Newspaper Page Text
CHAPTER X.
Max Brett was now convinced that his
eonsiu_Kmily had been married to Harry
8penc«r, and be had very few doubts aa
to the identity of Henry Richards. But
he still had two objects in view, in remain-
ins at Chesden—possibly three. His own
personal affairs required much explana
tion from his uncle and erstwhile guard
ian, John Satterthwalte, who might be
able to inform him of the wbSreabouts of
Spencer or Richards. And then, could
his cousin Emily intend to marry Hand-
ford without first having proof positive
of the death of Spencer? Surely not.
And yet, the landlord had assured him
that Handford was the only man who
had probably gained her affections, and
that he had certainly spent much of hit
time in her company.
• During his retirement in Rosedale,
which had been more or less enforced,
Max had held no communication whatevei
with the outside world. All his business
had been transacted with the rascal De
Watts, acting ns John Sntterthwaite’s
confidential agent, and Brett had been
totally unaware of the movements of hit
uncle and cousin until magnanimously in
formed by De Watts when that individual
paid an undisguised visit to Rosedale
about a month prior to the night of the
murder of Sarah Browne.
One thing he was determined upon. Ho
would see his uncle at all hazards and ex
pose De Watts’ true character. At the
same time he would attempt to establish
his own rectitude in the eyes of John Sat-
terthwnite. Max did not doubt that he
would also find an opportunity to learn
something of Emily’s-plans and, if nec
essary,' put In a.good word for his friend
Richards.
Max was compelled to admit to bimsell
that be was in a very awkward position,
and but for his love for Annette Spencer,
and the solemn promise which that love
had prompted, he would certainly have
backed out
While arguing in his own mind as to
the best course to pursue, Brett had walk
ed all the way to Chesden Park, and when
ho called a mental halt he was passing
through a grove of venerable beech trees.
The moon that had lighted his way now
disappeared behind a black cloud and left
him in darkness. When, only a hundred
yards distant, he beheld the well-lit Hall,
Max realised that he was in bis uncle's
private premises, and knew that if discov
ered by the gardeners or game keepers
he was liable to be treated rather harshly.
As he thought of retracing bis steps ho
noticed that some people were moving
about the lower rooms of the great ltouse.
These moved toward the main door, which
they opened and closed again. A few
moments elapsed, and Max heard foot
steps approaching, and "as they came near
er he could distinguish voices engaged in
conversation. He remained quietly be
hind a giant beech tree, and presently
made out tho outlines of an elderly gen
tleman, evidently enjoying his post- pran
dial cigar, and a graceful young woman.
Just as they were almost directly oppo-
rite the young American, the moon again
appeared and lit up the scone with her
silvery beams. Max was thus enabled to
look upon his unde and cousin for the
first time in six years. To him they
seemed but slightly altered, except that
Mr. Satterthwalte bad grown & trifle more
corpulent. But, however mtich interested
he was in their appearance, their conver
sation attracted Brett’s attention the
most. Having already heard his own
name mentioned, he crouched forward as
far as possible that he might hear better.
“Who, then,” said his uncle, “who,
then, do you suppose the young man Is?
If hit came this afternoon he must hare
- ran against Handford at the hotel. I
think myself he is from across the water,
bat who is her’
“I’ll tell you, father, who I think it is.
I believe it is none other than Cousin
Max."
“He’s a confoundedly impndent young
Scoundrel, If .it is he,” growled the old
gentleman. "But I have my doubts.”
“Are you not a little bit hard on Max,
father? He has been rather wild, per
haps—but I really believe be has not been
' wicked. You will see, now, if I am not
right. For bis .foolishness he will call up
fcote and ask yonr forgiveness.”
“Nor. , exclaimed the squire. “Xo, b<
will not see me, unless ”
But the wind rustled the leaves of the
trees, and the balance of the sentence wai
last fo Max.
