STAIRCASE WNEHART BY SYNOPSIS. Miss Inncs , spinster nnd Ruardlan of dorlrtirto nnil Hnlnoy , ealabllshcd Bummer hcaduimitcrs nt Sunnynlilc. Amidst nu merous dllllctilth-s the survants deaerted. As Mln Innci Incited up for tlio nlRlil. ho WIIB sturtlcd by n dark llRinn on Um veranda. She paused n. torrlliln iilKht , which was Illled with unseemly nolHcs. In the tnornltiK Mlm Innen > } " } . " Btrnnffo link ruff button In n cIotneR hamper , nertrude nnd HiilHoy arrived with .luck Uullf-v. The hoiiHo WIIM nwiik- nod hy n revolver Hhot. A Htrnnxa iniin was found whet to dcmlll , In tlm hall. It proved to bo the body of Arnold Arm- irons , whoso baidcnr rather owned the country house. Mlsw Innwi found tlnl- iify'u revolver on the lawn. .Ho nnd .Hick Bnlley linil disappeared. Tlm Unit curt button mysteriously disappeared. Dn- teotlvo Jnmlcson nnd the coroner arrived. Gertrude revealed that aim wna owjuRru to Jnck Itnllcy. with whom BIO luul talked In the itilllnrd room n few mo- inonlR bpforo tlm murder. .Inmloson told Miss Itineu that fiho wan hldlnir evldoaco from him. Ho Imprisoned nn Intruder In an empty mom. Tlm prlnoner esciinod down a laundry ohiilo. It davoloport thnt the Intruder WIIH probably a woman. Oer- trudo wns KUHptH'tcd , for the Inlriiiler loft u print of a hnru foot. ( Jertrudo re turned home wllh her rllil ( nnKit- oprultifrt. A nnRi-o found tlm other half of what proved to bo Jriek Halloy'H cuff button , llnhey suddenly renppoarod , He Bdlil he and Nulloy had left herniitio they had reeclved n lolrKfinn. Gertrude pnld that aim lind Riven lliilley nn " - loaded revolver , fourlng to ilvo him Tlnl- aey's loaded \vcnpon. Caahler Ualley of Paul ArmHtninc'n bank , defunct , WUH ar- reHtod , clmrKod with ember./.lcment. Ilnl- < ey nnld ArniMtrtmtr lind wrecked liln own bank , nndvn nblo to oleitr Hntluy. A toloffrnm contained now that Paul Arm- ntronrc wiii dead , llalaey trapped Mrs. WntHon , the liotiookeeiicr , while aim wan ntpalltifr from the IIOUHO. At tlm luiiRa Mlns Innes and Halsoy found Ilalfiey H tlanceo , Ixtilno Armstrotifr , Hlntor of the dead man. Shf. wnn bolloved to bo In Cal ifornia. The lodco kocner told Mlsa Innca thai Ix > ulno nnd Arnold had had a IOIIR talk the nlcht of the murder. Ixitilno was proatrnted. CHAPTER XIII. Continued. The gardener mentioned by Halney came out about two o'clock In the aft ernoon , nnd walked up from the sta tlon. I WHB favorably Impressed by him. Ills references were good ho had boon employed by the llrays' untl they wont to Europe , and ho looket young and vigorous. Ho asked fo ono assistant , nnd I wns glad enougl to got oft so easily. Ho was a pleas ant-faced young follow , with blncl hair and blue eyes , nnd bin name was Alexander Qraham. I have been par tlcular about Alex , because , aa I sale before , he played an Important par later. That nfternoon I had a now Inslgh Into the character of the dead banker I had my first conversation with Loulso. She sent for mo , and ngalns my better judgment I went. She hold out her hand nnd I tool tt between both ot mine. "What can I say to you , Miss Ir nes ? " she Enid slowly. "To Imv como llko this " I thought she was going to bren' down , but she did not. "You nro not to think of nnythln but of getting well , " I Bald , patting her hand. "When you uro bettor , I am going to scold you for not coming bore at once. This is your homo , my dear , and of all nconlo in the world , Halsey's old aunt ought to make you welcome. " She smiled a llttlo , sadly , I thought. * "I ought not to see Halsey , " she said. "Miss Innes , there are a great many things you will never under- Bland , I am afraid. I am an Impostor on your sympathy , because I I stay hero and lot you lavish care on mo , and all the tlmo Itknow you are going to dcsplBO mo , " "Nonsense 1" I said briskly. "Why , what would Halsoy do to mo If 1 even ventured such a thing ? Ho is so big and masterful that If I dared to bo He Looked Young and Vigorous. anything but rapturous over you , ho would throw mo out of n window. In deed , ho would bo quite capable of it. ' She