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ISSUED TWICE A WBBK?WUDNBSDAT A3NTD SATURDAY. t. m. grist & sons, Publishers, j g. jfamilg gfeuisgaper: <dfor the promotion of the {political, Social, Agricultural, and Commtrtial Interests of the ?outh. I T^raa?'?core RiiNcENTO.'<CE' VOL. 43. YORKVILLE, 8. C., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1897. NO. 20. ROB Mc< BY MABTHA McCl Copyright, 1896, by the Author. Synopsis of Previous Installments. In order that new readers of The Enquirer may begin with the following installment of this story, and understand it just the same as though they had read it all from the beginning, we here give a synopsis of that portion of it which has already been published: Chapter I.?Life in Walnut Creek, in Tennessee, centers around Topmark's store. Magnolia Tubbs, a mysterious newcomer in the neighborhood, not with out attractions of a coarse type, is a nocturnal caller on Topmark. Chapter II.?Mrs. Topmark dies from the poison of herbs brought to the store by a charm working Negress, ostensibly to kill mice. Gossips and a managing mamma are trying to bring about a match between Topmark's niece, Alice Winfold, and aristocratic Colonel Talbot's son Jack. But spirited Rob McGregor, heiress ol Roscoe, has been before Jack's eyes from childhood. Chapter III.?Topmark covets the Roscoe acres, which are heavily mortgaged and adjoin bis own. Rob is the mainstay and comfort of her widowed and blind father. Chapter IV.?Jack Talbot is a frequent calleJ at Roscoe. So is the newly made widower Topmark. Jack proposes to Rob and meets with a good humored repulse. Chapter V.?Magnolia Tubbs holds a mysterious land claim of value, and Topmark seeks to control it. Chapter VI.?Alice Winfold places a stumbling block in the path of true love by telling Rob that Jack has proposed to her. Chapter VII.?Mrs. Talbot prevails upon Jack to act as the escort of Alice Winfold. He does so reluctantly, but ends in trifling with her while his heart is set upon Rob McGregor. Chapter VIII.?A series of mysterious persecutions of the people of Roscoe inaugurated by the theft of Rob's favorite saddle horse, Lightlady. Chapter IX.?Jack drives Alice Winfold to the great annual church meeting. Rob is there in the company of Topmark, having arranged it to spite Jack Talbot . for his supposed double dealing. She believes Alice Winfold's story. Chapter X.?All the gossips have it that Jack Talbot and Alice Winfold are engaged, but Jack again proposes to Rob. She cleverly evades the question. Chapter XI.?Jack Talbot and his mother, ride horseback to church at night. Mrs. Talbot tells Jack of her desire to see him happily married. They are joined by Miss Winfold and Nina and later by Rob and Topmark. Jack overhears an interesting conversation between Rob and the wiaower. CHAPTER XII. "Preaching at early candlelight," the presiding elder had said in giving out the order of services at the close of his Sunday sermon, but it was far past the early dusk before a single minister came. There were three besides Brother Walton. Brother Green, Bethel's incumbent, a poor speaker, but powerful in prayer and unequaled in pastoral labors, was not expected to preach many times. The visitors would do that Still it was in him that the devout founded their hope for a season of refreshing. Wherever he had been sent theretofore revivals had followed his ministry, the hopefnl took heart, the discouraged lifted the head, and even the sinners avowed that Brother Green beyond all others brought home to them their lost estate, yet gave no offense in the bringing. Nioeties of doctrine, you see, were left out of revival preaching. Instead there was Jesus Christ and him crucified, the unsearchable riches of his love, the ineffable pathos of bis all sufficient sacrifice. The heart, not the head, was the point of attack, except on Sunday morning, when the presiding elder preached. A tall man, shrewd, kindly, clear headed enough to rule a state and full enough of love to God and man to bend every energy to their reconcilement, he had raised the standard of the cross as became a leader in the church militant, then gone his way to other fields, secure that it would be strenuously upheld. For besides Brother Green and young Brother Walton there was Brother Milliken, the local licentiate. He was old, so old he bent under hiB weight of years, yet still so full of zeal and fire he carried his listeners along with him. Almost wholly unlettered, he bad yet a rude and simple dignity, a sincere eloquence, that put the schoolmen often to the blush and made their ^^B studied art seem poor and mean. As the ministers came in each made ^^B his way to the high box pulpit, knelt a Wm minute in silent prayer, then rose to sit beside his brethren. Brother Walton |^B was to preach, and expectation was on ^^B edse. since it had been bruited about I that he was not less eloquent than the