Newspaper Page Text
Dr. J. vr. Bloov, . who has .devoted thirty yaare to tl
mt and cotarrhal ^nfliiii, hu p«t»Etwl the IM Iad only
co rerod. This reined* can be need at bene ‘wltboai any li
found a moot,pleasant treatment Xer man. woman or child.
ill
I • a • ••'*«• •» tfS-WVl
mm
SUBSCRIPTION BLANK.
Publishers of THE HOMEMAKER, Chicago.
I eadoss S iar subscription to THE HOnBnAKER ter
year. Can—som my nhacilptlea with the next lane and
thoughtful!
At^e^provei
.marry hit
Mn-M. a WoWack. Hazard.'6uiT ■
These and many other prizes ■
hare been distributed by ns an H
durtag the past year. If yon doubt ■
onr honesty in the least or the fact V
that our contests am conducted ”
_ , _ absolutely fairly, you can write any
• a - c r?^ °* th * persons whose name and ad- a
Wcb J »i5?of Cah Ptiia. dres » we pire a bore and ask them —
"" * 1 “ 00 C “ hPn ”* if tbev did not receive the prises n5l
stated. We can also furnish yon the names of hundred
prize winners, if yon desire them.
Address all letters, subscriptions and counts to
THE HOMEMAKER, Contest Dept. <7* 63-69 Washington Street, CHICAftO^ ftJL
JohQ Scarlet Bat V*
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE-
don't .want to have anything: to do .with
him."
“Ah, pistols and coffee for two
idea of a meeting," was the Capl
ply. f*Tou'd like to aee him bpfts Into
the everlasting darkness, I
Before Frank could reply, hfh -arm was
plucked. In .the crowd he did not Me
who It was for the moment. There wa*
a rush of thirsty souls to the, bar, am. 1
Berry disappeared in the mob. Still the
unknown kept his hand on Lancaster’s
arm. and drew him toward the door with
a gentle pressure. Rather surprised.
Frank allowed himself tp be so drawn,
thinking, it was one of his friends. But
when the crowd grew thin he found
himself face to face with the small, neat
man.
"Well?" said Prank, interrogatively.
"I’m glad you didn’t answer.’’ said the
man with the light eyes. "It Is dan
gerous to answer that man."
"Captain Berry. Why?”
The stranger opened the Swing door
and stepped Into the street. He did not
even wait for Frank, but walked along
the pavement, dexterously avoiding the
people as he walked. Taken by sur
prise by this odd demeanor Lancaster fol
lowed, and managed to catch up with the
man as he was turning into a side street
which was deserted. “What do you
mean?" asked Lancaster, catching the
man by his coat. "Who are you?”
The other stopped under a lamp-post,
and laughed in an elfish way. "No mat
ter who I am,” he said, in a precise
voice, "but what I am is another and
more important matter."
"Well, what are you?” asked Lan
caster. more and more puzzled.
“A man who can read faces and hands
and tell the secrets of the future,” said
the otiher, gravely.
"Bah.’” was Prank's dlsfcusted v£la-
mation. "A charlatan.”
"Just so. A charlatan. Yet I am suf
ficiently interested in you 'to warn you
against coming danger.”
"Do you know me?"
"No. I don’t know your name nor
your face, nor anything. about you. I
happened to be In the liar when you hit.
that red-headed man. and I saw that
the little fellow—”
"Captain Berry?”
"Is that his name? Well, he was try
ing to foment the quarrel. He is your
e.nemy'.”
"Nonsense! He has no cause to be my
enemy."
“That is the worst kind of enemy to
have—one who pretends friendship and
strikes in the dark. I read your face,
sir. and the face of .the red-headed man.
If you two meet again ” He hesitated.
“Well?” asked Frank sharply. "If we
meet?”
“One of you will die."
In spite of his skepticism Lancaster felt
a chill run through his veins at this
speech. ■ "Rubbish!” he said, roughly.
"Which one?”
"I shan't ten you that,” replied the
' nown! "You map consider my reply
rubbish also. Bat there Is that in your
fhee, sir, which hints at coining trouble.
Your fate and the fate of the red-headed
man are bound up together. Also, there
Is a woman.” - <
‘‘How do you know that?" asked Frank,
thinking of Fan.
