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FOURTH PAGE THE SUNNY SOUTH. JUNE 23 1903. f Fate’s Beggar Maid By TOM GALLON AUTHOR OF: "Tatterley,” “Dickey Monteith,” “A Rogue in Love,’’ “Kiddy,” “A Prince of Mis chance/' “The Dead Inglehy,” Etc. Copyright , 1905, by The National Press Agency. CHAPTER XIV. DUMB. ning mind. "Something was said just |<ir comparative affluence. This might now," he said, “about its being neces-. happen again and again, now that Fer- sar.v or advisable to remove tills woman Idinand had once had the courage to from the house. Somebody's made a bit Intake a. beginning; and, in any case, he of a slip there, I'm thinking," he went had always up his sleeve that last and Ion, "because that ain't a point that's got most wonderful rand—that he knew, and N the sudden joy of that discovery that Ruth Ar- kett was alive, and that the shadow that had hung over him for so long was partially lifted, John Fal coner was a changed man. All sorts of mad and im possible schemes suggested themselves to him; now thq>" he knew that Cap- stick, while actually plot ting against him, had yet been the cliief instrument In keeping the woman alive, he was filled with gratitude to that gentleman, somewhat to the bewilderment of Cap- stick himself. Thcr*. need be no more plotting now; Falconer had learnt his lesson, and the restored Ruth Arkett brought back to life, should be loaded Falconer, to be considered at alL" “Why not?” demanded sharply. "Look here, John Falconer," replied Saul, stepping up to him .and tapping him on the breast with a forefinger, "you and me know certain things that isn't « coner was a changed mail, necessary for other people to know; All sorts of mad and im- tDt.t is to say, we've got our little se- possible schemes suggested cr « ts ' a " d we ’ re n<>t f oin , K l ° * aik .. - . . . 'em unless we r* obliged. Observe the themselves to him; now ® , *-v.. word, If you please—<1 said obliged. Do th^ he knew that Cap- y(m , jndestand that , Jo hn Falconer?" stick, while actually plot- ...j understand that you convey a ting against him, had yet threat,” retorted the other, in a low tone. "Very good, I see you understand per- j force a retreat into the country; there- fectly," said Capstlck, with a grin, fore he booked himself to a. small coun- I "Now, 1 want it clearly understood, as try town some 60 miles ifroni London, between fhose whose business it Is to with a sort of grim determination that understand It, that I first of all saved | hft wolI i d , t ake the country by the the life of this person upstairs; that j throat, and see what couM be shaken I've gone out of my way. at the cost j out of lt to the tune of a few — , tethlng to his , ... At i k6e P t,iat P^aon ulive; that l ve paiu ;chagrln, that, as he expressed it It was meant so recently to destroy her. ' this gentleman”—he indicated the doctor I merely “a little bit of London not togeth.r it ’“iU 1.. >c*.- . v. r y l.r*. oj |“Z ,wtd. “’* 1'*. a road or two thrown In.” At the hotel to which he went lie was could produce at a moment's notice, the real Ruth Arkett. For the present, however, Mr. Kirk was satisfied He would indeed take a holiday, and with that object In view bad packed his bag, and W’as leaving the house, when, as we have already seen, lie wns confronted by Martin Fal coner. That which had meant merely a holiday became then a flight; for— for the first time, he realized fully what lie had done, and how he hod betrayed the trust confided In him by Ruth. Ferdinand Ivlrk did not go far. Hav ing lived in London all his life, he had a hazy idea that a holiday meant tper- iroch," said Ruth, looking at him stead ily. "There are one or two things I can not understand—things that appear to want some explanation. Have you any thing to tell me?" "Yes, a g. r ««t deal.” said Ferdinand, lid-getting with -the brim of Ills hat, and keeping his eyes cast down. "M you v.c didn't mind not looking at me,” he added, half crying, "I should feel more comifort able. ’’ “When 1 saw you last, Mr. Kirk,” said Ruth with what gentleness she could assume, "I entrusted to your care packet of papers. Do you remember? was a little mistake. The girl I had the honor of sending here—known to you as Ruth Kirk—was really and truly ” “Ruth Arkett? I understand.” The face of Ursula Falconer was inscrutable, but she seemed to smil#. “Consequently," babbled on Ferdinand, very pleased with himself, “consequently, you will understand that Ruth Arkett '« ■very much alive, a.nd that she really has t'he papers after all. Those are the pa pers, I mean, for which Mr. John Fal coner was willing to pay the money, and | a bit more, you see before you on the table. And very good money, too." he iadxled. lingering one of the notes lov- “Pepfectly,” sa# Ferdinand. "I've _ ^ _ thought of nothing else lor some days." j j ng | y * “Let me ‘trace what happened after il ....... .. ,, , . ... 