THE LIGHT OF HOME. Aas shines the steady polar star Across the darkened world we roam, So brightly beams, so flashes far The blessed light of home. In days of glory or of shame, "Mid gentle gales or adverse blast Love watches o'er its vestal flame And guards it to the last. Enkindled first in Paradise, Joy, Purity and Peace came down, Attracted from their native skies, Earth's happiness to crown ; And when within the humblest shrine, Whose building loving hearts ordain, That radiance begins to shine, Those angels meet again, It gleams where dark, malignant powers With siren voice bid pilgrims stay, The tempter at its glory cowers, The darkness flees away ; It flashed on the toiler’s brow, And saddening lines of care grow dim: From cots where poverty stooos low Ascends earth's sweetest hymn. And when Time's treasures vanish here, And mother, wife, and child no more Speed forth to life with words of cheer, Or welcome at the door: On Faith's upturned and steady eyes hat pierce beyond the star-lit dome, Still falis that Hight through evening skies, And guides the weary home, RNS TNA. OUT OF PITY. She little 17; the very youngest any one remembered was jus bride that ing that wel- comed. it had come go fast; it seemed that all her life had lived itself in these six months, the leaving of her English school and going out the country had ever housekeeper and companion; the strange brief life on the up-country coffee estate, vague wanderings for adventure’s sake, and who was received and entertained at Holme Harcourt with the delightful And then the awful night when the sudden terrible stroke of cholera left her fatherless, and life seemed a great black void; and the chaplain’s wife had been good to her, and kept her from dying in despair; and Sir Henry Field- ing had been still more good; and then —and then—she was resting her poor little orphaned head on a heart that was kind asd true as her own father’s, and a strong arm was close round her sien- der waist, and the voice she}llked alone to hear of all voices around her was telling her she would never another jsorrow he could guard her from. He seemed the only real thing in all that dream-time; the sad past, and the present that was hap but just as unlika reality. Was it really herself, simple little Westa Harcourt, that people was fussing over and pet- ting ani welcoming home as if she had been a royal princess? Perhaps it was as well she could not realize it or her head might have been turned. Why, had not the whole week Harry and she were spending with his sister, Mrs. Mostyn, to present Nesta to the country-side, been one round of festivities, which she was queen? This evening : had driven toa grand concert in { untry town, to hear a famous singer, and Nesta, in her won- derful gown, i embroidery ks £1 pretty shy pink, had been neck, and s an as Oni excitement an happines that they had reached home ; i in the great hall, them to dine rat rere having supper had forced The house was crowded with guests, and they were all vehemently declaring that the night was hardly begun yet, and they weant to finish it with a few games. The furniture in the blue drawing room was being hastily moved, and Nesta's heart sank at the thought »f further exertion; her head ached and she was worn out. She would slipaway juietly to bed, and leave Harry make her excuses to Eleanor. was Harry, by the way? She had not seen him since they sat down to supper, and heand that beautiful Miss Trafford were talking in the doorway. A hasty search through the nearest rooms had no result, and Nesta stopped by an open oor to glance in at half-cleared drawing room. Two portly dowageis were deep conversation, their heads bent together behind their fans; but their voices rose above the music Eleanor was playing, and Nesta could not help hearing what they said. “(ladys Trafford; yes, indeed!” cried the black velvet gown to the purple brocade. that, my dear. He and she were per- fectly inseparable and a most suitable match it would have been. oldest families in the country; his equal in position and fortune; Lord Stour- bridge’s estates are next nis, you know, and Glady's is heiress to a great part.”’ What made Nesta's heart give such a leap, and her feet feel spell-bound to the spot where she stood? Arnwood Towers was the only place near the Traffords, It was as if her whole being were strained to hear the rest; she never lie It was life and death to her. “And why didn’t it come about?” asked the purple brocade, “Heaven knows! A lover's tiff. 1 suppose, or some rubbish! It's a thou- sand pities] A Lady Fielding has always been at the head of the county gociety and Gladys Trafford is just made for the position, with her beauty and always been immensely popular,” “And who is the girl he has married? “Ah! a harmless sort of creature; pink-and-white prettiness, nothing more, She was a planter’s daughter in Ceylon, or somewhere; and she was staying with them when the father died. She was left quite friendless and desti- tute, and he married her out of pity. He was always a quixotic goose, Harry Fielding.” The spell was off now, and Nosta, white as death, was hurrying up the stairs to her room. There was a little sofa in a sheltered nook in the corridor, and there sat Harry—the mis- sing Harry—and the woman he should have married, Nesta sped past, but as she fled she saw Harry bend his head to and she heard lus low murmur: might have been so different!”’ On, on, till her own door closed behind her, and she gazed wildly around at the pretty if she had never seen them before. flung the diamonds from her throat and wrists as if they had hurt her, and sank table; leaning her head, with its tangle She did not shed a tear, but Beside her stood the tall vase of rushes that Harry and she had gathered from the lake “Never another sorrow he could couldn’t help this; it wasn’t his fault, ried her “‘out of pity” when he loved It must he ought wasn’t love, only it had seemed so like it! “If he had known years ago, things " Might away that very night, and never trouble himjagain. She had not a friend 1n the world except her old Brighton school- mistres; she would go to her and beg little children. And perhaps she might die soon; and Harry could be happy with the woman he had always loved. Nesta felt as if death wouldn't be long in coming, she felt ill now, She got up to fetch a time table. Yes, the mail train passed through Middle- at 1 o'clock; it was only 12 now, and though she could not very well understand the puzzling figures, she thought it must stop at the little station just the other side of the park. She drew her blotting-book to her and be gan to write fast, A big tear or iwo the paper, but must be clear that Harry might read it. “They say you married me for pity,” she wrote; ‘1 might have guess ed 1t, my darling, but you were so goed i mle only i n't make you free again, but it is better for us never to see each other any more, and perhaps I may die, and you can go back ‘to the woman they say you have always loved. 1 saw you just now when you kissed her hand, and said things might have been so different if you had only known years ago. Yes, they would have been different for us all. God bless you my poor good boy! you were not to blame,” She paused and looked up. “What shall I sign it?” she said: *'I am not his wife any more, for only love really makes a marriage.” Her eye fell on her little i ness scarcely tarnished yet, ped and pressed her lips to it solemnly. “Oh! Harry, my Harry!" she pered, *‘if it had only been love, pity!” She rose and shipped off the gold- en gown, and dress not _— y Sande put on a dark, mat Aver Muss even things he gave i " wi her i i ay from him in ClASPS, was mine even dre balcony steps led down elow. 18 glanced pretty room, with nese cabineta and blue and white ¢ and the ebony table, whet t Harry lay with the t t, 80 that he could not Then she shut the casement sharply behind her and turned resolutely away. The moon was bright with a fitful brightness—now almost as light as day now hidden behind hurrying clouds and 1t was bitterly cold. Nesta drew her cloak tighter around her and tried to walk fast, but she was desperately weary, and stumbied along. Somehow the way to the little gata had never seemed so incomprebensibly long. Sure- ly she could not have missed her way? The moon and the clouds were playing such pranks that one could not be sure, and her heart had Deen full to wotice all the turns. It was as black as Erebus now; a darkness that might be felt. Nesta took a few steps forward, then stopped short, by some mysterious just as moon ont clear and bright once more, its golden sparkle reflected as by a thousand bro ken mirrors in the waters of the lake which slumbered at her feet, A strange, sharp pain shot through her heart as