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tUCALL RIGHTS RBSEILVID.]…
tU CALL RIGHTS RBSEILVID. ] 11 ( ? THE MAN HUNT ? Im By TOM GALLON, Ifll #A\ Author of "Tatterley," "The Great Gay Road," &c. A\ CHAPTER IX (Continued). MR. LITCHFIELD SEES A GHOST, Nevertheless, the mere instinct of going hack to the only place she knew as home actually took her into Wedgwood Square that evening, after all but she did not enter the house. The irresolute fashion in which she had made her journey from the City to Kensington delayed her a very long time, and had enabled Slade to get to the City, nlid to go through his encounter in the dark v.- th a certain clean-shaven man, and to get back to his own rooms. So that Hetty, corning into Wedgwood Square, was able to see Adams—Murdoch Slade's man—hurry up • vo the house with a note; and presently to see also Boyd Litchfield come out in an equal hurry, and set off across the Park. Hetty, from the corner of the Square, in the dark- ness. reasoned within herself that she knew what had happened, and that a discovery had been made "oncerning the keys. It Fsemed as thougn Wedgwood Square must know her no more. With a little sigh she turned away, unde- cided what to do. And then it occurred to her that she might go to that quiet little hotel to which Manners had taken her on that night when lie had found her in the room with the murdered boy. They would know her there, and it would Be unnecessary lor her to account for not having any luggage. It was a quiet little family place, and, as she had done before, she could borrow things for the night from a chamber- maid. But morning found her on her way to Bloornsbury. By this time something must have happened to Manners; either he had succeeded or had failed. It he had succeeded, she might have some news of him at his old rooms if, on the other hand, ho had failed, there would surely be news of some sort, how- ever startling it might be. There could at least be no harm in her going to the rooms .ind making inquiries on her own account, for who was to associate a humble little per- son like herself with such a business? Fate plays unkind tricks, and in this case played a very unkind one indeed. For if Hetty had arrived at the door of those rooms come ten minutes earlier Manneii must have recognised her voice, and must at once have explained to Jarman that this was a friend, absolutely to be trusted, even though at the same time he might have had to silence Hetty, and to warn her to guard her secret r.s to his real identity. But, as it happened, Rodney Manners was cooling his heels in the Egyptian gallery of the British Museum, waiting in vain for Hetty while that young lady, with fear for him causing her heart to beat at treble its usual rate, was ringing the ball that communicated with his rooms. For by that time the lower door leading to the street had been opened for the day- for the r.se of the offices in the lower part of the building. Hetty's dismay may be imagined when Jar- man opened the door and stood looking at her. She had had an absurd feeling that the door might after all be opened by Manners himself, and she be drawn swiftly inside now she realised how ridiculous the thought •was. This was some new tenant, who.doubt- less would know nothing about him. Good morning," said Jarman, in his deep voice. What can I do for you? It was all so astounding, bccause by all the rules of the game. unless something sinister had happened to Manners, he should with his keys have gained entrance to these rooms. Yet here was a stranger, calmly facing her- a man who had obviously not been upset in the loost by any inopportune visitor. I—I beg your pardon," answered Hetty, crcatly at a less but perhaps I've come to the wrong place. I was half expecting1 to see a gentleman—half hoping he would be here." "What might happen to be the gentle- man's name, demanded Jarman, standing squarely in the doorway. "I don't know—at least, I mean to say that his name doesn't matter," faltered Ilettv, very much at a loss. "Wlint might lie be like?" demanded Ja rman. "Rather tall—and clean-shaven; not too vrell dressed. I'm afraid. It really doesn't matter, thank you." All Jarman's suspicions were aroused at once. His mysterious visitor had been traced: the description was too accurate for a mistake to have been made. He deter- mined that, for his part, he would be silent concerning what had happened; he shook his head stolidly at the girl. "I don't have visitors or Lh-t description," lie said. "i live here all alone, and, if it comes to that, I don't have visitors at all. I'm afraid you've made a mistake." "I'm very sorry to have troubled you," said Hetty, turning away. "I must have come to the wrong house." Her feet were actually en the stairs, on her way down, when a thought struck Jar- man, and he called to her. Erasmus Jarman was a man who desired to be accurate at all times in his statements, and who had, in truth, a very tender conscience. He deter- mined that he would set himself right with this girl, and show her how absolutely ac- curate he always was, and how much a man to be trusted. "I've made one slip," he said, as fie turned on the stairs and looked back at a. '■'I did have a visitor, now I come to think pf it." v fí f C?" she looked up at him witle eager t very big man who called here. His name WJt Murdoch Slade, Ig that the man you wn.nt" I 1 o. I "No/' fpHered tty: i ii I can't help ycu," said Jarittiin. Good Shorajng." She came VloV-n the staiis into the street, Ír)-fl\ to puzzle out this new 'thing. Why had Murdoch Slade gone there what was hikA object? Had lie, too got wind of what Jitt happened; was he on the track of her beloved? Or was there a conspiracy between this big stranger and Murdoch Slade, and had Manners fallen a victim to it? Why, above all things, had he heard nothing con- cerning the man who, armed with thoso keys she had procured for him, had means h invade his ol4 rooms the night before? » Her courage was roused now as it lind never been before; she was fighting in the dark, but she would fight desperately never- thelcs. Without a moment's hesitation she made her way