A ' CHAPTER T. T was In the sweet month of Septem ber, the soft after noon of a day that , had been hot even on the borders of the North Sea, which sends its breezes flying over the part of Essex which Is not flat and marshy, but rich and undulating, and fair mid pleasant to look upon. In I^ondon the people were gasp ing for breath, but here, though the day had hern fairly hot, it was now at six o'clock soft and balmy, and by nightfall the air would he sharp and fresh. It was such a fair day and such a fair view! Rehind on the higher ground stood a rambling old house, half hall, half farm-house a house with a long red-hrlck front, and a sort of terrace garden from which you might look across the fields and the long green stretches of land over which the bold sea came and went at ebb and flow of the tides. It was a quaint old garden, with turf like velvet, and raised beds cut In it here and there, gay with blazing scarlet geraniums and blue lobelias, and kept neat and tidy by a quaint bordering of red tiles set edge ways Into the ground. There were tall trees, too, about this domain, which hid the farm-buildings from sight, and also helped to shield the house from the fierce winter blasts, and in front there lay a rich and verdant meadow sloping gently down to the high-road, where just then a man and a young girl had stopped for a moment as they Walked along together. "Mayn’t I come in?” the man said, Imploringly. "No, 1 don't think you must,” the girl answered. "You see, auntie has like me to ask you In when I knew she wasn't there. No, I don't think you must come In this time.” “Perhaps she will be back by this time," bo urged; but the girl shook her heacl resolutely. "No; for the train does not get to Wrabness til twenty-four minutes past seven— it is not as much past six yet, ’ she said, simply. "But,” he said, finding that there was no chance of his effecting an en trance within the fortress, "are you bound to go in just yet?” "No, I am not; but you are bound to go back to Lady Jane's for your dog-cart. She knows that you came with me, and she knows that auntie is in Colchester.” “Lady Jane knows too much,” he said, vexedly. “Yes, I suppose 1 must go back. But 1 may carry your racket as far as the door, eh?” "Oh, I think you may do that,” an swered the girl, demurely. So together they turned and walked on. The road took a curve to the right, skirting the sloping meadow and ris ing gradually until they reached the gates of the old house, with its quaint red front and its many gables and dormer windows, and at the gate Dor othy Strode stopped and held out her hand for the racket. “Thank you very much for bringing me home,” she said, shyly, hut with an upward glance of her blue eyes that went straight to the man's perhaps rather susceptible heart; "it was very good of you.” "Yes, but tell me," he answered, not letting go his hold of the racket, “the aunt has gone to Colchester, you say ?" "Yes.” "Dues she often go?” "Oh, no; not often.” "But how often? Once a week?" "Opce a week—oh, no; not once u month. Why do you ask?" "Because for the present 1 live in Colchester. I am quartered there, you know, and 1 thought that perhaps sometimes wS’p the auntie was com ing you might he coming, too. and I might show you round u little -the linns and all that, you know. That was all.” "But I don't think. .aid Dorothy Jatrodc, taking hint literally, "that ••tail* wwui« • . »&.•*• IUUH.1 l't»l*fh»a*«f, or »k* tM < „r aoy thlM Viw a**, ah* ha* ; .*.» 41 tu< Hall for «M*ro 1 h*h •«» * 4» |*»b»My hn»*a t*ol« I ttar « t); . »t II«M M wall aa »*M 4ti ■ •>Tra#* I tula Hi h**a »h «M < ik*!," *a4 ha latMlh-4 a in.• «t a . «*•« aiutaka lk«» •■*•*» hM.rD I*I*iU ikoa l >«« «hnU !*»•• *»*i » 4. like io come and have afternoon tea in my quarters? Old ladies generally love a bachelor tea." “ I don’t think she would." said Dorothy, honestly. "You see, Mr. Harris, my aunt is rather strict, and she never does anything unusual, and--" At that moment she broke off short as a fairly smart dog-cart driven by a young man passed them, and returned the salute of the occupant, who had lifted his hat as soon as he saw her. "V/ho Is that?" asked the soldier, father jealously, frowning a little as he noticed the girl's heightened color. "That Is Mr. Stevenson,” she an swered, looking straight in front of her. "Oh, Mr. Stevenson. And who is he when he's at home?" the soldier de manded. "Very much the same as when he Is not at home,” answered Dorothy, with a gay laugh. He laughed, too. "But tell me, who Is he?” "Oh, one of the gentlemen farmers round about.” It was evident that site did not want to talk about the owner of the dog cart, but the soldier went