Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (March 24, 1901)
10 THE OMAHA DAILY 11EI5: SriS'DAY, IMAUGH 21, inoi. Tristram of Blent f W Being: An Episode in a Story of An Ancient House. J flj BY ANTIIONV 1IOPK. Hynoiiala of lreriMlniK . Iintrr. l.sdy Adelaide, wife of Hlr Hobert KrlfiC of Blent Hull, eloped with Cuptntn Ht liubert, Sir Hobert died In Itussla. lire umably In tlino for Luily Adelaide ami Fltthubert to mnrry and so make the r Hon Hurry the lepltlmato heir to Hlr Iloberts estates. They lenrn later, how ever, that the ditto, of Hlr Hobert a dentil has been given Incorrectly and Harry In not the rightful heir. They keep the matter secret, and eventually Hurry tomes Into possession of the eMateH and resides with his mother tit Hlent llnll. I'riknown to Lady Adelulde. a Madam Zubrlskn, and Mr, Jenklnson Neeld, are also In possession of the sfcrtjt and Madam Zabrlska with her uncle, Major Duplay, comes to reside nt Merrlon LodRn near Hlent linll. Harry learns from his mother that hp Is not rlRhtful heir to Hlent. but they determine to hold the title for him nt any cost. To further his cause he decides to marry Janlo Ivors, heiress of Knlrholme, but finds two rivals In Hob Hroadlcv and Major Duplay. The latter learns of his unfortu nate birth from Mlna Znbrlskii. (Copyright, 1900, by A. H. Hawkins.) CIIAPTKH V. Thr Flrat Hound. Within tho last few days there were ominous rumors afloat as to the Lady Trla' tram's health. It was known that she could sco nobody and kept her room; it was reported that tho doctors (a specialist had been down from town) wore looking very grave. It was agreed that her constitution had not tho strength to support a pro longed strain. Thero was symputhy the neighborhood was proud In Its way of I-vly Tristram and there was the usuul Interest to which the prospect of a death and a succession gives rise. Harry Tristram wan sorry that his mother must die and that ho must lose her; tho confederates had become close friends, and nobedy who knew her Intimately could help feeling that his llfo nnd oven tho world would be poorer by tho loss of n real, If not striking, Individuality. Hut neither ho nor she thought of her death uh tho main thing; It no moro than ushered In tho great ovetit for which they hid spent years preparing. And ho was downright glad that sho could see no visitors; thnt fact saved him added anxieties and spared her tho need of being told about Mlna Zabrlska and warnod to bear herself warily toward the daughter of Mme. de Krles. Harry did not nsk his mother .whether sho remembered tho name; tho question was unnecessary; nor did ho tell his mother that one who had borno tho narao was nt Merrlon lodge. He waited, vaguely expecting thnt troublo would eomo from Merrlon, but entirely confident of his ability to fight nnd worst tho tricky llttlo womnn whom he had not feared to snub; nnd In his heart ho thought well of her nnd believed sho had as little Inclination to hurt hlra ns sho seemed to havo power. His only actlvo step was to pursue his attentions to Janle Iver. A new vexation had corao upon hlni, tho work of his pot aversions, tho Galnsbor oughs. Ho had scon Mr. Gainsborough onca nnd retained a picture of a small, In effectual man with a ragged, tawny- brown beard nnd a big, soft felt hat, who had an air of bolng very timid, rather pressed for money, nnd endowed with a kind heart. Now, It Scorned, Mr, Gains borough was again overflowing with family affection (a1 disposition not always wel comed by Its objects), nnd wnntcd to shako poor Lady Tristram's hand, nnd wanted poor Lady Tristram to kiss his daughter wanted in fact a thorough going burying of hatchets and a touching reconciliation. With that Justlco of Judgment of which neither youth nor prejudtco quite deprived him, Harry liked tho letter, but bo was certain that the writer would bo Im mensely tiresome. And again In the end as In tho beginning he did not want tho Galnsboroughs nt Mont! above nil not Just at tbo tlmo when Hlont was nbout to pass into his hands, "I hate hearsay people," grumbled Harry, as ho threw the lottor down. Hut tho Galnsboroughs wcro soon to bo driven out of his head by something more Immediate nnd threatening. nicnt pool Is a round basin some' fifty or sixty