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OHAPTER VII—Continued. “Constancy has no pan in me. cnange is my sine qna non, no matter if it be change for the worse. It’s the same in my relations with people—women in cluded. If Venus herself were to offer herself to me on the one condition that rd remain true to her—well, I might promise, but I should break mj promise before the honeymoon was orer. That's the way Pm made. Other people are reg ular glue pots, and so the balance of na ture is preserved. If I were an astrolo- ; I should expect to find that I was g«, 1 born i under a shooting star or a comet Don’t you remember it was the same when we were children? You never had “Uy tost friend!" ht taid, with a laugh. but one pot that 1 know of, and that was a broken down cat with half its fnr and one eye gone. Yeu kept it alive for years by a miracle, and when it died you mourned for it and raised a gravestone over it and would not be comforted, whereas I had a score of pets each month, and as soon as they got to know me and. like me I wanted to get rid of them— dogs, rabbits, cats, squirrels or whatever else they were. “No, I shall never be at rest, either in body or in mind, although I am the most indolent of mankind, and when I look forward to the life beyond the grave my only fear is that some mistaken purpose to insure my happiness should render me miserable to all eternity, for if I were endowed with the fairest estate, and the most charming family, and neighbors in heaven, and obliged to remain there and keep up appearances, it would be hell to me, whereas my heaven would consist in being forever on the go, never pausing throughout the immensities of the uni verse and indifferent whether the places I visited were the abodes of the blessed or of the damned!’’ “Aren’t you afraid this will get you into a bad scrape some day?'' He laughed. “A gypsy once told me that I bore a charmed life,” he said. “No one that I have injured can ever harm me. It has turned out a tme prophecy so far, and if I keep on as I have begun I shall by and by get the whole human race on the innocuous side, and then 1 shall be all right!" No doubt I have changed as well as Henry. What is certain is that the re sult of our changes on either side has been to draw us further and further apart from each other. He has followed the bent of his nature, 1 of mine, and that which once was sympathetic now seems almost hostile. One reason it that formerly I could hope that my brother’s faults would diminish and his virtues increase, but now there is no room for such hope. I cannot but lament over him. Such men as he do more mischief in the world than deliberate criminals can do, for they have all the charm of goodness, and yet their works are evil. As regards the particular matter in hand, there was nothing in what he said to disprove his former knowledge of Sin- fire, and there were several things that tended to confirm it. Indeed, had he been aware >t my previous suspicions, he would hardly have ventured to com mit himself so far as he did. It is even possible, though I don’t believe it, that their meeting here is by appointment But the probability is that Henry is bad- ly perplexed if not dismayed by her presence here, and that he will make a determined effort either to induce her to howto use. For my part 1 shall oe- n d more on my key and bolt than on dly weapons, and besides, as I shall have to attend to the wounded, it would be foolish in me to take measures to in crease their number. I can draw no final conclusions from what goes on between Sinfire and Henry. She watches him constantly, though un obtrusively, but when he attempts to be attentive to her (as he often does) she draws back. This may be acting on the part of both of them. What they may do when they are alone together of course I don’t know, and I can observe them only occasionally. Henry sustains with success the role of a man who is anxious to mak himself agreeable to a pretty girl whom he sees for the first time. Sin- fire does not—perhaps does not care to— create exactly the same impression. In a score of ways—voluntary or involun tary, she indicates that her knowledge of him is of long standing. But she seems to be hesitating—to be in doubt. Possi bly she cannot make up her mind wheth er to declare open war or to try to bind him to her by a tie that cannot be broken It is a pathetic, almost a tragic situation, and it interests and excites me more than 1 should have expected. Whichever horn of the dilemma the girl decides upon mis chief will come of it, but I am inclined to think that war is her safer course. If she trusts herself to Henry again, she is ruined beyond redemption. On the other hand, putting myself in Henry’s place, I don’t understand why he does not carry the war into the ene