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THE SUNNY SOUTH I FIFTH <PAGF. i Turnpike House >3* A HEW SERIAL i ® 7 Fergus Hume The Sunny South presents the first installment of Mr. Hume's latest serial. By those who haTfe been fortunate enough to see the advance sheets it has been pronounced a story of thrilling interest, unique in conception and strong in realization. Mr. Hume is also the author of 44 The Mystery of a Hansom Cab," 44 The Crimsom Cryptogram," 4 4 The Golden Idol," 4, The DtParf s Chamber," Etc. (Copyright 1902.) CHAPTER ONE SX« Convict’s Return T stood where four roads met—a square building of two stories, with white washed walls and a hlgn slate root. The fence, and the once trim garden, had vanished with the turn- plXe gate; and a Jungle of gooseberry bushes. In terspersed with brambles, shut off the house from the roads. And only by courtesy could these be so called, for time and neglect had almost obliterated them. On all sides stretched a flat expanse of reaped fields, bleak-looking and barren In the waning November twilight. Mists gathered thickly over ditch and hedge and ijtubbled furrow; a constant dripping could be heard in the clumps of trees looming here and there in the fog. Through the kitchen garden Jungle a narrow, crooked path led up to the door where two rough stones ascended to a broken threshold. Indeed, the whole house appeared ragged In Its poverty. Many of the windows were stuffed up with rags; walls, cracked and askew, exuded grren slime; mc»5s, interspersed with lichen, filled In the crevices of the slate upon the roof. A dog would scarce ly have sought such a kennel, yet a dim light In the left-hand window of the lower story showed that this kennel was inhab ited. There sat within—a woman and a child. - The outer decay but typified the pover ty of the interior. Plaster had fallen from walls and ceiling, and both were cracked in all directions. No carpet covered the warped floor, and the pinched fire in the rusty grate gave but scanty warmth to the small apartment. A deal table, without a cloth, two deal chairs, and a three-legged stool—these formed the sole furniture. On the blistered black mantelshelf a few cups and saucers of thick delft ranged themselves, and their gay pinks and blues were the only cheer ful note In the prevailing misery. The elder of these two outcasts sat by the bare table: a tallow candle of the cheapest description stuck in a bottle shed a feeble light, by which she sewed furiously at a flannel shirt. Stab, click, click, stab, she tolled In mad hawte as though working for a wager. Intent on her labor she had no looks to spare for the 10-year-old boy who crouched by the Are; not that he heeded her neglect, for a brown toy horse took up all his atten tion, and he was perfectly happy In man aging what was, to him, an unruly steed. From the likeness between these two,. the most casual observer would have pro nounced them' mother and son. She had on cebeen beautiful, this slender woman, with her fair hair and blue eyes, but trouble and destitution had robbed her of a delicate loveliness w'hich could have thriven only under congenial circum stances. In those fading eyes, now fever ishly glittering, there lurked an expression of dread telling of a mind 111 at ease. Painty garments would have well become her fairness, but she was clothed, rather than dressed, in a black stuff gown with out even a linen collar to relieve its lus terless aspect. Poverty had made her careless of her appearance, heedless of the respect due to herself, arid her sole aim, apparently, was the speedy comple tion of the shirt at which she incessantly have money agon—plenty of Gilbert stared at the half forgotten father <who had been so long a stranger. Then the fierce inherited hatred ’tooke suddlenly Ivithin him The buy mss a null copy of his mother, with tho same fab 1 hair and blue eyes; but his face had mora color, his figure was mrt rounded, and he was clothed with a care which showed the forethought and the love of a mother even in the direst poverty. After some twenty minutes of silence, broken cfily by the clicking of the needle and the low chatter of the child, signs of exhaustion began to show themselves Sn the worker. Before long big, hot tears fell on the gray flannel, and she opened her mouth with an hysterical gasp. Slow ly and more slowly did the seamstress ply her needle, until at last, wjth a strangled »ob, she flung back her head. "Oh, heavens!” was her moan, and it seemed to be wrung from the very depths of her suffering heart. The child, with a nervous cry. looked up, trembling violently. "What is It, mother? Is father com ing?" “No, thank heaven!" said the mother, fiercely. "Do you want him?” So white did the