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lo a It was Mrs. Sherwin Blake‘s after noon " At home," and that fascinating lady was endeavoring in heroic fashion to adminster tea, to remember \Vhb took sugar and who did not, and to chatter affably to some half-dozen lady friends clustered around her. making occasional bolts iowards the door to receive new visitors. Of course. her daughter, Miss Nettie Blake, ought to have helped her mother with these social duties; but that young lady was sitting in a far corner, on» {aged in earnest conversation with a certain Mrs. Rapley, who professed to know a great deal about spiritualism. " But tell me," Nettie was saying in an awe-stricken voice, " can this woâ€" man you were talking about really see what is going to happen to peoâ€" ple. and do her prophecies always come true i" "As to that" repli.ed her friend, “I have certainly known her foretell the future wonderfully; but she succeeds best in discovering people's charac- ters and lives from merely holding in her hand something belonging to them. For instance. if you give her a letter she'will. without even looking at it, tell you all about the writer, though both you'and the writer are quite unâ€" known to her." Now, besides the number of lady vis- itors at Mrs. Blake’s that afternoon there had been one manâ€"Captain Le Stremc Tassling, of the Life Guards. He had left a little while before, but Nettie‘s thoughts were full of him; in fact, though she had known him but a brief time, this foolish girl fresh from the schoolâ€"room, had lost her roâ€" mantic little heart to the handsome soldier, and had accepted him as the ideal man. Of his feelings towards her she knew nothing. but she pleased herâ€" self with imagining that his charming manners were even more charming with her than with others, and that his dark eyes had a particularly ten- der look in them when in her company. Such thoughts were buried deep in her inmost heart, and were never breathed to anybody, except. of course, her es- pecial girl friend, who didn‘t count; but she pined to know whether her. nonviction was right, or whether his balls and attentions were for her moth- |s\alone. The talk with Mrs. Rapley It once suggested to her mind a way of satisfying herself on this point. A day or two afterwards, when I. dinner-party was under discussion,l Nettie was strongly in favor of invit- ing Captain Tassling; and, though she had to bear some banter abouL this eagerness, she gained her point, and also a. promise that the gallant Cap- tain should take her in to dtnner. The. invitation was sent, and next morning at breakfast, Mrs. Blake laughingly tossed a. note across to Nettie, say- ing: . " There, my dear, I hope that will satisfy you.” It merely contained the usual for- mal words, "Captain Tassling has much pleasure in accepting M '.Sherâ€" win Blake‘s kind invitation to dinner on the 10th inst." Yet Nettie pre- served the note carefully, and, like the littlegoose that sheavas, read it over and o'ver again when she was alone, taking in every letter of the belovâ€" ed handwriting, and evenâ€"but no; it were unkind to mention every Lttle irlish folly that she committed, and, besides, Nettie 'is not the only silly girl in the world. The time had come to put her plan into execution, however, and in consid- erable trepidation she crept out of the house, armed with the precious scrap uf paper, by means of which so much‘ was to be revealed to her. She got‘ Lnto'a cab and after a long drive ar- rived at her destination, which prov- ed to be a grocer's shop. The grocer showed her upstairs, and shouted for his wife. The latter was an exceed- ing quiet, mild-looking little woman,‘ not at all resembling the wild witch‘ Nettie had pictured. “Please,” began the girl. timidly,‘ feeling somewhat fooish. " I am .in a rent hurry, but I‘ should like you to all me what you can about the per- son who wrote this," and she handed her the note. " I‘ll try, miss,” replied the woman, " but to tell the truth, I am not at‘ my best just now. You see, folks be- gin coming to see me early in the‘ morning, and to-day I’ve had a great many, one after the ‘other. till I'm tired out." ! Nettie looked blank; this was too, bad, after she had come such a long; way. ‘ " But can’t you tell me anything i" .3118 enquired beseechingly. The woman smiled at her eagerness. “I