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THE SUNNY SOUTH, ATLANTA, GA., SATURDAY MORNING, JANUARY 17, 1891.
HAWTHORN;
A TALE OF TWO DECADES IN MANY STATES
By Bismuth Miller.
CHAPTER XXII.
On that same day In the early morning
of which Benigna, with Alma Selwyn,
started to California, Rigby sought for
the former at her Fourteenth street
abode. It was the agreed date for her
praoticai complicity in the Mabel Bounce
forgery, and he meant,’ tbrough his
knowledge of her fraudulent extortion of
Wilbur’s money, to compel her prompt
assistance, orelie expose that crime.
He was informed by Mrs. Barker that
she bad departed for the West. So that,
despite his vigilant, suspicious watchful
ness, sne had easily eluded him.
But, having uo alternative now, he
Went rignt along with the iflaiel Bounce
swindle; aDd having given a description
Ol the claimant that would exactly lit
Bsnivna, aud then deftly Imitated the
lattei’s sig, aiure of Mabel B mtcit's
name, the papers were liandtd in, and
the claim passed with unexpected
promptness, part of too mousy .being
paid lu a few days.
Things wen, on smoothly for several
years, wbeu, by some mischance, the
f ovcrnment cone lived that this Mabel
ionnco business might be a stupendous
fraud from beginning 10 end, and per
emptonly demanded of the G street firm
that tte woman, Mabel B moce, oe pro
duced. Tula they were obliged to prom
ise should be done, it having been pre
tend;d that she was receiving through
them her regular quarterly payments,
and receipting for them.
It was a trying situation; but these ex
perienced knaves were ubually eqnal to
any demand upon their scouuartlis-n.
Rigby had located Benigna, Immediate
ly alter her flight, by aid of the newspa
per reports u( Alma Salwvn’s death. He
felt certain she was still somewhere In
California. In the present crisis he
wrote urgent.y to her to say that any
price would cheerfully be paid for her to
return and personate Mabel Bsauce, and
to reply at once Tills was tne inj uteri
ous "advertised letter” whose non-re
ceipt had so tortured Benigna. Not hav
lng been properly claimed by her, it went
to the D.ad Letter office. Here, being
opened,it instantly disclosed the breadth
and dt ptb or tbe Mabel Bounce villainy.
“Rigby happened to be lu Richmond,
Vi, at tne time, tryingtoworftupa siml
lar counterfeit claim, and was thus cut
olT trom escape, except towards the Bouta
or West. B.ning ha.l goohled tne ready
cash 01 the concern and run away to
Canada. Rigby made strai ’ht for Cali
fornia, trusting to cume upon Benigna,
or perhaps mar into oiner dishonest
schem a. He had been hiding out at
various points on the gold coast for a few
yearo, living he scarcely anew how, and
having obtained uo inkling of Bonigna’a
whereabouts.
W. th the others in California, the situa
tion at this period was thus: Benigna
was si 111 at batnrop, amid pleasant sur
roundings. Virginia, fifteen years old,
and, having completed the full course at
the home school, was about to go to
Oakland Seminary to finish her eduea-
t- in. Sue nad <i ;velop.-.d into a remark
aila scholar aud was surpassingly lovely.
Hae continued, as ever, me peculiar pel
and inseparable compauio i olBucwln,
who was mmself duiiy growing older aud
richer, and both wtre eking out the
long summer intirval in travel about
that section. So much of her society was
claimed by Baldwin, aud his engage
ments necessitating almost incessant
migration, that L ithiop had quite cassed
to oe mure thau her nominal home. In
all these years not once had a suspicion
of the true relation between the girl and
her putative parent ilasbed either upou
Virginia or Tom Baldwin.
Su that everything was exceedingly
lovely, Benigna being, after all. remaraa
bly contented and nappy.
Just a shadow at times wou’d darken
Banian*'** su. anew that what
ever ol wealth or station the future might
have for her, it must comb aloue through
the medium of Virginias personal ad
vantages. Now, Baldwin doted on the
sweet girl more on account of her prl
vate merits than because of the cold re
lalionsnlp of grandniece which sne bore
to him; aud certainly on account, for the
most part, of ner gilts aud beauty might
her early marrtage, which the woman
most dreaded, be looked f >r. As heiiess
to Baldwin’s lortune, or as ruler over a
rich liu- banc’s means, Benigna expteted
to profit oy Virginia s enrichment. It
wes her central nope and it now supplied
her solitary motive. But in order lor
this she must neither lose the girl’s al-
leglance nor htr own dominion. It was
not altogether pleasant, therefore, for
her to see that Baldwin s influence was
constantly being grafted on Virginia’s in
clinations; and her displeasure was in
nowise lessened that he, and not herself,
possessed h-.r decided aflectlon. Then,
teo, Tom Rvdwln had extracted a pledge
from Benigna that sho was never to seek
to a fleet Virginia’s untrammeled choice
of a husband. While the woman dared
not break her word, she poastoly viewed
With discomfort the headlong approach
or a period when an ardent pressure for
Virginia s haad was sure to aet in. In
another year half Oakland would be wild
over the beauty aud intellect of tne
school girl. And what then?
And what, too, if Virginia were to dieT
W. u d not Baldwin turn Benigna adrift?
When tbe woman fi.ted on htr think
ing cap, which she not often did in these
days, there was no eecape lor the ligutest
thought unwtlgbec; aud having sedaie-
ly revolved the foregoing, she suddenly
conceived that the only guarantee of her
permanent safely lay lu her own marri
age with Baldwlnl By that step she
would entrench her power over Virginia
by tquaily sharing hid.
