^;l^!! ^ [iWBL_^â- . '' Jâ- *^C ! ^ l * ^ ' g^ ^ il!^JJ ' t, ' at ^ Jl >' J ' ?;; tpsptftttK'm i<».'.< f»» * i â€" i | i»i » i»iiii , <â- .â- , Jt â- * H â- I i he she THE STEWARD'S SON CUAKl'KU X\'. I am a poor and .slruRgliny; artist now but I may win th(! k'*"** ''Sht, may "I do not think of that!" she said, J vijn a name which, though it will •linuiit inaudihly. • novor bo worthy your acceptance, "Ah, how cnu I help loving you? „,ay n,ako ,„„ sown loss unworthy in You do not think of that! No! And, y„(,r father's eyes." If â€" sii|>pose that Bomo day 1 could . j^ho listeninl with an interest, a overcome the earl's disliko to mo; ' delightful feeling that hin life belong- declaration of her; but it found no suppose some day that I could in- : d to her, the feeling which brings echo in the heart of Guildford IJer- duro him consent '- 1 so great a joy to tlio heart of the lie saw the color rise to her face, ' woman who hns ji'st received the saw the light glowing in her eyes, ' avowal of her lover's love. The stood clo.se up against the tree, one »nd the restraint he had put upon I slightest most trivial thing in his j hand thrust behind him, the other himself gave way. i Ufo would be hers to share with him i "trpti^hed up and grasping a branch "N'orah," ho said, in a low voice, | now!" *'*-" " convulsive, painful clutch. His "it is not for him to dispose of our] •â- yos you will bo famous," she | '"^e Was white, and his lips so lives. Oivo mo your answer! Will i ,„urmu're<l with sweet ronfidenco, | t'Khtly compre.ssod that he seemed you let ma love you? Will you try \ and again' her tone thrilled through scarcely to breathe more worthy than I am. And what could I saj? Dearest, it is so true! Now, let mo tell you all that is in vnj mind." "Tell me everything," she said, in a low voice. "You have read what my ^ooii friend says, dearest; the little pic- ture is a success. But there are others ready, and those â€" well, I am hoping great things for them. I should like to go to the earl and say: 'I am all unworthy of your daughter; I claim to be no more i*4an an ar- ti.st, but I have made irood that claim, and " "Ves, wo will wait. How clearly you SCO things, Cyril. My father will con.sent then." "Well, dearest," he said, "it should not?" "Nothing shall separate us!" murmured. Surely if the gentle wind among the leaves echoed their former love vows, it echoed this tender, resolute ton, who cowering behind a huge oak, listened to every word. He end love me in return? Will you bo him. my wife?" I "'rell mo so often enough," he ro- "It is impossible," she faltered. | spondcd, "and I .shall be. Norah, Ho stood still, his eyes bent cm the i now that 1 have won your love, now ground, lighting for self-control, ' that it is for you I work"â€" he drew fighting down the pu.ssion tliat : the letter from .lack Wesley from his threatened to master her; then ho ' pocket and gave it to herâ€" "see, sank down on the seat again. j dearest, here is the beginning. I Norah did not dare to look at ' cured very little almut it before to- him, and, with a whisjiered "'!ood- ^ ,|ay, but now I welcome it. It is an l>y," was turning to leavn him, when pj,,. nest of the success your love will a brush slipped from the front of the bring me." easel. Ho stooped to pick it up, for- | Norah read the short note, and ho getting his injured arm, but Norah ; told her something of the man who bent and got it, and was placing it )m(| written it. on tho easel when he caught her I '•The best friend a man ever had," hand and looked up at her. he said, warmly; "an^l he will re- "Ah," ho said, "I cannot let you j( if^ in niy joy."