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u --__ .‘qâ€"- ill-Emmi) TIME. " it is, and I may safely promise you a cofdial wblcomh on the part of its fair mistress!” ' "Hoopixality is a paramount virtue among you said the organist, "I have seen 311$ Earle no church." "And a very .pretty girl she is, said John Sterling. "and as good as she is pretty. She is devoteuly fond of music, too, so you have it in your power to make her very happy this evâ€" suing." ' __ No more was said. They reached the house. divested themselves of their hats and great-coats, and stamped the snow from their top-boots, and were usu- ered by a fair damsel into a pretty amâ€" ber drawing-room. ' Lire. Sterling sat before the fire knitting. Miss Earle on a lounge yawn- ing over a book. Even sensation nov- els. when one has had a surfeit of them, will pail upon the youthful intellect. Both started up eagerly to welcome Dr. John. “How do, mothpri' How do, Amy? Hon-id weather. isn‘t itl Allow me to present Mr. Victor Latour, the new organist of St. Jude’s. 1 found him like one of the babes in the wood» nearly buried alive. and rescued him from. an untimely end, like the good Samari- tan that i am." Mr. Latdur bowed to the ladies with In " in the dusty high road alone. under the opal-tinted sky; No. not alonof Her heart gave a great plunge. There, com- ing toward her. was the solemn figure she knew so well. That slow, graceful walkâ€"ah! further off. she would have known her handsome lover! Mr. Latonr was in his brightest mood this sultry twilight. He drew Amy’s arm through his own. as one who had the right. bending' his stately head over her. and mmmerizing her with the witchery of those glorious black eyes. Very slowly they sauntered along. Amy was in no hurry nowâ€"she had got all she wanted. John Sterling had chosen this even~ ing to pay a visit to his mother and her 'ward. Half an hour after. he strode over the dusty highway, whist- ling cheerily, and looking up at "the round, white, August moon. He had on- tered Blackwood, and was approaching the house at a swinging pace, when he suddenly stopped. There, before him, walking as lovers walk, bending; whispering, loitering, were two forms he knew well. All flashed upon him at the sight. ” Lost 1" he said. turning very pale. "Lost. for the second time! My moth- er was rightâ€"I have lingered too long! l.And I love her as that man never can!” CHAPTER v1. Mr. Latour‘ did not enter the house with Amy. He parted with her under the waving trees. with a long. linger- ing, lover's kiss. Dr. Sterling and he met face to face in the silvery moon- light. He touched his hat and passed easy grace, took a seat, and was atlrapidly.on, but not before John had home at once. Miss Earle stole a sec: ond glance at him under her eyelashes. How very handsome he was! .Dark and pale. and interestingâ€"just Miss Earle’sl doctor recoil. st do. with rav n h 'r d t' h l . 3 e m “1 mus ‘w E""looiis now like the Miltonian Luelfer and slow, sleepy, wonderful black eyes. “ If he had a Greek cap and a cr‘un-| that dark, demoniac beauty. son sash, and a scimi'ter by his side! he would look like 9. Corsair," Amy thought. “ I never saw a more perfect nose; and I always did admire those: creamy complexions. Such a dear, romantic name, tool I seen his face. [How deathly pale he was! \Vhat a. wild gleam there was in his weird black eyes! The light of those spectral eyes made the young “Good heaven 1” he thought, "he with that livid face. flaming eyes, and \Vho is he? What is he? He is not a good man; .we know no more of him than if he had dropped from the moon. although-he has been among us over half a year. And that Victor Latourl romantic child is ready to die, or go mad for his sake. My friend. Laiour, I think I’ll turn amateur detective, and really think he is the handsomost man hunt up your’ antecedents." I ever saw." Supper came “1%. supper for Sybar- ites or the gods. Mr. Latour was de- Dr. John met with rather a cool re- ception on this particular evening at the hospitable mansion. Mrs. Sterling was decidedly cross and out of sorts; lighlmli he Ullde With an 8083' grace“ perhaps she suspected or had seen the and a general knowledge of everything' under the sun. Miss Earle listened en- tranced. The