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About The Loup City northwestern. (Loup City, Neb.) 189?-1917 | View Entire Issue (July 4, 1907)
CHAPTER XVI.—Continued. The suite allotted me was at the end of a gloomy corridor. I threw open one of the narrow windows. The noisy stream below, beating futilely against the walls, almost deafened the voice of the servant as he asked if he could be of assistance to me. I looked out. There was a sheer drop of some 50 feet. That fact vaguely disconcerted me. The words of Dr. Starva were a jarring note that sobered my excitement. When I had dressed I was almost pre pared to find the massive door of my chamber locked or barred. I had en tered the spider's web audaciously enough. To escape might be less simple. The dinner was simply but well served in a small dining-room. Had my situation been less serious I might have felt some humor at the elaborate deference shown me by my compan * ions for the benefit of the two servant^ who waited on us. Even Dr. Starva followed the lead of Madame de Var nier in solemn if cynical obedience. But did Madame de Varnier believe me so complaisant a fool, that, like ^ another Bottom, I was expected in this modern Midsummer Night's Dream to accept this deference without ques tion? I became more and more con vinced that she did not. Once she even referred to the events of the night before in such a manner that 1 believed her not ignorant of my true condition. If she were persuaded that I had been acting a part then, that would account for her confidence in expecting me to continue acting that part. It would give her encourage ment that 1 was the willing tool she looked for. And suppose that she really believed that, did she think that I expected no reward? She had hinted that in serv ing her ends I was to serve myself as well. But Madame de Varnier was not the kind of woman to believe that a man would be allured by a promise so vague. Then the reward? She had protested that she had not expected me to fall in love with her. She had protested that, but in the same breath she had confessed a half resolve to bring me to her feet. Now as she exerted every charm of coquet ry she was giving the lie to her own words. Oh, the reward was obvious enough, if I chose to take it. “We will smoke our cigarettes in my favorite music room. You must hear Dr. Starva play on the ’cello. You have had the piano carefully tuned. Jacques?” “All is in readiness,” replied the servant, as he preceded us with can dles. Dr. Starva had pushed back his chair eagerly. For the first time since I had met him his face lost something of its heavy sullen expression. “My fingers have not the practice,” he said modestly, “but to play with Madame de Varnier—ah, that is worth while.” We were in the music room that Madame de Varnier had described to me so enthusiastically the day before. Dimly lighted with wax candles, pan eled in dark oak to the ceiling, the floor waxed and polished to a dazzling luster, it was a room almost bare, but it had its melancholy charm. There was little furniture. At one end of the room was a row of carved seats built into the wall. There were no pictures or tapestries. The one touch of color was the vivid flame of blaz ing logs. “The strife of the wrorld, its lies and its shams. I leave behind when I enter here,” said Madame de Varpier sentimentally. “Look. I throw open this casement. The noisy Aare diviwns * my voice. Beyond, you see the moon light on the valleys, and still bejond, the mountains. This is your seat. Once this was a chapel; in these carved seats the monks chanted ves pers; in the seat of honor which you occupy drowsed the father superior. When you hear the enchanting melo dies of Dr. Starva you will not have lived in vain.” This hour at least was innocent.' Perhaps it was the lull before the storm, but why should I look for clouds when the heavens were clear? The long, darkly paneled room, its . shining floor seeming to rise and fall f mysteriously in the flickering fire light, the noisy murmur of the stream below, the white moonlight that strug gled feebly through the casement win dows—all had its charm. And these two adventurers, unscrupulous and conscienceless, had abandoned them selves for the moment to. the joy of their music. I looked over toward Madame de Varnier. The shaded light of the cau dles fell oo her white shoulders. The splendty of her beauty had never seeme- more seductive. I a.,ked myself incredulously if this drea.