THE BRIBE THAT FAILED. One who was very rich one Jay Fell ill and murmured piously: ''Restore my health, O God, I pray, 1 And 1 wifl build a church to Thee* A thousand orphans shall be glad If I may have the strength I had." {With health regained he strove once more To be the richest of mankind, 'And daily added to his store, To all the rights of others blind. He crushed the ones who barred his way And spurned them where they weeping lay. THE "X" PAPERS. A Dramatic Story of the Russian Secret Service. DY MARY BARBER. MY honeymoon had barely reached its zenith when "a holt from the blue," in the 6 guise of an official recall fo the sterner romance of the Secret Ser vice and the custody of the "X" Papers fell on our cruise round the Bay of Naples. On uiy arrival at headquarters my sole instructions were to convey the sealed packet to the frontier and hold it there till "the authorized one" should arrive to relieve me of my responsibil ity. Under the circumstances the best course was to rejoin my bride in order that our sojourn on the frontier might appear but an extension of our wed ding tour, and this indeed it was, only always on my person I carried the hid den incubus of the "X" Papers. The "authorized one" delayed longer than I had anticipated, but the days at the Schwitzerlioff passed, if not so glo riously as in the Naples bay still pleas antly enough. I was, in fact, discover ing all days were delightful, wherever spent, if passed with Kirstine! But I did not enjoy them as exclusively with my bride as I could have wished, for she (bless her dear warm heart!) had befriended a lonely little Frenchwom an at the pension. roor little Mme. Dutour! According to her pitiful half admissions to my wife she had been brought up in a con vent and married—a marriage de con venance almost from its portals scarcely two months ago, but monsieur apparently failing to find her amusing, had left her at the Schwitzerlioff to seek more varied joys at Monte Carlo. So it happened that I was left alone in the pension garden, rolling cigar ettes one morning while Kristine and Stephanie exchanged confidences. My reverie was interrupted by an ultra-sentimental rendering of the "Star of Eve" from "Tannhauser" in a thin, somewhat breathless baritone. The singer was evidently sublimely un conscious of the lurking servant of the law, who was, with professional habit, making mental notes to ihe effect that his height was five eight, physique thin and nervous, clothes good and new, that the knottel lingers loosely clasping an ornately decorated pocket book behind his back were smoke-yel lowed, and that the deep blue of liis cheeks and upper lip indicated a des perate struggle with nature on what she had previously intended to be a luxuriantly covered surface. As the singer passed me in a very ecstasy of "sweetness long drawn out" —just a trifle flat, by the bye—the pocketbook {dipped from bis uncon scious fingers. x It was a bore, but a conscientious man was bound to sacrifice seques tered repose and return to the artist soul the property he had lost in the of Wagner—just half a tone too low! ' "Monsieur, a thousand thanks." The artist spoke excellent French. "You liave saved my porte-monnaie, but more—far more, besides!" Then he bowed profoundly, fluttered a sheaf of notes from the now opened pocketbook and displayed an inner re ceptacle mysteriously closed. "This contains a souvenir—very prec ious. It Is for this, monsieur, that I thank you wjth all my heart." I I was for bowing my acknowledge ments and departing, but at that mo ment the lunch Doll rang. "Monsieur will permit me." The Ringer bowed vaguely between the pen sion and my person. "I arrived only last night. This place has memories, monsieur—memories—memories." It was impossible to refuse liis prof fered company; besides, on nearer in spection, lie was more interesting. There was no trace of emotion in bis bard, watchful eyes. On the hotel steps we were greeted by Kirstinc and Mine. Dutour, and, since my new friend remained, I per force presented him to the ladies. In his effusive gratitude for my ridicu lously small service he had thrust a card announcing him to lie the Prince d! Congrntza upon me as we walked. "Oh, Maurice," said my wife as wo walked toward the* salon, "the guides say that now the weather has cleared we ought to do the Zenner Tags before the snow melts. Stephanie and I have planned it all for to-morrow, if you ap prove." "Well, well, wo shall sec," I replied uoncommittally. "Monsieur, there is absolutely no danger," cried the Prince. "I know every inch of the pass, and if you will allow me I will net cicerone to mes daines, lint, since monsieur is nervous —for the Indies' sake alone, of course," he added, with a politeness which in any hut nil over-eivilized country would be allow* d Its only just requital, "we will constilt the trusty guides." Hans and Amsler were called before I could interfere. They smiled cour teously at the suggestion of danger on Again death stood beside his bed: "O God," he cried out piously, •'Restore the vigor that has fled And I will build new fanes to Thee, And make more orphans cease their cries"— But death bent down and closed his cyc9 * And still the world has eager men Who sin for gain till danger comes, And piously endeavor then To bribe the