1 Ruth Arkett alive, and still holding with money and kindness and consider*- of a Iot of money and a lot of risk, to j He found , however, something To tion, at the hands of the man who John Falconer looked that night, from money, counting myself as a poor man. over th e apron of the cab in which he drove with Saul Capstick to Isligton. "I notice one thing,” said Mr. Cap- stick, sourly; "that you ain’t reckoning my conscience, and you ain’t considering what I may find it necessary to do for the easing of that conscience. If you think I'm going to stand aside, and let you attempt to murder an innocent wo man,, you're very much mistaken; this may prove to be a police joib, after all. Of course, I may be squared, and my conscience may be eased,” he added, . thoughtfully: "but it's got to be taken Into consideration." “You can't count In this," said Falcon er. with a laugh. "The wrong was mine; 1 <ihall settle th« matter with the woman herself. I’m not afraid of you any long er, Capstlck." "That remains to be seen,” retorted 6a.ul. "I ain’t going to be pushed out of things like this quite so easily urn you imagine. However, here we are, and that Infernal boy burning the traa In the dining-room again, as I'm alive!” John Falconer dismissed the cab, and was admitted by Capstick to the house, jlr. Capstick, viciously muttering threats against the boy for stopping up so late, and for consuming his parent's gas, sud denly thrust open th e door of the little dining-room, and went In. bent on ven geance; only to stop a little sheepishly jit right of a disreputable-looking man. seated at the table, smoking and drink ing. The disreputable-looking one nodd ed cooly, and surveyed Falconer sharply. "Thought I'd better look in, and see that the improvement was maintained, as 1 used to say in my jjrofessiolnal dajs,” salu the man. “Who's your friend?” "This,” said Mr. Capstlck. a little sulk ily, "this Is .Mr. John Falconer; and this” —lie indicated the dilapidated individ ual—"is a nameless, H e doesn't look like a doctor,” added Saul, "and he isn't really one now; but in peculiar cases you have to employ peculiar peo ple.' •J understand that,” said Falconer, in tto assist me in keeping that person alive. Alfa am I to be told now,” he went on, with rising heat, “is it to be suggested to me for a moment that 1 am now to be deprived of the hard- earned fruits of my labors? Perish the thought! You’ve got to understand, John Falconer, that I haven't done with you yet; you've got to understand that tills woman Is perfectly safe here, and that she can be as dumb here as she can ftnywliere else. And i can be dumb, too, if I’m treated properly. Here she stops until I've made my own arrange ments. Now, what have you got to say to that?" "1 d«i't want to upset you, Capstlck,” begun Falconer; but Capstick broke in fiercely. “You'd better not,” he exclaimed. “For the present she will stop here; and you shall be paid, over and above wliat you've aLready had, for any ex penses to which you may have been put. IXJii’t be suspicious, Capstlck and above all don't threaten. Now I should likie to see the woman." "I don't see any objection to that,” replied Capstlck, a little mollified. "I’ll go first, and get a light." They went up the stairs, a grim and silent procession of three—Saul Capstlck first, then Falconer, and lastly the doc tor. Falconer hesitated at the door of the room, and In the silence of the dark house could hear the breathing of the doctor close against his shoulder. Then came the scraping of a match In the room, and a subdued !•»— Falconer crossed the threshold, and found him self standing in that cheerless room, and looking tow.Vds a bed in one corner of lt. With an inward shudder, he under stood what the heavily-bandaged head meant, so far as he was concerned. “She’s asleep,” whispered Capstlck, shading the candle with his hand, and looking towards Falconer. “Step soft ly." Falconer, as though t'hls was his right a low voice. “I don't know, " he added, end his only, held out his bund for the 'how much this gentleman knows, or jcandle, firmly and quietly waved the how much he doesn’t know, 'but 1 sup- j men aside, and stepped up to the bed. •• j For a moment he hesitated, as though “If it comes to that. I know nothing at he dared not look. Then he lowered all,” said the man, looking up for a mo- t-lie candle, and bent his head at the ment, and surveying Falconer steadily. Jsame time. ••I’m not paid to know anything; that’s | He stood for a moment like one ipet- not my business at all. I’m brought here rilied; Ills lips were slightly parted, and to see a. certain person who has received j his disengaged -hand had gone up to an injury. At considerable risk to my- his 'forehead, with the action of a man self, and to thos e connected with that utterly bewildered. Then slowly he person, I perform an operation. That ] turned a look of surprise and horror operation is successful, and the woman ion