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gence. “When home again.” “Home again 7 “I can’t. shake? hsuds wi’ you foi I'r; all over flour,” said Mrs Mallet ; “but if you’ll give me a kiss, my dgafâ€"‘i “No, no, my dear, not. at; all ; don‘t you put a hand to it, if you please," said Mrs. Mallet decidedly. “ It’s no joke to get the stain off your hands afterwards, and you young gella don‘t like going about with blackened fingers. It don’t matter for me. The fact is, Stephen’s been complaining sadly about the cookery and to-day I says to him at breakfast, ‘Never you mind, you Ihall have a dinner to-day fit for a king.’ And I’m doing it all with my own handsJ am; for them sluts in the kitchen don’t take a. bit 0’ care, an' one gets pips in the apple pies, an’ lumps in the milk puddens, au' eyes in the potaties, until, as I says to hm yesterday, ‘It’s easy to see that the servants have had high jinka here for the last twenty years ; bun there's going to be a change now, or I’ll know the reason Why.’ “And now, tell me, my dear,” said Mrs. Malet,as she busily manipulated her dough, “how it comes about that; you’re going olf to ioring lands so suddent-like '1” ' Est-her had not been abIe to interrupt till now. “Please call me anything you like, If yen cared for my father and mother, I shall cure for you too.” A rush 19f t-gars to her eyes followed the Words. v She thrust, forward her honest red face, and Esther kiaSed it, though with an im- mediate sense that perhaps she was betrey~ !ng Sebastian and Nine in thus making firiends with the enemy. Seeing her at Work in Working clothes, and at her ease, Esther began to understand that there was some reason in Stephen Malet's infatuation for the farmer's daughter. “ Nina- wants somebody to come home will}; her; she is lonely and ill." “Lonely? Hain’c she got a husband ‘3” “;\ woman wants another woman with her sometimes,” said Esther. Mrs. Malet replied by a. look of intelli- gence. ‘fWhen she is better I shall come “Well, people have their owu views about kindness,” remarked Mrs. Maleb, “and if you’re satisfied, my dear, I’ve no gall to say anything. Now you won’t mind me calling you ‘my dear,’ will you? 3 know it’s taking a. liberty with your pals daughter, which I always thought much more highly of him than Idid of the Malets and the La Touches and all that stuck-up lot (though. as I’ve married into the family, I s'pose I musn’c say nothing ugainst them now); but, I seem to know you ailittlenzmd I .like the look of you â€"-” “ Let me help yoxf,” said Esther, looking at a. dish of applys that want/cg paging. 11\Y “I am glad you can laugh," said Mrs. Mulet critically regarding her. “I’ve often wondered What made you take service with her, as is enough to worrit the life out of a gel]. My niece, Maria. Higginson, was cook there once; and she said that Mrs. La. Touche, in spite of her fine ways, was a reg’lar skinfiint, and as hard as a stone.” “Please don L say so to me, Mrs Malet, ” said Esther. “Mrs. La. Touche has been very kind to me._’ {1’0 hear the elegant Mrs. La. Touche aboken of as an old cat tickled her sense of humor in spite of all the ptoprie(.les. The kitchenmaid reappeared in the doorway. and asked her, with a broad smile, to “step this way.” Esther followed her into the garden, but not to the flower- beds or the lawn. The girl took her to a. side of the house which Esther did not know; here, to Esther‘s surprise, stood Mrs. Malet-, dressed in a. print gown, sun- tounet, and large white apron, her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, and her hands stained as if from household boil. ' Before her, on a. deal table, were two or three basins andapie-dish; and the Squire’s wife was rolling out paste with a. celeriby that argued long practice in the art. “Here you are,” said the mxstmss of the Manor in a satisfied Lone. “Well, if I wasn’t beginning to believe that that old cat, wouldn't let you come.” On Thursday morning, therefore. Esther presented herself at the Manor. She was not surprised to see that the door was opened by a girl who had hitherm been kitchen-maid at the great house. The household was disorganized ; butler and housekeeper had departed, not able to en- dure the queenship of “ Martha Pyusent as was ”; many of the other servants were gone or going. Esther was shown into the great drawing-room, that dim and silent. place so full of