S?!3! vr MAMMMiMHMHiBHkiHiB-HterfliAillllrf(HliMMMLf. - r ,ltmtomsJr&-v'1B1ZnKHMKBBIKtKtUKHBnBKL i K r, M !J yj, w THE CIRCULAR STMRCASE EKmarY cP ROBERTS MNEHART 'ILLUSTRATIONS 3Y K' SYNOPSIS. Mlsn Innes, nplnnlrr nml Ktinrillun of Gelt rude timl Uulsny, rtstiilillsliort miiiiimici' hoiulqiinrlern at Hiitinynlili; Ambit! ini merniis illlUc'titHci tlio tuTMinlii tloHortPil. An MInh Ilium locltnl up for tli iilRltt. Klin WUH BlnrlliMl by a ilurk tlKiiro nil tlio vrrumlii. Hlio tuiH.seil u trirlble nltflit. wlilcli vnn lllli'd utlli luwoinly iinlmn. In tho iiiorniritr Mlm Iiihoh fount! n ntrmiKo llnl Milf liullon In u t'lotlics lininpct. tiorlrtnlo ami liiiltioy anlvoil Willi .tin It Jlalli-s The Iioiiho was iiwuK ciiiiI bv a mviilvir Hlmt. A hIwiiku J""" wiw found Hlmt to doatli III tho hull. It piovtil Ik bo (hi' bmly of Arnold Arm Htrotiif, whew baiiKiT father owtii'tl tlm CalllltlV IlllllSP. MlKH llltHH found Mill- ppy'd trwilvt'r on lliu lawn. Up ami JacK Hmlry bad tHrnipiM-iitcd. TIip link ;illT button invHlfildiiHly illmippparpil Up ti'ctlw .liuiilrwm ami tho cmipiiht urilvnl. Gertrude revinlrd that Hlif wan piikuuimI to Jarlt Unlloy. with whom nho had tnllin In Hip billiard room a few nm intuitu bofore the imirdrr. .Tiimloumi told .MIh Ilini'M that Nhe was llttllllK evlddiro un empty roum. The ptiHoner e.ieaped ffl.iruiiT'&btf n'wo'S! cV triido wan mispi-eted. for tho Intruder from him. lie linprlHniictl un lilirmier 111 inn n tirint ..r ii I.Mn. font ficrtrilile re tumid home with her rlitht ai'klf upraised. A iipkpi found the other half of what provtd to be Jack llulley's ruff button. CHAPTER VIII. Continued. "Undoubtedly. Why, what could It bo but Might? Miss Innes, let mo re construct that evening, as I see It. llalley and Armstrong had uuurreled at the club. I learned this today. Your nephew brought llalley over. Prompted by Jealous, Insane fury, Armstrong followed, coming across by tho path. He entered tho billiard room wing perhaps rapping, and be ing admitted by your nephew. Just lnsldo he was shot, by sotuo one on tho circular staircase. The shot ilred, your nophow and llalley left tho house at once, going toward tho automobllo house. They loft by tho lower road, which provenu J them being heard, and when you and Miss Gertrude got downstairs everything wn quiet." "Hut Gertrude's story," I stam mered. ".Miss Gertrude only brought for ward her explanation tho following morning. V do not believe It, Miss Innes. It Is tho story of a loving and ingenious womnn." "And this thing to-night?" ' "May upset my wholo view of tho case. We must give tho benellt of every doubt niter nil. We may, for instance, como back to tho llguro on the porch: If It wns n woman you saw that night through tho window, wo might start with other premises. Or Mr. Innes' explanation may turn us in a now direction. It Is possible that ho shot Arnold Armstrong ns u burg lar and then lied, frightened nt what ho had done. In any case, however, I feel confident that tho body was hero when he left. Mr. Armstrong left the club ostensibly for a moon light minuter, about half after eleven o'clock. It wns three when the Bhot was fired." I leaned back bewildered. It seemed to me that the evening had been full of significant happenings, had I only held the key. Had Gertrude been tho fugitive in tho clothes chute? Who was the man on the drive near the lodge, and whose gold-mounted dressing-bug had 1 Been in tho lodge sitting room? ' : It was lato when Mr. Jamleson ilnally got up to go. I went with lilm to tho door, and together wo stood looking out over the vnlley. ltolow lay the village of Casanova, with Its Old World houses, its blossoming trees and Us pence Abovo on tho hill across tho valley were tho lights of tho Greenwood club. It was even pos sible to see tho curving row of paral lel lights that marked tho carriage road. Humors that 1 had heard about the club came back of drinking, of high play, and once, a year ago, of a