The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

where, Asn for the Middle we - Author of "Black Money," CHAPTER I. FACED WITH REALITY. ! On that particular November even- ing, Viner, a young gentleman: of means and leisure, who lived in a com- fortable old house in Markendale Square, Boyswater, with his maiden aunt Miss Bethia Penkridge, had spent his after-dinner hours in a fashion which had become a habit. Miss Penkridge, a model housekeep- er and an essentially worthy woman, whose whole day was given to super- vising somebody or something, had an insatiable appetite for fiction, and loved nothing so much as that her nephew should read a novel to her after dinner. Miss Penkridge had be- come a confirmed slave to the sensa- tional. She had no taste for the psy- chological, and nothing but scorn for the erotic. What she loved was a story which began with crime and end- ed with a detection--a story which kept you wondering who did it, how it was done, and when the doing was go- ing to be laid bare.to the light of day. At precisely ten o'clock that evening Viner read the last page of a novel which had proved to be exactly suited to his aunt's tastes. "Well!" she said, "So he did it! Now, T never should have thought it! The last person of the whole lot! Clever---very clever! Richard, you'll get all the books that that man has written!" "My+« dear aunt!" sald Viner. "You're worse than a drug-taker. Whatever makes a highly-respectable, shrewd old lady like you cherish such an insensate fancy for this sort of stuff 7" "Stuff?" demanded Miss Penkridge. "Pooh! It's not stuff--it's life! Real life--in the form of fiction!" Viner shook his head pityingly. "Life!" he said. "You don't mean to say that you think those novels really represent life?" Its luscious froohacss & rich t ~ maKe it finer than any v Eo or Young Hyson. BY J. 8. FLETCHER. SALADA. f= of Things. "Scarhaven Keep." ete. of the main road-in the Westbourne Grove district. Between this terrace and Markendale Square was a dark narrow passage, little frequented save by residents. Viner was about to turn] into this passage, when a young man darted hurriedly out of it, half col- lided with him, ran across the road and disappeared round the Hearest corner. But just there stood a strort- lamin; and in its glare Viner caught sight of the hurrying man's face. "That's strange!" he muttered. "I've seen that chap somewhere--I know him. Now, who is he? And what made him in such a deuce of a hurry?" It was queer, he reflected, that he scarce- ly ever remembered meeting anybody in that passage. And then he suddenly paused, pull- ing himself up with a strange con- sciousness that at last he was to meet something. Beneath the feeble light of the one lamp Viner saw a man, Not a man walking, or standing still, or leaning against the wall, but lying full length across the flagged pavement, motionless--so motion¥ss that at the end of the first moment of surprise, Viner felt sure that he was in the presence of death, And then he stole nearer, listening, and looked down, and drawing his match-box from his pocket added the flash of a match to the poor rays from above. Then he saw white linen, and a bloodstain slowly spreading over its glossy surface. CHAPTER IL "WB KNOW LITTLE ABOUT MR. ASHTON." Before the sputter of the match had died out, Viner' had recognized the man who lay dead at his feet. He was a man about whom he had recently felt some curiosity, & man who, a few weeks before; had come to live in a house close to his own, in company with an elderly lady and a pretty girl. "What else?" demanded Miss Penk-! ridge. "Judged by what some people; can teil of life, the novel that's im-| probeble hasn't yet been written!" "Well!" remarked Viner, "I dare' say you're right, Aunt Bethia. Only | you see, I haven't come across she things in life that you read about in novels." "You may yet," replied Miss Penk-|{ ridge. "But when anybody says to me of a novel that it's impossible and| far-fetched and so on, Im always in-! clined to remind him of the old adage. ' For you can take it from me, Richard, that truth is stranger than fiction,| and that life's full of queer things. ' At the silvery chime of a clock, Miss Penkridge rose, kissed her nephew and! departed bedward; while Viner went | for & walik. And while he strolled along, he was thinking, in 4 half-| cynical, half-amused way, of nis Aunt Bethia's conviction that there were much stranger things in real life than could be found between the covers of | any novel, when his musings and questionings were suddenly inter rupted. Unconsciously he had walked back, close to his own Square, but on the op- posite side to that by which he had left it, approaching it by one of the numerous long terraces which run out into the passage, I met a young fellow "hisked Viner. "good," "But--there"s Dr. where about here--number seven in| The man looked as if he had seen things in -life--a big, burly, bearded man of apparently sixty years of age, hard, bronzed; something about him suggested sun and wind as they are met with in the far-off places. Here, withqut doubt, was gnurder, cad Viner's thoughts immediately turned to two things--one the hurry- ing young man whose face he thought he had remembered in some vague fa- | shion ;-the other the fact that a police- man must" be near. He soon found the latter who, recognizing Viner as an inhabitant of the Square, touched his helmet. "I say!" said Viner, "there's a man lying dead in the passage round here, and without doubt murdered! There's blood all over his shirt-front." The policeman pulled out his whistle and blew loudly and insistently. Be- , fore the shrill call had died away, he was striding down the passage to the dead man, and turning on his lantern, directed its light on the body. "God bless me!" he muttered. Ashton!" "You know him?" said Viner. "Gent that came. to live at number seven in your square a while back, Mr. Viner," answered the policeman. "Australian or New Zealander, I fancy. Knifed! You didn't see any- body about, sir?' "Yes," replied Viner. "Mr. "As I turned running out of it in a great hurry-- he ran into me, and then shot off across the road, Westbourne Grove way." + The policeman bent lower and sud- denly put a knowing finger on certain of the dead man's pockets. "Robbed!" he said. "Is it any good getting a doctor?" "A thousand doctors'll do him no * replied the p grimly. Cortelyon some- the terrace, 'We might call him." was a man. whom in white, and Tae to THe throat in an opera cloak out of which a fresh, giriish face, bright in golor, sparking of eye, ¢ by & mass of hair of the tint of dead gold, showed clearly ere she rapidly crossed to the open door. | After her came an elderly, well- pr! / woman im an e.aberate Svening toilette, the personification of the precise and 'conventional chaperon. - When they had entered the Inspec- | ter touched the bell number seven. A smart parlor-maid answered. : "Hush! This is Mr, Ashton's?" said] the Inspector. "Yes--well, now, what is the name of the lady--the elderly, lady--I saw come in just now?" | "Mrs. ; Killenhall," answered the parlor-maid. ; ? "And the young lady--her name?" asked the Inspector. "Miss Wickham." The Inspec vralked insids the house, "Just ask Mrs. Ki} jenhall oud Miss Wickham if they I! be good encugh to see Inspector Driliford for a f-w min- utes," he sald he girl ciased the door and goon returned to escot Viner and Drilliford into another room, where the two women awaited them. "Mrs. Killenhall? Miss Wickkam?" began Drillford. "Sorry to break in on you like this, ladies, but the fact is, there has been an accident to Mr. Ashton, and I'm obliged to come and tell you about it." Viner saw at once that there was going to be no scene. "A bad accident?" asked the elder woman. of soft printed silk. Tucks are the Drillford looked from the elder to medium used to secure this upward the younger lady. | movement, and are JTepeated at the "You'll excuse me if I ask what re-' shoulders and i in the long sleeves. The lation you ladies are to Mr. Ashton?" V neck and scarf collar tied in a bow, he said. spell last minute smartness, In har- "None!" replied Mrs. Kil'enhall.{ monizing plain tone is the circular "Miss Wickham is Mr. Ashton's ward.| skirt joined to a fitted body lining. I am Miss 'Wickham's chaperon--and | The blouse; No. 1291, is in sizes 34, 36, com anion." 