slow, sleepy black eyes wandered very often to the pretty rose- hued face, thrilling her through with! mesmeric power. It was the hero ofI her dreams at lastâ€"Count Lara in the flesh. Mr. Latour played. The superb; . . t piano. under those slender fingers, gave! forth grand, grateful tonesâ€"the room: was flooded with heavenly melody. Mr. Latour had the soul of a Beethoven or; Mozart, and the magnificent strains held his hearers entranced for hours. it was a charming evening, one to be remembered long after; and before itI was over Miss Amty Earle was deeply,j and romantically, and hopelessly in' love. She sat up late that night, quite into the small hours, nestling over the fire} listening to the wild beating of the wintry storm, and dreaming delicious dreams. " How divinely handsome he is! How magnificently he plays! How delight~ fully he talks !" So ran the burden 3f her thoughts. "I never saw such eyes, and 1 never heard a prettier name. How glad lam John Sterling brought him here io-night. That was the beginning of the end. Mr. lia‘totr departed the next day, but only to comic again and again to Blackâ€" wood Grange. Miss Earle was seized with a sudden passion for improving herself in music, and began taking les- sons immediately. March. April, May flew by like swift dreams. Summer came. golden. glowingâ€"the most. glor- ious summer in Amy‘s life. She was in loveâ€"passionately. ridiculously; a romantic girl’s first love â€"â€"and the world was Eden, and she the happiest Eve thatuwer danced in the sunshine! l And Victor Lutourâ€"wns he in love, too. with the bright. little heiress? Mr. Lutour was a. puzzle and a mystery. There were times when no lover could be more lover-like, more devoted, when smiles lit up the dark creamy face. and every look “as lnvc. Then Amy's bliss was complete. "He loves me, i know," her foolish heart would flutlcr. " lic will propose the very next time “o ntvet. Oh. my darling. if you only kncu I love you l" The ncxt time would come. and lo! Mr. Lemur came with it, dark, cold, mooly. more! in gloom and mystery "grim and unstniiing as doom. Amy Irmuldo-d before tltmc sombre black lie was more like the Corsair. how much eyes. I perhap. lllzlll over. ilut poor .-\my be- pan to think that moody and mysterious beings “are bicamnrer in Lord Byron‘s room than in actual life. "i wonder if he'- ever cnmmiiiol a Inurc-nr. like l-Iugonc Arum; or lost an idoliaci Bit-dorm. :ts Conrad did 3" Miss Earle ti.ougbt. "()hl “'hy doesn't he. ran-tic out. when he knowsâ€"lie must know”! adore him I" This sul: ry August evening she stood \\i~‘€l'u|!_\' gazing at the sunset. and thinking desg-on ‘k uziy of her idol. “ lie was imizévnly rude to me last gutting." Miss Earle reflected. "Mr.I £31?»er v us never more grumpy to Jane i-Tyrc. i w under if I shall see him in night :‘ "c is always playing thc or- gan in the Chi rcb at this hour. 1 think I'll. Mir. :i \xa'k up to the village." . She in}; l‘l!‘ hat and tripped away. “Niki-Lg “vifily. considering the heat, parting embrace under the hemlocks. She had no patience with her son's tar- diness and delicate scru-pies of consci- ence about marrying heiresses. And Miss Earle wrapped in a. bliss too in- tense for smiles or wiords sat by the window and gazed on the bright sil- very moonlight. Dr. Sterling departed early with a. farewell reproach to the ladies. ” You are both so entertaining this levening that it is hard to tear one's self away; but I have an interesting case up in the village and business be- fore pleusure. you know. Good by, and lI trust the next time I come to Blackâ€" wood you’ll be able to make a remark or two about the weather at least.” ” \Ve are rather silent toâ€"night." she said. “A penny for your thoughts, ma mere." "I can read your thoughts without a penny,” retorted the elder lady. with some aSperity. " Victor Latour, of course! \Vhere were you this even- ing Miss Earle?" Miss Earle blushed celestially in the shimmering dusk. ” Up at the village.” " It appears to me you are very fond of twilight rambles up to the village of late. Mr. Lniour was with .you, of course i" "Yes." very falteringly. “Mr. La- tour was with me." “And parted with you out yonder with a most affectionate embrace 2 You don’t choose to make me your confid- ent, bliss Earle; but if you want to kiss gentlemen, sub rosa, pray take a more retired spot than the avenue." Amy's golden head. had dropped low- er. She was a timid. clinging little creature, in whose nature it was not to be haughty or angry. She was very fond of this severe matron; and the starry blue eyes filled with tears now. “ Dear Mrs. Sterling," she said, "my second mother. don’t be angry with poor Amy. I couldn't help it. Iâ€"Iâ€" love him, I love himâ€"oh so dearly I" " And he!" said Mire. Sterling bitterâ€" ly. "is it you or your fortune he loves '? 