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MOTHERHOOD The greatest aimbition of Amer ican men and women is to have homes blessed with children. The woman afflicted with female dis ease is constaiitly menaced with becoming a childless wife. No medicine can restore dead or gans, but Winc of Cardui does regulate dera ngements that pre vent conception: does prevent miscarriage: does restore weak. functions and shattered nerves and does bring babies to homes barren and desolate for years. Wine of Cardui g;yes women the health and strength to bear heal thy children. You can get a dollar bottle of Wine of Cardui from your dealer. WINEorCARDUI 143 Market btreot, Memphis Tenn., April 14 1901. In February 1901, 1 took ona bottle of Wine of C i and one pactte of Thedford's Black-Drnugh. I ha6en Taried fifteen eanad had nerer given birth to a ceild untl I too!: Wiae of Cardui. N~ow I am mo;-.er of a fine baby irl which was born March 31,1901. The baby weighs fou-tc;n pounds ar.d I feel as well as any person could feel. 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WHEN Alt IS SAID AND) DONE WHEELER'S Chill and Fever Tonic IS UNQUESTIONABL4Y .A Grnine Tcniio Guaranteed to Cure CHILLS AND FEVER. INTERMITTENT, BILIOUS AND CONTINUED FEVER. There is no occasion to proclaim its merits from the housetops, but those who have used WHEELER'S CHILL TONIC will tell their neighbors, "It has eured me and it will cure you." FOR SALE BY THE R. B. LQRYEA Drug Store, ItRAAC M.LOIRYEA, Prop 'PHONR NO. 2. - .MANNING, s. C. Dyspepsia Cure Digests what you eat. This preparation contains all of the digestants and digests all kinds of food. -ltgivesinlstanlt relief and never fails to cure. It allows you to eat all the food you want. The most sensitive stomachs can take it. By its use many thousands of dyspeptics have been cured after everything else failed. It prevents formation of gason the stom ach, relieving all distress af ter eating. Dieting unnecessary. Pleasant to take. tt cau't help but do you good rpareoyby E.C Da Wrr Co. Chicago. The R. B. Lnrya Drmg Store I. Z* *00 A :S LA VA .*. 4 Copyright, 1901. CHAPTER IV. AT "L'ESPERANCE." L 'ESPERANCE" was a fair domain of 1,S00 acres, which, with slaves, live stock, mills, gins and imi plements, had descended to Horace Oakfell from his mother at her death in 1S37. She as sole heir had Inherited from her father, Colonel Bix low. A thousand acres were under fence and in culture of sugar. cotton and corn; the remainder was woodland. A yield of two hogsheads of sugar and five barrels of molasses per acre by the open kettle process of reduction then in vogue and 500 unds of lint cotton to a like area attested the prodigious fer tility of the fields. Oakfell's father endured widower hood a year and married Fidele Gas pard, a Spanish looking girl of 16, daughter of Antoine Gaspard. who, it was said, had escaped from Paris with a price on his head after the fall of Danton and who was remembered as a man of cruel aspect. taciturn and furtive, as one taunted by a terrible fear or horrible memory. He was shiftless and poor, but his daughter was humble, pious and beautiful. She was mistress of "L'Esperance" six years, ministering to her stepson as to a superior being, and on her deathbed prayearfuly besought his 'interest and protection for her own little boy, Evariste, whom she left at the de pendent age of 5 years. Mme. Fidele was universally loved and by none with greater fervor than by Horace. The fullness of his boyish affection he transferred to the half brother, now like himself motherless, and genferous ly assumed responsibility for his wel fare. The demise of their father in 1854 gave to this assumption the char acter and obligations of actuality. Evariste was dark and beautiful as his mother. Ills figure was slight and exquisite, with hands and feet small and delicate, like a woman's. Neither the squirrel nor the swallow surpass ed him in agility and gracefulness, but his manner was undemonstrative, se eretive, and, avoiding playmates, he was ever content to be alone. His eyes were black, his lips thin and firm. To these sons the father had left nothing but a debt owed in Kentucky for blooded horses, which Horace speedily discharged. Evariste was portionless; his brother bade him con sider himself half owner of all the estate and assured him that partition should be made on his attaining ma jority, or as soon thereafter as he might deem it desirable, and made un stinted expenditure for his mainte nance and education. The elder's fra ernal love was sobered by paternal solicitude relieved of all austerity. The difference between the -ages of the two was five years, Evar-iste being 19 when Horace was sent to the legislature. The home was nowv presided over by the Widow Wyley, whose long experi ence as the wife of an overseer had given her a knowledge of the negro character which enabled her to rule efficiently and kindly. Thrift and neat ness came naturally from her Dutch