With wonderful growth this new lnsplr
ation grew upon her. Bhe could think of
no possible expedient through wulch tne
subject might oe brought to nls attention.
For her to broac : it would be taking more
than a leap year liberty. Certainly it
would never occur to the man. II she
couid by some device awaken ni« jealousy,
she’d quickly settle his conquest.
But men who do not love are never
jealous; and Baldwin had no mote love
for Benigna—or for Alma Selwyn, as ne
know her—than he had for an anaconda—
albeit ne did not in any w.se dislixe ner.
He was at Livingston now, incidentally
attending to his agriculture, and Virgin
ia at usual, was with him. Notwith
standing tnat sue was quite shortly to
6nter a seminary where she would nave
to conduct all her movements and lnter-
caurse with the air or one born 10 be a
grand lady, she was daily aDroad among
Baldwin’s grapes, gay and imping, Md
a downright tomooy. Sue couid tuirn
somersets” and "skia the cat ’ With tne
best of tne young rustics.
There were no girls at the L Kingston
,’.ce! so sne not only joined wudiy In the
arm boys’ acrobatics, but caught np
heir caut phrases and spun them out
Andyet 1 *"'Oakland, when the time
me round, she passed the best exami-
tlion and not ojee lost the leadership
her various classes. . .
ienigna never loved! Contemplate
s. Tne instinct of passion absent ia a
man’s nature! Tne fount of human
ction dried in a woman’s heart! in®
lng of the gentlest impulse drained
pare he x! The soul of one of a sex
ch man exalts beyond all mortal «*
cold and dumb to tne dl finest nonv
be can oflti! A sigh smothered in
•adit I A smile stifl d on tbe Up I A
i dead on tne cheea! A woman who
otlovel Such was Bsnigna.
iglne this creatnre essaying to en-
i Baldwin in the tolls of tbe heart!
■he oold, dead eye of the idol sparkle
n? The granite Up of tne sphynx
love?
CHAPTER XX HI.
er came to Lathrop from Goshen,
*d “Alma Selwyn.” Bsnigna had
aintance in that part that she
sred or, and its receipt s nrprlsed
veil it might have. It was from
ina: Meet me to-morrow at
tirat train—with oat fall. I wu*
ition. Address me as Julius
Depend on my- oofllence
your own. Rigby.’
xt morning—Baldwin and Vir
■nately, still away-Benigna
Ht oat for Goshen,daring not
I the man she believed was
tine. In a few hoars the wae
e Rigby
tbe train. He instantly placed himself
at her aide, and the two fell into olose
conversation when they had gone aafel;
beyond the hearing of others, at anL
mated stages stopping as if to settle a
point of difference.
It developed that Rigby had some time
before discovered her presence at Lath
rop, but had prudently maintained his
own concealment. Now sitting slightly
apart at the wayside, where, like two
lovers after a spat, they had halted with
ont agreement, tuere was a short, signifi
cant silence.
This R gby demolished by saying:
“Yes, your double play put me into tuis
fix; atd LhoLg.i you can’t get me ont,
you’ll have to keep me while I'm in!”
“If you wouldn't fly otf every time
utter a word, maybe something mlgnt be
done,” she replied; for she was in a tight
place.
“Fiy off ! I should smile. I’ve been
hounded for years on your account,
while you’ve been living on the surloin of
the land! You tied to me in the Bouuce
matter, when a lie elsewhere would nave
fi xod us both; then you left me, to be
jumped on all round. And here I am—
dead broke aud a vagabond tramp! ’
But he was quite tidily attired. Saeln
which, Benigua replied: “I don’t think
you look any suing like a tramp.”
"Tnat's tatty. Let me tell you, it’s bine
above for you, but blue ail round for
Rigby. AU I’ve got that ain’t on my
back wouldn't fi I an ant-hole; and I've
got to get a lift. What do you say to
that?”
“lean send yon a few dollars.”
“A fowl How few can you send?”
“Fifty, maybe.”
“I( you haven’t got ’em with yon, arn’t
yon snaking for fear theyll ‘burn up’
while you're away, like Wilbur's tinder!”
He gave ner a keen look of incredulous
ness as he said this. Bhe had told him
of that calamity, but he disbelieved it.
“Oh, 1 know you will not believe me,
and tnat maaes useless any proposition
1 might otter.”
“It's propositions, is it? Well, that's
what I want to hear. There’s lots of
cuanceforyou 11 you're laying out for
tbe truth. Let’s get to business, tnen.”
lilgoy,”sne said, vexediy. “except in
denying that 1 was going away irom
Was u lug ton, to this hour I have never
falsified to you, so help me”
He interrupted ner. “Come, pard;
that's thin. I like your style, but it’s
rate out Wtst.”
Bhe was again silent.
Rigby, having impressed his power to
destroy ner, was forcible In having her
know that bis confidence "./as forever
lost. Hie next move mignt be to threaten
m.r Lathrop relations; yet if he should
hastily imperil tnese u might be like
running oil tne legendary goose of the
golden iruit. Bat ue said: ‘Now, once
tor all: We'iu in tne same boat, and
she's leaky. Oje of us must bail while
the other sails ner; and if sue capsiz.s or
sinks we’ve got to go under together!
