j PROLOGUE.
A young man and a beautiful
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 yoa will learn how
jfove came to them; how they
conducted themselves in this try
ing, unconventional situation;
now 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 XXIII.
Fact to Faco.
I
AM guiltless of any barm or wish
of harm to any woman of thU
family," I went on. "Search your
own hearts. Tut blame where
it belongs. But don't think you can
crowd me or force me to do what I
do not freely offer."
"It is true," said Dr. Bond. "I tell
you, what he says could not by any
possibility bo anything else but true,
lie's Just back home. He has been
gone all summer."
Colonel Sheraton was t proud man,
and one of courage., It Irked him sore
that revenge must wait.
"Now," said I, "I hare something to
add to the record. I hoped that a part
of my story could be hid forever, ex
cept for Miss Grace and me alone. I
have not been blameless. For that rea
son I was willing freely not through
force to do what I could in the way
of punishment to myself and salvation
for her. But now as this thing comes
up I can no longer shield her or my
self, or any of you. We'll have to go
to the bottom now."
I flung out on the table the
roll which I had brought with me to
show that morning to Grace Sheraton
the ragged hide, holding writings
placed there by my hand and that of
another.
"This," I saM. "must be shown to
you all. Colonel Sheraton, I have been
very gravely at fault.' I was alone for
some months in the wilderness with
another woman. I loved her very
much. I forgot your daughter at that
time because I found I loved her less.
Through force of circumstances I lived
with this other woman very closely for
some months. We foresaw no Imme
diate release. I loved her. and she
loved me the only time I knew what
love, rcglly meant,. I admit. JL We
made this contract of marriage be
tween us. It was never enforced. We
never were married because that con
tract was never signed by us both.
Here It is. Examine it."
It lay there before us. I saw Its
words again stare up at me. I saw
again the old pictures of the great
mountains Rnd the cloudless sky and
the cities of peace wavering on the
far horizon. I gazed oneo more upon
that different and more happy world,
when I saw, blurring before my eyes,
the words. "I, John Cowles I. Ellen
Meriwether, take thee take thee for
better, for worse till death do us
part." I saw her name, "E-l-I-e-n."
"narry," said I, turning on him
swiftly. "Tour father U old. This is
for you nnd me, I think. I shall be at
your service soon."
nis face paled. Hut that of his fa
ther was now gray, very old and gray.
""Treachery!" he murmured. "Treach
ery! You slighted my girl. My God,
sir, she should not marry you though
he died!. This" ne put out his
hand toward the hide scroll.
"No," I said to him. 'This Is nine.
The record of my fault belongs to me.
The question for yon is only In regard
to tbe punishment
"We are four men here," I added
presently, "and It seems to me that
first of all we owe protection to tho
woman who needs it Moreover, I re
peat that, though ber error Is not
nine, It was perhaps pride or sorrow
or anger with me which led her to her
Q-TTB full. IUwai.QojdonJJrjai. w.tft
THE WAY
OF
A MAN
By EMERSQiN Hough
Copyright, 1W7, by the Outing Publishing
Company
told her that' I was false to her and
added lies about me and this other
woman. It was Gordon Orme, Colo
nel Sheraton. I do not doubt, air. I
found him In your yard here at mid
nlbt when I last was hem And, sir,
there was a light a light. I agreed
with your daughter that it was with
out question a light that some servant
had left by chance at a window."
I wish never to hear again such a
groan as broke from that old man's
lips. He was sunken and broken
when he put out his hand to me.
"Boy," said he, "have mercy. For
give. Can you could you"
"Can you yourself forgive this?" I
answered, pointing to the scroll. "I
admit to you I love Ellen Meriwether
yet and always will. Sir, If I married
your daughter, It could only be to leave
her within the hour."
"Colonel Sheraton." said Dr. Bond,
"it seems to me that wo have no quar
rel here among ourselves. We all
want to do what Is best done now to
make amends for what has not always
been best done. Mr. Cowles has given
every proof we could ask we could
not ask more of any man you have no
right to ask so much. He wishes, at
great cost to himself, I think, to do
what he can to save your girl's happi
ness and honor. He admits his own
fault." He looked at me, savagely
shaking a finger, but went on: "As It
chances, I am curious In other profes
sions than my own sometimes I read
In the law sometimes, again In theolo
gy, literature. I wish to be an educated
man so far as I may be, since a uni
versity education was denied me. Now,
I say to you, from my reading In the
law, a strong question arises whether
the two who wrote this covenant of
marriage are not at this moment man
and wife! There is a definite, mutual
promise, a consideration moving from
each side, the same consideration In
each case, the promise from each bear
ing the same Intent and value and
having the same qualifying clauses.
