Dakota farmers' leader., December 05, 1890, Image 2

About Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??

Image provided by: Minnesota Historical Society; Saint Paul, MN

                
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CANTON, S. D.
TABlCntS' PUBU3HING CO.. PUBLIBHHBS
LATEST INDIAN NEWS
LITTLE WOUND UNABLE TO
CONTROL HIS BAND,
'Bittins Built tbe.l'MM of All the Troubl*,
Mora Hostile Than Ever—GOT. Mellette
Issues Proclamation to the Battlers
Eut of the Missouri River.
Pirns Bntoi AGENCY, NOT. 29.—Little
Wound Is In ant reports his inabi)lty to
control bis band In the Interests of peace.
The cavalry soon expects an order to
march on the Bosebud camp on the Porcu
pine, although Gen. Brooke to reported as
being in favor of waiting until the Sixth
cavalry reaches Fort Meade and troops can
be olaced at Vorest City, above Pierre.
Sitting Bull More Hostile Than Ever.
MANDAW, NOV. 29.—Wtard comes from Sit
ting Buffs camp and fron
'different sources
that he Is -dancing his men more vigorously
than ever, and he is compelling children to
join la the dance. He is reported to be
inore-hostile and determined to fight than
ever. Yesterday afternoon two companies of
Cavalry arrived from' Port Ouster and pro
ceeded toiFort Yates.
C«v. Mellette Issuea a Proclamation.
PIERRE, NOV. 29.—Late yesterday after
hootf the governor issued the following
irod*matlon
"to view of the wide-spread alarm for
fear of. an Indian outbreak I assure all set
tlers east of the Missouri riyer that they
an In no possible danger, and I urge them
to remain quietly in'their towns attending
to their1ordinary labors. This declaration
Is aiade after a thorough investigation of
the situation and on-advices from all mili
tary poets and ^Indian agencies. Every
alarming rumor with any foundation has
been trace# t* its source and found to be
absolutely groundless. No act or word of
hostilities has been spoken or committed by
mmf Indian any where, and the Indians are
reported to be on their proper reservations,
perfectly quiet. The ghost dance is' sub
siding and 'turbulent Indians are
being -set apart by themselves, and are
voder 'complete control of the United States
troops, large forces of which are stationed
at stqategetlc points, completely command
Ing^fae situation. "This assurance is not
given settlers without full Information of
the facta, and they can be assured that
every precaution has been taken and will
continue to be exercised for tbelr safety in
case of trouble, which is no longer antici
pated. Arms and ammunition have been
placed in faithful hands throughout the
frontier settlement, and thorough organiza
tion IB 'perfected for sending messenges
from all telegraphic stations to give notice
to all surrounding settlers In case of an out
break anywhere. Settlers can rely on this
-condition being maintained throughout the
winter atjd can rest assured that thqy wlil
be protected. If an outbreak occurs at all
It will beiln the bad lands midway between
the Missouri river and tlie Slack Hills,
where tlfe Indians will attempt to subsist
upon «tolen cattle and evade the troops,
and of which I shall have immediate in
formation and will communicate to all ex
posed settlers by special couriers dispatched
from -all "telegraph stations or bt wire. The
state .military of 500 well equipped men will
be held la readiness to move during the
winter and ean be put at any given railway
point east'Of the river in five hours' notice.
Messengers havfe new been dispatched to
the bad lands, who will go into camp there
and will beL^ent to any point upon Informa
tion deuadQlag it. These precautions have
been taken and will be continued to allay
all apprehension settlers. I believe
without doubt that the military has full
control-of the Indians and they can never
ret off the reservation, in case they at
tempt it, which they will hot. The break
lag up of the ghost dance by the military is
all tbe-cauae that existed for alarm and that
Is being done quietly, and the Indians who
would like to make trouble are completely
within the grasp of the soldiers. It is my
firm belief Chat the border settlers are in
leas actual danger to-day from the Indians
than1 at any time since their arrival, as
.means for tbelr safety are now promoted
and tbo Indians are always the same. Set
tlers -should pay no attention to idle rumors
and wild newspaper reports manufactured
to order, but preserve their reason and try
to restore to reason those who are trying
totlose it."
Breaking Up .the Dances.
OHAMBBRLAIK, 8. D., Nov. 29.—MaJ. Sis
son. Indian agent ait Lower Brule, hearing
that a "ghost" dance was in operation at
the mouth of White -river, several mtles be
low the agency, sent a force of Indian po
lice to the scene for the purpose of break
ing up the dance and arresting the leaders.
