Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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S. BELL! OPP. Central tiotel, Manning, S. C -:DEALER IN: Bicycles and Bicycle Supplies. I also repair wheels and guarantee my work. MACHINERY REPAIRINC A SPECIALTY. All work entrusted to me will receive prompt. attention either day or night. J. S. BELL. GgS.Hacker&Son bijj Doors, Sash, Blinds, Moulding and Building Material, CHARLESTON, S. C. Sash Weights and ~Cords, Hardware and Paints. Windew and Fancy Glass a Specialty. INSURANCE FLRE. LIFE. ACCIDENT & BURGLARY INSURANCE. Tailor-Made Clothing. FI GUARANTEED. . A FULL LINE OF SAMPLES. Carpets, Art Squares, RUGS, DRAPERIES & BED SETS. Colored designs and samples of goods. Carpets sewed free and wadded liniug fur nzaed FREE. J. L. WILSON. WREN ALL IS SAID AND DONE WHEELER'S Ci and Fever Tonic IS UNQUESTIONABLY A Gen inL e Tn:Lo Guaranteed to Cure CHILLS AND FEVER, INTERMITTENT, BILIOUS AND CONTINUED FEVER. There is no occasion to proclaim its meit. from tihe housetops, but those whdabve sed WELER'S CHILL TQZNIC will tell thelr neighbors, " It has cured me and it wilt euire you." FOR SALE BY THE R. B. LoRYEA Drug Store, rsAeaWR'yrA, Prop ,!PaoxR No. 2. - MANLUYG, s. C. Kodol Dyspepsia Cure Digests what you eat. Tis preparation contains all of the e tans and digests all inds of .ltgivesisanIrlitanldnever ftlto cure. It allows you to eat all tie fdodyoa waint. Themost senstive' stomachs can take it. By its usemany #iosands ' of -dyseti have beenl cdredsfter eryhng else failed. It: aerlieving all distress after eatling. Dieting unnecessary. Pleasant totake. R can't helIp The R. B. Loryea Drug Store. STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, csautypf Glarenden. QQ(ST OF COMMON PLEAS. Alfred A. Strauss, Plaintiff, -against Prestoo Conyers and E. L. Wilkins,' Defendants. Judgment for Foreclosure and Sale.. UNDER AND BY VIRTUE OF A Judgment Order of the Court of Corn mon Pleas, in the above stated ae tion, to me directed, bearing date of June 5th, 1901, I will sell at pub lic auetion,-to the highest bidder for cash, at Clarendon Court House, at Manning, in said coanty, within the legal liours-tor judicial sales, on Mon day, the 2d day of December, 1901, being saleeday, the following de scribed real estate: Allthat-tract or parcel of land sit nate-and beipg in Clarendon County, in the State aforeaid, containing - ^p'y-gve acres, more or less, boon Ne; orth, by lands of El izabeth Conyeri; east, by lands of Charlie Weleci; south, by lanids of J. F. Cole, and west, by lands of Elizabeth Con yers. Pur asr ?TEE~)VS Sheriff Claretidoil County. Manning, S..C., November 6, 1901. t14-4t Shesrit Tax Sales. BY VIRTUE OF SUNDRY EXE entions issued by S. J. Bowman, CountyTeasurer Clarendon County, State of South Carolina, and to me direeted, I will sell at the Court ~oue in Manning on Monday, 9d day of Decembernext, it being sales Ga'y,the following veal estatie for de linquent taxes: Midway Township-taxes 1898 and 1899, levied upon as the estate of J. S. Wood-one acre, bounded: NorthI by J. W. Gibbon; south, now or for mrylands of S. R. Epps; east, now or oa lyS. R. Epps; west, by es tate of Na. McCray.I Fulton Township-taxes 1899-lot levied upon as estate of Lo~uis Me Conico, deceased, known as No. .3, Block "B," and measures 80x121 feet. Terms-Cash. Purcnaser to pay for papers. J. ELBERT DAVIS, Sheriff Clarendon County. MAST] SLAVE Copyright, 1901, b: CHAPTER XVI. VISIONS. t v hnIs Eaross.ber L AURE'S quick eye perceived the change in Evariste's bear ing. She saw the lofty con fidence In his face as he pass ed to and from the Latlolais home with increasing frequency and understood that he felt he had been' lifted above the level on which she stood, far and beyoud her reach. And Quillebert's manner of easy familiarity and assured control she attributed to his belief that her passion for the young man must be attenuated by the suddenly lengthened distance from its object. But her stout heart was not dismayed nor were her faculties blunt ed by contact with difficulties. Her hate was strong and unpitying; her love was fierce and selfish. She had never forgiven Estelle the defeat in the contest for sponsorship of the church bell She had an added grievance against her as the magnet which drew him who was her own life's loadstone and abhorred her as the source of Quillebert's hope of power over berself. That Estelle loved Horace and could never love again; that marriage with Evariste would make her life one long, bitter misery, she well knew. But wel come as was that prospect to her ha tred, it terrified her love as its doom. Estelle's punishment and her own suf fering were inseparably involved. The counter currents of passion met in her, and, as the sclentists.,declare of the sinoldal positives and negatives of electricity, Instead of annihilating each other, commingled and produced a force partaking of the natures of both. Her watchfulness of QuIlleberz was sharp ened, her demeanor toward Evariste grew bolder and warmer, and she re fused to