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CHAPTER XV. THE FRIGHTFUL TRUTH. The path was so narrow we were obliged to go in Indian file for a part of the way, but as the forest grew thicker and denser about us the path broadened. Huge cypresses barred our way; long, drifting moss dangled in our faces; brack ish pools wet our feet, but on, on we went. Through clusters of huge fern, over logs rising like reptiles from tho water, our road lay. Around us stretched those sullen solitudes, oppress ive and hideous. To my excited fancy it seemed that ghostly hands were reach ing out to impede our progress or to trip us as we walked. Closer I clung to Maurice's side, and tighter his hand gripped mine. And now, as on tho first night I had seen this desolate place, I was conscious of a strange impulse urging me on. Who was it calling mc? Wbat was it that beckoned me? I could not go fast enough, but longed for wings to fly. "Oh, what is it?" I whispered to Mau rice. "What docs it mean? Wc aro los ing time. Let us hasten." "Hush!" he gently said. "Yes, time has been lost, but we are not too late." Suddenly a mournful sound was borne through the forest-a monotonous dron ing wail, horrid, harsh and threatening, And then at a quick turn in the ?v?th n bright light glowed through a 2 if J*.: I ho black foliage, and I saw alight I can never forget. In a little clearing was a bonfire Round about this fire circled slowly, with lugubrious cries, a ring of half naked block men and women. E:tck of the circle on a rough throne built of boxes and logs sat tho horrible old ne gress Jezebel. Her rags fluttered in the night wind; her scanty locks were tossed over her bare, skinny shoulders. In one hand she held a forked stick, and in the other, dreadful to relate, a writhing, wriggling snake. As we looked, rising from her throne she held the serpent aloft and waved her forked scepter slow ly three times. It was the signal for a wild, unlicensed dance, an abandoned, lascivious measure, in which I was hor rified to trace resemblances to Portia's audacious outburst in the hall a few nights before. "Those are Portia's friends," whis pered nay guide. '.'What do you think of them?" "Oh, is it not terrible?" I murmured. "We must-we must save her!" Old Jezebel shook her : irpent. The negroes leaped and bounded in frenzy. Many fell exhausted on tho ground, foaming at the mouth ami clutching at the fire. It was the most awful sight I had ever seen. "Oh, let us go back!" I moaned. "What can we do here?" "Our work is only begun," said Mau rice. "Nerve yourself now, little Bun ker Hill, for what is coming." By this time the negroes had fallen down and lay insensible here and there. Old Jezebel shoal: her serpent. The old woman sank back upon her throne in a stupor. She held tho snake pressed to her withered breast. I was sickened, terrified, faint. "Do you see that wretched hut yon der?" said Maurice. "That is old Jeze bel's home. We must enter it." "Oh, why?" I asked in a terrified whis- I per. j "Because there only is the talisman which will save Portia," he answered. Creeping stealthily forward, we passed the stupid voodoos, worn out with their disgusting orgies. The hut. quite over grown with trailing vines, was scarcely fit for swine to inhabit. Through the half open door the red gleam of the fire darted, lighting up the miserable room. In one corner was a wretched pallet of straw and rags, and on it something lay. "Come here," said Maurice solemnly, taking off his hat as if in the presence of death; "come here, Prudence. I looked-and, oh, God! Oh, God! What was this? Worn and wasted to a skeleton, clad in filthy rags, pale as marble, insensible, dead perhaps, lay-Portia! Yes, the real Portia-not the hand tome, bold pretender up at tho great house yonder, but my Portia-my Por tia, the friend of my girlhood, tho cousin of my Maurice. I flung my arms about the wasted form. I kissed the pallid brow. I wept and moaned as a mother might over a dead child. "You recognize her?" said Maurice. "Oh, my Portia, my dear friend, who has dono this cruel thing? Let us taho her away," I sobbed. Maurice bent down and lilted her in j his arms. As ho did so a faint moan escaped from her lips. "She is alive!" I cried joyfully. Slowly she opened her eyes and looked straight in Maurice's face. "Oh, home, home!" was all she moaned. "Yes, dearest," said Maurice tenderly, "you are going home." Gathering her closer, ho strode from the hut. I followed moro dead than alive. Past the sodden voodoos, back through the night and tho noisome swamp, wo fled with our precious burden; back to the gate guarded by the faithful serv ants. Jake flung it open when he heard our footsteps. "Are you all right, Mr. Raymond?" he cried, advancing to meetus. "Yon were so long I was afraid something had happened. My God, what is it?" "Strike a match, Jake." said Maurice, Tho man