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4 ■s**aw5|e I ATLANTA, GA-, TUESDAY *[011N1NG. JANUARY 5,1880. PRICE FIVE CENTS. “MUCH ADO.” A NOVELETTE. Hy France* Hodgion Burnett., Author of “That Lass o’ Lowries." “Louisiana," “Through One Adminlstrn- •tion," Etc,, Etc. (Copyrighted 1885, b|M*. S.^McCltire. All Right* Iu one of the prettiest rooms In one of the prcttim cottages lu that very prettiest of sum mer resorts, North Brabant, two very charm ing women were spending the morning to gether as they had spent their summer morn ings, indeed, for a number of yearj. Among the brightest recollection of Nell Huntingdon's life were the summer mornings she had spent in this icom with her mother. She had spent them as a child playing with her toys, as a school girl with her lessons, and now, having left dolls and lessons behind, she speut them With a scoro or so of pleasant trifles, but never without the old Reuse of summer holiday enjoyment. In the first* plnco her motner was her delight and pride, and at North Brabant life at the gayest left them so much leisure wherein to make much of each other. In the second the whole world looked beautiful from tlvo windows, though thero seemed lees green earth thnn blue, far-reaching sea, since the water almost lai»i*d the sloping velvet sward of the lawn • when the tide came in. Thirdly, the room was so harmonious; and fourthly, she was so harmonious herself, though thi> last fact hud never, as yet, presented itself to* her as it frequently did to other people. On this particular morning she was stand ing before an easel putting the fluishing touches to a little picture and making the most attrac* live of pictures herself—a trim aud lovely figure iu a close white gown, and with the freshest of sea breexe blown color on her fresh cheeks and lips, and the clearest, limpid light to be imagined in her large, candid eves. They were very sweet and happy eyes, ami the face was a sweet and happy one, of a delicate, high- • bred cast, daintily aud rather proudly cut, tho small head* act on a long throat and given to pretty airy movements, won- rally expressive. “As if.” said one of her ecu si us when she first appeared in society, “as if she hadn't enough without having that added. Why, lust one or two of those little turns of her chin would bo a fortune for any vlrl. There is no uso in trying to iutimate her. 1 have done it by the hour before tho glass, and at the end 1 could only toss my bead, which you never ace her do.” # She made one of these charming, iudcscrih- •‘- ,l *“ —i-her mother, who had “ tho words:- i.Jvvr vUitli), Ha r CtfuT*. m, v$ “I should certainly never think of it, mam* inn,” she ralu, and hr tho turn of her pretty throat there was a touch of hauteur. “What crime,” her mother wontou, “against respectability and good taste has not that young man committed ? It is unfortunately too tiue that there can be no doubt that nil that is taid Is said <fti good authority, aucl yet there are girls who aro as famaliar with him as they arc with Donald, who is tho host and manliot fellow in tho world.” Nell lifted her head again most charmingly. “He will not know me familiarly," sho said. “I may not be abio to avoid meeting him, but I think I can avoid knowing him very well.” Mrs. Huntington glanced out of the window, held her embroidery poised a moment, and then uttered a faint exclamation. ^ “Thero ho is!" she said, “at this very mo ment. And I must say J think his facu bears the imprint of his character.” Whether or uot it is to be regretted that Miss Huntingdon moved with a hurried, gliding Btcp towards tho window is a matter to be set tled only by debate among tboso who ditl'er. Let those who regret it, mourn. She did so and fctood with her luilctto on her pretty thumb, gazing out at the two young men, who were pacing tho hedge dividing the sido of the grounds from the street. “lie has a bad face,” said Mrs. Huntingdon; “a cruel, ruthless face. It might bo handsome but f«*r that.” “He h oks like an athlete,” m|d Nell with a told little impartial.air. "Ho is a great con trast to the other. They are going to play tennis at the Bcvcrlya.” lie wr.s a great contrast to the other. Tho Other was a email young man with blonde liair and a good but rather uninteresting little blonde face, and with thin little legs which Were not showy when displayed by tho un sparing rigors of a tennis suit; ho had au in nocently pure complexion and confiding blue eyes, and he carried his racquet peacefully and with no immodest, conquering airs. His companion towered above him almost head and shoulders; his dark blue tenuis suit offer ed a premium to the banishment of more pro saic and conventional garment*; he was a great, strong, swift, muscular creature; he wore a red licit and a red cap, he had a dark, Strongly marked aquiline face, big black eyes with a boldly roving glance—rather fierce eyes with heavy lashes, U ml he bore his racquet over his shoulder with a jaunty and daro-devil case. "I suppose it is the result of the life he has led,” said Mrs. Huntingdon with a sigh. “He would be handsome if it were not for that un mistakable stamp, but as it is it is the wicked beauty of some cruel savage