THE OMAHA DAILY BTCE : TUESDAY , FEBTUTA11Y 21 , 1800 ,
5 - S
. >
A IN JACKSON'S PURCHASE.
Ily .MARTHA McCULLOCII WILLIAMS.
( Copyright , ISO. hy Martha McColloch
Williams. )
With the two Mary Dlckorsons came the
"moonllnht. " The Purchase knows what a
moonlight Is : outland folk , however , mar
require to be told that It 14 a night picnic ,
held when the moon Is coming on to full.
It prevails from May to September , the i
young people , small blame to them , pre
ferring ( low ami coolness and the delicious
seclusion of half-lit nooks , to the crass and
garish brightness of a broiling day.
The two Marys were the occasion of this
one. It came off In Uncle Hob Mayner's
yard , which wan level , covered with white
clover turf and set rectangularly with
maples nnd honey locusts. All the rose
bushes wcro strung with Chinese lanterns.
Tin sconcce for candles hung against some
of the trco trunks. A few glara lanterna
had been fastened upon pendulous boushs.
Where the lights were the thickest there
wcro long plank benches. In remoter ,
shadowy nooks Uncle Hob had Insisted upon
letting camp stools In pairs.
"Thar's a tlmo for all thlnns oven
courtln' . I ain't forgot that , If I am BO
. fat and old , " he had Bald to Hcd Mary with
twinkling eyes. lied Mary was his own
niece , Mary Spec his wife's. The two were
first cousins , dear friends , delightfully alike ,
still more delightfully unlike , and differen
tiated in the mouths of their world accordIng -
Ing to complexion.
lloth Marys went out In the yard , run
ning hither nnd yon , though It was barely
eundown , and nobody likely to come for an
hour. Major Dado had come , but he < lld
not count. . Ho propped bis chair back
ngalust the trunk of a maple and let his
eyes follow the two Marys In their white
frocks nnd frlttcry red ribbon. Uncle Bob ,
who sat three feet away , his chair planted
Equarcly upon Its four feet , his elbows on
his knees , caught the glance , set his fat
fingers together with n little soft p-lop , and
tiald rumlnantly :
"N'lco span o' blood fllllce. "
"Thoroughbreds clean ! " the major ejacu
lated , then with n algh , "If only a man
could throw off thirty years ! Choosing be
tween them must bo a big puzzle. I'm
right down sorry for Ucrt Selby. Upon my
eoul I don't believe ho knows which he
loves best , for all he's been hero every day
since they came , and nights aud Sundays
thrown In. "
"I've had a sorter sneaking notion all
along he was In love with both , " Uncle Bob
eald.
Major Dado laughed.
"Tho young man must remember ho Is
running for congress In Kentucky , not
Utah , " ho said. "Tell those young women
for me , please , that the ono who don't take
him Is mighty apt to live to bo sorry for It. "
"I told 'cm so ylstlddy , " Uncle Bob re-
i turned. "Lord ! How Hcd Mary did laugh :
She Is the sassiest piece always making
fun o' the way Bert talks. "
"I can hardly iblamo her tout poor Bert ! "
Maj Dado said with a frown. "It la the
greatc-st shame , the greatest pity , he was
left to grow up v.lth those poor white LIs-
cnbees. A finer gentleman than his father
never trod shoo leather and his father ,
' Bert's grandfather , went to congress from
, Tennessee. "
"Bort will get everybody's vote If only
he gets the nomination , " Maj Dado contin
ued thoughtfully. "But there's the rub.
Politics ain't what It used to be , Uncle Bob
not by a long chalk. Money has a heap
of friends. You don't need to be told that.
Bert has just one man to fear Duke Wll-
loughby and Wllloughby has money to
throw at the birds. He 'tfirows It , too
chips In for anything going barbecue , pic
nic , big meeting , preacher's salary or mls-
t stonary collection. Then he has lent money
to a dozen fellows who are In tight places.
Of course , there has been no talk of buyIng -
' Ing their Influence , 'but ' they are bound ,
' just bound , to do their best for him. I tell
.i you Wllloufjhby U smart. He has got a
mighty taking way , too. If wo don't look
sharp he'll sweep the convention "
"And then Bert Shelby Is Jest fool enough
to pull off his coat and work llko a nigger to
elect him , " Uncle Bc.b broke In. "Bert has
had whatever he chose to ask for been
sheriff , assemblyman and all that. He is as
ambitious as Lucifer. Ono term In con
gress will rub off that poor , white tang.