J ust tackle your mind to tbaij ’
For a moment bub was unstrung Then
she rtfiecttd that he was a fugitive from
the law, aud her knowledge ol this ought
to yield her a potent advantage. It
should .live her command of the situ*
tiou. Vet how much more certain and
crushing was his familiarity with her
earlier career; aud because he knew of
that she was compelled lor her own
safety to lay bare to him the story of her
later deceptions. He was low and des
picable, and ready always for a mean
alternative of revenge. He might hover
about her whoie life should she fail to
compass his prompt riddance. She
migut manage him by continuous brio-
ery, but sue had not tbe means. Wnen
she pleaded her restricted resources, he
scorned her words as faiso.
A thought brightened her. It came
with blinding euggestiveness. Sne said,
excitedly: “Rigby, 1 have a plan which
may enrich us Doth.”
"Tuat’v the racket!” he retorted; “no
ahead and give out your text.”
“Baldwin is very rich, and I believe I
can marry him with your help.”
“Weil, you’ve got my consent, if that's
what you mean.”
“No, your assistance!’’
“I !1 tell you now, if you want me to
ante dollar for dollar with him, I ain’t in
it. My wealth’s in hock, and for keep3.”
“Piease bs serious,” she pleaded.
“I’m solemn as a coffia. It's funny to
ask me to help catch a millionaire duffer!
But go ahead with your funeral.”
“First, yon most trust me”
“You're after more than I’ve got!” he
Interrupted. 1 Trust you—did you say?”
“Y*s; and then with patience hear my
plan.”
He now, rising to his feet, seemed to
collect himself for proper attention to
what might follow.
“If,” went on Benigna, measuring her
words and looking searchiDgly into the
man’s face; “if I can contrive to awaken
in Baldwin a sentiment of natural jeal
ousy, I may next tempt him into marri
age, and lr he does marry me, then I am
certain I can provide a good support for
you out of his wealth.”
Rigby’s eyes dilated at this, though his
aspect of countenance was as of one
much puzzled.
“I’m into that for all I’m worth!” he
exclaimed, with some enthusiasm; “but
hHDg me if 1 can find juit where 1 corns
in at—that is, how in the kingdom Rigby
* an help fix up this hitch. Give me the
Up.”
-Well,” she said, with increasing con
fidence, “pay attention, and I will ex
plain how you may aid me at once and
indispensably: Wnen I retorn toLathrop
I shall wi ite to you as an lnclosure a pas
slonate letter, addressed back to myself
and signed'Julius Richards.’ You will
appear (by tne contents) to be profitably
engaged in settling valuable mining
claims, and as having abundant wealth.
You will have met me and been intro
duced while I was visiting at Oakland,
ana have learned that I was a widow.
Wishing to marry, you will:rankly ask
for a correspondence. My next step will
be to take Baldwin intoconsoltaiion,
and thus bring him to terms. What do
you think of the plot?”
As he scratched his head, he said, ob
tusely: “It sounds pretty sweet; but
wbai in the name of GaDriel do you
want to send me a love letter with my
own name to it?”
“Oli! excuse mc-I You are to copy It,
word for word, and remail it to met”
“Now I tumble,” he said, as if suddenly
enlightened.
She was learfnl he might invalidate its
purpose by interpolating his constitu
tional slang; so she repeated, impres
sively : “Yes, yon must be sure to copy
it precisely, neither adding nor taking
a ^J^i'st hold yourself down a minutel”
be said, with a slur; “I can copy a
letter.”
“Certainly.” .
“And the love-making will all be
yonrs. I don’t do that * ind of literature
unless I’m hired out for the job!”
“Thanks,” she said.
She rose from the grassy hillock at the
roadside where both had been sitting,
and involuntarily taking the way back
toward the station, Rigby followed, say-
ins- “Yes, it s time for you to be gone.
I don’t want to hurry you, bat I want
that money, and ir you re left it cant
come to time. This new snap is a good
one, too; and I’ll try to trust you just one
time more, ‘as a guarantee of good
faUb, but not for publication,’as the
newspapers say, see if yon can’t see
that fi’ty dollars-and go fifty better. A
handled dollars would go a great shake
JU They reao 8 hed d the Railway station just
hr Bsnigna to take a car.
in season for Bsnigna to taae
CHAPTER XXIV.
StUl a spinster, and now ttirty-seven.
home
Berlgna’s settled, systematic
methods at Lathrop were such as to at
*11 times ward off suspicion of her true
state She appeared to be •
BS^^.yJni.Ta^a
cr £ lD f-i°nL.nd Virginia returned from
Baldwin ana virgin B * n lgna’s
townq but presently would follow Vir-
of the one
SsMrasstrsu-
arrival at home. He had faithfully
obeyed the original, and as he wielded a
skillful pen,it presented a creditable and
gen nine appearance.
Virginia was in an exceptionally
ligh-hsarted mood. This the woman
took to index Baldwin’s state of mind,
and felt enoonrsged to at ones propound
her latest scheme.
Having ostentatiously pondered Rig
by’s letter, as if queerly affected by the
contents, she said in a solemn way: “Vir
glnia, here Is something which very serf
ously concerns you ”
“Mel” asked the other, at the same
time giving all her attention to the
speaker.
“Yes,” said Benigna. “Sit near me.”
Virginia drew a chair. “Explain it,
please. ’
“Well, it is an offer of marriage.”
“An offer of marriage! Ridiculous!
He’s a luuatie!”
“Why, girl!” retorted Bsnigna, severe
ly; it is you who are crazy!”
