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Or,the Befle(fi the Season. CHAPTER XX.â€"-iContiiiued). She stood and looked at him. The color slowly left her face until it was white as death. the light faded from her eyes un- til they \Vl'l‘c dull and lifeless. the red of her lips paled and the lips themselves rc- laxed and drooned. and as he looked at her a ghastly fear smote his heart. and a question shot into his eyes. She inclined her head as if he had put the question in words. "Yes." she said. “I shall die. You re~ member my mother. I shall follow herfi" lie utteer a low. hoarse cry. and caught her hands and held them: then he flung them iron him. and standing with his back to her. said. thickly. as if every word were forced from him: “You shall have your way! You always have had. like your mother before you~ you always will. But mark my words; you'll live to curse the hour you forced me to do this!" . She drew a. long brcathâ€"-it was almost a sigh: ot‘ relief. and she laid her hands on his arms and kissed him on the fore- head. "I‘ll risk that." lens laugh. There was a silence for a moment, then she said. calmly: "You will play your part carefully. fa- ther? You will let Sir Stephen think that Stafford desires it: you will be careful?" lie turned upon her with an oath. "You'd best. leave it to me." he said. savagely. “I'll try and save you from shame all 1 can. For Heave}|'s sake go and leave me alone!" she said. with a trcmu- CHAPTER XXI. While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night. and wondering whether. even if he should get an opportunity of speak- ing to his father. it would be wise to tell him of Ida. Howard knocked at the door. Stafford told him to come in. and sent Measom away. and Howard. who was al- ready dressed. sank into an easy chair and surveyed his friend with bland ap- Droval. “A white tie. to-night. Staff? on?" "Yes; there is a. dance." replied Staf- ford. rather absently. What would his father say and do? Would he go over to Heron Hall the next. morning? Yes. that is what he would do. “A dance? Is that all? From the un- dercurrent of suppressed excitement ani- mating most of the guests I should think it was something more important. Have you noticed the air of suspense. of fluctu- ating hope and doubt. triumph and de- spair. which has characterized our noble band of financiers. during the last, few days?" Stafford shook his head. "No: I haven’t noticed 'em particularly. In fact. I scarcely see them. or do more than exchange the usual greetings. They seem to me to move and look and speak inst about as usual." Howard smiled. "To be young and happy and free from care is to be blind: puppies. for instance. are blind!" Stafford grinned. Anything "That's complimentary. anyhow. What do you think is up?" "I think Sir Stephen is going to pull off his great event. to make his grand coup." said Howard. "Do you find a black-and-lan terrier improves a coat by lying on it?" - Tiny had coiled himself up on that gar. ment. which Measom had laid ready on the chair. and was lying ,apparently asleep. but with his large eyes fixed on his beloved master. “Oh. he's a peculiar little beast. and is always getting where he shouldn't be. Hi! young man. get off my coat!" He picked the terrier up and threw him i about midnight” softly on the bed. but Tiny got down at K wont say more if you are sure there is nothing between you. “I have the bust of rrasons for saying we." said Stafford. carelessly. and. with a touch of color in his face. "lint it s all dashed nonsense! The women always think there's something serious going on if you dance twice with a girl. or sit and talk to he]; for half an hour." "Right!" said lloward. rising, the bell!" . As. Howard had said, there was an air of suppressed excitement about the party: and it was not confined to the financiers who clustered to'zc‘ icr in the hall and discussed and tal 41 in undertones. every now and then g‘ancing up the stairs down which Sir Stephen would presently de- scend. Most of the other guests. though they had no direct and personal interest in the great scheme. had heard rumors and come 'within reflective radius of the excitement: as for the rest. who knew no- thing or cared less for Sir Stephen's railA way. they were in a pleasant. condition of excitement. over the coming dance. Staffoid. as he stood in the hall talking about the night's programme to BertieA who had been (\lf‘Ct/Nl. by common and tac- it consent. master of the ceremoniesesaw Maude Falconer descending the stairs She was even more exquisitely dressed than usual: and Stafford heard some of the women and men murmur admiringly and enviously as she swept. across the hall in her magnificent. ball-dress; her dia- monds. for which she was famous. glit- tering in her hair. on her white throat. and on her slender wrists. The dress was a. m‘ixture of greys and black. which would have looked bizarre on anyone less beau- tiful: but. its strange tints harmonized with her superb and classic class of beauty. and she looked like a vision of