obeyed. "Comecloser, and yon. Tom, andyou. George," ho added, "and tell ra this." The men bent their rugged fi C "Great God.'" said Jake, "Mrs March mont." "It's missus," cried tho others. "Den who?" "Yes. Who-who is tho other?'' cried Maurice, white with rage. "I know who it is. You wero all blind to what was going on, but I knew her from the j first. Lock the crate. Jake, nnd von men 333.8Y AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION. como up to the house with me. I've work for you yet tonight." Up to. tho great silent mansion wo hur ried-*\o steps, the piazza, tho hall and now the library. Colonel Marchmont had risen al the sound of our footsteps and stood facing the door. "Jemryn," said Maurice in a voice choked with emotion, "Jermyn, I have brought home your poor wife." He laid her tenderly in her husband's arms. Colonel Marchmont stared at Portia as he might at a specter. "Is it true?" ba whispered hoarsely. "Is it true? Ea*>e you como back from tho grave, darling?'' Eis pathetic words moved ns all, and George, ono cf the biggest, blackest ne groes on thc place, suddenly burst out crying like a baby. Possibly that act saved his master's reason, for he, too, wept then, laying bis face close to the hollow, sunken cheek of the woman he held to his heart. CHAPTER XVI. A FIGET FOR LIFE. What a night that was! As I recall it now it was a shif ling panorama of action and tumult. There were ringing of bells, rousing of serv ants, lighting of fires, preparation of baths and cordials and a hurried sum mons o? the physician from tho neigh boring town, who sat by the bed till day break fanning the feeble llame of life [ which threatened to go out forever, j "She has been dosed and drugged so long," Dr. Spencer said, "that I greatly fear ii will not be possible io save her. However, I'm going to make a fight for thc pc or lady's life." Oh. it was pitiful to see her, a more wreck of herself, helpless asa baby, at times moaning in distress and only say ing feebly over and over, "Home, home!'" Her arms were one mass of scars. The doctor examined them gravely. "Here is where they have injected their poi son," he said. "It's a marva] she is alive. : This has been going on f^r two years. She has been starved and drugged. 1 cannot understand why they didn't kill her outrigr It would h&~3 been infi nitely more humane." "Do you sc said Maurice to Colonel Marchmont, lifting one of Hie thia arms r.nd pointing to a mark, "Do you see, Jermyn? Th-: re is the lit rle taiioo mari I gave her when a boy. I had tattooed my hand here," and he showed the place, "and when she saw it she begged ? should tattoo her arm. Then nothing would do but Sidonie must have one too. How ever, I made a different mark on that devil." ' Don't, my dear boy," said tho colonel gent!}*. ' Don't speak about her now." The scene in the drawing room when Maurice forcibly tore back the sleeve ol our hostess suddenly came tome. I knew now for what he was looking. But who and what was this other woman-this Sidonie, who was the exact counterpart of Portia, and who had for 501C.J wicked reason brought all this mis en- on a happy home? Beyond this mention of her, she seemed to be forgotten that night. I knew she was locked in her room and that Mau rice had the key which would, release her. "What would be done with her? If Portia were to die, she, that beautiful, graceful, accomplished creature would be her murderer! I recalled many things-the wonder ful instinct which had caused Colene: i Marchmont to despise r.nd hold at arm": ? length this pretender to his affections I ch, love after all Las a language of it: ! own-the wiles of this sorceress, tim ; priestess of voodooism, Lad never lure< bim from tho memory of a genii ', ?mr womanhood. Thank God, he had been true to his ideal. And little Daphne's piteous cry, "Oh. mamma, mamma," recurred to me. Ead she, too, in some occult fashion caught the intimation from her guardian angel that this woman was not her mother? I recollected my own unaccountable I distrust of this creature.. Why had 1 ! not persisted in following up those vague ; suspicions which so tormented mc on 1 ruy arrival? It was maddening to think tba: while ve were idly eating and drinking and dawdling lifo away that Portia was being slowly tortured to leath in that place of horrors. Just before dawn, at the hour when tho first faint rays of light crept like phantoms across the floor, the sufferer opened her eyes and looked straight into those cf her husband. Though she did not speak, it was evident that she rec ognized him, for a faint smile lighted up the wan face. "That is good," said tho doctor. "She knows you, colonel. Now, let every bo ly, save tho nurse, get out. Go and get some sleep, yoa people. I will watch until noon. I do not wish to leave her." We obeyed instructions and left the eic"!: chamber. At tho head of the stairs Colonel Marchmont paused and said: "You can act now, Maurice. Only there must be no scene, no outcry, (ret her out cf the house and don't let me see her, for I would not bo responsi ble for what I might do." Then ho hurried into his room and slmt and locked the door behind him. What followed seems too awful to tell. I have a dim remembrance of see ing Jake and George come up tho stairs; of Maurice's unlocking thc door of the roc m in which tho woman was impris oned; of seeing them bring her out, her hair disheveled, her dress torn, her hands chained and a white bandage over her month to prevent her screaming. The men half dragged, half carried her down tho stairs. 