J IP
to
eulti
m
i j 1
ana me
Bannister
OFT
jLLuomATJom or
mv WALTSM
Tne car was skimming along over
the turnpike like some flying bird of
nlglit, Orme gianced back over the
way they had eome. A soft electrio
glow In the sky told where Evanstoa
lay, several miles to the east Far
to the south a greater glow showed
the position of Chicago.
Pulling himself erect, Orme leaned
forward. It seemed as though Arlma
must bear him breathe. Slowly he
advanced his arm. Then, darting
swiftly, he threw It around Arlma'a
neck and drew backwards with a Jerk.
Che Japanese was taken completely
unawares. Uttering a strangled
cry, be let go of the steering
wheel and clutched at the choking
awn that held him; he could not break
the grip.
Meanwhile Orme reached for the
steering wheel with his free arm. But
Arlma, kicking frantically, struck the
wheel with hia foot, Just as Orme was
about to seize it. The car turned
sharply to one side. Into the ditch
it plunged.
As the fore wheels dropped Into the
depression, the body of the car rose
in the air. Orme, still clinging to
Arlma, shot forward. He was con
scious, In that fraction of a second,
that he must release his hold, or An
ima's neck would be broken; so ha
unbent his arm.
the earth arose and something
struck him heavily. He saw a firma
ment of brilliant stars. Then all was
black,
CHAPTER XVII.
A Chance of the Game.
The first Impression that came to
Orme with returning consciousness
was one of Impending disaster. Hla
mind was renewing Its last thought
before It had ceased to work.
Then he realized that tbi disaster
had already occurred, and he moved
ibis arms and legs, to see If they had
been Injured. They gave him no
pain, and he raised himself to a sit
ting position.
The soft night hovered about him.
He heard confusedly the droning of
Insects, and the distant mournful call
of a whip-poor-will. The roar of the
rar was strangely missing. What had
become of it? And where was Arlma?
These were the first question he
asked himself as he became able to
think without confusion.
He now became aware that his head
hurt, and rasing his hand, he found
a large bump under the hair above
his right temple. Turning, he discov
ered that he had been thrown over the
fence into a field of thick-standing
grain, which had broken his fall. His
head must have struck the fence In
passing.
He got to his feet. At first he was
bothered by dizziness, but that soon
alsappeared.
Climbing the fence, he saw that the
car bad turned over on one side. At
a glance there were no evidences of
superficial damage, but it would take
a team of horses and some time to
right it and get It back Into the road.
The lamps had been extinguished.
In the ditch near the car lay Arlma,
One of his legs was bent under him
orribly. Orme hurried over to him.
Ttio Japanese was conscious. His
beady eyes glittered wetly In the star
light, but he said no word, gave no
groan, made no show of pain. What
ever he may have su!Iered, he en
dured with the stoicism that is tra
ditional In his race.
"Much hurt?" asked Orme, bend
ing over him.
"My leg is broke." Arlma spoke un
emotionally. Orme considered. "I'll send you
help," he said, at last. "Lie quiet for
a little while, and you will be looked
after."
He rose, smoothed out his clothing,
and pulled himself together. It was
not part of his program to let whom
ever he might meet know that he him
self had been concerned in the wreck.
In a moment he returned to Arlma.
"I'll have to have those papers," he
said.
Silently the Japanese reached with-
n his coat and drew out the papers,
He held them for Orme to take.
: "You have me beat," he said. "Spirit
told me I must fail."
A picture of the scene In Madam
Alla's rooms came to Orme; the dark
ness broken only by a pinpoint of
gaslight; the floating, ghostly forms;
the circle of awed believers, with the
two Japanese, intent as children.
The medium's work for him had
not ended w hen she helped hlra to es
cape. Mentally he redoubled his
thanks to her, for she had so impress
ed the fatalistic mind of Arlma that
he gave the papers over without ma
king necessary a final struggle.
By the size and shape of the papers
6rme recognized them. Nevertheless,
to make sure that l.e was not being
deceived, he slid Ms bands over Ail-
0 ll $K Lll'li' " ' "iiTl W0f5?'l!
W A, UK
ma's coat, and felt In the pockets. He
found nothing that resembled the
papers he had, so he thrust them Into
his own pocket
He now took out his watch. There
was not enough light to see what time
it was, and he ran his fingers over
the dial, as he had done during that
time of imprisonment, earlier in the
evening. As nearly as he could tell
It was ten minutes past nine. He
could hardly believe that it was so
early.