loveliness which might well dazzle the eyes of the beholders. She paused in her progressâ€"it might almost. be called a tri- umphant one. for the other women's looks were eloquent of dismayâ€"and looked at Stafford with the slow. halfâ€"dreamy smile which had come into her face of late when she spoke to him. “Have you seen my father? Has come down. Mr. Orme?” she asked. “No.” said Stafford. He looked at her, as a man does when he admires a. woman’s dress. and forgetting Howard‘s words of warning. said: “What a splendacious frock. Miss Falconer!" “Do you like it? I am glad." she said. “I had my doubts. but nowâ€"â€"" Her eyes rested on his for a moment, then she passed on. “I shouldn't like to have to pay Miss Falconer‘s dress bill." remarked a young married woman. looking after her. “That ‘frock.' as you call it. in your masculine ignorance. must have cost a small for- tune." Stafford laughed. “We men always put our foot in it when we talk about a woman's dress." he said. A moment after. the dinner was an- nounced. and Sir Stephen. who had come down at the. last moment. as he went up to take Lady Clansford. nodded to Staf- ford. and smiled significantly. He was as carefully dressed as usual. but on his face, and in his eyes particularly. was an ex- pression of satisfaction and anticipatory triumph which was too obvious to escape the notice of but very few. He was not "loud" at dinner. but talked even more fluently than usual. and once or twice his fine eyes swept the table with a victori- ous. masterful glance. Directly the ladies had gone. the little knot of financiers drew up nearer to their host. and Grifi‘enberg raised his eyebrows interrogatively. Sir Stephen nodded. “Yes.” he said. in an undertone. "It‘s all right! I heard this morning. My man will be down. with the final decision. by a special train which ought to land him “We'll meet. in the IL brary. say at half past twelve. and get "There's he once and c rled himself up on the fur mat the rhing- finished. eh, baron?" by Stait‘or '5 feet. “Seems to be fond of you: strange dog!" said Howard. "Yes I think Sir Stephen's ‘iittle schemeâ€"as if any scheme of fully. and I shouldn't be surprised if the financiers had a meeting to-night and the floating of the company was announced." l his could be ‘llittle‘lwhas worked out success-i \Virsch grunted anproval., "Vare geot. Sare Stephen: dee sooner a ting ees congluded. do bedder. 'Arf baet dwelvel" There was but a short stay made in the drawingâ€"room. and before ten o'clock the guests streamed into the magnificent ball- room. There were a. number of the neigh- “Oh‘ Said N‘flfiord- “3 he got into his l boring gentry who were making their ac- coat. “Yes. I daresay it's all right. governor seems always to pull it. otf." Howard smiled. “You talk as if an affair of thousands of thousands. perhaps millions. were quite a. bagatelle." he said. "My dear boy. don't you understand. realize. the importance of this business? It's nothing less than a. railway from " Staflord nodded. "Oh. yes. you told me about it. It's a very big.thing. I darcsay. but what puz‘ ales me is why the governor should care to worry about it. He ha money enough." “No man has money enough." said How- nrd. srileinnly. “But no matter. It is a \vasu cf time to discuss philosophy with a. man who has no mind above fox-hunt- ing. fishing. pheasantâ€"shooting and dancâ€" ing. By the way. how malty times do you mean to dunc 'th the Grecian goddess?" "Menniugâ€" ' said Stafford. “Miss Falconer. of course. Grecian god- desses are not so common. my dear Staf- ford. as to permit of more than one in a house~party." "I'm sure I don't. know." replied Staf- ford. eyeing him with faint surprise. "What made you ask me that?" Howard eyed the handsome face with cynical amusement. “Pardon. if 1 was impertinent: but I assure you the question among themselves by the houseAâ€"A” began to is being asked all the women in Stafford stared at him. and frown with perplexity rather than auger. "My dear Stafford. I know you are not mssessed of a. particularly brilliant intellect. but you surely posse-=6 sufficient intelligence to see that your at- tention; to Miss Falconer are somewhat obvious." “What?” mid Stafford. "My attentions to Miss Falconerâ€"i Howard?" "Not in the least: it‘s usually too great a waste of time wifh you. my dear boy: you don't listen. and when you do. half the time you don't. understand. N0. l‘m quite serious; but perhaps [ought to have said her attentions to you; i; would have been more correct." Stgfiord colored. “Look here. old man.“ he said. “If you thinkâ€"~- Oh. dasn it all. what nonsense it is! Miss Falconer and I are very 200d friends and of conmc I like to talk to herâ€"she‘s so sharp almost as smar: and Are you chatting. clever as you are. when she likes to take‘ the trouble: and of course I like to hear 1. he.