0h. .imy Earle l You foolish, sen- timental child, what madm ;s is this? This man does not love youâ€"I know il; l have watched him. He does not love you; but he will marry you and will break your heart." "No. no, no!" Amy cried, shrilly. "lie loves meâ€"he is true as Heaven! Say what you please to me Mrs. Ster- ling. but. not. on» word against him! I will not hear it !" ' The little head reared “so”. the blue eyes quite flashed. " No!" cried the angry matron. ' you will not hear it: no need to tell me that! I know what it is to talk to a girl in love. But. tell me. what do you know of this man beyond his roman- tic name. beyond his effemin-ite. hand- some face: What ! you will marry him for his black eyes and his Grecian nose, and his sensation-novel name; and if he turns out to be a London pickpock- of. or gambler. you will have no right, to complain." " Mrs. Sterling!" "1 repeat it. Amyâ€"what do you know of him? lie may be a thief. or 8 murderer, for what you can tell to the contrary. My own opinion is. he has. come here purposely to outrun you inio this mad marriage. Pray. Miss Earle. when is it to take place!" The blue eyes flashed defiance for the first time in Amy‘s gentle life. the slender little form quite tower- ed in its indignation. "i don't know, Mrs. Sterlfinsr: but I‘m. “embed My behind her; see was outlvery soon. Victor loves me. and there is no need to wait. I will marry him as soon as he pleases." "Not a doubt of it! I wish you joy of your bargain! I have no more to say: but remember in the future that I have warned you. He is not a good man: there is guilt and mystery in his life; I am as certain of it as that I live. As his wife. your existence will when he has squandered what he mar- g be one of miseryâ€"destitutlon. perhapsn their fling." Mr. Later): tried to laugh, but the laugh was a' miserable failure.- “The weather, I mpptwse. Thunder storm‘s always give me the horrors ; and superstitious people would call it an evil omen on our bridal eve. But we are not superstitious, my. Amy; 80; draw the curtains, and light the lamp, and let the avenging elements have Mr. Latour lingered until past ten, ries you forâ€"your fortune. Iwish youzlistening to the music of his obedi- Soul-night“. , - ~ a; dent little slave. ‘He stood behind her“ Mrs. Sterling swept stormily out of l chair; she could not seq him; and it the room yet, " more in sorrow than in‘anger." And Amy left alone. threw herself on a sofa and. all unused to these stormy scenes. wept as she had never wept before inher: life. v " How cruel. how unjust she is l" the little heiress sobbed; “ and all because she wants me to marry John. I know she does; though John doesn’t want me, nor I him. But she shall not shake my faith in Victor; no one on earth shall shake it. And I will marry him as soon as he likes; and, I don’t care whether he ever tells me anything about his own antecedents or not.” The elder and younger lady met very coolly at breakfast. Mrs. Sterling was sullenly dignified, and Amy was offended. Had she not called her idol a thief and a pickpocketi. Miss Earle could forgive the grossest insult to her- self, but not an insult to her dark-eyed hero. Mr. Latour called early in the fore- noon. Amy was on the watch, and met him in the grounds. There was a long, long ramble through the sunlit, leafy arcades, and Miss Earle, after the fash- ion of young ladies, retailed every word of last night’s conversation Mr. Latour’s black brows contracted inf a swarth frown, and his dark face whitâ€" ened with anger. , ' “Mrs. Sterling calls me a thief or a murderer, does she? your elderly dragon suspicious turn, isn’t she? Is it for, your