Nebraska Newspapers

    10 THE ( TMATTA DAILV .lANTAHY 17. 1807.
ANY ,
BY ROBERT BARR.
the Story of a Inbor Union. A Tnlo of Preicnt Day Problems. With Cplsodei from Rent Life.
UOS , by Hubert llnrr )
CHAI Tiil : XVI Continued.
"Tho mcanlns Is that 1 am going to hear
what danger my father was In yeetorday , nnJ
to bo with him If ho Is In danger today"
The good woman held up her hands In help
less dismay. Was over human being , anx
ious to do her duty to all , harassed by two
such ungovernable persons since the world
began ? she asked herself. Hut for once she
made exactly the remark to cope with the
nltuatlon.
"Tho tlmo has come sooner than I ex
pected. Your father has forbidden jou to go
to the office nnd when ho sees that you have
disobeyed him at such a tlmo as this ho will
bo furious. Then you will know v.hat I have
to stand. "
The Impetuous girl paused In her prepara
tions.
"Then why do you exasperate mo beyond
endurance by refusing to tell mo what hap
pened ? "
"I refuse ! I refuse jou nothing. Hotter
would It have been for mo If I had when you
wuro younger ; then you v.ould think twlco
before you flung all obcdlenco to the winds.
You have only to osk what you want to
know , and listen with patience whllo It la
told to jou. "
"I have asked you a dozen times. "
"How > ou do oxaKKOiale ! I call It exag
geration , although I n.'ight perhaps bo for
given for using a harsher term. Kxactltudo
of ptatement Is more "
"Will jou tell me , or shall I go ? "
"Havo I not Just said that I will te3 ! you
anj thing ? What la It you want to know ?
Your own ridiculous conduct has driven
everything out of mycad. . "
"You said my father had defied the men
and was In danger yesterday. "
"Oh , that ! After seeing the police guard
Mr. Hope and Mr. Monkton through tlio law
less mob , what must jour father do but
show how bravo ho wna compared with his
superiors Ho came out of the gates alone ,
and unll.e.l through the mob. "
'What did ho say ? "
"Ho didn't say anything. "
"Then how did ho defy the men ? "
"Good giaclous , child , how stupid you are !
When men are driven to extremities ? , surely
his coming out among them and ho the
cause of It all was deilanco enough Uut
a. full account Is in the paper I bought at
the station ; It U on the hall table , where
jou would have seen It It you could have
kept your temper. Head It If jou want to.
It Is not me jou are disobeying when you
do so. llcmcmber , It was jour father who
did not want jou to sco the paper. "
The day proved a long ono to Kdna Sart-
well , and when her father did not return
nt Mm usual hour , she became more and
more Anxious. Her stepmother tald nothing
about Iho delay , as the hours psssed , but
began to aroumo that air of patient reslg-
nation which became her BO well. Dinner
was served to the minute , and nt thu accustomed -
customed moment the table was clcaicd.
Once or twice she chlCed Edna for her
restlessness , and regi cited she had to speak ,
but was compelled to do BO , because the
good example she herself set was co palpably
unappreciated. At lait she nald.
"Edna , go to bed , I will wait up for jour
father. "
"Ho Is sure to bo home soon. Please let
me wait until ho comes. "
There was silence for a few minutes.
"I don't wish to ask you twice , Edna.
You heard what I said. "
"Please do not send mo away until father
. * cornea. I am so anxious ! I. t me sit up
\ Instead of jou. I can't sleep It I do go to
bed. Won't you let me , ilt up In your place ?
The mirtjrcd look came Into the thin face
of her stepmother the look which told of
trials uncomplainingly borne.
"I have always sat up for jour father , and
always shall , ao long as we are spared to
each other. For the third tlmo I ask jou to
go > to bed "
The girl sat where she was , the led flag
of rebellion In her cheek. The glint of sup
pressed anger In Mrs Sartwcll's eye- showed
that a point had been reached where one or
the other of them had to leave the room de
feated. The elder woman exhibited her for
bearance by speaking in the same level tone
throughout.
"Do you Intend to obey me , Edna ?
"No , I do not. "
Mrs , Sartwoll went on with her sowing , a
llttlo stralghtcr In the back , perhaps , but not
otherwise visibly disturbed by the unjusti
fiable conduct of the girl. In each Instance
after Edna's prompt replies , there was al-
lenco for a few moments.
"In the earlier part of the day , Edna , jou
permitted yourself to apeak to mo and act
toward mo In a manner which I hoped jou
would regret when opportunity for leflectlon
was given ? I expected gome expression of
contrition from , jou. Ha\o jou reflected ,
Edna ? "
"Yea. "
Mrs. Sartwell threaded her necdlo with
almost excessive deliberation.
"And what has been the result ? "
"That I was pleased to think I had Bald
nothing harohcr than I did "
'Tho ticking of the tall clock , on the land
ing echoed through the house. Edna listened
Intently for a qukk , firm step on the gravel ,
but all outsldo wcs Bllcnt.
"Added to your If I use the word Inso
lence It Is because I can think of no other
term with which to characterize the remarks
jou have addressed to mo added to j-our
I Insolence Is now disobedience. If I am
overstating the case , no one can bo moro
pleased than I to be corrected , In the proper
nnlrlt. "
. "I hive no doalro t < j correct you. "
After nipping the thread with her teeth
( nnd drawing a deep , wavering sigh , Mrs.
* Sartwell said :
] "In every household , idna , some one
* must command nnd others obey. When my
, tlmo cornea I shall gladly lay down the bur
den of what poor authority Is delegated to
me , but until that tlmo cornea , I ( shall be
mistress In my own house. Your father
freely and ot his own choice gave me that
lUlthniItj" , and he , not jou , Is the proper
pcriion to ictoko It. It It pleases him to do
eo. I shall , therefore , say nothing more until
ho returns. Then ho must choose between
us. If jou arc to be mistress hero I r.liall
bow my held without n word , and leave this
house , prajing that peace and every bless
ing may remain within It. "
Something of the Eclf-sacrlflclng resigna
tion breathing through there measured words
must have touched the hardened heart of the
girl , for she burled her face In her hands
and began to weep a certain sign of defeat.
