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lewis m. grist, Pioprietor.| SUi Jndepcndcnf Jamili] llciwpaper: ioti flic promotion of the political, Social, Agricultural and (tfommcrcial Jufcrcsfs of the ?$outh. {TERMS?$2.00 A YEAR IN ADVANCE. VOL. 4:0. YOEKVILLE, S. C? WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMEEIt 36, 1894-. 3STO. 39. BY FERGU Author of "The Mys Copyright, 1S9I, by the Author. CHAPTER I If there bo aught in presentiments, was well warned by that first glimps< of the inn. The nioustrous bulk o gable.';, sloping root's and lean chimney hunched blackly against the sky woul< have scared a bolder spirit than mine All day I had walked under blue sky between green hedgerows, with ligh ~~ heart and whistling lip. Confronted ii the twilight by so sinister a scene, I fel qualmish. Ragged clouds dropped thei fringes over sullen western red, arouni spread the salt marshes, evil in thei desolation, and I, with chilled blood stared at the lonely mansion domiuatini tho outlook. Here, thought I, an adveu ture awaits me. The hour, the house, the scene, hint at romance, and that ol the strangest So much were my spirits dashed bj these ominous environments that it wa: in my mind to "walk the farther 1( miles and shelter for the night a Marshminster. Yet some fate compelle< my unwilling feet toward that iuhospi table door, and almost before I knev my own mind I was knocking loudly It opened whilo my hand was still raistn for the final rap, and a handsome worn an presented herself to my astonishec eyes. What beauty did among tho tomb; I know not, yet there sho smiled Though handsome, she was not a ladj and lacked tho undefinablo stamp ol birth. At the same time slje was abovt the commonality. Not a lady, not t servant, but something between the two. Her appearanoe confirmed the promist of romance. "I have walked from Eastbury," sai(] I, cap in hand, "and wish to put ui "" here for the night'' "Marshminster is only 10 miles away," answered she, in nowiso disposed to admit me. "And for that reason I want a bed here. Twenty and more miles walking under a hot sun has wearied mo considerably. " "I am sorry we cannot- accommodate you, sir." "This is an inn," I said, glancing at ' the sign. "The Fen inn, sir," she replied, still smiling, "and full of guests for tho time being." "Full of guests in this locality! You must then entertain waterfowl, for I have seen no human being for tho last 12 miles." She made no direct answer, but shook her head and prepared to close tho door. Piqued by the discourtesy and still more by the mystery- of this reception, I was about to insist upon admission when my attention was attracted to a face at the near window. I recognized it as that of a college friend and waved my stick in greeting. "Hello, Briarfield!" I shouted lustily. "Come and help me to a night's lodgings." The girl was surprised by my remark, and, as I thought, changed color. She stepped aside to let Briarfield pass and exhibited further astonishcnt at the urbanity of our greeting. ?: "What wind blows you here, I>3nham?" asked Briarfield, shaking my . hand. "I am on a walking tour,"I answered, "and hoped to have reached Marshminster tonight but as it is 10 miles away and I feel weary I wish to sleep here. This young lady, however, says the inn is full of guests and" "Full of guests!" iuterrrupted Briarfield, looking at the girl. "Nonsense, Rosa I am the only guest here!" "We expect others, sir,"said Rose obstinately. "You can't expect a sufficient number to fill the house," ho retorted. "Surely Mr. Denhain can have a bed?" "I shall ask my father, sir!" When she disappeared, Briarfield turned to me with a smile and asked a strange question. "Now, I'll be bound," said ha "that you don't know my first name!" "Felix." "No! You are wrong. I am not the rich Felix, but the poor Francis." "You see the result of being one of twins," said I impatiently. "If at college I could not distinguish between T?/-?n Kmr fan vnn PTTW-of', nip to flo SO now? I haven't seen either you or youi brother for at least two years. Whero is Felix?" "At Marshminster." "And what are you doing here?" "Ah, that's a long story! If you" "Please to walk in, sir," interrupted ? Rose at this moment "My father desires to speak with you." "I have, then, to submit myself to the approval of the landlord,'' said I and forthwith entered the house, followed by Francis Briarfield. The landlord, a lean, saturniue man above the common height, saluted me with a sour smile. In appearance and demeanor he was quite in keeping with that dreary inn. About him lurked a Puritanic flavor not ill suited to his somber attire and jmctuous speech. He was less like an innkeeper than a smug valet. I mistrusted the man nt first sight. "I can give you supper and a bed, sir," said he, bending his body and rubbing his hands, "neither, I regret to say, of the first quality." "Never mind," I answered, unstrapping my knapsack. "I am too tired and hungry to bo particular." "We have only lately taken up this r house, sir," ho continued, still bowing, "and things are a trifle disordered." I glanced around. Despite tho cheerful blaze of a fire, the room had a mildewed look, as though long uninhabited. Traces of hasty cleansing were visible in all corners, and in the dim light filtered through dusty panes the apartment had a singularly uninviting aspect. Again that premonition of misfortune came over me. "I wonder you took up the houso nt all," said I. "You won't mako youi fortune in this locality." The landlord made 110 reply, but muttering something about supper left the room. His daughter had already departed, presumably in -the direction of the kitchen, and I found myself alono with Francis Briarfield. Ho was absently looking out at the window and started when I addressed him directly. 1 augured mystery therefrom. "What's tho meaning of these myste riesr i asjcea aorupuy. ine norror oi the place was already influencing my spirits. "What mysteries?" demanded Briarfield in a listless manner. "This inn has been uninhabited for somo considerable period. A suspicious looking rascal and his pretty daughter havo taken up their abode hero with no possible chance of getting customers. I stumble on this castle grim in the twilight and find you here?you of all men ?whom I believed to lie in South America. Don't you call these mysteries? "If you put it that way, I admit the ^ mysteries, replied Francis, coming toward the fire. "I know little about tho inn, still less about the landlord and his daughter. As to myself, I am here by appointment to meet, my brother Felix. Came from London to Starby and rode from thence to this inn." _ "Why meet hini in this murderous w looking house?' "Ho named the place of meeting himself." "And you?" "I only arrived this month in England from South America. I wrote him from London, asking to seo him. He MSGS INN. "S "W. HUME, fcery of a Hansom Cab." appointed this inn as neutral ground for I us to meet, so here I am. " o "Why neutral ground? Usivo you f quarreled?" s "Bitterly." \ "You did so at college," said i, looking steadily at him. "Strange that such ill blood should exist between twin t brothers." x j "Tho inevitable woman," said Fran t cis in a harsh tone, quite at variance r with his usual soft speech. \ "Oh! And her name?" r "Olivia Bellin!" "I know her. Do you mean to say, I Briarfield, that" . "Hush!" he said, rapidly indicating the door, and there stood the girl Rose f listening to our conversation. Her face : was pale, and it was evident that the r mention of the name had powerfully s affected her. Seeing our eyes were on ) her, she apologized in a low, nervous t voice. \ "Your pardon, gentlemen," she said, placing a tray on the table. "I did not 7 | intend to interrupt. your conversation. Allow me to lay the table for supper." I ! "First show me my room," said I, picking up my knapsack. "I am dusty 1 and wish to give myself a brush up." 5 Rose nodded and preceded me out of the apartment. I glanced back and saw r I that Francis had returned to his old post I J by the window. Evidently ho was j j watching for the arrival of his brother. k "When does Mr. Felix Briarfield ar! rive?" I asked Roso as we ascended the ) ; stairs. "I don't know the name, sir,"she [ j said, with an obvious effort. , | "You don't know the name?" I re! peatcd, seeing she was lying, "yet Mr. j 1 Francis Briarfield is here to meet his . j brother." "It may be so, sir. But I know noth[ I ing about it. Mr. Briarfield is a stran ! ger to me, like yourself. " . I "It is to be hoped you