Cheshire Observer

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT. WHO GIVETH THIS WOMAN ? By Wh.LL\\1 LE QUEUX, Author of Whoso Findeth a Wife," "The Idol of the Town, man from Downing Street," The Seven Secrets," "The Closed Book," etc., etc. COPYRIGHT. I CHAPTER XIX.— 'ROSEMARY." 11 1 ] I Jakovski ate three or tour moutnrUlS, ^al- lowing a glass of wine for appearance sake, pain the waiter, and rheu bovving to me v/ith rritating c h e wa. r?riezi b o -?, ??,, politeness strode away dowu the crowded roem. His hostility towards me was t'n. open one. I recognised this at once, but reflecting that pro- nounced enmity was better secret natred, finished my iuncho n, at the iaiae time ,1 rather nuzzled at the manner in whicli a middle-aged man and a young fctir-haired girl of about twenty, lunching close to where I sat, continually regarded Apparently they had seated themselves hile. I me. e, ? Fad seated themselves wh,'Ie I Lad been in oonvers ttion with the Russian, a.8 though intent upon watc-ing us, for when I gazed straight at the well-dressed girl she at once buried her face in the menu, oovored with oonfusion. At that moment I merely regarded the matter As a somewhat curious circumstance, but my mind wa.s too full of other things to take much notice of them. Who was Eileen, the woman of the fair hair? The name had involuntarily escaped the iips of the handsome incognita, for sight of the photo- graph had uterly bewildered and horrified her. It wa.s an Eng-iish name—yet h^r face and mode of plaited hair gave the impression of a foreigner. I had proved, too, by the way the Russian had received my declaration that Norreys was in seme way implicated in the startling affair. But how, I had no means of ascertaining. That there was soma distinct purpose in Jakovski's following me to London was evident. Natica Tesloff feared ex- posure, and she had sent him to me to endeavour to prevent me investigating further. She, too. was undoubtedly in London. Pro- bably he had travelled in the same train as my- self without my knowledge. Yet who could he be that she s..oiuu beg and implore of him aa she had d-ne that evening in the hotel? Thf fellow wsu, Ü: himself a mystery, just as sinister and obscure as were his motives. Yet his threats and his declaration of peril in no way deterred me from the task I had set myself. Nor- reys, my old uncle's confidential secretary whom at heart he did not trust, was certainly one of the conspirators therefore I had felt a vague convic- tion from the first that the affair in Montague- street had some eomi.,0:ion with my future. I was in peril—doadly peril. That I had brought upon myself the secret hatred of certain persons unknown to me, wa- quite apparent; yet on the other hand I was -ufficiently a Londoner not to fear being abroad in London. Traps might be set for me and pitfalls opened, but I flattered myself that it would na d peraoas of double cunning to cnti oe me mta any not. And yet that unfortunate young man had been done to death in Bl-omsbury in broad daylight. Norreys. or nis oxact double, had watched out- side, and had given warning to the occupants of that house of mystery. And a house of mystery it surely was, for the manner in which the assas- sins had disappeared wao still an enigma which puzzledi Courtland and his a,ssi.-tants. They had certainly not come out into the street, while there was just as certainly no egress at the rear or sides of the premises. But at that moment the mystery surrounding the woman known as Tesloff realty interested me more than the identity of the victims. She was in league with tl e mysterious Russian. Perhaps he was her accomplice. I reooilected whitt, tho garrulous old general had told me of the thin young man who came and went as her secret visitor, and who lurked always in the background. In his existence I scented dis- tinct suspicion. The very fact that he was never seau in public with her. and that her admirers feared him as an irresponsibly and jealous person showed that he cultivated a warning note, and that t.he-'r J._l,ip was with some purpose. That afternoon I called upon Page. but told him nothing of my discovery of Miss Tesloff. They bad, he declared, discovered nothing fresh. The mystery of Montague-street was, thoiagh hushed up. still inscrutable. That same- afternoon, too, at a pawnbroker's shop in t!;e Euston-road, I bought a good second- hand revolver, for if my life were threatened, as it seemed to be. I ought At least to go armed. I had never fired off any kind of gun in my life; nevertheless, po»-es~ion of it upon my person seemed to iend an air of security. Then by the eight o'alock train that evening- I left Liverpool-street Station, and at midnight. was seated again in t'-e great old library of Twine- ham Hall. t I had not arrivrd before that hour which it was decreed that I should spend in the blue bou- doir, nevertheless, on entering those echoing room,. a vivid recollection of that unaccountable Voice fell upon me. I recollected its grim, un- canny tones, and all that it had told' m. Wag Natica Teiioff the woman of the dark ha.ir •whom I was to avoid' That, was the ('I'Ji(\{ ques- tion which held me puzzled. Old Burton. the faithful Flllrvitor. attended to my wants, treading noiselessly upon the soft car- pet. and expressing a hope that I had been well. "There have been some callers, sir." he said. "People who wish to make your acquaintance." And he handed several' visiting cards upon his old silver salver, adding: '"They are all friends of the casern's, sir—peopie of the county." T glanced at the rards They were those of a Bishop and his wife. the local Ear! and the Coun- ter a parson cr two, and one or two persons with double-barrelled names—the usual cards left upon a new-oomer. I had some, vague idea. that I ought to return their C,11j. but I oonfess to you that I knew more afceut thf> sizes and makes of hosiery than the usages of good society. The drapery ware iio i,e i t,,Ln's club ift the quiet private bar somewhere tti) we.,t"-and he only does i Ls visit- ing- on a Sunday, In answer to my inquiry, Burton .-aid, Mr. Norre/» has been up to London. I think. sir; he only returned last rnght. Ha told me you bad -on,, abroad, sir." I was much surprised at this, as nobody save myself knew of my flying visit to the Continent. Therefore, my secretary must pos-ess some s-c-t source of information, a fact, v.'h'ch added mystery to that which al ready enveloped him. I recollected what my dead uncle had written. Mr. Xorrdy* was n« >t to be trusted. Next morning he came in after breakfast, bow- ing- and obsequious as usual, and began to go through. a nnmhr of matters connected with the estate, and with the colonel's executors. That he was a miserly methodioal person was un- doubted, but his shifty sunken eyes gave one the impression of double dealing, and I wondered why, if my uncle knew him to be worthless, he had for 80 reposwd oonifdenoe in him. That afternoon while I wa3 sitting in the cosy corner of the library reading tre newspaper, Bur- ton brought me two cards, saying: The lady and gentleman are in the great draw- ing-room, sir. I understood you to say you were at homo? "Quite right. Burton," I answered. And glanc- ing at the cards read the names: "Sir Edmund «Fr? "Mi«« Rosemary Earle." Do you know t"f\ffi?" I inquired. "Oh, vC>. s; Sir Edmund lives at Earlstone ■Htr»!l, abcut seven miles away. and Miss Rose- mary, his daughter, is a. nioe young lady—so very good' to the poor. She teaches needlework to the girls in Twineham School on Wednesday after- noons. fr'rr,,J q of rny u7,ci4e's ? "Were they friend a of my uncle's?" "Not exactly, si' The ookmE'l went out so very little, you know. They sent him many invitations, which he nearly always declined. Sir Edmund. however, wa.s vice-chairman of the magistrates and vicc-c! ai.r.ian of L'ie Guardians as well. There- fore they were verv gooJ friend's indeed." "And Miss Rsem^ry? Is .she young or old?" "310", was born the year I wa3 married, sir- j. ust twpnfy-ova y-ars ago last Christmas." And thus pruned with facta, I went along the corridor to the great