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WMWkM‘f’i‘l‘m'ifl’ kWMiflWfiW'iflrm'i‘H ; A Swurgc 0f Doubt. 1 THE ERROR OF LADY BLUNDEN. M%$%WM*$M$~FWM**MM+’I‘i‘i‘I‘M‘M‘l‘i'MW Imust 1'10 happy: 21nd you know CHAPTER IX. The year is drawing to its close,â€" is rushing with mad haste into the drum of death.’ There is no shrink- fng, such as you and I might feel no eager longing for delay, no touch of faintness as the end draws near; with storm, and rain, and raging tempest the strong year hurries Ollr ward, age, and the weight of all the bitter gricfs and Cruel crimes it car- ries, being powerless to stay its flight. It is bleak December. And this day week will be Christmas day. Kitty has been fnarried now for more than a month, and has written two or three happy letters to the ’l‘ow- ers from her resting place in Rome. The day is murky, and full of unâ€" shed rain; that is, the clouds lower. and the winds moan, and a gray veil covers the land, and one expects the coming deluge every moment: Yet it tarries spitefully, as though it knew that, though grief saddens, suspense kills. Such days are trying to the temâ€" per. Even Brandy, who has obtainâ€" ed leave for Christmas, and has been at home now two days, and who has absolutely no temper to speak of, grows slightly intolerable. Having tired of flattening his nose against the window pane and making imâ€" possible bets about the rain drops as they hurried madly down the glass, he dcsists from such light amuseâ€" ment and turns his kind attention upon Flora. It is so kind that preâ€" sently it reduces her to tears and exâ€" treme anger. "Brandrum and Flora, why is it I that you two cannot be alone for five minutes without causing unplea- santness?” says Mrs. Tremaine, en- tering the room where both are. "My dear mother, it is nothing," iays Brandyhelaborately. "I hap- pened, unfortunately, to tell Flora [ thought I saw a suspicion of verâ€" dancy in her eyes. and she rather took it to heart; though I'm sure I lon‘t know why. I rather prefer green eyes myself. But that is all. I give you my honor.” “You are always teasing me,” de- :la1‘es Flora, still dissolved in trars. "and my eyes are not green: they are quite blue. Kenneth said yesâ€" terday they were very like Gret- chen’s, and she has lovely eyes. As for your own,"â€"spitefully, â€" “they are the image of a cat’s.” “As I say,” remarks Brandy, affa- bly. "It evidently runs in the fam- ily, like that very much overdone wooden leg. It is plainly herediâ€" tary. Indeed, to prove this to you, my dear Flora, I could repeat an expression formerly much in vogue among our progenitors, but which of late years has been. adopted by the canaille and has become somewhat hackneyed and decidedly vulgar. You may have heard it; it is just possi- ble. Shall I repeat it to you?” "No, thank you,” â€"â€" angrily: don't care for your repetitions.” "But, my dear child, that is wrong of you. One should hold the traâ€" ditions of one's forefathers as sacred, and not treat them lightly or with “I ignominy. 1 am surprised at your want of proper feeling: but, as 1 think it arises from ignorance and the nere callousness of extreme youth; I pardon it, and shall give you the expression I speak of.” "I sha'n’t listen to it.” “Nowadays, goes on Brandy, un~ moved, “when one man meets an- other he makes use of the silly for- mula,â€"whieh means so little, â€" 'How (l’ye do?’ but in bygone days when one of our ancestors came in contact with his ‘D’ye see any green in my eye?’ and was invariably answered in the affirmative. This is an indisputable proof that the green tinge was con- sidered a charm even in the earlier ind darker ages. You have it. very ilightly as yet; let us hope age will ielp to develop it.” “I don't believe you know any- .hing about ‘darke( agcs,’ " says I‘lora, contemptuously. “I have read more than you give ne credit for,j‘ replies he, with dig- iity. "That was the age in She has flawless ‘Shore of happy memory. fellow he said,, i which i I? i the sun was always behind a cloud; and people walked about‘ in with candles in their hands, looking for honest men. The fashion, I beâ€" lieve. was led by a certain Jane time, too, candles were in such quest (as was only natural) that Alâ€" fred the Great made clocks of them, and could tell you the hour to an inch." “1 wonder how you can talk such arr-ant nonsense!" says Flora, with a disdainful curl of her pretty lip. “Have you forgotten papa is waitâ€" ing for you? He says he wants to speak to you,â€"no doubt about anâ€" other unpaid tailor's bill." “That is the 'unkindcst cut of