After that well ! there's no telling what he
. may not bo and do. "
, "SUtcr Llsenbee to the contrary notwlth-
standing ! " Uncle Bob asked -with a hover
ing smile. "It's amazing , hut Bert will
' stand by that poor crcetcr as long as she
lives. "
Maj Dado scon led. "If she Is coming to
night I shall leave at once , " be said. Uncle
1 Bob laughed until ho shook all over.
"Vou can't be so cruel , major ! " ho said ,
i gripping the other's arm. "She's coming a-
( purpose to see you. We had to ask her
' couldn't think of raising a row in church by
slighting a slater that way. "
' "I ernel ! plotting , " Ued Mary called gayly.
rushing at her undo as she apoko and set
ting his necktie straight. She was as rogue-
Ish as she was rosy , a piece of dimpled pret-
tlness , with very briebt dark eyes and a
saiicy tip-tilted nose. Withal delicately vir
ginal. Something childlike , wondering , un-
f derlay the limpid gaycty of her glance. She
moved lightly and spoke In a round , silvery
, voice. Mary Spec , who came at her back ,
was taller by half a head and had her roses
powdered over with flno golden freckles. She
' liad gray eyes , set under the finest arched
dark brows , and was slender enough to sug
gest a gold-flecked Illy , such as swayed In
myriads out In tlie old fields.
"I know Maj Dado Is above plotting , " she
said , holding out fcer hand to him. "I al-
irost wish ho was not then I'd ask him to
help us entice Daddy Dowell and the bacd
hero tonight. "
"That Is Just the very meanent thing ! "
Hed Mary Interrupted. "I knew It would be ,
though. The first thing I said when Cliarley
Mayner said they wcro going to have the
moonlight was , 'Make euro of the band before -
fore you set the night. ' "
"If > ou had told Bert Selby , " Maj Dado
began , still holding Mary Spec's hand. He
felt It tremble lightly. Hed Mary made a
face at him. "Vou are conjured llko the
rest , " she said. "You seem to think the worli
begins and ends with Hert Selby. "
"It doe down Inthe Purchase , " Uncle
Bob cald. with a gurgle. "Lord , Red Mary
when ho Is president and you an old woman
an old maid most likely you'll bo for
ever telling how he used to come courting
you and have 'em saying , "Tho luck some
men are born to. ' "
"There comes Wllloughby ! " said Maj
Dade , "I BOO his running mate , Amos Tandy
U alcag , too. Wonder If the old roan , eli
Duke Wllloughby , pays Tandy to run aroum
with this boy of his ! "
" ask him " Eald
"Supposu you ! Heel Mary
with a emllo of Innocent malice. "I can tel
you , though , BO can Mary Spec. tUat the two
are a pair and go all the gaits. ' *
"A good looking pair confound them ! '
Major Dado said , as Hod-Mary ran to makt
them -welcome. She hold out a band to oacl
and smiled up In Tandy's face. In spite o
herself , her eyes fell before WlllouRhby's
She felt rather than saw that his glanc
passed over her In search of Mary-Spoc
who had slipped out of sight among th
shrubbery. While her band was still li
Wllloughby's , KcJ-Mary caught the Eoun
ot slow wheels.
The buggy was big and slow swung , liu
tplck and span. An oldUh woman drove it ,
t fat woman with mild blue eyes and i
Happy , vacuous faco. She bad on a vhlti
frock , a book muslin , abort enough to shov
her feet In slippers that their pudglnces
oTerflowed. Her hat , which sat awry , was
a wonderful concoction of lace and pink
ribbons , with pinker roses nodding jauntily
above It. In defiance of Us youthful gayety
there was a black band about her neck ,
clasped under the chin with a funereal mln-
lature. She had black gloves , too , old-fash I
ioned lace mitts , not on her hands , but i
pushed back around her plump wrlats. !
"Look out , major ! Sister Llsenbco has
got on all her war paint , " Uncle Rob said I
In the major's car then aloud : "Sister '
Llsenbee , you are a Eight for sore eyes.
Howdy ! Howdy ! Bless my soul ! All these
chlis of girls will have to git out o' your
way ! " I
"Lawaey , brer Mayner ! How you d& talkl 1
Like I was goad set out. ! " Sister Llsenbee 1
said , waddling through the gate ; "but whut j
It I air set out ? Scrlpcher says , don't it , I
that man was made ter mourn ? but men |
nln't women , nnd the good Lord knows I've '
been a-moumiu' poor ole Lisenbee bctter'n I
ten year. I come tcr the moonlight , though , I
Jest fer nothing but not tcr hurt Slsf Lucy
Mayncr's feelings. I didn't have no Idc-
ccar of seeing the major. I am mighty
glad , though , I have eaw him. He makes
himself the skaccst at our house ever senco
he promused me one cr his flno pcegs "
"Ah , major ! I always thought you were
a gay deceiver ! " Amos Tandy paid , shak
ing his finger at the major , "Mrs. Llsenbee ,
I'm a lawyer , but have never had a case.
slouch hnt at his tide And dropped Vt before > 1
speaking. So did his son , nnd his three '
grandttag , who came behind with fiddles ,
a banjo , a. flute and a tamborhie. Dixie- ,
the youngest granddaughter , beat time upon
the triangle. She was email and neat and
precise In speech , ns became the show pupil
of the free school.
