich: and she was glad for Eli-f sha's and 'I‘ibby's sakes; but the prospect. brought no gladness for herself; she was: living in that past in which Clive had- moved as the chief factor in her life. as the centre on which all her thoughts. all r m .. l Are you one of those to whom. mutating P ' Na-Dru-Co Dyspepsia Tablets will help your disordered stomach to digest any" reasonable meals. and will soon restore it to such perfect con- _ dition that; you'll never feel that you have a stomach. Take one after .‘Iach meal. 50¢. a Box at you; Druggist's. Made by the National prug and Chemical Co. of Canada. Limlleti. 190 eg. .53:ng meal is another source of I He remained until tho end of the con- cert, and was making his way out, still thinking of the girl and pondering over the problem which her personality lll‘d set him. when. at a. temporary block near the entrance. he recognized a man who was standing close in front of him. "How do you do. Mr. Quilton?” he said, touching the man on the shoulder. Quiltou turned round and’gnzed at Lord Chesterleigh with his colorless eyes, and without the slio‘htest sign of r-ESponsive recognition in his face. "I'm afraid you don‘t, remember me?" said Chesterlcigh. as they passed on to- gether into the street. "My name is Chrs- tcrleigh. We met in India. if you recol- lect? At any "ate, I do not forget that you rendered the Government a great ser- vice. "Ah. yes! How do you do, Lord Ches- terleigh?” said Quiltou as if he had just recollected his companion; but his tone and face were as imparcive as usual. “Yes; that was very valuable assist- ance you rendered us." said Lord Chester. lcigh; “and I fear that it was not fully recognized. But that wrs not altogethcr our fault. was it? You leftâ€"I was going to say disappeared from Simla so sud- denly. not to say mysteriously." he smil- cd. “that all our ei‘for.s to find you were unavailing " “That‘s some years ago, Lord vChester- Icigh." said Quilmn; "and I'm afraid I’ve forgotten what it was that took me away. Any small serviced may have been able to render the Government it was quite welcome to.” “Strange to meet you here again at Manchester after so many yearnsâ€"Will you have a cigar?" said Lord Chester- lcigh. Quilton accepted one. and lit it in his leisurely fashion. “May one inquire what. brings you here?" “Business.” replied Quilton. "I am on the staff of the Beacon: and I came down to report your lordship‘s meeting." “I wish you could lrve found a pleas- nnter occupation." said Lord Chesterlcirh, shrugging his shoulders: “but. indeed. you have this evening. What a capital con- ccrti By the way." he hesitated a mo- ment. “there was a young lady. quits a young girl, who sang most charming y: an extremely pretty girl, Miss Veronica Vernon. Do youâ€"you gentleman of the Press are generally omniscientâ€"do you know anything of her? I don’t remember seeing her name before." Quilton knocked the ash off his cigar. and studied it as if he had suddenly dis. covcrod something extremely interesting in it; then he said: “She has only appeared recently. I should sayâ€"I don’t know much about such mattersâ€"that she prOmises to be a suc- cess. "A very great. success.” said Lord Ches- terlcigh warmly. “But whrt I meart to ask was. do you know anything about her personally? I put the question because I fancied that I had seen her before. or that she reminded me of some one." Quilton stared before him with expres- sionless eyes. "I should scarcely think that was likely. Lord Cbesterleigh. I do happen to krow something about, her She is the daughtflr of quite humble people. Her father plnv- ed in the orchestra wright; and,he and her sister look after her." ' Lord Cheeterleigh sighedâ€"1t seemed al- most with relief. "I rm g‘ad she is so well looked after. guarded. A girl e0 young. so beautiful, and so highly e-f‘ed. is exposed to many temptationsâ€"You did not tell me her name?" an . vfiw. Your Guarantee of Geodncos The name “SALADA” on the sealed lead pacts. ages is your strongest guarantee of all that is best and most flagrant in tea IS THE CHOICEST TEA GROWN ON THE l â€"-clean, whole leavesmwith the delnghtful flavor of the fresh leaves brought to your table by the sealed lead packages. BLACK. GREEN OR MIXED Quilton seemed to ponder for a. moment. "Jones. Brown. Thompsonâ€"I forget,‘ he said casually. Lord Chosterleigh sighed again. well.” he said. as if dismissing the sub- ject. "Will you come to the hotel With