But oho evidently determined not to give her
antagonist the satisfaction fairly won by no
admirable n dissertation upon the correct
conduct of a well-ordered household ,
"It la alwajs poor father , " she nobbed.
"With nil the trouble nnd anxiety alicndy on
his mind , ho must bo worried when he comes
homo by our miserable squabbles. "
"I never squabble , IMna. Neither do I
over use such nn undignified word. Where
you got It I'm sure I do not know , but
it woe not fioin mo. It you wish your father
not to be troubled , then you should act so
that It would not bo necessary to appeal
to him. It Is no wlah ot mine to add to
Jits cares far othctwUe. Are you ready to
obey mo now ? "
"Yes. "
The ulrl rose nnd went rather uncertainly
to the door , her cjcn filled with team ,
"You have not Kissed me goodnight ,
Edna. "
She KUscd her stepmother on the check
nnd went to her room , flinging herself ,
dreaded aa oho wan , on her bed , sobbing.
Yet she listened for that step on the gravel
which did not como. At last she rose , ar
ranged her hair for the night , and bathed
lier face , no that her father , it ho ramo homo
nnd eaw her , should not know she had been
crying. Wrappingliernolt in her dressing
gown , uho uat by the window and listened
intently and anxiously. It wns after mid-
nlKlit when the last train came In , nnd some
minutes later her quick ear heard the long-
czpec'ed step far down the street , but It
waa not the quick , nervous tread uho waa
accustomed to. It was the step of n 11 red
glio thought of Koftly cullliij ; to him
.
from the window , but did not. Holding her
1 door apar , she heard the murmur of her
stepmother's voice , nr < I occasionally the
sho-Ur. gruffer note of her father's ovl
doiitly monriyllablc replica. After wha
cccmi.il on Interminable time , her stepmother
came up alone , and the door of her roon
closed ,
I'dna , holding her breath , slipped noise
Icssly out of her room and down the atalrs
Tro Ktcta were kind to her and did no
creak. Slio opened the door of the dining
loom , nr-d appeared n silently as If slit
wcro a ghc it 'Her ' father started from his
chair , and It required all his habitual oolf
comman 1 to repress the exclamation tha
rcso to his Hrs.
"Heaven help us , my dearwt girl ; do you
t ant to frighten your old father out of wha
little wlt.i he has left to him' " he whfs
pcred "V'hy orou't jou aaleep ? "
She gently closed the door , then ran to
him and threw her arms about his neck.
"Oh , father , are jou safe ? You are no
hurt ? "
"Hurt ! Why , what would hurt me , joi
silly bibj ? " Ho ruffled her hair , pulling 1
over her ojes "You've been dreaming ; ' .
believe jou are talking In jour sleep now
Why are you not In bed ? "
"I couldn't sleep till you came home. Wha
kept jou ! , o lite , father ? "
"Now , this Is more than the law requires
of a man. Have I to make explanations to
THE GIRL SAT DOWN ON A HASSOPK
AND LAID IIL'Il HEAD ON IICI
j TATHDU'S KNEE.
I
two women every night I come home by the
late train ? "
The girl sixt on a hassock nnd laid her
head on her father's knee , ho smoothing her
hair caressingly.
"What Is all this pother about , Edna ?
Why are you so anxious about my being oul
late ? "
"I was afraid you were In danger ; I read
what was said In the paper about your defy
Ing the men , and and "
Sartwell laughed qulotlj' .
"My dear girl , If jou arc going to begin
life by believing all jou see In the papers
you will have an uneasy time of It. I can
tell jou something much more tttartllng
which has nut jet appeared In print. "
"What Is that , father ? " asked the girl ,
looking up at him.
"That jou have been a most unruly child
all daj- , causing deep anxiety to those respon
sible for jour upbilnglng. "
Edna sank her head upon her father's
knee.
"Yes , " .she said , "that Is quite true. I
have been dreadfully wicked and rebellious ,
sajlng things I ought not to have said. "
"And leaving unsaid the things ah , well ,
none of us U quite perfect. It Is a blessing
there Is such a thing as forgiveness of sins ,
otherwise most of us would come badly off '
"Somehow , when jou nre here , nothing
seems to matter , and any worries of the day
appear small and trivial , and I wonder why
they troubled mo , but when jou are way
well. It's different altogether. "
"That Is very flattering to me , Edna , but
jou mustn't Imagine I'm to bo cajoled Into
omitting the scolding you know jou deserve.
No. I can sco through your diplomacy. It
won't do , my dear girl , It won't do. "
' "It Isn't diplomacy or flattery ; It's true.
I'll take my scolding most meekly If you tell
mo what happened today. "
"I refuse to bargain with a confessed
rebel. Still , aa I must get jou off to bcJ
before morning , I will tell jou what hap
pened. An attempt wcs made to settle the
strike todaj- . The men had a meeting to
night , and I waited at my club to hear the
outcome. I had a man at the meeting , who
was to bring mo the result of the vote as
soon aa It was taken. A young man one
of the strikers , but the -only man of brains
among them aw mo this afternoon , and
made certain proposals that I accepted.
Glbbona was to bo i enounced and a depu
tation of the men was to come to me. We
should probably have settled the matter In
ten minuted , If It had come oft. "
"Then he failed , after all his trouble ? "
"Who failed ? "
"The the joung man jou npcak of. "
Edna found her role of deceiver a diffi
cult one. She was clad her fnthnr i > nuii
not see her face , and bitterly regretted giv
I ing Marsten a proniko not to tell of his
Uslt.
"Yes , he failed. Of course , there was not
time to canvass the men properly , and at
the meeting , Gibbons , who Is a glib talker ,
won over enough to defeat the efforts of
the others , it wasn't much of a vlctorj- ,
but aulltclent for the purpose. They had , I
understand , a very stormy meeting , and
Glbbon.s won by some dozen votca or there
abouts "
"And what Is to bo done now ? "
"Oh , wo arc Just where wo were. I'll
wait a few dajs more , and If the men do
not come back , I'll fill their places with a
new lot , I don't want to do that except
as a lost resort , but I won't be played with
very muc'h longer. Now dear girl , jou
know all about It , so to bed , to bed at once ,
and sleep soundly. This dissipation cannot
bo allowed , you know. "
Ho kUscd her and patted her affection
ately on the ehouldcr. The girl , with a
guilty feeling In her heart , crept upstairs
aa noiselessly as she had descended.