received him more willingly than you did me." , i My words fell on the empty air, for ; after her last remark she hastily depart; I ed. I mechanically attended to my j wants and wondered what could be the | meaning of the girl's attitude. , I "She knows Miss Bellin and Feli^ j Briarfield," I thought, "perhaps mft | personally, but at least tiieir names, j She is also aware of the intended visit i of Felix to this placo. I must find out I from Francis tho reason of that visit, j and it may throw somo light on tho dei mean or of Rose. I am glad 1 came here ! tonight, for that landlord is scarcely a person to be trusted. Certainly my prei sentiment of romance is coming true." When I descended to the dining room, I found supper laid and Francis impatiently awaiting my arrival. A lamp was lighted, and for the first time I saw his face plainly. The alteration in his looks and demeanor since our college days was astonishing. Felix had always been the graver of the twins, and it was tho distinguishing mark between them. Now the livelier spirits of Francis had calmed down to a subdued gravity which 1 made tho resemblance between them j still greater. Wo seated ourselves at the tablo in silence, and he colored as he caught my earnest look. "You find me altered?" ho asked, with manifest discomposure. "Very much alteied and more like , . Felix than ever." "I haven't seen him for over a year," j said Briarfleld abruptly, "so I don't | know if the resemblanco is still strong." "It is stronger," I answered emphat; Ically. "I saw Felix two months ago, , | and now I look at you tonight I can scarcely believe it is Francis and not . i Felix seated before me.'' "Wo are alike to outward view, Denham, but I hope our natures aro different" "What do you mean?" "Felix," said he, with marked deliberation, "is a thief, a liar and a dishonorable man." "You speak strongly." "I have reason to." , "The before mentioned reason, Briarfield, '' said I, alluding to tho feminine ' element. "Yes. By the way," ho added feverishly. "you said Miss Belliu was known i ! to you." , j "In a casual way only. She is a soci, ety beauty, and I have met her once or j twice; also her very silly mother. The j latter is as remarkable for folly as the | former is for beauty. Well, Briarfleld, j and what about Miss Bellin?" "I was engaged to her." "You are engaged to her?" "I said 'was,' " he replied, with emphasis. "Now she is engaged to my brother." "Of her own free will?" "I don't know," said Briar field. "I really don't know. When I went to Chile, I was her affianced lover. Now I return and learn that she is to marry my brother." "What explanation does ho make?" "None as yet. Tonight or tomorrow morning lie comes here to explain." "But why here, of all places?" j "Miss Bellin is in Marshminster. | Felix is staying there also, and in his letter asked me to see him at the Feu j inn, as he wished to explain his conduct fully before I met Olive again." "And you agreed?" "As you see." "In yonr place," said I meditatively, "I should have gone at oneo to Marsh- 1 minster and confronted both. There is some trickery about this." "You think so?" "I am by nature suspicious,"! anI swered. "Perhaps too much so. Yes, I think there is some trickery." Francis frowned and glanced at his watch. "It is now K o'clock," he said, replacing it ill his pocket, "too late to go to Marshminster." "Besides which," I added, "our worthy landlord has doubtless neither ' trap nor horse." By this time we had finished supper, and ltoso came in to clear away. Thoughtfully filling my pipe, I watched ' her closely. Undeniably she was a very beautiful woman and ill suited to her 1 present occupation. Why a girl so hand1 some should bury herself in this lonely inn was a mystery to me. I felt suro ! that there was a purpose connected with her presence here, and that inimical to Briarfield. The landlord did not make j his appearance, which was to me a matter of some relief. I disliked the fellow greatly. Francis, smoking hard, sat staring at the fire and took no heed of Rose. Once n-r twieo slm irlmieed ill his direction and looked as though about to address him. Catching my eye, she bit her lip and desisted. Finally she disappeared 1 from the room, with manifest anger at not having accomplished her design. "Strange," said I, lighting iny pipe. "What is strange?" asked Briarfield, looking up. "That girl knows your brother." "It's not impossible," he answered carelessly. "Felix always had an eye for pretty faces, and as he appointed this inn as a meeting place he lias probably been here before. Rose Strent no doubt draws him hither by her beauty." "That is not a compliment to Miss Bellin." "I know it. Felix is a profligate scamp and will make her a bad husband. He shall not marry her," added Briarfield angrily. "I say he shall not marry her and make her life miserable. I'll kill him first. " "Man, man, think of what you are saying?your own brother!" "My own brother?my twin brothj er," scoffed Francis, "is that any roal sou why he should take away from mo I the woman I love?" "Sho is not worth regretting if sho forgets you so soon." "She has not forgotten me," ho said earnestly. "I assure you, Denham, she | loves me still. The last letter I received ' "18<t\j tic nhall not marry her and make her life miserable. I'll kill him first." from her gavo no hint that she wearied of me. As you say, mere is soiuc uick. ery about it. I'll have an explanation from Felix." continued he, striking the table with his fist, "or, by heaven, I'll ! kill him!" "Where did you moet her?" I asked, ignoring this last remark, which was but j idle. "In town over a year ago," he replied, calming down. "She is, as you know, very beautiful, and her mother ! wished her to niako a great match. I am comfortably off, but have not a title; | therefore Mrs. Bellin would not sanction the engagement. Then I had to go to South America on business connected with my property. Before I left she : promised to become my wife and swore that nothing should part us or render j her false to me. See, here is the ring i she gave mo," ho added, stretching out his hand, "this pearl ring. I was to be j back in six months, and our engagement was to be made public. I am back in six months, and the first thing 1 hi or is that she is to marry Felix." "Did she write and tell you so?" "No. But Felix did and asked me to meet him here before seeing her. " "Now, I wonder if this apparent treachery of Miss Bellin has anything to do with your twinship?" "What do you mean?" asked Briarfield, starting up. "You are so like in appearance," said i ; I, "that no one could tell yon apart. | You have lived constantly together save for the hist six months and know every : action of each other's lives. It may bo j that Felix has passed himself off to Miss 1 I Bellin as you." "Impossible! She would detect the i deception." "I doubt it, savo by intuition. I as- j T>_: I 1 HUTU you, UHUIHI'IU, linn inu iramr i J blaiice between you is most perplexiug. * There is not the slightest difference, i ' You dress the same; you have the same ! gestures; you almost think the same. It ! is scarce possible to tell which is which | when apart. I thought tonight that ; you were .Felix." j "It cannot be; it cannot be," ho muttered feverishly. "Her own heart would | tell her the truth." "Did you tell Felix of your engage- j mcnt?'.' I asked abruptly. "Yes. I told him all." "And when did you hear last from Miss Bellin?" "Somo three mouths ago. It was because she did not reply to my letters ! that I came back so soon." "To whom wore your letters sent?" "To her, of course." "Care of Felix?" said I, with in- I stinctive suspicion. "Why, yes," lie said, with a sudden i frown. "I did not want Mrs. Bellin to | know of our engagement, so did not dare to write openly. Felix undertook to deliver the letters." "He may have undertaken to do so, : but," I added forcibly, "he did not. " ! "Denhani!" "The wholo ease is as clear as day," \ said I. ' 'Felix was in lovo with Miss i Bellin and wished to marry her. Know- j : ing she was in love with you, he was I well awjvre he had no chance, so resorted to trickery. When you left for Chile, he gave her your letters for three months, then, saying he was going abroad, osten- i sibly left England, but really staid and presented himself as you." As me. "Yes. Ho has traded on the marvelous resemblance between you. Ho knows all your life, all your love affairs, ! ! and I have no doubt that Miss JBellin | believes that lie is Francis Briarfield, I her lover, returned from South America j in three months instead of six." "If I thought so," muttered Francis, j biting his fingers, "if I thought so" J "I am suro it is so. Now you see why , it is imperative that he should interview you before you meet Miss Belliu. He wishes to reveal the deception and throw himself on your mercy." "He'll get no mercy from me if this is so," said Briarfield in a somber tone. "Oh, fool that I was not to write direct to Olivia when I came back to England I But it is not too late. When he comes here, I'll learn the truth and denounce him to Olivia. Then our troubles will be over." "A man capable of such a trick is ; capable of worse," said I sententiously. "I advise you to be 011 your guard j against Felix." "Do you think he'll kill me?" "I don't go as far as that," I replied cautiously, "but your meeting will be? productive of trouble. Just now you expressed a wish to kill him." "And I shall if he lias tricked me as you say.'' "Nonsense, Briarfield, you tiflk wildly. This matter can surely be settled in I a less melodramatic fashion. 