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■■A;-4
WEEK
VOL. 45.
A SON OF CAIN,
Or a Heritage of Vengeance.
By J. MONK FOSTER.
Author of «A Pit Brow Lassie,” “Queen of the Factory,” “Children of Darkness,”
“Slaves of Fate,” “The White Gipsy,” «A Crimson Fortune,” “The
Lass That Loved a Miner,” “Judith Saxon,” Etc., Etc.
Copyrighted, 1885, by J. Monk Foster.
CHAPTER L—TH® CHILD OF THE
RECLUSE.
On the western slopes of Ben Shalloch,
not far from the mountain’s foot, a
young man was standing gazing seaward,
and enjoying the beauty of the scene
spread out before him. Below, almost
at his feet,, lay Ardnamurehan Point, wild
and rugged, and crowned by its tall light
house; beyond that was a wide space of
blue wherein were set the dark masses
of the isles of Coll and Muck.
The young man standing there had no
quarrel with the world. His name was
Paul Methuen; he was handsome, rich,
young, famous, and without any burdens.
His fame and wealth had come to him
unexpectedly, after some biter struggles,
and were ajl the more acceptable on that
account.
Standing there, surrounded by that
striking scenery, the young fellow’s mind
was suddenly, strangely filled with
thoughts of his father’s sudden death—
■truck down by an unknown hand—-of the
vow he had made to his mother to drag
his father’s murderer from his hiding
place some day. Why had his parent
been slain? Who was his slayer? Now
that he possessed both money and leisure
should he devote himself to the task of
vengeance ho had sworn to fulfill.
Suddenly Paul's heart leapt to his
throat, and a cry of terror flew from his
Ups. He felt the ground beneath him
slip; then he fell crashing among the
gorse and heather on the plateau below,
and when he recovered consciousness
again—some ten minutes afterwards—he
found a great-limbed, white-bearded man ,
kneeling besides him.
’’What’s the matter? What has hap
pened?” Paul asked weakly, as he vainly
essayed to struggle to a sitting posture.
“1 was down in the valley when I saw
you fall. Don’t try to rise: I fear you
are badly hurt. My house is the only one
near at hand, I will carry you there.”
Paul did not respond, again he had be
come oblivious. Without delay the
brawny old fellow raised the slender fig
ure in his arms, and curried him to his
house. As they crossed the threshold
they were met by a slim, dark faced girl
of wondrous beauty, and just them the
injured man opened his eyes, to let them
fall wonderingly on the woman who was
making hurried and anxious Inquiries of
her father.
Her great dark eyes met Paul’s brown
ones for a moment; he noted that her
short, full, red lips were quivering as in
x the tend*--. iffy, and then Wi.ij ■ half-i
WL <>- jpy and pain us lost touU«wx ueuse
, again. • *
CHAPTER II.—LOVE’S YOUNG
DREAM. '
Nearly a month had slipped away since
Paul Methuen fell at the foot of Ben
Shalloch, dislocating an arm and badly in
juring his ribs. ■ All that time had been
spent at Blair Manse, and although he
was now almost well again, he was still
residing there.
To the man and his fair daughter the
author was known as Philip Marsden; for
from the very first Paul had resolved to
win Helen Campbell for his wife, and with
all the enthusiasm of a young lover he
had determined to win her love as a poor
and unfamed man, if he won It at all.
■ The task he had set himself proved
easier of accomplishment than he had
imagined possible. With Helen Campbell,
as with Paul Methuen, it was a case or
love at first sight; and as they were
thrown constantly together during the
latter part of his convalescence, each
soon learned to read the sweet secret of
the other’s heart.
Ai yet Paul had not spoken to either
father or daughter of his affection and
dearest hope, lie had often wondered how
it came about that Hugh Campbell and
his child were settled there in that out
of-the-worhl spot, for it was evident that
the hermit was possessed of considerable
wealth. .... ..
I'Tom the people living near the manse
Paul had endeavored to glean some infor
mation of the hermit’s history; but no
one could tell him whence Hugh Camp
bell came, or why he stayed there. Ten
years before he had bough, the manse and
the adjoining estate, and since his first
coming he had never left the place for
a dav He was called the hermit because
he shut himself up in his house or wan
dered aimlessly a»x»ut the moors, but he
wns well liked despite these things, as he
dispensed his wealth with liberal hand.
At last Paul could maintain silence no
longer One afternoon, when he and Helen
were out together, he told her of his love;
nnd. as he had expected, she returned
ids low. The same evening he asked her
father to sanction thoir engagement.
•T candidly admit that I like you, Mars
den,” said Hugh Campbell, “and that 1
would rather give her to you than any
man 1 know. But I cannot let her leave
me yet. Your engagement must extend
over a year at least. Besides, I must sat
isfy myself that you are worthy’ of Helen.
You are almost a stranger to us, you
ThTsi was only reasonable, and overjoyed
at his success, Paul willingly assented to ■
u long engagement. He would wait for
Helen any length of time her father ,
thought requisite, nnd in the meantime he I
would win a. fortune and a name worthy
of her fair self.
The elder man smiled at the other’s en
thusiasm. and tn a mad whirl of happi
ness Paul went away to seek out his love
nnd tell her that her father looked kindly
upon his wooing.
In a few more days Paul s holiday would
conn* to an end. His publishers wore eag
er for a new work from his pen, and sev
eral editors for whom he had promised
to write short atorb .. v re beginning to
get a little clamorous. The tide of for- ■
tune must not he allowed to ebb.