boy’s face become that his eyes showed black as pitch balls. The question seemed to strike him like a blow, ond he hurled himself forward to bury his head in the woman's lap. “Don't— den't let him come!" he sobbed, with un- l retrained passion. "Why do you speak of^tim, then?" cried the mother, angrily, just as she might have addressed a person of her own agd. "Never mention your father, Gilbert. He has gone out of your life—out of mini* He Is dead to you—and to me.” "I am glad,” sobbed the boy, shaking with nervous excitement. "Are you sure, quite sure, mother, he will never come back again?” "Wbo is sure of anything?" muttered the woman, gloomily. “He Is out of prison now; at any time he may track us down. But he shall not get you, m.v bey.” and she strained the child to her breast. “I would kill him first!” "I would kill him. too—kill him, too!" panted Gilbert, brokenly. "Oh, mother, r.other! I hato him! I hate him!” and he burst into tears, "Kush, hush, my baby!” soothed the mother. "Never think of him. He wil! n I get you. No. no." But the boy continued to sob convul sively, and it required all her arts to pacifv him. She knew from experience what the end of this outbreak would be I Will Cure You of Rheumatism NO PAY UNTIL YOU KNOW IT. After 2,000 experiments. I have learned hew to cure Rheumatism. Not to turn bony Joints into flesh again; that is Im possible. But I can cure the disease al ways. at any stage, and forever. I ask for no money. Simply write me a postal and 1 will send you an order on vour nearest druggis! for six bottles of t>r. Shoop's Rheumatic Cure, for every dtuggist keeps it. Use it for a month, ana if It does what I claim, pav vour druggist *5.50 for it. If it doe'sn't. I'will pav him myself. l‘ have no samples. Any medicine that can affect Rheumatism with but a few doses must be drugged to the verge of danger. I use no such drugs. It Is follv to take them. You must get the disease out of the blocd. Mv remedy does that, even !n the most difficult, obstinate cases. No matter how impossible this seems to you. I know it and I take this risk. 1 have cured tens of thousands cf cases in this way, and my records show that 29 out of 40 wlm get those six bottles pay. and gladlv. I have learned that people In general arc honest with a physician who cures them. That is all I ask. If I fail I don’t expect a penny from you. Pimply write me a postal card or letter. Let me send you an order for the medi cine; also a book. Take it for a month, for it won't harm you anyway, if it cure:-, pay 95.50. I leave that entirelv to vou. Address Dr. Shoop. Box 901, Racine. WIs. Mild cases, not chronic, are often cured by one or two bottles. At all drug gists. If continued bejlind a point. The Had was precocious and neurotic, quite un disciplined. taking color from his sur roundings, tone from the atmosphere in which he chanced to be; and as the lit took him could be angel or demon. Rut. in ten minutes the mother had suc ceeded in soothing him sufficiently to send him back to his play. Then she recommenced her work, and as the needle flew through the coarse stuff she thought of her husband. "The brute! The hound!” so ran her thoughts. "It Is his work. If Gilbert should see him again he would die or go mad, or fall into one of his trances. In any case he would be lost to me. Ah!” she broke out aloud, pushing the hair from her lined forehead. "How long will it last?” There was nq. answer to the despairing question, and she went on sewing, listen ing the while to the prattle of her lad. ''Stand still, Brownie!” the child was saying. “You aren't galloping over the big green of Bedford-park. Do you re member your nice stable there, Brownie, and the pretty rooms? I don't like this house any more than you do. Mother was happy In our pretty cottage, so was I, so was my Brownie." "Mother will never be happy again.” murmured the woman, savagely stab bing the flannel as though she were stab bing the man of whom she was thinking. "Ruin and disaster! Disaster and ruin! Whv are such men created?” Gilbert took no notice. "Do vou remember the , red houses. Brownie, and the railway? I took you there often for a trot. It was Just tbree years ago. Trot now!” "Aye, Just three years!” cried the wom an. "Yeafs of agony, pain, shame and disgrace. Why doesn't he die!" and she bit off the end of a thread viciously. "Mother,” said the boy, unexpectedly, "I'm hungry. Give me something to eat/' The woman opened a cupboard and brought out a small loaf, a bundle of victuals, and a tiny packet of tea, pdr"’- lous as gold to her poverty. In silence she boiled the kettle, and brewed a cup; In silence she set the food before the hungry child. But when she began to eat her feelings proved too much for her. She