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._ .. I." 6 ¢W-‘»fia‘ifli -,..’\., ox. ,.., . ms. or U... ,c . ’V. -. \N‘V‘N‘fl’v W ‘W‘W‘WWWW’IF‘W sunken A‘sw .. \’. WW .a’v ~.- VW MWV v M4 A‘hfl... , Q'v'wvsgrmwx «Mr‘v’ a . Vivi“, V'V‘ w-..""'â€"â€"V w “ ‘ fawn-.w ~ 5 uâ€"â€"-.___ >â€"_.â€"_..â€" __.___.__._’â€"_. siéesreoa-Eesiseasosesrosaoso [to find Raby dead from a blow on a? 3. The Tick of theClock. assesssmackeareawssmrenew “Tick, tick, the tick of the clock; a golden sovereign for every second, tick, tick, tick !”' A large grandfather‘s clock stood in one corner of the room, and at each swing of the pendulum a piece 01‘ gold clinked on 1he table as it fell from the miSer’s hand. An avariâ€" cious grin distorted his sinister face as he chanted the words in a hoarse whisper. The clock chimed the tWelvc, and the man ceased counting and threw himself back in his chair to think. v “Mine, nine, yes, all mine, Greg- ory Grasby, the steward of Baby Hall, a rich man, aye, a rich man. No, not very rich; there is more to come, much more. 5y this time toâ€" morrow my son Peter will be here. Peter Grasbyâ€"no, no; Harry Baby, the new squire of Baby Hall. I must not forget that he is «no longer .my son, but. my master. Ila 1 ha ! my master. Let me see, he was a boy of ten when I saw him last, thirty years ago. I wonder if I shall know him ?” The room was on the first floor, with a narrow veranda running out- side the window. 'As the miser stood gathering up the gold a man’s face was pressed against the glass watching his every. movement. “Tick, tick, the tick of the a golden sovereign for that ? what’s that l” . With ashen face and dropped jaw he stared at the figure outside the window. ' clock; What’s “Sam Black, Sam Black, here again !” _ He threw the bags into a safe, from which he took a revolver. Thus armed he opened the window, and the man sprang into the mom. “You back again? What do want ?" _ “What do 'I want ‘2 Same old tging, Grasby; money, my old miser, and lots of it.” "Then you can’t have at. Three months ago I gave you two hundred pounds on condition that you left the country.” "So I did, Grasby, but I came back; and, look here, I must have money toâ€"night. Things i ‘.e desper- ate with me. England is too hot to hold me, and I must clear out at once. Come on, I can’t wait." “Stand back! You can’t put any more out of inc.” “Then, by Heaven ! if I am caught your son shall swing. Swing, do you hear ? for the murder of Harry Baby, Iâ€"â€"â€"” "Hush, hush; not so loud! I’m a. poor man, Sam Black. I have no money. I ” "‘Oh! stow that and hand over. I watched your little performance with the gold. Yours or not. I must have some, or by toâ€"morrow the world shall know that Harry Baby is dead and Peter Grasby is his murderer.” “Hush ! I beg of you." “Then waste no time. Money must have either from you orâ€"â€"â€"â€"”- “Or ?” ' “Mary Glendower.” "You would not dare.” , , “Would I not ‘? I rather think that she is the better game of the two. What if I should tell her that you she is waiting for a lover who will “ never turn up, while all the time she could be enjoying a fortune '2” "What do you know ?” “My dear tâ€"lrasby, I am not a fool. I know that the late squire left his fortune to his nephew, Harry Baby, whom he had never seen, on condiâ€" tion that he married Mary Glen- dower. If the gentleman did not feel inclined to carry out the conâ€" tract the fortune was to be equally divided.’ If Harry p1 cdcceased the lady, the said lady came into everything. And my faithful stew- ard, Gregory Grasby, was to act as trustee until Harry Baby entered in- to possession, or until Mary Glen- dOWer married. Now, then, you or the lady ‘?” "How much do you. want '7” “Now, this is business. thousand.” "A thousand ! Impossible. See here I am a poor man. The money I have here is not mine. you one hundred poundsâ€"” "Bah ! It is no use to me. up, or I must go.” He made a movement towards the "door. _ “Stop ! 