1 am glad I am here, as perhaps you will permit ; me to be present at the interview. " "Willingly. I know how clever you I arc, Denham. You may assist me to un- ! mask Felix." "Do you think he'll come tonight?" said I, going to the window. "His letter said tonight or tomorrow. " "Then it will be tomorrow. Felix 1 wouldn't risk meeting you at. night if ho had thus betrayed you. Let us go to bed and tomorrow settle the matter." At first Francis was unwilling to retire, but when the landlord came to lock up for the night and laughed at the idea of any one coming there from Marshminster he fell in with my desire. Together we went up stairs and parted on the threshold of his room. It was five or six doors away from mine. "Lock your door," said I as we part I C(L "What, do you think I'll he murdered in my sleep?" "No, hut I don't like the inn, and I dislike the face of Strcnt, the landlord, i Besides," I continued, tapping Briarfield's breast, "that girl Rose. " "What about her?" "She knows Miss Bellin. Good night." With that I departed, notwithstanding his desiro for an explanation of my last words. So wearied was I that despite my suspicions of the inn I speed| ily fell asleep. CHAPTER II. It was close on 10 o'clock when I ; I awoke next morning. My long tramp of tho previous day had tired me moro than I thought. Nevertheless I was annoyed at oversleeping myself and astonished that Francis had not called mo I earlier. I knew how anxious ho was I | about the proposed meeting with his ; i brother and fancied that his impatience ! : would liavo drawn him to my room at j | dawn. Apparently he was less curious ! concerning the interview than I thought. I ' Yet, leaving him out of tho question, 1 i j ought certainly to have been roused by j ' Strcnt or his daughter and determined ' to reprove tliem for such neglect. After all, an inn is an inn, and one has a right to attentions for which one pays. Judging from the landlord's looks, I did not think my hill would err on tho sida of cheapness. Theso thoughts passed through my mind as 1 hastily dressed myself. Open i ing the window, I looked out on tho marshes golden in the sunshine. A keen j wind was blowing from the sea, and : the smell of brine struck into the heavy atmosphere of my bedroom. An absoluto stillness prevailed both inside and out. I I felt as though I had awakened in the i spellbound palace of tin; sleeping beauty. An inn of all places should be full of bustle and noise, but there was something uncanny in the silence which ! reigned in this marsh locked hostel. It hinted trouble, and I felt uneasy. In no very good temper I descended j to the dining room, with tho intention of apologizing to Francis for my tardy i appearance and of rating the landlord I for his negligence. To my astonishment, neither Francis nor any one else was to bo seen, and the room was in precisely I tho same condition as 011 tho previous uight. The fire was unlighted, tho tablo 1 not set out for breakfast; even the win dow blinds were down. For the moment I was sick with apprehension, as it was ' impossible to conjecture the reason of : this neglect and absence of human life, j The stillness was as absolute as had pre- ' ! vailed up stairs, and when I rang the bell it echoed through the house as | though mocking my efforts to summon landlord, maid or friend, i Twice, thrice, I pulled the bcllrope without result; then, somewhat unnerved by tho silenco in which I found j myself, went to the back part of tho i premises. Here the condition of things j was the same as in the dining room. The kitchen was empty, nor were there | any signs of fire or of food. I explored i I the whole of the ground floor and found j nobody. The conclusion forced itself upon 1110 that Strent and his daughter i had left the inn during tho night. What was tho meaning of this sudden flight? What reason could be sufficiently powerful to force them to vacate tho ! | premises? Asking myself these questions, I entered room after room, but in : liono of them did I find any answer. Tho front door was bolted and barred, : j tho back cutranco was in the same con- J dition, and there was no key in either j lock. I considered tho features of tho i case and saw that the air was full of ; mystery, perhaps of?but, no; in that j lonely house I could not bring myself to J utter the terrible word. I knew not what had happened dur- I ing my sleep, but felt certain that some J event had taken place. Otherwise there i could bo 110 reason for this state of j things. Almost against my will I j searched the house again, but could dis- j cover neither Strent nor his daughter ! Rose. I was alone in tho house. But ! Francis "Francis," said I, repeating my thoughts aloud, "aye, Francis. I wonder if he has left tho inn also or whether ho has overslept himself and is still in his room." To make sure I went up stairs to his bedroom. Pray observe that J all this timo I had not connected thcso | things with crime. It is true I had a j faint suspicion that there might possibly , bo some foul play, but as thero was notli- | ing to confirm such a belief I abandoned . the idea. I declare that when I knocked ! at the door of Briarfield's room I had no more idea of tho horrible truth than the babe unborn. My premonitions pointed to mystery, but not to murder. Yet from the conversation of tho previous night I might have guessed what had happened. Tho house was as accursed us the palace of the Artidte, and Ate bided on the threshold stone. Not until I had thrice knocked without receiving any answer did my suspicions begin to form. Then they took shape in an instant. 1 tried tho door. It was locked. Tho ominous silence | still hinted at unspeakable horrors. My I knocking echoed jarringly through tho ; stillness. At that moment there flashed : before my eyes the picture of two fig- : ures flying across a red horizon against i which blackened the beams of a gal- I lows. It was the shadow of the future, j I knocked, I called his name, and finally j in desperation at the continued silenco ; set my shoulder against the crazy door. | It yielded with a tearing sound, and I i entered tho room amid a cloud of fine . dust. He was lying on the bed stiff and cold. i I had 110 need to call, to touch hisshoul- j dcr, to place my hand on his heart. He was dead. With tho clothes drawn up smoothly to his chin lay tho man with 1 whom I had conversed tho previous | night. The right arm lay outside the 1 counterpane. On the hand glistened a ; pearl ring. I looked at that bauble. I j glanced at the waxen face. The matter ; Imvniul nil donhfc. Francis Briar- I field was dead. Beforo I could further examine tho ! body or the room I was forced to run for my brandy flask. For the moment I j was deadly sick, and it needed a long draft of the fiery spirit to speed the stag- J natiug blood through my veins. The 1 strange circumstance was a sufficient i apology for such qualmishness. This 1 lonely inn set on a handbreadth of liv- j ing ground amid quaking bogs, this [ dead body of what had once been a friend, this solitude by which I found , myself environed, these wero sufficient I to shake the strongest nerve. It looks ; in a manner prosaic 011 black mid white, but think of the horror of the actual ex- i perience. For the moment I could formulate 110 j ideas on the subject That niv friend should be dead was sufficient to stun ! mo. When reason came back, I asked j myself how he died and who was responsible for the crime. The landlord, the maid, the brother, one of