snllatlens, failure te claim within
tars years and other causes, was 43.
tll, aaa the number of claims dis
allowed was m,17. During the year
19.054 pension certificates were Issued?,
( which 17,077 were (or new or original
pensions. The amount disbursed (or
army and navy pensions during tha
Tear was I138,3C5,K,2.29. which w&!
Il,f61,61.tl less than the sum of tha
appropriations.
ne Grand Army of the Republic at
Its recent national encampment held
at Philadelphia has brought to my
attention and to that of the congress
the wisdom and justice of a modifica
tion f the third section of the act of
June 27, 1890, which provides pensions
for the widows of officers end enlisted
men who served ninety days or mora
during the war of the rebellion and;
were honorably discharged, provided
that auch widows are without other
means of support that their dally labor
and were married to the soldier, Ballot
or marine on account of whose service
they claim pension prior to the date of
act.
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
On the 10th of December, 1898, the
treaty of peace between the United
States and Spain was signed. It pro
vided, among other things, that Spain
should cede to the United States the
archipelago known an the Philippine
Islands, that the United States should
pay to Spain the sum of $20,000,000 and
that the civil rights and the political
staatus of the native inhabitants of
the territories thus ceded to the United
States should be determined by con
gress. The treaty was approved by
the senate on the 6th day of February,
189$, and by the government of Spain
on the 19th of March following. The
ratifications were exchanged on the 11th
of April, and the treaty publicly pro
claimed. On the 22d of March the con
gress voted the sum contemplated by
the treaty and the amount was paid
over to the Spanish government on the
1st of May.
In thlajnanner the Philippines came
to the United States. The islands were
ceded by the government of Spain,
which had been in undisputed posses
sion of them for centuries. They were
accepted, not merely by our authorized
commissioners In Paris, under the
direction of the executive, but by the
constitutional and well-considered ac
tion of the representatives of the peo
ple of the United States In both houses
of congress. I had every reason to be
lieve, and I still believe, that this
transfer of sovereignty was In accord
ance with the wishes and aspirations of
the great mass of the Filipino people.
HISTORY OP OCCUPATION.
From the earliest moment no oppor
tunity was lost of assuring the people
of the islands of our ardent desire for
their welfare and of the Intention of
this government to do everything pos.
sible to advance their Interests. In
my order of May 19, 1898, the com
mander of the military expedition dis
patched to the Philippines was In
structed to declare that we came not
to make war upon the people.of the
country, "nor upon any part or faction
among them, but to protect them in
their homes, In their employments and
In their personal and religious rights."
That there should be no doubt ns to
the paramount authority there, on
August 17 it was directed that "there
must be no Joint occupation with the
Insurgents;" that the United States
must preserve the peace and protect
uersons and property within the tern
tory occupied by their military and
naval forces; that the insurgents as
well as all others must recognize the
military occupation and authority of
the United States. As early as .Decern
her 4. before the cession, and In antlcl
patlon of that event, the commander
In Manila was urged to restore peace
and tranquility and to undertake the
establishment of a tenendum govern
ment, which should afford the fullest
security for life and property.
"WE COME AS FRIEXDS."
On the 21st of December, after the
treaty was signed, the commander of
the forces of occupation was Instructed
"to announce and proclaim in the most
public manner that we come, not ns
Invaders and conquerors, but as friends
to protect the natives in their homes,
in their employments and in their per
sonal and religious rights." On the
same day, while ordering General Otis
to see that the peace snouiu oe pre
erved In Hollo, he was admonished
that "It is most Important that there
should be no conflict with tne insur
ants" On the 1st day of January,
1899, urgent orders were reiterated that
the kindly intentions of this govern
ment should be in every possible way
communicated to the insurgents.
On the 21st of January 1 announced
my intention of dispatching to Manila
a commission composed of three gentle
men of the highest character and dis
tinction, thoroughly acquainted with
the orient, who, In association with Ad
miral Dewev and Major uencrai uu
were Instructed "to facilitate the most
h.irymne and effective extension or au
thority throughout the islands and se
cure with the least possible delay the
benefits of a wise, generous protection
of life and property to the Inhabi
tants,"
TUB PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
These gentlemen were Jacob Gould
Schurmun, president of the Cornell
university; the Hon. Charles Denby,
for many years minister to China, and
Prof. D'-an C. Worcester of the univer
sity of Michigan, who had made a most
careful study of life In the Philippines.
While the treaty of peace was under
consideration in the senate, these corn-
missioned set out on their mission of
good will and liberation. Their char
acter was a sufficient guaranty of the
beneficent purpose with which they
went, and they bore the absolute In
structions of this government, which
made their errand pre-eminently one of
peace and friendship.
