The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-11-13 00:00:00

THE CRISIS IN BULGARIA.

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The lawyer said no morb, -though he could hardly
make out any reason in his own mind for such lavish
generosity.
"I wonder whether she would listen to me if I told
her all I know of this woman ?" he mused, after Beryl
had left him. "I daresay not, after all. A very decided
young lady, is Miss Atherstone. Angela Delphini has
played her cards well with the heiress. I think old
Pierce Athstone's bones would turn in their coffin,
if he could know who was an inmate in his house."
Oddly enough, he had never spoken to Mrs. Dalton
of his knoN#ledge, though he guessed from her manner
that she was perfectly aware of her identity being
known to him, and this morning confirmed his belief.
They met in the grounds, and he was passing on with
a formal bow, when she stopped and suddenly accosted
"I have to thank you for your forbearance, Mr.
Carson," she said, almost humbly, though he thought
there was a slight ring of mockery in her voice. "I
saw when we first met that you recognised me,
and—"
"I should have preferred that we had not spoken
on the subject,' he answered, stiffly. "However, I
cannot deny that I knew you as you suspected."
"And have kept my secret:?—that was kind of you.
You will keep it still?"
"Else I should not have been silent so long, madam.
Miss Atherstone knows nothing, of course."

"Nothing. Nor will she unless you let in the light
upon the cloud which veils my past life."
"I have no intention of doing so, as I before told
you," returned the lawyer, coolly. "Miss Atherstone
may be generous to whom she pleases. It is no affair
of mine to rake up bygones. I don't want to be the one
to tell her that the woman she delights to honour,
whom she bestowed wealth upon, is one through
whose misdoing her father was banished from his
rightfi4 home."
"I had no hand in that," she answered, in a sullen
tone.
"Not directly, I grant. But it was your faithless-
ness and greed that roused Pierce Atherstone's heart
against all of your profession."
"You are very hard upon me," she said.
"Not harder than you deserve. But I have given
you my promise to be silent, and I am not likely to
break it."
"I'm glad I spoke to him," thought Mrs. Dalton, as
he made a ceremonious bow and left her. "I never
could quite make out whether he was waiting for a
favourable opportunity or no. Now, at least, I am
safe from him. Not that he could have done me any
real harm, of course, but it would, have caused a
terrible scandal, and placed her in an awkward posi-
tion."
Beryl did not forget Jack 13logg amongst ell her
preparations. She had sent him some money, and
was beginning to think that he was satisfied for the
time, when one evening she was called away from a
discussion about dresses by the announcement that
somebody wished to see her.
She had been standing before the glass in her
dressing-mom showing Mrs. Atherstone the effect of
some of her jewels, when the message came, and she
hurried downstairs with a glittering necklace on her
bosom, to find Jack Blogg sitting in the hall.
He looked at Beryl with a strange, covetous
gleam in his eyes aa he saw the jewels, and said,
surlily:
"So you're come at last. I thought you was a-going
to keep me all-night."
" flush l" she answered, glancing nervously round
to see that none of the servants were within hearing,
"I came as soon as I could."
"You didn't seem to be in no hurry, anyhow," was
the insolent reply, and Beryl's eyes flashed dangerously
for a moment.
"You forget yourself !" she said, after a moment's
pause. It was no use losing her temper, now, she
thought. "What is it you want ?"
"What is it likely I want ?" he replied, with a
coarse grin. "Money, o' course."
"How much ?"
"Well, that depends. Anything'll do for the present;
but I want to come to an understanding once and for
all when you are going to settle how much we're to
have down."
"Down?"
" Yes. It's all very well as long as you are here.
But now you're a-going away, why give us a lump
sum down, and we'll be off too."
"You will? Where ?"
"Oh, anywheres. Across the sea—back to Australy,
if you make it worth our while. But you'd better
settle it sharp, or me and Jem Statman 'll have to talk
it over with your sweetheart."
Beryl's face flushed, and she felt a sickening sensa-
tion come over her at the leering look of power that
came over the lad's features, r.d the insolent tone he
assumed; but there was no heap for it, and she drew
out her purse.
"There is not much here," she said, quietly, and