admit into her mind a doubt of her final triumph over both. The cause of the Confederacy was expiring when the Federal commander ordered the burning of the Proshame distillery near Mansura, from which Dede's cabarat had long drawn its sup ply of rum. That notable boniface was thus enabled to double the price for the goodly store of-It he had-then on hand. The conflagration attracted the country folk in large number Among the spectators were Quillebert, Evariste and. Latiolais, who had await ed it at the cabaret; also Laure, return Ing from a visit to the lirde milliner at Marksville, viewed the spectacle from a favorable point which she selected near Evariste. When the dense black "M onyyt Itu. prouct o ti vnihe anufaeter fols ofissonkeehng. sunlyeritane i run ing Evaist alluonedadastcaly "I belave~i s seen writhionsnta ol. c"ou the oes pofen ls through a the "Yrsduct the visheds depresstme. They saar."ga". "Ts whyio youeingd genhem?"ne ik "ecsi e Eanot as srsisty ther." "hYE, Jure,:be visyn deprscome.a loTess.~ ea. "No." "Why not?". "Because you will prevent." "Not I," said Erarlste positively. "Yes, you," she Insisted, with firm ness. "Is this another Cassandra prophe "It Is a true prophecy. I know noth ag of Cassandra. Come with me, please. I wish to atop'for a. moment at the old cottage to get a book of my granduncle's which I left there." "I will be delighted." he assented, with a condescending air which was not lost upon her. "Are you not fear ful that those things will be stolen from the deserted cottage?" -"No. The thieves among us wilt not risk the vengeance of the doctress." "But she Is dead." "Thcy gead her ourse .the more be mause she Is dead." They rode through the swamp in silence. He affected to reinstate the dignity which he thought had been un wittingly lowered by the free converse in the crowd. She gave herself to a train of disturbing thoughts, which lushed and paled her brown face and escaped in sighs from her -heaving bosom, and she threw from dar'k, melt ing eyes glances of yearning and adora tion upon her unseeing companion for which many a Gasconoid would gladly have given all his worldly possesslons. Arrived at the e-.itage, she drew a bunch. of keys from~ her reticule and, keging tiiariste to await her on the vragda, unlocked- the door and enter-I ed. The stillness of the house and all Its surroundings, the motionless pros pect of open field and rigid forest, the creeping shadows of evening and Laure's words, "They dread her curse the more because she is dead," wor-ed Insidiously upon the scoffer a sense of the uncanny, and Evariste was 0p pressed by a feeling of the presence of the old doctress. Dreamily he fell Into: a reverIe, in which he seemed to receive a presentiment from the white halred racle. A footstep recalled him, and he started, as if at an apparition, upon be holding Laure, her head bared and the luxuriant hair tumbling in wavelets about her forehend, clad in the gown of filmy, clinging fabric she had worn the day he gave her the crescent of rubies gad diamonds. Her rinened fig R an? SBy.,.. T. HTHORPE 0,l: ST. H. Thorpe.0 ure, of voluptuous contour, strained to the utmost the delicate enveloping tis sue. Entreaty was in her moist eyes, passion in her mantling cheeks. Quiv ering lips and quick breath betrayed the agitation of her heart. Rich, glow ing, tropical, her beauty was that of the red lily. Evariste gazed upon her in mute, admiring wonder. "Hear me patiently, Evariste, and weigh well what I will say." There was intense pleading in her voice, and as she drew near to him he could see the rapid throbbing of the veins in her satiny neck. "You have book learning and know the ways and rules of what is called society. You understand the business and politics of men.. But you do not. know yourself or human na ture. I do. It is a gift. Your passions possess you. If you attempt to hide them, they consume you. Opposition slays discretion and sends you on reek less courses. You have never been happy. You envied your brother. His very generosity irritated you. His for tune you coveted and his intended wife. Both desires were enemies to your content. Your heart was lighter when you had none of his fortune. than now that you possess it all. You would be more at peace with only the half he promised you." Alarm came to Evariste's face at these words, but whether she detected it or not she continued her dissection of his life without pause. "And should you acquire the woman as you did the fortune, your wretched ness would be complete and beyond other cure than death. She will never love you. Her weak spirit would yield a tearful, meek submission, which would rub against the grain of your temper, hold you back, fret you and end in tragedy." "Indeed, Laure, you talk very like a fortune teller," Evariste said coldly, "and I foresee quite a career for you in taking horoscopes. 