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the Lowers con CCTHy VOLUME XLIV-NUMBER TWENTY-SEVEM. Atlanta, Ga., Week Ending September 15, 1906. 50c PER YEAR—SINGLE COPY 5c. i ••• o ••• • ••• ••••••#•§•••§••■«•«•§ •#• O ••• I » O •*• 9 ••• • ••• • ••• O ••• ©•♦• < ••• • ••• © ••• q •••«r ••• 9 ••• < Whei X+he Elderberry Bushes Were a=Bloom * I By HELEN GRAY. Written for The SUNNY SOUTH. T wag a warm afternoon in June. Prom the porch of his neat green cottage, T. Jeremiah Jones, bachelor,. sat looking thoughtfully out over the honeysuckle hedge that surrounded his solitary domain. It had suddenly occurred to him that he would take a vaca tion. For twenty-five years T. Jeremiah had pinned himself to his desk, with the exception of a trip or two to points on business. The result had been a fairly good fortune for T. Jeremiah Jones & Co., wholesale dry goods merchants. Today, perhaps ad vancing age was demanding it of him, for thoughts of a week of leisure crowded pleasantly upon his mind. He was a romantic figure—this tall, somewhat stout, fine-looking old bache lor. There was a bald spot on the top of his head, and the ghost of a stoop in his shoulders, and the gray of his hair, and other significances, suggested the shady side of fifty. When he walked ii was with a big-headed cane, and with eyes downcast, in thoughtful mood, lie was generally costumed in a suit of light gray clothing, and he carried himself with an air of dignity and repose. Of course all sorts of make-up stories had been circulated regarding some past romance as the reason for his hermitage life—until one evening in a lit of de spondency at some gossippy tale that had gone the rounds, he thundered out to a friend at the club that he had never proposed to a woman in his life, which lonfession relegated him to the realm *o r % feminine haters, and had the effect ■ncUig the slanderers, where could he go for an outing— l. T. Jeremiah Jones, bachelor, sans women friends? Where could he go? was the question that perplexed him as he sat overlooking the honeysuckle hedge on this late June afternoon. The springs with their chattering humanity were de testable to him. The seashore in July was likewise, and ditto the mountains. Or.e morning, a few days later, as lie sat sipping his coffee at breakfast, his thoughts suddenly crystallized into a plan: he would pack ills valise, and fol low his nose—anywhere, as long as the train carried him far away into novel scenes. Madeline, the negro woman who kept house at “The Green Cottage,’’ as it was called, was given strenuous in structions as to what he should do dur ing her master's absence. Tiger, the bob tailed cat. was to be fed his cream every morning as usual; and Bryan, the wood- thrush which flitted about in a gilt cage in tiie bow window of the den. was not to be forgotten. The coladiums were to 'be watered every morning, and the product of the tomato vines was to be carried to tile hospital several times Tur ing the week. July I was the time decided upon by T. Jeremiah for his departure. He ipur- chased a ticket on the eventful day to the nearest big town with the intention of stopping over en route if lie felt so inclined. The neighbors had heard of his contem plated trip, and were on the watch when he emerged front his dwelling, suit case in hand. A coupe carried him safely to (he train, and shortly after 9 T. Jere miah was being whirled through meadow' and forest lands, past farms and 'Plan- • • -o-© -•• a - tations, and villages, galore. Suddenly the conductor called out a familiar name. T. Jeremiah laid down his paper wit], a start, and < hitched at his suit case. The mere mention of a town, a sleepy, un- progressive little place, had awakened memories that had long slumbered la his bachelor heart. T. Jeremiah remem bered having taken a walk in Shelby vide long years aego, a walk which had chang ed the entire tenor of his life. The train stopped and lie got out. As it whistled away in the distance, leav ing him standing on the platform amid scenery scarcely recognizable, a strange feeling overcame him. He turned and carried his luggage into the waiting room, and left it in the care of the ticket agent. Then he started for a walk down the prettiest of the streets in sight. Occasionally ag he progressed he came upon a familiar landmark. Gradually