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Ullcrn Huuiui. i. My pretty Annette, you hannt me Tt With your bnauufuloyM of llqoij iel And try u 1 may, I cannot forgot Those halcyon da ji wben first we met Fifteen luuimen ago. I wu a college youth from town, Yon were a country girl dcn't frown Bweet simplicity pure while gown, Tangled curls of darkest brown Fifteen summers ago. 1 called you " jny darling, my angel, my dove " And swore by tbe tranquil otr. above That vou weie " iny Ant- niy only love " And, like tbe late Romeo, talked of your "(lovel Fifteen Bummem ago. Like tbe fickle nigbu in tbe ancient lay, I falsely " loved and rode away ; " Left you with TOWI to return " some day " And forgot von soon in the city gay- Fifteen tumraen ago. Vat yo did not worry, my lady fair, For iuateadol pining in proud Jeapair, Or romantically climbing tbe golden stair Tou married a gouty old millionaire Fifteen summers ago. THAT BEAUTIFUL RIVER. " Have you, indeed, no more to aay about her ?" she returned, wistfully. " Yes, there is something else only I am afraid that you will laugh at the fancy, dear," said Cyril Weutwortb, with a mas- online dread of ridicule. " Mo, I will not laugh at yon. Tell me," aid Beatrix, anxiously. " I am not at all sure you will not laugh," he said, " bnt I will tell you the truth. Although I bave never seen any one quite so lovely as your Mrs. Lynn, yet ibe recalls to my mind some one else whom I have met indeed Beatrix, tbe resemblance j simply marvellous," be exclaimed, glano- ing across to whsre tbe lovely authoress food conversing with Mr. Oordon. "Whom dots ebe resemble?" Beatrix inquired with her heart on her lipi- I am sure yon will see tbe likeness as con a* I mention it," be said. " Look closely at Mrs. Lynn, Beatrix at her rare type of beauty, her dark eye*, ber golden hair, her blonde coloring, her delicately ehiseled features, ber sweet, red lips. Bbe is like one long dead. Bbe is like Laurel Vane." A sigh of relief came from her lips. " I was sure yon could not fail to see the resemblance," ibe said. "Bo yon bad already noticed it?" he aid. "Could one help it?" she whispered. " I will tell yon a secret, Cyril. I believe thai this is Laurel Vane herself." " Bot ihe is dead," Cyril objected, dized by the euddenness of bis wife's revelation. " I do not believe it. There has been some dreadful mistake. I behave that Bt. Leon Le Roy's wife lives in the person of Mrs. Lynn," exclaimed Beatrix, whisper- ing to him earnestly for a tew minutes. Laurel and Mr. Oordon, together with Mr. Ford, stood a little apart watching the gay crowd of wallzers whirling down the oentre of tbe long room to the measured beat of the gay dance music. Bbe did not know why ihe turned ber bead and looked in another direction, but il mail have been in magnetic obediecoe to an evil spell, for in a moment ibe met the glance of Mand Men vale Maud standing near and leaning on tbe arm of a man who regarded ber with bold and eager eyes. Ta have saved her life, Lanrel could not have repressed ibat agitated start, tbat tremor that shook ber from bead to toot at sight of ber old enemy's face I Bbe bad been proof against the softness ot love, tbe allurements of friendship, but io tbat instant the deadly influence of fear and detestation sent a shudder through ber frame and blanched her lovely face to the pallor of death. It seemed as though she was poaaesMd by some horrible nightmare dream, a* ihe met those bold evil eyes, and realUted tbat he recognized her aa Lanrel Vane whom be bad so relentlessly pursued with hie evil designs. With a terrible effort she turned ber yes from tbe villain'* exultant face, and they reeted by chance on Beatrix, where ahe stood leaning on ber husband's arm. Bnt whose was that other form beside Beatrix tbat tall and stately presence 7 Bhe gave a great gasp of blended emotion 81. Leon Le Roy 1 CHAPTER LXII. Bt. Leon Le Roy what bad brought him here at this moment of all others 7 What i trick did fate mean to play ber in i sorronndiog ber all in a moment, as it were, with tbeee people wbo hid so malign an influence npon ber past 7 Her heart beat with deadly fear. One white, ringed hand furtively sought her uncle's arm and clung to it ae if to save herself from falling to the floor. Through tbe wild rytbm ot tbe dance music, through the