Cheshire Observer

[PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.] PAYING THE PENALTY By FLORENCE HOPE, Author of "The Trials of Madge Moberley," "Against The Wind," "A Merciless Woman." "The Lords-hip of Love," &c., &a [COPYRIGHT.] I CHAPTER IV. I ONLY GLYN'S BROTHER. I ?. I "Its Mr. Claude come hisself, and 1*110,15 uaoie, got my lady's victoria for you to drive off in, think of that!" cried Lydia, rush- ing back to the little loom wliere Joan was wait- iug. But Fajmjr Bramieigh's niece shewed no surprise; she did not even appear elated by the attention, and calmly allowed Mr. Claude to assist it-r to the carriage. sinking back in the cushions with the air of a lady quite accus- tomed to such luxuries. "la that quite comfortable?" asked the young man. carefully arrartging the opposite seat for her foot to rest upon. "Quite, thank you it is very kind indeed of you, Mr. PE'hiin said Joan. Thcu, as he stepped in beside her: "Oh do not trouble to come too. I shall be all right now." she added I "Plea-s-o let me; dord deprive me of the pleasure. Miss Koppcl," said Claude. "To Hollow Farm, drive caiefully. not too fast, and avoid Stony-laji-f; go round by the road," ho ordered the c04chm.a.n, and they swung off through the wid2- gatos and down the wet road, where little poo's shone in the sun- light and the leafy branches of the tries dropped crystal tears. Joan was naturally ait hor eas?. for Claude Pelhmu was of the set she had been accustomed to. She had been among soldieis all her life, and though her mother was not born and bred a lady. Annie Bramleigh and Captain Keppel's wife were two vastly different women, for the farmer's daughter had been anxious not to nsak a her husband ashamed of her, and had been quick and eager to pick up the tone and manners of those about her, who for Beauty Keppel's sake had been kind in over-looking little faulte and blemishes in his country-bred wife. Joan, however, was like her faiher, had been much with him, and inheriting his good looks, had also inherited many of his qualities and characteristics. She was proud, inclined to be impulsive, and generous, but brooking no familiarity fiom her inferiors and sensitive to the core. "Tell mo about your acquaintance with my brother; fancy you knowing Glyn," said Claude, looking admiringiy down into the charming countenance of his companion. In-stantly the fair face flushed, the eyes wero kfweied, the long lashes touching the damask- tinted cheeks, and there was a alight tremor in Joaxxs voice an she made reply: "We met at one or two danoes, at a picnic, at teas—oh, you know the sort of thing that goes on in Malta. My father's regiment was (Rationed there, and it haa always been my home, until-until now, and last year the tenth Hussars came, and your brother, you know." "He's coming homo m)on-did you know that?" questioned Claude, wondering a little that Glyn had never mentioned this lovely girl in his letters. "Homo Here?" cried Joan, her heart thumping, hammering within her with a wild, mad gladness that for a moment made eve'ry- thing seem to be in a whirl before her eyes. Glyn-GIYrl coming back into her life, and •Don—soon—ah it was too good to be true, too wonderful a thing to happen. "Yc,,s, ho expects to get a short leav^ next month. We are all rather keen to see him again, dear old chap "Rather keen!" What wae ohe? Was she rather keen to look into Giyn's eo clasp his hand—to hear his voice-ah God why should she let her heart beat for him if she had been just a passing fancy, one girl out of many. She had not said good-bye to him; she did not know if he cared or nor "So you think I am like Glyn. Yes, I sup- pose we do resemble each other," she heard Claud saying, "ite'vei the Jess we are very differ- ent. I am a steady, hum drum country squire, while he is an officer in one of the erwok regi- menL,a gay young dog. so old Sir John Graves called him. And you—what do you ihruk of Glyn?" asked Claude carelessly. "He is oertainly like you—yes." replied Joan, turning half-round in the cushions to look up at her companion, "you are about the aame height, but he does not stoop in the slightest; his hair is fairer than yours, his eyes ane bluer, and-and you are different. I see now, though at first "Never mind all that. Which wiU you like best, I wonder? Miss Keppd, I don't want to be envious of Glyn's good fortune." Claude's voice dropped to a whisper of almost tenderness, bringing the ready colour to Joan's cheeks. "Your brother and I aie mere acquaintances —not even friends," she stammered. "I—I erhould hardly know him again," she added with a little stab of bitterness in her memory. "Is that all--then I am glad." was Uan&!o reply, as he leaned a little closer to the girl in her nest of cushions. The whole Mtm'tiQQ was gtely ?wcet to Joan. This man was so like Glyn. yet not Glyn-so kind, with the same caressingly pro- tective maimer that had fascinated her in his brother, the same delightfully aristocratic tone of voice and easy way of speaking, the some- no, not quite the same look in the eyes. No! DO 1 no! for he was not Glyn—only Glyn's brother. The dogs barked loudly as the carriage turned into the yard where the big brown barn with its thatched roof and huge doors stood on the right, and the faimhouse and white wooden gate on the left facing it. There was no drive up to the house door, so the carriage had to stop at the garden gate, and the dogs leaped from their bennela. straining at their chains and barking furiously at the intruders, It was six o'clock, tea time at Hollow Farm when Mr. Bramleigh and his son were- accus- tomed to sit down to a meal of tbick bread and bi» iter. harvest loaves, and toasted Norfolk dumplings swinuning in butter, strong tea that the nervous would have shuddered a4, but that old Judith considered