burst Into fierce words. "Eat the bread of charity. Gilbert!" she said, In a loud, hard voice, and still speaking as though to a person of her own age. "The loaf only Is paid for by our own money. I got the bones and the meat from Miss Cass at the Hall. She took me for a beggar In spite of the work I have done for her. And she is right. I am a beggar—so are you—and your father— There, there! Don't look so scared. We will not speak of him." Then the boy did a strange thing. With a sudden pounce he seized a sharp- pointed, buck-handled knife used for cut ting the bread, and, raising it in the air, looked at his mother with fierce eyes. "If my father takes me away from you," he said, shrilly, “I’ll stick this Into him. I will, mother!" With an ejaculation of terror she snatched the knife out of his small handl, clenched now so wickedly. "Heaven for give me,” she thought, laying it down on the table. "My hatred comes out in him. I may lead him into danger. Heaven keep his father out of his way. I should see a doctor." She glanced round the room and laughed bitterly. "Oh, heavens!” she broke cut aloud. "See a doctor. I can't pay, and ask him In this hovel! Charity? No, no. I'll earn my bread. If I die in the earning.” And she fell as fiercely as before to her sewing. Gilbert, now himself again, ate slowly and with much enjoyment. At intervals he fed the horse which he had brought to the table with him. His mother watched him. pondering over his late out burst so terribly suggestive of the latent instincts In the child. She knew well the reason of it. though she would not ac knowledge so much even to herself. Her husband had treated her brutally, and the high-spirited creature had resented his behavior with passionate hatred. She had taught her child to detest his father. It was a wild night. The wind beat against the crazy building till it creaked in all its loosened joints. Still the woman went on sewing, and the boy continued to eat. A miserable si’.ence settled down upon them. Suddenly the mother raised her hand and the child stopped eating with an expres sion of terror on his white face. The woman listened, wide-eyed—not in vain. From some distarce came the sound of a dragging footstep.' There was a drag, a halt, and then again a drag, as though some wounded animal were writh ing its way to a place of safety. The out cast kr.ew the sourd of that halting gait only too well. So did the boy. "It's father!” he cried, shrilly. A look of mingled terror, repulsion, hatred, took possession of his white face. "Hush!” said th? woman. Imperatively, and left the lodm. For a moment Gilbert sat quietly listening; then his small hand slipped along the table to grasp the buck- handled knife. Trembling with excite-/ ment. he watched the door: he could hear without his mother's taunting voice. "Come in. Mark Jenner. I know you are standing there In the darkness. En ter, and see the state to which vour wick edness nas reduced your wife and child. Come In, you lying scoundrel, you brute, you thief!” In answer to this invitation came a growl as of an ar%Ty animal. Then the footsteps dragged themselves nearer and halted at the door. Then ensued the sound of taunts and curses. Aria almost immediately after this exchange of cour tesies between husband and wife, who had been parted for three years, the door opened to admit a thick-set man, whose lace, in spite of its cunning, was not de void of refinement, l^e was In rags and soaking with the wet. Gilbert stared at this half-forgotten fa ther who had been so long a stranger. Then the fierce Inherited hatred woke suddenly within him. In deadly silence he launched himself forward, knife In hand, and struck at his father. Though taken by surprise the man had about him some of the swiftness of the wild beast which is always prepared for danger, and he warded off the blow with one hand. But the keen blade had cut him across the knuckles, and as the blood spurted he uttered an oath of terror and pain. For a moment he made as If to fling himself on his small assailant; then he paused, with a look of fear. For the child, passing suddenly from motion to , stillness, stood, apparently In a catelyp- tic trance, with rigid limbs and eyes widely staring. His mother swept down on him with the swoop of a striking fal con, and had him in her arms before her husband could recover himself. "You have seen him like this before," she said, quietly, "so you know he will remain in the trance for some time. I will take him to bed.” “It Is you who have put him up to this.” cried the naan In a shaking voice. Mrs. Jenner laughed. "Heaven put him up to it," she said, hysterically. "1 his hatred of you dates too far back. You had better ask a doctor to explain. I cannot; but