It was a mutual misunderstanding.
Virginia mistook it to be an offer for her
hand; and Benigna thought the girl was
anathematizing her suitor.
Explanations set things to rights.
“No,” said Benigna; “it is not your
hand, out mine, which is asked. And
what do yon think of it?”
“That depends,” answered Virginia.
What would he have to do with me?”
“He d be your step father!”
“Don’t tulnk I couid go a “step farth
er,” she said, cunningly, “without faring
worse! ’
Sue bad probably picked up this pen
at Livingston.
“aerijusly, child, give me your views.”
“Well, I haven’t hail so much objection
to his becoming a step father as to my he
ingastep-daugrner ”
“Couia you not love him?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Love wasn’t intended for that kind of
person.”
Benigna paused. If Virginia aggres
siveiy opposed, that woulu p.ooably end
It witu Baldwin. Bhe continued: “But
suppose ne loved you?”
In ner innocent way the girl answered:
“Bat he wouldn’t.”
How can you know that?”
if he loved you, how could he love any
one else? ’
“But don’t yon know there are many
kinds of love? ’
‘Then, I d have to try tbe kind he had
for me before I couid tell now I liked it.”
“How do you think yoor Uncle Bald
win would take it If I were to marry?”
“Marry him?”
“Silly girl! No.”
“If it wouid have anything to do with
me, I don’t tnlnk it would please him.”
At this moment Baldwin appeared
within the gate.
“There's your uncle now; go and meet
him, and afterward remain away while I
have a little talk with him.”
Virginia sprang out of the door, ran
nimbly toward him, and, having kissed
his cheek, he passed on and entered tbe
house, to occupy, by Bcnlgua’s lnvlta
tion, the girl’s vacated caalr.
“Uncle Tom,” Benigna said, almost
immediately and witu a coy look of
flurnment, *-I received a curious letter
to day.”
“iudeed? How was that?”
“Curious, of course, because it was ua
expected; but every wurnau has at some
time gut the same—aud curious, too, ior
another ieason.”
“A love letter?” he guessed.
“Yes; and X want your advice. I would
do notuing until I had consulted your
Judg neat and confidence.”
“But a bacueior is not the man to con
sult on that Dusiuesa.”
“Exactly tue man—ho has no bias ”
Sue handtd him the iett.r. Hureadit,
aud then neld It thougatfuiiy.
“Wouldn't you say tne Writer was in
love?”
“No two sides aB to that,” said Bald
win, mechanically handing it Dack,
Wnlle he sat before her, Benigna was
analyzing Jilin. He was forty five, well
built, broad-soon d.-red, with a fine,
pleasing face, but bronzed and haid
fisted Irom exposure ana toil. He pos
sessed u truly good heart; was generous
and charitaole. His business talents
were of tne heat order, his mental facul
ties excellent, and he was wealthy.
ToB nlgna, he had Dever belore ap
peared to (such pleasing advantage. Hue
recalled with some rapture that a few
miuutes earlier Virginia had iuvoluntari
ly guessed at this man la conuection
with the ofieution of marriage, and it net
her to wondering if he aud the child may
not have really excr-aogc-d confidences
hinting atouch au alliance.
Certai . it was that the bachelor pon
dered Julius Richards’ love letter with
more than casual interest. Ho inquired,
after a while: “Is there anything like
an understanding?”
“As you can see, we have met before,”
she replied, knowing not just how far to
venture.
“If you were to marry him, would he
make any claim to the control of Vir
ginla?’
“Becoming her step-father, he would
have a decided right to a certain interest
in her.”
‘Wouli you and he probably remain in
Cali ornia?”
‘ Not at all likely.”
B i'dwin was silent.
“Would you desire her to go away with
you?’’
“i should feel like letting her settle
that with him,” she answered. “It would
be natural for us to wish it.”
“See seems to be quite happy here,”
said Baldwin.
“Vdry, very happy,” assented the wo
man.
“And yourself—are you not satisfied?”
“On, yes,” she answered, with a slight
reservation; “but you can understand
that by marriage there would come a
mutual release—you from my mainten
ance, and I from my own dependence.”
“But I could hardiy bear to part with
Virginia,” he said. It was this thought
alone which distressed him.
Then you cannot bxpect that I should
not be pained to resign her.”
“True, true,” he answered, in an in
voluntary way. It was half a minute be
fore he spoae again, and then he said,
firmly: “Whatif / were to make you an
otter of marriage?”
He was entrapped—so she thought.
Without hesitation, she asked: “Do you
make that proposal? ”
“No,” he irresolutely answered; “but I
am willing to give it serious tnought.
Then he said: “Suppose you let me have
a talk with Richards.”
That would hardly be fair to me ”
P.-ruaps it would not,” be admitted.
“Will you leave tnat letter—leave it ua
answered for a day or two?”
“Don t you think I should deal more
promptly with my possible happiness?
I may, oy delay, sacrifice a positive
chance for a grave uncertainty.”
Tnla brought Baldwin nearly to the
mark.
•Do you feel assured of happiness
through marriage? ’
“I nope tor independence!”
