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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 8, 1912)
I ; w i i hi in in j ' PROLOGUE. i A young man and a beatttifut young woman, lost and alone in a wilderness for months, half starved and in daily peril of death from wild beasts and still more savage Indians this is the central theme of the most fasci nating romance that has come from Emerson Hough's pen. Read and you will learn how love came to them; how they conducted themselves in this try ing, unconventional situation; how the man's chivalry and the woman's purity held them stead fast to the ideals of civilization, and how the strange episode brought tragedies, estrangements and happiness. CHAPTER XXI. A Confusion In Covenants. DCRING the next morning Har ry Sberatoo galloped down to the village after the morn ing's mall. On hla return be banded me two letters. One was from Captain Matthew Stevenson, dated at Fort Henry, and Informed me that be bad been transferred to the east from Jefferson Barracks, In company with other officers, ne hinted at many changes In tba disposition of the army of late. Dls present purpose In writ ing, as be explained, was to promise us that, In case be came our way be would certainly look us up. This letter 1 put aside quickly, for the other seemed to me to have a more Immediate Importance. I glanced It over and found occasion to request a word or so with Colonel Sheraton We withdrew to his library, and then I banded him the letter. "This," I explained, "Is from Jen nlngs & Jennings, my father's agents at Huntington, on whose advice he went Into bis coal speculations." "I see. Their advice seems to have been rather disastrous." "At first it seemed so," I answered, "but now they advise me by no means to allow foreclosure to be completed If It can be avoided. Tbe lands are worth many times tbe price paid for them." "I sec. And they have some sort of an offer as well, eh?" "A half loaf Is better thnn no bread," I assented. "I think I ought to go out there aud examine all this In detail." "But one. thing I don't understand about this," began Colonel Sheraton, "your father's partner, Colonel Meri wether, was on Jolut paper with hlra. What did he say to you when you saw him?" "Nothing," I replied. "We did not discuss the matter." "What? That was the sole reason wby you went out to see him!" "Other matters enmo up," said I. .."This wns not brought up at all be tween us." Colonel Sheraton looked at me keen ly. "I must ndmlt, Mr. Cowles." said he, slowly weighing hl.i words, that of late certain things have seemed more than a little strango to mo. If you will allow me so to express myself, there is In my own house since you came a sort of atmosphere of Indeflnlteness. Now, why was It you did not take up these matters with Colonel Meriwether? Certainly they were importnnt to you, and under tlx circumstances they bnv a certain Interest to myself. What are you trying to cover up?" "Nothing from you of a business na ture, sir, and nothing from Miss Grace of any nature which I think she ought to know." lie turned on me swiftly. "Young man, what do you propose to do In re gard to my daughter? I confess I have contemplated certain plans In your benefit I feel it is time to men tion theso matters with you." "It is Ume," I answered. "But, if you please, It seems to me MUs Grace and I should first take them up to gether. Has she spoken to rou In any way mat niignt lend you to think she would prefer our engagement to be broken?" , "No, sir. Thero has only been a Tasueuou and IndeQulteness which I THE WAY OF A By Emerson Hough Copyright, 1V07, by the Outing PubUshlaf Company aid not like." "Had my affairs not mended, Colo nel Sheraton. I could not Imyij blamed ny of you for breaking the engage ment. If conditions prove to be prac tlenlly the same now as then It Is she who must decide' her course and mine." "That is perfectly honorable. I have no criticism to offer.- I have only ber happiness at heart." "Then. If you please, sir, since I am rather awkwardly situated here, I should like very much to see Miss Grace this morning." He bowed In his lofty way and left me. Within a half hour a sen-ant brought me word that Miss Grace would see me in the drawing room. She was seated in a wide, low chair near the sunny window, half hid by the leafy plants that grew In the boxes there. She was clad in loose morning wear over ample crinoline, ber dark hair drawn in broad bands over the temples, half confined by a broad gold comb, save two long curls which hung down ber neck at either lde. It seemed to me she wns very thin-thinner nnd darker than ever. She held out her band to me, and It lay cold and lifeless in my own. "Perhaps I have been a little hur ried after all in classing myself as an absolute pauper." 