TIIE OMAITA ILLFSTRATED HEE.
Jane 23. If
Our Semi-Annual Pre-lnventory
Sale Hoy in Full Blast
Feast ff tlare
nn
Main Wash Goods Dept.
Monday will be a great day in this department. We will qommence
closing out all our fine wash fabrics at the moat ridiculously low prices
ever seen at this season of the year. 1
59c Bunglow CQr
Hlllr -fW
Orernadles High Grade)
25c, up to KJJSt
Voiles Utah Grade
6c, 10c. 15c, 19c, 25c, COr
up to OUU
folk ft Dot Butlste
High grade. 10c 124c
and
19c Imported linen finished 2ic
Perrnlps. coin scots 12V
. 15c
...18c
...19c
15c
Ferrales. coin spots
25c Mohair
Lustre
25o Bummer
Sflk
89c 811k
Organdie
2f St. Gaul
Organdies
Shnntong Silk, looks Just RQr
IIWa Hal J zr
Tard wide fins silk
pongees
"5c Jap Wash
Silk
E9c Plesse
Bilk
Wc Shadow
Silks
65c fine
Madras
50c Madras,
yard
50c
25c
25c
39c
25c
29c
White Goods and Dress Linens
.75c
1.00
75c
i.oo
Ixj 1 1 1 " 1 1 it mil ....
J2 50 Hand Embroidered 1 QQ
Eylet Holes Batiste I.CJ
$1.25 Hand Embroidered
Batiste
J1.50 Hand Embroidered,
Batiste
II. 26 Hand Embroidered
Linen Lawn
$1.50 Hand Embroidered
Linen Lawn
Embroidered Potted ' Swisses, lRe,
19r, 25c, 35c, 60c, 75c 1.00
Persian lAwns, llc
( mm j
1.50
vard
French Lawns. 23c, 50c,
75c. fl .00 and
Air Line cloth at all prices,
Linens
Butcher's Linen, 75c, 50c, OlZr'
89c and
Dress Linens, tl.50, J1.00. On
7S. SOn Mr. nnrt "
Walstlng Linen, fine, $1.25,
11.00. 75c. 69c and
Handkerchief Linen, $1.50, CQc
$1.25, $1.00, 75c, fioc and uyw
Linen Lawns, $1.60, $1.00, nOc
75c. 60c and c-w
All kinds fancy Dress Linens In
Rll colors, ioc, boc, Ke osn
39c
and.
Send for samples of Wash Goods,
Linen Suitings and White floods
and Linings. Prices cheaper, and
goods better than elsewhere.
LnJ
AW
lAAu
airgapims
3rrr
oijoinioay
J
3
l3
THE RELIABLE STORE.
Optical Department.
Special Price Monday
Gold-tilled Frames, 10-year guarantee, alt f CO
tlvles. worth $3.00 t,JJ
Aluminoid Spectacles, tine Imported
lenses, usual price $2.00
ALL GLASSES FITTED BY EXPERT OPTICIANS
98c
CHINA DEPARTMENT
An Immense Sale ot B. B. Glassware
Often Sold as Genuine Cut Clan
6-in. and 7-in. Berry Bowls, Pickle and Olive
Trays, Wine Glasses, Berry Saucers, Sugar
and Creams and many other articles;
your choice of this lot Monday JC
You must see it to appreciate the beauty of
this ware.
Mammoth Silk Sale Monday
All those beautiful silks that are on display in our Six
teenth street window are in tbis great sacrificed sale Mon
day for less than the cost of manufacture.
We offer for one day sale. 12,000 yards
from such manufacturers as Cheney
Bros., Glvernand Bros., Valentino
& Bentley, Doherty & Wadsworth,
Pelgrani & Meyer and the Liberty
Bilk Mills' highest grade silks In
America, silk costing up to :."0 a
yard beautiful patterns and color
ings for handsome suits, waists
and trimmings, at, per yard,
69c, 45c and
Rough Pongeo In browns, ereens.
blues, reds and naturals, 27 In.hes
wide, regular $1.00 value, fiOn
for, per yard Vt
Color, 27-Inch taffetas for drop skirts,
the $1.00 quality, the greatest value
over ottered Monday, fl
at, per yard UVw
29c
Color Habutals, 19 lnclits wide, a large,
range of pretty patterns In cords
and plains, at, per yard, ri1r
45o and uut
Natural Pongee, 19 Inches wide,
60c value, Monday, at, yard .,
Chamelona Thais, new advanced styles
for early tall gowns, 20 Inches UCn
wide, $1.25 value, one day, yd.,J1-'w
CXfin And 36 Inches wide, $2.00 '1
C"-7W value,. Monday, at, yard 1JJ
THE C. J. BONNETT BLACK SILK
SPECIALS-
Tho C. J. Bonnett Black Taffeta, 0-.