on without heeding: “And you know him well?” "I have known him all my life,” she said, with studied carelessness. In the fare of her evident unwilling ness to enlarge upon the subject, the soldier had no choice but to let her take the racket from him. "Good-by," she said, holding out her hand to him. "Good-by,” he answered, holding It a good deal longer thatj was necessary; "hut tell me I may come and call?" "Yes, I think you might do that.” "You will tell your aunt that you met tne, and that I am coming to call tomorrow ?” "That is a little soon, isn't it?” she saiu, laughing. Resides, tomorrow there Is a sewing-meeting.” "And you go?” “Always." “And you like it?” Incredulously. “No, candidly 1 don't; but In this world, at least in Graveleigh, one has to do a great many things that one does not like.” “And you might have to do worse things than go to a sewing-meeting, eh?” he suggested, for it suddenly flashed Into his mind that there would he no gentlemen farmers in smart dog carts at such feminine functions as sewing-meetings. "That is so. Well, good-by.” “But you haven’t said when I may come,” he cried. “No; say one day next, week,” with a gay laugh. “But which day?” "Oh, you must take your chance of that. Good-by," and then she passed in at the wide old gate, and disappear ed among the hushes and shrubs which lined the short and crooked carriage drive leading to the- house. CHAPTER II. OR a moment he stood there looking after her. then turned on ills herd and retraced the steps which he had taken in Dorothy Strode's company, and as he went along he went again over all that she had said, thovight of her beauty, her soft blue eyes, and fair, wind-tossed hair, of th< grace of her movements, the strength and skill of her play, the sweet, half shy voice, the gentle manner with now and then Just a touch of roguish fun ' to relieve its softness. Then he re i mien now sue uhu loom u up at nun amt how softly she hud spoken tiii : name. "Mr. Harris." just as that farm j er-f«llow i ante along to distract hci attention and bring the bright coloi - into her cheeks, and. by Jove! he hat come away and never told her that hit name was not Hurris at all, but Ayl mer Richard Aylmer. commonly known as "Dick," not only In his rcgl ' merit, but In every place where he wai known ul all. Now how, his though’ , ran. could the little woman have go | hold of an Idea that his name wa Harris.’ Itlck Harris! Well, to (a sure. It didn't souud bad, but then I did n* i suit him. Hick Vylnirr he wa and l»iik Ayliner he would be to tht end of the chapter ekc**pt » v t pt, ait well, well, that was a contingent* hi i need not trouble him*1 If about St {ires eat It was but a contingency an I • remote one, and he could lei It tak • are of itself until the time tains fu i him to fairly took It In the face, whci i probably mailers would mavstiiiicV and comfortably arrange Uu'mn to i And then be fell to thinking ibuii I her Again, and what A pretty low hers tsA* Dorothy hi rod* Su- h pu tty name, oni* Imrothy A> ln« i would hsik %>*en prettier Mrs, Mi- bar \k lm«r the prettiest of them all, f I ; 11 pi perhaps, to hear hie men ln«t. I i ailing her "Mrs IU* k And th*n he pau-d him««tf up m i i a laugh t« think bow foot hi* thought ( hed keen running on why, A K - I * I i iunity married htmeelf already afie II an hoar end a half * a«uwalntant« an ; befutw «**n he had !■« a m hl« »«• s| At I with Agothd laugh he itineA k at the gates of Lady Jane's place, where he must say his farewells and get his dog-cart. Lady Jane was stiil on the lswn. and welcomed hint with a smile. She was a stout, motherly woman, still young enough to be sympathetic. “Ah, you are back," she said. “Now, Is not that a nice gfrl?” “Charming.” returned Dick, sitting down beside her and answering in his most conventional manner. Lady Jane frowned a little, being quite deceived by the tone. Shi was fond of Dorothy herself and would dearly like to make a match for her. She had seen with Joy that Mr. Ayl mer seemed very attentive to her, and had encouraged him In hts offer 10 escort her down the road to her aunt's house—and now he had come back again with his cold, conventional tones as If Dorothy was the tenth charming girl he had taken home that afternoon, and he had not cared much about th* task. “I heard you say a little time ags that you were going away,” lie re marked, after a moment's pause. "Yes, we are off tonight by the boat from Harwich,” she answered. "Yes, it is rather a long passage—twelve hours but the boatr are big and the weather is smooth, I , 11 d 11 . »!, . uni,)• tin* fnat' >t>* • with dm.on nk, vigil* |U> * .tl-- th- W*»** t '• * f * It **!