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(jjff ? ** ^ ^ | Masqu By KATH E R1NE Author of "1 Copyright, 1904, bj 111? ' ^ "You fully realize'the thing you have ^ proposed?" lie added in a different 9 tone. "It's not too late to retraet even now." Cblleote opened his lips, paused, then laughed in Imitation of his companion, but the laugh sounded forced. "My dear fellow," he said at last, "I ruuuci. "Never?" "No." "Then the bargain's sealed." Loder walked slowly across the room and. taking up his position by the mantelpiece, looked at his companion. The similarity between them as they faced oaeh other seemed abnormal, defying even the closest scrutiny. And yet, so mysterious is nature even In her lapses, they were subtly, Indefinably different. Chilcote was Loder deprived of one essential; Loder, Chilcote with that essential bestowed. The difference lay neither in feature, in coloring nor In \ height, but in that be filing, illusive ** inner illumination that some call individuality and others soul. Something of this idea, misted and tangled by nervous imagination, crossed Chilcote's mind in that moment of scrutiny, but he shrank from it apprehensively. "I?I came to discuss details," he said quickly, crossing the spaee that divided him from his host. "Shall wo?? Are you?"? He paused uneasily. "I'm entirely in your bauds." Loder spoke with abrupt decision. Moving to the table, he indicated a chair and drew another forward for himself. Iloth inen sat down. Chilcote leaned forward, resting elbows on the table. "There will be several thing* to consider," he began nervously, looking across at the other. "Quite *o." Loder glanced back appreciatively. "I thought about those things the better part of last ulght. To begin with, I must study your handwriting. I guarantee to get It right, but it will .take a month." " month t" "Well, perhaps three weeks. We mustn't make a mess of tklngs." Chilcote shiftod his position. "Three weeks!" he repeated. "Couldn't jouT'? "No, I couldn't." Loder spoke autborl*"d*e?? "OlT'tinir otner taught of that?that I might h.? to, or want to, sign a check? ? "No I confess that escaped me. "You risk your fortune that you may keep the place it Loder laughed again. HowUo p know that I am not a blachgua . added. "How do you know that won't clear out one day and leave^y nnd drv? What is to prevent Johi Chilcote from realizing ?40,000 or too, 000 and then making himself scarce?" "You won't do that," Chilcote sale with unusual decision. "I told yo your weakness last night, and it wusu money. Money isn't the rock you' split over." "Then you think I'll split upon son rock? But that's beyond the questlo To get to business again. You'll rL my studying your signature?" Chilcote nodded. "Bight! Now Item two." Lod counted on bis Angers. "I must kn< the names and faces of your iu friends as far as I can. Your worn friends don't count. While I'm y you will be adamant." He laugl again pleasantly. "But the men essential?the backbone of the wfc business." "I have no men friends. I don't ti the idea of friendship." "Acquaintances, then." Chilcote looked up sharply. "I tl we score there," he said. "I hav reputation for absentmiudedness ?!! will carry you anywnere. xuc> ?.c I can look through the most subf tlal man in the house as If he were samer, though 1 may have lunched fctm the same day." Loder smiled. "By Jove!" he claimed. "Fate must have been struct!ug this before either of us born. It dovetails ridiculously. ] must know your colleagues, even only to cut them. You'll have to me to the house." "Impossible!" "Not at nil!" Again the tope < thorlty fell to I*oder. "I can pu hat over my eyes and turn u coat collar. Nobody will notlc We can choose the fall of the noon. I promise you 'twill right." "Suppose the likeness shouh out? It's a risk." v'/ Loder laughed confidently. man! Risk is the salt of life, sec you at your post, and I m the men you work with." H walked across the room and t< t pipe from the rack. "When ! for a thing I like to go in ov< Ind ears," he added as he ope tobacco jar. His pipe filled, he resumed 1 resting his elbows on the tabl conscious Imitation of Chilcotc "Got a match?" he said lac holding out his band. In response Cbllcote drew h box from his pocket and struct t H E ^ [erader : CECIL THURSTON. 