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About The Red Cloud chief. (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 20, 1896)
ft, n K 'THE RED CLOUD CHIEF. EIMDAY, NOV. 20. IR. 7 Ml f lw 4 U- V r 'A if r 3 V U IMWU. V?M Vv'? Hrf " " " .A a 1 4 i', iip 'ru-v -:7"i I r irv . f o. - . "1 r i ."V 'WRWimflbMSV 'c.' . . .'IPRWPTS, HI'Ili: wast n sad heart In tbo low BtotU'd, dark llttlo Iioiipo that utood humbly by the roadsldo u n d c r iomo tall elms Small a.s her house was, old Mrs. Hobb found It too large for herself nlone: flhc only needed the kitchen and a tiny bedroom that led out of It. and there still remained the best room and a bedroom, with the low garret overhead. There had been a time, after alio was left alone, when Mrs. ltobb could help those who were poorer than herself. She owned u pig. and a strong enough not only to do a woman's work Inside her hoiue, but also a man's work outside In her piece of garden ground. At last sickness and age had come hand In hand, those two relentless enemies of the poor, and to gether they had wasted her strength and substance. She had always been looked up to by her neighbors as be ing Independent, but now she was left, lame-footed and lame-hnnded, with a debt to carry and her bare land, and ilirv liimun lll.iii'fivlilnnml tn Htuiul the li.ir .if Hltm T'n n U'lllllt HllO TllMll- Aw i it ini Dl'ttU " fc.W Ul i.....- u..w ....... , tor. and bo done with li. At this tcr rlblo suggestion her" bravo heart neenied to stand still. The people whom sho cared most for happened to bo poor, and she could no longer go Into their households to mako herself of use. The very elms overhead seemed to say "No" a they groaned In the late autumn winds, nnd thero was some thing appealing even to strange passers-by In the look of the little gray house, with Mrs. Hobb's pale, worried face at tbo window. Annlvetaartes aie days to make other peoplo happy In, but sometimes when they como they seem to bo full of sha dows, and the power of giving joy to others, that Inalienable right which ought to lighten the saddest heart, the most Indifferent sympathy, sometimes even this seems to bo withdrawn. So poor old Mary Ann Robb sat at her window on tho afternoon before Thanksgiving and felt herself to be poor nnd sorrowful Indeed. Acrose tbo frozen road sho looked eastward over a great stretch of cold meadow-land, brown and windswept and crossed by UtS?' u CSTji.?-" a t i j d i.rr?.s J3W 13' THERE WAS A TALL MAN. Icy ditches. It seemed to her as If In all the troubles that she had known and carried beforo this, there had al ways been somo hope to hold, no if sho had novor looked poverty full In tho faco nnd seen Its cold and pitiless look before. Sho looked nnxlously down the road, with a horrible shrink ing and dread at tho thought of being asked, out of pity, to join In somo Thanksgiving feast, but there was no body coming with gifts In hnnd. Once she had been full of lovo for such dnye, whether at homo or abroad, but Bome thlng had chilled her very heart now, poor old woman. Her ncareat neighbor had been fore most of thoso who wished her to go to tho town-farm, and he had said more than onco that It was tho only sensible thing. But John Manflcr was waiting patiently to get her tla farm Into his own hands. Ho had advanced some nionoy upon It in her extremity, and protended that thero was still a debt, after ho had cleared her wood lot to ray hlintelf back, Ho would plow over tho graves in tho field-corner and fell tho great olins, and waited for his poor proy llko a spider. Ho had often re proached her for being too generous to worthless peoplo in tho past and com- aged to get on, but at last It began to " 'r sail neart. sue still sat bo whispered about that It was no use i lj' t'10 window, hoping now, In spite of for any one to be so proud; It was eas- . herself. Instead of fearing; and a curl ier for the whole town to earo for her ! 