membries of an older time. Mrs. Stephen Malet did not allow any breach to be visible between herself or her husband and the La Touches. On Tuesday she sent over a blunt good-natured invi- tation to the children and their governess to come to tea with her. The children went, escorted by Mrs. La Touche, who took that opportunity of making acall, and of explaining that Miss Denison could not; come as she was going out, to Algeria that very Week in order to bring poor dear Nina home. Mrs. Malet did not seem satisfied, however. She insisted that Miss Denison should come to say good-by to her, and, although surprised at, the request, Mrs. La. Touche furthered Esther’s compliance with it. And then Mrs. La. Touche requested her not to say to Cecily or to any of her friends that she was leaving the Dower House “for good." “ Let them think that you are comirg back to us in September, dear,” she saidâ€"“ US Will soften the blow to dear Cecily ; she will be so grieved at losing you. But 0! course you will come and stay with us sometimes ; we shall not let you go from amougusaltogether. 1 haveheerdofaFrench governess whom I should like to engage; but at first I shall let Cecily think that in is a. merely temporary parting from you. She is so sensitive, poor child, that I do not wigh her feelings to be unduly excited." Thus Mrs. L5. Touche saved herself any “ trying scenes," as she would have called them ; for there would have been a tremEn- dons outcry if Cecily had known that her dear Misq Denisou was never coming back, and Esther would have had to say good-by to half the village. Esther was not allowed time to reconsider her decision. Mrs. La Touche telegraphed to Nina next morning: “ Esther is coming to stay with you," and received a. single word in answer: “Delighted." And mat- ters were hurried on so fast that, by a. fortunate chance, she was able to take her passage in a. boat that sailed on the follow- mg Friday. CHAPTER XXIII. KERSHAM MANOR. FARE“' ELL. Here 2 9n “ Icing! Nonsense. I haven’t said what I wanted to say yet. When I heard that you was off to Rina, I said to myself that. I must have a word or two with you before you went, and I want you to tell every word of it to Sebastian. Now, will you 1‘” “ If I can,” said Esther. “I shan’t say nothing that. you can’t re- peat. my dear," said Mrs. Malet. “ For ‘ your dear father's sake, I wouldn’t put you ‘into an awkward position But: you were ] aizays friends wi’ Sebastian, weren'n you 2” “Tm giad to see you once again, my! dxar,” said the Squire beniguly, “ bu [ sorry to say good-by. I have not mentioned ( it; before, but I must: tell you before you go that I have noticed the flowers every Sun- dayâ€"poor Roland’s graveâ€"3’ His voice grew husky, and he coughed once or twice. “And I thank you for: them. There, I there, don’t cry, my dear. I want yOu to} take a. little remembrance from naeâ€"an 9‘. “Squire, are you there '2" she said Stephen Malet Was as much in the gun- room as Sir Roland had been in the study. He came out at her call; a broad, white- whiskered, red-cheeked specimen of an English gentleman, who bore his sixty odd years very lightly, although he stooped a geod deal from rheumatism and walked with a stick. “Miss Denison’s going” said his wife, with a. look at him that. he seemed to understand “You’d like to say good-by to her. wouldn’t you 27” " That I won‘t,” Mrs. Malet answered I sturdily. “ How do I know what Madam would do with it? And Stephen said I might give it you to take to Nina. He was pleased enough at) the notion, I can tell you. And tell her I’ll send the baby some more by-and-by. It isn’t you see, that I want, to be unkind or unfriendly to them; his only that I wants everything fair an’square, and although Sebastian may have his l uncle’s house and lands in the course of} time, stillhe can’t, expect it ifâ€"if there sbguld be any family.” ) Esther was obliged to put the envelope into her pocket, and then she dechred she must go. Mrs. Malet accompanied her vhrough ‘he house to the front dour, and stopped on the way to knock at; the gun- room door. “ And now,” said the Squire's wife, rub- bing her hands on a. towel, “ I’ve made the pane, and Sarah can take these pies away. I've one thing more to say to you, my Clear Tell Nine. to let me be godmother to her next baby. It. shan’t be the worse for it, I promise you. And look here I”-she was fumbling in a