m
THE BED CLOUD CHIEF.
mftwymm
XX 'JiWi
s
AMoriala
union.
By GILBERTE HOLT. 2
IWSIVuVWWli'l.SiVWUI.ri.M.MWWUUWW.lO
U S I N E S S had
brought h'm to his
native town in the
sunny south. lie
wns In haste that
his mission should
be concluded so
thnt he might get
away from the
quiet, sleepy vil
lage. The very
beauty of Its frag
rant spring dress saddened him.
In a timid, hesitating way ho had
made a few Inquires for old friends,
but the answer was ever the same.
.War had scattered most of the old fam
ilies. Thoso alono remained who slept
In tho peaceful cemetery In the dip
which formed a vale at tho bend in
the river.
"And tho Ralstons?"
All were gone. Of the Impetuous,
high spirited family, only Miss Ermn
waa still alive. The Ralston boys
four of them lay In soldiers graves
besldo their gallant father.
Mrs. Ralston had seen her brave
boyB brought hom dead one by one.
But she gavo them for her country's
Bake, gladly, but her heart was slowly
breaking. She did not long survive
her husband.
"Did Miss Erma still live at Iron
wood?" No. Tho old plantation wasdcsolate
and Miss Ralston lived In a little white
cottage down tho road, tho one al
most smothered in jasmine red roses.
The gentleman took his cane and
with a brisk step which told of some
young blood still flowing In bis velas,
otarted down the street In tho warm
spring sunshine. Tho squaro shoul
JerB, erect head and firm tread all be
spoke tho soldier.
As he camo in Bight of Miss Erma's
houso his steady walk became Jerky
and finally settled into an uncertnln
amble. For the fraction of a second
ho paused at her gate, then beat a
hasty and confused retreat. Complete
ly out of breath he drew up besldo the
high arched gate which opened upon
the soldiers' last tenting ground.
"By 'Jove! It's no use. I couldn't
"W'
"WHY, THAT'S MY NAME."
yface her," and tho old man mopped his
brow. "Whew, how her eyes did blaze!
Facing a cannon Is piny to standing
the flro of Erma's angry eyes."
He leaned against tho post. The
light died out of his face anil he
thought of that long away timo when
, he and Erma had been lovers And
then came tho wor. How quickly had
followed that awful day when be went
y,to say farewell and she would not look
"at him, because ho wore tho hated
bluo. Ho tried to nrgue, tried to per-
Buade, but she would not listen.
She was a southern girl Col. Ral
eton's daughter. If ho fought tho
eouth, he fought her and was her dead
ly foe. Was it not cruel enough that
jt:JI jar 1
tho dreadful war should deprive her
of her lover, without calling him to
fight against instead of for her?
How clearly he could see her as she
stood then on tho low, wide steps, a
slim, girlish figure clad In clinging
white. Her cheeks were flushed and
her mouth tremulous, but the chin was
firmly set. All through the war he
had carried In his heart tho memory
of her as she stood In tho sunshine,
framed by tho stately pillars of the
gallery; whllo he, with despair In his
heart, but a dogged determination In
his eyes, turned, when half way down
tho broad nvenue of live oaks, nnd lift
ing his union cap murmured, "God
keep my southern sweetheart!"
How often he recalled her words.
Ho could almost hear them now. "Go.
You are n traitor. 1 never want to see
your faco again."
Tho old man shook his head sor
rowfully. No, sho would never forgive
him, not even now after all theso
years. Well, he would go back north
on tho morrow, so what matter?
Ho and tho Ralston boys had. been
college students together. Ho would
pay a visit to their last resting place.
Ho opened tho gate and slowly made
his way among the flower-covered
mounds. When he reached the Ral
ston lot, ho looked about him sorrow
fully. Ho felt sadly desolate. Ho
alone was left of all thoso merry,
laughing fellows.
Presently his eye wandered to a
grave somewhat apart from the rest.
The scarcity of Its flowers drew his at
tention to It. He wandered Idly to
ward It, thinking, "Some poor friend
less chap."
