Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 14, Number 47, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 17 May 1884 — Page 6

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THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

A Perilous Secret

BY CHARLES READE,

Author of "Hard Cash," "Pnt yourself Jn His Plaoe," "It's Never Too Late to Mend," 5 "Grimth Gaunt," etc.

[The story of "A Perilous Secret" was commenced in this paper Mar. 22nd. Bock numbers will be sent to any address on receipt of fiyecents for each copy.]

CHAPTER XIII.

THE SERPENT LET LOOSE.

Walter Clifford was so distressed at thin outburst, and the prospect of actual litigation between bis father and bid sweetheart's fatber, that Julia Clifford pitied him, and, after thinking a little, said sho would stop it for the present. She then sat down, and in five minutes the docile pen of a female letter-writer

fmpossiblean

iroduced ingratiating coin position to resist. She apologized for her apparent insincerity, but would be candid, and confide the whole truth to Mr. Bell. Then she told him that Colonel Clifford "had only just been saved from death by a miracle, and a relapse was expected in case of any great excitement or irritation, such ks a doubtful lawsuit with a gentleman he disliked would certainly cause. The proposed litigation was, for various reasons, most distressing to bis son and successor. Walter Clifford, and would Mr. Bell be so very Jdnd as to put the question off as long as possible by any tfieaas he thought proper?"

Walter was grateful, and said, "What a comfort to have a lady on one's side "I would rather have a gentleman on mine," said Julia, laughing.

Mr. Bell wrote a discreet reply. He would wait till the Assizes—six weeks' delay—and then write to the Colonel, postponing bis visit. This he did, and promised to look up cases meantime.

But these two allies not only baffled their Irascible chief they also humored him to the full. They never mentioned the name of Bartley, and they kept Percy Fitzroy out of sight in spite of bis remonstrances, and, In a word, they made the Colonel's life so smooth that he thought he was going to have his own way In everything, and be improved in healtli and spirits for you knoMv it is an old saying, Always gin your own way, and you'll never die iu a pet."

And then what was

Btill

By this means she "had another man

4

she cealized that now to obey as well as Wa

her father. So now, when Walter pressed her foj secret meetings, she said, submissively, "Oh yes, if you itosist." She even lemarked that she concluded clandestine meetings wore the natural consequence of cladestlne marriage.

She used to meet her husband in the

day when she could, and often for five minutes under the moon. And she even promised to spend two or three days with him at the lakes if a safe opportunlty should occur. But for that she stipulated that Mr. Hope must be absent. ., Walter saVced her why she was more afraid o? Mr. Hope than of her father.

Her eyes seemed to look Inward dimly, and at first she said she didn't ,, know. But after pondering the matter a little she said, "Because he watches me more closely than papa, and that Is because— You won't tell anybody "No." "Not a soul, upon your honor?" "Not a soul, dearest, upon my honor." "Well, then, because he loves me more." "Oh, come!" «Ud Walter, incredulouslv.

But Mary would neither resign her opinion nor pursue a subject which puwtiod and grieved her.

We have now indicated the peaceful tenor of tblugs in Derbyshire for a period of some months. We shall have to show by-and-by that elements of discord were accumulating under the surface but at present we must leave Derbyshire and deal very briefly with another tissue of events, banning years ago, and running to a date three mouths, at least, ahead of Colonel Clifford's recovery. The reader will have no reason to regret this apparent interruption. Our tale hitherto has been rather sluggish but it is in narrative as it is iu nature, when two streams unite their forces the current becomes broader and stronger.

Leonard Monckton was "sent to Pentonviile, and after some year* transfer red to Portland. In both places he played the game of an old hand always kept his temper and cam led everybody, especially the chaplain and the turnkeys. These last he treated as his only marten and if they gave him short weight in bread or meat, catch him making matters worse by appealing to the governor! Toward the end »f his time at Pentonville he had some vf thought of suicide, but his spirits reviv1» ed at Portland, where be was cheered bv the conversation of other rilHans.