CHAPTER XVII.
Albert tangly found a no\v and absorbing
Interest In life. This Interest was friend
ship , the pleasures of which the organist had
never before experienced during his lonely
and studious existence. Ho became a con
stant visitor at Draiint's rooms , and began
tcach-lng Jessie- the rudiments of music , find
ing her a willing and apt pupil as well as a
very silent one , Her gaunt face and lar o
sorrowful oycs haunted him -wherever hi
went , while she looked npon him with an
awe such as she would havn bestowed uoon
a being from another world ; which perhaps
ho was. for ho certainly had llttlo relation
ship with thin pager , moncy-aecklni ? planet.
Joe Ilraunt was quite content to sit In Ms
armchair and smoke. However small the
money Is for the housekeeping , a working ,
man will generally contrive , to provide him
self with tobacco.
As often aa not llraunt was absent when
his daughter had her musle Ia jon , for Mrs ,
Grundy has little to nay about the domestic
arangcmcnts of the extreme poor. The entire -
tire absence of all world wisdom In the
jouni ; man would have made It difficult for
any ono to explain to him why two people
who loved nitiile uhould not bo together aa
often na opportunity offered , had there been
any ono who look Interest enough In htm or
In her to attempt auch an explanation. Tlio
clrl , who had even moro than her father's
worship of harmony , wan faalnated by the
' marvelous skill upon ( ho Instru
ment to which ho had devoted his life , before
her solemn c > os had lured hl.s musical noul
Into their mystic Influence. The two wcro
lovers without either of them suspecting It.
Once LuiRly persuaded Dratint ami his
daughter to go to the empty cl urch with him
and hear the grand organ. The wotknmn
Mml the girl sat together In the wilderness
of vacant pews , and listened entranced while
the Bombrc rhjthtn of the "Dead March"
filled the dosettol edifice. Lsngly plaj-cd
ono Eclc-otlou after another for the love oC
the inv.ilc and the love of his audience. It
was a concert such os the mad king of Ila-
varla mlnht have hearkened to In lonely
state , but heard now by a man v Ithout a
penny In his pocket , and h rdly a crust to
tat In liU squalid rorms Whether the dcfl
finders of the lUvartan player soothed for
the moment the demon that tortured the
king , as the skill of Divld lulled the dis-
imlet of Saul , who can say ? Hut the en
chanted touch cf the solitary organist on the
hory keys transported his listener , ] to a
world wheio Lunger was unknown.
The stlllncsr of the great church , un
troubled by outildc sounds ; the joverbera-
tlon of harmony from the dim , lofty , vaulted
loof ; the awakening of unexpected echoes
lurking In dirk corners , added to the sol
emnity of the music , gave the hearers and
performer a sense of being cut adrift from
the babel bcjond. The church for the tlmo
being wan on casts of peace In a vast desert
of turmoil
Never again could Langly persuade Braunt
to accompany him to the church Somu
numerics are too precious to be molested ,
nnd ho who risks the repetition of an ex
perience of perfect bliss prepares for him
self a possible disillusion.
"Najmy lad , " he spld. "we'll let that
rest. Some day , majbe , If I'm ever like be
ginning to forget what I've heard , I'll go
back , but not now. I would go stark mus'c- '
nmd If I oftEii heard plajlng llko yon ; In
fact , I think sometimes , I'm half daft al
ready. "
nut Jessie often accompanied the organist
to the quiet church , neither of them think
ing of propriety or Impropriety ; and , lucidly ,
they were unseen by cither the sexton or his
wife , who would have raised a to-do In the
sacred Interests of fitting and proper con
duct. Sometimes the girl sot with him In
the organ loft , watching him as he plajcd ,
but more often she occupied one of the
pews , the better to hear the Instrument In
correct perspective. Jesslo had Inherited
from her father the taciturnity which char
acterized him , and her natural reticence
was augmented by her shjness. There was
seldom any conversation between the two
In the church ; each appeared abundantly
satisfied by the fact that the other was
there. They might almost have been mute
lowers , for any use spoken language was to
them.
Once , on coming down the narrow stair
which led from the organ loft , Langly I
thought she had gone , so strangely deserted
did the church seem. Even In the daytime I
the gas had to be lighted when service was
held , for the windows vveio of stained glass ,
and the church was closely sunounded by
toll buildings The atmosphere In that
grim quarter was tarely clear , and the In
terior of the church was alwajs dim.
Langly peered short-slghtedly through the
gloom , but could not dtscry her. A feeling
cf vague alarm took possession of him ,
until , hurrjlng up the alalc , he saw she was
In her place , with her head resting on the
hymn-book board of the pew , apparently
asleep. Ho touched her gently on the
shoulder , and , when she slowly raised her
head , saw that she had been silently wecp-
Inc.
"What Is the matter , dear ? " ho wnis-
pcred , bending over her.
"I feel afraid afraid of something I
don't know what. The church grew black
daik suddenly , and the music faded awaj- .
I thought I was sinking , sinking down , and
no one to save me. " She shuddered as she
spoke , and rose uncertainly to her feet , tot
tering slightly on stepping Into the nlsle.
"It-was like a bad dream. " she added , with
long-drawn , quivering breath.
lie slipped his arm about her waist , sup
porting her as they walked down the aisle
0"It'a ° rthe dai-kners of. the church. " he
sild "and pel-bars the sadness of music.
I'll play something moro cheerful next time
jou come. I play too much In the minor
At the door she cslced hln a stop a mo
ment before going out. She diled her ej-es ,
but Ineffectually ; for , leaning agalnat Hie
stone wall , she began to cry again In
a despondent , helpless waj- , that wrung the
young man's heart within him.
"Jc33lc , Jessie , " he faltered , not knowing
what to do or say.