Ho started and then dropped upon
his knees In his eagerness to read the
simple Inscription on tho headstone. It
ran:
"MERRILL FREMONT."
"Born 1838. Killed at Gettysburg,
1863."
"Why, that's my name!" nnd the
old man looked about him In a dazed
manner ns though for a moment he
doubted his Identity.
"Yes, my name Is Merrill Fremont
nnd I was born In '38, but though I
was wounded I did not die at Gettys
burg. A union soldier In a confederate
graveyard. Ah, that accounted for the
Inck of memorial flowers," nnd he
smiled grimly. "But I'm not dead,"
and ho thumped his enne vigorously
upon tho gravel path.
Ho leaned his hands on his stick
and stood gazing Intently at his own
name.
"It Isn't me but It Is some union
soldier burled for me, and he shall
have some flowers. Yes. I'M deco
rate my own grave," nnd with a
chuckle Merrill Fremont stnrted brisk
ly down tho path.
As he neared the gate It opened, and
a tall, slender figure clad In black en
tered, followed by nn old negro fairly
staggering under the weight of mag
nolia blossoms. Something familiar In
the two figures made Fremont pause.
But they did not notlco him. The lady
turned up a side path and wnlked
quickly toward tho end of the grounds
Merrill had just quitted, followed more
slowly by tho old serving man.
Merrill faced about and watched
them. He was certain now that tho
woman was Erma. He expected her
to enter the Ralston lot, but sho only
paused, waved her hand toward the
flower-hidden graves, said something
to hor attendant and passed on her way
until she stood besldo the undecorated
grave.
Fremont rubbed his eyes and atared.
The lady motioned to negro to lay
his fragrant burden down.
Merrill hastened up the path. He
was near enough to hear tho well-remembered
voice Bay, "You may go,
Uncle Sorney; I'll arrange the flowers
myself."
The servant shuffled away down the
path he had come, whllo his mistress
knelt to place the blossoms.
Ms
Merrill Fremont paused, hat In hnnd
Erma believed him dead and forgnv
him. How would It bo when she found
him alive'.' Ho stood In dumb uncer
tainty. She wns his only lovo and to
lose her ngnin would bo more terrible
thnn not to have found her. Dead,
sho surely loved him; her action prov
ed It. Would ho not better go away
in the certainty of that lovo thnn, by
staying, perhaps revive tho old bitter
ness which his return to her unharmed
whllo all her beloved family luy dead,
might recall?
He was nl.out to retreat. It was too
late, the lady turned and saw him. Ho
stood awkwnrdly before her. Sho look
ed at him In puzzled Inquiry.
Suddenly he cried out "Erma."
She moved back a nace in aurnrlse at
being so nddressed by an apparent
stranger.
Once his tongue loosened Merrill gavo
her no chance to escape. In quick,
Incoherent words ho poured forth tha
SUDDENLY HE CRIED OUT.
"ERMA."
mistaken report of his death, hla lovo,
his sorrow for her grief, and at last an
earnest plea that sho would provo rnoro
kind than In the past.
As sho listened a dcllcato flush crept
Into the lady's pale, sweet face. The
shadow that rested In tho deep, blue
eyes lifted. She looked searchlngly at
tho man beforo her. Could this really
bo her young lover, returned In tho
guise of thlB Impetuous elderly man?
She had neve rthought of him savo as
the soldier boy who had gone away at
her bidding. At last sho seemed to
understand. For a moment tho corners
of tho lovely mouth forgot to droop.
By tho light of memory tho man and
woman grew young again.
When his toyent of words ceased
sho stood silent for somo moments.and
then held out her hand as sho softly
said:
" 'We banish our nnger forever
When wo laurel tho graves of our
dead.' "
Hon He Won Her.
"If I were a mun," she said, "you
would not find mo here today, I'd bo
away, fighting for my country."
"If you were n man," ho replied,
"you wouldn't find mo here today cith
er. I, too. would be away flghtlnj for
my country "
After that all he had to do was to
gain papa's consent." Cleveland
Leader.
Coufmeil Poptl.