'You will have many patrons. but at present I do -not care to be numb2red among them." "Do not mr.ke light of what- I am saying," Larre implored. "Be-just to yourself, Evariste, and to me. I know that fine lE.dies would condemn me in this, but I know they would be hypo crites. A'bandon the pursuit of that which can only desolate your life, and -and--coue, Evariste, to me, who alone can"- Her speech was stifled by a rising sob. Opening her arms to him, devouring him with her passion lit eyes, her face aflame, she put aside restraint from her words, which came burning from her ravishing lips. "Oh, Evariste, I love you! I care not what you think of me for saying It I love you. Do you hear, Ev-ariste? I love you. My love is not what these people about us call love. My love is myself. Apart from it I am not: without it I cannot breathe or sleep or think-I do not exis't. And1 you are my love, you are my life. Without 'you I cease to be. W~llld not you defy the world's opinldn'to. save your 'life? I live but once;. '. love biut once. Life ~and love, they ar'e but one to me. Then I brave the world to sav'e my love, my life." Pausing for breath., she .saw the frown whiich had setitled upon~&his brow, and as -scalding tears coursed down her cheeks she said. in supplicating tone: "No other woian can ever know you so perfectly as I. do. Ei-ariste. No one can smooth youir path'as I can. Nt one will ever understand how to stay and direct your impulses as I will. I can and will be your watchful guard an, your faithful slave. It is not your fortune I crave; it is only you. All interest. in the estate .I would re nounce. I would sell this little place my grandmother left and maintain my self upon its proceeds. I care nothing for dress or luxury. It is only you I want. Oh, -come to me, Evariste,.-and let me compel your love and happiness! Save me from myself and let me save you. from yourself. Come to moe in peace and wait not till you must fly to me for refuge from storm." She was. on her knees. and her up turned face shone with the light of de votional prayer. - It cost Evariste an etrort to steel him eelf against the poweor of such:a- reve ation~ of beauty and passion. But his a~swer was delivered coldl'y and harsh ly. "There is at least one insurmountable obtcle to what you propose." he said. "Name it, and I will overcome it," Laure exclaimed hopefully. "You cannot." He gave a cruel em phasis to his words. "it is your posi tion in Quillebert's household!" She sprang to her feet, every fiber of her being tingling with the sting of this thrust, and glared upon him with the fury of a wounded tigress. "You know your words imply a mean lie!" she cried. Checking her anger, covering her burning face for an in stant and gulping back the bitter speech, she presented to him an Qffend ed countenance struggling for calmness and ad~de4: "nut go your way. I cannot renounce you and live. Thus far I have waited and sufl'ered. I can endure a little more. It will not last very much lon ger, for, Evariste, come to me you will and in the flight of terror. I see it! I will wait!" There was in her manner the posi tiveness of prescience which awed the man who had prided himself on im passibility, and he turned away per turbed and vexed. She re-entered the dark room and, flinging herself into the huge chair of her grandmother, sat staring into the future until .the fury within her haid spent itself. As if eparged with the sturdiness of spirit which had borne the old doctress through many a trial, she resolutely exclaimed: "He shall not,, though it take his death and mine to prevent!" Resuming the gown she had worn through the day, Laure composed her features and returned to Quillebert's dwelling, loathing it now as a charnel house, but choosing not yet to leave it. CHAPTER. XVII. THE VIBGIN wIDow. IT is the curse of many to desire most those things they have least courage to attemipt. Innumerable Cesars are chained to plows by dread of unseen hordes of Gauls; endless vows of would be Rothschilds stand bind counters measuring tape, not daring to leap over into the fluctu ating sea of values, and Mirabeaus sit mute at every country crossroads lest he, world should hiss A braen act a bold venture, an earnest word might win the prize, but the arm hangs, the project lags, the lips are dumb in the presence of a possible negation. To such what might be ever holds more terrors than what is. And thus the native hue of resolution Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought, And enterprises of great pith and moment, With this regard, their currents turn awry And lose the name of action. EvaristeOakfellwas thusaffected. He had rushed into dissolute ways to profit by the evil talen-ts of his brother's foe. He had recklessly embarked in Quille bert's perilous and piratical commerce to enrich himself. He had ruthlessly spurned the love of a lion hearted wo man to be untrammeled in the pursuit of a shrinking maiden. Without com punction he had traded with a villain for the proofs of a guardian's infidelity to his trust in order to coerce the sub mission of the ward. Unflinchingly had he suppressed the tra will of his brother and propounded a forgery to render defenseless her whom that brother had loved and sought, to