Glamorgan Free Press

VISITING Cards. Styliøb. Ladiea' or VISITING Cards. Stylish. Ladies' o* < v Gentlemen's. Cheap and good. FBES Pawls Oflk-e. 82, Tail Street. Pontypridd. HANDBILLS neatly and cheaply doae at JLJL the Faa Fitflss offiee.

LNTYPii i DISTHICT COUNCIL. The fortnightly meeting of the Pontypridd n; ¡ iel Crmn..jl was held at the Council Ofik-cs PoUvpridd, on Tuesday, Mr r. Cowan, J.P., Priding. The attendance included Council- ft. T D. R. Lvans, IT. Bramwdl. I-I. Rowlands. James W. El. Williams. Hopkin Morgan, W. Lewis, Dr T. R. Hondcn-Williams, V. G. Edwards, W. U. Grouow. W. T. Leyshon, and Watkin WiL liaiiis. A letter was read from Colonel Justice, thanking the Council for their voie of thanks i, him, and stating that the piece of land on Lerw read cculd be taken at any moment. Superintendent Colli forwarded a report .11 vhieh. he stated two men were fln^d last Wed- nesday for keeping unregistered lodging- houses. In one ease a heavy fine was inflicted, the, Stipendiary taking into consideration the faei that the house was very much over- ore wded, no less than 16 persons being found in the house. He desired to know if he was now to take proceedings for over-crowding, Mr James Roberts thought that nothing was more dangerous to the town than a large num- her of rcork congregn.ting together in one house. It lead to immorality and disease. It was decided to instruct, the Sanitary Inspector to pay periodical visits to the house. Mr Tom Jones, manager of the Clarence Theatre, wrote afking if ilm Council had any objection to his giv-.ng a. inusical ontcrtainmont on Cood Friday.—No objcciion was raised. A letter was read from Mr John Williams, Maindv Farm, saying he was willing to accept as compensation for giving up his field fcr the Isolation Hospital. Mr Edward Hees. the surveyor, submitted amended provisional apportionments of How- ell street. C'ilfynydd, and Foundry Road, Coedpenmaen. He called the attention of the Council to the delay of the Taff Yale Railway Company in not carrying out t h widening of the Graig- yi-Hcsg bridge and 'also the completion of the High street bridge. The Clerk was instructed to write to Mr gibbering, the Taff Yale Com- pany's surveyor, asking for an explanation. Inspector Johns reported cases of scarlatina at Bodwenarth street. Cilfynydd, Merthyr read. Alpha Street, four cases in one house at 25 Zion street, one case cf puerperal fever at 14, Pontshonorton road, and one case of tv- phoid at 69, Pontshonorton road. The Clerk that tire encuiry into the provisional order had been duly held, and the Inspector seemed to be satisfied. A report was submitted by Mr S. B. Clode. veterinary surgeon,, with regard to the condi- tion of the horses employed by the Council's eontractor. He found the horses to be all fit for work, but upon taking the weights of some of them they were, in his opinion, too light ilic, work of the Council. The Surveyor submitted an estimate for the construction of a. culvert to divert lhe str0am in the open space at liorw rnarl. Mr R. L. Phillips proposed thai tenders be immediately invited for the work. Mr James* Roberts proposed that the cost of the work be included in a loan. Inasmuch a the work was to be of a permanent char- acter, h.,p did not think it should be defrayed out of the current rates.. After :1 long discussion it was decided to adjourn the consideration of the question for a fori niglit. The tender of Mr Thomas Jones. Hafod.was accepted for the necessary work of kerbing g in the district. Dr Hamlcn-Wilbams called the attention of the Council to the necessity of metalling the roads in the ^neighbourhood of Eglwysihui. The farmers there had informed him that not a single stone had been laid on the road for the last nine years. The farmers should be treated in the same fair way as other portions of the district.—The Surveyor promised to make provision for the work in his next, esti- mate. Inspector Rowland, in his report, stated that h' had visited the lodging-house referred to above by Superintendent Cole, and he now found that the house was overcrowded since the last conviction.—On the motion of Mr James Roberts, seconded by Mr W. Jones- Powell, it was decided to take proceedings against the tenant. Sanitary Inspector Rowlands reported five cases of typhoid fever at the People's Park. one at 21, Mill street,, and one at 12. Western street, Trehafod; one case of diphtheria at No. 5, Grongair Place, Union street, and one at No. 2. Graigwen Place. The Chairman was of the opinton that some- thing should be done in the matter. He sug- gested that Mr Andrew. owner of the field, should be written to with a view of getting those people who occupied the field removed. With this suggestion Mr James Roberts agieed, and thought that the inspectors should pay special attention to those cases of typhoid and prepare a report dealing with the sanitary condition of the field. Inspector Rowlands stated that a meeting wa.. held in the field on Sunday night, and a circus was also about to "be held there. Mr F. G. Edwards said that was a serious matter. The health of the people attending those meetings was endaiiire-'ed. and another meeting was to be held there on Sunday next. I- would be well if those people were asked to discontinue holding their meetings on the field for the present. Mr Roberts thought the insanitary condition of the field was a danger to the public. He proposed that the Clerk write to Mr Solomon Andrews calling his attention to the serious condition of things there now, and the number of cases of typhoid fever already reported from the field. There was a large school in the neighbourhood, and the health of the child- rer, might be affected. This was seconded by Mr Bramwell, and agreed to, and the clerk was instructed to advise the Council