The watchman and southron. (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, November 18, 1884, Image 1

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/Ul StJMT? WATCliStAN, Established April, 1850. "Be Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thon Aims't at, be thy Conntry's, thy God's and Troth's.' THE TRUE SOTJTBKOX, Established Jone, 1866. Consolidated Aug. 2, 1881.] SUMTER, S. C., TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1884. Xew Series-Yoi. IV. No. 16. A- :- . - ^ -BY THR p-Wkiehmsm- -itm& Southron Publishing Company, SUMTER, S. C. two Bollara per annum-in advance. . AM a a TITS HISTS. v O^Sojia?e^Srst iii$eTtioo.......~...~....$I 00 ^^^tfij-aabeeflnMt insertion....?....- 50 ?gP^t^tra^is for three months, or longer will ^^madeat reduced rates. ^^^j^c?lmnnicatio?s which subserve private ^^a^erests wittbe chargedJbr as advertisements. HHObituaries atfuY tributes of respect will be ??3^^^?age notices and notices of deaths pub ^^ Fer jnr> work or contracts for advertising 7:riiAm^Wm^ehmaua?4.Soulhroti, or apply at V: Syt??e, to N. G. OSTEEN, ^?;3S^-^: . Basiness Manager. J; . TRADE MARIf - RECAST CR ED. A KEW TREATMENT For Continuion, Asthma, Bronchitis, ?fkr*pcf*ia, Catarrh, Headache, JDebili fo, Ifteuntalism, Neuralgia, and all ^WXroiic and Nervous Disorders. - A CARD. having received great it benefit fro? the use of "COM-. OXYGEN," prepared and adminis fflgta?dby Des. STARKEY & PALEN, of Philadel ;<;^Ad^-andbesag satisfit*! that it isa new dis ffij^Tlin^^.mealcaT science, and all tfcat is B^fihaedfor it, coaai?er . it a duty-which we ... o*w to the many thousands who are suffering ^pjj^ti yhiuuii aad so-called "in cu rab le" dis-. I |-???5^ ?fcatt that we can to make i ts v rr t ues hmkrn ? aad to i aspire the public with cocfi SSSSKaV': " w i personal knowledge of D rs. Star rc^Th?j are educated, intelligent, conscientious physicians, who will not, we a? sure, make any statement, which they ^0???wor befieve Jo be true, nor pub .-1 ot reports of cases which Mather ofGongrtvt from Philadelphia. ' T.^ ABT??R, ?fitor aci Puhl?her "Arthur** Bom & PtOadelpkia. COMBAD of "Lutheran Observer," Philadelphia. pR&?oxLraiA, Pa., J uss 1, 1882. '?. ?-Ta-ojder to mee; a natural inquiry in- re jard to our professional and personal stand? ee, -lowland to give increased confidence in our I ?~f*atpracH?s aad in the genuiness of our testi ; saoaials and reports of cases, we print the ^^?sveeard from gentlemen well and widely 'V?caown and of the highest personal character. &?*:f0m^f!etu&e ea Compound Oxygen," con ? - .^?ing a history of the discovery of and - tao^ofae^ioa of this remarkable curative v.: . -agent, and a large record of surprising cures > la Cttusumpiiott, Catarrh, Neun. ! ?is. Bronchi g-~\~jp?3?;&tthmmr etc , ?ad * vide range of CLron - Ic diseases, will be sent free. -^'? ' 'Address Drs. STARKEY ft PALEN. ^jtt^ s HU Girard Street, PUOaddpnia., Pa. b?k. FATITI l|$ WINTER 1??LLINERY. p^Che Misso McEUiose tel ^ .Weald inform their Customers and the " . public general ly, that they have just ???- received a large and elegant a3 sott ment of % FALL AND WINTER M1LINERY GOODS, -*-COXSISTISG TS PART OT ' Eats and Bonnets; y . - (Trimmed and Untrimmed,) BIRDS, FANCY WINGS, t..- FLOWERS, BUCHINGS and LACE P -- NECK WEAR, IN VARIETY. ~* *~ - ---ALSO, - HAIR GOODS, CORSETS, BUSTLES, HOOP SKIRTS, .ETC., INFANT'S CAPS, DRESSES, And Ladies' Underwear always on hand. . -^ Prompt attention given to Country h Orders. ."PRIT -BUT JMGiMBAHMiS ! --O V.I RESPECTFULLY CALL THE ATTEN tion of my friends and the public generally te my large and well selected STOCK, consist? ing of: ?RY GOODS, NOTIONS, " CLOTHING, GENTS' FURNISHING GOODS, BOOTS, SHOES, af-- ^ HARDWARE, GROCERIES, kc, kc. JW* I solicit a call and hope you will give my STOCK a careful inspection. I will en? deavor to make it to your interest to give me "your patronage. * -0** Ma. H. W. GARDNER and Ma. L. W. JOYE, will be glad to see their friends. B. J. BARNETT, Oct 7-3_Main Street in the Bend. A DESIRABLE RESIDENCE AWELL SITUATED FARM of one hon dred and ten acres, about sixty cleared, situated one mile from Sumter C. H., S. C. A beautiful grove of live oaks around the dwelling, with well and fine spring of water. Tarma accommodating. Apply to July 15_A. WHITE, Agent. fRESH ARRIVAIT -OF SCHOOL BOOKS. For all Schools ia the County, Teachers and Patents will do well to get my prices before purchasing. SLATES, COPY BOOKS, CRAYON'S, Book Straps and Bags, Paper, Pens, Pencils, Ink, Ac. Parents will please send their children to J. A. SCHWERIN, .. Live Book Store, opposite Court House. FRUITS, CONFECTIONERY, kc, in season. Oct 7-3 HIST miss JOB WORK AT BOTTOM PRICES. isa mum JOB OFFICE. NO POISON IN THE PASTRY * IF AT^T? USED. Va?ITla,l>mon,?rnnse, cte* flavor Cake?, Greaass*Paddlags,?fee?ns delicately and nat* orally a* the fruit from which they are made. FOE STRENGTH AND TRUE FRUIT FLAVOR THEY STAND ALOSE. PREPARED BY THE ' Price Baking Powder Co., Chicago, III. St. Louis, Mo. H AKERS Or Dr. Price's Cream Baking Powder -AND Dr. Price's Lupulin Yeast Gems, Best Dry Hop Yeast. SCOBS f3ATiT5 337 Q-SSOC33SSS. _WS MAKE BOT OMS <gPAUTT._ [?THEALTHY BREin The best dry hop yost In tho world. Bread raised by this yeast is light, white and whole Sjgne lite our grandmother's delicious bread GROCERS SELL THEW. PREPARED BY THC Price Baking Powder Co., launs o? Br. Price's special nayonng Extracts,* Chicago, ttl. St. Louis, Mo. MILLINERY. Mrs. WHITE -AND Miss MILLER WOULD INVITE the attention of their friends and the ladies generali/, to their stock of FAI.li AND WINTER MILLINERY, Consisting of NATS, BONNETS, RIBBONS, Plumes and Fancy Feathers Io variety. ZEPHYR IS ALL SHADES AND COLORS. Give us a call before going elsewhere. Thankful for past patronage they re? quest those who