At length the day of departure came |
and then Paul resolved to disclose his real ,
name. He had wooed and won Helen ;
Campbell »» a poor and unknown scrib
bler; he would lessen the pain of parting !
by telling her of his fame, and thus sat- 1
tsfy her father of hla rezpeetabwty.
lie was to leave by the ■tamer scam alter !
noon, and in the morning he found an op
nortunity of breathing hla secret into Hel
en's ears. Th.- revelation was a soubce of
infinite gnldnes to the girl, aho had read
the popular noval i'aul had writer*,
never dreaming that her lover and the au
thor were the same, and her ondse of it
was sweeter than any the most favorable
reviewer hart sung.
A little later he told Hugh Camplwl) that
he was Paul Methuen, the author t.f “Saul
Alatone’a Stn.” The elder man listened
gravely to the other’s disclosure, and then
he questioned Paul closely as to his fam
ily history, and Methuen told him all he i
rotnemherw of his parents.
An hour after this the last good-bye was
■pokeq: Paul had kissed Helen's tear-stain
ed face, and was wringing her father’s
hand when the latter placed a sealed en
velope in hla hand, saying;
•'Head that, Methuen, when you reach
hon»«'.”
The next moment Paul was hurrying
down the road, leaving the hermit and bis I
daughter standing by the front door <f the
manse, a here the par?lna had taken place t
at UMsUa lu the excitement of
Mrt KTomss
1 THE MORNING NEWS, 1
•< Established 1850. - - Incorporated 1888. >
, I J. H. ESTILL, President. )
the moment Paul scarcely noticed the mis
sive placed in his possession; he thrust it
into his coat pocket, and thither it re
mained forgotten until the day after he
reached London.
He was just thinking of writing to Helen
to tell her of his safe arrival when he sud
denly remembered the letter her father
had handed to him, and bade him read on
reaching home. He lost no time in fishing
out the letter, and on breaking it open he
found the following:
Dear Sir (It ran)—Since I accepted you
as a suitor for my daughter I have re-con
sidered the matter, and I now find that it
will be better for you both if the engage
ment terminates at once. You will, there
fore, consider yourself at liberty. I take
this course after the most profound delib
eration, and I would urge you to forget
my daughter as speedily as possible, for it
is utterly impossible that she can ever be
come your wife. I give no reason for this
decision, but as an honest man I ask you
to believe me when I say before God and
to you, that it will be best for Helen and
you never to meet again; and I ask you,
as a gentleman, never to approach her in
any manner or seek to pry into the cause
of this change.
"My respect for you remain undiminisn
ed, and I hope, despite the blow I have
been forced to strike you, that you may
still think as a friend of
„ "Hugh Campbell."
No words can. express Paul Methuen’s
amazement as the full Import of the let
ter sank slowly into his mind. Not to
make Henel his wife —never to see hes
again even. Good heavens! was he dream
ing or mad? What was the cause of the
mysterious change that had come over
Helen Campbell’s father? What was the
nature of the Insurmountable barrier that
had sprung up between him and his love?
In sore stress of mind Paul paced about
the room, glancing now and again at the
ominous missive, and bitterly regretting
his forgetfulness. Had he but read it soon
after it was placed In his hands it would
nave been an easy matter to have return
ed to the manse and demanded an expla
nation. Was he right in holding Hugh
Campbell responsible for the change?
Could it be possible that Henel did not
love him, and had terminated their en
gagement of her own free will?
We was pondering these perplexities, un
decided whether to passively submit to
the desire Hugh Campbell had expressed
In his cruel or to post back Imme
diately to Ardnamuchan to attempt to
avert the fate that threatened to crush
his love dreams for ever, when the after
pOHt brought him a letter, upon
which was the Port Kenneth post-mark.
In a very fever of excitement he tore open
the envelope, to find the following short
note:
“Dear Sir—l understand that my father
has Informed you that our union is an
impossibility. I have only to add that it
is niy desire as well as his that we should
see no more of each other.
_. "Helen Campbell.”
The loregoing eommunkalbn anly in
tensified pa'ul’H curiosity, thickening the-’
mystery, and adding the bitterest drop of
all to the bitter draught. For a little while
man deliberated as to what he
should do, and ultimately he resolved to
instantly revisit the West of Scotlana.
No misunderstanding should be permitted
to part him and Helen. From Hugh
Campbell’s own lips he would know the
nature of the barrier which had risen be
tween him and his daughter.
That very afternoon Paul Methuen left
London again, and before sunset the next
clay he was back at Port Kenneth. Tho
shadows of gloaming were falling over
strath and moor as he approached the
manse, his heart filled with a strange
mixture of hope and fear. Soon he had
reached the house and knocked at the
front door, wondering what manner of
reception he would receive.
His knock brought no one to the door,
so he knocked again more loudly; but
repeated knocking brought no response.
1 hen he realized that he was too late.
The manse was deserted. Hugh Camp-
DJli end his daughter must have expect
ed his return, and had fled rather than
J} m - thither had they gone?
To this question he sought to obtain an
answer by questioning the villagers, but
none of them could tell him what he wish
ed to know. The hermit and his daught
er had gone away the day before; their
destination was unknown, and all that
f aul was able to learn after staying a
couple of days was that Hugh Campbell
had left port Kenneth
by the Oban steamer.
This was all the information he could
be was forced to be
satisfied. The fugitive* had disappeared,
no tr s c< ? that would enable
1 aul Methuen to folllow them. So in
fate 1 * av| thor resigned him-
CHAPTER III.—NEMESIS.
A y, ear had Pawed since
Paul Methuen inet Helen Campbell, and
thA that pe V od had enhanced
author’s fame and fortune without
adding to his happiness, or rather, lessen
ing his misery. In order to stifle the suf
he Fl flnn!j ßt hi red had ca used him
he had flung himself into his llterarv
night and day almost un
til his health broke down and his phvsi
of l re«t h,m t 0 takt a lon *
He had decided to spend his holidays '
in Devonshire, and thither he went one
sunny morn in August. Not far from thl
banks of the Exe at a comfortable farm
surrm’in e i m i O h Se<l ln Orchards and
hi r a Bea ot waving corn-fields,
he found the retreat he hungered for
I erhaps It would have been better had he
?» U w ht t mor S Pilous resting place, for
aL Vi,® beautiful solitude of the country
air| t h« U hJd S m continuaJ >y on the fair
gin ne had met a year ago.
