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1 j. 1 CHAPTER I.—Prmce Neslerov wants to mar ». ry Frances Gordon, the charming daughter of an American is building the Traaislberlan railroad. Prances Is lnt rested in tbe for tunas of Vladimir Paulpoff, a stalwart Russian blacksmith. She asks Neslerov to use his influ /. ,.• en«»e fur VUdimlr. II,—-Neslerov goes to Vladl* vi mlr's 1 hit 1 The woman courtesled and looked uncomfortable, but Neslerov paid her not the least attention. "Well, since you are here, I am pleas ed to see you," said the governor. "Your branch of the Neslerov family and mine have not been too friendly. 1 am glad that at last one of you has bad the grace to begin a reconciliation." Princess Olga smiled. "Whatever feeling my branch of the family may have for yours could scarce ly be said to interest me," she said. "Remember, I have spent much of uiy time out of Russia, aud—it happened twenty years ago." Neslerov turned to the door and then Btopped. "You refer to the unfortunate mys tery of Graslov," he said soberly. "It was that, I fear, that ruptured the former friendships. Yet I have insist* ed and proved that our family was not to blame. It was either an accident or was done by our enemies. Pardon mel *v£l was so glad to see you that I forgot =$g*hat you must be weary after your ^journey. Let me have you shown your •r^oorns, and I will order dinner for you ?l' when you wish." "Thank you. We are both hungry. I will join you In ten minutes, and The* rese will be ready to go to the servants' dining room in that time." "You have become a regular cosmo politan," laughed Neslerov. "Your vis Its to America and London have almost ~.. taken away the traces of our Russian ^habits." "Some of them could be well dispens* .ed with," she answered. Iu response to his summons a servant appeared and conducted the women to their rooms. "Now, what devilish luck could -have brought her here at this time?" said Neslerov to himself. "I must be cau tious. But It Is so long—she was not Jjorn—she can know nothing. But I must be discreet." "Well, we are here," said the prln- If* cess to her companion when they were alone. ."Now, obey me let me do the planning. Neslerov must not suspect us. It would ruin all, aud there Is no telling what lie might do. The govern or of a province In Siberia Is almost supreme." Her attendant shuddered. "I lived In dread of Siberia for twen ty years!" she said, with a shudder. "And now you have brought me here." "But not as a convict—as a friend, a woman, like myself, resolved to right A wrong." The princess was soon ready and Joined the governor In the dining room, "I have just been thinking, Olga," he «ald, bis face wreathed with smiles, •"that It Is at least three years since we met. Your face lias not changed much, but vou are now a woman and were then a little girl. You are one of the most beautiful \vomen In Russia." "Thank you." "And, I uiijilit say, the richest." "Nearly so. But the wealth brings Its responsibilities. It is difficult In £?'5~ Russia to do those things that are Just and proper with our wealth." "I never found It so," said tbe gov ij (X* ernor' with a laugh. •jl/ "Perhaps." said Olga, "you are not if Interested I11 «**\r ::s8i iii i:::::: the question. To me It Is a burning one. Our nobles have too .v-irr much wealth and our lower classes Sgf' have too little opportunity to rise. It Is not so In Englaud, France or Amerl ca." sails" "You had better leave those questions for older heads, priucess. You will be come involvixl with the government be fore you know.. .You were not born to wash' your bi-auty and talents In such matters. .u were born to be admired, to enjuy yo-ir wealth." "I do tn.1 my wealth and do what !i !o witli It As to being ait.i.UHi. I aicet few from whom admi ration seems to come with sincerity." "Qb. asrtpjttm4. r.«ksaiuot eiesctja w*-^v ower. VII t. -NegtHr.v.irutftj 1 ruwh b.i., y, 0 ,t aU x4 THE MYSTERY OF (iRASLOV A £Q Copyright, ltot, tv OharteM B. EUtertngUm Bmsmttssstixisimtttm ut. The blacksmith has talent and shows :. Ne-lar-'V a picture he has painted. It is the Slure. trtralt of a woman of rank copied from a min The prince is excited and asks for the .: iriKinal. Vladimir's father says It has been lost ..To Vladimir oh* Pauipoff confesses that he Ued to M'-slero? and still ta the miniature. III.— Neslerov hM the Paulpoffs sent to Siberia as '-illi kUV G'»rtlon goes to the forge with bo ka for Vladimir. At the door of tbe Joue hwt sh* OOuuutf rs Neslerov. The princu Pre,8e«M8 suit violently, nod Prances stunt mm wjtn a pis ol shut In the head, V.