Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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tam SUMTER WIWHMAN? Established April, 18 5 o. "Be Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thou Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's THE TRUE SOUTHRON, Established June, 1866 Consolidated Aug. 3, 1881.] SUMTER, S. C., WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1889. New Series-Vol. VIII. M. 30. ?|e ?fe|maH m? Serrai BY N. Gk OSTEEN, ' SUMTER, S. C. T?UB;? Two Dollars per ?Dam-in advance. AOTI&TISlMtlTI. Ooo Sqaare, first insertion,..00 S very subsequent insertion............ 50 Contracts fut three month?, or longer will *" -r- bu made at reduced ratee. Ali comroanications whteb sub*?rve private interests will be charged for ss advertisements. Obituaries and tribales of respect will be charged for. Dr. Parkert Gorm. Row the Famous Largest Tield Prom One Acre Was Raised-Hints for Competitors for the $1,000 Prise. In view of the recent offer of the American Agriculturitf of 600 io gold for the largest yield of corn from ooe % sere of i sod, to which our State Board j of Agriculture will add another ?500 if the prise is won by a Sooth Csrolina planter, it can bot be interesting, to kcow jost how Dr. J. W. Purker raised bte famous eora crop io the vicinity of Columbia, over thirty years ago. By the courtesy of Colonel William Wallace, ?ho was ooe of the committee appointed to measure the crop referred to, the Register is enabled to give the information. The Colonel states that the crop was made in 1856, and with bim on the eommitttee were Mr. John G Isas and Colonel Wa. S. Goodwyn, both of whom have Tong since passed away. The acre on which the corn was raised by Dr Parker is oo what is koowa as Smith's Branch, jost below the asylnm road and the land now belongs to the asylnm, having been purchased from Dr. Parker for that institution-. The following synopsis of a letter written by Dr. Parker at the time of the competition for the premium, which was offered by the State Agricultural Society of Sooth Carolina, will be read with interest as possibly affording hints in norn culture for those who intend com? peting for the present premium offered : The ground, ander ordinary manner of cultivation, would have produced ten or fifteen bushels of corn, and was looked opon as unfit for culture by its former owner- The ground was well dried by covered drains three feet be? low the surface. Io December, 1855, twenty-six leads of manure from the cow stable were spread over each acre (Dr. Parker made the experiment with "two acres and selected the best of the two) and plowed sod subsoiled. Io April (1856) this was repeated in toto, manare and all. In May three bushels of salt and three of lime were opread over and the land ploughed and furrowed with a shovel plough, about three feet apart and furrows sprinkled . with guano and plaster. The corn, which was obtained of Col. Somoer and Mr. McClanaban of Pick ens, was soaked- in a solution of salt? petre and planted in furrows twelve inches apart, covered five inches deep with the hoe. and the ground roiled By the 15th of May "the com was beautifully up." From the 18th there were oversowing rains and one-third the cop was destroyed. It was re? planted, ploughed and dressed. On the 9th of J me it was ploughed with Cal? houn's subsoiler and dressed with hoe, leaving ground level. On the 17th it was again ploughed and dressed, snd oo the 24th lsid by with a light boeing. From the 18th of May to the 18th of june, extremely dry and dusty weather prevailed. The corn on the farm, uo \_- der the usual culture, was severely in? jured, bat the two acres Buffered but little. As is well known, Dr. Parker' yield of 209 bushels snd some pecks was and is the largest on record. Colonel Wallace adds some further particulars, and says be recollects twenty-five two-horse wagoo loads of IManure were broad casted over the land F the fall, plowed io io the spring, and ? similar application made later and Roughed io. He describes the coro as Luted in drills 2| feet apart ; and 6 Kies io the drill, and says a small ap Kition of Peruvian guano was made fte drill. The seed was of a large ^2rd seed variety, and the ears, when shelled, averaged nearly a pint each. A drought io July threatened to des? troy the crop, and the small stream ad? joining was dammed np and the water tamed toto toe rows. The next day it rained however, and irrigation could have been dispensed with. - i ? -mrnmm*. Early- Spring Fashions. We bear very much about eccentric? ities, caprices, changes and departures in fashions. We walk about on the fashionable promenade, we visit the most fashionable assemblies, and fre? quently get a peep at the wardrobe of some acknowledged leader of accepted styles. Through all of these experi? ences we are filled with* mild wonder that we see so few of the remarkable styies that we read about, or the start? ling models with which imported publi? cations are filled. In place of these we see plain, ele? gant, stylish garments, destitute of ec? centric or surprising feature?, ana* re? markable chiefly for their quiet elegance, -the quality of the material, and their exquisite fit and finish. There may be a Directoire rever or two, and an Em? pire bonnet, or a suggestion of the days of Marie Antoinette, bot they are so modified by good taste and the art that . avoids everything conspicuous that one might be inclined to wonder if the new fashions, as we read about tb am in for? eign publication, are really, after all, the correct thing. These ultra radical and strongly marked novelties are designed more es? pecially for those who are ever on the lookout for something out of the com? mon. The best taste never adopts p them when they are new ; and they only come into general use after they bave heec made familiar by the adven? turous people who first adopted them, and have become thoroughly assimilated by the efforts of artistio designers. It may therefore be set down as an infallible mle that the very best dressed people-those who are elegantly cos? tumed a??prdiBf to. the dictates of re fined taste-are not seen ia the some? what loud and showy garments which herald ver j marked changes in fashion. The statements of extremists shotild never be taken as a guide by yoong and inexperienced ladies. It is very much better to adopt a style modest to con? servatism rather than incur the danger of being classed arnon? those who run mad after the latest fads and foreign novelties. While it is unquestionably true ?-hat many of our actual styles are produced by foreign bands, it is not generally understood that most of the ideas on which they are baeed are strictly Amer? ican. Our owo designers furnish the plan, ?elect the colors, and order the mate? rials. The trained hand and correct eye of the foreign artisan, skillful through loog years of practice and in? herited tendency and taste, carries out the design, and produces the elegant importations ii which our artistic people delight.