Glamorgan Free Press

I ■rl-'i'.) LORD W )EMAR'SHEIR EV *■- •• our.r LEWIS, JLuthoi i npton Mystery," T C, n > "The L.-dy of KiMare, a Shadows," "A Dariti-, Game,? &c. C:! ■ ER XXXIX. MOT: VISIT TO IIONOlt. The thiv we- which had passad since the abrupt a f" disappearance of young Honor G r, the knowledge of all save her reltnu. -3 er. mies had dragged away very •lowly to the imprisoned girl. Barrel Moor arr-.ved at The Cypresses about noon of the dsv smceding the night in whw; tie had left, Park Lane, made his way round I., the rearo: the house under the gloomy pypresses, and knocked loudly at the door of the renr hall. 111 The kno'c erhoe 1 through the lor^v, hnlf- empty house, bur no one answered it. :\1,:t'j' repeated it vigorously. A scuffling sound was heard in the kiich, ». as of someov.s crossing Lie bi-ck lloor will, slipshod feet., then a door opened and th. scuffling steps crossed the hall, there wns a rattling of woits and chains, the door opeiW cautiously, an,Vw iimg peered out The won:Jin ha-"1, changed considerably in th, three weeks of ner occupancy of The Cypres, a Wnervn q er"H> £ !Ured than before, hai'irsu S'; < I1"* at a so,ind' The wilo visitor sh r)°n n0W ^00^e(i not upon her Visitor shewed mental disturbance. him ^0un,eT!anre changed as she recrarfler1 • »-he seemed inclined to shut the door in << 1^°' but paused, demanding sharply HH }'ou want here ? r to eat, im'sm." "Well, you won't £ et it," declared the virago] roughly. "I don't keep a union for tramps. Clear out. Be off with vou! She essaved to close the door, but Darrel Moer quietly set his foot across the threshold in a manner to prevent the accomplishment of Mr design. "Is tnis place called The C, h. Squired. "Yes, it is," said the spins!er vixeni-hly. "And I have taken it of its owner for a yes:- d'o that I am ii)istro,,s lie"o. Get out, or 1 i Call my dog "Read that first," said the pretended tramp. giving her a letu-r. Miss Bing tore open the missive. It was from her brother. Moer's valet, and enjoined her to receive his master, the bearer, with all respect and attention. Miss Bin.; crumpled the letter in her hand and bent a keen, sharp gaze upon the visitor She had seen Barrel Moer once, and, althouJ [ she was on her guard against all possible trick- and strategy Oil the part of Honor's friends, and was consequently full of suspicion, Moer tad little difficulty in persuading her of hi, identity. She invited hi)" into the nousp. lie entereo the brick-paved hall, an I she locked and harm the door, conducting him into the kitchen. The fire was burning on the great hearth, an-i dinner was in process of cooking. Moer remove his hat and long great-coat, displaying a shabby Suit of worn fumt,an, and sat down upon h Settle at the corner of the fireplace. Are you all alone here?" he asken. with a peering glance into the corners of the aucient room. "All alone—except for the young lady ar the ghost," replied Miss Bing, in an aggrieved toice. c- 0' 0 "The young lady is safe and well ? "Both on 'em, sir. As safe as locks bolts can keep her, and as well as she can be, staying in her room all the time." "I am glad to hoar it. 1 shnll not forget tc coward your fidelity as it deserves," said Vbor. "And now, what's this nonsense about ft ghost ? ?'It's no nonsense at all," declared thf Spinster, flushing. "There's a real ghost n" infests this house, whatever Wat?on may say to {jpe contrary. It's no a.iimal—it's a ghost-- and it's wearing my life out. I agreed to stay here and take care of the young lady, but i didn't agree to fi rbt the inmates of the infernal regions, nor vet. iiia angei. Whichever This ghost belongs to I don't know." Mygood woman," exclaimed Moer, "it if I ratt, or a prowling cat, or some dog, it 111:1 el .1 "It may be, but it ain't," said Miss 15 e &rmly. "Them animala don't laugh tlu-ou. One s keyholes." "Perhaps you are a somnambulist, and get up m your sleep and eat your supper," sug- gested Moer, by no moans impressed with tile Woman's fears, and evpu thinking her story got up to exact a heavier reward from him. AM long as no tramp gets in, ami thatvou have ipade sure of, I have no alarm. But' I sliall Gonsider your terrors when I pay you for you Mrrices. You shall have double the reward I promised you through Bing." itiss Bing expressed her gratitude. Even 1 er fean of the supernatural could not blind ln-r .yel to the main chance," and her gratification firmed Moer's belief that her terrors were all Usurned. I should like to make a little change in my before presenting myself to my wife," Moer, glancing down at his person. Have IC room to place at my disposal ?" Certainly," said the spinster. "I have P*pared a room for you, sir. I will shew you it." She conducted him upstairs to a low rear chamber, into which she had gathered the best furniture of the various bedrooms. There were lbirrors, toilet appurtenances, water, and fresh towels. Miss Bing left him to himself, return- ing to her