10 Inches wide, for, yard U.W
The C. J. Bonnett Black Taffeta, 00-
27 inches wide, for, yard VJi,
The C. J. Bonnett Black Taffeta, JC
46 Inches wide, for, yard '
Ilayden Bros, are sole agents for the famous Wiuslow
taffeta, showing 50 colors, including black, cream and white.
The Winslow taffeta has no equal for hard wear and fine fin
ish. We still sell this $1.25 quality for $1,00 a yard.
Enticing Bargains from the
Great dine & Co. Stock Purchase :
RUGS, CARPETS, RUGS
Carpet Mill Surplus Stock on Sale at Hayden's Monday, June 26th
Mill stock.
13.50
Extra Heavy Amber Velvets, with or7'?
without border, on sale nt yard JC
Extra Henvy Axmlnstors, the $1.50 ft 7 '
kind, on sale Monday, nt yard O f 2C
EXTRA SPECIAL Short lcnftth of nil kinds
of Carpels, Brussrls, Axniinster, Veh ct.WU
tlons, etc., while they Inst Monday,, yf.O
lit yard tJC
0 ft.xtO ft.-6 Brussels Rups, tORtilnr Mill Rtook,
now and perfect, the f l.'.OO kiud JQ 2
9-fr.!tl2-fr. Brussels Uncs. regnlar
new and perfect, the f 18.50 kind,
at
0 ft.x 12 ft Axmliifter HtiRS, repular O H C
Mill stock, the f.2.."K kind, nt It), f f
9 ft.xl2 ft. Best American Brussels Hni . rep
ular Mill stock, new nnd perfect, best of the
kind ninuufacturtMl, the l-.'-'.Ml kind JJj QQ
See our lttth street window. Don't miss
this sale and make your selections early for
such poods at these prices will not, pass your
way aain.
SOc PORCH PILLOW
COVERS 10c
An immense line of made up
fancy figured Tlllow ("overs,
suitable for floor, porch or
hammock, worth 25e to 50c,
choice Q
Monday lUlv
75c ALL0VER LACES
per yard 25c
A special line of wash A Hover
Laces, suitable for waists and
yokes, repular 50c to 75c val
ues, sale price Monday, per
at 25c
25c FANCY NECK
WEAR Wc
Turnover Collars, Fancy Stocks,
pickles, and Collars nnd Cuff
Sets, preatest bargain ever
offered lu ladles' neckwear.
All fresh, cleau, new rt
goods, choice IU
$1.00 All-over Laces, 39c
The very latest craze in summer shirt
waists are made from Oriental Lace
All-overs, in cream, white and ecru;
a full line of theeo .goods worth 'T f
11.00 yard Monday at", mjZwC,
yard J J V
Special Notion Sale
200-ynrd spool
Cotton
15c Hose
Supporters.,.,
6Cc Satin Pad
Supporters
All Nursing
Pins, 3 doz. for
,...lc
...5c
25c
5c
6-ln. metal Back
Combs
PoT.ong's Hump
Hooks & K j us.,
Pearl Buttons,
per doz
Hand carved 01r
Pearl Buttons. 2
5c
,5c
lc
Wool Dress Goods
Wool Dress Goods
$1.00 Mohairs, 60 Inches wide, CQr
In bluo and brown, at OlW
$2.08 Cravenettos,
at
Overllne Checks, In cream
best and latest out for
traveling, at
1.98
mohair,
.1.00
60c, 69c and 75o fancy Mohairs OEp
and fancy Suitings, to close. ,. Jt
HIGH GRADE WASH GOODS
WILL BE FOUND AT THE DRESS
GOODS COUNTER.
and Lining Dept.
Lining Department
High grade linings of all descriptions.
Shirt Lining, all colors,
at
Percallnes,
at
Sampson's Silk, all silk
taffetas, at
Tama Mia, all silk,
at
Lustral,
at
GLtria: 35cT1act.s!1.k:....25c
A full line of Tailor Trimmings at
New York prices.
.......34c
10c
58c
45c
35c
fiosiery Sale Continues
Monday's Sale Your Opportunity r
You must see these garments to appreciate tnelr great beauty and worth.
All $100.00 garments from the Kf rrt
Cllne & Co. stock at OVJ.UU
Greatest hosiery sale ever held in the west
stock at prices which will move them quickly.