â€" sing~- Why. my dear Howard. it's like listening to one of the big operatic swells: but: but to suggest that. there is anythingrthat there is any reason to warn me we Oh. dash it! come off it. oldl man: you're chafiing?" "Not in the lean. But I d.an inicnd any warning: in fact. I remember now I am in honcr bound to refrain from any- thing of the kind." ‘In honor hound?" said Stafford. llnward almost blushed. “Oh. it‘s nothing: only a silly wager." kid "I can't tell you. so don't 'n- Re. But all the same well. there. I The I nuaintance with the Villa for v dancer in [an unfortunate thing for those who wish the first time. and they regarded the splendor around them with an amazement which was not without reason; for toâ€"night the artistically designed and shaded electric lamps. the beautiful rooms with their chaste. yet effective decorations. on which money had leen lavished like water, were seen to their greatest advantage; and the ’Vaynes. the Bannerdales. and the lo cal gentry generally exchanged glances and murmured exclamations of surprise and admiration. and wondered whether there could be any and to the wealth of a man who could raise such ll palace in so short a time. From the gallery of whiteand-goid the famous baud. every man of which was a. musician. prmently began to send forth the sweet strains of a. \Vuldtenfel waltz. and Stafford found Lady Olansford for the fuel dance. Though he had paid little at- tention to Howard's remarks about Maude Falconer. he remembered them. and he did not ask her for a dance until the ball had been running about an hour; then he went up to where she was standing talking to Lord Bannerdale. her last partner. His lordship and Htafiond had already met. and Lord Bannerdale. who admired and liked Stafford. nodded pleasantly. “I was just saying to Miss Falconer that I wish Fate had made me a great. finan- cicr instead of a country quire. Orme! By Jove! this place is a. perfectâ€"er~ dream: and. when I think of my damn old house " "What frightful language!" said ford. Lord Bannerdale laughed. “If Miss Falconer had not been present. 1 might just as well have used the other word I say I can't help envying your fa- ther that magician's wand with manages to raise such marvels. to find him and tell him so!" "A dance?" said Maude. proffered his request~ "Yes, only one: it is this." He put his arm round her. and as he did so her eyes half closed and her lips quiv- ered at his touch. Stafford waltzed well. and Maude was far and away the best the room: they moved as one and graceful modern Staf- I'm going as Stafford I have one. body in the slow waltz. and Stafford. in the enjoyment of. this perfect poetry of motion. forgot every- ‘ thing. even hispartner: but he came back from his reverie. as she suddenly paused. ‘Are you tired?" he asked. “By George! how perfm‘tly you waltz! I've never in» ioyed a dance more." > A faint. color rose to her facemit had been very pale a moment beforcvand .he‘ looked at. him with an carnee’lntxss wlimh rather puzzled him. "They say that to agree in \valtziug to be friends." "Do they?" be sazd. with a smile. “I wonder who it is says all those ' '” Now what nrnsense t iizcel To enjoy a (Lincv‘ just call ed this. izuts a man .n .i govi temper \\’.‘.ll himself and 11.5 partner; and. which he - Food Fit for a King! â€"but so cheap that everyone can afford it. .V BENSON’S PREPARED CORN is so popular. It’s a food for all seasons; excellent for warm weather because it is not over-heating. BENSON’S PREPARED CORN ,3 The housewife who keeps a package of BENSON’S PRE- 7' PARED CORN in her pantry is never at a loss for a dainty dessertâ€"one that can be quickly prepared in half a hundred different ways. MONTREAL : 1 King Arthur’s Court is filled with glee, -. Joy reigns therein this morn; ; r The Queenâ€"God bless Her Majestyâ€" ; A pudding has made from Benson’s Corn. E :: CANADA - STARCH - COMPANY :: Makers of the Famous Edwardsburg Brands BRANTFORD :: CARDINAL u of course. makes him feel more friendly. I'm not a good logiciau. but that sounds all right. doesn't it?" “Yes.” she said in a low voice. won‘t dance any more. 1â€"1 am tired to-night and disinclined for lug." "All right." he said. "I‘m sorryibotll that you won't dance and for the cause. You have been doing too much today / too long a ride, I expect. These hills are rather trying to these who are not used to them. Shall we go and sit in that re- cess? I'll bring you some wineâ€"~" “No. thanks." she said. quickly; could not hear him to leave her. He led her to one of the recesses leading on to the fernery. and found her a seat near a softly plashing fountain. The lights were shaded with rosecolored silk and threw a soft. warm glow upon her face and snowy neck. For the hundredth time. as he looked at her. he thought how beau- tiful she was. and for the hundredth time compared her to Ida. of course to sweethearts advantage. She 'leaut hack in the luxurious lounge with her eyes bent on her jewelled fan. and seemed lOeL in thought. Then suddenly she said: "Do you know how long we have been here. Mr. Orme? It is a tremendous time. I told my father to-nigh: that we must. take our departure." "Oh. no!“ he said. "Pray don't think of itâ€"if you care to stay. if you are happy. You would be a very serious loss to “If I careerif I am happy!" .