Newspaper Page Text
r?c2?_9lzes il p® Its & TT UM' 'f2)i Copyrffffit, 1901, by Charles D. Etherington CHAPTER I.—Pnnco Neslerov wants to mar ry Frances Uordon, the charming daughter of un American who is building the Trnnsstberhu railroad. Frances is Interested In the for tunes of Vladimir l'aulpofT. a stalwart Russian blacksmith. Kbe asks Neslerov to mo his inllu oneo for Vladimir. II.—Neslerov goes to Vladi rmr hut. The blacksmith has talent and shows rioslerova picture he has painted. It is tho portrait of a woman of rank copied from a min iature. Tim prince 1K excltod and asks for tho anginal, Vladimir's father says It has been tost To Vladimir old Paulpoff confesses that he Uod to Noslerov and still has the miulaturo. HI.— Xesleror bas the raulpoffs sent to Siberia as nihilists. Frances Uordon noes to the forge with books for Vladimir. At the door of the Ione,y hut she encounters Neslerov. The prtneo presses Ms salt violently, aud Frances stuns him with a pistol shot In the bead. V.—Uordon wishes bis daughter to marry .lack Denton, an American bridge cnglueer. Frances demands that her father Intercede with the governor for Vladimir. They start for Obi. Nesferov boirds the same train, which breaks in two, and Nea ieroy has Frances alono In his power. VI1 Neslerov drags Kranoes before a priest and Imis mm to perform a marriage ceremouy. Jack Denton comes to tho rescue. Neslerov Is beat *.n °.ff* VlI*-*lenton nearly kills Neslerov In a duel. Vlll.—Jaok promises Francos to savo the blacksmith. IX.—Jack repair* a disabled engtae aod hauls a oar containing tho wouuded prinoeand Frances toward Obi. On the road they meet Gordon, returning with a special oar for Ills daughter. Francos will not expose Nos lerov baaeuess. X,—Neslerov sends his crea tare Janaky. oblef of police, to tho Siberian mines to reoover tho original of Vladimir's pio* turefrom the Faulpoffs also to nut Denton out of the way, socrotly XI -Princess oiga. counln of Neslerov, visits tbe palace at Tomsk, she !o 1,10 ac.°- Vladimir picture tho portrait or Prlucess Alexandra, the docoased wife of Nesierov's brother, and conneoted with a mys S™*"- X»I*T7P'toeeu 5S*r0B Olga secretly l~e Blory of Vladimir. Jack Denton. Frances Gordon and Neslerov. Vladimir and Jaok are prisoners In dungeons under the pat- The dead Princess Alexandra has a son who disappeared In childhood and was reporred drowned. UewasheirtotheGrasiovand Nes lerov estates. The body was never found, and it was,aid that his mother was murdered by Prince Neslerov'x father. XIII.—Princess 01- 6a has for a confederate one Therese, wbo has a ey to £he mystery of Grasiov, the fate of Prin cess Alexandria and the missing boy. The women plot to release Jack and VUditnir. After drugging the prisou keepers they d*scend to the tults and get lost in the winding passages. XIV.—Jack Denton is released, but Vladimir c-innot be found. Jack goes away to, fetch Papa Paulpoff, who can unravci the mystery of Oraslov. XV.—Neslerov sends jansky and his assistant, Unsgethop, In pursalt of Denton. Si o" CHAPTi:r. xvi. V^ -•'•••MAMMA I'An.l'OFF AVEXOED. I was midnight In Tomsk, nnrt the palnee of the Rovernor wns still. Jansky and Unsjrotliop had ridden away to overtake Denton at Tlvo loffsUy, Itzit was at hifn post In the guardhouse and the new lieutenant of the palace guard paced his measures through the deserted corridors. But Neslerov was not naleep. Fever ish and impatient, lie sat In his room, awaiting the return of his police with the American, whose liberty was a unenace to the life of Neslerov. He tlrank deeply from time to time from a bottle 'that stood on his table. If he spoke, he did It with a loud voice, but no one was near. Ills thoughts were spoken thus, as with a man lialf mad with fear. "Heavens!" he said as he drank again. "If he reaches Perm, and the truth Is known, I shall—what will be come of me?" •t&k. He started as a light footstep sound (dton the hard iloor, and his haggard fiicVgrew paler as Princess Olga en- "Why are you awake?' ho asked harshly. He was too excited to think of phrases. "I could not sleep, and I knew you were not In bed," she answered. "I came to talk." He stared at her. In hlB eyes she was as beautiful even ns Frances Gor don, but his danger made him think her a tigress seeking to devour him. Yet he dared not show It. "Why are you alone?" asked Olga. "You usually have Jansky, the super intendent of police, with you?" "Jansky Is away. A noted prisoner has escaped and the superintendent bas gone to retake him." "I heard a commotion. I supposed It was something of that kind. Was It a Russian?" "Yes-a nihilist." "I hope they will capture him." "They will! They must!" said Ne slerov flwcely. Olga's eyes were veiled—they did not betray her thoughts. sphere Is much concerning this sys tliat Is new to me, and It will take for me to learn It all. I am al eady weary with the little I have done." "Better leave It alone. It Is a busi ness for mcu, not princesses said Ne slerov. "The study has made me wakeful. Bring me some wine." He opened a bottle. "It has puzzled me why you do not marry," he said, trying to hide his fear of bcr as he poured out a glass of wine. "Why should I?" she asked. "I have not yet found among