are indebted to come up and settle as soon as possible. Sept 30_' --AND LOW PRICES -AT WW B EBB ? S L\* STORE AND ARRIVING ON EVERY TRAIN JFMresto. Groods Suitable for all classes. HEAVY ANO FANCY GROCERIES. PLANTERS' SUPPLIES. The largest aud best assorted stock io ^ town of CBOCKEEY, GLASSWARE, LAMPS, LANTERNS, &c. Elegant assortment of Tin Ware, Wood Ware, Willow Ware, &c. Ten Pieces of Tinware for $1.00. An Endless Variety of Crackers. FRENCH AND PLAIN CANDIES, PURE AND NICE. Fine assortment of the best brands of CIGARS, CHEWING AND SMOKING TOBACCO, CIGARETTES. PIPES, tc. TRY MY CHIPPED BEEF. ??f* All goods delivered free of charge to Railroad Depot or any part of Town. Sept 23 v CH?MMIIM nmr. IN SUMTER. E A. LOWRY, Proprietor, CONER MAIN AND REPUBLICAN STREETS. Every variety of GENERAL MERCHAN? DISE. No one particular thing a specialty keeps everything from a Hair Pin up. DRY GOODS. Laces, Silks, Satins, Velvets. Merino?, Mus? lins, Calicoes, Sheetings, Ribbons, Ruch ings, Collarettes, Cuffs, etc. G ROCE RI KS. EVERYTHING IN THE FANCY GRO? CERY LINE. NOTIONS. There is no need attempting to enumerate the Articles in this Departmeat. 1 keep everything. I also keep in Stock, CUTLERY, WOOD AND WILLOW WARE, TIN WARE, TRUNKS, etc. My Stock of HATS, BOOTS, SHOES, etc., is large and will be sold cheap. Give me a cal), and my clerks will take pleasure in showing you anything you may wish to see. H. A. LOWRY, Corner Main and Republican Streets. Sept 33 3 TRUE WISDOM. 'Tis wisdom in a world like this That we shoald ever watchful be; j And lest we take a step amiss, The way before ns clearly see. 'Tis wisdom that in all we do An honest livelihood to gain, We should be just and true, In all our intercourse with men. i 'Tis wisdom when trade grows slack And you are want to indulge in sighs, To start buyers on the right track In the leading county paper advertise. Grace L?burns's Secret. A STORY OP rWO CHRISTMAS DAYS. CHAPTER IV. COMRADES D3 CHIEF. Frank Fairfield sat ia an office that was situated in one of tne large thor? oughfares within a couple of hundred yards of the Rank of England. Ile was only a junior partner in the well-known lirm of engineers to which he belonged, and he had obtained this position some two years before our story opens, partly *by his own great talent and industry, but principally through Mr. Lilburne's generosity. To all intents and purposes Frank Fairfield was a working partner in the firm; he had been to Soutli America, to Russia, and to India, superintending the construction of railways and bridges, and though he had now been in Eng? land some three or four months, he knew that he might be required to start off again at anytime with but scant notice. The young engineer is only eighteand twenty, but he looks much older, for since he returgpd from his last journey abroad, his thick wavy hair has become perfectly white. He is seated this morning at a table with plans and drawings spread out be? fore him. - He is trying hard to fix his mind closely upon the work he has in hand, but the effort required is a great one. and he looks up with a feeling of relief when a clerk opens the door and brings him a card. "Roland Ayre," he silently reads with keen surprise; then he nods to the youth to admit the visitor. Mr. Ayre came in, sad-looking it is true, but youthful and handsome, and he started, with imf signed astonishment when he saw Fairfield, for he had been given to understand that he was a man about his own age. * "I suppose I am addressing the per? son I really came to see?" he said, tak? ing the seat offered him: you were-you are acquainted with Mr. Lilburne, of Silverton?" Fairfield's face slightly flushed as he replied: "Mr. Lilburne has helped me to the position I now hold; do you come to me irom liim?" "Tes, he told me where I should find you, and I should have sought you months ago, but I have been very ill in consequence of a shock I received on Christmas Day." "A shock!" repeated Fairfield. "Yes; you have heard of the strange disappearance of Mr. Lilburne's eldest daughter?" And as he asked this question Roland looked keenly at the man who he had been assured was his rival. "I have had no direct communication with the Lilburnes for more than a year," replied Fairfield, meeting his companion^ fixed gaze without waver? ing; "be good enough to tell me what occurred." Roland complied, and he told his at? tentive listener how when the merry? making was nagging on Christmas night, "Grace Lilburne had proposed a game of hide-and-seek, and how she ??ad persuaded Kate to join in the game, the latter having been lost from that time to the present. "Ah! then it was Grace who hid with Kate," he remarked thoughtfully ;"what did she say had become of her sister?" "She didn't know." "And did she make no suggestion?" and the engineer looked at Roland sharply. "i es, it was she who mentioned your name," he replied with hesitation. "Ah, I thought so. She suggested that I had persuaded her sister to elope with me, I suppose?" "Something of the kind." "And may I ask. Mr. Ayre, why you come to me*from Mr. Lilburne? Why did he not come himself or send forme? I should have been only too ready to obev his call." "lie ridiculed the ideathatyou would barm his daughter; he said you had given him your word never to press Sour suit with her again, and that he ad as much confidence in your word as he had m mine." "Ah!" There was pain, satisfaction, and re? lief in the exclamation. A few seconds later he spoke again: "You have not explained your inter? est in the matter, Mr. Ayre. I don't understand what Miss Lilburne was to you." "She was my promised wife," was the answer. Fairfield shrank a little as though he had received a blow, and his pale face became still paler, but he quickly re? covered himself, and he asked with a -bitter smile on