University of South Carolina Libraries
Kj! & j& & By [ CONTINUED. 1 CKAPTEB XT. WHAT HAPPENED AT THE DUKE'S SAI Enr?e Nevel ce?id keep no conni of time. Darkness, and da: . mess only, dwelt with him in his p] on house-darkness so niter tl the only effect of opening the e; was the nervous reality of the n tio?. In fact, 'twas lighter w the eves closed than with th opened, for when tightly clos there were peculiar fantastic shaj. floating y in the imagination, a: -eyen this was a relief. And th these was a sort of kaleidosco] succession of colors when the li were tightly pressed that seem .grateful to the nerves and gave va: ety to the mind. But when t .eyes were open only a cold, imper trable blackness was present, with which there were no shapes, 3 forms* save the one form of uti chaos. Enri? felt sure he had heen the lour days, and at times ii appear* longer than that. Food and drii iad been brought to him thrice, ai he ' was sow without both. B strength had not yet left hil though there were pains in his linil and a chilling sensation about tl heart. He had broken the roj hum his anns on the first day of h confinement, and he had hoped 1 overcome the man who brought hi ?food and drink and thus make h escape, but no human being had y< come in to him. His food had bee passed in through a small wicket. "And this is the end of life!'* I murmured to himself as he pace slowly to and fro across, the dui geon. "Thus ends all the hopes c youth, and herc the prayers of a Iif< time must close in one last hope one hope of heaven when earth hs passed away! My mother, np fan veil can reach thee from the lips c thy son. He will lie down in th dark slumber of death, and tho shalt not know his resting place And thou, loved one-oh. tho iondly cherished, wildly worsfoipe "being-thv smiles can shine no mor for me! Oh, Eosalind, would that could see thee but once-that one more I might press thee to my bo? om and bid thee remember mc who] I am gone! Had I never seen thee might not be here nov**! And yoi 0 God, ."or life itself I would no wipe away the written story of tba holy love from my heart!" The thought cf Rosalind cam hearily upon him. All else he coul< give up in a higher hope than tha of earth*, but for her lie I jeld ; strange fear. She would be anoih er's. * \ "And must it be so?" he contin ned after some minutes of painfu lefleetion. "Alas, she will be nothing .$p me hereafter! My mother xvii Snow her son, but Rosalind xvii inow another! And yet she mai carry the old love with her always She may never forget it. Oh, coule 1 but once" He stopped suddenly, for h< heard a footfall in the low passagi close by the dungeon. He listened and he heard more. There were sev< crai feet, and soon he heard voices lie moved back to the extremity oJ the vault and listened. The feel stopped, and the sound of grating iron, like the drawing of a bok, was heard. Soon afterward the dooi was opened, and the light from a lantern flashed into the place. Foi ? few moments the prisoner was "blind by the sudden transition, bul by degrees he overcame the difficul? ty and xvas able to look up. ^ The first object upon which his eyes fell was the humpbacked priest. Savotano. There were four others "behind him, but Eurie noticed them not yet. He saw before him thc man whom he believed to be the in? strument of his suffering, and with one bound he reached him and felled him to the floor. "Hold!" cried one of the others, one who held the lantern. "We have come to conduct thee out from here." "Ha! Say ye so?" "Most surely we have." "Then stand aside and let me go." "Just as you sav. The doors are open, and you may go. You may fol? low us, or you may go in advance." "Then lead on," returned Eurie, "andi will follow." "As 3'ou say." Thus speaking, the man assisted the priest to his feet and led him out from the cell. In a few mo? ments more the others went oui\ al? so, and Eurie prepared to follow. He heard the priest cursing, but he noticed that one of the others led him off. The youth stepped forth into the passage, but he did not place the fullest confidence in what ?escasas aiasoww-^?, e?*?