- The New York Fashion Ba? zaar for March. - i- i t . Charleston Harbor. The accounts of the filling up of the Harbor of Charleston are simply dis? tressing. What is to become of the port and its commerce if things continue as reported to be taking place in the currents of the rivers that flow on each side of the dear old city can hardly be foretold. Fire, war, pestilence and earthquakes failed to damage the his? torical town half as much as the jetties of Gen. Gillmore have done in the past twenty years. It would really seem that the spite which concentrated the bat? teries of Gillmore. his "Swamp AngeP and bis other fulminants, have been continued io the persistent and success? ful efforts of that oScer to bottle up the port by his engineering devices, but which his batteries were futile to de? stroy. It is thought that in a few years the basin of Charleston Harbor will be entirely filled up from the debris that comes down the Cooper and Ashley, and which used to find its natural vent into the ocean, forming there shifting bars which the jetties have arrested and diverted by a o eddying process into the harbor itself. The most competent authorities now are of the opinion that instead of ad? ding more jetties to the outlet of the harbor that those already there should be removed, and things put in statue quo as things were before they were tampered with.-Palmetto Post. The Court House at Kingsti ee Burned-Records all Saved. KINGSTREE, Feb. 22 -The county Court House at this place was burned to-day about ll o'clock. The fire was discovered an hour before, but too late to save the building. The flames were first seen on the roof, which leads to the belief that a spark was the cause. However, that will be ascertained later, when a full investigation is made. The Court House was situated in the business portion of the town, and for some time it looked as though tbe Cole? man House and the several stores near would also be lost, but by hard work the fire was confioed to the one building, the destruction of which is complete. The county records were all saved. They were kept in the offices on the lower floor, and when it was found that there was no hope of saving the build? ing, the papers were brought out. Charleston World [There was no insurance and the loss is about $6,000 -ED ] -i > -- Death of Capt. Zack Cantey. CAMDEN, February 20.-Capt. Zack Cai. ey. who has beeo sick some time, and who died at a quarter past 1 o'clock to-day. was the soo of James Withers Cantey. for maoy years previous to the war adjutant and inspector general of j the State. He was boro at Hickory Hill, io Clarendon District, the resi? dence of his grandmother, Mrs. John P. Richardson, who was also the grand? mother of our present Governor, on the 29th of December, 1827. As a young man, he attended the ^National Military Academy at West Point, and in the year 1843 be returned to the South and attended the State Military Academy at Columbia. He left Columbia to go to Mexico, where he served as color bearer of the Palmetto Regiment: He was a classmate at West Point of Geo. Barnard Bee and Col. Thomas Rhett. On the 26th of April, 1848, he mar? ried Miss S. Amelia Adamson, who was a native of New Jersey. When the late civil war commenced j be went to the front as second liciten- j ant io Coi. W. M Shannon's cavalry I company, t?e Kirkwood Rangers. | Since the war he has tended his planta? ins on the Wateree River, near Can tey's whenever his health permitted. He was an ioval'd for some years. He leaves no children, but a wife and large family connection to mourn his loss. Kenna Elected. CHARLESTOWN, W. VA., Feb. 12. Two ballots were taken to-day, and on the second ballot Dorr and Horr came over to Kenna and elected him by a strictly party vote of 46. There was greatapplause when Kenna was declared elected. The young girl in Anderson county, who, by her own efforts, made two bales of cotton last fall, in order to pay for her schooling, is worth her weight in gold. If there was more work and less dress parade about our girls in town and county, there would be less complaint of hard times. Working girls are tbe jewels of the country. Lazy and tri? fling men, yoong and old, are drones and positive evils to society.-Augusta Chronicle. Laurens County can boast of two youDg ladies, sisters, that actually gin? ned cotton, ran a stationary engine, and plowed and worked a cotton patch, in order to pay for their schooling. The first graduated with the first hon? ors, and was afterwards elected a teach? er in the College. Her sister also.] graduated with high honors-both wit? j money that they made themselves. I Score two for Laurens, Rrojther Chron- j icle.-Laurens Herald. The New States. T' e admission of four new States into the Union in one year is without precedent iu the history of the country, and the occurrence of that event this year is therefore regarded with an in? terest which is in proportios to its im? portance. The last of* the thirteen original States to enter the Union was Rhode Istand, which ratified the Constitution on May 29, 1790. The first new State received ioto the national family was Vermont, which was admitted in March 4, 1791. The Act of Congress admit? ting Kentucky was passed, indeed, two weeks before the Act admitting Ver? mont, but Kentucky did not become a full-fledged State anti! June 1, 1792. Tennessee was admitted in 1796, and the nation entered the current century, therefore, with sixteen States. In the too decades ending with 18*20, seven new States were added ; in the two ending with 1840 three were added ; in the two ending with 1860 seven were added, and in the two ending with 1880 five were added, the last of the list being Colorado, which was admitted August 1, 1876, The whole number of States admitted after the ratification of the Constitution, and up to the present year, was, therefore, twenty five ; and it is interesting to note that only two of these, Florida and Texas, were actually admitted in the same year, (1845,) although the Acts of Congress providiog for the admission of Florida, iowa and Texas were passed on two successive days in March, 1845. With the admission of Washington, Montana, North Dakota and South Dekota the Union'will comprise forty-two States. The mere admission of four new States together in 1889 is not, however, the only striking feature of their entry. The enormous extent of territory which they add to the Union is almost start? ling, when it is compared with that of some of the other States, and of some of the countries of the Old World. An unlimited number of comparisons can be made in this respect, but a few only will serve the present purpose. To begin with. Montana alone, which is the largest of the new States, con? tains an area of 146,080 square miles, or more than pertains io any one of the older States except