"She Is a relative ot the red-headed
man,” said the unknown, "and it Is prob
ably—" Here he broke off abruptly. "1
shan’t tell you any more. I may- be
wrong, I may be right, but the signs are
there.”
"What signs?”
“Goodnight, sir,” said the man, and
passed swiftly sway before Frank could
retain him. Lancaster walked to his
rooms without returning to the theater.
He laughed at the warning, so vague and
absurd did It seem. All the same it
haunted him, and he had cause to re
member the man afterwards. He never
saw the seer again, but, as after events
proved, undoubtedly the man was no
charlatan.
CHAPTER II.
Reaping the Whirlwind.
Lancaster was by way of being a jour
nalist, and managed to struggle along on
an inadequate income. He had no influ
ence, and sweated freely for hls money.
^ few far-seeing editors assured him of
a brilliant future, but did not seem anx
ious to assist him to realize their proph
ecies. No one knew v.\io Lancaster was,
or where he came form, as he never
spoke of his past. For five years he had
been in town, and, unable to do any
thing else, had drifted into journalism.
But in hls heart lie cherished the notion
of startling London with an up-to-date
novel. Pending the joy of waking up to
find himself famous he acted as theatri
cal critic for the Daily- Budget, a paper
which paid the lowest prices for the
best procurable talent, and eked out hls
income witli stray articles. Occasionally
he wrote verses, and in this way made
the acquaintance of Fairy- Fan, who,
reading some of his attempts in the pa
pers, thought he might compose words
fit for her rosy mouth to sing.
She took a fancy to him. for lie was
handsome and well bred. But even Miss,
Berry, pretty and astute woman as she
was, could not learn anything of Lan
caster’s past, cleverly as she tried to find
out. Her uncle, using coarser methods,
tried also, but failed likewise. Only to
one man had Frank unbosomed liimseir,
and that was to Eustace Jarman, who
had first extended to the lonely young
man a helping hand. A memory of
Starth’s words made Lancaster wonder
if Jarman had revealed anything, ana
he would have sought out his friend to
ask Him directly had not Jarman dwelt
in Essex. However, Frank concluded
that Starth had merely- made the remarks
about his parents in a casual way, and
without any real knowledge, so he dis
missed that matter easily from his mind.
■But he could not ao easily
memory of Uee quarrel,
charming face of Mias Starth
statently before his
man haft Introduced Frahk\
three years beforehand the —
never got on well together. -.'’rHgafeiti; - :r
depressed the next morning.. seeing to V
that quarrel an insurmountable' barrier
to acquaintance with his divinity.- Being
in this frame of mind he W£* both sur
prised and pleased to receive a note, from
Starth asking him to call that afternoon
between four and five. It seemed that
Starth wished ' to apologize as tin had
gone rather far—so he stated In hw note-
on the pervious night. Lancaster-was as
tonished that Starth should behave thus
reasonably.. The action, was unlike, him.
But as the olive branch, was held iorth.
and as there was a chance of meeting
Miss Starth, Lancaster decided to accept.
No answer was required, so Starth Evi
dently ekpected him to come. Frank fin
ished his work for the day, and went to
hls rooms to dress himself more smart
ly. If Miss Starth were to be present he
wanted to appear at his .best, but if she
were not—
it was at this point that .Lancaster sat
down to consider. How did he know that
the note might not be a trap? He thought
It strange that Starth should come for
ward in this way, and at a second meet
ing the man might try to revenge hfini-
self for his punishment. A black eye is
not forgiven easily by- any- man, and
Starth was the last person to' let bygones
be bygones. Then, again, if there was to
be trouble Miss Starth would not-be
there, and the careful dressing would
be wasted. Lancaster was no coward,
but he did not wish to accentuate his
had relations with Starth. lie had half a
mind to send . round stating that he
could not come, but the hope.'that, after
all. his divinity might be there decided
him to go. Having made up his mind, he
completed his toilet, and ended by stow
ing away a pistol in his hip pocket. It
was a loaded Derringer,* which Frank
sometimes took with him when he went
. on dangerous errands in the, slums on
business connected with hls journalistic
work. On the present occasion it was
taken merely- to intimidate Starth should
he have arranged a trap.