*w, o'*** . * . . e . ? ?VV* c 6? (*%'4, SCOW fLVANUS COBB, Jr. ! ? _ 4 y " ?." " H8V he had heard. He reached the foot of the stair?, and the others were "nearly tu?. He started to follow 'them and had nearly gained the top when a quick, lightninglike shadow flitted before him. He would have started back, bat 'twas too late. There came a blow upon his head, and. with a illili, crashing sensation, he sank down, ile realized that he was turned over and that a rope was being lashed about Iiis anns. But tho prisoner had not been fully stunned. He returned to con? sciousness as they lifted him to his feet, and his first impulse was to try to force his bonds asunder, but this he -could not do. Ile gazed up now. and he foi;nd or.lv two men with him. and they wore masks up? on their faces. They were stout, powerful men. and their very bear? ing was murderous, and his hean sank within him. "Come," ?lid one of them. "You'll SO with us. We won't force von if you'll walk." "But where?" asked the youth. "What mean you ?" "You'll see, when you get there. But there's no time to waste, so come." What could the prisoner do ? His hands were firmly bound behind him, and his great strength availed not a bit. He knew that ho could not resist, so he simply bowed his head in token of submission and prepared to follow his conductors. But they left him not to follow at will. They took him by either arm and thus led lum away. He remem? bered the room into which he had been first conducted on the evening of his capture, but he was not de? tained there. From here a long cor? ridor led off to where a wing of the building had been partly torn away, and thev soon came to a large eircu lar apartment, in the center of which was a deep basin where in years gone by people had been wont to bathe. The walls looked grim and ragged by the feeble ra vs of the lantern, and the chill wind came moaning through the cracks and crevices in the decaving masonry. "There," spoke one of the guides as he set his lantern upon the top of a broken column. "We will stop here." The words were spoken in a sort of hushed, unmerciful tone, and Eurie felt them strike fearfully up? on him. He gazed upon the man who had spoken, and he saw that he was preparing to throw off Iiis pe? lisse, which he had thus far worn. As soon as this was off he moved to where his companion stood and commenced whispering. Could Kurie mistake longer? What reason but one could there have been for bringing him to such a place? To the left, where the ba? sin had once emptied itself, there was a dark, deep, cavelike place, at the mouth of which a heap of rub? bish had collected. What a place in which to hide a dead body! So thought Ruric. But he was startled from the dark reverie by a darker reality. One of the men had taken a club, a long, heavy bludgeon which the youth had not before seen, and was just balancing it in one hand while he spat upon the other. "You will not murder me here in cold blood I" uttered Ruric, starting back. The stout ruinan clutched the club in both hands, but made no verbal answer. "Speak! For God's sake answer me!" the prisoner exclaimed, start? ing back another pace. "Do you mean to murder me ?" "Why," answered the man with the club in a cool, offhanded man? ner, "since you are so anxious to know, Til tell you. You will die within a minute!" "And will you take the life of one who never harmed you ? Hold ! If money be your object" "Stop!" interrupted the villain. "You can't argue us out of it in that way. You've got to die, and the sooner you go the sooner you'll get over it. You won't suffer a bit if you don't go to kicking up a fuss. There, now. If you hadn't bothered me 'twould have been all over by this time." Oh, what would Eurie have given at that moment for the use of one of his arms! But that was beyond praying for. Yet he had his feet. He said nothing more, but lie allow? ed the man to come within a few yards of him, and then he prepared for the only means of defense he had. The huge club was raised, and at that moment Eurie saw that the other man also had a club, ile knew then that they had been con? cealed there until now. "Hark!" uttered the second vii lain just ns his companion had rs ed his club. "What noise is that : "I suppose they're coming to : if we've finished the job," returr. the other, "and, by the saints, ought to have done it ere this. I they shall find it done !" The ponderous club was rais again, and, with a -quick, decis: movement, the man advanced. I ric made a movement of the body though he would bow his head i the stroke. Every nerve and musi of his frame was set for the tri and for the instant his heart sto still. Quick as thought his bo bent-his right knee was broug almost to his chin-and then, wi all tlie force he could command, planted his foot in the pit of i assassin's stomach. The .effect w electrical. The" wretch bent like broken stick and sank down witho a single sign of life. The second man uttered an oa and sprang forward with uplift club, bur Rurie easily dodged t Wow. ami then, as the thought f thc Rrri time flashed upon his min lie duned lo where the lantern sto< a::cl overturned it. He had notic< an irvrra passage close at hand whi< seemed io lead to some sort of .dressing room, and, guided by h mern orv a ?ono. for it was now da: as Erebus there, he glided swift ir??o it. When he knocked over tl lantern, he had upset column an all, and just as he reached the pai sage he heard a heavy fall, and li knew that his enemy had stumble over the fallen column. He hear the curses, loud and deep, whic dropped from the lips of the bailie man as he picked himself rip, and i a moment more he was edified by conversation between the two, fo villain No. 1 had revived, thoug the tone of his voice plainly indicai cd that he had a severe pain sti" lingering with him. "Michael, Michael!" groaned Xe -1, and as he spoke Rurie could bea him scrambling up on his feet. "Hi, Oriel !'"returned No. 2. '.'Have you dropped him?'