measured echo of the flying feel of tbe waltzers, she initinotivefy tell him pausing before ber she beard Mrs. Went worth's voioe saying, with a strange, sweet ring in it : " Mr. Le Roy, this is my dear friend, Mrs. Lynn." Lanrel could not ipeak for a moment. A deadly fear possessed her. Bbe heard a clear, oalm, self - possessed voioe saying, kindly, " Mrs. Lynn and I have met before. We are neighbors at our homes on the Hud- son. Bhe did not look up, bnt she saw hii strong, shapely white band held out to her, and as she laid her own within it his gen- tle pressure seemed to say dumbly : " Do not be afraid, dear. They shall not smrprise me into betraying yonr strange eoret." Laurel could not ipeak for a moment. Happily , Beatrix broke tbe silence by exclaiming, in a voioe from which she could not keep the ring of disappointment. "Neighbors and acquaintances 1 And I did not dream that you bad met before t" The whole fabric of the pretty romance be bad been building np was destroysd in moment, tike "the baseless fabric of a dream." Bhe felt like bursting into tears o (disappointment. What beantfnl bopei 'jehad built upon Mrs. Lynn's resem- blance to Laurel Vane ! And ob, if Mr. lie Hoy and the novelist could guess how he and her father had {Jotted to bring hem together, how angry they wonld be. 'While tbeie vexations thoughts rnibed over her, she beard Mrs. Lynn saying in a eool, oalm, almost indifferent voioe . 11 Yes, Mrs. Wentworth, my uncle's home on tbe Hudson adjoins Eden. While we sojourned there this summer we bad the plganure of meeting Mr. Le Roy and bis mother." And in tbe next breath Mr. Le Roy said, suavely : " Will yon give me this wallz, Mra. Lynn T" She laid ber gloved band on bis arm, and they were whirled away to Iberytbuiof tbe delicious waltz music. Who oould toll bew quickly Laurel's heart beat as aba " felt her true love's arm round ber once again 7" Beatrix, with her father and husband, stood gazing a little blankly at tbe graceful forms of tbe handsome, well-matched pair. All three were bitterly disappointed at tbe prosaic ending of the pretty romance they bad built np, and of which tbey bad oocti dently expected to behold the delightful denouement. Bat the most amazed of all were Mrs. Merivale, and ber coadjutor in malice, Ross Powell. They bad stood near enough to wiiaeM the meeting between Mr. Le Roy and Mn. Lynn, and, wbils filled witb rage at tbe light, they had been utterly con- founded at the result. Mr. Le Roy's cool declaration, " We have met before," Mrs. Lynn'i apparent calm- ness and insouciant', astonished them. They looked into each other's eyee in won- ier and amaze, and Ross Powell asked, hoarsely : What does it mean?" 4 What Indeed ?" she echoed. " Is tbe man blind, or are they acting a part '.'" He seized upon the idea quickly. " Tbey are acting a part," be said. " I oould iwear that Mra. Lynn is Laurel Vaoe, and, of course, her own hntband oould not be deceived in her identity. Decidedly they are playing a part. But by ? Have you an idea?" " I cannot imagine," she replied. "'And yet I would have tbe world to know. Id be si ill angry witb ber? Is it possible be can reoognizi her and not choose to claim ber?" " Is it possible that be ie mad ?" be asked, contemptuously. "No: there is something deeper than that behind tbe>r masquerading. Why, she U simply peer- lew 1 What man in bis sentea could benold tier cd not claim her, knowing her bis ?" Tbe yearning in bis voice made ber bit- terly angry. How the bated that beauty that made men mad for hsr sake ? that sat in -smooth akin, those great, wine- dark eyes, that golden hair, that tire and Houl that made Mra. Lynn so peerlear, doubly crowned, doubly laureled by both beauty and intellect ! ' 1 thought yon bated her!" she said, scornfully. " Bo I do. I bate her and I love ber in tbe same breath. Oan yon understand the feeling?" he asked, hoarsely, and almost under bis breath. 