his face: "Do you seriously believe that Kate Lilburne, your promised wife, would voluntarily leave her father's roof to run away with me?'' "Most certainly not," was the prompt reply. " Y ou think I carried her away by violence, then?" "Good Heavens, nol I should not bf here talking calmly if I believed such ? thiug possible." "Then what made you come to mo?" "1 came, <is drowning m;>n clutch at straws, to ask if you can. or will, help me?" was the eager response. "No? body else can, I feel convinced. It is for Kate's sake, rather than my own, that I ask you. Tue mystery that sur? rounds lier fate maddens and appals me. I love her so truly that if it would be for her happiness 1 would rather see her your wife, than have any doubt as to her safety or welfare." "My wife!" repeated Fairfield with mournful bitterness; "the woman is not born who will be my wife. Rut you ask for ray help, and perhaps I will give it to you. I must think the matter over, however. Will you call on me three days hence, or, better still, give me an address where I can write to you." "And you will write to me?" asked Roland, as he gave him his address in town. "Yes, I will write withont fail." Then Roland reluctantly went away. He would have liked to ask several Questions, but he felt that if lie did so the engineer would think he doubted him, and he estimated the man's char? acter with su (hoi eut accuracy to feel convinced that only by treating him with perfect trust and confidence could he win his co-operation. But as Roland Ayre walked away from Fairfield's ollice it was with the disagreeable conviction that the latter had questioned and cross-questioned him. and learnt all that he had to tell, and told him absolutely nothing in re? turn. "The fellow is as close as an oyster," he muttered, "and yet I like him; there is something firm, and strong, and massive in the man's character, while he gives one the idea of possessing a certain amount of latent power which "only exceptional circumstances will bring into action. And how he loves Kate! Surely together we ought to be able to find her alive or dead." . . . It was with some impatience that he waited, day after day, for the promised communication; but a whole week elapsed before a brief note came from Fairfield asking Boland to meet him on the following day. The appointment was kept, and when the first brief salutation was "over the engineer said: "If you are disengaged to-day I will take you to see my mother. You know she was ?liss Liiburne's nurse?" "Yes, I have heard she was her fos? ter-mother. " Fairfield inclined his head as he con? tinued: 4 *My mother was as much devoted to her as though Miss Kate had been her own child, and she is in great trouble about her now. I promised to take you to her. Perhaps you can help each other." "But how can I help her? Does she know where Kate is?" "She will explain everytliing to you herself," was the evasive answer. "Do you feel disposed to go with me to my mother's house?" "Certainly; my time is at your ser? vice. Where does your mother live?" "About twenty miles this side of Sil? verton Castle," was the reply, "and fifty from London; but we shaU get down there in a couple hours." Then the two young men went off to? gether. Fairfield leaving word at the office that he should not return for the day. It was late in the afternoon when they reached Beechcrof t, and Fairfield remarked that they had still three miles to walk or ride. "Let us ride," said Boland inpatient? ly. "I feel as though every moment we spend upon the road stands between me and my meeting with Kate." Fairfield loaned at his companion in startled surprise, and he said with a .sigh: "You are anticipating too much. You must prepare yourself for some? thing the reverse of happy. What made my hair turn white in a single week can bring you no comfort nor sat? isfaction. "Was Kate the cause of your white hair?" asked Boland in unfeigned sur? prise. "Yes; last Christmas Eve I was as free from grey hairs as you are. Now look at me." "But how did it happen? Why are you so mysterious? Why don't you deal frankly with me?" "My mother will tell you all that you need to know," was tire answer. "I only warn you to anticipate evil rather than good." Boland felt a chill come over hint It was not the keen air of early spring that made him shiver, but the coid feel? ing of dread and anxiety that Fairfield's words caused him. For, despite all reasoning to the con? trary, he had cherished the hope that when he reached Mrs. Fairfield's cot? tage he would clasp? Kate Lilburne to his heart. When he glanced at the white hair of his companion, however, and heard what was the cause assigned for it. he felt only too well convinced that some dark tragedy had linked itself with tho fat.? of his beloved. For the rest of the journey the two men were silent, one was too sad, and the other was too nervously anxious to talk. It was a large handsome cottage at the gate of which they drew up, and as they walked toward? the door it was opened by Mrs. Fairfield herself. She was a tall fine-looking woman, comparatively young-looking still, and very like her son, though her dark brown hair as yet showed no sign of approaching age. There was deference rather than hu? mility in her manner as she gravely in? vited Mr. Ayre to enter, while she herself led the way into a comfortably furnished sitting-room. The young man eagerly glanced round tue apartment as though he hop? ed to see someone, but if so he was dis? appointed; there was not a single sign or anybody having been in the room save the woman to whom it belonged. "I have told Mr. Ayre that you could probably help him in tracing Miss Kate," said Fairfield when they were all seated; "but perhaps it will be as well ii he tells y On first how Kate dis? appeared and what steps have been taken to find her; you will then be bet? ter able to connect his part of the story with the little you know." Boland almost fumed with impatience. He did not want to go over the old ground again, he wanted to know with? out delay what they could tell him. But Mrs. Fairfield, though very polite, was likewise very firm. Moreover, she was suspicious. Yes, she was suspicious even of her own son, and as Boland, finding no escape, began to tell the story of that Christmas night over again, she more than once interrupted him with ques? tions. 