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By'OPIE BEAD. (Copyright, 18M, by tho Author.3 OHA PTE it I. The pooplo of tbo Bald Kuob neigh borhood, on tho Missouri Pacific rail way, oonldn't understand why Gh<m Holder should go wrong. His peoplo were sorely honest, und certainly did everything that lay within tho rnngo of their ability to givo the boy a start in Jiff, but ho went wrong. But not in tho tiresome, overyday manner, mind you. He didu't steal a horse, and thnroby in vito tho contempt of tho in;ighborhood. Ho did not commit an offense so com nionplnco and so freo from exposure that o man of ordinary nervo would have oontemploted it without alarm. No; ho jumped on a pay oar, robbed tho pay master and killed a meddlesome fellow who vonturod to protest or offor udvieo or something of tho sort. What u handsome fellow Clem wnsl Ho was strong and of rather good size, but Iiis features wore as delieato and as refined as a girl's. IBs eyes were of that peculiar blue thut bespeak innocence or deviltry, you can never dotormiUQ Which, and hi? '??'> was long and in oliued to curl. Had he been reared in tho old ntmosphero of Ituly ho would eithor havo been an artist or a bandit. Ho had been morbidly restless all ins life, dissatisfied with tho present nnd fooling that tho future hud nothing for him, and when his parents had bade tho world good night and gonn to eternity's bed ho yielded no longer to restraint. Tho Missouri Pacific Hail way com pany offered a large reward for him. Tho sheriff of tho county happened to want money at that time and said that ho belioved ho would go out und lead Clem to justice. Ho went out on a fair ly good horse and enmo hack in a wagon, and, while his friends were burying him near old Ebouozor church, some one re marked that Clem always had heon a sort of Independent follow, and that ho was "powerful slow" in yielding to pcrsnnsion. Well, a very noted man, a great eatoher of illicit distillers, said that Clem must answer for his crimes, and, with a few selected men, went nft or him. -Clem met them unexpectedly, and?well, ho still refused to yield to persunsion, and when tho fragments of tho argument were gathered up tho great catcher of illicit distillers was la beled and sent to his friends. After sovoral other attempts had been made tho arrest of Clem Holder was re garded ns an eventful but uuenjoyable undertaking. The young fellow lived ill tho hills, rode a good horse, and, iu tho opinion of many people who knew him, . was about as near a king as nn Amer;cau could wish to bo. For many years Clem had heon deeply iu lovo with Silla Garrott, a handsome young woman, tho hello of a hundred country dunces. Sho was a cold piece of proud flosh. Your celebrated beauty may bo cold, but she cannot hope to rival tho imperial chilliness of tho back woods belle. The rough homago of tho follow, with his trousers in his hoots, inspires moro of n contemptuous lofti ness in a baokwoodsqueen than tho pol ished worship of tho courtier could pos sibly inspire in n beaut3' celebrated by two continents. Silla did not tell Clem that sho would not marry him. When he bad actually fallen nt her feet, long before ho hud robbed tho pay car, and implored her to bo his wife, she hud told him that sho was so poor herself that sho could not afford to marry a poor man. Ho had boon kept so bimy for a tiino after ho committed tho robbory that bo did not havo an opportunity to call on her, but Boveral days after ho had parted with the great catcher of illicit distillers ho rotlo up to the fenco surrounding old mau Garrott's houso und yollod, "Hello, in thorel" Silla oamo to tho door und oxclnimed, "Why, Clom Holder, what on earth are yon doin here?" "Oh, I'm out payiu np n few calls that I happened to owe. I've boon kept pretty busy latoly. I nscd to think that I might never get into business, but I'vo had no cause to complain sinco I took Up railroad work. " "Clom Holder, you ought to bo ashamed of yourself." "Ob, I reckon it niu't as bad as that! I don't soo why a man should bo ashamed of himself when he'sdono as woll as ho oan. In this life we ought to bo consurod "Clem Holder, you ought to be anhumca of yourself." for fnilin to do our duty, but when wo havo improved each shinin hour, as the feller says, we ought to ho compliment ed. Say, where'B tho old fhau?" "Gono to mill." "Whoro's tho old woman?" "Up stairs, sick with a hoadnoho." "May I oomo in?" "No." "Why?" "Why? Do yon reokon I want you i oomo in our houso and bo shot there?' "Who's goiu to phoot mo?" "Oh, what's tho uso in nskin such foolish questions? You know tho rail road is nftor you." "Yea, and the railroad is about fast enough to ontoh mo, but tho train is hardly duo yet. Lot mo como in, Silla. I've got somcthin to say to you. " "Can't you say it out there?" "I'm ojfraid somobody might hoar mo." "No, you ain't. A man that ain't afraid to rob a railroad ain't afraid to have anybody hear what ho says." "From a woman's standpoint, no," ho answered, stroking bin horao's mane, "but from a man's standpoint, yes. A feller that ain't afraid to fight a bravo man is somotimos afraid to havo a cow ard hear him talk. Silla, you told mo Home, time ago that you couldn't afford to marry a poor man. Yon know how I loved you, know that your words stabbed , mo with a frost covorod knifo. I wanted money?I wanted you?so I robbed a pay our. I'm not so mighty rieh yet, but I've got enough to koop you from work. Now, you just get up horo bo hind mo, nnd wo'll leave tho country. I'll tako you away off somewhore, and wo oan live as happy as a king and queen. Come, Silla." "Look hero, man, do