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. ; K iamond Coterie®

By LAWRENCE M. LYNCH (E. M. Van Deventer)

Author of “A Woman's Crime,” “John Arthur’s Ward,” “The Lost Witness,” “A. Slender Clue,” “Dangerous Ground,” “ Against Odds,” Etc., Etc,

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fits the only way,” sne Frepearea. They have left me but one weapon, oi it’s for my life;"’ and the lips’ set

hemselves iD hard lines, and the dark es looked steely and resolute. What «id purpose WSS taking shape in the ortured brain of Sybil Burrill? planted spere by the impulsive revelation of Con- ance Wardour. |

While the lurid light yet shone from her there came a tap upon the door, yad then Mrs. Lamotte’s voice called :—

“Sybil, are you there?’’

“Yes, mamma.”’

Sybil gathered up the jewels once more, hastily and putting them under lock apd key, admitted her mother. Mrs. La- motte was never a demonstrative parent. she anxiously at her daughter, | apd the look upom the pale face did not escape her eye; but she made no com- ment, only saying :-—

“| heard Constance drive away, and thought I should find you alone. Do you

to a drive, Sybil?’’ hesitated, and then answered:

“] think so mamma, if you wish to go out.”

“] have some shopping to do, and—it’s best for us to go out a little. Don’t you think so?’’

“It's best that we keep up appearances, certainly mamma; for what else do we exist? Shall we take the honorable Mr. Burrill?”’

Mrs. Lamotte shrugged her shoulders. “By no means,"’ she replied. ‘““Mr. Bur- rill, if his feelings are too much hurt, shall drive with me to-morrow. It’s an honor he has been thirsting for.’’

“He has indeed, mamma; the creature is insatiable. ”’

Mrs. Lamotte arosco with one of her cold smiles.

“For the present let ws ignore him, Sybil,” she said. ‘‘Make an elaborate diving toilet, we want the admiration of W—, not its pity.”’ And having thus uttered one article of her creed, Mrs. lamotte swept away to prepare for the ordeal, for such that drive would be to those two proud women.

No one could have guessed it, however, when an hour later, the elegant barouche, drawn by two superb grays, rolled through the streets of W—. Two richly dressed, handsome, high-bred, smiling women; that is what W— saw, and all tt saw; and light-hearted poverty looked, andenvied; little knowing the sorrow hidder. underneath the silk and lace, and the misery that was masked in smiles.

Meantime, John Burrill, left to his own devices, found time drag heavily. Frank had abandoned him, as soon as it became known that Constance was gone; and had abandoned himself to a fit of rage, when he became aware that his black mare was also gone. Mr. Lamotte had driven to town with his own light buggy; Sybil Was gone, Evam was gone; even his “ately mother-in-law was beyond the rach of his obnoxious pleasantries.

He ordered up a bottle of wine, and drank it in the spirit of an ill used man. Always, in his perfectly sober moments, John Burrill felt oppressed with a sense of the difference existing between himself and the yeople among whom he had chosen to cast his lot.

Not that he recognized, or admitted, his inferiority; had he not demonstrated tothe world, that he, John Burrill, sometime mill worker, and overseer, was &man of parts, a self-made man.

When he had quaffed a bottle of wine, he began to feel oppressed in a different way. He was overburdened with a sense ot his own genius, and in a very amiable frame of mind, altogether. In this mood, he joined the family at dinner; after which meal, a few giusses of brandy added fire to the smouldering element Within him, and straightway he blazed forth: a gallant, a coxcomb. In this frame of mind, he always admired him- self excessively, took stock of his burly

and brawny shoulders, and smiled fntimentally before the mirror, at his Teflerted face.

ere were people who called John Burrill a handsome man; and if one had 4 fancy for a round head, with depres- sions where bumps are desirable, and Vice Versa, and an animal sort of attrae- tiveness of feature, consisting of a low, flat farehead, straight nose, large, full Md lipped mouth, fair florid complexion St off by « pair of dark blue eyes, shat Were devead of any kindly expression, and hair, full beard. and moustache, of a Midish brown hue, coarse in quality, bat plentiful in quantity, and curling

ly; then we will admit that John

tll was handsome. Why not? We can

Ree handsome bovines at any fat cattle

Ww.

