1 , sJM
I tm. VI 111 I
PROLOGUE.
A young man and a beautiful
young woman, lost and atone 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 XXII.
Ellen or Grace.
T HAVE never met any of the
I Meriwethers." said Grace Shera
I ton. "Will you gentlemen pre-
sent me?"
' I bad assisted her to alight, and at
that time a servant came and stood at
the horse's head. Stevenson stepped
back to the door, not having as yet
mentioned my presence there. There
came-out upon the gallery as he en
tered that-other whose presence I had
lor some momenta Known, wnom i
knew within the moment I most meet
Ellen I
Her eyes fell upon me. She stepped
back with faint exclamation, leaning
against the wall, her hands at her
cheeks as she stared. I do not know
after that who or what our specta
tors were. I presume Stevenson went
on Into the house to talk with Colonel
Meriwether, whom I did not see at all
at that time.
The first to speak was Grace Shera
ton. Tall, thin, darker than ever, it
seemed to me, and now with eyes
which flickered and glittered as 1 had
never seen them, she approached the
girl who stood there shrinking. "It is
Miss Meriwether? I believe I should
know you," she began, holding out her
hand.
"This is Miss Grace Sheraton," I
said to Ellen, and stopped. Then I
drew them both away from the door
and from the gallery, walking to the
shadows of the long row of elms which
shaded the street, where we would be
less observed.
For the first time In my life I saw
the two together and might compare
them. Without my will or wlsh
found my eyes resting upon Ellen.
Without my will or wish, fate, na
ture,' love, I know not what, made se
lection. Ellen had not as yet spoken. "Miss
Sheraton," I repeated to her finally,
"is the lady to whom I am engaged to
be married."
The vicious Sheraton temper broko
bounds. There was more than half a
sneer on my fiancee's face. "I should
easily know who this lady is." Bhe said.
Ellen, flushed, perturbed, would havo
returned to the gallery, but I raised my
hand. Grace Sheraton went on. "An
engagement Is little. You and he, I
am advised, lived as man and wife,
forgetting that he and I were already
pledged as man and wife."
"That is not true!" broke in Ellen,
her voice low and even. She at least
had herself in hand and would toler
ate no vulgar scene.
"I could not blame either of you for
denying it"
"It was Gordon Orme that told her."
I said to Ellen.
She would not speak or commit her
self, except to shake her head and to.
beat her hands softly together as L
had seen her do before when In dis
tress. "A gentleman must He like a gen
tleman," weut on Grace Sheraton mer
cilessly. "I am here to congratulate
you troth."
I saw a drop of blood spring from.
Ellen's bitten Up.
"What she says Is tnie," I went on
to Ellen. "It Is Just as Gordon Orme,
told your father and n I admitted t
yon. I was engaged to be married to
Miss Sheraton, and I am still so en
ge4" . ....
THE WAY
OF
MAN
By Emerson Hough
Copyright. IV07, by the Outing PubUshlof
Company
Still her small hands beat together
softly, but she would not cry out, she
would not exclaim, protest, accuse. I
went ou with the accusation against
myself.
"I did not tell you. I had and have
no excuse except that I loved Fou. I
nm here now for my punishment. Ton
two shall decide it."
At last Ellen spoke to my fiancee.
"It is tme," snld she. "I thought my
self engaged to Mr. Cowles. I did not
know of you did not know that he
had deceived me too. But fortunately
my father found us before It was too
late."
"Let us spare ourselves details," re
joined Grace Sheraton. "lie has
tr ft us."
"Yes, he has dure wrong," I heard
Ellen say. 'Terhaps all men do. I
do not want to know. Terhaps they
are not always to blame. I do not
want to know."
The mensure of the two women was
there in those words, and I felt it.
"Could you want such a man?" ask
ed Grace Sheraton bitterly. I saw Ellen
shako her head, slowly. I heard her
lips answer slowly. "No." she said.
"Could you?"
