About The sunny South. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1875-1907 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 1887)
2 THE SUNNY SOUTH, ATLANTA, GA., SATURDAY MORNING. JANUARY 15,1887 THE CROSS AND RING. BY MRS. E. WARREN ERDELMYER. CHAPTER IV. Estelle was insensible when removed. The next day was far spent when she had sufficiently recovered from th^ shock to-n>te anythin? around her. A rush of memory brought back the scene of the lire when she asked incoherent ques tions. 11 -r aunt could not answer at first. She could only cry over her, and lament her own terrible forgetfulness in not unlocking the door. Had she not almost been the came of her darling’s death ? “Aunty, dear, spare yourself this unneces sary weeping. 1 am safe now,” she said tremulously; and there was a look of unutter able grief in her beautiful face as she .added in a hoarse whisper: “My preserver—what of ” Her voice broke. “He was saved” answered her aunt, who had cooled down a little. A brilliant Hush rushed into the pale face, it died out suddenly as her aunt cou- |ed : ! leaped, with daring boldness, from the window. The fall was somewhat broken by the biave men stretching out arms to receive him; but he was badly hurt, perhaps mortally. He was not burned, save his hands, hair and clothing.” With a quick in drawing of her lips and a deadly pallor Estelle seemed to battle with herself a moment, then she said, with strange Calmness : “ yv nere is he ? May I not go to him ?’’ Her aunt looked at her amazed. “Impossible,” she uttered. He is in good hands, and will have the best care. Your hi ther is with him now. That he saved your life gives him a sacred claim on all of us. Your father will be first to appreciate the obliga tions to him, yet would be indignant at the mere mention of an indiscretion such as you propose. Indeed I think the young man him self would refuse to allow you to compromise yonrsqlf in any such manner. What is he to you? A stranger.” ‘*.\Iy preserver—ah! What?” said Estelle under her breath. “lYu *. The brave man ! We will care for him as if he were one of us. But your position t Award him remains the same. A young wo man cannot be too careful. For weeks life and death battled fiercely, but Adalbert’s strong frame bore the shock, and life won the victory. During that long illness Estelle's anxiety was intense. Daily a little bouquet of rare flowers was brought to him by her maid. There, were no written or verbal message with the bouquets. The flowers asked their own questions in the sweetest odor of a perfect sympathy. Estelle’s face wo&ul flush and pale with pain whenever she remembered who he was, and how she had lir.st seen him—.1 midnight bur glar! She shuddered, for she loved him. His life for months had been good and true. He had faced death to save her. Her own rescue from a horr ble fate should blot out that one mad act. Her love should be the reward for thu priceless gift—her own life—and also for the reform in his which she believed would be abiding. And supreme was the satisfac tion, the thankfulness, in the thought that nhe had save 1 him from a fate worse than death. Adalbert recovered. Mr. I)*.*Rive owned a large sugar plantation on the river a few miles below the city. There was an old, commodious dwelling house with it’s quaint gable ends—north, south, east and west: with rambling rooms thronged myste riouslv one around and about e ich other, and covered porches and short halls intervening here and h re in a maze of architecture. A stranger would be sorely perplexed in finding a way through this old edifice—old, but kept in excellent repair, with vines of all varie ties trained over the piazza, and festomed everywhere. The chimneys and gables were matted with the ivy that seemed a century old, and had made diligent use of time in crawling to every n >ok and corner of the outside walls and pillars. This {ionic was knov | join him in forcing the adventurer—as they termed him—into a fight at once. Haring arranged a plan they sentto the house for Rosseherne. When the servant delivered the message Ad- albeit was with Kstelie. “Do not go,” she said anxiously. “1'ard m me; allow me to leave you for a few minutes to answer the summons?” “I will not excuse you,” she said sternly. “I understand what that message implies. Let Aroiand go to them. ’’ Adalbert set his teetii savagely on his under lip. Hut in a moment her grieved look ■ ecov- ered to him self-control, and bowing his head reverently tie said in a sad, low tone: “I obey you at whatever cost. ’ “Thank you,” she said softly. “That is true bravery.” Her face Hushed and her eyes were lowered beneath the ardent look in his. The trio in the ollice became enraged when the answer—‘that Mr. Rosseben.e was en gaged and could not wait upon them’—was delivered. A most insulting note was then dispatched to Hert, who was quite alone when lie received it. Estelie was at the piano; a mirror in front of her reflected the scene at the window. She saw tile servant deliver the note and watched 'Bert as lie read it and crushed it in his Hand. In a moment more tie had escaped through the windiw, and Estelle went hurriedly in search of Annand With anxious alarm she whispered: “Go to the office quickly. Those boys— Charley among them—have sent for Mr Rosse- beme. ” Annand left the drawing-room in haste. As they feared, a serious difficulty had occurred. Annand was too late to stop it. The insults passed could only be washed out with blood. I lie next morning the seconds met and ar- ranged for the duel, whicli hostile meeling Ar- maiid prevailed on them to postpone until after the time of their visit to Cocoa Lodge should expire, and obtained a promise that all would remain there during these days intervening. CHAPTER V. There was a new event that caused a flutter of excited expectations. A real live Earl and a veritable Countess had registered at the Hotel lfoyale in Xew Orleans. A grand oid white haired nobleman with a young, m irvelously beautiful bride, was the description given by the new visitors to Cocoa Lodge. Mf. DeRive had been educated in Germany, and in this Ear] he discovered a college mate to whom iie had been warmly attacned. Ten years previously, while Mr. DeRive was abroad, the friendship of their school days had been revived. It was a short drive to the city, and Mr. De Rive hastened to call on his friend to offer a fit ting welcome in an urgent invitation to the Earl and Countess of Lurleigh to visit Cocoa Lodge, which they gladly accepted, the Earl being