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'THE RED CLOUD CHIEF. EIMDAY, NOV. 20. IR.
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.'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even this seems to bo withdrawn.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
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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.
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,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
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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,
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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 ,
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Jkl rv-JflOTW'i AlflV nil,
It AW
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(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
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