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She had smiled when she heard of his rapid journeys, his fierce denunciations, his violent invectives, his repeated oaths that no power on earth should take him from his young wife. She had smiled when the earl, whose conscience was more tender than her own, had said over and over again that it was a terrible thing to set aside a marriage, to call a. religious ceremony null and void. He would not have done it himself, but my lady had firm nerves, and a will of iron ; nothing daunted her. She laughed at his persuasions and arguments. She told him that the day would come on which he would thank Heaven that the honor of his name and race had been saved from destruction. My lady was triumphant. Knowing her son was spending his whole time in these journeys, she had requested Mr. Sewcll himself to go to the pretty little villa at Richmond, to see the young wife himself, and tell her the truth about the marriage ; to speak what she was pleased to call plain English to her ; to tell her that in the eyes of the law and of all honest, honorable men she was not his wife ; that every hour she “You can tell her,” said my lady, with ill-concealed contempt, “that next June he will be twenty-one, and then he can please hlmself ; he can remarry her if he will no- body then W111 have the least control over him ; he W111 be his own master and can do as he likes. In all probability," she continued, “the girl Wlll please herself with fanciful ideas about his being true to her ; do not contradict her if she believes itâ€"she will part from him more easily ; but, be- lieve me, my son will never return to herâ€" never !” , Mr. Sewell had tried in vain to escape the interview ; he was neither partic- ularly tender ofheart nor given to sen,- timent, but he shrunk from seeing the 3 oung girl who called herself Lady Chan ios; he shrunk from telling her the truth: but my lady was inexorable; he must do it, and no one else. He was compelled to speak in what my lady called plain English, or she would never have understood him. She could not understand in the least why the fact; of Lord Chandos being under twenty-one should make her marriage null and void; illegal, because contracted without his parents’ consent. She had turned to him with flashing eyes. called herself by his name, or li\'ed under his roof, added to her disgrace and increas- ed her shame. He did it, but until the day of his death b0 never forgot it; he could not bear to think of it, and he never mentioned it. Until the day of his death he was haunted by a. beautiful, passionate face, white with beggible despair. H “Are the lungs of England all framed for the convenience of the rich?” she asked. ' Something of the shock of despair passed from her face as he uttered these words. ’She folded her arms over her breast with Vthe repressed passion of a tragedy queen. “Then I have no fear,” she said. “\Vere the time twice as long, the cruelty twice as great, the law twice as strong he would return to me true and faithful, as he loves me. You can tell his mother than” “I will,” said Mr. Sewell, relieved to see some of the horror fall from her face. She would not discuss her future arrange- ments with him. Lady Lauswell was anxious that she should take a large sum of money and return home. She looked at And, proud as he was of his legal knowl- edge, bhe lawyer had hesitated before the firepf hex: queati9n. “He-did not know it," she s-aid ; “only tell me that, and I shall be happier. He did not know it?” ‘7I shall take some colnfort in that,” she and d,slowly “If he has erred, it has been done in ignorance and innocence. You say that the wrong can be righted next June; that he can marry me then Without the consent of either of his parents. ” “Certainly he can,” replied the law- quencea. “He will exhaust himself with furious words,” she said to herself withaslow Emile. “\Vhen he has done that, all danger will be over." She understood at lastâ€"she saw what Mr. Sewell called the juaLice of Lhe caseâ€"- the n‘easons why such a law was needful, and she knew that she was not the lawful wife of Lancelot, Lord Chandos. She looked into the stern face of her companion 'WitlLeyes filled with awful despair. “No,” said Mr. Sewell; “I am quite sure that Lord Chandos was ignorant of the factâ€"it never occurred to‘him ; If it had done so, he would have deferred his mar- riage until he came of age.” yer. LEONE'S DETERMINATION. Lucia, Counte‘ss of Lanswell, stood alone in the superb drawing-room at Cawdor. It: was evening, one of the warmest and brightest, in September. Nearly three months had passed since the fatal marriage which had grieved and discressed her, and she fondly hoped all her distress was ended. The decree had gone forth that the marriage was mill 5nd void ; was in fact no marriage, Lord Chandos being