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And so through the breakfast scenc‘ and so throuin the whole day she sought to exercise selfeontrol. But could her distress escape the anxious, penetrating eyes of affection? That evening after tea, when Mr. Willcoxen had retired to his own apartments and the waiter had replenished the fire and trimmed the lamps and retired, leaving the young couple alone in the parlorâ€"Miriam sit- ting on one side of the circular work- table bending over her sewing, and Paul on the other side with a hook in his hand. he suddenly laid the volume down, and went round and drew a chair ‘0 Miriam's side and began to tell her how much he loved her. how deer hei- happi- ness was to him, and so entreat her to tell him the cause of her evident distress. As he spoke, she became paler than death. and suddenly and passionately exclaimed: His fine countenance. elevated. grave. and gentle in expression, his kind and loving manner, smote all the lender chords of Miriam‘s heart. Could that man be guilty of ihe crime shghud dared 10 suspmt him of? “011. Paul! Pauli do not question You know not what you ask.” “My own Miriam, wliut mean 3 I ought to know." “Oh. Pauli Pauli I am one [OI‘CdOO to bring misery and dash-notion llpOl who love me; upon all \thm I luv. “My own dearest, you are ill. and change. and you shall have it, Miri: he said, attempting to soolli her that gentle. tender, loving manna ever used toward her. But. shuddering sighs convulsed bosom, andâ€" “Oh. Paull Paul!" was fill Slli' sail “Is it that promise that weighs 1 your mind. Miriam? (Inst it out; "Wouldn't she have a strong:r cup of tea? Wouldn't she have a hot bath? Wouldn't she have her bed warmed? Wouldn't. she have a bowl of nice hot mulled wine? Dear. deurt she, was «0 sorry. but it. would have frightened her- self to death if the carriage luul upset with her. and no wonder Miss Marian was knocked up entirely.” “No, no‘.‘ no!" Miriam would have nothing, and old Jenny mhmtantly left herâ€"tn repose? Ah. not with fever in her veins, to walk up and down and up and down the floor of her room with fearful unrest. Up and down, until the candle burned low, and sunk drowned in its socket; until the fire on the hearth smouldeer and went out; until the slurs in the sky waned with the coming day; until the rising sun kindled all the eastern hori- zon: and then, attired as she was. she sunk upon the outside of her bed and fell into a heavy sleep of exhaustion. Oh, no. no, no! never: Every lineu- ment of his face, every inflection of his voice, as well as every act of his life. and everv trait of his character, forbade the dreadful imputation! “Ring for breakfast, Paul! Our liltle housekeeper will feel better when she gets a cup of coffee.” But Miriam sprang up to ‘nnlicipahz him, and drew her chair to the table. and nervously began to arrange the cups and put, sugar and cream into them, with the vague feeling that she must act as usual to avoid culling ob- servation upon herself, [or ii questioned. how could she answer inquiries. and whom could she make a confidant in her terrible suspicions? your can 1' du 1 ie She arose unrefreshed. and after a hasty toilet descended to the breakfast parlor. where she knew the little family awaitd her. "The journey and the fright, have been too much for you. love; you look very weary; you should have rested longer this morning," said Mr. \Villcoxen, ut- feclionately. as he arose and met her and led her to the most comfortable seat near the fire. But then the’evidenceâ€"the damning evidence! Her brain reeled with the doubt as she sank into the seat he one-red her. But Miriam refused all refreshment. and hurried to her room. It was warmer] and lighted by old Jenny‘s care, and the good creature followed her young mis- tress with affectionate motions of aid. They were expected homo. and 0111 Jenny had fires in all the m‘cupied rooms. and supper ready to go on the table, that was prepared in Hu‘, parlor. Now cold as if the blood wore turned to ice‘in her veins, now burning as if they ran fire, she was hurried on into the house. With a half-stifled recognized the distinct pi she had seen twice bcfo “What is the matter. 1 near Inning? Gi've me So link after link of the deuce wound itself around 11‘ ness. which struggled n; Laocoon in the fatal folds of 1? 