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32X

THE

MYSTERIOUS STRANGER.

Just Puh/ii^hed.

IMPORTANT WORK ON AUTHORSHIP.

THE

AUTHORS' MANUAL.

Being a Cojiplete Practical Guide to all Depart-
ments OF Journalism, Literary Work generally,
and Book-producing, with special advice in re-
ference to Imaginative Literature. By Percy
Russell. Author of " King Alfred," " After this
Life," " A Journey to Lake Taupo, and Australian Tales
and Sketches," &c. Crown 8vo, cloth gilt, price os.
Postage 4^d.

.'. This ]\Ianual has been specially planned to afford
real help to all desirous of entering an// branch of the
Literary Profession. The information given is in all
cases derived from actual personal experience extending
over twenty years of uninterrupted work in all dex)art-
ments of working Literature.

LONDON :

DIQBY & LONG, Publishers,

18, BouvERiE Street, Fleet Street, E..\

A complrfe Cataloijue of Xovels, Travch, Itioiinqihics, Pofins,
Si'c.,frce 1)11 post on app/if((fioii.

ARC

DIGI

18,

frS

THE

YSTERIOUS STRANGER:

Vof))lS,

A ROMANCE OF ENGLAND AND CANADA.

C. H. THORBURN

LONDON:

DIGBY AND LONG, PUBLISHEES,

18, BOUVERIE STREET, FLEET STREET, E.G.

1890.

/ !|

London ;

Digby and Lotif;, Publishers,

18, Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, E.C.

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

Chapter I. — Reverie .... 1

Chaptkr II. — The Volunteers — A Bache-
lor's Room — Mysterious Stranger —
Sealed Package and Sealed Envelope
— Kissing— Gone . . . .10

Chapter III.— At the Office— The AVest
End — Bank Note — For her sake —
Sixth of May 29

Chapter IV. — Eighth of May — Broad
Street Station — Leave England within
a month . . . . . .37

Chapter V. — Highgate — Farewell Sup-
per — London Police — New York
Police 49

Chapter VI. — Start for Canada — The
SS. Pdrman — Life on Board — Ireland
— Funeral at Sea — Quebec — Montreal
— Mosquitoes . . . . .64

CONTENTS.

Chaptkk VII. — Toronto — Spring, Sum-
mer, Autumn and Winter — 2nd
Battalion Queen's Own Rifles of
Canada . . . . . .101

Chapter VIII. — London, Ontario — 7th
Battalion Royal Fusiliers — London
Life — Hades — Characters . . . 109

CiiArTER IX. — Harold Renshaw — Saint's
Rest 120

Chaptek X. — Dance at the Tyler's —
Canada as compared to England . 125

Chapter XL — A Canadian Winter's
Night — Tobogganing — Bank of Mont-
real — Bank Clerks in Canada . .135

Chapter XII. — Detective - Sergeant
Holland of Scotland Yard — Arrested
for Murder and Robbery — Good-bye —
Drive to St. Thomas . . . .148

Chapter XIII. — Topics of Conversation 171

Chapter XIV. — England — Trial — Dis-
covery of the Body — London after
dark — Innocent . . . .176

ChaiI

st(

ChaiI
Nil

Chai]
Hi
in

Ches

The

L()Y.^

CONTENTS.

VI 1

CiiAPTKii XV. — Hastings — The old, old
story ! — Isle of Wi<^lit — Matrimony . 202

Chapter XVI. — "\Vcddm<j; Bells —
Niai^ara Falls — Partv at the Hiillv's . 212

Chapter XVII. — Conclusion — Perfect
Happiness — Summer Pictures — House
in Lane at High;^ate . . . .221

120

12.1

A P r E X D I X .

Chestnuts — Rats— Ice-boating — Fix . 227
The Words we use .... 285
Loyalty to the Flwt . . . .241

135

I !

The

THE
OF

AND

DEDICATED, BY KIND PERMISSION,

The Hon. SIR CHAS. TUPPER, Bart.,
G.C.M.G., C.B., &c.,

THE AUTHOR, WHO IS AN ARDENT ADMIRER

OF THE BOLD AND LOYAL WAY IN WHICH

HE FIGHTS FOR THE INTERESTS

OF CANADA,

AND MAINTAINS THE DIGNITY AND INTEGRITY

OF THE DOMINION.

Tl
U

sat in

reflect

|a,i»'ains

Londo

[set ap

Ikiiew

For

THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER.

CHAPTER I.

" Sit in reverie, and watch
3iir of the waves tha
Upon the idle seashore of the mind."

The changing colour of the waves that break

T had been a heavy day at the
bank. \^incent Raymond was
feeling very discontented as he
sat in an easy chair in front of the fire,
reflecting upon the arguments for and
laiiainst remaining in the service of the
London and Wyburn Bank. It was the day
set a})art when the officers of this institution
new iiow the '' rises " were to affect them.
For weeks past each officer had indulged

2 Tlte Jfysterious Stnwger. I

in airing his theories upon the subject. Jnive
" Juggins," the ledger-keeper, intended toji'ope
get " full " if he did not get a "rise," in find <
order to dro^vn his grief. Should he bet^ten
fortunate, however, he would go on thef^t ii
" spree," Avhich meant much about the samefBi'ed
thing. wv al

The long looked-for day had come andf^'entf
gone, and with it the hopes and fears of thef'oi'ld.
majority. 1 Altl

It had been a bad financial year ; theyjot ap
were to expect better fortune next year. I^d b

The " Colonel " would throw up the busiJance
ness and fj^o ostrich faniiin*? in Africa.fG wa:
Another would join the army ; anotheif^c y
go to Canada, farming; another to Ne^^|Cri.,'
Zealand or Australia, " squatting." v cele

It was later than usual when the staff lefil ^^}
the office to-day ; for they had all beeit^ped
picturing themseh'es bristling with bowieJ pori

The Mystenous Stranger, 3

subject. %iii^'6S and revolvers, guarding their lives and
tended to Ji'c>perty in some far distant country. These
,4 pjgQ " inlind of dreams are always to a more or less
Id he bel^t^^^ indulged in when the " rises " come
3 on thef^* "^ ^^ English bank. And many mut-
the samefci'ed determinations to resign may be heard
r about a week after the eventful, most
come andl^'cntful, day in the year of the banking

2ars of thefoi-ld.

I Although 1 a.m., Vincent Raymond did
ear • theyi^* appear at all anxious to go to bed. He
t vear. 1^^ ^^^ j^^^ returned home ; for in accor-
the busiJ^iice with the traditions of the branch office
n AfricaJlG was in, the staff, with the exception of
anotheit^^ young juniors, had been round the
, to Ne\N'^^i'i-? " either to smother disappointment or
1) celebrate good fortune,
staff left! I^^} ^^^^ drew the couch up to the fire ;
all beeit^pcd on more coals ; poured out a glass
th bowie^l P^rt ; drew the table close to where he

■H

4 The Mtjsterious Stranger.

was sitting ; turned the lump low ; stretched
himself full length on the couch .nnd sank
into a dreamy re2:)0se, watching the smoke
of his cigar as it curled Lizily up until it
joined a cloud that hovered in a soft, uncer-
tain, undulating manner about two yards
from the ceiling. Occasionally an indepen-
dent body of smoke, becoming restless and
tired of tlie supervision exercised over it by
the rest, would break away ; float gracefully
downwards in the direction of the hre, as
though about to caress it ; but, on discovering
how near danger it was, would, Avhen within
about two feet of the tempter, pause, as
though wondering what to do, and hastily
decide to take flight up the chimney.

Raymond lay there, enjoying the recollec-
tion of all the most pleasing episodes of his
young life. As each recollection succeeded
another, it minified with the curls of smoke

The Mysterious Stranger.

etched
i sank
smoke
ntil it
uncer-
yards
depen-
ds and
• it by
cefully

jre, as

vermg
Avithin
ise, as
liastily

collec-

of his

ceeded

smoke

and formed pictures, which in their turn
would escape up the cliimney to be replaced
by others. There were many and varied
scenes in which he had played a part : now
two lovevs walking slowly up a moonlit lane
in a warm summer's evening ; then a clear
star-lit night, skating with friends over the
smoothest of ice, illuminated with many
coloured lights ; now with a marching column
or on the field in a sham fight with the
volunteers ; now waltzing with a partner,
pretty, pensive, though jolly and just the
same step, who promises to " sit out " a dance
by-and-ljy in tlie dimly lighted conservatory ;
now strolling along the cliffs l)y the sea in
summer time, or skimming over the water
in a yacht, or perhaps diving off a pier or
boat into the glorious sea ; now lying under
the shade of a tree on a grassy slope, with
a river flowing bv ; now at the Alljert Hall

6 The Mysterious Stranger,

on the night of a good concert, listening to!
Patti, Sims Reeves, Edward Lloyd, Patey,
Foli, and other musical lights ; now reclining
in a boat, smoking a cigarette and talking to
a dear girl who is steering the boat as they
float back with the tide from Richmond ; and
crowds of other recollections equally as|
pleasurable had taken possession of his^
thoughts. In the midst of all these reflec-
tions, he paused to listen to the rich and
solemn sounds of Big Ben, whose message
was wafted to this northern suburb by the
southerly l)reeze. It was now 3 aji.
Raymond with an eflbrt braced himself
together to dispel these idle thoughts. Time
waits for no man, and he must be at the
office as usual by 9 a.m. He jumped up
from the couch, turned the light ujd, and,
walking over to the desk, took out a letter,
which he read and re-read.

mad

anv

so
of

Tlie Mysterious Stranger, 7

" I cannot leave," he said in a reproaching
tone. " She has been and is a dear good girl.
I shall go to bed now, and think no more
about my plans until the morrow."

Raymond had determined to go abroad
and seek his fortune unless he got a good
"rise." He had declared this, with others
in the office, and now that the conditions
that were to determine his going abroad
were fulfilled, he felt very reluctant to go.

It is one of the most mar\'ellous dispen-
sations of life, that of, when reviewing our
past, conjuring up all the pleasing recollec-
tions. These recollections follow each other
thick and fast, while the unpleasant ones —
ones that at the time of their occurrence
made us feel that never was the fate of
any mortal being so utterly Avretched and
so dc\'oid of hope — require a great deal
of dio'o'incr and drudf]^ery before tliev are

The Mysterious Stranger.

uneartlied. So it Avas Avith Rfiymond as
he lay there looking into the past. All the
pictures a^ they presented themselves to
his view in those waves of smoke floatin":
above him were pleasant ones.

He wanted to iind a tanoible reason for
going abroad ; yet no displeasing pictures,
illustrating the mode or manner of life
that he was now living, would ap})ear to
his vision.

I had often heard him sav, " I am no
better off than a slave ; such a life is not
worth living."

Quarter nights when the balance comes
wrong, many bank clei'ks are apt to feel
dissatished with their lot about 12 p.m.
Two or three days afterwards they are
quite happy again. All is forgotten until
the fifteenth or last dav of the month,
when, if invited to play tennis with a

The Mysterious Stranger, 9

Ip.arty of friends in the afternoon from 5 to
7 p.m., they imagine themselves again suff-
ering under the yoke of a tyrannous,
oppressive, grinding and crushing monopoly.

\ \

CHArTER II.

' * All orators are dumb when beauty pleadeth."

" Most sad, she sat, but oh ! most beautiful ; if
sorrow stole
A charm awhile from Beauty, Beauty's self
Might envy well the charm that sorrow lent
To every perfect feature."

I^^'HREE months liad passed by and it
f(^l p^i, ^yr^g j^Q^y Apvil. Tlic staff at the
bank had settled down to another
year of banking-, and had attended the
" Gilbart Lectures " at Kino-'s Colleire.

The next subject tliat would engage the
attention of hundreds of the London bank-
clerks was the Easter volunteer re\'iew.
Raymond was reclining in the easy chair.

llie Mysterious Stranger. 11

He was dressed in a rifle uniform, for he
had heen to drill to-night. He was thinking
how, if out of England, he would miss
this Easter review.

I am a volunteer myself, and when I
recall the incidents of the Easter manceuxres
it makes my pulse (juicken and my blood
to course through my A'eins with renewed
activity. There is the mustering in the
early morning of Good Friday ; then the
forming of brigades and marching columns ;
later on the glorious uncertainty of the
whereabouts of the enemy ; the bi\'ouacking
at night ; perhaps a brush with the enemy's
outposts, whom we valiantly disperse before
settling for the night ; the church parade ;
life in barracks, and then the field day.
What a glow of health and vigour it all
seems to impart ! Then the '^ march past,"
each battalion anxious to gain but one

lite Mysti't'loiis SfraiKpT.

word of pniist' ho\\\ the Coininaudor-in-
Chief.

And when i\\v. tliou<iht arises that wo are
all training' for tlic [)Ui'j)oso of teacliinn" an
insolent foe a lesson, sliould he unwisely be
tempted to set foot u})on our soil, our
hearts swell with pride for the traditions,
the nii^^iit, tlie majesty and the beauty of
En;^'land. "Dear, dear England, thy green
glades, thy peaceful villages, thy thousand
comforts, the scenes of youth, the friends,
the parents."

Three hundred thousand unpaid soldiers
ready to lay down their li\'es in defence of
their country ! These numbers "would be
doubled, aye, trebled on the approach of
an enemy. The " British Grenadiers," the
" Campbells are Coming," " St. Patrick's
Day " and the " March of the men of
Harlech" are the tunes that Avould mark

the 1

sea-g

part^

(juick

invad

Ra
from
and
read
the c
thou^
rap a

Mrs.

smile
Ra
'':\

en(pi

2' he MjjsUn'ioiui Stmnxjev. 13

the time for the citizen sokliers of these
sea-girt isles as they inarched from all
parts of the United Kin<i(lom with a steady
(juick step, eager to meet the presumptuous
in^'aders.

Raymond had picked U}) " Called Back "
from oft' a side table, had lighted a cigar,
and was preparing for a long comfortable
read before going to bed. '* .V ' rat-tat ' at
the door ! I hope it is no one for me," he
thought. But it was, for there was a gentle
rap at his door.

" Come in ! " he cried.

"A lady wishes to see you, sir," said
Mrs. Lo's'ett, the landlady, -with an arch
smile.

Raymond was in the hall in a second.

"Mr. Raymond, I believe?"

'' Yes, madam, Vincent Raymond. ^lay I
enquire your name ? "

Tlie Mysterious Stranger.

" Pardon me, no ! This I must ask you
to refrain from doing/'

"Won't you come in my room?" he said,
pushing the door wide open ; " it is very
bohemian, but comfortable."

"Thank you," she said, passing him and
entering the room.

It was not the conventional sitting room.
A siranger would notice that the feminine
proclivity for antimacassars, and a hard and
fast rule for the position of every article of
furniture, &c., was not adhered to here.

The few j^ictures that adorned the walls
were military subjects, with the exception
of one, which was the "Fairy Tale." There
were fishing-rods, walking sticks, foils, tennis
rackets, and a Martini-Henry, occupying
places in the corners.

Two prize cups, a clock, three briar pipes
and two photographs, one of Mrs. Langtry

and (
the o

On
Thacls
a Sha

The
to ar
pause<
or t\
retan-
near 1

"Y«
she sa
\ her f(
say is

Ra}
I Strang
her b
times,
familii

ask you

he said,
is very

lim and

g room.

:eminme
ard and
rticle of
;o here,
le walls
xception
There
5, tennis
cupying

ir pipes
Langtry

The ^fysieiiou,'i Stranger. 15

and one of Florence St. John, completed
the ornaments on the mantel-piece.

On a side table were novels by Ouida,
Thackeray, Dickens, Trollope and others ;
a Shakespeare, Byron, ^lilton and Tennyson.
The general aspect of the room seemed
to arrest the stranger's Jittention ; for she
paused and glanced round the room once
lor twice before accepting the proffered
Ire tan-chair, Raymond had placed for her
inear the fire.

"You may close the door, Mr. Raymond,"
she said, sinking into the chair and placing
her feet on the fender ; " what I have to
say is private."

Raymond was puzzled to know what this
strange visit meant. He had never seen
her before to his knowledge, although, at
times, her voice and form seemed strangely
familiar.

16 Tlie ^fy.sterious Stranger.

" Slie is not old, and has a most pleasing I
voice," he solilo(|uizcd.

" Won't you take off your hat and water-
proof? Mrs. Lovctt will assist you, if you I
like."

She was closely veiled, and Raymond had!
already had his interest aroused to such an]
extent that he Avas most anxious to see her I
face.

" No thank you ; this I cannot do either,"
she replied, in a determined manner, as she|
leaned back in her chair facin*^ llaymond.

"You are tired, pcrliaps. May I offer!
you some wine and cake? It is all I have
here, except some l)lack currant preserve
and bread and l)utter," he said, placing two
decanters, one of port, the other of sherry,
on the table. "• I can have anything brought!
me, thougli within, a few minutes, that is,|
anything that this suburb will afford."

The Mysterious Stranger, 17

" Let us have some bread and jam," she
I laughingly replied; '^that, with a glass of
port, I should enjoy."

" Xow you must take off your veil, or it
I will be unpleasant eating bread and jam,"
Raymond said, as he busied himself, placing
la table cloth that he had taken from the
chiffonnier drawer upon the table. When
I he had borrowed a glass dish for the preserve,
!and some flowers from Mrs. Lovett, that she
Iliad had sent her from Devonshire to-day,
the table had a most inviting appearance,
at least so thought Raymond.

" r must beg of you to take off your
I veil."

"Then lock the door, for I must not

I allow myself to be recognised," she said,

standing up with one hand l)chind her head

[undoing the veil. Suddenly pausing and

[letting her hand fall, she said, " Swear that

The ^rtj.'^tt'rlous btranjcr.

you will never divulge to anyone our nieet-m^(^.i^
ing to-night." td {

'' I do, most solemnly," lie said. I \\^,

" Xow, I will take it ofl*, and my water-ft-j.^y
proof too, for it will be more comfbrtablimp ,v
without it." Bind

"Allow me," he said, assisting her toBg^u^g^
divest herself of the waterproof. " Shall I Lj^j^
take your hat? Thanks, I will place ^hemlijj^,,ii
on a chair." B As

As they sat opposite each other, chattingm|(.p f
freely, Raymond had decided that she ^"^^Acidei
about twenty-one ; that she had long eye J^^ j^
lashes, fringing a pair of large dark hnzel
eyes, that wore a steady, sad, tlioughtful,
reflective look, even Avhen in a lauo'hini:

nvni'
She

'ason

mood, that made Raymond yearn to loarii«.Qj^ j
her history.

'' It must be she who jumped into the
, yet, no, it cannot be. I will not suggestA^^.}^

•ink i:
"If

The j\ri/sf(Twus Stranger,

Dur meet-

ay water-

5ucli a thing to lier," he thought, sitting
md admiring her.

Wearing a perfectly plain dress of dark
rrey woollen cloth, through whose folds

miortablefcg graceful outlines of her figure appeared

,nd disappeared with every motion, she

X her toBggjj-^gj ^i^. Venus of Milo suddenly imbued

" Shall IByrith life and shrouded with a loose, soft,

lace thenmjjjo-in(r material.

As he watched her, trying to recall her
ce, for at times he associated her with an
cident of a sad nature that had occurred
ut a short time ago, he gradually felt
u'k hazeiX)i^yiij(^.(..j ^j^.^^ ]^q must be mistaken,
ioughtful,! siie had not attempted to speak of the
laughmgJp.^j.Qj^ of her visit, and Raymond refrained
to learn^Qm im quiring, allowing himself rather to

:ink in the beauty of her voice, form, and face,
into the I u j^ j ^^^j^ ^1^^ ^^^^i^ l^^^^j^^ ^^^ p^^jl ^1^^

)t suggestJ)^(.l^ before the fire, will you consent to

chat tint
she was
loni»: ey

The Mysterious Stranger.

sit on it with me ? " Raymond said. '^ I fcj
as in a dream, and would crave your indi
gence for a few minutes."

" Yes," she said, " I am very like a ca|
I enjoy comfort. Shall we soften the ligi
by putting this red shade on?" picking
one from the side table, and adjusting |
herself.

" Ah ! that is better," he said, as they sj
on the couch together.

" Seated here with you this cold wet ni^
in a warm, dimly lighted room, shut out frcl
the rest of London, and with the door lock!
at your request, it gives me a sense of pd
session that, to me, is entrancing. I feel th
we have known each other a long time, al
fear sometimes that you will perhaps tliil
me {x little less distant than our 'short frienj
ship should Avarrant. You have but
(command for me ik obey."

The Mysterious Stranger,

like a ca]
311 the lii:'

picking (
adjusting

d Avet nic^'^
lut out frc^
door locki
use of pa
I feel tl
o- time, aj
L'liaps tliil
lort fried
ve but

She made no reply, and Raymond with
is rifjht hand reached over and held her left

it lay resting in her lap. Then his left
rin unconsciously encircled her waist.

" Do you mind ? " he said softly.

"Xo," was her response in a low, almost
[audible tone, as she gazed into the flickering
X'o.

Then liftino' her hand and bend in": his
?ad he impressed a kiss as he murmured,

)arling ! "

" Forgive me," he said, looking into her
^Gs ; "I can't helj) it. I love you ! Would
[e tor you I

And falling on his knees at her side
seized both hands and smothered them
ith kisses.

" Do you feel that you could risk anything
me?" she said, looking do^NTi into his
Ice, and letting one hand rest on his head.

The ^fystl'^kms Strdnrjer,

"I would risk my life in your ser-
vice; Avould forfeit it any moment for]
you."

''Then I have indeed ;uained a friend,"'!
she said. ''You do not know how L:rateful|
and happy I feel."

" Will you not buoy me up with the
thouo'ht that vou are not whollv iiidift'eront to I
me — that vou will sometimes regard me witlij
interest, not as a merchant re^ai'ds his
clerks, but with a deeper intenser feeling?
Say yes, and I shall I'eel that life is worth I
living. Not mechanically, mind, but with a
rino; of sinceritv in it."

She stood up, Raymond still at her feet,
and turning her head from him, said,

" I cannot."

" Cannot !" uttered Raymond in an agonized!
tone, jumping to his feet, and clasping her|
round the waist with both arms.

Thes
riiiht t

" Re<
(lid no

He ]
felt he
he stri
pleadec
He let

'^ Yd

)»

me
appeal
"X

lier lie:
-Imt
know ■
her fa
should
"Sm

The Mysterious Stranger

r ser-
it for

rateful

th the
rent to
le with
ds his I
3eling ?
^vortli
with a

ronized |
no- her

Those words seemed to hiss and picrct

riixlit tlirouo'li liim.

Kecall those words! " he cried

ay you

'riend"Bdid not mean it

He liekl her tiii'htb' in his embrace : lie
felt her heavino; bosom aojainst his breast as
he strii^'ii'led to look into her face, while he
pleaded with her to turn her face to him.
He let her hands drop.

'• You are offended Avitli me, and dislike
me ? " he said, pausino' and lookin<; at her
appeahngly in the face.

No, 'tis not that," she said at last, bending

ances ;

her head and <avoidinf]: his searchiiiii: gh

r feet ■ "but I dare not tell you all. You little

OAV W

'hat

ou are asKuig, sue sai(

(1, tur

nniir

her face to his and placing her hands on his
shoulders.

Say, then, that you only like me.
A incent, I like you."

24 The MysterioiLS Sfrajifjcr,

He clasped her to him, and, in a paroxysm
of joy, kissed lier again and again.

Her arms were thrown round him now,
and they were locked in each other's passionate
embrace.

"Lost iu this pleasing ecstacv,

I join my trembling lips to thine,
And back receive that life from thee
Which I so gially did resign.'

" One kiss more, sweet !
Soft as voluptuous wind of the west,
Op silkenest surge of thy purple vein'd breast ;
liipe lips all ruddily melting apart,
Drink up the honey and wine of my heart.

One kiss more, sweet !
Warm as a morning sunbeam's dewy gold
Slips in a red rose's fragrantest fold.
Sets its green blood all a-blush, burning up
At the fresh feel of life in its crimson cup.

One kiss more, sweet !
Full as the flush of the sea-waves grand,
Flooding the sheeny lire out of the sand ;
On all the shores of my being let bliss
Break with its neap-tide sea in a kiss."

li now.

77/^' Afj/stcrhnis Stranger. 25

A loud rap at the door startled them both.