Texas and California. lt is nearly three times as large as New York ; is much more than three times as large as Pennsylvania; and, to bring the illustration to our doors, would in? clude the three States of North Caro? lina, South Carolina and Georgia within its borders, and still have more than enough room to spare for Delaware and ' Rhode Island. The smallest of the new States is Washington, which has only 69,180 square miles of territory, and is, therefore, not quite half as large as Montana. Even with this disadvan? tage, however, Washington is larger than all the New England States with Delaware added, or than any one of the Statics east of the Mississippi River. A comparison of the new Western States with European countries yields uo less striking results. Without going into details, it is enough to say that the combined territory of these four States alone is more than 50 per cent, larger than that cf either France or Germany, and is more than three times larger than Great Britain and Ireland, while Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Nether? lands, Servia, Roumania, and Switzer? land together do not equal the State of Montana. Perhaps, however, the most impres bive fact to the American mind, which has become accustomed to continental magnitudes, ls in the last statement to be made. The latest addition to the Uoion ia considerably larger than thc Union itself was when the Constitution was finally adopted by all of the thir? teen original States, nearly an huudred years ago. Perhaps it is most- appro? priate, after all, and it is surely most significant, that the name of the illus? trious soldier and statesman whose wise leadership established the American Uoion among the nations of the earth, and whose birth is celebrated to-day by the millions of descendants of those whom he led to victory, should be given ?0 a great State which iies on the re? motest western border of the Continent he consecrated to liberty, and which enters on its career of statehood a full century after he had sheathed his stain? less sword forever.-News and Courier. - - ???. <n? - An exchange says when Bishop He ber's famous missionary hymn, '"From Greenland's Icy Mountains," which he wrote in 1824, when in Ceylon, first reached this country a lady iu Charles? ton was much impressed with it, and was particularly anxious to find a tune suit? ed to it. She ransacked her music in vain, and then chaucing to remember that in a bank down the street was a young clerk who had considerable rep? utation as a musical genius, she sent her son with the hymn to the clerk with the request that he write a tuue to fit it. In just half an hour the boy came back with the hymn, and the melody thus dashed off in hut haste is to-day sung all over the world, and is inseparably connected with the hy mu. The young clerk was Lowel Mason. - -<> ? ~i^m i - - - Twenty-four persons, mostly children, have died in Webster couuty, Ken? tucky, of a disease with which the doctors appear entirely unable to cope. The disease spread through several neighborhoods Oue family lost seven out of irs niue members ; one adult has recovered and is blind. The disease is not understood by the physicians and they are unable to name it. Death usually occurs from six to twelve hours after an attack. Those dying rapidly turn black after death. Three physi? cians have fled, not being able to be of service, and not wishing to jeopardize their lives without hope of ?okig goo:!. - ?.*??? - - The Journalist of New ?ork. is authority for the statement that Miss Daisy Hampton, daughter of Senator Wade Hampton, is writing ;i novel to be entitled, "Slave l>uy8 in ?.?xie," which will appear in the carly spring, bearing the weil known imprint of Harper Bros. ?c.t the recent term of court in Ches? terfield two white men were convicted of carrying concealed weapons, and were fined ?50 each and costs. This looks like the juries over there were dis? posed to do their duty. Bj E EIDEB HA??ABB. js_v-:--^_ rCONTIXUED.l CHAPTER XXVt SIR. QUEST HAS HIS IXXIXGS. All that afternoon and f?r into the evening Mr. Quest was emplo}-ed in drafting, and with his own hand engrossing on parchment j certain deeds, to the proper execution of j which he seemed to find constant reference j necessary to a tin box of papers labeled ! "Honham Castle Estates." By ll that night everything was finished, ! and, having carefully collected and docketed his papers, he put the tin box away and went homo to bed. Next morning, about 10 o'clock, Edward Cossey was sitting at breakfast in no happy frame of mind. He had gone up to the castle to dinner on the previous evening, but it can? not be said that he had enjoyed himself. Ida was there, looking very handsome in her evening dress, but she was cold as a stone and unapproachable as a statue. She scarcely spoke to him, indeed, except in answer to some direct remark, reserving all her con? versation for her father, who seemed to have Caught tho contagion of restraint, and was, for him, unusually silent and depressed. But once or twice he found her looking at him, and then there was upon her face a min? gled expression of contempt and irrepressible aversion which chilled him to the marrow. These qualities toward him were indeed so much more plainly developed than they had been before, that at last a conviction which he had at first rejected as incredible, forced itself into his mind. That conviction was, that Belle must have disbelieved his denial of the engagement, and in her eagerness for re? venge have told Ida tho whole story. The thought made him feel faint, but there was but ono thing to be done, and that was to face it out. Once when the squire's back was turned he ventured to attempt somo little tenderness in which the word "dear" oc? curred, but Ida did not seem to hear it, and looked straight over his bead into space, and this he felt was trying. So trying did he find the whole entertainment indeed, that about half past 9 he rose and came away, say? ing that he had some bank papers which must be attended to that night. Now most men would in all human proba? bility have been dismayed by this state of affairs into relinquishing an attempt at mat? rimony which it was evident could only be carried through in the face of the quiet but none the less vigorous dislike and contempt of the other contracting party. But this was not so with Edward Cossey. Ida's coldness exercised upon his tenacious and obstinate mind much the same effect that may be sup? posed to bo produced upon the benighted seeker for the north pole by a frozen oceau of icebergs. Like the explorer, ho was con? vinced that if ho could get over those cold and frowning heights he would find a smiling and sunny laud beyond, and perchance many other delights, and like the explorer again, he was, metaphorically, ready to die in the effort. For to tell tho truth, he loved her more every da)*, till now his passion domi? nated his