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About Nebraska advertiser. (Brownville, Nemaha County, N.T. [Neb.]) 1856-1882 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 2, 1882)
"WTOB 'mm(m.tM Bcbntsfoi Mdvcrlincr. 1 4 0. W. rAXRimOTnER&CO., Proprietor AUBURN, T S NEBRASKA. ' 2vifJP LIGHTS OF HOME. ' d In ninny n vIllnRC window burn The evonlnir lniiint-: Thoy flhliw amid tho down nml damns. Those lljjhtfl of home I Afar the wandorcr bcos Ihcm glow, Now nlifht is nenrf " Thoy wild his nutli with radiance clear, SwcotllKbtaof homo. Yo lodo-stnrs that forever dm w Tho weary henrt, In slrnnffor lands or crowded mart: 01 lights of home. When my brief dny of llfo is o'or, Then may 1 soo Sh'no from tho Heavenly houso for mo Dear lights of home. U. L. Kino, in Detroit lYic PrCts. ---- Copyrighted.' VIOLA on Thrice Lost in a Struggle for a Name, BY MItS. It. B. EPSON. CHAPTER Vm.lcp.N-riNUED. But Stella Blako! Like tho M0rdee.1l of old who sat at tho King's .gate se embittered all His happiness. Not that tho girl opposed him, or was ritdo, or forward, or interfered in anything out of tho lino of her general duties; only and this meant a good deal only sho went to Mr. Montford for instructions, and deferred to him in everything, which, seeing that ho was master of tho houso wasn't certainly anything so vory deserving ot blame to an ordinary ob server. But Mr. Do Vrios wasn't an or dinary observer, by any means thoro was nothing ordinary about him you t'olt that instinctively when ho looked at you with those strange, opal oyes, which, beautiful and smiling as thoy" were, had a cruol, treaehoroii8 gleam in them, which secmod to bono tho pleasant voice antt uio smiling lips. Ordinarily Mr. DeVries had no more difficulty in .seeing through moii and womon than ho had through a bit of glass. Some were so very transparent that he felt a little sentiment of dis gust toward them; but Stella Blako went to tho opposito oxtremo; sho dis gusted him, bocauso sho was .co very opaque lie couldn't see as much as a hair's breadth past tho inscrutable face and defiant oyes. Very naturally ho didn't like it, and vory naturally the de sire to penetrate beyond tho protty mask became the absorbing wish of his heart. Ho didn't understand her ho didn't know what to make of hor but one thing was certain: it would do 110 harm to Keen an eyo on her, and this lie fully resolved to do. Mr. DoVries, whenever it suited his pleasure, or purpose, made lovo to Al tliea Montford. Ho had dona tins more or loss ever since sho was sixteen. Ho knew that sho would never mnrry any other man while ho continued to do it, and though ho didn't particularly care to marry hor at least, unless circum stances made it for his interest it was rather gratifying to his vanity to know that ho could twist this proud girl round his finger, and keep ner single, by now and then a look, a touch of the hand, and a fow tender words. It would servo his interest to havo Althca's co-operation and sympathy, for, if Miss Blako obtained too much influonco over Mr. Montford, sho could get her out of tho liouso in somo way. In pursuance of this idea ho sauntered into tho parlor whore Altkca was practicing somo new music. Coming up behind Iter ho reached oyer and pushed it away with ono 6weep of his white, firm hand. "Pardon me, Allie,". his voice was low and thrilling, as he leaned over till Ids breath touched her chock "but it is so seldom that I find you alono that I am going to be very presumptuous, and ask a favor, namely: That you foro- rn tho nlfifwnrn nf nrnntieinf for ail hour, and devoto it to me. And, first, I want you to sing my old favorite, Annie Laurie,' and let me sing it with you. What do you say, ma belief looking down into hor oycBi with ono of those sweet, tremulous' smiles, whicli made his face so fascinat ingP' For answer sho ran hor lingers over tho keys, striking out tho tunc. "No!" putting his hand over and stopping it. "I only want to hear your voice. What do I care for that insensate thingP Anybody can play Annie Lau rie,' but I never caro to hoar them. I only caro to hear you sing it." Ah, how low and tender and thrilling his voico was. Need I 6ay the song was sung? Need I sav that a brighter color camo Into Althea Montford's cheeks, and that tho pale blue eyes grew roft and starry, and almost beautiful, when his intense, thrilling voice gavo foico and mean ing to tho pathetic sweetness of tho words P "Thoro, don't over ask mo to listen when any of