capacioue pocket; under her dress and finally drew out an euveloPe. “You take her this, from meâ€"for the little girl. She may be glad of it. Don't lose it; new it into your stays, it’ll be safe there. It‘s fifty pound, and she can take it as a little present from me an’ Stephenâ€" for the baby.” Esther shrank back. “Do-do, dear Mrs. Malet, write to her and send her your kind present by post*or through Mrs. La Touche,”she urged. Esther offered to be her amunueusis, but Mrs. Maleb refused, as she said “to put anything in writing," and the girl was forced to consent to deliver the mesmge. .. [IE "I’ve seen what I‘ve seen, and I know what I know,” said Mrs. Malet. “I know that you and Mr. Sebastian was always pretty friendly. Well now, I want you to in tell him thisâ€"from me. I know that he;in has always expected to be master of Ker- sham Manor some day. He may be yet, there’s no saying. But, of course. iftbere‘s any that’s neuter to the Squire, Sebastian 6 can’t expect to get the house and estate. ‘ ha They must go to the Squire's own family, if there is a. family. But what I want him i to know is that Stephen an’ me don’t, wish 3‘" him to feel unfriendly. If there’s anything { tli we can do for him at any time, we'll do it; ia: but he's got his Uncle Roland’s money, and i I don’t suppose he needs his Uncle Stephen’s too. He‘s got his profession, and I shouldn‘t e think he’s badly off. Stephen's made him 5 an allowance, I believe ; well, that’s to go (ii on for the present. We mayn’t be always able to afford it ; besides, it's ridie’lous‘i’ “ Mrs. Mslet, I cannot say all this toâ€"to a Mr. Sebastian Maiet," said Esther. F "Well, you needn’t say it all. I only E want him to know that I’m friendly dis- posed, and ready to help him to the tune of a few pounds or so,” said Mrs. Malet, scme- id whet sharply. “ If you don’t tell him. no‘ al body else will, for I can’t persuade Stephen :1: to write, and I ain’t agood scribe myself. ch It was for that; reason that I spoke as I did to Madam on Saturday, but she was in such a. rage that she Wouldn't understand. And h,‘ it may be of consequence to Sebastian to , r" know what I’ve said; so I give it you as a. ' gs message, my dear, and Iknow you’ll deliver f& it true.” 1‘ J H6: shrewd eyes had a méaning iu'chem thatfibrought thg color to Esther's face. “Oh, don’t. tell me l” cried Mrs. Malet, in a tone of exasperation. “Don’t, I know Selina Ls Touche’s little ways? My niece wasn’t. cook for nothing in that house, Miss Denison. I see the whole story in her eye when she come to tea. with me on Tuesday, and tells me how kind you are, and how good, and how she’s found a French Mam- zelle as can take your place fora. time so nicely. Quiten sudden thought, isn' it? Why, I know for a. certain fact that she‘s had her eye on that Mamzelle for the last three months, a-tempning her to leave the Cordwells, Where she hasn’t. much pay. Madamâ€"we always call her Madam up of, the farmâ€"Madam offered her five or six pounds more salary, you may depend upon it, and Mamzelle’s going to take it.” Esther felt a. lime pang of humiliation. “'35 her position so freely canvassed in the neighborhood 2 Then it. was indeed time to be gone. It. annoyed her deeply to know that. strangers were discussing her affairs. “I was not meaning to do so.” said Esther, breaking out of her reserve. Mrs. Malet gave her a shrewd look. “You’ve got a. better situation, I lay? Well, never mind; don’v tell me anything about it, then I shan’b know when Madam takes me into her confidence. S‘ndll do that before long, you know. Oh, she's an old cat, she is 1 And if she don’t scratch, it isn’t, her fault.” “I’m afraid I must be going.” said Es- ther, rather alarmed by this vitnpcmtive turn to the conversation. “You need not: say Yes or NJ. ” said Mrs. Malet decisively. “ It may be a. secret with Mrs. La. Touche, but if it is, I put you on your guard. Madam does not intend you to go back." The color rose in Esther’s face. “ The holidays will not; be over when I return. I shall probably go to Miss Meredith’s for a. little time,’ she said rather stiflly. “I shall remember her message: more Clearly by-and-by,” said Escher. ”At : present, everything is so new and beautiful i that I feel A little confused by it. I am not sure whether I am myself an all,or only 1 dreaming of an enchanted land.” “Those Arab servants are maddening,” he said, by way perhaps of excuse for his 11‘- ritubility. “One has to use strong Ian guhag e to ythem or they willdo nothing at all iA you will get used to that in time 1 . . . Thisy is a. fine view, is it not?" Esther turned to look at the glittering lace. and plain, stretched like a panorama. 