“Yon will see me, and that to-morrow,”
• mattered Max,' as be emerged from his
place of concealment and > retraced bis
.steps to the hotel. He entered the parlor
•f. the Alrms fifteen minutes later, in
time to* catch the garrulous landlord in
the act of entertaining a liveried servant
■ with an.elahnrti'e description of his latest
*' guest “from Ameriky.” Brett took 1 in
" 'the situation, at a glance, and surmised
that the flunky wee part of the Chesden
Hah furniture, who was feasibly seeking
information for his housin Emily.
- 2I«S ns erqr ready for ffPrt M.fer tob
Jk>.
and if he' could combine the two lie "fell
it was so much the better, and a clear gain
of time. So he tapped the landlord on the
shoulder and quietly said:
“Just another smoke before we go to
bed, landlord—and bring your friend
along. I feel like a bit of gossip to-night;
anything to liven one up.”
"But,” said the astonished boniface,
“my friend is one of the Hall servants!”
“My dear fellow,” replied Brett, “1
come from a democratic country,* where
we live under a Republican form of gov
ernment and, on paper at least, believe one
man to be as good as another. At any
rate, when I am in the humor I don’t
care a continental whether I hobnob with
a lackey or his employer. And surely, if
the honorable secretary of state to his ex
cellency the President of Utah chooses to
enjoy the society of an English servant,
I see no reason why the servant should
object—do you?”
The landlord shuffled off, considerably
overwhelmed by bis guest's startling an
nouncement. He had supposed Max to
be an ordinary young man, perhaps pos
sessed of ample means, but when be was
informed, for he drank in what'Brett had
said as gospel truth, that he was in the
presence of a live cabinet minister in the
person of the honorable secretary of state
to the President of Utah, he completely
“wilted.” And if the landlord was sur
prised, the foartman was still more so, and
tho starch which is supposed to abound
in livery clothes speedily disappeared.
Our friend's object was to detain the
servant at the inn until morning, a stroke
of policy which ho proposed to carry out
by making the man sleepy. This he could
do by a judicious combination of strong
cigars, late hours and much talking. .
The servant was very shy and awkward
at first, but when he waa compelled to ad
mit, in his own mind, that “the honorable
gent” was a “no end social chap,” 'ang mo
if be ain't,” the fellow became as talka
tive os Max himself—-which on that par
ticular occasion meant a good deal.
Before one hour had passed Max had
learned all the traditions and stock gossip
of Ghesdea from the old inn keeper, and
had been favored with all the family
history of tho Satterthwalte* from the
footman. The clock in the steeple of the
ancient parish church struck one when
Brett gained 'his point and, with keen sat
isfaction gazed upon the vanquished ser
vant, as that worthy fell into a heavy
sleep with his head upon the table. Pret
ty soon the landlord toddled off and Mas,
after turning the key in tho lock of the
parlor, made his way to his bed chamber.
But, late, or early, as It was, before be re
tired he addressed an envelope to a certain
young lady at Chicago.
CHAPTER XI.
Max Brett was up and on his way to
Chesden Hall before either landlord oi
servant had slept off the effects of the
wine. His uncle had, from his youth np,
ever been an early riser, and Max rightly
concluded that the morning would be the
best time to call. If circumstances per
mitted, he proposed to obtain an interview
with hit cousin Emily, bnt his ancle he
wished to see first The targe Hall door
was opened by a servant who had not yet
rubbed all tbe sleepiness from bis small
eyes.
“It Mr. Satterthwalte about?’’ asked
Max. . .. . ; . V
“Yes, sir. Your card, please.”
Brett was taken by surprise. He bad
ho cards with hhn save the business cards
of Rose and Company. These were all
more or less soiled, but he handed one of
them to the man.
“Tell him,” said Max, “that I will de
tain him but a few moments—that I leave
the town this afternoon and must see him
now.”
Tbe servant was gone several moments
before he returned to Max and motioned
to that individual to follow hhn. He led
the way to a richly furnished reception
room and said that his master would be
down shortly. Max had not long to wait,
for presently the massive oak door awung
open and the squire, clad in a long em
broidered dressing gown, appeared.