sake or for her son’s, "I won- der?" \, L "Mrs. Sterling has always been very good to me, Victor Latour," ‘Amy said, deprecatingly; “and I' am sure 'she has my welfare at heart. And. you see, dear, we don‘t know anything] of you, eXcept your name, andâ€"and I love you with all my heart." . ' The frown deepened under the broad rim of his summer but. ', "And you are a. little suspicious, too, my Amy. You must have my bio- graphy from the hour. of my birth, I presume, before you commit yourself further. And if the history proves un- satisfactory, it is not too. late to draw back yet, is it?” V - "Victor, how unjust you are! No, tell me nothing, since youi can doubt me; tell me nothing, and you will see how perfect love casteth out‘ fear.” "'A-nd you will marry me blindfolded? Take me as I am?” ( He looked laughing down in her” face with a. bright look, all the clouds gone. a “My darling!” She clasped his‘ arm rapturously with both hands, and look- ed up into his handsome face. “I know that I love you dearly, dearlyâ€"that I could die for yourt sake. \Vhat more do I need to know?" ,/ "What, indeed, my little enthusiast?- Nevertheless, I had better make a clean breast of it, for Mrs. Sterling’s peace of mind. Unfortunately, there is very little to tell,~ and that little not in the least out‘ of the ordinary humdrum way. I never was a. pick- pocket, never a. blackleg. I can safely say that. I am of French extraction, born in Canada, taught music as a pro- fession. Came over to this country, and, through friends, was recommendâ€" ed here as organist. There’ you have it; let Mrs. Sterling and. her son make the most of it." Amy was satisfiedâ€"it was a little vague, but it sufficed for( her. Their ramble through the grounds was a very long one, and before it came to an end the wedding day was fixed. "The middle of September 18- very soon,” Amy murmured, deprecating- 1y: “but anything to please you, Victor; and Mrs. Sterling is disagreeâ€" able of late. \Vo‘n’t you~come m to luncheon?" 1 “Not toâ€"day. Tell your duenna by yourself, and I will ride over this evening and see if the shock has provâ€" ed fatal. Good-by, my own. Soon good-by will be unknown between us.” Mrs. Sterling heard the news of the approaching marriage with cold scorn. “As well this moment as the next,” she said, frigidly;”since it in to ire at all. I wash my hands. of the whole business." _ All the glittering array at bridal fincry, procured in London for‘ that other wedding, lay packed tip-stairs .in great. boxes still. Amy rcvolieih airt- tle from using it. The odor of death and the grave seemed to' hang around it; but the time was so short. there was no alternativc. (liistening: robe, misty veil, orange wreath, jeweled fun. dainty Parisian gloves and slippers, saw the light once more: and the sum- mer days flow by and brought around Amy Eztrlc’s second bridal. eve. The September afternoon hm! lowering and overcast, _ darkened the summer sky; an onnnous bush lay over the earth: the trees siiivered in the stillness with the pro- scienCe of the coming storm. Through the ominous twilight Vii-tor La- tour rode over from the. village to spend his bridal eve with. his bride. [low white he wasâ€"white to the lips! and what a. strange fire that was burning duskily in his great, som- bre eyes. What an unnatural. ex- pression his face were when' he look- ed at his fair bride-elect. Surely never been Really, Amy.’ is of a horribly l l bridegroom looked like that in the, world before. "We are going to in we a storm," he said, in a voice as unnatural as his face. "Lightning and thunder, and rain, will usher in our: wedding day. Amy.