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Add — =°*°o3c 46% 8 © 2 G6 * > ow. > + od. tf ye ovty oQ AS OS OSs GUS a! | TIE LAY FIGURE: By George Du Maurier, Author of ‘'Trilby.” $ weird an powerful story, writ- George Du Maurier, and published . : more re submitted . 2 he jadg ‘ 1, he ws trying . 4 ‘ story writ- I ‘ 5 v nh he tag s iater . i bbe s L Ze wreatly Paris—~and 1 over there Upon one of my trips to am rather partial to running occasionally, as refreshing to both my eye and hand (for I am an artist, a painter of ‘‘genre’’ pictures, my subjects generaily in fashionable life)—upon one of these excursions I chanced to ve in the neighborhood of Mont St. Genevieve, in a long, narrow lane going down-hill and oceapied on both sides of the way by Lric-a-brac shops and second-hand furni ture dealers. There were many articles I should bave veen glad to possess, such as carved cabinets and other furniture of the fif- teenth century, which had found their way to these curiosity-mongers from many old houses and chateaux ransacked by the Prussians; but, even conld I have given the prices demanded for them, I should have found their weight incommodious and expensive for transit to England. All at once my glance ehanced to fall on a lay figure exposed for sale—a very beantiful lay figure, too, afemale. It arrested me on the spot. The master and mistress of the shop im- mediately advanced, inviting me to enter and inspect it, assuring me it was in perfect condition, and if I would take it I should have it ata bargain. ‘‘Cent vingt franes!’’ Five pounds! It was wonderful—a bargain indeed, if un- broke ». Why, I had paid five-and-twenty pounds for mine at home, in every re- epect inferior to this. So I entered the shop and I made a minute examination, The lay figure was tied upto the side wall with a strong cord, and it took some time to unfasten it. The formation was perfect, quite a work of art, for it was a model of a beautiful woman of exquisite proportions cased in a fine elastic silk skin. All the joints worked well in their sockets, as easily as if re- cently oiled. The head turned gracefully on its slight neck, and its long, soft, black hair was worked into the scalp as only French hands could work it. The face was oval, of a fine enameled sur- face, painted a pale creamy tint; the eyes were brown and different from any I had ever seen in lay figures, of glass like a doll’s. Here was a chance, a bargain, indeed! I puiled out my purse to examine its contents, Alas! I found it seven francs deficient. I counted it again, and felt in my pockets, the dealer watching me. ‘*‘N'importe,"’ said the man, smiling with great bonhorle. **Monsieur is artiste peintre; cela suffit; I have agreat respect for his profession; he shall have it for his money."’ Wonderful! A French- man to be so liberni! Generally I found them rather difficult to treat with, but hers was an exception. Now another obs.acle presented iteelf, If I gave him the whole contents of my purse, how could I pay the fiacre in which J pro- posed to carry home my purchase? 1 de- murred again. My generous dealer held up hoth bie hands. “Pardon, was it not the duty of the seller te convey his goods to the parchaser? If monsieur would wait two seconds, the boy Henri should wheel it en a truck te monsieur’s hotel.’’ Here, then, we came to a settlement at last, and Lemptied the contents of my porse into his hand, at which proceeding he smiled and made mea polite bow. The lay figure wore a loose gray linen wrapper: it was now carefully packed up in yreen baize and placed upon the truck wheeled by Henri, a lad of about fifteen. The dealer took off his cap and bowed to me as we parted; madame made we a French bend, with a sweet ‘‘ Adieu, mon- sigur."’ Alas for the sdeceitfulness of Par- faians' Happening to gianceina looking- glass at the door, I saw reffected therein the dealer winking his eye and madame laughing derisively. Could it possibly be atiae’ Was I cheated? No. I had min- utely examined my purchase; I supposed they were only indulging in a little apleen at ‘‘perfide Albion.’’ I lodged in the Rue de Ja Paix, so that it was rather a long distance for Henri to wheel the truck, I walking on the footpath, he beside me on the pave: and all went well until we reached the Rue de Rivoli, when, without any pre- vious notice, off rolled the lay figure at the feet of two Sisters of St. Joseph, Who were just crossing the road, of course this cansed an obstruction: carri- ages Lad to draw up, sergents de ville pounce down upon us, and, amid rather strong language and some laughter, the figure was readjusted and securely tied this time. ‘*Monsieur is taking rome his bride!’’ cried a soldier. On arriving at the the old concierge appeared horror Stricken; she fanced there had been an accident. She was not much reassured on seeing sny purchase unrolled—it was so exactly like a woman. It was unpacked fu the yard, as the boy had to take back the baize with him. I ran up to my room to finda few sons, and for these he seemed so grateful that he came up to me whispering confidentially: ‘‘Mon- sleur, excusez—but—keep your etudio door locked at night!’ and ran away. No fear of having it stolen in London, though: I, but in Paris no doubt it might happen. I then proceeded to carry my purchase up three flights of stairs to my room, taking it in my arms as I should have dope 4 living person. It whe heavy, of course, but so beautiful in its mechan- ism that it bent easily into a sitting position. I had placed its arms over my sboulders; they felt almost as soft as a woman's; in my imagination they really appeared to presa me, as if about to mest arcund my neck—an absurd fancy, of course. I tit down on the landing- place whil took thekey from the lock on opening the door. Now, my impres- sion was that I had placed the figure on its side, and I must confess I felt a little surprised to find it turned over, lying on its back. ‘‘If it should be badly balaneed and apt to roll oven," i thought, “it wil not prove such a bar- main as I expected.”” In a day or two I was géing home, and, as November days were short, there was little time to lose; door of my hotel therefore [ went out again immediately ' to buy # large packing-case for my pur- chase. Am eblong-shaped box would never do, being too suggestive of a coffin, and likely te cause a fuse at the railway sta- tien. I waa fortunate enough to find a square one ready labeled “Objeta a’Art.’’ As the figure was so flexible, ig * i$ qin, + anticd « ie. ¢ morning the | carpenter staying to assist me in placing | the figure within it and could be easily doubled in half, and so travel without exciting remark. It was evening when I returned to my rooms. I had dined, and found the wine unusually good; but I deny having taken too much. As I ascended the stairs | was startied by hearing a smothered laugh—a peculiar laugh, «4 very unna- tural and unpleasant one. I paused to listen. The rooms itmmediately under mine were occupied by a comtesse, a devote; she had priests and nuns ever- lastingly coming to see her—a great amount of praying and not much laugh- ter, | should imagine. All remaining | quiet, I ascended the next flight. entered the reom and lighted the bougies. The | lay figure sat exactly the same as I had left it: but let me advise peopie never to | buy one with glass eyes: it really was a | most unpleasant sensation to see them shining and glittering in that large, half- illumined room; they appeared to be fol- lowing all my movements, and I was silly enough to dislike them so much as to throw the table cover over the head ut them out. The following packing-case arrived, the : is to nail down the lid. The silly fellow appeared quite frightened, declaring it seemed half alive; | but ignorant people ave so superstitions. | Another four-and-twenty hours saw me on the Chemin de Fer du Nord, home- ward bound, my packing-case in the luggage van. The longest halt was at Amiens, where I alighted for a cup of coffee. Judge of my astonishment, on returning to the train, to find guards, porters and soidiers hauling the contents of the luggage van out upon the plat- form—boxes, trunks, portmanteaux, pell- mell, 5ne thing upon another-<all the assistants talking at once, allin a state of excitement! What was the matter? Was there an accident? I got no answer. After completely emptying tbe van they examined its interior very carefully then, amid much swearing, they pitched everything back again in still greater haste, for fear of being behind time. I remember they were particularly abusive to the man who rode in the luggage department, who Iicoked as white as a sheet. “What's wrong with that man?’’ I asked; ‘‘1s he ill?’ ‘No, monsieur,’’ anawered the guard, “*he is only a fool. He declares that all the way from Paris there has heen a groaning and knocking as if somebody were hidden behind or in one of the boxes. Fool!"’ Here he slammed to the carriage door, and off we went at great speed to make up for the minute or two that had been lost, Arriving at Boulogne, I and my lug- gage went on board the steamer at once; and a very bad,rough passage it was. Of course one does not expect the sen to be like a mill-pond in the month of Novem- ber. On this occasion it was of leaden- colored hue, with larger waves than I had ever seen in the Channel, and we made very little progress, one or the other of the paddies being always out of the water. ‘‘Never seed anything like it,’’ said the steward, ‘“‘except when we've got a dead bady on board!’ At last we reached Dover, and I do not think Lever felt so illin my life—so giddy and faint that I determined to stay toe night, instead of proceeding to London. The night was so cold, wat and stormy, that I entered the first haven of rest, the ‘Lord Warden,’’ or I should have proceeded to an hotel more in ac- cordance with my means. My luggage was placed ina lobby at a side door which opened to a yard beside the rail way platform, in readiness for my de- parture the next morning, and I went to bed and soon fell asleep. I think I must have slept for about four hours, when I was aroused by the sound of many feet ruoning under my window, At firet I thought little of it, but presently the occupier of a room adjfeining mine threw up his window, and called out to those below, asking what was the matter. ‘We think there’s a haccident on the line, sir,’’ was the answer. Imitating my neighbor's example, I also raised my sash and took a survey of the scens un- derneath, where much confusion pre- vailed. It was the yard close to the sta- tion, for through an archway I saw the line, where porters and others appeared very busy among the empty carriages with lanterns; men were hurrying to and fro, talking excitedly. ‘What is it?’’ I called out in my turn. “When the last train came in, sir, we're feared it run over somebody; the erying and groaning is hawful now and then—There; don’t you hear 'un?’’ re- plied a servant of the hotel. 1 Jistened, the wind every minute blowing in great gusts from the sea. But there were also short spasmodic cries, at no very great distance, as if from some one in pain, ‘*Here comes the station master!"’ said the man, as that official, who had been knocked up from his sleep, made his ap- pearance, ‘‘Who is hurt? Where—what iz it?’ cried he, all on the alert. “We can’t make ont, sir,’’ was the reply. ‘‘Afcer the last train came in we heard smothered cries like, and we've all been looking on the line with lights, but can’t see nothing.’’ “Just listen, sir,’’ exclaimed another. ‘Poor ereature-—somnebody'’s got jam med,’’ said the station master, as a long wail was presently heard. ‘‘Here—bear a hand—run the carriages down the metals —get the ambulance ready close by— give me a lantern —come with me!’’ and the good man sprang off the platform on to the line with alacrity. What ful- lowed I could not make out, for every- body disappeared; my neighbor grum- bled about false alarms and being dis- turbed, closed his window with a bang, and went to bed again, I presume, as ! soon after heard him snoring. In about half an hour the domestics from the hotel re-entered the yard, and I called ont, asking if they had found the poor creature. ‘*We've not found nobody nor noth- ing,’’ answered a man. ‘“‘Blest if any one knows who's hurt!’’ “The erying an’ groaning’s stopped now, sir,"’ sald another. ‘‘You see the night-time is agin’ us; we shall find out something dreadful at daybreak, depend on that.’’ But nothing was found up to the time I left Dover, or afterwards either, so far as I heard, and I looked in the papers diligently to see if any mention of it were made, The following morning there was much talk in the coffee room about the disturbance of the previous night; all those sleeping on my side of the house had heard it. “ft think some one was playing a trick,’’ said a waiter. “If a hoax, who was the hoaxer®’’ I asked. “Well, sir, just as I came in from the sidé door to the lobby were that there luggage of this here gent’s is stowed—it was past 2 o'clock in the morning then —l1 heard a smothered laugh fike, an if EPPS'S COCOA ENGLISH BREAKFAST COCOA Possesses the following Distinctive Merits: DELICACY OF FLAVOR. SUPERIORITY in QUALITY. GRATEFUL and COMFORTING to the NERVOUS or DYSPEPTIC. NUTRITIVE QUALITIES UNRIVALLED. in Quarter-Pound Tins and Packets only. Coqueens by JAMES EPPS & CO., Lta., ic Chemists, London, Eneland. ’ E CAN GIVE POSITIONS —1o persons Oteli gratesofability. Agents, Book- keepers, Clerks, Farmers’ Sons, Law- vers, Mechanics, Physiciany, Preachers, sto- den's, Married and Sinugie Women, Widows Positions are worth from $100 00 to $2,0 010 per annum. We have paid several of our cat - vassers $000) weekly years. Many have started poor and become rich gp wenlers upon application State salary ex- € " T. H, LINSCOTT, Manager, Toronto, Ont, bidaw THE DAILY EXAMINER, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1896: 1 I j Richmond Bay and Malpeque ~_OYSTERS_~+ Oa Half Shel! every variety at the HUB RESTAURANT QUEEN STREET NEXT DOOR TO R. B WORTCP and served in some one was a-hiding behind the boxes and enjoying of the fun all to their- sives. 1 din’t see nobody; I was too tired to look, I can tell you; but take my word for it it was a hoax.”’ 1 reside with my mother in a villa at Kensington, and have a studio built out into the garden, very ccnvenient for the entrance of frame-makers and models and for the egress of my pictures, as it has a door opening on to the road, quite private. At this door I was set down, my fay figure having come in its box on the top of the cab. How I longed to show it off to my brother artists! ‘*‘Whatever have you got in that great packng-case, George?’’ asked my mother. But I would not satisfy her, as I wished to give her a surprise. What with relating Parisian news to her, and in return hearing the events that had happened in my absence, it was dark when we left the dining-room. ‘And now, George, I want to see your purchase,”’ said my mother, I told Jane to bring a hammer and chisel; then entering my studio, I turned up the gas. After some little labor I got the Hd off the case and lifted out the lay figure. ‘*Whatever mother, aghast. “Ahb—ah—ah!’’ screamed Jane. “Don't be a fool!’’ I cried. ‘‘What are you screaming at?’’ “Ab! ah—wha—!’ screamed Jane again, backing to the wall and standing with horrified, distended eyebalis fixed on the figure. ‘‘It’s a woman, and she’s alive! Look at her eyes!’’ ‘““You great silly!’’ I said angrily. “Don’t you see it’s a lay figure, like my old one in the corner there? You were never frightened at that.’’ “Oh, the old one is an innocent thing to what this is, sir. I’m sure she’s alive.’’ “It’s got glass eyes, like a doll, mother,’’ I said,seeing that even she was looking at itaskance. ‘‘ Very unnecessary to put them, but it isa French freak, I suppose. Isn’t it a beauty?’’ and to show off my purchase I screwed the head round on the neck. ‘‘Ah—ah—a—!"' screamed Jane again. “She's a-frowning—frowning awful at you, sir!’’ **Jane,’’ said I sternly, room this instant.’’ ‘What a foolish young woman she is, to be sure!’’ I observed as she scudded away. ‘*Well, to say the truth, George,’’ re- plied my mother, putting on her glasses and peering into my lay figure’s cream- colored face, ‘‘I do not like the look of it myself. It’s too beautifully made, too natural and like a real woman; unneces- sarily so, I should say. Let us go away and leave it. See how the eyes seem star- ing at your old figure there in the corner!’’ “T hope they won’t fight,’"I said in joke as we left the room, and I locked the studio door. In the miidle of the night we were aroused by something falling down in the painting room. My mother got up and came to my chamber all of a tremble. ‘*My dear,’’ she said, ‘'l am afraid your new figure has fallen down. I do not think it can be honsebreakers.’’ “All is quiet now, mother,’’ I replied, listening. ‘‘l’m afraid that lay figure is not well baianced; it turned over once before. However, I shan’t get up in the cold unless I hear more noises. We shall see what it ts in the morning.”’ On entering the studio next day there sat the figure as I had left it—but such & strange thing! my old battered English figure, which I had used for these twelve years past, lay overturned on the floor, stand and ali! It roally seemed as if the words I had spoken in jest were verified, and that the two figures had quarreled. My artist friends were all delighted with my purchase, and without excep- tion wanted to borrow it. ‘The joints were twisted and turned about in every conceivable manner. The mechanism and flexibility were pronounced unsurpassa- ble in their workmanship. I promised to lend it to each by turn, and commenced with it myself, attiring it in a black vel- vet dress and train trimmed with ermine for a pieture I was painting of Mary; Queen of Scots, I do not think I ever executed drapery so well in my life as I did when paint- ing from that figure; the folds fell and clung so beautifully around its graceful form. But neither my mother nor Jane could get over their great dislike to it; indeed, Jane declined to enter the studio at all, and, if obliged to bring me a let- ter, poked the tray in at the door, with her eyes fixed on the lay figure asif ex- pecting it to pounce upon her. As she was a most excellent servant in other re- spects, and had been with us some time, we were obliged to humor her whims; so, of course, my studio was not too tidy. My mother about this time declared she heard footsteps walking about the studio in the smal! hours of the morning. As for me, I generally slept too soundly to hear anything, unless it were unusally startling. Now, it is a remarkable fact that, thongh I painted hour after hour and day after day from that lay figure, I never could see anything repulsive about it as others did. My frame maker, for in- stance—a worthy, respectable tradesman — was one of those who could not look at it. A young curate occasionally called upon me for local subscriptions; he named it ‘‘the witch of Endor.’’ Dr. Hollis, who attended my mother for her neuralgia, examining it, said its anatomy was perfect; and his son, Jack Hollis, declared he should like to dissect it, In the meantime I had sold my old Jay figure to an artist residing at Liverpool, and did not allow myself to become pre- judiced by people who knew nothing about art against my new one. Having finished the black velvet dress,I removed the figure to a corner of my studio. Miss Lucy Hollis, danghter of the above-mentioned medical gentleman, had kindly given me sittings, for the beauti- ful and unfortunate queen. She was a lovely, brilliant brunette, and a charm- ing girl as well, When I invited her to sit for my picture I was only very slightly acquainted with her, but after about seven sittings of two hours each in duration we began to feel as if we had known each other intimately all our lives. In fact, it led to her ultimately ac- cepting an artist husband. But that was later on, and has nothing to do with the history of my Parisian lay figure. On one oceusion when Lucy was giving me a sitting I was engaged in taking the measurement of her pretty hand: I was scarcely aware of it, but perhaps 1 might have held it a trifle longer than was needful, when we were all startled by a deep, long-drawn sigh. ‘‘Good gracious!’’ cried Lucy, starting up, ‘“‘whatever was that?’ “Was it not you, dear?’ said my mother, who was seated near the fire knitting, looking up in surprise. No,it was neither of ns. I looked under the couches and other furniture thinking that perhaps an animal might be asleep is it?’ exclaimed my ‘eave the beneath one of them. No, there was nothing. “Tlow I do hate that horrid lay fig ure'’’ said my mother, shaking her xnit- ting needles at it. Now comes a very strange part of my story. Larly the next morning, as 1 was dressing preparatory to going down to breakfast, Jane eame to my deor, ask ing me to step into my mother’s room who appeared very ill. ‘““My dear mother,’’ I erled, ‘‘what is the matter’ as J hurried in to her, to find her still in bed, Inoking very pale, faint and 1). “Shut the door, dear, and come here.’ i obeyed her, ‘‘My dearest George,’ she said, taking my hand, *“‘I am sure that you love me, and that there are fev things you weuld refuse me, for I hav tried to be a tender parent to you, m3 dear }e7,"’ **Vhatis troe,’’ said I, stooping to kiss her eold brow and remembering her self-denial in my eariy Mfe, when J would be an artist, and how widow, had so economized that my mas ters should be of the best. ‘‘That is true dearest mother, there are few things in which I could say you nay.’’ “Tam about to inakea serious request; ic will entail a sacrifice on your part. 1 want you to zet rid of that dreadful lay figure.”’ **Get rid of the lay figure? To be snre, easily enough.. But why on earth should I get rid of it?’ [I exclaimed. ‘Last night,’’ continued my mother solemnly, ‘‘I awoke about 38 o'clock, I should imagino. My night light was burning as usual on the totlet table, when I saw my door, which you know I always leave ajar, slowly open and your lay figure enter. It advanced and at the side of the bed, looking at me in silence; but, oh, George, the dreadful giitter of its eyes! They seemed to have a red flame behind them, and their ex- pression was fiendish—fiendish! | was so overcome that I fainted. Destroy is, George: destroy it. Mark my words,itisa demon!’’ My mother lay down azain, quite overcome and trembling violently. She alarmed me, for ordinarily she was &@ person of good sense and not given to nervousness. That she had been much frightened was plain: but might she not have dreamt it? | wiped her damp fore- head with my handkerchief **Dear boy,’’ she continued, holding my hand, ‘do you remember me shkak- ing my knitting-needles at it yesterday and calling it ‘a horrid thing?’ Oh, I cannot rest with it in the house! George, did you lock your stndio door last night?’ I tried to remember but could not re- call whether I had dune so or not—my head, you s#e, was occupied at that time hy thinking of Luey Hollis—so 1 ran downstairs to sea. No. Strange to say | had not locked my studio door; in fact, it was partly open! I hurried into the room, but there was my lay figure in the corner, just as it was yesterday. I examined the black velvet drapery, which I had carefnily pinned and ar- range to paint from; if appeared to be undisturbed. My mother must have been dreaming. Still [ could not retain the figure if it worried her, that was clear. It was vexatious, however, to part with such an acquisition and he left without any figure at all for my use; it had been foolish of me to sell my old one; if was inconyenient and munpleasant. Yes, the figure must be sent out of the house, as it preyed on my mother’s nerves. But 1 need not sell it at present: I would lend it about to my artist friends who had been so anxious to torrow it. So I wrote a line telling O'Kelly that I would lend it to him first, if he would come and fetch it. O'Kelly was of course an Irish- man; he had studied beside me at the academy, and became a friend always good-natured and pleasant, bet rather too lively, being partial to playing silly practical jokes. He had private property, and took his profession easily, residing in a handsome apartments in Harley street, Cavendish Square. I had no doubt that if I ultimately made up my mid to sell my lay figure I should find a purchaser in him. He came over to Ken- sington directiy he received my note, only too giad to get the loan of it. “‘You may as well leave on the biack velvet dress, old fellow. I’m painting tha last days of Sir Thomas More, and it will do for Margaret Roper ”’ **Very well,’’ I said, ‘‘only please to remember that I've hired that dress of Levi Zerubbabel, and left» ten-pounds deposit on it.’’ ‘*All right,’’ said O'Kelly... We then rolied the figure up in a damask curtain and he drove away with itina four- whecler with great gice. My poor mother watched the departure from her bedroom window; she thanked me most affectionately for acceding to her request. She had certainly had a great shock in some way orother, though I gould not reconcile her story with com- mon sense. At any rate, from that mo- ment she began to get better, and Jane was as brisk as a bee, even asking my permission to give the studio a good clean, which in her reluctance to enter it had not received for some time. LEvery- body was satisfied except myself, who was left without anything to pose my drapery upon. I even wished for my old lay figure back again, clumsy though it was. Thereby hangs a moral: ‘‘Do not part with a tried friend who has grown oki and shabby for an unknown showy one.”’ ln the course of a few days I received a note from O'Kelly. He was painting in @ very satisfactory manner, he said, from ‘‘Madame.’’ as he called her; but his postcript rather puzzled me; it ran thus: ‘‘Do you think that lay figure is all right?’ What on earth did he mean? neither broken nor out Could it be that there really was some- thing queer about it? My curiosity did not allow me to rest, so I drove ayer to Marley street to see about it that same evening. My friend was at home and smoking his everlasting meerschaum be- side a splendid fire in the spacious draw- ing-room, which he made his painting room. The lay figure, posed in a grace- ful attitude, stood inthe center of the apartment. O'Kelly was delighted to see me, bringing out his decanters with Irish hospitality. “Your posteript about that brings me here, ©’ Kelly,’ said I. ‘Did it surprise yon, old boy? I’m glad you've come, any way; the Ma- dame s ;}.!>nsed herself, bedud! I believe she’s smiiiunzg at ye!’’ pointing to the figure with his pipe. ‘‘Nonsense, ©’Keily!’’ I said, frown- ing. ‘‘Il will not listen to any chaff; I am in earnest. What did you mean in your postscript? is the figure broken?’’ For reply O'Kelly got up, crossed the spacious room stealthily, opened the door noiseleseély, and peeped out. Seeing the coast was clear, he returned in the same mysterious manner to his seat. ‘*Well, George, this is just the gist of the matter: My landlady, Mrs, Musro, is a Scotchwoman; to look at she seems stood It was of condition. figure F Ganong Bros., St. Ste, Ointment cured tehin, Eczema, Tr Heat fg-ti o-atae-at -ag ta p iu at fn» tf ie ag t-te fe Pay a Visit to our store and inspect our many lines of new gods suitab'e fer XMAS PRESENTS Bargains in every line. G, H. TAYLOR, JEWELER North Side Queen Square, Ch’town. ipa o-oo af iat ie iia tea death eee oat t-te en — a Ne rere ee ee a plain, matter-of-fact body enough, but in reality she is as superstitious as the old jintleman himself. She is, sure, Un- fortunately, she saw me bring Madame homs. She declared it was a lady, and ulive; of course I convineed her to the coptrary, but she’s never let me have a moment's peace since. What dv you think? She will have it’’-—-whispering— “that Madame walks about the house of a night!"’ I cannot express how astonished I felt at having my mother’s statement thus corroborated. ““Yes,’’ continued O'Kelly, ‘‘she says she hears Madame walking abcut this reom, and come upstairs in the smali hours of the morning, and then descend again. Once she fancied in ber sleep she saw her come into her room and stand at the foot of the bed. Twice she has epened her door, thinking to catch the Ggure as it passed, She did not see anrthing, but heard the footsteps going downstairs, and a horrid, wicked, smothered laugh, as if some one were enjoying her discomfiture. She then hears this drawing-room door Close. Strange, isn’t it?’’ “Why do you not isck the drawing- room door of a night?’’ I asked, remem- hering a similar laugh I had heard my- self at the hotel in the Rue dela Paix. “There's niver a key,’’ replied O’ Kelly. ‘Bless ye! we're like a family party in this house; there’s no occasion to lock up. What I fear is that Mrs. Munro will give me notice to quit upiess I give up Madame there. I’m so comfortable here that I don’t want to leave, and that’s a fact,’’ and he took a long, melancholy pull at his pipe. I was in a brownstudy; what coutd I say? “If I were in your place, O’Kelly, I would finish off Margaret Roper’s gown directly, and then let Daubrey have the figure. I promised him the loan of it after you.’ ‘Well, if it must be it must; but it’s real sorry I am!’’ sighed ©’ Kelly. Now, Daubrey was a fashionable por- trait painter, always talking of the love- ly comntesses and marchionesses he was “doing.’’ He was a great fop,but a nice fellow on the Whole, and was only too delighted to receive ‘*Madame,’’ black velvet dress and all, for he was going to ‘“do’’ a dowager. Danbrey livedin Albion street. Hyde Park, and thither the figure was speedily transferred. Just at that time be was absent on a yisit to a coun- try house. He was an agreeable, gay little fellow, singing drawing-room comic songs very well; full of anecdote ani conversation, which protrait painters often excel in. These items insured him plenty of invitations in the winter time. My mother and I, though living very quietly, occasionally entertained our friends at a small dinner or evening party, and always had a little dance on my birthday, the 6th of February. This year, it was intended to be a very pleas- ant rennion, for sweet Lucy Hollis, with her father and brother, were to be of the guests, We had a cheerfni fire in the studio; it was wretchedly cold weather, and the snow lay deep. The studio was to be the ballroom, and I decorated it tastefully with evergreens, artificial flowers and a fiag or two. I hired an Erard, and engaged a pianoforte player and a violinist to play for the dancing. It proved a very bad night; the atmos- phere was raw and foggy; then it rained, converting the snow into a deep, muddy slush, This did not much signify, most of the company, with the exception of O'Kelly, residing within easy access of us. We had a delightful evening indoors; everybody came. My mother seemed to have recovered her spirits and was quite herself again. Refreshments had been handed round, and we were in the middle of the Lancers, the tiine being about half-past ten o'clock when we heard sev- eral knocks at the side door of the studio which, ss I previously described, gave egress to the road. Thinking it wassome mischievous boys attracted by the brilli- ant light from the large windows, no attention wus paid to it; the dancing continued, Presently the rapping recommenced, louder and more peremptorily. As I did not care to have the deor unfastened and opened unnecessarily to let in the eold night air, I told Jane to go to the hall door and call out ‘‘Whp’s there?’ and ask what they wanted. Jane went, but as there was no reply, we again set the interruption down to some michievous persons, and finished the set of Lancers, Whether it was the camparative quict that made the knocking seem louder, or whether it really was louder I know not, but several violent raps were now heard on the panels, accompanied by aobs and sharp spasmodic cries. Of course we were all silenced. ‘‘Who’sthere? What do you want?’ I ealled out from my side of the dovr. There was no answer, only sobbing. ‘‘Some one had better go round out- side and see who is there,’”’ said my mother. ‘‘ Doubtless itis some poor house- less creature attracted by the lights and sounds of gayety.”*’ But now authorita- tive hammering, accompanied by the loud voice of a man, was heard. ‘*‘Open the door directly; I ama police- man.”’ Of course I unbolted the door directly, and was almost knocked down by a tall female form which fell upon me, and from me to the floor with a crash. I stooped to raise what appeared to bea mass of wet black velvet. To my dismay and utter astonishment I lifted my French lay figure! “That poor thing’s been a-crying and knocking at your door ever +o long, I think she’s fainted at last,’’ said the policeman, ‘It’s no poor thing at all!’’ I replied indignantly, turning the figure over on the floor with my foot, its glass eyes wide open and glistening in the light most unpleasantly as it lay on its back, ‘Somebody has been playing a senseless trick. This is a lay figure—a life-sized doll, that is, such as artists dress in drapery to paint from.” “Don’t tell me,’ said the intelligent officer; “that there’s a lady.’’ "3 ‘‘Come in, then, and judge for your- self; only do shut the door and keep the night air oué,’’ said L The man _ then entered, and holding his bull's eye close to the cream-colored face, examined it and seemed puzzled and scared. “This is one of your jokes,’’ I said to O'Kelly indignantly, ‘‘a very silly one; and let me tell you I consiéer it extreme- ly bad taste as well,’’ O'Kelly strenuously denied all know!]