- â- â- hard, go without some * word less less cruel than that!" .She had withstood his ;>lead!ng â-¼oico, though every note of it had found an echo in her heart, hut she could not withstand the touch of iiis hand. .As he looked up nt her ho saw her face change, a wave of passionate t/^nderne.is seemed to pass over it. her lips qiiivereil, and, with a gesture as if she were obeying an From his hiding i)lace he could see their faces, but ho could imagine the joy and rapture that glowed in them, and tho mental vision tortured him as aqutely as if ho had actually .seen them. Ho longed to fling him- self between tho two and tear them apart, and his limbs wrfthod in im- potent rage, so that tho branch which ho held shook and trembled. I're.sently he petered round the treo and saw Cyril gather together his painting materials â€" Norah helping him with a proud tenderness display- ed in her every movement and glance â€" and then ho watched them as they walked slowly away, side by side, their eyes meeting, their hands touching. Once, as they were near- ly out of sight, ho saw Cyril bend his head and kiss her, and at this, the Inst straw as it seemed, Guild- Your friend," she murmured. "He shall lie mine, too, if he will. I shall love him for your sake, Cyril." Ho heard the name from her lips for the first time, though sl'O had ; ford Borton Hung himself on the culled him by it in her thoughts of- | ground, face downward, as if to shut ten enough. otit his remembrance. "Dear old Jack," ho said. "Yes, Five minutes i>a.s.sed, and then, as he will be glnd. Anil, Norah, you if with an elTort, he got up and be- have no regrets; you will not mind gan to pace up and down, when your great friends tell you "l.ot mo think!" he mutlere«l. lrreslstll)l» impulse, sh- held out her | that you have thrown yourself away? "Lot ,m, think!" and ho pressed his hand to him. and, soring that ho That you. a iieor's daughter, have hand to his forehead us if with an Cotild not take both, sh^; let It fall ! acted unwisely in loving an artist." | efxort to gain composure. After a with tho simple eloquence of lovo up- 1 He looked into her eyes with a 'time calmness seemed to come back the on his arm. "You love me," ho murrure<l, f'Norah?" She met his ardent ga7.o with hor frank, trusthil one, and steadily, I ijj,s us she thought how great, how though her face crini.sonoil. I noble, how altogether perfect he was "Ye.sâ€" I love!" she whispered. | to her. Ho put his arm round hor, and | -No oiio will smy that who knows «!rew her toward him, Jiaa.sionatoly, ! you," she said, simply. 'TVnd those yet reverently. I "who do notâ€" ah, why dp you aslc "My darling, my queen!" his voice nie? You know, you know!" seemeil to sing. "In spite of all, you "Yes, I know,"" ho echoed, with a love me! Oh, my darling if you knew long breath of delight and joy: "and to him, and, with something of his strange earnestne-ss, and with same shadow of a smilo upon his • usual impassive manner, ho sat down handsome face. | at the foot of the tree. and. with his Nurah touched his hond with her hands lightly clasped. Hank into deep tbi-ught. f.ord Ferndalo had said to Norah that he did not understand Cuildford Ucrton. Few people did. He was a mystery to all save himsedf, and that a " young man, generally accounted clever, should givo up his profession â€"in which ho hod shown promise of ^ , „ . , ... , „ .. - - distinguishing himselfâ€" and bury him- how full of luvo my heart is, liuw I the knowledge makes my happiness ^.p,,- j„ ^ country village, seemed to liappy " Ho broke olT, and, rais- ' all tho greater. I linvo won you 1 ]] ^,|,o thi ing her hand, kissed it passionately, without tho aid of a title, or wealth tenderly; then, as hor head fell upon or fame. Norah, you cannot guess, his .shoulder, ho pressed his lips to not even you, how sweet the Knowl- ''<'". crdge is to me!" and ho threw back Nornh did not shrink, but hor face ^ his head as if ho found sorao inyster- lous .satisfaction in tho thought. 'Some day, when you and I are to- gether in tho world, and you are surrounded by men of title, your (MpialM in rank, 1 shall say to myself: 'She might have chosen from among these, but .sho chose me, untitled. grew pule, for it was the first time • kL-ss of love such ns Cyril's had toil! lied her lli>s, and she trembled. "(Jive me one kiss in return!" he pleaded. CnsiXT, lying hesido them in tho bracken, wat.chi'd Ihcjii sli-cplly, the greiit trees above them turned * tho poor, unknown." peiitlc) breeze Into u song of love, tho , '1 have never thought of •uiilight fell upon tlieni like a bone- ' â- €licli(iii, and all nature seemed to be standing by, witnessing and up- proving the compact of their young and loving hearts. 