njrfyvw DARKEST RUSSIA I I1Y II. OltATTAN DOSNKt.1.1. 5 Oopyrluht. 1RW. by Strcr t Smith. All nohM rtttrreA $&tfllffitfbnMffrJ CHAPTER XVII Continued. Cqhb started. Ho well know Hint Mid ICaralchcffs would run uny risk lo (iruTtnt tho pardons reaching their Nomination, rind urged tin- courier to nl.taln them again "I will tnke them lo Chltka myself as fast ns horses sun carry me." Tlio courier shook hU head. "The lobulation of Mu corps or couriers Inipcrlnl of Siberia." he Bald, "arc very ntrlct and the lightest violation if lie rules Is visited with the sever al, punishment. Once delivered and tifgued for. tho pardons may not bo rl'ftnllcrt. Even It I had tho pardons l tlnre uot give them In J our keeping." " "Cannot you go to Chltka yourself? ' (inked Cobb, eagerly. it is Impossible 1 must obey my Instructions to the letter. The rules glvo me no option." , The courier wnlked a few pacu3 qway from his companion and stood tillently in a deep study. Cobb was no lens Intently occupied wllli his thoughts for the moment. The courier had a pardon for Ilda Hirowlty! ' Ho was about to start for Slrnlonsk with thai pardon and would llnd that Itdn Llarosky was not thei! For Uda UariMky bad escaped! Cobb woh in a state of terrible un ecilninty as to tho best course to pur sue Ho knew that the courier was a man dovotcd to his duty, and lie felt that if ho Informed tho courier that fldn Hnrosky was no longer in Slnilennk that the pardon might bo ununited, Besides, It would give tho courier knowledge of an escaping primmer and It would be his duty to arrest her at any point While ho was thus deliberating ns lo'tlio bust courso to pursue, the cou rier rejoined him and, leading him Ht ill further away from the house, ho placed bis hand on Cobb's arm with a cautionary pressure, and said: "1 h.ivo not told you all there Is ono rny of liopo that wo may get tho par dons again." Cobb'rt heart, beat faster. Tho courier went on, speaking (lulokty. "Some time ago charges of military of tho government were pre ferred against Karslclien" and his son. ,11 In alleged that they made false re ..tjipm of the amount of food consumed. Tiiclr uncalled-for cruelty to the exiles Is another charge. Theso chnrges hnvo been considered by tho govornor of tho province. If found guilty Kar nloheff will bo deposed nt onco and inuiit roturn all government papers In bin possession. Tho decision of tho Kojornor' wan to have boon forwarded ; rfl .me "Jit tho lat wtdpc, but as it did , ikiI arrlvo I came on to Investigate tho charges myaelf, without waiting for tho governor's decree. I had an Idea that Karsicheff was commandant ol tttapo No. 8, instead of fJo. 7, nnd did hot Imagine that I was dealing - with him until his wife mentioned licr name. I was surprised. I hnvo noon enough tonight to convince mo Mini ho should be dismissed, but 1 can not act on account of the absence of Mm governor's decree. 1 Instructed my necretary to wait at the ctapo wljero I passed last night until tho Kovernor'a dispatches for mo arrived, and thou to follow me with nil rossi- bio apced. Ho Is on his way now, imd must be on the road between horo and tho pooloo-otape. Now, it that docrco were in my hnnds, I could ileposo KarslchelT on the spot, and If, an f bellovo Is the case, ho Is to bo sent to exile as a common prisoner for his offense ngalnst tho govern ment, that fact will freo bl3 daughter Olgn from his control and leave her mistress of herself She can not be kept In restraint by ay ono convicted of crime." Cobb listened with breathless anx iety. "What can 1 do"" ho asked, eagerly. "Dare you attempt to reach my sec rotary, you would moot him on the or jyy aza?r"' ,ro.ul, and I will Rive you an order to btiiig on the dispatches without de lay I" "Dare I daro I'" exclaimed Cobb; "by the soul of Hickory Jackson, Micro is nothing in tho world I couldn't or wouldn't daro Just now!" "Brave follow," said tho courier. "I knew that would bo your nnswor. tin give a low whistle. His Cossack tlrlwr appeared from tho shod whore hy hml bean awaltiug bis muster's or ffq 'wUU patient docility. The courier .WutftiH&wl a few words to him. -The drivr disappeared. "But we" forget the wolves!" said tbu courier.