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’WWHWM “wirwwmmwew -- A Scaurgc 0R......... THE ERROR OF LADY BLUNDEN. +M~MWWWM+MMM+MMW CHAPTER VIII. 1 "I have come,” says Gretchen. shyâ€" y. It is the night of the Potter’s ball, and very nearly ten o‘clock. Gretâ€" chen, coming into the full glare of the library lamps, looks like some white vision fresh from fairyâ€"land, in her robe of snowy tulle undefilcd by color of any description, unless one counts the tremulous green leaves of the ’waterâ€"lilies that lie -â€" as though iust freshly thrown â€"â€" upon her gown. Her hair (wise child that she proves herself) is quite unchanged, the same soft little wavy locks stray- ing across her forehead that usually rest there. Her eyes, dark violet, and true and tender as that sweet- est of flowers, glance down at Dug- dale from under the long lashes that sweep the White cheek beneath. As a rule, no roses warm her face; to- night she is peculiarly pale.â€" pallid as her gown, fair as a fragile snow- drop. “I dressed myself very quickly," she says, rather nervously, feeling as though she has laid herself open to the charge of vanity. "I have just three minutes to â€" to bid you good- night."5 She pausis, and Dugdale says nothing. Perhaps something in the situation strikes her as comical, beâ€" cause presently she raises her eyes, and meeting his â€" and being cheered by the unmistakable admiration in lhem â€" she gives way to laughter. "Won’t you speak?" she says. “The truth is, I haven’t come down so much to bid you goodâ€"night as to show you my new dress, and to hear you say you think I look very nice in it. Andâ€"and you haven't said it!" “There are times when mere words seem poor. Come nearer, Gretchen. I can hardly see you there." She comes slowly up to him, and, standing so, furls and unfurls her fan with a certain bashfulness that sits very prettin upon her. "It is a very charming dress, is it not? It is mamma’s present to me. Don’t you think it suits me?" in~ quires she, anxiously. “You are lovelier even than I thought you," returns he, simply. “You have taken a weight off my mind. Your silence seemed to me so ominous that I dreaded a disparag- ing remark. admire me,” says fi‘rretchen. in a re- lieved tone, taking an exhaustive survey of her own perfect image in an opposite mirror, “because. â€" to confess a secretâ€" I have been admir- ing myself immensely for the last half hour." At this moment, Parkins. entering with the admirably noiseless step that so becomes him, and on which he prides himself so highly, presents to Gretchen a very exquisite bouquet of choicest white flowers, arranged in a silver holder, and accompanied by a note. “With Captain Scarlett’s compliâ€" ments,” says Parkins, deferentially yet confidentially; after which he re- tires to the door way and there awaits further orders. "What lovely flowers, and how sweet!" exclaims Gretchen. “Are they not?" -â€" holding them under Dugdale's nose. “Very,” replies he, who would ra- ther have inhaled the breath of “deadly nightshade” than Scarlett's gift. “So thoughtful of Tom," goes on Gretchen, in a pleased tone. “I wonder wonder what he says?" Openâ€" ing the letter, she reads aloud little scraps of it as her eyes scan the page. ' “So sorry he can’t be at the Potâ€" ters’ to-night, as he has sprained his foot. ()h, poor, poor fellow! His love to me, and many happy returns of the day; andâ€"andâ€"ycs” â€" an elo- quent hesitationâ€" "he hopes I will like the flowers; andâ€"and that’s all.” “There seems a good deal of it," remarks Dugdale. ‘ Gbstin ase ‘gold richly inlaid, and with the word I am very glad youillow shall I thank you?" murmurs the . i are vainly do I live? ii erable to the existence I drag on from day to day." "Don’t speak like that. Ken: it saddens me," murmurs she, tremuâ€" lously. And then, with some timâ€" idity, “Extinction is not for us. . There is always a heaven." “For such as you, perhaps. llea- ven was made for angels; for my- self” â€"- recklessly â€" "I see no hope i gt luciantly, and, seeing strange yet in part familiar, -â€"â€" as it at. any point." Ilis tone compels her, although reâ€" to turn her eyes to his; something in his face were, the waking confirmation of a, “Who brought those flowel‘s- PM“ dream,â€"â€"she says, hurriedly,â€" kins?” “Can I do anything for you, Ken- “Capiain Scarlett's man, miss." neth?" . “th kind regards to Captain Scai._ “Nothing. I Not you, of all peoâ€" ieit' Parking, and I am‘ sorry he iS ple. 