; -1
w
!
w
I.
r?
: Si
'leniiom
Liw nnl ::.:ti;iif. Nw, nun
ran make a law nnd att.ich In It a jm-ii-alty,
nnd then when the law has heeu
"violated he cm w;ivc the penalty.
licv. P. S. I Miaou, B.iptlst. Boston.
Backsliders. My experience proves
tnt the chtitvli lure tMi times us
many inennber backslidden Iwmw of
-tlic canto nml the dance than liocnuse
of the' m!;iii. liov. C. M. Co'x-rn.
'.Methodist, rl! ''
Itullding.- We nre builders of body.
aoul .Tid chancier whether we will or
jit. Our li ux'' is being built by our
pelves. Mini o;ir work will hu tried nud
passed inn I'V the Master builder.
Jtev. 0. . Jones. Episcopalian. At
lanta.
Gradttii.n.-- There nre gradations of
exper I :. (', gra.ljt Ions of happiness nnd
gradations of toward. We si i a 1 1 be
Just is happy as our oxierlence makes
St possible .to be, nml that means nt
talninent. IUr. E. I.. Powell, Bnptlst,
ILoulavlllc.
j The Church. We fepcnl; of attending
(church ns a duly ; more dcply u It a
privilege and a benefit. Tne union of
tin soul with its God la tho meaning
and purpose of religion; tho church is
a menus to thnt end. Rev. C. A. Mar
tin, Itouinn Catholic, Cleveland.
Danger. There Is very great danger
In this country t lie feared from the
(Socialist. Hocl.illsm In growing. It I
Tolling over tho land like n wtivo. The
Itlirent of soHnllMin Is the peril of tho
kAiinerh-an republic. Rev. N. M. Wu
lers, Oongregntloiuillst, Brooklyn.
1 Labor. Labor Is not an end In Itself.
!A man Is worth nipore thnn the work
jthat can be got out of lilin. Every man
iwho tolls needs time and oiiportnnlty
for bodily rest and for mental and
pplrltunl Improvement. Kev. W. 8.
INevIn, rroshyterlan, Phllndelphla.
I Clirlstlanlty (Hirlstlfliilty Is a life,
iot a lot of doctrines or ritual. A lifts
jthat covers all business, all pleasure.
iA fife that flourishes not behind staln
ed g!fts windows, but a life thnt de
mands for Its expansion the whole
world of activities. Her. D. F, Howe,
Jilothodlst, Denver.
Stagnation. It is a sorry condition, t
then, that a man Is In, that a .Chris- 1
1Uan believer is in, wnen no says uwi
tie bajs the samo opinion of Christ thnt
; be had a year ago. It tells a sad story
of the way tho year has been pnsxlug
with htm. Rev. C. II. rnrtchurst, Tres
.Tjj'terlan, New Kork City.
A Nr Theology. The principle of
-evolution has overthrown not the
truths, but the Htructnral principles
and the elalmrnte tlioory of the old tho-
Iopy. The mm' biology hns made ncc
cswiry u new theology ami a now the-
ology U already diffused in the atuins
.iimero of tho c-oiuiimxi thought Rev. P.
S. Moxom, Congregatlouallst, Kiirlng
: field, Mass.
The Empty Tomb. It Is tho empty
tomb that niakes the glory of tho cross
-possible. It Is becmiM- of the mi-Hsage
-jof the empty toufb, , lw:Hixe of the
liope It arouses ana confirms, iocniino
Jof the endless life and character of
jwhlch It neflks. that we nre able to see
jthe meaning of nil In this life which Is
Uymrtolbjed. In tho cioxs. Rev. C. C.
Jrierce, Baptist, Ius Angeles, Cal,
' Christian aKmnoeracy. Tho cause of
-the people of nil tlio periple, the causo
-of mankind and of every man, iqwelully
'the lowest and the lenst Is the cause
i and the only cause of democracy, and
'It also la the cause of Him whose cr--rand
was liberation, ami who, as the
eternal deliverer, lives to accomplish
:'U Ilia Invincible deoreo.Rev. David
'.Stryker, Presbyterian. Hamilton, N, T.
The lasuee of Life. The heart Is tho
aoat of affection. It is the Bprtng of
all of onr action and purposes, the
, cat of moral life and iliunicter. The
'Inmost and moat essential part of any
body or system Is the heart It la the
vary center of activity. Hence, we ee
the great Importance of having the
' jbonrt right, for out of It are the Uwwa
-of life. Rev. W. F. Bryan, Methodist,
ITJ-allas, Texas.
Tho Lern(d Profclons. Tho so
' .noalled learned professions, law, modl
:' -clue and the pulpit, have always been
attractive to men becnuise they cora
fctne with the necessity for making a
living a sense of ministry to higher
things, to tho state, to humanity, to
5y,l. To divorce these inspirations for
. the mere winning of a living Is to proa
tltuto these professions to base entbv
Rev. I. J. Van Ness, Baptist, NashvlUe,
Tenu. '
Tb Combrelam Sandaleam.