*?ag woman was the desperate adventuress whom Locke had warned me i*<iinst. Stowly she looked where I sat; I seemed to draw her eyes toward me. She smiled vaguely, a smile that was adorable—yes, I could almost persuade myself that it was the smile of an innocent girl. Fos. a moment I was i content to forget the unpleasant task j that was before me; to invest even j the monster by her side in the garb of j humanity. The servant who had shown me to my rooms appeared at the door, let ters on his saiver. I held up my hand wamingly to him that he should not distdrb them, and motioned that he bring, the letters to me. He did so without either of the musicians notic ing his entrance. The sonata of Beethoven swept to Its glorious climax, 1 started to my feet to take the letters to Madame de Varnier. But without a pause Dr. Starva be gan a tender romance. The woman sat at the piano, her hands falling idly to her lap. Again she smiled across the room at me. But now it was no longer spontaneous. The lips held something of that indefinable cruelty of that woman of the. Renaissance made fa mous by Da Vinci. I frowned; % re fused to meet that smile. Then, as I looked down deliberately, I felt myself turn pale. A shudder convulsed me. I was gazing in horror at an en velope that bore the interdicted stamp of Bulgaria, the death-mask. Did she know the ghastly signifi cance of that double stamp? Was she one of the desperate band that had doomed Ferdinand? I resolved to play a hazardous expe riment. I would thrust that stamp un der her eyes without warning. Con summate actress though she was, she would find it difficult to repress a tremor if she were guilty. Dr. Starva’s head was still bent lov ingly over his 'cello. I reached the piano without disturbing him. I placed the letters in front of Madame de Varnier, the envelope that bore the death-mask on the top of the little pile. 1 watched her closely. She took the letters carelessly in her hands. The stamp at once ar rested her attention. She regarded it with a frank curiosity. She even called my attention to it. “It is one of the new issue,” she whispered, so as not to disturb Dr. Starva; and continued to sort her let ters. I was almost convinced of her inno ------ were correct, would she communicate to Dr. Starva her newly acquired knowledge? “It was the heat, I think, and the fatigue of the journey,” were the first words she spoke. I heard them with relief. Beyond question she wished to conceal from Starva that she had seen the death-mask. Whether he was satisfied •with her reasons was less certain. He paced the length of the room, his head bent in thought; his intertwined fingers, moving agitatedly, betrayed his con cern. Madame de Varnier carefully avoided my gaze and played idly. But I noticed that if Dr. Starva had been enraged that she had seen the letter with its death-mask, Madame de Var nier was anxious that he should not know of the existence of the letter that had excited her. It had fallen to the floor. When his back was turned she had stooped swiftly and placed it in the bosom of her dress. Was the letter she was so careful to hide from him merely personal? Or •was its message of moment? If so, if it were concerned with the strange game these two were playing, it meant that either mistrusted the other. I welcomed such a possibility. That fact might simplify my own action. At 'east it showed that Madame de Varnier was not abjectly the creature of this infamous scoundrel. The strained situation was happily relieved by the entrance of the serv ant who had brought in the letters. Instinctively the three of us assumed a certain unconcern, as is'the manner of the world before servants. He brought a card to Madame de Varnier. She took it from the salver quietly, but her hand trembled as she read the name engraved on it. We had all three heard that name before. Its crisp, Anglo-Saxon nomen clature gave one the impression of a strong, dogged personality that pur sued, and yet pursued. “Captain Reginald Forbes!” That was the name she read in a low voice. CHAPTER XVII. Captain Forbes Intrudes. There was a silence lasting several seconds. Panic was written on both their faces. Evidently they had looked His Hairy Hand Closed Over the Letter. cence, but not quite. 1 had yet my experiment to play. She had opened one of the letters and was engrossed in its contents As for Dr. Starva, he was lost to the world. I took the envelope that bore the mysterious symbol, and placing it in such a manner that the death-mask could be most easily seen by the wqm an, I began to trace the likeness of Prince Ferdinand, meanwhile watch ing her intently. Her letter was short. Its meaning had excited her strangely. For some time she was regardless of my action. But presently she followed the mo tions of my pencil as I traced the eyes closed in death, the drooping mouth, and the gaping wound. Still my pencil moved slowly but cai^fully over the features of the doomed prince. I began to think I must be more explicit after all. And then her hands fell lifeless on the keys. The crash echoed discord antly in the empty room. Dr. Sarva looked up in angry surprise. Madame de Varnier had fainted. Dr. Starva shuffled rapidly tc her side; he shobk her shoulder. “Sophie! Sophie!” he cried, and then he saw the letter and its stamp. Kis fwe was suddenly