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echln $ ews. HS ’ corp l AROL VOL. 45. DR. NARROWSCISSORS, BY. G. B. BURGIN. Author of "His Lordship,’’ «A Romantic Voyage,” "Beset with Lions,” "The Boldero Diamond,” Rte, Copyrighted, 1885, by G. B. Burgin. | CHAPTER I. For the last five years of her life, Miss Marcia Jones has seldom missed spend ing part of the evening at least with her old friend and admirer, Dr. Narcissus, more commonly known by the village boys in Puggleton as "Narrowscissors.” There was no reason that he should be called so, except that his thin legs and attenuated frame,' and the upward turn of his long coat-tails, did rather con vey the suggestion of a pair of scissors on end. In the summer, middle-aged Miss Marcia and her middle-aged lover met under a pear tree in the orchard; in the •winter, they sat on opposite sides of the fire, looking fondly at each other across the hearth rug, despite the furious glan ces of Miss Marcia's father, who did not approve of "Narrowscissors” as a wooer for his daughter, and chuckled with delight whenever the doctor was suddenly called away to attend a patient. Indeed, he had even been known to as sert in "The Club” (“The Club” met at the Puggleton Arms every evening to leg islate for the nation) that "Narrowscls- Bors” hired a boy to call him out of church every other Sunday for imme diate attendance bn imaginary patients. He carried his enmity to such an extent as to wink at "Narrowsclssors” in a de risive and disrespectful manner as that gentleman went down the aisle, even though the rector had reached for the fifth time, "And again, my dear breth | ren, I would remark in passing.” But I "Narrowsclssors” bore Mr. Jones’ dislike I very patiently. There was no reason why ■ he should not have married Miss Marcia Idong ago, had It not been for her father’s ■determined opposition to the match. Miss Marcia was far too dutiful a daughter t'J marry without her father’s consent. Sometimes, In the night-watches, when she heard the rumbling wheels of “Nar rowßclseors' ” gig departing toward va rious outlying patients who had need of his services, she sat up in bed with a shf wl around her shoulders and wished it could be her privilege to provide him with hot coffee on his return. It was so sad that there should be no one to wel come him except the servant. Hitherto, she had only succeeded in getting Dr. Nar cissus Into hot water. The tears rolled dqwn her plump, pretty cheeks, as she thought how Jocob served for Rachel only to wed Leah, and then find another •even years of probation before him. She could no t lu i u jfcPP der Ing what were Ja cot>® V toward Leah, uni lu.w they got on t •v. The doctor, however, did not appear to be discourag ed. He had already “done his five years.” As they said at th® dub, "Done it on his head,” the club thereby meaning that the doctor’s staying power was so great that waiting didn’t trouble him in the lead. Miss Marcia knew differently. She re gretted the unhappy passage of arms which had once taken place between “Nar- Towscl-sßors" and her father, on some burning political Question of the day; but sh« did not regret the way in which her lover had gently yet firmly proved her belligerent parent to be hopelessly in the wrong. Mias Marcia also knew that the doctor was thinner than of yore; that his hair was beginning to turn Kray; that he seldom smiled In his old gefiial fashion. Whilst sh» loved him for his constancy, •he felt he wanted a good shaking for not blustering about the whole affair. The very Idea of "Narrowsclssors" ever at tempting to blueter was absurd; he was much too gentle for anything of the sort: Besides, such conduct would be unprofes sional in the extreme. When he told his love to Marcia, she informed him that her father would never consent. “My dear lady,” said Dr. Narcissus, fondly surveying her beautiful eyes, “I don't want to marry your father.” “Do you know how old I am?" queried Miss Marcia. "J have never had the presumption to give the subject a thought,” said Dr. Narcissus, ' with old-fashioned courtesy. Moat of his actions smelt of lavender. “My own age is 48, and I have published a little brochure on toxicology which has been very well received in the medical world." "Well, I am 40." said Miss Marcia. "You are good enough to say that you admire my beauty. If we have to wait for my father's consent, these cheeks will be wrin kled and shrivelled, my form bent and shrunken, my sight dim, myself an old woman. And, day by day, as we wait our hope will grow less. I love tny fa ther very dearly. Sometimes, however, I think the price exacted by a parent is a heavy one to pay. Love forgives much, hopes for much; and 1 have promised hitn not to marry without his consent. Oh, yes, you will cease to love me us I grow old, and my hair turns gray with grief." Dr. Narcissus gazed fondly at Miss Marcia's beauty. She was a tall, mnjectic looking woman, with a sweet simplic ity of carriage which prevented her bear ing from seeming proud. Miss Marcia generally wore spotless apparel of light gray or lavender, with soft folds of lace at the neck and wrists. Her auburn hair crinkled and gleamed almost riotously round her shapely head, though she did her best to subdue its rebellious tenden cies. But a soft west wind would bring her elaborate precautions to naught. This gleaming mass of gold broke out into lit tle ripples and waves, and utterly defied any attempt to restrain It within the bounds of ilwonim. Her eyes were blue, »we«t, and expressive, her complexion fair, with a soft glow of color on the cheek.