all,’ "~rising negligently. "It makes me shiver in my boots. Now that you mention it, I think I did see a baleful light in our father’s face when the post came in.” "I shouldn’t wonder. Poor man!" “And yet”â€"cheerfully â€" “I think you are mistaken. Hope tells me a flattering tale; perhaps the governor is sending for me to present to me a little giftâ€"a delicate offering in the shape of a check for fifty pounds. If I get it, Flora, you shall have at least half of it. Now, will you not thank me for such a noble promâ€" ise?” “I will,â€"â€"when I get it,” replies she, with scornful emphasis. “That will be in a. moment or two. The instant my fingers close upon the desired bit of paper, I shall fly to you on the wings of love. You will stay lzere till my return with it?" "Not likely! I shouldn’t fancy remaining here forever," returns she, witheringly. * ‘I I i * 1 fl * i- Meant‘ime, Gretchen, having read Kitty’s last happy letter of the morning to her mother and every member of the family, runs down to Kennethâ€"who is still a visitor at the Towersâ€"to give him sundry extracts from it. To leave the Towers be- fore Christmas, Mrs. Tremaine had said to Dugdale, would be simply madness, as of course he would have to come back again, for that festive occasion, and going backwards and forwards was "such a worry.” So Kenneth had staid on, saying, with a laugh, the time would surely come when they would want to turn him out, and he should refuse to go. “Possession was nine points of the law,” etc. “I have had another letter from To prove_ to you that Dr. Chase’s Ointment is a certain Kitty,” says Gretchen, entering the and absolute cure for each and every form of itching, ?.E bleedinzand protruding piles. the manufacturers have guaranteed it. See tes- timonials in the daily press and ask your neigh- bors what they think ot'it. You can use it and get 'our money back if not cured. 600 a box. at all colors or EDMANSONBATES &: 00., Toronto. Dr. Ghase’s Gintment library, with large eyes full gladness and a bright smile. “One always knows that by your fate,” returns he. “I can tell the day the foreign post arrives before you speak of it. Kitty is very for- tunate; her life seems rich in love. Well. and does her letter please you? Does she still feast. with the gods? So long married, and as yet no flaw, no ‘little pitted speck?’ It sounds like a fairy tale.” It. is one of poor Kenneth's bad days, when all the World seems less than nothing to him and faith in any good appears impossible. He has turned his eyes from her grieved ones, and with an impatient gesture of pushes back the hair from his fore~ head, which throbs intolerably. “Kitty is quite happyâ€"quite. if that is what you mean," says Gretâ€" chen, gravely. “Why should you question it? at happiness? a thing, and you believe in it?" "You accredit me with too much fine feeling," replies he. with a short laugh. “Don’t throw me over alâ€" together if I confess I do not?" "You cannot mean what~ you say. Why should you sneer sheets, ' At that ' reâ€"l Surely there is suclr l is bitterly wounded by Erestrat , YKitty’s case alone contradicts you. She, I know, will be always happy, lâ€"alwuys.” I "I'm sure I hope she may." says ‘Kennefh, in an abominable tone. He ,shrugs his shoulders and gnaws ,viciously at the end of his fair musâ€" ftache. l . . l "I Wish you would not speak in that tone; I quite hate it. It al- most sounds as if you \\‘i.\ll evil of n liny dear Kitty, says Gretchen, with some severity. "It is all in very ibad‘fastc. When people love they as ,well as I do that Jack and Kitty perfectly adore each other." :fcllow, and. what is worse. an un- igrateful one. to speak to you as I do.’ says Kenneth, in a voice diffiâ€" .cult to translate. waste your time here, Gretchen? I am not worth it. lo to the othcrs, and get what good you can out of your life." “Your head. must be aching very badly toâ€"day."