4*And when the search .vas being made you heard nothing about an y false floor in the west turret, did you?" asked Mrs. Fairfield with a searching glance. "Certainly not; is there such a toing?" he asked eagerly. "There was formerly-at least, so I hear from my sou-though I never neard of it in all the years 1 lived at the castle, and I don't tliink Mr. Lilburne himself knew of it; but Frank asserts that Miss Grace did." "Grace!" exclaimed his lordship in sudden dismay; "are you sure she knew of it?" "I am quite sure," here interposed the young engineer, "for I once showed it to her, and threatened to throw her into the shaft below. Of course I only meant to frighten her, but she was al? ways getting me into scrapes with her deceitful tongue, and I thought I would put a stop to it." Boland pressed his hands over his burning brows. He remembered now how Grace had induced her sister to hide, and how she had afterwards denied all knowledge of. her whereabouts. . Yes, it all came back to his memory now, even to the dust and dirt which he had noticed on her white satin dress, and to which he had called her atten? tion. At length he started to his feet, ex? claiming: "L it us go to Silverton Castle at once; there is not a moment to be lost. That infamous girl ni;ty bs starving her sis? ter to death; quick-quick, or wo may be too late." But Mrs. Fairfield said calmly as she ?Iso rose to her feet: "Wc will go in good time, Mr. Ayre, but if I help you, you must help me, ?nd I have a matter here that troubles nae as much as Kate Lilburne*s disap? pearance troubles you. Will you come this way, and tell what it is best for ne to do?" And she was leading the way to a ioor that opened into another room when Roland exclaimed: "I will do anything von require when Kate is once found, but I must go to Silverton Castle without delay." And he was turning towards the op? posite door, the ons by which he had entered, when he was arrested by Mrs. Fairfield's calm sad voice saying*: "It is useless your going to Silverton Castle without me, and you must give me your advice at on??. Come." Tuen she led the way into the further room, and he, after a momentary hesi tion, followed her. ClIAITZX V. Bettor bo with the ?lead. Whom wc, to gv.ii? our pince, have sent to peace. Than on the torture of tho mind to He In rootless ecstasy. If lavish profusion, recklessness of cost, and carefully planned amusements could make any social entertainment a S*eat success, this second Christmas ay at Silverton Castle must certainly have put all other events of the kind compieterv in the shade. The servants and tenantry were cot so well cared for as in che past, it is true, for Grace had given orders that they should put off their merr ?-making till after she was married, when they could eat and drink, dance and sing, to their hearts' content. All the guest-chambers in the castle were full, and the eight bridesmaids who were to attend the bride on the coming day were here with their moth? ers or sisters or chaperons, each one of the eight looking forward to the time when she herself should take the lead? ing part in a similar ceremony. Grace Lilburne had not been very judicious in the selection of her brides? maids. The pretty desire to triumph over her friends and to create envy and jealousy prompted her to invite Miriam Hind man, a brilliant brunette, who rumor whispered had won Victor Gay herd's heart, and he was only saved from marrying her by her father losing the greater part of his fortune. Mr. Lilburne had objected to Miriam being invited, and had suggested a cousin of his own in her stead; but Grace was obstinate, she had made up her mind to invite Miriam, and Vic? tor could only hope that the invitation would not be accepted. But here again he was disappointed, and Miriam came, looking seductive . and brilliant as a humming-bird, gorg? eous with jewels and costly dresses, and giving confirmation to the report that er fathe#had retrived his fortune, and was now a richer man than ever. I am afraid that Grace regretted her obstinacy when she saw how fascina? tingly beautiful Miriam was, and cer? tainly she was genuinely jealous when she observed how Victor's eyes follow? ed the girl who had still the power to make him forget everybody else when she was present Miriam knew that Grace had not in? vited her out of affection, and that she had no nobler aim than a desire to mortify and humiliate her, and she de? termined that the pain should not be all on one side. On her arrival at the castle, Miriam persistently attached herself to Mr. Lil ourne. She gave him her sympathy with such witching tenderness, she con? doled with him at being about to lose his second daughter, and then she be? gan to talk of dear Kate, who had been her most intimate friend. "I am quite sure that Kate is alive," she said, suddenly raising her voice so that all the others in the small tea-room could hear her. Grace frowned. But Miriam paid no heed to the frown as she continued: 44Yes, I am quite sure she is alive. I dreamed of her last night, and my dreams always come true. We shaT see her soon, I have no doubt of it" "If you have nothing more substan? tial than a dream to found your asser? tion upon, I think it is a pity you should make it," said Grace with cold severity. "I don't see why: my dreams have a strange faculty for being fulfilled. But, by the way. isn't there some mysterious passage or chamber in the old part of the castle, or was it destroyed when most of thc place was rebuilt?" She looked at fi race as she spoke, but it was Mr. Lill? ? aa who replied: "I never heard of anything of the kind. Silverton is singularly free irom romance. We have not even the dis? tinction of possessing a family ghost." **'riiere is, or there was, some myster? ious means of getting in and out of the castle," said Miriam, shaking her pret? ty head like a wise bird laying down the law to its feathered friends. "I found out something about it fruin an old manuscript that papa has in ms library. I wish I had brought it with me, but ni send for it Did you never hear of the secret, Grace?" "No," was the curt reply. But Grace Lilburne-s face became deadly white, her head swam, and it was only by the most supreme effort that she could kleep herselt from faint? ing. As soon as she could do so without being observed, the guilty woman es? caped to her own room. Here she threw off all restraint, and gave way to the terrible agony of fear and re? morse that consumed her. "The secret of the turret floor is known," she muttered despairingly, "and that creature will discover where it is. I saw the threat in her eyes when she looked at me. "I will open the floor to.night," and her eves looked cold and cruel as the words hissed between her teeth. "I will lower a lamp into the shaft and see what lies there. I have been afraid hitherto, but I would rather meet Kate's sightless eyes and look upon her dead face than endure the grin of that mock? ing witch whom I was mad enough to invite here." Having made this resolution, she managed before nightfall to procure a covered lantern and a long cord, and to hide them in the room the floor of which hid such a ghastly secret. Thishadoeen easy enough, because the great hall was in the same part of the building, and several times during the day she had considered it necessary to go and personally inspect and super? intend the decorations of holly, mistle? toe, and hot-house flowers. She made a pretence of criticising the arrangement of the tables, and the or? der in which the guests were to be placed, and she stood over the servants while everything was altered and re? arranged according to her orders. "Do you expect many guests to-night besides those staving in the house ?" Miriam asked Mr. Lilburne as the com ??any was about to disperse and dress or dinner. "Yes, a great number," was the reply. "By the way, Grace," he added, turn? ing to his daughter, "did I tell you that Roland Ayre wrote to me to say he was coming to-night?" "Roland!" repeated Grace in dismay. 4'Yes, 1 wrote to invite him todinner: he says he cannot come till later in thc evening, but he will come." "Did ne say nothing else?" asked thc daughter hoarsely. "Yes; he did say something else, but it's of no consequence-at least, no con? sequence to you," and Mr. Lilburn? turned away. Grace asked no more; she was begin? ning to feel like a creature at bay, hunted on every side with no avenue ol escape open to her. Why did her father invite Roland Ayre, and why, above all things, had the invitation been accepted? After a time, consternation gave place to mirth, ami she laughed bitterly ai she remarked to Victor: "Your cousin 2s a striking proof of masculine constancy. Last yeat when he went away he said he would never enter Silverton Castle again un? less he brought Kate with him, or came to meet lier." "Ami how do you know that he won't bring Kate with him?" asked Miriaxr Iiindman boldly. Grace looked at her for one moment with a scornful scowl then turned a :v.. y without deigning to utter one word of reply. fehe noticed, however, that her fathei was eager and nervous, and pleasurabl) excited, and that he looked youngei and stronger than ho had done 1er some months past. "Surely napa does not think of mar? rying that horrid girl,'' Grace exclaim? ed as she watched her father and Miri? am talking together in a confidential and affectionate manner. "1 shouldn't think he'd have the chance," returned Victor; "she's ar uncommonly nico girl." "Oh yes, I know you think there ii Dobody like, her," sneered Grace. "At any rate, I didu't invite he? here," retorted the young man an? grily. "well, no, you couldn't very well, ai it is my father's house," she replied "but I wonder since you admire her so much you don't many lier." "lam like your father in that re? spect: I haven't the chance," he said coldly. - -;- - - - " ? .- \ . . .:."?=':'..:;-4 .-. > ? ? - ... : - ii Then he crossed the room and joint the couple of whom they had been tal in*. Grace was very ang ;% but she d not follow Lim, and soon after this tl first goner sounded-a hint that it wi time to dress for din nu*. Miriam II ind roan, instead or gvi* upstairs like th? other girls, saunter* into a little study she knew of, whei a bright fire burned in the polisbi grate, and the lamp was turned low. . Despite her assumption of cheerf u ness and high spirits, her heart w? sad and heavy. Victor Gayherd had been the pr love of her life, and though they fia parted in pique and anger more than year ago, and just before her fath< had lost the greater part of his fortun she had always expected her truai lover to return to her. But this hope had died out now, f< he was pledged to become the husban of another uefore twenty-four how had passed. She had seated herself on a hassoc before the tire, her hands clasping lu head, and her elbows resting on lu knees, and she was thinking sorrowfu ly of the man she still loved so well. "IJe will have a very miserable life, she mused, "particularly so if Grac does not get the large fortune she ai ticipates; and he will, no doubt, ofte wish he had not taken me at my woi