old-fashioned room with its genuine Chippendale and old Delft, where the baronet and his daughter awaited me. The instant I entered the room I became con- I scious of the presence of a person who was des- tined to exercisc upon me an irrestible power for good—or for evil. The baronet was of that thin meagre type of grey faced aristocrat whose dothes seemed several times too For his shrunken figure, whose face was lone and deeply lined, and whose voice was weak and somewhat nasal. But his daughter. the girl with the old-world name of Rosemary, possessed the sweetest, plea.sa ..test, most loveable face I had ever seen. You may smile at me as one who has had but lute experience of pretty high-born women. I admit all that. Yet surely we all of us have a natural intuition when we encounter one whoso heart heals in unison with ours. It may be a man or it may be a woman, but we always know when a person we meet "likes" us. The instinct of at raction and repulsion within us is the animal imtind-it cannol; be accounted for, ex- cept that it is given to us by nature. Iler eyes were a deep hazel, her features per- fect in t.heir symmetry, her cheeks dimpled, her teeth pearly white as she smiled graciously when I took her hand and looked into her eyes. Then, as though bashful, she dropped her gaze to the carpet, and I turned to express to the baronet my thanks for his trouble in calling to make my acquaintance. Your uncle wis one of my best friends," the thin old gentleman declared. Somewhat eccen- tric. you know. but nevertheless a man of sterling worth—one of the old Norfolk school of whom very fow are left, alas! My daughter heard yon ",cr" at bomo so we thought we'd run over and be among the first to welcome you and con- gratulate you upon possession of this very fine old place. I'm sure you're very kind Sir Edmund," I answered: and then told him in a few words the unexpected manner of my inheritance. 11 Ah, your uncle was a strange man," he re- marked He took violent dislikes. Books were hiz hobby, ju t as they are mine. As a bibliophile he • K rt .v" kr-owii. for his able book on the VenNian Prpsgpg of the fifteenth century is a standard work You have in your library some treasures of great value, you know. There is a copy of Perceval le Gallois printed in Paris in 153b, worth at least four hundred pounds, as well as a Suckling of 1646, a first edition of Spenser's Faerie Queen of 1590, and a first editon of Sir Thomas More. 1551, in black letter. I remember, too. he once showed me his greatest treasure—a treasure indeed—the only existing copy of the first edition of Christopher Marlowe. So if you are fond of books you have plenty of material with which to study." "I fear I know so very little about them," I laughed. "Ah! but you must learn," he said, with all the warmth of the enthusiast. You must allow me bo interest you in your own library. You will find books a most pleasant study." I thanked him, but within myself resolved to take up no such dry-as-dust recreation. I pre- ferred open-air exercise, golf, hunting and shoot- ing. and would leave the subject of fireside bibliography to the aged and infirm. Burton brought tea, which at my request Miss Rosemary poured out for us. She was a bright, intelligent girl, who, I found, had recently returned from France, where she had been living with a French family in order to perfoct herself in the language. She and her father had travelled a good deal over the usual beaten tracks of the Continent. After Lady Earle's death five years ago. they had alway., spent the winters abroad—once at Cairo, once in Florence, and once in Algiers. Do you know, Mr. Hewerdine, I've grown so terribly cosmopolitan," she laughed. Father is always reproaching me because I can't settle down to a hum-drum life in the country. In Fontainbleau we were always gay, and life,. although en campagne, was always merry. Here people are so terribly dull." Rosemary! Rosemary!" cried the old baronet across the edge of his tea-cup. You're a most unconventional girl. You mustn't say that. Mr. Hewerdine might repeat it to our neighbours. No," she sighed, "I suppose you're right. Only I'm disgusted that you haven't taken me to Cannes this winter, father. You know you half promised. My public duties have kept me at home, my dear—committees and things." "Then all I can say is-bothe-r oommittees!" she declared, decisively; whereat we both laughed. To me she was most interesting and attractive. a. plain, outspoken fresh English girl who, while sweet and modest in her demeanour, was at the sarno time thoroughly up-to-date, without being mannish. Like thousands of other girls in her own sphere, she had tasted the bright phantasmagoria of. life on the Continent in her youth, and was now brought home to live in the rusticity of a country mansion. It had always struck me that for girls a foreign education is not wholly neces- sity, for it so often arouses within them a rest- lessness of spirit in after life. i Wo chatted and laughed merrily together, and afterwards I took them along to the library, where the baronet began to forage for rare editions, taking down certain tattered old volumes which did not in the least impress me, but which he declared were unique specimens of the early Antwerp presses. And while Sir Edmund was revelling in my late uncle's collection, I stood in the deep window chatting with Rosemary, intoxicated by her I beauty and charmed by her womanly sweetness. CHAPTER XX. IN THE LONG AVENUE. I was anxious to return the call, but according to the little red book on etiquette wh;ch I had bought and now consulted surreptitiously, I fou id that to call next day would be a sign of bad breed- ing. So I resolved to wait a week. Next afternoon, after a morning full of sus- picion and anxiety, for Norreys flitted about mo like some evil spirit, I retired to the blue boudoir, and there took tea and spent an idle hour with the door locked, trying to read a news- paper. 1 say trying to read," for to confess the truth my presence in that uncanny room was far from gratifying to me. The Voice I had heard was surely sufficient to unnerve any man. And yet I all was silent. The marble face of "La Fiarr- metta" smiled upon me wantonly, but nothing unusual occurred, although my ears were strained to catoh the slightest sound. As I sat back in the old armchair by the ifre, that same chair in which my great grandmother had sat. every detail of those weird happenings on the last occasion came back to me. Those words of warning and encouragement uttered by the Voice resounded in my ears. And yet they were uttorlv unaccountable. I glanced around the fine old apartment with its faded gilding and time-mellowed furniture. It presented no strange features, although the superstitious would certainly have declared it to bo wha.t they called a haunted room. But I WM no believer in the supernatural. Besides I had never heard of spirits speaking. Lighting a oigarocte, I cast aside the paper, and a;).in made a toair of the room, but discovered nothing—absolutely nothing. There was some mechanical device by which the bust of Boc- caccio's heroine turned upon her marble pedestal. but what it was I could not discern. The clock on the stables chimed five at last, and then, glad of release from the silent room of the Voice, I unlocked the door, and putting on my overooat went out into the Park, having promised to call upon the rector of Twineham, who was arranging a parochial charity, and at whose house that evening a meeting of the com- mittee was to be held. The snow which had been falling heavily all day had now ceased, and it was freezing hard. The darkness was not quite complete, for when the ground is covered with snow a grey light is always reflected. The sky was a dark steely blue, and as I walked down the long avenue of high bare beeches the frozen snow crunched beneath my heels. I walked briskly, for after the warmth of that closed room the north wind was piercing, and my breath was already freezing in icicles on my moustache. I had decided to return to London on the morrow and continue :y inquiry into the affair at Montague Street. Norreys