Whether lolling beneath the apple trees
in the garden, walking through the gol
oorn-fields. or sitting on the grw*n
shady banks of the Exe, Paul’s dreams
hemselv ® s around Helen Camp
bell. The manner of their meeting was a
,n ltße,f ' and the s« d rten ending
of their engagement tended to keep his
I . ove J o Fr h a er s reen an <* hale- He often won
w°uld ever meet
»?ne sunny morning, an hour or two be
fore noon, Paul went for a stroll as was
’ his custom. On this occasion he pursued
>! t on » suing towani Hunslynn,
• V°JL r . mUe . s away and near ’
?' alking along a deep green
.V f O4 ' sl was soon reached and the I
v P U waters of the channel re-
Qo ' n K slowly along the shore I
with the sweet salt breath of the sea fifi- >
h ?i a " d nostrils. Paul met a
tall, elderly gentleman and a young wo-
ne hurriedly in the opposite :
The man's face v, as quite new to Paul
ivUir seemed famiitar to hinn I
”, S?d he her before? Halting
on the sands he gaaed after the retreat- i
Y on , derln £ whether his mem
ory were at fault or If he had really met
’T. o 2!‘.* n F r ® that B“ dd *nly the
half-disclosed remembrance revealed It-I
’ seif fully, and he recollected both when 1
and where he had seen her before. It was
M tn aervice of Hugh
Campbell. This revelation suggested the
i tnought;
I Waa the woman still in Hugh Camp
bell s service?
Instantly Paul followed the man and
woman at a pace quicker than their own.
Gradually he gained upon them, ami
when they left the shore and turned up
1 2?*L a ? only half a hundred I
yards or so vehlnd Presently ha saw
SAVANNAH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1895.
them enter a gate beyond which was a
small villa, and, undecided what to do,
Paul waited in the lane.
Half an hour passed, and then the gen
tleman came back alone. As he passed
Paul he said “good morning,” and the
latter replied:
"Good morning. Can you tell me if a
gentleman named Campbell lives here
abouts?”
“Campbell!—a gentleman of that name
lives there. Perhaps it is the same.”
“Perhaps. My friend’s name is Hugh
Campbell, and he is a widower with one
daughter.”
“It is the same, then. I have just been
calling upon him. Here Is my card. I
am sorry to say that Air. Campbell is
dangerously ill.”
“Thank you—good morning,” said Paul
and he walked quickly to the gate, opened
- it and strode toward the house, his mind
filled with strange emotions.
* To the servant who opened the door
he gave no name, merely saying that
1 he desired to see either Mr. or Miss Camp
bell, and he was shown into a room, into
’ which a tall, willowy figure, with sweet,
1 sad face, entered presently.
’ “Paul!” burrst from the girl’s lips as
> she suddenly recognized the visitor.
“Helen!” he cried, holding out his
i hands, "I have found you at last.”
For some moments Miss Campbell did
not speak. The surprise and shock of
that unexpected meeting had overcome
her. The girl sank, upon a chair, and
' ' hid her face in her hands, while Paul
stood there mute, where he had risen
to greet his lost sweetheart.
At last Helen spoke.
“How did you find us here?”
"By accident.”
"Why have you come?”
“Need you ask that, darling?” he cried,
taking a step toward her. “I have come
to learn why you broke off our engage
ment in such an inejjpllcable manner. 1
1 had not offended either you or your fa
ther?”
“No, no! Not that, Paul!” she half
sobbed.
"What was it then? Had you ceased
to love me, Helen?”
"No!” came In the faintest Whisper
from the girl’s lips as her head
again in her hands.
’ “In heaven’s name, what was the rea
son, then?” Paul demanded. “Surely, Hel
en, I have the right to know. You were
the first—you are the only woman I shall
ever love. You confess that you love
me still—at least you admit that you did
care for me still when you and your
father wrote tq me. What does it mean?
Again I ask you to tell me why I was cast
1 adrift?”
"It was my father’s wish!” she mur
mured.
"Your father’s wish!” he echoed with
some bitterness. “And because he wished
this thing it had to be. Do your feelings
count for nothing? Do mine? But why did
he wish it. dear?”
“I do not know.”
“Did he not explain?”
“Never!” she answered. “I only know
that my father pleaded to me in a manner
no man should plead to his child—that he
was fearfully agitated—demented almost.
And only when I had vowed to give you
up for ever was he pacified.”
"My God, this is strange, terribly
strange! Some mystery lurks behind this.
I must see your father, Helen.”
“You cannot. He is ill, and so seriously
that the least excitement might prove fa
tal. For my sake, Paul, spare him an in
terview.”
“If you wish it; but supposing
he were to die. Will you be free then to
marry me?”
“Not even then. My promise to him was
that 1 would never marry you. And I need
scarcely say T shall wed no other man.”
• £ «.v»l bit his ltr» &i«d halt- turned
' away. In face of the enigma that con
fronted him he felt powerless. He could
not force his way into a dying man’s
chamber, and could not see his way to the
unravelment of the mysterj’ which was
quietly wrecking his life. It was fearfully
bitter and hard, he thought, that he should
love thl* rare maiden, ttyat his affec
tion •should be returned, and that some
nameless barrier her father had erected
should for ever stand between them and
the consummation of their love. A sud
den resolution seized him, and confront
ing her he said:
“This is the truth, God’s truth, Helen,
you have told me?
“God’s truth!” she firmly said, her sweet
eyes meeting his own fearlessly.
“You would marry me to-morrow if your
father were willing?”
