Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, October 17, 1894, Image 1

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lewis m. ?BisT, proprietor, j ?ln Jndepeiulcnf ^amitu $eu;spaprr: ,xt*or the promotion of the .political, Social, Apritulfiiral and (!fotmnerstial Jntcrcsts of the $utk. jterms?*2.00 a year in advance. vot, 4-0. YORKYILLE, S. C., WEDNESDAY, OCTOUJAR 17, 1894. NO. 4:2. mm? T A k JtlJ-i Jut/ FERGUS Author of "The Myste: Copyright, 18SU, by the Author. I CHAPTER X. When I told Dr. Merrick of my good i fortune in finding Rose Strent, or, to j use her stage name, Rose Gernon, he was considerably astonished. The case had taken bold of him so completely that he could think of nothing else. Ho bad a large practice and attended fairly well to his patients, but informed me that he did so in a mechanical fashion, more or less, as his brain was busy with the Fen inn mystery. We were now wonderfully familiar, considering the short period of our acquaintance, but this was doubtless due to the interest we both took in the case. "Upon i<y word, Denham," said Merrick, robbing his head irritably, "I wish yon had not come near mo with your hallucinations. Instead of attending to my business, I think of nothing but your , mysteries. The sooner we unravel this riddle the better will it bo for ma You are an idle bachelor, so it docs not matter much to you, but I am a busy medical man, and this infernal business worries me greatly. At this moment I ought to be attending to a patient, instead of which I am wasting my time j with you." "Shall I go away?" "No, oonfound youl I wish to see j the end of this affair, or I'll get no peace of mind. It is too late to remedy : the matter, so I must have my curiosity allayed by learning all tho ins and j outs of this enigma Come, let us begin. You have found Rose Streut?" "Yes. She is a burlesque actress and plays at the Frivolity theater. Her name in the programme is set down as i Rose Gernon, but this is doubtless her stage nama Rose Strent is her real ona " "I'm not so sure of that," said Mer- i rick sharply. "If she went into that , Fen inn business with lier eyes open, she doubtless took a false name, so as to j baffle inquiry." "Then what about the landlord, who called himself Edward Strent?" "Oh, we must find out all about him also. No doubt his name is false also. Did he look like her father?" "Well, I can't say that there was mnch likeness between them. He looked ' to me like a valet." "A valet," muttered Merrick reflectively. "Queer 1 I wonder if he really ' was a valet?valet to Felix." "In that case he'll be with him now." "It is not impossibla He has Felix in his tower and can stay on just as he > likes. It's my opinion he'll stay till he's pensioned off. Case of blackmail, I fancy." "I think Rose Gernon is blackmailing Felix also." "Quite sa What else can ho expect? Or else," added Merrick, . looking straight at me, "it's a case of love and marriage." "What! Do you think Felix promised to marry Rose if she helped him to get rid of his brother?" - "I think he might lead her to believe j he would do so." "This is absurd, Merrick," 6aid I possession of Olivia's hand. Roso would not help Felix if she knew that" w "Precisely. If she knew it. But it's my opinion that she does not know it i I believe Felix gulled her into belief that he would marry her if she gave her j assistance, but he has not the slightest j intention of keeping his promise." "And what excuse could he make for j wishing to murder his brother?" "Ah, there you have me! I don't know that Of course you and 11 are aware of the real motive of tlio crime, but Rose is ignorant of it She thinks she knows, no doubt, but I'm certain she been put off with a lie." "But he can't keep the information fioui her for ever. Even if he keeps quiet, some one is bound to tell her that j Felix is engaged to Miss Bellin." "There you are wrong," said Merrick, with grim jocularity. "Every one thinks Francis is engaged to Miss Bel- ! lin." "Yes, but Roso Gernon knows well enough that Francis is dead, and that the engaged man must be Felix posing as Francis." uAmoHmfVt in fhnfr M ftrlniif. ! AUVUV O OVU1V WA UVU iu ted the doctor, looking puzzled. "1 suppose he must have kept that fact from her so far, as I don't see what possible explanation he could give her." "Always assuming she is in love with him," said I musingly. "Oh, as to that, I am certain it is so. A woman like Rose Gernon drawing a good salary would not mix herself up in such a dangerous business merely for ; money. There is a stronger motive, and that is lova I'll lay anything," con- ; tinned Merrick, in sporting phrase, "I'll lay anything that 6he is madly in love with the fellow." "Well, and Olivia, thinking Felix is ; Francis, loves him madly also. If these two women come together, there will I be trouble for Felix." "Eureka!" cried the doctor, jumping up excitedly, "the very thing. When thieves fall out?you know the adaga Let us bring the two women together and see the upshot" "There will simply be a row," said | 1 L "What is the use of that?" "This," retorted Merrick sharply? "that when Rose finds she has been be- j trayed she will reveal all the mystery out of revenge and assuro Olivia that Felix is not Francis." "That's not a bad idea, Merrick; also it might occur that Olivia reveals something in her turn." "Impossibla She can't possibly know the man's villainy, else she would not think of marrying him." "I supposo not, and yet," I added reflectively, "I wouldn't be surprised if she were cognizant of Felix's movements ou the 10th and 11th. Sho certainly stuck up for him iu the most amazing manner at the first interview. " "Of course she did, because she be- ( lieves he is Francis. Depend upon it, doctor, she knows nothing, and if wo bring her and Rose together there will be a revolation and a revelation." "It's worth trying at all events. But how can it be managed?" "? "By working on the natural jealousy of the sex. Tell Olivia that Felix receives a woman in his rooms every evening. " "Oh, hang it, Merrick," said I, reddening, "it wouldn't be delicate even to a married woman, let alone a girL " "Of course I don't mean you to put it to her in that barefaced manner," said Merrick hastily, "but handle the t matter delicately. Wrap it up in sugar. I leave it to your own judgment In any case you must rouse the jealousy of Miss Olivia Bellin and induce her to come with you to tho chambers of Felix when he is interviewing Rose." "She wouldn't come without her mother." "Then bring her mother along with you. This is a serious matter, and it doesn't do to be squeamish. " "Then do it yourself," said I angrily. "I!" said he, taken aback. "No. I don't know Miss Bellin. You sire the proper person. Besides it's better that she should know tho truth, even at the cost of a shock to her delicacy, than be tied to a brute like Felix, as she cerk tainly will be." "Not if Rose can help it. " "She can't help it if she doesn't know. And the only way to spoil tho game of Felix is to bring the two worn- 1 IE INK. "W. HUME, vy of a Hansom Cab.' en face to face. Their mutual jealous; will do the rest, and instead of goinj to tho altar Felix Briarfield will fin< himself bound for the scaffold." "True euougL Well, I'll try, Mer rick, but it's a job I don't like. " HG laughed at my scruples and trie< to show mo that I was really doinj Olivia a service in being so plain spo ken, but in spite of all his arguments departed from his house in low spirits I did not relish the idea of interviewing Olivia on so delicato a subject, yet saw it was imperative and therefore made up my mind to carry through tin business at