these three had murdered Francis Briarfield. But in what way? I examined the body. It was clothed in a nightgown, and the clothes lay folded up 011 tho chair by the bedside. Tho face was calm; there were 110 marks of violence 011 the th*?x.t or 011 the 1 frame. Only on the violet lips lingered j a slight curl of foam. The smooth bed- j clothes drawn up to tho chin forbade tho idea of a struggle. I looked at the right arm lying on the counterpane, at the hand, and there in the palm was a ragged wound from thumb to little finger. It was discolored at the edges and 1 looked green and unwholesome. This ! lie tens lyimj on the licit stiff ami cold. livid appearance made me think (if poison, but I was not suflieiently a doctor to diagnose the case correctly. Yet I was certain of one thing?that Francis Briarlicld had come by his death in some foul fashion, and that at the hands of?whom? Aye, there w:tB the rub! Ho far as I knew, the landlord had no motive to commit such a crime. Suspicion pointed toward the maid who had wished to speak with the dead man after supper. Yet why should she desire his death? From the lips of Francis himself I had heard that lie know neither St rent nor Rose, nor indeed aught of the Fen inn. Hither ho had been brought by his brother's letter to keep an ap, .1:.!.:: nt and was as ignorant of the inn, of its inmates, of its surroundings as I. Could. Felix liavo committed this I crime? True, if my theory were correct 1 and ho had passed himself off to Olivia Bellin as Francis, there were some grounds for believing ho wished his I brother out of the way. Francis would undoubtedly refuse to permit the deception to bo carried on, so it was just possible that Felix, in a frenzy of wrath aud terror at the idea of his treachery being exposed, might have slain his brother. Yet all this fine theory was i upset by the fact that Felix had not arrived on the previous night to keep the appointment He therefore must bo guiltless. If so, what of the landlord and his daughter? Certainly they had no reason to slay a stranger who had sheltered under their roof for the night Yet their flight looked suspicious. If they were innocent, why did they leavo the inn? Another question pregnant with meaning was the reason of their being alono in the inn. I had seen no servants either iminors or out. Father and daughter appeared to do all the work, yet it was beyond all reason that they should havo 110 assistance. Where was tho cook, the waiter, tho hostler, the chambermaid? Tho house was a large one. Two people with all tho will in the world could not thoroughly attend to tho domestic economy of so great a mansion. Moreover, tho girl had looked unused to work. That in itself was suspicious. "Can it be?" thought I. "Can it bo that these two hired this inn to compass tho death of Francis Briarfield, and that ho was drawn here as into a snare by his brother's letter? On the face of it, it looks absurd, and yet in what other way can I explain the absence of servants, the mildowed aspect of the rooms? Now Francis is dead, and they, without a word to me, havo departed.'' I could not solvo tho mystery. Far from doing so, the more I thought, tho more I examined the surroundings, tho deeper grew the mystery. The door had been locked, and I could find 110 key. The window ulso was locked, and even had it not been 110 one could havo entered thereby, so considerable was tho height from the ground. How, then, had tho assassin gained admittance? Yet sure was I that Briarfield had been murdered, but by whom it was hard to say?nay, impossible. I did indeed think that he had committed suicide, but this was too wild an idea to entertain even for a moment. When I parted from him on the previous night, ho was in the best of health, looking forward to meeting Miss Bellin, and was passably content with his life. Thero was 110 hint of self destruction either in speech or action. The thought that his brother had deceived him would not havo engendered such an idea. Rather was ho determined to unmask the traitor and regain his promised wife by force. Murder it might bo. Suicide was out of the question. Thus far I thrashed out the matter, yet arrived at no logical conclusion. As thero seemed 110 signs of landlord and maid, it behooved me to consider what I should do. According to Francis, his V?T<-\fkr>v will! rlnn r\t t-)u> ntnntinnr nlnon that morning, so I deemed it advisablo to wait until he arrived and then explain the circumstances to him. If ho was in leaguo with Strent to murder his brother, lie would hardly bo ablo to disguiso his joy at hearing tho success of his plot. I thereforo determined to watch his face during tho interview, and if I saw therein any signs of guilt to there and thon, in that lonely inn, accuse him as a second Cain. By thus terrorizing his soul with such accusation and with tho sight of his victim I might force him into confession. If ho were guilty, I guessed the plea behind which ho would shelter himself ?that ho had not been near the placo on tho previous night. This I would counter by the accusation that his emissaries had carried out his orders and then sought safety in flight. It might be that I suspected Felix wrongly, yet after the story told mo by Francis I could not but think ho was conn cted in somo unseen way with the death of tho latter. But, after all, these suspicions were yet vague and aimless. All I knew for certain was that Francis Briarfield was dead. I sworo on tho instant to dovoto myself to finding out and punishing his detestablo assassin. Having como to this resolution, I propped up tho open door, so as to close tho entrance to tho chamber of death, and descended to tho lower regions. Finding victuals and fuel in the kitchoD, I cooked myself a meal and made a sufficiently good breakfast. Then I lighted my pipe and took my seat at tho front door to watch for tho coming of Felix Briarfield. Whether my suspicious would bo dispelled or confirmed by his demeanor I was of course unablo to say until the interview took place. But I I was most anxious to know. All that morning I looked down the winding road to Marshminstor, but saw no ono coming therefrom. Not a 6oul was in sight, and if I did for a moment think that Strcnt and his daughter might return and declaro themselves innocent the thought was banished by a few hours' outlook. The inn, as I said before, was on a slight rise, and I could seo far and wide. No human being was to be seen, and as the hours passed I grow almost horrified at the grewsomo solitude. To bo alono with a dead body in a lonely liouso in a lonely moor is hardly healthy for the mind. Toward noon I took a resolution. "If,"said I, "tho mountain won't come to Mohammed, why, then, Mohammed must go to the mountain." Tho interpretation of this was that 1 intended to see Felix Briarfield at Bellin | Hall, Marshminstor. Face to face with I him, and I would force him to explain I why ho had not kept tho appointment It seemed to mo a suspicious circumstance. Perhaps Strcnt had told him j Francis was dead, and therefore it would | be useless for him to ride to the Fen inn. If this wero so, it would go a long j way toward implicating him in tho ' crime. I re-entered tho house, locked up i everything, and strapping on my knapsack took my departure toward Marshminstor. Homo way down the road I J looked back at tho ruin and saw it loom i more grim and ghastly than ever. Even J in tho bright sunshine it could not ap- j pear otherwise than eerie, and it was I with great pleasure that I left it be- ' hind. Yet under those sloping roofs I Francis Briarfield lay dead, and it was to discover his assassin and avenge his dnaMi tKrt/ I* set niv face towsu'il Marsh liiins \xr~ - CHAPTER IIL Lato in tlio afternoon I tramped into | Marshminster. It wis by no means my j first visit to that sleepy provincial town. | Under the shadow of the cathedral tower I dwelt relatives with whom I had aforotinio spent school and college holidays. Their houso was tlio goal of my pilgrimage, and a week's rest was to recoup 1110 for the toils of tlio walking tour. Tlio tragic occurrenco at the Fen inn altered all my plans. With an assassin to bo tracked there was 110 time for comfortable idleness. Francis Iiriarfield had been my friend, and I owed it to his memory to avenge his death. It was no easy task I had set myself. I recognized that from the first. I11 place, therefore, of seeking tho center of tho town and my maiden aunt's I turned off at tho outskirts and made 1 for Bcllin Hall. According to tho story of Francis, his brother was staying | with tho Bellins, and it was necessary that I should see him at once about tho matter. My acquaintance with Mrs. Bellin and her daughter was confined to casual conversation at crowded "at homes" during tho season. I had hardly the right to thrust myself 011 them uninvited, but my business brooked 110 delay. Tho sooner Felix knew tho truth tho better it would bo for liim. If I10 1 were guilty, I could punish liim for his i crime by denouncing him at ouco to tlio 1 authorities if innocent, ho need loso no timo in limiting down those who had I j. slain his brother. Besides I wished to j put Olivia on her guard against tho i man masquerading as Francis Briar* j field. That Lintended to do in any case, whether ho was innocent or guilty. Bellin Hall was a grotesque specimen i of architecture, built by Jeremiah Bellin, who had made his money out of j blacking. It was uncommonly liko a factory, but perhaps the deceased Jero- j miah liked something to remind him of the origin of his fortune and keep him from thinking his ancestors came over j with William tho Conqueror. He mar- i . 