Pittston Gazette

              ESTABLISHED 1850. D, VOL. X LIII. NO. 40. ) Oldest Newspaper in the Wyoming Vi lley. PITTSTON, LUZERNE CO., PA., FRIDAY, UNE 9, 181) A Weekly Local and Family Journal. ( $1.50 PER ANN I'M I IN ADVANCE tins interview, i nave every reason to belli ve that she will find the story of Annie Dupont interesting1, and that she will rejoice as earnestly at the good fortune of that young ladv as 1 do myself, or as you will. Mrs. Maynard, after a time." twenty years. It is essential, however, to note that the lady soon after embarked for Europe, where her husband held some otlicial position under our government—consul in some remote foreign part. I may as well add in this connection that he died a year later, and his widow, now more than ever devoted to her adopted daughter and dreading a separation from her more than anything in the world, remained abroad for several years, drifting from one point of interest to another; thus Annie was nearly grown to womanhood before she revisited her native land. Owing to this fact, as well as to the entire lack of anv definite information to work on. and the multiplicity Csf false clews that were given from time to time, the detectives whom Mrs. Dunkirk at ditferent. periods enga-rcd in her search for her niece were batlled in all their attempts to find her. Swallowed up in another name and identity. Annie Dupont had practically ceased to exist. the last message she should ever send her darling, the lady wrote a long letter to Annie. giving her a full history of her past, her parents' death, her brief sojourn in the orphan asylum, her subsequent adoption and every little incident relating thereto. Then, having told where all the papers containing the proofs of her identity were to be found, the writer closed with n most touching and affectionate farewell. Before the ink was dry on the paper the hand that had penned these loving lines was cold in death. would have been overwhelming nan ne been conscious of deserving the scorn that they contained. "1 thank you! Why should I not be happy? If heart and conscience condemn us not. then happiness is within the reach of all; to these silent mentors I commend you, now aud hereafter!" iPfe) C?rwv» j jjjP S. mi j brother. May I hope that you-will suspend judgment on my course until I am in a position to defend it?" With mute but eloquent thanks, he withdrew at once to the conservatory to lea in his fate from the final court of appeal to which his ease had been referred.A SOCIALISTIC EXPERIMENT. i he look of mystification deepened in the faces of his auditors; but. perceiving a perfect acquiescence in Mrs. Mavnard s expression, Ollin forebore uttering the questions that had almost risen to his Hps. Slowly drawing off his gloves, he looked at his brother for a moment with a peculiarly close, intent scrutiny before replying; then lie said, A I'niquc Offer of an Kngllitli -Manufac- turer and Why It Whs Declined A wealthy manufacturer of Bradford,; England, recently made a proposition to the officers of the trade* union controlling' the workers in the worsted and veolen' mills of that place which has attractedI wide attention and considerable comment: in Kngland. His proposal was Imsed on statements made at the meetings of the trades union that, if the business of manufacture was carried on upon what would be termed socialistic principles, it would lie. Kreatly for the benefit of the working classes. The manufacturer in question made the proposition that he would allow,, for a year's time, the trades union to have' the use of one of his mills, thoroughly equipped for the business, without rout of any kind: that he would, furthermore, furnish them, under sufficient guarantees of repayment, $25,000 as a working capital, and if after a year of trial it was proved that the men employed in this establishment earned by means of this co-operative employment larger returns than were paid to other operatives in Bradford mills employed in manufacturing similar goods, ha would at the end of the twelve months agrefe to let the trades union have his mill at a reasonable valuation and on terms that would admit of their easy and ready payment, and would besides arrange to supply under favorable conditions the funds needed for a permanent working capital. In making this offer he stated that he was as desirous as any one of demonstrating whether or not the socialistic plan of production was or waft not feasible, and that he thought the lDest mode of demonstration would be by a practical trial. '1 here was silence in the drawingroom for the spacte of two minutes, during which Oil in North walked nervously to and fro; then pausing beside Mrs. Maynard he addressed her in firm, low tones: "You are quite convinced then, Mr. North," said Mrs. Maynard. as she trifled nervously with her dainty lace handkerchief without looking- at North. kR then it was tnai a