animal. He re minds iuc of a panther.” It was just at this moment that the two men passed the part of the hedge directly opposito the window, aud as they did ao the boldly roving black eyes, led by some subtle mag netism, were raised suddeuly and swept with a broad glance the green barrier, tho lilt of Aide lawn and the faces in the window them selves and having noted the girl in the back ground allowed a great flash of pleasure before they turned away. A light cloud of color swept Nell's face, but gbo did not stir. “They are going t>> practice for the tcunis match." she said. “I remember that Marion Beverly s;»oke of it yesterday. They said that both the Mr. Hamiltons played perfcrtly. You Raul Hamilton, didn't you, mamma V” "Yts. my dear.” “Then, said Nell, “I suppose the tall one is be one they call'Jack* Hamilton. He could Slot possibly be the one they call ‘WiUie.' 1 think ‘Willie’ must be the little, fair one." "Oh, I should certainly be inclined to fancy Bo,” answered Mrs. Huntingluii. “though I Was not told their first names. They were pointed out tome when I was calling at the ifeltons and*I was told one or two unpeasant Stories. I have beard others since." “I feel ture the blonde one is Willie,” said Kellie. "It would be such an absurd name for be otaer.” . She went hack to heT ea*el and began work Again. Her mother resumed her Kcnsiacton —there w»s a little silence. It was 3lr». Huntingdon who broke it, glancing across the hedge at the Beverly s’ lawn as she spoke. “Yea. they are evidently to play tennis,*’ she Raid. "They have come out with Marian and Hester. Of course the small one Is paired oil. with Hester, who looks taller than ever, llo is with Marian and makes her seem like a child.” “He!” said Nell. ‘The one they call Jack,” explained Mrs. Huntingdon a trifle hastily. “Mr. John Ham ilton, I suppose one should say. Ah!” turniug toward the door with aslight start, “good morn ing, Maria.” It cannot lie said that she seemed very great ly delighted at tho appearance of her visitor and relative, but then Mrs. Maria Huntingdon's friends ami acquaintances were not given to evincing symptoms of rupture at her approach —“approach," in fact. Wing scarcely an appro priate word. 31rs. Maria rather boro down upon her friends after tho man ner of a fine man-of-war on the lookout for prizes. There was no nonsense about Mrs. Maria Huutiugdon. There had been none when she was a handsome, eagle- eyed young woman, and thero was none uow when she was an uuli&ndsomc, eagle-nosed old one. with solidly established reputation for being the strongest willed and most disagree- able elderly matron ever inspired l*y tho noble and not-to-be-set-aside intention ol* trampling down, scarifying and subduing nil such reckless and presumptuous persons as took tho liberty of existing m her fine, fresh, northeasterly at mosphere. She was indeed a greater joy to licrself than to her immediate relatives and acquaintances. Aa far ns she was concerned she was well satisfied. Sho had had a career. She Imd visited foreign lands in a true mission ary and board of health spirit, and returning had written volumes calling attention to the drainage of Floreucc, tho dampness of Romo and tho moral condition of females ou tho banks of the Bosphorus: she hod given to the world her personal opinion of all great men, move ments and things, with . liberal suggestions as to the inevitable result to tho universo if her advice upon all points were not promptly fol lowed and credit bestowed where credit was deserved. She indicted lo ttersto newspapers,reviews,cs- ssavs, attacks on wfotigs and weaknesses it was plainly her duty to attend to; sho wroto with a fine faith in herself aud contempt for every one else, which could not fail to tell. Sho was “a literary woman,” as she intended to bo; sho sought out and pursued aud hunted down with fell determination nil persons of note whoso unhappy futo it w*as to wield a pen. She advanced across the room with martial tread, “Good morning, "Isabel," she said, “good morning, Helen. I have just walked over from Owlet's Nest. It is a delightful morning. You ought to be out—both of yon.” Nell lifted her head a little from her work. “That would have deprived us of the pleasure of seeing you,” she remarked. “So it would,” said Mrs. Maria Huntingdon with proper appreciation of tho painfulucss of such a contingency. “And I should not have liked to ndss you myself this niorniug, hut me led ns if 1 must take a walk Immediately.’ Her relative gave her a sliarp glance. Thero had been moments when sho had wondered vaguely if her sterling worth and fino practical common sense were appreciated and valued by her iicicc Helena as they deserved. Tho soft and refined voice and soft and refined manner of that young person inspired her at times with straugc uncertainties. She would have been pleased to have had something more defi nite to confront. “Well,” she said, “you cannot go now, though if you tnkc my advico you will walk at least three miles a ilny. Everybody should. I do. I have done it all my life; iu all weath ers. I owe ali I havo accomplished to it. You can always put on a waterproof and rubbers. But this morning 1 came to talk to you about something I have in view for ne\t Tuesday.” “Mrs. Wadsworth gives a party next Tues day,” suggested Nell. “That need not interfere with me. I shall have Professor Cbattcrton.” “Indeed!” exclaimed Sirs. Huntingdon. “You havo met him J” “No,” with imlomitnblo composure. “Not yet. He is to have a reception at the Morri sons tomorrow aud 1 shall meet him there aud invite him vo vis me. Then 1 shall give him a reception on Tuesday.” Professor Chatter;on was nn English literary star of great magnitude. Jlc was indeed a magnificent heavy weight aud stately poten tate before whom all good Americans bowed, nml whom they had worshipped from afar many years. He bad come .over after the manner of distinguished tourists to give his worshipers a nearer view, and was wending his way through the country attended by ova tions. “Don't you think it is likely that lie will have a great number of engagements,” sug gested Mrs. Huntingdon. “1 havo no doubt of it, hut he ought to sec North Brabant—being an Englishman, a summer resort of 'this description is new to him. I shall make the evening literary and musical. I shkll read my Otorammagau. Nell must sing. I shall send for I*rofc.sv>r Loftns aud (Bailings, and several other liter ary people.” “Arc you sure they will be able to come?” said Nell, "just at this season of tho year you know ” Mrs. Huntingdon interrupted her with deci sion. “Of course I hey will come,” she said. “They will know 1 .‘hall cx|»cct them, and they will will be delighted to meet Professor Cbattcrton at my house.” The jitrsons she had referred to were scat tered over the country at di/ferent summer re sort?, but sho knew no fear or doubt of being able to rout them out and hustle them forth from their fastnesses and present them to her distinguished guest as products of her own genius aud executive ability. People who hated and abhorred her and curbed her name in decent privacy would give up to her through a sort of incomprehensible weakness or a de sire to meet her Hon. She ordered Nell to produce paper and pen cil and wrote down a list of her mot impor tant guests. Neither dignity, powci nor place appalled her. People who had barely exchang ed half n dozen words with her. people who knew of her only as a pragmatical, dictatori.il elderly female who had spoiled some distant dinner party and embittered tho courses by sitting next to tbcm and haranguing them ou the subject of her own dearly doiirn.il opinions — all went to swell the list. “I shall go to see the Morses and the Den- mars and the Blakes and the Herrings ” she raid in a ringing, sonorous voice. "You are never sure of tbcm unless you see them and impress yourself upon them. It is not agreea ble not to be able to depend on people,” There were occasions when sho trusted her self to no weak dallying with notes, but pur sued her quarry to the earth and closed up all avenues of escape. Che wa£n Cue form this morning, and at no moment in finer form than when, having ex hausted the subject of her party for the tiiuo tolcg. the turned towards the window and ob served the tennis players across the way. "Who are those men playing tennis with the Beverly girls?” she asked, setting her eye- glrsics on the arch of her nose. "Mr. John and Mr. William Hamilton," an swered Mrs. Huntingdon, decorously. “What!” she exclaimed, “John Hamilton! I knew Ids father. His mother was.a Tempest. His aunt Arabella married William Vernon Dowlas. Fosdick Dowlas was a great friend of mine. The Dowlases were remarkable. Is la rather strange that he has not called on me: They ought both to havo called.” She turned and looked at Nell. “Do you know him?” she inquired. “Not at all,” said Nell. “Really, Marin,” said Mrs. Huntingdon. “It is not plrasaut to repeat such things, but— biff lie is ssid to lw not at all a nicOyonng man.” “Nonsense?” comuieuted Mrs Huntingdon, in dariou tones. “I knew* his father, and the Dowlases were irreproachable. Foj- tick finally married Jane Howland, grand daughter of Hal lam Bcariiam,” She went oil* into a pleasingly minute, de tailed accouut of the geuoalogic.s of ten or twelve different families, distinguished either by their relationship to John Hamilton and his relationship to Fosdick Dowlas, or by their acquaintance with herself. Mrs, Huntingdon listened to it patiently, but Nell, finding it difficult to give Her attention to her work, laid her brush down and sought about for tempor ary cutcrtninment. Sho certainly had not thought of watching the game of tennis ami Mr. John Hamilton, turniug himself about with lit her leaps and dashes after tho flying balls; but as thero was really uothing nearer to nttrmt her she was guilty, at first half un- coLM-iouslv, of giving him her countenance .