'he Circle," Etc. r Harper 6> Brothers ?? ? n ?????? |] As their hands touched an exclatua- i ' lou escaped hiiu. "By Jove!" he said, with n fretful mixture of disappointment and surprise. "I hadn't noticed that!" His eyes were tlxed in annoy?d interest on j" Loder's extended hand. Loder, following his glance, smiled. '' "Odd that we should both have overlooked it! It clean escaped my mind. It's rather an ugly scar." He lifted his hand till the light fell more fully i , on it. Above the second joint of the third linger run a jugged furrow, the reminder of a wound that had once 1 laid bure the bone. . Chllcoto leaned forward. "How did ^ you come by it?" he asked. The other shrugged his shoulders "Oh. that's ancient history." "The results are present day euough. i It's very awkward, very annoying!" | Loder, still looking at his hand, didn't SJ seem to hear. ' There's onlv one thine ! t > be doue." lit? said. "Each wear two ' rings on the third linger of the left ? haml. Two rings ought to cover it." 0! He made a speeulative measurement ^ with the stein of his pipe. Chllcolc looked irritable and disturb- j ^ I ed. "I detest rings. I never wear ring*." , h Loder raised his eyes calmly. "Nei- R) I ther tlo I." lie said, "but there's no rea| son for bigotry." But Chilcote's irritability was start- e( ed. lie pushed back his chair. "1 don't ^ | like the idea," he said. v | The other eyed him amusedly. "What j [ a queer beggur you are!" be said. "You a ! waive the danger of a man signing a your checks and shy at wearing a piece fj of Jewelry. I'll have a fair share of In- S4 dlvlduallty to study." p Cbllcote moved restlessly. "Every- c] body knows I detest Jewelry." "Everybody knows you are caprt- u clous. It's got to be the rings or noth- 11 lng, so far as 1 make out." b Cbllcote again altered his position, avoiding the other's eyes. At last, aft- n! er a struggle with himself, he looked * up- fi "I suppose you're right!" he said. "Have It your own way." It was the oi first small, tangible concession to the stronger will. n Loder took his victory quietly. muneratlon." Chllcote hazarded the ^ word uncertainly. Ij0der r I There was a faint pause, iu t i laughed brusquely. "My pay r I tie other tea. ?"??"*?"* ? I ?? , ' want to put It quite ?* ? ?- bt. I "But that was what you tnougm. i Why are you never honest-even *lt ? yourself?" _. to the I 1 ! Cbllcote drew ms cuuu i.UOv. . J table. He did not attend to the other's 1 : remark, but bis fingers strayed to his waistcoat pocket and fumbled there. Loder saw the gesture. "Look here," ' he said, "you are overtaxing yourself. " The affair of the pay isn't pressing. jj We'll shelve It to another night. You look tired out." Cbllcote lifted his eyes with a reie lleved glance. "Thanks. I do feel a u* bit fagged. If I may, I'll have that slt whisky that I refused last night." "Why. certainly." Loder rose at once and crossed to a cupboard in the wall. ler In silence he brought out whisky. )w glasses, and a siphon of soda water. ,en "Say when!" he said, lifting the whisky. an "Now. And I'll have plain water inou' atead of soda, if it's all the same." led MOh. quite." Loder recrossed the are room. Instantly his back was turned tole | I ? * ust UUU* ^^ ^ "Tush, I must w<~??