straight to the. Yooms of Murdoch Slade; that was th§ one clue she had-the one name that had been men tioned in connection with the business. unless the stranger who had confronted her 1::1ew something of the matter, slio could rot understand why he had gone out of his y,-ay to mention Slade's namw. In Slade's rooms, at that very hour, Mr. Boyd Litchfield vas seated. Mr. Boyd Litchficld may be said t6 iuwe hovered back- V;ardB and forv.ards across the Park, between Wedgwood Square and Slade's rooms, fret- Irul with anxiety to "know what was hap- pening or "was likely to happen. And he was seated there, 'chewing the end of his long moustache, -h:fya shaking his head at life generally-, whet ttiere came a ring at the bell, nnd Adams, iMrswering it, announced "Miss Wake." The two "ffifen glanced at each other while thfe Servant, who had closed the door after Jiiih, stodA awaiting1 instructions. Litchfield had stfnWd to his feet in his excitement. making for the door; Slade laid a 5iand oh his arm. "Don't be in a hurry," said Slade in a Vhteper. "I'm just trying to think what this means. She wouldn't run her head into 'the lion's den like this without some special treason. Something must have happened." "We can only judge what is best to be 'done when we hear what she has to say," .,aid Litchfield nervously. "Better have her in." "Show the lady in-and don't leave the Hat, Adams," caul Slade. "I may want you. So Hester Wake was ushered in, and stood for a moment, after the door was closed, 1 looking at the two men. And now that she faced Glace she realised for thy 'first time now helpless she was, and how impossible it was for her to ask any direct question. For whom was she to inquire? What name Muta poae give to this man she loved without betrayiiaz his socrety So you'e come back have you?" mapped 'Litchficld. "What have you been doing? "1 am accountable to Mrs. Litchfield or to Grace—not to yon," answered Hetty. "I wanted to see Mr. Slade." "Well—you see me now; what have you got to say?" demanded Slade. "And where arc the keys you stole from me?" "I haven't got them," she replied in a low voice. And then, panting with excite- ment, and with her hands clasped together in entreaty she cried out, "What heve you done with the man to whom I gave them?" It was the turn of Murdoch Slade to look at her in astonishment. "I've never seen him—save in semi-darkness," he replied. "Who is he—and what is he?" "I won't. tell you that; I thought you knew," replied the girl. "But what have you done with him? You know where he is; you have been inquiring for him-" "Who told you that?" he demanded quickly. Again Hetty was silent; again she realised that there were things she could not say and questions she could not ask. The two men glanced at each other, and sud- denly Slade got between her and the door, ,and pointed sternly to a chair. But Iletty shook her head, and stood with her back to the wall like one at. bay, looking from one to the other. Now what I want to know is, who is this man for whom you stole the keys from me by a trick? I mean the man who got into the office and stole what he liked in the way of papers and money, and then got clean away. Who is he?" No possible suspicion of the truth had at that. time dawned upon Murdoch Slade or Litchfield; if they had formed any surmise at all it was that Hetty was in league with seme friend of the dead man and was work- ing against themselves. "I will not tell you," said the girl. "Where is lie now?" asked Litchfield im- is liQ n  patiently. "I don't know," faltered Hetty. "I came here to ask Ml" Slade that because I believe he knows." "Don't I tell yon that I'm all in the dark about this matter," exclaimed Slade. "Look here, Hetty," he went on, with a sudden change cf tone, "why the deuce can't you be reasonable? You were not as obstinate as this at one time; why don't you throw in your lot with us and help us in a difficult matter? You and I used to pull together well enough at one time- "Keep away from me," cried the girl, as he made a movement towards her. "I will tell you nothing—I would tell you nothing if I thought you'd kill me for my silence." ul\'e'll see about that," said Slade with an oath. "You've burnt your boats, young woman I'll not be set at defiance by any one like yon." He opened the door quickly and went out, closing it behind him. "What's he going to do?" asked Hetty nervously. "H ow should I know?" exclaimed Litch- field pettishly. "If you hadn't mixed your- self up in this business we should never have had this trouble. Come now—why I won't you be sensible? Tell your old friend who this fellow is to whom you gave the keyc." "I will tell yo. nothing," said Hetty. She turned to the door and opened it, only to find himself confronted by Murdoch Slade, > who thrust her back unceremoniously into the room. "You stop here," he said. "You don't get away quite so easily as all that. I've quite a lot to say to you, and it might as well be said now as at any other time." I'm not going to stop here," said tlàA girl, looking round her from one man to the other with wild, frightened eyes. You're going to stop here until you go away with Mr. Litchfield and myself," said Slade, thrusting his big head towards her. I'm not the sort of man to be browbeaten by a girl, and you are in possession of certain information which it is vital we should have. Consequently, you and I, and Litchfield for company, will take a journey together; and after that we'll hold you prisoner until such time as yon find it convenient to open your mouth, and say what we want yon to say." Slade turned the key in the door, and put the key in his packet; walked across to Litchfield, and drew him aside, and began to whisper urgently. The girl, watching, saw that Litchfield endeavoured to dissuade the other man from something, and that the other man was obstinate. Only one phrase she caught, and that was sufficiently startling. I won't countenance violence," said Litchfield, in a shaking voice. Murdoch Slade laughed, and again began to whisper urgently to the other man. Finally it seemed that Litchfield was persuaded; he shrugged kin shoulders, and