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A TMGLH The President of a Ba Victim t< WRITTEN BY E CHAPTER 1. "Gentlemen, one of the brethren asks 3 leave to make a confession." We looked at our President in Bur- 1 prise. Many months had passed since J ire heard these portentous words. They were welcome, too. ''or the club of late had been growing rather dull, and all of ns seemed determined to remain bachelors. There were nine of us, young NewYorkers, who had formed what might be called an offensive and defensive social alliance. We met every two weeks at each other's apartments, and went through an established order of business over our wine and cisars. Our fraternal t onds compelled us to protect each other from the wiles of the gentler Bex. Wc were not misogynists, by any means, but were sworn to defend one another from hasty and undesirable marriages. We were 1hus obliged to be j frank and outspoken at our meetings, and our President, a confirm* d old I bachelor of middle age, had become an I xpert in drawing from an unwilling ' member the deepest seciets of his heart As I said, our gatherings had been for some time unenlivened by anything sensational, and when the* President remarked one evening that one of the brethren had a confession to make we all refilled our glasses, lighted fresh cigars, and prepared for an enjoyable discussion. The youngest member of the clcb, a handsome fellow not lone: out of college, tood up, looking rather pale, and bowed to the President "I am the victim of a woman," he stated, employing the phrase, prescribed by our Book of Forms. "You are in love?" the President re turned. ; "I am," answered Fernshaw. < "May heaven protect you," chorused the club. Fernshaw then reseated himself, smiled nervously and looked around anxiously at our stern, uncompromising faces. It is not an easy task to acknowledge a loss or heart to eight hardened men. "You say," continued the President, till following the form ordained for , thi6 emergency, "that you are in love. Upon what symptoms do you base your diagnosis?" The founder of the club ha'd been a physician, ?nd our ritual was sugestive, in places, of his profession. "Sleeplessness, inability to concentrate my mind on business, loss of ap- \ oetite. constant dwelling on the words and appearance of my inamorata. It's j a clear case, Mr. President I've fought ? against it, but?but?I'm a cone coon." l "No elang, Mr. Fernehaw," 6aid the t President, 6ternly. "This is a serious i affair. You are the youngest member ? of this club. You have been with us r only a few months, but in that time you f have beoome a favorite. It pains me i greatly to learn that you have not shown more firmness in this matter." c "Mr. President," I said, rising,"it may j be that Brother Fern-haw deceives himself. Would it not be well for Dr. r Chapman" (ex-President and founder of 6 the club) "to question the victim more cclosely. At Fernshaw's age bilious- j Bess is often mistaken for love." "Your suggestion is a good one," an- ,, Mawrnwn/4 *V\A "Dwooi/^onf " 1 lA/ifAT TOl'll 1TA11 Oi CU liic i icoiutun i/vv uvi , nm jvu kindly examine Mr. Fernshaw?" y Dr. Chapman, a bachelor of thirty- a five, placed his cigar on a table and 0 solemnly approached Fernshaw. He j felt the young man's pulse, looked at r hi6 tongue, asked him a few questions s In a low voice, then returned to his t eat. "Case of love," remarked the Doctor a ententiously. Fernshaw colored violently, while a Blgh of despair arose from the club. , "Brother Fernshaw," said the Pre6l- * dent, "I regret to lind my worst fears corroborated by Brother Chapman. It . will now be necessary for you to state , the lady's name, your opinion as to her feeling towards you, and such other de tails as will enable the club to take in- _ telligent action." . Fernshaw again arose, leaned agaiDst a table, and continued his confession. There was something sublimely heroic In his calmness. "Ker name," he said, "is Agnes Upton. I have known her for two years. ^ f V\ a?? Jf r% n*oolfKr* m or\ rrVi ^ V> n f i ^ JLLCI iaiiiCi 1C? Cfc nooiwuj nuv xi?o , been twice married. Miss Upton's mother Is dead, and she is not fond of her step-mother; Agnes is a handsome girl, dark, impassioned, but a thorough . -gentlewoman in her eelf-control. Her mother left her a large fortune. I don't know -what she thinks or ine; sometimes ehe is cordial, sometimes cold. One day I think she loveB me, and the next ? I resolve never to see her again. I have never told her that I love her." "Have you a rival?or rivals?" asked the President, taking notes. "I don't know, but I think I have. She * receives a great deal of attention. At a J1 german last week she did not favor me once, and flirted with a dozen fellowt all night long. It was after that that the symptoms I have described began to 7 unfit me for work." ^ Fernshaw sat dofrn hastily, as though his emotions had become too strong for 0 I him. " "brethren," said the President. V gravely, "I really do not like the looks !' of this affair. The permanent liappiHess of Brother Fernshaw may hinge a upon our deliberations. Are there any s remarks?" Brother Barnes, the Apollo of the club, arose. "Mr. President, I have not the pleasure of knowing Miss I'p- ? ton, but there is one fact which compels " Brother Fernshaw to tear this growing c passion from his heart. A mother-In- I c law is bad enough, but a step-motherIn-law would be fatal." "The point seems well taken," ruled v the President, making a note of it. ,, "Have you considered this feature of the case. Brother Fernshaw:" "Yes; it is upon this very thing that I base my hopes. I think Agnes would t] rather niarrv me than live longer with t Mrs. I'pion.1" j, "Infatuated boy, can't you see nn ^ Inch beyond your nose.