1 supposed they were taking ber to jail, and ran to tho window to sec HUM depart. But there was no carriage VJ j; li ing. Tho servants stood about in Illili groups whispering in terror. All c^HHt back when the men appeared with Hil '? pri ? <::cr. What were they about t a ii;* J;.kc waved the negroes ont of his and with George's assistance carri? d il lu half insensible creature down the j [Vi leading toward the swamp. "W iiat is it?" I cried, turning v.Htlfli to Maurice. "What aro they goiny? ki do with her? Why aro they going Ultti way?" "They are taking her where sh 3 h's longs-to the swamp," ho said iudiC?iF entry. "To tho swamp! To tho swamp!1* ? stammered. "But why? Of course e?a is a very wicked woman and a criminal. Ba why do you not send her to jail? It would bo more mercucl, and, besides, what right have you to put her there? Will it not make moro trouble? And then, too, will she not escape?" "She will not escape," said Maurice confidently. "Shall I tell you her fate? You talk of mercy. Has she shown any? Sue is banished to that foul but in which Thc men half dragged, half carried her downstairs. Bhe has imprisoned Portia for two long years. There she will stay, watched day and night, until wo know whether my cousin will recover. If Portia live, she will simply ho confined there for the rest of her life. If she die"- Ho broke off. His silence was ominous. '.But I do not yet see why you do not put her in prison. Let the law deal with her," I cried excitedly. "Let tho law deal with her? Why, Prudence, that creature has no standing in the eyes of thc law." The horribk truth was breaking on me. "Why-why" "Shall I tell you why? Simply this: The woman who has been masquerading here as mistress is a chattel-a piece of property-a slave." CHAPTER XVH. SIDONIE. . "A slave!" I echoed, "a slave! But the likeness to Portia?" "Ah, yes," said Maurice sadly, "that likeness to Portia broke my aunt's heart. I wish you could have known Portia's mother, Prudence. A sweeter, daintier, better woman never lived, but her love ly life was clouded by the shadow of a sin. She died early, wasting away after she discovered that cruel secret. But you must rest now, little Bunker Hill. I will tell you the story later." "I cannot sleep," I cried. "Let us go for a walk in the garden, and you shall unravel this mystery for me. After that I will think about rest." He saw that I was determined to hear tho story at once, and so after we had been served with coffee we went out into tho fresh morning air and strolled up and down while he smoked in silence. He was not quite ready to tell tho strange tale. But I was patient. It was just sunrise when we entered the rustic arbor where 1 had sat with Daphne on that eventful night. Here and there the birds were rousing, shak ing out their wings and voices. The dew yet sparkled on thc grass. The fountains near by were splashing softly; The air was delightfully frosh and in vigorating af tor tho hours passed in tho sickroom. "Dues it seem possible that only a few hours ago we wore searching that ghast ly place yonder':*' suddenly asked Mau rice. "No." I replied earnestly. "I seem to have lived a lifetime since midnight But tell mc, how did you discover the truth? And Sidonie-tell me about her. Oh, begin, begin! My curiosity is de vouring mo." Mr. Raymond smiled. "Whoever would fancy to look at you -streng, plain, stanch little body-that you would admit so feminine a weak ness? And yet you are thoroughly wom anly." "Never mind whether 1 am womanly or weak. I didn't come out here to be analyzed, but to hear about Portia the real and Portia the pretender. Come, make haste, for I must soon return to see how our sufferer is faring." "Sit down here then," returned Mau rice, "and I will tell you all I can. There are several links in the story winch Portia alone can supply. To be gin with, I suspected mischief from thc moment I first saw the woman who was posing as my consin. Physically she is very like Portia, or as tho latter might be if in robust health. But I have a keen scent for crime. I reckon my pro fession has made mc acute in that re spect. Our hostess was nervous, flighty, passionate and suspicious. Portia Vano was none of these. Of