pro tect. All these had he dared and done and had experienced no trepidation or sting of conscience. But that to which they had reference only, that to which they were designed as mere aids, ap palled him. His mind by day and night reveled in imaginings of joyous life with Estelle his wedded wife. A hundred times he set forth determined to make his bliss assured and returned with void yearnings .:,l nothing more. He dared not hear refusal from her pale lips. Could he brave that the course of cruel duress and compulsion he had prepared would be easy, swift and grateful to his temper. But his vanity shrank from her rejection. He sought to convince himself that she would not, could not. say the dreaded word, and yet he knew she had loved Horace and feared she would be loyal to that love. Though armed with the instrumentalitics for forcing her cov sent, he was unable to expel the un quieting belief that the frail, gentle girl was in character such as Carlyle describes his wife, "In her bright ca reer she had more sorrows than are common, but also a soft invincibility, a clearness of discernment, a noble loy alty of heart, which are rare." Impatient, fretting, chafing at his timorousness, he. nurtured his design upon Estelle-it was destitute of the tenderness and generous warmth of love-uatil it became a mania. Yet he lingered, held back, deferred the test of his fate, not noting the flight of time. The d!rge of the Confederacy was sung at Appomattox, and still he halted. But another spirit more masterful than his rebelled against this proc'as tination. "Do you know the war is ended?" said Quillebert. appearing at "VEsper ance" for the first time during his resi dence In the parish. "Yes," Evariste replied uninterest edly. "Then the period has come when I must wind up my affairs here and go back to France, for a time at least, if not permanently," Quillebert contin ued. "Some of my Christian neighbors are zealous to have the United States authorities pry into my business. My absence will not facilitate .them." "Well, Constant, how can I speed you?" "Settle our business first. I owe you $8,000 on the last cotton sales. Which do you prefer, the money or the abso lute transfer of those two Latiolais pa pers?" "You said you would give me those papers." "I said I~ would put them at your service free of charge, but you have never called on me for them, and I have no assurance you will ever use them for the purpose which induced my promise. That brings us to the second thing you must do to speed my departure." "What is that?" " Marry the Latlolais girl." "What bearing has that upon your staying or going?" "This-I have made up my mind that Laure must go with me." "As your wife?" inquired Evariste, aroused. "Not at first; later, perhaps," replied Quillebert. "But she knows too much about my business to be left here." "~True enough," Evariste said. "But what has my marriage to do with that?" "Everything," auillebert said em phatically. "I am not a fool. I can *_ii "CanatantI You cUm not do that?" see my nose at midday without a can de. She will not budge an inch while you remain unmarried. I know her thoroughly. She is as set as the .rock of Tenerife. When you marry, 1 can contro-1 her, not before. She believes she can prevent you, but she cannot. This : ntter must not longer be put off. it must be brought to a finish now." "I am not quite prepared"- Evariste began. "As well prepared as you would be a year hence," Quillebert interrupted per emptorily. "Take care! This is vital to me. I have no time to be wasted by your chicken heartedness or to devote to arguments. Few words are needed. If you will pledge me to marry Estelle Latiolais before the expiration of 60 days, I will give you the papers of old Loidas now and pay you the $8,000 he day after the marriage. If you fall, I will go to France alone, leaving Laure Luneau here with a full history of the olographic will." Quillebert's face grew hard and cruel. His enun iation of this threat was like the click of the cocking of a rifle. -"God above us, Constant!" exclaimed Evariste trembling violently. "You will not do that?" "I certainly will," Quillebert said savagely. "She will not be believed. The origi nal was destroyed," said Evariste in desperation. "Perhaps. Nevertheless, she could make great use of the story," Quille berteplied, with a vicious nod. The torture inflicted upon him by this meace and the prospect it opened before him appeared to deprive Eva n.tea of the nower of speeh. With terror depictdin lils Tac6he stared at his tormentor until the latter stirred him, saying: "Well?" "I accept your proposition," he said faintly. "Within 60 days Estelle La tiolais shall be my wife." "Hone!" grunted Quillebert. "Set about it a:: once." "I will begin tomorrow." "Good!" Quillebert rose. Reaching the door, he stopped and said: "An odd thing has occurred. My little pistol, the one I kept under my pillow at night and in the armoir during the day, has disappeared." "Whom do you suspect?" Evariste asked, forcing a show of interest. "I do not suspect any