perception 01 nis blunder came over North, and he started up with an impulsive protestation on his lips, when Suddenly a voice was heard in the hall, speaking to Williams in a sharp, imperative tone: then the drawing-room portiere was swept aside and a hasty step crossed the threshold. "that there is such a person as Annie Dupont. and that she is truly Mrs. Dunkirk's niece?" quietly "Mrs. Maynard, I have waited now for two long weeks for the answer that you have promised ine. Do not hesitate to speak—the worst can be only that for which my fears have already prepared me. Tell me, Xina, is it yes, or no?" "I am quite convinced of It, Mrs. "So far as this matter rests between ourselves. Allan, it can wait, of course. But now pray tell me, if I may ask. how did you happen to come to .V ?" Maynard. Just as sure as I am that you are in this room; just as sure as 1 am of my own presence here: just as sure as 1 am of any other established verity. Annie Dupont is no mere creation of fancy or rumor; she is a fact, an unqualified fact, and an established fact. And facts, you know, are stulD- born thing*!" "Had Annie Dupont received this letter it would have changed the whole current of her life; but she was not destined thus to learn her romantic history. It chanced that the first person who approached the desk where the letter lay was this servant, now the housekeeper and a woman of thirty years. She read the letter and it increased her animosity toward Annie. She determined that her rival, as Bhe still absurdly considered the girl, should never be known as Annie Dupont, never inherit her aunt's wealth: and she also determined, if possible, to prevent her from inheriting the smaller estate of her adoptive mother. In that desk, jealously guarded for years, were all the documents on which Annie Dnpont's fortunes depended; the papers that declared her identity as Hamilton Dupont's daughter and Mrs. Dunkirk's niece; the adoption papers that made her the lega' heir of her kind benefactress; the will of that lady in which everything of which she died possessed was bequeathed to her adopted daughter—all these precious papers lay within reach, and only one living person knew of their existence. And that one person, because she dated Annie Dupont and regarded her good fortune with a jealousy as implacable as it was unreasonable—that one person, una wed by the presence of death and too ignorant to fear the legal consequences should her deed be discovered, took possession of those papers, and also the letter to Annie. and hid them away, exulting in the belief that she was thus avenging her own « ronir and disappointment "In her haste to secure these important documents the woman had overlooked another letter which, lying on the desk sealed ami directed, was found by the lawyer when he called a few hours later. This letter was addressed to a lady in New York with whom Annie's adoptive mother had long been been acquainted, asking her to assume the guardianship of the young girl. The lawyer posted the letter immediately, and in answer to It an elderly lady came down to the villa on the day Df the funeral, to signify her willingness to grant her late friend's dying request. With this new guardian Annie Dupont went to New York, where she remained until her marriage five years later. Mrs. Maynard, who was directly facing the door, looked up quickly to see who had entered. North, who was partially turned away from the door, sank back in his chair and looked quickly at Mrs. Maynard. "I came on a professional errand, Noll. 1 am here as the authorized representative of Messrs. Hunter and Ketelium, of New York." (CONTINUED.) The whispered monosyllable must have been satisfactory, for he instantly added, clasping Itotli her hauds in his: - "You can imagine with what nftshock this revelation fell Upon ine—this tire wilful suspicion which his own words urn! manner first suggested to my mind, and then tacitly, but unmistakably, confirmed. It was difficult for mc to n*alize what I was nevertheless forced to believe. Anil then 1 blamed myself far more than him. for I feared that it wa . hassock and stood faeing -Mrs. Maynard, her hands clasped, her head thrown back, her eyes glowing like stars. She was very pale but perfectly composed, and when she spoke her voice was firm and free from the slightest trace of ex- He saw her start violently, while the frozen lifelessness of her manner R-ave place to sudden alert amazement. An inarticulate cry broke from her lips: then she stood transfixed, gazinjr straight ahead as if she beheld an ap parition from another world. "Hunterand Ketchum? How—whyare you associated with them, Allan? In what case, pray?" Are von sure of yourself now, ilar- Do you love me. after i"ll?'' ling? Her answer came impulsively, with a rush of April tears: "Of course," Mrs. Maynard resumed, in the same cold, constrained tone, '•you have taken the precaution