turned away. Slade came back to the girl. I suppose, my dear, that if we attempted to take you away from here in the ordinary fashion," be said, you would kick up a pretty fuss, and got us into trouble—wouldn't you? You wouldn't take me very far," said Hetty quietly, with the ghost of a smile flitting across her face. I thought not," said Slade with a grin. Therefore, my pretty bird, we shall have to tie you up, and keep you quiet. You're going for a motor ride into the country." Litchfield must have had his orders; for, while Hetty stood bravely faoing Slade, the heavy silk scarf she wa-s wearing Was seized from behind, and lifted. and drawn quickly over her lips; md at the same instant Slade dropped his hands upon her arms, and held her as in a vice. She struggled and fought, but was utterly powerless lis tho grip of the two men. In a P ll ? been neitl?, mornent or two the scr.rf hc.d been neatly adjusFe3-iSi" Veil "Wfif pullea down, and a long tfoat fastened round her, with the collar turned up; it would have b-cen impos- sible for anyone to tell, from a superficial glanoe, that she was pipioned in any way. Slade unlocked the door; &nt(J Outside stood Adams, dressed for thfc foadv I The car is Wr/ kud the man. Litchficld and Stwfe "Jjut on their hats and toats; it was S-la<te vho marshalled the forces. He gave Instructions to Adams to take the lady by nno arm, while Litchfield took her by the other; she was to be taken downstairs and put into the car. Slade would fasten the door of the rooms after them, and would follow. Hetty by that time had given vup struggling; after all, she felt this was but a part of the game which she was playing for the sake of Die man she loved, and she knew that these men dared not harm her. So that they were really rather surprised that sho went so calmly. Downstairs, while the respectful Adams held open the door of the car, Slade had a word or two to say to the porter of the build- ing concerning the weather and the wind, while Litchfield got in beside the prisoner. Then Slade swung himself into the driver's seat, and Adams got in beside bim; the rugs were adiusted, and the car set off. making for the open country. But before this Rodney Manners had had a memorable interview with Mr. Jarman.. Returning dispirited from his vigil in the British Museum, he found Mr. Jarman in great l spirits, and obviously very pleased with himself. Jarman closcd the filter door mys- teriously, and led his new friend into the sitting-room, and there gave away the whole business. "All aorta of things are happening, Robert Marsh," said the big man, gleefully rubbing his hands. '"There's been another visitor." "Rather fortunate I was out—eh?" said Manners. Then, remembering himself, added hastily, -.Chat is, of course, if it was any- one like our friend Murdoch Slade." « Nt wasn't Murdoch Slade," said Jar- man. -Tliis time it was a lady." "A lady?" Manners was watching Jar- m-.tn attentively. "What sort of lady?" "A little, quiet thing in black, with a rather nice face, and rather pathetic eyes," he said. "But I don't trust nice faces nor pathetic eyes, and so 1 seut her away." "You sent her away?" exclaimed Man- inevs, like cine dated. "Do you realise what ';ou've done-you madman!" he cried, ) forgetful of everything. "Do you realise I that I've been watching and waiting for her the last hour or more? Do you understand that she's all the world to me, and that I would rather see her than anyone else at any time ? You -you didn't tell me," stammered Jarman. "Where have you sent her? Witat did she say ?" "She asked if I'd had a visitor," said the big man, speaking like a chidden schoolboy, "and I told her I hadn't. Then I felt rather guilty at not having told the truth, and I said I had had a visitor, and his name was Murdoch Slade She went away at once then." "And you've sent her to Murdoch Slade!" exclaimed Manners. "Oh, I wish I couid tell you, or explain to you what you've really done. I must go after her—I must End her." He started for the door as he spoke, but the big man barred the way. "Won't you let me help you?" pleaded Jarman. "I only did it for the best." "Heaven bless you, I know you did," said Manners, dropping his hand almost affec- tnatelyon Jarman's shoulder. "But I've got- to find her; nothing else matrs until I've done that." He was ont of the place alrsost before Jar- man could say a word; the big man, going to the door, craned his neck over the bannis- ters, to see the other man racing down the stairs and disappearing. With a sigh, Jar- man went back into the fat and closed the ioor. Manners made straight for Murdoch Slade's rooms. He had flung everything to the winds now; it was only of Hetty he thought. And now it seemed, when she was in peril and alone, that his love for her was a greater thing than he had ever known—a mightier thing than could even in his dreams ever have happened to him. His nails bit into the flesh of his palms as he thought what he would do if any barm had come to her. He reached the building at the top of which Slade's flat was situated. The porter was not in his lodge for the moment, and Manners went quickly up, until he stood outside the door of. the flat; there lie pressed his thumb hard against the knob of the electric bell, and heard it ringing in- Eide. But there was no response, and after t, minute or two he realised that- there was no one there. He was turning away, won- dering what he should do, when something on the floor at his feet caught his attention, knd he stooped and picked it up. A little black glove He knew whose glove that was; he put the little shabby thing to his lips before thrusting it into his pocket. She had been here, then, after all; this proved it. He went down the stairs, and spoke with what carelessness he could to the porter, who had Beburned to his post. "I find that Mr. Slade is not at homo," he said. Cton you tell me at what time Le's likely to return?" Le :? Couldn't say, sir," answered the man. Mr. Slade went off about 'alf an hour ago in the car; as he took 'is man with 'im, I should say 'e might be gone for a day or two. Any message, sir? No, it doesn't matter said