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' fll fxllPICf UlKt iflft flPIQiC 1 Ulll IdUlllUWUlllv) Ul Icjlt). in ,iimin lit M'l.r .M'lfAIM'IIV. Author of " llooiucil," Lily t.um Clo-istmin llliinr-r," lUe. Our (Cony i i; - Vhilo n ululj tlnoi - eotitra-t Ik-t b Hh'1h 'Iter, Johnson I liaohollur ) hiverod slightly ns the mig to behind hint. The en the uin-tiith and brigh mi s, I li" noise and laughter of the place he had just iiiltted with the i o d Mi oai U ness and I lie .stillness of ' s . ne he sun eyed, hud in il sutll eu nt ilemei'ls of depression to eliill ( . i one le s lightl.v susceptible to ox t i iN t II M it t'lulo Ames. Jlt. stood for 11 feu seen, tils irresolutely oil tll( tluoshold Should he lliink better of it, lie a du d liuuself. and, leturti to tin. mirth, (lie . iirnfort and the companion ship he had jut abandoned. Mis host hail reprnarlieil liini when he left with Hie severest reproach that bold Lan celot ever addressed to a guest, the re jit'oui h of being a "quitter," one who ipMitted too enlly the society of his fel lows and the iriiuie itttoMcalions of wine, tobnivo and wit. He knew that he chose In rei.u-ii his comrades of ih roe minutes ago would welcome him vith I'lithiis'asin, Ihrt Lancelot would smile an sippnniil tempered with irony. iinri tiint one other might lie added to the sum of i njoyable hours. Hut even vvltilt lie hesitaied, tov ing wit li tenipla- Lie slii-ngr-d his shoulders at his H.it n and decided to face the 1 Jtrlit I'be dinner hail beener ideas- an' i i.ii Ma- so much to the rood. 1 .'irt'tfil i' iv i l.tlio of hosts: the coin- me tnoi v of -onie g reen oiiraooa st ill liu- , ... l.i. ...m. 1 1 ....I ..,1,1, wen. . i uiill l li oi iia( p l o eil tie 1 1 e r if tie mio intiereo lonoer vv l n me i.an- l- Thele u:ih nHmv; lluil h ft nn. in r, vv n i en m i in. a nor an. mean some- lit n ad it o , i r "laaiii. in memory, n ! i" i f4" ' 1 li'" of ilie club hall, with his ' ire 'ii the darkness ami t lie discomfort f dii iiiilin ll-nient. tt was a small iei ol paper, obviously the half of a dioi t Ihat I ud been torn earolpsslv oil'. 1 eai ( luii'sl,s folded up in nn en- ,i l .ie of a . and shape destined for . ... .1 tH ..II I Ull'l' II IIIU J, MM Ol lit H'l. II I V "-"Giltf r t.i vi) it o ! n xi. xiv ix mi vmttv. e ion- inside was w r'tten on letter .pet of an nfiraeitve simplicity, and ,c w rit mi? w u n a w oinan s hand that d di t motion, 1 hat. can led Imlilni'o- S'np' a inost to exaggeration. All sa d was "( an you be seen on the i bankai nt at midnight on Christmas e i ear ( leopitt ra's XeedleV" That' ars all, i it tin- few words with lheir rge black rol.es and bold curves! 1 1 hi pi.(r ironi corner to corner. o liirs had smded as he lead it. ( He liiid -ei ived some enrioiis let ter.s , lis tin lint none, as it seemed to. l t, t tiu- so i i-rious as tins in the. cool . inn" il v of its pereintitoriness. At t, ' ft r s riding .it it, lie w as for tear- j g iT n tv o livI fin gettinij ail about it. it i t'hiij.' fn .iniling in 1 lie hand- i t r, I his lingers. The let- i i j i TOt IK ' 'a t( r il- li-wercd. so he lioirht I isiou the temptation, it 1 'I- v 1, uddi-nly alinost a de link now n eorrespond- lie was dining with Lord Lancelot tiu bt. eptiens' club on that day. d tin -untie , low tliat, I'hilo won rod, in loniiKC the mbankmeiit for u niv-ti noils try.-t '.' This possibility ih c to t he mtori st, 'I he thine- niii'lit a j( to nugh be a plot, might be ear t ml urgenl, I'hilo Ames liail put lit ir III s poi Uel, telling llimself t hi v ou ii think about it. Ifo iTos-H-d tie road, and, pausing a iiioniwit, 'ookcil iqi at the union - it he t'oik lower. Jt wanted ii miiiuti io 1'.'. He t iirned aw uv, d, leaiiliu.-' over 1he parapet, looke l tin blackiii ss of the river b-jlow I'-; aspe. t . it i i I -c I him. it seemed still and co d ami desolate; indeed, t-r t i f in soiiitiop .seemed to he over W iir-ll pi ci . Is ii Unocal f ill for t he first hunt nil v.uds. The highway m'-d a sol-noly deserted, and the itp.itli, as lar as he could see ahead li 'in, was H-t i-l Ii as a desert. ,n lcrs seem (l to be lounging on the . I 1... . !..!. . . . iv. i, -, , in, IUL.-III ,iuN i n iavv i nn ivi n for v i-tcheilticss to i,eek rc- e in so --iiMiid a place. No police .. .......... .i , , i . . . 1 ii i-l, i,i ,i -ii iiiiit wearv wav h bi iiu-l I'liilo, as lie noted , tl ougtit tli.ii if mischief were in- d aiooi lie ', mli iiave to face it liini-,1 if a; In i In- might, le iv." no-v - ' I'm a few-Minis of tin- it obilisi, Unit hud lasted through mlinv 'mi, -I i,l li,,,.. 