1 The Combretum Suuduleuui, from So
langor. U a plant that Is being used by
the CuIucmi goverhmeut to euro the
.opluiu habit
r . The kliupl Truth.
'. TeM Miss Woolley tells me her
.'grandfather was a real estate convey
janeer. Jeus IIu! ha!
Tcss Why do you Hugh lnu't It
true?
Je Oh. yea, it'n true. Vou see.
the dump cart her sfnu,Ir:l"lc- drove
was a conveyance for transporting real
estate. Philadelphia Press.
' Yoa can rely uion this ; If people are
not paid for doing a thing they can't
lb deiMiudad upon to da It.
THE OlAKITY 6
By EFFIE A. B0WLAND5
CHAPTER XVIII. (Conflonrvl.) I
Audrey fortunntely knew nothing of
the dislike and angor sh was cnuin?.
fiy end by nbe found th stmosphcrs
very close, for an awning bnd bepn rsU'd
on deck that formed an Impromptu bull-
room; and blfrling tko few around her a
hasty "good-nifcht," she slipped awny,
hecdieHia that Beverley Roehfort ws
watching her and wai following don be
hind her.
Once outside the awning Andrey drew
deep breath. A few couples were stroll
ing to and fro, but she pa.wd them and
went swiftly aft.
Had she been less dazed nnd weary rha
might bare wondered at the sound of a
alight cry quite close, but she was think
ing of Jack, and all else was lost upon
ber.
"I will Jmt brenthe some nlr and then
go below," he said to herself. "It was
stifling in there!"
She stood looking over the moonlit
waters for a moment, and then turned to
go. As she, did so, she was suddenly
blinded, a sense of horrible fear and help
lcssnes came over her, a stronir. alckly
mell penetrated to ber brain. Plie tried
to scream, to struggle fn rain. Her
limbs lost their strength, her brain reeled
she knew no more.
Tliers was great commotion on board
the Mona thnt night. By some mls
rfianee Lady John fJlendiirwood bad lost
her footing, and had fallen overboard
Into the still, deep waters below, and,
by a miracle of mercy, Beverley Roeh
fort had been near nt hand, had plunged
lato the water, and, nt risk of his own
life, had succeeded in saving hers.
This was the news thnt wai telegraph
ed to John Olendurwood up in Scotland,
and which caused bis cheeks to turn
ashm erny, and then made him rush
wildly to the station, en route for the
south, while Audrey lay still and white
n her luxurious cabin bed, cirefully
watched by Mrs. Hungerford nd Lady
Daleswater,- whoss usually Impassive
countenance was pals snd perturbed.
"The shock to the nerves has been very
great.'" aald the doctor, who was sum
moned hastily; "but for Mr. Rochfort's
bravery, my dear Lady Daleswarer, ber
ladrshln would not be alire now."
In a dim, far-olt way Audrey heard all
this and uondered over it. She tried to
ransack her brain to account for the ac
cident. but In vain. Even when Jack
came, and she felt his arms holding ber
close to bis beating heart, her memory did
not clear; she could tell him nothing, for
he knew nothing herself! it only trou
bled her to think about It. So Jack took
the doctor's advice and refused to allow
any more questions.
"She Is saved, thank heaven, and thai
Is all I care!" he said, rather brokenly,
to hia sister, and then, when he found
himself face to face with Roehfort. he
went straight up to him. Ttochfort." he
aid, quietly, "hitherto I hnvs Judged you
harshly; henceforth I will try Ind amend
for that Judgment. I own my wife's life
to you. Here Is my hnnd. 1 only hope,
aomo day, I may be ablo to show my grat
itude to you and to repay you for what
you have done."
Beverley replied by some graceful
,worda, but as he was alone, ho walked
to the edge of the yacht and looked
across the waters,
"Here endeth the prologue," be said
to himself; "now the drama Is about to
begin.
CHAPTER XIX.
The party on board tho Mona was
broken up. Audrey's nerves were shat
tered for the time, so thnt Jack was not
happy until he could remove her from
the yacht to the land,
"What do you say to a short honey
moon all alone with me before we go back
to Cralglands?" he whispered to her per
suasively, and his heart rejoiced at the
smile and blush with which she received
this idea.
And so, despite all Lady Daleswater
could say, he carried his point, and three
days after her accident Audrey left tho
Mona and went to the quietest and most
solitary part of the Island that was to
be found.
She had one brief Interview with Bev
erley Roehfort, and ber voice trembled as
she tvled to i-k her thnnks. Willie
Fullerttm was standing by, and somehow
It pained and angered him to hear her
doing this.