famous Maffit, of whom the elder members had many memories. Brother Walton was young, very young, for his 27 years. His eyes were childlike in their limpid brilliance. There was suggestion of infancy, too, in his curling silken hair, clipped close to the head, and the flickering roRe of his cheek. Out of tho pulpit he was but a quiet, well bred gentleman, siDgulurly refined in speech and accent, to whom wandering dogs came of their own accord and frightened children clung if by chance he held out a hand to them. But in the pulpit Walnut Creek had heard what 6tirred it to the liveliest curiosity concerning him. Yet Teddy Barton said to Jack Talbot as tbey sat side by side: "I lay, yes, anything you got the min' ter name, olo Br'er Milliken can tie one baud behind him an knock | the socks offen this yere new fellow. He ain't no slouch, ole Br'er Milliken. Why, sometimes when I been listenin 'bout er hour ter him preachiu erbout thar shall be no night thar, neither any mo' weepin, an the Lamb er God wipin erway all tears from er feller's eyes ?why, I'm givin you straight goods when I tell you I've most felt like I wanted ter go ter heaven myse'f." "That was wonderful," Jack said wearily, with a touch of scorn underneath. As Teddy made to speak again the other silenced him with an imperative look. The opening hymn had been sung. Brother Green had prayed with fervor beyond common, Now Brother GREGOR. JILOCH WILLIAMS. Walton stood facing the congregation, his eyes Bhining with ineffable lire. He held neither Bible nor hymnbook. \ Without preface he began to repeat the [ Twenty-third Psalm, and Jack heard i nothing more with any sense of comprehension. It all came back to him? 1 the old happy days, Kob in ner iittie , chair at his feet repeating after him the inspired words. He shot a glance at her ' across the dim lit breadth of the house, then dropped his head npon the baok of , the beuoh in front of him, unable longer to endnre other gaze. "My, you're hit early, but then I sorter reokon yon been under sometbin like conviction ever since yistiddy," ' Teddy said in a torturing whisper. Jack did not raise bis head, but olosed his , hand over that of his tormentor in a grip so fierce and full of meaning as to i silence even Teddy, the irrepressible, though he was aching to add, "Be John Browned ef ever I thought of ole Top> knot as er holy missionary, but ef Jack Talbot gits any religion this whet I jest knew it ougbter be set ter the oredit of the sto'." Brother Walton took his listeners by storm. Inside five minutes the whole house hung upon his lips. Long before he made an end there were bowed heads, shaken forms, all about. He spoke as ' rarely man spake, not of law, but of love, of a God who so loved the world he gave his only Son to suffer in its stead and save it from its transgressions. The minister's voice, at first low and dear and faintly tremulous, swelled to the call of a trumpet, tfae thrill of em organ peal. His face was transfigured. The soul shone through, calling unto other souls through the veil of the flesh. There was no passion, no ranting. Save that his cheek flamed, his eyes 1 grew twin bine fires, nothing in the outer man spoke the force within. His hearers were spoil wrought Even Jack 1 sat upright, drawn out of his whelming misery, though still too much domi nated by it for conscious comfort Dully he noted that Teddy was writhing and ' moaning: "O God! O God! O God! Me'uy! Do have mercy on er lost an ' dyia sinner! Lord, dear Lord, I know 1 I am er sinner, but it ain't all my fault Nobody couldn't help it ef they derked ! in Topmark's sto'." i Miss Winfold sat, with bowed head, 1 sobbing audibly. Nina, at her elbow, : was upright aud open eyed in the con- i sciousness of salvation already secure. ! Mrs. Talbot had lost sense of overy- i thing, even her stricken favorite. Ce- i * ^ a L:?. d-U rintnu rayne s iace was serupniu; nuu, at her side, a breathing statue, without life save in the eyes. They showed darker than ever and full of smoldering light. Even the minister felt them burn i upon bis face as he stood pleading so earnestly, so tenderly, that those for whom Christ suffered and died should not make his suffering of none effect. His plea was not tedious. Less than half an hour from his uprising he had sunk to his knees, saying, half inaudibly, "Brethren, sisters, let us pray." As with one impulse everybody knelt with him in supplication utterly without words. The summer night stillness was broken only by the shrilling of tree toads, the sibilant clamor of katydids, and, undervoicing them, the stamping of many hoofs from the tethered beasts in the grove. Brother Green got up slowly and began to sing: "0 brothers, will you meet me; O brothers, will you meet me; O brothers, will you meet me On Caanan'8 hap-py shore?" His voice was harshly strong except in the head register. There it became a clarion, sweet and full of silver. In