had mentioned that morning that he was going to Norwich, and did not propose to return until the next day; therefore I intended to be up betimes and to follow him, for. I had a suspicion that the rea<Mn of his absence wad to run up to town in rea,,)on of h?,i absenc*- ww to run up to town in Natica Tesioff wt47 in London, and that being no tt was but nat?'ra.' t' t so it was but natnral t 1. lie should seek her. By ascertaining his destination I should also discover her whereabouts. Having walked nearly 0 mile. I was passing the spot where the ,i-iloped down to where the p"r:t —as H-» iided by the Norwich road, and wlv re t'■■y 0": LT" were so spreading that they meT owrhcH shutting out all the light. Before le I could see the lights in the rectory windows not far f-ori-I the lodge gates, but arnl1,J me doll was d-rkness as I strode noiselessly onward do vn the lonely dri ve. Suddenly I became aware of something before me, and a few minutes lar ss v that there were two fig..i,(-s-a man and a woman—a hundred yards or MJ in front of me, ta king together in earnest conversation. The spot was just the place for a secret tryst, and I supposed it was one of t'le maids with her lover. Therefore curiosity prompted me to tread noiselessly behind them aad ascertain which of them it was. Some of them had been presented to me. but only the upper servants. Of the lower ones-kitchenmaids. laundry-maids and dairymaids-I had no know- ledge. Indeed, I seemed to see fresh faces about me everywhere. Cnder" those thick trees the ground was not snow-covered, therefore to tread noiselessly was extremely difficult. But presently, out in the open again where the snow was thick. I managed to approach the pair swiftly and unexpectedly. I discerned that they were walking apart, and not linked arm-in-arm. They were speaking in very low tones—so low indeed that even in the silence of that clear night and close behind them I could not distinguish their words. Suddenly the- man halted, and struck a match to light his cigar. By that fortunate action his identity was reveal ed to me. The flickering uncertain light shone on both their faces, shew- ing the hard-drawn features of Thomas Norreys, while the face of his companion caused me to halt in sheer amazement. She was none other than Rosemary Earle. Next instant, however, the wind blew out the nntch. and there only remained the red end of the old man's cigar. He was wearing a soft felt hat and thick black overcoat with collar and cuffs of astrachan—an old and faded ga-ment which I had noticed a few days previously. His com- panion, however, was warmly clad in a neat bolero and fur toque, which add?d smartness to her lithe, well-proportioned figure, and carried her skirt hitched up in her hand She walked at his side s^wly with haltdng atcp?. apparently listening to what he was telling her, whdG he, on his pa.rt. seemed to treat her with a calm indifference, as though the mcet-ing had been at her request and not at his. What secret could be the motive of that meet- ing, I wondered That they were not lovers was evident. Norreys had given me to understand that he was no admirer of the fair sex. and held women in the same abhorrence as his late master had done. Besides such a wizened and miserly- looking person, with his lank white hair and thin nose and lips, was not the kind of man to attract a young and up-to-date girl of her character. No. There was some secret between them, of that I was at once convinced. I I longed to be able to approach them sufficiently near to overhear his words, yet how could I? True. the snow muffled my footsteps. Yet I feared that if I went closer their quick ears might catch the sounds. Their meeting was evidently a secret one, and as such they no doubt were listening for approaching footsteps, for NOrTeys would not care to be surprised bv any of the ser-vant-s or stable-hands. Suddenly they halted in the shadow and then my eyes distinguished that tethered to a tree stood a horse, and further I recognised that the skirt she held in her hand was her riding-habit, and that the horse was herSi She had evidently ridden over from Earlstone to keep the appointment in the avenue, and had paced up and down with him because of the cold. "What yo,u've said astounds me." I heard her remark, as she stood in the darkness beside her horse, patting her neck. "Are you sure you're not mistaken? You were once, you know." "Not this time" the old man answered. gruffly. "What I've told you is the truth. 1 merely warn you. that's all." "But how do you know? How have you ob- tained knowledge of all this?'' "I have certain means of knowing," be said, vaguely. "And you are really in fear of-well, of a catastrophe, shall we call it?" "I have already toldl you what must inevitably happen. "But you surely can save him?" she suggested. "If anything happens to him you will be respon- sible" "Me!" he exclaimed, with a short, dry laugh. "I accept no responsibility whatever. Matters may take their course a-a far as I'm concerned." "And suppose I told him of his peril?" sug- gested the baronet's daughter. "You won't do th&t!" he exclaimed, quickly. "Remember what I've just said. One word from you, and you would ahare. his fate. They are re- i lentlos.s you know-utterly relentless. Ta them, man or woman is alike. Betrayal spells death to the betrayer." "But this is criminal, Mr. Norreys, to allow him to walk calmly into such a trap aha cried "Ho is in utter ignoranoo of it all, otherwise he would not live here and face suoh peril." "His head is turned by his sudden affiue-noo," declared Norreys. And then I knew that it was of me they wore speaking. "Ho little dreams of what lies before him." "But won't you tell him?" she implored "D& "Not 1. Why should I? He already doubts ma; therefore, I have no desira to appear to curry favour." "Tell him, Mr. Norreys—for my sake." she urged, plaomg her hand upon his arm. "For your sake!" he echoed, as though sur- prised. "Why, anyone would believe that you have fallen in love with this young counter- jumper. "I am not in love," she hastened to assure him. "I only desire that he shall be forewarned of the ingenious conspiracy against him. If you do not speak—I will." "Excuse me, Miss Earle," he answered with rrook politeness; "you dare not do that." "Why not?" "For certain re-a.sO!lrea.oons very well known to yourself," was his hard reply. "I need not, I think refer to tham." She was silent a moment; then said: "Then let us thoroughly understand each other. You threaten that if I save him from this trap, you will expose me. oh?" "Threaten is scarcely the word to use. Miss Earle," was the man's nonchalent reply. "I merely tolt you that to utter one single word to him of what I have explained. will be greatly against your own interests. Please recollect for a moment all that you have at stake—name, posi- tion; honour—everything." "Mv honour is at stake!" she cried, hoarsely in a voioe of despair. "Yes. I know it.. You have so drawn me into this horrible net that escape ia impossible, but I will not allow the life of an innocent man to be sacrificed as you, with Your, devilish cunning, intend! No. He shall know:" she declared "I tell you plainly, as I stand here, that he shall know "H'm. Then you defy me. eh?" "What you have' told me to-night has con- firmed my suspicions," she cued. "1 know you now. You will expose me. Very well. do so. I teli you aga;n, Mr. Norreys, I defy you to do your worst to me. My honour is at stake. Very well, if it is your pleasure I'll forego it—I 11 lose it. But I will tell him the truth." "You w' U;" hL, gasped. "Then I'll—I'll—" ( |j But she had drawn her hoe sa to the. stump of a t:ee that served her as a mounting-block, and had slipped up to her saddle with an ag-ility which shewed her to ba an admirable horee- woman. The man's threatening sentence was interrupted because her mare, suddenly released, reared, and he was compelled to spring aside out of the way. And next instant without further word, the fair-haired daughter of the baronet was galloping away over the snow towards the high road back to Earlstone*. fTo be continued.)