1â€"1 will give you five hunâ€" dred. I-‘â€"â€"-â€"” ' “l-Iand over, and be quick. be in Liverpool to-morrow. gold, half notes.” With a sigh that almost rent heart the old man slowly counted out the money, which the other grabbed with feverish haste. "That’s all right; you are a sensi- ble man, Grasby; now I’m off.” “And you will never come back?” “Not if I can help it; but one never knows." “Before you go tell me again.” “About what 7” “Theâ€"the murderâ€"you know.” “Oh, I see; well, that won’t take Hurry I must Half his long. Peter and I were dowu on our luck in Melbourne. Harry Baby lodged in the same house. He s'éemed to have plenty of money, and spoke of buying a farm. He heard of a good one and asked us to go with him to see it, and if be conâ€" cluded the purchase we were to stay as farm hands. It was a long journey, and we camped taro nights in the bush. One morning I awoke . ago. Say a, I will give =another instant was by the head, and your son Peter was rifling his Pockets. 'After some ex- planationwe shared his money, hid the dody, and went back to Melâ€" bourne. That’s all.” ‘ "And what made you come me ?" "Oh, Peter used to talk of his skin-flinted old father, who kicked him out when he was a kiddy, and when I came to England I thought you wOuld like news of your boy.” “And nobody knows that Baby is dead ’2” “Not a soul but the three of I must be off now; I’ve wasted much time already." With a nod to the miser he let himself out of the window and climbed dowu. The old steward wat- to us. too hour of lched him disappear through the park. disappear through the park. “Gone! gone! thank goodness I am rid of him ! Five hundred pounds -â€"tick, tick, the tick of theâ€"bah! I’m wandering. What if he had come when Peter was here ? 'A close shave, a close shave.” Mumbling to himself he went to bed, but morning he made his ,way across the park to the little cottage that Mary Glendower had chosen to inhabit since the death of Squire Baby some months She was her twentyâ€"first year, and look even appeared upon the of her "A glorious morning, Miss Glenâ€" the off ago. a 50ft face greeted the old steward as he dower; a glorious morning for grand event.” "At what time do you expect Mr. Baby ‘2" "About six this evening. It is a memorable day for you, miss.” "Perhaps; but I find my position a little embarrassing. I know nothing of Mr. Baby, neither do you, and he knows equally as much about me.” "Ah ! Missâ€"â€" “And a woman has her ideals; Mr. Baby may not be mine.” “But if he is handsome. kindâ€"” “I have such a man in my mind’s eye. I met him but once, but never learnt his name. It bourne two years ago. a great service. When my mother died I was left penniless. Without money I could not get to England. My hero, as 1 call him, heard of my misfortune, and one day he brought me a parcel, which he begged me to accept. Without waiting for an an- swer he raised his hat and left. The parcel contained a ticket to England and fifty pounds.” ‘ “And you never saw him again ?” "I sailed the following day, and, although I made a few inquiries, no- body seemed to know him.” “Well, we’ll hope that Mr. Baby may be just such another. You will come to the Hall toâ€"night ?” "I think not, Mr. Grasby; but you but when be H sees you, was in Melâ€" He did me may bring him here as soon as he feels inclined to come.” . “Very well, miss. I must be off now. I have a lot to do before I go to the station to meet him.” It was with a beating heart and much apprehension that iregory Grasby went over all the details of his nefarious scheme for installing his son in the position of squire of Baby, and a nervous dread seized him as he set out to meet the offâ€" spring whom he had abandoned to the mercy of the world thirty years He had not. the slightest no- tion of what he would be like nor yet; of his disposition, but from Sam Black’s description he felt that the returning son would be an easy tool in his hands. . When the train arrived there were but few passengers, and when a tall man with a bronzed face and a fair moustache stepped on to the plat- form Grasby went forward with outâ€" stretched hands. “Welcome home, come home.” "Thank you; and you