All Ladles' and Children's Hose In black
and tan that sold at from 10c to lito
on great bargain square, while C,-,
they last at, pair
Misses' and Children's fine Ribbed fZf,
Hose, worth 19o, at, pair Ul
BOYS' BICYCLE HOSE, heavy ribbed.
In all sizes, 19c quality, Qi
at, pair OSfc
Ladles' Fancy Hose In all the new
Shades and patterns, worth 1Dr
aw
All the hose from the Cllne & Co.
Ladles' Fancy Hose, worth up
to 85c, at
124c
Ladies' Hose In plain and fancies, 35c
and SOc quality, lQc
Men's Hose in fine maco cotton, black
and tans, 15c quality, at, '71r
pair 3W
Men's 25o Fancy Hose,
26c, at.
25c to 50c Men's Hose in all the new colors and silk embroidered, choice.
r a
12ic
15c
I Monday Basement Specials, GREAT SALE OF GRANITEWARE
$-quart Granite Kettles, each 20o
s-quari ijoudib uranlte Cookers,
each 69o
White Lined Granite Water Pails,
each 63o
Granite Tea Steepers, each 23c
6-quart Preserving Kettles, each 29c
One set of six Table Mats, each 35c
Japan Chamber Palls, each 29o
Cherry Pltters, each 49c
Steel Grass Hooks, each.... 12c
lH-quart Coffee or Tea Pot, worth
.11.',
Z-quart
63c, at.
3-quart
6oc, at.
ivo. z uranlte Tea Kettles, each 69c
6-quart Granite Pans, each 15c
Granite Kettle Covers, each 13c
Granite Wash Basins, each 19c
Granite Basting Spoons, each 6o
All $75.00 garmentn from the CO
Cllne' & Co. stock at O.OU
Elegant Wool Suits at Half.
All Cline & Co.'s, Including Parisian
Patterns, Opera Cloaks, Handsome
ilored Suits, Wash Suits, Crave-
nettes ,etc, on sale at lust Half Price.
Do so Monday.
All $60.00 garments from the OS nn
Cline & Co. stock at f.UU
suits-4:-?;
$50.00
at..
$40.00 SUITS-jJ2Q
$15.00
at..
$30.00
at..
$20.00
at..
fTs- $7.50
SUITS-$15
suiTs-cn
Stupendous Bargains In Wash Suits.
$4.00 Wash Suits, from the Cllne en
& Co. stock, at I.OU
$5.00 Polka Dot Wash Suits, trimmed with
tucks and embroidery, 2
Beautiful White Lawn and Linen Suits,
from the Cline & Co. stock, O OR
$6.00 values, at '
An elegant line of Wash Suits, from the
Cline & Co. stock, at $5.00, $7.50, $10.00,
$12.50, $15.00, $20.00 and $2o.0u worth double.
Handsome Cravenette Coats from the Cllne &
Co. Stock at Halt Price.
All $50.00 CRAVENETTES 25 00
ALL $30.00 'CRAVENETTES ' g QQ
ALL' $25.00 CRAVENETTES-1 2. 50
ALL $20.00 CRAVENETTES fl Oft.
7.50
for.
Coffee or Tea ' Pot," "worth
, 0
Coffee or Tea Pot, "worth
ALL $15.00 CRAVENETTES
for
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
We have Just received an Immense line
of EXTRA SIZE SKIRTS In handsome
voiles, Sicilians and serges; prices $o to $15.
Lau ana see tnem.
$6.00 Skirts, from the Cline &
Co. stock
.2.48
$8.00 Skirts, from the Cline & o nfi
co. stock o.yo
$10.00 Skirts, from the Cllne & A Oft
Co. stock Hr.VO
$1.00 Waists, from the Cllne & fir
Co. stock VC
$2.no Waists, from the Cline & fkfio
Co. stock yOC
$3.00 Waists, from the Cllne & AS
Co. stock I'TtO
An Exquisite Line of Evening and Dress Waists
from the Cline & Co. Stock at Half,
$35.00 Waists- J J $15.00 Waists J Q
'f$Ei2.50 '"''-5.00
Children's Dresses, in fine lephyr gingham;
blues, tans and reds; ages 4 to Allr
12 years, worth $1.00, at
Children's Dresses, In fine ginghams and
lawns, all colors and white, splendid
value, at J3.9S, $3.50, $3.00, $2.50, tin
$2.00, $1.50 and.... I.UU
FROM 8 TILL 9 A. M. Women's
Dressing Sacques
FROM 8 TILL 10 A. M. Women's Silk
Underskirts, all colors, $5.00 o Qft
values, at AzfCj
FROM 8:30 TILL 9:30 A. M.