01I! feeling of nearness and expectancy than for a few neighbors, and she had J ninilo her feel not so much llght-hcart-botter go to tho poorhouso befoiu win- . ed as lii:ht-headed. . t . t I .., i'i iff' m 111 rai will' iffiBm ll! fife t ' 'Will I- U. -i ll :W I I i7fl ft . .L ', Hi ' -A 9 W 14 I H IHt ' & 1 1 i A '" ' 8- U ' A W ".irf2 ' -v C"1-' ," ,nK t0 1,l a charge to others now. Oh, If she could only die In her own house and not suffer the pain of homeless nes and dependence! It was jiirtt at stiiiet, and as mie looked out hopelessly across the gra fields, theie was a sudden gleam of light far away on the low bills beyond, the clouds opened In the west and let the sunshine thiout-'h. One lovely gleam shot wlft as an arrow and brightened a far cold hillside where It fell, and at the same moment a sudden gleam of hope brightened the winter landscape of her heart. "Theie was .Johnny Harris," said Mary Ann, softly. "Ho was a soldier's son. left an orphan and dlstrcMed. Old John Marnier scolded, but I couldn't t-ee the poor boy want. I hep' him that year after he got hurt, spite o' what anybody said, an be helped mo what little he could. He said I was the only mother he'd eer had. 'I'm goln out West, Mother Kobb,' says he. 'I shan't come back till I get rich,' an' then he'd look at mo an' laugh, so pleasant an' boyish. He wa'n't one that liked to write. I don't think he was doln' very well when I heard there, W'a years ago now. I always thought If he got sick or anything, 1 should have a good home for him. There was ttzrn lllake, the deaf one, too he won't huvo any placo to come to" The light faded out of doors, and again Mrs. llobb's troubles stood before I "CI Vet It was not so dark as It had i leoi just as u someinur was goin to happen," sho said. "Poor Johnny llnrris, perhaps he's thlnkln' o' me, if he s alive. ' It was dark now out of doors, and there wero tiny clicks against tho win dow. It was beginning to snow, nnd the great elms creaked In the rising wind overhead. A dead limb of one of the old trees had fallen that autumn, and poor fire wood as It had been, It was Mrs. Hobb's own, and she had burnt it most thank fully. There wns only a small armful left, but at least she could havo the luxury of a lire. Sho had n feeling that It was her last night at home, and with strange recklessness sho began to fill tho stove as she used to do in bettor days. "I'll get me good an' warm," she said, still talking to herself, as lonely people do, "an I'll go to bed early. It's comln' on to fctorm." Tho snow clicked faster and faster against the window, and sho sat alono thinking In the dark. "There's lots o' folks I love," she said once. "They'd be sorry I ain't got nobody to come nn' no supper tbo night nforo Tbankeglvln'. I'm dreadful glad they don't know." And sho drew a lit tle nearer to tho lire, and laid her head back drowsily in tho old rocklng-chalr. It seemed only a moment before thero was n loud knocking, nnd somebody lifted tho latch of tho door. Tho fire shone bright through tho front of tho old stovo and mnde a little light In tho room, but Mary Ann Hobb waked up frightened and bewildered. "Who's there?" she called, as she found her crutch and went to tho door. Sho was conscious of only hep ono great fear. "They've come to take mo to tho poorhouso!" sho said, and burst Into tears. There was a tall man, not John Man der, who seemed to fill the narrow door way. "Como. let mo In!" he said gayly. "It's a cold night. You didn't expect mo, did you. Mother ltobb?" "Dear mo! What Is It?" sho faltered, stepping back as ho camo In and drop ping her crutch. "Ho I dreamln'? 1 was a-dreamln' nbout Oh thero! What was I a-sayln'? 