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The following story “everyone in this part of at Markham Swamp." '] a continued story in The A Gathering Storm ‘Oh! We had better go to dinner, then, had we not? I presume it is about ready.’ ‘Stay, will you not wear this at din- ner?’ stooping for a pansy Which flourished among the late autumn blossoms. ‘Keep it for remembrance when I am away.’ ‘Oh, but flowers fade; and not renunnber you for a 0( days.’ ‘Why not press it between the lea- ves of a book?’ ‘Oh, I will do that; and I will reâ€" member your lecture every time I open the volume.’ ‘Thank you; but if you can’t think a little bit about myself, I don’t want you to bother about my lecture. You can feast yourself in contemplation of your loud and gorgeous friend, Mr. Ham.’ They had entered the house; and and at the same moment Aster’s father and Mr. Ham came in. It was plain that these two men were confi- dential friends; for as they entered the room the host had his arm within that of his guest, and both were so engrossed in their subjectâ€"talking in a low toneâ€" that they seemed for a time unconscious of the presence of Aster and Roland. When the host did raise his head he simply gave a cold bow to Roland; and then bestow- ed a sharp glance upon his daughter Nor was the rudeness of the host to end here. Turning his back upon Roland he said: ‘Mr. Ham and I have been discusâ€" sing the Marsh, and reclaiming it he thinks that I had better go on with the drainage.’ V ‘It will bring in two years all money expended in reclaiming it,’ in Mr. Ham. ‘Don’t you think Aster?’ » ‘I don’t knOW'Ml‘. Ham; I really know very little about such matters.’ At this juncture Rolands temper was asserting itself under the slight by the rude parent; so he stepped in among the trio, and looking the girl in the face said: ‘You are quite right, Aster, do not bother ‘your head about bogs and swamps. Let the men attend to all that.’ The father was simply amaz- ed; and drawing himself up to his full height he frowned upon the young man. He said nothing, how- ever, and to break the embarrassing silence Aster chimed in: ‘I suppose that the city girls of your acquaintance never meddle in such matters; but the truth is, papa always consults me about these things.’ ‘In the city,’ retorted her father, stifily, ‘young women have other conâ€" cerns; but a girl who is to become a farnlef’s wife should make the manâ€" agement of stock and the tillage of the soil serious subjects of study.’ ‘Most certainly,’ replied Roland; ‘if a girl is to become the wife of a hus- bandman the farm should be her greatoconcern. But I was not aware that; Aster had seriously contemplat- ed taking such a step.’ ‘I presume, sir,’ replied the father, his voice quivering with displeasure, ‘that there are many of my daught- er’s affairs which she does not feel bound to disclose to strangers.’ ‘I had thought that I might conâ€" grattilate myself as one upon the list of your daughter’s friends. Was I not right, Aster?’ ‘I always felt great pleasure, Mr. Gray, in regarding you as my friend, as one of my most sincere friends.’ Her color had risen is she ended this sentence; and there was a slight tone of defiance in her voice. ‘A fact of which I was not aware,‘ her The Robbers of Markham Swamp CHAPTER II. 5 story is founded on fact and as the aui part of the country who is not deaf has he: 11p.” The story was first published in 1886. in The Liberal. ' irlellc wi rn and I could a couple of for this upon him as not aware :h still risin the put so ing to shelter himself by these walls. and by the presence of the inmates. I bid you good morning.’ So saying he walked out of the room and into the garden where sat Aster, flushed, ner- vous and miserable. ‘I came to say good-bye, Aster; after all that has happened it is im- possible for me to remain.’ t.‘ . ur r,., ‘I am sure,’ the girl said.‘that Mr. Ham must have prejudiced my father against you or he never would have adopted such language and such a manner towards his guest. I feel quite certain that it was not the swamp they were discussing while alone together this afternoon but your character. From what I sur- mise of Mr. Ham I believe him capâ€" able of traducing you; of actually in- venting charges against your repu- tation.’ ‘Could he be so infamous? This is surely not possible.‘ ‘But you will not marry that man, man with whom my poor father, who really has my interests at heart, would have me link my life. For the past four years his wishes in this re- spect have been horribly plain to me. Oh, it is very dreadful, Mr. Gray; and it will be still worse for me now that you; my friend, must henceforth be estranged from our house.’ ‘Buti you will not mary that man, Aster, dear?’ He was looking wist- fully into her beautiful eyes. ‘6h, no; I shall never do it of own free will.’ ‘Farewell, Aster. Though estrang- ed from your father and your house, fate may some time be kind enough to let me see you. Farewell.’ And taking her hand into his he raised it reverently, tenderly, to his lips. Then he arose, bowed and went away. For many a bitter day afterward he re- membered the mute misery in her look as he left the garden. That evening Roland sought out an old Eton schoolfellow, whom he found smoking on the lawn of his uncle’s house.’ ‘Why. you seem rather excited, old fellow; what is wrong? I thought that the fair Aster had a monoply of your company for thos ex'lening.’ ‘Yes; it had been so arranged. But I found that cad, Ham, there, and he saw fit to insult me. You can now gugss, I suppose, the nature of my mission.’ ‘Hem; things are really serious then. Do you want me to help you through with the afl'air?’ ‘If you will, old fellow. My wish is that you wait upon this person in the morning, that he may name a friend with whom you can arrange the meeting. Let it not be later than the following morning. He has, of course, his choice of sword or pis- tol.’ ‘I doubt if the man will fight.’ ‘Then nothing will remain for me but the loathesome job of giving him a horsewhipping. And I presume that you will not be silent as to his cow- ardice.’ Act and as the author aptly said is not deaf has heard of the gang 0111‘ alarme ntel‘ It will run as 1 did he chatter manner Harland pointed ‘I am, sir, the bearer of a message from my old school friend, Roland Gray. What the purport of such a message is you will no doubt very readily guess, when you come to re- member the language you recently employed respecting him, and the threat which your words evoked. I am therefore ready to arrange terms for a meeting with any friend you may e good enough to designate.’ ‘Oh that is impossible. Mr. Ham. Thexge is a code of honor among gen- tlemen under such circumstances, of which you must certainly be aware.’ The fellow’s courage had quite fail- ed him, if the pallor in his swarthy cheek did not utter a huge lie. ‘You surely do not mean that you come to propose a duel?’ ‘I have come just for that purpose; and shall immediately wait upon any friend you will name to me.’ ‘But there must really be some mis- take. I am not aware of using any language that could evoke the res- entment of your friend.’ Harland simply shrugged his shoulders. ‘I am not here to discuss that point.’ And he rose with scorn on his face. ‘I take the word of my friend upon the matter; and he is a gentleman and a man of honor.’ At this reply Mr. Ham adopted a new line of policy, and with it a com- pletely altered manner and tone. ‘Well, Mr. Harland, suppose that it be as you say with respect to the provocation; there is‘another feat- ure of the matter which I bring for- ‘i realiy fail to comprehend what you mean, Mr. Harland.’ :1.- mawsu- -1 mwx‘xi'w ‘ u 5-“ ""\‘*‘*fi*~"“"~""“~ ' 3. 53: v, 35w» ' k.i’.’;,'l,f.; The help of our readers is sought by in assembling a collection of pl .What we want are good pictures of historic sites in the County of York Sltes such as Col. Moodie’s grave, the Eckhardts homestead and Sharon’s Temple, St. John’s Church, Heise Hill Cemetery, etc. e houses, schools, churches, mills, halls and scenes that In every community there ar recall the history of York. 3&9“."" If you have a good distinct photo, or a collection of such photos, preferably 4 inches by 5inches or larger, either snapshots or time exposures, in black-and-White, ferrotype or gloss finish, mounted or unmountedâ€"send them in. Mark clearly on the back of each photo submit ted your name and address and description of the place pictured. Pictures not bearing this information Will be disqualified “ Let us preserve While we may, in photographs, the growth, ’ developement and history of the County.” FlRST PRIZEâ€"«FIVE DOLLARS IN CASH SECOND PRIZE-~-THREE DOLLARS IN CASH THIRD’PRIZE-uTWO DOLLARS IN CASH Also three additional prizes of ONE DOLLAR EACH. CONDITIONS ward with reluctance, consideringl your relations of friendship with Mr.: Gray.’ Here he paused. ‘Pray proceed sir.’ ‘I may say, Mr. Harland, that the repute of Mr. Gray is not the highest; and considering my own character and standing I do not see how it is possible for me to engage in a com- bat of honor with him. My position as I have said is unquestioned; but I know nothing of your friend save that report speaks of him as an adven- turer without character. He has had a good education, and all that, and associates with people of my own ‘standing; but these facts count for l little.’ be entered, but the be or larger. Smaller pic in print. ‘Pardon me, sir,’ Harland replied with a haughty smile. ‘I intend that your position in this matter should be made very plain. I intend to show that one matter alone stands in the way of acceptance of this challenge.‘ ‘And what, pray, may that matter be?’ The fellow was once more ashy pale, and trembled. ‘Your cowardice, sir.’ ‘What! Do you dare in my own house to use such words?’ Centre St. W. Richmond Hill Prompt Service. Rates Reasonable. ’Phone 149. CHARLES E. HOPPER Cartage and Express CSEE Continued Next Week ant and exact ust be clearly WHAT WE WANT ht by the Liberal in conjunction with Mr. E. A. James of photographs of points of historic interest in the M county of York. are mmmmmmmmmm rrmrrmrrm WILCOX LAKE BRICK CO. LIMITED RICHMOND HILL, ONT. Oflice Richmond Hill Telephone 92. Remember that if it has an historic interest a photograph of a photograph will qualify just as readily as an original nhotograph provided it appiies to the Interesw. pn qualify just photograph Manufacturers of Marbelite Brick NI]: 1‘ X OTB W. H. LEGGE, Manager CANADIAN NAT l ONAL- 1926 Datesâ€"Aug. 28â€"Septfi‘.‘ EXHIBITION JUDGES Residence, Nights and Holidays Telephone 2r12. TORONTO