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^ ^||bBbP' / ? * ^ {" M m THE TOWN OF UNION . TFT * TF*T "M T T /\ PI1 T "M M" T ^ /"N OUTSIDE OF THE CITY '?, Five Cotton Mills, one Knitting BwfcrffwJP ^ I ' I ^B I M B Bl ' I- ' I B /I | ' 1 Thres Cotton Mills, one Knitting . Mill end Dye Plant, one Oil Mill, L M I B 'BL B B B pBI- ' B B / B BJ Mill, another building, Geld Mitt| I I |1i I .V ll r 1 I I VI |1i m t? n'""T M'mr Graded Schools, Water Worlre and BB B A B J' I M j?V^ I I V I I A kv / Taxable value in and cut of towu Electric Lights, Population 7,000. #* ~*r v ^^ M ^ rv? $5*000,000. r VOL. yni. NO. 80., , ^ 11 AV Jl I V ' 190:;. #1.00 A YEAR. IwtlEN KNI I WAS IN I A f y Y Or, The Love Story of CbHa Brandon Happening In the Reign of His Aug 5 ' fnrrtttM and Handcrtd^nto K Wk C*.akoden' 3 By EDWIN tySK.ODE Copyright, 1R9S and 1901, l,y 11 of whom was In the habit of saying unkind tilings and being thanked for them. Brandon was the wrong man to r.ny them to, as Mary learned, lie was not hot tempered?In fact, Just the reverse ?but he was the last man to brook an cool hooded, dangerous way nn luten- 1 tlonnl offense. lie respected himself nnd made others do the same, or seem to do so nt ' least. lie hnd no vanity, which is but an lnordinnte desire for those qualities I that bring self respect and often the result of conscious demerit, but he knew < himself nnd knew that lie was entitled to his own good opinion. He was every Inch a man, strong, intelligent and , brave to temerity, with a reckless dis regard of consequences, which might | have been dangerous had it not been tempered by a dash of prudence nnd cantlon that gave him hnllnst. I was not surprised when I heard of the encounter, for I knew enough of him to be sure that Mary's high handedness would meet its counterpart in my cool friend BrHudon. It was, however, : an unfortunate victory, and what all ' Mary's beauty nnd brightness would ' have fulled to do her honest, open acknowledgment of wrong, following so quickly upon the heels of her fault, ac- ! " compllshed easily. It drew him within the circle of her fatal attractions, and when Jane told me of it I knew his fate was sealed and that sooner or later his untouched heart and cool head would fall victim to the shafts that so surely winged all others. ' 1 ii iuikiii nnu pronnniy would Do 'Inter," since, ns Brandon had said, lie wns not one of those who wear the "1 met i/owr friend. Did he tell ycu?" henrt upon tho Rleevfc. Then lie had tlint strong vein of prudence and caution which, In view of Mary's unnttalnableness, would probably conic to ids help. But never was man's henrt strong euuiiKii to riDim .imrj' moors smile for long. Thoro wan this difference between Brandon and most others?be would bo low to love, but when love should once fairly take root In his intense nature he would not do to trillc with. The night after the meeting Mary cuddled up to Jane, who slept with her, and whispered, lialf bashfully: "Tell me ull about Iiraiulon. I am Interested In him. I believe If I ^new more persons like him I should be n better girl, notwithstanding he Is oue of the boldest men I ever Uuew. Ho says anything he wishes with all his modest manner, Is as tool with me as If I were n burgher's daughter. Ills modesty is nil on the outside, but it is ! pretty, and pretty things must be on J the outside to be useful. I wonder if . Judson thought him modest." Jnne talked of Ilrnndon to Mary, who was in an excellent humor, until the ( girls fell asleep." When Jane told me of this, I became frightened, for the surest way to uny woman's heart Is to convince her that you innki' n?*r uvuer aim arouse m ncr breast purer impulses and higher aspirations. It would l?c l>nd enough should Brandon fall In love with tho princess, jL which was almost sure to hnppen, but for them to full In love with ench cither inonnt Brandon's head uikiu the, block and Mary's henrt hrulscd, broken ami empty for life. Her strong nature, filled to the brim with Intent passion, was the stuff of which love makes a conflagration that hums to destruction, and should she learn to love Brandon slic would move lieu vet) and earth to Qoesc^s Ulm. i A -#b A i'ili? 