THE GREAT MOGUL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 271, 14 November 1896, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE GREAT MOGUL.

cr OEOBGE S,ATEBORN'E %

,iw of' Doctor Jack,1 «Captain Tom, 1 '•The Nabob of Singapore, 'Baron / Sam,' etc., etc.

BOOK I.

jCEIM GHOST OF THE PAST.

CHAPTER IX,

gaff FRANCOIS PIERCED ONE BUBBLE. •artMullane set about anything, he never pad half way. The more he though toot this business, the greater grew his 'Joit. PerhaPß even tha 8li £hb °PPoßi' ' \«'had meb with from Francois, urged ,on With some men this is always the Their ambition is stirred bo greater Yfity b y tho en9rgy reeded t0 o'orcomo tticlw in the pabh> jUBt as the prairie I ji fanned into a furious blaze by the wind that endeavours to extinguish

"to the day succeeding his nighb of adtires the American set about carrying LomUes into execution Le tray, he was glad of a chance to ; ome shopping, and leb a little of his "Si wealth melt away. The lucky Mffbo might become Mullane's wife in S. future would never have occasion to Jlpbin wifcfa ™gard to a lack of pinfir as he waß «ceedinßly generous, a strange sensation while "din buying all the comfortable She could find, and having them X at onca to the partly furnished flat had secured in a remarkably fane itMr, with a Krand vievT down the "Tfbink these were intended for his wife ihv-tho thought caused him alternate tainre and pain. He could nob remember Lee and her great staring eyea, with Idark linea under them, without a fealLlcompassion; bub when there flitted lubiß mind a vision of a face thab musb to Miss Chambers, Mullane stored something in a rather explosive 1-something thob mighb have been Itbwr or Chinese, but which ab any rate ronld not bear printing. Hofinished shopping early. The carriage .. tB go just after noon, and take the Llid with her devoted friends, to the ~*home. He intended to call round himitl! j n the evening, and see how they moved their snuggery. !Io sooner had he reached the hotel than I) was confronted by Sir John, who imdiately took him to task for neglecting appointment they had to breakfast to!'Jon! this isn't like you, Mullane, to forgets rendezvous like thab. I waited for jut lone time— began to fear you were ill lißt up a message, and was rather taken ikk to learn you had been out sinc9 the hully honr of seven in the morning. rtil'i come over you man? If yon burn Is candle at both ends, you are doomed to n eirly crave.' m jit John meant ib, too, and seeing him inery serious, of coutbo Mullane had to Klihim of the strange thing thab had '(Bitted on the previous nighb, and which' Id occupied his attention during the entire timing. I The baronet listened attentively. Now jithen he would express his surprise by unfavourite exclamation, bub he made Htamatent until the colonel had explained imhole business, even to reading off a Mthe things he^had purchased for the niieriof those he meant to serve.

I 'Cm you think of anything else, Sir Mb,that I ought to scad round? You in more accustomed to civilised life than ■jfnlf, In China, now, I ehould know .jtilliowto furniih a house so as to please timoib fastidious, bub I have a notion I my have neglected important things here. (5« is the benefit of your domestic upsrience.'

Sir John sighed. 'Well, you see, being a roamer, I've lited in hotels the best part pf my life, far boy, and my advice would hardly ba nimble. You aeem to have covered the Gild remarkably well, and the only fear I km is, that when all these gooda are deliwred at the apartments, your—friends till hare some difficulty in entering them•e'ves, unless they can add the feats »f eymnaßts to their other dramatic qmlitiss.'

'Ob! there's no fear of that, I guess* You don't understand how large the apartment! are. Bub try again, and see if you tw think of anything I may have forgotten.'

Sit John again conned the list, and his Wy face was furrowed with deep Btudy. A'last he broke into a smile.

