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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 6, 1911)
The nd the a rtrr Dannister LLlJTfflTOm DY 7 RAYYfALTttd urme laughed. "Oddly enougn," no replied, "I can give you Just such a ttory if you all care to bear It." "Go on," murmured one of the men. "It harpened to a friend of mine," paid Orme. "He had in his possession a number of proxies, the use of which would determine the control of a certain corporation. While he was carrying these proxies to the country house of the man to whom he was to deliver them, he was attacked by a man who was acting for another fac tion. This man secured the advantage over my friend and, robbing him of the proxies, Jumped Into a waiting motor car to make his escape." "And did he escape?" the minister Interrupted. i "He thought himself safe," contin ued Orme, "but my friend had caught the back of the motor car Just as it started. He climbed silently into the tonneau, and throwing his arm around the neck of the thief, pulled him back ward from his seat, f "The car was ditched, and my friend and the thief were both thrown out. "What Happened Then?" Inquired the Minister. My friend was not hurt. The thief, , however, had his leg broken." "What happened thenT" Inquired the minister; for Orme bad paused, j "Oh, my friend took the proxies 'from the thief's pocket and walked , away. He stopped at the nearest farmhouse and sent help back." "Even in America," commented the jroinlster, "the frlen's of the Injured man might see that his hurt was avenge. The man who caused the ac cident should be made to suffer." "Oh, no," said Orme. "If the matter were pressed at all, the correct thing to do would be to arrest the man 'with the broken leg. He had stolen the papers In the first place. Harm came to him, when he tried to escape with the papers after stealing them, 'ikit as a matter of fact, the average 'American would consider the affair at 'an end." j "Your story and tn?ne are disslm Mar," remarked the minister, i "Perhaps. But they involve a simi lar question: Whether a man should yield passively to a power that ap pears to be stronger than his own. In (America we do not yield passively unless we understand all the bearings of the case, and see that it is right to yield." At this moment a motor car came up the drive. "There's our car, Bob," said Bessie. "Walt a moment, while I get my wraps. I know that you are impatient to go." '1 know that you are a good friend," be whispered, as she arose. He did not care to remain with the group In Bessie's absence. With a bow, he turned to stroll by himself down the veranda. But the minister Jumped to his feet and called: "Mr. Orme!" Orme looked back. "Please be so good as to return," con'nued the min ister, x With mere politeness, Orme halted, and took a step back toward his chair. An air of startled expectancy was manifest In the position taken by the different members of the group. The minister's voice had sounded sharp and authoritative, and he now stepped forward a pace or two, stopping at a point where the light from one of the clubhouse windows fell full on his face. Clearly he was laboring under great excitement. "You have something to say to me?" Inquired Orme. He foresaw an effort to detain him. "I am compelled to ask the ladles to leave us for a few minutes," said the minister, seriously. "There U a matter of utmos' Importance." He bowed. The women, hesitating In their embarrassment, rose and walked away, living the half dozen mes standing in a circle. "I find myself In an awkward pe tition," began the iiilulnter, slowly. "I am a guest of your club, and I blmuld never dream ot saying what l mus' say, were my own personal affairs alone involved. Let me urge that no one leave until I have done." For a tense moment he was silent. Then he went on: - "Gentlemen, while we were talking together here, I had In my pocket certain papers of great importance to my country. In the last few min utes they have disappeared. I regret to say it but, gentlemen, some one has taken them." 1 There was a gasp of astonishment. , "I mus' even open myself to the i charge of abusing your hospitality ratlier than let tU matter pass. If I could only make you understand how grave it Is" he was brilliantly impres sive. Just the right shade of re luctance colored his earnestness. "I have g very reason to think," he continued, "that the possession of those papers would be of Immense per sonal advantage to the man who has been sitting at my right Mr. Orme." "This Is a serious charge, excel lency," exclaimed one of the men. "1 am aware of that. But I am obliged to ask you not to dismiss It hastily. My position and standing are known to you. When I tell you that these papers are of importance to my country, you can only in part realize bow great that importance it Gen tlemen, I mus' ask Mr. Orme whether he has the papers." Orme saw that the minister's bold stroke was having its effect. He de cided quickly to meet it with frank ness. "The papers to which his ex cellency refers," he said quietly, "are In my pocket." Several