liis thoughts trended reverieward. Twenty- five year s had changed him considerably. It came upon him with a shock, as he remembered how springy his step was then, how sparkling his eyes, how merry the words of his lips. Then there stole into ills thoughts a tiny little woman who had light brown hair, and great vel vet eyes; a timid little creature with a small mouth, and very soft voice. Ho remembered that she wore a lilac muslin gown the last time that he saw her, with a sprig of some dainty flower scattered over it, and a lilac ribbon in her hair. As he thought, he began to lean heavily upon his cane, and his head took the usual downward trend. He forgot to look out for the places that had been familiar to him a quarter of a century ago. He walked along for a block or two in deep thought. Twenty-five jears ago this June he anil Cyntliianna had part ed, at the twilight hour, near the big elderberry bushes that grew at the side of her father's house. He never inhaled the fragrant 'blossoms without recalling the incident. He remembered how he had gathered some of the sweet-scented, starlike flowers, and sprinkled them over Oynthianna's brown hair. She was the most fairylike little creature lie had ever seen, and he had thought iter t lie most innocent. Yet she had proved to him the acme of hyprocisy. Not in any of his business relations had lie met with such perfect deceit. How vividly it all came back to him— the Sunday evening walk when he had intended asking Cyntliianna to become his wife. It was while they were stand ing near the elderberry bushes, on their return, when tiie words were quivering on his lips, that Cyntliianna was sum moned to tiie house. She had excused herself in the prettiest way, and he stood there awaiting her return, iiis heart filled with the sweetest of hopes. Tiie paror shades were pulled down. Ifc became aware of the shadows of two figures against them. One was Cynthianna’s and the other John Car- FOll'ft. He renietnliered John as the, only man of whom he had ever beetj jealous. The two figures together had inspired him with disagreeable thoughts. They apipeared to be in deep conversa tion. How It all came back to h'tr to day. as on that twilight evening tv-'-.ty- five years ago,when John’s shadow moved nearer to Cynthianna’s; when Cynthian na’s hand stole into John’s, and he saw distinctly the lips of his enemy touch those of the woman he loved. t men Cyntliianna joined him again, under the scent of the elderberry bushes, she met with a curt farewell, for which a pressing business engagement was tiie to him as he jostled himself out of the gate, "Jeremiah, Jeremiah.” But Jere- m ah heeded her not. And that was tiie excuse. He remembered hearing her call last time he had heard Cynthiannas voice—and that was twenty-five years ago. He began wondering what had become of her, when suddenly tiie scent of el derberry blossoms pervaded tiie air. He l looked up. and found himself walking a-iong by tiie side of a hedge of them in full bloom. Through slight openings he could see a white frame house, and another hedge of elderberry hushes on the other side of it. He turned the cor ner. and saw in 'plain black letters over the mansion door. “Klderberry fan.’’ it was a pleasing looking spot; and with out any ado lie marched himself up the graveled path, and sounded the big brass knocker. In a few minutes ft ne gro girl appeared, who in answer to his inquiry for lodging departed to summons iter mistress. The room in which lie was ushered, as far as he could see, was neatly furnished. There were por traits hanging on the wall, and some flowers in a vase on the center table; but the shutters were so tightly closed that lie could make out only the forms. Gradually his eyes became accustomed to the darkness, and he saw more dis tinctly. There was a portrait over the mantel that drew him. He stole up to it. His breath came fast. How like Cynthianna’s father it was! A step rounded in the ha.il. and he went forward to meet t,he landlady, who O c 3e 9• in the dim light lie could see was a diminutive little woman. He asked if lie could get board and lodging for a night, and was answered in a low voice that carried the echo <>f a reminiscence that lie could. The lady walked over to the window and thr w open the blinds, then returned to finish her