areâ€"7” “Gregory Grasby, sir, your humâ€" ble steward, and very much at your service.” A number of people had assembled on the platform, and they now presâ€" sed forward to Welcome the new squire. The porters grinned and touched their caps,.and were espec- ially delighted when he gave them a sovereign to drink his health. "That’s it, keep it up, Peter; you’re doing it splendidly.” whisperâ€" ed Gregory. "The clog-cart is waitâ€" ing, Mr. Baby, sir; the luggage can follow. This way, sir.” The steward led the way out of the station, and amid the cheers of the crowd the squire drove away. “Capital, Peter, capital; you can play the gentleman. This plan is Mr. Baby. Welâ€" going to work. But I mustn’t call you Peter, ch ‘2 I must get out of that. How you’ve grown. I shouldn’t have known you.” “Quite sure you know me now?” “Certain, certain; couldn’t mistake you. Look! See this cottage that we are coming to ‘2 That is the nest where the little bird lives that you are going to marry. 'A beauty, Peter. Ah ! you lucky dog." Mr. Grasby was quite playful as he nudged the squire. As the dog-cart approached the cottage, Mary Glendower came into the garden. To Mr. Grashy’s as- tonishment the squire jerked the reins, pulled up the horse, and in Mary’s side. She started back at first, and then came forward with hands outstretch- ed. "My benefactor He sized her hands and looked in- to her eyes. “'And youâ€"you areâ€"â€"” “I am Mary Glendower, whose one 1)) ,hope in life has been to see you once again} to give you he" thanks", W early on the following a beautiful girl, just in ‘The game is all our own. "Mary Glendower, and Iâ€"Iâ€"'â€"â€"" "Yes ?" ‘ “And Iâ€"anrâ€"Harry Baby.” The significance of the intoduction dawned upon them both at once. With crimsoned face Mary disengaged her hands and he was no less con:- fused. the appearance of Grasby. “With pardon, squire, and yours, miss. my late master seemed to know what he was about when he willed you txvo to come together.” "'And why did you disappear so suddenly after befriending me in Mel- bourne ‘2” q “I knew you would not accept my money unless I put it out of your power to return it. I had seen you very often before, and Iâ€"wel'l, that’s how it is, you see.” "I see that you enabled me to come to England, where I sought out my mother’s old friend, Squire Baby ' andâ€"and you know the rest." _t'::1’es, I know the restâ€"or part of 1 . "Begging pardon, sir, but I think we must get onâ€"dinner is at sevenâ€" thirty. Perhaps Miss Clendower will join you." b “I think not toâ€"night, Mr. Gras- y.7' "May I walk over after ? I should like a chat, it you don’t mind.”- “I shall be pleased to see you.” Mr. Grasby’s gratification was beautiful to behold. “Peter, my bOy, you are a marvel. Nothing can pull us down. You got the paâ€" pers I sent. youâ€"the certificate of birth, your mother’s Bible with your name in? Good. I found them among the papers belonging to the squire’s sister-inâ€"law. Oh, the game 18 ours." After being duly presented to the servants assembled in the hall the squire sat down to his solitary din- ner, but his thoughts were in the litâ€" tle cottage with Mary 'Glendower. Then Grasby made his appearance again. “We. must have a talk toâ€"night, Peter, my son; when you come back after visiting the fairy in her bower, will you come to my roomâ€"say about twelve ‘2” "I shall be there at the tick of the clock." "Tick, tick, the tick of the clock,” the old man chanted under his breath, and then he went up to his room to gloat over his future prosâ€" pects. ‘~ v “ch, yes, I’ll surprise him. I’ll let him see what I am doing for him. A fine chap, but not very grateful, I’m afraid. Hardly spoke a dozen words to me. But I’m going to be master; yes, yes, I’m going to conâ€" trol the fortune. Here is the paper giving me power to act in every- thing; it, only wants to be signed and witnessed.” He unlocked the safe and drew out bag after bag of gold, pouring one after another into a shining heap on the table. "The beautiful gold. Eight thou- sand pounds, and more to comeâ€" more to come. Tick, tick, the tick of the clock. He will be here soon --‘twelVe o’clock on the tick,‘ he said. Ah ! here he is.” The squire entered the room; his face was radiant with happiness. He stared in astonishment at the sight of the money. “Ah ! that surprises you, Peter, eh ? And this is ours, ours; but you look happy. 