Their name was legion but as he never met one of them again* except Ben Burnley, alt ihw« miscreants are happily irrelevant. And the reader need not fear an introduction to them, unless he should find himself garroted in some dark street or suburb, or his home rifled eomedark and windy night. As for Be-. Burn lev, he *m from the North country, imprisoned for conspiracy and manslaughter tn an attack upon nonunion miner*. Toward the end of his *. time he made an attack upon a warder, $ and got dve years nsore. Then Monckton *1 him he was a fool, and ex»icn his own plan ofeonduct ^crve how popular he and reaped all tfce «r him. the

4:

a tottering

situatiou was kept on its legs.by the sweet character and gentle temper of Mary Bartley.

We have already mentioned that she was superior to most women in the habit of close attention to whatever she undertook. This was the real key to her facility in languagos, history, music, drawing, and calisthenics, as her professor called female gymnastics. The flexible creature's limbs were in secret steel. She could go thirty feet up a slack rope band over hand with wonderful ease and grace, and hang by one hand for ten minutes to kiss the other to her friends. So the very day •he was surprised into consenting to marry Walter secretly shesatdowu to the Marriage Service and learned it all dire by heart directly, and understood" rajet of It. 1

Do you think I don't mean to be revenged on that skunk Bartley, and above all on that scoundrel Hope, who planted the swag in my pockets,and let me into this bole for fourteen years?" Then, with all his self-command, be burst into a torrent of cusses, and his pale face was ghastly with hate, and bis eyes glared with demoniac fire, for hell raged in his heart.

Just then awarder approached, and to Burnley's surprise, who did not see him coming, Monckton said, gently, "And therefore, my poor fellow do just consider that you nave broken the law, and the warders are only doing their duty and earning their bread, and if you were awarder to-morrow, you'd have to do just what they do." "Ay," said the warder, in passing you may lecture the bloke, but you will not make a silk purse out of a sow ear."

That was true, but nevertheless the smooth villain Monckton obtained

into

scrapes, lie anisnea mstwo

sentences, and left before Monckton This precious pair revealed to each other certain passages in their beautiful lives. Monckton's were only half-confidences but Burnley told Monckton he bad been concerned with others in a burglary at Stockton, and also in the death of an overseer in a mine in Wales, and gave the particulars with a sort of quaking

f'usto,tainted

and washing his hands nervously the air all the time. To bis sure the overseer bad earned his fate be had himself been guilty of a crime —be had been true to his employer.

The grateful Burnley left Portland at last, and promised •faithfully to send word to a certain friend of Monckten's, In London, wheie be was, and what be was doing. Meantime he begged bis way northward from Portland, for the southern provinces were a dead letter to him.

Monckton's wife wrote to him as often as the rules of the jail permitted, and her letters were full of affection, and ol hope that their separation would be shortened. She went into all the details of her life, and it was not a creditable one. Young women are educated prac tically in German and Lucy was not only a good scbofar, and almost a linguist, but excellent at all needle-work, and, belter still, could cut dresses and other garments in the beat possible style. After one or two inferior places, she got a situation with au English countess and from that time she was passed as a treasure from one member of the aristocracy to another, and received high stipends, and presents of at least equal value. Being a German, she

Eut

bv money, and let her husband now It. But in the seventh year of her enforced widowhood her letters began to undergo subtle changes, one after another.

First there were little exhibitions of impatience. Then there were signs of languor and a diminution of gusb.

Then there were stronger protesta tions of affection than ever. Then there were mixed with these protestations queries whether the truest affection was not that which provided for the interests of the beloved person.

Then in the eighth year of Monckton's imprisonment she added to remarks of the above kind certain confessions that she was worn out with an xletles, and felt her lonely coudition that youth and beauty did not last forever that she had let slip opportunities of doing herself substantial service, and him too, if be could look at things as ooolly now as he uped to and she began to think she b&d done vrong.

This line once adopted was never given up, though it was accompanied once or twice with passionate expressions of regret at the vanity of long-cherished hopes. Then came a letter or two more in which the fair writer described herself as torn this way and that way, and not knowing what to do for the best, and inveighed against Fate.

Then carno along silence. Then came a short letter im him, If be loved her as she loved Mm, to try and forget her. except as one who would always watcn over his, interests, and weep for him in secret. "Crocodile I" said Monckton, with cold sneer.

All this showed him it was bis interest not to lose his hold on her. So he always wrote to her in a beautiful strain of faith, affection, and constancy.