'Taln't truo! No! I've mndo somo kind of n mistake." Yes, this was tho man who kept the poorhoiiBe, and sho would go without complaint; they might hnvo given her notice, but sho must not fret. "Sit down, sir," sho said, turning to ward him with touching patience. "You'll havo to give mo a little time. It I'd been notified I wouldn't havo kept you waiting a mlnuto this cold night." It was not tho keeper. Tho man by tho door took ono step forward and put his arm round her and kissed her. "What aro you talkln' nbout?" Bald John Harris. "You ain't goln' to make me feel like a stranger. I've como all tho way from Dakota to spend Thanks glvln'. Thcro'8 all sorts o" things out here In tho wagon, nn' a man to help got 'om In. Why don't you cry so, Mother Robb. I thought you'd havo a great laugh If I como an' surprised you. Don't you remember I said I should?" It was Johu Harris Indeed. Tho poor soul could say nothing, Sho felt now WW - s v s v.y rmii vM .mil wk s - ; i i mm - I 'J 03-f53 -- $ S J TL ' Mf na If her lirart w.in going to bicak will' Joy. Ho lpfi hop in Hip loiitlng-clmli nuil came ainl wptit in hht ol.l bonn way. bringing I" bin store of gifts ami piovlslon. It wai bolter th.nt an dream. IU laughed ami talked mid went out to send Hip man to bring a wngnniul of wood from John .Msiudor's, VI . ;:, I III, i A. v ' '55saa ' ,"'&v P- &w , '.A 1Y ,"'.: ' !:7.Cfl LVuS s -,. and came In himself laden with pieces of the neaietU fence to keep the ilro go lug In the meantime. They must cook the steak for supper right away; they must find the package of tea among nil the other bundles; they must get good fires started In both the bedrooms. Why, Mother Robb didn't eem to bo leatly for company from out West! The great cheerful fellow hurried about the tiny house, nnd thu little, old woman limped nfter him, forgetting everything but hospitality. Had not sho a house for John to come to? Weio not her old chairs and tables In their placets still? And he remembered everything nnd klshod herns they stood beforo the lire ns If she weio a girl. lie had found plenty of hard times, but luck bad come at lust. He had struck luck, and this was the end of a great year. "No, I couldn't seem to wilto lutters; no use to complain o' the worst, nn' I wanted to tell you the best when 1 came"; and he told It while sho cooked the supper. "No, I wa'n't goln' to write no foolish letters," John repeated. Ho was afraid he should cry himself when ho found out how bad things had beep; and they sat down to supper together, T "DON'T YOU CRY SO!" just n they used to when bo was a homeless orphan boy, whom nobody elso wanted In winter weather while ho was crippled nnd could not work. Sho could not bo kinder now than sho was then but sho looked so poor and old! He saw her tasto her cup of tea and sot It down again, with a trembling hnnd and a look nt him. "No, I wanted to como myself," ho blustered, wiping his eyes nnd trying to laugh. "And you're going to hnvo everything you need to mnke you comfortable long's you live, Mother Robb!" She looked at him again and nodded, but who did not even try to speak. Thero was a good, hot supper ready, and her own folks had como; It was tbo night before Thanksglvlnc. Oh! Turkey with cranberry Jelly! Oh! Doughnuts nnd pudding and pie! If thero Is ever a time when wo want our turkey to bo tender and Juicy, it Is for the Thnnksglvlng dinner. It is not every housekeeper who knows how to select a turkey, though It Is not n diffi cult matter. Tho best turkoya havo smooth, black legs with soft, looso spurs, and aro short and plump. Tho end of tho breast bono should bo soft and flexible. Tho breasts aro full, and tho flesh plump and white. Tho cooking Is fully as Important as tho selection, and the preparation for It should bo carefully attended to. A turkey Is greatly Improved by drawing tho sinews from tho lcg. This converts tho otherwlso coarso nnd tough flesh of tho drumstick Into deli cate meat. If you prefer to stuff your tuikoy, place enough In silt of neck to fill the cavity mado by removing tho crop; fill the breast with tho remainder and sov firmly. Thanksgiving Day Is a timely pre paration for Christmas. A thankful heart mnket) ono dcslro to shnro good gifts with a poorer nolghbor, and so by tho tltno Christmas Day appears the spirit