1 1 , 1... l.t i ----t 4II-- iiiiit nigh', and he could still discover siL'n of i - pi cue,, or any human nr i.i'i him .elf in thuneij-fiborlioo'l tlu iiK liofilh "I siinoose it was a aft r ii'l," l said to liimnjlf, and ivi, jti t di ciding that it was a very iv jol -, mid ((-ul In- wj-ii u i',,,, u, sic one betti i' sjient time ill lit. so ion, when ociunie awaro thai "i- all he w it not alone. tlgiii'o i nine tow nils lnm out of the k ii of the shadow at the base oi 1 1 i r i line so suddenly that i; med nlnur t as if it had detached if from the solid monument to greet It v as tin- figure of a woman, n I i-l- I o be i.s closely enveloped 'urn hi- .r himself, t-'o miioii hi Id (i vit j'u-,t glance, and in a 11 'Ht k fdt sure that this must b ereyt . -i n lutd come to moot s,i, it have it i cIom. in the saadovv nesioien i I she -aw li m i-uui tie;. ho b htiy q in keiied his im, , t j mm Join the woman who now stood, olenr lvimiM, on Hip pathway in 1 lie i vividclroh'ofnlunip,eviiloiitlyvvuiting for him. i Vhllo came up near to 1 no woman and ' (Yrenee with the Inw and pointed tri hnltcd. She did not move; heenuldsee umphiititly towards the woman. hi o.lenrlv. and he looked at tier close .'y. He saw a face that was very pale llli a patlnf Hint was iiitensltlrd by Ilia 1 liv iiiLf reduces of the lips, and by tin' e.-1 eeeiliiifj hrlfrht ncss of the eyes. It was Hie eyes especially that fixed and fasci nated him. I'hilo Ames had looked into the eves of so maiiv women and rend many nieanincs iu their depths, but it seemed to him in that moment that he hud never before seen ey es sost ranely brilliciit, so lit with somber (ire, so haiintine; in their expression, so com niandliiK' in I heir appeal. The face wan very beautiful w'th its white beauty, willi its circle of bluok hair, with its warm led mouth, but the charm of the eves dominated alt the rest and put tliein out of mind. ' "You come mot punctually upon your hour," she said, gravely, and be- fore the surprise on Allies' face at thU 1 nnepected ineetiiifj had time to fade or i eiiaiuje slieeontintied in thesainu strain ' with the fittlni eitieuct: "Kol- this re lief much thanks, 'tis bitter cold mid 1 and with the pronoun she paused, and tlic unexpected quotation drifted away into a sigh. Ames said thu only Ihinp he could very well bay under the circumstances: he said: "Let me hope that von are not sick at heart." Tlic woman looked away foi a mo ment, looked at the sullen river and lluj i.hiniiif; distant lights, then her yreat dark eves tir.ed their iraze aprain upon l'liilo's face. ''erha)s 1 am." she answered. "It 'was verv ol of you to conic, and yet 1 fell sure thai vou would come; and you see that I was rijfht." I'liilo felt and appreeiateii theerecn irieity of the occasion. "You sent for me," bo said, with a manner of grave courtesy, "and I am here, ("an 1 he of any serv ice to you V" '! he woman replied, after the fashion of women. Hi one (piestinn with a not her. "Do you care for life','" she asked, slowly and earnest !y. There was siunct hinir absurd in tlm utterance of such a question, at such n lime and under such conditions, which would usually have made I'hilo luiif-h. Hut, though the position was incon ('I'liony, though tiie question was ;ro- lusqiie, j'jnio inn not teel moved to I liiii)lil'"i The woman appeared to ho in earnest, the woman eertaiilly was Leautitul. and her eves seemed, in the line ohrn'-e of I'ortin. to have overlooked her companion of a in. intent's t ime. He did not allow himself time to rotleet, upon 1 lie qneurness of t his eccentric en counter, upon the amusing abruptness of the interroH'at ion, upon the sinister possibilities that miht lie associated vvitli the adventure. Indeed, sinister possibilities never counted for much in I'hilo Vines' estimate of an intcre.stiiiL' :u,na,,, a,,o ,e preseni s.iuatioi, nad , nt leas. U,e merit of being execodincly i i n lore.-1 i'g. no lie gave duck an earnest i:a,.e into tin- dark eyes of his compan ion while he thought ol some appropri ate leply to her quest ion. Hut lie could I hink of nothing on tie- .-pur of the lini ment inoie appropriate than the vague and iiiiiicoiumit tal formula of "That de pends." and so In- said that, with an ef- fort, to make, it seem tiit'ornieil with many meanings. It did not haven very satisfactory elVeet upon the w oman. A look of disdain shadowed her eyeswith a deeper darkness and tightened the tension of in-r red lips. "You declared once," she said, "that a in. in like yourself, special purpose in lifi a man with no always ought to , i e ready to place nis Hie at the serv lee of a beautiful woman. Do vou remoin berV" i'hiloslirtigged his shoulders slightly, j It was very likely, indeed, that he had said '..iinotliing ol the Kind, at some t hue or ot her, to some one or other. In-1 died, it was piobahle that ho hud said' those words, or words rei-enhling til em, many times to many person on I1 not recall any special . Hilt he ' occasion, and he said so. The woman frowned n his explanation. j "You said so once." she replied, "to I one who w as then a dear friend of yours, ! I I ... 