38, 40 and 42 inches bust. Sizes 86 ell, ma'am," said Drilford, "then bust requires 214 yards 36-inch ma- I may tell you that my news is--just, terial. The skirt, No. 1298, is in sizes about. as serious as it possibly could 34, 36, 38, 40 and 42 inches bust, Size THE LINE OF THE GOWN MOVES UPWARD IN FRONT. Assured of its chic and newness, this model shows the charm of the up- at-front treatment in its overblouse | work with in fad Wor: MADE BY TORONTO 878 LEVER BROTHERS LiMiTED Eta vigour, turns | the ey be, youn understand." 36 bust requires 2% yards 36¢inch, or "Don't be afraid to tell us," said the 1% yards b4-inch material. Price 20¢ girl. "Is Mr. Ashton dead?" | each pattern, Driilford inclined his head, Every woman's desire is to achieve spoke as he was bidden. i | that smart different appearance which "I'm SOrTy to say he is; he replied. draws favorable comment from the ob- "The truth is--" serving public, The designs illustrat- "What is the truth?" asked Miss ed-in our new Fashion Beok are orig- and Wickham. inated in the heart of the style centres "Murder!" said Driliford. "Just and will help you to acquire that much that!" desired air of individuality. Price of Mrs. Killenhall, who had remained, the book 10c¢ the copy. standing until then, suddenly sat HOW TO ORDER PATTERNS. down, with a murmur of horror. But hn : , the girl was watching the inspector Write your nae and address plain- steadily. ly, giving number and size of such "When was this? and how, and Patterns as you want. Enclose 20c in where?" she inquired. stamps or coin (coin preferred; wrap "A little time ago, near here," ans- it carefully) for each number and wered Drillford. "This gentieman, {address your 'order to Pattern Dept; Wilson Publishing Co., 73 West Ade- Viner, a neighbor of yours, found him' --dead. wen s no doubt, from what !aide St, Toronto. Patterns sent by veturn mail. ob t we can see, that he was murdered for 7 3 the sake of robbery. And I want some Ars ; Death, the Collector. This is the bill which cannot be de- nied." "Please call another time, the man replied. know very much about Mr. Ashton." (To be continued.) "I'm sorry, but to-day I'm not prepared. I really thought your master little cared 2 . How long this lease of mine on ind Ek should run. "I I've planned some work which still 1 far from done, There's still a hill or two I wish to climb, x Come back, collector, at some other time." i "I've heard that story countless ilmes before," i Said the collector, standing at the door i "You tay you want i Bote re time! Well, A Pleasant Journey. MMs, "Where are you going, my pretty Give r.e the late precisely, if you can. fines /| Minard's Liniment for sore throat. information about him, about his hab- meer fen ee its and--" Death, the collector, ea Miss Wickham 'got up from her t said: ms.to Aiming Prayer for One Away. chair and looked meaningiy at Mrs.! «I want the payment for your drink |Bgcause I chance tg card for you, Killenhai.. a . 2 _ and bread! I make a little prayer for you: "The fact is," she said turning to 1 want the price which tenants all] That danger may Drillford; "strange as it may seem, must pay Be far away; neither" Mrs. Killenhall nor myself! For having occupied a house of clay' | That grill and fear - May not come near; That good cheer will Be with you still; That happiness And all succees May he your own and You're not alone: Hach day I make a prayer for you, sald a young lady at an exhibition of statuary. "gid very, very simple. a block of marble and a chisel and| knock off all the .marble- you "don't |" want." "The average height of a certain Af- rican tribe Is 4ff. Tin. hes felt like that, however, - -when | he 3 has kissed his flance's shingled mother under the mistietos by sifstake, 2 Needs Only a Little Tug. She~-It .must be an awful pull to' get a big ship started." He--"Ch, no; with one or two little ugs ghe's soon on, her war" know that God will care for you. : " ----Mary Carolyn Davies. ete fi nein i _ Oh, Very Easyl "Sculpture is very easy, isn't it?" "Very, very easy," said the sculptor,' rms ~ Many & man. assortment We pay transportation charges. THE M¢CONNELL NURSERY COi, . Port Burwell, Oat. Me Bal Pos rol Better Things. Better to smell the violet cool Than sip the glowing wine; Better to hark a hidden brook Than watch a diamond shine. Better sft at a master's feet = Than thrill a listening state; Better suspect that thou are proud Than be sure that thou are great. 