suicide under those very lights. Mr. Jamleson left, taking a short cut to tho village, and I still stood there. It must havo been after 11, and tho monotonous tick of the big clock on tho stairs behind me was the only soutid. Then I was conscious that some ono wns running up the drive, lu a minute a woman darted Into tho area of light mado by the open door, and caught me by tho arm. It was Uoale llosle In a state of col lapse from terror, and, not the least Important, clutching ono of my Coal port plates and n silver spoon. Sho stood staring Into tho darkness bohlnd, still holding the plate. I got hor Into the house and secured tho plate; then I stood and looked down at her where sho crouched trembllug ly against tho doorway. "Well," I asked, "didn't your young man enjoy his meal?" She couldn't spenk. Sho looked at the spoon sho still held I wasn't so anxious about it; thank lloaven, it wouldn't chip and thou sho stared at inc. "I appreciate your desire to havo everything nice for him," I went oil "but tho next time, you might take tho Limoges china. It's moro easily duplicated nnd less expensive." "I hnven't a young man not hero." She had got her breath now, as I had guessed sho would. "I I havo been chased by a thief, Miss limes." "Did ho chase you out of tho houso and back again?" I asked. Then Rosio began to cry not si lently, but noisily, hysterically. I stopped her by giving hor a good shake, i ,.-Maaln Mil,! 1 lln-Al "What In the world Is the matter i with you?" I snapped. "Hub tho tiny tif good ennunun senso gono byl Sit tip and tell tnc the wholes thing." Itonle nut up then, and sniffled. "I wnB coining up the drive " sho Im'Kuii. "You must Htnrt with when you went down the drive, with my dlancs and my Hllver," I Interrupted, hut, kcoIiir moro Hlgns of hysteria, 1 gavo In, "Very well. You were coming up tho drive" "I had n basket of of silver and dishes on my arm, and I wns carrying the plate, because because I was afraid I'd break It. Part-way up tho road a man stepped out of tho bushes, find held his arm like this, spread out, so I couldn't get past. Ho said ho said 'Not fo fast, young lady; I want you to let me see what's In that banket.' " .She got up In her excitement nnd took hold of my arm. "It was llko this, Miss nines," sho said, "and say you was tho man. When ho said that, 1 screamed and ducked under his arm like this. Ho "K V" '! nnd I dropped It. I ran ns fast as 1 could, and ho came lifter as far as tho trees. Then ho stopped. Oh, Miss Innes, It must have been tho man that killed that Mr. Armstrong!" "Don't bo foolish," I said. "Who ever killed Mr. Armstrong would put as much spaco between himself nnd this house as he could. Go up to bed now; and mind, if 1 hear of this Htory being repeated to tho other maids, I shall deduct from your wages for every broken dish I find In tho drive." I could fancy Llddy's face when sho missed the extra pieces of china sho lintl opposed Itoslo from tho start. If LIddy once finds a prophecy fulfilled, especially an unpleasant ono, sho never allows mo to forget It. It seemed to mo thnt It was absurd to leave that china dotted along tho road for her to spy the next morning; so with a sudden resolution, I opened the door ngnln and stepped out Into the darkness. Ah tho door closed behind mo I half regretted my impulse; then I shut my teeth nnd went on. I havo never been a nervous wom nn, as I said before. Moreover, a min ute or two in the darkness enabled mo to nee things fairly well. Iieulah gavo mo rather a start by rubbing un expectedly against my feet; then wo two, side by side, went down the drive There were no fragments of china, but where tho grove began I picked up a silver spoon. So far Hoslo's story was borne out; I began to won der if it wore not indiscreet, to Bay the least, this midnight prowling in a neighborhood with such a deserved ly bad reputation. Then 1 saw some thing gleaming, which proved to bo tho handle of a cup, and a step or