feet, in dlamoter. Tho banks aro steep and tho depth great. The sceno is gloomy except in sunshine, and tho plnco Is llttlo frequented. It was a favorite haunt of Hnrry Tristram's, and ho lay on tho grass one evening smoking nnd looking down on tho black water, for the clouds wcro heavy abovo and rnln threatened. Ills own mood was In harmony, gloomy and dark, In rebellion ngnlnst tho burden ho carried, yet with no thought of laying It down. He did not notice n man who rnmo up tho road and took his stand Just bo hind him, waiting thero far a moment In silence and apparent Irresolution. "Mr. Tristram." Harry turned his head nnd saw Major Duplay. Tho major was grave, almost olemn, as ho raised his hat a trlllo In formal salute. "Do I interrupt you?" "You couldn't havo found a man more nt leisure." Harry did not rise, but 'gathered his knees up, clasping his hands round them and looking up In Duplay's face. "You want t6 speak to mo?" "Yes; ,on u difficult matter." A visible embarrassment hung about tho major; he seemed to have llttlo liking for his task. "I'm nware," he went on, "that 1 may lay myself open to some misunderstanding In what I'm about to sny, I shall beg you to remember that I am In a dlfllcult position, and that I am a geutloman nnd n soldier.'' Harry said nothing; he waited with un moved faco and no sign of perturbation. "It's best to bo plain," Duplay proceedod, It's best to be open with you. I hnvo tnken the liberty of following you hero for that purpose." Ho came a step nearer nnd stood ovor Harry. ."Certain facts havo como to my knowledge which concern you very in timately." A polite curiosity and a slight skepti cism were expressed In Harry's "Indeed!" "And not you only, or I need bardiy say I shouldn't feel It necessary to occupy myself with the matter. A word nbout my own position you will perlmps forgive." Harry frowned a llttlo; certainly Du play was Inclined to prolixity; ho Becmcd to bo rolling tho situation round his tonguo and making tho most of its flavor. "Since wo came hero wc havo made many acquaintances, your own among the num ber; wo are In a sense your guests." "Not in a sense that puts you under any obligation," observed Hnrry. "I'm sincerely glad to hear you Bay that, tt relieves my position to somo extent. Hut wo have made friends, too, In one hojiso I myself (I may leave my nleco out s' of tho question) have been recolvcd with n hearty, cordial, warm friendship that seems already an otd friendship. Now that does put ono under nn obligation, Mr. Tris tram." "You refer to our friends, the Ivcrs? Yes?" "In my view, under a heavy obligation, I am, I say, in my Judgment bound to servo them In all ways In my power, and to deal with them as I should wish and expect them to deal with mo In a similar case." Harry nodded a caroless assent, and turned hit eyes away toward the pool; even already ho seemed to know what was com ing, or something of It, "Fact have com to .my knowledge of which it tnjgut be indeed, I must say of which It Is of vital lmportanco that Mr. lvcr should be Informed." "I thought tho facts concerned me?" asked Harry, wHh brows n little raised. "Yea, and as matters now stand they concern him, too, for that very rcaBon." Duplay had gathered confidence; his tone was calm and assured as he came, step by step nearer his mark, as he established position after position In his attack. "You arc paying attentions to Miss Ivor with a view to marriage, I presume?" Harry made no slfin. Duplay proceeded slowly and with careful deliberation. "Those attentions arc offered and re ceived as from Mr. Tristram as from the futuro Lord Tristram of Hlent. I can't be lieve that you'ro Ignorant of what I'm about to say. If you nro I must beg for giveness for the pain I shall Inlllct on you. You, sir, arc not the future Lord Tristram of Hlent." A silence followed; a slight drlzzlo hud begun to fall, speckling tho waters of the pool; neither man heeded' It. 