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niauame von 'i'hirsk, as though dem _ , . _-.. woman to struggle down-5 stairs so early with this mo permit herself I from her an explanation. _ menrous hall ; to receive as gospel all before you this cvenin ' Lady Aime “ Say to her ! Why, absolutely m g, at which every one .' has said, still her last words assuredly Of what are you accusing me, Branks is bountao look her best lest the country icarry with them the germs of comfort. In Do you not know me yet? I was swear. me, let me estah ‘ ' lish you upon this ; spite of herself she is soleced by them. ominously 30. perhaps; but Iconfess lounge nest the window ; turn vonr eyes i Now Muriel feels softened, saddened. a little taken aback. Ask herâ€" from thehght so, and lie still, whilstlfinish ' Perhaps after all she had toohastily judged Branksmere~t0 repeat to you a Sing thisetching.” . . madame. Anne has dwelt upon her good mark I made voluntarily. It is unlit Muriel acoedes to her request, and sinks lpoints, has shown team out, and assured to misjudge me: my friend; but the hack in‘a delicious old arm-c air and closes her of them. Anne ! Whose judgment is itself ever. I tell you 1 was most sc her eyes against the light. , always calm, and strong, and sure. lously careful to breathe of nothing “ Anne,” She says, P’esenflv, “ What of Through the house there is running the I might betray you. I said always whe this woman. this Madame V0“ ThiI‘Sk ?" new‘vs of the dowager’s last seizure. and of Clue$tioned me, ‘ Ask Branksmere l’ “ We“, when ‘2” asks Lady Anne, mildly. how madame sat- up with her all the past more,no less! From first to last d “ YOU'ShOUl‘l know a. good deal of her. night oareless of fatigue. The truth of this the distressing interviewâ€"and I confl Tell me what you know.” ‘ * struggle is manifested in maclame’s face, as has disheartened meâ€"I said nothing i “ There is so lirtle to tell,” she says. lMuriel sees it presently. Passing through “But-” _ “She is, to begin w'th, a‘Hungarinn of good the hall with a. slow and wearied step Shel “ You will 11011 believe me £11611? birth, with a considerable fortun9~ Some chances to enter the lihrni-n mu--- u»...- ~ ., r - - Although Muriel will not Muriel auccedes to her reqfiesb, and back in‘a delicious old arm-chair and her eyes against the light, .‘ Anna ", bi‘l‘ an”... _ _ “ Is your headache anything better '3” asks she rising to greet her. “ Ah, you do look ill ! How foolish to struggle down- stairs so early with this momentous hall before you this evening, at which every one is bound to look her best lest the country swear. Come, let. me establish you upon this lounge near the window; tum vonr eves from the light so, and lie still, whilstl finish 1 thisetohing.” A _‘---.w The sun is well abroad before Muriel wakes. It is, indeed, close on noon when she descends to the morning~romn, only to find it deserted by all but LadyAnne Branks- m “’9 “ Quite alone," she a “ Spare me any more night at least,” she ent s_o tired.” He turns aside from leaving the room, conti dowager’s apartments. tone. vv mmg tor you to do I” cries M nriel shocked. “ I wishâ€"” “Let me get rid of 1' graciously. He brushes posits his cargo Perhaps that will keep quenccs of your folly,” h ~“yonr staying in t,” interrupts he, un- past her and de- in the grate. “There, you from the conse- e says, brusquely a fire1ess room tilb morning was grown almost. into day.” All at. once his face 0 3011- flash dyes it. The his eyes, and a hot susp “ Were you alone?” hanges. and a. crim~ calm hght dies from icion takesits place. ; he asks in a. terrible I . 'v-uw nu, UCl‘LaJnly," n “ Hereâ€"6pc!) quickly, I tell youâ€" this from me. It is burning my fi Muriel flings wide the door to d between a tong hand, and {coal-box full of red ho ii) the other. vv II van a nuucli sounds upon one of the pan- els. “ Open 2” says ably. “ What is it you want ‘2” dering. her husband’s voice, irrit- asks she, won- w ny 00 you delay? No. I wfil not: go to your room. Let this decision of mine end the discussion.” then dies away. “Go, go,” crles Muriel, in achoked tone. V “ Why do you delay? No. I will not: go; to your room. Let this decision of mine I end the discussion.” ‘€ em raw“; over ms countenance as her question fell from her lips. “ Who elsa should it be ‘2” be demands, “ what absurd ideas are you getting into your head now? Get some sleep, I tell you ; the day is dawning.” “ You are shiver- , - “ That absurd practice of‘ mg your mud to bed at , whether vou are present or absent, leaves you without a fire.” “It is now don’t suppose there is a spark left," he growls, impatiently. “No