of selfishness has been sup pressed, Vlr'tmmA , "7I1VI Jkl rv-JflOTW'i AlflV nil, It AW grj- (ivrviviJvf2. THE COCKSWAIN'S STOHY. Yon Umm Hi it lllllr Hun ulii MimuI nn llio hiirnlii itivk Itl'l' llll' Ills f illirr .! tl'll I I'l.l To iml lilm i'ili I hi' urn I; Nmi,' toll; in iv tlilnl. It mn to uritu A l Kill 1)11 lit III' lllll. Hut n. Im u.irii I n tniihoi' 'I o our iiiitulii .i litilu I. Hi W'v ,i I'rtiNlu' Jut ort Sui ly lloo':, A iliiHitm tit II 111,11 l(. Ati lltth' J.ii'ti Mm'. I on tin' nrlil.'i, An (lion lit It all ii l.ith mh rl;lit ui tin n ' his f.iilior mtd, An l.tit'H tin' htlli' lilil Woiilil tnii't im hiriil lii'iWHi' !io li II utly in lio mi! lilil iii'it ust iikp ttmt ii slu'll witn fino All. lit i' iini r.illlir mi All iiit'ii mi lns llir hUlppriliinUiililj lust llku ns llii'v with il i(l "I'm .ii juit ii slllv tnt'li ii siimi) I ii'ifi tiilsihiiM iiiiUiii Mia ' tl'il It mm mt'il all ill' ill In iMrnixt li) Tlio ciii,uii s llttii' lilil I to Clio imp IiiiM limit iiro'in", Ills lip ciirli'ii up in sinrii, 1 lii'ii mmimi; liNsi'lt itnmi on llm ik'i'! An . trim as on wi'io Imrn. Hi' i r.ilil ril tli it Im nil ii' tiisi) Ill I ot U III lltlli' hum!, ln illil. An .iuli'il II out' si, iii, mo tiuul Tln'ii (or ttio eupUIti t. .il Tin' r ipt tin i omo. nn' lie wns unit How ilnroil mi illolii' v" " I'll, Pops, ' tlm lit tlit I'll ip apol.n out, ' Yoiim'i' tun jut till nn You w.in t Iiiti' hut Top I IdtOiT lusl .it Mill WOllltl 'll lllll An' mi I took tin rli iiii'im W'.u I tl.Mil'" Tim plutUvMiP 1 In- I'.ini.iln, v. In' just lirolio iliiwn, An finti pit nt It h i'i'. All llllltillll "f III' Mil thlt I'llll'nl'it 'I'm ii nil In-1 until n-plv 'J It it s w v tilt' tin It nil slli'tt to .I.U'U, Ho toiii IiimI tlii'lr In' trt. In' illil S.t Unit ll ifii Minn t Inn Mith Tin- c.iptuliiM lltlli' IM I' - ll.iriHT's Yotmtf IViiplo. The Great Hesper. IIV I K.XSK It lltltlM'l. ClIAITnw III -fiiMiM t:u. "And .lau Van llooi'k'i"' "That's Israel," I'ospomloil tho iludue, ind lent hi; Van lloeek; "and darkness foil upon Vm," ho i dtloil, uxplumitlvoly. llui'lii,' a .short spni'ti of his isvout ful career llr.iee hud uarued a pro curious oxl.steiieo as a iruvolln"; preaelioi'. "'I'lion ni nro llernaril Tlmi'iiu," tho biii'ouot said to me, "anil Lola Is" "Tho Kid," said ISracu: "hor mother was a (,mvuoi' a Mexican." ho I'Nplaiiiril to Miss l.nseolli's Tho dinnei' hml warmed Ills spirits and loosened his tongue, tinil ho ro lated tbo btory of tho llmllng- of tho (lliimoml. "(hie thlnir is obvious," snld ,Sli Kdiiiund cheerfully; "vim won't want to leave inn to-nlirht." "Nei'ty ono on us, hir, you bet!" replied tbo .hido. whllo Van lloeek and I ovjirossed tho biuno MMitlmonts In othor words. "Tho next thing' to consider Is," ho then said, "how ran I bo of ser vice to you In this alTiilr. To pur chase your trousiiro Is of eourso alto-g-othor nut of tho question. Hut I should llko to buy a hinnll a very, very small sharo In It, paying down a certain sum for your present eon vonienco, and tnkine; It imek when tho diamond is ultimately disposed of, with a reasouablo perconta'o upon tho outlay. I mako this ii(,' ,'OHtlon as u mutter of business, that you may fool yourt-olves froo from any restraint In nceoptlnir my olTor." It took us but a fow moments to agrco to this propobnt. "In that caso," ho procooded, "I should wish to havo a volco in tho manni;omont of this business, and tho lirst suggestion 1 should mako In, that tho 11 nest artist In work of this kind bo cuRii-jcd to cut tho diamond under this roof, and that during tho operation you should tako up your residonco horu. This precaution Is noccssary for tho safe keopltig- of tho troastiro, nnd for our own common (security." Jhia arraiifiomont was too obvi ously advantujjoous to us to require argument; wo consulted tojjothor.nud quickly agrnod to accept tho condi tion. Sir Kdmttnd read tho ngrooment through again, and then said: "Wo must coiiMilt a lawyer with regard