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w THE MYSTERY OF AGATHA WEBB. By Anna Katharine Green, Aulhni uf "Thr LftivcuwiH'th ('<u-e," Mait'K Lime,’' “lUiui and Unto," tXc., Etc. OOPYRIOIIT, IflUO, BY ANNA KATMARINEOnmt. C'HAPTEK XVIII. A WILY WITNESS. Frederick rose early. He had slept but little. The words he had overheard at the end of the lot the night before were still ringing in his ears. Going down the back stairs in his anxiety to avoid Amabel, he came upon one of the stablemen. “Been to the village this morning'/’’ he asked. “No. sir. hut Lem has. There’s great news there. I wonder if any one has told Mr. Sutherland'/” "What news. Jak ? I don’t think my father is up yet.” “Why.sir.there were two more deaths in town last night—the brothers Zabel —and folks do say (Lem heard it a doz en times between the grocery and the fish marketi that it was one of these old men who killed Mrs. Webb. The dagger has been found In their house and most of the money. Why. sir. what’s the matter'/ Are you sick’/” FredericV made on effort and stood upright. He had nearly fallen. “No—that is. I am not tpiite myself. So many horrors. Jake.” “What did they die of? You say they ore both dead—both'/" “Yes. sir. and it's dreadful to think of. hut it was hunger, sir. Bread eame too late. Both men are mere skeletons to look at. They have kept themselves close for weeks now. and nobody knew how bad off they were. I don't won der it upset you, sir. We all feel it a bit. and 1 just dread to tell Mr. Suther land." Frederick staggered away. He had never in his life been so near mental and physical collapse. At tin* thresh old of the sitting room door he met his father. Mr. Sutherland was looking both troubled and anxious- more so. Frederick thought, than when he sign ed the cheek for him on tin* previous night. As their eyes met both showed embarrassment, but Frederick, whose nerves had been highly strung up by what he had just heard, soon control led himself and. surveying his father with forced calmness, began: “This is dreadful news, sir.” But liis lather, intent on his own thought, hurriedly interrupted him. “You told me yesterday that every thing was broken off between you and Miss Page, yet 1 saw you re-enter the house together last night a little while after 1 gave you the money you askgy for.” “I know, and it must have had a bad appearance. 1 entreat you. however, to “Thednqvcrhatltccn louml in their house nud most ot the money ” believe that this meeting between Miss Page and myself was against my wish and that the relations between ns have not been affected by anything that passed between us." ”1 am glad to hear it. my son. You could not do worse by yourself than to return to your old devotion.” "1 agree with you. sir." And then, because be could not help it. Frederick Inquired if he had heard the news. Mr. Sutherland, evidently startled, asked what news, to which Frederick replied • ’The news about the Zahels. They are both dead, sir—dead from hunger. Can you imagine it’/” This was something so different from what iiis rather had expected to hear that he did not take it in »t lirst. When he did. Ids surprise and grief were even greater than Frederick had anticipated Seeing him so affected. Frederick, who thought that the whole truth would lie no harder to bear than the half, added the suspicion which had been attached to the younger one’s name and then stood back, scarcely daring to be a wit ness to the outraged feelings which such a communication could not fail to awaken in one of his father's tempera ment. But. though he thus escaped the shocked look which crossed his father's countenance, he could not fall to hear the indignant exclamation which burst from Ids lips or help perceiving that It would take more than the most com plete circumstantial evidence to con vince his father of the guilt of men he had known and respected for so many years. For some reason Frederick experi enced great relief at this and was brac ing himself to meet the lire of ques tions wldeh his statement must neces sarily call forth when the soumi of ap proaching steps drew the attention of both toward a party of men coming up the hillside. Among them was Mr. Courtney, pros ecuting attorney for this district, and as Mr. Sutherland recognized him he sprang forward, saying. "There’s Court ney: Ik* will explain this.” Frederick followed, anxious and be