'lhcre is no_help for me, anyâ€" laid up, and so phased With hiS where. .I Wish w1tih all my heart I charming flowers." Wore (lmftly domi- "Yos, miss_" “0h, Ixennetli, not that' Do not “ 'Littie Tom Scarlett, 500mg most wish that!" entreats She, hastily, a attentive," says Dugdflie. With a touch of terror in 'her tone. Great short. smile, with an hiS deiormim tears gather and dun the luster of mien to appear unconcerned. hiS her eyes. She draws her breath voice betrays him. He has been sharply, and lays one hand With a fighting with melancholy all the even ing, and now it has gained the vicâ€" tory. Scarlett's flowers have prov- ed "the last straw." "What is it, Kenneth?" asks Gret- chen, quickly putting the white blos- soms on a distant table. "You are wishing for something, are you not?" “Yes; that I might rise from this pathetic gesture on her bosom, though to still the sob that seeks to rise. as "What can I say to comfort you?" she asks, sorrowfully. n "Forgive me, returns he. stricken with remorse as he notes the effect of his want of self~control. a brute to distress you so. and “I am on hateful couch, and put on my even- this night of all others, when you ing clothes, and go with you to thiS should know none but happy ball, and dance with you,all the thoughts. Why. I have hardly Wish- night. That, is an,” _ with a bit_ ed you happiness and Joy, have 1? ter laugh, "A small Wish_ is it But I do, Gretchen, from my heart. not?" You believe that, do you not? ’ “I too have a wish," says Gretâ€" chen, infinite compassion in her clear eyes and a brightness that may be tears. “I wish that instead of going to this ball to-night, I could stay at home with you and help to kill those dreary thoughts that at times dis- tress you.” "Don't say that, if you ,don’t mean it," says‘Dugdale, rather unsteadily. As he speaks he puts out his hand almost unconsciously and takes hers in a close warm clasp. "I do mean it,” replies she, quiet- ly.â€"so quietly that his agitation ceases, and his grasp on her hand grows lighter, though not less full of warmth. “I sent for this for your birthâ€" day,” he says, presently, drawing from beneath his head a case of pur- ple morocco. Opening it, he discloses to view a bracelet,â€"a band of dead “Gretchen” formed in diamonds up- on one side. All round the name a small band of “marguerites” lies like a delicate framing. ‘ “For me!" says Gretchen. blush- ing hotly. “Oh, how lovely! How exquisite! And my own name, too! How did you manage that?" “I ordered it for you some time ago. I am so glad you like it.” "It was too kind,â€"far too kind. she, the blush deepening by fine deâ€" grees upon her pretty cheeks. "Very easily," replies he, smiling- at her evident, almost childish de- light. "Do you recollect how once, when you went to the Scarlett's pic- nic, you told me you had thought of mother waiting. pany for you." says Gretchen, earnestly. you well enough to understand how you will spend the rest of the evenâ€" ing brooding overâ€"â€" ly. will please you. of the good that remains to me. shall think of you,-â€"your friendship. Now leave me, better mood." pulsively; but, brow contracts, and he colors faint- ly. little surprise on Gretchen’s face, he recovers himself. languidly with a few more last ishingâ€"touches she considers necessary to the perfecting of her appearance. "I do, indeed; but I am glad you have said it," replies she, honestly. “Now go, child: do not keep your I am not fit com- “I cannot leave you in this mood," "I know u "I will not," interrupts he. eagerâ€" “I promise you so much, if it I shall think only I while I am in my Raising her hand, he kisses it imâ€" having done it, his Seeing, however, no anger and "Go, Gretchen; go, darling," he whispers, in a low tone. The tears so long delayed fall slow- ly one by one down Gretchen's checks as stairs again At the door she pauses, and, brushâ€" ing them away, resolutely throws up her head, as though determined suppress all other signs of emotiom. she mechanically mounts the to her mother’s room. to still struggling finâ€" Mrs. Tremaine is "We shall be a little late, mamma, shall we not?” asks Gretchen, sitting where the light does not immediate- 1y fall on her. “Oh, no, dear. we shall be there quite long enoughâ€"too long â€" even A little of the society of me amidst all your amusement? as 1‘5 15- . Think of me again, if only once, toâ€" such people as the Potters goes a night, and I