1 1 r..: I . i' " ""I'l"'"-" "'' '' """ mini, ntiil w lui ri-ni-ii T nil vnnr iiliivi... Ii, 1 J mo. ZXover mi net ttie name, you may very well have forgotten it; and at least you never knew my name, and never saw my faco before." "Yours i.s not a face," said I'hilo, "that a man, once seeing- it, is at all likely to forget." "Do you think I am beautiful ?" she asked him suddenly, shifting her posi tion as she spoke, so that tin- light of the lamp fell more fully upon her face. Ames answered her with a quiet assur ance: "1 know that you are very beautiful -one of tlie most beautiful women that I have ever been." For a moment the imjias.siveness of the woman's pale face lapsed into a i-inilc of satisfai tion. Ames noted with plea- lire that t he transition did nothing to diminish the impression of loveliness thai he had just praised so highly, "Then I am tempted," she said, "to lcinind you of your old-time chivalry, and to claim the fultilniont of yourxovv even though il was not iiuule over the peacock," I'crhaps there wasasiihtli- suggestion ot hysteria iu her fantastic specuh which touched Ames, or porhapa it was the enchainment of In r physical beauty as it showed under that glim mering gns lamp; perhaps an apprecia tion of both possibilities led him to an swer, very gently and very decisively, that he should consider himself verv fort iiuiitc if it wfro in 1 , I I nis power to be of any use in any way to her. The woman c.nught oagoriy at his words. "Come with me." she said, and as she spoke, she clutched rather than took hold of l'liilo's arm, and seemed in her Impatience to seek to drag li'iru along with her. I'hilo surrendered himself with impassive acquiescence to all her actions. It was always bis rule .. I l . , ........ I. ..... . vv lieu ne oegaii n ' ay ii. oiu io , .1... t .... 1... l.ii.l r n .... I in,- i-nii, .inn nn it-. ,1, i in, ur- ciiled to nofept this ehiineeof entertain ment he was uov stubbornly resolved to see tlie tlilng'oiit toitsenil, Hi-. i- paniou hurried him along the embank, mi nt as far as to the neighborhood of tlie next gas lamp. Then Ames saw that a hansom nil) was in waiting, its two lamps gleaming'1 iu the dreary dark ness like tlio eyes of a belated owl. When they got olose to it I'hilo saw that ho cab driver wus apparently engaged In nn animated conversation wlt'Ifa" po licoman, who eceuied to be quest liming him dcrnly nn to his unoccupied pres ence Ihou and there. When theeabiiia IHE BURLINGTON J1 II 13 snw Ames mid IiIr unknown friend' come towards him nut of the dnrkneHS , 1 - (J straightened himself fvom Ihc' r.tooped attitude ho had adopted iiioon- "'I here ii m.v fare," ho. .ald, with a I hoarse cMiltiitiou. "1 told you I had a fare nil alouir, bu) you wouldn't believe me," "tin Kit' THINK t AVI HKAl riri'I.?" The policeman did not appear to bo prreatly reassured bv the arrival of u pair when he had only heard of one, for lie turned the li(fht of his lantern upon the couple, thouch at the same time. seeiiie; mi cause for interference, ho drew back a few paces and survey oil the scene, with watchful majesty. l'liilo's' companion vv hispered to him to nut into the cab. While lie obeyed hhc said a few words to the e.'iinnau. then she (jot, in in her turn and the call drove Siribkly olT. I'hilo could hear Ids companion I'ive a si:h of rnlief.nnd in the net ino iiient lie felt his hand eaim'ht in hers in 1 a pressure that implied a very ireat sense of gratitude. , r'ii.rTi:i: tt It was only a Iter 1 he cab was in mo-1 tion that Ames seemed to realise tin peculiarity of his position and the whimsicality, to say the least, of the whole amazing expedition. With the rapidity that thought permits in mo ments of extremity he contrasted two piV tuies tile one of I'hilo Amos seated in the coinfoit of the St. M opium's club, w illi a delicious memory of green eura ena st inuilat ing his fancy and the at mosphere of Author I'asha's wondei fu! cirarcitos charming his mind; thi ol her. of I'Ullo Allies on tliis raw , wind w lilfpcd night, driving in a hansom cab along a course which Loonieil the very aliouiina'.ion of desolation, by the side ol a w oiniiii w liom he hud never seen five minutes before, and who, if she wa-t certainly stiangely beautiful, was no le:;s strangely eoeeu trie. and w ho opened a casual aeqiiaiiitiirie;; by perplexing ;iietious as to Hie jinoe her companion llMftn i F,. P i n f..H 1 imI it vv -.