wildered. and soon had the doubtful pleasure of seeing his father enter his stud\ in company with the four men considered to be most interested in the elucidation of the Webb mystery As he was lingering in an undecided mood in the small passageway leading up stairs he felt the pressure of a fin ger on his shoulder. Looking up. he met the eyes of Amabel, who was lean- fng toward him over the banisters. She was smiling, and. though her face was not without evidences of physical lan guor. there was a charm about her per son which would have been sufficiently enthralling to him 24 hours before, hot which now caused him such a physical repulsion that he started hack In the effort to rid his shoulder from her dis turbing touch. She frowned. It was an Instantane- I ous expression of displeasure wldeh was soon lost In one of her gurgling laughs. "Is my touch so burdensome?” she demanded. “If the pressure of one fin ger is so unbearable to your sensitive nerves, how will you relish the weight of my whole hand?” There w as a fierceness In her tone, a purpose in her look that for the first time in Ids struggle with her revealed the full depth of her dark nature. Shrinking from her appalled, he put up his hand in protest, at which she changed again In a twinkling, and with a cautious gesture toward the room in to which Mr. Sutherland aud his friends had disappeared, she whisper ed significantly: "We may not have another chance to confer together. Understand, then, that It will not be necessary for you to tell me, iu so many words, that you are ready to link your fortunes to mine; the taking off of the ring you wear and your slow putting of it on again. In my presence, will be understood by me as a token that you have reconsidered your present attitude and desire my si lenee and—myself." Frederick could uot repress a shud der. For an instant he was tempted to succumb on the spot and have the long agony over. Then Ids horror o» the w o man rose to such a pitch that lie utter ed an execration, and. turning away from her face, winch was rapidly grow ing loathsome to him. he ran out of the passageway into the garden, seeing as he ran a persistent vjsion of himself pulling off the ring and putting it hack again, under the spell of a look he re belled against even while lie yielded to its influence. “I will not wear a ring. I will uot subject myself to the possibility of obeying her behest under a sudden stress of fear or fascination.” in* ex claimed. pausing by the well curb and looking over it at Ids rcllection In the water beneath. “If I drop it here. 1 at least lose the horror of doing what she suggests under some involuntary impulse.” But the thought that the mere absence of the ring from his fin ger would uot stand in the way of his going through the motions to wldeh sin* had just given such significance deterred him from the sacrifice of a valuable family jewel, and he left the spot with an air of frenzy such as a man displays when he feels himself on the verge of a doom he can neither meet nor avert. As he re-entered the house he felt himself enveloped in the atmosphere of a coming crisis. He could hear voices in the upper hall, and among them he caught the accents of her he had learned so lately to fear. Impelled by something deeper than curiosity and more potent even than dread, lie hastened toward tin* stairs. When huif way up them, he caught sight of Amabel. She was leaning back against the balustrade that ran across the up per hall, with her hands gripping the rail on either side of her and her face turned toward the five men who had evidently Issued from Mr. Sutherland’s study to interview her. As her back was to Frederick, he could not judge of the expression of that face save by the effect it had upon the different men confronting her. But to see them was enough. From their looks he could perceive that this young girl was in one of lier baffling moods ami that, from Ids father down, not one of tin* men present knew what to make of her. At the sound Ids feet made, a relaxa tion took place In her body, and she lost something of the defiant attitude she had before maintained. Presently he heard her voice: “1 am willing to answer any ques tions you may choose to put me here, hut I cannot consent to shut myself in with you In that small study. 