—Gordon wishes wis daughier to marry .lack Denton, »u mnman brldKe cnslnner. Frances demands *a'!it,r ot rcede with the governor for Vladmrr. The* start fo Obi. N-alerov bo»rds -thHjj m'tral .which re'k* tw .n« «s iHrov li a Knuices ..n« In find the courtiers at beauty's court all as grufF and outspoken aa a drosky driver." "1 have met some who were," she said, laughing pleasantly. They ate slowly, chatting the while. "You have not quenched my thirst for knowledge," said the governor. "If I were In St. Petersburg and you did me the honor to ask me to visit you. It would even then surprise me. But that you have come to Tomsk, more than half way across Siberia, to visit me Is, to say the least, amazing. The princess gave her silvery laugh again. "You are as conceited at any other nobleman I have met. 1 did not come to see you. I came, first, to ride on the new railway: second, to study the con ditions existing in this part of the em pire. and. third, to look Into this new proposition of the czar to Induce peas ants to settle in Siberia along the line of the railway. It is a very good Idea, If the country will support settlers." "It will under proper help from' the government at the start," replied Ne slerov. "I am glad you came to me. Wo shall have a fine time making our investigations." "I notice that you do not seem to have the free use of your arm," said Olga. "Have you been ill or injured?" "A Blight injury. I fell from an un ruly horse." "You must be more cautious. It must have been a wild beast. You have the name of being an excellent horseman." us tt1® l» •"orm a marriage ceremony. Jack i:ion O .I,IHH t«» th« rescue, \esl- r»»v Is beat ©DMfr Vil.-li 11011 nearly kills N'eklerovIn a du -s II -Jurk iruinl».eN Frtuues to SiVe li .HCkHmih. IX.— Jack palrn a dlwabled euuiueanti ii.uls carcontalniug the wonnded prince aul Kranoes toward Obi On the road they rae-t Gordon, returning with a special car for nis dauffbt^r. Frances will not expose Nes V, lerov's baseness. X.-V^slerov s-nds his crea -ture Jannky, chief of police, to the Siberian mines to recover the origin*! of Vladimir's pic l,- turefrom the* Pn-ilpoffa ulso to put Denton out of the way. secetly CHAPTER XI. TI1E PRINCESS OLOA T* train from Moscow came L\T~T1 snorting and scieaulng Into tbe station, and among the passengers, mostly officers and convicts or men connected with the railway, were two women. One of 1 .these was about fifty years of age, tL.n and subdued in appearance, and her fac* bore tbe marks of suppressed anxiety. Tbe other was scarcely more than a girl—twenty at most—but her carriage was noble, and her entire ap pearance that of one born to command. Her lovely fuce and well shaped head rose above a collar of ermine, although It was not winter. "To the palace of Keslcrov, governor of Tomsk," she said to a drosky driver, and she and her companion were soon on the way. Neslerov was at dinner when a serv ant announced the Princess Olga. "What about the Priucess Olga?" he .asked. "The princess is here—she has asked to see your excellency." "Here! Olga Neslerov, here!" rising from the table. He had improved much In the last few days, and his face wore :.a calm look that had not been there Blnce his meeting with Denton. He found the princess in the recep* tion room. "Princess Olga!" he exclaimed, kiss' lng her hand. "Fair cousin, what hap* py circumstance brought you here? And why have you come unannounced .' and unattended?" "1 saw no reason to herald my ap proach," she answered, "and I am not unattended. This is my attendant." When their meal was finished, they strolled together through the rooms of the palace. "I am quite Interested in your pal ace," said the princess. "It Is not the finest I have seen, but It is excellent. "My cousin, whom I have never teenP' she exclaimed. There are some barbarisms, but I pre sume you get accustomed to them—In Siberia." "Yes, In Siberia one gets accustomed to almost anything," he answered. She continued her inspection with In terest aud suddenly came to a stop be fore a painting. Neslerov's face be came a shade paler. "My cousin, whom I have never seenl" she exclaimed, clasping her hands and gazing raptly at the picture Vladimir had painted. "Surely, Nicho las, that must be Princess Alexandra, who married your elder brother." "I think you are mistaken," said Ne slerov. "You surely must have seen Alexandra." "Yes, when or mere Infant. It IB only from other portraits that I recognize her. She was very beautiful. Oh, what a terrible sorrow to herl To lose her child, heir to a fine estate and princely title, and then lose her own life, so young, with the horrible mys tery still unsolved as to whether she died of grief and a broken heart or by the hand of an enemy. Oh, that mys tery of Oraslov! Will It ever be solved!" "I fear not," said Neslerov solemnly, "I did not know you had this pic ture," said Olga. "It is much finer than any we have at home. It was done by a master hand." "It was," assented Neslerov. The painting had saddened Olga, and she passed on, making no more of her laughing criticisms. She soon returned to her rooms, where her attendant was awaiting her. The woman's fuce was pale, and she seemed to be struggling with emotion. Olga stood before her, with a peculiar light In her eyes. "Therese," she said, "an oil painting of my unfortunate cousin, Princess Alexandra, hangs in Neslerov's own room.' "What!" gasped the woman, starting up. Then, as some strange terror over I came her, she shuddered, and with the whispered cry "We are lost!" she fell to the floor unconscious. I CHAPTER XII. PRINCESS OLOA BEGINS TO ACT. OW, Therese, tell me what you have learned. Why did the fact that the picture of N Alexandra hangs upon the wall of Neslerov's room make you faint? You have learned something. Tell me." Therese was sitting In a chair, her face white and drawn, and in her eyes was a bewildered look. "It was not so much what I heard, princess, as what 1 knew and suspect ed," she answered. "I know what you know. I suspect what you suspect. Tell me what you heard," she said sternly. "It was iu