,illustration3 ,,chambers',s ,,journal ,,of ,,popular ,,literature1 ,,science1 ,,and ,,art ,fifth ,series ,,established ,,by ,,william ,,and ,,robert ,,chambers1 #ahcb ,,conducted ,,by ,r4 ,,chambers 7,,secundus7 ,,no4 #df4--,,vol4 ,i4 ,,saturday1 ,,november #ae1 #ahhd4 ,,price #a;d4 ,,scottish ,,deer-,,forests4 ,deer-stalking has for many a long year been looked upon as the king of sports2 and in ,scotland1 a large area of land has from an early period been occupied by the red-deer and the roebuck4 ,at the present time1 as far as has been ascertained by a recent inquiry under ,royal ,commission1 the extent of all the deer-forests in ,scotland amounts to about two millions of acres4 ,it is only1 however1 right to say that the land devoted to these animals could not be more profitably employed4 ,it has been affirmed by practical men that it is scarcely possible to feed even one hardy black-faced sheep on less than six acres of such land1 so scant is the herbage4 ,indeed1 some intelligent farmers maintain that it will take a hundred and sixty acres of forest-land to graze a score of these sheep4 ,no person who is even tolerably familiar with the deer-districts of ,scotland will gainsay this4 ,the contour1 altitude1 and climate of a deer-forest quite unfit it for agricultural purposes--the range of ground occupied by these stately animals is of the most miscellaneous description3 hill and dale1 moor and morass1 mountain and glen1 with every here and there rocky precipices1 and small groups of trees naturally planted1 and chiefly of the hardy native birch4 ,in the three chief deer-counties of ,scotland1 the cultivable area is singularly small in proportion to their total extent4 ,taking ,argyll1 ,inverness1 and ,ross-shire as examples1 only three hundred and eighty-seven thousand five hundred and ninety-eight acres are to be found under cultivation1 out of an area which covers six million eight hundred and twenty-three thousand and two acres1 leaving nearly six and a half millions of acres to be inhabited by sheep1 deer1 and grouse1 and as the site of lochs1 rivers1 and mountains1 and sterile places on which nothing grows and nothing can live4 ,no authentic statistics are collected in ,scotland of the deer which are annually slain in the way of sport2 but we are enabled from records which appear from time to time in the public prints1 to estimate the number of stags which are killed in the different forests4 ,in the county of ,inverness--which may be called the deer-county of ,scotland par excellence1 in the same way as ,perthshire is looked upon as being the representative grouse-producing county of the kingdom--probably about sixteen hundred stags are annually killed4 ,the figure which represents the number of deer in all ,scotland1 counting animals of all ages1 must be very considerable1 seeing that1 as stated in evidence before the recent ,royal ,commission1 it yields to the sportsman's rifle four thousand six hundred and fifty stags per annum1 and a nearly equal number of hinds4 ,scrope the deer-stalker1 when writing his celebrated work some fifty years since1 estimated that in the ,forest of ,athole1 which at that date contained an area of over fifty-one thousand acres1 there would be1 young and old1 between five and six thousand deer4 ,calculating on that data1 there ought now to be found on the two million acres of land at present given over to stags and hinds and their calves1 as many as two hundred and twenty-five thousand animals of the deer kind4 ,each stag which succumbs to the prowess of the stalker has been estimated to cost fifty pounds to the lessee or proprietor of a deer-forest4 ,at that rate1 the four thousand six hundred and fifty stags annually killed in ,scotland represent a sum of two hundred and thirty-two thousand five hundred pounds paid in the form of rent and other items of expenditure which are yearly incurred4 ,as to the rent paid for particular deer-forests1 it varies considerably according to extent and amenities4 ,some forests contain a large area of ground2 and although the rental per acre looks trifling enough--ranging as it probably does from ninepence to double1 or in some instances to treble1 that sum--the amount soon accumulates and becomes important4 ,for an area of twelve thousand acres1 a thousand pounds will frequently be paid4 ,many ,scottish forests are1 however1 rented at double that sum2 and not a few at an even larger rent4 ,in the county of ,inverness1 for example1 there are a dozen which yield a total amount of fully thirty-three thousand pounds1 including five of three thousand pounds and upwards1 and one of nearly six thousand pounds1 of yearly rent4 ,in the counties of ,ross1 ,argyll1 ,aberdeen1 and ,perth there are also many forests which command a high price4 ,in the first-named county1 we could name twenty that fetch an aggregate annual rent of upwards of thirty-three thousand pounds1 or an average of nearly seventeen hundred pounds2 while it is no secret that an ,american gentleman pays a yearly rental for deer-ground in ,inverness and ,ross of nearly eleven thousand pounds4 ,deer-stalking has been denominated #8the pastime of princes2' and it is a sport that calls for pluck1 patience1 and endurance on the part of those who undertake it4 ,from daybreak to sundown has been often spent in circumventing the monarch of the mountain2 and often1 after a hard day's work1 the noble hart has got the better of his pursuers1 and found his way to a place of safety4 ,the deer is difficult of access1 being a most suspicious and wary animal1 with a wonderfully acute power of scent and sense of hearing4 ,the antlered stag has to be watched from afar with a powerful telescope1 the anxious stalker and his gillies requiring to be circumspect in all their movements4 ,as an intelligent forester told the writer3 #8,you have to creep on your stomach like a serpent2 you have to crouch as you go like a collier at work2 while to make sure of your prey1 you may have to make a tour of a couple of miles1 even though you are just about within range4 ,you must force your way through the morass1 and must1 if necessary1 walk for a few hundred yards up to your middle in water--that is all in the way of business1 sir1 when you go deer-stalking4 ,a slight rustle1 the displacing of a stone on the mountain-side as you laboriously creep or climb to overlook your quarry1 and your chance is gone2 the deer being perhaps miles away before you can realise the fact that you have disturbed him4' ,these words contain an epitome of the work of deer-stalking4 ,a stag will note a man a long way off1 and will1 when he does so1 most probably at once take alarm and run for his life4 ,the sense of smell which has been bestowed on these animals is wonderful2 wind carries the scent to them unbroken1 and whenever they have #8got the wind1' as it is called1 of man1 or any other source of disturbance1 they are sure to move off to a place of safety4 ,when once a herd of deer is disturbed1 they will take themselves away to a distance2 and it is generally a considerable time before they settle down again to rest or feed in quietness4 ,the red-deer is excessively shy1 and1 as we have been trying to show1 easily frightened4 ,the melancholy note of a flying plover1 the crowing of a cock-grouse1 or the bustling past of a mountain hare1 will sometimes cause him to gallop in a state of alarm for a mile or two before he pauses to see what has happened2 and consequently1 it is generally the policy of the devoted deer-stalker to discourage the rearing of grouse or hares in his deer-forest4 ,the desire for possessing #8fine heads' causes some of the best specimens of the tribe to be shot at an early stage of the season1 a stag-royal being a prize greatly coveted4 ,it is a somewhat curious feature of the economy of a forest that so few horns are found4 ,the deer sheds its horns every year2 but what becomes of most of those that are shed is not very accurately known1 the number found not being in anything like proper proportion to the number that must be shed4 ,the horns1 as a general rule1 are given to the foresters who find them1 as a perquisite2 and therefore it may be taken for granted they are well looked after2 or their scarcity may be partly due to the fact of their being eaten by the deer themselves after being shed6 ,this1 to a certain extent at least1 seems certainly to be the case4 ,it has been said of the ,highland sports of deer-stalking and grouse-shooting1 that as they never can be made to #8pay' in a commercial sense1 so they never can be vulgarised4 ,the deer-forests in particular are sure to remain select2 it is only men who have an annual income of many thousands who can afford to indulge themselves in the #8pastime of princes4' ,as regards the produce of these vast areas of ground--the venison--it can hardly be said to have a marketable value4 ,to produce a haunch at table on the occasion of a dinner-party is with some persons a matter of ambition2 but table venison1 except in ,highland shooting-lodges and hotels1 is generally obtained from park-bred fallow-deer1 especially fed for the purpose1 and which in its season commands a very high price4 ,red-deer venison--that is1 a haunch from a ,highland hart or hind--can only be assigned a secondary place in the cuisine4 ,happily1 some sportsmen have discovered that venison does not require to be kept till it has begun to decay before it can be brought to table1 but can be used to the greatest advantage in the space of two or three days after being killed1 when its flavour is excellent and the flesh presumably nutritious4 ,the deer can also be cut into chops1 such cuts being delicious4 ,among sportsmen who thus utilise their venison we may be allowed to name the father of them all--,horatio ,ross4 ,there is1 however1 some probability that the ,scottish red-deer may yet cut a better figure at table than it has ever done1 and pains are being taken1 we understand1 to fortify the various breeds4 ,the deer is a rather local animal1 and therefore there must be in the various herds a certain amount of in-breeding2 and to counteract the deterioration which must result from such a circumstance1 ,sutherland stags were some time ago placed in the forests of ,ross and ,cromarty with gratifying results2 the ,queen1 it was some time ago stated1 had forwarded some red-deer from ,windsor to be crossed with the deer of the ,duke of ,portland in the county of ,caithness2 and various gentlemen well known in the deer-forest world of the ,highlands have recently followed these examples4 ,it is to be hoped we may learn in time how these experiments have succeeded4 ,in conclusion1 we have only to remark1 that it is a fortunate circumstance for the owners of ,highland estates that they can be rented for deer-forests4 ,in no other way could the proprietors obtain so good an income from their lands4 ,those engaged in the sport of deer-stalking year by year expend a large amount of money2 they give remunerative employment to many hundred persons1 and have done much in many instances to improve the moral as well as the material circumstances of the people by setting those employed by them a good example4 ,as to the question whether it would be more profitable to feed sheep or deer1 that must be left to settle itself by the inevitable operation of economic law4 ,it is a question of rental2 persons having moors and forests in their hands1 naturally enough let them to those who offer most money for them4 ,it has been accurately ascertained by the ,royal ,commission of ,inquiry into the ,crofting ,system1 c41 that all the deer-forests in ,scotland--comprising about two million acres--are capable of throwing on the market only about four hundred thousand sheep per annum2 and as there are in the ,united ,kingdom nearly thirty million sheep1 it is at once seen how comparatively meagre is the displacement of sheep by the ,scottish deer-forests4 ,,by ,,mead ,,and ,,stream4 ,,chapter ,,lvi4--,,uphill4 ,she knew and he knew that they were something more to each other on that white winter day than they had ever been before4 ,what the degree of the #8something more' might be1 neither ,madge nor ,philip attempted to calculate4 ,they were conscious of it1 and that was enough3 yet both wondered how there could be this sense of closer alliance1 when1 looking back1 they remembered how often they had thought that nothing on earth could decrease or increase their affection4 ,they were learning the priceless lesson that ,love grows in suffering where mere passion quickly withers and dies1 and frequently turns to hate4 ,an honest1 promptly spoken word had saved them from folly--cleared the mist from his eyes1 and scoured the misery out of both hearts4 ,and it was ,madge who spoke this magical word1 as it is the loving woman--,god bless her--who always does4 ,but then1 says the cynic1 #8the loving woman' is so rare that she may be freely allowed all possible praise3 vanity and interest have generally much more to do in linking men and women than affection4 ,read your newspaper1 note the lives of those around you1 count the sores which the four walls of every house conceal1 and then you will know how rare she is4--,go1 cynic2 we will shut our eyes and dream the beautiful dream of all romance1 that women are fair1 self-sacrificing1 and loyal in their love4 ,madge was insensible of any special heroism in taking the common-sense view of her duty to ,philip and acting upon it4 ,so now1 the happy end being achieved1 she turned calmly to think of what they had to do for others4 ,as they walked back towards the cottage1 she spoke about ,caleb ,kersey1 and the perilous position in which he was placed by the accusation of ,coutts1 supported as it was by the servant's unintentionally exaggerated account of the prisoner's conduct at the door of the ,manor a few hours before the fire was discovered4 ,she learned with satisfaction that ,philip had not forgotten his unlucky foreman4 #8,i have been to the court1' he said1 #8and ,caleb is remanded for a week1 in order to collect further evidence as to his movements on that night1 and to see how my father progresses4' #8,how did he look8 ,what did he say8' #8,he looked as if he did not care what befell him2 he said nothing more than that he was innocent1 and ,i am sure of it4 ,the poor fellow has been cruelly upset by ,pansy's conduct1 and he has got into this scrape because he could not take warning in time that ,coutts was too cautious a man to become his rival4' #8,but will he be able to prove his innocence8' #8,i hope so2 and the next examination will enable us to form a clearer idea of his chances than we can at present4 ,coutts has had a slight disappointment in a business transaction1 and is merciless towards ,caleb4 ,i suppose he is relieved to find some one to vent his spleen on4' ,philip smiled faintly1 and she was glad to see even the least sign of his returning to his natural good-humoured way of viewing life4 ,he did not explain to her that the business transaction in which ,coutts had failed was his attempt to secure a snug place in ,mr ,shield's will by ousting his brother4 #8,whatever we settle to do1' ,mr ,shield had said with a shrewd twinkle in his eyes1 and referring to ,coutts1 #8don't let that gentleman into our plans4' ,mr ,beecham1 with a grave bow1 had acquiesced in this counsel1 the wisdom of which ,philip could not dispute1 although he was not at the moment acquainted with the details of his brother's design4 #8,don't see the dodge8' continued ,shield brusquely4 #8,it's plain as daylight4 ,he wanted to get you into a hole1 reckoning that the rich uncle would give him your place4 ,he expected that bill would do it2 for if he didn't know from the first that it was a forgery1 he believed it was1 and made sure of getting his own and more out of the rich relative somehow4 ,but when he heard of things going wrong1 and being sharp enough to see that other people had their eyes open as well as him1 he got too anxious to hedge to be able to carry out his scheme as he intended4 ,didn't quite miss his mark either1 though'--this was uttered like a growl of disappointment--#8for1 thanks to you1 he has got his own2 but he'll get no more4' ,philip remembered with what cynical frankness ,coutts had explained the ethics of business which guided him2 but1 until now1 he had always imagined there was more talk than practice in it4 ,he certainly never suspected him of being capable of putting such theories into practice with a friend and relative4 ,pat upon this reflection1 one of ,coutts's favourite apothegms recurred to him--#8,there are no friendships in business4' ,he owned with chagrin that the theories of ,wrentham and ,coutts were identical1 although the former was not so careful in utilising them as to succeed4 ,the brothers rarely met at this time1 and then only exchanged a passing #8,how do you do8' ,after ,mr ,hadleigh's removal to ,willowmere1 ,coutts arranged with ,dr ,joy to send for him if there should be any marked change for the worse in the patient's condition4 #8,he wants quiet1 you say1' was the observation of this smart young man of business2 #8and there is no use in my trotting out here when ,i can do nothing4 ,you'll let me know if anything is required4' ,he was punctual as ever in his attendance at the office2 lunched and dined at his club1 where he spent the evening playing billiards or cards1 with an occasional diversion to one of those shady places to which #8baccarat' was the fatal lure4 ,but ,coutts did not lose2 even here his usual caution protected him4 ,he did not want to see ,philip at present2 for although his money was safe1 he felt mortified by his inability to penetrate the mystery of the bill1 and by the consciousness that he had failed most egregiously in the attempt to ingratiate himself with ,mr ,shield4 ,philip paid a brief visit daily to the farm1 but it was very brief2 and in that first week of anxiety1 ,madge and he spoke little of themselves or of their future4 ,there was no need3 everything was understood between them now1 and they were too deeply engaged in earnest duties to allow themselves any relaxation until the immediate crisis in their affairs had been passed4 ,at the works1 ,philip laboured with all his might to pull things straight1 and he had frequent occasion to wish that he might have had the assistance of ,caleb ,kersey4 ,mr ,beecham1 however1 was at his elbow1 encouraging him with words of hope and sage advice4 ,the accounts of various firms as represented in their invoices were largely reduced in consequence of ,wrentham's confessions4 ,in most cases it turned out that two sets of invoices had been prepared3 one set gave the real amounts which were to be paid to the dealers2 the other set gave the sums which ,philip had to pay4 ,the explanation given was that ,wrentham had represented himself as the buyer1 and was therefore at liberty to charge whatever price he could get when he sold4 ,even in the first transaction which ,philip had entered into1 namely1 the purchase of the land1 a bold attempt had been made to mulct him in a sum equal to double its value4 ,he had1 however1 absolutely refused to listen to the terms proposed2 and ,wrentham had been obliged to content himself with what most people would have considered a very satisfactory commission of twenty per cent4 ,the details of these frauds--or should they be called merely #8sharp practice8'--were forced from ,wrentham as much by the terror of ,bob ,tuppit's threat to give evidence in the matter of the forged bill as by gratitude for the generosity of ,philip and his uncle4 ,one by one the accounts were amended as far as they could be2 and the amendment represented a considerable amount4 ,wrentham gave his information with the air of a man who has simply failed in what promised to be a good speculation4 ,two things distressed him--he had been found out1 and he had lost the whole of the money he had schemed so elaborately to obtain1 by mistakes on the turf and the ,stock ,exchange4 ,one important item1 however1 was safe4 ,despite his gambling infatuation1 he had invested the proceeds of the forged bill in sound securities1 so that the whole amount was recoverable4 ,yet the man was so insensible to the criminality of his proceedings1 that he was secretly regretting the loss of the pleasure and excitement he might have purchased with this money1 if he had not been fool enough to desire to have a nest-egg4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in this week of hard work and anxiety to ,philip and ,madge1 ,caleb ,kersey was again called on to answer the charge of malicious incendiarism4 ,the doctors were able to give a satisfactory report of ,mr ,hadleigh's progress2 and that was so much in the prisoner's favour4 ,all the rest told heavily against him1 especially his apparent indifference as to the result of the trial1 which some honest country-folk regarded as signs of the hardened sinner1 who had caused so much disturbance in the country by his demands for higher wages and better housing for the agricultural labourers4 ,he admitted the general accuracy of the statement made by ,coutts regarding their interview2 whilst he refused to give any information as to the grounds of their quarrel4 ,he affirmed1 however1 that after the door of the ,manor had been closed against him1 he had speech with ,coutts's father1 who1 on hearing his complaint1 had directed him to be at the house early in the morning1 and promised that justice should be done him4 ,he further admitted that it was true that he had only reached his lodgings in the village a few minutes before the first alarm of fire was raised4 ,on his own showing1 there seemed to be no alternative for the magistrate but to commit him for trial4 ,at this point1 ,mr ,jackson1 of ,hawkins and ,jackson1 solicitors1 who was acting for the prisoner by the instruction of some friends1 called forward that astute detective1 ,sergeant ,dier4 ,he had been engaged for several days investigating into the origin of the fire2 and he was now prepared with evidence which would not only establish the prisoner's innocence1 but would show that he had behaved heroically on the occasion1 and was in fact the man who at the peril of his own1 had saved the life of ,mr ,lloyd ,hadleigh1 the proprietor of ,ringsford4 ,the face of ,sergeant ,dier was a picture of good-humoured satisfaction2 whilst preserving a proper degree of professional firmness and equanimity1 as the case was developed in court4 ,mr ,jackson's sharp visage was aglow with self-complacency1 as if he would say1 #8,i alone have done it4' ,first there was the testimony of ,mr ,hadleigh1 written down at his bedside by a duly qualified gentleman--to the effect that he had made an appointment to meet the prisoner as the latter had affirmed1 and for the purpose mentioned by him4 ,next ,philip gave the man an excellent character for intelligence1 sobriety1 and honesty4 ,he was followed by half-a-dozen witnesses who had seen ,caleb's brave rescue of ,mr ,hadleigh when no one else would dare to attempt it4 ,last came a housemaid1 who confessed what she had been too much frightened to confess before4 ,she had been sitting up late writing a letter 7to her sweetheart of course--these things occupy a great deal of time71 and hearing voices downstairs1 she had gone into the passage1 curious to discover the cause of the disturbance4 ,as she was retreating hastily1 she upset a paraffine lamp2 but in her eagerness to get back to her room1 she did not observe any signs of fire1 or think of any danger until she heard the alarm4 ,the result of this evidence was a severe reprimand to the girl1 and the instant discharge of ,caleb ,kersey without a stain on his character1 and with a high compliment from the bench on the gallantry he had displayed in the rescue of ,mr ,hadleigh4 ,caleb thanked ,his ,worship1 and retired1 but not before ,mr ,jackson had whispered that it was a question