Capstlck. has been slowly recovering. There is, I “In heaven's name, where did you however, one remurkable feature about j find her?" he whispered, the case, a feature which may in the “Find her?” It was Mr. Capstlck'- regarded as something of a phenome non. He iwas not a- commercial trav eler—that much was obvious; and he was not a gentleman—Whicih -woe also a little obvious, lie sat in a corner of the billiard room, regretting that he had never learnt the game, and deploring the fact also that he did not care 'for tobacco, he went to bed early, and slept badly. On the following day he created some astonishment in the little town lie had honored with his patron age, by 'walking about with his silk hat stuck on the bateik of h1s head, and his spectacles on the tip of his nose, staring into shop windows in the High street, and wondering why oil this fuss had been made, in books and other places, about the country; and so determined that he would get back to Ixindon, which be understood, and would seek some of those delights from which he had hitherto been debarred. Even there. hawe%-er, he was unsuc cessful. In the first plaice, when he came out into the streets from the rail way station, after having left his lug gage in the cloak room, he had a fear that every womh.n lie met might sud denly turn out to be R-nth. watching for him; a; further fear that every man mllg’ht he Capstlck. knowing well mliat left you," -went on the girl. "I went to the house of Mr. Capstlck, and there I uisooverod that the woman to whom I gave t'he miniature had been mistaken for •me and an attempt had been made on her life. “An attempt?" Kirk looked up quickly at the (girl, and waited "Shie is alive still; desperately ill, but alive," said Ruth. "Mr. Capstlck, lor seme reason, has deceived, everyone con cur ring her; but I believe he still thinks that she is the real Ruth Arkett. So much for that. Now, Mr. Kirk”—Ruth’s voice took on a new tone—“there Is an other matter about which I wish do speak to you.” "i know—I know,” said the wretched Ferdinand. “You trusted me with a cer tain packet of papers; I was tempted, end I fell. Say what you like to me," he went on wildly, “blame me, curse me, ie!i me wliat you think of me. I wanted money; I wanted to keep a roof over my 'head—over your bead also—and I sold the papers." "Yes, I know,” replied Ruth, quietly. "I have the papers here.” Ferdinand K1rk sit retched out his hands toward her, and gasped, and swallowed, anti -made several attempts to speak. Fi nally he said, -with a weak attempt at a smile; “You—you have the papers here?” "Yes,!’ replied Ruth. “Mr. Capstick left some -papers In my hands, telling me that It was dangerous for him to carry them about with him. Knowing only of one danger that could threaten him or any one else—and that in regard to myself—I had the curiosity to look at the papers; reed there words written by my father, and saw at once that al though the envelope, with which I was familiar, was gone, these must be the papers I had been entrusted with by him. Oh, Mr. Ivlrk—Mr. Kirk, you have fallen Indeed!” "Yes, I know I have," said Ivlrk; "'but What I don't iwulerstaiHi is how the pa- tbe papers," said Ursula Falconer, half to herself. "Really, Mr. Kirk, my hus- bang will be very grateful to you—very grateful Indeed—when I tell him. But as you have worked very hard In Ills ser vice, and as you must not under any circumstances be at a loss over suchi a matter, I must ask you to take this money.” “Oh. I couldn't think of it," replie-l Ferdinand, backing away from the table, and yet watching the money eagerly. “I haven’t earned It.” “You must alldw me to Judge as to that,” eaid Ursula, With a dazzling smile. “Come, pick it up; you have more than coujpse, you won’t find It necessary^to mention what I have told you In ccfcfi- •dence—I mean, as to my ward being real Ruth Arkett?" “I pledge my word, Mr. Kirk, that, co one shall ever know of it,” said Ursitlt- Mr. Ferdinand Kirk went away With the money in his pocket, and with pe comforting feeling in his mind that 'he piCK IL . J ou tiu » v, uicM v tuuu i vvimvi ting •** —— earned it. You have done Mr. John Fa!- ] had xeally been honest, and had receive! coner a great service—a very great ser- > the reward of that honesty. And Ursula vice indeed. Only one stipulation I would Falconer, left alone, Jooked with bropl- make,” she added, laying a white hand ing eyts out into the street, and stroBi- on his as he reached out for the money, ly and firmly made up her mind wh»t “Yes. asked ma’am, and what is that?” he she had to do. • Ruth Arkett—alive, and with the >a- ... . ... „ pers in her hands. Oh, John, you hav} ”1 wouldn’t say anything to Miss Ruth to] J me much but you have told mt irkett,” said Ursula Falconer. "She | enough f or that. ' This time there ahsll Arkett,’ .... may have quite reasonable scruples as to ■ be no blunder; this time I’ll match PS' the money; only It happens that you and ; woman's wit against hers-and for ysur a I know differently about the -alter, j sake ; IdWln. ^ don't we?" now j tako sides, and I shall have no m "Yes, of course we do," said’ Ferdinand, j mercy and shall give no quarter." 