“Alma,” he said, calmly, “when I
wrote for you to place your child—my
ntphew's little daughter—in my care it
was expressed that she was to be well
provided for aDd implied that it would
be permanent—that is, that she should
remain my special charge until, in her
riper years aud discretion, she mlgDt
choose to separate from me. I
am frank to say t at on this may depend
her tortnne. It is rather disappointing
for me to think tnat a stranger may at
some time step between us, aud it is my
doty, withoat regard to sentiment, to
prevent such a tiling if I can honorably
do so. You seem more anxious for inde
pendence than for marriage. I have
never restricted your needs or supplies,
and have supposed they exactly suited
you. I now make yon the offer of a
stated amount, set in jour own name and
subject to vour pleasure, if you will re
main unmarried for two years, or antil
Virginia is eighteen years old. Von can
name the amount which will satisfy yon,
and I will consider it.”
Benigna had believed at first that he
wae about to place himself in the gap
This sudden offer somewhat disconcerted
her. If it shouldn’t enable her to buy
Rigby’s permanent disappearance, she
might afford to hire his peace. So sue
■aid, after reflection: “Tnat is a gener-
rous offer; bat when two years have ex
pired 1 shall be two years less eligible.
What shall be done with me then?”
“After the two years, if yon then still
have no mind to enange your condition,
I'll settle on you enough money to pro
vide, under proper expenditure, for the
remainder of your life.”
Rising to depart, at the door he turned
and said: “Think it over, and tell me
tomorrow.”
Benigna, seeing that the terms were
the very best which could possibly be
suggested, was already determined on
accepting them.
of
ho should make a transit of the path
the long separated Raymond.
The latter, at the North, was seeking
education and fortune, finally abandoned
to the conviction that his parent had
years since died!
At eighteen, Raymond, through anas
slated toil, had hoarded sufficient means
for bis maintenance during the three
terms In which he
succeeding oollf giate
should strive to complete his education.
Tne preparatory stage had been achieved
at the cost of rest ands'eep; and deeming
that he was fitted for the arena of his
ambition, he entered that admirable in
stitute in Rochester. New York, known
everywhere as the Free Academy, That
was three years ago.
And now, on this very day, he was to
publicly graduate. The touchstone or his
disoernment, z sal and fidelity was about
to be applied; the signet of a finished
scholarship was to be awarded.
How fruitrnl had been the years since,
' “ • irlc' '
as a lad of eleven at Fredericksburg, he
bade good by to Dr. Montgomery and his
wife and was W9pt over by that bevy of
of their delicious little daughters! And
what a great stretcu of time twlxt then
and now in this beautiful city of the
North, where, as a robust young man and
student, he had won the honor to declaim
as a valedictorian! How be had labored,
trave ed, s a tte red! His aching feet had
trod the hard walks of a hundred cities,
his haiids eager at every task and his
courage brimming bejond all disap
pointment.! He “knew,” as Aru mas
Ward wouid have said, “how little tie
knew,’’ and how he needed to know!
He was a model character; frank
truthful, confiding; reverent of woman,
manly among men. Abroad in tbe etiy
he was little known, and beyond it nut
at all. So that any particular Interest
attaching to tbe distinguished part he
was to play on this last or the three days
of commencement belonged to the inci
dent of his being a total stranger.
Tne Free Academy having been the
alma mater of many of the brightest and
best men who have illustrated the vari
ous professions and callings, aud beiDg
always the pride of the model section
where it is an educational luminary, the
annual commencements exsite marked
popular interest and attraet crowds to
tne proceedings.
In tne present instance the more ca
pacious auditorium of tbe City Hail
building, on an opposite corner, was the
scene of the exercises. Oa this third
day it was packed to suffocation, the
professors, principals, civic functionaries
aud relatives of the students Suing the
profusely decorated stage at one end,
while the other was occupied by a mill
tary hand, on a raised platform, whicn
discoursed selections of music in the
progress of the spetcaes. E ten speaker,
us ne retired, bad been met by a shower
of bouquets, the tribute of his admirers
The young Southerner was possloiy the
one student who, ia all the multitude
before him, could coant not a solitary
relative.
And now, as the last note of a thrilling
national air, blending wltn the applause
following lta fiae rendition, died away
in the deep wide emptiness ahove tne
seated throng, a hush of curiosity, rather
tnaa of expectancy, fe lupon the assem
b'.age, whose gaz i was riveted on the
elevation before them
At the Instant Raymond Hawthorn
stepped to the centre of the stag* and
composedly swept the auditorium with a
graceful bow. Tall, deep cnested, sym
metrical of figure, arid clothed in a weii
fitting suit waoee severe black was re
lieved by the snowy whiteness of his
linen and tne pini of a modest rosebud
at his lapo), his unembarrassed aud easy
pose produced a prepossessing eii'eci
which pavtd the way for the success
whicn follow, d.
His theme was “The Lind We Love,”
and its admirable treatment caught at
once the nearts of his listeners. Inter
rupted by wild applause, he paused,
awaiting silence, nls rignt naud half bid
den witntu the breast of his coat and the
other gracefully fallen at his side, whilst
his dark, lustrous eyes beamed a pro
found sense of tne compliment. Again
aud again his masterly ettort evoked
plaudits his tine endowment of oratori
cal power aud warm Southern iinagiua
liveuess portraying wltn vivid pietur
isquenesstne amazing grandeur of his
patriotic theme.
Whi e martial worlds, with warring monarchy
view
The clash of mighty hosts that mee' to die,
Their strife for empire streamed with erimsou
-iue k,
That pates the bure.jhed snrlet of the sky—
America steps foi tl*'jjm sla,i..le.ss mien
'i.»marii0.yJm!!lJs ijat , s r : n peace:
lit rsons are brethren and are met to glean
Of uature s harvest Heaven’s best increase!