the serfs' hall," she said In reply to the princess. "I was eat ing no one seemed to ask who I was, and they talked as servants do. Vladi mir Paulpoff is in danger of his life." Princess Olga gave a start, but re covered her composure. "Go on," she said. "Tell me all.1 "It seems there Is an American—I do not remember what they called him— but he Is an American who builds bridges over the rivers for the new railway. He knows Vladimir Paulpoff. He is also a friend of that American girl—you remember—we met at the fair in Moscow?" "Frances Gordon? I remember her. She gave liberally to the' charities, Well?" "It would seem from what I heard that the governor Is In love with her, and that she rejected htm, These things are il known among the serv ants. It seems the American and Ne- T 5 -V J~r Xs^f •T C* (^"V^-v^ Injured." 'He told me be fell from a horse. Go on." "It Is believed among the servants that Vladimir Is also In love with the American girl and that she Is in love with him. And the American—I don't know—but he may be In love with her alio." "Three lovers! She is fortunate—no. I would say most unfortunate. With one true and honorable lover any wo man Is fortunate, but with three—and one like Neslerov! It Is too mtufti." "You do not seem to suspect when the picture came from." "Do you mean the oil painting of my cousin, the Princess Alexandra?" "I mean It You say It hangs on the wall of Neslerov'B room. It Is undoubt edly the one painted by Vladimir." "And when Vladimir and his parents were sent to Siberia Neslerov took the painting?" "Yes. Vladimir Is talented, as yon know—at least as I have told you." 'Then Vladimir must be near this place." Therese shuddered again. "He Is—he Is in tbe dungeons under this palace," she whispered In terror. A sudden change came over the prin cess. She walked In agitation to and fro across the room. Then Neslerov must suspect that Vladimir holds the key to the mystery of Graslov," Bhe said, stopping again before Therese. "I do not know what he thinks. The American also is here under a charge of conspiring against the czar." Oh, then it becomes clearer. These Americans are shrewd. This one, per haps, In order to gratify his love of truth, has set himself the task of dis covering the truth about Oraslov." 'Who knows?" asked Therese. "But how would he know anything about the mystery of Graslov?" True, but you say Vladimir and the American girl are In love. Vladimir may have discovered something and told the girl. 8he may have told the American, who may not be a lover, but a friend. She may have enlisted his efforts in the task of unraveling the mystery." "It Is possible." "What else did you hear?" "Nothing that Is all. The American was arrested as he was about to leave for Perm. Vladimir was brought from Tlvoloffsky, a small village near here." By the orders of Neslerov?" It must be, since they are in the dungeons of his palace." "And that is all yon heard?' "All—everything." "It is enough to place me upon the right scent. You must not, however, give way to these fits of unconscious ness. Be stronger, be brave." 'It Is all very well, princess but if you had lived for twenty years with the horror of that crime overshadow ing you, with a constant fear of the Si berian mines weighing upon you, you would not be calm." Poor woman! I appreciate your feelings In the matter. But try to main tain your composure, for one mistake now, the slightest suspicion on the part of Neslerov, may destroy the efforts we have made during the last two years." "Six months, princess." "For you, since your husband died. 1 have been working upon this mystery since I returned from Paris two years ago. If God spares my life, 1 will avenge the crime that was committed against our branch of the Neslerovs." That evening the princess met Nesle rov In the dining room with no show of emotion. Her smile was as winning and her wit as sharp as ever. lI have not seen you during the aft ernoon, fair cousin," said Neslerov. 'But I have not forgotten you. I have been gathering the resources of Tomsk to give you a fitting welcome to our city. Tomorrow night there will be a reception and fete here in your honor." Tomorrow night? That is quickly done." 'It does not take long to arrange such a thing here. We have so few social pleasures that when the opportunity occurs we grasp It greedily. The offi cers of the garrison and the head offi cials, with their families, will attend. You must not expect to see tbe grand eur of a fete in St Petersburg or Par is." "It would weary me," said Olga. The perfecting arrangements for the fete made Neslerov hurry away, and Olga was soon left to herself. She had resolved upon certain plans, but the activity of the palace in the prepara tions for the coming festivities seemed destined to balk her. She roamed through the great rooms alone, scan ning the faces of those she met, speak ing to few, but watchful for the oppor tunity she craved. It was nearly midnight when she be came discouraged and went to her room. The servants of the palace were still at work arranging the rooms for the dance. But the princess did not retire. She sat down near a window and waited. From the ballroom windows the glare of lights spread out upon the surround ing trees and buildings. From below came voices of those who were making ready for the reception. Therese came