4 nutting t'he money into his pocket. "I . to won't say a word to anybody; and, of j _ (TO BE CONTINUED.) LIVING HONEY JARS, ONE OF NATURE’S MARVELS. Continued from Second Page lie had done, and prepared to demand p<rs ff0l j nto t | H , hands of the atrocious long run be a very happy one for those Concerned. I had my suspicions about -the extent of the Injury some time ago; tonight those suspicions are confirmed." "Please explain yourself clearly,” said Falconer. "When this woman was brought here, and I was summoned by our friend Cap- •tick to attend her, she wars hovering between life and death; it was nothing ahort of a miracle that Capstlck had been able to bring her from some other place, and to get her safely Into this The woman had received a blow turn to look amazed. “This Is not Rut'h Arkett," exclalned Falconer, in the same quick whisper as before. "I ask you again—where did you find her?" "N-ot Ruth Aj-keOt?” iSauli Capstick turned his bewildered gaze from Falco ner to the doctor, and back again. “Then who the deuce -Is it?” Falconer had reached out a hand be hind 'him, and had set the candle on the fable. Very slowly, while the two men watched, he fell upon one knee be side the bed; he seemed to be utterly an explnnotion. Getting over that feel ing with difficulty, -and suddenly remem bering that lie was In a f.osition to drive luxuriously, he took a cab, and was driven to a large restanira-nt in the West End. But tTfe food was mot to h1s tiaste, and mis expensive. He (found himself, dur ing the progress of the meal, making mental calculations a« to how many meals of a similar kind (he could hope to get out of the balance of his £500. More -tbaai all else, he was lonely, and dissatisfied with life generally. Grimly determined, however, to see the thing through, now that he had begun, •lie went to a music hall, voted a really excellent entertain men t as stupid and commonplace, and finally came out into the streets again, wondering a little what he should do. For he had begun to be haunted bv the remembrance of 'Riuth Kirk. He had. -In a. sense, delivered her Into the hands of her enemies; had sold those papers which, so far as he knew, were of the utmost value to her, and was altogether a traitor and a rascal. He had made n-o provision for the girl, al though he had known that sh P must, after leaving t/lie house oif Falconer, lie practically destitute. During his ab sence in that abominable place called thp couritry, all sorts of things might have happened to 'her, while he, her Fapstick. Not that -that matters very itorc-h, if you've got them back again." "Mr. Kirk, wha t did you got lor them J" asked Ruth. __ "Five hundred pounds," replied Ferui- nand In a whisper. "I've spent a little of it, my dear, but only a little. The lest 1 'think I'll pin by, .11 case of a rainy day. Times are hard, and you never know what you may need." "The rest you will take back to the man who gave it to you,” said Ruth, sternly. "1 suppose that was Mr. John Falconer?” Ferdinand Ivlrk nodded. “Very well, then, you must give back all that you have from him. Will you do that?” Ferdinand nodded once .more. "And then we can start squarely again, and know what we are doing.” "1 suppose you know be.-t, my dear," replied Ferdinand; "and I'm not sure that it won't be something of a relief Ho get rid of the money; it’s brought me nothing but vexation so far." Nothing, of course, could be done that night. Ferdinand Kirk presently went to Ills room, and Rutli to hers; and It must be admitted that Ferdinand slept more swundly than he had done -for two or three nightis. Early in the morning, fter breakfast, he gravely counted oil*, 'before t'he searching eyes of Ruth, the exact amount of money he had left. It totalled a little over four hundred and forty prinnds, because if has to be re- self-tconstltuted guardian, had been tllng- membered that Ferdinand had used some mg his dishonest earnings In all direc- .part originally to pay a presing debt, tions. The more he t.hou@lit about it the | Ruth shook her head whimsically over less he liked lt, and the more anxious j jt_ and over him; but finally sent him house. from some blunt Instrument on the back ' oblivious of their presence. C* the head; the bone of the skull was j "Nance! poor Nance Ryder!” he crushed, and was pressing Into the brain. I whispered. . To find you again like Jfh* operation relieved that, but It lias this!' liad—the blow, I mean—one curious ef fect.” "Well, what's that?” asked Capstlck. In a whisper. The man drew his glass towards him, And slowly and thoiightfull yturned It round, raised it to his leps, and drank; then looked at those who watched him with a curious