I looked to Grace Sheraton for her
answer, and os I looked I saw a
strango and ghastly change come over
her face. "My God!" she exclolmetf,
reaching out her hand against a tree
trunk to steady herself. "Your leav
ings? No! But what Is to become of
me?"
"You wish him?" asked Ellen. "You
are entirely free. But now, if you
please, I see no reason why I should
trouble you both. Please, now, I shall
go."
But Grace Sheraton sprang to her
side as she turned. I was amassed at
her look. It was entreaty on her face,
not anger! She held out her bands to
Ellen, her face strangely distorted.
And then I saw Ellen's face also
change. She put out her hand in turn.
"There," she said, "time mends very
much. " Let us hope" Then I saw
her throat work oddly, and her words
stop.
No man may know the speech with
which women exchange thought. I
aw the two pass a few paces apart,
aw Grace Sheraton stoop and whis
per something.
It was her last desperate resource.
It won, as courage should, or at leant
as much as a lie may win at any time,
for H was a bitter, daring, desperate,
shaming He she whispered to Ellen.
As Ellen's face turned toward me
again I saw a slow, deep scorn invade
it. "If I were free," she snld to me.
"if you were the last man on earth, I
wonld not look' at you again. You de
ceived me, but that was only a broken
word and not a broken life! This girl
indeed she may ask what will be
come of her!"
"I am tired of all these riddles," I
broko out, my own anger now arising
and myself not caring to be made thus
sport of petticoats.
"Your duty is clear," went on my
new accuser, flashing out at me. "If
you have a trace of manhood left, then
let the marriage be at once tomorrow.
IIow dare you deluy so long?" She
choked in her own anger, humiliation,
scorn I know not what, blushed in her
own shame.
Orme was right. I have always been
a stupid ass. It took me moments to
grasp the amazing truth, to understand
the daring stroke by which Grace Sher
aton had won her game. It bad cost
her much. I saw her standing there
trembling, tearful, suffering, her eyes
wet. She turned to me, waiting for
me to save her or leave her damned.
I could not declare against the wo
man who had thus sworn against me.
With horror I saw what grotesque in
justice was done to me. I broke out
Into a borriblo laughter.
I had said that I had come for my
punishment, and here it was for me to
take. I had told Orme that one day I
would pay him for my life. Here, now,
was Orme's price to be paid! if this
girl had not sinned with me she had
done so by reason of me. It was my
fault, and a gentleman pays for his
fault in one way or another. There
seemed to me, I say, but one way in
which I could pay, I being ever simple
and slow of wit. I, John Cowles, with
out thinking so far as the swift conse
quences, must now act as the shield of
the girl who stood there trembling, the
girl who bad confessed to her rival her
own bitter sin, but who had lied as to
her accomplice In her sin.
"It la true," I said, turning to Ellen.
"I am guilty. I told you I deserved
no mercy, and I ask none. I hnve not
asked Miss Sheraton to release me
from my engagement. I shall feel
honored If she will now accept my
hand. I shall be glad If she will eet
the date early as may be."
Night was now coming swiftly from
tbe. bills.
Ellen turned to pass back toward
the door. "Your pardon!" I exclaimed
to Grace Sheraton, and sprang after
Ellen.
"Goodby," I said, and held out my
hand to her. "Let us end all these
heroics and to our best. Where is
your husband? I want to congratu
late him."
"My husband!" she said la wonder.
"What do you mean?"
"Belknap" 1 began.
"Ah." she snld bitterly. "You rate
me low, as low as I do you."
"But your father told me himself
you two were to be married!" I broke
out. surprise, wonder, dread, rebellion,
now In every fiber of my body and
soul.
"My father loves me dearly," she re
plied slowly. "But ho cannot marry
me until I wish. No, I am not mar
ried, and I never will be. Goodby!"
I did not see Colonel Meriwether.
Fie passed on through to his serf In
Albemarle without stopping In our val
ley longer than overnight. Part of
the next morning I spent In writing n
letter to my. agents at Huntington,
with the request that they should In
form Colonel Meriwether at once on
the business situation, since now he
was In touch by mall. The alternative
was offered him of taking over my fa
ther's interests through these creditors,
accepting them as partners or purchas
ing their rights or of doing what my
father had planned to do for him,
which was to care Individually for the
Joint account, and then to allot each
partner a dividend interest, carrying
a clear title.
