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CHAPTER XIX.
BITII the danger of ex
posure of my master
removed, I returned
home with a lighter
heart. I reached there
in time to have the
lunch served to him.
He had not noticed my absence, and I
congratulated myself upon a shrewd
piece of work. 1 had at last deter
mined to bring matters to a climax.
It was two days after this before 1
got the opportunity to call upon Miss
Stetson. 1 wanted to redeem her prom
ise made oa the day of her horseback
accident.
1 bad learned througli an accident
that Dr. Squires would be away on
Tuesday and that he would not return
until late at night. 1 did not know
■what his mission was or where he
was going. All that concerned me was
that he would lie absent and the house
would he left In charge of his old
servant
It was the knowledge of this that
made me anxious to appoint Tuesday
for the little experiment 1 had in
mind.
When I reached the Stetson man
sion, 1 was informed that Miss Stet
son was engaged. The servants knew
me by this time, and while they did
not exactly treat t. o as one of their
number they did not accord me all the
courtesy due :• gentleman I was told
tv) take a seat until the person who
was with Miss Stetson had gone.
My name was net even carried up
to her. but 1 wa.s too much preoccu
pied with my thoughts to resent this
incivility, and 1 made the most of it
by taking a comfortable scat in the
waiting room. This room opened right
off the front parlor, and just hack of
that was the library.
For some time 1 remained seated
there b'isily occupied with my own
thoughts, but us time passed 1 became
restless and anxious to make a change.
Not hearing any voices, 1 rose from
my seat and walked quietly into the
parlor to look at some of the beautiful
pictures hanging on the walls. This
liberty, 1 knew, Miss Stetson would
not resent.
X A S I Stepped into the parlor I heard
the sound of voices proceeding from
the library. 1 would have retreated to
the waiting room if the voice of Dr.
Squires had not arrested my attention.
I could not resist the temptation to lis
ten to him, for, knowing what he was,
I thought anything was fair enough
for him, and I played the eavesdrop
per.
The portieres between the parlor and
library were drawn, and through their
thick folds 1 could just catch the words
of the two. Tbe first words of the
doctor Informed me that 1 had reached
the place at a critical moment.
L.“ Miss Belle, you do me Injustice to
say that I do not like pleasant sur
roundings and that I am not like other
men in my tastes. No man appreciates
a home more than I do.”
“I did not mean to insinuate that,
doctor,” Miss Stetson replied. “I mere
ly said that i thought it so strange
you should like to live in that old de
serted, haunted mansion.”
“1 do not like to live there. It was
not a matter of choice with me. I was
poor andto Jhi order to carry out
jffx. CxptfifnenTfi
NjJJut couldn’t you find more congen
laf quarters without going to any more
expense?”
‘‘No—that is, none that would suit
my purpose.”
There was a short pause, then the
doctor continued:
“But, Miss Belle, my time In the old
haunted mansion is short. I'm going
to leave It. My fortune has Improved,
and 1 shall seek better quarters.”
“Has your discovery proved success
ful so that you can realize some money
on it?” she asked eagerly.
“No. not exactly that,” he stam
mered. “But 1 have been fortunate
in another way. A distant relative
has died and left his money to me. it
is not much, but enough to keep me
in comfort for the balance of my life.
It will amount to about $100,000.”
“Indeed! I’m so glad to hear it, doc
tor. Nobody will congratulate you more
heartily than I, for 1 think you deserve
it.”
“It is kind of you to say It,” he said
slowly, “but there Is one other thing
necessary to complete njy happiness.”
Another pause followed In which I
could imagine their exchange of looks.
“I would not mention this. Miss
Belle, If I did not have your own word
for It that you would never marry
Charles,” the doctor began again In a
labored voice. “But when you told me
that you would not marry him I
thought that there was uo longer any
PROFESSIONAL
BRETHREN
BY GEORGE E. WALSH
Copyright, loot, try F. M. Bueklet A Cos., New York
accomplished if we hut will it. Why
can you not love me and marry me?”
‘‘You do not understand, doctor.
Please do not mention it again. It is
very—hard for me to say this.”
