Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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I The MIon D Kv By HAROLD Illustrated from Scenes i Same A ame by the Tha ^1 ? II <1 iMOMRiaMMMiuMMaaMtu'. r* .*. nr - m. tnuvHM (Copyright* 1V14. b (This, tlie ninth episode of this interesting serial story, will be shown in motion pictures at the Casino Theatre tonight.) CHAPTER IX. The Leap In the Dark. So far as Jones was concerned, ho was rather pleased with the turn of affairs. This was no time for lovemaking:: 110 time for sillv. innocuous quarrels and bickerings, in which love must indulge or die. Florence no jj|i ^ . "I Never Saw That Ring Before." longer rod? horseback, and Norton returned to his accustomed haunts, where no one made the slightest attempt upon Ma life. In his present state of mind he would have w elcomed it. "*What's the matter with Jim?" , .-asked the night city editor, raising hl3 eye shade. "I don't know," answered the copy j reader. "Goes around as if he'd been eating ! dope; bumped into the boss a while ago and never stopped to apologize.' "Perhaps he's mapping out the front pago for that Hargreave stuff," laughed the copy reader. "Between you and me and the gate post, 1 don't believe there ever was a man by the name cf Hargreave." ' "Oh, there was a chap by that name, all right. He's dead. A mar. can't "wim 300 miles in rough water, life buoy cr no. They ought to have funeral services, and let it go at that." "But what was the reason for that fake cable from Gibraltar saying that Orts was alive? I don't see any senso in that." "The man who pulled it off did. I ( think, for my part, that both Orts and Hargreave are dead, and that the man picked up by the tramp steamer Orient was riding some other balloon." "You're wrong there. The descriptlon of it proved that it was Orts' machine. Oh, Jim probably has got a man's size yarn up his sleeve, but he's a long time in delivering the goods. He's beginning to mope a good deal. Woman back of it somewhere. Haven't held down this copy job for twelve years without being able to make some tolerable guesses. Jim's a star man. When he gets started nothing can stop him. He covered the Chinese Boxer rebellion better than any other correspondent there. I wonder how old he is?" "O, T should say about thirty-one or two. Here he comes now. 'Lo, Jim!" "Hello! Where's Ford? He gave me a ticket to the theater tonight, and I want to punch his head. What's drama coming to, anyhow? Cigarettes and booze and mismated couples. Can't they find good enough things out of doors? Oh, I know. They cater a lot of fools who believe that what *they see is an expression of high life in New York and London. And it's rot, plain rot. It's merely the scum on the boiling pot. And any old housewife would skim it off and chuck it into the slops. Life? Piffle!" "What's the grouch?" "Looking for the dramatic job?" "No. I've just been wondering how tfar these theatrical managers can go without slitting the golden goose." Norton sought his desk and began .rummaging the drawers. He was not hunting for anything; he was merely TtSHflinir au/av V>n Ima T> M M-HQ WKW/ HIW klltlOl i ?/ ailU UJ I when the pastime no longer served, he pulled his chair over to the window and sat down, staring at stars such me Copernicus never dreamed of. Ships going down to sea, ferries swooping diagonally hither and thither, the clockwork signs; but he took no note vof these marvels of light. "Not at home!" he muttered. He had called* written* telephoned. s. dar Mystery j MAC GRATH rn the Photo Drama of thm nhouser Film Company ' 11 IXJJ- I. J? xtT.KT'.aMBUHBHMHMBaMHaMMniV y ilarold M&cQrath) No use. The door remained shut, Jones answered the telephone, and the letters came back. He began to think very deeply concerning the PerlgolT woman. Had she played a trick? Had that fainting spell been buncombe for his benefit as well as Florence's? Hut he had not a shadow of a proof. The thing that puzzled him equally with j this was that all attempts against his 1 i 10 had miraculously ceased; no safes ; thundered down in front of him, and j no autos tried to carve him in two. i The only thing that kept him active was the daily call of Jones by wire. Miss Florence was well ;that was all Jones was permitted to say. Restlessly Norton spurned