mother, as did also her passion for cows and bees. Her face was big and red, and so was her heart; her hair was white and strong, and so was her na ture. Binker Wyley, her stalwart son. was the abstemious, tireless overseer, who had announced on taking charge that the lash was Only for oxen, mules and dogs and to whose shrewd, fr-ugal management was due the fact that the prosperity of "L'Esper-ance" wvas second to that of no plantation in the parish of Avoyles, with the possible exception f Baldouino's. on Bayou des Glaises. The dwelling was a brick structure of two stories, with broad, covered v-erant das projecting from the second in front and rear. On the ground tioor, which was tiled, were at one side of a wide hall a dining room and housekeeper's sanctum, at the other an office, library and mnedicine stole, in wvhich were kept onsiders ble quantities of medicaments of approved use on large plantations. The second story contained parlor andl sleeping apartments. high ceilinged and spacious, separated by a hail corre sponding with the one below and reach ed by exterior stairways piercing the verandas. The furniture was heavy, old and rich. An acre set in pecan, wal nut and fig trees and inclosed by a high white fence made a shady lawvn be tween the house and the public road along the bank of Bayou Claire. On the left were the overseer's house and plantation stores, a hundred yards far ther the negro quarters, barns, stables and cattle sheds; on a bend of the ba you was the steam cotton gin and at the rear of the fields the brick sugar rill, with long, low roofed purgery and massive chimney for lhagasse burning. The warm day was closing. Oakfell sat at the western window of the office near a table on which lay written re ports which had been left with him by the overseer. From a perusal of them he had turned to a volume of English poetry and read these lines: lie finds his fellow guilty cf a skin Not colored like his own and, having power To enforce the wrong, for such a worthy cause Dooms and devotes him as his lawful prey. And what man, seeing this And having human feelings, does not blush And hang his head to think himself a man? The book was closed upon his finger, and with lowered eyes he pondered these thoughts when the open doorway was filled by the generous figure of Mrs. Wyley. "Mr. Oakfell, where is Evariste to day?" she asked. "I have not seen him since morning." "H went to attend the races at Man sura. I believe," Oakfell replied. "You will not. I hope," she said, set tling herself comfortably in a rocker, "think me meddlesomie ir I quest :on tihe propriety of one so young frequenting such gatherings, where gal mibling, drinik ing, profanity and sometimes homicide are the features. I forbade them to Binker. Evariste goe-s to them so of ten." The old hady's manner evinced the sincerity of her anxiety. "I appreciate your interest and de sire you always to spea'k your thoughts without restraint on any subject which may concern my brother,." said Oakfell. "In this instane, howvever. I think you need have no appreheitsion. Horse rac ing, you know, is expre'tssly encouraged by our law, which puts betting at it on an equal footing with other con tracts. It has received the countenance of our best citizens and has thus had its r.esnabilitY m"'oew. --- T.H. TPHORPE by T. H. Tlorpge. )* turf would soon dege-nerate to a mere gambling affair and contest of chican ery. So long as honor rules the track the excitement is hevalthful to mien. I have no misgiving of Evariste. He is thoughtful and prudent beyond his years, has a perfect control over him self, which I envy him, and his spirit Is too hiigh and proud to y.%ield to, a low temptation or to be led by an unworthy example. My faith in him is perfect and I love. him as if hie wiere my son." "IHow blessed hie is to have such a brother," said Mrs. Wyley, hier fears for the one forgotten in her admiration of the other. "There he Is newl" exclaimed Oak fell, rising- and going to the door. "Was there ever such a little mnan beauty as he? And lie is so free from vanity that I do not believe he is at all aw are of his good looks." Evariste had alighted from his foam Ing horse at tlae gate and, having thrown the bridle to a negro boy, was walking up the brieked path to the house with the easy step and calm air of one r-eturnin~g from a short and leisurely stroll in a shady grove, his regular breathin.g betraying no sign of the hard run of 11 miles be had given the panting beast now being led to the stables. And Horace's tribute of un iconsciousness of self was scarcely sus tained by the faultlessly fitting- suit, unflecked collar and fashionably ad justed neckscarf, the dainty shoes and carefully oiled locks resting on his shoulders in a glossy black roll. And a suspicion of dandiness miAght have :had confirmation in the delicate per fume scattered from his handkerchief :as hie passed it Lecross his brow. "How was the s-port today, my boy?" iHorace asked cheerily