matter’ how unhappy one may be, it is a betise to kill one’s self. Go into my room for a. while. There is a good fire there. and warm yourself for a. moment. or two. ” “ I am not so cold as you think. I shell,” with a. little scornful glance, “ probably live through the night. I am tired only ; worn out. I want to go to bed." “ I would advise you to look at my fire a. 3 hi 1:, 'nevertheless. ” 1 “ No thank you.” you are,” 4 u would, I believe ( an accept a. comfort \ Be reasonableâ€"go to my v room. I swear to you,” bitterly, “ I shall 1; not intrude upon you there. I shall prob- r. ably not see it again for hours.” V L'._‘ll--â€":â€" , ‘ ' 6‘ *W’yuu to be up. I believediVny-z'asllgep long ago.” “You are sure it is get 2” she asks him, fain had passed over his can t' f I ' °. qu‘e‘s ‘13:: gig-9m h r_hps the down.- tly. A change " resâ€"yes. But never mind that. What is the matter with her ‘2 What an awful cry. Is she in painâ€"in grief ? Yet it dld not. sound like painâ€"like -â€"like ‘madnesa rather E” “ A fit 2” replies he, shortly. it as soon as you can you. Go to bed ate for you to be long ago.” “ You are 9mm 4‘ ‘- “ ' “ Forget ; it need not concern nce ; this is no hour Up. I believed you asleep a-.- v. I‘vl taut. “ Where have you been all this he asks. “ Why, you are still 1 Down in that cold room ?” ~rvwn, “Ian‘s! ‘_‘-It is 5. fresh attack,” 1‘: fly. “ She-theâ€"the dowa worse, I fear. The fits are _ hurried past he I t ~ g [315% 933.8 s of her_ face. '01: to come in .--...u w ner wxm appalling élearness. Unable to beat it, Muriel muses herself, and, pale and haggard with heartfelt dis- may, makes a. rush for her own room. Be~ fore she can reach it the weird, half-stifled sound breaks forth again, and almost at the same instant Branksmere, only partly dressed and looking white and worried, steps from his own room into the corri- ata thing for you -L- I - v nun 6 J." ‘. all theiffiggovvvledge of ‘ mfeignedly glad to see hi .-_J wailing at the first, and then an robbing as of a. spirit bound ; and always a. try that clings and pierces to one’s very soul. .' Muriel, shocked, terrified, quite benumbed ? with the horror 0;, a first superstition, can g unearthly ....v. uyluung useu intb a It rings through the gray wailing at the first, and the tobbing as of a. spirit bound I‘I-‘LAA 7" Slowly it comes! no now uplifting itself i T‘- â€"-f , " ‘6 M_g1riel runs 1e from her abrupt-1y, and, m, continues his way to the tments. ’well abgoad before Muriel 1e answers. very gen tly. re insults for this one entreats feebly. “ I am 5311 attack,” teph'eé h‘e, hist- ~thoâ€"the dowager, is growing The fits are severer, more xn-‘ J-‘ CHAPTER XXIII. “no uculslon or mine “Beyohd any dispute. He was are- .spectahle oldâ€"Russ1an, I think it was-â€" returned ’he. striding‘ ' ' or or against him. the darkness beyond. An amiable nonenity. He lived; he died! ldened, goes to her own That is all. There was nothing in be- cely locked the door: tween.” is upon one of the pan-l “ He really did die ?” “ Oh, dear, yes; and rat-her early in the husband’s voice, irrib- proceedings, I believe. She is a. bonajz‘de widow, there can be no doubt of that. If: want ‘2” asks she, won- llyou want to get her out of the house, ‘Muriel, why not speak to Branksmere certainly,” be rejoins, about it? Ishould think the dowager’a y, I tell youâ€"and take ; discomfort and objections might be squar~ burning my fingers.” Ied. And yet I would have you consider the door to find him before taking so important a step,” con~ 'eshold with a huge tinues Lady Anne. “Madame von Thirslr tween 3. tongs in one is not an mam..." umme m :__‘I uric], in achoked tone. I “ y? No. I will not: go ; asks this decision of mine, “ l spec returned . he. striding ? witk the darkness beyond. An z dened, goes to her own Th3] :er 1min.) n..- .1--_. . m... .. mum 10 over, that scarcely .ku again, and almost at lsurprls-e; me. I have growu so used to her nt Branksrnere, only partly I myself in all these years, you ookmg whlte and worried _ _, I ave forgotten to analvze my feeling with ' owu room ""40 the 001T!" . regard to her. Yet it seems natural enough . _ l to me that one, a. stranger toher, might fail to hxm ! For the first txme ! ' rosy light. She is a. very ‘ ‘ ‘ angel to that hapless old skeleton upstairs ‘1 to see hzm. 511° lays 1101‘ I who, you must acknowledge, is not exactly . . i ‘ in appearance or man- m the agony of her nervous nan-e ” _h_nd from. his of red 1232; ciâ€"Ed'é'; ’ . . . no , u 3 Wplsmg, be ‘2” be demands, e you getting into me sleep, I tell you ; “ You are shiver- absurd practice of 0R, LOVE IS ALWAYS THE SAME. .. ...u tutu, auu her but for the “ What has “ Forget ht concern no hour '01: asleep e dowa- 1 A change 1 :e as her iemands, 5 ting into a tell you ; t *e shiver-I a notice of h bed at h rabsent, b is now 11 a spark c‘ o matter’ ti betise to y m for a. r: ere. and A 3.” 