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ISSUED SEMI-WEEKLY. l. m. grist's sons, publisher.. ( & 4M8 Dciwpaper.: ^or the promotion of the political, Social, Agricultural and Commercial interests of the j3eopt<. ] established 1855. ==- ^ YORKVILLE, S. C., FRIDAY, NQyEMBER 24, 1311. , 1 NO. 94. . . "Whe PRODIGALJI Th e FamousNovei VAUGHAN KES Copyright, 1911, The Bobbt-Msrri CHAPTER IV. Law At Balaam's Cross-Roads. But Mr. Vancy was only at the beginning of his trouble. Three days later there appeared on the borders of Scratch Hill a lank gentleman armed with a rifle, while the butts of two pistols protruded from the depths of his capacious coat pockets. He made his presence known by whooping from the edge of the branch, and his , whoops shaped themselves into the name of Yancy. It was Charley Balaam. old Squire Balaam's nephew. The squire lived at the cross-roads, to which his family had given Its name, and dispensed the little law that found Its way into that part of the county. The whoops Anally brought Yancy to' his cabin door. "Can I see you friendly. Bob Yan<y?" Balaam demanded with the lungs of a stentor. sheltering himself behind the thick hole of a sweetgum, a jpjj $ KflHr?T?t I K J fflfi ;J ( \Hl MjA a BET for he observed that Yancy held his! ride in the crook of his arm and had no wish to offer his person as a target to the deadly aim of the Scratch Hlller who was famous for his skill. ; "I reckon you can. cnaney rmlaam. If you are friendly," said Yancy. "I'm a family man. Bob. and I ask you bandid, do you feel peevish?" "Not in particular." and Yancy put aside his rifle. i "I'm a-going to trust you. Bob." said Balaam. And forsaking the shelter of the sweetgum he shuffled up the slope. "How are you. Charley?" asked Yancy, as they shook hands. "Only Just tolerable. Bob. You've been warranted?Dave Blount swore hit onto you." He displayed a sheet of paper covered with much writing and decorated with a large seal. Yancy viewed this formidable document with respect, but did not offer to take it. "Head it." he said mildly. Balaam scratched his head. "I don't know that hit's my duty to do that. Bob. Hit's my duty to serve it on to you. But I can tell you what's Into hit. leavin* out the law? which don't matter nohow." At this juncture Uncle Sammy's bent form emerged from the path that led off through the woods in the direction of the Bellamy cabin. With the patriarch was a stranger. Now the presence of a stranger on Scratch Hill was an occurrence of such extraordinary rarity that the warrant instantly became a matter of secondary importance. "Howdy. Charley. Here Bob Yancy. you shake hands with Bruce Carrington." commanded Uncle Sammy. At the name both Yancy and Balaam manifested a quickened interest. They saw a man in the early twenties, clean-limbed and broad-shouldered, with a handsome face and shapely head. "Yes. sir. hit's a grandson of Tom Carrlngtoi that used to own the grist-mill dowr at the Forks. Yo're some sort of wild-hog kin to him. Fob?yo, mother was a cousin to old Tom. Her farilly was powerful upset at her marrying a Yancy. They say Tom cussed himself info a 'pleptic lit when the news was fetched him." Where you located at. Mr. Uarrington?" asked Yancy. Hut Carrtngton was not given a chance to reply. Uncle Sammy saved Mm the trouble. "Pack in Kentucky. He tells me he's been follerin' the water. What's the name of that place where Andy Jackson fit the Prltlsh?" "New Orleans." prompted Cnrrington good naturedly. "That's hit?he takes rafts down the river to New Orleans, then he t omes back on ships to Baltimore, or else he hoofs It no'th overland." Untie Sammy had acquired a general knowledge of the stranger's habits and pursuits in an incredibly brief space of time. "He wants to visit the Forks," he added. "Fm shortly goip* that way myself, Mr. t'arrington, and I'll be pleased of your company?but first 1 got to get through with Bob Yancy." said Ra laam. and again he produced the warrant. * "If agreeable to you. Bob, I'll ask Uncle Sammy, as a third party frlenflly to both, to read this here warrant," he said. "Who's been a-warrantin^ Bob Yancy?" cried Uncle Sammy with shrill interest. "Dave Blount has." "I knowed hit?I knowed he'd try to get even!" And Uncle Sammy struck his walking stick sharply on the packed earth of Yancy's dooryard. "What's the charge agin you, Bob?" "Read hit," said Balaam. "Why, sho'?can't you read plain wrltln', ""n|" for the natrlarch was showing signs of embarrassment. "If you gentlemen will let me?" said Carrington pleasantly. Instantly there came a relieved chorus from the three in one breath. . "Why, sure!" "Would my snectacles help you TY. any. Mr. Carrington." asked Uncle Sammy, officiously. "No. 1 guess not." "They air powerful seein' glasses, and I'm aweer some folks read a heap easier with spectacles than without 'em." After a moment's scrutiny of the paper that Halaatn had thrust Into his hand, Carrington began: "To the Sheriff of the County of Cumberland: Greetings." "He means me," explained Balaam. "He always makes 'em out to the sheriff, but they are returned to me and 1 serve 'em." Carrington resumed his reading. "Whereas. It is alleged that a murderous assault has been committed on one David Blount, of Fayetteville, by Hubert