as Evariste en tered the room. "One excellent half mile race between .Quillebert's Charlotte Corday and Judge Elgee's Belle Cheney," said Ev ariste. "The others were only ordi Inary." "Hov was the betting? "Quite brisk. The odds were in fa ivor of Belle Chieney. I took Chiarlotte 1GCorday and won $60. She came in by a neck. Leonidas Latiolais backed thle -eEl-e mare and lost heavily. Father ;Galotte parted with some of his tithes on the same risk. Somebody told EI ,gee that his jockey had been tampered Iwith by Quillebert, and he swore he ;would kill them both if the charge could be proved. For a time it looked as if some blood might be let, but friends Interfered,. and the -matter Iquieted down." "Who rode Charlotte Corday?" H1or ace iquired. *S004 "Qilbr'sylo oyLo.B th abohr"adEait,"ule bertgotint a oastul einwhe hi mare ame i winer. H sai he ha coul ovrmtc h im Little& F er the be. He sadhto asr otyoeta tuillebert ws stnnd Ie ha never suspectnd thatr~ yondeahan in chan ey beom lurios aond Iruliee trask tcemplitmentry realrks abou you. heno heicagivm eloing ol rsteadHeis ty atghtim and concudedto bondl his eaprssn sere upontro mon's count Dael a which cahme n over Qiite btoo's and peturnd toayie. to fa loi eourmotle ene faironm tis perfeon. Bedre lof him, asrothe re so. "He1is bssead htfu to tuhea bommunit" said MakWe, "bhe fesrs ford e onegen not er fadrdon watchere.h Is eyuc regraied yak coelrsi over gohe chitenngo the rll.a tr ewasuite cotar lto man beash."a hell wAndhe heore grnfaro toldt te hat Fa nthberle had satid, awr regret goud look s." ognn. "in hosee tier gatere?"hain tinsite pormdini toeroeoy withhe Ewakiseaa:ng up the yricked p a th house wit the husyctp.n al i ofane herafhrom a sht you. brothrely tries is you shdy gre,hi relar threatngetraybeng ino thign ofr tshe yourd eruan flle he ood uaitien tfhea ann beast nwbild tho te theablestn Hafe'sar triue pople consdcose. ofstelle' ees scarleds and bye face fllsslywitt ingsuit thfeed collsupnaou and fahonbe d chared nmeswithe odainy shes mes careful ogiude lo resin ohatsm hosedeas Ilon up withs bthe weoght And ahm susicin hr dacdiesghs muph ithae ad conureati0n il the elthe er-s oasnps i Lisinu isbrow "1ou a bemint etd, goin bo araptue. ask cherilais muast ne tere th vison o uvyutusfo "Oe yecet halfeyo mil e ra till Quingerbefrte Chste willdbe 20." "From thgesis ell Chody." said Es' ariste. withe ather wfbteres nl ohi "uie, "yubrisk the odds wnerestedfa vor ofwetlet bihdy, nok hrott Cordl, suppe won by She men byfa af nc.oias thtitoedais. ackey god hmreadlos "andiyu Fatlhas get the dust of the road brushed off you before I have the bell rung." As the young man, acting upon this reminder, disappeared into the house his brother remarked: "What a boon it is to be gifted to live the fullness of life as that boy does. Though of grave and sedate ex terior, his whole being vibrates in sympathy with the life around him. Every breath he inhales is a draft of sparkling wine to another man. His sleep is but the opiate effect of the (lay's joy; his eyes close in thankful ness for the day that has passed and open in eagerness for the day that be gins. Apparently impassive, 'he is keenly observant of and responsive to every event, possessing a marvelous power of seizing and assimilating what is pleasant and rejecting what is dis agreeable. He delights in the grace :!ul spinning through the air of the :falling leaf, but will not look at it when it has touched the dust, and with all his air of unconcern he is a phi losopher, quick to adjust men =nd things and give them their proper esti mate." "If I heard another spiak in this way without naming the person. I would understand him to describe Mr. Horace Oakfell rather than Evariste," Mrs. Wylcy remarked. "No, no!" said Oakfell. "My tem perament is too opaque. Everything affecting it throws a shadow. I antici pate dangers. I brood over events. I busy myself to guard :aainst troubles which may never arise. In some of my moods life seems a grewsome ne cessity. Not so with Evariste. To him it is all a glad song." "What do you think will be his call ing? Will you make a lawyer of him?" "By no means." "How so? Do you not like your own profession?" "As a branch of learning, a science. a mental discipline, yes. But as a practical profession I loathe it already. No, Evariste will never be a lawyer by my advice." "What then? A physician or a min ister?" "Hardly the latter," said Oakfell. smiling. "I do not think his bent of mind Is toward religious enthusiasm. You have put a question the answer to which I have not thought out to my own satisfaction. This is the nearest approach to a plan that I have yet been able to formulate. I fancy poli tics and dislike the practice of law and theref're at times incline to pro pose to Evariste later that he shall manage our joint interests on the plan tation while I exploit a political ca reer." "That seems a wise arrangement," Mrs. Wyley assented, "leading to the happiness of yourself