1 should suffocate.” Frederick could perceive the looks which passed between the five men as sembled before her and was astonished to note that the insignificant fellow they called Swoctwatcr was the first to answer “Very well." said he. “If you enjoy the publicity of the open hall, no one here will object Is not that so. gen tlemen ’/” Her two little fingers, wldeh were turned toward Frederick, ran tip and down the rail, making a peculiar rasp ing noise, which for a moment was the only sound to he heard. Then Mr. Courtney said: “How came you to have the handling of the money taken frem Agatha Webb's private drawer?” It was a startling question, but it seemed to a fleet Amabel l< ss than It did Frederick It made him start, but she only turned her head a trifle aside, so that the peculiar smile with which she prepared to answer could lie seen hy any one standing below. “Suppose yon ask something less lend ing than that to heglu with.” she stig- | gested lii her high unmusicHl voice. “From the searching nature of this In quiry you evidently Itelieve I have In- formation of an Important character to I give you concerning Mrs. Webb's tin I happy death. Ask me about that. The other question I will answer Inter.” The aplomb with which this was said, mixed as it was with a feminine al lurcinent of more than ordinary subtle ty. made Mr Sutherland frown and Hr. ia!bot look perplexed, hut it did not embarrass Mr. Courtney, who made haste to respond in his driest accents. "Very well. I am not particular ns to what you answer first. A flower worn by you at the dance was found near Patsy's skirts before she was lifted up that morning. Can you explain this, or. rather, will you?" “You are not obliged to, you* know,” put in Mr. Sutherland, with his inexo rable sense of justice. “Still, if yon would. It might roll these gentlemen of suspicions you certainly cannot wish them to entertain.” "What I say.” she remarked slowly. “will be as true to the facts as if I stood here on my oath. I can explain how a dower from my hair came to be in Mrs. Webb’s house, hut not how it came to be found under Batsy’s feet. That some one else must clear up.” Her little finger, lifted from the rail, pointed toward Frederick, hut no one saw this unless it was that gentleman himself. “1 wore this orchid iu my hair that night, and there would be nothing strange in its being afterward pickl'd up in Mrs. Webb’s house, be cause I was iu that house at or near the time she was murdered.” ‘Won iu that house?” "Yes, ns far as the ground floor; no farther.” Here the little finger stopped pointing. "I am ready to tell you about it. sirs, and only regret I have delayed doing so so long, but I wished to be sure it was necessary. Your presence here aud your first question show that it Is." There was suavity in her tone now. not uninixed with candor. Sweetwater did not sei*in to relish this, for he mov ed uneasily on his feet and lost a shade of his self satisfied attitude. He had still to lie made acquainted with all the ins and outs of the woman’s remark able nature. "We are waiting.” suggested Dr. Tal bot. Sin* turned to face this new speaker, and Frederick was relieved from the sight of her tantalizing smile. "1 will tell my story simply.’’ said she, “with the simple suggestion that yon believe me; otherwise you will make a mistake. While I was resting from a dance the other night 1 heard two of tin* young people talking about the Zabcls One of them was laughing at the old men. and tin* other was try ing to relate some old story of early love wldeh had been the cause, she thought, of their strange and melan choly lives. I was listening to them, but I did not take in much of what they were saying till I heard behind me an irascible voice exclaiming: ‘You laugh, do you? I wonder if you would laugh so easily if you knew that these two poor old men haven’t had a de cent meal in a fortnight?* I didn’t know the speaker, but I was thrjlled by ids words. Not had a good turn!, these men. for a fortnight! I felt as if personally guilty of their suffering, and. happening to raise my eyes at tills minute and seeing through an open door the bountiful refreshments pre pared for us all in the supper room. 1 felt guiltier than ever. Suddenly I took a resolution. It was a queer one aud may serve to show you some of the oddities of my nature. Though I was engaged for the next dance, and though I was dressed iu the flimsiest garments suitable to the occasion. 