Vincent opened the door and walked into
the hall, closing the door behind him.

" Excuse me, sir," said Mrs. Lovett, " but
will you have bacon and eggs to-morrow
morning for breakfast ? I am going out
shopping and would like to know what to
get you."

Bacon and eggs ! How could Raymond
think of bacon and eorojs?

"Anything you please, but don't bother
me now, Mrs. Lovett. I. will leave it entirely
to your good judgment," he said, letting
himself into his room again.

Raymond's strange visitor looked up into
his face as he pushed the couch away and
placed her a chair by the table.

" It is now half-past nine," she said, " and
I must complete the object of my visit to you."

"I am all attention, and a sober man

26 'rite Mtj.sterwiis IStrmujer.

again ; but before coininei icing give me leave
to address you by some name. What sliall
it be? I juean some Clu'istian name."

"As you please; cmII me what you lilve."

"Then I shall call you Rowena. l^u'don
this interruption, Kowena ; I am very curious
to hear."

" It will not take long to tell. First,
promise to obey implicitly all my instruc-
tions."

" I do most solemnly."

Taking from her pocket a sealed package,
she handed it him, saying : —

" (juard that from every one's sight, and
make the possession of it a secret. And
this," giving him a sealed envelope, " open
on the sixth of next May."

Raymond reached over the table, taking
possession of these packages as in a dream.
He seemed lost in reverie.

Thi' }fi/sf('r/oiis StrinKjrr

His lu'jul dropped as lie L^azcd into the
now {dniost cxtinijfuished lire Avitli ji lonir

eniiiunii;^*

look.

Trust me

le sai(

JIW

reverie, and tiirnini»: to her

mi»-

u p

om Iiis

\o\vena,

AVI

11-

u 1>

the

towen
oom.

(ireat Scott ! " the seat was vacant.
I,"' he nmi'niiired, lookini:' round

Great God I she's <ione ! " he exclaimed,

rushiuLr out throuii'li the .jassau'e into the
street. '" I will find her ; I will iind her ! "

He had run down the road for a])out a
(luarterofa mile wlien he repeated tlui words.

(pi

'•Guard tin's from every one's sii^-ht, and
make the possession of it a secret. And this

open

on Tiie SIX

th of

nex

t :\r;

" ^\y ( iod ! " he exclaimed, " I. have left
them on the table."

TurniufT:, he ran back as swiftly as a deer
and found them lying there.

28 The Mysterious Stranger.

Mrs. Lovett had not returned, so he felt
that all his promises had been strictly kept.

It was too late to try and follow her now.
She might he miles off.

Locking the packages up, he strolled out
mto the cold evening air to try and collect
his now scattered and excited thoughts.

felt
It.

low.

CHAPTER III.

" Now the bright morning star, day's harbinger,
Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her
The flow'r\' May, who from her green hip throws
The yellow cowslip, and the pale primrose.
Hail ! bounteous May, that dost inspire
Mirth and youth, and warm desire ;
Woods and groves are of thy dressing,
Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing.
Thus we salute thee with our early song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long."

BANK clerk after six or seven
years' trainin*!: is able to put aside,
as it were, matters of the most
absorbing: interest at his Avill ; or the business
of a bank would soon become ^•ery compli-
cated, if the officers alloAved their thoughts to
stray from their duties.

TJie ^^ystprious Stranger.

Rfiymond had l)y this training been able to
consign his thoughts of love and curiosity to
times Avhen he Avas alone, or at ^'^^^rty to
think. In church, for instance, ^. would
resolve all manner of plans.

It was the fifth of ^lay, and he had felt
sometimes at the bank to-dav almost owning:
that curiosity had taken possession of him.

. Such requests as "a hundred sovs.,"
" fifty hahes," " twenty of silver," " one of
copper " and " five fives " would, however,
remind liim tliat he must refrain from losino'
himself in reflection.

Tlie dav wore slowly aAvav for him, and in
balancing his casli he came ten pounds short.

^' Confound it ! I expect someone is ten
pounds ahead to-day. What a lucky thing
it is not (piarter-night, or the fifteenth, or the
thirty first ! I am sure I could not strike a
bahuice to-night."

The ]\fystcn'ous StraiKjcr.

After ten minutes "ticking up" he
discovered the mistake.

" To-day over safely, I don't fear," he
said.

" Found it ? " enquired the colonel. ." You
ought to 'set it up' to-night, Raymond. I
helieve you thought that ' ten ' gone."

" Very well : colonel where shall we ffo ? ''

" How will IrA'ing suit you, Raymond ? "

" Not at all in iny state of m.ind to-night.
I don't feel like concentrating my thoughts
on any particular subject. Will you go to
the ' Pav.' ? "

" Will I go to the ' Pav.' ? Well, rather ! "
said the colonel.

" Then we will li'o west to dine to-nio"ht,
for I feel that I am on the eve of a great
change, and want to celel)rate this night. I
feel sure I shall lia\'e cause to remember
it."

32 Tlie Mysterious Stranger.

The two friends sallied forth from the
bank, hailed a hansom, and drove to the
" Cri." to dine.

Should this meet the eyes of some fair
reader, having no brother who is willing, or
is too proper to be capable of initiating her
into the mysterious terms of London life, I
will explain that '' Cri." and " Pav." are the
respective accepted abbreviations for the
" Criterion," a theatre, restaurant and buffet,
and the " London Pavilion Music Hall."
Li the same manner '' 'bra " means the
" Alhambra."

It was 12.30 p.m. when Raymond returned
to his rooms.

"By Jove! it is now t]i3 sixth," he said
in a relieved tone, much as a shipwrecked
man would welcome the sight of land after
drifting about hopelessly for days in an open
boat upon the mighty sea. The land was

The }riisterhns Stranger.

1 the ■ -within liis reach, but it might only be the

o the ■ means of his meeting Avith a Avorse fate.

Raymond opened his cash box, took out the

e fair ■ onvL'lo})e and examined the seal. There was

no crest or monogram that wouhl in any way

iolve the identity of the strana'er. It was

ng, or
no; her
life, I
ire the
Dr the
buffet,
Hall."
IS the

but a series of miniature s(|uare^

The

('iiyelope was, liowcAer, of the finest (pahty,
which suiru'ested to him that she Avas, in all
prol)ability, liying at comparatiye ease.
These and many other points he raised and
tried to settle, contemphiting the envelope as
llie lield it in his hand.

^turned 3 II

lik

ce mi

otl

lers w

examme

the

Uc said
recked
d after
n open
lid was

writing and postmarks, puzzling themselves
in tryinsi' to decide from whom a letter
^omes, instead of at once tearing open the
Mivelope, glancing at the signature, and
•eadino; the letter.

ere e:oes

he said, at last giving up tne

The Mi/sfer/ous Stramjer.

idea of solviii<i' the contents by exaniinin<;- the
envelope. " Whatever cmi it contain ? "

He pulled out two sheets of note paper closely
written, and a smaller envelope similarly sealed
as the oth'"' The letter ]:)ore no siirnatiu'e, but
was writteii in a feminine hand whieli seemed
]vdolent of tenderness and love and read as
follows : —

'' DkAK ^ll, I'.uYMOXI).

MtliO'iU'h 1 ^ ;v% perha})s, l)e (piite
uidvuown To vo'j, » ^ I am conversant
with many incidents of your life.

I know tliat you have been in the service
of the London and AYvburn bank for se\erall
years ; that you are in a position of trust.

In a manner that it is imperative that 1
should not make kno\vn to you, I lunc
become acijuainted with the characteristics of|
the private life you lead.

I need now, more than it is possible foi|

Tlie Mi/sterious Stranger.

\YX tlie ■ voii to realise Avithout your knowino^ the
exact nature of my trou])le, which I dare not
divulii'c at present, the assistance of a friend —
mav I sav friend? — who is thoroughly io-norant

^t, and, at

ot my past, and, at present, uncertain future.

;ent.

On vou de])ends niv onlv chance of
evoutually proving my innocence of n crime —
a most atrocious crime of whicli I am accused.

HaA'ing heard that you have on several
occasions expressed a desire to go abroad, I
I would point out that l)y your going to Canada
it might facilitate the means of dispro\'ing the
guilt that is now attached to me. May I ap-
Ipoint you my secretary ? The small envelope
[contains n hundred pound Bank of England
Inote, which please regard as the fii'st instal-
ment towards defraying your expenses.

I should like to see you once more, to
learn when and Avhether you will accept the
kippointment.

Tlie Mysterious Str(ui(jer.

I will be in the first class waiting room of
Broad Street station (N. L. liy.) on the
evening of the eighth inst. at 8 p.m.

Burn this as soon as you have read it and
let no hint of the nature of the contents of i
this letter escape you, for the sake of mercy."

Vincent read and re-read this stranoe letter.
It interested, even fascinated him.

" Whatever it be, and who knows but I
that it may be a plot to entrap me ? Yet, no !
I will trust her. I told her that I would risk
my life in her service, and I will. Shall resign
my position at tlie bank to-morrow, getting
off within a few days if possible."

CHAPTKII l\.

" Mow poor an instrument
Mav do a noble deed 1 He brinijs me libertv,
'My irsolution's placed, and I liave notliing
Ot woman in me. jS'ow from head to foot
I am marble-constant ; now the fleeting moon
No 2>lanet is of mine."

^iidT^^T was the cvenin^]^ of the ei^irhth of
^lav and Mncent Avas seated in the

waitin<2^ room, scanninfi; the many
faces that were continually coming and going.

" Five past eight," he said to himself in a
desponding tone ; " and she not here."
Perhaps I shall never hear or see her again."

AVhile thus ruminating to himself, a lady,
hvho had been sitting reading a book opposite

The Mijsfcrious StramjiT.

him, and whom Ik; liad noticed on entei'in<r,
crossed over to Avliere h(^ was sitting', <ilanced
at the clock, and instead of i'esiimin<i' tlie scat
she liad vacated took the one next to
Raymond.

There were tlie noise and cont'nsion con-
sequent upon the startin;^- oi' a train. The
gong rang; the wliistle 1)k'AV ; the people
hurried ont of the waitin«j: I'oom, leavinii* tliis
lady and liaymond the sole occupants.

"Good eveninii', Mr. Kavmond."'

" Good evening. AVhv, I cannot he mis-
taken in that ^•oice ! It is *'

" It is Kowena," she answered ; " I thouLi'ht
you did not recognise me."

" AVhv, what a disi>'nise ! You look so much I
stouter. Of course I can't see vour face
under that thick \q'\\. Will you lift it up,|
please, just a little? "

" Not here, Vincent," she said. '' I want tol

The Mjisfrridus StridHjer,

)('n

kt.

() vou soiiiownci'o, ■\vnere av(

IK) tV'Jir of bcin^- intc'ri'ii])t('d.

;liall 1

lave

^Tust vou 1)0 hack lici'o to-uiii-ht, «)!• have

\'(»u a loiiniev

l)cf

ore \ou

10 as

kod

" Xo, 1)iit I oiiiilit to 1)0 lioi'c^ aLiaiii about
>u con- I liiill' p:i^t tou."

" r think tlio l)ost tliinii-, thou, will be for us
to ,ii'<» by train to liiclunoud and back. I Avill
no- this 9 ti[) the li'uard and ii'ot a Hrst class carriao-e

to ourselves

Are vou willinii' To do that,

lowcna

be mis- J Soon after, they Avere seated to^i'ether,
lucked up in a first class c()ni})artnient, on

thouLrht J Their way to liiclunond.

Uaynioiid had pulled the blinds down, and
they enjoyed the privacy that only one's own

house could otherwise ati'ord.

Lift

your vo!

I 1

towena

:ill

you,

please?" he said, lifting it at the same time

want tol himself.

77//' Myati'rinus Stranrjer,

"Yes, 'tis tho same face. How it has
haunted iiie ever since ! Althuu<;li I have hut
seen you once })ef()i'e, })eheve nie, llowena, T
love you <i:i'eatei' than 1 thouuht it possihlo
to love anyone," \\v. said, nestling neni'lier, and
pressing lier gloved hand.

'' Love must not occupy my thoughts at
all, until I am free again. It makes me
shudder to tliink of the dreadful crime
hanuin*;' over me. What T want t(^ know is
whethei' you will a('ce})t the appointment as
my private secretary or agent as you please to
call it ? "

"No, not vour secretarv, l)ut vour chMm])ion.
Your cause slinll he my cause. And, as to
taking the hundred pounds, I could not give
it the least thought. I don't wish to l)e paid
foi' my services to vou. The mere idea that
what I am doing is for you would make me
take n pleasure in surmounting the greatest

Thi' Mysterious Stnuigrr,

ditficulties. Besides, I am in a position to p.'iy
any expenses I may ineur."

" Pardon me, Vincent," she said, looking
into his eyes with a look that enslaved and
, .dued him innnediately ; "T know all about
the foolish promises one is ai)t to make Avhen
under a delusion — don't interrrupt, now !
delusion, I sav."

" But my love for you is not a delusion,"
broke in Kavmond.

" Alas ! you may think so only too soon,
^ cent. Well, to resume, remember you
liavG to obey my instructions implicitly. This
you have promised to do, so don't begin to be
rebellious alread}'. Promise that you will
leave England within a month ; that on our
return to Broad Street you Avill leave me at
the gate of the platform of the train for
Camden Town ; and, above all, never breathe
of our interviews to any one."

Tin' ^fysf('rious StniiKjcr.

*' It is but for you to commaud for me to
obey, darling," he said, tiirlitening the hold of
her hand, Avhich he had never left go all the
time.

" I will not suggest your going to any
particular part of (^anada, but only that you
<^o, and that vou will send me a letter, letting
me know your address, to MJ,' c/o H. A.
Smith, Stationer, 4(5, Edgware lioad, London,
AV., England. 01 1 ! and you had better mark
it 'to be left until called for.' "'

'' All you say sliall be done. I suppose I
shall see you again before starting? I feel
now unhap])y in the thought of leaving you
behind me, liowena."'

" You have but a month before you,
Vincent, and I am sure a thousand thinu's will
occupy your attention.*'

" How could thev, when I am thinking of
vou all the time ? ''

The Mysterious StraiKjer.

'' Remember your promise ; obey my in-
structions. When you have secured your
• stiite room ' on a steamer, Avrite me the name
(jf the vessel, nnd the date of saiHn^u'. Xow,
don't forget that, A^incent, for I shall be very
anxious about you."

" Wliy, back at Broad Street, I declare !
That Avns the guard unlocking the door. I
must wish you <i;ood nicrht and farewell until
we meet again. And I live in liopes of that,

liowena.''

Pullinor her tu him with one arm, and still

liokling her hand, their lips Avere sealed in a

lung, lingering, passionate kiss.

"^'l lo)}(L loihi kiss — (I hiss of yonlh find li>rej'
The passengers had all left the platform ere

this kiss had died away. All was ([uiet and

still auain. Ravmoii ^ '

ip. op(

door, and, grasping both hur hands, helped her
out.

Tlte ^fy.'<teriou.'i Strancjer.

They had walked but a few yards when he
cauo^ht hold of her hands again, held them to
the full extent of his arms, and peered into
her face, keeping quite still and silent for two
or three minutes.

" Must this indeed be farewell, RoAvena ? "

" Ves, Vincent."

They both murmured some words, which
were drowned by the ticket collector calling
out in a stentorian voice : —

" Dalston, Highbury, Camden Town, Kentish
Town, Gospel Oak. Hampstead, Fhichley
Road," and a host of other places,
" train."

They ran to the platform. Rowena just
luanao^ed to ^Ql throu^xh as the "'ate was bein":
closed. Click it went, with Raymond on the
other side.

He watched her step into a compartment,
and the train rush out of the station.

llie Mysterious Stramji'r.

It seemed that she was as far away from
him now as tliough he had never met her.
Just as one feels on seeing a girl pass along
the gangway back again on to the shore from
the ocean steamer, upon which you liave taken
a passage. You had been arrested by her
face and foi'm as she stood on the saloon deck.
She had absorbed all vour thoughts, set aside
all your plans for the iuture. As you watched
lier you were picturing how even to sit at a
table upon which her hand occasionally rested
would fill you with a sensation of subtle
enjoyment because of its association with her.
Then there was the possibility of holding her
hand, you thought, this very night, and
and hearing her say, " (irood night." '* Good
night " from her I Hoav SAveet the words
would sound ! But now the ship is about to
start ; friends of the passengers are returning
ashore. The screw is revolvinij: ; kisses are

The Mysterious Stranger.

thrown from vessel to shore, and vice v^rsd ;
handkerchiefs, sticks, hands, umbrellas, hats,
etc., are waved frantically. Some are peltinfj
each other with flowers. Lon"; linireriniT

f^ o o

gazes are exchanged ; a few have already the
tears swelling in their eyes.

The ship is off'.

" Stand back ! "

" Haul in the gangway ! "

" One more to <>et off. Hold ! "

And she — your goddess — has landed, and
is kissing her hand to some fellow on board.

Lucky fellow !

The cheers sound fainter. Faces seem as
though in a mist, and now lost to sight.
Your dream is ended.

" Like the dew on the mountain,
Like the ioiim on the river,
Like tlie bubble on the iountain.
Thou art gone, and lor ever."

The Mysterious Strniajcr.

This is how llaymond felt ns he stood
NYatching' thf train that bore Rowena away
from him. He watched the train start. At
first it moved slowly ; but gathering up speed,
as tliough it had now made up its mind that
she could not escape^ it, rushed out of the
light into the dark, screeching, yelling, putting
and throwing up sparks of fire Avith excitement
at the thought of the prize it had captured.
Its red eyes behind were all Raymond could
sec now. Thev seemed to be mockinii' him and
irrowinii" smaller. iMcrv now and then they
would close their evelids as though winkino^ ;
open them again, as much as to say, *' I see
vou." It is u'roAvint"' tired of this fun, for it
only occasionally opens its eyes, and has now
closed them in ecstacy, and is tearin"; alon"-
through the darkness with her.

It seemed to him that the darkness was
aiding this demon to take her from him.

IVie Mysterious Stranger,

" She may be imprisoned in some monster's
Ccastle and I shall never see her again," he
said, turning away and getthig into his train
for home.

CHAPTOR V.

" Adieu, adieu I My native shore

Fades o'er the waters blue ;
The uight winds sii^h, the breakers roar,

And shrieks the wild sea-mew.
Von sun that sets upon the sea

We follow in his flight ;
Farewell awhile to him and thee,

My native land — good night."

fl(iH(JiVTE Avas wide .'nvake, and had
^ adorned itself in some of its most
fresh and fancy costnmes for this
briuiit sunny ^lay day. For some months
past it had worn a very solemn, cold, reserved
appearance. The stately trees had not deigned
to l)e aroused from their long repose ; and had
maintained a sevci'e determination to live

TJic Mijs ft')' tolls Str(()Hjt'r.

witliout aiiv iiiinsv c'overiii»i-. Hut, hitch,
they li}i(l i-elontud, jmd were now dcckt'd
in the richest und t'resliest h.^okin^ii' ^'I'eeii
ganueuts.

The ii'jinkMis of ilie liouses Avere aav Avith
flowers, that seemed to participate in the
genei'al rejoicin'*-. The siiu itself seemed
lauiihiiiii' s>ood natiiredlv as it Avatched the
plcMsurc its })reseuce ailorded.

liavmond Avas Avalkiuii' u}) the hill. He
thou<»ht it less stec}) tlian ever before ; and BHi(>'li<>-;
the i)eo})le Avere pleasanter and kinder than M AH

founi
Ithey
ling' SI
lappea
idie ii
Isluml)
never

)eacea
N'oiy b
klei'lv 1

evei"

peai

What a deli <i'htf 111 place this is ! " he said.

lookinn" Avistfidlv around him.

l\n'l

laps

shall never see it ao-aiu. But, pshaAv ! it's no
use getting lost in admiration over the place

ffenerallv. It's too late uoav. I liaA'c
unknoAvn life before me to face."

He had been makini>' farcAvell calls, and

hay mo

irtectio

)art of

" I m
me an
Itf the

TJie Mysterious Stranger.

found himself cnvyin<^ all these people because
thcv were destined to be settled in this charm-
t <'reeii Sinii' suburb for the rest of their lives. It now
a})peared to hiui just the place to live and

that

[die in. And as you were fallino- into
j^lumber from Avhicli you knew you would
never wake, what a delightfully comforting,
)eaccable fcelin<^ would ha infused into your
verv being, knowing that you Avould be ten-
tlerly laid down in those beautiful grounds at
[ighgate, set apart for such sleepers !

All the surroundings of Highgate breathe
)f peace and comfort. Or so it seemed to

aymond to-day.

He knew every spot and felt a great
iffection for these places that were all now as
kirt of his life.

" I must have a last stroll down ^lill-tield
me and across the fields," he said, turning
llf the main road into the lane.

The ^f1Jstenous Straiujer,

"By Jove! liow l)e{iutit'ul it nil looks I
Before liim lay a stretch of hilly country, not'
what can be called <rrancl, but most plcasiii;:]
in its aspect. The hills ar(^ more as huiri
ocean swells that have lost their fierce char-
acter, but command respect for their uii-
exerted miu'ht. As fjir as the eve could
reach, the Avhole country Avas carpeted witlil
soft refreshini*: ixreen, only seen in Eniiland oil
Ireland.

Several })eople were wnlkinu' about enjovj
ing the scenery and the weather. Bovs weii
sailini>: yachts over the i)ond immediately iii
front of him. These vachts Avere dancinsr iij
the sunli«:'ht : and the skylarks were soariii.i
out of siirlit, Avarbliu": the sAveetest o:!

songs.

EA'Crybody and eA'cr^'thing seemed rci
joicing. Kaymond alone seemed sad ; for lii|
was leaving it all. He had left the bank aiui

TJie }fijsf('ri<>us Sh'taif/'T.

was to sail for CaujuUi on the twentieth of
this month.

It was now the twelfth, and lie was i]roin<2:
to-morrow to Bi'i;j^hton to spend tlie rest of
his time in Eniibind witli his people, who
were now residing' there.

What 11 time it is, this goinu* abroad —
photni>-raphs, keepsakes, flowers, farewells,
tlu'atres. parties, Av^alks, drives, and so much
and sueh varied advice, hints and lectures !

To-night it was to be a supper Avith the
start' of the bank. Eight o'clock p.m., Ray-
nioiid Avas sitting ronnd a table Avith the staff
that he had been Avith every day for the last
four years.

Supper over, the fun of the evening started.
Champagne, Scotch, Irish, Sherry and Port
all took part in making this a jolly gather-
ing : let alone the assistance of [)ipes, cigars
and ciii'arettes. Such recitations, toasts,

The Myskrhms Sfrant/rr.

speeches, vows of eternal tVieiidsliip and
patri(jtie })r()iiiises could not be beaten.
The son<>-s, too, were s])len(li(l. One played
and san_i»; " Home, sweet home " ; l)ut in doing
so, became a target for bread, leii's of fowl,
tarts, biscuits, almonds, raisins, walnuts, and
many other edible things, until he was per-
suaded to leave off.

" Don't })lay that," said the colonel ; " you
will make liaymond miserable."

"No, it is his futures home I am singing of,"
was the reply. And that was the signal for
them all to sini;' the soni»\ .

The Scotch, Irish and English volunteers
were represented in this festive gathering.
So there were some very military and patri-
otic toasts and speeches.

" The Royal Family," " The Army," " The
Navy," '"The Reserve Forces," were all toasted
with due honours and orcat enthusi

y7/( .Uysf<'riou,'< StrtiHt/ir.

After awliilc tlicv vied Avitli each other in
suiiii'cstin^i;- suhjt'cts tor toasts and for rofillin*^
the uImssc'S. "The J^ondoii and Wyburn
l)aiik,*' " Her Majesty s Forces in K^xvpt,"

•' Tlie Friends of Knuland,"

Our (\)lonies,"
The ('i\il Sei'\ice

The BaiikiniTi World,

Our American ('onsin^

Oiu" liearths and

lome

risli

" '•En.irh'sh Girls," ^
(iirls," ''Ccdouial GirL

Scotcli Girls,
,' - Oar .Aloth

eV;

Oiu' [''ather

The Ivondon Irish,

Th(^ London Scottish,"
'' Tiie Lon(h)n Rifle

Briua(h

The Third Middk'sex Ififk's," - Her

Miijestys Forces in India," '' War (\)rrespon-

(lents

onrna

list^

British Police Forces

The House of f.onk

Tlie II

ouse o

f (

oni-

l 13atri- ■ iiions,"' "Our Diplomatists," "Captain Shaw

aiK

1 1

ns 1)

(luck

)rawnv men.

and so on

thruULdiout the evenimr.

u'liins, ' in a speech, said, " I 1

lope

that

V iro to war witli Russia, that we, the

The ^fysU'riniis Sfrafi</t>r.