you tako mo for a fool?" "I'd like to tako you for anything. Como, Silin." "Nonsonso, Clom I Do you reokon > could marry a robber and a-?a?mux "I am a robber, bat I'm not a mur dorcr. I robbed because I wanted yon, and I shot because men wanted me. Mon wanted me for money. They didn't care anything about justice Thny want ed tho reward, and a constant seeker after reward ain't auy better than a robber. Dot tiiut's neither hero uor thru-. I want you to go with me." "Oli, I can't, Cleml" "Why?" "Oh, you know wJiyi It would bo so awful. I'd liavo to go away whero I'd never 6co auy of my folks again, and? oh, I just can't!" "Is it beoauso you lovo somo other man?" "No." "If you do, I will kill tho man." "I don't lovo anybody but?but"? "Out with it." , "But you, Clem." "Thank (?od for them words! Lot me get down and kiss you." "Oh, Cloui, you are tho foolishest man I over haw!" "Not foolish, but in love, bill". May I como in tho house?" "No, no! I couldn't think of such a tiling. Pap might como homo." "Well, what could ho do?" "Ho could givo mo an awful goiu over. No, Ulem, you mustn't como in. 601110 time you may, but not now. Say, Clem, if I ask you soinothin, will you think mo funny?" "Nothin that's beautiful can bo fun ny. " "Well, I wanted to ask you this?now I just know you'll think I'm funny." "No, I won't." "Honest?" And then sho laughed. Talk of honesty to a robber I "Honest?" sho repeated. "Honest." "Well, how much money did yon got out of that pay car? Now, there, I told you you'd think I was funny." Ho laughed and affectionately stroked his horse's mono. "Honest, now, don't you thiuk I'm funny?" "No. Lot mo seo. I got about $10, 000." "Gracious alive!" sho gasped, and then exolaimed: "Yonder cornea pap. You'd better go." But ho did not go. He sat stroking his horso's inane, waiting for old man Oarrett Tho old fellow tumbled tho bag of meal on tho fence, turned his horse into a lot, and then slowly oamo forward with a scowl on his faco. Ho stopped, put 0110 foot on a low stump and then asked, "What uro you doin hero, Clem Holder?" "Oh, sorter rostin awhilo!" "Well, this is a mighty poro plaeo to rest. I'vo been livin hero fifty odd year, and I ain't never had no rest yet, so if you uro in need of that avtioklo I reckon you'd bettor shove on soinewhar else. Silla," ho called, "go in tho house. Now, look here, Clem Holder," ho add ed when tho girl disappeared, "I want to tell j*ou 0110 tiling, and that's this: You must keep away from my house. I never did havo any too much use for you, and your robbery and killin ain't improved things 110110. What ore you hangln round here, for anyway?" "I lovo your daughter." "Lovo tho devil!" tho old man stormed. "No; love* an angel." "Well, then," tho eld man replied, with an air of compromise, "we'll say that tho devil loves an angel, but that ain't what I want to git at. You must keep away from my house. I don't want to bo took up on your account and put in jail, and I won't be if I can help it author, You have ruined yourself and disgraced all your friends, and I'll bo blamed if you shall draw mo into it! Do you hear?" "Yes, but I must tell you that I won't keep away except on one condition." "Well, and what is it?" "That Silla wiil keep away with me. " "Clem Hulder, I don't want to hurt you." "All right, and I don't intend you shall; so, you see, wo havo como to a pretty good understandiu. Now, let 1110 ask you a few questions: Did the rail road ever help you in any particular way?" "Help me? Tho infernal scoundrels killed my cow and never paid mo more than half pricol" "Well, then, they robbed you, didn't tboy?" "Of course they did." "Ah, ha, and 1 robbed them!" "But what's that got to do with mo?" "A good deal. I will give you tho prico of 100 cows if you will givo mo your daughter." "Clem Holder, I havo struggled along tho best I could and managed to live somehow, without ever takin a dishon est cent, and it is most too late to begin now. (Jo on away from hero and don't 1 00111a bnok again. " "There's no uso talkin, old m ., 1 can t do it. If you won't give me your daughter, I will do yoc as I did the rail road?rob you." "And 1 will do you as I did Bnok Ooodall ten years ago?kill you." "All right, old mau, I won't deny you the pleasure of tryiu, but I"! pro test, against tho accomplishment, us tho feller says. Well, I mtl.vt he goin. Good day!" CHAPTER II. Another attempt to capture Clem Holder was made, and all (hat kept a daring deputy sheriff from biting tho dust was the fact that n rain had fallen tho night before But Clem was pushod so hard this time that ho fled to the mountains. One day a man called at old man Gnr rett's and asked for SillA. She camo into tho room, and tho'man raid: "I want to talk SOUSO to you for a few momonts." "That is somethin remarkable," sho answered. "It isn't often that a man wants to talk sense to a v.email." Ho bowed and thanked ..er. "That fellow, Holder," said he, "has given it out that he got $ Iii, 000 from tho rail road company, but ho didn't?ho got only $700." "Is that all?" she asked, with falling oenntonnnce. "Every cent." "Then why are they try in so hard to oatch him?" "To make nn example of him." "But what havo 1 got to do with it?" "A good deal. You can help us catch him." "But why should I want you to oatch him?" "Now, miss, let mo talk sense. If you should run away and marry him? hold 011," ho broko off, holding up 0U0 band. "I know that you aro going to say that it's 110110 of my business, hut bo patient a moment. If you were to run away with him, ho would lead you a dog's lifo. He hasn't money enough to get anywhere, ami it would simply bo