'1 hive thought of one thing—Dickens "da it immortal, you know,' he cried. 'What in that?' demanded the other, «ihin» out a ready pencil, and eagerly preJ"rin? to make an addendum to the lengthy lilt,

( A warming pan,' triumphantly. A warmiujj-pan ? What tfaa deuce SWI, if you think it a needful article, they 'Mil have it, if we eend to London for the lime.1 ' v

'And you'll be lucky if you get it short f '-we. It ig muc h used in Britain by «'«and old men, and I should think a MJ whose blood had been sapped by con"nption would be glad to have one.' ''I have a dozen sent over,' declared "9 colonel; bub tho wiser Sir John to 80 j n fl uonca i lim that he cub wjNer to a couple. .Since you oan think of nothin? olee, ""'llet that drop. Now, bo frank, and *" me whifc you think of it ?' eaiii the •^""♦Br-M be replaced hia now-hpok "to Pencil. •■• ■ ■■ •. • ~ ..:,., Ha»°v m9an fche whole bußinßeß» ! Pre"

Yea, taken collectively.' oerwuaiy gpsaking, then, I must conQn is one of the moat amazing things I (liste' rUD acroßs du"n« my whole

VuT' * like that- And do you think I T>"«ieright thing?' |~t j ' acton is an honour tio 'your i ijw y d?* r fellow. Perhaps you were «>p«l' Wlße ' n accepting everything as 'Ell' Tli i (dij, • mac Bounds like sceptical Frantat i"'. 1!05 1 b°g that you will nob place ftttar ii- BUBP'C'ouB category. I would d • Well of. m? Allows, and be *«dttda *? again aad aßaiD' than ere r . J- , whole world was rotten, and »<*' m£« rhi 3 price' No doubtJ' in lh»i V llwould have done exactly ''"'kakth &8 an outsidor, lam able to h»v c n o? 8 matter more coolly. Besides, I »poi\ kkft i i honeai Dobaon, or looked ■Cr^hoia fading awky.' lll *'i, if," so w»kh ma this evening— 4vh, y h QUWo"ldcara.' Brent ca lna l mora than pleased, as I feel a am* your ■( t0 meDb fchia lady who b(j; 'Uch rot n »nH W whsn a Kirl» and under '(JonS1?. Co»ditio»B.' 'I onco k *" etlSaKement, then.' Nino p K"°w a pretty acfcreas, whose *. M k«oVh . t Le 8ta Ke wa» Uamille-ahe 7N v ? be S8u °r«ta Carmen,- and PW »-..!!• » South American. She * n^Htv7 Ca? er a «">ng the eprigß of J Tt ÜBih,l Wl "'London»ttnll had hor .^"-andm; u°? fess that L admired her ■Jfo HlSr> have &Hon into her neb, ■a %»l»h t ft Cu Uubby » Russian baron to9*««adi. ° h" father, bub who . "liaoad»-oa h« like rain drops.

Francois.'

I fled from London, and soon laughed ab my passing fancy.' Sir John related this with some little confusion, and the twinkle in his eye declared that he could nob have been very hard hit.

He was nob much of a ladies' man, mosb of hia mature life having been Bpenb in travel ; hia name was honoured among: scientific circles, for he had led expeditions into the Dark Continent, and seen considerable service in all parts of the globe wherever the beloved flat? of hia country floated, in hitherto unknown wilds.

Such men ore the pioneers of civilisation, and names like that of the illustrious Livingstone will ever be ' written high up on the column of fame, in letters as celestial and imperishable as heavea's garniture of store.'

' There is another affair upon which I should like your advice,' resumed Mullano.

' Then fire away, my dear man. Siuce I am to be the father-confessor, you might as well bring all the matters that weigh heavily on your mind beioro me.'

' You remember we made a compact ?' ' Yes ; you mean with regard to—Misa Chambers.' returned the baronet, quickly.

1 Exactly. And now you are wondering what connection sbe had with tbia case ? None whatever—as yet.'

' Bub you mean her to hare ?'

' I am wondering whether I had not better tell her enough of the truth to interest her in my—l cannot bear to call her my wife, without a shudder ; ib is all so strange, yon know—bhisgpoor lady, doomed to an early death. Miss Chambers has a sympathetic heart, and might do much to comfort her.'

Sir John whistled,

1 Mullane, you are honest as truth itself!' * Why, what's wrong now ?'

' Well, nineteen men out of twenby would rather tell these things bo any other living soul than Miaa Chambers, don't you know.' • Why so ?'

• You're dead in love with her.'

1 Granted.'

•And probably this confession of yours will cauie her to only regard you in the light of a friend. Since you have a wife, how can you be otherwise ?'

Mullane looked seriou3, * Under those conditions, you would advise me—'

• To say nothing to Misa Florida.' The colonel laid a hand on his arm, and looked iDto his face with kindling eyes.

• God bless you, Sir John ; you are a noble fellow. Comrades we have been in the past, sharing common dangers, and even now your gonerous nature pushes to the fore.'