shall have more to be great “my BL”; [01' your father _‘ thankful for to-morrow than you Who 1"mull has it DCI‘I‘CCt' talent for have twilight." taking up the most extraordinary “That is too simple a request," says Gretchen, softly, her eyes low- ered. “Had I never seen this beauâ€" tiful bracelet I should have thought of you all the same,â€"not once, but many times, toâ€"night." Silence follows this speech. On Gretchen a sense of melancholy has fallen too, curving the corners of her lips. Crossing the room, her soft white skirts trailing behind her, she draws back the heavy velvet curtains of the window and looks out upon the night. “You remind me,” says Dugdale, “of some picture, some storyâ€"a legâ€" end of the Rhine, I think it is,â€"â€"as you stand there clad in moonbeams. Come nearer to me, or I shall fear to see you melt away altogether. as did the ‘hapless ladyc’ of that talc." “There are times," says Gretchen, not noticing his last remark, but coming quickly forward into the full- er, warmer light of the lamps, â€" “there are times when I can almost read your' heart. Toâ€"night it seems bare to me. At least I know you: longing for something. What. is it, Kenneth?” I “Death,” replies he, quietly. "Why. Surely extinction is pref- people -â€" I should showing there at all. gloves? duller and more (lull daily.” .sure whether shoulders or lying about somewhere. My dear child, that dress suits an. A. s. BRASE’S amass cm 259» is sent dluct to the dammed put: by the Improved Newer. Heals the ulcerffl clears the air passages,etops mp)! in the throat ahd’ cures nut Calarrh and ly.?cur. lower . free. All dealers, or r. A. “I. 0 Medicine Co.. Toronto and Bu not dream of Where are my Positively, Tymon grows “Are these they?" “Yes, dear. So clever of you to find them, and so like Tymon to put. them where no one could possibly see them.” exactly under hear you go down stairs a few min- utes since, Gretchen?“ (They are lying on the table her nose.) "Did I “Yes, dear." “How quickly You you dressed! know I always said Cole was a trea- sure; so unlike Tymon: Tymon p051- tively can't hurry, and is never quite her head is on her you tclihg Eczema Leg and Foot 21 Mass of Sores that Doctors Could Not HeaI---A Thorough and Lasting Cure by Dr. Chase’s Ointment. This letter from Tilsonburg, Ont., is an unsolicited testimonial to the extraordinary This is One more example of how this great ointment cures when all have failed. There is something almost magical about the Way the preparation heals and cures. Dr. Chase's Ointment. have not used it can scarcely understand how it Can be so effective. i Mr. W. D. Johnson, Tilsonburg. Ollt-I writes :â€"“My father has been entirely cured of a longâ€"standing and obstinate case of eczema by the use of Dr. Chase's Ointment. he suffered something terrible from the stinging and itching. healing powers of other means People who His leg and foot were a mass of sores. and Though he used a great many remedies and was treated by one of the best doctors here. he could get no pennauent relief until he began the use of Dr. Chase's Ointment. "This preparation was so cooling and soothing that the very first application brought relief, and it was not long until the leg and foot were perfectly healed and cured. it is a pleasure for him to recommend this ointment because of the great benefit he dcrixed from it, and he will gladly answer any questions from other sufferers.” Dr. Chase's Ointment is useful in a score of ways. prompt relief. acme. salt rheum, tetinr and scald bead. Sixty cents a. box at all dealers or Toronto. For curry irritation or eruption of the skin it afiordn It heals and soothes-wounds, scalds and burns, and has never been equalled an a cure for m- Edmanson, Dates 5: 00.. , a great WORDS 0F HOPE. TO ALL WHOâ€"SIJFFER FROM A RUN DOWN SYSTEM. Mrs. Harriet A. Farr, Fenwick, 0nt., Tells How She Obtain- ed a Cure After Suffering for Two Years. Thousands throughout, this coun- try suf‘wr seriously from general de- bilityâ€"the result of impoverisllml blood and shattered ncrxes. To all such the story of Mrs. l-larrict Farr, widow of the late ltev. Richard Farr, Fenwick, (.lnt., a lady well known throughout the I\iugara district, will point the means of renewed health. Mrs. Farr says :â€"“l"()r u couple of years prior to 189‘.) l was sufferer from a run down system. My digestion was bad ; i had little or no appetite and was in a. very poor state"; i suffered from heart palpitation