The police were soon on the ground and
making a charge, succeeded In capturing
five men, one of whom, Chicken Head, who
like the others was armed, attempted to re
sist, but the police were not to be deterred,
and Capt. Five Thunder, chief of police,
who is a large, burly Indian, rushed in on
him, and grasping bim around the waist
carried him bodily to the jail. It
is rumored that another dance is in
operation several miles up the
river, which is being investigated,
and If found true will also be broken up
and the ringleaders arrested. There is talk
among the Indians of going to the point be
low White river, where the Bosebud and
Pine Bidge Indians bave been congregat
ing, but they are being closely watched,
and it they attempt it they will have to
walk over one of the finest, most deter
mined. faithful and vigilant police forces
on the reservation. They are doing their
work faithfully and promptly, and will not
be deterred from carrying Into effect any
order. It is not anticipated that these In
dians will commit any deeds of violence
here, but if they should get away and join
the others they would undoubtedly act
with the majority. The agent and police
so far havge them under control, however.
Short Boll a Terror.
PIEBRB, B. i., Nov. 29.—Yesterday seven
more families came into Fort Pierre from
Nowlln county, including Postmaster Cook,
of Nowlin City. Cook says Short Bull has
200 hostiles with him and more are congre
gating, and that the seat of hostilities are
Jackson, Zeibach and Washington counties
in the Bad Lands. He further says that
five families near the bead of Bad river
have not been heard from, and he fears
they may have been driven into the Bad
land by these hostiles. Breech clouted hos
tile scouts are continually coming out to
watch the movement of the whites. No
doubt exists In the minds of well informed
people that Short Bull's band will keep up
the trouble from their well protected Bad
Lands rendezvous.
Good Crow Creek Indians.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.—Acting Commis
sioner Belt ku received a telegram from
Agent Dixon at the Crow Creek Agency
S. D., saying none of his Indians have yeti
been dancing. A small band of the Lower
Brules near Rosbbud reservation have been
dancing and he has dispatched a force of
police and scouts to stop it. He also called
home all Indians having passes to leave the'
reservation, and says he considers it im
possible to be surprised in any outbreak thti
Lower Brules may make.
Militiamen to Be Keady to March.
ELK POINT, Nov. 29.—The Elk Epint
Home Guards have received orders to bold
themselves in readiness to start for the!
kcene of the Indian troubles any moment.
YANKTON, Nov. 29.—Capt. Coxehead, of
Company M, South Dakota militia, has re-]
celved orders to bave his company ready
for active service on the frontier.
Dancing In Indian Territory.
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan., Nov. 29.—A trader
from the Osage reservation reports the In
dians have begun the ghost dance and arc
very ugly and insolent. They are well
armed and are the richest and most power
ful power in the territory outside the Five
Nations. The agent is alarmed and has
asked for assistance.
MISS WILLARD AS BISHOP.
Bev. Hr. Ward Says That'She Will Have to
Wait a While.
CEDAB RAPIDS, la., Nov. 29.—It was
stated in a Chicago telegram that "consid
erable interest bad been aroused in Metho
dist church circles by the story to the effect
that Miss Frances Willard's friends are
making an effort to have her elected a
bishop. Eev. Mr. Ward says: "My^friend,
Dr. Truesdell, must have been misquoted
in that telegram by which he was made to
say that Miss Willard might be elected
bishop of the Methodist church. That would
be impossible. The movement now made Is
for the admission of women as lay delegates.
No layman, male or female, could become
bishop simply by votes. Of course a lay
man could not get the votes for an office to
which he was not eligible. If it were sup
posable that the votes could be had the or
dination to the office would be impossible
as only persons in elders' orders are eligi
ble. As to whether women will ever be
come ordained ministers In the Methodist
Episcopal church that Is entirely separate
from the question at this time under con
SHleratloh. The very efficient lady workers
who preach among us do (so as does Mr.
Moody and other laymen, by common con
sent."
'What do you think will be the result
of the present movement?" asked the re
porter.
certainly expect and hope that women
will be admitted as other laymen now are
to the legislative body of our church,
called,
4the
general conference.'
SPARKS FROM THE WIRES
ADVICES from Buenos Ayres state that
the financial situation there has improved.