course I made all necessary allowances for poor health until, by judicious inquiries, Idiscovered Wc went out into thc fresh morning air. that up to the timo Marchmont went to England his wife was a superb specimen of physical strength and endurance. Then this woman's remarkable loss of memory set mo thinking. The search for tho tattoo mark on lier arm con firmed all my suspicions. When I rec ognized tho mark I lind put on Sidonie, tho slave girl, I knew directly there had been foul play. What I feared was that my cousin had been murdered. "But I am getting far ahead of my story. Let me go back to my boyhood. As you already know, I was born and brought up on the Vane plantation. My mother died when I was very young, and my aunt became my second mother. My earliest recollections circle round my sweet little cousin Portia and her playmate, Sidonie, tho daughter of a beautiful, accomplished creole, whom my uncle bought in New Orleans as a present for my aunt. I recall now a scene I witnessed when a child, which I did not pf course then understand, but which nevertheless impressed me deeply. These little girls were romping across thc lawn one day, rolling and tumbling about like two graceful kittens. My aunt and uncle were sitting on the pi izza, and I was on the steps repairing a A-ite. Suddenly my aunt, .'.'ailed the chil lren to her. They came Hying up the steps, black curls waving, eyes Hashing, sheeks glowing-an exquisite picture of happy, healthful childhood. My aunt ?used them to stand at her Knee and looked steadily for some limo in their ;.( es. Sh? was very palo when she dis tnissed then.*, and as they ran shouting back to their games she rose, tottered to the hall door and fell senseless across the threshold. She was never well after that and .'.rifted slowly out of life." ' Mr. Raymond was silent a moment, md a shadow settled across his face. Pr? si al ly ho went on: "The children grew into lovely young .;iv!s. 1 '( ?ri ia was Qnely educated as you know, and in addition to her convent facilities had governesses and masters it home. Nothing would do but that Sidonie, 'my Sid,' sho used to call her, must have theso advantages too." "Yes." I said, interrupting him, "I remember, she used to speak of a pretty ?lave girl to whom she was greatly at tached, but I had forgotten the nama." "So Sidonia was taught music and language and dancing and painting. Sue came to be almost as accomplished as her mistress. Portia sang divinely, but Sidonie had no voice. You under stand now why the latter would not sins for ns. But one thing she could never acquire, and that waa Portia's lovely and amiable disposition. From her creole mother Sidonie had inherited vanity, love of dress and a fiery temper. She was so petted and favored by Portia that she came to look upon herself as a lady and to take on the airs of one. The Marchmont plantation joined ray uncle's, and it was easy to see that Jermyn and Portia were boy and girl lovers. But Sidonie's face always grew dark when she saw them together. I used to taunt her with being jealous of Portia, never dreaming how closely I hit her. I left home several years before Portia was married and cannot speak definitely of the events of the time. However, Portia used to write me often and tell me many details of her daily life. Just before the wedding there was a great hue and cry. Sidonie had run away. She was hunted high and low, a big reward offered for her capture and search made every where, all to no purpose. There-is a gap here of several years which I cannot fill. She was seen in various cities, but always escaped apprehension. What her life was during this period one can only surmise. "Now, about this old nigger, Jezebel, and her cohort of followers. I can re member when I was a mere lad thinking the old hag, soothsayer and fortune teller was a century old. I don't be lieve any one knows just how old she is. Sidonie, for some reason, was always crazy to be with her, and while she looked down on all tho other niggers would slip away and spend hours in Jezebel's hut. The old devil flattered her vanity ai.d prophesied a roseate fu ture for the girl. 'You won't always be a slave, honey,' she would tell her, and inch by inch she turned her foolish head. "Enn in those days Jezebel was popu larly v-.pposed to bo in league with sa tan. She was said to have the evil eye and to be able to work charms and cast spells. The darkies applied to her for potions and doses to cure all manner of ailments. Jermyn tells me that foi. the last two years she has not slept on this plantation, but has lived in thatwretch ed hut in the swamp. "I heard whippers and rumors among the negroes herc of these midnight or gies and determined to witness one for myself. I went out night before last, and having easily found the path came plump ap against tho wall and the closed gate. While I was ruminating