*; * > t fti.u th«* | ■ Ue.i •»* 1 n** I i» r * 1 AU*I hllli'* * mO*** Ul# * Iff ft* I ■ «au-a»l<> llN» III IhH *| Un4tAf4 '■»* (4^ t I Hill *&*’ 5.* M* 1 k s • .* *» t | I ill* * I * t* * iltllt • | t«Hl IfUMM'lt Oik ti l »4it M hit %|* 1*1 tl • *» II % A * h I . I* * . • 4 .tip Iwul Ih up • it tka || l theti t> e* at 1 isttos • waa a*i *h« s*•«<**■•. MR9. GLADSTONE AT HOME. ' rennyson's Tribute to Her Wrlttea Twenty-Seven Yemrs Ago. Mrs. Gladstone recently celebrated her &3th birthday, and every one wish- j ed her all possible happiness, says the j London Chronicle. She lias been a j veritable "angel In the house" and her j loving care for her distinguished hus- j band has passed Into a proverb. Mrs. i Gladstone's vitality is marvelous and she preserves as active an Interest in her many philanthropic work* as of old. The eldest daughter of Sir Steph- | en Givnne. Catharine Glynne and her i sister attracted great admiration when : they appeared in London society. When j the Glynnes were on the continent in ; JS.19 they met very frequently Mr. Glad- I ■tone, who was even then a notable politician, having already filled the of- j flee of under secretary for the colonies and also that of vice-president of the board of trade. Mr. Gladstone’s clos est friend. lyord Lyttleton, had made as ! favorable an Impression on the young- j er Miss Glynne as Mr. Gladstone had ; made on her oddest sister, with the rqr . suit that all fashionable London was shortly after this visit to Italy Inter- | ested to hear of the bethrothal of the j no young politicians to the two love- j ly sisters. The weddings took place in the same day, July 93, 18.19. Mrs. Gladstone's good works began at a perl- j sd when it was not so fashionable as ; to-day for gentlewomen to frequent the ilums. intent on ameliorating the con dition of thp poor. She was especially busy at the time of a devastating epi demic which scourged the east end of London many years ago. and she was * • a v in 11 tn iw iii< ■ #*-» ■ ... hospital. Many a poor convalescent lias had reason to bless the name of | Mrs. Gladstone In connection with the borne which bears her name. At Ha- i warden one sees at once how large a part philanthrophy plays in Mrs. Glad stone's beneficent life. There is her boys’ home close to the castle and not j far from it is the home in which some j old ladles are. thanks to her kindness, j spending the evening of their days in peace. Tennyson’s words will find echo ; In many a heart to-day: ''One could j not but feel humbled in the presence I Of those whose life was evidently one long self-sacrifice, and. one would hope, quickened to more of It In one's own life. Mrs. Gladstone wears herself out by all her hospital work in addition to the work of a prime minister's wife." That tribute was written twenty-seven years ago, and Mrs. Gladstone is still abel to enjoy fairly good health in her old age. TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE. On* Will Be Seen l»y the IVcpl# of A merle* on Way *8, I POO. The people of America will have a very unusual chance to see a total solar eclipse right here at home on May 28, 1890. Astronomers are even now study ing the meteorological tables for past years In order to find the localities promising clearest skies, says the Washington Post. The line of totality first touches the continent on the Paci fic coast in Mexico, north of Cape Co rientes, pursuing a northeast course, leaving Mexico at the mouth of the ltio Grande, crossing the gulf of Mexico and entering the United States at Atehafa laya bay, Louisiana. The breadth of Ihe line Is atiout fifty miles. The eclipse will be total at New Orleans at about 8:22 a. m., Washington time. The eclipse will be visible in Macon, Ral eigh, Norfolk and intermediate and neighboring points. Crossing the ocean the land first touched is near the port of Coimbra, Spain, passing southeast across southern Europe and the Medl- j terranean sea. Thus ail the astrono- j mers in both hemispheres will be with in easy distance and with every facil ity for using any amount of Instrumen tal equipment. The greatest duration will be two minutes, nine seconds, about the middle of the Atlantic ocean. No Negro In South Africa. The word “negro" is not heard in South Africa excepting as a term of opprobrium. Over and over again have Afrikander Englishmen stopped j'O when speaking of Zulus, liasutos, M&tabele and so on as negroes. "You In America only know the blacks who came over as slaves. Our blacks are not to lie confusoil with the material found on the Guinea const." THEIR ORIGIN. The cauliflower came from Cyprus. The eggplant U it native of Asia, Af rica and Smith \merica. Mushrooms ae native to uli temper ate