and a feeling of Continual exhaustion. lloctors’ treatment failed to benefit me and i gradually grew worse until I was finally unable to do the least work. I then began using Dr. Williams' Pinlk Pills, and from the very first I noted an improvement in my con- dition. The severity of my trouble gradually lessened and by the time I had taken eight boxes I was again enjoying the best of health despite my sixty years. I believe that llr. Williams' Pink Pills saved my life and would strongly urge all sufiercns to give them a trial, believing they will be of great benefit." When your blood is poor and watery, when your nerves are un- strung, when you suffer frnn headâ€" aches and dizziness, when ,you are pgle, languid and completely“ run down, Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills will promptly restore your health by re- newing and enriching the blood. They are a prompt and certain cure for all troubles having their origin in a poor and; watery condition of the blood. But only the genuine cure and these bear the full name, “Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills for Pale People," on the wrapper around evâ€" ery box. Solk by all dealers in medicine or sent post paid at 50 cents a box or six boxes for $2.50. by addre=sing the Dr. Williams' Medi- cine C‘o., Brockville, Ont. deliciously. I have seldom seen you look so charming. And it isn’t af- fectionate prejudice on my part; no, really; it is the whole arrangement that is in such admirable form. My own choosing, too. So glad it is a success, dear. I was always famous for my unerring taste. Has your father seen you? and Kenneth?” "Not papa yet; but I went to the library to -â€" to Show Kenneth your pretty present." “And he was pleased with it?” "I think so; yes, I am sure of it. At least he said so." She hesitates over this speech, and blushes rather provokingly. “Well, of course he would, you know," says Mrs. Tremaine. “Ile"â€"-nervously â€"- “he gave me this bracelet, mamma; is it not love- ly?” '- . “When?” “Just now. When I went to see him in the library he gave it to me as a birthday present. Is it not charming? See," -â€" slipping it off her arm, â€" “my name is written on it.” "It is beautiful," says Mrs. TrtL maine, in a, curious tone. She is looking, not at the bracelet. but at her daughter’s eyes. “You have been Crying," she says, quietly, without removing her gaze. “Yes,â€"a little,” â€" blushing crimâ€" son now. "I could not help it. He looked so sad, so lonely, so regretâ€" ful. It does seem hard that he can never again go to a ball or enjoy life as other men can.” “It is." Mrs. Tremaine has grown absent, and is now examining the bracelet. "What did he say to you when givâ€" in},r it?” I “Nothingâ€"except that he was glad it pleased me, and that." "The name is perfectly done. and the diamonds very fine. He must have ordered it for you." “Of course; he said so." “It is a very handsome present, and a very expensive one. Are you quite sure, Gretchen,”â€"again raising her eyes to her daughter’sâ€"“quite sure you wish to accept it?" There is a world of meaning in tone. “Wish!” says ,Gretchen, “But of course I could not refuse. He seemed so glad to give it; and he has so few pleasures. I felt it would pain him to return it, and â€" he has so much pain." “Take care you do not increase it," says Mrs. Tremaine, still in the same curious tone. “Mental pain, child, is worse than bodily." “What do you mean, inannna‘?” asks Gretchen, shrinking a little. The flush fades from her cheek, leaving a deadly pallor to replace it. llel‘ ('3'05 grow larger. Instinctively she lays one hand upon the arm of the chair near her. “Perhaps nothing. Diff fhougbfâ€" lessncss causes more trouble and pain her puzzled. than people know of. Are you ready, dear‘.’ Is Kitty coming?" “I shall see." says Croft-hen. in a stifled tone, hurrying gladly from the FOODL She sighs away the with careful profoundly. smooths lines from her forehead fingers, and, gathering [up her fan and scentâ€"bottle. sweeps from the room to her carriage. Ilugdale, hearing the door close upâ€" on fhem. and the servants returning again along the hall, moves his head to take up his neglected book. deâ€" termined to be faithful to his prom- isc to Gretchen not to let morbid thoughts get possession of him. As he does so, his eyes full upon an obâ€" ject lying on one of the distant taâ€" blesrAan object full of interest to him. lt is Srarlctt's bouquet that. lies