The ledger. [volume] (Gaffney City, S.C.) 1896-1907, November 28, 1902, Image 6

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t LOST MIN’S LANE. By ANNA KATHARINE GREEN. (Copyright, 1807, by Anna K. Itohlfa.] CHAPTER XXXV. EXPLANATIONS. The cause of Lucetta’s joy was soon explained. Mr. Ostrander had not fall en a victim to Mr. Trohm’s mania, but was in X. alive and well. That Mr. Gryce knew this at the time of showing her the, telegram was apparent to me and probably suspected by her, but no words were ever exchanged on the sub ject, possibly because she was soon made too happy by her lover’s explana tion to regret anything which had led up to this satisfying hour. He, so it seems, had found it impos sible to leave Lucetta. Upon issuing from Lost Man’s lane he had met Mr. Gryce and learned enough from him of the doubtful position in which the Knollys stood to make his stay seem imperative even at the risk of losing the position upon which all the hopes of his future advancement depended. Ho had therefore staid, but quietly and to a degree in biding, place having been found for him by Mr Gryce in a remote cottage, where his presence at tracted no attention and awoke no com ment. That Mr. Gryce had any ulteri or motive in this, regarding him as a possible witness whose testimony might be of value, 1 will not even suggest. Mr. Gryce never neglects it, but Mr young couple personally, and then i told him that if he would forgive Mr. Ostrander this delay and ullow him to sail with his young bride by the next steamer I myself would undertake to advance whatever sums might have b3eu endangered by this delay. I did not know then that Mr. Gryce had already made this matter good with this same gentleman. The next morning we all took a walk in the lane. (I say nothing about the night If I did not choose to sleep or il I had any cause not to feel quite as ele vated as the young people about me, there is surely no reason why I should dwell upon it with you or eve»i apolo gize for a weakness that is, I hope, but the exception setting off my customary strength.) Now a walk in this lane was an event. To feel at liberty to stroll among its shadows without fear, to knew that the danger had been so located that we all felt free to inhale the autumn air and to enjoy the beauties of the place without a thought of lurking trouble in its sweetest nooks and most attractive coverts, gave to tins snort nan uour a distinctive delight aptly expressed by Loreeu when she said: “I never knew the place was so beau tiful. Why, I think I can bo happy h<re now.” At which Lucetta grew pensive, till I roused her by saying: ‘‘So much fora constitutional, girls. Now we must to work. This house, as you see it now, has to bo prepared for a wedding. William, your business will be to see that these grounds are put in as good order as can be done in three days. I will bear the expense, and Lo reeu”— V-Nf.v" A. ' „ ‘SIX!” HE ail HI EKED. “SIX!" Mr. Gryce undeistands his business and Gryce has a heart, too, and that heart has a way of working even amid his most urgent affairs in a manner to bring light out of darkness as well for the happiness of those concerned as for the elucidation of the mystery he has un dertakeu to clear. The hour we all spent together late that night in the old house was unlike any hour which that place has seen for years. Mr. Ostrander, Lucetta. Loreeu, William, Mr. Gryce and myself all were there, and as an especial gra< o Saracen was allowed to enter, that there might not be a cloud upon a single face there assembled. Though it is a small matter, I will add that this dog per sisted in lying down by my side, not yielding even to the wiles of his master, whose amusement over this fact kept him good natured to the last adieu. There were too few candles in the house to make it bright, but Lucetta’s unearthly beauty, the peace in Loreen’s soft eyes, made us forgot the somberuess of our surroundings and the meagerness of the entertainment Hannah attempted to offer us. It was the promise of com ing j*y, and when, our two guests de parted, I bade good night to the girls in that grim upper hall it was with feelings which found their best expres sion in the two letters I hastened to write as soon as I gained the refuge of my own apartment. I will admit you sufficiently into my confidence to lot you read those letters. The first of them read thus: Deak Olive—To make others happy la the best way to forget ourselves. A sudden wed ding is