of satisfying yourself with indisputable pr«.K)fs of her identity, before accepting her as the heiress?" "The same in which you are so deep ly concerned—the Dunkirk will ease.' citement "I am grateful to you, Mrs. Maynard. she said, "deeply grateful for the kindness that prompted vou to speak as you hare done. 1 a»» scarcely able yet to realize all that you have told me; I only know that it is very, very dreadful! J »ut I can never think of Mi. North again except with feelings of utter al»- b -rence. Even gratitude would be impossible, if what you have suggested should prove to lie true. 1 would forege any good fortune, rather than receive it at his hands! Can we not let him know, Mrs. Maynard, how plainly we sec all his wickedness? How utterly we condemn him? Need we go on in this preposterous way, affecting to countenance hiin when we know him to be so un- "And now I must digress just for a moment in order to bring to your notice yet another person who plays an important part in the sequel. This person is at present living in Evansburg, a small place alDout ten miles from X , and it was from her that I succeeded in obtaining my chief evidence in this case. Iler name is of no consequcnce: or rather, it is of so much consequence that I shall withhold it for the present. Taken at an early age from a wretched tenement house in New York, and transferred to the different atmosphere of a wealthy lady's home, where for the first time in her life she was treated as a human being, where her hands were trained to deftness in all household duties, where she was given a sound rudimentary education and was fitted by kind and painstaking instruction for the humble walk in life for which nature and circumstances had evidently designed her, this girl knew no better than to misinterpret the intentions of her kind benefactress (who was, as you may have already shrewdly surmised, none other than Annie Dupont's adoptive mother), and upon this misinterpretation to build the most absurd and extravagant expectations. It niay have been the girl's own preposterous vanity that conceived the notion, or it is possible that the thought was suggested to her by some-older person. lie this as it may, she began to cherish the hope that she would some day receive a liberal share of the lady's small fortune, to which, as she knew, there were no immediate heirs. It was only when Annie Dupont was legally adopted that this absurd bubble burst. Learning accidentally at this time of the foolish expectation that the girl had been indulging. the lady told herto dismiss the idea ut once. 'I should never have dreamed of making you heir, in any event," she said, 'and now everything that I possess will go to Annie, my adopted daughter." "I did not need all the sorrow of the He spoke these last words in a significant tone, looking searehingly at his brother to see what effect they would produce. His expectation was not fulfilled. There was no confusion, no guilty consciousness in Oil in's face us he answered; only a genuine surprise and amusement. 111 A cool little smile passed over North's face as he noted her agitation: and yet, with all his coolness, a faint thrill of excitement ran along his nerves as he contemplated the scene now at hand. uiy eagerness to seen: tliatliad teCl him on to take this faUi anil desperate step. You kaow wha that fortur '•C)h. most assuredly, I have taken every precaution of that nature. Within the last thirty-six hours the papers hat establish her identity have all been in my possession." reason I to wish for an independent fortune: you have seen .with your own eyes the uiib.'.yv'' iny D*:fC here, under the same roof with the man who lias hated me with a causeless, insane hatred from the day of uiy mar riaffe to his brother, and Rising deliberately he drew himself up to his full height; then turning slowly around he found himself face to face with the person who had just entered the room. "The Dunkirk will case? By Jove. Allan, that is a coincidence! And so we've been at opposite ends of this ease all this time? Pray tell ine. what particular point have you been at work ~ J  present time?' "Do you know where she is at the i m "I think I may confidently assert that I do." He smiled as he spoke, looking keenly at Mrs. Maynard. who, however, was unconscious of the ho. C A few paces distant tfie latter stood— a gentleman in a long ulster which was unfastened and thrown back, revealing an elegant toilet beneath. This gentleman was in personal appearance the perfect counterpart of Allan North; there Dvas the same tall, slender ligure, the same proudly-poised head with clustering auburn curls, the same keen, dark gray eyes, clear-cut features, sweeping dark mustache; only in th£ more delicate variations of expression could a subtle difference be traced. One might web be amazed by their remarkable resem blanee as they stood thus faeC to face, looking