"SINISTER AMBITION" ARISES.
But before the arrival at Manila tho
sinister ambition of a few leaders of
the Filipinos had created a situation
full of embarrassments for us and most
grievous In Its consequences to them
selves. The clear and Impartial pre
liminary report of the commissioners,
which I transmit herewith, gives so
lucid and comprehensive history of the
present Insurrectionary movement that
the story need not be here repeated, it
Is enough to say that the claim of the
rebel leader that he was promised Inde-
t pendente by any officer of the United
States In return for his assistance has
no foundation In fact, and is categori
cally denied by the very witnesses who
were called to prove it. The most tha
Insurgent leader hoped for when ho
came bock to Manila was the liberation
of the islands from the Spanish contral,
which they had been laboring for yean
without success to throw off.
The prompt accomplishment of thin
work by the American army and navy
gave him other Ideas and ambition, and
Insidious suggestions from various
quarters perverted the purposes and
Intentions with which he had taken up
arms No sooner had our army cap.
tured Manila than the Filipino forces
began to'assumo an attitude of suspi
cion and hostility which the utmost
efforts of our officers and troops war
unable to disarm or modify. Their
kindness and forbearance were taken
as a proof of cowardice. The aggresv.
slons of the Filipinos continually In.
f reused until finally. Just before the,
time act for the senate of the United
) States for a rote upon the treaty, an
uacs, eviaenuy prepared in iavan?e,
was made all along the American lines
which resulted In a terribly destructive
and sanguinary repulse of the insur
gents.
A "BARBAROUS" PLOT.
Ten days later an order of the lnsur
rent government was Issued to its
adherents who had remained in Manila
of which General Otis Justly observes.
that "for barbarous Intent it Is un
equaled in modern times." It orders
that at 8 o'clock on the night of Febru-
I ary 16 the territorial militia shall come
lugeiner in me streets or nan rearo
armed with their bolos, with guns and
ammunition where convenient; that
Filipino families only shall be respected
but that all other Individuals of what
ever race thev mav be shall be exter
minated without any compassion, after
the extermination of the army of occu
pation, and adds: "Brothers, we must
avenge ourselves on the Americans and
exterminate them, that we may take
our revenge for the Infamies and
treacheries committed upon us. Have
no compassion upon them; attack with
vigor." A copy of this fell, by good
fortune. Into the hands of our oinccrs
and they were able to take measure
to control the rising, which was actually
attempted on the night of February 22
a week later than was originally con
templated. A considerable number of
armed Insurgents entered the city by
water ways and swamps ani in concert
Lwlth confederates Inside, attempted to
destroy Manila by fire. They were Kepi
In check during the night and the next
day driven out of the city with heavy
loss.
WHAT THE COMMISSION FOUND.
This was the unhappy condition of
affaire which confronted our commls
sioners on their arrival In Manila. They
had come with the hope and Intention
of co-operating with Admiral Dewey
and Major General Otis In establishing
peace and order In the archipelago and
the largest measure of self-government
compatible with the true welfare of
the people. What they actually found
can best be set forth in their own
words:
Deplorable as war Is, the one In which
we are now engaged was unavoidable by
us. We were attacked by a Doin, aaven.
turous and enthusiastic army. No alter
native was left to us except to fight or re
treat. It Is not to be conceived of that any
American would have sanctioned the sur
render of Manila to the insurgents. Our
ftillgatlons to other nations and to the
Filipinos and to ourselves and our flag
oemandefl that force should re met oy
force. Whatever the future of the Fnnip-
pines may be, there Is no course open to
us now except the prosecution of the war
until the Insurgents are reduced to sub
mission. The commission is of the opinion
that there has been no time since the de
struction of the Spanish squadron by Ad
mlral Ipwpv when If wrh nnRslhte to with
draw our forces from tne Islands with
honor to ourselves or with safety to the
Inhabitants.
REBELLION MU3T BE PUT DOWN.
The course thus clearly Indicated has
been unflinchingly pursued. The retei
lion must be put down. Civil govern
ment cannot be thoroughly estaDiisnea
until order is restored. With a devo
tion and gallantry worthy of Its most
brilliant history, the army, ably and
lova v ass sted bv the navy, has car
ried on this unwelcome but most right
eous campaign with richly deserved
Buceess. The noble self-sacrifice with
which our soldiers and sailors, whose
terms of service had expired, refused
to avail themselves of their right to re
turn home as long as they were needed
at the front forms one of the brightest
pages In our annals. Although their
operations have been somewhat inter
rupted and checked by a rainy season
of unusual violence and duration, they
have gained ground steadily In every
direction, and now look forward con
fldenlly to a speedy completion of their
tnH GOVERNMENT OF NEGROS.