. All these matters I explained to my
mother. Thn I told bcr fully what
Dad occurred at the village the night
previous between Ellen Meriwether and
my fiancee. She sat silent.
"In any case," I concluded. "It would
suit me better If you and I could leave
this place forever and begin again
somewhere else."
She turned to me slowly, with a
smile upon Iter face. "Whatever thee
says." was her answer. "I shall not
ask thee to try to mend what cannot
be mended. Thee Is like thy father."
she said. "I shall not try to chnnge
thee. Go, then, thy own way. Only
hear me, thee cannot mend the un
mendable by such a wrongful mar
riage." But I went, and under my arm I
bore a certain roll of crinkled, hulry
parchmeut.
This was on the morning of Wednes
day, in November, the day following
the national election In the year IStW.
News traveled more slowly then, but
we in our valley might expect word
from Washlugton by noon of that day.
If Lincoln won. then the south would
secede. Two nations would Inevitably
be formed, and. if necessary. Issue
.would be Joined between them as soon
as the lenders could formulate their
Dlans for war. Our state was divided,
our valley especially so, peace senti
ment there being strong. Few of us
there, whether Unionists or not, bad
much better than contempt, for the UB;
routh man from the west, Lincoln, that
most pathetic figure of our history,
later loved by north and south alike
as greatest of our great men. We did
not know him in our valley. All of us
there, Unionists or secessionists, for
peace or for war, dreaded to hear of
his election.
Colonel Sheraton met me at the door,
his face flushed. Ids Irow frowning.
He was all polities. "Have you any
news?" he demanded. "Have you
heard from Leesburg, Washington?"
"Not as yet," I nnswered, "but there
should be messages from Leesburg
within the next few hours." We hud
no telegraph In our valley at that time.
"I have arranged with the postmas
ter to let us all know up here the in
stant he gets word," said Sheraton.
"If that black abolitionist, Llneolu,
wins, they're going to fire one anvil
shot in the street, and we can bear it
up this valley this -far. If the south
wins, then two anvils, ns fast a they
can load. So, Mr. Cowles, if we hear
a single shot it Is war-war, I tell
you!
"But com In." he added hastily. "I
keep you waiting. I am glad to see
you this morning, sir. From my
daughter I learn that you have return
ed from a somewhat successful Jour
neythat matters seem to mend for
you. We are all, pleased to learn it.
I offer you my hand, sir. My daugh
ter has advised me of her decision and
your own. Your conduct throughout,
Mr. Cowles, has been most manly,
quite above reproach. I could want
no better son to Join my family."
"Colonel Sheraton," I said to him,
"my conduct has not been In the least
above reproach, and your daughter has
not told you all that she ought to have
told."
A door opened at the side of the
room, where a narrow stairway ran
down from the second floor, and there
appeared the short, stocky figure, the
Iron gray mane of our friend, Dr. Sam
uel Bond, physician for two counties
thereabout, bachelor, benefactor, man
of charity, despite his lancet, his qul
nlno and his calomel.
"Ah, doctor," began Colonel Sher
aton, "here Is our young friend back
from his travels again. I'm going to
tell you now, as I think I may without
mqch risk, that there Is every hope the
Cowles family will win in this legal
tangle which has threatened them late
lywin handsomely too. You see, Mr.
Cowles," he added to me, "Dr. Bond
ha stopped In as he passed by for a
look at my daughter. Miss urace
teems Just a trifle indisposed this morn
ing. Nothing In the least serious, of
course."
We all turned again as the front door
opened. Flarry Sheraton entered.
"Come, son," exclaimed his father,
"draw up, draw up with ns. Pour ns
a drink around, son. for the success of
our.twja. families . Youjdoctor, are
glad as I am that I know.""
But Dr. Bon.l did not seem glad.