f know what 1 know. Wait till 1 have put him to bed, then I will come back to hear how you have hunted me down, and why. I thought I was free from gaol-biras,” she finished, bit terly, and passed out of tne room and up the stairs. Mr. Jenner gave a savage ejaculation. Then he shuicled forward to the fire, warmed himself and proceeded to attack the food, in an Incredibly short space of time there was not a crumb left on the table, and he was still hungry. “If I oniy had a smoke!” he growled, squeezing his hands together. "But I have nothing, not even a welcome. Ah, well, there axe those who will pay for ' He took a well-worn pocketbook out pf his breast pocket. “My fortune lies In here: but It is not safe while he is about.” The reflection seemed to make him un easy, and he glanced round the poor room looking for a place where he might hide his treasure. His eyes fell on the brown horse, and he chuckled; “She’ll always keep that for Gilbert” he salu, "and it's not likely to be lost. I’ll put it In there.” Having assured himself that his wife was upstairs, he proceeded to carry out his plan. The toy was made of rags, painted and molded to the 3hape of a horse. So. he made an incision In tho belly, and, thrusting in his finger, formed a hole. Then, with a hasty glance round, lie opened the red pocketbook and pro duced therefrom a bill of exchange which he folded up infc a compass as small as possible. This he thrust into the hole, pulled the interior stuffing over It. and, using his wile’s needle, sewed up the hole with considerable despatch and dexter ity. A few white threads were still suf ficiently noticeable to arouse suspicion, so he rubbed his hand on the sooty grate and blackened the rent. So neatly was all this done that no one would have guessed that the toy had been opened. Jenner laughed and tossed the horse on to the table where the child had left it. "That's all right." he said. ‘‘She'll never part with anything belonging to the boy.” He looked over the table to see If any food remained. Finding nolle, he swore a little and sat down by the fire, upon which he had heaped all the fuel he could find. There he brooded, chin In hand, think ing of his past, dreading the days to come. CHAPTER TWO Si* Still Torm in the H erase In a quarter of an hour Mrs. Jenner returned. She looked at the empty table, at the heaped up fuel In the grate, and finally her gaze of loathing and of scorn fell upon the figure by the fire. “Still the same selfish brute,” she said, resuming her seat and her work. “My child and I are almost starving, almost without a fire; yet you devour our small portion and bum our sticks. And why not? What do our pains matter to you, so long as you are comfortable?" "I have llad more discomfort than you,” grumbled her husband, avoiding her con temptuous eyes. "Had you been in pris on—” “I would never have come near those whom I had disgraced,” she finished swiftly, and went on with her stitching. The culprit writhed. "Lizzie,” he said, “do not be too hard on me. I have sinned, but I have been punished. You might forgive me now.” “Never!” said the wife, curtly, and the expression of her eyes told him that she fuljy meant what she said. “How hard women can be.” '•Women,” remarked Mrs. Jenner. shift ing the work on her knee, "are what men make them. You behaved to me like the brute that you are; you cannot blame me, then, if I treat you according to your na ture. I live for our child—to make amends for what you have done. There fore, I have an object In life. Had I not, I would gladly die; and I would gain death—a shameful death—by killing you.” The terrible intensity of her gaze made the guilty wretch shiver. "I will make it up to you," he said, feebly. “Not you. You will go on just the same —that is. if I will let you—and that I* don’t intend to do/’' I "I shall money.” “What! Are you going to steal again? I want none of your Ill-gotten gains. This house Is poor, but it is honest. I earn the food my child and I eat, or I beg It; but stealing? No, I leave that to you. Why have you come here?” ”1 thought we might come together again and live a new life.” Mrs. Jenner threw aside her work and sprang up. “I would rather die,” she said. In a voice of Intense hatred. “You treated me like a dog; you struck me; you starved me; you were unfaithful to me. I would rather die.” “It was the drink.” Jenner pleaded. “I was ail right when I was sober." “And were vou ever sober”” demanded the woman, bitterly. “Not you. In spite of all my care, you lay in the mire and wallowed like the pig you are.” ‘ This Is a nice welcome.” grumbled the n-an, beginning to lose his temper. “What did you expect? Tears and kisses, and the killing of the fatted calf? No. my man; I have been a