the best of beverages to wet before her master and his son. They had not become alarmed at Joan's ab- sence—indeed, had almost for the moment for- gotten her, and without reflection had seated themselves at the tea. table ready for their meal with the keen appetites of men. who have worked in the open air. But as the farmer lifted the teapot there came the light roll of carriage wheels, and Jim started up to look out of the window that the red glow of suUM6 was ilknninating. "It a one of the Hall carriages, father. What do they want calling here to-day?" he aa.id, drawing in his head. '"Pethaps it's my lady doing littie miss a kindness in making her welcome, and that re- minds me, where is the Jaes?" said the farmer. "Isn't obe in? I saw her last going down the apple tree walk hours ago. Aren't you going out to see who it is from the Hall, father?" "Yes, my lad, I'm goin' replied the old man, rising with a little stiffness from the arm- chair with its cushioned seat tied on with black tape. But as he spoke voices came through the open window, a girfs, sweet, clear and low, aad a man's answering her in a rich, careening tone. "It's the young squire, and—the girl," said Jim, with a scowl on his face," "she's lost no he s lost no time," he muttered angrily. "W- Joan-,our Jamie?" oried the fanner, hurrying out to the door. "Aye, aye, aye; but what's the rneanini o' this? he demanded, drawing his bushy grey eyebrowB together, as he beheld his niece coming along the path with stow, painful step, leaning heavily on the young squire's arm. "It means that Miss Keppol tripped over a rabbit hole in the wood. I happened to be at the tower gossiping with Gypsy Jane, and so was abl-o to get a carriage to bring your niece home, Mr. Bramleigit," said Claude. "What, is she hurt, poor laasfe?" replied the farmer, With solicitude. "Only a slight sprain, unole, in a day or two it will be all right, I am sum; but it aches now, and I suppose 1 shall have to keep my foot up for a little time, said Joan, as she Unpad painfully into the wide. stone box, the walk of which were hung with guns of all descriptions, and other implements. "Let me help you into the sitting-room, where there is a sofa," said Claude, putting an arm round her slander figure. In the shadow of the doorway stood Jim Bramleigh. looking at them both, the fair aris- tooratic young squire and Joan, his cousin, whose touch had thrilled him so oddly, and something like joalousy stirred in his heart. Joan's eyes were lifted to the dark figure on the threshhokl, and at that moment the words of Gyps-y Jane flashed to her mind. "Beware of the dark man, the main with the evil eyes: he'll bring you nothing but gri-ef-riotbing but haini-- beware t" CHAPTER V. A TRUCE. Joaji was a fearless girl, save for her weak terror of thunderstorms, amd for the first time in her life she felt the same nervousness, that amounted to fear, of Jim Bramleigh. Those fierce, dark eyes under their thick, hairy brows that glowered at her and her companion as they paused on the threshold made her s hiver and think of those prophetic words of the old gypsy's that became a sort of haunting horror to her sensitive fancy. "Halloa, Brainleigh, I've broulght Mu« Kep pel back. She has sprained her ankle, you see. There's a sofa in there, isn't there, for her to rest on?" said Claude Pelhaan, in his easy way. "A •■xjfa? Yes, for a wonder we have that luxury, though I doubt if there is a cushion on it," replied Jim, standing ad do for them to pass into the room. "Oh, we've plenty of cushions; just fetch them from the carriage, there's a good fellow," said Pel ham, without a glance up into the dark face of the surly young fanner. "Fctoo and e-arry for him. Not if 1 know it," said Jim to himself, and going out into the hall called to old Judith. "Mbos Joan has hurt her foot and has to lie on the sofa. Just fetch amne- culhiotic, from the hall carriage that's at the gate," he said. "Fetch oumi-Licawt And why must I be called from my work to wait on a strong young lass Why don't you fetch 'em yourself, Master Jim ?, said the old woman, pulling down her sleeve9 ove-r her rough red arms. "Because I don't choose. Do as I tell you!" ordered the young master angrily. The sofa, was narrow and hard and of harae-hair material, slippery and uneasy. There were splits where the fibrous stuff peeped through, and a stiff bolster for the head to rest upon. "Not very wnfortablc, I am afraid," re- marked Claude, with a rueful gliwioo at Joan's face. "The cushions will make it better. Thank you so much for offering them. Dh, dear, what shall 1 do lying up here all day?" said the girl, feeling an intense pity for her- aelf. "My sister inust come and see you, and I'll oome too, if I may. Will you let me?" answered Claude, that eager look in his eyes that reminded Joan more than anything else about him of Glyn, h.i6 brother. "Of course, 1 shall be very glad to see any- one in my loneliness," she replied. "That does not sound very CK)-Mplimentary- anyone. Ah, here are the cushions at last. Thank you, Jemima," as the old woman banged them down at the foot of the sofa, almost upon Joan's bad ankle. "Take care. What are you dong?" said Clauds, sharply. "My name ain't Jemima, as you ought to know by now, Mr. Claude," saAd the servant as she turned to go. "Isn't it? I'm sorry. I declare if it hasn't slipped my memory; but Jemima's a very good name. What is the matter with it?" answered Pel ham, But the door had dosed behind the peppery old dame, who bustled back to her kitchen more than ever aggrieved at the coming of Joan. Then Mr. Bramleigh returned after having refreshed the coachman with a draught of h's homebrewed beer, and coming to Joan's side was full of amxious enquiries. "I'll tell you whaX, Mr. Bramleigh. I'll go round by the village