Women's House Dresses, at
FROM 9 TILL 10 A. M.-$1.00
Wrappers, for
35c
59c
49c
A Deal in Oak Furniture
A carload of Oak Dressers, Chiffoniers,
Sideboards and China Closets, was refused by
parties to whom it was shipped. After a
good deal of correspondence we bought the
entire lot, and offer you here, now, these goods
at 50 per cent below regular retail prices.
There are just 44 chiffoniers, 32 dressers, 18
sideboards and 8 china cabinets. Here are the
prices, and this is your opportunity.
Oak Dresser, two small drawers and two large drawers, 16x20 pattern
French plate mirror, solid brass trimmlna; sale price $9.05
Onk Desser, same base, 18x24 pattern, French plate mirror 6ale price.. $9.S5
Oak Dresser, serpentine top, 20x24 pattern French plate quartered oak,
sale price $12.50
Trincess Dresser, oval French plate mirror, 22x30 sa!e price $ 10.85
Another, same description, with a shaped plate $11.50
Oak Chiffonier, five drawers sale price ....$1.75
Same, with French plate mirror sale price $7.50
Oak Chiffonier, double serpentine top drawers sale price $1.50
Same base with French plate mirror sale price $11.50
Oak Sideboard, French plate mirror sale price $10.85
Oak China Closet, 35 inches wide, 60 In. high, best glass sides, price.. $10.85
Same with mirror top sale price $12.50
MONDAY BASEMENT SPECIALS
Choice Country Butter
Monday we will place on sale S.000
pounds of FRESH COUNTRY
BUTTER in ten-pound Jars and tubs,
all are individual makes, (genuine
article), and a fine table butter,
Sound 16c to 18c
Tea and Coffee Specials
Interior Java Blend Coffee, Ofn
pound
Mandellng Java and Mocha
Coffee, pound
Arabian Java and Mocha
Coffee, pound
Oolden Rio Coffee, Olc
Dound
.22Jc
. 25c
pound
Special Blend Mixed Tea,
pound
Sun Dried Japan Tea,
pound
English Breakfast Tea,
pound
.25c
25c
25c
MONDAY SPFCIA 1 S IN flllP flRFHT nflRflPCTIf DffIUI That our offerings are winners we know from the crowds of enthusiastic buyera who dail y throng
l L"'r1- 1,1 VUA.UALjfll UUWILD I KUUlVI this greatest of Omaha domestic rooms. High quality and low price tell. Don't miss Monday.
wo wasn ranries in nretty patterns, B
absolutely fast colors, at, yard OC
15c mercerized outtng duck, light '71,
and dark patterns, at, yard 'Iv
12Ho lephyr ginghams, great snap, 7i
at, per yard
15c wash voiles, at, per
yttra
15o percales, 36 Inches wide, at.
per yard
7Vic standard drees prints, at,"
per yard
8c
6ic
3ic
10c printed batistes and lawns, Alr
at, per yard 8W
15c printed batistes and organdies, 71-,
at, per yard 2t
60c wldo bleached table linen, at, Qr
per yard wv
48c
I 25c seamless unbleached sheeting,
yarns wide, ac, yard ..
65c heavy bleached and unbleached
table linen, at. per yard
$1.00 extra wide bleached and un- iOf, 1 134c pillow casing, bleached, 42 4i
bleached table linen, at, yard .... vJ'-'U. 1 inches wide, at, yard ItlC
ii'jc ueamiess Dieacnea sneciing, lllry ltc pmow casing, 46 Inches wide.
i'n yards wide, at, yard.
at, each
17c
10c
12Ac
60c seamless bleached sheets, 81x90,
at, each
50c ready-to-use sheets, 81x30 size,
at. each
12Hc pillow cases, 42 and 45x36 Q-,
sizes, at
49c
39c
15c English long cloth, 36 Inches,
wide, at, yard
19c Victoria lawn, 40 Inches wide,
at, per yard
12Vic curtain swlss, 36 Inches wide,
at, per yarc
10c
124c
64c
was in I'
Tersely Told Tales Both Grim and Gay
oroiio:; la' .5!? h!.repUbI1Can mana?er had b om his father's estate, went
T 1 :Ia k V, ,r. :..:7r canon near tue stand to London to seek his fortune. V
A " :3.Tir:..V:" l"e "PPaKer and 10 have U flred had beert a gay, convivial blade, and-
- 7" h t" "7, I " ' ' people gave vent to applause. In the little home village he was missed.
