Newspaper Page Text
. v, THE IK D I AN AP OLIS JOURNAL, SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 1300. 1C PUBLISHED BT SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.! (A LONDON Oy RODERT Copyright 19(W by Robert Boehanan. It was clear to every one of the three that Berinthla was out of temper. She found it difficult. If not impossible, to keep the pose for many minutes together; she trembled, she shifted, her feet, she showed ber white teeth in a grin that did not at all resemble her usual smile, and every time that she was remonstrated with, her eyes flashed angrily. At last, unable to control herself any longer, she Jumped down from the dais or platform, and moved towards the screen which was drawn across one corner of the studio and formed a sort ot dressing or 'tiring room for the occasional ?e öf "models." 'It's no use." she cried, "I'm cttV And casting the shawl from her in the manner of one preparing to take a header Into a swimming bath, she disappeared be hind the screen. "What the devil's the matter with your' growled Eelford, & bearded man of nearly forty, with a black patch over his left eye, a wooden pipe between his teeth and a Turkish fez stuck raklshly on his bald head. "Never mind," answered Berinthla, now hidden from sight. "Come back, confound you! I won't keep you another ten minutes," cried Belford, binding close to a large block on which he was drawing a black and white sketch for the wood engraver, and Inspecting It criti cally with his one available eye. This time there was no answer; so Bel ford, whose manners lacked the repose characteristic of the caste of Vera de Vere, -glanced savagely round at his companions end littered an imprecation. lie was the oldest of the three the oldest and the cleverest. Ills two companions in art and Jmpccunioslty, who sat at work with him in the studio, were Charles Som erset," a handsome, fair-haired young fel low of five and twenty, and George Con stable Leroy. a man of about thirty, with a mild, good-humored face, fair hair thinning already at the top, "mutton chop" whisk ers, and a shaven chin. Being very short righted. Leroy wore spectacles, which might have been literally rose-colored, so pleasant and amiable was the view which he took through, them at all creation. Belford was at work, as we have said, on a wood block, which he was executing for on Illustrated magazine, and which was eet before him on a small table. Somerset and Leroy sat before their easels, the former drawing In crayon, the latter sketching in oils. Belford was not only the oldest and the cleverest, but the shab biest, wearing. In addition to the fez al ready described, an old dressing gown, ragged, torn and liberally splashed with paint. Leroy wore very seedy tweed trousers and painting Jacket of velveteen; his collar and shirt front were frayed and dirty, and marked with coffee stains. Bomerset, the swell of therio, had a linen blouse thrown over his walking suit, and .was smoking a cigar. : " "What's the matter with her, Blllle?" asked Somerset, laughing and looking at Belford. .... "How the deuce do I know?" was the reply. "Infernal little cat! You fellows have spoiled her by humoring her whims and fancies." "Poor little Berry!" murmured Leroy, blinking compassionately through his spec tacles. "I suppose there's trouble at hrme." ''Then why doesn't she chuck it?" grunt ed Belford,. glancing contemptuously with hir. bloodshot eye at Lero; "Father's a drunkard, mother's worse. If she'd had any sense, she'd have left them long ago, the Idiot." He added, as if tired of the sub ject, and addressing Somerset, "Here, youngster, come out and get some beer!" The young man nodded, sprang up light ly, and ran out of the studio. Scarcely liad he disapeared when Berinthla appeared In walking costume from behind the screen. In her. thin. cotton dress, very shabby cloth Jacket, round hat with faded feathers, and an old pair. of laced-up boots, she looked very different from the shapely lissome creature who had recently been posing on the dais, but even .her unbecoming attire could not quite obscure her look of elfln llke grace and beauty. Her face, brown as a ripe pear with sun and wind, was framed In dark hair, cut short at the neck like the hair of a boy, her eyes were bright and keen under black eyebrows, her teeth white as the 'milk of the cocoanut, her mouth soft and full like that of a child. And in deed she was little more than a child In years, being only Just seventeen years of age, although as oU and knowing in the ways and wiles of Bohemia as Belford himself. T don't know what's the matter with me to-day," she observed apologetically. "I've got the 'fidgets. I could't keep still." "You never can keep still," growled Bel ford. You're like a monkey up a tree!" She looked up. and her face broke Into a mile. "That's right, Mr. Belford, scold away! I like It, and what's more, I deserve it!" Then drawing herself erect, and stretching out her arms towards a shaft of sunlight which broke in through the window of the studio, she added: "O lor', I wish I was a monkey,, or a bird, or something of that sort! I'm sick and tired of being only a girl!" She pronounced something "somethlnk" and zlrl "gel," but these are details on which we do not think It necessary to In sist... We should have explained, perhaps, that It was a quiet morning in the early sixties. Christmas close at hand, with all Its merry sights and sounds. Outside In smoky Bloomsbury the snow was lying white on street'and square, but In the great dismal studio, a cavernous apartment situated close to the mews and adjoining a dreary square, there was a sense of stuffiness and warmth. The place was rented by the three men In common, and consisted of the studio Itself, and of two small cupboards or closets, which Belford and Leroy had con verted Into sleeping apartments. Somer set slept out In a bedroom over a livery stable. All three were very poor, and were con stantly occupied In what is figuratively known as "dining with Duke Humphry;" for it was (as we have said) te earlr six ties, as they have been called. Bohemia still existed, and neither art nor literature had yet attained their present commercial Importance as fashionable professions. Although all the three were nominally artists, William Belford alone was an artist bora, not made; a great and neg lected genius, doing Job work Just then for the small dealers and wood engravers, and painting pictures which were destined after his death to be regarded as masterpieces. At forty years of age he was still Incor rigibly eccentric and indifferent to worldly success, superficially savage and cynical, but In reality the kindest and most unself ish of mortals. Somerset was littlo more than an ambitious amateur. Lroy com MnM the profession of painting with that r-f writing sketches for magazines and f m a I - --'"-' cccc7 icr r-i"nr uivi.; j a m. FiHinii EPI60DF.) DUCHANIN, i and unlike Somerset, he was a thorough Bohemian. VI think. Berinthla," said. Leroy. gently, "you want a holiday! You've been working too hard, and should be enjoying yourself, not working, this Christmas time." "Bosh!" Interrupted Belford, grinning savagely. "She wants a hiding! Her life's one long holiday, and she loafs and Idles while honest folk are working. What are you going to be up to now?" he demanded, with a comic assumption of severity. Berinthla, who appeared by this time to have recovered all her natural good tem per, looked at him with laughing eyes. "There's a swell wedding in Hanover Square," she replied. "I'm going to see it." "And I suppose you wish you were the bride?" said the painter, sarcastically. 'Don't I, Just!" cried Berinthla, winking at him with the utmost effrontery, and nodding her rouglsh head. At that moment Somerset re-entered the studio, laden with a large pewter measure of half-and-half, procured at the neigh boring public house. "Bravo, Ganymede!" cried Belford, smacking his lips, while Somerset set down the measure on a paint-bedaubed table, and, going to a cupboard close by, brought out and filled a couple of tumblers. "Tum blers for you fellows," continued Belford. "I'll take mine au nature!' in the pew ter!" Here there was a sudden interruption from Berinthla, who began in a clear, soft voice, albeit with an unmlstakeable cock ney accent, to troll the following lines: "Here, boy, take this handful of brass. Across to the Goose and the Gridiron pass; Pay the coin on the counter out And bring me a pint of foaming stoutl Put it in neither bottle nor Jug, Cannikin, mannikln, flagon or mug Into nothing at all. In short Except the natural pewter quart!" So singing, she had tripped toward the door, when Somerset called her back. "Stop, Berry!" he cried, "I've got some thing for you!" and as she turned he pulled from . the pocket of his Jacket a brown stone bottle of ginger beer. "I know your tipple," he added, smiling, "and have brought you some of the right sort." Berinthla thanked him with a smile and ran to the cupboard to fetch another glass, while he cut. the string of the bottle and pulled out the cork. "Your health. Monkey!" cried Belford, waving the pewter measure preparatory to taking a deep draught. "Your's, Mr. Belford!" said Berinthla, lifting her glass of ginger beer and seating herself unceremoniously on the edge of the raised dais, while Somerset and Leroy, each with a glass in his han$, nodded to her gaily. ' ' "You'll be late for the wedding," contin ued Belford. "Never mind," said the girl, sipping from her glass with rapture and rolling her black eyes. "Oh. ain't it lovely?" "I say, Berry," asked Belford, after a pause, "who taught you that song?" "What song?" "The one you were singing a moment ago." . -" -V Berinthla smiled and glanced at Leroy, who blinked comically. "I did," he said, blushing. "Oh, you did, did you?" observed Belford. "I was .wondering where the monkey had picked it up... Do you know who wrote it? Of course you don't. Old Maginn; and it's a burlesque of thev'Leather Bottel! " "I was aware of the fact," replied Leroy. "I found it in an old number of Black wood's Magazine." "Nice sort of song to teach a kid like that," grunted the cynic. "I ain't a kid, Mr. Belford!" cried Ber inthla, indignantly. "I'm a young wom an!" "Of course you are,. Berry," said Somer set, -laughing; "and a clinking fine young woman, too, as I am ready to swear wit