‘says Gretchen, gentâ€" ly, ignoring this speech altogether. "It irritates me that you should stay here boring yourself to x death with a most uninteresting invalid," goes on Kenneth. with fretful perâ€" tinacity. "I know I am a miserable wretch. only half alive, and good for nothingâ€"and surly into the bargain; ‘and that it is the extreme pity you feel for me that alone makes you bear with me as you do.” "I’m afraid your head is very, very bad toâ€"day, my dear Kenneth,” says Gretchen, with deep sympathy. "It has often been worse” â€"â€" half iangrily. “Not very often. I think. At least talking must be wrong for it. So do not say any more. but let me ‘read to you. And, Kenneth” â€" laying a soft, kind little hand on hisâ€""you must not think it, is "pity" brings me to see you; it is â€"â€" that I like to come.” Kenneth makes no reply. He does -not even press the kind little hand. He turns his head resolutely away and stares out of the window at the tall bare trees that in the far disâ€" tance fling their naked arms wildly t0 and fro. "What is it, Ken?” asks Gretchen, ‘knceling upon the footstool beside his couch and regarding him anxiousâ€" lv. “Nothing.” “But surely there is something; some thought troubles you?” “No.” "You cannot deceive me,”â€"seri- ously. "I am your friend, yet you will not trust me." “There is'nothing I can say to youâ€"nothing I dare say,â€"my dear, my darling! Can I speak of love to you,â€"â€"I?” returns he. with sudden and mournful agitation. Gretchen’s hands tremble slightly. She does not blush, but a little palâ€" lor grows upon her, and a faint smile comes and curves the corners of her lips. For a long time she has be- lieved herself dear to him, and now to hear the thought made a certainâ€" ty is inexpressibly sweet to her. "I am very glad you love me.” she says, simply, without hesitation, letting shy but luminous eyes meet his for an instant. “Gretchen!” "Yes. Very glad. Why do you look at me so strangely? Is it not true, thenfthat you do love me?" “i never said so." “No,”â€"laughing, â€"â€" "your lips didn’t, but your eyes did. And â€" you would not have called me your careful suppression for months! Gretchen, forgetâ€"forgive what I have said.” “But why should I forget, Ken? and what is there to forgive? Is it not beyond all question the truth? And why should I not rejoice at it. whenâ€"when I too love you?" "What follyâ€"what madness has possessed you?" he exclaims. "Gretâ€" chen, I forbid you to speak to me like this. Let he never hear you say such words again. It is a mockâ€" ery,â€"an. insult to such as I am.” “You mistake meâ€"" begins Gretâ€" chen, growing very pale. “Hush; I will listen to no more. You have said too much already. If” â€"â€"with vclicmence that hardly conâ€" ceals his painâ€""l ever led you to believe I loked you, I lied. .love you. Go, leave me. 1 to do with love?" What if ave Frightened, stunned by the pas- ‘sion he shows, Gretchen rises and lgocs slowly towards the door. She‘ his words, an Was Very Thin, Weak, Nervous and Run Dawn â€" Fully Restored by Using There are few diseases more difficult to cure than nervous prostratinn, Chases Nerve, l-‘ood doctors heart's action Dr. Chase's force, and builds up the Weight while using it. Mrs, 5, \\'_ west, Drayton, Wellington County, Ont, writes :â€"“About two years down, and finally became a victim of nervous prostration. and could scarcely drag myself about. Nerve Food. I used tl.rte boxes with great benefit. ambition, Dr. Chase's Nerve Food. I had no appetite, Hearing of good results In a short time I gained Before the discovery of Dr. usuallv gave some stimulant to whip up the exhausted Ila-us and “picker; the Non-c Food acts in an entirely different way. It gradually and naturally creates new nerve system You can prove that it is benefiting you by keeping a fecord of your ago I got terribly run svemed to lose interwt and from the use of Dr. Chase‘s eleven pounds, and as I was wry thin when I began to um the remedy I was very proud of the increase of weight. 5",. “Then the followmg from this preparation. Dr. Chase's Nerve Food." spring I became rather poorly, and they again built me up, and gave me such good appetite that I wanted to eat nearly half the time. brought about that I recommended it to others, and they have told me of the benejgts You may use this testimonial in order that others may learn of the I was so pleased with Q. the cure the Nerve Food they had obtained good there is in Dr. Chase's Nerve Food is sold at 50 cents a. box at all dealers, or Edmanson. llates & 00.. Toronto, “I kubw I am a very illâ€"tempered. "Why do you, 'darling’ had I not been dear to you.” “How could I have so spoken?” exclaims he, with bitter self-reâ€" proach. "To betray myself‘after the i 1 do not I fin-Uni MBLESSING STRENGTH AND FREEDOM FROM PAIN. This Gift is Meant for Allâ€"On It the Happiness and Usefulness of Life Dependâ€"Without it Life is an Existence Hard to Endure. lealfh is nature's choicest gift to man ullti should be carefully guard- ed. lll health is a sure sign that the blood is either insufficient, waâ€" tery or impure. for most of the dis~ eases that afllict mankind are trace‘ able to this Cause. lincry organ of the body requires rich, red blood to enable it to properly