the rising throng a hundred throats caught up the old camp meeting tune and swelled it to a flood. Some of the voices made discoid, but it was overborne, washed away, in the sweeping tido of harmony that rang and rolled as though it might reach the stars. Below the.reverberant swelling of it the ear caught a tempest of sobs, of groans, of hoartbroken, penitent exclamations from the crowd of kneeling figures about the altar. Teddy was among them. Ho had been - " ? iS a. iLA aaII frvm inaeea 1110 nrst xu uuswur uic i_<?n iui penitents. Ho had rushed up the aisle and flung himself prone in the clean straw at Brother Millikeu'sfeet, shrieking out his fear of the wrath to come. Miss Winfold, too, half rose, as though she would go forward, but Nina had plucked her sleeve, saying, with vigorous shakes of the head:"Agh! Agh! Alice, you mustn't do that. You know mornmer won't like it. It?it'll make you so conspicuous." Mrs. Talbot gave Nina what she meant for a severo look. In Alice's oar she said, "Do whatever your heart prompts, dear child. " But the momentary softness had passed, aud Miss Winfold was herself, placid and calculating as over. She dropped her eyes modestly and said, with a delicate confusion: "I do lovo God an want to servo him, Mri Talbot, but?but maybe it is best to wait a little while longer, you know. If seems tome one ought to?to be very sure about anything so solemn." "O oo-eel Look! Look! Teddy! He's professed. Hear him shoutin!" Nina cried, craning her neck for a hotter view of the altar stir. By this everybody was standing, and at least half the more zealous among Bethel mouthers were up among the penitents, praying, counseling, consoling. They made nn indeterminate throng in tho open *quare beforo the pulpit. Teddy had upruug upright in the middle of it, waving his arms and wildly crying: "Glory! Glory! God is my Father! I know he loves me, eben me. Glo-ry! Glcr-ee-ee!" ''Bless the Lord! Sing his praises, all ye people," Brother Green said from the pnlpft steps. Brother Hilliken bad been kneeling beside Teddy, praying low and earnestly lor bim. Now be got p and stood, tall and tremulous, beside tbe rejoicing yonth. At the very back of tbe bonse Teddy's mother, a tbin, discouraged looking woman in shabby weeds, poshed ber way into tbe aisle and made to go to her son. Before she had got half way Nina Winfold flung herself over tbe pew in front of where she sat, darted up tbe passway and caught Teddy's hands in her own, her face working, tears raining over it Miss Winfold gasped once, then sat Bnddenly down, limp and livid, so wild was her rage. The stir of Nina's exploit had set those very far back to standing on the benches instead of the floor. Nina was by no means nnconscious of the interest she had evoked, though her excited feelings were really beyond control. She was by nature ill balanced, by temperament hysterioai. Besides ner best girl friend was Sophy Ann Brazzleton, who had got religion at the same time Nina did, yet had been shooting ever since. Nina meant no longer to be ontdone by Sophy Ann's precocious saintliness. Then, too, she was stirred by the sermon, still more by the sight of Teddy among the redeemed. Alice, she knew, wonld be mad about it, so would her mother, but neotber of thorn would dare take her to tusk while the revival lasted. They would fear what she might tell to the church folk, especially Mrs. Talbot And afterward?that was a long way off?no matter what came then, Nina felt that to bo the heroine of a night like this paid for very many snubs and much reviling in the bosom of her family. As Teddy saw her and gripped her hands ho shouted louder than ever. A contagious thrill ran through the exoited throng. Old Brother Baxter, who had raised the tunes for half a century, struck up in his deepest bass: "Save I Bavel Savo, LordI O J M DtJUU uuuilTuujj punot uunu. Ba-v-o, my dear Lord I" Instantly the simple monoohord swelled from every throat. Three more penitents sprang up, shouting aloud in the joy of new hope. Friends and kinfolk crowded in to embrace them and wring the hands of the Christians about. Other penitents half ran, half fell, up the choked aisla The air seemed to pulse with electrio feeling. Brother Walton prayed without ceasing, now at this bowed head, now at that Brother Green did not stir from his chosen penitent, a big, rough fellow, who had come to the altar as though draggod by invisible hands. He was Matt Taylor, the blacksmith, famed the countryside through for strength, skill and wickedness. He had -'v4, fUa onnl- in liovo lio fall LiUb UiUVCU 11UUI bUC opuw Vf JIUAW *U4A rather than knelt upon first reaching the altar. Strong, slow sobs shook him Trom head to foot His hand was olinched hard npon that of the minister. Now and again he spoke a thick word of hopeless supplication. "Lord," came dry and gasping, "I ain't?wnth savin 1 Yon know that? you?know?every-tbiug?an?I had