1 tlZ bv PxnhanJr J T 7 ! Sfnatr D6peW kCpt the pe0ple hu"ahn There was not a poacher nor a roTsterer
"! tlm fcy exchanging stories, and almost all of the tlm At -t. i,ki. ... . '-1 .
orarth. statesmen from Pennsylvania to take breath, he d.stincUy heard hi in- for Den 7s l"h s h art. "
told this oncregardlng a constituent. This quiry come across the field: "Word one day parsed about that up at
man who lived in one of the small towns "Cap, when is the old galoot going to the castle news ben received "
SBce"r atetteroor?mttth. . :?enal n'y 80t fUr Cartrld8eS ,e"'" Den,S' The viUage at once be Jme excited
v V " J ? . H! Depcw 8ald 1,8 nnlshed 1118 BPeecf 'our and a deputation of a half dozen or so
SrutT. tn.nutes.-PlttsburgDispatch. Us way to see the old lord
commonwealth. At the end of "four year. Ever, MaTtlad Hi. P.,t. truaSttaewiV'SZnuV"
the administration changed and he relin- Secretary Cortelyou tell, of an English- "Vye te enough Kews at has toys '
qulshed his office. When he returned to the man who was out west in the early days said his tertawo
village of his birth his first visit was to his and fell in with a long train of prairie " "Faith, then an' phwat mhrht the bho
vaTd1. B'"eeted affeCUOn- BCh0OnerS- ,eader f th8 CariVan- BC" P ta l
ately and said: cording to the Buffalo Commercial, an- Hon
l.,rti Vt'J, hI' f,Ur yea" nUnCed that h9 and h" fellOW cmlrant " 'He has been called to the bar.' the lord
lucratle federal office. Tell me. now that were going to found a town, having every- answered proudly
"h. yu -aved?" thing that was needful and nothing that "The deputation looked at one another,
.nlof M. , ! T06"1, Not W" unnece88ary- "We .won't have any for the phrase was new to them. Finally,
a pem.y of his salary remained. In an out- waste." he said. "There Isn't a person In In a loud whisper, one said:
leanL nJhM ll'f ? ?er' and "r party Wh Won,t do ,ome mP0rtant " 'Ol don't know what thot manes, but
"k Jyl t i" h h,farty f8rVOr: duty ,n the new town" The Enhmaii from what Ol remember of the bhoy, he
Mother. I saved my life." Harper's nointed to an nlrt unrt f.ehi. m.n wi,h - .,...,
. . - - - " " fa nu. faUUlU , i ILLaUUI VfBV'
oeni Daca ana a long, thin, white beard.
"But that very old man there," he said;
"he can't possibly be of any use to you,
can heT" "Oh, yes," said the leader; "we
open our new cemetery with him."
cette.
Ran the Hole Out of Town.
Burton Holmes, the lecturer, tells of a
Russian b saw some years ago In Man
churia whose methods of achieving results
were not according to Hie usual code. The
Russian hod a well In his front yard which
he concluded to fill up. He began by dig
ging a hole by the side of the well, throw
ing the dirt from the new excavation Into
the well.
-4-
I'pset the Court.
Attorney Lane, he who was formerly
county clerk, declines to give the name of
the judge, but vouches for the story.
A sclf-satuned young lawyer came over
,,, . . , 1 ,, -, .vr... w u in v. a. ti fa m. viiiiv Ul fallal
"In the course of time, says Mr. Holmes, .,,- . j .
t.'fa .fa ' state who was mixed up in some litigation
over which the Wayne circuit oourt had
"the old well was filled, but there was
bole alongside a big as the first. The Rus
sian went farther away, and dug another
bole to fill the socond.
"Ho continued this process ot digging one
bole to fill the other until he literally ran
the hole out of town." Woman's Home
Companion.
Credit.
A famous Irish lawyer, who was always
poor, despite his success at the bar, once
took Chief Justice Whiteside to see his
new house In Dublin. It was palatial and
magnificently furnished. "Don't you think,"
he said, with a complacent look about,
"that I deserve great credit for this?"
"Yes," the Judge answered, dryly, "and
you appear to have got It."
Dancers of Traveling.
One of the best stories told about Arte-
mus Ward concerns a Journey which the
Swearing nnd Affirming.
Judge David D. Bhelby of the Alabama
circuit court, was talking about the dif
ference between swearing and affirming.
"Whatever the difference is," ho said, "It
original Jurisdiction.