business arrange- mentsments. The tali. dignified man stood for a moment looking down upon tiie tiny, fairylike woman, who wore a pale lilac beflowered gown which carried the scent of old lavendar. He oipcned ills mouth to speak, and she opened hers, but no words came from either. Then something in tiie woman’s face gave the man courage, and he uttered the one word “Cyntliianna.” After twenty-five years, fate had been kind. Jeremiah sat long with his old love conversing over past times; and Cyntliianna explained the incident that had caused their separation. She had been the means of bringing about an understanding between John Carroll and a young girl with whom he was madly in love, and John in the excess of his gratitude had caught hold of her hand, and caned over and kissed her. And the shadows on the curtain spelt Fate! And. while Jeremiah had been accumu lating a fortune, Cynthianna had been struggling for a livelihood within a few hours of his prosperous business estab lishment. John Carroll and his wife had slept be neath the green sod for lo these many years, but at the wedding that took •place a week later, it was John’s daugh ter who arrayed cynthianna in her wed ding gown, and John’s son who gave her away at the altar. IShe House of a Thousand Candles * * ** * * ■ * By MEREDITH NICHOLSON, Author “Uhe Main Chance,” Etc Copyright, 1005—The Bobbs-Merrill Co. CHAPTER XXV. BESEIGED. T was 9 o'clock. A ther mometer on the terrace showed the mercury clinging stubbornly to a point above zero; but the still air was keen and stimulating, and the sun argued for good cheer in a cloudless sky. We had In E3 jfi swallowed some break- fast, though I believe no I Ha one had manifested an 3 Tj appetite, and we were cheering ourselves «'h.. the ildlest talk possible. Stoddard, who had been to the chapel for bis usual 7 o'clock service, was deep in the pocket Greek testament he always carried. Bates ran in to report a summons at tiie outer wall, and Barry and I went together to answer it, sending Bates to keep watcli toward tiie lake. Our friend the sheriff, with a deputy, was outside in a buggy. He stood up and talked to ns over the wall. “You gents understand that I’m only doing my duty. It’s an unpleasant busi ness, but the court orders me to eject all trespassers on the premises, and I’ve griT to do iit.” “The law is being used by an infa mous scoundrel to protect himselt. 1 don't intend to give in. We can hold out here for three months, if necessary, and I advise you to keep away and not be made a tool for a man like Picker ing.” The sheriff listened respectfully, rest ing his arms on top of the wall. “You ought to understand, Mr. Glen- arm, that I ain’t the court; I’m the sheriff, and it's not for me to pass on these questions. I've got my orders and I've got to enforce ’em, and 1 hope you will not make it necessary for me to use violence. The judge said to me, we deplore violence in such cases.’ t hose were his honor's very words.” "You may give his honor my compli ments and tell him that we are sorry not to see tilings his way, but there are points involved in this business that lie doesn't know any tiling about, and we, unfortunately, have no time to lay them before him.” The sheriff’s seeming satisfaction witli his position on the wail and his disposi tion to parley had begun to arouse my suspicions, and Larry several times ex claimed impatiently at tiie absurdity of discussing my affairs with a person whom ite insisted on calling a constable, to the sheriff’s evident annoyance. The officer now turned upon him. “You, sir—we've got our eye on you, and you'd better come along peaceaiile. Laurance Donovan—the description tits you tc, n ‘t.’ ” “You could buy a nice farm with that reward, couldn't you—'' began Larry, hut at that moment Bates ran toward us calling loudly: ■‘They’re coming across the lake, sir,” he reported, and instantly the sheriff’s head disappeared, and as we ran toward the house we heard his horse pounding down the road toward St. Agatha's. “The law be damned. They don’t in tend to come in here by the front door as a niartter of law,” said Larry. “Pick ering's merely using the sheriff to give respectability to his maneuvers for those notes and the rest of It.” It was no time for a discussion of mo tives. We ran across the meadows past the water tower and through the wood down to the boat house. Far out on the lake we saw half a dozen men ap proaching tiie Glenarm grounds. They advanced steadily over the light snow that lay upon the lee, one man slightly in advance and evidently the leader. “It’s Morgan!” exclaimed Bates. "And there's Ferguson.” Larry chuckled and slapped his thigh. “Observe that stocky little devil just behind the leader? He’s my friend from Scotland yard, lead’s this is really an in ternational affair.” “Bates, go back to the house and cad at any sign of attack.” I ordered. "The sheriff’s loose somewhere.” “And Pickering is directing liis forces from afar,” remarked Stoddard. ”1 count ten men in Morgan’s line,” said Larry, “and the sheriff and his deputy make two more. Tnat’s twelve, not counting Pickering, that we know of on tiie other side.” “Warn them away before they get much nearer,” suggested Stoddard. “v\e don’t want to hurt people if we can help it’’—and at this I went to the end of the pier. Morgan and his men were now quite near, and there was no mistaking their intentions. Most of tiiem carried guns, the others revolvers and long ice hooks. “Morgan,” I called, holding up my hands for a truce, "we wish you no harm, but if you enter these grounds you so so at your peril.” “We’re all sworn deputy sheriff’s,” called the caretaker smoothly. "we’ve got the law behind us.” “That must be why you’re doming in the baek way,” I replied. The thick-set man whom Larry had identified as the English detective now came closer and addressed me in a high key. “You’re harboring a bad man, Mr. Glenarm. You’d better give him up. '1 be American lav.- supports me and you’ll get yourself in trouble if you protect that man. You may not understand, sir, that he’s a very dangerous charac ter." “Thanks, Davidson!" called Larry. “You’d better keep out of this. You know I’m a bad man with the shilia- lali!” "That you are, you blackguard!” yelled the officer, so spitefully that we all laughed. I orew baek to the boat house. “They’he not going to kill anybody if they can help it,” remarked Stoddard, “any more titan we are. ^ven deputy sheriffs are not turned loose to do mur der. and the Wabana county court wouldn't, if it hadn't been imposed on by Pickering, lend itself to a game like tills.” “Now we’re in for It,” yelled Larry, and tiie twelve men, in close order, came running across the ice toward the shore. "Open order, and fall baek slowly toward the house,” 1 commanded. Anti we deployed front the boat house, while tiie attacking party still clung together —a strategic error, as Larry assured us. “Stay together, lads. Don't separate; you’ll get lost if you do,” lie yelled. Stoddard bade him keep still, and we soon had our hands full with a iprelin:- inary skirmish. Morgan's line advanced warily. Davidson, tiie detective, seemed disgusted at Morgan’s tactics, openly abused the caretaker, and ran ahead of his column, revolver in hand, bearing down upon Larry, who held our center. The Englishman's haste was his un doing. The light fal! of snow a. few days before had gathered in tiie little hollows of wood deceptively. The detective plunged into one of these and feii sprawling on till fours—a calamity that caused his comrades to pause uneasily. Larry was upon his enemy In a flash, wrenched his pistol away and pulled the man to it is feet. “Ah, Davidson! There’s many a slip! Move, if you dare and I’ll plug you with y*our own gun.” And he stood behind the man, usint- him as a shield while Morgan and the rest of the army hung near the boat house uncertainly. “It’s the strategic intellect we’ve cap tured, general," observed Larry to me. “You see the American invaders were depending on British brains." Morgan now acted on tiie hint we had furnished him and sent his men out as skirmishers. The loss of the detective had undoubtedly staggered the caretaker, and we were slowly retreating toward tiie house, Larry with one hand on tiie collar of Iiis prisoner and the other granting the revolver, with which lie poked tiie man frequently in the ribs. We slowly continued our retreat, fear ing a rush, which would have disposed of us easily enough if Morgan’s company had shown more of a fighting spirit. Stoddard's presence rather amazed them, I think, and I saw that the invaders kept away from ills end of tiie line. We were