er good?mother! She was good?mighty good 1 I?ain't never been?no credit ter her?but she said?it was ber last word ?you loved me?better'n she did. I tried ter fergit?but?it staid with me ?it fetched me?here! Lord, save me? ef you choose?ef you do love me?like she said! Ef?you don't?I'm lost? world without?end. Save mo! Save me! Jesus Christ, save me!" Amen and amen arose on every band, though the good people had not heard bis halting words. None but the all bearing ear indeed might have disentangled them from the massed confusion of sound about. The blacksmith's wife sat amazed in fear and trembling hope. He was not actively unkind to her when he was sober. That was about one day in seveu. The other six she spent in making fair weather for his uncertain temper, and often got blows as a reward of her endeavors. She had been a church mom ber when she married him, but since he had refused steadfastly to give ber money for church dues she had kept away from services until she was hardly counted a Methodist. It had almost taken her breath when U/* Kn/lo not rnnr* nnmn rnitli him UU UUUU liVl iUMUJ WV VVUJV nuu HiUI to Beth6l tonight. She did not know bow for weeks something Brother Green had said had been ringing in her husband's mind. The minister's horse cast a shoo one Sunday as he was riding past. He had routed out the smith to save the beast from going lame. Matt had boasted ever sinoe he was grown that every minister thereabout was afraid to face him and name religion. Brother Green did not namo it, but at parting he said: "Thauky, Matt, for an excellent job. I've heard of you all around here?how well you knew your business?yes, and some other things. One is that you nev er take a dare. Now, I dare you to come and see if I know my trade as well as you do yours." Mutt had dared, with this result. His wife, trembling and crying in u stifled, hopeless fashion, longed inexpressibly to go to her beloved tyrant, but feared him too much to make a forward step. He might repulse, might even strike, her. She sat close, quite hidden in the mass of standing people. A sudden great shout made her start electrically. She know; she understood. As ho had reviled him, her husband was praising God in the fullness of his great strength, in the face of ull men. If only she might reach him! But how could she move? She sat down limp, half senseless, when some one parted the throng about her, crime nne dim anrl liirhf. nf frint whn took her hand ia a warm clasp and led her, unresisting, up to the place of praise. Somehow way was mndo for them, and at last the throng parted to let tho 6obbing woman come face to face with her husband. The next minute sho lay against his breast, with his tears raining over her face. "Thank you, Miss Rob, an help me thank God," ho said to her convoy. "Men an brethren, hear me tell it. Only God knows what this hero pore little crcetcr has had ter b'ar an suffer fer me. Ef ever I mistreats her ag'in^ may the good God that has jest been showfn me his love fling me back forder an wnsser'n ever inter the dark I've lef' behind." Bob McGregor had firm nerves. She turned from the pair with the first ohoke in her throat she had known in all that wonderful night CHAPTER XILL The revival proved to a sort of spiritual oyclona Its foroe was spent early in the week. Though the ministers kept on hopefully until next Sunday, they got few oonverts after Wednesday night. But the church had been refreshed?all admitted that?though there was head shaking over more than one name among those of the probationers, Teddy Barton's in partioular. Snoh landmark sinners as had escaped the flood of graoe even said of his change of heart: 44Ef he holds fast ter the promises, the day of merakles ain't past Let him hear er fiddle er see er foot shake, an yon look out! He's plnm orazy over dancin, an besides he's seoh er liar it wouldn't be strange ef he was tryin ter oome it that a-way eben over the Lord Almighty." Mr. Topmark only laughed when he heard suoh speech. He had other and much more important things upon his mind. Though the letter to Lawyer Howell had been so painstakingly composed, it rested still in the depths of his desk, awaiting, like himself, certain turns of affairs. Bob he had seen only oasually and afar off since the great Monday night. For some reason or none he bad kept away fjom her after it Of oourse nobody dreamed of connecting his abstention with thlj. conspicuous presence in the nightly gatherings of Mrs. Annis and her niece from44 the Eelenoy." Mr. Topmark was mighty oivil to them, tethering their horses and seeing that they were properly mounted, bnt no one tbonght more than that it was dne to keen oomzneroial instincts. He wonld do most anything by way of drawing trade, said his world, never dreaming that there was more in his notion than appeared upon the surface. Monday, after the big meeting closed, Mr. Topmark had a particularly bad , half