1 Yes. I understand," she answered, with nubdued bitterness. ' Tbe first sight of ber lovely face itirred all tbe old paasion within me, and yet I bate her, too," be said, darkly. " I cannot bear that that purse-proud aristocrat thould win ber back. I oould sooner bear to strike ber dead at his feet than to see them happy together I" He stood glowering t the graceful figure as it whirled down tbe long ball-room m tbe clasp of 8t. Leon Ls Roy's arm. All tbe worst paaiiona of bis nature were roused 3y the light. The flmt light of Laurel io all her womanly beauty bad kindled anew ihe fires of his pasaion for ber, while bis resentment at ber scorn burned to fever beat. He had spoken the truth when be laid that be hated and loved her in tbe same breath. Mrs. Merivale gazd at him witb quick- ened breath said evilly flashing eyes. Hue bad let herself tbe deliberate taakof arous- ing all tbe worst initinots of this wicked and undisciplined nature. Through Koss Powell ibe would have ber revenge on those two whom she bated. He was tbe blind instrument in ber bands to work out ber wicked will. " I do not blame you, Mr. Powell," she said, in a tone of gentlest sympathy. " I know that men feel deeply and utrongly on nob subjects, and I can imagine what it must be to see tbe woman one loves beloved by another man and loving him in return. It must almost drive one to madness, It mnit be tbe refinement of torture." " It is bell !" be muttered back, hoarsely, and with concentrated bi lie rerun and despair. 1 It wonld be easier to see her dead, I fancy," punned the willy tempter, softly. " Death ii a grim bridegroom, bnt better tbe gloom of the grave than a bated bride- groom's arms!" " You are right," he muttered ; " I bate them both, anal I swear tbey nhall not be happy together ! What think you, Mrs. Merivale U there any obanoe of a recon- ciliation 7" " Look !" she answered. Mr. Le Roy and Laurel bad slipped out of tbe circle of dancers and wers leaving tbe ball-room arm in arm. Mra. Merivale laughed a hateful, significant laugh. " Tbey are going out on the shore," s*be said. " We all know tbe romantio, soften- ing influences) of moonlight, music and love. Tbey will no longer be able to keep up tbe farce aa strangers. Tbey will be melted by the soft influences of the nigbt and fall into each other's arms. Finis I reconciliation, renewed vows of love, bea- tific happiness !" Half maddened by ber words, be ground bis teeth over a fierce and bitter oatb, and shaking ber band from bis arm, strode ont of tbe room with " the fires of hell" in bis heart. CHAPTER LXIII. Mr. Le Roy and Laurel bad indeed gone ont upon tbe shore, lie bad invited ber to do so, and she had complied, for she was full of half-angry wonder as to what bad brought him there. Bhe was frightened too, when she fonnd herself surrounded by all those people who belonged to her past. She asked herself if it could have happened by simple chance. She was frightened. She felt like some hunted creature brought to bay. She tried to shake off her feelings of mingled terror and annoyance, bravely assuring herself that there existed no cause tor them. " I have done nothing these people bave naught to do witb me. I am foolmh to feel afraid when I see them all around me," she repeated to hortelf. When iba tried to analyze bar feelings, be fonnd that it was only Ross Powell who Inspired ber with such terror. Bhe was not afraid of Mrs. Merivale. Bbe simply despised her ; and, secure in ber fancied inro.mifo, she did not feel apprehensive concerning the desire of the jealous woman to work ber ill. It was only Powell of whom she islt afraid. Hii evil, exultant glaaoe kad assured her that be knew her, and aha had already had evidence ot bis willingness to destroy every hope of her life so far as lay in bis power. It was wholly through dread of his haunting glance that she accepted Mr. Le Roy's invitation to leave the crowded ball-room and go ont npon the shore ; and once away from tbe baleful presence ot the enemy she feared and dreaded she dismissed him wholly from ber thoughts, and gave herself up to tbe secret, trembling joy ot Bt. Leon's presence. Her heart was a traitor to her will. It exalted in his nearness despite ber reaso?, that told her tbey were better apart if she meant to carry out her vow of pride and scorn. Bbe leaned npon hii arm, and they walked silently through tbe lovely moon- light down to tbe wave-washed shore. Laurel's heart beat qniok and fast against ber husband's arm. Tbe beauty of the moonlight and the sea, Ihe mellow note* of the dance tuume. all bad their own effect upon her. Mrs. Merivale bad rightly esti- mated each as a softening influence. It was snob a Bight as Emma Alice Browne describes in her sweet poem, "Tbe