'below them as they ascended a. piece of irising ground. She could not answer for ravishlneut at the loveliness of the scene , {she drew a long breath and was silent. NINA'S HOME. Esther used some hours of her voyage from England to Algiers in stem cross- examinatiou. With what. feelings, what motives, was she going? Her conscience aquitted her of everything but a. pure desire to help Nina at her need. Her penchant for Sebastian had died a natural death. She could not think of him without pain,without regret. It seemed quite extraordinary to her that she had ever dreamed of being anything but a. friend to him. An air of distinction singled her out from the crowd of waiting passengers who stood upon the deck as the steamer ran into the harbor, and was immediatly surrounded by a flock of boats filled with vociferating Arab boatmen. A gentleman who was on the quay looking nut for her easily recog- nized her tell. strong, graceful figure: he had sent a. boat manned by Englishmen for her and a clerk in charge of the crew, but had the good sense to wait for her himself on shore, where he could welcome her as his wife’s friend should be welcomed, and be ready also to facilitate the passing of her boxes through the custom-house. 1 i The cloud was rather dark upon his ‘ hrow. Something had gone wrong in town, the coachman had disobey ed his directions and was taking the sunniyesb road: he made ' one or two remarks upon his g1 ievances in an angry undertone which brought Esther’s eyes back from the purple distances of the snow-tipped mountains to his handsome, discontented face. The sight of it was again a shock to her. There were the sour I lines at, the corners of his month which be- spoke the disappointed man : there was an habitual line bem‘v‘eeu the fine black brows. Esther felt bewildered. Sebastian Malet was not yet. thirty. She had known him as the fortunate youth, the fairy prince, the ideal lover ; had three or four years sufficed to sum him into a. careworn, dispirited, irritable man? She was shocked at the 1 change. “I do not think that; she is a desi‘guing Woman. She seems to me very straight- forwamd and honest. I have some messages from her no you and Nina. ; but: I will not givethem just now, if you do not mind. Some other bimeâ€"J’ “When I am in a. better temper, do you mean '3" Sebastian asked. “You must for- give me; Illave a headache, and have been bothered by affiirs in town. I bear no malice against Mrs. Stephen Mslet in the very least.” V“ 1 did not think that you would mind so lnqchfl‘ said‘ Estfiez‘ spfbly. Escher felt guilty, remembering the mes- sages with which Mrs. Males had charged her, and the kindliness which that; simple woman had shown to herself. It was with a. considerable effort, that. she mxde response. “ \met is the matter, Esther? Do you expect me to speak very affectionately o my new~ aunt. "” “ I do not mind at all in one sense. It is of little moment to me what. my uncle does ; I am not dependent, on his bounty, thanks to poor Uncle Roland’s care. But I think that Stephen Mulet might have known better than to disgrace his family by marrying a. designing woman of tgab Class. II; is intolerable.” ‘ A shadow dimmed the brightness of the scene for Esther. Again she could not an- swer; his tone jarred on her ear. He glanced at her pained face. Sebastian winced, and ahswered nther stifllyg “ I have had letters,” he said abruptly. “ Pray, how is my new aunt? I remember Martha Pynsent exceedingly well; she used to give me curds and whey and roasted apples when I was a boy. I trust, that she makes herself at home at Kersham Manor ‘1" “You have been a. long time at Kersham. And how is the old place? How are all our friends?” “ You like W?" said Sebastian in a. gen. tler voxce. “Yes. it; is very beautiful. Nina_says it is all too_bArigh_b_.