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“I would spare myself the inevitable I. nortifioution which must follow such Kym offqr. if I were you." i "What do you mean 2" she demand- jad,_l_10tly. = 4 But tlbe story got abroadâ€"it was "biiginally set afloat by herselfâ€"that Mr. Westbrook was engaged to marry Milka. Lilas d-e'vIJamvpie-r, and the news macth the ears cit Mrs. Wgstbrook. Though Eva could never have guess- od the truth, Lilas Lampxer was mdlr- octly the cause of Mrs. Westbrook’s obpyged: fipelings » towards herself. . Miss Lilas, had. in her own shady world, become a decided success. She had remained with the Barnum until a more wealthy and more enterprislng circus proprietor had offered her such terms that she could afford to break faith with her first master. and accept bhe bribe held out to her. This man. in his turn, was thrown over for smother, still better able to help her up the ladder of success, and lo the fair false one got; on step py step, and now she is the leading actâ€" ress at the Palladium, a theatre that ladies seldom frequent, but where a lovely face, a magnificent figure and a good powerful voice, suitable tor opera bouffe, will always insure a crowded house, particularly when the possessor of these qualities is backed up_ by a rials patron. - Lilas had all these claims to constant employment at the Palladium. She could dance and she could sing; few women before the public could nval her in beauty, and the Duke of Dull- borough Lavished wealth and jewels up- on her, as though his own resources wore unlimited and inexhaustible. ; Not being a young woman troubled twith any sensitlve notions on the score ‘of virtue you might reasonably sup- pouo that Lilas de Lampier, as" she styled herself, had few desires ullgra1i~ fled, ‘but this was not the case. She would be a lady, and though no- thing on earth could make her one In the same sense that Eva Randolph was, she gradually acquired the convicuon that if she married a gentleman no Vane could deny her the social recogni- tion which she coveted. It is needless for us to follow Lilas in her subsequent career [or the next few months, except in so far as it tre- gards others in whom we are interâ€" est-ed. The duke would not marry her if he could, and there was the disagreeable fact of there being one Duchem of Dullborough already, to preclude even a hope in that direction, so what was who to do to attain her purpose? When she began to think seriously of matrimony: Lilas realized for the first time that, although beset with innumerable admirers, there was not one among them who ever thought of giving her that plain gold ring which signifies so much. > No pure love and no great‘ passlon mad touched the heart of this ‘utterly Selfish girl, until one night at. a bow- terous supper party she met Mr. \Vestâ€" brook. She recognized him in a mo- ment. She remembered his face and his name, and she recollected how in turning to admire him, she had once Walked with little Freddie into the river. But a marked change came over {ha actress. For the first time in her life she knew the meaning of the word; love. Not love in its purest form, but: love turned to passion, and a. craving desire to make the loved one her own at_any and every cost. But he seemed ill at: ease in the loom- pany in which he found himsyelf, and yet there was a certain air of impati- ence and defiance about him that sug- ested to her quick intelligence that e had been thwarted or disappointed. and might be ready to perpetrate any pigce pf recklessness. Love made Lilas timid and almost modest. She meant that Ernest Westâ€" brook should marry her. and she play- ed her game with such comaumlmatek skill that she stood a very good chance otflwinnlpg. 