fool' too long. I am no foci now. You have hunted me down: how, I know not. But you don't stay here. You go. And this time you gj —forever.” “My rights as a husband and a father—” “A criminal has no rights,” Interrupted his wife. "Think of the past.” she went cn in a loud, hard voice.' "nilnk of it. and then wonder at your audacity in coming here to face me—me whom you lave ruined.” "I don’t want to think of the past—and I won’t. Leave it alone; it ,1s dead and done with.” "Yes. fcut the consequences remain. Look at this house—your work. See. my withered looks—your work. Think of the child and of his mysterious illness—your work. Ycu ferget all that you have done. I do notr”and I Intend to refresh your memory.” Jenner turned sullen. There was no chance of escaping from this, save by going out again Into the storm, and he was much too comfortable where he was. So of the' two evils he chose the lesser: and even In this his selfish regard for his own comfort showed Itself. "Go on, then,” he growled, sullenly. The woman returned to her seat, and averting her eyes she began speaking In a low, monotonous voice, rising ever and growing more excited as she went through the story of shame and sorrow. "Let me begin at the beginning, when I was governess to Mr. Cass's little girl; then I was happy and respected. I was pretty, too. and admired. Mr. Cass was a merchant in the city, trading in Span ish wires—” "What's the use of telling me all this?” broke in Jenner, impatiently. "It is all stale. I was a clerk in Cass's office; I met ycu at his house when I was there cn business, and I married you—” "Yes. you married me." she cried, fiercely. “The more fool I was for being taken by your good looks and your plau sible tongue. For my sake It was that Mr. Cass raised you to a higher position and gave you a larger salary. We lived !n Bloomsbury, and there, ten years ago, Gilbert was born; but not until you had broken my heart, and ruined my life.” “Come now, I was kind to you when I was sober.” “And were yguever^sober? No; yop poor, weak BOMBse you had good volco-qjjfi you were led away by pleasure, and for months before Gilbert was born you behaved to ward me. in a way no woman could for give. I was high-spirited, and I resented your conduct—your dissipation and your unfaithfulness.” “You were always on your high horse. If that is what you mean.” “I had every reason to be on my high horse, you brute. Remember the birth of Gilbert—how I suffered—how you were drunk the whole time. And when I got better I found that Mr. Cass had dis missed you for appropriating money.” Jenner sneered. “Cass made a great fuss about nothing.” "You know'as well as I do what Mr. Cass is. His mother was Spanish, and he had a fiery temper. He had treated you well, and you repaid him by taking what belonged to him. He dismissed you. but for my sake, because I had been his child's governess, he did not prosecute you." • "Ah! I always thought you and Mr. Cass were great friends." "That was your own foul'mind,” cried the woman, contemptuously. ."Mr. Cass was an honorable man. If it had been Ills partner, Marshall, now, then perhaps —yes.” ”1 know all about Marshall, thank you, Lizzie,” he said, chuckling, and his eyes wandered to the brown horse on thq tabic. “Thinking of your association with him, I suppose?” she sneered. “He took you up simply on account of your voice, and then dropped you when he found out what a drunkard you were.” “Yes, he did,” said Jenner, between his teeth. "And I swore to be revenged on him: and some day I will. If you care to listen. Til tell—” “I wish to Hear nothing,” she Inter rupted. “Mr. Marshall Is r.ot a man I ad mire—a dissipated rake, that’s what he is. Still, he Is Mr. Cass’ partner, and for the sake of Mr. Cass I wish to hear nothing against him. Besides, he Is going to marry Miss Cass.” “What—Inez Cass—the sister of my old master?” cried Jenner, looking up/ “Yes. Do you know of any reason why he should not?” “No," said the man, slowly; “but I wish I had known that two hours ago." “Why two hours?” “Oh, you don’t want to" hear anything against Marshall, s) I won't tell.” His wife glanced contemptuously at him. “I suppose you mean blackmail." she said. “Blackmail Miss Cass and Mr. Marshall If you like. go back to gaol If It pleases you. I n^e done with you and with your wickedness." “We'll see about that.” he cried. "Don't Interrupt me, please,” his wife said, with an Imperative wave of her hand. T want fi; go t*t with my story.” ”1 don't want to hear cny more." “But you shall hear to the end. Listen. Mr. Cass dismissed you for dishonesty, and vou took to the stage on the strength of your voice. You know the life you led me. I forgave you over and over again, for the child's sake. But