The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

"You need not promxse too much, my dear." was the smiling reply; “but you Irle a good: B‘ll‘l. Evavfin‘d I find [I was «of. mistaken in you; and now you “Yes; I w111 sâ€"wear that never under any circumstances will I be his wife, 1131 you like." was the passionate re- 9 Y; "You swear to me that you will nev- ar murrv my son without my consent ? ' asked Mrs. Westbrook, her eyes flash- ing with_ trigmph. “I give you the promise you require; you blame a right to exact' rt, for I owe all that I am! to you. But 1 must go away; I must not see Ernest agaxn till I have conquered myself and for- gotten him." Eva rose also. Her face was white as the nightgown she wore; her large dark eyes seemed bigger and more mournful than was there wont but there were no tears in them: and she said resolutely but with strong emo- tionzv “Everything but What I ask; I have been a fool for my pains. I have nur- ture-d a serpent in my breast, and it takes the first opportunity of stinging me. Upon my word, you have played your cards well Eva Randolph; but I shall not condiesoend to reproach you if you have no more dignity of charac- ter, no more Self-respect than to live for years upon my bounty and then try to entangle my son into a marriage that will be an outrage to me, and in every sense of the word, a wrong to him, than anything I can say against it would he in' vain." 'Aud Mrs. Westbrook rose to her feet with an air of injured virtue and digâ€" nity and moved a step or two toward' the door. ‘Eqr reply Eva flung herself upon her knees, moaning pitifully, as she pleaded: "Don’t make me swear that; have mercy upon may forâ€"forâ€"I love hlm.” Shé hfd her flace as though she had pleaded guilty to some dreadful crime and even Mrs. \Vestbrook's worldl 5' heart was slightly touched by the poor myidan’g dgepr humiliation. "Iâ€"â€"I will go away; 1 will hide from Him; I will try to forget him.” sobbed the gufl, painfuyy. "A'ndVybu will_ swear that you will never marry him withOut my con- sent Z" asked Mrs. Westbrook, stern- 1y. But she héd her and to gam, she had her son to save and she replled mpgnfullx gmd_ blueglyr: But.Eva’s facemad suddenly flushed hOLly; she covered her burning cheeks with her hands, and she made ‘no an- swer to the woman who looked down 89001qu and_ so keenly upon her. "Well?" asked Mrs. “'eétbrook after a time. "All the more easy for you to give me lthus promise," interrupted the mother promptly; "if he has never spoken of love and you do noL love him the assurance can cost you no pain, and can be no: sqfirifice.” “Yourâ€"Sim Ernest '5” and the glrl seemed to shudder w1th emotion and surprise. “He. never Spoke to me; fileâ€"H "You can swear to me that if my son evxer asks you to be his wile you will refuse him," was the coldly-delib- erate reply. 'IYou frighten me," saidâ€"Eva, while her faoe became pale with agitation. "\Vhat have I done? What can I do '5‘" “Yes; very kind, indeed,” was the grateful reply; "but for you I might have been helpless and ignorant. I owe all that I am,, and all that I ever may be, to you, Mrs. Westbrook. If I never speak of gratitude it is not because I do not feel it; but because words are too weak to express my deep sense of what I owe to your kind- ness." "And would you really do anything in your power, Eva, to prove your gratitude to me?” asked 'the lady gently. “I will put you to the test." replied the elder woman, siowly. “You. have it in your power .to make me very happy or intensely miserable; to make me love you or to make me curse the day on which I first saw, your face." All this was very kind, or it would have 'been so had the action [been prompted by good will. In very truth, however, Mrs. Westbrook was afraid to lose sight of Eva for a single instant. If once Ernest proposed to the girl and was accepted, her own objections would go for nothlng, and she sternly resolved that all she could do should be dsorne to avert such a sequel to .her own unwise conduct in holding out a helping hand to this poor girl. {All through that night Mrs. Westbrook (watched by poor Eva's side, while she slept heavily and dreamlessly, and when the first streaks of; morning made their way into the chamber, and the sleeper opened her eyes, Mrs. Westbrook hardened her heart to the selfâ€"imposed bask she‘had undertaheh. The girl raised herself on her pil- lows, passed her hands over her face, and than, feeling more thoroughly awake, she asked: "Yes; What is it ?" "I have been kind to you, have I not, Eva '9” “Tfy me," she answered; "put me to the teat.” '"I wish ymf i'ould rouse yourself,” wag the next remark, “I want to talk WEPHSIX with you? Mrs. Westbrook superintended all the efforts made for recovery, and she shut herself in the same room with the girl, and did not even go to speak to her own son when. he sent. to