whatever cost of persona inconvenience to myself. That is tin worst of being an amateur detective One's feelings aro not under sufficieu control The next day I called at Swanset square and sent up my card to Olivia A? it- Unnnnniul Vl?.?? mnfbfVr Vlfuf colli ns 1U DU Urtpj^'Viivu, **v* ?mvvmv 0 down to Hurliugham with Felix, anc she remained at homo 011 tho plea of i headache. She sent down a message t< the effect that she was unwell am: asked me to excuse her, but I scribblec a few lines on my card asking particu larly to see her. This time tho servani returned with the information that Mis* Bellin would see me for a few minutes, and I was shown into the drawing room. I felt nervous, but, determined t( go through with the matter, managed t< screw up my courage. It was a mos' unpleasant task, but very necessary if ] wanted to attain my object When Miss Bellin entered, 1 coulc not suppress a start, so changed was sh< in outward appearance. As I said 1>0' fore, she was a tall, well developed anc very beautiful woman, but now she hat grown thin, and her face wore an mix ious expression. I could not help think ing that she knew something about th< tragedy at tho lone inn, as I could con jecturo no other reason for her illliealt) and manifest discomposure. She cauu forward, with a nervous smile, ant greeted me in a low voice. "My mother and Mr. Briarfield hav< gone to Hurliiigham," sho said, sitting down on a lounge near which ray chaii was placed. "I am not sorry for that," 1 answer ed gravely, "as I wish to see yot alone.'' "What is tho matter, Mr. Deuham' Have you anything very terrible to tel! me?" "I think it is terrible." "About Francis?" she demanded anx innolt? "Yes. About Francis." "Surely you arc not going to bogir again about that foolish matter yoi 6poke of at Marshmiuster." "No. It is not about that " Olivia passed her handkerchief acrosi her lips and gave a sigh of relief. Th< expression of her face was so Strang* that I was more than ever convinced sh< suspected the truth. "I am glad you have given over thai mad idea about Francis being Felix,' she said at length. "I cannot conceive what made you tako up so strange a bo lief. Felix is in Paris." - . ?I... m ?Minn?Bollia. 1 fuut him there. This I said in the hope of startling her, but she did not move a musclo ol her face. Either she was keeping wel in hand or was cognizant of the faci that Felix had gone to Paris for the purpose of deceiving me. If so, she musi have known ho was not Francis, anc also that my story of the louo inn trag edy was true. It was on my tongue tc ask her if she was aware of the terribh truth, but on reflection I judged it besl to let events evolve themselves. Fate could manage theso things better thai a mere mortal. "I knew you would see him there," 6he said coldly, "but I cannot concern why you should desire to convince your self that I spoke truly. " "Because, Miss Belliu, I believe thai the man who calls himself Francis is really Felix." "The same old story," she said inr patiently. "You are mad. If you sav Felix in Paris, you must be convinced that you are making a mistake." "Well, Miss Bellin, wo will waive that point for the present. I will cal the man to whom you aro engagec Francis." "As ho is," she interpolated imperi ously. I let the remark pass and wenl on with my speech. "You will no doubl think me highly impertinent, but ] wish to warn you against the so callec Francis Briarfield.'' "What do you mean, sir?'" "Simply this: While at the Fen iui: I was waited on by a woman who call ed herself Rose Strent That woman is now in town acting at the Frivolity the ater under the name of Rose Geruon. " "And what have I to do with such i creature?" she asked in a trembling voice. "Nothing, but your lover has every thing to do with her." "Mr. Deuham!" We were both on our feet by this time, and she was looking at me with wrathful eyes. The crisis I so dreaded had come, but it was now too late to rotreat, and there was no help for it bul to go on. "Bo angry with mo if you like, Miss Bellin," I said as soon as I was able, "but it is in your own interest I speak. " "My own interest!" "Yes. This woman Rose Gernon i> in lovo with Francis B" "No, no!" she murmured, her fact growing white. "You aro making 11 mistake!" "It is true," I said doggedly, "slit was with him at his chambers yesterday evening at 8 o'clock. She will Ik thero tomorrow evening at the saint time. I learned that fact today." "Did you come here to insult me, sir?" asked Olivia in a voice tremulous with rage. "I came hero to do you a service, bul if you look upon it in the light of ai insult I may as well take my leave." "Stop, sir!" she said, placing hersell before me. "You shall not leave tin room till I tun convinced of the truth ol your statement. Why should Francis meet Rose Gernon?" "Why should Rose Gernon play tin part of awaiting maid at tho Fen inn?' I retorted ??? i t.niv 1IU1* VU11 A VV??* "To further the schemes of the inai who is to marry you, Miss Bellin. Sin loves him, and ho loves her." "No! I toll you it is impossible. J trust him. I love him. Ho could not 1? such a mean villain." "I can prove to you that what 1 saj ia true." "Do so, and I will believe it. If it i: true," she muttered, clinching her fist, "if it is true, I shall bitterly punisl him for the deception. " "Come with mo tomorrow evening ai 8 o'clock to Briarfiold's rooms in Jer myu street, and I'll engage you shal seo them together." "If I thought so?but, no, " she said, breaking off impetuously. "I cannoi coma How can I?how can I?" "Ask Mrs. Bellin to come with you,' I suggested. "I cannot do that. " She looked at me strangely for a mo mcnt, then walked to the other end ol the room. When she returned, her face was flushed with anger. "Why do you come here with these infamous tales, sir?" she cried excitedly. "I do not bcliovo you." "Put mo to the proof. Como toiuor I row ?veiling, ami you shall see lor your! self." "You aro the cueniy of the man 1 love." "I am the bitter enemy of tho man j who protends to love you because I believe ho killed his brother." | "Mr. Denham, I could tell?but, no, 9 no! I must bo silent" "What do you mean?" asked I eagerly, thinking sho was about to reveal j her suspicions. Olivia thought for a few ' moments, then put her hand suddenly I into mine. "I will be with at a i quarter to 8 tomorrow, and if it is truo i what you say?oh, if it is truo!" "Here is my card," said I, forcing ; it into her hand "Wear a veil and i ! I ; i "I will he with you at a quarter to 8 toJ morrow." como to my rooms in Duke street. I j. will await you at the (loor, aud wo will j j go to the chambers of this villain." "Ho is no villain. " ' j "I say he is, Miss Pellin, and I'll ^ | prove him to be so tomorrow." } | "Doit, "she said, fixing me with a glance, "and you shall see how bitterly I I I shall punish his treachery. Now go, I Mr. Denham, and meet mo tomorrow j evening fis you have arranged." I bowed and left the room in silence. As I passed through the door I looked j back and saw she had thrown herself j | on the couch, crying bitterly. Tho sight perplexed me "Does she know anything," I thought, i ; "or does she believe Felix is really ' Francis? Well, when she and Rose Gernon come face to face, the truth will bo revealed." I Tho truth was stranger than even 1 suspected. > CHAPTER XI. ' I My interview with Olivia passed off r ' better than I expected. If she had or: dered me out of the house, I would only j have looked on it as tho just punish1 ment for what must have appeared my impertinent interference in what did ? not concern ma The very fact that sho ' listened so quietly proved that she suspected Felix was masquerading