The contract Is definite it Is dated.
It Is evidently the record of a unani
mous Intent, an Identical frame of
mind between the two making It at
that time. It Is signed and sealed In
full by one party, no doubt In his own
hand. It Is written and acknowledged
by the other party In her own hand"
"But not signed," I broke In. "See.
It is not signed. She said she would
sign it one letter each week weeks
and weeks-untll at last this, which
was only our engagement, should with
tbe last letter make our marriage.
Gentlemen," I said to them. "It was
an honest contract It was all the
formality we could have, all the cere
mony we could have. It was all that
we could do. I stand before you prom
ised to two women. Before God I
was promised to one. I loved her. I
could do no more".
"It was enough," aald Dr. Bond dry
ly, taking snuff. "It was a wedding."
"Impossible!" declared Colonel Slier
aton.
"Not In the least," said the doctor.
"It can be invalid only upon one
ground. It might bo urged that tho
marriage was not consummated. But
in the courts that would be a matter
of proof. Whatever our young friend
here might sity a court would say that
consummation was very probable. I
say as this stands tho contract is a
definite one, agreeing to do a definite
thing namely, to enter into the state
of marriage. The question of the un
completed signature does not invali
date It nor Indeed come Into the matter
at ail. It Is ouly a question whether
the signature, so far as It goes, means
tbe Identity of the Ellen Meriwether,
who wrote the clause preceding it.
"Gentlemen," he went on, taking a
turn, hands behind back, his big red
kerchief hanging from his coat tails,
"I take Mr. Cowles' word as to acts
before and after this contract. I think
he has shown to us that be Is a gen
tlemau. In that world, very different
from this world, he acted like a geu
tlemnn. In that life he was for the
time freed of the covenant of Boclety.
Now In this life, thrown again under
the laws of society, he again shows to
us that he is a gentleman here as much
as there. Wo cannot reason from that
world to this. I say yes, I hope I am
big enough man to say that we can
not blame him, arguing from that
world to this. We can exact of a man
that he shall b s gentleman In either
one of those worlds, but we cannot ex
act It of him to be the same gentleman
In both.
"Now the question comes to which of
these worlds belongs John Cowles T
The court will say that this bit of bide
la a wedding ceremony. Oentlemen,"
he smiled grimly, "we need all the pro
fessions here today medio loo, minis
try and law. At least. Colonel Shera
ton, I think we need legal counsel be
fore we gn on with any mow weddings
, ' iWajr.onng.man ber,"
"But thVre'ls lie reeorrt of this." I
said. "There is no execution la du
plicate." "No." said the doctor. "It is only a
quest ion of which world you elect."
I looked at him. and he added: "It Is
also only a question of morals. If this
record should be destroyed you would
leave the other party with no proof on
her side of the ease.
"It is customary." he said as he turn
ed to me. "to give the wife the wed
ding certificate. The law. the ministry
and the profession of medicine nil unite
In their estimate of the relative value
of marital faithfulness as between the
sexes. It is the woman who needs the
proof. The woman Is tbe apple of
nature's eye. and even the law knows
that."
I walked to the mantel and took up
the knife that lay there. I returned to
the table and with a long stroke I rip
ped the hide in two. I threw the two
pieces Into the grate.
"That Is my proof." said I. "that El
len Meriwether needs no marriage cer
tificate! 1 am the certificate for that
and for ber!"
Colonel Sheraton staggered to me,
his hand trembling, outstretched. "You
are free to marry my poor girl" be
began.
"It Is proof also," I went on. "that
I shall never see Ellen Meriwethei
aguln, any more than I shall see Grace
Sheraton again after I have married
her. What happens after that Is not
my business. It Is my business, Colo
hel Sheraton, and yours, possibly even
your sou s I smiled at Harry to
find Gordon Orme. 1 claim him first
If I do not kill him, then you and
you last. Harry, because yon are least
at.
"Gentlemen, Is It all agreed?" I ask
ed. I tossed the knife back on the
mantel and turned my back to it and
them.
"Jack," said my old wire hair, Dr.