“ 1 I . _ They were aloha together in the prett amber drawing-room. Mrs. Ster ng always smpt away haught- ily when the man she disliked en- tered. Amy looked up at her lover, trembling with vague terror. "How strangely you look, Victor!" she faltered. "Wth is it!" was well for her she could not. The rigid, white, faceâ€"white to ghastliuess â€"â€"those burning black eyes. Lucifer hurled from heaven might have look- ed like that. . , -' ' Amy accompanied her lover to the portico. The storm had nob yet burst, but the night was inky dark. The darkness, or the thought of that other tragic wedding eve, made her tremble from head to foot, asshe bade her be- trothed goodâ€"by. "Oh, my love, be careful!" she whis. pered. "If anything happens to you I shall die." . "Nothing will happen!" He set his teeth fiercely in the darkness. "I defy Fate itself to separate usi two. Good- night. my Amy ;, look your‘ pret- tiest to-morrow, my sweet fairy bride." The storm broke at midnight. The lightning flashed, the thunder rolled, the rain fell in torrents.i Am , cow- ering and frightened, huddle under the bedclothes in an agony‘ of terror, and longed unutterably for morning and sunshine. ’ l Morning come, but no sunshine. The sky was still of lead, the rain still fell sullenly, ceaselessly. The hours wore on; ten, the time for‘the ceremony, ar- rived; the guests were assembled, shiv- ering in the parlor: Thd bride, lover in her bridal robes, stoodt ready and waiting in the midst of. her brides; maids; but the hour had struck before the bridegroom came. To Be Continued. â€"â€"â€"-â€".â€"â€"â€"â€"-â€"â€"â€"â€" N0 LAZY DOGS THERE. h-uâ€"e Belgium (‘uujnes Work llartl All Day and no Sentinel Duty by Night. In the western portion oil Belgium, including the two Flanders, the dog has been employed “beyond the mem- ory of man,” as a. beast of burden. Everywhere in the city and in the country he may be seen employed in what may be generally described: as small teaming. He is a characteris- tic feature of life, and'. to the Fleming abroad there is always something missingâ€" his familiar servant, the dog. ‘ ' There are all kinds and conditions of dogs at service in‘ Belgium; there are large, medium and small dogs, strong and weak dogs, smooth-coated as well as shaggy dogs. It makes little difference to the Fleming what his dog may 'be, whether he be fitted for ser- vice or not; if the~ master needs his he harnesses him to a. cart For this sin- lazy labor, and puts him to- work. gle reason, there- are very few dogs in that country.» The Belgian dog, the breed’ being known only by this name, is a. large, \Vhen stand- ing he measures in heighti from twen- compactly built animal. ty to thirty inches; thd hair is smooth and short, generally tan or a light Both his tail andlears are cut short, the former because it_ is believed that the strength which] would otherwise enter into. this exâ€"l hremity is retained in the. spinal colâ€"3 umn and haunches, and the. latter in order to prevent the constant flapping brown in color. of the . ' NATURALLY LONG EARS which would be a. great inconvenience and hindrance to their work when annoyed by flies. This specimen of dog has' been em- ployed in Flanders for years. unnum- bered. These dogs are seldom harness- ed single, but are usually" driven, two,l three, four, five or even‘ six abreast, Five or six of suclti animals can easily ; draw" a. load of six: hundred or cit:th hundred pounds for a. considcrulilei distance and during several consocu-l tiw- hours. The Belgian dog may be; put to work when about; a. your old. and can be employed daily during 8 or 9 years. lie generally lives to be 10 or ll years of age. After death the skin is still of. value for tanning] purposes. = The training of tlwso :tniimls is very! simple. It is cu:.i.om:try to fur-.tcntlzol young dog, when about: sixtlnonlhs ofl ago. alongside of eXporionccd dogsand' without. giving him any load to draw, Sullnnt-Iouda] thus to tom-it him to run in burnt'ss. 'i'hc pl‘lt'l's of the dog»; vary. Young ordinary dogs soil ,for about! six do!» lars to seven dollars; :1 good syrct'inn-n between one and three years of age brings ten dollars to twi-lvo dol- lars, while .1 very fine anim’ul will command fifteen dollars The number of dogs employed as draught animals in Belgium is very considerable, but; exact statistics on the subject; arcnnt i obtainable. According to the police; registers of Ghent, two thousand: until thirty-seven dogs are lir-c-nsod for: hauling in that city. These animals; are exempt from the two dollars taxi imixiscd on pet house dogs, which num- ; her 3,775 in that city of 160,000 inhabit- ‘v ants. ! At night the dog must be given a‘ good kennel, full of straw, and left unchained. Incidentally, it may also be remarked that. notwithstanding his{ long day's labor, be is an excellent' watchdog. It should be noted that, his feet never need attention, and that he is likewise proof against all kindsf of weather. _.,.aupporting equally well; the extremes of heat and cold. l i i HOW armms mm' , ,' I“ A. one" nescrlbcs ou- cunning wart 0" Those [tardy "Ii-theatrica- In any account of the ways it)“ Afridis fight. it is necessary to tn~ cludo in the description the military characteristicstof the frontier natives without regard to different“! 