whether he had not grounds for an action against ,coutts ,hadleigh4 ,poor ,caleb neither understood nor heeded this suggestion in his present state of mind4 ,he wanted to get away from the place4 ,he was stopped1 however1 by ,philip1 who grasped his hand warmly1 and asked him to come back to the works4 #8,thank you kindly1 sir2 but it may not be4 ,i am bound to cross the water1 and seek some place where ,i can forget the old land and--the old friends4' #8,hoots1 man1 what clavers1' exclaimed the gardener1 stepping forward4 #8,you should not be headstrong4 ,there's as good living in the auld country as in the new1 if you would seek it in the right way4' ,a kindly hand pressed ,caleb's arm1 and a soft voice said in a tone of intense relief3 #8,i am glad you are safe4' ,caleb pressed ,pansy's hand in his own1 and held it firmly for a few seconds4 #8,i'm obliged to you1' he said quietly1 although huskily4 #8,i wish you well4' ,and with that he forced his way through the group of friends and disappeared4 ,,home-,,nursing4 ,,by ,a ,,lady4 ,,fourth ,,article4 ,having fully considered the choice and management of a sick-room1 we now turn to those personal cares essential alike to the patient's comfort and well-being4 ,we have already spoken of the need of absolute cleanliness in the sick-room2 and as regards the patient himself1 it is hardly possible to overestimate the importance of scrupulous attention to every detail affecting the purity of his immediate surroundings4 ,not only should bed and body linen be kept fresh and clean1 but everything that has become soiled in using must at once be removed from the room4 ,it is a very common practice in home-nursing to make a collection of dirty things1 to be carried downstairs when any one is going2 in this way1 ,i have known a room to be fouled for hours1 the patient being considered whimsical for complaining of odours not perceptible to his nurse4 ,now1 any such complaint should receive immediate attention1 and a nurse should never rest satisfied till she has discovered and remedied the evil4 ,it not seldom happens that the patient's sensitive condition makes him extra quick to discern such warning of danger2 and the nurse who really desires to do her duty1 instead of taking offence1 will gladly avail herself of the help thus given2 for it must be borne in mind that as surely as smoke indicates fire1 so surely does a bad smell indicate a foulness of air1 which will never be remedied till the cause has been removed4 ,remembering this1 it will be seen how foolish is the practice of drowning unpleasant odours by the indiscriminate use of disinfectants2 these have their special value--their proper sphere we shall consider in dealing with infectious diseases2 but in ordinary illness1 they are apt to be used simply as a covering-up of evils which demand entire and immediate removal4 ,as regards personal cleanliness1 many people still retain the old-fashioned fear of washing1 which used to condemn the patient to a state of dirt1 equally uncomfortable and injurious4 ,of course1 care and discrimination are needful1 and if there is any doubt on the matter1 it is better to ask the doctor's opinion2 but as a rule1 daily washing of face1 neck1 and arms is possible in all cases fit for home-nursing2 in addition1 the legs and feet should be washed about every other day2 and whenever practicable1 a weekly bath should be given4 ,for the daily wash1 tepid water and a piece of flannel suit most patients best2 but where cold sponging is a refreshment1 it may be used1 provided due care is taken to avoid a chill4 ,in cases where there is great feebleness1 much care must be exercised in washing the patient and changing his body-linen4 ,before beginning1 the nurse should see that the room is properly warmed1 and that all she is likely to need is ready to hand2 she must be careful that no draught shall reach her patient1 and that he does not get a chill through unnecessary dawdling2 at the same time1 she must not hurry him1 so as to increase the fatigue4 ,any amount of washing is tiring to the very weak1 and therefore toilet operations had better begin soon after breakfast4 ,if possible1 the body-linen should be changed at the same time4 ,it is a good plan to keep two sets of under-linen going1 so that the same may not be worn day and night4 ,if the patient perspires much1 the linen must be dried and warmed each time of changing2 it is not enough that it has been once aired2 every time it becomes damp the same process must be repeated4 ,the same thing applies to towels1 which are so often put away damp and used again without airing2 no wonder that illness1 resulting from cold1 shivering or a fit of coughing1 not seldom follows the washing process1 whilst the simple precaution of using a towel well aired and warmed would do away with the discomfort4 ,sometimes lying in bed produces great irritability of the whole skin1 and the patient shrinks from any attempts at washing4 ,in such cases1 a soft sponge should be used1 in one direction only1 and that downwards2 and a nice way of drying a sensitive part is to lay the towel smoothly over the place and pass the hand over the towel three or four times1 very much as though drying a wet page with blotting-paper4 ,during the process of bit-by-bit washing1 the bedclothes must be protected by a piece of mackintosh or thick towel2 but should they become wetted1 they must be changed at once1 for even if not damp enough to do serious injury1 there is sure to be some amount of discomfort2 and everything1 however small1 that causes annoyance must be looked upon as a drawback to recovery1 and treated accordingly4 ,in addition to the regular washing1 any portion of the patient's body that becomes accidentally soiled must be at once cleansed2 and whenever the confinement to bed becomes lengthy1 the back and shoulders should be washed every day with warm water and soap1 thoroughly dried1 and lightly dusted over with finely powdered starch4 ,the patient must also be prevented from remaining too long in one position2 and if too weak to move himself1 it will be part of the nurse's care to turn him from side to side every three or four hours4 ,where this is impracticable1 pressure must be relieved by the use of cushions1 those with a hole in the middle being most useful for the purpose4 ,if these precautions are not taken1 the most prominent bones1 exercising undue pressure on soft parts1 will cause them to give way1 the skin will become tender and inflamed1 and if not stopped in time1 a painful wound1 difficult to relieve or cure1 will be the result4 ,i have known cases where these wounds have caused infinitely more distress and pain than the patient's actual disease2 and yet1 with few exceptions1 it is only a question of care and attention4 ,so true is this1 that a trained nurse looks upon such wounds as a disgrace1 and is constantly on her guard against them2 but the inexperienced nurse neglects this necessary watchfulness1 simply through ignorance of the danger to be avoided4 ,but forewarned should be forearmed2 and by taking care to avoid dirt1 pressure1 and creases in the bedding1 even the most inexperienced stand a good chance of success in this most troublesome part of nursing4 ,at the same time1 if1 in spite of care1 any portion of the skin reddens or becomes sensitive1 the doctor should at once be informed of the fact1 for this is one of the best examples of the old saying1 #8,prevention is better than cure1' and it is too late to cry out when the mischief is done4 ,if the patient is too weak to sit up and use a toothbrush1 a piece of lint should be tied to the end of a small stick such as a penholder1 and wetted with water to which a little ,condy's fluid has been added2 with this1 the nurse can easily clean the teeth and gums4 ,brushing the hair requires a certain amount of tact and gentleness2 with female patients the hair is apt to get into a troublesome tangle1 unless plaited up loosely and tied at the ends4 ,sometimes moistening the brush with toilet vinegar will be liked1 and in not a few cases gentle brushing has a soothing effect4 ,i remember one instance where1 under this influence1 and this alone1 restlessness would subside into quiet1 leading to refreshing sleep4 ,the same effect may sometimes be produced by sponging the face and hands with tepid water1 with or without the addition of a little vinegar or ,eau de ,cologne2 and again1 in other cases1 letting the hands lie in a basin and gently pouring cold water on them will be found grateful4 ,it is well worth a nurse's while to study her particular patient's taste1 and to find out some such simple method of relieving the weariness and monotony of illness4 ,to lift a helpless patient is by no means an easy task to inexperience1 and should never be attempted without help4 ,when the patient is utterly helpless1 two long poles or broom-handles will be needed2 these must be tightly rolled round in the under sheet and blanket1 and the patient can then be moved1 as in a stretcher1 by four bearers4 ,to move a patient from side to side1 the draw-sheet alone is needed4 ,rolling one end close to the body1 the nurse goes round to the other side of the bed1 and by taking hold of the rolled-up part1 will be able to turn the patient gently over with perfect ease4 ,where the draw-sheet is not being used1 it is a good plan to let a heavy patient lie on a strong roller-towel1 which can be used as above2 and if two people grasp it firmly on each side1 they will be able to move the patient up and down in bed without fatigue or injury4 ,this plan is especially useful in dropsy1 when the patient becomes a dead1 heavy weight1 and is often restless to a painful extent4 ,in many cases1 a patient1 otherwise helpless1 will be able to move at least his position by the use of a strong towel or cord tied to the foot of the bed4 ,hospital-beds are almost invariably provided with a cord and handle for the patient to grasp2 but a better thing still is a netted hammock1 a simple contrivance consisting of a piece of netting--of twine or coarsest knitting-cotton--four yards long by one and a half wide1 the loops at each end being drawn up with tape2 these tapes are tied to the foot of the bed2 and the netting not only serves as a cord1 but1 thrown over the patient's head and drawn out across his shoulders and back1 forms a most easy1 comfortable support4 ,i have seen patients sitting up thus1 who had mournfully declared it an impossibility1 and whose delight at the change of position was a thing to be remembered4 ,in grasping any part of a patient's body1 be very careful not to take hold with the finger-ends2 the whole hand should be used1 and the fingers slightly spread out2 anything like a hesitating touch is exasperating1 and indeed hesitation in any way must be carefully avoided in dealing with the sick4 ,it is well to remember that a certain amount of work has to be done1 and a certain amount of noise must follow2 make up your mind how much1 and go to work thoroughly1 quickly1 and quietly2 quiet1 though1 must be natural1 not laboured2 the tiptoe1 whispering style is torture to sensitive nerves2 a firm1 even tread and a distinct way of speaking should be cultivated2 the latter1 especially1 will make all the difference to a patient's comfort4 ,to be constantly on the strain to hear is by no means soothing2 and whispered conversation as to the patient's condition must never be indulged in4 ,some people1 realising this1 will go out of the sick-room1 to carry on low-toned consultations just outside the door and within hearing of the patient1 who involuntarily strains every nerve in the endeavour to catch what is being said4 ,such treatment is even worse than unnecessary noise1 and all discussion relating to the patient must be carried on where there is no possibility of his hearing it4 ,it is a safe rule to avoid detailing the patient's symptoms to relatives or friends2 sensitive1 delicate minds are often made to suffer unnecessarily1 