'Have you news for me?” “Miss Glendower and I are to be married a. month from toâ€"day.” "Good, good, glorious! And now let us have a quiet talk.” "I think we need it.” "Have you made all things square at Melbourne ? Did you get the affidavits showing that you are Harry Baby '2” ' "I can fully establish my identity in that respect, but tell me your story from the beginning.” "Yes, yes; it won’t take long. When the squire died six months ago he left his fortune to Harry Baby on condition that he married Mary Glenfiower. I was made trustee un- til Harry came into possession. No- body knew the whereabouts of the heir, but, strangely enough, a week after the squire’s funeral I came across Sam Black.” “Sam Black ’2" "Yes, and he told me that Harry Baby was dead, and that you had killed him.” “That Iâ€"But go on.” “I gave Black money to keep secâ€" ret, and he gave me your address in Melbourne. I then wrote to you telling you to change your name to Harry Baby, and sent you proofs of identity; for, didn’t you see, the’rcal heir is quite unknown here, and I thought Peter Grasby might just as well be the squire as not." “You are a clever scoundrel.” “He ! he ! Hard words, Peter; but see, the shining gold; all ours, Peter. Mary Glendower was a stumbling- block, but we’ve got over thatâ€"eh, Peter ‘P” “Yes, we’ve got over that. what is the next move ?” “The lawyers, Peter, and your old dad.” ' “My old dad ‘2” "Yes, that’s me Peter. There is a little paper here giving me.a.bsolute power over the estate and its inâ€" come. After things are settled with the lawyers, you will sign this and live in clover for the rest of your life upon what I allow you.” “And if I refuse to sign it ?" "You can’t, my boy. You are ab- solutely in my power. You can't move hand or foot without me. If you were to deny me I couldâ€"â€"” “What '2” f "Denounce you for murder." "And your proof?” “Sam Black was here last night; But The tension was relieved by, IIalif ax , which I can lay my hands on him minute. say ?” "‘I say that you are the scoundrel unhung." "‘See the, gold, Peter; run fingers through it. Tick, tick, any Come, Peter, what do you bigges tick of the clock; a golden sovei‘eignl_ for every second, tick, tick, tick. See 1“ Peter, my son ?” “I am not your son l” The old man- ceased playing with the gold and stared at him with disâ€" tended eyes. “Notâ€"not my son?” he gasped. . “No; your son is at present servâ€" ing ten years’ penal servitude for the attempted murder Baby." , “Andâ€"and you ?” "I am l-l‘arry Baby. When your son and Sam Black foully attacked. _me and left me for dead, 'I was found some hours later by a bush.- man and nursed back to life. When I recovered I went to my old lodgings in Melbourne, and while there a letâ€" ter came for Peter Grasby. It came into my hands, and thinking it would give me some clue to his whereabouts I opened it. It was your precious epistle. Some days later your Son was arrested and conâ€" victed; then ,I came home." “Yes, yes; you came home, and I met you; oh, yes. But you my son, the squire of Baby, and this goldâ€"it is oursâ€"ours, yours and mine. No, you shall not touch it; it is mine, all mine... Tick, tick, the tick of the clockâ€"all mine, I tell you â€"~a golden sovereign for every secâ€" ond, tick, tick, tick, the tick of the clock, the tickâ€"â€"â€"" He flung himself upon the gold and (buried his arms in it, grasping hand~ ful 'after handful and thrusting them into his pockets. The look of a maniac filled his eyes, and a white froth dropped from his mouth. “xoldl the gold! tick, tick, tick of theâ€"” With a choking gasp he staggered back, clutching the table as he fell. The golden shower fell upon him as he lay prone, and when Harry Baby the bent over him Gregory Grasby was dead. V A month later Harry Baby and fulfilled the terms square’s will.and, alâ€" Mary Glendower of the old .though many years have massed now, Harry can never forget the hoarse chant of the old miser: “Tick, tick, the tick of the clock.”