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In Peace and War | Or, Hie End of It All j CHAPTER XX1I# (Continued.) By way of reply she raised A faint cloud of bacco-smoke floated upward, passed overhead, and left his strange grous face exposed to the full light of the shaded lamp. Tho beautiful eyes searched his features, and I maintain that few men could have looked down at that lovely woman, could have met those pleading eyes, could have ventured within the reach of that 3ubtle feminine influence, unmoved. If Trist was uneasy no outward sign betrayod him; no quiver of the eyelids, no motion of the "' During some moments there wa tense silence, while these two looked into each other's eyes, probed each other's souls. The veil which hangs round that treasure we all possess-- the treasure of an unassailable, legible, secret individuality--seemed ' to fall away. t Without words they understood each other. Indeed, words could have explained as that mutual searching glance had done. Alice Huston knew then that she had met a man--the first in all probability--who was totally impervious to the baleful influence of tho. charms she had wielded so long, without defining or seeking to define them. She only knew that a turn of her head, a glance of her eyes, a touch of hor hand, had been sufficient to work her will upon men. Trist broke the silence at last, and his voice was hollow, with a singular "far-off" sound, like the voice of a man speaking in great pain, with an effort. "If the world has made a mistake, Alice," ho said slowly and impressively, "I hope to God you have not!" She made no answer. The power of speech seemed to have left her beautiful lips, which wore livid and dry. She rubbed her hands together, palm to palm, in a horribly mechanical manner, which was almost inhuman in its dumb despair. Before her oyes a veil--dull, neutral-tinted, impenetrable--seemed to rise, and her vision failed. The tendons of her lovely throat were, tonse, like wires, beneath the milky skin. At length her sonses returned, her bosom roso and fell rhythmically, and she looked round the room in a dazed, stupid way like one who has fallen from a height. She saw^it all as in a dream. The conventional furniture of mahogany and deep red velvet, the varigat&d I deep red velvet, the variegated upon the mantelpiece. ™ -' into the square^ where some laga oldered warmly. Upoi those, unaffected by the heat, lay the half-burnt cigarette which Theo Trist had thrown away before speaking. Seeing it, she looked round the room again with drawn and hopeless oyes. Trist was not thero. He had left her. There was a simple Straightforwardness of action about this man which at tin on brutality. Slowly Alice Huston chair. For some momi motionless, and then she went to flroplace, where she remained sta at her own reflection in the mil which was only partially hidden the glass-shade covering the hideous "And," she muttered brokenly, she turned away with clenched flsts, "I used to think that punished upon earth. I wonder how long.....how long .... I shall be able to stand this CHAPTER XXIir. In Suffolk Mansions the absence of Alice Huston left a less perceptible vacuum than that lady would 1 imagined. Mrs. Wylie was intensely relioved that the yodng widow " so to Speak, struck out a line of her own. Brenda was less philosophical. She tried to persuade herself that her sister's presence had been a pleasure, and, like all pleasures withdrawn, had left a blank behind it. But tho pretence was at its best a Tho daily life of these two ladies soon assumed its normal routine. Brenda studied political economy, Shakespeare, and the latest biography by turns in her unproductive, rosultless way. Her mind craved for food and refused nothing; while, on the other hand, it possessed no decided tastes. Before January had run out its days she heard from Alice, who had moved southward to Monte Carlo with her friends the Martyns. One aftornoon in February Brenda was sitting alone in the drawing-room in Suffolk Mansions when a visitor arrived. It was no other than William Hicks. His entree was exe-i the usual faultless grace "Yes, J mswered meaningly; "I Brenda turned her small, proud head, and looked at him in silence. Her attitude was hardly one of surprise, and yet it betrayed her knowledge of his possible meaning. Altogether it was scarcely sympathe- Hicks allowed h. in which to make some sort of reply or inquiry" as to his meaning, she failed to take the cue. "I found out by accident," continued, "that