Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THE ADVERTISER. Subscription Price--12 Months. $1.00 Payable In Advance. Kates for Advertising-.?Ordinary Ad vertisements, per square, one inser tion, $1.00; each subsequent insertion, 50 cents. Liberal reduction mado tor large Advertisements. W. W. Ball, Proprietor. LAUKENS. 8. Cm D*c ?, 1?02. What Laurcus Offers. * The oity and county of Laurens in vite the Methodists of South Carolina to place their college for young women in the city of Laurens. Tho city of Laurens ofTers first and ohiefly an earnest, cordial and enduring support if the collego be brought here. It oilers a monoy consideration. It offers sites of beauty, of large acreage, of One natural drainage, with groves of noble trees in the high hill country of Carolina. It offers sites of fror** 29 to 70 and more acres. It olfors sites with build ings that compare favorably with that the college now occupies. These sites are wlioin three quarters of a mile from tho court house, the town's conter. They are near enough for day Echool purposes, If a day school bo desired. We are justified from a selfish point of view in asking: If the college re main whore It is on a lot already crowded, will it be wiso to erect an ex pensive building on such a lot? If the college grows, can It expand on Its present site? If it should be moved to Columbia's suburbs, can a twenty acre site bo had within two miles of the state house at any roasonable figure? If the collego bo removed two miles from the statu house, are not any ad vantages Columbiu may offer in the way of municipal conveniences, water, lights, streets, sewage, abandoned? Would it not practically surrender the local support? Laurens oilers water that is fit, yes good, to drink. Laurens is In tho Piedmont. Lau rens Is the center, tho heart county of the Piedmont. Tho map proves that. Laurens Is over 700 feet above sea level. Not In the memory of man, not at any time, has a deadly or dangerous disease been epidemic in Laurens. No man or woman ever saw a mos quito ret in Laurens. Laurens is within seven or eight hours by rail of the remotest towns In South Carolina. Laurens Is 24 hours from Columbia and seven from Charleston. The great county of Spartaoburg with its 70,000 people is nine miles north. Greenville county is 16 or 10 miles north west. Wofford College Is within an hour of us?and we are glad of It. Greenville city Is within an hour of us. This proporous town of Newberry is but an hour from us. The beautiful, progres sive and ambitious city of Greenwood is less than an hour from us?her peo people almost as able and, we hope, as willing to support your college hero as If it were in Greenwood. Laurens is closo to Abbeville, An derson, Pickens, Walhalla and all the Savannah Valley. And It la far nearer to Spartanburg, Groenvllle, Gatfney, York, Rock Hill, Lancaster,?far near er to all that country where tho white peoplo of South Carolina mostly Inhab it, than any other town extending you an Invitation. It seems to us that you wish your college, other things being equal, as noar to South Carolina's cen ter of population as possible. You will find that we think, closer to Laurons than to any other Piedmont town. Here in Laurens your Methodist people are numerous, zealous, influen tial and prosperous. They are in earnest,?in earnest for all good works, ?of which this effort to bring your col lege to Laurens we think Is a true and excellent example. In this we of Lau rens, city and county, are all Metho dists and we have caught tho Infection of your peoplo who have built two strong churches in our city, the infec tion of their Wesleyan fervor. That is why we aro hero. Baptists, Presby terians* and Episcopalians, we are one in this invitation with your own peo ple. Bring your college to us and It loses no jot or tittle of its Methodism. It will be a Methodist college as now. But it shall be more?it shall be a Lau rens County and a Laurens City college, our institution and our prido; the pride of a county with more white peo ple we think than has Ricbland, inclu ding Columbia. Laurens will have an oye single to its success and expansion. Laurens wants this college to become the alma mater for Laurens glrls.There is no other girls' college, no institution, no orphanage to divert our affections or divide our resources. Whatever the concentered and undivided