she saw the very rushes Harry and she had beenggathering yesterday. day? A thousand years ago; when she was happy. A wild thought flashed across her brain: she had wished to die, would it not be better for Harry and herself, yes, and for that other woman too, if she were under those cold smiling waters in a dreamless sleep? It was only a moment her soul was too white and too brave for more; she recoiled with a start of horror: but ah! the bank was worn and smooth: her little feet slipped on the edge; she threw out her hands to ti wile! its Chi Hina, 4 s 1 * e the etter to lig} MEOE TU Upon i miss it, too the shone her fingers; there was one short, sharp cry, and a pale, sweet face lay still among the rushes in the slient moonlight. It was dark and warm and delicious. ly restful when she knew again, She heard Harry's low voice before ever she opened her eyes; and felt his clasp of her hand-—Harry's anywhere—and though it heaven, and was glad she had done with earth, since this was so much better, And so she slept again. And when next she woke she knew that the clouds she seemed to lie on, clouds soft and billowy, where her own bed, nothing more etherial, and she was aware it must be earth still but felt it did not matter since it could be so much like heaven, for Harry's voice and Harry's hand were there still; and she slept again. smiling gently. : But the next time she awoke the hand and voice were missing, and Har- ry’s back was visible in the room be- And as she rose she caught sight of herself in the long Psyche glass oppo- the reflection. For white face. And as prise and ha! from weakness, for she fe. ©, the bells burst clear and sweet and mystical in a per- “Christmas bells! is it Christmas?’ she said, her side, she smiled up at him and “Christmus! is it really Christmas, Harry?” but he only bent te catch her in his arms. She yielded to his kisses; then suddenly she tried to push him from her. “Harry you must not—you she said, He saw the trou look in her eves and knew that memory was coming back. “Yes. I must,” he said, ‘my little darling, my blessing, my life! The doc- must tell you all about it, for worry will hurt worse than the talking: and oh! how I have waited for this moment ye! It has been one long nightmare since minute 1 heard you scream and ran up just in time to see you sink!” “Then it was Oh! Harry!” “Yes, you must to your room must have leit it, time-table open, bless it! and so 1 set forth for the station as hard as 1 could. I hadalmost reached the park gate when that cry came—off to the nght—aud I turned just in time,” is voice broke, and he to hers, “Nesta, it was all a lie, mous lie, whoever told it. Gladys Trafford and I were always dear old boy-and-girl friends, n thing more, 1 n Wilfred red her, and thanaht WIOURNL the tO © tf har the it you who found me? hear it all, I came minutes after a wand there was the your littie note, ve Yi t) t a vile, Infa- knew my cousi that she ig LO do Wi Years AO. It confessed engaged tryi Wis Sake, WEAry years for her face 00D i LAY me again?” “‘Never, never, never! not if me yourself! But, Harry,” ! arcely (reached his ear, you really marry me out of pity?” very sin- ia BO 0 £8, Iny sweetheart —the pity for myself!” And never asked any more questions, tly MI A ———— reakiast Drinks. table, though who tay 3 a breakfast sopie or those are $ nded, uires A French Never b i ! To make 1t at Ton POs dame i LHAYED | : inexperien A) 1 AVE a few we grind %} y Lilt half a minute and set bac . In this way coffee will be clear without the aid of eggs or shells, If it is not possible to procure cream, always boil the milk and use loaf sugar. Tea needs first of all, the help of a sozy'' to make it in perfection. A “opzv'! isa wadded cover made to fit the teapot. itis generally shaped in two half circles, stitched around, wadded, lined and corded. It cau be made very ornamental by braiding or crewel work. Tea requires water freshly boiled, should not be made to stand on the hob and stew before using, and it never be boiled. Allow a teaspoonful heaped for each person. After pouring water let it for one moment ar the fire, then place directly under before calling the family to the table, Inthis way the tea preserves all its delicate aroma. If any reader has not tried tea ''a Russe ' it is quite a revelation. It to place of peeled, well.sugared lemon at the bottom of each cup betore pour- ing