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^ ' / A WOMAN'S LOVE ^^^^^^â- â- *^»MM» OR, A BROTHER'S PROHISB w with shaking hautisâ€" poor old man! What a momeut it was for liiiuâ€" and having: read them. pa.ss«d them to Hiuidai«nu. Without ri'atiing eitlier slie placed them on the table. "Don Augustin," she said, "you advise me to sign this document!" "Yes. madiim," mid her chamber- lain bowed. Tlien Hector had liis briwith taken away by the name (juestion being put to him. The blood surifed in his cars, and with dim eyes lie saw the face of the Queen, suuling yet wistful. In a voice he did iKJt Ve- coffnise for his oTm, he replied : "Yes, madam." So the Queen took licr first official doi'umcnt. aiid signed it clearly and boldlyâ€" •MaddaJona U." The Orange King signed the second CHAPTEll VI. Peopie called the Orange King a lucky man. He, himself, when he could be got to talk, declared that Luck consisted in knowins when to lake Time b.y the forelock and how to twist the thin grey wisp. "Do now" was his lavorite maxim. It actuated his life and all his actions, whetlier it was a quetition of smasb- Ing a rival's Hue of nteaffiship.'<, or no siuall a matter as ordering his winter supply of hou.sehoid coal. Hi;s second favorite maxim was "To- morrow went out when the Tele- graph came in." There was nothing new Iji his creed, which was the old one of "Time Js money." Only â€" he lived up to it, and so came in ahead of all competitors in whatsoever field. His vifcdt to Uie Palcc in Bloom&- ' P'^P*''- aJ'^'l an exchange was made bury lasted exactly thirty-five min- { "^ don't want to Interfere in any ates . plans you may have made, madam," Hector took him through Bravo's '^^ said; "but to a certain extent, room in Charford Street, along the *'^'' '^"" '"^'â- o Pays the piper has the corridor where the ten kept constant I '"'ght to call the tune. I would guard, and into the great White â-  sugg-e.st, therefore, that Mr. Grant Hall. The Orange King said nolh- , S° out to Palm Island as soon as it Ing. He sihrugged his shoulders in ; '^ con\'enicnt. He can pro.spect, sec a curiously un-Englisrfi way when | what the Ktatc of affairs is like, how he caught sight of the silver throne : i much the Palmettos are to be reiied that was the onJy sign of surprise i "PO". "-nd arrange for .your going he allowed himself to express, j Lliere as soon as possible. 1 shall Don Augustin, in his court dresa, I ^ glad to see you luling over the awaited them here. In spite of Hec- ' ia'and, madam. Anything will be tor's warnings. Bravo, it was evi- | better thoji HispaTiiolan misrule. It dent, was intent on ceremony and i coBts me quite £15,000 a year." formality. But, somehow, Smith's | "We hafl decided that Mr. Grant unruffled calm and cold eye wrought : should go out soon," said Don their effect; and with a sigh of re- i Augustin. (Ignation Don Augustin opened the "Good," said Mr. Smith, "I go door leading into the boudoir and ! back to Liverpool tf>-night. To-moi^ waved an invitation to «!nter. 1 row I shall write Mr. Grant and tell Madtlalena wjis awaiting them. I '''iJi when he ouglilâ€" «hon I think It was a curious partie carrec : i '«= ought to start. Advices from ray Bravo, old and grey, with the wrin- i agents in Palmetto will await mo. kled sad face of disappointed age; Smitli, quiet, keen, not fifty, clean shaven but for a heavy iron-grey moustache and tlie tiniest of tufts on the lower lip; Grant, tall, fair, with a fresh young face, and a Vik- ing's head of crinkly gold hair; and the Queen, radiant and richly young, with the bloom of a newly-opened rose. If their report is favorable, I shall at once place orders for ammunition and guiiS. It will be a provisional order onl.v, tmtil Mr. Grant reports fully as to the uece.ssary quantities. One of my steamers will take the armaments from En.ijland to Ant- werp, where they will be transhipped for the island; and, another steamer I shall place at your disposal as Mr. Smitli spoke a ain^ie sentence ' soon as it is advisable for you to of hurried compliment. He knew i leave England." Then with a swift