a dodgo and 11 fight all tho time. Yon aro fitted for belter things. If you had mon ey enough to go to a largo oity and put on a handsomo dress, you would soon becomo cole bra ted as the?now, pardon me?as tho most boantiful woman in tho untiro country. In sooioty aqneon is nowhoro in comparison with a beautifnl woman, and you would stand at the head of tho list. Groat mon w< uld fall down and worship you, and you could many a foreign dukoand livo in a mag nificent palace. It is a woman's duty to make the moat of herself. Lovo 1m nil well enough on a poetio idea, bnt ill mated love oannot last leading a dodg ing life, a life of hardship, yon would soon loso your beauty, and then your outlaw husband would find you a bur den on his hands. Now, you arrange it ho we oau oaptnro him, and wo will make you a queen. Wo will givo you $2,000 in mouoy and will send you to St. Louis in a splendid palaoo ear, all your own. Bo sensible." "Rut howcau I help you catoh him?" > ".busily enough. The next time you see him you oan mnko au appointment to meet him somewhere. You eau give him something iu a glass of water to mako him sleep, and then slip a pair of handcuffs over his hands." "Oh, I don't seo how I could." "Youcnn, easily ouongb, if you aro sensible. I tell you that it is your duty to mako tho most of yourself. Nature 1 has dono her part, and now you must do yours." "Oh, I don't know what to dol But I would liko so much to livo in a palace." "You can, just as well us not." "I wish I know whac to do." "You will know when you have studied over this matter in a sensible way. I will hang around iu tho neigh borhood. When ho comes again, you mako an appointment to meet him." "But ho may not como again soou." "Yes, ho will." Tho officer of tho law kuow that tho robbor would oomo soon. Tho shrewd fellow had adroitly sont to tho mountains a report that Silla was to bo married. Sovoral days passed. It was Sunday. Old Garrott and his wifo were utchurob. Silla was at home. A slight noiso at tracted her attontion. Sho went to the door. Clom had just ridden up to tho fenoo. "Why, What aro you doin hero?" "Lookin for a man." "What do you want with him?" "Want to kill him." "What for?" "Becauso bo's goin to marry you." "Oh, what a gooso you are! Nobody's goin to marry mc?that is, not now." "I heard you woro goin to bo mar ried." "You'vo heard rnoro'n I over did. Olem, you know I couldn't marry any body but you." "Well, but you won't ovon marry mo." "Yes, I will somo timo, but I can't now. Why havou't you been to see mo?" sho asked. "If I had thought you wanted to see mo,"bo said, "I would havo risked everything and como. Thoy havo beon pushin mo mighty eloso latoly. May I como in?" "No, not now, but if you will como next Sunday you may." "Say I may come in now." "No; noxt Sunduy. Everybody will bo away then, und wo'll just have a lovely time." "I will bo here. " Tho old people wont to church the following Sunday. Tho girl cagorly watched for tho coming 'of tho young man. Ho ca ne. Ho did not rido up to tho fence. Ho camo stealthily out of tho woods. The girl met him at tho door and kissed him. Ho attempted to tako her iu his arms, but sho drew back and said: "No, not now. After awhiloyou may. Sit down and talk to mo nice?toll mo how much you lovo mo. " Ho put his Winchester riflo beside his chair. "If I wcro to tell you how much I lovo you, I?oh, I couldn't do it, that's all." Ho remained silent for a few mo ments, and then said, "Now that I havo got in hero I don't hardly know what to say." Ho was silent again. "I kuow, though," ho began afur a time, "that no human boin was ever loved as much as yon aro. I havo loved you ever since you woro a child, and it has grown on me. The stronger I got the more I loved you. I havo always had you in mind ns an avgol, the emblem of nil that is good, and if I should loso couildoiioe in you I wouldn't care to live. I know.it sounds strange when I talk of anybody boin good when I am so had myself, but I oun't help it." "Oh, you'll never have onnso to loso OOnAdeueO in me, Clem! You look tired, dear." "I am a littlo worn, for they push me mightily somotimos." "Let mo fix you some thill to eat?" "No; I ain't hungry. Silla," ho sud denly spoke up, "I will always ho gen tle with you, it don't mako any differ ence if I havo killed men. Oh, you are an angel!" Her hair had fallen loose, nnd, in a silken maze, was hanging ahout her shoulders. "1 do believe you nro tho most bountiful creaturo in tho world, and, it wouldn't moke any differ ence whore you might go, all tho other women would havo to take a backseat." "I hope you'll always think so, dear. Do let mo fix you Bomethiu. Oh, I have some of tho best blackberry cordial you ever drank! Won't you drink some of it for me?junt becauso I made it?" "Yes; I ?? "11 do anything for you." She brought the wine in a teacup, and ho drank it. "What's tho matter with you, angel ?" ho asked. "You look scared." "Nothin. I was just thinkin?just sorter afraid that thoy might catch you. " "Not much danger. The only way they can do is to nlip up on mo." He talked of his lovo. "You aro nod din, dear. Won't you lie down on the bod for a littlo while? I will keepwatcli and toll you if I hoo anybody oomih." "No; I must go putty soon. I must? I must"? Ho was asleep. Sho sprang to a table and snatched a pair of hand' "Octant of hen!" she xhrlchcd. anffa out of a drawer, and then, with tho quickness of fright, snapped them on his wrists. Sho ran to the door and looked OUt. No ono in sight. Sho looked back at the sleeping man and, uttering a shriek, sprang at him and wjhlly tried to tear the handcnlTn o(T his