hour. It began with him in Mrs. Annis' big room, snug at Magnolia's side, his arm about her waist and her lap full of span new gnuds and gewgaws whioh had just come out of his pooket In return he olaimed a kiss and got a stinging slap on the cheek. Magnolia got up and moved a little away, saying as she turned upon him a slow, bovine regard: "Frum all I hear tun say, I got tor pay high fer all you gimme. I don't wanter ter go an pay twiste." "Now, I do wonder who oould er told you seoh as that I Why, I'm the lib eraleat man alive; naant er Deen ier that I might be well off, eben rioh," Mr. Topmark protested. Magnolia still stared dally. It was her aant who broke iDto a torrent of angry accasation, whose burden was Mr. Topmark's doable dealing. "You wants that McGreger gal maob as yoa wants the land," she said. "I believe you're a-playin ter git her, with me an my gal np your sleeve, an tellin ns ter be so olose mouthed when you strow things ronnd so eben the MoGregor niggers know"? "What niggers?" Mr. Topmark demanded breathlessly. Mrs. Annis gave a taunting laugh and sniffed rather than said, "Of oo'se you'll lie oaten tellin it an sayole Phemy found out through conjure work"? rVm-inno wnrlr! T.nrd in heaven!" Topmark ejaculated, springing stiffly upright "I'll?I'll learn that ole witch not ter come a-meddlin with my concerns. " "Hear um say you won't have no oorncerns ef you go an mek her ra-ale 1 "m kiU you furat," Magnolia cried. 1 mad," Magnolia drawled. "She ia er witch shoa. She er knowed me an my forchun same as I dome myse'f." 4'She knowed the Pickins favor, that's , all," Mrs. Annis said sharply. Mr. Topmark stood still, upright, his , face beaded with clammy sweat as in i a lightning flash he understood. It all oame back?the black woman's inter- j ruption upon that first night, his wife's strange and euddon end, the black boy's ] chatter of the "daid man conjure." No , doubt the witch woman knew his plan ( and if she lived would balk it. That , was a saving if meantime he must paoifv Mm. Annis. who was half shouting: , "Ben Topmark, we've done come ter , the end er feelin. Yon got ter do one j thing er another?either pay us, an pay 1 us well, ter lay low an keep dark er else pay somebody else ter stand up an 'fend ] fer my gal an her rights. Ef you don't ?well, it ain't er nice story I can set i gwine erbout them last horses that was < stole at McGregor's an what was done with 'em." i "No, no, you shan't. I'll kill you furstt" Magnolia cried, clutobing the | old woman by the throat. As they sway- , ed back and forth over the rough door 1 the visitor snatched his hat and rnshed away. As he galloped up hill, down dell, his thought ran: "Cuss the old witchl | Yes, she knows. It's kill er be killed. I'm er meroiful man an just, but?but any man has got ter stand up fer his own self." Thursday afterward Mrs. Winfold gave a quilting, which it was understood would lead up to a mild eveniug party. That was the ending of all quiltings there since Miss AJice came to womanhood. Bnt, strange to relate, Teddy Barton was not to come with the other young fellows to the merrymaking. Mr. Topmark had said flat he paid ' 'Teddy fer doin other things than gallivantin round like er gentleman of leisure. I am tired er keepin er dog an then doin his barkin." Teddy had got to stay at the store that night, if no other. Stranger still, Teddy was jubilantly ohipper, though he made open and loud lamentation over old Top's sudden meanness. He did not mean to mope. That was one thing certain. "I'll git er lot er fellers all by 4 4?n ft LLXJ AUUCOUUIO OA4 UOVD 1UU UO JS XUU. Rob, of course, was asked to both the quiltiDg and the party. Miss Winfold wrote a honeyed note in her very best sloping hand. Mra Winfold said in the bosom of her family: "I jest aohed ter leave that little limb out, but it wouldn't do?no, never in the world. Brother would be so mad. He is the biggest fool about that girl; said he couldn't even tell the time of day ef he wasn't lookin up toward Roscoe. Mayby, though, she'll have sense enough not to come. She said always she hated quilts and quiltin. Of course she no need ter work ef come she does, though really a few stitches ain't mnoh ter pay fer a mighty good dinner." Mrs. Winfold .had social ambitions like herself, small and narrow. They began and ended indeed in the purposeful desire to get the most and best of all that was going for herself and her own. It was utterly past her comprehension, the McGregor delight in hospitality for its own sake. All Walnut Creek save Mrs. Talbot came to the quilting early and with itohing ears. Every woman of them knew bo well Mrs. Winfold's knack of gossip there was a distinct feeling that it was a mighty pity Mr. Topmark could not be some one else's brother for this day, if no longer. Still, leaving him out of account, there was the matter of Jack Talbot and Rob MoGregor. Most unaocountably Luce Allen's