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'^Ko, Lily; thc love itself is much, ; though it should bring no fruit, still i something to have won it forever ac day." "You are very young to talk ti Thomas. I am also young, I know, we women ripen quicker. Perhaps this is but a boy's fancy, to pass with t hood." *'It will never pass, Lily. They say t OUT first loves are the longest, and t which is sown in youth will Sourish outrage. Listen, Lily. I have my place make in the world, and it may take a tl tn the making, and I ask one promise you, though perhaps it is a selfish thin g seek. I ask of you that you will be fal fol to me, and, come fair weather or foi will wed no other man till you knowi dead." 4'It is something to promise, Thom; for with time come changes. Still I i sb sure of 'myself that I promise-nay swear it. Of you I cannot be sure, fc things are so with us women that we mi risk all upon a throw, and if We lose goc by to happiness. " Then we talked on, and I cannot i member what we said, though these woz I have written down remain in niy min partly because of their own weight a? in part because of all that came about the after years. And at last I knew that I must g though we were sad enough at parting. So I took her in my arms and kissed h so closely that some blood from my worn ran down her white attire. But as i embraced I chanced to look up and saw sight that frightened me enough, f there, .not five paces; from us, stood JSqui Bozard, Idly'V iatJicrTwatching ~aH,~?r his face wore no smile. He had been riding by a bridle path 1 the watering ford, and seeing a coup trespassing beneath the oaks dismounts from his horse to hunt them away. N< till he was quite hear did he know Whoi he came to hunt, and then he stood sti in astonishment. He was a short, stoi man, with a red face and stern, gray ey< that seemed to be starting from his hen with anger. For awhile he could nc speak, but when he began 'at length th words came fast enough. All that he sal I forget, but thc upshot of it was that h desired to know what my business wa with his daughter. I waited till he wa out of breath,, then answered him th; Lily and I loved each other well and wei plighting our troth. ''Is this so, daughter?" he asked. 4'It is so, my father," she answere ?boldly. , Then he broke out swearing. "Yoi light minx," ho said, -'you shall be whip ped and kept cool on broad and water ii your chamber. And fox you, my half bret Spanish cockerel, know once and for .al that this maid is for your betters.' Ho\ dare yon como wooing my daughter, yoi empty pillbox, who have not two silver pen ni?s to rattle in your pouch ! Go win foi time and a name before yon dare to loo) up to such as she!" "That is my desire, and I will do it sir," I answered. "So, yon apothecary's drudge, you wil win name and place, will you? Well long before that deed is done the raak shall be safely wedded to one who ha them and who is not unknown to you Daughter, say now that you have finishec with him." "I cannot say that, father," she replied plucking at her robe. "If it is not you] will that I should marry Thomas here my duty is plain, and I may not wed. him But I am my own, and no duty can make me marry where I will not. While Thomas lives I am sworn to him and to no othes man." **At thc least you have courage, hussy," said her father. 4*But listen now. Eithei you will marry where and when I wish . or tramp it for your bread. Ungrateful girl, did I breed you to flaunt me to my face? Now for you, pillbox! I will teach you to come kissing honest men's daugh? ters without their leave, " and with a curse he rushed at me, stick aloft, to thrash mc. Then for the second time that day my quick blood boiled in me, and snatching up the Spaniard's sword that lay upon the grass beside me I held it at the point, for the game was changed, and I who had fought with cudgel against sword must now fight with sword against cudgel. And had it not been that Lily, with a quick cry of fear, struck my arm from beneath, causing the point of the ?word to pass over his shoulder, I believe truly that I should then and there have pierced her father through and ended my days carly with a noose about my neck. ''Are you mad?" she cried, "'and do you think to win mc by slaying my father? Throw down that sword, Thomas." 