It was ordered that the government
of the island of Negros should consist
of a military governor appointed by
the United States military governor of
the Philippines and a civil governor
and an advisory council elected by the
people. The military governor was au
thorized to appoint secretaries of the
treasury, interior, agriculture, public
Instruction an attorney general and an
auditor. The seat of government was
fixed at Bacolor. The military govern
ment exercises the supreme executive
power. He is to see that the laws
are executed, appoint to office and till
all vacancies In office not otherwise
nrovlded for. and may, with the ap
proval of the military governor of the
Philippines, remove any officer from
office. The civil governor advises the
military governor on all public civil
questions and presides over the ad
visory council. He, In general, per
forms the duties which are periormeo
by secretaries of state in our own sys
tem of srovernment.
The advisory council consists of eight
members elected by the people, within
the territorial limits which are defined
'n the order of the commanding general.
THE SULU ISLANDS.
The authorities of the Sulu Islands
have accepted the succession of the
United States to the rights of Hpaln and
our flag floats over that territory.
On the 10th of August, ISM, Briga
dier General Bates, United Slates vol
unteers, negotiated an agreement with
the sultan and his principal chiefs,
which I transmit herewith. By article
1 the sovereignty of the United States
over the whole archipelago of Jolo and
its dependencies Is declared and ac
knowledged. The United States flag will be used
In the archipelago and Its dependencies,
on land and sea. Piracy Is to be sup
pressed and the sultan agrees to co
operate nearlliy wun me umievi
States authorities to that end, and to
make every possible effort to arrest
and bring to Justice persons engaged
In nlracv. Al trade In domestic proa-
ucts of the archipelago of Jolo when
carried on with any part of the Philip
pine Islands and under the American
Islands, shall be free, unlimited and
undutlable. The United States will
give full protection to the sultan In
case anv foreign nation snouia at
tempt to Impose upon him. The
United States will not sell the Island
of Jolo or any other island of the Jolo
archipelago to any foreign nation with
out the consent of the sultan. Salaries
for the sultan and his associates In
the administration of the Islands have
been agreed upon to the amount of
$760 monthly.
A SLAVE MAY BUY HIS FREEDOM.
Article 10 provides that any slave In
the archipelago of Jolo shall have the
right to purchase freedom by paying
to the master the usual market value
The agreement by General Batei was
made subject to confirmation ly tne
president and to the future modifica
tions by the consent or tne parties in
Interest. I have confirmed snld agree
ment, which 1 nave airerieo snail oe
communicated to the sultan of Jolo.
that this agreement Is not to be deemed
In any way to authorize or give the
consent of the United States to the
existence of slavery In the Sulu archi
pelago. I communicate these facts to
the congress for Its Information and
action. Everything Indicates that with
the speedy suppression or tna 'lagaio
rhliln life in the archipelago will
soon resume Its ordinary cours under
the protection of our sovereignty and
Um people of those favored Island will
enjoy a prosperity and a freedom which
they have never before known. Alrea-Jy
hundreds of schools are open and ."Wed
..l.ltHAn If uticrl..,,., I..... i
wj ( uuuiiii. .iter, ipsiwu iirr'juiu in
sacredly secured and enjoyed. The
courts are dispensing Justice. Business
Is beginning to circulate in 'is accus
tomed channels. Manila, whose n.hib
itants were fleeing to the country a few
months ago. Is now a populous and
thriving mart of commerce. The ear.
nest and unremitting endeavors of the
commission and the admiral and major
general commanding the department of
the Pacific, to assure the people of the
beneficlent Intentions of this govern
ment, have had their legitimate effect
in convincing the great mass of thsm
that peace and safety and prosperity
and stable government can only be a
loyal acceptance of the authority of the
United States.
The future of the Philippines rests
with the congress of the United States.
Few graver responsibilities have ever
been confided to us. If we accept them
in a spirit worthy of our race and our
traditions, a. great opportunity comes
with them. The islands lie under the
shelter of our flag. They are ours by
the title of law and equity. They
cannot be abandoned. If we desert
tnem we leave them at once to anarchy
and finally to barbarism. We fling
them, a golden apple of discord, among
the rival powers, no one of which couid
permit another to seize them unques
tioned. Their rich plains and valleys
would be the scene of endless strife and
bloodshed. The advent of Dewey's fleet
in Manila bay instead of being, as we
hope, the dawn of a new day of free
dom and progress, will have been the
beginning of an era of misery and vio
lence worse than any which has dark
ened their unhappy past.