*. There was perhaps Just a little too much determination in the square ness of th milk-white chin, but the se verity of her cfiln was overcome by Mias Marcia's pretty lips, which, parted in a half smile, displayed beautifully white, If somewhat Irregular teeth. She hud had many admirers, although none of them found anything but gentle pity in hor Sight. She would thank them very sweetly for their goodness In loving her, and retain them us life-long friends. Her father claimed most of iter care. So ut terly heartless, so Irrepressible an indi vidual would have been beyond the care of most people, but Miss Marcia loved him fondly, and obeyed his slightest wish. There had never been u shadow of dis cord between them until Dr. Narcissus laid his heart at her f«*et. Mr. Jones had forbidden Miss Marcia to pick up the doc tor's heart. After careful deliberation, however, she had come to the conclusion that she loved the doctor. His quiet, gentle ways accorded well with her own tastes; they loved the same books; thev attended the same church: and the doc tor was very lonely. Mr. Jones regarded him as a nuisance, treated. him with ig nominy, and refused to receive him for a son-in-law. And this attitude of hit had never varied for five years. As th® doctor gated fondly at Miss Marvin it occurred to him, for the hundredth tlm<*. that Mr. Jones* attitude was becoming 1 monoto nous. "Madam. " he said, laying his hand on his heart, "when God gße® us something to love ; the passage of time only makes it Miss Marcia, in return, made him a prim old fashlomMl curtsey, the flame of their love burnt very brightly and purely, al beit somewhat formally'. In the solitude ( THE MORNING NEWS } 4 Established 1860. - - Incorporated 1888. > I J. H. ESTILL, President/ J of her chamber, Miss Marcia sometimes allowed herself to wonder what her sen sations would be like if Dr. Narcissus were to attempt to kiss her. And the doc ' tor, in the seciuslon of his study, some times permitted his thoughts to stray in the same direction. But they were both too punctilious and shy ever to get be yond dreaming over tne matter. Once indeed, at Christmas, Miss Marcia had suspended some mistletoe from the lamp in the hall, under which the unconscious doctor stood for fully five minutes, with out being aware of the reason which called a blush to her peach-like cheeks. Indeed, he would never have discovered it at all, had not Mr. Jones hastily dragged him away from beneath it, and brought the berries to the gr<x<lid with an indig nant sweep of his oak stick. “Now, look here, Narrowscissors, said Mr. Jones, who always prided himself on being a self-made man. (There was no need to question the truth of this, said his enemies. He was so very badly put to gether). "Don’t you get any of this non sense in my girl’s head, or I’ll shut my doors against you altogether. I won’t stand it.” The doctor calmly repudiated any guil ty intention with regard to the mistletoe, inwardly wondering at the difference be tween Miss Marcia, who was a lady, and her father, who was a very vulgar old man indeed, especially when he had par taken too freely of a mysterious bever age called "dog's nose,” the component parts of which were known only to him self, and failed to bear the slightest re semblance whatever, to any canine nasal organ. On festive political occasions, Mr. Jones was wont to brew what he called a "Jorum” of this mixture, and stir it all up together with a redhot poker. The result would have undermined the constitution of an iron-clad. “I’m getting tired of this nonsense.” said Mr. Jones, angrily. “Very tired! I tell you what it is, Narrowscissors, don’t you come dangling after my girl here any more. I won’t stand it.” “Be calm, my dear sir,” said Dr. Nar cissus, all his professional instincts aroused at the sight of the other's apop lectic visage—“Be calm, or I shall have to bleed you." “You’ve been bleeding me in coals and candles for the last five years,” said Mr. vulgarly, “and I’m tired of it. I don’t want to see you about the place any more.” “Papa,” said Miss Marcia, very quiet ly and sweetly, “you forget you are talk ing to my betrothed husband.” “Now, don’t you interfere, Marcia, 'tween man and woman,” said Mr. Jones. “I’m a ’asty man myself, there's no de nying of it, and I don’t want to deny it; but I’m a man for all that, and not a long, narrow tallow candle like Narrow scissors. When he can give up contra dicting his betters—men as make politics the study of a life time—and come round to my views, then perhaps, I’ll forgive him.” Miss Marcia looked at Dr. Narcissus. Dr. Narcissus regarded her reassuring ly. "My dear sir,” he said, quietly, "as you are the honored parent of the lady I Jove, I am unable to express in plain Eng lish ,all I should like to say h+khjl you' - fatuous obstiuaej. If i were to do so, yotl would probat.lv go oft in an apoplectic fit. You can, therefore, Imagine the con trol I am putting on myself when I do not say It. For five years you have in sulted me: for five years you have made this dear lady live a life of sorrow. It is time you behaved better to both of us. I honor her filial obedience, and would be the last person in the world to weaken it.” "You can’t,” said Mr. Jones, rather Im pressed by this plain speaking from the usually reserved Dr. Narcissus. “You can’t. She promised never to marry with out my consent." “Very well, then, my dear sir,” said Dr. Narcissus, softly. "I am afraid I shall have to resort to other measures to ob tain it. You have robbed you daughter of all happiness for " "Hasn’t she got me to look after? Isn’t that happiness enough?” "I might like a little more variety In it, papa," suggested Miss Marcia. "For instance, suppose you looked after me a little more.’ r “What!" Mr. Jones was amazed. "Haven’t I given you a comfortable home? This Is what comes of sending you to a Quaker «ehool where they teacn people to think for themselves. What do you mean by thinking, Marcia?" “I have been taught to honor my fath er,” said Mist Marcia; "and this discus sion is exceedingly painful to me. You have a right to rob me of the sweet hap piness of being an honored wife, but you have no right to insult my future hus band." Dr. Narcissus bowed tenderly, and Miss Marcia made him a gentle curtesy, which Involved a low backward bend and grad ual uprising in his direction. Miss Mar cia’s curtesy was famous in Puggleton. The vicar pronounced It quite Chester fieldlan. Then she gracefully glided out of the room, a deeper color than usual upon her beautiful cheeks. "Now I will prescribe for you," said Dr. Narcissus, as he shut the door after Mias Marcia. "There’s nothing the matter with me," said Mr. Jones, angrily. "Pardon me, but there is. You have 'dogs's nose’ on the stomach and the nerves. If you go on as you are doing now, you will be dead in a year.” “W-w-what?” “Perhaps sooner. There's something preying on your mind. I should say that you were naturally an active man, and since you retired from business—by the way, what was your business? I have often been asked the question?” “Never you mind." said Mr. Jones, re covering himself. "Never you mind. It's no business of yours.” "That’s perfectly true," returned Dr. NgrclMUa, suavely. "What I was going to say is that enforced idleness Is very bad for you. You can't work off what Burton calls the 'gross humours of the body.’ " “What’s he know about my body?” demanded Mr. Jones. “He’s never seen it. ( don't drink his ale. I call It very disrespectful of him." “No, he's dead; wrote a book called the 'Anatomy of Melancholy.’ ” “Well, there ain’t an atom of melan choly* about me.” returned Mr. Jones. “I'm a plain, blunt, ’ealthy man I am, and don't you dart* go and say different.” “Oh, very well. I had intended serving seven years for your daughter’s hand, if we could not be married sooner. 1 have already watted five. Let me see. If you go on as you are doing now, you will ' last almost a year, perhaps a little less, i That will, make it six years; and there I will be the customary year of mourning ' for you, to complete the seven. You see. It doesn’t make any difference to me whether you live or die. except that your | death would cause intense grief to the ' gentle lady you have the honor to call ; daughter." Jones was impressed. He had hitherto . regarded Dr. Narcissus as a weak, irrtso ■ lute fool. "I didn’t know you’d so much I backbone in you,” he said, grudgingly. "I love rour daughter: the responsibility : for her happiness maaes me patient.’’ | said Dr. Narcissus, quietly. "Many men I without conscience, out possessing my special knowledge of toxicology, would 1 have removed you from your present ! sphere of Inutility long ago. But I have > a conscience and couldn't do it.” He took i a little bottle from his pocket—a little i bottle with tightly-tied up glass stopper. "For instance, this bottle contains the celebrated Aqua Tofana," he said, in a matter of fact voice. "If I were to take I out the stopper and hold it under your nose whilst you are indulging in one of your afternoon dinner naps, you would never wake again.” Mr. Jone® grew purple. "I'll send for the police," he said. "What do you mean by carrying poisons about in fhis mur derous way?” “Oh, I am an expert in toxicology.” “What’s that got to do with poisons?” “It means the same thing.” “Take it away. I can’t breathe easy with it in the house. It might fly at one or be spilt. J can’t breaths, -I tell yop.” “That isn’t, the effect of poison; it’s 'dog’s nose,’ and conscience. I mean to continue my visits as usual, arid I shall do all I can to prolong your life for your daughter's sake, although I’m convinced you can’t live like this for more than another year, possibly ten months. I think if I were you I would go away to the seaside from Saturday to Monday every week. The arguments with rail way porters, rows with cabmen, and run ning after trains may do you good, give you something to live for. I shall make a point of calling on Miss Marcia when you are absent. Aren’t they waiting for you at the club?” And -without exactly knowing how, Mr. Jones found himself walking down to the Puggleton Arms, leaving Dr. Narcissus in possession of the field. Half-way in the direction of she Pug gleton Arms, Mr. Jones paused irreso lutely and wiped the perspiration from his brow. “If he only finds out I’ve been a butch er,” he said, with blanched cheeks, “how they’d all laugh at me down at the club. There’s Porkins would give a fiver to crow over me about it. He thinks I’m descended from Griffin Ap Jones of Wales. Most of the Welsh Jones’ squint and have red hair; that’s what made me think of it. Now, I’ve only got red hair. Wish I could squint.” He leered so hideously at a-dog in the road that it put its tail between its legs and ran howling away. ’’That fellow Narrowscissors is right,” continued Mr. Jones as he waddled to wards the club. “I’m pining to death here. I've stood it eight years, but I can’t stand it much longer. I'm glad I never let Marcia know, though. She al ways was a lady, and always will be, but I’m not going to give her up to Narrow scissors for all his poisons and things.” Mr. Jones was almost opposite the Pug gleton Arms, when a brilliant idea struck him. He stopped in the middle of the road and grinned widely. This time, a baby at the doorway of neighboring cottage, be gan to yell with terror. “I'll do it,” he said, excitedly. “I'll do it. It’s the one thing to keep me alive. I’ll give up ‘dog’s nose’ and have the laugh at Narrowcissors, and his aquey toffey stuff yet. It’s a great risk, but he’s right. I’m dying by hinches here! By hinches! If he ever does find it out I’ll have to give in, but he never will. He never will.” He turned round and went home again, greatly to the .disappointment of Porkins, who was waiting for him with a crushing argument in favor of a republican form of government and the painless doing away in a lethal chamber of hereditary peers. When he reached home, he went Into Marcia's sweetly old-fashioued parlor and said abruptly: "I’m going to Brigh ton to-morrow to stay till Monday.” “I trust you will find the sea-air invig orating, papa,” said Marcia, a little cold ly. “I will prepare your linen at once.” “Hinvigorating!” said Mr. Jones, with a roar of laughter. “Hinvigorating! I beg your pardon, my dear; my aitches will fly about sometimes when I’m ex cited. There’s no hair—l mean air—like it. No air like it. It’s the breath of life— full of the loveliest smells; the air's thick with ’em.” Marcia regarded him sorrowfully as she moved toward the dooi. Jones motioned her back. v “There ain't anyone else but Narrow- , scissors you could take a fancy to/’ Is there, my dear)?” he asked, anxiously. “Your mother picked me out of half-a dozen. None or ’em were a bit like me. She said they were all alike, but she’d never seen anyone like me before.” “Papa,” said Miss Marcia, in shocked tones, “we are betrothed.” “That ain’t being married,” said Jones, “(.here's nothing binding in that. I was betrothed (I called it ‘keeping compa ny,’) several times before I met your mother. It helped to pass the time, though it came rather expensive in pho tographs.” Miss Marcia felt disgusted. “I have been accustomed to regard a betrothal as sacred,” she said. “Don’t you think, papa, you could overcome your dislike to Dr. Narcissus? I shouldn't have a care in the world if you two only liked each other.” “No, I can’t like him,” said Jones, dog gedly. “He’s a murderer—a tallow-faced poisoner, that’s what he is.” Miss Marcia’s beautiful cheeks paled. She almost turned from her father in hor ror. “Papa, you say you love me, yet you make me very-unhappy. What would you have done if any one had come be tween you and mamma?” "Punched his head,” said Mg. Jones, promptly. Miss Marcia