as her lover. She could only be assured of this by overhearing his interview with Rose Geruon and thereforo accepted my invitation to go to the Jermyn street t rooms. If their tenant was Francis, ho i would resent the intrusion of Rose, but if Felix the two confederates would i doubtless talk of their guilty secret. i Thanks to a sovereign judiciously be) stowed on tho carekeeper, I had discov3 ered that Rose Geruon intended to visit 3 Felix at 8 o'clock. How tho carekeeper found out I do not know, but in some t mysterious way servants seem to gain all information concerning the doings 3 of their superiors. It sufficed for mo that Rose would be in tho rooms of Felix on this evening, anil that Olivia , trnnlH pnfr-Vi thwn in a trap. I had no pity for the gnilty pair, but 1 was genr ninely sorry for Olivia. She little knew f the torture she was about to undergo. I I did and almost regretted that I had int terfered in the matter. However, I con3 soled myself with the reflection that it t was better for her to suffer a few hours' j pain than lifelong misery. That she agro3d to go to Jermyu 3 street at that how without a chaperon 3 ; proved how desirous she was of learning t ' the truth. Delicately nurtured, gently 3 bred, she must have felt horrified at the i risk she was running of losing her good name, but seeing that her life's happi' | ness depended upon knowing all she 3 flung etiquette to tho winds and came. When I found her at tho foot of tho ! stairs at 8 o'clock, I admired and re6 | Bpected her from the bottom of my 3 ' heart. "Am I late?" she asked, touching my hand with trembling fingers. r j "Onlyfive minutes," said 1, looking I I at my watch. "I have been waiting at the head of the stairs for that time. 3 j However, wo can soon walk round to I Jermyu 6treet" I "Do you think any one will know I me, Mr. Denham?" said Olivia, taking my arm. "See, I have on a plain dress, I; and this veil is a thick one. " t "No one will rccognizo you," 1 an[ swered soothingly. "Nor do I think you [ will meet any one of your acquaint. ances." "I should have brought my mother j j but that I wished her to know nothing . | of this treachery. If I find I have been . deceived, I shall break off my engagement with Francis. But you will keep silent about my visit, will you not, Air. t Denham?" , "Nooue shall hear a word from me," ' I answered earnestly. "But keep up your spirits, Miss Bellin. Even if you find I you have been deceived there will bo some consolation in knowing that it is 5 Felix and not Francis." ( "You are wrong there," she replied I ; positively. "It is Francis. I have told you so all along. " . ' I shrugged my shoulders without reply. Evidently nothing could shake her faith in the man. All I could hope for 1 was that tho two confederates would betray themselves. "What are you going to do, Air. DenI ham?" asked Olivia anxiously. "Wo will go up to the rooms of lJriurfield," I answered, and there overhear ' their conversation." "Is that not dishonorable?" she said, i shrinking back. "In most cases it would be, " I replied hastily, "but it does not do to be too particular in this matter. If you break in on them, they may deny everything. Thinking they are alone, you will hear ! the truth. Remember, Aliss Rellin, ' I when one deals with a villain one t must beat him with his own weapons. Depend upon it, it is most necessary thyit 1 we should learn all. " , | "They can speak of nothing 1 do not know." , j "Aro you aware of the truth?" said I, somewhat startled by this remark. "lam aware of tho truth," she rei peated slowly, and before I could ques) tion her she flitted up the stairs. There was no time for mo to ponder over her words, as it was now past 8 o'clock, and Rose Gemon might descend at any IIIUU A. IIIUIVIUIU n|yuivu Ik HJYV iKIM^ | words to the caretaker, telling him I wished to see Mr. liriarfield, and followed her at onco. In two minutes wo were both standing before the door of ' Briarfield's room. ! "It is locked," said Olivia faintly. I "Never mind," answered I, producing my latchkey. "This key of mino ; opens tho door. I was, as you are aware, a great friend of Francis and learned that my key fitted tho lock of his rooms some timo ago. I have not forgotten ' tho circumstances, so it conies in useful now. Sec!" I turned the key, and the door opeu' ed noiselessly. Motioning to Miss Belj lin to precedo me, I followed her quiet, i ly and closed the door behind us. Wo heard tho murmur of voices in tho sitting room. She as well as I knew its whereabouts thoroughly. The door was * slightly ajar, and in front of it stretched a tall screen, with fretwork at tho 3 top. Stepping through tho open door in a gingerly manner, wo placed ourselves directly behind tho screen, so could both ' see and hear without damrer of being I observed. Thus far our enterprise had succeeded in tlio most successful manner, and nothing remained for us to do but to listen to the important conversation now taking place. Felix, standing with his back against the mantelpieco, looked anxious and angry, while lloso Gcrnou, her hands on the table, faced him fiercely. Evidently tho conversation was not progressing in a satisfactory manner to either, j "No!" she was saying rapidly. "I acI cept no money for what I have dona You know tho only reward. I claim? your love!" "I cannot give it to you, " said Pelix doggedly. "You know that as well as 1 I do." "Do I?" sho cried passionately. "Do you dare to say that to mo after all your vows and protestations? Why did you i tell me you loved me if it was but a J lie?" "I did not tell you sa " "Yes, you did, Felix?you didl I remember the hour, tho day, when you sworo that you would make mo your wife." "KeeD auiet." I muttered to Olivia, who mado au involuntary movement. "I tell you, Rose, there is some mistake, " said Felix angrily. "You mean spirited hound!" "I am a mean spirited hound," he i answered wearily. "No ouo knows that better than I da " "Some women," continued Rose, not heeding his interruption, "some women would have you killed. I am not a woman of that kind. I'll stay and marry ; you." "Impossible! I am to marry Miss I Belliu." "You promised to givo up Miss Bellin if I helped you to see your brother ! at the Fen inn." "My God!" muttered Olivia, trembling violently. "Hush!" I whispered. "Now we shall hear the truth." ! "I have changed my mind," retorted Felix in answer to the last remark of Rosa "That may be, but I have not, Mr. Felix Briarfield. I fulfilled my promise and went down with Strent to that lonely inn. Your brother caaie, and you know that ho never left it again. I have fulfilled my promise. I now require you to fulfill yours and make mo your wife." "I cannot! I cannot!" ho said in a faint voice, wiping his brow. "For heaven's sake, take this money I offer you and leave me." "I have mixed myself up with crime for your sake, and you offer to put 1110 off with money. It is useless. Your promise I have, and that promise I roquiro you to keep, or else" "Or clsu" "I'll tell the trutli to tho police. " 4< A flirio invnlvn ill mill AilVi UiUP * W* ? V J with ino." "I don't care," slio said sullenly. "Anything would be better than tho torture I am enduring ut your hands." "And what will you tell the police?" asked Felix in an unnatural voice. "You know well enough. I shall tell them how you killed your brother." "It is false!" ho said passionately, "I neither saw nor laid a finger on my brother." "Indeed! Then if you are innocent i who is guilty?" j "I don't know." "Did you not como to the Fen inn on that fatal night when Francis came?" 