what plan to pursue, I heard footsteps and saw a woman approaching. I quickly concealed myself in tho thicket, and when I saw our hostess let herself through this gate I resolved to follow her. I easily scaled the wall and took the path she was purstling and presently found myself where we were last night. This imposter mingled with thosenaked niggers, and wbilo she did not dance herself encouraged them in their de bauch. After they were stupefied from their frenzy, she and old Jezebel enter ed the hut. "I hastened to the window and peered in. I heard a faint moan and saw some thing move on that filthy pallet. ? Then the old woman brewed some diabolical mess and forced poor Portia to drink it while this Sidonie stood by looking on with a triumphant smile. \ "I saw it all in an instant-how by her wit and cunning sho had caused the transfer of identity while Jermyn was in England. The slave had become the mistress, and the poor mistress was a captivo in the hands of Sidonie's fellow conspirator. I don't know how I kept from rushing in then and denouncing her, but I feared if I did Sidoni^-might escape. And I was determined she should not elude me. "I took Jako partially into my confi dence. I told him to guard the gate and not to permit any ono to pass through it save you and me, and if Mrs. March mont attempted to open it to summon thc colonel or mo at once, that foul play was being done, and I would bo respon sible for any consequences. Jake is a singularly reliable man, and having been told just enough did his duty. "I know Sidonio could not leave the house without my knowledge. I was confidant sho would try and waited for that attempt which you know was made. "When she fainted, I carried her into her room, locked that pair of handcuffs on her soft, pretty wrists and secured tho door behind me.- The rest you know. When Portia recovers, she will tell us more which will doubtless sup ply all the missing details. A terrible story, is it not? Ko stranger, though, than many a wild tale of the south-the land of romance and revenge. But how weary you are! Como, I insist you shall go in and rest. Don't worry about Portia. She will live. Those fiends did not succeed in killing her, and the good God will restore her to her husband and child." As wo rose to return to the house Jake, tho overseer, carno running up the path from the swamp. He was greatly ex cited. "Sir, Mr. Raymond," he cried, wavhag his hat as he carno on, "what do you think has happened now?" "For God's sake, don't tell me you have let that creature escape!" shouted Mau rice angrily. "No, no, sir. She's fast in the hut and George on guard, but tho old woman, sir, is stone dead." "Dead!" we cried. "Yes, lying there on her throne dead. An awful sight, sir. Do you know I'm thinking tho snake she was playing with may havo bitten her. Anyway she has gono to tho devil, whero she belonged." CHAPTER XVin. A DISAPPEARANCE, Thc sudden death of old Jezebel broke up the voodoo performances in the swamp. All thc planters in the neigh borhood bestirred themselves and gave strict orders to their slaves to keep away from the accursed place. If these prac tices were continued, it was secretly and in some other locality. No longer were our cars disturbed by unearthly cries, no longer wcro strange lights seen at dead of night. A pall of silence settled down upon tho swamp, and tho wind that muttered among tho pines told -an other story-a tale of cruel wrong a;n:l terrible justice, of a sullen prisoner doomed to perpetual solitude within iha gloomy environments of this uncatny Bwainp. This was the punishment meted out to Sidonie, to suffer as she had caused lier gentle, amiable mistress to suffer; to iee no faeo pave that of her dusky jailer; to \ bear no voice save his thiele accents aa he bade her eat and drink. Not ii dissenting word waa rahsed agaim tthir retribution. Colonel March- I mont, humane and kindly master, had ! endeared himself to bis slaves, but their i love for Portia amounted to a reverence. ' Had Sidonie fallen into their hands she would have fared far less gently. Dur ing her short reign her arrogance and natural cruelty had engendered a feel ing oi' intense hatred among tlio slaves, mid when they learned the true state pf affairs they had no mercy for her. "'Deed she oughter be tohu limb from ? limb," declared ono. "Ef 1 wuz mars, I'd flay her alive," t was thc general opinion delivered on the \ matter. As tho cl ?vs went bv. and Portia hov- J ered between- life and death, many were the angry looks cast toward tho swamp and many the maledictions called down on Sidonie'8 head by her fellow slaves. The gate to the swamp stood open now, but no one save the big negro ap pointed to watch Sidonie went in and out. I sciuetimes strolled in that direc tion and looked down into the melan choly vista of somber shade and desolate bog, wondering how the criminal-that