smiled. "Oughtn’t Dr. Narcissus to—to punch yours?” she asked and escaped from the room. "That ain’t what comes of going to a Quaker school," said Mr. Jones, ruefully. “They will teach ’em to think, though, they won’t teach ’em to fight or to swear. She had me there. Now for the seaside. Ho! ho! ho! The seaside!” Miss Marcia heard him roaring with laughter as she stood in the solitude of her spotless chamber, with its snowy hangings and dainty surroundings. “Poor papa,” she said. ‘ r lf the sea air makes him laugh more than that, he will break a blood vessel.” She woke up at three in the morning aroused by her father, who was chuckling in his sleep about! the sea-air. She began to think his mind was affected, especi ally when he went up into the garret next morning before starting, and re turned with a mysterious bundle in his hand. “What is that for, papa?" asked Miss Marcia, wonderingiy. What?” said Mr. Jones, gaily, as he went down the gravel path. "Oh, that's to keep off the sea air, my dear.” CHAPTER 11. When Mr. Jones returned from Brigh ton without the mysterious bundle, he looked as jolly as the sand-bov of prov erbial philosophy, although history is si lent with regard to the special induce ments which contributed to swell the ab normal well-being of that much-quoted Individual. In the early part of every week he was far more amiable to Miss Marcia, and tried in a thousand ways to atone for his previous harshness. She noticed, however, that when she intro duced the subject of Brighton he inva riably turned the conversation to local topics. There was one thing in which he remained terribly consistent; he would not welcome Dr. Narcissus. On the con trary, he was more embittered against him than ever, and carefully got out of that worthy gentleman’s way. Three months of solitary week ends at Brighton made a different man of Mr. Jones alto gether. He became rosily good-natured, and conducted his political disputes with more anemity. Miss Marcia hoped that time would soften his heart, but the spring came round again with dancing daffodils and twitter of swallows be neath the eaves, without Mr. Jones show ing any disposition to relent. Poor Miss Marcia had suffered for so long that en durance was now part of her being, but, as she listened night after night to the departing gig-wheels of Dr. Narcissus, through th® darkness, her gentle heart swelled with indignation at her father’s tyranny. About Wednesday he became Ir ritable; grew worse on Thursday;and only recovered tone when the time came for him to pack up on Friday night in read iness for Saturday mornihg. Whilst her father was away. Miss Marcia had the pleasure of two visits from Dr, Narcis sus, who always came to tea on Sat urday evening, and escorted her to church the next day. Sometimes, the doctor would be called away before he had done justice to his first pikelet. Miss Marcia was always in a hurry to get tea over lest he should be interrupted in the mid dle of it. Saturday being Puggleton mar ket day, generally resulted in tavern brawls or drunken frolics wherein heads were broken which had to be bound up and mended as speedily as possible. Each fleeting second possessed a fearful joy SAVANNAH, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1895. for Miss Marcia, and brought home to her the truth of the old couplet, “Every moment dies a man, Every moment one is born.” If the whole evening passed without interruption of any kind, she thanked heaven on her knees. It was so much sweeter to have Dr. Narcissus all to her self without the risk of his being forced to quarrel with her father. But when the doctor was called away and she sat bv the blazing fire (the evenings were chilly still) seeing his face in the flames, her heart felt very sore. By the time he re turned to his own home the servants would have gone to bed, and let the fire out altogether. She wondered if they ever thought of airing his things, and was sure they never mended his wristbands, for the edges were frightfully frayed. As for buttons on his collar, he seemed never to be aware that such things were worn. But so fine were the doctor’s serious, earnest features that she felt sure people would never think of collars and cuffs when they could look at his eyes. And so she would sit by the fire dreaming of happy days to come until the flames grew dim, the cricket’s cheerful chirrup died away, and all the world was given over to darkness. Then she would hasten to place a candle in the window for the doc tor to look at on his return, and go slowly off to read her Bible before retiring to rest. On Saturday morning Miss Marcia had seen her father off from the station, and was returning to the house when Dr. Nar cissus' gig overtook her in the High street and the doctor got dut.\ He seemed very much annoyed about something. “I am so sorry,” he said, “bpt my old friend Brander of the London Hospital has an ominous case under his care and wishes to consult me about it. I’m afraid I must go up at once. He thinks the man has been slowly poisoned.” Miss Marcia felt forlorn. After a mo ment’s inward struggle, however, . she recognized the situation and accepted it. “I need hardly say how great the disap pointment is to me,” said Dr. Narcissus. “I consider myself very patient, but we are wasting the best years of our lives. I would not for one instant endeavor to persuade you to break your promise, were it not that all this suspense is telling on you. You will have to go away for change of air soon. What shall I do without you?” Miss Marcia smiled bravely, although her blue eyes filled with tears. “We have been patient so long—so long,” she said. “Surely we can be patient for a little lon ger. . My father will give way one day.” Dr. Narcissus lost his self-control for once. “I suppose we must wait,” he said. “You can’t realize how fair my life would be with you to brighten all its selfish lone liness.” “Don’t make me give way, too,” she murmured. “You have been so brave; and there will be all the sad evening and to-morrow. London seems so far away.” Dr. Narcissus left Marcia with a feeling that something must be done speedily; he could not hold out for an indefinite period. The struggle was telling on his nerves. Why had he ever embarked on political discussions with Marcia’s father? Poli tics didn’t Interest him in the least. The only reason he had interfered was be cause he could not stand tamely by and listen to old Mr. Jones’ dogmatic non sense. And yet there were certain things which a man with any good in him could not stand tamely by and listen to with seeming acqulscence. All the way up to town he pon- dered over the situation. Once at the acquiescence. All the way up to town he pondered over the situation. Once at the. London ' hoapif al. however. ms thoughts v . given to the eA.» which he h-"<d co..