University of South Carolina Libraries
EBONY WATERS By Anna McClure Sholl V Copyright by W. o. Chapman WNU 8ervlo? SYNOPSIS On her way to a faculty position In Lostland Academy, Janet Mercer m?iti a young man, Arthur Fleming, also on hla way to the Academy. At the rail road station they meet Mrs. Denver, engaged as matron. At the school the group Is struck by an air of mystery pervading the place. Oordon Haskell, proprietor, welcomes them. Wilton Payne completes the Academy faculty. In a schoolroom Janet finds a group, which the teafch^s had supposed were scholars, are really highly artistic wax figures. CHAPTER II ? Continued She peered through the glass door Into the ball. No one there 1 But some one might be watching and wait ing for hej exit ? to spring upon her, or to follow her with their eyes up the curved staircase. To be seen and not to see was dreadful. She crossed the ball as If great weights were on each foot and the pursuers would soon bo upon her. Up she climbed, and for a moment stood in the moon light that streamed through a window at the head of the stairs. Then real izing that this was a conspicuous posi tion, she moved on to the shadow ? just as voices reached her from be low. One of them was Haskell's, and he was saying In a sharp whisper: "Take those horrible figures down In the basement, Haider. If you ever dare play a trick like that again, I'll horsewhip you." Peering over the banisters she saw the "gorilla man" enter the school room. Haskell stood guard, but he seemed to shrink back against the wall as his servitor emerged with one of the wax figures under his arm. He carried It nonchalantly, as Janet had seen such figures In department stores carried about, and returned after a time for the others. She did not wait to see these trans fers, but went quickly down the corri dor, and, seeing a light under Mrs. Denver's "door, she spoke her name softly, and was at once admitted. The good woman was In a heavy flannel dressing gown and slippers. Her eyes looked as If she had not slept. "I've been downstairs. I felt I must know what kind of a place we are In." "Did you see anything?" "Those four scholars were still In the school room studying !" "Oh, the cruel man I" "No, they are wax figures.** "Wax figures I Why, that's dread full Do you think he means to mur der us?" she added Inconsequen tially. "What object would he hove In mur dering strangers? No I there's some thing here less simple than killing In nocent people." "Thgn there are no scholars?" "Only four wax ones ? so far. Mrs. Denver, are you willing to see It through? After all, we really know nothing; It's strange ? but strange things are not always criminal. Let's see It through." "I agree with you. I was never one for running away. My dear, you had better try to get some sleep." Intend to." She stole back to her room. The house lay now In profound silence, but still she had the uncanny sensa tion that the quiet vellod a sinister activity. Speculating on this, she fell asleep. She was awakened next morning by a faint tap nt her door; then n voice: "Miss Mercer, may I Bee you as soon as possible?" She recognized It as Arthur Flem ing's. "Yes, In about a quarter or an hour." "I'll be waiting at the end of tho passage." When she Joined him he stood by n Window In the morning light with "Hamlet," who seemed deep In his musings. He and Arthur both looked at her curiously. , "Well? how do you feel about It now?" Arthur asked. "Why do you ask V "Payne and I are wondering If we . ought to let you stay on here." "Yon really think there's danger?" "Yes." , "What kind?" "That's Just It," Payne remarked; , "we don't know. I hate to use a mis used word, but I am what is called , psyeMc; or at least I am sensitive enough to scent a sort of menace In this house." "The gods of destiny are here," she wild. "Listen to my adventure." She told them the story of her visit to the ?choolroom. "Ah, you shouldn't have gone down thara? It was dangerous," Payne said gravely. "You should have asked me ?I saw at once that the figures were WIX," "Why didn't you tell me?" "WJfcJ *Ur? jour? but ttemlng and I talked half the night about It" *tH jo* remember what the old . ? i ? ' farmer said ? that ft would be easier to coine here than to get away 1 What did he mean?" Payne shook his head. "There's something queer about the place that he knows and we don't." "We'll have to talk this over later," Arthur said, looking at his watch. "Let us stop at Mrs. Denver's door, and, if she's 'ready, go downstairs to gether." Janet knocked. "Mrs. Denver," she said gently. There was no answer. They knocked louder ? a draught from the windows, perhaps swung the door; It softly opened. They had a glimpse of a made-up bed, of an orderly small collection of toilet articles on the bureau ; of a neat black bag at the foot of the bed, but the occupant of the room was not there. "Let us go down, too," Payne said. "It's