"Had I been on board I'll stake my
pcistence It would never have happened,"
he murmured to himself, not understand
ing why so curious and strong a doubt
t Rochfort's bravery and honesty should,
cross his mind, bnt perfectly assured of
Its existence all the same. Tho day they
left the Isle ot Wight Jack seemed full
of mystery.
"Now, I wonder if you have the least
Idea where you are going to, ny lady?"
he observed, merrily, as they rvachud
London and changed trains.
"Home to Crlglands, of course."
"No, not to Craiglands Just yet.w
"I really cannot Iraagfcie, then, but,"
Ith a shy little, blush, "I I don't care
where It is at Ibng as you are with
ma."
They smiled and chatted on, happy and
serene, till they reached their Jousnry'a
nd.
"Now do you know where yon are?'
Jack asked as they dsove through some
dingy streets In a cab, leaving Murray
at the station confiding her disgust te
ber fellow sen-ant, the successor to Hen
ry Downs.
"No," she said In bewilderment. "I
have never been here before."
"And yet you lived here all your life.
This is uroadborough, Audrey, and
"And are you going to take me to see
Jean, onar Jean I Oh, darling, how ran
I thank yon? How good you nre to met
Jack, you must thank her, you must be
good to ber, for she was the d-'arc&t and
the bwst in the world to me. Jean, dear
Jaq I Oh, bow slow this horse Is going!"
"Aodrey, I shall begin to bo Jealous of
MUs Thwait." Jack observed, with
twinkle in his eye. "Site hns left tho
bom. Mr. Lulworth but adopted her
Yon see, I know all about it, I have
keen busy writing while you were dream
Ing." They entered a house as Jack
spoke.
"Then Jean knows I nm co-nlng?" Au
4ry cried, excitedly, end thou, the nex
minute, she bad flown up to a sfender,
gray-robed figure and had flung her arms
about It with a reckh-s diBregsrd for the
astonishment of the neat serveut-maid
V the portly, kind-faced Mayor.
"Audrey my queen !"
"Jean darling !"
The Joy of that meettbg was not to be
adequately described. All Jean's tsars
aad atiflad longlngt were swept awsy
Ml, JUf Audrey was net rbanged ah
IRL J
,was,ss sweet, as dear as ever, and how
beautiful!
Jade, after conlially greeting his girl-
wife's friend, left them to themselves for
a moment; irnd then, after he had chat
ted with Mr, Lnlworfh, who gazed with
mingled awe and deference on Audrey,
scarcely believing his eyes, he turned to
the two girls.
Xow, Audrey, I think. If you make
Inquiries, you will find that Miss
Th wait's trunks are all packed and that
we can take onr departure together."
Jack' Audrey paused for a moment
"Jan is to come hack with me! Oh,
Jack ! Von darling !"
Mr. Lulworth discredit turned his
back, but Jean looked on with tenrfirl yet
Joyful eyes as Audrey flung herself Into
her busland's arms and kissed him warm
ly.
Half an honr later a merry party was
driving to the Broadborousfh station. Jean
Thwalt had to pinch h-nself to realise
that It was really she kerself who was
sitting there opposite that smart, band
some young mnn. and beside her beloved
Andrey, so lovely and exquisite In ber
dainty clotbes. She was du7-d with Joy,
speechless with excitement, and these emo
tions mingled made her pale, delicate fnce
almost pretty.
How they traveled to Mountberry the
two girls really could not have told. Tbey
had so much to say, so many exclama
tions of delight and affection that the
time passed unheedingly, and Audrey
only realized she was hack in what would
be her home for some time, when on
alighting she saw the carriage, perfectly
appointed, walling to receive them.
When ot last she was alone with her
husband, hnving herself deposited Jean
speechlc-w with admiration, In a dainty
bedroom, she bad no more words left with
which to thank him. She simply went
up to him, and putting her slender arms
abowt him, thanked hlra in a mute way
which touched him inexpressibly.
CHAPTER XX.
Tbls visit of Jean's was the crowning
point of Audrey'a happiness. Jean loved
to watch them strolling together, arm In
arm, through the grounds. She was a
dreamer, and she transformed those two
Into every hero and heroine of history or
romance. .Day by day she found aomo
new trait to love and admire.
As for Jack, he cordially liked the
pale, Intellectual-faced girl ; she was by
nature a thorough lady, and ber mind
gave evidence of deep thought, that only
required culture to blossom Into great
cleverness.
After they had been at Cralglands a
fortnight there was a bustle and a con
fusion. Miss Fraser returned to Dlngle
wood House. She brought back with her
about half a dozen guests, among whom
wera Mrs. Fairfax and her daughter, the
Honorable Lancelot Twist, and Beverley
Roehfort. Lady Daleswater vta to join
her in a few days, and the earl also prom
ised the honor of his presence.