^^mm- 'c.r\ r' 'I. C e: t",)} I': v'¡! t'< ¡.;w U r: e. '.<" I 'S .L, F°R CV^y natural ilm.ent Nature has provided a re^ed^ and the greatest benefit ^hich science can f^Hpl) Iconfer on mankInd IS the dIscovery of these remedIes.   'l;f¿i d  flf( t,IIN' nothing of Sc  ence,  en ailing E although knowing nothI *iig of Science, instinctin,ely turned to certain roots and herbs w hen ailing H l\ }1i The natives. of Ausralia, redered. b cliatic conditions pec,liarIy liable to Ever disorders H     HH ,v\VVAV '•-•> $ So wonderful were the effects of these vegetable substances that the great Captain Cook, writing, on the H N  ???' ??? '??' ? condition of the natives when he discovered them, said I did not observe (amongst the ntlves) H fny appearance of disease or bodily complaint, or eruption of the skin. Very old men, without gH| "'TA, hair and teeth, showed no signs of decrepitude, and were full of vivacity." ifesii-V Ja-9T, lY NW' ve8e;able remedies In their crude state, their use prompted by mere Instinct proved so H W%) £ J. c and  Ilk zst^s' iilow muGh m°re effective must they be when modern science has 1 purified an d :T,:0. :IT 1:1/,1 1;}(6¡i;i; concentrate t em!' :.I} 1 concentratethem ? th" ol-llo!?ed  §S^ t Scientists have long known of this superiority of vegetable remedies over the old fashioned 1 IrT^V^' 'Vi medic ines containing mineral poisons, and realising this, Chas. Forde, an eminent sci entist after P tej Ion £ res:arch< discovered a vegetable substance which acted on the iver and d;"?' ?" ive If 'ii"<tNim:i':i.1I&" '> b to, gfeaSirara IV/ organs in a Det?er way than any medicine known. ?????  ? ?? ? The best JaboraWTléS, the most modern plant, and all the latest scientific ?eth?-'sv/cn ? lil -:ý' ¡: d. t d. f h. b. I" t' .-1 h: r, i,.n<). æ.'r%1'' |1 J Leirequisitioned in the compounding of this substance into convenient me(!:C!u?forrn,.u:d the "??-=??'"?  r f' U; 7 resu! l of it was the prod uction, a few years back, of the most perfect medicine of m xk-rn ????''?(???   times. This medicine was compounded in the form of small beans, which, btkiy' «v unequalled in their operation on the liver and its secretion of ?'? were "?' /v >4   r"Mi'cfcDmIrCAAL AADnVVIiCrE c FcoREnEn «Bile Beans." /V JV7 & 1 e ean_" ¡,ij '.?/ ?"? \i..< (!gEJ; Are you in doubt as to whether BUf Beans. p„;„ „ the product of modern sc"ent;c research, Rile nennS arc ??; 'i" ? W SS are sUItable for your cas'? If so, write for r:) .• Free advice from our fLlI!v quahfied  thoroughly up-to-date. They do not purge and weaken like me out-ofdate ??3' ?'?? and your aopiication win carefully an<i "remedies of fortv and iffty years ago, which contain probably aloes | s*') ■> •?. y tfu. /| i? and your aDp)t?tionwi?  car?ui)yan? remedies" of fortv and nfty years ago, which contain nrob ab)v alo'?s &\?? ',<??.?? ? ? ETSfSiS*- mercury, and other 'harmful drags. Bile Bean- without the slightest di3- ? ?co.' t? ??-??-B- mercury, and otherharmful drugs. Bi!e Bean., without the  /1 H ma comfort, prompt the liver an d digestive organs to act In. Nature? normal Z' ?rr,miSf, 7/M 't L  ,)I'f; U, 01. 'iI.}4I' ? FPFP J TPST E?o Atr ??'' having those organs strengthened and stimulated to continue the per- ,í;  /¡.,y) /-U.l. f./YEFi FREE TEST FOR ALL  oft??eir d,,iti"? without further assis',g,nce. E T To test RBi, le Beans free or f cost a formanc of theIr duties wIthout further assistance. i- VV r** /*&1 — To test Bde Beans free cf cot obtam & V11'C '3 /1;! .ièi ??? ? Sample Bjx' by sending a':comp.tnyin? That well-known scientific journal, "Scienæ S,?i.f.ti.ng,h.as j. ust made '"??P???????'C?'??'? 't ? N /SC'? 7 ??'?j????? COUPC)iIi.  m_ '??rr?urn??? ? unohClted analysis and series of tests ot Bd> Reans which fuliv confirm ■ COUPON. to TOverr«urn postage  ■B to the BUeB?n Co., t e. a ove claims. In the October num b er (676) the journal s3vs:—"7. '3 V v/$Sr   OtH ri., .J». JBH S; C?.? 1:RlsONB_gt.!J have satisfied o?ves that Bile Beans are pu?y vegeiable. They r?eve  "i>tfifø: .,i\i' M NJ'S™ E° B°X £ o constlpatwn without c??sing siter-constipation. Cause no gnpmg. Q R?e-.e 'otU; ttlt. i" N 3 1 N1VERLOOS f .1 '1''1;>; "i'»' ? D ec.????r fiatu!eace,sick headsshe, and biliousness, ^nd are an exc2!!ent family mediae," ?,    M-