- edge of the affair. I did not believe him. @ ‘This pore thing's walked,’’ said the policeman, who was going on with his examination. ‘‘Look at her stockings; look at the mud over her feet, no boots on; and what draggled skirts!” We had all assembled round the ro- cum bent figure, some holding candles, a merry party no longer, for this unexpect- ed adventure had caused an uncomfort- able break in our amusements and raised much curiosity. “‘J.ook here," said the policeman, hold- ing up the velvet train, lined with what was once white far; ‘‘I declare it’s bed- raggied with mud and soaked with snow- watera yard deep. The pore thing's waiked.’ ‘‘What an obstinate man you _ are, to be sure.’ cried I, ‘‘How can a wooden dummy walk?’ and I began twisting the hands and feet about to prove my words. ‘“‘Well, I never conld have helieved anythink could have been a-manufactured so natural-like—never!’’ said the police- man, who looked quite bewildered ‘Anyway, she was a-standin’ agia the door, and 1 could baye swore she was a knocking and a-orying to be letin; only, you see, ladies and gents, if she’s only a image she couldn’t have done it; and you were making such 4 noise with music and dancing. I suppose Iwas mistaken.’ “This is a shamefcl practical joke, Mr. O’Kelly,’’ said 1 once more to the puzzled Irishman, whe stood staring at the lay figure, from which the mud and rain still oozed off on the floor, ** You say you did not plan it, but no doubs yeu can give a good guess at who did. A shameful trick, especialiy as you were aware that I left ten pounds with Zerub- babel for a deposit on the velvet dress, which is quite spoilt.’’ ‘*T'll pay the ten pounds, or twenty ii ‘you like,’’ cried O’ Kelly earnestly: ‘‘ but, on the honor of a jintieman, t've had no more to do with ié than you have had yourself,’’ ‘“‘Now, my good man,’’ said Ito ths policeman, ‘‘if you have quite made up your mind that this is nota human being, perhaps yon will be so good as to carry it round by the garden to the too) house by the side of the conservatory; then go to the kitchen and have some hot toddy and something to eat.’’ “Thank you kindly sir,” said the offi- cer, taking the wet Jay figure in his arms. ‘ The cleverness and hingenuity of the present day is allowed to be sur- prisin’, but this here figure caps Dolly!’’ Though this speech of the policeman had the effect of raising our spirits a lit- tle, the whole episode threw a cloud over our enjoyment, and truly glad we were when supper was announced. My mother looked very pale; there was something so weird and unaccountable about the figure, in her opinion, that it unnerved her. Of course this joke of Daubrey’s, as it was now set down to be, although he was not the kind of petson to play jukes, was the ons topic of conversation, O'Kelly, strange too say, had suddenly lost all his animation and become plunged in a brown study. Our party soon broke up; all took their departure save Mr. Hollis, his son, and O'Kelly, who remained at my whispered request, for it had occurred to me that as the lay figure must be thoroughly spoilt by the soaking it had received it was worthless, and we would dissect it,as once proposed by Jack Hollis, and find out of what it was com posed, Informing my mother that we were going to have a cigar, we withdrew, and when the house was peerfectly quiet re- paired to the tool house and commenced undressing the figure. The dress was like a wet sponge, the outer silk and stock- ing-like skin of the same. This we cut off with much trouble, Underneath was firm padding, formed exactly to the shape, the principal muscles of the human body being imitated with won- derful acouracy. We tore off these pad- dings. What was this fine frame work supporting it underneath? Nothing more or less than a human skeleton! Even Dr. Hollis himself was appalled by such a discovery. It was a amall- boned, exquisitely proportioned skeleton of a female. By some process known to the ingenious manufacturer it had been ‘“‘vuleanized,’’ and rendered of the consis- tence of iron. The joints were most beautifully substituted by wheels and sockets formed of fine steal and brass, resembling the work of a watchmaker, turning with ease in exact reproduction of a living person. ‘The time, the toil, the ingenuity and patience this model— for such it was—must have taken to be- come what it was was incredible. And for what purpose? The face, so finely enameled, was the original craniufn, upon which the scalp with the long, black hair remained—the hair I had ad- mired for being, as I thought, so artisti- cally worked in! It was horrible. Had this work been done during the long months of the siege of Paris as an amusement or revenge? Had these bones belonged to a victim or aeriminal? I shuddered. What demonology would ex- plain such a mystery? Whence had my Parisian dealer obtained it? That he knew well enough there was something sinister pertaining to the lay figure, as he called it, I was now certain, recalling the manner in which it had heen ccrded to the wall, his jecring expression of face,and again the recommendation of the boy Henri to keep the studio door locked. Had a demon possessed it? Dr. Hollis placed the head and bones, all now separated, in a box, and he and his son carried it away with them to his surgery He afterwards arranged with the sexton of a neighboring vemetery to bury it in acorner of consecrated ground. The exquisite steel] and brass joints were all thrown into the 'hames from Ham.