emptying its contents into his hands; "but you shall
have some more. I will see you to-night, and make
some definite arrangement. Will that do ?"
"When will you come ?" he asked, surveying her
suspiciously.
She had to think for a moment. Noel would be
there, and it was difficult to get out unobserved.
"At ten o'clock," at last she said, briefly. "I wll
be in the shrubbery—or, better, the oak plantation.
It is further from the house."
"All right. Only see as you are there," inselently
returned the lad. " I might be tempted to spoil
sport else, and then where ud you be, I'd like to
know."
"Don't be afraid, I shall come," said Beryl.
you must promise me one thing."
What's that ? I ain't a-going to promise
nothing afore I knows ?slat it is," ieturned Jack
cunningly.
" On'y that that man you call your uncle shall not
be listening to all we have to say.'
"Oh, there's no fear of that. He went off to Bir •
mingham the day after you sent us the last bit o'
ready, and I know what Jem is when he gets on the
spree! he never leaves off till there's not as much left
as ud jingle on a tombsone, Jem doesn't."
"Mr. Statman's habits are fortunate on the present
oecasion," said Beryl. I shall be there, then, at ten
o'clock, and let you know exactly what I intend to
do."
"And mind it's summat handsome, or—"
"There is no need to threaten. I am perfect'y
aware of the consequences," said Beryl, her temper
thoroughly aroused by the lad's dogged insolence.
Take care you don't drive me too far, or I will risk
them, and where would all your golden visions of
wealth be then, I wonder ?"
"Well, you're a plucked 'un, and no mistake," ad-
miringly cried Jack, who began to think that he
might, perhaps, be going too for. "I have a good
mind—yes, I will. Fair's fair, you know."
"What do you mean ?"
"Well, it mayn't be much, after all; but there's
another chap about here as knows almost as much as
I de. So ware hawk."
"Whom ?"
"Dr. Twist. He's been spying about, and asking
all sorts of questions. Tried to pump me, but it warn%
no go."
With that he departed, and Beryl returned to her
room, but her utmost efforts could not make her look
and speak as she had done before, and her aunt
remarked the difference.
"My head aches very badly," she said, at last. "I
don't think I shall be able to go down to dinner this
evening."
And, indeed, b 7 dinner-time she was completely
prostrated, and obliged to retire. Noel had arriv-
in the meantime, and she managed to go out into the
dressing-room, and assure him that there was nothing
serious the matter, that she should be quite well in the
morning, and that nobody should think of staying
with her.
"Mrs. Dalton will look after me," she said. "I
shall need no other attendant."
And so Mrs. Dalton alone stayed with her, and the
two had a long consultation together, till the time
came for Beryl to keep her appointment, for her head-
ache had only been assumed for this purpose.
Like a thief she crept out of her own houce, with
fear and trembling lest she might be seen, into the
darkness, and made her way to the trysting-place.
Ah, if her uncle, or Noel were to meet her, what should
she do? If they—if he whom she loved should come
to know all that this illiterate boy oould tell of her,
what remained but death?
Well, she could die, she thought. Better that
than live for what else must come.
Die, and carry her secret to the grave!
Ah, no, that would be common property then, but
at any rate, the one resource, dread as it was, still re-
mained to her, and it was one she had thought very
much of lately. But not yet. That should be the
last way out of her difficulties, and she pursued her
way to the oak plantation, tightly clutching something
to her bosom.
"It is but one man," she muttered, "and I am
safe. Dr. Twist may suspect what he likes, but he
can prove nothing."
No foot dogged her path that night—no human
eye watched her meeting with the lad who held her
secret. Their interview was not a long one, and
when it was over she retraced her steps to the house
with a wild, staggering step, and a strange, unearthly
glitter in her eyes.
She entered the same way that she had left, at the
library window, beside which Mrs. Dalton had sat
watching for her return.
"You saw him ?" she whispered.
"Yes," was the reply, in a hoarse, unnatural tone,
very unlike Beryl Atherstone's usually clear accents.
" He—he will keep silence. I I
She could speak no more. A strange blurred vision
rose before her eyes. The darkness of the room
seemed to her filled with mocking, gibbering figures
that crowded round her, and, with a low moan, she
sank senseless on the floor.
(To be continued.)