under age when it, was contracted. She said to herself all was null now. True,her son was in a most furious rage, and he had gnne to consult half the lawyers in London. but she did not care Tor that ; he was sure to rage and rave ; he was a. spoiled child, who never in his life had been contradicted or thwarted. The more angry he was the better : she knew by experience the hotter the fire the more quickly it burns away. Had he been cool, calm,collected and silent she would have dreaded the after conse- LOVE REASONS NOT. CHAPTER XVI ‘ Right? Most certainly she had done right; let weak minds and weak hearts think as they would. The golden sunset, the may clouds, the soft, sweet song of the birds, the fragrance of the thousand bloom- ing flowers, the faint Whisper of the odor- ous wind appealed to her in vain. \Vhat I was a. bleedmg hear: and Weeping eyes to her '3 She would go to to her. A woman merciful to a. woman. and appeal to Lucia, “ MY I)ARLIso,â€"I shall not be able to return home to-day. Ihave some disagree- able business in town, of which I will tell you more anon. I shall be at home for luncheon to-morrow. Believe me, always your loving husband, “ Lance.” She looked at the word “ husband” until the letters seemed to burn like fire. He had signed himself her husband. Ah,then, it was quite plain that he neither believed, or, perhaps, had not even heard, of what had been done. As she stood there with the fading boughs of a spreading tree over her head, the words came to her again and again : She seemed once more to hear the falling of the water. Would the vows made to her be broken? Ah. no ! a. thousand times no I “I \VOULD RATHER SEE MY SON DEAD.” The countess stood alone in the drawing- room. The sun was setting over the trees in the park, and the warm glow filled the beautiful room with rosy lightâ€"a light that fell on cosLly pictures, on marble statues, on huh] and jasper, on silver and gold, on mirrors and flowers, whose fru- grance was dellcious even to breathe, but; it, fell on my lady’s proud face and figure as though it. hked best to linger there. The white lips closed firmly, no other sound came from them, but Mn Sewell looked back as he closed the door, and she lay then with her face on the floor. He did notgo to her ; he thought it was better to leave her alone. He said to himself, as he qultted the house, that not for all the wealth of the Lauswells would he pass through another such scene. As she stood there panting for breath, one of the servants came to her, holding a. letter in her hand. Leone opened in. The few hastily-written lines were from her husband. They said, simply. The dressing bell had not rung, and she, waiting for it, had fallen into a reverie. She was sure she had done right, yet, with- out doubt, the girl would feel it keenly. What matter? “Women must weep,” it was part of their lives. Whoever paused or cared for a. woman’s tears 2‘ Women had wept and would weep again. She looked round on the superb home where she reigned mistress,a.nd laughed with scorn as she tried to picture the farmer's neice queen of these ancient walls. “Tell me,” she said, gently, “has this been done by Lady Lanswell’s desire more than by the earl’s '3” “ Yes, I believe it is so,” he said. Leone conLinued : . “If the countess relented now, and gave her consent, could we be legally married an once?” “If the earl and countess consent you could be remarried to-day. Nothing is wanted but their permission.” “Thank you,” she said gently. Then with pathos and dignity that. touched lnm greatly she held out her hand to him. “ I do not blame you for the message you hmve brought,” she said; “ the fault lies with Lady Lunswell and the English law, not with you. You have fulfilled your mission as kindly as you could. I forgive you what you have done and what you have said." The hour came in which she raised her face once again to the sunlight, and tried to realize what had happened. She had risen that morning the happiest girl in all England, her' only anxiety being to make herself more beautiful than ever in her husband‘s eyes. The morning itself was not more fresh and fair; everything had been coulenr de ruse. Her husband, as she believed him, thought so little of the quarrel with his par- ents that she had imbibed his careless, happy ideas about it. There was no cloud in her sky, no doubt in her heart; now her heart was full of despair. She looked at the blue September sky, and asked herself if it were possible to realize what had hap- pened. She was dazed, stunned, as though some one had struck her a violent blow. She went out; of the pretty drawingsroom Where she had heard what seemed to her her death warrant. She opened her white lips to breathe the pure,fresh air of heaven. him with the dignity of an quee_n.