interest of a people like those of Laurens is worth, that, your college once here would wholly, heartily, abundantly receive. That, we say, is worth more, incompara bly more, than money. Does any other oity offer It? Is there any other oity inviting your college thathas not some other Institution to draw upon its en ergies and benevolence,or for that mat ter, that has no girls' college in proxi imity?as olose as Due West to Green wood? From a Laurens newspaper's view point, this is Laurens' case. Bring us your college and whatever future Lau rens may have, whatever prosperity, whatever aspiration, they with the college's greatness and usefulness shall be bound in the love and endeavor of "Laurens' men and women. (_%__ Are you at a loss to know what to buy your family for Christmas? If so call and lot us show you a combination book ruse, and writing dosk, or a hand some suit, writing desk, dressing ta ble, sideboard, china closet, wardrobe, hall rack, dining tablo, dining chairs, iron bed or a bright new carpet, Buck Stove or Range. Any of those will make suitable presents, and we can show, you the best and cheapest line ever shown In Laurens. 8. M. & E. If. Wllkes. ? JUU.??? FOR RENT?Good two-horse farm near Cross Hill. Good terms to a good man, White or colored. Address , W. W. BALL. < .it. \ AMONO OUR FRIENDS. Judge Watts was in the city Friday. Mr. John Mills was here Saturday. Mr. James H. Babb was in town Fri day. Miss Josephine Minter is visiting her brother, Mr. J. e. Minter, at Sedatia. Miss Mary Ferguson has been visit ing friends in Columbia. Col. Frank Hammond of Greenville spent a few days in the city last week. Rev. W. S. Holmes of Columbia has been visiting friends in the city, Mrs. Cosby of Vicgioia is visiting her daughter, Mrs. R. B. Hughes. . Mrs. Lewis Meng has gone to Darl ington to visit her son, Mr. William Meng. Rev. and Mrs. W. e. Callender of Greenville spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Aleck Long. Mrs. W. W. Graham entertained a small party of friends at dinnor on Thanksgiving evening. Mrs. L. M. Roper and children of Spartanburg have been visiting Mr. and Mrs. Luther Roper. Miss Nettie Hayne of Fort Motte spent Thanksgiving with Miss Pcrrin Farrow. Mr. Arthur Simklns of Columbia spent Thanksgiving with his brother, Mr. L . W. Simklns. Mrs. J. R. Nolan attended the con vention of tho Daughters of tho Con federacy in Anderson, representing the Laurens Chapter. Dr. B. F. Posey has greatly improved his handsome residence on South Har per Street. It has beon newly re painted and otherwise repaired. CARROLL. Miss Charlie Hill Is In Mountville going to school. Mr. W. Press Turner Is not very well at this writing. Miss Nora Turner is visiting her sis ter, in Atlanta, Ga., Mrs. F. L. Hol land. Miss Willie Mae Hill is visiting relativos In Cross Hill. Miss Vixle Rudd Is expected In our Community now soon. Miss Rudd is from Saluda. John Hitt has completed his storo at Cross Hill. Mrs. Duff Goodwin has returned to Georgia after visiting friends and rela tives here. Miss Annie Rudd and niece, Florede, are visiting in Greenwood. Miss Ida Turner has opened her school. Miss Lois Loner is visiting her sis ter, Mrs. Walter Crowder. Miss Julia Turner is going to school at Cross Hill this session. Mr. J. H. Iusti will move out of our community next year. Mies Bettie Hill is staying with hor sister, Mrs. Will Goddard atCrossHill. Adel a. AN ADVERTISEMENT. This is to advertise the fact that The Aovertiskr will be glad to have all Its subscribers who owe anything for sub scriptions to call in and pay up. Tlioy can pay at this season if they ever can pay. Most of the subscribers of The Advertiser are people who do pay. Of course bills will be sent out as usual. But It costs about throe cents to send out one bill?not counting the labor. Three per cent on one dollar is a good deal of money. As Thk Advkrtiser has said, it is difficult to print a paper at$l. a year,? it requires the hardest kind of saving Therofore It is hoped that Advkrtiser subscribers will not need another re quest and will make it a point to settle now without waiting for bills. tf. ONE CENT A WORD. Fou Rent?Two of best office rooms in Laurens in Advertiskr Building, South side, public square. Those rooms easily heated in winter and are best summer rooms in town. For Rent, cheap.?Two good rooms opening into each