and send up Winston. He'd better have a look at Miss Koppel's ankle and give his advice. Gypsy Jane is all very ewe]), but she is not a certificated doctor," said Claude as he rose to leave. "Thank you, Mr. Claude, thank you, air. I'd be much obliged, and I'm sure my niece and myself arc most grateful for all the trouble you've taken, and sorry to have to put you out, sir," said the fairmer, apologetically. "Not at all, Bramleigh, and remember, please, that anything we can do for MOSB Keppel we shall be only too pleased to do. I'll be off then to see Winston. Good day," said Claude, heartily g-rasping the farmer's hand. Then he turned to Joan and took the liittie white hand in his clasp, linger ing over the procure he gave it. "Gocd-bye—no, not bood-bye, only au re- voir. I shai.1 oall to-morrow, and hope to find you in lees pain. Shte smiled her thanks arid watched him from the room wishing that he had not to leave her to the companionship of her cousin, who entered at another door leading into the back premises aa Pelham left by the other. "So you've oooti struck up with the young eqire?" sa.id Jim with his haixte thrust deep into his trousers pockets. "Yes, through an accident, he has been very kind, I don't know what I should have done without his assistaroe," replied Joan, trying to alter the position of a cushion at her back tbat had slipped down too low; in moving it she let it tumble on to the floor. Of course Jim had to pick it up and handed it to her awkwardly. "Put it behind my shoulders, wall you?" sard Joan, who was accustomed to b-el n g w-mited on. The young man's face reddened, his clumsy hands fumbled all: the cushion and trembled as they inadvertently touched the nape of his cousin's neck, but once again came that odd thrill that, was so new and so strangely delicious, making the blood rush to his head amd giving him a wild, ewtft longing, a rap- turous desire. "Thank you, that will do," said Joan, aha-inking from the accidental touch of bboee coarse, brown hands. Jim stood staring down on her, noticing the delicate curves of her body, her fine, Vernier Iimi*, her little white hands, her arched throat and soft pink and white akin, and the veil of dark laahes that swept her cheeks She was some- thiing so different, so vastly different, from any other girls with whom he had come in contact, and tbexugh he did not want her there under his roof, she fascinated his senses, stirred them 8B they had never been stirred before, and made has pulses throb tumultously. And Joan was fchnbking thoughts that came rapidly to her brain. "I must mafae friends with this boor: he i is my cousin, I cannot live at enmity with him while I dwell under Wis roof. I muflfc conquer this aversion; we must at least be friendly for the sake of peace." The fringe of her lashes lifted and her lovely eyes ra/sed pleadingly to Jim's that were fixed upon her beauty. Jim," she said in a low gentle voice, "do you hate me very much for coming and ng a bother in your home?" He looked astonished at her words. "Who told you I hated you coming, who's been making mischief?" he demanded roughly. No one, but I can guess, and I'm sorry, Jim, I want you to make the best of a bad job. I am the bad job, please make the best of me," said Joan. "It's not the plam for you here, it's that tirat- bothers me, you are not like us, although you aje a relation, you'll never put up with things you are not used to. Why as soon as I see the young squire dangting aboat you, I knew that he was your sort, not such as mo; that's the bother, do you understand?" said Jim thrusting hi6 hands still deeper down in his pockets and turning his faoe away from Joan to staje mcodily out of the window. "Yes, I understand—quite," said Joan1 softly, "but, Jim, if you are nice to me 1 shall get a to aid that is strange to me hero; won't you try to Uke me and help me a bit?" The girl was in earnest, aha wontad to get over her abeinkmg and fear of thig I fellow with the handsome but repellant face, and the only way to do this, she thought, &nd conquer herself and him, was to use her womanly tact and persuasion, and to charm even boorish Jim Bramletgh. "Try to like you, did you say? Well, 1 don't suppose there'll be much trying needed if you want me to like you. He tinmed round abruptly a.nd dragging out a chair sat down facing her. "How am I to be nice to you? teach me, Joan, and I'll try to learn," he aaid. She laughed pleasantly. "Will you let me? You won't be angry with me if I tell you little things youshoudn't do before a lady; just trifles, do'nt you know, that gentlemen den't do." "But I'm not a gentleman," said Jim. "Oh, but. you can soon learn to be one, at, lezist in manners," replied Joan. "What have I done wrong "Oh, nothing particular, I'll tell you next time you (ail in manners, only promise me not to glare a.nd be disagreeable." "I'll try not to. Look here, Joan, I promise to do my ocost. It's true I didn't want you but now yorve come, well, I don't think I exactly want you to go, do you see ?" "No? That's funny isn't it? Jim, I'm dying for some tea, will you polir me out a cup It was time Joan thought to change the subject; the bear was subdued, she might, after all, be al.,Ip to lead him. Jim lifted the brown earthenware tea-pot and poured some of the dark fluid into a cup. "I don't think I can drink that, it's been standing too long; can't I have fresh made?" a-sked Joan. Fresh te.a.! What on earth would Judith say, thought Jim, looking doubtfully at the poureii-citt tea in the cup. "Oh, then., never mind, give it me; it may not be so bad," cried Joan, but Jim was half- way across the room with the. teapot in his hand. He had resolved to make freeh tea. himself for hits cousin, and not incur the wratii of old Judith. So Joan had conquered. (TJ be continued.)

