oks at her she backs a step or two and stares at him
wildly. He kicks over grandfather clock number one, which is evidently
damaged by the fall, as it commences to strike wildly and
insistently._

_Mrs. M'Gann._ Shaun!

[_He staggers over and looks at her closely for a moment. Then he
catches her by the throat, hurls her to the ground, and begins to kick
her savagely. He laughs as he kicks her, for at heart he is not a
bad-natured man. She gradually becomes still. At last he stops and
looks at her._

_Shaun._ Mary! (_A pause. Then in a louder tone, with a note of alarm in
his voice_) Mary!

[_He looks at her for two minutes in a dazed way and then staggers out
of the room. The Stranger, who until this moment has not said a word,
does not speak now. Grandfather clock number one continues to strike
insistently._

CURTAIN.

* * * * *

[Illustration: SCENE--_Village Concert--Squire's turn to sing._

_Official._ "'OPE YOU GETS ON ALL RIGHT, SIR. IT'S BEEN FAIRLY GOOD OOP T'
NOW."]

* * * * *

"The first brick of the structural work was laid on Tuesday, Jan. 6th,
and is proceeding rapidly."--_Clacton Times._

Destination unknown.

* * * * *

[Illustration: THE MASCOT CRAZE: A CUP-TIE OF THE FUTURE.]

* * * * *

IVORY.

O, chiefly procured by a fate that is harshish
From ponderous pachyderms' innocent shapes!
O, shipped of old time by the navies of Tarshish
For SOLOMON'S court and the wondering gapes
Of Jerusalem's Great Age,
The invoice for freightage
Including some items of peacocks and parcels of apes!

O exquisite surface of Orient idols!
O, hewn by the workmen of cunning Cathay
For the sword-hilts of kings and their saddles and bridles!
O, carved for Athene! O, chosen to-day
For the match now proceeding
Betwixt those two leading
And infantile billiard antagonists, NEWMAN and GRAY!

O, how shall I sing of thee, loved of immortals?
Remember what breaks of thy boon have been born?
Or describe how the dreams that go out at thy portals
Are true by the test of the amethyst morn,
Whilst the hopes that encumber
Our profitless slumber
Fare forth through the bonzoline ex