*' "Xo!" cried Michael, with a curs which we do not choose to tran scribe. "He's a perfect detil!" "But where's the lantern?" "He put it out." "Lut you ought to have knoeke< him down, you clown." "So had yon." ".Aie ? Why, he kicked me over." "Well, he dodged by me and kick ed over the lantern." "But. where is he now ?" "He's gone. Hark ! Ha, I gu'es: they've caught him. Don't yoi hear ?" "Yes; they've caught somebody." "And ai course it's him. He wen' that way. Let's go and find" He did not finish the sentence, foi at that moment a .voice came up ir thunder tones, and it said: "Rurie! Rurie!" "Good'God!" gasned villain Xo. 1 "What isthat?" ."Rurie! Rurie!" "Bv the living sods, that is nol from any of our men!" uttered th( second ruinan. "Ha, they are com in ir this wav !" "Pairie! "Rurie!" "There is but one place," return? ed Oriel. "Here in the little draw? ing room. Come, let's find it. Oh curses on that gunmaker's head ! Ii he be not the verv devil, then he's a bound partner of his. Have you found the entrance. Michael ?" "Xo. It's near you somewhere. Can't you- Ha! In, in!" At that moment the glare of a flaming torch flashed through the gloom of the place, and the two vil? lains stood revealed. A dozen stout men, all well armed, appeared in the only passage by which they could j escape, for to have fled into the i drawing room of which thev had spoken would avail them nothing. "Ho~ villains!" shouted Vladimir, the monk, raising his flaming torch high above his head with his left hand, while in his right he waved a heavv sword. "Where is Rurie Xe vel?" "Here, here!" cried our hero, starting forward into the larger room. "What ! Safe-alive-well ?" ut? tered Vladimir. "Aye, my noblest of friends. But, oh, cast ol? this accursed bond from my arms. It eats into the flesh." The rope was quickly taken off, and then thc vouth embraced his de liverer. Xo questions were asked there. Only a few sincere thanks were uttered, and then attention was turned to the two villains, who yet stood trembling near them They had not attempted an escape, for the way was blocked up. They were quickly secured, and then the party turned away from the place, and as they went Rurie gave the monk an account of the manner in which he had been entrapped and of the events which had transpired since. "Merciful heavens!" ejaculated Vladimir as Rurie closed his ac? count of the manner in which he had overcome the two men who had thought to murder him. "It was a narrow escape." "But I might not have escaped I without your coming," the youth i said, "for they would surely have ! found me. With my hands lashed I behind me as they were I could not have escaped/' "True, true," returned Vladimir thoughtfully. "It was a narrow chance. But it is over now." "And how gained you the knowl j edge of my whereabouts?" asked ? Eurie. "ni explain it to you when we have time. But did 1 understand you to say that the humpbacked prie?! was I ??ere?*" "Ile came to my dungeon with the rest, and 'twas he that I knocked down. Have you not found him ?*' kiNo; we have seen nothing of him. We found-two men in the hal!, and that was ai!." The place was searched ail through for the priest, but he could not be found, and when Vladimir was assured that the arch villain had made his escape he prepared to leave the building. The prisoners, four of them* were led out first and taken away by the monk's followers. When Kurie reached the street, the stars were ali out. and the cool, frosty air struck gratefully upon his brow. He turned toward his myste? rious companion, and under the grateful impulse of the moment he ..topped. He raised his hands to? ward heaven, uttered one fervent sentence of thanksgiving to God and then moved on again. [TO BE CONTINUED.] ROOSEVELT ANO HANNA. Republican Nomination Belongs by Right to McKinley's Captain. War and politics are renell the same. The minor that Hanna's candidacy will be announced in a fe*v days is perfectly reasonable if he has made up his mind to try to overthrow the President There are only two ways to do it. One is to declare himself a candidate for the Republican nomina? tion at once and give open battle in every