-j ,,, (lMy nn,n, ,. ,,. sc.u,il)(. ., llln,,. ,. Wvt rnmMl. -wn ,,.,,. more or loss reputable to some understanding with the divine enigma by his sjd,-. It was, lie assured himself, absurd, and worse than absurd, i to bo thus drifting about London in the ! society of a creature as lovely as a , vision, yet who inigln be cithern dan- perou lunatic or a no less dangerous j decoy. His heated mood tired his t onguo to a fantar.y that seemed apt to the hourand I the v oman. I "Well, sweet minion of the moon." lie i said, with a laugh, "does your driver I know- the way to the nrocken'.' Your witelihood lniyht at least have olYcri-il mc a lift on a b'rootustiek." -p; wn,iin had her face turned to hilii; he could see her quite plainly in Ihe lamplit call, and he saw that, her ex es.ind her lius irnvc back his hiuchtcr. m,(l that if she vv as lovely in austeritv . .v:,s yet more lovely In mirth. "This common cab will serve our turn." she said, softly, and her voice now sounded sweeter vvitli the assui-anei- it seemed to derive from Hie de- jiu-aiior of her companion. "We shall not laic far to-niirht." "May 1 not at least Know whither the wind of your whim will waft, our spirits?" Ames began, in a tone which he intended to bo wholly playful, but into which, in spite of himself, lie could not help allowing a suggestion in anxiety to intrude, "To wiuU star du we steer our course'.'" The woman shook her head. "Surely," she said, "so loyal a cava lier and so courageous a gentleman as you is content to follow unquestioning the lady who honors him with her emu mauds?" Her voice Maidenly changed, and was almost disdainful a.-, she went on. "lint if y on are not, you have but to say the word and we can part here and now. Slop tin- call if you wish. I shall have lost an illusion, and you w ill have hist one of those opportunities of adventure which you are fabled to de sireperhaps something more. Hut iu life we are always losing illusions and opportunities. Shall 1 set vou down?" Spurred by the sneer in her speech, l'liilo's fancy galloped out of sight of hesitancy, out of sound of the call of prudence. "Lot us say no more about Tt," lie. said, coolly, "Lead on, I'll follow thee. I'lease consider that I am your most humble, oborllont servant to coin : liiand." I Then she leant her face towards ' liim while she whispered her thanks, j and he. fascinated by her pallor, ami the perfume In her hair, and the mad j ness of the moment, murmured wild words in praise of her beauty, while j the oab wheeled swiftly along through a b'ackuoss that was broken every now mill tin, n 1.,- ,l,u ncL;i,.,H.,ul, .-,-.. 1....... ... .1 i ... .-- I IU ,11, .Til ,11 .1 ,.llll, ..,,,, ,,, - iliriwi-d liini fin- ili. kii-iiil more oisunctiy tne mouth and eyes and the smile of bin companion. It wa like a drive In a dream, and Ames was never afterwards able to piece to gether the threads of that bewildering oouversulion. Suddenly the, oubuwung to the left and came to a stop. Ames saw from the expression of the wom an's face that thnv had reached their .h.tl,,,,.!,,,, "L-si"iiliioil He leaped out of the oab mid assisted 1' in companion to alight. She instantly i tin up a short flight of stops and put a key into a latch. As he turned from watching her movements he saw that the cab had left them, and was driving inpldly away up the narrow street in the direction of the Strand. Amos looked up at the lady. "Itisall right," f ho said. "The cab Is paid. Come in." Ames glanced round him, lie knew tliat he was in oneof thelittleclusterol closely retembling strews that run In parallel linos from the embankment oi the Strand, but he could not iu the dutif ul ss of the infill and flu; confusion of mm m IS P 11 ESS, TUtRSDA.Y. the tnoinent reenll ihe name of the fllrert. He saw that the door which the woman had opened vvim the door of what looked like a nev and lare build Inf of lints, chambers and oll'iees, and that it htoorl near to the emlinnkuient on the. riyht-lunid side j-'oinff towards the Straiid. in much he "-iithercd Inn irlniice, then ho followed his lender up the steps apd throiitfh the doorwiiich she held halt open Into a lurpe and e.mievvhat dimly llfe'hted hall, on both s'.des of which Ann's saw the !oii(r catn loL'tie of nanien printed in ffold upon black jjrounds which are, as it were, the Inqer post to these human hives. The woman closed the door. "Follow me," she said, and bean to lead the way up a lonjr illfrht of stone stairs. Ames followed her without a word, but "I OI LOW VIF. ' sill, s V I I). ii1, he followed her le- assured himself, almost nieohunu ally . tt.at he was not liiiarmcil. 