'I'o Norah, us she knelt, with his arm round her, her head upon his .shoulder, earth seemed to have transformed into l>ara(!ise. Hhe had not loved till this innment, she iiad not known what love moimt thought of it tho wildest folly. Rut Guildford Derton was no fool. Even at this moment he was wise od. "Aftc«- all! I was winning, slow- ly, but surely! Slowly, inch by inch, i was getting that proud old fool under my thumb. Sooner or later his vagabond lu-phew, the viscount, wotild havo sold his birthright, and tho earl would have made mo his heir! Then this girl turne<i up. Hut I had reckoned on that. She is a woman, and to bo won. and I would ,, ... . , ,,. .I.- havo won her! Yes, I feel it! Slowly ;or"^raii,f"whv i ?s^::;; r'^^A]'^'^ «;-'y I -r.^Tit^rg.:^ t.me ago that I Knew "l was the --'--y/-^^ daughter of an earl, and' â€" she smil- , '^ 'x "^'"^ , „. «i,„ w^i.l.l have ' was in m.V favor, one wouiii nave been thrown into my society every I would havo won her. I tho steward's son, would have been the husband of an eaj-l's daughter. I should have ranked as an e.jual in these ed â€" "tho knowledge has not made' me any tho happier. It would have i , made no dilTereiico to me if .you hud | ,^' been noble â€" I mean titled, ifâ€" if I had not loved you." ,She breathed tho \ last words almost Inauclibly. softly. tween me and her] His hand open Ho will plness had woven round them. i "Content!" .sho echoed, r.i,....v. ^ , • i , "Ho you know what you havo , "Is that tho word?" • " led and .shut convulsively, clone?" he usUed her. wilh mock i ''I may t.^v you .some dav, dnnrost; »""''^v her in siule of luT fat u^^^^^ gravity, aslu, kissed the rod-gold and yet " lie paused, and she re- J*'' V'?\«^»V '' ''*>J" ^^tT!^ ph^^^^^^^ heir that brushed his eheek. g.,...!.,,, him, wailing for him to fin- i ''" ''i"' .'^ " ''"T" ^i J i h n, iV, Norah started slightly. i,h if awaU- ' i«h. Hut bo did not; in.ste.ul, ho '''-"PPoa from his lip.s ^ «^' ' ' " ng from .. .iremn, and stroking his seemed to thrust tho thought from 1 «•'â- "•'*'' y "',"".'' T""' J' , "' . ,mt hand ".in a caressing movement, him, whatever it was. ''No," ho himself. "\ es, 1 am a fool, ho mut- looKed up nt him with a smile, half sai,!, 'let me enjoy tho dellKht of , l^''"'-"''' "^â€"^ ''"â- ° 'V""' u- ['"u "* T shy. half grave "What is it thill 1 have <liinn?" "I'lighted your trothâ€" you, tho Lady Norah Arrowdale â€" to a worth- feeling thnt you h.ve me for ' myself 1 â- "i«l«"^«' ^«- *« '»'"^ '?."'^ '"'.r Tri'' u,o weak and .set my brain on lire! I lovo her! Hut for that I could be cool and play tho ganui carefully, butâ€" but my love confuses nuv-driyos joy tho dellKi.. «. . , , love me for myself i ""•'''•"''''" alrne; thot your lovo is strong enough to make a sacrilice for mo." "What sacrilice can 1 make for less, poverty-stricken artist," ho said you?" she said, slowly, us it sho i • , u n- but there was tlm sliad-.w „f a smilo would havo liked to have it in her «" *'h" thoughts out of nij head. Ill his eyes, niid tlin lone of his voice pi.wer to do so. i ^^l" sP'ang up and paced up and wasnot so solemn as the wonls. I "Norah!" clown. ".And she, sho hates me, or "Not worthless," she murmured,! .Shu turned her eyes upon him with''" "'''*'" *" hating me! And 1 fis'l her eyes bent on his band. ; that rapt devotion which is love's *' whenever 1 am in h<>r presence; I "Not altogether, if you have found sign. read It in her face, in her voice when Boniething worthy, ilenr.st!" ho said, j "Will you think It strange if I ask "llul u poor and slniggllng man, you to keep our eiiguKemcnt a Secret anyway. iMid .\oii are not atraid?" tor the present?" "Afraid?" she erlioed. | She did not remove her eyes from "Afraid of «hal the world â€" tho hi: face, earlâ€" will .sa.V?" j "1 will do everylhin.r y<iu wish. 'Why should I care what the world ^ Whatever you wish will be good to i-sâ€" and my father " Sho stop- mo, l!yriU Why should wo tell any- one?" "Mee, dearest," he said, "1 ought to go to the enrl this evening and toll him all, but 1 know what would says ped, but her lovely (>yos were full of courage. "He may bo angry, but Iio cannot separate us." The lime in which tho wonls were spoken thrilled him, and ho kissed ' follow. He wmilil refuse to k'vo you )ier reverently "My brave darling," he said, in a low Voice. "No, no one on earth Nhall sepai'iito us now that yini have said you love me. No one! As for the earl" â€" he pauseil a moment, as if ho Were struggling with a (leslro to sn.v something ond were kwplng it liackâ€" "Well, even he may in lime gito his consent. l..iRten, dearest; T to meâ€" anil little wonder!