'Yes, but I never saw him." "You saw him and killed him." "It is n lie!" It was neither Felix nor Rose who "/ am a mean spirited hound," he answered icea rllfj. could do, broko 011 the astonished pair. Tho man advanced toward her, but she waved him back. "I defend you, sir," she said proudly, "because I know that this woman speaks falsely, but I have also to demand an explanation from you. " Felix paid 110 attention to the remark, but simply stared at her in a stupefied manner. "Olivin " ho S!ii#l ill ft lfl\V voice. "bow (lid you coihh hero?" "I brought her, Mr. Felix Briarfield, " said I, stepping forward. "You, Dcuham! And for what reason?" I pointed to Rose Gernoii, who stood quietly by, with a malignant smilo on her face. "Thero is tho reason," 1 retorted meaningly, "and Miss Bellin" "Miss Bellin will speak for herself," said Olivia in a peremptory tone. "Miss Bellin speaks of what she does not understand," interposed Rose venomously. "Because I deny that Francis killed Felix?" questioned Olivia. "No, because you deny Felix killed Francis." "What do you mean, Miss Gernon?" I asked rapidly. "I mean that this man whom Miss Bellin thinks is her lover Francis is Felix Briarfield, and Felix Briarfield," sho continued, "is my lover. " "No!" said Felix hurriedly. "It is not true!" I expected to see Olivia grow angry, but in place of this a bright smile irradiated her face as she looked at Felix. I could not conjecture the meaning of her action and began to grow uneasy. Rose also looked anything but comfortable. Evidently she had met with her match in Olivia. "I overheard part of your con versa- j tion, " said Olivia, addressing her pointedly. "Very honorable, 1 am sure," retorted Rose, with a sneer. "Honor is thrown away 011 women like you," answered Olivia scornfully. "I am glad I listened, for it enables 1110 to protect the man I love against your arts.'' "That is not the man you love, " said Rose spitefully. "He lies in the marshes surrounding the Fen inn, slain by tho hand of his brother. " "That is not true?I swear it is not true!" cried Felix, approaching nearer to Olivia "Bo quiet, Francis," sho said quick ly. "Let lis hear what she has to say." "I havo to say that Felix Briar field loved me," cried Iioso angrily. "Ho , loved mo long before he ever saw you, j but when you crossed my path he want- j ed to leave mo. Ho impersonated his brother Francis, who was at that time in America, and you, poor fool, did not discover the deception." "You nre quite right. I did not," replied Olivia calmly. "Go 011. " "When his brother Francis caino back this month, he thought all would bo discovered and implored me to savo him. He told 1110 of a plan whereby ho intended to decoy his brother to the Foil i inn 011 pretext of explanation. There ho intended to kill him." Olivia made 110 remark, but placed her hand within that of Felix. I won- I j dercd she could do so, seeing that I10 was accused by his accomplice of a hideous crime, and made 110 denial. "I wont down to tho Fen inn with a man called Strent" "That was not his leal name," 1 interrupted. "How do you know that?" she said 1 1 Bharoly. * ' I "Never mind. I know that it is bo. " "I decline to tell his real name," said I Rose, darting a furious look at ma "I call him Strent, and by that name you I | knew him and know mo nt the Fen inn." "I certainly did not expect Rose i Strent, waiting maid, to change to Roso ! Gernon, actress." "You are too meddlesome, Mr. Denham, " she said coolly, "and would do j ' better to mind your own business." | "Scarcely when I have discovered so j vile a crimo." "It was ho who committed it," said ; Roso malignantly, pointing to Felix, "Ho came to the inn and killed his j brother." "It is a lie!" cried Felix in despair, j i "I laid no hand on my brother. I did 1 I not even sco him." j "Wait one moment, Miss Gernon, be1 fore you mako this accusation," said Olivia? "You say that Felix is your lover?" "Id<x" 1 "And you promised to assist him in 1 removing Francis if ho married you?" j "I did" "For what reason wnen tno removal of Francis would cnablo Felix to marry mo under his fal&o name?" i "Ho promised not to do so, and I j thought if I helped him to kill Francis I could force him to marry me." ; "You love him greatly?" "I love him better than any ono clso j iu the world. " "I am sorry for that," said Olivia, with a touch of pity, "because Felix is dead." "Felix dead!" said Roso incredulous- j ly. "Then who is tho man?" "This man is my lover, Francis Briarfield, who returned from Chile on tho j 6th of June." , CHAPTER XII For tho moment I felt but little snr- i prise, as I thought Olivia was but mak- j ing the samo mistake she had made : formerly. Yet when I noted that she knew tho true date of her lover's return , and remarked tho strange expression 011 | the face of Roso I became instinctively j convinced that sho spoke the truth. It was Francis Briarfield who stood before j j me, and tho dead man was Felix. How i j tho change of personality had taken j j placo I was unable to guess, but never- | ! theless felt that it was true. Roso Gernon, with a look of disap- | [ pointed rage, was tho first to speak. i She stamped her foot and laughed scornfully. "This is ridiculous I" she said contemptuously. "It was Francis who died. He"-? ! "Francis did not dio, as yon woll | know," interrupted the young man. j "Felix fell into his own trap, and for i safety I assumed his name. I boliovo : you were aware of this all along. " "How can that be? And if I really i ! did know you were Francis, why did j you not say sd?" | "Because I did not wish to betray j { myself. For aught I know you slew my j S brother and woro quite capable of ac- j j cusing 1110 of his murder. " Roso evaded this question, and toss- j ' ing her head, with a sneer, moved to' ward tho door. Before sho could reach i it I blocked her nassauo. "Not yet, Miss tiernou," said I mean- I iugly. "Though wo have discovered Felix to bo Francis, wo do not know how tho former met with his death. " "I cannot tell you." "I think you can," said Olivia quickly, "seeing Felix, by your own confession, made all arrangements with you. " "And yet Felix ** dead," scoffed I Roso. "Ho fell into his own trap." j "I don't know how ho died," sho ; said resolutely. "As regards that I am as ignorant as you are, though I believe Francis killed him." "Ah I You then acknowledge me to j bo Francis?" i "I acknowledge nothing. Let 1110 ; i pass, Mr. Denham. I have to attend to my business." ; "Not till you tell me where your so ' called father, Strent, is to be found. " "I don't know," sho suid sullenly. "Yes, you do," porsisted Olivia, "and you shall not leave this room till you tell all." "If I do not go to tho theater, I shall j bo ruined." "That does not matter to us," said i Francis mercilessly. The woman looked at our three faces, j and seeing therein no hope of mercy j ' compromised the matter, j "Let mo have a night to think over ; it," sho entreated anxiously. "No," said Francis and Olivia in ouo j breath. "You must tell all now." "There is no time," she urged. "I ; am late as it ia I must go. " "Lot mo speak, Briarfield," I inter- ! j posed, seeing ho was about to refuse | I again. "We do not want to mako a public scandal of this?as yet." Francis consulted Olivia with a look J ana lurneci to ma "You know more about this case than any one else," he said quietly. "Miss Bellin and myself are quito prepared to leave tho matter in your hands." "Very good. Then Miss Gernon can go to her duties. I undertake that sho shall bo forthcoming tomorrow. Oh, yes, Miss Gernon," I added ironically, "I have made all my plans. Knowing ! you wero mixed up in this case, I engaged a detective to look after you." j "A detective!" sho said, with a ter- j j rifled