one yet. Laure is the only other person who knew where the weapon was. But I will discover the thief," said Quillebert con fidently, and, mounting his horse, he rode away. Evariste returned to his room to brood over the particulars of this most disturbing interview. The Importance which Laure had assumed as a factor in his life startled him as he now real ized It. The mention of her name In connection with the missing pistol caused him an uneasiness, too, he could not shake off. Her passion, protesta tions, warnings and prophecies pre sented her to his harassed thoughts as an impediment to his purpose, inex orable and mysterious. The self denials imposed on the peo ple by the conditions of civil war he had escaped through means of the contraband trade so successfully prose cuted by the genius of Quillebert. From France he stocked his larder and buf fet; from Paris he supplied his ward robe. Hence, when, after a night of feverish unrest, he set out in quest of his bride he was arrayed, primmed and perfumed as became a gallant of the boulevards, offensively Incongruous to the neighbors clad in homespun, the broken fences- and grass grown fields he passed on the dusty bayou road. There was unrest, too, at the La tiolats home. Age, dissipation, hyp notics and remorse were hastening the grandfather to wreck and miserable death. Night after night he walked his room with shaking step, sleepless and bemoaning his impotence to recoup his own and Estelle's estates or conceal the unworthy methods by which he had incumbered them to gratify his low appetites. Her written authority to mortgage for maintenance, unques tioningly conferred on his advice, he had meanly used to protect his gam bling debts and bills for rum and mor phine, leaving the legitimate accounts unliquidated, unsecured and bearing ruinous interest. His perfidy would be come known to Estelle and the world at his death, now fast approaching; his memory would be execrated by all honest men; his grandchild would in herit only poverty and his disgrace. The sole escape lay in her preceding him to the grave; his only hope was to die before the storm broke. These goading, unrelenting thoughts banished sleep; distress gave free current to his tears, whether alone or In the presence of Estelle; the coma of opium was his refuge. When Odette announced Evariste. Estelle, tenderly ministering to the ven erable sufferer, was on the point of leading him to stroll In the garden among flowers she herself had planted, nursed and reared into loveliness. At the name of the visitor a tremor passed over the wasted frame of the old man, but he looked beseechingly at his com panIon and said: "Go to him, child, and receive him pleasantly. He has been our very soliitous friend. Do not keep him waiting. Odette will asist me into the house when I become fatigued." She left him with Odette and pro eeeded to her parlor. She was gowned In simple white. A deep collar about her neck was clasped by a medallion portrait of her mother in miniature. The pale brow deepened the hue of her soft brown hair. The eyes of dark hazel, large and liquid. the small mouth of perfect curves and the finely molded chin gave a beauty to her face which was eloquent of af fection, truth and patience-the beauty which subdues by Its gentleness, com pels by Its sweetness, the beauty which refines prosperity and hallows afflic tion. "It is kind of you to call, my friend, for our house is sadly In need of cheer," she said, greeting Evariste. "No misfortune has come to you, I ope," he replied, seeking, yet dread ing, a suggestion for the declaration he was resolved to make. "You have not been ill?" "No; I must not fall sick, for there would then be no one to nurse my poor grandfather." "Is he not as usual?" "Much worse than usual. I am sore ly distressed over his state. He Is rap Idly failing. Sleep and appetite are Ldenied him. He is grieving over some Imaginary or real trouble which he keeps secret to himself. Oh, why could not this good old gentleman be rescued from that wicked man Quillebert?" "Mademoiselle, I labored for that2 sincerely." "I believe you; Indeed, I believe you. It was not to complain of you that 1 spoke. It was only to bewail the hard fate. I fear it is now too late." "How too late?" asked Evariste In a tone of concern. "I do not think my grandfather will live through the summer. I am sure e will not unless he can be relieved of the mental anxiety. that Is so fast con suming his strength." Estelie's eyes began to well over as she made this gloomy prediction.. "Mademoiselle, what would you do, what would you give to cure M. La tiolais and make him what he was ten years ago ?" Evariste's nerv-ousdess became apparent as he thus suddenly approahed the crisis. "Ah, le bon Dieu!" she exc-laimned. "I m very weak, and I am very p~oor, but there is no task I would not undertake, nothing of mine I wvould not give! But, alas, I am powerless to cure or re store him." "No, you are not powerless. You have the cure." "I?" she said, astonished. "Surely you are jesting, monsieur. But It Is a strange subject for merriment." "Mademoiselle, it is a subject upon which I could not jest if I would," Eva riste protested, with warmth. "I re pea serzuusiy malit you possess your grandfather's cure. Will you give him the benefit of It?" "I love my grandfather so that 1 would willingly die to save him. But what is this cure, monsieur? Hlow can I restore him? Your words mystify "And yet they are simple and easily understood," replied Evariste. "Lis ten, mademoiselle. I perfectly compre hend the troubles which oppress M. Latiolais and threaten his health. He has not the talent for business and has not exercised due care In his affairs. 