wrists. "Clem!" she cried. "Olem, wake up I ?oh, mydarlin, Wako Up I Oh, I don't want to bn a queen! I don't want nu n to worship moI I want your love) Olem, oh, for God's sake, wako up! My head was turned, hut it isn't now! Oh, I oan't get them off! Oh"? Three men entered tho room. "Got out of hero!" sho shrieked. "He in mine, nnd you shan't havo himl" 4 Tho men soized him. Ho did not awnko. "Lot him be!" sho sereanied, throwing her arms about Iiis neck and passionntoly kissing him. "On,*\Jou devils?you boll hounds! Don't rflku him away! Oh, formoroy'ssake, don'tP^j she implored, sinking upon her knees, I Thoy dragged Oloin. toward the door. < She shrieked and fell on tho floor, and one of tho men in his excitement trod on her beantiful hair. ? ????? The prisoner deserved no mercy, tho judge said, and so said the jury. ? ? ? * ? ? A gallows was erected near tho rail road track, and a man slowly swung to and fro, a weird accouvpanimont to tho croaking of a beam overhead. ? * ? ? ? * Two men were riding along a lonely rond. "What peculiar uoiso is that?" one of them asked. "Yon havo heard of Clem, the out law, haven't you? Ho loved old Qar rett's daughter. Sho's down there in tho hollow, crying. Goes down thoro every day. She's all tho time trying to tear something off hor wrists. Ora^yl" Tins END. He fell in love with her before ho found out that sho wus an Idealist, and after that it was not an easy matter to revorso the recently developed cur rents of his nuture aud fall out again. Ciarenco Hay bad always maintain ed that tho noblest work of God was a practical man, whilo next in order came a practical woman. Ho had never ceased to thank his lucky stars that he could bo classed among tho high-grade olect, and ho devoutly hoped that when he married his wife might not bo ono of tho second rate mortals. It was a great shock to him to loarn that Ml68 Pearson was sovoral degrees below that exalted niche. Ho didn't know it until tho day bo proposed to hor. Sho poised her taporing fore finger lightly against hor right temple us he spoke?it was a way sho had of doing whonever aho becamo unusuully serious?and looked at him with a steadfastness that thrilled hhn with approhension for his future happiness. "I boliovo,'' sho Baid, "that you don't understand me as you should. I think if you knew mo hotter you wouldn't want me." He was really frightened then. Tho answer was so unexpected and savored so strc ngly of secrets and mysteries in her past lifo that ho recoiled in horro." from the mere thought of boing bur dened with a crowd of personal ghosts that would over bo hovering around him. "1 am afraid," she wont on, after a brief period of rellectlon, "that we. should not prove congenial, and life with a person whose tastes aro radi cally opposed to mine would ho simply unendurahlo, not only for myself but for my husband Before answering you, Mr. Hay, I must be assured that wo are thorough suited to oaeh other. I have a test by which that may bo proved. If it should prove that there is an im perishable affinity between us, 1 shall be perfectly williug to marry you and thank you for the honor dono me." Her words and tho tone in which they were uttered were both so un natural that Ciarenco leaned baek in his chair and regarded her with amaze ment while trying todetermine wheth er or not the shock of a sudden pro posal hud turned hor mind. " What is tho test ?" ho asked, cau tiously. " Next weok," aho said, " I shall begin a new story. It Is to be written at tho order of an eastern publishing house and will eoutuiu about lu,(J00 words. 1 received the letter only yes terday requesting me to contribute, and as yet 1 have thought out no plot or plan to bo followed in its construction. I shall begin however, on Monday. Nov., Mr. ii?y, I propose that you lliustrato the story." Clarence's brow cleared. " i'L.ut will bo easily done,"' ho said, with a sigh of relief. " As soon as you get it written, Miss Pearson, turn it over to mo and I promise you that 1 will produce a set of pictures that will accentuate all the best points in your story and add tc your reputation and mine." "You don't understand, Mr. Hay," sho replied quickly, "i don't mean that you ahall read ray work first and then illustrate it. Oh, no. Anybody could do that. You shall illustrate it through a system of mental telepathy. The publishers aro in no great hurry for the story and I shall not try to finish it in less than a month. During that time you are not to see mo at all, con sequently you will not be able to gain the slightest clew from word or look of mine us to what is tho nature of the article. AH your knowledge must be derived solely through the communica tion of your mind with mine. Your bruin must movo in unison with mine und tho aspirations of our souls must harmonize. You must bo pos sessed of that fine intuition that will enable you to comprehend my thoughts, whatever may be tho dis tance between us. In snort, you must turn author as well as artist and eon ccivo tho bamo situations that I do. The only difi'erenco will bo iu tho ex ecution. 1 expressing them in words, you in pictures." Ciarenco groanedlielplessly. " Great heavens, Miss Pearson," ho exclaimed. " What do you take me for, anyway? lam no mind reader I didn't know you believed in sucl stuff." "Of course, you didn't know. Thai was what 1 meant when I said you didn't understand me as you should. I havo dabbled in all tho occult sciences. I firmly believe in .spiritualism, hyno tism and thcosophy?" "Socialism ; syntax and prosody," he interposed viciously. " Don't interrupt mo, pleas ," aho returned, with an air of soverity. "I know that it is possible to r. ;>d tb< future in eards and iu tho star.