1116 had heard the tales that were in everybody’s mouth about her, but how could hevcredit them when she was alâ€" ways so modast and retiring in her telations with him? Than he went away feéling that'fon a time he had had. quite enough at this beautiful fury. In those days he was the handsomest man she had ever seen, and now, look- ing at him among so many, and. after the thousands she had since mvet, she deoided still to glve him the palm. To the disgust of many of her admir- ors, Lilas showed a marked preference for Mr. Westbrook, and, when the party broke up, she gave him her ad- greas and invited him to call and see 61'. She asked him questions about hm home and his mother, she narrated lit- tle incidents of he past and at length she recalled herself to his recollecLion as she: had once been and imp-lied m p. more subtle way than if she had open- ly avowed it that even 111 those days she had: admired and loved him. “No; I [lave not seen Miss Randolph fo:_'som-9 months." he {epfied qglfly: Only once had he stopped her abrupt- ly, and quickly changed the subject when she talked about the past, and that was when she casually expressed some curiosity as to what had become of Eva Randolph, “If you: do not know, 1 cannot tell you,” was the reply. “But 1 must say good-'bye; my mother expects me." ‘ “And Eva Randolph is waitlng, I suppose," exclaimed Lillas, with a, burqt of; jealous vehemgpgce. “She is an airtist,” he. replied, curt- 1y. “0h! then, I‘ll engage her to paint my portrait," said Lilas, in} a tone that implied that Eva must feel honored by receiving such a cpmmission. But the expression of \Vestbrook’s face and the tone of his. voice stung- ber to the quick, as he remarked, some- what sarcastically. gm; knew the abtross well by remit- CgAPTER IX. She Would Be a Lady ation. and7 she regarded her as a div graoe alike to her profession and he}: The idea that her own son should: marr this creature transported tha mom woman with passion, and she hygilignaantly denied it could‘ be pos- sm 0. “I don't know whom I shall marry. I have, only loved one woman and she refused we; I don't care much what happens mt.” “But surely you could never enter- tain the notion of making an abandon- ed creature, whose very name has be- come a by-word of shame, your wife V" asked Mrs. Westbrook, with undlsguls- ed horror. Her son answered evasively, and then observed: “Sth is very beautiful. Have you eleen her T’ “No; how should I see such a crea- ture?" was the angry question. But when she herself asked Ernest wbout it he answered mpodilp “To-lmorrow will be her birthday,” she observed, sweetly, to Mrs. Longâ€" ford. “Please don’t say anything about this visit of mine, 1 want to sur- prise her.” Mrs. Westbrook carried out her plan. to the letter. She duly Informed her son that very evaning of her desire to visiL the Palladium, and requested bun to sacure a private box Ebb the next night. This was successful, the messenger. and the guest: reLurned together, but Eva’s heart fluttered like an imprison- ed bird, as she took Mrs. W eslbrook’s hand and asked: “Did he know that I was coming '4" "No; he does not know Lhat: you are in London; 1 have been much to blame, Oh. .rEv'al” she added, as she heard her son’s step on the stairs, “win mm- if you can; save him for both of “Easy emough, by'g'bixfg to the Palâ€" Ladium any night." was the careless "ugly. :111 take yqu, if you like." Mrs. \Vestbrook’s heart felt nigh un- to bursting; with rage and indignation. But she curbed herself: her son_ was beyond her control, and she had\ also an unpleasant consciousness that she had in a great measure brought this may danger on herself. If she Had only refrained from inter- ference when he had evinced a partial- ity for Eva, this last deplorable condi- tion of affairs could never have come about. When she spoke again, it was m a hesitatng tone. and she asked: “Might you not have been mistaken; might not ‘Lhe girl you loved have doubted herself when you asked her to marry you? It is not the first time of asking that is always successful if a worpan ls worth winning." "I don't care to be was @hg cuyt (egly: And then he le'ft‘the ject was as painful as tul to him. “How 1 am punished I" moaned the unhappy mother, when she found her- self alone. “Eva would have been a wife for him of whom I might be proud. But that abandoned wretchl I pray that the grave may close over my head before she- bears my name and makes me childless; for I will never see or speak to him again if he brings this shame upon me." Mrs. Westbrook understood the sit- uation directly. Eva did not intend to seek her out. The girl was offended, and must be conciliated.