“I would, Paul.
’Then I am satisfied. I will go now and
will never trouble you again. But if ever
you should desire to communicate with
me a letter sent to this address”—handing
her his card—“will find me. I shall remain
in the neighborhood another week or so I
am staying with Farmer North, at Ash
field farm.
He extended his hand and she placed
her slim white palm upon it. He pressed
the white fingers tenderly and looked in
her eyes, to find them filled with tears.
Suddenly he bent and kissed her passion
ately. Then he was hurrying away, and
Helen Campbell was lying on the sofa in
a storm of tears.
CHAPTER IV.—THE MYSTERY SOLV
ED.
It was the evening of the day on which
Paul Methuen had discovered the Camp
bells. and father and daughter were alone
In the sick man’s chamber. The blinds
were draw’n, a soft, subdued light was
burning, and the dying man was telling
his child that his end was near.
"It is nearly over, Helen, I fear,” Hugh
Campbell said bravely. “The doctor holds
o*it no hope for me, darling.”
“I won’t believe him, father—you are
not dying. I will not let you leave me!”
the girl cried, tr dng to be brave as her
sire.
"Well, well, my child, what is to be will
be. There, don’t cry. You have trouble
enough of your own. What a terrible
thing it was that you and that young
Methuen should meet and fall in love.
Where is Paul, I wonder? Have you ever
heard from him? Do you love him still?
“I do, father," she replied, ignoring the
other question.
“I ought to tell him before I die,” the
old man murmured, as if to himself. The
girl’s quick ear caught the muttered words
and she asked:
"Tell him what, father? What is there
that you should tell Paul?"
“Nothing! What should there be?” he
demanded petulantly. "Have you ever
broken vour promise never to correspond
or let him know where we are?”
"Never. Still I have seen Paul Methuen
to-day( father.”
“To-day! WTiere?”
. “He came here!”
“My God! he has tracked me out at
last, then! Here, you say? What did he
do? What did he want? How had he
found us?”
“He discovered us quite by accident,
father. He is spending his holidays near
here, and he chanced to recognize Han
nah, whom he met. You need have no
fear that Mr. Methuen will trouble us.
He promised me before he went away
' never to eonje near us again."
“And what did you promise him, Helen?
j You told him I was dying, I suppose, and
■ that when I was gone you would tnarrv j
him?” the old man exclaimed with weak I
vehemence.
"No! no! I promised nothing. I have
f riven you my word, father, and will keep i
t, though I break my heart—ruin my ;
I whole lire!" f
The troubled girl spoke tn a low, an 1
i Intense way which startled the sick man; ‘
I and when she had spoken, her averted 1
face and the great tears which trickled '
i down her pale cheeks testified to the j
depth of her emotions.
Hugh Campbell stared at his daughter
with his lustreless, sunken eyes. He had
| hoped that the attachment between Helen i
1 and Paul would die speedily when they
were sundered, and he was surprised to I
find their love apparently as virile as s
ever It had been.
"This is nonsense. Helen,” he protest
ed feebly. "You win forget Paul Methuen
in time. You cannot wed him. Your
union would prove a curse to you both!”
“Why?” she asked, facing him with wet ’
eyes.
“J cannot tell you, child—l dare not tell
you!“
r>atT What Is this thing which
makes you part me and Paul? Only tell
me why I am to sacrifice myself, and then
I may be satisfied.”
“No, no! For heaven’s sake, don’t ask
me to tell you! Better tell him than you.
Far better! Far better to tell Methuen
all!”
“Then tell him!” she cried, firmly.
“You wish it?”
“I do, whatever it may be!”
“Where is he staying?”
“With the Norths, at Ashfleld Farm.”
• “Send Hannah for him at once. I will
tell him before I die. Better that I should
tell him than he should hear it from an
other—and perhaps a lying source. Send
forOPaul Methuen at oncer’
Helen Campbell left the room at once,
and dispatched the servant forthwith to
Ashfield Farm with a note for her lover.
Twenty minutes later Paul Methuen and
Hugh Campbell were closeted together.
“I am dying, Paul Methuen,” the sick
man began, “and I have sent for you in
order to make a confession!”
“A confession!” the young man exclaim
ed.
“Yes. To confess a sin—a crime and to
explain a mystery. I suppose you have
often wondered why I broke off your en
gagement with Helen?”
"Very often, sir.”
"I am about to tell you now. Your
father was killed—mine was the hand that
struck the murderous blow!”
“My God!” cried Paul, springing to his
feet excitedly. “Is this true?”
“Too true. I am a dying man, and I tell
you now because I am beyond the reach
of the law and because I wish you to
know why I prevented you and my daugh
ter marrying.”
“And why did you kill him?”
“Wait and you shall hear the whole sto
ry. Sit down and give me a drink.”
Paul attended to the sick man’s wants,
and then, reseating himself near the bed,
he waited to hear how his father had met
this strange fate so many years before.
After a brief silence Hugh Campbell be
gan.
“I killed your father, Paul Methuen, it
is true, but I killed him in mistake. The
bullet that reached his heart was meant
for the black soul of one of the greatest
knaves that ever breathed. It was an
awful mistake to make, and it has em
bittered and shadowed the whole of my
life. You shall hear how it occurred, and
then deliver judgment on me.”
“When I was about your age, Methuen,
I fell in love with a beautiful girl who
lived in the same village as myself. She
was pure and simple as an angel, and
the dream of my life was to Vail her my
wife. She lovea me, we were engaged,
and I expected to marry her In a year or
so.
“Matters stood thus with me and my
sweetheart when I obtained a good ap
pointment in Glasgow. I went away to
my new duties trusting that in a year’s
time I should have ready a home foil the
girl I loved. For a time all went well.
We corresponded regularly, and absence
seemed to increase her affection, as it cer
tainly increased mine.