'vfT^fr ^rT^rr tj?? ^pj* She whose every desire fr^r mount necessity, would,,?top yit nothing when the dearest wish i\ vyoman's hea*t*cnneoin was to bo gnlned or lost. Brandon's element of prudence might help liitn and might forestall any effort 011 his part to win her, but Mary had never heard of prudence, and man's caution avails but little when net against woman's daring. In case tliey both should love they were sure Ito try for each other and in trytaig were equally sure to nnu rulu and desolallon. A few evenings nfter this I met the princess in the queen's drawing room. She beckoned me to her and, resting her elbows on the top of a cabinet, her chin in her hands, said: "1 met your friend. Captain Brandon, a day or twe ago. Did he toll you?" "No," I answered. "Jane told me, but he has not mentioned it." It was true Brandon had not said a word of the matter, and I had not siioken of it either. I wanted to see how long lie would remain sflfuit concerning an adventure that would have set most men of the court l>oasting at a great rate. To have a tilt with the ever victorious Mary and to come off victor was enough, I think, to loosen any tongue less given to bragging than Brandon's. "So," continued Mary, evidently somewhat piqued, "he did not think his presentation to me a thing worth mentioning? We had a little passage at arms, and, to tell you the truth, I came off second best and had to acknowledge It too. Now, wllat do you think of tills new friend of yours? And he did not boast about having the better of me. After all, there is more virtue In his siloilPB tllllli 1 fit flrsst lmnirlif " A ?wl ?!*** throw back her bond and clapped her hands and laughed with the most con* taglous little ripple you ever hoard. She seemed not to grieve over her defeaf, but dimpled as though It were a huge Joke, the thought of which rather pleased her than otherwise. Victory had grown stale for her, although so young. "What do I think of my new friend?" I repeated after lier, and that gave me a theme upon which I could enlarge eloquently. I told her of his learning, notwithstanding the fact that he had been in tho continental wars ever slnco lie was a l>oy. I repeated to her stories of his daring and bravery that had been told to me by his uncle, tho master of the horse, and others, and then I added what I knew Lady Jane had already said. I had expected to be brief, but to my surprise found a close and Interested listener, even to the twice told parts, and drew my story out a little, to the liking of us both. "Your friend lins an earnest advocate In you, Sir Edwin," said tho princess. "Thnt he bus," I replied. "There is nothing too good to say of him." I knew that Mary, with her better, clearer brain, held tho king almost in the palm of her band, so I thought to advance Brandon's fortune by a timely word. ' I (nuf tho IfI.i? ...III ??? ? ????v VMV nui^ " hi ocw 111 iu Mivur him, and I hope that you will apeak a wonl In lila behalf should the opportunlty occur." "What, In the uaiue of heaven, have wo to give him?" cried Mary impatlently, for she kept an eye on things political, even If she were only a girl. "The king has given away everything that enn lie given already, and now that the war la over and men aro coming home there aro hundreds waiting for more. My fntlier'a great treaaure la squandered, to any nothing of tho money collected from l-'rupson, Dudley and the other commissioners. Thero Is nothing to give unless It l>o the titles and estate of the late Duke of Suffolk. Perhaps the king will give these to your paragon If j*ou will paint him In as fair a light as you have drawn him for me." Then, throwing back her head, with a laugh, "Ask him." "It would bo none too much for his deserts," I replied, falling In with her humor. "We will so arrange It, then," went on Mary banterlngly. "Captain HraufinII ItA lAIItrAr lint Plm el"" ww?> ??V fWMnVB I UMV V?MII IVO AUnilUWII, duke of Buffolk. How Hounds It, Master Cnskoden?" "Bwoet In my ears," I replied. "I really believe you would have tbe king'* crown for liliu, you absurd man, if you could get it. Wo must bovo no interesting a person at court. I abaII at least nee that be la presented to tbo queen at once. I wonder If bo dance*. I suppose not. He baa probably been too busy cutting nud thrusting." And *h?. laughed again at ber own pleasantry. grander luen were one <5itrl?es a^couta^g^j cards?that In, aucfi as wejadiedi! m asked Mary. "You say lie has w%4 much in Frauce. where the game wrfkp Invented, hut I have no doubt bo. would scorn to waste Ills time at so frivolous n pursuit when he might be slaughtering nrniieR single handed and alone," *?.. "I do hot know us to Ills dancing nnd curd playing, but I dare venture a wager lie does both," I replied, not liking lier tone of sarcasm. She had yet to learn who Rrnndon was. "I will hazard ten crowns," said Mary quickly, for she loved a wager nnd was a born gambler. "Taken," said I. "We will try him on both tomorrow night In my