Inquire into the condition of the fair' pati- "Eva: ai‘é ivou awake 2” she asked, genfly. â€" "Yégs, I think I am," was the drows- ily pttgrred reply. Eva was not dead, she was not even injured beyond the effect of the shock, Ind the complete drenching which she had received from the turious down~ po_u_r of rain._ CHAPTER. VIII. Shc Would Be a Lady '7Iie ‘Ioves me!" waa; the glad cry of her heart. “He loves me. They can never take that assurance from me. V She opens it at last, and reads the fervid words addressed to her, ana then she feels like one whose heart is so, full of love and thankfulness that now in the hour of her triumph she would like to die. But death does not come. Instead of the sleep of oblivion that she longs for. comes the slow hwt cold awakenâ€" ing. ' ' How her heart beat, fast and pain- fiully.‘ and then seemed. to stand quite still; how she became hot and cold by turns, and how her head swam, and she nearly fainted with emqtion, I need not tell. But she recovered slightly, after a time. 'The letter was still unopened; it might: contain some mere friendly message; it might even be reproachli‘uzlH but in any case it was passing strange that he should Write. And so she sat and pondered, afraid, a-nfid yet longing to break the seal. Yes, there w'as fine, and it came from Barbara Longford. Bu't m it was in- closed another missive, and a glance at the handwriting told Eva from whom it came, But the letter was semled and post- ed, and after a long journey and much delay it reached Eva’s hand. In the meanwhile Eva traveled with her companion, with whom it must he confessed she had little or no sym- pathy, from one Continental city to another, visiting 53.11 the museums and picture galleries and studios; but to her preoccupied mind they seemed very much alike, and she took’far less pleasure in them than she had antiâ€" cip-aLEd. At length they arrived at Rome. and Eva went to: the postâ€"office to ask if there were any letters for her. He put his heart into the page, but he was dissatisfied with the letter when it was written. It seemed so cold and formal. and he felt that whole volumes of written words were less powerful to evoke responsive love than would be one touch of a hand, or one glance full of meaning into loved eyes that were able to read that meaning. ‘ He told her that he loved her; that his love was not the sudden passion of an“ hour, but a feeling that had been growing for years. Her noble character had first compelled his es- teem he wrote, and her sweet disposi- tion and beautv had won his love, and now he asked her if she could return his affection and if she would be his wife. So he decided upon the latter course and he wrote such a letter as only a. true,. generousâ€"hearted man could write, and one that any pure woman might be proud to receive. At one moment a wild notion of fol- lowing here to the Eternal City and there pleading the love with which his {neart was filled, occurred to him, but he, soon dismissed that idea, and though he was not clever as" a letten writer, and had but little faith in the sue)- cess of an offer sent by post he was compelled to make his choice between waiting until Eva should return and appealing at once to her on paper. cw,x ~. After thls he took his leave. He felt hurt and perplexed; he saw his mother's hand in the girl's sudden flight, but how to thwart his parent and how to bring Eva back he did not know. " No ; but; we are to write to the post- office at Rome as soon as we hear fromi her the probable date of her arâ€" rival there," was the reply; “and if you or your mother wish to write to her, and fwill send the letter here, we will forward it.” She had suddenly announced her in- telntion of going abroad with a mar- ried lady, who was likewise an artist, and Barbara. declared herself hurt and indignant to think that Eva would not be in England to be p‘rwentx at her ap- proaching marriage. \Vith this object in View, he went up to London a few days after Eva had left the Grange, but when he] called at the house in Gower street he was informed that Miss Randolph was gone to Rome. In some agitation he asked to see Mrs. Longford or Barbara. Both la- dies were at home, and both received him cordially. But neither of them could tell him much about the girl he sought. “I suppose she left you an address to which her letters are to be for- warded ?" asked Ernest, as he rose to take his leave. “You shall not see him, but you canâ€" not go now. Get into bed; leave it all to me. I will send Ernest out of the way in the course of the morning, and you can start for town with Bar- bara, as arranged; them you will give rise to no curiosity; our compact must be a secret between us." And so saying, Mrs. Westbrook, half by force, and half by persuasion; in- duced Eva to return to bed. a The scheming mother managed everything as she had