"I suppose we shall be having a wed
ding at Dinglewood before long," declar
ed Jack, one morning at luncheon.
Audrey was silent for n moment.
"Gladys will be nt Dinglewood next
week. Must we ask them to dinner?"
she sflie! st length.
"I really don't see why we should. If
Gladys wants to visit Mountberry she
ought to colli and stay with us; she
knows that."
"But Sheila asked her first, and we
can't quarrel At her for accepting an in
vention, coo we, Jean?"
"Why wot ask Lady Daleswater to
come to Cralglands when her visit ends
at Dinglewood House?" Jeun suggested,
timidly.
"You may do as you like, Audrey, but
still maintain that Gladys should have
come to ns first; there, kiss me, darling.
I am going to rido over to Beighton on
business."
Audrey ran to the door with him, and
saw him mount and ride awny.
"Now for our visiting, Jenn," she said,
and ordered out tho barouche, and went
to dress herself for the occasion.
They called at a number of houses, at
Lady Grace Huntley's, at the Everets',
and many others, and ended by alighting
for a few minntes' chat with Mrs. Thorn
gato, who was rather cold toward Audrey,
snd thea by driving to Dinglewood
House.
Audisv wnlktd into tho drawing room.
a alemfw-, graceful form, in hor Areas of
dark green velvet, close-fitting Jacket,
and small hat to match. Bererk-y Roeh
fort, as he rose to met the regal girl.
quickly determined thnt, beautiful as she
always was, she had never looked more
beautiful than now.
Mrs. Watson was knitting by tko fire,
grint as a sen thud, snd Mrs. Fairfax was
dosing over a novel in tho most comfort
able chair she could find.
"My niece la out. Lady John," Intoned
Mrs. Watson, rising stilfly; "she Is rid
lag." "Yes; didn't you know that? How
strange 1" And Mrs. Fairfax langbed
softly and disagreeably to herself.
I don t quite see where the strange
ness comes In, Beverley Roehfort ft
tortari, coolly, as he handed some tsa to
Audrey and Jean.
"I merely tamat It was strange that
yr husband should not have told you be
was rwng to ride oat with Sheila this
afternotsi, but, ne doubt, he did not fklnk
It was necessary; after all, they are auch
old friends. Lady J Jin, there is ao need
for you to be Jealous."
"Of course, had your husband known
he was to have thn pleasure of Miss
Fraser's company during his ride, Audrey,
he would have told yon," Jean said, very
quietly, looking Mrs. Fairfax full In the
face with her honest, clear, gray eyes;
"I expect It was a busty arrangement.
was It not, Mr. Riichfort?"
"I think you must bo right, Miss
Thwait," was his answer. He cared
nothing for Mrs. Fairfax's angry glances;
he saw that he had mado a great stride
In both Audrey's and .lean Thwalt's est!
motion. "How are all your anima',sT'
bo said, coming up to Audrey, and con
versing iu a soft, low voice.
Audrey, feeling grnteful to him for
hia delicate tact, responil.-d more warmly
than she hud ever addressed, him before,
while Mrs. Fairfax fixed her eyeglnss on
Jenn, and tried to siare down the "im
pertinent yonug person" who had dare
to cross words with her.
"Er you nre an old friend of Ladv
John's, I presume. Mum er Thwait?
"Yes," Jexn answered, laconically.
"You were educated tox.-thcr?"
"Yes,"' Jean suswered a soeond time,
?o you are a rluirity girl, too? slis
ubawved, slowly.
"Pardoa me. I was. but am no longer,
Would yati really save to bear all my fam
Uy history, mafliiw? auur you It la
twtsrestlng. My fnther
Bnt Mrs. Fairfax drew back her chair.
This lev burn creature actually had the
eiTnsiUTf lo be lanhing at ber.
"I t reallr don't think I will trou
ble you, Miss Thwalt."
Well," declared Jean, ss they drove
sway, so tiiose are t lie manners or tne
ari'rtecracy, are th-v? Gire me plebeian
ways in future. What a horrid woman.
Audrey, nnd did you sec ber face thick
with paint?"
Sha Is certainly very disagreeable te
me. V, by should she bave said that about
Jack?"
"Because nhe Is a cat, my dear child.
and she felt she must scratch."
"Well, I was really most grreful to
Mr. RocMort, He came to the rescue
mopt gallantly."
Jean was silent so long that. Audrey
at Inst laughingly, inquired the reason.
I was thinking about, that mnn, An
drey. you were quite rijtht to fear him;
he is dangerous. Mrs. Fairfax is a vul
gar cat; her warfare won't harm yon J
but Beverley Roehfort la a snake, and he
will Kting you when you least expect it.
That is my nnml-le but firm opinion. I
may be wsong. hut I don't think so. B
warned, my darlins. trust to your first Im
pulse and shun thnt man!"