from the consciousness that sick-room details are being made the subject of curious inquiry and remark4 ,it not seldom happens that in delirium1 or extreme weakness1 the patient will let out some cherished secret1 and this should be as jealously sacred to the nurse as though the confidence had been voluntary1 the only allowable violation being when the revelation made throws any light upon the patient's illness2 in such a case1 the doctor must be told2 and this brings us to a most important point--the relations between doctor and nurse1 a point which is seldom understood by the inexperienced4 ,the nurse's responsibility is great2 she has many duties to perform1 some of them apparently slight1 yet really of vital importance2 but at the same time1 she is only acting under orders1 and when those orders have been faithfully carried out1 her responsibility ends2 it therefore follows1 that whatever her private opinion1 she must never alter the treatment without the doctor's express permission1 and whatever she may think1 she should never1 by word or deed1 seek to lessen the patient's confidence in the patient's doctor4 ,it sometimes happens that injudicious friends suggest remedies of their own1 and insist upon their being used2 any such interference should be at once reported to the doctor1 for how else can he form a right opinion as to the patient's condition8 ,yet so often is this overlooked1 that1 ,i believe1 in many home-nursed cases the doctor's treatment is never allowed fair-play2 and ,i have even known a prescription1 that had been torn up by the doctor as unsuitable1 carefully pieced together after his departure1 and used4 ,perhaps in no other point is there such a marked difference between the trained and untrained nurse4 ,the former has been taught that her power lies in obedience2 the latter1 ignorant of her very ignorance1 ventures to meddle in matters which1 had she but a little more knowledge1 she would understand to be beyond her4 ,not a little of the nurse's value depends on her ability to give the doctor a proper report of how matters have been going during his absence4 ,a patient will often pull himself together and even feign convalescence for the doctor's visit1 which is necessarily brief2 whilst the nurse1 spending hours with him1 sees every varying mood and symptom2 at the same time1 she must remember that the doctor does not want her opinion1 but asks only facts1 which will enable him to draw his own conclusions4 ,from this it will be seen that the nurse needs to understand what to notice and how to report her observations4 ,as to what to notice--each illness has its specific symptoms1 about which the doctor will make special inquiries1 and he will also expect to hear what effect has followed the use of remedies2 but in addition to these1 there are general symptoms to be taken account of in all illness4 ,amongst those most frequently overlooked by the inexperienced nurse1 are3 ,the appetite1 whether good1 failing1 fanciful1 or voracious4 ,the skin1 whether moist or dry1 hot or cold2 and whether sensitive to touch4 ,sleep1 its character and duration2 whether quiet1 disturbed1 broken1 or uninterrupted1 and whether the same by day and night4 ,posture1 whether the patient lies very flat1 or likes to be raised1 or prefers to keep on one side2 in going to sleep1 the easiest attitude will be chosen1 and any marked change in this respect should be noticed4 ,temper and spirits1 whether equable or variable1 moody1 cheerful1 excitable1 calm1 depressed1 or inclined to tears4 ,countenance1 whether liable to changes of complexion or expression4 ,when visitors are allowed1 the effect upon the patient should be noted2 and at any cost1 in serious cases1 those whose influence is depressing or exciting must not be admitted4 ,a nurse should also1 without being fussy1 keep an eye to any fresh symptoms that may appear1 and duly report them2 but nothing is more worrying than to be constantly teased with such questions as3 #8,are you in pain8' #8,do you feel better now8' #8,will you let me look at your tongue8' ,those who have endured the martyrdom1 know what it means1 and know1 too1 how little information can be gleaned by such methods4 ,let a nurse be sympathising by all means1 but let her sympathy show itself in caring for her patient's wants1 and in efforts to save him from worry as well as from pain4 ,i remember a trained nurse who was deeply hurt at being told that a bell would be placed within her patient's reach1 in case he wanted anything at night4 #8,thank you1 ma'am1' was her reply2 #8my patient will not need to ring4' ,nor did he1 thanks to his nurse's constant care to anticipate his wants4 ,a nurse thus watchful1 will be quick to notice any change in her patient2 but it is quite one thing to notice1 and another to give a faithful report of what has been observed2 and ,i would urge every inexperienced nurse to be very particular in jotting down at once all that strikes her attention4 ,the simplest way of doing this is to keep a sort of diary of all that happens4 ,take a piece of writing-paper1 keep one side for day and one for night1 write the date at the top1 crease it down the middle1 and note on one half1 all the patient takes and does1 and on the other1 anything you think demands notice4 ,the following is a specimen of the sort of chart ,i mean4 ,october #d4 ,a4,m4 ,a4,m4 #h4 ,cup of tea and toast4 #aj4 ,four ounces milk4 #aj4 ,milk taken with difficulty and dislike4 #aa4 ,medicine4 #aa4ae4 ,poultice to chest and back4 #aa4cj4 ,slept twenty minutes4 #aa4cj4 ,turned on right side before going to sleep4 #ab4 ,four ounces beef-tea4 #ab4cj4 ,mrs ,a4 called1 stayed quarter of an hour4 #ab4de-a4cj4 ,excited and depressed by ,mrs ,a4's call4 ,are visitors to be allowed8 ,the reverse side might read thus3 ,october #d4 ,p4,m4 ,p4,m4 #h4 ,four ounces milk4 #i4 ,jacket poultice4 #i4cj4 ,dozed half-hour4 #i4cj4 ,skin hot and dry1 face flushed2 woke excited and restless4 #aj4 ,opiate as directed4 #aj4de4 ,slept two hours4 #aa4cj4 ,began to perspire1 expression tranquil2 woke refreshed4 #ab4de4 ,four ounces milk4 ,to keep such a chart properly requires some practice1 but it is the only way of insuring accuracy1 and it will also save a good deal of questioning on the doctor's part1 a glance being enough to show him how matters stand4 ,at the bottom of the first page1 it will be noticed there is a question1 which1 unless so marked1 would very likely be forgotten2 and whenever the nurse is in any difficulty or uncertainty1 she must never hesitate to ask for guidance4 ,the doctor will not expect perfection from inexperience1 and even if he does not volunteer information1 will certainly not object to answering reasonable questions4 ,of course1 there is a great deal of difference in this as in all things1 and there are doctors who take for granted that everybody knows certain things1 of which even the intelligent1 who have not had their attention called to nursing1 may be quite ignorant4 ,but even when this is the case1 the nurse's object being her patient's good and not the support of her own dignity1 if she is not sure of her ground1 it is her duty to ask for instruction4 ,,one ,,woman',s ,,history4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,a few minutes later1 ,madame ,de ,vigne and her sister came slowly up the glen from that part of the valley where the wagonettes had been left behind4 ,presently ,clarice paused and gazed around4 #8,it looks exactly as it did that day last summer when we were here1' she said4 #8,we might have been away only a few hours4' #8,and then1 as now1 you had no ,archie to bear you company4' #8,i did not know him then2 and yet it seems now as if ,i must have known him all my life4 ,i suppose that just about this time he will be engaged with ,sir ,william and those dreadful lawyers4 ,and he has to go through all this for the sake of me--of me1 ,mora6' #8,he would go through a hundred times more than that for your sake1 dear4' #8,i often feel as if ,i don't deserve to be loved so much4 ,i hope there will be a telegram when we get back to the hotel4 ,he promised to send one as soon as he had any news2 but1 suppose his news should be bad news6' #8,at your age you ought always to look at the sunny side of your apple4' #8,thanks to you1 dear1 ,i have never had occasion to look at any other1' answered the girl with a caress in her voice4 #8,and to-day ,i will try not to be down-hearted4 ,i will try to hope for the best4' ,they went forward a few paces in silence1 and then ,clarice suddenly said3 #8,what a selfish girl ,i am6 ,tell me1 dear1 is your headache any better8' #8,a little4 ,i will sit awhile under the shade of this tree4 ,this seems as pretty a spot as any4 ,perhaps by-and-by ,i may try to do a little sketching4' ,she sat down on a rustic seat that had been placed on a jutting spur of rock nearly fronting the waterfall4 ,the seat was partly hidden from chance passers-by by a screen of shrubs1 ferns1 and natural rockwork4 #8,there6 ,what a head ,i've got6' exclaimed ,clarice with something of dismay in her voice4 #8,mr ,ridsdale thinks it a very pretty head4 ,but what's your trouble now8' #8,i've left your sketch-book behind in the wagonette4' #8,is that all8' #8,it will not take me more than ten minutes to fetch it4' #8,it is of no consequence--not the slightest1' answered ,madame ,de ,vigne a little wearily4 #8,i prefer to fetch it4 ,some one will be prying into it who has no business to4 ,besides1 ,i recollect something that ,i want to say to ,miss ,penelope4' #8,as you please1 dear4' #8,you don't mind my leaving you8' #8,not in the least4' #8,i shall not be long away1' cried ,clarice as she turned and took the road that led down the valley4 ,the shadow on ,mora ,de ,vigne's face deepened the moment she was left alone4 ,she was very pale this morning1 and she had that look about the eyes which tells of a sleepless night4 ,beyond her sister and ,nanette1 no one knew of her fainting-fit of the previous night4 ,miss ,gaisford had not failed to notice the change in her looks1 but had asked no questions3 she was assured that when the proper time should arrive she would be told all that it was intended she should know4 #8,alone at last6 ,for a little while ,i can drop my mask1' she said with the same weariness in her voice4 #8,is it not like the act of a crazy woman to come here to-day1 among all these happy people8--,i6 ,oh1 the mockery of it6 ,and yet to have stayed all day indoors under the same roof with him1 not knowing from minute to minute what to expect1 would have been worse than all4 ,and then1 ,harold promised to meet me at this spot--the man whom ,i love--the man who loves me4 ,alas6 alas6 he can never more be 8,harold0 to me after to-day4' ,she rose and went forward to the edge of the rock1 and stood gazing at the waterfall with eyes that knew not what they were looking at4 #8,what to do8--what to do8' she sighed4 #8,the same question that kept knocking at my heart all through the long1 dreadful1 sleepless night2 and here1 with the summer sunshine all about me1 it seems no nearer an answer than it was then4 ,sometimes ,i think that what ,i saw and heard can have been no more than a hideous nightmare fancy of my own4 ,but no--no6 ,that voice--that face6' ,she shuddered1 and pressed her fingers to her eyes1 as if to shut out some sight on which she could not bear to look4 ,presently1 she moved slowly back to the rustic seat and sat down4 #8,has he tracked me8' she asked herself4 #8,does he know that ,i am here1 or is his presence merely one of those strange coincidences such as one so often hears tell of8 ,if ,i only knew6 ,if he has tracked me1 why did he not make it his business to see me last night or this morning8 ,what if he does not know or suspect8 ,i must not go back to the hotel4 ,i must not give him a chance of seeing me4 ,i must make some excuse and go away--somewhere--straight from here4 ,but first ,i must wait and see ,harold and--and bid him farewell4 ,what shall ,i say to him8 ,what can ,i say8' ,her heart-stricken questionings were broken by the sound of voices a little distance away4 ,she turned her head quickly4 #8,clarice and a stranger6' she exclaimed4 #8,and coming this way6' ,a spasm of dread shot through her4 ,what if this stranger were another messenger of evil come in search of her8 ,and yet he looked harmless enough4 ,he was a rather tall1 thin1 worn-looking man of sixty-five years or thereabouts4 ,he was dressed in a high-collared swallow-tailed coat1 pepper-and-salt trousers1 and shoes4 ,his carefully brushed hat1 of a fashion of many years previously1 had1 like the rest of his attire1 seen better days than it would ever see again4 ,he had short white whiskers1 and rather long white hair1 which straggled over his coat collar behind4 ,his thick1 bushy brows were still streaked with black2 and his eyes1 which were very large and bright1 seemed to require no assistance from spectacles or glasses of any kind4 #8,here is your sketch-book1 dear1' said ,clarice as she came up4 #8,this gentleman is ,mr ,etheridge1 ,sir ,william ,ridsdale's secretary1' she added4--#8,mr ,etheridge1 my sister1 ,madame ,de ,vigne4--,mr ,etheridge has travelled all the way from ,spa1 bringing with him an important letter from ,sir ,william addressed to his son4 ,the hotel people sent him on here after us4' #8,but'---- began ,mora1 half rising from her seat4 #8,i have already explained to ,mr ,etheridge that ,mr ,archie was summoned by telegraph yesterday to meet his father in ,london this morning4 ,it seems very strange4' ,mr ,etheridge smiled a little deprecatingly1 and resumed his hat1 which he had doffed on being introduced to ,madame ,de ,vigne4 #8,no doubt1 ladies1' he said1 #8it must appear strange to any one who is unacquainted with the peculiarities of ,sir ,william4 ,after writing the letter which ,i have in my pocket1 and sending me off with it post-haste1 he no doubt changed his mind 7,sir ,william very often does change his mind71 and set off for ,london with the intention of seeing ,mr ,archie in person1 and never troubled himself more about me and the letter4 ,just like him--just like him4' #8,and what do you propose to do now1 sir8' asked ,madame ,de ,vigne4 #8,my plan is a very simple one1 madam4 ,i shall telegraph to ,london that ,i am here1 and here ,i shall stop till ,i receive further instructions4' #8,you must be somewhat tired after your long journey1 ,mr ,etheridge1' suggested ,clarice4 #8,well--well4 ,so--so4 ,but ,i'm an old traveller1 and it don't matter4' #8,luncheon won't be ready for some time2 but if you would like some refreshment at once1 ,i'---- #8,not at present1 thank you--not at present4' ,then he added3 #8,this seems a very pretty spot2 and with your leave1 ,i'll just ramble about and look round me a bit4' #8,do so by all means1 ,mr ,etheridge1' said ,madame ,de ,vigne kindly1 #8only don't forget to be in time for luncheon4' ,clarice hesitated a moment1 and then she said3 #8,there's a charming view of the lake a little farther on2 if you would like to see it1 ,i will show you the way4' #8,thank you4 ,nothing would please me better4 ,only1 ,i don't want to be a trouble4' #8,o ,mr ,etheridge1 it will be no trouble6' ,that gentleman made ,madame ,de ,vigne an old-fashioned bow1 and moved a few steps away4 #8,you won't mind my leaving you for a little while8' said ,clarice to her sister4 #8,not in the least4 ,besides1 ,i'm not in a talking mood this morning4' #8,it would be unkind to leave ,mr ,etheridge all alone4' #8,of course it would4 ,so now run off1 and do your best to entertain him4' #8,this way1 ,mr ,etheridge1 please1' said ,clarice4 ,and with that the two went off together1 crossing the bridge and taking the same path that had been taken a little while previously by ,lady ,renshaw and her two cavaliers4 #8,the transparent diplomacy of a girl in love6' said ,madame ,de ,vigne as her eyes followed her sister's retreating figure4 #8,not having her sweetheart with her to talk to1 she must needs talk about him to some one else4 ,happy1 happy days6' ,she turned away with a sigh4 #8,and now8 ,shall ,i sit here and wait for ,harold1 and try to think what ,i shall say to him8 ,no2 ,i cannot rest anywhere till the worst is over4 ,he may be here at any moment4 ,i will walk to the top of the hill and watch for him as he comes up the valley4 ,o ,harold1 ,harold1 won only to be lost in one short hour6' ,she took a narrow footpath to the right1 which wound upwards through the trees and undergrowth to a small plateau1 from which the whole of the valley was visible4 99 99 99 99 99 #8,i did not think that ,i should be so fortunate as to have you all to myself for so long a time this morning4' ,the speaker was ,mr ,richard ,dulcimer1 and it need scarcely be said to whom his words were addressed4 ,they had been wandering about the glen at their own sweet will1 penetrating into all sorts of odd nooks and corners1 and now1 emerging from the shade of the trees1 found themselves on a small rocky table close to the shallow basin into which the stream fell and broke when it took its first leap from the summit of the cliff4 ,it was a pretty spot1 and just then the two young people had it all to themselves4 #8,you have my aunt to thank for that1' answered ,miss ,wynter1 as she seated herself daintily on a fragment of rock4 #8,it was she who sent me to you4' #8,dear old damsel6 ,i could almost find in my heart to kiss her1' answered ,richard as he deposited himself at his sweetheart's feet and drew the brim of his straw hat over his eyes to shade them from the sun4 #8,but of course she believes you to be a bishop's son4' #8,which ,i am1 so far as having a bishop for a godfather goes4 ,otherwise--woe is me6--,i'm only a poor beggar of a quill-driver in the ,sealing-wax ,office4 ,why wasn't ,providence kind to me8 ,why wasn't ,i born with a rich father1 like ,archie ,ridsdale8' #8,why weren't we all born with rich fathers8' #8,that would have been much nicer1 if it could have been so arranged4' #8,i don't at all see how you are going to extricate yourself from the awful scrape you have got into4' #8,i am not aware that ,i'm in any awful scrape1 so far4' #8,but you will be1 when my aunt finds out what a wicked impostor you are4' #8,her ladyship's anger doesn't matter two farthings to me4 ,it's her influence over you that ,i'm afraid of4' #8,her influence over me6' #8,the lessons she is continually preaching--the maxims she is for ever dinning into your ears4' #8,yes2 ,i know she looks upon it as a sacred duty which ,i owe to ,society that ,i should marry myself to the highest bidder4' #8,and you8' asked the young man as he sat up1 pushed back his hat1 and gazed into the pretty face above him4 ,she was drawing figures aimlessly with the point of her sunshade in the gravel4 ,for a moment or two she did not answer2 then she broke out with an emphasis that was full of bitterness3 #8,what would you have8 ,what can you expect8 ,from the day ,i left school1 and even earlier than that1 the one lesson that has been instilled into my mind is1 that ,i must marry money--money4 ,even my mother---- ,but she is dead1 and ,i will not speak of her4 ,and since then1 my aunt4 ,i am a chattel--a piece of bric--brac in the matrimonial market1 to be appraised1 and depreciated1 and finally knocked down to the first bidder who is prepared to make a handsome settlement4 ,i hate myself when ,i think of it6 ,i hate everybody6' ,sudden passionate tears sprang to her eyes2 she dashed them away impatiently4 #8,not quite everybody1 ma belle1' said ,mr ,dulcimer as he possessed himself of one of her hands4 #8,there is one way of escape that you wot of1' he added in a lower voice4 ,she turned on him with a flash3 #8,by marrying you1 ,i suppose8' #8,even so1 carissima4' #8,a government clerk on three hundred pounds a year4' #8,with another hundred of private income in addition4' #8,a truly munificent income on which to marry6' she answered1 not without a ring of scorn1 real or assumed1 in her voice as she withdrew her fingers from his grasp4 #8,i think ,i know the kind of thing it implies4 ,a stuffy little house in ,camden ,town or ,peckham ,rye--wherever those localities may be4 ,perhaps even furnished apartments4 ,one small servant1 not overclean4 ,no opera1 no brougham in the ,park1 no garden-parties1 no carpet-dances1 no more flirtations with nice young men4 ,locomotion by means of a twopenny 'bus or tram42 long1 lonely days without a soul to talk to2 now and then an order for the theatre2 au reste1 my husband's buttons to sew on and his socks to keep in repair4 ,oh1 ,i can guess it all6' ,a tinge of colour had flickered into ,dick's cheeks while she was speaking1 but it now died out again4 ,he was quite aware that nothing would delight her more than to tease him till he should lose his temper2 therefore1 he answered as equably as before3 #8,evidently ,lady ,renshaw's lessons have not been quite thrown away on you4' ,one of her little feet began to tap the ground impatiently4 #8,it seems to me1 ,mr ,richard ,dulcimer1 that the best thing you can do is to take the next train back to town4' #8,shan't do anything of the kind4' #8,you are a very self-willed young man4' ,to judge from her tone1 she might have been twice his age4 ,it is a way her sex sometimes have4 #8,obstinate as a mule1' answered the philosophic ,richard4 #8,suppose ,i tell you that ,i have had enough of your society8 ,suppose ,i order you to leave me here and at once8' #8,shan't go4' #8,well1 of all'---- ,she rose abruptly4 #8,how much longer are you going to keep me here8' she demanded in an injured tone1 as though he were detaining her against her will4 #8,not one minute longer than you wish1' he answered as he sprang to his feet4 #8,suppose we cross the stream4' #8,cross the stream8' #8,by means of these stepping-stones4 ,they are here for that purpose4' #8,oh6' ,with a slight accent of dismay4 #8,thank you very much1 ,mr ,dulcimer1 but ,i'd rather not4' #8,everybody crosses by them--except1 perhaps1 a few superfine young-lady tourists who think more of wetting their boots and frills than of'---- #8,monster6 ,lead the way4' #8,lend me your hand4' #8,certainly not4' ,without another word1 ,dick stepped lightly from stone to stone till he reached the middle of the stream4 ,there he halted and turned4 ,bella1 not to be outdone1 stepped after him on to the first stone and from that to the second2 then all in a moment her courage seemed to desert her4 #8,dick1 ,dick1 ,i shall slip into the water1' she cried4 #8,i know ,i shall4' ,dick grinned4 ,he had been addressed as #8,mr ,dulcimer' only a minute before4 ,he went back and held out his hand1 which ,bella clutched without a moment's demur4 ,having assisted her as far as the middle of the stream1 he came to a stand4 #8,why don't you go on8' she demanded4 ,dick ignored the question4 #8,these stepping-stones1 or others like them1' he remarked didactically1 #8are said to have been here for hundreds of years4 ,there is an old local rhyme in connection with them which is known to all the country-folk about4 ,listen while ,i recite to you that ancient rhyme4' #8,i am getting dizzy2 ,i shall fall1' remarked ,bella1 who1 however1 still kept tight hold of his hand4 ,dick took no notice1 but began3 #8,listen6 listen6 ,every lass ,that o'er these stepping-stones doth pass1 ,she shall clasp her sweetheart's hand1 ,on the midmost stone shall stand1 ,and shall kiss him then and there'---- #8,oh1 indeed1' remarked ,miss ,wynter with a scornful sniff4 ,dick continued3 #8,but should she her lips deny1 ,then shall she unwedded die1 ,and he wed another fair3 ,listen1 maids--beware6 beware6 #8,that is the midmost stone1 ma petite1 on which you are standing4' ,miss ,wynter tossed her head4 #8,perhaps1 sir1 if you have quite done attitudinising1 you will allow me to cross4' #8,avec plaisir--when you have paid the customary toll4' #8,the what8' with a drawing together of her pretty eyebrows4 #8,the toll4 ,when you have done that which every girl does who crosses the stepping-stones with her sweetheart4' #8,you are not my sweetheart4' #8,but you are mine1 which comes to the same thing4' #8,i will go back4' #8,you dare not4' #8,i will'---- #8,go forward8 ,you dare not4' ,and with that he withdrew his hand4 ,bella1 finding herself without support1 gave vent to a little shriek1 whereupon ,dick put out his hand again1 at which she clutched wildly4 ,richard was hard-hearted enough to laugh4 #8,this is mean--this is cowardly--this is contemptible6' cried ,bella with flaming eyes4 #8,it is--but it's nice4' #8,i hear voices4 ,there's some one coming6' #8,let them come4' #8,and find me in this ridiculous predicament8 ,never6' #8,not for worlds1' assented ,mr ,dulcimer in his sweetest tones4 ,bella gave vent to a little laugh3 she could not help it4 ,one of ,dick's arms found its way round her waist4 ,the situation was embarrassing4 ,if she were to push him away1 she might slip into the water4 ,their faces were not far apart4 ,suddenly she protruded hers and touched his cheek lightly with her lips4 #8,wretch6 ,there1 then6' she said4 #8,and there1' quoth the unabashed suitor1 as he returned the toll1 twofold4 #8,and there6' she added a moment after1 as1 with her disengaged hand1 she gave him a sounding box on the ear4 ,dick laughed and rubbed his ear4 #8,for what we have just received'---- he said1 and then grasping both her hands1 he helped her across the remaining stepping-stones to the opposite bank of the stream4 ,,artificial ,,jewels4 ,the trade in artificial jewels has become very extensive during the last half-century1 and the chemical experiments in which various qualities of imitation diamonds1 rubies1 sapphires1 and emeralds are produced have been recently carried on with an astonishing amount of success4 ,it is becoming more and more difficult1 even to the eye of the expert1 to distinguish readily between the real and the false gem1 when they do not shine in too close proximity4 ,the most distinctive feature of the real stone is its hardness1 though even this quality has been imitated with considerable success4 ,the term #8hardness' is used by the lapidary and mineralogist to denote the power of one stone to scratch another2 it must not be considered as the power of resisting a blow1 for many crystalline stones which are very hard are also easily fractured4 ,the diamond1 which will scratch any other stone1 can be more easily broken than many stones which are less hard4 ,after the diamond come the ruby and sapphire1 which are the next hardest stones2 then emeralds1 topazes1 and quartz or rock-crystal2 and finally1 a number of other stones1 and glass or artificial stones4 ,the beautiful #8,french paste' which imitates the diamond so well1 is a kind of glass into which a certain quantity of oxide of lead is introduced4 ,the more lead it contains the more brilliant is the artificial stone2 but the lead gives softness--so much so1 that we have known such artificial gems to become1 by friction with other harder substances1 quite dull on the surface after being worn for some time4 ,but the latest chemical experiments on the production of artificial stones for use in jewellery point very clearly to the fact that further success in this direction is likely to be forthcoming before long4 ,the imitation of the natural gems by means of various silicates and oxides has already attained to a great degree of perfection1 and no doubt this ingenious branch of industry must interfere considerably with the trade of the dealer in real precious stones4 ,we can already purchase a capital #8diamond' for about half-a-crown2 and the imitation of the ruby and the emerald is far easier1 and more successful1 than that of the diamond4 ,careful choice in the substances to be melted together1 good and effective cutting1 and careful artistic setting1 have gone a long way to reproduce1 artificially1 the brightness1 brilliancy1 and colour of the real stone4 ,chemical analysis shows the sapphire to be pure alumina1 as it has shown the diamond to be pure carbon2 but it does not account for its colour1 which is partly due to an optical effect1 and depends upon a peculiar molecular arrangement4 ,this stone possesses the singular property known as dichroism--that is1 it shines with two colours1 blue and red4 ,in a well-cut stone1 a red cross often appears in the midst of the sapphire blue4 ,the ruby is also pure alumina1 and its vivid red colour1 like the blue of the sapphire1 is thought by some to be due to a peculiar optical effect4 ,in fact1 no chemical analysis has been able to account quite satisfactorily for the red colour of the ruby or the blue colour of the sapphire1 for pure alumina is quite white1 and the sapphire1 as we have seen1 shows two colours4 ,this peculiar optical effect noticed in the ruby and sapphire has1 strange to say1 been accidentally reproduced not long since by a ,french chemist1 ,m4 ,sidot1 who has been making some experiments on artificial stones4 ,he has produced a kind of glass by melting phosphate of lime at a great heat1 and the product possesses the blue colour of the sapphire with the remarkable dichroism before alluded to4 ,the experiment is so curious1 that a few lines may be devoted to it here4 ,by the action of heat on what is termed #8acid phosphate of lime1' it is transformed into #8crystallised pyrophosphate2' and when heated to a still higher temperature1 it passes into the vitreous or glassy state4 ,it is supposed that in this condition it loses some of its phosphoric acid by volatilisation1 and passes into the state of #8tribasic phosphate4' ,such is the technical explanation of the changes which occur4 ,the phosphate of lime glass is produced by taking this substance in a moist acid state1 and heating it in an iron pot to a dark red heat4 ,during this operation it is worked about with an iron rod1 in order to prevent it swelling up and passing over the edge of the iron crucible4 ,the dark red heat is continued until the whole mass has become glassy and transparent4 ,at this moment it is run into another crucible1 in which it is heated to a white heat that is kept up for about two hours1 being stirred rapidly with a rod the whole time4 ,at the end of this period the molten mass is allowed to remain perfectly quiet for about an hour1 and is then run out of the crucible1 either on to a metallic slab or into a metal mortar4 ,it is necessary to avoid too rapid a cooling4 ,the product may thus be run out into a sheet1 like plate-glass4 ,a small sheet of such a nature was obtained by ,m4 ,sidot in one of his experiments3 it measured about three inches across1 by a quarter of an inch thick1 and was large enough to be cut into a considerable number of beautiful artificial sapphires4 ,the ruby and sapphire have also been closely imitated in another way by ,fremy and ,feil1 two ,french chemists2 and the chief interest in this process is the fact that the artificial stones possess essentially the chemical composition of the real ones4 ,to produce these1 equal weights of alumina and red-lead are heated to a red-heat in an earthenware crucible4 ,a vitreous substance is formed1 which consists of silicate of lead1 and crystals of white corundum4 ,to convert this corundum into the artificial ruby1 it is necessary to fuse it with about two per cent4 of bichromate of potassium2 whilst1 to obtain the sapphire1 a little oxide of cobalt1 and a very small quantity of bichromate of potassium1 must be employed4 ,the stones so produced possess at least very nearly the hardness of the real stones1 as they scratch both quartz and topaz4 ,the ,french #8paste' which imitates the diamond so closely is a peculiar kind of glass1 the manufacture of which was brought to a great degree of perfection some fifty years ago by ,donault-,wieland of ,paris4 ,the finest quality of paste demands extreme care in the choice of materials and in melting1 c4 ,the basis of it1 in the hands of the expert manufacturer just named1 was powdered rock-crystal or quartz4 ,the proportions he took were--six ounces of rock-crystal2 nine ounces two drams of red-lead2 three ounces three drams of pure carbonate of potash2 three drams of boracic acid2 and six grains of white arsenic4 ,the product thus manufactured was extremely beautiful1 but rather expensive1 compared with the prices now charged for artificial jewels4 ,it has never been surpassed in brilliancy4 ,but of late years the greater purity of the potash and lead oxide used1 and the improvements in the furnaces and methods of heating them1 have all tended to reduce the price of the #8diamonds' thus manufactured4 ,,the ,,missing ,,clue4 ,,chapter ,v4--,,the ,,colonel',s ,,daughter4 ,meanwhile1 the subject of the previous conversation is seated in a private room before a merry crackling fire1 small reflections of which lurk here and there in the dark polished oak with which the walls are panelled4 ,everything in the apartment has an extremely comfortable appearance save its living occupant1 and his features wear an expression totally at variance with his surroundings4 ,he is twisting a crumpled note between his fingers2 while1 judging from the expression with which he regards it1 his feelings can scarcely be of an agreeable nature4 ,the offending epistle is written in a bold decided hand1 which harmonises well with the short and haughty tenor of its contents4 ,as a perusal of this may enable the reader more clearly to understand the ensuing narrative1 a copy is here inserted3 ,colonel ,thorpe presents his compliments to ,lieutenant ,ainslie1 and in reply to that gentleman's letter of this morning1 begs to state that any overtures from him relating to ,miss ,thorpe will receive an absolute negative4 ,it is also requested that ,lieut4 ,a4 will discontinue his visits to ,coombe ,hall1 as ,col4 ,t4 wishes him distinctly to understand that this decision is final4 ,dec4 #bb1 #agfj4 ,the exasperated recipient of this ungracious piece of writing makes a movement as if to consign it to the hungry blaze which is roaring up the chimney2 but checking himself ere the action is performed1 he places the missive in a side-pocket1 and falling back in his chair1 resigns himself to a long train of unenviable reflections4 99 99 99 99 99 ,next morning1 the sun1 first a dull crimson1 and then yellow as a copper ball1 slowly mounted above the horizon and pierced cloud and vapour with its struggling rays4 ,snow-clad roofs and chimneys1 whose quaint outlines could scarcely be distinguished from the leaden sky a short time before1 now became flooded with a rich golden light1 contrasting strangely with the blue mist that lingered in the shadows4 ,as yet1 it was only the high gables and towers which had caught the cheering beams2 the streets and lesser thoroughfares were gloomy1 dark1 and silent1 while ruts and gutters were fast bound with ,king ,frost4 ,the good people of ,fridswold had not the reputation of being early risers1 and with a few exceptions1 the streets were almost totally deserted2 but our friend who figured last night as a guest at the ,george1 at least appeared to be no sluggard1 for he was out1 and walking quickly along1 the iron-tipped heels of his riding-boots bringing forth a smart click from the frost-hardened ground4 ,lieutenant ,ainslie was not bent upon sight-seeing2 he had other matters to attend to4 ,the wintery beauties of the early morning seemed completely lost upon the young officer1 and he passed the great west front of the minster--all flecked with #8hoary flakes'--without bestowing so much as a glance upon it4 ,his course was continued until the irregular outskirts of the town were left behind1 when a large imposing red-brick mansion came within sight4 ,the grounds which surrounded it were separated from the public highway by a substantial wall of rough masonry2 while parallel with this wall extended a belt of fine trees1 now leafless1 and shivering as if with cold4 ,keeping to the