*> far.RS to follow his movements. It was hi* movements she followed more particularly to- cause he played so very well—even better than Marian and Hester, who wero champions, in their way. Their movements were robbed of some of their freedom and graro bv skirts and appendages. Mr. Jack Hamilton, in blue flan nel and scarlet can, had no appendages hut magnificent strength, a superb swiftness of mo tion and a most enviable skill. He combined with height and muscle a grace and alertness which made him rather well worth looking at. It was also evident that ho enjoyed his game and that the other players shared his interest. There was such gay vigor init that it was not long before Nell found herself sharing it also, and being somewhat eluted by it nnd a trifle excited us the game progressed. Mr*. Maria Huntingdon's monologue upou tho genealogies of her acquaintance went on relentlessly and Mrs. Huntingdon submitted herself to it after the manner of good and graceful gentlewomen sore pressed by a superior force. In her well-bred efforts to show a proper degreo of interest in the Fosdick Dowlas aud the Miss Anne Starkweather, who married Bolton Bowdoin’s cousin Mildred lloldworth’s Aunt Hcpworth's sister, sho had almost forgotten Nell. Quite suddenly, however, her attention was drawn to her by a slight sound. Nothing less than a soft clap of hands struck once to gether in swift, unconscious applause. “Ab,” exclaimed Nell, “bow wcllthatwns done. How well ho plays.” “He?” said Mrs. Huntingdon In her turh. “Mr. llamiltouninanfma.” said Nell. jESyhHggr w ^ Willi TOidd lift ettif In her voire. “Mr.—-Mr. John Hamilton, mac nia," and she moved a little away from tho window, with the color rising to her chocks. She had just realized in perturbation nnd proper confusion that flic had been watching the wrong Mr. Hamilton. She would proba bly have felt still greater confusion if she had kuoun that he had also been watchiug her— that the had scarcely once given her attention to the other players without the boldly, hand some eves turning themselves upon her, nnd taking iu ull the fairness the vino-draped wiu- dow framed. It might also, perhaps, bo con- ftssed that nn inordinate male vanity, feed ing itself furtively upon the fact that such fail nets dwelt with interest on its effort*, re doubled them amt made tho most of the op portunities afforded l»y their display. Tho wrong Mr. Hamilton was but dust, and though lie would not have played indifferently under any circumstance*, might have played a triflo less well if he Imd not been basely conscious of an audience. Such, indeed, is man. “Whose is the place across the way?” lie asked Marian Bcvciy in a pause of their play. “Mrs. Huntingdon’s,” was the reply. “Ndl Huntingdon isone of our intinmto friends. Wo used to play ball together across the hedges when we were children. 1 saw* her at the. window n few moments ngo. Him is very pret ty.” “Huntingdon!” exclaimed the small blonde Hamilton. "There’s Don Huntingdon wo met hi Paris. Any relation to him, 1 wonder?'' "Don!” cried Marian. “Do you know Don? Jlc Is the, nierst follow ill the world. Wo have known him all our lives. We adore and revere him and so din s Nell.” "My cousin knows hhu,” said the young man, touching his warm infantile brow with a delicate little handkerchief. Mr. Jack Hamilton Hushed. Hester Beverly remarked the flush and wondered at it. lie had rather a fierce fashion of knitting his Lin k brow and biting his lip—ho did both just now and answered somewhat hurriedly, mining away as lm spoke: "Ah, yes, 1 know him,” he said. “One would have thought ho did not like him,” raid Hester to Mariuu afterward*. ' “And how couldanvono help liking Donald Huntingdon? But those big, black men havo a way of lookiug like brigands on such small provocation. Do you think wc might plume oumdves, Marian, tlmt ho was jealous because wc prised Donald so?” “No, I don’t,” said Marian. “So we won’t go astray for a trifle. They may have quarreled about Fomething and 1 should fancy he knew ho#. He may he mild as a dove hut he was 1*01 n with n piratical aspect, which we’ll hope helfrs him.” Mi«. Maria Huntingdon presented herself at the Mot risen reception. She appeared early on the field and made her presence felt in her ufu&I attractive manner throughout the even ing. She permeated tho atmosphere and ob literated the surroundings and carried herself well to the front. Her effect upou Professor ( hatterton was ull that would have been de sired. A morn bewildered nnd privately em barrassed elderly person is seldom seen than this gentleman became after half au hour's con- vcrralion with her. Ho had lu-ard that the Americans were an extraordinary people and that American females of powerful intellect were fearfully nnd wonderfully made. Find ing himself confronted bv an unflinching el derly person who knew all about him and whose belief that he and the universe knew all about hertell was apparently founded upon u rock, he togan to feel somewhat staggered. Hhe spoko casually, but with no trival modesty,of “my books,” "my essays.” * ray publishers,” and he wondered at himself that be had not heard of her before. Here was a lady, evidently of the most miraculous attainments, of whom lie knew nothing; he knew the person of whom sbe spoke a* being her intimate acquaintance.*: some of them wore world-wide fame, and her familiarly with tbcm was quite interesting. | Hi was not at ali sure why he found himvdf under strict braid to visit Miss Maria Hunting don ar.d b» presented to North Ural<uit under l-.