“When nine months or So had passed,
and I was thinking of running over to
Wick for a day or two, a letter came from
the girl I loved. It was a wild letter,
out of which I could make neither head
nor tail. She said all was over forever
between us; she set me free; she had
fallen ,and many other wild things.
"Os course I rushed homeward at once,
and on reaching Wick I found that she
had disappeared from her home the very
day she wrote to me. I will not trouble
you with the details of the shameful
story. Let it suffice to say that a black
souled scoundrel had lured her to ruin.
I got a description of the villain an& his
name, which proved to be a false one.
But all my efforts to trace the pair proved
“When next I heard from the unfor
tunate girl it was nearly a year' later.
She wrote to me from Edinburgh, and
told me that if I wished to see her be
fore she died I was to go to her immedi
ately.
"I went, and found her'at death’s door.
Her child was dead, and her betrayer had
left her in her disgrace and penury. Be
lieving she had only a short time to live
she told me everything. How the man
who betrayed her l?ad come to lodge at
their farm during his holidays; the friend
ship that grew up between them; and,
finally, how he decoyed away and ruined
her.
"She even told me the real name of
the scoundrel, and said that he lived
somewhere in Fraserburgh. She also gave
me his photo, and armed with these things
I sought the man who had blasted the
life of the only woman I ever loved.
"I went to the place named, and there I
found the wretch. But I did not up
braid him with sin; I did not even expose
him to his wife and friends. Such pun
ishment would have been too cheap, too
easy. He never knew I was aware of
the black work he had done.
“I planned my revenge and fulfilled it.
One night I lay in wait for David Graham
in a lane outside the town, and when he
came staggering homeward at midnight
I. killed him—at least I had killed a man
whose resemblance to the scoundrel was
almost miraculous.
“I did not find out my mistake until the
next day, when I was back at the be
trayed woman’s side. Then on taking up
a paper I found that Duncan Methuen
and not David Graham had been found
shot through the heart In the lane just
outside! Fraserburgh.
"What that discovery cost me I will leave
to your thoughts. It was terrible to know
that my desperate act had been taken in
vain—that an innocent man had suffered
in place of a black wretch. How J repented
my crime when it was too late—too late!
I fell ill, was raving for weeks, and the
one who nursed me back to life was my
old sweetheart—Helen’s mother. That is
all I have to say.”
Hugh Campbell’s eyes closed wearily as
his head sank back on his pillow, and Paul
Methuen’s hand stole toward the brown, I
bony palm lying so still on the coverlet.
"It was a terrible mistake,” the young
man murmured, “and you have suffered
for it. I will not attempt tc judge you
now.’”
"You forgive me?"
"Freely. You did not mean to kill my
rather, and the other man deserved death.
You have judged yourself already, and
God will adjudge you In the end.”
“God will Junge me soon. Let death I
come. In living all these years I have died I
a hundred deaths. Poor Helen must never >
know anything of this. You will promise ,
me to keep my secret?”
“Never a word shall pass my lips. But
Helen? You will not part us now?”
“Would you marry her still knowing that
her father’s hands are red with your fa
ther’s blood?"
"She is blameless, and I love her so
much!" the young man cried. “Yes, I will
i marry her whenever I may!”
“Take her, then, and may God bless you
both!”
A little later the dying man was joining
the lovers’ hands.
(The End.)
PULLED DOWI BY PACE.
A Prominent Tobacconist of Rich
mond* Assigns.
Richmond, Va., Dec. 18.—E. D. Chris- !
j tian, who has been prominent in Rich- >
mond tobadbo circles,'and is president of i
i the Richmond Paper Company, filed a i
; deed ot assignment in the clerk’s office :
of the chancery court this evening, with !
; W. J. as trustee. His liabilities are
placed at His assets are all in •
; real estate and stocks, which it is estl- j
mated will pay him out. The paper com
pany is not. it is understood, affected by
i the assignment. Mr. Christian was
drawer or endorser on a number of notes
: involved in the assignment of J. B. Pace.
A Break in the Clyde Strike.
Glasgow. Dec. 18.—Two large Clyde.ship
building firms have seceded from the un
ion of ship building masters and announc
ed that they will reopen their yards upon i
* the terms demanded by their employes •
’ who have of late been locked out in pur- ‘
suance of the agreement between the j
Belfast and Clyde master ship builders '
the former of whose employes are ua a
strike. j
WAR FEELING RUNNING HIGH.
BRITISH ACQUISITION OF CUBA
WOULD MEAN A FIGHT.
The Republican Senatorial Caucus a
Unit In Support of President Cleve
land’s Firm Stand—The Boundary
Line Investigation Commission
Not to Be a Time-Killing Body.
Washington, Dec. 18.—The republicans
in the Senate held another caucus this af
ternoon, at which the foreign affairs of
the country were discussed for upwards
of an hour, and matters of detail connect
ed with the committee assignments were
considered. On motion of Mr. Mitchell of
Oregon, chairman of the committee, it
was voted to change the name of the select
committee to inquire into all claims of
citizens of the United States against the
government of Nicaragua, to “Select com
mittee on the construction of the Nicara
guan canal,” and increasing the number
of the committee from five to seven. The
chairmanship will be given to a demo
crat, (Mr. Morgan being the ranking man),
and the democrats will have three mem
bers, with the following republicans as
members: Messrs. Hawley of Connecti
cut, Mitchell of Oregon, Squire of Wash
ington and Sewell of New Jersey.
Mr. Mitchell also informed the caucus
that he had received a letter from Mr.
Gorman, chairman of the democratic cau
cus, that the democrats would not resist
the reorganization of the committees, but
that the republicans must enlarge the
democratic representation on. the commit
tees on appropriations and finance, so as
to make the republican majorities on these
committees but one, in accordance with
the established custom of the Senate. This
was agreed to, and these committees will
consist of thirteen.