(To be continued.)
TrneMao Train (io KveryTrhere.
Ixroir,otlves without tracks, drawing
Iwlilnd them lon-r trains of enrs, nnd
speeding over the highways, nre to-day
familiar sights In Europe, from Franca
In the west, to Turkey in the east. Un
der tho caption, "Trackless Trains Go
Everywhere," Donald Burns, In tin
Technlcnl World Magazine so writes.
Wherever the ordinary four-wheeled
velilclo can go, the trackless trolley can
go likewise. Tin iiutbor describes one
particular model, known as the Rennrd
train, as follows: "This lntest prod
igy, the Rennrd trnln. Is a train of
pnsHenger or freight vehicles, headed
by a steam or gasoline locomotive which
travels over country roads nnd town
or city Btreets. The ordinary railway
train calls for steel rails and a special
right-of-way ; the Rennrd train has no
necessity for either of these, but shares
the common highway with the horse
drawn vehicle."
Further on, the writer says: "In
France the Renard train has been nsed
for military service with marked re
sults. A convoy bo transported occu
pies one-eighth the space of one drawn
by mules, or horses, and It travels at
a speed of ten miles per hour." Even
Turkey and Persia, two countries
which are noted for their backward
ness In most things, bave been qnick tc
take up the new Ideas.
Simple Pleasures.
The stage-coach driver, who bad
pointed eat many things of Interest to
his solitary passenger, flicked his whip
toward a sign at the foot ot a short,
steep driveway. "Happy Brook Form
up there, you see," said he, genially.
"Stock farm?" fcaqulred the traveler.
"Well, yos," sold the driver, rumlna
tlvely, "yes, I cal'luto that's what 'tin.
They kc:p three . .s an' make butter.
'oiks don't hanker mach for It after
the first try, but I don't know as th&tta
either hero or there."
"Where's the brook?" asked the trav
eler, craning his neck.
"Well, now, the brook is off a quar
ter of a mile or so," and the driver
looked apologetically a this faro, "but
cnl'Iate when you name a place you
can't, get everything cut and dried Just
as you want it. An' If you'd seen that
whole family and the outlying relations
looking at that sign when they first got
It up, I guess yon wouldn't have felt
to carp and criticise.
If ever there was n tat o' folks well
pleased with themselves, then they
were."
Kconom y.
The country grocer was Issuing In
structions to his new assistant, a Ind
of 0 years.
"It's only by looking closely after the
trifles," Bald the proprietor, "thnt a
profit can be mndo la these days of
close competition."
"Yesslr," enme from the hoy.
"For example," continued tho grocer,
"when you pick tho flies out of the
sugar don't throw them away. Put
them among the currants." Evening
Wisconsin.
If In ml Kvldenee.
Eva Why, Katherlne, your hair Is
all mnsKcd up.
Katharine Yes, dear; you yon see,
Jack stole up end snatched a dozen
kisses before I could scream.
Eva But why don't you step In
front of a mirror and rearrange yoar
hair?
Katharine Gracious! Why, I
wouldn't do It for the world. Why,
none of the girls would believe he kiss
ed me.
Ob Woman's Wisdom.
"I suppose,' said Mrs. DeStyle, "that
we may as well send Miss Uppson a
solid silver tenset for a wedding pres
ent"
"Yes, that would be very nice," re
joined her danuthter. "By the way, she
tokl me she didn't Intend to have the
list of presents published In the papers,
as she considered It vulgar."
"That being the qse," continued Mrs.
DeStyle, "well send her a set of plated
spoons." '
Old Story.
Gunneir During our courting days
she said she would go throngh any
thing on earth for roe.
Gnyer Ah, nnd now that you are
enjoying wedded bll.ss has she made
good?
Gunner Well, no. About the only
thing she goes through Is my vest
pockets.
Stalled.
Farmer Hardapple Pays yeou right
for automoblllng on Sinday, neighbor.
Yeou know tho way of the transgressor
Is always hard.
Chauffeur (of machine stuck In
mud) Well, old man. In this case the
way seems to le extremely soft
A l-'lu I. lull Chain.
Teacher Is there any connecting
Unit between the animal and the vege
table kingdom?
Bright IMpIl Yes, mrra J there's
hash. Philadelphia Inquirer.
Ouptaln FrlU-F.ggcf. a Swiss caval
ry oCicrr, has invented a method ot
hortw-bhoelng by fastening the shoe to
the hoof with metallic bund.
THE SinET-3LEFvT5 TCWIT.
was nurture In the country, where the barefoot boys are fonpd,
And with each recurring tmnuncr I would fain be next the ground.
I can stand it in the city when the winter's grip Is clfHl,
But. !u spring I wmt to wander o'er the meadow and the hill.