44 As for winning you, it seems that there is small chance of it," I answered hotly, ubut I tell you this-not for the sake of all the maids upon the earth will I stand to be beaten wita a stick like a scullion. " *. And there I do not blame you, lad, " said her father, more kindly. *'I sec that you also have courage, which may serve you in good stead, and it was unworthy of me to call you 'pillbox' in my anger. Still, as I have said, the girl is not for you, so begone and forget her as best you may, and if you value your life never let me find you two kissing again. And know that tomorrow I will have a word with your father on this matter " ..I will go, since I must go," I answer? ed, "but, sir, I still hop? to live to call your daughter wife. Lily, farewell till these storms are overpast. ' ' '.Farewell, Thomas," she said, weeping. "Forget me not, and I will never forget my oath to you." Then, taking Lily by the ann, her father led her away. I also went away-sad, but not alto? gether ill pleased, for now I knew that if I had won the father's anger I had also won the daughter's unalterable love, and love lasts longer than wrath, and here or hereafter will win its way at length. When I had gone a little distance, I re? membered the Spaniard, who had been clean forgotten by me in all this love and war, and I turned to seek him and drag him to the stocks, which I should have done with joy and been glad to find some one on whom to wreak my wrongs. But when I came to the spot where I had left him I found that fate had befriended him by the hand of a fool, for there was no Spaniard, but only the village idiot, Billy Minns by name, who stood staring first at the tree to which the foreigner had been made fast and then at a piece of silver in his hand. 44Where is the man who was tied here, Billy?" I asked. "I Know noe, Master Thomas, " he an? swered in his Norfolk talk, which I will not set down. ''Half way to wheresoever he was going, I should say, measured by the pace at which he left when once I had sat him upon his horse. Lawks, but he was glad to be gone! How he did gallop!" "Now, you are a bigger fool even than 1 thought you, Billy Minns," I said in an? ger. '"That man would have murdered me. I overcame him and made him fast, and you have let him go. " .'He would have murdered you, master, and you made him fast! Well, he's gone, and this alone is left of him." And he spun tho piece into the air. ."Kow. secinc- that there__was. reason in I Billy's .talk, for the"fault' was" mine"," ? turned away without more words, not ! straight homeward, for I wished to think j alone awhile on all that had como about j between me and Lily and her father, but i down the way which runs across the lane i to the crest of the Vineyard hills. These i hills are clothed with underwood, in which large oaks grow to within some 200 yards of this house where I write, and this un? derwood is pierced by paths that my moth? er laid out, for she loved to walk here. One of these paths runs along the bottom of the hill by the edge of the pleasant river Waveney and the other a hundred feet or more above and near the crest of the slope, or, to speak more plainly, there is but one path, shaped like the letter O, placed longitudinally, the curved ends of the letter marking how the path turns upon thc hillside. Kow, I struck the path at thc end that is farthest from this house and followed that half of it which runs down by thee river bank, having rhe water on one side I of it and thc brushwood upon thc other, j Along this lower path I wandered, my j eyes fixed upon the ground, thinking deep? ly as I went, now of the joy of Lily's love j and now of the sorrow of our parting and i of her father's wrath, and my eyes fell upon 'footprints in the wet sand of the path. Ono of them was my mother's. I could have sworn to it among a thousand, i for no other woman dn these parts had so I delicate a foot, dose to it, as though fol lowing after, was another that at first I I thought must also have boen made by a j woman-it was so narrow. But presently I saw that this could scarcely be, because of its length, and, moreover, that the boot which left it was like none that I knew, being cut very high at the instep and very pointed at the toe. Then of a sudden it came upon me that the Spanish stranger wore such boots, for I had noted them while I talked with him, and that his feet were following those of my mother, for they had trodden on her track, and in some places his alone had stamped their impress on the sand, blot? ting out her footprints. Here they were mixed one with another, as though the two had stood close togcth 2r, moving now this way and now that in struggle. I looked up the path, but there were none. Then I cast round about like a beagle, first along the river side, then up the bank. Here they were again, and made by feet that flew and feet that fol? lowed. Up the bank they