'Come, come !' blushing guiltily ; 'I have done nothing to merit such words.'

' Nothing ! You sacrificed yourself in the very advice you gave. If Miss Chambers camo bo regard me only as a friend, your chances in thab direction would be increased, yob you deliberately try to save me. Ah ! Sir John, I hope you and I may ever remain such loyal comrades—the love of Pythias for Damon has rung down the centuries, and will go on forever. Now listen to me. I mean to tell Florida —I moan Miss Chambers—aboub my wife. Perhaps there may be no occasion to relate the whole story; bub, come whab will, I intend to enlist her sympathy for Florence. If the result is in your favour, I shall rejoice to know you have won her, and thab she has secured so rare a prize as the heart of my friend and brother. This is settled now in my mind, so there can be no use arguing the pro and con of it.' ' Since you have determined oa its withouft a favourable word from me, I feel free now to say thabib is the nghb and honourable thing to do. If, later on, you won her heart and hand, tho story would have to be told, and ib might always leave something of a sting.' ' Yes, I felt ib was the right thing to do, and should have bo decided if left bo myself.' , . .. ■ . . : .

11 am decidedly interested in your lionesb old Dobaon, and shall take pleasure in making his acquaintance. So Francois dared to hint at a possible game on the part of the old fellow ? Well, he may not be above ib. $io doubt, he has a chance to line his pockets, and will hold out his hand as long as you fill ib. Remember, lam nob casting the lea?t suspicion upon the poor lady, and you are doing the right thing all round ; only, I would keep Dobsoo at anna' length as much as possible.' At this Mullane laughed good-naturedly.

•Wait until you boo him, then tell me whether he is a crafty schemer or a warmhearted, broken-down actor, given to some habits, of course, that keep him poor.'

•Agreed. I never like to judge a man until I ace hira. It's beastly poor policy, and even then we often blunder.'

So they chatted and smoked. Sir John consulted his watch, and remembered an engagemeat. Ho would have barely time to keep it, and, making aa appointment with the colonel, hurried away. Mullane wondered whab he should do to pass the time. Ha had lunch alone, bub, as he left the dining-room, ran across the banker, who unceremoniously button-holed him. • Was looking for you everywhere, Mullane.'

• Did my man call ?' • Oh. yea ; the first thine this morning V •And you engaged him?' • We soon came to terms.'

• Has he done anything yet? 1

•Done anything? Well, he's ripped the whole case open from A to lzzard, and exposed the inaide working to my astonished gaze. 5 •So soon ? Come ! I'm proud of

• These French detectives boab my time. Our men have so much rigmarole to be gone through with—there is so much red-tape connected with Scotland Yard. Well. I'd be dickering: with them yet over there, while our neighbour, the impulsive Gaul, plunges ip and secures the prize before you recover your breath.' • You "are hardly complimentary to your own countrymen, Mr Chambers. I've known the man from Scooland Yard to unravel very great mysteries from time to time' ♦Granted. But they are very alowabonfc Ife, and some of us Britishers seem to have caught the spirit of enthusiasm and energy that characterises our Yankee cousins across the sea, and we grow re«tle»s under the old order of things. Old fo^yism must coon take a back seat, and Young England will then have a show !' ' Are you satisfied with Francois work, air ?' _ , 1 More than satisfied. By George ! colonel, he has already shown me what a fool I was to believe in that young rascal. 1 Meaning Armand Montclair?' 1 Yeo, the impostor who tried to fasten himself upon me just aa the Old Man of fche Sea did upon Sinbad. Well, he has been discovered in time. I shudder to think what he might have been tempted to do if I had acknowledged him as my son. Perhaps I might even now be in the tomb, and this infernal ecoundrel enjoying my estate by virtue of a forged will, as I believe him capable of anything.' The Strand banker gave evidence of ereat excitement, and ib waa oasy for Mullane feo decide that Francois had already rabtled the dry bonea with considerable effect, though but a few hours on the case.

Vive Francois ! « Now leb me give you an idea of whab he diecoverod for me. I told him bhe facts iufeb aa I related them to you. Ha asked for neveral things—a picture of Madeline as I knew her, specimens of her writing, and also the chirography of this gentlemanly adventurer who so boldly advanced hia claim an my eon. Then he wenb away. Two hours later he came to me with a grin upon his face, and I knew afc once he had succeeded in making a discovery. He laid before me positive proofs that this young man, while bba bod of Madeline, was born

more than a year before I ever knew there was such a creature in existence as the actress. Whab do you think of bhat for cunning, my boy ?—and I came very near falling into the st&re, too.'