__ ^Sk*jJ ^ ust see ' e rose, "To the ctreer of John CMtcotel ook hi* I go In Chllcote drew a couple of tabloids er head h|H pocket and dropped tliem lnt< glass. As the other came slowly ;ned his he laughed nervously. "Thanks. 8ee to your own i lis seat, now. I can manage this." He too e In un- Jug unceremoniously, and, can ). guarding his glass from the onlcally, poured In the water with e: baste. is match "What shall we drink to?" he si l a light Loder methodically mixed hli Irlnk ana iff ted the gins*. "Oh. to tue nreer of John ChlJcote!" he answered For an Instant the other hesitated, ["here was something prophetic In the onnd of the toast. Rut he shook the eoling off and held up his glass. "To the eareer of John Chileote!'* he aid with another unsteady laugh. CHAPTER VII. DT was a little loss than three weeks since Ch'L-oto and Loder hud druuk their toast and again Loder was seated at his desk. His head was bent an I his hand loved carefully as he traced Hue after Ine of meaningless words 011 a sheet f foolscap. Having covered the page ritb writing, he rose, move-l to the enter table and compare:! his tr.sk vitli an open letter that lay there. The otnparisou seemed to please him. lie traightened his shoulders and threw nek his head in an attitude of critical atlsfactlou. So absorbed was he that rlien a step sounded on the stairs outide l)e did not notice it. and only aiseil ills liead when the door was hrown open tineereiuonionsly. Even lien liis iuterest was momentary. "Hello!" he said, his eyes returning ) their scrutiny of his task. Chileote shut the door and came hasly across tiie room. lie looked ill and nrassed. As lie reached Loder lie put ut his hand nervously and touched his nn. Loder looked up. "What h it?" he nked. "Any new development?" Chileote tried to smile. "Yes." he aid huskily. "It's come." Loder freed his arm. "What? The nil of the world?" "No. The end of inc." The words tune jerkily, the strain that had 011arced tlicm sh ?\vi:ig in every syllable. RHII I ?ln.. .. .... " ' v - nu 4VI ??I-| ian UUIJI1 ;'IK'!IU!iig. [o could not or would not understand. A?tin Chllcote caught cml jerked ul Is sleeve. "Don't you see? Can't you leV" "No." Chlleoto dropped tlio sleeve and pnss:1 liis handkerchief across his foreead. "It's eouie," he repeated. "Don't ou understand? t want you." He rew away, then stcppeil linen nR,un nxiously. "I know I'm taking you uuwares," he said. "But it's not my lult. On my soul, It's not! The thing fems to spring at me and grip me"? le stopped, sinking weakly Into a hair. For a moment Loder stood erect and nmovabie. Then, almost with relucmce, his glance turned to the figure aside him. "You want me to take your place toIght, without preparation V* His rolce as distinct and firm, but It was free om contempt "Yes; yes, I do." Cbilcote spoke withat looking up. "That you may spend the night In lorphla?this and other nights?" Chllcote lifted a flushed, unsettled ice. "You hare no tight to preach. erer"- ** "JJJV * ?You are quite Ight.-hrsald coldly. "You won't have 0 complain again. . . hlv ?Mi know. But come to business. What omlto dobogl Chllcote rose excitedly. ices, ou u'ss ,.?-? to busbies, It' rniiuh on you. toklng you short "f bCi you hove ou errotlc perso ? , ? ul. I've hod o horrible doyhnrrt'Tle lioy Hl? '?<* >"d P''" * ? no.l In the sreeh lamplight o ''cSCUTomhTZim OS he poos. 1 to ^he desk sorting papers, "a uun 1 LfiC , repented, "so bad that I daren't fa the night. You have read De Qui cey?" he asked, with a sudden chau of tone. "Yes." "Then read him again and you'll i derstand. I have all the horrors wl out any art. I have no 'ladles of a row,' but I have worse monsters t! his 'crocodile.' " Ho laughed uuph untly. [TO BE COWTIIfUTO.] Every human soul has the gern some flowers within, and they w open If they could only find suns and free air to expand It.