> She tried hardâ€"and she was a woman of wonderful resourceâ€"she tried hard to keep her dignity, not to fail or falter before him, the cold emissary of that cruel mother; but unutterable woe looked out of her eyes at him, her white face had on it the passwn of despair, her voice the ring of anguish, the small white hands on which the wed- ding-ring shone, trembled like leaves stirred in the summer wind; the very npression of her passionate despair made it seem more terrible. He clearly explained tolher her position at last, she must consent to an immediate separation from Lord Chandos; she must give up his name, leave the shelter of his roof, or men and women, too, would brand her with the scarlet: letterâ€"would look on her as one lost and dead to all sense of honor. “You will see for yourself," added the lawyer, “that the wisest: and best plan is for you to go away at onceâ€"this very day evenâ€"then you will stand a better chance when next; June comes. Even one more day spent: under this roof would be fatal to your character and reputation. You musfi go at once.” Onca more she raised her despairing eyes to him. Her voice trembled as though it were all tears. A “Before Heaven, and in my own eyes, Lord Chandos is my husband," she said, with calm dignity; “and with him only willI discuss my future. You can tell his mother that also. No other creature living shall interfere with my fate or destiny.” et she was but a. woman; an “Those vows were all forgotten The ring asunder broke.“ would go to his mother and appeal A woman must. of course, be 11 to a. woman. She would go herself peal to Lucia, Countess of Lanswell. CHAPTER XVII outraged :1 these 1&5 a houri, who walked up to serene and queenly calm, sayin “ Lady Lunswell. I am your The countessftaken so enti I prise, looked long and keenl , beautifu1_ faceâ€"looked at the eyeu, so full of fire and pass lovely, imperial mouth, and th so full of tragedy and beauty lovely. imperial mouth, and the Whole face so full of tragedy and beauty ;t|1en in a clear, distinct voice, she answered : “ My son has no wife.” Leone drew the glove from her left; hand, holding it before my lady’s eyes. “Will you look at . my wedding-ring ‘2” she asked. “I see a. ring,” she said, “but not a. wed- ding-ring. There can be no wedding-ring where there is no marriage.” “Doyou believe that marriages are known in Heaven '3” Leone asked. “Do you be- lieve that if a marriage had been contracted in the presence of Heaven witnessed by the angels, do you suppose that a. mere legal quibble can set it aside ‘2" - “You choose your arguments badly," said the countess. “If you appeal to Heaven, so can I. One of the greatest command- ments given from there says, ‘Children. obey your parents.’ My son is commanded by a. divine voice to obey me, and I forbid him to marry until he is of age.” “You are mistaken : not only the power is mine, but, I have used it. The foolish ceremony you choose to call your marriage is already set aside.” “ You know that in your heart you can- not believe it. You cannot think it," she cried. “ You know that Iam your son’s Wife. You have brought the great strong arm of the law upon me. You have taken from me my husband’s name. Yet neither you, nor any human power can make me less his wife. He married me,” she con- tinued, her eyes flushing, her face flushing, “ he married me before God. and Isay that you cannot undo that marriage. I defy you.” A scornful smile played round my lips._ "You haSVe not the po‘verl" cried Leone. . Leone 'drew one step nearer to her with flashing eyes. “I should suppose,” she said, “that you will require some provision made for you, now that. you are leaving my son ‘3” It was with difficulty that Leone con- trolled herself. Her whole frame trembled with indignation. Then the color receded from her face and lefL her white, silent, and motionless. “I have been too hard,” thought the countess, “no one can antler beyond her strength.” She motioned the girl to take a. chair, sitting down herself for the first Lime since the interview began. There was no feeling of pity in her heart, but she felt there were certain things to be said, and the best way would be to say them and have it all “True, I could not undo it, but the law can and has done so. Half-educated young ladies, who wish to make such grand mar- riages, should have common sense first. No youth under age, like my son, can legally marry without the consent of his parents.” The flush faded from the beautiful face, and gave place to a white horror. Leone looked at the countess. “ Pray believe that I never troubled my- self in the least to think of your motive,” said my lady. “ I loved him, Lady Lanswell, you could never know How much. You are proud and haughty :you love a. hundred things. I loved but him. I love him with my whole heart and soul. If he had been a. peasant, instead of an earl, being what he is,_I should have loved him just the same.” Lady Lanswell’s face aurkened with scorn. “I am willing to listen to anything you may wish to say, but I beg of you to leave all such nonsense as love out of the discus- sion. xou have probably come to see me because you Want money. Let us come to thpoinb up once.” Tfie pride that flushed the beautiful face of the girl startled the haughty patrician who stdod before her. OVBX‘ Leone did not obey. She stood silent fo r a few minutes. Then she said, slmply: “ I would never take money from you, Laidy Lauswell, not even if I were dying of “ You do not surely think that I married your snn for any other reason except that I loved him ‘3” she cried. “Money,” cried Leone, “I have never thought of money. 