n :r— mvr on Mom? RX JESSE LEETE. i > . “And you were also in ignorance, I suppose, Mr. Hartley, that. that ward is one of the richest heiresses in Eng- land?” The tone ‘was markedly cold and sig- nificant. On the point of honor Cecil was senSitive to a fault, and he had to pause for a moment ere replying, to regain command of his temper. When he spoke there was a quiet dignity in his bearing which well became him. “I<-have only my own unsupported word to olfer in answer to that ques- tion, My Lord, but my word has never yet been doubted. When I asked Miss Thornton to become my wife I knew nothing either of her family or of her. circumstances. It was the knowledge of her personal worth which alone in- duced me to try and win her.” The Lord Chancellor's eyes had not left the visitor’s face for a moment. “And, of course, had you known that you were addressing the only child and sole heiress of Sir Abel Thornton— whose extraordinary success as a. fi- nancier must be well known to you~ you would not have presumed to urge your suit upon that young lady?” Cecil answered quickly and firmly. “Pardon me, My Lord, I cannot as- sent to that proposition. Heiress or no heiress, Miss Thornton is the one woman in the world I desire for my wife, and no external circumstances should have stood between us had she responded to my affection. Naturally, if the propositions had been reversed it would have been pleasanter for my" pride, but it ‘could have made no dif- ference to my regard for her—only, had I known the truth, I should natur- ally have sought Your Lordship’s per- ‘lllisfi’sion before addressing Miss Thorn- ton.” “And supposing that permission re- fused ?" ’ . “Then I must have waited as patient- ly as might be for your ward to attain her majority.” , “Which her father’s will fixes at twenty-four, and the young lady is now barely twenty-one. You would have had to wait some time, Mr. Hartley.” “Not longer, My Lord, than the prize deserves.“ ' There was a short silence. Then the great man spoke again, and his frown was less awful and his voice less sol- emu. “Now, Mr. Hartley, will you be good enough to give me some brief account of your past career, your present posi- tion, and your future prospects? Mind, I hold out no hopes. Still,'for your own sake, I advise you to speak frank- ly.” In as few words as might be Cecil complied with the request. It was an honorable record. His listener heard him in silence, following every word with closest attention, and eying him keenly meanwhile. When the tale was ended, the Lord Chancellor remained for some minutes in silent deliberation. “Come and see me again here, at the same hour, this day week, Mr. Hart- ley,” he said at last. “You have at least made it clear to me that you are not an adventurer, and that you acted in good faith. I need scarcely warn you not to attempt any communication with Miss-Thornton, who is not only a ward of my court, but also the daughter of my oldest and dearest per- sonal friend. Her happiness is as much my care as that of my own /daughters. Possess your soul in pa- tience yet a little longer. And now, goodby.” VIII. A week had passed by, a week so full of hopes and fears that it seemed a year, and again Cecil Hartley stood ~ in the presence of the first lawyer in ihe land. The whirl of conflicting emo- lions through which he had passed had rnded in the calm that follows a storm. and now his steady, self-pos— sessed bearing was all that the most phlegmatic of Englishmen could de- iaire. Whatever the gift Fate had in rtore—golden apple or coals of fire— .lie would take it with unshrinking hand. And so Fate, seeing she was power- less to frighten, smiled graciously up on him once again. His Lordship’s lirst words put heart of grace into him immediately, so cordial and kindly were the tones of that sometimes aw- ful voice. “Well, Mr. Hartley, have you come l’o-day to tell me that, after mature re- flection, you wish to withdraw that rash proposal to which you unfortu- nately committed yourself last J une?” His Lordship’s piercing eyes twink- FEd as he spoke, quite like those of an trdinary mortal. “Because it is perfectly obvious that you cannot in common fairness be held bound by an Oder made under such i; misunderstanding as yours seems to Save been, according to what, I can- ;ather from the lady's somewhat con- iuscd account. It is one thing to as- eume the charge of an insignificant wanderer. with an unfortunate family t story. and quite another to undertake He management of a spoilt young heir~ sss and her estates. What do you say, Mr. Hartley?" Cecil laughed aloud in the gladness of his heart. . . “1 say, My Lord, that had the mat- ter been left to my own choice, I should certainly have preferred the in- significant wanderer. But, the Fates having willed that I should bestow my heart blindfolded, it is not for me to questioner reverse their decision”. “So you won’t accept a friendly ' warning? Well, well, if you will have your own way you must put up with the consequences. Excuse me a mo- ment. Mr. Harder”-.