a quarter to eight. I should think hungry pupils would be wait ing breakfast." The silence reigning over the great house was profound. "Really," Arthur remarked, "this is getting on my nerves." They descended the main staircase and stood uncertainly In the hall; then Janet looked through the glass door of the study room. The figure* were absent. "Ah, breakfast?" Turning they saw their principal, with a fresh flower In bis buttonhole and an '*lr of amiable concern for their health. "Did you sleep well? The first night In a new place Is always trying. Miss Mercer, you look some what pale. A cup of coffee I pre scribe for you ? at once." He led them to a really bright and pretty breakfast room tlooded with the morning sunshine. The white pan eled walls and bright chintzes were like a guarantee of normality. Even Wilton began to wonder If they had not been over-excited. Steaming cof fee, scrambled egcs, muttlns, marma lade and fruit were on the breakfast table, hot plates and spirit lamps keep ing the cooked food at a point of per fection. They found they were very hungry. Midway of the meal, Janet put down her fork with a sudden realization. "Oh, where Is Mrs. Denver ? has she breakfasted?' "Long ago I She Is a very soldier, that little woman ; I foresee reveille at six, taps at nine. Mr. Wilton Payne, more coffee? Liuve you In your psy chological studies tabulated the effects of caffeine and other drugs upon hu man conduct ? for example, the actions of the same person on a day begun without coffee? Personally I should not be responsible for my actions on a day Initiated without this wonder ful coffee beanl More eggs, Miss Mercer?" They were all feeling better; half ashamed of their suspicions. Only Payne was narrowing his eyes a little as If over a problem. Janet wondered I what kind of a glri he would event ually marry ; and she pictured one with quiet eyes and a still manner beneath which the keen-eyed Payne could not readily see. And Arthur? His dom inance would search for a creature equally strong. "Are all new teachers favored with breakfast with the principal on the first morning?" she ventured to ask. "Where Is the general dining-room of the faculty?" "Oh, Miss Mercer, we are the faculty ?we cozy four. 1 am a linguist, a historian, I've delved deep Into the ancient ramifications of the unfolding spirit of man. You teach English literature and rhetoric; my good friend, Wilton Payne, psychology ; Ar thur Fleming, mathematics and chem istry. Are not all the arts and sci ences, at least by proxy, represented?" "Of course, with receptive pupils four teachers can do wonders," Arthur commented. "But we are very anx ious to meet our pupils I" "You spenk of pupils, Mr. Fleming. In this respect nlso the academy Is ahead of the times. What would you consider the most Important element In education?" Arthur reflected for a momorft, quite Intent on the honesty of his own an swer regardless of consequences. His clear &ray eyes looked out on the wild and rugged hills as If In their pro foundly purple depths he could rend the royal rule of all Instructions. "I should say, sir, development of charac ter ? the making of splendid citizens." "And you, Miss Mercer?" Her smile had the fleeting, lovely quality of a wood nymph pausing t* answer an intruder from n dead and settled wotMd. "I should say all edu cation should mnke people more en chanting and ? enchanted." As she uttered the words her eye# met Arthur's In one of those glances between two young people which are like a dissolving scene In the theater. Almost they held their breath with the wonder of It. They were to here together through the long autumn days, hidden from the world with an extraordinary chief, and education turned perhaps Into renl magic- ? the education of the heart? ?* well a* the head. "Enchanting ? and enchanted," the schoolmaster repented. "Ah I you show your own theory In yourself, Miss Mercer. Now Payne?" "Education ? a drawtng forth of the soul? educe ; lend forth. How shy souls are I" "I congratulate myself on my dla cernment In choosing three young peo ple of such advanced views In educa tion. Now, has anyone any objec tion to teaching a handful of day Scholars who come from the neigh boring faf-msT It Is a most beautiful charity, I assure you; for the young things belong, as a rule, to families tod poor to seiia them to high school 6r college* ; arid they are avidly eager for an education." to na OONTINUBD. It's High Style sto Shine in Satin Ey CITERIE NICHOLAS A S TO the most outstanding Imme diate fabric news, It's satin! In all the annals of Its history this bright and shining costume medium has never more dramatically Illumined the pathway of mldseason and early fall s^-les, than at the present moment. ^If anyone thinks that the newer satins "tell the same old story," a)l we can say is that a most happy surprise awaits each and every so unimagina tive a skeptic. Fact