1! do not ask me, I“ I dread to see them 5! They may relic CHAPTER XMLâ€"(Continued) Paul! would >! or that. I ' m1! where u ind. Mirlam‘ fulfill it; ln' an wace JJCIOI'O mm Marian. the matter, love? Were you ;? Give me your arm. Mir- necd us both 10 help you mm Or, The Strange Disappearance 3.] 10! tux ill, it. )111 fearful evi- n‘ conscious- xinst it. like the serpent ol‘cdoom 11 upon 4' hl'OU and net Miriam her \vil Miriam the man Marian. {Pan}. :newej should 5'0“ 3P “I do not. know; I never Saw 11mm in each other's company but twice in my life." The youth breathed a lillle freer. “Why did you ask. Paul?" “No matter. Miriam. Oh! I was r1 wrelch, a beast to thinkâ€"” "What, Paul?" , “T here are such strange resemblances inâ€"inâ€"inâ€" What are you looking a: me so for, Miriam?" Miriam was unfolding and exmninin them; but all in a cold, stony. unnaiun way. “It cannot be! I an} crazy. I believe. Let me clear myâ€"oh, Heaven! Miriam! didâ€"wasâ€"do you know whether- there was any one in particular on familiar terms with Miss Hayfield?" “No one out of the family, except Miss Thornton.” “‘0uj_ of the family‘~â€"out of what “To find your meaning. In what. Paulâ€"strange resemblances in what?” “Why. in faces.” “Why. then, so there areâ€"and in per- sons. also; and sometimes in fates; but we were talking of handwritings. Paul." “Were we? Oh, true. I FIITLIIOL quite right, Miriam. I believe [have confined myself too much. and studied too hard. I am really out of sorts; never mind me! Please hand me these foreign letters, love.” “Paul.” she asked, “wasn’t it just eig years this spring since your brother we to Scotland to fetch you?" “Yes; why?" “\V‘asn't it to Glasgow that he went "Yes; why?" - M dire flow family?" “Ours, at the cottage." “Wasâ€"didâ€"I wonder it knew her intimately?” ham sent “Did you know or suspect it?" “No! I was a child when I received it. remember. I have never seen it since.“ 'fNot when you put it in my hand, just now?" “No. I never looked at the writingll’ “That was most strange that you should not have glanced at the hand- writing when you handed it. to me. Why didn‘t you? Where you afraid to look at it? Miriam! why do you turn away your head? Miriam! answer me~<lo you know the handwriting?" “No. Paul, I do not know i1~do you?" “Nol no! how should I? But Miriam, your head is still averted. Your very voice is changed. Miriam! what mean you? Tell me once for all. Do you sus- pect the handwriting?" “How should I? Do you, Paul?" “No, nol I don‘t suspect it.” They seemed afraid to look each other in the face; and well they might be, for the written agony on either brow; they seemed afraid to hear the sound of each other‘s words; and well they might. be, for the hollow. unnatural sound of either vmce. P’iayficéé “Miriam. did your mother know this handwriting?” he asked, in a husky, al- most inaudible voice. "No!" “Did she suspect it?" “No!” “Paul! Paul! look as if you by gazing on Paul!" “Paul took the paper with eager curi- osity to examine it. He looked at it. started slightly. turned pale, shuddored, passed his hand once or twice across his eyes, as if to clear his vision. looked again, and then his cheeks blanched. his lips gradually whitened and separated, his eyes started, and his whole counte- nance betrayed consternation and horâ€" ror. Mim’am gazed upon him in a sort of hushed terrorâ€"then exclaimed: “Paul! Paul! what is 'ihe matter? You look as if you had been turned to stone by gazing on the Gorgon‘s head; Paul! suspicion! they may point to : probability.” she said, incoherent] “Just get me those letters, dez tam." he urged. gently. She arose, tottering, and left the and after an absence of fifteen r returned with the packet in her ht “These seals have not been since my mother closed them Miriam, as she proceeded to 01: parcel. suspicion! probability “Just go u arch e “Once Lire?" “ Boon Pcnuse all the; led to Marian a1 and daied Man Nil a low, stifled lg, he snatched 1 I, tore open the 311C re 0; itself not. you ' d April. 