of the men exclaimed. "But," Orme went on, "I did not take them from his excellency. On the contrary, his agents have for some time been using every device to steal tbem from me. They have failed, and now he Is making a last attempt by trying' to persuade you that they be long to him." "I submit that this smart answer does not satisfy my charge," cried the minister. , "Do you really wish to go further?" demanded Orme. "Would you like me to explain to these men what those papers really mean?" "If you do that, you betray my coun try's secrets." Orme turned to the others. "His excellency and I are both guests here," he said. "Leaving his official position out of the question, my word must go as far as his. I assure you that he has no claim at all upon the papers In my pocket" "That Is not true!" The minister's words exploded In a harp staccato. "In this country' said Orme, calm ly, "we knock men down for woras like that. In Japan, perhaps, the lie tan be passed with rrapunrty." "Gentlemen, I ask that Mr. Orme be detained," exclaimed the minister furiously. "I will not be detained," said Orme. . The other men were whispering among themselves, and at last one of Ihem stepped forward as spokesman. TThls Is a serious matter for the elub," he said. "I suggest, Mr. Orme, that we go to the library" he glanced ilgnlflcantly at the other groups on Ihe veranda "where no one can over bear us, and talk the matter over luletly." "But that will exactly fit in with his scheme," exclaimed Orme, heatedly. "He knows that In the Interests of our own country" he hazarded this "I must be at a certain place before midnight He will use every means to delay me even to charging me with theft." "What Is that?" Bessie Walling ham's voice broke In upon them. "Is any one daring to accuse Bob Orme?" In her long, gray silk motor cloak, with the filmy chiffon veil bound about her hat she startled them, like an apparition. The spokesman explained. "His ex cellency says that Mr. Orme has stole! some papers from him." "Then his excellency Is at fault," said Bessie, promptly. "I touch for Mr. Orme. He Is Tom's best friend, and Tom Is one of the governors of the club. Come, Bob." Bhe turned away decisively, and Orme recognized the advantage she had given him, and strode after her. From noises behind him he gathered that the men were holding the mln later back by main force. CHAPTER XVIII. The Goal. The chauffeur was opening the doot of the waiting car. It was a black car a car with strangoly familiar lines. Orme started. "Where did that come from?" he demanded. Bessie smiled at him. "That Is my surprise for you. My very dear friend, whiun voii so mucji desire to see, tele pnoned me here this evening ... asked me to spend the night with her instead of returning to Chicago. She promised to send her car for me. It was long enough coming, goodness knows, but if it had appeared sooner, I should have gone before you arrived." Orme understood. The girl had telephoned to Bessie while he waited there on Ia Salle street. S'.ie had planned a meeting that would satlsty him with full knowledge of her name and place. And the lHtenrss of the car in reaching Arradale was unques tionably owing to the fact that It had not set out ou its errand until after the girl reached home and gave her chauffeur the order. Orme welcomed this evidence that she had got home safely. Bessie Jumped lightly Into the ton neau, and Orme followed. Tho car glided from the grounds. Eastward It went, through the pleasant, rolling farming country, that was wraped In the btauty of the starry night. They crossed a bridge over a narrow creek. "You would hardly think," said Bes tie, "that this Is so-called north branch of the Chicago river." "I would believe anything about that river," he replied. She laughed nervously. Ho knew that flie was suppressing her natural interest in the scene she had wit nessed ou the veranda; yet, of course, she was expecting some explanation. "Bessie," lie said, "I am sorry to have got Into such a muss there at the club. The Japan se minister was the last man I wanted to e." She did rot tim.v.T "Perhaps your !ii-:..' -wlo-i we are now going to vUit v. il. ; .i ;,rn Uiliigj u little," he went on. "1 cau tell you only that I had in my pocket certain papers which the Jap would have given much to get hold of. He tried it by accusing me of stealing them from him. It was very awkward." "I understand better than you think," she said, suddenly. "Don't you see, you big stupid, that I know where we are going? That tells me some thing. 