-', und I also know that mind rouding will in time become as commonpluco as con versing by means of spoken and written i words is now. To be sure, I am not such a staunch advocate of idealism as to assert that our bodies ox ist in imagi nation only, but 1 do believe thut mini is far more powerful than matter. It has always seemed very strange to me, Mr. Hay," sho added, tentatively, "that you should bo so practical. . havo always supposed that an artist should have an exceedingly vivid im Hglpation." '? I am not entire i void of It," he r.-ti.rted, bitterly, "mil ! exercisi con men sense more than any thing else. Besides, I am not, a Hani.a- i nor i. Murlllo. Perhaps if I were I should be something o an anomaly with their power, of vision seeing allied to ih.n decided practicality, capable of earn* Ing a good salary, and I never expi et to bo anything else, because it Iso t in me. Pin too practical. But I am pretty truo to nature, and I think, Mi.-s Pearson, that if jou will give a fellow a fair show I could Illustrate your story as well any ono." I lot she. was obdurate to all his up peals. " Don't a reue with mo oi try to change my views," eho said, ''This Is no mere whim. On the contrary, It is a serious matter, (decided upontl i ? conditions years a;o. If von cannot do as I have suggestsd we arc not fitted for each other." it was the most difficult problem which Clarence Hay's practical mind had ever been called upon to serve There wore 11nie? Wh< .i be had se nil doubts of Miss Pearson's -ui.,.\. and had sho boon a less attractive woman ho would have abandoned all hope of winning her and left her to find some body else to do hor illustrating. I tut , whenever he began to consider that course of action tho Valves of his heart eontraoted with r. sudden spasm of de solation, and be would once inure bbegin cudgeling his brain for a possible T?uw to the theme of her story. He) honied up every old magazine and/ newspaper in which rsho had ever had anything published an? read her work carefully, In the hope of thereby gain ing some idea of what might naturally be expected of her. But she had writ ten In many veins, and he might as well have tried to read a solution in the stars as in the printed pages whereon was mirrored the state of hor mind in the days gone by. Besides, in none of them was there visible a trace of tho belief in the supernatural that bad characterized their last con versation, and the theories then ex pressed loft him more mystified as to her probable subject than anything else could have done. She bad stipulated that at tho end of a month he should como to her with his drawings. Then they wero to read her story and examine the- pictures together. If each was tbo complement of the other, she would marry hiin as soon as ho wished. Three weeks of the alloted timo had pat-sed away and Clarence Hay had fretted and fumed himself into a mere shadow of his former and robust solf, hut with ull his worrying and speculating no waud-' cring sbaift from bor high train of thought bad pierced bis obscure brain. Bo studied out a plot every night in bis dreams, but they wore ull different, and when it came to selecting ono from such a huterogonous mass of fancies, bis predicament was as woful as though his slumber had been vision less. Ho was about to go to her and explain tbut as mind reading was not his forte his was a hopeloss case, and that in the namo of justice sho ought to bo lonient aud rescind hor uurcubon able decree. But just at that timo ho received an inspiration. On tho last day of tho mouth he pre sented himself beforo Miss Pearson with livo drawings which wore, bo llutterod himself, tho best be had ever mado during his career as an artist. Sho read her story. It was a graphic description of Syrian lifo In tho slums of a large elty, and was unique and Strong in conception and execution. Thon ho showed his pictures. Thoy also illustrated Syrian life in tho slums of a large city. Sho looked at him admiringly. "Never beforo," sho said, " havo I had an article furnished with such ap propriate illustrations. You ure the man whom Providence intends mo to marry." Her admiration and aiVection were very sweet, hut there was a large dose of gall and wormwood mixed with Clarence Hay's draught of honey. "Miss Pearson," he said, as ho was getting ready to go, "1 haven't been honest with you. 1 lovo you too much to impose upon you. There was no telegraphic correspondence between your mind and mine to provo t hat 1 urn your ullinity. 1 camo by know ledge iu a very material way. Bead this let,or, which 1 received a wees ago." Ho handed hor a square sheet of white paper and she read aloud : " Mr. Hay?Miss Pearson has finish ed her story. It is a description of1 Syrian life in the slums of a large city. Interior of room given in detail (illu? trP.te). Characters are mother and three little girls (illustrate in group). Youngest child dies with American doctor at bedside (illustrate). Woman is woll educated und superior to aver age Syrian woman, but very poor (illus trate as she appears in the street.) Doctor loves her, but she will not marry him because she believes it her duty to hor raco to live among them and elevate them (illustrate 'rejection'). " A Well Wisher." "Hold on a minute. Don't say any thing till 1 tell you all,'' he said, as she commenced to speak. " I couldn't have thought of this from now till the crack of doom. I uian't know who sent that letter, whether a mutual friend who had fathomed your secret, or a rival to whom yon had confided all and who wrote this merely to lead mo astray. Hut 1 concluded that a faUescout was better than none at all, so I went to work. 1 spent two days in tho Syrian colony. You see the ro -suit. There, 1 was truthful, even though I may bo too practical to suit your taste." He wailed for tier to say something, but she only stared at him in surprise ? "if you want to retract your deci sion, all right," he said dej ictodly, "bull think I hava earned you." Still she did not speak. Ho bowed himself out of the room and had reach ed the outer dour, when sho called him back. 11 Clarence," she said, standing close beside him, "yen have been honest. 