Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THIS ADVERTISER. Subscription PrIoe-12 Months, $1.00 Parable In Advance. Rates for Advertising.?Ordinary Ad vortlsements, per square, one inser tion, $1.00; each subsequent Insertion, 50 cents. Liberal reduotion made (or large Advertisements. W. W. Ball, Proprietor. LAUBENS. S. C, April 15, 100?. Laurens aud the Coast Line. Ihe oity counoil of Hpartanburg has pa&ied an ordinance requiring the rail roads entering that town to maintain gates at a number of dangerous cross ings. The railways have of course ob jected to the ordinance and meanwhile its enforcement has been deferred, pending investigation of the subject mutter. In the city of Laurens ure several railway crossings which seem to be constantly menacing to lifo and limb. Tho crossing in North Harper street near Dr. Pooled homo is dangerous. The crossing in east Main street near the passenger depot Is especially dangerous. In fact, tho location of the passenger Btatlon as related to this crossing constitutes what is a contin uous peril. In our deliberate judg ment the city of Laurens should sys tematically appeal to every known legal resort to require a complete re formation of tho passenger station fa cilities. This should bo done regard less of expense to the railways, the wretched aud dangerous blunder of lo cating tho station where it Is having been made by them. The railway crossing in Fleming street near the oil mill is especially dangerous. Vehicles approaching from tho west are cut off from view of the train a cuuiing from the south. Mr. J. O. O. Fleming and his little boy have twice had narrow escapes from being run over at this crossing. The cross ing is a constant source of dangor. The crossing In Chestnut ttrcet, rear of Dr. Aiken's houso, Is full of clanger. The crossing in Hampton street noar T. H. Nelson's is one of the most dangerous in Laurens?and this is put ting the case strong. The Advertiser has never been un friendly to the railway companies. The Advertiser is not of the class that rejoices in verdicts against railways, a large proportion of which are ab surdly illogical and unjust. The Ad vertiser deprecates tho settled cus tom of the public suffering in silence tho illiberal treatment often accorded by the railway coinpanlos and wreak ing its vengeance in big verdicts in fa vor of individuals who are sometimes unworthy. Without doubt, these ver dicts are frequently just but in most cases damages are fixed by juries by guess-work. It i? tho fault of the legal system rather than of the juries, who are given little guide. This is the condition of affairs: the railways as a rule act on the principle that tho people are thoir natural en emies, that the people are predatory animals, bent on robbing them. The people, on the other hand, act on the principle that the railways are preda tory animals, that they are bent on robbing the people. Tho result la that the people take advantage of opportu nities to visit penalties upon railways In "damage- suit verdicts, the whole benefit of which Is frequently reaped by undeserving persons. The rail ways, meanwhile, yield as little as pos sible consistent with maintaining traf fic and deriving revenues that would help the public generally. This town is wholly dependent on tho Atlantic Coast Lino Railway. It oper ates every passenger train entering or departing from Laurens. We must travel by that system or stay at home. So far as we know, not one of the high officials of this great system ever saw Laurens, unless in a casual trip through. The interests of the town are wholly subordinated to the inter ests of tho road elsewhere. Laurens, Gray Court, Clinton and other towns are scarcely known to exist by the owners of the road. What are we going to do about it? We can do a great deal. Wo, our peo ple, have contributed about $300,000 to the 'construction of these Atlantic Coast Line properties. We are entitled not only to fair but liberal treatment. We are in a position to at least compel the railways to observe the letter of tho law. We can compel the abate ment of the passenger depot nuisance. Our city council can act and act again aud again until remedies are provided. We can appeal to the railway commis sion. If the railway commission does not do its duty, Laurens county can mark the men who fail, remember them and poll three thousand solid votes in a Democratic primary against them. When a city and county like Lau rens are in earnest and act together they can obtain what the statutes promise. We should say in conclusion that the division office's of the 0. & W. O. and the C. N. A L. are not largely if at all, responsible for the condition of af fairs here. We know enough of rail roading to say that division officers have very limited powers and count for "mighty little" in the policy of a great system like the Atlantic Coast Line. We believe that Superintendent An derson and President Childs are friendly to Laurens, as naturally they should he, hut the ra6n who hold the purse strings ignore us. V The Abbeville Press and Banner which is deeply interested in the rais ing of the Hampton monument fund is respectfully informod that the county of Darlington has raised about $1,000. No such amount has been raised in Laurens. A GRE?TSENSATION. There was a big sensation in Lees vllie, Ind., wbon W. H. Brown of that place, who was expected to die, had bis life saved by Dr. King's New Dis covery for Consumption. He writes: "I ? endured insufforable agonies from Asthma, hut your Now Discovery gave t me immediate relief and soon thereaf ter effected a complete cure." Similar cures of Consumption, Pneumonia, Bronchitis and Grip are numerous. It's the peerless remedy for all throat and lung troubles. Price 50 oto. and $1.00. Guaranteed by The Laurens Drug Co. and Palmetto Drug Co. Trial bottles "ireo. | WHEN KNIGHTHOOD | I WAS IN FLOWER I 2jf Or, Tb? Lot? Story of Charles Brandon and Mary Tudor, the King's SUter, aud %?