THE CAPTAIN'S CRIME.

North Otago Times, 23 July 1903, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE CAPTAIN'S CRIME.

By WILL PAYNE.

• Bathed in all the golden glory of a setting sun, stood the fine old collegiate church of St, Mary near tho centre of tho ancient town of Carlford. ,

The site of this noble edifice has probably been occupied by buildings devoted to-the purposes of religion for, upwards of a thousand years, ■' although tho magnificent structure of to-day with its. groined niches arid lofty pinnaclca no doubt presents a very different appoarance to that temple of worship which stood on the spot during the timo of the Conqueror and in tho Doomsday Boot. To ono who gtuod upon the pilo its hoary age and quiet grandeur brought memories of the .past—thoughts of what might hare been—joys, sins, follies, and the shortness of life, He was a tall square-shouldered well-built man of some fifty years of age or there-' nbouts, with a head as while as snow and a face tanned by a long expposure to the lieice sups of India, His whole dress and bearing uggetted that he had received the training of a soldier;

Passing under the massive arch he pushed aside tho oaken door,' removing his hat as he did so, and entered the building. Tho view from the centre aisle was solemn /indeed, and the beauty- of the building was calculated to impress'' the beholder with the feeling that" this 'huriono other than the House of God,' 1 '! '.'^' :

■'.''.' On the left was a recently erected monument in memory ofa local poet, contrasting very strongly with a sixteenth 1 century erection on which was inscribed.tho manifold virtues of a certain Thomas and Joan his wife, with ao.appeal io 'thosecharitably die; posed to pray for their souk A little furthdr in slept Bovcral of. the noble Eirlsarrant rogues most of them seem to have been, if one-half we' read be' true-who formerly governed the town,

V.f he stranger strode, past these, hdvwer, to where, in the transept, tho batterod old colourß of a regiment hung, Colours torn to shreds by many a withering hail of bullets, blackened by the umokn ot many a cannonade. Colours that had gladdened the. soul of many a young recruitr-had roused the blood of the regiment to many a maddened charge. ; and cheered the dying. eyes", of. not a few of those who fell beneath their flaunting wave. From these shatteredremnanU of glorious' fields tho visitor turned his attention to a row of brass tablets immediately underneath, on which were inscribed the names of officers .who had served in tbi/corpa to which the colours belonged. Aloud he aolildquised;- " Ah, poor Scott! ho: wm a gonial soul! And Campbell, too, has ho gone? Penniugton? Pennington? : Oh, yes! 'He was a second battalion man—l never met him, I think—but what is this.? tiaadon! Tom Landon. Tom! 1b he dead," . .'

.".pit,yes, sir, ho'» dead, anre enough;is Captain London, and a very »a(j end it was." ;It was the commissionaire in charge of tho place who spoke. He had noticed tho stranger's entry and followed him up the aishv ;v !.::■■-::■•■ ;'.-„'•:' . •;:!■■! ." You knew him then, did you, at tho lime of hia death," replied the visitor la a voice touchedyjlth emotion; "Tell me!how did hedi«?" r-.i- •;-,■:.!;■.

•■'.' Well, sir, it's rather a long story, but in justice to the man Hnght >to tell the whole of it, andithe commissionaire'teated hirnsflf in ono o^the:qii{H 'agd motioned ' -\thß..BtTUti£Br..to ;.■.. ■>■" ;,; ' ,-:,..!'.l'wiis a se?6hd<battalibn man myself,, Bnd.waVonly. transferred to the first to t ilnish , mytijn'b;Whon ,the.aoooijdj^rpiiil .*abifgad, .!;Forthr; e . tsljf,(iivd wiis; tHo ihihuiiivte;lTh«:iflrsf udrt'pfJte wiry)!• goti.