1 _ J 1LA J Unn/l nun uiu imugiuur ui n uuiuxico uuu men took his departure to the next world, : leaving his widow well provided for I and his daughter an heiress in her own I right Mrs. Bellin was a pretty woman, with no brains and a giggling laagh. i Her daughter had the beauty of her ; ; mother and the brains of her father, so ; sho was altogether a charming girL : How sho could tolerato her silly dolly of a mother I could never understand. I Perhaps 23 years of constant forbearance j ! had inured her to tho trial On arriving at the front door I learned I that Mr. Briarfield was within and 6ent j up my card, requesting a private inter- j I view. For tho present I did not wish to I seo Olivia, as it was my intention to ; warn Felix that I was cognizant of his j trickery. My theory was proved correct i by tho following dialogue: i Myself?Is Mr. Briarfield within? Footman?Yes, sir. Mr. Francis i Briarfield has just returned from town. After which question and answer I : was shown into a room. Observe that I ! had said "Mr. Briarfield," and tho foot| ' I man answered "Mr. Francis Briarfield." j Now, as I well knew that the man i I bearing that name was lying dead at the j | Feu inn, it was conclusive proof that . ! Felix, to gain tho hand of Olivia, was j ' masquerading as his brother. I had just | argued this out to my complete satisfac1 tion when Felix made his appearance. ! The resemblance between the brothers i was extraordinary I had some difflcul ty in persuading myself that tho man before me was not ho whom I had seen J dead that morning, tho same pale face, i dark hair and jaunty mustache, the same gestures, the saino gravity of demeanor and actually the same tones in ; tho voice. Thero was not tho slightest \ difference between Felix and Francis, i Tho one duplicated tho other. I no longer i wondered that Olivia was deceived. i I Despito my acquaintance with tho ' brothors, I should havo been tricked i myself. As it was, I stared open mouth- j ed at the young man. "This is a pleasant surprise, Denham," ho said, looking anxiously at ma "I did uot know you were in this part of the world." "Nor was I until yesterday. I am on a walking tour and last night slept at tho Feu inn." "Tho Fen inn," ho repeated, with a i slight start "What took you to that out of tho way place?" "I camo by tho marshes, and as I was belated had to take tho shelter that | ! offered.'' "But, man alive,"said Felix, rais- ; ing his eyebrows, "tho inn is empty 1" ; This timo it was my turn to bo astonished. If Felix thought tho inn was empty, why did he appoint it as a meeting place for his brother? Ho either knew too much or too little, so it behooved me to conduct tho conversation htUl* flm nfmAof rlftvforitv nit" tA1U UHA1V/OW uvow..v. "It was not empty last night at all events," I retorted, keeping my eyes fixed on his face. "Indeed 1 Are gypsies encamped there?" ho said coolly. "Well, not exactly," 1 answered, emulating his calm. "It was in charge of a man called Strent and his daughter. " "This is news to ma I was always under tho impression that tho Fen inn ! was quite deserted " I "You lmvo not been near it lately?" i j "No. Nobody goes near it They say j j it is haunted" I "Pshaw," I answered angrily, "an i I old wifo's tale! And yot," I added after j ! a moment's thought, "it may well bo i I haunted after what took placo there last ! I night." "This begins to grow interesting," J --- 1 T-, 1_._ IIIT..1 ! . saici reux. uuu juu tui wduiuuivi I | "Yes. I met with your brother." "Impossible I My brother Felix is in ! Paris." "I am talking of Francis." j "Francis," ho repeated, with a dis- i agreeable smile, "Francis? Well, Denham, I am Francis." "I think you are making a mistake, j : Briarficld," said I coldly. "Your broth | or Francis slept at tho Fen inn last j night" I "I slept in this house." j "I quito believo that But you are Felix!" j "Oh," said Briarfield, bursting into a harsh laugh, "I sco you are making ' j the inevitable mistako of mixing me up j with my brother. It is pardonable mi- | der tho circumstances; otherwise I might resent your plain speaking. " Tho assuranco of tho man was so com- j plcto that I wondered if ho knew that ! i his secret was safo by tho death of his j | brother. Such knowledge would account for his complacency. Yet it was quito ; impossible that he could know of tho death, as lie certainly had not been to | tho inn. I knew that from my own knowledge. "If you aro Francis," said I slowly, ! "you aro engaged to MissBellin. " j "I am," ho answered haughtily, "but by what right you" "One moment, Mr. Briarfield Miss j Bellin gave her lover Francis a pearl i I ring. I do not seo it on your finger. " j He glanced down at his hand and i grew confused. "I lost it," ho muttered?"I lost it ! some timo ago." i "That is not true!" "Do you daro to" j "I dare anything in connection with j what I know to ho a fraud. You aro passing yourself olf as your brother j Francis." "By what right do you malco this mad assertion?" j "From what Francis told mo last night." "But I tell you I am Francis," 110 said savagely. "Don't I know lhyown name?" | "If you are tho man you assort yourself to Ijo, whero is tho pearl ring?" "I lost it." "You did not. You never hud it. I j saw it 011 the finger of Francis no later | than last night." i "I think you. aro mad, Denham!" ! said Felix, whito with passion, "orelso j you must be talking of Felix, who is in ! Paris." I "That untruth will not serve," I said coldly. "Felix is beforo me, and Fran- 1 cis is lying dead at tho Fen inn. " 1 "WhatI Francis dead?" I10 cried unguardedly. "Ah, yon admit it is Francis?" "No, I don't," lie retorted quickly, i "I only re-echoed your words. What do I you mean by saying such a thing?" I For answer I roso from my seat and made for tho door. Tho farco wearied I ma 1 "Whero aro you going, Denham?" ho asked, following 1110 up. | "For tho police," I answered, facing ' him. "Yes, I am determined to find out the mystery of Francis Briarficld's 1 I death. You, his brother, decline to help j 1110, so I shall place tho matter in tho hands of tho authorities. " "Upon my soul, Denham, "said Fe- | I lis, detaining me, "you aro either mad i or drunk. I declaro most solemnly that I urn Francis Briar field. From this story of yours I should think it was my broth| er Felix who is dead, did I not know ' ho is in Paris?" "A fino story, but it docs not imposo 1 on me," I answered scoftingly. "Listen! ! to me, Briarlield. Your brother Francis 1 went crat to booth America some six months ago. Beforo he went ho was en- i gaged to Miss Bellin. Tho mother would not hear of tho marriage, so tho engagement was kept quiet You alouo knew of it and took advantage of such knowledge to suppross the letters sent to Miss Bellin through you by Francis and represent yourself to Olivia as her lover returned three months beforo his time. You, Iquito believe, aro supposed to bo in Paris, so that you may the moro easily carry out the game." "This is mere raving." "It is the truth, and you know it As Miss Bellin did not answer his letters, Francis thought something was wrong and returned home. Afraid lest ho should find out your plot, you asked him to meet you at tho- Fen inn, and thero either intended to throw yourself on his mercy or?to murder him." "Murder him!" ho repeated fiercely. "It is false!" ?"TV?of tt*ill Kn fr\v fVin rw-Jinn tn /Infrnv X UUU YT XXX kJ\J VUV ^/U?