it wa? all of no use. Then at last drink spoilt your voice, and you could get no engagements; and Mr. Marshall, although you did not deserve It. got you a situation In that money lender's of fice—I forget the name—the—” "Old Julian Rooer.” "Yes; Jullaq Roper. You got the situa tion four <years ago, and for a time things went well; then you broke out .again and stole money from your new employer. He was not so lenient as Mr. Cass, and he had you put in jail for three vears.” "Well; I'm out now.” "You are," said his wife, and there was intense hatred in her voice. "Out to see how low I have sunk. After your Imprisonment your creditors sold up the house and furniture In Bedford-park; I was turned out on the streets with my child. Mr. CaSs got me a place as gov erness: then It came out that I was the wife of a convict, and I lost the situation. I was driven from one engagement to an other. Finally I came dof n here to ask charity from Mr~ Cass. He would have done much for me but for his sdster. Inez is one of your cold, cruel women who kick the fallen. She blamed me for being your wife, and she set her brother against me. All I could get was this tumble-down hovel, where I live rent free. I earn my bread by sewing for the DeoDle in the village 2 miles off. Sometimes Miss Cass Insults me by send ing me broken victuals—you have Just eaten some—and I am so poor that I accept the scraps. Such Is my life, but I would rather live it than go with you." “I don't want you to go with me.” said the man, rising. "I want to make you happy by giving you money.” "Have you any? "And, If so, where did you get It?” . “I have none just yet. but I soon shall have. At .the present moment I am the possessor of two coppers.” He produced them. “But in a week I shall have hundreds.” "And then you will go to jail again,” said his wife. "No, thank you. I don’t want to have anything to do with you. I have suffered quite enough at your hands. How could I live with you when the child hates you so?” “That’s all your fault.” “Not altogether.- as I said before His hatred of you is prenatal; but I have fostered that hatred until—well, you saw how he received you tonight.” “You are pitiless,” he said, hoarsely. “I am—what you have made me. Do you think I would allow my child to love you who have treated his mother so 111? He will never look upon you, save with loathing and hate. I would die for the boy; it is the strongest pas sion of my nature, this love for him. Do you think I would share that love with you? No; Gilbert hates you—he always will—and as I said before I have done my utmost to foster his hate. Oh; I thought I was safe from you here. Who told you of my hiding place?” "Marshall.” said Jenner, sulkily. "Ah! you have seen him. And did he speak to you—a Jail-bird?" /'Yes, he did. I made him speak to me.” His wife looked curiously at him and laughed significantly. "It Is as I thought,” she said. "You know something about him, and you have come down to blackmail him or Miss Cass. Well, go and do it, and get back Into gaol if you can. I should be g!a.d to see you In prison again. As It Is. out you go—now!” "I have no money—no shelter.” “I will give you five shillings,'’ she said. "With that you can'go to tne village Inn— it Is only 2 miles away.” Jenner took out his red pocketbook and laid It on the table near the window. "I have a pencil and paper in this,” he said. “What you lend me I wjlll give you an I. O. U. for. I don’t want your money.” "I decline,” said his wife, turning from the open window, out of which she had been leaning. "Once the money passes Into your hands it becomes too vile for me to touch again. Walt here, and I will get you the 5 shillings.” He sprang forward, almost beside him self, and seized her wrist. "You wretch— I’ll give you a thrashing for this.” Mrs. Jenner shook off his hand, flew to the-fireplace and snatched up the poker. "You lay a finger on me, and I’ll kill ycu,’’ she cried, wildly. "You foul beast— your very touch is poison. I am ret cne woman I was to put up with your bru tality. Stand back, you gaol-bird.” He backed toward the open window and began to whimper. “Don't be such a virago,” he said. "I don’t want to touch you. If you will give me the money I wil go away. But you have lost the chance of a fortune," he boasted, shaking the red pocketbook. “I aan get hun dreds—hundreds. " "In the usual way," she said, and laid Sewn the poker. "Then you will be lock ed up again. I hope you will.” "Can 1 not take leave of the child?” "No. unless j'ou want him to try and kill you again. Besides, he Js in a trance: he will waken as suddenly as-he fell into it. But I hope, for vour sake, that you will be out of the house before he re covers his senses.” "Do you think—" "I don't