I LleuttiispoT, bnt It ti «11 troi sir, ia pspsra {'found lotna'ou'ptain's trunk h&rb: sines proved.'' ' ■/::"•' ;';;.:,;.>

11/ was just after the oamp of exercise in. Delhi in 'sovonty lire, when tho tint returned ftom India t/Woodchester ami miio quartered iii the old faishioiiod.wooden• Imts which had pftryiously belonged to, the Dust fhdiat!ompany. Woorlcliealor In those days was a vety humdrum sort of a station—tliu'ie werci .llireo rt-jiimonts stationed 'llit-re-ahd the garrison'depended very much upon itself for its fun. The uncial life of Iho town wiu of a very aliff character and executing fur an occasional flutter given by the tni(te|ieo|jle and a rather Delect dancing academy patiouiscd by the young bloods of the district our junior c/Scerii were lefl very much'out in llie cold At that timo Mr. Tom Landon hud a vtry close chum in the regiment named Ma'unsell—Jack MaunsellT-who was junior Captain und Tom's senior by three or- four years'. Maunsoll.was one tf the liist of (he purchase officer, a man, (if money and a, • hiiriim-Bcariim dare devil' sort of a chap who came of that class;of. people. , who think the whole world is shaped for !their convenience, and comfort, I don't know that ';ho was any worse than his class, for there is often more evil done by want of thought than want of hoiirt; but certain it is that this disposition to take pleasure at other .people's expense had dire results ir. this oase,and but for it that tablet would not be there. Maunsoll introduced London to a few of the Woodohestur people/and, among others, to. the family of an old army surgeon named Harcourt, who lived retired with his only (laughter Eva. Kva Harcourt was one of those quicknatured women who attract the attention of a susceptible youth at first sight. She was pmtly French by birth, the Burgeon having n.nrried a Frenchwoman when stationed at Jersey. Her face, without being positively beautiful, had a winning expression, which was greatly enhanced by a pair of lotely dark eyes. For Woodchester, she was particular free in.her manner, and lived as gaily as the surroundiogs of that dull hole would allow. • ..■;

From the moment they mm introduced, Landon loved Eva passionately, and,from that moment. his troubles began. From occasional calls, the two became constant visitors to her house. Oioquet parties worn arranged, little dinners given, and long.rides across the open plains and through the Essex lanes indulged in ; the old surgeon gradually dropping out of the fun and leaving tho youngsters to themselves.

Somohow, aa the freedom increased Landon became lons and less satisfied with his visits, and colder and older- towards hit friend the Captain. She was always tho B.ime to him, winning and' graceful, -cheery and witty—yet it stabbed his very soul to see that Muunscll's voice would often bring Colour' to* hot 'cheeks and a tremble in her tones. Did she prefer the Captain ? In his slate of mind the suggestion was torture. Sooner or later ho must ask hor that burning question which would decide. If she did, then Ins course was cleat, He would leave the held and bid his friend go in and win, One day caino his opportunity. The (Japtain was on duty, and Tom Laudbn rode down to the house just after luncheon to rind his angel alone. Soldier line he plunged, right into the subject and told his love. Tears suffused thoßo lovely eyes asahegavo him her answer.

" Oh, Landon--Tom, lam so sorry," she faltered,

" Then you-lovo another ?", broke in Tom. "Yes! my iife is promised to another," she whispered almost ioaudjbly, "to-Juck," " That ends it," muttered Tom " ulfecting a calmness ho was far from fooling. " Goodbye, Miss Hnroourt. Iforgivo mo. Miiy (iod bless you." And he strodo right away before she had time to speak again. This ended the episode bo far as Landon was concerne.l. Very ahortly afterwaids the battalion leit Woodchestor, and the Captain having passed for service on tho Indian staff, the chums were separated, For twenty years, Landon knooked about the "vorld in a mad sort of fashion,serving his country woll. however, whenever there was work to do, Now he was in South Africa, then Afghanistan, then South Africa again, and Inter in.Egypt and the Soudan. Everjwhoro men' looked upon him as one of the most during'officers in tho service, but his mind had coarsened and his morals relaxed considerably since. hia sojourn at VYoodchester. lam 60rry..10 say it, sir, but lie developed some very looso habits, got drunk nt mess, and not over particular as to his companions, in fact, was going the pace very hard, intent-as I've often heard him sayon living a merry life, oven if a short one. The regiment was again quartered at Woodclicstor, but even quiet old Woodcheater had altered, and the snug little dancing academy had given place to a large Casino, in which nil sorts of company assembled, Here-Landon, now Captain Landon, was wont to spend much of his time.,,.........