Mrs. Wylie upstairs with my mother, and had just arrived. It struck me that yi might bo alone here--the opportu ity was one which I have waited for Brenda's eyes were much steadier than his, and he was forced to turn his gaze elsewhere. "It is very good of you," she said with a strange simplicity, "to think of my solitude." Hicks caressed his matchh tacho n.plac thought of e in the i ntly, although he o speak to you," he which deprecated the rely unselfish motive 'About .... what?" inquired the girl, without enthusiasm. "About myself--a dull topic, I am afraid." "Brenda," he said, in a carefully idulated tone, "I am only a poor pain --hat i laking much money am, however, making a name which will no doubt be valuable some day. In the meantime I am fortunately in a position to disregard the baser uses of art, and to seek her only for herself. I have a certain position already. I intend to do better--to make a groater name. And in that aim--you can holp me!" "Are you," she inquired, "asking DM to be your wife?" Hicks stared at her vacantly. He was wondering what sequence of thought brought Theodore Trist into his mind at that moment. The question remained 'Yes," he said at length weakly. 'I have," he said eagerly, giving r no opportunity of interrupting n, "known many people--moved many circles. I am not an inexperienced schoolboy, and therefore conviction should carry some jht with it. I am certain, ~ da, that I could find able wife if I searched generally--because he was a man, and because she felt that some women could look up to him and admire him for his mere manhood, if she herself was unable to do so because he fell short of her standard. In the meantime Hicks had realized the emptiness of his boast. From her calm glance he had read that her will was stronger than his own--that she did not love him, and never would. We, who have passed through the mill can sympathize with this young fellow, despite his follies, his vanity, his conceit, his affectation; for I verily believe that Brenda cured him of them all in those few The artist dropped his argument at once. He turned away and walked to tho window, where he stood with his back toward her, looking out into the dismal misty twilight. Thus the girl allowed him to stand for some time, and then she roso and "Willy," she said, "I am very, She was beginning to think now that ho really loved her in his way, although by some curious oversight He turned his head in her dircc on, and his hand caressed his mus-icho with its habitual grace. "I don't quite understand it," he ADVANTAGES' OF CLOVER. Clover is the chief crop upon which the farmer relies for iinprov-taining the fertility his land. Otb< i r;jps fitter "Of c appointment to mo. have been mistaken." She made no attempt to allevi his evident melancholy--expressed regret that he should have been mistaken. The time for sympathy was past, and she allowed him to fight out his bitter fight alone. Presently he went toward the chair where he had thrown his cloak and hat. Those he took up, and ret ed to her with his hand outstretched. "Good-bye, Brenda!" ho said, for once without affectation. "Good-bye," she replied simply, and long after William Hicks had left the room she stood there with her white hands hanging down at ther side like some delicate flower resting on tho soft black material in which she was clad. Mrs. Wylie returned home about five o'clock she found the drawing-room still in darkness. The maid had offered to light tho gas, but Brenda told hor to leave it. In the pleasant glow of the firelight the found her young friend sitting favorito chair with interlocked fingers in her lap. Mrs. Wylie closed tho door before "This i bad." she said. Youi influ. bafl?' "I believe," replied Mrs. Wylie in er semi-serious, semi-cheerful way, that I have warned you already against the evil practice of sitting faring into the fire." Brenda laughed softly, and mot tho kind gaze of tho gray eyes that were irehing her face. 'It has always seemed to me," she said, "that your philosophy^^ courage. . inngfc fai!-^^e and savoirfairs. Ho carried a soft hat, for it was foggy, and his long black cloak was thrown carelessly back to the full advantage of a broad astrakhan collar. This was the first visit he had paid since the death of Captain Huston; consequently he and Brenda had not met since the ball to which Trist had conceived the bold idea of bringing his enemy. With this fact in view William Hicks smiled in a sympathetic way as he advanced with outstretched hand, but said no word. I'hey shook hands gravely, and Brenda resumed her seat. "Mrs. Wylie has just gone to your Brother's." she said, in some surprise. Hicks laid aside his hat, and slow-^ drew <gff bis slate-colored gloves.