as to what steps they could take. Later in the afternoon, Dr Howard Davies attended, and his report showed the field to b. in an even worse condition than the Inspec- tor's. It was decided to take proceedings against the owner for permitting a nuisance to exist there. Mr Watkin Williams suggested that the at- tention of the overseers should be called to the fact that the field was occupied by a la re- number of people, from whom the owner un- doubtedly derived a considerable revenue,while the assessment wus extremely low. This was agreed to. The Public Works Committee reported hav- ing visited the road at Hawthorn, with revtard to which there is a question of right of w.'v. and now recommended that no further t( 1- be taken in the matter until further cvidcr.ce had been obtained. The Chairman reported that he and MO~-F Watkin Williams and James had waited upon tho County Council with th: ob- jeet of getting a contribution towards the I Rhondda road. They were received very fa- vourably. and the County Council instructed j their Surveyor to visit the spot and report on it. Dr Howard Davies, the medical officer or health, submitted his report, for January and February, in which he stated that the births registered totalled 79 in each month, giving a birth-rate of 24.9 per 1.000 per annum. Tho deaths recorded numbered 24 for January, and 39 for February, the death-rate for the former month being 6.9 and for the latter 11.3 per 1.000 per annum. During January there was one fatality only from the zymctic di- seases, viz., a ease of croup at Bonvilsione. rcttd. In February whooping cough proved fatal in two instances. Diphtheria was re- sponsible 'or 0110 death.. The rasçs of in- fectious diseases notified during January and February were: — Jan. rob. Scarlatina 6 11 Diphtheria 2 8 Croup 3 o Enteric fever 1 5 Puerperal fever 0 1 Erysipelas 3 2 15 27 During the present month and up to date there had been four new casrs of scarlatina six of enteric fever, four each from puerperal fever, and erysipelas. He had visited and in- spected houses in Pontshonorton road from. 41 to 48 inclusive. He was unable to to two out of the four vacant dwel- lings. Tho six lie was enabled to examine were all dilapidated, old and damp in many places. In their present state he considered them quite unfit for occupation. They were injurious to health and unfit for habitation. He recommended that steps be taken to have the houses closed. The doctor's recommenda- tion was adopted.

Cilfach Coch. Last, Wednesday evening, at the Glamorgan Hotel, Mr Gomer Eians presided over a din- ner held in honour of St. David, it being the first meeting of the kind held at Gilfach. Over 50 people sat down to a repast, well worthy I oi the host and hostess. After the Royal toast had been given, Mr E. Thomas sang. Off to Philadelphia.. Mr E. Edmunds gave the toast to "The Clergy and Ministers." Mr J. Edwards. responding, said he was very sony that there were no ministers present. I but he was pleased to say that England would not be the England she now is were it not Tor her ministers of the Gospel. Mr W. Davies sang -An Revoir." Then came the toast of the evening, "St. David," given by Mr Enoch Jones, who aid that there is not the slightest doubt now that such a person as St. David did exist. Mr Robert Rees sang a WcHI song. Mr Councillor Jenkins, in a lengthy speech, confirmed what Mr Jones had said regarding the existence of our venerable Saint. he having lived somewhere about the early jart of the fifth century. The early and more active part of his life was spent at. Caerleon, from thence he removed to St. David's. Pem- brokeshire. where, it is generally believed, he ended his noble career. Being a great scholar and a devout Christian, he devoted his whole life to the furtherance of Christianity in both England and Wales. Mr J. Caniff and Mr D. T. Jones spoke a few words each on the mat- ter. Mr J. 0. Pearert sang 'Hiraeth." Mr Cc-sslett. 11l giving the feast, to "The Trade and Tradespeople, promised better times for Gilfach m the- near future than it bad enjoved for some years since. Indeed, things have been so dull here that a little revival will be received with welcome. The /Speaker here read out a piece of poetry that was composed by his father—the evergreen Gwilym Elian— for an Eisteddfod held at Bristol twenty-nine years ago. It was entitled "Dydd Gwyl Dewi Saut." Mr D. Rowlands sang "Mentra Gwen." M ■ H. P. Davies (chemist) and Mr J. Hopkins (draper') on behalf of the tradespeople, said it afforded them great pleasure in responding to such a worthy toast, particularly so after what Mr Coslett had promised them. Messrs T. M. Jones, N. Salmon". D. Gregory, and J. Griffith;; also contributed towards the musical part of the programme. Mr Jones simply bringing the room down with his inimitable rendering of Killaloo. The toast, "Host and Hostess" having been given by Mr D. Gregory in a most appropriate speech, and ably respon- ded to by Mr J. Edwards on behalf of his parents, a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close by singing "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau.'

A Devonport Author's Success. Mr John R. Graham (of Devonport) has met with a stroke of luck which may prove the starting-point of his future career as a drama- tist. His one-act farcical comedy, "Artful Plans" (originally produced in Devonport), has been secured by Mr Herbert Ralland's No. 1 comedy company, and will be revived as a "curtain-raiser" in front of heavier plays. The revival will take place on Monday next, March 13th, at the Lyceum Theatre, Newport (Men.). In his capacity as a writer of fiction, Mr Gra- ham has seen the publication of 17 short stories, three of which made their first appear- ance in the columns of the "Glamorgan Free Press."