‘” “ I néver saw anything like it. But I have seen so little !” “They are very well. Mr. MaJet told me L9 give his lqvo to your,” Esther saw him from the boat, and asurge of sudden unexpected emocion sent the color to her brow. Yes, he was there to meet her: Sebastianâ€"was it, Sebastian '3 but who else could it. be? Sebastian, whom she had last, seen on his wedding-day? Esther’s mind leaped to one conclusion. Nina was ill. So full was she of this con- viction that, her cheek had turned quite pale before she landed, and her first Words ex- pressed her own alnrm. “ Nina? how is Nina ?” “ She asked the question as he was hand- inz her out. of the boat. He looked at her in some surprise, “Nina? Thank you! she is quite well, only a. little oppressed by the heat, It is very good of you to come to us. You will be 2} yeah consolation to Nina. because I have to be out so much, and shall not be able to escort her to England.” 'An {it from the cr‘ stood upon the harbor, needn't thank me; good-by, give my love to Sebastian and Nina; very much obliged to you for all you have done anal are going to do; good~by, good-by l” Esther’s packet; contained a beautiful little brooch of emeralds set. in gold. She had scant. leiSure to say good-by to her old friends, and Mrs. La. Touche in- sisted on walking with her when she went to see Miss Meredith for the last, time. She was sorry to leave her old friends. sorry to feel that her life would henceforth be dissocieted from the village where she had dwell; so long, and where she had learned the greater part of the 1958mm that; life had taught her yet: but the greatest; wrench of all, the moment, when she felt most sore, most desolate, most alone, came when she turned for the last time from her mother’s grave. nament that you can wear sometimes in memory of Ker-sham, for Martha tells me that she doesn’t, think we shall see you back again in a hurry, eh? No, no, you needn’t thank me; good-by, give my love CHAPTER XXIV her voyage stern cross- elmgs, What 1‘ conscience a. pure desire penchant for death. She pain,without Lorriiuary to W, but nimself rashis “Id be of her Was Nina proud to stoop for her chil- dren’ s sake. " Esther looked at her with a sort of saddened wonder There she sat, prettyâ€"oh, so much prettier and brighter and gayer than Esther ‘vbeloved and honored, secure of home and husband, rich above all in that which makes the wealth of women, children ‘50 sic upon her knees and clnsp their little arms about her neck ; what; more could she desire? Yet she sat there, with chatlittle live warm creature sleeping placidly upon her knee. discontent brooding on her brow, discontent and irri- tation breathing in every accent. of her voice, as she poured forth long stories of her necessities, her grievances, her pri\ anions. Esther sat still, and wondered at what she saw and heard. She remembered one of Sir Roland's half-sad, half-humorous say- ings, once quoted to her by Sebasminnâ€"“ To have one‘s wishes fulfiled is life’s bitterest disappointment." Had Nina. and Sebastian proved its truth: The inevitable question ofa. youm3 mother followed. “ Do you like babies 2" But Nins did not; wait for a reply ; she seldom did. “ We called her Muriel. Don’t, you think it apretty name? She’s a good little thing, scarcely ever cries ; at leasbeo Zephine tells me. Of course I don’t have much to do with her myself. Roland was a dreadful child ; he used to bowl for hours together. 0h, children are a. great bother, I can tell you ; but, baby is rather prettyâ€"for a. baby â€"don't, you think?" “ No. not. at all. You are thinner ; you do not look very strong; but. you have gained in expressionâ€"“ Escher paused, 1201; Me to say all she thought. “ Expression is all nonsense,” said Nina disdainfully, but; not ill-pleased. “ And how are they all at. home? Very well? That's right. You will tell me about them by-and-by. Ab, here comes baby !”â€"and the door opened to admit, a French nurse in elaborate peasant; costume, carrying what seemed to be a mere mass of white draper- ies. w1th & little pink baby face resting on her arm. Behind the nurse came a fine lit- tle fellow of three years oldI dark-skinned and dark-eyed. like his father. Esther looked at her in the new light that poured into the room, and was silent. Nina was still pretty, exquisitely, even painfully pretty, with the beauby of extreme fragility, bordering unon ill‘henlth ; but the fair look of innocent bloom and freshness had passed away. She looked older than her years, and her face was worn and thin, but the delicate features, the lovely eyes and hair, the pretty hands and feet, the winning ways utliese were unchanged, or even more re markable