TWENTY Armenian officials and p. score of
others have been arrested at Ismld for con
spiracy,
A BRANCH of the Granite State Provident
association at Cleveland, O.. is closed, Its
agents missing, and policyholders out
$15,000.
LIEUT. TROUP opened a lecture tour at
Exeter, Eijg. He reiterates bis charges
against Stanley and defended Barttelot and
Jameson.
IN the trial of Daniel North, at fiontlac,
111., for the klHing of City Marshal Hodge,
last July, the jury returned a verdict of
guilty, fixing the penalty at death.
SUMN EB T, SMITH, charged with a defalca
tion of $3,000 against the Cental Building
and Lean association, of Dayton, O., has
been arrested in Louisville. He has con
fessed.
AT Wheeling, W. Vs., the jury in the See
bold bank robbery case brought in a verdict
of guilty. Seebold has been on trial for
taking $24,000 from the bank in which he
was employed.
CORNING, N. Y., is undergoing a panic.
Several failures bave occurred this week,
and while none were for large amounts the
aggregate was considerable and there is
great excitement.
THE MARKETS.
Sioux City Live Stock.
UNION STOCK YARDS. SIOUX CITT, NOV.
29.—Hogs—Estimated receipts 4,000. The
quality to-day was a little better than yes
terday. There were plenty of choice hogs
offered, but values went down a strong dime
on everything sold. The best that was sold
brought $3.«5 bulks, $3.52j?@3.60.
Cattle—Estimated receipts, SOS. The
yards were filled with mixed loads, com
prising nearly everything. To-day's de
mand was mainly for butcher's stuff and
yearlings.
Chicago Un Stock.
CHICAGO, NOV. 29—Cattle Becelpts,
3,600. Market steady to strong fancy
steers, $5.00@5.35 others, $4.00@4.95.
Hogs—Becelpts, 40,000. Market lower
mixed, $3.35@3.50 heavy packers, $3.70®
3.80 light, $3.6003.70.
Sheep—Receipts 6,000. Market steady
natives, S4.00@4.80 fed Westerns, $4.00®
4.75 fed Texans, $4.0004.50.
South Omaha Ll«« Stock.
BOOTH OMAHA, NOV 28.—Hogs—Estimated
receipts, 9,000. Official yesterday, 5,265
shipments, none. Market opened 10c
lower, selling at $3.20@3.65.
Cattle—Estimated receipts, 1,200. Offi
cial yesterday, 1,640. Shipments, none.
Market opened steady quality fair.
Chicago Prodnn,
OHICAJO, NOV. 29.—Closing Wheat
steady cish, 92®92^c December, 03%c
May, $1.00%.
Corn—Steady cash, 50c December, 50c
May, 53%c.
Oats—Easy cash, 43®43%c Decem
ber. 46t4c May, 45)4c.
Pro visions—Mess Jiork dull cash, $9.00
January, $11.15 May, $11.95. Lard dull
cash, $5.85 January, $6.12%®6.15 May,
S6.62%@6.65.
Bye—Easy at 69c.
Barley—Firm at 78c.
Flax—Quiet at $1.19
Timothy—Weak at $1.2201.23.
Whisky—fl.14.
Hides—Unchanged heavy and light
green, 5%c green hides, 4%c salted bull
hides, 4ic green salted calf, 7%®8c dry
flint, 7®8c dry salted, 7®8c dry calf, 8®
9c deacons, each, 25c.
Tallow—Unchanged No. 1, solid packed,
4Xc.
Hew Talk Produce.
N*W YORK, NOV. 29.—Wheat—Steady
December, $1.02 3-16®1.02%c May, $1.05%
@1.06 7-16.
Corn—Easier No. 3, 60%@G2%c.
Oats—Easier: western, 48®58c.
Provisions—Pork steady at $10.50®12.00.
Lard weak at $3.27%. Butter steady
western, ll®29c. Eggs firm western.
26®27c.
St. Louis Produce.
ST. LOVIS. Nov. £9.—Wheat, lower cash,
91@92c December. 90%c January,
May,
96%o\
02%ci
July, 88c.
Corn—Easier cash, 46%c December,
48Kc May, SOJ^c.
Oats—lower cash, nominal May, 45J4C.
Provisions—Pork firm at $12.25. Lard
steady at $5.75.
Whisky—$1.14.
Milwaukee Prodoce.
Mrr.WATNTKE, Nov. 29.—'Wheat—Easier
No. 2 spring cash, 90c May, 93%.
