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r«»a « «i tâ€"^.tm9» ==n Time Heals Most Wounds A Tale of Love and Disappointment Soa CHAPTER IV. I Mr. Ackrojd was busy consider-' ing hi3 position. The evening of! tje day that he had obtained the' cipher letters, he fought a great' temptation, but his heart was not! in the struggle, and he went to bed | with the firm intention of using the, papers to his own pecuniary ad- 1 vantage. In other words, he meant' to blackmail the Earl. But to him-| self he did not use so odious a â- word. lie was merely going to ob-i tain a quid pro quo. He held pa-| pers which were of va'ue to Lord' Wolverholme. and he would hand them over in exchange for a sum of money. The amount that he should askj was the question that was troubling him. It must necessarily be large, j for ho was not the man to risk h?3 skin for a mere soag. But how [ large 1 Just so much as the Elarl'si purse would stand. ) The following morning he rose ' early and proceeded to make dis- j creet enquiries. He had many I sources of gleaming information, and he tapped the most likely ones. He ascertained that the Earl specu- lated, and that he had met with both successes and reverses. He had always settled, and sometimes the sums were great. He learnt, too, of his frieidship with Joel, but this did not give him unalloyed pleasure ; for he had met that gen- tleman upon one occasion and had not emerged with too much credit fiom the encounter. This accomplished, he decided to go to Wolverholme by the one o'clock train. It was a run of an hour, and he calculated to be at the Castle by about three -o'clock. A stiff whiaky and soda with a sub- stantial lunch preceded his drive to the station. Nothing but a first-class ticke.t would satisfy him, and he felt as if he was already spending the small fortune that he was about to put into his pocket. There was none cf the villain in Ackroyd's appear- ance. His clean-shaven face was refined, and his eyes met one frank- ly, one of *he greatest a.ssets of an adventure â- . He found that he had ten min- utes to spare, so he went to the re- freshment rooms, bought half a doz- en shilling cigars, and partook of another whisky and soda. Alcohol is a wonderful aid to the perpetra- tion of crime. Next he visited the bookstall, and laid in a liberal sup- ply of current literature. Ho was cr.e who must always be doing. It was beyond him to sit quietly with his thoughts, probably because they were generally unj^leasant. For the greater part of his life-time he bad not been able to say to himself, "I have no immediately pressing worry." He walked along the train, but all the first-class smoking carriaajes were empty. He did not care for solitude, but finally made himself comfortable in the corner of one nearest the end. Just as the train was about to start, a porter opened the door and 'flung a kitbag and dressing case on to the seat. The luggage was quick- ly followed by its owner, who took n seat in the opposite corner to Ackroyd. The train moved from the station and the newcomer produced a book from his bag and began to â-  read. Ackroyd snipped off the end <t a cinar, which ho lighted. His r.ewspapors were piled up on the seat bosidc him, and the jolting of the train suddenly sent them on to the floor. He leant to piok them up, and as he did so his eyes met those of the sfrangor. Askroyd smiled ingratiatingly, and n.adc a bannl remark about the weather. Lord Hurecastlc, f'lr it was he, replied politely l»it coldly, and gave rto encoura-^entent for the opening of a co>»ver«atii>n, but Ackroyd was not easily discoiirair.'^d and he longed for company to dis- tract his thouirhts from the coming interview. He had made up his mind as to how ho should proceed, and he did not want to dwell his decision. "It is pleasant to get out of town," he remarked with friendli- ness. "Yes, it is," wa.<! tlie curt reply. Again there was silence for a few- minutes, but Ackroyd was not bea- ten. "That is a remark.-xblv interesting book th.at you ari^ reariing. There is a review in to-d.av's Times if you would like to see it." "Thanks, you are very kind," Harecastle rnplied. but he still con- tinued to read his book. Soon he laid it down, and open- ing his dressing bag took out a cigar case. Upon opening it, he gave an exclamation of disappoint- ment, for the case was empty. "May I otfer you one?" Ackroyd leant across the carri- age, and Harecastle had no alter- native but to accept the proffered cigar, unless he wished to be down- right rude â€" and this was quite con- trary to his disposition. "Thanks, very much," he said. "A smokeless railway pourney is not pleasant â€" my man evidently forgot to refill the case." One cannot very well deliberate- ly snub a man after receiving a favor at his hands, so Harecastle's manner thawed, and they were soon engaged in conversing upon the cur- rent topics of the day. Ackroyd cuuld be a charming companion when it suited his purpose, and it was now his wish to please. He had no idea that the stranger was Lord Harecastle, and the son of a man whom he was about to blackmail. Not that the knowledge would have made any difference, save that ne might have made even greater