* ? Happening jtn tb? Rdgn of His Aoguat Majesty King Henry the Eighth Tjf ILtwrittMi aokl ILf darart Into Modern Knrfliah From Sir F.Jwm flp C?*kodcn'? Memoir p 3$jjr & By EDWIN CASKODEN [CHAi?Lf:S MAJOR] # ? Cbpt/HpM, MW and 1901, tty the lloicen-ilerrill ComjHinv W CHAPTER IV. A LESSON IM DANCIITO. LAUGHED heartily when Jane told mo of the tilt between Brandon and Princess Mary, the latter of whom was In tho habit of saying unkind things und be ing thanked for them. Brandon was the wrong man to say them to, us Mary leumed. Ho was not hot tempered?In foot. Just tho rovcrso ?but ho was the last man to brook an affront and the quickest to resent in a cool hended, dangerous way nn Inten tional offense. He respected hiniBolf and made oth ers do the same, or seem to do so at least. He bad no vanity, which is but an Inordinate desire for those qualities that bring self respect and often tho re sult of conscious demerit, but he knew himself and knew that be wiis entitled to his own good opinion. He was every Inch a man, strong, Intelligent and bravo to temerity, with n reckless dis regard of consequences, which might have been dangerous had It not been tempered by a dash of prudence and caution that gave him ballast. I was not surprised when I heard of tho encounter, for I knew enough of ldm to be sirro that Mary's high handed noss would meet Its counterpart In my cool friend Brandon. It was, howevor, nu unfortunate victory, and what ali Mary's beauty and brightness would have failed to do her honest, open ac knowledgment of wrong, following so quickly upon tho heels of her fault, ac complished easily. It drew him within the circle of her fatal attractions, aud when Jane told me of It I know his fate was sealed and that soonor or later bis untouched heart and cool hend would fall victim to tho shafts thut so surely winged nil others. It might and probably would be "later," Blnce, as Brandon had said, ho was not ono of thoso who wear tho "I met your friend. Did he tell yout" heart upon tho sleeve. Then he had that strong vein of prudence and cau tion which, In view of Mary's unattaln ablcness, would probably come to his help. But never was man's heart strong enough to resist Mary Tudor's Bmllo Co. long. There was this difference between Brandon and most others?he would be Slow to love, but when love should onco fairly take root In his intense nature he would not do to trifle with. The night ufter the meeting Mary cuddled up to Jane, .who slept with her, and whispered, half bashfully: "Tell me all about Brandon. I am interested In him. I believe If I knew more persons like him I should bo a better girl, notwithstanding he Is one of the boldest men I evor knew. Ho says anything ho wishes and, with all his modest manner, is as cool with mo as if I wero a burgher's daughter. His modesty Is all on the outsldo, but It Is pretty, and pretty things must be on the outside to be usoful. I wonder if Judson thought him modest." Jane talked of Brandon to Mary, who was In nn excellent humor, until tho girls fell asleep. When Jane told me of this, I becamo frightened, for the surest way to any woman's heart is to convince her that you make her better and arouso in her. breast purer Impulses and higher aspi rations. It would be bad enough should Brandon fall in love with the princess, which was almost sure to happen, bq$ for them to fall In lovo with each other meant Brandon's head upon the block and Mary's heart bruised, broken and empty for life. Her strong natnre, filled to the brim with latent passion, was the stuff of which lovo makes a conflagration that burns to destruc tion, and should she learn to love Bran don she would move heaven and earth to possess him. She whose every desire from child hood up had been gratified, whose every whim seemed to her a para mount necessity, would stop at noth ing when tho dearest wish a woman's heart can coin was to be gained or lost. Brandon's element of prudence might help him and might forestall any ef fort on his part to win her, but Mary had never heard of prudence, and man's caution avails but littlo when set ngnlnst woman's daring. In case thoy both should lovo they were sure to try for each other and lu trying wero equally sure to find ruin and desola tion. A few evenings after this I met the princess in tho queen's drawing room. She beckoned me to her and, resting her elbows on the top of a cabinet, her chin in her hands, said: "I met your friend, Captain Brandon, a day or two' ago. Did ho tell you?*' "No," X answered. "Jane told me, but he has not mentioned it. It was true Brandon had not said a word of the matter, and I had n?