I can sluul the doilies conventional when cold nnd snow nre here,
But the coding of the- mhuiimt makes me hate 'em all, I fear.
In the winter 1 run t:md ft wlu ru the tall skyscrapers frown.
But I want to e;--ml the summer In a slxirt-slcevo town. '
Db, you know the kind I'm thinking of thn kind where, In the heat.
Von can see the leading citizens out contlcss on the street;
Where the bnukcr nd the preacher venture out befere the throng
In a clean shirt and KiiKpenders nnd go sauntering along.
Caring naught for others' scruples, fearing
Cause the nelghlKirs, too, mnt HUely hsve
Where you wear whatever miftg you, never drcndlng scowl or frown
Let me spend my every summer In a shlrl-sh-eve town.
'hicn.-o News.
VVVjWseWVssAMMMWrl
tSiWJll ..X'XX
C vrntxurfcrrik
Gordon's Idea
I
A man was standing at the foot of n
talrway looking up at a white cloth
banner that hung above the dingy door
way. The banner, a strip of muslin,
bore these words :
PEOPLE'S COURSE.
Sixth Entertainment.
READING "LOIINA DOONE."
You nre Welcome.
As the man stood there looking nt the
banner, a number of j-ople pnss-.-d up
the stairway. . They Koemod to be of
the poorer class, but were neatly and
eomfortably dressed. There" were men
and women nnd children, and tho
watcher was gratified to note that there
Were quite as many men as women.
8omebody touched his elbow. He
looked around. A tall young man was
milling down at him.
"Pardon me," he said, "but I Infer
that you are a stranger In our village.
tf you have nothing better on hnnd, I
Would be glad t have you attend our
little entertainment."
"Thank you," snld the older man. "I
have nothing better on hand."
He looked at the tall young mnn as
he spoke. He was a slender young man,
but he held himself erect and his shoul
ders weae good. He was a homely
young man with pronounced cheek
bones, but his eyes were bright and his
mile pleasant
"We are trying to do the best we
can with onr modest little course," he
xplolnod as they cllmled the narrow
stairway. "We are up against some ob
stacles, but none of them bus proved
Insurmountable. This Is our second
year."
The older man nodded. He was a
short man and rather stout, a plain
man plain of face and plain In dress
I who would be unnotieeable Iu a
crowd. Ills bine eyes were keen nnd
he walked with a firm step.
"One of these obstacles I take to be
your location," he said.
"Yes," the younger man replied.
"But It's much better than the hall
we had last year. That's a saloon on
the ground floor, It Is true, but the
proprietor runs a very quiet place."
They were standing In the doorway
of tho assembly roem. It wa a plain
apartment with a little platform at
one end, a room that would seat an
audience of awo hnndred, perhaps, with
standing space for fifty more. Its only
furnishings were the chairs and a pi
ano. The place was almost filled, but
the tall man passed down the aisle and
found the stranger a seat well to the
front.
"I'll have to ask you to excuse me,"
he said. Then ho bent a little lower.
"You can leave at any time, yon know,"'
be whispered. "That s a standing priv
ilege with us."
Uo smiled and nodded and parsing
forward, disappeared through a door
way at the right qf the stage.
The stout man looked around. The
hall was rapidly filling up. Even the
standing room was being occupied.
They were working people, most of
tlietn, working people who bore a thrif
ty look.
"That's a fine yonng fellow you was
spcakln' to Just now," suld a voice at
the stranger's side. He looked aroiiut.
X white haired old man with a little
rrlakled face, was looking up at him
"I'm a stranger in your village," said
the stmit man. "Tell me about him."
"H'a the lud thut started these
Shows," the old man explained. "They
laughed at him. He didn't care for
that. Tbo shows went on Just the
nme. Theji tne big lads tried to break
'em up. He whipped the biggest one
and that settled the rest At first no
body came. Now look at the crowd,
Tills Is the second year. He's really a
great lud."
"j it ail free?' tne stout man
asked.
"Sure. But he has to give out tick
ets bncauae of the crowd. Ouly two
In a family can come, you understand."
"But there must be some exiieuse?'
"He finds the money, too. They say
one of the parsons helps him a bit, au'
James Ferguson, he's the manager of
the Cameron mills, stands for purt of
It, im' I have no dmibt the lad puts his
"hand Iu his own jHk-ket for a good bit
besides."
The stranger nodded.
"What's his Idea In going to nil this
bother?"
"Bother! The lad don't think It a
bother. It's a pleasure for him. There
ain't many of his sort, more's the pity,
Here he Is now."
The tall you Mi enme forward on toe
platform and was warmly received. H
checked the applause almost instantly
however, and then went on to siieak o;
the attraction for the next lucvtlng.