On one occasion the Prlnm nt wi.,
had a hearty laugh at a Hindu school-'
boy In Madras. The youngsters had !
been drilled Into tho propriety of say.
Ing "Your Royal Highness" should
the prince ityeak to them, and when I
the heir apparent accosted a bright- j
eyed lad and, pointing to a prismatic
compass, asked: "What Is this?" the
youngster, all in a flutter, replied: "It's
a royal compass, your prismatic high- I
ness."
r
x
i I i - - f - f - f - - f - f4 - - f - f4 - - f - - f4
PHANTOM SHIP
-OR
The Plying Dutchman.
I I -M-H"M--H -K "i - 4 - - t - 4 - H"H
CHAPTER XXUI.
"I have then seen him," said Philip,
After he had lain down on tho nofi In
the cabin for pome minutes to recover
himself, while Amino bent over him.
"I have at lust seen him. Amine! Can
vou doubt now?"
"No, Philip; 1 have now no doubt,"
replied Amine, mournfully; "but tnko
courage, Philip."
"For myself, I wnnt not courage
but for you, Amino you know Unit his
appearance portends a mischief th.it
will surely come."
"Let It onnu'," replied Amino calmly;
"I have long been prepared for It, and
eo hnvo you."
"Yes, for myself; but not for you."
"You have boon wrecked often, mid
have been Haven; then why should
not I?'
"Hut the sufferings."
"Those suffer least who have most
courago to boar up ngalnst them. I
mil but a woman, wenk and frail In
body, hut I trust I hnvo that within
mo which will not make you feel
nshnmed of Amine. No, Philip, you
will have no walling; no expression of
despair from Amlno's lips; If sho can
console you, sliu will: If she can assist
you, she will; but come what may, If
sho cannot serve you, nt least sho will
provo no burden to you."
"Your prcsenco In misfortune would
unnerve me, Amine."
"It Blinll not; It shnll add to your
resolution. Lot fate do Its worst."
"Depend upon It, Amine, that will
Jjo ore long."
"Bo It so," replied Amine. "Hut,
Philip, It wero as well you showed
yourself on deck; the men are fright
ened nnd your absence will bo ob
served." "You nro right" said Philip; and
rising and embracing her, ho left the
cabin.
Philip, on his return to tho deck,
found the crew of tho vessel In great
constcrnntlon. Krnutz himself ap
peared bewildered ho had not forgot
jten tho appearance of the Phantom
ship off Desolation harbor, and the
vessels following her to their destruc
tion. This second nppenrance, more
nwful than the former, quite unmanned
him; and when Philip came out of the
cabin ho waa leaning In gloomy silence
against the weather bulkhead.
"We shall never reach port again,
sir," said he to Philip, as he camo up to
him.
"Silence! silence! The men may henr
you."
"It matters not; they think tho
same," replied Krnntz.
"Hut they arc wrong," replied Philip,
turning to tho seamen. "My lads, thnt
some disaster may happen to us after
tho appearance of this vessel Is most
probable; I hnvo seen her beforo more
than once, nnd disasters did then hap
pen; but hero I am, allvp nnd well;
therefore It does not provo that wo
cannot escape as I have before done.
Wo must do our best nnd trust In
heaven. Tho gale Is breaking fast, and
in a few hours we shall have fine
weather. I have met this Phantom
ship before, nnd care not how often I
meet It again. Mr. Krnntz, get up tho
spirits tho men hnvo had hard work
and muct be fatigued."
The very prospect of obtaining liquor
nppeatcd to glvo courago to the men;
they hastened to obey tho order, and
the quantity served out was sufficient
to give courage to tho most fearful and
induce others to defy old Vanderdccken
and his whole crew of Imps. Tho next
morning the weather was fine, tho aca
smooth nnd tho Utrecht went gayly on
her voyage.
Many days of gentle breezes und
fnvoratyp winds, gradually wore off
tho panic occasioned by tho supernat
ural appearance; and If not forgotten
it was referred to either In Jest or with
Indifference They now hnd run
through tho Strnita of Malacca, and
entered tho Polynesian archipelago.