In to prepare her mis tress for bed. Not yet, Therese," said the princess wearily. "I shall not retire." "You will make yourself 111," said Therese nervously. "Do not fear—I shall1, not be 111. But I am not ready for bed. I must wait— and act." "You will learn nothing tonight." "It is a night to learn. Leave me alone." Therese stood a moment watching the princess with a wistful, loving glance, and then she went to ber own room. The princess sat with scarcely a mo tion for more than two hours. An ob server might easily have supposed she bad gone to sleep. But suddeuly the glare of the lights from the ballroom died away, and the princess rose to her feet. "It Is finished," she said, "and they Ire weary. Tomorrow night will be a severe one, and they will retire at once. Some one must be on guard— I and gold Is powerful. Tonight 1 must Ion rn something." Still she waited and soon all was tflent in the palace. "I wonder if Neslerov is asleep," she said. "Neslerov! I could almost hate the name, though it Is my own. How so cruel and heartless a man became a member of our family I cannot con ceive. Even though the relationship la remote, some couslnshlps removed, I believe, yet I regret that auy should exiBt. No—not now—I am glad for were he not sufficient relation to war rant my presence In his detestable palace I could not have this oppor tunity to learn the- truth. Oh, Ne slerovl Vengeance will be mine—and It will be sweet" She had Incased her feet In light Pa risian slippers, and In these she step ped noiselessly from the room. The great bare corridor was dimly lighted I and no person could be seen, •lerov- tod a flgbt and Neslerov wa» I wu Aat«ugi 1 not because Olga feared. She was too powerful herself to fear injury In the palace of Neslerov. If the governor suspccted the purpose of her visit, she would be no longer welcome, and the solution «he had so long sought would be delayed. Silently she crept down the great winding stairs Into the main hall. This was a wide, high apartment, and from it opened many doors Into other apart ments. On one side were the offices of the government of the province, on tbe other tbe living rooms of the govern or's household. The doors upon the left, leading to the reception room, the governor's room, the great baUrocm and the din ing room, were clc.: eil. Two of those on the right WL: CY-'II. In one room there was a light, and from it came the subdued voices oi' nvo men and the odor of tobacco. The other room was dark. The process remembered these rootns. She had seen them In her In spection of tlio palace. That from which came the voices and In which a light was burning was the office of the superintendent of police. The one next to it was a smaller room, connected with the other by a door, which was locked. This small room had been In tended for an office, but was now used for tbe purpose of storing books, rec ords, police material and desks. It was part of the suit allotted to tbe superin tendent of police. Olga stood in the hall and listened. She beard the name of Paulpoff. With a fluttering heart she darted Into the darkened room and took up her posi tion near the closed door between that and the office. The two speakers sat near that door, with a round table between them, and upon the table was a supply of liquor and cigars. The work of prepariug the palace for the festivities on the following night did not come under the supervision of the police, but all connected with the palace were Interested, and these two were the last to retire. The speakers In that other room were Jansky, superintendent of police, and Inspector Unsgethop. "The whole thing is a complete mys tery to me," said Unsgethop, speaking somewhat thickly, having drunk con siderable liquor. "It is a mystery. First we receive one command, then another, and we do not know what to do. The governor is not wont to act thus." "You are not the first to have felt the Influence of this great mystery," said Jansky. "The governor is dis creet." "Oh, I said a complete mystery. I would not call it a great mystery. That would bring It to the dignity of a cele brated case." "So It Is. It is one of the most cele brated cases In all Russia." "That Is too much! One of the most celebrated cases in all Russia, and they have not been in the dungeons more than three days! The matter could scarcely have gone beyond Tomsk." "Nevertheless I spoke truly." "Then there Is something about it I do not know. When I reflect, It seems of course that this must be the case. Mfliilf "It is a viy&tcry. First we rccclve one command, then another." Else why should we receive secret or ders to capture—arrest, if you* like—an American and a convict already punish ed and—well, see that theybecome lost to the world?" Princess Olga gave a gasp as she heard this. "There is one thing about it," said Fnsgethop. who was now getting drunk enough to be independent and ludis creet. "!f something is not done soon 1 shnll wash my hands of it. 1 don't like the looks of It. Of course, one might kill a blacksmith convict and no inquiry would b? made, but that Amer ican—that Is different." "Keep quiet for a few days. Have yon not seen that the governor has a guest?" "Yes, a beautiful one." "That Is Princess Olga of the great nnd powerful Neslerovs. She Is dls tantlj related to the governor. And, since you are Interested, I