the nobles of Russia the man I would marry." "What sort of man must be be to please you, cousin?" He was sparriug for time. Any hour might bring Jansky back with Denton. Then he could play his part In safety. But with Denton at liberty he dared not act. "Ob," said Olga, "to please me a man must be honorable, strong and wise. He must not be bound by custom, nor yet must he scorn it. There are ways— In the world we live In there are ways —of being great without being eccentric and without following the lead of oth ers. A man whom I love must be pa tient and must not use his strength against the weak." A sarcastic 6mile crosscd his Hps. "You must look outside of Russia," lie said. "Perhaps," she answered. "But you have not pledged me. Must~I drink alone?" His eyes snapped with the remem brance that Jansky and Itzig had been drugged. But she was s6 handsome, so smiling, that no sign of evil lutent was In her face. "From your hand," he answered, with a »liow of gallantry. She poured him a glass of wine, and i*. they drank. For a moment he waltea, as If half expecting fo fall asleep. But the wine had uo 111 effect, and they chatted on. But Neslerov grew more Impatient as the night wore on. Why did this girl persist In staying up and talking to him? What was In her mind? Was there ar.otliy piotK4|e^ paced to and fro in the room as he spoke. When his hack was turned, she made a quick movement and dropped something—not into the wine bottle, but Into tho bottle of liquor from which Neslerov drank. "I think I will retire," said the prin cess. "It is late, and perhaps I can sleep now." "I hope you will And rest," he said. i-TiSf wen* ou'- Neslerov watched her 3 With a dark, saturnine face. What did ghe i^egn? He_poured out a liberal "C «\j ^.Ap ,5J",, ,**? A* »tr THE MYSTERY OF QRASLOV •v/* t. A Towne dose of liquor, 'l'lit* wine wa« too weak for him. lit* needi'd something to steady his shaken m-i-ves. He drank It. In live minutes he was staring blankly at himself In a glass. "What Is Ihis—this feeling?" he muttered. "That she devil! I am poi soned! What trick Is this? Help! Guard! lieutenant of the guard!" The young olUcer heard, and ran to him. "Your excellency called," he said. "Yes—quick—I am poisoned—I a*4 drowsy—-bring Princess Olga—quick* The lieutenant, wild with apprehen sion, rushed to Olga's room. "His excellency the governor wt:nts you!" he panted. "He Is poisoned." "He is not poisoned," answered Olgt. calmly. "He is merely going to sleep. I want you to stay away from him, and I want you to keep quiet." The ollieer stared. "What do you mean? He Is III! Tho governor called me aud seut for you." "I nm golug to him, but you must not." "But I must. It is my duty!" "Whom do you obey?" "Neslerov, governor of Tomsk." "Then from this moment you obey me. Read this!" She placed before him the same pa per she had shown Dernisky.hls fellow officer. Ills eyes started from his bead. "The seal of the czar!" he cried, and he, like Dermsky. fell to his knees. "I obey—command me!" he exclaimed. "Remain quiet. I did not come to Tomsk for nothing. This night will mean much to Russia. Work will be done that will right a terrible wrong. All you need do Is to remain quiet and do not attempt to interfere." "I dare not!" he said. "You have the seal of the czar! It couimauds all to obey you! I obey!" She left him, staring and wondering, aud went to Neslerov. The governor was drooping. He opeued his eyes as she entered. "You!" he hissed as he tried to regain his strength. He would have killed her. "Yes, I!" she answered quietly. "You will sleep. It will uot be long." "What will you do?" he asked, with a curse. "My work," she auswered. "I shall release him—Vladimir." He mnde a treineudous effort to rise and smite her, but fell with a groan to the floor. Quickly Olga, taking a pistol from her pocket, rau across the ball to Itzig. "You I" he cried as she entered. "You brought me wine that was drugged, aud my prisoner escaped." "True," said Olga. "And now the other. You were with Junsky and the governor when they visited him. You know where he Is." "I know not," grumbled Itzig. "That Is false. I heard them speak of you to Uusgethop. Will you guide me to his duugeou? Open the door!" "I canuot. The key Is with JanBky. It is never out of ills hands." "Oh, heaven!" cried Olga. "Have I made this terrible mistake?" "The key Is Jausky's," said Itzig. "No one goes to the dungeon save by his orders." "Break dowu the door." "Impossible! It 19 heavy oak. I have uo ax." She turned from him and fled to the stairs. "Lieutenant!" The young officer, with visions of mines and the knout aud wondering where this complication would end, answered her. "Come here," she said. "I want this door opened." He looked at the door and at Itzig. "Jansky has the key, and he Is gone," said Itzig. "We must open it, If the princess says so," said the officcr. "What! You disloyal to Neslerov?" The officer smiled aud looked at Olga. "We must tuke off the hinges," he 6aid. "I will got the tools." He was gone but a moment, and when he returned he attacked the screws that held the great Iron hluges. "I will alarm the governor!" cried It zig, leaping upon him. "Stand back! Keep your hands off!" ordered Olga, aiming