“The man's a coward,” thought Frank,
as he issued forth in.to the July- sun
shine, “so if he threatens in any way I
can use my fists as T did last night,
but for all I know he may have a revol
ver handy. It's as well to be on the
safe side.”
All the same he was rather ashamed at
his precaution, and twice was on the
point of returning to his room to discard
the weapon. Still, Starth was a dangerous
man, and might use something, lethal
only to be met with a revolver; and if
nothing happened no one would ever
know that lie—Lancaster was thinking
of himself—carried a pistol. In spite of
his experience of life. Frank was callow
in many ways, else he would not have
armed himself in so unnecessary a man
ner.
Starth lived in a South Kensington gRa
street, a blind alley where the houses
_ jr’* Catarrh _
In the treatment ot catoillx. Dr. Bloaer adoiftei' die use of a
roots, leaves and flowers to be smoked, because lie found after years
the disease could not be cured by- sprays, douches ointments and Inhale— ■ ,
Catarh la primarily a disease ot the air-passages, wblc#begins with cold intbswead, nom
or threat and manifests itself by each symptoms sa a stoped-up :feeling in the .head, or a
discharge which is blown from the nose or drops into the throat. Is some cases, there are
noises in the head, deafness. headache, etc. ~
Contains No Tobacco.
The remedy is harmless, containing no tobacc.i or any injurious ‘drug and Is a positive £ure
for catarrh, bronchitl/. asthma, v catarrhal deafness or any catarrhal trouble.
A the disease is produced by breathing; cold or damp air. so it la cured by InhUltnf tfw
yOc... warm, soothing smoke of Dr. Blosser’s Catarrh Cure. The accompany-
ing cut shows how the medicated smoke enters the various tubes*
4* jjnjjy cavities and cells connected witJh the ar-pass&ges of. the head.
Trial Treatment Free.
The use of a month’s treatment will produce the most gratifyinr
results for the patient; but if you do not wish to send us an ord£r
before testing the remedy, we will mail you a five days’ treatment
free, which will enable you to see how thoroughly ahd beneflcal-
ly the treatment medicates the nasal passages, throat and lungs.
Nearly every one .who tries Dr. Blosser’s Catarrh Cure afterwards
becomes our customer. If you have cat anti you can not afford to -
neglect the use of our remedy. Our booklet. ‘Plain Facts About
Catarrh.” containing many testimonials, will be mailed with the
week's free treatment.
One Month’s Treatment $1.00.
Dr. Blosser' Catarrh Cure is not on sale at the drug stores for
the reason that we wish our customers to get the medicine fresh from
our laboratory, and, therefore, we prefer to deal directly with them. It is put up in air-tight tin boxes containing one month’s
treatment which we send postpaid for $1.00. It will be sent eltjher in pipe form or made into medicate.1 cigarettes. Sent money
by Money Order. eRgtstered Letter or New York Draft Address Dr. Blosser Company, 56 Walton street Atlanta, Ga.
Trade Mark Registered
HOW MANY HOLES IN THE BATTLESHIP?
i THE HOMEMAKER will fire to there who can count the shell bole, in this Battleship correctly or nearest correctly z valuable list of Prims.
IF YOU COUNT AND PLAN YOU MAY WIN
Thl* Is not. lottery bat m problem. The contest consist, of coasting
theSHELL HOLES in tbs hauls, hip. Every dot oo tints. Do not miss any.
Th-re are no shell holes below the water line. >1DI them are plainly
LIST OF PRIZES
llth Prim $25.00 Cash
ltth Prim Choice of CohxaWh Greg.
CMOS Dinner
chases a. say one of winning. It is worth trying.
They are worth working for. Yon have a
on are sa likely as anybody to get first, bat if
The list of prises it lure
Urge number of chances. Yi . - . . , .
«£an
YOUARB LIKELY TO WIN.
