The morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, August 16, 1891, Image 10

The morning news., August 16, 1891, Page 10, Image 10

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Newspaper Page Text10 NOW FIRST PUBLISHED. Beatrice and Benedick, A Romance of the Crimea, BY HAWLEY SMART, Author or “Brkkzie Lasqton,” “At Fault," “Tie and Thick,’ “Loso Odds,’ “Without Love oh Licence, ’’ Etc., Etc. [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] CHAPTER XVII. THE LYNDEN’S LEVANT. Although Polly Phvbbs herself was not surprised, her fellow servants were, when immediately after post time Mis 9 Lynden announced that she and Dr. Lynden were going up to town for some days. MB- Phybbs, cognizant of the preparation* that were going on the day before, was quite [ire pared for this, but what she was not pre pared for was that Nellie, in accordance with ber father's instructions, should not only pay up their wages but further a quar ter in advance, and that, when the cabs be ing at the door, she ventured to ass her mistress where letters were to be forw'arded to, Miss Lynden should reply that such let ters as might come could wait, that their plans were still unformed, and that she would let her know where to forward them as soon as they were settled. At the station they separated, Miss Smerdon returning to Monmouthshire and the doctor and his daughter taking a train to London. Frauces was really very much distressed at parting with her friend; she did not un derstand it all. but she had a vague idea that something dreadful had happened and that there was more trouble in store for Nell Lynden. Of what description she could not conjecture, but what could be the meaning of Ibis sudden and mvsterious journey? Nell herself had said more than ouce that she neither knew why or whore they were going, aod then Miss Sinerd m's thoughts wandered, as they were rather given to do, off to the Crimea, and she wondered after •II if it were p'ssible that that whs their destinati >n. Could it be that the doctor,. moved by the trouble in bis daughter’s face, bad suddenly determined to take her out to the east, and see if they oould discover what had become of Hugh Fleming? I)r. Lyndeu, she knew, was an exeellsiitliuguist, not only perfectly au courant with the con tinent but also with singularly comprehen- sive knowledge of the Chersonese aud ad joining countries. Had he been only more sympathetic on the subject of Nell’s en gagement, she would have felt certain that that was a solution of the mystery, but he , bad always shown himself so utterly indif ferent to it that, only Noll had assured her to the contrary, she would have thought him unaware that it existed. He hardly ever mentioned Fleming’s name, and then it was in quite as casual a manner as that of any other of the officers of the regiment ho had known during their stay in Manches ter. “No,” thought Frances, "theductor’s very wise and very clever, he’s fond of Nell in bis way and he’s very kind to mo. But he’s as dear aud selfish an old thing as ever I met with, and it’s my private conviction that he not only wouldn’t care, but he’d rather pre fer not to see Hugh Fleming again. He’s an active and energetic man enough, and if be seems to livo a luzy life at Manchester, It’s not from natural indolence, but I don’t think he’d make a pilgrimage to find Hugh Fleming, and if it is not that, wnat on earth is it? The thing that seems to interest him most, now that hostilities have virtually ceased in the Crimea, is where they are to commence again. How I wish I knew what they were all about there. If one could but see what they were all doing.” And then Miss Smerdon became guiltily conscious that this general anxiety about the doings of the Crimean army was a ra*her garbled statement of her desires; and that what Maj. Byng might be about, and what had become of Hugh Fleming, would have amply satisfied her curiosity. “My darling Nell,” she murmured, “I do trust things will all come right in the eud for you; but it will be draadtul not to hear from you—not even to know where you ere. ” The day after the doctor’s departure Police-Constable Tarrant was informed, previous to going on duty, that he was w anted in the chief office. Police-Constable Tarrant prepared to obey the summons vvitn no little discomposure. His interviews with his superiors so lar had generally resulted in somewhat sharp strictures upon his conduct, aud he felt du bious as to whether commendation was likely to be bis lot upon this occasion. However, in compliance with the order he inade his way tbittier, aud found the chief coi.stable and Bergt. Evans s.ttiag in con clave. “Tarrant," said the chief, "your instruc tions huve been for some time past to keep an eye upon Dr. Lynden’s house. Have you uDytbing speoial to report con cerning it!" "Nettling,” replied Dick. “I’ve men tioned that two or throe suspicious charac ters bad gone in at that very suspicious side door during the last month. ’ "Yes,” replied tho chief; "quite so, you mentioned that,” and here he threw a sig nificant glance at Sergt. Evans. "Bv the way, you weren’t on tho 1 eat yesterday?” “'No, 6ir,” rejoined Dick. “That wouldn’t matter much to Tarrant, *tr,” remarked Evans, with an amused though wicked look in his eyes. “He has exceptional means of