physical being and his mental Judg? ment, so that whatever loss was entailed, "whatever obstacles arose, he was determined to endure and overcome them if by so doing he might gain his end. He was reflecting upon all this on tho morn? ing in question, when Mr. Quest, looking very cool and composed and gentleman like," was shown into his room, much as CoL Quaritch had been shown in two mornings before. -.How d:> you do. Quest?" ho said, in a from high to low l:iud of tone, which ho was in the habit of adopting toward his official subor? dinates. "Sit down. What is it?" "lt is some business, Mr. Cossey," the law? yer answered in his usual quiet tones. "Honkani castle mortgages again, I sap j pose," growled bo. "i only bono you don't j want any moro mon?y on that account at j present, that's all, because I can't raise an ! other cent while tho governor lives, for they I don't entail cash and bank shares, you know; i j and, though my credit's pretty good, I am I not far from the bottom of it." J "Well," said Mr. Quest, with a faint smile, j **it has to do with tho Honbam castle mort j gages, but as 1 have a good deal to say per? haps wo bad better wait till the things aro cleared away." "All right. Just ring the bell, will you, and take a cigarette 1" Mr. Quest smiled again and rang the bcll} j but did not take* tho cigarette. When tho i breakfast things bad been removed ho took j a chair, and, placing it on the further side of j the table in such a position that thc light, I wbich was to bis back, struck full upon Ed? ward Cossey's face, commenced to deliber? ately unt:e and sort ins bundle of papers. Presently ho came to tho ono he wanted-a letter, it was not an original letter, but a copy. "Will yen kindly read this. Mr. Cossey f" he said quietly, as ho pushed the letter toward him across thc table. Edward finished lig'.iting his cigarette, and then took the letter up and glanced at it care? lessly. At tuc first line, however, his expres? sion changed to ono of absolute horror, his face blanched, tho perspiration sprang out j upon his forehead, and tho cigarette dropped : from his fingers to the carpet, where it lay j smoldering. And no wonder, for the letter j was a coin- of one of Belle's most passionate epistles to himself. Ho had never been able ? j to restr lin lier from writing these compro- j ! mising letters. Indeed, this one was the very i j same that, some time before, Mr. (?uest had j abstracted from the pocket of his lounging 1 coat in t!ie room in London. Ile read on for a little way and then put ibo letter down upon tho table. There was no need for him to go on, it was all in tho same strain. "You will observe, Mr. Cossey, that this is a copy," said Mr. Quest; "but if you like you can inspect the original document." He made- no answer. "Now," wcuton Mr. Que~t, handing him a second paper, "here is tho copy of another loiter, of which the original is in your hand? writing." Edward glanced at it. It was an inter? cepted letter of his own, dated about a year j before, and its contents, though not of sopas siouato a nature as tho other, were still of a sufficiently incriminating character. I He put ii down upon the table by tho side of tho first, and waited for Mr. Quest to go on. "1 have other evidence," said his visitor presently; "but you are probably sufficiently versed hi such matters to know that these letters -dono are a ?most enough for my pur? pose, which is to commence a suit for divorce against, my wife, in which you will, of course, in accordance with the provisons of tho act, j be joined as co-respoudont. Indeed, I have j already drawn, up a letter of instruction to i my landon agents directing the.n to take j tho nrHiaiin-iry steps, and be pushed a third , paper toward bini. Ed wan] C ?ssey turned his Kiel: tn his Tor mentor, and, resting his head upon hi? hand, tried t" think. "Mr. Quest," he *ai 1 presently in a hoarse j voie.?, "with ut admitting anything, tuero j ar:? reasons which would make it ruinous to j me :t" such an action were coinmenced at ; ..resent." * ? '-Ye*," be answered, --there-are. In thc j first place, lhere is no knowing what view j your father would take ?if th-.? matter, a::d j how bis view would affect yow future inter- j ests, and i:i tho second, your engagement to I Miss ?lc la Molle, upon which your heart is t>o | strongly set, won! 1 certainly be broken "ff." "ii"'.- d-? \<>u kuow that J am engaged!" asked Edward, in surpris..?. "It (1 -cs not in liter how I know it," said , the lar. y er. "I do know it, so it will be uso ]. <?, l<ir yi.ii to deny it. As you remark, ibis suit H iii probably bo your ruin m every way, aud therefor? it is, as you ?viii easily under? stand, a good moment for a man who ?vants his revenge to choose to bring it." " Without admitting anything," answered Edward Cossey, "I wish to ask you a ques? tion. Is there no way out of this.' Supposing that I have done you a wrong, wrong admits of compensation." "Yes, it dues, Mr. Cossey, and I have thought of : hat. Everybody has his price in t'V- lu. and I have mine; but the compen sa ti on for such a wrong must bo a heavy one." "At what price will you agree to stay tb? action foreverP he asked. "The price that I will take to stay the action is the transfer into my came of tho mortgages you hold over the Honham castle estates," answered Mr. Quest, quietly. "Great heavens]'" said Edward, "why, that is a matter of thirty thousand poundsP "I know it is, and I know also that it ia worth your while to pay thirty thousand pounds to save yourself from th? scandal, tao chauce of disinheritance, and the certainty of the los3 of the woman whom you want to marry. So well do 1 know it that I have prepared tho necessary deeds for jour signa? ture, and here they are. Listen, sir," he went on, sternly; ''refuse to accept my terms and ? by to-night's post I shall send this letter of instruction. Also I shall send to Mr. Cossey, senior, and to Mr. de la Molle copies of these two precious epistles," and he pointed to tho incriminating documents, "and a copy of the letter to my agents; and where will you bo then? Consent, aud I Will bind myself not to proceed in any way or form. Now, make your choice." "But 1 cannot; even if I will, I cannot,v said he, almost wringing his hands in his perplexity. "It was ou condition of my tak? ing up those mortgages that Ida consented to become engaged to me, and I have promised that 1 will cancel them on our wedding. Will you not take money instead P "Ves," answered Mr. Quest, "I would take money. A little timo ago I would not have taken it because I wanted that property, but 1 have changed my ideas. But as you your? self said, your credit is strained to the ut? most, and while your father is alive you will not find it possiblo to raise another thirty thousand pounds. Besides, if this matter is to be settled at all it must bc settled now. I will not wait while you make attempts to raise the money." "But