- " "Alt the wolves this side of Hades would not scare me to-nlehl," ex- h SP- s v. T"ntfc1sisrt iwirnrnt i iiiiTri'"" 1 claimed Cobb. "But I must liaVO arms." "You will find them In the sleigh two repeating rlllos and a revolver." "And a pocket pistol?" asked Cobb. The courier looked nuzzled. Cobb laughed and In an Instant the courier mulled jiIfo. "You wilt find supplies In the Blclgh," he said. At tho same moment the sleigh came up nolseloyslj, the driver walking by t!i3 side of the spirited horses, and keep ing his hand on the bolls to prevent any bound. Cobb sprang lrto the sleigh. The courier lifted a robe and drew forth two bottles of brandy. Uoth of tho men took n long pull. "All ready?" asked the courier. "Rendy'" enld Cobb. Tho driver slipped oway from the head of the Impatient, fiery horses. "dot" One touch of tho long whip in the hnnd of Colli) and the horses bounded forwnrd. The sleigh bells Jingled n morry tune. The driver, dhmlssed by a nod from tho courier, disappeared, and In another ten seconds Cobb had reached a turn in tho road that skirted tho dark forest, and he was out of sight on his adventurous Journey. The doors of tho house opened. Knr&lcherT, Nicholas nnd Catherine stood revealed In the strong light. "What was the noise?" they asked In ono voice. "Oen. Cobb has gone for a pleasure rldo lu my alelgh," was the roply, nnd tho courier entered tho house. "I do not understand you," said Kar slcheff. "No?" iald the courier. "That Is unfortunate: This Is my room? A lamp? Thanks! I am going to bed good-night!" And he was gone. CHAPTER XVIII. Out of the Depths. Kathorlne gazed after the courier with an expression of tho bitterest hate. " That man is our enemy," sho said, "and even now he is plotting ngalnst us. Cobb gono whore? What docs it moan? Heavens!" sho exclaimed, ns tho thought occurred to her. "Can he hnvo sent Cobb to.Stra lonsk with the pardon of Ilda Baro sky?" Father and son looked at each other then at Kathcrlno. "I have formed my plan," sho said, "but I must think of my Instrument." Even as she spoke tho door of tho room leading to the chamber occupied by tho baroness opened. ICatherlne, Karsicheff and Nicholas turned quickly. A woman appeared, hesitated a mo mont, and was about to retlro again, when Kutheilno In her softest volco said: "Pray como In." The stranger hesitated a moment, and then entered. "You havo quito recovered?" asked Katherlne with apparent solicitude. There was no answer. Perhaps the question had not been understood. Katherlne repeated It. In a low voice and with n pro nounced English npcent, the stranger sho was apparently young snld that she did not speak Russian fluent ly and at time's had some difficulty lu understanding the language. "You arc with the wife of Gon. Cobb?" nskod Katherlne. Tho strangor must have misunder stood the question, for she evidently thought that her pnssport had been asked for. as Bhe handed that im portant document to Katherlne. Tho latter glanced at the document. Karsicheff and Nicholas gazing over her shoulder as she did so. "Caroline Cobb," exclaimed the countess "a rolatlvo?" With some difficulty Cnrollno Cobb explained that rhc was a poor rela tion. "Won't you bo seated?" said tho countos3, "you must be tired." Caroline sat down. "A glass of vodka?" suggested Nich olas. Caroline shook her head. "A cup of tea is better," said Katii erlr.e, drawing the beverage from a steaming samovar that stood on a table near. As she handed tho tea to tho girl, she made a signal to Karsi cheff and Nicholas to leave them alone. "I wilt go and seo that tho prison ers are alt right," said Karsicheff. "Come, Nicholas!" and both men left tho room. Kathcrlno nnd the companion of Cobb and bis wife were alone. "Prisoners did lie say, madame," said Caroline In her broken Russian, and with that pronounced English ac cent Mint Katherlne had uoied before. "Prisoners did he say and Is this, then, fi prison?" Katharine explained that the prison was on the other side and that tho house wan the residence of tho com mandant of tho otape. "Do tho prisoners remain hero?" In qulrod Caroline. "Oh, no; they only arrived tonight; they came from Chltka, and aro on their way to the mines." "They nro exiles political exiles then?" "Some of thorn are, but others of thorn nro thieves and robbors and mur dorers of the most desperate charac ter. It is that which makes tho com mandant, my husband, so caroful. Ho is fearful that they may break out and mas8ncro us all." "But there are soldiers to protect you?" 