daresay I can tell you something," she said; " but I never invent as some clairvoyants do. It’s rather a pet-uâ€" liar thing about me that, no matter how tired I am, I can nearly always see and describe places, though Ican‘t hit off people or characters at all un« less I'm feeling absolutely fresh." " Well,‘ the places will be better than nothing," said the girl with a sigh; "and. please, be quick as you can." . Nettie watched the woman curious- ly as she stood with the noteâ€"that had been taken out of its envelope, {though it was still folded upâ€"in one hand. Presently she began: " Overlooking agreat park I see it ~ .v! tower in the center, surmounted by .l weathercock. Part of the building is low and long; there are iron rallâ€" ‘ngs in front; and some sentry-boxes with tall soldiers in red uniform on guard." The girl listened in ama7ement: the woman had described the barracks wherein Captain Tassllng was quar- tered, and she awaited feverishly the answer to her question. There was a short pause; then the woman started afresh; "I see in one wing of the building a beautifully furnished room; there are a great many photographs standing about, nearly all of different young laden, ind some are in theatrical costumeâ€"“ Here Nettie interrupted once more. vtaying w'tli a remarkable amount of heat for a girl usually so sweet-tem- pered, ihnt she did not care about the photographs. The clairvoyante protested that uch interruptions would spoil every- thing. bul at last she managed to come to the point. “ In this rOom I see a tall. fair man. with dark eyes. he looks strong and soldierlike. and he sits pol sh’ng the hilt of a sword. as he whistles a tune." Nettie’s heari beat faster. "Oi" she exclaimed "can‘t you tell me what he is th‘nir'ng about. and whether he is “ she was about to sav. ‘i'n love." but she stopped. and merely added, 'tcll me something about h'm." "Just now " continuod the woman. " he appears to be in some porplcxiiv: I can‘t be (mile sure what about. but it seems that he is deeply attached to some one and does not know whoâ€" flier his love is returned or not. But I think he is fairly hopeful that it is." At this point the exertion appear- ed tn he too much for her. and. breakâ€" ing off su"drnl_v_ she put her hand to her forehead. exclaiming, "I can‘t go on any more i" The girl scarce heard: she repeat- ed the words "Deeply attached to some ono_“ over and over again rollerâ€" RPlf. and her eyes sparkled as she ex- claimed. " Please. please take aliHle rest .rind try and see something about the girl he is attached toâ€"or wait a minuteâ€"perhaps you could describe where she lives? That will do quite as we] ll" "You. I will do that if I can.“ an- swered the woman. " but. indeed, Mira. .Vou mustn‘t ask me any more.” She seemed to make a tremendous effort to collect herself, and then resumed: " The house connected in some waY with the man‘s thoughts is a good- sized one. minted a dark red. with creepers round the lower windows, and climbing up the balcony." It is in n K(mare. near one end. and at the other there is a grey :church with a tall spire)" "That‘s it i" cried Nettie wild With cvcitcmeni~ "that’s St.’ Gregory“. Macclesfield Square! That‘s enough. Oh I can‘tL toll you how grateful Tnm.‘ and to prove it she gave the woman lsome monev and hurried away. On the day of the dinner-party film was more exuberant than ever: and she was dresmnd and waiting in the dra wing-room half an hour before an v- body else. listening ea erly for the front door hell. and bushing every time she heard footsteps on the stairs. “'hen Captain Tassling arrived, evâ€" erybody was electrified to see the quiet. demure Nettie rush forward. all Smiles and present him with a beautiful carnation. accompanied by a tender look. meant to speak volumes, that puvvled the good Captain notL a little. Flor behavior towards him throughout the evening was allOEPi’ll- or extraordinary. and any who did not l'nnW bPT would have classed her as a hardened flirt This was Captain Tos- =ling‘s conclusiion, though it did not agree with his first impressions he could give no other, interpretation to her forward de- meanor towards, himself. Just for the fun of the thing he talked a vast am- ount of nonsense and flirted more dos- Wra'tclv than she. and wan it was time to go the two had a tender part- ing socrei-lv agreeing