ness my sign and seal!" "I know you're chafling." she said, "but as long as I can earn a bit of money for mother and keep myself respectable I don't mind. I'm not like some of -the girls who sit to feentlemen, and it ain't everybody I'd sit to at all, for that matter!" She finished her glass of ginger beer, sprang to her feet, and, humming the tune of Weber's "Last Waltz," then very popu lar as an organ tune, began tripping quiet ly towards the door; then, turning sudden ly and. dropping a profound courtesy, she saluted the three with mock dignity, laughed lightly and disappeared. II. Berintha Lambert was the only daughter of a poor and unworthy couple, who had suffered her to grow up like a wild seed on their dingy hearth until such time as she was able to shift in some measure for her self. Both her father and mother had been, and were, models by profession and rogues by natural instinct and disposition the father a loafing drunken scoundrel with the head of a handsome Italian brigand, the mother a dark-eyed semi-savage Italian girl, who had first come to London In com pany with an organ-grinder, and had aft erwards drifted into the studios, where her swarthy beauty was greatly in request among artists whe affected foreign sub jects generally and Scriptural ones partic ularly. Late In life when her good looks were fast disappearing, the woman had cast her lot with the idle scamp who was now her husband, and Berinthla was the result of the union. Berinthia's first introduction to art was made when she was a baby In her mother's arms; and before she was eighteen months old she had gained the glory of being hung on "the line" at the academy, as the black eyed Infant In a study by John Phillip, called "Spanish Mother and Child." Later on she figured again and again on canvas as a swarthy child, saintly or unsalntly, English or Eastern, and by the time she was fifteen years of age, she was as fa miliar with the studios as If she had been born and bred there, as indeed was almost the case. At sixteen years old, she had so devel ped in budding womanhood and beauty, that she might easily have passed for eighteen or nineteen. Bather under than over the middle height, exquisitely knit, perfect In shape, slender without thinness, with admirable feet and hands, she com bined the lithe supple vi?or of a youth with the softness and delicacy of a girL Hair as black as the raven's wing, eyes brilliant, yet black as sloes, a merry mobile mouth, sun-tanned cheeks completed her re semblance of the old Greek type of ath letic maidenhood. She was as alert and bright as a young faun, and as gamesome as. an elf. In a word, she was an English "gamine," with all the health and all the audacity of her clays, plus a degree of phy sical beauty not often to be found in our sunles streets. -. Accustomed from earliest girlhood to the life of the studio,, she pursued her profes sion as a . model without the slightest "cTZizre pensee," and in thoroughly care-tz-i tnd business-lika tlrlt. Where there m ri 3 ct Iztz-Z'zj Cera ecu!? t3 no shame, and, to speak frankly, Berin thla was as puremlnded and honest a girl as could bo found within the sound of Bow Bells. Her purity was the more im pregnable. In so far as tt was not founded on ignorance or Inexperience. She knew th seamy side of life thoroughly she had been familiar, both at home and abroad, with all that Is evil and ugly In our modern civilization, she heard the "argot" of vice even in her cradle. Her father was a drunken satyr, who had struck her when a child, and who cursed her when she was too old to be beaten. Her mother had developed into a scolding hag, ready at any moment to sell her child to the highest bidder, but otherwise quite in different to her comings and goings. In spite, of all this, Berinthla remained uncon tamlnated, frank, fearless, audacious and fully capable of being her own protector even in the most questionable society. More than once, as she increased In per sonal beauty, temptation came to her, but It slipped off her shoulders as water slips off a duck's back. She could defend herself against all comers; If need be, with teeth and nails. Those who imagined that she was an easy conquest had occasion to. re member that a tiger cat might have been as easily played with. Yet she was no prude, and her conversation was now and then appallingly free and easy. Up to a certain point she was "bonne camarade," even to the extent of a kiss or a playful embrace; beyond that point she was a ves tal virgin. We are all of us the greatest and the least lost and saved by our ideals, and Berinthla was no exception to the rule. Under her wild and reckless manner, her gamesome audacity, her free and easy Bo hemlanism, she cherished a dream, which had come to her very early In life, and had been awakened at first, no doubt, by her childish admiration for the genteel ways and manners of certain artists. This dream was, to express It in her own lan guage, that she should marry, if ever 6he married at all, "a gentleman!" Now what Berinthla meant by the word "gentleman" was not, perhaps, what we mean, though it was very much what Is meant by a very large portion of humanity. A "gentleman," In