'It would be Impertinent In me," the IN AN INSTANT DUI'LAY CLOSED WITH DUCKING. major resumed, "lo offer you any sym pathy on tho score or tnnt misioriuno; oc llevo mo, however, that my knowledge my full knowledge of the circumstances can Incline mo to nothing but n deep regret. Hut facts nro facts, however hard they mnv benr on Individuals." Ho paused. ' I havo assorted what I know. You nro en titled to ask mo for proofs, Mr. Tristram. Hnrry wns silent n moment, thinking very hard. Many modes of defense camn Into his busy brain and wcro rejected. Should ho bo tempestuous? No. ...ould ho bo amazed? Again, no. Even on his own theory of the story Duplnys assertion hardly entitled him to bo nmnzed. "As regards my part In this matter," ho said at Inst, "I havo only this to sny. Tho circumstances of my birth with which I am, as you rightly suppose, quite familiar wore such as to render tho sot of notion you havo got hold of plausible enough. I don't want what you coll proofs though you'll want them badly If you mean to pursue your present line. I havo my own proofs perfectly in order, perfectly satisfactory. That's all I have to say nbout my part in tho matter. About your part in it, I can, 1 think, bo almost equally brief. Are you racroly Mr. Ivor's friend, or nro you nlso, as you put It. paying attentions to Miss Iver?" "That, sir, has nothing to do with It." Harry Tristram looked up at ,hlm; for tho tlrst tlmo ho broke Into a Bmllo ns ho studied Duplny's face, "I shouldn't In th.. inn wonder." ho said, almost chafllngly, "If you believed that to bo true. You get hold of n cock-and-bull story nbout my being Illegitimate (O, l'vo no objection to plainness either In its proper place), you como to mo nnd tell me 'almost in so many words that If I don't give up tho lady you'll go to her father and show him your precious proofs. Everybody knows thut you'ro after MIpb Iver yoursolf, and yet you say that It has nothing to do with it. That's tho sort of thing a man may mauage to bellovo nbout himself, us not uie sun of thing that other people bollovo about him, Major Duplay." Ho roso Blowly to his feet, and tho men Btood fac,o to face on the edge of tho pool. The ruin fell more heavily; Duplay turned up his collar; Harry took no notice of tho downpour. "I'm perfectly satisfied as to tho honesty of my own motives," said Duplay. "That's not true, nnd you know it. ou may try to shut your cye3, but you can't succeed." Duplay was shaken. His enemy put Into words what his own conscience hnd snld to htm. Ho was not ubovc suspicion, even to himself, though ho clung eagerly to his plea of honesty. "You fall to put yourself In my place,-' ho began. "Absolutely, I nssuro you," Harry Inter rupted with quiet Insolenco, "And I can't put myself In yours, sir. nut I can tell you whnt I mean to do, It Is my most earnest wish to tnko no sfops In this matter nt all! but thnt resin with von. not with mo. At lenst I desire to take nono. during Lady Tristram's Illness, or during her llfo, should she uuhnpplly not re cover." "My mother will not recover," said Harry. "It's a matter of it fow weeks at most." Duplay nodded. "At least wait, then," ho urged. "Do nothing moro In regard to the matter wo have spoken of while your mother lives." Ho spoko with genulno feel ing, Harry Tristram marked It and took m i i. i ! I'll tiitt'ttimmmmmnriTm.'iJmkwamu'i i.ump.tun- U!'H'.iL. ii ' i ' p tmm imm Mm i ii i it m i mmiu mm i in mm fin 1 1 i i wi m-r,. -it- urm mmw. account of It. It win a point In tho game to him. "In turn I'll tell you what I mean to do," ho said. "I mean to proceed exnetly as If you had never come to Merrlon lodge, had novcr got your proofs from Uod knows where, and had never given me tho pleasuro of this very peculiar interview. My mother would nsk no consideration from you and I ask nono for her any more than for myself. To bo plain, for tho last time, sir, you'ro making n fool of yourself at tho best, and at tho worst n blackguard Into the bargain.'' Ho paused and broko Into a laugh. "Well, then, where arc the proofn? Show them me. Or send them down to Blent. Or I'll come up to Merrlon Wo'll have a look at them for your sako. not for mine." "I may have spoken Inexactly, Mr. Tris tram. I know tho facts; I could get, but have not yet got, proof of them." "Then don't waste your money, Major Duplay." Ho waited an Instant beforo ho gave n deeper thrust. "Or Ivor's because I don't think your purso Is long enough to furnish the resources of war. You'd get tho money from him? I'm beginning to wonder moro and mort at the views people contrlvo to take of their own actions." Harry had fought his tight well, but now pcrhups ho went wrong oven ns he hod gone wrong with Mlna Zabrlskn at Kalrholmc. Ho vaa not content to defeat or repel, ho must triumph, ho must taunt. The Inso lence of his speech and air drove Duplay to fury. "You'ro a young man" ho began. "Tell mo that when I'm beaten. It may HIM IN A STRUGGLE IN WHICH BEING rnnRnln tnn " interrunted Ilnrrv. 