Bal- Maaque." Before us, bathed in pearly light, A reach of ocean unavud ana rolled, Ulrt witb the purtili zone of night, And clasped witl^ano pale glint of gold. Behind us, in the gay aaloon, Tbe flute* walled oat their eweet despair ; Tbe paaaionate vlola^obbeU in tune, Tbe boms exulted, aud Ibe air I'ulaed witb the low, luelliftuouii beat Of dimpiing wave! aud dancing feel. Bt. Leon looked down into tbe beautiful face that was so maddeningly fair in the oft light, ana bin heart uwelled with a great despair. To think that she bad onoe been bis, that that peerless torm had rested in bis arms, that sweet face slept npon bis breast I Aud now divided by a woman's pride, tbey were as widely severed as if Jean lugelow's " vast, oalm river, so dread to see," rolled iu rushing wave between tbeir hearts. B landing in UP, arm io arm, each heart busy with its deep emotion, neither beard tbe furtive etepe creeping slowly up behind them, nether law me cruel, jealous face with its wild eyes glaring upon them, neither eaw tbe gleam of the slender dagger olnicbed in the murderous band, neither dreamed ot the man wbo lurked behind them, nor ot tbe woman who followed at a safe distance, eager to cate ber vengeance in the sight of her rival's heart's blood. ' Mrs. Lynn yon are angry with me because I am here," said Bt. Leon, half- questioningly. No," ihe answered, without removing her eyee from tbe moon -gilded wavee that broke at ber feet in inowy surf. Bbe fell too weak to meet the mute pleading of tboae eyes she loved so madly. ' You think that I have followed yon here," be went on, ladly. "But you are roog. Much aa I might bave wi.hed to do so, dear as year prtaonos is to me, I oould never " The deprecating words were never finished. A terrible form llaabed suddenly before them, a terrible lace gleamed in the light, a dagger fl ached upward in the air, and a voice, hoarse with mitery and mad- ueaa, rang out fiercely : Die. Ltnrel Van* .-die I" The dagger glitteM against ber snowy breast, tbe band of Ike frenzied madman would bave driven it iwifilj home, but all in an instant ibe was eaught away, and the descending blade was sheathed in another breast tbe broad breaat of Bl. Leon Le Hiy. Tbe arms that bad closed wildly around Laurel for a moment fell away from her, and be dropped on tbe sands at ber feet, tbe bet blood spurting from his heart, and deepening tbe rosy bem of ber satin robe to a horrible orimion, while her agonised cry rent tbe summer nigbt : " Ob, St. Leon, you bave died for me ! ' CHAPTER LX1V. " Yon bave died for me !" tbe stricken wife repeated, and then, overcome witb horror, she knelt down beside tbe dead man, and with ber arms about him, and ber bead upon his breast, she relapaed into unconsciousness almoet as deep a* death. Row Powell stood still a moment, like one frozen with horror. The maddened cry from tbe lip* of tbe woman he would bave slain rang fearfully in bis ears. He realized io a moment to what feartul lengths be bad been driven by bis own jealous passion" and the specious tempta- tions ot Mrs. Merivale. He bad slain bis hated rival, bnt be bad brought down retri- bution on bis own head, for Laurel's wild ihriek ot despair bad echoed loudly back to the hotel, and already a eoore of people were rushing to tbe scene. Startled, terri- fied, tbe murderer made a wild ruib for- ward, still clutching m his band tbe bloody dagger, but before he bad run a dozen paces be was brought to a stop by a sudden apparition ot a white-faced woman wbo Hung herself wildly before him, biasing ont, io tones of blended wrath and horror, a terrible malediction upon bis head : " Murderer I you have slain Aim / How dared you, bow dared you 7 May heaven's curse light npon your head I May yon swing from ihe hangman's rope 1 May perdition seizs your soul !" She must bave been mad, for she flung herself before him, she barred bis way, she clang to him with her desperate white arms, heedless ot bin curses and remon- strances, terribly intent on delivering him up to justice, and so punishing him for the mad mistake he had made io slaying the husband and.sparing tbe wife ! She must have been mad, or she wonld have known that be wonld not tamely sub- mit to detention witb tbe feet of tbe aveng- ers gaining swiftly on bii track, and bis soul wr thing in horror of tbe hangman's