Berinthia's eyes, was one who was well educated, who dressed nicely, who wore clean linen, good boots and gloves, and was polite to the fair sex. For, above all things in the world, Berin thla disliked what she described as "com mon people" people like her father and mother, and the thousands of coarse crea tures who surrounded her In the London streets. Elegant persons like Mr. Somer set, persons who were refined to the finger tips, were her admiration. Yes, her mind was made up. and nothing would change it; she would marry a "gentleman," no matter how poor, and she herself would become that paragon of paragons, a "lady." Of course. It was only a dream, and In some respects a very foolish one; yet it had this good result It saved poor Berinthla from ideals even more ignoble, and It kept her pure and clean in her hard fight for bread. Wherever she went she saw before her the picture of the unknown cavalier who was to lift her, figuratively speaking, on the crupper of his steed and gallop away with her Into fairyland, where the well- dressed people came from. It never oc curred to her that he would despise her for earning her living as she did, as an artist's model. Her heart was pure, and he would know it. The greatest lady in the land had not a keener sense of purity than Berin thla. Sometimes in the Innocence of her heart, she talked about her fancy to her friends at the studio. Of course they chaffed her, but all the same she saw that they thought none the worse of her. Mr. Leroy partic ularly was very kind. He would talk to her quite seriously, lend her nice books, recite "poetry" to her, and laboriously try to improve her mind. Unfortunately, Leroy had one great fail inga too great liking for the cup which cheers and inebriates. He got tipsy twice or three times a week, and became utterly Irresponsible. Even In his cups, however, he was the most amiable creature in the world, and, as Ms acquaintances expressed it, "nobody's enemy but his own." A few months after the scene In the studio, with which our story opened, came Easter Monday, the spring bank holiday; and among those who drifted out of town with the crowd were Somerset and Leroy. Belford, who hated holidays, stayed at homo hard at work as usual. The two artists took the train to Ted dington, and walked thence to Bushey Park, where the colonnades of horse-chestnuts were in full bioom, and which was thronged with holiday makers from the great city. It was a bright and sunny day, the grass was green as emerald, the air clear and sparkling like champagne, the whole scene frankly pagan like a glimpse of old Arcady. Men and girls danced and romped, babies sprawled on the grass, while the crowded omnibuses rolled along the dusty road between the chestnuts, followed by the city clerk in his hired dog cart and the coster on his donkey tray. "Pan was there, and Faunus too, All the romping sylvan crew! Nature's Moenade flocking mad From the city dark and sad. Finding once again the free Sunshine and its Jollltle! Gaily twanged the fiddle string. Men and girls played klss-ln-ring. Fountains leapt against the sun, Roses bloomed and children played, All the world was full of fun. Lovers cuddled in the shade!" Out at the Hampton Court end of the park they strolled, and elbowing their way through the throng in front of the "King's Arms," halted at the bar for what Mr. Richard Swiveller called "a modest quench er." Then sallying forth they entered fie court gardens and watched the throng which was swarming, thick as bees, In and out of the maze. Suddenly Somerset gripped Leroy by the arm, and uttered an exclamation. "By Jove, look there!" Leroy blinked and saw, appearing out of the maze, the face and form of Berln thia. She wore a rretty cotton gown, a hat with feathers, and in her hand she carried a bunch of blooming iliac. Her look was radiant, and she was hanging on the arm of a young man! So absorbed was she in the contemplation of her com panion and In her own abundant happiness, that she did not notice her two friends of the studio, who drew aside quietly as she approached. The young man was stylishly dressed In the fashion of the period, a white hat, white waistcoat, peg-top trousers, and frock coat with a rose in the buttonhole. His hair was fair, his mustache still fairer, and his face somewhat sickly and Insipid. He wore lilac-colored gloves, and swung a malacca cane. ; "Who the deuce has has she picked up?" asked Somerset, smiling. . ' ' "Possibly the long-expected one! mildly suggested Leroy. "Looks like a counter-jumper!" muttered Somerset. , Curiouj to ascertain ! what had brought Berinthla there, they followed the pair at a respectful distance. "Look how she hangs on his arm!" said Somerset. "How admiringly she looks up Into his face! He must be Prince Charm ing after all!" Presently they lost the pair In the crowd thronging the gardens, nor did they catch everywhere for them. Late that evening the artists returned to Bloomsbury, Xeroy mildly tipsy as usual, Somerset full of life and spirits. A whele week passed, and Berinthla did not appear at the studio. This was so un usual that the three were not a little as tonished. At last cne morning, some ten days