said she would. Ernest went away to keep an appoint- ment about the purchase of, some land in the neighborhood. believing that Eva was still too unwell to leave her room. But as soon as he was out of the way the carriage was brought round, the two girls and their hostess entered 1t, and Mrs. \Vesfhrook, when she returned to the Grange, had the satisfaction of feeling that she’had re- moved a great temptation out of the way of her son. it Was his mother's'vvzork, ind he smilâ€" ed mischievously when he thought how soon he would outwit her. ‘ When Ernest returned home he was surprised and annoyed to find that Eva had gone away without his seeing her; but he strongly suspected that had better go back to bed and sleep awhile.” ‘ “I cannot do that," was the dejected reply. "I must go and hide myself; I must start for London at once. I must never see Ernest ngaln." “And that reminds me, dear," the‘ writer went on, "that Mr. Churchi wants you' to sign some paper. I‘ don’t know what it is; but don’t do it if‘ you don’t like, my dear, only write; and tell me if you get ’the lace safe-i ly, and remember there’s always 35 holne with us when you want one." Over and over again Eva read this‘ odd epistle; then she glanced at the lace. It was not a piece of rare old} lace, and certainly could not have beâ€"i‘ longed to Eva’s mother. What could? be the meaning of it? What paperf could they want her to sugn, and why; were they so anxious that she shouldl The letter began by remarking that, as it was Eva's birthday, she thought she would writé and send her the inâ€" closed piece. of lace, which had belong- ed t9 the first Mrs. Randolph. Something in the handkvriting art the address sgemed be: be familiar to her she laughs bitterly; [or what can at once. It was actually from her stepmother, Mrs. Church, who, by some means or other, had always keep herself acquainted with Eva’s move- ments: though never till now had she given hart he least reason to sup- pose that she or her husband knew or cared what had become of her Succeeeding these meditations comes this sudden resolve to employ a soliciâ€" tor, to ascertain whether her father was possessed of any property when he died; and,; if so, what had become of it. ' Acting on \tLhe impuulse (If the mo- ment, she dressed herself for walking, and was just abkxum to leave the house wgen a latte!- wa brought to! her. Suddenly, about a fortnight after her return to England. she remembers onee morning that it is her birthday â€"her twentyâ€"first bixjthdlay. She is of age! And as the thougth occurs to her she laughs bitterly; for what can it matter to any one but herself how odd she may be? In all these years she has never heard from hen stepmother, Mrs. Church. or receivéd any help from her or from her husband. More than once it has occurred) to Eva to make in- quiries about the affairs of her late father. but various causes have made he; defer doing so. Ernest Westbrook.’ evidently regardâ€" ed- her decision as final, and she told herself that it was so, and yet she could not rest. She worked hard. and she did all she could to drown thought and memory in labor, and she made pleasant acquintanees; but though she endeavored to reconcile herself to the idea of taking up her residence in Italy for a few years. she could not do so. So once more we see her in her old moms, glad to be with friends, and trying hard, and with some spooess, to treasure her love, and yet keep it from wownding her. A feeling of home-sickness. which she struggled again-st, but which she could not overcome, took possesslon of her, and at length she yielded to it and turned her face homerward. The Longfprds were delighted to have her back with them. for they had almost learned to regard her as a Pembea‘ of their own family. “I am very grateful for the high compliment you pay me," she wrote, "but I shall never marry; thereflore, you will perceive that I must say 'No to your question, though I hope alâ€" ways to regard yow and your mother as my kindest and dearest friends." This letter she posts-d herself, and than the days and weeks rolled on, and. no second appeal came in answer to her rejection. Some days elapsed before she felt strong enough to put the proffered cup of happiness definiter aside, be- fore she couid nerve herself to accom- plish the sacrifice which she had sworn to make. When she did take up her pen, however, with her own hand to seal her own fate, her letter was as decisive as Mrs. \Vesibrook herself could have desired. i'Toi a man, subh a sentiment would have been impossible, bu’h a wctman of Eva s temperament this state of feelâ€" ing was by nq means unnaturalv. {Her pride and her heart were satisfied, and Lhnlugh the sweet; end of love m’ght never be hers, she ‘ tholught with a sad smiLe that thdusands of women as pure and as gifted as herself were compelled by fate to live