INDEPENDENCE IMPOSSIBLE.
The suggestion has been made that
we could renounce our authority over
the Islands, and, giving them independ
ence, could retain a protectorate over
them. This proposition will not be
found, I am sure, worthy of your seri
ous attention. Such an arrangement
would Involve at the outset a cruel
breach ot faith. It would place the
peaceable and loyal majority, who ask
nothing better than to accept our au
thority, at the mercy of the minority
of armed insurgents. It would make us
responsible for the acts of the insur
gent leaders and give us no power to
control them. It would charge us with
the task of protecting them against
each other and defending them against
any foreign power with which they
chose to quarrel. In short, it would
take from the congress of the United
States the power of declaring war and
vest that tremendous prerogative In
the Tagalo leader of the hour.
NO RECOMMENDATIONS.
It does not seem desirable that 1
should recommend at this time a spe
cific and final form of government for
thtse islands. When peace shall be
restored it will be the duty of congress
to construct a form of government
which shall establish land maintain
freedom and order arid peace In the
Philippines. The insurrection Is still
existing, and when It terminates fur
ther information will be required as
to the actual condition of affairs be
fore establishing a permanent scheme
of civil government. The full report
of the commission, now in preparation,
will contain information and sugges
tions which will be of value to con
gress, and which I will transmit as
soon as it is completed. As long as the
Insurrection continues the military
arm must necessarily be supreme. But
there Is no reason why steps should
not be taken from time to time to in
augurate governments essentially pop
ular In their form as fast as territory
can be held or controlled by our troops.
To this end, I am considering the ad
visability of the return of the commis
sion, or of such of the members there
of as can be secured to aid the exist
ing authorities and facilitate this work
throughout the Islands. I have be
lieved that reconstruction should nx)t
begin by the establishment of one cen
tral civil government for all the Isl
ands, with Its seat at Manila, but rath
er that the work should be commenced
by building up from the bottom, first
establishing a municipal government
and then provincial governments, a
central government at last to follow.
PORTO RICO.
The system of civil Jurisprudence
now adopted by the people of this isl
and is described by competent lawyers,
who are familiar with It, as thoroughly
modern and scientific, so far as It re
lates to matters of Internal business,
trade, production and social and pri
vate right in general. The cities of
the island are governed under charters
which probably require very little or
no change. So that with that relation
to matters of local concern and of pri
vate right, it is not probable that much,
If any, legislation, Is desirable; but with
reference to public administration and
the relations of the islands to the fed
eral government, there are many mat
ters which are of pressing urgency.
The same necessity exists for legisla
tion to establish Judicial Jurisdiction in
the island as has been previously
pointed out by me with reference to
Hawaii. Besides the administration ot
Justice, there are the subjects for pub
lic lands: the control and improvement
of rivers and harbors; the control of
the waters or streams not navigable.
which, under the Spanish law, belonged
to the crown of Spain, and have by
the treaty of cession passed to the
United States; the Immigration of
people from foreign countries; the Im
portation of contract labor; the impo
sition and collection of Internal rev
enue; the application of the naviga
tion laws; the regulation of the current
money; the establishment of postoflices
and post roads; the regulation of tariff
rates on merchandise Imported from
the Island Into the United States; the
establishment of ports of entry and
delivery; the regulation of patents and
copyrights; these, with various other
subjects which rest entirely within the
power of the congress, call for caretui
consideration and Immediate action.
The 14th ot December will be the
100th anniversary of the death
of Washington. For a hundred
years the republic has had the price
less advantage of character and con
duct which he bequeathed to the Amer
ican people. It Is an Inheritance which
time, Instead ot wasting, continually
Increases and enriches. We may Just
ly hope that In the years to come the
benignant Influence of the Father of
his country may be even more potent
for good than In the century which Is
drawing to a close.
Presented to this congress are great
opportunities. With them come great
responsibilities, 't he power connuea
lo us Increases the weight of our obli
gation to the people, and we must be
profoundly sensitive of them as we
ontemplate the new and grave proD-
lems which confront us. Aiming only
at the public good, we cannot err. A
rlKht Interpretation of the people's
will and of duty cannot fall to Insure
wise measures f'fr the welfare of the
Islands which have come under the
authority of the United States and
Insure to the Islands tne nonor ot mis
country. Never has this nation had
more abundant cause than during tne
past year for thankfulness to Gnd for
manifold blessings and mercies, fot
which we make reverent acknowledg
ment WILLIAM M KINLET.
Executive Mansion, December 6, 1899.
COMPUTATION.
( look about me In dismay,
I read the prints with feeling sore;
rhe times seem 111 and every day
I feel their fierce oppression more.