drawing room," she continued. "You bring him up, but tell | 110 one. I will linve Jane there with her lute, which will not frighten you away I know, nnd we will try his step. I will have cards, too, nnd we shall see what he can do nt triumph. Just we j four, no one else at all. You nnd Jane, the new Duke of Suffolk and I. Oh, I can hardly wait!" And she fnlrlj' danced with Joyous anticipation. The thing had enough irrcgulurity to give it zest, for while Mary often had a few young people in her drawing room, the companies were never bo small as two couples only, and the king nnd queen, to make up for greater faults, were wonderful sticklers iu the innUer of little proprieties. fhe ten crown wager, too, gave spice to it, but to do her juBtiee she cared very little ^for that. The princess loved gambling purely fon?vgnmbling sake, and with her the nexrbest thing to winning was losing. When I went to my room that night, i awakened Brandon and told him of uk- ciisuiigursueu iionov unit awaited him. "Well, I'll lie"? But lie did not say what he would "he." He always halted before an oath, unless angry, which was seldom, but then beware. He had learned to swear in l-'landers. "How she did 11 y at ine the other morning! I never was more surprised in all my life. For once 1 was almost caught with my guard down and did not know how to parry the thrust. I mumbled over some sort of a lame retaliation and beat a retreat. It was so unjust and uncalled for that it made me angry. But she was so gracious in her amends- that 1 was almost glad It happened. 1 like n woman who can be as savage as the very devil when it pleases her. She usually has In store an assortment of possibilities for the other extreme." "She told mo of your encounter," I returned, "but said she bad come off second best, and seemed to think her overthrow a lingo Joke." "The innn who lenrns to know what a woman thinks and feels will have a great deal of valuable information," he renllod. mill then turne,! ever fr\w nlnnn greatly pleased tlint one woman thought as She did. I was not sure ho would be so highly flattered If he knew that ho had been Invited to settle a wager and to help Mnry to a Ilttlo sport. As to the former, I bad an interest there myself, nithough I dared not settle the question by asking Brandon if he played cards and danced, and, as to the matter of Mary's sport, I felt there was but little if any danger of her having too much of it nt his expense, Brandon being well ablo to care for himself in that respect. The next evening at the appointed time wo wended our way by an unfrequented route and presented ourselves as secretly as possible at the drawing room of the princess. The door was opened by Lady Jane, and we met the two girls almost at the threshold. I had told Brandon of tho bantering conversation about tho tltlo and estntes of tho late Duke of Suffolk, and he had laughed over it in the best of humor. If quick to retaliate for an Intentional offense, ho was not thin skinned at a piece of pleasantry, Qnd had none of that stiff, sensitive dignity so troublesome to oneself and friends. Now, Jane nnd Mary were always bantering me beenuso ( was short and inclined to be, in fact, round, but I did not care. It mude them laugh, and their laughing was so contagious it made me laugh, too, and we all en* joyed It. 1 would clvo n nonnd storllmr nny time for a good laugh, and that, I think, la why I intve always been? round. So, upon entering, I sold: "His grace the Duke of Suffolk, la* { dies." They each luado a aweening court* I. 1 liaud on breast, and gravely Im: race, good even." ii's bow was as deep and ' If that were possible, as d when lie moved on into the fvns with a little halt in his | a big blowing out of the > ludicrous iinititlioi) of his btcd predecessor that sent tlio peals of soft laughter and put our ease immediately, at a tiling it is to look back It time of life when one finds |U in a*ready laugh! cd, all," said the princess. |o be without ceremony and Km'! No ope knows a word of Ku tell any one, Sir Edwin?" She thought!" I exclaimed. ! Red licr face toward Brandon, mow you did not. I've heard feet you were about another Boll, no one knows It, then, cbn have a famous evening. expect tills. Master BrandoiVstfrchjny reception of you the other mornlnfe? Were you not surprised when Sir Kdwln told you?" "I think 1 can safely say that I was prepared ik>t to lie surprised at anything your' highness might gracious'? conclude t?t do?after uiy first experience," be answered, smiling. "Indeed T*| returned Mary, with elevated eyebrows and a rising