"I feel 111 and vvealc , " she sobbed. "I shall
be all right again presently. "
"Come and we will have tea somewhere
That will cheer jou up. "
They went away together , and he too * hci
to a place where- tea was to bo had She sat
there dcjectedlj' , leaning her head on her
baud , while the refreshments were being
brought ; ho opposite her , In melancholj
alienee She took some sips of the tea , but
could not drink it , shaking her head whei
ho offered her the buttered bread
"I must get home , " she eald at leat. "I
can't eat. I shall be better there "
They walked slowly to Rcao Garden court
and at No 3 ho helped her up the sordid
stair , she. clinging breathlessly to the shaky
tall at every step or two , he thankful there
was but ono flight to climb. IJraunt sat In
his armchair , an angry r-loud on his brow
He VVBS In his gruffwt mood , looking at them
when they entered with eurly displeasure ,
but Wo said nothing. It wco the evening
after the men , with their R-nall majority ,
had resolved to continue the strike , and
IJraunt'a pipe was cold. Not another scrap
of tobacco couUV ho gather , although he had
turned out every pocket In hope of finding
a crumb or tv.o. Jessie sank Into a chair ,
her white face turning appeallngly , alter
nately fiom her father to her filend , evi
dently feailng that something harsh might
be said , for eho knev/ her father was rough
spoken when 111 plcaoed.
"Jesslo Is not well , " said the organist.
Draunt did not answer him. but crossed
over to his daughter , and , smoothing her hair ,
said , more gently than she expected
"What's wrong , lassie ? Art hungry ? "
"No , no , " murmured the girl , eagerly. "Wo
had tea before wo came In. I'm not hungry. "
Langly , slow as ho was to comptchend , saw-
that Draunt. at least , had been without food ,
perhaps for long. He had several times ot
tered him money from his own scanty store ,
but It had alwajs been refused , sometimes
In a manner not altogether friendly The
organist went quietly out , leaving father and
daughter alone together.
" \Vould you llko mo to get some ono to
come In some woman ? " ashed Ilraunt ,
anxlouslj"Wo don't know our neighbors ,
tmt ono of the women would como In If she
knew you were HI. "
The girl shook her head.
"I want none naugnt but Just rest a little.
It will all pas.i away Boon. I need but rent. "
The father returned 10 his chair , and they
sat silent In the gathering darkness.
Presently the door vos pushed open , and
Langly entered with parcels In his arms. Ho
ilaced a loaf on the table with the rest of
tils burdens , and put on the empty hearth
; ho newspaper , that held a pennjworth of
coals.
Braunt glared at him , speechless for a
nomcnt ; then ho cried out , Indignantly :
"I'll ha' none o' thy charltjmy lad , d d
If I will I"
Ucforo Langly could reply , Jessie rose
tremblingly to her feet.
"Don't father , don't" she walled ; then ,
swaying as she attempted to walk toward
ilm , she fell suddenly In a heap on the floor.
Langly npram ; forward , but Oraunt
brushed him roughly aside , and , stooping
over his daughter , lifted her light form In
its arms , speaking soothingly and carcss-
iiKly to her. Ho carried her to the bed and
) laced her lovingly upon It.
"Run ! " ho cried to Langly. "Run for a
lector. There's ono down Light street.
There's something main wiong Hero , I'm
eared. "
The young man needed no second telling.
The doctor objected to go to Hose Garden
court ; he had his own patients to attend to ,
10 said. He know there was llttlo to bo got
out of the court.
"I am organlat nt St. Martyrs , " replied
ho messenger , eagerly , "I will see jou
paid. '
"Oh , It's not that , " nald the doctor.
'Who generally attends to people In the
court ? There * must be gome one. "
"I don't know " answered "
, Langly , "and
have no tlmo to find out. The case U ur
gent. Como ! "
So thu doctor , grumbling for this kind
of practice v.aa out of hla line went with
ilm.
They found Ilraunt anxiously chafing the
lamli of tlm girl.
"You've been long about It , " ho cried , aa
hey entered.
Neither arawered , and the doctor went
quickly to ( ho bed , with the seemingly cal
lous Indifference of A mnn to whom aurh
flconefl are niHttbrs of hourly routine. Ho
placed his flii/jbrit / upon her wrist , bent his
ear down to Her 'breast ' , then put hl.s hand
on her smooth Vhlto brow ,
"Ha.t she hec-fl lit long ? " ho naked
slmrplj' ,
"Jcsilo wasiftlwwj-g weakly , " answered the
father , "and latterly has not been at all
well , poor girl. " i
"Who h s attended her ? "
"No "
one" - i
"Oh. well , you hnow I can't grant a death
certificate in tier theae clrcunutancia. There
will most IIKaty bean Inquest "
"Good aodr , ' qhrlcked Ilraunt , "An In
quest ! You don't mean to stj you can't
mean It ! JesJsle > ( In not dead ? "
"Yes she Is dead. I can do no good here.
I'll lot the coronci know and ho can do as
ho plensca. I have no doubt It Is all right ,
but wo are bound to act according to tlio
law , you know. Good night ! "
Hraunt threw himself upon the bsd In n
atorm of grief ; tangly stood by the side of
the dead girl , stunned. Ho took her limp ,
thin hand In his , and gized down upon her ,
dazed and tcarles * Her father rose and
paced the roam , alternately pleading with
fate and curling It Suddenly ho turned on
Langly like a madman.
"Whit are you doing hero ? " he roared "It
vvaH your Interference that caused her last
wonla to be troubled. Get jou gone , nnd
leave us alone. "
Langly tuinod from the bed nnd walked
slowly to the door without a word , Uraunt
following him with his lowering , bloodshot
eyes Tlio j-oung man paused Irresolutely at
the door , leaned his arm against It and bowed
lib 1iead In hopeless anguUh.
"Heaven help mo ! " ho said , despairingly ,
"I loved her , too , "
13'aunt looked at him a moment , not com
prehending at first Gradually the ong"r
faded from his face.
"Did jou so , lad' " ho said gently , at last.