8} [shall,” 1'0“ny s}: 1 only ; dc b1 1y fire a. bi - "â€"QC4HLV’ auu UL [how madame sat- Ep wiéfivller all the past {fight éareless of fatigue. The truth of this strugale is manifested in madame’s face, as iMuriel sees it presently. Passing through the hall with a. slow and wearied step she _ chances to enter the fibrary, where Muriel. ,-_~- -v “any I: ruinous to one s complexion. fly as I can judge 3/38”, she says. And, at all events, of this one thing be sure: if she as any time enter- tained a. temlmvse for Branksmere, he never entertained one for her 1 “ Think of to- night ! Think of to-night,” she cries; gayly, “ And dismiss from you all distasteful fan- cies; they are fatal to one’s digestion and ruinous to one’s .mmn)”;m n __v-- ya. use one has proved it. For ten long years “ Lord Bran she has been true to her trust.” do with your g “ Do yJu honestly think,” asks Muriel, “ASk him Eh suddenly, “ that she has wasted all those “This is torr years through love of Lady Branksmere ?”lunderstaud th Anne Branksmere lays down her pencil. { house? What- “As far and as honestly as I can judge, and Branksme yes”, she says. And, at all events, of this you all sense 01 one thing be sure: if she at any time enter- “Alas that I tained a lendresse for Branksmere, he never madame, “ the. entertained one for her ! “ Think of to- ask Branksmerl night ! Think of to-night,” she cries; gnyly, ;‘ And dismiua Fm“... . -.. An ,1,- _ _ "mum.“ vuu uurSli lis not an ordinary woman, She, and she alone, I am told, can manage the dowager when those direful attacks have seized hold of her. A new face at such times infuriates the poor old woman, and in fact no one ex» cept. madame and Branksmere himself data I approach her when she is sufl‘ering from ‘ lone. I would have you thin 'yvhat a. world 4 of trouble you are accumulating for your- self if you decide on discarding Thekla. She is, beyond every Lhing, a. woman of char- acter.” “ I can quite believe that.” “She has proved it. For tenlong years she has been true to her trust.” 60 ha “u- L 7 “ As I think I told you before, the in‘ timacy between them began almost im- mediately after poor Arthur’s tragic death. About that time. too, the old lady became d a. victim to certain nervous attacks, brought 2% on, they said, by theshock she sustained on e hearing of her grandson’s death. To :re,” 9” says Lady Anne. thoughtfully, “it is always “a"! ‘ a. matter of wonder how she manages to still 88 ' hold her wornout threads of life free of ‘ breakage, conmdering what an additional that. pressure these attacks must make upon it. ‘ b an It is seven years since poor Arthur diedâ€" Yet therefore for seven years she has sufi‘ered like {from them. I never saw hm-in mm u... r a .fi. hast- “I drop you a. courtesy,” returns Lady ” Anne. But to return to our 'subject. I e don’t want you to encourage any erroneous 5 views about madame. She is of inestimable I value to that old woman above. and her I place would be difficult to fill. Think what - responsibility she li-fts from your shoulders. You would scarcely leave the miserable old creature entlrely to the care of servants, and madame is such an excellent go-be-‘ tween. If I were you I think Ishould look upon her in the light of a special provi~ deuce.” “ that of her husband? ; asks Lady Branksnlerc. ] 5‘12“ ..... She had one ‘3” H " W nat ! mere, who in the (lelu: ing to each ._ J-.. “va nova; uull'l‘leu." “ Sodo I,” re turns Lady Anne, frankly, “ But don’t despair about me yet. I dare say I shall marry Primrose before I die. I am fond of that little man, and if the fact are empty: that he asks me regularly once a month to Madame share his life means anything, I should say past him on he is fond of me too. Yes, I really believe Sprung frOI he loves me, and for myself alone you will prepared f be pleased to understand : I have really no trays. money worth speaking about, and he has ' ' him, or panting. “ yet I don’t know,” she goes on. “ When I remember the past, and how good poor derstand.” iArthur always was to me, I feel as if I “ You are ‘should never marry again.” sunk almost “ Poor Primroseâ€"it is sad that a shadow Step or two 1 should be the means of depriving him of his her hands be desire,” says Muriel. “If, in time, you do unseen-"gr“; bring yourself to accept him, I shall regard her. 1h” 8' him as one of the few fortunate ones of the port; am? ‘39 earth ” l I A An 7!! â€"-â€"â€" _ Lhe V v-â€"u5yx W L" !to see her in 3., Easy light. S iangel to that hapless old skel who, you must acknowledge, i‘ attractive either nets. ” “ That; makes her devotion : remarkable. ” in appear-8.1 la grief she see'ni/s'so amrdious to eonceal,f::ar:, - Muriel who has issue mipu su'e y l JWAYS THE SAJME. [her unmeant hiding-place in the wmdow, feels she dare not allude to it. Before she can reach her, however, or make her pres~ but she ence known, Branksmere enters the) rogmg n iseems to have struck up a. lasting friendship Madame raises her head, and for t e rs !, with her ; became enamored with her time seeing Muriel, startsa little. :98”;th '7 ' charms, no doubt, and has been devoted to she flings rom_ her the axr of dejectfirn m»~ y her ever since. “ V18: tout.” had been hanging round her, and be mg up a. ' “ With just. the rest left out,” returns a box of bonbons lying on the table at her ~ 1 Muriel, deliberately. “ You Wlflnot speak, elbow, seems to lose herself 1in a. pleasing 1 ~' then? You like this woman 1’” [abbrecmtmn of fhnm 12..“ nnnnn 1i nnn _-.,,-.. , itime ago she became acquainted with the dowager. How, I hardly know, fi- - - -uvvwnw m5. 1 } believe me, were there anyth ; cause I happen to like you :Lady Anne. “ But, I assure f’nobhing, or if there is, I am i Like her: Well, i hardly knm “ I detest her,” coldly. “ Now that I think it over, surprises me. I have grnwu CHAPTER XXIV. ..... ; vu W You like this woman 1’” . not. mistake me. I w “J -_--..5 uv our" U9" Jpen to like you better,” says “ But, I assure you, there is if there is, I am ignorant of it. Well, i hardly knowwAnd you ‘2” tho. :i Mam" : SAME. 31‘ fee became acquainted with the can 3w, I hardly know, but she em struck up alasting friendship . -' ecame enamored with her tm ubt, and has been devoted to she “ V'la. tout.” had b the rest left out,” returns a. I rarely. “ You w111 notspeak, 61b< e this woman 1’” aPP istake me. I would speak, his we there anything to say, be- “ n to like you better,” says poli But, I assure Vnn Hm". .-.. m.-- 51 you before, the in. am began almost im- Arthur’s tragic death. ,, the old lady became " The question is what did you say to her,” exclaims Branksmere, with suppress- - ed violence. He' is gazing darkly at ' Madame von Thirsk, as though demandina armit herself from her an explanation. ‘3 Lady Anne “ Say to her ! Why, absolutely nothing! is assuredly [ Of what are you accusing me, Branksmere? ‘ comfort. In Do you not know me yet? I was silent, ‘ d by them. ominously so, perhaps; but Iconfess I was. nnJJ-k, 9 - x~..1 . . - , p shei “ You will not believe me then? uriel, ! her I desire you.” all the more that {carqely vv-fl“ u and Branksrfiére that you all sense of deceuc; “Alas that I can n01 madame, “ that I must ask Branksmere 3” 5 “Give me a. few minutes,” she says, going straight up to the Hungarian. “After all that has passed between us of late, some ar- rangement; is necessary. When do you leave '2” “Ask Branksmere,” replies madame.- “ Lord Branksmere I What has he got to do with Vum‘ going or staying '3” “Ask him that, too. ” “This is terrible.” she save. “ A m T ‘- luv 51“" '30 She crosses the hall and en! anteroom that experience has madame frequents. “How dare you so speak in such a. terrible voice tha. quails beneath it. She thro and walks toward the door dainfulstep. 0n the fibres to glance back at him. “ As you decline to act, madame herself, ” she says. 0L- -_--~~ -' ' " “Words 3 words !” “You dare not send ‘ would. That; is the cries she passionately. her away even if you unvaruished truth ‘!' I am not mad or blind, Branksmere. If you refuse to take ‘ ' understand that you ' higher than your wife. ” Branksmere starts as though he had been shot I “ Send that. woman away,” periouslyâ€"“This Madame v0 demand this thing as my rii wife I” Tooké positiveiy superbb ! any brouoieâ€"you know‘ 3 Try some of those sweetmeats, they are altogether desirable !” “So good ; so sweet ! Quite like me l” replies Lady Branksmere contemptuously, i “ Ah ! Yes ‘3" questions madame, “Well â€"perha.pe so. Now and then one does find themâ€"hollow l” “ What! the sweetmeats ‘2” asks Branks- mere, who has now come up in the delusive belief that th ing to each other on friendly terms. “ They are renipty at; times, eh? Nothing in them V” 7 __.v v. -\uu.uxus UL“, ‘ true positions with regard to each other.” “ You must acknowledge then that I am at least good natured.” says madame, “I have saved you a. scene. Nowâ€"without any troubleâ€"you know‘ 3 Try some of those sweetmeats, they are altogether desirable !” u Q- A.