his chair and walked over to the telephone | booth. It was midnight. He might or i might not be able to get Jones. But almost instantly a voico said, "What ! is it?" "Jones?" "Yes. Who is it?" "Norton." "Why, you called me up not ten minutes ago." , "Not 1!" "it. was your voice, as plain as day." "What did T want?" keen all at onceThe reply did not come immediately. "You are certain it was not you?" "Wait a moment and I'll call the editor. lie will prove to you that I've been here for an hour, and that this is the first call I've made. Some one ; has been imposing on you. What did they ask you to do?" "You asked me to come down to the office at once, and I requested you to come to the house, and you said you could not. I declined to stir." "What did you think?" "Exactly what you're thinking?that they have come to life again." "Jones, is Miss Florence awake?" "No." "Do you think there is any hope of having her understand what reaily happened?" "I am here only to guard her. 1 can-' not undertake to read her thoughts." "You're not quite in favor of a reconciliation?" "Oh, yes, if it went no further. Young people are young people the world over." "What does that mean?" "That they would not create imaginative heartaches if they were not young. Retter let things remain exactly as they are. When all these troubles are settled finally, the lesser trouble may be talked over sensibly. Rut this is not the time. There is no news. -Good-night." Norton returned to his chair, gloomier than ever. With his feet upon the window sill he stared and stared and dr. amed and dreamed till a hand fell upon his shoulder. It belonged to cue of the office boys. "Note f'r you, sir." Norton read it and tore it into little pieces. Then he rose and distributed the pieces in the several yawning waste baskets which strewed the aisle leading to the city desk. "I'm not wanted for anything?" he asked. "No. Clear out!" laughed the night city editor. "The sight of you is put-. ting everybody in the gloom ward." Norton went down to the street. At the left of the entrance he was quietly joined by a man whose arm was carried in a sling. He motioned Norton f /X ry/v* ; 4 ~ il, ? ml. miu 11113 tualcuu. i ney were dropped in a deserted spot in Riverdale. On foot they went forward to their destination, which proved to be the deserted hangar of the aviator, William Orts. "I want you to tell Jones that a tug and several divers are at work on the spot where he threw the chest. That's all. Now, doctor, rewind this arm of mine." The amateur surgeon made a very good job of it; not for nothing had he followed lighting armies to tho front. "Did they find anything?" "Not up to date. But wo might if we cared to. They have left a buoy over the sj>ot they're exploring. But just now it floats a quarter of a : mile to the east of the spot." "Who were the men in the motor boat that chased Jones." "Only Jones can tell you. Queer old codger, eh?" "A bit stubborn. He wants to handle it without police assistance." "And he's right. We are not aiming to arrest anyone," sinisterly. "There can't be any draw to this game. Here, no smoking. Too much gas afloat." Norton put the cigarettes back into his pocket. "What's the real news?" ho demanded. "You would not bring me out here Just to rebandage that arm. It really did not need it. Come, out with it." "You're sharp." "I'm paid to be sharp." "I've found where the Black Hundred holds its sessions." "By George, that's news!" "The room above is vacant. A little hrto in the ceiling., and who knows * * | what might happen?" I "What do you want me to do?" "Tell Jones. When the next meeting come around I'll advise you. I've stumbled upon a dissatisfied member. So, buck up, as they say. We've got two ends of the net down, and with fe little care we'll have them all. Now let me have a hundred." Norton drew out a packet of bills and counted off five twenties. ] "Why don't you draw the cash yourself?" <n? v- ? aw imyyens 10 De in your name* eon." "I forgot," said Norton. "But what & chance for me! Nearly five thousand, all mine for a ticket to Algiers!" A grunt was the only reply. "I want you to tell me about the Perigoff woman." "I know only one thing?that Braine Is there every night." VNo!" "The orders are for you to play tho game just as you are playing it. When we strike, it