British Volunteers, shall be found fiorhtin

toirether, shoulder to shoulder with tl

Canadian volunteers in defence of the im-

pel

ial interests of the irreatest empire the

wor

Id I

las ever seen.

The iiiasses rattled as thev cheered and

ailed

d [

upon Kaymond lor a speecli, as repre-

sentin<»' the (Canadian volunteers.

He pointed out that he had no idea about
what he Avas called u])()ii to speak of; l)ut he

'ould

assur

them, ''as an old volunteer,"' that

he would not let an o])poi'tunity of joinin^ii' our
CanachMii Adlunteers o'o l)v. And lie hoped,
judging from tlie present (nitlook iii the
East that he niiu'ht be found side b\' side
with thi'in nil Ix'fore lou'/ in AfuhanistMU
doini:" their dut\', ixMsuadinii' the liussians
that they had made a mistake. A mist.ake
that it AV'ould take Russia veai's and vears to
recover from. T.oud and jU'olonged cluHM'ing,

Tlw Mj/sfi'n'i)i/s Stran(je)\

in the. midst of which two of them went out of
the room for a few minutes jind returned with
;i hu'ge tin of toljucco, ji handsome ])hoto^Taj)liie
alhmn, a meerschaum ])i))e and a phish-
covered to])aeeo pouch. These were nil pre;-
pented to ilaymond on belialf of tlie staff
hy the "Admiral," the chief clerk, who made
ji very able speech, referrin<i' to the loss they
would sustain bv Kavmond letnin;:- them.
That he hoped thev would never fori»'et one
another. And that he trusted that lia\'-
mond woidd be siu'rounded bv as true IVii^nds
as he "Nvas sure that he luid been with in
Eniiiand. More clinkinii' of glasses, i*aps on
the table and cheerinu' and IJavmond had to
replv, wdiich w;is a difficult task, as he
hud bee 11 (piite overwhelmed by this,
anothei' marked proof of thcii' Insting
friendshi[).

The last s})eech over, and thev sang, each

The Mysterious Str(Ui(/er,

piittii\i^ a foot on the table, " Auld Lang
oyne.

" Half past twelve, <i:entlenien," said the
proprietor, eoniin;^: u})-stairs and openin*^ the
door and looking in.

" All right, governor, come and join us."

The ghisses wow, filled all round.

"To the British Empire !" lliiymond cried.

"To the British Empire!" they all respond-
ed.

One more song, governor.'

"He's a ioUv «^(>o(l fellow" was shouted and
smiii* bv jdl, and l)reMkiiiir into "God save the
(•iueen" thcv found their Avay down stairs out
into the street.

It was a bright moonlight night Avhen they
SMllied forth out of their sui)per room into
Oxford Street.

Grou[)ed together on the pavement, con-
sultiui!' each other- where to j»'o and what to

llie }f7/sf(>r/ous StraiKjer,

do, they were coutiimally li{i\'in<:: to assure
caliiiu'u and others thiit they were not
Avanted.

'' 1 think we oujirht all to ^o round the
' Cri.' to-niuht and have a bit of fun, as
Kavniond wont u*et much of that rolliekin<^
life in Canada," said the '* Admiral."

" Let us storm a haked-putato man," said
the " Colonel," leadin^i' the way across the
road and ordering baked potatoes fur the
crowd.

'' Juggins " thought he ought to end up
with a fiii'ht with a *'cabl)v." After a deal
of persuasion and holding back, he consented
to sj)are the '' cabbv."

'' I will restrain nivself from revelling in
the u'ore of a 'cabbv' in deference to the
rcinonsti'ancc-s of mv friends," he said.

" Bravo I Bravo ! • duLiiiins," " thev ci'ied.

" What's the matter with ' dmi'Liins ' ? "

Tlir ^^ysh'ri^>}l.^ Sfnfnifi'r.

"Whv? lie's all riuht."

But he was not ; foi* he had not s^iveri up
the idea of" fi;rhtin;»', hut had simplv decided
to fi^rht a '' l)()1)l)v " instead.

He had thrown his hat oft' and was turninu:
up his sleeves pre})aratoi'v to the conflict
with the policeman who was approachinir
them.

'' What's the matter Avith the London
police ? Whv, thev are all ri<>'ht."

'• AVhat's all this noise about, Lcentlemen, ? ""
said the li'uardian of the peace.

" Hei'e's a man here, constable, who is
determined to fiiiht a ' bobbv * ; and as you
are the first to court his ehallen<re In' dju'inir
to venture near him, he has decided to
pulverise you ; so you had better be off' while
you're whole,'' the " Colonel " said, while the
others wei'e holding: back the saiiijuinarv

iiu;»'<niis.

The Mysterious Stran<je)\

()1

" Move on, please," said the policeman,
smiling to think how near death he was.

" Sure, and it's a light 1 want, ' bobby,' "'
said the *' Colonel,"' pointing a cigar to the
policeman.

The policeman opened his Inill's - eye
lantern, and tlie ''Colonel" lighted his cigar.

" Juggins " Avas becoming more peacefully
inclined, and allowed himsell" to be persuaded
to wallv oil' without carrying into etl'ect his
threat.

" Good niufht, * bobbv,' " thev all cried.

'MJood nioht, orentlcmen."

Suon alter they were all on their way to
their I'espective (piarters, sounding the praises
of the i)olice, a force not to be excelled for
efticiencv anvwhere ; and a bodv <»f men
whu are recognised by ;dl strangers, especially
Americans, as beini:' the most civil, ()])lii:in<%

r-'-'Cl

intelliiient and lenient set of men.

The Mysterious Stranger.

London should })e proud of its force.

Nowliere do the police command greater
respect, or prcser\e law and order more
effectually, than the two forces in London.

New York has a splendid police force, ])Ut
I doubt if tliey are as effective as the London
police.

I know they are harsher in their treatment
to " hoodlums." Hut it woidd be dithcult to
find a bi<2:<i;er, jollier, or more contented
lookin<»: set of fellows. They are all so
fat.

The police parade that takes place in New
York once a vear — the last day of ^lay, I
think — is a sight well worth going many miles
to see. I saw them in 1889. They marched
past in colunm with the precision and steadi-
ness of well drilled soldiers. The parade is
held so as to allow the citizens to review
them and see how they are equipped, and to

The Mjisterions Stranger.

see the physique of the men they are paying.
Xew York should be satisfied.

The T.ondon police could give a splendid
turn out — one, I am sure, that London would
feel proud of.

CHAPTKR YL

She walks Iho waters like a tiling of life,
And seems to dare the eleiuents to strife.'

at Li\'('r|)()()l looked inoi'c like the sea.
Raviuoud stood on the pier, "waiting fur
the tender that was to take the passengers
on hoard the '*SS. Parisian."'

Small ])oats were pushed al)oiit here and
there, first one side, then the other ; now
up and then down, as though the waters
were irritated with them ; and would every
now and then try to shake itself free of

Tlic Mysterious Straiiger.

tliis cnrmy of occupation that had camped
upon the bosom of the waters.

The " SS. Parisian " looked down upon
all the small craft with the utmost contempt,
and refused to take any notice whatever of
the smacks and pushes the w^ater kept
iuflictiiiu: on her.

What excitement prevailed at the wharf
just us the tender was about starting 1

"Sure v<ni have all your luouane ?"

"Where is mv boxV"

•J

" Good iii'acious ! where is Alice ? "

" I lunn't said good-bye."

"Mind you let us know how you enjoyed
the voyage."

And in the midst of all these and a
thousand similar (juestions they moved off.

The ''Parisian" is jrvowin^ bii>'":er, and
looks more proud and indifferent than e\'er.
But how noble she looks ! Soon she Avill

The Mi/sft'n'(>fi.s' Sti'diHjev.

be face to face with the waves of the ])road
Atlantic, chainpiouiii^'' our cause. And
shoukl the sea become an^j^ry, she avmH prove
a staunch [uid vahant friend to those who
have phiced their trust in her.

The tender hiy alon<j,' sid(^ the ^' Parisian "
in a restless condition, making a <;'reat deal
of noise. But the '' l*{irisian " i<i-nored her,
only sufterinii" her to remain a short time
while the ])assenii'ei's and l)a<xi>a<»*e forsook
their old guardian to iiy to the superior
pi'otection of this majestic one.

Then a scene of the utmost confusion
ensued. Lu;:;i>a<j,e, passengers, crew, ro])es,
bells, &c., all seemed mixed up. Such
anxietv and excitement on every one's face
but the crew. None of the passengers
thought they had a second to spare. They
were bewildered. After about an hour this
excitement had partially subsided, when the

The }ri/steriinis Strantjcr,

warning ])ell for " all for shore " sounded.
More excitement, grasps of the hand, kisses,
tears, best wishes, important instructions to
bo remembered and promises. Promises —
liow some of these were destined to be
stars illuminating paths that most of these
people were about to tread for the first
time !

The tender has left ; and the tender
farewells are over. The ship is advertised
.to start at 4 p.m. and it is within a few
I minutes of that hour, yet no signs of going.

The passengers have strained their eyes
hvatchin": the recedin": forms of their friends,
who have now landed and are no longer
|to be recognised.

The wind has abated and a general calm
[pervades the whole scene. The sun is losing
jits bright glaring light and is gradually with-
Idrawing the strength and intensity of its rays ;

The ^fysteri(n^^s Stramjer,

even it socms calmer and inclined to sleep.
The passengers are sitting down devoid of all
hurry — some in groii})s, others by them-
selves, but nearly all wearing a quiet,
resigned look.

Raymond has gone to his state-room and
found a bunch of forget-me-nots and a
little j)ackage that he had not noticed before
in the confusion.

"These were sent aboard for you this
morning, Sir," said the steward, in reply to
Raymond's encpiiry.

"With the fora'et-me-nots was a card
marked, " Rowena, the stranger."

Breaking open the package, he found ii
perfectly plain gold locket and long gold
chain, a note from " Rowena " giving him
her best wishes and asking him to accept
the enclosed, and wear it in remembrance
of her.

The Afr/sterious StriUKjer.

" Yoii uiH'c jisked iiic to give you sorae-
tliiu,!^ tliJit wjis clost'ly {issociated with me,
saving that you would like a piece of my
hair, or a i)iece of my di'oss, or anything
i that you could feel was, through its close
contact with nie, nlniost like a piece of
myself. I ha\'e ever rememl)ere(l your
rci|Uest. I believe you were sincere Avhen
voii made it."

"Sincere !" he exclaimed. "Oli ! llowena,
darling ; darling Uowena ; dear, dear Row-
ena ; mv own ; if you onlv knew how I loved
you!" And holding the note to liis lips for at
least five minutes, kissed it and resumed
readiuii' :

'' The chain I have worn round mv neck
uiidor my dress for about three years, and
the locket, since the night after I called upon
vou. I want vou to wear these ; and let
them act as a finger })ost, always })ointing

The Mysterious Stramjer.

out the promise you liave made me," she had
written, signiii<r herself " Roweiui."

He jLTJithered the eliain and locket up in one
hand and, passin<^ it up and down his cheeks,
resting his lips on it, holding it to his nock,
gaxing on it as if about to eat it, said, in a
reverent, devotional tone,

" Wear it for your sake ! Inileed I will,
Rowena, How smooth it feels, as though l)y
constant contact with her neck ! The h)cket.
too, is delightfnllv smooth, and seems to
retain some of the warmth that it had bur-
rowed fi'oin her — her — her — her — Uowena."

He sat down and contemplnted the paper
that her hand had rested on. He could see
the dimpled, soft, velvetv wli'te hand holdiii'r
the pen and resting on this note paper '■'
she transferred her thodghts in it.

*' I will iie\'er part with anything here that
is connected with her. The strinu' shall be

The }fy.Hk'rious Stranger.

ilie had

in one
cliL'oks,
4 neck,
;1, in a

1 will,

U<^ll 1)V

locket.

ins to

(I bor-

cnji."

i paper

1 1 1(1 SCO

lolding
per '\e

set aside for Avorslii]) witli the rest," he said,
sittinii* down and losing' himself in reverie.
" I envy every word she utters : they play
about her mouth and are then encircled by
her lips to be shaped and moulded ere they
arc entrusted with her commission."'

He was aroused IVom his musings by the
loud rino'ing of a bell, the signal for dinner.

The saloon looked viay pretty with its
tables set for diiiuer. The names of the
passeiigers were* written on pieces of pjiper
and pbiced on the tables, thus avoiding all
contusion. Kach [)erson had a butt(>nhole of
Hewers placed in a little stand for them by the
conipanv, fornnng (piite a bed of ijowers. The
mirrors all round the saloon, I'dlccting the
colon red glasses and the flowers, had a most
pleasing etl'ect.

It was decided not to stai't nnfil eight
o'clock, so every one felt whatever future

The Mysterious Stvamjer.

meals might prove, this, at least, would be
comfortable.

It does not take long to become friendly
on ship-])oard.

When dinner was over — and a most enjoy-
able dinner it was — Raymond found himself
going up on deck with (piite a number of
people, talking, laughing, and chatting a;^
familiarly as if they had all known each other
for years.

Tiiere is a peculiar sympatliy — arising, I
suppose, from the fact that they nre all al)()ut
to share tlie same jx^rils, Joys, calms and
storms incidental to thf^ voyage — among the
passengers for each otlu^r on board a ship,
that does away with all tlie formal barriers
obsei'ved ashore.

Everyone seems to be anxious to know all
about every one else and gla<l to tell each
other their future plans, and to suggest

The Mysti'vioiis Str(Vitjer.

ways and means of making the time pass away
pleasantly.

It (lid not take llaymond long to discover
that there were three fellows going out in the
service of a bank, that the majority of the
young men were going out on " spec," or to
farms. Most of them were armed to the teeth
— revolvers, bowie-knives, shot guns and box
after box of clothes, boots, &c. There were a
few Canadians, not in bushmen's costume,
though nmch to the sur})rise and disappoint-
ment of some of the enthusiastic, untravelled
young Britishers. These Canadians Avere
dressed more like tlu; club men one sees any
line summer's day strollinu" on the sunnv side
of IVdl Mall.

The presence of so mjiny prettv girls
prompted several fellows tu predict that "we
sliidl have a most enj(>yahle time." The
Canadians said '' a ijood time."

TJte Mj/sterious Stranger.

The young lady voted tlie belle of the
ship turned out to be a Canadian.

It was a source of great amusement to
Raymond to watch how she had enlisted into
her service, by her pleasing manner, pretty
face, and graceful figure, the everlasting desire,
on the part of about twenty young Britishers,
to please lier.

He was })lease(l to tliink that he was in
no daui^er of l)ecoinini»; ensliived, as his
thoughts ^v(?vo already too occu})ied to linger
long on this charnu'r. lie often used to feci
Avhat an escape it was, for lie was sure that,
instead of enjoying \\va' society as he now did,
she would have proved a constant source of
pain to him. I^ancv a felloN/ loving her and
yet seeing all i\w t'uwv that she was surroinided ■
by admirers (upiallv sincere, and most of
whom Avere more i)leasing in looks and
manners than himself.

Tlie Mysterious Straufjev,

It had settled d()^vll into a ([uiet calm
evening. Everyone liad a flower in the
])uttonhole of his coat. It was rather cliilly,
and the majority of the people were Avalking
about, occasionally standing still to i)oint out,
or liave pointed out to them, some object of
interest tliat they might be seeing for the last
time. 'I'hey talked of Enghmd, Scotland,
Ireland and Wales as places they liad once
called their liome. 'J hey could see the
illuminations on the land, ])ut of wliich they
were now not a i)art.

The emi'ines were throb1)inLi- and tliey were
starting on their long voyage. Everyone
wished to show h(>w very nautical they were,
and were discussing the different lights, more
often than not callinoj them b\' their wrom^
names. No one let the op})ortunitv of saying
"port" or "starboard" escape them; few
knew exactly which was which. But no

The Myst(^rious Stranger.

matter ; wo must be nautical when at sea.
And what sounds more pretty than when a
girl, in her sheer innocence, sjDcaks of a paddle
box in connection with a "screw;" calls the
" bow " tlie " stern," the " chief steward " the
"captain," the "purser" the " second mate,"
and eulogises the conduct of a sailor because
he volunteered to go up aloft ?

A most enjoyal)le time was spent the next
day by some pjissengers when they landed at
]Moville while the stojuner was waiting for the
mail from Londonderry. The scenery is
perfect, and on this l)riglit sunny day it held
those who liad not seen it l)ef()re spellbound,
charming Jieir senses and filling them with
love and admii'ation for Ireland.

There is an old castle to which thev drove in
jaunting cars, liender, have you ever I'idden
in a JMunting car? The sensation is. I can
iissure you, novel. Vou ought to try it once.

TJie ^fysterlous Stran</<'r.

Tlie car Vincent was in, they got the driver
to tell them the history of tlie castle, which
he assured them was correct.

On aiTiV!n<»' at the castle they were con-
ducted over it hy a })retty, comely, modest,
humorous, ijuick-at-repartee, dark Irish girl
ahout nineteen, in a dress coming only to her
knees. Her feet and Ivj,^ — such ])retty ones
— were bare. She gave a very interesting
account of it (the castle), but (|uite different
to the other accoinit that Raymond had heard
from the driver. On comparing notes, they
all found that the respective drivers had giv(^n
a version peculiarly his own. One of the
passengers, a Dublin fellow, asked her how
it was that her story was so unlike^ all the
otliers. She then told them, laugliinjly, tliat
it was the first time she had shown visitors
over ; that hei' mother, who was ill nt j)r('sent,
always did it before, so that she lujd never

Tlir ^[ysterious Stnnu/er.

had occasion to loarn about it, and was obliged
to make up a story as she went along. She
was a pi'etty girl, so they forgave her. Back
again to where they landed ; they tried some
of the stout Ireland is famous for, and
drank " Success to Auld Ireland," listened
to some songs, wished the little crowd " Good-
bye " that had gathered on the beach to see
these people that were off to America, and
they were off, each with a piece of shamrock
that they were going to plant abroad. But
alas ! for such hopes. Most of it — in fact I
think all of it with the exception of a few
leaves — found its way to the bottom of the
Atlantic. It began to seem less important as
time sped on ; then the roots were dirty and
it seemed a nuisance, as many of our self
imposed tasks appear when we have settled
down to other things.

The third day they were some hundreds

The ^[ysterioHS Strnmjcr.

f miles jiwav, rii^lit out on the broad

Athiiitic. 'llioy had settled down to ship

lit;

The weather was iine and the sea

calm. Only a few passengers felt unwell ;
these few generall}' felt too sleepy to eat,
talk, or stir out of their cabins. It was
not sea-sickness, oh, dear no ! only a tired
feeling. The day was j)5i ^ed in reading,
reclining in steamer chairs, flirting, quoits,
shuttle-board, exploring parties going over
the ship and visiting the steerage, getting
up a pool on the run of the vessel,
and, above all, eating, drinking, and
slee[)ing.

The evening was observed by many as
the time for writing up their diaries.
Every young lady, I believe, keeps a
diary when on ship. The drawing room
after dinner was always the scenes of a regular
party, music, songs, recitations, flirtations

The }r lister ions Strnvger,

and th(3 like. The dock is never dcsci*ted.
Some one or otlier is sure to be taking a
walk. Moonli<:;lit ni«rhts, fellows would
explain to <iirls, I sup])ose, the dei)th of the
ocean in different pans of the world, and
other such httin<i; subjects at sea, as they
leaned over the railings, contemplating the
mystcirious ocean, lighted u]) in one place
for miles and lookinii*, as if it were, the
path to the mooi., while on either side of
this broad ])ath of pale, rippling, li(|uid
light, would be darkness and impenetrable
mystery. The i)ath always led down to
the vessel's side. They could not pass it,
though ooiuo- all the time about fifteen
knots an hour-. They all believed in that
proverb about two l)eing company and
three a crowd. Is that the correct version,
dear reader?

The Mysterunis Strwiger. 81

" How well,
The night is made for tenderness — so still
That the low whisper, scarcely audible,
Ts heard I'ke mu^ie — and so deeply pure,
That the fond thought is ehasten'd as it springs,
And on the lip luade holy."

Many ji <,^}ime of whist, too, was played
after Slipper.

The fourth day at sea, Avith a ''cap full"

of Aviiid blowing, was an unwelcome chan«j:e

to many. It was but a "ca]) full" of wind,

as tlie sailors called it. Yet it was the

occasion of a melancholy occurrence. One

of the steer.a.ge ])assengers, a Nor\vegian

woman, about sixty-five years of age, who

was suffering very much from sea- sickness,

(lied of exhaustion. She was in delicate

health, and should not have attempted such

a journey while so unwell. Life in the

steerage is not conducive to the rapid

recovery of a feeble -'nvalid. Many of the

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Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

5* ,'^"^y

£P

Q-

C/jL

The Mysterious Stranger.

passengei's were confined to their state-rooms,
so it was comparatively unkno^v^l until the
next day. \

A funeral at sea is one of the most
appealing and solemn occasions. We have
lost our dear mother is the wail of many,
but how doubly lost she seems when buried
at sea ! 'Jlie bell tolls, a platform is low-
ered over the side of the vessel, the corpse
is placed in a canvits sack, weighted with
lead, and placed on the platform; the
Union Jack is laid over it, while the burial
service is read ; and at a signal the sleeping
one is lowered into the sea. It has gone.
No, there it is again, a portion of it appearing
above water for a minute or so.

The few on deck are watching as they
leave it behind.

The son, poor fellow, — for he is on board —
is watchino^ with a look as thouojh he

The Mystermis Stranger.

would like to jump over and reclaim his
mother ere she is swallowed up by the
relentless ocean. While they are all looking,
it suddenly disappears and is lost for ever.

There is no stone to mark her last
resting-place ; for who is there that can
name it? She is now penetrating the
mysteries of the deep — that deep, the home
of the whale, the shark, and other monsters.

There is no spot in a peaceful cemetery
where those left behind can go and place
her favourite flower, and contem^^lating the
stone, feel that she is but asleep there
under the shade of that willow tree. We
know that she is there, and not lost altogether.

The next day the gloom occasioned by
the funeral had passed away ; and with
those Avho Avere not immediately relations
or friends of the deceased the incident was
forgotten. The sea was calm, as though con-

The Mysterious Stranger.

tented and satisfied with the sacrifice it had
demanded, the sun shining, and whales
were continually showing theinselves all
round the vessel, gliding swiftly along and
throwing up fountains. How mnjestic these
monarchs of the deep look, traversing their
wide domain !

" Look, there is another, going in an opposite
direction to us. See it? about four miles off,
isn't it, captain ? "

'^ Yes, there it is. Wait, it will come up
again and you will see the fountain. !Now
look ; there it goes ; see his, or })art of his,
enormous body. There's the fountain. Looks
like one at Trafalgar square."

The glass had fallen to 32 ^ a sure sign
that icebero's were not far off. Evervone
kept placing up their glasses, and scanning
the ocean for icebergs. Before the day had
past, they had seen se\'eral ; one, three

The Mysterious Stramjer,

miles lono-, that in the distance looked like
Westminster Abbey covered with snow.
Then there Avas a fog off the banks, always
a most anxious time with the captain and
a very disagreeable one for everybody. That
fo": horn is enouc^h to drive one mad. It is
SO persevering, too, won't leave off* even at
bedtime. All and evervthino: is news for
the hidies' diaries ; so there is a welcome,
if only a half-hearted one, accorded this or
these two hends.

A ship ! a ship ! What excitement it
causes to pass a ship close by.

"What are they doing with those flags?"
ladies enipiii'e, watching the sailors hurriedly
signalling. Handkerchiefs, sticks, books, hats,
hands, caps, wave, as the people on each
vessel cheer.

The sixth day oft* Rimouski, a tender
from another world comes for the mail bair.

The Mysterious Stramjer.

