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* 1 .1. .... T . > Masqu By KATHERINE Author of "1 Copyright, I0O4, bj That afternoon Chllcote's nervous condition reached Its height. All day he had avoided the climax, but no evasion can be eternal, and this he realized as be sat Id his place on the opposition benches during the half hour of wintry twilight that precedes the turning on of the lights. He realized it In that half hour, but the application of the knowledge followed later, when the time came for him to question the government on some point relating to the proposed additional dry dock at Talkley, the naval base. Then for the first time he knew that the sufferings of the past months could have a visible as well as a hidden side?could disorganize his dally routine as they had already demoralized his will nnd character. The thing came upon him w**h ex- ! traordlnary lack of preparation, lie sat ; through the twilight with tolerable I calm, his nervousness showing only In the occasional lifting of his hand to his collar and the frequent changing of his position, but when the lights were turned on and he leaned back in his seat with closed eyes he became conscious of a curious Impression?a disturbing idea that through bis closed lids he could see the faces on the opposite side of the house, see the rows of eyes, sleepy, interested or vigilant Never before had the sensation presented itself, but once set up it ran through all his susceptibilities. By an absurd freak of fancy those varying eyes seemed to pierce through his lids, almost through his eyeballs. The cold perspiration that was his dally horror [ broke out on his forehead, and at the ' same moment Praide, his leader, turn- | ed, leaned over the buck of his 6eat i and touched his knee. Chllcote started and opened his eyes. ; "I?I believe I was dozing," he said i confusedly. Praide smiled his dry, kindly smile. "A fatal admission for a member of the opposition," he said. "But I was looking for you earlier In the day, Chllcote. There la something behind this Persian * 1,01,1'" ?? *-a mere Omt move on Russia's part. You big trading people will find It worth watching." Chllcote shrugged his shoulders. "Oh, I don't know," he said. "I scarcely believe In it Lakely put a match to the powder In the St George's, but 'twill only be a noise and u puff of smoke." But Fralde did not smile. "What is the feeling down at Wark?" he asked. "Has It awakened any Interest?" "At Wark? Oh, I?I don't quite know. I have been a little out of ' touch with Wark In the last few ! weeks. A man has so mnnv nrlvnte affairs to look to"? lie was uneasy j under his chief's scrutiny. Fraldc's Hps parted as If to make re- j ply, but with a certuln dignified reticence he closed them again and turned away. Chilcote lennod back In his place and furtively passed his hand over his forehead. Ills mind was possessed by one consideration ? the consideration of himself. lie glanced down the crowded, lighted house to the big glass doors; he glanced about him at his colleagues, Indifferent or Interested; then surreptitiously his fingers strayed to his waistcoat pocket. Usually he carried his morphia tab lolds with him, but today by a lapse of memory he had left them at home. He knew this, nevertheless he continued to search, while the need of the drug rushed through him with a sense of physical sickness. lie lost hold on the business of the house; unconsciously he half rose from his seat The man next him looked up. "Hold your ground, Chllcote," he said. "Itayforth Is drying up." With a wave of relief Chllcote dropped back into his place. Whatever the confusion lu his mind It was evidently not obvious In his face. Rayfortb resumed his seat, there was the usual slight stir and pause; then Salett, the member for Salchester, rose. With Salett's first words Chllcote's hand again sought bis pocket and again his eyes strayed toward the doors, but Fralde's erect head and stiff back Just In front of him held him quiuu ?liu an enori ue punuu out his notes and smoothed them nervously; but, though his gaze was fixed on the pages, not a line of Biessington's clear writing reached his mind. He glanced at the face of the speaker, then at the faces on the treasury bench, then once more lie leaned back iu his seat. The man beside him saw the movement. "Funking the dry dock?" he whispered jestingly. "No"~Chilcote turned to him suddenly?"but I feel beustly?lnne felt beastly for weeks'." The other looked at him more closely. "Anything wrong?" he asked. It was a novel experience to be confided In by Chilcote. "Oh, It's the grind?the Infernal grind." As he said It It seemed to him suddenly that his strength gave way. lie forgot his companion, his position, everything except the urgent Instinct that filled mind and body. Scarcely knowing what he did be rose and leaned forward to whisper in Fralde's car. Fraide was seen to turn, his thin face Interested and concerned, then he H E '-"" 1 lerader CECIL THURSTON. he Circle,M Etc. r Harper ?