But this part of the comedy was cut short by the lady discontinuing the correspondence and concealing her address for years. "Ah! 'said Monckton, "she wants to cure me. That cock won't fight, my beauty. A month before he was let loose upon society came a surprise—a letter from his wife, directing him to call at the office of a certain solicitor in Serjeant's Inn, Fleet Street, when he would receive £50 upon his personal re oeipt, and a similar sum from time to time, provided be made no attempt to discover her, or in any way disturb her life. "Oh, Leonard,' said she, "you ruined me onoe. Pray do not destroy me again. You may be sure I am not bappy but I am iu peace and comfort, and I am old euough to know their value. Dear Leonard, I offer them both to you. Pray, pray do not despise them, and, whatever you do, do not offend against the law again. You see how strong it is."

Monckton read this with calm indifference. lie did not expect a woman to j,»ive him a pension unconditionally, or without some twaddle by way of drawback. He called on the lawyer, and send In his name. He was received by the* lawyer in person, and eyed very keenly. "I

am directed to call here for

£30, sir," said he. "Yes, Mr. Monckton.

I

believe the

payment la conditional." "No, sir not the first £50. It Is the future payments that are to depend upon my conniving at my wife a infidelity:" and with that he banded him the letter.

The lawyer perused it, and saids "You are right, sir. The £50 shall be paid to you immediately: but we must request you the consider that our client is your friend, and acta by our advice, and that it will not be ei'ber graceful or dedicate to interpret her conduct to her discredit.** "My good sir,"said Monckton, with one of his cynical sneer, "every time your client pays me ISO, put on the receipt that black la white in matters of conjugal morality, and Fil aign the whole acknowledgment."

Finding he had audi a serpent to deal with, the lawer cot the dialogue short, and paid the money. However, as Monckton was leaving, be said:"You can write to t» when yon want any more, and would It be discreet of me to ask where we can address you?" "Why not said Moncktoa. "I have nothing to conceal. oan tellyou at tag to Hull to

However, all I am

present is that I am gotry and find a couple of

Hall be went, breathing availm

'W 1' and vengeance. This dangerous villain .was quiet master of Barney's secret, and -V*. To he sure, when Hope first him is Barney's office, be the sodden Interference tger. He had only seen util this, and, moreover,

Hope had been shabbily dressed in in black doth hard worn, where as he was in anew suit of tweed when be exposed Monckton's villainy. But this was explained at the trial, and Monckton instructed his attorney to cross-ex-amine Hope about his own great fraud but counsel refused to do so, either because he disbelieved hiB client, or thought such a cross-examination would be stopped, or set the court still more against his client.

Monckton raged at this, and, of course, said he had been bought by the other side. But now be has delignted that bis enemies' secret had never been inquired into, and that be could fall on them both like a thunder-bolt.

He wfes at Hull next day, and rambled about the old shop, and looked in at the winders. All new faces, and on the door-plate,1"Atbinson fe Co."

Then be went in, and asked for Mr. Bartley. Name not known. "Why, be used to be here. I was in his employ."

No nobody knew Mr. Bartley. Could be see Mr. Atbinson Certainly. Mr. Athinson would be there at two o'clock.

Monckton, after some preamble, ask ed whether he bad not succeeded in this business to Mr. Robert Bartley.

Np. He had bought the business from Mrs. Duplex, widow residing in this town, and he happened to know that her hnsband had taken it from Wbitaker, a merchant at Boston. "Is be alive, sir "I believe so, and very well known, .doncktfon went off to Whltaker, and learned from him that be had bought the business from Bartley, but it was many years ago, and he had t-ever heard of the purchaser since that day

Monckton returned to London baffled. What was he to do Go to a secret-in-quiry office? Advertise that if Mr. Robert Bartley, late of Hull, would write to a certain agent, he would hear of something to his advantage? He did not much fancy either of tbese plans. He wanted to pounce on Bartley, or Hope, or both.

Tben ho urgued thus: "Bartley has got lots of money now, or he would not have given up business. Ten to one be lives in London, or visits it. I will try tiio PtirlCi"

Well, he did try the Park, both at the riding hour and the driving hour. He saw no Bartley at either time.