"But

ved

A YSWER THE LITTLE PEOPLE .—Children are sometimes
very trnublesome in asking. questions, and should
certainly be taught not to interrupt the conversation
of their elders, but this resolution made, we think an
answer should always le given to the active little
mind which must find so many daily and hourly
mysteries. By giving due attention to those "trouble-
some questions" a child's truest education may be
carried on Have a little patience, then, and think
how welcome to you would be a translator if you were
suddenly dropptd into some foreign country where
the lan sniage ws for the most part strange to you, and
you were bursting with curiosity about every strange
object around

SEIZURE OF BOURGAS BY THE RUSSIANS.
The Tirnova correspondent of the Standard says:
—Another disastrous proof has just been afforded of
the impossibility of the Bulgarian authorities con-
tinuing the unequal struggle with Russia. The
agents of that Power, after employing the most
treacherous methods to accomplish their ends, shelter
themselves behiud the immunities which, in the cow ity
of nations, are always conferred upon diplomatic re-
plesentatives, and thus extend the protection of the
empire to every Russian hireling. The scene of the
events which suggest this observation is Bourgas,
port on the Black Sea, which became notorious last
May by the plot hatched there against Prince
Alexander. The same men who were concerned in
that conspiracy have successfully carried out another
little revolution in that town and district. The night
before last the conspirators seized the Government
offices, arrested the Bulgarian officials, surprised and
disarmed the loyal troops, proclaimed a Russian
Protectorate, and compelled the people to take the
oath of allegiance to the Czar. The force that
accomplished this was one company of a Bulgarian
regiment, together with some bands of ruffians hired
by tke Russian party in Bourgas; and they were
under the leadership of M. Nabokoll, a Baissiria
subject, and M. V estlichkoff, a Montenegrin priest,
both of whom were actively concerned in the plot in
May. The governor of Bourgas and a telegraph
official succeeded in escaping to Ridos, whence they
communicated with the Central Government. The
regents immediately adopted the most energetic
measures to re-establish order in the rebellious town.
The greatest indignation and much anxiety prevail
here, as it is apprehended that Russia will avail her-
self of this outbreak to claim the richt of sui pressing
the anarchy she has sown; for this conspiracy was
matured within the walls of her own consulate,
organised by her own proteges, and carried out by
means of Russian money.
The Times Tirnova correspondent writes: Russia
has made an attempt to get possession of Bourgas,
and it has failed. The reason why General Kaulbars
was so impatient to procure the release of the
officers imprisoned for the treason of the 20th of
August is now apparent. He wanted desperadoes
for a coup de main upon Bourgas, which was seen to
be a more convenient place than Varna for the land-
ing of Russian troops. Bourgas has a harbour,
whereas Varna is washed by the open sea, and in
rough weather it would be impossible to land cavalry
or artillery there.
The men, who acted under the orders of Captains
Nabokoff and Kichelski, were a set of hired ruffians
and cowards, who knew that they were under the pro-
tection of the Russian Consulate, and that a Russian
vessel was waiting to convey them to Odessa if they
failed. General Kaulbars, on hearing from these men
that they had seized upon the town-hall, the post-
office, and the telegraph station, last no time in tele-
graphing from Sofia that the Czar congratulated the
Bulgarians and Montenegrins who had proclaimed a
new Government in his Majesty's name. But by the
time this message arrived two of the revolu-
tionary leaders, Vondentcharo and Toprakt-
chieff, had been arrested in villages near
Bourgas, and Captain Nabokoff himself had
taken to flight. He arrived this morning at Anhiato,
25 miles by sea from Bourgas, on a Russian boat, in
company of some Russian officers, among whom was a
certain Zaleski, who had been acting as paymaster tc
the conspirators. Some of the other rebels have
arrived at Aitos, and, in fear of being killed by the
villagers, have placed themselves under the protec-
tion of the Regency. During the short time these
men held the town-hall of Bourgas they issued three
proclamations to the Notables, calling upon them tc
arm all men from 20 to 30 years of age for the over-
throw of the Regency. The rebels also released all
the prisoners from the common goal, and enrolled
them as gendarmes.
Major Panitza, with reinforcements of cavalry and
artillery, landed at Aitos on Saturday, and thence
marched on to Ladja, 12 kilometres from Bourgas.
with a great many peasants who had joined him as
volunteers. Meanwhile a Russian vessel steamed
from Bourgas towards Constautinople, carrying away
a great many of the discomfited rebels, who had been
pursued down to the harbour by the loyal towns.
people:

THE EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA ON THE
SITUATION.
The Austrian and Hungarian Delegations were
formally: received by the Emperor of Austria on
Saturday in the Throne-hall of the Royal Castle. His
Majesty, in his speech from the throne on the occa-
sion, referred to the Bulgarian question as follows:
"The regrettable complications in Bulgaria whici
originated last year from the overthrow of the Govern-
ment at Philippopolis again gave rise to serious appre.
hensions. The united efforts of the Powers have
indeed, succeeded in localising the movement and
paving the way for the re-establishment of a legal
state of things; but the recent events at Sofia have
brought about a fresh dangerous crisis the develop
meat of which and, I trust, its pacific solution occupy
at the present moment the full attention of my Go-
vernment.
"The efforts of my Government are directed to the
attainment of the object that in the final settlement
of the Bulgarian question, which must be effected
with the co-operation of the Powers, there shall be
created in the autonomous Principality a legal stat!
of things which, while taking in account the admis-
sible wishes of the Bulgarians, shall be equally con-
formable with existing treaties and with the interests
of Europe.
"The excellent relations in which we stand with al
the Great Powers, and the assurances of peaceful in-
tentions which we receive from all the Governments,
justify the hope that, notwithstanding the difficult
situation in the East, it will be found possible, while
safe-guarding the interests of Austria-Hungary, tc
preserve the blessings of peace to Europe."
In touching upon internal affairs his Majesty dwelt
on the necessity of appealing to the good will of the
nation to make the increased sacrifices rendered
necessary by the progressive improvement in the
manufacture of firearms. The Emperor stated, in
conclusion, that the administration of Bosnia and
Herzegovina showed steady progress in all its branches
No contribution from the Imperial Exchequer would
be required next year, owing to the continued decrease
in the military expenses in both provinces.
The President of the Hungarian Delegation, in his
address to the Emperor, assured his Majesty that if
inseverable interests of the Throne and the Monarchy
required it the Hungarian nation would shrink from
no sacrifice to aid the army in its heroic task.
The Emperor's speech was received throughout in
silence and without the slightest sign of approval,
except at its conclusion, when the usual cheers were
given for his Majesty. On the other hand, while the
Emperor was speaking on foreign affairs an icy still-
ness pervaded the hall.
Great dissatisfaction prevails among the members
of the Hungarian Delegation at the policy pursued by
Count Kalnoky, which, it is believed, will be the
object of violent attacks. In confirmation of this
view it is stated that at a recent Court soirée the
Emperor remarked to a member of the Delegation
that that body would incur a great responsibility in
the decisions which it might adopt at its present
meeting.