to take place in this house. Order at once for mo from the shops you know me lo be in the habit of patronizing a wedding gown of dainty white taffeta fldid this not to re call too painfully to herself the wedding dress 1 helped her buy and which was, as you may remember, of cream white satin], with chiffon trimmings and a wedding veil of tulle. Add to this a dress suitable for ocean travel and a half dozen costumes adapted to a southern cli mate. Let everythin-,'lo suitable- for a delicate but spirited girl who has seen trouble, but who is going to be happy now if a little atten tion and money can make her so. Do not spar* expense, yet show no extravagance, for she li a shy bird, easi’y frightened. The measure ments you will hnd inclosed; also those of an other young lady, her sister, who must also t* supplied with a white dress, the material oi which, however, had better be of crape All these things must be here by Wednesday evening, my own best dress included. On Hat- urday evening you may look for my return. 1 slinll bring the latter young lady with pie. »<i your present loneliness will be made up to yoi by an agreeable guest. Faithfully yours, Amelia Uuttekwokth. The second letter was a longer and more important ona It was directed to the president of the company which had proposed to send Mr. Ostrander to South America. In it I related enough of ths circumstances which had kept Mr. Ostrander in X. to interest him in tbs i/at William had a word to say for hiuLself. ‘‘MissLutterworth, f saidhe, ‘‘you’re a right good sort of woman, as Saracen has found out, and we, too, in these last few plaguy days of our trouble here. But I'm not such a bad lot either, and if I do like my own way, which may not be other people’s way, and if I am sometimes short with the girls for some »if their d d nonsense, 1 have a little decency about me, too, and I say I will fix these grounds, and out of my own money too. Now that nine-tenths of our income does not have to go abroad we’ll have chink enough to let us go respect able once more in a place where one horse, if he’s good enough, will give a fellow a standing and make him the envy of even those who for some other pesky reasons may think themselves called upon to hoot him. I don’t be grudge the old place a few dollars, es pecially as I mean to live and die in it so look out, you three women folks, and work lively as you can on the inside of the old rookery or the slickness of the outside will put you to open shame, and that would never please Loreeu, nor, as 1 take it, Miss Lutterworth either. ” It was a challenge we were glad to accept, especially as from the number of persons we now saw come flocking into the lane it was very apparent that we should experience no further diffi culty in obtaining any help wo might need to carry out our undertakings. Meantime my thoughts were not alto gether concentrated even upon these ( pleasing plans for Lucetta’s benefit. There were certain points yet to bo made clear in the matter whose termination still lay heavy on my heart, and there was a confession for mo to make, with out which I could not face Mr. Gryce with all that unwavering composure which our peculiar relations seemed to demand. The explanations came first. They were volunteered by Mr. Gryce, whom 1 met in the coarse of the morning at Mother Jane’s cottage. She had been perfectly happy all night, sleeping with the coin in her hand and waking to again devour it with her greedy but loving eyes. As we were looking at her and Mr. Gryce directing with his hand the movements of the r.en who had come to smooth dow r n her garden and make it presentable again th* dMaetov.) ■poke. “I suppose yon have been wondering how this old woman came to have those mementos of the crimes which took place up there. Well, we have figured it out thus: The trinket from the ped dler’s pack she probably stole from that pack before it was found by the villagers and given up to the proper authorities. The other, the ring, has a different his tory, anti the finding of it in Mother Jane’s possession can only be explained by a scries of causes so bizarre that they must ever rank as among the most remarkable that have ever adorned the annals of our police register. Should I give it out as a puzzle you could never answer it. How could a ring which was on the linger of Mr. five minutes before he vanished from the light of the sun forever pass from the mouth of that old well into Mother Jane’s hand a half mile away without compromis ing Mr. Trohm in the eyes of mortal man. or even Mother Jane, who was as innocent of wrong in this as we are? You cannot tell. You might quote Scrip ture and say, ‘ A bird of the air carried it.’ But, Miss Lutterworth, you would never believe the truth of your owu words, and yet that was the very way it was done-—a bird of the air carried it. In those days—it is three months ago now—Mother Jane kept two tame pigeons. They slept on her house top, they ate from her hand and they flew sometimes as far away as Mr. Trohm’s gard.-n. One day a young man, equipped for traveling, paused for a glass of wa ter at the famous well there while tbtfSe pigeons were picking up corn which Mi'- Trohm had scattered for them, for his tastes are confined to the cultivation of fruits and flowers, but extend to dumb animals, to whom he is uniformly kind. The young man wore a ring, and being nervous was fiddling with it as he talked to the pleasant old gentleman who was lowering tlio bucket for him. As he fiddled with it the earth fell from under him, and as the daylight vanished above him the ring flew out of his up thrown hand and lay, the only token of his now blotted out existt uce, upon the emerald sward he had but a moment before pressed with his unsuspicious feet. It burned—this ruby burned like a drop of blood in the grass w’heu that demon came again to his senses, and being a telltale evi dence of crime to him who had allowed nothing to ever speak against him of these matters, he stared at it as at a deadly thing directed against himself and to be got rid of at once and by means W'hich by no possibility could recoil back upon himself as its author. ‘‘The pigeons stalking near offered to his abnormally acute understanding the only solution which would leave him absolutely devoid of fear. Ho might have swung open the lid of the well once more and ftung it after its owner, but this meant an aftermath of expe rience from which even he shrank who delighted in the thought that the vic tims he saw’ vanish before his eyes were like something wiped out by a sweep of the hand. To see or hear them again would bo to this notion. He preferred the subtler way and to take advantage of old Mother Jane’s characteristics, so he caught one of the pigeons (ho has always been able to lure birds into his hands), and tying the ring around the neck of the bird with a blade of grass plucked up from the highway he let it fly and so was rid of the bauble which to Mother Jane’s eyes, of course, was a direct gift from the heavens through Which the bird had flown before light ing on her doorstep. ” ‘‘Wonderful!” I exclaimed, almost overwhelmed with humiliation, but preserving a brave front. “ What inven tion and what audacity—the audacity of a man totally irresponsible for his deeds, was it not?” I asked. “There is no doubt, is there, about bis being ai absolute maniac?” “No, jnadam. ” What a relief I felt at that word! “Since we entrapped him yesterday and ho found himself fully discovered he has lost all grip upon himself and filled the room we put him in with the unmistakable ravings of a madman. It was through these I learned the facts about the ring and the pigeon. ” I drew a deep breath. We were staud- ing in the sight of several men, and their presence there seemed intolerable. Unconsciously I began to walk away. Unconsciously Mr. Gryce followed me. At the end of several paces we both stopped. Wo were no longer visible to the crowd, and I felt I could speak the words I had been burning to say ever since I saw the nature of Mr. Trohm ex posed. “Mr. Gryce,” said I, flushing scar let—which I here solemnly declare is something which has not happened to me before in years and if I can help it shall never happen to me again—‘‘I am interested in this which you say be cause yesterday, here in the open road, Mr. Trohm proposed to me, and”— “You did not accept it?” “No. What do you think 1 am made of, Mr. Gryce? I did not accept him, but—I made the refusal a gentle one, and—this is not easy work, Mr. Gryce,” I interrupted myself to say with suitable grimness—“the same thing took place between me and Dea con Spear, and to him I gave a response such as I thought his presumption war ranted. The discrimination does not argue well for my acumen, Mr. Gryce. You see, I want no credit that I do not deserve. Perhaps you cannot understand that, but it is a part of my nature. ” “Madam, ” said ae, and 1 must own 1 thought his conduct perfect for the