Hed Mary leaned upon Tandy's arm ,
flwJied and bright-eyed , more than ever
beautiful. Wllloughby glanced covertly from
her to Mary Spec and almost swore at him
self. In thinking that he could not find him
self charm * ! by the rirl so evidently within
reach as by the one ot whom ho had such
faint hope. Still tie did not quite despair.
If she had refused him thrice , she had done
It hesitatingly , more than gently , with eyea
that had seemed to say : "I am not sure of
you. 1 am not sure of anything. "
It was that as much as the stirrings of
ambition which had moved htm to try for
a man's part , a man's place. He was
doubly bent on winning In the contest now
In hand , because he felt It might mean a
winning ever so much more vital. Selby's
rivalry had at first seemed to him ox-
qulsltely humorous. Ho was rapidly find-
Ing out that It was no Joke. Selby con-
tended with him In n dearer field. Ho was
furious over the knowledge. "I ought to
shoot the oaf , confound htm. " ho had Raid
to Amos Tandy , who had answered with a
shrug : " 0 , well , wait till after election. It
you kill him before , you kill yourself at
the pollu. " |
"This Is no place for you , Daddy ! " lied
Mary said severely. "No place at all. Oo
away ! If we can't be first we won't bo
last "
"Lawd love do yount ; mtstls ! You all wus
fust all do time , " Daddy answered with hU
very best bow. "I dest had tcr fool dam
yothcr gcntemuns ! Marse Bert ; he had
wl'h a InnguMilnR flatter She went oft
d'agln ' * happily to his a--n WillouRhby ,
who had fallen back a parr , laughed signifi
cantly. Tfe * band wag playing loudly , but
Selby ntught the laugh. Ho stood a little
stralghter nnd ald : "I'm glad you've seen
Mammy , Mls Mary Spec. She Is the best
woman. She was pretty once. Now , poor
thing , she caln't. seem to understand that
she ain't young no more , and has fattened
out o' her good looks. "
"Sht\ seems very kind , " Mary Spec said ,
constrainedly. She , too , had caught the
amused contempt of Wllloughby's laugh.
She shlvored a little , remembcrtag the mcon
flowers , and the honeysuckle breath , and
the subtle compelling of Selby's unspoken
love. She knew ho loved her. The knowl
edge had brought her dangerously near to
Io\Iug him. In many ways she was brave ,
even heroic , yet she grew woman-cowardly
at Uie thought of affront to the conventions
of her world. Wllloughby typified her
world. Still she would to kind to Selby.
Mrs. Lisenbcc even should not make her
slight him.
"Supper ! Supper ! Come ! All you that
nln't lost your senses ner your appetites ! "
Uncle Bob shouted , coming around from the
back yard.
"Lemmo take you out , Miss Mary Spec , "
Selby said , offering his arm.
"Sho Is going with me , " Wllloughby said ,
almost roughly , stepping to the other side.
Mary Sped flushed painfully , but tried to
laugh. "I bellevo I want to go with n better-
looking man than either of jou , " she said ,
darting away after Uncle Bob. In time , to
the strains of "Lexington. " the crowd
streamed after them , laughing , chattering ,
tumbling over Itself , the merriest mob of
healthy appetites.
Selby and his rival had stepped out of
Ita way. The locust leaves let through
"BE STILL MORE MERCIFULI SHOOT QUICK. "
Won't you glvo me one ? I see a first-class
ireach qf promise suit .right ahead. "
Major Dado grew scarlet. Anger always
set him stammering. He tried hard to say
something , something ccol and withering ,
but not a word was Intelligible. Sister
Llsenbee ambled up to him and caught his
arm.
arm."I believe In my heart you'ro struck with
the shakln' agur , " she said ; "I kin cyora
it In three shakes of cr dead lamb's tail.