their lives alone. But» the life of an old maid had no terrors for Eva Randolph; and one thing she knew beyond: all shadow of dz'olu'btâ€"she would certainly die un- married if she omu‘ldn not be Ernest West‘bnook 5: wife. even thotugh they take him. And I shall spend the rest at my days in peace and contentment with the ‘know- ledge that he loves me, and that he once thought me wm'thy to‘become 1115 wife." And. oddly enough, this conviction gal/e her peace and co‘mfm‘b. Gods of English Kile) WHERE THE WAR CLOUD LIES. WHIP aqua.» The military Chieftains who have pretended to be more important per- ‘ sonages than ministers responsible for ithe government of France, have been ineglecting their own work and play- ;ing a game of intrigue. They are not ggreut soldiers, but political generals ‘with secret ambitions. Their littlenesa has found them out. Militarism under favoring condi- tions breeds intriguers. It exhausts the resources of nations without securâ€" ing them against the evils and hor- rors of war, or adequately safeguard- ing their interests. Yet he testified in the Dreyfus trial that during his term of office France was not prepared to undertake agreat war when a campaign seemed almost unavoidable. This was a confession that he had failed as an organizer. and did not deserve the great reputa- tion cheaply won by his silence and pretentious air. The nation had pro- vided money; and men lavishly. He had full authority over military policy; yet he himself being the witness, France was not in condition for war. Whenfhe was Minister of War he considered it unnecessary to consult either the president or the premier on any question relating to the army. If he had been a. dictator, his power, could hardly have been more abso- lute over the military service. He has had the reputation of being a great, silent soldier, who knew all the details of the service and was com- petent to conduct a great war in the most scientific way. He had the self- conscious air of a man who knew a great deal more than anybody else, and had no leisure for idle talk. In reality he has been an ambitious pol- itician, who aspired to the presidency and surrounded himself with flatter- ers and wireâ€"pullers. General Meroier has been, during reâ€" cent years, the most powerful of the military ma‘rftinets who have overawed the French ' Legislature. Ministers have taken. their orders from him; pre- sidents‘ have been jealous of his au- Sthority. Those of France Are a Disgrace to line French Nation. The French staff has thoroughly discredited militarism by its treach- exy and dishonor in the Dreyfus trial. The generals have completed the work begun by intriguers and forgers. Should she accept the Invitation was the next consideration. Pride said “No,” but love said “Yes,” and the conflict in the girl’s breast W” a long and trying one; so long, indeed, that evening came before she had de- cided whether she would go or not. She was still sitting in her own room debating the matter with herself, quite unconscious of the flight of time, when a second and far more earnest appeal arrived from Mrs. Westbrook and this turned the scale of victory in love‘s favor, and Pride spread his Evings and fled vanquished from the ield. This letter utterly bewildered the girl. Did Mrys. Westbrook want her to marriy Ernest? No; that could not be. Was he married? But again her reason answered “No,” for there was no mention of anyone but them- selves. ” My Dear Eva,” it ran, “I know it is your birthday. and I want you to some and‘ dine with us, and Ernest will take us to a theatre to-night. We have secured a box. You must come. The BIT mise Ionce exacted I give you back, so consider yourself a free agent â€"but come. Aupvv; . " Don’t answer it, and don’t sign anything,” was Mr. Garrett’s advice. " Leave the matter in our hands and We will soon unravel the mystery.” Eva acquiesced and returned home, but the surprises of the day were not yet over. 7 A letter from Mrs. Westbrook await- ed her. write to them? She could ask the quastions, but she could not answer them, and, as the surest way out of her dilemma, she sent for a cab and drove to the office of a solicitor whom she. had' once met, and Whom she knew well [3y reputation. To him she stated her desire to know something about her father’s circumstances out the time of his death, and then she produced the puzâ€" zling letter. A "Your Old friend DISHONORED GENERALS. Open Railwa thus Proposed » .’