distorted. His hacy hand closed over the letter. She Liiti it rigid even in her uncon sciousness. He imbent her jeweled fingers with cruel strength. Now he looked at me with the suspicion and hate of a savage beast brought to bay. •How much do you know?” his blaz ing eyes asked. “And if I do know?” mine answered. Slowly Madame de Varnier opened her eyes. Equally anxious, Starva and myself watched her recover conscious ness. I was quite convinced now that she had not been aware of the significance of that stamp. The horror t.hal had deprived her of her reason for the time being proved that The slerce haste with which Dr. Starva t»«yi snatched the letter from her lifCless hand and had concealed it, boro out my conviction. Then, if my aunnlsea for no such intrusion as this—above all for no visitor so inconvenient as the king’s messenger. They had con fidently counted on a clear field for the execution of their plans. That they should have been traced to the chateau so easily and so quickly threw them into consternation. Dr. Starva was the first to recover his presence of mind. “Whom does he wish to see this time?" he demanded harshly. “He asks for his Excellency, the English ambassador,” replied the serv ant, looking at me askance. “But if he is engaged, or not well, he is anx ious to speak with madam.” At first I was surprised that the man had not brought the card direct ly to myself. It was strange that he should Ignore me if he had been given to understand that I was Sir Mortimer. But if he were in the confidence of Madame de Vamier he would do pre cisely that, * Frankly, the coming of Captain Forbes at this time. was a surprise scarcely less disagreeable for me than for them. To-morrow, or the day after, he would have been perhaps only too welcome. But now the intru sion was premature. It interfered with my own plans as well as theirs. More than that, I could have wished myself in a position to forewarn him, to explain my tactics. It looked as if I were again in danger of being caught red-handed in a criminal deception. More than ever would Captain Forbes be convinced that I was one. of the conspirators if he discovered at this moment that I was not Sir Mortime^ The man and woman conversed to gether excitedly in a barbaric tongue. Dr. Starva, it was evident, was vehe mently advocating some plan; Madame de Varnier opposing it. But the shock to which she had been subjected pre vious to the coming of Captain Forbes had left her unstrung, almost apa thetic. Hitherto the man had been sulkily subservient to the woman; now his animal strength fought for the ascendency. He was brushing away her agitated protests. It was he who commanded! the servant; “Show this Captain Forbes to the armory. I shall see him myself.” Again he spoke fiercely to Madame de Varnier. She listened to him in silence, her eyes cast down. He strode to the door, stood there a mo ment hesitating, then left the room, shutting the door behind him. Madame de Varnier remained where he had left her, trembling violently, her hands covering her face. This was my opportunity to appeal to the woman, and not the adventuress. I took her unresisting hand and led her to one of the carved seats. “Madame de Vamier, it is a desper ate game you are playing” I said, sternly yet gently. “I don’t know what the stakes are, but you are not going to win them.” A white hand clung to my coat sleeve. “Why do you say that?” she cried, staring at me with affrighted eyes. I pointed silently to the card she still held in her hand. “There is one factor to be reckoned with.” She tossed her head in defiance. “Dr. Starva. has reckoned with him al ready, my friend. Perhaps not in the best way, but effectually at least. And the other?” . “Well, there is myself.” She smiled on me wanly. “If you were an enemy that might be more se rious, I admit. But I have reckoned with you. You are to be my friepd. You are to help me.” “That remains to be seen. But the third and most serious factor is treach ery,” I added quietly. “My God! Treachery!” “Do you trust Dr. Starva absolute ly? Dare you tell me that the death mask had as little meaning fox him as for you, until I showed you that sig nificance?” “But you understood its meaning as well as he. Who are you that you should have this knowledge?” “I know, perhaps, more than you think. Madame de Vanuer.” “It is incredible,” she cried passion ately, "that I, the Countess Sarahoff, should be in the dark, while an Amer ican tourisi.