Is the early arrivals on fashion's stage are deliv ering a message so refreshingly new ami inspirational the moment you gllmp?e--the advance models you will feel the urge to wear satin. The resplendent evening gowns of gleaming satin In such beguiling tones and tints as mint green, Ice blue and that new and illusive dusky pink which Is so lovely, the smartly finished daytime suits with their amazingly wide-buckled belts and their pvlmly starched broad white turn-back collars that remind of the picturesque garb of our honored Puritan forefathers, the handsome dressier afternoon satins with their dainty feminine details, and the swagger tailored sports dresses with their many buttons and tricky gadgets, all of which are now on style paradef'slmply hold one spellbound. It la just such stunning costumes as the trio pictured which are causing seekers of chic and timely apparel for Immediate wbar to "catch the vision" of satin. These particular models were carefully selected for Illustration In these columns from among scores of strikingly original styles shown at a recent pre-vlew of fall fashions by the Chicago Wholesale Market council. The detail that Instantaneously strikes the eye as the spotlight centers on the smartly satin-clad woman pic tured to the left in this group is the very wide belt and enormous buckle which distinguishes the suit she la wearing. This model is the sort which will start you touring the stores which carry foremost fashions with a deter mination to acquire a facsimile for your very own. The new fin^er-tlp length coat (a trllle shorter than three-quar ter), the roomy graceful sleeves, the straight skirt with Just enough of a kick pleat to ease It a bit, these are style details each of which is prophetic of the future. The fetching satin Jacket 9ult to the right In the picture is warranted to capture the heart of most any style anplrlng young modern. The whito satin which fashions the blouse with Its scallop-edge sailor collar and down the-front Jabot Is metal threaded In a crossbar patterning. One of the big features of the newer materials is that they are all more or less agleam with Interweavlngs of gold and silver. It Is almost r\e-ed)esH to say that black satin fashions the suits Jus( de scribed, for undoubtedly black Is first choice by a large majority, for street wear. However, any number of smart street models are being tailored of satins In rich autumn browns or greens (green Is much talked of for fall) while | satin costume In the newly featured beetroot red or dark blue Is considered a hist word In chic. As to the exquisite satin evening gown here shown, imagine It in any delectable pastel you may happen to fancy, or glistening white If you pre fer. The cape sleeves and ruched nepkllno nre Important style points also the seml-fltted princess lines sans helt are typically new. ?. Weitorn Newnptpar Union. FIND TUNIC BLOUSE IN MANY VARIETIES That blouses will remain a big fash Ion Is generally conceded, but In what forms Is a matter of discussion. Very few couturiers have thought seriously, as yet, of models for autumn, and those who have show Bults mostly with hip-length Jackets and walst lencth blouses of the butcher boy type. The rumor about Hjisslan suit styles has been hoard fiore. Luclle I'nrny has one suit with a tnnlc blouse which might come under this doHlgnntlon, and Helm has another, In velveteen with fur bordered coat. Silk Still Holds First Place for Undergarments The Increasing favor for lingerie neck wear, for cotton frocks and linen suits has brought speculation as to a chnnge In undergarment stylos, but so fnr Investigation has failed to reveal nny real revival r?f "lingerie" lingerie. Hero and there, one finds a linen night dress, as at Helen Yrnnde or one of the Paris lingerie specialists but such a model is an exception; and oven at Worth, the prime sponsor of sheer cot ton stuffs and frilly touches, as well as petticoat foundations for evening gowns, the ansyyer Is that only a few batiste gowiyr' are shown. Large Parisian Compacts in Brown Simulate Wood New compacts from Paris are hngo nffalrs made of a brown composition material that looks like wood. They are loose, single pftcts, a trifle expen sive, but a knockout to look at. To make accessories harmonize, there are bracelets and clips, trimmed In gold, of the ss me substance, and necklaces '.n which synthetic wooden links alter nate with colored stones. Now Cap* Stylw A gown of bright flame red satin Is cut with a deep square front decol lotte, accompanied by an ermine cape mounted on a square bsck yoke. Squar* Fingsr Rings The expression "round like s ring" doesn't mean anything any more, for ther? are new finger rings that are aquare. VERY SHEER BLACK By C1IKRIK NICHOLAS A menage of vltnl Importune# con cern* the voghe for dlno, dance And other griwnn of more or lesa formality which are created of black net* or tilling or wlupy laces