mountain tea in SALADA are ohio oy "finer in than any Gunpowder or Japan. To it. ; 1 Raevey 4 might be dis- smasched. or Wi Both "4 2 . "This is distinctly disappointing", The little leaves and. i Middle of Things BY J. 8, FLETCHER. -Author of "Black Money," "Scarbaven Keep," ete. CHAPTER XIIL THE GRAY MARE INN. "What!" Pawle exclaimed. "You mean to tell me that Ashton was walk- ing about London with a diamond worth fifty thousand pounds dn his pocket? God bless me--he was prob- ably murdered for that stone! But! how did you get to know Mr. Ash-, ton and to hear of this diamond? Did he come to you?" "Called on me at my office," an- swered Mr. Van Hoeren laconically. "Pulled out the diamond and asked me what I thought it was worth." "Well, I'm much obliged to you, Mr. Van Hoeren." : "Not at all," said the diamond mer- chant. "Me and the other boys, we think you ought to know about that diamond, see?" He went away, and presently Viner left. He went home and dined with his aunt and their two guests, Hyde's sis- ters, whom he found somewhat less discouraged? After dinner he strolled around to Number Seven. He found Miss Wickham and MYs. Kil'enhall, in company with a little man whom Viner at once recognized as a well-known tradesman of Westbourne Grove--a florist and fruiterer named Barley- field: "Oh, Mr. Viner!" said Miss Wick- ham, "Mr. Barleyfield came to tell us thdt he could give some information about Mr. Ashton!" Viner looked inquiringly at the florist. _ "Yes, Mr. Viner," Barleyfield said, "I'll tell you what it is--I'm told, sir, that nobody knows nothing about what the deceased gentleman used to do with himsef of an evening--as a rule. Just so. Well, I ¢an tell you where he! very often spent an hour or two of an evening." "Yes--where?" asked Viner. "At the Grey Mare Inn, sir," an- swered Barieyfield promptly. "It's a real old-fashioned place, between Westbourne Grove and Notting Hill. I've seen him there a great deal, sir, for 1 usually turn in there for half an hour or so myself, of an evening." & "He no doubt conversed with the people he met there?" suggested Viner. "He was a friendly, sociable man, sir," said Barleyfield. "Yes, he was fond of a tak. But there was one man there that he seemed to associate with--an elderly, superior gentleman whose name I don't know, though I'm familiar enough with his appearance. Him and Mr. Ashton I've often seen sitting in a particular corner, smok- ing their cigars, and talking together. And--if it's of any importance--I saw them talking like that, at the Grey Mare, the very evening that--that, Mr. Ashton died, Mr. Viner." "What time was that?" asked Viner. "About the usual time, sir--nine- thirty or so," replied Barleyfield. "I general'y look in about that time-- nine-thirty to ten." "Did you leave them talking there?" inquired Viner. "They were there when I left, sir, at a quarter past ten," answered Bar-!; leyfield. "Talking in their usual corner." AY cs? x - "Well," said Viner, turning to the florist, "do you think you could take! me to the Grey Mare, Mr. Barley- "Nothing easier, sir--open to one "Then, if you've time to spare, we'll go now," said Viner. He followed his guide through vari- ous squares and streets until they came to the Grey Mare, set back a lit- tle from the road, with a swinging sign in front, and a garden at the side, Barleyfield led him to a nook near the chimney-corner and beckoned to an aproned boy who hung about with a tray under his arm. But before Viner could give an order, his com- panion touched his arm and motioned towards the door. "Here's the gentleman Mr. Ashton used to talk to!" he whispered. tall man--just coming in." CHAPTER XIII "" THE JAPANESE CABINET. The newcomer, on entering, glanced at once at a quiet corner of the room, and seeing it unoccupied, turned to the bar, where the landlord was glane- ing over the evening paper. "Have you seen that gentleman lately that I've sometimes talked to in the corner there?" he asked. The landlord glanced across the room and shook his head. "Can't say that I have, si," he an- The other man set down his glass and drew something from his pocket. "If he should come in, wi. A you give him that--h&'ll know what" it is, he layed an envelope on the counter. "Good heavens!" muttered Viner, as he turned in surprise to Barleyfleld. "These men evident.y don't know that the man they're talking about is--" "Murdered!" whispered Barleyfield, with a grim smile. "They haven't con- with the man they're mentioning--that's all." Viner was suddenly minded to do something towards getting informa- of Marketstoke!" He went up to the bar, Barleyfield following in close attendance, and gave the landlord a significant glance. "Do you happeh to know the name of the gentleman who was speaking to Gu just now?" asked Viner, going straight to his point. "No more than I know