her revolver at him. "I have commanded, and I will be obeyed!" "You have no authority!" said Itzig. cowering before the pistol. "I have this." She showed him the paper. His face grew white, and he sank shivering .to the floor. "The seal of the czar! Oh, princess, 1 did uot know! I obey! I will do any* thing!" "Help open the door." The hinges were soon off and the door was opened. The iron gate re sisted the united efforts of tho two, but they sawed out the lock. "Take the lantern!" commanded the princess. Trembling in every fiber, Itzig light ed a lantern. "Lead the way to the dungeon where Vladimir is concealed." "I obey." "And I will guard you, princess," said the officer. Thus they descended the stairs, Itzig leading with the lantern, Olga follow ing aud the officer close behind her ready to protect her. Potent was the seal of the czar. They found the giant blacksmith in his chains. The hunger he felt had not yet sapped his strength. The key the princess had taken from its peg soon re as "Come!" she said. "But who are you.'and what does this mean?" be demanded. "Come! We havo no time to waste with words. Tonight you have the work of your life to do. Come!" The four ascended, and Itzig extin guished his lantern. The eyes of Vlad imir blinked as he entered the great ball, which was kept lighted all night. "You are Vladimir," said the prln "cess- "I am Olga of the Neslerovs. Do you ftlicw the story of the picture?" "The iHtl£ picture," cried Vladimir eagerly—"thelittle one that Papa Paul poff said he foUu3? Yes be told it to me and to the African ono day In the hut at Tivoloffsky."s"*L "Then you know tluKtrutb. The American was to go to Pern^and start the Investigation." PIP "Yes, but he was brought here^^ajf "I released him last night. He "Went bere .to Tlvoloffsky to bring papa i'jiulpon to tell his' story before the governor £eucral, who has not yet ar rived. .fAffeky, the superintendent of police, igph UuFgethop have goue to fetch hftiL Thry will kill him they will nourish taking hint alive. It is your fluty to ride to Tlvoloffsky—ride ns for your own life—and save the American eud Papa Paulpoff. Bring Hieu) bere. Do you understand?" "Yes but a horse." "Meutepaut, In the name of the czar, the fl«et?8t horse in the stables for VladlmlK" 'i otyey—the fleetest horse." "Yo0 must be famished." said Olga. "Will you eatr "Efltl Wltb the American and Papa Pnui)off in danger! No but a drink of wim Uc watched her as she stepped into Ne lerov'8 room. He saw the governor. ••.-Jeslerov!" he said, "is ho dead?" No. I drugged his liquor, nere is WHIP. It Is not drugged. I drank of it myself." Vie drained the glass, and the officer itereil. rTlie horse is at the door, princess. I woke no oue at the stables. I saddled the Bleed myself." "Good. You will be a captain tomor row. Now, Vladimir, go!" He mounted and was off. He fol lowed the line of the new railway and could not lose his way. His horse was fast, the best horse In Neslerov's sta ble. "For the American! For Frances! For the honor of Graslov!" muttered Vladimir as he strove to Increase his horse's speed. I\e passed through villages asleep under the bright stars. The hoofs of his horse rang out on the pebbles of oue r*»od ov sank into the mud of an other. But on he went. Tlvoloffsky, like ali the other villages, was asleep. Its qui't was rudely disturbed by the hammeitug of the iron shoes as the horse here him through the silent streets, lllgjit well he knew the way to the hut where Mamma Paulpoff was murdered. Tv:o horses stood before the door. His own dashed up and whinuiod. The werofefrom the gov ernor's stables. Llke a madman he leaped from the saddle "to the ground. He heard shouts, a uistol shot. It was somethlug ilke a (Jemon that Jansky and Unsgetlu'p saw coming In like a whirlwind. In corner crouch- He brought their head* together with a crash. ed Papa Paulpoff, trembling aud white with terror. On the lloor lay Deuton, unconscious, with the mark of a bullet in his forehead and the blood stream ing over his upturned face. Jansky was bending over him. 'Who Is this?" cried'Unsgethop as Vladimir entered. The blazing eyes of the avenger took in the whole scene. A small lantern stood ou the floor. 'I am your master!" cried the black smith, and the words were as If roared by a lion. With a leap he landed between the two. Jansky's pistol and Unsgethop's knife were drawn. Vladimir's light hand closed on Unsgethop's neck. His left Bhot toward Jansky, and the super intendent of police was powerless in that terrible grasp. "Now pray to heaven," cried Vladi mir, "for this hour Is to be your last! In this house you killed that poor old woman who had loved me. Here you have come to kill the American and Papa Paulpoff. Die like the dogs of murder that you are! For your crimes take this! And this!" With his muscles of iron he brought their heads together with a crash. "And this!" repeated Vladimir, swing ing them apart and then together agalu. Flinging Jansky from him with a curse, he stooped quickly, seized Uns gethop by the legs and swung him In the air. He brought his head against the rude wooden wall, aud the blood spurted from his mouth. Jansky, with chattering teeth, tried to get his pistol aimed at