Corn—Weak No. 3, 54c.
Oate—Dull: No. 2 white, cash, 46c.
TERRIBLE SECRET
The Curse of the More
g: v. lands.
BY LEON LEWIS.
CHAPTER IV.--{Continued.)
This farewell review consumed but a
few minutes, and the couplo tbfcn made
their final preparations for departure.
The portmanteau they hud packed was
conveyed to the side porch, and all the
lights within the dwelling were extin
guished, save that of the lantern, with
which they proposed to light their de
parture.
"Have you taken your revolver,
Jessie?" asked Mrs. Morcland, as she
halted at the door, to make a last
thoughtful survey of her surroundings,
and assure herself that she was leaving
everything as it should be and had for
gotten nothing she desired to.take with
her.
"Yes, mother have you?
"Certainly. I feel safer with it, in
view of the many tough and lawless
characters one is likely to meet on the
lake and all along the shore."
"Then let's bo off!"
They passed out, the mother closing
and locking the door behind them, and
picked up their portmanteau and de
scended the steps, moving-quietly in the
direction of the lake.
In another minute or two they had
reached the boathouse at the water's
edge, carrying their portmanteau be
tween them.
The boathouse was a tall, gothic
roofed structure, standing on' a high,
stone foundation, the object of the
builder having been to shelter his sloop
in it without unstopping its mast or even
lowering its sail. It was always kept
locked, of course, as it contained many
valuable articles pertaining to the
aquatic tastes of* the mother and daugh
ter, not to speak of the neat craft they
kept hero habitually in readiness for in
stant use throughout the summer.
To take possession of their sloop, with
their portmanteau and other effects, and
to get it out of the boathouso and set
sail, leaving everything snug behind
them, was the work of a few additional
minutes, and not long thereafter they
had vanished on their voyage down the
lake.
"WelH good-by, my dear relatives,"
mattered Radd Moreland, who had
watched their embarkation from a snug
covert near the landing. "I can find you
when you are wanted, as I know whero
you are going. I am oven acquainted
with your destination, as I passed sev
eral months at the village of Egg Island
a few years ago. Curiously enough, Our
old friend Hutchley is living there as a
fisherman, and he and I may take a new
hand together. Meanwhile I am going
to make myself quite at home toere—
quite!"
He sauntered carelessly back to the
house, giving himself admission, -by
breaking a pane of glass and turn'ingthe
fastener of a window.
Lamp in hand he made ft rapid but
comprehensive survey of the premises,
and proceeded to serve himself an ap
petizing "bite to go to bed on," which in
cluded a bottle of choice wine from the
cellar.
Emboldened by the said bottle he went
out and took down the three signs left
by the representative of the real estate
agents, and concealed' them under an
icehouse in the garden, after first read
ing them by the light of his lantern.
"The fact is," he muttered with char
acteristic impudence, "I don't propose to
be turned out of doors by my sister-in
law, even if she don't know of my pres
ence.
Returning to the house he locked him
self In securely and took his way to a
handsome guest chamber up-stairs Which
hacLjiroused his admiration. 'He finish
ed his bottle of wine while making a
more particular survey of the apartment
and then went to bed with many a self
congratulation at finding himself in pos
session of such quarters.
CHAPTER V.
PLAYING FOB HIGH STAKES.
-i.
OB almost tho first
time in his life,
Radd Moreland
was up with the
sun on the morn
ing subsequent to
his invasion of The
Elms.
The explanation
of the fact is a
simple one.
It was almost
the first'timc in his
life he had been
"hived" in such
elegance and lux­
ury, and the very novelty of the situa
tion had kept him wakeful and nervous.
As was to have been expected, there
fore, no sooner did the first gleams of
the morning sun come peeping into the
handsomely furnished apartment Radd
had so resolutely made his headquarters,
than he opened his eyes with a gasp of be
wilderment, and sprang up into a sitting
posture, with a vague expression that he
had been swapped off during the night
for some stray millionaire.
A swift glance around tho room, how
ever, assured him that he was beginning
the new day whero ho had left off the old
one, and a serene sense of peace settled
upon him.
Ho had reached port at last!
He could now begin living!
"I shall need money, however—ready
cash to buy tobacco and other neces
saries," he said to himself, with specula
tive mien, as he turned out of bed an1
proceeded to make his toilet, "and I must
also have a complete suit of clothes,
with underwear to match. As my es
teemed sister-in-law has neglected to
provide a roll of greenbacks, or its
equivalent, I shall be obliged to take a
bundle of her effects tp my nncle in Chi
cago."