about, the mortgages? I promised to keep them. What shall I say to IdaP "Say? Say nothing. You can moot them if you like after your father's death. Refuse if yon like, but if you refuse you will bo mad. Thirty thousand pounds will be nothing to you, but exposure will be ruin. Have you made up your mind? You must tako my offer or leave it. Sign the documents, and I will put tho originals of theso two letters into your hands; refuse, and I will take my steps." Edward Cossey thought for a moment, and then said: "I will sign. Let mo see the pa? pers." Mr. Quest turned aside to hide the expres? sion of triumph which flitted across his face and then banded him the deeds. They were elaborately drawn, for he was a skillful le? gal draughtsman, quite as skillful as many a legal chancery convoyancor, but the sub? stance of them was that the mortgages were transferred to him by the said Edward Cossey in and for tho consideration that he, thc said William M. Quest, consented to abandon for? ever a pending action for divorce against his wife, Belle Quest, whereto the said Edward Cossey was to be joined as co-respondent. "You will observe," said Mr. Quest, "that if you attempt to contest the validity of this assignment, which you certainly could not do with any prospect of success, the attempt will recoil upon your own head, because the whole scandal will then transpire. We shall require somo witnesses, so, with your per? mission, I will ring tho bell and ask the land? lady and your servant to step up. They need know nothing of the contents of the papers," and he did so. "Stop," said Edward presently. "Where arc the original lettersP "Herc," answered Mr. Quest, producing* them from an 4?e&r pocket, aud showing them to him from a distance. "When the landlady comes up, I will giveToem to her to hold in this envelope, directing beT" to hand them to you when tho deeds are signed and witnessed. She will only think that it is part of the ceremony." Present?}' the man servant and tho land? lady arrived, and Mr. Quest, in his most matter of fact way, explained to them that the}' were required to witness some docu? ments, and at tho same time handed the let? ters to tho woman, saying that she was to j give them to Mr. Cossey when they had all dor:o signing. j Then Edward Cossey signed, and, placing his thumb on the familiar wafer, delivered the various documents as his act and deed, and the witnesses, with much preparation and effort, affixed their awkward signatures in tho places pointed ont to them, and ia a few minutes the thing was done, and Mr. Quest was a richer man by thirty thousand pounds than wbm he had got up that morning. "Xow give Mr. Cossey the packet. Mrs. Jeffries,*" be said, as be blotted Me signa? tures, "and then you can go," and she did so and went. When the witnesses had gone, Edward looked at the letters, and then with a sa vaga oath flung them into the fire and watched them burn. "Good morning. Mr. Cossey," said Mr. Quest, as he prepared to depart with tho deeds. "You have now bought your ex? perience and had to pay dearly for it; but, upon ray word, when 1 think of all you owe me, I wonder at myself for letting you off at so small a price." When bo had gone. Edward Cossey gave way to his feelings in language forcible rather than polite, and what they were may be more easily imagined than described. For now, in addition to ali tho money that he had lost and the painful exposure to which he had been subjected, he was face to face witb a nev difficulty. Either he must make a clean breast of it to Ida about the mortgages being no longer in his hands, or ho must pretend that ho still bad them. lu tho first alterna? tive, the consideration upon which Ida bad .agreed to marry him carno to nothing. More? over, she was thereby released from her .promise, and he was well a?are that under these circumstances she would certainly break off tho engagement. In the second, he would bo acting a lie, and the lie would sooner or later bo discovered, and what then? Well, if it was after marriage, ^vhat would it ma ter? To a woman of gentle birth there is only one thing more irretrievable than mar? riage, and that is death. Anyhow, he had suffered bo much for the sake of this woman that ho did not menu to givo her up now. Ho must meet the mortgages after marriage, that was all. Faciliscst descensus A vern i. When a man ol the character of Edward Cossey, or in? deed of any character, allows his passions to lead him into a course of deceit, ho does not {?nd it easy to check his wild career. From dishonor to dishonor shall he go till at length, in due season, ho reaps as he has sown. CHAPTER XX VIL HOW GEOR?K TKEATED JOHNNIE. Some two or threo days before tho scene described in the last chapter tho faithful George had suddenly announced his desire to visit Loudon. "Wharp said the squire, in astonishment, for George bad never L>ecn known to go out of his own ennty before. "Why, what on .v.rt h are j'ou going to do in Lo'idonP MV?*oU, squire," answered his retainer, looking marvelously knowing, "1 don't rightly know, hut there's a cheap train goes up to this here exhibition on Tuesday morn? ing, and comes back on the Thursday evening. Ten chillings both ways, that's tho fare, and I seo in Tho Chronicle, I do, that there's a .vi nderful show of theso new fangled self ?^ving nnd delivering leapers, sich os they use over sea in America, and I'm rarely fell on seeing them, and having a holiday look round London town. So-as there ain't not northing partidor a-doing,.if you hain't got anything to say agni if, L think I'll go, sqainv1 "All right." sai'i the-squire;, "areyou going to ftake your wife with' you?" "Why, no, squire; 1 said that I canted to go for a holiday, and that ain't no holiday to tako tho old mit><us, too," and George chuckled in a manner that evidently meant volumes. And so it came to pass that on tbenftemoan of the day of the transfer of the mortgages from Edward Cossey to Mr. Quest tho great George found himself wandering vaguely .about the vast expanse of tho Coiinderics, and not enjoying himself in tho least. Ile bad been recommended by somo traveled individual in Doisinghamto acertaiu lodging near Liverpool street station, which he found with the help of a friendly porter. Then he sat oat for the exhibition, but, being of prudent mind, thought that he would dow? to save his money and walk the distance, t ho walked and walked till he was tired, at then, after an earnest consultation with policeman, he took a Tbus, which an hoi later landed him-at the Royal Oak. B further adventures we need not purni suffice it to say that, having started from fa lodgings at 3, it was past 7 o'clock at Digi when he finally reached the exhibition, mo! thoroughly wearied than though he hod doi a goodvday's harvesting. Here he wandered for a while in continu dread of liaviug his pocket picked, seekii reaping machines and discovering none, tl at length ho