'I he ascent was Ioiil, iipscvcr.iltlights of those dimly iighlid clone steps, on which the aseendiiitr footsteps seemed ,'.t echo gloomily . They passed several nories, each with its ow n faintly ilium iiiiited corridor iiidialing away into luysterious space, before they eaiue ic a stop, His guide turned to th.i right and walked along a corridor that seemed to lead towaids the front of tlie man sion. Presently she paused at a door and turned a handle: Amos still follow ing her, found himself first in .the until! hall of a priv ate tint nnil then in a drawing-room which seemed to lllug upon his consciousness a sense of somew hat savage wealth as the electric light flooded it at tlie loecli of the w oina n's hand. "Take off your coat." she said, and t lien she disappeared t h. rough a further door and Ie1t him -biring curiously around him. The room suo-n-ested wealth, ease, even luv iry. but there was a further suggestion of brutality, oi the barbarous, in ifs nppulcucc, which nssorleil itself with signilicanee. As I'liilo Ames turned to take off his coat and lay il across a remote, chair, his glance was arresled by one amoiura line of photographs upon the chin noy-pieee. it was tin- face ol a woman that In- had once l.nm.n, the face i i' a woman thin the people who talked of lnm, that the people who talked of In r. deelared him to have known very well. Seeing Ihe photograph and remembering that friendship, Ames -sivv si me meaning in Lis presence, in 1 he advi nture. lie had said many extravagant things to her; she was a woman whose intimacy tempted to extrnvaeance; it was very probable, indeed, that he had said some such words to her as hud been repeated to him by his mysterious hostess. ell, if ho had he would stand by them now, .f only for the old saKe's sake, he said to himself, as he turned fiom the f.imilinr lace and followed the line of the little (allery of portraits. There welt-some at his hostess, which failed, as photo .raphs always fail, to renew the essence Id' her beauty: there were several, too, jf a inn ii. a big man of black favor, i trong, swarthy and, to Ames' eye, for bidding. I!uL his study was inier l u pled ty t ho sound of -ii t o polling door, mid he swung around to salute a metamorphosis. The Lady of the Kni banknicnt had shed her street attire; in place of the long black cloak and the small black hat she woie no.v a dinging dress, vv bite with thealiuring vv liitenes-, of the softest silk and the softest laces, foppishly rcllned, provocatively negli gent. Rooming more like a varment slipped on for tin- lainess of some iast. hour before lied after a ball than for any more wideawake moment, of the four-nnd-twenty hours. I'liilo fel' an admiration of her in his heart which must liavi betrayed itself in Jits eye, for she smiled upon liini I oy ally. "Well," she said, "do you still think that I am beautiful?" I'liilo Ames had only one answer t i make, and made it. "Indu d 1 do," he said, with such absolute sincerity in his voic- lhat the w Oman's pale face flushed w itli the unavoidable feminine pleasant in praise. Ames was thinking to him self that he had never seen so lovely a (iod's creature. "Well," she said, after a pause, iu w hieh she stood before him. daintily de limit, "atn I good enough to die for at least, am I good enough to risk living for'.'' Again Ames, in thu honesty of bin soul, had but one answer. "I iiilend you are," lie allirinod, and the way In wbioli be uttered the common words made them uncommon in sincerity . Slie gave a laugh, exultant in satisfac tion. "You will have your oliunce now , ' she fitid "hero and now." Kvcn tin- coolness of L'liilo's temper, even the composure of his carriage, could not prevent him from a start ol surprise at this menace of imminent, unseen danger, lie looked watohfullv at the door of the room which the wom an hud just left. She followed hil b'lnuce nnd shook her head. "Listen," she said. "Ho you hear a man's step in the street, a man's step on the stair; a horrid stop that seems tc till the street with its footfall, to siiaki the ah- w ith its tread; a step that makei the listener's heart throb with fen r nnd loathing?" Moved by the passion in her voice, I'hilo, obeying her, listened. "Xo," Ik said, "I hear nothing." "You will soon," she cried - "the t rem' of the man I hate, the man to whom I viu bound, the nmn from whom you w il! free me.' I'hilo felt that if he were indeed deal ing with a madwoman it vv ere widest tc humor her. "How can I serve you?" ),, asked quietly, wondering what she vvus goiiifj to say iiix't. She pouted to 1 1 clock. "He will be hen- in n mitt'it ' or two." "Ho VhoV" I'hilo aski l with a ooioposun vv Inch his pulses i.ibr i. r i ' ( ! i 'ml tv 1 m D'iCJKHIJKri 14, l ?.. "Tlie num. 1 tell you the man," she answered. "That mini," and she point- ( on io itte svvurriiy taoe in tne piioio graph. "He is my lover, and I loathe him. lie is ;i uiiiiliuiin when he Is jeal ous. When he llnds you here he will try to kill you." "That Is very thought ful of hhn, and of you," aies said, iiiiiellv. The wom an might, be mad or she might not, but, in any ease, the. adventure