seemed scarcely to hear my fa cetious tone. She had eloquent brown eyea the fnneses arc fair , and prone to a grayish-green optic that Is hotter for use than appearance and they Bcomed now to be clouded with trou ble. ble."Poor "Poor Halseyl" she said softly. "Miss Inncs , I cannot marry him , and 1 am afraid to toll him. I am a cow ard a coward ! " I sat beside the bed and stared at her. She was too ill to argue with , find , besides , sick people take queer Cuiiclos. "Wo will talk about that when you nro stronger , " I said gently. "Out there are some things I must tell you , " BUO insisted , "You must wonder how I came hero , and why I ' ot tt todge. Deer old 'I Am Very Sorry You Have Made This Decision , " He Said. Thomas hua been almost crazy , Miss Innes. I did not know Unit Sunnysldo was rented. I knew my mother wished to rent It , without telling my step father , but the newB must have reached her after I loft. When I started oust , I luul only one Idea to bu alone with my thoughts for a time , lo bury myself here. Then , I must have taken a cold on the train. " "You came east In clothing suitable for California , " I said , "nnd like all young girls nowadays , I don't suppose you wear flannels. " Out she was not listening. "Miss Innes , " she sold , "has my stepbrother Arnold gone away ? " "What do you menu ? " -asked , startled. Dut Louise was literal , "Ho didn't como back that night , " sup said , "and It was so Important that I should BOO him. " "I bollevo ho Ima gone away , " I re plied uncertainly. "Isn't It something that \vo could attend to instead ? " Hut she shook her head. "I must do it myself , " she said dully. Halsoy came to the door at that mo ment and 1 could hear him coaxing Lludy for admission to the sick room. "Shall I bring him in ? " 1 asked Louise , uncertain what to do. The girl seemed to shrink back among her pillows nt the sound of his voice. 1 was vaguely irritated with her ; there nro few young follows llko Hal- sey straightforward , honest , and will ing to sacrifice everything for the ono woman. 1 know one once , more than IJO years ago , who was like that ; he died a long-time ago. And sometimes take out his picture , with its cane ml its queer silk hnt , and look at It. But of late years It has grown too lalnful ; ho la always a boy and I am n old woman. I would not bring him back If 1 could. Perhaps it was some such mem- iry that made mo call out sharply. "Como in , Halsoy. " And then I took ny sowing and went into the boudlor beyond , to play propriety. I did not ry to hear what they said , buf every ivord came through the open door with curious distinctness. Hnlsey had evi dently gouo over to the bed nnd I suppose ho kissed her. There was st- once for a moment , as If words were superfluous things. "I have been almost wild , sweot- icart , " Halsoy's voice. "Why didn't yon trust mo , and send for me be- ore ? " "It was because I couldn't trust my self , " she said in a low tone. "I am too weak to struggle to-day ; oh , Hal- scy , how I have wanted to see you ! " There was something I did not hear , then Halsey again. "Wo could go away , " ho was say ing. "What does It matter about anyone ono in the world but just the two of us ? To bo always together , llko this , hand In hand ; Louwe don't toll me it isn't going to bo. 1 won't bellovo yon , " "Ton don't know ; yon don't know , " Louise repeated dully. "Halsey , I care yon know that but not enough to marry you. " "That is not true , Louise , " ho said sternly. "You cannot look at mo with your honest eyes and sax that. " "I cannot marry you , " shoropoated miserably. "It's bad enough , Isn't it ? Don't make it worse. Some day , be fore long , you will bo glad. " "Then It is because you have never loved me. " There were depths of hurt pride in his voice. "You suw how much I loved you , and yon let me think you cared for n whilot No that Isn't llko you , Loulso. There is something you haven't told me. Is it because there is some ono else ? " "Yes , " almost inaudibly. "Loulso ! Oh I ' " , don't believe it. "It Is true , " she said