Mary rose languidly. "However," she added graciously, "I will put that right for you next week. I have several sketches that will do." Mrs. Martin's face registered inquiry, incredulity, indignation and apoplexy in chronological order; then the garden gate clicked and a young man walked across the lawn. Mary looked down at her mother and spoke quietly. "I think it is time you knew that I wrote those articles. One writes about what one sees, and as long as I remain here I shall see Mudford." "Pardon me," began the young man, arriving, "but is this Colonel Martin's house?" Mrs. Martin made no effort to reply and Mary reassured him. "It's like this," he continued frankly. "I'm representing _The Daily Rebel_, and I'm awfully anxious to get certain information for my paper. I was speaking to Admiral Rogers just now and he told me I should probably get it here if I tried. He said he could only give me a guess himself and I had better come to headquarters. Madam," he bowed towards Mrs. Martin, "will you kindly tell me if you are the famous ..." Here Mary interposed. "My mother," she said serenely, "is not the Mudford Blight. Nor is my father." The young man wheeled on her. "Then you ...?" he queried. Mary hesitated, questioning her mother with a glance. "My daughter," replied Mrs. Martin in a strangled voice, "cannot possibly be the person you seek since she is not a Mudford resident. She lives in London and is only staying here till to-morrow--at the latest." Mary smiled radiantly and sent a wire later in the afternoon. * * * * * [Illustration: _Young Miner's Mother_. "I CAN'T DO NOTHINK WIV OUR 'ERBERT SINCE 'E VOTED FOR THE STRIKE. WEN I ASK 'IM TO RUN A ERRAND 'E SAYS IT ISN'T A MAN'S JOB."] * * * * * THE GYNECOPHOBE. "While crossing a field near Berwick a gamekeeper noticed a dear coming in his direction and he took cover in a hayrick."--_Scotch Paper_. * * * * * "PARLOURMAID Wanted, afternoons, 2-6.30, galvanised iron, 50 ft. to 140 ft. long x 21 ft."--_Local Paper_. It needs a girl with an iron constitution to support such a frame. * * * * * "For Sale, Clergyman's Grey Costume, latest style; also Jumper, never worn."--_Irish Paper_. The reverend gentleman appears to have jibbed at the jumper. * * * * * [Illustration: _Village Umpire (advancing down pitch, after resisting two appeals for l.b.w.)_. "YOU BETTER TAKE A FRESH MIDDLE, JARGE, 'COS IF 'E 'ITS 'EE AGAIN IN THE ZAME PLACE I SHALL 'AVE TO GIVE 'EE OUT."] * * * * * MOVEMENT IN THE MONEY MARKET.