All you got to do Is ter take and swaller
nine whole grains er black pepper , nnd then
hold yor breath while you say over your
name and ago Backwards. It Is the best
thing. It cyored poor ole Llseubee , and
the fust year we lived down In the Purchase
ho shuk so they used ter hear him over at
the neighbors' . "
Wllloughby had found Mary Spec and was
talking eagerly to her. Amos beckoned
them to him. As they came up be said with
a flourish : "An honor , llko a pleasure. Is
doubled by sharing It with friends. Let mo
present you to a lady whom it Is an honor
to know Mrs. Llsenbee , the mother of ex-
Sheriff Selby "
"Next Congressman Selby fits better , "
Uncle Bob Interrupted. Major Dade swore
silently , and eald In his mind , "Of all the
low-down tricks ! Trying to make Bert's
sweetheart believe ho Is blood kin to that
blessed old elephant ! "
Mary Spec took Mrs. Llsenbee'a fat hand
between both her own , and said , pressing
it gently : "I am so glad to see you , Mrs.
Llsenbee. Some one has been telling mo
about 'Mammy' ever since I came. "
"And I been a-wantlng to see you the
very wust way , Miss Mary Spec , " Mrs.
Llsenbee said earnestly. "I been a-trylng
to do It , too , ever seuco I seen how my
boy jest couldn't eat no sort cr vlttles when
BO como home frum seeing you. That's the
very shorest sign o' deep love. Why It
wus only at the last barbecue I felt Jest
as hearty untcl I seen the major go on tlio
stump. Then I ECS ter Sis Sarah Jane
Beaslcy , 'Sarah , not a mossel kin I tetch
not ef jou were to stay me with llagona
and comfort mo with apples like they done
ole Solomon "
She stood rumlcantly , tapping her snuff-
mull with ono forefinger. Wllfoughby was
at her elbow , Amos Tandy at the other.
Red Mary darted up to inem. "Y.ou are
a nice parcel , > ou Purchase fellows ! " she
said ; "giving us a picnic without music !
Don't you know It Is as fiat as a cucum
ber without salt ? "
"Don't murder us , please , " Wlllouyhby
said ; "at least not until you hear how bard
we tried for the band. There U only one
band , you know , that Purchase folk a care
about. Amos , dldnft wo both try for an
hour to hire , or coax , or scare that oM nigger
Into playing here tonight ? "
"Well , we must do something. I reckon
wo can fall back on Wevllly. Can you
trot ? " Red Mary asked mischievously.
"All night with you for partner , " Amos
said , catching her hand.
"Partners ! Partners ! Partners right now.
Partners for Wevllly Wheat ! " Amos catted
aloud. "The sun Is down , the moon is up ,
the fun ought to be going. "
Willoughby tried to take out Mary Spec ,
but she shook her head. Her eyes were
half dreamy , half expectant. She let them
rest upon the house. It was a double log
one with shed rooms at the back , a wide ,
middle passage , and a deep , hospitable pi
azza across the front. Only hist night ehe
had sat upon the piazza , hearing a voice
whose timbre left her eoul curiously vibrant.
As she llftcncd the moon-flowcra had kept
opening all about her aud the sparse white
honeysuckle sprays had made the air odor
ous. She wondered It ehe would ever again
smell the flowers without bringing back the
thrills , the tremor. Memory of them was
imlf terror , hat ! delight , She might have
promised anything and ehe was free.
Daddy Dow ll came around the house cor
ner. His sense of deference never allowed
him to approach "quality white folks" by
the front way , He was very tall , very black ,
withered but Uaje with a fringe of grizzled
wool around a eblny. bald tiead. He held a
took 'n tolo me ter cum vore tornlght and
sarrynade you all , but he say I
must not tell nobody I wus gtvlne do It , ner
who tole me ter do it after I come. "
Daddy waved his bow. The band broke
Into a waltz. Amos caught Red Mary's
hand , saying , "That Is something like !
Now wo can twlstlfy. "
They shot away w-Uh twenty couplca In
their wake. Mary Spec sat down on a
bench. Wlllougtby kept beside her. "You
are cruel , " ho Bald. "I would glvo a great
deal for one ivaltzwith you. " She smiled
and drew a little -way from him. "It will
not last , " she said. "Uncle Bob will stop
it. It is funny what a difference the music
makes to his -way of thinking. "
"Who's taking my name in vain ? " Uncle
Bob said , coming up to them. "Barbecue Is
most done and my how good it smells ! If
that rascal , Bert Shelby , don't hurry , he'll
lose deal entirely. Promised he'd come at 5
o'clock ; then sends -word by the major that
he haa to go somewhere else on n fool's
errand , I've no doubt In tie world. "
"I have a doubt , " Mary Spec ealdwith
a soft laugh. "I believe Mr. Selby has
good reasons for whatever be * does. "
Just then a clear rolce called cheerily
across the gate : "Hallo ! Hallo the
house ! "
"Light , stranger , and look at your sad
dle ! " Uncle Bob responded , without turning
an eyelash. The newcomer sat leaning a
little from his horse , looking the assem
blage critically over. Willoughby and Mary
Spec were In the foreground. Ho kept his
eye on them as he got down and walked
Inside. He was taller than Wllloughby , and
broader , < but had no suggestion of burliness ,
i His bronzed face was clear cut. Commonly
Its expression was a sort of humorous pa
tience. Tonight It was touched to gravity
strongly tinctured with concern. He started
toward Wllloughby , but Major Dado drew
him almost forcibly out of earshot of the
rest.