after the rencontre at Hampton Court. Berinthla walked In and greeted them with a smiling nod, "The prodigal returned!" cried Somerset. "Where on earth have you been hiding?" "I haven't been hiding anywhere," re plied the maiden; "I've been at home." "Quite sure? O Berry, I've had dreadful dreams about you! We dreamed I dreamed, Billie dreamed, Leroy dreamed that you'd been and gone and done It!" "Done what?" asked Berinthla. "Got married," replied the young man. Berinthla blushed crimson. "You're only chaffing," she cried, looking nervously toward Leroy. "No, Berry, I'm quite serious," said Som erset, still In the same bantering tone. "In our dreams about you, my dear, we saw the resplendent one as large as life. Shall I describe him to you? Golden hair and mustache, white hat, lilac gloves, a mal acca cane! O Berry t Berry!" Berinthla turned from red to pale, while her eyes opened wide in amazement. Then, meeting the laughing eyes of her tormen tor, she rapidly recovered her self-possession. "Somebody's been telling on me." she cried. "Well, I don't care! You'd have had to know It some day or other, I suppose. Yes, Mr. Leroy," she continued, addressing the individual whom she knew by experi ence to be the least sarcastic and most sympathetic, "I'm engaged; and that's why I've come to say that I can't sit for you any more." - "Why not?" growled Belford, the cynic, looking up from his work, and glaring at her with his Cyclopean eye. "Because!" said Berinthla, Then . she paused, blushed and simpered. "I see," Interrupted Somerset, "Prince Charming objects." "That ain't his name," returned Berin thla, slyly. "But he thinks it ain't proper for an engaged young lady to sit to artists. P'raps it ain't. At any rate, lie's very par ticular." There was a long silence, during which Berinthla went over to Leroy, and, stand ing close to him, watched him as he worked at a nearly finished picture. Presently he glanced round to har, and said quietly: "Who is he, Berry?" "O, Mr. Leroy, he's a gentleman a real gentleman! You'd know , that if you only saw him!" "Has he any profession? Does he do any work?" inquired Leroy, gently. "No, Mr. Leroy," replied Berinthla. "He's got property; and he dresses beautiful! And mother's mad with me for wanting to have him. She says he's no good; but I'm going to marry him, for ail that!" "Soon?" "I don't know. As soon as he likes. The sooner the better." "I wish," said Leroy, thoughtfully, 'you'd bring him along and introduce him. I I should like to see your choice. You know, Berry. I've always been interested in you, and " "I know that, Mr. Leroy," cried Berin thla, placing her hand softly on his shoul der, "but I can't bring him; I daren't bring him! Mr. Somerset would chafl me before him; and he's dreadfully proud. Besides, I'm sure he wouldn't come! He don't like artists." Somerset, overhearing the remark, burst into a peal of laughter. "He don't like artists!" . he repeated scornfully. "What a swell he must be!" "No mistake!" cried Berinthla, with a toss of the head. Several weeks passed and Berinthla did not reappear. The three often thought of her and spoke of her, for they misled her sunny presence and elf-like ways. At last one day Leroy received the following let ter, written In a round uneducated hand and bearing the Manchester post mark. "Dear Mr. Leroy: "This comes hoping you are well, and to toll you that I was married last Monday and have prone with my husband into the country. He's Just what I told you, a 'gentleman every Inch of him, and I'm that proud and happy I could cry for Joy. Give my love to Mr. Somerset and Mr. Bel ford, not forgetting .yourself, and believe me, "Your grateful and affectionte. "BEUINTHIA TOMKINS. "P. S. He's a real gentleman, and his manners are lovely T' Leroy read the letter aloud not without a certain emotion. "Tomkins!" shouted Somerset. "O, Phoe bus, what a name! Berinthla Tomkins!" "Poor Berry!" said Leroy with a sigh. "I only hope that her marriage will turn out all right!" . III. More than a year had passed away, the Christmas season was come again, and the three had neither seen nor heard of her who had been the very life and soul of the studio. Not a single line had come to tell them of her doings, and whether she was happy or unhappy, prosperous or the reverse. In the meantime, all of the three had thriven more or less. Somerset had In herited a little money from a wealthy re lation, Leroy had written a successful his torical play for an eminent tragedian, and had received for the same the princely sura of 500, 'while Belford, taken up by an en thusiastic clique of art-critics, was grad ually being recognized as a masterly painter. Nothing ' was changed, however. In their habits of life, which were still thoroughly and fearlessly Bohemian. Winter had come, and with its bleak winds and snowdrifts, ushering in the time of peace on earth and good will to men. Late on Christmas Eve the three sat be fore the fire, which was blazing brightly. They had been to the theater to see the production of Leroy's play, which had been received with acclamation, and they were celebrating the occasion. A kettle boiled upon the fire, glasses stood ready, and Somerset