something of the sort was expected of him, and he got through it as quickly as possible. This was the one moment when it could be said that he was not altogether at his ease. Maddalcua blushed and bow- ed. "I etippose I may see those papers now," he said, looking towards Hector. A castket lay on the table. Madda- lena moved towards it, and opened It with a little gold key that hung at her chatelalno. "1 have spent all the da.v in set- ting tliem In order," she said, "so as to save your time." "Thank you. May I sit ?" Don Augustin looked horrified, but Maddalcna waved her hand to a chair. The Orange King sat down, and for ten minuter i-ead document after document, paying no attention to the othcis, who awaited eagerly the result of his scrutiny. "That's all right," he said short- ly, when he had finished. "Now, the next thing is to assign to me the promised monopoly of the orange trade. I am going to sink half a million in this venture. If the af- fair comes to nothing, I am the i only one who loses anything. If it comes off all right, I must see that 1 don't lose. My experience is that kings have short memories." He spoke a little bitterly; for it was turn to Grant, "Is there anything else you think it ncccssari- to dis- cuss now ?" "There is so much that Uierc is nothing," said Hector. "Then," said Mr. Smith, riaiug from his cliau- and buttoning his overcoat, "1 sliall be going. With your permission, madam," he added, icinemberiiig the courtesy due to Maddaleua. "Sir," she said, "1 thank you. Xlxd I hope to make .you believe that H kings have short memories, queens have long ones." "Madam," he replied, "maj- your hope be realized. 1 can wish you notliing better â€" nothing belter for myself, either," he added, with a laugh that tried to be cynical. Don Augustin opened the door of the noudoir, to escort the Orange King through the maze. Hector Wits about to follow, but a sign from Maddalena held him. The chamber- lain and the millionaire passed out, an'd the door closed. Hcotor turned ami faced the Queen. There was silence for a moment. "What do you think of the Orange King ?" said b" "Think !" she cried ; "I do not tliink. I feel, I feel. And 1 know now that I siiall sit on the throne of my father.s." "I thought he would impres's you in that way." "There is such an air of calm con- of assuied success about only a couple of years before that a j successful annexation of territory on i ''dencc, the Congo brought to a certain 'â-  ''Jm- grasping monarch much solid revcn- ! "That's half the battle in Ihi.s uc. and to Thomas Smith, who had ' world." said Hector. "Give people provided the major part of the cap- ; '•'-c imint.s.sion Uiat you're going to Hal, no â-  except a thing, absolutelv nothing, [ ^^i" ""i' .^"" remove half the pro- Star and a Illbbon, both of ; ^^b\\: obslacies. They say, *It won't 1 !>o good to rub against that man. ! Better to be on his side th.an : I against him." Yes, Thomas Smith | j is a great charocte;." ! I "I shall know !iow to rev.ard him j ! when 1 come to my ov.n." said ! which he had returned. "Sir !" began Don Augustin. aflame with anger, his hand on his toasting-fork sword. "With you, Kuidam. it is, of course diffe.'cnt," wont on Mr. Smith, un- heeding the intciMuption. "Still â€" "iMaddalena. Maddalenu smiled. "Our agreement' "Q. there's tlie monopoly," laugh- shall be in writing, .sir. J should i ed Hector. prefer it so. Will you write the "That's nothinir," wuid s'le, paper? I will sign it." | "that's all to my advantage. Do Don Augustin led the way, resent- i you know, I have boon wondering fully, to an escritoire. For u couple j during ilie.