my’s country and denounce Sinfire as an impostor. It is a bad sign in him that he does not do so. The debt he owes her must be something more than ordinary if he shrinks from repudiating it. Un less she bo married to him (which is out of the question, or she would have come to us as his wife), she can have no legal hold upon him, except upon the hypo thesis, which I do not like even to men tion, that sh( has cognizance of some crime that he has committed against the law. Hateful though this idea is, it must be confessed that it would elucidate much of the mystery. One strange feature in Sinfire’s con duct I have not mentioned—it is her at titude toward me. Although since Hen ry’s arrival she has carefully avoided be ing alone with me, there is something in her manner that makes me feel as if our spiritual intimacy, so to speak, had deep ened immensely since our interview in the laboratory. Her eyes have occasion ally met mine with an expression I can not describe, but it makes something burn within me. What does she mean? Is it an appeal, a silent cry for help, or is it that and something more? And, again, when she puts her hand in mine to say good night there is an emanation from her presence, from her eyes, her lips, her bosom. It touches me like an embrace, but it penetrates further than any embrace can reach. I cannot an alyze this emotion. 1 have no wish to question its origin or issue. For me it Is a thing out of all relation to other things Especially at this time must 1 beware of allowing it to mingle with baser considerations. But, if 1 be not misled, if she and I in this separate sphere understand each other, then our time will come! If Henry had tost his temper, or if I had not been present, it would doubt less have been a great deal worse, it was painful enough as it was. John, as usual, now that his explosion is over, seems to feel no further animosity. Such is his fortunate temperament, but if be had happened to kill his brother while the fit was on him what then? Well, he is like a child and evidently thinks that to shake hands and say “I’m sorry” is ample atonement for having charged a man with all the crimes in the calendar or attempted to murder him. Henry for his part, appears to bear no malice, so nothing further seems likely to come of it. Henry had jnst knocked at my library door, and having entered was on the point of taking a chair when John bounced in. I wish, by the way, Henry bad had time to open the topic he came to discuss, if there were any topic in par depart or to escape himself. She may ticular. As soon as l saw John I knew “ r . . mm • 1. _ 4. —... ♦ 14 TTTcl a /lev have some hold upon him. For the fu ture I ■ball not encourage confidences from him, because if he were to tell me the story and ask me to assist him against Sinfire I should be obliged to refuse. Something decisive must happen be fore long. CHAPTER VHI. John, Lord Cedarcliffe, in his capacity as squire of this neighborhood, has been obliged to give a good deal of attention to the gang of burglars which has of late been infesting the region, but so far the “authorities’’ have been successful only in securing evidence of past depreda tions. News has just arrived that last night thev got into General Furnace’s plaoe, which is only two miles from ours, and carried off all poor Mrs. Furnace’s jewelry. This is too bad in itself, and it also raises the interesting question whether we may not be the next object* of attack. They were very quiet and skillful and also very leisurely and au dacious, for they made a most careful and fastidious selection from the booty at their disposal and took nothing that would not be readily and immediately available. As a law abiding and respectable citl- zen, such outrages as this have my est reprobation, but gs a human bein; with a good slice of the old Adam in me, I confess to a good deal of secret amuse ment and admiration, the fellows take such enormous risks and do their work so cleverly. Of course if 1 caught one of them carrying Saprani, for example, I should— However, Saprani is not a diamond necklace and could probably take her own part John takes a thor oughly serious view of the matter, and he and Henry (who is always ready for an adventure of any kind) are busy de vising a scheme for bagging the light fingered gentry in case they honor with a call Mother is much comforted by the presence of a large empty revolv er on bar mantelpiece, and Sinfire goes about with a derringer in pocket, to not enotraa&sttolulie known what was coming, but Henry was de lightfully unconscious, “Jack, you ara more like a horse than a man," he remarked. “When I hear your step, I always forget yen are not a quadruped until my eyes have corrected my ears!" “You are a thief and a scoundrel!’ said John, trying to command his voice and to appear cold and stem. "That is bad change for so noble an animal as the horse," returned Henry lifting his eyebrows. “But I withdraw the expression. It is a sufficient excuse and explanation of your proceedings that yon are John Main waring of Cedarcliffe E»u-” laugueu. “i oc^m to understand,- said he. “But you're mistaken in onrf thing. Jack, if alio hadn’t berm there, yon wouldn’t have knocked me down.” "Why not?" demanded John, with a threatening gesture. “Because," ffcplied Henrv, looking him quietly in the eyee, “if she hadn’t been been there, yon would have seen no cause to be jealous.” It took John several seconds to take in the subtility of this argument, but when he understood it he set his teeth and made a spring at Henry, who did not move a muscle. But I was on the watch and got between them and restrained John long enongh for his paroxysm of passion to subside. Indeed a struggle would probably have ended in his get ting another stroke of the heart, which very likely would have been fatal When I had indneed him to sit down, I said to Henry, who was compoeedly smoking a cigar, “If you have anything to say, I wish yon’d say it.” “Why, Jack,” he said at once, with perfect geniality, "I wouldn’t have an noyed yon for the world. I had no idea that you were seriously interested in our cousin. If yon are, I shall be the first to wish yon both happiness. I took a cousinly privilege with Sinfire in the wood today”—John winced—“but there are men and men, you know. One has his way, and another has his. A kiss with me means friendly good will, and that is all I’m sore she considered it nothing more, but if yon like I will ask her pardon for it in your presence.” If poor stupid John had known what I know, he might not have taken this apolo gy in such good part as he did. But by this time he had canght his breath, and the congestion of blood on his brain had subsided. After some consideration he said, with really touching simplicity, that he would probably have been less angry if he had had better hope of gut ting Sinfire to listen to his proposals, but that he had about made up his mind that she would never care far him, and when in the midst of his bitter disap pointment he had seen Henry taking a liberty which he had never dared to taks rags got the better of him. “I asked you the other day, Frank,” he added, turning to me, “to find out for me what she felt, but as yon never said anything to me about it I supposed it was because there wasn't anything good to say. I’m sorry I acted like a brute, Harry,” he concluded, stretching out hia hand, “and I hope yon’ll forgot it and forgive me.” This finished the episode to all ap- r ranees, and the two brothers present- went off together amicably to the •tables, to smoke a pipe with Tom, the groom. There are men and men indeed! Neither of these men is like me. What waa the meaning of that kiss in the wood? This waa in the afternoon. At 7 o'clock 1 went in to dinner. I waa a few min utes late (under mother's beneficent honsehold dispensation punctuality is one of our conspicuous virtues as a fam ily), but as I ascended tbe steps of the ve randa Sinfire came oat of the door as if she had been waiting there to meet me. She was all in white and pale, with her hair like a thick black shadow. Her eyes, dark sapphires, scrutinized mine search- ingly as I stood before her. With a sudden movement she caught both my hands in hers and gripped them hard. I could hear the white edges of her teeth grit together os she leaned toward me and whispered: “1 hate him!" '■Whom?" •Yon know! I wished to tell yon!" There was no time to ask or to make any further explanations. A few mo ments later we were at the table, looking pleasantly nnconscions of mysteries or evil omens. Bnt the more I meditate upon all this the more am I convinced that a crisis is not far off it is hard to be helpless at such a time. The things called crimes are not the real crimes in this world. Which is worse— to inflict death or to ruin and corrupt a life; to steal a parse or to destroy repn- taMon and purity? Mankind is the vic tim of phrases and superstitions. If 1 were a lawgiver, I would institute a truer and juster dispensation. Bnt I am not a lawgiver. I am a doctor without work; a man of science whom science knows not; a gentleman without for tune; a lover without a mistress. I am instinct with powers and capacities, yet i am barren and impotent. This is my darkest and most torpid hoar, yet it is the hour when 1 meet need light and activity. Ah, Sinfire, if 1 could be om- k-t on* moment for your sake! 1*0 BK conn NURD.] A Solid Oak Suit of Ten Pieces for $35.00! Biggest Value in theJjCountvy. - J OB’S TURKEY had to lean against the fence to gobble—You can gobble a groat bargain by $35, and lean upon our guarantee that you have gotten big value. We believe ' ylia' this suit of ten pieces for . . T _ in variety. New designs plettse better than old. strong Furniture is better than poorly made. The stylish and neat better than the common. For all good kinds come to us. We have it that is beautiful, durable, stylish, new and at prices that are extremely low. a&*P. S.