For some moments the two men gazed
at each other in silence, and Max was the
first to break the ice, which he did by
proffering bis hind, as he exclaimed:
’’Uncle! 1 '
“Sir!” was the coid reply.
Bnt Max was not in a mood to be re-
ptrispL* -7? 1 r r~T,
“I suppose. Uncle John, you forgot all
about me when you settled in England?”
. The older man interrupted him. impa
tiently.
“Yon have obtained tMs interview nndet
false pretenses,” be said. “If you had
sent np yonr own card instead of that of
yonr employers, I coaid have been spared
the annoyance of meeting yon. Now that
yon are here, please state yonr business
briefly. If you have no basinets, I will
wish yon good morning.” ; , / .1
‘•Bet Max hadfully Expected thUkind p(
treatment, and he was quite ready for the
fight to commence.
es, sir, I ifiiVe business with you, ns
you must very well know.”
“Then kindly state it as quickly as pos
sible.”
“Xo, nncie. Why should there be any
haste on my part when you have been so
outrageously tardy in dealing with me?”
I suppose you really are my nephew,"
said Mr. Satterthwalte. “But do not
presume too much upon that tic—which,
for my post, I would gladly sever. -Have
some respect for iny years and for the
hotiso you are now in. Once again, what
is it that you desire?” '
“I wish to know, Uncle John, when yon
propose to make your final settlement
with me on my mother’s estate? Why did
you compel me to live Out in the West
among strangers, even if I had committed,
a paltry, youthful indiscretion? Why did
you send that rascally De Watts out there
to play spjr on my actions and, for all I
know, to rob me? Tell me that—and,
while you are answering questions, tell
mo if you are going to let Emily marry
again when I have undoubted proof that
Harry Spencer is not only alive, bnt ii
trying to lead nn upright, honorable life!
Rive me satisfactory replies to ail these
questions, and I will leave you immedi
ately.”
At the mention of his daughter's hus
band, John Satterthwalte completely lost
his temper. - His countenance became
fierce, hit eyes flashed and he could scarce
control himself.
“Sir,” said he in a shaky voice, “be care
ful! I made a final settlement with you
more than a year ago.”
“How?"
“In cash.”
“Through whom?”
“De Watts.”
“The amount?”
“Twenty-four thousand five hundred
dollars.”
“Xo, sir: no such settlement has been
made with me.”
“Ah—what is that yon say?"
“I repeat that I have received no such
sum or anything like it.”
“But I hold your receipt.”
“If you do, you hold a rank piece of for
gery!”
“You are making a wild assertion—a
wicked assertion, that you may have to
prove."
"I am stating a fact, nevertheless. If
you hold a receipt, purporting to be signed
by me, for twenty-tour thousand five
hundred dollars, you hold a forged docu
ment. For I have never in all my life
given a receipt for so large a sum of
money.”
“So far as I know,” said the squire,
“De Watts has always acted in an honest
nnd straightforward manner. However,
if you will put into writing what you have
■just stated, I will see that your charges
are properly and thoroughly investigated.”
“Thank you, uncle; you need not trouble.
I will do all the investigating that is nec
essary. I would like tp.reserve for myself
the satisfactlqn of hunting down that ac
complished scoundrel. Indeed, I left Rose
dale with that fixed intention, and bad I
not been hampered through lack of means,
should have run him down long since.”
“Go slowly, If you please. Remomber
that a blow at De Watts 11 apt to striko
me also,” said Mr. Sattorthwaite, rather
agitated.
“That I cannot help. The blow must
fall, no matter who it strikes. But, my
dear rir, why did you appoint that dyed-
in-the-wool rascal as your accredited
agent, giving him power of attorney and
entrusting him with cash and valuable
papers? Where are the old business prin
ciples that made you so successful in Xen
York?”