went 50 yards and more, now lost where the turf was sound, now seen in sand or loam, till they led to the bole of a big oak and were once more mixed together, for herc the pursuer had come np with the pursued. Despairingly as one who dreams, for now I guessed all and grew mad with fear, I looked this way and that till at length I found more footsteps-those of the Span? iard. These were deep marked, as of a man who carried some heavy burden. I followed them. First they went down the bill toward the river, then turned aside to a spot where the brushwood was thick. In the deepest of the clump the boughs, now bursting into leaf, were bent down? ward as though to hide something beneath. I wrenched them aside, and there, gleam? ing whitely in the gathering twilight, was the dead face of my mother J CHAPTER IV. THOMAS SWEARS AX OATH. For awhile I stood amazed with horror, staring down at the dead face of my be? loved mother. Then I stooped to lift her and saw that she had been stabbed, and through tho breast-stabbed with the sword which I carried in my hand. Now I understood. This was the work of that Spanish stranger whom I had met as he hurried from the place of murder, who, because of the wickedness of his heart For awhile I stood amazed icitK horror. or for some secret reason, had striven to slay mo also when he learned that I was my mother's son. And I had held this devil in my power, and that I might meet my May I had suffered him to escape my vengeance, whereas had I known the truth I would have dealt with him as thc priests of Anahuac deal with the victims of their gods. I understood and shed tears of pity, rage and shame. Then I turned and fled homeward like one mad. At the doorway I met my father and my brother Geoffrey riding up from Bungay market, and there was that written on my face which caused them to ask as with one voice: "What evil thing has happened?" Thrice I looked at my father before I could speak, for I feared lest tho blow should kill him. But speak I must at last, though I chose that it should be to Geof? frey, my brother. "'Our mother lies mur? dered yonder on the Vineyard hill. A Spanish man has done the deed. Juan de Garcia by name. " When my father heard these words, his face became livid as though with pain of the heart, his jaw fell, and a low moan issued from his open mouth. Presently he rested his hand upon the pommel of the saddle, and lifting his ghastly face ho said: "Where is this Spaniard? Have you killed him?" "No, father. Ho chanced upon me in Grubswell, and when he learned my name he would have murdered me. But I ploded quarter staff with him and beat him to a pulp, taking his sword. " "Aye, and then?" "And then I let him go, knowing noth? ing of thc deed he had already wrought upon our mother. Afterward I will tell you all. " "You let him go, son? You let Jean do Garcia go! Then, Thomas, may tho curse of God rest upon you till you find him and finish ?hat which you bogan today. " "Spare to curse mc, father, who am ac? cursed by my own conscience. Turn your horses rather and ride for Yarmouth, for thero his ship lies, and thither he has gone with two hours' start. Perhaps you may still trap him beforo he sets sail." without another word my father and brother wheeled their horses round and dc partexj at full gallop into the gloom of tho gathering night. They rode so fiercely that, their horses being good, they came to the gates of Yar? mouth in little rnpro than 1 % hours, and fjhai, is fast riding. But tho bird was nown. They track?d him to the quay and found^h^l_he_haa shipped awhile beforo j f? a boat which was i?~ walting" Tor him j and passed to his vessel, which lay in the I roads at anchor, bnt with the most of her ! canvas set. Instantly she sailed and now i was lost in the night. Then my father I caused notice to bc given that he would ! pay a reward of 200 pieces in gold to any j ship that would capture the Spaniard, and I two started on the quest, but they did not find her that before morning was far on her way across the sea. At length the morning came, aud with it my father and brother, who returned from Yarmouth on hired horses, for their own were spent. In the afternoon also news followed them that the ships which I had put to sea on the track cf the Span j iard had been driven back by bail weather, j having seen nothing of him. : The remainder of this iiiteoselv in telexing and exci'ing 9tory will appear in the regular issues of the Watchmen and Southron in serial form. H. Rider Haggard has a world-wide reputation as a novelists, and his stories are looked forward to with eagerness by the