knowing all that goes on iu that house. Never mind, my man,” he continued, as Dick looked apprehensively at the chief and evidently waxed very un comfortable, “I’m not going to betray con fidences; men of the world and n’t talk of these little affairs. The day before yester day you were on duty there; you neither heard of nor noticed anything unusual go ing on in the family?” "No,” was the reply. “That w ill do, Tarrant,”said the sergeant suavely, “you can’t do better than oontinue to keep an eye upon Dr. Lynden’s, and I shouldn't wonder if we had tp take you on the detective staff before long,” and there was a ring of irony in the concluding sen tence that penetrated even Dick’s armor of conceit. Police-Constable Tarrant felt an uncom fortable conviction that there was some thing wrong somewhere, and as he started for his beat, resolved to call at the house and tell Polly he must see her. By the time he had carried out his intention the doctor bad been gone four and-twenty hours. Miss Pbybbs opened tbe door for him in person, and started with no little dismay udod seeing who tbe visitor was. She knew that it must ocme and she had made un her mind to break it, but she felt sure that Dick would be very aDgry that he had not been informed of the doctor's departure yester day. She was a plucky and a high spirited young woman till it came to con fronting' her cousin Dick, but when he railed at her she would merely baug her head aud mako no reply. What she saw iu him—why she should bear tamely from him what she would stand from no one else, was inexplicable to all her friends; but it can only be said it was so. After all there is nothing new in it. Clever and pretty women, from time immemorial, for reasons inscrutable have allowed them selves to be bullied by mean and contempti ble men. “How are you, Polly?” said Dick. “You must manage to slip out for half an hour as soon as you can. I want to talk to you badly.” “Well, Dick, you can talk here as soon as rou like. Won’t you come in? There’s tobody at home.” "What do you mean?” asked Dick, with eyes open wide jfrom astonishment. \ou don’t mean I’m to come ic, do you?" lie had never ventured yet to crosa the doctor’s threshold. "Yes, I do. They are all gone away— they went yest-r.iay morning,” replied Polly, setting her face hard in anticipation lof the storm that‘as coming. “(Jone away!” thundered Dick. "What's the use of your keeping an eye on him I should like to know, if you allow him to gu away ?" “Why, how could I prevpnt them?” “Prevent them, indeed!” said tho now angry Tarrant. “Why, they couldn’t go aw ay without your seeing them, I suppose. Wasn’t it clearly your duty to communicate w ith me? You don't suppose the law would allow them to go away, do you?” “I’m sure 1 don’t know," replied Polly, meekly. “They told us suddenly yesterday morning that they were going to town, and in two or three hours they went. They kept me i retty bu-y, too, all tho time. How was I to let you know?” It could hardly be expected that Polly would own that she had been pretty well convinced of their intentions twenty-four hours before that. “Bah!" returned Constable Tarrant. “Pm disgusted with you. I looked upon you as a gal with gumption, and any gal with gumption would have known they were going away long before. But that’s the way with all you women. You're all idle ness, vanity and conceit. Instead of keep ing your eye on the doctor you were keep ing it on your looking-glass. Instead of thinking of my interests you were think ing about the color of your bonnet strings.” "Indeed, Dick—indeed, they gave us no notice,"said the girl, pleadingly. “O, go away; it just makes me sick. All the men I us 'd to read about when I was at school were brought to grief by women. Now you’ve just gone and ruined my pros pects, and I hope you’re satisfied.” It is not very likelv that Mr. Tarrant’s prospects were impaired by his not having conveyed tho meditated departure of the doctor to his superiors. He was a man of that kind that may be considered meritori ous if they only succeed in retaining the position in life which they started. “No, Polly, I’ve stuck to you through thick and thin, although I’ve known all along as you weren’t a woman calculated to help a fellow along in the world, but this settles it. I cast you off now forever.” There was one part of Mr. Tarrant’s spe 'ch which was undoubtedly true. He had stuck to Folly for some years, and it would have been very much to that young woman’s advantage if he had not. Now her opportunity had come. He offered her release, but d> you suppose that he thought any more than you or I do, that she would take advantage of it? That she would recognize that she was well quit of a lazy, worthless, ooncemptible hound? Not she. She did just as such women will, she metaphorically clutched this worthless idol of hers from what can be only adequately described as sheer cussedness. She shed terrs and implored Dick to forgive her, and Folioe-Constable Tarrant, after bullying her for half an hour, finally condescended to kis9, forgive, and borrow haif a sovereign from her, and then stalked forth to resume his official duties, and actually ruminate over whether Sergt. Evans was aware of the doctor’s departure. Sergt. Evans had acquired his informa tion by sheer accident, an