1 can put two and two to gether." "Then I needn't try to do any more explaining of things I can't explain." "Of course not You are forgiven all. Just think, Bob, It's nearly a year since you stood up with Tom and me." "That's bo!" "How time does go! See" as the car turned at a crossing "we are go ing northward. -We are bound for the village of Wlnnetka. Does that tell you anything?" "Nothing at all," said Orme, striving vainly to give the Indian name a place in his mind. On they sped. Orme looked at his watch. It was half-past ten. "We must be nearly there," he said. "Yes, It's only a little way, now." They were going eastward again, following a narrow dirt road. Sud denly the chauffeur threw the brakes on hard. Orme and Bessie, thrown forward by the sudden stopping, clutched the sides of the car. There was a crash, and they found them selves in the bottom of the tonneau. Orme wbb unharmed. "Are you all right, Bessie?" he asked. "Ail right." Her voice was cheery. He leaped to the road. The chauf feur had descended and was hurrying to the front of the car. "What was It?" asked Orme. "Some one pushed a wheelbarrow into the road just as we were com ing." "A wheelbarrow!" "Yes, 'sir. There it Is." Orme looked at the wheelbarrow. It was wedged under the front of the car. He peered off Into the field at the left Dimly he could see a run ning figure, and he hastily climbed the rail fence and started In pursuit. It was a hard sprint The running man was fast on his feet, but his speed did not long serve him, for he stumbled and fell. He did not rise, and Orme, coming up, for the moment supposed him to be stunned. Bending over, he discovered that the prostrate man was panting hard, and digging his hands Into the turf. "Get up," commanded Orme. , The man got to his knees and, turn ing, raised supplicating bands. "Porltol!" exclaimed Orme. ; "Oh, Mr. Orme, spare me. It was an accident." Ills face worked con vulsively. "I I" Something like a aob escaDed him. and Orme aaaln found himself divided between con tempt and pity. "What were you doing with that wheelbarrow?" Porltol kept his frightened eyes on Orme's face, but he said nothing. "Well, I will explain It You fol lowed the car when It started for Ar radale. You waited here, found a wheelbarrow,, and tried to wreck us. It is further evidence of your comic equipment that you should use a wheelbarrow." Porltol got to his feet. "You are mistaken, dear Mr. Orme. I I" Orme smiled grimly. "Stop." he aid. "Don't explain. Now I want you to stay right here In this field for a half hour. Don't budge. If I catch you outside, I'll take you to the near est Jail." Porltol drew himself up. "As an attache I am exempt," he said, with a pitiful attempt at dignity. "You are not exempt from the con sequences or a crime like this. Now, get on your knees." Whimpering, Porltol kneeled. "Stay In that position." "Oh, sir oh, my very dear sir. I f "Stay there!" thundered Orme. Porltol was still, but his lips moved, and his Interlaced fingers worked con vulsively. As Orme walked away, he stoppod now and then to look back. Torltol did not move, and Orme long carried the uleture of that kneeling figure. no was It?" asked Bes3ie wai Hngham, as he climbed back over the fence. "A nunnv Ith nVinrn tooth " tin m. plied, thinking of what the girl had! said. "We might as well forget him." She studied him In silence, then pointed to tho chauffeur, who was down at the side of the car. "Anything damaged?" Ovme quer ied. "Yes, sir." "Mrch?" "Two hours' work, sir." ' Tsi aw!" Orme shut his teeth down hard; Porltol, had he known it, might have-fvlt thankful that he was not iicur at hand, lie turned to Bessi, mm m An Old Man, Coatless and Slippered, Opened the Door. "How much farther Is It?" "The chauffeur answered. "About three miles, sir." Three nilles over dark country roads and It was nearly 11 o'clock. He glanced ahead, lu the distance a light twinkled. "Bessie," he said, "come with me to that farmhouse. We must go on. Or, if you prefer to watt here" "I'll go with you, of course." They walked along the road to the farm gate. A cur yelped at their feet as they approached the house, and an old man, coatless and slippered, opened the door, holding an oil lamp high above his head. "Down, Rover! What do you want?" he Bhouted. "We've got to have a rig to take us to Wlnnetka," said Orme. "Our car broke down." The old man reflected. "Can't do It," he said, at last. "All shet up fer the night. Can't leave the missus alone." A head protruded from a dark upper window. "Yes, you can, Simeon," growled a woman's guttural voice. "Wall I don't know" "Yes, you can." She turned to Orme. "He'll take ye fer five dollars cash. Ye can pay me." Orme turned to Bessie. "Have you any money?" he whispered. "Heavens! I left my hand bag In my locker at the clubhouse. How stu pid!" "Never mind." Orme saw that he must lose the marked bill after all. Regretfully he took It from his pocket The woman had disappeared from the window, and now she came to the door and stood behind her husband. Wrapped In an old blanket she made a gaunt figure, not unlike a squaw. As Orme walked up the two or three steps, she stretched her hand over her husband's shoulder and snatched the bill, examining It closely by the lamp light. "What's this writln' on It?" she de manded, fiercely. "Oh, that's Just somebody's Joke. It doesn't hurt anything." "Well, I don't know." She looked at it doubtfully, then crumpled it tight In her fist "I guess It'll pass. Git a move on you, Simeon." The old man departed, grumbling, to the barn, and the woman drew back Into the house, shutting the door care fully. Orme and Bessie heard