sadly. "Ilalsoy , vyou must not try to BOO mo again. As soon as I can , I am going away from hero where you are all so much kind- or than I deserve. And whatever you hear about me , try to think as well of mo as you can. t am going to mar ry another man. How you must hate me hate met" 1 could hoar Halaey cross the room to the window. Then , after a pause , ho went hack to her again. I could hardly sit still ; I wanted to go In and give her good shaking. "Then It's all ovor. " ho waa saying with a long breath. "Tho plans we mndo together , the hopen , the all of it over ! Well , I'll not be a baby , and I'll give yon up the mlnuto you say 'I don't love you and I do love some one else ! ' " "I can not say that , " aho breathed , "but , very soon , I shall marry the other man. " I could hoar Halnoy'a low trium phant laugh. "I defy him , " he aald , , "Sweetheart , as long as you care for mo , I am not afraid. " The wind slammed the door between the two rooma Just then , and I could hoar nothing moro , although I moved my chair qulto close. After a dis creet Interval , I went into the other room and found Louise alone. She was staring with sad eyes at the cherub painted on the colling over the bed , and because she looked tired I did not disturb her. CHAPTER XIV. An Egg-Nog and .1 Telegram. Wo had discovered Loulso at the lodge Tuesday night. It was Wednes day I had my interview with her. Thursday and Friday -wore uneventful , save as they marked Improvement in our patient. Gertrude spent almost all the time with her , and the two had grown to bo great friends. But cer tain things hung over me constantly ; the coroner's inqueut on the death of Arnold Armstrong , to bo held Satur day , and the arrival of Mrs. Arm strong and young Dr. Walker , bring ing the body of the dead president of the Traders' bank. Wo had not told ouisa of either death. Then , too , I was anxious about the children. With their mother'a Inheri tance swept away in the wreck of the bank , and with their love affairs in a disastrous condition , things could scarcely bo worse. Added to that , the cook and Llddy had a flare up over the proper way to make beef-tea for Louise , and , of course , the cook left. Mrs. Watson had boon glad enough , think , to turn Louiuo over to our care , and Thomas went upstairs night and morning to greet his young mis tress from the doorway. Poor Thomas ! He had the faculty found still In some old negroes , who cling to the traditions of slavery days of making his employer's Interest his. It was always "wo" with Thomas. I miss him sorely ; plpo-smoklng , obse qnlous , not over reliable , kindly old man ! On Thursday Mr. Harton , the Arm strongs' legal advisor , called up from town. Ho had boon advised , ho said that Mrs. Armstrong was coming east with her husband's body and would arrive Monday. Ho came with some hesitation , at last , to Jio fact that he had been further Instructed to nsk mo to relinquish my lease on Sunny side , as it was Mrs. Armstrong's do slro to como directly there. I was aghast. "Hero ! " I said. "Surely you are mistaken , Mr. Harton. I should think after what happened hero only a few days ago , she would never wish to como back. " "Nevertheless , " ' ho replied , "she I most anxious to como. This is wha Bhe says : 'Use every possible mean to have Sunnysldo vacated. Must go there at onco.1" "Mr. Harton , " I said toatlly , "I am not otug to do anything of the kind. I nnd mlno have suffered enough at the hands of this family. I rented Uie house nt nn exorbitant figure ami I hnvo moved out here for the summer. My city home Is dismantled nnd In the hands of decorators. I have been here one week , during which I have had not a single night of uninterrupted stoop , nnd I intend to stay until I have recuperated. Moreover , If Mr. Armstrong died insolvent , as I believe was the cast ) , ills widow ought to bo glad to be rid of so expensive a piece of property. " The lawyer cleared his throat. "I am very sorry you have made this decision , " ho said. "Miss Innos , Mrs. Fltzhugh tolls me Louise Arm strong Is with you. " "She