had Just drawn a bottle of Scotch whisky. Suddenly they heard a soft knock at the studio door, which opened 'on the snowy by-street adjoining the mews. "Come In," they cried, but no one entered. Then the sound was repeated and some one seemed to be trying to turn the handle of the door. "Who "the devil Is tt?" cried Belford. "The cat, I suppose." . Silence followed and they were Just fill ing their glasses and preparing to drink "A Merry Christmas" and success to the play, whenf Leroy started and held up a finger. "There's some one there, after all!" he said. "I'll go and see!" He walked somewhat unsteadily across the room and opened the door. The wind swept in with great flakes of snow, but all around was darkness. Then suddenly, as he peered out Into the night, he saw some thing black lying on the ground. Just be yond the threshold. He stooped down to in spect it more closely, and saw, to his amazement, that it was the figure of a woman. " . "Good Lord!" he exclaimed. "Here, you fellows, bring a light and lend a hand." Belford took up the lamp from the table, while Somerset ran to Join Leroy and to assist him to raise the woman, who ep- rcrrci t5 tzn fciztri. Ztzz ilzl Lit vj IQ A line of strictly all-wool Cassimere and Cheviot and Pure Worsteds Suits, of every conceivable pattern, in checks, stripes and mixtures, including the popu lar Slater Flannel Stripes, with cuff-bottom Pants, the product of the famous establishments of Alf red Benjamin & Co., Hornthal, Benjamin & Reim and the guaranteed H. S: & M., now sold at the remarkably low prices, l(Q)gllg Choke pedal Giioice "uäft? Special Choice ooooooocccccccooococcccccoooooc I 10 W. WASH. Largest Exclusive One-Price Clothkig House and carried her into the studio a limp lump of rags, soaked to the skin with melt ed snow and covered with a thin shawl, beneath which her hands clutched some thing in desperation. Belford held up the lamp and flashed the light upon her face. Then all three uttered an exclamation, for they recognized Berinthla. Berinthla, but how changed! Worn and thin and 'pale as if she had Just risen from a sickbed; her dress poor and ragged, her eyes closed, her mouth bleeding and open, and in her arms, clutching tight to her bosom, a little sleeping baby, the dark and elfin miniature of herself. She had fainted outright, and It was some little time before they could bring her to; but they placed her in an arm chair before the fire they chafed her cold, thin hands, and they forced spirits and water down her throat, till at last consciousness returned. When she came to herself and recognized where she was, she began to sob, hysterically, clutching Leroy by the arm, and hiding her face against his coat sleeve, while with her other hand she held her child. Yes, the child was hers, but her "gen tleman," her Prince Charming, where was he? Before the night was out, and when they had soothed away her excitement and made her comfortable by the fire, she told them the whole sad story. She had gone into the country with her husband, and for a long time they had been happy together, though she was always puzzled to find out where he got his money. He spent the days at home in her com pany, and seldom went out except at night. When she questioned him as to his doings, he always answered her angrily and bade her mlndlier own business. As the months passed on, his manner to her grew more and more Indifferent, and at last, in a fit of passion, he struck her. From that time forward their life was a miserable one, and all she had to look for at the man's hands was the coarse words and blows. She could have borne all that, she said, for the sake of the little one that was coming; but worse was to follow. One night her husband informed her, coolly and deliberately, that he was going to leave her, and had no intention of return ing to her again; that he was, in fact, about to leave England, and try his for tune in America, lie told her at the same time that the police were after him, and that his real profession, or occupation, was that of a fashionable thief, or swell mobs man! Before she could recover from her horror and amazement, he had gone, taking with him every farthing they possessed. Befor-i the night was out the police ap peared in pursuit of him, but they were too late. From that time forward she had heard nothing of him, and she had no doubt that he had left both her and his native country forever. We should weary the reader if we de scribed in detail the sufferings and priva tions of the deserted woman, still little more than a child. Her infant had been born in a provincial workhouse, and after wards, in despair, she made her way to London, only to be driven contemptuously into the streets by her drunken father. Finally, in sheer desperation, she had made her way to the old studio on that snowy Christmas eve. v Thanks to the kindness and sympathy of the three, poor Berinthla was rescued from utter shame and misery, but her old bright looks were gone, and she had changed pre maturely into a weary woman. What be came of her afterwards and of her little one is another story, not to be told now. Enough to say that she recovered from her first disillusion and