--) , ~ 7-- .. vv.u uumvuvluuo , You are in less pain, I hope?” he asks, .3 politely. “ They told me yourvhead was Ls very bad.” i. “It was. It is now free of the throb- n hing.” ». Muriel, going up to madame, holds out: y her hand. 1‘ “ You. too, had a. bad night, I fear ?” she I. says. "I hope you have in part recovered I from your fatigue; that you are feeling 1 better l” l “I am feeling well, thank you,” with ’ slow and marked astonishment in voice and ;~manner, whilst altogether refusing to see or accept the proffered hand. “ Will you not take my hand ‘3” asks Lady Branksmere, haughtily. “ Do you, then, wish me to accept it ?” “Naturally,” burning very pale, “or 1 should not be standing as I now am.” Ma.- ll dame laughs : - ‘- ‘6 [ “ A]! ! that is supremely good of youâ€"- ‘ very sweet. !" she murmurs. She turns back deliberately to her bonbons, as though the dainty snow-white‘hand of her hostess is un- seen by her. “It: is war then between us ‘3” asks in a. low, tone. “ It is well ! have been impossible. I chance you have offered me of learning our 1 Muriel, Peace would ,mu: 1 can non answer you,” says “ that I must again say to you-- ggm-..- m â€"-..-.\. gov-9 uuu vua\¢u5 “t! a. box of bong-Ii: lying on the table at her elbow, seems to lose herself in a. pleasant; apprepiation of them. Branksmere makes hlsrvyffe a. cold salutat-ion. nsol CHAPTER XXV‘ too,has wandered, V, 110“ seeing Lfidy Branksmere, sinks to an arm-chair and gazes absezgtly at; e fire. Her face is white, her eyes heavy, ‘ er whole a'r stricken Wioh arrible,” she says. “ Am that you will not leave at- boud is there between Lt- boud is there between yoilx nere that should kill within of decency and womanhooa ‘3” T -, hat you rank yourâ€"mistress our wife. ” 2 starts as though he had been you so speak to me?” he savs- you 1 was moan scrupu- eabhe of nothing that I said always when she ;L n ‘ _---.vvu â€"I said nothing else.” nuso speak to me?” he says, a voice that-Muriel secretly ;. She throws up her head. .1 LL 1 ’ gazmg darkly at though demanding un. absolutely nothing! g me, Branksmere? at? I was silent, but I confess I was Ask herâ€"Lady :0 you a single re- ‘. It is unlike vou on n-xenaxy terms. “ They es, eh? Nothing in them !” to her feet and sweeps 1e room. Muriel, too, has chair; but he is hardly hurricane her face por- |a.t ‘3” she says, her bosom .ssist that woman in her madame! I do not; 1111- } ence itself!" Her voice Jreath. She advanced a. a to him, and_now twines hreshold she pauses act. I shall speak to ays. and‘enters the blue :e itself !” Her voice “You are right, ’ ith. She advanced a. alone chainsm’e to t him, and now twines “ I know It. back, so that she can, a. peculiar smile. “ It is unfortunate that g of the chair nearest her suspicion should have been aroused,” help, a. sense of sup- says Branksmere, slowly. “Itnever occurred : her beautiful figure to me that it might be so, but you, as at a! Woman, should have known.” n - ‘ “ What are her suspicions ?” imsey;0:h1ehsi:§§, £1mI , “ Paltry ones, I confessâ€"bu 3 my rightâ€"as your blame her that she encourages them? 'W hat must she think? What translation of demand it?" coldly. the difficult" presents itself to her '2” x - . ‘ ‘ There is your grandmother the dowager ”under heavy oblige â€"Lady Branksmereâ€"she sht’mld account - - 9:2‘ for everything.” gÂ¥b?:hf:;l::lsd' treat “ For the whole air of mystery that sur- rounds us? Would it account to you ‘3” . ~ “ lf I loved you, yes?” “373103? ilsnth‘iiffihghz “Love has nothing to do wi Branksmere. “ It is a. poin a ‘ nothin p) touches one more than any thing else. " s :1 insultg 6m. wife 2: “ You will tell her then,” she says. “You x: 's Branksymere .‘ (in have finally made up your mind to break m. Believe mey I the_x__nost sacred oath a mam ever anrn‘)” she answers, “ Love his spot.” returns Branksmere, with coldly. t can you 4 sh this,” says i t where duty I a single re- is unlike yOu .-_L A! -â€" “v; IIUQU , . With a. slow dis- tas taught her she says, going '11. “After all f late, some at- When do you 81: during confess it, AmI triuth Ask No The paper stockings recently ‘ and worn in Germany, are said to ventive of colds. In. them there 1: cal preparation which absorbs the of the feet. â€".v .aquLU'V‘ Meidame, seeing herself so ignored. steps on to the balcony. “Adieu, Branksmere,” she says court- eously, glancing backward. “ Adieu,” replies he. With a little frown she moves away out of sight of the window, but a last though recurring to her, she retraces her steps, and once more enters the library. ‘Branksmere is still writing. As she stands she heavy old~gold curtains fall round and hide her, and possessed by‘ the clever