the giaut's head, but Vladimir caught him round the waist and sent him, as an Indian throws a spear, Into the corner of the room, where ho lay motionless with a broken neck. "Come, Papa Paulpoff," ordered Vlad imir. "You are not Injured. You are needed at Tomsk at once. But first 1 must get this poor fellow to a priest." He picked up the bleeding and un conscious Denton and set off with him to a nearby cottage. The priest admit ted him, knowing his voice. "What Is your burden?" cried tho priest. "What terrible thing has been done In Tlvoloffsky tonight?" "Nothing much," said Vladimir calm ly. "I have killed two wolves." [TO BE COimiTOBD.i DONALD ... li DONALDSON. JR. I BCVIQ a True Record and Explanation of the Seven Mysteries How Asso ciated With His Name In the Publio Mind, and of mttiitf an Eighth, Which Is the Key of the Seven By HOWARD FIELDING Copyright, 1003, by Charles W. Hooke "You'd be as much puzzled if you Baw the original," he Baid, and this proved to be no exaggeration. "The youth, I think, is in tho lower part of the face. What a pretty mouth and chin! Did you ever see such a pretty, mouth and chin? There's all the dim pled sweetness, all the quick seusltlve ness of girlhood, and yet no weakness. But there's a calmness in the forehead and eyes—the eyes a bit long, as you notice, with very delicately marked brows. The eyes are deep blue aud all the coloring exquisite. Her hair is like the gold of Ophlr. It may seem bad taste for me to run on like thlB," fea added suddenly, "but Miss yaushifr jiMii|ii.jiiuiiU(HLumii|iii.w •t-i'-. "-V" beauty is such a simple and natural thing that one feels no hesitation in speaking of it. Why, even in her pres ence I sometimes find myself—howev er, that's neither here nor there. You asked how old she was. She'll bo eighteen next week." "If the young lady's peculiar powers are of interest to science," said I, "It would seem as If somo financial ar rangement might be made whereby"— "We've suggested that, but she won't listen to it," he Interrupted. "The queer part of It is that Miss Vaughn insists that she has no iowcrs which are not shared by all our species. Sho has, though." \\*e bad reaohed l!urnham's lodgings by this lime, and there we conversed for n:2 r,r the subject of the j.a which had been made in the ease of Miss Vaughn. They ctned to ir.e t, possess the vague and unsatisfactory character which I had learned to associate with common fraudulent practices. The young lady answered questions con cerning mutters of which she was sup posed to have no knowledge, peculiar ities of persons whom she had not seen, incidents in the lives of the ques tioners or of their friends. It was not able that she passed into no state of trance or mesmeric sleep. She remain ed entirely normal, not even exhibiting the excessive fatigue which usually follows such manifestations. She did show repugnance, however, and was always more pleased wheu she failed than when she succeeded. After a se ries of failures she would laugh almost hysterically and display a childish re lief and delight. Her successes de pressed her. The best of them, so far as I could learn, were not conclusive, but there were some that were hard to explain upon any natural hypothesis, and they must have been extremely startling to the Inquirers. As Burnham continued to speak I be came less hopeful of Miss Vaughn as a possible subject of investigation, less interested in her us a psychic, but far more interested In her as a woman. Souiehow the words of this fiery but hopeless lover, this poor little, thin, dark, ugly faced fellow, who had no right to crave a beautiful woman—ex cept that he couldn't help it—built up before my mind's eye a very charming personality. I talked the matter over with Hack ett, and we agreed that Miss Vaughn was undoubtedly worthy of substantial assistance, if It could be rendered with out offense. Her situation was cer tainly most lamentable and involved no fault of her own. Having heard of this case, we could hardly "pass by on the other side," as Ilackett ex pressed it. The fact is that my part ner had been playing the role of tho good Samaritan in many towns that we had visited, and mostly to the unde serving, I am afraid. decided that I should call upon Mis&yaughn, and so I asked Burnham to 8ccwe her permission but he told me verj^iroraptly that he did not care to undertake the errand. MI couldn't He to her," said he. "She'd have to know the object of your visit here, and then }he wouldn't see you." Incidentally learned during this conversation that Miss Taughn was an intellectual prodigy,, having been the youngest girl ever graduated from Smith college. Indeed, she would prob ably not have been admitted to that Institution If her age had been eoiTect ly stated, butcher auut had misrepre sented the* matter to the authorities. Her record had been exemplary, both for scholarship and conduct. "Sho might teach," said Burnham, but I really don't sec how she's going to live till we can find her a position." After leaving Burnham's room I went at once alone to the Eustis residence, which must have been considered quite a grand house in Its day. A despondent old woman answered my ring and ad mitted me into a chilling, gloomy