was ticklish nnd a cool blood Ihn only wisdom. "If lie kills you." fhe woman went on, -with her eyes Uteri on l'liilo's face, "then he is a murderer, and so I am weM rid of him. If you kill him. as I hope, t hen y on have noted in self-defense, iiik , nre innocent aud so, loo, 1 am well rid of him." ! "You seem to have thought things; out very carefully," said Anie. "Iltit w liy did you honor me w it h your choice of champion?" "I'eoause of your leputation," slio I mi id, vv it li a . smile that was half a sneer; "perhaps beeiiuse of your big bolist. . Women have done so much foryon that it was time you should do something for vv omen." I'hilo shrugged his shoulders. "1 mi flatter me--" lie began, but the wonu.n interrupted him. "II usli," she said, "f hear a fool full. I'll 'In. straining his sense of hearing, secineil to oateh the faint sound of a dis tant ascending step on those distant ascending stairs. He. slipped his hand ti. his hip pocket and pulled out his pis tol. The woman's eyes flashed at his action. "Of course," lie sald.'M can only feel (la ft ered .it the. honor you have done me. If your friend attacks tne, as y on seem to ii'.sumo--vv ell. as I believe I am con sidered to be a good shot, and as I be lieve that 1 justify the impression, It should imagine, that you will lie relieved of your rlitlicully in about II vein in lit os." ' Kvcn as he sj.olo- the steps came! nearer aud neaier, mid sounded louder' mid louder in the gaunt loneliness ol the place. Hut A ui'S-'s blood, grow nig hot with the excitement of the moment, suddenly cooled at the sight of ihe vi omaii's faoe. It lutd grown curiously pale and drawn and wan, ami its look of enxlety touched him with a quick pity. Sue seemed to be listening as curiously ' lis he to I lie (in-coining steps, lint wi'h i a very different interest. He thought to himself, trying to translut- her cv 1 pressioii, tliat the steps sounded sinsm larly light, fo be those of the black vis ii'cd savage vvhosi face gi iun d on thr i chimney piece. The stops caiin clo-,e i nnil- stopped before tin- door. Theit was a moment's silenee- and then h ring. Th- woman remained motionless for A moment, like one under the inllueiico i.f some ungovernable fear, some un naineaolc hoiror. Then, as if shaking oil flu- lethargy of a dream, she walkid to the door and went into Ihe ball. I'hilo followed her. with a revolver in Lit hand. Site opened the ball door, and Ames mcchtinic'illy lifted his pistol, but lowered it again as his gac etc loijntered nothing more alarming than n telegraph boy dimly visible in the faintly -lighted corridor. lief ore the boy had time to say a name, the woman had caught the luosyige from him, looked at its address and swungthedoor , l-t. I'hilo Antes and she were again uluiio together. I'liilo could hear fhe 1-oy whistling and stumping ns lie went away, but the woman stood still, ho'd iuy the message in her hands. It was only for a minute, but it seemed an a:;c; then she turned and walked into the drawing-room. Vines mailing way lor her. She tore the envelope open, read the message, gave a little cry. vv hieh slut S v-i ; .r ' . -sj Villi roi.l.ov. i;n ill. li VMTJl A lil.V'OI.VCIl ix ins it.v.xn. forced tietcely into a laugh ns slui handed the slip of pink paper to mes. lie lead four words iu a Hash. The four words v-ere: "(!o to the devil." Th.'ii she snatched the paper from his hands, and tlic pair stood in silence for a .sec ond, facing each othervaguoty . "Well." mid I'hilo, slowly, "you .-ei-iu to be rid of your difllculty ." til ic gave a little shiver as .'lie an swered; "mi i; appears." I'liilo swung his fur coat on to his shoulders, and slipped his rev olver back into its place. As lie stretched out his hand to his hat the woman touched I him on t he arm. '"l ou can stay if you like." she said, I In a voice ihat was half a provocation, half an appeal. I'liilo lool.ed at the woman's henuti- I ful face, and Ids heart grew hot; thou he glanced round tho room, and thouglir. ) what shambles it might have become if what had not boon had been, lie took up his lint. I "No, thank you," ho said, nnd he wall. ed slowly out of the room and out of the hall, and drew the door sharply behind him in the dimly-lit corridor. Then, and then only, he suddenly tool; a kind of fright, and he ran dow n tin stone stairs iu tlie darkness as If for dear Hie. He never knew bow he got the main door open; his next act ot iiinscioiis ooiisoiousiiesM was to llnd himself again upon the embankment, vvitli the cold, wet wind whipping hin forehead. When he awoke the next morning ho tried to Hud the letter, hut failed. "1 wonder," he said fo himself, "if the whole tu'ng was dun to Ihe greun citra- i con or : i the pasha s cigarettes, or it if reully hnppened." I Hu t he took no pains to find out. I rut-: km Sllll'iitcil Willi lliilli-etliiili. I'l-octoi', Vt., Nov. :".4. 