--e last days how 1 am of minutes Mr. Smith wrote. Then j ever to reward you und Don .Vugus- hc rose und read the following : i lin sufllcieittl.v." " 'We, Maddalcna, Queen of the i "W«.:t until the work is done. Isle of Palms, hereby agree and j dear lady." promii-e to grant and deliver, duly • "O. but I can't help thinking and signed and seuleil, to Thomas Smith, i planning." of Orange House, Duke Street, Liv- 1 "i don't think we shall want any erpool, n charter of monopoly the orange trade of the Isle of, of! reward. Is that ungracious-'^ What 1 mcoji is that to Don Augustin it Palms, for the term of ninety-nine xv-iii be enough to see his beloved (99) years, in consi(!cration of ser- mjstrf.ss on tl\e throne of her fath- vices rcnderwl and to be rendereil; | ers, to see tlic people of his dear and we further agree and promise i inland freed from tyranny and happy that such choi-ter shall be granted | uncier your rule, to die among the and do'iveted within six months of | green of U:e palms he loves so well." the date of our coronation." j ".And yourself?" "I think that is sufflcicnt for my > "i ? There will ke some ex- »ide of the Irnnsaction. .\s a mat- I citsmont, a Iriie of fighting, a trif!e j ter of fact, until you are recognise*! ; of plotting and planning. Let me by the Power.', this agreemont is not ! have my Siare ii: these, and let me worth ihc J>aper it's written or. i so« you' crowned In the Cathedj-al of But that comes later. I have also j Palin City â€" surely that Is reward written nn undertaking on my part | grcot ejiough for me." to finable this . enterprise In consid- j Yet as he spoke he knew that he i tration of rccclvlug th« Dionopoly." wgts keopiivj b.-tck somewhat of his : Don Auguiitin totv« ^th papem tt«i«lre. Ko • even ns h» looked .it her a certain Bti-ange tremor, u di- .inc shudder ran through him, stuv ring hUa as Spring stirs tlie sop. From where he sat iu ahadow h« looked at her. Was ever woman so witching a« this 7 She was in the ripening prima of youth, and tlie mere body of lier, rounded and sup- ple, seemed the sweet composite of all Joyous niuideniiood. A smile lin- gered about the pomegranates of her parted lipsâ€" a smile tliat was, he whispered, a butterfly, one of her kind, pure thoughts made visible. The liglit toxiched her hair. A crawn would soon resit on tliat most queen- ly head, yet what bauble of gold and jewels could ever match lier beauty half so well as that present dark glory ? He had dallied with the rtanng thought before this hour. But it was alwai's half dreamfully : she was the princos.s in a poem, and in poems all things are possible, none more possible than the impossible. And thi.<! was no poem â€" this was Life, where things are often iispo»- eible. Btill. O ! but he loved her, he loved her. The full re-.-elation shone swift upon him, aa the sun smites the sea at dawn. He walked in the midst of the great epiphany. It was Spring, and all about him leagues of daffodils shook golden lances; the green hills flamed emerald; the !(ea was ."iilver at white heat; and every thicket was like his heart, a nest of singing birds, every bird singing the soli-same song of "I love her, I love her." Her voice broke in on liis moment. "You do not hope for much." He laughed, bcwildero<i yet happy. "Ah I I may not tell you all I hope; but, as the old Scots saying goes, 'She that bodes a silk goon may get the sleeve o't.' Don Augustin returned. He looked keenly at Sladdalena and then at Hector. Sorrio suspicion was in his mind, and for a moment a dark shadow wrinklod his brow. Hut the suspicion and the shadow passed. "Your Mr. Smith is a terribie man, a machine," he cried. "All ! if I had onl.v met him years ago, in- stead of trusting to your politicians they a.rf not statesmen. He set- tles the fate of a n:ition wiUi the swiftness and precision of the guillo- tine." "He is a b«.«iness man â€" the busi- ness man of the future." said Hec- tor, glad of relief from his mad dream. "We arc beginning to feel the necessity for such men in our government. Our Secretary for the Colonies is a business man. The making of steel screws and the sell- ing of them was no bad preparation for emi>ire-builiding." "That will be our difficulty when we form a Cabinet in Palmetto," said Bravo. "We are not a business people. We are poets and dreamers, we are fighters and lovers " "One or two of Smith's heads of departments might be inducetl to take portfolios." laughed Hector. "Smith iuniseU would make no bad Royal Chaiicelior." â- 'Ah !" sighed Bravo. "AH that is on the knees of the