specially desirous to see American coun try home life. In honor of their arrival at Cocoa Lodge there was a grand reception. The old mansion was a blaze of illumina tions and gorgeous decorations. The assembly of youth and beauty, with age and its grand eurs of perfect serenity in the reflections of the happiness of the young and blissful memories of their own by-gone youth—all so alert with life and movement, so ablaze with color and richness—a living picture of splendor and fe licity. The center figure, the cynosure of ail eyes, was a life picture of resplendent beauty—a wo man with a faultless form, arrayed in ail the maguilicence of jewels and a matchless toilet; her face, the glory of it is indescribable; the eyes, deep, dark, unutterable, to make a splen dor that irradiated the whole and dazzled the spectat ors. 1 here was a'most a hush in the crowd ns her feathery footsteps glided through the saloon and the soft, minor-keyed voice gave utterance to words or rippling laughter. The bevy of lovely girls—each with a lover to smile upon—in short picturesque costumes, with blue and crimson feathers dancing above their merry faces, were there to brighten the scene. On the return, Mr. DeRive, who had driven the earl out in an open buggy drawn by a fan cy horse, said to Bert Rosseherne: “I wish you would drive Flash back Mr. Rosseherne; next to Armand you are the best and mo-t tearless driver. Flasii is ferocious to day with the crowd of horses and vehicles. Both the Eari and I are too old and stiff to risk him when in one of his malicious moods.” “Do allow me to ride behind him?” said the Counttss eagerly. She had come out on horseback and was now standing near Mr. DeRive, switching her riding-whip with quick restive snaps, “Take care, my lady,” said Mr. DeRive. “Flash will not permit the tiniest whip about him.’’ “I insist, that you shall not dare such a risk, my dear,” sa d the Earl in fond reproof. “Tut! do you know what tiiey will say of you if you show a faint heart in that prohibi tion?” and with a merry bewitching glance in to the old wrinkled face she tapped him, witli her whip on the hand. “Nothing I love better than i he excitement of such a mad drive as this magnificent animal promises. 1 would not give it up for anything.” Armand and Estelle were present and si lently observe! the Countess an i Bert. The latter had never spoken or raised his eyes. “Mr. Rosseherne, do you object to my rid ing witli y m?” “No, I shall be pleased to have yon go with me.” There was a meaning emphasis in his words, not lost on Estelle who with painful interest listened for the answer. “That settles the question—1 sha’l certainly ride with you. So, my lord, move away and close your eyes if you are too faint hearted to witness the start.” There was a quick look of understanling passed between Bert and the Countess, which did not escape Es elle’s watchful eyes; and Armand also noted it. “Bert,” said Armand, “get in first, while I hold the bits. 1 will hand Lady Lurleigh in after j on have the reins safe in hand; anil advise you not to delay, bu, to start in advance o! all of us.” Bert stepped lightly into the buggy and while stooping to secure the reins Flash reared frantica ly, wren filing .he bridle bit from Ar mand, then dashed off at a mad sp-ed. Only one had seen the cause of Flash’s sud den bolt. It was Armand. With a horror in his face he turned full oil the Countess. She quailed beneath the stern accusation in his c\es and she knew lie had seen her strike tiie horse w ith her whip—knew that she had rais ed up a dangerou i enemy. Meanwhile, all eves paled with terror in watching the frantic flight. A dead silence insued. Estelle’s ips were blue with anguish, but no cry escaped them. Her eyes, dilating, were held in horror by the flying buggy. Ib*rt Rosseherne, failing to secure the reins, had fal en forward in the foot of the buggy, when all, who where watching breathlessly, thought he had been thrown over beneath the horse’s feet. But with a marvellous skill and iron nerve lie had recovered the reins, and throwing his whole powerful weight and strength against them, checked the horse with such sudden force that it threw the animal back o i ins haunches, crippling one log; then tin: beast fell forwa d with a fearful lunge and lay struggling in the tangled h '.mess. Armand had mounted file first horse and was flying in pursuit. In a little while lie was standing with Bert; and they both went frantically to work to ex tricate the noble beast from his unfortunate condition. In a deep concentrated tone Armand said : “You have known this countess before She is a bcauti ul fiend, and means you harm—be ware Bert!’’ A rush of blood dyed Bert’s face but he an swered never a word. Others of the party now joined them and no more w is said. The unhappy accident cast a gloom over ali for the remainder of the drive. There was an unnatural lustir in the coun tess’ eyes—a hunted look—and her cheeks burned with a hectic Hush, when she entered the drawing-room an hoar after the patty ar rived In me. “My love, you sec-m to be feverish,’^ said tiie IVirl, with affectionate sciicitude, :y i lak- {erhaiyi hedrew bur *i|hin oneo{ tl: A NIGHT OF HORROR; AND Confession of a Suicide. By CHANCELLOR W. S. FLEMING, of Tennessee. No. 2. I bad noticed, from the time I entered the house, the peculiar conduct of Wolf, but thought it was occasioned by the fearful rag ing of the st »rm without and around us. Just here let me say, I have often remarked that the brute creation are instinctively alive to ail the unusual and more dreadful phenomena of nature, and seem to anticipate their approach, far in advance of h iman prescience. Soon as the s orrn had somewlia , abated, my attention was specially directed j.o the maneuvers of Wolf, who was. manifesting the greatest un easiness, in fuel I may say, the utmost alarm. At first, as I have just stated, I imi tgined Wolfs terror proceeded from the extraordinary violence of the storm, but when that danger was past, it next occurred to me Wolf had dis covered by sense of smell a rattle snake among the heart i stones or under the loose, rickety floor; or had snuffed the scent of some prowl ing wolf. I did not, however, suppose, a wolf would 1'e out in such a storm, and, if there was near us ja rattle snake he would have given us the dea'ih signal before this. It is one of the redeeiiw^g trails of this deadly enemy of man, that heW< no’, aggressive, but stands only upon the deffl sive, and, even then, gives unmistak- ab!