English-reading world of four continents. "Montezuma's Daughter" has been pro? nounced one of bis best efforts by the critics of England and America, it was on the strength of such recommendation that we secured the right of exclusive publication in this section before we had an opportunity of reading the advance proof sheets. It is filled with dramatic incidents, and, I in addition, gives a oew insight into the events during aud immediately subsequent io Cortez's conquest of Mexico. No one should i fail to read it. To enable all to read and enjoy this story, we make a special offer. The Watchman and Southron will be sent until JANUARY 1ST, 1895 FOR 75c All names must be accompanied by the cash, as we could not afford to make this offer on a i credit basis. The story is itself fully worth this amount, but subscribers get in addition one of the best and largest weekly papers published in South Carolina. Each issue contains 8 pages, and all home print. The State Campaign meetings are reported, in a complete manner and our renders keep well posted on the developments at each meeting. The local news is the feature in which the Watchman and Southron has always distanced ali coropetiton, and we have now made such arrangements that there will be an improve? ment each week, until there is no longer room for imprccement.. The County Campaign meetings will be reported in toll by a special representative who will attend every meeting. The reports will be full, impartial and readable. If anyone wishes to see the next paper before s_ scribing, send your name nod address on a postal card at once. One cent for the card will be the only C09t. Now is the time to subscribe to The Watch? man and Southron, a paper which will be read with interest by every member of the family. The Watchman and Southron wants a reliable Agent at every Post Office in Sumter and adjoining counties. A liberal commission paid. Write for terms. Sign, ? HA Has remove< Dr. De Where he is now se ; sirable good value. A compari j prie ?Our Volume ? Ladies' Dongola, Patent Ti Canopy Bars, Flexible Hoc Ladies' Belt Buckles, extra Ladies' Windsor Ties, all si We have another case of L Ecru and Tau Laces, 5 cen The latest Percale styles in Ladies7 Summer Corsets 5( A good Linen Doyley 25 c< 36-inch Sea Island 16 yard Tinted Ground Dotted Swi Corded Fancy Check Lawi Scotch Lawns, new styles, Check Nainsooks, short len White Plaid Mulls 61 cent* cents; 12h cents, was 20 cents. Men s Half Bleached and G Men's Puff Bosom Summei Ladies' White Aprons 15 c Men's 4-ply Linen Collars, We are also the A the best Shoe on the I Do no PEOPLE'S Is on A TRIP Will not be enjoyable, unless you are equipped with the following which is essential to a man's comfort. A JJfice liOt of Negligee Shirts, Collars, Cuffs, Scarfs, U nderwear, Handkerchiefs, a Hat, &c. -ALSO A NICE Trunk or Leather Valise. Any of the above goods we are selling AT LOW PRICES. BEFORE YOU PURCHASE I YOUR OUTFIT SEE US. j^rown, ?uttino ij jjelgar, ! j Clothiers, Hatters and Furnishers, SUMTER, S. C. i 1 June 6. Kreen Front! M M O ND d to Main Street next to Lorine's Drug Store, liing many lines of seasonable and de s considerably below their real son of styles, qualities and midsummer es will clearly show why of Business Increases Daily ! p Shoes, $1.00 per pair-Regular Price, $1.35. >ps, with Cord and Pulley, white, only $1.00. , quality, silver plated, regular price 50c, our price 15 cents, ilk, regular price 25c, our price 15 cents, adies' Jersey Ribbed Undervests, 5 cents, ts per yard. Ladies7 Shirt Waist Calicoes. ) cents per pair, ants per dozen, s for one dollar, ss Lawns, 6? cents per yard. is 8? cents, was 12? cents. 6i cents, was 10 cents, gths, 5 cents per yard, regular price 7 cents, s, was 10 cents; 8?c, was 12?c Fancy Stripes 10 cents, was 15 rerman Fancy Socks, 15c, regular price 25c, all sizes at present. ? Shirts, Uk inches to 17 inches, 50 cents, en ts, regular price 25 cents, drummer's samples, 5 cents each. .gent in Sumter for the James Means Shoe, harket, and every pair guaranteed. >f Forget that the ! POPULAR STORE MAO STREET, SUMTER, WASHINGTON LETTER. I WASHINGTON, July 16. 