than ever. “ There is a breeze from the sea now,” said Sebmtian quietly. “ I don’t. care ; I won’t have the shutter opened. Go away and leave me to talk to Esther: you forget that I have not seen her for four years. And tell Zephine to bring la. petite to me." “ Yes, that‘s right. Oh, you mean that I wouldn’t lec Sebastian do it. 2 But he is so stupid; I could never have got him to open it enough and not more than enough; He says I sit, 1n the dark too much ; that it makes me law‘spirited. You dearold goose, you look quite grave ! But; how you have kept your youth, Esther I Look at me ; I Am quite an old woman. They used to call me pretty once 1” she said, with a- sound that was half of laughter and half of tears in her bird-like voice. “ Well," Nina. asked at last, half sharp- ly, half nervously, ” what do you think? have} gone off d_r_ead_tl.llly '3" “Yes, We did,” said Sebastian, in rather an :pologeu’c tone. “Selim took it before I noticed, and it. would have been useless to turn back.” SeBast'ian retired with a. shrug of his shoulders. As soon as he was gone, Nina. turned and addressed Esther in a completely altered and very confidential tone._ “ What a. bore men are! My dear just open that shutterâ€"yes, the one that I would not let him touchâ€"and let me see your dear delightful face ! What a. _sweeb matter “ It is rather a pretty view, isn’t it? Good gracious, Sebastian, what are you doing now? Opening the shutter and letting aflood of light into the room! Do shut, it up this moment : oh dear, Eather, aren’t; men stupid creatures? Who wants more light; or heat in this country than one can help, I wonder I But Sebastian protesses to like it 1" gown “ Do you mean me ter. ”” that you didflm It's the hottest “Oh, how stupid of you. I can’t think how it; is that; you do these silly things,” says Nina lightly, but crossly. “Poor Esther ‘. how hot and tired she must be.” ” Not at all," said Esther. “ I enjoyed the drive very much. I never saw such loveiiness before." “ It is rather a pretty view, isn’t it? “You darling!” was Mrs. Sebastian Malet‘a greeting. She was lying on a couch. waving a. fan backward and forward with a quick, petulant motion, which seem- ed likely rather to increase the heat than to lessen it. As Esther’s eyes grew accus- tomed to the light, she smw that Nina. was dressed in loose flowing white draperies, edged everywhere with lace, and that her hair was carelessly knotted behind and tied with a ribbon. The air of dainty lux- uriousness which had always belonged to her was as evident as it had ever been ;but there was 9. touch ofabandon,ofunrestra-int, in her dress and manner and attitude,which Esther did not like. “Excuse my not get- ting up to receive you, dear,” said Nina. “I have not been very strong lately, and the doctor tellq me to lie down every after- noon. Haan‘t it been a hot day? I hope that; you did-nob_come by the lower road. “This way.” he said, pushing aside a richly colored curtain, and leading her past a. screen of curiously carved wood intoa cool, darkened room; “here you will find Nina.” The carriage stopped at; inst before a high, white garden wall. above which the banana-branches Waved like tattered flags. The white villa. with its broad veranda. and shallow stone steps from the garden to the door could only be seen when the gate was opened. Esther was conducted to the front door, although there was a shorter way of entrance to the house by the ver- anda. but Sebastian wished to treat her, on the first day at least, with some show of pnnctilious formality. If he did not do it, he knew that nobody else wouid. The room seemed very dim to Esther, as all the wooden shutters were closed, but a. little familiar cry in Nina’s voice told her where to find her friend. “If {his is the enchanted land, she must he the princess, of it,” Sebastian said to himself. When an lust Nina had taken the visitor ygu‘ve gal; on to open this shut- But what's the Great Britain’ a savings banks have 3, 715, . 