‘‘But will you not give me your rea
sons ?”*he continued passionately. ‘‘You
will not marry Charles?”
‘‘No, never.”
“Not even if 1 cure him of every
taint of leprosy?”
“N’o; I would be afraid to. I would
forever think of it dread it—believe
that it would show itself again in our
children.”
"Then why cannot you love me—mar
ry me?”
There was a slight rustle of her dress
as if she had risen to face him. Then
she replied slowly, hut calmly:
“Because, doctor, I still love Charles.
1 cannot marry him, but that does not
alter my love for him. I still love him
and always shall love him. Is not
that an answer to your question?
Would you ask me to marry you when
you knew I loved another man?”
An almost inarticulate sound es
caped his lips. He also rose from his
seat. I heard him move toward the
portieres, mid I withdrew rapidly to
the waiting room.
There was a murmur of their voices
for a few moments, and then the por
tieres parted and they entered the par
lor. i coughed purposely to attract
their attention. Miss Stetson moved
toward me, and 1 arose to mtet her.
“I fear the maid did not send up my
name.” I said in reply to her inquiring
look. "She said you were engaged
and that 1 could wait here.”
“Have you been waiting long?” she
asked.
"No; only half a minute,” 1 replied
boldly.
"You have a message from Mr. God
dard for me?”
“Yes, a private one, hut 1 can wait.”
The doctor walked out of the parlor
and gave me a close, scrutinizing
glance, but I was absorbed in studying
the ceiling and did not meet his eyes.
He passed toward the front door and
bid his hostess good day. Then I
walked into the library to take his
place. 7
Chapter xx.
—\ISS STETSON was
wf considerably agitated
I and nervous when she
H Anally appeared in the
B library. Her facial
lines were drawn and
haggard, indicating
the strain she had
Just passed through. .When she en
tered, I stood before her as I said:
“You must pardon me for telling you
an untruth, but I could not do other
wise in the presence of your guest. I
do not come witli a message from my
master, but with one from myself.”
She looked inquiringly at me and
waved her hand toward a seat while
she dropped wearily into another.
“No; I will stand,” I said, “until I
find out whether my requestYwill be
granted.”
“Your request? What Is It?”
Her mind was still dwelling upon* the
Interview that had just closed, andrthe
purport of my words had hardly at
tracted her attention.
“Oh, 1 see!” she added a moment lat
er, with the faintest indication of a
smile on her face. "You hawe come to
ask me to fulfill my promise<of the oth
er day."
“Exactly,” I said.
“Well, what is It?”
“As I told you then. It will seem
very strange to you, and I now repeat
‘‘Then you tr ill not grant my rcquestP'
it. But you will find in the end it will
be for your own good.”
“Expb*>" - s-lf.” she said, show
|B- a ii n. “1 do not like so
#H’.< L.l, '.el
“I t i -i'Hi t will be a mystery to
you di mi*' . u* yet. I cannot ex
plaii ma **rs *n now—not until my
requ t is .’UiL*.. i.’
Ski looked r* me with amusement
fcnd Ihea auiA
“Wei], go on -’ve promised, and I’ll
keep tty w .
“Mj r*q ‘>t , tills: I want you to
*cco:-„:::\ :le r certain house on
w_'t Turf ering at 9 o’clock
s! rp vi:t -■ I II explain and show
y< t! .k e.L greatly alter your
views of some of your friends.”
“Why, sir, tkat is an absurd proposi
tion," she said, rising, with some dig
nity.
“Then you will not grant my re
quest?” I said quietly.
“How can I under such circum
stances?”
“You promised.”
“Yes, anything in reason. But you
ask me to go to a strange house with
you in the evening, and what assurance
have I that”—
“I understand, ma'atn; you have no
confidence in me. I reminded you at
the time you promised to do what I
asked of you that it would require con
fidence and belief in me. I see now
that you haven’t.”
“You are severe. I did not say
that,” she answered in a less repelling
voice.
“No, but you implied as much. But
1 will not test your faith In me any
more. I will give you assurances that
my purposes are honorable.”
She waited for me to proceed while
a flush overspread her face.
“You know Mr. .Tnimson?” 1 asked.
“Yes, very well.”