Priscllla sweet, I turn to you
For comforting in my distress
When mercers' reckoning fall due
And bailiffs on my pathway press.
I may not eat, I may not drink.
Nor smoke in quest of mild content
Except of sordid pelf I think-
Of taxes to the government.
Of profits to some lucky wight,
Who to a better fate was born.
While I must ponder day and night.
Lest I be tattered and forlorn.
Priscllla sweet, I turn to you
And still another grief is mine.
My heart with sadness thrills anew
And I am smitten and supine.
No variation do I meet
From these opressions which hold
sway
For even you, Priscllla sweet,
Are growing dearer every day.
Washington Star.
(By M. Crosble Thompson.)
When first this sickness fastened on
me I knew not which was bitterer, life
or death. To me, helpless, despairing,
there seemed less torture In the Icy
grip I felt so suddenly upon my heart.
So at first I counted death, too, among
my enemies.
Then came the day I found out their
secret found out why and now I was
dying, and realized that the discovery
had delivered Into my hands those
who wronged me.
Weary days aa I lie here alone and
look back on the past few months, I
wonder that a commonplace life like
mine could have been wrought Into
such a terrible tragedy. It Is not yet
a year, Millioent, since you came to
us, with your sweet, sad smiles and
funeral widow's weeds, to make havoc
of my life and take my husband from
me. You, my little sister, so grief
stricken and subdued; I so anxious to
mother you and comfort you. But all
my ministrations failed to rouse you
from your hopeless sorrow, till at last
I appealed to Jim, my husband, to cheer
you up! Dear God! how unwittingly
one may set about the ruin of one's
happiness!
I remember how he acted on my
suggestion, began to show MUlicent
some small attentions, brought her
home a few trifling presents; and so
successful were his efforts that In his
presence the heart-broken little widow
ceased to droop and pine. 1 remem
ber the first time I heard them laugh
ing and chatting gayly together I telt
I could never thank Jim for his kind
ness to my sister. Poor fool, poor fool
Blindly loving and trusting both, I re
joiced as the sadness dropped from
MUlicent like the widow's weeds which
were so speedily lightened. Interest
ed and amused at her bright talk and
prett yways, Jim began to desert his
club and spend his evenings at home
with us. I was not jealous men. But
It's like sitting in hell now to look
back on those quiet evenings when,
for all those pretty ways of hers and
childlike manner, the woman set her
self deliberately to take away my an.
Before my unseeing eyes she wove
cunningly the web which bound my
husband to her. Her web has proved
a snare. Tangled In its folds we shall
now all three perish together.
When Milllcent's visit to U3 had pro
longed Itself indefinitely. I began to
wish for her departure. While she and
Jim had kept close friends, her man
ner toward me became persistently
disagreeable. Even in Jim's presence
she criticised my housekeeping, found
fault with my cooking; In fact, for
want of better occupation, she openly
sat in Judgment on my every action,
and generally found much to condemn
in each of them; and when at last, in
answer to her appeals, Jim began to
side with her against me, my patience
could stand it no longer. She was
making my life intolerable; so, com
ing to a sudden determination one
day, I went to her and told her it was
time her visit should come to an end.
For an instant I believed her to have
gone crazy, when she Informed me.with
a cruel sneer, that she was my hus
band's guest, not mine, and that only
at his request would she leave the
house. Furiously angry, I rushed to
Jim. He was alone In his dispensary.
I repeated Milllcent's words to him,
and, catching hold of his sleeve, I
would have dragged him straight into
her presence.
"You must come and tell her to go
at once," I Bald. "She shall not stay
another hour in my house."
He freed his arm from my hold with
a sudden Jerk. "Damn you!" he said
angrily; what makes you think I'll In
terfere? Can't two women ever live
together without fighting? Your sis
ter Is welcome to stay here as long as
she likes. She's a far better sort to
get on with than you, my dear wife."
As he spoke my whole world seemed
suddenly to go to pieces swift as a
flash, though wholly unsuspected until
then, the knowledge of my position
came upon me. MUlicent and Jim
were together against me. I stood
alone. None of life's lessons is so
hard for a woman to know and under
stand as that a man can cease to love
her. Stupid perhaps In all else, I un
derstood now, all too quickly, that
Jim's love for me was dead. He loved
MUlicent A lifetime of agony seemed
compressed Into the moment that
brought this knowledge to me.
We looked straight Into one an
other's eyes. There was a message for
me In his which I could not fall to
read. "You know all now," they said,
defiantly; "do your worst."
"Either MUlicent or I must leave
this house!" I cried. "Decide! Which
of us shall It be?"