Here the attraction was a young barmaid, who called herself Lily Stewart. The girl wtis honest enough at tiret no doubt, but the caplain's clever way soon overcame her scruples and tinder promise of marriage he robbed her of that which women hold most dear, and which even gold cannot replace.

About this time London's uncle died mid left him ii pile of money on condition that ho married his cousin, fiowlon hud norer soriuusly meant to marry Lily-he could mnke hor un albwance and settle with her—and though ho didn't care the toss of a button for his gilded cousin, he had determined to fulfil the condition imposed by his ■ uncle's will. Bi-foiu breaking tho news to Lily, ho thought, he would have one more jolly night ot the Casino. I remember thatnijht.well, sii. How smait be looked as. he loft tho mrai and whispered to me in Ihe dourway that I could go-he would be late perhaps and would light up for himself when he returned: Lately Id taken to looking after him a bit, he used to come home so far gone. mi oh this'particular night I strolled round lliii liutii aibout'niidniglit'justto see if he hjuv arrived, ''"' '" '' ' '* : : ''''" ' The captain's rooms>ere lit up, and as I drew near I could hear the plaintive tonea of a woman's voice through the open casement. " Tom—Tom-you cannot mean it! ' You could not be so cruel! Unsay those awful words •!"—and the.voice, broke off in a chok-, log sob. , , | ' \ ■ . After a pause, the Captain replied. His tono was decidedly sober, I thought, and had in it much of the calmness of despair. " Tiy and look at the thing sensibly, Lily, my dear, Tou will have money-can leave that miserable Casino, and live whore and howyoulike. And you'll soon forget nw ; I'm not worth remembering—you'll marry some decent fellow—"- '

." You offer money, Tohi, in return for ray love! And as a substitute for yourloyo, which you swore was mine ! Ah ! you don't know how it stabs me. You wholn I, poor fool that I was, counted the. soul of honour. Oh, have mercy ! for the sake of my child—and yours that will bo—have pity on mo. Give me an honest name, and I'll leave you; never look at you again ; but your mney ! I would rather die—"

"It's no übb," interpolated Landon, roughly ;" talking only makes matters worse, Go back now in the cab. which is waiting at the gate, and my lawyer shall write to you."

Liatuu! My mother was once the 'dupe lam today. -But alio discovered her folly when top late to save me from the ignominy of a nameless life-morn's the pity for me. She loved and loYed too well; and after injecting the suit of one who would have given liis lifo for her, she became tho. plaything of one wha promised lie* what yon Jiave promised . me-an honoured place at a husband's fircaido, But ho grew tired of her, and rode away one morning promising to - 'write to her. Ho niiver did; and although she wrote again he! letters were returned, Then I came into the world to add to her misery, and from that day she gave up nil hope, and drooped and faded ,into a shadow of her former self, When I was fifteen she died, but before she died sho told mo her story and the name of tho man who had ruined her, and bade me, should a lilto: riiagraco fall upon me, to choose, death rather than live as sho had done, I' went out, into tho world under an assumed name soon after. Captain Landon, fate has been too strong for me. See! this locket cpntains • her portrait and thitt of her betrayer! I give it to.yoii, Captain, Take it! it is fitting you-should. have what I want no longer." ': : " •.-.• I was looking Straight at them by this time through the. tasement, explained the commissionaire:,'; --::'•■• ] --.-■■■ The captain's light hand received the locket mechanically. Nett moment the girl had sprung to where London'B pair of loaded .Colts hnug upon the wall, She snatched one from its place, and'turning it to her temple fired a shot which killed -her instantaneously. : ';:.••. •-':;' '.-■•:/'; ~ ; I.roshediound to.the door.to find the captain supporting .the girl in.his arinsi.and staring with'tho eyes of a madman at an open ldcket whluh he held iu his hand. As I entered he said in a voice whioh Icannever foiHot,,;" It is Eva's! Eva's portrait! She was Hv'a- Harcoiirt's child!"—and before I coiild realiae'what this meant hehad emptied ;» second barrel of jthe revolver into his'■, own Jiead and {alien a'cpr'pijfl bvor: bodyuf Ker who; liad'aly xecWtljr preceded. lilinlto' the great unknown/.>:''; '' : :;.,<< , , -;;; The rtpangerjWsißDbbihjg bitterWi^s; ; old soldier, 7 turhißta'ourlooi'i'glikU'ce'u'^