"I didn't know I didn't know. Korglve me
my brutish temper God knows It should bo
broken by this time. I'm crazy , lad , and
knov not what I say. I have not a penny
piece In the world , nor where to go to ge :
aught. My Insslo shall not have a piuper's
lunoial In this heartless town. No , not It ,
have to take her In my arms , as I ha' ol
done , and ttudgo vvl1 her to the north , aleep
Ing under the helges by the way. Yes , that'
what I'll do. We'll bo tramping to the 'Don
March' then It will keep us company. We' ]
rest at night In the green fields under th
tices , away from the smoke and din , non
together. Ah. God ! I'll begin the Journo
now and tramp all night to be quit o' till
Babylon ere the moinlnc. "
"No , no , " cried Lingly , catching his arm
"You mustn't do that. You must hear wha
the coroner sajs "
"What has the coroner or any one els
to do with mo or hrr ? "
"It Is the law ; j-ou must obey It. "
"What care I for the law ? What'a It don
for cither mo or Jccalo ? I'll have no paupt
funeral , law or uo law. "
"There won't be a pauper funeral. Thcr
are Kind hearts In London , as well as It
the north PromUe me jou'll do nothing
until I see If I can get the money. "
"I promise , " said Braunt , sinking Int
hLs amir "I doubt If I could walk far to
night , even If I tried. But leave me now
lad , and come back again later. I want t
bo alone and think. "
Langly left the room ami on the landing
met Marsten , whom ho did not know , bu
who he saw vas-about to enter.
"Don't go tp , " he whispered. "He want
to he alone. " " ' '
"Is there anj thing wrong ? " asked Mar
sten. alarmed at the tone of the other.
"Yes. his diughter b dead. "
"Deid ! Good Gel ! How ? An accident ?
"No She haa bpcii 111 for weeks , but no
one thought of thlj < Jessie died about an
hour since une'.piitedlj' . Are j-ou a frlcnt
of his ? " / T
"Yes. " ' I
"Then jou .must help me tell me wha
to do Come down Into the court when
wo can talk. "
The two jourg men descended the etalr.
"Draunt has no .monsy and ho will not
have his daughter ) burlcil by the parHi
We must get n'lonpy. ' I have promised It.
but I have very little mjself , although I
will willingly give- oil I have.i If It was
more \yould pot ajk help from "any one. "
"I have onjy few- '
a shllllngi/'dflald Mars-
ten , "but wenUist gptjnore somghow. "Nono
of the men have anj' , or they- would give It.
Yesterday I could havp gone to Sartwell ;
but today , unfortunately , I have quarreled
with him , bitterly and Irretrievably , 1
fear. Although he said nothing to mo I
cnn't go to him. But there Is Barnard Hope
Yes , he's the man. Ho helped Braunt when
there wan trouble with the police. I don't
llko to go to Barnard Hope for certain
reasons I don't like to be Indebted to him
Would j-ou mind going ? Ho lives In Chel
sea. "
"No I will do anything I can. I have
promised. "
"Then I would go tonight If I were you
Tomorrow Is his 'at homo' daj' , and there will
bo a lot of people there. It will be dlfil-
cult to see him then , and we can't wait
until the day after. His address Is Cralgcn-
puttoch House , Chelsea If jou fall I will
sco his father , so ono or the other of us Is
sure to get the money. "
"I will go at once. " said Langly.
It wae a long Journey to Chelsea , and when
the tired organist reached the place he found
Barnej- had a theater party on , with a dance
to follow , and would not HKelj * be home that
night. It was uncertain when he would re
turn In the morning , but he would be sure to
bo back at 3 o'clock , as his 'at homo * friends
would begin to gather at that hour , BO Bar
ney's servant said. The wearied man
tramped back and reached Rose Garden court
about-midnight. He rapped at Braunt's door ,
and receiving no answer , pushed It open
after a moment's hesitation. He feared the
headstrong , Impatient man might , after all ,
have carried out his resolution , and loft
with lily burden /or the north , but he found
nothing changed. Braunt sat there with his
head In his hands , and gave him no greet
ing."I
"I am to have the money tomorrow , "
Langly said , feeling sure It would not be re
fused.
Braunt made no answer , and taking one
look at the silent figure on the bed , whcoo
face seemed now like that of a llttlo child ,
the joung man departed as quietly r.s ho had
entered.
Mrs. Sclmmlns met him on the stnlro. She
wanted to know all about It. She said that
the women of the court , when they hear. ] of
the death , had offered their help , but Braunt
had acted like a brute , and had driven them
away with fearful oaths. She wrs sjra samr-
thlng was wrong. The coroner had been
there and thought EO , too There waa to be
an Inquest at the Vestry hall In the morn-
Ing. A summons had been left for Langly
to attend and glvo'lils ' evidence.
"But I'm going to Chelsea In the morn
ing. " cried the young man aghast. "I know-
nothing , except that Jcwle had been 111. "
"You saw her die , they say. Ilraunt ad
mitted that. You hill have to attend the
Inquest , or they win send a policeman after
" ' '
you.
Langly did not sleep that night , and wao
guant and boggart ! ' In the morning. The
coroner's Jury trooped up the stair , and ,
after looking at"the dead girl , adjourned to
the Vestry hall. ' Langly gave hlg evidence ,
and leaving tho'rppm at once , hovered about
the door , waiting frfr Braunt , who remained
In the Vestry .hall. At last ho came out ,
with white face1 , etarlng straight ahead of
him. a }
"What did thdy say ? " asked Langly ; but
the- other did 'afnawcr '
- ( lot , striding through
the curious crowd ad If he saw nothing.
"What was the ' verdict ? " Inquired a by
stander of ono 'pt ' 'tno Jurymen as ho came
out. II M
"Starved to de'ath. ' * ' replied the man.
i ( Ttb < PWlnued , )
Dr. KliiK'H Xi-it1 ; llMe < > \ cry for COH-
'
This la the best mcdiclno In the world for
all forma of Coughs and Colds and for Con
sumption , Every bottle In guaranteed , it
will cure and not disappoint , It has no
equal for Whooping Cough , Asthma , Hay
[ 'everx Pneumonia , Bronchitis , La Grippe ,
Cold In the Head and for Consumption.
It Is oufo for all ages , pleasant to take , and ,
above all , a sure cure. , It Is always well to
take Dr. King's New Life Pills In connec
tion with Dr. King's New Discovery , as
they regulate and tone the atomach and
bowels. We guarantee perfect satisfaction
or return money. Tree trial bottles at
Kuhn & Co.'s drug store.
Regular size COc and 11.00.
