Nebraska Newspapers

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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.