rest."Did
"Did you see the fellow' ? " he asked ; "did
he really have anything or was It just a
flash In the pan ? "
"I saw him all right enough. Ho had
pretty good ammunition. At least he thought
EOSelby said , looking down. "Please don't
ask'oothln' more , major. I'll tell you the
whole story as soon as the convention is
over. "
"Vou will ? Nice way to treat your father's
oldest friend and your own political god
father , " the major said , half pettishly.
"No ! It don't look nice , " Selby sold
humbly. "But , major , you know mo clean
through. Did you evpr know me to do any
thing , no matter how It looked , tbat thar
i wasn't a white man's reason for when you
got to the bottom ? "
"No , sir ! But you have never before been
rvanlng for congress nor In love with the
finest ypung woman la the world , " the ma
jor retorted.
"So you found out It Is Miss Mary Spec , "
Selby said. "Major , you're right. Heaven
and the angles ain't hardly good enough
for her. I feel that , down to the very bottom
tom o' my soul. Because I do feel U. I I
won't do a mean thing that might help me
ter git her. "
"I hate riddles. Men usually take leave
of their eenses when they fall In love. I
wish you bad waited until , at least , the
convention was over , " Major Dade said , Im
patiently , Bert hardly heard him. He was
walking with long strides toward Mary Spec
and Willoughby.
"Howdy , Mies Mary Spec ! " he said , with
awkward 'brevity. As she put her hand [
within bis broad palm he felt it tremble
delicately. As he held it XrS. Llsenbee
waddled up to them , and said In a loud
whisper : "Precious boy , I don't blame you
not the least bit ! You couldn't help los
ing sleep and vlttles over her. She is the
only living woman ever I Been I was will
ing should have you , and my best feathci
feed. "
Major Dade said In his throat , "Confounc
her ! " Then aloud , "Mrs. Llsenbee , woa'i
' you be kind enough to come and tell mi
again about that pepper cure ? "
"I'll eorae In er de nter , major , whenovei
vou raav u-aiU mo.ilra , Uaanh a returned
a flno silver rain. df sunbeams , full In
Selby's face. Wlllbngfiby saw ? that It was
strangely agitated. He set his teeth and
said arrogantly , "I am ' Miss DIckerson's
friend Iwill not have , .her annoyed further.
You had better stop hanging about her. "
"You say ,1 'had better' ? " Selby asked.
"Are you deaf ? " > Wllloughby retorted
angrily. Selby shook his head.
"No ! " he said. "But that Is sorter a new-
word to my ears. You see nobody ain't
told me I 'had better' before , scnce I wore
a beard. "
"All the same , I tell you here and now ,
you had better let Miss " Willoughby
began. Selby's hand shut his mouth like a
vise. "I'll have no names called here ! "
fight , even , thar's politics handy. "
"You'll have what I choose to give you.
Take that ! " Wllloughby said furiously ,
striking Selby on the cheek. Selby stood
still for half n minute , his breath coming
hard , then took out his handkerchief , wiped
the place tbat had felt the blow , and began
to step off eight paces on the turf. When
he had counted them he made a mark with
his heel , nnd turned to Wllloughby , say
ing :
"Is your gun ready ? Wo better settle
this right here nnd now. "
"Xo ! Wo will settle It tomorrow. I have
too much respect " Wllloughby began.
"Pity It was so sleepy-headed that re
spect o' yourn ! " Selby Interrupted , with a
little drawl. "Ef it had been awake , maybe
| you might a-walted tell tomorrow to insult
a man that Is as much in place tere ns
you da'ar to be. "
"You don't mean to Insinuate I am
i afraid ? " Wllloughby raid , huskily. Selby
folded his arms. "Xo ! not of a gun , " ho
said. "I'll do ye that Justice. But you are
afraid of what folks will say. "
"Wo could not explain " Wllloughby be
gan.
gan.Selby held up his hand.