to meet in the Row noyt morning at ten. "‘an1." thought the Captain. or he drove back to barracks. “ T never made a greater mistake than in thinking the little Blake girl a butter sort of crcaiure. even she can make. and how she did 2" onl And w'ha'f would my Tiilv have said I woodnr if she had seen usl" “Toanwh‘lo Nettie was having her hair brushed out. feeling jubilant. inâ€"i deed. despite the severe 'ooturo her mother had given her. Somehow. the happiness in her face seemed to be rcflected in her maid‘s for Parker was positivllv beaming with satisfaction. and at the same time her thoughts seemed far awiv. for she repeatele. in a fit of abstraction. ershed hcr youm!‘ mistress‘s face, which was most painful. "Baker. what are you thinking of” remonrtraied Nettie. after the third faceâ€"brushing. For answer, Barker tin-ow rlown the brush. and announced with tears of iav in her eyes and a hap- py gigolo in her voice: “0 Miss Nettie, I‘m that ovcilod T‘ hardlv know what I'm doing! I’m go- ing to be married! And his name‘s Tommy Green. and he i: so E00d»lnnlrâ€"‘ 'inrr.,mis<._hui‘ stop. I‘ll show you his photo." Rho nullnd an envelope out of her apron ntmkei‘. and took from it a photograph. of a handsome man in uni- form. which she laid triumphantly beâ€" fore her mistress on 'the dressing- table. But Nettie did notL look at the pho« tograph: her eyes were fired on ihe address of the envelope, which was in the handwriting she had so lender- lv studied as that of Captain Tas- sling. "Tell me. Barker." she einculnted. "who is this man you‘re going to marry?" And she snatched upthe por- trait hastily. ‘ "Lor' miss." answered Barker. "he‘s the servant of that Captain Tassling who was here this evening. and the Captain thinks no end of him. andâ€"" "O. I see.“ said Nettie. greatly r9- lieved, " he directs his letters for him Can't your soldier write then l’" "(“an my soldier write l" exclaimed large red brick building, with aclock' after a time. nnd.. quiet, hrondâ€"and-‘ 'Rv .Tove what" highly educated, miss, far above thi- common run of servants; and as to writing. he does it so well that some times when the Captain's busy he get: Tommy to answer letters for him like a private secretary. Not import- ant letters, of course. miss; but I mean. for instance. he‘ll sometimos lose him an invitation and‘ say, 'Jus‘ accept this for me. Green,’ or pcrhap» he is to refuse it, as the case may be miss; and then. you seeâ€"" "Yes, yes, Barker; goodâ€"night. I'm very tired," said Nettie, somcwhai ab- ruptly, " and I wish you every hap piness." " Thank you. Miss Nettie; I was just going to tell you it was Tommy as answered Mrs. Blake‘s last note in- viting the Captain " " Good-night. Barker." repeated Net- tie. with a sharpness that sent ilic maid away in a great hurry, wonder» ing what was wrong. Nettie did not meet Captain Tan» ling in the Row next morning, nor did she ever mention him when shl’ could possibly avoid it. \Vhen an in- vitation to his wedding with Miss Lil, ian Bankford came. Nettie did not go but the rest of the family (id. and said if was a very pretty wedvl ng in- deed. and that Nettie had missed a great deal by staying away. â€"â€"â€"â€"..â€"._.â€" PLAGUE INCREASING IN INDIA. llorlallly In the (by of Bombay I: Vcr) lllzll. ' The health of Bombay city continu- es very unsatisfactory. and there are indications that the city will suffer from another recrudese’me of the plague. The general mortality is high. being at the rate of [3.40 per i 1,000 per annum, while quinquennial average is only 35.43. Not only this. ibut the deaths from plague showa decided tendency to increase, and it is .very probable that the disease is more prevalent than the published figures .would indicate. In view of the (list. astrous/character of the recent out- break in Poona the prospect in Bom- bay gives rise to great mi: giving. The ‘amount of inoculation which by a variety of devices has been done is 1small compared with the immense population. over 820.003, and all other plague measures have proved useless ‘for protecting the city. There seems to have been a larger amount much of plague in the Nizam’s dominions than has been of- ficially reported. The Plague Commie- lsioner in his official letter says: "At present plague work in Hyderabad is La sham. and I cannot consent to be a party to it,” The official returns with