“De Watts was nn old friend, whom I
had frequently tried without finding him
wanting. It was not convenient for me tp
travel West, and bo, thinking it for the
best and being anxious to get rid of yonr
affairs, I selected Do Watts to act be
tween us.”
“Weil, he's a nice confidential agent, he
Is!” retorted Max. “The citizens ol
Rosedale would like to amuse themselves
with him for about fifteen minutes!”
“Why?”
“For the simple reason that De Watts'
crowning rascality was the committal ol
a most revolting murder.”
“Xo, not murder!”
"Yes, murder—the murder of a woman
worth twenty of such villains.”
“Who was tbe woman?"
“One Sarah Browne.”
“Heavens, man! So that poor woman Is
murdered—and by De Watts!"
"Yes, by your old and tried friend. So
you knew Sarah Browne?”
“Yet—er—no—no, that it, I did not
know her. What more hnvo you to say?
I am not at all well this morning.”
“Only a few words about Emily’s hus
band. Will yon listen?”
John Satterthwalte gave a start at
though he had been stabbed by an unseen
dagger.
“What do yon mean,” he gasped, “it he
dead, too?”
“On the contrary, he is alive and mend
ing his ways considerably. He is now a
sober, upright man, deserving of any one's
esteem.”
“You know him?”
“Of course I do.”
“Does be know where Emily is—that
rite is here?”
‘ “I guess so, for I judge he has been to
Cheeden once, at least”-
“So! Did he see Emily?"
“I think not-«t.least I think she did
not see him.”
“What was ho after?” i t *
“That I do not know. He ia a friend of
mine, so that I would not abuse bit confi
dence by carrying bia private affairs to
yon, even if I had them to carry.”
“Yon say," said tho sqnire, “that you
wish for my friendship?"
' “Certainly, bnt not at tho expense of my
other friends. Harry Spencer is my friend
and, I am propd to soy, so is his sister,
who will be my wife as soon as we can
place Harry on his feet once more. His
mother apd sister take his disgrace and
banishment from society very pinch to
heart/’ . ' ,
"You really mesa oil this—yon will posi
tively marry that girl—into that family,
-knowing aU-.that.yon.do know?"
» “Most certainly.” < ,* ■ »
1 “You kspsrfca? Harry is « jejmpi Xstt
ore prejudiced In his favor"just now, but
in fact he is a worthless character, and I
•have a notion that his sister—*”
But if the squire was a Satterthwalte,
so was Max. At his uncle's words the
hot blood rushed through his veins ifnd he
seized a chair which he held threateningly
over the head of the older man.
John Satterthwalte was held at bay,
but his passion was so great that the blood
rushed in a torrent to hlsMace and head,
and he fell senseless to the floor.
Max rang a bell and servants soon ar
rived, who wore speedily followed by
Emily and the doctor. Brett rendered all
the assistance he could, and then strolled
out on to the pleasant terrace, where he
lit a cigar and waited for news of his
uncle.
In half an hour Emily herself appeared.
“Cousin Emily,” said Max quietly,
“how are you?”
“How do you do. Cousin Max?" replied
the girl just as calmly.
“How’is your father now?” he asked.
“He is in no danger, and is resting
quietly. Come up and see mo st another
time,” she added, as she turned to re-enter
the house.
But Max only bowed politely and left
the Hall. He required time to think—
which he did nil the way back to the hotel.
He concluded that It would do no good to
stay longer at Chesden. He believed that,
his uncle’s temper once coolea, he would
rationally think over matters and would
see things pretty much as Max himself
saw them. He believed that, eventually,
he would be able to connt upon John
Satterthwaite's support. De Watts, was
the man that Max wag after now, and he
proposed to lose no wore time In. starting
in pursuit of that individual.
He left Chesden that afternoon, but the
chocolate and gold omnibus had not pro
ceeded more than a mile on Its way to
wards London, when the driver was hail
ed by a horseman following at full speed.