/ Brothers was roc 11 to nod once or twice In acquiescence, and a moment Inter Chllcote stepped quietly out of his place. One or two men spoke to him as he hurried from the house, but he shook them off almost uncivilly, and, maklnR for the nearest exit, hulled a cab. Tho drive to Orosvenor square was a misery. Time after tlmo he changed from one corner of the cab to tho other, bis acute Internal pains prolonged by every ~ deluy and Increased by every motion. At lust, weak In all his limbs, he stepped from the vehicle at his own door. Entering the house, lie Instantly mounted the stairs and passed to his j own rooms. Opening the bedroom door, he peered in cautiously, then llk-- uuur wiue. The light had been swltohed on. but tbe room was empty. With a nervous exelteiueut Scarcely to be kept In check, he entered, shut and locked the door, then moved to the wardrobe and, opening It, drew the tube of tabloids from the shelf. Ills hand shook violently as ho carried the tubo to the table. The strain of the day, the anxiety of tbo past hours, with their flnnl failure, had found sudden expression. Mixing a larger dose than any he had before allowed himself, he swallowed It hastily and, wnlklng across the room, threw himself, fully dressed, npon the bed. CHAPTER IV. mO those whose Bphere lies In the west of London, Fleet street Is little more than a name and Clifford's Inn a mere dead letter. Yet Clifford's Inn Ilea as safely stowed nwoy In the shadow of the law courts as any grave under a country church wall. It is as green of grass, as gray of stone, as Irresponsive to the passing footstep. Facing the railed In grass plot of Its little court stood the house In which John Loder had his rooms. Taken at a^flret fl^po^e the house had the deserttho early hours, but as night fell lights would be seen to show out, first on oue floor, then on another?faint, human l>encons unconsciously signaling each other. The rooms Loder inhabited were on "^he highest floor, and from their windows one might gaze philosophically on the treetops, forgetting the uneven pavement and the worn railing that hemmed them around. In the landing outside the rooms his name npi>enred above his door, but the paint had been soiled by time and the letters for the most part reduced to shadows, on ?hnf fnl-nn I r, ~ ov lAMAVf a?a?*v~*? &i-i wiijuavuuu w iui uiu gnnnt staircase and I wire walls, the place had a cheerless look. Inside, however, the effect was somewhat mitigated. The room on the right hand as one entered the small passage that served as hall was of fair size, though low celled. The paint of the wall paneling, like the name above the outer door, had long ago been worn to a dirty and nondescript hue, and the floor was Innocent of carpet. Yet In the middle of the room stood a fine old Cromwell table, and on the nlnln deal bookshelves nnd along the mantelplece were some valuable books?political and historical. There were no curtains on the windows nnd a common reading lamp with a green shade stood on a desk. It was the room of a man with few hobbles nnd no pleasures, who existed because he was alive nnd worked because he must. Throe nights after the great fog John Loder sat by his desk In the light of the green shaded lamp. The remains of a very frugal supper stood on the center table, and In the grate a small and economical looking fire was burning. Having written for close on two hours, he pushed back his chulr and stretched his ernmpod fingers. Then he yawned, rose nnd slowly walked across the room. Reaching) the mantelpiece he took a pipe from the pipe rack nnd some tobacco from the Jar that stood behind the books. Ills face looked tired and a little worn, as is common with men who have worked long at nn uncongenial task. Shredding the tobacco between his hands he slowly filled the pipe, then lighted It from the fire with a spill of twisted DUDOr. Almost at the moment that he applied the light the sound of steps mounting the uncarpeted stairs outside caught his attention and he raised his ! head to listen. j