The careful process by I which Symington's Edinburgh I Coffee Essence is ma^e elimin- [ ates all unpleasant properties, Anyone can drink it. Prom [ Grocers everywhere.. U:5 j ..h. Eisteddfodau, THE FIRST ANNUAL CAJlDIFF ASTER E ISTEDDFOD will be held in WOOD STREET CHAPEL (kindly lent—seating accommodation for 3.000 persons), on EASTER MONDAY, APRIL 3rd, 189P. Mixed Choir Competition (60 to 80 voices), "Worthy is the Lamb" (Messiah). Prize JE20, and handsome baton for conductor. Male Voice Competition (40 to 70 voices), I -Martyrs of the Arena (Rille). Prize £ 20, anc irold rredal for conductor. Prizes for solos, £ 1 Ins; duets, £ 2 2s; trios 1£2 2s recitations, 15s ambulance, X2. ADJUDICATORS —Music—William Davies, Esq., r-t. Paul s Cathedral, London, and David Chubb, I Esq., Pontypridd. Recitations—Rev. E. Gurnos Jones. D.D. Prize Hags-M 's Councillor Andrews. Ambulance—John Esq., M.D., B.Sc. T. H. Morris, E-q M.D., Tylorstown. Chairman of Ex 'cntive Commit tet:-William Harries, Esq F, E.G S. Arracgments have been made enabling choirs and parties to compete both at Cardiff and Barry on Easrer Monday. Secn-tarv. C. F. JOHNSON, 5, Arran Street, Roatb, Cardiff. 4608 ROSTOCK AND 'VOI£'VELL'S ROYAL XO. 1 MENAGERIE UndDubtedly the finest collection of Zoological Exhibits gathered together under one roof. WILL VISIT PONTYPRIDD, Two Days, Friday & Saturday, March 10th and 11th. FERNDALE, One Day, Monday, March 13th. TONYi'ANDY, One Day, Tuesday, March 14th. TRKHRRBERT, One Day, Wednesday, Mar. 15. FORTH, One Day, Thursday, March 16th. Over 700 Perfec" Specimens of Natural History in the finest condition possible, and worthy of your admiration— Th° Largest and Most Handsome LION in captivity i another Wallace). To see this magnificent animal alone is well worth the admission moncv. Splendid TIGERS, LEOPARDS, PANTHERS, P-U-IAAS, JAGUARS, and almos*- every other Carnivorous Animal vou may think of. AVIARY OK BIRDS MONKEYS of the Rarest Kinds, including the HAMAI'KYAD or SACRED BABOON, and a )"t!y specimen of the BLUE & RED-FACED GOKILLa. You should see the ANTELOPES, many of which have never previously been seen in a Travelling Collection. The Finest Group of Performing LIONS and TIGER, (-v, r seen in Great Britain LEOPARDS, PAYIHEHS, and PUVAS per- forming together. The only performing WHITE or POLAR BEARS in the whi le world People hitherto have considered these animals too dan- gerous and beyond t,ii« power of man to train. Performing WOLVES. RUSSIAN BEAR", and HYf MAS. The Wonderful Boxing KANGAROO "Slavin"' is always a sight to please all visitors. In five years from now this ONLY GRNUIVE BRITISH MENAGEKIE will have been before your notice ior ONE HUNDRED YEi-RS. We say without fear of contradiction it is now better than ever. The Noted Rand of th" Establishment play Selections during intervals PERFORMANCES—3.30, AND TWICE DURING THE EVENING. ADMISSION, Is. CHILDREN, 6d. All Classes to the Evening Performance 0 Sixpence Each. Manager in person H. F. BORKETT. Sole Proprietor E. H. BOSTOCK. 46! 9 £ 4,000,000 HAVE NOW BEEN PAID IN RESPECT OF* RAILWAY ACCIDENTS, ALL ACCIDENTS, "WORKMEN'S ACCIDENTS, FIDELITY GUARANTEE, BY THE RAILIVAY PASSE NG ERS'ASSU RA N'U'E GO., 64, Cornhill, London, A. VIAX, Secretary. AGENTS: &'r E. POST, 63, Gorse Lane, Swansea. Agents required in unrepresented districts. [43S5 NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE! A. FLH ItER (Successor to C. Stroub) Wishes to inform the inhabitants of Upper Rhondda that he has Opened the Premises of 83, LLEWELLYN STREET, PENTRE. With a New and Well-Selected Stock of Watches, Clocks, Jewellry, and Electro Plate- DO YOU KNOW that you can get a splendid WEDDING RING at our establishment at a LOW PRICE ? You should go to A. FUHRER for Wedding and Birthday Presents. We have a large selection of Dress and Engagement Keepers and Fancy Rings. We are the oldest established Jewellers in the Rhondda Valleys. Our Watches and Clocks are best value for nroney guaranteed. If your Watch stops, or does not keep time, you should bring it at or ce to us. We k,-ep first- class men only for repairs. Clocks and any other orders attended to. Note the Address—A. FUHRER, 83, Llewellyn Street, PENTRE. 130, Bute Street, TREORKY. Established over 30 Years 4553 Powell's Balsam Aniseed AM OF.- 'W I L FOR Coughs Asthma Bronchitis Influenza AND ALL Lung Troubles.) S" obe" Traft Mark on each Wrapper.. In Bottles, 1/1 j, 2/3,4 6, and 11 POWELL'S Mild APERIENT PILLS, MUBoj ESTABLISHED 1834. IBM b7 Cbvmtsts throughout the WerUU 4497

«(;JjJY"ç'ld. ) LORD WALDEMATTS HEIR. By MRS. HARRIET LEWIS, Author of "The Hampton Mystery," "The B.iiiiff's Scheme, "The Lady of KiHare," "The Old Life's Shadows," "A Daring Game, «ic., &c. ———— e, :r CHAPTER XLI. MOETL's PAST F CUT HE 11 UNVEILED. Darrel Moer was tnable to shake off his twrifviiur impression that the Hungarian Coun- tess whom he had seen in Lady Thart.er's drawing-room for a moment, and whose agitation at sight of him had been so marked, had known him at some past time, and that her knowledge of him had extended to some of the darker deeds of his life. Ho hurried home in a state of mental perturbation such as he had rarely experienced, and hastened up to his own room, where he found his valet and confidant engaged in his usual duties. Bin? dropped his master's <hvss coat> whjch lie held in his hands, and exclaimed • "How strangely you look, sir1 i1! ? "Pour out some brandy! L Iioarseiy, sinking into the nearest, chair. Bing obv.