your frionds sing that!" ho said, drawing a long broath. "I want to kcop this song sacred to you, and this memory, Allie.'" A stop went through tho hall alight, tripping step, and grew familiar as it ascended tho stairs. " Our now friend?" ho half asked, half asserted. "Yes, I think so," sho said, rousing herself. Evidently sho was more thor oughly stooped in tho dolicious tranco wluoh tho song had inspired than her companion, and was not so alert for outside sounds. " Miss Blako is very protty," ho said, quiotly. "I thought you liked fair women, and Stella is as dark as n mulatto, al most," sho replied, sharply. " do llko fait1 women at least I liko otic," a tendor smile lighting up his face; but, nevertheless, Miss Stella t.t very attractive, and it would bo well for us to kcop it in mind." There was a meaning' in his look and words that startled her." "Yon do not you cannot mcan that He that my father" "Might bo fascinated?" ho inter rupted, smiling oddly. " I think that it certainly looks liko it, my dear Althea, though, of eourso I may bo mistaken 1 hope lam." " But ho is so old." "Just ton years oldor than I. I sup pose seem so old to you, Allio; I am twelve years oldor than you is that a bar botwecn ?" " 0, nol" sho cried, quickly, coloring. "But ho is so different from you." "Yes, I know; ho is rich, and I am poor." "You know I did not mean that, Alfred! You know I novor think about your clrcumstancos,' sho cried, hastily. Ho know that it was true; ho know that Althea Montford would marry him to-morrow (if lie should ask hor, which, as I said before, ho wasn't quite pre pared to do, under existing circum stances), and novor think oF it as a sacrifice, oven if ho had not a dollar in the world. "I know you do not, my darling," ho replied, looking down into her oyes again with that sweet, tremulous sn'iilo lighting hfs dark face. "But all women aro not so unselfish. Your father is but forty-eight not an old man, by any moans not too old to bo fascinated by a handsome face, if, indeed, any man ever is." " But sho sho could not caro tor him. Why, sho is a moro child!" "Althqa, did you never hoar of a poor young woman's marrying a rich old man?' ho asked, laugliing; "because if you never did, you arc tho only one in tho world who has not. And did you sup pose thoy always cared for tiio old fol lows? Not they!" "But 1 really do not bcliovo papa thinks of marrying again. Ho has novor seemed to think ot It, and mam ma lias been dead more than fourteen years." "7 do not think ho has an idea of marrying at present. But you can see as well as I that ho is pleased and Hattered by this girl's attention and deference. I only mentioned this at all to put you on your guard. Thoro is no ono in tho house upon whoso judgment I can rely, savo you; and anyway it is very natural that I should come to you," smiling that peculiar smile again which' always broughttho color to Althea Mont ford's face. "You can always rely on mo indeed trust in and depond almost wholly on you. As far as Lannio is concerned I get no sympathy. She has tltc strangest taculty lor seeing virtue, as she cans it, m everybody, olio will not believe in anything else, and ono might as well talk to a stono as to try to convince hor against her will." "And Victor is under tho spell, too! Really," he laughed, "I am astonished that 1 am not smitten. But a fort that is occupied is not easily taken. I can account for it in no other way." "Victor! You do not moan that he notices her, particularly? Why, we all know he lias been in Jove with Blancho Arnold these five years I think ho wasn't quite sixteen whon ho first began to blush and act awkwardly in hor pres ence." "Blancho is to marry hor cousin, 1 understand, tho valiant young mariner tho Captain-elect of tho 'Silver Star,' " and he laughed a light, mocking laugh. "1 do not believe it," sho oried, haughtily. "1 do not boliovo a girl with Blanche Arnold's prido would marry a Yankeo sea Captain in preference to bur Victor." "Softly! You forgot the fellow is her own cousin," ho interrupted; "and bo sides, you know what you said a little while ago. Perhaps she is foolish enough to bo unselfish, as well as somo ono else." Tho proud face softened, and sho made no further renionstranco against Blanche's conduct. Possibly Alfred DoVries had some cause for his suspicion of Stella Blako. No other servant nnd over taken special pains to please and conciliate Mr. Mont ford. No other sorvaut had ever sat in the library alone