"Explanations won't signify to one of us ,
certain , " he said ; "maybe to both. But
we'll agree right now the llvln' ono can tell
what tale he likes. "
At the last v.ord his revolver gave an
ominous click that set Willoughby wild. He
had been livid all along. His face grow
white and deadly as he said : "Agreed ! You
shall have the satisfaction of a gentleman-
little aa you deserve It. "
Sc-lby looked at him , smiling almost
dreamily. As though to himself ho said ,
"I've read in a fine old book that the man
who knows how to ride and shoot and tell
the truth has the full education of a gentle
man. I am a pretty poor sort compa'arod
with what I want tor be but anybody that
knows me knows I can do them three
things. "
"As we have no seconds , shall we not
toss for pceltlou ! " Wllloughby said , Icily ,
as though ho had not heard , Selby nodded ,
then suddenly held up his hand , saying ,
"Seems ter mo thla might be better. Toss
up , heads or tails the ono that loses ter
stand under tbat candle , thnr , on the locust
tree , and take his medicine like a man. "
"As you please ! " said Wllloughby. Selby
had drawn out a coin. "We better make nil
baste , " he said ; "still , before this goes fur
ther , tbar's an awkward thing got to be
ftscd. "
"I won't wait , " Wllloughby said doggedly.
"You will wait ! " Selby said , decidedly ,
drawing a long envelope from hla pocket ,
"Here's a passel o' papers that muin't be
found on me. "
j "I have nothing to do with your secrets , "
, Wllloughby said.
, ' "Xot even when they happen to be youi
I own ? " Selby asked. "These happen to be
I your secrets , Mr , Wllloughby. Hero ar <
" I think them the most wonderful medi
cine for all bronchial affections. " lion ,
JI M. I'EBR v , Custle Grey , Limerick , Ireland.
Bronohlal
Troches
OP BOSTON
Bold In boxes only Avoid Imitations.
two checks jou signed on-c wHh another
man name Most likely you wait drunk
i and done It fer a lark Most folks wouldn't
1 think so. If you are so rich "
| WlllouKhfcy ( lung up tats hands and stag
gered bnck against the nearest tree. " 1 I
I cannot fight you ! " he emld. "I I take back
I everything. I will go away ! I will >
an ) thing you say , If , for my father's mike ,
you will not use those -papers against me. "
"Use 'cm against you ! " Selby snld. "When
I'm mean enough to do tech as that , I'll
quit the country. Man wrote me ter como
and git 'cm. I did git 'cm paid his price *
then told him I'd shoot him cf over ho
named he had bad 'cm without ray leave.
I fetched 'cm here tonight to give back to
you. Ef I can't beat you fighting fair , I
won't bent you at all. "
WIlloURhby clutched the envelope and
flung away his pistol. "I will do as you
bid me , " he said in n shaken voice. Selby
I picked up the pistol , handed U back , and
said , touching his own check , significantly :
"That sorter stings. It U a pity but I
reckon we're bound to aeo thin thing
through. "
Willoughby looked at him appealing- ! .
There was no relenting In his face. The
coin went spinning up , flickering sllverly
In the moonbeams and fell with a tinkle
between their feet.
"Heads ! " Selby called. Both bent to look.
The coin stood edgewise , lodged against n
tiny pebble. This time Selby tossed , again
calling "Heads , " before the bit ot elhcr
touched the earth.
"Heads win ! " Wllloughhy said , walking
a little unsteadily to his place beneath the
candle. It fluttered and flared spectrally
In flows of night wind. Wllloughby flung
oft Jils coat and let his arms drop. The
llultorlng light showed his face headed all
over.
"Be still moro merciful ! Shoot quick ! "
he said , his eyes full on SeJby's face.
Selby took deliberate aim , but dropped his
pistol to say :
"You agree hero In the face o1 death
this Is er man's quarrel ono that touches
nobody tout our two selves ? "
"I agree , " Wllloughby answered In a dry
whisper. Selby started a little at the
Bound of It. Again > ho raised his pistol to
cover his adversary's heart. The band was
playing "Tom ( Merrlwether , " maddest of
mad , merry , dancing tunes. "I'll go and
make em" stop If you want ter pray a
minute' " Selby said Interrogatively. Wll
loughby shook his head. They could hear
approaching voices. In two minutes the
first of the crowd would be upon them.
Selby drew back the hammer of his pistol ,
aimed and sent Its bullet Into the heart
of the candle flame.