'The guard Is small and might easi ly ) e overpowered by thoso wretches If they hid the slightest knowledge tlinl so little stood between them and llbtrty." Kntherino at In thought a mumen' as If revolving wirio plan. "You Iirc n t asked for your pre server." she said, at length. "Pardon me. madnme," was the re ply, "I have been thinking of him; he risked his llfo to pave mine. I long to see him nnd to thank him from the bottom of my heart for saving my life. What is his name?" "t do not know It, but he Is one of the unfortunnte political convicts sen tenced for life to hard labor in the mlnosl" "Oh. madnmct" "Poor fellow," Kathcrlno resumed. Bpenklng In a voice of sympathetic ten derness; "ho Is so young, so hnnd t'ome. It Is such a pity Mint he Is des tined to such a fate. He will die be fore he Is twelve months In the mines. I pity him from the bottom of my heart." and she sighed deeply. KatheKr". n't we know, had an ex ceedingly sympathetic nature. "Is there no hope for him?" at longth said Caroline. "There Is no hope." said Knthorlne In a low voice, "unless" "Yes! yes!" "There Is no hope for him unless he could escape. Poor fellow! If he had UltlUII no: A&jaezs or 7?jE-gcms" a. chance he might bo nblo to secure bis freedom." She thought a moment and thon went on: "There Is but one way." she continued, "If It could bo done. If homo ono were to go to Alexis" "Alexis Is that his name. You re call It, then you had forgotten It." Kathcrlno saw that she bad made a slip. But sho recovered herself and with apparent frankness went on. "Yes, his name Is Alcxts Nazlmoff." Cnrollno started. Katherlne noticed the start. "You havo heard of him?" ehe asked. "I suffer ono of tho brutes got his fangs in my shoulder and it makes mo wlnco at times. Pray go on, mad ame!" "Alexis Nazlmoff and his companion, a young student named Barosky, nro two of these exiles. There Is one plan by which Nazlmoff can escape but only one, and that plan, If carried out, would cnablo you to effect the roscuo of tho man who saved your life, and also enable my husband to quell the mutiny of tho desporato convicts If it should arlso. Tho plan is this" con tinued Katherlne. "Wo will admit you to tho kamora. Your desire to thank tho man who saved you will be an ex cuse that will disarm all suspicion. That will bring you In contact with Nazlmoff. You will bo supplied with a file to romovo bis Irons nnd that of his companion. You must tell them to pass the word to all the others that a simultaneous rush will be made to overpower tho guards. My husband wilt have the soldiers ready to flro on tho others and in the confusion your preserver and his companion can escape. What do you say?" (To bo continued.) Willing to Oblige. When a tablo is not handy reporters sometimes write with their notebooks on their knees. This preliminary ex planation may or may not be consid ered necessary to bring out tho points or the following Incident. A two days' bazaar was held a little while ago. On tho first day a gentle man opened It and made a speech, and the reporters wero provided with a table. The second day a lady opened the bazaar and also mado a speech, but tho reporters had no table. Obliging lady (to reporter) Will you requlro a table? Reporter Oh, no. Lady But you required ono yester day. Reporter (In all seriousness) It s a lady today; wo can easily take her on our knees. Spare Moments. Stonehenge Many Centuries Old. Stonehengo, in England, with its ancient and mysterious circles of huge stones, has recently boen tho scene of somo interesting scientific inves tigations and somo of Its mystery Is believed to havo been cleared nway Certain excavations nround tho bases of the stones