kitchen, and Moer proceeded with %ia toilet. Under his shabby fustian disguise he wore his proper garments, and flinging off the outer apparel, he appeared arrayed gentleman. He removed the patch from his 8J*» the wig from bis head, and the beard from S^ffcce, and was himself again. descended the kitchen. Miss Bing had fj*?fd Honor's dinner, and had prepared his X|n, whicli was in waiting for him upon a small It consisted of fowl,' toasted muffins, ■Sjttered toast, potatoes and coffee. Miss Bing ^pressed her views of the change wrought in Appearance, and waited upon him, apol for the simple fare. ajr to I'd known you would be here to-day, din'n exclaimed, I'd have had a regular for you. The farmer over at the other J?? the farm supplies me with fowls and tnrl rf8' an<^ be markets for me over at the drove to town yesterday, and brought t>PPly of stores." gopp.. a he ever enter this house f" asked ^n^n^^u^1*? helJ» it. "r. He's not bins last night about 1 a"k^ up to me as there is 0wned ■Was murdered by hi. b^XV'I^l °! his grave. His wife is poorlr u It ™ £ » sI0 me yet She *b#n she hear< the ghost is ramv* « D°W' "So much the better/1 said Moer Th¡' il 1tO place for visitors. You ..tOQf 8pyinp Ityet upon you." "t spyinr Ite Hnished hit repMt, and Miss Bing went a> %o Honor's room for the dinner-tray, oer smoked a cigar by tin kitchen fire. "-A magnifioent heritage I" he said to him- -.If, with a bitter sneer, looking ap at the bftv smoke-darkened beams overhead, at the -Y, e MEN4. quaint windows, and immense tilad fire- tl*ce. "Quite a descent for the lately-supposed of the barony of Waldemar! I oan MMgine a worse fate for a man than to bt y>mpelled to live in the midst of this death- malaria, in this coarse farmer's house With its red brick floors. No, I'd sell my sou' to Satan before I'd submit to such a fate. It I^bad been Baron Waldemar, I might havt men able to introduce Honor to society m mj wife. I could then have afforded to malT; penniless girl all for love. But now I ftust throw all considerations save those of ^Oney to the winds. Money and position, y*jch I have lost, I must regain by this mar- «™ge with Miss Floyd. If I cannot be Baror Waldemar in my own right, I can be make, 2?. the Waldemar property through my wif* ™*da. Bering that I stood on the brink ol "in. I L-. ive I am doing the beat I can tc i mys«jf i jliis Ding M-in-ed to the kitchen with thf J" boft aq wife kcow that I MIA here l T mLM < ■ No, s i,- I 'if-u". "Give -v.r ilu> fei-y r ro- >'t ay | J. tnav prec'le ?n.- ar- <.u- and t«. r t [I at i iien go into her rtn-s' He rose, ifling >!• • fftto ^re, a; followed the spiri'^r un the to t» ■ipper landing. The M(.v.o' door and made the •/>,) Hj-, .jrw.seiit, re- turning int Mon r's roo^i, an 1 c: • •(' the >100) °-iehind hin. The -h ,sen from her chair b j'he fire at the abrap? announ' • at of I" j?aoler R'u now slon)-, rcIniili dilatin eyes, j im-; t ch.ur iu-r and lie, neiny. I. 81" T .-i f0, n>any day-, [uit it v nnnn the hss .1 pp'' -le surpri-e now C ,„„p i" ;v .i,ed. "1• :.„ev-- replie(i the V): wtf. i mot -mile. tile girl, flushing —a- Mt<. nnptin uf a name. all, no ti:n I whs *fore our marriage, IMr. v- n,; u. •• .S! me wife .nivir-onment ri.a- not seem to hav( 3U«»1 ::r ken voursi iri!, said Jloer. x or aas it. e: ,d von'r looks By Jove! You are the most bea"tiful creature I ever saw! he iaddi d :id .iir-> ;tlv. The vo- i- /ere sj)oken almost, involuntarily. [The girl' =nleridid loveliness was indeed undinfmrd. ^he wns | aler than when he had [last -een her. ard thinner, and Iier vivid dusky leyes had JOij someth ng of their tenderness and brooding sweetness, nnd were stern and haughty but the rerf* ct outline of her pure, proud face was unchanged. She dawned upon him like some vision of rare and glorioii, beauty, all the glorious because of her contrast to Hilda Floyd. Honor's face was all spirit; her sensi- tive mouth express, d her scorn of him her liihe and graceful figure was drawn up in an attitude of command. The inane prettiness of Miss Floyd became hateful to Moer, in contrast with thi superb and spirited loveliness. Something in the stern flash of her black eyes reminded him of Lord Waldemar: something in the curve of the little haughty chin reminded him of Wallace Floyd. He smiled at what he deemed his folly, and other thoughts crowded] upon him, and he did not again at that time think of the singular resemblance Honor bore to the FloTds. "What have you to say to me? inquired Honor calmly, unheeding his tribute of admira- tion. "Perhaps not much in particular," said Moer, smiling, "hut I wished to see you, and behold!