when I told him to go and find a richi wife. Ahme! people think me briet and witty, the men admire me, and th girls envy me, and yet I am the mot miserable woman in this house t< niffhtl-yes, quite the most miserable. Her meditations were here interrupt ed by an arm being clasped round he waist, and by some member of the oj Sosite sex very energetically kissin er. She looked up, struggled to her feel and recognizing her companion, sh exclaimed passionately: "Victor, how dare you insult me lik thisr . "I only kissed you under the mistte toe," he pleaded with mock humility holding up a spray of the white-berriei plant. "Under the mistletoe!" she exclaim ed with increasing anger. "I wonde you are not ashamed to look me in th face. I wonder you dare to come int a room where I am alone." "Well, it is a risky thing to do," ht replied recklessly; "but I wanted t speak to you, and I may not have an other chance." "That is highly probable. What havi you to say?" "I want to know why you cam here?" "I came because I wat invited," wa the haughty reply. "You had some other reason," b< persisted. "I had two or three other reasons,' ?he replied with a short laugh. "One of them was to make me fee what a fool I'd been to think of marry lng that waxen-faced doll while you art free." "Oh dear no, I am not so vain; be sides, you don't know that I am free But since you are so curious I don'i mind telling you that I came here wit! the hope of meeting Kate Lilburne to night* "Kate Liiburne!" he repeated in? credulously. "Are you out oi youi mind? There is no such person living as Kate. Lilburne." " Well, perhaps she is married and nas changed her name, still she won't have lost her i J eu ti tv." "And you really eera? here hoping tc meet Kate and not me9" he asked earnestly, as he stepped close to hex side. "Why should I want to ree you?" sh? asked defiantly. "You are nothing to me." "And yet you are all the world to me, Miriam-ur/ love, my life. Only say the word and we will'fly together, and I will break the hateful bonds that bind me to Grace, whom I have never loved." He caught her in his arius, and strained her to his heart; but she gently though firmly released herself from his embrace as she said: "It is too late, Victor, too late. I have no pity for Grace, but I cannot bring such pain and humiliation upon her lather. No; you must keep your word and marry her, but I am sorry for you and-and-so sorry for my? self/ She slipped away from him as she said this, and ran upstairs, but on her way to her own room to dress, she thought, as a species of self-mortifica? tion, she would go into Grace's room with the other girls and try to be civil to her young hostess. Many of the bridesmaids had cluster? ed round the expectant bride, ?ind took a great interest in the dress site was going to wear on this, the last evening when she would sit at the head of her father's table as the mistress of hi? household, and they admired over again the very handsome trousseau with which she was provided. "You don't seem to have much jew? elry," remarked Miriam Hindman. "I wish I had known it before, for I would have given you a bracelet as a wedding present instead of the silver-dishes 1 brought with me. "But I suppose your father will give you Kate's jewels; she had a splendid collection, I know." "Kate's jewels will go with her mon? ey to her mother's family, when there is proof that she is really dead; but if people talk such stuff to my father as you did this afternoon it is not likely that anything reasonable will convince him," replied Grace severely. "I don t know why you should call it stuff," returned Miriam quietly; "peo? ple don't disappear as your sister did unless they go away to return at some time or other, or unless they are mur? dered. Therefore until it is proved that she is dead we may reasonably hope she is alive." Grace shrugged her shoulders. She would not discuss the matter, but inti? mated that it was time they should be? gin to dress, and her maid came for? ward to attend to her while the girls all went off to their own rooms. They hurried so much that when they entered the drawing-room they found the room quite empty. Other people soon trooped in, how? ever, ana very soon the Coulbourne girls found themselves sufficiently well sought after, despite their plain attire. The rivals of the evening, however, were the bride-elect and her chief bridesmaid, Miriam H ii dman. Grace was dressed in pale blue, ex? quisitely trimmed with cream lace and blus:.-rost-s, wuile her golden hair, 1er gold ornaments, and her bright biue eye:; made her look bewitching in the extreme. P?it her beauty was quite eclipsed when Miriam appeared. The brunette wore rose-colored satin, half-covered with costi} black lace looped with lilies-of-the-val^\ while pearls and diamond^ were clasped round her throat, and lilies and diamonds shone in her jet-black hair. Independent of ornament, Miriam was wondenully bet^tiful, but rich colors and sparkling gems uJded great? ly to her natural charms, and she ?sed laughingly to say that she was thank? ful she had been born too late to be ex? pected to wear white muslin gowns, short in the waist and tied round with a sash, until the time when she should be married. "It was almost enough to drive a girl to marry the iirst man who asked her, if only to obtain the privilege of wear? ing silk and satin." she would say laughingly. "Happily in our days we can wear what we like, without caring for the opinion of the male sex or for that of Mis. Grundy." She seemed to care for the good opin? ion of one member of the male sex this evening, however, and he for hers, and though his marriage with his host's daughter was fixed for the following morning, Victor seemed to be unable ,4*9 ; to resist the attraction of Miriam' black eyes. I Grace watched the couple