patience the. izes her shestands quite stillfilea ' the shutter, waiting until he his pen aside. As sh concealed from View. innocen tly , ,_---. «an: “HM “ Toznightâ€"no,” glancing a: “It is already too late. This he gage her attention, and just now require her. I shall wait” TO-l He pauses, as though musing, it her presence. To-morrowâ€"” If; 'I ‘ “ You can make all things clear to her if you Will.” says madame. “ Do. You have my full permission at least. What is the old bond that unites us in comparison with yourâ€"Wife’s happiness?” “ No. I shall leave you out of it. My honoris given to you as well as to her. I do not forget I” returns he, slowly. “ When will you seek to allay the fears of Lady Branksmere ‘3” asks madame. ‘ “ To-nightâ€"no,” glancing at his watch. ‘ “It is already too late. This ball will en- gage her attention, and just now her guests require her- I at...” ...-.-i n. , - v u v l V“ 1 Inc same 1' Fealty? Loyalty? An entire confidence? It is a very charming concep- tion, butâ€"~Well, .I hope you are satisfied, Branksmere.” “Why do you seek to torture me like this?” cries he. “ You are an oldâ€"friend, but. even such a one may go too far. Say I attacked? And who shall say I have not been to blame with regard to her? She has had much cause for discontent. ,1 will re- move it in so far as I am able. n V“. -‘n mâ€" L ”v- .van} , LU‘yil: that. I unhappily must refuse i confidence that belongs to her “And she? What does sh The same? Fealty? Loyalty confidence? It is a very chart we quuau aucz'eu cam a man ever swore?” “I shall not explain everything,” in- terrupts he. “You shall be kept out; of it; and there are other things. 1 only wish to give her what; satisfaction I honorably can. I feel that when one marries a. wom- an, one owes her fealty, loyalty, all! and that T I‘lhknnm:1-- _‘U,4 . r --v-.va. ' “ There are other teas Lord Bran ksmere. “D me that it is love that c keeps you here?” “ You imagine, it may be1 here from choice,” cries sh choice ! It is only true that bravmg all things, for your your honorâ€"the honor of v01 “And is there nothing due to me, after allthese long years? Do you, perhaps, imaginethat [am happy. that I do not suffer? 'that the insults your wife delights 1 in heaping upon me are unfelt by me? that 1â€"” “ Let me speak for a moment.” “' Am 1 a cipher ?”continues she, disdain- 1 ing to listen. “Is all feeling, think you, ‘ dead within me? I have borne much for you, Branksmere, but even patience has its limit.” .._-.... uu AHUW wadfi )3 Due 0630 ' 3’ thing, returns he, gloomily. “There I agree with you, but at the moment be Sure I was wise. I am at first ,1; rather too impulsive, and if I had attempt- ed an explanation dire might have been e the results. I should-probably have said just the little word too much, and our se- cret would have been imperiled.” “Our secret, as you call it, is carrying 1 me rather too far,” says Branksmere.‘ “Something must be done to lessen the pres- } sure ; some explanation offered.” “1am almost sure I do not grasp your meaning. It is impossible,” exclaims ma- dame, growing deadly pale. “ You will not tell me that, a’ter all these are about to enlighten anotherâ€"a. “ Partially. Yes.” “ Pall ! There is no such thing as a partial explanation in such a case. Branks- mere,. pause. Consider what it is you con- template. Have you forgotten how many . your revelation will dishonor? There is Lady Anne." A “ Pom Anne !" replies he, sadly. “After all, perhaps publiciyis the one thing that 1 should serve her. ” “ Ah ! You are like all other men. You e think what you want to think. " c “I think only now that something is due 5 to ‘I‘Jady Branksmere. ” ‘ (TO BE CONTINUED.) fellows if” asks he. “There are reasons, tree (her. 1 am your friend always, as I say, and I “111315 speak. 1 ask you frankly, Branksmere, were you her heart’s first choice? All! there! not. another word then. Many a ; woman loves Well a. second time, and you may yet be blessed ; but a. presentâ€"To re- turn to our subject. I tell you I have been faithful to you all through, and I said LO‘ her ‘Ask Branksmere’ only because I thought it was the best thing to say under the cireums canoes. ” fellows f‘Make her Ids: Bééiténlper? Ah! gal-1 forget that asore heart makes one p lam.” “ Why shouid her heart be sad above its “It Is not that. I do believe yous but such a. little thing {as that toâ€"toâ€"ff _ (:1: v . uxuan loves well a. second time, and you my yet be blessed ; but, a. presentâ€"To re- {rn to our subject. I tell you I have been .nhful to you all through, and I said to at ‘ Ask Branksmere ’ only because I f‘Itnis difficult to know what: is the best mg. returns he, gloomlly. “There I agrgre with>you, but at the 'nnnnf- L... A.