there. withering and forgotten! (To be Continued.) oâ€"â€"~â€" GUTTA PERCHA. The Germans Have Found Largo Quantities of It. The German Colonial Society, two years ago, offered a reward of 3.000 marks for the finding of a. plant in 111W of the German colonies which would supply gutta percha suitable for cable purposes. A dcspatch from German New Guinea, received a. few weeks ago, says that gutta percha. has been found there in large quanti- ties. ’l‘his is good news indeed, for scarcely any tropical product is more needed. In writing on gutta. percha. a while ago, Major J. O. Kerbey said that the demand for this sub- stance was now about 600 times greater than the supply. The rea- son for this is that gutta percha is getting scarce, and it is the only sub- stance used for covering ocean cables that is not soon destroyed by the effect of salt water. it is known that the gutta percha. tree thrives in the Philippines, though it does not aboum there in ‘great quantities. One of tie reports of the Philippine commission encour- aged the belief that the industry there may be largely developed. This should be done if possible, as gutta percha is a very paying product and would add a great deal to the wealth of the islands. Until recently Great Britain and Holland were supposed to own all the gutta percha lands outside of the Philippines. It now looks as though the United States and Germany would be added to the lands having a large intoest in this product. France also is sending gutta percha. seedlings to all her tropical posses- sions, and great attention will here- after be paid in several countries to the cultivation of this product. A discovery was recently made that may have great effect upon in- creasing the supply. It has always been supposed that it was necessary to cut down the tree in order to so- cure the milky juice. It is said that. at least 150,000,000 trees have thus been destroyed in the past half cenâ€" tury. It is now asserted that a me- thod of tapping may be employed which will preserve the tree so that ‘it will produce for many years. _-\â€"+-â€"â€"â€"â€"-â€" BABY’S BIRTHRIGHT Health. and Happiness-How Mothers Can Keep Their Lit- tle Ones Well. Health is the birthright. of all lit- tle ones. It is a mother's duty to see that her baby enjoys it. Moth- er’s greatest aid in guarding childâ€" ren’s health is Baby’s Own Tabletsâ€" a medicine which can be given with perfect safety to the youngest baby. Among the many mothers who have proved the value of this medicine is Mrs. J. W. Booth, Bar River, Ont. She says :â€"“'My baby suffered greatâ€" W from sore mouth and bad stomach. Several doctors prescribed. for her, but nothing scuffed to bene- fit her in the least till I began givâ€" [5 ing her Baby's Own Tablets, and then in.a short time my little one was fully restored to health. I would not be without the Tablets in the house, and would advise all mothers to use them when their children are ailing." Baby's Own Tablets are used] in thousands of homes in Canada and always with beneficial results. They contain absolutely . no opiate or other harmful drug ; are mild, but. sure in their action and pleasant. 'to take. The very best medicine for all troubles of the stomach and bowels, curing colic, indigestion, constipa- tion diarrhoea and simple fc‘er. ’l'hey gin: relief in tcething troubles, dispel worms, promote healthful sleep and cure all the minor ailments of children. Price 25 cents a box at all druggists, or sent by mail post paid. by writing direct to The llr. \l’illiams' Medicine (.‘o., Brockvillc, Ont, or Schenectady, N.Y. . .â€"_+â€"â€"â€"â€"- r RAZOR GRINDING FALLING OFF. Considerable concern is felt in Shef- field, England, at the decrease in the number of razor grinders, which has heretofore been an ilnporfanf, craft .in Sheffield. [t is estimated that fully :15 per cent. of the old journey- inen have either died or dropped out of the business. so that only 300 grinders are left. The interesting feature is that young men appear averse to apprentice themsulves at the trade. so that, with the further lnafurul inroads on the ranks. the Humorâ€"grinding business may use an ,acute stage, particularly as no ina- ‘L‘llllli‘l‘y has yet been devised to su< Epcrscdc hand ‘ tion. labor for this operaâ€" (lNli WAY. Husbandâ€"“l expert snmv of in; latives on a \isi’l next week. dear. Can you suggest anyfhiug to fthcln happy \vhiln- they are lyn- l “he "I might ll-zue town." 9. l Jlliil.t' .,..