*VW VW VkVW* mine." "But surely, Denham, you don't in* tend to inform tho police?" "I am going to do so now." Felix seized me by the arm and dragged me back to my seat Ho was now much agitated, but mado every effort to restrain his emotion. "Sit down, " ho said in a hoarse tono. "You do me wrong, Denham?on my soul you do mo wrong. I was engaged, I am engaged, to Olivia Belliu. Her mother consented to our engagement after I returned to England three months ago. Felix, I believe, is in Paris. I j don't know whom you met at tho inn Jast night It was not I?it could not have 1 been Felix. There was 110 appointment between us. I am not masquerading as Francis becauso I am Francis." "I don't believe you. " "You must! I can bring forward witnesses to prove my identity!" "They.may bo misled by tho resemblance. Remember, you and Francis are 1 twins." "I said before, and 1 say it again, you are mad!" ho cried, roughly casting mo off. "Whoever heard of an appointment beiDg mado at a ruined inn? No one has lived there for months. Ask any one in Marshminster, and they will tell you so." "Strent and his daughter Rose"? I began, when he cut mo short "Who aro they? I never heard of them. They aro figments of somo dream. You went into that ruined inn last night and dreamed all this." "You don't believe my story?" "Not one word," said Felix coolly, looking mo straight in the face. "Then I don't believe ouo word of yours," I cried, jumping up. "Let us place tho matter in tho hands of tho authorities and seo who will bo boliov 0(L" "What aro you going to say, Denham?" "Say? That Francis Briarficld has died in the Fen inn." "You "won't believe that I am Fran- i cis?'' ho said, evidently making some re- j solve. "No. You aro Felix!" "One moment," he said, going to tho door. "I shall prove my identity and in a manner that will admit of no denial." j With that ho vanished, and I waited to seo what further evidence ho would j bring forward to back up his imposture. I DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. John Gary Evans the Next Governor. CONSERVATIVE RESOLUTIONS IGNORED. The Constitution Changed so as to Kequire a Direct Primary?New Platform Adopted?A Full Tickel Nominated Without Friction. Condensed from the Unity Tapers. The State Democratic convention ' met in Columbia, last Wednesday at : noon for the. purpose of reorganizing | the party for the coming campaign j and nominating candidates to he voted ; for in November. The convention was called to order by Senator J. L. M. I" Irby, chairman of the State Executive committee, and the proceedings were opened with prayer by Rev. I)r. S. M. Smith, of Richland. Mr. A. If. Patterson, of Barnwell was elected temporary chairman and Mr. H. H Brunson, of Orangeburg, was elected temporary secretary. The call of the roll of delegates developed the fact that all the counties were properly represented and that there were no contests. York was represented as follows : J. C. Ashe, R. A. Burnett, M. S. Carroll, R. M. Carroll, W. J. Davis, W. N. Elder, W. W. Miller, J. B. Rawls, W. H. Edwards, J. R. Witherspoon. Senator Efird was elected permanent chairman by acclamation, and one vice-chairman was elected from each congressional district. Mr. Ira B. j Jones, of Lancaster was elected for the ; Fifth district. The temporary seere- j tary was made a permanent officer, and | the convention proceeded to business by the election of a committee on plat- j form, consisting of one delegate from I each county. Among the members of | the committee were J. K. Henry, of J Chester; H. J. (Jardnor, of Lancaster; I D. P. Duncan, of Union ; T. L. (Jantt, of | Spartanburg; W. X. Elder, of York. NKW PLATFORM. After the appointment of the committee on platform the convention ! took a recess until 2.80 oclock. Upon ; the reassembling of the convention, D. j P. Duncan, chairman of the committee reported tlie following platform: 1. The representatives of the Democrat* ie party of South Carolina, in convention assembled, do rcallirm their allegience to the principles of the party, as formulated l?y Jefferson and exemplified hy .Madison, Jackson and Calhoun and their successors in Democratic leadership. 2. We rcallirm our allegiance to the j platform adopted hy the Democratic ' national convention at Chicago in June, j IS! ?2. 8. We demand the free and unlimited coinage of silver at a ratio of hi to 1, and . insist upon its immediate cuauctmcnl | without waiting for international agree- j inent. We insist upon it for the pro- ! teetion of our farmers and laboring classes, the lirst and most defenseless ! victims of unstable money and tliietua- j ting currency. 4. We reallirm our allegiance and ad he- j renee to an advocacy of the principles set j forth in our State Democratic platforms adopted IS! Ml and Isirj. ">. Recognizing the great evils of intern pcrance and the curse of barrooms and their corrupting influences, we heartily J endorse the Dispensary law as the happi- | est and best solution of the vexed whisky problem and we call upon the Christian men and women of the State to see that J the law is fairly tested and assist in its j enforcement. II. We urge upon all good Democrats to vote for the calling of a constitutional i convention at the general election in No- i vemher. 7. We endorse the present Democratic j adininistraloin of our Stale as wise, pru- | dent and just, and fully exemplifying j our motto of "equal rights to all and spec- > ial privileges to none." MINORITY RKPORT. Chairman Duncan read the following minority report of the committee on platform and explained that the j majority of the committee had dispos- j ed of it by laying it on the table. 1 Resolved. That we. the representa tivi's of tlio Democratic party of the State I of South ('arolina, do hereby renew and I declare our unswerving allegiance to the j principles of Democracy as set forth in the platform adopted at Chicago by the ' national Democratic convention of lfMfci. 2. Resolved, That it is the sense of this ! convention that no one is a Democrat and entitled to represent us as Democrats who ] is not in full accord with the principles j and platform id' the national Democracy, i nor one who advocates the principles of \ the l'opulist party or seeks to force the j demands of the Oeala platform upon ; Democrats the test of political principles ' or action. >. Resolved, That we condemn as undemocratic and subversive of the principles of the party, the platform adopted and promulgated by the Reform Democratic convention at Columbia on August Hi, ls?M. St. Julian Jervey, of Charleston, ! made a speech in favor of the subsli- ; t tit ion of I ho minority for the majority \ report. He claimed that the majority j report eont.lined an endorsement of ' principles that were undemocratic. 1 He said that the platform of 1892 was a perversion of Democratic principles, I and he doubted if any Democrat could j stand on such a platform. Several j delegates made speeches for and against the minority report, and upon ' a vote, the minority report was laid on 1 the table and the report of the majori- J ty was adopted as the platform of the i party by a rising vote. \ MKMOKIAI. Of TJIH CONSKUVATIVES. I After the adoption of the majority ' report of the committee as to the plat- ] form of the parly, Mr. Jervey called 1 i attention to a memorial adopted by the Conservative convention of Monday. ! The memorial, signed by the members i of the Conservative executive commit- ' tee was read as follows : To the Presiding O(liccr and the Dele- i gates of the State Democratic convention, > convening on September 10, 1H5?4. (Jentlenien: Py instruction and resolu- ( tion of a convention of Democrats assent- i tiled in Columbia, on September 17. lspt, j we the undersigned, appointed an executive committee hereby present the follow- ; ' ing Democratic resolutions and enuncia- | i tion of Democratic principles, adopted by i mat Oouy, and demand mat yon, (Manning to be the regular Democratic party of the State of South Carolina, adopt the same in full an a clear declaration of Democratic doctrine, and as your purpose to stand by and tight for the Democratic platform, ! as therein outlined, being as it is perfectly in line with the platform and principles . of the National Democratic party, and demanding the repudiation and the rescinding of the platform adopted by the State I Democratic convention in lstrj. (Signed) J. L. Carson, Mike Drown, S. 1'. Smith, T. 1$. Woods, E. D. llodge, W. S. Allen, J. B. 0. Wright, S. A. Towncs, j ('. 