‘ In ‘a mo- ment the astute woman of the world hadrmlade up her mind what to do. "1 will go with Ernest to that theaâ€" tre," she sand to herself, as she leaned. back in her carriage; "and' I will take Eva. The best plan will be to ask her to dinner, without telling him she is coming. If he still loves her, perhaps things will come right without furth- er trouble; but if he sees the two woâ€" men together, then surely he must be delivered from the toils of that brazen Circe at the Palladium.” In the morning she sent the careful- lyâ€"concocted invitation to Eva, whlch we have seen, but not having received any answer to it when the dinner time was approaching, she began to get uer- vously anxious about. we success 01" her scheme, and an length dispatched her own maid in a hansom cab with another lekter still more earnestly en- treating the girl to _come to her. Never was she in better form. for her work, and never did she feel more conâ€" fident of triumph. Ernest \Vestbrook Vh‘qenoru yet proposed to her, but she feels very; certain that he will do so. Only this morning he told her that his mother was coming to the theatre in the evening to see her act. He did this, perhapu, to put her on- her guard, 50 that she might loot indulge in any 9!? the impromptu wittioisms and se- ductive glances with which she often embellished her art. - Snortly afLerward she took her leave. Before the astonished girl could 1:8- p-ly the door opened and Ernest West- brook stood. beiore her. Lilas Lam-pier is at her Very best toâ€"night. The opera bouffe, in wu.oh she takes the leading part, has been placed on the stage and got up with the principal object of showing off her voluptuous grace and beauty in the most effective manner possible. But this passion wore itself out. and at length, Mrs. Westbrook began to think how she could save her son from this disgraceful alliance. Eva “73.3 her only resource and her only hope. ’- To go to the Longiords was the first ‘uhf‘mg Mrs. Westbrook did the naxt morning, and she learned from them that Eva had already returned to hug- Landâ€"had, indeed, been back a fort- night. At, any rate, she took the hint and she almost wished she comd have Sufi lected some other piece in‘which the proud lady. might fiirgt wig, for CHAPTER X. room ; the sub- it was distaste~ re'fused twice," Every day of her life she was be- coming more and more infatuated with this man who hovered about her, and yet held back from saying or doing anything but could compromise him. She had, for his sake, dismissed all her other admirers, including even the duke, who could not be easily re»- placed. she felt very certain that she would be sharp-1y criticised, wnd she knew that Ernest would be indirectly in- fluenced by: his mother’s opinion, how- ever much he might try. to persuade hiygself that he wag not. Many times during the early Part of the evening Lilas glanced up at the empty box which she knew Er- nest Westbrook had secured. Why was he so late? Why did he not come? She was getting impatient and very cross. At last, when the evening is fully half over, she sees (the ourtains of the empty box move, 'and her heart throbs Wiflh proud satisfaption, for she feels Ernest is watching he;- at last. Only for an instant, however. She is far too good an actress to let her own feelings spoil her part; and, as though to show the prudes who watchâ€" ed her that she did not value their opinions, but defied them, she gave herself greater license than she had ever done betorp. She must make Er- nest Westbrook her slave by intoxicat- ing his senses, or she would lose him altogether; for some subtle instinct told her that Eva, was her dangerous rival. Between the acts Lilas expected that Ernest would come behind the scenes, as usual, to speak to her; but he did not; neither did he throw or send her a bouquet and he seemed to take no more notice of her personally than any other woman upon the 's'tag‘e. She cannot look at him for a few seconds, for {Jer part demands her ex- clusive attention; but when she can turn her eyes toward the box, she sees that there are two ladies there, both of them intently gazing at her. The box in which..the Westbrooks sit is near one side of the stage, and when Lilas can approach it without attract- ing observation, she looks up at the fair oval face that looks down steadily and almost sadly upon her. Where has she seen that girl‘s face before? In a moment it flashes upon her, and in the same glance) the recog- nition is mutual. Eva sinks back with an expression of horror; while sudden jealousy and hatred transform the sweet face of Lin Lampier into that of_a raging fury. “I will speak to him tomight,“ she thought, passionately; "he will chose between her and me. I will be sec- ond to none