"I had ter snuff out cr light , you know , "
he salJ , almost apologetically , offering his
hand to Wllloughby. "I cheesed the can
dle because well , because It wasn't run-
nln' Ter congress aginst me. "
The crowd was all about them , clamor
ously merry , before Wllloughby dared trust
himself to speak. Still coatlcss and bare
headed , he sprang upon a bench aul
shouted : "Every friend of mine cheer
with me for Bert Selby. our next congress
man the best man In the Purchase or out
of It ! "
As the cheers came wild and ringing
Mary Spec's face grew Illumined. She was
almost at Wllloughby's elbow , smiling
through happy tears. Selby looked at her ,
sighed , and said to his heart : "Willoughby's
elected fer a heap more'n ever I shall be. "
"Speech ! Speech ! " the crowd shouted.
Major Dade and Uncle Bob caught him by
the arms and tried to thrust him forward.
Ho smiled , but shook his Head obstinately ,
and dived into the throng , 'threaded ' It and
plunged Into an ambush of shrubbery. As
he stood for a moment with downcast eyes ,
he felt the lightest touch Mary Spec's hand
was on his arm Mary Spec herself was say
ing : "I never would have believed jou so
ungrateful , Mr. Selby ! Why didn't you
make that speech ? "
Ho took her hand between both his own
and said : "Thar ain't but ono speech I fee ?
like I could make and I know that nln't
worth while. "
"How can you know It | s not worth while
unless you make It ? " she said softly , a
little tremor under her words.
"Because It Is 'I love you' and I'm 'most
sure you caln't never love me , " he an
swered , choking a little over the last words.
Possibly hearts feminine have a cham
eleon quality , possibly also a psychic wave
too strong to be resisted was then setting
Selbyward. Whatever the fact. Mary Spec
smiled up at him , and said hardly above her
breath : "Maybe I might learn how If If
you gave me leave to try. "
KING OF DIG GL'XS.
DynnTiiHc Hun to HP Mounted
nt XIMV YorU Hiirlior.
A Pennsylvania manufacturing company
has In course of construction a large dyna-
mlto gun which In the early spring will be
shipped in sections north and carried out
to Long island harbor , where it will be
mounted. This gun , it Is hoped , will be for
ornament , but should any Inquisitive for
eigner dare to approach the gun will stand
as a working sentinel , ready to throw nltro-
gclatlne 6,000 yards.
This monster gun , which will be the larg
est ever constructed for this country or
any other , is fifty feet In Iccgth : It throws
I a COO-pound charge of high explosives ; Is
tlftecn Inches in diameter and is warranted
to fire a long-dlstanco charge out to sea
with such force as to wreck and sink with
ono shot the finest battleship afloat in any
navy.
Tbe firing capacity of this gun Is eight
well-aimed shots every ten minutes. Its
dsoger zone covers 300 feet on all sides of
a common center , or 600 feet In diameter.
It Is operated on the pneumatic system ,
which combines accuracy with safety , and
can throw dynamite , nltro-gelatlne and gun
cotton without danger of premature explo
sion.
sion.Tha gun will bo mounted In a month erse
so end will be an object of great Interest
to travelers on the sound.
The explosive to be used in this gun will
be the most powerful known to gunraakers.
Young children , to avoid
marasmus , scrofula , or
rickets , and develop healthy
tissues , bones and teeth , need
fats and hypophosphites. Dr.
W. Oilman Thompson ,
Prof. Materia Medica and
Therapeutics , in the Uni
versity of New York , asserts
that Cod-liver Oil is the
best fat for the purpose.
Scott's Emulsion is cod-
Hv.er oil partly digested and
combined with hypophos
phites , it gives children
material for rich blood ,
solid flesh , bones and teeth.
jcc. . and 11.oo , all drugeiitt.
SCOTT & I5OWNE , ChemUts. Xcw Yoik.
It wM ) .ritnbly . l > o Imuhl f nn a fwu *
powder company of San Kr.xtv $10 The
competition of the rtplo lrp Is * a follows
Klghty-seven jw c nt fiim-glrln .
Acrvn per c nt gun cotton.
I'our p r cnt camphor.
Two pr ttfit carbonat * of magnwla.
It Is intended 'hat In time the entire vr.t-
coact ( > 11 be protected with the e monster
guardian * , but at pre nt only one Is under
' way , nnd It Is thought that the govern me nt
I will await the experimental tf t.
Two typos of projectiles' to be used In
this tremendous gun. Ono Is termed a full
caliber and flta th * gun closely. Th * others
are subcallbor wd are considerably smaller
than the barrel , being he-Id In place by
means of shoes and runners fifteen Inches
In diameter.
Some Idea of the awful force can be gath
ered from the f.tct that fho full caliber pro
jectile Is about twelve fert In l i : th and
das'a capacity for about 500 pounds of high
explosives.