—here 1 am. I make it a point to gratify all my impulses. Besides, I really have something to say to you." "Be good enough to say it, then." "Sit down, Honor." "Thank you, no," replied the gir! haughtily. "I prefer to stand while you remain. Go on with your statement." "You are putting it in a business way. Very well. Business first pleasure afterwards. Would you not like news of your lover ? and his face darkened with an actual iealousy. "Sir Hugh Tregaron has had police officers searching for you these three weeks, but has given over his search at last. The police think you have been murdered, and one detective has hazarded the opinion that you have eloped with some secret lover. No one is looking for you now. The police have classed the Glint mystery along with a dozen others incapable of being solved. In short, you are the same as dead and buried." Possibly the proud, sweet face grew a shade paler; there was no other change in it. "Well, what of th is ?" Honor asked. "1 supposed this to be the case." "Tregaron is back in town at his aunt's, and if you are not heard from, Lady Thaxter will find him a new bride in the course of a year. Her ladyship does not approve of his wasting his best affections and his youth upon another man's wife "She is right," was Honor's unexpected answer. "What then ? "We'll see if you take all I have to say as coolly," exclaimed Moer, somewhat discomfited. I suppose you are aware that you are my wife, tied to me by bonds you cannot break, but that you can never prove your marriage to me. "I do know," answered Honor, with proud calmness, "that you have caused to be stolen from me the certificate of our marriage. But the loss is of no consequence. The marriage is registered in the official book of the church in which the ceremony transpired, and is also registered at Somerset House in London." Moer's face lighted up with an evil glow. "You are mistaken," he said. "The register of the marriage is not i o be found in the church books at Bolton. If it was ever made," it must have been abstracted directly after the marriage. There is no registry of the marriage at Somerset House. There is not a proof, nor even a vestige of proof, that such a marriage ever transpired." Honor seemed appalled for an instant, as a comprehension of Moer's villainy bunt upon her. You stole the leaf from the register with the entry of the marriage, I see," she observed. Do not say what you can't prove, my dear girl. I did not steal the leaf, yet it is gons [—cut out BO cleverly that its loss will never be noticed. Its absence and the loss of your cherished certificate place you it a very peculiar position. You are a wife, and not a wife. With your tender conscience you will hold yourself bound to me, but you can establish no claim upon me, and can prove to no one that I have ever been for (Hie moment your husband." "I can write to the clergyman in Africa. 1^ can procure the testimony of my maid, of the clerk, the pew-opener, and your man Bing." What would all that amount to ? The clergyman has taken no note-books with him by which he eould venture to make out a new eertiicate. Missionaries going to Africa don't burden themselves with such things. As he was on the eve of leaving England, you may be sure he made no entry of the marriage excepil in the church register, and in the form of a' certificate which is burnt to ashes. He has for- i gotten your name and mine. So his testimony' cannot avail. As to the superannuated clerk, he was deaf and purblind, and only retains his: position because of his long service. I met him! in the street once since then, and he did not know me. I askad him the address of Miss Honor Glint, to try his memory, and he said he had never heard the name. As to the old pew- opener," and Moer's face continued to brighten, u I made her a present f>f twenty pounds upon the same day that I saw the clerk. She told me she was anxious to go out to her son in Canada, and only lacked the money for her passage. She sailed from England two weeks ago. As to your maid, her testimony is interested, and finding nothing to corroborate it, will be condemned as false by any jury. A smart lawyer could make her eat her own words in ten minutss. And finally, as to my man Bing, he is willing to swear that I was never married at all. So what becomes of your claims ? To make any claim will be to set your- self down as an adventuress." He comprehended that her ease was indeed hopeless. I have no claims to make you, Mr. Moer," she said. "Give me my freedom, and I will. promise nevetf to reveal -the fact that I am your wife," "tott nmat, do more than tb* I said Koer. "You must tell Sir Hugh Tregaron and Lady Thaxter that you have been labouring under a, h&Unoinatiofi, or that-you Ute-bvm playing off a joke upon theró-that you were never •named to me; that yon yourself wrote the of marriage which you must have Mnibited to them; and that you setraot any and ohatgee that yon have made against ma. t. give me your solemn oath to tell ■ton and swear to the truth of the UW.'I neeT. will let yon have your fi-M S°m More—you shall be ftjwMfco m^rry 8,r Hugh Tregaron uy day you TJ»« girl's faoe flashed with a righteous anger. MHow dare you speak such words to me?" she demanded haughtilT. «Not to save my life would I deny the