After this elation, came the fourth Mage; a mixture of liquors as the even- ing advanced, and then John Burrill be- fame jealous of his rights, careful of his dignity, crafty, quarrelsome, ard difficult to manage. Next he became uproarious, then maudlin; then blind, beastly drunk,

utterly regardless where he laid him down, to finish the night, for his last Stage usually dragged itself far into the small hours.

Gluttonous and meditative in the morning; beginning to swell with a — sense of importance about mid- va : a obstrusive, and conse- oe, later; hilarious after dinner; ee z mie before tea; and down in the oe efore dawn, This was Burrill’s tens ‘. ‘ enjoying life in leisurely, gen-

“maniv fashion. And this was bis daily

routine, with variations to suit the oc-

casion.

But sober or drunk, morning, noon, or night, he never ceased to remind the La- mottes that he was one of them, their equal; never forgot his purpose, or allowed them to forget it, or him. He was their old man of the sea, their blight, their curse, and, they could never hope to shake him off.

CHAPTER XVL

Sybil sat alone in her boudoir. It was yet early in the evening, but, feeling little inclined to remain in the society of her family, who assembled, with all due formality, in the drawing room on /‘at home’’ evenings, and most of their even- ings were spent at home now, she had withdrawn, pleading fatigue after their drive.

The night outside was balmy enough, but Sybil had ordered a light fire in the grate, and she sat before it with all the rays from a fully illuimnated chandelier falling directly over her.

She still wore the rich dress she had put on for her drive; and excitement, exercise, something, had lent an unusual glow to her cheeks, and caused her dusky eyes to shine clear and steady, almost too clear, too steadfast, was their gaze as it was fixed upon the glowing coals; she had not looked so thoughtul, so_self-for- getful, yet self-absorbed, since she came to Mapleton, John Burrill’s wife.

Sitting thus, she heard a shambling step in the hall, and the heavy voice of her husband,. trolling out a_ snatch of song, caught up most likely in some bar- room.

He was approaching her door, and quick as thought she sprang from her chair, and noiselessly examined the fastenings, to assure herself against him.

Then, while her hand still rested on the door, his hand struck a huge blow upon the outside, and he called out gruffly :—

**Sybil.”’

No answer; she dared not move, lest the rustle of her silks should betray her. **S-Sybil, I say, lemme in.’’ Still no re- ply, and John Burrill shook the door violently, and ground out an oath.

Just then came the sound of another door further up the hall, her mother’s door. It opened easily, and closed softly, and then quick, cat-like steps approached, and the voice of Jasper Lamotte, low and serene as usual, arrested the noise of the baffled applicant for admittance.

‘‘Less noise, Burrill.’’ Sybil had not heard her father address him in that tone of familiar command. ‘‘Sybil’s not there.’’

‘*Jes zif I didn’t know better.”’

‘*Nonsense, man; your wife is below with her mother at this moment. Now stop that fuss, and shake yourself out. I’ve some private words for your ear.’’

““Oh;’’ the man’s voice dropped a tone lower; ‘‘quite a time -since we've ‘ad many private words. ’Bout Sybil?’’

‘‘No, sir."’ The tone was lower than before, and so stern that it caused the listener to start. ‘‘It’s about your busi- ness and mine.’’

‘‘Oh!i maybe you want to settle up and discharge me. Maybe you don’t need me any more.’’

*‘Curse you for a fool! You know your own value tov well. Bully as you please, where the rest are concerned, but drop your airs with me. Settle with Sybil later, if you must; J want you now.”’

Could it be Jasper Lamotte that ut- tered these words; rather, hissed them? Sybil almost betrayed herself in her sur- prise; but the gasp that she could not quite stifle, was drowned by the voice of Burrill, saying :—

‘All right. ll setty with Sybil later.*’

And then she heard them enter her mother’s room, and close the door softly.

For a full moment Sybil Burrill stood transfixed; then the silken folds that she had instinctively gathered about her at the first, slowly slipped from her hand; gradually the color that had fied from her cheeks came back, and _ burned brighter than before. She seemed to con- trol herself by a strong effort, and stood thinking—thinking.