found himself in the garden where the electric light display was in fu 8wing. Soon wearying of this, for it was cold, damp night, he made a difficult path 1 a buffet inside the building, where ho st down ata little tab le and devoured some vex unpleasant looking cold beef. Here sluxnbi overcame him, for his weariness was grea and he dozed. Presently, through the muffled roar or hum of voices, which echoed in his sie? dulled ears, he caught the sound of a f ami 1 ? name, which awoke him up "all of a heap as he afterward said. The nome of "Quest Without moving his body be opened h eyes. At the very next table to his own we] teated two people, a mon and a woman. ? looked at the latter first. She was clad i yellow, and was very tall and thin and fien looking; so fierce looking that George invc untarily jerked his head back, and brougl it with painful force in contact with tl wall. It was the Tiger herself, and her con pan ion was the coarse, dreadful looking ma called ?Johnnie, whom she had sont away i tho cab on tho night of Mr. Quest's visit, .'Oh," Johnnie was saying, "so Quest the covey's name, is it, and he lives in a cit called Uoising'uam, does he? Is he ano; bird?1 (rich). "Ilather," answered the Tiger, '-if only on can make tho dollars trickle, but he's anast* mean boy, he is. Look herc, not a cent, m a stiver have 1 gut to bless myself with, an I daren't ask him xor any more not till Jai nary. And how om I going to live till Jax un ry? I got the sack from the Music ha last week because I was a bit jolly, and ol Thompson, tho conductor, wanted to dro 10 per cent, on my salary because he said didn't draw as i used to, and that I was go) ting old and ugly. So I just caught him os with the handle of ia/ broil io that mode hil soe stars, and tho beast bad me up for ai sault, and it was forty shillings aod cost And now I cant get another billet an way, and I've got a bill of sole over the ta! ; niture, and I've sold all my jewels down t my ticker, or at least most of them, an there's that brute,'* and her voice rose to subdued scream, "living like a fighting coe! and rolling in 'oof* while his poor wife i left to starve." I "?Wife/ Oh, yes, we know all aben that," ia id the gentleman called Johnnie. A look of doubt and cunning passed ocros j the woman's face. Evidently ?he feared tba ! sho had said too much. "Well, it's as good a namo as another," sb said. "Ob, don't I wish that I could get J grip of him; I'd wring him," and she twiste? her long, bony hands as washerwomen d when they wring a cloth. "I'd luck you to,* said Johnnie. "Am now, adored Edithia, Tve had enough of thi blooming show and Pm oS. Perhaps I sha! look in down Pimlico way this evening Ta-ta." "Well, you may as well stand a li quo: first," snid th? adored ono. "I'm pretty dry I can tell you." _ "Certainly, with pleasure; I win orde: one. Waiter, a brandy and soda for thi lady-six of brandy, if you please; she's ver? delicate and wants support." The waiter grinned and brought the drink nnd the man Johnnie turned round os thougl to pay him, but really he went without do in g sa George watched him go and then locket again at the lady, whose appearance seem? to fascinate him. "Well, if that ain't a master one," he sait to himself, "and she called herself his wife she did, and then drew up like a slug's horns Haug me, if I dou't stick to her till I find ou a bit more of the tole." Thus ruminated George, who, be it ob served, was no fool, and who had a heart] dislike and mistrust of Mr. Quest While h< was wondering how he was to go to work, ai unexpected opportunity occurred. The Tigei had finished ber brandy and soda and wat preparing to leave when the waiter swooper down upon her. "Money, please, miss," he said. "Money 1" she said; "why you're paid." "Come, nouo of that," said the waiter; u] want a shilling for the brandy and soda," "A shilling, do you? Then you'll have tc want, you cheating, white faced rascal, you my friend paid you before ho went away." "Oh, we've had too much of that game,1 said the waiter, beckoning to a constable, U whom in spite of tho "fair Editbia's" ver} vigorous and pointed protestations he wem on to give her in charge, for it appeared thai she had only twopence about her. This wai George's opportunity, and he interfered. "I think, marm/' bo said, "that the fai gent with you was a-playing of a little game Ho only preteuded to pay the waiter." "Playing a little gamo, was he?' gasped the infuriated Tiger. "If I don't play a little game on him when I get a chance my name is not Edith d'Aubigne, tho nasty mean beasl -tho" "Permit me, marm," said George, puttinj a shilling on the table, which the waiter took and went away. "1 can't bear to seo a rea! lady like you in difficulty." "Well, you are a gentleman, you arc," sbx said "^ot at all, marra. That's my way. And now, marm, won't you have another*" No objection was raised by the lady, whe had another, with the result that she became, if not exactly tipsy, at any rate rot far off it Shortly after this the building was cleared, and George found himself standing in Exhibi? tion road with the woman on his arm. "You're going to give inc a lift home, ain't your" sho said. "Yes, marm, for sure I am," said George, sighing as he thought of the cab fare. Accordingly they got into a hansom, and Mrs. d'Aubigne having given tho address in Pimlico, of which George instantly made a mental uote, they ?tarted. "Come iu and have a drink," she said, when they arrived, and accordingly he paid the cab-half a crown it cost him-and was ushered by the woman with a simper into the gilded drawing room. Here the Tiger had another brandy and soda, after whieh George thought sho was about in a flt slate for him to prose-:ut? his inquiries. "Wonderful place this London, marm; I uiver was up nero afore, and had no idea that I should find folks so frleudly. As I was a-saying to my friend Laryer Que t, down at Boisingham, yesterday" "Halloo, what's that.'"she said. "Doyou know tho old mani"' "If you mean Laryer Quest; why in colina I do, and Mrs. Quest too. Ahl she's a pretty ono, she i<." Here the lady burst into a flood of ?TKT)5 bereut abuse which tired her so much that she had a fourth brandy and soda. Georgs mixed it for her, end ho mixed it strong. "Is he neb?** ?ho asked, a? ?he put dowu th? glass. "What! Laryer Qnest? Well, 1 should say that ho is about the warmest man in our part of tho county." "Aird hero I am starving," burst out the' horrible woman, with a flood of drunken tears. "Starving, without a shilling to pay for a cab or a drink, while my wedded- hus? band lives in luxury with another woman You tell him that 1 won't stand it; you tell him that if he don't find a 'thou.' pretty quick Til let him know thc reason why." "I den't quito understand, marm," snid: George; "there's a lady down iu Boisiughany as is the real Mrs. Quest." "It s a hef ?bs- shrieked, "it's a lie! He married mo before ho married her. 1 could have him in tho dock to-morrow, and 1 would, too, if 1 wasn't afraid ol' him, and that's a fact." "Come, mann, come," said George, "draw it mild from that tap." "You won't believe me, won't youf said the woman, cn whoa tbs im or waa cow ba? ?X Kr ' ..V--.