Manners, Etandin? with his back to the man, and light- ing a cigarette. "Did Mr. Slade go alone?" No, sir; the car was full," answered the ".No, There was a young lady, and there was that gentleman that comes very often to r,cc Mr. Slade—tall gentleman with grey 'ai r, sir Mr. Litchfield." "That's the name, sir; and tjjere was Mr. Glade's man, and Mr. Slade driving." "Thank you very much." Manners came out of the building, carrying that little black glove in his pocket, and knowing veiy little about what he was to do. They might have taken the girl anywhere; whatever he did could only be done by the aid of guesswork. There was one possibil- ity, and one only, upon which he could work as Litchfield was with them, they might have gone down to that country house, -some twenty-four miles from London, in the grounds of which Manners had once lain bidden. He could try that at least. He drove straight to the London terminus, and some quarter of an hour later was in the train, on his way to the place. He was des- pera te now; all thought of personal safety were gone, and he did not care what hap- pened to him. When he alighted at the little station, and set off down the valley to the house that stood on the edge of it. his face was drawn and set, and he knew in his own mind that he was prepared for anything that might happen to him. if he found Slade and Litchfield there with the girl. His knowledge of the family told him that t here would only be a housekeeper and a ,-Ilrdener-a married couple-in charge of the place; the other servants were taken to Lon- don when the family moved. It might not, therefore, be difficult for him to gain an en- trance to the place unobserved. He began by reconnoitring the stable; there he fGun4 the great motor-car that he had seen once before at that place; he knew now that he was on the right scent. He crept up to the house; and in the most ordinary fashion lifted the latch of a door, and walked in. Passing the open dnur of a kitchen, he saw an elderly woman bending over soine house- hold duties: but she had not heard the door apen, and did not even look round. He tip- toed up a Sight of steps, until he came to a long corridor, traversing the house from one, end to the other; there he waited, listening. And lie. had not to listen long. He heard a man's voice speaking in low, deep tones; and then the shrill scream of a woman. He ran along the corridor, and caught at the handle of a door. and shook it; the door was locked. He thundered upon it with hands and feet, crying out to have it opened he heard an answering cry from within, in Hetty's voice. Then, after an in- terval, the door was unlocked, and he stepped into the room, and took Hetty into his arms. There was a dead silence, as he looked from Murdoch Slade to Litchfield and back again then, with a sort of frightened scream, Litch- field fell upon his knees, and covered his face with his hands. "In the name of ail that's horrible—who lire yov,?" demanded Slade in a hoarse I whisper. "J" "I am Rodney Manners," was the reply— I "come back from the dead!" (To be Continued.) I _00
I jTHE CONJURING RAT.
I THE CONJURING RAT. One ÐIt the great problems connected I with the iinimals of the farmyard is "How do rats carry eggs?" There is a mystery enacted here. The farmer's wife has an ac- cumulation of eggs ready to go to thE market. They are set on a box in th( cellar. One evening the contents ure in- tact the next day they have vanished, witr not a sign to indicate where or how they have gone. Something has been practising magic in the poultry house for generations. Officially the mystery of how rats carry eggs is unsolved after hundreds of years of conjecture. That eggs are borne off by rats is proved clearly enough by the dis- covery of whole, uncracked eggs beneatt floors, in partitions, and other hiding places. In farming cummunities various theories are advanced, and every now and then some- one actually claims to have seen the rats at work. These eye-witnesses of a most un- usual thing say the rat holds the egg be- tween chin and forefeet, or hugged tightly between the forefeet; that he tumbles -off elevations deftly protecting the egg as no falls; that usually there is a crowd of rats about to drag the egg rat, lying on its back, by the tail across the floor to '.i1 t-s hole. It is agreed that rats work in gangs when egg- carrying. There is always much squealing, but whether because some are getting hurt, or by contrast are hugely enjoying them. selves, is not known to mankind.
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A fine of E580 has been inflicted on Lan- gerfeld, near Barmen (Rhenish Prussia), where a British soldier was killed recently. Two youths have been court-martialled. The British Government, it is stated, hopea that every one of the 95,000 German prisoners in this country will have left in a month's time. Mrs. Cheetham, who fell on to the line at Hampstead Tube Station, was saved by the driver applying the brakes, although the motor had passed over her. Eight Canadian strike leaders, charged with seditious conspiracy, had a warm wel- come at Winnipeg on their release on bail-
IPENSION PROBLEMS: ! HOW TO…
I PENSION PROBLEMS: HOW TO SOLVE THEM. I By AN EXPERT. The New Pensions' Rates for Higher Ranks, Including Allowances to Wife and Chil- dren-Allo-;N-ances to Disabled Men in Training Land for Ex-Servics inleti The Position To Date. I FREE ADVICE TO OUR READERS. I As my readers are not all ex-privates it is desirable that I should put on record for general information the revised scale of dis- ablement pension* fcr the higher ranks, which came into force as from September 3 last. For total disablement, Soldiers and Air- men: Warrant Officer, Class 1, Regimental Scrgeant-Major, etc., 60s. a week. N.C.O., Class 1, Company Sergeant-Major, etc., 53s. 4d. per week. X.C.O., Class 2, Com- pany Q.M.S., etc., 50s. N.C.O., Class 3, Sergeant, etc., 46s. Sd. N.C.O., Clacs 4, Corporal, etc., 4'3s. 4d. The allowances for wife and children arc as follows: For the wife, 10s. per week. For the first child, 7s. 6d. per week, or 10s.. if there is no wife. For the see-and