* MJff pi a social world; such a place rifo will find awaiting her. made no secret of my financial position; and as to my place in -t world of this century, you ki i much as I could tell you." He paused with a graceful wavi s white hand, and intimated his adiness to receive hor answer, 'en moved a step nearer to her, in order that he. might with grace lean over her chair and take her hand when the proper moment There was no emotion on either side. William Hicks had delivered his words with faultless intonatic --perfect pitch--allowing himself (i an artist) a graceful gesture here and there. Brenda took her ery good of you to make me such a advantageous offer, g of sarcasm could have by much finer ears liam Hicks, whose partially paralzyed 'but I am afraid I The artist was to say anything to him! One i unappreciated too much surprise at all. A refusal-f the most popular A great, though painter---a perfect ion. He had been after, I admit that, for most are who take the trouble to be universally and impartially polite; but ho had never taken tho trouble itigating tho desirability or otherwise of those who ran after him. He had not quite realized that among them worthy to button Brenda's glove. "Will you not," he stammered, ith blanched face, "re-consider our .... determination)" Tho girl shook her head gravely. "No!" she replied. "There is not the slightest chance of my ever doing that, and I am vory, very sorry from anything I have said or ne you have been led to believe that my answer could possibly have been otherwise." To this Hicks made no direct rely. He could not with truth have accused hor of the conduct she suggested. The fact merely was that he had not excepted Brenda from the ankind, and it had always been his honest conviction that ho had only to ask any woman in 30 his _ wifo to make that woman the happiest of her sox well as the proudest. There is nothing extraordinary in this mild self-deception. We all practise it with marvelous success. Hicks had never been refused before, for the simple reason that he hitherto thoight fit to place his heart at any maiden's foot. "But why," he pleaded, "will you Her answ <• was ready. " "Because I do not love you." "But that will come," 1. "I will teach you to love She raised her eyes to his and looked calmly at him. respected him--not individually, ly to s loosened her nhooked her sealski me answered argumenta-'It is not, the creed of a o more than it is coward-id temptation. A practical however brave he may be, will do well to avoid temptation. A sensible woman will avoid thought." "I was thinking," replied the girl diplomatically, "of tea!" From tho expression of the widow's face it would seem that she accepted this statement with reservasions. She made, however, no remark. After a little pause sho looked across at Brenda in a speculative way, and no doubt appreciated the grace and beauty of that fire-lit pic- "Willie Hicks," she said, "has been hero?" "Yes. How did you know?" inquired Brenda rather sharply. "Emma told me." "Ah!" "Brenda," said tho softer tone, after a pau "'Yes°!"' "I have constructed a littlo fable r myself, in some part founded i fact. Would vou like to hear it?" • cplied tho girl with a slightly exaggerated mouo of indifference; "tell me." 'Shortly aftoi Hicks', Willie wi a know this, because I was indow in the drawing-room xw him. I also noticed that ait was slightly furtive. I thought that young man does not want me ) know that ho has gone out.' On ly way homo I met him going in le contrary direction. He avoided seeing me, and did it remarkably well, ight have been expected. many ways, however, in matin of clover as an improver of ti which are attended with differei grees of benefit, and with which depends ujwn the locality, distance fi-am market, etc. Thore aro certain principles which are alike applicable in all cases. Tho roofe of clover are the most important part of the plant, ao far as the imlprove-ment of tho land is concciVued, not that the toj»j are any lews valuable (as there are many other plants which for bulk and quick growth above ground may bo said to oxcel it), but which, when turning ujidei with a view of improving tho land, are far less beneficial in their effects. Buckwheat, for instance, hat miuoh more rampant growth