the bolts click as she shot them home. "Hospitable!" exclaimed Bessie, seating herself on the doorstep. After a wait that seemed Intermix tiable, the old man came driving around the house. To a ramshackle buggy he had bitched a decrepit horse. They wedged In as best they could, the old man between them, and at a shuffling amble the nag proceeded through the gate and turned eastward. In the course of 20 minutes they crossed railroad tracks and entered the shady streets of the village, Bessie directing the old man where to drive. Presently they came to the entrance of what appeared to be an extensive estate. Back among the trees glim mered the lights of a house. "Turn In," said Bessie. A thought struck Orme. If Porltol, why not the Japanese? Maku and bis friends might easily have got back to this place. And If the minister had been able to telephone to his allies from Arradale, they would be expect log him. "Stop!" he whispered. "Let me out You drive on to the door and wait there for me." Bessie nodded. She did not com prehend, but she accepted the situa tion unhesitatingly. Orme noted, by the light of the lamp at the gate, the shimmer of the veil that was wound around her hat "Give me your Tell," he said. Bhe withdrew the pins and unwound the piece of gossamer. He took It and stepped to the ground, concealing him self among the trees that lined the drive. The buggy proceeded slowly. Orme followed afoot on a parallel course, keeping well back among the trees. At a certain point, after the buggy passed, a figure stepped out Into the drive, and stood looking after It. From his build and the peculiar nullity of his motions, he waa recognized as mm 1 a . fly 11 1 AVJrVi' n pi v Maku. orme hunted about tin no found a bub from which he could quietly break a wand about six feet long. Stripping It of leaves, he fastened the veil to one end o It and tiptoed toward the drive. The Japanese wns still looking aft er the bugsy. which had drawn up bo fore the house. Suddenly, out of tho darkness a sinuous gray form came floating to ward him. It wavered, advanced, halted, then seemed to rush. The seance of the afternoon was fresh iu the mind of the Japanese. With screams of terror, he turned and fled down the drive, while Orme, removing the veil from the stick, moved on to ward the house. Madam Alla's game certainly was effective In dealing with Orientals. A moment later Orme and Bessie had crossed the roomy veranda and were at the door, while the old man, still grumbling, swung around the cir cle of the drive and rattled away. Orme's heart was pounding. When the servant answered, the bell, he drew hack and he did not hear the words which Bessie spoke In a low voice. They were ushered Into a wldo re ception hall, and the servant went to announce them. "You wtsh to see her alone," said Bessie. "Go In there and I will ar range It" Ho went as she directed, Into a lit tle reception room, and there he wait ed while subdued feminine greetings were exchanged In the hall without. Then, at lust, through the doorway came the gracious, lovely figure ot the girl. "Oh," she whispered, "I know you aould come, dear I knew." He took her hands and drew ' her to him. But with a glance at the doorway she held herself away from him. In his delight at seeing her he had almost forgotten his mission. But now he remembered. "I have the papers," he said, taking them from his pocket. "I was sure you had them. I was sure that you would come." He laid them in her hands. "For give me, Girl, for fooling you with that blank contract" She laughed happily. "I didn't look at it until I got home. Then I was so disappointed that I almost cried. But when I thought It over, I under stood. Oh, my doar, I believed In you bo strongly that even then I went to my father and told him that the pa pers were on the way that they would be here In time. I Just simply knew you would come." Regardless ot the open doorway he clasped her closely, and she burled her face In his coat with a little laugh that was almost a sob. Then, sudden ly, she left him standing there and, holding the papers tight went from the room. ' (To bo continued.) Many a Plattsmouth Citizen Knows How Sure They Are. Nothing uncertain about the work of Doan'g 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 Hoilgert, 1102 Main street, Plattsmouth, Neb., says: "I suffered a great deal at times from dull, heavy pains across the small of my back, especially severe when I stooped or brought any strain on the muscles of my loins. About two years ago I learned of Doan's Kidney Pills and they brought me such prompt and positive relief that I have since used them whenever I have felt In need of a kidney remedy. I procured Doan's Kidney Pills at Rynott & Co.'s Drug Store and do not hesltato to recommend them." The above statement was given In June, 1906, and on December 30, 1908, Mrs. Hodgert said: "I still hold a high opinion of Doan's Kidney Pills. I am glad to confirm all I have previously said about this remedy." For sale by all aealera. Price 60 cents. Foster-Mllburn Co., Buffalo, New York, sole agents for the