'Do you believe he originated the scheme ?'

1 No; Francois has proved to me bhat the mother and son began to arrange matters several years ago. Then Madeline disappeared. It was reported bhab she was lost from the deck of a steamer in the Mediterranean ; bub even Francois hints ab the same theory we advanced—that in come manner, of which we are ignorant, Armand had a hand in the supposed death of his mother. Sho has-forgiven him now, and they appear to ba living the best of friends, gloating upon the possibility of reaping a fortune in blackmailing me. Thank Heaven! 1 am forewarned. Nothing, sir, will so completely arouse a true Briton as the fact that he i« being made tha victim of agave of swindlers; it makes his blood boil. Egad, air ! if I were a younger man, I should be strongly tempted to kick the rascally impostor out the next time be calls". As ib is, I shall expose him, and show him the door.1

I ' I don't quite like hia looks, eir, and would adviae you to be ready to defend yourself at tho time you mention, as there is no telling whab he might nob be tempted to do in his desperation at learning his plot has failed.' • Trust me for thab, Mullane. I have had ono or two litble experiences in my tirna with follows who thought they could rob me with impunity, and ib has taughb me a ioason. It' ho tries anything of thab order rest assured I am ready to call him up with a round turn. And now let me tell you how cleverly Francois went ab hia work and learned those facts. Fortune favoured him, of course, bub ho deserves credit), and I'll see he gebs the cash.'

Mullano was interested ; first, because it was a peculiar a flair ; ngain, through tho fact, that this English banker was tho adopted father of tho woman ho loved ; and last, but nob leaub, because he could admire such clever work as tho sagacious Francoio had brought into the game. When he had heard all, he agreed with Mr Chambers thab Armand Montclair had been clearly proved v fraud of the first) water.

Still Mullane cudgeled his brains in vain trying bo remember where bo had meb this same Montclair, long ago. CHAPTER X. A Master is The Saddle. It was rabher v singular coincidence, and Mullane could not help being fetruck by the manner in which his own life romance, if such it could be called, resembled that of bho Sbrand banker. Both of thorn had wives whom they believed bo be separated from them forever, and in each instance it was an actreaa. Of course, the resemblance censed there. If Mullano had ever been tempted to ] exchange confidences with Mr Chambers, sober second thought caused him to keep his lips sealed. Keally, no good could come of ib, and a great deal of harm might be done. Ho had fully resolved to confide in Miss Chambers; but ib was very essential that the siory should be heard from his lips, and not through a third person. The banker might deem it his duty to put his adopted daughter on her guard ; and how could she continue to respect this man who had posed as a bachelor when all the whilo he had a i wife living ? I

Ib was a momentous subject to the soldier, and he worried his brain as much in theefforb bo decide how he should approach the matter, as during any or his Chinesa campaigns, when advancing upon some forb or redoubt held hy rebel forces.

Having relieved himeoif of Air Chamber?, he wonb out for a saunter along the boulevard. Another notion came, and he secured a, ridißg horse. Mullane was a capital horseman, and made a splendid figuro mounted. Possibly he wag influenced iv hia undertaking by the casual remark Mr Chambera had let fall, to the effect that his daughter, having been deprived of her usuul morning carter by some eneagetnenb, had gone for an afternoon ride, accompanied by the persistent Skyowski.

The remarkable figure which the profoßsor cut when mounted, was a source of amusement to the banker; and yet he knew the Pole was a famous man, and entertained an abundant admiration for hia genius in the lini of music. Ib was a pity Skyowski could not confine himself to that arb in which ho was a master ; as a lover he cut but a sorry figure,

Galloping along, Mullane enjoyed the scene, and nt the came time ho kept his eyes open for tho object of his regard.

The Champs Elysees was a moving panorama. Thousands of vehicles glided this way and that, riders could ba seen, and many pedestrians had come out) to enjoy bhe sight. It was tho Rotten Row of Pairs.

Of course, there were a dozsn dhances to one againab his discovering the lady ; bub Mullane had many a time succeeded whon the odds were much heavier than now, and ho never gave way to despair. An hour later, after he had started to return from the Bais do Boulogne, he allowed hia horse to have his head, in aa far as the rules of the road would permit.