gbaatly rope. He tried to thrust her from him, to tear away from the arms that held him in deeperate bondage ; he shouted hoarsely for her to let him go. " Devil in woman's shape, it was yon that tempted me I "be cried out, with a fierce, blood-curdling oath. " Now let me go or 1 swear I will kill yon as I did him t" She muit have been mad, for she did not heed the threat she only clung the tighter in spite of bis frantic struggles to release himself from tbe arms that twined around bin venomously, like living serpents in the deadly embrace of hate. " I will never let yon go never I" she hissed ont, madly, and in hii frantic tear, hearing the steps of his pursuers coming nearer and nearer on bis trail, be lifted tbe cruel dagger, still reeking with Le Roy'i life blood, and plunged it fiercely in ber breaet aa it gleamed bare and whit* in the beanti- fnl moonlight. " Ah 1" ibe gasped, and the white arms relaxed tbeir hold, her body wavered and fell limply forward. He throat it deapj- rately from him, and iprnng forward- free 1 Free I bat at what terrible cost to hii soul. Ths woman wbose low, soft whis- perings bad tempted him to murder, the woman wbo in her madness wonld fain bave delivered him up to the law's ven- geance, lay dead upon the shore, the cold/ white moonlight shining down into ber ghastly, staring eyes and palid face. Retri- bution bad overtaken ber, and the fate she bad plotted for another had recoiled upon ber own bead. Tbe serpent she bad loosed to destroy another struck its deadly fangs into her own heart. Tbey lifted her up tenderly and pitifully, and bore ber back to tbe hotel. Tbey spoke of ber with tbe gentlest pity and regret as tbe victim of a cruel murder, for no one ever knew the truth no one guessed that ahe was to blame for the trsgeiy tbat had ended her life in so disastrous a fashion. Tbe shadow of her sin never rested on ber grave, for there was no one to betray ber Ross Powell was never apprehended. His deadly fear lent wings to bis feet, and he escaped from hii pursu- ers and made good bu flight to a far-off land. He never returned to tail native shore, be was never brought to justice. All bis punishment came to him through his own coward conscience. The cruel whip- lash of remorse followed him through the world. The double murder he bad com- mitted lay like a mountain's weight npon bis soul. He had been bad and wicked, bnt ol his own self be wonld never hive com- mitted murder. He had been goaded into its oommiwion by a temporary madness, and in lime be repented moat liccerely of his sin, and died in tbe bumble hope of for- giveness by a merciful Redeemer. CHAPTER LXV. And Laniel ? Full of wonder and pity and sympa- thy, tbey lifted tbe golden head from Le Roy's breast, and bore ber away. No one dreamed tbat be bad given bis life to save beri. No one dreamed that she belonged to him by ibe dearest tie possible to mortals : no one knew tbat ber rightful place was by bis side, and tbe sealed lips did not open to claim her right, for they were pale and rigid as if the finger of eternal silence bad been laid upon them. Btrangeri' bande carried ber ba.'k to the hotel, and the news of the dreadful tragedy spread far and wide. It excited tbe great- eat wonder. It was so ludden, so strange, so mysterious. No one knew the murderer, and no one guessed the motive for Ibis double crime no one except, perhaps, Mr. Gordon, and he was wisely silent. He deemed it for tbe best. But it created a great sensation. Mr. Le Roy was so well known aa a gentleman of birth, culture, and wealth, and Mrs. Merivale as a woman ol fashion, tbat the wonder and excitement were most intense. Popular indignation ran high against Roes Powell. If they bad caught him, il is most probabls tbat Judge Lynob wonld bave been bis exccjtiouer. The sensation bad its element of romance. It wan whispered far and near thai the beautiful belle, Mrs. Lynn, had fainted with ber head upon Mr. Le Roy's breast. Tbey told bow ber delicate laoee bad been crimsoned by bis life blood, how ibe had looked like a dead woman when tbey lifted ber np. When ii became known, next day, tbat ber excitement culminated in an attack of brain fever, tbe interest and sym- pathy and ourionity ran higher and higher. 