of flnost dlapha noun texturo. When fashioned of daintiest sheer not there In almont sure to ho ? lavish use of pleated rticho effects. Tho gown pictured shows a wide ruche trimming outlin 1 ute the pointed hack-and-front decol lotage. A similar ruche trimming heads the deep flounce on the skirt. The ntlhoUette which stresses a slim fitted hlpllne contrasted hy a pro nounced and ftudden deep flnre Is typi cal of tho later stylo trends. Tricky Farrlng* Warring* -once more hack on the fashion map ? are novel In cnt. Many are designed to follow the lohe of the ear Inntead of standing out, button ef fect, in front IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY" I chool Lesson (By REV. F B. DTZWATER, D. D.. Member of Faculty, Moody Ulble Inntltut* of Chicago.) ? by Western Newiu&Mr Union. Lesson for August 26 HOSEA PREACHES GOD'S LOVE LESSON TEXT? Hosea 11:1-4. ?. ?; 14:4-9. QOLDEN TEXT? For God so loved the world, that he Rave his only begot ten Son, that whosoever believeth In him should not perlBh, but have ever lasting life. John 3:16. PRIMARY TOPIC ? God's WonderfOl Love. JUNIOR TOPIC ? Hosea Preaches God's Unfailing Ivove. INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP IC ? How God Shows His Love. YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP IC ? All for Christ. Hosea'a message was primarily to Israel. The nation waB outwardly prosperous, for Its height of temporal glory was reached In the time of Jero boam II (II Kings 14-18). With this prosperity came luxury, Immorality, and apostasy. Calf worship and Baal worship were substituted for worship 3f the true God. With the Increase of wealth In our age has come luxury, corruption, and gross wickedness. Hosea's message Is therefore a vital one for us now. I. Israel'# Apostasy (Hosea 1-3). Her covenant relationship with Je hovah was presented under the figure of a marriage. Their spiritual whore dom Is symbolized by the example of an unfaithful wife. 1. The marriage (1:1-2). llosea was commanded by God to take an un chaste woman to be his wife. It was designed to show God's wonderful con jescenslon and love In entering Into covenant relationship with a nation of such Immorality. The nation had no more to commend it at the time of God's choice than tills unchaste wom an when Hosea contracted marriage with her. 2. The unfaithful wife (ch. 2). Not withstanding the wonderful conde scension on the part of the prophet In contracting marriage with this woman, Gomer departs from him to consort with her former base lovers. This shows Israel's baae Ingratitude In their departure from God and going after Idols. Sore chastisement fell up on her for her unfaithfulness. 8. The command to love Gomer, the unfaithful wife "(ch. 3). This Illus trates God's love for Israel. II. God's Lov? for Israel (11:1-4, 8, 9X. 1. Its beginning (v. 1). It twgan when Israel as a nation was In Its childhood. 2. How It expressed Itself Wv. 1-0). a. In calling It out of Egypt (v. I). God called Israel out of the bondage of Egypt and brought them Into Canaan, the land of freedom, tlowlng with milk and honey. Such love and favor placed Israel under peculiar obligation to God. b. He taught Ephralm to walk (v. 8). In spite of Israel's backsliding (v. 2), God Is represented as teaching Israel how to walk, even as a father takes his child by the arms tb snstaln It while endeavoring to walk. God even watched over Israel as parents watch over their children by night. c. "I drew them with cords of a man" (v. 4). Observe thnt his draw ing was not with a stout rope as used with an unruly heifer (10:11), but a cord such as a man could bear, d. He took off the yoke from the Jaws and* placed food befpre them (v. 4). The figure: -of husband man lifting the yoke from the oxen so that they could eat. e. His unwillingness to give them up (w. 8, 0). In spite of all Israel's sins God was unwilling to destroy them. III. God's Urgent Call for Repent ance (ch. 14). Notwithstanding their awful sins, God urged Israel to turn unto him. 1. Appropriate words of confession wore put Into their mouth (vv. 1-3). a. "Take away all iniquity" (v. 2) This Is the notion's request to God. b. "Receive us graciously" (v. 2) This request Is accompanied by the promise to worship God on their re turn. c. "Asshur shall not save us" (v. 8). They were made conscious that even the strong nation of Assyria could not save them. d. They will not say any more that their Idols can save them (v. 3). 2. Gracious promises given In re sponse to their confession. a. "I will heal their backsliding" (y. 4). This healing was on the con dition of frank and full confession. b. "I will love them freely" (r. 4) c. "I will be as the dew unto Is rhel" (v. r>). This menns that God would refresh the nation. <1. Growth promised (v. 5). e. Reauty assured (v. 0). *? - f. A pleasant fragrance (y. 7) Tnls In * picture of the restored nation. 8. Idolatry to be nhftndoned (y. 8). 