in his heart, or he shall go. and I»wi11A forget him." A very little of ’the Palladium was enough for Mrs. Westbrookâ€"still less had been too much for Evaa; and as soon as she had recognized Lilas as one of the companions of her childhod, her great ’anxie-ty‘ was to get away as quickly as she could. She had often wondered what had become of the girls with whom she used to play, but she had never for a mo- ment suspected that the woman she had heard spoken of as the modern Dalilah was the Lilas Lampier who used to stagger about Westbrook un- der the burden of Mrs. Flood’s big baby. 0f the danger that Ernest was in from this siren she had no suspicion. Mrs. Westbrook had not found an op- portunity for itelling her, and now she doomed it prudent not to do so. Who can they be? One she recog- nizes as his mother, but the other is scarcely older than herself, and she “8391‘ heard him speakrof a sister. With this determination, she wrote a hurried Bcrawl, as she Stodd in one of the wings, and sent it round to Mr. Westbrook’s box. Ernest received it as he, and the two ladies were leaving, and he thrust it unopened info his packet. Ernest had been surprised to meet Eva in his mother’s drawing-room, and there was some awkwardness on both sides when she offered him her hand and uttered the commonplace greetâ€" ing that she hoped he was quite we1_1. Ernest refused to accept the olive branch, and determined more reckless- Iyy than ever that he would marry Li- las Lamp‘ier, and thus show Eva that she could not play fast and loose with him at? her leisure. His mother diyined his thoughts and resolved still to save him. She left 'the dining room with Eva, but she returned alone a few min- utes later, and approaching her son, an}?i laying her band on his shoulder, sax : “Ernest, I have something to con- fess, though you may blame me bitâ€" terly for what I have done. I made Eva refuse you; _I exacted it as the price of all kindness to her. She went away because I believed she loved you, and she is only here this evening by my emtreaty. It was for your sake I did it, but Ifear I acted unwiseâ€" lyjnii “Very unwisely," replied her son. sternly, rising to his feet. and lookâ€" ing coldly in her face. “ But having se'nt her away, why have you brought her "back again ?" "Why ’3” gasped his mother. “You know why; surely it is nofl too late ?" "Do you mean to go to the theatre to~night T‘ he asked, moodily, ignor- ing the question. " Yes; I told Eva ‘you‘ would take us," she replied, stu‘ng ’to the quick by his seeming indifference to her feel- ings and wishes. And then, she left him, with the ter- rible fear in her heart that her sub- mission had coma when submission was useless. Erna??? Westbrook sat over his wine much longer than usuai, though he did not help himself free!y from the decanter. For a time he sat frowning at the vacant seat opposite him. and thnn he broke out into a harsh laugh. These women seemed ’to be playing with his heart as they would with n fo‘nn's ball quite regardleas of anything he might suffer. ' He was 311ng with his mother, but h‘e: was still more angry with Eva. It ’7 Very well ; let“ me know when you’ are ready to, starffl he rep-Lied: A Complete Plant Opel-Mos Affairs on a New York State Farm. On a farm of 350 acnes in the State of New. York there is a complete e1- ectric plant which produces the cur- relnt for lighting and heating as well as for supplying the power for other operations connected with the farm. All the mechanical energy is supplied by nature, and the cost and mainten- ance of the plant ane inexpensive. It has demonstrated that electricity used for manual labor is a success. The farm land is situated ’on both sides of a good sized stream, on which are two fallsâ€"one 60 feet and the other 180 feet high, and these furnish the power. One motor of 10 horse power runs a mowing machine, another a threshing machine, and a third works a 44 inch saw for cutting logs. The farm house is brilliantlyâ€"lightedr and well heated by electricity. The kitchen is supplied with an electrically heated cooking stone, and in the laundry, the flat irons are heated by the same power. In the dairy the churns and other appliances all have electric motor attachments, The grounds are lighted by several arc lamps, and the use of these in the barns greatly facilitates the work and lessons the danger of fire. she had really loved