'he consequence Is that he now finds himself indebted beyond his means of payment and fears he has involved your Interests also. Having the sen sitiveness of a gentleman, this condi "1sc my wfu:c," he exclaiincd hotly. diction to -drink and drugs1has -unlttd him to bear the strain. He is shorten ing his life by silent, corroding grief." "If you have correctly stated the case, monsieur, how can I save the poor dear sufferer?" Estelle asked, ter rified. "Will you, if you can?" demanded Evariste. "You need not ask that question," she replied. "Then It rests with you, Estelle. Be my wife and redeem your grandfa ther," said he, fiercely springing the trap. "Evariste!" she whispered, starting to her feet as If in fright. He also rose and advanced toward her, but was chec:ed by a repelling gesture. "Yes, be my wife," he exclaimed hot ly. "Estelle, it has been the dream of my life from boyhood. I have loved you with every breath I drew since long ago we met at Father Grhe's ta ble on the day of the races. My love and hope of winning you have sustain ed me through trials, indignities and injustices. I remained a civilian throughout the war and endured the contempt which is the coward's lot to be near you and protect you. I loved you in silence, for I was poor. But now, Estelle, I have ample fortune. Peace has come; life begins. Be my wife, and my whole existence shall be devoted to your happiness. Share my fortune; be mistress of my estate as well as of my heart.- Give me the hus band's right to guard your interests, and my joy will be to put away the burdens from your inheritance, lift the crushing load from your grandfather's shoulders and give to his declining years the boon of calm and ease. We will take him to our -home, and I will vie with you in affectionate, venerating care for his tranquillity and comfort. I can control the debts that bear him down, and I can command Qulebert. Consent, Estelle, and I promise that within a month after our wedding day the debts shall pass into your hands and Quillebert shall pass to France. Do not refuse, Estelle," he cried fran tically, observing she was about to speak. "Take time to reflect. Answer me another day." "I need no time for reflection. My answer is ready now and must be de livered. What you ask can never be." She spoke gently and firmly, but he! voice was not wholly free of resent ment. "Not to save your grandfather from poverty and disgrace?" he said, his. face darkening with anger and malice. She staggered, but answered reso htely: "No!" "And yet you said you would die to give him peace and health." "And so I would, but I did not say I would commit sacrilege." "What do you mean ?" "I prefer not to explain." He eyed her suspiciously. "You have not taken a nun's vows?" "I wished to do so, but Father Grhe would not give his sanction. .He In structed me that I would best serve God through my .duty to my grand father." "And by dooming him to shameful beggary you perform that duty?" he sneered. "The duty must be a sirliess one. Rather 'than profit by a sinful service my grandfather would cheerfully lay his hand in mine and walk forth from this house forever homeless, beg from door to door and sleep under the trees." So serene and self trusting did she ap paassespoke and looked away to the green forest that Evariste felt him self dwindle before her. "Have I asked of you a sinful deed?" he demanded. "Yes. A loveless wife Is a sinning woman. I co-uld not give you my love with my hand. I have no love to give." "You were not always loveless. Why now?" "My love is dead," she moaned pite ously, no longer able to restrain her emotion, and-hid her face against the mantel. "I understand," he said tauntingly, "and lies buried under the apple trees in Kentucky." She turned upon him a withering look of mingled contempt and indigna tion. "Wretched man," she cried, "how can you speak such ruffian words of the noble dead? Can you not see him hide his head from the shades of his comrade heroes, humiliated by the perfidy of the brother wvhom his love and generosity strove in vain to make a gentleman? Oh, unhappy ingrate, spare from your desecrating hatred that sacred spot where sleeps your benefactor, whose narrow bed beneath the sod shines with a light the black darkness of your heart will never "Then you do not deny that your love lies dead in that same hallowed grave?" persisted Evariste, writhing under the denunciation. "And you seek to play against me Horace dead as you did Horace living." "Monsieur," she cried, do you dare" "Yes," he interrupted insolently, "I dare anything now. You have made me desperate. I decline to accept this answer as final. I will come this day next week for another'. Dare: Yes, I will dare to come again, and I will dare meanwhile to make such provision that you will not then dare say me no again." "Do not return." "I will." "It will be useless." "We shall see."