and brother and the good of the people." Binker Wyley, in clean apparel don ned after his day of toil in the fields, joined his mother and Horace, and, Ev ariste returning, the four at the signal of the bell proceeded to their evening meal of poultry, hot bread. rice, cof fee, milk and preserves of figs served by two quitlc moving griffe women and fannedl by the waving of peacock feathers in the hands of two silent boys of ebon black. As they ate and con versed songs and laughter and the jingling of harness chains told of the coming of the laborers from the fur rowed reaches of sugar cane and cot ton plant. The supper ended, the three men, leaving the room, found standing un der the veranda, hat in band, a young quadroon of small stature and intelli gent race. He was well clothed, and his manner was- polite and humble. "Well, Leon," said Oakfell, "this is a surprse. I should have thought after jockeing so skillfully for Mr. Quille bert today you would have been kept at home .tonight to be exhibited to his admiring friends." "He did try to keep me. Mr. Horace," replied Leon, "but I would not stay." "What! You ran away, Leon? Do you not know the patrol law and the danger of your being out after dark without Mr. Quillebert's written per mission ?" "I came away, Mr. Horace. I did not run away, and I know of the patrol law," answered the young fellow firm ly, but not offensively. "I had to see you tonight, sir, and I have come to tell you my troubles and ask your advice and help. If I am wrong, you will tell me so. I will believe you and submit to punishment. If I am right, you will tell me so. and I hope you will hell) me. I have always believed you to be the best man in this country, and I know you cannot do or aid a wrong. I beg that you will hear me." Tears rolled down hIs face, and his hands were held out beseechingly. "I cannot refuse to hear you, Leon," said Horace. "Walk into my office." "Mr. Horace. will Mrs. Wyley be so good as to be presecnt when I tell you about myself?: she has known me all my life. I want her to hear me. She may know much about me that I do not Will she he so kind as to come into the office, Mr. Binkery' turning to the overseer. "I have no doubt she will," the isetter' "Request your mother to do so." H~or ace said to Binker, "and you, Leon., go to the kitchen and get supper. Come here half an hour from now." "If you will excuse me, brother, I will go to my room. I believe the tragedy of 'Richard III' will interest me more than Leon's melodrama," Evariste said and mounted the stairway. Oakfell lighted a cigar and awaited Mrs. Wyley and Leon in the office. CHAPTER V. LEON'S QUEST. (s' QU desired my presence, Mr. Oakfell?" said Mrs. Wyley, entering the office, folwdby a servgnt, who placed lights upon the ta ble and retired. "Yes, Mrs. Wyley, if you can spare the time to assist me in giving an dlence to Quillebert's jockey, Leon, who in apparently great distress, en treats it," Horace replied. "Indeed I am more than willing 1o do so," she said, resuming the large rock er, "for 1 have always felt there was something foully wrong In that French man's treatment of the boy." "Have you any personal knowledge bearing upon it ?" "I know a good deal about the begin ning of it and am anxious to tell you all I can with certainty." Leon appeared timidly upon the threshold and was bidden assuringly to be seated. He hesitated; but, the invi tation being repeated by Mrs. Wyley in a tone conveying something of com mand, he complied, first laying his hat~ upon a bench outside the door. He was manifestly agitated, embarrassed an d apprehensive, and, though ample timej was given him to open the conversa-f tion he sat confused and silent. "This interview is of your own seek ing, Leon." said Horace, "and has been granted by Mrs. Wyley and myself. You ask for my advice ad help. Whether eIther or bojth will be ; 1iv miust de pend upon the char'acer of your state met. Now proceed to tell your trouble poseafto you, but tell it with absolute truth. You must not mislead me into action or speech by a falscbood. Give me facts only. Upon this condition I will advise to the best of my ability for your good and possibly assist you to make the advice effective. We are wait ing to hear you." With visible effort to repress his ex citement Leon said: "I cannot speak well like you. Nlr. Horace, and some of the things I will tell you I do not at all understand. I know that until I was 10 or 11 years old I lived with Mrs. Wyley on the Lallande plantation, on Atchafalaya river. One day she sent ine to 1. Con stant Quillebert's plantation to see my mother and get some presents from 1. Constant, who was my godfather. IIe would not let me go back to 'Mrs. Wy. ley and has kept mne on his' place since." Oakfell looked inqniringly at Irs. Wyley, whose eyes respo'ndcd a cc:: firmation. Leon continued: IKe "Wc are ivatifng to lca'r you." "M. Constant has treated me diffe ently from the others an his planta tion. I have never