child, Gs., or 7s. 6d., if there is no wife. For each sub- sequent child, G. per week. This>, I need hardly remind you, represents an all round increase on the pv»vious rates with bonus. The allowance foi- the man's wife will onlv be granted where the marriage took place before the receipt of the wound or injury, or before the soldier's removal from duty on account of the diseases for which pension was awarded. The ratee for man, wife and children, in cases of partial disablement, will be propor- tionately lower. A widow pensioned under Article 11 ot the Roval Warrant will receive while she is under forty and without children one-half of the pension which might have been awarded to her husband if totally disabled, and when forty or over, or when has children, two- thirds of such pension. For this purpose children are eligible for allowances under Article 12 of the Royal Warrant. Now ae to seamen and marines. Article 1 (4) of the Order in Council, relating to addi- tions for rank, will not be affected, but cer- tain adjustments of rates are now being made in accordance with the recommenda- tions of the Jerram Committee. The illow- r.nces for wife and children wiil be the same as in Army cases. The rates for widow will be: Widow of Marine Warrant Officer, Class 1, 30s. per week; in other cases, 40s. Widow of Marine Warrant Officer, Class 2, 2fts. 8d.; in other cases, 155s. 7d. Widow of C.P.O., etc., 253.; in other cases, 33s. 4d. Widow of !t Class P.O. (O.S.). etc., 23s. 4d.: in other cases, 31s. Id. Widow of 2nd Class P.O. (O.S.), etc., 21s. 8d.; in other cases, 28s. lid. I The alternative pension for widows of the above ranks, and privates, or men of cor- responding ranks, will be one-half of the husband's pre-war earning?, increased by GO per cent., subject to a maximum of 50s., while the widow is under 40 and without children In other circumstances—i.e., where the widow is 40 cr over, or has child- ren—it will be two-thirds of the husband's pre-war earnings, similarly increased, su b- ject to a maximum of UGs. 8d. Widows* alternative pensions in issue will be rg- viewed without application, and so will cases in which applications received under the 1018 warrant have been rejected. It should bj noted that War Pensions Committees arc authorised to continue to pav, where recommended by the Medical Referee, allowances to disabled men in training under the Minister of Labour, over and above the training allowances which they arc receiving from the Ministry of Labour for (a) constant attendance, (b) special diet. The Divisional Directors of the Ministry '17]1 C, 1) ivi,, i oiia l D i re- of Labour are not responsible for the grant- ing or payment of these allowances, which come under the heading of treatment; and anv disabled man who desires their con- tinuation or authorisation should apply to the War Pensions Committee. The provision to date of land for ex- Service men stands somewhat as follows: For this purpose the Board of Agriculture is negotiating for the purchase of an estate of nearly seven thousand acres in Lincoln- shire for division, into small holdings. So far, the total area of land acquired by county councils for small holdings for ex- Service men is 86,470 acres. Schemes are 1 before the authorities fcr the acquisition by councils of a further 00,151 acres, including 13.000 acres by the exercise of compulsory pcwer5. These figures arc in addition to the 25,000 acres which arc being administered by the Board of Agriculture as farm settle- ments. The total num ber of applications from ex- Service men for small' holdings is 2G,4G7. The ribbon of the Victory medal may now be worn by all ranks who are entitled to the award of the medal. The ribbon is red in the centre, with green and violet on each side, shaded to form the colours of two rainbows. The stars and medals approved for ser- vice during the war, and also their rib- bons, will be worn in the following order: 1914 Star, 1914-lo Star. British War Medal, Mercantile Marine War Medal, Victory y c:lal. bur Pensions Expert is anxious to assist sailors and soldiers and their wives and de- pende'-ts in doling with intricacies of the War Pensions S.t0;1. Addie-s your quench to "Pensions Ex- pcrt,"c/o Miter of this paper. All essen- tial facts should be stated as kiefly as pos- sible, such as name, number, rank, regi- ment of soldier, name and rating of sailor, particulars of families and separation al- lowance and (in inquiries concerning civil j I pre-war or pre-enlistment in- come. present or wer income, and full lia- bilities. Do not send any documents, birth certificates, or discharge paper i, etc. Will correspondents please make a point of sending their regimental number, rank, name, and regiment? t |
I WORKING WIVES OF MP's.
I WORKING WIVES OF MP's. In spite of the fact that members of Par- liament are presented with Y,400 a year, it is reported that many of their wives are still the disciples of the wash-tub. 1:1 one case, the proud mother of seven- teen children, who his not much leisure to studv politics^ occupies most of her time with household cures and domestic duties. The care of five children in a small fiat also keeps the wife of another M.P. fully occu pied. A remarkable illustration of the work a Labour M.P.'s wife has to do is that where the ladv would ^ielp with the family wash in the morning and go to hold her "At Home" in the Town Hall (her husband was a mayor) in the afternoon. Of Mrs. Will Crooks it is said that she will lay down the rolling-pin to express her views and give practical suggestions on problems affecting the welfare of her eex, does the housework, shopping, cooking, and washing of her home in Poplar, while Mr. Smillie's wife is content to leave politics and Labour questions to her husband, while she attends to. his creature comforts at Larkhall.
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The Countess of Warwick's Bagworth and Thornton properties, totalling 2,934 acres, were sold at Leicester for £ 90,455. A Gloucestershire farmer sold a small rick of hay for Y,210, approximately .£15 per ton. Prior to the war .£5\) would lyive been considered a good price.