with him of an even ing, and played chess and dominoes till ton o'clock. But Miss Blako did both. Mr. Montford was not particularly fond of society. Ho knew that ho did not al ways make a good appearance that is, an elegant and refined appearance. His positipn seemed too, much for him it was greater than lie. So ho gradually withdrew himself, and charitable people called it "English reserve, and somo not so charitable said thoro was "some thinglacking in his make up." Por liapsPbolh wore right. But let no one fancy Gilbert Montford an Imbecile, or foolish, or less bright than a good many whom they may happen to know, and who pass current as vory passable sort of people, not uncomfortably ladon with brains, perhaps, but vory passable Ono thing was always noticeable about Mr. Montford: A sort of unconscious sorvii ity, as if tho position he bore and the garments lie woro had been made for somo ono else, and had fallen to him by lot neither seemed to fit him exactly. You havo scon such people, perhaps, whoso placo in the world seemed more an accident than a design, and wondered why s,uch and such an one, who would fill tho placo admirably, had not been born to it. Thoro aro so many things in tho world wo cannot understand, you know. There was, in (ho oast wing of Mont ford House, a small, ofllco-lTko room, whicli communicated with tho library In tho main building by a long, narrow, dark passage. Tho room was usually kept clean, for thero were kept tho Montford family records for generations back: tho deeds and titles of estates which had boon handed down and pro served with religious caro for nearly two centuries. Then there woro later papers certificates of railroad stock, mortgages on real estate, etc., etc. Tho room was plainly furnished. A crcou and black "hocking" covcrou tho lloor, and a round mahoganj- tablo in tho center of tho room with two Joathor covercd "olllco-chalrs" boXoro it, and a heavy mahogany writlug-dosk, and a cabinet of the same material and make, constituted tho movable furniture. Thoro woro shelves across ono oornor on which was piled old, yellow news papers, croasod and dusty; and sovoral dogs-eared volumes of old books which had been stored thoro evidently to got thorn, out of tho way, as thoy certainly contrasted rather unpleasantly with tho elegantly-bound volumes in "full Tur key " whicli graced tho library bIioIvcs. Now, thero was certainly nothing ono would naturally consider attractive to a young girl in this musty lHtlo store room, or "office-room," as it was callod. Thoro woro no pictures, no odd or curious relics, or bits of antiquo workmanship, no books among tho dogs-oared volumes of advonturo or romance; nothing, in short, in tho placo that a girl of Stella Blake's ago and evi dent tastes would bo likely to look at. But ono evening, , while tho family woro at tea, in tho dull, wavering liifht of a grey November twilight, Stella Blako crept carefully up stairs to tho library, through tho long, dark passage, to'tiio "office-room" door, and, taking a key from hor dross, fitted it into tho lock, and turned it with a quick, reso lute hand. Opposito the door woro two windows set but little moro than a foot apart, and at tho right of them a door that opened into a narrow hall which ran the length of tho east wing, from which opened two or tlireo small bed rooms, and two store-rooms for bedding and unseasonable clothing, blio stopped softly across tho lloor and tried this door; it was locked, widen seemed to satisfy her. Tho curtains woro bufl linen; she drew them up to the ceiling, and then kneeling before tho cabinet, which stood at the left of tho windows, and opposito tho wing door, she drew out ono after another, of the yellow, time-stained papers, and holding thetn to tho light, devoured them eagerly with hor oyes. Wliat marvolous oyes thoy woro as thoy gloaincd through tho fading light! Miss Montford was certainly not far out of tho way whon sho called thorn "un canny." Indeed, thoro was rather a supernatural look about tho entire face as it turned itself to the light, loaning over sometimes in a sort of feverish eagerness till the warm breath on tho glass dimmed tho already dim light, but never once looking up, or down, or away anywhere, in short, but straight at the old, old papers! A fierce, fiery red burned in the cheeks, and tho lips woro firm and compressed, and tho scarlet shawl folded'ovor tho bosom roso and fell in short, sharp undulations. Suddenly a door opened and