the others', "" replied the landord, shaking his "Lord bless you, folks may come in here a year or two, and un- less they happen to be neighbours of mine, I don't know who they are. That gentleman who's just gone out, he's been-in the habit-of dropping in here, but I never remember hearing As for the gentleman he referred 1, why, I know him as one| that's come in here pretty regular for' the last few weeks, but I don't know his name, either." "Have you heard of the murder in Lonsdale Passage?' asked Viner. ent. You see, Viner, there isn't a paper or a document of any descrip- tion extant which refers to her. Yet Wickham must have given Ashton pa- pers to prove his and her identity-- must! Where are they?" goat on which the lot fell to be the "Do you know what I think?" said scapegoat shall be presented alive be- Viner. "I think that'Ashton carried Alen Lord, to ma je an: atonement | tLose papers on him, and that he was murdered for the possession of them!" goat nto the. wilderness. . . "And Mr. Pawle nodded, and put the sqron'shall lay both his hands upon I the head of the live goat, and confess "I shouldn't be surprised," he an-gver him all the iniquities of the Child: swered. "But we're not going to say ren of Israel . . . putting them pon a word to this young lady, at present --that's settled. . I want to ask her|y some questions--come along." packet of letters in' his pocket. Miss Wickham. do" Viner saw an illustrated paper ly- = 4ing on.a side table and caught it up. There was a portrait of Ashton in i and he held it up before the landlord. recognize that?" whether your father left you any money?" the old lawyer asked. asked. The landlord started and stared. [had twelve .thousand pounds of mine Next morning' Viner and Pawle covered among men-saw at once that Ashton had one of those men VI have no habit' of locking up things. 'tion, his desk Hi, ro to nothing. One drawer contained a carh-box, a checkbook, a pass-book. But documents there were next to none. remarked Mr. Pawle when he a Viner returned to the litte recom. "I never knew a man who left such small evidence behind him." He looked arotind the room, as if suspicious that Ashton might have hidden papers in the stuffing of the sofa or the easy-chair. © "I wonder if there's anything in that," he said suddenly. "It looks like a receptacle of some sort." Viner turned and saw the old law- yer pointing to a curious Japanese cabinet--an affair of some eighteen inches in height and twelve in depth. He lifted it down to the desk, giving it a slight shake. "It took-it-for a-cigar- cabinet," he remarked. "How does it open? Have you a key that will fit it?" But upon examination there was no keyhole, and nothing to show how the door was opened. "I see what this is," said Viner, after looking closely over the cabinet, back, front and sides. "It opens by a trick--a secret." It took him ten minutes to find out the secret. Then there was a sharp click, and the panelled front flew open. "There is something!" exclaimed Mr. Pawle. "Papers!" He drew out a bundle of papers, folded in a strong sheet of cartridge- paper and sealed back and front. He cut the ribbons beneath the seals, and presently revealed a number of letters, old and yellow, in a woman's hand- writing. After a hasty glance, he turned to Viner with an exclamation. "Viner!" he said, "here is indeed a find! These are letters written by the Countess of Ellingham to her eon, Iord Marketstoke, when he was a schoolboy at Eton!" Viner looked over Mr. Pawle's shoulder at the letters. which Lord Marketstoke?" he asked. "There have been--must have been-- several during the last century." "The Lord Marketstoke I mean iy the one who disappeared," answered know that if he were living, he would now be a man of sixty-one or so; forty-five years ago. Now, look here, compare these dates--they run knew the man Who was!" "In my opinion," said Viner, quiet- ly, "Wickham was the missihg Lord "By George!" Pawle exclaimed in a wondering 'voice. "It may be--pos- sibly is! Look here!--if Wickham was really Lord Marketstoke, and, that. girl across the hall 'is his daughter, she's probably Countess of Ellingham, in her own right!" "Shall you tell her?" asked Viner. "No," sald Mr. Pawle, "not at pres- "My dear, did Ashton ever tell you "oR ve 18 years (86 bust) requires 4% yards Which Countess of Ellingham, and 29-inch for dress all of one material; or 1% yards 89-inch plain, and 24% yards figured material for, dress as|- illustrated. -- Price 20 cents. "« newest and most practical styles, will Mr. Pawle. "Look at these dates! We berof interesttoravery: i Biome maker. Price of the book 1dc~the therefore, he'd be at school about|¢°PY: through twa or three years; they were! ly, giving number and size of such all of forty-three to forty-six years| patterns as you vant. Enclose 20¢ in since." stamps or coin (coin preferred; wrap "How came they into Ashton's pos-|it carefully) for each number and session, I wonder!" asked Viner. address your o:der to Pattern Dept. "It's ail of a piece!" exclaimed Mr.