I .W llP THIS WEEK IN THE…
I W llP THIS WEEK IN THE rARDE,T kv  The ripest peach is highest on the tree."—Anon. x? Annuals.—Bartonia aurea, yellow, lift,j Limnanthes Dougiasii, yeiiow and white. 6in.; and Nemophila insignis, blue, 6in. are three valuable hardy annuals to sow now, where the plants are to flower, selecting sunny positions. The Lvre Flower.—Pot up a few roots of Dielytra" (Dicentra) spectabiiis for the c-ool and unheated greenhon>c. The arching growths of pink and white blossoms, It'iI' high, are verv dainty. L-e pots (Jin. wide, and light, rich, loamy soil. Stone Fruit After Fruiting.—Apriccts. cherries, plum-, peac?& and nectarine, when thev have finished fruiting, shouid be cleansed from aii -v insects which may be in- festing them. Give them a good syriiigeing with clear water, and a day or two 1,.i,er use a good insecticide, following this with another application of water. Morello cherries, peaches, and nectarines could have old fruiting wood and new growths perma- neutly laid in and generaIh* put in order. If fruit has dropped from any unknown cause, duet 'with lime on the borders, and repeat this in spring. # Bulbous Plants.—In any plants of begonia, gloxinia, find achiinene- now show signs of going to rest in the pots. This should be gradual. A cold frame is useful for trie purpose, giving water to prevent too rapid drying on. The lights will be better oil during warm weather, sliding them on only when cold or very wet weather is prevalent. Lily of the Valley.—To obtain root oi I crowns for the greenhouse a portion of the lily of the valley border may be lifted each year. One-fifth 'is a gocd proportion to hit and replant each year. selecting the strongest crowns for pots. Pot six to eight of these in oin. wide, pots, using loamy soil. Plunge the pots to the rims in ashes or light soil, outside, until required to start into growth fcr the greenhouse. D gree!-i l ioi-.?-,e, Dar?-in Tulips.—For the greenho?e, during March and April, the Darwin tulips make a bright display. Place three bulo, in a 5in. wide pot, or preferably five bulbs in a 6in. wide pot. A selection of the best sorts should include Clara Butt, salmon rose; Dream, lilac; Glow, vermilion; Mar- garet, blush rose; Pride of Haarlem, ro-y- red; Salmon King, salmon rose: The Sultan, black maroon; White Queen (La Candour); Mr. F. Sanders, crimson-scarlet, and King Harold, maroon-scarlet. Bush Fruits.—Usually after the crops have been gethered it will be found tr-e quarters are weedy and need clearing up. Hoes should be got to work, and where the weeds have become large and there is danger of seeding, they should be gathered un and taken away to rubbish tires. Other work such as pruning raspberries and logan- berries can be proceeded with as time can be found. < Fruit Gathering.—Grower? of apples and other fruits must not be guided by the dates of gathering in previous years After such a season as we have experienced many sorts of apples, for instance, will 1* found ready for gathering a fortnight earlier than usual. < Gathering. Pears.—Too often a mistake is made in gathering mid-season and late varieties too soon. When til i., is done the fruit -withers in the store as it approaches ripeness, and instead of the flesh of the pears being melting and tender it is apt to be dry au e y, and too often devoid of flavour. Allow the iru'its to hang until they part readily from the trees when lifted to a horizontal position, or until it can be seen the see-ck or kernels are changing colour. Selection -of Seed Potatoes.—When lifting the-e. select tubers for seed for another season. Choose from the strongest roots, and uniformity in size is easier to select from these than when selecting from a heap. If no open shed is available where they can be spread out, leave them on the ground and erect a shelter over them from the rain. Throughout- the winter they can be exposed, and in spring they are strong and sturdy, but care mr.:t be taken not to let them experience too greet a chill. G l c' Beetpoot.—As Foon a? the Globe varieties of this vegetable attain the most approved size, carefully lift the whole crop and after twisting off the tops, store in eool quarters. Outdoor Cucumbers.—Flants still carry- ing plenty of healthy leaves are worth attentkni. Keep the roots moist with liquid manure, and tprinkle freely overhead early in the day. E.-idive.W here this is intended for late autumn -or winter use, the plants should re- ceive every encouragement- to maKe go<d growth. A hard surface induces early run- ning to seed; so does constant dryness at the root. Lettuce*.—Where a cold frame is likely to be empty during the winter, tern it to pro- fitable use by filling it with lettuce, Cab- bage varieties arc tne Lest fur tile-eo Plant about Sin. apart, and keep tha lights off until the end of next month. # Turnips.—Where the.-e have ccmpleted their growth do not deby lilting. I; lett much longer in the ground, many of the largest will decay an3 become offensive to passers-by. If not convenient to store in boxes, make a heap in the garden and cover with a few inches of soil. # Large Onions.—These should 1-e handled with groat care. Half ox the complaints we hear cf bad keeping quality are due to rough handling after taking from the ground. If it is not possible to suspend these from the roof of all airy shed, ,-tand them on strips of wood, with holes bored through to allow the bulbs plenty of rc.om, and prevent falling over. # Ee-pctting Pot Trees.—By ii rich top-dressings it may be possible to carry pot-trees over two or three seasons witout re-potti-ig, especially where ample supplies sf liquid manure are given during the grow- In, The time is sure to come when -ome of the trees wiil need attention, and | rhose which ha-c been outside lor some time nay now be treated. To u.-e good loam and 3one meal ar.d rot ijrnjjr are simn-le instruc- i :ior.s. Leave room for ample waterings, and before pot;ii:g rcniore as much cf the >ld soil as possible without injuring the roots. # Malmaison Carnations.—The layers put iown in July are rooted. If n.t aiready cut, sever the slen> joining the parent plants and the layers. Some ten days later lift w i ,-le and I'd the young pbnt. 'n-h!? ?.?ni. wide pots. bJnd in a cold frame and keep mode- rately close fer a f e-f- days. Remem ber during the winter that he carnation is a hardy plant: therefore giT all the ventila- tion and light pos-ible, whether the plants are III a cold frost-proof frame or cool ?rc'enhouse. Pot in a soil mainly consisting nf loa? ar.d sand, and keep eloso and -)f o a --n ai..?l? aiid, a 11,(1 1: c-(. 1) c i o?? au a
WHAT MOSQUITOES LIKE.