jealousl whenever she thought of them; bu something moro important than th temporary defection of her lever fille her thoughts. She was planning ho*, to get away from her guests unobserve and to stay lc pg enough to be able t ascertain what lay at the bottom of th dark shaft into which she had thrus her sister: "I shall have no opportunity after tc night," she thought gloomily, "for tc monow I shall have people about m the whole time until I go to church, an after that I shall go away with Victo: 41 Yes, it must be to-night. When ti; conjurors engaged come into the hall t play their tricks I will slip away, shall be less missed then than at an time." She smiled as she came to this cot? elusion, and turned to answer a que: tion which a gentleman at her side ha asked. (TO BE CONTINUED.) Wliat Our Editors Say. Greenville' Neves. There are no words to express th present emotions of the democrats < the South, and there is no use trying t find them. We hoped that after th first flush of victory had pasted and th delightful shock of triumph was lessee ed by time and familiarity, we coul frame some coherent sentences to te bow the Neics and the vast majority c its readers think and feel. But we giv it np. The occasion is too great to b measured by words ; the joy is too wil and magnificent to be shaped and pre?.? ed into written or spoken phrases. There is only one thing for it ; onl one method to meet the requirement c the time. That is to go out wher there is an abundance of room and plen ty of free, elastic, pure air, and witl bead thrown back, swinging hat, dis tended mouth and the throttles of th throat wide open to utter a series o clear, resonant, ear-piercing Rebel yell which will send the atmospheric soum waves laden with triumph and joy roll ing and vibrating through streets am over fields and hills antil they brea! and die among the remotest echoes. That is the only way we can imag ?ne to clear democratic hearts of th emotioos almost bursting them now and that the yelling may be in concer we trust steps will be taken to have ; torchlight procession and an illumina t tion on Thursday night after Net York's vote has been officially couuted so that the most doubtful and weal kneed will not be troubled by the though of possible crow to eat. Our advice to every man is to y el and do it without stint or hesitancy We will bardi? have another such ai opportunity \? a life time. Ve ougb to be inspired by the twenty-four vean crowded with suffering, humiliation robbery and danger that are behind m and by the indefinite era of peace safety, honor and prosperity strercbec broad and fair and beautiful bet?re us. We ought to rejoice with uuboundec joy that our country-our's once more, thank God-has vindicated its mauhooc and honesty and proved that the people may be trusted to find the right and d< it. We ought to exult in the thought that the theives, traitors, adventuren and tyrants who have oppressed, ano abused and ridden rough shod over u.? are overthrown and cast down and will be made to give place to our friends and fellows. Thc true and good and faithful men who with hearts of pure gold aud courage and devotion which never faltered have stood by their prin? ciples, their country and their race un? daunted by rayless darkness and ever preseut peril, and unbought by bribes, may exult that their patience and cou? rage are>at last rewarded with glorious victory. Therefore let us unanimously yell. That is the only proper thing to do uow except to give thanks. Tbe State House. Kershaw Gazette. We hope the Legislature at its ap? proaching session will makean appropria? tion to finish the State House at Colum? bia. It is a shame and disgrace that so valuable and costly a piece of prop? erty should be allowed to suffer from wind and rain storms, and be seriously damaged, because the State will not have it properly protected. The money which has been expended in the last five years in temporarily repairing it would have gone far towards complet? ing the building in a manner creditable to the State and worthy of the present unfinished structure. Let us have no more money spent on 'temporary repairs,' but take the bull by I the horns and have the State House finished. The Next House of Representa? tives. News and Courier. Io the 49th Congress, March 4, 1885. to March 4, 1887, there will be 325 Representatives. According to a dist published, by the New York Herald on Saturday, these will be divided as follows : Democrats, 185 ; Republicans, ! 138 ; Peoples porty, ? The Demo? cratic majority will bc about 45. There is, therefore, a co* iJerable diraunition of Democratic strength, which was to be expected, inasmuch as a tidal wave swept over the country when the mem? bers of thu 48th Congress whei unelect? ed and the Democrats theo made gain? which they could hardly expect to hold. The latest dispatch, moreover, mace i some changes ir the relative stre???i? o: the tw? parties. The whole of the Congressmen-elect f.om Calhorn ia are Republicans, which is a loss <>f six, but tbe Detr.o:rats cain four in Indiana. In Iowa thc Republi? cans gain two nnd ir Michigan the ! Democrats, or Fustouists, Oaio two. j The Democrats gain also, in Florida, I Alabanio., Virginia and Ncrtb Carolina, j It will be some days before the results I in all the districts arc determined, but the Democrats are sure to have a handsome majority. It will be less than their present majority, which was, indeed, rather unwieldy, and, at times, a source of embarrassment. There will be a good many changes in the composition of the House of j Representatives. Thc Democrats lose Frank Hurd, of Ohio, the most aggres? sive tariff reformer in that body. Rut it is a compensation to find that Mr. Converse, who is just the reverse of ] of Mr. Hurd, is likewise defeated. On | the other hand, Mr. Morrison, a