But one day In the Lady's'Mile, as he llstlesslv watched the carriage defile slowly past him, with every now and then a jam, there crawled past him a smart victoria, and in it a beautiful woman with glorious dark eyes, and a lovely little boy, the very image of hei. It wa9 his wife and her son.

Monckton started, but the lady gave no sign of recognition. She bowed, but it was to a gentleman at Monckton's side, who had raised his hat to her with marked respect. "What a beautiful crechaar!" said a little swell to the gentleman,in question. "You know her .'.v "Very slightly." "Who is she? A duchess?" "No a stock-broker's wife, Mrs. Braham. Why, she is a known beauty."

That was enough for Monckton. He bung back a little, and followed the carriage. He calculated that if it left the Park at Hydo Park corner, or the Marble Arch, he could take a hansom and follow it.

When the victoria got clear of the crowd at the corner, Mrs. Braham lean ed forward a moment and whispered a word to her coachman. Instantly the carriage dashed at the Chfesterffdld Gate and into Mayfair at such a swift trot that there was no time to get a cab and keep it in sight:

Monckton lighted a cigarette. "Clever girlsaid he, satirically. "She knew me, and never winked."

The next day be went to the lawyer and said. "1 have a little favor to ask you, sir."

The lawyer was on his guard directly but said nothing. "An interview—in this office—with Mrs. Braham."

The lawyer winced, but went on his guard again directly. "Client of ours?" "Yes sir." "Braham Braham said the lawyer, affecting to search the deep caverns of professional memory. "Stock-broker's wife." "Where do they live "Wbstf don't you know? Place of business—ThreadneedleStieet. Place of bigamy—Portcnan Square." "I have no authority to grant a personal interview with any such person."

But you have no power to hinder one, and it is her Interest the meeting should take place here, and the stockbroker be out of it."

The lawyer reflected. Will you promise me it shall be a friendly interview You will never go to her husband

Her stock-broker, you mean. Not I. If she comes to mo here when I want her." "Will that be often "I think not. 1 have abetter card to play than Mrs. Braham. I only want iier to help me to find certain people. Shall we say twelve o'clock to-mor-row?"

The lawyer called on Mrs. Braham, and after au agitated and tearful interview, persuaded her to keep the appointment. "Consider," said be, "what you gain by making our office the place of meeting. Establish that at once. It's a point of

The meeting took place in the lawyer's private room, and Mrs. Braham was so overcome that she nearly fainted. Then sho was hysterical, and finally tears relieved her.

When she came to this point, Monckton, who had looked upon the whole exhibition as a mere preliminary form observed by females,, said: "Come, Lucy, don't be silly.

TERB3S HAUTE SATUftiJAY EVENING*- MATT.

I

am

not here to spoil your little game, but to play my-own. The question is, will you help me to make my fortune?" "Oh, that I will, if you will not break up my home." "Not such ft foot, my dear. Catch me killing a rail«b-oaw You give me a ercentage on your profita, and I'm umb." "Then all you want Is more money "That is ail and I shall not want that in a month's time." "I have brought £100, Leonard," she said, timidly. "Sensible girl. Hand It over."

Two white hands trembled at the strings of a little hag, and took out tencrisp notes.

Leonard took them with satisfaction. "There," aaid be. "This will last me till 1 have found Bartley and Hope, and made my fortune.** "Hope!** aaid Mrs. Braham. "Oh, pray keep dear of Mm! Pray dout stack him again. He is such an aWe man!" "Iwili not attack 1dm again to be tfeated. Forewarned, forearmed. Indeed, if I am to bleed Bartley, I don't know bow I can be revenged on Hope. That is the cruel thing. Btt don} yon trouble about my business, L«cy, unless," aaid h*, with a «eer, "you can