Yancy. of Scratch Hill, said Blount sustaining numerous bruises and contusions, to his great injury of body and mind; and. whereas, it is further alleged that said murderous assault was wholly unprovoked and without cause, you will fortwith take Into custody the person of said Yancy, of Scratch Hill, charged with having inflic'ed tne bruises and contusions herein set forth in the complaint of said Blount, and instantly bring him into our presence to answer to these various and several crimes and misdemeanors. You are empowered to seize said Yancy wherever he may be at: whether on the hillside or in the valley, eating or sleeping, or at rest, "De Lancy Balaam. Magistrate. "Fourth District. County of Cumberland, State of North Carolina Done this twenty-fourth day of May 183.r>. "P. S. Dear Bob: Dave Blounl says he ain't able to chew his meat. I thought you'd be glad to know." Smilingly Carrington Gdded the warrant and handed it to Yancy. "Well, what are you goin' to do about hit. Bob?" inquired Balaam. "Maybe I'd ought to go. I'd like to oblige the squire." said Yancy. "When does this here co't set?" demanded I'ncle Sammy. "Hit don't do much else since he's took v-ith the lumbago," answered Balaam somewhat obscurely. "How are the squire, Charley?" asked Yancy with grave concern. "Only just tolerable. Bob." "What did he tell you to do?" anc Yancy knit his brows. "Seems like he wanted me to fine out what you'd do. He recommended i simuion i use no violence. "I wouldn't recommend you did either." assented Yancy. hut withoui heat. "I'd get shut of this here law business. Hob." advised Uncle Sammy. "Suppose 1 come to the Cross Road! this evening?" "That's agreeable." said the deputy who presently departed in compan; with (Harrington. Some hours later the male popula tion of Scratch Hill, with a gravltj befitting the occasion, prepared itsel to descend on the Cross Roads ant give its support to Mr. Yancy in hi.' hour of need. To this end those re spectable householders armed them selves, with the idea that it might per haps be necessary to correct a miscarriage of justice. They were shy enough and timid enough, these remote dwellers In the pine woods, but. like all wild things, when they felt they were cornered they were prone to fight: and in this instance it was clearly iniquitous that Bob Yancy's right to smack Dave Blount should be questioned. That denied, what was left of human liberty? But beyond this was a matter of even greater importance: they felt that Yancy's possession of the boy was somehow involved. Yancy had declared himself simply but specifically on this point. Law or no law, he would kill whoever at tempted to taae tne ooy irom mm, and Scratch Hill believing to a man that in so doing he would be well within his rights, was prepared to Join in the fray. Even Uncle Sammy, who had not been off the Hlll'in years, announced that no consideration of fatigue would keep him away from the scene of action and possible danger, and Yancy loaned him his mule and cart for the occasion. When the patriarch was helped to his seat In the ancient vehicle he called loudly for his rifle. "Why, pap. what do you want with a weapon?" asked his son Indulgently. "If there air shootln' I may take a hand In it. Now you-all give me a fair hour's start with this mule critter of Bob's, and if nothin' busts I'll be at the squire's as soon as the best of you." ' Uncle Sammy was given the time allowance he asked and then Scratch Hill wended its way down the path to the branch and the high road. Yancy led the straggling procession, with the boy trotting by hie side, his little sunburned fist clasped In the man's great hand. He, too, was armed. He carried the old spo'tin* rifle he had brought from the Barony, and suspended from his shoulder by a leather thong was the big horn flask with Its hickory stopper his Uncle Bob had fashioned for him, while a deerskin pouch held his bullets and an extra Hint or two. He understood that beyond those smacks he had seen hist Uncle Bob fetch Mr. Blount, he himself was the real cause of this excitement, that somebody, It was not plain to his mind just who, was seeking to get him away from Scratch Hill, and that a mysterious power called the Law would sooner or later be invoked to this dread end. But he knew this much clearly, nothing would induce him to leave his Uncle Bob! And his thin little fingers nestled warmly against the man's hardened palm. Yancy looked down and gave him a sunny, reassuring smile. "It'll be all right. Xevvy." he said gently. , "You wouldn't .let 'em take me, would you. Uncle Bob?" asked the child In a fearful whisper. "Such an idea ain't entered my head. And this here warranting Is just some of Dave Blount's cussedness." "Uncle Bob," what'll they do to you?" "Well. I reckon the squire'll feel obliged to do one of two things. He'll either fine me or else he won't." "What'll you do if he fines you?" "Why. pay the- fine, Xevvy?and then lick Dave Blount again for stirring up trouble. That's the way we most in general do. I mean to say give him a goou ucKiug, anu uim make him stop his foolishness." "Wasn't that a good licking you gave him on the Ox Road. Uncle Hob?" asked Hannibal. "It was pretty fair fo' a starter, but I'm capable of doing a better job." responded