Lord with splendid sums. r Their God is one who waiting stands r. With selfish hopes and itching hands. —Chicago Record-Herald. the Zenner; It tvas the right moment, right weather, right everything. During the afternoon I wired to headquarters for particulars and the whereabouts of Prince dl Congratza. The following morning was glorious. The snow scintillated against the deep blue of the heavens and the Zenner looked no more than an hour's stroll away. The Prince had arranged everything —guides, ice axes, ropes and provis ions. Stephanie Dutour was late—she gen erally was. "Madame and I will go on," said the Trince. "You will soon overtake us, but don't delay, or we may tap the lunch baskets." As I waited in the little salon one of our cipher telegrams was handed to me. It ran: "Height, five feet eight; dark, clean shaven, spnre, good voice, musical; tattoo portrait on right up per wrist, traveling in Europe; where abouts unknown." Well, our new friend corresponded pretty well, so far, to his description! It was half an hour before Mme. Du tour appeared, clad in a bewltchiugly smart and workmanlike costume, the promise of which her performance on the snow utterly belled. "Oh, monsieur, in pity, one moment; was ever poor woman so puffed!" she would exclaim. "You can run up ice mountains, but be merciful and look at the view, that I may breathe!" To feel irritated was brutal; convent walls do not produce deep-chested, free-limbed climbers such as her native hills of Arran had made my Kirstine. Still it was disappointing to see my bride only as one of four black dots on the snow's whiteness—for the advance party had taken both guides—during the best part of the morning. At lunch time, at last, they awaited us on a little plateau, into which the path widened before the steeper part of the ascent began. Instantly I observed that not Hans and Amsler, but two new guides, were uusliouldering the baskets. "A thousand apologies! Three of my countrymen who arrived late last night were anxious to attempt the Kurhaus bergli, and begged the more exper ienced guides," explained the Prince, following my eyes. "That with us they are only part of the mise en scene, and my friends are pressed for time, is my plea for forgiveness." "Of course, it doesn't matter, Friuce, said Kirstine. "Of course not," I added. But the Prince must have known that lie was watched from that mo ment. After lunch Kirstine and I made cof fee, while Stephanie and Prince di Congratza smoked many cigarettes. "What a nice picnic it is," said my wife. "Tlie Trinee is so merry and charming, and he lias been telling me all about the revolution and his lost principality. Do you know, I begin quite to like him." "Kirstine," I said softly, and stoop ing low over the little brazier, "will you do something for me?" I saw my wife's expression change suddenly. She nodded. "The sun will be hot on the steeper path. If it makes your head ache you will have to return." Looking in her eyes I saw she under stood. A moment later I handed the Trlnce the coffee cup. "Make a long arm, Prince," I laughed, leaning across the tablecloth which was still spread on the snow. As he did so I saw his right wrist white and bare between the bronzed hand and linen cuff. There was no tattoo mark! Suddenly I heard a cry from Kir- stine; she had fallen dangerously near the plateau's edge. As I ran to her she struggled up. "No. I'm not hurt, Maurice. I only tripped on something; it must have been a stone." "Yes. I think it was a stone," said Mme. Dutour, as I stooped to brush the snow from Kirstine's gown. That is absolutely m.v last clear rec ollection. The next is a blinding cloud of snow—clutching a crumbling white ness—falling—falling—and—darkness— When I crept out of that strange blank I felt numbed and stunned. My tlrst Impulse was to rise. In red-hot physical anguish I realized that I could not move—my right side was helpless! The sweat stood on my forehead. With held breath and clenched teeth I made another effort—merciful heavens! Then lay without other thought than my fierce agony. Slowly —cruelly— slowly—it lessened to (he bearable, and I began to think. I was now lying on a tiny plateau sim ilar to that whereon we had picnicked so gayly, a series of which, I knew, formed the patidess side of the Zonner. What had hajipened! .With my left band I asured rayse!" feverishly of the safety of the "X" Papers, and then re membered with a throb of satisfaction that when I fell the Prince had been at the other end of the plateau. The melt ing snow on the treacherous edge must have broken under my weight. What was that? In the clear air I heard a chipping sound, and, looking up, I saw my wife alone on the preci pice, cutting each foothold. A move ment might be fatal. I closed my eyes, held my breath, and prayed for the first time for years—prayed God to give her a steady head and hand—just that, no more —over and over again. A sudden blunt thud—Klrstine's ice axe had failed beside me. In that supreme moment X met my wife's brave eyes, as she stood cling ing to a rock about twenty feet above me. "Thank God, Maurice! I knew He wouldn't let you die!" "Oh, Kirstine, Kirstine! Why did you come?" was all I could say. "Because Stephanie pushed you over! I saw her do it. They are coming up from below now. They never