| Wilson Publishing Co., 78 West Ade- Pawle. "Viner, there's no doubt what- laide Sta Toronte Patterns sent Ly ever--in my mind--that either Ash-| veturn Hh ton was' Lord Marketstoke or that he minard's Liniment ee burns. man was removed from office or from a high command more as the victim of a policy than for any sin or omis- gion of his own. He was sald to be a "scapegoat," becduse he was nore or no means all his own. trates the present use of the term "scapegoat": 'Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the scape- goat, and Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the Lord's lot fell, and of- fer him for a sin offering. But the with him, and to let hi m go for a scape- the head of the goat, and shall send or more, has this pitiful picture of the scapegoat come to us, to be used to-day Miss Wickham looked surprised. |as the symbol for a man who is the "Oh, yes!" she answered. "I thought | victim, more or less innocent, of other you'd know that. When Mr, Ashton |people's mistakes and errors. fetched me away from school and, brought me here, he toid me that he TWO MATERIALS ARE SMARTER THAN ONE. Printed crepe, in large floral de- signs, is fashionably combined with plain material im this interpretation of a smart afternoon frock. The cir- cu'er panels in the skirt fall in grace- ful ripples from the low waistline, which is accentuated by a swathed girdle drawn into a round buckle at the centre fromt. A tie collar fastens above the V-shaped neck, and there are rows of shirring at the shoulders where the back comes over to meet the front, Long full sleeves are gathered into flaring cuffs at the wrists. ~ No. 1306 is for misses and Small women, and is in sizes 16, 18 and 20 years, ov 134, 86 and 88 inches bust only). Size Our Fashion Book, illustrating the HOW TO ORDER PATTERNS, Write your name and address plain- The Scrapegoat. During the war, especially, many a ess, suffering for faults that were by This passage, from the Bible; illus- imBway by the hand of a gt man into the wilderness: And the goat shall| He led the way across the hall to pear upon him all their iniquities unto "Mearkenda'e Square way? Yes," an-!the dining-room, where they found|a swered the landlord, with awakening "Why, is it anything to land not inhabited: and he shall let{ - go the geat in the wilderness." Thus, through' three thousand years "Bless my life and soul!" he exclaim-' which my father had left me, and he Fy (ed, "Why, surely that's very like the handed it over to me then and there, A gentleman 1 just referred to--I should' , and took me to the London and Uni- Ig say it was the very man! Yes, that's versa! Bank, where 1 opened an ac- [y the gentleman, sure enough! I've often count with it." wondered who he was--pleasant, so- i cinble sort, he was, poor fellow. Now| " IT come to think of it T remember him|, New shoes don't. squeak any more {being in here that night--last time, of and little boys and girls marching to = |! course, he was ever in. He was talks the platform in the assembly-room to ing to that gentleman who's just gone; | Joie 'don't get the laughs they used] in fact, thel left together." "They left together, did they?" ex-, 'claimed Viner with a sharp glance at | Barleyfield, "Ah! What time was' aw s near as I can recollect, about "ten-fifteen to ten-thirty," . answered the landlord. "Well, I'm much obliged, to you, landlord," said Viner--*"and | ter of this talk strictly to yourself." "You wouldn't like me to find out' (To be COL ) i} plicoinalidniion : BEAUTIFY: IT WIT H "DIAMOND DYES" {| @ i The Mouth Organ asa Physical Stimulant. Apart from all effects it may. pro- duce upon the pulmonary organs, the mouth organ has jn many instances proved a splendid mental tonic. While discussing mouth organs with a friend recently, the conversation turned to My friend mentioned an which occurred while a company of wearied troops were on a forced march. sary to reach a certain place before day break, but the company was still a number of miles away from its des- tination when it became evident that the majority of the men were physi. Steps began to drag, and it seemed that the party would wever reach their objective at the time An Unfinished Course. Her Husband--"Delicatessen again! * I thought you had studied do- "» Mrs. Junebride--"I have. never went beyond the lecture on the use of the can opener." Minard's Liniment for backache. Suddenly. when everybody was ready mgr ---- | ios to drop, the old familar tune of "Tip. perary" broke the night's silence. One after another Iseds went up, dragging | feet stepped out in time to the musie, and the