^Ga, o* «» fnii i ±. t employer, who took a Tiber-il i ? A11" T.let a<jain demanded "W~ T,n! •• J Vr iiuister were ill. he absurd, Bir^ I 'i^'ently. "Don't all. If-, 1 a llU,e excited, that's ^o'Unt "T?T "V 1 VCr seetl t!r'3 Hungarian Ladv r.. >v ^hsmere, who is visiting j • ^a"_sterHave you seen lier in her ovf Has s.'ic. over callcd here ? sir, I have never seen her." replied wondering. "She has called here once or twice with Lady Thaxter. I have heard the servants say, but she was deeply veiled on both occasions. Lave you heard, sir, that my lord is going to marry her ? Thev say down in the servants' hall that he lias been to Lady Thaxter s house everv day for the last three weeks, and he sends a hothouse bouquet to Lady JtotliRniere every morning regular; and when the Countess was ill he sent her a silver filigree basket full of delicious grapes and hothouse peaches and strawberries and pines, worth a fortune. Mrs. 1'oss thinks his lordship is en- gaged to marry the Countess. "What nonsense!" ejaculated "Moer. "His lordship will never marry again. lie worships the memory of his first wife, lie is civil to this beautiful young Countess became she is the guest of his especial friend, who is also a kinswoman of his late wife, lie may conceive himself under obligations to Ladv Thnxtcr, who has been very kind to him. and who dearly loved his son, now dead. Cannot an old man of sixty-eight offer civilities :J a beautiful young woman without creating a tumult, in his servants' hall? But tins is not the question. Who is this Countess ? "She is the widow of Urn grcut Hungarian statesman, Ludovi", Count i'othsmere," answered Sing, with an air of possessing superior information. "I know that: but who was she before she married the Count ? demanded Moer iras- cibly. "She i. only about thirty, so she must have married the Count when be had grown old. I saw her to-day at Ladv Thaller's—not an hour ago. in fact—and 1 know that I have seen her before. More than that, 1 know that niy life is an open, book tu her. lore still— she is my enemy i our enemy, sir? Impossible "She looked at. me in a sort. «.f awe, terror, and hatred," continued regardless of his Valet's remark. Her face grew deathly white. And then she glided out of the room swiftly withotit speakin.r, and disappeared. ];111, in the momeniarv glimpse I had of f gained a positive knowledges that, she is my enemy. I must have wronged her ;:i some way. The thought occurred to rieIlier-it is incredible—impossible— ar.d yet she may be Carmine Bing uttered an exclain.V ion of incredulity and amazement. "It is ten years since Iin that private asylum in the sou!'i-easfern Fat of Huntingdonshire," said with agitation— at a good distance from The Cypresses, which is in the north-eastern portion uf the county, you know. She went mad on our return irom that summer trip to Germany after our secret marriage. he was a pure and honourable girl, if she was an actress. She rune of good family, of German descend, and there had been a title somewhere in her anc^'rv. She was educated and refined, and 1. had a short-lived passion for her, of sech intensity thai I risked 1ny prospects, mv entire uuuiv, > make her JOy wife. "It was as mad an ac'; as ever was known," muttered Uing. "I was always a creai ire of impulse. Mv own wdl has bee^ my guide ti.rouirh life. If I have wanted a thing, I have obtained it at all costs. Carmine ]toll!, was a star. a beautv, ::nd was called La belle Carmine." She was ■virtuous, i-ed, noble of soul. I was infatuated with her, and married her. She agreed to keep the marriage secret from my iincle. I took her to Germany for the summer, introducing her there as my wife. lint 1 already repented my bargain, and beat vainly at the bonds with which I had fettered myself. 1. began t, see that I had thrown myself away. The mist of my passion beginning to clear, I was in terror lest my uncle ihnild hear of my marriage, and cast me off as he had cast off his own and only son. And so, although Carmine was my lawfully wedded wife, and I introduced her to a few of my English friends whom I met at Uaden- Caden as my wife. yet whenever 1 spoke of her to those young fellows, and she was not present, I did so with a shrug ofmv sliozil,i-s. a wink of the eye, a curl of the lin. that conveyed to them all the impres- sion that she was not my wife, and that she was not an honest wotiian. "It was well dime," said 11ititr, with a devilish arnile. uWas it not? I was always clever," said Moer self-approvingly. "Carmine had made a few English acquaintances on the strength of her relationship to me. As Mrs, Darrel Moer, she was greatly admired. ],it! when the story of my insinuations was whiskered round, she was cut dead by her new friends, and one of 'them told her the reason. Carmine came to me, demanding that 1 should rebuke her lnsulters. I laughed at her tragedy airs, and she sulked. No one spoke to her thenceforward; but no one cut me," said Moer, stroking his chin. "I was invited out, without Carmine, and fven the ladies who would not Muffer 1. hem of their garments to touch hers ami! upon rne. It's a queer world, Ring, where u .an v? Pun'shed for a crime in which her partner is ?u'hless, or if reproved, ho is reproved as •th na,1ghty creature,' and is not forbidden tln<^er°"aes of first-class people. Carmine smarted fallen Vnr'e8erved odium into which she had These'facta bought her back to England. »CCompanied*T?,U alpeadJ kn vv- for with the Count °n, tl,Bt tril'' vet r"-v ,Iieetin6 viTidlv that I ,brmg» it all back to me so "But the Countess r9"" "»,Ktkil,g of il-" La belle Carmine '»*"7 thc sau,e w,th wife went mad." obJe<'ed Ring. "Your •'So she did. W1 ien we \rp'v a r j I Hnd our marringo was not ,|V,'Y-, V1 rontinued to be knov/n as Carmine Poff1 f»>C iiaving»b„»d „„ found herself revilec.insulted, and abandoned hy her best friends. She besought m« on j)er knees to declare our marriage. I was tired of fret"; I repent.ed my marriage; and [ refused. She implored me to allow her to reveal our marriage to Squire Floyd, now fjord Waldemar, and I refused her with curses. I was always a <!evil when tilings went wrong with me. I was even brutal to her, I remember. I told her t he marrii.v should never be acknowledged that I hud grown to hate lior—that I had denied luy marriage to evervone. She was a nervous, excitable creature, and the upshot of it was she ■went IUlLd-rav ing iiind .,Tlit,re was no n.istaketbout her madness, said Ð, II retrospect i vet v. ^one at all. She tried to kill me. I found out through you, Bing, whn are informed «n every -ubject—a doctor who lives down in Huntingdonshire, and takes mad pecole to i,oar and look after. Ife had the necessary Accommodation for her. I sent for him, and he came up to London. H" examined into her mental condo.jon. there was a council of pliysit Otis, nni; the proper papers were made out, de Ca) mine Itofj* to be of un- bound in jtu;! onfit. to at largo. My jirivate »uad-h(>nM/ • took l'er home with him. Kveryth. w s «.M idncted in legal form, and IJll name ou ayi>e*r iu any way in con- nec'irn with Her. And so—as I supposed—I has i i 1 of her. I went down to Huntingdon- shire a few weeks after, and saw her in her padded room, chained to a. ring in the wall, wild, frenzied, ravine. She recognised ml with ;t shriek that rang through the building, called me her husband and 1H'nt. into such spasms as nearly frightened ma out of my wits. I never went again. It is my creed to avoid everything nainful and harrowing, to gather the roses for rnvself and leave the thorns for someone else. I would not subject mvself to witnessing another such fcene for a thousand pounds. Give me that tumbler a:iain." He took another draught of brandy, and wiped his brows, which had grown wet under his agitation.. "The semi-annual payments for the Carmine s board and treatment have been made in your name, Eing, and the bills have been sent to you punctually? As the woman was actually mad, and as the doctor had no suspicion of her e reationship to me, the charges for her keeping have not been excessive. He has said in every letter that she is incurable. Now, as neither you nor I have seen her in ten years, ising, is it not possible that she may have recovered and been released by the doctor upon her agreement not to reveal to me the fact t.iat she is free ? Is it not possible that, having reieas-d her, he is kcenin" up his demands for money, believing me ignorant of her release? In short, is.it not possible that I may have be3n, and am now being, cheated by your Dr. Parf- tt ? "lit is possible," acknowledged Bing; "but as he's a respectable physician, it don't seem probable. "That's nothing. I'm respectable and honoured and courted—at least, I was courted till Lord Waldemar's new heiress appeared—but T'd do anything to further my own ends," said Moer. "Looks prove nothing. The most respect- able people in appearance are often the greatest villains. Dr. Parfitt may have fooled me and vet. I can't feel sure that the Hungarian Countess is one and the same with Carmine Hoff. How could Carmine have gone to Ger- many and married the great Hungarian states- man ? I had but a brief view of Lady Roths- mere, but she did not look quite the stii-io with Carmine." "Miss Hoff was very fair, with blue eyes, tall and finely shaped, "said B ng. "So is this Hungarian Countess. But Carmine had fair hair, such as distinguishes German women, and this beautiful Countess has grey hair—a delicately-tinted pure grey hair, that contrasts oddly with her youthful and lovely face and fresh complexion." "Grey hair, and so exclaimed Bing. "I begin to believe her ladyship may turn out to be Carmine. It must have been some ter- rible trouble to turn her hair grey at her age. The heat in her brain, her constant brain excitement, and the rigorous treatment she doubtless experienced in the madhouse would probably have turned Miss lloff's hair grey. If this Countess is Miss Roff, she is still your wife. She may interfere to prevent your mar- riage to Miss Floyd "Bv Heaven, she will not! I am all excite- ment and uncertainty. I cannot endure it. If Lady Rothsmere by any chance or possibility is Carmine, she will work me troub e. She is certainly my enemy. Bing, you must go out immediately and telegraph to Dr. Parfitt the inquiry if Miss itolt at i)is house. Tell him you have reason to believe she is in London- that you "have seen her. That will fetch the truth out of him. Go immediately, and return with the reply." Bing obeyed, has'er.ing on his errand. Darrel Moer waited impatiently one liciir-tivo hours —three hours—for his valet's return. It was well into the fourth hour when Bing reappeared, nearly breathless, and produced a reply to his telegram and said "Dr. Parfitt lives ten miles from the station, and they bad to send a mounted messenger out to him. Here is what lie says." He laid the message on his master's knee. Darrel Moer eizerl. it, and read as follows: Mr. Watson Bing, Telegram received. Miss Roff escaped from asylum some weeks since. Have sought everywhere for her. Believed her to be drowned. Still incurable. Shall come on to London by first train to look for her. to you at my hotel, the Queen's, opposite P.O. II.vr.IMS PAItFITT." The muscles in Moer's face quivered as he read these lines. His eyes glared with a hur-ted look. "The old humbug!" lie muttered. "If you hadn't telegraphed, lie would never have let. j von know of i <r escape. Lseape He released i:ek, I She s sane asain. And he dnres to pre- tend that she has been in his care until vonle weeks since ile does not mean to acknow- ledge the truth, that she has been gone from iiis house for years, lest you force him to re- fund the sums you have paid him. Tho wretch The miserable dosing thief! The animated pill-box Curse him "Hl" 11 probably come up to town to carry out his miserable pretence that she has recently escaped," said L-.n, "Well, don't go near him. Keep away from the Qneen's. Wait till we get further infor- mation—till we get ready to settle wit'i him. I won't humour the lying swindier by having you meet him." "All right, sir," replied Bing. "I'll stop awav. I believe now that the Hungarian Couu'ess is Carmine Roff. How she came to marry a Hungarian Count while you were living, I can't see. Perhaps she heard tlirt you were dead. DII"t your instinct did not deceive you, sir. She is your enemy." "I cannot induce Parfitt to entrap her and carry her back, I suppose," said Moer. "She has married into a powerful family. The old statesman Rothsmere had sons, who are men of rank and influence at Vienna. They may be devoted to their young stepmother. They may know her history. To touch her muty be to precipitate my own ruin. She is sane, too, and Parfitt is too timid to ahut up a fane person. He prates about his honour and the honour of his profession as a cover to his timidity. I cannot tight Lady Rothsmere. She carries too many guns for me. It is evident that. she has not told her story to Lord Walde- mar, or Tregaron, or Lady Thaxter, and she may be holding back for a purpose. I will take advantage of her temporary inactivity. If I cannot fight her, I will outwit her." "How so ? "I will marry Miss Floyd clandestinely on Saturday. If she exposes me, I'll