at mosphere and eventually into a small room at the rear of the hall. It bad the look of neglect, as if it had not been used In some weeks. My eye was at tracted by a small table unlike the other furniture and awkwardly placed near a window. It was littered with Voose sheets of writing paper, which were dusty, and some of them were covered with scrawls in peucil as if a child had played with them. I thought that I knew why this table was there. Clearly Sliss Vaughn's psy chic messages were written with a pen cil. I was displeased. This scrawling hand looked like the usual counterfeit. And yet I would have given my bond opon the honesty of the face in the photograph. Well, we may all be de ceived by a face. I began to regret having sought an interview with Miss Vaughn, and my mind was deflected from hep to the unknown man whom Dr. Whtting bad mentioned. A strong inward conviction that that man was the true psychic, worth a thousand Dorothy Vaughns to the cause of sci ence, arose to prominence in my con sciousness, and I was striving to think of some means by which I could learn his name when a very pleasant voice spoke my own. I turned and saw a slight, girlish fig ure, all in black. There was the puz zling, childish, womanly face that the picture had shown, the perfectly open innocence quaintly combined with a se rene wisdom such as I might Imagine In an angel. Yet this serenity was wholly intellectual. I could see that the poor girl's body was racked with nervousness and apprehension. Lone liness in this old, decaying house, from which she could see no way out into the brighter world, had told upon her. I cannot remember that my sympathy ever went out so suddenly and so strongly toward any other human be ing. She had seen that I was looking curi ously at the table, and I observed that could see that the poor ylrVs body was rackcd with nervousness. she shuddered at the sight of it. Yet. as if _thp thing jgserte^sjHBe sort p* SSPPWW! ». ,! up fascination, the poor girl advanced di rectly toward it, and I heard the pen cils click in her nervous fingers as she guthcred them up. 'Miss Vaughn," said I, "It Is In my mind to offer you employment. I havo heard that you need it. With this pur pose in view, will you permit me to ask you a few questions?" She sat down in the chair by the ta ble as If she lacked the strength to stand. In the few seconds that elapsed before she answered me her nervous ness Increased. She began to mark upon the sheets of paper with one of the pencils, though I am sure she had no consciousness of doing so. "What is the nature of this employ ment?" she asked. There was a longer pause thau be fore. I could see clearly enough what the poor little girl expected. Buruham and others had suggested her peculiar powers as a means of earning her liv ing, and she felt that I had come upon the same errand. Seeing how she shrank from that theme, 1 had not the heart to take it up. "You have heard about me," she said. "You think I am some phenome nally gifted monstrosity. Heaily I am nothing of the sort. I am just like any other girl. I can guess things. So can every woman. My aunt was Interested in—In that subject, and so I did it. I am not interested and shall never do It again." It was a pitiful protest, and it car ried the day with me. I think you mistake my errand," said I as gently as possible. "Have you ever had any experience in teach ing?" She dropped the peucil and stared at me. "We are planning to open an evening school in the town where I live," I continued. "A great part of the popu lation consists of people who work in my factory, the Hackett & Harrington carpet mills. Some of these people— and I am thinking now of the young women especially—have lacked educa tional training In their childhood. We are going to give them a chance to re cover the lost ground. They are obliged to work in the daytime, but many of them will welcome the opportunity to study and to acquire some simple ac complishments in the evening. We are not slave drivers. Our people do not have to drop exhausted into their beds as soon as they have eaten their sup pers." At this point Miss Vaughu interrupt ed me by suddenly falling forward, with her head in her hands. I think it must have been five minutes that she wept and sobbed, and I was both dis tressed and alarmed, though she kept assuring me that she was not 111 and thut she was very happy. When she had recovered some share of self com mand, she begged me to give her a trial iu the school. "I should so love that work," she said over and over again. "I know I should succeed." The Idea seemed to euchant her. She spoke of her own powers with confi dence. She became brilliant, enthusias tic, splendid—In fact, precisely the sort of girl to inspire the right feeling In our young women of Tunbridge who must take up too late in life the heavy men tal tasks of childhood. I was greatly embarrassed and a vic tim of that nervous dissatisfaction which comta to a rational, practical man when he blunders into a good aud judicious action. It is a species of im posture. I perceived that It was a most fortunate thing for both of us that I had come to call upon Miss Vaughn, and it distressed me to know that sL would always