In the course of argument the Buckeye
lawyer became tajigled and the Judge
kindly advised htm to back up and repeat humorist took on a little "one-horse" rail
with greater deliberation. Then the court road line In the middle west. After the
let the youth down by saying: "If you do train had crept from station to station at
that I will be better able to follow the- a snail's pace for half a day, Ward beck
thread of your contention." oned to the conductor as he passed through
"Glad to accommodate you, Judge," said the car. ' '
the young man as he recovered his confl- "Saj conductor," he drawled, "do you
dence. "I am dealing wlth'a very compll- mind if I give you a little advice?"
cated point of law and I suspected that it "Well, what Is it?" said the conductor,
might be too Intricate for vour honor to gruffly.
man understood It to be last week. follow the rate I was going." "Seems to me. continued Ward. it
"This colored man. entering the witness The dignity of the court was knocked would be safer to take the cowcatcher off
box. said he thought he wouldn't swear. He out an1 he Joined heartily In the general the engine and hitch it to the end of the
thought he would Just affirm. laugh. Detroit Free Press.
'Erastus,' I said, 'how Is this? A month $
ago, when you appeared before me, you C'otne Without railing,
consented readily enough to swear. Why Is A Cincinnati man was describing the din
it that you will only affirm now?' ner in Ixmdon that admitted Joseph H.
" 'Well, Vo' honah,' said Rrastus, 'de Choate to the society of the Old Benchers
rens!n am flat I specks I ain't quite so sure of the Inner Temple.
Mr. Choate was in his best mood," he
said. "With epigrams, witticisms and an
ecdotes he kept the table In a continuous
roar.
"Perhaps he made hit mmi telli
nreiiNlon with a In a Cincinnati cafe. Nearby
He was stumping the state of New York Ished young Irish gentleman, the Honorable dignified f entleman who casually asked his
In the campaign of 1900. having big audi- Penis Bellew. waiter: "How is business?" The man said
aot and kindly receptions at all polnu. "He said that Mr. Bellew, driven forth be was not doing well, upon which the dlg-
ubout de lacks o dls case as I wus o
older.' "New York Tribune.
de
Warn Denemr Hurried.
Senator Chauncey M. Depew- of New
York tells this or. at his own expense.
rear car.
"What for?" demanded the conductor.
"Well, I've been thinking It over," said
Ward, "and I don't see what's to prevent
one of them cows out there from coming
Into the car and biting the passengers."
Harper's Weekly.
Tipping the Walter,
Melville E. Ingalis, former president of
the Bis Four railroad system, tells this
story of a waiters tip. He was lunchlna
it a
nlfled individual expressed regret, saying:
"Personally, I have always treated your
craft In this house generously." Tho waiter
was assiduous In his attentions and helped
the guest on with his coat. The dignified
man laid his hand on the waiter's arm and
aald: "Young man, you seem to be dis
contented with your lot and I am going to
give you the best tip you ever received.
Get Into so.Tie other business." And he
strolled away, leaving the waiter speech
less. '
Seventh Raffles Slory
(Continued from Page Two.)
myself to write. It was no mere meal, it
was no course orgy,' but a little feast for
the fastidiou gods, not unworthy of Lucul
lua at his worst. And I. who had bolted
my skilly at Wormwood Scrubbs and tight
ened my belt In a Hullo way attic, It was I
who sat down to this ineffable repast!
Where the courses were few. but each a
triumph of its klud, It would be Invidious
to single out any one dish; but the Jaiubon
de Westphalle au champagne tempts me
sorely. And then the champagne that we
drank, not the quantity, but the quality!
Well, it was Pol Roger, '84, and quite good
enough for me; but even so It waa not
more dry, nor did it sparkle more, than
the merry rascal who had dragged me thus
far to the devil, but should lead me danc
ing the rest of the way. I was beginning
to tell him so. I had done my honest best
since my reappearance In the world, but
the world had done Its worst by me. A
further antithesis and my final Intention
were both upon my tongue when the waiter
with the Chateau Marguux cut me short,
for he was the bearer of more than that
great wine, bringing also a card upon a
liver tray.
"Show him up," said Raffles laconically.
"And who Is this?" I crlud when the man
was gone. Raffles reached across the table
and gripped my arm In his vise. His eyes
were steel points fixed on mine.
"Bunny, stand by me," said he In the old,
Irresistible voice a voice both stern and
winning. "Stand by me. Bunny If there's
a row!"
And there was time for nothing more, the
door flying open and a dapper person en
tering with a bow, a frock coat on his back,
gold pince-nez on his nose, a shiny hat In
one hand and a black brs In the other:
"Good evening, goentlemen," said be, at
home and smiling.