iregard to plague do not indicate the :immense number of concealed cases of plague which must be continually tak- ing place. For some time past the returns from Hyderabad have been very irregular. but the numbers reâ€" ported as occurring in this State have been sufficient to cause considerable fluctuation in the weekly returns for the whole of India. Like Bombay, the general mortality in Calcutta shows an ominous rise. Not: ithat there is at present any definite indication of. the increase of plague. but the weekly figures reported are very significant. An attempt to dis. credit the existence of plague in the ,city by certain leading natives sup». ported by the native press has not been successful. and inquiry has only too surely proved its continued preva- lence. Plague administration in this city is of the mildest; possible charac- ter, and it may Def said that there is no preparation in the event of asev- ere outbreak, .The total reported plague deaths for .all lndia during the week ending Nov. 25 fell from 2.968 to 2,080, partly be- lcause no reports were received from ‘Hyderabad. In Bombay city the reâ€" ported plague deaths rose from ltO to 136. while the total mortality as above referred to still continued very high. iThe Southern Mahratta States showed a great improvement. Last year the disease was particularly virulent, but the epidemic was meti by the em. ployment of inoculation on a large iscale, and it is probable that the effect of this wholesale inoculation has been successful. â€"--â€"+r\â€"â€" THE NEWEST LINGERIE. How our grandmothers would gasp were they to see the gossamer fabrics which now do duty instead of the stout twills and long cloths of their day. It is to be doubted whether the posses- ‘sion of this lingerie is altogether an unalloyed joy, for we suffer awhole- some dread when it passes through the: ilaundi‘ess’ hands. Persian lawn, mulli .and batist, with Honiton or Valenfi ciennes are the foundation of‘ some of the latest fascinating creations in. the line of lingerie. Everything is. profusely trimmed with bows and lacâ€"1‘ ing ribbons. Many Chemises are made to tie \vith ribbons on the shoulders, which is a much desired innovation. as upon the occasion of putting on evening frocks the ribbons are so eas-~ ily untied. The correct corset of to- day is out very long over the biped quite twelve or fifteen inches below thel waist, so as to mold the figure tothei shape demanded by the eelskin skirti The front steels. too, are arranged so as to bring about the perfectly straight unbending. downward line where the waist used to be, but must be no long- er. To further accentuate this flat~ ness stocking suspenders are non at~ tached to the front of the stays in- stead of on the sides. . v Barker indignantly, “\Vhy he‘smos' y‘ava Ellie Heinz“ TO BOIL A HAM. Hams should always be soaked in water preViou; to boiling to draw out a portion of the salt, and. to make them! tender. They will soften more if soaked in lukeâ€"warm water If it is a new- ham and not very salt or hard! you need.iiot put .it in water Jlitll the evening before you in.end to cook it. An older one will require twenty-four hours soaking,; and one that' is very old- and hard should be kept in soak two or three days, fre- quently changing the water. which mu t be soft. Soak iiila tub and keep .t well covered. When you take it out. of the Water to prepare it for bailing, scrape and trim of all the easily rough lookirg parts. Early in- the mowing tut it Lnl‘U a large pot or kettle With plenty of cold water. I’laite it over a t'lt)\Vi£l-re, that it may heal; gladually; it should lllOl comm to a bail in- less than an hour ani a hull Ul two hours. When it boils. qul keli the fire, and Elaiin. the pot carefuly. THBJ :iiunim' it gently foun or five hours, or more. atcording to its r146. A ham “elbllilig filtoeii poundsihould simmer five hours after it has come to a boil. Keep ptt well skimmed. “be; it‘ 1 alone, take. it: up, carefully strip Off. the skin. and reserve it to rotor the ham when it i1 put away cold. ltub the- ham all over with. :ome Leat- e l egg and trew‘ with' bred. trumlis. Tneii plate it [ii the oven to b.o\vn and (Thy. L‘ut some writing paper into a handsome fringe and [VVISL it around the shank b no, before sending the ham to the table. HYGIENIC COFFEE. There are many who, for various reasons, cannot drink coffee, anl for :u:.h there are many substitutes \vh ch are palatable, and cost less than the genuine aiti::le. Bran Coffee: This is espeually to be recommended. Purchase at any feed store clean, from bran. Ta ‘1 qts of' it. and 1 teacup best New Orleans molasses. ,Work it in well with the hands, until there is no stickiness, and the molasses is not; perceptible. If still sticky. add more bran. 