two farther on I found a V-shaped bit of plate. Hut tho most surprising thing of all was to find tho basket sit ting comfortably besldo the road, with tho rest of tho broken crockery piled neatly within, and a handful of small silver, spoons, forks and the llko, on top! I could only stand and stnre. Then ltosle's story was true. But where had Koslo carried hor basket? And why had tho thief, if he were a thief, picked up the broken china out of tho road and left it, with his booty? It was with my nearest approach to I Was Conscious That Some IMS IlllwilIB I MMW4! ' i ' , KM ' vilim I 'B i iffiBES i 4' 31 ti a nervous collapse that I heard tho fn miliar throbbing of an ntitomoblto en gine. Ah It came closer 1 recognized the outline of the Dragon Kly, and know that Italsey had come back. Strange enough It must have Boomed to Hnlsey, too, to come across mo In the middle of the night, with tho skirt of my gray silk gown over my shoulders to keep oft tho dew, holding a red nnd green basket under ono arm and a black cat under the other. What with relief and Joy, I be gan to cry, right there, and very near ly wiped my eyes- on lleulah lu the excitement. CHAPTER IX. Just Like a Girl. "Aunt Rny!" Halsoy said from the gloom behind the lamps. "What In the world nre you doing hero?." "Taking a walk," I said, trying to bo composed. I don't think tho nn swer struck either of us as being rlt dlculous at the time. "Oh, Hnlsey.' where havo you been?" "Lot mo take you up to the house." Ho was In tho road, and had Beulah and tho basket out of my arms In a moment. I could see tho car plainly now, and Warner was at the wheel Warner In an ulster and n pair of slippers, over heaven known what. Jnck Bailey was not there. 1 got In, and we went slowly and painfully up to tho house. Wo did not talk. What we had to say was too Important to commence there, nnd, besides, It took all kinds of coaxing from both men to get tho Drngon Fly up tho last grade. Only when we had closed the front door nnd stood facing each other lu tho hall did Halsoy say anything. He slipped his strong young arm around my shoulders and turned .me ho I faced the light. "Poor Aunt Ruy!" he said gently. And I nearly wept ngaln. "I I must see Gertrude, too; wo will havo a throe-cornered talk." And then Gertrude herself eanio down tho stairs. She had not been to bod evidently; sho still woro tho white negligee hIio had worn earlier in the ovenlng, and she limped somewhat. During her slow progress down the stairs I had tlmo to notice one thing: Mr. Jamleson had suld tho woman who escaped from the cellur had worn no shoo on hor right foot. Ger trude's right ankle was the one she had sprained! Tho meeting between brother und Bister was tenso, but without tears. Halsoy kissed hor tenderly, nnd I no ticed evidences of strain and anxiety In both young faces. "Ib everything right?" sho asked. "Right ns can be," with forced cheerfulness. I lighted the living room and wo went In there. Only n half-hour bo foro 1 had sat with Mr. Jamleson lu that very room, listening whllo he overtly accused both Gertrude and Halsoy of at least a knowledgo of tho death of Arnold Armstrong. Now Hal soy was hero to speak for himself: I should learn everything that had piu zlcd me. "I saw It In the paper to-night for the llrst time," he was saying. "It knocked mo dumb. When I think of this houseful of women, and a thlnir I llko that occurring'" Gertrudo's face was still set and white. "That Isn't all, Hnlsey," she ' One Was Runnlna Up tho Drive said. "You nnd and Jack loft almost at tho time it happened. The dotcctlvo hero thinks that you that wo know something about It." "Tho dovll ho does' " Holsey'H eyes were fairly starting from his head. "I bog your pardon, Aunt Hay, but tho fellow's a lunatic." "Toll mo everything, won't you, Hnl sey?" I begged. "Tell me where you went that night, or rather morning, nnd why you went as you did. This has boon a terrible 18 hours for all of us." Ho stood staring at me, and I could see the horror of tho situation tlnwiv Ing lu his face. "I can't toll you where I went, Aunt Hay," ho said after a moment. "As to why, you will learn that soon enough. Hut Gertrude knows that Jack and I left the houso before this thing this horrible murder occurred." "Mr. Jnmleson does not believe," Gertrude said drearily. "Halsoy, If the worst comes, If they should nrrest you, you must tell." "I shall tell nothing," he said with a new Btomness In his voice. "Aunt Hay, It was necessary for Jack nnd me to leave that night. 