tale had got bruited about, with emendations that made it well worth hearing. By this time it was upon most hands agreed that there had been a great scene. Mam Liza had denounced Jack to his face as a trifler, the old man had overheard and had bidden the young one either take the girl or leave her for good and always, and Jack, who had gone there every day, did not go there any more. Not unnaturally the good women?they were really very good?who sat Btitohing away at the latest Winfold triumph in patchwork, made up their minds as the story was told in chorus that Jack was innooent of anything beyond warm friendliness and Bob guilty of deep and desperate designs. "I expect she counted on gittin Jack through him bein so high toned. You know all the Talbots are awfully high toned," Mrs. Brazzleton, mother of Sophy Ann, said to her next neighbor, who nodded and said, measuring a length of thread: "Yes, I do expect so. She's so bold, that Bob. I never liked her." "She is, as you may say, flighty, but I reokon she'll get a husband, no matter what is said about her," Mrs. Brazzleton returned, with a significant glance in the direotion of Mrs. Winfold. Just then Nina called from the door: "Hush talkin, all of you. Yonder comes Bob McGreRor." The news' was unwelcome. At least two-thirds of the quilters indeed felt it a distinot hardship, for with Bob visibly present they would be compelled to discuss her aside. Everybody looked at her as she came within the door. Some few faces were full of kindly pity. Without exception they were those of mothers without daughters, either childless or having only sons. One among them, Mrs. Carter, who ranked socially with Mrs. Talbot, got up and kissed Rob on either cheek, saying, with a little, wistful smile: "Come and sit here by me, honey. I want somebody who is not too industrious for a neighbor." "Thanky, ma'am, Aunty Carter, but I can't I am here just to say that I oould not possibly come," Rob said brightly, yet clinging to the friendly hand. She was too finely strung not to feel the bridling and drawing away that had marked her entrance. It was not the first time, either. So far, secure in the strength of innocence, she bad whistled down the wind such hostile demonstration, only wondering dully if its occasion was Mr. Topmark's inthrallment and the merry athletic madness which possessed him. She was used to knowing people talked about her, but unused to quite the faces that greeted her today. Yet it was sense of this hostile atmosphere which bad brought her thus among them. "I will beard the Winfolds in the face of all their world," she bad said, nodding to her imuge in the glass. "I'm not a coward, whatever other sins may lie at my door. I'll go and excuse myself, then back to the party. Jack?yes, he will be there. So will Mr. Topmarx. x pine iu give mui one sharp snub right before Mrs. Winfold's face." Now. while Mrs. Brazzleton and othBrs of her kidney stared, Rob stood ohatting gayly with Miss Wiufold and hor mother. In a little while she tamed to go, saying over her shoulder: "Look for me back at early candleLight. That's the time, isn't it, Mra Winfold? And, oh, ladies all, yoang and old, I almost forgot to tell yoa the great news. Lawyer Howell from Oldbridge Is at the store?going to stay a week and shoot doveB?and Teddy ran 50 yards up the road to tell me he would surely be up here tonight. So you will have another beau almost equal to Mr. Topmark." "And of course you'll captivate him, as you do all the rest," Miss Winfold said, smiling amiably. Rob swept her a laughing courtesy. "I shall do my poor best," she said. "And I have got half a new frock to wear?a white waist to go with my blue skirt?the blue that made me look always like a Pawnee Indian. Not that I ever saw a Pawnee, but I fancy they are hideous enough for anything." "As if it mattered what yon pat on!" Miss Winfold marmared. Her mother tried to mask a sniff as a playful smile and snoceeded very ill, and Rob, wicked Rob, tnrned and ran away, singing clear and gay, as thoagh she had not a , care in life: "Father an mitber an a' may gae mad. Bat whistle, an I'll come to ye, my lad." TO BE CONTINUED. i miscellaneous Reading. THE INCOME TAX ACT. Right In Principle, bat Does Not Start Low Enough Down. news anu ujunor. Following is the full text of the income tax act passed at the session of the general assembly just closed: Section 1. That from and after the 1st day of January, 1898, there shall be annually assessed, levied and collected upon the gaiDS, gross profits and income received during the preceding calendar year by every citizen of this state, whether such gains, profits or income be derived from any kind of property, rents, interest, dividends or salaries, or from any profession, trade, employment or vocation carried on in this state, or from any other source whatever, a tax of 1 per centum on the amount so derived over and above $2,500 and up to $5,000,1} per centum on $5,000 and over up to $7,500, 2 per centum on $7,500 and over up to $10,000, per centum on $10,000 and over up to $15,000, 3 per centum on $15,000 and over, and a like tax shall be assessed, levied and collected annually upon the gains, profits and income from all property owned and every business, trade or profession carried on in this state by persons residing without this state, excepting such corporations as are hereinafter excepted : Provided, that in estimating gains, profits and income there shall not be included interest upon such bonds or securities of thia state or of the United States the principal and interest of which are by the law of their issue exempt from taxation. Sec. 2. That in computing incomes the necessary expenses actually incur red in carrying on any business, occupation or profession, not including remuneration to the taxpayer for personal supervision or the support and maintenance of his or her family, shall be deducted from the gross income or revenue ; and the word "income" as used in this act shall be deemed and taken to mean "gross profitsProvided, that no deduction shall be made or allowed for any amount paid out or contracted for permanent improvements or' betterments made to increase the value of any property or estate, or for the increase of capital, capital stock or assets. Sec. 3. That the word "citizen" and "person" as used in this act shall be deemed to include all natural persons, all co-partners and all members of any incorporated association, and to exclude, except as hereinafter included, all corporations duly chartered by the laws of the United States and of thifl nr anv other states. Sec. 4. That the tax here provided for shall be assessed, levied and collected in the same manner, at the same time, as other taxes, and by the same county officials as are now charged with the assessment, levy and collection of state and county taxes, and shall be paid into the state treasury as other general taxes. Sec. 5. That all persons liable for the payment of any of the tax herein provided for shall, at the times now or hereafter provided by law for the making of returns of personal property, make under oath a full and complete list or return, in such form and manner as may be directed by the comptroller general, to the auditor of the county in which they reside, or in case of non-residents of tfie county or counties where said gains, profits or income arise, of the amount of their income, gains and profits aforesaid, and the property or investment, if any, upon which the same are computed, and such other particulars as may be required by the comptroller general. All persons, whether natural or corporations created by charter, acting as guardians, trustees, executors, administrators, agents, receivers or in any fiduciary capacity, shall make and render a list or return as aforesaid to the auditor of the county in which such persons or corporations acting in a fiduciary capacity resides or do business of the incomes, gains and profits of any minor or person for whom they UCl. Sec. 6. That any person or corporation failing or refusing to make the list or return required by this act, or rendering a wilfully false or fradulent list or return, shall be assessed by the auditor on the account of said income tax in such amount as appears to him from the best information obtainable by him either by examination of tbedefaulting taxpayer or any other evidence, that such taxpayer is liable for; and in case of failure or to neglect to make said list or return the said auditor shall add 50 per centum as a peDalty to the amount of tax due ; and in case of a wilfully false or fraudulent return or list having been rendered, the auditor shall add 100 per centum as a penalty to said tax ; the tax and the additions tnereto a penalty iu be assessed and collected in the manner provided for in the case of failure to make returns or lists of personal property. Sec. 7. In every respect not herein specified the returns for and the levy and collection of the tax provided in this act shall be subject to all the provisions of law relative to the assessment and collection of taxes on personal property. Sec. 8. That it shall be unlawful for any county auditor or other officer charged with any duty in carrying out the provisions of this act to divulge or in any manner whatever make known the amount or source of income, pro fits, expenditures or any particular thereof set forth or disclosed in any income return by any person or corporation or to permit any income return or copy thereof or any book containing any abstract or particulars thereof, to be seen or examined by any person except as provided by law; and it shall be unlawful for any person to print or publish in any manner whatever not provided by law any income return or any part thereof or the t 1 fii nuiuuub or euuruo ui luuuuie, proiilH or expenditures