“He is a friend of yours, and I be
lieve you would trust yourself with
him after dark.”
She nodded affirmatively.
“Well, Mr. Jaimson is in my secret,
and lie will accompany us. Under
those circumstances will you go with
me next Tuesday evening?”
“Why, of course. It must be all
right if Mr. Jaimson approves of it.”
“He does. He will call here before
I do on that evening, and the three of
us will go together.”
“But where do we go?” she asked
inquisitively.
“I cannot tell you now. You will
know that night.”
"How mysterious you seem! I do
not understand it at all.”
“Y’ou will in time. But one other re
quest. Will you promise to keep this
matter absolutely secret? Do not even
tell Mr. Goddard or Dr. Squires. If
you do. everything will be spoiled,
and, mark my word, you will repent
of it if you do.”
“I will promise.” she answered.
“And keep your promise better than
you did the other one.” I could not re
frain from saying, for her lack of
trust in me had piqued me a little.
She colored and at first would have
resented my bold words, but an after
thought checked her.
“Yes, 1 will redeem my promise this
time without question.”
“Thank you. Then on Tuesday at a
quarter to 9 Mr. Jaimson will call for
you, and you will be ready to accom
pany him. I will call for both of you
at 9 o'clock. I will guarantee that you
will return to your home without hurt
or injury.”
I hastily withdrew then. She ac
companied me to the door. She was
watching me peculiarly, trying to de
cide, 1 imagine, whether I was a
crank or a sane man and whether she
had made a mistake or not in promis
ing to accompany me.
CHAPTER XXI.
" A?"\ WAITED with ferer
ish anxiet - v for Tues-
AfcjSgV/B day night. It was
,<■ EY " - ,4j natural that 1 should
'‘bC TIM experience constant
fear about the suc
cess 0 f my little
scheme. If either my master or Dr.
Squires got a hint of my intentions,
the game would be up and 1 would
have all my labor for nothing. It
would be such an easy matter, too, for
either Miss Stetson or Mr. Jaimson to
drop a word to some relative or inti
mate friend which would ruin every
thing.
I had not learned what Dr. Squires’
mission was in leaving the mansion on
Tuesday afternoon and evening, but I
concluded that it had something to do
with his prospective fortune, and this
fortune, 1 felt reasonably certain, con
sisted solely of the stolen goods which
had accumulated in his house. He had
evidently reached the point where he
thought it advisable to ship them away
to some more convenient place where
they could be disposed of to advan
tage. It would be comparatively easy
to send them off by express to some
dlstaut city and melt up the silver
pieces and sell the metal for what it
would bring.
While he was making arrangements
to escape with his unlawful goods I
was planning to capture him and rob
him of his sole title to a fortune. I did
not doubt but he would take the lion’s
share of the spoils, leaving my master
only a small portion, or probably be
would at the last moment escape with
out dividing at all with him. He was
capable of such a trick.
Shortly after dusk on Tuesday I ap
proached the old mansion on foot. I
had made sure of the doctor’s disap
pearance. I 6aw him get on the train
about noon and leave for the city.
As soon as it was dark enough to
conceal myself from view I approached
the house and looked through the
kitchen windows. The old Indian serv
ant was alone and seemed to be busily
engaged In cooking his supper. When
I had made sure of this, I hurried
around to the front piazza and began
to climb the post which had once be
fore served me a similar good turn.
Knowing the way well. I made quick
work in jcllmbing on the roof of the
house, and 1 reached the cupola with
out mishap. Here I found everything
as I had left it during my previous
visit 1 opened the window without
difficulty ’ *o lift the trap
door in i t‘ r. '. I 1; Cad *
been tau v' ’ i 'iody * nl
ever bee* h ,s> r *> t i. > frst v!s .
In a fi v ;,1 my ♦ay
down t!' ‘ : •!' and m the tt.’.-wt
hall. Ti ;Vs ./ vr. 1 ped in f rk
ness, e:. : f and |>: i:. the kitchen.
This ail r- . i,. •• •. plan *der.