"You can go, If you like," he an
swered doggedly.
This was the end. "I will go at
once,"-1 said.
My preparations for departure were
soon complete. My first impulse was
to go somewhere by train, miles and
miles away. A long way off from Jim
and MUlicent I could think things over
better, letting on my hat and coat, I
noticed my purse lying on the dress
ing table mean, poverty stricken purse
that I suddenly remembered contained
but one farthing. I had Intended to
ask Jim for an advance out of my
housekeeping money that very morn
ing, and now I could never In this life
ask Jim Morelnnd for anything again.
A woman's face stared at me from
the looking glass. . It could not have
been my own face, for this woman
smiled at me a grim, hard smile; she
nodded her head significantly once or
twice, and I found myself repealing
the words I rend upon her mocking
lips: "Drown yourself! drown your
self! The river Journey costs noth
ing!" Oh, cruelly wise words! You are
right, you are right. The river was
there to drown me and my trouble,
and thti sooner the better!
As I turned to .leave the room, that
r '
: The Two Sisters,
II might fare forth on this, the great
inevitable Journey, Jim knocked at
my door, lie came in suixy ana re
luctant, but conciliatory. He hadn't,
of course, meant what he had said;
had been speaking to MUlicent, who
would leave the house at once rather
than cause a misunderstanding be
tween us. Would I not come down
and make friends with her and forget
all the Jealous nonsense I had talked
in the morning?
Was this a reprieve from death?
If Jim were willing MUlicent should go
away, I need not drown myself. Yet
I was not glad or comforted; no trust
was left in me. But they should have
their chance to make wrong right so,
though sick and hopeless at heart, I
resumed my everyday ways and re
turned to my household occupations.
We dined all three together that
evening what a cozy little party we
looked! I bad taken extra pains to
prepare a dainty meal, and, moved by
some unusual impluse of extravagance,
nrHcroii Ana'pra sufficient to nearly
cover the table. I dressed for dinner
carefully, wearing one of the lew pret
ty frocks I possessed. My cheeks
were burning, my eyes shining, but
my heart was like lead within me.
MUlicent looked at the table, sur
prised as she took her seat.
"Why," she said, "we have white
flowers enough for a wedding."
"Or a funeral," said I, and thought
that It was because of the bitterness
of my voice that my companions
blanched.
We studiously talked dreary com
monplaces to hide our thoughts from
one another, till Jim said I looked
pale, and should take a glass of Bur
gundy. I protested, but he went him
self to the sideboard to get the wine
he wanted. Standing there with his
back toward us, he filled a glass,
which he brought to me himself. As
he set the wine down before me he
laid his hand on my shoulder. "Drink
that, old girl," he said kindly, almost
affectionately; "I see now that you've
been letting yourself run down, and I
shall be having a patient on my hands
if I don't look after you."
When Judas kissed Christ, he set
the fashion In treachery. With my
husband's hand still resting caressing
ly upon my shoulder, I drank the wine,
thus taking the first step toward the
death snare laid for me.- That night
I went early to my room, feeling
queer and sick; before a week was out
I had. Indeed, become one of Jim's pa
tients, too ill to leave my Dea.
The days passed; I grew steadily
worse, not better. While I lie helpless,
racked with pain, MUlicent has as
sumed the management of the house.
There is no more talk of her going
away. She comes to me once or twice
a day, and I can see a look of malici
ous triumph in her eyes as she asks
coldly what she can do for me. In
the evening she and Jim sit together.
I, lying in the room overhead, am con
scious of the smoke of his pipe and
their freqeunt laughter. Those were
my hours of torture.
But comfort came at last. I dreamed
one night that some one was trying
to poison me. When I awoke it was
early morning. Outside my window
there was a stir and twitter of birds;
within the house, I only was awake.
For the moment my head was clear.
I was free from pain. As I lay there
Idly watching the morning sunshine,
my dream came bac kto me; then sud
denly I realized In reality. A moment's
thought proved the truth of my con
viction Jlmes' wine, Jim's medicine,
Milllcent's broth, all resulted in much
the same sort of torture for me, all
were helping on the much-desired con
summation of my disease.
Oh, the horror, the cruelty of it!
But, oh, the blessed chance that I have
not died helplessly ignorant and unre
venged! So, let Jim and MUlicent
kill me as deftly, as craftily as they
may, I am forewarned. Like the blind
giant Samson, I shall not die alone.
Two weeks passed since my day
of comfort broke. The need for me is
nnw hor T leave nil readv. Old law
yer Sutton has in his possession a
sealed package to be opened after
my death. It contained my accusation
against Jim and MUlicent, a request
o Tuwt.mAvtpm examination. I aU
enclose a small bottle of medicine ana
of broth, both of which, I am sure, will
on analysis show traces of arsenic.