Do not fall to get count* in AT ONCE because we offer an EXTRA CASH
p wo[ooTa^hT u “ ““
1st Prize—*900 Piano
2nd Prim 600 Piano
3rd Prim 100 in cash __
4th Prim 75 in cash or Tea Set
8th Prize Genuine Diamond Ring 13th Prim $15.00 Cash _
orPin 14th Prim Choice of tJ
6th Prim Solid Gold Watch and Parlor Condi or Don!
style or movement) Shot Gan
16th Prim $10.00 Cash
Chain (any style or n
7th Prim $50 00 Cash
Chain (any at;
10th Prim Choi
ing Machine
17th Prize *5.00 in Cash
Prim $4.00 in Cash
Prim $3.00 in Cash
Ml U. OKU, «««* «*• ~ - nnn .
of 39 Grand Prizes, representing orer 6L000 I
CONDITIONS: Every count moat fan accompanied by subecriptieu for .
THE HOMEMAKER, SO eta. pays for one year and one count. $1.00 pays
for two years and three coants. See caaaiticpz below.
EXTRA PRIZE to the person sending in the best count or - h , — .
plan by April 10th, now remember, if you send best count or plan before 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23?*, 24 th. 25th, MUuSTtb, »th, 29tb, 30th. MeL Mod,
April 10. yon get $90.00cztra which is IN ADDITION to the regular list 33rd. 34th, 36tb, 36th 37th, $8th, JFsh and nrtSr
ef 89 prism. of 39 Grand Prizes, representing orer $t,000 In cash and pxemlnm prims.
DOUBLE EXTRA PRIZE: We believe everybody should hare three
counts so they can hare one each side of what they think is Correct to be
mere rare to hit it. To encourage this we will gin another $50.00 eztra to
winners of 1st Prizes if they hare three counts. Remember if you have one
count yon get 1st prireoniy.bat II youhavethreecoanta yon get JSO.OOertra.
CONDITION OF THIS CONTEST:
AWARDS frill be made aa fallows: The pemca giving correct or nearest correct coant will get first prim. Kent nearest correct, secondprim, ate.
In cam of a He for any prize it will be awardsdtothe person giving beat ply: for counting the stall holm. In **»«?“*■”**“*”g?* 1
mlt the same plan and this was considered the beat plan by the judges, each person ao tieing will be asked to tell in 60 words hew beat te impress
THE HOMEMAKER. TheenemwngbeetaaggesrionswUlbe awarded first prize, next best nezt, etc. .. . „ .. . W-.
JUDGES. The awarding of the prizes In this cmxteat win he entirely to the bands ot a committee of three dlmatmsated judges as fellows. Rev. Dean
Duffy of the Wabash Asm, Episcopal Church, 8417 Wabash Ave^ Chicago, Dr. Chas. C. Smith, M.. D. A P. S., 1664 Hsrth Clark StoChicag^and judge
Willis Melvilfc, Groaadale, 111! The reputation and standing of them three professional men to irreproachable and «kaotot>^toauzmthn heuent and
lair distribution of the prizes. MOREOVER, no one living In Chicago or anyone connected in any way, shape or majmer with THE HOMEMAKER aroer
publishing house will te permitted to even participate to this contest. We are bound that our contest mnitte absolutely toto. „
OUR FINANCIAL KBSTONSIBlIJTYas to wbether we am abundantly able to do as we say and distribute the Prom offoed. we can rafcr sew ta
any firm in Chicago. If yoo hare some friend or relation in Chicago hare them look us up. We can also refer to the publishers of this papsr. to say at
the large MeramtUe Agencies at America. We are an old established Publishing House, Incorporated under the lawsof the State of pitoctohr$»M6ft9A
The total number of readers of our paper number 3,75(M)00. We will also state that we have distributed over yiqfiOOfiO ta Prime daring the pate year.
Our offer will be carried eut ta the letter. This contest closer Jam 30th, 1906, but get year counts to early.
READ THIS CAREFULLY
See extra $60.00 Prize offered to early counters belore April 30th. A
body having 3 counts entered may enter additional counts at 26c each,
careful to give year plan of counting,aa the best plan need will decide alt
ties. ANSWERS FROn PEOPLE LI VINO IN CH1CAOO POSITIVELY
NOT ACCEPTED. NO COUNTS ACCEPTED WITHOUT SUBSCRIPTION,
c Do not delay. Get your counts in early. See extra 160 00 Prizes foreprly
answers and to thorn having 8 com tz registered. RBMETIBER 60 cents
pays far sue year’s anhecriptiea and erne ceont free and $ 1.00 pays a twe
year anhsu Iptl— end three counts. Cat eat and tend subscription oo
blank below. Give your count, and plans on a separate sheet, with your
name and address plainly written. Bnchwa all to the same envelope and
address as follows: TUB HOMEMAKER,
Contest Dept. ry« OJ-69 Washington SL, Chicago.