1 ennuot tell you why just yet. As to whore wo went, If I have to depend on that as an alibi, I shall not tell. The whole thing Is an absurdity, a trumpod-up charge that cannot possibly be sorl ous." "Has Mr. Bailey gone bnck to tho city," I demanded, "or to the club?" "Neither," dellantly; "at the present moment I do not know where he Is." "Hnlsey," I asked gravely, leaning forward, "havo you tho slightest sus picion who killed Arnold Armstrong? The police think ho was admitted from within, and that he was shot down from above, by some one on tho clrculnr staircase." "I know nothing of It," he main tained; but I fancied I caught a sud den glance at Gertrude, a flash of something thnt died us It came. As quietly, as calmly as I could. I went over tho wholo story, from tho night LIddy and I hnd been alone up to the strange experience of Roslo and her pursuer. Tho basket still Blood on the tnblo, a mute witness to this last mysterious occurrence. "There Is something else," I said hesitatingly, at the last. "Halsoy, I havo never told this even to Gertrude, but tho morning after tho crlmo I found, In a tulip bed, a revolver. It It was yours, Halsoy." For an appreciable moment Hnlsey stared at me. Then he turned to Ger trude. "My revolver, Trude!" he exclaimed. "Why, Jack took my revolver with him. didn't he?" "Oh, for heaven's sake don't say that." I Implored. "Tho detective thinks possibly Jack Bailey came back, and and the thing happened then." "Ho didn't como back," Halsoy said sternly. "Gertrude, when you brought down a revolver that night for Jack to take with him, what one did you bring? Mlno?" Gertrudo was defiant now. ' No- Yo,'8 waB loaded, and I was afra,,l of wlmt Jack might do. I gavo him ono I have had for a year or two. , It was empty." Hnlsey threw up both bunds de spairingly. "If thnt isn't llko a girl!" ho said. "Why didn't you do what I asked you to, Gertrude? You send Bailey off with an empty gun, and throw mlno in a tulip bed, of all plnccs on enrth! Mine was u US calibor. Tho inquest will show, of course, that tho bullet that killed Armstrong was a US. Then where shall I be?" "You lorgot," I broke In, "that I have tho revolver, and that no onu knows about It." But Gertrude had risen angrily. 'I cannot stand it; It is always with me," she cried. "Halsoy, I did not throw your revolver Into tho tulip bed. I think you did It your self!" (TO Hi; CONTINl'Kn.) A Burglar's Text Book. The police of Now York found upon u burglar, arrested by them, a troatlso on safecracking that Is said to bo tho most remarkable document that has over fallen Into their hands. Tho con tents uie so well compiled that tho pollco unhesitatingly declnro the au thor a past grand master In his pro fession, and, nccordlng to Populnr Mechanics, are somewhat anxious to llnd out Juat how many copies nro In circulation throughout tho country. For the most part tho manuscript is in tho yegg code, a lingo freoly used by thieves the country over. It de scribes tho two kinds of safes recog nized by the profession, namely, tho firoproor nnd tho burglar-proof, assort ing, however, that thero is no genuine burglar-proof safe, and that kind that aro drill-proof are only called so by courtesy. Mlnuto directions for, cracking a safo aro given, together with diagrams to Illustrate tho treat ise. Guilt Revealed "Johnny, do you stnoko cigarettes?" "I d-d-do a l-l-llttle, sir," stammered