look. I "Yes! Ouo of tho smartest detectives of Scotland Yard. Permit 1110 to oscort j you to tho stage door of tho theater and introduce you to this gentleman. Perform your part tonight and go home, i Tomorrow como to theso rooms at noon ! and tell us all you know. I am not ! afraid of your escaping, as my detective [ will watch you till we soo you again." "Suppose I refuse!" said Rose viciously. "In that caso I'll have you arrested at ouco as an accessor}' to tho murder of Felix Briarfield." "You aro too strong for me," she said savagely. "I accopt your condi- [ tions. Tomorrow I'll como here at 12 | o'clock. Cau -I go now?" I "Certainly?provided you accept iuo 1 j as your escort.'' "As you please," sho replied disdainfully. "As for you, Miss Bellin," she udded, turning toward Olivia, "I wish you joy of your bargain. That man is Francis Briarfield sure enough. I knew it all along and played on his fears for my own ends. Ho is a coward, and Felix was worth a dozen of him. For you, 1 Mr. Briarfield, I have nothing but con- 1 tempt." With this parting shaft sho sailed out of tho door, closely followed by me. j The detective was waiting on the other side of tho street and followed us closely. Rose glanced uneasily from side to j side, but not one word would sho speak, nor did I wish her to talk, having quite I enough 011 my mind for the present. When wo arrived at the stage door of the Frivolity theater, she halted 011 the I step. In tho light, sired from tho lamp bbovo I could see her scornful face. ' "What I have promised I shall do, [ Mr. Denham,"sho said spitefully, "but tomorrow I can tell you nothing. With all your cleverness as a spy you havo discovered nothing but a mare's nest." | When sho entered the theater, I turn- 1 ed round to the detective, whom I found : at my elbow. "You know what you have to do?" I said imperatively. "Yes, sir. I saw her face in the light. You can depend upon me. I shan't lose sight of her." "Sho is to coino to Mr. Briarfield's rooms tomorrow at noon. " "That's all right, sir. I'll sec sho is there.'' "Good. Bo very careful. She is a clover woman and would bailie the devil j hhueelf.'' "Slio won't bafllo mo," said tho detcctivo confidently and so departed on his mission. Having thus provided for tho safo keeping of Roso Gernon, I returned to Briarfield's rooms and found him alone. Miss Bellin had taken her departuro 'during my absence. "Where is she?" I asked, glancing round. "Olivia has gono home," explained Francis. "If she is back before !>, her mother will never hear of this escapade, so I put her in a cab and sent her ofF. " "All tho better," said I, taking a seat. "Now that wo are alone I wish to hear tho story of your transformation from Francis to Felix." "I told you I was Francis all along," ho said reproachfully. "Yes, in such a way that I thought you were Felix," I answered ironically. 4i i "I told you I lens Francis all atony," he said, reproachfully. "You might have trusted me, Briarfield. It would have been better for us all." "I havo no doubt it would," answered Francis gloomily, "but I was afraid lest you should think I had killed Felix." "I know you were incapable of such a thing." "Thank you," ho said gratefully. "Had I known you wero so true a friend, I should havo made you my confidant. As it was, when I remombercd my wild throats of killing Felix, I dreaded lest, finding him dead, you might accuso mo of his murder." "Who killed him?" "I don't know. When I saw him, ho was dead." "And Streut and Rose?" "They had ldft tho house." "What time was this?" "About 6 in tho morning." "And I was not up till 10 o'clock. You had plenty of timo to fly. But what put it into your head to place tho dead body of Felix in your bed?" "It's a long story, and I hardly know if you will understand my motives. " t .1. -XT 1 ,xP lwtin/v " I GS, 1 CIO. I UU Avuro uu uiu ui uciu^ accused of tho criiuo. It was foolish of you to mistrust 1110. I would have aided rather than blamed you." "I seo that now. It was kind of you to try to avenge my death. Unfortunately all your industry was dangerous to me, and I had to baffle it." "You certainly did so very adroitly. But tell 1110 tho story. I am anxious to know what took place." Francis was quite unnerved by tho lat9 interview and beforo continuing poured himself out a glass of brandy. Then, pushing the bottle toward me, he began his strange narrative without further preamble. "When I went to bed that night," he said slowly, "I could not sleep for ever so long. I kept wondering if your theory could possibly bo true about the treachery of Felix. If it were, I considered how I should punish my brother. While thus thinking I fell asleep and didn't wako up till close 011 6 o'clock in the morning. All my troubles came on mo with full force, and you know how much worso things look at that hour than in broad daylight. There was no chauce of further sleep, so I put 011 my clothes and went down stairs. Tho first thing I saw was my brother Felix lying dead 011 tho floor." "Had you any idea who killed him?" "Not tho slightest. I thought it was either Strent or tho girl, so I went in pearch of them. They had fled, for I found my horse gone, so this flight confirmed mo in my suspicion. At first I determined to wake you up and explain all, but remembering my foolish talk of the previous night I thought you might think me guilty of my brother's death." "That was a foolish idea." "Well, put yourself in my place, and you would havo thought as I." "Not a bit of it. I should have had moro moral courage." "I hadn't at that moment I thought Vou would denounco mo and I would ne hanged, so took steps to securo my own safety. I went outside and found my brother's liorso at the side of the house. Stront and his daughter had taken mine and overlooked my brother's in tho hurry of their guilty flight, i saw a means of escape and took it." "But what about the substitution of yourself for Felix?" "I did that to throw off the scent. I guessed that your idea was right, and that Felix was masquerading as I, so thought I might go back with safety as myself. Felix was far cleverer than I, and it was certain that he had provided some reasons for the absence of his real solf while lie passed himself off as mo. Tho whole plot unrolled itself in a moment beforo me, and I saw in carrying it through lay my only chance of safety." "It would have been far easier to havo trusted to my friendship. " "I see that now," said Francis penitently, "but I did not then. I wanted to leave the liouso without your waking, so took the body of Felix softly up stairs, undressed it and laid it in my bed. Then I folded up my clothes on tho chair beside the bed and dressed myself in his suit." "And the pearl ring?" "I had to part with that so as to carry out the deception; therefore I slipped it on the finger of tho dead man. Then I locked tho door of my bedroom and camo down stairs again. In a few minutes I was on my way to Marshminster.'' "How (lid you get tho horse back to Fundy's stables, and what made you think of going to Bcllin Hall?" "As to tho first, I found Fundy's name on tho saddle, so know Felix had hired tho horse. J took it back to tho stables, and, owing to my resemblance to Felix, easily managed to deceive tho hostler. Then, as Felix in his letter had told 1110 he was staying at Bcllin Hall, I wont there." "Was there any suspicion?" "Nono at all. I told a footman I had been out for a morning ride and asked him to bring me a brandy and soda to my room. I needed tho drink after all I had gone through, but my principal reason for asking him was to find out my room." "How so?" "Well, I mado him carry tho tray up stairs in front of