United States. Remember the name Doan's and take no other. Some swell Initial stationery at the Journal office. Don't fall to see It. Poultry Wanted Hens 10c Springs 7c and 8c Old Roosters 4c Ducks 8c GeeRe 7c We also buy cream. HATT PRODUCE GO. TRUSSES The only mrgir.nl houie in the Went hrre all tilting ii done by to eipert. Largest Hock of trunsei in the West. TH W. G. CLEVELAND DRUQ CO. OMAHA, NCCRASKA OF SENATE PASSES OLLISMEASURE b:!I to Reiclalu Sleek Yards Has till toe Cpposinj Voles. THESE GOME FROM DOUSLAS. Tanner, Horton and Reagan Send Up Notes Explaining Their Votes They Say It Will Be Blow to Both Yards and Shippers. Lincoln, March 3. The Ollls Btock yards bill, as approved by the senate committeo of the whole, passed tie senate by a vote of 23 to 3, the only dissenting votes coming from tho members from Douglas county Tan ner, Horton and Reagan. There three handed up written explanation of tholr votes, declaring that tho bill was a Mow nt a great Nebraska Industry and certain to work harm and expense both to the stock yurds and shippers. Albert, who had tried to change the bill In tho committee meetings to make it a less specific measure, voted for It with the explanation that ho did not approve of this particular bill, but. It seemed to be tho bVst that could bo agreed upon. Ho has from tho first taken the position of an opponent to tho Olll bill, but a friend to stock yards regulation of some sort The passage of tho bill Is a signal victory for Senator Ollls and tho lack ot opposition on the final vote was a Burprisn. At least one senator, who changed front at the last minute, did so becnuse ho received some very ur gent advice from a personal delegate pent by his constituents, and others swung round to get right on tho rec ords, although they have been against the bill all through the fight. Only Dougla3 county stood pat and refused; to change tholr convictions. Hope for Agricultural Bill. Tho bill introduced by Fllley of Gagrc appropriating $30,000 for supplement ary agricultural education in high schools was onco slated for indefinite postponement, but wns rescued by tho author and put on third reading. In the committeo ot the wholo the bill met with much opposition since Fllley. like McKelvIe, whose agricultural edu cation bill was killed Wednesday, op posed the Eastman bill and so could not expect much support from a cer tain faction lined up behind that ap proprlntlon. Ho moved not to concur after tho committee reported, how ever, and by a vote nt 44 to 39 th bill went to third reading. Committee Jun.ets. Two Junkets for house committee! have been arranged. Six members of the fish and game committee left for Valentine to visit the sub-hatchery there and report upon Its condition, and the committee on public lands and buildings gooB todny to Nebraska City and Peru. The men who wont to Val entine are Metzger, Clarke, Ilospod sky, Herzog, Rlha and Sagl. The pub lie lands committee consists of East man, Sagl, Scheele, Llndsey, Holmes, McCarthy, Fries, Reagan, Bushee. Roberts, Haller, Dort and Bills. 'Jim Crow" Bill to Fall. The railroad committee of the house gave a hearing on the "Jim Crow' bill to segregate negroes on street cars In the state. McKissIck of Cage, the Introducer, explained It, doclarln It was not an attack upon the negro race, but was merely an effort to sep urate them while on vehicles of trans portatlon. John Grant Pegg of Oma ha headed a delegation of Omaha peo plo who talked In opposition to the measure, It is recognized that the bill will not get very far and that If the commltte does not kill It It will probably b; withdrawn. Chief Clerk Henry Rlcf; mond, who has been backing It, ha given this Intimation. Senate Passes Two Bills. At tho afternoon session of the sen nto two bills were taken up on thli ! reading and passed, 8. F. 14(5, by Til bets, for an attorney's lien to protect his feoB, and Tanner's bill, S. F. 9t making It necessary to publiHh all pro posed constitutional amendments In two papers In every city where It li possible. This does not apply to tr local situation In South Omaha, bitt provides only that In every town wit papers reprsontlng both of the tw principal political parties each papo; shall publish tho proposed amenl monts at contract rates. Two Women Struck by Auto. Hastings, Neb., March 3. Ml::? Hazel Robinson and Miss Mae Bren nan were quite bndly hurt by bolr run over by an automobile which wa driven by L. Phillips. The youn, women were crossing the lntersecttca at Hastings avenue and Second strcrr when . the accident happened. M Phillips had Just succeeded in dodging by a team of horses and as he did his car struck tho youns women ant knocked them down. Miss Robins m wns bndly cut about the head an arms and Miss Brennan had her limb Injured. Taft Summons Canadian Minister. Washington, March 3. Unit States Consul General Foster of Ot wa, Canada, Is here on a sum mo -from TYesldent Taft, and a member the Canndian cabinet Is hurrying t Washington, nccordlng to a report, t confer with President Taft concern! possible amendments to the reclprc.i ty treaty.