I ATHLETIC NEWS. CRICKET NOTES. Boughton Hall played their return match against Eaton on Saturday, at Eaton Park. The home side won the toes, and Colonel LLoyd was accompanied by Mountford to the wickets. A bad start was made, Mountford being caught'off a tame stroke in the first over. Owen came in, but soon lost Colonel LLoyd, who was well stumped by Wilson. Captain Holloway soon got going, but after making 31 by good cricket he was stumped off Blencowe. Captain Hunts- man and Kinloch made a stand, Huntsman play- ing a free game. A separation, however, was effected by Kinloch being caught at third man after making 10. Huntsman was last out, being caught in the deep for 47. His innings was a very valuable one to his side, but he had a little luck, aft several of his miss hits just, failed to go to hand. The innings closed for 128. Hack got three wickets for 10 runs, V. Churton tlirek3 for 27, Hales one for 10, and Blencowe three for 56 runs. Boughton liall started with Douglas and V. Churton. With the score at 13 Douglas was caught at 1.110 wicket. Churton was soon after- wards bowled, after getting 13. A stand was made by Hodgkin and Hales, both hitting well, Hodgkin getting a fine drive for 6. With the score at 60 Haios was bowled off his pad for a very useful 18, and soon afterwards Hodgkin was given out lbw, having played well for 18. On Henshall and Wilson becoming associated the stand of the innings was made. Henshall hit brilliantnly, obtaining a niagrnfi- oent 6 to long leg, while Wilson also batted well and confidently. With the score at 126, Hen- shall was well caught at deep mid on for a splendid innings of 36. Dryland, on his arrival, made the winning hit by a straight drive to the boundary, the Eaton total thus being parsed with five wickets in hand. With the match won, the succeeding players began to hit. Wilton was given run out, a doubtful decision, having played a very fine innings of 40. The innings closed for 146. Roberts and Holloway bowled well for Eaton, although the wicket wtM rather too slow for the last bowler. Roberts obtained three wickets for 74 runs, Holloway two for 26, and Hunteman three for 25 runs. St. Mary's gained a. decisive victory over Eaton Park second eleven an Saturday, on the former's ground. The home team batted first, and ran up a score of 60, only two men reach- ing double figurvs H. Scott was dismissed by Lambert for a well-made 14, while Lambert also bowled Burgess, who retired for 13. The Kettomans wore first repieserited by Penson and Laking. wlio mado a bad start, the former be- ing run out for a single, while the latter was given out Lb. w. by Burgess for two. The higbteut was made by Beckett, who was smartly bowled by liurgms after scoring 11 runs. He was followed by J. Edwards, who was run out for soven. At the conclusion the scores had reached only 34, so that St. Mary's won by 26 runs. After a most succosisful season, having won all their matches, Rivertown (Shotton) fell to pieces on the Roodee on Saturday, when they were defeated by the Ceistria team. Winning the toss, the Shottonians bitted first on a fast wicket, but collapsed for 18 runs. Jones bowled well, taking eight. wickets for 11 runs. The Cestrians triumphed by a margin of 15 runs Nock captured four wickets, Hughes throe, and Sheargold two Hughes keeping the best length. A mixture of players of the Frodsham first and second teams brought off a remarkably fine and exciting win on Saturday against Runcorn. The latter labour under the decided disadvantage of not possess ing a ground for practising. The liome team took initial knock on a good wicket, but opened disastrously, Howard losing hift wicket with the score at only two. Pearson and Selby, however, soon made amends, and trounced the bowling to all parts of the field. He was beaten eventually by a good ball from Plant, an old Frodsham player, after con- tributing an invaluable 23. Wood was in rather a quieter mood than usual, but he made 15, the outcome of good cricket. Hutchings played strongly, one drive of his into an adjacent field for 6 being splendid. Ho was not beaten until he had scored 31 runs. Solby and Greening continued titerr aggressive tactics, the former being unfortunate!y out when two runs short of the coveted half oentury. The innings was declared at 173 for eight wickets, Greenin, a second team youth, carrying out his bat for a well-played 29. Runcorn also made a bad start, Hutchingfl clean bowling Draper with a beautiful ball. Abrams and Prescott suffered a similar fate soon afterwards, three wickets being down for a elozen. Baxter, another old Frodsham player, came to the rescue, and with fine cricket caused a change in the attack. He was the principal factor in raising the score to 43 ere he was bowled for a meritorious 31, the top score of his side With only ten minutes to play, eight wickets were down, and the excite- ment ran high. The visitors played the block- ing game, but Hutchings got Cunningham caught, while ho clean bowled Hill, the game being won just on time. The Runcorn total waa 67, Frodsham winning handsomely by 106 