1 explained as she rend my letter. "1 must go out there and look into these things." "Going away again?" She looked up at me, startled. "For a couple of weeks. And when I come back, Miss Grace- So now I was up to the verge of that same old, definite question. She sat up In the chair as though pulling herself together in some sud den resolve and looked me straight in the face. "Jack." she said, "wby should we wait?" "To be sure." said I; "only I do not want you to marry a pauper If any act of my own can make him better than a pauper in tbe meantime." "Yon temporize," she said bitterly. "You are not glad. Yet you came to me only last spring, and you" "I come to you now, Miss Grace," I said. "Ah, wlint a difference between then and now!" she Rlghed. For a time we could find nothing fit to say. At last I was forced to bring up one thing I did not like to mention. "Miss Grace," said I, seating myself beside her, "last night or, rather, this morning after midnight. I found a man prowling around In the yard." She sprang up as though shocked, her face gray, her eyes full of terror. "You have told!" she exclaimed. "My father knows that Captain Orme" It was my owu turn to feel surprise, which perhaps I showed. "I have told no one. tt seemed to me that first I ougbt to come to you nnd ask you about this. Wby was Orme there?" She stared at me. "He told me be would como bnck some time," she ad mitted at length. All the whllo she was fighting with herself, striving, ex actly as Orme bad done, to husband her powers for an impending struggle. "You see," she added, "he has secret business all over the country. I will own I believe him to be in the secret service of tho Inner circle of a num ber of southern congressmen and busi ness men. He Is in with the southern circle of New Orleans, of Charleston Washington. For this reason he could not always choose bis hours of going and coming." "Does your father kuow of his pecul iar hours?" "I presume so, of course." "I saw a light at a window," I be gan, "whoso window I do not know, doubtless some servant's. It could not buve been a signal?" "A signal? What do you mean? Do you suspect me of putting out a bea con light for a cheap night adventure with some mon? Do you expect me to tolerate that sort of thing from you?" "I nsk you to tolerate nothing," I said. "I nm not In the habit of sus pecting ladles. But I ask you If you can explain the light on that side of the house." "Jack," site said, flinging out her bund, "forgive uie. I admit that Cap tain Orme aud I carried on a bit of a flirtation after he came back after ho bad told me about you. But wby should that why, he did not know you were here." "No." said I dryly, "I don't think be did. I am glad to know that you found something to amuso you in my ab sence." "Let us not speak of amusements In the absence of each other," ahe said bitterly. "Think of your own. But when you came back it was all as It was last spring. I could love no other man but you, Jack. After all, if we , aia.qults.. let us-stat aults and forgive MAN and toV;Vi.' Lot us firgtT."JacL I sat looking at her as she turned to me, pleading, imploring In tier race, her gesture. . "Jack." she went on, "a woman needs some one to take cure or tier, to iove her. I want you to take care of me. You wouldn't throw me over for Just a little tiling, when all tne time you yourself" "The light shone for miles across the valley." said I. "Precisely, and that was how he happened to come up. I do not doubt. He thought we were still up ubout the place. My father has always told him to make this his home and not to go to tho tavern. They are friends political ly, In many ways, as you know." "The light then was that of some servant?" "Certainly it was. I know nothing of It. It was an accident, and yet you blame mo as though why, it was all accident that you met Captain Orme. TelLniCjJaclifc.Uid you quarrel? What did he tell you?" "Many things. He Is no fit man for you to know nor for any woman." "Do I not know that? I will never Bee him again." "No; be will never come back here again; that is fairly sure. He has promised that and he asked me to promise one thing, by the way." "What was that?" "To keen my promise with you. He asked mo to marry you. Why?" Infinite wit of woman! What chance have w- men ngalnst such weapon7 It wns coquetry she forced to her face and nothing else when she answered "So, then, he was hard hit. after nil! I did' not know that. How tender of him to wish me married to another than himself! The conceit of you men Is something wondrous." x "Mr. Orme was so kind as to Inform me that I wns a gentleman and like wise u very great nss." Did you promise him to keep your promts'. Jack?" She put both ber hands on mie as it lay on the chair arm Her eves looked Into mine straight nnd full. It would have taken more linagl nation thnn mine to suspect the slight est flickering In their lids. "Jack," she murmured over nnd over again, "I love vou. I buve never loved any other man." "So now," I resumed. "1 have come to you to tell you of all these things and to decide definitely aud finally in regard to our next plans." "But you believe me, Jack? You do nromise to keen your promise? You do love me?" "I doubt no woman whom I wed,' I answered. "I shall be gone for two or three weeks. I shall come bnck Miss Grace, nnd I shall ask your an swer." "Jack. I'm sure of that." she mur mured. "It Is a grand thing for a wo man to have the promise of a man who knows what a promise Is." I winced at this, as I bad winced thousand times at similar thrusts un consciously delivered by so many, "No." snld I, "I think Oram Is jlgbr. I am only a very stupid nss." She reached out ber band, I felt ber fingers close cold and nnrd on mine, its though loth to let me go. I kissed ber fingers and withdrew, my