tell me where to find them, and so save me a lot of money." "Well, Leonard," said Lucy, "it can't be so very hard to find Hope. You know where that young man lives that you—that I—" "Oh, Walter Clifford Yes, of coursp I know where he lives. At Clifford Hall, in Derbyshire." "Well, Leonard, Hopesaved him from prison, and ruined you. That young man had a good heart. He would not forget such a kindness. He may not know where Mr. Bartley lives, but surely he will know where Hope is." "Lucy," said Leonard, "you are not such a fool as you were. It is a chance, at all event. I'll go down to that neighborhood directly. I'll have a first-rate disguise, and spy about, and pick up all I can." "And you will never say anything ©r do anything to— Oh, Leonard, I'm a bad wife. I never can be a good one now to auybody. But I'm a good, mother and I thought Gad had forgiven me, when he sent me my little angel. You will never ruin his poor mother, and make her darling blush for her 1" "Curse me if I dol" said Leonard, betrayed into a moment's warmth. But he was soon himself again. "There," said he, "I'll leave the little bloke my inheritance. Perhaps you don't know I'm heir to a large estate in Westmoreland no end of land, and half a lake, and only eleven lives between the estate and me. I will leave mv 'great expectations' to that young bloke. What's his Christian name ?'*,,*, "Augustus." "Ana what's his father's name?" "Jonathan."

Leonard then left all his property, real and personal, and all that should ever accure to him, to Augustus Braham, son of Jonathan Braham, and left Lucy Braham sole executrix and trustee.

Then he hurried into the outer office, signed this document, and got it witnessed. The clerks proposed to engross it. "What for?" said he. "This is the strongest form. All in the same bandwriting as the signature forgery made ea?y are your engrossed wills."

He took it in to Mrs. Braham, and read it to her, and gave it her. He meant it all as a joke he read it with a sneer. But the mother's heart overflowed. She put it in her bosom, and kissed his hand. "Oh, Leonard," said she, "God bless you! Now I see you mean no ill to me and mine. i*ou don't love me enough to be angry with me. But It all comes back to me. A woman can't forget me first. Now promise me onething don't give way to revenge or avarice. You are so wise when you are cool, but no man can give way to his passions and be wise. Why run any more risks? He is liberal to me, and I'm not extravagant., I can allow you more than I said, aDd wrong nobody."

Monckton interrupted her, thus: "There, old girl, you are a good sort you always were. But not bleed that skunk Bartley, and not be revenged on that villain Hope I'd rather die where I stand, for they have turned my blood to gall, and lighted hell in my heart this many a year ol misery."

He held out his hand to her it was cold. She grasped it in her warm, soft palm, and gave him one strange, searching look with her glorious eyes ,* and so they parted.

Next day, at dusk, there arrived at the Dun Cow an elderly man with a large carpet-bag aud a strapped bundle of Bitterns—tweed, kersey, velveteen, and corduroys. He had a short gray mustache and beard, very neat and appeared to be a commercial traveller.

In the evening he asked for brandy, old rum, lemons, powdered sugar, a kettle, and a punchbowl. A huge one, relic of a past age, was produced. He mixed delicious punth, and begged the landlady to sit down and taste it. She complied, and pronounced it first-rate. He enticed her into conversation.

She was a rattling gossip, and told him first her own grievances. Here was the village enlarging, and yet n) more custom coming to her because of the beer-house. The very mention of this obnoxious institution moved her bile directly. "A pretty gentleman," said she, "to brew his own beer and undersell a poor widow thtot have been here all her days and her father before her! But the Colonel won't let me be driven out altogether, no more will Mr. Walter: he do manage for the old gentleman now."

Monckton sipped and waited for the name of Hope, but it did not come. The good lady deluged him with the things that interested her. She was to have a bit of a farm added on to the Dun Cow. It was to be grass land, and not much labor wanted. She couldn't undertake that was it likely But for milking of cows and making butter or cheese, that she was as good at as here and there one and It she could have the custom of the miners for her milk, "But, la, sir," said she, "I'll go bail as that Bartley will take and set up a dairy against me, as he have a beer shop." "Bartley?" said Monckton, inquirtagly. "Ay, sir him aa owns the mine, and the beer shop, and all, worse luck for me." "Bartley? Who is he?"-" "Oh, one of those chaps that riie from nothing nowadays. Came here to farm but that was a bliud, the Colonel aays. Suck a mine, he did, and built a pit village, and turns everything into brass [money]. But there, you are a stranger, sir what is all this to you "Why, It is very interesting," said Monckton. "Mistress, I always like to hear the wbole history of every place I stop at, especially from a sensible woman like you, that sees to the Ijotto of things. Do have another gla«*. Why. I should be as dull as ditch-water, now, If I had not your company." "La, sir, I'm sure you are welcome to my company in civil way and fcr the matter of that you are right lite Is life, and there's plenty to be learned in a public—do but open your eyes and "Have another glass with me. I am praised for my punch." "You deserve it, sir. Better was never brewed."