4. The lord's ways sro acknowl edged as right waya (v. 9). To Pr?s?rY? tK? Church We nro not tha ones who can pre servo the church ; our ancestors were not the ones; our descendants will alao not be able to do It, ha It has been, Is still, and will ba who says: "I am with you always, even nnto the and of tho world." ? M. Luther. N?edi No Dofftnc* O. II. Kpurgeon wns once asked If ha conld defend tha Rlble. "Defend It I'* ha exclaimed: "I would as noon defend a Hon. I/at It out; It can d* fand Itself." GREAT CROP LOAN SYSTEM IS PLANNED Prices and Marketing Will Be Controlled. Washington. ? A gigantic crop loan plan which would leave control at 1933 supplies In the hand of farmers who grow them Is hatching In the farm administration. Modeled after the year's corn nnd cotton loans, the plan will call for government loans on a wide range of other crops. There will be a stipula tion that supplies must be sold wheD prices rise to a certain point. Last year the government advanced farmers 10 cents a pound on stored cotton, and 45 cents a bushel on corn sealed In cribs or warehouses. This pegged prices at those levels. As prices advanced beyond those levels recently farmers began selling cropa^ paying ofT loans and making a prollt for themselves. The farm administration declares the idea will assist farmers In holding their crops Instead of selling at har vest time when marketings are ordi narily heavy and prices consequently low. They will thus be able to obtain some cash, keep their crops readily marketable as needed, and sell them I at any time the price ranges between j the loan value and the upper limit. The* program would be co-ordinated , with Secretary Wallace's Idea for "ever normal" granaries. In bounti ful years the stored grains would be held off the market. Ownership would be returned to farmers without repay ment of the loans if they would agree to cut production the next season. The expanded storage plan would call for Increased space on farms for ! sealing grains, officials admit, but they expressed confidence that sufllclent funds could be made available for building loans, possibly through the farm credit administration's produc tion credit associations or co-opera tive banks. l'lans are yet in a nebulous stage, but ofUcials backing them are deter mined to bring them to execution In time to give farmers the ultimate ad vantage from crops they produce next I year. A campaign to Increase the size of the regular army to lGfi.OOO enlisted men and 14,000 officers will be Insti tuted by the War department Imme diately after the return to Washing ton of George Dern, secretary of war. Unusually large Increases in cotton sales to the Far East and ltussia wero said by officials to account for a ma jor portion of the nation's export gain In June this year as compared with June, 1933. j New contracts for the slaughtering and processing of more than 1,000,000 cattle and calves for the Federal Sur plus Relief corporation have been awarded packers at more than fifty different places in the country. The slaughtering, canning and freezing of these cattle Is expected to be complet ed before September 0. With corn-hog benefit checks now I going out at the rate of $1. 000, 000 a day, Agricultural Adjustment adminis tration ofllclals hope to complete first payments on these contracts by Sep tember 13. Groom of One Day Hangs Self; Blame "Inner Voice" Rochester, N. Y. ? An "inner voice" that told him he must kill himself was blamed for the suicide of Clarence Wheeler, twenty-eight, the day after his marriage to pretty Kdna Clark of Rattle ('reek, Mich. Ills body was found suspended from a water pipe in Uie bathroom of his parents' room ing house. Investigation revealed Wheeler often had said that he J^enrd a voice telling him : "You must kill yourself ? you must make away with yourself." Joyce's "Ulysses" Wins in Court Fight New York? The right to Import .Tamos Joyce's "Ulysses" was upheld by tho United States I>lstrlct Court of Appeals In n decision sustaining a rul ing of Federal Judge John M. Wool soy. The Court dismissed the federal government's charges that the hook was lewd, Immoral and obscene. Noted Aviwtrix Killed f>nylon, Ohio. ? Airs. Frances liar rell Marsnlls, twenty nine, one of tho country's Thost not^d woman flyers /and co-holder of the 'Women's refuel ing endurance record, was killed when her light blplano went out of control and crashed while she was participat ing In the national women's air meet neAr here. I.ehmnn S**l< a Ronnminntion Albany, N. Y. Gov. Herbert II Leh man formally announced Ids candi dacy for reelection. He said he had desired to return to private life at the end of Ills present term next Decem ber, hut thnt he had consented to seek n second term nt the request of "friends." Belgian AmhRiuHnr Diet Washington? Paul May, Relglan am bassador to the United States, died at Emergency hospital here. WASHINGTON BRIEFS