-^Mrs. Cb Without Trying. I "What is that draadful racket?" "Willie has Just knocked ovei phonograph." "Any damage done':" "No. he Just broke the record " | I WOOD'S 8EI 1 I 1 I Bliss Triumph | | Seed Potatoc mnct nnnuiar ll are one ui u? u.^. ,.r j*; with truckers all through T 1 South. They are extra early. \ liflc, fine appearance, ana \ largely sold in northern ma 1 I as "Bermuda Potatoes" at \ 1 prices. \ I We have a large stock o ; potato, extra fine quality, be w Maine and Second CropS We are the largest deal from Seed Potatoes in the Sout o his offer all of the best and moi back ductive kinds. Write for pi Wood's Dssorfptlve Cat drink rives full information abou k the Potatoes and all Farm an afully den Seeds. Mailed free light. quest T. W. WOOD 0 SO aid. Seedsmen, Rlohmom i own y " This mai out acquaint; of SCHNAP] qualities thai less expense SCHNAPPS has bee paper so that every c opportunity to get ac facts and know that < to produce the cheeri: the famous Piedmont tobaccos, and that SCH ought to chew. Still who accept other an< that do not give the sai WHi.T THE KIDNEYS DO. Their Unceasing Work Keeps Us Stroi and Healthy. All the blood in the body passi through the kidneys once 'every thri minutes. The kidneys filter the bloo They work night and day. Wh< healthy they remove about 500 graii of impure matter daily, when unhealtl some part of this impure matter left in the blood. This brings on mai diseases and symptoms,?pains in bac headache, nervousness, hot, dry ski rheumatism, gout, gravel, disorders the eyesight and hearing, dizziness, i regular heart, debility, drowsines dropsy, deposits in the urine, etc. B< Pills for my kidn<thereby I bad s* greatly bcne lt\tarhe and wcaknt fered from b?^afcJie iong time a across the loins f . { ul ha? XS o "doLh TPj"?u, , &.*?o,:tad them, and thc> na fc la(1 to r - deal more strength, l 8 : ?To?%ie,cby ? Nw Voa! ?U agents lor the Un, d | Remember the name,?Doans,lt 1 take no other. )d I Final Discharge. [y Notice is hereby given that.Mrs a? F. Bailey. Administratrix, v.1 M "l,ihc.,ar;s,aTpi lV.oMw. n- ico, deceased, lias app an( lge I J ohnson. .J?d^efof; Probat ^ ^ the county 01 ^.... charge as such administratrix, in- It is ordered, that the 25th dr tj,. February A. D. 1907, he fixed for ! j0r. >nK of petition, and a final settleme ' _ said estate. ;ian W. W. Johnsoi ?as" Probate Judge Union Com Published in the Union Times 1 or NOTICE! 0"ld ihlne Notice is hereby given that tl ,H(J. nual meeting of the stockhold the Ophir Gold Aiming Co. v held Feb. 12, 1907, at 3 o'clock at the office of H. L. Scaife, the Foster Building, Union, S. C. W. K. Bellis, r I J. O. Stillson, Secy. ' ^||Wi!ITE GOODS 5 1 6 Hainw in freight fcjj II IIU UV.IUJ Linda will put on sale Sal ^ morning the largest a Tk?>ta ment anc* Prett'es* li high WHITE GOOD! r this ever shown in Union eed. price* ere in Also everything in th it'pH? at a b'g reduction, es| rices. alogue ALL WINTER GO tSeed on^ Come early and get tl of bargains. INS, HUTCHINSON & CAI i bought a supply of ing himself with the di PS Tobacco, which ha t gratify his desire to than cheap tobacco. n advertised in this Some day they :hewer has had an Schnapps?the^ nnaintpH xx/ifh " _ ,. ...... ..... they've misocd b1 Irugs are not used , . lg quality found in " 3"? country flue-cured themselves. :NAPPS is what he crHNAPPS i there are chewers SCHNA. >. S i cheaper tobaccos cent cuts, and 10 me pleasure. sure you get the SMITH'S PRICES '9 Corn per bushel (full sack) - 75c Single bushel ----- 80c i ec One-half bushel - - - - 45c J One-fourth bushel - - - - 25c [ < " Don't wait until you get 1 ready to feed before you * order the Corn. t White Vinegar per gallon - 20c 1 Egg-O-See 05c m Shredded Whole Wheat - - 08c! ?? Snow Flake Crackers - - ?