State for the delegations to the Chicago Convention. The other is a still hunt with a coup in the Convention. But to hold back his declaration and keep the situation on a nervous tiptoe of suspense has the bad feature of success-if success there be-having the color and smell of conspiracy. A coup in the Convention would put Senator Hanna before the country as an arch conspirator, and arouse a tidal wave of sympathy for Roosevelt as a great man struck down by a hand out of the dark. Roosevelt's friends are prepared. The declaration of the Senator would be the signal for mass meetings every? where endorsing the President, and demanding his nomination as the voice of the masses of the party. Nothing succeeds like success and nothing fails like failure. If Senator Hanna casts the die : if Hanna assumes that Roosevelt does not deserve the- victory that belongs by aU justice of plan and labor, to McKinley's great captain; if Hanna claims the glory he missed when it fell by chance and lawful right to the "Rough Rider," and fails, let no man who is not a god refuse Marcus Aure? lius Hanna pity.-The Denver Post. HOURS OF RAILROAD EMPLOYEES. ? Important Labor Bili Introduced n 8otH Senate and House. Columbia, Jan. 14.-The following is the text of Senator Hydrick's and Mr. Black wood's bill as to the em-, ployment of railroad people, which was referred to the committee on rail? roads : Section I. That it shall be unlawful for any railroad or railway company to require, directly or indirectly, or to permit any of its employees to labor or to serve more than twelve hours a day, except in cases of un? avoidable emergencies, and then only for as long a time as may be actually necessary; and in any case the em? ployee serving more than twelve hours a day shall be entitled to extra com? pensation for all time in excess there? of, at the same rate at which he is then employed, without regard to the terms of his employment, and the em? ploying company shall be liable there? for, any conduct or contract of such employee to the contrary notwith? standing. Section 2. That any such company wilfully violating any of the provis? ions of this Act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction therefor, shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars. English Government clerks do not serve an unappreciative nation. A chief clerk in the estate duty office at Somerset House receives $4,000 a year for his work during the seven hours of each lawful day (except Saturday. ) from 10 o'clock till 5. He has lately enjoyed in addition the valuable priv? ilege of working over-time at double rates, and the opportunity has been turned to most profitable account. One chief clerk in six mouths earned 81,500 extra. For this addition to his emoluments he remained on duty till 8 o'clock, instead of going home at 5. Two principal clerks, with I salaries of 83,500, received 8724 each j extra, while two assistant principal j clerks, with salaries of 82,SOU. had 8625 each. The eaterpilar plague in Australia is assuming alarming proportions and agriculturists arc beginning to fear for the bountiful crops which have result? ed from the recent splendid rai is. The invasion is now extending from tho southern part of New South Wales to the western border of the colony. Train* are frequenty stropped through the rails being rendered slippery by the crushed bodies of the insects, which i-ross the track in countess numbers. An extraurst. where a travelling army of caterpillars, said by eyewitnesses to be several inches deep utterly consumed the oats in a seventeen-acie field and the wheat in an adjoining field ?ithin a few hours. TRIAL OF POSTAL THIEF. Machen the First of the Rascals to Be Brought to Trial, Washington, Jan. 15.- In the trial today of August W. Machen and oth? ers, charged with conspiracy to de? fraud the government, the defense scored an important point with respect to the character of evidence to be in? troduced at this time by the govern? ment. The defense insisted that the government had not brought forth any documentary evidence showing the ex? istence of a conspiracy to defraud the government, and that that which was being offered naturally should follow the evidence of conspiracy so as to specifically connect the defendants with the varions transactions which had been referred to. The court sus? tained the point. At one point in the trial Mr. Douglass for the defense called upon Justice Pritchard to re? primand First Assistant Postmaster General Wynne for volunteering the statement that a former employe of the postoffice department recently had been sentenced in Baltimore to a term of two years in the penitentiary. The suggestion was not complied with, but the justice instructed the jury their