'Brown in a moderately hot men, stirring frequently that it may brown evenly It should be watched closely, as the molasses in it causes it to burn easily. Whenv cool, put in close jars; it will keep along time. To make this be- verage, use 1 dessertspoon for each cup. and. steep or bod is gently for 15 minutes. If made with the drip cof- fee pot, allow it to stand on the back of the stove for the same length of time. \V heat': Wheat crushed and brown- ed iir the same way makes .a delinous drink. Less molasses should bevuSed. as the wheat Will not absorb it, as does the bran. Dry Bread: Dry bead browned and crushed is also another good substi- tute for coffee. The drink :huud be made in the same. way. alwayi being careful to. 11:6 enough to give it charâ€" acter, otherwise it will be insipid. One thing to be remembered in . el‘V- ing. these; substitutes for coffee is that rich cream is just: as necessary to in- sure their deliciousncss as it is necesâ€" sary to make the cup of coffee pelfeut. SUBSTANTIAL DISHES. Beefsteak', and Oystersâ€"Broil a sir- lom of tenderloin steak, season; take one quart of oysters; drain off all the liquor, put them into the stewpan with half rOf a small cupful of. butter, or less butter and a little sweet cream salt and pepper enoughl to season; let them bOll, and turn them over the steak on the platter. Oysters broiled and laid on the, steak are very nit-e. Potato Saladâ€"Six .t'old boiled. pota- toes. 1 medium sized onion sliced thin into a tureen; first a layer of potato; then of onion, alternately, until the dish is full; sprinkle with pepper and salt Occasionally while filling the (ll-.h; do lthe same on the top; put on four tablesp-oonfuls of sweet cream; melt‘ one half cup of butter or lard from fried pork, with half a pint of Vinegar; when boiling hot pour over the salad, and 1L is ready to serve, L‘aulliluaver.â€"Plurlge a head of vaul- flower in .‘tilt water several times be remove any lllffiLL. .Uull ll) .minutes in salt water, drain on sieve, put tauli- flower in buttered di>h. Melt pie e of butter size of an egg; add LU it one table~poonful flour, stir on Thu fire one nilnute; add gill of milk, aquanti- U: of grated cheese) pepper amt salt. Stir this soup: till it boils, Pouqover the ('auliflo\\'ei‘,, sprinkle lver it a few browqu bread crumbs, set it in' mod- erate oven..for a few minuiies to bake. Kidneys Breadedâ€"Cut yourkldneys lUl thin :llL’BS, wash it in: salt and! we- for. Double the slices and run a skeWer- through the folds, until ea-h skewer is full. (Place them on a grid- ll'Uil, and when done, season them with salt and pepper, dip eat-h skewer full in beaten irgg, and then in bl'enl t-iuinb, broil them again a few minâ€" utes, pour a little melted butter or; them and serve. HOUSEHOLD HINTS. Many a bright young woman clean her own furs and. also varieties of fancy work, by the collarette, muff or other article to be cleaned on a hard surface, such tan man) placing . tub. is marble. and by brushing! into it white corn meal and' after a good sub- biag shake the meal out and brush well in the open, air. If the furs are white or even lighti Ill “ill be net-es- LLl‘y’ to repeat the cleaning before the work will be satisfactory. The iiewe~t way of decorating the tliitner table is to place in front of cachl gue>t a little basket made 01‘ sil- ver, or ehiiili filled with flowers. The middle of the tablet is occupied by a mirror with delicate silver trininii. .gs, and plates of boubons enoirclea by garlands of flowers are arranged. on the mirror. Fruit and flowers are now frequently mingled in table deeo< rations. In selecting flowers for the table care should be taken. to avoid all tho>e having a strong scent, like the narcissus, tuberose, jasmine and hyacinth, as many persons are made ill by :.u'h odors. Sceiitless flouers, like the. camellia. tulip, crocus on ,joni- quil, are preferable, although roses aiid VlOlf‘ti seldom cause annoyance. The smell of the rhiysaizithem'um Is u ually quite inoffensive, and it wain extremely decorative flower. Ornn- mental foilage. green and colored, may at t.