1M4i. ' 1 liuve bfrn bcs-ti u sufieriT for seveiul yuiii" from In digestion and was ,n t iwi -1 uii.tbli- i,i in tend to my work I have t,n taluio, Ilooil's S)ai6.lp,Mil!u and 11, e.l' t'illh itii,l can trankly ..i rl:n tl,. ndl. f tbrv have 8iv n me If 'levouil di s, rlpiimi 1 fr : thitaktul for t ' i. - ,uvfr-. ri the trl-nd vv l! nn o tni in 1 1 v Hm ii s: , , j ilu cilia ,Ir. A Mil". 111 ill 1 1 ri I I 11 SHOWING WHAT IS IN HIM. mfM- :0M&M$:' :e? CURRENT HUMOHOUG VERSES. Tim HiUvilte Ittimiupr Mi-iticR. Tuy hud a woman's inr-etm at Illllvlllu-c-T flie-lilii. TI subject r,tt vva.-". "Slo-"ner hrill They St.ir. or silinll Tlu-y Ho'" The nii iikiti it vvai livetv: the nrRtnro VM-rc vMf. With Hwi- r Willdiis ir iin rhnlri but mostly en the tulili". The i.-tuetiu npened -.-'itli a iirftyrr for heavenly im-tirm. Tln-y smiK ,i tirnm ir two, n then thejr took Uli II eell'-etiotl - " To iniile ne meettn arthortos, n tihendovvit nun tu- sivtl An pileheil tile (tie-tinn i'l the cl'oxvil, "Hhnll nionmrs .-t.y or n-iivelv" JHraiuly Sprtigiii" took it up with: "Sisters, ':ivv n-tiin--.' ! Thry ain't nn questii a 'bnut these stylus fn bloonur' l-i in -assy. 1 wouldn't never p;.' in on for till h'-ro v liule eveatinii. Thi'j'i-e Kiila hi run .-our IuiuVmuiIs oft an rain this here nation." Then Chairman Vv'ilkms took the floor an went fur Slsti-r Sj.riKKbis. Slio said n xvoiiimi vvcalc a- li-hi)itlii Sallop out tlie ilurcria's. An then a hundred women rose, on in tlio spei ebfty In They ni-lieit hr to a vvimto-.v an sent Sister Sprins'liis flyln. Then Sistir B.i!tei- took the stand when (inlet was a ri ignin. Sne si'id there vvara't a bit o' sense fn women folks i-iiiiipluinin 'tinut hloomor stylei im Weykles nn the ni-vvfjiiglod twit'lie.-i, I'n r, since sle-'d knovvnl heri-clf, ihe'd hoeli a-vvearin o' th liritcli'-s. She ttot throi-clteors nr ninylio six ; tho women thriinsed aroun.l her An put li'.i- on tlm tnliln she, a big three linn- ' ilred ijoiuulerl An tin n the table it cninu down, an furnitvira was tl.v in Till it was ditngeroun to be round, with all theia wonu n uryin. The ljeiichi's turned u .sijiiii i-saidt ; the roof It tuuiblod down ; Tho bell it went to nnt-'in an startled all the town. An then out nished thu women, their hair all out o' comb; Tlm builibn whs Mirronndii, an tluir bus- hiiucU led m hom ' rrank I.. Stanton in iTtiniitn Constitution. liefti ctioim of Hermit, on a Iinttle. In solitary crot a hermit wept, Not for that glided pill the world, but only bVeun-e it irked him that his biiaini-h-j kept Ills ht'itrth so lonely. There sturd a botrlo by hmi, from the deep i Ot its still bosom Ml- ally demanding: ' "Diink, pi-title hermit! ! It woll to kep I A bottle stninliuKt" j 4 Alan!" ipioth ho. "H :icodg two words to i rhy ini!- ' Tvo hearts to love two worry glaHMM chnk uii;. , Tin mutual i-oul athirst In time and time rcr happy drinking." Tho bottle sinilid: "Nay, l.onnit, fill thy irlns Tlie thlaiT i Rood mid jtwt that thou ro iiurst ; Trust but in mo, and all nhall ooino to pass ! As thou ib'sirest." Tlm h'irmit fillml -inil di.-vnk and millowor wrow, And, looishlif v tlm bottlu t. ronfli-m it Word, saw tvv bultlis, each rellootiim two 1'unvivi.d hermiU. -I.ICii. The I'li-kpnuHet. "Denr," Ma- fobbed timidly (she was a bride), "My pocl.ot has been pirkedt" Without a word , (Kli win a biidid, lit- never onee demurred, ' Km from hi-) poela-tliook, nor oven siglteil, ' A iTiap new bill, and aki-d: "V.'hat was it, i d'-iu-y - A ten or a twenty V ee, I have it l.i !-.'" isihn was a bride. ) 'Ii 'vh but ti n!" with a soft blimli she cried, ! tint looked so sweat that joy'.i My he lutd The twenty Iu Iter hand, and 'iinught ho pa-d ' Sii !! price fer her quick l;lis (she warn bride I ! 'J'lu n tm in d, but a low 'hi"pr met lus ear, 1 44I'i-rhaps, perhaes, 1 ou.iht to tell .vou dc.ir" 'ne vv.i- u bridi-i. Her v-nii-ti r-.tiik low er still; she f.iintl.t inucd. And siindit for words she could net seem to llnd. At last :" 'Twin 1 who picked it. do you mind';" Of "c-virn- h" didn't mind (shi vvaa a linil-), Hut tlioualtt it such a pretty little trick, He laid down twenty morn for her to pick hhc was a bride), -Alit-1 WelliuBtoa llollitii. fn Klita. Xotiti and 3IJtliiittfit. lit il the b.iby take Ills nap, j Every one on Upton walk. Trow minx looks are rmt at bint Who above a vv hmpur tolkn. If a door slums, niaiiiina si arm Willi a look of keen dlMrtiu, And in luiai-si-dt whinpers i-bides JiridKi-l tor her eanili-sanc. Hut when I would sleep at iilBht, Doeii that bubo rHoipi-oeat"!1 Kid Ah.no! That's Jiut tint timt He st'lectH to ululate. Mnall remud he has fur nio Slid; u noisy little chap! All the saim J hold my breath ffinli tho baby takre ids imp. foinurville Jaurnal. Vildron Cry for Pitcher's Cn&toria. w"hn Paby vvv.3 fclek, we r I., r fr. i it i.1 WllCU sllO VMif a f'Ull'l, site It I ,1 for t I ,'fi 1n-n slie bccti i 1 Mis.