me. and have a night-cap and a chat over 1 0 the old times in India. Mr. Quiltsn?" "Thank you; I am afraid I cannot," sflld' Quilton. “I am going to take my report. up with me by the night train. And that reminds me that I have only just time to. catch it. Good night. Lord Chestcrlcigli:; glad to have met you." He went off, not hurriedly. but in such a way as to prevent any further conver- sation; and Lord Ches*erleigh went on to his hotel. his head bent. his brows drawn, as if his meeting with Quiltcn had awak- ened echoes of the past. CHAPTER XXI. Tho months glided by. the Season com-l menced; the Conservatives were atll clingel ing to office with a tenacity which. of course, the Liberals declared to he as wicked as it was desperate The Liberals were still working hard tonvcrthrow the Government. and few worked harder than Clive; not, if the truth must be told. that he was particularly and personally dc- sirous of ousting the Conservatives. but' because he found that when he was .not (it work he invariably fell to brooding. [‘herefore, he was nearly always in his; ~)laco in the House, and did a great_deal’ of stumping in the country, and, what! was unusual with him. went a great dcall into Society, where; it should be udded,| he was very welcome. And. of course. he saw a great deal of Lady Edith. He met her nearly every- where he went, and they'danced and talk- ed together. And they talked not only when they met at balls a“d ri’ceptionfl.i but at Grosvenor Square. Habit. is second; nature; a. man is very much like a tabby cat, in his unconscious readiness to move in a. certain groove or haunt a certain spot. Clive got into the habit of dropping in at the Chestcrlcighs’, especially when he felt tired and hipped; and it is just when a man is in this condition that the presence and the sympathy of a girl who is not only beautiful, but. cultured and tactful, are most welcome. Lady Edith's sympathy was ,of the most comprehensive kind; she understood‘ all Clive's aims and aspirations; she had forc-i ed herself to take an interest in the cause of the poor. which he was always cham- pioning; and her tact was really remark. rble for so young a girl; she seemed to diving his mood the moment he entered the room. seemed to know whether it would be bet-tor to be silent or to trlk to him. Sometimes she went to the piano,‘ and played softly: but, if she could have known it, these were the only occasions o‘n which she erred; for when she plnycd or sang Clive was reminded of Mina; urd sometimes he could scarcely hour the music. Lord Chostcrlcigh and he were groatcrl friends than over; and Clive was mrde free of the house; indeed. Lord Chestch Tcigh treated him a‘most as if he were a. son; and Clive naturally grew much at‘| tachcd to the older man. They had lie-l come so friendly. and Lord Chestorleigh; so often talked about famiy and personal 3 "matters unmservndly and confidentially.“ but (‘live was several times on the point I I??? of telling him of the strange foreign-ll"? looking woman; but in these modern days ‘ 4 most of us shrink from even the appear- ;r dw'»..._.~...a.i..t -...- -. said Lord Chosterleigh. with an ownersi 3' AN OF GEYLON ., ance of intrusion on other persons' private . affairs, and Clive held his tongue. -‘A}1"matter of fact. he attached little or no importance to the woman or her behavior, which he ascribed to monomanla. It is scarcely necessary to say that the vident friendship between Clive and Lady Edith. and his frequent visits to the house. ‘ Society regarded a marriage between them as certain, and thoroughly approved of it. no intention of proposing to Lady Edith; he did not want to marry any oneâ€"except- - , ing Mina. His heart felt dead: he was in- ' capable of love for any other woman. and lhc had, almost unconsciously. the feeling [which every man and warmth has in his conditionâ€"that every one must be aware of his state of mind. But accident and circumstance drive us whither we have no intention of. going. Clive went home one morning with Lord‘ Chesterleigh to lunch. It was a lovely day in early spring; and Lady Edith. who had .9 received Clive as if his presence were all :that was needed to make the day per- l feet, remarked: "'What a shame to waste such lovely Father. could you not drive me out into the country in that new mail haeton of yourSPâ€"Do you know." turned to Clive with a laugh, "that he [has bought a. most. sp‘endacions phaeton and a pair of lovely