think—I know. All his life Gilbert will Hate you. He is highly neu rotic, and when he gets beside himself he will do things as mad as would an hysterical woman. He is not to be trust ed—no more am I—so beware of us both, and place the sea between yourself and us.” " "A very good Idea,” he said coolly. "I’ll emigrate.” “Do. Go to Sydney—which was formerly Botany Bay. That ought to suit you," she taunted. “Stop there," she snatched up the poker again, "or I, will not answer fer myself.” Her husband laid down the buck-han dled knife and placed it on r the table be side the pocket book. He had taken It up with an oath when his wife goaded him SAVES LIFE Blaxd, ni„ Augusts, 190(1 t this spring and could nc -weeks. Whsnlwaseoa When I began to sit up I I such terrible wki in my t kidney trouble and fau- rieelspella. I received your read Mm ad- Wfllaxd, ni„ August-1,190(1 I was in — •it up in l fined my child died. When 11 felt so weak and had such ten back and kips. I had kidney troubl ing of the womb. I also had hysteric was in n bad condition when I reoei* "Ladies' Birthday Almanac" and rent of Wine of Caidai and Tfcedfoid’s !Wel Black-Draught. Since Aj lour bottles of Wine of C ages of ThedloTd’s Black-Draught. 18—1 April JOth.l lour bottles of Wine of Oardui aod three pack- 1 like a walk out to see any of my neighbors. I would have been in the grave had it not been r Win* of Cardui. IT SAVED MY LIFE Mrs. ALICE DAVIS. It Is trail that women arc more patient Him men. Few men could bear the bitter pang*, the agony and Astros that women endure. Thousands of women have come to look upon auditing as a doty of their sex. But there are many instances of this he nib fortitude which WINEwCARlNJI Woman used no longer suffer for modesty's _ i relief to modest women in di Many of the best homes hi this city are never t e. It cures whites and failing of the womb and » nwsMuee sememe saw iweijoi otniw , sake. Wine of Cardul brings relief to modest women in the privacy of their without this great homes. medicine. It cures whites and lolling of the womb and completely eradi cates these dragging periodical paint. Mrs. Davis’ cure shows you conclu sively what you may expect If you follow her example and take Wine of CarduL Thedford’s Black-Draught aids Wine of Cardui by regulating tho stomach and bowels. When you ask your druggist lor these medicines, bo sure you get them. K was Wine of Cardui and Thedford’s Black Draught that saved Mrs. Davis’ life. Never take a substitute. Ihe rata—, address, siring symptoms, “The ladles' Advisory Clrartsnooga Modlrfns Company, Chattanooga. Turn. $12.00 to $99.00 Per Week. Is lest week’s reports from agents wbo are now at work sell ing our complete Lesal Adviser. A complete Lightning Calcu lator and Farmer’s Ready lleckoner. Complete set of ootton. grain, lumber and other valuable tables. How to measure cis terns, lumber, logs, bins of grain. It tells all about bow to w rite contracts mortgages, wills, liens, notes, drafts, leases, etc. A book of 470 pages, 250 illustrations, bound.In.hall Moroc co. Selling price, 91.50; liberal discount to agents. Boys, an agency for this nook Is worth -more to jrou than a good farm. Send25c for canvassing outfit. Satisfaction guar anteed, or money refunded. Circulars and all particulars free J. F. NICHOLS & CO., Atlanta, Ga. —= _ ■ i-1 ii i j «m - WHAT,THE PEOPLE BAY. The "Busin.— Quid.” cantatas all that is practical and useful in Gaakell’* Compendium and other book# of like character. It ought to be In the hands of every teacher and every young man of anfAoIent aga to understand bumta—» transactions; „ every farmer should posse— a cosy. A. A. SMITH, President Northwestern College. 8ANDBMVILLB. QA.-I have worked three months; have orders (or over 1.500 Quid—; all but M in best binding. _ I will clear 91H.M per month. uvf* W. B. CAMP. WILMINGTON, N. - C.—I bars averaged over M orders for the Guide per day—all best binding; have M0 ordere. B. T. OORB. SHSFnELD. ALA—Ship me 100 half mo rocco Guides. I have sold over 1.000 copies. W..L- SHELTON. Te eujeMy tutreduee Into every home enr Electric Hahn ™ exion, Toilet A Beth Soap, we offer sjm extra lares B silk remnants ab—I—ciy free to every one inwer- Tklnk rf It each & every one can bet 1800 extra large remnant* from the choicest A moet expensive silks, selling high a. $2.50a yard, the ricbeet variety of brilliant colons exqnlstte patterns ever offered free, every piece large enough t° be cut or worked into —lid block, of Ito • Inches square on stand cove—, art squares, sofa Pillows, tidies, curtains. the roval A magnificent effect so much i gter 6v art stores, fairs A others, some selling high a. *5?-°0 ‘ nr a single article. This ts no catch penny scheme but a straight offer to advert!