truth of what I have said. What! .hall I stamp myself a liar for the boon of freedom ? Ah, freedom would be too dearly bought at such a price! lam your wife. Barrel Moer, though tne words-choke me to speak them; and that mad marriage is registered ~in heaven, if not on earth. Shall I deny to man! what God and His angels know to be true t Can you think that I would marry Sir Hugh TwhJ garon while these bated links exist that bind me to you ? I would not so wrong him. I c4uld not so perjure myself. If these are your terms,| then I shall never expect freedom at your, hand." hand." I It is too soon tor you to set up as a beau- Utul Saint, Honor," sneered Moer. "You art, Mr 1—i t~ ■* 90t TOV Wile 1T! twill i)««r lEOlsst yon* "oUlf swear 'that you have not toic mej truth, and that you forged the certificate, and. your troubles will be all ended. "How dare you insult me in this manner? she exclaimed. "Do you deem me capable of lying, and of swearing to a lie ? Do you deem me capable of marrying Sir Hugh Tregaron,, with his proud and stainless name, and his proud and stainless soul, when I have no. right to marry ? "I don't care whether you marry him or not said Moer, forgetting his jealousy in his desire to carry bis point, "but I must have your promise to take back all you have said in reference to our marriage, or you shall "ever have back your freedom. Listen.. I regard our marriage as an idle ceremony. The evidence of it is destroyed. I am to marry on Saturday Miss Floyd, Lord Waldemar's granddaughter and heiress." "You will not dare do this! "I dare do anything. You don't know me yet, as I have perhaps remarked before. I shall marry Miss Floyd secretly, for several reasons, one of which is, that were I to marry her openly Tregaron might come to my uncle with the story that I am already married to you. Now, this marriage is not to be inter- fered with or prevented. If you reruse to give; the promise 1 require, you shall stay here till you do." "God will not permit such iniquity to thrive," cried Honor. "He will not suffer you! to marry that innocent young girl. Oh, for! freedom, that I might go to her and tell her! that you are already married "You won't obtain freedom sufficient for that purpose," declared Moer. "I may possibly; release you some day when I shall have nothingl to apprehend from you, but I don't think it likely. While your fate remains a mystery, and nothing can be proved afeinst me, Tregaron will be silent. When Hilda ffioyd is once my wife I can defy Tregaron, who can offer no proofs of what he may allege. Once more, I give you an' opportunity to recover your freedom." I refuse it upon your terms." "At least promise me, for yourself and your friends, never to reveal what has passed "I will not make any promise whatever." Moer was too incensed to say all that he had intended. "Very well," he said. "You've chosen your own fate. If you ever relent, you can let mej know through Miss Bing. Some time, when Ij am the husband of Miss Floyd, I may come to see you, unless the malaria of this fever-j breeding den Bhould have overcome you and you should die. I have the pleasure, madam,! of wishing you good-day." He bowed mockingly and withdrew, Honor making no effort to detain him. He locked the door and went downstairs, where Miss Bing was at work. "I find my wife very obstinate," he remarked, "and I shall not remove her from The (Cypresses. If she ever anounnces a desire to see me, or to give a certain promise I require, let me know immediately in a letter under cover to your brother. You will continue to guard her very closely and carefully. If she escapes, it will not only ruin me, but Bing and yourself. You would be arrested for keeping her here in false imprisonment, and Bing would be sentenced for life for bringing her here against ;her wishes. I shall not fail to reward you ,handsomely if you keep her carefully, not allowing her the faintest chance of escape." "But if she is not allowed the fresh air she may die, sir." Moer uttered a savage oath, and breathed hardly. "Then let her die I Miss Bing's brows uplifted a little. She understood more than was said. She compre- hended that Moer would very gladly hear of Honor's death; but the revelation did not shock her. "Keep her in close confinement, let the' ,consequences be what they will," said Moer [harshly. There is no need to say more. [You're a woman of sense. But I don't want [her to die. Don't think that. I want her jsubdued and broken in. I want a certain oath from her, and after that she may go where she pleases." He enlightened Miss Bing still further, and then went back to his room, resuming his dis- guise—fustian garments, patch over one eye, jwig, beard, and all. He tli«n descended with jhat and great-coat to the kitchen, and soon .after left the house on his return to London. About ten o'clock that evening, accurately disguised as Bing's friend, Darre) Moer was {admitted by Bing himself into Lord Waldemar's {house