It was also reported that it would be
impossible to organize any of the com
mittees before the holidays, the demo
. cratlc committee Insisting that it was im
possible for them to make their assign
ments in the short time alloted to them.
Mr. Gorman, it was said, had earnestly
endeavored to arrive at an understand
ing in regard to the foreign relations
committee, but his associates on the com
mittee refused to consider the matter be
fore the holidays. For this reason, it is
expected that the Senates will adjourn for
the holiday with the cdßimittees still in
the hands of the democrats.
The bill passed during the morning by
the House providing for the appropria
tion of >IOO,OOO for the expenses or a com
mission to investigate the Venezuelan
boundary question, as suggested by the
President, caused a renewal of the debate
of the day before on our foreign relations.
The republicans agreed that it would be
the part of wisdom for thia measure to
be referred to the committee on foreign re
lations for revision and amendment, anfl
the debate showed that there was una
nimity of sentiment in favor of amending
the measure by incorporating in it the
text of the Monroe doctrine, that doc
trine never having been given the. full force
of legislative enactment by congress. The
time within which the commission shall
report was al<so taken into consideration,
unu tne time when then report must be
made will be fixed.
The statement was made by one of the
speakers that all the data needed by this
commission was now on file in the state
department, and that a full and thorough
report could be made within sixty days.
It was agreed that it would not do to let
the idea go abroad that this commission
was Intended as a time-consuming affair,
during the deliberations of which the
matter at issue between this country and
Great Britain would be permitted to pass
out of sight. Its report is to be made at
as early a moment as possible, and when
that is done, congress will be called upon
to act.
The war feeling was just as apparent
as it was during the caucus of yesterday,
and all those who spoke took strong
ground for upholding the President and
backing him in the enforcement of the
Monroe doctrine. Press dispatches to the
effect that Great Britain was to secure
the island of Cuba, either by purchase or
by exchanging Gibraltar, caused the dis
cussion to take a turn in that direction.
The prevailing sentiment on this matter
was that if England sought to get posses
sion of Cuba, or Spain sought to dispose
of the island, such action would be ac
cepted as a declaration of war. She must
remain as the property of Spain or it must
be given its independence. In the hands
of any other power it would be a menace
to the United States, and if such an af
front to this government was attempted
the republicans asserted this government
must fight.
The temper of the republicans who took
part in the debate and of those who did
not speak, but who endorsed what was
said, shows that the President will receive
the hearty co-operation of the majority
party in the Senate and that his foreign
policy in this matter is thoroughly and
manfully supported.
A CALL FOR ARMS BY CHANDLER.
He Introduce* a Bill for Heavy Pur
chaseM by This Country.
Washington. Dec. 18.—Several senators
; are thoroughly in earnest about the Presi
dent’s message and propose to back him
up in the most substantial manner. There
have been numerous conferences of sena
tors, and there appears to be a Bomewhat
practical unanimity that an appropriation
should be speedily made that would en
able the adnjinietration to equip an army,
{ if it were necessary to call one into the
I field. With this idea 18 view, Senator
i Chandler this morning introduced a bill
* which provides that the Presdent be, and
• he is hereby authorized and directed to
strengthen the military armament by add
ing thereto, equipped for use:, one million
infantry rifles, one thousand guns for field
artillery, and not exceeding 5,000 heavy
guns for fortifications, to be procured by
manufacture in arsenals, or by contract
for manufacture, or by the direct purchase
in this country or elsewhere, according to
the discretion of the President, who snail
conform when practicable, without unwise
delay, to the methods prescribed by exist
ing laws. The sum of 5100.000,000 is appro
priated to carry into effect the provisions
of this act.
Mr. Grout, rep., of Vermont offered in j
the House a bill of the same purport as
Mr. Chandler’s. It appropriates $100,000,-
000 to be immediately available for the
construction of fortifications and other
works of defense on the seacoasts and
■ along the Canadian frontier, and for their
armament with heavy ordnance. To pro
i vide the moneys for the execution of the
i act, the bill authorizes the issue and sale
at not less than par, for coin, of «00,-
. 000,000 in 2 per cent, bonds, running from
one to thirty years at the pleasure of the
government, to be offered to the public
in sums of S2O, SSO, SIOO and multiples of
SIOO. not exceeding SI,OOO and they mav
be used in the payment of treasury war
rants to such persons as may choose to
receive them at par.
After the bill appropriating SIOO,OOO for
the expenses of a Venezuelan boundary
commission had been passed in the House
to-day Mr. Harrison, dem., of Alabama
endeavored to have read a telegram from
a citizen of Alabama, but Mr. Dalzell, rep.
of Pennsylvania, objected. It was from
a resident of Mr. Harrison’s district, of
fering to raise and equip a regiment in
, ease the United States went to war with
Great Britain.
“The bill I introduced in the Senate to
day,” said Senator Chandler, "was not
intended especially to apply to our pres
ent foreign complications. We need a
I new armament for the armv and ara sadlv
I WEEKLY 2-TIMES-A-WEEK $1 A YEAR )
< 5 CENTS A COPY. J-
* < DAILY, $lO A YEAR. J
' i - -- .
in need of small arms. Several years ago
we began the enlargement and improve
ment of oui’ navy, and the work has been
going on steadily ever since. The navy
is popular, and our people take a com
mendable pride in it. But, on the other
hand, what are we to do with our land
forces? We could mobilize a million men
in short order; the south would under
take the contract of pouring 100,000 men
in to Cuba if need be, and we could,
within a few days send 900,000 into Can- 1
ada. But these men would need modern
small arms. We can raise regiments
fast enough, but to properly arm them
requires time. My bill contemplates the
securing of 1,000,000 infantry rifles and
such field artillery as will be necessary
to properly equip an army. Whether we
have any trouble with Great Britain or
not we should have the modern imple
ments of war for emergency cases.”