credit me with a klndm s, even though I should con fess in the most open manner that I hud come upon a wholly different er rand. While I hesitated the poor girl wae on the rack. Her nervousness was un controllable. She began to scribble with the pencil and to twist the sheets of paper in her fingers without know ing what she was doiug. Seeing this, 1 came straight to the point. "It's a simple matter of business," said I "rather sudden, of course, but you mustn't mind that. The position le yours if you'll take it, and, for my own part, 1'ir more than content. We'll make the salary satisfactory and let it be^in immediately, though the school doesn't open for some weeks." The crazy pencil stopped, and the dear child who has been'like my own daughter from that moment looked up into my eyes while the tears shone up on her cheeks. Now, this may seem a small matter to cause so much emotion, but it must be remembered that Dorothy had been at her wit's end since her aunt's death. We forget sometimes that the term "a living" has close connection with the verb "to live." Whether a penniless girl is alone in the world or a man fighting in the heart of a mob feels a pistol pressed against his head, It is much the same. We should not look for perfect calm. And that is the evil of our present social system, that it putsi the poor and the distressed ever at their worst a'id their weakest. It is grand to see a huiuuu being stand un moved iu deadly peril, but as a busi ness man I canuot say that we produce the best possible results in this 'd by making life one long, mortal et f gency for the majority of our species. While I wns endeavoring to make Dorothy understand that I was no an gel sent from heaven, but only a carpet manufacturer from Tunbridge, N. X, my glance happened to fall upon the sheets of paper on the table, and I ob served with surprise that she had been writing a man's name. She must have written it, in whole or in part, at least a hundred times. It was Donald Don aldson. "I was only scribbling," she said, de tecting me in the Impertinence of read ing over her shoulder. "That's nothing at all." "Do you mean that It's a 'fictitious name?" I asked, greatly surpn^ed. "It's nobody that I know," siteHsatyl with a glance of quick inquiry atme. I assured her with all sincerity that the name was a total stranger to my ears. It was such an awkward, tongue twisting name that no one could for get it. "Did you fancy that it might have been suggested by my mind to yours,' I asked "that I might have been think ing of this man?" "Oh, nol" she cried hastily, "That Is Impossible—certainly impossible for me. I am a normal minded girl, just like any other. Whatever I have done in—in that way is only what all people can do if they are silly enough to try. Please, please don't ask me about it!" I was very anxious to do so, being thoroughly convinced that I had stum bled upon a genuine and remarkable manifestation of occult power, but Miss Vaughn was in a state of great nerv.« ous tension, and it would have been cruel to press uuwelcome questions. So we talked a little while about the school, and she was soon at her best happy, hopeful and earnest. Her mind was aB bright and quick us a bird's eye, and she loved tho sunny and pure heights. r£» "'taw* 4" That evening, in Mr. Burnham's room, I mentioned the Incident of tho name. There were present a half doz en of the Instructor's friends who had assisted iu the tests that had been made of Miss Vaughn's power, and they were all sincere men with trained Intelligence. They were greatly inter ested by the occurrence, and they ques tioned me closely. It was with much difficulty that 1 convinced them that I had ne\er lmown a man named Don ald Donaldson and could not have in fluenced Miss Vmiplm in this matter. Various views were expressed, though noue was of any urent importance, but when Ilackett uiul 1 had gone to our hotel and were smoking together before retiring, my partner, who had preserved an almost complete silence during the evening, said: 'I have an Idea." 'What Is It7" I nsked eagerly, but would not tell 1110. fro BE CONTrsPEO.l Don't be imposed upon by taking substitutes offered for Foley's Honey and Tar. Sold by Denton & Ward. The newest lighthouse on the i'"rcnch coast shows a beam visible at a dis tance of 39 nautical miles in clear weather. It is situated on the Islp Vierge, off the French coast, to the northeast ot Uebant, the lantern belun 244 feet above sea level. Foley'B Honey and Tar positively cures all throat and lung diseases, lie" fuse substitutes. Sold by Denton & Ward. Better lose your argument than your friend.—Ham's Horn. Beport from the Keform School. J. G. Gluck, Superintendent, Prunty town, W. Va, writes: "After trying all oilier advertised cough medicines we have decided to use Foley's lloney and Tar exclusively in the We6t Virginia Reform School. I Und it the moat ef fective and absolutely harmless." Sold by Denton & Ward. An industrial and agricultural school for colored youths of Maryland wus opened last month near Laurel, in that state. A Timely Topic. At this season of coughs and colds it is well to know that Foley's Honey and Tar is the greatest throat and lung re medy. It cureB quickly and prevents serious results from a cold. Sold by Denton & Ward. A recent report shows that 2,501) Christians were murdered in 1001 by the Turks. In only 01 cases were the mucdererB punished, and then with not more than four years' imprisonment. Coughs, Oolds, and Constipation. Few people realize when taking cough medicines other than Foley's Honey and Tar, that they contain opiates whicli are constipating besides being unsafe, particularly for children. Foley's lloney and Tar contains no opiates, Ib safe and sure and will not constipate. Sold by Denton & Ward. In France It is Illegal to catch frogs at night. A kidney or bladder trouble can al ways be cured by using Foley's Kidney Cure in time. Sold by Denton & Ward. A melon patch in a cornbeld will 6ometimeB neutralize the work of the local Sunday school. A Cold Wave. The forecast of sudden changes in the weather Berves notice that a hoarse voice Bnd a heavy cough may invade the Banctity of health in your own home. Cautious people have a bottle of One Minute Cough Cure always at hand. E. 11, WIbb. Madison, Ga., writes "I am indebted to One Minute Cough Cure for my present good health, and probably my life. It cures Coughs, Colds, LaGrippe, bronchitis, Pneumonia and all Throat and Lung troubles. One Minute Cough Cure cuts the phlegm, Oraws out the inllammatlon, heals and soothes the mucous mem braneB and strengthens the lungs. Smith Bros. The largest dome In the world is that of the Lutheran church at Warsaw. Its interior diameter Is 200 feet. That of the British museum library is 130 feet. Kodol Dyspepsia Cure Digests all classes of food, tones Bnd strengthens the stomach and digestive organB. Cures Dyspepsia, Indigestion, stomach Troubles, and makes rich red blood, health and strength. Kodol re builds wornouttissueB, purifies,strength ens and sweetens the stomach. Gov. W. Atkinson, of W. Va., says: I have used a number of bottles of Kodol and have found it to be very effective and, indeed, a powerful remedy for stomach ailments. I recommend it to my friends. Smith Bros. Meat originally meant any kind of food. 1 Vhtt'a aNfime Everything Is In the name when it comes to Witch Hazel Salve. E. C. De Witt & Co. of Chicago, discovered, some years ago, how to make a salve from Witch Hazel that is a specific for l'ileB. For Piles, eczema, cuts, burns, bruises and all skin diseaseB DeWitt's Salve baB no equal. This has given rise to numerous worthless counterfeits. ABk for DeWitt'8—the genuine. Smith Bios. WANTED—Manager for Delaware county. 820 per week, with chance of advancement. 914,000 cleared In three years by one of our managers. Send stamp for particulars and booklet "Pluck Not Luck, Wins." Address W. A. Wright & Co., Des Moines, Iowa. 50w8 Boy's Life Saved from Membranous Croup. O. W. Lynch, a prominent citizen of Winchester, Ind., writeB, "My little boy bad a severe attack of membranous croup, and only got relief after taking Foley's Honey and Tar. He got relief after one dose and I feel that it saved the life of my boy." Refuse substitutes. Sold by Denton & Ward. V* -py®. ...~ -V -A.fes, .»—. %C~ i"T* -J **«& Illinois Central EXCURSION RATES. Excursion tU-kctj will b* sold by the Illinois Central, to the points, and at rates, as follows: Faro ao«l one-third on Certificate Plan. Now Orleans, La.,—Annual Convention Natio nal (lnrdwaro Ass'n, November tD-ai. „^9wUr,eans, Annual Meeting American Public Health Ass'n, Dcc. 8-13. OPEN KATE OF ONE FARE TLUS $2.00 lloiue-scekers' Excursion#,We*t, South South east and South-west, Nov. 4 and is, Deo. i» and 10. Jan 0 aud 20, Feb. and 17, March a and April 7 aud 21. LESS THAN' ONE FARE. One Way. Second-class, Colonists' Kates to points In tho South.South-oast aud South-west, at a tate of one-half of the Hrst-class oue way rates, plus $2 oo, tickets on sale Nov, 4 aud 18. Doc *2and 10, Jan. rt and 20. Feb. and Farm For Sale. A flno Stock and Dairy farm of 200 acres r» miles south of Manchester, 1 mile from railroad station and creamery. Comfortable houso, food horso and cow barn, hoa house corn cribs aud other out- buildiuRS, a Due well of water with wind mitl attached, 10 acres of splendid timber 3 miles'e.vit of farm will bo Kofd with as me if desired. For tonus inquire of AUNKK DUNHAM OK O. A. DUNHAM, 3titf Manchester, Iowa. R. W. TIRRILL Is Loaning rioney as chead as any person or Corpora tion. DOUGLASS, the Photo grapher. Go to Douglass FINE PICTURES IA Burning jflsstian at present is/that of Goal We have on hand choice assort men 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 't LUMBER 5 COMPANY. I The records left by the Fhoenecians, Assyrians and ancient 1'ersianB 8bow that among all thoce nations the use of perfumes was very common. A Thousand Hollar's Worth of liood. A. H. Tburnes, a well known coal operator of Buffalo, O., writes, "I have been afflicted with kidney and bladder trouble for years, passing gravel or stones with excruciating pain. 1 got no relief from medicines until 1 began taking Foley's Kidney Cute, then the result was surprising. A few doses started the brick dust like line stones and now I have no pain across my kidneys aud I fee] like a new man. It has does me a 81000 worth of good." Sold by Denton & Ward. Dr. The Regular and Reliable Chi. cai^o Specialist will be at Man. •heater, Clarence House, Monday, January 26, one day only and return once every 28 days. Office hours 8 a. m. to 6 p.m. Independence, Gedney Hotel, Tue6day, o, January 27. ... •oi*» Irtjriuunenuy ine eases no unaertaKcs imi souds 110 Incurable nomo without taking a from thorn. This la why ho continues his visits year after r. whilo other doctors have indo a few visits and stoppefl. Dr. Shallenbcr- Is an eminently successful specialist In all •..ronlii diseases, proven by the many cures -i.ifc^ed In chronic cases which to baffled tho villi of all other physicians. Ills hospital ox* :. 