led tho scientists to the belief that tho Stonehengo was erect ed by men of the neolithic or at least tho early bronzo age. Tho place If bolleved to have been laid out on as tronomlcal and scientific lines, and from certain angles its date Is Indi cated, somewhat as dt'.as are believ ed by many to bo hidden In angles of tho great pyramids. Sir Norman Lockyer concludes that with a pos sible error of 200 years cither way, tho date signified by Stonehenge was 1C80 B. C. The wind Is seldom tempered to suit the shorn Wall street lamb. WAR MANY YEARS1 THIS IS WHAT COUNT OKUMA SAYS IN AN ADDRESS. WARNS THE PEOPLE TO PREPARE Tells the Japanese that They Must Sacrifice Many Things to Attain Suc cess Charges Corruption In Mili tary and Other Departments. TOKIO In addressing the members of ttte united clearing houses of To kio Thursday Count Okuma, the lead er of the progressive party, warned tho people to prcpnro for a long war, tho date of the determination of which It was now Impossible to fore tell. He predicted that the cost to Japan for a two years' war. Including tho loans which had already been placed and the expenses consequent upon the war nt Its termination, RING OF IRON AROUND y&iZs&z: s r .i .wvxwwst' sri" mi ilif v5&Wih, uw s' I m Tho location of hills above Port Arthur Rthlungshan and Kikwanshan upon which the Japanese aro said to havo constructed now siege works, aro shown in the map. Points from which a recent bombardmont of tho town was carried out also aro indicated. These aro Shushlyan and Pall-chwang. would total $1,000,000,000, which would make the per capita share amount to $20. Count Okuma said that corruption appeared to pervade the military, political and financial de partments of the Russian government and that this corruption had also reached a climax which threatened a revolution. It was even reported that Lieutenant General Stocssel, now de fending Port Arthur and upon whose shoulders rested tho responsibility for the loss of a largo share of Russian prestige in East Asia, was guilty of dissipation during the siege. Tho speaker declared that the weakness of the Russians gave the Japanese many victories. He pointed out that despite, her defeats Russia continued to hold tho prominent and commanding position in Europe and said that even Emperor "William was "courting tho favor of tho Russian au tocrat." Doplto her weakness Count Okuma said Russia possessed Immense re sources and had tremendous advan tages In tho size of her population and tho greatness of her wealth, and it would bo necessary for the Japan ese to make heavy sacrifices In order to attain success. Ho predicted that the war would cost Russia from $1, 500,000,000 to $2,-000,000,000 and said It would bo Imposslblo to raise loans or to Increaso tho taxes in Russia be cause the limit had been reached. Tho count predicted that it would be necessary for the Japanese gov ernment to borrow $250,000,000 next year, and added that If $750,00,000 wore secured abroad tho country must face a depreciation In the value of Its securities. Count Okuma urged the nation to carefully husband Its strength and re sources and expressed Uie fullest con fidence In tho ultlmato victory of Jap aneso arms. State Election in Georgia. ATLANTA, Ga. Elections of state and county officers, members of tho legislature, Judgos and solicitors, wire held In every county in Georgia Wednesday. There was practically no opposition to the democratic can didates for stato offices nor for coun ty Judges or attorneys. Tho state ticket was headed by Governor Joseph M. Terrll. Des Moines May Hold Ahllne. CINCINNATI, O. The National Baseball commission today decided that tho salo of Player Ahllne by the Keokuk, la., club to tho Des Molnos club was logal. Tho Cloveland Ameri can leaguo club drafted tho player from Keokuk, although belonging at that time to Des Moines. Tho commis sion held that tho Cleveland club can only securo him by draft from Des Moines instead of Kookuk, conditioned that tho draft price be as specified for the class of which the Dos Molnos club is a member. HEALTH OF ARMY IMPROVING. CrAtlfylng Report Made by Surgeon