threaten to prosecute her for bigamy. "A good idea, sir, said the valet. "But if the Hungarian Countess is your wife, your marriage with Miss Floyd will not be legal." Who is to know it if Lady Rothsmere doel not reveal it ? And that, for her own sake, she will not do. This marriage will render me per- fectly safe. I begin to feel my courage return, Bing. The Countess has the fear of prosecution for bigamy before her eyes. That accounts for her evident terror at sight of me." "Then yoa have straight sailing ahead." "Exactly. Honor Glint, as you have all tlong known, and as I have known, is not my wife. The existence of Carmine Rolf, whom I Believed buried in a madhouse, rendered that marriage at Bolton a mere farce. Honor Glint is not my wife," repeated Moer impressively. "That marriage is rendered null and void by the fact of my former wife's existence. Honor is n maiden still, with no right nor title to my name, and no claim whatever upon me. I'd have told her so yesterday, but I dared not. It's not well to let too much of one's business be known. If I had freed her with such a fire- brand a* that, she would have flown to Tregaron and told him that she was not mv wife because I have a previous wife living. And then my prospects with Miss Floyd would be ruined. 0, I must cause Honor to believe herself actually my wife. I sban let her live and die among those dreary fens, where to live even is die, and I will riot in luxury as Hilda iMoyd H husband. I've had mvups and downs, Bing, like other meu, but henceforward I shall have everything my own way. I have besn un- scrnpu.oiis, heartless, fickle and villainous, but it has all paid. I jUU at ]ast on the eve of a triumphant and glorious success CHAPTER XLII. A rt'itTHKR BKTEAYAti O? NATURE. Darrel Moer, haying resolved, with the full fovce of his determined will, to compass all his desires, ;,rift to retrieve his ft-4 he deemed them, by a promising and wealthy marriage, swept on in his evil course a» if driven by forces beyond his contioi. ae re- garded no obstacle; he gavs U" heed to no considerations of decency or lion cur. His own will. as he loved to say, Inri be<-n his guide all his lit'o long, and it ruled his actions now. The evening succeeding the events just nar- rated he spent in the society of Miss Flovd and Mrs. Watchley. Lord Waldemar, with unwonted solicitude as to his toilet, an un- wonted softness in his stern and gloomy eyes, and bearing a bunch of deliciously-scented wood violets, procured from sunny" Kentish woods, had gone to Lady Thaxter's to dine. His bouquet was intended for the Hungarian Countess, who had expressed in his hearing a longing for wild violets, and hi", lordship, with the devotion of a youthful lover, had that morning sent a messenger down into Kent with favourable result, the April showers and sun- shine having called to life and beauty myriads of these scented bits of heaven. Darrel Moer made love in approved style, and Miss Floyd condescended to be pleased with him. Havinc had an almost infinity of practice in the art of "making love," Darrel Moer knew just how to flatter and quote poetry, to praise her eyes and her hair, and to whisper those "sweet nothings which from loving iips are delicious indeed, but which when spoken by a false tongue, and emanating from "a scheming brain, as now, are tasteless and intolerable. The next morning, at as early an hour as was practicable, Darrel Moer drove to Doctors' Commons and procured a marriage licence, affirming, as he had done in the case of Honor Glint, that Flovrl, spinster," had lived "in this parish the full timo prescribed by law, and that she was of full and sufficient age to contract marriage without che consent of her guardian, being twenty-one years old. Upon this lying statement he procured his licence, and went with it to the house of the rector of St. Jude's, a moderately fashionable church in Belgravia, but so greatly eclipsed by St. George's, of Hanover Square, as to seldom serve as the scene of fashionable marriages. Ha did not see the rector, but found the curate and unfolded to him his errand, and made arrangements to have the marriage ceremony performed for his benefit and that of Hilda Floyd in St. Jade's Church, the next mcrning, at eleven o'clock. ° He took occasion to state that, although tho lady had attained her majority, and was entitled by law to marry whom she pleased, being her own mistress absolutely. yet she was of such a shy and shrinking temperament, and at this time in such a state of invalid ner- vousness, that her friends thought it better that she should be married quietly, merely in the presence of her immediate family. "Tlie gentleman who has been her guardian will give her away," said Moer, "and she will be attended by her nearest lady friend. Be good enough to have the church open, and to keep out int ruders." He did not give his name, nor that of his promised bride, nor even shew his licence. He stated that he would, have his licence upon the next morning, and so went away, returning to Park Lane. This was on Friday. The marriage had been appointed by Grimrod to take place upon the morning of the next day, Saturday. Grimrod returned to town that—Friday— afternoon, and was closeted a couple of hours with Lord Waldemar, discussing business affairs. When these had been satisfactorily despatched, the manager left his noble employer alone in the library and came to the drawing-room, where Miss Floyd, Mrs. Watc-hley and Darrel Moer were waiting the announcement of dinner. Moer stood apart, at one of the windows, his hand nervously clutching the marriage licence in the inner pocket of his coat. He was looking uneasily into tho street, where the gas lamps burnt brightly, and it almost seemed as if he expected some enemy to arrive and accuse him of some evil deed which ho had committed, and so prevent the marriage which he had sworn in his soul to consummate. Grimrod was struck by his manner. He approached Moer silently, his footsteps sinking into the thick velvet carpet, and he laid his hand on Moer's shouluer with new familiarity. Darrel Moer sprang back, quiver- ing and panting, as if the hand had been that of a police-officer. "Who did you think it was ? asked Grimrod, with a smile on his dark