to a legal form of agreement. Uuro thoro Is a kind of tontluo ar rangomont by which ono would ro colvo an enormous advantacro by tbo (loath of his partners. It Is nu tin c mfortablo olauso, and I do not see tho nocosslty for Its oxlstoneo, now that tho clrcumstaiuoH wltioh called for its being mado mo changed. A lnwyor may provido fi r our i-oeurlty without exposing us to ugly possibili ties. Your rooms uro ready; .lohnsun will show you to thorn if you fool jou would llko to turn In." Tho prospoet of sleoplng onco mora in a good bed brought us to our foot at once. Miss Luscollos, undaunted by a first robuir, iiad got Lola's hand In hers, and was talking in a low, on doarlng tono to hor. Tho Kid snatchod hor hand away, started to hor feot, and camo to my sldo, see ing wo woio about to go. In tho morning hor room wns found ompty, tho bod untouched, tho Moor covered with shrods of tho clothing Miss Lnsoollos had lain out for Lola's uho, and which, undoubtedly, tho littlo savngo had torn up. l'oor littlo Lola! Sho and I had always boon tho bo.st of friends, ox copt when a question of cooking or washing oecurrod to troublo us. Sho would yiold to my persuasion whoa nothing olso would bond hor stub born spirits. Mio fearod my allont roproach moro than tho scathing sarcasm Van Hoock treated hor with, or tho heavy hand of hor fathor. Sho rospectod no ono but mo, probably because I alono Bpcctcd hor foollngs. Had 1 foreseen that nl'ht re- tho iourso eho win about to take. I mlcrht. with u littlo patient porsuiiblon, havo brought liur to ronson. .My spirit Is woighod down with rogrot whoa I think how perhaps n dozen words from mo at that tltno would hnvo turuod aside the fearful c nso quonees of that uct uu ct. ho olight yet fiillnwed by terror upon lurrm-, by I'l'lmo iiihiii cr Inn' (IIAl'TI.I! IV. I must siiminnrl'L' as brlolly in po. fcllilo Urn ovt'iitt that took plneu the week following Lola's lllglit, nut be cause I Mini them litekltt; In Inter est -for iiitlei'ii tin!' i re the lui) pies! daj s 1 had eu'r spent--but be iiiuo tho lengthy dei'i'iption wniild unduly letnrd tin- prngte of tlm hlstor, I luxe et in,ell to minute. (In the illuming of the l.Mh, oiiioh wiwmadn fur Lulu Mie was not in tlio luiiiso a mtio uftor midday, tine of the keeper., i'iit out tooxplofo tho Abbey woods ii ml park, reported that ho had ecn the fugltno in the llr plantation, about half a mile from the Abbey, At night of him she lir.vl "scuttled" uway llko a young d-or, but he, obedient to orders, bad not pursued her In tho itfleruoon wo wont in n break to J-outhnuiptnti, driving slowly through tbo woods, with tho possibility of being eeit liv Lola, who would certnlnly then havo fol. lowed us, but wi' (.aw nothing of her. At .Siiitluunptcnt wo bought decent clot hoc and spent -.nine tlmn In tho hair drcsoi's. I bad my beard hu oil oil; and wo tvtut nod to the Abbey. ery niuelt altered for tho bettor in appcai'iincn. Mr IMniuml returned lu too even lug from Loudon. "Now, indeed, jou look ,ourelf a gentleman,'1 he said, blinking my hand eouliiilly. Ho hud made in quiries inspecting a lapidary, and learned that the most expert known to tho trade was a man mimed Cur valbo, then occupied at Madrid. With our sanction he wrote at onco ollering this uitiii his own terms to como to tho Abbey and cut the (ireat llesper. At night, tho door by which Lola was supposed to havo oeaped from tho Abbey was loft open, and a night light was placed lu her bedroom. Tho next morning tho dalryinnld said that someone hud been at her milk pans in the night: there was no othor evidence of Lola having en tered the house. After iireakfast. I detei mined lo go through tho woods myself In search of her Mis Las cellos wished to accompany me. I ought to hnvo pointed out to her that her company lessened tbo chances of Lola siill'nrlug mo to approach hor, but I could not deprUo m,holf the pleasure of having such u sweet com I anion. Wo saw Lola at the edge of a dealing