Just before I sent for Mr. Button i
had almost a qualm of remorse. I was
ihiniinv nt .Tim on the scaffold. High
iv,n.a nrhaf q hnn.-tanmp man he
still would look. Little changed Is
he, Indeed, since tne aay wnen, omy
a medical student, Dut sucn a gooa-lrtrtiritio-
vntmc- fellow, wei used to meet
by stealth at the foot of my father's
orchard. Evening after evening ne
used to walk five miles out of town
Kooir fr,r tho sake of half an hour's
lovemaking with me. Sometimes there
was a moon, so metlmes tnere was
summer darkness; but we always
found one another under the old apple
tree, in which we could sit together
and kiss and promise, instead of vex
atious parents and poverty, that we
would love one anotner iorever aim
Kememberiner those old days my
Ithln me. and "Kill
me if you will, Jim," I thought, "but I
cannot hurt you.
Then they came topetner into my
room, MUlicent and my husband, and,
as my eyes met tne eyes oi my mui-
derers, all sense ot pity left me. Mini
cent seemed more amiable than usual.
Tim (hinWlnc of havlne anothr
doctor in to see you," she informed me.
"Isn't it ridiculous? you reany iook
ever so much better today."
"I don't want to see a doctor,' l saia.
"t know I am dving. and if Jim can't
cure me, no one else can."
t v,ir,L- T'li oolf Ttrnwn to walk back
with me from the hospital," said Jim
nervously. "He might suggest a an
ferent treatment." ,
i'tikor,. if he understood. But he S
not very clever; he'll not find out what
ails me.
t anrtlv hut Jim heard me.
a .i rn nn Vila fare and he look-
J Bllltuun ,.-
ed at me anxiously, interrogatively.
But MUlicent was equal to me occasion.
Never mind, dear, sne saia ii me
sweetly; "It It pleases Jim ne may
bring Dr. Brown to see you, though
noithee of us believe him to be as
clever as our own doctor here."
A couple of hours later Jim usnereu
this stupid looking young man into my
room, pointed out to him the symp
toms of my Illness, which clearly indl-
ia that T wns suffering from peri
tonitis, and described his treatment
of my case. Brown, scarcely noticing
me, listened to Jim attentively, agreeu
with him In everything, made a few
random suggestions as to diet, and
took his departure. His visit was, on
Jim's part, a prudent precaution. Then
I a-fked to see the old lawyer. MUlicent
came with him Into the room and re
mained while he was there. I bade her
give Mr. Sutton the parcel which I
had ready, lying In a drawer. I saw
her Inspect It curiously, but she could
make nothing of It, "That's for Jim,
Mr Sutton," I said, "when I am gone
You must open it when you hear of
my death, and you will find Instruc
tions inside."
The poor old fellow was touched at
this proof of my devotion to my nils-1
band "You've been a wonderfully
good' wife to him, Mrs. Moreland."
"At least, I loved him very tMrjr.
want him to remember me when I aa
gone," I aald, looking slgnlflcanUy sj4
the packet he waa holding carefully.
"I promise, willingly," he aald, aa h
turned to take hla leave of me, "ll
carry out all your wishes."
Directly he waa gone, MiUlceai
brought me In a glass of hot milk. 1
was taking so long to die, she nt it
must, on her own responsibility, hurry
things up. J
Since I drank that stuff I have pass
ed through my mortal agony. A nurse
has been fetched hurriedly, Dr. Browa
brought in again; everything that
could be done to alleviate my torture
baa been tried; my pain seems at last
to have lessened, but the end can't be
long.
For a few moments, when the re
spite came, I slept, or became uncon
scious. When I again opened mf
eyes Jim and MUlicent were standing
together at the fot of my bed, watching
me. It was growing dark but I ceuld
see their faces and I could Imagine
an eager look in my sister's eyes ai
she asked me whether I felt better.
"Much better," I said; for the mo
ment my voice seemed to have grown
strong and clear again. "I have been,
asleep and dreaming. I dreamed that
you and Jim were going to be hanged!"
Never did I see anything like the
hateful, frightened faces these two
turned to one another.
MUlicent staggered, and would haYs
fallen but that she held on to Jim. I
thought that, for a moment, he shrank
from her. So their punishment has
begun already and these eyes, these
dying eyes, have seer, it! They, fools!
plotted to thrust me away that they
might be together, but my dead body
shall lie ever between them and my
dead hands shall hold them one at
either side of me in relentless grip.