$ spoken of It either. I wanted to gap how long he would remain silent con cerning an adventure that would have set most men of the court boasUnsM a great rate. To have a tilt wltb? ever victorious Mary and to come victor was enough, I think, to Ifl any tongue loss given to bragging than Brandon's. "So," continued Mary, oyjdon^iy somowht t piqued, "he did not t^flc his presentation to me a thing worth men tioning? We had a little passage at arms, and, to tell you the trnji, I c%ne, off second best and hod to acknowledge it too. Now, what do you think of this new friend of yours? And ho did nqt boast about having the better of me! After all, thereIs more virtue in his si lence than I at first thought." And she thiew back her head and clapped her hands and laughed with the most c*n tuglous littlo rlpplo you over hcnnl. She seemed not to grieve over her defeat, but dimpled us though It were a huge joke, the thought of which rather pleased her than otherwise. Victory hud grown Btnlo for her, although so young. "What do I thiuk of my now friend?" I repented after her, and that gave mo a theme upon which I could enlarge eloquently. I told her of hie learning, notwithstanding the fact that ho. had been in the conttnontul wnre ever sluco he was a boy. I repeated to her atorles of hl? daring and bravery that bad been told to me by his uncle, the mas tor of the horse, and others, and then I added what I know Lady Jano had already sold. I had expected to bo brief, but to my surprlso found a close, and interested listener, even to the' twleo told parts, and drew my " story out n little, to the liking of us both. "Tour frier.? has an earnest advocate In you, Sir IMwIn," said tho princess. "That ho has," I replied. "Thero Is nothing too good to say of him." I knew that Mary, with her better, clearer brain, held tho king almost in the palm of her hand, so I thought to advance Brnudon's fortune by a timely .word. "I trust the king will seo fit to favor him, and I hopo that you will speak a wo. d In his behalf should the opportu nity occur." "What, In the namo of heaven, have we to give hlni?" cried Mary Impa tiently, for sho kept an eye on things political, oven If sho wero only a girl, j "Tho king has given a way everything that can bo given already, and now that tho wor Is over and men are com ing homo thero are hundreds waiting for more. My father's great treasure Is squandered, to Hay nothing of the mon ey collected from Empson, Dudley and the other commissioners. There Is not h- j lug to give unless it be tho titles and est me of tho lato Duko of Suffolk. Perhaps tho king will give these to your paragon if you will paint him in as fair a light as you bavo drawn him for mo." Then, throwing back nor head, with a laugh, "Ask him." "It would be none too much for his deserts," I replied, falling In with her humor. "Wo will so arrange it, then," went on Mary bnntermgly. "Captain Bran don no longer, but Charles Brandon, duke of Suffolk. How sounds it, Mas ter Coskoden?" "Sweet in my ears," I replied. "I really believe you would havo the king's crown for him, you absurd man, if you could get It. We must havo so interesting a person at court. I shall at least sco that he is presented to tho queen nt once. I wonder if he dances. I suppose not. He has probably been too busy cutting and thrusting." And she laughed again at her own pleas antry. When the mirth began to gather In bor face and the dimples came respon sive to her sudles, when sho threw back her perfectly poised head, strotch lng her soft, white throat, so full and round and beautiful, half closing her big brown eyes till they shono again from beneath the shndc of those long, black, sweeping lashes; when her red Hps parted, showing her tooth of pearl, and she gnvo the little clap of her hands, a sort of climax to the soft, low, rippling laugh, she made a picture of such exquisite loveliness that it is no wonder men wero fools about her and caught love as ono catches a contagion. I had it once, ns you already know, and had recovered. All that prevented a dully relapse was my fair, weet anti dote, Jane, whose image rested In my heart, a lasting safeguard. "I wonder if your prodigy plays cards--that Is, such ns wo ladies play?" asked Mary. "You say he has lived much In France, where the game wus Invented, but I have no doubt he would scorn to waste his time at so frivolous a pursuit when he might bo slaughtering armies single handed and alone." "I do not know ns to his dancing and card playing, but I dare venture a wager he does both," I replied, not liking her tone of sarcasm. Sho had yet to learn who Brandon was. "I will hazard ten crowns," said Mary quickly, for she loved a wager and was a born gambler. "Taken," satd I. "We will try him on both tomorrow night in my drawing room," she con tinued. "You bring him up, but tell no one. I will have Jane there with her lute, .which will not frighten you nwny I know, and we will try his step. I will have cards, too, und we shall see what ho can do nt triumph. Just wo four, no ono else at all. You and Jane, the new Duke of Suffolk and I. Oh, I can hardly wnltl" And she fairly danced with joyous anticipation. The thing had enough irregularity to give it zest, for while Mary often had a few young people In her drawing r'Hjm, the companies were never so small as two couples only, and the king and queen, to make up for greater faults, were wonderfnl sticklers in the matter of little proprieties. The ten crown wager, too, gave spice to It, but to do her justice she cared very little for that. Tho princess loved gambling purely for gambling sake, and with her tho next best thing to winning wns losing. When I went to my room that night, I awakened Brandon and told him of the distinguished honor that awaited him. "Well, I'll bo"? But