Yancy. They overtook Uncle Sammy as he turned in at the squire's. "I thought I'd come and see what kind of law a body gets at this here co't of yours." the patriarch explained to Mr. Ralaam. who. forgetting his lumbago, had hurried forth to greet him. "Hut why did you fetch your gun. Uncle Sammy?" said the magistrate, laughing. "Hit were to he on the safe side. Squire. Where air them Blounts?" i "Them Hlounts don't need to bother you none. There all* only Dave, and i he can't more than half see out of i one eye today." The squire's court held its infrequent sittings in the best room of the Ralaam homestead, a double cabin ; of hewn logs. Here Scratch Hill was i gratified with a view of Mr. Blount's ' battered visage, and it was conceded i that his condition reflected creditably on Yancy's physical prowess and was of a character fully to sustain i that gentleman's reputation; for > while he was notoriously slow to be gin a fight, he was reputed to be even . more reluctant to leave off once he had been become involved in one. | l V*lo V* n??n f iieu hottl'POn V> Hill ?? c&ll nun ncic iuon >/v?v?vv.. , you and Bob Yancy?" demanded the , squire when he had administered the oath to Blount. Mr. Blount's statet ment was brief and very much to the , point. He had been hired by Mr. Pladen, of Fayetteville, to go to ? Scratch Hill and get the boy who had been temporarily placed In Yancy's i custody at the time of General Quintard's death. "Stop just there!" cried the magistrate. leveling a pudgy finger at . Blount. "This here co't is already cognizant of certain facts bearing on ? that p'lnt. The boy was left with Bob . Yancy mainly because nobody else would take him. Them's the facts. Now go on!" he finished sternly. "1 only know what Bladen told me," sal*] Blount, sullenly. I "Well. 1 reckon Mr. Bladen ought to feel "oblige*! to tell the truth." sale] I lite squire. I "He done give nte the order from the judge of the co't?I was to show . it to Bob Yancy?" t "(Jot that order?" demanded the squire sharply. With a smile, dam aged, but clearly a smile, Blount produced the order. "Hmm?app'lnted < guardeen of the boy?" the squire was presently heard to murmur. The . ero.wded room was very still now. and ' more than one pair of eyes were turned pityingly In Yancy's direction. - When the long arm of the law reached f out from Fayetteville. where there f was a, real judge and a real sheriff. It 1 clothed itself with very special torrt rors. The boy looked up Into Yancy's - face. That tense silence had struck - a chill through his heart. "Well. Mr. Blount, what did you do with this here order?" asked the squire. "I went with It to Scratch Hill." "And showed It to Boh Yancy?" asked the squire. "No. he wa'n't there. But the boy was. and f took him in my buggy and drove off. I'd got as far as the Ox Road forks when I met Yancy?" "What happened then??but a body ^ don't need to ask! .Looks like the law 1 was all you had on your side!" and 1 the squire glanced waggishly about the room. "I showed Yancy the order?" You He. iJave Blount: you oian t: said Yancy. "But I can't say as it would have made no difference, Squire. He'd have taken his licking just the same and I'd have had my nevvy out of that buggy." "Didn't he say nothing about this here order from the co't, Bob?" "There wa'n't much conversation. Squire. I invited my nevvy to light down, and then I snaked Dave Blount out over the wheel." "Who struck the first blow?" ? "He did. He struck at me with his a buggy whip.' "What you got to say to this, Mr. Blount?" asked the squire. "I say I showed him the order like I said." answered Blount doggedly. Squire Balaam removed his spectacles and leaned back In his chair. "It's the opinion of this here co't that the whole question of assault rests 011 whether Bob Yancey saw the order. Bob Yancy swears he didn't g see it. while Dave Blount swears he e showed it to him. If Bob Yancy didn't know of the existence of the * order he was clearly actln' on the ? Idea that Blount was stealln' his nev- ^ vy. and he done what anyone would r have done under the circumstances. If. on the other hand, he knowed of ^ this order from the co't, he was not j only guilty of assault, but he was t guilty of reslstln' an officer of the j. co't." The squire paused Impressively, j His audience drew a long breath. The Impression prevailed that the case c was going against Yancy, and more a than one face was turned scowllngly _ on the fat little justice. 4 "Can a body drap a word here?" ^ It was Uncle Sammy's thin voice that a cut Into the silence. f "Certainly, Uncle Sammy. This here co't will always admire to listen r to you." j. "Well, I'd like to say that I con- a slder that Fayettevllle co't mighty of- r ficlous with its orders. This part of r the county won't take nothln' off Fayettevllle! We don't Interfere with { Fayettevllle, and blamed If we'll let ? Fayettevllle interfere with us!" There ^ was a murmur of approval. Scratch ^ Hill remembered the rifles In Its hands and took comfort. a "The Fayettevllle co't air a higher co't than this, Uncle Sammy, explained the squire Indulgently. r "I'm aweer of that." snaDDed the patriarch. "I've seen hits steeple." "Air you finished, Uncle Sammy?" asked the squire deferentially. "I 'low I am. But I 'low that if