ol effects of this. milk for an hour or more just the barnyard fence, or anywhero near the barnyard, cannot be too cold, a cure will be effected. These and many other uses can be found for diseases of the flock, and as article is cheap it can be used freely. The lower grades, which sell for lower price and are not satisfactory as illuminant, will be found fuliy as good for poultry yard as the refined article. COOLING MILK. Thero ar milk that i > ways of cooling . be, kept . night j cheese fac- irly good as those of clowi son that buckwheat acid such munis do not penetrate the slub-soil aiud bring up therefrom amid deposit near the surface tho mir cofntoineid therein, which tial to the successful growth of plants, their growth being dHre only to what the roots take fnam ordinary surface soil. In other words, the roots of the clover plaint bring up fertilizing matter from tji deeper subsoil, which the roots c t>uc.kwheat and such other annual Clover should never bo turned dor until it has readied its largest growth, as well beh ground. For this reason the old PLOWING IT UNDER whan in bloom is objectionable, although the growth of the i and leaf is then at its lnindn tJio roots haive not then connpleted their growth. But by cutting first crop, a second growth is sooner induced, which although mtuch los' ormwus increase in the growth of the roots, thereby placing it beet condition of turning under. The better way, then, to full benefit of clover in th( moot of the soil, is to allow full seasons of growth befoi t under, as the pltunt nial, ■ le.s of the and . drying out at the end of the second year, thus causing the weeds tc spring up and take their place, leading the after- condition . of the field as a damaging ofSset to any good effected by the growing of the clover, but whan the first of tho sec-orid year's crop is taken off the strong a growth ueod Xfor t|v'o s roots will then attain tiheir development and be richest in tilizing elements. What the farmer Mrtio wishes to avail himself of thio full advantage of this crop should do is to burn the sod under when full of roots, preparatory to putting tho land in com and wheat, oats and wheat, as the case may be, and then seed down to cloVor again. Cut the clover two y for liay, or pasture it, which nearly the same thing, then plow under the sod as before, and so on, turning under good clover sod every " ree or four years until the land completely renovated, applying at o same time whatever barriyo.nri i be spared to hasten the I happened there mge i ait, and his attitude. The strange came into my head that he had been here to seo you. Then I began to wonder what had caused tho change I detected. It seemed as liam Hicks had passed through experience--had received a les-The final flight of my imagina-vas this' that you, Brenda, had that 1 Mrs. Wylie ceased speaking ant back comfortably. Brenda tting fSrward now with her hands clasped around he • eyes gloird her companion, ' ho ruddy "I think,' prefer that We are neither of Then . . . , thei true?" Brenda nodded hor head. "I am glad," murmured the Once, "that hi s said, "we should re-Naturally he would were silent." s talkative. . . my fable was brought ing i . last. She | has found ! iatters It i mdorstand-.bablo that lie USES FOR COAL OIL. Coal oil, which is always at hand when need-ad, is an intvaluahle article in the stable, garden and m(any offher places on the farm, but it is of the greatest benefit in tho poultry houses. When mixed with lard and applied to fowls afflicted wit scaly leg it is a specific and will i: variably result in a cure. Sprayed on the roosts, walls and ceilings of the houses and cootps, it will stroy the lice and pests that make life miserable for the fowl and render thorn unfit to return a profit tc their owners. By adding one part of olive oil to two parts kerosene and injecting it into the nose mouth of fowls stuffering from it and exposing it to the air tends to prevent poses the milk to the danger of being contaminated with bacteria, always present in the air, which ca/uses bad flavors in the cheese. This fact emphasiles the importance of stirring the milk, where that process is necessary to cool it, in pure air. The air a few feet from tho barn is generally the most heavily laden with germs, and, consequently,' the milk should not be exposed any more than is necessary near the barn, but should be strained and otherwise handled some distance away, and in a place ourrenftH of air do not carry taanination from the