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Her eyes shone and a. : started to her cheeks. “You are glad?" Howard smile of sympathy that In of mockery In It. for your ' is always amused by W( others. “Yes. I am glad: but not for my own sake. You think 1 am pining for a cor- onet? I do not careâ€"it is for Smfford‘s sake that I am glad. Nothing is too good for him. no title too high!" "Do you think Stafford cures?" asked Howard. She flushed and her eyes fell before his nus. "No." she said. with a deep sigh. "II do not think he cares. He seems quite‘ indifferent. All the time Sir Stephen and. I have been working " “Have you been working?" said Ho- ward. raising his eyebrows. ‘ She laughed a little wearily. “indeed. yes. I have beenâ€"what do you men call it?â€"-â€"log-rolling for weeks. It is I who have found out what is wanted by the people who can help us. And it is generally, always. in fact. money. Always money! 1 get ‘tips’ from Sir Stephen and my father. and whisper it to the lords and ladies who have influence in the political drawing- rooms and clubs." “And Slr Stephen?" She laughed. _ “His task is much simpler and easier than mine. He just goes dOWn to his political club and subscribes so many thousand pounds towards the party exâ€" penses. The other night he gave them --but I must not tell the secrets of the Tories even to you. Mr. Howard. But it was a. very large sum. It is always done that way. isn‘t it?" “I suppose so.” he assented. "It must be; for, come to think of it. a man isn't made a. peer simply because he brows good beer; and a great many of our peers were and are brewers. you see. Oh. it‘s all right. it pans out very satis- factorily. as the miners say. And so Stafford will be the futureâ€"" "Baron Highclifi‘e." she said. "Sir Stephen owns some land there. andâ€" and some of his people come from there." Howard laughed. “I see. Been there since they came ow'er with the Conquerer. The Heralds' College will have no difficulty in finding a coat-of-arms. Something with a Kaf- flr and a railway in it." She smiled tolerantly. "You always make ‘funnofmeverything. ~.n..‘g Mr." Howard careâ€"f3 careâ€" She sighed, and a moment afterwards her hand went to her lip with the ges- ture of a nervous schoolâ€"girl She had heard Stafford's voice in the hall He came in and greeted her gravely. and. Howard being present, merely took her hand “You two conspiring as usual?" he said. with a smile. with the smile which indicates a, mind from which mirth has been absent for some time "Yes." said Howard; “we have been plotting the cotillon and very properly arranging that the prlze shall go to the wisest. the nicest. aan best-looking _. -A 5.." "A" man his n heart cency ulu u lacs l. mu, ...... __._ man in the room I need not tell you his name?” He spread his hand on his heart. and bowed with mock compla- cency. “And now I will go and find Sir Stephen and get a. cigarette before the battle begins. Au revoir." \Vhen he had gone. almost before the door had closed on him. Maude moved closer to Stafford. and with a mixture of shyness and eagerness. put her arm on his arm. “How good of you to come so early!" she murmured. in the voice which only a woman in love can use. and only when she is addressing the man she loves. “You did not come to Richmond? Never mind! Stafford. you know that I do not wish to hamper or bind you. do you not?â€"â€"â€"- Are you well?" she broke off. scanning his face earnestly. anx- iously. __ .. . ,,,;A_~. nun“, AA you u man. AVAnuuv. “I thought you looked. tired. pale. that you have looked so for some weeks." she said. her eyes seeking his. He shrugged his shoulders. “I am quite well. The hot Weather makes one feel rather limp. I suppose. At any rate, there is nothing else the matter with me but a fit of laziness.” "As if you were ever lazy." “There is a. large party to-night?