other, second Moor Advertiser building. These offices arc believed to be the most comfortable, warm in winter and cool in summer, in the city. Possession given at once? rental cheap. See W. W. Ball. FOR SALE.?132 acre farm near Kinards, S. C. Somo of the host farm ing land In tho. county. Three room house and water on promises. Excel lent opportunity for Investment or farm. Part cash, balance on timo If preferred. For particulars address, W. J. Con way, 1635 Main St. , Columbia, S. C. GLENN SPRINGS WATER The Kidney Cure. For sale by Laurens Drug Co., Pal metto Drug Co., Dr. B. F. Posey, W, W. Dodson and J. 8. Bennett. Graycourt-Owings INSTITUTE. . ?Midway between? GRAYCOURT and OWINGS, S. O. Session opens Monday, October (Ith, 1902. Location beautiful and healthful. Instruction thorough and comprehen sive, preparing students for Sophomore and Junior College classes. Faculty experienced specialists. MUSIC DEPARTMENT Offers superior advantages. Mrs. Thos. F. Jones, who will have charge of this department, has taught several years In leading Colleges of Georgia and Ala bama imccessfulTy. TUITION LOW. Board only #8.00 per month. Those who apply early can secure Board with Prof. Rice at that rate. Correspondence solicited. Address THOS. P. JONES, ' or Principal. R. L. Quay, Pres't Board Trustees, Uraycourt, 8. 0. CASE By.,. Emile Gaboriau ? $ ? ? 0 ? ? ? 0 ? 0 ? $ 0 ? ? ? ^ X ? ^ @ j CHAPTER XT. t. IjAZAKE street was crowd ed by carriages, whoso occu pants wore impatiently await ing their turn to drive up to the door. Nourly ail tho costumes were rich. Some were original. Among tho latter was a clown. His costume was in perfect keeping. Indeed, his whole makeup, his Insolent oyo, coarse lips, high cheek hones and a beard so red that it seomed to emit (lames in the reflection or tho dazzling lights were In accord. Ho carried in his left ham] a canvas banner, upon which wore painted six or eight pictures, coarsely designed like those' found In strolling fairs. In his right he waved a little switch, with which he would every now and then strike Ids banner, like a quack retailing bis incdlciucs. A crowd surrounded this clown, hoping to hear some witty speeches and puns, but ho kept near the door and remained si lent. About half past 10 ho quitted his post. M. and Mine. Fauvel, followed by their niece Madeleine, had just en tered. A compact group Immediately formed near the door. ] Hiring tho last ten days tho affair of Provence street had been tho universal topic of conversation, and friends and enemies Were alike glad to seize this opportuni ty of approaching tho banker, some to assure him of their sympathy, and oth ers to offer equivocal condolence, which of all things is the most exasperating. Belonging to the body of elderly men, M. Fauvel had not assumed a fancy costumo, but merely threw over his shoulders a short silk domino. On his arm leaned Mine. Fauvel, nee Valen tino do la Verberle, who graciously greeted her friends. Her beauty had once boon remarkable, and tonight the effect of the soft wax lights and her very becoming dress half restored the freshness of youth. No one would have supposed her to bo forty-eight years old. But Madeleine was tho object of uni versal admiration, beautiful and queen ly in her costume of maid of honor, which seemed to have been especially Invented to set forth her superb figure. Forgotten by the crowd, the clown had taken refuge in the embrasure of a window, where ho kept his eyes upon a couple not far off. It was Madeleine, dancing with a splendidly dressed dogo ?tho Marquis do Clamorau. ire ap peared to be radiant, rejuvenated and to all appearances triumphant. At the end of a quadrille bo leaned over his partner and whispered compliments with tho most unbounded admiration. She seemed to listen, if not With pleas ure, at least without repugnance, now smiling and now shrugging her shoul ders. "Evidently," muttered tho clown, "this noble scoundrel is paying court to tho banker's niece. So I was right yes terday. But how can Mile. Madeleine listen so graciously to his Mattery? Fortunately Prosper Is not here." Ho was interrupted by a distinguish ed looking elderly man In a Venetian mantle, who said to Iii in: "You know, M. Verduret"?half seri ously, half banterlngly?"what you promised me?" Tho clown bowed respectfully, but with not the slightest shade of humil ity. "I remember," ho