"The central incident of this novel is that most extraordinary of all punishments known to English criminal law, the _peine forte et dure_. The story is not, however, in any sense historical. A sketchy background of stirring history is introduced solely in order to heighten the personal danger of a brave man. The interest is domestic, and, perhaps, in some degree psychological. Around a pathetic piece of old jurisprudence I have gathered a mass of Cumbrian folk-lore and folk-talk with which I have been familiar from earliest youth."--_Hall Caine_. * * * * * Besides the foregoing, the publishers beg to announce that they have now ready two late works by the same author, in all probability the most remarkable that he has thus far given to the world. THE DEEMSTER. | THE BONDMAN. | A Romance of the Isle of Man. | A New Saga. _Bound in the uniform handsomely pictured covers of the series._ =Price, 25 Cents.= For sale by all booksellers and newsdealers, or sent, postage free on receipt of price, by the publishers, STREET & SMITH, New York. ... _THE NOVELS OF_ ... Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller. _Bound in elegantly illustrated covers, Printed on fine paper. Price, 25 cents._ [Illustration] This superb new edition of Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller's famous stories consists of the choicest this much admired authoress has written. Her works show a remarkable versatility, treating in turn of life in the highest circles of society and of the "simple annals of the poor." No lover of wholesome and entertaining fiction can afford to leave them unread. [Illustration] _List of the Volumes Now Ready._ Brunette and Blonde. Rosamond. The Senator's Bride. Little Coquette Bonnie. A Little Southern Beauty. A Crushed Lily. Sweet Violet. Pretty Geraldine. Lillian, My Lillian. Bonnie Dora. An Old Man's Darling. The Bride of the Tomb. Queenie's Terrible Secret. A Dreadful Temptation. Dora Tenney. * * * * * All of these stories are copyrighted and bear the imprint of our firm only. For sale by all booksellers and newsdealers, or sent, postage free, on receipt of price, by the publishers, STREET & SMITH, NEW YORK. BERTHA M. CLAY.