self at least very glad to be nwny I retired to my room to arrange my portmanteau for an early Journey. And there, tilling up one-half of the greater valise, was n roll of hide, rag ged about Its edge. I drew it out and spread it flat upon the bed beforo me, whitened nnd roughened with bone, reddened with blood, written on with rudo Btylus, touring certain words which all the time, day and night, rang, yes, nnd sang, In my brain. "I, John Cowles-I, Ellen Meriweth er toke thee for better, for worse till death" I saw her name E-M-e-u. Presently once more I departed. My mother nlso ended her visit at Dlx iana, preferring to return to tho quiet of her two little whitewashed rooms and the old fireplace and the sooty pothooks which our people's slaves had used for two generations In the past. As to what I learned nt Hunt ington I need say no more than that I began to see fully verified my fa ther's daring and bis foresight. Tho matter of the cool land speculation was proved perfectly feasible. All tho details of surveying and lo cating lands, of mcnsurlng shafts and drifts nnd estimating cubic yards in coal nnd determining tho status of tenures and fees, had occupied me longer thnn I had anticipated. I had been gone two days beyond a month 'JlCD 1 Ellllnil " DtAVfilllngford. As T approached the little tavern 1 heard much laughing, talking, foot falls, hurrying, as men came or went on one errand or another. A large purty bad evidently arrived on a con veyance earlier than my own. I lean ed against the front rail of tbe tavern gallery and waited for somo stable boy to come. I found my eyes resting upon a long figure at tho farther end of the gallery, sitting In the slmdo of tho steep hill which camo down almost sharp as a house roof back of the tav ern and so cut off tho evening sun. It was apparently a woman, tall and thin, clad In a loose, staylcss gown, her face bid In an extraordinarily long green aunbonnet There was no one In all the world who could counterfeit Mandy McGovern. Mandy's plpo well nigh fell from her Hps. "Well, well, well! If it ain't you, son!" Bbo exclaimed. "Aunt Mandy," I interrupted. 'Tell me, what In tho world are you doing hercr "Why, me and the folks Just come down to look around. Her and her pa was comln', and I come too!" "Who came with you, Aunt Mandy?" "Still OBkln' fool questions, like you didn't know! Why, you know who tt was The colonel' ordered tfljinejijs uncut ut'TrT'liVuTy. 'Cal'coiue along o' him o' course. I coiue along 1th the gal o' course. My boy aud my husband come along with me o' ourse." "Your sou, Andrew Jackson?" "L'h-huh. He's somewhere 'round, reckon. I see him licklu' a nigger a few minutes ago. Say, that boy's come out to be the tlghtenest feller I ever 1 see. lllm allowin' lie got that there Injun day we had tho fight down ou the Platted It just made a now man out'u him. My man and me seeu there was a good openin there ou the trail this side o' the south fork, nnd we set p n hotel in a dugout." "But I don't quite understand about the man your husband" Yep, my lastest one. Didn't you now I married ole man Auberry? He's round here soniewheres. lookln' fer a drink o' llcker, I reckon." "I hadn't heard of this last marriage of yours, Aunt Mandy," I ventured. 'Me nnd hitn hooked up right soon atter you nnd the gal got lost" "Where is Colouel Meriwether?" I asked her at last. Inside," she motioned with her pipe. 'Illm nnd the gal too. But, say, who's that a-comln' down the street there la that little sawed off wagon?" I looked. It wns my fiancee, Grace Sheraton. By her side was my friend, Captain Stevenson, and at the other end of the seat was a fluttering and animated figure that could be no one else but Kitty. Kitty seemed first to spy me and greeted me with an enthusiastic wav lag of ber gloves, parasol, veil aud handkerchief, all held confusedly, after her fashion, in one hand. "P-r-r-r-t!" she trilled, schoolglrl-llke, to attract my attention mennwhllo. "Howdy, you man! If It Isn't John Cowles, I'm a sinner! Matt, look nt-hlm. Isn't he old and sour nnd solemn?" "You sent me no word," begun Grace hurriedly. "I was not expecting you today, but you have been gone more than two weeks longer than you said you would be." Stevenson hail run on Into the tavern nrter ids tirst greeting to "me, and pres ently 1 heard hl voice raised In sur prise and Kitty's excited chatter. I beard Colonel Meriwether's voice an awerlng. 1 heard another voice. "Who Is lu there?" asked Grace Sheraton of me curiously. 