---^^'»iiig^ to beware, his motto being, f .ngit %e impuneWolf, with his laised and his tail between his legs, most piteously, and insisted on Ij’f near as possible to me. If I got a VtTrfld lay ids head upon my lap; if I walked feibout, lie kept as near to me as lie could g«|t, and would never permit me to get a itep frown him. I have never observed the like Onductl in Wolf before, nor have Isince. He wfs evidently in mortal agony. In look ing roiJ.d the room by the dim light from the fire-plaCJ;, I noticed a short, but broad flight of stair*) or rather plank steps, leading to the attic oQooft. at the head of which was a trap door. The trap was closed, by which I mean the trap-door was down. By some unaccount able impulse I was led to explore that loft, al though l felt that J was in a haunted house, and that I might see or hear something above by no tijitjjuix calculated to strengthen my fail ing nerves?^* Blit I had a dog with me, and anyone knows, who has tried it, that a do: good company on such occasions. As I started "up tin* steps Wolf followed close on my heels until I pushed up the trap door, when lie set up one long, distressing howl, and hur ried down the steps to the lower floor. Of course this caused me to feel exceedingly un comfortable, perhaps I should say alarmed. But, having started out to explore the premi ses, I deter nined to go through with it at all hazards. The loft was as dark as pitch, ex cept when it was illumed by an occasional ll.i-.li of lightning from a distant cloud. I bad but the one mat h. already used to kindle a lire, arlu^so I had to feel my way slowly and cautiously along, not knowing how soon J might step through a hole in the floor, or tread upon the unsupported end of some loose plank and find myself precipitated to the floor be neath. I am sure I never felt so completely unnerved anil ready to sink under a sort of « superstitious fear. While groping about, j l.'mlly conscious of wl.at I was about a sud- wilh unconscious trick den flash of lighin.ng revealed, tor only an in stant, something like a long, staffed sack, sus pended from a rafter near the center or comb of the roof. It was but a dim outline of the object, whatever it was. If it was a sack I determined to find out, by the touch, what was in it. Consequently I approach d near enough to almost touch it, an l concluded to pause for another gleam <*f lightning, before I should put my hand upon it—but the lightning seemed to have died away or disappo red in the Eastern horizon. Everything Wus still as deatN -»h*» • ’ s ice, if licit were possible, could almo — ;ll was hushed as the grave, excepiging _ ^''.eous whining, or the funeral how I the Brill below. My heart was in my tbroa pjuar and feel it beat, as if it wouii , down. I reached out my open ew York M- darkness, and laid it flat what can y in imagine? SKETCHES FROM LIFE At Briar-Rose Farm. NO. I. “For sale or rent—a small cottage witli a few acres of land, known as Briar-Rose Farm. Ap ply imme liately to C. Morton.” This was the notice that met my eye on un folding the daily popular little paper that trav ersed the length and breadth of Poorland Par ish. Alice and l were sisters, with one small brother Jerry. We were orphans, and so tired of lodgings with the same thin k tclien coffee everyday and the monotonous regularity of addled eggs and oleomargarine butter. oh! for one whiff of the sweet country air with fresh eggs and golden butter! “Briar- Rose Farm.” What a delicious name—bring ing with it charming memories of the sleeping Princess, as well as the ired odor of the blush ing eglantine whose name it bears. I was only a poor, drudging school teacher, whose br.dn had become as well nigh addled as the boardinghouse eggs forced daily upon our unwilling palates. Some change of scene I felt to be necessary, for the mental strain of cudgel ing into the brains of sundry freckled faced ur chins that potato is spelled with a p and not a t, as they stubbornly insisted, was becoming too great for mental equilibrium. Alice was a saleswoman in a dry goods store. “Saleswoman” she at first called herself, and had a good cry because I insisted that “wo man” was the proper name, for we had enough of colored washer-ladies and cook-ladies. As we were compelled to work for our living, I saw no use in mincing matters; and in any case if she were inclined to argue the matter and go tj the root of it, the word “lady,” de rived from the olden t'ine, simply meant a “loaf giver.” This settled the point, and thereafter Alice acted on 1117 desire and called the obnoxious name “saleswoman” or “clerk.” When Jerry returned from school and Alice from the store I read the advertisement to them and dilated on the delights of a country resi dence within walking distance of the city, and it was unanimously agreed that we would in vest our lit le capital in Briar-Rose farm. We all went that evening and took a look at the place; and though it was in rather a dilapi dated condition, still, all in all, we were pleased with it. It was worthy of its dame, for briar- roses and briars without roses were as thick on it, as Jerry said, as “hairs on a dog’s bark.” 0 We called on Mr. C. Morton and found him quite a gentlemanly personage, and were much surprised to find that the farm was for sale so cheap that wa had or would have a small amount of money left over. We agreed to purchase, but Mr. Morton would not hear of our buying until he had shown us the great many defects of the place. Alice jjMighe i merrily as she said it was owing to pity for our “youth and innocence.” We were very innocent and ignorant of bus iness, and as regards our ages we were respec tively nineteen and twenty-three years, but though this may have had a slight effect on Mr. C. Morton, yet I attribute his unbusiness like bearing to the fa«t that l.c was 11 »t an in terested party in the transaction. He was only selling out f r a rich old uncle ai.d then who could see how bewitching my golden haired, pink-cheeked Alice, was without being willing to surrender everything uncondition ally^ With her stately 1 ir tie airs and graces f manner C. Morton was not the first who had succumbed to her influence. He insisted on paying for all of the business papers and he had the well dug deeper, and various other proofs of interest in his purchas ers welfare that it were well all other parties in lik*‘ manner woul 1 emulate. He asked leave to call and see if we were comfortably fixed after we had moved and with hopes we would 31kg the farm, he bowed courteously and was gone. (>ne