must be the last blow. All this hide-and-seek business may look foolish to you. It's like that Japanese game called 'jo.' It looks simple, but chess is a tyro's game beside It. Can you find your way back all right?" "I can." "Well, you'd better be going. That's all the light I have, in this torrh bore. Got a lot to do tomorrow and need Bleep." Norton stole away with great caution. Ilia first intention was to proceed straight to the city, but despite his resolution he found himself within a quarter of an hour gazing up at the windows of the Hargreave house. "Not at home!" Quite unconscious of the fact, he was as close to death as any mortal man might care to be. The policeman suddenly looming up under the arc lamp proved to be his savior. ******* The lull made Jones doubly alert. Tie was positive that they were preparing to strike again. But from what direction and in what manner? He had not met the gift of clairvoyance, so he had to wait: and wnitlnc is n terrible game when perhaps death is balancing the scales. It is always easier to make an assault than to await it; and it is a good general who always finds himself prepared. But it made his heart ache to watch the child. She went about cheerfully ?when any one was in the room with her. Many a time, however, he had stolen to the door of her bedroom and heard the heart-rending sobs, a vain attempt being made to stifle them among the pillows. She was only eighteen; it was first love; and first loves are pale, evanescent attachments. It hurt now; but slip would get over it presently. Youth forgets. 1 Time, like water, smooths away the! ragged places. The countess called regularly. She ' was, of course, dreadfully sorry over what had happened. She had heard something about his character;' newspaper men weren't always the best. I This one was a mere fortune hunter; a two faced one, at that. She was never more surprHed in her life when he threw his arms around her. And so on, and so fc,rth, half lies and half truths, till the patient Jones felt liko wringing her neck. From his vantage point the butler smiled ironically. He could read the heart of this Perigoff woman as he could read the page of a book. The effrontery! And all the while be must gravely admit her and pretend when the blood rioted in his veins at the sight of her. Ilut he dared not swerve a single inch from the plans laid down. It was a cup of bitter gall, and there was no way of avoiding the putting of it to his lips. She emanated poison as nightshade emanates it, the upas tree. And ho must bow when she entered and bow when she left! Still, she had done him an indirect favor in breaking up this lovo business. One afternoon Braine summoned his runabout and called up two physicians. When he was ushered into the desert It of ac Effectionate Embrace. ed office of the first be sent bis card In. The doctor replied in person. His face was pale and bis bands shook. "Good afternoon," said Braine, smiling affably. The doctor eyed him like a man hypnotized. "You . . . you wished to see me on some particular business?" "Very particular/' dryly. "My car is outside. Will you be so good as to accompany me?" The doctor slowly went into the hall for his hat and coat. He left th? house and got into the car with never a word of protest. "Thinking?" said Bralne. "I am always thinking whenever I see your evil face. What devilment do you require of me this time?" "A mere stroke of the pen." "Where are we going?" "To call on another physician of your standing," significantly. "It is a great thing to have friends like you two. Always ready to serve us, for the mero lovo of it." "There's no need of using that kind i of talk to me. You have me in ilio hollow of your hand. Why should I bother to deny it? I have broken tho law. I broke it because I was starving" "It is better to starve in freedom than to eat fat joints up the river. Today it is a question of sanity." I "And you want me to assist in sign- I ing away the liberty of some person j who is perfectly sane?" "The nail on the head." urbanely. "You're a fine scoundrel!" ! "Not so loud!" warnlngly. "As loud as I please. I am not forgetting that you nerd me. I'm no i coward. I recognize that you hold the whip hand. But you can send me to the chair before I'll crawl to you. Now, leave me alone for a