Csncral O'Reilly. WASHINGTON In his nnnual re port Surgeon General O'Reilly shows that the general health of the army has Improved during the past year. The admission rate per thousand has been 1,451.13, ngalnst 1.71G.51 In tho preceding year. This marks a grad ual Improvement In the condition of the troops which has been noted slnco sanitary conditions havo been given lncrenscd nttentlon, notwithstanding a large proportion of tho troops havo been In war service In tho Philippines since 1898. From nn average strength of 19,029 American troops In the Phil ippines, 1,07-1 were Invnllded home, a rate of CG.44 per thousand. Thcro were 271 deaths among the troops In the Philippines, so Mint tho losses by death and Invaliding amounted to 70.C7 per thousnnd. The Filipino soldiers were singular ly fortunate In the matter of Injuries, PORT ARTHUR. 0p- JAPANJS5E LINES 0&rrs7,yv:,vr9'7t. - . rvssjans .mes njxst. having a rate of only 87.29 per thou sand but their mortnlity rate of 3.34 Is almost as large as tho combined death rates of whites and colored troops for external injuries. Tho Philippines showed the highest rato of admission for disease and they also led the disease death rate with 18.17 per thousand, compared with C per thousand for white and 9.42 for col ored. There were 150 cases of Asiatic cholera, with GS deaths, among tho white troops, and 44 cases and 28 doaths among tho Filipinos. Ber iberi was confined almost entirely to Philippine soldiers. These soldiers again demonstrated their freedom from drunkenness, as only three hos pital cases from that cause were re corded. Tho surgeon general believes that it is possible to cure leprosy. At any rate decidedly favorable results have followed the treatment of the leper soldier now held In isolation at ono of tho southern army posts. TO PROTECT OLD SOLDIERS. Can't Get Patent to Land Without Residing Upon It. WASHINGTON Tho commissioner of the general land office has Issued tho following statement Intended for the protection of old soldiers contem plating settling on public lands: "Information has been received at the general land office that designing persons are circulating reports through Indiana and elsewhere to tho effect that old soldiers aro entitled to enter public lands, particularly in Western Nebraska, and receive pat ent therefor without residing upon or cultivating the lands, as other per sons are required to do. This report Is false. "The only favor given to old soldiers by the homestead laws which is not granted to other persons is that of being permitted to- make his first fil ing through an agent and to have the time of his service deducted from tho five years which homestead entrymen aro required to reside upon the land." Railway Accident in Wales. LONDON Four persons were kitted and It Is estimated that about fifty were injured, some of them fatally, in a railway accident near Llanelly. 15 miles southeast of Carmathcn, Wales. Reward for Two Heroes. WASHINGTON A general order Is In preparation at tho navy depart ment awarding to Louis Hnlllng nnd Alexander Peters, boatswain's mates of tho first class, each a gold modal and a gratuity of $100 for their con duct In Jumping ovorboard from tho Missouri, Sopt. 15, of Martha's Vine yard, In what, because of tho prevail ing high seas, proved an unsuccessful effort to roscuo Ordinary Seaman Ce cil Clay Young, who was washed from tho forecastle whllo getting u tho anchor chain, and drowned. ALL BROKEN DOWN. No Sleep No Appetite Just a Con tinual Backache. Joseph McCauley, of 144 Sholto St. Chicago, Sachem of Tecumseh Lodge, soya: "Two years ago my health was completely broken down. My back ached and was so lamo that at times I was hardly able to .4..AMB MMflklf I lH. my appetite and was unable to sleep. There seemed to be no relief until I took D o a n's Kidney Pills, but four boxes of this remedy ef fected a complete and permanent cure. If suffering humanity knew tho valuo of Doan's Kidney Pills they would use nothing else, a3 It is tho only positive cure I know." For sale by all dealers. Price 60 cents. Fostcr-Mllburn Co., Buffalo, N.Y. Are Perfumes Disinfectants? I