1 "You'll bo beaten, sir, sooner than you think," said Duplay gravely. "Hut though you refuse my offer, I shall consider Lady Tristram. I will not move whllo Bho Hvc3 unless you forco mo to it." "Hy marrying tho heiress you want?" sneorcd Harry. "Hy carrying out your swindling plans." Duplay's temper began to fall him. "Listen. As soon us your engagement Is announced If It over Is I go to Mr. Iver with what I know. If you abandon tho Idea of that marriage you'ro safo from me. I havo no other friends hero; tho rest must look nftor themselves. Hut you shall not delude my friends with false pretenses." "And I shnll not spoil your game with Miss Ivor?" Duplay's temper quite failed him. Ho had not meant this to hnppen; he had pic tured himself calm, Hnrry wild and un rcstrnlned either In fury or in supplication. Tho young man hnd himself In hand, firmly In hand; the older lost self-control. "If you Insult mo again, sir, I'll throw you' In the river." Harry's slow smllo broke across his face. With all his wariness and calculation he measured tho major's figure. Tho atti tude of mind was not heroic; It was Harry's, who huvlng 10,000 men will go ngnlnst him thnt has 20.000! A fool or n hero, Hnrry would havo Bald, nnd he claimed either name. Hut in tho end ho reckoned that ho was a mntch for tho major. He smiled more broadly nnd raised his brows, asking of sky nnd earth as ho glanced nrnund: "Since when havo blackmailers grown so sensitive?" In nn Instnnt Duplay closed with him In n struggle on which hung not death In deed, but nn unpleasant nnd humiliating ducking. Tho rain foil on both; tho wntor waited for ono. Tho major was taller nnd heavier; Harry was younger nnd in bettor trim. Hnrry was cooler, too. It was rudo hugging, nothing moro; neither of them had skill or knew moro tricks than tho common dimly-remembered devices of urchlnhood. Tho fight wns most pictur esque, most unherolc, but It was tolerably grim for nil that. Tho varying wrlpglos (no moro dignified word Is appropriate) of tho encounter ended In n stem, stiff grip, which locked tho men ono to tho other, Duplay facing down the valley. Harry looking up the river. Harry could not seo over the mnjor's shoulders, but ho saw paBt It and sighted n tall dog cart, drlvon quickly and rather harshly down tho hill. It wns raining hard now, and had not looked llku rain, when tho dogcart stortod. Hats were being ruined thero was somo excuse for risking broken knoes to tho horso and broken necks to tho riders. In tho middle of his ntrugglo Hnrry smiled; he put out his strength, too; ond he did not warn his enemy of what he saw; yet ho knew very well who wns In tho dogcart. Duplay's Hngor hud stirred him to seek a primitive. though effective, revenge. Harry was hop-j ing to InflU-t a more substantial punish ment. Ho needed only a bit of luck to, help him to It, ho knew how to use the clmnro when It camo Just ns well ns ho knew who wrs In Ihe dogcart, hb well n he guessed whence tho doaenrt rniue. . Tho luck did not fall. Duplny's right foot slipped. In tho effort to retovcr himself he i darted out hU left ocr tho edgo of thel bank. Harry Impelled hlin. The major loosed bis hold nnd set to work t.o save him- self. Nono too soon. Both his legs were , over, his feet touched water, he lay spread eagled on the bank, halt on. half off, In a ludicrous attitude. Still ho slipped and could not get u hold on tho short, slippery grass. At tlid moment tho dogcart was pulled up Just behind them. "What arc you doing?" cried Janlo Ivor, leaning forward In nmazement. Minn Zabrlska sat bcsldo her with wido-opou eyes, Harry stooped, caught tho major under tho shoulders and, with a great effort, hauled him up on tho bank, a sad sight, draggled and dirty. Then, as Du play slowly rose, he turned with n start, as though ho noticed tho newcomers for the drat