of the first things after our move was to hunt .and find the means of procuring milk and butter. For what was home without a cow? Jerry who had spent the preceding summer in the country suggested that we could keep her in the front garden for the present and let her eat up all of the briar-roses, .which bade fair to ’ )se us in our c.»t ai ^Asocurolv «« in the jT/HuMOg ♦A Song of Winter. Sirica song of Write-. The ground o'erwheimed with ei Lots of tia py youths and girls Ranged in joyous row. Now the Henson's opened. Cares to winds are tossed; Here yon see a pretty sight To set before Jack Frost. The folks are on toboggans, Rushinv down the hill; Full of buoyant spirits. Laughing tit to kill. Alas! for expectation. The tobog'B off the track; All along theghieeyel.de Folks come down— ker-whack!” Gems for Engagement Rings. [Boston Globe.] January, garnet; constancy and fidelity in preventive against wisdom and apt&tcal. INFORMATION ri • . worcis or rippling laughter. • the lyiri, with affectionate sciicitude, I lak 11m:, inline was knots •. a; “Coc'is, Lad.w resist tint spl -nditfo , 1 ipg fur hard he drew h.:i- zijhm oui-oj tiie ai siued tW.ii. rtOie charge t>f f ue mu.''' 4 *!., *-cf &, leaning on Bert RossebemeVs will make/*u ill. I beg vott^o rest yn you estate Left an orphan he had been reared b> arm, suu passed from the hall into the dancing own room this evening ” every engagement. February, amethyst; violent passions. March, bloodstone; courage, firmness in affliction, April, diamond; denotes faith, innocence and virginity, May, emerald; discovers false friends and insures true love. June, agate; insures long life, health and prosperity. July, ruby; discovers poison and corrects evils resulting from mistaken friendship. August, sardonyx; insures conjugal felicity. September, sapphire; frees from enchant ment and denotes repentance. October, opal; denotes hope, and sharpens the, sight and faith of the possessor. November, t >paz; fidelity and friendship, and prevents bad dreams. December, turquoise; gives success, espec ially in love. Too IToung and Too Old. by* Valter learned. ’j [Century J When I whb! seventeen I heard From eacl/i censorious tongue, ‘‘I’d not do it hit if I were you Yon see you're rather your g.” S’ow that/1 number forty y-ai I'm .pinte as offon told Jf thiWhr that I shouldn't do Bjcayise I’m quite too old. Oh, ejarping world! If there's an age .ere youth arid anhood ktep pud poise, alas! I must Ve passed it in ray slei-'p. She this season auffer from neither > Headache, Neuralgia, Rheu matin m 9 Rains in the Limbs, Rack and Sides, Had Jflood 9 fIndigestion,Dyspepsia^ Jttataria,Constipation JiKldneyTroiibies. -h-VOLINA cordial cures rheumatism. Bad niood and Kidney Troubles, by cleansing the blood of all its impurities, strengthening all part** Of the body. —VOLINA CORDIAL CURES SICK-HEADACHE. Neuralgia, Tains in the Limbs. Bac k and Sides, by toning the nerves and strengthening the muscles. -•-VOLINA CORDIAL CORES DYSPEPSIA. Indigestion and Constipation, by aiding thf ilating of the Food through the prop? stomach; it creates a healthy uppeii -h—VOLINA CORDIAL CURES NERVOUSNESS. Dpprpfsion Of spirils ami Weakuesa, by euliven- lu« and tuning tiie system. —VOLINA CORDIAL CURES OVERWORKED nml IMirHi- Women, rnnyaml Uii kli- Children. IUs delightful and nutritious as a general Ionic. Volina Almanac anil I>i: for 1XS7. A handsome ratuii and useful Book lei line how lol l DISEASES at HOME Ina pleasant, natural way. Walled on receipt or a 2c. postage stamp. Address VOLINA DRUG & CHEMICAL CO. BALTIMORE, MD..U.S.A. 579-1 yr. r action of the as Properly Protected. [St. Paul Globe.] A pleas:, ilf i icident occurred in a a St. An thony Hill car the other day. A woman who woul 1 hot her a pair of hay scales to tell Low much she /weighed, boarded the car at the cor- ner of Foiarth and Wabash streets. The seats were full, fatid the minute her generous figure showed nat the doorway every man ill the car became dfceply interested in something that was or wals not transpiring outside. Tiie wo man looktfd up one side and down the oilier, and not observing any signs that a vacancy " tary his uncle. He and Kstelie were as brothers and sist rs. They were devoted to each other. After the burning of their city residence the DeKivefamily moved to “Cocoa Lodge.” A number of gimsts wi r • invited fora week’s visit to this deti.h'ful country estate. Among them was Adalbert Rosseherne and iiis friend Claries Desberne. Several days passed. Bert bad only seen tiie fair hostess ill tiie general company of tiie household. Not once had they been alone to gether. Site knew that he avoided a tete a tete with her and she divined the reason. Did he sus pect that she knew him to be tiie burglar who had entered her room that awful night of his temporary insanity? Site sometimes wondered; but she thought not, for she had been guarded against betraying it. Bite believed it was only his own cons ! nee, newly awakened, tiie burning shame of tli it deed almost committed, that kept him aloof from her, and she honored him tiie more for it. Her conjectures were right—lie ditl not im agine that she h id recognized him. Gently, delicately she tried to woo him to Iters di, hut in vain. He dared not approach her; yet, sirs felt his sil silt worship all the same, and drew fro n it a sense of the sweetest emotions. Tiie night of the fire had revealed their love. Ne'er by the faintest motion or conscious look had either recurred to that scene—that fare well embrace, yet it was never for an instant absent front the mind of either. Since being guests together at Cocoa Lodge, Charles Desbera and Bert Rosseherne were not friends. There had arisen between them a coolness; a certain defiance marked their conduct toward eacli other, which had not been unobserved—both Estelle anil iter cousin Armand Villerie, it diced this ill-concealed antagonism. Charley Desbern, desperately jealous, seemed heir, upon bringing their un declared war to an open issue. While out on an excursion Bert’s silent ad oration of the woman with whom Charley was also in love, and Estelle's marked kindness to Bert, inflamed Charley’s jealousy to a degree tiiat caused him to be openly insultingto Bert. But with due regard for the presence of ladies Bert warded off these attacks cleverfy. Armand and Estelle watched these two with undisguised anxiety. Oil i heir return home Armand sought Bert and saiti: “My dear fellow, Charier seems determined to pick a quarrel with you.” “It looks like it,” he answered