XITTLE Afra. Arthur. Winser flora liM point' of vantage,- half-seated; half: . Mamlifig on Hiehigh chair of the chef th : jxirti,sin veye'd theroulptte-tablo nnd.tho« who stood around it with triumjtluiiib satisfaction, She'wag in the seventh. heaven"' of delight,, iiinl for several ressons. In the first jiluce, «he M'tts winniiiy lsirge su'itiß;_ in the .fecund, alio felt thatalii was the best-dressed .woman in the. company'; and thirdly, she whs where sits ought not to'lmvo been, which ■.gave her the peculiar i.eiisli of delicious . naughtiness, that taste of stolon waters so , iweut to most daughters of Eve,. When her hardwotked husband, Arthur .Wiiiser, divided between' his Parlinmentafy duties. mid mounting gua«t afcSb. James's, gave his young wife permission to go to the Kivi.en without him, ib was on the distinct under-, standing that she was never to set foot in ; the Principality of play. The' invitation had come from a kitully old >uut, who had a villa at rJeaulieu, and who could bo trusted ii." an excellent,chaperon. Mrs. Arthur had iMiil'ered from that horrid, inrlueniia ; it' was cruel to deiiy her such a chance of regaiuing full strength before the coming London season. So Colonel Winser agreed to the temporary separation on the conditions ■named. He knew. 'Monte Cailo—only too well-ahd, like an old Wi'sur, wished to keep his little wife out of temptation, atadisoreet ilifctance from all its alluring but evil associations. .. But Hoaulieu, as everyone knows, is only, a short sis; miles from Monte Carlo, a suburb practically of the bigger place, breathing tho same air almost, and closely affected by it; Mrs, Winsor was always hearing about t and its joys: the music, the people, the play; always fretting and fuming at the prohibition put upon- her; always craving, after the uianrter of her sex, for that which •'seemed absolutely out of her reach. Then, quite unexpectedly, a chance came in her way of gratifying her great desire, and, in spiteof coriaien.ee and its upbraiding!, she seized at once upon the opportunity. A young brother of hers, Jack Cairuthers, sub-lieutenant on board H.M.S. £autam, came in with his. ship to Villefrancho harbour, and, of course, got leave to stay with his aunt. Jack and Jn took immediate counsel together, lie, of con wo, is eager as his sister to see Moute Carlo, and more than willing to aid her in her naughtiness. The only difficulty was to elude the vigilance of auntie; but this became possible at. last. The first morning that'tho poor old lady suffered from periodical headache and was unable to come downstairs, this precious pair bolted to-Mont* Carlo.'