appearing in any income return, and any offence against the foregoing provisions shall be a misdemeanor and be punished by a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding six months; and if the offender be an officer of the state or any county thereof or deputy or employee, he shall on conviction be removed from office by the governor. SCHOOL BOOKS AT COST. The following is the text of the act passed at the recent session of the legislature, authorizing the county superintendent of education to sell school text books at actual cost: Section 1. That the county boards of education of the several counties of this state be, and they are hereby, authorized and empowered .to set aside from the public school funds of their respective counties an amount not exceeding $500 for the purpose of providing the pupils attending the free public schools of their counties with school text books at actual cost or exchange prices. Sec. 2. That the amount so set aside from the school fuuds shall be paid to the county superintendent of education by the county treasurer out of the unappropriated general school funds in bis hands, on the warrant of the county board of education. Sec. 3.~ That the amount so set aside by tbe county board of education shall be and remain a permanent fund in tbe hands of the county superintentent of education, to be used in purchasing and keeping on hand school text books for sale to pupils attending the free public schools of his county, for cash, at actual coet or exchange prices, and to be used for'no Other manner. Sec. 4. That for the fall and just accounting for said money and books, and all bis acts and dealings relating thereto, the county superintendent of education shall be responsible on his official bond. aec. 5. rnat do tax or license, either state, county or municipal, shall be imposed on or required of the county superintendent of education on account of the purchasing and famishing of said books to the pupils as aforesaid. Sec. 6. That this act shall be a general act and apply to all the counties of the state from and after its approval. Sec. 7. That all acts and parts of acts inconsistent herewith be, and the same are hereby repealed. Exit the Cradle.?The social philosopher cannot help being struck with the fact that the cradle, associated with so many memories of crooning tenderness, is threatened with extinction. Though it does not yet resemble the "dodo," it is fast going out of fashion, its place being taken by the crib. A lady who recently desired to purchase a cradle asked for one in vain at a large shop. She was told that there was little or no call for such articles. Furthermore, she learned, to her surprise, that only the very cheapest were made with rockers in the old-fashioned style. The new ones are attached to uprights on which they swing. The reason for the change was explained in that it obviated the necessity of the mother or attendant stooping so much in order to place the infant in or remove it from its bed. A new design which, however, is not being much used at present, is a cradle piacea on a rocaer, nice me latest rocking chairs. Id spite of this innovation, there seems to be little doubt but that the day of the cradle is doomed, and the rule of the crib is developing. It Was Self-evident.?When Senator Harris was last at Nashville, TenD., says the Washington Post, he fell into the company of one of the state legislators, with whom be was walking down the street. The local lawmaker felt it incumbent upon himself to entertain the veteran senator of two decades, and chirped merrily as they two passed along until the conversation reached this point, when he asked, "Is Senator Brice a very smart man?" The senator, bent with his many years, plodded along, seemingly unmindful of the remark. His cane stubbed monotonously on the sidewalk for a block or two. But he roused himself, and, with a stern eye, answered, "Young man, 10 years ago Senator Brice was a country schoolteacher in a small Ohio town; today he is a multi-millionaire. I consider you a blank, blanked fool." t&~ Soon after the discovery of Roentgen's rays it was noticed in Germany that by their aid the contents of letters inclosed in ordinary envelopes easily could be deciphered. Now a shrewd Berlin manufacturer has found a way to frustrate this. He makes and sells, in large quantities, an envelope the inside of which is densely covered with meaningless letters printed in every direction. When the Roentgen rays are applied to this, the contents of the letters are irretrievably jumbled up with these letters, and no sense can be obtained. PBf In view of the prospect of a statue of Brigham Young being sent down from Utah to adorn the national Capitol, the proposition to provide by law that no statue shall be placed in the Capitol until it has been accepted by a joint resolution of congress, will be recognized as wise and timely. ... "