1 havo not. f didn't think you would tell me about that?that?letter. Clar ence, f?1?" "Well, what?" ho asked, as she paused timidly. "i knew you would he too dull to gU< sd by tho aid of mental telepathy and?1 wrote that letter myself." th10 SI Hi It 1.1 \ KYI I, WAY. A Slim ( Cut Through ChlnCSO Terri tory? Russian Supremacy hi the Bast. The Trans Siberian Railway, says the Philadelphia It Lord, the construc tion of which is of tho utmost import ance for the future commerce oi the world, is slowly hut steadily progress ing, new stretches of track being add ed to tho system every now and then. Within the last few we. ks tho olty of Tomsk, on tho Obi river, has been re: ' tl, and thus more than one th of tV) Mio Ii How con^pleted. W ?rk on the Centrai Siberian division is so far advanced that it is expected to open tho line us far as Irkutsk, the largest and wealthiest city of Siberia, la.fore tho heglnning Of the year IM?^. In the far East f-om the city of Vlud Ivostock, as far as Gravskaia, tho pres ent terminus of the South I) <uri Km way, trains are no a regul r y I v log, and work is rapidly progros-out.' on tiie North U -uri line to Chub rovsk, where it will join the main line of the Eastern Siberian Kail way in the Am oor Valley. Since tho recmt treaty with China was i fleeted a corps of en glneors ha- b-en dispatched to surv< \ a routo from Port Arthur, on tho Gulf of Petuhill or Chinese Sea, to N rt ohinsk, a point two bun Ired miles east of the Baikal Like Tnis branch ||qi will be of Btlll y r utor Importance than the lim u .ally p anned t>> Tludlvostoek, foi w t u >att r port is closed to miv iiii- n hy lee for Itv or six months o< m ,? .,? p i a' thin Isop n nil tbo yi ar round, und within a coi.i,......... i\ s u t distanooof Po king and ad the Chin c? treaty ports. The completion "| the r? road to Port Arthur wiii in an a revo mi nof com merce With China and the Eist Not only will the trip be n duoed to loss than one-third of its former duration, but It will practically amount to the ascendancy of Buss I an Interests over Brilish enterprise. Tho d 1st tnco from Moscow to Vladl vostock '>\ rull will amount to more I is t> uoo mites. It will he poH lb!e lor through trains to cover this dis tance in from niio- to twelve days, ac cording to the Bpetd. A voyage from LoH on to Yokohama by t> an:or takes Om ! i to forty-seven dsys Travel tog via Now York and ti e Canadian Paciflo railway the trip to Yokohama is reduced to twenty-nine days. Ky rail to Vladlvostoek or Port Arthur th's trip will at tho most consume six t en or nineteen days. Prom a Btni U o i" n> of vo w it li givo Itu sbi tin supremacy in Eastern waters. UtiHsia will bo able to sendA*nvilit:iry force from tho interior of-fcuAwla to Vladivostock or Port A rt Imj?^oro English military coming from Wfflnml could havo arrived at Vancouver?1- Ab a future road of commerce It will prob ably ? oome the only moans of send ing t. to all European countries, for ibis ciollcato product, invai i d>lv d - tcriorates through the inlluonoe of an oean trip. Highest of all in Leavening Power.?Latest U.S. Gov't Report Rf^yi Powder Ab&ouuyeily pure w.yYKini; gatiikkings. Bits ot Humor und Nuggets of Truth tor Ihr ?I nil it ikIc. ?Avoid extravagant promiocs. State facts and stick to thorn. ?Tho number of lighting mou in tiii' country is estimated at 9,407,094. ?According to late statistics thero aro in the United Suites 40,000 deaf mutes. ?More than 1 800 varieties of roso9 have been cultivated during tho pres ent century. ?Economy is no disgrace. It Is better living on a little than outliving a groat deal. ?Seventy-two races inhabit the world and use over 3,000 different tongues. Thoro aro about 1,000 reli gions. ?A man in New York died from " nasal hemorrhage " recently. Old fashioned people would have called it " nosebleed." ?Thero are preachers who get largo salaries that accept support from widows who must make their money over tho wash tub. ?Our spiritual blessings aro far rnoro important than anything else and if wo nso thorn right, wo will surely express our gratitude. ?Instead of looking at the many poor representatives of Christianity in the church, lot as look at the life of Christ to sco what Christianity is. ?W. J. Bryan received a larger number of electoral votes and moro of tho popular veto of tho country than was ever received by a defeated can didate for tho presidency. ?A musical bicycle has appeared In Eoglund. Tho motion of the vehicle grinds out the tunes, and tho wheel man whirls ulong to the strains of a livoly harmony. ?"Charley, if you aro good today ! you shall bo allowed to go after tho cows." " Suppose I'm bad, papa ?" " Oh, then you'll have to go after them us a punishment." ? An Irishman was explaining to a friend the d illicit I ty ho hud going from tho Btation to tbo hotel. " The streets aro so crooked," he said, "thatl uict myself on the way back." ?A wellknown specialist of ear diseases has made the announcement that h ilf the di afno?s prevalent ut the present time can he truced to tho practice of boxing the earsof children. ?In Ntw Zealand the Maori priest repeats to the infant u lengthy list of the names of its ancestors, fixing upon the one which the child by sneezing or crying when it is Uttered is considered to .select for itself. ?The Mother?Willie, I am sorry to learn that >ou run your little wag? on over one of the boys next door, and hurt him. " it wasn't my fault. 