\‘he laugh- "No. I a little danc- she ed a low strange laugh and raised her: .eyes to his for an instant. "Do you think I have not been happy?" "Oh. I hope so.“ he said. would be awfully cut up if he thought you had not: if he thought there had been any. thing to prevent your being happy he would remove it even if itrrit were one of those mountains outside." he added. with t a laugh. ' . . "You admire you: fatherr "You are fond of him?" Stafford nodded. sarv Question. "Rather!" he said. "There never such a father as, mine!" "And Sir Stephen thinks there never was she said. such a son as his." she said in a low voice. ~ j"I supp-wr- you are both quite willing tn .utakc sacrifices for each other. “'onld you d. 7 would vou g:vc up much for your fa (her. i-lr. Orxnc." She raised her eyes again. and le: his. It seemed an unneces-l “'85 . rrst on his. Stafford tried to smile. but his face grew grave. “Just my life. if it were any use to him." he said. “That is so little!” she said. "We can all die for those we love. but few of u4 can live for them :go on liyiiig a. life which has to be moulded to a. plan, bent on anothcr's will! Could you do that?" "Yes." he said. after a pau.c. no sacrifice I would not make for my fa- ther's sake: but”iho laughed and cleared the gravity from his browi‘hll the sacri- lice seems to be on his side. lie has work- ed for me all his life. is working still. I'm afraideâ€" coner; and looking for you. I'm afraid. Ralph Falconer stood in the doorway looking round. his heavy face seeming heavier than usual his thick lips droop- ing. AS he saw the two young people. his lips straightened and he went over to them slowly. "I hope you are no: going to take liiiss Falconer away. sir?" said Stafford. Ralph l~alconer shook his head. avoiding his daughter‘s Lye, said: “r'ir Stephen wants to see you in the li- brary. Mr. Orme. and wishes me to accom- pany you. “Certainly. if Bliss Falconer null excuse. me." He rose. and he fancied her hand trem- bled slightly as it tested almost as light- ly as a feather on his arm. "I'll take you to Lady ( isfnrJ 4' "There is no need: here 2'4 my hex: part- izer.” she said. as the "beautiful, haunti- ful Bertie" came up smiling and buoyant. "Anything the matter. sir?‘ .tr‘h‘ed Staf- “My father ford. as he and Falconer trade their way round the room through xx :cli was float- ing the list thing in v: . .. a soft and sensuous melody vvh.cli sang the soul to rest. "I think not. A matter of business. I ‘ " said Ralph Falconer. "His secre- . . Mr. Murray. has just come from Lo:.. don: it may be snineZliing to do with the papers he has brought." Stafford nodded. though the explanation seemed unsatisfactory: fur win: concern lizd Stafford with Inc "iv-per.- ? As they wen'L through the hal the: «w the flu. anclers clustered together h an expect- rn: air. as if they were \v ;t g for (he 'rtsuZL of the arrival of the man iv: the ecial ti‘aznz and they stared at Falcon- ;or and exchanged glances as he and Staf- them ford passed them and went to the library “l‘licre is Here is your father, Miss Fal- and, ‘ llittle longer. icreased from '(Jlll). while no less than $3l’i.l,v(i1i,000 in That is why Delicious with any flavoring, fresh fruit or extract. Can be served in so many different ways that it is always new and refreshing. Send a postcard for a dainty little receipt i book that tells how to make the many table ’ . V delicacies that owe their goodness to BEN- ». p SON’S PREPARED CORN. Sir Stephen's voice came cheerily' in response to Stafiord's knock. and Staf- ford entered: Falconer following him with bent head and the same heavy look. (To be continued) .2. A door. GERMANY'S WAR MACHINE. Kaiser Would Have Had Far Larger Army Next Year. That Kaiser William would have :5.4IJ0.000 trained soldiers to turn loose. 'upon mankind by the end of 1915 had the present crisis not been precipi- tated is one of the startling facts .whieh military authorities state. And 'althougb Germany‘s ruler even now has 4.000.000 men in arms, the rest of the world may take some comfort that his new army organization, scheme had not been in operation a. The remarkable military activity of Germany which has been worrying the rest of Europe for the past few. years culminated in the law of 1913: of which the main principle was to largely increase the number of re- cruits joining yearly by lowering the age standard. By this plan less rell-l anee had to be placed on the reserve elements. More important even than these provisions with their immense numerical increase. however. was the ‘fact that mobilization would be enor- mously expedited thereby and a huge .army of trained men thrown into the field at a moment‘s notice. Sinister and significant in top of itliis. to all but those who blindly re- :fused to see. was the gathering to- gether of gold and silver by Germany during the past two years. The war chestficash immediately available for mobilizationâ€"was doubled in gold, in- SIJOVUUU'OIIO to $60,000,. silver had been boarded up.