Is. " "Has she been Informed of this double bereavement ? " "Not yet. " I said. "Sho has been very 111 ; perhaps to-night she can be told. " "It is very sad ; very sad , " he said. "I have n telegram for her , Miss In nes. Shall I send It out ? " "Bettor open it and read It to me , " I suggested. "If it IB Important , that will G.IVO time. " There was a pause while Mr. liar- ton opened the telegram. Then ha rend It slowly , judicially. ' "Watch for Nina Carrington. Homo Monday. Signed P. L. W. ' " "Hum ! " I said. ' "Watch for Nina Cnrrlngton. Home Monday. ' Very well , Mr. Ilnrton , I will tell her , but she la not In condition to watch for any one. " "Wnll ATlttcl Illlioa If vmi1n.iln fr > or relinquish the lease , letmo know , " the lawyer said. "I shall not relinquish it. " I replied , and I imagined his irritation from the way he hung up the receiver. I wrote the telegram down word for word , afraid to trust my memory , nnd decided to ask Dr. Stowurt how" soon Loulso might bo told the truth. The closing of the Traders' bank I con sidered unnecessary for her to know , but the death of her stepfather and stepbrother must bo broken to her soon , or she might hear It In some unexpected and shocking manner. Dr. Stewart came about four o'clock , bringing his leather satchel into the house with a great deal of eare , and opening it at the foot of the stairs to show me a dozen big yellow eggs nesting among the bottles. "Real eggs , " he said proudly. "None of your anemic sfbro eggs , but the real thing some of them still warm. Feel them ! Egg-nog for Miss Louise ! " . Ho was beaming with satisfaction , and before he left , he insisted on goIng - Ing back to the pantry and making nn egg-nog with bis own hands. Some how , nil the time he was doing -it , I had a vision of Dr. Willoughby , my nerve Bpeclnllot in the city , trying to make an egg-nog. I wondered if ho over prescribed anything so plebeian and BO delicious. And while Dr. Stewart whisked the eggs he talked. "I said to Mrs. Stewart , " he con fided , a little red in the face from the exertion , "after 1 went homo the other day , that you would think me an old gossip , for saying what I did about Walker and Miss Loulso. " "Nothing of the sort , " I protested. "Tho fact Is , " he went on , evidently justifying himself , "I got that piece of information just as we got n lot of things , through the kitchen end of the houso. Young Walker's chauffeur Walker's more fashionable than I am and ho goes around the country In a Stanhope car well , his chauffeur comes to see our servant girl , and he told her the whole thing. I though it was probable , because Walker span a lot ot tlmo up hero last summer when the family was here , and be sides , RIggs , that's Walker's man , had a very pat llttlo. story about the doc tor's building n house on this proper ty , Just nt the foot of the hill. The sugar , please. " The egg-nog was finished. Drop by drop the liquor had cooked the egg , and now , with a final whisk , n last toss in the shaker , it was ready , a symphony In gold nnd white. The doctor sniffed it. "Real eggs , real milk , and a touch of real Kentucky whisky , " he said. He Insisted on carrying it up him self , but at the foot of the stairs he paused. "RIggs said the pla'ns were drawn for the house , " ho said , harking back to the old subject. "Drawn by Hus ton In town. So I naturally believed him. " When the doctor came down , I was ready with a question. "Doctor , " I asked , "Is there any one in the neighborhood named Carring ton ? Nina Carrington ? " "Carrington ? " Ho wrinkled his fore head. "Carrlngtou ? No , I don't re member any such family , There used to bo Covlngtons down the creek. " "Tho name wna Carrington , " I said , and the subject lapsed. ( TO PR CONTINUED. ) Woman a Rural Mall Carrier. Mrs. Carrie Doherty King , of Cry stal Springs , Miss. , is the only woman mall carrier in her state. She deliv ers mall on n rural route , making n circuit of about 25 miles a day. In her girlhood she won many trophies for her horsemanship , nn accomplish ment that Is