acquaintance who happened to have witnessed the doctor’s exodus mentioning it as a hit of casual gos sip, and the sergeant was quite aware that he had no grounds whatever for interfering with him in any way. The man was eccen tric—an enigma, if you like; but Evans could not honestly say that he suspected him to be a coiner. He had no earthly right to search the doctor’s residence, but he felt that it would be a great satisfaction to him if he could have a look through that laboratory of which Constable Tarrant had given such a glow tng description. It is true that Cons’able Tarrant had never seen it, but that did not binder him from giving a fictitious account of it, aud the difficulty ho had about obtaining admit tance. He thought It advauced him in the eyes of his superiors, aud showed zeal aud intelligence in the performance of his duty. It was mere y a whim, the sergeant thought, as he turned the thing over in his mind; but still it was a whim it should he easy to gratify. He had already a suspicion that Mr. Tarrant’s accuracy was not quite to be deoouded on, but if there was a young woman in the house who was a bit sweet > upon him, he ought surely to have no diffi culty iu persuading her to let himself and a friend have a peep into the mysterious chamber. "Workshop of a great chemist—the sanc tum of a celebrated man! and all that sort of fluramerv. Myself a disciple—humble admirer of the famous Dr. Lynden. Yes, that’s tho caper. Tarrant’s not very bright, but he surely ought to have no diffi culty in working that. It isn’t business, 1 know, but we’ve all our weaknesses, and I really am curious to kuow what’s the doc tor’s little game.” The sergeant lost no time in explaining to Dick what he expected of him, and in a few days, by a judicious mixture of coaxing and bullying that worthy had extorted a promise from Poyhbs that she would allow them to look into the laboratory, upon the condition that they didn’t pull things about. To this Dick w illingly pledged himself, and at once informed his superior officer of his suc cess. Miss Phybbs’ time being now at her own disposal, it was settled that they should pro ceed to the doctor’s house the next day, and there Polly received them, and was favored with a somewhat fervid rhapsody on her master’s transcendent talents, by Sergt. Evans. Rigidly as the doctor had kept the door of the laboratory locked while at home it had struok Polly as singular that he should have left the key almost ostenta tiously on his dressing-table on going away. She led the way and the two men followed her. Tarrant telt confident that they were on the verge of discoveries, and that Evans’ practiced eye would speedily seize upon in dications of coining. Polly threw open the door, and Tarrant, to whom the fittings of a laboratory pre seated themselves for the first time, had no doubt that his suspicions were fully con firmed, and that ail the neoessaries for coining on a large scale met his gaze. He was about to appeal to the sergeant when a prompt frown warned him to hold his tongue. Evans, in his assumed character of a profound admirer of the great man, throw ing himself into a quaint armchair, request ed them not to speak to him. Tarrant meanwhilo went fussing about, peering into crucibles, peeping in retorts, and poking his nose into the drawers, under the profound impression that he was play ing the detective officer to the life. The sergeant never moved from his chair, but bis restless eyes roved incessandy round the room. His lip curled contemptuously as he thought; “What an old fool I am, coming; there’s not a sign of it. Wby on earth should one imagine that he was other than what he professed -a man with a fad for chemistry, and who is occasionally visited by friends with similar tastes. Never recollect hearing, though, of a lady addicted to smart bonnets being given that way. Odd! To be sure, it’s no business of mine,” and here his eye fell upon the empty grate, where it was ap parent a considerable number of Utters and papers had been recently burnt; some few TIIE MORNING NEWS: SUNDAY, AUGUST 16,1891-TWELVE PAGES. I indeed yet remains 1. The officer rose from j his chair, aud seeing that his companions J wore too occupied wirh each other to notice i him, picked up the half burnt papers and slipped them into his pocket; and then quietly returning to his seat, once more let his eyes rove round the apartment. Polly was far too deeply interested in Dick’s investigations to think of anything else. He had told her that the crucible*, etc., were all conclusive evidence of the tnanu- I facture of spurious money. “Yes," he said, “all wo want to do now is to find two or three bits of bad money, and then the case is complete; and it will be I, Constable Richard iarant, who will have led to the conviction of the most notorious forger of the day." "Lor,” said Polly, “I should never have guessed what ail these pots and bottles were for; but he don’t seem much interested, Dick,” and she cast a look toward the sergeant, who had risen from his chair, and strolled toward tae writing table, a waste paper basket standing near which had at tracted his attention. On seeing that he was observed, the sergeant, presumably iu his confusion, dropped his hat, and when he had recovered it, the few torn letters that the basket