*1" muttere 1 Dr. jj Chapman, Mirlilv. r "There is .-mother point. Femshaw," w eaid the l'resident. "How does the* o:d ^ man ie?ard v " ' " g "He and my father are groat friends," a answered the victim, "but I don> think Mr. Upton likes me. I dress U\ well d to suit him." c ? "If you really love the girl you will tave to dress down to Mr. Upton's s level," said the l'resident. Then he c continued: "Gentlemen, you have | b heard our young brother. "What is your j C advice?" p "Let him try travel," said one. e "Write poetry, Fernshaw?it's a great s relief," reir.arked another. "Suicide is flassie and effi -ife."sug-i t< gesied a cynic. J * "Abduct the girl and become famous," , v said a fourth. - ^ JF HEARTS. chelors' Club Falls a ) Love. i. S. VAN ZILE. The President frowned. "Brethren, 'ou are flippant. This is the most lm ortant matter that has come before he club for months. In my opinion rernshaw's condition 6hould awaken ntir not Tt, is our dutv. as our >ath aseert6, to defend and gaide a >rother who catches the disease called ove. The youneest member of the :lub?unarmed by youth and weakened )y perfect health?has been able to nake do stand against this fatal fever. ?rankly he states his condition. Do lot mock him. There Is not a man nr.ong us who is safe. Wnite hair and veight of years are no certain antHote o the poison which keeps the world in ts present disturbed state. Excuse his siiee<"h, but_ my heart goesout to PernshatF, and I want you all to treu'i lim fairly." "Apollo" Barnes arose: Mr. President ind brethren, the words of our leader ire full of wisdom. "We are sorry for Fernshaw, but do we not well know :hat he will not take advice? Who ever leard of a lover who listened to the :ounsel of his friends? And, as I under1 - i-v. : * f? 3TUDQ It, tnib U1UU 10 uuu iunncu cv u?ocourage a man from following the dic:ates of his heart, but to defend him 'rom hasty acts of folly. Fernshaw is n love. We cannot help that. But it s our solemn duty to prove that the )bject of his choice is worthy to mate vith a member of the club. The case is it stands now presents some interesting aspects. The point to be deter* nined is whether Fernshaw would >tand a fair chance of happiness if lie narried Miss Upton. It will be necessary for the club to investigate the ease I n deta 1. Personally I have an impres:ion that Miss Upton would make a ;ood wile, but that the stepmother and Mr. Upton would form a combination lestructive to Fernshaw's peace." Barnes sat down and there was silence or a moment Fernshaw was puffing :igarettes nervously, and I watched hiiii nusingly. His face was peculiarly landsome, as delicate in outline as a voman's.but with a certain manly firmless about the mouth. His hair curled ilightly and gave him the appearance ol i poet?one more likely to write "Don fuan" than "Paradise Lost" "I move, Mr. President," said Dr. | Chapman, "that the Chair appoint b I loramittee of three to investigate Fern;haw's case and report at the next meetng of the club." "Second the motion," said I. "Gentlemen, you have heard the moion. Are there any remarks?" Fernshaw arose. He was still very )ale, and his hand trembled slightly. Brethren, I appreciate your kindness,' ie faltered, "but, really, is it necessary ;o have so large a committee? I mighl ntroduce the President to the Uptons, ind he could report to you. There i8 eally no reason wby three of you ihould be put to so much inconvenence." I felt sorry for the boy, but realized Nearly that he was blind to his highesl nterests. A committee of three would be mucli oore likely to reach a conclusion ol ome value to Fernshawthan ourPresiinnt,?n. ??ood-natured. easv-coinz fel ow, not fitted for prying into the sere ts of society. With these thoughts q my mind I aroie: "lir. President, there is not a memier of this club who has not a warm .flection for Brother Fernshaw. As an Id man, long past the sentimental age, beg leave to request our young cornade to withdraw his remarks. He may afely trust a committee of his friends o protect hia highest interests. I realze that it is hard for him to place this flair in the hands of a syndicate, but a following this course he simply conorms to the custom of the times, igain, if the matter is taken charge o.' >y our president, it will becet a large .mount of work whi<h will prove a lurden to one pair of shoulders. Brother 'ernshaw must know that three heads re better than one, and that a thorough uvestigation of his affaire de ca*ur is lot possible unless he conforms to Jrotlur Chapman's motion." Fernshaw again arose: "I withdraw qv words," he remarked. "There is lOthing more to be said on my side of he question. I did not eee at the moDent that selfishness was at the basis if my proposal. Mr. President, I agree o place Ihi6 affair in the hands or your ommittee. I know that my happiness rill be safe in their care." A tlight murmur of applause arose as h? manly young fellow reseated