1 decided to leave tin* hall and carry some sandwiches down to these old men in their cottage. Procuring a hit of paper, I made up a bundle and stole out of the house without having said a word to anybody of my Intention. Not wishing to be seen. I went out by tlie garden door, which is at the end of a dark hall.” "Just as the band was playing the ‘Harebell Mazourkn.’ ’’ interpolated Sweetwater. Startled for the first time from her careless composure by au interruption of which it was impossible for her at that minute to measure either the mo tive or the meaning, she ceased to play with her fingers on the baluster rail and let her eyes rest for a moment on the man who had thus spoken, us if she hesitated between her desire to an nihilate him for Ids impertinence and a fear of the cold hate she saw actuat ing his every word nud look. Then she went on. as if no one hud spoken: This s»ory will be c ntinu^d i» t e Filday ed’tion of 1'he Ledger unMl Its conclusion A NEW ORGANIST. I'rof. tieorict* 1’ratt Maxim Choir header at Flmt Kaptlvt Church Prof. Gi-urge Pratt Maxim, director ot music in Limestone College, hss been engaged as organist at the First Baptist church and he made hi** first appearance in that capacity Sunday night. Mrs. Harry Gooding, who has so long and faithfully served the church as organist, was unanimously elect< r to the same position for the ensui g year; but she s^nt In her resignatim , and insisted upon it so. that the church finally accepted it, though with much regret. Mrs Gooding is to be highly com mended for the faithful ai d efficient service she has rendered the church during rlie past summer; and it wil< be pleasing to her numerous friendi* to know that she will still retain bt-i place in * he choir. Prof Maxim’s ability is not to be questioned, and we are sure that th* church will be more than pleased with him as an organist and choir leader. The Beat I'reftcrlptloa for Mala - la. Ghills and Fever Is a bottle o* Grove's Tast* less Chill Tonic. It is simply iron and quinine in a taste less iorno No cure—no pay. Price , 50c. Catarrh lias become such a common disease that a person entirely frie front Utis disgusting cotnpl.iint is seldom met J with. It is customary to speak of Catarrh ' as nothing more serious than a bad cold, a simple inflammation of the nose and throat. It is, in fact, a complicated and very dangerous disease ; if not at first, i! j very soon becomes so. The blood is quickly contaminated by the foul secretions, and the poison through ! the general circulation is carried to al! | parts of the system. Salves, washes and sprays are unsatis factory and disappointing, because they dc not reach the seat of the trouble. S. S. S. does. It cleanses the blood of the poison | and eliminates from the system all catar- ! rlial secretions, and thus cures thoroughly and permant.itly the worst cases. Mr. T. A. Williams, a leading dry-goods mer chant of Spartanliiirt’, S. C., writeyj “ For yean I had a aevcie case of nasal Catarrh, with all thCfdisagrecable effects , which belong to that . disease, and which make life painful and j unendurable. I used medicines prescribed by leading physicians and iugee-ted by numbers of friends, but without getting any better. I then begun to take S. S. S. It bad the desired effect, and cured me after taking eighteen bottle*. I n my opinion S. S. S. is the only medi- , cine now in use that wilt effect a permauent curt ! of Catarrh.” is the only purely veg etable blood purifiti known, and the great est of all blood medi cines and tonics. If you have Catarrh don't wait until it becomes deep-seated and chronic, but be gin at once the use of S. S. S., and send tor our book on Blood and Fkin Diseases and write our physicians about your case. THE SWIFT SPECIFIC CO., ATLANTA. GA. OPIUM 45 gfl of roforencM. ff Home Treat me B. M.WOOL COCAINE^WHISKY Habits 0*1 red at my Sanator ium, In ttO days. Tliin.treds ot references. 28 years a specialty-. Book on Home Treatment sent FREE. Addrest B. M. WOOLLEY. M. D.. Atlanta. Ca. TRAOC MARK RIOWTfRtD Pleasant. Palatable. Potent. Taste Good. 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These prices are for cash only : ‘io ydfc good Calico for $1 00 or 4 c per yd *20 yds good Ginghams for 1 00 or 5 c per yd 10 yds good Canton Flannel for 1 00 or 0$c per yd 20 yds good Cotton Checks for 1 00 or 5 c per yd 14 yds good Best Cheviots for 1 00 or 7 c per yd 18 yds good 4-4 Sheeting, Heavy, for 1 00 or 6 c per yd 14 yds good 4-4 Bleaching . Baker Mills, for,. 