nonce, “had I not been as completely deceived as yourself I might find words of criticism for this possibly unprofes sional partiality. But when an old hand like myself can listen to the insinua tions of a maniac and repose, as I must say I did repose, more or less confidence in the statements he chose to make me, and which were true enough as regard ed plain fact, bat wickedly false and preposterously wrong as regards their suggestion, 1 can have no words of blame for a woman who, whatever her understanding and whatever her expe rience, necessarily has seen less of hu man nature and its incalculable sur prises. As to the more delicate matter yon have been good enough to confide to me, madam, I have bat one remark to make. With such an example of wom anhood suddenly brought to their notice in such a wild as this, how conld yon exncct them, sane or insane, to do other wise than they did? 1 know many a worthy man who would like to follow their example.” And with a bow that left me speechless Mr. Gryce laid his hand on his heart and softly withdrew. THE END. Luck In Thirteen. By sending 13 miles Wm. Spirey of Walton Furnace, Vt., got a box of Bucklen’s An ica Salve, that wholly cured a horrible Fever Sore on his leg. Nothing else could. Positively cures Bruises, Felons, Ulcers, Krupt>onn, Boils. Burns, Corns and Piles. Only 25c. Gueranteed by Cherokee Drug Co., druggists. A man’s clothes are shaped tc him ; a woman is shaped to her clothes. To the Public. Allow me to say a few words in praise of Chamberlain’s Cough Reme dy. I bad a very severe cough and cold and feared I would get pneumon ia, but after taking the second dose of this medicine I felt better;' three bottles of it cured my cold and the pains in my chest disappeared entire ly. I am most respectfully yours for health, Ralph S. Meyers, <>1 Thirty- seventh 8t., Wheeling, W. Va. For sale by Chi rokee Drug Co. A man seldom has any trouble in fiaaiug trouble. Ilrulu-Kuixl Noiihciikc. Another ridiculous food faa has been branded by the most competent authorities. They have dispelled the sillv notion that ore kind of food is needed for brain, another for muscles, and still another for bones. A cor rect diet will not only nourish a pur t'cular part of the bodv, but it will sustain every other part. Yet, how ever good your food may be, its nutri ment is destroyed by indigestion or dyspepsia. You must prepare for their appearance or prevent their coming by taking regular doses of Green's August Flower, the favorite medicine of the healthy millions. A few doses aids digestion, stimulates the liver to healthy action, purifies the blood, and makes you feel buoyant and vigorous. You can get this relia ble remedy at Cherokee Drug Co. Get Green's Special Almanac. One or two things always happens regarding a habit. You either master it or it masters you. One Minute Cough Cure Is the only harmless cough cure that gives quick relief. Cures Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, Whooping Cough, Pneumonia, Asthma, LaGrippe and ail Throat, Chest and Lung troubles. “I got soaked by rain,” says Ger trude E. Fenher, Muncie, Ind., “and contracted a severe cold and cough. I failed rapidly ; lost 48 pounds. - My druggist recommended One Minute Cough Cure. The first bottle brought relief; several cured me. 1 am back to my old weight, 1-18 lbs.” One Minute Cough Cure cuts the phlegm relieves the cough at once, draws out inflammation, cures croup. An ideal remedy for children. Cherokee Drug Co. Cleptomania is said to be the most lucrative form of insanity. Cured of riled After 40 Yearn. Mr. C. Haney of Geneva, Ohio, had the piles for forty years Doctors and dollars could do him no lasting good DeWitt’s Witch Hazel Salve cured him permanently. Invaluable for cuts, burns, bruises, sprains, larcera- tious, eczema, tetter, salt rheum and all other skin diseases. Look for the name DeWitt on the package—all others are cheap, worthless counter feits. Cherokee Drug Co. Money is king and at the same time a very interesting subject. lie Could Hardly Uet Up. P. H. Duffy of Ashley, 111., writes, “This is to certify that I have taken two bottles of Foley’s Kidney Cure and it has helped me more than any other medicine. I tried many adver tised remedies, but none of them gave me any relief. My druggist recom mended Foley’s Kidney Cure and it has cured me. Before commencing its use 1 was in such a shape that 1 conld hardly get no wh«n once down.” For sale by Cherokee Drug Co. A neglected