ef- fects to please. S^^mething seemed to tell him that his good-looking stranger was to come in contact wiih him. The short journey came to an end and as soon as the train came to a stand-still, at the station for Wol- verholme Castle, a footman in liv- ery ran to the door of their carri- age, and after a salute, quietly be- gan to gather together Lord Hare- castle's belongings. A high dog- cart was waiting outside, and he mounted the driver's scat and took the reins into his hands. "Who is that gentleman 3" Ack- royd asked a porter. "That is Lord Harecastle. the son of the Earl of Wolverholme," . was the reply, and Ackroyd cursed himself for a fool in not having grasped this during the journey. He inquired how far it was to the Cas- tle, and when he found that it was about fiv3 miles distant, he decided that walking would enable him to reach there about the time he wish- ed. Harecastle commenced his drive in the best of spirits. He was filled with the joie de vivre, for he was iu that state of exaltation which comes to a man when he knows that his love for a woman is recip- rocated. He felt, too, that his fa- ther would join with him in his hap- piness. Ethel Fetherston was in every way a fit wife for the future Earl of Wolverholme. Well-born and of ample means, her reserve and pride had alone saved her from the honor of the publication of her | portrait in the various Society | weeklies. For fame of that kind she had no desire. | Until the day of her engagement she had given him very little en- couragement, and until she had ac- tually accepted him, he w;as in doubt if she loved him. This un- certainty and suspense accentuated j his present happiness, and it was with a light heart that he entered the Castle for the purpose of an- nouncing his engagement to his fa- ther. He ascertained that the Earl was in the library, and after a hasty wash he at onco went to that room. He found his father in cheerful spirit."*, and met with a warm wel- come. ., •So you are here at last, (^V"'> and I am very glad to see you." "You look better, father. I hope v'ou have no return of those at- tacks," Harecastle said with soli- citude. "No, I am feeling very fit. Oi course you are going to make a long .stay. There is a lot that 1 want to talk over with you. I am rapidly becoming an old man, and I think that it is time that you re- lieve me of some of my duties." "I will do anything that I can." "There is one thing that lies very close to my heart, Cyril," the Earl said gravely. "What is that?" "You are an only son, and 1 should dearly lovo to see you with an heir to carry on the name. Y'ou are nearly thirty, you know- it is time you settled down." "Strangely enough, father. and it is that I have about uiy marriage come to see you." The Earl started violently, and looked anxiously at his son. "I should have spoken to you when you wore in town yesterday, but I was so upset at what you tcild me about the state of your health. I am engaged, father." "To whom?" the Earl asked hoarsely. And Harecastle noticed with surprise the strangeness of his father's voice. "Ethel Fetherston. You know her, I think." The Earl rose from his seat and paced to and fro. Eis face was ex- pressive of extreme agitation, and for a moment he was unable to speak. 'Quite impossible. Cyril. I shall never give my consent to this en- gagement." Harecastle's face was drawn and white. He faced his father and his voice was stern. "I do not think you can under- stand, father. This lady is in every way suitable to be my wife. I re- peat that I have asked her to mar- ry me, and that she has consented," he said in a tone of finality. "It is quite impossible that you can marry her," the Earl said nervously. "You know, Cyril, that I would do nothing, willingly, that would cause you unhappiness, but I tell you serio-asly that I shall be unable to give my consent." "Ethel will never marry me with- out it. She is too proud," Hare- cast'e said, and he was surprised to see that his father welcomed the statement. "I am not a boy, father. You must give me some reason for this opposition." "I can give you none," the Earl replied firmly. He was rapidly as- suming control over himself. "But it is absurd," Harecastle continued warmly. "You tell me, first of all, that you want me to marry, and when I propose a mar- riage that is eminently suitable, I meet with your opposition. What am I to think?" "You must trust me. As soon as I can, I will explain everything but for the present you must not ask me." "What am I to say to Ethel? I cannot accept this position. I must hold to my engagement.'' "I repeat that this marriage will not take place with my consent. I shall oppose it by every means in my power." "Y'ou cannot realize that I love Ethel. My honor is bound. She knows that I am here to tell you of cur engagement, and she will na- turally e.vpect a letter from me in the morning. It is only out of re- spect for you that the engagement was not made public ere this." The Earl thought of Joel's cheque which lay in the desk near by, and be suppressed his better feelings. "This interview is telling on me, Cyril. Won't you trust me I" "I am sorry to worry you. father, but you do not seem to