000 depositors and $536 000, 000 deposits. The assessed valuation of the property and wealth of Great. Britain is £9,000,000,- 000. Do not lose the present in vain perplexi. ties about the future. If fortune lours to- day. she may smile co-morrow. Little things often change the current 0‘ life. A momen t’a temper has often severed a friendship which might. have lasted r iii. time. An unkind and hasty word hni in} a mark which death seems scarcely to ham erased. The German export and import trade is annually estimated at £367,000,000. The total annual value of the world’s min- erals is estimated at $1,000,000.000. In 1789 the official estimate of the rental of all the houses in France was £74, 000, - 000. The people of the United States have over $350,000,000 invested in church prop- erty. ( The average value of cultivated land in Germany is $105 per acre ; in France $165. ed 11.1 banking is estimated at $15, 985, 000, - 000. The Austroâ€"Ffuugarian Empire has 4,996. 000 houses, of which 2,996,000 are in Am- tria. The house property of Australia. is more valuable comparcd with population than in Europe. He that. does not know those things Which are of use for him to know is but an ignorant man, whatever he may know he- sides. The child’s first experiences remain with him Permanently. The first color, the first mumc, the first. flower, make up the fare- ground of his life. The assessed valuation of Prussia is £3, v 425 000, 000; of the whole empire, £5,681,~ 000, 000. The annual value of hardware manufac- tured in the world is estimated at) 7‘2,815,000,00). The banking capifia-l of the United States is estimated at $5,150 000,000 the greatest in the world. The average cost of rural dwellings in Russia. is estimated at $135. The houses of Rome are valued at $225 per inhabitant ur £14,000.000. Of the houses of Great Britain, 2,700,300 have been built since 1840. The savings banks of Russia have only 50c. to the inhabitant on deposit. Over 41 per cent. of all the property in the Grermm Empire is mortgaged. England has 360,000 shops which pay an annuairentai of £18.990,000. The world annually manufactures $3,200,- 000,000 worth of textile fabric. The rented houses of London annually bring their owners £37,400,000. The rented houses of Great Britain bring in their owners £133,300,000 a year. The house property of Philadelphia Annually increases $30,000,000 in value. The house property of London is annual- ly increased by the sum of £10,000,000. Great Britain is first in ships, the United States being second and France third. Denmark has the greatest amount to the inhabitant in the savings banks, being about $50 to each. The merchant marine of Great Britain is equal in value to that of all the rest of tha world’s ships. The people of Great Britain devote 535,. 803,000, of their wealth every year to the support of their clergy. All the Australian colonies are assessed at £1,500,00),000, most of which in mart. ganged in Great; Britain. In 1720 the world’s commerce was esti. mated at £88.000,000 ; in 1889 it was estiâ€" mated at £3,377,000,000. 000 France is worth, all property considered, £8,000,000,000. The property of Germany is assessed a! £5,500,000,000. All the property of Italy is assessed 3.1 £3,000,000,000. The public buildings of England are valued at, 15240900300. Germany has £231 ,OCO, 000 invested m the banking buSiness. French capital invested in trade is esti- mated at £311,000,000. The British mercantile navy has cost in building £133 ,670, 000. The Italians own 4,420,000 houses c which 650,000 are in the cities and 3,770, 000 are in the country. The world has a large part, of its wealth invested in 325,690 fixed and 107,150 loco- motive engines. at 329205300300. The estimated value of the beer and spirits made in this country and Europe is stated at $2,055,000,000. The bank capital of Great Britain is £910_000,000. The Spanish railroads are \ alued at £94 â€" 000. 000. 0t the Russian city houses, six-seventh: are of wood. In 1885 Great Britain had £52 7 ,000, 000 loaned abroad. Softbeer says that the earnings of the Prussian poeple increased '25 per cent. {ram 187?. to 1885. The annual value of the clothing made in the Unified Stagga and Europe is estimated Some Very Interesting Flzuru a: lo the “'6th of Different countries oflh 'orld. Since the beginnina of the present cen- tury the land ot Great}. Britain has doubled in assessed value. to her room and left. her alone. was haps no wonder thnt Either sbfiuld first of all sit down with her face hidden in. her hands and let the slow tears gather and fall. and gather yet again. _']:ha:t pqytiog of the World’s capital invest- Austria is worth £4.000,000.000. Russia. is valued at £5,000,000,000. The bank capital of France is £268,000,- THE WORLD‘S WEALTH. (TO BE CONTINUED