barn milk. Cooling tho milk with ice ter would be tho better way ice or cold watei this exposes the tamination. In such stirring could be giVi parts of tho milk as quickly as possible. Aerating might alao be practical where ripe turnips or other strong-smelling foods aro given tho cows, but the use of such food not to be commie/rated. Stirring tho toTy. One is to giv stirring, and the other fs to set tho can in cold water. The best v however, is to combine tho two uhods. Tho object of cooling i is to prevent it souring and sou is the result of the development bacteria. Cooling milk by stirring f-itrongly condomnod, as it atdids to the c heesc-nmkor' s troubles and tends to injure the quality of all the cheese made at tho factory, by carrying to it germs that cause bad flavors and pinholes in the finished product. SHAKESPEARE'S PSALM. The c the ngenuity of the man mind in discovering evidence t< support a foregone conclusion has been again and again illustrated fx the various cryptogram methods used in the Shakespercan text. Some suggestive word or phrase is found, its letters counted and then, with the number as a sort of fool rule, all sorts of desired conclusion* are reached. Some of tho coincidences are really striking and woulc seem to indicate purpose or prear-rangorrtent. Apropos of the Shakes-poaro-Bacon controversy, a write l on the London Express points out evidence that Shakespeare had hand in the translating of Psalnrs and thus analyzes the forty Briefly the chain of reasoning is s : Shakespeare's name, spelled, it often was, 'Shakespear,' ( ns internal evidence that he n the translation of forty-sixth Psalm in the author: Bible version. "We find in it four vowels and consonants. This is the key to position. Now, four and six cli ly indicate forty-six, and if we turn to tho forty-sixth Psalm and c< from the beginning, we find that the forty-sixth word is 'shake.' Couw ing next from the end, but taking into account the 'selah,' which i: real part in tho text, we find that tho forty-sixth word is 'spear.' "Thus, by a startling and perfect succession of intimities, tho poet's name-number is linked again and again with this particular psalni. JS NEPTUMFS FARMYARD SIMILARITIES BETWEEN -SEA AND LAND CTREATURES. Names of the Dwellers of the Deep Sound Very Familiar th _ , where iuld be had, as s sufficient urned home. All young men objectionable until they have failed signally in something or other. Then they begin to settle down into "Ho misrepresents himself," said Brenda gently. "When ho " the actual letters of the name William Shtykesporo, another of its varied spellings, form this sentence, which affords the necessary clue : 'We are like his psalm.' A final point of interest is made when we notice that Shakespeare himself mjust have been just forty-six years old when the Psalms were re-translated." THE TREATING HABIT. It Costs Its Victims Many a Dollar and Many a Pang. t not a fact that men really spend in treating amounts that they Id hesitate to give away, no mat-how deserving the charity? It is -ait of human character that es through this all absorbing dis-tion to "hold your end up" when r a friend. Hundreds of men take thousands of drinks that they do not want, and other hundreds pay for thousands that arc Two men meet, and one says: Mighty glad to seo you. Let's nothing." Neither generally If Father Neptune depends on his sea-horses to do his ploughing and hauling, his fields and gardens must be infinitesimal in size. The sea-horso is but a few inches long, and spends most of its existence in lazy fashion, holding on by its tail to a stalk of seaweed. Its name of seahorse comes from the shape of its bead. But the creatuoro resembles more nearly a knight in a set of chessmen than anything else. Sea-cows, on the contrary, aro scarce, and make up for tho tiny sizo of the s'ea-horso by their great bulk and weight. A full-sized sea-cow is a good eight feet in length, and will weigh almost as much as its namesake ashore. The s or manatee, is a seal-like which grazes peacefully on the long sea-grass which linos the bods of the shallow, brackish estuaries of tropical America and Cuba. A few years ago it was common in the St. Lucie River, in South Florida. But nets and spears have put an oud to it, and you must cross the Caribbean to find tho quaint, harmless beast. Naturalists generally imagine that the curious, half-human shapo of the manatee's head and face gave rise originally to tho mermaid legend. PORIvLESS PUGS. Tho the ocean