'tioncoandoxtenslvo pr: Hco havo niado lilm proficient that ho c&u name and locate a dls* 'iso In a fev minutes. Treats all -able cr^es of Catarrh. Noso, Throat and uiseases. Eye -nd l.ur, stomach, Uver and Kidneys, Gravel,cuma nsm, Paralysis, XouralTla, Norvous and Heart rllsoases, Blood Sulu asos, li 'llepsy, lSriKht's Disease Cot mmptlon hi early diseases .if theliladUer aud rcinalo Organs, i.limoraud Tobacco habit. Stammerln0 cured Hiuibureinotftoilsto prevent Its recurrence given. A novor-falUug remedy lllg Neck. HUES, FISTULA*- ana KUPTUKE guaran. t?vi cured without detention from business, s^cclnl attention Kivoa to ull Surgical i'tifti'.s, and all discuses of tho Eye, Ear, INOHUUIKI Thront. (ilusM'M ami guaranteed. Granulated lids,Cataract, Cross Eyes straightened without pHUi. NERVOUS DEBILITY. Are you uorvous and despondq/ weak and debilitated tired mornings: no .ibltion—life less memory poor easily fatlgT-'d excitable and irritable eyes sunkeu, rec and blurred pimples ou faco dreams and night losses rest* less, haggard looking: weak back deposit In nrlne aud drains at stool: distrustful- want of confidence: lack of,energy and strength? Private Diseases a Spec ialty, Biood' Poison, Nervousness, Dizziness,' De ectlve Moinory and other ailments which ruin body and mind positively cured, WONDERFUL CURES Portectod In old coses which havo been ne, ^W.ti'v.VU in uiu VMVI nuiv_ (ected or uusklllfully treated. No experiment pr failures, iln undertakes no iucuruDh v» lUiiuitsi uuut'l lUUCS 11U IUU but cure thousands given up to die. Consultation Free and Confidential Address, DR. WILBERT SHALLENBERGER, 146 Qakwood Blvd., Chtoaflo Reference: Dreiel State Dank, M.I? l«hUO\ PreHt. II. A, UKA.NGKK Cashier. E. C, 1IESNKH, Asst. Cashier A. n. BLAKE, 1st. V. President. II. C. DAEHEKLE, Snd. V. President, First National 1 BANK, MANCHESTER. IOWA. CAPITAL. $50,000 17. General Banking Business 17. March 8 and 17, April 7 and 31. J. F. MKIIHY Asst. (ion. Pass. Agent, Dubuque, Iowa. SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES FOB RENT. DXRECTORS. H. R. Robinson, U. F. LOROT, E. M. Carr, m. Beehler, H. A. Grancer. A. H. Blake, II. A. von Oven, H. O. Haeberlo L. L. Hoyt, cozezisspoxTsssrvs. First National Bank, Dubuque, Iowa. Central National Baak New York City, Commercial National Bank. Chloaeo- ills. Compound Vapor and Sham poo Baths. Baths ilSf ti Transacted Interest Paid on Time Deposits. Most all dis eases are caused by poisonous sec retions, which clog the wheels of NATURE. Vapor and The name and the symptoms may be different ShampOO. but the cause of disease can us ually be traced to the imperiect action ol the millions of pores of the haman 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 tor dispelling disease. Results tell tbe dtory. Qive mo a trial. This is the Conant system of baths. A competent lady attendant in charge of tho ladies department. Office and bath rooms on Franklin streot, opposite Globe Hotel. 8t( v'i, Q. D. QATtSS. W. N. BOYNTON, HAS Ladies and dents Gold Watches in all sizos kinds and styles, Ladies, dents and Chrildrens Rings from DIAMONDS, OPALS, EMER ALDS, PEARLS, ETC., down to PLAIN GOLD BANDS. WEDDING RINGS. SOLID STERLING SILVER FORKS, TABLE, DESERT and TEA SPOONS, NAPKIN RINGS, ETC., ETC-, ETC Also largo line of Best Brands of— SILVER PLATED SPOONS, PORKS, 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 #BTS, GOLD SPECTACLES, MAN- TEL CLOCKS, SILK UMBREL 3* LAS, GOLD PENS. _Qqol& and see the many things we haye nofrgpar^to w. n. boynto! Delaware County STATE BANK Manchester, Iowa. Capital and Surplus $90,000. WM ,, ,,AWT -,v J'raujmt. ... W. TIRKILL, CHAS. J. SEEDS, AY. KEAGY, Vloe President Cashier, Ass't. Cashier, DIRECTOR8 WM. C. OAWLEY. R. W. TIRRILL. W. U, KKNYON. U. K. ARNOLD H. WILL1STON. GEO. W. DUNHAM P. SEEDS. O. W. KEAGY, CHAS. J. SEEDS. A general banking business transacted In all branches. Drafts sold, payable auywhere In the Uutted btates, Eiigland, Ireland and Europe. Interest paid on Time Deposits at cinrent rates, which can be made in any sum from one dollar up. Deposit Boxes for rent, for tho storage of valuable papers, etc., all guarded by tlmo locks, Steamship Tickets for salo to and from all parts ol Europe. Private personal cheefclng account!? from ladlea. The banking business ol tho public Is respect fully solicited, and. we astmro all our customers every accommodation oonHlsteot with good busi ness methods. When you want Fine Furniture Ai* Fair Prices GO TO Werkmeisfer's AT Earlville. Undertaking Solicited F. WERKMEISTER, Earlville, Iowa mk ..,.A