< r an spin s—he was very vague about ft. In secret he did not wish to go and preferred not to Ik- so triteimined. If he would have ad- n iiUd it with manly frankness, he did riot like Mi*. Maria Huntingdon and was totally at u Ig-.ii a- to how her grandparents should to rTstinfeui.-licd by the mere fact of being grand- [ parents and having liorno her immediate pro genitors ns offspring, hut he had wavered aud fallen into the snare of their posterity nnd was to go to North Brabant. And In some way he connected the wholo affair with tho boots of General Washington. It was on tho morning of the day on which he was to arrive at North Brabant that Nell Huntingdon, in glancing at her mother, who was rending her morning's letters, saw upon her face a somewhat disturbed expression. "Are you reading Donald’s lettor, mamma?” she inquired with swift anxiety. 31 rs. Huntingdon looked up. “Yes, dear,” sho answered. “And—” “And what, mamma?” asked Noll. “He sneaks of tho two Hamilton*.” Miss Huntingdon ldushcd quite suddenly. H:c had a thin, pure skiu which showed color quickly. “Ah!”slic exclaimed, rather under breath ar.d involuntarily, mid tlicuadded, “Whatdocs ho say?” “Nothing favorable of Mr. Jack Hamilton, everything that is kind of 3fr. Will. It seems they aru great friends. They met abroad. He says be is one of tho best fellows lie ever met. He docs not know he is here, of course, but Is in hopes that he will come; but this Is very unpleasant. Nell. He hopes that Jack Hamil ton will not bo with him. It seems that tho very wont must be true. Mr. William Hamil ton is very fond of Jaek’s mother, who is n widow, nnd breaking her heart over her only son, aud he tries—Bfr. William tries—to kern an eye on him, and uinko quite a com panion if him iu the hope of influencing him a little. He is the only person who seemstohavo any influemo over him. He has been a head strong, disipated, reckless fellow ever since his boyhood, and lie would have ‘gone to the docs'—that is Don's expression—long ago if it had not been for his cousin, lie even says his dissipated habits are uot the worst; that lie is tricky aud sharp enough to know liow to de ceive people who don’t know hiui. He says: 'Ho deceived mo eloverly enough at first. His looks are his strong point nud he knows how to make capital of them.” “That is because he is so handsome,” said Nell indignantly. “It is a cruel and unfair thing that such beauty should be given to such a man! It becomes detestable.” 31rs. Huntingdon looked up with a slightly startled expression. ‘‘Is he so very handsome?” sho said un easily. “Yes,” said Nell, “when one is near him—* “Near him!” cxclaimod her mother. “JIavo you seen him sinco he w*ns playing tennis with the Beverly’s Nell?” “Oh, mamma,” raid Nell, breaking down into the prettiest distress iu the world, “I (lid not mean to tell you liecause 1 thought it would disturb you, but—hut I have sceu him a great many times. I havo scarcely toon out dhee without meeting him. I—it almost seems as if- yes, ns If he did it on purpose—though that ran hardly to possible.” “It* is .ihst vfht such a man would do,” ln> ICtntptfd Hcr^^hcr. “It wo\j|fi bfe hfs icr. “H would be h jrfSfcn A FRONTIER LOVER. II tee Frople Don't Suit Me and X Don’t Bait TUcm"-Dancing at the Uanoh-The Slide to Church and What Happeuod After- waid-The Slaying of tho OlrL e? showrffi Nell drew lu/rsclf op ftdh. “Hip admirat'ion ?" sho repeated. “Of me, mamma?” “Ali, Nell,” said her mother, almost pitying ly, “it Is just such women ns you are who aro admired by just such men as he.” “Then,” said Nell, haughtily, “I wish that I were—were different.'’ “No, no*, iny dear,” protested Mrs. Hunting don; “I wish that ho were different! If hn were different—with all that charm and strength—think what he might lie?” [ <0 NT IN IK HIX Or It NKXT.l “WHAT IF I HIlOOT YOlir ‘•TIimi Yon Can’t Huso Any Toy*," Haiti t.ittlo Tommie Jolly to llnvlil Sottlcmcycr. From the Charlotte. N. observer, Thomas Jolly, a lad aged thirteen years, shot and killed a young coini»nniuu named David \V. Bcttlcmcyer, in Cleveland county last Cliristmm: morning, avtlio house of young Bettlcmeyor’a father, Mr. J. J. Bettlemeyer, who keeps a ferry near Shelby. 31 r. Betllemcyer nnd his wife loft homo (’lirutmaH eve, leaving young David uud the Jolty boy, who was visiting him, in the house iu chnrgo of the housekeeper. Before leaving the parents filled a bureau drawer with toys and t bristmas tricks for the two boys, and at :{o’clock Christmas morning, the Imys waked and striking a light proceeded to ex plore the mysteries of the coveted drawer. Mr. Bcttlcmcycr's gun was standing by the bureau, ami after the two boys Imd sat- bflctl themselves as to what Santa ('laus hail lift them, young Jolly picked up tho gun and pointed it at young Bettlemeyer. “Now what If I was to shoot you,” he said playfully; “you cculdn’t have any toys.” The gun was pointed at young Hcttlenicycr’s leg nt tho time, nnd when Bettlemeyer mndo a movo to grasp the gun. Jolly drew hack the w<-ni*ou. As he did so the hammer struck upaimt a tabic, causing the chnrgo in the gun to explode, and the load of shot toro through young Settlcmeycr's leg. The wound was a t» iriblc one nnd bled profusely, the flesh being torn away in large stri|M and tho hones of tiio h g broken. The housekce)N>r rendered such aid as bhc was capable of under the cir- cumstances, while young Jolly was riix- |K<tch(d for a tfoctor. Surgical aid did not arrive until in the afternoon, nnd tlicu the hoy's leg was amputated close to the thigh. Ti e young sufferer was in a weak and exhaust ed condition, however, and never rallied from the operation. He died nt two o’clock on .Sun day morning. This affair is another of those unfortunate accidents duo to the careless use of firearms, whiqli arc of such frequent occur rence, and which carry lessons that unhappily arc two often unheeded. COOL AND TACITlift N. A Hero I’revenU tliel.on* of Several Human Lives. Cincinnati, O., January 1.