himelf. The President lighted a fresh ci:ar and sat silent for a time. At length ie said: "You have spoken well, Fernshaw. ~here is no doubt that your Interests rill be advanced if you place confidence c the club. I would suggest that one aember of the committee devote hiinell to Miss Upton, another to her stepaother, and a third to her father. Does hat arrangement please you?" "Eminently," answered Fernshaw. "Very well," said the President. *'I rill select the committee before we aduurn." business of minor importance then ame up, and for a time the Fernshaw .ffalr was laid aside. Ju<t before we arted for the ni(;ht, however, the l'reslent announced his committee, namey: l?r. Chapman, "Apollo" Barnes, .nd myself. Fames was to devote him elf to Miss Upon, Dr. Chapman to the tep-raother, while Mr. I'ptun was alotted to my care. Fernshaw and I walked home toother. He was uervous and talkative n<l I realized that he was far from iW-ased with the niirht'e work. "I wish Barnes had not been asrlbed to Agnes," ware his last worda, nd I could not chide him for tha uspicion implied therein. For Barnes ras a very handsome man and exremely attractive to women. CHAPTER II. It was at a ball at Delmonif?o's that he committee lirst began active operaions. Fernshaw came up to me early a the evening and pointed out Agues "pton. She was a beautiful girl, tall, issome, dark, with fine-cut feature*, ather haughty expression, and a smile . hich was attractive though cold. "She as never been in love," I said to myelf, as I went forward on Fernshaw's rra to be presented. "Aiolio" Barnes, tall, impressive, istant, stood by her side as we ame up. "I have oft( n heard Mr. Fernshaw peak of you," said Miss Upton, grairmelir nnrl fiirninrr cV?n inlrnflupprl rn<? o Mrs. Upton and hor father. Dr. 'hapman was talking to Mrs. Upton, a ortiy, aristocratic-looking woman,who ved me as though I had attempted to teal her diamonds, and bowed coldly. "Would you like a cigar?" I whispered o Mr. l*pt?>n, a g od-natured old genlemau who iooked extremely bored and ,'hoso evening costume was not at all ecQininj?. Just how hie dress fevjit of fended the eye it would be hard to plain, but be seemed to radiate an 1 n?ninQf Vi Q OActnTPPfl UliUCJlUCU yivirecb ri(ju>ui^v and customs of lushionable society. Mr. Upton smiled at mo benignly, whispered a few words to his wife, glanced at his daughter proudly, placed his crm in mine, and moved slowly toward the exit. "I hate this kind of thing," he whls-: pered confidentially, "it always reminds me of a cross between a Turkish bath and pawnbroker's shop," I was rather shocked at this comparison, but smiled sympathetically. When we reached the 6moking-room, I seated myself beside him aud made a remark about the beauty of h!6 daughter. "Pretty fine girl," he assented reflect| ively. "Sorry 6he isn't a boy, though. Always wanted a boy." "But," I commented, holding alighted match to his cigar, "she will bring you a son." He looked at me rather angrily. "There'6 a vast difference, my dear sir, between a 6on and a son-in-law. As much difference as there is between? 1 - ? waIKAW ftnH o o+ar\_ uciwtft'ii?ueiweeu a UUU U DW^mother." Knowing what I did, his remark startled me. "Yes, you are right. But some men are hard to satisfy. Tou have a prepossessing wife, a beautiful girl, fame, fortune and good health. And yet you grumble because you do not possess a son. You are ungrateful to fate, sir." I had weighed niy man, aud realized that his rather coarse nature would stand heroic treatment. "Perhaps you are right," he answered meekly "A boy is apt to go to the bad. It may be that I am better off as it is." "Ho<v many fathers find their later years unhappy because their sons are not what they should be," I remarked. ' But now and then a son is a great blessing. There is young Fernshaw, for example. He must be a great comfort to his father. He is bright, industrious, presentable. He stood high at college, and is doing well as a lawyer. Such a son must be a source of pride to his parents." I felt as though I had been talking from a Sunday-school novel. Mr. Upton j colored violently. "A dude, sir. If I had a son like that I would make him go West New York I has spoiled Fernshaw." He said this with so much emphasis ! that I did not dare to pursue the subject As soon as we had finished our | cigars we returned to the bal!-:oom. I posed for awhile as a wall flower. Mr. Upton had returned to his wife, and I stood watching the dancers. Presently Agnes Upton passed by on the arm of BarneB. Her face wore a look Of animation, and she gazed up at him smilingly. "Do you 6ee that? Just look there," exclaimed an excited voice at my elbow. I turned and saw Fernshaw. "What's the matter?" I asked, gently, i "Matter," he returned, passionately, j fnr't rnn bm? Barnes thinks because i he is on the committee and assigned to Agnes that he must monopolize her attention. It isn't fair. I'll resign from the c ub. I'll call him out. He has no right to take such an advantage of me." ! "Gently, my dear boy," I aaid sooth- j ing.y. leading him toward the smokinc-room. "You must not be too hasty. Dr. Chapman has spent the evening with Mrs. Upton. I have devoted myself to the old man. You forget that the rules of the club make the duties of a committeeman in su.h an affair as this very arduous." He puffed a cigarette spitefully. "Do you think Barnes finds his task unpleasant? He is to dance the cotillon with her. He hasn't left her side. I haven't a ghost of a show. This comes of being soft. Confound the club." "I um shocked, Fernshaw. You have no right to talk in this strain. Barnes is devoting himself to your interests. He is a much older man than you, and his impression of Miss Upton will be of great value. "And how about Mies Upton's impression of Barnes? "Will that be of | great value?" 