perform its life-sustaining functions, and at the first intimation that nature ghes that all is not well, the blood should he cared for. I’urgathe‘mediciues will not do thisâ€"it is a tonic that is needed, and Dr. Williams’ Pink I’ills have been prmed, the world o\er, to surpass all other medicines in their tonic, strengthening, and healthâ€"renewing qualities. From one end of the land to the other will be found grateful people who mhcerfully acknowledge that they owe their good health to this great medicine. Among these is Mr. Elzear Robiâ€" doux, a prominent young man liying at St. Jerome, Que. He says “For some years I was a great sufferer from dyspepsia. My anietite became irregular and everything 1 ate felt like a weight on my stomach. I tried several remedies and was under the Care of doctors but to no avail and I grew worse as time went on. I became very weak, grew thin, suffered much from pains in my stomach and was frequently seizâ€" ed with dizziness. One day a friend told me of the case of a young girl who had suffered greatly from this trouble, but who, through the use of Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills had fully regained her health and strength, and strongly act/vised me to try these pills. I was so eager to find a cure that I acted on his advice and procured a sup-ply. From the very first my condition improved and after using the pills for a couple of months I was fully reâ€" stored to health, after having been a constant sufferer for four years It is now over a year since I used the pills and in that time I have enjoyed the best of health. This. I owe to that greatest of all mediâ€" cines, Dr. \Villianis' Pinik Fills, and I shall always have a good word to say on their behalf.” Through their action on the blood and nerves, these pills cure sxuch dis-â€" eases as rheumatism, sciatica, St. Vitus’ dance, indigestion, kidney trouble, partial paralysis, etc. Be sure that you get the genuine with the full name "Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People" on every box. If your dealer does not keep them they will be sent postâ€"paid at 50 cents a box or six boxes for $2.50 by addressing the Dr. Williams' Medicine 00., Brockville, Ont. while understanding perfectly his motive for using them. She has her hand upon the handle when his voice arrests her. It is full of deep conâ€" trition. "Gretchen," he says, cntreatingly. “Well?” coldly, without turning 'round. “I have ofl‘ended. with unpardonable roughness; do not go until I have asked pardon.” Slow,y and with seeming reluc- tance she closes the door, and, again returning to his side, stands gazing down at him reproachfully, with clasped hands. “I wonder how you can wish me to stay, when you do not love me,” she says, tremulously. “Perhaps” â€" with a sigh and a quick frown â€" “1 wish you to go because I do love you.” "But how unreasonable that is! I 'think were I in your place I should be thankful if I found some one care for me; that is, if I cared the “some one.’ " “I do care for you; it is useless my denying it now.” Taking her hand, he holds it closely. "I love you madly, foolishly, because hopelessly. I have behaved yet your for lllay by day and every hour of the (lay, lying here upon my couch, I think of you only, and torture myâ€" ‘self conjuring up scenes that can never be realized. This time last ‘year I should have thought myself :more than blessed in the knowledge that your heart Was given to me a. free gift. Now low happy, how contented we might have been together, you and I! What a per- ,fect life ours might have proved! But it is too late.” lle pauses, but Gretchen makes no reply. ller hand lies passively in his. Ilcf‘ long. black eye lashes f ,cl‘fectually conceal the expression in , her eyes. “Sometimes I picture to myself usi two on board my good old srhoonerl cruising in the sunny Mediterranean. :fiffding caCh happy day happier than ‘the last. Then we are in ltaly. and I can see your belovml fare grow ‘gl‘tt\0 and solemn over the past glorâ€"l lies of mighty lofne; or dimpling. ,with lz'fughter in merry Paris: or, calm with sweet thought in our Eng-l lish home. And then suddenly I lawake, my fond dreams vanish. and :again I know myself to beâ€"what I lam. ()h, to be strong and well once snore!“ he cries, throwing his arms iwith a passionate movement Ibis head. "Gretchen. is there in I this world a sadder thought than ‘Itl “night bake been? " to' .lain 1 baby 'fsh, 51013111155” s'uflcred lhettcr llietter and was no longer cross. tainty of benefit, about } gists or sent Postpaid at 25 cents a. null-WK by Writing direct .