*, to die gnose, and he soon discovered the poison from which the man was suffering, after eliciting the fact that he had lived close to some lime kilns. The poisonous gases from the kilns bad forced their way through the crevices in his hut, and slowly taken hold of their victim. About 10 o’clock that night Dt. Narcis sus strolled into the ever busy Commercial Road, Whitechapel, resolving to take the early train home on Sunday morning, and surprise Miss Marcia by his unlooked-for appearance in the afternoon. He had not been in the Commercial Road for years, and found it more interesting than ever. There was the same motley crowd, large ly dominated by persuasive gentlemen of Hebraical descent, who sold penny arti cles on the curb, or gave away receipts for making one’s fortune with heroic gen erosity. He lingered awhile among the old book-barrows vainly hoping to find a prize. It seemed to him that all the theological literature of the century had found its way into these dirty barrows. Sermons were sold at a penny a volume, or seven volumes for sixpence, one en terprising vendor, with reckless extrav agance, also offering to throw in a pair of braces and a bloater. Most of the bar rows containing second-hand tools and vegetabdes—vegetables which had spent the week In the Commer- Road and aged years in that time—were lit by huge naptha cressets. Young ladies with feathers, so gorgeously dyed that the parent ostrich would never have recognized them (the feathers, not the young ladies) wandered up and down sucking barley sugar, or danced with characteristic East End abandon the steps peculiar to that region. As the night grew late, the industrious poor came from neighboring alleys in or der to purchase their Sunday provisions at tbe innumerable butchers’ shops which run along one side of the Commer cial Road. Each butcher had two brawny assistants who kept up a continual shout of “This way, this way, lydies. Cheapest shop In the trade. ‘Ere ye are, lydies, this way, this way. Block ornaments thrown in.” Dr. Narcissus discovered that “Block ornaments” were the little odds and ends of meat trimmed from off the purchases of opulent buyers. If a poor woman bought something, she was given a handful of "Block ornaments” from the block, in order to encourage her to come to the same shop on another occasion. The butchers who did the most business were those with the loudest voices. Presently the doctor’s attention was attracted by a huge crowd in front of one shop from which resounded a voice loud enough to be heard twenty yards down the street. Dr. Narcissus strolled up to this shop full of idle curiosity to see a man who could draw such a crowd. Suddenly some thing in the tone of the butcher’s voice struck him as familiar. The next mo ment he brushed hurriedly through the crowd and made his way to the owner of the stentorian voice. “I'll trouble you for a few ‘block orna ments,’ if you please. Mr. Jones,” he said, quietly addressing a fat man in a blue blouse, who was, literally speaking, ail over the shop at once. Mr. Jones let fall his cleaver on the toe of an intending purchaser and stared as if he had seen a ghost. Then he hero ically recovered himself, wrapped up some fragments of meat, as purple as his own visage in a piece or newspaper, and hand ed the parcel to the doctor, shouting out from force of habit at the same time, “This way, lydies—thia way. The best meat in the market. This way.” When Mr. Jones returned to Puggleton on Monday. Brighton did not appear to have agreed with him nearly as much as usual. He could not eat anything at lunch, and wandered furtively about the village for the rest of the day, as if not daring to enter the Puggleton Arms. At last, he could bear the suspense no long er. and went in. The landlord was as def erential as usual. Porker immediately assailed him with volumes of statistics oh the Irish question; and everything went on just as customary until Dr. Narcis sus’ tall form darkened the doorway. Jones groaned. The doctor had evidently come to expose him. and blast forever his social aspirations in Puggleton. But the doctor did nothing of the sort. He nodded in a friendly way to Jones, bowled over Porker in five minutes, chatted for half an hour with the local vetennarv, and then got up to go. Jones followed him anxiously through the inn yard. "I should like a word with you.” he said, in an anxious whisper, "where those fellows can’t hear.” "Certainly.” said Dr. Narcissus, with his usual bland politeness. “I’m quite at your service. Mr. Jones." “In course you've got me in your pow er,” said Jones, as they walked along. “I couldn’t help it. It’s in my blood. If I couldn’t bave got into my old apron and blue sleeves again, and shouted at the top of my voice I’d have died. That’s what hurt me more than ‘dog’s nose.’ ” ‘T can quite understand and sympathize with your feelings,” said the doctor. - “If I hadn’t kept my old apron,” re sumed Jones, “I might have got over it, but I kept it hid up in the garret. Marcia’s often wondered whj' I went up there so often. She thought it was because I liked to smoke near the roof. Why, I’ve been nearly froze to death sometimes," he added, “and yet I had to go there.” “We are all creatures of habit,” said the doctor kindly. “I haven’t thanked you for those excellent ‘block ornaments,’ Mr. Jones. I had them for breakfast this morning. Jones groaned aloud. “I’ve been hard on you,” he said. “Now you’ve got your revenge. What are you going to do about it?”. Dr. Narcissus stopped abruptly in the middle of the road. “Nothing,” he said, shortly, and walked on. Jones followed him with little tottering steps. “D’ye mean it? Really mean it?” “Certainly. It’s saved your life.” “But Marcia?” said Jones, shame facedly. "I have no wish to cause either you or her pain,” said the doctor, quietly, “and I will not take an ungenerous advantage of my discovery. Let us drop the mat ter.” “No,” said the impulsive Jones; "we will not drop the matter.” They had reached the house by this time, and Miss Marcia stood awaiting her father in the porch. Jones took the doctor by the arm and hurried him up the walk. “Marcia,” he said, manfully, though the words stuck in his throat, “I’ve brought you a present from Brighton. He’s a better fellow than I am. Take him.” And Marcia, with a little cry of joy, took him. (The End.) ■ t POPE LEO AND THE SOCIETIES. Another Hostile Decree Expected. Tide Pope’s Health. Washington, Nov. 27.