minds must not be prejudiced by the statement of Mr. Wynne. Mr. Wynne testified that he had signed orders for the Groff fastener, one of them with a rubber stamp. "Improperly signed of course," he remarked, but he said he did not put the signature there himself. As a further test of the scrutiny which Mr. Wynne gave to requisitions he was asked if lie signed orders for 31,000 fasteners involving an expenditure of 830,000 or 840,000. The witness promptly replied, "Yes." Perry S. Heath, former assistant postmaster general, who was subpoe? naed from his .home in Salt Lake City to state what he knew about the ad? ministration of his office, was on the stand during the day. Although a government witness Mr. Heath's testi? mony was not regarded as hurtful to the defendants. He was shown an or? der for fasteners with his name attach? ed and promptly said: "That's my name and my signature, but I see it is signed by rubber stamp." The stamp, he said, was used only for formal matters, and it had not been his practice to rubber stamp a docu? ment calling for the expenditure of money. Former First Assistant Postmaster General Johnson also gave testimony as to the practice of his office in the handling of matter originating in the free delivery division. He had not concluded when court adjourned until tomorrow. ---amma*- ?--^M-?! - New York Cotton Market. New York, Jan. 15.-The cotton market opened firm at an advance of 12a21 points, following higher Liver? pool cables than expected and the out look for continued light receipts which promoted both covering by yesterday's late sellers and some fresh buying for long accounts. The advance as had been the case recently seemed to attract quite heavy liquidrtion and almost at once the market developed a down? ward tendency that continued until .the active months had been depressed until only 2 to 5 were net gain. At this level brokers with New Orleans connections executed light buying orders and the market began to do better, selling up to about the highest point so far for the day just before the noon hour. There was very little demand from outside sources and the local contingent by moderate scalping trades soon brought about another down-turn that carried prices back to nearly the previous low point. Fol? lowing this the market continud more or less irregular, but turned quite firm and more active toward thc clcse on what appeared to be New Orleans and Philadelphia buying. The market was finally steady with January net 23 points higher and the other months at an advance of 12 to 21 points. Sales were estimated at 300,000 bales. HUBBARD BROS. COTTON LET? TER. New York, Jan. 15.-Our market opened with sales of May at 13 92 3-4, aud after selling at 13.80-81 ruled at 13.90 at 1 p. m. Sharp American buying was reported as the cause of the sharp recovery in Liverpool to? gether with covering by Egyptian operators. Our market opened with an active demand, which was supplied apparently from the same source that have been noticeable as sellers during the past week. Finally a running break carried prices back to last even? ing's quotations, but this was recover? ed on the small estimates for tomorrow. The market is decidedly quieter, with? out the same outside demand, which was so marked a feature during Decem? ber. This is a surprise rn view of the falling off in the movement, which should have attracted more buying. 'A slightly better demand is reported for spots, but it requires an active demand from spinners to determine whether the cotton is in the south or not. At present spinners are waiting while outside speculation appears will? ing to realize. The closing tone was firm with indications of a higher market tomorrow in Liverpool. The spot market was still quiet and un? changed. Hubbard Bros. & Co.' Orangeburg, Jan. 15.-The under? taking establishment of W. Hampton Duke and sales stables of Fairey Bros. were bumed this afternoon and the blacksmith and paint shop of Henry Vondbsen was badly damaged. The fire originated in the hay in the loft of Fairey Bros.' stable, and it is thought that a spark from a nearby chimney had been wafted in through thc lattice work. Henderson, Ky., Jan. H.-Former Gov. John Young Brown died here today at an advanced age. In 1875, while congressman, he became widely known through a denunciation of Gen. benjamin F. Butler, who, as military governor of New Orleans, was distaste? ful to the Southern people. For this speech Gov. Brown received a vote of censure, but the next congress ex? punged io from the records. CASTOR IA For Infants and Children. The Kind You Have Always Bough) Signature of. I SECRETARY HESTER'S STATEMENT. Falling Off in the Movement Has Already Commenced-Stocks Decrease at the Centres. - New Orleans, Jan. 15.