mo. Of course he took it to the room of Felix, and thus I gainful ?nv nnint without exritillL' SllSlliciou. v"-* "V r'""" n * All the baggage, clothes, etc., of Felix were in tho room. I know nil about them, as I had seen them plenty of times. Then I dressed in a morning suit and went down stairs to find. Olivia." To HH('ONTTNrKI) NKXT WKKK. l.ong I)nj H In Variouft t'itii-H. At Stockholm the longest day is 18$ hours iu length; at Spitzbergen it is 5H months. At London and Bremen the longest day has 10$ hours. At Hamburg and Dautzic the longest day has 1? hours. At Wardbury, Norway, the longest day lasts from May 21 to July 22, without interruption. At St. Petersburg and Tobolsk, Siberia, the longest day is 19 hours and the shortest 5 hours. At Tornea, Finland, June 21 brings a day nearly 22 hours long, and Christmas one less than three hours in length. At New York the longest day is about 15 hours; at Montreal it is 10 hours. |ttv5ctllaneou5 Reading. A HROADSIDK FROM IRBY. lie Intends to 1'imli the Ki^ht for a Const Itiitiomtl Convention. The campaign eonimiltee of the Democratic parly, of which Senator Irhy is chairman, tin last Wednesday 1 made public the following address to I the voters of the State : To the Democratic Voters of South Carolina: The executive committee being charged with the welfare of the party and the success of its policy as ! outlined in its platform, which policy carries with it the welfare of the mai jority of the people, we feel constrnin! ed todirect the especial attention of the i Democrats of the State to the necessity i and importance of the plank in the i platform adopted by the recent Democratic State convention urging every j. Democratic voter to sustain the call for a constitutional convention. It is well known that there are great ditl'er; cnces existing between the white faci tions in the State, one of which has yielded reluctant obedience to the will ! of the majority. The strained relations which have ' existed since 1800, with the factional bitterness displayed by that portion of the State press which has opposed the governing majority with a malevolence and factional spirit almost unpredented, point inevitably to a permanent di( vision in the ranks of the white people, for which this minority alone must he ; held responsible. Confronted as we have been by a colored voting population 40,000 in excess of the whites since the revolution of 1870, white supremacy has been almost the only test of Democracy and its maintenance, the compelling motive for submission after j the party had spoken at the conventions und primaries. But there are ! many evidences that the lies which have bound our people together are being systematically riven asunder, and the public mind being educated to appeal to this ignorant, debased vote to restore to power those who have been | unable to command a majority of the j white vote. The State, newspaper, the organ ; which was started by the IndependI enls in 1891, and which has recently I exhausted all its Expedients to bring about another holt and defeat of the party nominees, has time and again ; ridiculed and sneered at the possible danger of an appeal to the colored ; vote. This newspaper, backed by a large number of other papers, is now urging the organization of the so-called "True Democracy" and boldly an! nounces the purpose to ignore thepresj ent party machinery and the executive I committee, as at present composed, as being representive of the Democratic i parly. These facts are known of all men, and they can have but one meaning : The purpose on the part of the j minority to appeal to the Negro as the arbiter of our politics in the campaign j of 1896. During the past spring and summer strenuous efforts have been made, ostensibly at the instigation of the i Republicans, to overt how the registration law. We have reason to know i that the Independents, as shown by , the columns of certain newspapers, | have instigated and sympathized with | these attempts. So that it cannot be I reasonably disputed that there is a I desperate faction in the Slate bent on j regaining power at any cost. We deem it unnecessary to direct attention j to the inevitable consequences which j will follow a division of the whites i into anvlhiutr like equal factions, and | 1 lie bringing in of the Negro as the 1 balance of power. The only reason I why we are not now in the throes of a political agitation, with contending factions mobil/.iug the black nrtny of i voters, is that the movement was considered hopeless. It was a question of expediency and not one of principle or patriotism with many. We are glad to know that the failure of the plot which came to surface 1 on the 27th of August is due to the patriotism and self control of the large body of Conservative men, who, while I voting with the minority in the campaign of 1892, submitted gracefully to its results and were unwilling to jeopardize the public welfare by such a desperate venture. Fortunately the opportunity is offered the white people of the Stale in the coming election to obviate all future danger and fortify Anglo-Saxon civilization against i every assault from within and without, and that is the calling of a constitutional convention to deal with the allimportant question of suffrage. By a strange and unaccountable change of base that class in the Slate, which has always stood for qualified suffrage and denied the capacity or the right of the masses to participation iii the government are to-day lotidmotithed in their declaration that they are the champions of the poor white men, whose vote is threatened, as they say. Every newspaper controlled by this class is teeming with all manner of specious and false argument against voting for a convention. They say that the white voters who are ignorant and poor will have cast their last ballot if they vote for a convention. They harp on the enormous cost to the taxpayers. They dwell with pathetic concern on the injury to i the free schools, and by every device known to sophistry are trying to throw dust in the eyes of the masses. I'lain speaking is best and we shall I not mince words. We propose to ! show that there is deep-dyed treachery to white supremacy in this antagonism to a new constitution. In the socalled convention composed of self-api pointed delegates, which assembled on the 2.r)th of September for the avowed purpose of nominating 1111 Independent ticket and appealing to the Negro, the j following resolution, which betrays the. whole damnable scheme, was passed | and the opening gun for I SOU thereby tired : Kesolved, That while this convention j desires to avoid doing anything likely to cause increased strife among our people, . we liclicvc that the principals of Dcmncraj cy, tin- safety of every interest in the State ! and the instinct of self-preservation de| maud that a haul and earnest light lie made against the proposition to (till a conj stitutional convention to create a fundamental law involving the right of every man in the State without providing for j the submission of its work to the people. J We tender to the opponents of the iuiqiii; tious, undemocratic, tyranical and dani gerous proposition the service oftheor! ganization herein provided for and invite i them to join with us in lighting it at the I approaching general election." i What does this resolution mean? ; Its purpose is shown by the fact that at the time of its passage there was in .1 i .11 .. ol' tliii UK* 11:111 ii iirf;iw v.. ...