Only a few moments; then she lifted her head with a gesture of defiance. Swiftly and noiselessly she moved unde1 the chandelier, drew it down, and extin- guished every light. Then softly, cau- tiously, she opened her door and looked out, listened thus a moment, and then stepped boldly out, and, gliding to the head of the stairs, leaned down and listened.

From the drawing room there came to

her ear the sound of the piano, lightly '

touched, and Frank’s tenor humming saver the bars of a Neapolitan boat song.

Then she understyod her father’s mis- take. Some unwonted impulse had caused her mother to seat herself at the piano, and accompany Frank, who did not reckon piano playing among his accom- plishments; and the thing was so un- usual, that Sybil was not surprised at her parent’s mistake.

Evan being absent, Jasper Lamotte naturally supposed that floor deserted, and therefore had not observed too much caution.

Only a moment did Sybil listen, and then, gathering up the silken train, and crushing if into a soft mass under her hand, she crept noiselessly as a cat to the door of her mother’s room, bent down her head and listened there.

Five minutes, ten, and talked, and still Sybil stood, moveless and intent. Then, drawing back ‘sudden- ty. she ran hurriedly down the hall and

still they

AILY (SAM

had gained the foot of the stairs pefar= the sound of the opening door admonished ner that she had escaped none too soon.

i # moment she had entered the draw-* ing room, and, with more of her olden gayety than they had seen in her manner for many long days, approached the loiterers at the piano.

‘‘Mother! mother! your hand is out of time!’’ and, in a moment, she had drawn her astonished mother from the stool, and seated herself in the vacant place.

‘‘Sing, Frank,’’ she commanded, strik- ing the keys with a crash that died nway in discord. ‘We have been dull too long.”

When Jasper Lamotte and his model son-in-law entered the drawing room, they found Frank singing, Sybil accom- panying him with dexterous fingers, and Mrs, Lamotte half resting near them, with veiled eyes, and her serenest cast of countenance.

Castis2 one keen glance toward Bur- rill, which, being interpreted, meant, ‘I told you so, you fool,’ Mr. Lamotte seated himself beside his wife.

John Burrill, during his interview with his father-in-law, had become a shade more reasonable, and less inclined to think that, in order to vindicate his wounded sensibilities, he must ‘‘have it out with Sybil.’’ But his face still wore a surly look, and Frank, who was not over delicate in such matters, looked askance at him, and then whispered to Sybil, under cover of a softly played in- terlude that he ‘‘scented battle afar off.”’

Sybil’s only answer was a low, mean- ing laugh, and when she had finished his song, she played on and on and on. Sonata, bravara, fantasia, rondo; a crash and whirl—rapid, swift, sweet, brilliant, cold; no feeling, no pathos. <A fanciful person might have traced something of exultation and defiance, in those dash- ing, rippling waves of music.

Presently she stopped and turned to Frank.

‘*What shall you do in the morning?” she asked, abruptly.

Frank ran his fingers through his hair, after a fashion he much affected, and replied, slowly :—

**Well, really! Nothing important. Go- ing to ride to the office—meaning Heath's office, not the mills. Can I do any thing for you, sis?’’

‘I was thinking,’’ began Sybil, as un- concernedly as if she did mot know that she was about to astonish, more than she had already done, every one of her lis- teners, ‘‘that it would be a fine mornin for a canter; that is, jf to-morrow should be a counterpart of to-day, and I am hungry to be in the saddle.”

Frank roused himself from his lazy position, and looked interested. He took a secret delight in annoying Burrill, when he could do it without too much openness or display malice prepense; and here was one of his -opportunities.

‘*Well, Sybil, you shan’t be hungering in vain,’’ he replied, gallantly. ‘‘Name your hour, and your steed, and I will even sacrifice my last best morning nap, if need be.’’

Sybil laughed lightly.

‘We will have a moderately seasonable breakfast, Frank, not to make your sac- rifice too great; and I will ride Gretchen. Poor thing! she Will have almost for- gotten me now.’’

‘*Then that is settled,’’ replied Frank, tranquilly, and glancing furtiyely toward Burrill, who was beginning to wriggle uneasily in his chair. ‘‘Do you want to go anywhere in particular, sis?’

‘*No, unless you leave me for a while at Wardour Place; I want to see some of Con.’s new dresses. You can ride into town and call for me later’’

‘““Ah! very nice arrangement; can't call with you?”’