-.“ u won't hear meâ€"” shrugging his 5. imagine, it may be, that I stay on I choice,” cries she. “A sorry It is only true that 1 stay on here 11 things, for yoyr sake, to save - ‘LALA :mgs recently ‘ invented, any, are said to be a pre- In them than? is a chemi~ JAL -‘r ‘ l seek to torture me like “ You are an oldâ€"friend, one may go too far. Say I say mylove is dead. Still, mo shall say I have not I regard to her? She has :- discontent. ,1 will re- s I am able. all bhinggflearrto her if , v... aqu, U ' V â€" W 1 he honor of your house !” other regisons, Thekla,” _ D ‘vu vn wait. . To-morrowm” 1 musing, forgetful of [OPPOWâ€"" herself so innocentlv .fi __..., â€". nunsa, says “Do you dare to deny Lt chains your feet and $10 with this,” says point; where duty any thing else." I,” she Shays. “You 7.2: of right.” innocen tly me in the last fifty moisture “t ’3'“‘" “we 61' 1 ‘ ' . u z mksmere, w1ch T21 fortunate that, oft been aroused,” in bneveroccurred the bi,“ W" as 8‘ lite f?” coldly. 2:: 4““ can you trim :3 them? 'What, translation of ;0 her '2” spec ‘bery that sur- nt to you 2” 311 this,” says b where duty thing e183." . you 2 3. Branks- 3 you con- how many There is mu“ 5V down-stairs and Bring baby; nilâ€"here this ‘ minute.” “‘Did bring. him up. He’sh in the cradle.” “No such thing. You’ve taken too much. You wrapped the cat in baby’s blankets, and rocked it to sleep in the cradle, you wretch, and baby is down-stair! on the sofa. catching cold.” “Matter entfiigh! {Vake down-stairs and bring baby minute.” “ Whash’e; mafia??? $113 as he turned in his _sl§ep;_ (A I‘-A.A<,, “ Oh,you good-for-nothing wrebch !” claimed William’s wife, as she reached 1 hand out of bed and felt; for the cradle see if the Iggby was there. II t... A Gonductor’s Lesson- A friend of mine travelling toward Ra- cine, Wis., on the Caicago and Northwest- ern last January, had his mileage book re- e tained by the conductor. After asking him a few questions, the conductor put the book in his pocket and said, “ See you later.” After about half an hour my friend asked him for the book. The official declined to give it up. My friend then asked permis- sion to copy something he had therein, which was also refused. At the next sta~ tion the traveller stepped off the train into ' the telegraph office and sent a message to 1 the Chief of Police at Rac' ' policeman to arrest a thief on the arrival of the train. The policeman was there, and my friend stepped up, introduced himself and pointed out the conductor as the thief who had his property in his possession. After much persuasion, the conductor was wng' l-Iu g a book taken from the man making the charge. The case was soon concluded, the book returned, and the con. ' { ductor was fined, having in addition to pay 1 the costs, amounting to seven dollars. As they were both leaving court, the conduc- tor said to my friend, “ I will sm face for this.” .Whereupon my friend ‘¢ Oh -_- v wvv‘duw 01 u the pletypus are confined to held and literal descriptions of his appearance and habitat, from which we learn that he is confined to Tasmania and the southern dis- ' tricts of Australia; and although his race 1‘ has been thought to embrace two or three f species, it is now generally agreed to con- ” your pres- ence is a. task impossible, except by accident, to any other than a black fellow. To these cunning hunters, however, there are no secrets of beast or bird ; their unerring in- stinct tells them when the platypus, diving near the edge of the stream, is in quest of food, or when he és seeking the sub- merged entrance to his burrow ; and they will advise you either where to point your gun in expectation of the animal’s re- appearance, or where to dig in the bank in confidence of striking the grass-lined nest wherein he dwells and rears his remarkable fauuly. â€"â€"[Scribner’s. It is less than a century since the Euro. Seen hunted the platypus to his lair, the rst public acc unt of him having appeared in the “ Naturalist’s Miscellany,” of Lon- don, in 1795). It would beinteresting to know the effect that was made upon the first discoverer of this animated paradox-â€" than which nature furnishes nothing more anomalous In its combination of duck-like mandibles and webbed feet (the latter further equipped with spurs like the game- fowl, and claws like the true burrowing quadrupeds), moleJike eyes and otter-like fur, body of musquash, and tail of beaVer. One who was addicted to h' ' of those uncanny monsters which sprawl upon the floor of St. Anthony’s cave in Teniers’s bizarre pictures of the temptation of that holy character. Our earliest, and in fact, almost our sole accounts of flan n1‘fi--â€" .