—” The name had slipped out in her an ger; she bit her lips. “Oh, you need feel no consternation. I might have called you by that name several hours ago.” "Since you know so much,” she said in bitter disgust, “perhaps you know the service I expect to ask o%you.” “I might make a shrewd guess at even that.” She sank back, her fingers inter locked supporting her head. She re mained some time in gloomy thought. Suddenly a door slammed. I heard a faint shout; a tramping of feet. Then there was quiet again. I glanced at my companion. She was listening intently, her hands clutching the carved amis of the seat. “Bah, I think .1 am a hysterical schoolgirl." She shrugged her shoul ders in self-contempt. “Say that you know everything, monsieur, so much the better. It will save the trouble of explaining on the mormw. For I shall go on with my plan. There is danger, yes; but I have expected danger. It is too late to retreat. I have risked all on a single throw. I shall win. Say that there is treachery—I shall know how to deal with it. He is not indis pensable. Yes, my friend, I have a plan that cannot fail." “You are mistaken," I said obstinate ly. “Your plan will fail because, if Dr. Starva is not necessary to its success, I am. And I—” “Yoji will perform the service I shall ask of you. I hope, I trust, that you will do this service gladly. Not for myself, perhaps, but that you may bring happiness and peace to a down trodden people.” (TO BE CONTINUED.) Watches for the Blind Simple Invention That la Great Boon to Sightless Mortals. The blind, like other mortals, wish to know the time exactly* and as very few of them are in a position to se cure a good repeating watch, whose cost is always great, they have to be content with ordinary watches, and taking the crystal out of the face they ascertain the time by the angles and position of the hands, which frequent ly causes disarrangement of the time piece. In view of these difficulties a for eign firm has constructed a watch for the blind, which represents the figures in allegorical manner, arl ap parently is very convenient. The signs in relief are the following: One o’clock, one dot; two o’clock, two dots; three o’clock, a triangle; four o’clock, a square; five o’clock, a five pointed star; six o’clock, an elipse. These same signs are repeated in bas-relief representing the hours from six to 12. The number of signs is therefore limited to six, and it is veiy easy to ascertain from them the tiros of day. The hands are very strong and the watch has been used with good results. * . Another watch for the blind has been invented by M. Pierre Tissot Bersc? by which the blind can tell not ort'y the hour, but also the minute. The femurs are represented by figures of th*> Braille system. Cause for Regret. A Scot who had been a long tima in the colonies, paid a visit to his “n» tive glen,” and meeting, an old school fellrw the two sat down to chat about old timas and acquaintances. In the course of the conversation the stranger happened to ask about * csrtain Gordie McKay. "He's clead long ago,” said his Wend, “and Til never cease regrgtUn’ him as long as I live.” “Dear me! Had you such respect for him as that?" “Na, na! It wasn’t only reaped 1 had for himself, hut l msrrWI Ids widow.” AROUND THE HOUSE BEAUTY AND COMFORT IN AP POINTMENTS. Plants for the Window Garden Chintz and Light Washable Ma terial Make Effective Hangings —Burlap to Be Popular. If one can get plants for the window garden from a florist, it is desirable to do sc, as they will be well established in pots and may be transferred with little checking of their growth. For attaching boxes to the house, many sizes and varieties of metal brackets can be purchased at the hardware stores. These should be held in place by long screws that run directly into the upright joists of the house, and it is desirable to paint them the same color as the building. This is the season when chintz, linen taffeta and cretonne seem the most beautiful fabrics in the shops. The various designs in flowers look almost real, and each year are pret tier. Nearly every summer home, as well as many of the winter ones, are now hung with washable materials. They may be had in subdued or gay colorings. A room in which nothing clashes, though done in cretonne and wicker, is often more effective than one with massive furniture and heavy hangings. One can now buy almost everything made in cretonne, from bed covers, window hangings, hat and shirt-waist boxes, to desk sets and bureau acces sories. If you cannot afford to have wicker furniture, and the old must be cov ered, have the slips made of flowered cretonne or linen taffeta. They are much newer and brighter than the old fashioned ecru ones. The flowered ef fects will give a cool appearance# to the room. If a good quality is pur chased, it will launder well. Do not have several kinds of figured material in one room, or it will have an inhar monious appearance. Burlap is surely having its day this season and bids fair to become mor» popular as the summer advances. Not only are the curtains, table covers and sofa pillows made from this material, but bureau covers and dressing table ;covers, many elaborately embroidered, are shown. However, burlap does sound a trifle heavy for one's dressing table in the summer, but the cushions for the window se'ats are