‘*Decidedly not, sir. Who wants a man always about? They are conveniences, not blessings. ”’

**Oh, well,-I’m extinguished. I prom- ise to vanish from your gaze as soon as you are within the gates of the Princess of Wardour, and now I think, after so much vocal effort, and so much self- humiliation, I will go and smoke. Adieu, sister mine; adieu mamma. Will you smoke, Burrill?’’

‘‘No, sir, thank you;”’ replied Burrill, with brief courtesy, and Frank, who knew beforehand what his answer would be, went toward his own room, smiling contentedly.

‘*T wonder what’s up with Sybil?’’ he said to himself. ‘‘She has waked up de- cidedly; but she has let herself in for a rumpus with Burril.1’’

When he had gone Sybil arose, and seating herself near her mother, said :—

‘*‘Mamma, you were saying something about going to the city yesterday; have you decided about it?’’

Mrs. Lamotte who had had no thought of going to the city, and who was fully conscious that she had made no remarke on the subject, looked up without a ruffle upon her placid countenance and replied, like a wise and good mother.

‘*No, my child, I have not decided.’’

“Then, when you decide to go, inform me beforehand, namma. I think I should like to accompany you and do some shovving for myself.’’

(To be GVontinued,.)

then I

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CNDOUS - - - BANKRUPT PURCHASE

WHOLESALE TND RETAIL

SPOT CASH TRANSACTION.

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$49 406-Wortk Dry Conds

cost price

W, A. Weeks & Co bought from Assignees of Esta J. B, Gass & Co, Amherst, N.S, at about half

Twelve Thousand Four Hundred and Eighty-six DolJars worth of Bankrupt Dry Goods, comprising a general and high class stock of dry Goods, Black and (00 ed Silks, Cloths, Hosiery, Curtains, Window Shados, Carpets, Ladies’ and Gents’ Underwear, Collars, Shirts and Neckties, Braces, Waterproofs, Ladies’ and Gents’ Kid and Fabrick Gloves, Staple Goods, Hats and Caps, Sunshades, etc; etc, etc. Bought at close on 50c on the dollar, paic¢ for with Spot Cash, and must be sold low.

MMUENSE

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NOW ON SALE AT

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$958.00 dollars worth Bankrupt Silks, Black

and Colored.

Bleck Dress Peau de Sois $1.30 for 95c, $1.80 quality for $1.25. 250 quality for $1.70 per yard. \

BLACK DRESS BENGALINE SILK, $1.30 quality for 90c. $2.10 beavy for $1.45. $1.65 for 1.10.

BLACK SATINS at 49c, 75c and 89, Gass & Co., price 75c, $1.10 and $1.45.

BLACK SURAHS at 49¢, 65c, and 70c, regular 68c to 1.25 per yard, and Surahs Chinas fancy pongee blouse trimming silks, etc., ete.,

Plain avd Fancy Silk Velvets and Velveteens.

BANKRUPT.

Dress Goods.

$1,165.00.—bieven hundred and sixty- five dollars worth of plain and fancy dress goods. Black and colored Cashmeres, Serges—marked at alout 335 to 50 per cent discount.

BANKRUPT.

Ladies, Cents and Children’s Fabric & Kid Gloves,

French Kid Buttoned and Lacivg— Black and Colored. Best 7 book $1.35 quality for 95¢ Best5 “ 1.25.. ** tur 74¢ Mixed Lot, 6c to $1.00 for 50c Black and Colored Silk and Lisle and Eveuing Gloves at all prices, Gents Kid Gloves $1.00 to $1.25 for 80¢

BANKRUPT.

Silk, Lisle, Cashmere

Cotton Hosiery.

Lalies Fine Black Silk Spun Hose $1.35 quality for 90c, $1.25 for 85c, $2.25 for $1.65.

Black Lisle Thread, 45c for 38c.

Laiies Cashmere Hose, plain ribbed and fancy, Gass & Co’s price 46c to 65¢ per pair, our Bankrupt price 29c to 48c.

Cotton Hose at all price.

Children’s Hose ut all prices.