time. Ho laughed ns ho raised his cap. "We didn't know wo were to havo specta tors," said he. "And you nearly camo In for a tragedy. Ho was all but gone. Weren't you, major?" "What arc you doing?" crlcd Janlo again. Mlna was silent, and still, scrutinizing both mett keenly. "Why, wo hod been talking about wrest ling nnd tho mnjor offered to Bhow me a trick which ho bet a shilling would floor me. Only tho ground was too slippery, wasn't It, major? And the trick didn't ex netly come off I wasn't floored, so 1 must troublo you for n shilling, major." Major Duplny did not look at Janle, still loss did ho meet his niece's eye. He spent a few seconds In a futllo effort to rub the mud off his coat with muddy hands. Ho glanced a moment at Hnrry. "I must have another try some day," he said, but with no grent readiness. "Meanwhile tho shilling!" demanded Harry, good-huraorcdly, a subtlo mockery Vi. ruts ??.-rLJzZt mm- AN UNPLEASANT AND HUMILIATING In his eyes alone showing tho Imaginary character of tho bet which ho claimed to havo won. in tho presence of those two Inqulsltlvo young women Major Duplay did not deny tho debt. He felt In IiIh pocket, found a shilling nnd gnvo It to Hurry Tristram That young man looked at it, spun it in the nlr nnd pocketed It. "Yes; n revenge whenever you like," said he. "And now we'd better get home, bo- caiiBo It's begun to rain." "Begun to! It's rained for half an hour," said Janlo crossly. "I Ins it? 1 didn't notice. I was too busy with tho mnjor's tricks." Ah ho spoko ho looked full In Minn Za- brliikn's face. She boro his glanco for a moment, then cried to Janlo; "Oh, plcaso drive on!" Tho dogcart started; tho major, with a stiff touch of his lint, strode along the road. Harry was loft nlono by tho pool. His gaiety and dedauco vanished; ho stood thero scowling at fho pool. On tho surfneo tho honors of tho encounter wero Indeed his; tho real peril remained, tho real battle had still to bo fought. It was with heartfelt sincerity that ho muttered ns ho sought for pipe and tobacco. "I wish I'd drowned tho beggar In the pool!" tiiAi'Tisn VI. 'Tin Attriietloii of It, Mr. Jenklnson Neeld sat at lunch at tho Impcriiim club, quite happy with a neck chop, last woek's Athenaeum and a pint of npolliunrls. To him enter disturbers of peace. "How nro you, Neold?" snld Lord South end, taking tho chair next him. "Sit down here, Iver. Let me Introduco you Mr. Iver, Mr. Neeld. Hill of fare, waiter." Ills lordship smiled rathor maliciously at Mr, Neold as ho made tho Introduction which Iver acknowledge with bluff courtesy, Neeld with a timid llttlo bow. "How are things down your way?" pursued Southend, addressing Iver. "Lady Tristram's very ui, i near?" "I'm afraid so." "womicrrui woman thut, you know. You ought to have seen her In the 70s whon she ran awa with Handolph Edge" A gentleman two tables oft looked round. "Hush. Southend! That's his brother, whispered Mr. Neeld, "Whoso brother?" demanded Southend, "That's Wllmot Edgo Sir Hnndolph's urotucr. ' "O, tho dcuco It is. I thought he'd been pilled." Blackballs also wero an embarrassing subject. Neold sipped his npolllnarls ncrv ously. "Well, ns I was Baying (Lord Southend spoke n little lower), sho went straight from tbo duchess of Slough's ball to tho station as sho was, In n low gown and u scarlet opera cloak mot Edge, whose wlfo had only been dead threo months, nnd went off with him. You know tho rest of thu story. It was a nenr run (or ybung Harry Tristram! How Is the boy, Iver?" "Tho boy's very much of a man, Indeed, wo don't tnlk nbout tho near run beforo htm. tjouttiend laughed. "A miss is ns good an n mile," ho Mild, "eh, Neeld? I'd like to see Annie Tristram ngalu though I sup peso she's n wroek, poor thing." "Why couldn't sho marry the man prop crly, Inhtcud cf bolting?" asked Iver.. He did not approve cf such escapades. "O. ho had to bolt anyhow a thorough bad lot debts, you knowher people wouldn't hear of It besides, sho, was en gaged to Fred Nar.es. So altogether It Pianos! The Chickering Piano The oldest in America the best in the world. We sell it along with twenty-live othef good makes. The Chickering pianos are the best that is why we sell so many of them. We guarantee our pianos to be satisfactory to purchaser or money