The Darlington news. (Darlington, S.C.) 1875-1909, November 02, 1893, Image 3
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