1 00 or T^c per yd 20 yds good Outing, good quality, for 1 00 or 5 c per yd We carry a full line All Wool Jeans. Also many makes of All Wool Blankets fresh from the factory. We also sell groceries in the same proportion that we sell dry goods, notions and shoes. Here are a few prices; 400 white sacks (100 lbs in sack) salt at 60c per sack. 12 lbs. good coffee at .I* 1 00. Flour, $1.75, $1.90, $2.00 and $2.25. \\ e invite everybody to come and see and examine our stock. Very Respectfully, J. C. Lipscomb & Bro. “I •uflfrred Hip tortn ren of tlif* damned with protruding piles brouplJ on by constipa- ; tion with which 1 wr.s afflicted for twenty years. I ran across your CASCAIH .TS in tiie | town of Newell. la., and never found nuylbinp , to equal them. To-day 1 am entirely free from plies and feel like a new man " C. H. Kcvrz. 1411 Jones St., Sioux City, la CANDY r m. Ay CATHARTIC Dyspepsia Cure Digests what you eat. This preparation contains all of th? digestants and digests all kinds of food. It gives instant relief and never fails to cure. It allows you to eat all the food you want. The most sensitive atomachs can take it. By itsuse many thousands of dyspeptics have been cured after Everything else failed. It Is unequalled for all stomach troubles. It can't help but do you good Prepared only by E. 0. I)eWitt & >'o., Chicago The SI. bottle containsZtt timet*the50c. tdru. GOOD HEALTH by the Quart. Every bottle you take of Johnston’■ Sarsaparilla means better health, and every bottle contains a full quart It makes better blood—purer blood. For thirty years this tumous remedy bus been creating and main taining good bealtb. Johnston’s Sarsaparilla build* up tbe system, tones the nerves, and strengthem the muscles more promptly and effectually than any other remedy known. The pallor of tbe cheek disappears, energy takes tbe place of languor, and the rich color of health flows to the cheeks. Unequalled for all disorders of the stomach and liver, and for all wt-akeulug com plaints of men, women and children. ■•M •**rr«fc*rt. frit*, tl.00 p»r fsll'strl t*<U«. MICHIGAN DRUG CO.. • Detroit. Hlcb. 1 For futle by <'>ii,;any ‘ore Gaifnuy '• fg, do < t ffney ■ J . O. /Etna Life Insurance Company, OF IIAKTF'OMIJ, OOfSTV., Is the Largest Company in the World Writing Life, AceiM eci! fiealtii Insurance. In case of Accident or Sickness please notify JOfNLCS!* J. r>A.J*BY, Oaffnev. «S. C. lyon’s French Periodica! Drops Strictly vegetable, perfectly harmless, sure to accomplish DESIRED RESULTS. Greatest known female remedy. Bewar.-'of counterfeits and Imitation*. The genuine is put up only in paste-board Car* t-ni with fae-si:nilo signature on side of the bottle, thus: g? ^ - . bend tor Cucu.ar to WILLIAMS MEU. CO.. Sole Agents, Cler.dand.Ohio. For sale by Cherokee Drug Co. * O W'WJV - FAKMKKS:—Let us ask you to try one of our Lynchburg Two-Horse Turn Flows, and when you g< t it it, your fields it will talk for itself. We also want you to see our Trump’s Wheat Drill, Cu.tlvator Disc Harrow, Lyle’s Hay Press and Gardner Pea Hollers. WII^ICIINSS’ IIA I* E> WAR IS HTOKIS. A N. Wood President- It. K. Bkown. Vice-President. IVJLereJitin sine! l^liiliters ISank: OF GAFFNEY. S. C. OAI^I'TAlw #50.000. State and County Depository. Does a gienerai Ranking and Exchange business, is well fitted up with Fire Proof Vault and Burv'ar Proof Safe, with Automatic Time * ock. We solicit the business of people of all occupations. O. YVI. sa-vxrrH. Cashier. R. 0. SAMS-Rnal Estate Agency. 30 choice building lots in different parts of the city. 4 farms of an acres each near Limestone. 3 tracts on Metal road. A few of the Thomson hits not yet sold. No better building lots anywhere. We are still in the lead with “Leader Steves and Ranges,” which are sold under a positive guarantee, and hundreds of cus tomers in this town and county will bear us out in saying, “There is none better made.” Come and let us tit you up with one. We have si/es to suit everybody, :md prices are very low. SHUFORD & LEMASTER. Here is a Bargain. Two excellent corner building lots within five minutes walk of Carpet Mill. These lots will be sold on the Easy Payment Plan of only $3 per month. Here is an opportunity of a lifetime for working people. Apply to I£l>. H. T>eCiYMI».