- be used alone with excellent ef- fe t. To wash woolens. use two tubs of very hot, soapsuds. ea'h supplied with a wa biboard, and a third ,tub with slightly soapy, hot water and a \Vl‘l: gor. Put ear-h piece through whole piroceas before taking up next. \Va hi wh:te flannels first, then gray and red. ’\Vash in first two ruds. rinse in third, put through wringer zin'li im- mediately put on line/hanging heavi- e t part downward. \Vhea dry damp- an evenly anl thoroughly, roll tight- ly and iron With very warm inns. On the contrary. some persons insist that it is far better not to iron woolens. To wash blarkets, first shake the ho kct thoroughly. plane them in a tub and cover with tepid Hater, to unit-h has been added a strong so'u- tot tf ammonia. [miner-e the well in this. soluiau. bu. do not rub them, or the material with be ome "felfy." Pro-s them well in the sides of the :queeae them. a..J hange the water two or three time. until they appear clean. Wring with a wringer a, dry as pessbie, You Will see as they cry on the line that a little wa- w..l toile t at the four corners. This mu t be squeezed out from time to time. or the baiikets will become hard in these parts. ' â€"â€"_.__ CA RRIES HIS ASHES. Incons, ltole Widows sometimes adopt curious ways of keep.ng the memory of their departed spouses green. But the palm for orignallty in this respect must be awarded to a Boston actress, who, waking and sleepng. al- ways carried the ashes of her cremat- ed husband in a chamois leather bag close to her heart. The bag is suspended by a gold chain from her neck; and she has de- clared that if she could not feel its gentle pressure it would be impossible for her to sing, act, or dance. This g.fted if eccentric, l..dy is the Widow of a well known actor, who died some six months ago, leaving (ll- relations for the cram-auxin of 'his re- mains. It was orig unity the widow‘s intention to deposit the ashes in a church in an elaborate silver urn, which she had purchased for the pur- pose. But when she had to leave New York, where her husband had died. to g) on tour With her company, she coulJ not bear the thought of leaving his ashes behind. She thought of various schemes,and consulted with her friends. Finally she had a pretty little chamois lea- ther bag made, and therein she pliced the dust of her cremated husband.» Sometime afterwards the sorrow- ing widow made the acquaintance of the leading lady of another theatrical company during a short stay at Phll- adelphia,and to this bright particular star became greatly attached. In the course of a midnight tete-a- tete, after they had returned from their respective performances, the widow produced the precious bag and. showed the peculiar contents to her friend. Then, after caressing it fondly. she gravely opened the bag, and tak- ing a pinch of the greyish ashes in her fingers remarked, with much solemnity: “ ill give you“ some of the dust. It will bring you luck, and I know that if poor Ted had lived he would have wished you luck." Then she sprinkled some of the ashes about the lady‘s bed. with the result that the " star,” who is as sup- erstitious as theatrical people usualâ€" ly are, was almost frightened into hy- sterical fits. " The eccentric action of the be- reaved widow filled her with dire fore- bodings. and ever since she has insistâ€" ed on her maid sleeping in the same room with her. as a protection against the evil influences she asorihes to the dead man’s ashes. AFRAID TO BID. At an auction sale of miscellaneous goods at a country store. the auction- cr-r [vul up a muggy robe of fairly good, quality, An old fill‘lll"l' inspected it slowly. seemed to think there was a bargain in it. and yet he he-italed to bid, Think it cheap? asked the auctioreer, crying a lOâ€"cent bid. Yes. kinder. was the reply. Then. why don't you bid and get it? \V'all. l've bought. heap; 0' things in dry goods and so on, slowly rejoined the old man, and i never yet took home anything that the old woman :iiouzlit \‘wiN‘ :vor:h the price. if I go! that ’ers tube for (Wen fif'een punts she'd grab it [1,! pull at one rnd, chaw on a corner and call tut, Cheat- ed again - more'n half cottonl That's th' reason l daen't bid.