SELECTION OF THE COMMISSION.
Congress to Insist on Their Confirma
tion by the Senate.
Washington, Dec. 18.—The bill which
the House passed to-day with such una
nimity and enthusiasm, providing for the
commission to Venezuela, in accordance
with the recommendation of the President,
will be laid before the Senate to-morrow.
Contrary to the general expectation it
will not be passed by that body. In
addition to this the resolution passed by
the House for the holiday recess to begin
1 next Friday, will not be agreed to by the
Senate. Congress will be in session until
next Tuesday at the present outlook, and
it may be here until even a Tater date.
The republican senators and, indeed, many
of the democrats are averse
to giving the President all
the power which would be vested
in him by the House resolution. It will
be insisted, in the first place, that the com
missioners shall be nominated to and
confirmed by the Senate, instead of having
them named by the President, without
any check whatever upon his selection.
In view of the important and responsible
duties which the commissioners will per
form, the senators feel that there should
be some investigation into the character
of the men who are chosen. In addition
to this, there is in the House resolution
no limitation as to the time as to when
the commissioners should report; and this
was felt to be an oversight which should
be remedied.
Other considerations antagonistic to the
resolution were also brought forward,
and the republican senators heard with
considerable relief the announcement that
in the Senate to-morrow Senator Mor
gan would move that the House resolu
tion would be referred to the committee
on foreign relations. This motion will be
carried. .
Before the resolution again makes its
appearance, it will have been considera
bly changed, but it will be submitted
privately to senators for their approval,
so that when public action is asked, the
vote of the Senate upon it will be unan
imous.
DANIEL DELIGHTED.
The Senator Declares the Message a
Grand Utterance.
Lynchburg, Va., Dec. 18. —Senator Dan
ish who is a member of the Senate com
mittee on foreign relations, icm seen by a
Reporter of the News to-day and asked
what he thought of the President’s mes
sage on the Venezuelan question. He re
plied with great earnestness: < “It is a
grand message. I am delighted with it.
It will be hailed all over the country with
joy as a clear, manly utterance of the
great American doctrine of Monroe; and
all over the world, it will be received and
respected as the ultimatum of the great
western republic that will have no ‘ifs’
to stand in the way of its manifest duty
and its manifest destiny. As a state pa
per, the message is above criticism on
its temper, style and tone, as well as in
its historic recitals and its logical conclu
sions. It will rank as the foremost de
liverance of President Cleveland.
"The democratic party will stand as one
man at hite back, and the south will stand
as one man at his back, also. But it is a
question above party, and above section.
All parties and all sections will be united
to support the President—and even more
united than were the colonies in the revo
lutionary war in the support of Wash
ington and independence. Great Britain
will understand now, and forever, that the
United States is not to be trifled with;
and if her statesmen are so short-sighted
as to precipitate war, they will be as
sternly rebuked as when George 111 was
taught a lesson by the continentals.
"In short, I am happy over the mes
sage,’ said the senator in conclusion. “It •
places this country just where it belongs,
at the head of the nations.”
It may be remembered that Senator
Daniel, In an address at Michigan Uni
versity last spring, expounded the Monroe
doctrine. In that address he took the pre
cise grounds that the President has set
forth in his message.
ENGLAND SIZING US UP.
London Papers Printing Articles on
Our War Strength.
London, Dec. 18.—Despite their publi
cation of leaders, assuring that Presi
dent Cleveland’s message is merely an
election move, most of the newspapers
print articles summing up the war
strength of the United States.
The St. James Gazette publishes a list
of British warships now in American
waters, together with their dimentions,
which is followed by a list of the vessels
composing the United States navy, giv
ing also their capacity, etc.
The Westminster Gazette has an article
showing the numerical strength of the
United States army, and the strength
and character and location of the coun
try’s defenses, and the Pail Mall Gazette
presents a map of the disputed frontiers,
accompanied by an article thereon.
While afternoon papers generally follow
the lead of the morning papers, their lan
guage is coarser and their insinuations
broader.
It is the opinion in financial circles in
London that President Cleveland’s mes
sage will render the placing of a new is
sue at United States bonds In London im
possible.
None of the morning papers to-morrow
will follow the evening papers of to-day
in discussing the relative merits of the
fleets and armies of England and the Unit
ed States. The big dailies seem to have
agreed to avoid this topic altogether.
The Marquis of Salisbury held the usual
Wednesday reception at the foreign office
to-day. The French, German, Italian and
Spanish ambassadors and the Austrian
and Dutch charges d'affaires, were pres
ent. United States Ambassador Bavard
was absent.
•It is understood that the British gov
ernment has not been informed officially
of President Cleveland’s message upon the
proposed commission in regard to the Ven
ezuelan boundary dispute, and that Great
Britain will follow the usual diplomatic
course until overt action is taken by the
United States. The action of the House
of Representatives in voting an appropri
ation for the expenses of the commission
may hasten a crisis, but it is not ex
pected that there will be serious develop
ments until the commission shall have ar
rived in Venezuela. Their presence on the
Guiana border will constitute a grave
menace and the necessary Instructions
will be forwarded to the authorities to
maintain the interests nt Great Britain
in Guiana. ,
MONDAYS
--AND
THURSDAYS
- —, . !■!■>
NICARAGUA’S CANAL NEEDED.
CITIZENS OF FLORIDA LRGE ITS
CONSTRUCTION.
The Convention One o’s the Most Rep
resentative Ever Held in the State.
Nearly Every Board of Trade in
Florida Represented—The Presi
dent’s Stand in the Venezuelan
Dispute Indorsed—A Pan-American
Alliance Recommended.