in Park Lane through the servants' entrance, and made his way up to his own rooih entrance, and made his way up to his own room i unseen. His absence from the house had not lbeen suspected by its inmates, nor by Sir Hugh Tregaron or the detectives. All had indeed gone well with him. CHAPTER XL. A SLIUPSE OF A TKRRIBLB PAST. Upon the following morning Darrel Moer ichose to be sufficiently recovered to appear at the breakfast table. Lord Waldemar inquired I jf he were quite well, Miss FIoyd expressed her jconcern at his illness, Mrs. Watchley inquired if he had been able to enjoy the flowers she hadj sent him. He replied to all these remarks and inquiries with easy grace and with thanks, and changed the subject to Lord Waldemar's speech of the night before, which was reported in full in the morning papers. After breakfast he spent an hour in the con- servatory, in paying court to his betrothed bride. Miss Floyd was exacting, and expected from him all the ardent and poetical declara- tions with which her former lover, Antonio Frivoli, had once favoured her, and Moer exerted himself to meet her requirements. He quoted poetry to her; he compared her eyes to the heavens, and extolled her charms; and she listened well pleased, and was flattered into unusual condescension and good-humour. A music- itiaster, elderly and irascible, who had been recommended by Lady Thaxter as an instructor for the heiress, and who had been accordingly engaged by Lord Waldemar on the! previous day, came at eleven o'clock, and Mrs. i Wntrhley came for Miss Floyd. "You are wanted in the music-room, my dear." she said. "The Signor is come." Miss Floyd shrugged her shoulders im- patiently. The horrid music lesson she murmured. "I hate music. Is the teacher young, Mrs. Watchley ? No; he is old, walks with a staff, and wears spectacles." "The odious thing I And grandpapa expects me to take lessons for a whole year of such a creature! If I were not reconciled to our marriage, Barrel, lehould be now. I with it were Saturday. Any way of escape from school-girl thraldom would be pleasant to me. After this week I shall be free, and my own mistress." "And I shall be your devoted slave," said Moer flatteringly. "It will not be hard to be the slave-of a tbeing like you, Hilda. Better to be your servant than another worasn's king. It was bard.,for Miss Floyd to tear herne|f away from a lover and speeches *uch as these, but the fear of Lord Waldemar was strong upon d Hits. Watchley, her to She went to the music-room with bfircompanion. Darre) Moer yawned and consulted hj« wateh. "Sir--Httglh "Tregaron called ota me -yeeteijh "day," he thought. "It would look honest ted straightforward if X to ^0*11 upon, him immediately upon my recovery from my illness^ I can't havto him come here again, meeting Lord Waldemar, perhaps, or Hilda, or Mrt Watchley. He might easily ruin ma with 1 hem. 1" 11 hear what he has to say, since he uteniis I shall hear it anyhow and I'll make a merit of hearing it. I am a good enough actor, I fancy, to deceive even Sir Hugh Tregaron." lie waited only long enough to attire himself for the street, and then set out for the residence of Lady Thaxter. Arriving, he inquired for Sir Hugh Tregaron, and the servant ushered him into the drawing-room. The apartment had a single tenant at the m went of his entrance, and that tenant was: the Hungarian Countess, Lady Bothsmere. Her ladyship rose, retreated abruptly, and: staved at him as if he had been a Gorgon, her lively face blanching, her sapphire eyea! widening, her breath coming quickly. It seemed as if she knew nim. But the look that shot at him from her blue eyee told that she feared him, and that she regarded him with aversion. Darrel Moer returned her stare with interest. A quick, springing tread in the hall startled >:he lady. Site murmured some inaudible words, I sad yaeeed ir-L-o the second drawiag-rooat jlosin? the sluli.i: doors..S ,3 went no further, seating herself on a much, her heart beating wildly, her br. itili her hand on her ieart. From tills position she could easily hear all that miht be said in the adjoining "Ol nll and it is 411 i1 e probablo that she com- rebended the a: v iitii:.e. Sha had scarei iv settled herself when Sir 114b. Tregaron entered the first driwing-room. Darrel Moer m ved forward, extending his •ind. Sir Hugh, in a stern haughtiness, refused 0 shnke hands with him. "What does this m :in ? asked Moer, in an njured voice. "T heard that you called upon :ne yesterday while I w-.t; ill, and I have come Hlt this morning, at serious risk to myself, to see what yon wanted of me. I have always been m honoured guest in this house, and the last Mme you and I met we quarrelled, and I got the worst of it. You ordered me out of the rooms )f Miss Glint, your betrothed wife, as I sup- pose you had a perfect right to do, therefore I bear no malice against you. Why do you treat ae in this manner now? Sir Hugh Tregaron surveyed his visitor with