—The coolness and heroism of John Brecklcy, foreman of a gang of street workmen, probably saved sev eral lives yesterday. Eight or ten men under his direction were rejiairing a leakage in a fotty inch main, comer of Eighth street and Eggleston avenuf?. They had dug a hole atout twenty feet wjnare and Un feet deep in tho middle of the street, and were quietly at work this morning, when sud denly a round like nn underground explosion was heard from the east bank of the cav ity. Then the earth of one side began to slip away rapidly, and was followed by an over whelming flood of water. “Jump for your lives, toys.” the foreman shout* d, “climb out, climb out, or drown!” The men bepan to scramble up, but it was almost impossible, nml the water poarn-l iu like a mill race, and the heavy banks of earth began crumbling in. Il looked ns though the m« n would Is* caught and drowned like rats in a pit before help could be given, when Brcck- ley called to them to climb up on bis should er*. In that manner every' man was saved: Brecklcy was the last to be palled out of tho* ditch, and when he left it the water was up l » hi* arm pit*. Just as be was drawn out, taro sides of the bole caved in. carrying several tons of earth into th» plare where the men bad been struggling but a moment before. But for Brecklcy’* action several would have been caught lit it and inevitably drowned. Ban Antonio, Texas, Decemlicr 23.—Ridg- ville took its name from old man ItMgway. The old man got his name, ho used to say, from his uncle. His father, who had becu a drunken fanner in North Carolina years nud yenrs ugo, he never mentioned, ltidgway’s front name, it was rommoidy reported, was Absalom Benjamin. He was never kuown by any appellation other than “Old Ab.” Ho was 0 feet high, aud had long given up hunting for a liorsc that could carry him with com fort. He had a voico like a bellows and a heart as big as a barrel. He had been a hard working man in his youth, nud in Ids ago uud idleness owned atont half tho county. Ho Imd n hundred different brands of cattlo and hu.-WR. His wire fenco measured 130 miles. It was twenty miles from his front goto to his house, and four from the house to tho back gale. He employed legions of Bfcxicuu nud American line riders and vat pier os. He was a voluble swearer, nnd exercised himself on them. It was believed that if old Ab could uot havo villiflcd 200 or 300 men boforo dinner Ins ap petite wonld have gono from him. Ho roio with the day, nnd went to bed with tho wild birds that lived iu his principality of a pas ture. Ho chewed, he smoked, lie drank. Ho was sixty-flvo yenrs old and ns strong as an ox. Ho wns a millionaire twico over, and lived on bicad, bacon nnd black eoflfoo twenty-ono times a week. He wns foml of his heinous name, and had given it to everything ho owned. The ranch wns Ahton, the creek which ran through it wusAb creek; he had posdblya icore of horses called Ab; his chief brand was a tremendous A It, and his only (laughter ho hnd blessed ns A bln. His wife Imd died years before—pined nnd sickcucd and died of too much Ah*. AN IMPSTVOCR (URL. Tho gill was a good girl enough, ami a very pretty one. Having heard nil her life of her father’s dollars, sho carried her head high and stepped liko a filly. Bho had au imperious way of looking at you out of a pair of largo gray eyes, aud sho had seen so many poons lashed, and jiossikly lashed so many horsclf, that sho seemed more thnn half Inclined to lSy her heavy ridiug whip on the shoulder* of any man who lulled to skip liko a jack-in-the- box to do her biddiug. Bho had tho typical Texas oducstloj iruiu mil’ niiv ui o rei re. uicu reaicu two yean, then gone on north for two ream and returned —18years old, plump and domineering, with enough French to show that sho hadn’t any, a (mattering of geography nud history, no mathe matics whatever, no needlework, lots of cro chet, a savago lmud for tho piano, a nameless aral>C£quo stylo in ribbons and bustles, a rat tling tongiio in her head—and graduated. In Ridgvlllo alio wns envied, hated, caressed, ami a model. Ou Ab Creek sho was an object of admiration, aud nt ninuy n camp-flro tho sibi lant toast of tho Mexico borders. To old Ab she was a revelation, nn incarnation of the true, the hcauti- full aud good. “My gnl, ’ he wo.ild say, “1,ord God Almighty! there nin,t no gal tike my gal in forty states. Git down nnd come right In. Just let her tulk to you; to* her pluy tho piauncr for you,” nml tho visitor would sit open-mouthed and rant while Alba thumped “Silvery