was reserved for a life of tolerable happiness. In spite of. her bit ter experience she never failed to think with a certain tenderness of her Prince Charming, of whom she never again beard, and always when the three inveighed against him as a ruffian and a scoundrel, she would say very pitifully: '"Ah, but you didn't know him! He was such a perfect gentleman!" HUIX0B OF THE DAY. In Maine. Puck. Tourist Healthy village, is it? Native Why, if this wasn't a Prohibition State the drug stores might as well close up. Of Course i How Could Shef t . Life. He How could you lead me on, when you knew all the time I was in love with you. "Why, if you hadn't been, how could X have done It?" A Shade the Wont ot It. Puck. Potts Pykeer haunts the race tracks In the hope of winning a fortune. Taylor Haunts, does he? Well, he hasn't a ghost of a show. Won't Pay tnat Indejanlty. Detroit Free Press. "They call him the unspeakable Turk, ventured Bainbridge. "Yes, and he won't even let his money talk," added Goldsborough. Too To oner. . . Philadelphia Pres. "Ah! If I were younger." sighed the wealthy old man, "I miht hep to wla ycu." Tcj; cr, czj, t:n r3 ci: V' 3 r- NEW CHILDREN'S OUTFITS. Of Children's Suits, From Down to Of Children's $3, 2.50 and $2 Suits MMMS The majority of persons upon reaching middle age and past, find their blood be comes weak and thin, and diseases that were easily controlled in earlier life begin to affect the constitution. Those predisposed to Scrofula, Cancer, Rheumatism, Gout and other hereditary troobles, may escape till then, but as they ace. the blood, so lone tainted nnA wnl-. ened by accumulated waste matters, is no longer able to properly nourish the fcody, and it becomes an easy mark for disease. At this critical period of life the blood must be reinforced before it can perform its legitimate functions and rid the system of these poisons, and nothing so surely and effectually does this as S. S. S. S. S. S. strengthens and enriches the blood, improves the appetite, and builds up the general constitution. It is not only the best blood purifier, but the best tonic for old people. It warms the blood, tones up the nerves, removes ali taint from the blood, and prevents the development of disease. S. S. S. is the only purely vegetable blood medicine known. Not one particle of mercury, potash or other mineral poison can be found in it, and it may be taken for any length of time without harm. 5. 5. b. is the only remedy that reaches deep-seated blood troubles like Scrofula, Cancer, Rheumatism. Eczema, Tetter, etc It purifies and restores the blood to a healthy, normal condition, and makes it impossible for any poisonous waste materials to ac cumulate. If you have an old running sore or an obstinate ulcer that re fuses to heal, or are troubled with boils and carbuncles, try S. S. S. It never fails to make a quick and permanent cure of these pests. If your system is run down, and you feel the need of a tonic, S. S. S. will strengthen and help you, as it has many others, to a happy, healthy old age. a 8. S. cared 5fr. IT. Borden, of Saumiville. Ya., of a eae of Ecm of thirty-fire years' standing, after the bet phytldana In the surrounding coon try had failed. Thia was seven rears aeo. and thcra has bn n rtnm f th r ... ; r i disease. Mrs. D. H. Johnson, of Blarkfhear,Ga.,was for roars afflicted with a se vere type of rheumatism, and had used every remedy known and recommended w i?,ure withm receiving any benefit. 8. 8. 8. promptly reached the seat of the disease, and made a complete and permanent care. If you are in doubt about your disease, and will send us a statement of your case, our physician will give you any informa tion or advice wanted, for which we make no charge. Book on Blood and Skin Diseases sent to any desiring it. Ad dress SWIFT SPECIFIC CO., Atlanta, Ga, S. S. S. IS THE IDEAL TONIC AND BLOOD PURIFIER FOR OLD PEOPLE. plied dreamily, for he was only a little over sixty and still quite robust. What Was Needed. Puck. Mother Perhaps the young man needs a little encouragement. Daughter Yes, mamma! I wish you would keep out of sight more while he is here. Strategy Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Yes, I encourage my typewriter to chew gum." "Why do you do that?" "It tires her Jaws so much that she can't talk." And She Took the Cake. Judge. Little Girl I want a cake of soap. Drug Clerk Have it scented? Little Girl No, I won't have It sented. I'll take it wit me. We only live around de corner. A Valuable Lesion. Chicago Post. "And what does the story of the prodigal son teach us?" asked the teacher. "It teaches us how to get the fatted calf," was the prompt reply of that bad boy at the foot of the class. Siarna and Tokens. Chicago News. "We'll have a rain this afternoon." "Does the Weather Bureau say so?" "No; but those folks next door have gone to the country and left all their upstairs windows wide open." Little Jimmy Gneaa. Detroit Free Press. "What does it mean. Tommy," the Sun day school teacher asked, "where it says, They rent their clothes? " "I suppose they couldn't afford to buy them," replied Tommy. A Foolish Bird. Puck. The Robin Say, Twitters, a boy with a catapult came near