Dean Hoffman of the Episcopal General
Theological seminary In this city , has serit A
chork for $35,000 to the University of the
South , at Eowunco , Tcnn , , and has given It
piopvrly at Bridgeport , Ala. , worth $15,000 ,
lie promised oome tlmo ego to make the
gifts In case of McKlnley'a election ,
I THE JUNIOR LAMPLIGHTER , |
JJT A Midwinter Story for Boys and Girls , J *
7)v
-
i 4
Ily Philip Vorrlll
jT
( Cp > rls.it , 1 7 , by S 8 McClure IVmipan ) )
A very hot-headed little slick , long ami
slender , that Is I. This applied to the evenIng -
Ing only , however , for nil day long J am
. as cool as a can of Itciosene. And I've very
j i good reason to bo hot In the lioail when
I tlio sun Is Ret , for I am ttio fellow who
I
I pokes hln way Inside the Rlnsa apartment
I of the ) city lampposts , night after night , to
I clvo the spark to the gas.
| I Perhaps you've seen mo , or one of the
'
family. Wo arc carried on high , very
proudly. And let mo say that a very tilm
nml snug little lamp of special construction
Is Just beneath my cap of tin over the end
of the stick , and a Int of holes are cut In
tlio cap through which I can wink with my
11 a inc.
I stand In the corner of a nlco llttlo
house of two fine rooms , that Isvny out
Epniewhcro on the western side of great
Now York nbo\o timpty-umth street I was
never good at three fine figures In proces
sion. Of course the house Isn't new ; and
Its all aloneon a lot ; and the sidewalks all
around are raised way up , as high as thereof
roof , which leaves us down In a hole , so to
speak , but v. o've not got a splendid vine
Just a trlllo dry at present , ' I admit
with some ; \ery heroic gourds hanging hard
and ready to swing In the wind at the
moment.
There are four In the family , mjself ,
Papa Morgan , Ivimpllghtcr No.17 , Mjrtle ,
who Is 12 , or pcrharw 14 , and Walter , who Is i i
have been nblare for half an hour , for , blesi
me , It was G by the bell In the stceplo. llnl
I happen to know that Walter wns lighting
for every single Inch against a droadfu !
wind , and kicking his way through the ( mow
and the drifts , that swirled anil tried to
tilp his feet , with ns bra\e and manly a
pair of legs as I oxer saw.
Now wo plunged ahead , through darkness
tl/at was blacker than the end of my wick
"Stny hot , llttlo wand. " said Walter , with
all the possible cheer In his volre , "only
a hundred and ten of 'cm loft , " and he puck
ered hh lips to try for a whlstlo , though
ho was all in n tremble from his efforts
and the taxing of his muscles. I fear I
sputter but a faint encouragement.
Ho floundered down repeatedly ; the wind
drove so hard aa to hold him blocked ; the
blast of snow made him turn his luck to
&nvo ua bath , and he sometimes missed the
lamp and had to go back In the darkness ,
but ho cheered us both with his words of
valor as ho struggled on to lamp after lamp
At tlmos ho would lean against the cold ,
chilling Iron. "I feel as If 1 couldn't go on
to another blessed ono , " ho would say , but
I must , for somebody else may bo out In the
storm and the blackness. "
THi : QUOWLI2H.
Seven o'clock had boomed from the boll
some time before , and forty lamps , on the
road back home , wcio still to bo lighted
Suddenly a smothered sound came out of the
darkness , and a pair of horses , tangled In
n trco beside the road , appeared as the gas
* rx JK\ XvI Vii'tS'Vr * !
A PAIR OF ( HORSES APPEARED AS THE GAS FLAREO UP.
Just my size. Walter and I are chums.
I UDed to go with Mr. Morgan entirely , but
later , when his health began to fall , he
let mo go with Walter , now nnd then. When
the colder dajs came end he had to go to
bed , I was sorry ; he was \ery nice , but not
so cheerful as I might have liked , nnd he
never talked. Now , Walter "was a talker ;
he and I have the most confidential of chats ,
and I warm up amazingly as soon as he
strikes a subject I mean an object , for a
match 1.5 an object of course.
Well , as I was sputtering ; In the sum
mer , or rather In the autumn , wo had fine
old , times , Walter and I. He waa full of
vigor and full of conversation , so wo moved
along briskly , and the cool , delicious wind
oamo In to make me bright and I always
llko to be as bright as possible when Walter
lights the lamps.
"Yo ho , my bonny wand , " he urcd to say
and "wand" Is pretty aa a name "there's
another fraction of a cent to our credit. "
as the Jet flared up anJ we went hastening
away to the next cf the lamps. Now.'the
company pajs Its lighters 21 cents a month
for every lamp lighting In the evening
and turning1 out In the morning , and n lighter
lias , on an average , ISO lamps on his route.
Those must all bo lighted at half past C ,
when the Hays are short , and must all be
out In the nicrnlng at ten minutes after 7.
Walter was aa prompt dJ the cock.
"That's seventy done , " he used to pay , when
wo reached a certain corner , and then he'd
whistle and skip along to a lonesome row
of posts that stood by a road where the
tiouses were nearly aa scarce as flics In my
! iot tin cap. "Father's net so well again , "
! io used to nay to mo , "and now that he
: iao given up the carpenter job , its a hard
old pinch. But never we'll mind whllo the
aonny wand can rave us from actual want ! "
I would nod at this and blush a rosy red
and tip the rest of the Jests with light moat
merrily.
IN THE STORM.
Then the winter came on , and out we'd
go , wo chums , and Jump around faster than
I IIODE IN THE JOLLY , JINGLING
SLEIGH BACK TO MY HOME. "
ver. Ono day It got so oark In my corner
hat I feared wo were late. Down I came
1th a bang , OB a warning. But Myrtle put
10 back again , to wait for an hour. It was
when wo felt. Whew ! what a night. Tha
now had plied six Inches deep and waa
rifting llko sand. A furious wind blew it
lard In our faces , till I had to catch my
ireath to keep my light from jumping out
hrough a hole. Walter didn't care ; ho held
Us hand around mo close and plodded atur-
jly ahead.
At the best wo could do U was half past
when wo came to the alreet where thu
puto commenced. "Rough old walking , "
aid Walter , as ho forced hla way. The
amps wcro hard to light , for the wind would
oss the gas about in the frames , and my
wn llttlo flame was afraid of the snow ,
Vhon the lamps did finally got to business ,
hey complained in purring tones and fllcK-
rcd down to tiny pencils of blue , which
were nearly drowned In the darkness , that
corned to fly In flakes with the snow , nnd u
oed deal thicker.