this here case is goin' agin Bob Yancy I'd recommend him to go home and not listen to no mo' foolishness." "Mr. Yancy will oblige this co't bj setting still while I finish this case," said the squire with dignity. "As I've already p'lnted out, the question of veracity presents Itself strongly to the mind of this here co't. Mr. Yancy has sworn to one thing, Mr. Blount to another. Now the Yancys air an old family in these parts; Mr. Blount's folks are strangers, but we don't know nothing agin them?" "And we don't know nothing in their favor," Uncle Sammy interjected. "Dave's grandfather came here from Virginia about fifty years back and settled near Scratch Hill?" "We never knowed why he left Virginia or why he came here," said Uncle Sammy, and knowing what local feeling was, was sure he had shot a telling bolt. "Then, about twenty-five years ago Dave's father pulled up and went to Fayetteville. Nobody ever knowed why?and I don't remember that he ever offered any explanation?" continued the squire. "He didn't?he just left," said Uncle Sammy. "Consequently," pursued the squire, somewhat vindictively, "we ain't had any time in which to form an opinion of the Blounts; but for myself, I'm suspicious of folks that keep movin' about and who don't seem able to get located permanent nowheres, who air here today and away tomorrow. But you can't say that of the Yancys. They air an old family In the country, and naturally this co't feels obliged to accept a Yancy's word before that of a stranger. And In view of the fact that the defendant did not seek litigation, but was perfectly satisfied to let matters rest where they was, it is right and just that all costs should fall on the plaintiff." (To Be Continued.) Some Facts About Trees. The tallest trees in the world are the Australian eucalyptus, which attain an altitude of 480 feet. The biggest are the mammoth trees of California. some of which are 276 to 373 feet In height and 108 feet In circumference at the base. From measurements of the rings It is believed that certain of these trees are from 2.000 to 2,500 years old. The oldest j tree in tne worm is saiu iu wioi uo mc t Islam) of Cos, off the coast of Asia t Minor. It is several thousand years old. but just how many no one has ? <iured to say. The tree is carefully f preserved by a wall of masonry round It, and the trunk is thirty feet in circumference. I Hut there are parts of trees in the r form of useful timber which are even older, probably, than any on the i stump Reams In old buildings are preserved today which are known to be over a thousand years old. Piles y driven by the Unmans prior to the Christian era are perfectly sound to- t day, and it is known that they have ^ been immersed in water for upward of L'.ooo years. Some woods have remarkable dura- c ble qualities when immersed in water. ^ They decay rapidly on the stump, many rotting in from five to ten years; but when immersed in water s they last longer than Iron or steel, c An effort has been made by our gov- j. eminent to preserve woods indefinitely by treating them with oils and tar v products. Already telegraph poles and railway ties have had their average life extended from five to ten years by this process. ? Harper's Weekly. 1 ADARKDEED 1 i """""" r By ETTA W. PIERCE. a 11 CHAPTER XXX.?Continued. u Sir Gervase carried the news to Miss p Pam's chamber. Directly I was sum- d noned thither, and folded to the old f woman's heart. t "You poor, wronged child!" she said, o ind wept over me with maternal ten- n lerness. "What a dreadful lot you fi lave had in life! You may thAnk s 'our mother for It. Look at the grief ind ruin which she brought on this ii louse today! Now, what is to be done n ibout Fairy? Ah, I am filled with re- e norse when I remember how I re- s >ulsed her at the church. You see I a vas so shocked and horrified that I t< tnew not what I did. I shall never tl orgive myself. Poor child! her wrongs ti leem to be scarcely less than your a iwn." * * "Fairy is to be found," I answered, 1) 'and brought back to her old place si it Greylock Woods." "You noble, generous girl!" cried tunt Pam, and she kissed me ferventY'J W Alas! Advertisements. begging d ''airy to return Immediately to the a rlends who were anxiously waiting s< or her, were dispatched to all the o >romlnent newspapers In the country; a >rlvate detectives, stimulated by of- t< ers of reward, also went forth to learch for the missing girl; but nelth- ri r to the printed entreaties, nor the r< sfforts of men versed In all the arts of s heir profession, did any response, w some. Nan returned no more, and not o he faintest clue could I, by any neans, obtain to her whereabouts. b Godfrey Greylock was carried to his rrave one dreary December day. Miss t? 