1'. Quattlehaum, W. L. (tray, .1. W. Johnson, (JeorgcS. Mower, M. <>. Dantz- j ler, John (J. Capers, J. C'. Singleton, N. T. ! Hurst, M. P. Tribble, W. J. Verdier, F. | ('. Kishburne, W. F. Stevenson, W. C. i Coker, John Bratton, J. B. Steele, W. K. ; Martin, Jolyi C. Mcl)ow, C. S. Bradford, W. A. Sparks, (t. W, Pratt, R. C. Haines, I A. 1*. Butler, L.J. Browning and <!. W. i S. Hart. Whereas, men, prominent in the affairs ; of the State, claiming to be Democrats, [ , some of whom are now seeking nomina- ' j tions for high offices as Democrats, have ! , declared themselves bound by the princi- ; ( jiles announced at a convention held at , Ocala, in the State of Florida, on the Jd } day of December, 1MH), as paramount to | all other political principles whatsoever, ) which principles arc centralizing in their , tendency and opposed to those of the , Democratic party; I And, whereas, others now claiming to be I j Democrats have allied themselves with I | members of a new party styled the Popu- ! , list party, and have declared themselves j ; ready to abandon the Democratic party i | whenever an opportunity favorable to the I ] success of the so-called Populist party ] shall present itself; j | And whereas, under such circumstances | it becomes the duty of the Democratic i , party in this State, through itsoflicial rep- J ( resentatives in convention assemliicd, ex- j | plicity to declare its position in regard to , these disturbing influences: < , Resolved, That this convention, coin- ! ( posed of loyal Democrats from all parts i of the Stale, demands of the convention j to assemble on the l!?th instant, under | , the eall of the exeentive committee of the | Democratic psirty of thcStatens heretofore | | organized, explicitly to declare the true ) , and loyal allegiance of the whole Demo- j , cratie party of the State of South Carolina } j to the principles and organization of the [ , National Democratic party, and to repn- I ( diate and rescind the action of the State j j convention of 1N92, adopting the Ocala j \ platform as that of the Democratic party i of the State. , 2. That this convention also demands of \ the said State convention to lie held on the | UHh instant to nominate no one toollice j who is not in full accord with the princi- ( pies of the National Democracy, nor one j who acknowledges allegiance {o the said j Ocala platform or the principles of the Populists party. . That the nomination by the eonven- j tion on the 19th instant of any candidate j ( for any ollice at the hands of*the Demo- | ( emtio party holding allegiance to any oth- j , er than the Democratic principles and . policy shall absolve all members of the j | Democratic party in this State from obli- , gat ion to support such nominees at the j general election, whether or not they par- ; ( ticipated in the recent primary election. | \ 4. That an executive committee, con- [ ( sisting one member from each county, he I appointed by the respective delegations, j , which committee shall he charged with ? the duty of the better organization of the i Democratic party, and the presentation of | , the foregoing resolutions to the convention , which meets in Columbia on the 19th in- ; . slant, and with recalling this convention j at such time as they see tit, prior to the 1st I ( of < ictober. j | Upon motion of Senator May field | i the memorial was received as in forma- j J tion. j 1 NEW CONSTITUTION. | f A new constitution of the party was 1 adopted as follows. The principal , change is in section six, which provides t that hereafter all Democratic nomi- ] ' nees for United States senator, con- | gross, solicitor, State and county ofli- t cers, except trial justices, shall be elect- < ed in a direct primary : i 1 Article 1. There shall he one or more Democratic clubs organized in each township or ward, each of which clubs shall J have a distinct title, "The Demo- I cratie Club," and shall electa president, 1 one or more vice-presidents, a recording : and corresponding secretary and atreasur- j ' er, and shall have the following working 1 committees of not less than three members j each,| viz.: A committee on registration, j an executive committee and such other I . committees as each club may deem expo- ! 1 client. " j < Art. 2. The meetings of the clubs should \ be frequent after the opening of the can- i vass, and some member of the club or invited speaker deliver an address at each j 1 meeting if practicable. Art. 3. The president or live members i | shall have power to call an extra meeting j , of the club, and one-fourth of the mem- I 1 hers shall constitute a quorum for the ! J transaction of business. i Art. 4. The clubs in each county shall , ( be held together and operate under the ! . control of a county executive committee, j ' which shall consisist of one member I from each club, to be elected by the re- ] spectivc clubs. The executive committee, j when elected, shall appoint its own otlie- : era, who shall not necessarily be members j ? of said committee, and till all vacancies < which may arise when the convention is i not in session; provided that any ollieer l . so elected who is not a member of the ! ; committee shall not be entitled to a vote j ] on any <|iiestion, except the chairman, | ] and then only in case of a tie vote. The ; tenure of olliecof the executivo committee shall be until the lirat Monday in May j f of each election year, at which time the < county convent ions shall be called togeth- ! or to reorganize the party. 10 very presidential election year county conven- j ' tions shall be called by the county - l executive committee on the lirat ; ] Monday in May and shall elect del- ; egales to a State convention called for the purpose of electing delegates to | the National Democratic convention, and < to elect the memberof the National Dem- , oeratie Kxecntive committee from this I Slate. The State convention shall be ! ( called by the State executive committee < to meet every presidential election year | on the third Wednesday in May, and : every Stale election year, county and State | convent ions shall meet on the first Mon- i ' day in May and the third Wednesday in ; s Mav respectively. Kacli county shall be j entitled in State convention to double the representation it has in the general as- I sembly. j r Art. a. County Democratic conventions { 1 shall lie composed of delegates elected by j o the several local clubs, one delegate for T every 2.1 voters, as shown by the club ! '' livi nifiili- ;ii ilu' nreeediiitr tirst tirinia- 3 ry election, and one delegate lor every ^ majority fraction thereof, with the right i . to each*county convention to enlarge or j diminish the "representation according to i eireninstanees. The comity conventions j <> shall he called together hy the chairman j (] of tin* respective executive committees, under sneli rule, not inconsistent with the i a constitution nor with the rules adopted by ! the State Democratic Kxceutivo commit- ,] tee, as each county may adopt, and when assembled shall bo called to order by the chairman of the executive committee, and the convention shall proceed to nom- j < inate and elect from among its members a j !* president, one or more vice-presidents, : I secretary any a treasurer. Any county ! t convention may permit the formation of ti a new club or clubs by a majority vote of I ( its members. I In all cities with a population of (MM . I and over there may be two clubs in each ^ ward ; they shall be organized in obedi- | ' once to this constitution, as are the clubs i v elsewhere in this State, and in organizing 3 said clubs they shall have representation i s in the county conventions respectively as -1 said conventions shall declare in accord- ; t ance with the provisions of this consti- j u tution. Art.ti. For the purpose of nominating : 1 candidates for governor, lieutenant gov- 1 ernor and all other State ollicers iticlud- 1 ing solicitors in their respective circuits | 1 and congressmen in their respective dis- > tricts, and presidential electors by the ' ^ |>ftpill:ir vote ami i lined .-uaics senator iixl all county ollicers except trial justices mil musters, a direct primary election shall lie held on the last Tuesday in August of each election year, and a second mil a third primary each two weeks successively thereafter. At this election only white Democratic voters who have I icon residents of the State 12 months and the county <K> days preceding the next general election shall he allowed to vote, iikI such Negroes as voted the Democratic ticket in 1*70, ami as have voted the Democratic ticket continuously since to lie shown l?y the certificate of in while Democratic voters; provided that no person shall he allowed to vote except his name lie enrolled on the particular club list at which he oilers to vole, at least live lays before the day of the lirst election. 