beautiful, intense, tropical creature, stripped of her stolen finery, clad hi the coarsest raiment, fettered like an ani mal-was existing. What anguish, what despair must be hers I No hope, no ray of light! At such times I pitied her. I remem bered her beauty, her gnyety, her grace. I recalled her words of tragic prophecy, "Remember, Prudence, whatever comes, that I loved him as few women love." Poor, wretched, misguided Sidonie! Her lin had been that she loved too well. Then, when I returned to the sickroom md looked at my friend, when I heard the moans of pain and witnessed the struggle for life, all my pity for Sidonie vanished, and every outraged instinct of my nature cried out for revenge upon the heartless, soulless, brazen creature who had wrought this havoc and disas ter. I now come to au event so awful, so frightful that even the remembrance, dimmed as it is by the mists of years, causes a wave of terror to roll again over my being. I sometimes live it over in my dreams and wake screaming and sobbing, and if I should live to be a hundred years old I can never efface that terrible scene. Let me tell it as calmly as possible. It was one dull November afternoon, when a ghostly mist was settling down over the landscape and fine spatters of rain were beating irregularly against the window panes, that George, Sidonie's jailer, rushed into the library, where the colonel, Maurice and I were sitting, and with trembling voice and shaking hands implored his master's forgiveness, for Sidonie had escaped. "Escaped!" cried Colonel Marchmont in a terrible voice. "You black rascal, what does this mean?" " 'Deed, mars," cried the man, rolling his eyes in terror, "it mus' be de debbil hisself holp her. Wen I lef her to come up fer her suppah, she was chained all right. Allus look de las' fing ter see ef she's fastened. Wen I goes back jus' now,-she's gone, de chain broken in two." "Send for Jake," interrupted Colonel Marchmont imperatively. "Come, Mau rice, we must not lose a moment. Think of that creature free to do further mis chief!" Presently tho plantation was astir. Negroes ran hither and thither, the bay of the bloodhounds was heard, and Jake, Maurice and the colonel, with a crowd of negroes, were hurrying toward the swamp, intent upon recapturing the fugitive. I went to Portia's room to ?ce :'f the unusual tumult bad annoyed or alarmed her. She had roused from her sleep "Escaped!" cried Colonel Marchmont. ind raised herself with difficulty on one slender arm. Her great eyes questioned me, and she feebly asked: "What is it, Prudence?" "Nothing, dear; do not distress your self. Lie down; he duwn." "I heard tho dog3 baying-I heard angry voices. What is it? Tell me, 1 will know." I hesitated. "Tell me," bho repeated, and a faint red spot appeared on cither cheek. "I must know. There is trouble, is there not? A siave has run away-who is it?" I could not speak. "Ah, I know!" she cried. "I know-I feel-it is Sidonie?" I bowed my head. "Where are they? In the swamp? Ah, yes, beating the placo with dogs and guns. She will be taken, shot, perhaps torn to pieces. Oh, my poor Sidonie! 1 have forgiven her. Let her go. Pru dence," wildly, "go quickly. I can trust you. Follow them to the swamp. Find Jermyn and tell him that I, Portia, beg him to let Sidonie go-tell him it dis tresses me. I cannot bear it. I forgive her with all my heart," and she fell back exhausted on the pillows. I summoned the nurse as quickly as possible, and as Portia still urged and insisted I should carry her sublime mes sage to her husband I set out through the mist and the rain to Dead Man's swamp, [CONTINUED.] PADGETT PAYS HE FREIGHT Whj Paj Extreme Prt is for Goods! Send for Catalogue and See What You Can Sm! $15??f ZLI3ANT0AS BZISOOM SUIT-con sisting of Bureau, Bedstead <fc Wash Btnnd- worth $25; PRICE NOW $15 100 other Bedroom Suits, *ll prices. $69. organ <T 07 - FOR -\PU/ Just to Introduce them. No freight paid on this Or gan. Guaranteed to be a good orgau or money re funded. -- r^cgant Plush PARLOR SUITS, consisting o? Sofa, Arin C.iair, Rocking Chair, Divan, und2sideClialrt-v/c>rili $45. Will deliver lt to your depot ?or S33.-? This No. 7 \ J]I c. - is sswatt uACEnn irltia iii ntUM?iments. for --11 IN LY $18.50 jrol?'/cri!U^ to your depot. t*l*hi. regulr.r price of this .1U6?