Presently the steps halted and he I heard a match struck. The stranger ' was evidently uncertain of his whereabouts. Then the steps moved forward again and paused. " An expression of surprise crossed Loder's face and he laid down his pipe As the visitor knocked he walked quietly across the room and opened the door. The passage outside was dark and the newcomer drew back l>efore the light from the room. "Mr. Loder?" he began Interroga tlvely. Then all at once he laughed li embarrassed apology. "Forgive me,' he snld. "The ll^ht rather dazzled me I didn't realize who It was." I.?oder recognized the voice as belong Ing to his acquaintance of the fog. ' "Qlk .it*s. you 1" he, sijld. "Won't yot U ' come In?" nis voice was a little a This sudden resurrection left him s prised, and not quite pleasantly s prised. He walked back to the fl place, followed by bis guest. The guest seemed nervous and a : tated. "I must apologize for the lu of my visit." he said. "My?my time ( not quite my own." ; Loder waved bis hand. "Whose tl ! Is his own?" he said i ; Chilcote. encouraged by the remn drew nearer to the tire. Until this n i ment he had refrained from looking ! rectly at his host. Now. however. ; raised his eyes, and, despite his pre] i ration, he recoiled unavoidably bef< the extraordinary resemblance. Sc here, in the casual surroundings of badly furnished and crudely light room, it was even more astound! > than It bad been In the mystery of t ; fog. ; "Forgive me." he said again. "It physical, purely physical. I am bowl i over against my will." I Loder smiled. The slight contetn , that Chilcote had first Inspired ro again, and wtth It a second feeling le easily defined. The man seemed so u stable, so incapable, yet so grotesque suggestive to himself. "The likeness Is rather overwhelm lug." he said, "but not heavy enough \ sink under. Come nearer the lire. Whi brought you here? Curiosity?" Thei was a wooden armchair by the fir place. lie Indicated it with a wave < the hand, then turned and took up h smoldering pipe. Chilcote, watching him furtlvel; obeyed the gesture and sat down. "It Is extraordinary!" he said, as unable to dismiss the subject. "It? is quite extraordinary!" The other glnnced round. "Let's dro It." ho said. "It's so confoundedly ol vlous." Then Ills tone changed. "Won you smoke?" he asked. "Thanks." Chilcote began to fui*bii for his cigarettes. 1 But his host forestalled him. Tal^ni a box from the mantelpiece, he heli! 1 out. "My one extravagance!" he said It^n Ically. "My resources blud me to <r.e and I think I hnve made a wise <^lec tlon. It Is about the only via w< haven't to pay for six times over J II* glanced sharply at the face so ubiurdl^ like his own, then, lighting affresl spill, offered his guest a light. Chllcote moistened his clgnrettt ant leaned forward. In the flare << th paper his face looked set and anxious but Loder saw that the lips did no twitch as they had done on the pre vious occasion that lie had given lilc a light, and n look of cornprehensloi crossed his eyes. "What ?w)IJ joa have, or. rathei lng else. Hospitality is one of the d\ barred luxuries." Chllcote shook his bead. "I seldot drink. But don't let that deter you." Loder smiled. "I have one drink I the twenty-four Injurs?generally at o'clock, when my night's work Is dom A solitary man has to look where b Is going." "You work till 2T "Two or 3." Chllcote's eyes wandered to the desl "You wrtte?" be asked. The other uodded curtly. "Books?" Chllcote's tone was an: lous. Loder laughed, nnd the bitter, nol showed In his voice. "No; not books," he said. Chllcote leaned back In his chair an passed his hand across his face. Th strong wave of satisfaction that tk words woko In him was difficult 1 conceal. "What Is your work ?' Loder turned aside. "You must n< ask that," he said shortly. "When man has only one capacity, and tl OnrMirltr hno rw nntlinf '? r?r\+ tA . v vuviv V, I a U^/V IV tli to seed In a wrong direction. I cult vate weeds, nt abominable labor and very small reward." lie stood wli his back to the fire, facing his vlslto Ills attitude was a curious blending ( pride, defiance and despondency. Chlloote leane<l forwnrd again. "W1 speak of yourself like that? You are man of intelligence and education lie spoke questioning!:*,, anxiously. [to we cowtiwuto.] FACTS ABOUT MEXICO. There nre ten volcanoes in Mexico. Mexico has a coast line of over 0,0 miles. I Mexico has vast deposits of onvx ai murhle. Mexico has fifty-nine lakes and gre lagoons. The area of Mexico is ahont 