certainly ar tistic and satisfying if chosen in the quiet tones of brown or green. Nat ural colored burlap is the most dur able for the covering of window cush ions, as the sun is often very bright in that spot. Some of these cushions lace at the edge with cord or can be coarsely buttonholed with a heavy rope silk of the same color. HOUSEHOLD SUGGESTIONS. Brown sugar is an antidote to salt; if soup or gravy becomes too salt, stir in a little brown sugar and it will become palatable again. A new clothesline should be well boiled, then hung up to dry before it is used for hanging clothes on; it will last longer and be easier to manipu late when thus treated. Keep parsley wrapped in a piece of rug wrung out in cold water, remove the cloth every day, shake it and wring out fresh and green many days if thus treated. To remove a cake from a tin after baking fold a clean teacloth, put it on the table, turn the cake upside down on it, wring a cloth out in cold water and lay it in several thicknesses on the bottom and sides of the tin. which soon may, be gently drawn off the cake. Take hold of the corner of the towel and gentl^set the cake right side up to cool. Mustard, if quite fresh made, taken with meat helps to digest it. Do net use salt in mixing it, but first rub quite smooth with a little cold water and the back of a silver or bone spoon, then add just a little more water, a few spoonfuls gradually till it is of the right consistency. Thin mustard is generally disliked. Little should be made at a time to prevent waste, and it should be fresh at least each alternate day. To Clean Grained Wood. Grained and varnished imitations of hard wood are best cleaned by rub bing well with cloths wrung out in borax scapsuds. never letting the wa ter touch them. Afterward they should be rubbed with flannel barely moistened with kerosene. If there is too much kerosene it will dissolve and blur the colors. Clean hardwood with a flannel wet in turpentine, and rub afterward lightly with boiled lin seed oil. Take off spots with fine sand mixed in oil. Apply it with a leather and rub with clean leather afterward to bring back the polish. Welsh Rarebit. While this is a favorite preparation for the chafing dish, it cam be prepared just as well in an ordinary saucepan or a double boiler. Melt one table spoonful of butter. Stir into it a tea spoonful of cornstarch, and when they arc- thoroughly blended stir in slowly one-half of a cupful of thin cream. Cook two minutes after the cream is all in, then add half a pound of mild cheese, which has been cut in small pieces. Season with salt, paprika and mustard. Serve as soon as the cheese is melted on rounds of toasted bread or crisp small crackers. Favors for Bride’s Cakes. Where the cake is to be distributed among the bridal party only a fash ionable fad is to put in It not only the prpverbial wedding ring, silver thimble and copper cent, each wrapped in paraffin paper, but also tiny silver skates, miniature motor cars, stick pins, etc., one for each member of the party. Of course, this is not feasi ble where the cake is distributed among the whole number of guests. Corn Oysters. To the contents of a can of corn add a cup of flour sifted with a teaspoonful of baking powder. Add a little salt and the beaten yolks of two eggs. Beat the whites stiff and aid them to the mixture last. Drop and cook on a griddle the same Serve with melted A UNION OF BEGGARS AN ASSOCIATION IS FORMED BY FRENCH CRIPPLES. Not Affiliated With Other Labor Or ganizations—“Northern Hobbler” Originator of the Movement— Rules Adopted. Paris—The latest development in unions hails from Marseilles, where the crippled beggars have met to form an association to protect their in terests. The originator of the movement is Francois Rosin, better known as the Northern Hobbler, who is a globe trot ter, celebrated for racing matches, to which he challenges any one who, like Organizer of Beggars’ Trade Union in France. himself, is condemned to wood in the matter of legs. M. Rosin summoned a meeting of his fellow cripples, 26 of whom answered the call. Some came on crutches, some had wooden legs, some with no legs at all came sitting on little wheeled car riages, and some had no arms. All listened attentively while the con voker of the meeting explained his purpose. “We must first of all struggle against false beggars who exploit chil dren borrowed from anywhere by making them dance around their mis erable barrel organs, poor little kids for whom they pay seven ■ franfcs a month to parents. That at'least is the present rate. “We must wage war against the contractors of mendacity who *>ut beg* gars'* out on the sidewalks, covered* with long blouses, which often conceal a perfectly sound body. These con^ tractors take most of the money given to the beggars. ~ “We must finally put the public on* its guard against all those beggars who. coming from goodness knows where, from foreign parts, shamming horrible infirmities, live on French public charity and so rob us.” M. Rosin was elected president of the new union without a dissenting murmur, and then the following code: was drawn up and adopted: Article 1.