Jacksonville, Fla., Dec. 18.—A large
number of representative citizens from all
sections of Florida met in convention in.
this city to-day, to urge congress to pro
vide for the construction of the Nicaragua
canal. Nearly every board of trade in
Florida was represented and Pensacola,
Tampa, Ocala, Fernandina, Key West and
other points sent very large delegations.
Prominent in the convention were ex-Gov.
F. P. Fleming of Jacksonville, Senator
W. D. Chipley of Pensacola, State Sena
tor Frank Adams of Jasper, State Senator
W.J. Daniels of Marianna, Collector of
Internal Revenue George W. Wilson,
Banker R. B. McConnell of Ocala, Repre
sentative W. H. Harris of Key West, Hon.
John A. Henderson of Tallahassee, and
Hon. D. U. Fletcher of Jacksonville.
It was conceded to be one of the ablest
and most representative gatherings that
ever assembled in Jacksonville.
Ex-Gov. Fleming called the convention
to order. Senator W. D. Chipley of Pen
sacola offered the followng: “Resolved,
That the president of this convention is
hereby authorized to appoint a committee
of three, on which he shall be a member,
to convey to the President of tihe United
States the hearty endorsement by this
convention of his policy as set fonth In
his message to congress on the Vene
zuelan question.”
This was received with hearty applaus#
and adopted by acclamation.
The chair appointed on this committee
W. D. Chipley of Escambia, and P. P.
Bishop of Marion. The report of the com
mittee was as follows;
To the President, Washington: The
Nicaraguan canal convention of the state
of Florida, now in session, has instructed
us to convey to your excellency the hear
ty endorsement by the convention of your
policy, as set forth in your message on
the Venezuelan question, a duty which
that committee performs with pleasure.
(Signed.) F. P. Fleming,
P. P. Bishop,
„ rKII W - D - Chippy.
while the committee on resolutions was
engaged in preparing its report, speeches
were made by ex-Gov. Fleming, Civil En
gineer Brownell, who has lived in Nicara
gua, and other in favor of the immediate
construction of the canal.
The committee on resolutions then re
ported the following, which was unani
mously adopted: “We favor the comple
tion of the Nicaragua canal, and we call
u V?, n congress to enact such measures as
will insure the building of the inter
oeeanic canal under American auspices.
We favor an early resumption Os work on
the canui u;ung the Nicaragua, canal
route. As the only question sOecms to be
one of financial practicability, we consid
er what was heretofore a matter of ex
pediency, in the light of the President’s
message on the Venezuelan question, one
of national necessity—let the cost be what
it may—as a logical sequence and grow
ing out of the Increased business, social
suit politlcal relations which would re- -
“We declare in favor of a distinctively
American policy, having paramount con
trol throughout North, South and Central
America.
‘‘We favor the early reassembling of a
Pan-American congress, to formulate
means intended to promote the permanent
peace, independence and prosperity in, and
to protect all American territory from
foreign invasion, interference or control:
to promote commercial intercourse and to
provide for the settlement of all differ
ences that may arise between American
republics, by arbitration.
“We favor the establishment of Interna
tional railway and steamship Intercourse
communication between the countries of
North, South and Central America, and
all the American republics and the terri
tory allied thereto as well as the promo
tion of adequate banking and legislative
facilities and comme-clal and business re
lations to the end that all the American
republics may reap the full benefit of
their vast resources and industries now
so largely diverted, to their detriment,
into foreign hands. Wo believe the con
tinued advance of civilization and the arts
of peace, and the prosperity of the coun
tries in this western world will be best
subserved by the universal and reciprocal
maintainance of free and independent
popular government.”
The report was unanimously adopted.
Mr. Chipley also introduced the follow
ing, which was adopted: “Resolved,
That this convention urge upon the gov
ernors of the several states of the union
to inaugurate such action, by convention
of otherwise, as may be necessary to in
fluence their congressional delegations to
support the legislation which may be ne
cessary to accomplish the speedy con
struction of the Nicaraguan canal under
rhe auspices of the United States.”
A resolution was also adopted, urging
congress to put the bars of Fernandina,
Tampa, Jacksonville and Pensacola'on tha
continued appropriation list.
DEMOCRATS OF LOUISIANA.
The State Convention Begins Its
Work nt Shreveport.
Shreveport, La., Dec. 18.—Chairman
"Wilkinson of the state central committee
called" the democratic state convention to
order this afternoon at 1 o’clock. Rev.
W. T. Dalzell of Shreveport offered prayer.
Mayor Vinson then warmly welcomed the
convention to the city of Shreveport, and
T. J. Kernan of Baton Rouge was called
to the chair as temporary chairman.
Chairman Wilkinson responded to he
remarks of Mayor Vinson, and thereafter
Secretary McMurray of the state central
committee, read the resolutions of the
state central committee as to the report to
be made to the state executive committee
o*n the credentials of the delegates. There
were only four contests, which were soon
disposed of. After the appointment of
committees on credentials, permanent
chairman, etc., the convention took a
recess until 7 o’clock.
On the re-assembling of the convention
at 7 o’clock the committees not being
ready to report, the convention adjourn
ed until to-morrow at 9 ’clock.
INDIAN TERRITORY’S MINES.
More Than 3,000 Men on Strike and
Operation* Sumpended.
Dallas, Tex., Dee. 18.—Telegrams to the
Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad
Company received in this cly, at noon to
day, say every coal mine in the Indian
Territory waa closed by the strikers to
day. More than 5,000 men are on strike
and operations are entirely stopped at
Coal Gate, Lehigh, Briar Creek, Krebs,
Alderson, Hartshorne, and McAllister.
.The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Compa
ny has ordered that no coal be shipped
out and that the stocks on hand be held
for railroad use. This wpl cause a fuel
famine throughout north and central
Texas. The mines involved are owned by
the Osage, the Choctaw' and the Atoka
Coat and Mining eomoanles.
NO 97.