while." The other physician had no such Qualms of conscience. lie was ready at all times for the generous emoluments which accrued from his dealings with the man Braine. The Countess Perigoff was indisposed; so it was quite in the order of things that she should summon physicians. There is a law in the state of New York?just or unjust, whichever you please?that reads that any person may be adjudged insane If the signa ^ ' Florence and Susan Went Shopping. turcs of two registered physicians are ninxed to the document. It does not say that these physicians shall have been proved reputable. There were, besides the physicians." a motherly looking woman and a man of benign countenance. Their faces were valuable assets. To gain another person's confidence is, perhaps, among the greatest human achievements. A confidence man and woman in the real sense of the word. In youi | mind's eye you could see this man , carrying the contribution plate down ; the aisle on Sunday mornings, and his | wife Kate putting her mite on the 1 plate for the benefit of some poor, un tidy Hottentot. On Tuesday of the following weeb Florence and Susan went shopping The chauffeur was a strong young fellow whom Jones relied upon. If you pay a man well and hold out fine promises, you generally can trust him As their car left the corner another followed leisurely. This second automobilo contained Thomas Wendt and his wife Kate. The two young women stopped at the great dry goods shop near the public library, and for the time being naturally forgot everything but the marvels which had come from all parts of the world. It is as natural for a woman to buy as it is for a man to sell. , In some manner or other Florence became separated from Susan. She hunted through aisle after aisle, but could not find her; for the simple reason that Susan was hunting for her. It occurred to the girl that Susan might have wisely concluded the best place to wait would be in the taxicab. And t-o Florence hurried out into the street, into the arms of the Wendt family, who were patiently awaiting her. The trusted chauffeur had been sent around to the side entrance by the major domo. The young lady had so requested, so he said. Florence struggled and called for the policeman, who came running up, followed by the usual idle, curious crowd. "The poor young woman Is Insane,*' said the motherly Kate, tears In her I eyes. The benign Thomas looked at heaven. 'We are her keepers." ' ? 1 "It It not true!" cried Florence desperately. "She has the hallucination that she 1 Is the daughter of the millionaire Stanley Hargreave." And Thomas exhibited his document, which was -per , fectly legal, so far as appearances went. "Hurry up and get her off the walk. I can't have the crowd growing any larger," said the policeman, convinced. So, despite her cries and protestations, Florence was hustled into the automobile, even the policeman lending a hand. "Poor young thing!" ho said to the crowd. "Come, now, move on. I can't have the walk blocked up. Get a gait on you." He was congratulating himself upon the orderliness of the affair when a keen-eyed young man in the garb of a chauffeur touched his shoulder. "What's this 1 hear about an Insane woman?" he demanded. "She was insane, all right. They had papers to prove it. She kept crying that she was Stanley Hargreave's daughter." "My Cod!" The young man struck his forehead in despair. "You ass. she was .Stanley llargreavo's daughter, and they've kidnaped her right under your no3e! What was the number of . that car?" "Cut out that lino of talk, young fellah; I know my business. They had the proper documents." "But you hadn't brains enough to Inquire whether they were genuine or not! You wait!" shrilled the chauffeur. "I'll have you broken for - this work." lie wheeled and ran back to his car, to Unci Susan and the countess in a great state of agitation. "They got. her, they got* her! And I swore on the book that they never should, so ; [ long as I drove the car." Susan wept, and the countess tried in vain to console lier. And when Jones was informed he frightened even the countess with the snarl of rage which burned across his ^ lips. He tore into the hall, seized his hat, and was gone. Not a word of reproach did he offer to the chauffeur. Brainc and the Countess. lie understood