They breakfasted with tine appetite at the Hotel de Paris, in the glass annexe overlooking the guy 'square and facing the purple hills. Then they strolled across and walked into the Casino as though it was their : daily habit to'do so, and walked unquestioned .into "theßooms." YoungCarruthers was a true type of '* Juck nchore," n wild, harumscarum, thoughtless lad, upon whom the excitement of the day's outing, the gaiety of the whole scene, had acted like strong nine. He and his'sister very soon had words. " Come along, Ju," he had said as she linjweil, quite fascinated, «l otic of the first roulette-tables, succumbing then and there to the wild passion of play. Jack wanted to see more, lb rush through all the rooms, to follow every petticoat, to'stare with frankly' admiring eyes at evory; pretty face that seemed to give him encouragement-and there are many ladiei in the Monte Carlo Cswino who are not unapproachably stem. It ended in their parting company, the brother and sister. She stayed, where she was, and began to try her luck at the tables; bedashed on in full chase of a charming person who had no real wish to escape from him, " I shall be back in about half a jtH'y, Julia," he had said, although he had no »uch intention. Mrs Winser did not miss him at all. She became altogether engrossed in her play. lb was all so. delightful, everyone was so obiging. At first she did not understand the game in the least; but it was not dim'oulfrto learn, especially under the tuition of the polite Frenchman who stood by her side and most kindly volunteered his help. He must have been a gentleman, a perfect gentleman-lie was so well dressed, and he apoke such'excellent French. They became quite friends, It was he who advised, who 'staked for her, who leant ovor and picked up the pieces-dozens of them-louis' and big "plaques," and billets de banquc. Mndamo had extraordinary luck; he told her laughingly, nndshe laughed back, saying she was a novice, and that all beginners won. The titric flew by on golden wings,; till suddenly it struck the pretty gambler that she hud played long enough. , Jack, too,, had been a long time away. It would be woll to follow him, So she slipped her purse, :t 11 swollen with her gains, into her pocket, only keeping hack it couple of lonis for a last big Hing, These she promptly lost,, and wanted, of course, to recover. But, '.when shefelt for her purse, .it was gone; So was the nice obliging Frenchman, who only the moment before had been standing at her elbow superintending her play. ~; Could he have been n pickpocket, a common thief—that delightful, well-mannered man ? Undoubtedly lie or someone else hud got hor purse and all that it contained, She had been robbed of all her winnings - some eight or nine thousand francs-hcr returnticket to Beaulieu, the key of her jewel-box, several of her visiting-cards, and a tiny memorandum in which were many entries she did not care for everyone to see. And, as was presently borne in on her, to her utter consternation and confusion, she had also lost her brother Jack. Retribution was certainly overtaking hei ' for hoc sina; an avenging Nemesis, which was requirrihg heavy repayment for her wickedness in visiting this depraved and iniquitous place. What would become ol her! Suppose she could not find her brother Jack? A more self-possessed and more experienced woman would have takon the first carriage and had horself driven back to Beaulieu, where the servants could pay the fare and'she might, if.unavoidable, face tho. punishment that was justly her due. But she could not bring herself to abandon Jack. Hei'brother might have got into trouble, it was her duty to find him; and with this, the sole idea in her unhappy mind, she wandered aimlessly from room to room in vain and fruitless search of her truant sailor brother.

There was not a sign of him nor of anyone cUo she kiiew—none even of the chiince friends and acquaintances whom she had seen about earlier iii'fhe day, whom she had recognised, but whom she had been most anxious, should not" recognise her, Her averted eyes mid downcast took had been quito understood by them; the Mmite Carlo " cut" is accepted by people of the world as r:i intelligible wish to avoid observation. Uiil now, when she Wanted them most, evei ybody kept obstinately aloof. She did not see a single friendly face in. all this mixed and motley crowd; there was not a soul io notice her, or take pity on her in her distress. '!