Philip's orders wero to refresh and call
for instructions at tho small Island of
Bo'on, then In possession of the Dutch,
They arrived there In snfety, and after
remaining two day?, again nailed on
their voyage, Intending to make their
passage between tho Celebes and the
Island of Galago. Tho weather was
Btlll clear and tho wind light; they
proceeded cautiously, on account of tho
reefs and currents, and with a careful
watch for tho piratical vessels which
have for centuries Infected thoso seas;
but thoy wero not molested, and had
gained well up among tho Islands to
tho north of Galago when It fell calm,
and tho vessel was borno to tho east
ward of It by tho curent. Tho calm
lasted several days, and they could
procuro no anchorngo; at last they
found themselves among tho cluster of
Islands near to the northern coast of
New Guinea.
The anchor was dropped nnd tho
alls furled for the night; a drizzling
rain came on, tho weather wns thick,
and watches were Htatlnned li every
part of the ship, that they might not bo
surprised by the plrato proas, for tho
current ran past the ship at the rate
of eight or nlno miles per hour, and
these vessels, If hid among tho Islands,
might sweep down upon them wiper
eclved. It was 12 o'clock at night when
Philip, who was In bed, was awakened
by a shock; he thought it might be a
proa running alongside, nnd he started
from his bof cod ran out. Ho found
- f - f4"f - f4"r"f? - H - - - H"H"H - H - 1"t
DY CAJTAIN MARRYAT.
- H - - H""H"H - H - H - H"f
Krnntz, who hnd been awakened by
the muno cause, running up nndrosse 1.
Another shook succeeded, nnd the ship
caroenod to port. Philip then knew
that tho ship wns on shore.
Tho thlekneflu of tho nlRht prevented
them from ascertaining where they
wore, but the lend wns thrown over
tho side nml thoy found (hut they wero
lying on shorn on ti rnnd-lmtik, with
not moro than fourteen feet of water
on tho deepest sideband that they wero
broadside on with1 a Btrotig current
pressing thom fuither up 011 thu bnnk;
Indeed, tho current ran like 11 mlllraco,
and each mlnuto thoy wcio swept Into
shallow water.
On examination thoy found that the
Hhlp had drugged hor anchor, which,
with tho cable, was still taut from tho
starboard bow, but this did not nppcnr
to provent the vessel from being swept
further up on tho bank. It was sup
posed that the anchor hud parted at
tho shnnk, and another anchor was
let go,
Nothing moro could be done till dny
brenk, und Impatiently did they wait
till tho next morning. As tlm sun rose
tho mist cleared nwny, nnd they dis
covered thnt thoy wero on'slioro on a
Hand-bank, a small portion of which
was rjiovo water, and lound which the
current rnn with great Impetuosity.
About threo miles from them wns a
cluster of smnll Islands with cocoa
trees growing on them, but with no
appearance of Inhabitants.
"I fear wo hnvo little chance," ob
served Krnntz to Philip. "If wo lighten
tho vessel the anchor may not hold,
and wc shall be swept further on, nnd
It Is Impossible to lay out an anchor
ngalnst the force of this current."
"At nil events we must try; but I
grant that our situation Is nnythlng
but satisfactory. Scud all the hands
aft."
Tho men camo aft, gloomy nnd dis
pirited. "My lnds," said Phlll, "why nre you
disheartened?"
"Wo nro doomed, sir; wo know It
would bo so."
"I thougiit It probnblo that tho ship
would bo loHt I told you ho but the
loss of tho ship does not Involve thnt
of the ship's company nny, It docs not
follow that the ship Is to be lost, al
though she may bo In great difficulty,
as sho Is at present. What fear la
there for us, my men? Tho wuter la
smooth we hnvo plenty of time beforo
us; wo can mako a raft and take to
our boats; It never blows among theso
Islands, nnd wo have lnnd close undor
our leo. Let us first try what wo can
do with tho ship; If wo fall, wo must
then take caro of ourselves."