CHESTER& DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE. I DIVISION I. RESULTS UP TO DATE. ,Goals, P. W. L. D. F. A. Pta. Saltney. 5 4 0 1 25.. 1 9 Helsby 7 4 2 1 .32 .14 9 Hoole 5 3 0 2 17 4 8 Saughall 8 3 3 2 .10 .14 8 St. John's 5 3 2 0 9 .14 6 Little Sutton 5 2 3 0 4 8 4 Y.M.C.A. & 1 3 1 .12 .13 3 Bearer Co 8 0 7 1 5.44 1

ECZEMA AFTER A CUT. A REMARKABLE MANCHESTER CURE. ZAM-BUK CREATES NEW SKIN, AND STOPS HAIR FALLING OUT. The germs of disease multiply nowhere more quickly than they do in an open sore or wound. The torture endured for years by Mr. Jamos Swingswood Woolrich all arose from a simple cut, and a grave attack of eczema was com- pletely ended by Zam-Buk. Mr. Woolrich, who is a turner, living at 68, Phillips' Park Road, Beswick, Manchester, told to a local reporter tho following facts:—"Five years ago I was larking, and ran my head into the sharp edge of a window frame, causing a jagged wound some inches long. I thought it would heal all right, but to my sur- prise the skin became very inflamed, and was soon covered with yellow itching blisters. I suppose some poison had got into the wound; at any rate I had a bad time of it for six months. Tho sores spread, my hair began to fall out, and 'the irritation often robbed me of my sleep. For four years I had bad turns every few weeks. Nine months ago the attacks were renewed with increased severity. The blisters and sores spread over the crown and down the back of my head, and in a short time my forehead was also covered right down to my eyebrows I oould not get relief anyhow, and I scarcely knew what was going to be the end of it. I was thoroughly disfigured, dreaded to show myself in the daytime, and endured hours of sleepless torture by night. No relief ever came to me until my mother hap- pened to read in the paper of a similar case that had been cured by Zam-Buk. A samplo we got seemed to lessen the irritation so much that we got a proper supply. I can tell you it eased me a lot the first night. I smeared the balm freely all over the sores, and was able to get better rest than I had done for months. The spreading of the disease was checked at once, and I noticed soon how the blisters were slowly disappearing, and how in place of the nasty scaliness, the scalp grew smooth and soft. It was as if I had got the new skin of a child. I continued regularly to keep the parts clean by washing with milk and meal, and apply Zam-Buk two or three times a day if necessary. The result is that Zam-Buk has drawn out all traces of disease, my scalp is as clear as anybody's, and what is more. my hair has all come back. I thoroughly believe in Zam-Buk for turning out disease and making new healthy skin." Zam-Buk owes its skin-renewing po-ver to certain rare medicinal herbs, and can safely be recommended for eczema, ulcers, scalp diseases, running sores, blisters, rawness, chapped hands, chilblanœ, poisoned or festering wounds, piles, bad legs, swollen knees, strains, cuts, bruises, burns, scalds, dog-bites, cat-scratches, as well as for the alleviation of neuralgia, tic, rheumatis'n. sciatica, and back pains. Price Is. ld. per box, or 2s. 9d. for large family size (2s. 9d. size contains nearly four times the Is. lid.); of all chemists, or post free for same prices direct from the Zam-Buk Co.. 4, Red Cross Street, London, E.C.

THE LATE MR. ASSBET0N-SM1TH. j 'nn_- THE FUNERAL. The funeral look place at noon on Saturday, in the family mausoleum in Vaynol Park, about half a mile from the house, on the banks of the Monai S traits. Tho officiating clergy were the Bishop of Bangor, assisted by the Revs. J. T. Jones, vicar of Llanfairisgaer, and the Rev. Lewis Jenkins, curate. The surpliccd choir of Bangor Cathedral, under tho leadership of Mr. Wesiiako Morgan, Cathedral organist, were also present. Tho luneral, although announced to bo strictly j private, was largely attended. Among the mourners and friends present were Mr. diaries Gordon Duff, WHO succeeds to the estate; his son, Mr. Robin Duti; Mr. Harry Duff, brother; Lord Vivian, the Hon. W. W. Vivian, Lord Ponrhyn, Mr. Stanhope Jones Mr. F. Sandiwa.;¡, Captain Stewart, estate agent; and others. Thero were also prevent, Mr. Nccle, chief quarry manager; Mr. Brinkman, assistant manager; and heads of various departments of the quarries and estate. The prooossion, headed by the Cathedral choir, who sang hymns all the way to the mausoleum, j consisted of the foresters of the estate, a large number of the principal tenant farmers, and a strong contingent of hands from the quarries, the estate, and the quay, and the household servants, and a largo proportion of them earned exquisite wreaths, some of them so largo that two men wore required. The coffin was conveyed to the mauso- leum on the late squire's favourite driving car, drawn by a pair of led horses. It was covered with a beautiful white silk coverlet. DEAN OF BANGOR'S TRIBUTE. I On Saturday afternoon a memorial service was hold in the Bangor Cathedral. The congregation was small, but included the Mayor (Mr. W. Bayne) and the Mayoress. The Dean of Bangor preached, and in the course oi his sermon, based on the text, "I dwell among mine own people" (2 Kings, iv., 13), said they mourned that day the loss of one who might be described as a good man who dwelt among his own people." His character, ability and influence were such that he would have adorned many positions of honour, and his fellow-countrymen would gladly have welcomed him as a leader in public affairs. But he felt it to ba hIS special vocation to be of service to those with whom h* was closely associated, and he was therefore better known in his own neighbourhood than anywhere else, and those who know him best j loved him most. The family of Vaynol had for generations been closely connected with the Cathedral. Many of its children had been baptised in the Cathedral font, and the remains of not a few of its members rested now within its walls, and the deceased gentleman in his younger days was a regular worshipper in its congregation. At the time of his last illness the preacher was in correspondence with Mr. Assheton Smith 1:11 the subject of the rebuilding of the demolished Lady Chapel. It was only last week that an instance of his princely generosity came to light in tho announcement of a donation of to the Diocesan Schools Fund. The Dean also made a touching reference to the death of the Rev. Canon Eleazor Williams. Mr Westlake Morgan played Chopin's Marcho Funebre on the grand organ. ) A funeral sermon was preached on Sunday in |i Vvyri3i Privito Chapel b/ Canon Fairchild.