-, the cilia, t-t " tsi 'i ' Whoa sua hud t uildr.-ii, she g,uniL-m ' : I Life. '.iiiaiiclpntlini. RIk" kicked full as lnjch as her hend- ' "I'was hnni-.ile.st." you sax t It ,v.i 1n thr li-ivi tliat have sp?d, Ht.t it isn't tml.ty. A i.itid-prliij; -h-- tiirifd with the -c f,'h-it '-he'd formerly bow. 4,.! lsur:,ot ful, " yon cry'4 As you fil hnl it isn't, that now. I next taw her ri-)ii j n ii - ' " 'Tvvas ititUniti-.li,' I i . It was .rat f t e,t:i t h- 1 1, f-i:- may now so im 1 Phf va-ittcd n f, 'A-c lit - fi lie sn;!fPHtli'n d .-in. i . -Yotitbuik that nn-'- t , i- ii , .jt i 1' 't it's proper ,h - i" i ) ,1V h--r then i-'.imli.i,.-! ,- - v'uu oeplon- so -h s-.- Ti ll. '.iu;r it ontr-u'c m- ,- . i, !in? 'udiy -I '-, ' i i.'l.- It's all in ihe ' is-i on-. I ;r i'-.r I find it i- true That what she'd avoid wit-. l' s In her bloomers slln'll An. "hkago i -it. Sikiiii .11 in t ison. Sudden swuiluws swiftly skimmlnc Punsot's slowly sprepdiiiR hiuh-, Silvery sonastera sweetly silliliu Summer's kootliiliK serenade. Snsaii Simp-on strolled sedately, Htirlina sobs, suppresniiiR sighs. Slicing fetophen Mlm-mn, stately Sin- stopped, showing some surpr o. "Say," said Stephen, "sweetest sip -r; Say, shall Sti plica spouseless stnj ' " Biisiin, seeniin-t aomewhat &bier, Shewed subtnlKsivpness straij:htw ,y. Bliimner's season slowly stretohr, Kun HmpHfJri Stormn slie Pu she aicned somo simplo sketches Sonl soiinht soul snccessfnlly. IMS Six sieptetiiber-. Susan sweltat -six slmrp seadi iH snow npplii-s; bnsnn's M-tiii -of.i shelters mx smail blocunis side by side. Boston Globe Tlie Importance of Ores. ' J ha - e one lit tin hit of jidvieo to giv n t r every young man I take enough interest - t to talk to at all about such matters " ki I one of Yiishiugton's most lasliional le t.i i ors to a ri porter, ill tho course of a ( -vsiliI cunv ei at ion, ' and that is to dre-s i- w. ll as his means will permit. Dress n nv in ( inuke the man, lint dies- lends M) per ( ei t of Mil-ie to a ir.au that i.s n man. Hit world i.s full of youths who could ii i -. f it betti r i hint they do if they had a i'-t a; pi'cd.stioii of their value. Their id -v i i save money on el a lies, hut thry fol.uvv t' poinust system of uconiiiny that I know t . A fashionable suit impiuts a fhil-1-cd'n -jwnrunee to a man. and such is tin we.il. ness or vanity of the world iluvt of h.il, ,i dozen men ispudly tHlemed it will inv.irhi hly pin its faith in the one that is lust dressed. "Nut that a yountf man's respon ibil.'y ends with Ids ti lor. The fart i-. t' -- e nro llii'pi- i it hot4 points in n genii -lu.ri s maUoup that toll his taste and cli ini'-n r oven more ttt.fii fashkmuble suit The first is his hat, the next lib. shoos and he. twiion the two his eravut. Kvcn a sha i, suit, of clothes is thrown Into the shiidi it ihe man wears a good hut. shoes oari !ul v polished nnd a pk-etmf neckwear absolu: -ly clean nnd carefully tied. If eoupl. u with all this he wears a clean collar a-Jd f lean cuffs, lio 'uay pass fur a gentleman mi prima lueiu evidence wherever he clino- -to go in tiiu l-usinesis world. All ooinlun-d form the passport to good society. '! I" rrst la with himself." Washington l'j-t Ti-.de Trlrl. The lordly Vinh aveiiuo shoiitei-per Is no further above Ids owu little tricks oi trade tlian Ills humblest follow eltious in business in Ninth avenue. Kveryhmly who uses the aveni.e ims noticed ihat f- r weeks one tradesman h.-is kept a ;vit empty paoUing ease ou'- on tlie sidcvv.il.v in front of his store, lie keeps ii then- i it nieh a position tliut uvery n,iserhy in.iy r".ul tho i-neilod vvoriU. "By the I.u citnlii from Uir.dou." l'art lior down tlm aenuc on tho other s-ido of it a fnshion.il' dressmaker stoic?, a lot of sm-ii empt, l.oxo.. inside ilio area r.nling. 'I'Iiom- nn nounce the w-oi-ds- ".Made in Kr.inee, ' 4 'In Kriiii.-o," '.Made in Frti ." It i.- not possible, of eoxi'se. that the-o are the mil,' laixrs that over euiiio from Kuropeto thr..t i-hops. and yet it, i i eviilont that they ai o viewed vvitli high rnard by thoir v.'.'. iters. Now York .ui4. Altr the AiRtunnnt. Hovoiliivr loxoitoilly)! toll you. sir - town ii-u'i bij; onimjjli tu hold us bo; ', Wmifh (eulinly) All right. Win i irg jou going awuy? .S inorvllle Journ.n i;xliact t'Tiiln KioirV I. liter to Millld, "Thu outer-.iuLii-i at vvus e, l.ihiontabiv i tamo affair, nnd ban li nnf 1, n f--r it p-irty vv ho si-t U1 front o' m- w u 'i n ba.'d heml which shone llkr a 'v.ir-. Id' s think 1 would b.iv -,uii i : i t -t , i Ijcvnici. Lti h,