on the hillside. Mio watched us us wo drew near. 1 called to her, but sho shook In-r head, and, turning her bad: upon us, quickly disappi'tired among the pines, Thu forlorn condition of thnglrl; her gesture which seemed full of sad ness; tbo client fall of leaves; tho trlstiwss of the autumn woods, overcame Miss Lncollov. and as she walked silently beside mo, with her head bent, I saw that she was cry ing. This episode mado a deep lin preslon upon mo; yet whllo my heart ached with sympathy for tho poor little savago wandering alone lu those silent, still woods, an Imle .cribablu happiness stole over my senses. 4 It was the awakening of love. On the lilth wo went again Into tho woods, Miss Lascelles ami I, struylng thither without purpose from tho garden where wo mot. Wo camo to a stream bridged by a single plank supported in tho middle. Thoro had been a hand-rail, but it had fallen away lu decay. I gave hor my hand, tho fenr 'of failing mado her clasp my lingers tightly. Sho seoniod to enjoy tho littlo dan gor; it animated her faco and eyes with the prettiest, most bewitching expression imaginable. Her hand seemed to communicate the quick ened pulsation of hor heart. Hut It was not four It wns Intoxication that agitated me; and when sho put hor foot In safety on tho bank, and looked up Into my faco with bright laughter, I lost my head completely. 1 kept her hand In inino, and whon sho tried to withdraw' it, I forcedlt to my lips and pressed a kiss upon it. Tho color loft hor cheek, and in a tono of reproach sheexclaimod: "Oh. Mr. Thorno!" and I was ashamed. Wo walked homo and wero very sllont on tho wuy. I sought Sir Kdmuiul at once, and 11 tiding him alone, told him that 1 wished to mako his daughtor my wife. Ho was thunder struuk by this sudden uud unexpect ed aunoiiucemoiiu "I lovo your daughtor." I said, "and I cannot stay In this house keeping my passion a secret." "Well," said ho, with rather rue ful pleasantry, "you have lost no time, Mr. Thorno, but It would havo boon a p6or compliment to my daugh tor had you failed to perceive hor churins." "I should bo dull indeed hud sho failed to Impross mo," I replied. Wo talkod for some time, and finally ho said, with emotion; "I must give up my dear child, sooner or later. Her happiness is dearer to mo than anything', and 1 can wish hor no greater blessing than to (lnd a good and worthy hus band. ' At that moment Kdlth opened tho door, but. booing us, sho stopped in the entrance. "Como horo, Kdlth," fnld Sir Kd mund; and, taking hor hand, ho con tinued, "Mr. Thorno wishes you to bo his wifo; is that your wlsh'aluo?" Sho burled hor burning faco In her fniliiir's shouldorj sho could neither say yes nor no. "It is a question that should not bo decided hustlly," the baronet con tinued; "tako tltno, my dear. Moan whllo, 1 see no ronson for your loav iug tho house," he added, addressing mo. "Unless " I faltorcd. "Unless Kdlth wlshos it," tho barotmt said, helping, mo out. "Truo. Shall you fool more at easo, dear, If Mr. Thorno goes uway for n certain time, my? Shall he go?" Mill screening hor face, Ldlth xlionk her IhmiI und then I know that I bad won n tieiisino gioator than the Hesper iliaiiioiid. In the afternoon of thu '' Hi Sir l'lltnnuil mid. I niiM bo n looking at your en gag, nient. Ili'i'iiard, from a practical point ot Mi'w, uud a fact occurs to mo that, at nidi a time as ibis, would probably escape you That agree ment ol jours must be altcro l. Von will see that, for Ldlth's mke. what I call the tontluo eluiwt -ti cltiusi' conferring upon the Miniver u do ceased partner's share In the (treat Hesper .should bo abrogated. It entails a risk which in must not bo exposed to you undorsiatiil me?" I umlcrsto d what In- Mid per fectly, and agreed with li Im that tho clause must bo uttered. "Consult, with your partners," ho said, "as to what change Is advisable. I expect my lawyer hero on tho Vltb, and bo can draw up a legal agree ment In accordance with our