Tho men caught nt tho Idea and went
to work willingly; tho wntcr casks
wero started, tho pumps set going, nnd
everything that could bo spared was
thrown over to lighten tho ahlp; but
tho anchor still drugged, from tho
strength of tho current and bad hold
ing ground, nnd Philip nnd Krnntz per
ceived that thoy were swept further on
tho bank.
Night camo on before they quitted
their toll, nnd then a fresh breczo
sprnng up nnd created a Hwell, which
occasioned the vessel to bent on tho
hard sand; thus did they continue
until tho next morning. At daylight
tho men resumed their Inbors, and tho
pumps wero again manned to clear tho
vcbscI of tho water which hnd been
started, but after a timo they pumped
up sand. This told them thnt n plank
had started, and that their labors wero
useless; tho men left their work, but
Philip ngaln encournged them, nnd
pointed out thnt they could easily savo
tnemselvcs, and nil thnt they had to do
was to construct a raft which would
hold provisions for them, nnd receive
thnt portion of the crew who could not
bo tnken Into tho boats.
After Bomo repose the men again sot
to work; the topsails wero struck, the
yards lowered down and tho raft was
commenced under tho leo of tho ves
sel, whero tho strong current was
checked. Philip, recollecting his former
disaster, took grent pains in tho con
duction of this raft, and awaro that
aa tho water and provisions wero ex
pended, there would bo no occasion to
tow so heavy a mass, ho constructed It
In two pnits, which might easily be
fevered, and thus the boat would hnvo
less to tow, as soon as circumstances
would enable them to part with ono of
them.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Night again terminated their labors,
and tho men retired to rest, tho weath
er continuing fine, with vory little
wind. By noon the next day tho raft
was complete; water and provisions
wero safely stowed on bonrd; a secure
end dry place was fitted up for Amino
in the center of ono portion; sparo
ropes, sails and everything which could
provo useful, in case of their being
forced on shore, wore put In. Muskets
nnd ammunition wero nlso provided,
and everything was ready, when tho
men camo aft and pointed out to Philip
that thero was plenty of monoy on
board, which It was folly to leave,
and that they wished to carry as much
as they could away with them. Ab this
intimation was given In a way that
mado It evident they Intended it should
bo complied with, Philip did not re
fuse; but resolved In his own mind
that when they arrived nt a place
where he could exercluo his authority,
tho mono,' rtioulri bo reclamed by the
company to whom It belonged. Tho
men went down below, und whllo Phlll))
was making nrriitiKOiuuiitn with Amino,
handed the nl!n H riidlnrti out of tho
hold, broke tl.cm npr.t nnd helped
themselves m tin llm? with each
other for the f.it pnieus,on as o.ich
cnBk wns opuul. Al last every nun
had obtained hh much as ho coutil
carry, nnd had plm-od his spoil on Mm
rnft.wlth his barrage, or In tho boat
to which he linil brou appointed, Alt
was now ready Amino was lowered
down and took Jut Htntlon; tho boats
took In tow tho rnft, which wan cast
off from the vcwiol, and nwny thoy
went with tho runout, pulling with all
their strength to avoid holng stranded
upon that part of llm nr.udbnnk which
appeared above tho water. TI1I3 wna
tho Brent danger which thoy hud to
encounter, nnd which they very nar
lowly escaped,
Thoy numl.cn d ilghty-nlx eoiiIm In
nil; In the lonts then) woro thirty
two; the test wijie on tho raft, which,
being well built and full of timber,
floated high out ol tho water, now thnt
tho son was so ). mouth. It had boon
agreed upou by Philip and Krnutz that
one of thom should t omnia on tho r.itt
und tho other In 0110 of tho bants; but
at tho lime the 10 ft quitted tho ship
thoy weio botli on tins raft, as thoy
wished to consult, iim coon ns thoy dis
covered t ho (Unction of thu current,
which would bo tho moat ndvlsabKs
course for them to pursim. It appeared
that as soon ns tho unreal had passed
tho bank It took 11 moro mnithcrly di
rection toward Now Guinea. It w.iu
then debated between thfiiu whethor
they flhnuld or uhould not land on thnt
Island, tho natives of which warn
known to bo puhIIIuiiIuioim yet treach
erous. A long dobalo ensued, which
ended, however, In Unjlr resolving not
to decide ns yet, but wait and sco what
might occur. In tho moantlme tho
boats pulled to the woatwnrd, whllo
thu curcnt set them fast down In a
southerly direction.