CLERKENWELL JEWEL ROBBERY., A DARING OUTRAGE. I On Saturday afternoon a Olerkenwell firm of jewellers, J. J. Stockall and Sons, Limited, Clerkenwell-road, londcn, were robbed of several thousands of pounds' worth of jewellery. The only person on the premises at the time was Mr. Stookall, jun., as it was/after hours, and he vas gagged and bound while the robbers ransacked the premises. The robbery was not found out until Monday morning, when the members of the staff arrived and found the place in disorder and. Mr. Stookall lying in a state of collapse on the floor, suffering from shock and from injuries to the head and face, the latter caused by a small bottle used as a gag. Mr. Stockall is too ill to re- ceive visitors, but his story, as narrated by his daughter, is as follows — "Tile story of this terrible affair goes ack for its commencement to Thursday fortnight. On that day a well-dressed, clean-shaven man called at the shop and asked, to see some gold: watches, as he was getting up a testimoniol to his minister and wife, who were leaving the district. Some watches were shewn him, and he selected one gar- ticuary good one, on. which he paid a deposit of JB5. He left the watoh to have an inscription put on it and departed. On Saturday about four o'clock the man returned, and met Col. Sfecckall leaving the shop to post a letter. The man. said he had come to purchase a diamond brooch for the minister's wife to accompany the present of a watch to the minister. Colonel Stockall readily agreed, although, it was after hours, and asked his would-be customer to wait until, he had posted his letter. When. he returned he found the man there with another. 'This is a friend of mine,' he said to the Colonel, 'and I have taken the liberty of asking him i They then proceeded, to tho in- terior of the shops where Colonel Stock-ill shewed them, some diamond brooches, and thay selected a pendant worth 940, paying: on it a. deposit of £ 1°- e n Co l one? "When th receipt had been, g?-en Colon&i Stockall invited them into his pri?te office tv have a drink. When they got inBdJ one of the men remarked, 'You don't object to smoking. do said Cokmel Stoekitli. 'Then I'll j have a cigar, said the man, and putting his hand t into his, poc&et he withdrew a rewlvor- C-overiag the Colonel with the weapon, the man said, 'Now, Mr. Stockail, time is short., Hurry up with those keys.. We. want some of them eat of the sah." 'Goc-ct gracious! you're not ro bbers,' said the CoSonel. 'J won't give you t-ba keys. Shoot me if you want to.' 'We won't shoot yon;' reeied one of the men, 'but we want some cf those diamonds.' "Thinking to gain tdme, Colonel Stockall at- tempted to argue wit'b them, but a third man, of whose presence the Colonel was not hitherto I aware, slipped behind: and hit him over the head, stunning him. Then they bound and! gagged him and roped him to a pillar in the shop. He saw the men rummage the safes and cases and then lost consciousness. When, he awoke about eight o'clock he partially removed the gag and shouted for hours on end, bat no one found him till this morning. "Colonel Stockall was to have spoken at a volun- teer dinner on Saturday night. His family, when he did not return to his home in Southend, wired to one of his brother ofifcers, but the latter's reply this morning arrived only a fow minutes before the message giving the details of the outrage."

JSEW ALIENS BILL. — + Mr. Baifour, who recently received a resolu- tion from the Harborough Division Conservative Association, deploring tho obstructive tactics of the Opposition against the Aliens Bill, and urging the Government to bring in a measure to check the large influx of pa.uper aliens into the country, has sent the following reply through his secre- tary Mr. Balfour desires mo to acknowledge the recc.pt of the resolutions which you have for- warded on behalf of the Ha.rborough Conserva- tivo Association with reference to the Aliens Bill, and in reply says that, as he stated in the House of Commons on July 24. it is the inten- tion of the Government to deal with the question early next session.

DEATH OF LORD RIDLEY. Lord Ridley, who had been in failing health, though apparently not seriously ill, for some months past, died in his sleep at his country house at Blagdon., Northumberland, oa Monday morning, in his sixty-third; year. In the viscountcy bestowed upon him in 1900 tho identity of Sir Matthew White Ridley has been somewhat lost. At the age of twenty-six he was M.P. for North Northumberland, and ten years later became Under-Secretary at the Home Office. Ho retained this post till the Liberals oame into power in 1880, was Financial Secretary to the Treasury in 1885 and 1886, and Home Secretary from 1895 to 1900. Lord Ridlev is suooeeded in the viscounty by his son, the Hon. M<atthow White Ridley, who has been M.P. for Stalybridge since 1900. His acoessiorL creates a vacancy in that constituency. At the last election the figures were: The Hon. M. W. Ridley (V). 3,321 Mr. J. F. Cheetham (R). 3,240 V nionist majority. 81 Mr. Cheetham will stand again for the constitu- ency. but no provision has been made for a Con servative candidate.