runs. Hutchings had the fine analysis of seven wickets for 17 runs. An exciting game footpace between Comber- mere and Cholmondeley on Saturday on the ground of the former. The visitors were vic- torious by the narrow margin of two runs. Cholmondeley won the toes and batted first. They scored 57 runs, T. Lanceley being the principal scorer with a well-played 23. A. Nield bowled splendidly for the home team, taking eight wickets for 21 runs. Combermere at one time appeared to have a very distinct advantage, as they had scored 52 and had three wickets in hand. They all fell, however, at 55. Coffin, as usual, was in great form, capturing five wickets for 13 runs, while C. W. Dodd took five for 19 runs. The fielding of the visitors was good, the catches dismissing Nield and Severn being par- ticularly fine. Neston was defeated at Aigburth on Saturday. Neston ventured first, and made a rather poor start. Kirby and McNeil faced the bowling of Pearson and Clare, but the score had only reached six when the former was dismissed. Houghton followed in, and contributed a useful 15. F. C. Roberts hit out in characteristic style, and was good for 24, and T. C. Roberlti carried the total to 68. The next four wickets fell for the addition of only four more runs. J. H. Gilling compiled 37 (top score) his hits included five 4'6 three 3'a, and two 2's. Clare was the most successful of the bowlers, securing six wickets. Aigburth started with Johnson and Cottier. The latter hit out in his usual brisk manner, and had made 12 when Kirby beat him. Miller joined Johnson, both batsmen hitting out freely; between them they carried the score to 46, when the former was clean bowled by Vosper. The board shewed 75 when Johnson retired. He had played well for his innings of 30, inclusive of one six hit. Harrison was responsible for 17 runs. Brock and Pearson were the other two men to reach double figures. The latter retired at 132. The ninth wicket saw the score unchanged. Of the trundlers, Houghton secured four wickets for 13 runs. Northop received a visit from Penbedw on Saturday. Penbedw won the toss and batted first, sending in J. A. Main and W. C. Hughes to face the bowling of J. Banks and F. Jones. The firat. wicket fell for 11 runs, and very shortly afterwards W. C. Hughes was bowled by J. Bankes. The next five wickets raised the score to 32, and the team was dismissed for a total of 34. There were no extras. For the Northop team J. Bankes took four wickets for 17 runs, and Fred Jones five for 17 rune. None of the Penbedw team reached double figures, the two highest scorers being W. C. Hughew and J. A. Main, who made 6 and 8 respectively. Northop sent in C. Lewis Jones and H. Rob- son, Priichard and Davies beginning the bowling for. In the first over Robean was eba- nassed by IVifecboiri, the first wicket falling with- out a run being added. The next three wickets were down for OIÙJ: 11 rung. R., W B&uko% however, improved the aspect of the game, but after sooie very pretty cricket he was dismissed by PritchareL The next four wickets brought the total to 41. The most exciting part of the game was the stand or the tenth wicket. Astbury and J. Davies raised the score to 53. For the Penbedw team Pritchard bowled very well, taking seven wickets, and Davies two wickete. Buckley undertook their longest journey from home on Saturday, when they paid their first visit to the Rainhill Asylum team. Leaving Buckley Junction at 11.35 a.m., it was just two o'clock when the party arrived at Rainhill, but after the long and trying journey they were amply repayed, as the ground was undoubtedly the finest the Buckley men have ever played on, the actual pitch prepared by the groundsman being perfect. Indeed, there are not many county grounds that are kept in better condition. The Buckley captain won the toss, and T. J. Davison and Arthur Peters started. After about two overs had been sent down, rain drove the players to the pavilion. On restarting, Arthur Peters was caught with the score at only 3. Herbert Piercy followed, and he and Davison took the score to 21 before Piercy was caught by Blundell at square leg. J. Lindop soon lost Davison, who was smartly stumped by Wilson. W. S. Lindop and Joe Peters did not trouble the scorers much, their wickets falling at 24 and 31 respectively. J. Lindop and R. M. Giboon added 15 for the sixth wicket, before Lindop was out to a fine catch by Tutt from a very hard out. Gibson left at the same total, being also out to a good catch by Bixter at extra cover. T. Lindop and H. Griffiths added 17 for the eighth wicket before Lindop was bowled. During GriffitJllÙ. partnership with the remaining bats- men he played merry cricket., and carried out his bat for 21 the highest score of his side in a total of 90. Rainhill had about three-ejuartere of an hour in which to get the runs, and Wilson and Bixter started to the bowling of J. Peters and H. Griffiths. No fewer than 18 runs were scored in the first ten minutes, before Wilson was caught- in attempting to hit Griffiths's breaks. Towill followed, but with the total at 26 he was clean bowled by