him, would she have refused to become his wife for no other reason than because his moth- er desired her to_ do so. No, he could not believe it; rather, perhaps he would not. And thus hb‘ sat brooding, until a. servant came to tell him that the car- riage was at the doozj and the ladies were ready. ‘ SOMIE MARRIAGE CUSTOMS.. In Siberia a bride, on entering her husband’s blouse, must be prepared to SKILDVV her skill in cooking. She is ex- pected to give a dinner prepared with? her own. hands, as a test of the educaâ€" tion she has received. If she pleases her guests it is taken not only as a proof that she is well qwalified for her new pomtion, but that her family is a worthy one, since her parents have trained their daughter so successful- 1y. It is said that a. young, man once went out to seek a wife, and came to a farmhouse where there was more w1t than money. The only thing of which the farmer co:de boast was one- new sleeve to hls coat. This must be made the most of. "Pray take a seat," he said, hasâ€" pitably. “But this room is shockingly dusty,” and so saying, he went about wiping hawa and benches with his new sleeve, while he carefully kept the old one behind him. There is another land where thrift is expected of the young folks. In Holland, says the Rev. E. G. Hardy in the Quiver, a. girl is bound 'to aslnhar future husband if he can. afford to pay thg wedding fees. In Norway, however, things are not' quite so promising. The Norwegians are always trying to put the best foot foremost, and they do it in reference to marriage as- Well as in reference to other matters. Then they called to the daughter to came and put things to rights. But the only new thing she possessed was a cap. So she kept putting her head in at the door, and nodding and nodâ€" din-g. Mormonism is to-day the predomin- ant religion in five of the western states. His wife possessed one new shoe, and one only, but she made the most of It by pushing the furniture in- place with it and keeping the other hidden be- neath her skirts. "It is very untidy here," she said. “Everything is out of place." “For my part." she said, "I can’t be everywheye at_pngq." One cannot but think that the methods of Siberia and Holland are most likely to lend; to happiness in the end. Th'm they all tried ’to make the young man behave that the household was well-to-do. The nutritious value of dried beef is said .to exceed largely thatof trash; According to Liebig, the alkali in as- paragus develops form in the human brain. The value of rubies below the weight of one carat ranges. from $10 to $40 per carat. while sLones of greater weight than four carats are of such exceptional occurrence as to command fancy prices. The Young People's Society of Chris- tian Endeavor now has 56,062 branches, with 3,363,720 members. Among the Voages peasants children born at the new moon are supposed to have better hung tongues than others, and thoee born at the last quarâ€" ter to have keener reasoning powers. Nervous people, and those with‘ weak hearts, should abstain from coffee. A mixture, in equal parts of linseed oil and vinegar, will do wonders in cleaning furniture. A't presant Australasia is the large- est producer of wool in the world, with Russia second. the Argentine Republic third amid the United States fourth. The Bank of Spain now holds $12,- 700,000 more gold than it held. ’a. year ago, and $41,700,000 more silver. Its note circulation meantime has increas- ed $21,800,000. ELECTRICITY ON THE FARM. BRIEFLY MENTIONED. To Be Continued. Alter Other Melllelnos Fallen lo Wu Cured by Dr. Wllllams’ Pink Pillsâ€" Every Dole Counted In tin Battle of Pain. From the News. Alexandria. Ont. There is no more popular hotel clerli in Eastern Ontario than Mr. Peter McDonell, of the Grand Union Hotel, Alexandria. At‘ the present time Mr. McDonell is in the enjoyment of per- fect health, and a - stranger meeting him for the first time could not imagine thataman with the healthy glow and energetic manner of Mr. McDonell could ever have felt asymptom of dis- ease. There is a story, however, in Connection with the splendid degree at health attained by him that is worth telling. It is a well known’ fact thafi a few years ago he was the victim! of the most excruciating pains of rheu- matism. Knowing these facts aNews reporter called on Mr. McDonell for the purpose of elicting fuller particul- ars. Without