stnlle. “She will never speak again,” he said. "Her brain ap pears to be fairly clear. In the sense that she can indicate what she wants, that she can show signs of recognition, t_ of pleasure, or of dislike. But she will never be able to speak or to make any declaration as to how she received her injury—which is, as I said before, per haps fortunte.” The man raised his CHAPTER XV. MR. KIRK THROWS UP HIS HAND. It has to be remembered that poor Ferdinand Kirk had 'had but few oppor tunities :fbr real enjoyment in his life, with whatever 'hopes he may have started. It Is safe -to say that those hopes had long been dissipated. lyove had refused to smile upon him, or, at ail events, he had refused to find time for anything so unprofitable; and he had lived a dull, scrambling sort of ex istence, with only the uninteresting and prosaic servant to attend to his wants. With no regular profession or business fflaas and drained it, and set It down j at b j s command, be had contrived to again. “Will ahe recover in all other respects?” asked Falconer, after a pease. “I think so. She is already recov ering to Some extent the use of her limbs; should lt be necessary, she may make a shilling here, and lialf-a-crown ■there, and by great good luck perhaps a sovereign somewhere else. He had envied the rich, and yet with no bitter ness; he had dreamed an impossible dream that some day he might obtain aven be removed in a very little time, j to moderate riches himself, and realize But she is, and will be for the rest of 1 one or more of his mild ambitions, her life, absolutely liimb.” . Behold him then, suddenly, with five The eyes of John Falconer met those hundred pounds in actual cash In his he felt to undo the wrong he had done. Tie tried to comfort himself with the reflection that she had in all probability gone back to Joan Falconer, .-and taken up her life again in Downes street; and •yet that seemed Improbable. Finally, taking his courage In his hands, h e de termined to go back to that modest home .wherein his hitherto comparatively blameless life had been led, and to hide bimseW there. Behold him, therefore, with the bag hp had recovered from the cloak room drooping dejectedly from one hand, creeping up the street, and watching the house. Observe him as be puts the key into the lock and opens the door; and then follow Mm Inside. lie was congratulating himself on the fact that Tie had got In unobserved, and might even creep u.p to his roam without being overheard, when h e saw the door of his sitting room slowly open. The next moment Rut'h Arirott stood there, .with a lamp In her hand, looking out at him. Ferdinand Kirk dropped his bag a-n-il leaned against 'the wall and looked at her with a sickly smile. “Good evening, my dear,” he faltered. “You're u.p late.” “I was so surprised to bear anyone com e in at this hour, Mr. Kirk,” she said, “that I thought I'd better investi gate. Have you enjoyed your holiday?” “Not—not much,” said Ferdinand, pick ing up the bag drearily, and following her into the little sitting room. “I've heard people talk of holidays oefore, but 1 never quite knew what they were like. And. as for the country ” Ferdinand Kirk dropped the bag. and of CapstSek, and then w-ere lowered. I pockets, and with the prospect of an | h) . hig hat „ (]s to express his'sen- 'nisvii <SP It 14 K. hp rrnirlit Te^n 1 bfinftr fplr I L^UA..1.: rri 1 F . __ •Disguise it as he might. Falconer felt j unlimited holiday before him. The thing In his heart, and knew that Ills eyes | had been so sudden and so easy that expressed hat feeling, that he was glad jit had left him breathless; for, if the to think that the woman could not speak— 1 truth 'be told, he had felt it was more could not, above all, give an account ■ than probable he might be kicked igno- to any chance listener of whnt had hap- ' minlously out of the presence of John pened to her. j Falconer as an impudent impostor. But Presently Mr. Capstick drew a long j the thing had been so true and so breath, as Jf to relieve tlie tense si- | wonderful, and Ferdinand Ivlrk ha<l lence, and struck in with reference to ! tapped so excellent a gold mine, that a point that had occurred to his cun- I here he wns in a moment in a position erui feelings concerning the country. Ruth laughed as she set the lamp down j ” upon the table. “The country must be looking beautiful now,” she said. “Beautiful!” Ferdinand Kirk gasped. "I suppose I lilt the wrong part of It,” h; said; “but the less said about it the better. How have you been getting on, my dear?” “1 have been wanting to see you very _YOU NEED A BUGGY! t can be Saved. Sparc one- minute read in Golden Eagle Buggies for ,ro?rJriff r Con *5 a y Saved. 