will tell you the story as 1 know it." "Oh, there is a story, then. I thought so." "There Is a story, and It Is one which the governor would uot like to have brought into prominence while the priucess is here. The elder brother of Neslerov married Alexandra, a cousin of Priucess Olga. This was something like twenty-three or twenty-four years ago. No I think It must be twenty five or six. Well, they were well mated, those two. Prince Alexis was tbe heir to the great estate of Graslov and his hereditary title, besides being Prince Neslerov, was Duke of Graslov. A year or so after this happy marriage a son was born to this couple. Ho was named Alexis, after his father. He was a line young fellow, so I have heard, and grew sturdily. When he was a year old, or perhaps two, Prince Alexis died. Now, it so happened that the old Duke of Graslov, who was still living, had had a quarrel with Princess Alexandra. Her branch of the family was not friendly to his, and things did not go right, and they quarreled. Just what that had to do with the story I do not know, but 1 am telling you what everybody in Perm knew at that time. "At that time Prince Nicholas, now governor of Tomsk, was ftfteeu years of age, aud was the favorite of his father. It was commonly reported that the duke preferred to see his younger sou inherit the title aud estate rather than have It go to the sou of the priu cess. Anyway, one day, twenty years ago, the young prince, then about three years old, or perhaps less, was drowned In the Kama. At least that is what was said. The boy wandered away from his nurse and walked to tho river. Some of his gurments were found on the river bank, aud it would seem as though tbe little fellow had Intended to follow the example of the boys of the serfs he had seen and was going to take a river bath. However, the body was never found and the poor princess was broken hearted. In ff.tt.XA9 fi-yeur she. top, died, and at the time her branch Of the Neslerovs charged foul play. It was openly said they ac cused the old duke and Prince Nicho las of bavin.? murdered her. It was not proved and was not tried. The two branches remained at feud. The old duke died and i'rinee Nicholas entered into bis inheritance, but he has not used tbe title, probably out of con sideration for the feeliugs of bis rela tives. "Now we come down to the present day. It was openly charged by some of the other Neslerovs that the serv ants of the house of Graslov were In volved, and it was thought at one time that certain others not of the house hold knew something. Among these was the family of an Ironworker, Michael Paulpoff. consisting of himself, his wife and a child. But the Paul poffs disclaimed all knowledge, and were so stupid and iunocent looking that they were dropped from consid eration. But it seems that an enmity has long existed in their obscure minds against the governor, and they have been secretly working to fasten the murder of Princess Alexandra upon him. Whether they knew anything at the time or whether some oue dying told them, I do not kuow. Certain it is that they have some knowledge they will use agaiust our governor. They were sent to Siberia aud were uuable to work at the mystery. But this ac cursed American came and was inter ested. He swore he would fasten this murder upon Neslerov because Ne slerov had loved that American girl, daughter of Gordon, the eugineer. Now you see why the American, Den ton, and the powerful young black smith were arrested, aud why, even though In the dungeons, nothing more can be done until this princess leaves. Neslerov declares he Is innocent, but the power nnd influence of her family, if joined with the efforts of the Ameri can and the Paulpoffs, might destroy him. Am I understood?" "Yes, perfectly. Neslerov is ours, aud we are his. We must be loyal. Let the prisoners remain in the dungeons until we are free to act. Then—well, oven now we might forget to send them food." "That, Unsgethop, Is the very idea. The princess will dance merrily upon this floor while they starve to death*' on tbe one below." The two police officers chuckled, and Olga, having learned enough,- crept back to her room. She was passing through the upper corridor when she was startled by a shadow as of a man. A youug officer in command of the palace guard was making his rounds. He stopped short when he saw the prin cess then, discreet as all youug officers about the palace were, he saluted and was about to pass on. She stopped him. "Lieutenant," she said, "this Is my room. I wish to speak to you alone." He hesitated. He knew that she was the Princess Olga. He knew she would not seek his presence for pleasure. He feared the displeasure of Neslerov, but the winuing beauty of Olga conquered, nnd he slipped into her room. "What Is your name?" she asked, her manner turning at once to that of the stern woman of business. "Michael Dermsky, princess." "Your positiouV" "Lieutenant ot the guard." "How would you like to be a major of cavalry?" "Major of cavalry! Such a promotion at my age—from a lieutenant?" "It is possible—even more is possible. But you must obey me." "You are the Princess Olga, but I must obey the governor of Tomsk." "Walt," she said, and from a secret receptacle she took a folded p:iper upou which were a few words and a great seal. She held it for him to read. He