- - . , - “With a step almost boyish in its quick, light energy, the I lord Chancel- lor left the room. Before Cecil had re- covered from the surprise of this inter- ruption he heard a rustle of silken garments behind him. He rose to his feet and turned sharply. With rose cheeks and softly smiling lips Grace Thornton stood motionless in the mid- dle of tlie’room. The heavy silken cur- tain hiding the door by which she had l entered was still swaying slowly into its accustomed folds. Cecil sprang eagerly toward her. She did not stir, and something in the gen» tle submissiveness of her attitude put sudden daring into his heart. He drew her quickly to him and laid a lover‘s kiss upon her lips. Laughing, blushing and frowning. all in a moment, Grace disengaged her- self as soon as might be. “Still rash and impetuous as ever! How could you dare to take things for granted in such a fashion?” For immediate answer the culprit took her hand and placed her beside him on a comfortable divan. Then he answered, with 'at least an outward show of due penitence: “It was abominable of me! Don’t ask how I dared do it, for I don’t know myself. You just took me so by- surprise—and you looked so sweet—I —I couldn’t help it!” Miss Thornton laughed. “And yet you expect me to hand Over myself and all my future life to the, care of such a—such a creature of im- pulse!” > “So long as the impulses are so en- tirely praiseworthy, what matter?” “You are not afraid,pthen,” she said, softly, after a long, sweet silence. “of the responsibility of all that horrid money? I used to think of it as a great wall of gold, shutting me out from every hope of ever being loved for my- self alone.” ' “Was that why you kept me in ig- norance so long? And let me blunder as I did ?" “Yes. If only you knew how many a mortification my money had brought upon me before I resolved to fly from it all a little while with Aunt Annie! Of course, I am still a minor; but my allowance is a very large one, and every form of fortune-hunter, male and female, seemed already to have marked me down as lawful prey. Again and again I hoped that I had won a little disinterested afiection; but something always came to open my eyes!” “Eyes so sweet and true! They might well have won a world of love had you been a beggar-maid!” “Flattering King Cophetua! Well, I was heart-sick of it all. I got my guardian’s leave to travel for six months with Mrs. Armytage. You know the rest. \Ve left our maids at home—~bought the plainest clothes we could find—and went forth in search of a little peace. It was lovely to go just where we pleased, and do just as we liked, for once l” “And how could you feel sure that I had not penetrated your artful dis- guise? How came you to trust me more than others?” Miss Thornton hesitated. “I don’t quite know—perhaps it was instinct. Or perhaps it was just—your honest eyes!” She drooped her own for a moment, then looked up laugh- ing again. “And, besides, you know— from the very first day you contra- dicted and corrected me as I had never been contradicted and corrected in my life!” Cecil looked at her in bewilderment. “I? Contradict and correct you? 1” “Of course you did. A hundred times!” “Tell me one! I can’t believe it!” “Well, didn’t you tell me that my ' Italian ‘had a decidedly British flavor,’ when I asked you about my accent?" “0h! “'ell, you know, you really did speak Italian very badly then!” “Of course 1 did; but no one else ever told me so. Then there was my favorite hat—how you reviled it!” "And wasn’t it an absurd headgear to wear on board ship in a stiff breeze?” ' . “No doubt it was. But no man had ever before found fault with a hat of mine. If I had worn a coal-scuttle they would have vowed it was charm- ing.” . “You must have thought me a per- fect bear!” . “Not at all. It was infinitely refresh- ing to be treated as a reasonable hu- man being, instead of as the heiress to so many thousands a year. But it made me more and more careful not to destro the charm by giving you any clew. which might have identified me. Fortunately, my name alone is not so uncommon as to attract attention.” “And you let me fancy you”— “ ‘Under a cloud!’ But I did not know that till—till that day at Alas~ sio.” Amusement and shyness were struggling for possession of her'rosy face. “It was too comical an idea! I didn’t laugh, because you were so much in earnest. and I was too—too happy! Andthen you are rash and impetuous—you know it! And I wanted to make sure that a few months' absence would not make you forget me, And then there were my guardians”— Just then a door handle rattled omi- nously. .. “So, Mr. Hartley, in spite. of my ex- press injunction, I find you again in communication with my ward! How are you going to purge yourself, sir, of this contempt of court?” “My Lord, this, my fair temptation, is also my justification. Will you not relieve your court of an onerous charge by giving her into my safe keeping? So far as human love and care can make her happy, she shall be happy.” “So half-aiscore of others have told \ THE nvnnind a“; we already!” said'Hls Lordship grim,- i;.-, “What claim can you advance to prize; Mr. Hartley, that they could “.01: as plausiblbering forward-‘2” ‘ . "That question, My Lord, the lady Wan better' answer for me than I for .nyself.” 1' Cecil took his ‘sweetheart’s unresist- ing hand and led her to where her guardian sat. There he released her. and stepped back a pace or two. .1. brave, blushing beauty illlil‘uiiiz’litiii Grace Thornton’s delicate face as sh;- held out both her hands to him again and drew her suitor forward. “He loved me for myself alone." she said, with a little il‘t’ililil‘.