appreciate what this means to me. My whole future is at stake." "I am truly sorry. I wish you had consulted me before taking this step." "That was irapossible. I had no real reason for knowing that Ethel loved me, until her lips told me. This is not one of those women who wear their hearts on their sleeves, so that all the w-orld can judge the state of their affections. I really cannot accept this decision," he re- peated. The Earl again rose from his seat, and moved to tho door as if to end the interview, but Hare- castle firmly stood his ground. "I await your reason." Father a'ld son stood facing one another. Cyril looked appealingly at, the Earl. The latter's eyes fell, and he fidgetted nervously. A knock at the door, and a footman enter- ed. "A Mr. Ackroyd desires to see your lordsiiip," he announced to the I^arl. "Tell him that I am engaged," the Earl said irritably; and as the door closed, he was sorry for his decision, for it would have put an end to an interview that was em- barrassing in the e.Ktreine. "I am utterly bewildered at your conduct." Harecastle continued. "You make me imagine all kinds of things." "In due time I will explain my actions," the Earl said with a piti- f-i! attempt at dignity. "I repeat again and again that I am not act- ing without very weighty reasons, which at present I am unable to explain, llun up to town at once, and put an end to the engagement. I give you permission to give my opposition as a reason. That will satisfy her, if she has pride." "It is of myself that I am think- ing. As your «on, I owe you my duty, but there is a limit to my cbediencc, an.-l I fear you have reached that limit, father." The Earl passed his hand wearily over his forehead, and again the footman entered. "The gentleman s.iys that his bu- siness is of the utmost importance, my lord, and that he has come from London for the express pur- pose of seeing you." "Ask him in here," the Earl said hurriedly. (To be Continued.) TEACHING FOBESTRY. Canadian Inircrsities now Train- ing Forest Eaginecrs. There are few subjects of great- er importance to-iay in Canada than the preservati. n of the coun- try's forest wealth. Never, probab- ly, has the question been 'orought home to the people at large more emphatically than during the pre- sent season, marked as it unfortu- nately has been by a series of most destructive forest fires which have wrought so many millions of dol- lars worth of damage. How to pre- vent such devastation in future, how to preserve this great asset to the country and improve it for fu- ture generations are quesJons of paramount importance. It is timely, therefore, that the study of the sci- ence and art of forestry should be encouraged and developed. To this end a school of forestry was inaugurated a year ago in t.ae L'niversity of Toronto under the principalship of Dr. B. E. Fernow, who is now assisted by a staff of two lecturers and one assistant. Dr. Fernow is well equipped for his work, being a graduate of the Forest Academy at Muenden and having received additional training a* the University of Koenigsberg, Germany, of which country he is a native. For twelve years (1886-1898) he held the position of chief of the Division of Forestry in the United States Department of Agriculture, which he left to become head of the College of Forestry connected with Cornell University. Later, after several years passed as consulting forest engineer, he organized the forestry department of the Pennsyl- vania State College, leaving there last year to undertake the organiz- ation of the Faculty of Forestry at Toronto. The University of Toronto con- fers the degree of Bachelor of Sci- ence in Forestry B.S.F.), obtain- able after a four years' course, and there is a post-graduate degree of Forest Engineer F.E.), to obtain which a graduate of the forestry course must have two years' prac- tical experience and submit an ap- proved thesis to the faculty. This fall the University of New Brunswick has inaugurated a four years' course in forestry, leading to the degree of Bachelor of Sci- ence in Forestry (B.S.F.). The department has at its head Prof. K. B. Miller, M.A.. M.F.. a gra- duate of the Y'ale Forest School, one of the foremost schools of for- estry in the United States. A third school is about to be es- tablished in the Province of Que- bec, and courses in forestry or pre- paratory thereto are offered in other universities and agricultural colleges. « THE SULTAN'S CIGARETTES. Probably the most particular smoker in the world is the Sultan of Turkey, whose recent granting of a constitution to his subjects has attracted universal attention. His cigarettes must be of the finest pos- sible quality, and to ensure this, they are made in a small factory in the Royal palace itself. Some half-dozen workmen, the most skill- ed to be found, are daily engaged m a light, airy room, containing a couple of hand-cutting machines of the simplest pattern, and hero they examine the bales «f Turkish- grown tobacco raised for the Sul- tan's use. The best crops in the country are marked for his special benefit, and what is not actually selected for making into cigarettes must be destroyed. A hundred- weight of loaves may be