gcds: and. meanwhile, there is the ousting of Hispaiiiola. Mr. Smith has great faith in you." "Tliat is hopeful," rejoined Hec- tor. "I, too," said Maddalcna. "Then I am fully armed," Hector answered, ail his heart thanking her from his eyes. "He sees tb.at you arc enthusias- tic," said Hravo. "And enthii.s-iasm wins more battles than the s^vord." Two nights later Hector received the following characteristic note : â€" "Orange House, Duke Street, Livcrpaol. "Dear Sir, â€" You h.ad beeter start for Palmetto on Friday. Our boat, the 9. s. Jebba. leaves the Mersey at 8 p. m. on that day. I shall ex- pect to see you on board about 6 p. m. Yours truly. THOMAS SMI'n^." Hector .soUK'it Don Augu«tin at Johnson's, but not finding liim there took his way to Cliarford Street. He let himself in quietly b.v Uioons of the lalch-key Bravo had given him. The old man's rooms were empty. L^xpectiiig, therefore, to find liim with the Queen, Hector went along tiic secret passage into the Wliite ilall, ajid lapred at the door of the boudoir. There vas no an- swer, so Hector opened the door and entered. The boudoir was oiu- Ply, too, but it was brilliantly lighted, and looked as if Maddalcna had just left it. He had hardly en- tered before slie returned. "llr. t'rajit," she cried, in delight- ed s;u prise. "Vou are welcome iu- deerl ' ' "The luii:!b!; St of your servants, ina.'lam," l-.»> snid, bowij-g low. She gave him her haml, and he stooped to ki.'^s it, but she withd»-ew it hastily. "Mo. no, that is for the Queen. For your friend, your English »huku of the hand is better.'' .\iid again she extended her h&itd I frankly, wjille that wonderful rippl- ing iimilc irradiated her features. "You bring me u«ws ?" "We are beginning. Look." And Hector gave her the Orange j Klug's laconic message. j As she read it she sighed joyous- i "Mr. Smith does not waste \ words," she cried. "You fo to-' Biorrew V" | "Surely â€" unless you have oth«i' ' couisiauds." "1 ? What have I to do with tt, my friend ? Voti are doing all thase things for B:eâ€" j-ou and Den Aujfu»- ' tin." i On tf>« lost occasion Ma(tda!ena ! had saM, "Don Augustin and .vou." | Hector wo»le ed if t!ie transpositivu j were Intentional, and if it were wliotlier it wa.s due to liia iiuddsii importance in the scheme of affairs or U} the begiiinlng o< something deeper. He iooked on her with all tt lover 'a earcostucsa, and for a moment he farj:lod that in her smile liQ could read soniethiog of happy augury. But he put tlie dream be- hind him, for your true lover is ever the first to discount olluricg pro.";- pects. "Ves," he said, "I shail go to- j morrow." I "O ! how 1 wisli I were a man t" she cried. "Then I could come, too â€" come and see my own land, my own people." "Your day is not far off," Hector answered. "I ha\'e been making a little calculation, and I find that, if all things go smoothly, it is po!»- sible for you to be crowned on the end oiily the most exclusivs Muo- bluuded iueiubers of euicU family axa allowei! to be<'omc iiimate» of lTazl«>- mere Park. SoittO of Mr. Leadbcl ter s society friciMtn in JLondon liUuk it is u dan- gerous fad fur a iBa.u tu have, but '-hen they have not seen 'he juuug Knglislunan with his pets. He is as devote<l to all of Uiesu i\s tliey arc to him, and iii! even fans a number of tJie le.s.s formi<ti'.1)le one.*) ni his house, wlicre ti.ey ha'-o taken entire poaeesKion of his own private domain. Ho has always been j'urticularly fond (it animals of every sort and kiiKi. Ko began keejiing wolves and tiger cats and various other souUi and harmless pets when lie was li*- teen years old. But' the hunting ii'Slinct Is strong ill Mr. Lcadbetter, and with tr\im first day of the New Year, the new i ). jntsmon's scorn of all prey thc.t Is centurj'. Six months is surely a little time to wait." "It does not seem long to you who are doing something. Out when all one's doing is just waiting, a day is a year â€" a week an eternity. Why, in six months 1 may be dead!" Like a flasii the vision came, and like a flash it was gone and for- gotten. He laughed ilghtly. and set it down, inwardly, to