1'lie club rolls of the party shall constitute the registry list and shall he open to inspection by any member of the party, mil the election under this clause shall be lield and regulated under the act of the general assembly of this State, approved Decern her si, iwn, aim any suDscqucni lets of the legislature of this State. Tho State Kxeeutive eoinmiltee shall meet on the Kriday after each primary, orsueh >ther time as may he designated by the chairman, to canvass the vote and declare the result as to all State ollicers, congressmen, presidential electors and I'nited States senator. All contests shall be heard lirst by the county executive committee >f the county in which such irregularities may have occurred, and may be reviewed by the State Kxeeutive committee, whose action shall be final: Provided, That no vote shall be counted for any candidate who does not tile with the chairman of the State Kxeeutive committee, i?r with the respective chairmen of the county executive committee, a pledge in writing that he will abide the result of such primary and support the party nominees, and that he is not, nor will he become, the candidate of any faction either privately or publicly suggested, other than the regular Democratic nomination: Provided, further, That no candidate shall lie declared nominated unless he receives a majority of the votes cast. Art. 7. Theollifcers of the State convention shall be a president, one vice president from each congressional district, two secretaries and a treasurer. Art. s. The State Kxeeutivecommmittee shall be composed of one member from each county to be elected by the county conventions on the lirst Monday in May ot MK.li U'linn until flv. jcutivc committee shall clioo.se its own officers, not necessarily members thereof, l>rior to said election : Provided, That any >lllcer so elected who is not a member of :he committee shall not be entitled to rote on any question, except the chairman, and then only in the ease of a tie rote. The State Executive committee shall meet at the call of the chairman, or my live members, and at such time and |)laco as he or they may appoint. The member of the National Democratic I\xjcutivc committee from South Carolina shall be elected by the May State eonven;ion in lJSJXi and every four years thereaf:er, and when elected shall he ex-ollicio a inembcr of the State Democratic executive committee. Vacancies 011 said committee by death, resignation or otherwise shall be tilled by the respective county executive committees. The State Executive ommittee is charged with the execution md direction of the policy of the party in this State, subject to this constitution, principles declared in the platform of principles and such instruction by resolution or otherwise as the State convention may from time to time adopt, not inconsistent with this constitution, and shall continue in otliee for two years from the time of the election, or until their successors have been elected. If any vacancy occur in the State ticket or of electors, by loath, resignation or other cause, the ommittee shall have the power to till the vacancy by a majority vote of the whole [ ommittee. Art. t>. The vote in the respective counlies for all the State ollicers,congressmen, presidential electors and United States senator, shall be transmitted by the chairman of the respective county executive committees to tin? chairman of the State executive committee as early as practicable after each primary, who shall proceed to canvass the vote ami declare the results. Art. 10. When the State convention assembles it shall be called to order by the chairman of the State executive committee. A temporary chairman shall be nominated by the convention, and after its organization the convention shall proceed immediately to the election of permanent nl1ii>i>iN mill t<> tlio transept inn of business. When the business l;:is concluded it sliali adjourn sine die. Art. 11. Jlefore the election in l.vjkt, and each election thereafter, the State Denio ratie executive eonnnittee shall issue a all to all candidates for State otlieers to Address the people of the diiVercnt connties of the State, tixing the date of the meetings and also inviting the candidates for congress, I'nited States senate, delegates to the State convention, and for solicitors in their respective districts and ircuits, to be present and address the people. At such meetings only the cumulates set forth above shall be allowed to q>enk. Art. 12. It shall be the duty of each 'ounty executive eonnnittee to appoint meetings in their respective counties to be uldresscd by the candidates for thegeneril assembly and for the different county itliees, all of whom, excepting trial jusices and masters, shall be elected by primaries on the last Tuesday in August of jach election year under the same rules mil regulations hereinbefore provided. Art. 13. Each county delegation to as state convention shall have power to till my vacancy therein. Art. 14. This constitution may beamend}d or altered at the regular May convcnion ofthe State or at any covention called mecitically for that purpose, which call mall specify the changes to be made. Art. la. Any county refusing or failing o organize- under the provisions of this (institution shall not have representation n the State Democratic convention. NOMINATIONS. When the question of nominations . ante up Mr. T. L. Gantt, of Spartanpurg proposed that the convention have printed 1,">00 tickets containing the tames of all candidates; that the delerates vote as in a primary election, and hat the candidates receiving a pluraliy of votes for the various oflices be leclared the nominees. The proposi ion was at lirst adopted, but was ifterward reconsidered and the vote >vas taken by counties. Secretary of State was tlit lirst ofice voted for. The candidates were I). II. Thompkins, of Kdgefield ; L. R. [Iill, of Spartanburg and John* It. Har ison, of Greenville. The vote resultid : Harrison, 93; Tompkins, 175); Hill, 30. York voted 3 for Harrison, 7 "or Thompkins, and 2 for Hill. Thomp cins was declared the nominee. A. W. Jones, of Abbeville, and lames Norton, of Marion were the andidates for comptroller general. Norton received 170 votes and Jones, 120. York voted "> for Jones and f> for Norton. Norton was declared the lominee. The candidates for adjutant and inspector general were 15. N. Riehbourg, >f Richland : J. I*. Minus, of Colleton ; I. Gary Watts, of Laurens and Colonel Ifrailsford, of Clarendon. The vole esulted ; Watts, 1 ; Riehbourg, 01 ; Minus, 70 ; Urailsford, 23. York vot d 0 for Riehbourg; I for Itrailsliiril: J for Watts; 1 for Minus. Walts was lecled by a majority of 1 vote. The candidates for superintendent of duration were W. I). Mayliehl, of Jreenville; Thus. W. Kcilt, of Newterry; G. Walton Whitman, of l uion. The vote resulted : Mayliehl 207; Ceilt, S3; Whitman, 10. York voted olidly for Mayliehl. Mayliehl was de lared tlu' nominee. The vole for railroad commissioners esulted as follows: J. A. Sligh, 5)4; I. R. Thomas, 15)3; W. I). JO vans, 07; W. H. Yeldcll, 170; J. C. Wilorn, 15(7; J. W. Gray, 23; Jasper liller, 11; J. If. Kooii, 3. Kvans, Vilhorn and Thomas were declared he nominees. John Gary Kvans was nominated for overnor and W. II. Timmcrmuu was lominatcd for lieutenant governor by cdamation. A new executive committee to serve luring the next two years, was elected s follows: Abbeville, .1. <?. Jones; Anderson, J. 1*. ilenn; Aiken, W. -M. Jordan; Itarmvoll, i. (J. Maylicld; Hcanfnrt, Thomas Tallin!; Berkeley, J. A. llarvev; Clmrleson, K. II. (iadsden; Chester, T. J. Cuniint(liani; Chesterfield, (J.J. Ked learn; 'larendon, J. T. Davis; Colleton, l>r. A. Williams; Darlington, J. X. I'arrott ; Cdgctield, K. B. Watson; Fairfield, T. V. Travlor; Florence, H.N. McCowan; cor^et'own, H. J. Donaldson; tJreeiiille, J. W. (Jniy; Hampton, M. 15. deS weeny; Horry, J. 1'. Durham; Kerliaw, T. J. Kirk land ; Lancaster, Ira 15. ones; Laurens, J. L. M. Irby; Lexinj;oii, ('. M. Klird ; Marion, J. D. Mont* ;omery; Marlboro, W. D. Kvans; Newicrry, J. A. Sligh; Oconee, W. J. Strib liny; Oninjicburir, Dr. O. K. Lowmaii; 'ickens, T. C. Hobinson; Kiehlaml, Wyie Jones; Sumter, D. K. Keels; Spartannirir, N. L. Dennett ; 1'nion, A.C. Lvles; Villiainslmrp, A. 11. Williams; York, A*. Thompson Jackson. L f.