be did not say whot he would "bo." Ho always halt ed before an oath, unless nngty, which was seldom, but then beware. He had learned to swear in Flanders. "How she did fly nt mo tho other morning! I never was moro surprised In nil my life. For once I was almost caught with my guard down and did not know how to parry the thrust. I* mumbled over somS sort of a lanio retaliation and beat a retreat. It was so unjust and uncalled for that It made me angry. But sho was so gra cious in her amends that I was almost glad it happened. I like a woman who can be as savago as the very devil when It pleases her. Sho usually has in store au assortment of possibili ties for tho other extreme." "She told mo of your oncounter," I returned, "but said sho had como off second best, and seemed to think her overthrow a huge joko.': "The man who Ienrns to know what n woman thinks and feels will havo a great deal of Valuable information," he replied, nnd then turned over for sleep, greatly pleased, that ono woman thought ns sho du? 1 was not sure ho would be bo highly flattered If he knew that ho had been invited to settle a wager and to help Mary to a little sport As to tho former, I had an interest thoro myself, although I dared not Sec tio tho question by asking Brandon If he played cards and danced, and, as to the matter of Mary's sport, I felt there was but little If any danger of her having too much of It at his expense, Brandon being well able to care for himself In that respect. Tho next ovenlng at the appointed time we wended our way by an unfre quented routo and presented ourselves as secretly as possible at the drawing room of tho princess. Tho door was opened by Lady Jane, and we met the two girls almost at the threshold. I had told Brandon of the bantering conversation about tho title and estutes of tho lato Duko of Suffolk, aud ho bad laughed over It In tho best of humor. If quick to retallato for nn intentional offense, ho was not thin skinned at n pleco of pleasantry, nnd hud none of that stiff, sensitive dignity so troublesomo to onosclf and frlonds. Now, Jnno and Mary were always bantering mo because I was short and Inclined to be, in fact, round, but I did not care. It mado them laugh, and their laughing was so contagious It made me laugh, too, aud wo all en joyed lt. I would give a pound sterliug any time for u good laugh, and that, I think, is why I have always boon round. So, upon entering, I said: "Ills graco tho Duko of Suffolk, la dles." They e oh mndo a sweeping courte sy, with ..and on breast, and gravely saluted him: "Your graco, good oven." Brandon's bow -is as deep and graceful, If thai ero possible, ns theirs, aud when he moved on into the room it was with a little halt in his step and n big blowing out of tho cheeks lu ludicrous imitation of his lato lamented predecessor that sent the girls iuto peals of soft laughter and put us nil at our easo Immediately. Ah, what a thing it Is to look back upon?that time of life when one finds his heaven in a ready laugh I "Bo soated, nil," said the princess. "This is to be without ceremony and only wo four. No one knows a word of it Did you toll any one, Sir EdwinV* "Perish tho thought!" 1 exclaimed. She turned her face townrd Brandon. "But I know you did not I'vo heard how discreet you wero about another matter. Well, no ono knows it, then, and wo can have a famous evening. You did not oxpect this, Master Bran don, after my reception of you tho oth er morning? Wero you not surprised when Sir Edwin told you?" "I think I can safely say that I was prepared not to bo surprised at any thing your highness might graciously conclude to do?nftor my first experi ence," ho answered, smiling. "Indeed?" returned Mary, with ele vated eyebrows aM a rising inflection on the last sylla. > of the word. It was now her turn tor a little surprise. "Well, we'll try to And somo way to surprise you one of these days." And tho time came when she was full of surprises for him. Mary continued: ?'Hut lot us not talk nbout tho other day. Of what use are 'other days,' any way? Uefore tho ovenlng Is over, Mas ter Brandon, wo want you to give us another sermon." And she laughed, set ting off three other laughs ns hearty and sincere as If she had uttered the rarest witticism ou earth. Tho princess had told Jane und Jane had told mo of tho "Sermon In tho Park," as Mary called it ".lane needs it as much ns I," said the princess. "I pnn't believe that," responded Brandon, looking at Jane with n sof tening glance quite too admiring nnd commendatory to suit mo, for I was a I jealous little devil. The eyebrows wo.it up again. "Oi you think she doesn't? Well, in truth, Mnater Brandon, thcro is ono falling that cannot bo laid at your door ?you are no flatterer." For answer Brandon laughed, aud that gavo us tho cue, and away wo went in n rippling chorus, all about nothing. Somo per sons may call our laughter foolish, but there oro others who consider it tho height of all wisdom. St George! I'd give my Garter for just ono other laugh like that, lor Just ono oiher hour of youth's dancing blood nnd glowing soul warmth, of sweet, unconscious, happy heart beat and paradise creating Joy in everything! After a few minutes of gay conversa tion, in which we nil Joined, Mary ask ed: "What shall we do? Will ono of you suggest something?" Jane sat there looking so demuro you would have thought mischief could not live within a league of her, but those very demure girls are nearly always