—livery member of the: union must be French: " Article 2.—Members must refrain.' from singing or reciting songs or mon-: ologues against the Republican gov-, ernment, its officials, the police and [ clergy cf any religion. Article 3.—The duty of a member of? the union who finds himself in a town j exploited by sham mendicants or by: beggars working under a contractor1 is to give information to the authori ties. Article 4.—It Is clearly understood that to belong to the union a member must be crippled or suffering from < some infirmity, visible or apparent. Article 5.—Crippled or infirm wo men can become members. Article 6.—No officer of the union snail receive nny pay or indemnity. After a short discussion it was de cided that the union, in order to ac quire the good graco of the government* should .not affiliate with the Bourse du Travail or with the General Labor Confederation. But as -it was thought* well that the union should seek official recognition, a deputation, consisting, of the president, secretary, treasurer and dean of the cripples, Celestk*. Marius, waited on the prefect. •< .■•■i Unfortunately the prefect was away*, on business, but if the reception given * by the prefectochl staff may be taken as a token the union is not likely to get any status from that officer. DANIEL DEFOE'S HOME TO GO, Dwelling Where “Robinson Crusoe" Was Written Will Be Demolished. London.—One of the most interest ing “literary shrines” in England, the house in which Daniel Defoe penned the greater part of “Robinson Cru soe,” is about to be torn down to make way for modern dwellings. This little old-fashioned house, set back from the Finborough road, Tooting, and in striking contrast with the modern shops which flank it on either side, is now practically just as it. was 219 years ago when Defoe came to it with his family to begin a strange life of isolation. He lived at Tooting for 18 months and during this time and for 20 years thereafter is said rarely —by some, never—to have spoken to his wife or children. The sole change that has been made in the house since Defoe's time v.as the substitution of a new front in the year 1785. Over the scullery on the second floor is the little room where Defoe worked over the literary mas terpiece which has secured his reputa tion for all time. This, the smallest room, of the 12 which comprise the* house, was his sanctuary, and oniy he passed its portals. Here for whole days he would shut himself from his family, receiving his meals, the meag er repasts of an impecunious genius. During the time Defoe lived in this house he was hard beset by creditors. Where Author of “Robinson Crusoe” Lived. Indeed, four years later, he was de clared a bankrupt and was compelled to secrete himself to escape a term in a debtor’s prison. The old house is at present occupied by an aged woman and her equally aged husband. For a small fee they show visitors the room where Defoe wrote “Robinson Crusoe.” In recent years the American pilgrims to this literary shrine have far outnumbered English callers. KING OSCAR RESUMES REIGN. Celebration of Marriage Anniversary Marks Abolition of Regency. Stockholm. — The fiftieth wedding, anniversary of King Oscar II. and Queen Sophia was celebrated the other day with extensive ceremonies, Messages of congratulation were re-' ceived from all the crowned heads KING OSCAR II. (Monarch of Sweden Who Has Re sumed Reins of Government.) of Europe as well as from most of the foreign ministers and prominent persons over the entire world. Members of the diplomatic corps , assigned to the Swedish court called ' in a body to pay their respects and wish the aged king and his consort many more years of happy domestic life. For the people of Sweden there was a double significance in the celebra tion, as it marked the return to the throne of King Oscar after his tem porary abdication in favor of Crown Prince Gustave as regent. When King Oscar laid down the • reins of government December 14, 190t>, it was feared he would never be able to assume the duties of gov erning the country again, but his health has improved, to such an ex-. ■ tent that the regency was abolished. It was as active sovereign that Oscar received the homage of his subjects at the wedding anniversary celebra tion. Rattler Came Into Kitchen. Mrs. The'.iyard, who resides near 1 the railroad station, was startled the other morning to sc* a large rattle snake glide into the kitchen, and ' throwing its head high in the air ' take a casual survey around. With the aid of a stick of wood Mrs. Theii vard drove the reptile from the house. —Dutch Flat Cor. Sacramento Bee. A Bedouin Encampment Algeria.