- - Jug-q 1 L , love y. .1.’ "(‘an yc l “Such replies the girl, earnestly. not find some slight comfort in that thought?" as you fll‘O. "l\o. ‘That way madness lies.‘ It is too dangerously sweet a thought. I dare not let myself find happiness in it. Dearest. wlmt I said so roughly some time since I meant... “but has passed between us toâ€"day must never be repeatedâ€"never. You must promise me this, or I shall be compelled at once to leave this house, where I have been. so Content. You should not refuse me in this matter, Iretchen; you should give the promise I require willingly, beâ€" Cause I cannot, of course, forbid you to speak in your own home, and â€" I cannot, run away from you," â€"witb a smile more sorrowful than bitter- est 'weeping. ' Gretchen, touched by it, burst into tears. "Have I grieved you. my own, ask- ed Kenneth, pressing her hand gentâ€" ly to his lips. “You see, ‘vretchen, there is sadness in every thought of me.” "Yes, but gladness tomâ€"my chief gladness,” says Gretchen, with a. sob. gTo be Continued.) fix. FOR DINNER. $1,000,000 Sumptuous Coronation Eighty Years Ago. Feast Now that the approaching coronâ€" ation of King Edward VII. of Eng- land is one of the principal themes of public gossip, it is interesting to recall one great incident of the cor- ouation of one of King Edward's predecessors. It outdid everything of its kind that had ever taken place before as part and parcel of a cor- onation festivity, and it has never been equalled since in ’amount of material used or in the price that it cost. That incident was the cor- onation dinner of George VI. It took place in Westminster Hall eighâ€" ty years ago. The bill of fare was as follows: IIOT DISHES. Soupsâ€"Eighty tureens of turtle, forty of rite, forty of vermiCelli. Fishâ€"Eighty dishes of turbot, for- ty of trout, forty of salmon. Digitsâ€"Eighty dishes of venison, forty of roast beef, three barons of beef, forty dishes of mutton and veal. Accompanimentsâ€"One hundred and sixty dishes of vegetables, 180 silâ€" ver boats of sauce, 210 lobsters, twenty boats of butter, and 120 of mint. COLD DISHES. Eighty dishes of braised ham, eighc ty of savory pies, eighty of a. la daube, two in each dish; eighty of savory cakes. eighty of braised beef, eighty of braised capons, two in each dish; 1,900 side dishes, eighty of lobsters, eighty of crayfish, 161 of coast fowls, eighty of house lamb. WINES. Champagne, 100 Burgundy, 20 dozenj dozen; hock, 50 dozen; dozen: sherry and port, iced punch, 100 gallons. DESSERT. Three hundred and twenty dishes of mounted pastry, 400 of jellies and creams, 260 pineapples. 410 pines. As the size of the “dishes” is not specified in the bill of fare. a pretty good idea Can be had of what a big banquet this coronation feast was from the total quantities of all the edibles. They consisted as follows: Beef, 7,422 pounds; veal, 7,133; mutton, 2,474; house lamb, 20 quar- ters; legs of lamb, 20;/1amb, 5 sad. dies; grass lamb, 55 Quarters;_ lamb sweetbrcads, 160; cow heels, 309; calves’ feet, 400; suet, 250 pounds; geese, 100; pullets and capons, 720; chickens, 1,610; fowls for stock, 520; bacon, 1,730 pounds: lard, 550 pounds; butter, 912 pounds; eggs, 8,400. ' This grand feast and the other cor- onation incidentals cost SIB-10,000. A good estimate of whatlhe banquet. alone cost. can be mado by consider- ing that the cost of the coronation of William IV., nine years afterward, when there was no banquet, was on- ly $250,000. dozen quarts; claret. 250~ Moselle, 50 300 dozen; +_.__ BABY’S OWN TABLETS. Ihe Best Medicine in the World for Children of All Ages. baby‘s Own Tablets are good for :hildren of all ages from the tiniest, weakest baby to the well grown child, and are a certain cufe for. indigestion, sour stomach, colic, constipation, diarfhccu, teething troubles and the other minor ailâ€" fu 1.ts of childrtn. 'lhefe is no )U.Cl' medicine acts so slccdily, so safely and so surely and they con- not one particle of the opi- llCS found in the so-ralled "sooth- ing" medicines. Mrs. II. M. Ness, Hflll'lc. Ont... says :â€""I first began ising llaby's Own Tablets when my was teething. He was fever- and \cry cross, and from indigestion. After .sing tl.e Tabltls he lregan to get almost at once, and slept I. think the Tablets a fine medicine for children and keep them on haul .ill: the time. taken by all ‘to a powder can be given to n The Tablets are rt-adilyl children , and crushed: the baby with a cen- Sold by all drug¢ very youngest to Dr. Wil- liams? Medicine 00., Brockfvtllq [Ont., or Schenectady, N.Y.