He paused, looking strangely at me
and at our host. "Hsrry." sild he,
"suppose you go look lit the hall for
my saddle bags. I have left my medi
cine case."
The young man turned, but for no
reason apparently, stopped at the dwr
and presently Joined us again.
"May I ask for Miss Grace this morn
ing, doctor?" I began politely.
"Yes," interjected Colonel Sheraton.
"How's the girl? She ought to be with
JOcAft.
"Curte you!" he thundered. "Explain
youreetf."
us this minute a moment like this,
you know."
Dr. Bond looked nt us still gravely.
He turned from mo to Colonel Shera
ton and again to Harry Sheraton.
"Harry," said he sternly, "didn't you
hear me?. Get out!" . ...
We three were left alone. "Jack, 1
must see you a moment alone," suld
Dr. Bond to me.
"What's up?" demanded Colonel
Sheraton. "What's the mystery? It
seems to me I'm interested in every
thing proper here. What's wrong, doc
tor? Is my girl sick?"
"Yes," said the physician.
"What's wrong?"
"She needs aid," said the old wire
hair slowly.
"Can you not give It, then? Isn't
that your business?"
"No. sir. It belongs to another pro
fession." said Dr. Bond dryly, taking
snuff and brushing his nose with his
Immense red kerchief.
Colonel Sheraton looked at him for
the space of a full minute, bat got no
further word. "Curse you," be thun
dered, "explain yourself or I'll make
you wish you bad!- What do you
mean?" He turned fiercely upon me.
"By heaven, there's only one meaning
that I can guess. You, sir, what's
wrong?"
I faced him fairly now. "I am so
accused by her," I answered slowly.
"What! What!" He stood as though
frozen.
"I shall not lie about It. It Is not
necessary for me to accuse a girl of
falsehood. I only say, let us have this
wedding, and' have it soon. I so agreed
with Miss Grace lust night."
The old man sprang at me, his eyes
glaring about the room for a weapon.
He saw It a long knife with ivory
bundle and inlaid blade on the ledge
where I myself had plnced It when I
lust was there. Dr. Bond caught Colo
nel Sheraton and held him fust.
"Walt," I said. "Walt! Let us have
It all understood plainly. Then let us
take It up In any wuy you Sberutons
prefer."
"Stop, I say!" cried the stern faced
doctor, ns honest a man, I think, as
ever drew the breath of life. He hurl
ed his sinewy form against Colonel
Sheraton again as I released him.
"That boy is lying to us both, I tell
you. I say he's not to blame, and I
know It. I kuow it, I say. I'm her
physician. Listen, you, Sheraton. You
shall not barm a man who has lied like
this, like a gentleman, to wave you aud
your girl!"
, "Curse you both," sobbed the strug
gling man. "Let me go! Let me alone!
Pudu't I hear him didn't you hear
him admit It?" He broke free and
stood panting in tho center of the
room, we between him and the wea
pon. "Harry!" he called out sharply
The door burst ojcn.
"A gun my pistol get me some
thing, boy! Arm yourself. We'll kill
these"-
"Harry," I called out to him In turn.
"Do nothing of tho sort! You'll have
me to handlo In this. Some things I'll
endure, but not all things always. X
swear I'll stand this no longer from all
of you or nny of you. Listen to me.
Listen, I say. It is as Dr. Bond says."
So now they did listen dully.
(To Be Continued.)
THE "PROGRESSIVE" PARTY.
Is the individual, man or wom
an, who uses Foley Kidney Pills
for backache, rheumatism, weak
back, and other kidney and blad
der irregularities, Foley Kidney
Pills are healing, strengthening,
tonic, and quick to produce
beneficial results. Contain no
harmful drugs. Never sold in
bulk. Put up in two sizes in seal
ed bottles. The genuine in a yel
low package. For sale by F. 0.
Fricke & Co.
Local NcWs
Hon. K. C. Metzger of near My-
nard was a county seat visitor
yesterday afternoon.
John (ior.Jer drove in from his
farm yesterday and boarded the
train for Omaha, returning last
evening on No. .