! Slnyi did no one notice her! Someone shu funded was noticing hor a great deal too much, was watching 'her closely indeed, and folloiv'iijf Iter wherever' she went. There was no/avoiding his eyes, ri .pair of cold, steely-blue eyes-no escaping his quiet, oVsisicntl,unflagging .pursuit. At la«t, ijomleif to nwinewi she turned on him, and mill in a fierce, indignant voice, that 'trembled and almost broke down before she ' finished: ! i; ; ' "■Why are you following me? How dare 7011': I shall appeal to the authorities for. .'.protection.' . .-. The, man '.smiled' with a certain" grim ' amusement; lis was a middle-aged, quietiookiiig, rather st«rii-fetiture'd -maty in a suit, of dark dittoes; his hands were in hie .pockets, and his mouth was pursed up as .iiwigh he wished tp whistle. ,Buthespoki ~ instead, briefly .arid authoritativelyV '.' "Comeoutside;l've a. 'word to -jay tf you,"' ••: ■■• '• .- • She obeyed him' helplessly,, and /almost without knowing it' found .herself, seated with thiXroiigli, peremptory : w&\w atone ;; of the little tables of the bperi-ajr co/«,. just at the grand.entrance of the Casino. "Yourpal lias been copped," lie said, ■at'tet'ii long ptinse'j during which he had been attentively .scanning her face and ; appearance, comparing, both with a square .■'.'.notebook he took■ from a ;bieast pocket, , "aii(i;i)ut. for me tlicy'tl have taken jou too. ■ ; An'you're Eiiglisli,'l'ftsked tliem to leave :"'"iyhu' to me, mydoiir.;' i: .' : > : - ■;; '!l.doii't;iindeistand iiii the least," she ;;pi i olei'i,e(l.: half |n.. her terror and : bjtt'ilflwi'iiient!- Therevwere a number o| aiid going; through the Miiqiiii^ ! fellflatiybii»' , ehoulC:BW heif hew,' «>itedJh'thk iitob i

;^Alrh«iwamin^:|h^^»'^ l ;^ ;: passed with whom Mr*. Arthur was pflMMtyv well acqiiainted-ho other than M gay\nd ; j sprightly Duchess of X., whose defiant pi aH'convcntionality (her, enemies called Mi propriety) had gained her a rather pjieei reputation.*?Bhti laughed her recognition ;o!.' Mrs. Winser, just raising her ey'ebrowj.ano. giving » little wave of her parasol, whichineantas plain as words could/speak: "1 119 you, my dear. It's the only; way." -, \'{- ~-''•'. '.] •" 'l?l(e Duchess of X.I" 'cried poor Mrs;, Arthur! aglia'st and ■>•■'. •'.:.." i" Ah! you know them all, I don't doubt,'', aaid ber companion. " Vou must, .'in' tin .way of business. You've, done well, I dare. say. But what I cannot understand js, 'wlij you topk.up ( witn one of them Frenoh chaps; not bii't'whaV Le;]Qbnimeux isn't'^tlp ; lop.f por," went on this'moat enigmatic' and person, "andi.worka.onalarga scale. ,\Yhy, they found twelve pocketbooks and'ptirtes on- Wm:'iJWft/.M wm - swrched-juatnow." ' ; " When who was searched P asked Mrs. Arthur, quite dazed. " Purses 11 know I'v« loitmine. The man you are talking of perhaps took it. I should like to inquiro/'; '"Ah, well, you'll have something else to do. Look here"-ho spoke now with great sternness-" You've got to clear out; you must not stay here, but must leave by the noxt train."

" What ( Monte Carlo J The very tiling I wish, only I should like to find my brother .fil'8t;"; , '.,

"Never mind your brother." He'll shift for himself. You've got to go< and if yeu don't, you'll be made to go,. double quick. The Administration will pay your fare." " I don't want anyone to pay my farenot if I could gekbaok my own purse, or find Jack." ' .

The man winked solemnly,' "lb won't do, my dear. You can stow all that. However, we'd better be moving towards the slation-unless you'll take something I hope I know my maimers'; what shall it bo? Nothing! Well, if you won't, I will." Then, while he was being served, another of her acquaintances! passed. She did not see him, but she heard his greeting, "How are you, Strive!" and shuddered at the sound of his voice, '.

"Sir John Forrester!" she ejaculated almost below her breath. '

" That's hira. Friend of yours toot Nice, affable gentleman—always passes me the time of day." " Oh, do call him back ! Fetch him; I want to speak to him. No, no," she corrected herself, remembering that Sir John Forrester was an intimate friend of her husband's, and how was she to explain her present predicament to him ! What would he think of her, perhaps say of her, afterwards ?