1'eople agreed that there mnet have been something between Mr. Le Roy and Mrs. Lynn. Tbey decided tbat they bad been lovers. Mrs. Wentworth did not return to New York the next day. Bbe remained to nurse ber ill and unconscious friend. Cyril Went- worth stayed also. Mr. Oordon went back, and brought bis wife down to see ber daughter. Bbe was very willing to forgive ber now. Years bad softened ber auger and reeentment, and when she heard tbat Cyril Wentworth bad proved himself wor- thy ol her beautiful daughter she threw pride to tbe winds and forgave him, too. They had a very tender reconciliation the mother and tbe daughter - in ths quiet room where Laurel lay ill unto death with brain fever, ber beautiful golden hair cut close to ber bead, and cold, aparkliog ice laid against tbe fevered brain to cool the nubile fire tbat burned in ber veins. Beatrix told ber mother that the sus- pected that Mrs Lynn was Laurel Le Roy and Mrs. Oordon quite agreed witb ber. She bad never forgotten tbe beautiful face of tbe girl wbo bad deceived Bt. Leon Le Roy so bitterly. Bbe recalled it again now, and she was snre that ber daughter was right. There could not have been two saen lovely faces in tbe world. Bbe did not doubt thai this was Bt. Leon's wife. Bhe forgave Laurel now for all that she bad done. It was easy to forgive ber now, when she lay BO ill perhaps dying. Bbe and Beatrix vied with each otber iu the care cf tbe invalid. They would not trust her wholly to the care of a hired nnrse. Her life was too precious. Laurence and Trixy were left to tbe care of tbe nurses, and Beatrix gave all her care and thought to tbe invalid. " I cannot do too much for her,'' said gentle Beatrix. " Bhe was like an angel to me." The day came at last when her patience and ber fidelity were rewarded. Laurel opened ber eyee and looked up witb tbe light of reason shining in ber face. The crisiH of her terrible delirium was past. Bbe would recover. She looked at Beatrix, and a faint flush stole into her pale face. " Have I told all in my delirium ?" she asked. " You bave told nothing. All yonr rav- ings have teen of yonr booka and ot yonr child," Beatrix answered gently. A look of anxiety stole into tbe hollow, dark eyes. " My little Laurie?" she said, wistfully. " He is well and bappy. He has been well oared for," answered Beatrix. " Bnt I must not bring him to yon yet ; you are not htrong enoagh. Oan yon wait 7" " Yes, I can wait," Laurel answered, patiently. Then she laid her thin, white hand on Beatrix's arm. " Oan yon forgive me?" she said. " I hve been bard aud proud and wicked. I have wilfully deceived I you ; I am really Laurel Vane." Beatrix bent and kissed tbe poor, pale lips, tbat faltered over this bumble confes- sion. " My dear, I bave known it all tbe while," ibe said, simply. " And you forgive me for my duplicity T" asked Laurel in wonder. My dear, if you can forgive me all the sorrow my wilful plot brought down upon your bead, there IM nothing 1 cannot forgive yon," cried impuUive Beatrix. " Yon are not to blatu.-, ' Laurel answered, and the warm color drilled over ber face as she went on, tadly ; " It was all tbe fault of my mad love, Beatrix. I blame no one for my folly and sin. If I bad gone away from Eden witb Clarice Wells nothing would bave happened. I Hayed, aca brought down fain upon my own bead and bis." " A happy fate, my dear, if only yon will be reconciled to him,'' said Beatrix gently. Tbe dark eyes looked up at ber, full of tbe pathos ot regret and despair. " Ah 1 now I understand all Ibe pathos that lies in those words, too late," she said. " I was mad, I think mad with my wounded love and pride. I denied my identity to him, I refused to listen to his repentance, I was cruelly hard and cold ; and now my punishment has come. I repent, but be oaunot bear me. My love cannot reach him, lor be is dead. " Dead I ab, no, my dear 1 Is it possible that you bavs been tbinkmg so 7 He lives, be will in HI be well and itrong again if only you will forgive bim." Then she Hopped suddenly, for Lanrel'i liead had fallen baok, her eyes were closed. The shook of joy had been too much. Laurel had fainted. When she came to herself again there was a strange renolote look in tbe dark yea. Bhe took Beatrix's hand and held it tightly in both ber own aa if she reeded strength and support. " He lives," ahe paid, wildly. "Ob, bow glad I am I Nuw I will make atonement to him 1 He would bave given his life to save mine. I will give him more than my life." " I do not understand yon," said Bea- trix, wonderingly. " You shall Know soon," said Laurel, " Dear Beatrix, do let me bave Laurie a little while. 