1 do not understand. Why should I want money from you?" To do her justice the Countess shrunk from the words. prise, lookt beautiful fa sweet voices of nature could not leave her quite unsoftened. She wondered where Lance Was. She remembered him a. fair haired, laughing, defiant boy, playing there under the trees when the red light fell. She started suddenly when one of her well- trained footmnn opened the door, and said a lady wished to see her The countess looked at him in haughty vexation. “ Why do you bring a. message so vague? Isae no lady Whoghes neither card nor name.” herself said you do not know her, but that her hufiiness was mosr, important.” “ You must say that I decline to see any one who gives neither name or card,” said the Countess. Then, seeing the man look both anxious and undecided, she added, sharply: “ Is it a. lady ‘2" , He looked greatly relieved. “ la is, my lady.” She is young and beautiful, he would have added, if he had dared. “ You would surely be able to discrimin- ate between a lady andâ€"a person of any other description ‘3” said the Countess. The man bowed. “The lady wishes me to add that her business was of the greatest importance, and that she had traveled so ne distance to see you.” “ Show her in here," said the countess. The red light of the setting sun had moved then, and fell over her in great gleams on her dark velvet dress, on her exquisite point lace, and fine, costly gems. She looked regslly proud, haughty, and unbendiug â€"the type (if an English aristo. crntic matron. true to her class, true to her order, intolerant of any other. As she stood in the heart of the rosy light the door opened, and this time the countess of Lans- woll was startled out of her calm. There entered the most beautiful girl she had ever beheldâ€"tall, slender, graceful, ex- quisitely dressed, moving with the most perfect grace and harmony; her face like some grand passionate poemâ€"a girl lovely as a houri, who walked up to her With 9. serene and queenly calm, saying : “ Lady Lanswell. I am your son’s wife." The countess, taken so entirely by sur- prise. looked long and keenly into that “I beg pardon, my lady.” 5 humbly. “I did not. forget herself said you do not know ‘ her bufiiness was most, importz asswn -a the Whol aid the man, . The lady 1er, but that, at the lady ’ S )ri “ Hush,” she said. “ Neithex pleading nor prayers will avail with me. I speak the simple truth when I say that I would rather see my son dead than see you his wife.” most arrant nonsense." But; Leone this time would not; be con- trolled. All the passion and love within her seemed to find vent; in the next few Words. They might have burned the lips which uttered them,but they fell unheeded on the ears of the proudest, woman in Eng- land. Striking Scenes at The Montreal Railway Stations. Chinamen of all sorts and sizes were to be seen at the railway stations at Montreal the other morning. A special train from New York arrived in the Bonaventure station about 8' o’clock with one hundred and ninety-two Chinese bound for China. In a. large number of buses and Waggons they proceeded to the Windsor station where they boarded a. ‘special’. consisting of a. baggage car, four colonist sleepers and a. dining car. Here they settled. They pulled down the upper berths and loaded them with hand baggage. Then they set about getting breakfast, each group bring- ing forward a miscellaneous assortment of tinware, all bright and shining. The sta- tion was overrun with Celestials carry- ing tespots and looking or enquiring for hot water. \Vhen this was obtained tea was made, and amid much hilarity and something that sounded like snatches of song, cold chicken, cakes, bread and his- cnits appeared. Fruit was also plentiful and in fact the strange lookingbaskets and bundles seemed to contain every delicacy and utensil necessary to a good repast. When one had cleaned oil" a. ‘drum stick’ he simply threw it out upon the platform, where cores and scraps readily accumulat- The Chinese were of all types and sizes, from a. tall fat man in aquilted pea-jacket to a. dapper little man about fun: feet high