She sipped and «dpped, and smacked her lips, till It was atf gone. This glass colored her cheeks, brightened her eyes, and even leoeened her tongue, though that was pretty weU oiled by nature. "Well, sir," said she, "you are bird of passage, here to-day and gone tomorrow, and It doc*t matter much what I tell you, so long I don't tell no lies. There be a mm in vO/ape."

Baring delivered this formidable prophecy, the coy dame pushed her class to her companion for more, and fining back cosily in the old-fashioned high-backed chair, observed thsefifect of her thunder-bolt.

Monckton rubbed his hands. "I'm glad of it," aaid be, genially "that la to •ay. provided my good hostess does not suffer by it." "I'm much the la*

beholden to you. air,"

larty. You ate the dvitestgffntppfiftyn have entertained

Imn day. Hen* your health,

and wishing you luck in your business, and many bappy days well spent. My service to you, sir." "The same to you, ma'am." "Well, sir, in regard to a row between the gentlefolks—not that 1 call that there Bartley one—judge for yourself. You area man of the world anu a man of business, and an elderly man apparently." "At all'events^I am older than you, madam." "That is as may be," said Mrs. Dawson, dryly, "We hain't got the parish register here, and all the better for me. So once more I say, judge for yourself." "Well, madam," said Monckton, "I will try, if you will oblige me with the facts." "That is reasonable," said Mrs. Dawson, loftily, but after some little consideration. "The facts I will declare, and not a lie among 'em." "That will be a novelty," thought her cynical hearer, but he held his tongue, and looked respectfully attentive. "Colonel Clifford," said Mrs. Dawson, "hates Bartley like poison, and Bartley him. The Colonel vows he will have him off the land and out of the bowels of the earth, and he has sent him a lawyer's letter for everything leaks out in this village, along of the servants' chattering. Bartley he don't value a lawyer's letter no more tnan that. He defies the Colonel, and they'll go at it hammer and tongs at the 'Sizes, and spend a mint of money in law. That's one side of the question. But there's another. Master Walter is deep in love with Miss Marv." "Who is sheV" "Who is she? Why," Bartley'a daughter, to be sure not as I'd believe it if I hadn't known her mother, for sbe is no more like him in her Iooks or her ways than a tulip is to a dandelion. She is the loveliest girl in the country, and better, than she's bonny. You don't catch her drawing bridle at her paps's beer-ho?use, and she never passes my picture. It's 'Oh, Mrs. Dawson, 1 am so thirsty, a glass of your good cider,

6lease,

and a little hay ana water for eersfoot.' That's her way, bless your silly heart! She ain't dry and Deersfoot, he's full"of beans, and his coat's like satin but that's Miss Mary's way of letting me know that she's my customer, and nobody else's in the towi». God bless her, aud send her many hap py days with the man of her heart, aud that is Waiter Clifford, for she is just as fond of him as he is of her. I seen it all from the first day. 'Twas love at first sight, and still a-growing to this day Them old fogies may tear each other to pieces, but they won't part such lovers as those. There's not a girl in the village that doesn't run to look at them, and admire them, and wish them joy. Ay, aud you mark uiy wards, they are young, but they have got a spirit, both of them. Miss Mary, she looks you in the face like a lion and a dove all in one. They may lead her, but they won't drive her. And Walter, he's a Clifford from top to toe. Nothing but death will part them two. Them's the facts, sir, without a lie, which now I'm a-waiting for judgement." "Mis. Dawson," said Monckton, solemnly, "since you do me the honor to ask my opinion, I say that out of these facts a row will certainly arise, and a deadly one." "It must, sir and Will Hope will have to take a side. 'Tis no use his trying to be everybody's friend this time, though that's bis natural character, poor chap!"

Monckton's eyes flashed fire, but he suppressed all appearance of excitement, and asked who Mr. Hope was..