“ he said. presently. She nodded. .h,__.... nun... weâ€"l Her 9 dance ford ‘3' course." m many 0pm much soug She sigh “That ls ing engage then. 7 The ab5( she and love ford clung peuls soul anc Wh A 1mm Ymmg Man; "It : neiu my hall"'â€"-sl it as she pre must run : lit CHAPTER XXXI.â€" ( Continued) He 1 D58“: He l. Sh ‘thc \\' I ll] ’e bent and kissed her. anu uer up: 11; to his in that most awful of ap< ls. the craving, the prayer from the 1 that loves to the soul that refuses 2 in return. ' Ah. Station]. ifâ€"if it were all over. we were away in the country some- many tin“ ." he said. opportunitie sought after sighed. nodded.’ .immcnse. The biggest thing mean Sir Stephen-has done." ’es fell for a. moment. “You will with me to-nightâ€"twice, Stuf- : her eyes dwel! hunger in them 1 have not kiss Eiiéwtiie one disadvanta: raged to you." she Said The second and (he preocbupation w a. little 'clo not fixghed. little “’1 a: he is 1 well." Maude and stood wlu‘ times he responde Or. i1 gufywsiéffofi r {vouid \V welt as usual the Belle of the Season. It 1 'sh ivorldllné had her. and )1er_llDS d with the same n his eyes: and :l‘ to him still: on his face with she whispered: d me yet. Staf- spot of his have said. "Sir there. andâ€" come from 11d. with a something rldly cynic bu‘ “It must man isn't he erWS of our ill be age of beâ€" d. “Twice. e elevsnth like. not Why do Stat d. with al plots ._per. smilâ€" “'1”! cd. :uf- uNo‘ Griffe OI 13-. get “The: 10" annoum Staffo (er .1 st ‘be‘ which £ ‘09- glanced ‘mh about ( himself \ mn ‘n-‘r‘ ‘n; two at 1% land Glenfm‘e h Staffordâ€"d am getting Stafford handsome the admiru son regard thirty uL LIIU Acuu u “Seriously, Staff! I'm older than you think. andâ€"erâ€"â€" Ah. well. we're all mortal! Do you think you could oblige me in a little matter He paused. Stafford looked at him with a half smile. "Sounds as if you wanted to borrow money. 311‘. Anything I can doâ€"â€"~â€"" SlI‘ Stephen laughed. “No: I‘m not in wan; of r_nonev: bus I'm in want grandr‘hildren He" laughed W ashamed of "Seriously. S‘ for waiting? ment is a should you can make eagerlx Sir It the "KS-tiafifjbird turned ther might not sc his face. ‘7‘1;l.l-â€"V-i'11 sneak to said. trying to make if not enthusiaspig._ . Sir Stephen 1: ford's broad sht “Thank you. 1 are always gom bless you. Staff Vlvuu va-u His voice “as husky. there was a1 moisture in his eyes which almost made Stafford’s grow dim; then. with a swift return to his usual alert and sanguine manner. Sir Stephen withdrew his hands and swung round. “I must be off: Maude likes me to be in the room when the people come: and. by George! Staff. I find myself doing what she likes all the time!" His laugh rang out as he hurried with his brisk step from the room. He was at his post when the guests began. to arrive; and not far from him stood Maude in the splendor of her beauty; not tremulous now. as Howard had seen her. but statuesque and calm. and gracious with a stately graciousness which was well suited to the coronet which all knew would some day glitter on the bronze-gold hair. Every now and then as the crowd increased her eyes wandered in search of Stafford. and she noticed that though he took his part. did his duty. the listless. half- wearied expression was still on his ‘face. and a pang shot through her. Was ‘it possible that he was still thinking of ithat girl at Bryndermereâ€"â€"? She thrust the thought. the sickening dread. from her and forced\the conventional smile t0_her face. She danced the first dance with a popular duke who stood high in the Government. and a word or two he let of i heart drop: “Sir Stephen: a man worthy the highest honors.” made her beat with anticipatory triumph. The second waltz came. and well. with Stafford’s arm round her. with her head almost pillowed on his shoulder she was happy. and her fears. Ah, her vague doubts and presentiments .fell from her. "Ah that was good." she said. with. "W'OHI you ('Ulllt’ of the crowd?" he ar Sir Stephen nodde awayâ€"they made a himâ€"When a serva1 with a cablegram or he did so. Howard quickly. “Take it into the most sharply to the ford he whispered: it. It is bad news. told meâ€"quick! Ta‘ But before Siai‘to could take the cab] had got it. He stood the electric light f some face; the eml: He opened the teleg still on his lips. an then the crowd of written. gaping?