182- more, yes all these foreign \Iarian are postmark: aied March 01' April, w, stifled cry, and a tur- an ac Tlfen the and e from his pa gather )wn she said, mournfulhu : pocket of the dress at ,Luckenough, but before she went. out 1g of her death. Mo- 'ed that she went out .ntmenl. made in that the '1 first 'lhere of fifteen minuu pncnel st letter am his the Uni Why do ms the bit of nature, makin mes. together my brother to anoth ‘cntly. from 1161 that pro. the room you in letters and. broken I! , sand )en 1112‘: in Hz Mir 1t she prosecute her benefaclo led brother, for murder? Co he raised to hurl him dox pride of place to shame and no, no. no! the vow must must be evaded; the right were the right, must be 1 pride of no, no. must b( \V F an 110 et with a “Hemem trying mo be saved. W1 [e {011 the HI but ueaven nyl hin rt" their hi] nin 518 8. ml?" he Keep Lhc Mir must uL ’aul ! what. lowin Ei» l‘ln 1111 )I‘al mle )oking )w you 10 ’aul! Sr all nu did no them fr Miriam dnrled forwn (1 into the fire and 1 scorched and burning l‘C om 10mpth L exclaimed uul no! 3 '0 me of t rod trust." 1111 hesitah gloomy g nber honc will am she m )ment," 5 if all 0! do you SHE Sll forethou an to put. it 3 her hands he. his wax unish him 1t 1 \‘ 1ddel into iam :ndcd : the )n 11 111 he think I] 0 longer, What find Oh, speak, or my h‘ 1i} )nét‘. Paul, C ’ said Miriam â€"anylhing! anything exposure and sacrifim E he had sinned, had in l he not suffer? When ward, his protege. his in a hollow urely for the promise to her dying promise to bring the 3! Would sheâ€"could its obligations? Could benelaclor, her adop~ u‘der? Could her hand him down from his You will not use force this that I must guard m can ands. Ha lonked as to snatch it from h hec H) ll] lam lh can fir ) her or her word mo inmnlod; slil to me. Paul. '1‘: I have had for an bezn' silence at d 10 her. 1t and ey oh! never )ur 11K actor, her Could her down fro and death his ssion discolorcr gony. Miriam, slarlin , gazing an him Mr looks kill nu “\"eng ailh tn keep 1' 1 up and With a )rwnrd. ou 1k trans do with 111:]! 101 youvcan K 811. Paul: ‘ even in ihis u; “lot honor be bI‘Okf even if discolm ul if UN age, his mce 13 Lord.” 1 quick thl‘us 10d {In but no llI sent Ill The annual statement of the Assurance Company will be another part of to-day’s issue, be seen to be one that does rm to this progressive company. ’1 transactions resulted in 3386.340 devoted to dividends, and $133,: tied to the reserve fund, whi amounts to $1,712,020.42. Tm While Paul walked up and down, like a maniac. Miriam returned to her room to pace the floor until nearly morning. when she threw herself exhausted, upon the bed, fell into a heavy sleep, and a third time. doubtless from nervous ex- citement or prostration, suffered a repe- tition of her singular vision, and awoke late in the morning, with the words, “perform thy vow,” ringing in her ears. (To be continued). Annual Staloment Shows Company {0' be Enjoying Prosperity. amounts to $1,742,020.42. The liability for unearned premiums on unexpired risks is estimated at $1,322,183.46. By deducting this sum from the reserve it is seen that there is a surplus over capi- tal and all liabilities amounting to $419,- 836.96. The fire premiume during the your amounted to $2,388.5903l, and the marine premiums to $705,764. The fire losses were {ELM-7,906.20, and the marine losses $665,157.57. The excellent list uf assels which is published in the unnu- ril statement shows that almost one-third :11 stat‘ of the] debenl And so he walked up and down; vainly the fresh Wind fanned his fevered brow; vainly the sparkling stars glanced down from holy heights upon him; he found no coolness for his fever in the air. no sedative for his anxiety in the stillness, no comfort for his soul in the heavens; he knew not whether he were indoors or out. whether it were night or day, summer or winter. he knew not, wrao- pod as he was in the mantle of his own sad thoughts, suffering as he was in the purgatory of his inner life. her vow." She will! she will! responded the deliberate conscience. A raw ARO'JHD THE WORLD. or $1,000 IN 0810. A FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY 00038 Grand Prize (“ompet u \VI‘IS'I‘ERN ASSURANCE REPORT. mum”) ., H . . . . “0,840.38 Interest Duo and Am .. . . 21,786.93 Ofico Panda". In); PIA”, tea. 31.12511 Azancs' Balance: and Sundry Ao- colmtra .. .... ,. 515.714.68 8‘00)“. . . . . A , . . . .. .. ,, .05 Con: ny‘s Building: . . . . . , . . . . ‘ . . 110,000.00 Mun olpd Band- ud Debentures. magmas: Hahn-om Bonds . . . . . . . . . ‘ . . 4 . , . . . . . “$533.64 Cub an Hand and on Deposit... 329,379.92 l}an Receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . saunas os‘. . 