'am, the baronet and I followed him he only mourners. Then we went b tack to the villa to listen to the read- p ng of the will. n It was a brief document. With the ex- s :epuon or an annuity 10 miss rameia, a J1 the dead man's, earthly possessions s< -houses, lands and money?were be- a lueathed unconditionally to his grand- d laughter, Ethel, the child of his dead a] ion, Robert Greylock, and to her heirs or ever. tl The family lawyer congratulated n ne kindly. Aunt Pam held me to her p leart, and whispered: "It Is all as It ihould be"; and Sir Gervase pressed t< ny hand and said, quietly: "You are " low the undisputed mistress of the o Jreylock fortune, and I hope you may t< lnd in It some recompense for your ?ast hardships and privations. What w lo you, in your new position, first w vish to do, cousin?" n "Find Nan, and divide my posses- p ilons with her." y He smiled sadly. "Faithful and loyal as ever! And g lext?" b My esteem /or the baronet was \ rr&wTng hour by hour. He was nolle, generous, good. I could speak to h ilm more frankly than to anybody n n the world. u "Next I must go to school," I an- 8 iwered; "I am ashamed now of my fl >tter Ignorance. I know absolutely lothing." y He looked at me, In my deep mourn- l| ng, with kind, compassionate eyes. w "You are still young- enough to spare tl l year or two, cousin, for the-acquisl- g ion of such knowledge" as you need." t< I had an interview with Iris Grey- e ock in the darkened drawing room, ifter everybody else had left it. Miss h 'amela had fled from her presence in f< itter horror, and with a derisive little augh my mother seized my mourning- e; Iress and drew me down to a sofa by y ler side. a "I believe that dreadful old spinster g vouli} havft been better pleased if I y lad not appeared at this funeral at p ill," she began, vivaciously. "She ti hlnks only of my little errors, not of y he combination of circumstances that breed me into them. Now, my child, ou and I must understand each oth- h tr! You find yourself in possession ? if a superb fortune, and you actually g mow nothing about the proper manigement of it. Think of what you s lave been?a servant, a menial, a beg- s far of the street?bah! it is too dis- tl rusting to talk about. Think of your k itter lack of education?you surely E leed some competent person to guide d ind direct you now. In me, Ethel, you rr vill find the want supplier ' am your tl latural counselor and gv .rdian. I o vill assume the whole charge of your n uture and your fortune. You shall s lot be troubled in any way with stu- p )id money matters. You are too roung, by far! I am a born financier, v fou must turn all your affairs over g o me at once. As mother and daugh- si er, our interests, of course, are one; o >ur possessions should be one, also, b fou have all that you can do at pres'nt to learn your alphabet." * "i Before I could answer a word she >urst out again: ei "You are not, after all, bad-looking. Style can be acquired, and dress al- fi vays works wonders for a woman. Four eyes are good, and you have a tl Spanish type of feature, that in a JJ ich heiress will be considered quite _ he thing. Now, listen! I have made n ip my mind that you shall marry Sir ti Jervase Greylock. Ah, you start? jj 'ou change color. I am a wonderful n natchmaker, ma chere. Did not the fl >aronet come to America to wed the tl leiress of the Woods? Why should he lot do so still0 You must console n llm for his recent disappointment. G Courage, child, you cart do it, even P hough you have not Fairy's beauty." S In my mingled wrath, shame, and s amazement, I could only spring to my ? eet, and ejaculate, "Mother, mother!" She laughed, lightly. ? "How shocked you look, simpleton! e tlow don't be absurd, but leave me to li nanage everything. Sir Gervase"? n It seemed as ir another word wouici u till me. al "Stop!?stop!" I interrupted. "I vlll not listen! Oh. this Is frightful!" And thrusting my fingers into my s> iars, I fled, like a wild creature, from he funereal drawlng-rocm. o In a few days the Inevitable crisis w :ame. She left Rose Cottage alto- si rether, and took up her ahode at the b ilia. Confusion followed. Hopkins B| ind the servants refused to receive y irders from her, and Miss Pam fled to tl ler own apartments, and declared she si vould not leave them while her neph- rr iw's widow remained in the house. Sir Gervase looked grave. I myself G aid nothing?did nothing. She was ny mother?what could I do? a One morning Sir Gervase and I sat n the warm, bright breakfast-room, n counsel over the utter failure of all ny efforts to discover Nan. Valuable sslstance he had certainly rendered n the matter, but whether for Nan's ake or simply to gratify me. I could mt determine. His reserve was Impenetrable. I was as far as ever from liscoverlng whether or not his love rtr Nan still lived. He had just reurned to the Woods after an absence f two days, the cause of which he did ot explain, but as I watched him I ancied he looked worn and out of plrit8. "How strange," I cried out, feverthly, "how very strange that I hear othing of Nan! I have pressed evrybody into my service. I have set killed persons searching here, there nd everywhere, and the result is? Dtal failure! If I could secure but he smallest clue to guide me, I would ike scrip and staff and set forth on pilgrimage of discovery myself." "I think," said Gervase, dellberater, "that she has gone upon the tage." I stared. "What more likely?" he queried. You may not know it, but she was a ronderful dancer?a talent inherited, oubtless, from her father. She was ware of its possession?she would Don discover Its market value. Thorughly blameless and refined women re sometimes by necessity driven in> the ballet." "The ballet!" I echoed, In utter horDr. "Nan in spangles and tights, and Duge! No, you