sniping me this morn ing. The Sparrow Serves you right! Haven't I advised you time and again to dye that red front khaki color? OUT OF THE ORDINARY.' It is said there are fewer divorces among the Chickasaws than with any other race of people. The aging of timber, which formerly re quired long storage, la now completed by electricity in a few hours. Dried orange peel, allowed to smolder on a piece of red-hot iron or an old shovel, will kill any bad odor and leave a fragrant one behind. Methpdists have 112 American mission aries in China, Presbyterians 203, and the American Board of Commissioners for For eign Missions 110. A West Australian exploring party that recently, arrived at Oodnadata reported that thefo had not been a drop of rain for two years in the region traversed. The United States never coined gold pieces of .a higher denomination than $20. Some years agro a Jeweler at San Francisco struck gold pieces of the value cf fcO, hut that was on private account. . Department stores In St. Paul and Min neapolis provide bicycle stands, with a boy in attendance, who checks wheels free, whether the rider intends to visit that par ticular store or not. Indeed, a bicycle may be so housed all day. Two hundred and ninety millions of dol lira Cz7 rultry, t3 roct--3 ct era year, c:rrir:J c: :::.::) i-r trr tzx tt ARCADE I in the State 10 W. WASH, ij m same time, tells with emphasis the enor- mous magnitude of the poultry business. We are still importers of egs. The city of New York takes care of its blind residents who are also poor. Every year SjO or thereabouts Is given to eacn indigent blind person who applies for as sistance, provided the applicant Is found to be in need of assistance. This year nearly seven hundred applications have been made. The Board of County Commissioners of Wichita county, Kansas, has Just abolished the poorhoue, there being no more pauper in the county. One old soldier is the only dependent person in the county, and he is being carred for by popular subscription. One of the most important Industrie of the Bahama islands is the gathering of pink pearls. It is tha only place in the world where these pearls are found. The pearls, when perfect, bring very high prices, it is said, ranging from V to 15,000 Health specialists say a pound of lean beef and a Quajt of whole milk contain about the same amount of nourishment, but the meat, although it costs more, la more valuable for food, as it contains the nutrients In more suitable proportion. A postage stamp collection has been sold In England for XlöO.OüO. which Is believe! to be the largest philatelic transaction on record. The collection was that of the Eu ropean stamps of Mr. Castle, of ßrlghton, a vice president of the London Philatelic Socle Ly. The strongest men of the three einli est races in the present world are nonfleso eating the Turanian mountaineers, the dingo tribes of Senegambia and the Schleswig-Holstein Bauern, who furnish the heaviest soldiers for the German army and the ablest seamen for the Hamburg navy. Every stranger who enters the White House is counted by an automatic register. The instrument Is held in the hand of one of the watchmen stationed at the door, and fcr every visitor he pushes the but ton. Congressmen, senators, members o! the Cabinet and newspapermen are not counted. The five civilized tribes of Indian Ter- ritory the Creeks, the Chickasaws, the Choctaws, the Cherokees and the Semi noles are no longer a savage race. They have an excellent system of schools, ana are eager for education. Thtir costumes are those of the European, and the white mao is his model. Indians are making rapid strides In th paths of education. The Chickasaws have five colleges and the Creeks have ten. The Choctaws have no collefre?, but hare 1M common schools In which the higher branches are taught. The expenses of edu cating the Indians are borne by the fed eral government. Among the Japanese the riklsha men. with muscles like steel bands, will whirl their seated passengers over the ground t the speed ot a hores's trot, forty miles day, for day. together. Their diet consists of rice, vegetables ar.d occasionally a little fish. The Lascars, o a similar diet, make the best seamen In the world. The waterways of the Chinese empire are Infested with pirates and banditti who swoop down ujon inoffensive merchant men, kill and plunder and hie themvlves back into the mountain fastnesses. Thee gangs exist throughout China, and their practices are winked at by the local of- hclals who profit by the crimes. The popular notion that "fish Is a brain food" is a mistake for eminent physi ologists tell us that fish no more than any other nitrogenous food contributes to brain growth and development All nitrogens foods, such as fish. meat, eggrs and so on, repair the waste tissues 'of the body, but fish is of no more Importance than th others. The Germans are said to be miking knives, pincushions, match boxes and other kr.icknacks out-of their native woods, to be sent to England for sale utter the Eoer war is over. The finished articles aro Inscritsd. "Made of wood grown at Lady emith." "The Modder, "Belmont. art3- psn." "ILintcl!7, "ilafeUir.r -3 cv:i 1 Tv.vl