-â€"-London 'Anâ€" swers. ..__._.._.+_.â€"_. BRITAIN ll__ THE EAST HEB STRONG POSITION CASE OF WAR THERE. .â€".._~ Journey of Three Weeks Great Britain to the Far East. Simultaneously with the news of the Japanese attack on Vladivostock, says a writer in the London Daily Express, instructions were sent to the British cruisers Bonaventure and Grafton, then in South American waâ€" ters, to proceed with all speed to Esquimalt. While this in no way indicates that our interests in the North Pa- cific are threatened, it. forcibly calls attention to our position out there in case we should eventually be forced to take a hand in the far eastern war. Full of grave danger as is Russia’s position in the Pacific with Japan only as an opponent, it would, were Great Britain actively allied with J a.- pan, be absolutely hopeless. Russia, in its Siberian railway, sought to provide in time of peace the one direct route between Europe and the far east, and in time of war a. national highway that would af- ford her a, dominating influence in those regions. ~ - War came sooner than Russia ex- pected, and she finds her national highway unable to bear the strain upon it. But then it is most faultâ€" ily constructed, while the climatic conditions of a great portion of the route tlii'otigli which it runs gravely add to the difficulties. Apart from the natural difficulties and the enginâ€" eering faults, there is always the possibility of the line being wrecked by the enemy. So we have Russia with a badly constructed highway, which is readily blocked and liable to be destroyed. The present theatre of operations is over 4,000 miles from the base, and it is not easy to see how having coped with the tremend- ous strain of transporting men and heavy equipments, she is going to feed the men and horses during a lengthy campaign. STRONG POSITION. Now, in the case of this country, should we unfortunately be dragged into the war, the position would be very different. Granted that we have the command of tlic Atlantic, we could ship all the men, guns, and ammunition required direct to the Atlantic' seaboard of Canada with 'despatch and without hindrance. The Atlantic terminus of the Empire’s highway in winter is 1. rt is 2,342 miles from Liverpool. (The distance from New York to Liverpool is, by the by, 3,130 miles.) - Halifax possesses a magnificent harâ€" bor; to my thinking, one of the fin- est in the world. - Halifax as a naval and military station is strongly fortified. The coal supplies of the neighborhood are practically limitless. The distance from Halifax to Vancouver, the Paâ€" cific terminus of the ” Empire's high- way," is 3,662 miles. of Harry I are IN From even way” would form an indispensable alâ€" ternate and safe route for our armies and their equipments. ACROSS CANA‘DA. V In summer the Atlantic terminus is t Montreal, which is 2,833 miles from Liverpool. From Montreal to Van- your couver, per the Canadian Pacific Bail- the way, the distance is 2,906 miles. Now, this great highway runs, botli summer and winter entirely throuin British territory from out ocean to the other. The line is well Laid, and its efficiency has been daily demonstrated for a considerable num- ber of years. It is admirably equip 'ped, and could bear any extra trans portation strain that war would put upon it with the greatest readiness. Unlike the Russian national high- Way, it has no weak spots (although great engineering feats had to be ac- complished in the course of its con struction), and there is no Lake Bai' kal, with its 40 odd miles, to bl crossed in sleigh's in winter and in boats in summer. There is, in fact. no break in the continuity or perman- ence of our highway from ocean tc ocean. There could be no enemy ta injure it, and the rich countr] through which it passes could readily furnish all the supplies and all thI horses that might be required in ad dition to that provided by the Moth- er Country. Vancouver, on Burrarc Inlet, possesses excellent harbor ao commodation. 