dangerous. She said, oh, so innocently; "Would you like to dance? If so, I will play." And she reached for her luto, which was by her side. "Yes, that, will bo delightful. Mas ter Brandon, will you dnnco with me?" asked the princess, with a saucy little laugh, her invitutiou meaning so much more to three of us than to Brandon. Jnno nnd I Joined In the laugh, nnd when Mary clnpped her hands that set HmiKlon off, too, for ho thought It the quaintest, prettiest little gesture In the world nnd wns all unconscious that our inugh wns at his expense. Brandon did not answer Mary's Invi tation?tho flt of laughter had probably put It out of his mind?so she, evidently anxious to win or lose her wager at once, again asked him If he danced. "Oh, pardon met Of course! Thank you!" And he was on his foot beside her chair in an instant ready for the dance. This time tho girl's laugh, though equally merry, had another tone, for sho know sho had lost. Out they stepped upon the polished floor, ho holding her hand in his, await lug the pnuso in the music to te.ke the step. I shall never forget tho sight of those two standing there together? Mary, dark eyed and glowing; Brandon, nlmost rosy, with eyes that hold the color of a dark spring sky and a wealth Of flowing curls crowning his six feet of perfect manhood, strong and vigor ous ns a young lion. Mary, full of beauty curves and graces, a veritable Venus In her teens, and Brandon, an Apollo, with a touch of Hercules, were a complement each to tho other that would surely mnko a perfect one. When tho music started, off they wont, heel nnd toe, bow and courtesy, a step forward nnd a step bnck, in per fect tlmo and rhythm?a poem of hu man motion. Could Brandon dance? The princess had her answer In the first ten steps. Nothing could be more graceful than Brandon's dancing un less It wero Mary's. Hor slightest movement wns graco Itself. When she would throw herself backward in thrusting out her too nnd then swing forward with her head a llttlo to one side, her uplifted arm undulating like the whlto neck of a swan?for her slcevo, which was silt to the shoulder, fell back nnd left It bare?she was a eight worth a long iourncy to see. And when sho looked up to Brandon with a laugh in her brown eyes nnd a curving smile just parting her full, red Hps that a man would give his vary fcoek to ?but 1 had bettor stop. "Was thero ever a goodlier couple?" I asked Jane, by whoso side I sat. "Never," she responded as she played, and, strange to say, I was jealous be cause sho agreed with me. I was jeal ous because I (eared It was Brandon's beauty to which she referred. That I thought would naturally appeal to her. Had lio bceu less handsome I should perhaps have thought nothing of It, but I knew what iny feelings wore to ward Mary, and I judged, or rather misjudged, Jauo by myself. I sup posed she would think of Brandou as I could not help tblnklug of Mary. Was anything In heavou or earth ever so boautlful as that royal creature dancing there, dnlutlly holding up her skirts with thumb and flrst finger, just far enough to show a distracting little foot and unkle and make one wish ho hnd been boru a sheep rather than n sentlont r.?nn who hnd to live without Mary Tudor? Yet, strange as It may seem, I Avas roally and wholly in love with Jane. In fact, I loved no ono but Jane, and my fueling of intenso admi ration for Mary was but a part of man's composito Inconstancy. A wotnau?Qod bless her!?If she real ly loves a man, has no thought of any other?one nt a time Is all sufllclont? but n man may lovo one woman with the warmth of a simoom and at the samo timo fcol llko n good, boalthy south wind toward a dozen others. That is the difference between a man and a woman?tho difference botween tho good and the bad. One average woman has enough goodness In her to supply an army of mon. Mary aud Brandon .went on dancing long after Jane was tired of playing. It was plain to sco that tho girl was thoroughly enjoying it. They kept up n running flro of small talk aud laugh ed and smiled and bowed and courte sled, all in perfect tlmo and grace. It Is moro difficult thnu you may think, if you have never tried, to keep up a conversation and dance La Qal llard a tho same tlmo?one Is apt to balk the other. But Brandon's dancing was as cusy to him as walking, and, al though so small a mutter, I could see it raised him vastly iu the estimation of both girls. "Do you piny triumph?" I hearik Ma ry ask in tho midst of tho dancing. "Oh, yos," roplicd Brandon, much to my delight, as tho princess threw a mischievous, knowing glance over her shoulder to sco if I hnd heard. She at once saw I had, and this, of course, settled tho wngor. "And," continued Bi.ndon, "I also play the now game, honor and ruff, which Is moro Interesting than tri umph." "Oh, do you?" cried Mary. "That will moro thau compensate for the loss of my 10 crowns. Let us sit down at once. I have been wishing to learn, but no one hero seems to know it. In France, they aay, It Is the only gamo. I suppose there Is where you leurned It. Perhaps you know their now dances too. I havo heard they aro delightful." "Yes, I kuow them," replied Brandon. "Why, you aro a perfect treasure! Teach me nt once! How, now, master of the dance? Hero is your friend out doing you in your own line." "I nn> glad to hear It," I returned. "If Lady Jane will kindly play some lively air written In tho time of 'The Sailor Lass,' I will teach the Lady Ma ry the