been put to field work. Up to the time I was 15 he made me stay about the house, and after that lie put me in charge of his best horses. Now, as you know, Mr. Horace, I am his jockey and ride for him at all the races." "And from what I hear you give him satisfaction In that capacity," Horace remarked. "Yes, sir," said Leon, "except -wben he loses a race, and then he curses me for not punishing the horses. That I will not do, for I know they try their best, as I do mine. But he has never whipped me - the others, yes, my mother and all, for he is terrible in a passion, but not me. My mother has said that I do not belong to him, that I am not a slave, that I am free, and 'he whipped her for telling me so, though he never said anything to me about it. I do not understand It. Fa ther Grhe, who christened me, has told me the same thing. But I cannot explain how it is. One day when I was crossing some horses on the ferry at Bayou du Lac M. Valsin Mouillot said to me that he had heard M. Con stant admit I did not belong to him or to anybody else." "Can this have been true, Mrs. Wy ley?" inquired Horace. "I am not prepared to say no," re plied Mrs. Wyley. "Though I have feared to speak to M. Constant about it," Leon resumed, "I have always believed I am not a slave and have hoped that something would occur to pot me in my freedom. But my hope has been today destroyed. All that cheered me has been denied. Please, Mr-. Horace and madame, do not laugh at me and think me foolish for what I am going to tell you now. I am in love"-he hung his head like a guilty child-"and my love has made me strong, obedient and patient. I love Odette, the maid of Mile. Estelle Latilais, and she has said she would be my wife. She isa good, faithful, true girl. To me she is lovelier than the yellow jasmine, and the thought of her has kept me honest and cheerful and has made me kinder to my horses. Her mistress loves her and more than a year ago promised to set her fr-ee when I should be ready to marry her. But last night she met me weeping and broken hearted. for mademoiselle had informed her that she could not give her freedom, because the law had changed in spite of Mr. Horace's noble opposition so as to forbid the emanci pation of slaves. I could not console her. It seemed as If this news took all my life away. Not a moment have I slept since. All the night long I walked up and down in the stables save when I rested my head on one of the horses and cried like a woman. But with the daybreak came a hope. I remembered that if I myself was not a slave I could buy Odette and make her free by taking her to a free state, and I determined to ask M. Constant to lend rae the price of my bride, to be paid him in services in the stable and on the track as long as would be reasona ble. Knowing how set he was on beat ing Judge Elgee's mare today and that he had bet heavy sums on the race, I made up my mind to win It for him even at the risk of my neck, so as to have his favor when I should ask him for the loan, which I would do before sundown if my mare kept her feet e would not refuse then, I felt sure. Agiln I cried, but from joy, and I danced with happiness, and I whistled like a n eking bird as I patted and rubbed Charlotte Corday and prayed to her to carry me out of my trouble. Belle Cheney has better points than Charlotte, and I trembled as I saw her leap to the stand. But when the word was given I leaned down and shouted, 'Odette!' in my mare's ear. At the end of the track I saw not the post, but only Odette's sweet face. In the crowd's roar and yell in the last stretch I heard only the inme Odette, and when I shot under the line I saw Odette standing with her mistress on the veranda of Father Grhe's house, waving her hand to mec. After caring 'or the mare and kissing her forehead I went to Mlle. Latiolais and asked her If she would sell Odette tq me and at what price. She said sne would for $100 and, laying her snow white hand on Odette's shoulder, nddcd that she would give the price and something iore to the bride as a dot on her wed ding day. Odette kissed that little hand and, with a smile of happiness. expressed our thankfulness. Mine was then the lightest hear-t that ever beat in a poor mani's breast, and I made my request to M. Constant on his return home. But, Mr. Oakfell, a knife run through my body could not have given the pain his answver did. ils eyes al most closed and his face tr-embled with anger as he said: 'You scoundrel! Why should you buy a wife? If you did, she would be my slave. -Whatever you acquire will be mine.' '11ow so, M. Constant?' I asked. 