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It took Ferdinand a long time to get to Ck house, and to ring the bell, chief ly because lie hesitated from fear of the consequences. But he experienced some feeling of relief when, on enquiring at last for Jkilin Falconer, he was Informed that that gentleman wa,=- not at home, but that he might see Mrs. Falconer. Glad to escape the searching eyes of the great John Falconer. Mr. Kirk humbly murmured that he would l>e glad to see the lady, and was shown in. Ursula Falconer came into the room Where t lie trembling Ferdinand Ivlrk stood, to discover him standing with some bank notes ind a little gold in his hands, looking at her with pleading eyes. She was very gracious, chiefly be cause, in this strange business, of which site knew so little, and was anx ious to learn so much, she saw that here was t man who might be intimately connected n some way with her husband. So graciots was she, as Ferdinand be gan to tel. his halting story of the pa pers he 'hid brought, and of the money he had received for them, that the man was throw.! off his guard, and said more than he lad meant to say. “You see ma'am, it was, in a way, fair money for fair value,” said Ferdinand, smiling deprecatingly as he finally laid the money on the table and pushed it reluctantly towards her. “In a manner of speaklnt, Mr. Falconer may be said tc have kcown that I had cer.tain papers which were worth that money—or, why should he pay it?” "I quite understand.” said Ursula, looking at him under level brows, and wondering how much he really knew. Mr. Falconer would, of course, pay the value he himself put upon the papers. But is thii a question of conscience that you bring the money back to me?—or what is It?” "Partly tonscic-nce, ma'am, and partly because Mi. Falconer hasn’t got his val ue. Y'ou s«e, ma’am. In some mysterious way the pipers have ccme back to the person to whom they really belonged, and Miss Stutli Arkett thinks " She had started violently; she was looking at him more -sharply even than before. feuth Arkett. did you say?” she asked. “Well, bttween ourselves, ma'am, that is t’he red name of the lady,” he said. "You set it really ' doesn't mat ter now, Wien, os I inform you, the real lady is alf'c—the one, I mean, that was I supposed t> be Ruth Arkett. I'm so ex- j cited, ma’lbi that I scarcely know what x m .saying-—” \ “It all fi?ni8 very clear." said Ursula i Falconer, »eadlly. "Please go on.” “Well, jdi see.” said Ferdinand, much encouraged and feeling that he was at last absolutely on an excellent footing In a femii about whom he had heard •o much. ‘‘Well, yom sea, ma'an\, then i bushes. Neither iwas a single ant to be found, although the search was kept up all day. In view of these facts, -there were but two conclusions to come to, and these were that the honey ants were noctur nal and that the aphids were not the source of their honey supply. A watch iwas accordingly kept a't night ‘on one of the nests, the investigator's tent being 'Pitched clos e by. Shortly after sunset a few ants were seen to emerge from the gateway, apparently acting a* scouts. One of them returned below, having as certained that the coast was clear, and was immediately followed back to the surface by score upon score of other workers. They all crowded -together for a ifew moments on the top of the mound, evidently watting for on* of their num ber to act as leader. And so, pres ently, one of them did, trotting off in a •certain direction as if it were all settled beforehand, which no doivbt it was. The rest at once followed In a long trail, the line of which could only be traced by holding a lantern close to the ground. The light did not seem to disturb the •procession, which moved steadily on, and entered a group of scrub oaks. There were thousands of the ants, but not a single rotund or seml-rotund among them. The rotunds, understand, are the living honey jars. Every ant In the march was a worker, either a m ln or or a minim, the latter -being the dwarfs, and all had normal corporations. But this state of things, as we shall see. did not always obtain permanently. The procession of ants was followed closely by the watchers, until it was suddenly lost sight of in the gloom of the trees. Presently, however, some of the mysterious insects were discovered clustered about some galls on the brunches of one of >iie oak trees. They ran here and there over the galls, -touch ing them with their mouths, and return ing again and agtiln to t'hg same little excrescence they had left but a moment before. And then, directly, the lantern light revealed th G secret of the honey supply. Tlie hitherto normal abdomens of the workers were visa-bly swelling, like inflated rubber balloons, as they of taking toll was as odd as it was in genious*. The forager stood with head erect and body elevated at an angle of forty fitfc degrees, while regulat ing a drop of honey, which hung from its mouth. Often two or thre? of the hungry ones would come to the feast at the same time. A major would stand afflicted with “situation on the brain”- g which, however, is but a patriotic anxl- ■] ety for the