1 told him to get out of the way. My wag on's got. * United rftutes Mall ' painted on both sides of it, und it doesn't havo to stop for nobody." ?Nino out ten persons, if asked what is the moot sensitive part of the body, will reply the tip of tho tongue. This is a mistake. Those engaged in polishing billiard bulls, or uny other substances that require a very high degree of smoothness, invariably use the ohoekbone us their touchstone for detecting any roughness. ?At the lute Cobb o<>untv(Gu.) fair, Mrs. M. J. Karr, of Uoswell, had a quilt made in the shape of a map of the state, of Georgia, each county out lined with names thereon bounded with ocean und states, bordered with the names of the governors of Georgia and the presidents of the United States, und the years they served in their respective ollieial positions. ? Remarkable as it may seem the heaviest contributor to the expense^ of the recent presidential campaign was tho United States government. The amount of campaign literature sent through tin; mails free on tho franks Of the. congressmen would have cost $10,000,000 in postage stamps under other circumstances. To this must be added $5.000,000 as the cost of bend ing out information from the various departments in response to campaign demands, making a total of $10,000,000 that Uncle Sam is out of pocket. PRODUCTS' OF THE PEANUT.?From all appearances tho plebeian peanut Is not proporly appreciated in this country as it should bo. In Eurcpe this nut has various usea which aie only beginning to bo recognized in this country, the tlrst recognition be ing that of a Virginia company which is about to handle tho peanut products. According to tho Manufacturers' Hec ord tho principal products uro peanut oil for cooking and tablo purposes and coufoctlenors' use, peanut cribblo for coufectionory, poanut grits for soup, etc., peauut Hour for baking and pea nut brau for stock feed. The oil is highly valued in Europo, and it is stated that fully $5,000,000 worth of peanuts aro brought into Marseilles, Franco, annually for the manufacture of oil, which is used in toilet soap3 and for other purposes. The peanut flour is qulto extensively used in Europe and mado into bread, cak> s, biscuits, etc. ltisono of tho favorite articles of food, according to consular reports, in hospitals in (iermany. Tho estimated product of five tons of poanute amounts to 2.'I5 gallons of refined oil, at $1 per gallon; 175 gal lons of crude oil at 50 cents : '1,080 pounds of Hour and moal at two cents, and 3,300 pounds of stock feed at tlO eonts por hundred pounds, making $415.90 in all. In tho mechanical handling of pea nuts they aro tlrst crushed aud cut bo- | tween suitable rollers, then tho cut and crushed mass is submitted to a hot bath for separating tho shells aud ker nels, and Gnally drying tho kernels to separate them from their eklns. ?A young attorney got a queer ottor tho othor day. It was from a man in Florida, and requested him to look up the whereabouts of a friend supposed to ho in that city. Tho in telligent writer concluded his appeal with the request : "If you don't got this letter, please let me know." ?" Why do they say as smart as a steel trap?" asked the talkative J boarder. " I never could see anything I particularly intellectuababout a steel \ trap." " A steel trap is (Milled smart,'1 explained Mr. Asbury Popper, in his i sweetest voice, "because it knows ex I actly the right time to shut up." ?A trocha is a narrow path cross ing the main highway. Used as a war term it signifies a line of defence I stretching across certain portions of the country, crossing all highways, and ' of course, cutting off a'l travel. /?CHARLESTON A: WESTERN t'ARO ?? linn Railway Co. " Augusta and A?hc vdle Short Line." Schedule in efTeot Dec 1st, 1808. Lv Augusta. 040 an? 7 30 prr Ar Greenwood.12 17 pm 12 10 am Anderson. 7 AO pm f.... .... Laurens. 1 15 pm 7 1)0 am Greenville. 2 65 pm 10*30 am Glenn .Springs. 4 05 pm .... Spartan burg. 300 pm 10 20 am |8aluda. 5 2! em . Hendersonville. .. 6 fti pm . Ashcville.46 j>m . Lv Ashevii le... T. .... H '2? am . Spartan hurg.11 45 am 4 00 pin {.Greenville.11 66 am 4 uU pm kLaurens.... .. 115 pm 7 00 pn Anderson.10*25 am . 'Greenwood. 2'2s pm 7 00 air Ar Augusta. 5 05 pm 12 '25 an. Ar Aiken. G .'jo pin TO AT11KNS, ATLANTA AND POINTS W F.ST. Lv Greenville.11 65 an 4 UU pm Ar Raleigh . 1 ."<? am 12 (Ki n'l Norfolk. 7 80 am (> '20 pn Petersburg.tt 00 am 5 43 pa Richmond .0 10 am fi 45 on Lv Greenville.,.. 4 00 pm 1166am Ar Biberton. 2 3'! am 1 ?Kiprin Ahheville. 142 am 4 65pm Athens. 834am 5 10pm Atlanta. 6 20 am (i 46pm Lv Atlanta. 910 pnT Athens.11 40 pm Elberton. 12 45 am Ahheville.1246 am Ar Greenville. !' 45 am Close connections at UreotlWOOd for a' points on S. A. L. and ('. A G. Railway, mid atSpartanburg with Southern Railway. For information relative to tickets, rates, schedules, etc., address W.J. OKA 1(4, Gen. Pass. Agent. Augusta, Ga J. 8.Gureton, Agent.O. H. Speights. Gen. Aeent. Greenville. 