imag ined I would climb down here! De stroy the papers—quickly, Maurice!" "All right. I'll manage. Only look up and don't think of jumping," I cried, with a bursting heart. Frantically I tore at the parchment cover with my teelh. Would it never yield? At last! At last! Holding the papers in my mouth I wrenched them with my hand, scattering the frag ments. Some awful moments passed. It was slow, torturing work. Then Klrstine moaned, and I felt rather than saw the Prince's dark face rise above the edge of the plateau. Crushing the remaining papers in my breast I clenched my hand over them and set my teeth. Hideous with eager ness the impostor leaned over me, threw his weight 011 my chest and seized my injured arm. Then all went out in a red, merciful darkness. When I came to myself I was In my room at the Schwitzerhoff, and, thank God! Klrstine was beside me. But my joy died out in the burning thought that she was tied to a ruined, disgraced man. "Maurice, don't you want to know how we were rescued?" said my poor wife. I could not answer, and she told me gently how they had seen her on the precipice from the pension and thought help was needed. "And, dear, you have raved for days about the se cret papers, and there is some one here who wants to tell you about them now." Then—oh, the shame of it! —the Chief came from behind the curtain! I kept my face to the wall while he spoke of a diamond cross given to my brave girl by the department—quite right; and a check for myself from the funds ns a recompense for injury and inconvenience. Well, they bought me out delicately, and with coals of Are, too! In my gall and bitterness I could scarcely thank him But what was that he was saying? "Say it again —say it again!" I shouted. "My dear fellow, do not excite your self! We were warned that unusual precautions were necessary. The papers you carried were dummy ones, the real "X" Papers were safely delivered the day you were attacked." "But this is the best of all," whis pered my wife. "The doctors say you will walk again." And the cheek she laid against mine was wet with tears —hers and mine.—New York News. Hints For the Iticli. The following literary hints for the wealthy and cultivated were taken from a German publisher: A gentleman does not use eau do col ogne and read greasy volumes from a circulating library. A gentleman does not borrow good works when he is in a position to buy. A gentleman does not talk about the latest literature when he is acquainted only with what has been said of it by the reviews. A gentleman does not cut books with his lingers, even after having washed his hands. A gentleman does not possess a box of carpenter's tools, but no paper knife. A gentleman does not receive books for review and then give them away or sell them without opening them. A gentleman does not make presents only of tilings which are entirely with out intellectual value. A gentleman does not send to his book seller for a parcel of books on approval, and after having read them, return them, saying that noue of them suit him. A gentleman does not buy only cheap editions. A gentleman does not depend for his reading upon the dally journals and illustrated weeklies.—London Author. Flying In Kunla. Russia lias adopted for Its navy a system of flying machines of which great things are expected. These are not navigable balloons, but aeroplanes which are attached to and controlled by ships by moans of piano wire. In general features they are simply an adaptation of the box kites that are flown for scientific purposes In this country. These "flying dragons," as they are called, are chiefly to bo used for scouting purposes. By means of their own shapes when there is a wind, by means of the speed of tile ship when it is calm, they will rise rapidly into tlio air to very considerable heights. Five in conjunction will raise a man, and from this lofty elovation an im mense area of water can lie inspected for hostile craft. It is hoped by this means greatly to increase the efficiency of destroyer flolillua at finding an en emy. ber of by-laws have been framed by K the corporation for the regulation of H, the traffic and passengers, and this is T how they are summed up in rhyme: Thou shalt not use cuss words or swear, Or play sweet music on the air Or give out tracts or ask for alms, j Give way to cards or such like charms. When drunk thou shalt in nowise ride; No dog or beast shall with thee bide. Thou shalt not cut or scratch thy name, Defile the car, deface tlie same. Thou shalt n9t smoke, thou shalt not spit, No antics, mind, but merely sit. Don't try to boss or interfere, Or show the driver how to -steer. Just sit you down and take your rest—: The men must know their Business best. And keen your hands off curious things, The trolley rope, the bell that rings. Upon or off a moving car Thou shalt not jump, so, friend, beware. Nor carry gun or dangerous thing, Nor with disease that risk may bring, rav up, nor grumble at the fare, Before you quit or leave the car. Such is the law, don't sav it nay; There's fines for those who don t obey; r —Western Mail. A Natural Mistake. A Wltehitn fisherman is in deep dis grace with Ills daughters. He was in vited out to luncheon a few days ago and mistook a piece of macaroni on his plate for an angle worm.—.Kansas City Star.