refunded,. Wo have just received live carloads of pianos, all of which are old reliable makes. These pianos were bought for spot cash, and will be sold at much lower prices than other dealers own them at. W'v will make terms to suit your convenience on any piano. We have a large line of slightly used pianos taken in exchange for Chickering, Fischer, Franklin, Foster & Haines, that must be closed out in order to make room for this large stock of new pianos. Here are only a few of the bargains on our lloor at the present time: 1 Upright Walnut Case, $85,00 1 Upright Walnut Case, $95,00 ' 1 Upright Mahogany Case, $110,00 1 Upright Rose Wood Case, $125,00 1 Upright Mahogany Case, $135,00 1 Upright Walnut Case, $150,00 V 1 Upright Walnut Case, $160,00 1 Upright Mahogany Case, $175,00 Pianos tuned, moved and repaired, New Pianos for rent. Tel. 1683 Hayden Bros. Music Department was easier to cut and run. Hesidcs, fche liked tho sort of thing, don't you know?. Ilomantlc nnd nil that. Then Kdgo van ished nnd tho other man nppcarcd. That turned out all right, but sho ran It fine. Eh, Neold?" Mr. Neeld was sadly flustered by these recurring references to him. Ho had no wish to poso ns nn nuthorlty on tho sub ject. Joslah Choldorton's diary put him in a difficulty. Ho wished to goodness ho had been left to tho peaceful delights of liter ary Journalism. "Well, if you'll como down to my place, I can promise to show you Harry Tristram, and you con go over nnd sco his mother If Bho's better." By Jove, I'm half n mind to. Very kind of you, Ivor; you've got a lino place, I hear." I've built so'many houses for other pcoplo that I may bo allowed ono for my self, mayn't I? Wo're proud of our neigh borhood," he pursued, politely addressing himself to Mr. Nocld. "If you're over that way I hope you'll look mo up. I shall bo dollghtod to welcomo a fellow member of tho Imporlum. A short chuckle escaped from Lord South end's lips; ho covered It by an exaggerated devotion to his brollod kidneys. Mr. Neeld turned pink and murmured incoherent thanks; he felt llko a traitor. "Yes, we sco a good deal of young Harry." said Iver with n smile. "And of othor young fellows about tho place, too. They don't como to sco me, though. I ex pect Jnnlo's tho attraction. You rememucr my girl, Southend?" "Well, I supposo Blcnt'a worth ,ouu or $10,000 n year atlll?" Tho progress of Lord Southend's thoughts wero obvious. "Il'm. Sovcn or eight, I should think, as It's mannged now. It's a nlco place, though, and would go a good bit better In proper hands." "Paterfamilias considering?" "I don't quite make tho young fellow out. He's got n good opinion of himsolf, I fancy." Iver laughed a little. "Won, wo shall see," ho ended. Not a bad thing to be Lady Tristram of Illont. you know, Iver. That's nono of' your pinchbeck. Tho real thing though, as I say, young Harry's only got it ny tno sitiu of his teeth. Eh, Neeld?" Mr. Neeld laid down his napkin nnd pushed back his chair. "Sit still, man. We've nenrly tinmneu, nnd wo'll all havo n cup of coffee together and a cigar." Happily In the smoking room the tnlk shifted to less embarrassing subjects. Iver told of his llfo nnd doings, and Neeld found himself drawn to the man; ho listened with Interest and appreciation; ho seemed brought Into touch with life; ho caught himsolf sighing ovor tho retired Inactlvo nature of his own occupations. Ho forgave Ivor tho hoardings nbout the strcots, ho could not forgive himself tho rovengo ho had taken for them. Ivor nnd Southend spoke of big schemes In which they had been or wero engaged together, legitimate enterprises, good for tho nation as well us for themselves. How hnd ho, n usoless old foirv. dnred to blackmail a man llko Iver? .An occasional droll glanco from Southend emphasized his compunction. "I see you've got a now thing coming out, Neeld, said Soutjiend, nftcr n pause In tho talk. "I remember old Cholderton very well. Ho was a Btarchy old chap, but he knew his subjects. Makes rather heavy reading, I should think, eh?" "Not n bit of It, not by any means all of It," Neeld assured him. "Ho doesn't con fine hlmBclf to business matters." "Still, even old Joo Choldcrton's recrea tions" "He was certainly mainly an obsorvcr, but ho caw somo Interesting things