inscrutable face-a smile as inscrutable as his countenance. "I I didn't know I was startled!" stammered Moer. "It is a part of my code not to bo surprised at anything, but you took me quite unawares." I fancy you expect someone." "Oh, no," said Moer, forcing a laugh. "The truth is, I'm nervous. I have a right to be, have I not ? I have in my pocket a document by right of which the clergyman will take my freedom out of my hands and render me a bond-slave to a woman's caprices. Not that I repent," he added quickly. "I am happy— pleased—anxious. See, here is my marriage licence." He exhibited the document. Grimrod examined and returned it, and Moer slipped it back into its place of concealment. "The ceremony is at St. at eleven in the morning," said Moer, looking out of the window. "Hilda is well pleased. She is angry with Lord Waldemar on account of her music- master, who had the audacity to scold her to- day for stupidity a.nd inattention.' The Signor is one of those fellows so wrapped up in his profession as to pay no hoed to rank, wealth, and beauty." Grimrod glanced towards the ladies. They were at the further end of the room, quite out of earshot. A gleam of something like emotion passed over the Mephistophelean visage of the businesi manager as his gaze reverted to Miss Floyd. "The girl is pretty," he said, in a voice that was somehow changed, "and she carries herself like a princess. She has that polished insolence that is found often in the highest ranks. She will mature into a handsome woman. Yon will be proud of her, Air. Moer; you will be good to her ? Somehow, I feel as if I ought to exact some pledge from you that you will be very tender of her, and very gentle to her." "I will give the pledge of my own free will. I will be good to her. It's to my interest to be so, don't you *ee, for she will hold the purse-strings when she becomes Baroness Walde- mar. Our tastes are much alike. She likes show; so do 1. She is fond of gaiety, of attending balls, of spending money; so am I. Your anxiety for your employer's grand- daughter does you credit, Grimrod, only I never suspected you of being devoted to my uncle's interests with such entirety and disin- terestedness as you have lately displayed. You seem to be transferring that devotion to Hilda, and you do well. She will requite your good- nns in this time." "I don't doubt it. She is a perfect Floyd, Mr. Moer, pure, innocent, and beautiful. She does not know anything of yonr past," said Grimrod. "Of course, I heard of your takius that actress abroad with you years ago, and actually intr"r cing P your wife, keeping up the deception even after it was discovered, and I have heard of your engagements to various ladies, but these things are best con- cealed from Miss Flovd. I fancy she would incline to jealousy if she were to suspect that she is not your first choice. I believe that her marriage to you will be of benefit to you both. It would certainly seem right that Lord Waldemar's nephew and grand-daughter should share the grandeurs which the one has been led to expect and the other inherits by right." Further discussion was prevented by the entrance of Lord Waldemar. Immediately after- wards dinner was announced. The Baron gave his arm to his granddaughter, Moer escorted Mrs. Watchley, and Grimrod brought up the rear. In this order they descended to the dining-room. The usual elaborate dinner was served in the usual stately fashion. The ladies returned to the drawing-room, while the gentlemen lingered over the wine. The latter at length came up a'so to the drawing-room, and Lord Waldemar seated himself, with a glance at the little porcelain clock on the mantel. I have to go to the House by ten," he observed, "to vote upon a question in which I am interested. In the morning I have an en- gagement to attend Lady Thaxter and her guest to a flower show at Cniswick. So I may as well say to you, Hilda, what I intended to say to you in private. Lady Thaxter has recommended to me to-day a French gentleman who has met with a reverse of fortune, and is obliged to instruct pupils in his own language. He is a refugee, one of the old regime, of the Faubourg St. Germain, venerable and noble. I have dropped him a note soliciting him to receive you as one of his pupils, and I desire Mrs. Watchley to receive him with all courtesy when he calls to-morrow, apologise for ray absence, and make arrangements on bis own terms for your instruction." Mrs. Watchley bowed assent. Miss Floyd's brows contracted and darkened ominously. She tapped her foot upon the carpet :n a restless fashion and a mutinous loek withered in her blue eyes. Mrs. Watchley, who ki.ew her so well, trembled with anxiety lest she should give expression to a burst of passionate anger. "H'm!" said the young lady. "Suppose I don't, choose to take lessons of this pokey old Frenchman, then what ? Lord Waldemar looked surprised, as did his business manager. Moer smiled under his moustaches. "Of course you are solicitous to improve in necessary accomplishments, Hilda," said the Baron mildly. "Lady Thaxter has kindly re- lieved me of the burden of finding masters for you. I had intended to place the matter in Grimrod's hands, but Lady Thaxter begged to be allowed to select your teachers, and she lias done so, altogether to my satisfaction." "Lady Thaxter is very officious," said Miss Floyd, tapping her foot yet more restlessly, "tIa" she selected more teachers for me ? "Yes, a teacher of dancing and deportment, one who is noted for imparting an air of finish to his pupils, her ladyship tells me," replipd the Baron, "and also a teacher of drawing and tainting. These are all. "They are quite enough," frowned Miss Floyd. "They will keep me at lessons all the time. This horrid Sisrnor who teaches me music is absolutely insufferable. How can I endure the venerable Frenchman, the dancing master, the drawing teacher? I am no school-girl to be kept under masters in this planner. I am seventeen years old, and I demand to see smm- thing of the world, not to be treated like a child of ten. I have had lessons all my life. If this is the way you intend to treat me, 1 might better have staved at Innsbruck. I had more freedom there, and could do as I likvd. It's a pity, grandpapa, that you can't find somebody else to tyrannise over "llild,i exclaimed Lord \V aldemar, in stern rebuke. "Hilda!" cried Mrs. Watchley imploringly. "It's true." said Miss Floyd, her ancer overflowing bounds under the cxcitement of tin- flight check. "1 won't learn these lessons—so there ^"You will study under these teachers, Mi?