H. Griffiths. A. E. Goodwin followed, and ha and Bixter hit merrily, and took the score to 59 for three before Bixter was clean bowled by Griffiths for a well- played 33, which included three fours. Tutt was bowled by H. Griffiths for a "duck," and Davison, who substituted J. Peters, got Bishop caught by Lamb for a duck; but R. Blundell, who followed, stayed with Goodwin until time was called, when the total was 67 for five wickets. Thus an enjoyable game ended in about an even draw. H. Griffiths got four of the Rainhill wickets at a cost of 31 runs; Davison secured the other one at a cost of 11 runs, and J. Peters had 25 runs knocked off him without securing a wicket. It was unfortunate that rain stopped play for about an hour. To-morrow (Saturday) Buckley play Flint at Boughton Hall in the final for the Chester and District Cricket Cup. The poorest, display ever given 011 the Shot- ton ground was the exhibition by the local re- serves on Saturd&y. when they received the return visit of Halkyn. When the beams met a.t Halkyn, the miners won by 38 to 30 runs. On Saturday the locals were below strength, play- ing with no fewer than five would-be specta.- tors. Winning the toss, Shotton batted first, Taylor and Holden opposing the trundling of R. P. Jones and J. L. Francis. With only nine on the board, Holden was clean bowled, while with only two singles added, Taylor was bowled. At fourteen Oatherail was bowled by FMUKSO. Afterwards them was a continuous procession to and from the pavilion. Three wickets were down for fourteen, and all wero out for 18. This was due to the fine bowiing of R. P. Jones, who captured eight wickets for serven runs. With only 19 to win, Halkyn's task was a light one. The Rev. W. L. Johnson and Wyatt cammenoed the innings, but with four runs soored the former was bowled by one of Taylor's slow breaks. Parry aLao soon de- parted, but the arrival of Francis shattered the remote hopes of Shotton. Roberts, Powell and Wyatt were quickly dismissed, Taylor and Lewis bowling. Geras and Parry offered a bright partnership, the latter scoring ten runs, including a couple of fours. The remaining three wickets were quickly disposed of without any sooring, and the side were thus out after passing the Shotton total by 20 runs. Taylor and Lewis bowled unchanged, the former tak- ing five wiokots for 23, and Lewis four for 12 runs. Tatteuhall, who entertained Whitchurch on Saturday, were in their beat form, and attained their highest score this season for a single innings, viz., 222. Messrs. W. Jones, W. E. Jones and T. Moore were the chief scorers. and W. E. Jones and K. M. Robathan the most suc- cessful bowlers, Jones taking six wickets for 34 runs and Robathan three wickets for 15 runs. For the visitors Messrs. Steele and Brucksliaw held highest scores. Sbotton's visit to Penyffordd attracted great local interest. The wicket was hard and fast- Winning the toss, Barrett set his side to bat. Phillips and Garratt faced the bowling of Dolby and R. Davies. The start waa slow, and later disastrous, an in the fourth over Phillips was bowled by Da-vies when the total scope was five. Two runs later Kcar was caught, while Jones was out likewise in the same over with- out scoring. Atkinson, however, changed the aspect of the game, and was chiefly responsible for 30 runs going up. At 33 another downfall bofel the visitors, for Garmtt was bowled by Skinner for a dooen. With another run added there was a double calamity, Atkinson being bowled for a very useful 18, and Dawson being caught off Davies without scoring. Ttit brought Barrett and Johnson in partnership' and the pair played steadily, raising- the 00 by 14 ere Barrett was taken at the wicket for eight. Popplewell hit merrily for a long time, John- son playing steadier. The partnership yielded 23 runs, when Johnson was stumped. Austin again assisted Popplewell in piling up thø soore, and the ninth partnership yielded another 21 runs, when Popplewell was clean bowled by Davies, after contributing an invaluable 26. Gordon was soon disposed of, and the innings closed for 82 runs. Davies carried off the bowl- ing honours with six wickets for 29 runs. Skin- ner and Bellis opened the home team's ven- ture, to the bowling of Gordon and Austin. For a time the cricket was lifeless. At three BeUis was bowled by Gordon. Hill assisted in adding 19 for the second wick-L-t before being bowled by Gordon. R. Davics and Skinner be- came partners, and oontinued defensive cricket, time arriving with the pair unseparaied In ninety minutes the bome team scored 33 for two wickets. Gordon captured both wiokets at It cost of only three runs eaoh. I FIXTURES. I The following matches will be played on tl- I ground of the first-named club to-day (Satur- day) Denbigh v. Boughton Hall Eaton Park v. Tranmere Wesley St. Mary's v. Penyffordd Hoole v. Boughton Hall 2nd Neston v. Rock Ferry Cholmondeley v. Cbton Barrow v. Ashton Hayes Northwich v. Tarporley