~ Republican party, while half a dozen , colored and white leaders of that party were waiting in the Iohhy of the State house ready to join hands with the Independent movement as soon as | it had been launched. Now who are the "opponents" of this "iniquitous, | undemocratic, tyrannical and dangerous proposition ?" Who are invited J "to join with us in fighting it at the : approaching general election ?" None i hut the Negroes, of course. This is I shown by the oiler of the notorious exj Congressman Smalls to canvass the 1 State in opposition to the convention. Why do these self-appointed guar: diatis, who have been repudiated by ; the people, appear so solicitous for the ; Negro's right to vote? Plainly be| cause they want to be the beneficiaries of that vote two years from now. Why do they want to preserve to the ignorant and debased Negro his ballot ? Simply because their fell purpose is to cover the ballot of every poor white man with the ballots of two ignorant , Negroes and thereby restore themselves to ollice and power. While charging that it is the purpose of the domiI nant faction of the Democratic party to disfranchise the poor, illiterate white | men along with the Negro, does not any reasonable man know that that faction, being largely made up of this class, would not disfranchise its own followers? What political party ever ] committed suicide or relinquished voluntarily the control of public affairs? The poor white men of the State I have never received recognition until within the last four years. They are ! now the arbiters of their own fortunes. ' and if they miss the opportunity of taking guarantees in the new constitu- I lion for the continued supremacy of | the Anglo-Saxon in South Carolina we j predict confidently that, commencing with ISiiU, our political campaigns in j this State will witness a return of more terrible and demoralizing conditions [ than ever confronted this people, even I in the days of Scott, Moses and Cham- j j herlain. The reckless, desperate men, ; whose Machiavelian cunning is now I playing the double game of bidding for the Negro vote and claiming to he the guardians of the poor whites, are bent j ; on regaining control of our affairs at \ any cost. They are oblivious of the ! : fact that the vast horde of ignorant ' J Negroes, once organized and disciplin- ! . ed to overpower the white majority, i ; the morals and the faith of white men in each other being once destroyed, the j Negroes inevitably will seize power | for their own benefit. We say to the white men men who are threatened by the Independent newspapers with disfranchisement, that Mississippi, with a j colored voting population, larger than j ours, has adopted a constitution which, I without disfranchising a single white man, has reduced the registered Negro j vote of that State to 8,000. What Mississippi has done South Carolina can do. South Carolina aldne of all I the reconstructed States still keeps the j constitution forced upon her at the i point of the bayonet by scalawags and aliens. The cost of a constitutional eonven- 1 tion, while of no importance in com- j parison with the benefits to be de rived, need not under any circumstances exceed $50,000. There are many benefits other than the regulation of | the suffrage to be secured by changes I in the organic law. While these ! might he obtained by the slow and unsatisfactory process of amendment we candidly ask any sensible man what I hope there would be for securing the ! adoption of a new constitution involving the regulation of suffrage if it had to he submitted hack to the people. I It has been the settled purpose of the : trusted leaders of the Democratic parly I j for four years to call a eonsitulioiml I eouvention, and obviate the dangers ' i which have lurked iu our midst.so long, | only waiting for a division among the whites to rear their horrid heads. ! That division is now more than apparI ent. The reality is upon us. The ! people, through their represenatatives j in the legislature and in Democratic I conventions, have time and again de- j | manded that such a convention be call- j j ed. Those newspapers which claim to j be Democratic ami which antagonize j this great reform are either blind leaders of the blind or the servile tools of the conspirators. We warn the white men who love South Carolina, and would see a continuation of good government and the ! rule of an intelligent white majority, to thrust aside and pay no heed to the j arguments of those who seek to bind I them to their true interest. After long I years of struggle the opportunity is | presented to them of fixing this thing j forever. All questions to be passed on | by the convention can be discussed j when the election of delegates is to j : take place. It is slander and an insult I j to say that the people have not the i j patriotism and intelligence to elect \ men from among themselves to frame i an organic law better suited to our ' ' wants than that imposed upon us by t l><> t-tmf.tin(rrrui* nrwt .alien The ! HIV VM.j'W -/"fie-. wisest and best of our citizenship can i he chosen to preform this delicate and ; patriotic duty w ithout regard to faction once the convention is ordered. The point which we would urge with j ; all the vigor at our command isthatthe ! j opportunity is now here. It certainly ! is not likely to soon recur if the people 1 j fail tosiezeit and the evils of mongrel- i ism, governmental debauchery and ! political demoralization shall descend ! upon the State after the next election. | They will have none to blame but them- I selves. Let all true Democrats and i patriotic white men go to the polls on the Glh of November and vote for the ! constitutional convention. J. L. M. Irby, Chairman, Wii.ie Jones, C. M. Efird, I). E. Keels, O. It. Lowman, J. A. Sligh, Campaign Committee of the State Dem- , J ocratic Executive Committee. FOR AND AGAINST. Ttvo Opinions on the Constitutionality of the Dispensary Law. The fact that the supreme court had ; j sustained the constitutionality of the ! j dispensary law was reported last week. | j To publish the opinions of the court in I full, would take up an unnecessary ' j amount of space. Brief synopses of the opinions of Judges (!ary and Me- ; | Iver, however, will probably sullicc for the general reader. what justice gary says. In deciding the law constitutional ; Justice Gary says that the law is a po- ' lice measure and that the State, under i its police power can itself assume en- , lire control and management of subjects that are dangerous to the peace, i ; good order, etc., of the people, even ! when trade is one of the incidents of ; J such control, and that liquor is such a j [ subject. He quotesauthorities to show j j that the saloon keeper does not sell li- I i quor by reason of an inalienable right, I but because such power has been dele- J gated to him by the government, and reasons from this that it would be an ! - - .1 I auoinally in tin1 law to hold that tlie j : principal could delegate to an agent a j greater power than the principal him- ; self could exercise. The justice holds I j that the "dispensary act itself is an outgrowth of the dissatisfaction on the , part of the people with the manner in j which the police power, when delegated. was abused." He holds that its primary object is j not the raising of revenue and that it I is within the power of the board of i control to eliminate the profit feature J altogether. Such question, however, [ j he declares is not before the court. As to the objection that the act is re- I i pugnant to the provisions of the con- ! < stitution as to taxation, he says, that j could only be sustained in case the oh- ' ! ject of the act is not the exercise of | i I police power. The justice says that j the objection as to the constitutionality ! of the act, on the ground that it creates