turned over before a pound sufficiently fine and flawless for the Royal lips is found. And the tlavor is unde- niably superb. ^ ^^W^VMWW^^^< V ^^i^^ ^ ON TIE [Jlllll DO YOUR HENS PAY I It is always a satisfaction to know whether or not your poultry is on a paying basis. Many people find poultry-raising a profitable and pleasurable occupation. Keep » record, an exact record of your re- ceipts and expenditures connected V ith your poultry, and find o-at de- finitely whether they pay; not at certain times of the year, when it would be hard work to make poul- try unprofitable, but all the ye«r round. Keep continuous records. Charge up every cent of outlay oa the fowls, and credit them with stock and eggs sold at the actual price received. And if it should be lound, at any time that, taken for the year, the proposition is a losing one, it is time for a thorough consideration cf all the causes which contributed to that end. The records, if carefully kept, will show some facts whic'i might not be so apparent otherwise. The beginner is advised to watch every detail of the business, close- ly. It may be that the females are not from gooi egg-laying strains and, therefo-.e. the desired success may be impossible with them. It may be that the feed is too costly und not of the right kind to ensur« either the proper development of the growing birds, or the greatest possible output of eggs. "The breed that lays is the breed that pays" is a well-worn axiom in poultry cul- ture. But it has been demonstrat- ed, over and over again, that a stra-n of any breed may be devel- oped in the egg-laying habit to such an extent that were it alone of its breed considered, that breed might be well termed "'''he breed that lays." But in the creating of an egg- laying strain, feeding has a great deal to do with the number of eggs produced. For instance, supposing you have purchased birds from a strain noted for its egg laying qua- lity : if you were to starve your birds, or to feed them solely on corn, you would not get a good egg yield, no matter whether iheir an- cestors for twenty generations be- fore them had laid 200 eggs per hen per year. So we see that feeding has a vital influence iu the prcduc- tion of eggs. If your fowl do not "pay." your » rr cords will be of great assistance to you in locating the cause, and then it is "up to you" to remedy it.â€" F. C. E., in Canadian Dairy- man. SMART. Slick (to Blossom)â€" "Is this Mr.! Bloomer's office?"' _ j Blossomâ€" "No. His office is on: the other sielc of the passage." i Slick (leaving the door open asj he walks out)--"Thank you, sir."| Blossom -':Hey; Come back and; close that door! Haven't you any doors in your house?" Slickâ€" "Yes. sir : but they all] have springs on 'em. Allow me toj show you, sir, my patent double- 1 Iwick-action-door-spring. It closes the door without a bang, and will last a lifetime." HIS WISH FULFILLED. A Ge^rman peddler rapped timid- ly at the kitchen entrance. Mrs. Kelly, angry nt being interrupted in her washing. Hung open the door and glowered at him. i "Diel you wish to sec me!" she I denianded iu threatening tones. The peddler backed off a few steps. "Veil, if I did," he assured her with an apologetic grin, "I got my vish, thank you." LIVE STOCK NOTES. A well-shaped horse's foot is large, rather than small. The wall should be very smooth, even shiny, and fashioned so that the fibres of which it is made can be seen. If farm stock could hibernate through the winter, so that we should be at no expense for winter- ing them, we could afford to have fthem poor in the spring, but so long as food must be given to re- pair the waste of the systcn. tho only way- to profit is to add enough food to enable them to do their best. It is not the nature of young stock to be overfat. and when they are found in this condition it is a sure sign of overfeeding or injudi- cious feeding. The food they eat at this stage of their life should bo of such a nature as to develop bono and muscle rapidly, and this is the end which all breeders ought to work for. No other article will so enhance the pre>tit of the poultry yards as kerosene diligently and intelligently used. For painting the inside of nest boxes for setting hens, thero is nothing equal to it. as it surely kills all vermin with which it comc3 in contact, and prevents other ver- min from entering the nest until it is entirely evaporated, which, it the crude oil is used, will give tho hen ample time to hatch her brood. A few drops in the drinking water occasionally, has a good effect upon tho general health of the flock and for colds or roup there is nothing better if carefully applied. HOW TO HANDLE SICK STOCK. Place the sick animal in a well disinfected and dry box stall with plenty of bedding and sunlight (avoid drafts). In cold weather place a blanket on the anima,l, feed sparingly with digestible food such as bran mashes made of Unseed tea, keep manger sweet and clean. Water should be pure and clean, end warmed when necessary. It is always necessary for new nulch cows to bo given warm water. \n injection of wurm water (per rectum.) should be given all siok animals, excepting those afll'Cira with loo.^c.icss of tl.o I'ov.-cls.