cannot Imagine It, ir Gervase?no more can I! She rould never stoop to that! You are n the wrong track." "I think not," he answered, stubornly. ii you nave a ciew, wny uo you 1101 ill me?" "I have none," he answered; "but eing In town yesterday and the day revlous, I" took the opportunity to lake some inquiries among profeslonal people?some personal search bout the city theatres. No such peron as Nan had been seen there, yet, 11 the same, as I remember her wonerful dancing, my belief remains unhaken." The children of want cannot choose lelr calling. How could I tell what ran might be forced to do, turned out oor and upon the world? "Then send messages to other cities, j other theatres!" I cried out, wildly; we must search the whole world ver. Do you think I will leave her > such a life?" "No," he replied, "I am sure you 'ill not. And I have anticipated your 'ishes In the matter, cousin, and aleady dispatched a trusty person to rosecute the very search of which ou speak." "A thousand thanks"? I began ratefully; but the opening of the reakfast-room door interrupted me. ly mother entered. She was charmingly dressed, and In er hosom glowed a cluster of jacqueilnot roses. At sight of Sir Gervase ite-a-tete with me, her eyes began to parkle. She noticed at once my rufed demeanor. "Now, whatever is the matter with ou two?" she said lightly, as she mped up to us In her graceful, breezy 'ay. "Quarreling? Fie, fie!" And hen with sudden alarm: "Ah, Sir (ervase, do not, I heg of you?do not ill me that you are going back to Jngland!" "Not a present," he answered; "I ave a work to accomplish here.beire I return to my own land." "So glad! Ethel," tapping my shouldr, "seems to depend altogether upon our counsel and assistance now. I m sure she would not know how to et on In her new position without ou. Oh, I understand," and with a ierclng glance at us both, "you were liking about Fairy! Has anything et been heard of her?" "No," I answered. She drew a letter suddenly from er pocket. The air seemed charged Mth electricity. My heart gave a reat apprehensive bound. "Prepare yourselves for a great hock," said my mother with her weetest smile. "I have Just received hese lines from poor Fairy, You new her handwriting, Sir Gervase, if Ithel does not. Look?read! The ear, sly, artful creature has actually larried?whom do you think??Why, hat mad lover, who tried to kill her ut on the marshes! Romantic wolen, you know, are prone to forgive uch things, seeing in them only a roof of love." I was looking straight at Sir Gerase. His brown face, of a sudden, rew as stern and white as death. He elzed the letter which my mother held ut to him?I fancied his hand tremled. "Yes," he said, in a strange tone, this is her handwriting." "Read, I tell you!" urged my mothr, with a triumphant glance at me. He almost shouted these words rom the paper: "Dear Mamma?Let me call you hat for the last time?I am now the ife of Arthur Regnault Kenyon?the lan I loved so passionately at school -the man I still love, In spite of his lan.v faults. I have heen driven to ike this step, partly by stress of cirumstanees, partly by the urgency of Is great passion for me. Give me o further thought, and do not seek to nd me. I am well and happy?let hat satisfy you. Fairy." I listened to the last word. I did ot cry out or interrupt, but when Sir [ervase dashed down the sheet I ieked it up, examined it closely, then ave it back to my mother, whose miling face at that moment was an (Tense to my eyes. "A clumsy falsehood, without date r postmark," I said dryly. "Nan nevr wrote a line of that letter?not a ne. not a word of it is genuine! You lay have copied her handwriting with alerable accuracy, but there your kill ended." She grew red, then pale. "Kthel, how dare you accuse me of uch a thing?me, your mother?" "Shame! shame!" I went on, furlusly; "to strike such blows at her rhen she cannot defend herself! Has he not suffered enough? Has she not een wronged enough? Cannot you pare her now?the girl you called our own for so many years, and trough whose influence you reaped uch a harvest of benefits? Shame, lamma! I say shame!" Then I cast a withering look at Sir lervase. "How could you believe it, even for moment? Plainly, Nan has not a friend left anion* the hundreds that she once fancied 'she possessed!" "I deserve your rebuke, cousin," he muttered, under his breath. My boldness overpowered Mrs. Greylock. She uttered no word, either In denial or defense, but burst into tears. "Harmony Alley has left Its mark upon you, Rthel!" she gasped, at last. "I wanted to make a suitable match for you. I saw my opportunity, and would have seized It, If you had permitted me. But now, simpleton." viciously, "I wash my hands of all further match-making in your behalf. One thing, however, I insist upon knowing, ?when do you mean to place your fortune In my care? I am tired of this long delay. Give over the management of " your affairs to me at once!" "That I cannot do, mamma," I answered. "What! would you dare to thrust me aside, after all, wretched girl?" "I must keep full control of my own possessions, * mamma. I must take care of them without your help." "Ungrateful creature! Then I refuse to live under the same roof with you! What better things could I exnect of a child