1 was 6ilenced for the moment. Fernshaw's jealousy was so acute that I j could not fin 1 words to reply to his last j remark. At length I said: "Be a man. old fellow. You don't J want to marry a ciri who does not love you. If she cares for you The atien- I tions of Barnes will have no effect." He seemed soothed for a moment, ' and at that instant Barnes entered the ! room. "i.ood-evening," he said, approaching us and lighting a cigarette. "Th;1 com- | mittee seems very faithful to-night." "Too d d faithful," muttered Fern- , shiiw under his breath. "Pardon me," remarked Barnes, looking at hirn suspiciously. v! "Nothing. I was expressing my grat- j itude." i iTO BE CONTINUED.; An Accomplished Southern Girl. A Southern paper publishes the following advertisement: "Wanted? : By a young lady, aged in, of pleasing i countenance, good figure, agreeable j manuers, general information and j varied accomplishments, who has j studied everything from the creation | to crochet, a situation in the family j of a gentleman. She will take the j head of his table, manage his house- J hold, scold his servants, 'muse his babies, check his tradesmen's bills, j accompany him to the theater, cut | the leaves of his new book, sew on his buttons, warm his slippers, and ; generally make his life happy. Apply i in the first place to Miss , Hick- | ory Grove, Ga., and afterward to I papa, on the premises." The I'roptr Course, Most people are aware, says Life, that it is the custom of turf gentle- j men to settle their accounts ;very ; v 5it. rF:ittprsnll's It. wnc fin i one of these occasions that a backer, j by an oversight, paid his bookmaker i a betting debt which he had settled j already. This put the "bookie" in a; mental tlx as to what would be the ; best course for him to take. "Shall I ' j rob my wife and family," he argued | with himself, "and n-turn the money; I (ir shall 1 keep it and go about with [a seared conscience?" Unable to de; cide the point himself, he sought the I advice of a brother professional of , greater experience. "Paid you twice i ! over, did he?" said the latter. "Ask ; ! liiiu for it again!" i MEXICO'S NEW NAVAL ACADEMY. ; President Diaz Decrees the Establishment ; of One at Vera Cruz. President Diaz, of Mexico, has recently promulgated a decree establishing a naval academy at Vera Cruz. The academy is to he subject directly to the department of | war and marine, \oung men deserving to enter the navy or to adopt the careers of pilots or marine engineers will be admitted to this academy. The practical school of | 1 *...1 ?u *.1,? i fllgiuee.r? now cuuiieciru nuu mc uawmiu arsenal in the City of Mexico will hereafter be connecthed with the new naval academy At Vera Cruz. The new institution is to he opened July let next. The training ship Zaragosa will continue Jin commission, and naval cadets and engineers after going ' throughthe course at the naval academy j will servo an apprenticeship on hoard the j Zuragosa. All the cadets preparing for the i .naval career at the military collego at j iChapultepec will be transferred to the new institution at Vera Cruz. - fi . Mont Beautiful Queen. Qneen Natalie is considered the moat beautiful Queen in Europe. Her greatest charm is her exquisitely shaped neck, which is said to resemble that of the Yenus of Milo. The means she employs to protect it against the ravages of time are simple enough to be practised by any one. It is said that every morning she takes a brisk walk in the grounds of her palace, near Belgrade, with a heavy pitcher on her head. This not only improves the neck, but gives one an erect and graceful carriage. This is not original with the Queen, for it has been a common practice among the women of the ooorer classes in her country fuom the earliest ages. Teweled Eyeglasses. Delicate eyes are now considered an opportunity for using jeweled eyeglasses. A fashionable jeweler has contrived fancy spectacles heavily mounted in elaborately chased Roman geld. To them* is attached a long, equally elaborate gold handle. They are then held before the eyes precisely after the fashion of a lorgnette. Single eyeglasses are daintily set in all manner of pretty stytes, the rims studded with jewels, the glasses themselves being oval, square or round, according to the preference of the owner. T ai.a nftflfioiwa rrnl/1 juurguebbeo mo r? and brilliant with gems. This fad iB taking immensely with elderly women who wish to avoid the appearance of age. There are to be no more slender gold bows resting npon old ladies' ears. These will be only for the superannuated. Veilings in Vogue. Such goods as wool veilings and bareges are being made up for dressy visiting wear with satin corselet, satinbound ruffles, and chiffon or lace over satin for the vest arrangements. Skirts of these goods are sold in accordion and sun plaitings to wear with a chiffon