â€" smile fade slowly. t paler, still paler. th up and round him a ing for a face. and guish and terror. m "Staffordâ€"my ho cents of despair. Stafford sprang t "Fatherâ€"I am Sir Stephen's gaze ; had been stricken ! The next mommil arms and. with a g Stafford caught him rose from the crov as if suddenly aWe presence: and forci it a famous doctor and son. There was a mo Dense. thenâ€"the mi mockery in the though not a wordfll ya... u...” .. .v._..._V,_, The second waltz came. and Ah, well. with Stafford’s arm round her. with her head almost pillowed on his shoulder she jvas hapm'.~ and her_fea.rs. her vague doubts and presentiments fell from her. "Ah. that was good," she said. with a. sigh. "Do not forgetâ€"the eleventh. dearest! Take me to the Princeâ€"he is over there." She dropped a ourtsey to his royal highness. and Stafford left her with him. As he made his way to the end of the room he saw Griffenberg and several of the other financiers in a group as usual; and they were talking with even more than their ordinary enthusiasm and secretiveness. Gx‘iffenberg caught his arm as he was ggsslgg. Stafford's f‘ “Not thereâ€" Brynderme about to add something. then checked himself and turned away. and as Staf- ford went on. said in a low voice to \Virsch: “Do you think he has heard? Looked rather glum, didn't he?" The baron shrugged his shoulders. “Don't know. He's‘a shtrange shentle- man. He keeps himself to himself doesh Mishter Shtal’ford." Stafford went on. and at one of the anterooms came upon Mr. Falconer. He we standing looking on at the dancing with a. grim countenanca. and seemed lost in thought; so much so that he was almost guilty of a start when Staf- ford spoke to him. “Yes! Great crowd. Just come in'.‘ Father all right?" “Quite well, thanks." said Stafford. rather surprised by the question. At that moment a. servant brought a foreign cablegram to Falconer. Falconer tore it open. glanced at it. and went pale. mnounced to~nlght Stafford nodded. Let a stare at Stafi which evinced no glanced at the othc cigarette next ba’ll them Mr Stephen lauwhed the. retorL Serlously, Staff! I"y All right We‘ve “No. what is it?" said Stafford Grifienberg smiled, but rather 1 Falcm But Egg-(17113 'nevi’s, ‘Mr. OFme An s have pl Lli( mt ‘(I nodded. And Grirfenberg, afâ€" Lre at Stafford's impassive face. winced no flush of exultauon. at the others curiously, seemed > add something. then checked and turned away. and as Staf- xt on, said in a low voice to SUDF laughed : face affec lion and siastic. . ‘n laid hxs \threver you like. till got scme years of then :1 awa and s; '{v'ent in Iem‘ch Wouldn't it be rather e. slr? \Vhy not E ooked at him fixedly and ten with a shake of his away. Stafford smoked a la sauntered back to the {6 passed the group of ain. and caught a. word or aron's gruff voice: know how we shtand! The mash him: but the rest of are in de shwim. It (is risen that the pe my boy «1 to m the Lk to Maude, sir," he make his tone cheerful, ‘We'n flushed \at place I bought in t. there! perhaps you like to find a place 'ery. natural! \Vell, y! Come. Staff. \Vhy 5 rose~buds while ye \Vhy shouldn‘t lhe .‘e directly the House 2 London?" away so that his fa- the Sudden Dallor of ~1'ooking f you must 1nd [ion hand upon Sta little of monev: but hter-inâ€"law. of m my knee " he were a_ little not he said. Always! iher mbel 1th any reason the engage- â€"well. why be happy? I Le went on. “’ood. I‘ll h wl‘ ather ill {a little sentiment eed p1 will my 5 the And. 1t 1 the 'ith You God qulL‘hl). “Take it into the study!