dropped to his knees. "The seal of his majesty tho czar!" he said in an awestriekeu voice. "1 obey—command me—I obey." "Rise. When will you be relieved?" "Soon." "Come to me aud say uothing to any one." "I obey I will be dumb." Quickly, though she was weary, Olga sat down and wrote a letter. It was scarcely more than finished when the officer returned. "Is there not a train to Tobolsk this morning?" "There Is. The train your highuess came on returns today." "Take this letter to Tobolsk. Give it Into no other hand but that of Count do Muloff, governor general of western Siberia. Do you understand?" "I do. And if the governor should"— "Remain at Tobolsk. I have arrang ed for that In the letter. You need never fear the present governor of Tomsk." He bowed, placed the letter in his bosom and retired. With a sigh of weariness and of relief the princess threw herself upon her bed and was Boon asleep. (TO BB CONTINUED.] IK* 12nrly Proiiilne. "Does my boy," inquired the parent, "seem to have a natural bent in any one direct ion?" "Yes, sir," said the teacher "he gives every indication of being a captain of industry some day. He gets the other boys to do all his work for him."—Chi cago Tribune. Mrs. Bjones—Your husband, 1 hear, is quite versatile. Mrs. Urowu-Smythe— Versatile is no name for it. Why, he eau actually stay out late every night in the week uud not give the same excuse twice.— Philadelphia Record. An Iiifallihlc Iti'Miilt. Brlggs—My wife has had a wonder ful cure. She has recovered her voice after being unable to utter a word for uearly six mouths. Griggs—You don't moan it! How did it come about? Brlggs—In the most unexpected way. We happened to call at a neighbor's where they were playing cards. We thought we might as well lake a Land. What was the result? In less than live minutes my wife was asking in a strong, clear voice, "What's trumps?" •-Boston Transcript. lSternlty. An unconventional preacher under took to give his hearers a vivid con ception of eternity. This is the way he did it: "If a little sparrow were to dip its bill iu the Atlantic ocean and take one drop of water and then take one hop a day across the country aud put that drop in the Pacific ocean and then hop back to the Atlantic, one hop a day, until the Atlantic was dry as a bone, It wouldn't be sun-up in hades." Bnd Brfflnnlne Mnkcn Qnlrk Hiullnt "So the engagement's oft":" "Yes she advised him to practice economy, and he started in by getting her an imitation diamond."—Detroit Free Press. Russians who are religious do uot eat pigeons because of the sanctity cou 1 ferred.oa the dfrccJu .the. Scriptures Don't he Impoeed upon by taking substitute oflVred for Foley's Honey and Tar. Sold by Denton & W ard. The newest lighthouse on the French coast shows a visible at a dis tance of 39 nau'tleal miles in clear weather. It is situated on tho Isle Vierge, oil the French coast, to the northeast ot Ushant, tt'G lantern being 24.4 feet above sea level. Foley's lloney and Tar positively cures all throat and lung diseases, lie fuse substitutes. Sold by Denton & Ward. Better lose your argument than your friend.—Ram's Horn. Report from the Reform School. J. U. Giuck, Superintendent, Prunty town, \V Va., writes: "After trying all other advertistd cough medicines we have decidtd to use Foley's Honey aud Tar exclusively in the West Virginia Uelorm School. I find it the moBt ef fective aud absolutely harmless." Sold by Denton & Ward. An indubtrial and agricultural school for colored youths of Maryland was opened last month near Laurel, in that stute. A Timely Topic. At th stasen ol coughs and colds it •swell to MIOW thut Foley"« Houey and Tar is the greatest throat and lung re uirdy. It cur« quickly aud prevents nerinus results lrutn a cold. Sold by Deuton & Ward, A recent report shows that 2,o(M Christians were murdered in 1001 by the Turks. Iu only 01 cases were the murderers puuished, and then with not more than four years' imprisonment. Coughs, Colds, and Constipation, few people reatz« when takingcuugh Qirillumen oilier linn Foley's llonej arid Tar, t..attheyuoii'ui:) opiateu which ate conulipating besides beiug unsafe, particularly for children. Foley's lluney and Tar coutaiiiB no opiates, is sale auu sure and will not constipale. Sold Us Denton & Ward. A melon patch in a cornfield will sometimes neutralize the work of the local Sunday school. Boy's Life Saved from jHembranoup Croup. C. W. Lynch,a prominent citizun id' Winclwsler, lud urileB, "My little bo-, had a severe attack of menibrauonV croup, aud only got relief alter taking Foley's Honey and Tar He got reiin after line rinse and I feel that it saved the life of my boy," Refuse substitute!'. •Mtfd liy Denton Ward. Meat originally meant any kind of food. A Cold Wavo The fttreeaKt of sudden changes in the member serves notiee that a hoatse voiee and a heavv WHIRII may invade 'lie sanctity of health in vour own home Cautious people have a bottle of One Minute Cough uie always at hat"i E il, V\ ise, Madison, writen "1 am Indebted to t)::e Minute Cough Cure for my present good health, and nrol.ably my life. It rur-« Cough Cold«. L-(iri|.p.