Thua ho overhauled riders and vehicles by the score. Few cared bo dash along in this style, and yob many glances of admiration were casb after the'enldier. Ib is not given to every man to ride like a centaur. As on many a previous occasion, whon hope peemed almost gone, there burst) upon his fortunes the success he aimed for.

His attention was directed to a certain point ahead, where there seemed to be some little commotion. Such things occur upon the boulevards of Parifl, aa in Central Park; some ambitious ridor finds him unable to restrain his horae, «n>l there U a sceno, which not infrequently ends in disaster 'toy the liorsenvm.

As Mullane riruw near, his gaze was bent upon the gathering. Someone »eemod to be giving an exhibition of horsemanship ; but it was apparently of the order of how nob to do ib, since the animal was having all the fun. '

'Can shat be the professor?' Mullane asked himself: and the question waa apeodily answered. Skyowski it was, beyond all doubb— Skyoweki in the greatopfc trouble of hia life.

Ha could subdue any piano or other musical in?trument on earth—he waa a muster there, bub in this caso he proved the veriest tyro. At tho time Mullane came upon the scene, tho professor's ateed seemed possessed with a fiendish desire to scare the wibs out of his rider. Up bo now he had gone alonj* in a decent manner, and no doubb bhe Pole had been congratulating himself on the success of his —to him— daring venture, when, withoub the least warning, tho explosion came. If Skyowski presented an odd spectacle when riding decorously along the drive, fancy whab he looked liko uader such start/ling conditions !

The Parisians must have enjoyed bhe sight quiho as much aa bhey would in later years find amusement in bhe exploits of Buffalo Bill and his Wild West r/dera.

Jusb as the professor would delude himself with the idea that he had subdued the devil in* bia Bteed, and was encouraged to regain an upright position, a fresh Darnxysm would aeize upon the animal. Ib reared upon its hind legs, snorting. Poor Skyowski's only idea of safety wa3 to wildly throw hia arms round the horse's neck and cling with a death grip, while his long legs tried thoir beat to become locked underneath the animal's belly.

Hia groats shock of hair was streaming in the breeze, and his coat-tula flapped like banners in hia rear, for the professor hud not donnsd a riding suit when starting out -with Miss Chambers.

Mullano's first feeling was one of intense amusement. The scene was so utterly ridiculous in the eyes of an accomplished horseman, that he could nob feel for the victim anything but pity and contempt. Those who gathered in a great ring seemed to believe ib was a special feature gob up for their edification. Many of the gentlemen shouted oub advice to the bewildered rider. If the professor had attempted to carry out one-half of the instructions thab were bhrown to him, he would have needed a dozen pair of arms. Then, when the circu3 began again, with all its remarkable accompaniment?, the spectators would be thrown into a paroxysm of laughter, and the sounds only added to bhe alarm of the excited horse. Evidently Skyowski had caught a Tartar when he picked oub this large, sleepy-looking beasb; when thoroughly heated, he was really a berror to one who knew so little of the art of riding.

Mullane wished he was on the brute's back for five minutes, just to tame thab spirit] now riding rough-shod over the tender-foot equestrian. In sweeping his eyes around, he discovered Mrs Chambers -in the crowd. She was somewhat concerned for the professer's neck, and yet th&re times when the ludicrous nature of the case ebriick herwibh irresistible force and compelled her to smilo.

The fun-loving crowd did not take tho matter seriously, although, to the professor it was indeed a most horrible reality. The gentlemen pretended to believe Skyowski was doing his best to conquer the wild beast, and cheered him as ho clung desperately to the excited steed, while his one great longing waa bo get hia feeb again on eoiid ground.

Mullane pushed in closer.

He had conceived an idea thab nothing under, heaven would please him more than to geb astride of thab beast. As to the dangor of such a thing, he had a contempb for it. His hand fairly brembled with eagerness to grasp bhe bridle—which the professor eoemed fco have completely ignored—to bring the curb bit into play, to let the whirling, rearing horse know that a master had gained the saddle.

Thab was his one thoughb. Ho did nob take into consideration the presence of a crowd thab would applaud hia vicbory as only warm hearted Frenchmen could, or the fact thab the woman he loved was there, and musb look admiringly upon any act of daring.

Wore he and the professor alone upon a doaerb, he would have hr»d thabsarno desire to break the fiendish spirit of the animal.

A peculiar freak of fortune seemed to pub ib in his power bo carry out tbia thoughb.