“ he said, a]- most sharply to the man: i‘nen to Stafâ€" ford he whispered: “Don‘t let him open it It is bad news. Griffenberg has just told meâ€"quick! Take it!” ' But before Stafford, in his surprise. could take the cablegi‘am. Sir Stephen had got it. He stood with his head erect the electric light falling on h=~ hand- some face; the embodiment of success. He opened the telegram with the smile still on his lips. and read the thing; then the crowd of staringâ€"shall it be written. gaping?â€"persons saw the smile fade slowly. the flushed face grow paler, still paler. then livid. He looked up and round him as if he were searchâ€" ing for a face, and his eyes. full of an- guish and terror. met Stafford‘s. "Staffordâ€"my boy!" he cried, in ac- cents of despair. Stafford sprang to himl "Fatherâ€"I am here!” he said. for Sir Stephen's gaze grew vaéant as if he had been stricken mind. The next moment he th‘rex‘v up his cfiwnyn ml shook. "1 have just heardâ€"they have just brought me " He held up an officialâ€"looking paper with the great red seal on the envelope. “It is from the prime ministerâ€"it is the peerage," said Maude. in a voice thrilling with restrained triumph. “I congratulate you, sir." he said. tryâ€" ing all he knew to force congratulation. rejoicing. into his voice. Sir Stephen nodded, and smiled; h’is lips were quivering. “Congratulations. Sir Stephen!" said a man. coming up. “I can see the good news in your face." “Not Sir Stephenâ€"Lord Highcliffei" said another, correctingiy. Maude slid her arm in Stafford's. and stood. her lovely face flushed. her eyes sparkling. as she looked round. “And no title has been more honor- ably gained." a voice said. "Or will be more nony borne!” echo- ed another, Stafford. with all a man's hatred ot fuss, and embarrassment in its pre- sence, drew nearer to his father. s A _...... A“; 1‘ 1K “\Von't you ('01 of the crowd?" he Sir Stephen 110‘ awayâ€"they made himâ€"when a ser with a. cablegram he did so. How: quickly. ;eein wag d unu sun. Therewvas a moment of awful sus- pense. thenâ€"the music sounded like a mockery in the silenceâ€"all knew, though not a word had been spoken. that the grea: Sir Stephenâ€"pardon! the Right_ Hpnoruble the Lord Highcliffeâ€" By a stx-bke. as C the house of joy housepr momjning TheS' bore t! plain and Sim} of luxm‘,“ the them flymg as of them linger ford wa: he had 5 who pm UL u. e . . . . _ . e faces and hushed whispers, ford was left alone with his he had shut the door even um who paced up and down ou daring to force his sympath beloved friend. The morning papers gave count of the zranfl ball. the ment of Sir Stephen's peera; sudden and tragic ending which hzidr beep lived full in which had been (‘1. moment of extrem cited the man’s m: held it up to the at tion offilis fgllow called him a pier to the Empire. 1 funeralâ€"and the cribed his sudde ment of his_last nothin glory the ,le wh 1v, ram Kim: film-1‘ at Weak heart. Si condition had 1 to his medical ome time Past 1th h.‘ an‘d Staff thus far. ‘ S nuuu. ..... 5. DUI”?! the dead man to his room. 1 simple. even in that mansion :: the guests departed, some of mg as from a pestilence. some lingering with white and dazed d hushed whispers, and Staf- : left alone with his dead: for mu the door even upon Howard. relin king CHAPTER XXXII photograph mg king. u IL|\\':|I .1..uu. moment he threw up his “‘1le a gasp. fell forward, mm him as a cry of terror the crowd which fell back >nl)‘ aWed by some dreadful nd forcing his way through s doctor reached the father vith all a man's hatred 0t nbarrassment in its pre- nearer to his father. 11 come and sit downâ€"out '3" he added. in a low voice. n nodded. and was moving made a kind of a lane fox a servant came up to him gram on a silver salver. As Howard stepped forward uld 1 ch 3 at a! inque pioneer. one W110 :e. they hinted : they all dis“ .xdden death to ast achieVement eart. Sir Stephc m had been_kn‘ as of Heaven's lightning. 