countries In , hurt grass. Potatoes are native to Peru, and the i Spaniards iliseovi - d them Front I Spain they passed into Italy and liel ; glum Melons were grown by the old tin * k« sud Homans and were carried to Am in a by > ’oltittfiui I h- w i ! m lon It native tn Afrit a Th» cabbage still grows wild in Greece, where it originated ll uli-lo * •err native til China, but have Is ' ll grown in Europe for icnturles Garik csinv frutn Asia «nd b is lirm Used since tbe earliest time*. |l furnted } part of the diet af tbe Israelii** in : Egypt, was u - d by Greek and Homan Mold - rs and Mr; 411 peasants Hi ousels sprouts 1 tine from tletgium, beets ara naitv- to tbe auutheast sea coa.t nf Europe sag* tomes fn m soots Ear->ps rhubarb from Chlaa and Tar ' tar * The utswtwM *s frutn lick I America i t'u-amber* are astir* In the Earn In 4kt and are grown tn Cashmere, China and Persia They were mu- h saieemed hr the sac tew >• and are cum«n< a la i Egypt, where a dnah la prepared from them when they are yige THEATRICAL TOPICS. CURRENT NEWS AND GOSSIP OP THE STAGE. -- \ f'omedjr HcIiIihI tlic Nrom*« In a , WiiMlihiKtcin Theater % OopIIip I lr«*t >li;lit UtiNP at the Arp iif I I Flor pnpp Stone ami Mamie Nlierhlitii. CEHTAI N the atrical company, which has Just fin- j Islicil Its Washing ton c n g a g emont, | says the Washing- j ton Post, possesses a sober and saga \ clous manage r. who never lets any thing Intsrfe re with the success of the piece If he can help it. He Iikh a perfect horror of telegrams, for almost the only one he ever received informed him of the death of his mother. On Tuesday night. Just as the call boy was crying • Overture." a (elegram ad dressed to the leading comedian was delivered at the stage door. The stage manager realized that tile sudden an nouncement of the misfortune, for he divined lutd news in the yellow en velope. would unnerve the actor, so, with great presence of mind, he dr- ! termined to suppress the message till after tin play. Word went, round qui etly that the stage manager had had news for Mr. Blank. The company be trayed a sympathy for the unfortunate actor which quite surprised him. When the curtain fell on the last act they all gathered around him, as the stage man ager. with a solemn face, handed him ihe telegram. Mr. Blank, gathering a premonition ot disaster from Ihe pity ing far.-s around him. hurriedly tore open the envelope. The message was from his voting son on the farm in New York. It read: "Only seventeen of the twenty-one eggs 1 set have hatched out." The current issue of Literature con tains Ibis comment: A "first night” of Goethe must always he interesting, jections. and secured an engagement with I he Forejaugh Stock company of Philadelphia. After doing some efficient work In this well-known company, she was engaged for a leading part in The Limited Mail," and later appear ed in David Belasco's production of the "Main Line.” She starred for one sea son in "A Southern Heiress." and since that time has tilled leading parts with "Shenandoah” and other well known attractions. She is a woman possessed of an extremely attractive style of beauty, is graceful in figure, and n i-tin. thinking It was a procession with i the relics of some salut, presen-e I i arms, whereupon her father m la mod What, an armed f«,tv*> tendering horn ago to nty child' Mbs will have a £*<• i rtuiis future ” Her lather and grand ; father were *«>in>dlans. Miss Florence Mtone who Is playing j leads this season baa long been knotsb as furetnoat among the promising anti j beautiful young Women of her «hosen profession kites tltuAs, like so many uf h*r am-woeful sisters In net, evinced i a >onsbKiable latent and preside* u*m tor the s'Mte at a very early age Her parents wsr* opposed to her entering tin a dramatn1 sorter hut with the per •eversn-e twin of leal talent Mo* i atvm« Anally overcame all parental ub l marked to his manager that this Oliver Byron was a better actor than his fath er. Being told that Mr. Byron was the same actor be had seen sixteen years ago he replied, “Well, then, he has drunk of the fountain of youth, for l.n looks younger now than he did then. ’ This same dropping of the midtile name caused a writer in the Dramatic Magazine to speak of Mr. Byron av “Oliver Doud Byron, who died several years ago." Mamie Sheridan is one of tho.-e eou brettts who, in every way, is entitled "A A EH A t M M l**: SlltittlhAV to the name Hi.*- i* a .lunty little wo mm. with a < harmiHK tithe, ,»t»4 |at*> "* »'««• u( a itt»at ii-treattlng iirimaelll * Hhe U a alr>• «.( the late W K tthert i|«a, the trait* u*i> in <, frantwr ahtiwla* a |»lra»teg nt«r*» l%,r tatlh. Ute *iu* ‘ Ml 4 Rinat >r l41t.il n