8. O. BE FORK YOU BUY AN Organ, Piano, 7 Sewing Machine Or Musical Instruments of any kind, it will save you dol lars by writing to Alexander Bros. & Co. GREENVILLE, S. C. "Who is Will V/hitener ? Sti fiffl m$ ML W is our Fashionable Hair Cutter and Shaver, 3-.ftffj BtNDtLLA HOTKL. ?Last yoar was disastrous to nuny business ventures, wore failures oc<ur in - than in 1893, the first year of tho Eanlc and the worst. In 1893, the rum er of failures was 13.10. ; in 1896 there wore 14.890. In 1803 tho liabilities wcro $173,190.000; las' .year, about 1226,000,000, an Increase in number of about 12 per cent., an i in amount of liabilities of HO p?*r cent THE LAURENSMR. IL V. SIMPSON. C. ?. BARKSDALF. SIMPSON A BAUKSDALE, Attorneys at Law, LAURENS, SOUTH CAUOLINA Special attention givi -i to the invosti gatlon of titles and coll otion of claims n. w. BALL, r.. w. 8I.MKi.s8. \v, iv? BALL BALL, SIM KINS A BALL, Attorney.s at Law, Laukkns, South Carolina. Will practice in all Stiito and United States Court. Special attention givoii collections W. II. MAllTIN, Attorney at Law, Laukkns, - South Carolina. Will practice in all Courts of this Stale An.i given to colluetiona. t. johnson. w it. rich kv JOHNSON <V LUGHEY, ATTOKNKYS at law. Opviob?Fleming'Corn ?r, Northost side of Public Square. SOUTHERN RAILWAY. riEDM?N f Allt line. Condensed SohodUlo ?I I'MSMIIgor Tralna. In KtToot Jan. IS, 1S1I7. Northbound. I Von. |Fat.M? N" la No. :is v<?. 30 No.lS k?. Daily.; Dally, "idly sun. I.V. Atlanta. O.T. " Atlanta, IS. T. " Norcross. Buford.. " t inlncsvlllo. " Luln. Ar < 'i nolin. Lv. Ml Aii y . " T.(Ml.. " Westminster " Sein ???:?. ?' Cent ml . " Greenville... " Spnvtntihitrg ? OtiffnoyH. . " Ulnckshtirg " King'sMt.. " (?illHtOlllH_ Lv Clinrlotto Ar. 1 Mini iite ? ? |12 (/> ni |! ' 1 L" p 1 a 48 i> 4 83 28 > OS > ;,o ftI S.O :? ::?) ii (till :t I0?w ti 23 n to.A n| 7 ? 47 Ii II " ? a S 08 ? ..... II ; in ? :?'? > ? |!l ? a. 4:1 11 III 11 . ! ! Olli Ar. Richmond Ar. Washington ?? Hfiltin'ul'KU " philudolphin Ni'W York " T.1 .. " M1. A1 ry " Conn liti " Luln. " Ullilll .villo. M Buford. ? Norcioss. Ar. At Inn I a, K. '1' Ar. Atlanta. C.T "a" a. in. "P" p. in. "M" noon. "N"nlght. Nos.87imd 83?Dully. Wn ihlngton and South* west or n V? Ktilmlu Limited. Throtu Ii Pullman Bleeping oars botwonn Now York and Now Or* leans, via Washington, Atlanta und Montgom ery, und also between Now York 1111 I Memphis, via Washington, Atlanta und Birinini n un. Pull mini stooping Wim bot wenn Now % 01 kandNe.v Orleans, m connection \sith tho " iiset l.lm ?ll-svoeki/, ?* mid ? aturday is Wo Pi' >dnys ni t Cftvrll 8 Kl' lnnoii 1 vc,?? Danville and roughfnro coaches damn. I ?Inlngoars Itod" trains for Sun l'"ini leaving Jersey City Tiio?di returning, lenvo Now Orle Saturdays. This train nis Augusta .slo< ping ears bot Charlotte. First Hii?s tl. Ix-i .vfoii Washington mid / tcrvu all meals 011 ronto. No?. ;>?'> ninl U??United Slates Vast Mull runs solid Iwtweon Washington und NowOj** lomis, via Southern Railway, A. & ^ ? P. r? R.? niol L. A N. H. II., being composed of baggage car and eonclios, through wilhont change for Nigers of nil clause* I'ullnuui drawing 1 su' eint,' ours between Joraoy city ana New Or.eaiia, via Allnnln and M< ntgoinery. Leaving waWMnglou taoli Saturday, a tonmi Bleeping ear Will run through between Wash* ington mid San FrniK Isco w Ithout change. Nos. 81 und ?2?New York and Florida Lim ited. Veatibulod train betwoon Now York and St. AuiMislino, sin Washington, i.'hnrlotle, C o Uvnihin, Snvnnuah and ,la"k?onvillo, consisting of Pullman drawing room sleeping <ara, Pulp man compartment earn, Pullman ohsmvatlon oars and dining cars, leaving Nnw Yoik m.d St. Angus!Ino (terminal points') daily o.xcnpt Bundnv. 'A'hla train also cnvrlos Iwr.Svo s.;ctii n drawing mom hurTet Bleeping oars betwc a Augusta and Now York. Kos. 11 and Vi? Pnllmiin slooplngcnrauotweoa Itiohinond and Danville. Tho Air Lino Hello train, Nos. K ami IS, l-o tyri on Atlanta and Cornelia, Oa., dally oxceefc w "h?<3RF.P5N, j.m.C1 ILP, , Gon'l Supt., Trail.M g'r., Washington, D. 0. ^ ?? lihigton, D. OL \V. A. TL'HK, S. If. HAUDWK'K, Gon'l Pass. Ag't , Asa't U< n'l 1 1 Ag't. Washington, D. c. Atlanta, t SOUTHERN RAILWAY. Gomlciiftod Soliodulo In ICS'tiOt NOV. I?, ISOO. 17?.' 1 to:t?n" ." . I ifl i 11 Ar. Donne Ida. . ......... 1 l< Oj pit LvT XVii <?? i:!o_. .. . il 15 aii ttV. tiixtgoa...'. ._ * iTsB p ii " pr< nwood. i l oo p ?.. " Nlnftty-Slt.I l W p i i Lv. N'os\ horry. 2 96 p n " Proftperfiy. 't M p i ? Ar. <'' hUaWrt._; i 3 90 j>__) i Ai '' iftrl? ston"..' '.._. . S 00 pj !: \ S ^tioni i f?:. IQailiV....Chnrlentoii....Ari oOpiil of In i ll i?a! P o,:. Vi lfip' 10 Olli rttp 10 I p jOWHi "in (Oftia 2?7p 11 Wo D lOp 11 i.Vij BDDp Columl.l;: ... 1 B5pl 02n.. 4! 7? I m ".Alston." ! 45p " _Hantno .. " I ir)|i ".Union. " I 1 ?Sp " . Jonosvlll? ... ?? IS iWp ".Pncolot." la Up Ar ?partanhttrg. I^v u loa ...Lv Bnnrtniihurg. Ardl bin 8 40p! 7Uri?'Ar . AshoviUo Lv! t) 20a "P." p. m "A," m. m. Trains 0 and 10 carry elngant Pullmai alcoi>lng ''ars hntweeo Uoliimhin und AaIirvIII*, ?nrouto ilailv Ixitwoea Jru U> ?nvllio and Clnntn ?ntl. Trains leave Siiartanhuru, A. & 0, dtvlnlon, nortldioiind, C i'i u. ni., 8:47 p. m., rt:l? p, m., IV4Mtibule Limited); aouthliound ll4:'ioa. in.. 1:15 p. in., II :H7 a. m., (Veatil.ule Llinend.) Trains leave Oreonvllle, A and <: division, northbound, 5:45 a. in., 3:81 p. m. and :>:'M p. in., (YMtlbulCd Limited); soutl.lKinnd, 1 M a. in., 4:20 p. in., I?:28 p. m. (Vesttlmled Liuutud). Pullman Korvlco. Pullman pnlaco aleeping cai-a on Trains SB and M, 87 and !?. on A. nnd O. division. W. H. OUICEN, J. M. CULP Oen. Siiiierintendcnt, Trnlllo M'g'a. Washington, D O. Washington, P. O. W, A TUUK, S. ILHAKD'A'Iok. den. Puhl Ag't. Ah'I Ulm. In '. A? Wajhiugton, D. Q. _Jtf\