~ "I will not receive you." "You shall." Blind with rage, he dashed furiously up the bayou road and across the swamp to Dede's cabaret to inform waIting Quillebert of his rebuff. Estelle flew to her priedieu and fell upon her knees. In anguish she prayed for strength to hear her through the approaching ordeal. Rising, she stood a moment gazing into the sky of cloud less blue and murmured softly: "Rest, my Horace. My love shall wake only with you. Remember the vow I made whenl they told me you were dead. That vow shall not be CHAPTER XVIII. DURESS. treaty of Estelle the feeble D ESPITE the protest and en invalid responded to the sum mons of Quillebert to a meet ing at the old cabaret. He dared not disobey, though the journey was made with pain of body and men tal misgiving. He bad vaguely con nected Evariste's last visit to his house with impending catastrophe, for Es telle had since been more depressed, more reticent and even more tenderly solicitous in her watchfulness over him, but he feared to question and was left in Ignorance of what had occurred. At the cabaret he was ushered by Dede into the familiar rear room, where Quillebert and Evariste awaited him at the baize covered table. Eva riste was smoking a fragrant Cuban cigar. One glass and a bottle were be fore Quillebert, who was doggedly drunk. Tatiolais was received with ominous c)ldness. No glass was of fered him. He lacked courage to ask for one. "Leoni.as, settling day has come," said QWlebert, with brutal abruptness, termirdting an embarrassing silence. "What? How, Constant?" Latiolais aslked, shaking as If with an ague. "What? Your indebtedness to me. How? In money. Pay me the mon ey." "Now?" "Yes, now. It is past due. You have had more time than I ever asked of a creditor." "But the notice Is so short, Constant." "So Is my time, Leonidas." "My debt is large." "I know that, to my sorrow." "I have not the money." "Get It." "Within what time?" "Thirty days." "Impossible." "Then the property must answer." "Oh, Constant, my friend, spare me!" groaned the unhappy man. "Leonidas, my very dear friend, I have not time. My other dear friends, Americans and Christians, are pressing upon me inducements to return to France which really I cannot resist We are getting old, you and I. Just think of It, I am oldei' than you!. I may not live to come back to this para dise, and therefore my afairs here must be closed up just as if I meant not to come back. I really have not the time to spare you, Leonidas." Quillebert appeared to enjoy the pains of his victim as much as he did the rum, which he quaffed at shortening Intervals, his Insolence increasing with each potation. "Are you serious, Constant, and will not pity for my grandchild move you?" "I never was more serious In my life, and nothing but death can move me. At present, Leonidas, I enjoy perfect health." "My God! My God! My poor Estelle must suffer want and hide her head in shame for my disgrace. And there Is no escape, no hope!" The old man's head was lowered, and his shaking frame rocked to and fro. "There Is hope, there is escape," in emphatic tone said Evarlate, whose si lent presence had been forgotten by Latiolais in his distress. "Where? By what means?" cried the latter, looking up with wonder and wistfulness In his haggard face. "Estelle can save you," Evariste re plied. "Estelle? My Estelle? Explain, my dear young friend." "Be calm, monsieur, and I will make my 1neaning plain to you." Evariste exemplified his advice, being as un perturbed In manner and free from ex citement In speech as If he were dis cussing persons and affairs remote from his own Interest. "In the course of business with Quillebert I have be come possessed of a portion. of your obligations-namely, some of your notes, your granddaughter's procura tion to you to contract debts for the maintenance of her property and au thorization to cancel her mortgage against you so as to give first rank to the security I hold. M. Quillebert has determined to leave this country very soon, and I appreciate the necessity for haste. There must be mutual ac countings between him and me to ad just finally our joint ventures during the past four years, some of which have been quite heavy. As your notes and their securities held by us two are In the main concurrent, If he forecloses I shall be compelled to do likewise. I understand, of course, you have not the means of payment. The sale or surrender of your property and your granddaughter's must follow pressure. Now, I will purchase all your obliga tions which -M. Quillebert has and de liver them, together with those which