pro- ; Bounced tariff reformer, is re-elecieo, and Mr. S. c;. Cos. of New York, who bas been advocating tariff revision for years aad y oat s w re-elected by 15,000 majority, lt is very evident that the people have cot turned their back upon the tani? reformers, and thc Democratic party is pledged to a revi? sion of the tariff. B. G. Horr, of Michigan, is happily beaten, and so is the wretched Kellog?, of Louisiana J. B. Belford, of Colorado, 'the rtd beaded roarer of the Rocky Mountains,' has returned to private life, in company with the imaginative T. P. fOchiltree, of Texas. Finerty, the Chicago dyna? miter, and Robinson the Brooklyn blatherskite, are left at boni': and ex Senator Eaton, of Connecticut, and Gen. Rosecrans, of California, will not be in the next House. Thc less of the bitter Calkins, of Indiana, is a gain tc the cause of reform and good feeling. Gen. Bragg, of Wiscousin, whose cou? rageous words in the Chicago Conven? tion are well remembered, is elected ; and so is Gen. John C.Black, who was chairman of the Illinois delegation. AU the old members of National repu? tation, we believe, arc elected, arid W. D. Kelley, Hiscock, Hewitt, Springer, Randall and others will be foand in their seats as usual. The nest House of Representatives will be a strong body, and from it tho country will have a right to expec; practical legislation. looking to a reduc? tion of expenditures 3- ar alleviation of the burdens r >s the people. Some? thing of the kind will probably be at? tempted this winter, but we cannot ex? pect much from the 48th Congress which, meeting in December, will ad? journ sine die an March 4tb, a day to be made forever memorable by thc in? auguration of Grover Cleveland as President of the United States. The Negro and bis Friend. Atlanta Constitution. No matter what the result of the election" may be, the negro will find that his best friend is the southern dem* ocrai. President Cleveland is his friend. The southern people are bis friends. Every rigbt that they have as freemen and citizens will be jealously protected by the white men of the south who have been their neighbors for years. In their schools, at the ballot boxes, everywhere they have their full rights. That man is the best southerner and the best democrat who stands by, this doctrine and shows the negro that we are his true friend. It will be the part of wisdom and of kindness for every man to read this ar? ticle to his colored friends and advise them cf its sincerity and truth. Many, even of the most intelligent, actually believe that they will be ??ut back into slavery and ir.z-ij pathetic instances of grief over this presumption have fall? en under .our r?;;.iec. 1 :?s is the in? famous teaching of certain carpet-bag? gers and scalawags who deceived the ucgroes that they might use them. The sooner this belief is removed the better it will be for all concerned. The New York Herald speaking of the downfall of thc Republican party says: 'Their power and inSnence spring only from their historical im? portance ; they kno?? nothing of the great questions that are eqaai'y as im? portant to national life and progress now as were in their time the issues with which Lincoln, Chase, ?sward and Sumner so manfully dealt ; they have no sympathy with any but the old controversies and the old methods of party struggle, and they are to0 old and berutted to go to school agaiu to learn the solution ^i these new prob? lems that Mr. Beecher has courageous? ly buckled to in his political old age. Four years of exclusion from o&ee ?ud patronage will freeze out the jobbers and send the superannuated statesmen of tho Republican party iuto honored and useful retirement, Then the party will be purified and will find itself iu the hands of fresh enthusiastic leaders, able and eager to lead it away from contemplation of its completed glories to new and solid triumphs. These leaders are equipped and resdy now for their work, but th wai --.or-us block their way. Bill Arp on Evoltion. 'Bill Arp,' who, by the way is a* Presbyterian Kider, delivers himself on the Evolution matter on this style : But I think the new doctrine of evolution that has got into the Church is a right fair compromise, forit main* tains that while old father Adara evo luted and come from the monkey, old mother Eve didn't. She was ?-.;ade all of a sudden and all at once, pure and beautiful and lovely, and had no mon? key ancestors, and I reckon that :s. the reason win woman is to this day so much better than men. Thers is no gorilla bled in her-no taint of the brute or the beast to crop out like it does in man. What a pity that she was yoked to such a fellow as Adam. What a splendid stock would have filled tue world if Adam hadn't evolu ted, and had been created fresh like Eve. As it is Ww bav> got a graded stock that is a sort .fa cross bctweeu agels and monkeys a.id it keeps up a powerful commotion. But the trouble about ?he whole business is that we can't help it, and what troubles me more tban all is that I am one of 'cm. ? always knew there was some devil? ment in mc, scent origiuai sin that made mc mean?.: than I want to be, and nor I know just wbc< it comes from. That apple eating t -siuess bad nothing to do with it, but it is in the stock-thc babbocn c >s?- and ever and anon it crops out. Ali ?ny good desires and noble aspirations, all my amiability aud tenderness comes from mother Eve, and my meanness from Adam. Thc old rascnl. I wish she hadu't have married him, uud then may be I would have been a bater* man. Mrs. Murphy: *Och, it's awful, thcr pay pul what's buried aloive I If I be living whin Fm dead, Pat? don't be afthcr burying me aloive !' .Killed a* a Spelling Bee,' is the heading of a sensational item going the rounds. People %'.ii persist in wre i ling with words that are too hard Zi? thern.