road until a turn shut out the palatial residence from view1 the young officer1 after a hasty look around him1 vaulted the wall1 and then shaped his way across the white stretch of private ground4 ,slowly and uncertainly he proceeded1 often stopping to look back1 and more than once referring to his watch as well as to a dainty note1 the writing of which was in a delicate female hand4 ,at length1 after many turnings and much doubtful wandering1 he emerged from the underwood and entered upon a small cleared inclosure containing a rustic summer-house1 now fretted with a glittering network of snow and ice4 ,into this the lieutenant stepped1 frequently looking out in a furtive manner from the narrow doorway1 as if in expectation of some one4 ,after a long interval of anxious expectation1 certain sounds were heard which seemed to indicate the approach of a human being4 ,the soldier sprang eagerly forward1 and then as quickly shrunk back again4 ,a slight crackling of dry twigs was followed by a hoarse cough1 and the cough was followed by the unwelcome appearance of a red-faced man with a gun upon his shoulder1 but fortunately not passing in the direction of the arbour4 ,the lieutenant knew him at once4 ,it was the fiery-faced man whom he had seen at the inn the previous evening4 #8,ah1' said he to himself1 #8,i see it all4 ,colonel ,thorpe's gamekeeper--sent down last night to play the spy upon me4 ,it is well he has not seen me now4' ,not many minutes afterwards1 a young lady burst into the arbour1 with a little cry1 half of fear and half of pleasure4 ,it could be nothing more nor less than a lovers' meeting after all4 ,the lovers' first tender greetings over1 they seated themselves side by side in the little arbour1 and talked to each other in a low voice4 ,the state of alarm in which she evidently was1 sent a brighter flush of colour to her lovely face1 and enhanced in her lover's eyes the graces of her person4 99 99 99 99 99 ,some twelve months before the present meeting1 ,colonel ,thorpe made a sudden resolve to spend the winter in ,london2 and fearing to leave this his only daughter out of his sight for any length of time1 he determined to take her with him also4 ,the season was a tolerably gay one2 but the colonel1 an austere man1 though much in request at the houses of titled and wealthy friends1 cared little for society1 and constantly refused invitations both on behalf of himself and his daughter4 ,such a high pressure of circumspection could not last for ever4 ,receiving an earnest request from ,lady ,hardy--a friend of many years' standing--that they would honour a fashionable entertainment with their presence1 ,colonel ,thorpe somewhat relented1 and meeting ,amy's wistful gaze with a smile which he intended to be severely pleasant1 he told her to prepare herself to accompany him on the following ,thursday4 ,at this intelligence the young lady was naturally delighted2 and even her severe parent condescended to relax and bring himself to converse about the forthcoming ball4 ,this agreeable demeanour he sustained until about the middle of the festive evening1 when1 as if by magic1 his spirits suddenly lowered to freezing temperature4 ,he had observed that a well-favoured1 handsome young gallant had danced three times with his daughter in the course of the evening4 ,now1 the crusty old colonel did by no means approve of this1 and was not aware that his daughter had more than once met the same young gallant since coming to ,london4 ,in answer to inquiries which he made as to the unknown partner of his daughter1 he learned that his name was ,ainslie1 that he was a subaltern in the ,guards1 and the only son of a widow lady of title1 once wealthy1 but now reduced in circumstances4 ,his informant added1 that though the young officer was not rich1 he was of prepossessing manners--a piece of information which scarcely appeared to afford gratification to the master of ,coombe ,hall4 ,immediately upon receipt of this news the angry colonel sought out ,miss ,thorpe from among the dancers1 and after bidding a hasty adieu to his hostess1 drove away with his daughter from the house4 ,colonel ,thorpe's temper was not improved when1 on the day following the ball1 he received a call from ,ainslie2 but in a short political conversation which ensued1 the visitor--strangely enough--contrived to advance in his good graces considerably4 ,still1 the colonel1 who was habitually suspicious1 did not encourage the young officer4 ,he had only the doubtful satisfaction of knowing that the penniless son of ,sir ,henry ,ainslie1 deceased1 was a suitor for his daughter's hand4 #8,amy1' he said to himself1 #8must return to ,coombe ,hall4 ,the wiles of this dangerous young man can be kept at a safe distance there4' ,but railways were as yet things of the future1 and the weather became an unexpected ally in ,ainslie's favour1 the colonel's departure being thus delayed for fully a week4 ,during this time ,reginald contrived to see ,miss ,thorpe several times1 as well as to ingratiate himself with her father1 who listened to his visitor's conversation and wit with a mingled feeling of approval and distrust4 ,the time passed quickly2 and when ,reginald parted from ,amy ,thorpe it was with many protestations of eternal devotion1 to which that young lady replied with equal warmth4 ,colonel ,thorpe wished ,ainslie a formal #8,good-bye1' and the lovers were separated from each other for a weary space of ten months4 ,the interval was not unfraught with change4 ,reginald had the good fortune to be raised in rank1 and now entered upon his full grade of lieutenant4 ,since the departure of ,amy ,thorpe he had endeavoured to keep up a correspondence with her2 but the age in which they lived1 though practically a fast one1 was slow enough in some respects1 and the means of communication were so unsatisfactory1 that long intervals elapsed between an interchange of letters4 ,at the close of ,october #agfj1 the tidings of ,king ,george ,,ii4's death became known throughout the greater part of the kingdom2 and following closely upon the spreading of this intelligence came a letter from ,amy to ,reginald1 containing the joyful news that ,colonel ,thorpe was on his way to ,london to attend the opening of parliament by the new king1 and that his daughter was coming with him4 ,ainslie1 after the expiration of a few days1 presented himself at ,colonel ,thorpe's former apartments1 where the first person he encountered was that worthy officer himself1 stiff1 irritable1 and in a decidedly unpleasant temper4 ,their conversation commenced with a formal exchange of civilities1 and ,reginald seated himself on the chair which was pointed out to him1 calm and unruffled in countenance1 but with a heart which he had steeled and prepared for the worst4 ,colonel ,thorpe was glad that ,lieutenant ,ainslie had called1 as he wished to have some serious conversation with him4 ,there had been a--in fact there had been a correspondence kept up with his daughter1 an interchange of letter-writing and--and that sort of thing1 which must be discontinued4 #8,am ,i to understand1 sir1' said the young officer1 with difficulty repressing his growing wrath--#8am ,i to understand that you wish me to resign all pretensions to ,miss ,thorpe's hand8' ,the colonel did not exactly say that2 he said the correspondence must be discontinued for--for a time4 ,if at some future date ,lieutenant ,ainslie could show satisfactory proofs that he would be able to maintain his daughter in a position of comfort and dignity consistent with that in which she had been brought up1 he 7,colonel ,thorpe7 might feel disposed to listen to any advances ,lieutenant ,ainslie thought proper to make4 ,till then1 all interchange of sentiment must cease4 ,that was all2 ,colonel ,thorpe had nothing further to say4 ,ere another week had passed1 during which the lovers met but once1 the colonel's apartments were again vacant1 and ,reginald ,ainslie was wondering at what remote period of his life he should again see ,amy ,thorpe4 ,poverty was the bane of the young soldier1 and the monotonous round of barrack-life was by no means the royal road to wealth4 ,reginald1 however1 had for some time been meditating over a deep-laid purpose1 the object of which was to recover an ancient property which his immediate ancestors1 by their ,jacobite proclivities1 had forfeited4 ,on obtaining leave of absence1 therefore1 shortly before ,christmas1 he set out for ,fridswold1 and made a series of excursions to ,coombe ,hall1 to lay before his beloved ,amy all his hopes and fears1 and to receive from her encouragement in his momentous quest4 ,but his proposed visit had been put a stop to by the colonel's letter1 and now this secret meeting in the arbour was the next expedient of the faithful pair4 ,for a while1 the joy of meeting was so great that all other things were forgotten2 but ,reginald could not long shut his eyes to the barrier which destiny and the will of ,colonel ,thorpe had placed between the lovers4 ,he was still poor2 he was not yet able to fulfil the colonel's stipulation4 ,but he had hopes1 and these he could now breathe into ,amy's sympathetic ear4 #8,what would you say1 ,amy1 if ,i were to tell you that ,i am the bearer of good tidings8' #8,i should say the news might be too good to be true1' replied ,miss ,thorpe4 #8,o ,reginald1 it cannot be2 you do not mean it8' #8,i do1 ,amy1' answered the lieutenant4 #8,for what purpose do you suppose ,i undertook this journey8' he added1 after a pause1 and turning so as to face his fair companion4 ,the girl's blue eyes opened to their fullest extent1 and she answered in a slight tone of wonderment3 #8,to see me4 ,was it not so1 ,reginald8' #8,it was1 dearest1' said the lieutenant2 #8but if ,i were to say that ,i came in search of you alone1 my words would be false4' #8,then pray1 sir1 may ,i not know your other reason8' inquired ,amy laughingly4 #8,have you an appointment to meet some other distressed damsel in these lonely parts8' #8,nothing of the kind1' replied ,ainslie1 more earnestly than the question seemed to warrant4 #8,you alone1 ,amy1 ,i came to see1 and it is principally on your account that ,i am about to journey farther4' #8,on my account6' #8,yes1 ,amy1 yours2 this journey is all for your sake4 ,i will explain myself4 ,for some time past1 ,i have been urged to take a singular step by one who believes that our lost wealth may be actually regained4 ,the idea is a vague and most likely a visionary one1 and had ,i never met you1 ,amy1 it is probable that the task of unravelling this coil might not have been essayed4 ,it was ,colonel ,thorpe who clenched my half-hearted resolution by informing me that ,i must not hope to call you mine until possessed of sufficient affluence to maintain you in a position equal to that in which you had been brought up4 ,those words struck home4 ,i instantly formed a fixed determination1 and am now about to follow it up1 for which purpose ,i intend to start this very afternoon4' #8,this afternoon6' echoed ,amy4 #8,why so soon1 ,reginald8 ,you have been here no time at all4 ,when did you arrive8' #8,the day before yesterday1' replied ,ainslie4 #8,but do not blame me1 dearest1 for not seeing you before4 ,i repaired to ,coombe ,hall almost directly after ,i got here1 hoping to see both you and your father1 and having no thought that admittance would be refused4' #8,o ,reginald1 ,i am so sorry6' faltered the girl4 #8,what could ,i do8 ,did they really refuse to admit you8' #8,they did1' answered the young officer4 #8,but ,i am perfectly aware it was no fault of yours4 ,i then wrote to your father1 asking permission to see you1 telling him that ,i had some expectation of recovering what my parent so unfortunately lost1 when ,i hoped to be able to maintain you in a manner worthy of our ancient house4 ,but two hours afterwards1 my letter was returned6--yes1 returned1 ,amy1 and with it was inclosed a note from your father forbidding me to enter the house