1 am sure il will not hurt me. I am stronger than yon think ?" (To be ooDllnned.1 * New H in.i e>f ....... r lur law llrlil.b Navy. The new belted cruisers, or, as they bave been cUled in Parliament, the " new Mer- sey*," for which oertaiu shipbuilders have jusl been invited to tender, differ from their more recent uredeoednors iu baviug 10 feet uore beam, beiug 300 feel by 56 feet, and in having an increase of 1.300 tons io tbe displacement, making them up to 5,000 loua. Tbe protective deck has been re- placed by an armor belt 200 feet long, formed of 10-icoh steel faced armor of 6 inch ol backing. The end* are protected by an underwater belt similar to Ihe Mer- sey's. As the ends of tbe belted cruisers are very fine, tbe part of tbe water-line not actually protected by armor is propor- tionately very small. Tbe engines of these vessels are to be 7,500-borne power, to be obtained by tbe UMI uf forced draught in a closed stoka bole. There are four boilers, double-ended, having . ,otal grate surface of about 500 square feel, and working at a pressure of 120 pounds. Their total weight is nol to exceed 7M tons. Tbey are of a similar type to those sup- plied to the Lsatider olaai by Messrs. Robert Napitr <& Bom, having oast steel framing aud hollow steel shafting through- out. The armament ooutUts of two Is ton guns arranged one forward, to fire all round the bow to about fifty degreee abaft tbe beam, and one aft, to fire through a similar sweep round tbe stern. In addi- tion to these, there are twelve 4- ton guna and six machine guns. A torpedo arma- ment will also be provided botu above and under the water. Tbe oonktruolion of tbe bnlla doee uot materially differ from that of the smaller and earlier ironclads of Her Majesty's navy, such as ihe Hydra, Nelson and Conqueror, but they are of steel throughout. These belted cruisers will each be manned by a crew of from 350 to 350 otlioers and men, for whom very good accommodation is found on the second deck above tbe water line. All tbe usual refinement* ot a oruiier have 10 be pro- vided in tbeir most modern form. When completed these vessels will be works of modern engineering second to none. A* vessels of war they cannot fail to be for- midable. Tbeir weak point appears to be) their speed, which ie not more than eigh- teen knots. Qlaigmc Herald. Tew 'In. I, Fight r... Hla. The otber evening, during the perform- ance ol tbe spectacle ol tbe /.ulu war at Cooke's Ciious in Liverpool, Mr. Cuttle, who impeisonatee Lieut. Melville, bad a band-to-band combat with a Zulu chief, the combat lasting for some minutes. 'Ibis encounter was too realistic for one ot the spectators, for, after watching the combat for a time witb interesl and suppressed excitement, tbe man, evidently thinking that his countryman was being overpowera by bis savage foe, leaped into the arena and at onoe grappled with tbe Zulu chief. The onslaught was so sudden aud so vigorous that tbe /ulu chief was quite taken aback, and before bis assailant oould be drawn off the unfortunate impersonator of tbe savage chief bad received a somewhat severe pummelling, one of tbe blowe leaving a memento in tbe shape ol a not very pre- sentable or ornamental black eye. HBADH viiu.cs TAILK " John," said a Scotch minister to bis beadle one morning, " I wonld seem to bave been more than usually successful iu pleasing the con- gregation on Sabbath. To which of the three heads ot my sermon wonld yon attribute my success ?" Weal, sir," replied the beadle, with something like a leer in bis eye, " to tell je the truth, con- gregations noo-a-days 'concern tbemsel'i less aboot tbe heids than tbe tails o' sermons. The ane ye preached on Sabbath was considerably shorter than tbe general nn o' yer ditooorseii, and therefore a'body was weel pleased wi't." The wood of the " jarrah " tree, an Aus- tralian product, growing principally in the western section, n stated to be about the) next thing to everlasting. It appears to defy all ordinary forms of decay, under tbe most trying circumstances ; is left alone by the white ante, and ships built of it do not require to be coppered.