THOSE WHO HAVE WON BEFORE
. We hare distributed over $1<WBOjOO to prizes during the pate year. Wa
publish as follows the names and addresses of a lew only of .the lucky
persons who have won to oar previous contests.
B. E. Thsrsr, West boro. Miss. MM
$16.00; Gso.C Prioe,Oregon. - •. :
Jefferson. lows. 616990: Jm. H. Brens,
Row Orleans. LaTtMW; Denial R.
Bush, Camdaa. R. J.. diamond ring;
Wa N. Atkiaa. Saspsasisa Brides.
” InjWia.
were small, and each wa*,fronted by a
weedy garden. Lancaster found himself
after a brisk walk—he never took a cab
unless forced to, and disliked a ’bus ride—
facing a blank, dismal house of two
stories with green shutters. It had not
been painted for years, and the front
was blistered, weather stained, discolor
ed, and generally dilapidated. Some at
tempt had been made to cultivate the
patch of ground in front, but. beyond
rearing a few marigolds and pansies, the
attempt had not been successful. Up a
path bordered by oyster shells. Frank
advanced to a rustic porch ot green lat
tice work, entwined with dusty creepers,
and rang a jingling little bell whose
shrill summons he could hear. While
waiting he casually noticed that the
right hand window was slightly open, but
that the blind was pulled down. Before
lie could observe further, the door opened
so suddenly that it almost seemed as
though the person behind had been wait
ing in the passage.
The person was a small sluttish servant,
with gosebetry eye*, and a patsy white
face. .She was attired in her best blue
dress, and wore a large picture hat trim
med with more flowers than adorned the
garden. Also she had on gloves, and car
ried a yellow umbrella. As soon as she
saw Frank she hurst into voluble speech.
“Yer the gent as wishes to see Mr.
Starth, and I am glad to see you, sir.
for he said as you was goin’ to be ’ere
at four, it now bein’ half-past, and I’m
goto’ out, my young man waiting for
me. This way, sir, and please be quick,
as I am to a hurry. Missus' ave gone
out, too. but the tea’s all ready, and the
kettle on the fire.”
Almost before she finished this In
coherent address, she-conducted the as-
zjj—ty-tcteetemgrilrca 1
'and-toto a front room. Hastily shoving-
him into this, she banged the door,-and
hurried away, presumably to meet her
young man: Starth was sitting in an arm
chair by the window, with a book. He
threw this down, arri advanced to his
visitor with outstretcl^d hands.
‘Tm glad you’ve'come, I^ncaster.” he
said, eagerly. "I am so ashamed of my
self that I hardly know what to say.”
"Say nothing more.” said Frank. laying
aside his-hat and cane. “I am only too
glad to come to an understanding. T
can’t comprehend why you quarrel with
me.”
“Jealousy,” said Starth, quickly, and
sat down.
"Of me and Miss Berry'? 'Well, you
needn’t be. I don’t love her.”
Starth pulled down the blind so as to
prevent his discolored eye showing up too
badly. “I thought you were to marry
her?” he remarked.
"Certainly not. Such an idea never en
tered my head. Who said so?”
“Captain Berry.”
Frank looked puzzled, then laughed. “I
should have thought Berry more am
bitious for his niece. I haven’t any
money." •
"That’s just it,” said Starth, slowly. “It
you are poor, how did you come to give
her those diamonds?"
"I never did. I heard you gave them
to her.”
Starth laughed, and glanced round the
stuffy, room. “Would I live in this dog's
kennel if I could afford such stones?”
he said. “My dear Lancaster, I’m des.
perately hard up. Bet wen my sister and
myself there is enough to live on. no
more."
“I saw your sister last night,” said
Frank.
"Yes. She lives in Essex, hut happened
to he in town so I .got her a box. She
went back this morning with Mrs.