that 110 one is infallible, lie found the plundering policeman, j v;ho now realized that he stood in for ^ a whii'f of the commissioner's carpet. All he couid do was to give a good de eciipinja 01 mo man and woman. Word was sent broadcast through the city. The police had to bo informed this time. Late in the day an ofiicer whose beat included the ferry landing at Ilobokon said he had seen the three. Everything had looked all right to him. It was ' the motherly facq of the ono and the benign countenance of the other that had blinded him. At midnight Jones, haggard and ; with the air of one beaten, returned home. "No wireless yet?" asked Norton. "The George Washington of the North German Lloyd does not answer. Something has happened to her wires; tampered with, possibly." "So long as we know they are at sea, we can remedy the evil. They will not be able to land at a single port. I have sent ten cables. They can't get away from the wire. If I could only# get hold of the names of those damnable doctors who signed that document! Twenty years." Jones bent his head In his hands, and Norton tramped the floor till the sound of his footsteps threatened to drive the moaning Susan into hysterics. "It is only a matter of a few days." "Hut can the child stand the terrors?" questioned Jones. "Who knows that they may not reallv drive her in sane?" On board the George Washington every, one felt extremely sorry for this beautiful girl. It was a frightful misfortune to be so stricken at her age. "She is certainly insane," said one of the passengers, who had known Hargreave slightly through some banking business. "Hargreave wasn't married. He lived alone." After the second day out Florence was permitted to wander about the ship as she pleased. A good many of the passengers were , mightily worried when they learned that the wireless had in some mysterious way been tampered with after the boat had made the open sea. It was > impossible to put about. The appara, tus must be fixed at sea. And when finally Norton's wireless caught the wires of the George Washt i . ington b? wm grtvtly Informed that the young lady referred to had leaped the rail off the Banks c.t night and had been drowned. She had not been missed till the following morning. rO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK DR. J. D. THOMAS Physician and Surgeon loris, s. o. H. H. WOODWARD, A J n " niiuuiry una counsellor at LIW| CONWAY, S ~ ? HAL L. BUCK, Fire Insurance Office Conway National Bank Conway, - - - S. C, R. B. SCARBOROUGH Attorney at Law, f CONWAY. S. C. LUM JUNG LAUNDRY, CONWAY. S. C, Beginning July 1st. 1913 All persons must take tickats A'ork left here. Positively no | >voi< delivered uutil ticket la pr<*. j denied. Laundry not called for ia | JO days will t>e sold for charges. LUM] JUNG s r WILLIAM EUGENE KING, M Physician and Surgeon Office in Piatt Drug Co. AYNOR,. - - - S. fi. " I ? -a? j J. M. JOHNSON, I CIVIL EN GIN EER Marion, SC. I tail road, City and Land Sarveyiiigt I *nd Drainage. Road-building a* I Sewers Draughting and Blue Printing I W C SINGLETON I ATTORNEY AT LAW I Conway, S. C. I Office up Staira Buck Building H D A Spivey & Company J [On "TlIE CORNER" |1 ^OTTLES'NATIONAL BANK Bl/nowl Jonds ' Fire H Life |] r Other H INSURANCE. I 0. A. SPIVEY. W. B. KINGI CM AS. R. SCARBOROUGH, Conway, f I* Complete Waterworks, Stenm, Heiwa^H ter and Hot Air Heating PL.tJ INSTALLED ANYWHERE J I Only Plumbing and Heating goodaJj I material of highest quality Full line of Tub, Toilet, Lavatar^H Sink and other Bathroom and repairs on hand at afci II Plumbing and Heatfcuyt I PUT WATER AND HEAT IN YOUR HOUSlIB T. B. LEWIS, I Atty. and Connccllor at Lavlfl CONWAY, - - - S.A HOW'S THIS. H We offer One Hundred Dollars R^H ward for any case of Catarrh that not be cured by Hall's Catarrh Cure^H F. J. CHENEY & CO., Toledo, 0^1 Wo, the undersigned, haveAn0V^H F. J. Cheney for the last 15 years, a'j^H believe him perfectly honorable in business transactions and financial|^| able to carry out any obligations mag| by his firm. \r.* * ? !>uuonai Bank of Commerce* Toledo, Ohi<? Hall's Catarrh Cure is taken inti^H nally acting directly upon tive blo^H and mucous surfaces of the^syste^^l Testimonials sent free. Price cents per bottle. Sold by all Drugg^H Take Hall's Family Pills for cons^V pation.