replied. "But do not bo Imprudent, I beg of you." "Monsieur tho count need not bo un easy; he has my promise." "Very good. I know what that means." Tho count walked off, but during his short colloquy tho qundrlllo had end ed, and tho clown lost sight of m. de Clamcran and Madeleine. "1 shall (hid them near Mine, Fau vel," thought bo. And ho nt oneo started to aearch among the th?ong for the banker's wife. Incommoded by tho stifling heat, Mine. Fauvel bad sought n littlo fresh air in tho grand picture gallery, which, thanks to the talisman called gold, had been transformed Into a falryllko gar den, tilled with orapgo trees, japonicas, laurel and many raro plants. The clown saw her seated near a grovo not far from tho. cardroom. Upon her right was Madeleine. On her left stood Haoul do Lagors, dressed in a costume of Henry III. "I must confess," muttered the clown from his post of observation, "that the young scamp 5s very handsome." Madelelno was very sad. Slio had plucked a camellia from a plant near by and was mechanically pulling it * pieces as she sat with her eyes down cast. Itaoul and Mine. Fauvel were sitting together in conversation. Their faces were composed, but tho gestures of one and the trembling of the other betrayed preoccupation and a serious discussion. In tho cardroom sat tho doge, m. do Olamernn, so placed ns to have full view of Mine. Fauvel and Madeleine, although himself concealed. "It Is the continuation of yesterday's scene," thought the clown. "If I could only got behind thoso camellias, I might hear what they are saying." Ho pushed his way through tho crowd, but as bo reached the desired spot Madelelno arose and took "che arm of a bejowoled Persian. At tho sumo moment Ituoul went Into tho cardroom and whispered a few words to Do Chi mera n. "There they are," muttered the clown. "Tho two rascals certainly hold these poor women In their tolls. What can bo tho secret of' their pow er?" His attention was attracted by a commotion in tho picture gallery. There was to be a wonderfu, minuet danced in tho ballroom. Tho Countess do Cofnmnrlll and the I'miecss Korasoff, with her superb Cluoralds, which were reported to be tin; finest bl tho world, had both arrived. In an Instant the gallery became almost deserted. Only n few forlorn looking peoplo remained, The clown thought It a favorable op portunity for carrying out his project. He: abruptly left his position, flourish ing his switch and beating his banner, and/crossing tho gallery, seated him self In a Choir between Mine. FntlVOl and the door. As sunn as tho people had Collect oil In a circle around him ho struck a comical altitude, standing up with his body twisted f.ideways ami his hat on one ear. With imtCh buffoonery and volubility ho made tho following remarks: "Ladles and gentlemen, this very morning'I obtained a Ik'ense from the authorities, of. thin town. And what for? Why, gentlemcn.Voi the purpose Of exhibiting to you a fspcotnclo which has already won the admiration of tho four quarters of tho glol>o. Insldo of this booth, Indies, Is nhont to com mence the representation of n most re markable dnunn, nctcd for tho first tlmo In Peking nml trnnslated by our most celebrated authors. , Gentlemen, you enn take your sents. Tho Inmps uro lighted, nml the actors aro chang ing their dross." ? Here ho stopped speaking and Imi tated to perfection tho feats which mountebanks piny upon horns and ket tledrums. "Now, ladles nnd gentlemen," ho re sumed, "you wish to know what I am doing outside If the pleco Is to be per formed under tho tent. Tho fact Is, gentlemen, thnt I wish to glvo you a forctasto of tho entertainment which you may enjoy by paying tho small sum of 10 cents. You see this superb picture? Very well.