glance. "Where is Honor Glint?" he demanded. "I know no more than you do, replied Moer, with an air of perfect sincerity. "My uncle (told me that she is missing. I know no more." Sir Hugh studied tlia villain's face as if he neant to rend his soul. neant to rend his soul. "I do not believe you," said the young Oornish baronet abruptly. "You must know where she is. She stood in your way, and you have removed her." Darrel Moer counterfeited amazement. "How could your promised wife stand in my nay ? he inquired. rregaron, your trouble has turned your bead "You call her 'my promised wife,' "said Sir fftil,li sternly. "You know she is not that. You know that there can be no talk of love and marriage between her and me. She is bound to von—poor little girl! She is your wife, God pity her You need not feign to me. I have seen your marriage certificate. Darrel Moer forced a laugh. "Excuse me, Tregaron, but really—really your simplicity—ha, ha And Honor's simplicity —he, he! The truth is, the history of that certificate '—ho, ho !—is anything but serious. Honor made it out herself for a lark. If you ever see her, she'll tell you so. And I suppose her head was turned a little when Mrs. Glint sent her adrift, and the poor girl really believed that she was married. I know she made her maid believe she was. I assure yon, upon my honour, Sir Hugh, I am not now and I never was married." The young baronet's face expressed a scornful incredulity. "I tell you the truth, before Heaven!" asserted Moer solemnly. "I'll swear to what I say, if you want me to do so. I am not de- ceiving you. Poor Honor laboured under a hallucination. 1 repeat, Honor never was my wife-never-for one single moment! He spoke with a. stHden tf-uthful force that nearly staggered Sir Hugh. It seemed as if the truth had evaded his efforts at repression and leaped forth by accident. "Do I look like a man guilty of crime?" went on the villain. "I have been wild, Tregaron, but I am not so bad as you think me. Had I been the husband of Honor Glint, would I have left her lodgings at Soutliport at your bidding ? I called upon her because I was her editor, not because I was her husband. I That I certificate,' got up in frolic, is likely to make me trouble. My man Bing tried to get it back for me, I do not know how. The fellow was very devoted to me, and I dare say he tried to bribe Honor's maid. I never heard the particulars. The girl Honor is as pure and; innocent as a little babe. I have no claims upon her I never had. I beg of you to sift her claims. See the clergyman whom she believes in her hallucination to have married us. If such a marriage ever transpired, it must be registered at Somerset House. See if such a registry exists." Sir Hugh was amazed at the high hand carried by Moer. The cool audacity of the villain was singularly unexpected. IlI will look," he said quietly. "And if you fail to find the record, you will then believe that I speak the truth, and that Honor is the victim of some strange hallucina- tion ? It is not nccessary to promise. You will be compelled by your own honest convic- tions to do me justice. I admired Miss Glint, and would have been happv could she have accepted me as her husband. I never saw a lady of such beauty, wit and intelligence. But she is poor, and I am poor," and Moer heaved a sigh. "She would be far happier with you than with me. I shall probably never marry. My day is gone by," and he sighed again. If I can assist your search, Sir Hugh," he added, "1 shall be glad to do so. I think Honor may possibly have been murdered by some drunken cabman for her jewellery. "I do not share your belief, Mr. Moer," said the young baronet calmly. I believe that she lives, and that I shall find her." "I hope so, I'm sure. It's a terrible mystery. I hope she is not dead. If you sus- pect me of abducting her, I beg you to search into my private affairs; set a detective to watch me. Ascertain what motive I could have had in hiding her away. If I had been married to her, you might possibly have reason to distrust me. But I was not married to her, and you can easily assure yourself that I lpeak the truth. There must have been a clergyman to marry us. Question him. Question the clerk, the pew-opener—anyone but a half-distracted maid who so devotedly loves her mistress as to share. her hallucinations." I will do as you say, Mr. Moer,0 said Tregaron. "I will go to Somerset House, and to Bolton. I will examine the church register; I Will see the clerk and the pew-opener." "And if the evidence 01 the books and of these people confirms my assertions, will you believe that I have never been married to Miss Glint P "Of course, if such a marriage has taken place, and so recently, I shall find the record of it," said Tregaron. "If there is no record, your story would seem to be confirmed." He made the acknowledgment strong in the conviotion that he should And overwhelming proof* of the marriage in question "All IiMk is