Waves” from the uow Stein- way grand. A QFRKR COMMUNITY. That was u queer community iu Winn coun ty. Tho elder half of it had religion ami frewned on dancing with the frown of Dens; th younger, which in Us own time.would also gc i religion, thought there was no aim iu life but tho "hoc down;” no ambition higher thun fat ilo execution of the siiufllo nnd “sasshay;” no heaven Imt what thoy were pleased lo ttrm th- “round waltz.” Her auimal spirits cr.iried her through tho hauling quadrille*,hilt ?hu could not dance with men who bobbed stiff ly up nml down, or revolved all night in a cir cle two or three yards "In diameter. Bo It happened that clone on midnight, with her beautiful silk strained and torn, and every htno iu her feeling a* if tho prancing Ridg- ville youth hnd stamped them Instead of tho floor, she put her lioud out of the window and toeku breath of fresh air. It was a moonlit night, nnd moonlight in southern Texas mean*; light. Thu lUtlo town lay quiet in the randy streets, and the haru court house plaza looked liko a giant table-cloth spread for a feast ef night spirits. There wns a slow mur mur iu the nir, aud tho cottouwoods that grow along the nrroya quivered liko silver. 1NTROIH.CINO .IIM FOR NY. “My dance, I think,” said a voico behind her. Bho turned and saw a tall, straight young fellow, with wide-open black eyes. Ilo was dressed hi the frontier full dress—a clean shirt and other clothes—nnd looked at her with a stare of ndmiration which was not in the least offensive, because ho had no idea that it would prove so. “J'lcnnc excuse me, Jim,” said the girl. “I mn danced to a stand-still. Tho Rldgvilto folk* uru wdl meaning, bat violent. 3fv bone* cry aloud for peace, peace, nnd there Is no ponce.” “You look astonished that I do not caroto dance with you. Why ahonid l? You can’t dance. You only hop. You have no training. You can’t talk. You arc dressed like a mixture of butcher and Sunday clerk. You ought to go to school.” Forny had known Bliss Rldgwny from baby hood. He had plavcd with her when she was a skinny-legged chit, tearing her stockings in the < Impparal. Ho had even sat with her ou the uinic bench, under the village pedagogue. “Kx to school,” ho said, slowly and painful ly. “I’ve been to school right hero, an’ you knows it. Au’ what's more. I know’d more them days as you did. But I ain’t bin north to learn howto spen’ money furfino flxin*. an’ time hack an’ stmt prodijus over old frit ns.” lie rose and moved away, the hot blood toll ing in him. Ho turned and looked back at her one*. HD face was set and pale hnd hi* Mark eyes frightfully dilated. “An awful temper that,” she said. "I’ll i.cvtrknow thc*o people again. Del did wrong to send me away. I do not suit them row. and tiny do not suit me.” Bho felt wcaiy-nnd chi I ltd. * . Her father leaned against the wall, his ponderous figure: rolling tlightlyas to talked excitedly of the drouth ton knot of neighbor lug ttotkmcu. Old Ab took her tired face in his two great hands, then stared at his companions with a queer inyrtifimtion: “You're clean hroko down, Ably,” ho raid, genially, “just trotted right off yer hoofs. Let me tell log to bring ioun' the bones. They clattered (tom the door, the girl sitting in the saddle, true and straight. She had sped through the undergrowth many a timoand oft, and lashed her horse in a fronxy of de light as the thorny limhe swept by her. BUu wss a beautiful woman, as she rode with head tont back and hands low in the yellow moon light. A SOCIAL PRODLRM. Is there anvthing canine In a man .that ho should love the hand that beats him? Is there nn occult principle which impels him to fawn tindjcrlnge for the word that hurts wor*) than a blow? Why should Foray woo tho woman that had spoken him roughly? What was it that dragged him to her feet and held him there for his mistress to tread upou, then spurn?- He did not know. Ho was a plain man, young, and, in lib way, very strong. Ho was n bard rider and good shot, well liked, fair looking, tolerably oil', of some influence among the people of hta methods of Hfo. But bo was putty under the skillful fingers of the 18-ycar-oUl girl, nnd he hated himself for it. Sometimes ho hated her, too. Ho had a fashion, when they were riding together, which they did often, of dropping back aud. muttering to. himself. Sho generally rodn straight on, with an amused smile on her Hi*, but sometimes turned nronnd and goad' d him to fresh madness. It never occurred to her free young spirit that sho was treading on thin-crusted quicksands. THU Ring TO CHURCH. The peoplo of Winu county will long re member that Sunday morning In Btay, 1883. Tho spring branding was over. It had toon a good year, Thero had been plenty of wator, the gnu green as if inspired. No disease had blighted the herds and the hearts of tho hon est rattle folk were happy. Old Ab stood iu the door of his white framo house and slashed his toot with his whip. There was a frown on his face and he grumbled furiously under his breath. His horse, a powerful bluish animal, stood ready saddled, and a ragged Mexican held tho bridle, industriously sucking n cigarette. Ab intended visiting some of his many camps and Alda was going to church. Ho