Johnny, paling beneath tho tan of tha baseball field. The boss fixed him with his eagle oyo, "Then gimme me ono," bo said, left mine on the bureau," "1 tdmmmmtmi. HONOR FOR WOMAN DOCTOR Bortha von Hooson of Chicago Wrltoa Paper Which Is Read In Medical Congress. Chicago. Out of soveral hundred papers submitted to tho International congress, tho ono of a woman doctor of Chicago, Dr. Bertha von Hooson, wan chosen to bo read beforo tho as sociation nt Its meeting in Budapest It was ono of two written in tho Eng gllsh lnnguago that woro choson, tho other being the production of an eastern doctor of distinction. Just as soon as sho wns informed of her honor, Dr. von Hoosen hastened abroad, taking her mother, who la moro than eighty years old, with hor. Besides this honor, sho has been at- Dr. Bertha von Hoosen. tending clinics in Paris, which aro Bald to havo been closed to women until Just a fow years ago, and sho has porformed a numbor of operations. Sho Is acknowledged by tho men of hor profession to bo a surgeon of great skill. St. Luke's oporatlng room Is tho placo where sho doos much of her work, and she has been known to perform flvo operations in a morning and maintain her steadiness of hand throughout. In appearance Dr. von Hooson is not what tho professional woman has erst whllo been considered to bo. Sho Is smnll and plump and sho has quanti ties of golden hair. Her faco Is youth ful and her eyes aro bright and sym pathetic. Sho dreBi-es with stylo and taste. RICH "COP" STILL ON BEAT Policeman Neely of Pittsburg Has $100 Dally Income, But Holds His Job. Pittsburg, Pa. Desplto tho fact that an oloaglnous stream of wealth is flowing into his coffers nt tho rate of $100 a day, Harry Neely of tho Pittsburg pollco force is content to continue swinging his nightstick and "pounding a beat." Neely, who Is J5G years old and a pa trolman attached to tho Allegheny po lice station, had as his hcritago a small Bandy farm, In Sandy Creok, Pine township, 15 miles from Pitts burg, which until recontly wns pro ductive of llttlo besides rocks und stumps. Then an ngent of John D. Rocke feller camo along nnd scented oil un derlying tho bleak acres. Today four "gushors" nro pouring forth a united stream of wealth nnd somi-annually thero comes to Patrolman Neely a check drawn on tho Standard Oil com pany and approximating $100 a day aB Necly's sharo of tho procoeds. Tho Held ta being further developed and Ncoly bids fnlr to becorao a vory Harry Neely. rich man. Ho 1b Investing bis inonoy In brewery stock as fast as tbo checks como In. "Meanwhile," says Neoly, "threo dollars a day merely for nwlnglng a club and wagging an occasional Bloop er still looks good to mo." A Fashionable Malady. "Yos, Mrs. Qaylelgh has found It nocossary to go west and remain thero for como tlmo." , "Pulmonltls?" "No. Ronoltls." Cleveland Plain Dealer. His Little Weight. "That chap used to bo n champion Ughtwotght." "What! A boxor?" "No. A grooor." London Opinion. irflr An Almost Universal Prayer. "Among tho Into Bishop I"oss' nncc dotes about prayer," Bald a Philadel phia Methodist, "there wns ono con cerning n very original Norristown preacher. "This preacher, In tho courso of a long prayer one Sunday night, recount ed the many misfortunes and evils that had befallen him In the course of his long life. Then, sighing ,'jeavlly, ho prayed: '"Thou hast tried mo with anilctlon, with bereavement, and with furrow of many kinds, ir thou aro obliged to try mo again, Lord, try mo with the bur den of wealth " How's This? V7t offer One Hundred Dollars Itcwnrd for any ttnt of Catarrh tbat rmniot bo cuxcil by Hall's CAurrli Cure, T. .1. rilKNUY A CO.. Tolfdo, O. t. the iinderslRnwl. Imc known I'. J. Cheney for ttio last 15 ir.m, and bellevo Mm perfectly lion- orahls In all luulncvi tranuctlonn and nnnnrlaUy able tu carry out any ohjlpatlona ttiaclr by Ms (Inn. Waldi.no, Kin.vaw A MAnuv. 