con tained were no longer there. Evans now seemed to have worshipped sufficiently at the shrine of the great man for whom he expressed such reverenoe, and thanking Polly profusely for having aumit ted him to the workshop of the famous Dr. Lyndeu, intimated that it was time to go. Tarrant kne v better than not to promptly respond to his superior’s hint, and having taken leave of Miss Phybbs, the pair were quickly in the street. “Pretty strong that,” quoth Constable Tarrant, exultingly, “1 should think there's enough evidence there to convict ” “You, of being the biggest fool in the force,” quoth Sergt. Evans, with more brevity than politeness, and with that he left Mr. Tarrant to his own reflections. CHAPTER XVIII. WINTER QUARTERS. The great siege was over, and the army, like the doctor, was speculating and won dering what next. One thing seemed pretty clear, that the belligerents who were round Sebastopol both desired repose after the tremendous struggle of the last twelve month. It was pretty confidently believed that although there might be no armistice, there would certainly be no further hostili ties until the spring came round again. Our old friends the —th had left the lines they had lived in so long, and inarched down to join the newly-formed second brigade of the Highland Division which was occupying the Vanoutka Pass. What a change it was, and how they all reveled in it, after the hot dusty plateau! To sit outside the huts here and smoke, and look down the gorge thickly wooded with scrub, which led to the glitteriug waters of the Black Sen; or to get on the ponies, canter through the pass, and picnic in the lovely valley of Baidar, and reflect how hard it was upon the luckless Tartars who had to evacuate their pretty village therein —all that was luxury. There were no trenches nowadays. As Tom Byng remarked: “It seems as if we’d all come up here for the holidays, and had uotbiug to do but en joy ourselves.” To a regiment worked as thiß had beon, such easy work as road making or carrying up boards and stores over the hill from Halaklava. was child’s play. They were in tue early dayß of October now—bright, clear, sunshiny duys, with just that touch of crispness in the air which always char acterizes the "chiil” month of the year. Wiat bathing parties there were after parade, to ride down the rugged gorge and take a header into the Euxine. How those, recreants who voted it was getting too cold were chaffed and chivied into their huts, only to reappeir with their towels in com pliance with popular opinion. There was little fear of the army not having a good time this winter. Stores there were in abundance, not a regiment that did not hid fair to be well hutted before the winter set in, and as for kit, it looked as if each British soldier would require a bul lock trunk to himself whenever it came to moving again Filled witti remorse for the sufferings the army had undergone the first winter, the nation were determined that there should be no recurrence of such in the second. They had perhaps gone rather into the op posite extreme, and the private soldier was served out with what his offioers speedily determi ed to be an unfortunate superfluity of clothing. In grateful acknowledgment of the care they were taking of him the soldier had a knack of putting all his warm clothing on at once, a :d when a man is en cumbered with a fur-lined jacket, a great coat, and a waterproof over all, he is not so useful on a working party as he might be. A wonderful find, too, had occurred to the —th. They had discovered in the gorge be fore mentioned, two large wood stacks of cedar, all chopped up into logs suitable for firewood. All the previous winter the ground had been in the posse sion of the Russians, and it had presumably been cut aud stacked by them, and abandoned w hen they withdrew their troops and ceased any longer to menace Balaklava. Tom Byng, who occupies a hut slightly detached froih what might be designated tho "O.boors’ Barracks,” is smoking* pipo in front of his dwelling, in all the abandon of his shirt sleeves, when his attention is aroused by the sound of his name being freely bandied about iu the huts just below. Glancing that way, he sees a Cosrack with long lunce aud a wiry little steed, and won ders not a little how he came there. He certainly didn’t come down the pass, or ho should have seen him; he mlist have come up the road from Katnara. Next it becomes evident from the shouts of his brother offi cers that the business of the Cossack is with himself. Tom accordingly walked down toward the mess hut, hut the easiness of his attire makes the Cossack doubtful as to his being a field officer of the British army Reas sured, how ever, by some of those more cor rectly attired, he salutes and hands Tom a letter in a woman’s handwriting. “How the deuce did he come here?” asked Tom of his brother officers as he took the missive. “Well, he must have come down Macken zie's Heights,” said one of them, “for he’s got a sate conduct from the commanding officer of the Sardinians on Traktir Bridge. There is nobody can make him understand a word we say, though we’ve tried him in all the tongues wa know, we even had Mickey Flinn up to act as interpreter,” contiuued the speaker, laughing, “on the strength of his having declared our friend