Inflection 011 the last syllable of the word. It was now lier turn for a little surprise. "Well, we'll try to find some way to surprise yon one of these days." And the time enuic when she was full of surprises for him. Mary continued: "Hut let us not talk about the ofBfcr day. Of wlult use are 'other days,' anyway? Bcfodb the evening Is over, Master Brandoul we want you to give us another tfOriapn." And she laughed, settine off three other Inughs as hearty nntTBTnceitt as If she had uttered the rarest wittipism on earth. The prhHiHS had told Jane and Jane had told, flic of the "Serinon In the Park," as Mao1 called it. "Jane needs it as much as I," said the princes^ "I can't^believe that," responded Brandon, looking at Jane with a softening glance quite too admiring and comuaendatoQr to suit me, for I was a jealous lUtlctflcvil. The eyebrowe went up again. "Oh.jrou tfttnk she doesn't? Well, in truth, ""Mn^ter Brandon, tliere 1ft one falliug that cannot be laid nt your door ?you are uo flatterer." For answer Brandon laughed, and that gave us the cue, and away we went In a rippling chorus, all about nothing. Some persons may call our laughter foolish, but there are others who consider It the height of all wisdom. St. George! I'd give my Garter for just one other laugh like that, for Just one other hour of youth's dancing blood and glowing soul warmth, of sweet, unconscious, happy heart bent and paradise creating Joy In everything! After n few minutes of gay conversation, In which we all joined, Mary asked: "What shall we do? Will one of you suggest something?" Jane sat there looking so demure you would have thought mischief could not live within a league of her, but those very demure girls nre nearly always dangerous. She said, oh, so innocently: "Would you like to dance? If so, 1 will play." And she reached for her lute, which was by her side. "Yes, that will l>e delightful. Master Brandon, will you dance with me?" asked the princess, with a saucy little laugh, her invitation meaning so much more to three of us than to Brandon. Jane and I joined In the laugh, nnd when Mary clapped her bauds that set Brandon off, too, for he thought It the quaintest, prettiest little gesture In the world and was nil unconscious that our laugh was at his expense. Brandon did not answer Mary's invitation?the lit of laughter had probably put It out of his mind?so she, evidently nnxlous to win or lose her wager at once, agnin asked hint if he dunccd. "Oh, pardon me! Of course! Thank you!" And he was on his feet beside her chair In an instant ready for tho dance. This time the girl's laugh, though equally merry, had nnother tone, for she knew sho had lost. Out they stepped upon the polished floor, he holding her hand in his, awaiting the pause in the music to take the step. I shall never forget the sight of ? Al " iuvmo mu .->iiiiiuiiiH mere logeiner? Mary, dark eyed and glowing; Brandon, almost rosy, 'with eyes that hold the color of a dark spring sky and a wealth of flowing curls crowning his six foot of perfect manhood, strong and vigorous as a young lion. Mary, full of l?enuty curves and graces, a verltahlo Venus In her teens, and Brandon, an Apollo, with a touch of Hercailes, wero 41 complement euch to the other that would surely make a perfect one. When the music started, off they went, heel and toe, bow and courtesy, a step forward and a step back. In perfect time and rhythm?a poein of human motion. Could Brandon dance? The princess had her answer In the flrst ten steps. Nothing could be more graceful tbau Brnudon's dancing un1 less It were Mary's, ller slightest movement was graco itself. When she would throw herself backward in thrusting out her toe und then swing forward with her head a llttlo to ono i sldo, her uplifted arm undulating llko j I the white ueck of a swou?for her ; sleeve, whfeli was silt to (lie shoulder, fell back and left it bare?she was u sight worth a long journey to see. And when she looked up to Brandon with a laugh in her brown eyes and a curving siuile just parting her full, red lips that n man would give his very luck to ?hut I had better stop. "Was there ever a goodlier couple?" I asked Jaue, by whose side I sat. "Never," she responded as she played, aud, strange to say, I was jealous hecause she agreed with inc. I was jealous because I feared it was Brandon's beauty to which she referred. That I thought would naturally appeal to her. Ilad lie been less handsome 1 should perhaps have thought nothing of it, hut I knew what tny feelings were to warn -Mary, ami I judged, or rather misjudged, Jaue by myself. I