shut, and then a slow, careless step camo up the stairs. With tiio Bpeod of lightning she thrust tho papors back into tho cabinet, sprang aoross the lloor, and out into tho library passage just as tho oast door opened, and Alfred DoVries camo into tho (lusky little "offico-rooni." Mr. DoVries looked suspiciously at the drawn-up curtains; then ho wont across tho floor and tried tho otlior door very much as sho had done that, and looking equally satisfied at finding it fast. " Thero is no knowing what she mitrlit tako a fancy to do, and it's well enough to be on tho safe side," lie said, under his breath, as ho took a little bunch of koys from a drawer in tho desk, and quietly proceeded to lock the writing desk, tho cabinet and tho two small drawers in the table. This done, ho drew down tho cur tains, locked tho door on the inside, and taking tho key, inserted it in the lock of the otlior door, turned it, went out, locked it after him, and went down tho passage to the library. In the meantime Stella Blako had pre ceded him, and when he opened tho library door sho looked up at him with an indifferent glance from her seat by tho window. "Are you a book-worm, Miss Stella," he said, lightly, "that you haunt tho library so? It would be rather pleasant to be a book in that case, to be devoured by such pretty lips." He said this coming towards her all tho time, and just aslio stopped speak ing, stopped also directly in front ol her, looking down at tho slight, graceful fig ure, the pure oval of tho outlined face, and tho heavy coils of jetty hair encir cling her head like a crown. " l never read some books; I do not think Mr. DeVries would bo in tho slightest danger," sho said, coolly, ris- ing to go out. "But supposo ho courted the danger what then?" Sho was going past him; ho put out his arm and caught her round tho waist. Thoro was a ringing box on his ears, which half .stunned him. "How darcyou, sir!" she cried, stamp ing her foot; "how dare you insult 1110 iifthis way, Mr. DoVries';"' Evon through tho dusk and gloom ho saw the stormy glitter of her oyes, and tho angry red surging in hor face. How royal shy was in her wrath! IIow dif ferent from Althea -Montford. Tor an Instant tho thought of wooing this little tempest of bringing all tho fascina tions of which ho could boast to bear upon tho fiery, passionate young heart, Hashed through his brain alluringly. But another instant of rofloctlon sliowed Its folly and Impossibility. It would not lio vory plea.sant living in tho houso with Althea. should ho at tempt such tv thing, oven if ho was sure that ho could keep his present position with Mr. Montford. But latterly Vic tor had shown symptoms of restless ness. Once ho had said that when he attained his majority, in Docombur, ho wished to bo made acquainted with all 1 ho details of his father's affairs, so as to prepare himself to tako chargo of them at no distant day. i to was a lit tlo afraid of the straight-forward, open hearted, fearless young fellow. Ho could not hold him as ho liold his father, by fear and a superior will. Thero would bo but ono courso left for him if the boy insisted on taking his work out of his hands, and that was to marry Althea. All these considerations ran through his mind with Hghtnlng-llko rapidity. No; as much as his inclina tions leaned towards it, lie know it would not bo safe to lndulgo In tho lux ury of winning this fiery lUtlo sphinx. So ho bowed vory humbly, and said, in a regretful tone," that ho "could novor forgive himself for his import inonee, and ho would try to control himself in tho future, even if the temptation was so much greater than his strength." Stella escaped to her room, wltito and trembling, and falling on hor knees, lifted a pale, emotional face to Heaven in a low, solemn-faced vowj but there woro no tears in tho uplifted eyes, nor no softness about tho beautiful lips. rilAPTKR IX. A week moro went by, a woek of comparative quiet. The " olllco-rooni" was kept locked all tho tlmo now, and Mr. Montford had lost tho key whicli ho had to it. Thoro had always been two koys, ono for himself and ono for his private socrotary. But sinco tho evening montionod in the last chapter it wjis not to be found. Mr. Montford distinctly remembered having loft it in his dressing-gown pookot when ho wont down to supper. He had not thought of it. again until some time tho next day, and then it was not to bo found. "What object, could any of us have for taking tho key to th'at musty old