coke: and that he has never‘once asked me to go out with him? l And yet I dare say he goes about priding l ' ' himself that ‘he is an affectionate and at- tentive parent." Lord Chesterfield laughed. been out with them yet myself." he said. “Then take me somewhere this after- “Ancl per- Asa attracted attention. But Clive had often weather !. she "I haven't tuoon.” she rctortcd quickly. ‘ Iliaps Mr. Harvey would come with us: that is. if he can tear himself away from the House." “I should be delighted," “Wild horses wouldn't drag me to the House this afternoon." "Then tame horses shall drag us down toâ€"where. father?" she said, sparkling. her face radiant. Could we find some rustic, outâ€"ofâ€"the-way spot where we cou.‘d have a dinner of tough chops or ham and eggs. or something different. from the usual end- less and tiresome meal we get at. home?â€" Do you know of such a place. Mr. Har- said Clive. her eyes “I don't care where it is. n‘& asi: you to this wonderful modern light in your own home for ten days. then you may return it at our expense if not: perfectly satisfied. We . want you to prove for yourself that it gives five to fifteen times as much light_n_s the ordinary ml lamp; beats electric, gasoline or acetylene. Lights and is put outJust like the old Oil lamp; runes 70 scans Off I Glllflll Oil. Gives npowerful wh its light. burns common coal oil (kerosene). no odor. smokoornolse, simple. clean. won‘t explode. Guaranteed. $i®®€l.©@ Reward will be given to the arson who shows us an ollmnip equialto thls laddlnlncver way (do. tails of offer given in our circular). VOUIIl we dare make such a challenge to the world if there was the slightest doubt as to the merits of the Alud-Jln? \Vewnnt one pen-on in each locality to whom we can refer cnntomcrs. Write nick for our 10 Day Absolutely Froo Trial 'ropâ€" osltlon. Agents' “'hnlc‘ i3 Prices. and learn mummy]... how to get ONE Fv ._.__. MANTLE LAMP 60.. Hflfllnddln Bldg" Montreal 8. Winnepog LE;â€" ’1 l :/ Write for a free copy of this book For a farmer’s silo, _ a county road, or a N railroad bridge, can be depended upon to make concrete that will last for gen- erations.â€"-There is only one grade-the best that science and skill can make. The label on every bag is your guarantee of satisfaction. Canada Cement Company Limited, Montreal L'Z ' Tim-e i: a Canada Cement dealer invyour neighbor/wadâ€"[fjou do not know him, all u: for 111': name. Clive considered for a mom I or tw "There's a little place call almer' Green. out Surrey way." he ; “it scarcely a. place. for there is nothing there but a small inn: but. though I doubt. the chops. I feel pretty sure about thus ham and eggs. I came upon the plm when I was out riding one day. By thq' way. it is a rather long drive." J "I’ll back my horses for any distance.’ proud confidence. ‘ . “Your description sounds delightful." rout marked Lady Edith. “Let us go at oncel ‘, Clive rose. "'I think I should like to: change my hat and frock coat’ for somed thing more suitable to the occasion," he . said.. “I promise to be back long boford you're ready." I “Then you will have to be very quick.’; she said brightly: “for I shall be exactly. three minutes and a. half." “That means thrcc-qunrtcre of an hour)”; remarked Lord Chestorleigh. "Yes; I can have the phneton round by that time." (To be continued.) 1‘.._..._. The Big Item. “Docs it'take much money send a 'boy to college ’I” asked the' Boob. “No,” replied the Cheerful Idiot,» “It’s keeping him there that takes the coin.” ~â€"-â€"â€"-w-â€"--â€"~â€" “We’re not going to have muc‘ of a wedding. Jack and I want to have everything as simple as pos-‘ sible.” “Well, you will have it. alll right. You’ll have each other, won’t you 2” . ‘ Two Irishmcn had just met, and; after introducing themselves, one said to the other: “So your name is Riley, is it? Are yo any relationl to Barney Riley of lower town 7" “A very distant one,” replied the other. “Oi was me mother’s first child. and Barney was her thir-‘t teenth.” " ay a cent until ACE Eli! i5 WAWTEE’) to demonstrate In ter- ritorywhere cillamps erolnnsc. Expcrlcnce unnecessary. Many a. g o u (5 average iivu sales a. day and make £100.00 per month. One farmer cleared over $00.00 in 6 v: :'. You can melt: n- cy rvrnlngs and Ivar VI uiu quick [or let... oar/marinara: M1» summon-turn i‘ » ‘2' \4 V‘- V"\.',_ ~3- . . In... "( .- p . V. ». t‘vé'"MVâ€"- v v '9} v< {-1 ’0' éis'i'Q-vkii‘vdr...’ “rs-y; -- .1: .