With a final. "Take It easy," to Arl
ma, Orme now started down the road
toward the lights of a house, a quarter
of a mile ahead.
He had It In mind to examine the
papers, to find a clue to the name of
the girl's father. The sentiment which
had led him to refuse her offer to tell
him everything must now be neglect
ed. There might still he time to de
liver the papers before midnight, but
be did not dare delay.
For one thing, he had only the
haziest notion a& to his whereabouts.
Obviously btJ was somewhere west of
Evanston, but that meant littlo in an
unfamiliar country. He would have to
find some conveyance.
Not altogether without sympathy
for his fallen enemy, he nevertheless
felt that Arlma had received no more
than he deserved. There had been
no hesitation about the different at
tacks made upon himself. He had
provoked no assault unless by the
fact that he had the marked bill in his
possession. But the calmness with
which Arima lyul endured his final de
feat aroused admiration. After all,
the Japanese had merely acted under
orders. And now Orme's first thought
was to get help for him.
He came to the lights he had seen.
They shone through the windows of a
small farmhouse a few rods back from
the road. A short avenue of poplars
led to the door.
In response to Orme's knock, the
man of the house appeared a Ger
man with sleepy eyes and tousled yel
low hair.
"There Is an Injured man down the
road a way," said Orme. "Motor car
smash."
"So?"
-His leg is broken, I think. I made
him as comfortable as I could. Can
you get a doctor? The man will rest
quiet till a doctor comes. He can't
be moved very well."
"Ein doctor? Ja. Es 1st one bel
Niles Center. Meln son vill go for
him. Too bad! Too bad! Come In."
"No, thank you,'
said Orme care-
lessly.
"Vas you In der accident?"
"Do I look It?" Orme laughed.
"Nein, you do not look It. Ach!
Dese autymobles! Dey make much
harm."
"It Is too bad," admitted Orme.'
"He vas a millionaire, maybe. Dey
conies by here so fast, going to Ar
radale. Hans! Komra heir! Ein
man is gesmashed. Du must for der
doctor go." He turned back to Orme.
"Meln son, he will go."
But Orme had no ears for what the
sympathetic German said. One word
bad made his heart leap.
"Arradale!"
There he was to have dined with
Tom and Bessie Walllngham! He had
forgotten them utterly. Were they
still at the golf club? Possibly, and,
In any event, If he could reach the
club, he would be near a railroad.
"How far Is Arradale?" he asked.
"Halb-miles. Und vere did you say
der hurt man vas?"
j "A few hundred feet back there."
I Orme Indicated the direction. "Can
I I reach Arradale by this road?"
"Next turn rechts. I will take de
man some schnapps."
"That will be good. His friends will
make It right with you."
"Ach! Do not say so!"
The German shook his head In de
precation of the idea that he wished
any return for his services. Mean
time his long legged, tow-headed son
had come from within and stood gap-
I Ing behind his father.
mer agked lne 0erman.
V III you go dock 10 uer uiuu wit
"No," said Orme.
"So? Veil, all right"
"I'm sorry I can't walt,'t said Orme.
"I've done what I could, and I hae
a long way to go."
"Sure! Dafs all right!"
"Then thank you very much. Good
night." Orme walked briskly to the road
and turned west He felt assured that
Arlma would be looked after.
Following the road to the first cross
ing, he turned to the right In a few
minutes he saw the lights of the club
house, and a little later be stepped
upon the veranda.
Many people were seated !n the
comfortable porch chairs. The charms
of the summer evening lind held them
niter their afternoon of play. And
from one of the groups enme the
Right
sound of a voice a man's voice
which Orme found vaguely familiar.
He could not place It however, and
he quickly forgot It In his general Im
pression of the scene.
In this atmosphere ot gaiety he felt
strangely out of place. Here all was
chatter and froth the activity of the
surface-Joy of living; but he had
stepped into It fresh from a series of
events that had uncovered the inner
verities.
Here the Ice tinkled In cool glasses,
and women laughed happily, and
every, one wss under the spell of the
velvety summer evening; but he had
looked into the face of Love and the
tnee of Death and both were still
Hear his heart
He found a servant and asked for
the Walllnphams.
"Mr. Walllngham has left, sir," said
the man. "but Mrs. Walllngham Is
here."