or seek an interview with his daughter4 ,i disobeyed the latter part of his injunction1 and have succeeded1 darling1 in meeting you once more4' ,as we intend to follow ,reginald in his quest1 it is needless to repeat here the story of his hopes as he hastily unfolded them in the ears of ,amy ,thorpe2 enough that1 after remaining together as long as1 or perhaps longer than prudence enjoined1 the two tore themselves asunder1 with thrice-repeated vows of fidelity and affection4 ,the remembrance of their tender parting was to ,reginald in after-years like a strain of sweet1 bygone music passing through his memory4 ,that very evening the young lieutenant quitted ,fridswold4 ,his way lay in a different direction from that leading to ,coombe ,hall1 and the farewell glance he gave back only showed him the black bulk of the minster towering above a mass of smoky chimneys4 ,the suburbs of the town were speedily left behind1 and soon a prospect lay before ,reginald's eyes which for savage desolation he had never seen surpassed4 ,extending as far as the eye could reach1 stretched a dreary waste of flooded fields1 black peat1 broken ice1 and frozen sedge1 dotted at remote intervals with a few scanty willows4 ,the wind was rising again1 bringing up with it heavy clouds1 and its moaning voice rustled among the patches of alder and withered rushes like a low1 dying murmur4 ,taking warning by these signs1 ,reginald urged his horse forward to a quicker pace than hitherto1 riding swiftly and eagerly into the gathering darkness of the night4 ,,the ,,ring-,,trick4 ,a ,,curious ,,coincidence4 ,some four years ago ,i was one of the many hundreds of somewhat aspiring youths who were seeking positions as ,civil servants under our government4 ,in order better to work up for the very difficult examinations which it is necessary to pass in order to gain these positions1 ,i had joined the evening classes of a well-known ,london college4 ,these classes were held twice in every week1 and it was on my way to one of them from my home--,i live in a northern suburb of the metropolis--that the events ,i am about to relate took place4 ,i had alighted1 at about five o'clock on an autumn evening1 from a train at the ,king's ,cross terminus of the ,great ,northern ,railway1 and was proceeding along the ,euston ,road1 when1 having half an hour to spare1 ,i turned off to the right to enter ,euston ,station4 ,as ,i passed under the heavy stone portico just to the south of this immense dept1 ,i observed a man about two yards in front of me1 who1 just as ,i noticed him1 came to an abrupt halt and stooped down4 ,so suddenly1 indeed1 did he do this1 that ,i stumbled over him1 and tendered an apology for what was not my error4 ,as he regained his vertical position1 he spoke to me1 and said in a confidential tone3 #8,did you see that8' ,i asked him what he meant4 #8,why1 this diamond ring4 ,i nearly trod on it4 ,just look here4' ,and he showed me what was apparently a gold diamond ring2 and then went on to say1 that if ,i had seen it1 ,i should have my share of the find2 or that1 as he was a poor man1 and as it might arouse suspicion for the ring to be found in his possession1 and since1 as he could not get rid of it1 it would be useless to him1 he would sell it to me for a trifle4 ,i was not at that time--owing1 ,i suppose1 to my ignorance of ,london ways--so cautious as ,i am now2 and thinking1 from the various government stamps upon the ring1 that it was indeed a valuable one1 ,i told him ,i would think about it1 if the diamond were a good one4 #8,come up here1' said he1 pointing to some back street1 #8and let us see if it will cut glass4' ,i walked with him in the direction he indicated1 and with much coolness he tested the stone upon a shop-window4 ,surely enough1 it made a deep incision in the glass4 #8,well1' ,i said1 feeling now tolerably convinced of the genuineness of the ring1 #8,i would give you ten shillings for it1 but ,i unfortunately have a few pence only in my pocket4' #8,ah1 that's a pity4 ,do you live far from here8' #8,yes1' ,i replied2 #8some twelve miles at least4' #8,ah1 well1 there you are1 you see2 that's a pity1 because you are a gentleman1 and the ring would be all right with you2 but ,i am only a poor messenger--at this moment ,i am on one of my errands--earning a pound a week1 and if ,i tried to sell it1 people would suspect me4 ,however1 since you say you have not enough money1 ,i will keep the ring and attempt to get rid of it4 ,at anyrate1 we'll part friends4 ,come and have something to drink with me4' ,i refused1 for the man was not of a very attractive appearance1 being dreadfully pock-marked and squinting in his right eye4 ,so we said good-evening and separated1 he to carry out his errand1 ,i to walk on into ,euston terminus4 ,on relating the adventure to my friends1 we came to the conclusion that the man was an impostor1 and had purposely dropped the ring and stooped to pick it up immediately in front and for the sole edification of myself1 evidently hoping that ,i should purchase it--probably a sham one--from him4 ,two years after the above had occurred1 my business--,i had abandoned the idea of the ,civil service--led me one evening along that wondrous thoroughfare the ,strand4 ,proceeding westwards1 about midway between the ,temple ,bar memorial and ,charing ,cross1 ,i collided somewhat violently with a man immediately in front of me1 who had stooped with the evident intention of picking up something off the ground4 ,he turned round sharply and exclaimed3 #8,did you see that8' at the same time showing me a gold diamond ring1 which he stated he had found on the pavement1 and on which he had nearly trodden4 ,i will not weary the reader with a verbatim account of the conversation which then ensued4 ,suffice it for me to say that ,i had recognised in the man before me the pock-marked and squinting hero of the ,euston ,road of two years before4 ,in order1 however1 further to convince myself that my impressions as to this were correct1 ,i1 apparently taking interest in what he had found1 allowed him to do and say1 act for act and word for word1 all that he did and said on the first occasion of my meeting him4 ,he tested the diamond by cutting glass2 said he was a poor messenger earning a pound a week2 was even then on one of his errands2 thought that the discovery of such a ring in his possession would excite suspicion2 and---- ,well1 ,i neither need1 nor will ,i1 rewrite the whole of the first portion of this narration1 for what now took place was its precise counterpart4 ,i taxed the swindler with having played the same rle at ,euston ,station1 two years previously4 ,he replied1 in the most nave manner3 #8,ah1 then ,i was in ,liverpool4' ,but he was1 ,i suspect1 somewhat astonished to find out that ,i knew him4 ,again did he ask me to drink with him and to part friends4 ,it is almost needless to add1 that though ,i might have done the latter1 ,i certainly did not do the former1 he being evidently a swindler4 ,and so we separated for the second time1 he disappearing up one of the tributary streets of the ,strand1 ,i proceeding about my business4 ,it struck me as being very wonderful that this man1 whose profession it doubtless was to entrap people--young and unsuspecting--in the manner ,i have described1 should have on two separate occasions1 between which there was an interval of two years1 singled out myself as an intended victim to his fraud1 since ,i am but one of tens of thousands of the youth daily to be remarked walking in the ,london streets4 ,the remarkable blunder of the impostor proves how correct is the well-known proverb1 #8,a liar should have a good memory2' and the facts here narrated may perhaps serve to put others on their guard against the wiles of ,london street swindlers4 ,,occasional ,,notes4 ,,investigations ,,on ,,lights ,,and ,,lighthouses4 ,for some time past a series of observations and experiments have been carried on under the auspices of a ,committee of the ,elder ,brethren of the ,trinity ,house1 at the ,south ,foreland1 chiefly relating to the measurement of lights by means of a photometer--the invention of ,mr ,vernon ,harcourt--the standard light of which burns with wonderful regularity and uniformity4 ,the ,committee are now engaged on a still more interesting series of observations1 which are made from the sea1 and which will more nearly concern sailors4 ,these experiments and observations for testing the capabilities of various lights will be peculiarly remarkable1 as craft of almost all descriptions will be enlisted in this work3 the mail-packets1 the ,peninsular and ,oriental liners1 pilot vessels of different nationalities1 trading-ships1 and ,french cruisers4 ,the electric light1 of course1 is immensely superior to either gas or paraffine oil2 but even this1 from its whiteness and dazzling brilliancy1 has not been found to be so very much better1 in thick hazy weather1 than either oil or gas1 the reddish-yellow of the latter perhaps showing better through the haze of a sea-fog than the white glare of the former4 ,all these points will1 however1 be carefully gone into1 and every sort of test applied to discover the best and safest light to direct mariners to and by our coasts2 and when all is completed1 the ,committee will record their useful labours in a full ,report to the ,board of ,trade1 a document which will possess peculiar interest for all who have at heart the welfare of ships and sailors4 ,,level-,,crossing ,,gates4 ,level crossings on railways have always been considered dangerous to the public1 and are generally looked upon with disfavour2 and yet1 in certain places and positions1 it is next to impossible to avoid them4 ,therefore1 wherever a level crossing exists1 gates must be provided to arrest the traffic on the road when a train approaches the crossing2 and it is clear that the more perfect the arrangement for the opening and closing of the gates1 the better for the safety of the public4 ,an ingenious proposal has been made in ,france to call in the powerful aid of electricity for the purpose of opening and closing gates of this description4 ,the gates are kept closed across the line by a catch governed by an electro-magnet4 ,an approaching train1 by a simple arrangement1 is made to close the electric circuit at a stated distance from the gates1 and the catch is therefore released and the gates are opened and kept open for the passage of the train4 ,when the last carriage has passed1 the circuit is broken and the gates are made to shut1 when they are kept closed by the catch already referred to4 ,the same current also rings a bell to give warning of the approach of the train4 ,a ,,hawthorn ,,story4 ,pink and white in snowy shower1 ,shade and light and leaf and thorn1 ,from the orchard gate the hawthorn bloom ,through diamond lattices scented the room1 ,when a child of the summer was born4 ,golden green and creaking swing-- ,boy and girl are playmates now4 #8,swing me higher--up to the sky6' #8,nay2 then ,i should lose you1' he made reply1 ,under the hawthorn bough4 ,oh1 perfume sweet6--she pulled the branch2 ,flowers on her face fell tenderly2 ,at the orchard gate1 #8,good-night1 dear love6' ,light in the lattice and stars above1 ,and #8,take this bloom from me4' ,summer again1 and a last good-bye1 ,fair head resting in sunset ray2 ,beyond the window and western glow ,fancy flutters to long ago3 #8,bring me one hawthorn spray4' ,childhood's blossom and last good-bye-- #8,ah6 think of the dawn in the ,fatherland6' ,earthly morning--by flower-strewn bed1 ,manhood's tears from a drooping head ,trickling on still cold hand4 ,oh6 fragrance of the hawthorn tree1 ,where'er his lonely footsteps fly1 ,arise and waft her memory sweet2 ,white blossoms whisper3 #8,white souls meet ,beyond the last good-bye6' 99 99 99 99 99 ,printed and ,published by ,w4 ,r4 ,,chambers1 #dg ,paternoster ,row1 ,,london1 and #cci ,high ,street1 ,,edinburgh4 99 99 99 99 99 ,all ,rights ,reserved4