Bond, "I pray God I may never see
this done again to any man. I thank
God tbe woman I loved died years
ago. She was too good tney re an too
good. I, a physician, say they are nil
too good. Only In that gap between
them and us lies any margin which
permits you to He to yourself at tho
nltnr. To care for them to shield
them they, the apple of the eye. That
is why we men are here." He turned
away, his face working.
"Is it agreed?" I asked of Colonel
Sheraton sternly.
Ills trembling hand sought mine.
"Yes," he said. "Our quarrel Is dis
charged and more than so. Harry,
shake hands with- Mr. Cowles. And
now, men, our quarrel now runs to
Gordon Orme! Tomorrow we start
for Carolina, where we had his last
address. Mr. Cowles, my heart bleeds,
it bleeds, sir, for you. But for her
also for her up there. Ine courts
shall free you quickly and quietly as
soon as It can be done. It is you who
bare freed us all. You have been
trlrnl hard. You have proved yourself
a man."
The door at tbe stair bunt open. A
black maid, breathless, broke Into the
rom.
'She's a-settln' there Miss Grace
Just a-settln' thorc" she began and
choked and stammered.
"What Is it?" cried Dr. Bond sharp
ly nnd sprang nt the door. I heard
him go up the stairs lightly ns though
he were n boy. We all followed.
I say that we men of Virginia were
slow to suspect a woman. I hope we
are still slower to gossip regarding
one. Not one of us ever asked Dr.
Bond a question, fearing lest we might
learn what perhaps he knew. He stood
beyond her now, his head bowed, his
hand feeling for the pulse that was no
longer there. The solemnity of his
face was louder than speech. It seem
ed to me thnt I heard his silent de
mand that we should all hold our
peace forever.
Grace Sheraton, her lips Just parted
In a little crooked smile, such as she
might have worn when she was a
child, sat at a low dressing table, star
ing directly Into the wldo mirror which
swuns b"f"re. aL 11. back- ...Uej
left arm lay at length along the table,
Her right, with Its hand under her
cheek and chin, supported her head,
which leaned but slightly to one side.
She gazed Into her own face, Into her
own heart. Into the mystery of human
life and its double worlds, I doubt not.
She could not tell us what she had
learned.
Her father stepped to her side op
poslto tbe old doctor. I heard sobs ns
they placed her upon her little white
bed, still with that little crooked smile
upon her face, as though sho were
young, very young again.
I went to tbe window, and Harry, I
think, was close behind me. Before
me lay tbe long reaches of our valley
shimmering In the midday autumn
sun. It seemed n scene of peace and
not of tragedy. But even as I looked
there came rolling up our valley slow
ly, almost as though visible, the low,
deep boom of tho signal gun from the
Tillage below. It carried news, tho
news from America!
I saw Colonel Sheraton half look up
as be stood bent over the bed. Thus,
stunned by horror as we were, we
waited. It was a long time, an Inter
mlnable time, moments, minutes, It
seemed to me, until there roust have
been thrice time for the repetition of
tho signal. If there was to be one.
Tfcere was no second sound. The slg
nal was alone, single, ominous.
"Thank God! Thank God!" cried
Colonel Sheraton, swinging bis bands
aloft, tears rolling down bis old gray
cheeks. "It Is war! Now wa may
find forget fulness!"
(To Bo Continued.)
All kinds of fresn candles and
bulk ice cream at Bookmeyer &
MANY COUNTIES
VOICE PROTESTS
Representatives Appear Before
State Board of Equalization.
OBJECT TO VALUATIONS OF LAND
Inequalities Existing In Board's De
cree Pointed Out Banking Boaro
Knocks Professional Bank Promot
er Babcock Claims Heard.
Lincoln, Aug. 14. Representatives
from half the counties In the state
were present at the meeting of the
Hate board of equalization and the
governor's office, where the board met,
could not hold them all.
Every county represented had serl
ous objections to the raise contem
plated by the board and endeavored to
show how much poorer land there was
In comparison to that of the counties
adjoining.
The counties heard were Hall, Ham
llton, Adams, Holt, Buffalo, Harlan
Sheridan, Dawes, Dixon, Pierce and
Richardson. The board heard each
separately and will not give a decision
on any of them until they have had
time to go through the claims ad
vanced by each representative against
any raise.
Oppose Bank Promoters.