With what eagerness all these British people
stare at this example of the new life before
them. They are in the lovely St. Lawrence,
the empress of rivers, the beauty of which,
once seen, is never to be forgotten.

Raymond was talking to a C'an.'ulian, and
leaninti^ over the side of the vessel admirins:
the sublime mountain scenerv.

4/'

" How weird and grand tlie mountains
look," Raymond said. " I feel I should like to
land ' right here ' in their midst. I can
imao^ine a fellow encounterinii' the strano-est
adventures, and meeting with the most
mysterious and unheard of caAOs and imps,
demons and witches, as he wandered for
years from mountain to mountain."

A gentleman who had been very quiet
during the voyage came up to ynw them in
their praise of the scenery. After expatiat-
ing upon the beauties of the St. Lawrence,

The Mysterious Stranger.

he very kindly ^^i\\(^ them some advice that
was to carry them through Canada with
success.

'' I tell you Avliat it is," he said. " You
must praise everythin<j^ up in this country
to the Canadians ; they like it."

He had made an ludiappy selection when
cominii' to these two — one a Canadian.

Praise must be sincere, or it is not accept-
able.

He was known as the diplomatic old Scotch
gentleman after that.

It was a Saturday night ; the rain Avas
fallini]^ through a thick foggy atmosphere, a
very rare occurrence in this part of Canada,
so most of the passengers were in the draAving

room, snio'ino:.

7 ~ ~

Renshaw, a young Englishman going out
to farm, Avho had been pi'owling about the
deck all the evening in top boots, wideawake

Tlie Mysti'rious StraiKjer.

hat, flfinnel shirt, with a revolver and bush-
man's friend strapped round his waist, and
enveloped in a thick long overcoat, opened
the door and cried amidst a storm of pi'otests
against his standing there with the door open.

" This is our landing place. Didn't you
hear the rockets go off ? We are at Quebec."

" Never mind, shut the door ! " was sliouted
by all of them as two cushions were whizzing
through the air in the direction of Kenshaw's
head.

Kenshaw was too (juick. Tlie cushions
banged up against the closed dooi* and fell to
the ground.

No one left the room, they were all sorry
that the end had come, and were determined
not to break up this pleasant gathering until
obliged.

After a while the doctor came and inform-
ed them that they were at the landing stage,

but

The }[ystevioHs Stnnit/cr.

but that it beiu<; so late and such au un-
pleasant night the passengers need not go
ashore until 9 o'cloek to-morrow niornino^.
Many engagements Avere then made foi* earlv
walks on deck. The next morning by seven,
several Avere walking up and down admiring
the lovely scenery and regarding Avith the
greatest interest possible the Avhole of their
novel surroundings.

" Perhaps Ave shall never meet again."
''This may be the last time Ave meet."
" [ hope this is not out last meeting."
" I Avisli Ave Ave re to be in this vessel for
ever. I can't bear the idea of perhaps never
seeino' you again."

" Although in the same country, yet Ave
shall be tAvo thousand miles apart. Why, it
almost drives me to despair."

''You Avon't forii'et me altoi»:ether, Avill a'ou? '
" I hope you aa411 think of me sometimes."

The Mystcriinis Stranraer.

" May I write to you ? "

" Will you write to ino ? "

" If you ever come to Ottawa, I shall be
pleased to see you."

" I have enjoyed the voyage very much."

" So have I. I little thou^i'ht, when I saw
you in St. Paul's, that I sliould ever have the
pleasure— the honour of addressin<'' you.
How strange we should have met I "

These and a thousand other little speeches,
all prompted by the same soiu'ce, might have
been heard by a "little bird" this May
mornin<>: on the S S. " Parisian."

By a.m. the passengers had all left the
good ship " Parisian" and set foot upon the soil
of America : their home ; for such it was to
be for many of them.

'ilie hrst excitement was to pass the
custom house oiticers.

What a tunudt there was ! for nearlv everv

TJie }fyst('rii>us Sfnn}(/t'r,

the
soil

3 to

the

one wjis <j^<)iu<i: West l)y the trniii that was to
start within a (quarter ol' an hour.

Now that these people, who had heen as
one family for the past ei<i'lit days, had lauded
in this country — this country of '* Dunpiijicent
(Iisf((nct's "' — a country that has cities distant
from each other over three thousnnd miles —
they were within a few hours to he separated
and scattered all over this ulorious
Dominion.

The " helle " of the ship was ,^oinp; to
Ottawa. Five or six fellows were cai'rying
her l)aii*o^a<>-e to the depot. She was to be
lost sio'ht of to most of them. On her arriv-
in<j: at Ottawa, I have no doubt but that she
had waiting' ibr her as many, if not more,
willing slaves to obey her every gesture.

Kavniond had decided to go to Montreal
with Howell, Avho was joining the statl' of a
hank there.

Tin' }fysf(>n'of(s Sfrnnfjer,

It sounded vow straiifi^o to these two
Englishmen to hear the bells on the locomo-
tives.

" It puts one in mind of Sunday to heai*
those ])olls <j:oin<r," said Howell.

They both went into a store to buy a paper
before j^ettinn' on the cars.

'' rive cents for this little paper ? Why,
we can i^et a better one in En^jland for a
ha'penny."

" I <>-uess the train's off ; the bell's ringing,"
said the boss of the shantv.

Thev dashed out of the store and o^ot on to
the last car.

" Papers are very dear in this country,"
Raymond said, addressing liompton, a Mon-
treal er.

" Why ? "

" Well, a paper like this would only be a
ha'penny in the old country. "

The Myskrious Strnn<j('r.

IJ3

tAV'O

)coino-
) hear
paper

Why,

for a

on to
Mon-

" Well, that's all it is here. A cent is the
same value."

" Yes, but we paid five cents apiece," said
Howell.

"The jirice is only a cent. I'll show you
if vou allow me," leanin<' forward and takin*;
the paper ; '' thank you. There you are,
' one cent,' " pointin^i; to the top right hand
corner of the outside sheet.

This, their lirst business transaction in the
land of independence, filled them with ideas
that all their future ones were to be on
a par.

Time was, however, destined to prove the
fallaciousness of these impressions. The
journey proved a very pleasant one. A dining
car, a smoking car and every convenience of a
large hotel are to be found while speeding
througli the country from thirty to sixty miles
an hoin\ Then it is so plea, ant to be able to

Tlie Mysterious Stranger,

wtilk throu<»h the cars, sometimes going the
whole length of the train to pay a visit.

How strangely different the country looks,
with its snake fences, burnt stumps of trees
and the brownish tint of the grass and trees !
After England it wears a rather dried up
appearance.

On arriving at ^Montreal, Raymond and
Howell 23ut up at the " Windsor," an hotel
that any city in the "old world" would be
proud of. Montreal is a grand old city with
about 200,()()0 inhabitants. The view from
Mount Royal is one never to be forgotten.
Montreal lies below, covering about four miles
in length and two in breadth. Trees abound
everywliere, mingling with the houses, which
are mostly of red brick, thus forming a most
pleasing and picturesque addition to the
magnificent view.

The next day they spent in admiring the

The }fi/sferioiis Stranger,

sights of the city. Passing through several
squares, Avhere fountains were playing, they
ciune to " Notre Dame Cathedral."

" It is very beautiful," whispered Howell as
they stood inside.

" I would prefer the word gorgeous," said
Raymond, quietly ; " it is very rich in colour-
ing and decoration of all kinds, but too
suggestive of the Alhambra, Leicester Square,
for me to feel that reverence that I should
^v]\en in an old cathedral like this. I am sure
that if a service were going on, I should be
thinking of ballets instead of the sacred
precepts of the church."

" Same with me, Raymond. I always enjoy
going to Westminster Abbey. The dim
religious light, the sombre aspect of the
building, mellowed by age, and the hallowed,
solemn sanctity pervading it, forbid an
irreverent thouo^ht arisini]^."

The Mysterious Stranger.

As we are now in America, dear reader, I

shall use words as thev are used there. You

will have noticed that on our arrival at
Quebec words were used there incidental to
the country.

They paid their (juarters and stepjiing into
the elevator Avcnt up to the belfry.

A lift in a churcli tower ! It would seem in-
compatible in Enuland Avatli the sanctity of the
building. But here they nre more practical.

Standinii' in the belfrv overlookin<j: the citv,
they noticed a man running towards a gate
leading into a S(piare ; a Avoman appeared
chasing him. When the man had run half
way across the stpiare, she extended her arm.
Shots Avere lieard ; she liad fired five bullets-
at him from a re\'ol\'er, and then fallen down
fainting. The man still kept on i-unning; the
bullets had but passed through the tails of his
coat.

The Mysterious Stranger,

This incident suggested a free use of fire-
arms to these two Englishmen. They began
to fear that they would have to live in
Montreal without ever being able to indulge
in the least frivolity with its belles.

Howell was appointed to a post in the bank
the follo"\ving day ; so they wandered round
the city in (juest of I'ooms and found a
i comfortable boarding house on Victoria Street,
off Sherbrook. Mr. Smith, the landlord, is an
Endishman. The mere fact of his bein<;
Enii'lish was a letter of recommendation to
them.

Xo one but strangers in a country know

how deliu^htful it is to meet someone from

I their native place. Enemies at home become

friends as soon as they meet in a strange

country.

is no use a man saying that he is English,
if lie is not, in America ; you can always tell.

lite Mysterious Stranrjer,

Howell did not like the custom of taking
lunch to the otiice. Bank clerks in Canada do
it though. A rather unpleasant change from
the practice of going out to lunch in the old
country.

They both made many friends ; but before
they had been in Montreal long, Raymond had
learnt that the proverb "go West" was
observed here.

Howell was already hon^e sick. I suppose
he must have been in love ; for how could anv
fellow reconcile himself to livino- in a country
thousands of miles away from the home and
associations of his lady love ?

Howell refused to be interested in anythinir
in Montreal. He seemed unable to admii'e the
beauties here — scenery or otherwise.

Montreal is an old city, and just as settled
and regular in its daily life as other old cities.
One day is much about the same as another

The Mysterious Stranger.

takini:
ada do
e from
he old

before

iid had

was

upposc
ihl any
ountrv
lie and

ythinn
lire the

settled
citie?.
.nothcr

there. You go for a walk across the fields to-
day, and a week after you can go across the
same screen fields.

Not so out West sometimes. There the field
of to-day may be the city of next week.

Howell was very discontented; he was
working hard at the bank and the system was
altogether different. Besides, that lunch
business !

He had hung a map of the British Isles on
the wall at the foot of his bed.

Lying and contemplating it during most of
his spare time, he would exclaim, " My only
consolation ! my only consolation ! I know
there is such a place."

Raymond used to spend most of his time up
the " Mountain." A more delightful retreat
from the excessive heat of the city it would be
difficult to imagine.

There is but one obstacle up there that

100

The Mysterious Stranger.

mars the enjoyment of otherwise perfect
repose, and that is the presence of mosquitoes
in all the most secluded and shady nooks.
They are a pest, especially to those just out
from the old country.

CHAPTER VII.

"For me, when I forget the darling tlieme,
Whether the blossom blows, ti^e Summer ray
Eussets the plain, inspiring Autumn gleams,
Or Winter rises in the black'ning east.
Be my tongue mute, may fancy paint no more.
And dead to joy, forget my heart to beat."

** To everything there is a season, and a time to every
pm-pose under the heaven."

J^RO^I the 1st of Januaiy to the
31st of December of each year,
hfe in Toronto has its ever-
flowing fountain of enjoyment to drink at.

The winter has its dances, tobogganing,
ice-boating, sleighing, snow-shoeing, ciu'hng,
progressive euchre, drive whist, and the
comfort every house possesses with its stoves.

102

The Mysterious Stranger.

The spring brings its walks and rides.

The summer is the boatman's friend. Tho
lake then is alive with yachts, canoes, skills,
passenger steamers, large two and three
masted merchantmen, and every description
of craft. It is the nurse of Ilanlon and
O'Connor. These two names are well known
all over the world. There ai'e many
amateurs, too, here who could give a good
account of themselves anywhere.

The autumn or fall, as it is called in
this country, has its tints — tints not to be
surpassed in any part of the world. A
walk or a ride is then perfect. The Indian
summer is peculiar to this quarter of the
world, and generally lasts a few days in
the fall, commencing" about the l3e<:innin(r
of November. There is a genial warmth in
the atmosphere. The sky keeps a deep red
colour, much as one sees at times during

an
woul<
rcirioi
liud
seem
red h
Kal
flnv
bank,
boardl
'' Roy
styled

:\in

She V

(lent,

and {

espcci

witli

tion,

bv tl

The Mysterious Stranger,

103

an autumnal sun-set in En(^4aiid. One
would ima<!;ine themselves to be livin<j^ in a
reijion wliere the harmony of the elements
had never been broken. The very leaves
seem to reflect the colour of the sky, and a
red haziness prevails everywhere.

Raymond had, after bein^z; in Toronto a
few Aveeks, obtained an appointment in a
1)ank, and was livin<>: at ^Irs. Ireland's
boai'dinii: house, known in the directory as
''Royal ^lont Lod^i^e," but more familiarly
stvled the " dude boardin<i; house."

Mrs. Ireland was the very ideal landlady.
She was a tall, commandin_i]f fii>ure ; indepen-
dent, thouo-h always polite ; fond of a joke
and a li^ame of whist ; proud of Canada,
especially Toronto ; able to freeze a person
witli a look' — this she could do Avith pei'fec-
tion, for in the midst of a lauuh, occasioned
bv the wit of one boarder, she could draw

104

The ^fyster{om Stranger.

herself up with a (iuoenly f!:race and at
once discourage any attemjit on the part of
another boarder to create a hiii<di bv induWinjr
in some disparaging remarks about a place
or people that might prove unpleasant for
anyone in the room.

Music, dancing, reading, cards, flirtation,
smokin"^ and chattinof — all had their votaries
here. One never need be dull when at home.

It was very pleasant in the summer
evenings to sit on the verandah or to recline
in a hammock in the garden.

So many countries had their representa-
tives, too : England, Ireland, Scotland, the
United States, north and away south, and
from vai'ious parts of Canada.

Not one of each, but several, thus afford-
ing each an opportunity to " talk their own
part of the world " exclusively at times.

One has to live out of their native country

The Mysterioffs Sfraih/er.

105

to know what a pleasure meeting and talking
with a fellow-countryman means.

What a thrill of enjoyment is experienced
each time one or other uses the old familiar
terms or mentions the name of a place
known to both !

*'Do you know Hampstead Heath?"

" Why, I lived there two years."

" Did you ? Then you know ^ Jack Straw's
Castle ' and the ' Vale of Health ' ? "

" I should think so ! and the ' Spaniards '
too."

"Been to Hastings, Brighton, Scar])orough,
Margate, Ramsgato, Yarmouth, Broadstairs,
Isle of Wight?"

The evening soon passes away as they
compare notes in this city about places and
people they both are acquainted with in
a country over three thousand miles distant.

Raymond had drunk freely of all the

106

TJte Mysterious Straiiijer,

waters flowing from the fountains of enjoy-
ment in Toronto. He be;jjan to feel that
the incidents of his former life were but
ancient history — history he Hked to reflect
over sometimes, as a sort of pastime, when
in tlie soHtude of his room ; but always
feelin<i; tluit it referred to a jiart that could
not possibly atl'ect his present future.

He had been livinu" in Toronto a year,
and had not heard i'rom Rowena. At first
it pained him very much, but as time
rolled on, brin<2:inu- with it ever new and
pleasant associations, he learned to partially
forget his trouble.

An occasional cruise on the " Trivet "
would help one to forget anything.

Could a jollier, more genial, gentlemanly
set of fellows be found on any yacht ?

It . would fill a book to enumerate one
half of the dry, witty sayings of TofFatt on

The Mj/sferious Sfrafi(jcr.

107

a sin<^le trip. He was the source of the
funny sayings.

Drinks, all kinds of drinks, especially
" Walker s Club"; the mornin<:^ plun<j^e, the
cozy cabin with its pastime — all not to be
beaten.

Drill, too, occupied a deal of spare time.
The " 2nd Battalion (Jueen's Own Rifles of
Canada" is as efficient and smart a rifle vol-
unteer battalion as one would meet with any-
where. The only other rifle volunteer corps I
consider to be compared Avith them are the
" London Rifle Brio-ade," the " London
Scottish," the ''Victorias" (''Vies."), of
Montreal, "The Artists," the "3rd Middlesex,"
and the " 2nd Volunteer battalion Royal
Fusiliers." Raymond, of course, joined them,
and felt proud to belong to so fine a ])attalion'

Time sped away only too quickly. Who
that has lived in Toronto but can say the

108

TJie Mysterious Stranger.

same? How pleasant a walk on King or
Yonge ; or a ramble through Queen's Park !
a magnificent park of natural beauty.

When the leaves are falling and the clay
is waning, and the lamplighter is going his
rounds, how soothing; a walk alono^ Colleo^e
Avenue is !

To-day Raymond had been instructed to
join the staff of London branch, where he
would go to-moi'row. He had heard from
several bank-clerks, who had been stationed
there, that it was a pretty place, but that
there was little or no Ijoating to speak of.
There was an infantry battalion though, the
" 7th Fusiliers." This was a great source of
satisftiction to him, for he would join the
regiment. There were unsurpassed la"\vn
tennis grounds, and a capital hotel, the
" Tecumseh."

CHAPTER VIII.

" The more nny one speaks of himself,
The less he likes to hear anothrr talked of."

^"r^^AYMOXD h{id settled down to

London life, and found time go
pleasantly.

London, the " Forest City," has its Thames,
Westminster, South Kensington, Oxford Street,
Piccadilly, Pall ^lall, Blackfriars Bridge,

Westminster Bridge, Lambeth, Hyde Park,
Cheapside, St. Paul's Cathedral and West-
minster Abbey. This AVestminster Abbey
is strjmgely different to the venerable one in
England. LTcre, in London, Ontario, our
material, spiritual, and beeri/ "wants are satis-

Tlie Mysterious Stranger,

fieri' at the abbey on the payment of a few
cents. You need not take your hat off either
on entering, and if " Scott Act " is not in
force there, you can drink " Presbyterian
wine" — I mean whisky — beer, &c., in any
part of the building.

The streets are very wide, and trees and
boulevards abound everywhere. " Queen's
Avenue," " DufFerin Avenue " and " London
South " have some exceedingly pretty houses.

An absence of fences and walls characterises
the whole place.

As a great number of the houses stand in
their own g 'ounds, and these grounds are
beautifully kept, a walk is rendered a pleasur-
able undertaking, even on the hottest day.
llie trees, nearly all maple — the beautiful
maple, the emblem of Canada, as the brave
oak is of England, the pretty shamrock of
Ireland, and the sturdy thistle of Scotland —

The Mysterious Stranger.

Ill

aftbrd shelter from the sun, while tlie
grass and flowers delight the eye Avherever
it wanders.

There are three principal boarding houses
in London, viz., " Haskett's," " Hell," and
" Humpidge's " — the last two on Queen's
Avenue.

The second named one was originally a
church, then a skating rink, and now a
boarding house.

A certain Very Rev. Dean is attributed
with the responsibility of its present name.

The buildinij is a lar^e red brick structure,
not the dai'k red usually met with in bricks,
but a bright flaming red — a truly startling
colour.

On its being opened as a boarding house
several of London's bank clerks decided to
reside there. This was suflicient to stamp it
as a fashionable boai'ding house ; and being

112

The Ali/sterious Stranger.

fashionable it was of course a subject of
fashionable conversation.

The stoiy goes that this Very Rev. Dean
exclaimed as he sauntered along Queen's
Avenue with a bank clerk, a resident of this
new house :

" Well, what are you going to call your
house? Blazes, I think, would be a good
name. It is red enough."

At dinner that night it was decided to call
it " Hades." So Hades it is called when re-
ferring to it in the presence of ladies,

but siniply plain, unvarnished " H 1" at

other times.

Yet another tale of a bank clerk.

A fellow Avas ordered to London, and on
his arriving there and enquiring for a board-
ing house, he was told to go to "H 1."

It so surprised him in meeting with the
same reply from three London bank officers

The Mysterious Stranger,

113

in succession that he decided to write to a
Toronto society paper and expose the un-
gentlemanly behaviour of the London men.
The letter sealed and despatched was to be
a far more severe punishment than any other
he could possibly think of. What an ex-
posure ! How the London men would regret
ever havinof for^^otten themselves to such
ar extent ! All Canada should know how
ill-mannered and devoid of the least kindly
feeling they were.

Ere it had been posted five minutes he
hid solved the reason of the replies, and was
rrow anxious to stop the publication of his
letter. Another long letter, stating how he
had been mistaken ; that if the house had been
'ailed by any other name such a mistake as he
lad made could not possibly have occurred,
and excusing himself for his too hasty judg-
ment.

114

The Mysterious Stranger,

The incident was published as a joke,
something after this style : —

Gentlemen arriving in the " Forest City "
and enquiring for boarding houses are politely
told to go to " H 1," that being, we under-
stand, one of the best places in London.

Raymond tells an anecdote that ought
have been published as a joke. Here it is :-

It was Wednesday, the Argyle's day. /:
the beauty and chivalry of London we
calling. Raymond had joined in a con vers
tion about skating. Miss Argyle, who kne
the old country well, said that she ha
skated there in the winter and enjoyed .
much.

" Have you ever seen them skating ?
Hampstead or Highgate, Miss Argyle ? " Ray-
mond asked.

" Yes, I've skated there. But it is so
crowded always."

The Mysterious Stranger,

115

"There is very enjoyable skating in Lord
Mansfield's grounds at Highgate. The Chol-
mondeley boys and several families in Highgate
oro there. Policemen are stationed to keep
the crowd out, so it keeps it select," Raymond
said, conjuring up in his imagination the most
pjeasing recollections of Chinese lanterns,
eynooth ice, and the absence of " Remember
an^e sweeper, sir."

ill- Widdle, a young Englishman of about
fecueteen summers, with an air of swelldom

lat some few young Englishmen are apt to
h.ssume in the colonies, asked,
M " Have you — ah evah — r skated at the
j lef elsh Harp ? It is so — ah very select, you
Ihiiiow. One has to subscwibe about five
jcfuineas — ah for the season, you know! I
Ijused to —ah skate there a gwate deal."

It was difficult for Raymond to look serious,
remembering Iiow every Tom, Dick and

116

The Mysterious Stranger.

Harry were entitled to join the crowd on the
ice there by paying their shilling.

Widdle's exaggeration should be pardoned,
for his recollections of skating at the Welsh
Harp must date back from when he was
about twelve years old, he having been in
Canada, I believe, about six years when lie
told the story.

Have you ever, my dear reader, had the
misfortune to meet a person such as I will
describe ? — a man who feels sure that whatever
he does or says is of the utmost importance,
and bound to interest the community at
large.

There are always, as it were, heralds sent
in advance to proclaim in the midst of a
flourish of trumpets what it is the pleasure
of this potentate to do. And when the
populace are gathered together to watch this
great man put on his boots, take a dose of

The Mysterious Stranger,

117

cod liver oil, or even look at his watch, or
start out for a ten mile walk that will resolve
itself into one of two miles, attention is
called, and a command is sounded, calling
upon every one present to divest themselves
of all thoughts or business that are not
immediately connected with him.

"I, John Jones, will ea'^ a potato," he
proclaims in a loud voice to the honoured
people who are so far favoured to be in the
same city with him. The rest of the world
will of course know what he said in due
course, for in these days of telegraphs there
is no reason why the sayings and doings of
so great a man should not be read by all
nations the day after their occurrence. What
a proud recollection for the bystanders in
after life ! Think of the pride with which
the descendants of those honoured few who
were privileged to see John — not King John,

118

The Mysterious Stramjer,

but the great John — eat a potato, will relate,
when talking of the proud memoirs of their
ancestors, this historic;al and important event.
Surely it will be handed down from generation
to generation. Time cannot detract one iota
of glory from such an event.

" Queen Victoria pinned the Victoria Cross
on my father s breast," I fancy I hear some
young man saying.

Several have related how honours have
been accorded their respective families, but
among this party of young men is a nephew
of one of the select few who had been present
when John, not King John, but the great
John — John Jones ate a potato, or it might
have been that he took a liver pill or some
cough mixture.

This yoimg man's uncle had not only seen
him eat, but had on more than one occasion
actually shaken hands and had a drink or

The Mysterious Stran(/er,

119

drinks with him. This was indeed a proud
boast for the family.