WHAT MOSQUITOES LIKE. In his observations at St. Thomas. Virgin Island. Dr. W. W. King has noted that mosquitoes will freelv enter or leave a cis- tern through a vertical pipe only to 3in. in diameter. Thev appear disinclined to enter througlf a horizontal pipe of even 10 or 111 feet in length, but will escape frorv their interior breeding place through such a pipe more than 200 feot long.
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Many buildings were considerably damaged iv earthy uake shocks at Carta- gena, M.rcia, and Alicante, Spain. A strike of s;eelworkers throughout the T~ nitecl States has been announced for October 22 Th,?, rt will ret- The Court will return to London from Balmoral at the end of the month, accord- ing to present arrangements. The wife of Mr. Sykes, a Leicester car- penter. has given birth to triplets, two girls and one boy. All are doing well. Dr. Bertrand. the President of Honduras, where a revolution is proceeding, has fled from the capital. Mr. Hughes is said to have informed a meeting of the Au.-tralian iiinisterial party that Australia's indemnity would be rather less than < £ 60,000,000. It is reported from Cologne that 14,003 German war prisoners have returned honifc via Cologne, Deutz, Hotter dam, Coblem^, and Mainz. Count Fred:ik Waehtmeister. former Chancellor of Up,ala University and ex- Foreign Minister, has died. Warlingham Parish Council has accepted a German howitzer for the fibage green. It was capture:, by the 17th Hoyal Fusi- liers, who trained at- Wariin^ham beforo going to France.
I WOMEN BUCCANEERS.
I WOMEN BUCCANEERS. When recalling the stories told in our youth oí lile 011 the "Spanish Main," we fail to remember the name of any woman pirate, yet there have been two, and they were Anne Bonney and Mary Read, who were captured in the Caribbean Sea a little over a century ago and charged with "having piratical tendencies. Anne Bon- ney confessed "t her trial her reason for becoming a pirate. The daugher of a ?c?d bv ?er Carolina planter, she was disowned by her father for marrying a common sailer. After the ehqjement iiid ran away dressed in male attir<?—she discovered that her husband was a pirate, and decided to join him in his adventures. From her childhoc-d days the garb of man had always had a fascination for her, and when she joined her husband in his piratical voyages che donned the full dress cf the bold buc- canecr. Mary Reed, the only other woman pirate known to history, was fated to meet Bon- ney, and the manner of meeting is curious in the extreme. Mary Read was on another pirate ship, and, as often happens, the two came to blows on the open sea. After a terrific combat, the ship on which Anne Bonnev was sailing admitted defeat, and among the boarders was Mary Read. Although at first each was ignorant of4 the sex of the other, the two female pirates be- came fast friends. They only found one another out when Marv Read began to fall in love with Anne Bonnev's husband. This. however, did not impair the mutual feelings of friendliness, fcr Mary Read soon married another mn who was also a pirate. Curiously enough, tbt tW« women rh" came widows at the same time; this was during an engagement when the ship flying the skull and cross-bones had perforce to fiee before one of his Britannic Majesty's schooners. Mary Read died in prison, and Anne Bonney was later restored to her family.
fA LIFE-GIVING ISLAND.
f A LIFE-GIVING ISLAND. Stan-ding alone in the wide Pacific, a little island, a mere dot of land barely five miles in circumference, is likely to save the world from starvation. This is called Ocean Island, and is noth- ing- more than a vast deposit of exceedingly rich phosphate of lime, a pinch of which will enable anv plaait> in any soil, to double its fertility. It is the finest fertiliser, and valuable also to enemistis in the making of munitions, matches, and a host of other articles. Ocean Island played its part in helping us to win the war, and now it is to come to our aid in combating the serious shortage of food with which the world is faced. Thousands of years ago countless myriads of sea birds, undisturbed by the presence of man cr animal, made this coral rock their home, and created vast deposits of guano, which, mingling with the coral rock, so rich in lime, and aided by other agencies, produced a phosphate—a buff-coloured rock that contains all the essential virtues of a prime soil fertiliser. It is almost magical m the Harvests it produces. The island is a British possession and the I richest tract of land for its size under the British flag.
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i The body of Dr. Herbert Welch Halton, LL.D.. aged 56, vice-president, Court of Appeal, Cairo, has been found in the River Clunie, Braemar, where he was on holiday after an illness. Used as a repair shop for submarines, the late Lord Crawford's yacht Valhalla, 1.500 tons, in which he cruL-ed over 200,000 miles, is likely to be converted for commercial purposes. Merchant Service officers and mea cap- tured after being torpedoed can, if they completed a month's voyage after release, wear torpedo badgers, the Mercantile Marine Association, Liverpool, is informed. Starting to climb Birdl-ip Hill, near Glou- cester, a traction engine came to a stand- still. owing to insufficient steai i, ran back- wards. overturned, and crushed the driver, John Fktcher, of Sheffield, to death.