new dance," said Brandon. Jnnc throw ono plump little knee over the other and struck up "The Sailor Lass." After sho had adjusted the ploying to Brandon's suggestion ho stepped deliberately in front of Mary and, taking her right hand in his loft, encircled her waist with his right arm. Tho girl was startled at first and drew away. This nettled Brandon a little, and he showed it plainly. "I thought you wished mo to teach you the new dance," he .snld. "I do, but?but I did not kuow it was danced thnt way," she replied, with a fluttering little laugh, looking up Into his face with a half shy, half apologet ic manner and then dropping her lashes before his gaze. "Oh, well!" said Brandon, with a Frenchman's shrug* of tho shoulders, and then moved off as If about to leave tho floor. "But Is that really tho way you ? thoy daneo It?with your?their arm around my?a lady's waist?" "I should not have dared venture up on such a familiarity otherwise," an swered Brandon, with n glimmer of a smile playing around his lips and hid ing In his eyes. Mnry saw this shadowy smllo and said: "Oh, I fear your modesty will cause j'ou hurt. I am beginning to be lieve you would dnrc do anything you wish. 1 more than half suspect you ore a very bold man, notwithstanding your smooth, modest mnnncr." "You dp me foul wrong, I nssuro you. I am the soul of modesty, and grieve thnt you should think mo bold," snld Brandon, with a broadening smile. Mory interrupted him. "Now, I do believe you aro laughing nt me?nt my prudery, I suppose you think It." Mary would rather havo been called a fool (Inmi u prude, aud I think sho was right. Prudery Is no more n sign of virtue than a wig is of hair. It is usually put on to hide a bald place. Tho princess stood Irresoluto for n moment iu evident hesitation and an noyance. "You are grieving becauso I think you bold. And yet you stand there laughing at me to ray face. I thluk so moro than ever now. I know it. Oh, you make mo augryl Don't! I do not llko persons who nngcr me and then laugh nt me." This turned Brandon'; smile into a laugh, which he could not hold back. Mary's eyes shot fire, and she stamp ed her foot, exclaiming: "Sir, this goes beyond all bounds! I will not tolerate your boldness another moment." I thought she was going to dismiss him, but she did not. The tlmo had come when he or she must be the master. It was a battlo royal between the forces on the floor, and I enjoyed It and felt that Brandon would come out all right. He said good bumoredly: "Whatl Shall you have all the laugh in your sleeve at it y expense? Do- you **p*et to bring me liero to win n "wager-for you made on tho assumption of my stupidity and lock of social accom plishments aud then complain when It comes my turn to laugh? 1 think I am the one who should be offended, but you sec I atu not." "Caskoden, did you tell him?" de manded Mary, evidently referring to the wager. "lie said not a word of it," broke in Brandon, answering for me. "I should have been a dullard indeed not to have seen it myself after what you said about the loi?s of your 10 crowns. So let us cry quits and begin again." i Mary reluctantly struck her tlag. "Very well, I am willing," she said laughingly; "but, as to your boldness, I still insist upon that. I forgive you, however, this time." Then, half apolo getically, "After all, it is not such a grievous charge to make. I believe it never yet Injured any man with wom en. They rather like it, 1 am afraid, however angry it makes them. Don't they. JaneV Jane, of course, did not know, so we all laughed, ns usual, upon tho slightest pretext, and Mary, that fair bundle of contradictions aud quick transitions, stepped boldly up to Bran don, with her colors Hying In her cheeks, ready for the lirst lesson in the uew dance. Sho was a little frightened at his arm around her waist, for tho embrace was new to her-tho llrst touch of man?and was shy nnd coy, though willing, being determined to learn the dance. Sho was an npt pupil nnd soon glided soft ly and graciously around the room with Unfeigned delight, yielding to the new sltuntlon more easily ns sho became accustomed to it. This dance was livelier exercise than La Qalliard, and Mary could not talk much for Inek of breath. Brandon kept the conversation going, though, and sho answered with glnnces, smiles, nods and monosyllables, a very good vocab ulary in Its way, nnd n very good way, too, for that matter. Once he huId something to her In n low voice, which brought a Hush to her cheeks and caused her to glance quick ly up Into Ids face. By the time her answer came they were nearer us, and I heard her s:iy: "1 am afraid I shall have to forgive you again If yon are not careful. Let nie see an exhibition of that modesty you so much boast." But a smile and a Hash of the eyes went with the words and took all the sting out of thom. After a time the dancers stopped, and Mary, with flushed face and sparkling eyes, sank Into a chair, exclaiming: "The new dance Is delightful, Jane. It is like Hying, your partner helps you so. But what would the king say- and the queen? She would simply swoon with horror. It Is delightful, though." Then, with more confusion in her manner than I had ever before seen, "That is, it Is delightful If ono chooses her part ner." This only made matters worso and gave Brandon nit opportunity. "Dare I hope?" ho asked, with a def erential bow. "Oh, yes; you may hope. I tell you frankly it was delightful with you. Now, aro you satisfied, my modest ono? Jane, I see we have n forward body here. No telling what ho will be at next," snld Mary, with evident impa tience, rapidly SWOflng her fan. She B^Thcrc is no beverage more healthful than^fl the right kind of beer. Barley malt and hops ^BBP' ?M ?a food and a tonic. Only 3*/ per cent ^ m of alcohol?just enough to aid digestion. m m But get the right beer, for some beer is not healthful. V-.