- mersmith Suspension Bridge. The pad- ding was burnt by myself and O’Kelly in the tool house before we separated next morning, We could not have taken more cure had we been criminals bent on getting rid of a corpse. A Seusitive Man, That the average man is very sensitive as to his physical infirmities was strik- ingly illustrated in an Arch street car yesterday afternoon, Near the rear plat- form sat a well-dressed man, with one leg stretched out in front of him, almost completely blocking the passage, A lady boarded the car, and in her efforts to reach a seat, stumbled over the man’s leg. He apologized. but did not change his position. Presently another female passenger got on, and she was forced to step over the obstacie. Then the condue- tor interfered. Approaching the man he requested him to draw in his font, but the request was promptly refused. ‘I'l put you off the car if youdon’t,’’ expost- ulated the conducter. ‘‘You won't do anything of the kind,’’ was the spirited reply. Hot words followed, a scuffle en- sued, and the obstinate passenger was finally landed in the street. It was then discovered that he had an artificial leg, and rather than acknow!2dge his affliction he had run the chances of a disgraceful scene.—Philadelphia Record. Enriching the Spanish Tongue, ‘*Record Breaker’ is the latest term adopted from English into the hospitable family of Spanish speech, which, al- though elegant and sonorous, is some- times Jacking in conciseness. What with “‘reccrds’’ and ‘‘handicaps’’ the yocabu- lary of ‘‘e] sport’ ie augmenting. Some one more bold than erudite translates the first-named term ‘‘quebrador de re. cuerdos!”’’ This is that I have suffered from les for a long time and several articles re commended for this com- laint, but none of them nefitted me till I tried Chase’s Ointment, which has completely cured ma Maus. JOHN GERRIE. B. Phillips, jr.. Drogzist Witness. “ My six-year-old danghter Bella,was or | eczema for 24 months, the princtnal seat eruption ~~," behind her ears. I t almost tral aa i f d the cioes an and too! to medical s ists in § Giseases, but with- out result. I pureh 3 we showed the curative effect of the Ke’ . ¢ have used only one-sixth of the bex, but sovented, Ci} cae ane en aia 4 confiden myc eured. (Signed) MAXWELDO “TON, 12 Anne St., Toronte Sold by al) dealers, or on receipt of price, 60e, Adres, COMANSON, BATES & CC., TORONTO. , . — ne i - - _ = _-—- ae eee a SoD 0B OG] 00202 0 % (ODOT ST-602562-—@ @ GYQIP, , > fA. 4 4 A hen you 4 4 Wt? @ § AdsvertisezzD 3 8 aki ° VUCTILAY ( 4 @ttiCerya7 9 > > ? @. “USE 4 3 4 FOR-~2-G =) 2 a G 0 we { 6 a , i ; af { 58 9 > Vili 0 oT ie ) ss ; 9 a ) ? 6 A ’ Pe # 4 a “ LSS oozes! { ; P| 4 bh ay owen Sn a we § roe >; clit e ; : 0 - A ‘Hamper ton, 3 STGLINY 3 4 : A EXAMINER , sii 4 4 eee ba 00 PER YEA! 3 ' | - ty n > @ Our advertisers know their a — — ot 0 6 business ; the y want their 6 A 9 @ money ’s worth—and 1 ty % Have You 4 @ setit by advertising in > ; D> ¢ 6 4 Anything to Print ¢« 4 ? @ 4 The 4 4 , . 2 . ( , 4 EXAMINER 4 , Hap ; 9 a ¥ > Dd, ager , é Experience has taught then A A Circulars, A @ thit we seach the best > > SAUP Pits 73 > people—and they make the oS a ° best buyers. é ) 0 0 CUDEOPes, 0 J : t o d 4 5 it ad 4 A a eee + ‘ Letierheads, A ASlS%eBVe@, Tickets, , a RATES & THE > Receipts, > ? ON 4 WEEKLY (A Stat Whit Hts, 4 4 APPLICATION Ce Noteheads, 3 ¢ $1.00 PER YEAR Notes of Hand 0 6 6e¢ 90 gooseezes a Visiting Cards, @ 8 Q a Programmnu ce 4 Look over any issue of s > o oo Examiner and judge ? \ cee 0 4 or yourself whether our 4 9 paper is well patronized 6 6 SEND TO US FOR 6 4 by leading advertisers. > Se > PRICES a 3 0 0 e@ee 0 , ~~ @ eo > > o Qo 0 0 Orders by mail will reccive 6 4 Queen Street > oa rompt attention, at | we tk 9 ¢ é will always be delivered 0 ® CHARLOTTETOWN % > when required. > 0 ' 6 ¢ 9BOHOD0S 9630230 B® DADO] 002022 How Does This oirike You? Dozens of Ulsters and Overcoats at INVOICE PRICE, with cost of selling added. As we have more of this lin: of goods than we may be able to sell this season, we make this genuine offer to dis- pose of them. We mean t> sell exactly as we advertise. You — get an apportunity like this to buy at actual eost to retail. We don’t consider it necessary to be continually harp ing at the good quality of work done in our Tailoring Department We are no amateurs, but are confident that we are in tion to do as High-class Work as any Within a radiuzofa_ thousand miles the cutters and workmen to do it. in winter Overeoats. & posi- We have Extra good value given e :. te, S56 SS = ea =. SO. i.e «| Nn: . at ste fe > ail be = ; iy a ii sdb Sikes OF a sada IW S SHEPFIELD CURLORY . tll Spoons, Forks, Scissors, Enamelled |i a en. G03 ds se e | DURING CHRISTMAS WEEK P I ; W. E. DAWSONE | bm 2 ee ; ; : = INDIAN TEA Sales have increased over one hundred per cent. during the past twelve months for my special brands imported direct from the Indian Tea Gardens, Orders are constantly being received from so ue of the largest cities in the United States and Canada. Shipments to London from the producing countries stand as follows :— CHIN (from commencement of season to 30th November, 1896) 33} mill lbs . as against 37} in 1895. (from commencement oj season to 30th Nov , 1896) 454 KILO () 1% against 383 in 1895. INDE ‘ 7 (frou commencement of season to 20th Nov., 1896) 103} mill Ibs., as ‘B:™ against 957 in 18909. HORACE HASZARD, Agent Ghoir-Allie Tea Gardens, mill ibs., as Charlottetown, 17th Dee, 1896—2w eod ROBERT PALMER & GO., Charlottetown Sash and Door Factry READ THIS! _ We arenow better prepared than ever to supply Contractors with PANEL DOORS and FRAMES, SASHES and FRAMES, MOULDINGS and FINISH SPOUTING and CONDUCTORS, STAIR RAILS, STAIR BALUSTERS, NEWEL POSTS, which are always kept constantly in stock. We are also prepared to i all kinds of JOBBING in Plaaing, Jointing, Mor icing, Tennoning, Jig and Fret Sawing. All kinds of GOTHIC WINDOWS made at shortest notic Our Machinery is new ani of the very bet description, and we manufactara from the best Quebec, pine. se us a call, ROBT. PALMER & CO., hs, Bae ee