Night came on and tho boats dropped
the grapnolH with which thoy had been
provided, and Philip win glad to Und 9
that tho current wuh not nenr so stronc
and tho grapnclH held both boats nnd
rnft. Covering tlieniHOlvoM up with tho
Hpnro sails with which they had pro
vided themsclveif nnd setting n watch,
tho tired seamen were huoii fast asleep.
"Hud I not bolter remain In ono of '
tho boats " observed Krnntz. "Sup
pose, to savo themselves, tho bouta
wero to leave tho raft."
"I have thought of that," replied
Philip, "und hnvo therefore not al
lowed nny provisions or wntcr In tho
boats; thoy will not leavo us for that
reason."
"True; I hnd forgotten thnt."
Krnntz remained on watch, and
Philip retired to tho reposo which ho
ho much needed. Amino met him with
open nrniB.
"I have no fear, Philip," said sho;
"1 rather llko thin wild, ndvonturoiu
change. We will go on Hhoro and
build our but beneath tho cocoa treo
and I shall repine whoa tho day comet
which brings Hiiccor ami released un
from our desert Isle. What do I rc
qulro but you?"
"Wo aro In the hnndrf of Ono above,
dear, who will act with us as IIn
pleases. Wo linvo to bo thankful thnt
It Is no worno," rcpllod Philip. "But
now to rest, for I Khali soon bo obliged
to wntch."
(To bo continued.)
KAFFIR'S ANTIDOTE.
Which Made Horpont'it Venom Uariulcd,
A road party, comprising tho usual
gang of from fitly to Hlxty Kaffirs, win
employed, fnyn a writer In tho London
Spcctntor, on tho construction of n
road In Uie Tuef.la valley, Nntal, about
thirty or more year.s aso. In tin
courso of their work they camo upon
a huge stone which It wan necessary to
remove, but beneath it was tho homo
of a large black mamba, well known
to the neighboring Inhabitants as bolug
old and, theieforo, very venomow.
Tho mamba is tho most deadly of thu
South African Minkon, and tho super
intendent anticipated somo troublo
over that rock. Ho offered a brlbo fos
tho snake't hklri, and tho gnnfl
"wow'd!" nnd sat down to "bemn
gwl" (take HTiufl). Hut a slim youth
sauntered forwaid und, nmld tho Jeers
nnd protestntlonii or tho rest, declared
himself equal to tho task. Ho took
from his neck whnt looked llko n bit
of shrlveleo" stick, chewed It, swal
lowed some of It, tipnt out tho rc3t on
his hands nnd pioeeeded to rub hh
glistening brown body and limbs all
over. Then tnklug up hla stick nnd
chanting n boiik of dollanco ho ad
vanced with great confidence and
swagger to. tho bowlder. There hi
roused up tho mumha, which, In great
fury at being disturbed, bit him In tin
lip. The boy took no notlco of tin
bite, but broke tho muke's bnck with
his ctlck and, bilnglug It to his mnstnr,
asked for his reward, obtaining which
ho went back to hid work, and tin
blto of the reptilo had no effect upon
him whatever. No lulbJ, not even
that of n cow (better than nny gold In
tho eyes of a Kufllr) would-lnduco tin
nntlvo to dledoKo tho secret of h!i an
tidote, which, ho Kiild, had been handed
down in hU family for generatloua.
Tho enake was n very long one, and n
o'fl that It had n inano. It Is a well
known fact that certain of the Zului
have nntldoteu fur tho mora deadly
snako poleonu, which they pronervo at
a secret within their own families.
In Dire l)llm.
Weary Wfttkinu-."j ain't had nothlu'
to cat fer two days " Victim "You
told mo that vory nanio Btory Jnt , t
week ago." "Oh, then, suroly yon
would help t porn bloko 'at ain't had
notlila' ter eut fer ujno daya." Aa-awers.
1
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