— an hone— bnsSnc.a It la a rate opportunity A will not appear again. If you wish to take advantage of It write at once for a package of Soap which cleanses A beautifies tbs akin, feeds the tlsmea giving tbe moat (allow complexion a clear youthful appearance. isement A promptly accept the propoataon a cksgeof Roan A write at once to toe SOAP WORKS, It Y. City. ST Third A' tkm you moat L , nn to your name A address A It to usatonceA you will receive ee a package of the celebrated Electric BafinToUet A Bath Soap _ -Which beautifies the complexion, ear— pimples, blotches, freckles A all facial eruptions exactly as described above, sent . for you to try knowing yon will api the present A show them. If you want tx large remnants from these marvelously 1 silks free write at once for a package of Stops DO YOU WANT A WATCH Do vou want a Watch that runs and kse— good Umef This watch b—a Solid Gold laid rasa, handsome dial, dmt proof, adjutedto position, patsot —emmem, and highly finished. This Is a remarkable wetek. We rnsraotse It, aod with prop- care It should wear and give satisfaction for so yetis. It has the appearance at agio. Solid Gold one. Tbs watch is accompanied with a SO Year Gnarantoe. Tbs cases are beautifully mads by tbs moat skilled workmen. The movement la an Amer* lean Style, expansion balance, quick train, and yon can rely upon It that when you own one of these truly band—me watch— you will at all times have tbs correct Urns in your possession. Just tbs watch for railroad men, or tho— wbo need a very do— timer. Do yon want a watch of this character? If—itoow la your opportunity to —earn one. We give it free as a premium to anyone for selling 18 pieces of oar handsome Jewelry for 10c. each, (regular price 22c. each.) Simply send your name and add—— and we will and you the is pieces of Jaweliv postpaid. When sold. Send — tbs M-Sk and we win send yon the handsome Solid Gold laid watch. We trust you and will take back all you cannot sell. We propose to give away tbe— watches simply ts ad vertise onr business. No catch-words in this advertisement. We mean first what wo —y and allow a cash eomml—on If preferred. Ton require no capital while working for—. Address. SAFE WATCH CO., F, O. Box «80. Mew York City. with her tongue. “Get the five shillings,” he said, sulkily. “It Is upstairs.” Still carrying the poker, Mrs. Jenner moved toward the inner door. "I can tell you so much, for you will never find my hiding place. Walt here.” ' When she had gone her husband re mained by the table with his hand on the red pocketbook. HIs eyes sought the brown horse. "I must take you with me. too.” he muttered. "I shall never see her or the child again. It is better so; I hope she won’t be long.” And he waited In sulky silence. Suddenly there was the cry of a human being in pain. The light was extinguish ed. and the mistts closed thicker round the ruined building; it might be to hide the sight within the room. Could the walls only have spoken they would have shout ed “Murder!” with most miraculous voice. But the age of miracles being past, the walls were dumb, and there was np clamor to greet the horror of this deed done In darkness. But the mists wrapped themselves round the place of death, and profound silence shut down on the desolate country. It was broken at laist by the sound of light footsteps. Along the disused road woman carrying a child In her arms tore along at a furious rate- She did not know where she was going; she had no goal. All that she desired was to get away from the thing which lay In the darkness of that poor'room. Horror was behind her; danger before. And she ran on, on through the mists and the gloom, pursued by the Furies. Like hounds on the track, they drove her along the lonely roads until the mists swallowed her up; and thesei growing ever more dense, blot ted out the woman, blotted out tbe country, blotted out the Turn pike House. But what they could not blot out was that silent room where a dead man lay. Better had ,they done so; Setter had they obliterated that evidence of evil from the face of’ the earth. But what had been done In.the darkness had yet to be shown In the light; and then— but the woman fled on wearied feet. fled, ever fled through the gloom, and the friendly mists covered her escape. And so did the ruined Turnpike House become possessed of Its legend. For many a long year the horror of It was d'seussed beside the winter fires. The place was haunted, and the ghost had walked first upon that verv night when the woman, bearing the child, had fled away Into the darknefis. (To Be Continued.) - The above fim are sole owners of Kegtstered Distillery No. 22 oi the sixth District of Missouri, when writing please mention Sonsy floors.