It having come to the notice of Mr,
Royse, secretary of the state banking
board, that In some states certain par
ties were going over the country or
ganizing state banks and then selling
out at a good profit, the board, after
considering the matter, passed a reso
lution declaring "that it Is the sense
of the board that charters for lnstltu
tions coming under the supervision of
the state banking board be withheld
where it Is found that their organiza
tion has been effected by methods in
compatible with safe business princl
pies and where the promoters or or
canizer? propose to retain a certain
per cent of the capital as an organiza
tion fee or commission for soliciting
Block subscriptions."
Babcock Claims Heard.
The state board of Irrigation is
busy on the hearing on the Babcock
claims to water rights of the Loup
river, which was postponed for thirty
days last month that both sides might
be in better shape to present their
claims. Mr. Babcock was on the
stand and his testimony was listened
to by a goodly crowd of Interested at
torneys and others.
t STATIONERS IN SESSION
Advertising Advised In Paper by
Largest Manufacturer.
Omaha, Aug. 14. The National As
soclation of Stationers and Manufact
urers has demonstrated that its mem
bers are the most expeditious conven
tlon holders In the world. All reports
were iu promptly and there was a to
tal absence of objections.
Ralph S. Bauer, chairman of the
nroKram committee, was called upon
to read the address of Charles H. Mar
shall of Philadelphia, the largest man
ufacturer of stationery supplies In the
United States, who advised: "Use of
newspapers for a quick Introduction
Do not look upon money spent In ad
vertlslne as a aamble. The honest
exploitation of goods In good advertla
ing mediums means the greatest sue
cess In the business world.
RELIEF FOR DECATUR, NEB.
Work on Missouri River Ordered to
Start at Once.
Wnshlnetnn Auz. 14. Citizens at
Decatur are anxious to have immedi
ate action taken by the war depart
ment so that the fund of $8,000 sc
asldo from the $75,000 appropri.tlo
for the upper Missouri may be used nt
once In preventing tho river from cut
ting into the town.
The engineer's office has Just con
finned the recommendation of Major
Schultz that $8,000 bd expended and
he has been instructed to take step?
to begin work at once.
Gow to Celebrate Hundredth Birthda
Omaha, Aug. 14. The pioneers of
TWlevue, Sarpy and Douglas county
will meet Friday In the city park at
Bellevuo to celebrate the 100th annl
versary of the birth of Judge Jamee
Gow, a resident of Sarpy county for
many years.
Jacob Snyder Buried at Auburn.
Auburn, Neb., Aug. 14. The funeral
of Jacob Synder, an old soldier and
early settler, took place here. H
died after a long illness and Is sur
vlved by a large family of grown chll
dren.
Holdrege Will Vote on Park Bonds
Holdrege, Neb., Aug. 14. On Sept
17 the people of Holdrege will vote or
a proposition to Issue bonds for the
sum of $5,000 for the purpose of estab
Uahlng and maintaining a public park
Fined for Selling Stale Eggs.
Wausa, Neb., Aug. 14. Five farmer!
ere fined for selling eggs that did
not measure up to the pure food Ian
as a result of the visit of a pure food
Inspector to Wausa.
Dakota County Pioneers to Meet
Dakota City. Neb., Aug. 14. Th
tblrtrflrst annual reunion of the plo
seers and old settlers' association o)
Dakota, conaty, will be held her kg
LOCAL NEWS
Miss Olive Jones boarded the
lorning train for Omaha to spend
lie day.
Mrs. S. A. Wiles and daughter,
elen, and Mrs. I. like Wiles visit
I the metropolis this morning.
Walter Vallcry of Murray
warded No. i for Council Bluffs
his morning, where he looked af-
cr some mailers of business for
ic day.
Art Inn Hartley ami wife and
hildivn of Omaha arrived on No.
this mommy and will lie guests
f J'.hn I.utz and family for a
iinc.
Marriage license was issued
esterday in Lincoln to Martin C.
Chrislensen of Arcada, Neb., and
Miss Georgia E. Brooks of Weep
ing Water.
Labor day is coining on apace.
We have laborers enough in
Plattsmouth to enjoy a big cele
bration, and we should ' try and
have one including a ball game.
Miss Esther Larson was a pas
senger to Union this morning,
where she will make a few days'
visit with her sister, Mrs. It. E.
Foster and family.
The M. W. A. will dedicate their
new and commodious quarters
Saturday night, August 17. A
splendid program has been pre
pared for the occasion.
The storm last evening looked
very threatening for awhile and
the wind Plowed u terrific gale for
a time, accompanied by consider
able rain. Hut we have heard of
no damage being done in this
vicinity.