Who and what is this great John? Well,
I hardly know ; but a few per)ple in London,
Ontario, Avould remember, 1 fancy.

CHAPTER IX.

** Not all the sights your boasted garden yields
Are half bo lovely aa my father's fields,
Where large inerease has blessed the fruitful plain,
And we with joy behold the swelling grain,
Whose heavy ears, toward the earth reclined,
Wave not and tremble to the whisking wind."

jOU had a new man at your place
to-day," Raymond said, address-
intr Jackson, a clerk in the Bank
of Coinnierc'o.

" What's his name, and where does he
come from?" said a B.B.N. A. man.

"One of these fellows who came out to
farm."

" Poor devil ! Been long at it ? "

?•

The Mystei'lous StraiKjer,

121

" About a year. Complains that there was
no sport, and that his only recreation was to
jro to the Methodist church."

"It's real fun to hear him tell about the
first farm, the second, and ri^^ht up to the
sixth he was on."

"I suppose he came well armed," said
King laughingly, remembering what a wild
life he had pictured he would lead out here,
when he left the old country to farm in
Canada. He was now in a bank.

" Yes ; why, he had enough weapons to
supply a small army. He has sold most of
them."

" His name ? " inijuired Raymond.

" Renshaw ! "

" Renshaw ! By Jove ! I crossed over Avith
him. Brinii' him here by all means."

" Yes, bring him here to the ' Saints' Rest.'
I warrant the first dinner will surprise him,"

122

The Afysterious Stranger.

Row said — a tall, jolly Cfinaclian, who had
been nearly all over the Dominion and was
now in a bank.

" We'll take him down to Jerry's and give
him some of that extra special and oysters,"
said Thomas, another Canadian, who could
be as noisy and jolly as it is possible to be, at
times, while sometimes he Avas as grave and
sober as a judge.

" I guess you've been there already,
Thom," said Jackson, winking across the
table.

" Yes, vou bet ! " chorused the rest of the
boys.

'' How many bottles of that Carling's old
stout have you had, Thomas, this after-
noon r

Thomas, assuming the air of a semi-drunken
man, declared that he had drunk three
quarts.

The Mysterious Strancjer,

123

" More likely just smelt a cork," Ray said,
knowino' Thomas' inclination to exajrirerate
his feats of drinking.

" I guess that's about it," the rest said,
laughing and speaking simultaneously.

"Are you going to the Tyler's to-night,
Raymond," asked Ray, who, like Vincent,
was fond of <ro\\m out.

"Yes, vou bet! It's to be one of the
biggest parties this year. British, you're
going, I suppose ? " said Vincent.

" Yes, I wouldn't miss it. ^Irs. Tyler is
such a charming hostess, and there are sure
to be so many there that it Avould be a sin
not to go."

" You fellows ouirht to go to-ni^-ht " said
Ray, addressing two Avho had received
invitations, but who ne\-er cared to meet
people, and thought dancing a fraud ; " there
will be a splendid supper, the best rye, the

124

The Mysterious Stranger.

finest cigars, apollinaris ad libitum, and rooms
devoted to cards."

" You'd better go," added Raymond.

" No, it's too fine a night to miss. The
tobogganing will be perfe We shall call
on their day, and regret that we were unable
to come last Thursday night."

CHAPTER X.

'* The music, and the banquet, and the wine —
The garlands, the rose-odours, and the flowers —
The sparkling ejes, and flashing ornaments —
The white arms and the raven hair — the braids
And bracelets ; swan-like bosoms, and the necklace,
An India in itself, yet dazzling not
The eye like wliat it circled ; the thin robes,
Floating like light clouds 'twixt our gaze and heaven ;
The many-twinkling feet so small and sylph like.
Suggesting the more secret symmetry
Of the fair forms which terminate so well —
All the delusion of the dizzy scene.
Its false and true enchantments —
Art and Nature."

^ [TSu ^ ^ P-^'^^- t'^G reception room at

^ .:»^^^ i.) IVTrt: I \'^loi'\i +liici '^rimrcrlox.'- nirrlif

Mrs. Tyler's, tliis Thursday night,
towards the end of the London,
Ontario, season, was crowded with guests, who
were continually arriving. Nearly all London

126

Tlie Mysterious Stranger.

were there. Most of the guests had met
before, so the pleasurable task of filling the
programmes was easily accomplished. A few
ladies, friends from one or two other cities,
were unknoAvn to some of the London men ;
but Mrs. Tyler soon made these, until then
comparatively unfortunate men, happy by
introductions.

Renshaw, wlio was now quite a society
man, and who had changed his jDre-conceived
ideas about Canadian life very much since
his landing in this country, was in his
element.

He is one of those fellows who, when in
the society of ladies, feels supremely happy.
He considers them all charming ; and when
waltzing with one, or in the conservatory
with another, or having supper with another,
he feels, for the time being, a delicious sense
of love — love that would make him ready

The Mysterious Stranger.

127

to lay down his life, if in so doinpr it would
help to smootli the path, even if only for a
minute, for the chai'mer wlioni he happens
to be with. This is not a source of discom-
fort to him, for he ever remains faitliful and
loyal to the last one. As he ij^enerallv meets
several ladies in a dav, he accustoms himself
to induh»e in this sense of love much as some
indulge in repeated doses of opium.

It was a chi\alrous esteem, though a
dreamy love ; a de\'otion such as others only
feel when kneeling at the shrine of a holy
saint, that he had for i\\c ^x. A tear in
a girl's eye, or a word or deed cak^ulated to
pain or annoy her, said or done in his
presence by a man or boy, would arouse such
an interest within him that he Avould bum
to avenge the insult or discover the way to
rcmo^-e the cause of the tear.

I have wandered away in thoudit from

128

Tlie Mifstevmis Stranger.

the party. But it is the party that causes
IJenshaw to be in love at least twenty times
to-night.

Raymond had wandered into the conserva-
tory .'^^.d was sittinij;' on a couch, screened
from vie-vv by the lea^'es of palm trees and
other tropical plants, Avnth Miss Hully.

It ^vr- .vbout twelve o'clock, and although
twenty lcIjw zero outside, yet it felt very
\' arm 'n the ^"'K'inii' room. Here it was
cool, not coid, '.u ii»y.t cool enough to be
pleasant A lady could sit here all the
evening without being comj)elled to put on
her wrap.

The soft coloured light, too, was such a
relief after the glare of tlie dancing room.

" What a dcliiihtful dance ! I think it one
of the best this year."

" Yes, there was only one other to compare
with it, and that was the Lyman's," said

TJie ^Fysfe^iom Strnmier.

129

Vincent, half turning his head and looking
into her face. '' But they didn't have a place
like this to rest in. I think this place now
positively enchanting."

"Do you like Canada now, Mr. Raymond?"

'* Yes, very nuich."

'' You are not so anxious to go home now
as you -were V "

" Xo, I should feel very sorry to leave."

"Do you like our climate?"

" Yes, although I think the summer too
hot. But the winter to me seems perfect.
A cloudless skv ; the briii'lit sun makiu"' the
snow sparkle like diamonds ; a crisp, clear,
bracing atmosphere that puts new life into
you at everv breatli ; the snow creaks, and
planks snai) in a (luick, inviiroratinin^ manner

in I'esponse to every footfall ; the slei<:h l)ells
jingle, and the tuques and Ijlanket cloaks of
the' ladies add picturcscpieness to this winter

130

The Mysteiv'oHS Stran(/er,

scene. As n rule, winter in the old
country is very wintry indeed. The trees
are bare : the sky leaden, and mH nature
seems dead. But here every thin<>- appears
to me to suggest life. Nature wears a thick
robe of sparkling diamonds ; eveiyone you
meet has a glow of health on their cheeks,
and walks with a quick step. The boys and
girls are running after and jumping on to
sleiohs, while others are coastin*:^ or beina'
rushed over the snow on sleds drawn by dogs.
All is animation. Pardon, I fear I must be
tiring you."

"Xot at all. I like to hear you speak so
enthusiastically of our country. Do you
like Canada better than England ? "

" I like Canada immensely ; but I have ii
loN'e for England, especially now that I am
out of it, that, of course, I coidd never have
for any other country, no matter how fine a

The Mysterious Stranger,

131

place. You, no doubt, would alw.ays prefer
Canada, it being your native place."

" Yes, I guess I'd rather live here. The
houses are more comfortable. Your bed
rooms are always so cold, and so are the halls
and staircases. Then the people are stiiF
and don't go in for such ' good times ' as we
do. But the peaceful villages, the old
churches, the green fields, the hedges, the
traditions, and the historical buildings, ruins,
&c., of England are what I miss here."

" Canada has traditions to be proud of ;
but, of course, the traditions, the buildings
and everything else here are of so recent
a date," Raymond said, warming to the
subject. " I remember reading somewhere
in a book — I forget the name of the book —
but it was an interesting one about Canada : —
' Here are no historical associations, no W-
endary tales of those who came before us.

132

The Mysterious Stranger.

Fancy would starve for lack of marvellous
food to keep her alive in the backwoods.
We have neither fay nor fairy, a'host nor
bogle, satyr nor wood nyin})h ; our verv
forests disdain to shelter dl\^'ad or hamadryad.
No naitul haunts the rushy mar<»-in of our
lakes, or hallows with her |)resence our forest-
rills. Xo Druid chums our oaks, and instead
of hovering witli mysterious aAve among our
curious limestone rocks, that are often singu-
larly grouped together, Ave refer them to the
tT^eoloii'ist to exercise his skill in accountiuij:
for their appearance ; instead of investing
them with the solemn characters of ancient
temples or heathen altars, we look upon thcin
with the curious eye of natural philosophy
alone. There is no scope for the imagination ;
here all is new — the very soil seems newly
formed ; there is no hoar\ ancient urandcur
in these woods ; no recollection of former

7 he Mysterious Stniinj/er.

133

deeds connected with tlie country. The
Iiidijins appeal to the inia<j^i nation, but they
lack the warhke character and intelHjxence
that I had pictured to myself they would
possess.' "

" That must have been written by someone
from the old coiuitry. But it is \'ery true,
antl I ha\'e often heard old country people
speak in a similar strain upon this want of
(lata to feast the imaoination upon. When
are you comint;- to see us, Mr. 1 Raymond?
Any ^Yednesday evenino', you know."

" Thanks very much ; 111 come next
Wednesday. I was comin<>- last week, but
had to stav at the bank for ' return.' I hope
vou will reserve as mucli of the evenino; as
you possibly can to me. It is very <;-reedy
of me ; but you have told me so little of
your trip to Europe that I feel, unless I
get you to promise me this, that I shall never

134

The Mysterious StriDujer,

hear a])out it. Wliy, the second dance over !
Here comes Mr. Rensliuw, he's your partner
for the next, lucky fellow ! Will you
promise to let nie take you down the slide
Tuesday night, Miss Hully, say twice ? "
Kaymond pleaded, getting' up to reliuipiisli
her to Kenshaw.

" Yes, if you promise not to upset me."

" I promise."

CHAPTER XL

" Bi'iglit and so bciiutil'iil was that fair night,
It might havt' calniM the gay amidst their mirth,
And given the wretched a delight in tears."

[^^HK moon is a briixlit bluish pale
yellow, shoddin^^ u soft, pojiceful,
silvery li<i:lit o'er the suow-chid
vicv niid the surroiindiii<i; country.

The many electric li^^hts, that at other
times look so briuht, a])])ear dull and dim
to-uiglit in the presence of the dazzling
beauty of the mocm. They feel ashamed of
themsehes on account of the sai'castic
disparaging wjiy in Avhich people are talking,
ridiculin":, and lau<ihino; at their lustre as

136

llw Mysterious Straiujer,

compared to tlio imperijil, serene, enchantino
grandeur of the })lacid, all-pervading' lustre
of the moon. Thev look awkward, sillv, and
apolo<2:etical to-ni<i:lit, and keep ])linking-
under tlie satirical <raze of the citizens. For
fear of losin<»' the <T^oodAvill of these people
altogether, they keep renewing their efforts
to compete with the moon. They hiss and
hiss to call attention to Avhat they can do,
and, exerting all their energy, suddenly
hurst forth into a transient eifulgency.
The effort has been too great — they can't keep
it up ; they (piiver with nervous i)rostration,
and blink and bliidv, and gradually sul)side
again. But they are determined not to let
the moon have the night all to herstdf, so
keep renewing their futile efforts until
midnight, when they retire from the field
ignominiously defeated, but fully determined
to contest the suprenuic}' to-morrow night.

The Mysterious Sti'(i})ger.

137

The stars twinkle Avitli si radiancv uncheck-
ed by the least si<vn of vapour. The sky
is a clear dark blue, devoid of anv si^j^ns
of clouds. Th(^ earth, as far as the eye can
reach, is white and sparkliiis;* with crystalline
rcfulgency. Sound travels very rapidly
throu<>h the clear, crisp air, the temperature
of wdiich is twenty l^elow zero.

Men are drauuinii" tol)()<i<i:ans behind them,
as they wander sIoavIv aloni::, talkin<!; to
ladies, towards the to},^ of the slide. A noise,
as of trains in the disti

nice runnniir over

brid

o-OS,

is heard all the ti

toboii'oaiis with their hununi iVeiuiit keep
rushing down the chute. The people are
all dressed in blanket suits, tu(pies, mo(;casins,

aiK

1 mit^

It is a wintei's night 'n London, Ontario,
and nearly all London are merrilv tol^oguan-

niir.

188

The Mysterious Stranger,

The platform at the top of the slide is
filled with a crowd of people, all intent upon
placing their toboggans upon the chute to be
flashed half a mile in about twenty seconds
down a steep decline, illuminated by an
aveime of coloured lamps, then over the
snoAv-clad earth, bump ! bump ! bump ! and
across the river until checked by the snow.
AVhat fun ! what sport ! what merriment !
when they leave the chute and jump over
the rises in the ground until tliev reach the
river, or perhaps ca})size into a snowdrift,
or attempt to climb a tree that is near
tlieir course. Tlien conunences the walk
back. A linirerini'- kind of walk as a
rule, nearly all up liill. There is a little
decline ; throw tlie toboggan forAvard, jump
on, and down vou i»o. All the toboir<ranists
are warm, and the walk back is more like a
summer ramble, lasting i'rom fifteen to

The Mysterious Stranger.

139

thirty minutes. The climb up the steps
and the flash through the air keeps the
circulation going.

The manv coloured suits have a most
pleasing eftect. The whole forms a scene
that stamps the nationality of Canada.

I consider a Canadian costume the prettiest
national costume in the world. Tobogganing
ill most other countries could only be
artificial. Here it is real, and lasts three or
four months. ^len, sixtv years old, enjoy
tlie sport. It is no noyelty, but a recognised,
liealthy, enjoyal)le exercise.

"Good eveninsr, Miss Hully; may I liaye
tlie iileasure ? " liaymond sjiys.

''Thank you, next time. T am going
down with Captain \'ere this time."

"Ill wait here," he said, standing on the
roof of tlie tol^oii'o'an house, which forms the
tirst landing on the steps, liaymond

140

The Mysteriowi StraiKjcv.

watched them fly by, and then, atter about
a minute, wander slowly back.

" Thank you, Captain Vere," she said,
when they had reached the roof of the
toboggan house, and llaymond had come to
claim her.

" How far did you go that time ? "
Raymond asked.

" Past the buttress, over the bump, and
near tlie breakwater. It wns a splendid run.
You must steer to the left a little as soon as
you reach the river, and we shall go as
far, Mr. Raymond. It is the larthest to-
night."

" Thanks, I'll take your advice. Quito
sure there are no holes that wav. You heard
about tlie fun last night, I sup})ose. Several
went through. Mrs. Wheeler was wading in
the river up to her neck."

" Yes, Kthel told me ; she was on the

The Mysterious Straiicjer.

141

bridge and saw them go in. It was nothing
to laiiirh at thouirh. Five or six were sliot in.
It was too bad. Some people on the bridge
lauirhed every time as the toboijjrans came
dashing into the hole that the first one had
made."

" Wliich side do you prefer, Miss Ilully ? "
Raymond asked, holding the toboggan up,
and waiting to let it down on the chute.

'' I think the west is the smoother."

" So do 1," he said, placing the toboggan
on. "Do you hold the strap or cord?"

" The cord, thanks."

"Are you ready?"

" 1 es.

Raymond jumped on, and they are now
going at the rate of about sixty miles an hour.

" Just about the same i)lace, ]\lr. Ray-
mond," she said ; " there's the mark of
Captain Vere's toboggan."

142

The Mysterious Stranger.

" W^e escape that big bump by steering to
the left. It Avas a glorious run," Raymond
said, assisting: Lilian to her feet.

Then came the walk back. A stream of
men and Av^omen, some very young, others
young, and some old ; but all merry and
glowing Avith health and enjoyment

There goes Mr. Jarv'is, a bank manager:
he's about sixty years old. Hoav he enjoys
the sport ! Watch him jump on, and steer
those ladies doAvn the slide. Then look at
that stout, genial-looking gentleman ; there he
goes dragging his toboggan up the steps : that
is Mr McDonald, the druggist. I guess he's
about fifty-seven. There's Maud Jarvis,
she's about thirteen ; she'll go doAvn back-
Avards, or steer, in fact any Avay as long as she's
on a tobotT^o^an. The moccasined feet tread
silently over the snoAv-clad ground, ever
onAvards, toAvards the precipice, from the

The Mysterioiu Stranger.

143

summit of which, when reached, they liteniUy
throw themselves off.

Some, as they meander along, exchange
remarks that Avill provoke rippling laughter,
whicli Hoats through the air juid lends
enchantment to this purely Canadian scene.
Others talk so softly and silently that a
laugh or an audible — except to the person
addressed ~ answer would appear sacrilege.
Whisjiers and looks of love, I feel sure,
occur at limes.

Even in England — the cold, unapproach-
able Englisli(?) — I have heard that do'wn by
the sea shore, in the early morning or
during twilight, this kind of thing may
possil)ly happen. Some go so far as to say
that the waving corn of the country, the
hedges of the lanes, the balmy summer
breezes, the rays of the moon, the floating
^trains of a waltz, and the music of skates,

144

The Mysterious Stranger,

as tliev skim over ice, all conduce to make
the youn<j: people in England Avhisper sweet
soft words of lo\'c when so-and-so's hrother
is with the other fellow's sister. How ex-
tremely intei'esting it would prove if the corn,
the hedi>es, the summer hreezes, the moon, the
strains of waltzes and the music of running
skates were compelled to reve.al all the
secrets they have heen entrusted Avith !

'" Can I hope to take you down again
this evenin<j: ? " A^incent asked, as tliev
reached the foot of the steps the second
time.

"• Well, no, I'm afraid not, thank you,"
Lilian said, ^' for our chaperon says that
we must jT^o after iioin^ down twice more.
I have promised Mr. Renshaw and Mr.
Collar."

Archibald Collar is a clerk in the Bank
of Montreal. To be that in London, Ont.,

The Mysterious Stntnger.

14.5

is an honour that few young men, out of
that institution, have anv idea of the hi^h
and exalted position it means. The B. of
M. fellows know, however. It is a passpoii;
to all the best houses. And when the
otticers of that institution are pleased to
condescend to interest themselves in any
m()\ement in the citv, it is almost sure to
prove a social success.

This phenomenon is peculiar to London,
Out. It would be very painful to witness
the outraged feelings of one of these social
li(3ns, when he was removed to any other
part of Canada or the world, at finding
himself compelled to sink into comparative
oblivion.

Bank clerks in Canada generally occupy
a good social position. \^\xt that is not all
with some few bank clerks in London, Ont.
They imagine themselves gods.

146

The }fi/st('ri(}iis Stntujer.

Raymond tells me that, takin^i; the bank
clerks of London, Ont., as a set, it would
be ditficult to find a better. They are a
jolly, oentlenianly, socia])le, althoufjh self-
conscious lot of felloAvs.

Ilaymond may be prejudiced in their
favour, having been one himself.

Ihe brief time I had the pleasure of
mixino- in their societv is frauf^ht with
pleasant memories. They nearly all go in
for cricket, tennis and dancing. The
majority can play " ball "— base ball ; a
great number ride, a few in the hunt;
many are fair oarsmen ; and where is the
])ank clerk in London, Ont., who does not
know ^^•herc to get a drink after 7 p.m. on
Saturday if he wants it? or on a Sunday,
although all the places are shut? I say,
where is he?

Some can do one thing, some another, to

The MysteruHt.'i Stningci: U7

perfection. I know ono that can make

punch. And it was at H 1 whore I

fii-st tasted his. Wliat a jolly night we had,
to be sure ! It was a Good Friday the day
after, so one of the fellows fasted.

CHAPTER XII.

*• Give me good proofs of what you have alleged :
'Tis not enough to say — in such a bush
There lies a thief — in sueh a cave a beast ;
But you must show Iniu to me ere I shoot,
Else I may kill one of my straggling sheep."

>ENSHiVW and Raymond <rot back
to tlic'ir boarding house at half
past ten from the sHde.
''What, not in bed yet!" exclaimed Rcii-
shaw, going up to May, the landlady's little
daughter, and stroking her face. "Why, a little
girl like you ought to go to bed at nine."
" Oh, Rats ! "
" Don't get cross, darling," Raymo. l said

The Mysterious Stronger.

149

approtichin*^ hor and stretching out his hand
to catch her. But slio was too ([uick, for
running round the table and throwing an
apple at his head, she ran into tlie kitchen.

" May ! May I I've got some candies for
you, " llayniond cried ; " come in and I'll give
you some."

" Well, don't bother me," she said, opening
the door and stepping in.

" Here you are. May ; help yourself. I've
another box ui)stairs, just the same."

" Now, cjuit that ! " she cried, as Renshaw
connnenced to pull her hair; don't fool around
like that."

" Say, May ! I've got a conundrum to ask
you," Raymond said.

" Sit down right there, then," she said,
iitijiii' to an arm-chair at the other end
the room.

"No, I shall sit down right here," he

150

The Mysterious Stranger.

said, taking her by her arm and making her
sit do"Nvn in a chair beside him.

"Hurry up !" she cried impetuously, slipping
a small piece of ice down his back and
jumping up to get away.

" No you don't — I must ask you this,"
Raymond said, laughing and holding her in
her chair. "Why is an umbrella like a
pancake ? "

" ' Chestnuts' — it's the second time I've been
asked that ^ chestnut ' to-day," May said, with
an attempt to look indignant.

" I don't know," oaid Renshaw ; " what's the
answer ? "

" Rats ! " cried May.

" No ; let me tell him. May."

" liCt him chase himself ' around a block,' "
she said, jumping up and throwing some Hour
into both their faces, as she rushed out of the
room, saying " good night, c/earies.''

The Mysferious Stranger.

151

" What a little terror ! She's a regular
^ Mliss,' Renshaw said, laughing immoderately
as he watched Raymond trying to keep the
flour from falling on to his bhmket coat.

Then they both shouted with laughter.

" Wliat's the answer to thjit conundrum, by-
the-byeV" asked Renshaw, j^artly sobering
down.

'' Why are umbreUas Hke pancakes ? "

'* Because they are seldom seen after lent."

" l^ravo ! capital ! and how true ! " Renshaw
said, smacking his knee.

" Bring your pipes and come and have a
smoke before going to ' roost,' you fellows,"
shouted IvMV, who was sittinu" bv tlie stove in
the hall.

''Where are thc^ t-ther bovs? ' asked iJen-
shaw, as he and liavniond were makiu":
themselves comfortable round tbc stove.

" Don't know. Woubbi't like to say. ( Juess

152

The My,^teriotLs Stranger.

ThorQcas will come home ^ paralysed ' on three
glasses of beer. They started out to * paint
the city red.' "

"This is something one never sees in the
old country, " Renshaw said, leaning back at
full lenojth and restinji: his feet on the stove.

"No; I guess you'd miss this sort of thing if
you lived in the old country, Ray," Raymond
said. " Dickens raved and stormed a great
deal about them, but what should we do liere
in Canada in the winter if we only had
grates like they have at home."

'' What can be more comfortable," asked
Renshaw, "than a good big lire in an open
grate, a pipe and a book ; or to sit in the
twilight and look at pictures in the hrcV
That's what vou can do at home."

'' Well, when first I came to this country I
thought that the stoves were very ugly, that
the pipes numing through the rooms in some

The Mysterioui Stranger.