waist, for demi-evening gowns. At your summer resorts, where weekly dances are in order, such a little gown is useful and thoroughly up-to-date. The same idea can be carried out in albatross, which is even less expensive, and this must be thought of where the family is composed of daughters galore. Ribbon trims these dresses in rows around the skirt, or a frill entirely of taffeta ribbon over one of the goods. Another design has frills forming vandyke points or a deep, round effect in front similar to a long apron, crossing the back nearly to the waistline. Vests, sleeves and bolero are covered with narrow ribbon?No. 5?used in scrolls and circles, like a braid. Skirt borders are made 'in the same manner. Canvas and grenadine costumes show a quantity of lace and ribbon garniture. The latter is plain, figured or striped and of a satin or taffeta weave, changeable or monotone.?American Queen. Africa's New Woman. Africa has a "new woman," if being a "new woman' consists largely in having all the privileges granted men ?yes, even more. Queen Mokwai, of whom Dr. James Johnson speaks in t i-T% l.'i_ TT T>? >> xieauiy versus xvuuinucc, uuiaiucu her position from an unwritten law of her country. She is the eldest sister of the King, and, according to the unwritten constitution, without her sanction her brother is debarred from giving effect to any measure. She holds the veto power. She lives in Nalolo, on die Zambesi, about twenty miles below Lailui, where the King resides. Her power is supreme. She is at liberty to marry or depose a husband. The man she honored by making him her husband last year was No. 7. She has killed all his predecessors. Her sixth husband was beloved by all the people for kindness.. The Queen became jealous of him. She invited him to her hut one evening, and she stabbed him with a saber. As he fell sne remarked: "thus nas a tnorn been removed from my flesh." Queen Mokwai and her brother have placed their country under the British flag, but as yet the rights of the Queen are the same, as no one of authority has been sent to Lailui from England.? New Orleans Picayune. The Canadian Girl. Thepoint where the Canadian girl differs from her American sister is a singularly elusive one. There is rarely anything of the timid, exotic etrain about her. She is particularly famous for the conscientious manner in which she takes care of her health. The extreme rigor of the winters of Canada, coupled with the universal tendency to outdoor sports, compels her to recognize the necessity for careful clothing. When the call comes for it, she dons mittens, moccasins and fur caps, with chamois under-jackets and everything possible ever devised to keep up the fiue circulation of her strong limbs. Wlien she goes golting, she wears a scarlet coat as much like her brother's as possible, anil her bicycle costume is made first to serve the purpose of warmth and comfort, with what beauty left after these other essential qualities have been attended to. The hockey-shoe, for instance, is a good illustration of her "willingness to sacrifice beauty for utility. The hockey-skate is perfectly straight and is secured to the boot, which is taken along and exchanged for the one worn ?a short, clumsy boot, which would be trying to the prettiest of feet. Add to this a heavy hide anklet laced over the whole, which has a hole for the heel of the under shoe, and one can easily understand why the hockey girl's foot is not a thing of beauty. Ti - :i.i~ /" ??? J.I IS 1IU])U5?1U1C 111 LU1IXl\. ui buc v/iniu** dian girl unassociated with her everpresent dog?or dogs, for she frequently owns several. All the creatures are fine big fellqws, for the maiden of the north scorns the lapdog. If there are any points of train 1 .A ing and breeding which she does not have on her tongue's end, they are yet to be discovered. The sight of a strong, rosy young woman striding ! i'r? IV*A ^Aoltr on?oViino xrnfll Vlflr I OiUU^ XXL UUC X1KJOVJ OUUOUIUU} TT AVU uvi great, brave dog beside her, is one of the most characteristic and inspiring sights in the country just north of the States.?Argonaut. New Collars and Caffs. The wearer of the ever-popular shirt waist has an unusually large number of becoming collars and cuffs to choose from this season. The straight-standing throat band, which came in just at the close of the last season, is one of the most popular shapes. The cuffs that match should be fastened with the regulation button, not links, nor those of the dumbbell order. The next col Jar in popularity, and somewnat newer and more generally becoming, is called the two-inch turnover. It consists of a high-standing portion with two turnover sections, having square sections opened both back and front. This is to be worn with one of the many fashionable stocks or with the most fashionable of all cravats at present?the new Windsor tie. This cravat is straight, not bias, as was the Windsor of the past. It is about three inches wide and two yards long. It is carried around this collar from the front to the back, where it is crossed, then brought to the front again and tied in a wide-open bow. The effect is not as stiff as the stock. Other neck bands to be worn with this new cravat are those that flare around the throat. The most novel one, which is suited only to face both pretty and fresh, is the .Portia. This consists 01 