dressed 1n the latest and neatest Ameri- can garments with a pair of kid gloves sticking out of his pocket. It is doubtful if these was one who did not carry an um- brella. The passionate torrent of words stopped for one minute ;tears streamed down the beautiful upraised face ; then she went. on . “I would do all that. you wished me would try hard to improve myself I we work so hard and work so Well that no would even guess, ever so faintly, the belonged to a. difierenb class. I would would even guess, ever so faintly, than I belonged to a. difierenb class. I would be the most devoted of daughters to you ; I would live only to please you Iâ€"â€"-” The Countess held up her hand with a. warning gesture. “ Hush !”she said; “ you are talking the most. arrant nonsense." ' The conductor cf the train carried a. minute description of each of his passen- gers with a. custom certificate attached. Protruding teeth; moles, scars, and other distinguishing spots were set down with a. merciless disregard of sensitive feelings. But that is what it is to be a. travelling Chinaman. Although many of the Chinamen were armed, they claimed that they were not going to take partin the war: simpiy going to spend the Chinese New Year at home. This holiday begins on the first of February and lasts for ninety-seven days during which time there will be much feasting and merryrnaking. ’Tis then these hard-working people will rest from their labors and cast- ing aside all care, give freedom to thOSe spirits which are so carefully concealed in workaday America. ’Tia then they will indulge in the eating of sweetmeats, the lighting of Chinese lanterns.and in all kinds of gamesâ€"will visit and make present. ’Tis then they will forget to be anything but happy, and then, when the ninety- seven days are OVer they will return to America and work. For s< van days during the New Year, every buslllk‘a‘ place in the Chinese cities kept by Chinese is closed. t was noticed that the amount of hand baggage was extraordinarily large. Bun- dles and baskets of all shapes and sizes were stowed into every possible corner and blocked up the aisles. Alongside the baggage car were a lot of curious trunks. Anything, from a. tea. chest or a. sheet to a. handsome ‘Ssmtoga.’ could be seen. One of the addresses noticed was : ‘Wong How, Canton Bap. Mission, Canton.’ Lady Lanswell interrupted her with a. superb gesture of scorn. “ I could not. possibly like or dislike you,” she said; “ you are less than nothing to me. It was natural that I should think you came to me for money. Ifthat be not your object. may I ask what it is ‘3” “Yes ; 1 will tell you I thought, as you were a. woman, I might appeal to you.” My lady smiled haughtily. “You are the first that has ever ven- tured to address me as awoman. \Vhat appeal do you want to make to me ?” The passion of despair seemed to die away' from her. A great calm came over her. She went up to Lady Lnnswell, and knelt at her feet. The countess would have given much for the power of moving away, but there was that in the beautiful, color- less face raised to hers which compelled her to listen. hunger. You do not like me; you are cruel to me.” “I humble myself to you,” pleaded the sweet. voice. “I pray of you, who are so great, so powerful, so mighty, to have pity upon your son and upon me. One word from you will go so far : you can undo all that. has been done. It you will give your consent, all will be well. ” Lady Lnnswall looked at, her in silent wonder. Leone went on 2 “I plead to you, I pray to you because I love him so. In my heart: I am as proud As you, may be prouder; but I lay my pride under your feet, I humble myself. I pray of you to take pity upon your son,nnd myaelf. 1 love him so well.lieloves me too. Life would hold nothing for either of us if we were parted. For the sake of all the love you have ever felt; for husband, father, brother, sonâ€"tor God’s sake, I pray you to take pity on us, and do not, separate us.” 'G THROUGH THE CAP GOING BACK TO CHINA THE CHINESE NFJV YEAR. (TO BE CONTINUED ) no one than I would camped out on an island near French'River, and that they were armed with rifles and were coming to the town to do him up. He then thought it was time to obtain assxst- unce, and he came on to Toronto to as- the Attorney,-Genera.l’s department to detail some good men to return with him to aid in stamping the desperadoes out. He will go back to French River as soon as the necessary aid is granted him. Anszefore the stranger had recovered from her embarrassment, the Archduchess Valerie and her small daughter were gone A The other lady laughed.but returned no answer, and the fair Roumaniau continped boasting until at lost her hearer said mildlyâ€"“I also have to play hostess occasionally. My father,the Emperor, favors us from time to time with a. visit, and the Empress often comes to see her grandchildren, as well as many other members of the Imperial Family; but all the same,l have invaria. bly leisure in the morning hours to do embroidery for my little girl.” A Complex Currency. )Vithin the British empire the following systems of currency are now in use .