there to be a Kerry man. However, his mission apparently is to bring you that note.” Tom tore it open, glanced hastily over it, and then gave a loud hurrah! "Hero you are you fellows,” he exclaimed, “the best bit of news that’s come our way for ever so long. Hugh Fleming’s all right, at least, when I say all right he’s alive and there’s a hope he’ll pull through. Here you, Flinn,” he co:;tinu"d, singling out Mickey from a group of soldiers who were watch ing the pro endings from a respectful dis tance. “I don’t know whether he’s a Kerry man or not, but give him something to eat and drink and take care of him,” and the Cossack quickly interpreting the signs that meat aud drink awaited him, resigned him self at once to the charge of Mickey Flinn and his comrades. Tom then turned into the mess hut, followed by three or four of bis brother officers. "Fleming don’t write himself,” said Brydon, “it’s not his hand-writing surely.” "No,” replied Tom, “my correspondent is a lady. I’ll read you her letter. She writes in French which, though I can’t speak, lean read.” “Oct. 4.—Monsieur: I write at the re quest of Capt. Fleming, of your regiment, to inform you that we now hope he will do well. He was badly wound-d in the last terrible day of the siege, a day the horrors of which 1 shall never forget, should I live to be a hundred. Like many other ladies, I have devoted myself to nursing the wounded, but ah, monsieur! on that dread ful day, what could we dol Our streets were strewn with the dead and dying, our hospitals were full to overflowing.' In the rati eat which followed some of our wounded were sent across the harbor, and some were set tto Batchi Serai. Ah. such a terrible march! and it was pitiful to see how our poor patients suffered. Amongst them ■ CapL Fleming, and the uniform told me he belonged t > tho same regiment as yourself. It was enough—a life for a life. I had vowed weeks before that if ever any one of that regiment fell to my care, if devoted nursing could save him he should have it. “Ah, monsieur, I owe you a great debt of gratitude, and for your sake, tho whole of your gallant corps. You saved the life of my only brother —you robbed him of the results of his daring enterprise, but you saved bis life. Capt. Fleming has hovered bet ween life and death for weeks, but our doctors now hold forth hopes. It will bo my pride to restore him to you cured, when our rules permit. He will write to you him self as soon as he is able, but he is too weak to hold a pen at pre ent. “Accept, monsieur, the profoundest assur ances of my gratitude and friendship. Yonrs very faithfully, ‘Marie Ivanhoff.” “Well," said Brydon, ns Byng finished, “Pm awfully glad Hugh Fleming is alive and likely to get ail right again. You seem to have unwittingly done him a good turn in saving Ivanboff’s life, whoever he may be. Do you recollect anything about it?” “O, yes,” said Tom; "I never knew his name, but the writer of this can only be the sister of the spy I took that day in the ad vance. I remember now he inquired par ticularly what my name was before he was marched off to headquarters." “I suppose they’ve got him in prison somewhere down at Constantinople,” said Brydon. “ I fancy so,” said Byng. “I only know that he was shipped off from this to be de tained a prisoner.” “Fleming’s very fortunate,” said the sur geon of the regiment, who had been listen ing to the discussion. “We have seen what the inside of Sebastopal is like; the place literally reeks of carnage. Any fellow badly wounded the last few days or the siege stood but a poor ohance of pulling through there. Batchi Serai I believe to be a charming place; I only hope we shall have a chance to see it noxt spriug.” “That’ll depend, doctor,” said Brydon with a quiet smile, “how many of us get up Mackenzie Heights. The Russians will very likely set us a pretty stiff nut to crock there.” And then a lively discussion ensued as to in what direction the advance would be made next year, in the midst of whioii Tom Byng suddenly recollected that it was in cumbent upon him to write a letter to Hugh, and also another of thanks to Madamoiselle Ivanhoff, for all her care and attention preparatory to the return of the warrior of the Don to his own people. These ready, and the Cossack was soon dis covered fraternizing amazingly with the little knot of soldiers under the presidency of Miokey Flinn, and after grinning a fare well to his entertainers, departed in the di rection of the Tchernaya with Tom’s mis sives. One of the first things that occurred to Byng after his emissary had departed was that he must now write to Miss Lynden, and tell her about Hugh. He had rather expected to near from that young lady, and singularly enough had been a little disap pointed that he had not done so. Why he should be anxious to hear from Nellie, it would be hard to say, but that her letters usually contained some allusion to Frances Smerdon may perhaps account for it. “They are all alike,” he muttered, puffing savagely at his pipe. “There’s Hugh, now he’s got a bit round, fretting his heart out about that girl, and she—well, she’s appar ently resignod and prepared for the worst. Shouldn’t wonder if she will feel as disap pointed as Jim Lockwood vowed the regi ment all were, at my coming to life again. Daresay she thinks one swoetaea.