his "con- fmindodly vivid imagination." "Y'ou must not say things like Oiat," he answered her. "If you are not hopeful and fenrlefs how can wc have high hearts ?" "O ! do not think that I shall fail you in hope," she assured him. "Yot has not one of your poets said, 'Hope thou not mueh, and fear Oiou not of the finest, ho refu.sed to «uJff to his menatjerie iuiy tlu.t were not particular fine siieciuiens of their kind. He be!ie\ed that in a private col- lection everything sluiuld he of the best that accounts for the reputa? tion his menagerie has giJned amcmn zoologists for its exceiitiunally tini and healthy animals. KO AKTIFICIAL liTAT. The young man has decided opln- io^is on tlic way to laujiogu and rear his pets and he carries tl.em iuta practice. He does not believe in any artifi- cial heat for tropical animals in the coldest weather and neitlier his Uona not tigers, born as the majority ol not at all '7 Hope has been my food i them have been, in India, are «up- nU these years, and I think there Plicd with any artificial I'-oat durina is sufficient left to carry me on to the winter. They Iiavu roomy «leep-« the end.'' M"K places behind liiolr front dens "Especially," said Hector, "since ! and in the cold weather ain amount the end Is so near. To be sure, of straw. Otherwise, tliey must nothing acUiai, nothing tangible. Is , depend upon natui-e for their beat done yetâ€" bevond enlisting the sym- , and comfort. pathy of the Orange King." Mr. Leadbetter has had tame Wo]" "And that was your doing." lards, lions, bcnrs, wolves and jacliaJs "It was nothingâ€" but the work | on difierent occa.sions iu the liouse .seems so straightforward, so simple, | and in his own particuuir sitting- that I am all confidence." | room. ITicy always owned him as "Your departure for Palmetto is master and would obey no one else. .sudden, and Don Augustin and I did ; Of course, he brought tl.im iu first nut tliink It would come so quicklj-, 'â-  very younj;. yet we have been making prep;u-a- j The most valuable sperimens ol lions. Far into the night wo wrote. I this unique zoo at Uie present tlnin See?" She rose, and taking from the es- critoire a bundle of papers, handed them to Hector. "These oie for you." "And they are ?" "Introductions to tko leaders in Palmetto, lists of all our chief friends, particulars of where you may find tliem and how you are to make yourself known to them. Tlicn, there is an open letter or com- mission appointing you my ropro- sontative in the island, authorizing arc four lions, one. Sultan, a large, beautiful, full-maned animal, is con- sidered tlie largest and fiiicst .'^eci- men in any zoological cstiiblislunenJ iu the world. The lions do particularly well un- der Mr. Leadbettcr's core, and twu Bta'ong litters of four liuve been reared and bred .it Ha;;Iemere Pat-k. Ml- Leadbetter head kceix-r's favor- ite amusement is to put a three- month old lion cub oii Ids. knte and watch him play with a Ki'-len. hia great playfellow. The cat always you to do in my name what vou i sleeps curled up on the lion's l>Bx:k deem best for the cau.se. and com- | and many a fine rou.p t'e twoâ€" the mandintr our friends to obey your 1 great aud the iillle eatâ€" have tu orders in all things as tliougii tlie ] gotbcr. orders were our own." I The Englisisman's j)! '.ire and parti- Hector knew from Bravo that culai- friends are Liie ro.val Kengal some such commission would be giv- i tigers, which ore woiulei fully aii» en to him, but ho did uot surmise ! animals and so devoted to their that the fulness and power of it j master tliat they ma'.co a irieat fuss would be so great as tliis. He was ! over him every lime I.e visits tbeui. Emperor the big ma!e, alwavs conies up to be stroked. There ;U'C some very lar^e while Siberian camels tb.at are beautiful beasts, and one, a .stiillion. is an with a woisder- touched by the extravagance of con- fidence, awl ho could not help show- ing it in his face. "I am ovorpowored by your Majes- ty's trust in me." "Is it not deserved? Can I do | enormous creature, less than acknowledge in tlie only : fully good temper. Way yet possible to me all that you | Tl:c list of the animals that t!