â€" and he would forbid mo to kco you." Ills face went pnl.>, mid her hand cU sell upon his as if to protect against tho mere suggestion of such a terrible ciiliimity, "He would say thut I had tnkeiv advantage of your Ignorance of the world mid won your henrl hefero jou had a cliuiice of su.ing other uiou sho speaks to me! .And .she will marry this artist fellow, who conioi from no one knows where, and I"- ho ground out an oathâ€" "1 suppo.so I must givt« it all up, go back to Lon- don, and begin the old hateful life, maile all the more hateful by the thought of nil I had hopisl to gain, all I ha\o lost! "No. by Heaven!" ho exdainu'd, nilsing his hand as if he were actually legisterin.n a vow, "I will not. There is time yet! I set iiiv brain against yours, Mr. Cyril Hurne, and I will light to t!u< laslâ€" tho last!" Foolst(«iH In tho brac!(cn startled him at this iiuuiunt, and, tl Inking it was Cyril or Niu'ah coming luick, ho was preparing to leturn to hi.H hld- Ingplace, when I o saw that it wnB Herca South. Ho mutteiml an imprecnilon, but, resuining his usual imjin.sstvo nian- WHEN THE WAR IS OVER. About the only indemnity the Ilu.9sian and Jap private soldier will get. I, ner, ha went to meet hor with a hind her ear in a caressing, lo . cr- forced smile on his dark face. j like fashion; and Becca ceased to Itecca Pi'llcjl lip a fov paces from think any more of the photograph of sad-looking woiuun she had "picked up on the stairs. (To bo Continued.) -♦ FOUND BY TEL.KPHONE. him, and looked aside, as if she Were not in tho bcMJt of humors, and her â- first words were spoken in a piqued and injured tone. "I didn't expect to meet you," sho said. "Well, Becca," he ix'tcrted, taking her hand, after a sllglit Btrugglo. and T'he latest use of tl»? telephone is kissing her. "Unexpcctefl pleasures â- " locating shoals of (ish. 'Vhc elec- aro all tho sweeter. What is the ; trie apparatus is a German patent, matter now? In one of your tan- j A microphone, enclosed in a water- trums?" and he smiled down at her ; light ca-se, connected with an eleo- with atTccteil good-humor. ; trie battery and telephone, is lower- "No, I'm not," sho said, shortly, 'chI into tho water. So long as the but walking by his side as ho moved | telephone hangs free no sound is away from tho glade; it was just heard, but on its coming into con- possible Cyril or Nornh might ro- i tact with a shoal of lish^the co.i- turn. "But I ought to be. You're slant tapping of the fish against tho keeping away from me!" and she be- ' microphone case produces a scries of gan to pout and Hash her black eyca 'sounds which at once l»i>tr.\y their upon him. | presence. The cord attached to the "Now, Hecca," he said, fighting „,ic,„|,h(me is marked so that tho with his impatience and speaking in o^act depth of tho shoal is desig- a soft, persuasive voice, "do try and ^ated not bo silly. Keeping away (rom from you! Why, you silly child, I should like to be with you always." "And why aren't you?" demanded i Tho Russian Government has Bcwca. "Why can't all tho world bought a new breastplate, which is know we're engaged " j inipenotraljle to ritle-bullets and Ho cast a glance around as if he swords, and a number of the ulUcers dreaded that tho trees would cai'ry gone to tho front in the Far F^iat her words to human ears. have been ecpiippod wilh this now "I'm tired .of this playing nt hide- j protection ag-ainst Japanese bullets, and-.seek. You're ashamed of me, Mr j The breastplate, which is tho inven- Rertoul" i tion of an Italian, Giorgiano. is (.'uililford Helton bit his lips, but ' maj^ of soft, elastic material. Bibout still kept on the patient, humoring „np_fo„r,h „, an inch thick. and ''"i"^- ,, ! Weighs 4 Tbs. Kxperiments made at "Now. Becca, don't talk nonsense, ,j^^ Petersburg show that bullets ho said .soothingly 'Well take air f,,.,^ at tho breastplate remained in NEW BREASTPL.ATE. We'll take all tho world into our conQdenco over ! our lovo affair, as you wi.sh. but Pi'c- j ^^aiing the inner surface, though a You know how- " ° i it, and wore flattened, without ponc- sently, presently. often I have told you that if it were ' Severn shock was distinctly felt by .,„r„ . M...