supposed-she would think of Ilrandon as I could not help thinking of Mary. Was anything in heaven or earth ever so beautiful as that royal creature dancing there, daintily holding up her skirts with thumb and first linger, just far enough to show a distracting little foot and ankle and make one wish lie had heeti born a sheep rather than a sentient i ' an who had to live without Mary Tudor? Yet, strange as it may seem, I was really and wholly in love with Jane. In fact, I loved no one but Jane, and my feeling of intense admiration for Mary was but a part of man's composite inconstancy. A woman?God bless her!?if she really loves a man, has no thought of any other?one at a time Is all sutlielent? but a man may love one woman with the warmth of a simoom and at the same time feel like a good, healthy south wind toward a dozen others. That is the difference between a man and a woman?the difference between the good and the bad. One average woman has enough goodness in her to supply an army of men. Mary and Brandon wont on dancing long after Jane was tired of playing. It was plain to see that Hie girl was thoroughly enjoying it. They kept up a running tire of small talk and laughed and smiled and bowed and eourtesled, all in perfect time and grace. It is more dlflicult than you may thluk, If you have never tried, to keep up a conversation and dance La Halliard at the same time?one Is apt to balk the other. IUit Brandon's dancing was as easy to him as walking, and, although so small a matter, I could sec it raised him vastly in the estimation of both girls. "Do you piny triumph?" I heard Mary ask In the midst of the dancing. "Oh. yes," replied Brandon, much to my delight, as the princess threw a mischievous, knowing glance over her shoulder to see if 1 had heard. She at once saw 1 had, and this, of course, settled the wager. "And," continued Brandon, "I also play the new game, honor and ruff, which Is more Interesting than triumph." "Oh, do you?" cried Mary. "That will more than compensate for the loss of my 10 crowns. Lot us sit down at once. I have been wishing to learn, but no one here seems to know it. In France, they say, it is the only game. I suppose there Is where you learned It. Berlinps you know their new dances too. I have heard they are delightful." "Yes, 1 know them." replied Brandon. 1 * W11V VAll ll-n n ! * *?'? ?,iv " i?viivti iiiruauiui Teach me at once! How, now, master of the (Innee? llere is your friend outdoing you In your own line." "I am glad to hear it," I returned. "If Lady Jane will kindly play some lively air written in the time of 'The Sailor Lass,' I will teach the Lady Mary the new dance," said Brandon. Jane threw one plump little knee over the other and struck up "The Sailor Bass." After she had adjusted the playing to Brandon's suggestion he stepped deliberately in front of Mary and, taking her right hand in his left, encircled her waist with his right arm. The girl was startled at first and drew away. This nettled Brandon a little, and he showed It plainly. "I thought you wished me to teach you the new dance," he said. "I do, but?but I did not know it was danced that way," she replied, with a fluttering little laugh, looking up into his face with a half shy, half apologetic manner and then dropping her lashes before bis gaze. "Oh, well!" said Brandon, with a Frenchman's shrug of the shoulders, and then moved off as if about to leave the fli>or. "But Is that really the way you ? they dance it?with your -their arm around my?a lady's waist?" "I should not have dared venture up on such n familiarity otherwise," answered r.rnmlon, with a glimmer or n smile playing around iiis lips and hiding In his eyes. Mary saw this shadowy smile and said: "Oh, 1 fenr your modesty will cause you hurt. I am beginning to believe you would dare do anything you wish. I more than half suspect you are a very l>old man, notwithstanding your smooth, modest manner." "You do 1110 foul wrong. I assure you. I am the soul of modesty, and grieve that you should think me bold," said Brandon, with a broadening smile. Mary interrupted him. "Now, I do believe you are laughing at me?at iny prudery, I suppose you think it" Mary would rather hare been called a fool thuu a prude, and 1 think, site ~y I was rtght. I'rudcry is 110 mote h sign of virtue Uinn n wig Is of liuir. It is usually put oil to hide a bald place, j The princess stood irresolute for a moment in evident hesitation and au* noyance. "You are grieving because I think you bold. And yet you stand there i laughing at me to uiy face. I think so j more than ever now. I know It. Ob, ! you make me angry! Don't! I do not I like persons who anger me and then ! laugh at me." This turned Brandon's ! smile into a laugh, which lie could not i bold back. Mary's eyes shot tire, and she stamped her foot, exclaiming: "Sir, this goes beyond all bounds! I will not tolerate your boldness another moment." I thought she was going to dismiss him, but she did not. The time had come When lie or slie must !