1 des. •i ;• ip. ;> ,t stairs noise
lessly, M i u- l .'.f oper loc*
I could catch a glimpse of the cld
servant. From this position I could
measure his probable strength and
powers. It was necessary that I should
be able to cope successfully with him,
and I was not going to run any risk.
For some time I watched his slow
movements about the kitchen. He pre
pared his supper and ate it in silence.
Then when he proceeded to wash
the dishes I found that it was getting
late, and for the success of my plan it
would be necessary to expedite mat
ters. I purposely dropped a heavy
book in the front hall and then glided
quickly behind the office portieres.
The noise z as I expected, attracted the*
old man from his work, and he came
catlike into the hall, peering intently
ahead of him.
He did not expect to find any one in
the house. The noise sounded as if it
proceeded from the front piazza. The
old man glanced through the plate
glass of the front door before he
opened it. This was my opportunity.
I sprang out of the darkness and
landed plump upon the man’s back,
carrying him tc the floor by my weight.
*i
l S.-r 4
%
W 2
I had grasped his two arms.
As we fell together I bad grasped his
two arms and held them securely
locked behind him. For a moment he
was so frightened by this sudden at
tack that he did not struggle, but when
he felt me running a rope around his
elbows and wrists he summoned all
of his strength and fought desperately.
I had not underestimated his
strength. He was thin and lithe, but
powerful and sinewy. He was like a
serpent in his wriggling, and I had the
greatest difficulty in the world to hold
him. We struggled and scuffled about
the hall floor for ten minutes before I
could tame him. Once or twice 1 felt
that the battle was going against me,
but 1 renewed my efforts and finally
pinioned his arms behind him with
the rope.
With his arms securely tied the man
gave up the struggle and lay there
panting and trying to speak. I saw
that he was really dumb, although not
deaf. He could not speak, but he
could hear.
‘‘Be quiet now, and I shall not hurt
you,” 1 said in answer to the question
which I could plainly read in his eyes.
‘‘l’m not going to haria you; only you
must submit to being bound for the
rest of the night. I will make you as
comfortable as possible.”
I picked him up and carried him
with difficulty to one of the bedrooms
upstairs. After placing him in an easy
position on the bed I tied him securely
to the posts, running the ropes round
and round his body and the bed. He
looked more like a bandaged mummy
than a living being when I had fin
ished.
“Now, you’ll remain there until I call
for you,” I said. “If I catch you at
tempting to escape. I’ll shoot yon.”
I placed my revolver at his temple as
I spoke to emphasize ray words. He
looked frightened and shook his head
vigorously.
Then I left him, locking the daor and
windows securely, and returned to the
scene of our recent struggle. I lighted
a lamp long enough to give me an op
portunity to clean up things which we
had displaced in our struggle. I want
ed everything to appear natural when
tbe doctor returned home.
Leaving a dim light burning in the
kitchen. I took the front door key with
me and stepped out into the tool night
air. “So far so good.” I said to my
self. It was then half past 8, and 1
had half an hour in which to reach
the Stetson mansion in time to meet
my appointment.
[continued.l
Henderson-Venable-
Miss Rossie Henderson and Mr.
C. E. Venable, were quietly mar
ried at the home of the bride’s par
ents at Bochee last Wednesday at
3:30 p. m, only a few relatives
and friends being present.
The room was beautifully decor
ated in green and white. Immedi
ately after the marriage the couple
departed for the home of the groom.
The young poeple are very popu
lar and we wish for them a success
ful and happy life.
Not a bit of use to endure the
tortures of rheumatic pains when
there's a sure relief in reach. Ra
mon’s Nerve and Bone Oil goes
“right to the spot.” and acts like
magic. It not only relieves the
nain instantly, but, if its use is con
-11. cures the disease. Get the
gei cq Ramon’s —every bottle
’ the name of Brown Manufac
d .1 j Cos.
IIABTORIA.
E *ti Kind Van Haffl Aiwa/s Bought
fw
..
AYegTFrA '. ' ' rparalionforAs-
Gimilati: "sL.r;odandßegula
ting the Stomachs nod Bowels of
Promotes Digeslion,Cheerful
ness and Rest. Contains neither
Opium. Morphine nor Mineral.
>otA t .\rcotic.
frapt offMnr&WUELPITCJWt
ISvnptdn Seed- * .