and people." Thero was a renewed touch of nervousness In Mr. Necld'B manner. "Interesting people? H'm. Then I hope he's discreet?" "Or that Mr. Neeld would be discreet for him," Iver put In. "Though I don't know why Interesting people are supposed to creato n neod for discretion." "Oh. yes, you do, Iver. You know tho world. Don't you be too discreet, Neold. Glvo us n toste of Joe's lighter style," Neeld did not quite approve of his de ceased nnd respected friend being referred lo ns "Joe," nor did he deslro to discuss In that company whnt ho had and what ho had not suppressed in the Journul. "I havo used tho best of my Judgment." ho said primly, and was surprised to find Iver smiling nt hlni with nn amused ap proval. "Tho least likely men break out," Iord Southend pursued hopefully. "Tho Baptist minister down at my placo onco wnylald tho wife of tho chairman of quarter ses sions nnd asked her to run away with him." "That's cue of your nonconformist stories, Southend. I never bollovo them;" said Iver. "Oh. I'm not saying anything. She was a pretty woman. I Just gave It as an lllus- WHY IT CURES MEN. Why the frightful Tension of Stricture is Dissolved Like Snow Be neath the Sun IN FIFTEEN DAYS. Why Weak Men are Restored by the Magic St. James Treatment Applied Locally and Directly to the Affected Parts. We answer the ques tion briefly. If you cut nn artery In your arm you do not tnko Intormil medicine to Btop the flow of blood. YOU USE LOCAL APPLICATIONS. Sim ilarly when Uio ure-' thral ducts become weakened nnd relaxed tt is ridiculous to take Int.Fnn 1 An,m which must pass throught tho stomach ami lirlno before It reaches the seat of disease. Vho seminal ducts project Into the urethral tanal through the Prostate Oinnd, and uro faally reached by1 LOCAL THEATMKNT. Dr. Carter's "Gran-Solvent" soluble Bougies will dissolve, digest and forever lemova Urethral Stricture In 15 days without pain, Injury or Incon venience. Tho bougies aro Inserted at flight and act while you sleep, "draii. Sol Vent" removes every symptom of strlcturo. leaving the canal as healthy iib when na ture formed It, No BRUTAL CUTTING BR DILATING. NO INJECTIONS TO IR Spaco will not permit n. Cnmnletft rinnnrintlnn nt thn Itii.nmnnrflh1. FH. hient In urethral diseases. Every sufferer from Stricture and Its offspring, Prostati tis and Seminal Weakness, should write to the St, James Association, t!2 St Jnmri lung,, -wicimnui, unto, lor ineir wonuer Ihowlng- the purts of tho human syHtnm fiimenis, wnicn moy win eena securely wrapped in plain pack Ige, prepaid ... ST. JAMES ASSN, 62 ST. JAMES BLOCK, CINCINNATI, 0, WhtN IN DOUBT, THY STRONG 0 CVT fA 'iJsiandVancocele,Atrophy,&c All A IN ! A(ll--r- They clear the brain, sirentlheo S vlcor to tne Whole belnz, All drains are properly cured, their condition often worries them into Insanity, Consumption or Death. Mailed sealed. Price! perboi 6 boxes, with iron-clad legal cuirantee fcure or refund tlia money.dvoo. r book. Address, PEAL MF"'"""5 "0 . rMnvetand, 0. Sold by Kuhn Si Co., 15th and Douglas, trutlon. I happen to know it's Iruo, be cause sho told me herself." "Ah, I'd beKln to listen If he'd told you," wns Iyer's cautious comment. "You rIvo us the whole of old Joo Chol derton," wns Lord Southend's final Injunc tion. "ImaKlnclf I did!" thought Neeld, begin ning to feel somo of the Joy of fioldlug u secret. Presently Southend took his leave, saying he had an engagement. To his own surprise, Neeld did not feel this to bo an unwurraiitablo proceeding. Ho sat on with Iver, and found himself cunningly ciicoiirng Ing his companion to talk again about tho Tristrams. Iver described Illont for him. Ho told him how Ludy Tristram had looked and thut her illness was supposnd to bo fatal. Ho talked again of Harry Tristram, her destined Micccssor. Hut ho said no moro of his daughter. Neeld wns loft with out any clear Idea that his companion's con cern with Uio Tristrams was mora than that of n neighbor, or beyond what an ancient family, with odd opjsodes In its history, might naturally Inspire. "O, you must como to Illcutmouth, Mr. Neeld. You must, Indeed. Kor a few days, now. Chooso your time, only lot It bo soon. Why, If you roodo your way Into tho llbrury at Hlent you might happen on a find