place?" Victor asked, as his fat her fret ted and stormed over it, anil declared somo one had stolon the missing article. "Sure enough what obieetP" Do Vrios responded, in a careless tone, just lifting his oyes to Stella Blako's face, and dropping them again hastily, as if tho glance had boon involuntary, and lie was sorry lor it. It had the result of fixing every otlior pair of oyes in the room on hori as ho possibly might havo intended, for ho still watched hor from under his low ered lids, nnd saw as distinctly as tho others the vivid red flame In hor cheeks. "Alfred, Miss Montford said, touch ing his arm as ho was going out, " wait 11 moment, I want to speak with you." Thero was no one but rnnnlo left in tho room beside them, and so at once. Althca begau " I want you to speak to papa about this girl. 1 am as sure she took tliatkoy as if I saw her do it, and I, for one, do not feel safe to have such a person in tho liouso." "Why, Althea," interposed Fannie, " what havo wo to fear, oven if sho has taken tho key? We've no skeleton locked up thero that I'm aware of. I always .thought it a piece of careful folly'locking tho doors- at all. What is thoro among those old family records that is private?" DeVries looked up stealthily. 'There was a look on Althca's face which startled him. Was it possible that who knew or suspected nnythingP But Fannie, at least, did not. Sho only looked faintly surprised, and perhaps just a little annoyed. "Miss Fannie forgets that all hor fat tier's valuable papers are there, its well as the 'old records' she mentions," ho said, politely. "But what object could she have in holding the key to them" Even if she purloined them sho could not negotiate them; what use would thoy hot1' she persisted. " If you wish strangers to lay their vnndaf hands on our ancestral rolics and ancient records, do not," Althea said, firmly; "and you will do 1110 a favor not to intcrpouo your ridiculous charity in tho matters at all. Mr. DoVries, I think perhaps this would be a good time to speak to papa. I think his mighty faith was shaken a little by that gunty rod that dyod her face. I will leave it to you to manage." "Thank vou for your confidence, but it is not a pleasant task, whatever 111 I own convictions may lis as to its a visability. However, I will do tho best 1 can," and taking his hat from tho table ho wont out, looking a little re gretful, as if Ills tendor heart was plcadiii" against his stern sense of duty to tho Interests of his friends. But once outside a sudden change flashed over his face. A faint, exultant smile llickored and died on his lips, and a curious yellow gleam liamod in his eyes. Mr. Montford was in his smoking room when tho door opened and his private secretary sauntered carelessly 111, giving a little start of surprise at finding him there, as much, in fact, as if lie had not watched for half an hour to see him go in there. "I'm rather glad I havo stumbled upon you, Montford," ho said, taking out liis cigar case. "There's a little matter 1 thought perhaps it was my duty to mention to you, as tho lad's father. 1 don't suppose you have noticed it?" "Noticed what? I wish, DoVries, when you talk to 1110 you would conde scend 'to say what yon mean," ho an swered, impatiently. "Thoro is noth ing to bo made out of mo by putting on airs, and I don't see why you should do it." I TO in: CONT1NUUP. . A man at (1 recti Covo Springs, Fla,, takes his soup with a horn spoon that was mado over lfiO yours ago. This must botho original "great horn spoon" by which General Israel Putnam usod to swear. A'. Y. Graphic. KKIiHUOUS AND EDUCATIONAL. The contributions of monoy to th work of tho Presbyterian Church (North) during tho last year amounted to tho sum of $1G for each mombor. The Interior. Tho London Guardian (ohuroh pa- for) says that In somo cases canons of 'athcdrals whoso salary was $4,000 a jrear aro now ouly getting $2,000, in consoquonco of tho doorcase in tho valuo f land. Moro than ten percent of tho school children of Pittsburgh nro atlllctod with myopia, or noar-slghtedness. 