reared In Harmony Alley? Robert Greylock's child, too! You have his temper exac I understand you Intend to give part of your money to Fairy, If you ever find" her. I hope you never may?never! I knew, the moment I saw you, that you would be like a mule to manage. Very well! you shall settle upon me a handsome Income, and I shall go abroad to dear, beautiful Paris, and oass the rest of my days in peace. To live under the same roof with you longer would be unbearable," I had no objections to offer to the plan. It was speedily arranged. Just a week later, without a solitary regret, we parted, to meet no more on this side of the grave. * Meanwhile, in no theatre, no ballet, near or far, could any trace of Nan be discovered. Granny Scrag was removed from Harmony Alley to a decent habitation, and placed in the care of honest and kindly people. I meant that comfort and plenty should surround her in her last days; but the change from privation to abundance was too much for the old creature. A month after her departure from the alley she was dead. Dr. Vandlne sent a congratulatory note to me at Grey lock Woods; a very polite and formal note, which seemed to me like a final farewell. I had passed into another sphere, beyond the need of his compassion and kindness. No further word reached me from Cats' Tavern; but one day, as I was riding with Aunt Pam through the narrow streets of Blackport, the doctor's buggy flashed by my carriage? he was once more abroad among his patients. For one moment our eyes met. I sat beside Aunt Pam, dressed all in HU It? Ill II UUUTK, K11U Wiappcu auuui ill heavy furs, presenting, no doubt, a strange appearance to his sight. I bowed formally. A hot thrill of exultation and .pride?the first that I had experienced in my new life?flashed over me, and was succeeded by a miserable depression and pain. "You are pale, my dear," said Aunt Pam. anxiously, "and you tremble." "With the cold," I faltered, as I drew the fox-fur robes closer about myself. The next day I took leave of Greylock Woods and went away to school. (To Be Continued.) FIFTY MILLION "LOAN." Proposed Arrangement by Southern Cotton Conference. New York, November 21.?-New York bankers who have been conferring here for the last few days with representatives of the Southern Cotton congress, announced this afternoon that they had raised a fund of 150,000,'10) to be placed in the cotton belt for the purpose of handling the cotton crop of 1911 and enabling growers to participate in any rise in the market. The negotiations were conducted on behalf of the south by Governor Emmet O'Neal of Alabama; Senator Bailey of Texas, who has been advising his colleagues as to the legal aspects of the proposition; E. J. Watson, president nf ?hi. nprmancnt Southern Cot ton congress, and commissioner of agriculture of South Carolina, and Clarence O. Ousley of Fort Worth, Tex., representing the governor of his state. The Money Powers. The hankers who will furnish the fund, according to the statement, are headed by Col. Robert M. Thompson, of the brokerage* firm of H. P. Pell & Co., of this city. The financial support of several of the strongest banks in New York has been given to the plan. The plan proposes to advance the gror.vrs $25 per bale upon his cotton, based on the market value at the time of the loan. No Interest will be paid upon the loan, the only charge being $1 per bale, which is regarded as a legitimate minimum charge for the expense of grading and handling. The cotton Is not held, nor taken from the channels of trade, but Is placed at the best advantage. The grower is given the right to designate the day of sale prior to January 1, 1913, and will participate in any advance in price to the extent of three-fourths of the rise of the market. Details Not Arranged. Details of the plan are yet to be worked out. It has been decided, however, to place the funds through the committees named by the governor or commissioner of agriculture of a state, and these committees shall be empowered to sell when cotton reaches 12 cents and compelled to sell when It reached 13 cents regardless of advice from the growers. Provision against any violation of the Sherman antitrust law is contained In the agreement. "Of course," reads the statement, "everything depends upon the acceptance of the plan by the individual farmer in connection with his pledge to reduce acreage the coming year." Following is the announcement of the plan, issued after today's conference. Announcement, ''The announcement was made here today following the conferences that have been In progress for several days between prominent bankers of New York and lending representatives of the south, such as Governor O'Neal of Alabama, Clarence Ousley, represent Ing Governor Colquitt of Texas, and E. J. Watson, president of the permanent Southern Cotton congress and commissioner of agriculture of South Carolina, that a proposition has been presented to these gentlemen, representing respectively the governors' conference and the cotton congress, composed of producers and business men of the south, which means t&* placing In the cotton belt states of about $50,000,000 Immediately for the handling of the cotton crop of 1911. "In other words, the proposition is to give the farmer $25 per bale advance