justice," Did 31 oer, with a sorrowfdl face and a plaintirc voice. "You see, Sir Hugh, yon oai* take .spy oha!tacter from me easier than you can restoae xt. At you haVe suspected me of hiding away Honor, although I can prove that I have not quitted LoAdon in nearly a month-not since I came here from Yorkshire and Lancashire—T thank you for your forbearance in withhcidinc vour suspicions from my unole. Lord Waldemar ie a-juat man,- hut he is also terrible. The advent of his grand- daughter places me in a precarious and lID-I alefiwnt position. I am atterljr dependent upon ''Ili Jw -Wdden me,,alwayw consider my- self his heir, bnt now I'stand a poor chaneo of getting from him imore than a Mnall annuity. If be were to suspect me of promoting a wickedneeasuch 00 this of wbieh you snspect me, be would, .oft without shilling. All that I beg of you. is to suspend your judg- I ment of me, and to forbear to apeak to my uncle Qpon tbe^sahjee^ until at least you have 80ufM to 01 lItf marri to, "Mi.. Glint." sought proofs of my marriage to 'Miis Glint." Sir Hugh was silent and thoughtful for a brief tpMe. 1' 44 Th* tiqQèltie reasonable," he said at last Mr «ll not communicate my suspicions to pI<ord Waldemar until-1 have a .basis of facts for theni to; rest »pOD«.We-SrL*<iy Thaater and .I -have careftilty sommied lost saspfcions from Lhis lordship until some good is to be gained, or e58M? |joaitive knowlMgo" imparted. > Lord rWaldemar has had*many, and severe triale* He bee oneo been so wounded through bis affection for his e son. thra L wholoTe him as I would love a father, shrink from' dealing a bio# that must wound him through his affection for you. I promise to keep silence) then, until I have discovered something of your guilt. <That you are guilty I believe, despite your protestations, just as I believe that I shall find this very day in Somerset House the registered entry of your marriage." "I will bear the imputation of guilt until :my innocence is proven. Again I thank you .for your forbearance, Sir Hugh Tregaron. I |mourn with you for Honor. When you eee :her, believe me she will confess to yoo that that certificate was got up for a frolic, and !&hat I am not her husband, and never have been. One word more, Sir Hugh, before I go. It is irrelevant to my visit, but I beg you to tell me who was the lady I saw seated in this room when I entered. A young and dis- tinguished-looking lady, with grey hair. I fancy I have seen her before, but the grey hair puules me." Sir Hugh Tregaron started. All his sus- picions that Lady Bothsmere was socretly the wife of Darrel Moer rushed back upon his mind with added force. The remembrance of her ladyship's agitation at mention of Moer's name, and a score of other incidents, presented themselves to him. "That lady, Mr. Moer," he said, watching his visitor keenly, "is a guest of Lady Thaxter; a Hungarian Countess, the widow of the states- man Count Rothsmere, who died in Vienna a year or two ago." Darrel Moer seemed as perplexed as before. "I've heard of the Count, of c(ur-ge, he said. "Everybody has. But the widvw-where have I seen her ? "It is singular," said Sir Hugh, "but 1 believe she has the impression of having seen you somewhere also. She seemed moved at the sound of your na r.e. You may have met her in Germany. She said she was at Baden-Baden ten or twelve years ago, in the summer, and she seemed to indicate that you were there also at the time." Darrel Moer fairly reeled. Every vestige of blood forsook his face. The Hungarian Countess clasped her hands in the inner drawing-room and softly whispered "Thank God! He does not know me. He has not recognised me. The time has not yet come for me to reveal myself to him, if it ever will come. I am safe. He does not suspect my identity. Ah, I did not mean to meet him. It was a cruel surprise." In the outer drawing-room Sir Hugh waited for Moer to recover himself, thinking: "My suspicions are correct. This grand and lovely Countess has been this man's wife." Moer struggled with his emotion. At length, unable to regain his calmness, he muttered something in a choking voice, and withdrew, hurrying into the street. Pulling his hat down over his agitated face, he strode furiously along, muttering: "Havel been hoodwinked, cheated, fooled? I-, this Hungarian Countess a real Countess? She must be. Her presence at Lady Thaxter's vouches for that. And I remember now that Lady Thaxter visited Lady Rothsmere in Hungnry last summer. She's a genuine Countess; but what and who was she before she married that doting Count ? Can Carmine have escaped and have been living abroad all these years, while I have been paying her keepers in England ? Impossible And yet what meant the agitation of the Countess at sight of me? Whoever she is, she knows me through and through. I had but a moment's glimpse of her, but that glimpse is enough to tell me that that woman is dangerous to me. Can—can she be Carmine, my wife ? (To be continued.)