Mrs. Dawson brightened at the very name of her favorite, and said, "Who Is Will Hope? Why, the cleverest man in Derbyshire, for one thing but he is tbat Bartley's right-hand man, worse luck. He is inspector of the mine aud factotum. He is the handiest man In England. He invents machines, and makes fiddles and plays 'em, and mends all their clocks and watches and wheelbarrows, and charges 'em nHught. He makes hlsself too common. I often tell him so. Says I, 'Why dost let 'em all put on thee so? Serve thee right if 1 was to send thee my pots and pans to mend.' 'And so do,' says be, directly. •There's no art in it, if you can make the sawder, and I cau do that, by the Dick and Harfy t' And one day I said to him, 'Do take a look at this fine new cow of mine as cost nae twenty-five good shillings and a quart of ale. Whatever is the matter with her She looks like the skin of a cow flattened against the board.' So says he, 'Nay, she's better drawn than nine in ten but sbe wants light aud shade. Send her to my workshop." Ay, ay,'says I 'thy workshop is like the church-yard we be all bound to go there one day or t'other.' Well, sir, if you believe me, when they brought ber home and hung her again she almost knocked my eye out. There was three or four more women looking on, and I mind all on us skreeked a bit, and our hands went up in the air as if one string bad pulled the lot and says Bet Morgan, the carter's wife, 'lord sake, gle me a bucket somebody, aud let me milk nerl' 'Nay, but thou shall milk me,' said I, and a pint of fourpenny I gave her, then aud there, for complimenting of my cow. Will Hope, he's every-body's friend. He made the Colonel a crutch with hisown band*, which the Colonel can use no other now. Walter swears by him. Miss Mary dotes on him be saved her life in the river when sbe was a girl. The very miners give him a good word, though be is very strict with them snd as for Bartley, it's my belief he owes all his good luck to Will Hope. And to think be was bora In this village, and left it a poor lad ay, and he came back here one day as poor as Job, seems but other day, with his bundle on bis back and his poor little girl in his band. I dare ny I fwl tbenvlx'th *itb whatever was iug. poor bodies.' •£,-

What whs she like «*A ooor little wizened thinz. She b«d beam if nl golden b*ir, though." "LikeMie* Bartley's?" "Something, but lighter." "Have you ever seen ber slnc9?''f "No sod I never shall." "Who knows?" "Nay, sir. I asked him after ber one day when be came home for good. He never answered me, and be turned sway as if I had stung him. Sbe has followed her mother, no doubt. And so now she Is gone he's well-to-do and that is the way of it, sir. God sends mouths where there Is no meat, and meat where ther's no mouths. But He knows best, and sees both worlds at once. We can only aee this one—that's full of trouble,"

Monckton now began to yawn, for be wanted to be atone and think over the schemes that floated before him now. "You are sleepy, sir," said Mrs. Dawson. "I'll go and see your bed is all riHe*tbanked ber snd filled ber glass. Sbe tossed it off like amen this time, and left him to doze in bis cbalr.

Dose, Indeed! Never did span's eyes move to and fro more restlessly. Everv faculty was strong to the utmost.

At "first as all the dramatis persona: he was in search of came out one after another from tbat gossip's tongue, he was totted and delighted to And that steed of having to March for om

them in one part of England, and another, he had got them all ready to his band, But soon he began to see tbat they were too near each other, aud some of them interwoven, and all the more dangerous to attack.

He saw one thiug-at a glance. That it would be quite a mistake to settle a plan of action. That is sometimes tfgreat advantage fu dealing with the unguarded. But it creates a stiffness. Here all must be supple aud fitted with watchful tact to the situation as it rose. Everything would have to be shot flying.

Then as to the immediate situation. Reader, did ever you see a careful setter ruu suddenly into the middle of a covey who were not on their feet nor close together, but a little dispersed and reposing iu high cover in the middle of the dav No human face is ever so intense or human form more rigid. He knows thatone bird is three yaras from bis nose, another the same distance from either ear, and, in short, that th*y are all about him, and to frigbteu one is to frighten all.

His tail quivers, and then turns to steel, like bis limbs. His eves glare his tongue fears to pant it slips out at one side of liis teeth and they close on it. Then slowly, slowly, he goes down, noiseless as a cat, and crouches on the long covert, wether turnips, rape, or clover.