there. A lot of Interesting sturt thero, I'm told. And wo shall bo very gratoftil for a visit." IVer roso and hold out his hand. "1 must go," ha Bald, "Knlrholmc, lllcntmouth! I hope I shall havo a letter from you soon to tell us to look out for you." Ono of tho unexpected likings thut occur between pcoplo had happened. Uarh man felt It und recognized It In tho other. Thoy wero nlono In tho room for tho moment. "Mr. Ivor." said Nreld In his preclso prim tones, "I must mako a confession to you. , When you wero up for this club I my vote was not In your favor." During a mlnuto'sllenco Ivor looked ot him with amuscmont and almost with uffec-, tlon. "I'm glud ynu'vo told mo that " I "Well, I'm glad I have, too." Neeld's laugh way nervous, j "Ilecauso tt shows that you're thinking) of coming to lllcntmouth." . "Well yes, 1 am," nnswored Neeld, smil ing. And thoy shook hands. Hero was tho beginning of a friendship; here also Neeld's entry on tho sreno where Harry Trlstrom'ri fortunes formed tho subject of the play, (To Be Continued,) Pianos!! RITATE THE MEMBRANE. NO INTER NAL DRUGGING TO RUUIN TUB STOMACH. Tho St. James treatment Is local, direct and positive. The St. James treatment Is prepared In the form of crayons, very narrow, smooth, flexible and wholly soluble, which are Inserted Into ths water passage at night where they dls solvo and deposit the medication In its full Btrongth upon tho Prontate Gland, contract. Ing and strengthening the. ducts and FOR EVER STOPPING DRAINS AND EMIS SIONS, and curing while Use patient sleeps. Varicocele. Varicocele Is an accumulation of slur glth blood In the veins of the scrotum, due solely to Imperfect circulation and Iiom Its origin In a dlseaeod nnd torpid Prostate Gland. Operations In this disease are only temjorary, and no mechanical de vice yet discover! hns cured a singl case, Gran-So!veiri heals tho Prostate and restores healthy circulation. Varicocele disappears nnd the sluggish accumulation Is replaced by pure, healthy, red blood. Thousands of men, strlctured, weak, wasting and despondent, wore cured nnd restored by the HL James method laat year A vast army of men In whom th light of Ufa has penetrated tho fearful nightmare of stricture and seminal decay. James Trevt- rut lliuatrateu work, involved In urethral FREE ,.;.- w..-v .i.iulyeari. and ruvs cured thousands of 'Cases of Nervous Diseases, such at Debility, Dullness, blerpkss- perfect, anil impart a healthy and loiiet are checked tfrmantnlly. Unless patient and M. A. Dillon, South Omaha. A PRIZE Picture Puzzle The boT picture contains four facn-a father nil Ma three ilAUXhtert. An; one cuu find in fathcr'a fiue.liUl it It lint to to illittPKUlili the racem.f th threw youuir ladles. If, liowerer, ou auei-eed In loeatlnic the three daUKhlera' facea y.-u will 1 1 ce lr an offer nt n reward which may rtiay you many tlmea over torn little trouble ou your part, at Flip Hundred Dnllara In cash writes will boottoruJ to tliosn t hiuint werijulcltly, Cut out the above picture ptir.ile.ainl If able In flint the thri-e dauhter' fnca mark earn, with cross (X ) and Inelose tame with '..a. In alitor, or 13 two cent stampa, for a parkane tit "Hiiturdny Nlalit," which It the twentieth ceutury aclentltti Ultuotery foroleanslntrtheayneiii. If you hate correctly inr"t the three hidden faces you will receive our offer of I'Itp Hun dred llnllure, which wn will piialllvrly .end (he ennin ility ymir rsnewrr U r;. rrite.l. Aim, to each and eiery peraon who It miiiffMfiil In finding the three hidden facet we will ai-nd promptly, end absolutely free, atjaud torno (IrriMiin I'enrl Heal f I'in, Ihe eitmordlnary ofjer of I'lvr Hundred Iliillnra Is made liy a reliable Company for the sole purpose of lutrtidurlnir our preparations nulckly through bright peopli-, and should not be claated with catch pennyarfalrt. .Bend Tour antwer to day, Hememher.eTery on i,..n eniialnnnortunltvt illstauce make no dlf. ference. Satisfaction guaranteed or tour monsi JV ',ik n.Loiior'.iteU). 60 A lit Warri'U St.. New York, w ILCOXTANSY PILLS Monthly lltgulalor. Sale and Sure. Niter Falls. Oruggltt or by Mail. Price, f 2 Send tor Woman' Saleauard (treat. WltCOX MED. CO., 329 H. ifilh St.. Phlla., Pa, Bold by Bliermau & McCuiim.il Drue Co: -A i ) i f