—Archbishop Sa tolli, the apostolic delegate, has had no intimation from Rome of another anti secret society decree, but is not in a posi tion to declare that none will be forthcom ing. The last one, issued just a year ago, forbade membership in but three organi zations—Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows and Sons of Temperance. The decision of the holy office in July last removed all questions as to the scope of the decree and made the condemnation absolute, without the slightest chance for equivoca tion, also insisting upon its immediate application. Nothing could make this more sweeping in its effects as far as these three organizations are concerned. But it is possible that the holy office has determined to condemn other‘societies. Os this, the delegation at Washington, is without knowledge. It has transmitted no complaint against other societies, but such complaints may have gone forward through other channels. The delegate and ‘the attaches of his office here are deeply concerned in the pope’s physical welfare and expressed much gratification at the United Press cablegram announcing that a consistory had been called, at which the pope would be able to preside. .Thoeo who are famll ids: with Uw popes habii.-., corroborate the report that he loses sleep at night through his desire to record thoughts that he considers worthy of preservation. Rome, Nov. 27.—The pope recovered his normal health yesterday and issued in vitations to the cardinals to attend a con sistory to-morrow. The congregation of cardinals has is sued a new decree couched in strong terms against secret societies in the United States. London, Nov. 27.—The Rome correspond ent of the Pall Mall Gazette is informed by a prelate, in intimate relations with the pope, that the recent illness of his holi ness is due to lack of vitality, which con dition is increasing. There is no cause for immediate alarm, he says, but it is difficult to keep the pope in good health owing to his habit of getting out of bed nights when some Latin couplet comes to his mind which he wishes to record. In addition to this the long audiences which he gives daily fatigues him greatly. ALEXANDRE DIMAS DEAD. t J ’ A Sketch of the Work* of the Yoiinger French Author. Paris, Nov. 27.—Alexandre Dumas is dead. Early in the evening M. Dumas rallied enough to create a belief that he would live at least several hours. About 7 o’clock he asked for tea, which was given to him. He then had sufficient strength to raise the cup to his lips without as sistance. Shortly after he had a nervous convulsion, and died very suddenly. A number of relatives were present. Alexandre Dumas, the younger, son of Alexandre Davy Dumas, novelist and dramatic writer, was born in Paris in 1824. and received his education in the College Bourbon. At the age of 17 he pub lished a collection of poems, “Les Peches de Jeunesse,” a work of small literary merit. He traveled with his father in Spain and in Africa, and on his return wrote “Les Adventures de Quatre Fem mes d’un Perroquet,” published in 1847. An English biographer classes him as be longing to the sensuous school of French writes. His principal work of fiction, “La Dame aux Camelias,” became one of the best known productions of the day. A dramatic version of it was played as early as 1852. after having been interdict ed by the censor of the drama. It was played in New York recently. The story is repeated in Verdi’s opera, “La Tra vlata.” Dmas wrote a great matic pieces, and was considered to be one of the greatest delineators of the character of the demimonde. One of his most widely known works is “The Cle menceau Case,” which.has been produced on the stage in this country. He was in stalled a member of the French Academy in 1875. Some of his works were based on the novels of his father, notably the drama, “Joseph Balsamo,” being a sequel to the elder Dumas’ romance of “Cagli ost.ro.” MISS GORMAN MARRIED. Tbe Senator's Daughter Becomes Mrs. Richard Johnson. Washington, Nov. 27.—The marriage of Miss Daisy Gorman, daughter of Senator A. P. Gorman of Maryland, to Richard Johnson, son of the late E. Kurtz John son, occurred at the residence of the bride’s father at noon to-day. The ceremony was a quiet one, only the relatives of the contracting parties being present owing to the recent death of Mr. Johnson’s father. There were no brides maids or ushers. The ceremony was performed by Cardi nal Gibbons, who arrived from Baltimore this morning for that purpose. The wed ding took place in the drawing room, which was beautifully decorated for the occasion, the principal flowers being white chrysanthemums. The bride was dressed in white duchess satin, trimmed with lace, and carried a bouquet of orchids. She entered the draw ing room on the arm of her father, and the bridal party took position in the front bay window, which was a bower of flow ers from floor to ceiling. Mr. Johnson was attended by his brother. Perry Johnson. At the conclusion of the ceremony an elaborate wedding breakfast was served, after which the yoking couple left tor a bri dal tour, the direction of which was not made known. HAWAII’S NEW MINISTER. Mr. Hatch at New Orleans En Route to Waßhlngton. New Orleans, Nov. 27.—F. M. Hatch, the minister of Hawaii to this country, arrived in this city this morning at 6 o’clock by the Southern Pacific, on his was to Washington. He stopped over here to-day and left to-night, via the Louisville and Nashville railroad, for Washington. In an interview, Mr. Hatch said: “I will say that the condition of Hawaii at the present time is fairly prosperous de spite the fact that the recent price of sugar has retarded commercial advance. I am coming to Washington to present my credentials to the government of the United States as the duly accredited min ister to it from the republic of Hawaii. I shall remain at your capital for an in definite period. “The ex-queen is residing quietly and without guard. She is nothing more now than a private resident of the country. 