" He'd do nothing for you, my dear—not when the case is in my hands. Now let's be off, Lfltnie;see;itiß not my business, of course, lVe'6nly got to tee you out of tho Principality, but if I wore you I'd go right through to Paris and on home. Don t bother about your things, buy some as you go along; all you haveherewill beseized." Thus Mr. Strive discoursed pleasantly as he led his victim down through the gay tropical gurdnis into the little railway station at the foot of the hill. "Come,where will you book to?" he > asked. "All the way through I should advise, the Administration won't miss it. Hold on, noiie of that!", he cried with sudden fierceness as she eased away from him, meaning as he thought to cut and I 1111. . " I saw my brother. In there, there on the platform—Jack !' Jack I" "Jul" The young tailor came at once to her call, and' then with great smartness tried to put all tho blame on her. . "What ifrightyou'vc_giveiima! Where did you ;;ettoY' " Now young sir," interposed Strive, " no juggling and crowding round here. This wVt the place to. try « rescue." " Who the devil is this chap!" asked Jack angrily of ..his sister. "Where did you pick him up?" "My name'is Strive, and lam a policeofficer from Scotland Yard. This woman is in my custody." "The deuce she is! You'll have to justify that, lean tell you. Perhaps in the end you'll find you've made a garden iss of yourself." " We'll see about that," began Mr. Strive in a blustering way, which was really meant to conceal inward misgivings. " Who and what do you pretend to be!" Jack Carruthers explained loftily. " You never told me this," said Strive to Mrs. Arthur with a most injured air. "Why ilidn't you say something, or show me your card';"

"You never asked me, and I told you my puttie liad been stolen." "It will be « case of false an« 4. Colonel Winsei' will take it up in the House, and I would not eland in your shoe?; Strive," said the naval officer, not consolingly. : .." What can Ido !• What shall I .eay ? But—if I get..you back your purse, ma'am! Do wait. It .Will be quite racy, and I .will apologise too-nnything you wish,"Hnlf an hour'lnter Iho brother and sistei were in the train returning to Beaulieu, coinpHi-iiifr notes, "Isay,./u {;'— ho looked a|t*'ttet«ewcie(', purse with greedy, covetous 'eye?-"did you win all that? You'd better luck than me. I ain quite cleaned out. I wonder what Auntie will think of us, and Arthur,: when he hoars':" i " ; IWr. you think we might keep it to' ourselves', .Jack ?" ' i " Arthiinvuuld be certain to find out, if ! you keep all that money." '• " I don't want it—nota sou. You cull! takcit." , . . . . .j Which Jack (Jarruthers did without fui\ Hior (lemur, aiidMriVViiMer was glad toj be let off no clie«ply.—'/'A* World. , ' "WAIT TILL I'M A MAN." A Swtooi.Boif's essay on this lubjecfc reads exactly as follows : ■ • " When I grow big onuf hirae agoing for a Soger. I, don't want to be any thin el« that bean the best thin;' a lad that; growed . bit: euuf can he. " I got a uncle wats a old Soger in the Royal Tillery. He t»ld me when I tee him that when he was as young aslwai he tliort as he'' ahud not bebigeimf. So he useH in stead of going to bed to hang all night by his arms to the rail acroit the top of the bedstid and hang some thing heavy on to both of his feet which stritched him. "Likewise he told me that he used to eat his vitals laying down stid of itandin up wich caused the vitals to. do him good long ways stid of making him fat, We haint got no bedstid so I cant. But 1 mean to be an Honest and Hupright boy and do niy best tords it, My uncle in the Koyal Tillery he says that a Sogers lifo is good for any young fellow the vitals bean us much at l you can eat and the time on your own ans such that the larx and games are all that can be dezire. I thinks a British Sogers life is more nobler than bean a trade \va° you have to work at. Hard I mean like my father and my brother joe do pushing; barrowos and Meeting things about in the market, by wich youdontget entif to buy you as much vitals as you want to eat. Nor, yet close. , | "Whenyou are a Soger they musthndj you in all your close to fit* for your Queen and country in and weapins.to fit* against the enemy. When you win a batel and] gets your per motion and likewise glory end a pension, which yu can live liapy and buy as much vitals as ever you wish. " Yours respectfully "JOHN BnoOHHBAD.