* It. represents eight of Hi ? most thrilling scenes In the drama. Ah, I seo you begin to shudder. And yet this splendid pic ture gives you no more Idea of the acting than a drop of water gives an idea of tho sea or a rny of light of tho sun." "Do you know this clown?" asked an enormous Turk of n melancholy Punch. "No, but ho can imltato a trumpet splendidly." "Oh, very woll Indeed I But what la ho driving nt?" Tho clown wns endeavoring to at tract tho attention of Mine. Fauvol, who since Haoul and Mndeleino bad left her had abandoned herself to a mournful reverie.. He succeeded. The showman's shrill voice brought the banker's wife bnck to a sense of real ity. She started and looked quickly about her, as If suddenly nwakouod from a troubled dream. Then she no ticed tho clown. "Now, ladies, wo are In China. Tho first picture on my cunvns, hero to tho left"?ho pointed to tho top daub?"rep resents tho eolebrated Mandarin Ll Fo In the bosom of his fninlly. This pret ty ?woman leaning over him is his wife, and these children playing on the car pet arc tho fruits of a happy marriage. Do you not Inhale tho odor of happi ness emanating from this ppenklng picture, gentlemen? Mine, Ll Fo Is tho most virtuous of women, adoring her husband and idolizing her children. Doing virtuous, sho is happy, for the wise Confucius says, 'Virtue IS better than vice.' " Mine. Fauvel becnino Interested. Sho left her seat and npproached nearer to tho* clown. "Do- you seo anything on tho banner like what ho Is describing?" asked tho melancholy Punch of his neighbor. "No. Do you?" The fact is thnt the daubs of pulnt on tho canvas represented ono thing as well as another, and tho clown could call thorn whatever ho pleased. "Picture No. 21" ho cried after a roll ing of drums. "This old lady seated before ft mirror tearing out hor hair, especially tho gray ones?do jngu rec ogni/.o her? No, you do not Sho Is tho fair mandarine of tho first picture. I see tears in your eyes, ladles nnd gentlemen. Ah, you have cause to weep, for sho Is no longer virtuous, nnd her hnppincss has departed with her virtue. Alas, It Is n snd story! One fatal day she met on tho streets of Peking a young ruffian, fiendish, but beautiful ns an angel, and sho loved him?the unfortunate woman loved him!" During this tirade ho had turned about till he' faced the banker's wife, whose- countenance he closoly watched while ho wns speaking. "You are surprised, gentlemen," he continued. "I nm not. Tho heart nev er grows old, and tho most vigorous wallflowers nourish on old ruins. This unhappy* woman Is nearly fifty years old?and In love with a youth! Hence this heartrending scene, which should serve ns a wurnlng to us all." "Renlly," grumbled a cook dressed In white satin, who had passed the evening In carrying arouiuL, menus which no one rend, "I thought ho was going to amuse us." "Hut," continued the clown, "you must go Inside of the booth to witness tho effects of tho mandarine's folly. At times o ray of reason penetrates her diseased brain, and then the sight of her anguish would soften the most Unpltying. Enter, and for the small nun of 10 cents you shall hear sobs such as the Odeon never echoed In its halcyon days. Tho unhappy woman' realizes the absurdity and inanity of her blind pnsslon. - Sho confesses to herself thnt she is madly pursuing n phantom. She knows but .too well thnt ho in tho vigor nnd beauty of youth cannot love a faded old woman like her self, who v:ilnly makes pitiable efforts to retain, the hist remains of her onco enchanting beauty. Sho feels thnt tho sweet words ho onco whispered In her Char mod ehr wore false. Sho knows thnt the day Is nenr when she will bo left alone, with nothing save his man tle in her hand." As tho clown addressed tids volublo description to tho crowd beforo him he narrowly watched tho countennnco of the banker's wife. Hut nothing ho bad said seemed to affect her. Sho leaned back in her armchair perfectly culm and occasionally smiled. "Can I bo on tho wrong trnck?" mut tered tho clown uneasily. M. do Claincran Joined tho circle. "The third picture," tho down con tinued, "depicts tho old mandnrlno aft er sho lias dismissed thnt most annoy ing of guests?remorse? from her bos om. Sho promises herself that Inter est Shall supply tho plnco of love In holding tho seductive youth. It Is with this object thnt she luvests him with fnlso honors nnd dignity and In troduces him to tho chief hinndu.'lns of tho capital of tho Celestlnl empire. Then, since so hnndsoine n youth must cut n flue (lguro in society, tho Indy iniiHt needs to sncrlflco all of her pos sessions for, his sako?necklaces, rings, bracelets, diamonds and pearls?every Jewel she possesses. Tho monster car ries all theso to tho pawnbrokers on Tlontsl street and then lias the cruel-' ty to refuso her the tickets, so that she may baVqi a chance of redeeming her treasures." The down thought that nt. last ho had fulfilled tho conditions. Mine. Knuvol began to betray signs of un easiness. Once sho inndo an