7 i EVERYONE'S BUSINESS. ESPECIALLY YOURS. A Seacombe resident makes the following state- ment for the benefit of others. We look uponi Seacombe- people as our neighbaursi and this, testimony from a resident there will be of interest to us: Mr. William Madren, of 84. Bdbroad, Brighton- street, Saacombo, Liverpool, says:- "I have followed the sea all my life, but I cannot say that I have always enjoyed the best of health—far from it. "For a number of years I was a victim to. Iadney compiemfc. I used to have iroadful pains across, the small of my back. especially when I stooped. or straightened myself. Th?y seemed to cut me Lke a. knife, taking away all my strength, and, mating me I ght-headed an jnddy. I was.obliged^ to take hold of something to save myself from-, failing. "Sometimes when out walking my legs wouldi give way under me; my hips were very painful; all the energy seemed g< eje from me--from morn- iag till night I was exhausted. "'Although I tried p'^sters and different medi- cines, I never got any better until 1 began using; Doan's Backache Kidney Pills. I obtained some of these b-c-use so many people around here had- been cured by them. They cured: me, too--after I had been using them a comparatively short. time my strength returnee"4. I felt over so much stronger- and brighter, asd I never got any more of the. backaches. This WN. right back in the early partr of 1900—two years ago—yet today I am still in th3 best of health. My cure by Doan's Pills was most thorough an i complete. I have never heard of su-ch a mediciue before, a ad I shall always b& pleased to speak a good word for it. I am in my 74th year. WhcA a* man passes the three-seore- and-ten mark h ? scarcely expects to make any im- provement in lus health, but Doan's PiUs seem ta have given me a new lease of life. I shall always take a delight in speaking well of the medicine which has d-we so much for me." If you are ill, write and tell us yoiir symptoms. We shall be pleased to give you the best advice in our power, free of charge. Your Letter will be treated in strictest confidence. Doan's Backache Kidney Pitfs are two shillings and nineperjce a box (six boxes for thirteen shillings and ninepence). Of all chemists and drug stores, or post free on receipt of price by the proprietors. Foster- McClellan Co., S, Wells-street, Oxford-street, London, W.

BOOTS TO ORDER—not hand-sown prin- ciple," but real Hand-sewn, made on the premises by expert workmen in the old-fashioned way with oak bark tanned Leather; these are a comfort, walking becomes a pleasure, and the price is reason- able. HEWITT'S, ABBKY GATEWAY, the Old. established Hand-sewn Bootmakers.

I [ALL RIGHTS RESFRVEI) ] FASHION AND THINGS FEMININE. By MISS IDA MELLER. ♦ The arbitrariness of fashion and dress-worship of the day are, such that many a woman in middle- class life is, for the sake of her appearance and the influenoe it has upon her success in business- for the shabbily-clad fare ill as bread-winners- obliged to spend more than her slender income wavrant- in d-ws. To be de mode is a social sin, and those who favour "reform" dress are re- garded rather in the light of cranks by the ultra- smart. The tip-top note of fashion must be struck if success in the social world is aimed at But there are simple as well as elaborate fashions of the best clais and the simple ones are often the most successful With some women it seems to be the aim to lOld their frocks with as much em- broideiy. incrustation, insertion and other things as the material will hold, and to seek rather to be conspicuous for elaborate dressing than for good taste in dress. They are but pogs upon which to hang gorgeous clothes. If women would only appreciate the charm of simple, long, un- broken lines!—far more effec tive than the cut-up. styles that are so often worn. Happily, "picture" gowns aro becoming more and more. fashionable, and them are one. or two well-known leaders of society who affect this pretty style of dress with great, success and have done much to popularise it. The soft, supple volvets and satins that are in vogue aiD most admirably adapted to picture modes and to the new draped bodices of the day. Very pretty is the corsage with a draped fichu of its own material gathered up in the centre and fringed ail round. Fichus, by the way, are extremely fashionable, whether of laoe. chiffon or other material, and lace berthes a-e worn as much as ever. Renaissance laoo being brought into effective use for the purpose. Sparkling effects ane also pressed into the service of berthes, and sequins and pailiettes are worn a great deal, large sequins having the preference this season. Moonlight effects ooour on black net and lace berthes incrusted with black. dark-blue and sil- ver "ØCju im and evening dresses entire are created in a similar style. I TAILOR COSTUME WITH LONG COAT. Even thoo WIlO, as a rule, are high authorities on matters of dress are liable to err in their judgment at times. A, well-known Court dress- uuutei'. questioned, about a year ago on the p.obability of fitted coata and bodices coming ,nto f"silfoI1 again, shook his head, and with a superior siuue observed that in his opinion vvuaien s n_ u t*>. spo, ed by long-continued wear- ing ot poucii.-d inwfe and ribbon corsets, were not good enouirn to sand the test of fitted coats; that the latter would "perhaps make its appear- anoa, but only tentatively. Now, all the leading tailors are cutting tneir oloth to fit the figure, and the long single-breasted or double-breasted coat, following the lines of the figure, is an es- tablished fashion* But tailors are not cutting all their cloth in this way, of course, for a large num- ber of winter coats have over-lapping waists or are of sac build. The "newest" coat, however, ia tight-fitting and long and in its simplest form appears in the. character of the tailor-made ooat. which ia single-breasted and severe in style, the collar faced with velvet after the fashion of a man's coat collar, and the cuffs repeating the touch of velvet. The skirt is handsomely strapped round the hem with ite own material. I CLEANING A BEAVER HAT. It is orten cheaper in the end to send delicate blouses to the cleaners, rather than to the ordinary laundry, whence it ia no uncommon thing for coloured goods to be returned with the oolours well ''run." White-spotted silks or flannels with dark grounds are frequently subjected to this dis- figurement, which renders them practically un- wearible. Hat-cleaning at home is not, as a rule, a success; but with care it is quite possible to "refre.h" a soiled be-aver hat successfully and save the expense of professional skill. I have lately seen a last winter's grey beaver hat that has suffered home-cleaning and come out of the ordeal remarkably well. It was cleaned with a nail-brush, soap and warm water, the hat being laid upon the wash-stand and the brush passed gently over the brim and crown. No rough usage was permitted, but naturally a little of the beaver "fluff" was disturbed. The hat was not rinsed, but rubbed fairly dry with a soft towel. Then it was held in front of a fire, and the pile occasionally rubbed with the fingers. When quite dry the beaver appeared to be still somewhat disturbed, and, in consequence, it was tenderly oombed and coaxed with the fingers to resume its normal as- pect. The oombing process, even under the gentlest conditions results in a slight loss of fur. A ha.t thus treated, however, is rendered quite wearable. DIET AND THE COMPLEXION. I It ;s easily understood why diet should exercise an influence on the complexion as well as the health. Tomatoes and celery aro among the vege- tables that are recommended as purifying for the blood, and consequently good for the complexion, and watercress is also credited with similar vir- tue?. Whether oaten raw or cooked, celery is excellent for the blood, and is said to be a brain- stimulant of great value, and especially nourish- ing when stewed in milk In a raw state it should be eaten slowly, or may prove indigestible. In fact, those of weak digestion may be counselled to avoid the raw article and eat their celery stewed. Another virtue ascribed to the vegetable is that it helps to curo irritability of the nerves; wherefore it is excellent for-those engaged in brain-fagging work. Tomatoes are also a brain food, though less stimulating than celery. On the other hand, they are more easily digested. A ripe tomato, elaten raw before breakfast, is strongly recommended for the benefit of the com- plexion, helping to clear a "muddy" skin by act- ing directly upon the liver, and thus warding off biliousness, which, as everybody knows, is a great beauty-destroyer. Potatoes, delicious as they are, do not seem to act beneficially upon the skin, but they are very nourishing when mashed and beaten up with milk, and in this way are excel- lent food for certain invalids or delicate children. Onions are "healthy" vegetables, and rice, lightly boiled, is one of the simplest and most nourishing of diets. TO REPAIR STRAW MATTING. I The cheapest and- as some consider, the nicest covering for the floor of a bedroom, is Chinese matting, but where there is much traffic it wears out quickly and frays, the loose pieces of straw as they are swept about by skirts giving a most. untidy appearance to the room. The frayed edges should be bound at once with a piece of ribbon, cutting the edge of the matting even and turning it in before binding it, or the sharp points of the straw would soon work through the ribbon. When the reparation needs to be done in a hurry, the neatest way is to lay a strip of felt or ribbon over the jagged edge of the mat- ting and fix it with hammer and tacks to the lfoor. The wear of bedroom matting can be much saved by the help of small rugs laid before the dressing table and wash-stand. SCOTCH TEA CAKES. I From Scotland, "the land o' cakes I have re- ceived the following recipe for tea-cakes, and can vouch for its success. The ingredients are: Half-a-pound of flour, two tablespoonfuls of sugar, three ounces of butter, one OURce of lard, half-a- teaspoonful of baking powder, and enough car- bonate of soda to fill a saltspoon. Mix the butter, lard, flour and sugar together; put the soda and baking powder into a teacupful of water, and then mix all ingredients together. Knead the dough, put it into a flat tin dish, and bake it in a moderate oven for half-an-hour. A few currants are reckoned an improvement, and if these are used they should 00 added, of course, to the flour, before it is mixed with the butter.