'I am a free man.' ike a mad dog he lersped at me, clutch ed me by the thr-oat and screamed: 'You lie! You are my slave! If -:ou ever lare again to deny it, I will lay the lash on you till you will wvish you were dead!' And he flung me away from him but blind. I *ig;red to the stable and hid my face in Charlotte Corday's mane until my thoughts came back to me. Then, not knowing or caring whether I was seen, I went to Mlle. Latiolais and informed her what had occurred. She said to me: 'Co at once to Mr. Horace Oakfell, the only real man of this country. Tell him I ask him to hear you and thwart the evil purpose of that wicked Quillebert. Mr. Oakfell has the true eye to see what is just and the brave heart to do It.' As I was leaving the yard I met M. Leoni. das Latiolais and asked him whether he would not buy me if I was M. Con stant's slave, and he said he would think it over. I came directly here. I have told nothing but the truth. For the sake of justice, for the sake of Je sus, who, the priest says, was friend less as I am; for the sake of Mile. La tiolais, advise and protect me, Mr. Oak fell, and you, Mrs. Wyley, who were always kind to me and never had cause to chide me." The poor fellow in his excitement had unconsciously risen at the close of his narrative and assumed an attitude of supplication eloquent In Its naturalness and earnestness, and his two auditors looked from him to each other with expressions of astonishment and wounded consciences. "A dreadful recital, if true," Oakfell said. "Even the mercy of heaven must be stretched to cover such wickedness," was Mrs. Wyley's comment. "Do you feel inclined to give me your recollection of this matter, Mrs. Wy ley?" asked Oakfell. "Yes, sir," she replied, "not only in clined, but eager to do so. When Leon was but an infant, Febien Queyrouze owned the plantation adjoining Lal lande's, of which my husband was the overseer. It was in those days that I first saw Quillebert, who visited Quey rouze on Sundays. It seems they had known each other in France. By the request of Queyrouze, Quillebert stood as godfather at the child's christening at Mansura by Father Grhe, who had but recently arrived in this country. Queyrouze was very fond of this child, but was greatly displeased for some cause with the mother, Olive, who, with her children, was his slave. The year the cholera was so bad-I think It was in 1833-on returning home from a visit to New Orleans he told his over seer, Belisaire Poydre, that he intended Leon to be free and directed that he be sent to me to be raised. The following day he died of the cholera. He had be friended my husband in a serious trou ble, so that when, two days after his death, a nurse came to us with the child and a message from Poydre con veying the wish of Queyrouze we con sented, and I took charge of the little one. Of course he was favored by us and never caused me to regret our ac tion. As child and boy he was good na tured, respectful and obedient. "Queyrouze was a bachelor, and his heirs lived In France. His will in structed Poydre to wind up his af fairs, sell his property and deliver the proceeds to the heirs. This he did four years later. Quillebert bought Olive and her three other children. Leon was not included in the sale, but re mained with me. Belisaire Poydre died of yellow fever in 1840. My poor hus band was carried off by the sazie dis ease in 1843. About six months after my husband's death I received -a re quest from Quillebert to send Leon to visit his mother and receive some pres ents from his godfather, and, suspect ing no trick, I did so. Leon did not come back. I wrote Quillebert a. note asking why he detained him. He re turned the verbal answer that the boy preferred to remain with his mother, This I did not believe, but I felt myself helpless and took no further steps In the matter. This is all I know of It. I do not pretend to understand the law, but I have always thought Leon was free." At these last words . Leon's face brightened, and he looked eagerly and anxiously to OakfelL. "And my thought agrees with yours," said the latter. "Oh, thank the good God!" exclaim ed Leon, falling on his knees. "And you will secure and protect me in my freedom, Mr. Horace? You are white, you are rich, you are wise, you are powerfuL Defend me from this man who enslaves me against law and jus tice." "I will, poor fellow, to the utmost of my power," Oakfell promised. "And f I succeed in establishing your free-. om I will lend you the money to buy dette." Leon wrung his hands in a paroxysm f joy, but could not speak his grati ude. Mrs. Wyley, however, was mov d to say, "God will be on your side in he fight, Mr. Oakfell." "I can only prevail by the humanity ad justice of our laws," said Oak fell "Listen to me, Leon. 1 must roceed in this undertaking with de iberation. My course will arouse bit er opposition and bad' feeling, which should not be provoked prematurely. Meanwhile you must be absolutely un er my direction and pledge implicit bedience to my instruction, though it may involve suffering. It is proper that at the institution of your suit for freedom you should be under the ap arent control of Quillebert. You must nt be a fugitive when you sue for reedom. Therefore you must return o his plantatIon, though he may put he lash to you for being away tonight. Do not disclose that you have spoken