>?? tli?> tnnOi.f It was a battle royal between the farces on the floor, and I enjoyed it ami felt that Hrandon would conic out all right. lie said good Inunoredly: "What! Shall you have all the laugh in your sleeve at my expense? Do you expect to bring me here to win a wager for you made on the assumption of my stupidity and lack of social accomplishments and then complain when It comes my turn to laugh? I think I am the one who should be offended, but you see I am not." "CaskodOn, did >ai tell him?" demanded Mary, evidently referring to the wager. "lie said not a word of it," broke in Hrandon, answering for mo. "1 should have been u dullard indeed not to have seen it myself after what you said about the loss of your 10 crowns. So let us cry quits and begin again." Mary reluctantly struck her tlag. "Very well, I am willing," she said laughingly; "but, as to your boldness, I still insist upon that. 1 forgive you, however, this time." Then Imir p ....... U|/VIVgetically, "After all, it is not such a grievous charge to make. 1 believe It never yet injured any man with women. They rather like it, I am afraid, however angry it makes them. Don't they, Jane?" Jane, of course, did not know, so we all laughed, as usual, upon the slightest pretext, and Mary, that fair 9 bundle of contradictions and quick transitions, stepped boldly up to llrandon, with her colors flying In her cheeks, ready for the lirst lesson in the new dance. She was a little frightened at his arm around her waist, for the embrace was new to her?the lirst touch of man?and was shy and coy, though willing, being determined to learn the dance. She was an apt pupil and soon glided softly and graciously around the room with unfeigned delight, yielding to the new situation more easily as she becamo accustomed to it. This dance was livelier exercise than La Galliard. and Mary could not talk much for lack of breath, r.randon kept the conversation going, though, and she answered with glances, smiles, nods and monosyllables, a very good vocabulary in its way, and a very good way, too. for that matter. Once lie said something to her in a low voice, which brought a flush to licr checks and caused her to glance quickly up into his face, lty the time her answer ennie they were nearer us, and I heard her say: "I am afraid I shall have to forgive you again If you are not careful. Let ine see an exhibition of that modesty you so much boast." Hut a smile and a flash of the eyes Went with the words and took nil the sting out of them. After a time the dancers stopped, and .miry, wiui uusiicu nice and sparkling eyes, sank into a elialr, exclaiming: "The new dance is delightful, Jane. It is like Hying, your partner helps you so. But what would the king sny?and the queen? She would simply swoon with horror. It is delightful, though." Then, with more confusion in her manner than I had ever before seen, "That is, it Is delightful if one chooses her partner." This only made matters worse and gave Brandon an opportunity. "Dare I hope?" lie asked, with n deferential bow. "Oh, yes; you may hope. I tell you frankly it was delightful with you. Now, are you satisfied, iny modest one? Jane, I see we have a forward body here. No tolling what lie will be at next," said Mary, with evident impatience, rapidly swaying her fan. She spoke almost sharply, for Brandon's attitude was more that of an equal than she was accustomed to, and her royal dignity, which was the artificial part of her, rebelled against it now nud then in spite of her real Inclinations. The habit of receiving only adulation and living on a pinnacle above everybody else was so strong from continued nfnnt ?r?o !!? ?* 1 .?1?1 * - > , ....... .V <I|.|?-41IV-U IU IIIT HX a duty to maintain that elevation. Sbo had never ln'fore been called upon to exert herself in that direction, and tlie situation was new. The servile ones with Whom she usually associated maintained it for her; so she now felt, whenever she thought of It, that sho was In duty hound to clamher hnek, at least part of the way, to her dignity, however pleasant it was personally down below in the denser atmosphere of informality. .? 1 [TO BE CONTINUE?.] J -v > x ^ ^ ^