. ._, 3mm Tmitory shown (In To be Continued. " Celia; Westbrook.” {I ---,&-- _ Pshaw, said he, you might as well tell me to wash my face and- be care: in] to leave off duty. The caution Wis repeated no: long since to a young man of vigorous ap- petite. When you eat, be careful to lean off hungry, is advice often given at the dinnerâ€"table, but seldom received In an obedient spirit. I verily believe the sun is going to shine ! she fialtered, palinggADd here 1 am two miles from home in my rainy- day skirt! How shockingly immod- est I shall appear I Modesty ls {fie crown 0t womanh'ood“ being rather more complex than the average imported hat, even. She glanced up at the clouds, appreâ€" hlepsively. V Prospective Tourist, at booking of- fice of great ocean linerâ€"That state room is near the stern of: the vessel, isn’t it? Agentâ€"Yes, sir. Prospective Touristâ€"You ought not to charge me full price for it. Agentâ€"Why not? ‘ Prospective Touristâ€"Because when the steamer comes to land 1'11 have to walk half a mile to get ashore. Cover-ell More Than Two Thousand Mlle: in a Coach and Four. Two thousand miles is the length of a journey made with a four-in-hand by Right Rev. John Francis Stretch, Coadjutor Bishop of Brisbane. Dr. Stretch is himself a native of. Aus- tralia, and presides over a district larger than the whole of England. His people are scattered far and wide, and it is nothing unusual for him to set out on a drive of several hundred miles to visit a handful of. people in some outlying settlements. Obstacles count for naught with this enthusias- tic Bishop, who thinks nothing of swimming across a river when a ford- ing place is not readily available. He discards when on his long drives tho usual Episcopal attire, and has many curious tales to tell of strange adven- tures in the bush and on the lonely plains. Dr. Stretch. the long-driving Bishop, is most popular with rthe people of his vast diocese. Dr. William’ Pink Pille- cure by, going.- to the root. of the disease. They renew and build up 'the blood, and. strengthen the nerves, thus driving disease from the system. Avoid imi- tations by insisting that every box you purchase is enclosed in a wrapper bearing the fuil trademark, Dr. Wil- liams' Pin’k Pills for- Pale People. If ygur deialer does not keep them they will be sent post paid atfiOcents a. be: or six boxes for $2.50 by addressing the Dr. Williams’ Medicine 00., Brock- ville‘. Ont. Solomon Meldrum, Esq., of Uppe; Branch, Lunenburg 00.. N.S., is a gen- tleman of Scowh descent, and well known throughout the county. He is an agriculturis-t of repute and, is prom- inenL in the local affairs of the Baptist denomination. Referring to Dr. Wil- liams‘ Pink Bills,he says:â€"-"I consider, thema most wonderful and benetcent revelation in the realm of medicine. Previous to using these pills some two years ago, I had suffered for years from kidney trouble and rheumatism. Many a time had I been so bad {that I could do nothing; but endure the pain and pray for physical deliverance. My advanced age, bang nearly 70 years old, made a cure look almost impos- Slble, humanly considered, in a case of such long standing. But thanks to , the Lord and Dr. Williams’ Pink Ellis, 1 am here to-day in excellent health ‘ with scarcely an ill feeling to remind me of pest sufferings. Something over, ‘ two years ago I read. of the wonderful cures attending the use of Dr. Wil- liams' Pink Pills. I thought if these testimonials are true it is possible the pills may benefit even me. I bought six boxes first, used them strictly as direCLed, and with the Lord’s blessing they did me much good. But my ail- ments were chronic, deep seated, and I am an old man. The cure was not complete, and I got twelve boxes more with all faith in the result. I only] had to fuse six boxes of the second lot when I found myself quite free from kidney troubles, rheumatism, and all other bodily ailments, except the disability incidental to persons of my advanced age, and even these were in a measure relieved. I may add that for a long time before I used the pills and when I began their use, Iwas the victim of the most distressing attacks of sick headache, the sensation of sea.- sickness in extreme violence, being not a whit more distressing. These attacks came on once or twice a week. After taking the pills, the attacks becam less frequent and less troublesome an finally ceased almost entirely. My. son who lived at a distance took the Ian mainlng six boxes and stated to me that they 'did him much good. This I do know, that) he looked much fresher, and appeared in better spirits after their use. Believing as I do that an overâ€"ruling power suggests to mor- tals all. the wise and beneficial thoughts and inventions which operate to improve our race, and allay and cure our suffering I say again that I thank the Lord and Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills for my prolonged life and present: good health. lle Suffered for Years From Kidney Trouble, Sick Headache and Rheumu tlsuIâ€"Althuush Advanced In Life II! “as Found a Care. From the Enterprise, Bridgewatet,iN.S. SOMETHING TO BE CONSIDERED. Words From the Heart NOVA SCOTIAN FARMER TELLS HOW HE REGAINED HEALTH. A MIS LEADING ANALOGY; GREAT TRAVELLER. MODESTY.