153

of the housi'S made the rooms look like
engine houses, that the atmosphere was so
hot and dry that I felt I must choke.

But now I consider a house in Canada dur-
ing the winter the acme of comfort. All
over the house the temperature is uniform ;
the red cheery light of the fires as it glows
through the mica seems to Avelcome you to
every part of the house. Going to bed in
the winter is a pleasure, iastead of being,
as in most houses in England, a sort of a com-
pulsory dose of niedicine that we must
periodically swallow preliminary to our ob-
tainin": ease. Ditto in the mornin<;. What
an effort in the old country to throw the
bed clothes oft' in the cold, chilly morning !
Here it is only laziness that keeps us fellows
from getting up early."

" Well done, you're the stuli', Raymond,"
laughed Ray. "Of course I don't know any-

154

The Mysterious Stranrfpr.

thiiif!^ about your houses in tlic old country.

excci

pt fr

oiii hears

'^y

but most Canadians,

when in En<j^land, complain fibout bein<j: so
cold in their l)ed rooms, and irettin<T: one side
of their face scorched in the sitting rooms.
Dickens, too, was mven to exairiicration.

a n

Good ni<rht, boys," IJay said, knockin;jf
the aslies out of his pipe and leanin,«x back,
extendin<r his arms, yaAvning, and allowin;^
his chair to come forAvard a<iain Avith a jerk
as he jumped up, yawned ap^ain and went
upstairs t(^ bed.

Good

nii»

ht, 1

Good niirht, Rav

The fire irlowed, and the two men sat
silently smokinir their pipes, watching' every
little flicker.

Haymond was the hrst to break the silence,
Avhich had lasted • '^out five minutes.

How do vou like this ccmntrv ?

Tlie Mysterious Stranger.

155

" Very much now ; it was strange at
first."

" Especially farming ? "

''Yes; a fellow ":oin<ic in for farmiii": in tins
country ou<j:ht to be a eountrv fellow, one
used to farming life. I think it is a mistake
for a town man to go farming. The life is
so different that he grows tired of it,
althouijh a few felhjws «i"et t(^ like it after
awhile."

You grew tired of it, anyhow, Ren-

snaw

" Yes, you bet ! The pupil on a farm
in the next concession to me, the other side
of Woodstock, irot tired of it too. He thrcAV
it up — left a, week l)efore I did. AVent to
California; found his wav to 'Frisco; i»()t into

a iic'iiera

1 St

( tre

staved there abont four

months; caught ty})hoid fever ; ran up a big
bill in the hospital ; no money to pay; wrote

156

The Mysterious Strawjer.

home to his people for tin ; cleared out of
the hospital ; en<^age(l as a waiter in an
hotel ; Avent to Australia ; had a good time
there; came back to Canada ; bad luck again ;
wiped engines in Winnipeg last winter ; went
home last fall; had a 'pile' left him, and is
out a<2^ain and iifoing to buv a hirm at
Woodstock."

" Where did you used to live ? " asked
R.aymond.

" London — Brondesbury. I was born in
Africa, but came to England when a year
old. My mater died on the voyage home,
and my pater was killed in the Zulu Avar.
I lived Avith an old general, a friend of
pater's, Avho is my guardian. He is a
Avealthy old boy, had speculated a good deal,
but a regular tyrant. He does not knoAV
Avhere I am. My sister is the onlv one Avho
knoAA^s I am in Canada ; but she does not

The Mysterious Stranger.

157

know when I left England or what my
present tiddress is. I left home a month
before sailing — was afraid of being brought
back."

" Do you ever correspond with your
sister ? "

" No, not now ; have lost track of her
altogether. Wrote one letter, but it came
back marked ' not known at this address.'
I suppose they have left Avithout giving any
address. Mv friends sav that she and my
guardian have cut them all."

" Does it not worry yim, not hearing from
her ? "

" Not much, now ; I have grown used to
it. Perhaps she has cut me as well as
everybody else. She used to be fond
of me once. I wrote home to friends when
I failed t(/ hear from her, but thev don't
appear to know anything about her.

158

The Mysterious Stranger,

As to my guardian, I never trouble about

h« >»
im.

" It is wonderful how time heals. Then,
of course, there is now someone else
who occupies all your sentimental
thoughts."

" Well, yes, to a certain extent she does,
Raymond. She is the dearest, sweetest,
jolliest, most sensible, most lovable girl in
all the world."

" There goes the gong — who can it be at
this time of night ? " Raymond said, looking
inquiringly at Renshaw.

"I'll swear it is not those two fellows —
not enough noise for them. They would
be inclined to kick or bang the door with
their sticks, after paying calls at Hawthorn's,
Jinnny Smith's, The Tecumseh, The Western,
The Grigg, Jerry's, and sundry other places
all in one evening."

21ie Mysterious Stranger .

lo9

"I can hoar two voices," said Rciishaw,
getting up and opening the door.

" Mr. Raymond lives here ; can I speak
to him ? " asked a man in a decidedly
cockney accent, prochiiming him to have
])ut lately come from London, England.

" By all means," Raymond said, springing
up and going up to the enciuirer; ""won't
you come in, and your friend? I am Mr.
Raymond."

"I would like to speak to you in private,
Mr. Raymond."

" Certainly ; your friend can take a seat
here, and we can go into the drawing-room."

" I have nothing private from my friend."

"All right, then the three of us can go
in. Excuse me, Ren.," Raymond said, lead-
ing the way into the drawing-room. " Pray,
gentlemen, to what can I ascribe the honour
of this visit from two Englishmen, newly

160

The Mi/sieriotut Stranijer,

arrived, I feel sure ? Before you tell me,
permit me to offer you some beer. Eiin^lish-
iiieii as a rule like beer. I haven't anv
* Bass,' but I ean offer vou some * La Batte's'
or ' Carlin<rs.' If vou have never tasted either,
there is a treat in store for you. Excuse
me a second — I'll bring some in."

" Pray don't trouble. We sh.all oidy be
here a few minutes," the youn<jjer man
replied.

" Your business then, gentlemen ? "

" I've no doubt but that you have
guessed that," the elder man replied Avith a
grim smile.

" No, how should I ? "

'^ Here is my card."

Raymond took it .and read : —

" Detective Sergeant Holland, Scotland
Yard."

"And mine," the young man said, hand-

The Mysterious Stranger.

161

i me,

nrlish-

; any

atte's

'ither,

Ixcusc

ily be
man

have
with a

lothuid

ing his card to Raymond. He leaned back
and surveyed Raymond with a look full of
reproach, anger and revenge.

" Detective Sergeant Holland and Mr.
A. Fit/igerald," Raymond said, with a puzzled
look, " what can 1 have the pleasure of
doing for you?"

" To come away with us quietly if you
don't Avish to have the whole of this city
know who you are," Sergeant Holland said,
complacently eyeing Raymond.

" Who I am ! " exclaimed Raymond. " I
don't mind the Avhole world knoAving who

am.

"Come, be sensible, and don't begin that
business," the detective said, smiling at the
dramatic attitude Raymond had assumed of
virtuous indignation.

"I -will be sensible, and call upon you
to be the same. I've no doubt but that I

162

The Mysterious Strmitjer,

can prove to you how mistjiken you are.
First of all, what am I accused of?"

" Murder and robbery ! "

"Murder and robl)erv ! Mv God! AVell,
that is beyond a joke."

"You are a good actor," Fitzgerahl said,
"but justice is sure to overtake a criminal
like you at last."

Raymond started to his feet, and rushing
at Fitzgerald in a fit of passion, aroused by
such an assertion, felled him to the ground
by a well-directed blow in the chest. The
table, the lamp and the chair came toppling
over to make wav for Fitz<2:erald.

Renshaw hearing the scuffling came in,
exclaiming, " What's the matter, Raymond ? "

"What's the matter! Everything is the
matter! I am accused of murder and
robbery ! "

"That man," shouted Fitzgerald, who

The ^f^/ster{ous Sfrnnjcr.

163

was l)i'in<r liold back by thc3 dL'tcctive,
''murdored my father!"

"Calm down, Raymond," Rensbaw said.
"It can, I've no doubt, be all explained
away satisfactorily. What is your reason,
SLjrgeant, for accusin<T Mr. IJaymond?"

Meanwhile, Raymond and Fitzgerald had
taken seats and Averc eyeing each other with
very thretitening looks.

The sergeant connncnccd : '* Mr. Fitzgerald,
this gentleman's father," pointing to the
gentlemaii who had just disentangled himself
from the furniture, " was found murdered
on the morning of the second of April,
188(). He hay on the floor in his room, by
the open safe, shot through the heart."

" 1 es.

"In the safe was a small parcel, said to
contahi a will and some ready cash. There
were also some loose Bank of England

164

Tlie Mysteviom Stranger.

notes — five one-huiulred-pound ones. These
and the parcel had been taken by the
murderer."

It flashed tin'ou^jh Raymond's mind that
he had been the victim oi' a ph)t. But as
the vision of Kowena arose before liim,
he couhl not, he wouhl not, Ijelieve her
guilty. His love was so stroiiir that even
were she j)roved <:iiilty of nuirder, he would
clasp her in his arms and love her in spite

f tl

le Av

hoi

(' AVOl

Id.

niav

)e onlv

a eoincKlenec

thoiiiiht,

vet it ])oints to this stranue

« 1 *

visitor of mine as bi'iii<»- the cause of mv

bcii

iii' ju'cusec

But why come to me?" asked Haym('!.(l.
Because on tlu first of Ain'il, the thiv

bcf

ore

nuu

der, Mr. Fitziicrald. tlu

murdei'cd man, had j.'-onc to the bank and

cashed a cluMjue for five hundivd poimcb

The Mjisturious Strnnger.

165

which closed his account. He tohl them .at
the bank that lie intended <r<)in<r aln'oad
shortly, and that for the present he would
keep the money in his sjit'e. One of the
notes has been traced as having come
from here. It was a hundred-pound note,
No. 46,872, dated London, March the third,
1887. It was collected by the Alliance
Bank, London, on account of the Molson's
Bank, Montreal, Canada, who were collect-

iir it on behalf of Mr. Uavmond of thi

City

Raymond sat perfectly silent, for he now
knew that there was a ^rood reason for Iuf
arrest.

" lljivmond I liMVinond ! cnrt you dcnv or
explain this mvstcrvy " j)l('ad('d lunsluiw.

"No; \ did chjuiLiC th;ir note in M<»riti'eal."

'•Where did you «'et it? Only s:iy tluit ! "

" I cnnnot."

166

lite Mysterious Straih/cr.

"My (jiud ! Riiyiiioiid. You miv not
guilty? " uttered licnslunv, in st low Ix--
sot'C'liin;]^ tone, ])ui'yinsi: liis i'lwv in Ills liands.

"No, not guilty, licn.; l)ut;i solcnni pi'oniisc

tliat I niJidc tlii'cc years ago j)r('\('nts niv

divul«nn<^ this secret. 1 Avill <n) with these

gentlemen to Kngland to piox'e mv iiinoecnee."
Tlie noise had not alarnicd anv ol' the other

fellows who were ill bed.

^^n many other oecasinns, t:d)le"<, chairs,
stove-|)i|)es and a lew hoardeiN would
shake the honse a< the\' all IMl tnnd)ling
over nn to thr floor. Such ti'ifles, avIku they
did occui', onlv called t'oith an amused ex-
clamation from those in hed to the etfect that

the bovs wei'e haviiiL'" ?» h of a time of it

below. Often, when coming in late, t..ey
wouhl wresth with each other, npsetting
most of the fui'iiiture in tleii" stiaiuiiles.

"I swear to vou, lien., that I am iniKxent."

The Mystenous Stntnfjfr.

167

V not

|>W ])('-

hands.
)i'()nusi'
its my

1 tlll'SC

xH'noc."

ic other

chairs,
won hi
nihliiiu'
n tlicy
('(I cx-
ct that
ic of it

. t.-i'V

scttiniT

" Here is niv liand, llavniond. I bidicvc it
will all I'onu! out right. Is then" anything I
can do lor you ? "

''Yes; please apologise for nie at the
Hully's to-niorrcjw evening. Tell them that
I have had to hin'iy hoine to England on
important business. Excuse me to all the
p('o})le I k?iow for not making any \\ V. C.
calls. And I'll uct vou, if vou will, to
forward niv trunks to Enirland for me."

" ( ). K. I'll fix that for you, IJaymond."

*' When do we leave this city, sergeant?"
asked llaymond, I'esioninu- himself to the
iiievitMlde. I should like to a\'oi(l seeinjx
iiiivone uiidei' the pri'sent circinnstMiices. I
suppose N'on are going from New ^'oi'k? "

- Yes."

'* Well, sergeant, dri\f me to St. Thomas
to-niuht and w<"ll catc'i Ji train fron: there to-
iiiM.'row."

lf.8

The Mystcrioiui Stranger.

*' That's it," Rc'iisliaw said; "no oiu* will
know wheiv you aiv. So you will be spared
the pain of ex})lainin;»" the reason of your
leavin^i: the city. How about the bank,
thou<rh y "

" I will write and inform the niana<r<'i* all
about it. There will be a deuce of a stew
there when I don't show up in the niornin^:;,
vuitil he receives inv letter, and then \w will
be more jmzzled. (Jood bye. Ken., old boy;
I know it will turn out all ri;.rht, and I shall
ho out here a^aln before lon<i' with you and
the I'est of the boys."

" IFave you o;ot a bu<i<:\' or a cait,
sei'^eant ? "

Li \' * "

".\o, Sll*.

''Then 1 shall come to Fulcher's with ^'ou,
Ravinond," Kenshaw said.

"Yes, do, tlcre's a ^ood fi'llow. Fulcher's
is a livery where I have an jjccount, ser<^'ant,"

The Mysterious Stranijer,

Hi!)

said Vincent ; we can hire a ri^ there and I
will square up my account with him. By
Jovi^ ! I cannot <^n) to Europe in this <rarb,"
biu<rhin<( as he surveyed himself up and
down ; " why, they woidd fancy me an
Es(|uimaux. (^)me up in mv room, ser<reant,
while T chan"'e my thinj»s."

Kaymond took off his tobo<r^an suit and
dri'ssed himself in the conventional dress of
the European.

It was a cold niirht and thev had a lon<jr
drive before them ; so \\v put on a l)i<i' fur
overcoat, a fur e>p and ;jfuantlets, and
])acked a valist' with a few articles that would
be absolutely necessary to take with him.

It was a mclanebolv walk to Fulehei's.

It seems hard to have to leave like thi;

Ravmond said. '* London is a pleasant eitv

to 1

ive m am

1 I k

now many peop

le wl

lom

am very sorry indeed to leave. Yet, sutterin

170

TJii' Mystenous Striiiujer.

under the accusation of sucli a crime, I would
rather sacrifice all and everything until I

ove mv nniocence.

Fitz<rerald Avalked alon;^ in silence. No
one hut the sergeant ever took any notice of
him.

When they were in the sleigh and ready to
go off, Renshaw handed RMymond a l)<)ttle of
"cluh," thi'ee ])arts full.

"There, that Avill help to keep out the
cold. (lood ])ve, write \\w soon."

" Good 1)V(', Ren. Maiiv thanks for your
kindness. Wish tlie hoys good byo for me."

CHAPTER XIII.

'* T would iK)t ^^ TDiig
Virttic, so trii'tl, by the least sha«U' of doubt :
Undue su>])iei()n is more iibji'et baseness
Even than the guilt suspeeted."

nnu'dc'V and r()l)l)i'ry.

That niiilit at the Hullvs it iiiiii'osscd the
tliouiilits (d" tlioso pivsciit to sucli an extent
tliat it l)ecanie almost the oiilv theme of
conx'ersation.

"To tliink that I sliould liaxc Ixc ii (lan<iiii^
witli iiim the other nii^ht ! "" jind a sjiudder ol'

hoiTur Avouhl pei'vaiU' the lair speaker.

mma

172

The Mysterious Stranyrr.

Anotlier -would say, " It was ])iit last night
that I went down the slide with him ! "

King, Renshaw and Ray Avere being asked
questions al)()Ut Vincent all the evening.

" Did you ever suspect him ? "

" Whoever would have thoui^ht it ? "

" How deijeived we can be ! "

" I don't believe it is true."

"I am sure he is innocent."

" I always thought there was something
strange about him."

" What did I say ? "

And many other such questions and
remarks passed from one to another that
evening, all about Raymond.

' " * ►!! was that it must be a

opii

mis

tal

ive

Yet, how could he get that note ? was the
question no one felt able to satisfactorily put

ide.

The }fysterious Strdmjer,

173

night

asked

LCthing

and
Ir that

be a

las the
lly put

In spite of all Renshaw's silence about the
arrest, the main facts had found their way to
the papers.

The indefatiirable enerii:y of a "Teaser"
reporter liad supplied London with a sensa-
tional account of the crime, arrest and career
of one of its bank clerks.

This reporter liad intei'viewed Fitzirerald
before the arrest and liad afterwards followed
him down to St. Thomas, where he Icjn'nt from
him an account of the whole atfair.

London /^7/r.v noini*- home that ni^ijht,
escorted by London cavaliers, remembered
how they had been similarly escorted by
Kavmond.

One would say, as she tramped along
merrily in the clear moonlii:ht over the snow-
covered side walks or in the centre of the

roac

laui

Why, who knoAvs ? he niiiiht have

dered

me.

174

The Mjiiiti'vioHs Shuvh/er.

Anothoi : "Fjiiu'V a murdorcr seeiii"; vou
home ! Why, wliat oscsipcs I have had ! "

" Wliat a cUvadriil thin<i: ! I always thoutrht
him HO kind. I can't believe him <i;uilty."

'* He always appeared so jolly. You
couldn't fancy him havin<i^ such a crime
wci<i:hin<r on his mind."

erf cj

The sensational excitement occasioned l)y
the arrest soon died away, and after niiu^ days
Raymond's name was seldom mentioned. He
had been for«rotten amidst the Avhirl of
business, pleasure, pain, sorrow and joy of
which the world of Jjondon consists. Besides,
the surprise luid Avorn off. It was ancient
history now, and an accepted revelation — a
*' chestnut" in fact. Peoples would rather
talk of somethin<^' else, some event that Avas
of a more recent date, or go ])ack to stock
s. ^lusic, parties, toboniranii ^

'nn*

subjects.

mercial Union, Rider Haggard, Imperial

o- VOU

1 "

loutyht

You
crime

[led 1)V
le days
1. Ho
lirl of

j^y

lo>

lesiuos

inciciit

ion — i\

at)

icr

it was

Tin' i]fysti>rloits Sfrani/cr.

175

Federation, U. S. and Eii;rlisli accent, skatin;j^,
Montreal's last carnival, Robert Elsniere,
Annexation, Church, approaching niarria<i;es,
the Gulf Stream, Europe, (^ue(Mi N'ictoria,
New York, Toronto, Detroit, the entertain-
ments at the opera house, Jtnd a thousand
other subjects, not for<^ettinfjj the state of the
weather as compared with this time last year,
or even as far back as Avhen the bush was
thick all round London, where now we have
handsome private houses and avenues.

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23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. 14580

(716) 872-4503

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CHAPTER XIV.

" Poise the cause in justice' equal scales,
Whose beam stands sure, whose rightful cause prevails."

J^l^pHERE was intense satisfaction in
England when Sergeant Holland
landed with the murderer of Mr.
Fitzgerald whom he had captured in the
bush in Canada and driven through the snow
twenty miles to the station.

The trial was to take place in London,
and promised to afford some sensational
literature. To begin with, there was a Miss
Renshaw, who had either been murdered or
enticed away by some one, no doubt this
very Raymond. But it would all come out

The Mysterious Strauijer.

177

at the trial. She had never been heard of

e prevails."

iction in

H oil and

r of Mr.

d in the

[the snow

London,
Insational
Is a Miss
Idered or
lubt this
tome out

since tne inur

del

Raymond's friends

determined that

were

he should be defended by the ablest man
they could get, although they disliked his
persistence in not accounting for the manner
in Avhich he came into possession of the
note.

The case Jiroused a great amount of
hiterest in London.

It was regarded as a cruel murder, and
youno: Fitzirerald was the centre of the wave
of public sympathy.

It was learnt that he had, in consequence
of a tendency to be a little wild, been
banished from his father's roof. But the
general impression was, that the nnirdered
man had willed his property, which Avas
known to have been largely in cash, to his

son.

178

The Mystcrmis Stranger.

The murdered man had, for the past ten
years, lived a most exclusive life, estranging
himself froin the rest of the world by his
developed conviction that all mankind Avere
rogues. The house Avliere he had lately lived,
and where he was murdered, Avas one of those
detached houses, secluded from the rest of
the world by a high wall, in Maidu \\ile. He
had chosen this place as a sort of asylum
where he could be in the midst of wild,
struggling humanity, and yet be isolated :
much as one is isolated when secure on one of
the " sister islands," that are so beautifully
situated on the American side of the Niagara
Falls, from the rush, the fury and the
thunder of the Avaters, as they leap and
struggle in a mad frenzy to escape over the
precipice.

In this house he watched the calms and
storms of life, and ahvays displayed a

The Mysterious Stranger,

179

)ast ten
rtinging
by his
rid Avere
ly lived,
of those
rest of
ale. He
■ asylum
of wild,
solated :
11 one of
autifuUy
Niagara
nd the
'ap and
over the

llms and
layed a

cynical interest in the manner people
weathered storms and glided through
calms. His especial pleasure was to witness
the wreck of some of those human vessels as
they lay at anchor in the calm waters of the
bay of contentediiess, quite unaware of the leak
they had sprung ; or going at a quick, easy
pace before the wind, unconscious of the
hidden rocks that lay in their course ; or some
meeting with adverse currents and Avinds,
yet, being staunch and true, baffled against
the opposition for a time until, through the
continual struggling, they became weakened,
and wTre driven back and stranded. During
his life he had had one staunch friend in
Captain Renshaw. Captain Renshaw, when
(lying in Africa, had appointed him guardian
to his two children — Harold and Nora Ethel.
Harold had not seen his guardian for four
years, in consequence of his having been

180

The Mysterious S^tranger,

forbidden ever discussiii<r liis future. Harold
had left the house after a passionate
altercation, swenrini>- that he would never
darken the doors aii'ain. Nora, althouirh dis-

lik

mil

ler ii'uaruian.

had

Avon ii'oni nini an

affection that seemed inconiprehensilde in
such a man. lie had quarrelled with every
one, and hated all. But Nora seems to have
been the only livin,i»' beinij: who was cap;d)le of
awakenin<>' a synn)athetic interest in him.
She had never been heard of since the murder.
Her whereidjouts Avas the sidjject for the
wi 1 de s t c o 1 1 j ec tur e .

Mrs. xVssam, who had l)een the nuirdered
man's housekeeper for the last twelve years,
testified to the fiery temper of her late
master, and to his mode of life. She knew

that there AV^as a son, and had often sec

him ; but never at his father's house.
Harold Kenshaw Avas in Canada — she had

The }fi/sf('rlous Strant/er.

181

known this for a long time, but did not
know his address until the trial. She dis-
chainied all knoAvledge of Nora's fate. As
the ease proeeeded, and it was aseertained

that llavniond did

il forC

til

[\ayniona aia not sail lor i^yanada un
about six weeks alter the nuirder, and
the fact that he did not attempt to conceal
his identity, but that he remained in the
service of the F.ondon and Wyburn I?ank
for a few Aveeks, all tended to sludge the belief
that he Avas absolutely guilty. A speech
from the counsel for the prosecution, con-
clusively proving (in his mind) that the
prisoner was guilty, seemed to eliminate
these doubts. It Avas plain that the prisoner
Avas a bold criminal. His refusing to account
for the possession of the note draAvn out of
the baidv the dav before the murder, and his
desire to keep secret the hiding place of the
parcel and the rest of the notes, Avould

182

The Mystermis Stranger.

justify such an intelligent, justice-loving,
impartial British jury, as we have to try this
case finding the prisoner guilty of murder.

The day after this speech, the court was
startled by a new witness for the defence.
Nora Renshaw had been found. She had
written the day before, declaring that Ray-
mond was innocent, and that she could give
evidence to prove it.

Her presence in court was a sensational
surprise. Until then it was thought that
Raymond held the secret of her fate, having
most likely contrived to murder her too.