-.- i*m ? .? <*f*l ginning to take its full effect; "then I'll show I you/* ?nd she staggered to a desk, unlocked j it, and took from it a folded paper, which ? she opened. It was a marriage license, or purported so ! to be; but George, who was not too quick at ! his reading, uad only time to note tho name '? Quest, and tnt church, St Bartholomew's, Hackney, when she snatched it away from j him and locked it up again. j R was a marna ge license. "There,** she said, "it isn't any business of j yours. What right have you to come prying into the affairs of a poor lone woman?'' And j she sat down upon the sofa beside him, threw I her long arm round his neck, rested ber4 painted face upon his ?IsoSf?Ser*, ?^iGTbeg?n to weep the tears of intoxication. "Well, blow mer said Georgoto himself, j "if this ain't a master one! I wonder what : my old missus would say if she saw mein this i fix. I S3y, marm" But at that moment the door opened, and \ in carne Johnnie, who had evidently also been employing the interval iu refreshing himself, for he rolled like a fillip in a sea. "Well,'* he said, "and who the dence are you? Come, get out of this, you Methody, pars?!* fnced clod hopper, you. Fairest Ii Ut bia, what means this?" ??y this time tho fairest Edithta had realized who her visitor was, aud the trick whereby j he had left her to pay for the brandy and soda nourrir:-: tr? J ,?r n??nd. <hc sprung up *?nd began to express her opinion of Johnnie in violent and libelous language. He replied in appropriate terms, as, according to the newspaper reports, people whose healths are proposed always do, and fast and furious grew the fun. At length, however, it seemed to occur to Johnnie that he, George, was in some way responsible for this state of affairs, for without word or warning be hit him on the nose-which proved too much for George's Christian forbearance. "You would, you fat lubber, would your be said, and sprung at him. Now, Johnnie was big and fat, but Johnnie was rather drunk, and George was tough and exceedingly strong. In almost less time than it takes to write it he grasped the abominable Johnnie by the scruff of the neck, and had with a mighty jerk hauled him over the sofa so that he lay face downward thereon. By the door, quite convenient to his hand, stood George's ground ash stick, a peculiarly good and well grown one which be had cut himself in Honhnm wood. He seized it. "Now, my lad," be said, "I'll teach j*ou how we do the trick where I como from," and he laid on without mercy. Whackl whack I whackl went the ground ash on Johnnie's tight clothes. He yelled and swore and struggled in the grip of the sturdy countryman, but it was of no use, the ash came down like fate; uever was a Johnnie so bastinadoed before. "Give it the bruto, give it him," shrilled the fair Edithia, bethinkiug her of her wrongs, and he did till he was tired. "Now, Johnnie,** ho said at last "I'm thinking I ve pretty well whacked you to deaiL Perhaps you'll be more careful how you handle your betters by aud by," and seizing his hat bc rou down the stairs with? out seeing anybody, and, slipping into the street, crossed over and listened. Tbe\TiQ?re at it again. Seeing her enemy orostrat^B^ Tiger had fallen on him, ap? parently ?Bl the fire irons, to judge from the noise. Just then a pol?cemanL?amo up. "I say, governor," said ?itear^^$ho folk in that there house with the red^??Kj|?j^O fare to be a-raurderiug of each other." Tho policeman listened to the din and then made for the house, nnd, profiting by his ab? sence, George retreated as fast as he could, his melancholy countenance shining with a sober sati faction. CHAPTER XVIII EDWARD COSSEY MEETS WITS AN ACCIDENT. On the day following that upon which Ed? ward Cossey had been terrified into transfer? ring the Honbnm mortgages to Mr. Quest, the colonel went out shooting. He had on the previous day become the possessor of a new hammerless guu by a well known Lon dou maker, of which be stood in considerable need. He had treated himself to this gun when be came into his aunt's little fortune, but it was only just completed. The weapon was a beautiful one, and at any other time it would have filled his sportsman's heart with joy. Even as it was, when he put it together and balanced it and took imaginary shots at blackbird? in the garden, for a little while ho forgot his sorrows?,, for the sorrow must in? deed bo heavy which a new hammerless gun by such a maker cannot ?io something toward lightening. So ou t-he next morning he took his gun and proceeded to do the marshes by the river, where, he was credibly informed, Kevern! whisps oi snij>e had been seen, to at? tempt to shoot somo of them and put tho now weapon to the test. It was on this same morning that Edward Cossey got a letter which disturbed bini not a little, lt was from Belle Quest, ?nd ran thus: "BEAR MR. COSSEY-Will you come over and see me this afternoon al?out l> o'clock ? I shall ez?>ect you, so I am sure you will not disappoint rae. B. Q." For a long while he hesitated what to do. Belle Quest was at the present juncture the very last person whom he wished to see. His nerves were shaken, and be feared a scene; but on the other hand iw did not know what danger m:ght threaten him if he did not go. Quest had got his pnce, nial he knew that he had nothing more to fear from him; but a jealous woman has no price, and if he did not humor her it might, he felt, be at a risk which he could not estimate. Also, he was nervously anxious to gi\e no further cause for jw?ip. A sudden outward and visible cessations'of his intimacy with the Quests in a little- sy.fr.try town like Boisinghum. where all bin movements were known, might, ho th??oght, give rise to surmises and suspicion. 