HOCKEY. CHESTER 2ND v. CREWE TOWN. These teams met on Saturday on the Roodee. Play was very even in the first half. H. Gibson opened the score for the visitors. The Chester forwards were below form and should have scored on several occasions. The interval arrived with tho score 1-0 in favour of Crewe. The second half of the game was played in semi-darkness. J. Lyon scored the second goal for Crewe, and the game ended in a victory for them by two goals to nothing. The slippery state of the ground militated against the home team who were much lighter than their opponents The teams were, Chester P. Davies, goal J-I Davies and .Jones, backs Clegg, Henshail and Billington, half-backs Williams, Evans, Sykes, Parry and Ewing, forwards. Crewe Town F. R. Harrington, goal A. Stephens and W. G. McMurrie, backs; G. Gibson, J. Jones and W. Bailey, half-backs R. Thompson, J. Lyon, C. F. Price, H. Gibson and J. Thomas, forwards. THE TEST MATCHES-A correspondent re- cently wrote to the Marquis of Granby, president of the Board of Control for the Test matches be- tween England and Australia, asking if the ques- tion as to whether thre-o days will be sufficient for finishing tho garru-s had roce-ived cons. deration. The Marquis wrote as follows: ''In reply to your lettor, I have to tell you that the question of tho number of days which should be given for oaoh Australian Test match has been thoroughly discussed both by the Counties' Association and the M.C.C. Committee and for many reasons the present arrangements were unanimously decided on, viz., thiee days for all Test matches, except tho last one, which, if necessary to decide the rubber, is to be played out. I fear, therefore, that the subject cannot bo reoponed as regards 1905 oricket."

0- CREWE RAILWAY WORKS.—Orders have been received in the London and North-Western Railway Works. at Crewe. for 10 new engines of the Percursor class. These are noted for their great speed with heavy loads. The whole of th3 employes of the great engineering workshops at Crewe, about 10,000 in number, are still onshrrt time, and there do not appear signs of my immediate improvement. RHYL GHOST STORIES.—For the last three days strange stories about a ghost have beea cir- culated in Rhyl. The ghost, which takes the shape of an old woman, is said to occupy the top step of a stile near the Pendyffryn-road, but at the approach of human beings it runs shrieking and moaning across the fields. A resident of the Vale-road district alleges that late on Thursday night he was fortunate enough to obtain a closer vi&w of the, "speerit" than has been vouchsafed to other mortals, and he affirms that she" leaped a hedge at his approach, and rart away in a manner that convinced him that "sb e" is a man. An engine- driver on night duty at Rhyl Station says he saw her in the coal yarr I at the station, at a quarter to one on Friday morxiing. A lad employed by a newsagent declares that "she" threw a stone which struck him or. the ankle as he was walking home along the roa/j.

EPPS'S "By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition., and by a careful application of the fine properties of well selected Cocoa, Messrs. JAMES EPPS and Co. have provided for our breakfast and supper a delicately-flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills. It is by the judicious use of such articles of diet that a constitution may be gradually built up until strong enough to resist every tendency to disease. We may escape many a fatal shaft by keeping ourselves well fortified with pure blood and a properly nourished frame.The Ciuil Strvice Gazette. ,n C. A 1 -i.ït,¡'

WHAT "THE WORLD" SAYS ——♦- It is understood that the late Mr. Duff Assheton- Smith has left his daughter (a young lady of 15) a very large yearly income, but that the bulk of his fortune passes to Mr. Charles Duff whose son, Captain Robin Duff, married Lady De Grey's. daughter, Lady Juliet Lowther, rather more than a year ago. Captain Duff will, it is stated, suc- ceed at onoo to a comfortable income, and he will, of oourse, ultimately possess the larg-a fortune just. left to his father. The late Mr. Duff Asshet-cn- Smith had no son. Assuming that our cavalry may yet be called upon to charge sword in hand, a contingency, by the way, that is far less improbable than some people seem disposed to admit, it is clear that the rifle must be carried in such a manner that it shall not interfere with swordsmanship. The method invented by Col. Patterson, D.S.O., may or may not be the best that can be devised, but at all events it has satisfied Lord Kitchener, who has adopted it for the Indian cavalry. Meanwhile the British cavalry remains altogether unpro- vided. Why is this? A great virtue of the Patter- son equipment is that it interferes in no way with the play of the sword-arm, and yet protects the soldier's back in a mounted combat; while. if the horse is shot or otherwise brings its rider to the ground, the rifle goes with the latter, who there- fore is not left defenoeless. I underhand that a. very distinguished cavalry officer, who dislikes dis- mounted training, is opposed to the cavalry re- oeiving any sensible up-to-date equipment.