â€"- A ble. . A San Francisco special says :-â€"Adviceg 1ts from Yokohama received to-dav give the first intelligible details of the . 1m in Corea which led to thel'tiicent trouble 131: American, English, their hands before arresting the ringlead- ers. The first act was the posting of plac. ards on the doors of all foreigners, warning . them to leave the country under pain of - death. This created great excitement, whereupon the King had the chief conspira- tors arrested. The others fled to the prov- inces, where they are now in hiding. The Chinese were the only foreigners who showed no alarm. The Europeans and Americans appealed to the Corean Foreign Ofice for protection, and word was sent for the men-of-war. The prompt arrival of gunboats at Ninsen and the energy shown by the native Gov- ernment nipped the revolt in the bud, It; was also injured by dissensions among the conspirators. The Japanese newspapers declare that the secret society which fomented this re- volt is very powerful, and that many Gov- ernment officials sympathize with its policy of the necessity of expelling foreigners and giving natives the control of public affairs. l'hey declare that trouble is sure to come from this society. A Japanese commission ’has gone to Cores. to investigate the trou- 1.. William’s Mistake. The Movement A Queer Australian Animal. :er 1’” murmured ‘Villiam, -1--.â€" TROUBLE IN COEEA. In that. country Foreigners. wre bch !” ex- up. and _ go reached her Again; Rhubarb, slew‘ very wholesome, 1 with meatâ€"as a excellent pies. ; with a very litti the yolks of two flour, a little sal under crust only whites of the eg sized pie. App! come insipid an the “pie plant Canned rhubar- midwinterâ€"a. pl squash and all 0 easily put up, w the powdered rhubarb that is used especially Swing Rhubarb is on‘ springtime vegeca.’ sameness is usua acid properties a.c an organ quite up the winter regime vegetablesâ€"or of in summer moat they need some “ that a generous lettuce and early necessity for drn the Ingiependent. how have ready Ilacked lime that and warm enough t put a wire hook in dip the latter up a: in it of course) sew water until you an are filied with the in the air until pe hang away anyw We use an unocc have kept hams in many people~sev they had never on Of course good m ing and smoking, } to keep it afterw choose to take the cutting these sac several years and making fresh each ed at one end ; l enough at. the open ham is in, you can 1 Well and sew tighnlj A writer in the plains her met-bod a have been properly each in a comma: mine of flour sacks and “nearly the t m roughly bloc never perfect fits. made of a scrap of Tfie rattan tea-ta? for outdoor use. thc fording so much spa A great addinit-m veranda is found or rattan screensâ€" order any desired bought 1:: the Jap fastened between 1 raised or lowered 2 from wind or sun. accessible, heavy : choice. Braces an of the screens, by tended to admit m ing from the sun, upon rollers so the} tirely when necessa: colors, are blue or ! changeable choice i‘ Boldponventionalize very much worke< the arblinen-floss is 1 There are may Jag which are pretty ergo broidery. A wide :- makes an effective fin fat-table head cushxo tops of chair backs venient pocket in th which falls bacszt cushions tied on th chairs, wish a. wide ward, make accep The most en joyeble home is the broad w nothing can take the ‘ ture, as the pieces are can move them, and t by in selecting thin parlors, according to Tne half~reclining c with the lounge whic and it finds great fav and innlids. There chairs with adjusts!) raised and lowered a ct or ra'ck of some so for newspapers and wind likes to play creates greet, havoc place to keep them. _ A generous prov much to everyone’s « mafiarinls suitable of place on the ed linens which V "v vv‘F v 0‘ As Darby says to Jo. "It seems wuth whih Jcs' to ha” winter-ed I feel the sun clear to 1 Old as I be. ldo. Mcbby it would look a To get In Heaven M1 l'd full ac lives stay 01 As Darby Says no JG " You ain't forgat the Back whar- thc gap: They think folks did! When we and you ‘1 Jcs' such another 153‘ The parson made ‘15 A251 hitching up Ilia €111 vâ€".ua up .u-u vâ€" DaEfiy says to Joan. . The s: ‘s a-runnim 1 shop in with the There. as I came a] he oow<£ip swamp ‘ mu; now and then I fetched at couple in 1 AR Darby says to Jc “ We‘ll have the can: Come. Paasiiay. I’ll Hear how the meter: Soon as they smell t It's time Lo take the 2 And set a bonfire goi Plan gut Ithe beds to s: Keeping “ Well, now the en The sap: s a~. unnix “-_A Summer HOU: