Nobelist.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2304, 16 April 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

Nobelist.

BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN,

Author of "Ship Ahoy," "Dutch the Diveb," " Thk Foundry Belle," &c. The Story: IB6o.—Strange Lives. [All Rights Reserved.] CHAPTER XXXIV. SOMETHING WRONG. MeaitwUlLE Clare had sought Lord Anthony whom she surprised in a corner of the library, studying the wing of a chicken which he was picking with great gusto. He did not hear her entry, and he was talking to himself as he lifted up and smelt his pocket-handkerchief. 'Yes,' he muttered, 'damme, that's what it is ; I could not make out what :made the chicken taste «o queer. He— he—he! its Eau de Cologne. He—he— .he—Poulet, a la Jean Marie Farina. .Damme, that'll be a good thing to say at vthe next dinner party, or to-morrow morning.' 'No,' he said sadly, 'not then. IDamme, it's very hard to see them taken away fcom one like this, and I must get rap my strength a bit. Who's that ?' 'iLtieionly I, papa,' said Clare, seating Iherself <m the hearthrug by his side, as the old man hastily popped the chicken tone out of sight. ' I'm glad to see you, my dear, glad to «se you,' said the old man, patting-her soft glossy head. ' Clare, my pet, I can hardly believe that you are going away from me to-morrow.' • Pray, pray, don't talk of it, dear papa,' she faltered. ' I've come to stay •with you and talk to you ; and you must .tell me what to do, papa.' ' Yes, yes, yes, my dear,' he said, ' I •will, and you must be strong, and brave, :and courageous, and not break down. Her ladyship would be so upset you see. 'Clary, my darling, matrimony's a very • different sort of thing to what we used to ■be taught, and read of in books. It isntimental at all, my dear: it's real all r eal—doosid real. There's a deal " of trouble in this world, my darling, especially gout, which you women escape. It's very bad, my dear, very bad indeed, sometimes.' Clare's forehead wrinkled as she gazed

piteously at her father, for her heart was full to overflowing, and she longed to confide in him, to lay bare the seurets of her laden breast; but his feeble ways — his wanderings—chilled the current that was beating at the flood gates, and they remained closed. ' What can I do —what can I do P' she moaned to herself, and, laying her head upon the old man's knee, she drew his arm round her neck, and wept silently as he prattled on. ' I—l —I remember, my dear, when Lady Susan Spofforth was married, she was the thinnest girl I ever saw, and they said she hated the match—it was Lord Barley wood she married—Buck Wood we used to call him at the club. Well, next time I saw her, about three years after, I hardly knew her, she had grown so plump and round. It's—it's —it's an astonishing thing, Clary, how plump some women do get after marriage. Look at her ladyship. Doosid fine woman. Don't look her age. Very curious, damme, yes it is curious, I've never got fat since I was married. Do you know, Clary, I think I'm thinner than I used to be.' •Do you, papa ?' she said, smiling up at him. ' Yes, my dear, I do indeed ! but it don't matter much, and I don't think her ladyship minds. Let me see, Sir Grantlev's coming to dinner to-day, isn't he my dear ?' ' Yes, papa.'

IHa ? yes! A good dinner's a nice thing when you can enjoy it free and unfettered, but it's like matrimony, my dear, full of restrictions, and very disappointing when you come to taste it. Well, there, there, there, now we have had our little talk and confidences, we will go upstairs to the drawing-room. It will be more cheerful for you.'

He rose, taking , his child's hand, kissing and fondling, and patting , it before he drew it through hie arm, while Clare sighed gently, and suffered herself to be led upstairs. Her ladyship was better, and she smiled with a sweetly pathetic expression in her countenance as Clareentered with her father, rising, and crossing to meet them, and kissing her child upon her forehead. 'Bleas you, my darling,' she said ; ' and be happy in your own mind about B,en6e, for as soon aa you are married, and I have that off my mind, I will go and see her and arrange that little silly matrimonial tiff. I have asked Frank to come here and dine with us this evening.' 'Oh, mamma,' cried Clare, ' was that wise ?' ' Trust me, my dear, for doing what is best,' said her ladyship. There was a great bouquet of flowers on the table, which was littered with presents from the bridegroom elect, and family friends ; but Clare did not seem to heed them, only the flowers, which she picked up, and as Lady Denver smiled and shook her head at her husband, Clare went and sat down by the open window to begin picking the petals to pieces and shower them down. Some fell fluttering out into the area ; some littered her dress and the carpet ; and some were wafted by the wind to a distance ; but Clare's mind seemed far away, and her little white fingers performed their task of destroying her present, as her head sank lower and lower, bowed down by its weight of care. A tear fell from time to time upon the flowers, to lie amidst the petals like a dew drop ; but they fell faster as a fine, handsome-looking, black bearded Italian stopped beneath her, swung round the organ he carried, and began to grind out, so dolefully, the Miserere and its following melody from Trovatore, that the poor girl's first inclination was to bury her face in her hands, and sob as if her heart would break.

She set her teeth though, firmly, glanced back in the room, and then, smiling down at the handsome simple face beneath her, she threw down a sixpence, which the man caught in his soft hat. ' Grazie, signora,' said the Italian, s.niling, and showing his white teeth. 'Clare, how can you be so foolish,' cried her ladyship. ' You have encouraged those men about till it's quite dreadful; we never have any peace.' ' Poor fellows !' said Clare, ' they seem very glad of a few pence, and they are far away from home.' ' Yes,' said her ladyship, ' where they ought to be sent back.' * I remember once,' said Lord Anthony, 'in the old days when they used to have moving figures dancing in front of their organs, oue of Lady Betty Lorimer's daughters actually got- he, he, he ! — carrying on a clandestine correspondence witli one of those handsome vagabonds. , Clare looked at her father in a startled way. 'Anthony, be silent, , cried her ladyship, as the butler entered the room with a fresh present on a tray. ' Robins, , she said, 'go down stairs and tell that man that he will be given into custody if he does not go away directly. Tell him someone is ill, , for just then a fresh strain from Travatorc was ground out in a most doleful fashion, and Clare began softly humming the air to herself as she gazed down, still iu the Italian's handsome face.

' I did send one of the men to dismiss him, my lady, when he came/ said the butler.

' Well, and what did he say V ' Only smiled, my lady.' 1 But did you say that the police should be sent to him?'

' Yes, my lady, but he pointed up to the drawing-room window here, and wouldn't go. If you please, my lady,' he continued in aa under tone, 'he never will go while Miss Clare gives him money.'

' That will do; go away,' said her ladyship, sighing ; and Lord Anthony got up and toddled towards the window to look down and elicit a fresh series of bows from the Italian, who kept on playing till the window was closed, when he directed his attention to the area, where a couple of the maids were looking up at him, ready to giggle and make signs to him to alter the tune. Tom came back into the drawing-room just as her ladyship had closed the window and sent Lord Anthony back to a chair, where he sat down to rub his leg. Tryphie entered a few minutes later to glance timidly at her aunt, who, however, thought it better to ignore the past, for the time being, fully meaning, though, to take up poor Tryphie's case when her mind was more free. 1 Will you come and see the dress that has just come in V said Tryphie to Clare, who was sitting gazing dreamily out of the window. 'No,' she said, 'no. , ' My dear child,' cried Lady Denver, 'pray, pray take a little interest in your dress.' 'I cannot, mamma,' cried Clare, passionately. ' I have not the heart.' ' Bah, Clary ?' cried Tom, ' be a trump, I say. When you are married aud have got your establishment I'd jolly soon let some one who know was mistress then.' 'Torn, your language is disgraceful,' cried her ladyship. 'It is as low and disrespectful as that of the people in the street.' ' I wish your treatment of your childred were half as good. Here's every shilling a fellow wante screwed out, till I feel as if I should like to enlist; and as for Clary here, you've treated her as if she were a piece of sculpture, to be sold to the highest bidder. I suppose she has not got a heart' 'Lord Anthony,' exclaimed her lady-

ship, faintly, as she lay back in her chair, and lavishly used her smelling salts, ' if one of my brothers had spoken to dear mamma as that boy speaks to me, dear papa would have felled him to the earth.' 1 There you are, gov'ner, there's your chance,' said Tom, grinning. ' Come and knock me down, but don't bruise your knuckles for my head's as hard as iron,' Lord Anthony took out his pockethandkerchief, and wiped his hands upon it, not noticing that it was stained with gravy, and, gazing in a troubled way from wife to son, and back, and then crossed to the former to say something in a whisper, to which her ladyship replied : " Pshaw !" ' Thank you, Tom,' whispered Tryphie. as he went to the window where she stood. ' I did not think you could stand up so bravely for your sister, and be so true.' ' Didn't you ?' said Tom, sulkily. ' It's a good job I can be true, for I don't believe there's a spark of truth anywhere else in the world. If John Huish had had the spirit of a fly, he'd have come and walked poor Clary off. Hang it all! I'm mad and savage. Pretty sort of a husband you've got for Clary. Pretty sort of a husband to have ! I'm ashamed of him. I'm only a little one, and nothing to boast of, but he's no better than a pantaloon. Truth indeed! There isn't such a thing in the world.' 'Oh, Tom !' whispered Tryphie. ' Mote there isn't,' cried Tom. ' Pretty brother-in-law indeed ■ Hang him, I hate him. He makes one a regular laughing-stock. Here, I say, mamma,' he shouted, ' I was gammoued into going to Hurlingham with your pet poodle.' ' My pet poodle !' exclaimed her ladyship. ' Bah ! yes, your pet baronet; but never any more. Hang him, he came there dressed up like a theatrical super, in grey velvet, and with a soft hat and a rosette. I felt so mad that I could have punched his head, for all the fellows there, were sniggering. But you should have seen him shoot.' ' Sir Grantley told me that he was a very J good shot,' said her hadyship.' ' Oh, he did, did he ?' said Tom. Bless his modesty. Here, I say, Clare, when you are married " Clare looked sharply round at him and shivered. ' I say when you are married, if ever you see that lovely husband of yours take up a gun, don't hesitate for a moment, but run—go out of town —on the continent—to the sea-side—or come home. You won't be safe else.' Lord Anthony tittered at this, but his lady looked round at him so sharply, that he turned it off, and stared stolidly straight before him. ' It was a regular case of fireworks,' continued Tom. 'His attitudes were grand, and he looked as if he were rehearsing something for a circus. You should have seen the fellows laugh. ' I sincerely hope that you did not laugh, Tom,' said her ladyship sternly. 'Oh, dear, no,' said Tom, 'not at all. Didn't even smile.' ' I'm very glad of it,' said her ladyship. ' Oh, you are ? That's right, , said Tom ; ' but somehow one of the buttons flew off the front of my coat, and my ribs ached, and I lay back in a chair in a state of convulsion. I nearly had a fit.' ' Tom !' ejaculated her ladyship. ' And when dear Grantley came up he gnashed his teeth at me. He did 'pon my word, till I roared again. I say, gov'nor, it's the funniest thing out to see him in a passion.' ' It seems to me,' exclaimed her ladyship, hysterically, ' as if the whole of my family were leagued against me, and determined to try and break of this match. From what I can gather, it seems to me, Tom, that you have grossly insulted Sir Grantley.' ' Bosh !' said Tom. ' He made such an ass of himself that I roared with laughter and served him right. , 'Clare,' exclaimed her ladyship, 'I think you might have a word to say on behalf of your husband.' Clare glanced at her in a stony way, and turned once more to the window where she had been looking out with Tryphie, listening with aching hearts to the encounter between mother and son. ' Such a brilliant match as I have made,' cried her ladyship, harping on her old string. ' And such opposition as I have from a girl who owes me so much.' 'Indeed, mamma, I have yielded everything. You are having your own way entirely,' said Clare passionately. ' Have I not saved you from throwing yourself away upon a disreputable creature ?' sobbed her ladyship. ' Tryphie,' whispered Clare, 'I cannot bear this. It is dreadful. I feel as if I should go mad." ' He saw plainly enough" said her ladyship, 'that it could not be—that it would have been a complete mesalliance. , ' This is unbearable,' whispered Clare, clasping her cousin's hand, which passed hers warmly and encouragingly, as they stood in the window recess, half screened by the heavy ourtaings. 'Try not to listen, dear, , whispered Tryphie. ' It nearly maddens me,' said Clare, ' I feel as if I could do something wicked and desperate.' 'Oh, hush, hush, dear,' whispered Tryphie; and Lady Denver maundered on in tones asking for sympathy, as she set herself up as the sufferine; ill-used mother whom no one tried to comfort in her distress. ' Saved you as I did from a life of misery,' continued her ladyship, whimpering. ' Oh, dear, oh, dear ! how children strive to throw themselves away.' Clare moaned, and held her hand to her side. 'Are you ill, dear?' whispered Tryphie. ' No, no,' was the reply. ' It is past now—past.' ' I shall be sorry when you are gone, Clare,' said her father simply. 'Oh, papa, papa,' she cried, running to him, and throwing her arms round his neck ; for the tenderly spoken sympathetic words brought the tears to her eyes. Then, unable to bear it, she turned to leave the room, but just then the door opened, and the butler announced Sir Grantley Wilters. ' Ah, how do!' he said in a high pitched voice, saluting all in turn, and bending low over Clare's hand. 'Thought I'd come soon, don't you know, sans ccrcmonic, eh, Mamma !' he said with a smile to Lady Denver, and then gave his glass a screw and brought it to bear on all present. ' I am so glad,' said her ladyship. ' So is Clare : but don't take any notice,' she whispered. ' Poor child, she is distrait and seems cold. So deeply attached to Lord Anthony. Ready to break her heart at leaving him. , ' Yiis, oh, yas,' said Sir Grantley ; and he took his seat beside Clare. ' Tryphie,' said Tom, ' I crm'fc help it. I must be off. This fellow makes me ill. May I go ?' She gave him a nod of intelligence, and he said something- about being , rearly for dinner and left the room to go cut, take a hansom, and bowl down to one of the clubs, where he was soon so busily engaged in a game of pool that he forgot all about the dinner. Meanwhile Clare rose, bowed coldly to Sir Grantley, and left tho room with Tryphie, when the baronet crossed to Lady Denver's side, and was soon engaged in a most interesting conversation whose

murmur sent Lord Anthony into a pleasant slumber, out of siirht in u lounsring ohirir, where he was quite forirotten. when her ladyship suggested that Sir Grantlay should go with her to her tiomloir to see tho last new presents sent in for Clare.

'And you would like to wash your hunds, too, before dinner,' said her ladyship. 'We will not trouble about dressing, to-night.'

Sir Grantley opened the door, and the old yen tl email waR l< j ft alone to wake up about a quarter of an hour later to find it was getting dark, and sit up rubbing his leer.

' Oh, damme, my lear,' he said softly. ' Where—where are they all srone ? Why it's—it's dinner timp,' he said, looking , at his watch by the dim light. ' I shall be donsid glad when everybody's married and—and—and—why the dooso don'f. tho dressing , bell ring? Heigh—ho—ha— hum !' he snid vawnins". ' There's— there's—there's .-mother of those abominable organs, I—l—l wish that all tho set of them were at the bottom of the sea, for I lie at right with all their tunes comma , back <i<rn.iii anil spotning , to grind themsplves to fit the pains in my log. Poor Clary ! slip was always encouraging , the fellows. Now, rjear mp. Damme, havn't I got n, single sixpence left, to jrive him tn go away. No, that I haven't,' he continued fumbling , , 'not a sou. She —she—she—does keen me short.,' he muttered, opening the French window and looking out. 'Oh, he's, done plaving , now, so I shan't want the money. Why, ph —eh—eh ? Why—he—he—he ! the fellow's talking , to one of the maids. He —he—he ! Hi—hi—hi! Tliey will do it. I—I —I was a devil of a fellow amongst the girls when I was a young man ; but now—oh, dear, oh doar! this wind seems to give me tortures, that it does.' He closed the window, but stood looking out. ' You'd better tiike care, you two, that my lady don't catch you, or there'll be such a devil of a row. He's—he's jroina , down into the area. Well, well, wp.ll, I shan't tell tales. He—he—ho ! Hi—hi —hi !' he chuckled, sittting down and nursing- his leg/. 'I remember when I was about twenty, and Dick Jorrard and I—he's Lord Marrowby now, and a sober judge ! —when we got over the wall at tho boarding , school to see pretty Miss Vulliamy. Oh, dear, dear, dear, those were days. They preaoh and talk a deal now about being wicked, but it was very nice. I used to be a devil of a wicked fellow when I was younsr. and—and flirted terribly, while lately I've been as good as gold, and, damme, I haven't been half so happy.'

He stopped rubbing his leg , for a while :

' Everything's at sixes nnd sevens, damme, that it is. I'm nearly starved, that I am. If it hadn't been for that bit of chicken I should have been quite starved. Her ladvship's too bad, that she is. Old boiled solo, and half a glais of hock in a tumbler of water. I can't stand it, that I can't. Damme, I'll make a <rood dinner to-nighp, that I will, if I die for it. I'll—l'll—l'll, damme, I'll kick over the traces for once in a way. Tom will help me, I know. He's a good boy, Tom is, and he'll see that I have a glass of port, and—damme, where's Clai'y and her ladyship, and why isn't dinner ready ? and. Eh—what ?—what the devil's that?, There's something wrong.'

For at that moment a piercing , shriek rang , through the house, and there was the sound of ' a heavy fall upon the floor. CHAPTER XXXV. "MISS CLARE, SIR." 'Jack Huish must know she's goins* to be married to-morrow,' said Tom Hetley, :is he stood leaning upon his cue, and watching the game going on at the next table, ' but he don't seem to mind it a bit. They're playing high, too, there.' 'Red upon white; yeilow's your player,' said the marker, and Tom turned to make the stroke required of him ; then he turned once more to glance at the table next to him, and watched two or three of the bets made. ' Past ten,' he said to himself, glancing at his watch. ' That's getting back to dinner. Nevermind, I'm not the only absentee. Frank, what a fool you are ; he's sure to do it.' This was on hearing a bet noisily made ; the striker taking long odds that he would not place the balls in a certain position, and Frank Morrison, who from his flushed face, had evidently been drinking heavily, standing to lose twenty pounds. ' There ! I knew it,' muttered Tom. ' Master Huish is as cool as a cucumber, and he's fleecing Frank to a pretty tune. Well, I'm glad after all, it's all off between Jack and Clara. I liked the fellow, too,' he said, gazing at the players. He's a big, strong, noble-look-ing chap. Ah, well! I suppose that's because I'm little. One mustn't go by outside appearances, perhaps it's ail for the best.'

He finished his own game, and then, seeing how heavily his brother-in-law was losine, felt disposed to go and interfere.

'No, I won't, , he said ; 'Let him lose. It'll bring him to his senses. Jack Huish won't see me, the ruffian. I suppose he's as bad as they say. Well, I don't wonder at it. I'm so short of money sometimes myself that I'm ready to do anything ; and even the old gentlemen steals the ends of tongue and chicken bones. ,

Ju3t then a friend proposed that they should drop in at one of the theatres and see Miss Lester and Madame Dorinde in the new burlesque; and after a little hesitation, Tom consented to go. After this a kidney had to be eaten at a tavern ; so that it was one o'clock when he reached home to find all the lights burning, and a cluster of servants in the hall. ' Hallo, Robins, what's up ? House on fire?' he cried, as the butler admitted him, looking very solemn and troubled. 'Miss Clare, sir,'said the butler—in a solemn whisper. ' Not ill —not ill?' cried Tom excitedly. ' No, Sir,' said the butler,' ' not ill, but '— 'Confound you ! you great image. Speak out,' cried Tom, angrily. ' Gone, Sir, been missing hours. Her ladyship has been having fit after fit, and his lordship is most beside himself.' 'Hooked it!' exclaimed Tom; and, running into the dining-room, he threw himself into a chair and laughed till his sides ached. ' Poor Wilters! oh, Lord, what a game ! Cut ! —bolted r—that's why Jack Huish wouldn't look at me, and was winning money for his exes. Eloped by Jove ! What a sell !

He got up, and stamped round the room in the very ecstasy of delight. 'The little smug hypocrite!' he said. 'That's why she was so sanctified aud sad to-day. Well, bless her, I like her pluck. All I hope is that everything said about poor old Jack Huish ia a lie. Sold, my lady, sold !'

He suddenly woke up to the fact that he ought to go upstairs, and, turning serious, he walked into the hall.

' Where's her ladyship, Robins ?' he asked.

' Upstairs, sir, with my lord.' ' Where's Sir Grantley ?' ' Went out, sir, about ten, to find that tall, straight man, sir, as came the other day, Mr Hurkle !' ' And he hasn't found him V 'No, sir, I s'pose not.' ' Good job too,' said Tom, shortly, and

running upstairs he entered the drawingroom, so suddenly that her ladyship, who was lying upon a sofa, being fanned by Tryphie, began to shriek. 'There, don't make that row, mother,' said Tom, coarsely. 'Hang it all, what a smell of lavender !' ' Is that you, Tom ?' sobbed her ladyship, as Justine came in with a bottle of hot water to apply to her mistress's feet. 'I suppose so, unless I was changed at my birth,' he said, laughing at; Tryphie, and then giving his father a free and easy nod. 'Oh, my boy, your wicked, wicked sister !' gobbed her ladyship. ' Serve you right,' said Tom. ' Such a wanton disgrace to her family.' ' Of course,' said Tom. ' I shall never get over it,' cried her ladyship. ' Shouldn't have tried to make the poor girl marry a man that she did not care a curse for,' said Tom. ' Oh, but Tom. Tom !' sobbed Tryphie, ' this is too dreadful.' 'Stuff!' cried Tom. 'I'll be bound to say that you were in the secret.' ' Indeed no, Tom,' cried Tryphie, reproachfully. 'I did not know a word. I had left her in her room, as I thought to dross, and when I went to fetch her because dinner was waiting, she had gone.' ' Tell him Justine, for mercy's sake tell him,' wailed her ladyship. ' Ye*, poor miliidi, I Avill," say the Frenchwoman volubly. ' Miss Tryphie knocked many times, and I ascend the stairs then, and she say she began to be alarmed that mademoiselle was ill. We enter then together, and we find"— ' Nothing,' said Tom coolly. 'Oh, no, monsieur, all her beautiful dresses, tha trousseau mngnifique, lying about the room, but she is not there. Then I recollect that I see somebody pass down ze stair, in a black coat and veil, but I take no notice then, though I think now it must have been my young lady.' 1 But you knew she was going,' said Tom, gazing straight into her eyes, which only shone- n little brighter, for they did not shrink. ' I know, monsieur ?' she replied. ' I know, I come straight to tell iniladi of ze outrage against zo honour of her family. Parole d'houneui , no, I know nozing as Zβ leot-ler child which come not to be born. 1 This was said at a tremendous pace, and with a very strong , French accent, for, a* Mademoiselle Justin? grew excited, so did she forget her yood English, ;ind began to return towards the language of the land of her birth. ' What's been done ?' said Tom shortly. ' Aunt sent directly for MrHurkle, and then Sir Grantley went after him as well.' Tom hurried out of the room and dashed, four steps at a time, downstairs to hunt out his father, and nearly turabbled over one of the footmen, who looked quite soared. ' You're- always in the way,' cried Tom savagely and he dashed into the library, where he found Lord Anthony busy with trembling hands examining , a very old pair of flintlock dueling pistols. ' Hallo, dad!' cried Tom, 'none of that. You're not tired of life. ' No, no, my son.' said the old gentleman ; 'damme, no, Tom, though it does get very hard sometimes. Tom, my boy, I'm going , to find him out and shoot him.' Tom slammed down the lid of the case, and pushed the old gentleman unresistingly back into an easy chair. 'Now look here, gov'nor, let's talk sense,' he cried. ' Yes, my dear boy, I—l—l'm dossid glad you've come. We will—we ■will.' 'It's true then, gov'nor, that poor Clare has bolted ?' 1 Well yes, my boy, I don't think there's a doubt about it.' ' Then that's all your fault, gov'nor,' said Tom. ' My dear Tom, don't you turn upon me and bully me too. I—l—l've lost my poor little girl, and I—1 —I can't bear much. It's such a disgrace. I know I ought to have stood up for her more, Tom, my boy but her ladyship is so very strong minded, you know.'

' Yes, I know,' said Torn. ' She was too muoh for both of us gov'nor. Well it's no use to fret about it that I can see. The little filly's taken the bit in her teeth, topped the hedge, and away she's gone. And she so sly over it too !' ' She was very sorry to go, Tom, I'm sure. She was in such trouble to-day.'

' Yes,' said Tom, quietly, ' we ought to have suspected something. How about old Wiltors ?'

' He's nearly mad, my boy. He has— has—has been running round—round the drawing-room like—like —like ' ' A cat on hot bricks, father.' ' Yes, my son. He's furious—he's going , to kill him.' ' Yes, of course,' said Tom, grinning, 1 1 should like to see him do it. , ' But—but —but, Tom, my boy, don't take it quite so cooly. ' Why not, father ? Hallo ! who's this, eh !' 'Mr Frank Morrison, sir,' said Robins, who looked scared. 'What the deuce does he want?' said Tom. ' Hallo ! Frank,' he said, sulkily, ' what's up now ?' IMy wife's here,' said Morrison, who was a good deal excited by wine. ' What, Renee ? No,' said Tom. <D n !' cried the young husband, sinking into a chair and looking from one to the other. ' Something fresh, then ?' cried Tom, growing excited. 'Here, why the devil don't you speak, man ?'he cried. 'Oh, of course,' he said, 'here ire tho -women now.' For her ladyship came in leaning upon Tryphie's arm. ' Yes," yes, Tom. I heard that hear, Frank had arrived. ' Oh, Frank, dear what news ? Have you seen Clare ?' 'No,' he said quicidy. 'I want Renee.' ' Where is she ? Speak, I conjure you,' cried her ladyship. 'Don't know,'said Morrison, glancing round. 'Haven't been home for days. Went home this afternoon. Had some more words and came away again.' ' Well, well, go on,' said Tom. ' I saw you playing billiards at the club.' ' Yes,' said Morrison, whose brain was crowded with days of excess. ' Went home again just now. Going to make it up, and slie'd gone. Where is she. Want her directly.' Tom stood thinking for a few moments, while her ladyship looked at him as if imploring him to speak. . ' She's in it p'r'aps 'he said. ' Look here, Frank, can you understand me, or have you got D.T. too bad ?' ' Yes, I understand,' said tho young man thickly ' Clare's bolted with Huish, Your wife must be in the plot." ' No,' said Morrison, slowly, as he gave his head a shake to clear it, and stood up angry and fierce, while the others held upon his words as being likely to dispel their fears—'No, she's not in it. Poor girl ! too much trouble. Clare ! Gone with Huish? Oh, no. He only just now set me down at the door. I'm a villain," he groaned, " and I struck her— to-night; but—but," he cried excitedly, "she deceived me—she's as false as hell.'

'See to my mother, Tryphie,' cried Tom, as her ladyship shrieked and fell back in her chair, ' Frank Morrison, you're mad. Here, for heaven's sake speak some one. Here, Father, Tryphie what is it all ? Clare has gone off with Jack Huisb, has she not?"

' No—no—no, my dear boy,' stammered Lord Anthony, 'I—l—l—damme, though her lady ship's here, I say it in her pves-

euce, I wish she had. It's too dreadful to tell.'

'My God ! father,' cried Tom, excitedly, as he turned pale, and the cold sweat stood upon his forehead, for like a flash came upon him the recollection of his sister's words that day ; and these coupled with the troubles of his sister Henee, brought up such a picture of horror before his eyes, that he trembled like a leaf. " Don't say—don't tell me'— He could not finish, but stood panting and gazing at the horror-striken face of Prank Morrison, whom the tone which the conversation had taken seemed to be sobering fast. ' No, my boy, I won't if you don't want me to,' said the old man, feebly, ' but it's—it's—such a terrible disgrace,' ' Father' faltered Tom, in a hoarse whisper, ' has she—has she drowned herself ?' ' Oh, no, my boy, no—no—no,' cried the old man, with the tears streaming dowh his cheeks. ' She has eloped under disgraceful circumstances. , 'Not—not with Garland cried Frank Morrison hoarsely. ' Don't say they're gone with Garland.' ' Oh, no.' groaned the old man. ' He's an officer and gentleman.' 'Notwith onejof the servants, father?' cried Tom. 'No, no, my boy, worse than that.' ' Hang it, father,' cried Tom savagely, as Morrison saw the pistol case, and quietly stole one of his hands towards it — "there is no worse, without she has gone off with a sweep.' " Yes yes, my hoy,' cried the old man. "She has gone oft" with an organ-grinder and a monkey !' ' Which ?' roared Tom, seizing the poker ; 'it isn't murder to kill an ape.' ' No, no, my boy it'a the organ man. I saw him from the window to-night. I don't think there was a monkey.' Tom threw the poker into the fire-place with a crash, and started blankly at his mother. ' Oh, Tom, oh Tom !' she cried hysterically, the disgrace!—disgrace !—the disgrace !' ' —I—l—don't know what to do,' cried Lord Anthony, ' I can never stand it. It will be all the talk of the clubs. It's — Its--It's—' ' It's all d d nonsense, father!' cried Pom, turning sharply round though, the next moment for Tryphie uttered a shrill cry, and the young man had just time to strike up a pistol as it exploded, or Frank Morrison's brains would have been spattered against the wall. [To be continued).

The best thing yet discovered for seasickness.—Port. Herb is an exquisite story abont Mr Greville: — Grevillewaspenmaded, when he was over sixty years of age, to. attend a spiritualistic lAjster, the presiding medium, was in great form, and the revelations were astounding. Greville sat silent, and his aged wizened face was emotionless as a mask. Suddenly the medium grew excited, and said to the old gentleman, "A female form is bending over you. Oh, the extraordinary likeness !" Greville sighed. " She lifts her hands to bless you." Greville, sighed again. "It is your mother !" " Ah, poor thing," said Greville; "lam glad!' , " She smiles ! She says all is well with her!" Greville sighed again, and said, "I'm deligted !" she says she will seu you soon. You are old, and you must meet her before long." Then Greville quietly observed, "That's very true ! I'm going to to tea with her this evening. 1. Tableau !

The Evening Press says :—The many friends of Doctor Newton Bentham will be sorry to learn that he was the surgeon in charge of the emigrants on board of the barque Kapunda during the collision with the Ada Melmore, and it is believed that he has been drowned Dr Benthatti was for many years one of the emigration surgeons in chargeof numbers of emigrants on sailing vessels, he came out at various times in charge of the steamers British King, Doric, and lastly on the Rimutaka about ten months ago. Dγ Beutham, who was about 35 years of age, was liked by all who knew him for his kind and amiable disposition, and they will mourn to hear of his sad end. Miss Stubbs, who was one of the matrons of the emigration serfice, is believed to have been the matron of the same vessel. She was wellknown in the colony, and many will regret to hear of her sad death. " I no not see any peculiarity about the Arkansaw people," said an Eugli sh tourist, addressing his travelling companion, a wellknown American lawyer. "I have travelled quite extensively in the State, and I have not as yet found that eccentricity of action,prevarication of reply, that have often amused me in the newspapers.,' "You have done most of your travelling by rail," replied the lawyer. "This is your first trip away from the main roads. I'll show you some of our genuine natives. Yonder is a house—call the landlord, hold a conversation with him." "Hallo !" called the tourist. " Coinin'!" the man replied depositing a child in the doorway, and advancing. "How's your family ?" " Children's hearty; wife's not well. Ain't what you might call bed-sick, but jest sorter stretchy." "Got anything to eat in the house ?" "-Ef I had it anywhar, I'd have it in the bouse." "How long have you been living here?" "Too long." "How many year?" "Been here ever since my oldest boy was born." •'What year was he born?" "The year I came here." " How old is your boy?" "Ef he had lived, he would have heen the. oldest until yit; but aa he died, Jim's the oldest." "How old is Jim?" "He ain't as old as the one that died." "Well, how old was the one that died?" "He was older than Jim." "What do you do for a living?" "Eat." " How do you get anything to eat?" "The best way we kin." "How do you spend your Sundays?' , " Like the week days." "How do you spend them?"' "Like Sundays." "Is that your daughter yonder?" "No, s j r _she ain't my daughter yonder, nor nowhere else." "Is she a relative of yours?" "No, sir—no kin." "Kin to your wife, I suppose?" "No kin to my wife, but she's kin to my children." "How do you make that out?" "She is my wife." " How far -is it to the next house ?" "It is called three miles, but the man what calls it that is a liar." "I've had enough !" said the Englishman, turning to the lawyer. " Drive on. I pity the man who depends on this one for information !"

Not More Tjiax Necessary.—A Dakota justice of the peace was trying a man for obtaining money under false pretences by making untruthful statements concerning a horse that he had sold. A rather severe sentence was passed, and the prisoner said mournfully, ' Judge, that sentence is unjust.' ' That sentence won't be changed, not to any yreat extent —not ef the court knows, herself !' thundered the justice. 'But there was alleverating and extenarating circumstances in connection.' ' Why didn't you state 'em before?' 'The Court didn't give me no chance.' 'It's the opinion of the Court that the Court had something to do with this trial —please ante up yer fine here 'fore I sock five dollars on ter you for contempt o' Court.' 'But just let me explain. You know I told the man that the hoss was only six years old, and wouldn't balk. Well, you see, it was the sor'l boss you traded"me, and I took your word fur all this.' 'Hey! Was it the one I shoved on ter you last week f ' That's what it was, judge.' ' And you didn't say nothing wuss than that he'd pull and was a colt?' ' That's all, yer honour.' 'Well, that makes the case entirely <lif*rent— circumstances alter cases—l don't see as you said any more than was necessary to unload the boss. I'll remit the fine, ami discharge you on your own recognisance. Ef you and the jury'll come out, you may ir'egutc at tho expense uv the Court.'