It was hard to down the worn and un
sightly garments he had doffed the pre
ceding evening, and he did so only after
thoroughly examining the premises and
discovering that the long absence of men
from that household had left him no
chance of a present change.
His toilet made—as well as his resources
permitted—ho went down to tho kitchen,
started a fire, and proceeded to get up a
breakfast that would have sufficed, as
far as quantity was concc'rned, for a
boarding-house of no mean proportions.
We must even do Radd the justice of
saying that the quality of his repast was
not so bad as might have been expected,
he halving been forced at one period of
his life, by the spurs of dire necessity, to
make several trips as a cook in a canal
boat.
.. His breakfast was too appetizing in
fact for him not to linger over it along
time, but he dissolved coiflpany at last
with its remainders and proceeded to
pack the bundle to which his thoughts
had turned so promptly and also so
naturally.
He did not leave the house, however,
until he had seen that the coast was
clear, and had also tacked to the front
and side doors slips of paper bearing the
following legend:
"Abserit till afternoon or evening."
It must Jje confessed that there was a
considerable element of uncertainty in
this announcement, but it may be stated
in explanation that the said element was
largely in the ascendant in Radd's mind
at the moment he penned it.
The truth was he was going to town
to raise money, and he knew his own
weaknesses too well to particularize the
hour when The Elms would again have
the honor of his presence.
He reached the station just in time to
catch one of tho early morning trains,
and in due courso reached his destina
tion.
Wo need not pause upon his transac
tions with tho mythical uncle of his
thoughts, nor upon the numerous
"treats" ho gave himself during the next
few hours, but will pass to results.
As he had been on short allowance for
scleral weeks previous to his advent at
The Elms, ho readily imbibed more than
he could hold, -and thereby became unex
pectedly sobered.
A timoly diversion of his attention by
a well-dressed figure at the entrance of
a ready-made clothing establishment
served to withdraw him from the gutter
for this occasion, recalling him to the
principal object of his trip to the metrop
olis.
Having purchased an elegant suit of
clothes, he became so impatient to see
them reflected from his person that he
took tho next train for The Elms, where
he arrived in due course.
It being his fixed purpose to get him
self up like a gentleman, he devoted sev
eral hours to the business, beginning
with a hath, and paying especial atten
tion to his hair and beard.
Satisfied at last with the change
wrought in his personal aspect, he pre
pared a supper which was a considerable
improvement upon his breakfast, and
then selected a book from the shelves of
the library, and sauntered out to the
rustic seat in the meadow which had
clicitcd his admiration the day previous.
He had been seated here nearly an
hour, or until twilight, enjoying a choice
cigar and glancing occasionally at the
pages of his book, when he saw Vance
Wyeville approaching from the direction
of tho lake, and proceeded, with the
calm dignity of a well-fed dog in tho
manger, to intercept him near the side
entrance.
"There is no one at the house to re
ceiye you, sir," he announced, returning
Vance's polite gesture of salutation.
"I am aware of that fact," responded
the young physician, coming to a halt,
"or I had at, least understood that such
is the case. Seeing you here, however,
I thought I would make a few inquiries,
although I do not have the honor of your
acquaintance
"Exactly," returned Radd. "You've
been here two or three times before to
day, I believe?"
"Only once before," Vance was good
natured enough to answer. "May I ask
where the ladies are, and whether they
will be at home this evening?"
"The ladies have set out upon a long
tour in Europe, Asia, and Africa," re
plied Radd, "and a -mere statement of
this fact should be enough to tell you,
sir, that they will not be visible for many
along year, if ever."
Vance was prepared by many a pre
monition to hear something of this sort,
but the declaration nevertheless fell
upon his hearing with startling force.
"May I ask what route they have
taken?" he ventured, after a painful
pause.
"That I cannot tell you, sir," responded
Radd, assuming an air of great Impor
tance. "I have strict orders from Mrs.
Moreland and her daughter^ not to give
their address to any human being."
"Not even to me?"
"Particularly not to you, sir."
The young Doctor scanned the face
and figure before him with singular in
tcntness, asking himself how be could
carry his point.
"Can I not prevail upon you to tell me
at least, by what steamer the ladies pro
posed to sail?" he asked, in a voice husky
with pain and consternation.