-- F:oyd!" said the Baron sternly, with thai haughty anger which those who knew him always feared and dreaded. 1 a-m your guardian, and von must render me obedience in these things, which are manifestly for your good. If you decline to obey me, I shall send you to a boarding-school, where you will remain for the next three years. You are uninformed in many respects, and must have on. year of patient application to study before appearing in society. If you know me better, you would hardly dare contest my will in tub matter." Miss Flovd had been petted and spoilt all her life, and had never known what it was to submit to another's will, and the restraint Lord Waldemar was endeavouring to place upon her simply infuriated her beyond all power of self- control. Driven on by her own headstrong reck- lessness, she exclaimed "Oh, I know yon well enough by reputation. You are only an unreasonable, tyrannical old man "Hilda: cried Mrs. Watcblcy again, in an agony. "Miss Flovd!" ejaculated Grimrod warn- inglv. The girl looked at the pair in defiance, resuming "Yon are in your dotage, my lord, if vor- fancy that I shall yield to these demands. 1 will not. I am made of di fie rent stub" to poor papa, whom you drove out to die in poverty in a foreign land, just because be chose to have a will cf bis own instead of submitting to your unreasonable tyranny. You killed him, and you killed bis young wife, just because she happened to be the oaagiiter of a man you hated. I wonder my father and mother don't haunt you at night. I presume Squire Arlvn was every whit as good as you, and th,t you were only envious and jealous of him. I dare- say I am the first, person who ever dared speak plainly to your High Mightiness, but I am not afraid of you. nor awed by you For once in your life you have heard the truth." She panged from sheer breath lessnc.s, Mrs. Watchley wa3 crying alond. and im- ploring the Baron to pay no heed to ttftse "childish ravings." Grimrod sat as impassive as if frozen in his chair. But there was a look in his inscrutable eyes that was terrible. Darrel Moer was simply thunderstruck at the boldness and unreasoning fury of the heiress. Lord Waldemar rose up, white and stern, he had looked upon that night when he had expelled his only son from his house and heart. His proud lips trembled under his frost-white moustache, but the glitter of his terrible eves was like lightninir, cold and hard and keen. "Have you finished?" he inquired, with singular calmness. A species of awe began to creep over the wilful girl. There was that in the Baron's looks and manner, in his very quietness, that frightened her. She began to repent her folly, and nodded assentingly to his inquiry. "If you have finished, then permit me to say," remarked his lordship, "that you have just committed a fault which in another person J would never pardon. You are only a spoilt, selfish, headstrong girl, impatient of restraint, regardless of right or principle. Your strictures upon my treatment of your father evidence a. state of mind on your part which it is well I should know. I have but one word to say. You will not intrude upon my sight in this room, nor in the dining-room, nor in the library, until you come to me humbly and beg my pardon for what you have said. When yo. shall have done that, I will consider what i, best to be done with you. You have this even- ing displayed qualities of mind and heart whic h render the very sight of you obnoxious to me. Whether I shall ever overlook your wicked insolence I cannot tell. I "I don't care whether you do or not," muttered Miss Floyd, with a flash of expiring fury. I snail never ask your pardon—never Lord Waldemar moved slowly towards he door, in silence. Grimrod followed him into the deserted hall, and clasped his hand in deep emotion, exclaiming: 140 my lord! my lord! she is but a ci.ild —an angry, thoughtless child. Forgive her." "It is for her to solicit forgiveness, Grim- rod," said his lordship with a strange gentle- ness. "My dear old friend, you feel for my disappointment, I see. I am disappointed. It is hard to see one's race run out. Don't speak to me. I cannot bear it. I must be by myself." The Baron went to his own room and locked himself in. Grimrod returned to the drawing- room, where Mrs. Watchley was heaping reproaches upon her charge. "You are the most foolish girl living,' sobbed the elder lady. Why should you fly out so at his lordship about teachers and leseons when you are going to be married to- morrow ? You could have assented pleasantly. You may be sure that after the announcement of your marriage be would not wish you to take lessons." "I spoke so because his words made me cross." said the girl sullenly. "I forgot for the first minute after he spoke that I was to be married to-morrow, and the next minute I didn't care for anything except to toll him what I thought of him. If he had treated me differ- ently, and given in to all I wanted, perhaps I should have changed my mind about marrying Darrel Moer. I ve felt that way several times this evening. But now my mind is made up beyond all power'to change it. I'll marry Mr. Moer, and then tell grandpapa what T think of him. I may as well finish what I have begun." "I'm afraid you've made a great mistake, Hilda, said Moer. "My uncle is not a man to bear what you have said. He can't leave his property away from you, but. he can keep you out of every penny of it while he lives. I was shocked—horrified He walked the floor in his excitement. Grimrod came near to the heiress, and his evil eyes blazed into hers wit h an expression that made her shrink back from him in fear and trembling. "When yon go to your rooms to-night,* he hissed in her ears, unheard by Darrel Moer, "leave your door unlocked, and wait, for my coming. I have that to say to you that you must beer-a communication which I had thought never to make to you, but which I mnib make to-night! ( To be eontif-