So may we perchance spend eternity
together.
Night Is passing slowly was ever
such a night. Storm, rain, and wind
shake the house and beat fiercely at
my window. When the spell of pain
is on me I hear nothing for the blood
beating in my ears; when the pain
ceases for a moment I listen to the
shrieking of the windi Can the winds
be some outside dmon who waits
ravenously to seize my soul?
Two people, a man and a woman,
with' faces gray and anxious as ghosts,
keep wandering in and out of the
room; first oneiomes, gazes at me for
a moment, and disappears; then
creeps in the other, furtively, cautious
ly. Both are frightened, nervous, but
not so much afraid of me as they are
of meeting one another.
A white-cappedi nurse sits, Indiffer
ent, before the fire. I am dying oh,
yes, I know; and a good thing, too, for
I'm so tired, so dreadfully tired. If
those gray-faced people would but
keep away from me I might die In
peace. The woman Is kneeling by my
bed now. She has caught hold of my
hand I am weak. I cannot take it
from her. What does she want? She
looks imploringly at me. I wish she
would let go my hand. The man Is
there, too, now he Is standing be-kt-
i-a. th&v Vintti wa.nt something.
iijuit un -.., " - -
something from the? What Is it?
I'm tired after sucn cruei pum u
me rest! But it's Jim's eyes that are
t4-A mlvtA onrl Milllcpnt iS
lUUJllllg IlllVJ -'
holding my hand! Oh, I remember
now! I wished my aeatn to rum
them, because because yes, I re
member! How foolish to have been angry with
them I, who once loved them both.!
Can I not save them?
Oh, God! I cannot speak; The nurse
is there she bends down toward me.
"ATM,a nart vnu Vipnr? Tt. was not
Jim or MUlicent! I have poisoned my
self!"
The storm has died down. Day if
k.,.,!,io- Life T have laid aside all
KTTr.ane rail n n 11 i sh ! Tl 0- PVPI1 mV Te-
venge. Death comes with morning,
shining like a Driciegroom: DMitu.
FEET GROWING LARGER.
Shoemakers and haberdashers who
cater to the wants of the elite assert
that their patrons this year demand ho
siery and shoes averaging from one
half to one and a half sizes larger than
they did five, years ago. The majority
of the dealers believe that the average
length and breadth of men's feet have
been steadily increasing since the wane
of the fashion which demanded a
pointed toe and tight fitting shoe.
This they explain by saying that the
effect of the style in vogue six yean
ago was to cramp and distort the nat
ural development of the feet. When
the style changed and comfort became
the criterion of fashion, nature again
exerted itself. Feet which had become
distorted during the reign of the nar
row shoe and pointed toe slowly began
to broaden and adapt themselves to
their new surroundings.
The change, being gradual, went for
a long time unnoticed, and not until the
merchants recently began to compare
their sales of five years ago with those
of today was it found that the average
increase has been approximately cne
size.
Several well known shoe dealers said
that when they first began to notice
the apparent change they became In
terested and studied the problem. They
found that when fashion demanded the
use of narrow shoes feet were closely
confined and by degrees became small.
As styles changed and an easy fit was
alone desired the feet seemed to ex
pand and grow steadily larger till the
fashion again required a small, neat
foot, when the process would be re
peated. One merchant, versed In ancient and
Oriental history, pointed out to me the
fact that in countries where the san
dal or other loose foot covering is gen
erally worn the feet of the inhabitants
are comparatively large, and in coun
tries where a big shoe Is in poor taste
small feet are In the majority.
A well known Broadway hosler.when
I told him the theory advanced by oth
er haberdashers and shoemakers, smil
ed incredulously and said: "I'll tell
you what my experience has been; per
haps It would be Interesting. When
times are hard I notice that men order
large socks, and when there Is plenty of
money that they prefer close fitting
ones. It can all be reduced to a ques
tion of economics In my opinion. Large
hose wear longer than those of perfect
fit, but they are not so comfortable.
Most well dressed men are the first to
feel the pressure of hard times, and
then they begin to economize. They
would probably deny it If you should
confront them with the statement that
for the sake of saving a quarter they
are wearing a pair of misfit socks, but
under those conditions nine times out of
ten the accusation would be true.
in spite of what people may say and
do there is no use trying to get en
tirely away from fringes. They are
worn In Purls to a great extent and
more or less In New York. There are
some fringes that are too expensive ,
to be common. Some of the beauti
ful chenille fringes are to be seen on
opera cloaks, and one place where they
are to be seen on opera cloaks, and
one place where they are to be found,
following In the wake of a fringe sea
son, Is on handbags. They make
pretty finish to fancy bags.