"Sit down," drawled Raffles In casual re
sponse. "Say, let me Introduce you to Mr.
Esra B. Martin of Shlcawgo. Mr. Martin
Is my future brother-in-law. This Is Mr.
Robinson, Ezra, rranager to Sparks A Co.,
the cellerbrated Jooleis on Regent street."
I pricked up my ears, biit contented my
self wlih a nod. I altogether distrusted
my ability to live up to my new name and
address.
"I figured on Ml Martin beln' right here,
too." continued F.i files, '"but I regret to
say she's not feelln' so good. We light out
for Parrus on the 9 a. m. train tomorrer
mornln', and she guessed she'd be too dead.
Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Robinson,
but you'll see I'm advertisln' your wares."
Raffles held his right hand under the elec
tric light and a diamond ring flashed upon
his little finger. I could have sworn It
was not there five minutes before.
The tradesman had a disappointed face,
but for a moment it brightened as he ex
patiated on the value of thatrlng and on
the price his people had accepted for it.
I was Invited to guess the figure, but I
shook a discreet head. I have seldom been
more taciturn in my life.
"Forty-five pounds," cried the Jeweler;
"and It would be cheap at 60 guineas."
"That's right," assented Raffles. "That'd
be dead cheap, I allow. But then, my boy,
you gotten ready cash, and don't you for
get It."
I do not dwell upon my own mystifica
tion in all this. I merely pause to state
that I was keenly enjoying that very ele
ment. Nothing could have been more typi
cal of Raffles and the past. It was only
my own attitude that waa changed.
It appeared that the mythical lady, my
sister, had Just become engaged to Raffles,
who seemed all anxiety to pin her down
with gifts of price. I could not quite gather
whose gift to whom was the diamond ring,
but it had evidently been paid for, and I
voyaged to the moon, wondering when and
how. I was recalled to this planet by a
deluge of gems from the Jeweler's bag.
They lay alight in their cases llko the elea
trlo lamps above. We all three put our
heads together over them, myself without
the slightest clue as to what was coming,
but not unprepared for violent crime. One
does not do eighteen months for nothing.
"Right away," Raffles was saying. "We'll
choose for her, and you'll change anything
she don't like. Is that the Idea?"
"That was my suggestion, sir."
"Then come on, Ezra. I guess you know
Sadie's taste. You help me choose."
And we chose Lord! What did we not
choose? There was her ring, a diamond
half hoop. It cost 90, and there was no
attempt to get It for 90. Then there was a
diamond necklet-t-200 guineas, but pounds
accepted. That was to be the gift of the
bridegroom. The weddlns was evidently
Imminent. It behooved me to play a broth
erly part. I therefore rose to the occasion,
calculated she would like a diamond star
(116), but reckoned It was more than I
could afford, and sustained a vicious kick
under the table for either verb. I was
afraid to open my mouth on finally obtain
ing the star for the round hundred. And
then tho fat fell In the fire, for pay we
could not. though a remittance (said Raf
fles) was "overdue from Noo York."
' "But I don't know you, gentlemen," the
Jeweler exclaimed. "I haven't even tho
name of your hotel!"
"I told you we was stoppln' with friends,"
said Raffles, who was not angry, though
thwarted and crushed. "But that's ilsht,
sir! Oh, that's dead right, and I'm the last
man to ask you to take Qulxotla risks. I'm
trytn' to figure a way out. Yes, sir, that's
what Tm fjtc' to do."
"I wish yoij could, sir," the Jeweller said
with feeling. "It Isn't, as If we hadn't seen
the color of your money. But certain rules
I am sworn to observe; It Isn't as If I was
in business for myself, and you say you
start for Paris In the morning?"
"On the 9 a. m. train," mused Rafflos,
"and I've heard) no-end yarns about the
Joolers' stores In Parrus. But that ain't
fair; don't you take no notice o' that. I'm
tryln' to figure a way put. Yes, sir!"
He was smoking cigarettes out of a twenty-five
box; the tradesman and I had cigars.
Raffles sat frowning with a pregnant eye,
and It was only too clear to me that his
plans had miscarried. I.. could not help
thinking, however, that they deserved to
do so if he had counted upon buyjng credit
for all but 400 by a single payment of
some 10 per cent. That again seemed un
worthy of Raffles, and I, for my part, still
sat prepared to spring any moment at our
visitor's throat.
"We could mall you the money from
Parrus," drawled Raffles at length. "But
should we know you'd hold up your end of
the string and mall us the same articles
we've selected tonight f"
The visitor stiffened in his chair. The
name of his firm should be sufficient guar
antee for that.