0. V. Bailey and son, (lien, and
Milton Stuart, of Ihe vicinity of
Nchawka, were looking after some
business matters in this city to
day. While here they called at
this office and Mr. Bailey renewe
his subscription to this paper.
W. A. Scott, agent for the M. 1
at Murray, was in the city lasi
evening, having come up in his
auto. When he started home i
was but a few minutes before the
storm, and he said that if it would
hold off for fifteen minutes he
would beat it home.'
Mrs. Oriflln and daughter, who
have been holding positions at the
Riley for a year or more, departed
for Tilden, Neb., on the morning
train today.
M. P. McGrew of Pleasanton,
Iowa, who had been visiting his
brother at Elmwood for a few
days, was an over night visitor in
the city, leaving for his home this
morning. x
Miss Bay of Polk, Neb., arrived
last evening and was an over night
guest of Miss (leorgia While. Miss
Georgia and Miss Bay departed
for St. Joseph, Missouri, this
morning to visit the wholesale
millinery houses for a lime.
Mrs. C. L. Merger and grandson,
Harold Renner, went to Lincoln on
the morning train today, where
Harold will visit his brother for a
short lime, ami return with his
brother to begin the school year
before September llrst.
There is nothing sensational
about our Smmer Sale the facts are
it's getting along in the season; lots of you have
bought your usual supply of things to wear; but we've
still got Summer goods to sell and want to sell them
before all the Fall stuff comes in.
The prices are an inducement to buy now:
Hart, Schaffner & Marx and Society Brand
Suits, worth from $20 to $30, now marked
$10, $14 and $18
You know Manhattans the finest shirts made.
Here's your chance to get them cheap.
All styles of Manhattan negligees and soft plaits;
light and dark shades; sizes 14 to Y1lt $1.50
and $1.75 values, now $1.15
Fine madras cloths, worth $2.00 and $2.50, now $1.40
Straw Hats Price!
Manhattan Shirts
'.. I. McMaken transacted busi
ness in Omaha this morning, re
turning on No. i.
Michael Martin returned from
Lincoln 1 a t evening on No. 2,
where lie had isitcd relatives
over Sunday.
Mis. Philip Albert of near
Cedar Creek was an over Sunday
is nest of the John Albert home in.
this city.
A. L. Todd departed for Wahoo
on the afternoon train yesterday,
where he was called on business
of importance.
Miss Mary McGuire and Miss
Irene llartwick visited the me
tropolis (his morning, going- on
I he early train.
Ed Welch of Chicago arrived
yesterday afternoon and will bd &
guest of Councilman Dovey'a
homo for a lime.
Martin Steppat and wife of
Blair arrived today and will visit
their sons for a time and look af
ter business matters.
B. J. Reynolds visited his wife
at the hospital this morning',
where she has been for some
weeks taking treatment.
W. T. Richardson, the Mynard
merchant, boarded the fast mail
for Omaha this afternoon, where
he was called on business.
Attorney C. E. Tetll of Weep
ing Water came in on No. 2i this
afternoon to look after business
matters at the court house.
Paul Wohlfarth and Fred Jess
departed for a two weeks' vaca
tion this afternoon, going first to
Minneapolis and thence lo Chi
cago. J. R. Monk and wife of Glen
wood returned lo their home this
morning, after visiting A. J. Mc
Kinney and other friends for a few
days.
,
Anna Bell Allen, who has been
paying a short visit to her father,
Marvin Allen, in this city, return
ed lo Omaha on the fast mail this
afternoon.
William Sachtjen and son, Paul,
of Madison, Neb., who have been,
guests of the Henry Ofe home for
a few days, returned to their noma
this afternoon. -v
William Puis, sr., of Mount
Pleasant precinct was a Platts
mouth visitor Saturday afternoon,
having driven in to look after the
week-end shopping.
Never can tell when you'll mash,
a finger or suffer a cut, bruise,
burn or scald. Be prepared.
Thousands rely on Or. Thomas'
Eclectic Oil: Your druggist sells
it. 25c and 50e.
Frank Creamer of South Bend
was in the city yesterday looking
after business matters for a few
hours. The republicans in Frank's
precinct are largely for the bull
moose policies and candidates.
One of the most common ail
ments that hard working people
ure afflicted with is lame back.
Apply Chamberlain's Liniment
twice a day and massage the parts
thoroughly at each application,
and you will get quick relief. Tor
sale by F. G. Fricke & Co.
Stetson Hats
Maurer'fl. . .
0