far apart, stumbling over tiie snow-covered earth and calling to one another now and then that we might n't become too widely separated. Davidso did not relish his capture by the man he had followed across the ocean, and lie attempted once to roar a command to Morgan. “Try it again,” I heard Larry admon ish him; “try that once more, and the sod, God b’ess it! will never feel the deli cate imprint of your web-feet again.” We were now nearing the edge of tiie wood, with the open meadow and water tower at our backs, while Larry was making good time toward tiie house. “Let’s meet tiiem here," shouted Stod dard. Morgan was coming up with a club in his hand, making directly for me, two men at his heels, and the rest veering off toward the wail of St. Agatha’s. “Watch the house," X yelled to the chaplain; and then, on the edge of the wood Morgan came at me furiously, swingly his club over his head, and in a moment we were fencing away at a n i.:rry rate. We “both bad revolvers strapped to our waists, but 1 had no intention of drawing mine unless in ex tremity. At my right Stoddard was busy keeping off Morgan’s personal guard, who seemed reluctant to close with the clergyman. I have been, in my day, something of a fencer, and my knowledge of the foils stood me in good stead now. With a tremendous thwack 1 knocked Morgan's club flying over tiie snow, and, as we grappled. Bates yelled from the house. 1 quickly found that Morgan's wound ed arm was still tender. He flinched at the first grapple, and his anger got the better of liis judgment. We kicked up tiie snow at a great rate as we feinted and dragged each other about. lie caught hold of my belt with one hand and with a great wrench nearly dragged me from my feet, but I pinioned his arms and bent 1dm backward, then, by a trick Larry had taught me, flung him upon his side. It is not, I confess, a pretty business, matching your brute strength against that of a fellow man, and as 1 east myself upon him and felt his liard-blown Wreath on my face, I hated myself more than I hated him for engaging in so ignoble a contest. Bates continued to call from the house. “Come on at any cost,” shouted Stod dard, putting himself between me and the men who were flying to Morgan's aid. I sprang away from my adversary, snatching his revolver, and ran toward the house, Stoddard close behind, but keeping himself well between me and tiie men who were now after us in full cry. "Snoot, you foois, shoot!" howled Mor gan, and as we reached the open meadow and ran for the house a shotgun roared back of us and buckshot snapped and rattled on the stone of the water tower. “There’s the sheriff,” called Stoddard behind me. The officer of the law and liis 'deputy ran into the park from the gate of St. Agatha’s, while the rest of Morgan's pai ty were skirting the wall to join tiiem. “Stop, or I’ll shoot," yelled Morgan, and I felt Stoddard pause in liis gigantic stride to throw himself between me and the pursuers. “Sprint for if hot," he called very cool ly, as tiiough he were coaching me in a contest of the most arniabie sort im aginable.' “Get away from those guns.” I panted, angered by tiie very generosity of liis de tense. "Feint for the front entrance and then lun for the terrace and the library door," he commanded, as we crossed the little i a vine bridge. "They’ve got us headed cif.” Twice the guns boomed behind us, and twice I saw shot cut into tiie snow about me. “I'm all right,” called Stoddard, rea s suringly, still at my baek. “They're not a bit anxious to kill me.” I was at the top of my speed now. but tiie clergyman kept close at my heels, i was blowing hard, but he made equal time with perfect ease. The sheriff was bawling orders to his forces, who awaited its before tlie front door. Bates and Larry were not visi- but, but I had every confidence that ,-fbe Irishman would reappear in the fight at tiie earliest moment possible. Bates, too. was to be reckoned with, and the final struggle, if it came in the house itself, might not be so unequal, providing we knew tiie full strength of the enemy. “Now for tiie sheriff—here we go!” cried Stoddard—beside me—and we were close ti> tiie fringe of trees that shielded the entrance. Then off we veered sud denly to the left, close upon the terrace, nhere one of the French windows was thrown open and