nttempt to rlsti from tho chair, but It seemed as if her strength failed her, nnd sho sunk back*", forced to flsten. "Finally, ladles and geutlemen," con tliiucd tho clown, "tho richly stored Jewel coses were emptied. The day cnmo when the mnndnrino hau nothing more to give. It was then that tho young scoundrel conceived the project of carrying off tho Jasper button be longing to the Mandarine LI Fo, a splendid Jewel of Incalculable value, a badgo of dignity. It was kept in a gruutte chest and guarded by tbreo soldiers night and day. Ah, tho inau darinc resisted n long time. Slio'fencw the Innocent soldiers would bo accused and crucified, as Is tho custom in Pe king, and this thought restrained her. But her lover besought her so tenderly that sho dually yielded to his en treaties, and tho Jnsper button was stolen. Tho fourth picture represents tho guilty couple stealthily creeping down tho private stairway. Seo their frightened look?see"? Ho abruptly stopped. Three or four of his auditors rushed to tho assistance of Mmc. Fauvol, who seemed about to faint. Tho clown felt his arm roughly ? BClzed by some one behind him. Ho turned and faced Do Clameraa nnd Lngors, both of whom were pale with auger. "What do you want, gentlemen?" ho asked, with his most gracious air. "To speak to you," they both answer ed. "I am at your service." Ho followed thom to the end of the picture gallery, near a window open ing on a balcony. Here they were un observed except by tho man in the Ve netian cloak, whom the clown had ad dressed as "monsieur the count." The minuet having ended, the orchestras were taking a brief rest, and, the com pany pouring into the gallery, it be came very crowded. The sudden raini ness of Mine. Fauvol had passed off unnoticed save by n few, who attrib uted It to the heat of the room. M. Fauvol had been sent for, but when.ho came hurrying In he found his wife composedly talking to Madeleine. Not having as much control over his tem per as Itnoul, M. do Olnmcrnu angrily said: "In tho first place, monsieur, I would like to know who you are." Tho clown determined to answer as If ho thought tho question were a Jest. "You want my license, do yon, my lord doge? I left it In the hands of tho city authorities. It contains my name, age, profession, domicile and every de tali"? With an angry gfcsture M. do Clamc ran Interrupted him. "You have committed a gross Insult!" "I, my lord doge?" "Yes, you! What do you mean by telling this abominable story?" "Abominable! You may call it abom inable, but I, who composed it"? "Enough, monsieur. You will nt least have the courage to acknowledge that your performance was a vile In sinuation against Mine. Fauvol?" Tho clown stood with his head thrown back and mouth wide open, ns If astounded at what ho heard. But any one who knew him would hnvo seen his bright black eyes sparkling with malicious satisfaction. "Upon my word," ho said as If speak ing to himself, "this Is tho strangest thing I ever heard of! How can my drama of tho Mandarine 1.1 Fo have any allusion to Mine. Fauvol, whom I don't know from Adam or Eve?" "Do you pretend," said M. do Clame rnn, "to be Ignorant of M. Fauvol'f misfortune?" "A misfortune?" "1 refer, monsieur, to tho robbery ol Which M. Fauvol was the victim and which has been in every one's mouth." "Ah, yes, yes, I know. His cashier decamped with 850,000 francs. It Is n thing that almost dally happens. But as to discovering any connection be tween this robbery and my play, that Is another matter." M. do Clanierau made no reply. A nudge from Lagors had calmed him as If by enchantment. Ho seemed to re gret having uttered tho significant words drawn from him by excitement. "Very well," ho finally said in his usual haughty tone. "I must have been mistaken. I accept your explana tion." But tho clown, so humblo a moment before, said: "I have not nindo nor do I Intend making any explanation." "Monsieur"? began De Clamernn. "Allow mo to finish, If you please. If unintentionally I have offended tho wife of a man whom I highly esteem, ho is her protector; not you. Perhaps you will toll 1110 ho Is too old to de mand satisfaction. If so, let htm send ono of bis sons. One of thom Is here. You asked me who I am. In return T ask you who aro you?you who consti tute yourself Mine. Fnuvel's champion? Are you her relative, friend or ally? What right have you to Insult her by