BANKRUPT. Embroideries and Insertions

648 yards Embroidery at 24c. Gass &

Co’s. price 5c. 963 yards do., 7 for 44c. 1623 yarde Gass & Cv. lle. quality for 7}c. Odd pieces un to 33c. for 18c. All over Embroideries, Tuckings; etc.

IMMENSE

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NOW ON SALE AT

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Bankrupt House Furnishings

G33 W alow Sarvtes -3c3 Complete with Spring Rollers.

300 WINDOW SHADES at - 1%. 180 j do at - 3&c, 650 (assorted) 65c. for - 45c. 108 pretty Dado, 72 for - 49c.

BANKRUPT

Lace & Silk Curtains

ECRU AND WAITE

About 200 pairs, Gass & Co., price 55c. up up to $1350. Marked Soakreot, price from 29%c. per pair to $8.75, or sbout 40 p. c. off regular price.

Bankrupt - - Curtains

483 yards best Brussels, $1.35 for

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NOW ON SALE AT

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Gentlemen's Bankrupt Col- umn, Gents’ Summer Underwear.

Cotton Balbrigan and Natural Wool, About 50 doz. Linders and Draw-rs in all sizes from 24c to 95c. Gass & Co’e former price 35c to $1.35.

BANKRUPT. Bicycle Sweaters.

MEN’S AND BOYS’, FINE QUALITY Gass & Co’s price $1.05 to $3.20 Weeks & Co’s Bankrupt Price 68¢ to $2.15.

BANKRUPT

‘Braces, Collars, Ties

— es

| i

85c.

LINEN COLLARS.—3 and 4 ply linen good shapes, all sizes at Be, 9c. lle, and 5e, sold by Gass & Co. at from l2c to 25c. CUFFS.—18c, 19c, 22c, regular 25c to 35c, plain and link. NECKTIES-—A bout 100 doz. at about

14 do Bordering to match, $1.30 80c. | ; to 40 per cert. discount.

43; do Second Quality, Brussels,.........

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| 723 do Tapestry, 75c. for 49c- 3 rolls of Hemp Stair Carpet.

56 yards Cocoa Matting, 75c. for 45c.

Suitable tor Church or Hal], and odds and ends of Carpets.

at Fringe, 14c. for 8:., and 24c. for 16c. Mper yard; Curtain Tassels, Mantle Drapery, etc., etc.

Bankrupt Corsets,

Tremendous Stock,

5 Large Cases Standard and Best Makes.

Gases & Go, price 35c., Bankrupt 19¢. do do 55c. do 39e. do dg 65c. do 45e, do do 95e. do 69c.

A cot of odds in D. & A. makes, etc., ete.

LADIES’ & CHILDREN'S

Bankrupt Underwear.

ABOUT $400 WORTH.

White Skirts, Night Gowns; Chemises, }

Drawers, Corset Covers, etc., etc. Plain and Trimmed with Vest, and embroidery.

Ladies’ Bankrupt Wrappers

About 60 Ladies’ Print Cotton Wrappers from $1.10 to $3.25 Bankrupt price T5c. to $2.30,

BANKRUPT

Black Lack and Fancy Colored Floumwcimgs

Gase & Co.. price 9$0e. to $4.20 per yard.

Bankrupt Clearing Price 65c. to $2.25.

Lace

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BANKRUPT TWEED AND CLOTH

3 Cases in Factory, Canadian and Scotch Tweeds, Black Worsteds, etc. marked at about 40 p. c. below selling price.

BANKRUPT

Ladies’ - Waterproofs. Nearly 100—All Good Stock.

$3.60 for $2.45; $5.00 for $3.25. $3.00 tor $1.95; $2.60 for $1.75.

And higher priced goods at from 25 te 50 p.c. off Cass & Co’s. price.

BANKRUPT Goods in Mantle Room.

Last Year’e Styles. The price to clear no object.

BANKRUPT.

Real Black Silk and Black Spanish Laces. Elegant Quality. Finest quality ever imported to Charlottetown,

LOUTACHE, MAL/TESE.—€3 60 for $1.95 per vard. $1.96 for $1.15 per yard, $1.50 for 95c. In narrow widths— $1.10 or 65c; 85¢ for 58e., etc., etc.

And about $2.600 worth of Bankrupt Staples, and a big lot of other ¢ oods generally found in a first-class stock.

WA. Wee RS & CO.

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