1 Faultily constructed school buildings, lino print in text nooks, pale ink, greasy slates and poor blackboards aro somo of tho causes. In other cities tho porcontaga is equally great. lHUsburgh I'ost. A dispatch has boon recelvod from Alexandria, Egypt, by the United Pres byterian Board of Foreign Missions, an nouncing that, it is now safo to havo all tiio missionaries return to their mission work in Kgypt. A telegram haH accord ingly boon sent to thoso in England to return nt onco. Tho Advance Waldo Messaros is a Greek gentle man who prcsidos ovor tho Northwest ern Presbyterian Church in Philadel phia no ably that ho has acquired tiio title of ''Tho Theological Domos thonos." Ho speaks eight languages, has crowded (ho church every Sunday, lifted' an indebtedness of $18,000, aud has novor taken a theological training. Tho Springfield (Mass.) llemiblican states that a Baptist pastor in Now Brit ain, Conn., while preaching on a recent Sunday in his own pulpit, had among his attentive hearers somo in tho termor oily, forty miles distant from his church. Tho telephone carried tho words faith fully, apparently doing jnstieo to tho oxcollont elocution ami articulation of tho preacher. Tho sermon was a forci ble, earnest ploa for righteous living. A few days sinco a pupil in tho State Normal school at Castloton, Vt., 'waB discovered to bo crying very hard. Inquiry by tho principal elicited tho fact that tho girl had just received a lottor stating that hor sister Mary was dead. School was stoppod and prayer was of fered. A second perusal of the lottor showed that the girl was mlstakon; that it was not sister Mary, but a favorite family horso named Mary that was doad. Then thanks were offered that the nowa was no worse In a locturo at Boston Mr. Parton said that at Eton College, England, tho studdnts mado in 1880 a llvo-horao-powor steam engine, which turns tho lathe in their shops. This is a groat ohango from the almost exclusive Latin verso making of by-gone days, aud which tho Etonian destined for New Zealand or Australia will highly appreciate. Many of tho biggor boys at Eton havo their own forges at which thoy hammor and mould. To Cornell must bo given tho credit of originating tills wliolcsorao in dustrial move. N. x. Sun. Fashion Notes. Royal cardinal is tho favorite color for children's drosses. Tho Glengarry cap of bright scarlet wool is worn aliko by boys and girls. Basques of terra-cotta cashmere aro much worn ovor black volvot skirts. Velvets, satin rhadamos, cordod silk, Irish poplin anil cashmoro will bo in high voguo for fall and winter wear The flrst-namod fabrics, for evening dress, aro shown in all the delicate tints of pale pink, Persian mauve, cioL blue, cream color nnd sea green. Jackets and basques of ovory descrip tion and color aro worn ovor skirts of s ' contrasting material. Tho shapes nro varied, and aro in styles suitable to ov ory age. Thoy aro invariably closo-fit-ting, are out with a narrow collar, and button straight down tho front Tho most fasliionablo perfumes just now aro "Opoponax" and that known as Edolwoiss, tho extract of tho sweet Alpino flower. Sachots filled with pow der, scented witli tho same odors, aro sold also, these to be placed between the folds of dresses and mantles when lying in the wardrobo; but stress is to bo laid on tho fact that excess in tills, as in most otlior respects, is vulgar; a soupcon only is permitted. Stripes are as fasliionablo as ovor in all classes of material, and, used in combination with plain fabrics, aro very elloctlvo, especially in rich India silk materials. Soarf draperies of soft striped surahs and satins nro much worn, and if well chosen can accompa ny several different drosses. Plastrons,, rovers, collars and culls, edged with colored Spanish laco matching one of tho colors of tho stripes, preferably dark green, should bo worn to match. These also can bo transferred from one dross to another. Bonnets and round hats aro exhibit ed in a great varioty of novel sliapos, from tho graceful and elegant toho ex aggerated and grotosquo styles, which aro wilder than ever this season; for in stance, a formidable looking, irregular shaped bonnet is known as the "ole phant's oar," a side view of this ugly bead gear resembling an elephant's ear in outline and almost in size. There nro numberless modifications of the poke, which yet clings to favor, and now and very "becoming Gypsy shapes, these charming and loss conspicuous bonnets boing mado with brims of shirred satin and soft Moorish crowns of plush or volvot. Tho crowns to the most fasliionablo round hats aro immensely high, with brims aa wide as tho Gainsborough. Capotes or hobo bonnets are still in high vogue, though attempts havo been' mado to erowil tlicso protty and lady-like little French bonnets to tho wall. For full dress thero is no head covering to equal thorn in stylo and elegance. Af. 1'. Even ing Post.