7.T*.o i square miles. I _ WOOD'S SEEDS Bliss Triumph Seed Potatoes are one of tho most popular kinds i with truckers all through the South. They aro extra early, pro, i lilic, fine appearance, and are largely sold in northern markets nu 'i Rorm nrlo Pntntnnu" of Itii/h wn L/VlUiUUM i. V VVV/>3 M V prices. ' We have a large stock of this potato, extra fine quality, both Maine and | Second Crop Seed. Wo are the largest dealers in Seed Potatoes in the South, and 1 offer all of the best and most pro' ductivo kinds. Write for prices. Wood's Descriptive Catalogue gives full information about Seed i Potatoes and all Farm and Gar ' den Seeds. Mailed free on 10 quest. T. W. WOOD & SONS, Seedsmen, Richmond, Va. 1 V /k ** - y ' 4 ' -1 cco Is Made ENTIREL Grown in the Piedn nutation Brands Have uality Only On the Oi Of the Plug ion brands arc claimed tc ; Schnapps to- Schnapps, of the imitation uine Schns cured the same on the tag, inside is filled . under the t ivily sweetened and then One chew of wholesome tobacco hunger just enoug1 vs of such to- the mild, ji ize and shape the leaf tob Ld packages of that this _fi ids of tobacco in the farm o much like quires and 1 ive often been any other ider the belief stimulati ng Schnapps. chewers. been secured If the to ; that certain don'f cot?-a NiUN, S. C., JANIUARY ii, 1907. Schnapps Tobai ur" i . Tobacco >ur I The I, > Is m. I Q rk. ! no- j <11- ! he Hundreds of imitat Jro on sale that look like eu bacco. The outside < e.i plugs of tobacco is flue hJ j as Schnapps, but the with cheap, flimsy, he; o?i air cured tobacco. I Schnapps will satisfy 1 'Jo longer than two chev ss hacco. The color, si "y of the tags, plugs an certain imitation brai to have been made s )l Schnapps that they h; e-i accepted by buyers ui If that they were getti Sufficient proof has to establish the fact 11 brands are infringemei 1 lation of the trade mar p trade will continue t c upon by these infringe! already entered and n< protect Schnapps is t great many of these i j R. J. Reynolds : WEDOYOURUKU ; BUSINESS i And guarantee that you g ? GOOD SERVICE and ' quick attention. Wc nuw u I _i. - *' - n an I'areiiT neaicines, i c n let Articles, Perfumi 2 Extracts, and we have E>. i ? full line of Ladies' Hal Bags. j. | Our, speciality is filli Prescription. Try the PALMETTO DRUG CC d i ie E CHIITH'C DDIfEC J1TI11U J I IUVLmJ * Malaga Grapes on bunches * ie Grapes, small bunches and loose, ? I lb. Package Fancy Prunes ? ? x * ? *? . a o ,, ? j Strained Honey, per pound 12 af Sauer Kraut, per pound iy Egg-O-See, Try it, - - - * i Shredded Wheat Biscuit - - Raisin and Plain Pound Cake Mackerel ------White Fish Per pound - ? Large Oranges - - - - 00 Herring .... 6 fo ld Figs * 15c. 2 lbs for FRESH LOT OF PACKAGE AND LO CHOCOLATES AND BON-BONS. -W. NEWELL SMIT 1 PHANF \fh I llVilU CUT PRICES ON PERFEW We have to make room for an ele line of holiday perfumes soon to ar Until then we make the follow prices on our stock now on hand: 25c size for 16c. 50c kind cut to 35c. Bulk goods, 30c an oun The package is not so bright, bu! quality is good as ever. You find such well-known manufacturer i f Colgate. Stearns. Spiehler. Ricksei etc.. on the list. Come while you can find the odi - r your preference. J DUKE DRUG C ? *juhoij its and in vio- habit of ex k laws, yet the yourself anc o be imposed Schnapps is *s until the suit formerly be w pending to to $1.00 f decided. A sold at 50c imitations are strictly 10c. Tobacco Company, Wii " >cc^sment Notice. The time for taking tax re-j turns begins on the 1st day of January, 1907, and expires on the 20th day of February, 1907. > It is required by law, that all personal property be returned, j and those failing to return will be liable to 50 per cent, penalty; on same. ^ ? * * .... I that their tenants make their returns in the proper time. ^S, All returns not made to the1 n auditor, or his clerk, must be sworn to before some one com- ( petent to administer an oath. ( I will be in the office at Union | from the 1st day of Tanuarv to! na . . - - ^ tne 20tn. alter which time will be at the following places: Buffalo Mills. January 2T. W est Springs. January 22. j Gibbs. torenoon, January 23. ' }. Harrison's store, afternoon. I Tanuarv 2^. * w Wilburu's store. Cross Keys,! I January 24. Sedalia. M inter's store. Janujary 25. 15c Black Rock, forenoon. Janu-i 10c ar>' 26 |0CI Carlisle. January 28. : Santuc. January 29. Adamsburg, January 30. l-2c Lockhart Mills. January 31. 