Mx. Senna *
Roelre.lte Sal*tf —f
Stni-x Seed * l
/teyjenrwtt - }
Bi C-r/SansitpSoda e 1
ffirmSeed. - 1
Cifinhed Sugar
Winteryreen Flavor. /
Aperfecl Remedy forConstipa
fion, Sour Stomach,Diarrhoea
Worms .Convulsions .Feverish
ness and Loss OF SLEEP.
Facsimile Signature oF
NEWYQRK.
exact copy or wrapper.
March McClure’s-
The March McClure’9 will not
only be read, it willbeialked about
for many days to come. Lincoln
Steffen's “The Shamelessness of
St. Louis” is an article that can’t
be dodged; it is, indeed, as Mr.
Steff ns says “something new in
the history of American municipal
democracy.” The terrible story
of the despoilment of a great city
by professional boodlers has never
been so powerfully told. Of dis
tinct importance, also, is Samuel
Moffett’s articles “The War on the
Locomotive,.'"' which is a surprising
revelation what the trolley peo
ple are up to, in the new inter
urban development of electric
travel. “Miss-Tar bell's fifth'chap
ter of Standard Oil History treats
of “The Price of Trust Building.”
Frank H. Spearman has a splesdid
character sketch of a remarkable
man, John L- Whitman, jailor of
the Cook County jail, Chicago.
“Whitman —Tamer of Men” is the
name of it. Fiction is plentiful and
first class. Lloyd Osbourne has an
enchanting love story of the South
Seas called “Forty Years Between,
Stewart Edward White begins his
new series of ‘ Blazed Trail” stor
ies with “The Scaler,” a logging
tale such as Mr. White knows best
how to tell. “The Conversion of
Father Cassidv” is the best of all
Herminie Templeton’s Irish stor
ies. “Love Among the Black
boards,” by Myra Kelly, recounts
the very diverting experiences of'
“Teacher,” in an East Side school;
“A Castle in Spain,”' by Justus
Miles Forman a story of two un
conventional young people who in
terfered in a conventional engage
ment; and “The White Glory,” by
Keene Abbott, tells off an old coun
try doctor’s last visit to his dying
friend.
Arthur Stanvvood Pier’s new
novel, “The Triumph,” is in its
second installment, and promises
to be as good a story as is any
where running serially today.
Query That Stunned Tillman-
Senator Tillman was once seot
by the Democratic Congressional
Committee out to Kentucky to
orate for the ticket, says the Balti
more News. The first speech he
made there up to a certain point
was a great success. He spoke of
the necessity of electing incorrupt
ible men to congress, ‘’such as the
democracy of this district has
chosen to represent the people at
Washington.”
Just at this moment some one in
the crowd interrupted with:
“Would Dr. Claherty sell out?”
“What’s that?” asked Tillman,
somewhat riled at this break in his
train of thoughts.
"Would Dr. Claherty sell out?
repeated the questioner.
“And who the blazes is Dr.
Clahertv?” asked Tillman.
He’- the man you’re asking us
to vote for, came the prompt re
sponse.
The senator was stunned, and
could only blurt out: “I never
heard of him before.”
Kodofl Dyspepsia Curt)
Uiaestn what you eat*
CASTORU
For Infants and Childs
The Kind You Have
Always Bough!
Bears the / ,
Signature
w
Ajp Use
\J For Oyer
Thirty Years
THE CENTAUR rnwNY. NEW YORK CITY.
FARMING '
IN THE SOUTH
The Passenger Department of the flit
nois Central Railroad Com wtny is issu
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growing, vegetable gardening, stock
jaising. dairying, etc., in the states ol
Kentucky,West Tennessee, Mississippi
and Louisiana. Every farmer or home
seeker who will forward his name ant
address to the undersigned, we wil
mail tree. Circulars Nos. 1,2, & 4and 5
and others as they a.e published iron
month to month.
FRED D. MILLER
Trav. Pass. Agt, Illinois Cemrral R. R.
No. I Brown Big. ATLANTA, Ck
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Stains anti finishes floors a*
F ct y u plied-and dries o/r
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