a Dana 01 medium height, closed in front with two studs, and has an outstanding portion of three decided points. The cuffs to match are similar in shape, ! but instead of flaring lie neatly against the outside of the sleeve. The collars adapted for smaller tie! or those made up in stiff bows hare in many instances turnover hemstitched points. An admirable example has two double points in front, while others have as many as eight or ten put on all round the neck band and falling just the least bit below its lower edge. The new high turnover collar, which should always be worn with a stiff bow, opens in the back as well as the front. This is an improvement on the old style, in convenience at least, since it is much easier to slip the tie in place. Collars suitable for Tshirt waists of ailk?which, by the way, to be strictly up-to-date, must have high crushed bands at the neck?are dainty little strips of muslin or fine linen, hemstitched and edged with delicate ruffles of lace. The cuffs are to match, and the sets are to be had not only in white, but in cardinal, navy blue, black and all the delicate tints.?Chicago Record. Fashion Notes. The swellest sailor hat this season, in white or colors, has a brilliant plaid or striped silk band. The fashionable tint for lace is that i of ripe corn, more of a puff than the butter color of last spring. It is exceedingly rich looking. Princess gowns crop up just as per- , sistently as poke bonnets. It is not ' likely that they will take, since so few women look well in clothes of such severe cut. Standing fraises and immensely high, full ruches will be replaced nest season on dressy toilets by pleatings of lace that droop gracelully from a 90ft narrow folded stock of net,ribbon, or chiffon. If a woman wishes to be at the height of Parisian fashion she must tilt her hat over her nose, wear a twist of tulle under her chin, put on tightly fitting sleeves and innumerable little frills all over her gown. Narrow velvet ribbon is used on j everything. An imported cape of ol<3 ( rose silk has rows of black velvet ribbon running down it at intervals of j about an inch. Round the shoulders j the silk is plaited in so thickly that at : the neck nothing is visible except the ( ribbon. ow.ntt r\f ftt o^ooflQnri^Q nf I ALL IUC ai X UJ Vi j/ivwwj v- ( the toilet are quaint frilly little neck j decorations set upon narrow neck- | bauds. These are pleated up extreme- I ]y full and Htaud well away from the I throat. The frills are graduated in size, the outer one much fluted but [ droopy in effect. These are dressy | looking and almost invariably becom- j ing. Paris sends word that the ruff is once i more the fashion there. It is made generally in lisse or chiffon, very wide at the back and decreasing in size at the front. Some raffs, however, are of the same width all round. The most gigautic of these ruffs extends to the ears and is finished with a flounce of plaited chiffon reaching to the waist. ! This ruff is said to be a comfortable substitute for the fur boa. Entire waists are maile of white lace flouncing, the yoke covered with one width, which is so arranged that the scallop falls over the bust. From the edge of the yoke the flouncing falls to the waist line, or, if it is wide enough, it extends below and is left in a full ruche over the top of the dress skirt, j The puffs at the sleeve tops are of lace, but most ladies prefer that the lower portions be made of silk. In the bloodless war against the blouse, the shirt-waist, and the separate fancy waist, this trio have carried the day and are once again trium- I phant. Fresh models are appearing almost hourly now in new bewildering, bewitching forms in every domain of fashion in the city, and words come from over the sea that their reign abroad is not over by any manner of means, although costumes and toilets made up entirely of one fabric are now first choice for most, although not alJ, occasions. A COSTLY EXPERIMENT. STORY OF THE BATTLE OF AMERICA ACAINST THE CYPSY MOTH. It Has Cost Massachusetts One Million Dollars Xhns Far to Pay for the Blunder of a French Scientist?National Government Interests Being Protected. So far, says a Boston letter to the New York Times, Massachusetts has expended over $1,000,000 in attempting to check its ravages on the forests and shade trees, and the danger is by no means disposed of.- It has attracted the attention of the National Government, for in the Agricultural Appropriation bill, which passed both branches of Congress, provision has been made, which, it is expected, will result in the Government Bureau of Entomology paying special attention and observation to the methods employed in eradicating the Gypsy moth. The labor and money consumed in this undertaking against the Gypsy moth constitute one of the most puzzling problems the entomologists of this country have ever had to contend with. In 1869 there lived in Medford L. Trouvelot, a naturalist, who had come to Massachusetts from his native city, Paris. He was just then deeply interested in silk culture experiments, and had brought from Europe some eggs of the celebrated Gypsy moth. One spring morning M. Trouvelot, while at work in his laboratory, situated in an upper room of his house, was called away for a few moments. A lot of the moth eggs lay on a tray not far from an open window. A passing