to Mrs. Wyley or myself, though he should torture you to extort the con ession, for if he learns that you have onferred with us I do not doubt he will kill you. Can you keep your ounsel and ours and endure his cruel ty until I send for you and give you further Instructions ?" "Mr. Oakfell, I will take the lash nd any pains he can put me to if I an gain my freedom and Odette, and either whip nor fire can force from me one word about this meeting." "Go, then," said Oakfell, "and be irm." "God help me to be firm and to be rateful for your goodness and that of Mrs. Wyley," Leon repled and with :rew. "What is all this, brother?" said Ev riste, smiling and enj~ering the office with noiseless step. "Are you holding bolitionist meetings and receiving messages by the grapevine line? Be ware, for there is danger in that." Oakfell explained fully the evening's incident, requesting Evariste's secrecy. "Certainly," said the latter; "I will be silent as the tomb. But indeed I warn you there is more peril in your undertaking than in a genuine abolition rapeine conclave. That fellow Quille bert is a devil Incarnate. He is as ven omous as an adder and as conscience less. To deliver a thrust from behind or a shot in the dark is as easy to him as a gulp of absinth. IHe is a relentless hater and already has his evil eye on you as an American and as the champi on of Estelle Latiolais. More'ver, he has a following among the lowest fel lows of this parish. Reflect before you draw the Ire of such a rascal for the fak e f enin-nfn jockey who never can he imore than he As at this present mo ment." "Evariste, your affection for me leads you to magnify the dangers and mini mize the cause," Horace answered. "You are perhaps young yet to weigh the considerations which have appealed to my conscience tonight. I feel that this disclosure has laid upon me a duty which it would be disgraceful and cow ardly in me to shirk. I would assume it were the perils ten thousand times greater than those you Imagine. But I. do not wish you to be In the least trou bled about it. Only sacredly keep what I have confided to you." Evariste again promised, and good nights were spoken, but the lights in the office burned till the smallest hour of the morning. CHAPTER VI. A nEAT T OF PEARL. TWO items of Leon's recital lin gered pleasingly in Oakfell's thoughts, Estelle's generous consent to sell Odette to her lover and bestow the price for marriage provision and her confident reference to him (Oakfell) as the one man of the parish able and willing to defend the weak against the injustice of the powerful oppressor. His admira tion and self esteem were appealed to efectively, and he found himself won dering why he had not seen the grand daughter of Latiolals during the past three years and whether the child he remembered could justify Evariste's rapturous description of the beauty he had met at Father Grhe's table. Her responses to the appeals of Leon be ; V OakfeE starled Estene. spoke her a person of superior qualities of character, tender sympathies, cour age In high resolutions. His truly chivalrous mind kept all women upon pedestals, and in his re-! gard all possessed some of the sweet perfections with which his mother and Mme. FIdele were endowed. Yet, though he was keenly sensible (,iL the attrac tions of the bayou belles and prairie lassies, he had remained -heart free . Evariste had before repeated to -him commendations spoken by the fair, and If they had fallen gratefully on hi1s ear they had failed to stir his Im agination, but the words of Estelle sur prised and thrilled him. Such emotions st . eeprecdn dfclyie idngtahel shoutld withouteoso spoe heal perhsogntl ofleiragtesot ocharespousende delicates, cur-e age reicnc igh rstoprs.neo eou His rndfathirwos malleplty all woen uponepedesadsn of Quiseber ngrdal oseswsed seome ofthe swet peurfctons ithhichhshen Thne bidle were endoweght thougamp teindo the bayou els artnd prain Evaerlhdistace befrreetween to'Es commnendthen spoeais patfain. aIf'he haadw ofallern erefu but yeginnting bt ethen whens ofaEsellr rstted andthlled ih broadha emtidons efy analysis, and thuas, winthut hndr standings why, ebrased tane te tas the haden fromh coienes amoe :o hmsed, tookd oetccflo wicme eiitor who aedt or her ner-a cidengetat the sumon wout lomstress timemcllen hgente lleagu bth :hrpeeer have loay touh case she hadr espouedrandeltatIcaely wnlde tov recgninzte pruesewfher volu thre aterful homad oafeQullebr migh otheisey elize thet,"ruitfue he bridle ptthdgreotye samp behirndpee bayou fiedras shteen sierIabl the dsan oldwman wle perancmpandon the Ltilals plntatiros. Thue shaws o aferonldere t Ebutegining two legtenr whenger." staed Oaktelle.wt ra htte n "er he chnon sears inther andu ed es anwrd Ease anner tes ifned her madenl tmidsim, but quik "tohrl,"a sherefully feelomd hero viiodo a sato hel milna,o were ae ther smmones of can distress wth mreo mandrihodnfagemet "Yo wyQillbet' ho e y, o dLeased, maoiselle, wfl, hen