This was no other than the servant whom
Max had sent to sleep the night before at
the Arms. He recoguied Brett, and with
out uttering a word handed him a largo
nnd bulky envelope, fastened with a pro
fusion of sealing wax. Then the man
turned his horse about and was soon lost
In the distance.
(To be continued.)
WHY THEY HUNG BILL.
Ho Was a Gentleman and They Wero
Jealous of Him.
Buck of Duvall’s Bluff, In Arkansas,
Is a country wliero schools are scarce
and civilization of the most primitive
type. A prominent attorney of Wash
ington had occasion to go down there a
short time ago to look after some land
titles, and stopped over night at a log
cabin, which contained one room and
a loft. The only occupant was a white-
haired old man, too feeble to walk
without the aid of a heavy cane.
“Are you not lonoly hero?” asked the
lawyer.
“Yep.”
“Have you no friends to whom you
can go?”
"I reckon my darter'd keer for me,
in Memphis, but bein’ sartlu Provl
dence air my way, I’m stayin', hopin'
tor git about by spring.”
"How long have you lived alone?”
“ 'Bout a y’ar. Yo' see, my son BUI
war with hie. He went to Texas, an'
cum home one of the mos’ puffec’ gen
tlemen yo’ ever seed. An' that high-
spereted, yo’ could see lie war dlffrunt
from the low-down trash ’rouu’ hyar,
So a passel of ’om got togethor an'
hung ’tm right down thar by tho
spring.”
“Hung him! What for?” asked tho
astonished disciple of Blackstone,
“Jess ’cause they wero jealous of hi*
livin' like a geutloman an’ bein’ high-
spereted. Ono of ’em come an’ stole
Bill’s bos’ houn’ pup, an' In cose BUI,
bein' a gentleman, war In honor boun’
ter shoot tho thief, which he did. As
purty -a shot as yo’ ever seed. Feller
sever batted an eye. Then his low-
down fr’en's come an* hung BUI. I'm
jess stayin’ hero till rheumatlz gits 10
I kin stomp ’roun’ a leetle, and git g
few of 'em, and then I’ll go to my dar
ter’s. I've been that po'ly, I ain't bad
no shot at none of ’em ylt, but 1’U git
’em In tho spring.”
about an inch hhd a half from the
bead.
He wrestled with it for about fifteen
seconds and then tbe cracking sound
made it a question da' to whether it
was caused' by teeth or iron.—Now
York Mercury.
Hits the Mark. 1
Sir Charles Dllko has Informed' L
Berlin newspaper that England has no
fear of Germany’s rivalry In the man
ufacturing Industries or in foreign
trade, in both of which “England fears
but one rival, tbe United States.” This.
long-headed Englishman Is astute. This
country has already beaten England In
some of the manufacturing Industries,
and Is her rival In nearly all of them.
It has beaten her in some of the world’s
markets and will beat her in more of
them. It Is not In the Interest of man*
kind that England should control for.
olgn trade.—New York Sun.
Mast Please tho Bride.
In Dakota queer weddlugs gifts are
In vogue. Following Is a list of pres
ents received at a recent wedding: A
bull pap, a yellow dog, a water span
iel, a meerschaum plpo and tobacco
pouch, a good shotgun, a bowie knife,
a rifle, three dogs, a game rooster, one
fiddle, one banjo, one spotted pup, one
English mastiff and a pair of silver-
mounted pistols.
Canada’s Militia.
The active Canadian militia, on its
present peace footing, consists of 1,987
cavalry, 1,440 field artillery, 2,34? gar
rison artillery, 243 engineers, and 81,-
888 infantry, giving a total of 37,400
men, ail of whom are taken from the
first class.
Not Informed Anatomically.
Mrs. Oatcake—Silas, why do they call
these dams “little necks?”
Farmer Oatcake (cautiously)—I dun-
no, Nancy; I warn’t around when lie
cut the heads off o’ them!—New York'
Herald. . •
When a woman gives a party, sib
also gives the neighbors an opportu
nity to talk about her.
Bit a Spike In Two.