breeze blew the eggs out of doors. When Trouvelot returned and found what had happened, he was greatly exercised, and had a painstaking search of the yard made, but it was fruitless. Knowing well the dangerous character of this Gypsy moth, for its ravages had ruined thousands of acres of European forest, tne naturalist at once maae a public announcement of the escape. No particular attention was paid to the foreigner's -warnings, as his neighbors knew next to nothing of "Gypsy moths," and regarded the talk as principally the exaggerated imaginings of a nervous Frenchman. Within twelve years from the time of its introduction the moth had become a serious nuisance to those living near the Trouvelot house, but it was supposed that the caterpillar -was a native. Its lack of conspicuous markings, which to the common eye would distinguish it from other species, and its habits of concealment and night feeding will explain its unheeded distribution. In twenty years it had spread into thirty townships. Shade trees were being stripped as if by nre, woodland was being destroyed, while brushland everywhere was covered by myriads of the creeping, crawling worms. The destruction was reaching such a stage that people in Eastern Massachusetts got into almost a state of terror over it, and finally, in 1890, Governor Brackett, in a message to the Legislature urging that steps be taken in the matter, used these words: "A new enemy is at present threatening the agriculture, not only of our own State, but of the whole country. It is the Gypsy moth, said to attack almost every variety of tree, as well as the farm and garden crops. The pest is spreading with great rapidity, and if its eradication is to be attempted immediate measures are of the utmost importance." In March, 1890, a special law was passed authorizing the organization nf a Afimmisainn to nVosecute the work of destroying the moth, and $25,000 was appropriated to that end. A skilled entomologist and a force of men, acting under the supervision of the State Board of Agriculture, soon began labor, but the territory infested was found to be sixteen times larger than at first supposed, and in June 325,000 more was appropriated. In the actual work of destruction, a comical feature introduced was the appointment" of a dozen special policemen, whose duty it was to guard the highways of Medford and Maiden, to see that no guilty moth escaped by at taciung lliiiiacu iu a pu.00i.jLi5 .?u.uV. As a fact, this dignified espionage was valuable, for numerous carriages were peremptorily halted which were covered with the obnoxious caterpillars. These policemen did yeoman service. The Gypsy moth officers for 1891 had for a Chairman the distinguished Professor N. S. Shaler, of Harvard University, and at an early conference held in Boston C. V. Riley, entomologist of the United States Department of Agriculture as present. Despite all that was done the previous year it appeared that the moth was spreading so that it threatened to soon overrun the State. The General Assembly set apart 850,000, and from that time to the present it has had to contribute an average of from $150,000 to ?250,000 annually. The present commission is headed by Professor C. H. Fernald, a most experienced entomologist, and a corps of experts and assistants who, from long training, know about the best methods of the work. From the almost numberless experiments and investigations that have been made in the last six years something definite as regards the most effectual insecticides?spraying, and other systems of treating infected territory?has been arrived at. As the egg clusters are found ou trees for at least eight months of the year, the possibility of destroying great numbers of caterpillars in embryo becomes apparent. To this end acres of brushland are burned over. Eggs are patiently scraped from trees. Then spraying machines which throw various combinations of gases, oils and acids are used. Of all sprays, that made of finely ground paris ~"een seems to be the most effective. A Stratiffo Fish. A strange fish was taken from the Wabash river at Logansport, Ind., the other day which is a good deal of a curiosity. It is fifteen inches long, weighs abont two and a half pounds, and has no fins on the baok except a small one near the tail. The strange part of the fish is its mouth and tongue. It has two rows of teeth in the lower jaw and three in the upper jaw, and two rows of large teeth on the tongue, which is flexible. The head and mouth of the fish resemble those of a bulldog. To fall into a habit of fault-finding is one of the easiest things in the world. COOD ROADS NOTES. A highway should be a dry way. jH^Rj A road yell drained is well main. tained. V The state of the road tells the size of the load. 1 Good roads are comparatively cheap- ; er to maintain and to use than poor ' ones, and the sooner this idea is com- Jk prehended on all sides the better it will be. A Jacksonville (N. T.) furniture SB dealer writes the wholesale house, say-^^H ing, "Have not got the chairs yet, butVHj they are at the station. Beason why? Msfl Poor roads." The Park Commission of Springfield^^H Mass., has adopted a resolution favor^HB ing additional bicycle paths in th^BB parks, and voted to ask the Commor^B^s Council for an appropriation for doing^M| the work. The State of Washington has paesed^Hfl