^ ...... .»"•â- /,..„.„ „„i„.rV«' the wearer when shot« were fired at known that you and 1 were going to i ^ ,. .. i,» ..,-r,.i«,i •• i,n ^nnk« th,i words a short diatanco. A CLaWER RAILWAY BOO. quite glibly. Iiut It was fortunate for Ilecra that .sho did not see his oyes ; at that moment, "it would ruin all I \ curious example of a dog's in- niy plans! You must wait patient- j toll igenco is to be seen on the Mid- ly, Hocca. dear." 'land Railway Station at Welling- Hho began to cry in on angry Kind ,jQrQ„gj, i.Jngland. This dog. a tor- of fashion. ! tier, belonging to an official. "l-T don't believe yon care for me j,^^^.^ „p„„ y,^n^HAi the duty of now!" she sobbed. "Ever since that ,.^,,,,j„^ ^^.^^^ ^^.^^-^^ arriving thei girl came you've changedâ€" yes you not you have "That girl! What girl? " "Whv, Lady Norah! Oh, I'm blind!'"' "You are sillier than over, foolish girl!" he said bantorinly. "What on earth can I.ady Norah havo to do with you and me?" Somewhat reassured, Uecca pulli-d out her pocket huudkorchicf to wipe away her tears, and in doing so out came the photograph of Cathoritio Hayes. Guildford Horlon's sharp oyo j caught it in a momen has wvl- ng every train arriving there on which there is a restaurant car. He takes up his position on the plat- form opposit*> tho kitchen compart- ment, ami it Is rare thnt he is not rewarded with a bone, with which he trots oft to some quiet nook. Jack is quite indi(T\.>rent to all or- dinary trains, and will not stir from his master's olllco. BARREUS MADE OF TAPER. Another recent and novel use to which pa|)or is being put is in tho '..ond"he''Ktoo;.::i"'»""f''^'"':" "' '""•'•^â- 'â- ?- '••''^ ^^'"^ . . . I. 1 t ..„ «.,,! k,.i,u..,r i» 'growers of Greece, btung badly ed and picked it up, and, nolalng u » , _...u ...u;..u " off over his head above her reach, shook his head at her smilingly. "Hallo, Ilecca! What's this? Ciuiie, that's go'od! You talk like this to me, and at the same time carry voiing men's portraits in yiuir pocket eh?" ' "It isn't a young man's. Give it mo back!" ".After 1 have admired my rival," ho said, with mock jealousy. "Reol- ly, Hecca, I knew you were a little ' llirt, but â€" what's this?" ho broke olT, ' as ho looked at the portrait. "Iti is Lndy Norah's?" he added, as ho! red the in.scription, and his voice changed. "WhM'o and how did you | get ot?" ' "I found it on the staircase. Sho must have dropped it." I "Very likely." | "Well, give it me back il you've j looked at it long eiunigh." I Hut with a smile he put the l>hoto- ' graph in his breast packet, where it jlny near the little blue phial. I ".\ot just yet," he s;ii(l. "l>on't j be afraid, you .shall have it back presently. " j "What do you want it for?" shenV ' pi„yi„jj mniidcMl. j,.^,,,! ii.ft 1 lie could not have piven her tho only reasi'ii: that anything l>elongii)^4 to Norah wiis pivcioi^s to him, 'For nothing," he >aid, Ih.fltly for wood with which to construct their casks, and the cost of its im- |M.rt 'oeing excessive, lately ivsolvctl to employ paper in the inanufacturo of their barivls, which will, it is said, be soon in universal use throughout tho country. FOR COUNTING HKURINGS. Very clever is a Swedish inventor named llkenberg, who has construct- ed a machine which takes herrings a« they ccuue from tho net. sorts them iiitci tho four sizvis recognized by the trade, scrapes olT their scales, luts ort thvir heads, splits, cleans, and washes tlwm insido and out. The machine does all this nutomnti- call.v. and turns out !Jt>,OQO herring* per hour. KMOTION Hn)l\S A CONCERT. The tenth bar of Chopin's "Funer- al March" had been reached nt a concert in .*- trasbiirg whvn the pian- ist found himself playing alone. Tho other memtn'rs of the orclu'Stra, ov- c^n-ome by eniol ion. had cc>a.s«>d The pianist ro.se in Ic^nrs the k'ooni. and tho pro- igia'iine abrupllv closed. I THI'- .^MALL UOY. "You shall luixe it back to-morrow, j Ho knows not who slew Goliath Now. don't hoilier, Uecca," and ho i Or who by the ravens was fc-d. Urew her arm within his niul i>i:t f'"or Sui.d.-^v school pic^iiies are over back a tress of her black l.iilr be j And Christmas trees are ahead.