The night of the murder Mrs. Assam was
staying with friends at Sydenham. Nora
was at home with her guardian, and it was
supposed that the prisoner had murdered
her so as to have no Avitness, and had buried
her remains somewhere.

Mrs. Assam had discovered her master

-loving,
try this
rder.
.irt was
defence.
Ihe had
at Ray-
uld give

^sational
ht that
having
too.
am was
Nora
it was
liirdered
buried

master

The Mysterious Strantjer,

183

lying dead on the floor by the open safe, on
her return from Sydenham with lier sister,
Mrs. Butt. Thev screamed and were so
friglitened and agitated at the sight that they
liad to take a little drop of gin to buoy
tliemselves u}) before they could think what
to do. Mrs. Assam Avas not only frightened,
l)ut quite overcome. She sat in a chair
looking at her dead master and cried like a
child. She felt so ill that she was obliged to
have two more little drops of gin to keep
her from faintin<j[. Thev immediatelv fetched
the police, who had been investigating the
case ever since.

Raymond's heart leapt with joy as he
watched Nora, his Rowena, enter the
court. But suddenly a dread that Nora
might possibly become involved crept over
him. (jruilty, he Avas sure she could not be ;
yet how was he to account for her not

184

The Mysterious Stranger.

answering his letter ? This, like other mys-
teries clinging to her memory, Avould be
solved, he hoped. How his soul went out
to her even then, standing there accused of
murder as he was through her !

She related how her guardian, Mr. Fitz-
gerald, had the day before the discovery of
the murder handed her iive one-hundrcd-
pound notes in an envelope, and a parcel,
telling her that she must take it to Canada
within tAvo months. He was fi^oinij to Africa
on the morrow, and would join her in
Canada about June.

"He mentioned some place in Canada
that I was to go to, but in my excitement
I forgot the name. When my brother left
England we were living at Brondesbury,
to Avhich place I suppose he wrote. The
people who took the house were people
whom my guardian had quarrelled with.

The Jfvsierious Stranger.

185

ler luys-
ould be
vent out
;cused ot"

Vlr. Fitz-
;overy of
huiulrcd-
a parcel,

Canada
to Africa

her ill

Canada

Icitemeut

ther left

flesbury,

The

people

h with.

They would not take any trouble about our
letters. I expect they returned all letters
addressed to us there as ' not at this address.'
On handin<? me the parcel, he stipulated that
I was to find mv brother and oivc him this
parcel ; but that I must promise that it be
taken to Canada. On the outside Avas
written ' not to be opened until three years
from date.' He called my attention to this'
pointing out the date, the sixth day of March,
1886, written on the top with {i thick line
ruled under it. Harold, my brother, was
eighteen on that day. The five hundred
pounds he gave me as expenses, and sug-
gested my taking Mrs. Assam's niece Avith
me. That night I heard two shots, but Avas
too frightened to leave my room until the
morning, Avhen to my horror I found my
guardian lying dead on the floor in the
library. I ran out of the room screaming,

186

The Mysterious Stnin</er.

but was not heard. I was alone in the
house with my <j:ujir(lian lyin;:;: dead in the
library. I felt too frightened to notice much.
A revolver was on the lloor near his head.
I rushed out of the house and flew to friends
at West ilampstead to tell them Avhat had
happened. They pitied me and cried, saying
tliat the world would say that I had mur-
dered him. Tliey were afraid to go to the
house, and dared not move at all in the
matter, as they were sure that I should be
arrested for nmrder. In the evening the
boys and men were calling out ' Shocking
murder in Ahiida Vale ! Discovery of the
body by the housekeeper and her sister !
^iora Renshaw suspected of the crime!'

" It was too horrible. I felt that I must
escape. When everyone had gone to bed,
I crept down stairs ; put on a waterproof and
a bonnet that I found hanfiinfr in the hall;

TJie Mysterious StrcUHjev.

187

tiiid, covering my face with a thick veil, left
the house. I wandered on aimlessly, tryinijj
to decide what to do. I knew not where to
go, and everyone I met I. felt frightened of,
lest they should accuse me of the murder.
The si<jjht of my <^uardian Ivinii" dead on the
floor in that house haunted me, and almost
drove me mad. I imagined that the truth
would be discovered eventually, hut that the
circumstances Avould all point against me,
and that I might be, if caught, accused and
pronounced guilty."

" Did you not often opeidy declare that
you Avould like to kill the ' old brute,' and
express your hatred for him in forcible
lanfrua<xe ? "

" Yes, I disliked him very much at times^
and when in a temper Avould often say to
Mrs. Assam that I would like to kill him.
Everyone disliked him. I was the only one,

188

The Mysterious Stranger.

he used to say, that ever would talk with
him."

Knowing how she had declared to others
her wishes, when suffering from the recollec-
tion of his harsh treatment to herself and
brother, she was aware hoAV all these words
would be brought against her as evidence
to substantiate the public belief that she was
the murderer.

London, after dark, is a particularly dreary
citv for the rootless wanderer.

This April night was cold and damp.
The clouds were ever sailing slowly onwards
in bat'ihes, screening the moon, which would
seem to burst forth at intervals just to remind
agitated wanderers that it, like London, was
unmoved in its coldness and serenitv by
passing events. The measured tread of the
police, the merry laughter of men and women
jT^athered round coifee stalls drinking steamino^

with

others
L'collec-
jlf and

words
vidence
die was

dreary

damp.

inwards

would

'cmmd

III, was

|ity by

of the

tvomen

iammg

The Afysfen'ous Stro.?i(/er.

189

hot tea, coffee and cocoa, and eating hjird
boiled eggs, while immediately beside them
might be huddled together some dirty, half-
starved, ragged, helpless creatures who were
too weak to move on any further, and who
had sunk down on to cold stone steps or
seats to sleep and await the morrow.

Everyone and e\'erything seemed utterly
indifferent to their surround in jj^s. The lia'ht
of the gas lamps flickered on the sliiny, wet,
greasy roads and pa\'ements ; hansom cabs
wandered al)out much as the majority of
people to be seen late at night in London do.
Sometimes a young man, with his coat flying
open, his beaver hat at the back of his head,
a liii'hted cii»:ar in liis hand that he occasion-
allv raises to his mouth, would Avalk alon^:
humming a popular song. Few of tlie many
people who are out appear to be hurrying to
get home. Some stand talking, some stroll

190

The Mysterious Stranger.

along slowly past others who are quarrelling,
or holding themselves up by hanging round
a lamp post. A hurried footstep is only to
be heard when a household cavalryman fj^oes
by. Even his step could not be described as
hurried ; it has a measured, easy sound, as
these magnificent specimens of physical man
pass, making the pavement ring with a clank-
ing sound that rino-s throuojh the air every
time they put their feet down. One is but
a repetition of the other. Their step is not
hurried, although to keep up with them
many people would have to run. They are
striding back to barracks, and ignore the
scenes that one side of life in London is so
con\'ersant with. London any night presents
a similar appearance, only one night it may
be raining or foggy, or perhaps both, and
another night it may be clear moonlight.
Helplesr^ beggars, hansom cabs, coffee stalls,

The Mysteriovs Stranger,

191

policemen, yoiin<i; men and outcasts are
always to be seen, wliether it is a bright,
clear, dry night, or a damp, cold night.
Sometimes the sno^\', not pure white, but
looking as if pails of water had been thrown
over it to scatter a hill of soot that had been
placed on each section of it, will show itself,
as one walks throng] i a park or glances
through the gates or railings. A policeman
will walk by a group of people talking at a
corner or standing round a coffee stall. The
big stolid policeman will be holding in his
strong grasp, perhaps a thief, perhaps a
drunken person, perhaps a Avoman who has
attempted suicide. The policeman goes by
without awaking any interest in the people
he passes. Perhaps a glance, a smile, a
n.irmured "poor beggar !" is heard, and the
policeman and his charge are forgotten.
Nora was not a strange object, and did

192

The Mysterious Stranger,

not excite anv attention. Sometimes, \i
she was spoken to, her silence and hiuj
manner of evading the speaker would]
cause a laugh, and the remark that she wj
a bad temper to-night. Haunted wit
idea that she Avas being hunted, aud fc|
ftiint, tired, and not knowini2: where
she had wandered into Hyde Park th.l
the Marble Arch. E\'en here she wa|
alone ; fisrures were iilidini>: alono- slowl
noiselessly as the clouds. She wondej
all these creatures Avere hiding from
they knew as she Avas, and Avhether thcl
felt as helpless and distressed as he'
HoAA' still and (piiet the Serpentine loo'j
A mad desire to jump in and thus puj
end to all her misery took possession of
She stood on the bridge for a few seco]
contemplating the still silent Avater, Avhl
fascinated her. How peaceful and ser(

The Mysterious Stranger.

193

mger

ked ! The- few people she liad passed
pohq. way hither had not taken the sli":htest
alwa Qf i^Qj.^ r^uj ^\^Q ^vas standing here
clear j^ storm was raging Avithin her
Soine-;giiie(^| c*ven ixi'eater to bear in the
lookii) silence around her. The water
over 1 liglitly up against the arches of the
placedjj a. soft, liquid, caressing, soothing
as <S\ 'W^^. calm repose of the scene,
throu of being broken by the sound of the
will Vas made even uK-re sublimely still,
cornea ^v^as the noise of a splash that
^1^ 'disturbed the tranquillity of the scene,
stron^ad jumped in. She remembered
drurr more until she found herself the
atteiiorninsi' in bed in a comfortable room
withjnse at Morningion Crescent, Rejrent's
be She learnt from the landlady that
a few secoM muiiymond, \vho at one time lived at this
it water, whlpol^ hacl brought her home in a call, after
ful and serd o

3metimes, \
ice and hui
aker would
c that she w,
Runted wit
ited, and hi
no- where '
de Park th
icre she wa
alono' slowl
She wonde
ding from
Avhether the
ssed as he
rpentine loo
nd thus pu
)Ssession oi

194

The ^fysterious Stranger,

having plunged into the Serpentine and
rescued hei* from drowning.

He had given instructions that all possible
care was to be taken of her, and that he
would pay all expenses. He felt sure that she
had a sad and romantic history. She was not to
know that a gentleman was paying expenses.
The landlady was to say that it was she who
had befriended her. Mr. Raymond had been
to a concert at the Albert Hall, and had been
having supper with a friend in Kensington.
He was returnino- home, chousino- a walk
through the Park as a suitable exercise after so
good a sujDper. He was about a hundred yards
from the bridge when he heard the splash.

The parcel and packet were in her pocket
undamaged when she felt in her pocket the
next morning. She began to fear that her
attempted suicide would lead to her capture.
She must leave this place, and seek another

The Mysterious Stranger.

195

retreat until she could sail for Canada. Where
to go or what to do was a mystery to her;
but she felt she must leave here.

In Park Street, Camden To^vn, she was
attracted by a card in a -window, " Apart-
ments for a lady." Knocking at the door,
and making enquiries, she was so pleased
-with the general appearance of the house
and the kindly bearing of the landlady that
she decided to live there.

It was while she was living there that she
called on Mr. Raymond and gave him the
parcel and the Bank of England note that had
been the cause of his arrest. When living
at Maida Vale she knew Mr. Raymond by
sight, and had often heard that ho, the cashier
of the London and Wyburn Bank, was
wishing to go to Canada. The experience
she had had in London made her abandon the
idea of going to Canada, a place that she

196

The Mysterious Stranger.

had less idea of than London. Mr. Ray-
mond was very kind, and promised to fulfil
all the stipulations she imposed upon him.
Soon after Mr. Raymond had sailed for
Canada, she was seen by an aunt of hers
while in Westminster Abbey. She was
recognised and her aunt took her home to
Hastings with her, where she had been
living ever since, in consequence of the
dread that she would be accused of murder,
if found, she was never allowed to go out,
unless closely veiled and accom^^anied by
her aunt.

She did not tell anyone about Mr. Ray-
mond having the parcel that was missing,
and was unable to call at the stationer's
for letters, as she never was able to get to
London, and she had stii)ulated that no one
was to be given them on any account but
herself. She had not left her right name,

The Mysterious Siramjer.

197

or any clue as to her identity Avith
them.

The anxiety and suspense of the last three
years had brought on an illness, lasting six
weeks, from which she had only just
sufficiently recovered to come to London.

It was but about eight hours ago that she
learnt that Mr. Raymond was in London and
being tried for murder.

The counsel for the defence stated that the
parcel was in court, and that Mr. Renshaw
had sent instructions from Canada that it was
to be opened by Mr. Raymond in the presence
of his sister.

The judge ordered the production of the
parcel, and ruled that the prisoner should
open it in court.

A silence, as of the grave, took possession
of the court as soon as the parcel was
produced. Everyone was wrapped in ex-

198

The Mysterious Stranger.

pectation and wonderment as to the contents.

There was a letter addressed by Mr.
Fitzgerald to his son, a will and two deposit
receipts on the London and Westminster
Bank.

The letter was read in court. It read —

"Dear Arthur — AVhen you read this I
shall have been dead three years.

My life of late has been a burden. All the
world is ao^ainst me and I am aoainst all the
world. To-day I intend shooting myself
through the heart. It will appear in the
papers to-morrow under the heading, ^ Suicide
at Maida Vale.' I have not carried out
faithfully the trust assigned me by my dear
friend, Captain Rensh aw, towards his children.
They are young at present, but when this
parcel is opened they will have had ex-
perience and have developed a maturer

Tite Mysterious Stranger.

199

contents.

by Mr.

) deposit

itniinster

[t read —

ad this I

, All the
ist t^ll the
^ myself
r in the
, ^ Suicide
Tied out
mv dear
children,
rhen this
had ex-
maturer

jud<jment. The two deposit receipts, made
out in my name for ten thousand pounds
each, I have endorsed over to them. Part of
it was left them by their father. I have
added five tliousnnd pounds to each in
atonement for the liarsh and unfair treatment
they have liad at my hands. The will you
will find provides for you in such a manner
that it will insure a condbrtable independence
to you for the rest of your life.

May God protect you and my two wards,
and <xunrd vou all from the fate and life of
your henrt-broken father ! "

Never, perhaps, was there more surprise or
a more happy ending to a trial that had
awakened the greatest interest throughout
EngLuid.

Nora Renshaw and Vincent Ravmond were
the recipients of hundreds of letters of con-

200

The Mysterious Stramp'r.

gratulation and syiiipiithy from all pai-ts of
dear old England. Nearly all the daily
papers had leading articles upon this sudden
light that had been thrown on this trial and
that had made plain to oidookers facts that
existed, yet could not be revealed until now*

Those who had believed Raymond or Xora
guilty w^ere the iirst to extend the hand of
friendship. What hearty shakes Raymond
had !

The prosecution, although defeiited, were
more than pleased at this sudden happy
termination.

Many tears of sympathy were seen gathering
in eyes that until then, throughout the trial,
had been undimmed by any signs of moisture.

The British public, too, felt a great relief at
the clearing up of this mystery, and rejoiced
to find that there was one less murderer in
the world than they had counted.

The Mysterious Strawjer.

201

It had made their hearts ])leod to think of

the cruel

•der. and the heartless treatment
tzti^erakl liad been subjected

muri
that Arthur !•

to. But now that it was })rove(l to them
that it was all a mistake, that it was a case of
suicide and that Arthur Fitz<»'erald had not
been the victim of a wi(;ked plot, all their
indignation had gone, to be replaced by the
sincerest sympathy for Nora Kenshaw and
Vincent Raymond.

CHAPTER XV.

"To read to her, to listen to her voice,
To wait upon her sliglitest wish or whim,
To seek with lieadlong eagerness and haste
Aught that might gratify, amuse, surprise,
And win the precious guerdon of a smile.
Or gentle pressure from her soft-gloved hand.

Became the sole ambition of his life.

* * % * *

Xot theirs the age of careful retrospect,
Xoi' forecasting of aught but happiness ;
The present was so full of rich delight
That all the past had dwindled to a point,
And all the future seemed already theirs."

MONTH luid elapsed. It was
towards the cud of June. Nora
and Vincent Avere seated opposite
each other this peaceful June evening' in
Nora's aunt's house, Warrior Square, St.

im,

laste

rise,

ile,

hand.

-s."

[t was
Nora
pposite
iiig' in
re, St.

The Mysferiom Stm^^ger. 208

W.ards. Ti,oy had .just returned fro. a

walk to the ^ Lover's Seat,' and were enioyin.
^ -pose that seemed to both of ' them^
exquisitely divine.

The twilight liad a charm that it never

possessed before. T]iev h-ul \.r

,, . ^^^^y ^^'*^i open alone in

his room five or .six .ninutos, but .either
had »oved „or .poke,,. E.eh felt u,.der a

«pe ._ A very hHio of rest .scented re.sti„.
0,1 tliLs room a,id .square.

Raymond was t,,e first to speak, a,>d

the,, only i„ a whi.spe,-.
"^^ora, you will .sometimes think of me
hope," he said, in a plaintive to„e, with-

*-a-i„g liis gaze from the .skv, as he s^

at tlie open window, a,id loot

sat

ce 11, a yearning, beseool
would have im]i]ored N

that .she was
to fight his w;

1^11'.? into her

ling manner. He

ora to be his, but

'low rich, wiiile he had still
'ly in the world. If she were

204

The Mysterious Strancjer,

poor and friendless he would have knelt
at her feet and sworn how he loved her.
But now he must "o awav from her and hide
his love, although it would kill him to
think that she should ever forget him alto-
gether.

" Think of you ! why, I could never forget
you," she said in a voice so low and sweet
that it was like the strains of a harp heard
floating through the air as one approaches
and passes a hall where the music emanates
from. It was so distant and mellow, then
rich and full, though soft and sweet, and
gradually died away, leaving a memory of
its enchantment behind.

" But why ask me this ? You are not
going away?"

" Yes, I am going abroad again, and
must wish you good-bye to-night."

" Vincent, you must not go. You will

The Mysterious Stranger.

205

knelt
d her.
id hide
lim to
m alto-

r forget
d sweet
■p heard
►roaches
tianates
^v, then
|et, and
^lory of

ire not

, and

will

make me most unhappy. Cannot you
remain in England?"

" I hope to be back some day and stay
here."

"Vincent, you don't care about me."

" Yes, I do, Xora. You are all and all
to me, but stern reality calls me away."

" If it Avere leap year, I should do what
vou are only entitled to do now, Vincent,"
she laughingly said, looking up from the
ground in a half stooping attitude, and
raising her eyes until they met his.

"What would you do — 2:>ropose ? " he
asked, jumping up from his chair, seizing
her right hand in his left, falling on to his
left knee, and clasping her round tlie Avaist
with his right arm. " V\'ould you pro})ose,
Nora ? "

" Yes," she murmured.

" Nora, I love you ! I adore you, passion-

206

llie Mysterious Stranger,

ately, fondly, blindly, with a love that
consumes my very soul ! I love you as a
beautiful woman ; I Avorship you as a saint.
Say, Nora, that you will be mine — mine —
all mine — no one else's."

She disengaged her hand, and throwing
her arms passionately round his neck,
whispered, " Yes."

Before the sound of this word had died
away, he had smothered her with kisses.
Her lips, nose, ears, eyes, neck, cheeks,
hands and even her dress did not escape
him.

"Vincent," she cried, raising her eyes to
his and looking at him in a half-pleased,
half-reproachful manner, "you have made
my face and neck so hot. My face feels
on fire."

" Pardon me, Nora ; but I am so wild
with joy, I could eat you," he said, throw-

The ^^ysterious Stranger,

207

that
I as a
, saint,
nine —

rowing
neck,

ad died
kisses.

cheeks,
escape

|eyes to

)leased,

made

feels

wild
Ithrow-

ing his arms round her again and actually
holding a piece of her neck between his
teeth.

"I hope you won't do it, Vincent," she
said, disentangling herself from his
embrace.

" I have swalloAved that word ' Yes ' that
you gave me just now," Alncent said, "and
I can feel it coursino^ throu^^h mv veins
like champagne, but with a more lasting,
stirring, delightful sensation."

Mrs. Ellis, Nora's aunt, came into the
room.

" Why, how dark it's getting ! " she said.
" What have you two been talking about ?
You both look so pleased. I am sure you
must be hunorv after vour lono- walk.
There goes the bell for dinner."

" I don't want any dinner, aunt."

"More do I," Vincent responded.

208

The Mysterious Stranger.

"Don't want any dinner ! " ejaculated
Mrs. Ellis. "Why, what has happened?"

"Tell aunt," whispered Nora.

" I have been bold enough," said Vincent,
walking u]) to Mrs. Ellis, "to propose to
your niece, and she has consented to be
mine. I hope you will approve of this. I
was mad with love and could not restrain
myself. I believe — I hope that she loves me."

"Do you, ^«ora?" her aunt asked laugh-
ingly.

" Yes, auntie — as I could never love
another."

" I thought it would come to this. The
same old story, the same old story ! And
with a pleased smile and a tejir that had
gathered in her eye she kissed them both.

" Now, children," she said, " I must insist
upon your coming to dinner ; you cannot
live on love, you know."

The Mjistcrious Strmnjer.

209

aculated

ned ? "

Vincent,
[)pose to
I to be
this. I
restrain
oves me."
;d laugh-

ter

love

s. The

! And

hat had

;m both.

ist insist

I cannot

They walked out of the room, with its
gathering shadows of darkness, that would
ever be dear to them, into the brilHantly
lighted dining-room. To-night, for the first
time, the merry talk and laughter was dis-
tasteful to tliem. They longed to be away
from everybody and commune with each
other.

A month (^f exquisite happiness passed
away as a dream, and they were married
at that pretty little ivy-covered church in
the woods, a foAV miles out of St. Leonard's.

I W(mld not attempt to try to commit
to paper the tlioughts, words and actions of
these two hapj^y people, for the month before
the marriage or the; corresponding jjeriod
after, but wuuld profei* to draw a veil over
them and ivii'ard them as the inmates of a
temple that it Av^ould be sacrilege f(n' me to
penetrate.

210

llie ]\fysterioiis Strmxjer,

Some of you, my dear readers, may have
been inside this sacred temple. To the less
fortunate ones, like myself, I hope the day
will come when we shall be, like Nora and
Vincent, inmates of this beautiful temple of
love.

They consummated a love that both had
lived for for years. And they told me,
that while at the Isle of Wight for their
honeymoon, all nature seemed S23ecially for
them. The dewy mornings, the warm balmy
days, the calm twilight, the cool bright
evenings, the moonlit nights, the boundless

ocean

the

green

fields, the music of

birds, the rivers, the cliffs — all seemed to
breathe of love and to sympathise with
them.

They are going to Canada to be present
at the marriage of Renshaw to Miss Hully,
and are not coming back until next March,

nay have
> the less
the day
S'ora and
emple of

3oth had
:old me,
for their
iallv for
m bahny
I bright
oundless
msic of
3med to
se with

'^^^^ ^hh^terious F^trmger, 2II

as Raymond wants his Rowena to spend a

winter m Canada.

Mrs. Ellis is to find a house for them

near London, and Vincent is going into
business *' o » t^

with Arthur Fitzgerald in the

city.

J3resent
HuUy,
March,

■n

CHAPTER XVI.

"What a delicious breath marriage sends forth —
The violet's bed not s\\ eeter ! Honest ^vedloek
Is like a banqueting-house, built in a garden,
On which the spring flowers take delight
To cast their modest odours."

" The treasures of the deep are not so precious
As are the concealed comforts of a man
Lock'd up in woman's love ; — I scent the air
Of blessings when I come but near the house."

^HERE had been many marriages
lately in London, Ontario. In
fact, there seemed quite a marriage
fever. The bells of the cathedral are playing
the Wedding March. London, Ontario, is all
astir. People are saying to each other —
^' Goinij to the wedding ? "
" It's at eleven o'clock."

Tlte ^[ysterious Stranger.

213

ilock
en,

ous

|use.

Inarriages

irio. In
linarriage
playing
Irio, is all
ir —

" Dean Harris and Rev. Highter going to
officiate. "

^' Mr. Raymond, that fellow who was taken
to En<dand for murder, is to be the best man."

" The happy pair are going to the Falls for
their honeymoon."

" There is to be a big dance at the Hully's
to-night."

" She's a sweet girl."

'' Everyone says what a gentlemanly fellow
that Renshaw is."

" He used to be here."

" Yes, but is now stationed in Toronto."