-t at home worth half a dozen in the Crimea. There what a brute lam to go on abusing as nice a girl as ever I met. Don’t I know she’s been crying her eyea out about Hugh. I don’t know what’s come to mo of late. Get ting sick of the whole beastly business, I suppose, or else my liver’s out of order. Now you fellows,”ho continued, addressing two or three of his brother officers who were lounging in front of the mess hut. “ Who's for a canter to the Phoros Pass and back?" Tom Bvng’s distontent with womankind would havo be on very much modified had he made a different reply to Miss Smerdon’s note. Frances only wanted encourage ment to open a very hot correspondence with Maj. B vng, but he was not very likely to hear from her, or even of her, again now. He couldn’t guess that Miss Lynden ami her father had disappeared from all knowledge of their old friends and eveu tnat the let ter he had just written to her was des tiued to be many a long day before it reached her hands. Indeed, Torn Byng was fated to be kept in profound ignorance of all that was happening to his late friends, not only until he reached England, but eveu for some time afterward. They had a glorious ride that afternoon, through the valleys of Vanoutka and Baidar, right away through that quaint, rocky arch which forms the Phoros Pass till the stood on the winding road on the edge of the cliffs that leads to Aloutka, with the Black Sea shimmering in the light of the setting sun ike a placid lake at their feet. Who oould have thought to look at that now tranquil piece of water it could have wrought such wild work as it had last No vember, when it had thrown big ships about as if they had been corks, and sent the “Black Prince,” crammed with ur gently wuuted stores, pitilessly to the bot tom. Then they turned the ponies about and rode homeward with an assurance very dif ferent from that of the bulk of the army the preceeding October, to whit that they would find a plentiful and comfortable din ner awaiting them. “Well,” said Tom Byng, as they entered the mess but, “this is a considerable im provement from what we know our fellows had to go through last wiuter. Talk about campaigning! It would trouble you to im prove much upon this, oven at home. Show mo a mess-room in England where the sybarites have got a fireplace like that, and with cedar logs burning in it.” “Yes,” said Brydon, “the room quite smells as if we w ere a disappointed sketch ing party burning our pencils. What’s dining on silver, to dining with such appe tites us we’ve got? And then to think that we’ve done with all that confounded trench work.” “Yes,” rejoined Tom, “whatever may he before us next spring, I devoutly hope we shau’t be in for another 6iege. It’s our first experience of the real thing, and we’U trust the fighting will take some other form in future.” The mess-hut of the —th was indeed a noble apartment for a regiment in the field. Four officers’ quarters had been thrown to gether to form it, aud a large brick fireplace aud chimney built in at one side. Orate there was none; this was a large ojicn chim ney place such as you may see in old castles and country houses in England, meant only for tbe burning of wood, and therein flamed night and day two or three mightv cedar logs, which were constantly replen ished; for that fire was attended with ns much devotion through the long winter as if It had be en the sacred flame of a Parsee temple. Many were the banquets and rev els that took place in thut woodeu but. If the regiment hai not shared in the fasting of the previ us winter they were well to the fore in the feasting of this, and an invitation to dine at themes of the —th was a thing that quite warranted the rejec tion of most previoas engagements. Stores were plenty at Balakiava, and they were no great distance from that place; while the mess committee had thrown themselves heartily into their work, and developed a pretty taste tor foraging of wnich they Had hitherto been unsuspected. Ihe days draw in; Christmas is creeping upon them. The cold increases, and the first snowstorms come driving across the Steppes, as if to worn them that the last winter was by no means exceptional, but that the Crimean climate is as rigorous at that season as ever it is in E igland. But what are cold and snow to men with plenty to eat, lots of warm cl;thing, good fires and warm huts? Assuredly the army made light of its troubles that winter. There were private theatricals and lots of entertainments that Christmas time. A popular man might find his engagement list as well filled as in the London teason. The soldiers too waxed fat and healthy—the hospitals wore almost empty; and when Luders saw, as he did when the spring came round, those twoniy eight thousand Englishmen inarch past on the plateau of Sebastopol, he might well look with admiration ou them. They were all grit. Ali the weakly stuff had died out of them; what was left was the seasoned wood—the genuine article. That the genuine article drank hard I am afraid must be admitted. I daresay they passed the wire cup pretty freely at Capua, at all events they did in the Crimea. British philanthropy, ever on the qui vire, was naturally very much exercised at this, and mooted several schemes for the more profitable expenditure of the soldiers’ money. One philanthropic watchmaker indeed was so m tved at these rumors that he suggested the superfluous pay of the soldier should bo utilized for the purchase of one of his firm’s silver lever mounted watches: but this prooosal was not cor dially met, though as one of the dogged bards of the camp sang at tho time: “Who can doubt of the chime Of our marking rime. When it's done by a Jones’ watch?” Perhaps the climato pulled them through, perhaps the healthinesi of the life they led defied injury to the ponstituti jn, but at all events if they dranK as hard as that famous army of Flanders swore, they throve upon it, and were uncommonly healthy. That he never got a hue from Miss Lyn dea puzzle 1 Tom Byng as the winter wore away ; but that he did not hear again from Hugh Fleming puzzled hint still more, especially as be had once or twice taken an advantage of a flag of trues, going across the Russian lines to forward a note to him. [to be continued.] WEDS A GYPSY QJE BN. A One-lime Philadalpjlai Marries a Forest Maiden. From th* Phitadelohia Times. Indianapolis, Aug. 10.—A novel wed ding took place this afternoon in Bergan dtnes woods, near Hanover, Jefferson county, where a party of gypsiee have been encamped for some days. The groom and bride were respectively John Lynch, at one time a prominent young merchant of Phil adelphia, and Jennie Van Hicklen, a genu ine nomad who was born “on the road” in Englaud nineteen years ago, and who was recently chosen at Elyria, 0., queen of the band with which she is now traveling. The bride is a tall, superbly formed and handsome maiden, agreeable iu manners, aud commands the respect aud warm friend ship of hor subjeots, who number twenty one men and women. Lynch is an athlete and is about 28 years old. He is said to have met and fallen deeply in love with Miss Vaa Sicklen two years ago on ber ar rival at Philadelphia from the old country. He was so enamored that he gave up a good business and followed the gypsy maiden to Elyria, the headquarters of a large number of these people, aud joined tho band to which she attached herself, thereby re nouncing forever the more civilized life in which he had been living. The pair were handsomely attired in genuine gypsy costume, and the ceremony was performed by a Ma li-on clergyman, who was expressly engaged to officiate on the occasion. A supper followed the cere mony, after wnich dancing and other sports were indulged in. Lynch and his queen-bride will hereafter travel in a handsome can vas-ooverod wagon, which is elegautly furnished inside with u luxurious bed, hidden by velvet curtains aud canopy, bureau, washstand, mirror, easy chairs, etc., which outfit was presented to Miss Van Sicklen by her subjects at the time she was chosen queen. LEMON t LlXiu. Pleasant, Flegant, Rsliab’e. For biliousness and constipation take Lemon Elixir. For fevers, chills and malaria take Lemon Elixir. For sleeplessness, nervousness and palpi tation of the heart take Lemon Elixir. For indigestion aud foul stomach tako Lemon Elixir. For all sick and nervous headaches taka Lemon Elixir. Ladies, for natural and thorough organic regulation take Lemon Elixir. L)r. Mozley’s Lemon Elixir will not fail you in any of the above-named diseases, all of which arise from a torpid or diseased liver, stomach, kidneys or bowels. Prepared only by Dr. H. Mozley, Atlanta, Ga. 50c. and $1 00 per bottle at druggists. A Prominent Minister Writes: After ten years of great suffering from indigestion, with great nervous prostration, biliousness, disordered kidneys, and consti pation, I have been cured by Dr. Mozisy’s Lemon Elixir and am now a well man. Rev. C. C. Davis, Eld. M. E. Church South, No. 28 Tatnall street, Atlanta, Ga. Lemon Hot Drops Cures all coughs, colds, hoarseness, sore throat, bronchitis, hemorrhage and all throat and lung diseases. Elegant, reliable. 25 cents at druggists. Prepared only by Dr. H. Mozley, Atlanta, Qa. Ad. jilvvkLkx. A L. DESBOUILLONS i2l Bull Street. DX^AOVEOIsriDS. CHOICEST STONES AT LOWEST TRICES. Finest selection of Gents' and Ladies' Watches. Jewelry of very test quality and latC3t de signs. Sterling Silverware in elegant cases. Also a complete line of Spectacles and Eyeglasses. Watches, Jewelry and Spectacles repaired by expert workman. Satisfaction guaranteed. A. L. Desbouillons, 21 Bull Street. FLOUR. FLOUR MERITS THE POPULARITY IT ENJOYS. CHARLES F. PRENDERQAST (Successor to It, H. Footsiax 4 C 0.,) FiRK, MARINE A.NO STORM INSURANCE, 106 BAY STREET, [Next Went of the Colton Exchanre.l Te, * phone Call No. L 4. Savannah, Ga, MEDIC AU AN EASY WAY OUT Of your difficulties, if you are a sufferer from contagious blood poison, or any of the results of an unscientific treatment of that dis ease, such as follow mercurial and potash poisoning is to take Swift’s Specific g You will not only find relief, but a perrna. n e n t cure. In thousands of cases that have stub born 1 y resisted all other treatment, has been found effectual. This great remedy not on ]y makes short work of blood poisoning, but drives out all traces of mercurial or potash poisoning. It is a purely vegetable remedy, compounded of nature’s most active agents, and it has been known as a Specific for blood poisoning .for fifty years. But the easiest way out of such difficulties is to promptly begin