-,Il'oncliitis, Pneumonia nd all Tl'roat and Lm ir tr- nhles. One innte Couch Cure cuts the I'lileum, draws ou the ii ll-iumitic heals mid .'oothp« the mi us rm-m brmiMs and strengthens the lung' -Mliith Hros. The largest dotte in the world is that •f the Lutheran church at Warsaw. I's interior diameter is 200 feet. Ti at of the Uritish museum library is 130 feet. Kudol Dyspepsia Cure Digests all clai-ses of food, tones ana -trengtlieus the stomach and digestive Tgans. Cures Dyspepsia, Indigestion, Stomach Troubles, and makes rich red blood, health and strength. Kod»i re builds wornout tissues, puriiies.str'i'g'h ens und sweetens the stomach. Gov. W. Atkinson, of \V. Va., says: 1 have a do a id iV'- found it to iie a very t-ITective aud, Indeed, a powerful remedy for stomach ailments. I recommend it to mi friends. Smith Hros. Improvement of Corn. "Uncle Henry" Wuiiuce.is devoting it gond deal of space iu his paper Wal laces' Farmer to the Improvenii-ni ol iOA'aCoru lie calls attention to tlie fact that while the Iowa Farmer hut lieen improving hie live stock for twi-u ty vears and more he has given ven lit-le attention to the great Io'.\a corn \moug the many urtlfles w11n• have appeared in Wallace's Furiuer ui this subject has been a serlas by 1'rol ShamH, of Illinois, the com'expert, and these are illustrated by a number of photographs showing different va rieties of corn, perlect aud Imperfect ears, the most prolitable to raise, etc. The average Iowa farmer thinks h. knovvs as much about corn as auyhod does but we mlSB our euess if he can not learn lot from these articles ii Wallaces' Farmtr. In this connection we wish to Ba\ that Wallaces' Farmer is one of th he«t HKricultural papers that comes to this ollice. It Is handsomely printed on paper of line quality, tilled with at tractive illustrations, and ill addition to its regular featureB, its editorials by "Uncle Henry," its departments of Dairying, Horticulture, the Hog and l'oultry, Its Home Department, for the women contains full reports of the leading fairs, live stock shows, and sales, agricultural meetings, etc. It is published weekly at Des Moines, Iowa' at S51.00 a yeur, all subscriptions pay able in advance and the paper stop* when the time is out. We can send Wallaces' Farmer and the Democrat both one year for only 2.25 and you gei one of our nice premiums. Apply ai the Democrat olllne. What's a Name Everything i9 In the name when it comes to Witch Hazel Salve. K. C. De Witt & Ho. of Chicago, difcovered, some years ago, how to make a salve from Witch Hazel that is a specific for Files. For Piles, eczema, cuts, urns, bruises and all skin diseases DBWitt's Salve han no equal. This has given rise to numerous worthless counterfeits. Ask for De Witt's—the genuine, Smith Bios. •Mi -S-js'iSaSj ,_w Cv- «& V, /I frffi' ^"1 'P^M*'" TiivvtM&ra 4 Much Reading for Little Money. TheNew York World has got the cost of printing down to a minimum, Its latest offer of its monthly newspa per-magazine is interesting if from no other cause than it shows the acme of 'how much for how little," The Month ly World is a 32 page magazine with colored cover. Its pBges are about the Bize of the pages of the Ladies Home Journal, and it is copiously illustrated in half-tone. The illustrations are the results of the best artistic skill, aided by all the latest printlng-presB appli ances, making a magazine unrivalled in the quality of its contents and its ap pearances. Each issue contains stories of romance, love, adventure, travel stories of lictioa and fact stories of thingB quaint and curious, gathered to gether from all over the worffl the re sults of scientific research, and editor ial reviews. It numbers among its contributors the leading literary men and women of the day. A feature each mouth is fiiil -page portrait of the most fam man or woman of th moment in the public eye. In collect ing and preparing fur publication the literary matter and art subjects for the Monthly World no expense is spared. The New Vork World will send six numbers of this newspaper-magazine on receipt of fifteen centB in stampB. Address The World, l'ulitzer Building, Xew York. Farm For Sale. A flu'4 Stock and Dairy farm of 200 acres 5 miles south of Mjinehcstor, mile from ntilroad station mat creamery Cumfortabl'- houso, L'Ond Ijorso ami cow ham, liotf house coru cribs ami other out buildings, a line well of water with wind mill attached, 10 acres of splendid timber 3 miles ea-t of farm will be sold with phimjif desired. For terms ii.qulro of AnsKit J,^tf In France it is illegal to catch frogf at night. A kidney or bladdir trouble can u! WUJB be cured by usiug Foley's Kidney Cureiii time. tiulti by Dtinou & Wnr.i. The records left by the l'iioeneciaus, Assyrians and ancient l'ersians show thut among all tbote nations the use ot perfumes was very common. A Tbousaod Dollar's Worth of aood. A. II. Thurnes, a well known coal operator ot liutl'alo, O writes, "I have been afflicted with kidney awl bladder trouble for yeirs, passing gravel ir stones with excruciating pain. 1 got 110 relief irom nienictnes' until 1 t'lkiug Foley's Kidney Cure, then the result was surprising. A few doses •iturted the brick dust like line stones and now I have no pain across m\ Kidneys and I feel like a new niaii it has does rae a .31000 "ortli of good Sold by Denton & Ward. DUNHAM OH O. A. DUNHAM, Munchesti r, Iowa. at present is that of Goal We have 011 hand choice assortment of the most desirable grades of soft coal at the lowest prices consistent with the market. All coal promises,to be scarce later in the season and prices will rule higher. HOLLISTER 5 LUMBER COMPANY. The Ei'trular anil Reliable Chi •ago Specialist will lie at Jlan •hoster, Clarence House, Monday, Dec. 29, one clay only nnd return once every 28 days. Office hours 8 a. m. to (i p. m. dependence, Gedney Hotel, Tuesday, Dee. 3D. ww inumanentiy tne castas no unnertaKes \v-\ sends io iiicnrablp aome without tukluc .