was waiting to kiss her good- by. lie never troubled his unkempt head con cerning her escort. Ho took it for grauteil that Forney was tho mun. Between lib daughter and the young stockman there lay so wide a gulf of station, education, breed ing, everything that goes to make a difference in his eyes, that a marital union of the two was something to bo chuckled over, treated ns a joke, unworthy of ncrioua thought. That Forny did not coin cide with him was evident. “I’m a-goln' to church,” he remarked, def erentially, “an’s Abla’s a-goin’ too. Bo sho ready?” "Ready? b—11! no,” said the father. “Nsvcr was ready in her life. When we uns Ktsu’s hysr tell wo grows to tho floor she'll conieskipping'lougan' pull ns np—maybt.” T1IKLAHT WAITIKti. Foray satdowu resignedly andSvalted. His face was palo and boro a certain look of detor- Inntion. He bad been talking to himself »« iia), and-bad sternly av»» vrd hb purposo Ij l*nt it to the touch that very’day. ’•There- ain't no reason Air her to Kay no,” ho had mut tered; “but, dem It,thero niu’t no reason in her. Here bo I, healthy, an’ good-natured, an’ wil lin’, a better man by a infernal long shotai old Ab were nt my age -on’ I'm ngom’ to ax her. Ef alio says no. I'll—and horn he had broken off aud rnfu*vl to entertain the possibility of her rcftisal. If » heard a voice lilting overhead nnd a light foot patting the stairs. “Been n-waitlu', an’ a-stompln' and chawin' my bit fur two hours, h'gum,” said old Ab. ‘•IVhy'n in the narno o' w-nw, gal, can’t you dress like ycr mammy useter? When tho obi woman got ready to go anywheres, hIiojtret tuk 'll dashed sonic water on her face, kcr/ip, him! she were off.” “Because.” responded the daughter, “tho girls at school wore something besides cold water.” Ah kissed his daughter hurriedly, looked humbly at Forny and rodo away. T hu latter bail sprung from the stepsjill awkwardness and delight, nml stood ready to assist his mistress to the saddle. Blie placed ono tiny foot Is tho hollow of his broad palm, and, with a bound, was off and away, leaving him to follow. AN UNKASY ItIDK. Tho very incarnutioti of cross purpose w u in her. When ho caught her, after a length ened chase, sbe would not rido with him. If ho walked, she cantered; if he cantered *hu walked. Khe was first on ono side of the road, then on the other, riding at full speed ahead and flicking with her whip nt tho over-hang ing branches, coming behind him with a wild rush, giving him enough to do to sit hb half- tamul horse. It seemed to him that sho saw hb purposo and was determined to balk him. It maddened him. The tan was hot, anil its heat added to the fever that surged In hb veins. When they reach ed the little log hut called by courtesy "81- loam f 'hurch,” sho was Aill fifty yards In ad vance, while he was plodding along quietly and wearily. Khe sprang lightly to the ground and entered alone. He saw hb sweetheart far to the front among a bevy of nibtic tollcs, and knew she had taken her po sition to bar bis presence. He looked around and spying a vacant bench to tho roar uncon sciously took a scat on it. Hbhat lay unheeded on tho floor, as he sat perfectly still with head level on hb breast. A ray of Minlight came through a crack In tho roof and fluttered boldly through her brown hair, lie could see the tresses turn to gold under its warm touch and mark tho clear blood iu her rlicck. Bhc want physical model of a woman. He, n poor, plain man, with nothing to reconi- mind him save ability to long and suffer, Bho was far out of his reach, bo thought. THE R|FEN>:f» FRUIT. But might uot some other man pluck tho ripened |«cach? With the thought, tho blood surged to lib check and ho threw hb head up like a startled tiger. Once Forny saw her give her band to a young clerk in or.c of the two stores that Rfdgvlllo bisMcd. The boy, he was little more, held her ungloved band unnecessarily long, the lover thought, and hb brain throbbed to bunding. Thc u u great calm came over hiui, and he l'uew that something had been bora within him tlmt he could no more control than he could direct- the wiud*. He waited for the girl quietly, and only half smiled as she looked at him closely to Range the extent of hb suffering. 8he saw something In lib wan. dark fsce—she could not have told what—that sobered her—she could not have told why. They mounted the hones prosaically enough and went down the road silently together. The people stood watching them. The heat came down in straight shafts, and on the wide fields there waa an intense light. Three hun dred yards from tho church they entered the wood-* that stood solid nnd dark. Tho trees seemed to close behind them as a wall. When the sun was low old Ab found them. Forny bod fallen arro« her body with hi * f u » in the rand. When they raised him up tho white glistening narticlea clung to hit curly hair like diamond dnst. Pinned to tho to3oai of her dress was a note in his labored hand. Bhc had been to school, it b sai l, and wu too K od for him. No other man should have her. ha had shot her. -Ti ll old AV’so tho m*U nn, “1 hated to do It. Bhc was uot u g* ! girl, but she was hb to the lari. I (lid not oven. kiM her after she wai dead,” m D INDISTINCT PRINT