"Ask her if Mr. Crme rwy speak to
her.".
lie smiled' rather grtinly as the
servant departed, for he anticipated
Bessie's laughing accusations.
And presently she came, an admon
ishlng finger upheld.
"Robert Orme," Bhe exclaimed.
"how dare you show your face now?"
"I couldn't help It Bessie. Honest
I couldn't. I must ask you to forgive
and forget."
"That's a hard request, Bob. You
have broken two engagements In one
day and one of them for dinner. But
never mind. I have a weakness that
I acquired from Tom I mean the
weakness of believing in you. Go
ahead and explain yourself."
"It would take too long, Ber 'e.
Please let me put It oft."
"Until you can manage a good ex
cuse? You want all the trumps."
"My explanation is all tangled up
with other people's affairs. Where's
Tom?"
"He went back to the city early
awfully sorry that he couldn't stay to
have dinner with you. There Is a com
mittee or something this evening."
"Bessie, you know what I asked you
over the telephone? Can you can
you help me?"
"What Now?"
"Yes."
"Why, Bob, what's the matter with
you? This Is no time of day to make
a call."
"It's very important, Bessie. It
doesn't concern the young lady alone.
I simply must be at her bouse within
tne next two hours."
She eyed him earnestly. "If you
say that, Bob, I must believe you.
And, of course, I'll help all I can." .
Orme sighed his relief. "Thanks,"
he said.
She flashed a speculative glance at
him.
"I'm sorry," he said, "that I can't
tell you what It's all about. You'll Just
have to take my word for It."
"Have I asked you to tell me?"
"No, you marvel of womanhood.
You are dying of curiosity, I don't
doubt, but your restraint is super
human." Again she looked at him keenly.
"Boh, you are dying of curiosity your
self. Don't you suppose I can see?"
"It's something harder than cur'
osity," sala Orme simply.
"How eager are you!" She laughed.
"Now, there Is plenty of time. The
trip won't take us more than half an
hour; so come along and meet some
friends of mine."
"Bessie If you could hurry"
"We can't start until the car comes.
I'm expecting It any moment. So be
good, and come along. There's such
an Interesting man and very distin
guished. We don't try to pronounce
his name. Just think, he was en
gaged for dinner here, also, and came
too late. And ever since he arrived
he's been called to the telephone at
five-minute Intervals. So exciting!
Nobody can guess what he's so busy
about."
She threaded her way through the
lively groups on the veranda, and re
luctantly he followed. The voice
which he had so nearly recognized
sounded closer, then stopped with a
curious little laugh that was loudly
echoed by others.
Bessie broke In upon the lull that
followed. "Excellency, may I present
another man who missed his dinner?'
she said saucily. "Mr. Orme."
The man addressed was sitting com
fortably in a wicker chair that was
several sizes too large for him. At
the mention ot Orme's name he got to
bis feet with startling alacrity.
"Mr. Orme?" His surprise was un
mlstakablo.
"Mr. Robert Orme," said Bessie.
Some one struck a match to light
a cigar, and In the sudden light Orme
found hlmHolf looking Into the face
of the Japanese minister.
"I think I have never met you be-
f"r." said the Milliliter slov.lv.
Friends Will Make
With You."
1 Think not," replied Orme.
He was much disquieted by the en
counter. Now he understood that Arl
ma had been bound for this very
place.
If only he had refused to let Bessie
drag hlin into her circle! The min
ister would not have known his face,
but the mention of his name gave full
pnlightment
The minister resumed his seat, and
a chair was brought for Onuo. There
were other introductions.
A woman's voice renrwed the con
versation. "Excellency, wont you toll
us another of your very Interesting
btorles?"
The minister turned to her. "I will
tell you one," ho said, "that you will
not find In the llteraturo of my coun
try. It is a story of the secret
service, and It came to me through my.
personal acquaintance with some of
the Participants."
"Oh. that will be splendid!" ex
claimed the woman.
The minister waited for a moment.
He turned his face toward Orme. and
asked politely: "You will not mind
listening to what I have to say, Mr.
Orme?"
"Why, to be sure not," replied Orme,
wondering.
"My stories are not always short,"
continued the minister, "as the others
already know. But they sometimes
hold meanings which, In my country,
at least, would be perfectly plain."