Orson Sharp of Eagle, who has
been an attendant at the institute
this week, returned to his home
yesterday afternoon.
Dr. Gilmore of Murray motored
up from that village this morning
anil looked after some business
matters in the eountv seat.
J. F.. Wiles and wife returned
from Lincoln this morning, where
they have been in attendance at
the Kpworth Assembly.
A marriage license was issued
yesterday in Omaha to Carl
Weideman ami Oeneva F.. Roberts,
both of Greenwood, Cass count v.
James Hunter and wife and babe
arrived from Omaha on the morn
ing train today and will visit
Plattstnouth relatives for a short
time.
James Robertson and wife and
daughter, Marie, returned from
California this morning, arriving
on No. 4, after an absence of
several weeks.
George Melzmuelker arrived
from Hufl'alo, New York, yester
day afternoon and will visit bis
aunt, Mrs. George Wagner, for a
few months.
A. S. Will, wife and family, and
Mrs. Wyiner of Virginia were
Omaha passengers this morning
to take in the Ringling circus.
This is Mrs. Wymer's llrst visit
to a circus.
Olio Puis and wife drove in
from Mount Pleasant precinct and
boarded the early train for Omaha
this morning, to take in the Ring
ling show.
Ray Hitchman returned to his
home at Weeping Water Wednes
day afternoon, having spent a
couple of days here in the tennis
tournament.
Leslie Dunn, Ralph Girardel
and Richard Cromwell, Weeping
Water tennis players returned to
their homes yesterday afternoon,
having remained over for the
smoker at the Morgan home Wed
nesday night.
J. J. Lohnes went to Omaha
this morning to accompany his
son, Harry, home from the hos
pital. Harry has had a serious
seige of sickness, caused by
coughing a kernel of corn into his
windpipe and drawing it into his
lung.
Superintendent A. H. Water
house and Dr. Wjnship departed
for Omaha this afternoon. These
two eminent educators will meet
again week after next at Clay Cen
ter for institute work. Dr. Win-
ship goes from here to Lebanon,
Ohio, next week.
Julius Pitz, W. T. Adams, As
bury Jacks, P. Thackston, William
Hranlner, Mural Parmele and Joe
Peters struck out for the harvest
fields, north of La Platte, this
morning, expecting to get about
ten days work. They got their
tickets for Omaha, intending to
walk down past the circus ground.
M. I,. Friedrich, county commis
sioner, and H. M. Soennichsen,
county assessor, were summoned
to the circus ground in Omaha
today. Afler the show they ex
pected to go to Lincoln to appear
before the slate board of equaliza
t ion, o show cause why the
valuation of real estate in Cass
county should not be raised.
Carl Day and Dr. Shannon, win
ners of tennis matches in the
singles, defaulted on the finals
and returned to I heir homes yes
terday morning. The weather
was too uncertain to permit their
remaining longer away from their
business. Dr. Shannon was elect
ed president of the Inter-County
association, whien was a wise se
lection, as be is a genuine lover
of clean sport.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gustin of
Fl m wood and little Misa Marie
McKenney of Peru, Neb., who is
visiting at the Gustin home,
motored to Ibis city today and
spent, the day. Their daughter,
Miss Merle, who has been attend
ing the County Teachers' Institute
in this cily for the past week, will
accompany them home this even
ing. Mr. and Mrs. Gustin were
pleasant callers at this office, Mr.
Gustin renewing his subscription
to this paper.
Dr. C. H. Ellsworth, Dentist, 10
Baldwin St., Rochester, N. Y., says
Foley Kidney Pills gave him im
mediate relief and strengthened
him wonderfully. "I have been
bothered with weak kidneys and
bladder trouble and suffered much
pain. Foley Kidney Pills gavo me
immediate relief and strengthen
ed me wonderfully. I am pleased
to recommend their use." For
sale by F. O. Fricke & Co.
I From .Saturday's Dally.
j W. S. Smith and wife of Murray
I are in the city, guests of the
nawis nome.