-.< have doiu>. ail that you are under- young zoologist has. spent so umiiy taking, all that you are risking ? It yeais an-d so much caie in eoHectiiiu is little more than a week since Don ; is a large one. .iVugustin brought you to me. lunl : GREAT VAIUETY OF .A.Nl.MALS. Paid. 'This is your saviour this is; y^.,,^^ ^,^^, ^. j;^,,^ ^^^ ,j„„. the saviour of Palmetto. Since , ^^^. leopards, pumas, bears, in- thin night how much has happened . i .jy^^; .^\- ^\^ „„^. ,v,„„ AUiska. you have abandoned a career i" '^^„,^ %Ui<.av sMn heal''. >^i:y^r^\ bicn- which you might have attained, who ; ^^_ i^eludiAg the spott...,l or laughing variety, now vei y Bcai'ce. indeetl. and "a lot of big SiljCriau wolves, knows what eminence: you have â€" " i "Pray, pray." interrupted Hector. "No, you must let me speak. Y'ou have sacrificed time and money to find tiic moans of doing me and my country the greatest service we needed; nnd now you are going to increase the debt by risking your life and enduring all perils for my sake and my cou.ntry'.s. Ah', my con- fidence is little for oU this." (To ho Continued.) A ZOOLOfilSn PARADISE ENGLISHMEN'S PKIV..A.TE ZOO XAEGEST nJ WORLD. Keefs all Kinds of Animals Times in Kis tiittin.e; Room. at bred at llazlumore; .;iicl;als from Af- rica and Inflia, some while Sibei iuu camels, several brown eaniels froii; ICgypt, a number of yaks, a f.otk ol Syrian sheep, a while siuretl Kgyii- tiiin ass, llamas, aipaeas, peccaries^ monkeys of numerous varieiics. l;v (lian zebus, buffialocs and two whil< sacred Indian 7ebus. Tliis abciui comidetCB the list of wild animals, but by no means includes the W"Jiol< collection. There are womlcrfully beuiilifu) forci.c;ii bird.s â€" .scarlet nincaws. tlii< and yellow niilitavy macaws, scvnnil jiarrots, cockatoos and every oU.ei conceivable feutherc.I foreigner Mr. Leadbetter has a .strange pow- er over his animals and it b? U't' rarest thing for even the wildest lo show their v.oll-lovcd nia.sicr lh« Bea'aiful llaiilomerc Pai-k, iu Buck- sii^-|,tcst autagonum. inliamsiiirc, Eiiglaml, is not only of .,ii jdic many wild beasts he baa one of the handsomest scuts in tho j |,m( ^f, pets, on' only two occa-sious countrj-, but is also a veritable zoo- | ],aq ],e i,ep„ injured bv them. On logists' pai\uli.-^e, for it is filled with ! ^vas a hnK-grown bro-wii bear on<l almost uvcry siiccies of animal under tj,p oliior a year-old lion. Both In- tliu sun. 'stances lie puts dcn*n to their un- Here young Bob Eeaubctter, one of | governable tempers, which for lh« Uic wealthiest and most eligible I i„staj,t got quite the better of them, young men in I.ondon'a society, is j^r, actvardliig to Mr. Leadbetter. a miistcr and rides to his heart's eon- .,^.^ animal is always sorrv after- tent his hobb.v for queer pets. His ward. boau-tiful.'y kept lawns and gardens iicars, he b.os discovered, arf U'« arc given over to a number of mag- , ,„o.^ uncertain and he warns »0I nificeut creatmoB wtiose roars at one venturers ir.lo the fl«!d of animal collection lo bcwaro of this pa,rti<-ni- lar branch of the animal faniHy. H« con clniui exprriince ss t'-e basid ol this warning, for he had at on« time .'even benrs. time made .\fricaji jungles siliake and the sight of who.'»e tawny and striped bodies has caused terror throughout certain parts of ItMlia. In various parts of the c«tate there are plcturorsmie rustic hou.scs ftlled with strong and padlocked iron ta^es, aiud tliese cases aiv occiivied by 90U1C strange, m>vne feroclofl* anil I In •''« centre of Kildine, an iataud beaotiul. and some terrifj'ing. and j in ih- North Sea. is perhajis the all odd-looking bihabitants for a'mo.'-.t curious lake in th« worUi'. The HUiet atxl respectable country homo ! surface of its waters is ijuite fresh In England. and s-ipports fresh-water craaturps. Almost e^cry sort of animal thct 'bet c'eep down it i.«! as .salt a.* tti roasis the foi-est or plain is repr«»- 'gnateft dcpth.i of the sea, and «*iv tented iu Mr. Lcadbetter's colleeiion water fish live iu it.