Such a long time before wo got to the end
t the seventy. Why all of the route should
flared up at our touch
"What do jou mean , " called a voice , gruf
and scolding , "by leaving these lamps untl
nearly 8 o'clock ? " Then , as ho saw tha
Walter wasn't largo , "What are you dolnt ,
here anyway ? what do the gas people mcai
by entrusting this business to a boy I'l
report at once It's nn outrage. "
I "If jou please , " said Walter , as he
clutched mo hard and leaned to keep fron
falling , "my father "
j "What do I care for your father , " Inter
ruptcd the man ; "you skip ahead there llvelj
t and get the rest of the lamps to shining
i We'll see about jou and your father In the
i morning. Tlio idea of a man pajing taxes
1 for lights and then getting out in such n
scrape as this1 Hurry jour boots , and don't
crawl along there like a snail1"
Forward wo drove , made the greatest po. ,
slblo effort , got the lamp. ! Ignited at last
'
and down on his face , In a drift , went mj
chum , exhausted ami sick at heart. And 1
:
that ho htd held so nobly up In spite of all
! his previous falls , was stabbed In the Know ,
head first , for half my length. When he
' nroso at last and attempted to light me
nnow , I'm ashamed to say I di owned the
I ' only match that lived In the gale , and so
went home , n cold and cheerless weight in
his wcarv hands
Myrtle was waiting as we stumbled through
the door , nnd concerned no little , bless her
heart. "Oh , Walter , " aho cried , as she
placed mo quickly In ray corner , "j-ou arc
nearly "
"Sh-sh-sh , " bo whispered , "don't lot
father know. I'm I'm all right In a min
ute. "
"Myrtle Is that Walter ? " called the fathe.
faintly.
"Yes , oh , yes , " she replied , going at onee
to the door of the room , "he's back ; lio'a
getting off his things. "
"Is he all right ? It's a terrible otorm. "
"All right , rather. " nald the lad , with thf
steadiest \olco ho could muster , "not so bal
outaldo as jou would t > uppcae. "
"I'm glad. I was worried , " said tin
father ; nnd I heard him turn nnd sigh verj
heavily.
Soon I was trying to dry myself In the
silent darkness , for Walter sleepily ate the
m-al that Myrtle had kept , and then he
staggered to bed. Ho had to bo up at an
early hour to got the lamps put out on time
In the mornln ; .
DISMISSED.
Now It nearly makes inc. hot In the head
without any flame to tell what happened
next. A man came along at noon to say
that complalntu had been made , that they
couldn't leivo the work 'in tha hands of n
boy and that a man would take the route
that very evening. Then he fetched mo away
to the company's ofllco , and left all them
staring and stunned.
Of course I wasn't there , BO I don't know
how It happened , but when I had stood ,
ashamed and Indignant , In the corner of Iho
olllco for a tlmo I beheld the door open nnd
Myrtle and a Jolly Dutch shoemaker ,
who lived around the corner , appeared. Ho
led her right straight up to a desk where a
man was sitting.
'Wle geha , " nald lie , removing his hat In
a funny fashion , "lecdlo Myrdlo llko to
apeak wit dcr gomp'ny. "
"No begpars today , " said the man , nnd 1
know I got furious.
"I am not n beggar , " said Myrtlo. "My
father's name Is Edward Morgan , lamp
lighter No. 47 , and "
"You'll have to sco the here. Stanton , la
some ono to BCD you. " I felt llko applying
my lamp to1 the ncso of this person.
Mr. Stanton now came forward and lis
tened moro kindly to all that Myrtle had to
say.
say."I am very aorry , my child , " ho nald , nt
the end of her story to which I was ach
ing to add what I know , but the superin
tendent's rules mo- very strict , I' ' don't see
what wo can do now to help jou. Good
day. "
A TRIEND IN NEED.
The door had opened again as ho apoke.
to admit a palo llttlo creature , who seemed
to bo a child herself , HO short wax the
humped llttlo body , the painfully crooked
back of which was qulto apparent , beneath
the rich and heavy fur that bundled her
roftly up to the cars.
"Good day , air , " whispered Myrtle , aa the
team welled up In her eyes , nnd she turned
to go. "Hans , Ha mi , help me , " aho faintly
called , while her white trembling hand
reached out with a holpltsa llttlo motion to
the anxious shoemaker.
Ho had started , but the child who had
come was ahead. "What la it ? what Is It ,
llttlo girl ? " she cried , and ho preedcd the
cold outstretched flngcru to the fur on her
neck ,
"I nra blind , " said Myrtle. I bellctvo I
forgot to tell you that oho waa blind. "
"Hans , Hans , will take mo homo. " The
> olw In her voice nnd the tram In her dear ,
slghtlrws cjei could be > held no longer.
"Oh , you Or-nr. llttlo hcnrt ! " said the
palo llttlo maiden of the fur ? . In a tone
just beautifully low and sweet ; nnd then
to the man nl the desk , "Tell mo what liaa \
happened. What Is the troublr-7" Slio was r *
ilagplng Mjrtlo clo. o and wns pitting her
back with a very white and tiny hand.
"I dell jou all dcm dlnga , " * nld Hans ,
who was ritniullng near and twirling hi * hat.
And I almost jumped with Joy to hear his
wholesome volco. "Her fnddcras noombcr
voitj'-poox Iampllihdcr ; unit hemop' in It
\un sickness , jah , und hee-s llddlo Vnltnr
lights mil dcr Ifimhs to keep him nllfp nnd
subbord heein. jnh , und last night ho go mlt
to llghd tun und nearly keel hecmsclf , yah ,
und vun cow art rcbord ho CM lade und dor
gomp'ny vat you call hcom flro hrem ; dnt /
prav'o lecdlo poy , jah , unit Icefo liccin und
hers fnddcr und hctis le-cdlo tlster to starve
mlt death , und vun man < lake nvay hcea
steck , yah , und dore ees he-cm ! " linns came
madly over to the corner where I stood ,
grabbed mo up In hb German flut ami
banged my end down hard on the floor , where
I made n rplcndld noise , for my hcnit wns
warm If my head was not.
All In the ofllro were silently laughing ,
though Bomo of the smiles had teara for
their Jewels.