After this odd bit ot by-play, he be
gan his narrative:
"There was a man who lived in the
city of Takanmtsu, on the island of I
Shikoku. His name was Klmaga, and
he was much respected by all who
knew him, for he was painstakingly
devoted to his aged and mos' honor
able parents. By trade he was a ma
ker of vases a what you call him
a potter.
"One day while Klmnga was walk
ing upon the road, he saw before him
ou the ground a letter. He picked it
uo. It was sealed, but he discovered
upon the outside a curious "writing
which he could hot make out. Intact
Kimnga could not read at ail. Ho
was very poorly educate.
"But Klmaga was charm by the
grace and beauty of the writing.
Though he could not read It, It fas
cinated his eyes. He decided to keep
It, making no attempt to find the right
ful owner. You must know that In
Nippon beauty Is worship by the
humblest workman.
"It happenjd that the letter had
been written by a Chinese spy, and
It contained a report concerning our
fortifications. Now there is In Nip
pon a very secret service. It Is not
responsible to the government. It la
compose of nobles who for many and
many a generation have bound them
selves by a strong oatn to do patrlotlo
service which the government Itself
might be too embarrassed to under
take. If they are oblige to use ex
treme measures, and are arrested be-
civise of what they have done, they
calmly accept the punishment of the
law without explaining their actions.
Sons of noble houses have been exe
cuted for assassinating secret ene
mles of Nippon, and they have met
this fate as their oath demanded.
Members of this secret service
knew about this letter of the Chinese
spy. They knew, also, that It had
been lost, and before long they
learned that Kltnaga had picked It up.
How they learned all this does not
matter. But they also knew that the
relations between Nippon and China
at the time were of such a strain that
their government, not wishing to give
causo of war, would hesitate to pun
ish the Chinese spy.
"In the meantime Klmnga had be
come so enamor of the letter that
he could not bear to let It go out of
bis possession. When he was alone
he would feast his eyes upon the
beautiful writing. But it was not
long before he discovered that men
were watching him, and he became
filled with fear. Why should he be
watched? Had he done a guilty
thing?
"So greatly did the fear swell In
him that he decided to take the letter
back to the place where he had found
It, and drop it again In the road.
But when he got to the place and
looked for a last time at the writing,
it give him such longings to keep it
that he thrust it Into his breast again
and hurried back to his shop.
"That night a man came to sea
Klmnga.
"'Are you Klmaga, the maker ot
vases?' he said.
"Klmaga, all trembling, replied that
he was.
" 'Then,' said the man, 'I have come
to you with high purpose. You have
a letter which does not belong to
you. Give it to me.'
'"Does it belong to you?' askea
Klmaga, his desire putting armor 00
his fear.
" 'That la not to be asked,' replied
the man. T am samurai. For the
glory of Nippon you mus' give me tha
letter.'
"But Klmaga old not wish to let
the letter go. 'How do you know that
I have it?' he said. 'You have not
seen It'
"'It la enough that I know,' said
the man. 'Three days I allow you. II
by then the letter has not been placed
on the altar of the war god, In the
shrine of Samlya, then you will be as
sassinated.' "With that the man went away.
"Klmaga was now almos' dead with
fright For the first day he did noth
ing but weep. The second day he put
on mourning and set hla affalra in
order. The third day be beld the let
ter in his band for many hours and
filled his mind with the beauty of the
writing. Ho could not give It up.
Ratlitr would he die. And at lust ha
placed It In a lacquer box and burled
It deep at tlio foot of tlio largest cher-
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"He arose to go back Into his
house, an' his head was bowed over
with terror. You see, he felt that
many eyes were watching him from
the near-by walls, an' he thought he
heard breathings and the whispers ot
strangers. What should he do now!
He dare not advance; he dare not
stay where he was. So exceeding af
frighted was he that he groaned
aloud. From all about hlra came
groans that answered his. Once, more
be groaned, and once more his earl
were filled with the answers.
"Then he took one step toward hla
house. Nothing happened. He took
another step, an' his knees they shook
like the palsy. The breathings an'
whisperings seem, oh, so much nearer
now. But he muster all his strength
an' put out his foot for the third step.
It did not reach the ground before the
vengeance struck him.
"The next morning his wife found
him dead. His head had been severed
from his body."
The minister stopped and sat back
In his chair.
"How awful!" exclaimed the wom
an who had asked for a story.
"Not so," said the minister affably.