\ M Schlitz is the pure beer, the clean beer, the filtered and I, A m sterilized beer. No bacilli in it?nothing but health. B B And Schlitz is the aged beer that never causes biliousness. \ \ EE Call for the Brewery Bottling. B M TA? Bmmr that madm Mllwaukea famous. jdWfcw fjl Bj?.) mBL ? BT, JD' the State, in quart and pint ^Bsaav ^^fl spoke almost shnrply, for Brandon's attitude wns more that of nu equal than she was accustomed*to, aud her royal dignity, which was the artificial part of her, rebelled against It v and then in spite of her real InclluiUlons. The habit of receiving only adulation and living on a pinnacle above every body else was so strong from continued practice that it appealed to her as a duty to maintain that elevation. She had never beforo been called upon to exert herself in that direction, and the situation was new. The servile ones with whom she usually associated maintained It for her; so she now felt, whenever she thought of It, that sho was In duty hound to clamber back, at least part of the way, to her dignity, however pleasant It was personally down below In the denser ntmosphero of informality. [TO BK CONTIRUTO.l J MONEY TO LEND Land and Houses. Piedmont Sayings and Investment Company, OF GREENVILLE, S. C. Represented in Lauren! by W. W. BALL aud M. L. COPELAND. A NEW LAW FIRM. The undersigned have this day. en tered into a partnership for the practice of law in the Courts of this State, under the name of Simpson & Cooper and will promptly attend to all business, en trusted to them. H. Y.Simpson, R. A. Goopeh. J. N. LEAK, Auctioneer, Otters his services to the peo ple of Laurens County. Address : Gray Court, S. C. "?rTwTl!. DI VI,. :<o. no w. Main St. Special Attention 01 von Women and Children, Office hours in the city from 10 a. in. to 4 p. m. 'Phono?Residence No. 44 Onico No. 89. THE KYLE hay Press Farmers tako bare of what yon make. There is as much in i nviug as there is in making, and if you halo your hay, fodde r, oats, shucks etc., at tho propt r timo you not only save room an i time, but you save 33 per cent of tho nutri cious matter that evaporates when it is not baled. The Kyle Hay Press fills a lonsr felt want with farmers. It is tho best yet made. Tho opinion seems to be unanimous th at the KYLE HAY PRESS is unexcelled by auy press on tho market. It id going to the front, already a great number "f them have been sold, you only need I > try it to bo pleased. It is easy opt r ated by 2 moo and 1 horse. It is cheap, durable, simple iu construction ami easily mounted, it is the only press that can be mado or repaired on tho. farm, it has no casting to break and cause long delay,. Xo other press has this advantago lb is tlie only press that the farmer can afford to buy, it pays for Itso f out of tho first crop. Every farmer can own his own press, aud bale his hav :it tho pr< per time. A. L 11 LOG ENS, Laurens, S. C. F LO RO DO R A or hybrid COTTO N PRIZES ALMOST DOUBLED. Sl.OOO IN CASH TO BE AWARD BID Seed Now Within Reach of Every Farmer.==Order To=day. Don't miss-this opportunity! Fortune (opportunity) is wondrous shy?it comes not often. As you read this, however, it approaches. Seize it! Welcome it! It's name is "FLORODORA.9 9 A Hybrid or Extra Staple Cotton, worth 12 to 14 cents per pound. "Florodora" is a cross between an extra staple cotton and an ordinary prolifio variety, in wlii<:li productively ss and characteristic to 2i inch staple are fixed, no deterioration having occurred, though years have elapsed ..inco its introduction. In other words, it will not run out. On February 13, 1003. W. S. Wheeler, of Mayesville, S. C, reports: "Just sold two biles of your 'Flovodora' cot ton, the last of my crop, at 13} cents por pound, grown from seed bought of you last; year " P. II. Allen, of Somloolo, S. C., has just sold at 131 cents. I. B. Fonville, of Goldesboro, N. O., made considerably over a bale per acre, though dry we.ithci* prevented >rc: mination till late, stand being poor, while later, excessive rains destroyed by rot a laive par cent of the lower bills. George W. Kelley, of Swalosboro, Ga., though using only 200 pounds of fertilizers per aero oa ordinary soils hav ing secured not over two-thirds of a stand, produced a heavy bale per acre, selling the lot In Swalusboro at Iii oonts per pound. W. H. Kerr, a reliable cotton buyer of same address, corroborates Kelly T. O. Sanders, Jr., of Haygood, S. G., reports most flattering results. J. Hurt Jonos, a cotton expert of Herndon, Ga., says my cotton is all I claim for it. It is worth 12 to 11 cents par Sound and any man with half sense can makn as much of It on an acre of land as he can of any other kind of ootton, icely prepared cotton, free from trash, should bring not less than 15 cents per pound. T. P. Hunnicutt, manager of The Southern Cultivator, has seen reports from farmers of very satisfactory yields and 13 to 14 cents per pound, and pronounces the seed cotton sample sent him by me the finest ho has ever seen grown on upland. This cotton differs In no ospentlal from