When his peroration was concluded,
amid enthusiastic outbursts, the beard
less, biusuing, * bxc-ivn-halred stranger
was obliged, after having bowed and
retired, to reappear and be overwhelmed
with flowers. At an elegant banquet on
East avenue at night ue was doiugsd
witn smiles and complimems, and next
morning the newspaper press was lavish
of praise, pronouncing the etfoitalor
enslc triumph and Che speaker a gifted
scholar and gentleman.
In his room, at night, on his knees, he
confessed that Heaven, having blessed
him with courage aud constancy, had
alone also sustained his hopes aud strug
gles. To noble, gifted parentage be
owed the inception of high minded man
hood, and it suould be the never ceaeiDg
passion of his life to do honor to their
memory; the better to fulfill wulch he
would forthwith search out his veiled
origin and nistory.
Foreseeing that his scant resources
must be quite used up by tue time he was
through «lth bis studies, he had em
ployed the long summer days of vacation
lu writing a picturesque narrative of
travel, relieved by liguc romance and
lyrii verses. He would now submit nis
work to a publisher, tue same having
been favorably criticised. On tbe next
morning he carefully assorted and re
numnered the pag*s, aud havlug packed
away niB manuscripts aud effects, he bade
adieu to tue lovely city oi Rochester, em
barking for Boston.
CHAPTER XXVI.
Loyal to the low instinct of the man
who is willing to thrive wholly on the
proceeds of a woman's means, Rigby, im
pudently billeted on Benlgna’s resources,
received nls pittance with regularity,
and with equal regularity squandered or
gambled it away. He exemplified now
the “vagabond tramp” housed felicitous
ly to style himself, and was incorrigibly
rough and hardened. It is true that in
proportion as he djscanded in the scale
of humanity he grew in power over the
woman.
And now he was audaciously demand
ing that his “allowance” should be in
creased, even though- she must needs
make an additional lew on the Denevo-
leucs of Baldwin. Rigby’s acceptance of
pension at the hand of one in whose
trnth he boastfully disbelieved well il
lustrates the depravity to which nnfaith
can fall, not less than the contemptible
depth at which criminal dependence may
compel an intelligent creatnre to grovel.
To this day he remained fixed in tne
conviction tnat the plundered thousands
of Wilbur were tne basis of Benlgua's
California personalty, all along invested
at interest; end the dremn of nlcnlng
from her a port or the supposititious ao
cumulation was still nis oesetment. _
Two years nad elapsed sinhe Baldwin s
> I u.ni.n* , H income had none
CHAPTER XXV.
For yean father and son—eaeh uncer
tain of the other’s exiatenoe—revolved
within vastly diverse orbits. John Haw
thorn, In the Booth, swung irtsgnlarly
within a wondrous aUipss In which ho
not whoa—
advance on Benlgna’s income nad gone
into effect, and the time was ripe for him
to add her name to his will if she was
reconciled to remain permanently as at
P Bne“had confided to Rigby all the de
tails of tne arrangement at tue time it
was entered into, ont, as usual, he was
incredulous. He doubted first tnat Bald
wlu bad made tne offer; and if he had
done so, Rigby bad no laith that the wo
man wouid not in some way exclude him
from a snare in n—unless ne should com
tlnne nls powerful grasp upon ner and
c.osely watch all his caances. Accord
insiy, be came on to Latnorp at a time
wnen he knew he was totally unexpected,
ana witn olfiolons assumption attempted
tbe conduct of matters Between Benigna
^Underhis urgency the Californian was
summoned to Laturop, wnero he punctu
ally appeared, naving with him a roughly
drawn codicil. His will proper was long
since filed at Alameda.and on nil death It
would secure to Virginia naif nla fortune,
besides tne Hawtnoru property in Geor
gia—for it was Ba.dwin himself wno, as
tne nameless far western stranger, pur-
cuased tnat estate. Oi course, Benigna
knew nothing of tnese facts, nor, indeed,
^AAwSmitiet Baldwin said to Betaigna
“Aima, there waa something
tween ns two yeais ago an to i
it u not too late to aay that if
tunity for marriage ever c
]care ago. Iamtranntaa
I fitted ior anon n enange, I
ku. - J
man I would more readily address than
yourself.”
This rather tickled Bsnigna, who re
torted: “I indeed thank yon; yon are al
ways so kind and pleasant. ’
“Now, then, as to business. What Is
your determination as to the fntnre?” he
asksd.
“To remain in widowhood.”
“What of your late suitor—Richards—
does he know of this?”
“Oh. yee.”
“Where is he?”
“I don’t know—think it likely he mar-
ried some one else.”
“Now,” went on Baldwin, thoughtful
ly, “yon are aware that this is a private
compact; that in oar present relations
yonj could have no legatorial claim
against my estate, bat that if yon shall
faithfully conform to this agreement you
will become entitled toacai tain share in
my bequests. You well know that my
purpose is to preserve Virginia from in
terference in the shaping of her own des
tiny. I do not intend, either, that she
shall be trammeled by poverty.”
“I appreciate all that,” said Benigna
“And tbat this understanding is final?’
“Yes.”
“Then, here is the consideration I of
fer you.” He opened to her a paragraph
embodying the foregoing, and providing,
at his death, that sheshonld oe paid in her
right thirty thousand dollars.
Sne expressed ner gratitude, pronounc
ingle unexpectedly generous.