asked a doctor in England If per fumes aro really dlscnfcctants. "No," he said. "How can they be?" I asked a doctor hero in France the samo question and ho answered: "Mais oul, Madame, sans doute," and explained that tho basis of every per fume Is a strong essential oil of some kind, nnd that those essential oils are antiseptic. Now which Is right.? London Truth. Religion and Labor. A man's profession or trado Is not only not Incompatible with religion (provided it be a lawful one), It Is bis religion. Earnestness in a lawful call ing is not worldllncss. A profession is tho sphere of our activity. Thore Is something sacred In work. To work In tho appointed sphere is to bo icll glous. F. "W. Robertson. Great Catch of Sturgeon. A Milford Haven (England) ttrawler recently landed twelve uno sturgeon, caught in one haul. Somo of them were six feet long. Such a catch has never been known previously. Cure to Stay Cured. Wapello, Iowa, Oct. 10 (Special) Ono of tho most remarkable cures ever recorded In Louisa County Is that of Mrs. Mlnnlo Hart of this place. Mrs. Hart was in bed for eight months and when she was able to sit up she was all drawn up on ono side and could not walk across tho room.. Dodd's Kidney Pills cured her. Speak ing of her cure Mrs. Hart says: "Yes, Dodd's Kidney Pills cured me after I was In bed for eight months nnd I know the' cure was complete for that was three years ago and I have not been down since. In four weeks from the time I started taking them I was able to mako my garden. Nobody can Know how thankful I am to be cured or how much I feel 1 owo to Dodd's Kidney Pills." This case again points out how much tho general health depends on tho Kidneys. Cure the Kidneys with Dodd's Kidney Pills and nine-tenths of the suffering tho human family is heir to, will disappear. The Wise Man. A wise man novcr stumbles twice over tho samo stone; when ho passes that way again tho stono isn't there. The Wabash Is the Only Line Landing You at the World's Fair. Rround trip rates from Omaha aro as follows: $8.50 sold daily except Friday and Saturday, good 7 days. $13.80 sold dally, good 15 days. The Wabash is tho only lino that land's passengers at the main entrance of the World's Fair grounds. Also tho only lino that can check your baggage to tho World's Fair station. Think what a saving of time, annoyance and ex tra car fare. All agents can sell you through ticket and route you over the Wabash. Very low rates to many points South, Southeast. For beautiful World's Fair folder anu all information call at 1G01 Farnam St. or address Harry E. Moores, Gen. Agt. Pass. Dept. Wab. R. R., Omaha, Neb. Two Kinds of Wives. There are two kinds of wives one kind thinks her husband is the great est man on earth and tho other thinks she is greater than her husband. Btati or Onio, Citt or Tolido, I ,. I.COA8 COCMTT. I Fraxk J. Cuenet mtkei pth ttitt be U lenlor Etnntr of ibe arm of F. J. CuzNcr & Co., dutuii uilueM Id tfce City of Toledo, Countjr and Statu aforeiald, and that ittd firm will par toa mm of OXK lIUSDItEI) DOI.LAItS for each and ererr cue of CuTir.Rii that caoaol ba cured by lbs uie of UiLL'a Cataiuu Cuix. FRANK J. CUENET. Sworn to before roe and aubicrlbed In ur pre see, tbla 6th dar of December, A. I). Jtst. i i A. W. OLKA80N, ilttf NOTARTrCBMO. HiU'i Catarrh Care li taxen tnteraallr and acta directly on tbe blood and Diucoui eurfacea ot tb 1item. Send for teitlmonlalt, free. F. J. CHENEY & CO., Toledo, O. Sold b all Drueirliu. Tic. Take flaU'a Family Fllli forcontttpaUoo. Thirty-five plgo belonging to a far mer of Saragossa, Spain, wore stung to death by bees. More Flexible and Lasting, won't shake out or blow out; by using Defiance Starch you obtain better re sults than possible with any other brand and one-third more for same money. David Revised. After listening patlenaly to a lot of has-beens telling what they used to bo, David said In his haste, "All mea aro flrshermen." V, Says the Misanthrope. If girls cultivated their dispositions as assiduously as they do their com plexions thero would bo fewer old bachelors. Bachclw3 wero onco taxed In Eng land. fv J