"I guess I'm no better acquainted with
their name than they are with mine," re
marked Raffles laughing. "See here, though!
I got a scheme. You pack 'em In this!"
He turned the olgarettes out of the tin
box, while the Jeweller and I Joined won
dering eyes.
"Pack 'em In this," repeated Raffles, "the
three things we want, and never mind the
boxes. You can pack "em In cotton wool.
Then we'll ring for string and sealing wax,
seal up the- lot right here, and you can take
, 'em away in your grip. Within three days
we'll have our remittance and mall you the
money, and you'll mall us this darned box
with my seal unbroken! It's no use you
looktn' so Blok, Mr. Joolnr; you won't trust
us any, and yet we're goln' to trust you
some. Ring the bell, Ezra, and we'll see If
theyve gotten any sealing wx and string."
They had; and the thing was done. The
tradesman did not like It; the precaution
was absolutely unnecessary; but since he
was taking all his goods away with him,
the sold with the unsold, his sentimental
objections soon fell to the ground. Ho
packed necklet, ring and star with his own
hands In cotton wool, and tho cigarette
box held them so easily that at the last
moment, when the box was closed and the
string ready, Raffles very nearly added a
diamond bee brooch nt 51 10s. The temp
tation, however, he ultimately overcame, to
the other's chngrln. The clKarette box was
tied up, and the string sealed, oddly enough,
with the diamond of the ring that had been
bmiirht and paid for.
'I'll chance you having another ring In
the store the dead spit of mine," laughed
Raffles as he relinquished the box and It
, disappeared Into the tradesman's bag. And
; now, Mr. Robinson, I hopo you'll apprecl
- ate my true hospitality In not offering you
anything to drink while business was ir
progress. That's Chateau Margaux, sir.
and I should Judge it's what you'd call an
elghteen-carat article."
In the cab which we took to the vicinity
of the flat I was Instantly snubbed for ask
ing questions which tho driver might easily
overhear, and I took the repulse JUHt a little
to heart. I could make neither head nor
tall of Raffles' dealings with the man from
Regent street nnd whs naturally Inquisitive
as to tho meaning of It all. But I held my
lnneun until we had reKiilncd the flat In th
cautious manner of our exit, and eveit.v
there until Raffles milled mo with a hanT
on cither shoulder and an old smile upon
his face.
"You rabbit!" said he. "Why couldn't
you wait till we got homo?"
"Why couldn't you tell me what you were
going to do?" I retorted as of yore.
"Because your dear old phiz Is still worth
Its weight In Innocence, and because you
never could act for nuts! You looked as
puzzled as the other poor devil, but you
wouldn't If you had known what my tame
really was."
"And pray what was it?"
"That," said Raffles, and he smacked the
cigarette box down upon the mantelpiece.
It was not tied; It was not sealed. It flew
open from the force of the Impact. And
the diamond ring that cost 95, the necklet
for 300 and my flaming star at another
100, all three lay safe and snug in the
Jeweler's own cotton wool!
"Dupllcato boxes!" I cried.
"Duplicate boxes, my brainy Bunny. One
was already packed and weighted and In
my pocket. I don't know whether you
noticed me weighing the three things to
gether in my hand? I know that neither of
you saw me change the boxes, for I did It
when I was nearest buying the bee brooch
at the end, and you were too puzzled anil
the other Johnny too keen. It was the
cheapest Bhot In the game. The dear ones
were sending old Theobald to Southampton
on a fool's errand yesterday afternoon,
and showing one's own noBn down Regent
street in broad daylight while he was gone;
but some things are worth paying for and
certain risks one must always take. Nice
boxes, aren't they? I only wished they
contained a better cigarette, but a notorious
brand was essential, A box of Sulllvans
would have brought me to life tomorrow."
"Hut they oughtn't to open It tomorrow."
"Nor will they, as a matter of fact.
Meanwhile, Bunny, I may call upon you to
dispose of the boodle."
"I'm on for any mortal thing!"
My voire rang true, I swear, but it waa
the way of Raffles to take the evidence of
as many senses as possible. I felt the cold
steel of his eye through irtjne and through
my brain. But what he saw seemed to
satisfy htm no less than what he heard, for
his hand found my hand and pressed It
with a fervor foreign to the man.
"I know you are and I know you would
be. Only remember. Bunny, It's my turn
next to pay the shot!"
You shall hear how he paid it when the
time catne.
End of Seventh BtoryJ
J.
IT