How Uncle Dave Made an Encyclopaedia. "I do wish," said Rob to Uncle Dave, "that we had an encyclopaedia in the house! I so often want information on different subjects and it is not always convenient to go to the public library." f'Well, why don't you make one?" said Uncle Dave. "Make one!" cried Rob; "you are joking .surely. "Not at a.!), said his uncle, rising and going towards his desk. "Have you seen mine?" "No," said Rob, with eyes full of wonder, and following him across the room. Uncle Dave opened a drawer, And taking out a good sizeKI book, laid it on the desk and invited Rob to examine it. He opened it to the front and found a neat index, each letter of the alphabet having a full plage. Some of these were well filled with numerous subjects beginning with the same letter;, while others bad only a few. Under the letter "A" he found Ants," "Alphabet," "Alligators," "'Apples," etc; under "B" Beetles," "Buoys," "Bees," "Banjo," "Bears," etc. He turned to the page devoted to ants and found scraps pasted in on the following subjects: "The strength of an ant." "An ant fifteen years old," "Work of white ants," "Did the ant talk." Intensely interested, he turned to the letter "S," and found the following subjects trteate3: "Ships," "Stags," "Swallows," "Sealq." "Spinning-wheels," "Spiders, "Sponges," etc. He turned to the page which referred to snails, and became interested in knowing that snails possess quite an affection for each other, and that large farms in Switzerland are devoted to the raising of these small beings. He Taughed outright when he read that if a snail lost his head, and was put in a cool place, a new one would very soon be grown. "Why, Uncle Dave, I think this is just splendidt Do you think I could ever make one like it?" "There is no reason why you should not, my boy. All you need do is to scan carefully every paper that passes through your hands. Much valuable information on every subject is too often consigned to the waste-paper basket or used to kindle the kitchen fire. I carry a small pair of scissors in my pocket, and whenever I come across an item suitable for my book I clip it out immediately, for if a paper is once laid aside you may never think of it again." "Then that isuthe reason," said Ralph, with a sly look at ft uncle, why you are always so generous with your papers and willing to let everyone else have the first reading of them." "Certainly," said Uncle Dave, "for I know that an item clipped from a paper is much more interesting than oil that remains—to some people, at least." "Well," said Rob, closing the book and rising, as it is a rainy day and we cannot have our match ball-game, I will go and look over the weekly accumulation of papers and make a beginning at once. Why, Uucle Dave, every item you pa te in your book makes it of more value. We. have to write a short paper on a different subject every week at school, and often we are allowed to choose our own subject, and I never know where to go for interesting iniocsnation." "Meantime," said Uncle Dave, "while your book is still in embryo, you may have free access to mine." "Oh, thank you, Uncle Dove! I sball look forward to my weekly paper now with pleasure instead of dread," said Bob, as he left the room with a happy look in his eyes. "Nothing like giving a boy: something to do anJ something to think shout," said Uncle Dave, as he laid his precious book away in the drawer, "particularly when it is in keep- ing with his studies.-Jesde R. Baldwin in The Baptist."

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PONTYPRIDD RESERVES ANNUAL SUPPER. LEAGUE CUP PRESENTED. On Thursday evening last, the Pontypridd Reserves Football Team held their eanual supper at their headquarters, the White Hart Hotel, under the presidency of Mr Firbank King, supported by Mr Ted Lewis, chairman of the committee, and the secretary, Mr T. Phillips. The jovial party sat down to a most excellent spreaa, at the club room, provided by the genial host and hostess, Mr and Mrs George Parfitt. The room was gaily decorated for the occasion with flags and streamers. Near the entrance were exhibited on a neatly arranged stand, the "Glamorgan Times Challenge Cup," which was won last year by the "Reserves," together with the medals presented to the team that night, and a splendid photo of the captain, Mr D. S. Davies, in an oak frame, which was also presented by the members of the Pontypridd Reserves Football Club as a token of their esteem and respect for services rendered as captain. The score which enabled them to carry off the "Glamorgan Times" trophy was as follows. Out of thirty-three matches played they won twenty-five, five were lost and three drawn. The points for were two hundred and fifty-nine; and against, fifty-five. After the repast, which everybody enjoyed, the company gave way to songs, speeches and other "creature comforts." In proposing the toast of tim Glamorgan Times League, Mr Llew Ryde said that the cap given by the "Times" acted as a stimulus towards bringing into existence teams which would otherwise have never been heard of, and enabled them tj draft good men into the Glamorgan Senior League. With the .exception of a little roughness at times in the play, which the referees could easily prevent, he thought the I League could not be improved upon. In responding to this toast, Mr Ted Lewis said he believed this institution was doing as much good as the senior institution. The principle was exactly the sama, it improved the stan- dard of the play and "increased the popularity of the game. (Applause). He had had the honour of being chairman for the past two seasons, and nothing would give him greater pleasure than to put in an appearance at the meetings. (Hear ,hear). A better feeling prevailed amongst the team now and they were working harmoniously. This was in no small measure due to their worthy secreter3, Mi T. Phillips., .He had put his shoulder to the wheel and it had had a marvellous effect. (Laughter). Everything pointed to the success of this league, and good results were expected. The interesting part of the pro- gramme was then reached, ,viz., the presenting of the Challenge Cup and the medals to the team. This part was enacted by the Chair- n, who humorously remarked that they did not often have the honour of being pre- sented by a "King." Mr Ted Lewia, with a few fitting remarks also presented the popular captain, M rD. L. Davies with a magnificent portrait of himself taken in football costume. Mr Davies suitably responded. After this the company were further favoured with songs and althogetber it was a function carefully arranged, pleasantly owned out, and thorough ly enjoyed.

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