with sup pressed anger. “There is a little allowance always due to a jealous man. If you will continue to maintain the dignity of your conduct toward him it may come to nothing. He was Estelle’s accepted lover a year ago and is still madly in love with her. He has some hope of winning her yet, whicli any one but himself can see is a most vain hope. It m ikes a man insane with envy and jealousy to suspect that he has a success ful rival.” Bert was silent with downcast face. “Take my advice Bert and keep out of his way. He is the best shot and swordsman in the State.” Adalbert straightened himself defiantly and regarded his friend with indignant reproach. “I am your friend, Bert, believe me. I would not advise what I would not do myself—noth ing in tiie faintest degree unworthy a brave man. I will stand by you should a difficulty be inevitable. As yet Charley has no ground to measure on, I merely want you to avoid hi m if possible.” “I will certainly not seek him, and as cer tainly will not avoid him.” There was a little cottage of one room situ ated in a corner of tiie lawn, called the planta tion “offict.” To this quiet room, Charley with two boon companions, had retired after supper to smoke and talk confidentially. Charley laid before them his grievances against Bert Hossebtme. “ The prig! the cad!” he said wrathfully, “to dare aspire to rivalry with a gentleman in efforts to win a pure woman—and such a wo man with her beauty and wealth and aristo cratic connections as Miss DeRive—Kosse- berne,” he continued, “is well enough with men, but he has led an evil life and is no. betr ter now though he assumes the role of a sud den and marvellous reform, in order to win an heiress. As a declared admirer of Miss De Kive I will thrust the hypocrite out of her so ciety if I have to do it at the point of the sword, and the sooner it is accomplished the better.” Quite ready and eager for the excitement of such an affair, the two young men agreed to room. “I Iiive not yet seeii this marvel of beauty,” ho answered. “True, I missed you. Why did you not come in earlier?” “I have been a martyr to the blues.” “And have been moping alone—-jlc done! Such a fairy scene, witli entrancing music and dancing, would have dispelled the evil spirit. Yet you must have secreted yourself out in tiie garden not to have seen this famous beauty, tiie belle Countess, for site lias been displayed everywhere else. Come, let me introduce you; site is coming this way now.” “Alt, how beautiful !’* was exclaimed by two or three persons, with one voice, near them as Armand and the Countess approached. Estelle felt Bert’s arm jerk spasmodically, lie trembled violently, leaning against her as if tor support. . She looked up quickly and started as she saw tiie deadly pallor of his face and tierce, hunted look in it is eyes. Her glance turned swiftly to the Countess, who was now very close and facing them. The dark, passionate eyes were lifted slowly, and a startled, tierce fire shot from them as they fell on Bert’s face. Even the rouge could not hide her blanching cheeks. A cold chill struck Estelle’s heart. What did it mean? A searching, penetrat ing look covered hotli these blanched faces, and then Estelle shivered as if suddenly touched by an icy wind. It was but a moment, as a prolonged, con centrated Hash of lightning folio ived by a burst of mellow sunlight. The Countess’ face was again a sunbeam. Estelle shook perceptibly as site presented the Countess to Bert; while the Countess, all smiles, acknowledged the introduction witli matchless grace and perfect composure. Bert, still speechless, bowed icily. Ignoring the stiff reception from him, the countess said something pleasant and appro priate, her voice undisturbed by a tremor, it was like a studied bar of music; each remark was rounded in fine tone, and fell melodiously on the ears of her listeners. While tiie four remained a few minutes to gether the countess, witli Armand’s help, sus tained a brief conversation, dashed with brightness and soft, vibrating laughter to suit the gay scene. Estelle, with forced smiles, did contrive to open her lips in monosyllabic answers and questions. But Bert remained in a blank slu- pitied silence. The countess was claimed by a party witli whom she was engaged for tiie next dance. Annand surrendered her to the new claimant reluctantly, and stepping closer to Estelle, whispered: “Isn’t she a glorious crea—” But he stopped abruptly. He had caught the fierce, defiant look in tne countess’ eyes as they met and held Bert’s for an instant while she was turning away to leave them. Armand glanced at Bert, and saw a smoth ered wrath in tiie agitated features, ill conceal ed—and Armand thought as Estelle had: “What does it mean?” “There is something—some seeret between these two,” and Armand, too, walked away, troubled with the thought. And Estelle was thinking: “In the past he has known and loved this woman. And she? Ah, perhaps even was— though she is a married woman—he fills the spell of her presence; and who can wonder? CHAPTER VI. A picnic under green-wood shade—nature’s own wild, gorgeous garden in midspring. What could be more entertaining? The flood gates of jiy and merriment let loose, careering in capricious delight. Carriages and open buggies dashed along the smooth bayou road, and all at once the view of the bay, flooded with sunshine, burst upon happy expectant eyes. Tiie glittering sheet of broadening water bor rowed the azure tints from tiie gulf, whose great, briny tears swept through it, as though thirstily, reaching through every outlet in search of fresh water to still its feverish, moaning calls for comfort. The glowing sunshine caught the tawny sails of the fishing boats far away, and burnishing ail space between, till the scene seemed to be an endless mantle, made of gold and fleecy fa brics. The woodland bordering the bay was weight ed down with glittering burdens, its tassels and fringes all jewel-set in the same diamond son rays. Not a mossy dell or ferny covert but listened that day to the prattle of Hippy lovers. “Oh, no; I am quite well; only I h ive not recovered from tiie flight.” “It was a shock to you—greater because of your narrow escape. A moment more and my precious wife would have been iu that bug gy; 1 shudder now to think of it.” “You dear foolislt old darling!" and she kiss ed him fervidly, “Your love for me makes me inexpressibly happy. But you must hu mor me, my love. There is to be a garden concert in tiie grounds to-night, and a charm ing little select