01 tiribe. _ Their style of fighting is specially adapted to the geographical conditions of the country. Both at Fort Sam- ghari and at Fort (‘avagnari I had an opportunity, with other officers, of learning the peculiar fighting ways of the Afrldis. Every race, of course, has itsown method of combat, and the Afridis conduct their operations against an enemy in a manner alto- gether their own; It is. as shifty as it is effective. Few civilians can realize how deadly it may be- come. ' ‘ It is bad enough when an enemy, creeping slowly up a hillside, lodges itself in sections behind huge boulders and, under cover of these, pours vol- ley after volley at that human targets â€"as those engaged in the task of guard- ing the summit become. . .Watehing the advancement of a fee is not at any time an inspiriting occupation: it is worse to see the; half-naked lAfridis creeping slowly and slowly fromboul- der to boulder. This is what takes place in broad daylight, but even then the cunning Afridi can circumv vent nature. Take, as AN ILLUSTRATION of this, the way in! which Fort Sam- ghari fell. It occurred inI_ broad day- light and within sight of. the neigh. boring fort of Cavagnari, where the stealthy operations of the tribesmen‘ were observed by the imperial troops. Attempts were made by means of signals to warn the defenders of the British flag of their danger. but to no avail. Although considered impregnable, Fort Saraghari. built of square stone with two bastionS' at opposite (High-S, was fatally defective in design-l It had I). “dead” point underneath! each bastionâ€"L0,, a. point from which!- an enemy could be neither seen- nor bit by the defenders. The result was that: while the contending forces were fir- ing against each otherâ€"the defenders in the forts and the'nssailants behind stone breast-works and within ten yards of each otherâ€"u. few native-born “engineers” among the Afridis who had crept up to the "dead"- point were mining a. breach in' one. of the has- tions. Before this was made sufficient- ly large to admit th‘el savage tribes- men to make their deadly, rush into the fort. the undermining operations were seen by the small force holding » Fort Cavagnari. These signalled to their brothers in arms the danger awaiting them, but the latter were too busily employed in repelling the onâ€" slaughts of the enemy to: benefit by the telescopic observations of their comrades. And so every one of the twenty-one Sikhs guarding Saraghari died at his post. All this took place on; the afternoon of September 12. If the Afridi were crafty in daylight, his cunning at night became superhuman. Many :i. sentry has fallen silently and mysteri- ously in the Indian nighti A naked form, moving stealth-Hy in the dark as the sentry paces backwards and for- wards, getting almmt motionless as the sentry draws nigh; a sudden! bound, followed by a dagger thrust; this is the end of many nnl lndian soldier; and the secret of man‘yf‘u tribal vicâ€" bory.â€"" An Officer," in London 'l‘cle- graph. I Till!!!) USUAL \VAY. .â€".â€"- .-,. Israelsâ€"1D Rachel vM daughter pom' to get ltl’ll‘l‘lfll on Christmas. .lm‘o‘s-vVnt you groin’ to give her? lsrru-le-«lf biplanes imbrov-vs liru tween now an’ den, I \lll brztlmldy give her away. -... . - ........__.. .lll'RNl‘lll AS l-I'ii'llA N'I'EHS in 1609 an Englishman nzunml Hanks bad a bore» whit-h in» bid tintinm! to follow‘ him when-yer ll" w--nt., over fences and to the roofs of luildinga. I10 and his horse went, in tin- top «if that imuwnsely Mu!) strm-lurv. St Paul's Church. Al'lt-r m'iny won/irri'nl exploits .‘tt homu. lite hum: and his master went. in Home, wiwrr- tinny prr~ formed furth equally :i~,luni<l.iug. The result was that built limbo land his horse were burnmi '1» cu- chunk-rs. Success in farming Ilcpctlds much up- on preventing waste. ‘11