telaimedha three eersaed such cul wcdwrngi youer appearanc that Ierocely an wuld haveurecognd yovedlmywmend ta heat ourtoe,"h said.Okel "An ouicly suceiedta," shelred, ied, wrmhn I"FkaterGr aond the atu theechttle daurtpeeIsntr toainstnthatdisgraceu lansfobiddn mairstin tof slaovent ometimes werIsl brae an d wanoman hile mynsi cofmnin are eltiyoungo grls ,obthe ookhee twol ear youger gen eo ne ofereor compntiLonsto asked Wasfe obodladli.Id Weg ha know eae th adlls woth livs, gandfaterdEt.l" "n temn f"o- aeosle.M igvn Is beg ou ownailt Butl ihter Btregt" h shallbreieted e bond" wleth more lilhould uces meemyeft foritae the messague Leou ent Odtte mel by Qulebt' jockyLen. "Oh, Mrne oafou," she eOamedS tyou will rte t poor Le on aeld de iere." omta ercosmawl "Your comandther, mywe mind tot sheat outon" Oahel i. ird "Hed youit wll, ucce, sh elred, o ith whmh. HeFroder Gwynhou accon against tha Quisgrebr's, Ela fridn anipatsion of slavesoi tol ero aere brav d wise, d yoram-ate maot fo th bell t d man, er gednrus nthefre I se dreon" wrog. anolas imto adve withon ismes to my wakenediby. Botat wht st oreh haesalle eereless," rtegratitud of Leot nd et.1 Roofing Paper. 3-ply Roofing Paper.......75c per roll. 2-ply Roofing Paper.......52c per roll. 1-ply Tarred Paper........$35 per ton. Rosin-Sized Sheathing Paper, 17 lbs. per roll..................30c per roll. 20-t. Paper...............38c per roll. 30-lb. Paper...............50c per roll. All prices f.o.b. Charleston. For direct shipments from factory in lots of 25, 50 or 100 rolls, we can make closer delivered prices. NROl PORlND GEJ go., 94-96 E. Bay St., CHARLESTON, S. C. I have opened up a Sewing Madhine store next door to Mr. S. A. Rigby's general merchandise store August 1st, 1900. I will carry the The new ball-bearing "New Home1 - the be't machine made: also "New Ideal" and "Climax." from $18 to $40. I sell on Instalment, Easy Payment Plan. I clean and repair any kind of machines for least money possible. Call and see me. A. 1. BARRON, Ag't. Tax Notice. COUNT TREASURER'S OFFICE, CLARENDON COUNTY. Manning, S. C., Oct. 4, 1901. The tax books will be open for the collection of taxes for the fiscal year commencing January 1st, 1901, on the 15th day of October, 1901, and will re main open untll the 31st day of ,Decem ber, following, after which time-a penalty of 15 per cent attaches to all unpaid taxes. The following is the tax levy: For State purposes, five (5) mills. For Constitutional School Tax, three (3) mills. For Ordinary County Tax, three (3) mills. Total, 11 mills (separate from Special School Tax.) Special one (1) mill, School Tax, School District No. "24". Total-12mills. Special two (2) mills, SchdoI Tax, School District No. "16". Total13mills. Special three (3) mills, School Ta:, School District, No. (21". Total 14mifl. Special four (4) mills, School Tax, SchoolDistricts No. "7", "9","19","20" and "22". Total 15 mills. Every male citizen between the ages of twenty-one and sixty years, except those incapable of earning a support from being maimed or from -other causes, and except those who are now exempt by law, shall be deemedtaxable polls. The law requires that Commutation Road Tax shall be paid for thesucceed ing year when State and County Taxes are paid. S. J. BOWMAN, Treasurer Clarendon County. WHEN YOU COME TO TOWN CALL AT WELLS' SHAVING SALOON Which is fitted up with an oye'to the comfort of his customers. .. .. HAIR CUTTIlNG IN ALL STYLES, S HAVIN G AND S HA MPOOING Done with neatness an dispatch. .. .. .. A cordial invitation . is extended... J. L. WELLS. Manning Times Block. TO CONSUMRS OF Lager Beer. We are now in position to ship our Beer all over the State at the following prices: EXPORT. Imperial Brew-Pints, at $1.10 per doe.. Euffheiser-Pints, at..90c per doz. ermania P. M.--Pints, at 90c per doz. GERMAN MALT EX TRACT. A liquid Tonic and Food for Nursing Mothers and Invalids. Brewed from he highest grade of Birley Malt and [mported Hops, at....1.0- per doz. For sale by all Dispensaries, or send in your orders direct. All orders shall have our prompt and are'ful attention. Cash must accompany all orders. .TH E ERMANIA BREWING CO., Charleston, S. C. MOEY TO L.OAN. I am prepared to negotiate loans n good real estate security, on rea sonable terms.. R. 0. PURDY, Sumter. S. C. GTllalallteed$90 Salary YEARLY. Men and women of good address to represent s. some totravel appointing agents, others for ocal worke looking after our interests. 2500 ad epenses: rpid advsnemet ol estab lished house. Grand chance for earnest man or beral ineome and fuue. New brilin lines. Write at onco. STAFFORD PRESS. 3 Church St., New Haven, Confl Money to Loan. APPLY TO WILSON & DuRANT. SURVEYOR'S CARD. - Parties desiring surveys and plats madewill receive my most careful and accurate attention. I am supplied with improved instru ments. Address, S. 0. CANTEY, Summerton, S. C. PATENTTAS ADVICE AS TO PATENTABILITY F E ok"Howtoobtai Patents" E.G SIman flLawWash .C