Perth.”
“Is that/ the lady who was with her?”
Starth nodded. "ShA-and my sister live
together to a smanjwttage at Wargrove.
But I needn’t bore|Pou with my family,
history. ! want yqfUMo accept my apolo-
■■■- n?
"I dow Starth. Hgt why did you men
tion mg parents?’-
"It tegs the only thing I could think
of.”
"To make me angry, I suppose? ffm!
Yoh know nothing about me.”
“Nir). ,1s there anything interesting to
know?” ’
"I fear not,” said Lancaster. “My
stCft is a dull. one. Still, I thought that
Jarman might have said something.”
“He said nothing. I never asked about
you,” responded the other, quickly. "Fact
Is. Lancaster, I don't think you and I
ever got on well Together. My fault. I’m
afraid, as I have such a bad temper, f
am jealous, too. as I love Miss Berry
and • want to marry her."
“You cam for all I care," said Lan
caster, quietly. “I did admire her
greatly, but "I never had any intention
of * marrying her. As to the diamonds,
who told 'SOS that I gave them to her?"
2No on&Mprectly. But Berry hinted—”
" he hint? - ’ said Frank.
“He knows I’m as poor as
1 church mouse. Do you
ts me. or expects me. to
iece?”
"Yes, I k#o.” said Starth, promptly;
f ';,'“and that Tkas why I grew jealous.”
■SSf."Then I can’t see his reason. 1 bare'
•'-'no monete no position, and no influence.
fjSnse Bern- doesn’t lore me—”
v"/. “The Captain says she does.” said
. 'a Btarth; quickly.
\ “Oh,; that's rubbish! She likes me be-
tk?- \ pause ; £ write her songs, and we get on
well together. As for love—” Frank
shrugged hie shoulders.
“Have you never been In love. Lan
caster?”
Frank grew red and shook hls head,
looking down meanwhile. Starth’s jealous
eyes followed hls every movement, and
he eagerly waited for an answer. But
none came. Frank could not bring him
self to say that he believed himself to be
in lov with a girl he had seen but once,
and to say It to -her brother. In place of
gratifying Starth’s curiosity he changed
the subject. “What a queer servant that
was who admitted me,” he said. “She
was quite angered because I delayed an
appointment with her young man. Had I
known, I’d have l!5en punctually."
“It’s Tilly,” said Starth. carelessly. ‘‘A
queer creature, as you say—a London sla
vey of the regular type. I believe Mrs.
Betts—that's my landlady—gets her cheap
from a work house. I let her go to see
her. young man because Mrs. Betts, who
keeps 'her well to hand, is away at the
wedding of some cousin or another. I've
got all the house to myself till 9 o’ctock.'
But. I sav. let's have tea”
Frank made no objection.- as he was
-thirsty, and Starth went down to get the
hot water. Pending his return- Lancas
ter strolled about the room, and looked
at the photographs. There was one of
the beautiful girl he had seen on the
previous night, and he nearly stole It,
Also he was taken with a gorgeous por
trait of a tall, thick-lipped negress, which
had an Arabic Inscription written »t the
foot. "Who Is this, Starth?” asked
Frank, when his host returned with the
tea tray and a kettle of hot water.
Starth glanced at the photograph.
girl‘called Balkis. - - —
from
ly. He feit sure that there was foul
play, as he saw faintly the man lean for
ward to scrutinize him. But his bratn
was clouded, 'his speech was thick, and
wave after wave of something deeper than
sleep poured orer him. His last thought
was something about opium being in the
tea, but he could not put this into words.
After that last effort of the mind to over
come the lethargy his head fell back, and
he became unconscious.
In after days Frank never could be got
to tali tils dreams. The mere.memory of
them would make him shudder. Far
away lu ttus land ot sleep tie wrestled
with unknown foes, and passed a time
of sheer agony not to be paralleled by any
experience ot the waking hours. He
seemed to have slept tor centuries when
he came to himselt on the sofa, with a
rurred tongue and an aching head. There
was a lamt light in tne room as the
blinds were up, and for a few minutes
the young man. still half stupefied with
the drug, could not grasp the ldpa of
his whereabouts. Then aftei an effort
or two at thought, his self-consciousness
came back with a rush. He rose slowly
and staggered into the center of the room,
only to stumble over something.