5c Kelton. February 1. gc | Jonesville. February 2. Monarch Mills, forenoon. Feb?c nary 4. Aetna Mills, afternoon. Feb 5c ruary 4. From the 5th day of Februft jary to the 20th. in office. All male citizens between the ages r 5c of 21 and f?o venrs are liable to 25c pay a poll tax. except the followncp'ing. who are exempt: ! Confederate soldiers, scho^' 'trustees, and those who are at:fiicted to the extent that they Hare not able, on account of such affliction, to make a support for themselves. A leg or an arm being broken does not exempt a person from paving noil tax. IES Don't forget to make your returns. as the comptroller general t positively requires the : per rive cent* Pcnalt>' to ')C charged to . * those who do not make their returns, regardless of who they are. jonn i r. parr. Auditor. | Pinal Discharge. ^ Notice is hereby <_ri\?*n tliat Sara Welch. Will i now Pitts, (tuanlian of the estate of sas '< w eleh, minor, has apt?lic<l to , Jason M. Greer, Judire of l'rol>ate, in ?KCr, t ami for the County of t'nion, for a final discharge as such Guardian. - It is ordered. That t*he 21st 'lay ol 01 January, A 1). I'm?. I>e tixecl lor hear| ing of petition, ami a final settlement ol 1 sai<l estate Janov M. Giikkii. Pmhate Judge Union County. S. C Ol'uhlisheil in The Union Times,l?ceeue i U>r 21st, ltKlfi. 51-41 V F from Flue Cured, tont Country* Schnapps itside ) be "just as good" as but there is only one genipps. Be sure the letters and stamped on the plug ag spell S-C-H-N-A-P-P-S you have it?the most : tobacco produced, with h sweetening to preserve < licy, stimulating quality of acco. Expert tests prove ^ ue cured tobacco, grown ^ ous Piedmont rpainn takes less sweetening than \ and has a wholesome, \ ng, satisfying effect on bacco you are chewing j r you more than the mere pectorating, stop fooling 1 chew Schnapps tobacco, i like the tobacco chewers )ught costing from 75c. >er pound; Schnapps is . per pound, in 5c. cuts, and 15c. plugs. SSTON-SALEM, N. C. ' SUMMONS FOR RELIEF. State of South Carolina, ^ J} Union County. Court of Common Pleas. R. Melvin Estes, Ida Ellen Dickerson, Fannie McHugh, \\ illie J. Estes, Arthur A. Estes, Iola Thayer, Ellen McQuown, Tiney Moore, Azilee Es- \ , tes, Massie Lee Estes, Sarah Fran- \ cis Keller, Johnnie Steverson, Ella V "air" ?- "nd -Ali-c? ftam-. -J against Mary A. Estes, A. J. Hill, W. B. Hill, Sarah Minnie Graham, Loula Sanderson, Bessie Estes, Duncan Estes, Belton Estes, Robert Lee Steverson, McDuffie S. Steverson and Lillian Steverson, Defendants. To the Defendants above named: You are hereby summoned and required to answer the Complaint in this action, of which a cony is herewith served up"n you, the original of which c * unvi oiiiniiions were uuIv filed in the office of the Clerk of Court of Common Pleas for Union eoun'y, Soutli Carolina, at Union court hou<e. S. C., on the 15th day of Novend t-r, A. D. 1906, and to serve a copv of your answer to said Comp!ni~t on the subscriber at his of|fu v- at Union, South Carolina, within jtwe'-ty days after the service hereof, 1 exclusive of the day of such service; land if you tail to answer the Comj daint within the time aforesaid, the : plaintiffs in this action will apply to the Court for for the relict demanded in I the Complaint. j Dated at Union, South Carolina, November 15th, 1906. J. A. Sawyer, Plaintiffs' Attorney. I. Frank Peake, Clerk of Court. (Seal.) To the Defendants Robert Lee Steverson, McDulfic S. Steverson, Lou la Sanderson and Lillian Steverson: Take Notice: That the Complaint in this action, together with the Summons, of which the foregoing is a ! opv, was duly filed in the office of the 'erk of Court of Common Pleas for Union county. South Carolina, at Union court house, S. C., on the 15th day 1 of November, A. D. 1906. J. A. Sawyer, riaintiffs' Attorney. Union, S. C., Nov. 15, 1906. 1 To the Defendants Bessie Estes, Duncan F.^tes, Belton Estes, Robert Lee Steverson, McDuftie S. Steverson and Lillian Steverson: Take Notice: That unless you produce the appointment of a guardian ad litem to appear and defend this action in your behalf, 1 will, after twenty days from the date of the service of j the Summons, Complaint and this Notice, in this action, upon you, apply to C. II. Peake, Esq., Master for Union county, at his office, at Union court house, for an order appointing some suitable person as guardian ad litem for you. and authorizing and requiring . him to appear and defend this action in your behalf, f J. A. Sawyer, Plaintiffs' Attorney. Union. S. C, Not. 15th. too6. t -to-6t * ' ? ?? s s~'X