8c?ralbeit with H faint heart, he determined Co go. Accordingly, nt 3 o'clock precisely, he was shown Into the drawing room at The Oaks. Mfrs, Quast was not there; indeed, ho waited' for te:: inimites before she came in. She was very palo, so pale that the blue veins on her forehead showed distinctly through uer ivory skin, ami there was a curious intensity ahout hermanner which frightened hun. She was very qu et also, unnaturally so, indeed; but her quiet was of the ominous nature of t?h? silence before the storm, aud when she spoke ber words were keen, aud quick, and vivid. She ?lid not shake lia ads with him, but sat down and looked at him, slowly fanning her? self with a painted ivory 5aa which she look up from the table. "You-sent for me, Peile, and here 1 am," he said, breaking the silence. Then she spoke. "You told rae the other day," she said, "that you were not engaged to bo married to Ida de la Molle, it was not true. You ure engaged to be married to her." "Whisaid so?" be asked defiantly. "Quest, I supposer" "1 have it ott a better authority," she an? swered; "1 have it from Miss de Ia Moue her? self. Now listen, Edward Cossey. When I let you go I made a condition, and that con? dition was that you should not marry ida de 1? Hoih\ Dc you ?tili intend to marry i.err '.Yoe" Bad it from Idai"' ho said, dUregaroV ing her question; "then you must havo spoken to Ida-you must have told h?revery? thing. I suspected as much from ber man? ner tb.3 other night. You:' "Then it is true," she broke in, coidly. "It is true, and in addition to your otaer fail? ings, Edward, you are a coward and a-' liar." "What is it to rou what I am or what I' am not.'" he answered, savagely. "Waat business is it of yours? You have no roitt over me, and no claim upon me. As it is, i have suffered enough at your hands and at those of your accursed husband. I have had to pay bim thirty thousand pounds, do you know that? Bat of course you know it. No doubt tho whole thing is a plant, and your will share thc spoil." "Ah!"' she ?uid, drawing a long breath. "And now look hore," he went on. "Once. * and for all, I will not be incerferal with by you* I am engaged to maiTy Ida de la" Holle, and whether you wish it or no I shall marry her. And one more thing-I will nct> ? allow you to associate with Ida. Do you un? derstand nc? I will npt allow it." She had been holding the fan before ber ' face while he spoke. Now she lowered it and looked at him. Her face was paler than ever, paler than death, if that be possible, but in ' her eyes there shone a light Like the light of a flame. "Why notr she said quiet1*-*-. "Why notf ho answerel savagely. "I' wonder that you think it necessary to ask such a question; but ?3 }*ou do I will tell you why. Because Ida is the lady whom I ara ' going to marry, and 1 do not choose that she should associate with a woman who is'' what you are.'5 **AhT she said again; "I understand now." At that moment a di version occurred. The' ' drawing room looked cn to the garden, and -at -the end otX&e garden was a dcor which opened on to another street. Through this door had come CoL Quarftclt, accompanied by Mr. Quest, the former with? ins gun under his arm. They had walked up tba garden, aud were almost at the Trenchr window when Edward Cossey saw them. "Control yourself," he said in a low voice, "kere is your husband." Mr. Quest advanced, and knocked at the window, which his wife opened. When he saw Edward Cossey he hesitated a little, andr then nodded to him, while the colonel came forward, and placing his gun by the wall entered the room, shook hands with Mrs. Quest, and bowed coidly to Edward Cossey. "I met the colonel, Belle," said Mr. Quest, "coming here with the benevolent intention of giving you some snipe, so 1 brought bin? up by the short Way." "That is veiw kind of you, Col. Quaritch,,r said she, with a sweet smile (for she had the sweetest smile imaginable). He looked at her. There was something? about her face which attracted his attention, something unusual. "What are you looking at?" she asked. "You," he said, bluntly, for they were oufc of hearing of tho other two. ult I wera poetically minded, I should say that yo? looked like the Tragic Muse." "Do 1?" she answered, bursting out laugh* ing. " Well, that is curious, because I feel like Comedy herself." "There's something wrong with that wo> man," thought the colonel to himself as he extracted two couple of snipe from bis capa* I cious coat tails. "I wonder what it is?" Just then Mr. Quest and Edward Cosset passed out into the garden, talking. "Here are the snipe, Mrs. Quest," he eaioV "I have had rather good luck. I killed four couple and missed two couple moro; but then I had a new gun, and one can never shoot sc* well with a new gun." "Oh, thauk you," she said, "do pul! out tho* .painters' for me. I like to put them in my riding hat, and I never can find them my? self." "Very well," he answered, "but I must go* into the garden to do it; there is not light enough here. It gets dark so soon now." Accordingly he stepped out through ther window, and began to hunt for the pretty little feathers which are to ba found at tho angle of a snipe's wing. "Is that the new gun, CoL Quaritch?" said? Mrs. Quest, presently; "what a beautiful onel" "Be careful," he said; "I bavent taken the cartridges out." If be had been looking at ber, which at the' moment he was not, Harold would have seen* her stagger and catch at the wall for support. Then ho would have seen an awful and ma? levolent light of sudden determination pass across her face. "All right," she said. "I know all about gvfflS. My father used to shoot, and 1 always cleaned InS-gSJi^^hd she took the, *;**^pon up and begau to>exa^m^?~t??e~eiigraving on j the locks. j "What is thisi'" she said, pointing tea fit? tie slide above the locks, on which the word "safe" was engi*ayed in gold letters. "Oh, that's the safety bolt," ho said. "When you see the word -safe,' the locks are barred, and tho gun won't go off. You have" to push the bolt forward before you can fire." "?Soi" she said, carelessly, and suiting tho action to tho word. "Y'es, so; but please be careful, the gun is loaded." "Yes, I'll be careful," she answered. "Well, it is a very pretty gun, and so light that 1 believe I could shoot with it myself." Meanwhile Edward Cossey and Mr. Qr.estv wbo were walking toward them, had sepa? rated, Mr. Quest going to the right across the* lawn to pick up a glove which had dropped* upon the grass, while Edward Cossey slowly sauntered toward them. When he was about nine paces off he too halted, and, stooping a little, looked abstractedly at a white Japanese chrysanthemum which was still in bloom Mrs. Quest turned, as the colonel thought, to" put the gun back against the wall. He would have offered to take it from her, but at the moment beth his hands were occupied in es* j tractisg ene cf the "painters" from a snipe* I The next thing that he was aware of was a j loud explosion, foUo*wd by an exclamation or rather a cry from Sirs. Quest, lie dropped the snipe and looked up, just intime to see* the gun, which had leatx-d ft*on> her hands with the recoil, strike against the wall of the botase and fall to the ground. Instantly, whether by instinct or by chance ho neve?* know, he glanced toward the pfeaeo where Edward Cossey was startling, and saw that his face was streaming with blood and that his right amt hung helpless by his side. Even as he looked, bc ;?av\ him put his uninjured: hand l" his heat: and, without a word cr eouuu sink down on the gravel path. For a second there xvas silmcA For a second there was silence, and the* blue smoke from the gun bung heavily upon the damp autumn air. In tho midst of it slbod Belle Quest like one tran>fixai,.her Iq? apart, her bluo eyes oponed wide, end the* stamp of terror-ur was it guilt?- upon her nal?d face. _ , - . T:o Bl COM23MD. ? r V