1 think that all the royalist aspirations have been extinguished thoroughly. Any way, none is discovered, and it looks as though the people were -quite satisfied with an existence under a republican form of law. The Dole government, is a stable one and unforseen circumstances ex cepted, will last some time.” San Francisco, Nov. 27. —Correspondence of the The United Press, per steamer Aus tralia, from Honolulu, under date of Nov. 20, says: “Everything is quiet here. Bus iness is active. The rainy season has fair ly set in, together with cool winter tem perature. “Since the declaration made by the new Japanese commissioner, Shimamura, on the day of his arrival, that he intended to actively prosecute the discussion with this government regarding their failure to fulfill their engagements in their immi gration treaty with Japan, he has remain ed silent. It is now believed that he was once cautioned by Consul Shunjdsu in obe dience to instructions from their legation at Washington not to take any aggressive attitude such as would give color to the allegation of Minister Castle that Japan had designs on Hawaii that would not be found desirable at the opening of the ses sion of congress in which the Haw’aiian question would come up. “President Dole stated this morning that it was no secret that the executive did not consider favorable the proposition to re lease any of the white political prisoners except T. B. Walker, who had been very friendly to the government. Probably a majority of the few remaining natives will soon be released.” DRIVEN TO SUICIDE BY DIVORCE. A Bold Board of Trade Operator Ends His Life in His Bath Room. Milwaukee, Wis., Nov. 27.—About 10:30 o'clock this morning Peter McGeoch, who lived * opposite the National Soldiers' Home, in an elegant mansion, ordered his carriage to go to the city, and then went upstairs. He was not seen alive after that. As he did not appear, the servants became alarmed, and instituted a search for him. Miss Annie Beese, who has been a servant in the house'for aboutjl year, looked through the key hole of bath room door, which was locked, and saw McGeoch lying on the floor with a revol ver in his hand. He shot himself through the mouth and death was probably in stantaneous. The servants immediately notified Maj. W. W. Rowley, quartermas ter of the soldiers’ home, an intimate ac quaintance of Mr. McGeoch, who at once sent for Mr. McGeoch’s son, Arthur, who resides in the city. When found Mr. Mc- Geoch had on his business suit, and was apparently ready to start for the city. Tpe servants noticed nothing peculiar in hip Actions before the time. Mr. McGeoch’s suicide is taken to be the result of divorce proceedings begun last Monday by Mrs. McGeoch, on the ground of incompatibility of tempera ment. Mrs. McGeoch was Mrs. Libbey of Ken wood, a suburb of Chicago, when she met Mr, McGeoch. They were married about eight years ago at the Leland hotel, Chi cago. Since their marriage, they have lived at the National avenue homestead of Mr. McGeoch. Mr. McGeoch had three children, a son and two daughters, who, after his marriage, occupied a house on Grand avenue, which their father pro vided. Since Mrs. McGeoch left the resi dence, one of the daughters, it is under stood had been keeping house for her father. No man was for years better known on the Chicago and Milwaukee boards of trade than Mr. McGeoch. He was a dar ing speculator up to the disastrous deal of 1883, when he attempted to corner the lard of the country, which scheme failed. Dan Wells, Jr., of Milwaukee was inter ested with him in the deal, and a long and acrimonious law suit followed. FRANCE AND MADAGASCAR. The New Ministry Repudiates the Treaty of the Old Ministry. Paris, Nov. 27.—M. Berthelot, minister of foreign affairs, read in the Chamber of Deputies to-day a statement prepared by the ministry in regard to Madagascar, which, he declared, was henceforth, a French possession. This declaration was received with prolonged applause. How ever, he continued France would respect any engagement which Madagascar had contracted toward certain powers, and in cases where the Hova government had contracted obligations, France would re spect the rules of international law appli cable thereto. The government, he said, would preserve the internal administration of the island and would also modify the original treaty with Madagascar which the queen had signed. The amended treaty would shortly be submitted to the cham ber. Ex-Premier Ribot declared that the statement read by M. Berthelot was tanta mount to a repudiation of the ireaty con cluded between France and Madagascar under his (Ribot’s) ministry which he pro ceeded to defend. A stormy debate followed. M. Cavaignac, minister of war, in reply to a question from different members Save various details of the campaign in ladagascar. He said in substance that the expedition had been ipismanged. but that the bravery of the French troops and the conduct of the general in command were unexceptionable. The truth was that France did not have a proper colonial organization. The demo cracy might rely that the colonial force would be organized in future. The chamber, by a vote of 426 to 29, ap proved the government's declarations M. Grousset, republican and radical so cialist, moved that the late ministers be impeached for concealing the truth regard ing the condition of affairs in Madagascar and demanded the urgency of the motion’ By a vote of 417 to 48, the house rejected the motion. SCHLATTER MUST HAVE DOUBLES. The Denver Healer Reported in Two Places at Once. Chicago, 111., Nov. 27.—A dispatch from Jennings, Kan., says that Francis Schlat ter, the Denver healer, arrived yesterday and is at a hotel in that place, but. Is keeping to his room, and few persons have been able to see him. Denver, Col., Nov. 27.—Schlatter has been positively identified at Green Horn, Coio. He is on his way to Albuqurque where he will fast forty days. < WEEKLY 2-TIMES-A-WEEK JI A YEAR ) < 6 CENTS A COPY. t I DAILY. $lO A YEAR. p f STEAMER HORSA NOW SEIZED. THE GOVERNMENT TAKES HER IN CHARGE AT PHILADELPHIA. Violation of the Nentrality Laws tho Charge on Which the Seizure is Bused—One of the Steamer’s Fire men Makes Affidavit That She Landed a Filibustering Expedition on the Coast of Cuba—The Captain of the Vessel Rather Non-Com mittal. Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 27.