now of great service to her. CARING FOR FLOORS MUCH WORK TO KEEP THE HARD. WOOD VARIETY IN ORDER , They Are Recognized as the Best for the Average House , But Dally Wiping and Almost Constant Polishing Are Necessary. Undoubtedly the best floors for the iverage house are hardwood , but to cep them In ordbr requires work. Dally wiping ntid polishing nro necessary , but the beauty resultant moro than re- > nys the trouble , and such floors , un- ess they are abused , wear well. Their oxpenslvonesB differs according as to whether or not they are parquetry or ) luln. If drawing and living room doors can bo finished wllh a border : hey are moro effective , but oven In : ho e places design Is not necessary. What la required Is perfect position of the boards , that Is , close together and smooth , so they can bo kept In the ilgliost state of polish and cleanliness. When a house that Is occupied the entire year is fitted with hardwood lloorfi the problem of carpeting is solved , for In the winter rugs can bo lined , while lu the summer the boards may bo 'left uncovered. The latter ef fect Is cool and pretty. For general durability there are cov erings which conceal unfinished floorIng - Ing and are more easily kept clean than carpeting. In these days of fre quent moving , when housekeepers do not like to have carpets and mattings cut to fit rooms , rugs of endless variety and material come la prices which are equally varied. A wilton or tapestry carpet cut llko a largo rug and fin ished with a wide border is practical lu many dlhcrcnt places , and a rough floor may have a border stained to make a suitable finish. For uummer , or to use all the year In bedrooms , mats of straw are extremely pretty. They come in straw colored grounds with designs of various sizes. They wear well and are easily kept clean. Nothing could bo prettier than some of the hand woven rag rugs. They have the merit of washing , when soiled , nnd have sufficient warmth to bo good for the winter and yet light enough for summer wear. In many summer houses they are used exclusively In the upstairs rooms and large ones are exceedingly nlco in dining rooms. They can be woven to order and for dining rooms round ones showing a border of contrasting color are both effective and durable. Hag carpeting also comes now by the yard and by many persons Is preferred to matting because of the way dust Hifts through the latter. Rag stair car peting Is extremely pretty. A floor covering which has cork in its composition has como Into favor for bed and billiard rooms as well as din ing , rooms. It is rather thick and has some "give" and may bo washed with soap and water as a bare floor. It Is the common covering In many English nurseries owing to its hygienic quali ties. The stuff comes in only a few plain colors nnd may servo as a back ground for rugs. Carving Meat. To successfully carve meat one must know how to control the knife. When carving a slice of meat , after the first Incision has been made , the angle at which the knife Is held must never bo altered , or a jagged slice will bo the result. The cut should bo direct , sharp and incisive. The saw-like motion should not enter Into the operation. As a rule the knlfo should bo hold firmly but applied lightly , so that too much Juice will not bo squeezed out from the meat. By using the point of the knlfo lightly as a wcdge-and the fork as a lever , even a big fowl may be easily Jointed , provided the carver is aware of how the Joint Is exactly situated and held together. Salmon , Epicurean Style. Put two heaping tablcspoonfuls ot butter Into a saucepan , add a slice * onion , sliced carrot , bunch of parsley and stalk of celery. Fry , and when slightly brown add two cupfuls of water , two cupfuls of whlto wine , and , when boiling put In two pounds of' ' salmon to boll till ready. Take out the fish , remove the skin from It , coat with melted butter and flno bread crumbs and set In a hot oven to brown a little. Meanwhile reduce the liquor In which it was boiled , then strain It and thicken with flour and bter , sea son with salt