an ordinary prolific variety save in extra length of staple, being adapted to every cotton area, most flattening reports soming from upper and lower sections of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Areas north of Chatanooga, Tenn , being adapted to it. Lint covers the seed as In ordi nary cotton, common saw gins for short staple bsing used successfully for ginning it. I gin this cotton on any ordinary CO-saw t-in. Suoh gins have a capacity of about ten bales per day of short staple, but In dellnting my extra staple I speed to not over tlve bales por day in order not to Injure staple by cutting it. Do likewise.. Cotton of early maturity?plant any time in April or May?paying crops being common after oats in June. It is not only very proliilc, but of early maturity, paying crops being commonly planted after oats ill June. Why do I plant this cotton to the exclusion of all other varieties, though farming in the heart of the short Staple bolt? I novor made moro with any other variety, whiio owing to extra length of staple an independent markot Is open to It, it being used extensively in tho manufacture of fine yarns, commanding never loss than 12 to 10 cents per pound, when o irofully gathered. Why are you planting common cotton? You have fallen in a rut and cannot soo beyond its edgos: then tho New York and Liverpool speculators?the makers of prices, they who live by raising or lowering it at will?tell you ootton is scarce, acreage reduced, less fertilizer bought, cotton will bring 10 conts next fall. What are tho facts? Don't be lieve me; read your paper. More cotton In sight than tho same time last year; sales of commercial fortill'/ers surpass those of any other period in the history of tho world; never before such active preparations for an increased acreage Look out for 5 centi cotton! Did you evor got that price whan everything pointed to 10 cents? No, you got 3i cents, and bo did I, and I bestirred myself then for a substitute and found It in "Florodora." For most heavily fruited stalk, $100; second has*, stalk, $75: third best, $20; fourth best, $5. For best one-pound sample of "Florodoia" lint, $50; second best sample of lint, $25; third bost, $20; fourth, $5. As it is the opinion that the productive capacity of this cotton is almost limitless, throe to five bales par acra bel?g possible, following an intensive system of farming, an additional prize of $400 In cash will be given for the groatost yield of seed cotton on one acre to be determined as follows: An acre planted 4 feet by 2 feet will give, say 5512 stalks per acre. Every contestant for tho prize must ship me five unpickod stalks. Assuming that 100 bolls will give one pound of seed ootton and that average of five stalks represents the yield of the 5512 stalks on an acre, the to&al production par aero may thus be approximated, not accurately, but in perfect f drncss to contestants. Every oontesUut must buy at least one bushal of seed and will ba permitted to enter for overy pri/.o. Unpicked stalks only will be aooepted, as picked cannot be distinguished from an ordinary proliilc variety, Djtaohetl bolls will not be counted. Five stalks in one package well wrapped and tagged for the $100 oont-ast tor largest yield par ftoro. Four stalks In one package with four samples of lint well packed and tagged for entry to the $000 contest. All stalks must be shipped, prepaid by express or freight to arrive at Allendalo, S. C , not later than December 1, 10.13. If this cotton Is what I olalm for It, it behooves every farmer In the cotton bolt to prove it by correspondence; if it is not, it is equally imperative to disprove and brand it as a fraud. Many contestants are suspicious; tho' remitting for the contest, a vein of uooaslue9s is evident in their letters; therefore in order to guarantee to every one perfect fairness, I shall allow free transportation with accommodation af ter arrival to their representatives from Atlanta, Ga., to Allendale, S. C, constituting a committee upon which will devolve the responsibility for an honest awarding of prizss. ?One bushel of this cotton carefully planted should cover four acres, which treated intensively should yield u pos sible 8-balo oiop, returning in seed a sufficiency to plant any one farmer's cut ire. crop for another year. Southern Cultivator of Atlanta, Ga., 1 asoonsented to hold priza money and name ooinmittoo to decide con lost. PRICE OF SEED. l-Bushel Lots, f. o. b. Aiiendale, S. $2.00 per bu. 50 bu. lots, f. o. b. Allendale, S. 0., $1.50 per bu. Cash must accompany all orders. Remittance to be made by registered money letter, postolllce money ofder expreeg order money or cortlfled check. L. A. STONEY, Allendale, S. C. REFERENCES. G. Walter Molver, manager Fert llzer Company, Charleston, S. O.; J. E. Foster, salesman fertilizer Oo nnanv Charleston, H. C.;L. W. Masked, vioe president Southern Oil Company, 11 Broadway, Now York; (J Fit/.si m.is general manager Southern Oil Company, Columbia, 8. C; J. L. Oswald, merchant, Allendalo, S. o ?'E 0 Oswald' hotel proprietor, Allendale, S. C'; O. B. Farmer, banker, Allendale, S. G.; O. F. Calhouu, prosldent Bank of Du nwell' S. O.; C. D. Jordan,assistant manager Oil Company, Savannah, Ga.; T. P. Hunnicutt, manager Southern Cultivator Atlanta, Ga. To Cure a Cold in One Day Take Laxative Bromo Quinine Tablets. /* Ssvan MHHon boie* sold in pant 12 months. ThlS Signatur?, S/^jCpr Cures Crip in Two Days. on every box. 25c.