are in my hands, to you, making you a debtless, solvent man and reinstating your granddaughter's estate on one condition." "And that Is, monsieur?" "That Estelle becomes my wife with In a month. You now understand that Estelle, and she -alone, can save you," Evariste concluded, as he had begun, speaking coldly, deliberately, precisely. "You are a prince in generosity, my dear frIend. IL am overwhelmed by your munificence. You give me life, peace and health, and in return I can give you only an old man's thankful ness." Latiolais in a transport of grat itude rose and started to embrace Eva riste, but in sheer weakness reeled and would have fallen to the floor had not the young man caught him and return ed him to his chair. "Collect yourself, monsieur. There is no occasion for demonstration," said he dryly. "Do you promise Estelle's consent?" "Certainly I do," he replied, half weeping, half laughing. "She, dear child, will be honored and overjoyed, and she will be as grateful as I am. To save her grandfather and become the happy wife of the noble and g:'eat hearted M. Oakfell. Ha, ha, ha, ha: Oh, I promise, I promise her consent." "Attend, monsieur. This is Wednes day. On Saturday next at 4 o'clock I will call on Mile. Latiolais and ask her hand in marriage. Her answer will de cide the matter we have discussed to day." 'Will you not come In time to dine with us?" said Latiolais almost affee tionately. "No; that can await her answer," Evariste curtly replied. "Never fear the answer, M. Evariste. It will be as you wish. Is all this agreeable to Constant?" "It Is. He wants his money; that is a11. Eh. Quillebert?" "Hone!" grunted the latter, waking from the torpor Into which he had suf fered the rum to sink him since he had been left out of the conversation. "Then," said Latiolais, "let us drink to amity, peace and happiness for us three." "No," Evariste objected; "you must ot drink until this matter is conclud "I will do the needful drinking, Le onids," said Quillebert, refilling his glass. "You make sure of Evariste's bride.". [Coinuedal on next naoe.1 Roofing Paper. 3-ply Roofing Paper.......75c per roll. 2-ply Roofing Paper.......52c per roll. 1-ply Tarred Paper........835 per ton. Rosin-Sized Sheathing Paper, 17 lbs. per roll..................30c per roll. 20-1t. Paper..............38c per roll. 30-th. 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. GRROLEI PORlND EMNI 0., 94-96 E. Bay St., CHARLESTON, S. C. NOC)TIcm. I have opened up a Sewing Machine store next door to Mr. S. A. Rigby's general merchandise store August 1st, 1900. I will carry the The new ball-bearing "New Home," the best 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. I. BARRON, Ag't. Tax Notice. COUNTY 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 I5 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". Totall2mills. Special two (2) mills, School Tax, School District No. "16". Total13 mills. Special three (3) mills, School .Tax, School District, No. (21". Total 14ms. Special four (4) mills, School Tax, School Districts 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 suprt from being maimed or from o er causes, and except those wh6 are now exempt by law, shall be deemed taxable polls. The law requires that. Commutation Road Tax shall be paid for thesu&eed ing year when State and County Taxes are paid. S. J. BOWMAN, Treasurer Clarendon County. WHEN YOUCOME TO TOWN CALL AT WELLS'! SHAVING SALOON Which is fitted up with an oye to the comfort of his customers. .. .. HAIR CUTTIl(* IN ALL STYLES, SH AVING iD SH AMPOOING Done with neatness an dispatch. .. .. .. A cordial invitation is extended... J. L. WELLS. Manning Times Block. TO CONSUMERS 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 doz. Kuffheiser-Pints, at..90c per doz. Germania P. M.-Pints, at 90c per doz. GERMAN MALT EX TRACT. A liquid Tonic and Food for Nursing' Mothers and Invalids. Brewed from the highest grade of Bai-ley Malt and Imported Hops, at......1.10 per doz. For sale by all Dispensaries, or send in your orders direct. All orders shall have our prompt and careful attention. Cash must accompany all orders. CERMANIA BREWINC~ 00., Charleston, S. C. MONEY TO LOAN. I am prepared to negotiate loans on good real estate security, on rea sonable terms. R. 0. PURDY, Sumter, S. C. Giaaileed $900 Saliyf YEARLY. Men and women of good address to represent LIs, some to travel appointing agents, others for ocal worke looking after our interests. $900 .lary guaranteed yearly; extra commissions md expenses; rapid advancement; old estab ished house. Grand chance for earnest man or ~vman to secur pleasant, permanen poition;. Write at once. STAFFORO PRESS. 23 Church St., New Haven, Conn. Money to Loan. APPLY TO WILSON & DuRANT. SURVEYOR'S CARD. Parties desiring surveys and plats made will receive my most careful and accurate attention. I am supplied with improved instru ments. Address. -S. 0. CANTEY, Summerton, S. C. GUARANTEED $5,000 DEPOSrI R. R. FARE PAID 200 FREE. ScholarshIps offered 0 Write quick to A.-ALA. B USINESS COLLECE. Macon. Ca