Even so did this designing cur crouch in the Dun Cow. The loyal quadruped is waiting for his master, and his anxiety is disinterested. The blprd cur was waiting for the first «treak of dawn to slip awav to some more distant and safe hiding-place and sally-port than the Dun Cow, Kept by a woman who was devoted to Hope, to Walter, and to Mary, and had all her wits about her—motherwit included. [To be continued in The Mail next week.]

A quiet agent, \Vith only one mission to fulfill, came iuto the handa of Mr Albart Chandler, of CrUmpton, Queen Anno Co., Md. He gave it to his father-iu-law, Mr. Goodwin, who was nuflering with severe Rheumatism. After a trial he wrote: "It is having a wonderful efleCa In his case. He regards his possession of. it as providential. His wonderfpl change has astonished the community." Tho remedy is Athlo phoros, a natural antidote for the poison and add In the blood, whose presence is tho precursor and cause of Rheumatic and Neuralgic pains and inflammations.

THE GREAT GERMAN

REMEDYv

FOR PAIN: Iloliowa aitd cures RHEUMATISM,

Neuralgia, Sclotloa, Lumbago, BACKACHE!, HSmCEB, TOOTHACHI,

SORE THROAT,

QtJINBY, SWEt.MN*qS,

SPRAINS, tartness, Outs, Eruiwi,' FROSTBITES, BUBNS, SCAI.OS, And all other hodlljr ache* and palm. nm currs bottlh.

Sold by all Drngglata and Poal«r«. liiroctioua tn language*. Tho ClurlM A.Voeclw Co. (SttcwiJon t* A. Vo«tleir Co.)

iiiJUiiiaiiJiiiUim Durham la historic. It WBB neutral ground durinx the armiatice between

LOOK OUT I DURHAM

Sherman and

Johnson. Soldiers of both armies filled their pouches with the tobaooo stored there, and, after the surrender, marched homeward. Soon orders came from Eaot, West North and South, for "more of that elegant tobacoo." Then, ten men ran an unknown factory. Now it employs 800 men, uses tho pink and pick of the Golden Bolt, and the Durham Bull is the trade-mark of this, the beet tobacco In the world. Blackwell's Bull Durham Smoking Tobaooo has the largest sale of any smoking tobaooo In the wqrld. Why 1 Simply because It is the but. All dealers have II Trade-mark of the BulL

he'd gone for a package of Blackweirs Ball bacoo, he was to

at

Wabaali Scratches and Itch.

Is cured in thirty minutes by the application

«f wooLFcmtm man it amy lotion. Sold by Buntln 4 Armstrong.'

TUTT'S PILLS

TORPID BOWELS,

DISORDERED LIVER, and MALARIA. From theee sources artse three-fourths of the diseases of the human raoe. These symptoms Indicate ihoir existence: lxs* of Appetite* Bowels eostive, Uek Headaehc, fttllaess after eating, aversion to exertion ef body or mind, Eractatlon of food* Irritability of temper, Low spirits, A feeling of having neglectcd •«me dntr, !MxxJnes*» Fluttering at the Heart, Dots before ths eyes, highly colored IJrine, COWeTlPATlOW, ind demand the use of* remedy that acts directly on the Llrer. As alirer medicine TV't T'H PILLS hare no eanaL Their action on tbe Kidneys and 9k1n is also prompt removing all Imparities through tnese three scavengers ef the systesn," producing sppetlui. soand digestion, regular stools, a clear Skin and a rigorous body. TU1T8 PILLS cease no nausea or griping nor interfere with daily work and arc a perfect ANTIDOTE TO MALARIA.

HE FEELS LIKE A JKKW MXAX. I hare had Dyspepsia, with 0»r. .'nation, two years, and hnvetrt^l tcndiJ nt kinds of pills, and Tl'TT* ar* the first

splendid, food digests readily, have natural passages. 1 fee 1 like a now man." W.JD. EDWARDS, Palmyra, O. Sctd ererywhere,Qfflca,4l Murray St^K.Y.

TUTTS HAIR BYE.

Grat Hair ok Wbisssbs change! In* staiitiy to a vlomt Buck by a siagi. p. plfef-iitm of Oils Dte. Sold hv fir*:ys-'-i** sent by exprees oa receipt cf #1*

OfEee, 44 Hurray Street, Few Yo:%. nrrs sMMior cecrai neons

,'S

MIL