03' was turned into the papers gave a and ball. the 1 phen‘s ne‘eraze nrarrvellou admiratic of Belgium. a. man who expecl rrv hm: for bunse héfid Sir Stephen. )ut his hand. The and his dark eyes and his rich voice heard-â€"-they have {flowed ccessfu] aid the i363}. I516 emulaâ€" nglishmen. They ne who had ad_d.e;d deliw his t felt n known inser. w of the fight- voVthrside. not 1thy upon his town, they r, who had m persuade ‘duous and 1nd to take 1t eetly as the excite telling uD Sir Ste the the The LU public d the hclme uietly were 1ble 1nd Evidence “leaned in a Visit to the! Stricken Country. A graphic picture of the desola- tion of Belgium is brought to Lonâ€" don, England. by J. H. White-l housm member of Parliament for a division in Lanarkshire, who has just returned from a tour around Antwerp for the purpose of assistâ€" ing in the relief measures, Around.Antwerlp, to perfect the defences, the Belgians have had to destroy hundreds of thousands of trees and flood some territory, and he estimates the damages at $50,- 000,000. In the villages all ordin~ ary life is at a standstill. At Ter- monde, recently a. beautiful city of ‘16,000, a town of square after square, he found “every house en- tirer destroyed with all its con- tents. It was not the result of bom- bardment; it was the systematic de- struction. In each house a seipar- ate bomlb had been placed which had blown up the interior and set fire to the contents. This sight con- tinued throughout the entire exâ€" tent of what had been a consider- able town.” A blind woman and her daughter were the sole living residents who remained. Of the rest, “some had reached Antwerp, but a great number were 'Wander~ ing about the country, panicâ€"strick- en and starving. Many were already BELGH' )[ 'S HORRIBLE I‘LIGIIT dead “What had happened at Ter- monde was similar to what had happened in other parts of Belgium under the military occupation of Germany. Food supplies which would ordinarily reach the civilian population are being taken by the German troops for their own ,sup- ‘ port. The peasants and poor are without the necessities of life, and conditions of starvation grow more acute every day. Even where there is a Simply of wheat available, the peasants are not allowed to use their windmills owing to the Ger- man fear that they will send sigâ€" nals to the Be!lgian army. “The completeness of the destruc- tion in each individual case was exâ€" plained to me later ‘by the Belgian Ministers, who described numerous appliances which the German sol- diers carried for destroying pro- ‘per'ty. Not only were hand bombs lof various sizes and descrintions carried. but each soldier was sup plied with a quantity of small black discs. a little bigger than a sixâ€" penny piece. I saw some of these disce which had been taken from German soldiers on the field of bat- tle. These were described to me as composed of compressed benzine. When lighted they burned brilliant- ly for a few minutes, and are suf- ficient to start whatever fire is neâ€" cessary after the explosion of K1 Every girl on earth imagine she would make an ideal mfe Extra Granufiaiefi gfigar and I are sure of 100 Pound a ' Cloth Bags, 1 W’ sugar, pure {1211:} it left the R and 5 Pound It’s wort} Sealed Cartons 1 the Origins CANADA SUGAR REFINING CO, LIMITED, m‘b is put up at the Refinery in 10 Pound, When you buy 20 Pound, Extra Granulated Sugar in any 50 P0511!“ i of these original packages you an ’ i are sure of getting the genuine 100 Pound I W, Canada’s finest CIOtlaBags’ sugar, pure and clean as when nail}; it left the Refinery. It’s worth while to insist on the Original Packages. on s tth The tourist, was taking the rest; cure for a day in a London boardâ€" ing house. “I {shall want, no more meals." she said, when the. maid brought up tea. “I shall be up for dinner. There's nothing more I want.” Then in the next breath .she ad- ded, “Oh, yes, there is! I want. that hotâ€"water bottle; but thaJ/e not to eat.” The cockney maid stood siient F -x a moment. ; then said, g‘eel’fully, “Oh. yes, it is to ’eatl You want me to ’emt it for VO‘l ” Tlu‘ (‘OL-km-y ull" MONTREAL gain.