success of the union army, and a desire to demonstrate how easily it can be brought about, and how cer tain it Is to be achieved. In front *-f every hotel, and at every street corner. you will see little groups of honorabh opposite in the same position as the | gentlemen, and gentlemen who are n«; u*. „tii, .r m i «jrVi f ho r.fcrhani honey-bearer, a minim would stand al most erect, reaching up from below, while another major would assist at the sweet banquet by stretching over thc»r backs, and thrusting her mouth into the midst of the fun. Then drop after drop was fed out by the honey-bearer, and licked up by the eager home-guards. GRADUAL GROWTH. This same method of feeding obtains between the living honey-jars, or ro tunds, and the workers, when the lat ter are in need of food. The former are evidently regarded by the workers as storehouses, very convenient and port able, and they receive roe care and pro tection always /bestowed on the queen, virgin females, and larvae. As soon as their bags are filled, they are dragged up the walls to their allotted pla'ce on the roof, and there, from time to time, are visited by the patient little worke-rSj who tenderly wash and brush them. When any accident happens to the nest, and the chamber in which are the honey- bearers, is broken, the workers all rush so honorable as they might be, perhapi, discussing the relative positions of Le? and Grant with great vehemence, art demonstrating how Grant wiil flan* I,ee and get to Richmond, or how Lf* will flank- Grant and try to get to Was* ington—every proposition happily illus trated by an engraving with tiie poir: of a walking-stick in the dust of tie sidewalk. (Washington is a good plae for such illustrations. You can always sketch out a map of the world, eith*-r in the dust or the mud on the sidt- walk.) The “artist” makes a straight line—"That’s Grant s army." "Yes, very well," says the bystander. Another slight line—"That’s Lee." "Of course, that's plain enough." “Well, here’s Richmond"—and the artist perforates a little mud heap In the rear of both lines. The problem is now pretty neany solved. With the whole sidewalk to op erate on, it would be very strange it Grant couldn’t swing his line around into the rear of Lee's and march into tlie rebel capita). In the ardor of their from the minims. This strange trans formation comes from the distension of the abdomen and the crop. Both of these- organs are wonderfully elastic, al most as much so as rubber, and the hon ey foragers who habitually gather the most honey by and by find their abdo mens enlarging more and more, until finally the permanent rotund state Is .reached. Then they take their ease henceforth on the roof, and work no more forever. Happy honey-jars! fn Mexico, where the honey-ants have ' became filled with the honied liquid that 1 * on -g been familiar friends, they tlemen,*’ he proceeded with a broad smile, “to a stage in the performance which Is p'r'aps the most romantic that this palatial tent has ever seen. It is my pleasure to inform you that, over and was oozing from the galls VIGILANT SENTRIES. Some of these excrescences, not all, it was found, exuded a white, transpa rent, sugary snip, which issued slowly from several points. That explained why the wise ants lapped up a drop, then passed on to another, and then presently returned to look for mor.t at the first point. The galls that yielded this sne- charine liquid were gTeen In' color and soft. Inside of them were the Imma ture larva of the gall fly, and It was the irritation and wounds oa-used by their growing at the inner surface of the gall that caused the flow of sugar through the thinning walls at points where their sharp beaks had penetrated them. The galls were all small, none of them more than three-eighths of an Inch in din-meter. Some of them were hard land dark In color, and these the ants were seen to pass by as unworthy of no tice. And soon they were, iftri they were ary. a tiny hole at the top revealing the fact that the gall fly nod escaped, and that the honey found had evapo rated. It was midnight when the honey gath erers started on their homeward march, which was naturally slower than their outward bound pace. They were chal lenged by sentries who had been left to guard the homo entrance. Not a sin gle ant of all those honey laden thou sands was permitted to go b'low with its treasure, until lt had crossed its anten nae with a sentinel, and, presumably, given the countersign. Not all the returning foragers were equally laden. Some of the little minims carried the most extended honey bags. And just here comfs in a custom both curious and comical. The guards and sentinels that were left at home, natural ly got hungry, while the foragers had had the opportunity of eating all they wanted while filling their market bas kets. Therefore the honey-laden ants were made to give toll of their sweets to the hungry home-guards, before they were