1894. i ! Now, that the strike excitement is happily ? over public attention is centered upon the j daily meetings of the damocratic conference j on the tariff bill. There is some disappoint : ment among democrats that after an entire ! week's work no agreement has been reached, j However, considerable progress bas been made, and it is boped that a partial, if not a complete report can be made to the House and Senate this week. Democrats are more worrifd over the failure to reach an agree j ment than over the bluff made by Senator j Hale in introducing a resolution calling for j information as to why the republican con ; ferees bad not been invited to attend the j meetings. In their anxiety to get to work I the democratic conferees neglected to follow the usual course and invite the republican conferees to the first formal meeting, but it was merely a f?rm that was overlooked. It is a democratic disagreement and it must and will be settled among democrats without re publi-jan interference. It is not to aid io settling the disagreements that the republi? cans wish to attend the conference, but to try to prevent tbeir being settled. Just as soon as an agreement can be reached that will be ratified by the House and Senate Congress can adjourn, as the Senate, hy an unusual spirit, bas passed nine of the appropriation bills and has the other five in good shape to be passed this week. That i will leave tbe decks clear for action on the conference report on tbe tariff bill, and everything now points to adjournment by the first of August. The only thing that can upset these calculations is tbe failure of the conference to reach an agreement that will be accepted by both Senate and House, and that ?3 not expected. A strong effort is being made to get the Nicaragua canal bill passed at this session of Congress, but it may be crowded out. The House Commerce committee is trying to get the committe oa Rules to set aside two or three days for the discussion of the caoa? bill, which Chairman Wise, of the first named committe considers one of the mest important bills that have been before Con? gress for years. There are a number of democrats in the House, who are on principle opposed to the government's engaging in any such business as proposed by this bill, and while they are not probably numerous enough to defeat the bill on a vote they are numerous enough to prevent a vote being taken unless a special rule is reported limit? ing debate. bo m si ny requests come to Sergeant-at Arms Snow, of the House, from editors and politicians, askiog whether certain members have drawn mileage for both tbe extra and regular sessions of Congress and whether this or that member bas drawn full pay since tbe law to'dock.members for absence was reviv? ed, that he bas had a circular-letter prepared politely declining to furnish the information asked for unless instructed to do so by the House. A considerable number of members of the House have reason to feel grateful to Col. Snow for not opening the books of bis office to the men who are tryiog to find reasons for leaving them at borne. It seems to come natural to some people to misunderstand things A case in point was the unanimity of certain labor leaders in announcing after a recent interview with the President that Mr. Cleveland bad agreed to appoint a commission to arbitrate the dis? pute which brought about the late disastrous and costly-to all concerned, and to many not directly concerned-railroad strike. It is not flattering to the intellect of the before ? mentiooed labor leaders if this misunder I standing was not intentional. The law under wbicb President Cleveland agreed to appoiut two commissioners to act with the ?. S. Commissioner of Labor in making an investigation, does not give him authority to appoint arbitrators, except under conditions not existing in this case, and the commission to be appointed will only hive authority to investigate the strike which occurred upon interstate railways. It cannot investigate the strike at the Pullman car works any more than it could investigate a strike of the farm bands of John Smith. President Cleveland will appoint this commission because be wishes to secure authentic information to be used as a basis for recommendations be intends to make on the subject in his next annual message to Congress. He recognizes it as a subject that needs national legislation, not in the interest of the corporations, nor of the labor organizations, but of the whole country, wbicb is incommoded and in the end has to pay tbe bills for the periodical strikes. Although there are reports to the countrary there is no reason to doubt that President Cleveland will sign the bill fortbe admission, of Utah to statehood, which is now io his bands. Senator Allen ot Nebraska told the Senate on Saturday that it was untrue as stated ia the newspapers that bad been downed in a wrestling match with John Barleycorn. fl} ?5 o S EH Wi CO .m ^ ? ? % fe O.dca M m 0$ i Kg ? grj H 9 Z. ? S a-a ?m - - " ID ? ? ? ?gc n fl) ? & S a % ? .r-t O 8 nm SS I SS