the use of ga Mr. George Stewart, of Shelby, Ohio, writes: “As soon as 823E9 I discovered I was afflicted with the disease I commenced taking and in a few weeks I was permanently cured.” ™ Treatise on Blood and Skin Diseases Mailed Free. SWIFT SPECIFIC CO., Atlanta, Ca, :P B P, P, Pimples I PRICKLY ASH, POKE ROOT Blotches AMD POTASSIUM ! Makes L , „ Old Sores i Marvelous Cures ™ 1 11 " Prickly Ash, Poke Root end Potassium, m the greatest blood purifier on earth. m Blood Poison WIvUU I UlwUll poison, and all other Impurities ol the r ■ . Blood are cured by P. P. P. Randall Pope, the retired druggist of • Kadison, Fla, says: P. P. P. is the beat (ee ®lf 0110 171 alterative and blood medicine on the lilliiiLiitlUiaQlßl market. He being a druggist and hav , laiiwviitiuiiUiii ing sold all kinds of medicine, his un “ r 11 eollcited testimonial is of great impor tance to the sick and suffering. and Scrofula kdliiiU UUI wIUIU great pleasure in testifying to the effl- I .mill. cient qualities of the popular remedy for eruptions of the skin known as Po r. .. ~ , . „. I’ P- P- (Prickly Ash, Poke Root and P. T. P. purifies the blood, builds up Potassium.) I suffered for several the weak and debilitated, givesstreugth years with an unsighUy and disagre to weakened nerves, expels diseases, eable eruption on my face, and tried giving the patient health and happiness various remedies to removeit, none of where sickness, gloomy feelings and which accomplished the object, until lassitude first prevailed. this valuable preparation was resorfid In blood poison, mercurial poison, to. After taking threo bottles, in ao malaria, dyspepsia and in all blood and cordance with directions. lam now en skin diseases, like blotches, pimples, tirely cured. J. T ANARUS). JOHNSTON, old chronic ulcers, tetter, ecaldhead, Of the firm of Johnston & Douglas wo may say without fear of contra- Savanna* (la diction that P. P. P. is the beet blood n . n „ o, . TT , ' purifier inthe world. o Henry Winter, Superintendent of the . Savannah Brewery, says: he has had I,adies whose systems are poisoned rheumatism of the heart for several and whose blood is in an impure con- years, often unabloto walkhispain was dition, due to menstrual irregularities, so intense; he had professors in Phila are peculiarly benefited by the won- delphlabut received no relief until ho derful tonic and blood c eansing pro- came to Savannah and tried P. P. P. per .ies of P. P. P., Prickly Ash, Poke Two bottles made him a well man and Itoot und Potassium. ho renders thtuika to p, P, X J , All druggists sail it. LIPPMAN BROS., Proprietors, Lippman’s Blools, Savannah, Oa. BASK PUNCH, i Antoialic Ml PoicH CHEAPEST AND BEST MADE. 13.M0 .CTU.LLV SOLD. In use by toe United States Treasury Depart ment. Price Only S2O. S"*?" Write for circulars. THE MORNING NEWS, Agents, SAV ARK AH, GA. ■OTKIa* THE MARSHALL; 11. N. FISH’S European Hotel and Restaurant, Broughton St., Savannah, G-a. ROOMS 50c. ?sc, £1 per day, each person. PULASKI HOUSE, Savannah, GLa. REDUCTION IN RATES FOR THE SUMMER JUNE Ist TO OCT. Ist Rates $2 50 per Day. L. W. SCOVILLE. HABDiVAKA Cotton and Rubber iiose, Hose Reels, Etc. GARDEN TILE. Edward Lovell's Sons, 155 BROUGHTON AND 138-140 STATE STREET. FIXE JL.IME OF GAS FIXTURES AND GLOBES AT L. A. MCCARTHY’S, 46 DKAYTON ST. MEDICAL. HEALTH B WEALTH I I>u. E. C, Wkbt’s Nrvk a.vd Brain Treat- MBST, a. guaranteed specific for Hysteria. Mzzi ness. Convuisions, Fits. Nervous Neuralgia. Headache,Nervous Prostration caused by the use Gi alcohol or tobocco. Wakefulness. Mental De pression, Softening of the Brain, resulting in in sanity and leading to misery, decay and death. Premature Old Age. Barrenness, Loss of Power in either sex. Involuntary Losses and Sprmao orrboßa caused oy over-exertion of the brain self abuse or over indulgence Each box contain* 2 ne J n 9® ch ' 8 treatment. SIOO a box. or six bore* for Jfht by mall prepaid r>n receipt. mi* price WE <>UARA.ITKG SIX UOXKS To cure any cae. With each order received by us for six boxes, accompanied with $5 o>, we will ond the purchaser our written guarantee to refund the money if the treatment does not r, uarantec issued only bv THB HLIDT DRUG tO„ Sole Agents, Savannah, Ga. For Chafing, Prickly Heat, use Boracine Toilet Powder. 2Tj cents. sipm C°H\ i^iS p EEDiL> Af ' •SUfvjioNS 4^*^lVViThOL> t Cowarts PAIN. ipiilliMflk ■ Ip 48 bonro Gonorrhoea anddis- L vj 4 urinary oiyanp/-. irM \ NAoSKI are arrested by Hantul-Nfidy CapJ MrilV 1 Buies, without in:xmvenieiice. PLUMBER AND GAS ESTABLISH El> 1853. " JOHN NICOLSON, 30 AND 32 DRAYTON STREET. 7 Practical Plumber, Steam and Gasfitter. All sizes of IRON AND LEAD AND OTHER PIPES AND COCKS. A full line of Valves aod Fittings, from % to 6 indies Everything necessary to lit up Steam, Hydraulic and Wind mill power. Civil aod Steam Engineers will find it to their advantage to call. BATH TUBS, WATER CLOSETS and WASH basins, CHANDELIERS, GLASS GLOBES. And other articles appertaining to a first-class honest establishment always in stock. LUMBER. McCaolej, Stillwell k Cot, Yellow Pine Lumber, ROUGH OR DRESSED. Planing Mill, yard ani office,Gwinnott street, east of S., F and W. Ry. Dressed Flooring, Coiling, Mouldings, Weatb erboardlug, Shingies, Ijithes, Etc. Estimates furnished and prompt delivery guA anteed.