•uurom thorn. This Is why ho coutluues his Mta year after r. wh.le other doctors have '.lo a few* visits aud stopped. l)r. Shallonbcr an eminently successful specialist In all mule diseases, proven by tt-o many cures H-o'ed iti ehroulc cases which TO baffled tho ill of all other pliysiclaus. Ills hospital ox •noueo and oxtensivo pr "co have made him -i pi otlclent that ho cau name and locate a die. •:io In afo.-minutes. .Treats all -able es of Catarrh, NTosc, jiroat and tg v.soases. llyo ud L..r, .tomach, Liver and Kl.«neys, Gravel, euma* sin, Paralysis, JsVuroMa, Nervous and Heart Msoasos. Blood S.»ln aises, Uepsy, :rights Discaso Co* umptlon hi early -Useases ftheliladUorandFcmal' Organs, '.Wmoraiid Tobacco habit. Stammorln cured ntl^uremethods to prevent its recurrence {riven. A uoverkfaUliitf remedy Bis Neck. PILES, lasTULA- an. UUPTUKE truaran* vl cured without detention from business, uttention Riven to all Surgical jui«l oil diseases of tlio Eye, J£ar. X«s«! umt Thront. (iln.vHc.H iitt«-inm1 guiii-mitecd. Granulated .!.!*,Catara«t, Cross liyes straightened without •rtm. NERVOUS DEBILITY. Are you nervous and despondent: weak and uclulitated tired morulas: no ambition—life .vss memory poor easily latifnied excitable .mil Irritable eyes sunken, red and blurred: pimples on face dreams nnd night losses: rest less, JinuKard looking: weak back deposit In Mm* aud drains at stool: distrustful* want of confidence: lack of energy nnd strength? Private Diseases a Spec ialty, Iliood1 Poiron, Nervousness, Plzzlness, De* octlve Memory and other Hilments which rulQ body and inlnd positively cured. WONDERFUL CURES Perfected In old cases which have been ne*. leoted or unsklllfully treated. No experiments pr failures, ilo undertakes no incuraole oases, but euro thousands given up to die. Consultation Free and Confidential. Address, DR. WILBERT SHAI.LENBER6ER, 146 Oakwood Blvd., Chloaqo Reference: Dvexel State Bank. -VSM*»:r M.FLEROYPrem. H. A. GRANGER Caahle B. G. HE3NBR, Asst. Cashier A. H. BLAKE. ut v. President. H. o, Haeberle, and, V. Prattdontj BANK. MANCHESTER. IOWA. CAPITAL. $50*000 General Banking FOB BENT. prHHicrcRa. R.R.RcWnB°n. H-JjUB.,, H. A. rancor, 5® H. O.Hfteberlti CORRXSPONBEaTTS. First National Bank, Dubuaue, Iowa. Central National Bank New York City. Commercial National Bank. Cfaloago, Ilia. Compound Vapor and Sham poo Baths. Baths SOLID STERLING SILVER FORKS, TABLE, DESERT and TEA SPOONS, NAPKIN RINGS, ETC., ETC., ETC Also large line of Best Brands of— SILVER PLATED SPOONS, FORKS, KNIVES, TEA SETS, WATER SETS CAKE BASKETS, BUTTER DISHES, ETC., ETC. CARVING KNIVES and FORKS, LADIES GUARD CHAINS, GENTS VEST CHAINS, EMBLEM RINGS, CHARMS, LOCK- ETS, GOLD SPECTACLES, MAN TEL CLOCKS, SILK UMBREL LAS, GOLD PENS. ?, Come and see the many things ratf have not space to list. 3 BOYNTON & M'EWEN Delaware County Manchester, Iowa. Capital and Surplus $90,000. OFFICERS WM, C. CAWLEY, R. W. TIKKILL, CHAS.J. SEEDS, O. W. KEAGY, wM^Cif£vv^Y' '-M "J ', 1 ^j,' w&msm?, siiiiliiiiiiliai -if' BllSinOSS Transacted. Interest Paid on Time Deposits. SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES MoBt all dis eases are caused by poisonous sec retlons, which: olog the wheels' of NATURE. Vapor and Shampoo. The name and' the symptoms may be different but the cauBe of disease can us ually be traced: to the imperiect action ol the millions of poreB of the human body. A bath in accordance with scientific require ments is the best preventative and remedy known. The methods employ ed by me are the most scientific ever invented or discoveied 'or dispelling disease. Results tell tn« dtory. Give me a trial. This is the Conant system of baths. A competent lady attendant In charge of the fadiesdepartment. Office and bath roomB on Franklin street, opposite Globe Hotel. Q. D. QATC8. gOYNTON M'EWEN HAVE Ladies and dents dold Watches in all sizes kinds and styleB, Ladles, dents and Chrildrens Rings from DIAMONDS, OPALS, EMER ALDS, PEARLS,ETC., down to PLAIN GOLD BANDS. WEDDING RINGS. vrtsi J!1/® 1 President. Vice President Cashier. Asi't. Cashier. DIREOTORS W- TIRRILL. W. G. KEN\ON. H. F. ARNOLD M. H. WIU 18TON. GEO. W DUNBAM E. P. SEEDS. O. W. KEAGY CHAS. J. SEEDS. A general banking business transacted In all branches. Drafts sold, payable anywhere In the United Mates, England, Ireland and Europe. Interest paid on Time Deposits at current rates, whielt can be made in any sum from one dollar up. Deposit Boxes for rent, tot the storage ot valuable papers, etc., all guarded toy tlffixlocks. Steamship Tickets for sale to and trom all parts of Europe. Private personal checking accounts received from ladles. r„n50.bi?n,?i5B bu?lnea9 of the public Is respect- fully solicited, und we assure all our customers ®very^aocomm°datiou consistent with good trail- When you want Fine Furniture Ai* Fair Prices GO TO Werkmeister's AT Earlville. JUndertaking Solicited F. WERKMEISTER, Iowai -m 3 •5 A\f ri-Ji 4 1