opportunity never calls again. Tlie Value Of Expert Treatment. Everyone who is afflicted with a chronic disease experience great, diffi culty in having their case intelli gently treated by the average physi cian. These diseases can only be cured by a specialist who understand (hem thoroughly. Dr. J. Newton Hathaway, of AtlantaGa., is acknowl edged the most skillful and successful specialist in the United States. Write him for bis expert opinion of your case, for which he makes no charge. Cincinnati has signed Pitcher James A. Wiggs, who played with the Hele na, Mont., team last season. AuxIoum Moment*. Some iif the most anxious hours of a mother’s life are those when the little ones of the household have the croup. There is do other medicine so effective in this terrible malady as Foley's Honey and Tar. It is a house hold favorite for throat and lung trou bles. and as it contains no opiates or i.tin r poisons it can be safely given. For sale by CherokeS Drug Co. Cresceus, 2.02£, leads all two-milers by a big margin. The great rheumatic remedy not only cures every form of rheumatism, but makes radical cures of Contagious Blood Poison, Scrofula, Sores, Boils, Catarrh, £ and all diseases arising from impurities in the blood. ? Endorsed by physicians and prominent people every where after thorough trial. DOCS NOT INJURE THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. „ x ^ . . . Raleigh, N. C. ixo n tie menI take pleasure In bearing testimony to the curative properties Of your Uhrdmacide. ’ Two bottles cured my son of a bad case. If this will be of any benefit to you in advertising your meritorious r« medy, you can use it. Yours truly, W. H. RAND, Steward State Blind Institution. i i ? 9 C 9 ? All Druggists, $i.oo; or prepaid on receipt of price. Bobbitt Chemical Co., - - Bcitimore, fid. ‘For sjile by the Cherokee Druj^ Company. Health FOR A QUARTER l Permlf w>io b«r-' •orr.id *r.i Ilf-' a miser able existence, and take purges and drastic drugs^ which gripe and rack the bos 1 , whe- all they nee-i is 1 » te-itle renindsr ?-> tht hv r to do its duty. a * i r’p* t ’jrTD in r ^ andTONIG PELLETS .are mild in their action. The p Is s: nulatc t’ a I've- to itej l\\ !' ro P r '* ri , • 1 * ‘" aets i rigt ate the ystr-a as VvViolo; .a ehort, -uey UAh ass/ut Natu. a, which is ai. i medicine should do. Remember that 25 doses for 25 days costs 25c. You can have a free sample you want it. \VA brov/n ;?ra New York ami Greene CO. ville. Tenn. For sale by Cherokee Drug Company. .— — V L > v— V £ . WHY USC LARD? *> / I'j. ,/M . V'“. MS i i -if* v'C ' ra +ot /+*** v.> t ’L I THE VEGETABLE FAT SUPERIOR IN QUALITY AMD PURITY TO ALL OTHERS ^ -r LTTfetvM, > i " sA A >. XT —ADDRESS — ))AV‘^-SOUTHERN COTTON OLCO. pnwnMx.au ne TH£CAROLINAS*™GEORGIA SAVANNAH,GA. • as ' v -- .• > HELLO! HELLO! CENTRAL! (live me the Racket Grocery Store. “Why?” “Who is that?" “Why K. H. Durham, the cheapest store on earth.” Tliat is the place to buy your First-Class Groceries, and Country Produce. Why? Because he is a quick deliverer. Also Fresh Oysters every Friday and Saturday. bicycles and Sundries of all kinds for sale, and bicycles repaired, and for rent especially. Also, I have bought out TiDotson & Killian’s grocery store. King up Phone No. 112and give me a trial order. T7. H. rourliain. in Brick Building on Cherokee Avenue opposite new mill. fkUal Lax ■igBEture is on ' Very 'xr <>f the gouuioE native Bronio Qunine Tablet* remedy that Mures .» •cl*l In •**J' Tie Gaffnev City Land and Improvement Company Oi" rs for s ile building Lots in this nourishing town, Gaffney City : Farms ne* by and In reach of the Schools of Limestone Springs and of this pl». e, in loUpf from #0 to 100 acres on liberal time rates; also Agricultural Lands to rent tut Farm pur poses. For full particulars applv to J* v. jvFtiejvnmr. ^vuerit- N. b.—All persons are forbidden to enter on. walk or ride through or over the lands of tills company, cutting and removing timber, fishing or huuling, under penalty of law. F. G. Stacy President. j.O. Wakdlaw. Vl<;e-President THE NATIONAL BANK OF GAFFNEY. CAPITAL STOCK PAID IN •ftO.OO® OO. MTOCKHOl-MKKN INDIVIDUAL LIABILITY - AO.VOU.OO. HCKPLCM AND PROFITS, NKT *0,000.00. •1*0.000.00. State. Oounty and City I repository. Deposits solicited from Farmers, Merchants. Manufacturers and others. Every accom modation extended to customers that their business and responsibility will warrant. D. C. !«>«**. C'awhier. JV1 AY^NAI«I> »MYTH. Ammt. l^asfo.