over the tea, hot and strong. [ced tea can be served in the same way. Chocolate must be scraped and soak- ed in milk for an hour before using, to free it from lumps. Allow two sticks to a pint of milk, which must be boiled and sweetened. Make the soaked cho- DO on the stand § ’ 0 la it iv Serve hot, as when only lukewarm It becomes flat. The best breakfast beverage of all 1s cocoa, which, being more oily and nu- tritious, is strongly recommended for those who have weak lungs. It is made in the same way as chocolate, only a little vanilla is often added as a flavor- ing whieh takes off the over-rich taste. to either chocolate or vanilla, Cafe an lait is a common among French people. It is made with a quart of clear, strained coffee, a quart of boiling milk, sugar to the taste, water and pour in the coffee and milk alternately. Cover closely for three or four minutes, Put a spoonful of the whipped and sweetened white of egg in each cup. Tur reason why New Year resolves are so often forgetten is because many who turn the new leal forgot to gum it down. To be proud of learning is the great- est ignorance, The Mines. The discovery or gold in the Frazer river and its tributaries, in British Col- umbia, occurred in the year 1858, and among the many thousands who started from Victoria to the land of promise lor. I did not go alone on my gold-seeking | expedition. Henry Cleave went with me as a partner, It was a journey of twenty-three days | At last we arrived at the mines in a | Here we found the suffering fearful, provisions scarce, and, although we had read such glitter- | ing accounts of the mines, the gold was slow in coming. Day by day we toiled, and at the end of the first week much richer than when we had arrived, The second week, however, we struck a ‘‘vein,” and our anticipation seemed about to be realized, ; It was the last day of the seco week. and Harry and 1 were seated in our tent. smoking and discussing our unexpected luck. I had just put d« man entered the Riley the bully Ie was a height, splendid] 5 that looked a though we were not ywn my pipe, when a It was bob of the mines, tent of about six feet in formed, with an arm it might fell an Ian OX He took a seat without as: ‘By id boy, guv us thal th, pointing to down. ‘‘And harkee, old even saying a8 much your leave.” ‘‘Hey, ald at lengt had just put fel ill ' he y pipe 1 pipe,’ £41 you're a bully, If yOu uly & me face growing 1 the pipe and mind who to: d’ye hear?" YOu. respect! HLruy As up again, f advantage of With a volley of oaths he cried “Joe Laylor, my time wi \ ul and w shall never forget this tent. i 6 i oOdNe, 149 $4) al he di F AWAKE, my ears, i IL was u tha 4 the w o'clock Harry and our gold was months had gone by and were growing rapidly rich. Midnight had arrived and we were again about to look after our gold. God! Am blind? I old was not there! en-fold foroe ully came to my mind. been that we the words of the But bh memorable e had since four air in d not stand it. I passed out into the cool night air, and oh how refreshing it felt! Harry remained in the tent, as much affected as 1 was, As walked on I observed a faint glimmer of light in one of the tents, It was that of a worthless vagabond, by name Jem Langley. All the other tents were pitch dark. With nervous tread I approached and peered in through a hole in the canvas. Could I believe my senses| [ saw Bob Riley and Jem Langley bending over a small table and count- ing money from some bags which 1 recognized as mine, In less than five minutes I had arrou- sed our committee, and the gold was again in my hands, while the thieves were safely locked up to await the arri val of a justice, A week went by, and our fortune was increased by $10,000. At the end of the week we had determined to go. [t was dangerous to go in the day, as i The was stifling. ul Con if he took gold with him. All night we traveled, with the ex- ception of an hour to rest, Toward the break of day we started again, We had not walked for more than an ing, and presently two men appeared, looking fresh and hearty. “Hello, my good men,” cried ont Harry, tired of carrying the bag; “will you please to carry our buudies for us a little ways?"’ it was reckless of him to say the least, The men acquiesced, and we all went i forward, We had now arrived at a narrow i | | path, where not more than two persons | os prooeed- » | could walk together, Weh