"No, sir,"' was the answer, "Not if
you were to offer me millions. Mrs.
Moreland intends the little incident of
last evening to be final."
"What incident?"
"The rejection of your hand, sir!"
Vance's face flushed deeply, and he
did not 9cek to conceal the fact that the
declaration of Radd had given him a
profound surprise.
"May I ask who you are?" he de
manded.
"I am one of the family, sir a More
land."
"A Morcland?"
Vance's attention redoubled.
"May I ask you for a closer definition
of your relationship to these ladies?" he
continued, with breathless interest.
"Certainly, sir. I am ^Jessie's uncle.
In a word, I am Radd Moreland, the only
brother of Jessie's father."
"Oh!"
The comment of Vance was as signifi
cant as quick and short.
He had heard of Radd Moreland.
"Pardon me, Mr. Morcland," he re
sumed, after a well-defined pause, "if I
insist on knowing in what direction your
sister-in-law and Jessie have vanished."
This insistance angered Radd deeply,
as was easy to be seen. He threw away
his cigar with a violent movement, and
expectorated noisily and fiercely.
"You may insist as much as you like,"
he declared, "but that is all the good it
will do you! I will not give you the
least hint of the whereabouts of the la
dies, Dr. Wyeville!"
"Ah, you know me!"
"Naturally enough, sir, after seeing
you here so often lately."
Vance looked more and more aston
ished, and continued to gaze as sternly
as inquiringly at the scheming and un
scrupulous reprobate before him.
That gaze not only added to Radd's an
noyance, but set him to thinking, and
soon rendered him uneasy.
"Why should I put up with bis inso
lence?" he asked himself. "Why
shouldn't I get rid of by a
have to accept him in
coop dee mang,
as the French say? If I don't he'll hang
around here unti lhe gets track of Jes
sie's whereabouts, and then he'll resume
his wooing with such vigor that she'll
sheer self-defense!
I must play a sharp, daring, desperate
game, since I'm playing for
such
high
stakes! The fellow must be got rid oi
at any cost! I'll cut his comb, now and
hereI"
Clearing his throat, he resumed:
"Of course you are very anxious to
know where the ladies are, sir?"
Vane# assented.
"Well, sir, I will be candid," and Radd
assumed confidential air. "It pains me
to See you in such distress—it does, in
deed! Your difficulties with
my
niece
remind me of various incidents in my
own career.."
"I will pay you well for any kindness
you can show me, Mr. Moreiand," an
nounced Vance, with the impatience so
natural to his situation. "Please come
to the point."
"Oh, I do not want any pay, sir!
What I do I do out of pure kindness of
heart, my dear sister-in-law having left
me very comfortably installed here for
the period of her proposed absence."
Vance made an imploring gesture.
"Well, sir, you know my sister-in-law
has a dear and only brother in India?"
The young physician nodded.
"Whom she has not seen for many a
long year?"
Vance bowed again.
l.
"You see, therefore, how natural it is
that both Mrs. Moreland and Jessie
should have thought of this East-Indian
relative at such a moment as the pres
ent?"
Vance could only groan, his fears run
ning ahead of the pretended communi
cation.
"I see you comprehend, sir. .What you
fear is only too real. My sister-in-law
and Jessie have sailed for India."
The statement fell with terrible force
upon Vance, it was so probable.
A tremor of agony traversed his frame.
"My relatives, you see," resumed
Radd, with inward jubilance, "thought
that nothing less than such a trip could
remove the pain and anguish caused
them by recent occurrences. There is
not the least doubt in my mind that they
will visit all the countries I have named,
and it is more than likely that they will
return by way of China and Japan—if
they ever do return—thus making the
tour of the world."
Any one loss unscrupulous, than Radd
would have hesitated about inflicting
upon a fellow-being such distress as these
words caused Vance.
"If they ever return?" he repeated,
hardly conscious of what he was saying.
"Yes, sir," returned Radd. "The truth
is, Colonel Ridley has invited them to
pass the rest of their days with him, and
they were strongly inclined, when they
left me, to accept this invitation."
The shock these falsehoods gave the
young physician was terrific.
He reeled, as if stunned.
"I can follow them," was his solo
comment.
Radd flushed with annoyance, and re
solved to drivo his poisoned shaft
deeper.
"It would be useless, sir," was his in
stant assurance.
"And why useless?"
"Because of grave complications, my
niece was unwilling to confess to you."