- l. The British gold standard (£ 5. p.) in the British Islands. the Australian colonies, New Zealand, South Africa and a number f small scattered colonies. 2. Foreign gold standards ; Canada and many West lndia islands using the United States gold dollar ;Gibraltar, Spanish gold and silver; Cyprus, French and Turkish gold and silver ; and Newfoundland a gold standard of its OWn, the double dollar. 3. Modifica- tions of the silver dollar ; the Mexican dollar being current in Hong Kong and the Straits settlements, the Guatemalan dollar in Honiluras,and French silver on the west coast of Africa. 4. The rupee in India, Ceylon, and Mauritius. It is proposed in tho Asiatic Quarterly to do away with this confusion by adopting as common unit for all these currencies the British silver double. florin, which is very nearly the equivalent of the silver dollar of the United States and of Central and South America, of the French five franc piece, of two rupees, and of half the Newfoundland double dollar ; and to adopt the familiar term dollar as the name of the coin instead oi florin. said, in speaking of the allair, “ Bill, the eldest, who was shot, and George, Frank, Edward, Bunny and John, all big strapping men. who have committed all kinds of de- predntions and have been the terror of the neighborhood for years. They came origi- nally from Penetanguishene, and were driven out of that town. Over twenty-four warrants are out against them, among them one for stealing nets at Midland and an- other for robbing the lighthouse at Parry Sound. They came to French River on the day of the local election. got drunk and raised Cain generally. They were arrested and were fined S10 and costs each. Then they went away from the place and did not return until September 7th, the day of the tragedy. They first went to the Queen’s hotel and were creating trouble there. I warned them that they had better go away, and they appeared to be willing enough to comply with my orders, for I saw them get into their boat to leave. A short time afterwards I heard a row going on at the Charlevoix hotel. and I went up and found the gang there. They saw me enter, and as I stepped towards them, one pfthem made use of an epithet and grabbed me. The other three also came at me and en- deavored to throw me. I struggled for a. time, and I saw’that they were trying to get me intoa dark place. I realized my danger and drew my revolver, threatening three times to shoot if they did not let me go. Bill tried to knock the revolver out of my hand, and struck me a blow on the wrist. My finger was on the trigger and the revolver \gent off, the bullet going through his forehead. “ W hen the dead man was searched a. dirk, 14 inches, long, was found in his possession. A coroner’s jury tried the case and acquitted me of all blame.” Mr. McCrae stated that a couple of day ,- ago he was informed that the gang were At, thisha. shade of scorn came onEbe ques- tonet’sfnce, and she said, with ill-concealed. contemptâ€"“Thanh only possible with a very small household. People like myself, who hme so many visitors and move in the best society,have no time for such middle-class pleasures.” A Snob Snubbed. A funny little story, with a. moral, comes from Ischl. Not long ago,a. lady,who had just arrived from Roumania, took a. stroll to Sofiens Doppel Blick,a celebrated point of view. There she met a young married lady accompanied by her little girl. The smart. rather overdrcssed stranger was much struck with the child’s frock, which was exquisitely embroidered with forget- me-nots,and advancing, calmly asked the youthful mother where the garment was bought. “I embroider all her frocks myself; it gives me such pleasure,” was the smiling answer. Mrs. Blinks (at a. boarding«house)â€"- Hark ! I heara strange kind of scratching under the bed.” Mr. Blinksâ€"“Hum ! So do I. Strike 3. light and I’ll see whether it is the cat: or a bug.” Proud Motherâ€"“Little Dick is the most ingenious boy. He’ll be a. great; inventor.” Practical Fatherâ€"“if he has a. bent fox experimenting I‘ll make a doctor of him. A doctor gets paid for his experiments; an in‘ ventor doesn’t.” The Dolornvc “‘nnts Aceluanre in Stamp In: out line I’m-null Gang. Duncan McCrae, the Ontario Gowrnment detective, who, on September 7th last, shot: and killed William Perault at French River, arrived in Toronto the other day. “There were 51x Perault brothers,” he said, in speaking of the afi'air. “ Bill. the for rain.” ting ‘hurch A Nocturnal Doubt Buv HE WANTS HELP. Sure of a Living The Real Test xerâ€"“ “What is {a