S. L. Furlong, the weather seer
of Rock Bluffs, was in the city to
day and registered at tho Perkins.
L. J. Mayfield, editor of the
Louisville r jurier, transacted
business in the county seat today,
returning via Omaha.
Crede Harris of near Union,
drove to the county seat today and
isiled with friends and looked
afler the week-end shopping.
Homer Shrader, Mrs. Charles
Creamer and Mrs. Yardley of near
Murray were in the city today and
dined at. the Perkins. '
J. D. Lewis and wife and son,
Wayne, of near Union, were
Plattsmouth visitors today, Mr.
Lewis having been called hero on
business.
Miss Viola Ilaynie departed for
Glenwood ou the afternoon train
today, where she will visit friends
for a week and attend the Chau
tauqua.
Mrs. John Livingston and chil
dren, who have been visiting- her
sister, Mrs. Ileitis, at Havelock for
a short time, returned this morn
ing. W. Moreland and family of
Anita, Iowa, who havo been visit
ing his brother, E. W. Moreland
and family, for a few days, re
turned to their home on the
morning train today.
Miss Bessie DellesDernier, who
has been ntlending the institute
for a week while visiting Miss
Jessie Fox, returned to her home
in Flmwood yesterday afternoon.
' Miss Gretchen Boeck of South,
Omaha, who has been attending;
the County Teachers' Institute in
this city for the past week, be
ing a guest at the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Henry Boeck, returned
to her home Ibis afternoon.
F. H. Speck and wife ami two
daughters motored over from
Weeping Water with Bert Phtlpot
yesterday afternoon aud wilt
spend Sunday with Plattsmouth
relatives. Bert came for the M.
W. A. orchestra, which played for
the Weeping Water ball last
night.
For good, cheap lands in west
ern Nebraska write C. B. Schleich
er, Brady, Neb. 610 acres in each
place. Can locate several parties
close together. 7-29-imo.
Hay fever and asthma make
August a month of intense suf
fering to many people. Foley's
Honey and Tar Compound gives
prompt ease and relief, and is
soothing and healing to the in
flamed membranes. Wm. M.
Merethew, N. Searsport, Me.,
says: "A few doses of Foley's
Honey and Tar Compound relieved
me of a severe attack of asthma,
and less than a bottle caused a
complete cure." Refuse sub
stitutes. For sale by F. G. Fricke
' g. q0
Quest at Qering Home.
Mrs. Henry Pfiefl'er of Phila
delphia arrived from San Fran
cisco this morning and will be a
guest of the Gering home on
North Sixth street for a time. Mrs.
PfiefiVr is returning from n trip
around I he world, w hich she and
her husband have been some
months in making. Mr. PflelTer
was called home a week' ago on
urgent business, but will join his
wife here within a few days.
. D. C. Bybee, teaming contract
or, living at 0(5 'J Keeling Court,
Canton, III., is now well rid of a
severe and annoying case of kid
ney trouble.' His back pained and
he was bothered with headaches
and dizzy spells. "I took Foley
Kidney Pills just as directed and
in a few days I felt much better.
My life and strength seemed to
come back and I sleep well. I am
now all over my trouble and glad
to recommend Foley Kidney
Pills." Try them. For sale by
F. G. Fricke & Co.
A Close Call.
George, son of Frank Martin,
living west of town, rode off the
end of the west bridge about 10
o'clock Wednesday night and
plunged down, horse and all, for
about twenty feet to the creek bed.
He had attempted to go around a
buggy just as they went on the
bridge and although the horse
rolled over with him a couple of
times, neither was hurt. Ne
hawka News.
One of the most common ail
ments that hard working people
are afflicted with is lame back.
Apply Chamberlain's Liniment
twice a day and massago the parts
thoroughly at each application,
and you will get quick relief. For
sale by F. G. Fricke & Co.
Land for Salel
ICO acres good farm land in
Keith county, Nebraska, 7 miles
southeast of Ogalalla, the county
seat. Will sell outright or ex
change. Frank Vallery.