--Secretary Hester's weekly cotton statement issned to day shows for the 15 days of January a decrease under last year cf 50,000, and a decrease under the same period year before last of 119,00. For the 137 d.-*ys of the season that have elapsed, the aggregate is ahead of the same days last year 87,000, and ahead of the same days year before las: 00,000. The amount brought in sight during the past week has been 254,190, against 295,952 for the same seven days last year, and 293,866 year before last. The movement since* Sept. 1 shows receipts at all United States corts to be 5.665,527, against 5,381,481 last year; overland across ?he Mississippi, Ohio and Potomac rivers to northern mills and Canada 446,147 against 656, 007 last year; interior stocks in excess of those held at the close of the com? mercial year 421,955 against 412,640 last year: southern mill takings 911, 000, against 907,641 last year. The total movement; since Sept. 1 is 7,444,629. against 7,357,769 last year, and 7,3S4,910 year before last. Foreign exports for the week have been 131,447, against 194,501 last year, making the total thus far for the sea? son 4,159,824, against 3,925,364 last year. The total takings of American mills, north and south, and Canada thus far for the season have been 2,120,027, against 2,121,873 last year. Stocks at the seaboard and the 29 leading southern interior centres have been decreased during the week 21,540 bales against a decrease during the corresponding time last season of 5,477. Including stocks left over at ports and interior towns from the last crop and the number of bales brought into sight thus far for the new crop, the supply to date is 7,612,428, against 7,572,843 for the same period last year. Fewer gallons; wears longer; Devoe. Richard Grant White, the philolo? gist, was asked once upon a time to conjugate the verb "kiss." He be? lieved and maintained that English is a grammarless tongue, hence he felt no compunction when he gave this r "Buss, to kiss, rebus, to kiss again; plurobus, to kiss without regard to number; sillybus, to kiss the hand instead of the lips; blunderbuss to kiss the wrong person ; omnibus, to kiss every one in the roo:? ; erebus, to kiss in the dark." In the Merry Springtime In the merry springtime the festive ma? laria microbe, goeth forth determined to colonize every human organism. If this arch foe ha? invaded your system al'ow us to suggest Rydale's Tonic. This remedy frees the blood from malaria microbes eliminates poisonous matter from the sys? tem, strengthens the nerves, and restores robust health. Rydale's Tonic is guaran? teed. El Paso, Tex., Jan. 15.-Policeman Howeell Cobb shot and killed Robert O. Emma, a Mexican, on one of the main streets today. Emma was resist? ing arrest, and after knocking the officer down, slashed him with a razor, inflicting serious wounds. Cobb, while prostrate, fired at his assailant, the bullet penetrating Emma's head. The officer was exonerated. He is said to belong to the well known Georgia family. Cured After Suffering 10 Years. , B. ?. Hare, Supt. Miami Cycie & Mfg. Co., Middletown, ()., suffered for ten years with dyspepsia. He spe.it hundreds of dollars for medicine and with doctor? without receiving any permanent benefit. He says, "One night while feeling excep? tionally bad I was about to throw dowr. the evening paper when I saw an item m the paper regarding the merits of Kodol Dys pepsia Cure. I concluded to try it and while I had no faith in it I felt better after the second dose. A fier using two bottles I am stronger and better than I have been in years, and I recommend Ko? dol Dyspepsia Cure to my friends and acquaintances suffering from stomach trouble." Sold by J. S. Hughson & Co. YD?LE'S TONIO A "CAL CURE FOR MAXJAHIA. It has recently been discovered tba* I he germs t.::.t produce Malaria, breed and multiply in the intestines and fro::: there spread throughout the syste::: by means of the blood. This fact ex? plains why Malaria is bard to cure by the old method of treatment. Quinine Iron. etc., stimulate the nenes and build up the blood, but do not destru.. the germs that cause the disease. Rydale's Ionic has a specific effec. upon the intestines and bowels, freeing :hcm iro n all disease breeding rr.i iTobes. It also kills the germs thai Rifest the veins and arteries, lt driver Tom the blood all poisonous matu: xiid makes it rich and healthv. RYDALE'S TONIC is ' a blo^c builder, a nerve restorer, a od a Malan? destroyer. Try it, it will nwt d sa;> ?oir* vou. N. G. Osteen, Jr., SURGEON DENTIST, OFFICE : No. 104 N. Mainstreet, (Winburn's old Gallery)." SUMTER, S. C. Office hours, 9 to 1.30 : 2 30 to 6. C. P. Osteen, M. D. No 104 N. Main Street, (Winburn's old Gallery), SUMTER, S. C.