i 'f £ 1.000 STAKED Bn^^lM OF illOOO STAKED ou"r'"   I& M I %pA -M H'-o- u SUNLIGHT. SOAP PURITY. I Insist on a guarantee of purity. Bulk is no proof of value. Any size can be given if the soap is proportionately adulterated with cheap substitutes. SUNLIGHT SOAP is guaranteed pure and of the best and cleanest materials always. I £1,000 will be paid for any adulterant I in its composition. I Dealers are authorised to refund the price to any dissatisfied purchaser. § In Double Tablets, at 3d., 3d., 2;^d. and 2d. LEVER BROTHERS, LIMITED, PORT SUNLIGHT, ENGLAND. j U THE NAME LEVER ON SOAP IS A GUARANTEE OF PURITY AID EXCELLENCE. mn.1 I'm I mwmtjjaustatrfl ualu [Arv Ideal Combiivatioiv of Comfort L Economy. Give eaae and comfort; grace and elasticity to the sten; reduce fatigue an d b keeping the boot heel Jevel, greatly prolong th .? tfe of tne boot. Don't @6 M a jULn take substitutes. Every genuine pad bears the name REDFERN'S" on the face. Sold by all the leading boot retailers and repairers everywhere. Redfern's Rubber Works, Hyde. )   DRIVERS jf}- ft8 ?/? ARE OUT AND OUT THE BEST. II 0 I OTHER GnkcE:s 71?6ES13-4e-4-3f6-.S "SJ I To Dealers or 36, Queen Victoria St.,

[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] FASHION AND THINGS FEMININE. BY MISS IDA MELLER. I • A PRETTY STYLE FOR STRIPED I FLANNEL. One of the changes that fashion brings with it is the use of materials of the commonplace kind, such as flannel and linen, for smart pur- poses; but this has only come to pass with im- provements of texture., flannels being, in their glorified form, suggestive of eoft tweed s, and linens recalling the grain and gloss of poplin. Stripes ruling the world of diess patterns, it is only what might have been expected that dress- fkt.nnels aro wpven with stripcts in various wieLbs and colours, and theso striped flannels will be fashionable throughout the autumn. The flannel suit, whether made with a coat and skirt or blouse-bodice instead of a coat, can be as smart as a cloth costume. Note, for in- stance, the striped flannel dress sketched. It is in two shades of grey. with eroesway bands on the skirt and a becoming bodice, arranged with a box-pleat, decked with buttons down the centre, and pleats on either shoulder, while tho sleeves fall like capes to the elbowe and veil tight-fitting under-sLeeves of flannel. A pretty feature of the bodice is the bib of guipure, frilled with lawn, that trims the front on the upper part. Another type of flannel costume, useful for present and coming-season wear, is made with one of the new s hort coats, built on the lines of a sac and drawn in with pleats at the waist, these being hekl with a strap of flanxbel, which concludes near the fifcmt in scroll shape. A NOVEL BLOUSE. I The silk blouse is a commodity that is as in- dispensable as the tailor-made costume itself, and, according to the way in which it is made, adapts itself to all occasions. Now that Eng- lishwomen am following the example of their Continental sisters, and wearing high-neck blouses for evening functions, the silk bodice of "blouse" character made with a fitted yoke, is rendering valuable service. The high-neck evening blouse is a most convenient fashion to the woman who has few evening engagements, and to whom, therefore, a decollete bodioe is of little use, and would be out of date long before it were worn out. A piretty style for a service- able blouse of light silk, that would suit vari- ous occasions, is suggested in the accompanying illustration, whioh shews a rather novel ar- rangement of strapping. The btoose is of pale blue soft silk, with a round yoke of VtJen- cieonee lace insertion, and cuffs of the suae. Tbe front of the bodice is cut with box-pleats or shaped straps that terminate at the top with mitre points and little buttons of black velvet, the sleeves being arranged in hMmony. The same design lrooks abarming carried out in ivory-coloured silk, with aream or BOBe-coiourpd velvet buttons; while, if essentially for after- noon wear, the blouse may be reoonamiandfed in brown silk, with pale ooffee-oolomed or butter- oploured laoo for the yoke and cuffs. Tbomix- turo of Txtown and "milk5 coffee," or burimt ivory, is always pleasing to the eye, amd faim colour with coffee lace is another rich and de- lightful col our-Wend. I FOR THIN AND STOUT FIGURES. I WMio tl?em ave œrtam im*hem bet*4w snited I to the aUm-or owot, 88 the owe ma? b? it i happens them axe others tha.t, oudouslyenougb., I I suit all types of figures equally wcH, appatently I toning down stoutness and giving roundness to the thin. Such a fashion is the; new folded kimono drapary, as seen on the bodioe sketched, that appears really to be a big fichu, and can be drawn down tightly or loosened at the waisst and produce the effect, of a slight pouch. The vest and oollar are of laoe. Cashmere, fine cloth, or any soft dross mater ial con be effec- tively iiXL-de- up afte-r the fashion illustrated, the corwb-et, skirt and bodice drapery being of similar st.uff. while the sleeves n-tight bo of chiffon to match or of creiam spotted net or laca. The drapery is caught at the waist with au ornament of embroidered cashmere or cloth. A TROUSEAU FOR 1;30. 