allowed to go below. The method e d , |D ' " ar lnenas , roey ar P serv- - above the awards already presented, we Wedai S - 8 s P ec ’ a * dish at banquets and Shave three consolation prizes. These, “ending feasts. The mass of amber col ored sweet breads look quite tempting to a native, and are regarded as a great delicacy. The honey-ants are not only served whole, but often the honey is pressed from them, and used on the ta ble to be eaten with bread, just as we prizes. ladies, are the biggest on record. They consist of nothing less than these three bachelor gentlemen.” He Indicated hi* fellow judges. At a sign fgpm him each placed an arm about his companion's waist. The hiss ing of a vast indrawn breath sounded our. cites use the honey of bees. After | f rom ( b e assemble. "And you, gentle all, what Is the difference? Is it not all in the name, and perhaps also, in the quantity? LEAVES FROM AN OLD SCRAP BOOK. Continued from Second Page time no information has been received of either the boat or crew. " 'I am of the opinion that the torpedo being placed at the bow of the boat she went Into the hole made in the Housa- tonic by explosion of the torpedo, and did not have power sufficient to back out, consequently sank with her. 'I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully your obedient servant, (“ 'Signed.) M. M. GRAY.’ “ ‘Captain In charge of Torpedoes.’ ‘ ‘To Major General D. H. Maury Dis trict of the Gulf, Mobile, Ala.’ ” STREET CORNER CAMPAIGNING. The Washington correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial got off the fol lowing happy hit at street-corner cam paigners- Washington, May 2, 1864. Everybody In Washington seems to be men, it will inrerest you to hear that the ladles have accepted their prizes with the graciousness that marks their sex." The hoarse protest of Elizabeth Har- iner's father were drowned In lour mur- m-urings of amazement. The three blusi. ing girls after a struggle with their coun tenances brought to each a smile that would have delighted a photographer The evidence of aquieacence was con vincing. Romance was :n the air. Mr. Blinker prepared to step from his pedestal. "It only remains for me to say, ladies and gentlemen, that Blinkers' World Famed Circus will remain here until the ceremony of marriage nas been fully com pleted. The entire company welcomes the charming brides, and that concludes our entertainment tonight." Job Yardsley found himself in the out er darkness with Sally Magin still upon his arm. "It wasn’t bad. was It?” he ventured, "for—for a lark, you know?" Sally took a firmer clutch of his arm. “It's a lark that’s got a plain ending, she said. "With all them witnesses I should think damages for breach 'u-i come to a bit more than the price of th? Maypole." ‘T wonder, I do wonder," mused Job dully, "if them bothering circus people knew of my offeix" "Is lit likely?" retorted his future wife with asperity. DENTISTRY i&sr * *• DR. S. W. FOSTER. Dean. 100 N. Butler St.. Atlanta. Ga. Mtn Thi. I S ’ nd m * Catal ° eu ° N °' 2 •~- of Southern Dental College. r 1 To-Dwy I J NAME ADDRESS CREAM OF NEWSPAPER PRODUCTION, THE BEST OF ITS CLASS IN AMERICA, SAYS MINISTER OF THE TRI-WEEKLY C ARROLLTON, ALA.—-Editor Constitution: Have seen and read your new paper, The Tri-Weekly Constitution. IT IS BY MANY ODDS THE VERY BEST OF ITS CLASS PUBLISHED IN AMERICA—THE QREAM OF NEWSPAPER PRODUCTION, THE ACME OF PRINTER'S ART, THE NEWS OF THE WORLD THREE TIMES A WEEK, THE BEST AND THE CHEAP EST PAPER OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD. I want to help the enterprise hy sending you my check to coyer one year’s subscription to “The Tri-Weekly” and Sunny South. Trusting the paper will receive the support it merits from all lovers of good reading matter, I am very truly yours, REV. E. P. SMITH, Carrollton, Pickens County, Ahi to them, and lose no time In hauling 1 patriotism the citizen campaigner! their living honey-jars to a place of safe- 1 usually neglect to give Lee a chance t« ty. Thl s was what some of the more j fortify—or even to fall back before the courageous w'ork-ers sought to do when ! invincible columns of the union leaders, our scientists intruded into their city of j "Here's Grant; there's Lee, and here's narkneSs, but alas, they found no place j Richmond"—all done in two strokes and of safety left to them. j a dot of the walking stick. Carlyle's These rotunds or honey-bearers, are “Illiad In a nut shell" Is no where, com- not, as one would naturally suppose, a | pared with this laconic demonstration of distinct -class by themselves. Careful the great problem of Grant v. Lee. Investigation has proven that they are 1 Walking-stick strategy is the thing after gradually evolved from th e workers I a11 - 11 win break the backbone of the themselves, from the majors, and even ' rebelllon n llicke r tha n anything I know THROUGH STRESS OF COMPETI TION. Continued from First Page.