Any ono of thwo projectiles dropped on
or nec a battleship will totally destroy It
A 600-pound chance cxplodlap among a
squadron would strlously disable every ship
within 200 yards.
The new dynamite gun will be mounted
upon a solid base and no allowance will bo
made for recoil , ns It amounts to little when
compared to powder guns of the seme caliber
*
ber !
j j During the experiments with big guni
some startling figures were reached to show
the penetration of the shells and their won
derful accuracy. During one trial eight sue
censlvo shots were thrown Into a horizontal
rectangle 6.4 yards wide by seven yards
long at a distance of 3,610 yards.
Ask for Dc-.it's Toothache Gum , original
nnd only genuine. AH drugslsts. 15 cents.
In Mnii'n Field.
Chicago Post : "I tell you , It's outra
geous ! " said the man with the check suit.
"Woman Is crowding In everywhere. Sho'a
taking the bread right out of man's mouth.
Why , pretty soon he will have no field dis
tinctively his own ! "
"What field haa she Invaded now ? " they
asked.
For answer he showed them a newspaper
story telling of a woman who had tried to
bribe a legislature in Kentucky.
TAHCAmrTH On nil claimed for lhia
Kndntn a t ; 'T ilorfn me' i tliavocHcn
i hf > l I > r ni ; n < i".a < ' t t X ' < tml n
harefmiml i nla * < .ire * ! i otjk r , : Uicm mr
blood has tx ni ntuflM mi t my nan ' * " I'd Ita-
profeditoni criu JTnnl lt > c muclibc'.crlncrfry
' JIH.H. SALLIt K btLL.iu * . l.jt'.rc.l.Tcnn.
PI a < nt. P lit t > 1 ! ' Potent , Tn tc clocd. fo
3ooO NcTcr ! . Hon. Uca. i.or 0 : . | > c. 10cijc. JOc.
. . . CURE CONSTIPATION. . . .
rlli ? ncnt4j' ' Cewpte ; , r * ! inn , Xttltrat , 3tw Vtrk. 319
' a1" ' * "innir"-1 t > y n'ldrni-
62 Illghcit Anardi Over All Competitor ! .
3 BEAM
STAMP/
It utono ccnt/llrn the mullclnul co-iblnitlon DM-
rMary Incur * . Other * ilan'u 1 htrtjr j < f iV record
nrj.l million * cured. rr'cnSAccntn. AH UrufgUti.
Of in'l'nt , tUAbury Jt Jahtuen.N.Y , | [ unobtAlnkblo.
For Infants and Children.
llhe Kind You Have
Ci jg'sj * r _ ' '
Jr 'vwjR S'
? -v - * f - - * J M
Always Bough !
A\rc8cablcPrcpariitioi\forAs- [
slmilatlng theToodandRegula-
liijg the S tnmnrhs andBowels of Bears the
Signature
Promotes Digeslion.Ckcrful-
nessandRest.Contalns neither of
Opium/Morphine / nor Mineral.
NOT NARC OTIC.
m Sail'
sftx.Senna
Aperfcct Remedy forConslipa-
tion , SourStonuich.Diarrhoea ,
Worms .Convulsions.Fcverish-
ness and Loss OF SLEEP.
Tac Simile Signature og
Gfatf git
NTDW YORK.
EXACT-COPY" OF WRAPFEQ.
'USE THE MEANS AND HEAVEN WILL
GIVE YOU THE BLESSING. " NEVER
NEGLECT A USEFUL ARTICLE LIKE
Itlormun Bishops' . PIII& * " * e tttn m Lie crer 51 ) eirt by the le4en ol the Mormon
Cliurth < Uid ULCII utMw.f * j'oaiutccuiei lite wont ca * la c4 ! nj yuun ? tmlnr ttots. crtccu
t.i * clfUttc , duwjwtiyn , eiceues , or clffwetu-iinokin Curoi LOBt MnnhoOd ,
vous.Tvvltchlnc every funcuun. u nr get of ae C/cl | Mi „ . _ cura U tl hirtl/17 TTTTZ t KeitorM tmill. undeveloped
Sui3t.Utss the Lrifa ted rene centeri s < x a t t. 6 f r ( i 51 tr ma 1 n > J A writ-en euirtntee , tocur *
cfuaied. .tb 6 iwics. dtcuu. jec. Adc.rcss , Olshop Komody Co. , Ban Francisco , OoU
Kor Snic hy nUS-HII.I.OV JKt CO. , O IAHAI3II ,
ARE CONTAINED IN
i-American War Atlas
20 Pages , Colored Maps , 11x14 Inches.
At The Bee Office ,
(8 ( cents eslra by mail. )
Cure \
La Grippe /
27i i .l © izo. B