1 The sum of JB50 for a trousseau would be insufficient to provide all the necessaries for many a g(rl of middle-class station, while on the other hand it would be more than ooukl 00 afforded by many another young bride- elect. The detfcile of expenditure in a £ 30 trousseau may, however, serve as a slight guide to eomo of these about to marry, even if the sum is mere or lees than they intend to spend 011 a wedding outfit. It is sometimes of great help to have a list to work upon, which gt ves the duo as to how to adjust one's own expenses. Here, at any rate, is the list of items pro- vided in a JMO trou-seeau by a Lirl who made many of her aicirt.s a.nd blo'uscs The total, it will be t-ieen, is sliyhiiy under the stated sum. To begin, with tlxi underwear and lingerie. This comprised six nightdresses, six pairs of linen knickerbockers, oiie pair of tweed knickers, six ch^miaee, fouir flannel pet- ticoats, one rroireate petticoat, two white pet- tiooate, three flannel slips, three whi te slip bodices, three pairs of corsets, two dicesing jackets, one stuff underskirt, or pair of knickers, one dressing-gown, twelve pocket handkerchiefs. The entire cost of these items worked out at £ 7. 10s. ThitlS: £ s. d. Four nightdresses at 3s. lid., two at 4#;11(1 1 5 6 Four chemises at 2s lid., two at 3s. lid 0 19 6 Four pairs of linen knickers at 2s. 6d. two at 3s. 6d 0 17 0 Five yards pink flannel 5s. 2 £ d., lace 28. 9d. 0 7 lli Six yards stout flannel at Is. Od. 0 6 3 Three and a half yards cambric 4d., lace Is. Id 0 2 6 One pair tweed kniokers 0 2 6 Moiretto petitiiooat. 0 8 11 Length for stuff underskirt 0 3 11 White petiooat at 6s. lid., ditto at 46. lid 0 11 10 Three spun silk spencere at Is. lid. 0 5 9 Three white camisoles at Is. lid. 0 5 9 One pair of corsots at 6s. 6d, another at 3a. lid., another at 8s. lid 0 19 4 0 5 11 Six pocket handerchiefs at 4 £ d., six 0 5 6 7 8 14 The eeoond part of the trousseau was the I more interesting and resolved itself into the I following iteffm. i; S. d. Freize coat and skirt 3 3 0 Materials for cloth gown 15 0 Three-<quarter cloth ooa.t. 119 Materials for tea-gown 1 0 0 Black satin skirt 1 5 O Black ohiffon, etc., for blouses 10 0 Silk for blouse to freize costume. 0 10 0 Voile drees 1 15 0 Materials for two blQtJ8e6. 0 12 0 Lace and slip for blouse 0 10 0 Material for ffiI.1"9lin drq;s. 0 7 6 Boots amd shoes 1 10 0 Stockings 1 0 0 Gloves 1 0 0 Millinery 1 10 0 Fur, tie and muff 1 1 0 Odds and ends, renovations, etc. 2 10 0 Underwear, etc., first part of trous- seau 7 3 1 28 8 42 This fist would probably require to be largely revolutionised to suit anybody but bhe one who was immediately concerned with it, but still 1 give it for what it is worth, on the chaxtoe- of its proving of service as a sugges- tion merely. "BEAUTY" SLEEP. I "Beauty sleep" is defined as the sleep taken before midnight, and insinuates that an im- portant factor in th > presm-vation of beauty is going early to bed. Constant late hours are undoubted detractors to beauty and are wrinkle-iproduceais, and those who wish to keep young-looking should avoid them. Insomnia is a ruthless despoiler of good looks and bright eyes, and if sleeplessness becomes chromic the health of the individual is bound to suffer. Sound but not too heavy sleep, should make one feel refreshed and better in health. A frequent cause of insomnia. is the custom of staying too much indoors. The stay-at-home liabit is a very insidious one; the longer you give a way to it the lees inclination you have for going out. Not only does it result in in- somnia, but the victim of the staying tin habit is &pt to become depressed and morbid, listless and irritable. Sometimes this keeping in the house is due to natural indolence, but often it soonis to be neocssary an account of pressure of family duties. It should, however, be fought against, and jan hour or two daily taken for out-of-door exercise. Work and ex- citing discussions late in the evening are not infrequently the cause of sleeplessness. The remedy is obvious. late, suppers are also re- sponsible for insomnia, and aire therefore bad for health; but it may be that going hungry to bed is just a& potent in keeping away sleep .which is sometimes wooed by such simple refreshment as a glass of hot milk and a dry biscuit. EGGS "OOLBERT." I The following is a nice way of serving eMs: I'lake tlb. of glaze, and as it melts slowly ov^r ihe fire in an enamelled saucepan, add ilb. of good butter in pieces the size of a nut. When this is quite smooth, stir in the juioe of half a lemon and & little salt. Place the saucepan on the side of the, stove for thie contents to remain hot; them out out some pieces of bread with a small fancy cutter and fry them a light brown. Poach some og-gs carefully, so that the yokes are Wt in nice roujndB, anid having drained thlem and out round the whites with a outter (slightly smaller than that used for the bread) put them on the pieces of fried bread, and ion the centre of the yolk of each egg place a littie finely- chopped parsley and pour the previously made sa.l.im round the whole. The quantity of sauce given is sufficient for four eggs.