1 looked her slowly and fully In the face. "It is Colonel Meriwether," I answer ed. "He bus come on unexpectedly from the west. His daughter Is there also, I think. I have not yet seen her." "That woman!" breathed Grace Sher aton, sinking back upon ber seat. Her eye glittered as she turned to me. "Oh, I see It all uow! You have been with them! You have met her again! My God. I could kill you both-I could-1 say I could!" .. ' (To He dull inueil.) Indian Killed on Track. Near Rochelle, 111., an Indian went lo sleep on a railroad track and was killed by hp fast express. He paid for his carelessness with his life. Often its that way when people neglect coughs and colds. Don't risk your life when prompt use of Dr. King's New Discovery will cure them nnd so prevent a ilnngeruiis throat or lung trouble. "It completely cured me, in a short lime, of a terrible cough that followed a severe attack of grip," writes J. H. Walls, Floyda da, Tex., "and I regained 15 pounds in veig,hl that I had lost." Quick, safe, reliable and guaran teed. 50c and Sl.on. Trial bot tle free at F. (1. Fricke & Co. Judge Travis Returns. Judge and Mrs. II. D. Travis went to IMainview a week ago last Monday to visit their daughter, Mrs. A. (i. Cole and husband, and Ihe judge relumed last night, while Mrs. Travis remained for a longer visit. Judge Travis saw all the Cass county people in IMain view, including Hans (loos and Fred Kbenger, and reports all do ing well. IMainview is a nice little city and very prosperous. Judge Travis was delighted with his visit. Dr. T. J. Todd and wife of Wahoo arrived last evening and visited Mrs. Todd's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mauzy, over night. Dr. anil Mrs. Todd, accompanied by Mrs. Mauzy, went to Omaha on the afternoon train today, where Mrs. Todd may enter a hospital. Flying Men Fall victims lo stomach, liver and kid ney (roubles just like oilier peo ple, with like results in loss of appetite, backache, nervousness, headache, and tired, listless, run down feeling. Hut there's no need to feel like that, as T. D. Peebles, Henry, Tenn., proved. "Six bottles oT Electric Hitlers," he writes, "did more to give me new strength and good appetite than all other stomach remedies I used." So they help everbody. It's folly to suffer when this great remedy will help you from the llrst dose. Try it. Only 50 cents at F. O. Fricke & Co. Mrs. Shlaes and Mrs. Zucker and daughter, Tena, were Omaha passengers on tho fast mail this afternoon. In Vacation The Lincoln Telephone means an eli mination of the boundary between city and country. With it you can make reserva tions and arrange for accommodations, and in your holiday will always be in touch with home and business. Every Telephone is a Long Distance Station You will find added comfort, convenience, and satisfaction in your days of rest and recreation in the service of Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph Company J. K. POLLOCK, Local Manager Mall Carriers Will Fly. This is nn nge of great dis coveries. Progress rides on the air. Nion we may see uncle bam s mail carriers living- in all direc tions, transporting: mail. People take a wonderful interest in a discovery that henellts them. That's why Dr. King's New Dis covery for Coughs, Golds and oilier throat ami lung diseases is the most popular medicine in America. 'It cured mo of a dread ful cough," writes Mrs. J. F. Davis, Stickney Corner, Me., "af ier doctor's treatment and all other remedies had afiled." For coughs, colds or any bronchial affection it's unequaled. Price uOe and $1.00. Trial bottle free at V. f. Fricke & Go. Frank fiobelman, painting and naner hanging. 4-9. i A Distinction With a Difference YOU may not always pet what you pay forO It takes a Rood judge of values to do that, but if there is one sure rule in business it is you pay for all you get. You may not be able to see the difference between engines of similar appearance at different prices, but if you buy from a reputable firm you may be sure the difference in quality is there. I H C Oil and Gasoline Engines cost more than some others because they are more carefully made, and more thoroughly tested. Skillful designing, better material, better workmanship, more careful assembling, and more thorough testing, tell in the long run. Given equal care an I II C engine costs less per year of service than any other engine 'you can buy. If an I II C engine is given all the work it will do, pumping, sawing wood, running the grindstone, feed grinder, hay press, silage cutter, repair shop machines, cream separator, churn, washing machine, etc., etc., it will pay for itself in a very short time in money and labor saved. I II C engines are made in every style horizontal, vertical, air and water-cooled, stationary, portable and mounted on skids, to operate on gas, gasoline, kerosene, naphtha, dis tillate or alcohol, in sizes from 1 to 50 II. P. Kerosene-gasoline tractors, 12, 15, 20, 25 and 45-IIP. The I II C local dealer will give you cata logues and full information, or write International Harvester Company of America (Incorporated) ' ! Council Bluffs la. r The nurrxne of Ihll of china to all, Ihe. on better (arming. tiulldliif. Chicago, USA liom cnncernini tout. crop, land drelnate. Irri tation, fertilliert, etc. jnak your Inqulrlriipeclfic and tend them to I H C hervlca Hurun If ,ruu.,.. Season! Found Corn Crop Promising. Tom Isner, the contractor ami builder, came overland front Avuea yesterday, where he had been looking after some business mailers, and was surprised at tho line prospect for corn. All ulorifj the route Hie corn looked excel leiil, and Tom is of the opinion I hat Cass county will have one of the biggest corn crops this fall it has had for several years. Miss Mae Murphy delight fully eiilerlaiueil a number of friends at a 0 o'clock dinner Saturday even ing in honor of Miss Sloiieroad of Colorado, Texas, who is a guest at the Murphy home. Painting and paper flanging is certainly my business. ;J Frank Gobelman. Bureau li in furnlth. fra bail Information obtainable M rou nave any worthy auea. -1