and popper and servo separately with the fish. Caramel Pie. Drown three-fourths of a cup of sugar , and a pint of sweet milk In which arc dissolved two tablcspoonfuls of flour , and stir until smooth. Whip' ' in the well-beaton yolks of two eggs , and a tablespoonful of melted butter. Stir until thick , then take from the lire. Add vanilla to taste and pour into an open crust that has been al ready baked. When the filling is baked drop on top of thoxple spoonfuls of the whites that have been whipped light with a little sugar. The effect Is pretty. Bananas a La West. Strip the pool from any number ot bananas , belug careful to remove all the flno bitter strings. Halve each crosswise , dip into sweetened lemon Juice , then roll In finely-chopped nuts. Lay on a buttered pan nnd bake In a very hot oven until they can bo eas ily pierced with a fork ; this will take about twojvo minutes. Serve either not or cold. WEAK KIDNEYS WEAKEN THE WHOLE BODY. No chain is stronger than Its weak * cst link. No man is stronger than hid Kidneys. Overwork , colds , strains , etc. , weaken the kidneys and the whole body suffers. Don't neglect the slight * cst Iddnoy ailment. Begin using Doan'a KIdney Pills at once. They are especially for sick kidneys. Ted Illatt , Oawc. go , Kans.soys : "For many years I suf fered from kidney disorders. I was treated by specialists in Kansas City and Chicago , was told I an abscess of the kidneys and ail operation was advised. I thereupon began the use of Doan's Kidney Pilla and gradually improved. Soon an op eration was unnecessary as my kid neys wore well. " Remember the name Doan's. For sale by all dealers. GO cents a box. Foster-Mllburn Co. , Buffalo , N. Y. Alms and the Man. "Sure Father Flaherty was n good man , " Mr. Murphy said of the deceased parish priest. "Ho hated sin hut ho loved th' sinner , an' he was all com passion un' patience an' wisdom. There never was another lolko ' 1m f'r holdln' up hope to th' poor batthered man that had anny deslro f'r good. " 'Faith , ' said ha to Con Meehan , th' oimo th' bh'y was down an * out , faith , this soldo av paradise 'tist all aeglnnlng again , over an'over , an' tin oimes over ! ' 'An1 that keen , " continued Mr. Murphy , " 'twas nlver worth whoilo to keep back part av th' price av th' and ! Wld a twlnklo In his eye he'd ce clean through anny Ananias that ver walked. "An' gln'rous ! " Mr. Murphy's volco dropped to a lower key and his eyes ivere wet as ho added , ' 'Ills hand was always in his pockut , an' whin they prepared him f'r burial they found his righ't arm longer than his loft wld trotchin' it out to th' poor. " Youth's Companion. A Mean Man. "la your wife going lo ISurope this summer ? " "No. I've bribed a fortune teller to warn her to watch for a slim blonde woman who is coming into my life. " THE TO HEALTH HOSTETTER'S BITTERS The process of digestion and assimilation depends en tirely upon the condition of the stomach. If yours is weak take a short course of the Bitters. It prevents Indigestion , Dyspepsia , Cramps and Diarrhoea. postal for EScnd Package of Paxtine , Better and more economical than liquid antiseptics FOB ALL TOILET OSES. TOlLETANlMPTIG Gives one a tweet breath ; clean , -white , germ-free teeth authentically clean mouth and throat purifies the breath after ( molting dispels all diiagreeoble perspiration and body odor * much ap preciated by dainty women. A quick remedy for tore eyes and catarrh. A Hide Paitine powder dis solved in o glut of hot wttet mtkei a delightful antiseptic so lution , poueulrig extraordinary cleansing , germicidal end heal * ing power , and absolutely tiann * less. Try a Sample. 50c. a large box at druggift * or by mniL THE PAXTOH TOILET Co. , BOSTON. MAIS. DAISY FLY KILLER Saint Katharine's School For Girls EPISCOPAL Davenport , Iowa Academic , preparatory , and primary prartefl. Certificate accepted by Kabteru colIeRca. Hpe- clal nilvAiituu'ca In Music , ArtDomestic Science unit Gymimslum.Alilre8a The Stsfer Superior. Gillette Blades Arc Flno NO STROPPING NO HONING KNOWN THE WORLD OVRR Thompson's Eye Water