1 Vt holesalo DniURlslN Toledo, O. Hall's Cntarrli Curo h taken tnternnlly, Deling directly upon tho blood nnd mnconi mrtacei of th system. Testimonials tent free. I'rlco 7J cents per bottle. Sold by nil Drucehti. Take Hall's family Tills for ror.ittpstlou. Not Prepared to See. Mnrjorle Didn't you see the mouso? Madge Why, dear, 1 Just couldn't boo It. I had my old stockings on. (Vinttlpatlon came nnd (terlouMy nperaTntiM many Ulvnv. It I llmrmiKlily currd lijr Dr. l'ltrvo's l'cllots. Tiny MJKur-couled Kruiiulcs. My thoughts aro my own posses sion, my acts may bo limited by my country's laws. G. Forster. Lewis' .Sinjrje Binder p'tvps a man what he wnntp, a rich, liicllow-tuytttig cigur. Search others for their virtues, and thyself for thy vices. Fuller. THE HEALTH PROBLEM -SOLVED If you are in search of good health try the plan adopted by thou sands of successful users take Hostetter's Stom ach Bitters and watch the results. " It is the Keystone to Health. For Indigestion, Dyspepsia, Gostiveness, Poor Appe tite, Biliousness, Cramps, Headache, Diarrhoea and Malaria, Fever and Ague it is excellent. Try it today, but insist on hav ing the genuine. Hos tetter's, with our Private Stamp over neck. WESTERN CANADA What J.J. Hill, tho Great Railroad Masnatc, Says About Its Wlioat-Produclnc Powart Tho jjrentrnt need of this country Inltcil Hlntcul In nnotlier ernern. lion or iwo win in wio pro viuine oi nouies lor u. reoplo and rroduclnu rulllelcnt fortliom. Tlio d,i)S of nur prominence mi n wliint cuportlng country aro none. Can. ltd is to tm tho k'reut ttheatcountrr." Tills Brent railroad mag. nato Is tnl.lnu mlvnnucft of tho bitunllon by 'i ti'tiKlro rnllmiv liulht- lliir to tliow lirrtt t lolila or JvratiTin-niiacm. Upwards of 125 Million Outliola of Whont woro Imrvpsteil In 1000. Atoraeo of tho limn pnlnn- of Albcirtn, Knilcntchewnn nnd Manitoba will t upwuruaot l iMithuU per ncrc. I rrw llt!lllHK'll(in til UMiurrvw, nml iiiljoliiliiif irri'iiiitl(ius of lOOnrrrsdit 3 icr neroi, aro to uv una ill ino ciiom-ai uinincia. Fclmols cotiTcnlcnt, rllmnto pvot'lli'iit. Foil th wry liet, rnllnayo clonn nt IiiiikI, liulld lnir lumber rlirnp. fuel rny to cot Mini ronatiiinldo lit price, writer cmlly iirorurcUt inlxnl furiiiliic n Mitt'i'M. Wrlto an to iHtit (ilaro xor potllcmont. .ottltrr Ini. fnllifnv rfittM. .Ii.rrltitlin tlln. t rutml " Lat llrot Vt"lMnt freo on application i. and otncrlnrorma tion. to Hutt't of ImmlffrHtlon. Ottawa, Can., or to tho Canadian Uoveruinunt Avont. W. V. DENNETT Room 4 Btt Old. Oraahi, Nib. tUno ndilroM nrarert yon). (I) W. L. DOUCLAS SHOES $5, 54, 53.50, $3, $2.50 & $?, THc STANDARD FOR 30 YEARS. Milllona of men wear W. L. Uotif laa ahoea be came they are tho low est pricea. quality con sidered, In the world. Made upon honor.of tha beit leather., by the ' m 'i moit skilled workmen, in all the latest fashions, i W. L. Douslaa SS.00 and $4.00 shoea equal Custom Bench Work costing JG.00 to $8.00. Boys'Shoes,f3,S2.5032 W. 1- rioiiirlAj fruaranteM thf Ir value ty tamiinsr fits natnn and or rlrn on the bottom. I oox tor lu Til Uk JV.i NilliKltntr. -'ml Color f.'vtltti. A.U your ilfiilrr for V. I, Douidna shoes. Knot forsalefn your town nrtterorMnUOnlrrriMaloir.aliow. inir how to order by malt. Mhoea ordered dlieit from -.viur j uciivtjcu irvu. tv.iaiiouKiaa, iirucaion, Aiaaa. 30 ft. Bowels- Biggest organ of tho body the powels and the most important It's got to be looked after neglect ineans suffering and years of misery. CASCARETS help nature keep every part of your bowels clean and strong then they net right means health to your whole body. eu , CASCARETS loea box foraweek'a treat. the world- racoi, aii uruRBnio. suggest seller in 1 llll illion bozei a month. DAISY FLY KILLER CMffiVi Hti,aittDirbaifm iu,oOTrDiai,cikfp, UlU All fltfttta. UaVIsi tit ntttat aanxl pill or tip Tf, will noivotiortqtrt My rtalDf. t.urtoi4ti. fratUtal. Ilf atll J A.t f BlprtpaM ft,rtat. HAROLD BOmi l&ODtKtUA. VrTpMMw lL BlaTlaf 1 B 'lira ... i vi l&. M?., I sfaTCrVLfe.