"Complications, Mr. Moreland?" ques
tioned Vance, in a husky voice. "Of
what nature?"
"Can you not guess?" demanded Radd,
as insinuatingly as possible.
"I'm afraid not. Please tell me."
"In a word, then, my niece is a mar
ried woman."
Vance started violently.
"I will not deny that she loves you,"
added the uncle "but she is a married
woman, and that's why she rejected
you. That's her whole secret."
"And how long has she been married?"
demanded Vance.
"Just*about a year, sir."
"Who is her husband?"
"He's the captain and owner of a three
masted schooner trading between Chica
go and Buffalo," answered Radd, with
out an instant's hestitation. "His name
is Chapman, and he comes of an excel
lent family, but he has a rather wild
history behind him, as is the case with
so many men who follow the sea. My
niece has been more or less acquainted
with him for a number of years, and
seems to have had a fancy for hijn, but
she married him for money rather than
for love, as he is very wealthy, and was
inclined to deal liberally with her."
Vance stirred uneasily again, con
tinuing to fix his gaze upon Radd.
"Where is Mr. Chapman now?" he
asked.
"He is absent on one of his trips," was
the answer. "In fact, he has never been
here but twice, and he remained only a
day or two on those occasions. I do not
expect to ever see him here again, as he
and my niece have had a terrible quar
rel, which was occasioned by his making
a shocking discovery about her. I can,
of course, give you the particulars if
you care to know them."
Vance turned away abruptly with a
gesture of pain and horror.
"It is unnecessary, Mr. Moreland," he
declared, with bitter sternness. "I am
greatly obliged for the information you
have given me, but there is no necessity
of pursuing the subject further. Good
evening, sir!"
He walked away rapidly, and was
soon lost to Radd's view in the dark
ness.
"Good!" exclaimed the latter, proceed
ing to take a drink from a flask he had
drawn from his pocket. "Ha! ha!" and
he laughed cxultingly. "I've succeeded!
'Nothing venture, nothing have!' It
was a risky thing to do—to draw it quite
so strong—but the result is all I could
have desired. That doctor is fooled
completely. He'll never show up here
again! The projected marriage is
knocked higher'n a kite! As the girl's
likely to take the situation to heart and
die, at the same time worrying her ma
to death, I shall soon be the sole heir of
The Elms and all their other property,
and also of that millionaire Ea«t Indian
uncle! In this way I shall not only be
revenged upon these dear relatives for
their insolence, as displayed in their
rccent chatter, but I shall also plant
myself in clover for the rest of my davi»
Glorious! Capital!
CHAPTER" VI.
A STARTLING EXPERIENCE.
[OR nearly five min
utes after watching
Vance out of sight
from the side door,
Radd stood lookiag
out into the night,
and then his atten
tion was attracted
to certain sounds
within the dwelling.
"The place is cer
tatnly getting over
run by rats," he
muttered, nervous­
ly, as he closed the door and locked it
"Or is it haunted, as has been reported
during the last thirty or forty years?
Can a gang of thieves haye coPe Jn by
an underground passage, or ha^Colonel
Ridley arrived here secretly fromlndia,
as Jessie so fancifully suggested? In
any case, I must have, up another bottle
of that Yquem and make myself com
fortable. I feel as shaky as a loon!"
Lighting a small lamp used for run
ning about the house, he took his way
down the cellar stairs, but suddenly
paused in the middle of the descent,
snuffing audibly.
"Now, there's that smell of cooking
again!" he muttered, looking startled, as
be peered into the darkness arouncLhim.
"Somebody must be roasting-^beeffct no
great distance! How can that odor In
vade this house so strongly? fa there
really an undergroud passage
lake, as reported?"
He snuffed again with increa|5i
continuing to investigate his
lD"In
any case," he added "I m^ngiiave
that bottle! I never felt more in need of
bracing up thoroughly! Ugh! I'm
fairly wild!"
Resuming progress, ho descended the
stairs and visited the wine-vault, secur
ing the bottle he wanted, but not with
out many a startled and suspicious glance
around him.
"The place must certainly be haunt
ed," he ejaculated, as he began ascend
ing the stairs. "I hear something mov
ing—footsteps—a
rolling as of muffled
thunder."
He sped upward rapidly, emerging
from the staircase, the door, of which
closed behtaid him -with the double vio
lence of a sharp draft of air avjf his
nervous haste,, and the noisy jal( thus
produced was followed by an unm.
ale fluster of voices.