"We nre a little liuiiulmpiK-d, as you
know," be said, "by the fsict that wi
have to depend on volunteered tnlent
But we have found ku:ih ery giiod
frl'ii.N to entertulu ti-i. nn.l nmoiu
them 1 nuinlier Prof. Henry Cuinmlngs,
who will talk t J us two weeks from to
bkht on The Flying Maculae.' Ts
not their neighbors' scoff.
their coats and weskita off;
'- f' '"
n'fht, ns we announced it-our last
meeting, I hoped to have Dr. nenry
RIbley talk to us about tho Hudson
Bay country, but another engagement
kept him away. This Is my only ex
cuse for remaining on the platform. I
trust that under the crrcumstances you
will excuse me If I make no attempt
to Introduce the speaker of tho even
ing." "We all know you," cried a clear
voice from the rear of the room.
Whereat there wms great applause, that
stopped Instantly, however, when the
tall young nnsn held up his hand.
"Miss Jane Patterson will slug for
us an English ballad that Is supposed
to date back to about the time of the
Doones," he said.
A young woman In the front row
arose and stepped to the piano and ThonmB Gordon, caged In his little of
seatlng herself sang the ballad In a flce( a note. It was a forma, ,nvlta.
sweet and delightfully unaffected man- tlon to oa Ri&urd Andrews, thai
ner. v nen sne nnisnea it tne stranger
lonnu iiimeeir m.pinuamg as vigorously
as any of the people about him, and
Miss Patterson, thus encouraged, sang
another ballad, which was quite as
piensiia; as tne nrst one, and was
equally wcu reeeiveo.
men tne tan young man oegan nis
part or tue enunainuient lie talked
wen, anu wuus uis eeuiences were aim-1
. , . , . . i
piy worueu, iney were mrecx ana in-
terest compelling. v nen ne had fin-
isneu nis Dnei uurouucuon ne snowea
mem a map oi tne lanu or rse uoones,
an excellent map so eieany drawn that
all could see It Then he read a chap
ter from the story and read It capitally,
giving the different voices and the dia
lect with surprising skill. After this
he told them about the author and his
BICIIABO ANDREWS CAME FORWARD AND
WARMLY GREETED HIM.
retiring habits and his love of nature, j
nnd the benatlfnl Blackraore cottage. I
Then he read another chapter and still
another, and when be came to the part
of the book, where John Rldd over-
comes his old-time enemies, he made
It seem so realistic that the applause I
that arose when he stopped for breath
was quite deafening. I
The 6tranger was realry sorry when I
the tall young man bowed himself from
the platform.
"A clever lad," the old man mur
mured to him.
The stranger nodded.
"Whafs his name?" he asked.
"Thomas Gordon. He's a weigher In
the Cameron mills. Ue works hard all
day and then works bard some more I
to entertain us poor folk. He's a rare
lad."
The stranger waited until the peo-
pie had passed out ne waited until
the little group that surrounded the
tall young man had said a final good
night Then he stepped forward.
The young man smiled.
"Yon didn't take advantage of our
liberal rules ami slip out" he said.
No," the stranger replied. "On the
contrary, I eem to be the last one to
leave the hall. The fact Is, I enjoyed
your talk. I enjoyed It all the more
hocnune mv father came from that verv
country. You have mnde mo want to
stop at the nearest book store and get
a cony of that story and read It
again."
The young maa laughed.
"lo you know that's one of the
things I'm aiming to do," he said. "I
am aiming to encourage a taste for
good iMHtks. In this liu. hence to-ni'at
I have no doubt there were fully fifty
lxple who will want to read 'I.oraa,
Doone.' I told our village liooksoller
a week ng to get In nn amply supyly
of Hie cheap edition of the story. It's
been so with every' book we have d:
cUHsed."
"I'd like to walk along with you.
said the stranger, "and have you tell
me Just what you aTe aiming at"'
"All right," laughed the young man.
"I'll be glad to have your company."
He put out the lights and locked the
outer door, and they went down the
stairs together.
"I have an Ides," said the tall
young man, "that I can do this village
some good. It's my village I was
born and raised ami schooled here. I
feel us if I owed it something la re
turn. I'm a dreamer, perhaps; but I
don't forget hard work. Now I've an
Idea that we need a library here a
working library filled with the sort of
books that ouf people would read. Thlf
Itm't a university town, nor a town of
dilettantes.. It's a town of workers
who haven't much time to read, and
who should bo cnoour;;ged to read ths
best. I have an Idea, to, that I could
superintend the erection of Just the
practical sort of building that would
yield the best returns. I would want
one entire floor given up to a ball that
would seat OW people. There I woald
carry on the work I have ls-gun here.
And I would want a little fund with
which to secure attractions for our
course special attractions, you know."