20,103.00 Duo from ochio‘r United State and State Bonds. . . .l Dnmiuiuu of Cumul- Shck . . . . . . .. Ban}, Company and othor Western Assurance Co. Hon. Geo. A. Cox, President; J. J. Kenny, Viceâ€"President and Managing Dirmtor; Hon. S. C. Wood. H. N. Baird. Geo. R. R. Cockbum, W. R. Brock, Geo. McMurrich. J. K. Osborne. E. R. Wood. OSLER, HAMMOND and NANTON, Winnipeg, Mam, Genl. Agts for Manl- toba. and N. W. Territories. D. C. McGREGOR, Vancouver. B. C... General Agent. for British Columbia. Agents wanted in all towns not already represented. no animal and mum". that evsry Industrial. man may own. ___:____ PROFITABLE and communal; Farm Home The character and Purpose of our company. which I. organlzod UNDER Tnl Ausnczs or ma lunavauosm oaun or roanraas, may he disarle a "noun. RELIABLE, HELPFUL, Parmonc. MANITGBALWKAWHEWAN and ALBERTA $665,157 which i emcnt sl' n consis for his or he Dry‘GoBds Roview 7E5 MaoLEAM PUBLISHINO 60., leltad. Montreal. Toronto, Wlnnldsx, or London, lap “THE BUSY MAN'S MAGAZINE is the host I have ever had tho pleasure of reading." S. W. WYNN, Editor Yorkton Enterprise. Send pasta] for particulars of competition to our nearest ofico. DO IT NOW may he a glorious change in your career. Security to Policyhohlcrs . . . . . . . . .. Losses paid from the organiza fion of the to date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Capital . . . . . . [test-I've Fund HE In Sizes’ to suit purchasers. from 139 acres upwards. situated On or near raiiways In the famous wheat growing districts '3' FIFTY-FIFTH ANNUAL STATEMENT. In addition tq these prizes there are many A catsh commmsxon wxll be given on every : UPERSTITH ASSETS. shed m the annu- at almost oneâ€"third micipal bonds and 1nd $133,254.69 : und, which m .42. The liabil ms on unexpix The Union Trust Company, leited, TEMPLE BUILDING, TORONTO. I‘OR SALE much The 340.12 ition 8 157.m.ao 65,856.00 $3,441,071.28 When Writing Mention This Paper DIRECTORATE: Western found in and will Bis! December. 1905. 2 being 4.69 ad- 1 now liability 515,714.63 credit year‘s we are many othem. Every competitor can ylin or}. on on every subacriptgou taken, every one bomg pmd F. W. HODSON, MANAGER. LAND Danna-31:“, THE BUSY MAN'S MAGAZINE is being pushed rapidly to the front among pre- sent-day periodicals. are perhaps better known, to the public as the publishers of Canadian trade newspapers. All interested ‘-in this compelilion sfiould write for particulars (0 the nearest of- fice of the Madman Publishing Co.. In the usual run of prize competitions only two or three lucky persons get. any- thing for their efforts. The best feature about the prize competition which the Maclean Publishing Company have in- augurated in connection with THE BUSY MAN’S MAGAZINE. is that every- body gets a reward for his 'or her work. To him or her will be offered one C! three unique prizes,â€"â€"a four years’course at any Canadian university or educa- tional institution with all expenses paid. a free trip around the world, or one thousand dollars in gold. In addition, there will be a great many more prizes, which can easily be won by any com- petitor. These are over and above a reward, in the shape of money pay- ment, to everybody who enters the com- petition. 'l'he MncLeen Publishing Company. through whose enterprise partmenl the ex< ' [Mr. F. W. Hods commissioner of Of farmers‘ insfi The Union Tm congratulated on ‘ A Most Attractive and Patriotic Policy. We published in another section this paper the advertisement of Union Trust Company. This Comp has large holdings of land along line of the Grand Trunk Pacific in Northwest. The Union Trust Company has ser on for the manaflcmcnt of its Lands Capital Stock ‘ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Losses undor Adjustment ‘ . . . . . . . . Dividend payable Jul. 6th, 1906.. . Reserve Funl. “nun-n..."- . Limited. Ah EXTRAORDINARY PRIZE COMPE- TITION. Ni”) rn Tl m: :m 1F ‘siti . . . . . . . . . 3,242,020.42 Company . . . .usmzssms . . . . . . . . $1,500,000.00 . . . . . . . . 1,742,020.42 institutes 1 Trust :1 on SOCUI LIABILITIES. l'rust Company uugemcnt of its exceptionally ul )dSOIl 311 mi gamma Compa: uring MI [is more uonuuy uble services , formerly live stock madu and organizer .........81.soo.ooo.oo 1110 )I )Y $3,461,077}. [h Hodson connect mLIoubl 17.1359.” 43,097.50 ll in our ,1. De lillgfl‘ ltm lion the my the HP- )l‘