There is a man named Lonis Essex,
who resides at 224 Broome street, who
called at the Mercury office yesterday
and remarked that he understood that
some other man was bragging liecause
he could bite a ten-penny nail In two
without auy trouble.
Mr. Essex explained that lie was 23
years old and learned to bite nails, and
finally railroad spikes, into sections
through his habit of eating ticefstcak
at certain East Side restaurants.
“It was good training, I tell you,'
remarked the man with the mighty
teeth, as be drew from bis pockots a
spike big enough to hold down a house
during a blizzard.
“Are you going to bite that?” was
asked.
“Certainly, if you want me to. That's
wbat I came for, and I want to prove
that biting off pieces of ten-penny nails
ain't in it with this sort of mastica
tion. If I’d only thought, I’d bare
brought down one of those beefsteaks
I used to practice on.” .
“Well, go ahead with your biting.”
Essex whistled for bis assistant, who
appeared carrying a piece of beam
and a hammer.
“You see,” explained the biter, “It
would be impossible to hold the nail
stiff enough to chew a chunk off, so
I hammer it in this beam,” and the as
sistant proceeded to hammer, to the
great discomfiture of tbe brain-work
ers within earshot
Then Mr. Essex grabbed, himself
firmly by the hips and bending over
frougbt hi# teotk flown «g tbs spike
HOADS MJKii FOR DAJlAULS.-v
Athens Cotton Firm Claims Failure
to Haul Tlietf Product. .
Because of alleged' failure to haul
shipments of cotton from Athens, Ga.,
to Augusta, during the cotton seasons
of 1898, 1899 and 1900, suit for f58,000
damages has been filed In Athens by
the surviving partners of the firm of
Inman & Company, against the Louis
ville and Nashville Railroad company,
the Atlantic Coast Line and Thomas
K. Scott. .
The cose will doubtless attract con
siderable attention because of tho
prominence of tbe parties Interested
In it and because of the legal questions
Involved, which affect all of the ship-
oors doing business in this stale.
MIX HANGINGS IN ARKANSAS.
For Harder Two White Xen and Fonr
Negroes I’ay Penalty.
Six men were banged In Arkansas
Friday, each for murder. Two wore
white men and four wero negroes. Tbe
executions were as follows:
At Washington, Dee Noland, colored
for the murder of his wife; Tom
Simms, colored for the murder of Nan
cy and Tabltha Jetton.
At Arkansas City, James Kitts, col
ored, for the murder of Jim Johnson,
colored.
At Van Buren, Dave MoWhltter,
white, for the murder of his wife.
At Center PolnL Lath Hembree,,
white, for the murder of W. M. Ellis,
white.
SHOCK* SHAKE THREE STATES
Earthquake Tremors loltln Nebraska,
Iowa and Month Dakota.
A special from Omaha, Neb., saya:
An earthquake ahock, which was gen
eral over portions of Nebraska, west
ern Iowa and South Dakota, occupied
shortly before 1 o’clock Monday after
noon. The seismic disturbances were
felt at a iarge number of towns in the
three states and lasted from ten to
fifteen seconds. No damage reported.
GRATES NOT DESECRATED.
Atlanta Oemetery Committee Renders
••Blanket’’ Exonerating Report.
The cemetery committee of tho At
lanta, Ga., general council has com
pleted its Investigation Into the affairs
of Oakland cemetery and everybody
has been vindicated. It has been final
ly concluded by the committee that
there waa nothing wrong with tbe
cemetery and that no mistakes have
been made that could not be explained.
/WILSON -WARRANT WITHDRAWN.
Secretary of Xlne Workers Will Not
Appear Before Jodge Jackson.
An Indianapolis dispatch says’. W.
<B. Wilson, secretary and treasurer of
the United Mine Workers, received a
communication from his attorney at
Parkersburg, W. Va., saying that the
warrant for his arrest on- a charge of
violating an injunction issued by
Judge Jackson, haa been rescinded.