pretending to discover an allusion to her In a play invented for amuse ment?" There was nothing to bo snld In re ply to this. M. do Olameran sought a means of escape. "I nin a friend of M, Fnuvel," he snld, "and this title gives mo tho right *to be as Jealous of his reputation ns If It were my own. If this is not n suffi cient renson for my interference, I must Inform you that his family will shortly bo mine." "Ahl" "Next week, monsieur, my marriage with Mile. Madeleine will bo publicly announced." This news was so unexpected, so startling, that for a moment the clown was discomfited. But it was only for a second, and, bowing with deference, ho said, with covert Irony: "Permit mo to offer my congratula tions, monsieur. Besides being queen of tho ball tonight. Mile. Mndelelno will have a dowry of half a million, I henr." Itnoul de Lngors had listened anx iously, watching tho people near them, to bco If they overheard this conversa tion. "Wo hnvo hnd enough of this gos sip," ho Bald In n disdainful tone, "t will only say ono thing more. Master Clown, nnd thnt Is that your tonguo is too long," "Perhaps, my pretty boy, perhaps, but my arm Is still longer." Do Olamoran hnstoncd to end tho mnttcr. "It is Impossible-for ono to seek nn explanation from a man who conceals bis Identity under tho gulso of a fool." "You aro at liberty, my lord doge, to ask tho master of tho houso who I am ?If you daro." "You are," cried Clamernn?"you are"? A warning look from Rnoul chocked the forgemaster from using nn epi thet which would hnvo led to an affray or at least a scandnlous sceno. The clown Btood with a sardonic smile and after a moment's silence rtared M. do Clamerau steadily In tho face and said coolly: "I was the best friend, monsieur, of jspur brother Gnston. I was his nd ?fser and the confidant of his last Vrflshes." ? Thoso few words fell llko a clap of thunder upon De Clamerau. Ho turn ed deadly palo and recoiled with his band? Ntretched out) before him, as if ?blinking from ? ?lleeter. He tried to r~:-^>?h?.. . ? iLr*. . iS****? answer, lo protost, "but the words fror? on his lips. "Come, let us go." said I.ngors, who rctnlncd his equanimity. And bo dragged Chuueran away, sup porting lilin. for ho staggered like a .?drunken man nnd clung to the.walls to prevent falling. "Oh. bo!" exclaimed the clown. lie himself wns almost ns much as tonished as the forgemaster nnd stood stock still, watching tho lntter as ho slowly loft the room. It was with no decided object In view that he had ventured to use the last mysteriously threatening words, but he had been In spired to do so by his wonderful In stinct, which with him was like tho scent of a bloodhound. "What can this mean?" ho muttered. "Why was he so frightened? What terrible memory have I awakened? I need not boast of my penetration or the subtlety of my plans. There Is a great master, who without any effort in an Instant destroys all my chimeras. Ho Is called chance." His mind had wandered far from the present scene when some one touched him on the shoulder, recalling him. It wns the man In the Venetian cloak. "Are you satisfied. M. Verduret?" ho Inquired. "Yes and no. monsieur the count no, because 1 have not completely achieved tho object I had In view when I asked you to be admitted hero tonight; yes, because these two rascals behaved In n manner which dispels all doubt." ? "And yet yon complain"? "I do not complain, monsieur the ,'Cou:it. On the contrary, I bless chance, or. rather, Providence, which has Just revealed to me the existence of a se cret thnt 1 did not before even sus pect." Five or six guests nppronched the count. Interrupting the spenkcrs. He went off with them after giving tho clown n friendly nod. The latter In stantly threw aside his banner nnd started through the crowd in pursuit of Mine. Fauvel. She had left the gol lery. Ho found her sitting on a sofa In tho large salon, engaged In an ani mated conversation with Madeleine. "Of course," muttered tho clown, "tlioy are talking over tho scene. But what has become of Lngors nnd De Ola mernn?" lie soon saw them Wftudoiing nmong the groups' scattered about the room and eagerly asking questions. "These honorable gentlemen are try ing to find out who l am. Keep It up, my frlcmls. Ask everybody/' (to ?b continued.] Get the Most Out of Your Food You doiv't and qan't if your stomach is weak. A weak stomach