“So tnat there may be no mistake,” he
said, “1 will again submit tnls to you
when it has baen put in legal tor:n.”
“WLenwiu that be?” sue asked.
“Shortly—in a day or two. Virginia
comes down from Oakland in half an
hour, to go on to Livingston and stay
tonignt. Bhe will spend a little whi<e
with you. Tomorrow we return to Oak
land, having promised her a boat rids on
tne oay in tue afternoon. After that I’ll
look alter this. The slight delay needn’t
distress you.”
“Certainly not.”
He soon a'U r set out to meet Virginia,
Benigua at the door contemplating his
disappearance. It was right nere that a
horrloie thought—such as had never be
fore occurred to her—rose’in ghastliaeBS
to her mind.
Tne woman's existence was but a living
torment. Look wuitbersoever she wouls,
tnere was not aray or light iuview. Un
til Rigby appeared on her horizon there
were mists tnat met and vanished. Now
all was Impenetrable night, and not a
star! Wnat could ever be to her life
even Baldwin s munificence while Rigby
ciung to It like a parasite! Tcere was
not an Interval in wulch she did not live
in mortal terror of his betrayal, and to
moment when a word spoken by him
might not banish her from the fdcs of
hope, and the awful thought tbat fi led
hergwhile she.was standing abstractedly
peering into space was of murdering
"igoy!
Virginia, dancing into the garden gite
and up to the house, dispelled the deadly
iev<ry. This girl, as Benigna said it
wouid be, had already turned the heads
of naif the young men at Oakland. Bhe
lingered now just long enough to receive
i llcuiously lifeless kiss, to cull a spray
fi twers, and was off again to rejoin
Baldwin, who waited her return at the
station.
At dusk Benigna was sitting alone
when a tap at the rear apartment of the
T shaped treble of rooms startled her.
Sue asked for the intruder's name.
R soy.” was answered in a low, cau
tious tOL e.
Sne rose and removed the wooden bar,
the door swayed open, and he stood
within.
I'nis is a most unexpected call,” she
said.
Tb which ho unconcernedly
torted: “Give us a rest,” in a slovenly
way dropping into a caair.
Instantly herterror oi him revived and
the idea of exterminating him vani-h-
Bhe stared unquletly. “How came
this?” she asked.
Sit down,” he said; ‘Rigby’s in the
soup.”
In the—what?”
The soup—I’m strapped.”
“Already?—and again? Why, only day
before yesterday”
“Don’t mention it; I’m living a mis
sionary life now—‘just a day at a time.’
■Day before yesterday’ is too far back for
my mind.”
‘ Wnat brought you, and where did you
come trom?”
Came on the pilot, and been tied out
ail night.”
Wny did yon come?”
Haa business. Want to see how we
stand.”
•Suppose Baldwin were to come in?”
she said.
Tell him I’m your spiritual adviser.
He’s at Livingston; went off with the
kid—and she’s a beauty. If I had that
girl I d let you go.”
Wish you had her.”
What!”
“Nothing.”
“Well,” said the man, resuming his
rugged manner, “it’s getting dull at
G.-snen, so I’ve come to see what there’s
here forme. Tell me everything, for I’m
pinched; and if you fool me I’ll blow,
thongh it costs me a new collar!”
“Everything is working well,” she
said.
What’s ‘everything?’ ”
Well, I consider that I’ve got groat
news for you.”
‘ Lot’s have it.”
“Ba dwiu has put me down in his will
for thirty thousand dollars!”
“So that’s what you call great news
for me! What did he put me down for?”
Nothing, of course, but”—
When are you to get the grab?”
When he dies—maybe in a year!”
‘And maybe not,” he interrupted.
Tnese tanned an i tallowedCailfornians
don’t die till tney get on the other side of
the grave. In a year we might be
where thirty thousand dollars won’t
know us, unless they bury us in a gold
mine.”
Do you mean—dead?”
Tnat, or worse—maybe in prison on a
permanent contract.”
Djn't be absurd,” said the woman.
But tell me whera Rigby comes in on
this new racket.”
Why, 1 11 help you, as usual.”
Hang yonr charity! ’
Rigby, tell me: what do you do with
your money?”
“A'ter paying my wash bill, I specu
late.”
Speculate? In what?”
“Cardboard.”
How Is tnat?”
Well, yesterday, on ‘three of a kind;’
but ‘four deuces’ took the pot.”
“1 comprehend—gambling.”
“Tuai s the Nsav England name it
goes by.”
‘How can you afford in your situation
take such risks?”
Oh, we’ll make it up when the covey
kicks.”
Do you mean, when Baldwin dies?”
That’s a free translation.”
“Bat he mightn’t die for years.”
Rising to nis feet suddenly, he ex
claimed: “That’s the kind of talk I like
to bear. He mightn’t die for a month of
summers; and l don’t think of waiting
till be does.”
‘ Wnat can possibly be done abont it?”
“Help him off the elevator.”
“How?”
“Hand me over half yonr inheritance,
and I’ll make it straight ail round.”
“Kill him?”
“If he can’t take a joke.”
“That’s awrull”
“But it’s business.”
“Terrible!”
“I know it; and it’s hard on an angel
like yon to go snooks in it; but you can
stand a squeeze . Just whack op half
the swag, and I’ll pat yonr patron saint
into Paradise in three days!”
“Murder him?”
“Not if they’ll let him in alive; bnt
dead as a door-handle if they won't!”