4 ESQUIMALT HARBOR. The distance from Vancouver ti Yokohama, taking the northern sail ing across the Pacific, is but 4,128! miles, and can be traversed in tei days. So we have it that the entirl journey from England to Japan by sea and our own land highway couli on emergency be accomplished with in three weeks. Vancouver is separ ated from Victoria (Vancouver Is land), the capital of British Colum bi,a,'by 84 miles of sea. 0n Vancou- ‘ver Island, two miles from Victoria, is Esquimalt, our great naval hast in the North Pacific. Esquimalt as a naval station, with its modern work- shops, graving docks and innncnsi fortifications, is both stronger and more efficient than either Port Ar- thur or Vladivostock, the “Mistresi of the East,” as the, Russians grand iloquently call her; whereas Vladivo‘ stock harbor is partly or wholly froz- en up in winter, Esquimalt harbor is open all the year round. IMPERIAL HIGHWAY. Up to the present the "Empire': highway” has contented itself witl forming a link for conveying passcir gers and goods on their roundâ€"the world journey. Its only connection with war was wh‘t‘n it conveyed from west to east those brave Canadians ’ho volunteered to fight the Empire’s battle in South Africa, and in thosu past weeks, the patriotic Japanese who have answered their country’s cry to return from Europe and Amen lea to the land of their birth. But in time of war, whether help should be required from us in the Pa- cific, the Japan or China Seas, or in India, the “Empire’s high‘ It‘is just' the strength of ours in the North Pacific as well as in Chin- ese waters, together with the posses- sion of this great iron highway across Canada, that forms the greatest gu- arantee for limiting the War to the present combatants. -+â€"â€"-â€"-â€"â€"' . PLEASANT PLACES TO LIVE. Finns Place Their Money in Holes in the Ground. Denmark claims that there is not a single person in her domain who cannot read and write. 011 the northâ€"east coast of New Guinea, the Island of Kutaba, surrounded by a. wall of coral 300 feet high on one side and from 50 to 100 feet on the other, maintains thirteen villages of to whom war, crime and poverty have been unknown since the beginning of their traditions. The most p eaceful and comfortable community in Europe is the com- mune of the Canton Vand, in Swit- well natives, zerland. Nearly every one is off, and there are no paupers. Finland is a realm whose inhabi- tants are remarkable for their inâ€" violate integrity. There are no banks and no safe deposits, for no such security is essential. You may leave your luggage anywhere for any length of time, and be quite sure of finding it untouched on your return, and your purse full of money would be just as secure under simiâ€" lar circumstances. The Finns place their money and valuables in holes in the ground, and cover them with a big leaf. Such treasure is sacredâ€" 1y respected by all who pass it, but, in the rate event of a man wishing to borrow of his neighbor during his absence he will take only the smallâ€" est sum he requires and place a message in the hole, telling of his urgent need, promising to repay the amount on a specified date. "And he will inVariably keep his word, for the Finn is invincible in his inde- pendence. Agneta Park, near Delft, in Holâ€" land, is another utopian example. A tract of ten acres has upon it 150 houses, each with its little garden and with certain common buildings and common grounds. The houses are occupied by the employees of a. great distilling company, who form" a corporation which owns the park. Each member owns shares in' the corporation, and pays rent for his house. The surplus, after all exâ€" penses have been paid, comes back to him as dividend. If he wishes to go away or if he dies, his shares are bought up by the corporation and sold to the man wno takes his place. 1:1“ : ear-1‘. .- -=.‘: 32- . .a_v.,- -14‘i‘-fl'7‘6'_~€i‘. ~- -. .~