Larry and Bates step ped out. urging us on with lusty cries. They caught us by tiie arms and drag ged us over where the balustrade was lowest, and we crowded through the door and slammed it. As Bates snapped the iio'ds Morgan's 'party discharged its com bined artillery and the sheriff began a great clatter at the front door. "Gentlemen, we're in a state of siege,” observed Larry, filling hie pipe. Shot pattered on the walls and several panes of glass cracked in the French windows. “All’s tight below, sir,” reported Bates. “I thought it best to leave tiie tunnel trap open for our own use. Those fel lows won't come in that way—it’s too much like a blind alley.” “Where’s your prisoner, Larry?” “Potato cellar. quite comfortable, thanks!” It was 10 o’clock and the besiegers sud denly withdrew a short distance for par ley among themselves. Outsiue the sun we made ready for what further the day might bring forth. I climbed up to the finished tower to make sure we knew the enemy's full strength. 1 could see over the tree-tops, 'beyond the chape! tower, the roofs of St. Agatha’s. There, at least, was peace. And in that moment, locking over the black wood, with tiie snow lying upon the ice of the lake white and gleaming; under the sun. 1 felt un utterably lonely and heart-sick, and tire 1 of strife. It seemed a thousand years ago that I laid walked and talked with the child Olivia; and ten thousand years more since tiie girl in gray at tiie Annan- daie station had wakened in me a higher rim, and quickened a better impulse titan I had ever known. Larry roared my name through the lower floors. I went down with no wish in my heart but to even matters with Pickering and be done with my granu- father's legacy forever. "The sheriff and Morgan have gone bnck toward the lake.” reported Larry. “They’ve gone to consult their chief,” I said. “I wish Pickering would lead his own battalions. It would give social pres tige to the fight” “Bah. these women!” And Larry tore the corner from a cartridge box, Stoddard, with a pile of clubs within reach, lay on his back on the long leather couch, placidly reading his Greek testament. Bates, for the first time since my arrival, seemed really nervous and anxious. He pulled a silver watch from Ins pocket several times, something I had never seen him do before. He lean ed against tiie table, looking strangely tired and worn, and I saw him start ner vously as lie felt Larry’s eyes on him. T think, sir, I'd better take another look at the outer gates,” he remarked to me quite respect fully. His disturbed air aroused my old antag onism. Was he playing double in the matter? Did he seek no wan excuse for conveying some message to the enemy? “You'll stay where you are,' I said sharply, and 1 found myself restlessly fingering my revolver. “Very good, sir.”—and the hurt look in nis eyes touched me. “Bates is all right,” Larry declared, with an emphasis that was meant to re buke me. CHAPTER XXVI. THE FIGHT IN THE LIBRARY. “They’re coming faster this time,” re- marked Stoddard. “Certainly. Their general has be^n cursing them right heartily for retreat ing without the loot. He wants his threo- hunderd-thousand-dollar autograph col lection.” observed Larry. “Why don’t he come for it himself, tike a man?” I demanded. “Like a man, do you say!” ejaculated I^arry. “Faith and you flatter that fat head !” It was nearly eleven o'clock when the attacking party returned after a parity on the ice beyond the boat-house. The four of us were on the terrace ready for them. They came smartly through the wood, the sheriff and Morgan slightly in advance of the others. 1 expected them to slacken their pace when they came to the watertower and came toward the house as steady as veteran campaigners. “Shall we try gunpowder?” asked Larry. “We’ll let them fire the first volley," I said. “They've already tried to murder you fin,l Stoddard—I'm in for letting loose with the elephant guns." protested he Irishman. “Stand to your clubs.” admonished Stoddard, whose own weapon was com parable to the Scriptural weaver's beam. “Possession is nine points of the fight, and we've got the house.” “Also a prisoner of war,” said Lar-y, grinning. The English detective had smashed the glass in the hatred window of cellar, and we could hear him and cursing below. Continued on Fourth Page i&l /$ks3