'Better to walk the realm unseen Than watch. the hour's event; Better the "well done!" at the last Than the air with shoutings rent. Better a death when work is done. Than Barth's most favored berth: Better a child in God's great house Than the king of all the Barth. --George MacDonald. F een eee ns Wonder. Jerry--"That, woman you were with last night looked old enough to be I your mother." Harry--*"Yes,; Isn't it queer. my grandwofher, » She's "NEW WALLPAPERS OUR LIBERAL DISCOUNTS---SPLENDIL VALUES. . The W. J. 30LUS CO, Ltd. Head Office and Show Rooms: | 818 YONGE -8T. . | STRAWBERRY "PLANTS TO RONTO Pramier, Glen Mary, Parin's Beauty, Senator Dunlap, Progres. and. nexrly 20 other You just take ; i NEW RUGS Do not throw Let us way your -sive -Ever-bearing leading var. feties. Grown for plants only, and far superior te plants dw i from sides of fruiting rows, Also full of other fruits, asparagus and ornamentals, Descriptive catalogue A | set aside as the Glacler National of the United States, the ; , gravelled roads, Je the village "Where on pleasant, streets a number of summer. cottages, many of them facing on the lake, have been built. Here, too, wil be outa the hotel and chalets, the vilion, swimming pool, restaurants rr summer visitor. The camp shoes ad- lakes elect to stay. Both the camping. areas have 'wide views over the ma- Jestic lake which givess the park its name, tourists. Varied Recreation. in Waterton lake Itself aiid in the many jewelled lakes set in the adjoin: ing mountains. One may row to the many quiet bays or excursions may be made by motor boat to various parts of the lake, including Boundary Cabin, Hell Roaring Canyon and to Glacier park at the southern end of the lake. While many bathers take a dip in the cool waters of Waterton lake the ma- Jority prefer the somewhat warmer waters of Linnet lake near by, where the Government has built a bath-house with dressing rooms and verandahs. The Government has also cométructed excellent tennis courts near the village and thé:e ate available without charge "| to the visitor. The beauty of the golf links at Waterton remains long in thé memory, the wide sunlit fairways, 'the snowy mountain peaks beyond, 'and the occasional glimpses of lakes and {flowered meadows make the course one perhaps unexcelled for beauty of surroundings In the Dominion. _For those more adventurously incl there are mountain ways to cmb and trails to follow to shadowy forest depths and blue lakes. On such wan- derings 'the decor and the mountain goat and sheep will be encountered. ; hy During last summer work was com- 3 on a new highway. within the park and fn course of tire this road-- the Akamina highway-- will enable the '| motorist to go by a short: route through a country of wild grandeur from Waterton to Glacier park. ne fe i ot Song of the Thrush. What are those 'haunting memories that throng Back to my heart at evening wiih your song? = Fresh, crystal pureness of a mountain lake, por = Deep, luring coolness underneath the still, = Tall pines that fringe the shore, wave. ripplings, And silver twilight over wooded hill. These are The. eweer enchantisents that you bring : Back to my Yeant, at ovening as you "bing. Bdith Mirek. has puzzled many historians. Londonium is first mentioned by | Tacitus, a, Roman author, in. A.D, 61 He. says It is "a place greatly cele- brated for the number of its mer Be glad to quit the | Ah; ro, my friend, nb maid? Buppose I grant you five years more, "To meet my bootlegger) sir," she. or ten, { said. Are you quite sure that you'll be ready ieee mrp then Minard's Lisi for 'dandruff. } att "When in your work be finished? §- x you say 'When Londen Was Lund. {ac fifty with smile you'll go away? The origin of the name of London! At xy shall I call? An i you, en chants and the abundance o its sup- F plies." There are many "proofs. uslieh and Swedish museums of th a place rom the Scandinavian _ vidual of antiquity as well as king of 'asked Oro 'who wating 'richest ndl. - Lydia in its palmy cays, on: Recreation of the thost varied kind _|1s open to all, both young and old. For . the angler Is offered the joys of fishing join the village and there, under can: = "| vas, many of the visitors to*Waterton = and both are: equipped for stores, all catering to the needs of the =