The animal had ceased its gyrations for a moment, and Skyowski raised his head. He looked wildly round. His one thoughb was of escape. Would the animal stand etill long enough for him to dismount?

Ordinarily, one can slip from tho back of a horse in a twinkling, but bhe professor had buried hia feeb as far in bhe stirrups as they could go, and ib was a question of ten seconds for him to dislodge them.

One foob was freed, and he bent over to geb tho other loose. Justs as this was accomplished, and before the man of music could throw a leg over the horee's back, the nnimal reared.

Slcyoweki involuntarily clutched the mane, which he held with the clasp of despair, while his kneea were glued to the animal* sido.

Ib was a ridiculoua picturo,

The horse, failing to dislodge him in one way, started in on another, and began to epin around tho ring thab had been formed by tho crowd, juob aa though ho were a trick mule at a circus.

Suddenly tho beast camo to an abrupt halt, with forelegs spread. Not go the professor. Ho continued going. His body rose in tho air, describing o, parabola, with arms and legs oxtendod, like an enormous human frog, then, with a crash, he landed in a thick bush that, by rare good luck, chunced to border tho drivo.

Tho horse had won, bub was given no time to enjoy hi? victory. Hardly had tho unlucky Polo pone plunging into the shrubbery that would save him from a broken neck or limb when someone appearod on tho back of tho bucking horse, someone who seized tho bridle with a confident hand, and sank the rowels of his spurs into tho aides of tho steaming beast.

Of course ib was Mullr.no,

Tho American eoldier hnd seized upon his opportunity like a final). He had leaped from his own horse, leaving him to tho care of the crowd, and, with a single bound, had gained the seat ho coveted.

Then began a new scone in the drama

The black dovil had a muster now upon his back; the cruel bit cut into hia mouth ; tho spurs prodded his sidos.

If the crowd-had boon amused beforo, ifc became uproarious now, under tho new condition of ntiaira,

The horse speedily recognised tho fact tohab it no longer had a buffoon on its back, bub a man who knew how to make his presence felt. For the space of a fow momenta there was a wild commotion. The baasb brought into play all the tricka learned in a life • time; , but while ib pranced, and bucked, and whirled, kicking up a cloud of dusfc, the figure of Colonel Mullane could be seen in the saddle aB firmly as if welded there. Ho sawed at the bio, and used his spur 3 with a grim determination to quell the devil spirit.. And he succeeded. The horse gave up tho fight. The moubh wr.s already flecked with crimsom foam, and the animal was sweating profusely. Mullane mude it obey hia will, and whs no*' pati-fiod ur.til the beast gave over aU cavorting, and np pea red as rneok and humblo as the veriest cart: pony dravjsriag a load of vegetables fco tho Paris , mark<..'ba. Then he swung himself to the ground. The professor had emerged from tho bushes. He was in rn.'hcr a demoralised condition, hia garmentl) torn, and his face scratched, while hia knees seemed to have a tendency to knock together. Standing there, he had tho grim satisfaction of seeing his horee *o ably subdued by the soldier, whom he recognised. As Mullane jumped to the ground, and led the .animal toward him, tho professor began to look anxious. ' Here's your horse, professor. I bolievo he's had his little fun now, and ynu'l! probably finrl him as gentle a j a kitten.' Skyowski drew back, Ufa hands behind him. Not for all the coin in the Bunk of Franco cou!d he ba induood to mount thnb ctead again. Ho had had an experionco, and was wise enough to know when ho wa* well off. ' A thousand thanks, sir, but Ido not feel well enough to try again. I confess I am no horseman, nnri the savage brufe has given me a shock I shall nob soon cob over.' 6 Bub he is as tame aa an old dray-horse now.' ' Possibly so with you sir, bub, afc any moment he might break out again, and visit his wrath upon me. Thank you ; I shall send him to the stables with a boy. Kindly hitch him to this post. Ah, Mias Chambers, I am s»orry that you have this time seen m<i at a disadvantage, but it is one misforbune. Thi* is nob my forte. At mu«ic lam one master, bub on tho back of a horse one fool. The opportunity of riding in such charming company made me take chances. I am only sorry you rnucb finish the ride unattended,' said "the gallant Pole, who could nob forget hia breeding, even under the mosb discourag ing conditions. • Thab need nob necessarily follow, if Miss Chambers wiU allow me to be hor escort,1 paid the colonel, who had sprung upon tho back of his own horse, and joined them, (To be Continued.)