—You will find me next to the Jail.” J.D. BAIRD. We are receiving daily our stock of Shoes for the Fall and Winter! [MEN’S, LADIES’, MISSES and CHILDREN’S] And beg an inspection of the same when in need of nice Footwear. Our stock is nought in large quantities direct from the very best manufacturers, which ensures new rush goods, and we propose to sell them at a very small margin. We call special attention to our $3.00 Shoe for Men, made by the ROCKLAND Company; genuine calf, Goodyear welt, all styles in congress and lace. Rubber Goods of every description, consisting of Mackintosh Garments for Ladies and Men, also a complete line of Rubber Shoes for Men, Boys, Ladies, Misses and Children. We sell the MARVELRUBBERi TRUNKS, VALISES, SATCHELS, UMBRELLAS AND SHOEFINDINGS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. NEWEST STYLE HATS. Sep 14—4m "WToods dte jX/Xilli nig-. Every Man A Capitalist You can become a capitalist at once by laying by a small part of your yearly income arfd invest ing it in a Tontine policy of the Equitable Life For $20 you can instantly se cure a capital of $i,ooo (or for $200 a capital of $io,ooo), thus acquiring an estate which you may leave to your heirs, or re tain as a fund for your own support in old age, if your life be prolonged. Such a step will prompt you to save, will strengthen your credit, will incre&e your con fidence, will preserve you from care and will give you lasting satisfaction. The Plan U Simple. The Security Abeolote. It is the perfect development of the hfe policy. To-day is the right time to get facts and figures. Address W. J. RODDEY, Manager, For the Carolina*. ROCK HILL. 3. C. Annual Meeting. T HE Annual Meeting of the Board of County Commiseioner* for The Darlington Shoe Store When all the World's on Wheels There ll be no sot row here below— For all the world’ll be happy, and there will be health and good digestion every where and the best part of the world will ride “You can’t vlau with mtT'te thnuUssl jonn waa too angry to De ante to tatn- om this bit of aarcaam, but “You can’t play with met” be ahouted. "Thia la my house, i don’t want you here! Do you think ru let you inault ladiee who are ray u rests? No, by U-l l s*w you in til' ood today I If she hadn’t been there. I’d have knocked you down on the apot, van—VQU Infernal rake!" At thb HOTtiostakgiJMa&Jtf Darlington county will be held on FridayT the 10th of November next. All persons holding bills, accounta or demands of any kind against the county which have not been present ed to the Board of Comity Commie- the same . . „ on or before the first day of Novem ber next. A-A. GANDY, OclO—8t Clerk of Board. For Columbias are sound, one-priced, beau- titul to look upon, of lasting durability. STEEL m. STEED l There’s more economy in steel than horse fl es h— n o oats, no stable, no stableman— the world’s a-wheeling—saving money, gaining healthfulness, enjoying the best of recreation. The Columbia Bicycle is made for those who appreciate standard quality backed by excellence. Folks who know bicycle buy Columbias. For descriptive circulars and terms, address J. D. BAIRD & CO., DARLINGTON, S. C. Agents for Darlington County. July 20—3m - IS NOW A complete line of every thing usual to a first-class Hardware Store. Also a full line of IpH tapliBtils, Eijfiam' Sippliss, Mitrp, Slow AUNT ID TIISTWARE, And will sell at the very lowest prices for cash. Tinning, Roofing & Plumbing Octe—tf Jh. S^EOX^XiTTr. Insure Your Property -WITH- IF 1 . E. Who represents the IMST m MICE CHS !I TQ W! Satisfaction Guaranteed. Represents Twelve First- class Companies. September 11,1890 A Profitable iDYestment. The following is self-explanatory: “On the 14th day of October, 1898, we insured our lives in the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company, of Newark, N. J„ for $15,000. When our second premiums fell dne, we re ceived over 2Bper cent, dividends on our money. We can safely say to all wanting Insurance that this is the safest and most profitable and liberal company in the United States. “8. Marco, “I. Lkwksthal.” Call on G. W. YOUNG, Agent, Dar lington, S. C. J W. WITCOYER Wishes to inform the pablio that he has opened in the ALEXMDER BUILDIHG next door to Sanders’ batcher shop, where he is prepared to pay the high est cash prices possible for all kinds of Country Prodace aod Fora of all kinds, such_as Otte'jS,„Mlnks, Beeswax and Wool. Highest prices paid for poultry, eggs, and an country OlS-to