dance later iu the evening. You know I dearly love to dance, and I am s) fond of out-door music,” with a fascinating sinile site kisse i him again. Turning iter face she made a sly grimace as he said : “You beautiful tiling!” It was a few minutes afterwards that Lady Lurleigh saw Bert Kossenberne enter and go alone into the embrasure of the large bay win dow. The Earl had seated himself on a sofa beside Mr. DeRive. After watching them a few minutes the countess, while moving gracefully about tiie room, stopping carelessly in front of the win dow embrasure; then noiselessly site approach ed Bert Rossenberne and said in a soft low tone: “At last, Bert, I set you alone.” With a supreme disdain he met her search ing look which only partially concealed her dread of him. “You have dared—” lie spoke tinier his breath—hut tiie tone though low was pent:trat ing. “Silence!” She inturrupted, in a tense un der tone of autaoritative emphasis. Armand Villerie was beneath the window. He heard these two sentences but generously walked away to avoid listening further. “As I suspected,” Armand muttered, “they have been lovers and now she fears him.” “You would ruin me, Adalbert?” she said. A triumph flashed in his eyes, he smiled mercilessly. She saw that her power over him was irre trievably gone. The handsome face had changed since she saw it last. In it there was a new light of re covered integrity, of purer feelings. He looked down upon her loftily. The haughty triumphant eyes and crushing smile told her that never again could she bring him, as she had vainly hoped, under the spell of her witchery. “Contrive an opportunity, I must speak with you alone,” she said. “Your ingenuity surpasses mine, make the opportunity yourself.” “ Very well; meet me at the river side during the garden concert about ten to-night.” “It will be difficult.” “Not to you; and I will surmount the obita- e'es in my way. I never yet have found any thing too difficult for me.” And she looked at him defiantly. “No; his satanic majesty himself would not be too difficult; you would thwart him and a legion of his emisaries; and the best of God’s people are not safe from your sorceries. I will meet you at ten.” In scornful triumph she smiled; then with, a manacing look she added: “I shall expect you; a little beyond the clump of willows await me!” And moving away from him slie gritted her teeth fiercely, muttering inwardly. “You shall turner more defy me with such lordly looks and condemning smiles of triumph. He shall not reach me here. Heavens! om of us shall die first.” [to bf. continued.] An Unjust Suspicion. [Texas Siftings.] There was a ball given at the Clamwhopper mansion on Fifth avenue, New York, in honor of Count de Vermicelli. Gus Snoberly, who is engaged to Miss Maud Clamwhopper, was also present, and it did not escape his attention that Maud never took her eyes off the Count. As soon as Gus got an opportunity he said: “You seem to be dead gone on that Italion monkey.” “Oh, Gus, how you misjudge me. My heart beats for you alone.” “That’s too thin,” replied Gus, with a bitter smile, “if I’m your huckleberry, why can’t you look at me occasionally?” “I’m afraid if I did look at you for a minute the Count would take advantage of the oppor tunity to steal some of the ulverware. The last one went off with three of the spoons, and ma aoolded me I9t not keeping my eye on ether dowihe steps. Forgetting gun and shot-pouch, It. the brace from the door and dashed out iullie darkness. The storm had passed away—le wind had lulled and the rain had ceased, eept to patter from leaf to leaf, in drops, iqa the trees. I felt relieved. I breathed asier. I thought, anywhere for uie, bi ill that horrible house. We uotv mle a hasty retreat towards the camp, ai bad not proceeded far, before tiie moon in i last quarter, peered out from tiie receding owl-banks in the East, and en abled us to tivel more securely and with ac celerated speL When I readied the cauip it was just one ’cli.'.k in the morning. My com panions wer anused upon my return and amazed it tin reeal of my adventure. Early nex. inrni.ig we all made haste to reach tie oil base. One of our company, meanline, rode " to the nearest neighbor we knew ofto give th alarm and spread the news, while tie rest t us pursued our way. Be fore, however, werrived at tiie fatal spot, we passed across tl track of the tornado and paused :o view thdvork of devastation it had wrought It was ni above four hundred yards in widtl, but witli. that limit the storm had swept iway everhing, cutting as clear and well-delned a swa. as though made by some giant aim with a cTespondiiiglygiantscythe. When we reaciit the old house everything was found just i I had stated. It was no dream—it was notney sketch conjured up and colored by an pagination wrought up by the tenors of the srin to too high a pitch—it was a .ad reality, lie morning was clear and much cooler *U the storm of the previous right, ani it' w; thought advisable to take down the dead hot and lay it in the yard upon a plank or ion the green grass. But some one suggestethe propriety of an inquest before we should inrfere witli it. By noon a conserable number of the na tives had heard le news and congregated about the place, .oong them was a magis trate of the distri itwho extemporized, so to speak, a jury and ted himself as coroner. In a few minutes a rdict was returned to the effect that the deiised came to his deatli by his own hands, by ringing. The hotly was then taken down borne into the yard and placed upon the gra sward. Some of those present recognized® deceased. They said he had for some time ft lived aboat from house to bouse uutil a sift time before this, when he disappeared amt) one knew what had be come of him. By me, he was believed to be a “crank" or insan or mentally affected in some strange uiaier. Yet lie was entirely harmless, converst well, the best informed man in the countrybuc he often wandered about in a sort of reamy condition, and at times seemed weied down by some unac- conntahle depressinhaugbt. The place at whit we were now assembled bad belonged to hiiand so far as was known or believed, was ill his at the time of his death. [to BBOXT1NUED.] HIMES’ SURE CUBES MOUTH WISH and DENTIFRICE Turns Bleedintr Gams, Ulcers. Sore Month, Sore Throat, Cleanses the Teeth ami Purifies the Breath S use?! and recommended by leading dentists, * ru * pared l.v Prs. J. P. & W. TL Hm.wrs. p.