He stoped and lnugYtl. "I'm some
thing of a Uraiu1il:iin;i," he added,
and I've even gone so fur as to plan
my Idial building on p.-iper. lea, and
I've even picked out tiie very lot where
It should stand. Here it Is now. At
this vacant corner close to the homes
of the people we want to epeolally ben
efit." They p.ius(d and looked nt the shad
owy place.
"Is the lot In the market?" the
stranger asked.
"Yes, nnd can lie bought cheap." He
laughed nguln. 'The next time I hear
that Robert Cameron Is In town I'm
going to muster up courage and tell
him alout my plans for the Cameron
library."
Robert Cameron," repeated tho
stranger.
lie's the head of the great steel
syndicate, you know. He's done things;
of this sort, but our town seems to
have been overlooked." . !
"It might lie a good plan to sea
him," aid the stranger. ;
The tall young man laughed. ;
"That was only my Joke," he said.
I wouldn't dare to approach him with
any such begging priosltion. Why,
I'm only a weigher In one of the small
est of his mills."
The stranger paused.
"This Is the hotel. Isn't It?" ho said,
He put out his hand. "I've enjoyed
both your entertainment and yourcotu-
jwiny. Good night. Thomas Geroon."
"Good night sir," said the tall yonng
man.
The next morning a boy brought
eveninjj.
Thomns Gordon stared at the Invi
uon. Richard Andrews was th
rMlt .. of the Tmasre. the man whosa
beautiful home adorned the west hill.
ne knew Richard Andrews well enough
to uv good day.. whtn no met hlm
Dut tnat waa all.
..y answer?" queried tho messen-;
'
Thomas Gordon shook off his heal-
tancy and wrote an acceptance. And
al, day thereafter he wondered what it
ooujj mean.
When he was ushered Into the benu-
tlful home on the hill the servant led
him to the library nnd there Richard
Andrews enmo forward nnd warmly
greeted him. At his elliow stood the
gray bearded stranger he had met the
night before.
"Good evening, Thomas Gordon," said
the stranger as he put out his hand.'
"I am glad to renew our acqualnt-
ince."
Then Thomas was Introduced to
Judge Grayling and to Col. Edward
Ames and to, Henry viekhain, the
banker. A moment later they went In
to dinner and the gray bearded stran
ger was seated on the right of the host
and Thomas Gordon on the left
And presently the young man real
ized that his friend of tho night before
was Robert Cameron himself, and be
turned hot ami cold at the thoughtl
The conversation buzzed about In a
lively manner. They were all repre-'
sentatlve men and. experienced In din-;
lug, and Thocaas Gordon, who was
Quite unused to dining of tills Ideal
"rt. did his best to acquit himself!
with credit.
When tho cigars were finally reach-
ed the host addressed bis guests.
"Our friend, Mr. Cameron, has a few
words to say to us," he said.
The gray bearded man looked around
with his cheery, peculiar smile.
"What I have to say can be said
briefly. Quite by chance I discovered
that you have In your town here a
young man with Ideas. Now that Isn't
Intended as a slur on the Intellects of
the town In general, but this man bat
Ideas that are especially worth noting
because they are novel and uplifting
and unselfish. I refer to the Ideas
dreamed and fostered by our young
friend here, Thomas Gordon, the guest
of honor at this .board to-night. ' They
I turned and looked at Thomas and a
little wave of applause ran round tho
I table. "I like these Ideas from th
Gordon bralnbox. I like them so well
that with bis help I am going to carry
them out If he wants to do so he can
call the mlng library by my name
It was his own suggestion. It will be
a good library. I premise him that'
There Is to bo a hall In it, a modern
liall tbat will seat tM ieople, and
wllt "t'i M't aside tor se-
curing popular talent for his lecture
course. All these dcHIU will be left
In bis hands on one condition he Is to
take charge of the entire work, both
as manager and librarian. Acting on
his suggestion I have purchased the
lot where the building is to stand. Next
week my architect from the city will
come here to consult with him. To
morrow he will meet with his fellow
trustees. Judge Griyling and Bunker
Henry Wlekham an I formulate his
plans. At the same time he will begin
to earn the salary that I have decided
to give him In lieu of his wages as a
weigher at the Cameron mills." lie
paused and smiled. "I trust he will
find It shows a satisfactory Increase
over his present emolument as a welghi
er, but at the same time he mustn't
forget that he Is handling affairs of,
much greater weight" He raised hlsi
glass. "Uentlomeu," he gravely sald,j
"I want you to drink to the health and
prosiK-rlty of Tlsuuas Gordon, a yonng
man with Ideas!" Pennsylvania Grit.
Tne Wla 31 other.
"Her niolher usually u.-ks ber daugh
ter to sing, doen't olie?''
"Only when disagreeable guests art
present" Cleveland Plain Dealer.
You occasionally seo a girl carrying;
a music roll who probably eouidat
carry a tune with Its assistance. '
4
M.-V
v
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