a bill providing for the reservation anck H| improvement of a portion of the pnblio highways for the accommodation of H bicycles and foot passengers, ana providing a penalty for trespass thereon. A bicycle path between St. Paul and H Taylor's Falls, Minn., which will be ^ fifty miles long, pass through ten town ships, three counties and skirt fifteen 1 lakes, is now proposed. The estimated cost of the path is $25,000, and, if , completed, it will be one of the. best and most picturesque in the country. At least $5,000,000 could be saved by substituting smooth pavements for those now used in New York, and in any city where the pavements are on an average poorer and rougher than they are in New York, it is clear that the proportionate saving by the introduction of the best street surfaces will vtfj be even greater. According to a bill before the Uli- 1 nois Legislature a committee of five will be appointed to superintend the building of a system of permanent roads in the various counties in the State, the expense of construction to be divided equally between the commonwealth, the county and the owners of abutting property. The material to be used in the construction is gravel, crushed stone, brick, burnt clay, asphalt or other lasting material. "As a result of elaborate experi ment," says Colonel Albert A. .rope, in a recent speech, "made to ascertain the relative resistance or friction of different pavements, it has been established that while 200 pounds' force is required to draw one ton over an ordinary dirt road, 100 pounds will do the same on macadam, 33 pounds on the best granite blocks and 15 pounds on asphalt. As a particular instance of this it is estimated that in the city of New York there are 12,000 trucks, carrying an average load of lj tons for twelve miles on each of .300 days in the year, at an average daily cost of $4 for each truck. The result is about 65,000,000 tons transported one mile in every year, at a total cost of 314,000,000, or at a rate of over twenty-two cents per ton per mile^ The excessive nature of this charge i9, seen when it is remembered that the > same goods are now carried by rail at k a rate of six-tenths of one cent per n A UNIQUE WILL Inscribed His Bequests on the Back of & Photograph of His Heir. An original and unique document, in the form of a will executed by JamesP. Pettegrew, was admitted to probate in Judge Clark's department of the Superior Court here this afternoon. The author of the strange instrument died in this city a few weeks ago at the age of seventy-one. He possessed an utter I disregard for the ordinary forms of legal procedure, but had such shrewdness that the instrument by which he devised his estate met all requirements, in the opinion of Judge Clark. The testator had an excellent photograph of his son, George W. Pettegrew, a young man, who resides in Eandsburg, the new mining camp. He took a sheet of note paper just the size of the photograph and very carefully pasted it on the back of the picture. Then he wrote his will on the back of the photograph. It was a short document, and the phraseology is sufficiently out of the ordinary to make it of unusual interest. It was as follows; "Los Angeles, Cal., January 21,1897. "This is a photo of George W ."Pettegrew, who, in oaso of my death, is the owner of all my property of any kind whatsoeTer. George Vf. Pettegrew was born December, 1860. His address is Randsburg, Kern County, Cal. Telegraph him. He will com& and pay all honest debts. "J. W. PETTEGREW, "Father of George W. Pettegrew. ""Witness: Andrew J. Rideout." It was in the handwriting of the old man except for the signature of Mr. Rideout, in whose hands Pettegrew placed the will and who kept it until :'"i the death of the testator. There are other children of the deceased, but he left his estate to his son George. The estate is worth about $1000. It consists of $1000 in money in a safety deposit box at the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank in this city and real and personal property in the State of Washington.?Los Angeles Correspondence of San Francisco Call. To Ascertain Whether a Boom is Samp* A kilogram of fresh lime should bo placed therein, after hermetically closing doors and windows. In twentyfour hours it should be weighed, and if the kilogram has absorbed more than ten grams of water (that is, more than one per cent.), the room should be considered damu and classed as unhealthy. The question of the dampness of dwellings is a frequent cause of dispute between landlord and tenant, and is naturally solved in the negative by the former. The question can be settled in the future by the test of the hydration of lime, which will give irrefutable proof of the validity of such complaint. ?American Cultivator. The Ostrich Lnys Three-l'ound Egg9. The ostrich hen lays every other day, and the egg weighs about three pounds; it is a tasty and nutritious food, however prepared, very J rich and excellent for making pastry and cakes. It is generally computed to be equal to two dozen fowls' eggs; but this must be 011 account of its superior richness, for, from personal ex periment, the empty shell of a fairly large one exactly held the couteuts of eighteen fowls' eggs. It takesabout forty minutes to boil an ostrich egg hard. The period of incubation is about eix weeks.?The Zoologist. J /