whole company moved for- ward like a new man. The music kept up mile after 'mile; and the soldiers' feet kept up with it. In spite of exhaustion, the company its scheduled destination with every man marching. The day had been saved and the glory went to the man who had suddenly remember- ed that in the bottom of his kit bag was the only musical instr The birth befell bia a night when ail Swayed tremulous- before one loraller b That-rose in gradual aplenior. Flooding the firmament with mystie And dropped upon the breathing; ills A sudden music. s hardy necessary for on and poe cals: Git and J Tr Jane's babies; domestic ponies and cheerful hens; Mr. Duck--eloquent; 'the geese; Jultus end Julia and the Eleven (sll chanting, and doing wing- rhythms); but above all, cats, Snow ball and Smutty; black Rachel, yellow' Sammy, and their 'children, Christo | pher. Columbus and Explorer--two hideous little tortoise-shell squallere (and Rachael was such a niece cat); splendid gray Tipey of the raised tail and courteous manpers--even to & . hen, met on the path; and last and always, my Boo-hoo. Boc glorified and adorned that path like a daffodil; but no daffodil has his sense of humur, his gallant loyaities. I could plant a whole garden of flovers there and they would _ not shine out as his memory does. Paths. Are Eloquent. The paths in lane and pasture are eloquent, too. Not with cow-tfacks; hundreds and hundreds uf pony-tracks. circle upon indentad circle; up and along - the narrow, rich-seiled ways -and one has tender thoughts "|as one ponders: them. Meditative tracks going out; hastily. a mphatic tracks. galloping down; Grey's. pret: tHy pointed hoofs, Julla's and Sujerb's - generous ones, Ocean's a Mignity's neat « round ones; . 3 stilt - {smaller tracks--they are all there, all 'different: An individual pony has, as a rule, very ingividu.l feet; they are as distinctive as hands among humans. me to say that that instrument was a mouth organ.--S8. T. Leonards. - re fsa How They Used It. We speeiatize in Davilopioy and It you have never seen eur work we will mall you 6 Prints free of ohargs M you willl send us 6 of your Best negatives before) May (0th, slong with the names and wddresses of 3 or more Ielends herent a Lassie has prompt-1oo racks; and she is almost our | test pony. One. can just see the good nature in Elaan- or's bland tread, while Fescinaticn has a nervous though amiable little print--- d Itke Grey's: (Sensitive ponies: "That luminous paint is a splendid "What do you use it for?" almost always have . pointed feet.) Duch leaves a brightly stamped, "We paint baby's face so that we cai! give him a drink in the night without lighting the gas." Ef : Justice and truth are absolutely es- sential to the highest friendship; we respect a friend all the more becanse he is just and true, even when he h our pride and mortifies us most.---0, SHIP US YOUR POULTRY, GAME | ne » BUTTER AF THERS "We. Buy as Year Wide +, or energetic mark; 'and there is nothing _slothful about our "Dich." Her child, "Marigold, has a similar track, though. tlightly more lingering, more" phleg- matic; thre is thing of RedCy in arigold, and Reddy on: the road was calm person . whom: no emergency X could diemay. (Strange how collect: ed, in harness, that cooper-colored imp bedame; how Qifiniteiy he shed his Eskimos as very fond of whale Fi MARKET FOR ; "Poultry; Butter, Eggs We Offer Toronto's Best Prices. "LINES, LIMITED ~ St. Lawrence Market ~ Toronto 2 The competence of those 'ten-cent "pleco; the early morning spirits, the caraco- lings and sprintings; the simultaneous dashings; the. deep toeprints. that show a small tail was over a back, and great acts in the doing. I can never get enough of. those tiny, <irclets and. : thelr games, drawn so graphical . Turkey red 3 der. plant, a tree In Siam. camphor. Eo "Mastic comes. from the ss 0 mastic tree, which grows In reece. 5 th Just Dip to Tint or. Boil fo Dye Xe i en |. On Monday evening, May 3, at eight o'clock, from Massey Hall, Toronte will be RADIOC, T by Station C.H.LC., 857 meter wave length, & LECTURE on Christian 1 *iChintian : ence. By Gavin W. Allen, C88, of Toronto, a member of the Board of. | Lectuzedt p of The Mother Church, ' Pirst Onset of Shit t, Scie Each Thicen pack. ata lutage-dragonism somewhere on the pitches, yet never. failed to pick it up {on his return!) = But Reddy's teacks _| are gone; the tracks of his grandchild- ren fill the paths." 5 Graphic Signs. ° Oh; the footprint of a Shetland baby! About as big as a five cent piece; pro- ~~. gressing to a querter, "maybe--a for. rific hoot that, for a jaby. In spring, | the paths are exquisite with these Jit- apes, across. the iane puddle, the nd is thick with them. . . o° a thercocky canfidence of them; Gamboge is from the yellow sap of Loppingover each other, heel upon toe, --. -