*nti<*-«. Vaenn, tia. For aalebystUdruKKislrfautiiioMliaii*. SOKE THROAT, CROUP AND HOARSE^ NESS CURED BY USING ^Holmes’ * MouthfWaslH and DENTIFRICE. PFRSONS lieiring Artificial Teeth should use HOLMES’ Mol I II WASH and DKXTIFRICE. it will keep the gums heal thy and free from soreness; keeps the plate from getting loose ami being offensive. A Pure Breath. Clean Teeth anil < eal thy Gums by using Holmes’ Mouth Wasa and Dentifrice. Try it. A Persistent Feeling of i lean linens re- .mains for hours after using Holmes’ Mouth Wash and Dentifrice. From John H. Coyle, D. D. S., Profes sor Operative Dentistry and Den tal Materia Medtca. Balti more Dental College. Having been shown the formula for Holmes’ Sure Cure Mouth Wash and Dentifrice. I will say that from my knowledge of the therapeu tic action of eacli of these substances entering into its composition on deseased mucus mem branes of the mouth and gums, I believe it to be a specific in a large number of the ordinary deceased conditions for which it is recommend ed. I say this on theoretic grounds and am satisfied that a practical test of this mouth wash in my own practice has more than justi fied my expectations. I therefore reccommend it for general use and would be glad to know that every man and woman in the country would try it for themselves, believing that it will result in great good to those who use it as directed. Atiikns, Ga.—I have had occasion recently to test the virtues of your Sure Cure Mouth Wash in an aggrevated case of inflamed and ulcerated gums, with most gratifying re sults. I find that I can accomplish more in a short time with Sure Cure Mouth Wash than any other one of the many similar prepara tions I have overused in my practice of many years. I wish that every one, old .and young, would use your preparation according to the printed directions, and then, I think, the den tist would be. able to accomplish more good for their patients, and do it with more satisfaction to all concerned. II. A. LOWKANCE, D. 1). S. P1UAI AND MOKPHINE HABIT CURED IN • further information ad«1n»ss cap i till habited by savages.” Jerry and I sallied forth joyously in quest of the gentle crown-eyed cow of our dreams Comfort Marshall. TO BE CONTINUED. Paradoxes. It is difficult to believe that the biography of I)r. Johnson was written-by a gossiping, liter ary bore. That Cowley, who boasts with so much gay- ety of the versatility of his passion amongst so many sweethearts, wanted the confidence even to address one. That the thoughtful, cast iron essays of John Foster were originally written as love epistles to the lady who became his wife. That Byron would never help any one to salt at the table, nor be helped himself. That the ode ta temperance, “The Old Oaken Bucket,” was written by a journeyman printer under the inspiration of brandy. That so many of the exquisite letters of Lady Montague were destroyed by her mother, who “did not approve that she should disgrace her family by adding to it literary honors. That Luther, the greatest of reformers, and Baxter, the greatest of the Puritans, and Wes ley, the greatest religious leader of his century, believed in witchcraft. That Schiller wrote his William Tell without ever having seen the glories of Lake Lucerne. That Scott never saw “Fair Melrose” by moonlight. (The truth was Scott would not go there for fear of bogies.) That Napoleon, with a million armed men under his command, sat down in rage and af fright to order Fouc’ie to send a little woman over the frontiers, lest she should say some thing about him to be laughed at in the draw ing rooms of Paris. That Lafontaine who, in his Fables, makes animals, trees and stones talk, “was in his conversation proverbially dull and stupid.” That Socrates learned music and Plutarch Latin after they were 70 years old. That Baxter, the autl^or of one hundred and sixty-eight works upon theology, wrote at the end of his life, “I see that good men are not so good as I once thought they were, and I find that few are so bad as malidous enemies or censorious professors do imagme.” Agricultural lucation for Girls. IVe would educatlie girls in such a way that they can step Yond the walls of their homes and make emselves useful. They should be made fausr with horticulture in all its aepartments; e keeping can be made very profitable; the re and rearing of poultry are within their scoj, besides, a score or more of other useful accoplishments, by which a woman educated—pstically educated—in ail these things, can eaienough to hire all the help she needs, botUdoors and out, and often bring still more to tliamily treasury than her husband can from I farm, besides the com forts and luxuries thi obtained from her en terprises; and what bf vastly more value to her and her houseid, she will get the sun shine and open air, jain perfect health and reason, live a long fl useful life, rear her family in comfort, no, and the world, will rise up and call her essed. Does this seem like an idle dream? hose who are interested in the coining genentns of women who will live upon the term, d leave no more enduring monument to their imories than a school well established tor t r education in all those things that will mak< omen aomething more than mere drudges machines—make them nobis, useful womi in the highest, truest Peace of Mind. Sir Walter Raleigh said, when some of his friends lamented his confinement under sen tence of death, which he knew not how soon lie might suffer, “that the world itself was only a large prison, out of whicli some were every day selected for execution.” Says Bultver: “I Ruspect that every man of the world, who, at tiie age of 40, looks from the windows of his club oil the every-day mor tals whom Fourier has hitherto failed to re form, has convinced him that, considering all the mistakes in our education and rearing—all the temptations to which fiesh and blood are exposed—a l the tii ils which poverty indicts —all the seductions which wealth whispers to the rich—men, on the whole, are rather good than otherwise, and women, on the whole are rather better than men.” Name this jrnrtHr. J. L. PEERS. Superintendent. ) South Broad Street, Atlanta, Ga “Mawdam, ahlow me tab offah yeow mail seat. Pm afraid thawt stove is uncomfortably warm.” “Keep your seat, keep your seat, ye sick thing,” she said, hitching herself a little further back on the stove. “Don't git wurried erbout me. Pm properly protected. I’ve got on er bran new life-size wire bustle, an’ I reckon I I can just erbout keep comfortable here ' Huccessfnlly treated without pain 1 daily business. NO RESTRICTIONS ON DIET. All communications strictly confidential. BY