J I a monopoly, is fully met by the decis- I , ionjin the Slaughter house cases, where- | in the court declares that the legisla- I ( ture has the right to create a corporation when a certain result can best : j be obtained by means thereof, lie < holds that the act does not violate sec- , ! tion 1 article 1 of the State constitution, i us it does not deprive the respondent i ; of an "inalienable right." The justice I t says that the objection to the law, in \ \ that it embarks the State in a commer- | eial enterprise, docs not hold good as j long as the buying and selling are in pursuance of police regulations. j Concerning the objection that the i I law violates section S, of the United ( Slates constitution, ami also of the Wilson hill. Justice (Jury says: "The intention of congress was to deprive liquor of its national character as a subject of commerce, make il local iu its nature and subject it to the police power of the State until congress should see lit to legislate upon it. It was the intention of congress to subordinate the commercial power of the national government to the police power of the State on the subject of liquor. CHIHF JUSTK'K M'lVKIt lMFFKKS. Chief Justice Melver on dissenting declares that the dispensary net rests upon the same principles as the old act which wasdeclared unconstitutional. Also lie refers to "the well settled and wholesome doctrine of stare decis is and the will of not adhering to the former decision of the court. He declares that until it is shown?which never can be?that trade is one of the appropriate functions of civil government, statutes purporting to emhark the State in any trading enterprise is altogether beyond the competency of the legislature, because it excludes the limitations upon the legislative power necessarily implied from the express terms used in the constitution. The chief justice declares it a very dangerous doctrine, asserted in the former, case, and again insisted in this case "that the police power of the State is limited only by the will of the legislature." He then takes up the argument, which, it will lie remembered, was made from the bench last Monday by Circuit Judge Benet in Columbia in his charge to the jury, that the courts have no right to inquire whether acts of the legislature are police regulations. "I can't subscribe to any such doctrine," says the chief justice, "for it would subject the rights of the citizen, secured to him by constitution provisions, to the unrestrained will of the legislature, and would render absolutely useless all the safeguards provided in the constitution for the projection of his rights against invasion by the lawmaking power of the government." Justice Mclver holds that the dispensary act is not a legitimate exercise of the police power, as this power cannot be so extended as to authorize the State to engage in a traflic forbidden to a citizen. Concerning the argument that when a State issues license to a saloon keeper it delegates to him the exercise of the police power, he says : "I do most emphatically deny the twitt'jkv ,vf I lio luirSulot 111*/) t/i CI IIV ru" V1 "* ...v portion of its legislative power?police power or otherwise?to a, private citizen, and, so far as I am informed, neither this State nor any other has ever undertaken to do so." The justice says that the provision allowing the State to sell liquor outside of its limits "shows very clearly that the whole scope and intent of this legislation is to enable the State to monopolize the liquor trallic, to the entire exclusion of the citizen, with a view to the profit of such traffic." He says that the dispensary legislation is neither the regulation of the traffic nor a prohibition of the same, but, on the contrary is a scheme by which the State proposes to monopolize such traffic to the entire exclusion of the citizen, and to force every consumer who may desire to obtain spirituous liquors for any purpose to purchase the same from the State authorities at such a profit to the State as may be fixed by the designated State authorities, and, hence, such legislation cannot be regarded as a legitimate exercise' of the police power, and any legislation which, like the dispensary law, undertakes to embark the State on trade, is without constitutional nuthority. The chief justice concludes by declaring that the law is a violation of the State and federal constitutions. DETERMINED Til ENFORCE IT. Governor Tillman Shjh Everylxxly Mn?t Get Out of the Way of the DUpen wrj jwi?i Col inn bin Register, lOtli. Governor Tillman last night announced his determination to proceed to enforce the dispensary law with vigor and to put a summary stop to resistance of officers. The governor also declared that all places suspected of being storehouses for contraband whisky will be searched, no matter whether they are private residences or saloons. The chief executive's declarations were brought about by the persistence of reporters in seeking an interview from him on the decision of the supreme court on the dispensary law. The governor was busy during the da}* and refused to be interviewed. The reporters went to the executive mansion last night and the governor talked to them. What he said is brief, but his utterances will rank as among the most important ever spoken by him. He said : "I propose to make everybody get out of the road and obey the law. I urge on all good citizens to frown down on all resistance to the law and to co-operate with the constituted authorities in carrying it out and preventing such unseemly and disgraceful exhibitions as we had at Greenville yesterday. The town people who are opposed to the law have nothing to gain ami everything to lose i>y sucn behavior. I have no desire in the world to employ any force and would he glad to have the co-operation of the police and the municipal authorities, hut I have all the militia I need and can concentrate 2,000 good men at any point in the State inside of 48 hours, and while I would hate to resort to any such measures, no resistance would he tolerated. The constables are going to work now and going to search all places where they have reason ot know that whisky or liquors are kept and private residences will not he exempt when we have reason to believe that they have been made depots for the. storage of whisky. The constables will not he allo.wed to harry the people or do anything to provoke collisions and any reasonable complaint against them will he properly investigated. Sheriffs and police will he expected to co-operate, and those municipalities which prove derelict will receive no share in the profits, while it is almost the inevitable that a system of metropolitan police will he provided for all such places when the legislature meets." ' Does that include Columbia and Charleston?" was asked. "Of course, speciliciallv," was the answer. "Trial justices who don't do their iluty will likely be relieved of the burdens of oflice and if juries fail to convict. change of venue will he tried. The law has come to stay and the sooner that fact is recognized by the whisky men and those who have opposed it heretofore, the better it will he for all concerned." BkaT" "I say, Robert, what is it that is ilearer than life, and freer than air; the rich man wants it, the poor man has it, the miser spends it, the spend-!brill naves it ?" "(iive it up. What is it?" 'It's nothing. Nothing is dearer than life, nothing is freer than air. The rich man wants nothing, the poor man has nothing, and the spend-thrifl saves nothing." 0ST There is $300,(100 unclaimed money in the treasury at Washington to the credit of the Afro-American soldiers who served to the Civil war.