"Tl.o poor boj- out laat night In such
II storm how bravo nnd aplcndldl" said
the lovely little comf oiler. "There ,
there , dearie , It shall bo nil right ' . ' She
turned her bend. "Oh , jotl're there , nro
you , papi. How dare jou stand ( litre
rmlllng , sir ? Wo want the sleigh at
once ! "
"Well , It's hero , little tyrant , " answered
tall , handsome man , whose ejes were
'jcamlng ' w ith affection and fun "What
docvs jour Tlppc-bob royalty demand ? "
Myrtle had dried her ejes and was stand-
tig In wonder. The dwarfed llttlo maiden
ran to her father , climbed up to hla face
with his assistance. I inn bound to admit
and whlspeied n lively p. > plnnitlon
"Whj' , of course , " said he with n chuckle ,
uid taking the hand of Myrtle In his own ,
10 spokn n kind assutlng word , and nodded
to Hans
'I vecl prlpg him ? " naked the Gorman
-ml he raised me up Into view.
'Yes. ' " eald the nun , "my daughter snjs
yes , and she Is the mipcilntondcnt of the
company. " And an I rode In the jolly ,
Ingilng sleigh , back to my homo and my
own particular corner
So ninny sweet nnd wonderful dnjs and
cnltms hive passed In the homo nlnco then ,
\Hh Papa Morgan nnd the llttlo superintend-
nt helping out on the fun , that my poor
Iny head Us quite unable to keep nn account ,
tut I think I shall never forget the ovunlngn
lint Myrtle cnmo home from a place where
ho llttlo superintendent had taken her for
long examination of the ejes.
"Oh jou dearest of brothers' ' " she cried
. hen Walter nnd I rnmo homo from the
otite , nnd she threw her arms nbotit in
oth.
"Oh , no , " said ho with the gentlest of
milts , "only n plodding Junior lamp-
tghtor. "
"Don't say 'oulv' " aald the child , her J"
fcco nblarc with joj , fo- the I'athcr of all iP
's a lamplighter , dearest nnd the dnctor say
Tie will light the lamps for jour lltllo slater
3C011. "
innimv : > omri.usro.v.
Harper' " l'S7ir
"I sometimes wish that I'd been Xonh , "
ili1 Unliliv nntn mo *
I'm fond of nnlm ils , nnil rather
llko the sen.
Ho hud more fun thnn nnj' mnn tlmt over I
did ktinw
\nrt tlmt IP why I wish that I'd boon Noih 1
lone ngo.
"Just rslnU of It. " he nddod "think of full-
Ing In n 1m U
With two bli { tlKprp , monKe-j'3 , gnus , nml
nio.'altli lust n pnit !
T toll you ho hud really moio thin ordinary
chance
For fun with blir sorrllluj , lions , camels ,
olepbnntf.
"Just think of hnvlng In j-our house n
nnnthor or wlldcnt
I thin1. ; 'twould bo n honp of fun to live
with things llko Hint !
The tnnlr nnd rhinoceros , the ostrich nnd
the 'iok.
The polar hears nnd gilzzlles , nnd the bird
thcjcnll the roc !
"Just think of two fine zebrns bold encli
llko n toasted horse
To ilnnkovp. nnd n pair of those hippopot
ami , of course !
Dcm mo , I do not know what nny other
boy may think.
Hut IIB for inn this splendid zoo would ba
Just rlnky-dlnlcl
"Of course T dnn't bellovo tlmt Noah could
sleep with ( " "oso aim ml
Particularly when I think of how thoj'
miiKt linvo ronroti
Out I'm n bov .ind don't j-on know , whllo
I treed hours keep.
I , nftnr nil lo not i-aro much for what's
called * nolld sleep'
"I wouldn't want to sdcep nt nil If tlovvn-
stahs I could find
A great hit ; zoo like UarnumX or of any
other Kind
Ami If I only felt tlmt I vvn-j ronlly truly
bo s ,
I wouldn't mind the care of camels , hem ,
or albatross
"But when I think It ovr-r I nrn much In
clined to "HIV ,
Thnt whllo oM Mr. N. enjoyed the line
tlilnss of hlH ilny.
In pnlto of his ndvnntages I'm nftcr nil
ahead ,
IJecniiHo von see I'm living , nnd I'm told
that Noah Is dead. "
IMHTTM3 OP TIII2 YOI ! > GSTiS. :
"You think vou're smart , donVt you ? " saM
Sarcastic to his boy. Irritated. "No , daddy "
rcpllol the boy , "I don't but you do , daddy
don't jou7" And ho did !
Tcicher Will sonic llttlo boy kindly nlvo
a more modern version of the saying that
hero is no rosa without n thorn Flddsy
Doy Is no push wldout a knocker.
"Bolby doctn't heein happy , oven with all
lioso tojs " "Po I have notlcod What's the
matter , Bobby' " "W'y , I got now Ice nkates
' n sled , an * I dunne whether 1 want It
froe/o or EUOVV "
The children had written compositions on
ho giraffe They woio roadlnj ? them nloud
n tint rlnsB At last tlm tlmu came for llttlo
Willie Doran to read hla. It was as follows-
'The giraffe Is a dumb animal , and cannot
express Itself by nny sound , because Its
icck Is ao long Ita voice gets tired on Its
vay to Us mouth "
"Mr. Dlgglcs , " tald the llttlo boy with bis
rufllcis on hh phoulders , "I vvlt'i vou would
et mo como and see where you Iho I want
o look at j-our roam. " "Whv eortnlnly
But what made jou think that ? " "My
slater said it was better than jnui company ,
so I thought It must bo something line "
/'When two bodies como together suddenly
hero Is Invariably a sound of some sort
Now , In the uiso of human beings " "I
niovv , " j-ellcd the llttlo boy In the corner
hat nobody supposed was listening. "WIN
lo ! " "Oh , well , I B'loss I do know , an' It
II depends on whether they nro married or
ot. " "Willie ! " There was moro novcrlty
n the tone this tlmo , but It failed to have
ny appreciable effect "Sometimes It's
n smack , and sometimes It's a Bwat , " ho
icrslstcd. "It nil depends , and there nln't
no use of your tryln' to frighten mo out ot
glvln' the answer when I know It. "
CAN BE
CURED
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Pozzoni's Complexion
Powiii'.u produces a soft and beautiful skint
it combines every element of beauty and
purity.