>Y i? BR to 75 dollars. The ninnufuoturrr pays all Ucc.rpeuses und I Hell them o yoTi for SS^L'?. VS3 md gr in ran tte every one a ;arg:ifn. No freight paid in (Oil liuggfr STOVE with 21 pieces of ware, will be deliver ed to your depot, for only $12 regulur price ?15 A^QSO PIANO mil ;.ired nt yo?f depot " fright pata ftr $190 .send for catoSoguea of Furniture, Cooking Stov?r. Baby Carriages, Bicycles, Organs, Pi ntos, Tea Set?, Dinner SeU, Lampe, <&o., and SAVE MONET. AddreMi Li. F.PADGETT OTJT-DOOE, PHOTOGRAPHY. ORDERS SOLICITED FOR Machinery, Animals, Etc. GEO. F. WIMS. THE Armitage Manufacturing Co., of Richmond, Va, want an agent for their Asphalt Ready Roofing and Asphalt Paints, three colors, red, hrown, and black. No experience nec essary. If you are out of employment write them. JOS. H. CANTELOU, ATTORNEY AT LAW. EDG-EFIBLD, S. C. Will practice in all the Courts of the btate._ Bridge Letting. NOTICE is hereby given that one or more of the county commissioners will be at Graddick's Mill, and let at 9 o'clock A. M., on Feb. 10th next, a bridge to be erected and constructed across little Saluda River, reserving the right to reject any or all bids. J. A. WHITE; D. W. PADGETT, J. W. BANKS, C. C. E. C. DURING my absence meeting my appointments throughout the county, Probate Judge J. D. Allen will receive assessment returns of real and personal property athis office at Edge field, being furnished with blanks and authority for that purpose. J. B. HA LTIWANGER, Auditor E. C. Prof. E.W. Smith, Pr!n. Commercial College of Ky. University, Lexington, Ky., was awarded MEDAL AND DIPLOMA BY THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION, For sTstrm orBook.keeplnjr and G?n?ral Business Education, etc. Cost to complete Business Course about ?ao. including tuition .books and board. Phonography, Type Writing and Telegraphy taught. For circulars, address, W. ft. S3?TH, President, Lexington, Hy. What a wonderful thing is a live seed. Immature, old or dead lt may look the some. Bow to know? Old gardeners say that fl 4eed? ?rom This ls the proof of life. When grown we give i our word you will be satisfied-your success < is ours. BURPEE'S FARM ANNUAL i for 1804? 172 paget, tells all about the Bett ( Seed? that Grow. The newspapers call it the Leadina American Seed Catalogue, Yours free io: the asking If you plant seeds. W. A TLEE BURPEE & CO., Philadelphia. CAUTION.-If a dealer offers W. I* D?nelas Shoes at a reduced prier, or says he has them without name stamped on botuom, put him down ac a fraud. W. L. DOUGLAS BEST IN THE WORLD. Vf. L. DOUGLAS Shoes are stylish, easy fit ting-, and give better satisfaction at the prices ad vertised than any other make. Try one pair and be convinced. The stamping of w. L. Douglas' name and price on the bottom, which guarantees their value, saves thousands of dollars annually to those who wear them. Dealers who push the sale of W. L. Douglas Shoes gain customers, which helps to increase the sales on their full line of goods. They can afford to sell at a less profit, and we believe you can save money by buying ali your footwear of the dealer advertised below. Catalogue free upon application. Address, W.L.DOUGLAS, Brockton, Mass. Sold hy j\ :MI. COBB: EDGEFIELD.^S. C. [How To Invest Small Amounts. This is a problem that puzzles I more than one man who saves a portion of his salary. The fol lowing letter gives the result of an investment in a Tontine Policy of the Equitable Life. UNION, S. C., Dec 20,1892. W. J. ROD DEY, Esq., Agent. DEAR SIR:-Your favor enclosing check of the Equitable Life Assur ance Society in settlement of my policy, No. 209,310, came duly to hand. The settlement is a liberal one, exceeding my expectations, and I am pleased with it. Yours truly, WHXIAM MUNRO. There is no form of investment to-day that offers such absolute security and such liberal divi dends as the proper form of life assurance. It's a matter on which every man should be posted. We send you figures and particulars without charge. W. J. RODDEY, Manager, Department of the Carolinas, ROCK HILL. 5. C. RE^L ESTATE iNSHRANeeAe'T, AND - Office over BanJc o? Mew. 0. HATHAWAY & GG. ^?SPECIALISTS^ (Regalar Gradu?tes.) Are the leading and most snccceiful specialist* md sill gire you help. Youag and mid dle aged mea. Remarkable tc seit? have follow ed our treatment. Many year* of varied ?i? stlccejs ful experience In tne ase of c iin tlve methods that we alone own and control for ai: Cly onlertof tuen who "Avo weak, nnd> eloped or ?lt od orjrans, or bo sro auflcriuK ora errors or oath and excess rwho arc nerroo/ ?nd Impo?cuc, escora of ebel: fellows and thc contempt of tn cir Tri ends and con. pantons, lends a to guarantee to all patient*. If thor ctn possibly be restored, oar own exclusive trcattaeai will afford acure. WOMEN! Don't yon want to get cared of tait weakneu with a treatment the! yon can ate nt borne without Instrument*? Our wonderful treat ment kai cured otaen. Wiiy not you? Try lt. CATARRH, ?nd diseases of tho Skin,Blood. Heart, Liver and Kidneys. STPITIXIS-The mist rn nld. safe and effective remedy. A complete Care Guaranteed. S51V DISEASES of all kinds eared where many others bare failed. rwiTrrtAL DISCHARGES promptly eared In s few days. Quick, sure and safe, thu ncludes Gleet and Conorhoa. TRUTH AND PACTS. We have cared cases of Ch ronlo Disease* Va lave failed to get cn rea at the hands of other specie els snd medical Institutes. - itr"rirnrir