‘ in her usual- ly clear tones. She could say no more. but it sufficed—The Argosy. [THE END] A DUTCHESS’ ROMANCE. Renounced Her Birthright to lVIarry the him: of Her Choice. The most striking figure in the So- cialist. Congress in Breslau, was a tall' woman about forty years old, wear- ing a black silk skirt, a fiery red silk blouse and a huntress’s hat. She was in attendance daily, and watched the debates with the eagerness of a zeal- ous partisan. She has a curious and interesting history. She was born Duchess of Wurtemberg, and christ— ened Pauline Mathilde Ida, and is a sister of Duke William, of Win-tem- berg, a near successor to the throne. in 1880 a member of the royal family of Wurtemberg was taken seriously ill at Carlsruh, and Professor Bieriner, of Berlin, was summoned to attend the patient. Professor Biermer transferred the case to his assistant, Dr. W'illim. The young and handsome Duchess Pauline fell violently in love with Dr. \Villim while he was attending the sick man, and insisted on marrying him. Prolonged family opposition ensued, which ended in her relativ’es giving their assent. finding they could not overcome the determination of the Duchess to become the doctor’s wife. Pauline thereupon resigned all her dy- nastic rights and titles, and by royal decree assumed the name of You Kirchlach, under which she married Dr. “'illim. The clergyman while per- forming the marriage ceremony was indiscreet enough to venture a remark on the difierence of the social posi- tions of the bride and, bridegroom, whereupon the bride interrupted him and declared that she did not share the views expressed by the minister. On the contrary, she said, she looked up to her husband, whose social stand- ing she regarded as equal to her own. Dr. Willim settled in Breslau, Where he practises his profession. His wife is‘ noted for her benevolence, and spends the greater part of the income from her handsome fortune in reliev- ing the sick poor. Of late years she has been an ardgnt Socialist. THE CROWN PRINCE OF GERMANY. A Pretty Story of 3. Recent Graceful Act of the Young Lad. Among the numerous guests at Schaffhausen Hotel were two remark- ably intelli'gent and well-behaved lads about twelve and thirteen yearsrold, with their tutor, who seemed delighted with the grandeur of the waterfalls and the beauties of the surrounding country. On the morning of their de- parture. for Constanz the elder of the two boys asked his tutor whethervhe might be permitted to himself give the usual gratuity to the nice-looking young woman who, in her picturesque national costume, had waited upon them, and the request was granted. The young waitress thanked him very politely, and told him, with a shake of her pretty head, that she could not accept it. But the lad was not to be beaten so easily; he took his younger brother quickly on one side, and after a consultation they went out to a small bazaar in the park, and a few minutes later the elder brother called for the waitress and handed her a beautiful gold brooch, saying: “This is not money, and you must take it from me.” The young daughter of the house, for such she was, gratefully ac- cepted the present, and some day, when the donor wears the German im- perial crown, she will perhaps show it proudly to her grandchildren as a sou- venir of their Emperor’s childhood.— 1\Voman. Fir . American News Boat. ‘ Dou‘btless few know that the New York Journal of Commerce originated what is popularly known as\a news- paper extra. When this occurred times were troublesome in Europe, and the great revolhtion of 1830 was approach- ing. Naturally America was anxious for early news, and all the newspapers of New York equipped small boats that cruised about the harbor, waylay- ing the large packet vessels arriving from abroad to get the tidings. The Journal of Commei'ceeconceived the plan of sending out a. small schodn- er to intercept the packets two or three days ahead of their arrival. The ' originators of the plan were laughed at, and told that it would in the end ruin them. Results preved otherwise, however, and when the semaphoric telegraph announced their schooner in the offing, and later, coming up the bay, the crowd would gather around the office of the paper. They had to wait'until the extra evening edition was ready, and then on}; of the part-‘ ners would sometimes read the news aloud to hundreds of citizens, while thousands of copies were sold. This schooner was the first American news- boat of any slze,—R_ound Table. Correctly Informed. . , “Yassir,” said Rastus “da shore was some shootin’ at de club las? night, Mr. Munro. You has not been at all disin- t'ormed. Mistah Washington Bates he shot seven an‘ eleben nine times in pro. cession. Pete Johnson shot out de lights, and I shot ober de fence.’:’—1;1. tlianapolis J ourual.’ 44 Main Street, - The GAZETTE Found dead ! , There is something so shocking about sudden death that the mere mention of it wrenches the nerves of sensitive people. Millions of people pray for deliverance from ‘ it. Every Sunday in evciyEpiscppal church in the world, these words are said : “ From battle, and murder and sudden death, Good Lord, deliver us." Just why sudden death should be shoclb ing, and death after lingering disease easy to bear, would puzzle any one to tell. I'. weald seem that it would be more terriblc to see some loved one wasting away, daily becoming weaker—daily slipping toward a death no less certain because it was slow i! ’ coming. Consumption causes more deaths than heart diseasemmore than cholera— more than yellow fever—more than any other disease the world has ever known. And yet people are careless about it. A man in danger of sudden death from heart dis- ease can avoid the danger simply by keeping quiet and avoiding excitement. Consump- tion goes right on with its deadly work, no matter what the man does or how he con- ducts himself, if he doesn’t take the right medicine to cure it.. Consumption affects the whole body. It is a. blood disease. _It permeates the whole ‘system. It shows in the lungs because the blood goes to;t.he lungs for purification. It carries impurities there to be made pure. If there is too much , impurity, the lungs are over-worked—over- loaded—the impurity stops there. The germs of disease stop there. They develop and multiply and then consumption takes definite form. 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