"In serving my country, such thlnga
mus' be done. Klmaga should have
given the letter. Don't you think so,
Mr. Orme?"
The parable was quite clear to
Orme. He understood the threat.
"In America," he said, drily, "we
do not worship penmanship."
"But an American might for other
reasons keep a letter that did not be
long to hlra."
"Not If he was honorable. His
natural course would be to see that
It was delivered to the person for
whom it was Intended. Certainly he
would not give it to any man who
could not prove his right to It."
"Would he not? But If he were
told that he mus' dlo ?"
"In that case he would Inform his
friends cf the threats against him,
and they would, see that hla murderara
were hanged. Assassination is- noi
popular In Amorloa, excellency."
Orme did not attempt to conceal the
contempt In his words, and several of
the listeners moved in their chairs, be
traying their embarrassment.
"Perhaps, then, Mr. Orme," said the
minister, "you could favor us with a
story which would show the attitude
nt an American In such a flair."
(To he continued.)
Ileal From Former Towimman.
Charles Martin Is in receipt of
postal picture from Tom Beverldge, a
former Plattsmouth boy, who had the
misfortune to lose an arm about
year ago by having same run over
by a train while Tom was In Mon
tana. He Is now located at Hot
Springs, Arkansas, doing well selling
papers. Tom has a largo number of
friends In this vicinity who will bo
pleased to note that he Is succeeding
in his new business.
Mr. W. G. Meislnger and wife of
Eight Mil Grove precinct were in the
city today looking after eome items
ot business at the stores.
TRUSSES
The only surgical houia In tha
t wlirra all filling it dona
by to eipeit. Luiveit stock
13
of Irukfce in the West.
THE W. G. CLEVCLAND CRUQ CO.
OMAHA. KE.8HA1KA
arc
SATISFACTION
Many a Plattsmouth Citizen
Knows How Sure They Are.
Nothing uncertain about the work
of Doan's Kidney Pills in Platts
mouth. There Is plenty of positive
proof of this in the testimony of
citizens. Such evidence should con
vince the most skeptical doubter.
Read the following statement:
Mrs. James Hodgert, 1102 Main
street, Plattsmouth, Neb., says: "I
Buffered a great deal at times from
dull, heavy pains across the small or
my back, especially severe when
stooped or brought any strain on th
nniBcles ot my loins. About two
years ago I learned of Doan's Kldne; .
rills and they brought me aucK
prompt and positive relief that I
have since UBed them whenever I
have felt In need of a kidney reraedv ,
I procured Doan's Kidney Pills at
Rynott & Co.'s Drug Store and do nc
hesitate to recommend them."
The above statement was given In
June, 1906, and on December 3V
1908, Mrs. Hodgert said: "I atl"
hold a high opinion of Doan's KIdni;
Pills. I am glad to confirm all I havr
previously said about this remedy.'
For sale by all acalers. Prtc B-
cents. Foster-MIlburn Co., Buffalo
New York, solo agents for the Unlte l
States.
Remember the name Doan'a ani
take no other.
DEPARTED WITH A BIG
SORE SPOT ON HIS BROH
Mr. Broughton of Herman, Ne
braska, who has been In the city for r,
few days introducing the "Ideal ga
cover," departed for his home at
Herman this morning. Mr. Brough
ton Is a member of the Broughton
Manufacturing Co. of Herman, wher
the gas rover Is manufactured, an !
he departed from the city with &
large sore spot on him, posslb'v
brought on by lack of Interest man1
fested by the Tlattsmouth dealers H
his little Invention. Ho prolmsed t
write when he got home and w at?
looking for a hot communication
right Boon.
MurtK'iKO Iteeord.
The following is the number o
mortgages filed and released durint
the month of February: Farm mor
gages filed, 28, amounting to J9C
486; released, 19, amounting to $3.1,-
340. City mortgages filed, 8, amount
ing to $6,lt6; released, 11, amount
ing to $5,400. In farm mortgages
the number filed Is almost double the
number released.
visitor In tho city today and was -
nlnnfltint vnllnr at thla fifflpA V
wiles has Deen reaming on a iav
near Mynard and has but recently 1
moved to a farm near Wabash, whe
ho expects to reside tho coming ye -Mr.
Wiles camo to this vicinity f
the purpose of getting his housch '
furniture. He was accompanlod 1:
his brother.
iOHS
RESULTS