Sae was struck by the suggestion. She
would go to any length for even a spuri
ous peace. The violent death of Baldwin
would drive Rigby from the sight of men.
“Let me think it over,” she said.
“It takes time for great minds to think
and we h ven’t got it to spare. Half tbe
dukes in three days will be wortn more
than half California if we’ve got to wait
three years to get it.”
“I don’t know what to say,” she mur
mured, feigning repngnanee, bat In fact
wishing him to undertake the awful
crime without her own oomplleity save
by acquiescence.
He continued to nrge her. “Baldwin
will outlive you, and you’ll get nothing
at all. It’s a trick old as tbe Alps! ’
“It is altogether with yon,” sold the
woman, after hesitation.
‘■I’d throwdn the kid for ol( of it,” he
exclaimed, with bravado.
“But yon mustn’t.”
“No.”
Then she warned him that the new
part—her part—of Baldwin’s will waa to
be again submitted to her In a day or
two, and he must not be fatally rash, but
wait till everything was finally settled.
To which he assented, saying: “And
now, it won’t do for me to be seen lying
around here loose. I'll strike ont for
Goshen, and get back, maybe, tomorrow
night. Good by.
(To be GmMmud.)
Onr Premium Parlor Organ
The case is of solid black walnut.
id
This organ Is equal to any *150 00 organ made,
with genuine FreDch burl veneer panels, has two music pockets, one for books anu
one for sheet music. Ths best of seasoned material is used, and no slighting of
workmanship will be found in the No 400 organ.
This orgm is a complete first class irsiruinent in every respect. Contains two
fall sets of reeds or five octaves each, and divided coupler.. Ten stops, viz: "Diap
ason, Melodia, Dulcet, Echo, Principal Piano, Celeste CelesMna, Bass Coupler and
Treble Coupler. The tone is smooth, clear and powerful. Every organ is warran
ted for five years by the makers, and we in turn give the same five year warranty
to buyers.
JSs3~ We send this organ and the Sunny South for only *55 00
Bur Premium Safe
DIMENSIONS.
Ontsid
Inside,
inches liigb; 18 inches wide; IS inches de
15 “ “ 10 “ “ 10 “ “
Approximat
Weight.
600 lbs.
Retail
Price.
pOOC.
Sab-treasury, 5x5x10, with duplicate flat keys and metal cash trav. Drawer.and ;
two pigeon-holes under sub-treasury. Book Bpace, 15x5x1°.
This tire proof, non pickable combination lock safe is expressly meant to fill an
urgent demand from farmers, lawyers, physicians, clergymen, small store keepers,
barbers, tailors, mechanics, cleiks. retired business men and all families, for a con
venient and reliable famiiy, bedroom and private office safe in which to deposit
valuable books, notes, deeds, mortgages, insurance papers, receipts, valuable
letters, money jswelry, etc , etc., to protect them from fire, pryiDg eyes, sneak-
thieveo and burglars.
• Ti'esend thissafe and the Sunny South one year far only fJO.Gf’.
Bridie aid Sails,
We have selected in
this saddle one of the
most)* popular stylesjjin
use^in this country TjWe
have.lt made of the.best
fair leather or black
leather skirting and can
werrant it for doing &e
much service (as any saddle .that could
bought for three times as much
It has a good, strong tree, well
ironed, with good full pad, I ia. fancy
cotton girth. No man should be withoul
a good saddle when be can buy one"al
the price we offer this one.
I©- V e will send this saddle
and a goed Port riding bridle
made cf fair oak-tanned leath
er substantially put together,
with curb bit, and the Sunny
South for only $6.50.
Single buggy, Wagon, Road Cart or Barouche Harness.
WEIGHT, Boxed, 18 and 20 Lbs.
Desceiptiow: Bridle % <n. box loops, flat reins, patent leather blinds. Lines, 1 in
all blaek. Haines, iron 3)4 lbs., 1)4 in box loops. Collar, all black. Saddle, 3)4 in.*
iron Jockey, robber lined; Traces. 1)4 in. double and stlcbed. Shaft tags, doable
ids. Breeching, folded witn lay. round dock, 1 in. »*“*
No martingale. Made also with breast collar, folded
straps, two fiat Hip «traps.
with lay, box loops 1)4 in. •'•
This is a good, strong single harness. Makes a good single harness for heavy haul
ing. In ordering state whether over check or side is wanted and in ordering collar
an hames always state size of collar.
pS~ We send either harness with collar and hames and the Sunny South one year for
only f!2.00. You caunot buy any like them anywhere for less than $20 to f25.
Light Double Carriage Harness.
WEIGHT, Boxed, 25 Lbs.
Description: Bridle, % in. box loops, flat reins, patent leather blinds. Lines J4 in.
flat, black body, % in. fair hand parts. Hames, iron, 7 lbs., box loop tugs, etc. 4
pSS~ For fl6.00 tee will send this light double carriage harness, with breeching,.and the
Sunny South one year.
Double Farm Harness.
WEIGHT, Boxed, 35 lbs.
Description: Bridles, % In. P. W. stage buckle in. Lines, % In., all flat.
uzscBimos; unuics, ys m. r. w. sun ouumo m. i**™*) zi *■•■* -** —•• HJJJ2
L O. T. red clip stage. Collars, stage pattern. Traces. In., double and stitched
with stage chains, etc.
f/R' Far 18 00 we will send (Ms double farm hameess, wit* breeching an* As^Ewm*
South one yeor.