general wish." I took tho iludgo Into Van Hooch's room that night, ami thoro told him of my engagement to Miss Lascelles. Van lloeek was visibly nlnruied whon ho hoard this; and when 1 went onto say that Mr IMmiiiid wl lied the clnnc ultcieil by his lawyer on the J I th, ho eulil quickly, lu u i)Vi voice: "The crafty old fox! What iIoim he mean by tbati"' ills meaning Is obvious enough," 1 replied; "if I marry MIhs I nseelles, ami die, sho will be dispossessed of mv share In the diamond. I can leave her only a legacy of debt." "Vos, ond thet ain't all on it," said the Judge, dragging his wiry thin tuft through his hand and bond ing his brow. "Tliet ain't all by a lump We're playing with a marked card In tho pack n curd as mlglu tempt o'er ono on us to foul play." "What on earth do you mean? peak plainly If you can," said Van lloeek, in angry Impatience. "Well, I menu this 'ore," answered tho Judge, with slowlmpiesslveiioss, "that If ono of my parduors wasn't a gentleman, and t'other wasn't helpless blind, I, m duriied if I'd go to bod without a six shooter under my plllor, uud my linger on the trig ger. I don't ulliido to ono tiny inorc'n another, but we'll Just take Israel's word for gospel, that every ouo Is u thief If you give hlni'ii chance of thlovin'; end, at that rate, I'm just us likely as not 1 1 murder my two ardners, ond get tho whole 'jf that diamond myself. Conse quently, you will allow Hint tho squire has a double reason for wantin' tbo agreement altered; fur It ain't only the money bo's got to so cure on to his daughter, but hor bus bin's life likewise. Time enough for the young lady to bo a whldor in the nat'rul order of things in gon'al." CHAl'TKIt V. When I mot Sir Kdinund In tho morning, I told him Hint my part ners had agreed with mo to alter tho i;luuo In the agreement, though wo had not ,et decided in what man lier. "1 am glad to hoar It," ho said; anything will bo bettor than that agreement as it stands.'' Kdlth came down late to hi oak fast. Soo looked palo mid said sho hud overslept horsolf. "For the first timo in your life, I 1kovc," bald Sir Kdinund. "Von did not full nsleop qulto so readily as usual hey?" ho asked, smiling. "1 could not sloop," sho answered, but so gravely that I saw it was not from tlio cause tho baronot Implied tho lovo that had kept mo awako; and thon sho added. "I havo boon terribly f lightened." Wo looked at hor in astonishment and anxiety. "I will tell you all nbout It." sho continued, because you may bo able to oxpluln what porploxos mo, and that will bo a great relief." She paiihod, as if to collect hor thoughts, and thon said: lo m: coNiiNuiiu. lliiiviirllty of (IiimI AltMln. Gounod was n firm and devout Catholic, and adored rollglous muslo. Hilling tho rohearsal of his "Dramos Snores," at tho Vaudovlllo theater, the manager called cm him one morn ing and asked imrmlsslon to mako a suggestion, "I think, mnii chor mnltro," ho said, "that there h somothlng wanting in your scoro. For example, do you not. think that tho Harabbas inoldont might be im proved by a littlo moro orcboctral olToct?" Gounod, without replying, hid his bond In his hands, and, nftcr two or throo minutes of meditation, Middonly exclaimed: "No, decidedly no; such a blackguard as that does not dosorvo more music." Argonaut. Ili'tril Oiltililn tint Mock KmiIi iii;jp, lirst City Man Why, who owns tho country.- Second City Man Tho peoplo. "Who owns tho people?" The politicians." Who owns tho politicians?" "Tho Stock Kxohango. "Who owns tho Stock Kxohango?" "Tho devil." Ton my honor, I think you aro right! Tu-ta." Pock's Sun. Wall-l'litmtfiil. Miss Capron I'd llko to hnvo you do mo up an ompty flvo-pound box. Put this gentleman's card in It and send It to mo to-nlght ut 'J o'clock. I want to mako Mr. Long jealous. Truth. Tho I'll I r Hex. Littlo Dick Why do thoy call wo. inon tho fair box? Somo of 'om aro awful homoly. Littlo Dot I s'poso It's 'cause why thoy'ro honestor than motu i , t a - - '. r