fhirtnrrn I* bop? .'or You. Consult no other, as you may waste valuable time. Obtain oar treatment at once. Beware of free and cheap treatments. We sdra (hebest andmost scientific treatment at modera? prices-as low ns en be dor.e for tafe and sktlifc treatment. FREE consultation at the o alee c b7 mall. Thorough examination and careful ella? nosis. A horne treatment can be (riven In a majority oteases. Send for Symptom Blank Ko. 1 for Men: Ko. 2 for Women ; Ko. 8 for Skin Diseases. All corre spondence answered promptly. Business strictly con fidential. Entire treatment sent free from oiscrva t lon. Defer to our patients, banks sad business mea Address or call?n OR, HATHAWAY & CO., sa i-a South BroadSrreet, ATLANTA.G* Three 2-Horse Farms. THHREE 2-borse farms near Johnston 1 for rent, apply to W. G. KERNAGHAN, or W.P.CASSELLS, Johnston, S. C. PATENTS, For Inventions Procured by the PRESS CLAIM COMPANY, Equal with the interest of those having claims against the Gov ernment is that of INVENTORS, ^ho often lose the benefit ef valua ble inventions because of the incompetency or inattention of the at torneys employed to obtain iheir patents. Too much care cannot be exercised in employing competent and reliable solicitors to procure patents, for the value of a patent depends greatly, if not entirely, upon the care and skill of the attorney. With the view of protecting inventors from worthless or careless attorneys, and of seeing that inventions are well protected by valid patents, THE PRESS CLAIMS COMPANY has retained counsel expert in patent practice, and is therefore prepared to Obtain Patents, Conduct Interferences, Make Special Examinations, [Prosecute Rejected Cases, Register Trade-Marks and Copyrights, Render Opinions as to Scope and Validity of Patents, Prosecute and Defend Infringement Suits, etcj If you have an invention on hand, send THE PRESS CL? COMPANY a sketch or photograph thereof, together with aU?f.^ scription of the important features, and you will at once bo as to the best course to pursue. Models are not necessary unless the invention is of a complicated nature. If others are infring ing on your rights, or if you ?re charged with infringement by others, submit the mattel lo us for a reliable OPINION before acting on the matter. The Press Claims Company, C18 F Street, Northwest, TVASHJ?JG?ON, D. C. P. 0. Box463. JOHN MIILF-UIN, fcaii'g Ail'v tOSF* Cut this out and send it with your inquiry. Hf' YOU .WANT INFORMATION" ABOUT PGNS? .T";T ADDRESS A LETTER OR POSTAL CARD TO THE PRESS CLAIMS COMPANY, 5? "JOHN W1111F II F N, Mnging Attorney, I?. O. Box 46, WASHINGTON, D. C Honorable discharged soldiers and sailors who served uiueiy days, or over, in the late war, are entitled, if now partially or wholly diabled for ordinary manual labor, whether disability was caused by service or not, and regardless of their pecuniary circumstances. Widows of such soldiers and sailors are entitled (if not remarried) whether soldier's death was duo to service or not, if now dependent upon their own labor for support., Widows not dependent upon their own labor are e.n f i tied if the soldier's death was due to service. Children aa entitled (if under sixteen in almost all cases where there was no widow, or she has since died or remarried. Parents are entitled if soldier left neither widow nor child.nrovided soldier died in service, o* from effects of service, and they are non de pendent upon their own labor for support. It makes no difference whether soldier served or died in late war or in regular army or navy. Soldiers of the late war, pensioned under one law, may apply for higher rates under other laws, without losing any rights. Thousands of soldiers drawing from $2 to $10 per mouth under the old law, are entitled to higher rates under new law, not only on account of disabilities for which now pensioned, tut also others, whether due to service or not. Soldiers and sailors disabled in time of duty in regular army or navy since the war are also entitled, whether discharged for disability or not. Survivors, and their widows, of the Black Hawk Creek, Cherokee, and Seminole or Florida Indian Wars of 1832 to 1842 are entitled un der a recent act. Mexican War soldiers and their widows also entitled, if sixty-two years of age or disabled or dependent. Old claims completed and settlement obtained whether pension has been granted under later laws, or not. Rejected claims reopened and settlement secured, if rejection improper or illegal. Certificates of service and discharge obtained for soldiers and sailois of the late war who have lost their original papers. Send for laws and information. No charge for advice. No fee un less successful. Address, THE PRESS CLAIMS CO., JOHN WEDDERBURN, Managing Attomei/. P. O. Box 463. "WA SH J NGTON, I). C WM. SCHWEIGERT Tlie Je^vrelle;r9 Corner Broad and McIntosh Streets. Augusta, - . GrZK