A. S. WOOLLEY, M. D., SELMA. ALA. 01 The Day After Christmas. BY' FRANK CECIL LOCKWOOD. [Editor Sunday Mercury:—The “Night Before Christmas” has had a pretty good run, but 1 modestly think the “Day After Christ mas” may satisfy a “long felt want.” F. C. L.] ’Twa« the day after Christ sas, and all through the fiat Not a creature wv st : rring, not even the cat; For the fuse and the feast of the previous day Had driven all notions of waking away. But 1 went, a la Santa < laus, down through the flue, And oh! what a sight was presented to view! The legs of the donkey w-re strewn on the floor. And cranberry sassorna rented the door. The dear little horsey was minus a tail. And dolly the loss of an arm could bewail. Had a cyclone b*en there with its withering touch. Transforming the room to a ruin? No L much. The baby's weefqoties had trampled their best. And baby’s deft Angers had u ana wed the rest. And even had tried, with a villainous hook. To destroy ati alleged indostruc ible book. Bu - although t'-hris mas con es everlastingly high, fcat, drink and be glad and to-morrow you’ll lie In bed all the day w th a pain in your head. The result of your Christmas so merry. Nuf ced. New York, Dec. 2:7, 188fi. Who Moses Was. [St. Paul Herald.] It is very common now in the primary schools for teachers to entertain their little scholars with stories. A few days ago one of the teachers in a school not far from. St. Paul was telling the children about Pharaoh’s daughter finding the babe in the bulrushes. “Now children,” said she, “how many of you know anything about Moses?” Only one hand went up. “That’s right, Jimmie, I’m glad to see there’s one in the school who has heard of him before. Now, who was Moses?” “lie’s the feller wot they wanted to know where he was when the light went out,” ex claimed .jimmie with great gusto. That ended the Bible lesson for the day. 'Progressive Courtship. She—What is progressive euchre, John? He—I’m sure I don’t know. The thing I’m most interested in just now is progressive courtship. She—Oh! what is that? He—Well, for a little while after he begins to pay his addresses to her he simply shakes hands with her when they are parting at night, as I have been doing for the last two months. Then he becomes a little bolder, and some night as he is leaving her he puts his arm around her waist, like this, and kisses her as I do now. There. She (blushing)—And the next thing, I sup pose, he proposes. Give Ely’s Cream Balm a trial. This justly celebrated remedy for the cure of catarrh, hay fever, cold in the head, &c., can be obtained of any reputable druggist and may be relied upon as a safe and pleasant remedy for the above complaints and will give immediate relief. It is not a liquid, snuff or powder, has no offen sive odor and can be used at any time with good results, as thousands can testify, among them some of the attaches of this office.— Spir it of the Times, May 29,1886. Epitaph on a temperance lecturer: A notf*d tempemneo man lies here. The green turf o’er hie head. No man ere eaw him on his bier Till after he wa* dead. Boarding-House Grammar. [Cleveland Sun.] The ni3B new dairy butter, direct from the creamery, which the landlady had told them about, was on the table, and Chumpley tried it. Then he peered under the plate and all about it for a moment or two. “My Chumpley,” said the landlady, very severely, “will you please parse the butter this way?” “I should prefer,” answered Chumpley, in his meekest tones, “to decline it in my own way.” All through life Yon’ll find this role, Woman’s a kicker, So’s a mn e. PIUM AND WHISKEY HABITS CURED AT home without pain. Book of particulars sent free. B. M. WOOLLEY, M. D. Atlanta, Ga. Mention this paper. OfficeB54 Whitehall St. CONSUMPTION. 1 havoapoHltive remi ' ” tis* thousands of cues piaudinr have been cun in ltsefflcarv, that I wl together with a VA LUA td» fortl or the i s dissue; by its ; kind and of long > BOTTLE.™£REE, _ VALUABLE TREATISE on thi* diMMM, to auj sufferer. Give Express end P. O. address. DR. T. A. SLOCUM, 1st Pearl St., New York. £l?i£ceUanrou9 T his llegant housk is not large but it i* so well planned that it afford, ample room for a large family. Throw open the double doore or portieree and nearly the whole of the bret floor is practically one large apartment. A doz en persona may spend the day here without crowding- particularly as there is a large veranda, and forty per- With the curs ner mantels. Queen Anne balusters and rails, stained glass Window over tbeetair landing flooding the hall and parlor with beautiful light* and a pretty side brand tn view from the dining room, theae apart- \’" th eltvant and hospitable and satisfy til. er.fl LaiOtdtous hostess. The kitchen issolidlyt-ep- A m - the I " t "u the h " U8e - communicating r L M ’i m thro '’« h « Convenient pantry.m mf, and drawere. In the South, . kltch »’l 8 ore preferred, the room market! kitchen is used for a library or bed room, connecting with other ns,ms by double don™. Thii am zT.f ji" 1 C n V a 8 a ^ 81 rj arrangement. There 2 large and 2 small bed Ji “ ,,r0CHI1 finished off in the attic. Plenty The who,e Rouse yigasilL warmed bv the one central chimney. *Vi**"k, ho^f^ b t |™ t, ”f n f 9 “he?ZdiS 0 h " f the aboTB tracts negotiate loans, Ac. &TMai any address on receipt of Kocwitn ^^aid to or if more convenient send 31 billed we wiB j!?™ the change. Address, we wUi '©tore THE BUILDING PLAN ASSOCIATION (512 M Beekrnan Str e«t (Box *702), —^ New York- Old Pictures Copied and Enlarged Agents wanted In every town and county in the South. Send for terms and circulars, if you can not take*an agenev set onr m?.h 11 yOU CaJ pictures dirt efto us, thev wffl^ doSr?. 09 and 8end Made to Order. A certain editor of a weekly newspaper made a practice of “stopping the press to announce,” if he had nothing more important to announce than a dog fight. One week everything was as dull as a patent office report, but the ruling passion cropped out as follows: “We stop the press to announce that noth ing has occurred since we went to press of suf ficient interest to induce us to stop the press to announce it.” There She Had Him. He hadn’t qnite come np to her standard and she refused his escort to the picnic. He said: " Why, you’re as full of airs as a hand-organ to-day. “Maybe I am,’’ she tossed out. I don’t go with a crank.” “Anyhow Wdl tm4 ul *«UtralaM; Uas, hfiui T «m*« Don cnar. Ifjoa mgzz — ><W *fe*$1.00 CANDA HOUSE, 17 L.PI.C., New yM|| A select boose oo the * . 577-ffin W UR WHART, Proprietor