But just where?
Hardly knowing what he did,*
extinguished his lamp and thr
bottle of Yquem into one of his capa
cious pockets, listening with all the in
tentness of a sudden terror.
VThis way, Mr. Morcland," suddenly
called a deep but pleasant voice. "I am
awaiting the pleasure of your company."
This greeting came from thfe dining
room, the door of which was opened at
this moment, allowing a strong glare of
light to fall upon the face and form of
the startled plotter.'
"Who—who are you?" he gasped, in
undisguised bewilderment, as he stared
at a figure seated at the table.
"Come here and see, please.
Radd hesitated another moment, and
then began moving slowly toward the
dining-room, with staring eyes and
fascinated air, precisely as a bird which
has been charmed by a serpent advances
toward the jaws awaiting to seize it.
"Show Mr. Moreland in, Tippoo," or
dered the gentleman seated at the table,
with a graceful wave of the hand, ad
dressing some person still invisible to
Radd. "That sudden glare of ligf
seems to have blinded him!"
The words had scarce been euunCil
when the sleek, supple figure of a
dressed Hindoo appeared, lamp in han
at the entrance of the dining-room, and
inclined Itself with inimitable dignity
and politeness to Radd, with the words:
"Walk in, please. My master desires
the pleasure of your company to sup
per!"
Radd managed to incline his head with
an air of comprehension, continuing to
advance, and in, another moment was
within the dining-room, with such a
wondering and dazed look on *hte feat
ures that any one seeing it would have
readily divined that it was out of his
power to utter a word.
"This is really a great pleasure, Mr.
Moreland,"saidthe self-constituted host,
as he arose briskly from the table, and
advanced to meet Radd, whom he took
by the hand with graceful politeness. "I
was just wishing I could have a com
panion in the repast with which I am
about to close the day, and here comes a
gentleman who does not all seem a
stranger to a social glass or to an excel
lent dinner. But sit down, Mr. More
land—sit down!"
He shook Radd's hand warmly, con
ducted him to the table, and installed
him solicitously in the post of honor.
He was a man of some five-and-forty
years of age, with a complexion that har
originally been florid, although his fe
tares now displayed a deep, dark bronzt,
which attested that they had been ex
posed to many years of tropical sun
shine.
His form was of medium height, but of
the finest proportions, and a single
glance would have sufficed to tell an
observer that he enjoyed the best of
health.
He was, indeed, so visibly the possessor
of rare strength and agility that few
men, after looking into his keen, blue
eyes, would have ventured to attack him.
Yet his aspect was as pleasant as com
manding, and no eno icould have long
remained in his presence without learn
ing that he was one of the most genial of
men.
Ho was attired with that quiet ele
gance and costly simplicity which ever
indicate the possession of unlimited
wealth, and there were certain singulari
ties in his speech and manner wliich
attested cosmopolitan experiences, and
even suggested that he must have passed
long years in some' far country of the
East.
"Many, many thanks," gasped Radd,
with a wondering glanco at his host and
a look at the grave Hindoo servant which
had an imprint of positive terror. "You
—you are very kind, sir! I had no idea
—tljis is all so strange-r-pardon me!"
He passed his hand nervously over his
forehead, and it was easy to divine that
a little more pressure of the sort to which
he was already subjected would causti
him to fly shrieking from the house, or
paralyze him entirely.
"You are quite excusable^ sir," re
turned the host, with an increase, if pos
sible, of his smiling suavity. "Permit
me to offer you a glass of rare East In
dian wine."
His action corresponding to the word,
Radd raised the glass to his lips with a
hand as shaky as his bow of acknowl
edgment was awkward.
A sip or two of the liquid, however,
brought a strange sparkle into the eyes
of the dazed plotter, his mien undergo
ing a change as marked,
as sudden.
"That is indeed fine!" ho declared,
smacking his lips audibly. "Something
new, too! Never tasted it before. Is it
all the way from India?"
The host smilingly assented, and Radd
emptied his glass at. a swallow, as if
anxiously seeking the steadiness of
nerves which only something of that sort
could bring.
FTO BE CONTDIOKD.I
MEK who make themselves felt in the
world are conscious of a certain fate in
their constitution which they know how
to use. Few ba- overheard the gods
or surprised their secrets. Life is a
succession of lessons that mnat be lived
to be understood.— George ElioL