>C| "1 Phone Enrly. -iW. Newell Smith ec- . " 5? Engraved Cards, Invitations, itcd| Announcements, Etc. and We have a beautiful line lot samples, representing I all the best styles of the E | engraver's art. ?w,n If you have your plate, uw we will have them made 1 !"r from it or we can hav<= plates and cards made ai a reasonable: price for hig nt of class, artistic work. Cal in inspect our sample Sty. and get our prices betor 141 placing your orders for an ? thing in this line. ,c / *- rwni IP j^JDUKL iJituu fHead J Tobacco^ P?r Acr?- BeES can easily bo raised wl S .. regular, even stands, a of the Tory beet grade, tor which t highest prices can be gotten at yc . I warehouse, or from tobacco buyer; at the you will, a few weeks before plantii liberally use Vtrertaia-Carolfa* Fertilizers. > lU^mua ? ctnrfl I Uh them again as a top dressing t: blUI t second application. These fortilii ., ere mixed by oapeble men, who h fecial IV been making fertilizers all their 11' and contain phosphoric aoid. pol and nitrogen, or ammonia. In tl nnc proper proportions to return to j WLJo. soil the elements of plant-life have been taken from It by contl . cultivation. Accept no substitute rie PICK ytrgI n la~ Caro I Inn Chemical i Richmond. Va. Atlanta. Ga. Norfolk. V a. Savannah. Ga Durham, N.D. Montgomery, Charleston. 8.0, Memphis, Tei Baltimore, Md. Shreveport, I JGHMAN tobacco withistinctive taste s the cheering chew, and at < l '11 get a taste of the real j /'ll realize what enjoyment f ^notgetting SCHNAPPS ' they'll feel like kicking c cnH ptnirtmfV^Ar* in t I I and 15 cent plugs. Be genuine. Tax Assessment NotlGe. The time for taking tax returns begins on the ist day of January, 1907, and expires on fhe 20th day of February, 1907. It is required by law, that all personal property be returned, ind those failing to return will i>e liable to 50 per cent, penalty Dn same. All land owners should see that their tenants make their returns in the proper time. vAll returns not made to the auditor, or his clerk, must be >worn to before some one comat the toiiowuifc p? ?... Buffalo Mills, January 21. West Springs, January 22. Gibbs, forenoon, January 23. Harrison's store, afternoon. January 23. i Wilburn's store, Cross Keys, , January 24. Sedalia, Minter's store. Janu'ar*V,lack Rock, forenoon. Janu arv 26. Carlisle, January 28. Santuc, January 29, c [ Adamsburg, January 30. \ [ Lockhart ills, January 31. ' Kelton, February 1. Jonesville, February 2. \ Monarch Mills, forenoon, Feb1 1 uary 4. si Aetna Mills, afternoon, Febe ruary 4. y From the 5th clay of February to the 20th, in office. All male citizens between the ages | of 21 and 60 years are liable to pay a poll tax, eVccept the followiing, who are exempt: yj 1 Confederate soldiers, school 5m 'trustees, and those who are afgB flicted to the extent that they 91 >are not able, on account of such jflB affliction, to make a support for themselves. A leg or an arm heing broken does not exempt a person from paying poll tax. Don't forget to make your returns. as the comptroller general positively requires the 50 per jcent. penalty to be charged to tthose who do not make their reI turns, regardless of who they '**9 are. nd I! John G. Farr, Auditor. he I j >ur | * if Lana Qf, We offer for sale the tract of land owned by our father, Layfctte Hill, ly' ing two miles cast of Jonesville, containing one hundred acres. There are ave two tenant houses and some out-buildres, jngs on the place, and a fine spring i near the house. This land is offered mur for sale next salesday in Union, S. C., nual at col,rt bouse. Terms of sale: Onea third cash and balance in equal payments of one and two years, purchaser * to give mortgage and pay interest on balance at the rate of 8 per cent, per Ala. annum, and also to pay for necessary papers. * I John W. Hill, I ' -It Jonesville, S. C. *