It was a body, for he fell on top of It
His memory became clearer with the
horror of the discovery. He remember
ed hls visit, the empty hotise, the
drpgged tea, and, recalling his dread of
foul play on the part of starth, he slip
ped hls hand round to his hip-pocket.
The derringer was gone. When he made
that discovery, Frank leaped to his feet •'
with a strangled pry. By this time he
hail his wits about him; but Still re- •
malned the vague fear of the
the floor.
His frock, coat had
cast on»t!
found Jt
as' though sha
. ..*1 -
“She has. Took a fancy to me, and I
me her picture, with that writing
something about Allah and good luck. I
believe. I saw her a good many times
at that opium shop. She runs it, I be
lieve.”
Lancaster sat down while Starth made
ready the tea. It struck him, from these
remarks, and from'* a certain strange
odor to the room, that Starth smoked
opium. Perhaps the drug was account*
able for hls queer tempers, and utter
disregard of decency. Frank began to
be rather sorry he had quarreled with
the man. since. If he smoked opium, he
was to a certain extent not accountable
for his actions. Starth, with his swollen
face and discolored eye, looked queer and
grim, and had a haggard look about him
which hinted at excess of some sort.
“Here you are.” said Starth, passing
along a cup. “Do you take sugar? Or
perhaps,” he added, as he handed over the
basin, "you would like a drink of whis
ky?’;
“Tea’s good enough for me.” said
v Frank, sipping. "What a strange taste
that tea has.”
"They never clean the kettles here,”
said Starth, hastily. “It's smoke, or fur
inside the kettle, or something. My tea
tastes bad also.”
Frank refused another cup. and smoked
a cigarette while Starth related his feel
ings for Fairy Fam to detail. Also he
mentioned that he hoped to see much of
Lancaster, and that he should like to
introduce him to his sister. This last
remark made Frank's heart leap with
joy, but somehow he could not fihd words
to thank his host. Starth seemed to reced#
a long way, and bis voice sounded like
that of a phonograph. Lancaster tried
to rise, but sank back in his chair drowsl-
fl loitered out, __
n the half-gloom beside-
thing, trying to think how'the
wretch had come by his death.
It dawned anew On him that hls _
was gone, that the man had been shet
Who had slain h£m? • What Wyelver
had been Used? The first queMSun-'hh
could not answer, hut the second ari-
swered Itself. Since his weapon _ was
gone, it assuredly had been used to com
mit the murder.
But was it murder? What about sui
cide? Frank tried to argue the- case.
As he did so. the clock on the mantel
piece struck 9. The sudden tingle of
the bell set his blood leaping. He re
called how Starth had expected Mrs.
Betts and Tilly back at that hour, ’and
making a dash for hls coat, he hastily
struggled into it. He must not be found
here with the dead man. The row on
the previous night hls foolish - words,
ills weapon hls being alone in the house
with a man with whom he was Well
known to be oh bad terms—alt' these
things would weave a rope to hang him.
Realizing hls danger with a gasp, Frank
lighted another match, and found can*
and hat. But he had no more matches,
although he desired to search for the
Derringer. All he wanted now teas to
get away, and he hastened down the
stairs in a state of agon}*, the perspira
tion standing on hls brow, and hls heart
In his mouth.
There was no difficulty in opening the
door. He closed it again, and went f
down the path, through the gate* and
on to the road. Here a street iafflap
threw a strong light. Under it- stood
a girl and a young man. My, sir! said
Tiilv catching sight of hls face, you
have been a time with Mr. Btarth. I
’ope he ain’t angered. He
Lancaster waited to hear no more, but
walked rapidly down the lane, he knete
not whither. All he wanted was to get
away from the gallows, from the dead.
(To Be Continued.) , [
OLD STONE MDUHTAW
CORN WHISKY
Price i
$2.50 PER GALLON
FOUR FULL QTS.
$2.75
If you cannot get it from
your Dealer, write us.
GUARANTEED absolutely pure
Potts-Thompson Liquor Comm
vther date.
DISTILLERS, unexpired
ATLANTA, - OEOR
,nvassef
>end us