-m THE POULTRY YARD .
m THE POULTRY YARD )fjj Helpful Hints for By "COCKCROW." Hj Following my previous remarks on the various breeds, I will add that in gereral formation the gamefowl rescmules the Malay. It has a decidedly long neck, with short hackles; back flat, and wide between shoulders; breast broad, stern narrow: wings strong and carried "free"; legs and thighs long. In Brown-reds, tho cocks are sought with lemon hackles striped with black, back and shoulder coverts also lemon with a. black centre, ench feather lined with golef or lemon on black, feat her shaft show- 4he hackle should be iiig rrol d In liens. black edgc-d with bright lemon, and the rest ,-i,eeiiisli-L)Iaclc laced cn breast only. The legs should be dark willow, the eyes daik brown, and the fac-e should be dark purple CC)ICur. I Bints TO REJECT. 11 It is well to bear in mmct tna. oiaou Orpington chickens should be rejected when hatched all black or with a reddish down, and cockerels with red or gold feathers in. the saddle may be weeded out or kept in the breeding-pen for producing richly-coloured pullets. Sometimes young chickens have pinkish legs, but these usually develop into the right colour. A sprinkling of light- coloured cockerels is obtained in breeding Plymouth Rocks, Vt-hich are useful only as pullet-breeders. Almost all bar-plumaged birds are hatched cf a sooty colorr mixed with yellow. W lien selecting big-bodied birds, such as Wyandottes, Langshans, etc., raw-boned cockerels should not be rejected. Such birds often develop into fine cocks White birds are hatched of yellow and soon feather white, although a chick born with specks will feather with specks. Where the fowls are being bred for the table only, mis- marked birds need not be noticed, bat those •ii fornn-d must be discarded. The same ap- plies to birds wanted for iayiro". which should not be killed merely for defects of plumage, but such birds should on no ac- count be used for breeding. BREEDING TURKEYS. I Alwavs avoid in-breeding. This can done by regularly introducing fresh unre lated blood. Do not allow an unlimited number of turkey-hens to a goobler, as so many poultry-keepers advocate. I raw-ay s think that from nine to twelve her.s to a ( male bird is quite sufficient. If more are placed together there is always the danger of the offspring being of poor constitution. A turkey-cock is lit for breeding purposes when he reaches the age of two years, a no. a female bird when she is one yc„i old. Neither birds, however, are in the prime until they are three and two years old re- spectively. Fowls are seldom of use for breeding purpcses for more than one year, but turkeys are still fit for the purpose when they reach the age of five yoi r. ana some poultry-keepers even uee them to. breeding when they have reached the age oi six. I FATTENING AND DISPOSING. I Very few people seem to possess the requr site skill for cramming birds-and often tht report comes that the birds seem to go oil tood just when they should have been eating best. It is, of course, possible to lose mucn money if the birds are cooped up and are putting on little, if any, weight; and for this reason it is often advisable to sell the chickens straight from the fields. U L, le-, the svstem of poultry is thoroughly under- Ftood it will prove anything but profitable. Plucking and trussing are important stages, and should be learnt from experienced and capable tutors. Breeding table poultry does not leave the same individual profit as egg- production, but where the land a'llows a fair stock it can be made to pay a reasonable re- turn. High prices, of course, will not be obtained unless the birds are retailed to private customers, and a shilling a bird extra is often made by this means. Success largelv defends on climatic conditions early in the year, when cold and wet threaten bad losses amongst the younger stock. AIDS TO FATTENING. Whilst birds can be taken straight from th-e run and killed for the mar it is usually a better course to delay this, and feed them specially for a while with the aim of producin fat. By <1omg this c-arefulh and systematically, it is remarkable bow much lat will be put on in quite a short while. Four main principles will have to he The birds must be ih- duced to rest as much as possible and to take the least exercise: (2) They must bs kept warm and comfortable; (3) They must be fed on fat-forming foods, i.e., those rich in carbohydrates: and (4) Thev must be in duced to digest the feed To i z i i i, these end- it will be well to confine the birds in fattening coops—which may b^ made at home—and thev should be genei ously fed twice daily on soft food. Water and hard must both be withheld They should be well provided- with grit. J ACCOMMODATION AD DIET. It is, of course, necessary to keep the birds confined. The ((.v)S should be arranged in rows, and divided into compart- ments suitable for from one to four bird* each. If the bottom of the coops is made of slatted wood, the droppings will fall through. They should be raised a bout twc feet from the ground and about two te- three inches of ashes shou, placed be- neath. The food should be s*ax~)lied in a re- ceptacle attached to tho front cf the coops: this can be removed after each feeding time, thus preventing the birds from spoil- •ug their appetites by picking up food left lying about. The food should be made up of barley-meal, maize-meal, and Subset. ground oats, or oatmeal, buckwheat meat and boiled potatoes mixed with skim-milk A fair quantity of meat may also be given; ( it should be boiled down and cut up smalij the gravy being used in place of the skinn milk. Boiled wheat can be given at night. Ground oats has the effect of making the flesh fine. The food should be served up moist. The birds should be induced to cat as much as possible, but the probable quantity wiil be from two to three ounces per bird. If their appetite fails, a change of diet should be tried. After 2 fortnight or three weeks of this treatment the birds will probably begin to mope, when it should be discontinued. Before the birds are killed., all food should be got out of their svstems, as they will then keen sweet much longer. To attain this, the birds should be t-tarved for two days. A FINE LAVING RECOED. A report attributed to Mr. G. W. PowelL Alviscol, Wellingborough. Northampton- shire, states that in a covered-in poultry run 24 feet by 6 feet he bred on Aprd G. 1018, 1Q white Leg-horn pullets. The firsl began tr) Jay on October 6, and the follow- ing is the es-g-laving record of the 10 eince Oct. 46 ecrgs. Nov. o'J, Dec. 160, Jan. 104 Feb. 35, March 160, April 152, May 186 June 204, Julv 237. August 207, up to Sept 5, 2S-t.otal 1,558 eg2"s.
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Canon Moore, rector of Holly well. Port- rush, Co. Antrim, was found dead in bed. He was slightly unwell t' night before. Lambeth Borough Council have purchased 10,000 tons of coal for sale to the pour in small quantities, should there be a fehort^Pg next winter.