does not di gest? all that is ordinarily taken into it. It get&tired easily, and what it fails to digest is wasted. Among the signs of a weak stomach are uneasiness after eating, fits of ner vous headache, nnd disagreeable belch ing. "I have taken Hood's Sarsaparille at different times for stomach troubles, and a run down condition of the system, and have been greatly benefited by its use. I would not be without ft In my family. I am trou bled especially in summer with wenk stom ach ami nausea and lind Hood's Sarsaparilla Invaluable." JC. B.HlCKMAM, W.Chester, Pn. Hood's Sarsaparilla and Pills Strengthen and tone the stomach and the whole digestive system. Thimble! THIMBLE! Who got The Thimble? Do you hold a Draft on us for a THIMBLE? If you do call and we will be glad to explain how you can get a Sterling Silver Thimble Free* Ask lo see our Art Portfolio. For Four Cents you can get a beautiful picture. Visit our store and we will be pleased. Palmetto Drug Co. Look for sign with the Tree. I have had occasion to me your FBIack-Draught Stock and Poultry Medi cine and am pleased to say that I never used anything for stock that gave half at j good satisfaction. I heartily recom I mend it to all owners of stock. J. B. BELSHER, St. Louis, Mo. Sick stock or poultry shonld not eat cheap stock food a*iy more than sick persons should expect to bo Ciired by food. When your stock and poultry nre sick givn them med icine. Don't stuff them With worth ies* stock food*. Unload the bowels and stir up the torpid liver and tho animal will be cured, if it be possi ble to euro it. Black-Draught Stock and Poultry Medicine unloads the bowels and stirs up the torpid liver. It cures every malady of stock if taken in time. Secure a 25-cent can of Wack-Draught Stock and Poultry Medici no and it will pay for itself ten timesovcr. Horses Work better. Cows givo more milk.. Hogs gain flesh. And hens lay nioreogg*. It solves tho problem ol making as much blood, flesh and energy as possible out of tho smallest amount of food cora? sumed. Buy a can from your dealer. Tho Kind You Have Always Bought, mut which has been iu use for over 30 years, lias bjorno tho signature of and lias been mado under his per jrfr\/M^ZS^jPjf^ sonnl supervision since itsinftuicy, *Ju&SyYJ^-&4c*U&* Allow no 0110 to deceive you in this. All Counterfeits, Imitations and " Jusfc-as-g<?od'> air Im*; Experiments that triilo with and endanger tho health of Inlauts and Children?Experience against Experiment. IS Castorla is a harmless substitute for Castor Oil, Pare goric, Brops and Soothing Syrups. It is Pleasant, lb contains neither Opium, Morphine nor other Narcotic substance. Its ago is its guarantee. It destroy.} Wornui and allays Fcvorlshncss. It cures Diarrhoen ami Wind Colie. It relieves Teething Troubles, cures Constipation and Flatulency* It assimilates the Food, regulates tho Stomach and Bowels, giving healthy and natural sleep. The Children's Panacea?Tho Mother's Friend. GENUINE CASTOR IA ALWAYS Bears tho Signature of The Kind You Have Always Bougiif In Use For Over 30 Years. the ccMTAun com pan v, tt Munnftv r.aur, Ntw voriK CITY. As Christmas is so near and money is so scarce where must I spend it? CASH BARGAIN STORE J. L. HOPKINS. WHAT DOES HE SELL'.'^^^ Shoes at, Bargain Prices. Dry Goods. Ou-tings from 4ct,s. a yard up. The best, om fort, for 78ct,s. White Table Damask 27cts. a yard. Embroideries and Lace at, Bargain Prices. Tobaccos, fourteen different, kinds, from 30cts. "the pound up. New crop W. 0. Syrup 45cts. the gallon. J. L. HOPKJNS. LAURENS, S. C. H. E. GRAY. j. c. SHKALY v. Gray & Shealy. A WORD ON SHINGLES ought to interest tho man whosa roof has a holo in it. Also tho man who has no roof, . hut intends to build one. Our Long Leaf untiled Pino Shin gles are tho best, offered in this eity. Mado from a fine grade wood and right in every particular. And those figures ought to prove that pricos aro right, too. Gf ay & Shealy. CRACK GOES THE WHIP * IN COME THE ORDERS ' I VHtMKM SELL5 THE VERY BE5T ORADES OF FERTILIZERS AT THE VERY LOWEST COST It pays to fertilize your lands w THE VIROINIA-CAROLIN CHEMICAL COMPANYJi / PRODUCTS. ?OLD EVERYWHERE Yha Virginia-Carolina Chemical Co. CHARLESTON. 0. C. , ?4 ''The Largest Manufacturer of Fertilizers on Earth" ^ Forty odd Manufacturing plants Wholesale purchasers Largest importers < Concentration of % Management