farm- yard are excellently well supplied, though it is doubtful whether the quality of the bacon can be thoroughly recommended. "Meerschwein" is tiie German namo for the porpoise, and be no means a bad one, for no more greedy animal exists. The creature, too, has a snout uncommonly like a pig, and a capital thickness of fat beneath its thick black hide. The name soa-hog has crossed the North Sea. and is v.sod by Scotch fnhermen. The salmon nct-fishers detest the porpoise, for the voracious by the doaen windfall, pro- ided" But the herring-porpoise rather a docs not break Soa-chiekonsf-^thosc dainty crea« tures sonnetimrs called stormy petrels--aro far more pretty and graceful than the inhabitants of our barn-vards: but when it conies to a question of profit, we on land have a distinct advantage. One setting of eggs a year is all that Mother Carey's chickens have ever been accustomed to. They would consider it an insult to bo shut up and expected to lay for six months on end. And for eating, too, they are equally utter failures---tough and fishy to a degree. But perhaps the inhabitants of tho country below the Waves have different tastes. MICE THAT CANNOT RUN. Rats the sea farm-buildings are, haofJily, free from, but mieo there are in plenty. The sea-mouse, how-over, causes probably but little alarm amongst the mertmaids, for it cannot run. Indeed, it has no legs, but merely strong bristles on tho lower side of iis body, by the aid oi which it creeps along tho sea-flo)r. It is, in fact, a very low ..rganism. belonging to the order of choeloped worms. It is a compact, oval bodv, four to six inclus long, imd one to two wide. -»nd its only beauty is in the soft hairs, which form its coat. These, grey in ordinary lights, shine in sunlight with an iridescent gleam, which is very beau- iful. The t be s inoff-sr for. , tin the man who offers it wants that he is generous. He te method of proving that ho is meet his friend. The friend, arte has taken the drink that he did lad t good fei The Get ing. The cidedly a friendship' dollar and ' no others r would pr > upon a second entering a md paying if adopted NEW BULLET FOR FRANCE. In connection with the extensive manufacture of the now bullet invented for the French army several sets of cartridges have been stolen at Lyons. It is thought that they have boon sold to foreign powers. Tho new bullot's propelling power is great as to drive tho bullet aight cou ut any of resent tra nile t and fall of the M-tainty i i,'tis ; affec he is very . Exasperated Purcnaser--"Didn't 3u guarantee that this parrot ould repeat every word ho heard?" Bird Dealer--"Certainly I did." 'But he don't repeat a single word." Ho repeats every word he hoars, ut he never hears any. He is as deaf as a post." llicus--"They are really the most fed lovers I evor saw." Cynicus "es; it seems a shame that they going to get married and spoil "I hear Jones, the sea captain, is i hard luck. Ho married a girl nd she ran away from him." "Yes; 3 took her f#r a mate; but she was skipper." which is abor evil-tempered a customer as any unfortunate sea or land urchin would dosiro to keep clear of. About threo feet long, the sea-cat, als-n called the wolf-fish, has the moat extraordinary mouthful of teeth o( any fish that swims. Its wholf palate is covered with a perfect pav< meat of them. Fishermen hate th« sea-cat, which is common onoug-l around'British coasts. TheycatcJ it sometimes on cod-lines, and haul SNAPPING SAVAGELY. Many a man has lost a finger-tip, and'stories are told of maris left on the solid iron of anchor fitukos, by teeth of the sea-cat. Considering that its usual food is shellfish, which it grinds up shell and all, these tales are not incredible. Another sea-farm inhabitant is the sea-nettle. The sting of tho poisonous ■elly-fish, which sailors call the sea-nettle, is one of the most agonising pains imaginable. No ancient farmstead could bo considered complete without an owLto hoot from under " barn. Father Nop- 3 quite up j date spect. The sea-owl has gained its name from its huge, staring eyes. It is to be found in natural history books, classed under tho^hoac lish rich orange. heavy, short colors--(blue, purple, often taken la-owl has a sea-robin, is not, however, foujid on shores. The sca-robin is the can gurnard, and gains :i The s i from the brilliant color of its breast. AN ADHESIVE BORROWER. Bob--"Is it safe to lend books to Dave?" m--"Oh, ya*t if you are prepared ive them to him." l HOPEFUL PROSPECT. li>it ce-uTinfifl her (