—The Danish fruit steamer Horsa, over whose reported seizure for Cuban filibustering in Kings ton, Jamaica, there has been considerable talk, arrived her to-day and discharged her cargo at the wharves of her agents, the J. D. Hart Company. The officers of the steamer denied that she had been, seized at Kingston and complained of un true stories having been written about the vessel. It was the intention of Capt. WJ borg to clear either to-day or to-morrow* but Collector of the Port Read, at the instance of the district attorney, secured the ship’s clearance papers. It is under stood that the district attorney is acting under instructions from the department of justice at Washington, and the Spanish government is the complainant, on the ground that the vessel is violating the neutrality laws. Until the matter shall be adjusted, the Horsa will be obliged to remain at this port. The Horsa carried one cabin passenger, William Dougherty, a railroad contractor, who returned to his home in Pennsylva nia, frorii Port Antonio, Jamaica. Thera were also seven deck passengers, all la borers. In speaking of the detention of the Hor sa, P. Gray Meek, surveyer of the port, expressed himself very decidedly on the affair. He said: "There is entirely too much seizure of vessels on suspicion. Every ship that has left this port bound for Cuban waters during the summer has been closely watched, and everything has been all right when they left here. The Horsa was cleared on the 9th Inst., by In spector Edward F. Egan, and there was not a suspicious article in her cargo. If any offense has been committed, It was done outside of the capes and not in the jurisdiction of this office.” United States District Attorney Ingra ham was asked about the detention of ths Horsa and said: “I have been instructed by Attorney General Harmon to detain the steamer Horsa on charges of having broken the neutrality laws by landing a band of insurgents, arms and munitions of war in Cuba. An investigation of the case will be made at once.” Oapt. Wiborg, the commander of the Horsa, was shown a copy of the affidavit made by the fireman. Emit Fredericksen, who swore to the landing of filibusters with arms and ammunition on the Cuban coast. After reading it through, he said: "I shall swear to the correctness of the entries made on my log book when called to do so before a court of inquiry. Until then I have nothing to say. The vessel was searched at San Antonio and nothing contraband was found on her. The offi cers even overhauled the coal in her bunk ers. . \ ‘ “T had ? fireman cn board when I left Philadelphia, whose name «i>pears on her papers as E. Fredericksen. I suppose he is the one who made this affidavit. On my return voyage I stopped at. six ports on the Jamaica coast.” The Danish’consul says that under the neutrality laws, the United States gov ernment has the right to hold a vessel of any nationality if charges of this charac ter can be made. The Danish consul at this port, has call ed a naval court of inquiry to meet to morrow morning to investigate the charga against the Horsa. Ship brokers and others interested in! the commerce of Philadelphia are prepar ing a protest to be presented to Secretary Carlisle and Attorney General Harmon against what they deem the unwarranted detention of the steamer by this govern ment at the instance of the Spanish min ister. They claim that the action of the government in seizing vessels under sus picion is driving ships out of the Wes» Indian trade and injuring the commerce of the country. Attorney General Haman declined to discuss the matter of the seizure of the Horsa. It is understood here that t;ha detention was made on the request of the Spanish minister, Senor De Lome. The treasury department was advised by Col lector Reed of his action in seizing tiho vessel and stated It was done at the in stance of District Attorney Ingraham of Philadelphia. Outside of this information treasury officials profess to be ignoran# in the matter. SPANISH GUERRILLAS SLAIN. An Insurgent Band Wreaks a Terri ble Vengenace. New York, Nov. 27.—A cipher dlspatcM received at the Cuban headquarters in thia city yesterday from Col. Rios, the insur gent commander in Medialuna, Cuba, stated that on the 14th inst., Lieut. CoL Salvador Rios, with 600 mounted men over took and surrounded Col. Lolo Eenitze and his band of Spanish guerrillas, numbering in all 150 men. These men, it was assert ed, had been committing atrocities north of Manzanillo and Rios had been instruct* ed to find and exterminate them. After surrounding the band Rios ordered a ma chete charge and the cavalry rode down on the doomed men with cries of ven geance, scarcely a third of the guerrillas escaped alive. One hundred and six were killed with machetes. Madrid, Nov. 27.—A dispatch from Ha vana to the Correspondents says the in surgents have captured a fort at Guinea Miranda, which was defended by forty Spanish soldiers. Havana, Nov. 27.—A sniall fight has oc curred in the district of Cienfugoa, in which the leader of the rebel! band en gaged, Victor Acea, was killed. The gov ernment had no men killed. The rebel commander, Antonio Maceo, is still to the eastward of Ciego de Avila. Two hundred rebels attacked seventeen soldiers, near Manicargua, province of Santa Clara. They were defeated, leav ing on the field one dead and taking with them some wounded, among them their leader. During the fight several horses belonging to the rebels were killed. On the Spanish side one soldier was killed. The garrison of Las Lajas, led by Gaspar Cantero, a civil guard, defeated the rebel party commanded by Aniceto Hernandez, in the Aluncinda, who left on the field six killed and took with them many wounded. The troops followed them until they could not be seen. It is said here that Maximo Gomez’s par ty is surrounded by several Spanish col umns in the district of Sancti Spirltus. It is impossible for Gomez to return to Ca maguey, as it was his intention to do. Madrid, Nov. 27.—N0 official confirmation can be had here of the report that the Cu ban insurgent leader Maceo, has been kill ed in an engagement near Cienfugoa. The report is believed to be untrue. SWEETHEARTS AT THE ALTAR, John Skelton Williams Marries Miss Lillie Isaacs. Richmond, Va„ Nov. 27.—John Skelton Williams of the banking house of J. J« Williams & Sons of this city, and presi dent of the Georgia and Alabama rail road, and Miss Lillie Isaacs were mar ried at the home of the bride’s father, in Ashland to-day. The bride is grand daughter of the late William B. Isaacs, who was known throughout the entire country in Masonic circles. NO 91.