hesitation he attributed his present sound state of health to the use of Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills for Pale People. "I am” said he 38 years of age. but three years agoIdid not expect to live this long. At that time I was connected with: the Com- mercial here and as part of my duties was to drive the busses to and from. the C. A. R. station, I was exposed to all kinds of weather and subjected to the sudden extremes of heat and cold. Along in the early! spring I was sud. denly attaeked with the most terrible pains in my limbs and body. I sought relief in doctors and then in patent medicines. but all to no purpose; noth- ing seemed to afford erlief. For two monthslwasa helpless invalid, suffer. ing constantly the most excruciatin pains. My hands and feet swelle and I was positive the end was ap- proaching. My heart was effected and indeed I was almost in despair, when fortunately a. friend of our family rev- commended the use of Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills. I began using them in May 1896‘, and had taken three boxes be- fore I noticed any change, but from that time every dose counted. The blood seemed to thrill through my, veins, and by the time I had finished the fifth box every‘trace of the dis- ease ha.d vanished. Ever since then I have been working hard and frequentâ€" ly long overtime, but have continued in excellent health. Whenever Ifeel the slightest symptom of the trouble I use the pills for a da‘yi or so and soon feel as well as ever. I feel that. Iowa my health to Dr. \Villiams’ Pink Pills and never lose an opportunity of re- commending them to-others suffering as I was. 1 The Works oftho Late Charles Dickens, Esq. “Oliver Twist," who had “All the Year Round," seen “Hard Times,’f in “The Battle of Life," and the story: of his, narrow escape from “The Wreck“ of the Golden Mary," from which he Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills cure by going to the root of the disease. Theg. renew and build up the blood, a.n strengthen the nerves, thus driving disease from the system. Avoid imi- tations by insisting that every box you purchase is enclosed in a, wra er bearing the full trade mark, Dr. 11- liams’ Pink Pills for Pale People. If your dealer does not keep them they will be sent postpaid'sgt 50 cents abpx, ville, Ont. Was almost miraculously saved by, "Our Mutual Friend," and esteemed companion, “Nicholas Nickleby," hav- ing become as familiar as “Household Words," has just finished reading "A; Tale of Two Cities," to "Martin Chuz- zlowit," during which time “The Crio‘ ket on the Hearth," has been inces- santly chirping, whilst the musical tones of “The Chimes,” trom “Master Humphrey '3 Clock," in the ivy-mantledj tower of am adjoining church were faintly heard, when “Seven Poor Trav- ellers” commenced singiug "5 Chris?- THE VICTIM A WELL-KNOWN AND POPULAR HOTEL CLERK. 6'gâ€"éii Bbkés‘ 13071: $2.50 by addressin‘é the Dr. Williams’ Medicine 00.. Brooks- Trust that man in nothing who has not a conscience in everything-4 Sterne: mas Carol” opposite "Mrs. L'rrriper's Lodgings." "Barnaby Budge," who had been busy arranging "The Pickwick Rape-rs," them arrived from the "Old. Curiosity Shay," with some "Pictures from Manly," and :Skatches by Boz," 1y peru-slng a manuscript “New Tests.- mlanh for Clhildren,” kindly lent to her by the, talented author; when “D‘a'vid C'cmamfield," who had beenI taking “American Notes." entered and informed the company that the "Great Expectations” of “Dom'bey and Son,” regarding Mrs. Lirriper’s Legacy," btad not been realized; and. that he had seem “The Boots at he Holly Tree Inn," taking "Somebody's Luggage," to “Bleak House," in a street that has “No thoroughfare,” where "The Haunted Man," who had just given one of "Doc‘.or’ Marigold’s Prescriptions," to "An Uncommerciul Traveller,” was brooding over the “Mystery of Edwin Drood," which has caused such _a com- motion at “Mugby Junction." ENGLAND'S DEAD LETTERS. But let 2,486,800,000 “letters that passed through the British postofflce Last year, there were as many as 8,500,- 000 which the officials managed not to deliver. In those opened at the Dead Letter Office property of the. value of $3,600,000 was found. BVâ€"s‘hgfir v"‘Little Dorritt," who was earning her lesson out of “A1 Child’s iistory of England," 'arlxd queasional- m 1 Exerueiating Pains LITERARY REMINISCENCES.