led on a little way, in pairs, when I heard two pistol shots, followed quickly { i by @ third, I saw Harry and one of the men fall, | and felt a bullet whiz by my head, | Before 1 could turn, almost, the ether man was on me, “It is my turn now, 1 do not for- get.” | Now he was down with me on top, | when suddenly the positions were re- vel sed, There was a knife in my belt, and | both struggled to get it. i God! His hand was on my throat, my | knife in his uplifted arm. I saw it about to descend, and raised my hand mechanicaliy to ward off the blow, when saw that it was the escort on their way to the mines, who saved my life, In a minute everything was explain- ed, Harry was dying from a wound in his side. It seems be had been watching the associate of Riley in crime, who proved to be Langely, but he was not in time to dodge the shot, He had, moreover, drawn his t as he fell, and fired, luckily killing his murderer, “Jae,” he said, in a faint and hardly articulate voice, gasping between each word. “Joe, I'mdy—ing. Bury me— when—1'mn I leave my-—imnoney you, hoping- will do good and aid the ye,’ his soul left its earthly tenement or the better land ; sto) gone, you Poor. (rood bye. Above, I hired some and took his dy down to the Queenelle river, We made a of placed buried him on the rer. men, we i oe i alin, ail there it and by and tha i Lie 1 ently > Horsemanship in India. t the men nels 1 the fond Irish fox hunters there is y in the world like the natives of sn Isle for hippodromic might be somewn res Prowess } . } i Sia the it shaken if they swarthy gen Fenth Bengal Cavalry The Prince nded by He men 3 WOTK, those went oul General P at what he saw that Lrooper wol tha oift wviie gil jritish eived minense AF 7 nto the f successful any one om the simple des- Aldershot wever, that and an tho t home. ‘The ] y one after the were replaced I'hen him try re, remembering 1 tent pegs are larger, longer + +h 3 wer Grawii. tent In wat it — nara done by Royal Parliamentarians, Five members of the royal family have seats in the House of Lords, name- lv the four sons of the queen, the Prince of Wales, the Dukes of Edinbu naught and Albany, and the Duke of Cambridge. exception of the first an i named of there Princes ! r taken t in the none any active par roceedings of parliament. It is an understood thing that mem- bers of the roval family must never mix themselves up with politics, and is no certainty on the point as to which great party in the state is most favored by any one of them, It is believed that the general feeling of {he royal princes is on the whole moderately liberal, but they have never said a word in public to indicate the fact. The duke of Cam- bridge, as commander-in chief of the army, of course, often speaks in the House of Lords on military affairs, on which he is a high authority, leaning to the policy of cautious progress rather than daring innovation, but nis voice is rarely heard on any other topic. The duke is not an attractive orator, but his speeches are always business-like and to the point. A few days ago the Prince of Wales caused some astonishment by making there lianment. Three years ago, it is irue, he said a few words in presenting a pe- marriage with a deceased wifes’ sister, a measure, which, as everybody Knows, the royal family are, for certain special reasons, very anxious to have passed, but his royal-highness's utterances on this occasion could hardly be calied a speech. The other night he spoke for about ten minutes, and his address oc- | question of the housing of the poor, { which is engaging so much attention | just now, The prince has a pleasant | though slightly husky voice, and rolls his 1's in a manner peculiar to many of the royal family, and somewhat resem. bling the well-known Parisian intona | tion, He speaks with great delibera- ! tion and at the same time with perfect ease, unlike his brother, the duke of | Edinburg, who stammers and hesitates woefully. msm MAI Mortifications are often more painful than real calamities, Snaring Med Birds, “This will do,” sald one of a couple of bird hunters in Ohio, **we will plant The idea in mak- ing this path was to make a clear space for the birds to fly along--like the creek back there in the gully. The decoy bird is a female red-bird. 1 place her on the ground under thus pollard willow, I cover the cage with leaves and branches, so that the birds cannot