Richmond Street is filled with people, all
winding their way towards the church.

From the immber of le beau se.ve it would
imply that they were more interested in
marriages than men Avere. All sorts and
conditions of women are wending their w^ay
to the cathedral — shop girls, society girls,

214

The Mysterious Stranger,

little ^irls, big girls, young girls, old girls,
rich girls, poor girls, pretty girls, plain girls,
that is, comparatively speaking ; for London,
Ontario, has no plain girls — '' What! Take
that back ! No, I shan't ; well, yon know
what I mean " — thin girls, stout girls, hand-
some girls, cross girls, amiable girls, jolly
girls, pensive girls ; but everyone of them
lovable girls. How could one of the angelic
sex be otherwise ?

" It's a lovely day — speaks well for the
marriage. Always like to see the sun shine
on the marriage day."

" Yes, sort of emblem of the bright days
to follow."

It was a beautiful day, too. The sun was
shining brightly from an azure sky. Not a
cloud was to be seen. There was a soft
caressing touch in the air, as it was
occasionally set in motion by a gentle breeze.

Th(> Mysterious Sfraj)<:/er,

215

I girls,
a girls,
^ondon,
! Take
L know
, hand-

«, jolly

)f them
angelic

for the
Un shine

lit days

lun was

Not a

a soft

it was

breeze.

There were enrriages driving up to the
church in (|uick succession and disgorging
London's ])elles at the jiatcs. Before cUiVcn
o'cl(Jck the churcli was full, nnd jx'ople l)egan
to form gron})s on either side of the entrance
to the church. A cari'iage drove up, filled
with boLKpiets of flowers and three pretty
girls and an elderly lady.

" Here she is ! "

More flowers and more pretty girls. The
air was redolent of the nerfunie of flowers.

Some of the onlookei's felt (luite dazed as
they watched these dainty maidens step out
of the carriages. How, when the solemn
service was going on, everyone's thoughts and
attention were centred upon these two !
Some were led to look back, others to picture
the future, when they would play the chief
part as these two were playing now.

Not a single thing in Renshaw's look,

216

The Mysterious Stranger.

manner or speech escaped the ever-watchful
eyes of the young ladies. The elder ones
were not so searching : they seemed to regard
these two standing in front of the altar and
the whole scene as a dream — a picture that
appealed to their imagination and wafted
them back to the time when they were as
young and but just entering upon the
threshold of holy matrimony, with life and its
conquests before them. The young men all
thought him a lucky fellow, and the older
ones, at least some of them, smiled and
whispered that they were just as silly
themselves once.

There were n number of bank clerks in the
church, each with a packet of rice. What a
storm of rice would take place, to be sure,
when they came out of the church !

Now they are out, Renshaw is helping her
into the carriage, amidst a furious storm of

The ^[yster^ous Stranger.

217

ratchful
er ones
) regard
tar and
ire that
■wafted
were as
)on the
3 and its
men all
lie older
ed and
fis silly

s in the
What a
3e sure,

Ung her

Dorni

rice. He jumps in and they are driven off
amidst a cheer and a shower of rice that
follows them for several yards.

At half nast four there will be a crowd
down at the Grand Trunk depot to see them
go aboard the cars for Niagara Falls.

It is a very easy, good-natured, meiTy,
well-dressed concourse of people on the
platform, principally all friends of the HuUy's
and Renshaw's, who are gathered together
to wish the bride and bridegroom au revoir.

The train is about to start: more rice and
hearty congratulations, and they are off.

At ten o'clock they are in their room at
the Clifton House, overlooking the Falls. The
only light they have is that of the moon.
The roar of the waters deadens and droAvns
the voices of the visitors who are chatting
on the piazza. All seems but for them — the
present and the future.

218

Tlie Mysterious Stranger,

We will leave them and look at her father's
house this same evening. Linen is laid down
in the rooms below ; Chinese lanterns are
suspended from the limbs of all the trees
and all around the verandah ; every room in
the house is brilliantly lighted. i'he doors
and windows are all wide open to admit the
cool evening air. A delightful waltz is being
played by an Italian band. Young people

are jrlidinof round the

in evening dress

rooms ; some are standing on the verandah.
The older people are seated upstairs at tables,
playing whist. The servants, under the direc-
tion of Carter, the head Avaiter of the
"Tecumseh Hotel," are arranging ("fixing")
the supper table. A crowd of people line
the side walk on the far side, while a few
bolder ones stand in the road or close to the
rail, and peer in with an awed look on their
faces. Raymond is dancing with Miss Brock ;

The Mysterious Strmu/er.

219

father's
id down
;rns are
tie trees
room in
le doors
dmit the
is being
g people
und the
erandah.
,t tables,
e direc-
of the
|fixing ")
iple line
a few
le to the
n their
Brock ;

Nora with ^Ir. Lordon. Mrs. HuUy has

her

and

^ )oni for a few minutes,

contemplating the beautiful evening and
thinking of Niagara Falls. Mr. Hully is
smoking a cigar on the lawn.

The people standing about and Avatching
this gay and fairy-like scene from the road
appear to be entering into the spirit of the
party and enjoying it just as much as those
inside. One and all wish health and
happiness to the bride and bridegroom.

''There, look, that is Mr. Raymond, the
one who has just come out on to the
verandah — now he's touching that Chinese
lantern. Well, he's the one that was tried
for the murder of Fitzgerald."

"Is that so?" remarks a Canadian.

" Really ! " exclaims an Englishman, just
out ; " such is life." He pulled out a flask
from his inside coat pocket and passed it to

220

The Mysterious Stranger,

the two speakers. They drank to the health
of Mr. and Mrs. Renshaw, and handed it back
to him ; then, holding it in front of him, he said,
" Here's to Raymond ! Here's to Mrs. Ray-
mond ! God bless her ! Here's to the bride
and bridegroom ! "

! health
it back
he said,
•s. Ray-
le bride

CHAPTER XVII.— Conclusion.

** The shuddering tenant of the frigid zone
Boldly proclaims the happiest spot his own ;
Extols the treasures of his stormy seas,
And his long night of revelry and ease.
The naked savage, panting at the line,
Boasts of his golden sands and palmy wine.
Basks in the glare or stems the tepid wave.
And thanks his gods for all the good they gave.
Nor less the patriot's boast where'er we roam,
His first, best country ever is at home."

*ORA and Vincent are to come home
in the spring. They are enjoying
themselves very much in Conada.
Mrs. Raymond is delighted with the winter
life, and says that she is the luckiest and
happiest woman possible. Mrs. Ellis has

222

Tlie Mysterious Stranger,

written to tell them that she has bought
them a house at Highgate. Nora and Vincent
often talk in rapturous tones of the calm,
happy days that this pretty, picturesquely-
siturte^r xuse will insure them. They both
know the house Avell, and have often stood
and looked at it when rambling through the
lane. :\r»,.i can picture the smoke curling
lazily up tVo? > die chimney of this house now,
as she • sitting ^ the drawing room of the
Renshaw's house ii^ 'arvis Street, Toronto.
There have been several callers this after-
noon, and Nora has found it quite difficult
at times to keep her thoughts sufficiently
collected to remember her duties to the callers.
It has always afforded her the utmost pleasure
to converse with the callers until to-day.
But to-day, somehow, she finds her thoughts
wandering all the time. That darling house,
standing amidst a small forest of grand old

(

]]

The Mysteriovs Stranc/er.

223

1 Vincent
the calm,
uresquely-
They both
)ften stood
hrougli the
>te curling
house now, >
room of the

,t, Toronto.

s this after-

ite difficult
sufficiently

,0 the callers,
ost pleasiu-e
ntil to-day.

t^^ees; its gabled roof and the beautiful
grounds white with snow ; the soft, warm,
red glow from the fire in the sitting room as
seen from the lane ; the caw of the rooks
and the calm air of comfon that pervades all
there, are uppermost in her mind. She and
Vincent had been talking about their dear
house in the moraing to the Renshaws.
Harold knows the house perfectly, and has
often mused over it as he has stood on bright
moonlio'ht nights in the lane looking at it.

He and Lilian are to spend at least six
months in this house next year. Harold has
been chaffing Vincent about his being seen
within a few years romping with two or
three chubby little children, Avho are calling
\ him papa, in the hay fields close to the house ;
er thougbts j and Vincent has been chaffing Harold about
arling house. , his being seen in the near future running
ioi grand old i along, dragging a sleigh with some rosy little

224

The Mj/sterioiis Stranc/er,

children on it, calling out, " Get up, get up,
papa ! Hurrah ! Hurrah ! Here we go ! "

Lilian loves her new home, and is very
fond of Toronto. The summer will bring
such delightful trips on the lake, and the
verandah will be a continual source of en-
joyment. She and Harold will recline in
hammocks and have ice cream, and Harold
shall read to her.

Harold thinks there is no place like Tor-
onto, but then you see he has Lilian. I am
sure that Vincent would think the same of
the " Queen City " were his Rowena a
Canadian. Nora and Vincent like Toronto
immensely, but think tliere is no place like
Highgate. Nora says that they shall sit
with the French windows thrown open in the
summer evenings, and sometimes they will
put chairs outside and sit on the lawn. She
is not going to let Vincent leave off making

The Mysterious Stranger,

225

love to her because they are married. He
will, she is sure, make just as desperate love
to her, as they sit in the gathering evening
shades, as he used to do at Hastings. They
will play tennis, too, just Avhenever they like.
Tears of joy sometimes dim Nora's eyes
when she compares the dark past with her
present smooth, even life that is so full of
love.

" After long storms and tempests overblowne,
The sun at length his joyous face doth cleare ;
So ^vllen as fortune all her spight hath showne,
Some blissful hours at last must needs appeare,
Else should afflicted wights oft-times despeire."

FINIS.

■g ^^

p
c

ir
m
us

APPENDIX.

BOOK has lately been published
entitled, " Americanisms, old and
new," compiled and edited by
John S. Farmer. It should prove a most
interesting source of amusement to any
reader. The explanations not only give
the meanings of the various words and
phrases peculiar to the United States and
Canada, but anecdotes are related, introduc-
ing the words or phrases, thus affording a
means of the uninitiated grasping the exact
use or uses of these Americanisms.

For the sake of my English readers, I
have quoted from this very entertaining book
what is given there under Chestnuts and

228

Apjwndi.r.

Rats. These two words .ire in constant use
in America. What they would do without
them I woukl hardly like to venture to
predict. How could you possibly so forcibly
impress a person in one, two, three or four
words, that the story told was an old one,
as by using the word Cliestnuts.

In England, as substitutes for Rats, we
have the words Bosh, Rot, Rubbish, and
many other words ; but no single one for the
American meaning of Chestnut. My American
and Canadian readers will be interested with
the explanation of Chestnut, as it affords a
theory for the origin of the saying.

Chestnut: — An old story; something that
has been frequently said or done before.
As to the variants of this phrase — their name
is legion.

The old songs are chestnut songs. He who
would foist a stale joke upon a company is

;ant use

without

iture to

forcibly

or four

old one,

Jiats, we
hisli, and
ic for the
American
ted Avitli
alfords a

ling that

before.

leir name

He who
ipany is

Api)en(li,i\

229

implored to " spare the chestnut tree," " not to
rustle the chestnut loaves," or " set the chestnut
bell a-ringing." Similarly, anything old or
out of date is said to have a chestnutt/j flavour.
According to the Philadelphia Press, the
introduction of the word in its slanu' sense
is to be attributed to ^Ir. AVilliani AVarren, a
veteran Boston comedian.

" It seonis that in a inclodrania, but little known to
the prosont generation, written by William Dillon, and
called ' Tiie Broken Sword,' there were two characters,
one a Captain Xavier, and the other tlie comedy part of
Pablo. The captain is a sort ot' Baron A. inchausen,
and in telling of his exploits says : ' I entered the woods
of Colloway, when suddenly from the thick boughs of a
cork tree — ' Pablo interrupts him with tlie words, * A
CheHtnut, captain, a (Viestiiut.'' 'Bah!' replies the
captain ; * Booby, I say a cork tree.' ' A Chestnut,^
reiterates Pablo. * I should know as well as you, having
heard you tell the tale this twenty-seven times.'
William Warren, who had olten played the part of

230

Appendix,

Pablo, was at a stag dinner, when one of the gentlemen
present told a story of doubtful age and originality. * A
Chestnut,^ murmured Mr. Warren, quotincr iVcjii the play,
' I have heard you tell the tale these twenty-seven
times.' The application of the lines pleased the rest of
the table, and when the party broke up each helped to
spread the story, and Mr. Warren's commentary.

* May I venture to tell the old, old story, Miss Maud,'

he said, tremulously ; * the old, old, yet ever new, story
of '

* Pardon me, Mr. Sampson, if I cause you pain,'
interrupted the girl, gently, ' but to me the story you
wish to tell is a Chestnut.^

* A Chestnut ? '

* Yes, Mr. Sampson, I'm already engaged, but I will
be a sister '

* It isn't as wormy as that one,' murmured Mr.
Sampson, feeling for his hat." — New York Sku, 1888.

Bats! — An ejaculation expressive of con-
temptuous sarcasm or indifference.

" The somewhat notorious Eev. Abbott Kitridge is in
a fever of discontent because the President of this

Appendix,

231

gentlemen
ality. * A
II the play,
}nty-seven
the rest of
. helped to
ntary.

iss Maud,'
new, story

you pain,'
story you

)ut I will

ired Mr.
I, 1888.

of con-

lidge is in
of this

great Eepublic, for tlie sake of securing votes, insulted
the religious convictions of the vast majority of our
population by his gift, in your and my name, to the
religious head of the Papal Church.

In the language of Mrs. Gougar, Rats! Rats!**

Kansas City Times, 1888.

The folloAving letter written by Renshaw,
and which appeared in the Kilbwn Times of
March 9th, 1888, will prove interesting to
many readers who are fond of sport : —

" Ice Boating. — It is impossible to imagine a more
exhilarating and enjoyable sport than ice boating, and
no better opportunities are to be had than those
afforded by the immense frozen lakes of North America.
Your correspondeut, an old KilburnHe, had his first
experience of this sport last New Year's day. After
sitting round the tire in the smoking-room of the
Toronto Yaclit Club, talking ' Old Country ' and
sampling old rye, I sallied forth with Hume Blake and
Kenny MotVatt — the owners of one of the finest ice-boats
on the lake — and four or live other jovial yachtsmen

282

Aj)pendia\

9ii

into 20 deg. below zero, down the steps on to the ice.
There was the yacht, a curious-looking construction for
an Englishman to behold. It is in the shape of a cross,
with an arrangement, more resembling a Japanese tray
than anything else I can think of, fixed on to the longer
portion, while the shorter portion answers as the
bowsprit. She runs on three skates, one on the right
side, one on the left, and the other, to which is
attached the tiller, on the end of the long portion ; and
carries one big sail, similar to those used in eastern
countries. As soon as we had hoisted sail, and let go
the moorings, the skipper gave the word, * throw
yourselves in,' for this is what you literally have to do,
there is no time for any other way. We were now
flying over the ice at the rate of 60 miles an hour, all
lying down on the weather side, enveloped in buft'alo
robes, and holding on for dear life. Before I luid time
to settle down and realise my position we had reached
the island, two-and-a-half miles from shore, and were
skimming up tlie lagoon, making for the open lake.
Soon after we were leaping and vibrating to such an
extent that I looked up and saw that we were crossing
rough ice. * Look out ! ' I cried simultaneously with

Appendix,

233

the ice.
ction for
[' a cross,
lese tray
:ie longer
5 as the
the right
which is
ion; and
I eastern
1(1 let go
throw
ve to do,
'ere now
hour, all
1 hullalo
uul time
reached
nd were
i\\ lake,
such an
crossing
,ly with

another fellow, ' water ahead ! ' But hardly had we
finished shouting before she had leapt the fissure and
left it about a mile behind and we were steering for the
club-house.

The club-house readied and the boat moored up, we
made for the Eeform Club, where, after an excellent
dinner, I heard the experiences of several old hands at
the sport. Perhaps the most dangerous accident is
when the crew get thrown out, and the yacht careers
on its own account. One can never tell in what direc-
tion their winged and steel shod racer will come. It
means being cut in two should it reach you. This,
however, only happens when the wind is exceptionally
high or the ice is rougli.

H. KEXSIIAAy."

London, Canada."

In chapter XII. Raymond asks Renshaw
to forward his luggage for him to England.
Renshaw answers: "O.K., I'll juv that for
you, Raymond."

The word Fix in America has the most

234

Aj^pemh'x.

extraordinary and far-reaching meanings of
any word used in the United States or
Canada. In this instance it takes the place
of do. If a watch Avants repairing we take
it to a watch-maker to be fixed \ if our
clothes want mending, we get them fi^ed at
the dress-maker's or tailor's; if we feel un-
well, we go to the doctor's to get fixed ; we
Avant a steak or chop grilled, so give it
the hired, girl to fix ; if we are dining at a
restaurant, and a bottle of beer or wine is
to be opened, avc tell the waiter to fix it,
and one of us fixes up wlien the bill is
paid. We fix a salad when we prepare it ;
we fix a chair when we mend it ; we get
the parson to fix us when he marries us ;
the best man fixes the parson when he gives
him his fee ; we take our pass book to the
bank to ji^et fixed.

It took Sandow to fix Samson. Beach

Aj)pe7i(Ik\

235

lings of
;ate3 or
le place
we take

if our

fixed at
feel un-
i.red ; we

jrive it
ins: at a

wine is
CO fix it,
bill is
^.pare it;
we get

hries us;

I he gives
to the

Beach

fixed Hanlon. It took Wellington to fix
Napoleon.

One of their most

;kable ter

remarKaDie terms is
to Jix. Whatever work requires to be done,
must be fixed. ' Fix the room,' is to set it
in order. 'Fix the table,' 'Fix the fire,'
says the mistress to lier servants ; and the
things are fixed accordingly." — Buckiroods of
Canada.

"A man may be the straight thing, that
is, right up' and down like a cow's tail ;
but hang me if lie can do the clean thing.
Anyhow you can fix it."— S. Slides " Hwnan
Nature.''

As I fancy it may prove interesting and
amusing, both to English and Americans
(and when I say Americans, I include Cana-
dians, although, strictly speaking, or speaking
from a Canadian point of view, 1 sliuuld not,

236

Apiyendix,

for different flags float over the destiny of
these truly great peoples, yet in this instance
I may, perhajis, be pardoned), I have given
below a list of words which are invariably
used by the peoples of the United States and
Canada, when other English-speaking peoples
use difterent ones.

I am not going to dare to venture to suggest
which I think the more correct ; for it will
be readily seen that in many instances the
Americans choose the better word. And I
will not stake my life upcm the assertion that
every one in xVmerica uses these words ;
but all Americans visiting England, or
Enolish visitin<i America, will notice the
peculiarity.

English.

A merican.

timber

lumber

sweets

candy

Appendix.

237

istiny of

shops

instance

gum

ve oriven

drapery

variably

1 ironmongery

ates and

^ *^ ^" ' ^ ^- V A A V-'^

1 corn-chandler's

l^eoples

1 reserve fund

1 tea

suo^orest

supper

' it will

tramway line

ces the

goloshes

And I

step in

on that

governor

words ;

easy time

nd, or
ce the

be quick

servant

labourer

assistant

milk

mutton

got

stores

mucilage
dry goods
hard

Avare

general store

rest

supper

lunch

road car track

rubbers

all aboard

boss

soft

hun

snap

y up, hustle
hired girl
clerk
clerk

cream (invariably)
lamb (invariably)
gotten

m
\

Appendix,

238

leave off

understand

gee up

masher

disappointed

station (railway)

luggage

hand bag, portmanteau

goods' train

throw a stone

chest of drawers

bureau

really !

lift

the post

quit

catch on

get up

dude

left

depot

baggage

valise

freight train

fire a rock

bureau

?
is that so !
elevator
the mail

English people have no idea what an in-
valuable word elegant is.

In America a building is elegant, a meal is
elegant. In fact, anything we appreciate
becomes elegant. I have eaten elegant porter-

t an in-

i meal is
►predate
b porter-

239

Appendix,

house steaks in New Yo.-k, elegant frogs' legs
in Canada, and have drunk elegant Milwawkee
beer.

The words aromul, away, Hght, ^ess and
i}^r<ru.jh could not possibly be dispensed
with.

" Say ! I guess I'll come around and see
you right away, so that we can fix that other
busmess as soon as this is through."
In England they would say :—
" I say ! I'll come and see you immediately
so that we can settle that other business as
soon as this is finished."

Again ..--Are you going away north, or
gomg to stay right here? "

In England they would say :—

"Are you going north, or going to stay
here ? " ° J'

Although the Canadians resemble thei.
cousins of tl

Great Repubhc in their genial

240

Appendix,

warm-hearted hospitality, and in the manner
of expressing themselves, both of which
qualities will soon be duly appreciated by a
person after living there for a little time ; yet
there is in Canada a strong J^^nglish sentiment
running through all their life.

There is a strong martial spirit, and a fond,
proud attachment for their flag — the Union
Jack. Nearly every old man has fought for
the colours, and nearly every young one is
training, and is willing to do so, if
necessary.

England has cause to be proud of so exten-
sive and splendid a colony, and should do all
in her power to foster and cherish the closest
relationship with such clever, sturdy and
royal a set of people.

Before me is " The Yarmouth Ga>.ette " for
March 22nd, 1890. There is a letter in it
Avritten by Raymond. I shall insert it here

Appendiv.

241

manner
which
bed by a
me ; yet
entiment

d a fond,
le Union
)Ught for
iff one is

so.

50 exten-
Id do all
e closest
:dy and

jtte " for

ter in it

it here

as a fitting ending to my appendix. And
then farewell, my patient reader, farewell.

" DOMINION OF CANADA.

To the Editor of the Yarmouth Gazette.

SiH, — The loyal and patriotic vote passed a few days
ago by the Dominion House of Commons, without a
single dissentient voice, proves how unfounded are the
rumours recently circulated to the eftect that a desire
for annexation was growing in Canada.

As an Englishman who has had the privilege of living
for three years in the Dominion of Canada, a Dominion,
the breadth of which excels that of the broad Atlantic,
and the area of which is greater than that of the United
States, I may perhaps be permitted to make a few
remarks testifying to the unswerving loyalty of the
Canadians to the mother country.

I have not had the pleasure of visiting or living in
any other of our many colonies ; but I believe tliat there
is no race of people who are more strongly attached, or
more ready to risk their all to maintain the sovereignty
of their Queen and the supremacy of the Grand Old

242

Appendiv.

Flag — the flag which ropresents the Bublimcst, the
bravest, the largest, and tlie most powerful Empire that
ever was, is, and ever will be, while we show a united
front — than the Canadians.

Let there be the sound of open rebellion against the
authority of a government which represents her Britannic
Majesty and the sons of Canada are ready, aye ready !
to lay down their lives in defence of their Queen and
Country. As an instance, I will siate how, when the
rebellion, fermented among a large body of misguided
half-breeds and Indians, broke out a few years ago, the
Canadians who were living in a beautiful city of the
United States, and who were earning a comfortable live-
lihood and enjoying protection under the Stars and
Stripes, formed a regiment and offered themselves to
the Canadian Government to swell the ranks of the
thousands of volunteers who were eager to protect the
Dominion from all her foes.

The militia, comprising a great number of young men
from the British Isles, but recruited for the most part
from born Canadians, excel in hearty patriotism, if that
be possible, even our own stalwart, brave and tru'
unteers at home.

wmr

blimcst, the
Empire that
ow a united

I against the
ler Britannic
, aye ready !
• Queen and
)w, wlien the
if misguided
[ears ago, the
city of the
ortable live-
Stars and
emsclves to
luiks of the
protect the

young men
e most part
tism, if that

Appendix,

248

I have had the honour to serve in two Canadian Mil-
itia battalions — the 7th Fusiliers and the Queen's Own
Rifles — so can speak from experience.

I have lived in the Province of Quebec, also in On-
tario, and have met many people from all parts of this
vast country, from the North West, British Columbia,
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Prince Edward
Island, and the colony of Newfoundland, and haAC found
them all staunch and loyal to the British Crown.

"We never need fear annexation while England, as the
centre of the gigantic Empire, maintains her dignity
and asserts her just rights.

Your obedient servant,

VINCENT EAYMOND."

id tru*

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