oh his cotton without Interest, charging him only $1 per bale to cover expenses of grading and hauling, letting him turn over the cotton to the holders, who will advance him $26 pet bale and give him the opportunity to designate the date of sale prior to January 1, 1913, and to participate in any advance in price to the extent of three-fourths of the rise in the market. The Chances. "It is calculated that by the present .ordinary holding plan the farmer takes all the chances of the rise in the market. By this plan he takes no more chance than he did before and has every opportunity of maximum price in a rising market, and saving the losses sustained by damage and by loss of weight and warehousing charges. "Provision is made against any apparent violation of the Sherman antitrust law In that each committee named by the governor or commissioner of agriculture of each state has power to name the day of sale If cotton reaches 12 or 13 cents, which according to the testimony gathered gives only a close, legitimate profit on the cost of production. "Of course everything depends on the acceptance of the plan by the Individual farmer In connection with ma pieage to reauce acreage tne coming year. The individual fanner alone can make success possible. Bankers Bshind It "The undertaking is fathered by a number of bankers, of whom Col. R. M. Thompson is the head. The committeemen have been offered assurances from some of the strongest hanks in the city of a thorough backing of these already strong interests. "These gentlemen here, as well as President Barrett of the National Farmers' Union, consider the plan Acceptable to-the growers, and they are tonight returning to their respective states to present it to their people, and if it be agreeable to the producers to put It into immediate operation. "Senator Bailey has been advising . as to the legal aspect of the proposition." E. J. Watson, president of the Southern Cotton congress, commenting on the plan tonight, said: Prevents a Corner. "We have carefully considered the whole thing in all its phases. I can't say what the grower* are going to do. The financial end is strong. It holds out prospects of fine results and estops any effort* at a corner of the market. It seems to Insure an honest price for cotton and to safe-guard the commodity, which Is the very keystone of American finance. Some one besides the farmer may make some money out of it, but as that is done the farmer Is being assured several dollars a bale more than he would get under the present Iniquitous marketing methods. We are therefore willing to submit and recommend the proposition to our people, and, if they wish to accept it, then help them to make it effective as we can. "There is no doubt that the holding and reduction of acreage pledge, the movement we hatfe been pushing so successfully, has checked the downward tendency of prices under the persistent hammering up to this time. So far we have fought the battle unaided; now that money to the extent of $50,000,000 is offered we may fight. harder and in the end we hope to put a check to methods of marketing of a nationally important commodity which the Federal government ought to have wiped out long ago." KING SOLOMON'S MINES. Thsy May Havs Baan the Anciant Gold Workings at Rhodasia. Rhodesia, that province of British Africa lying between the Zambesi and the Limpopo rivers, has considerable deposits of gold. The ancients mined and carried away enormous quantities of the precious metal, but under the scientific mining systems of the present day their operations will be greatly surpassed. It has been thought that Rhodesia ? ?- AM/tlAn? lan/1 s\f Hnhlf thP was lUC aucinu lauu u? , land of the mysterious "King Solomon's mines," but this theory Is strongly combated by some Investigators. The ancient gold workings are the basis of modern workings. For every- ten square miles of Rhodesia, it is stated, there was* one ancient mine ?that is, there are 75,000 old workings?which means that a stupendous wealcn was dug out of the earth before the days of Cecil Rhodes. Much ol this wealth must have gone to the njrth and east. It was probablywrought Into the crown of the Queen of Sheba and filled the cofTers of Solomon. The ancient smelting furnaces are said still to be of easy recognition. "" - ? M fTW iney arc suna miu uie iiuur. urc furnace blowpipes arc made of the finest granite powder cement, and the nozzles of the blowpipes are covered with splashes of gold. The linings of the holes are covered with specks of gold. When the first lining became worn by the heat, a fresh lining of cement of an excellent quality, which has outlasted time, was smeared round on top of the old lining. It la said that one can take an old lining, split off the layers with a knife, and find gold splashes in abundance. The tools of the ancient workers which have so far been discovered Include a small soapstone hammer and burnishing stones of water worn rock, to which gold still adheres. There are evidences that the ancients carried on an extensive industry In the manufacture of gold ornaments and utensils. . it4T a generous man doesn't give his friends away. tir if a man is troubled with indigestion it is a waste of time to try to convince him that the world is growing better.