at each other. the four years of my widowhood, when the conditions of my husband's will made my inheritance of the pittance that he allowed ine dependent upon mv continued residence liere. has abused t the utmost his invalid's privilege t make existence a burden to r upon here? I say, Al, haven't you been rather reconnoitering the - enemy's camp? Come, now, old fellow, own up!" glance, After considering the matter for some weeks the trades union of Bradford decided, that it was expedient to decline it, and a. number of the English newspaper* of conservative tendencies, in commenting upon, this declaration, made the point that the English workingnian has certainly a great deal of discretion, and that when put to the test he has very little faith in the merit at. these advanced theories of social and indtw-i trial reform. Xow, while we believe that the socialistic reforms that have been advocated as a means of healing the ills of society are much more attractive in theory than they would prove in practice, it is only fair to point out that the conditions under which it was proposed to give them a test were not in this case the ones calculated to demonstrate the value of the method. "Have you brought those papers with you. Mr. North—the documentary evidence of which you spoke?" "I will tell you fully about that hereafter, Noll," said his brother, flushing a little under the laughing accusation. "Xo!" exclaimed Mrs. Maynard. with sudden resolution. "We will act this farce no longer. The very next time lie comes here we will denounce him as wot-thv?' you wonder that 1 saw a u Can •'1 have not brought them with me. They are not now in my possession." "Oh, very well. Since the Dunkirk will case has been introduced, I have a word to say on that subject which I shall proceed to say now, as Allan utterly refuses to talk!" exclaimed Ollin. turning to Mrs. Maynard with sudden animation. "Of course my brother, being duly informed on that point, through his own connection with the case, must have told you about the late awkward developments in regard to that will. And right here," he added, quiekly, "allow me to explain why you never heard about it from me. The night before I left home, having made an unsuccessful attempt to call upon you, 1 wrote you, stating briefly how matters stood in New York, and advising you of my proposed absence, though not entering into any explanation of the object of this hastily-projected trip. Now I give you my word that I solemnly believed I had mailed that letter, along with several business letters that I wrote at the same time; but it now transpires that I did nothing of the sort, for last evening on the train, while making a very thorough investigation of my pockets, 1 brought to light that identical document," holding out to Mrs. Maynard, who mechanically accepted it, a letter duly stamped, sealed and directed, but not post-marked, "which 1 hereby offer you as an evidence of good faith. And now, to return. I have crowded some very satisfactory work into the last two weeks. Mrs. Maynard, though it has kept me busy day and night. I have been following up clew after clew and sifting all the evidence I could get my hands on, and the consequence is, I have finally discovered the whole truth in regard to that forgery. Isn't that a sufficient cause for self-congratulation?" §#'• }  lease in the chance of pi ■ume re that "Indeed! arc?" May I inquire where 'they childless old woman's wealth, wh she had conditionally promised ine over and over again should be mine? And it was for this, I thought, to secure to me the prize that I coveted so eagerly,' that he had committed this deed! You can perhaps imagine th Early the following morning, however, instead of a call from the perfidious North. Mrs. Maynard received this hurried note: he deserves. "They are probably now in the hands of Mrs. Dunkirk's attorneys and executors, Messrs. Hunter and Ketchum, of New York." Cr.ASri.VG BOTH HER HANDS IX HIS. past two weeks, Ollin, to teach me "Hunter and Ketchum?" She repeated the words involuntarily. She was for the moment startled out of her cold composure; she looked up at him with perplexed speculation. that!" asfony of si • LWore this reaches you I shall be en route to Charleston, on business intimately concern lug yourself. When I return I will report to you in person. Faithfully yours. My Dkar Mrs. Matnaud Miss Hilary, no less agitated than Mrs. Maynard, stood with eyes fixed in anxious suspense upon Allan's calm, grave countenance: while Williams, forgetting himself in the excitement of the moment, was hovering in the doorway with uplifted hands, gazing at the two gentlemen in open-mouthed astonishment.CHAPTER XX. reproach that this thought brought to ine. Then by degrees the S::opc and possibilities of his motiws were re Sib.- I can no other answer give but thanks, A ml thanks, and ever thanks. —Twelfth Nif?hL My kind Antonio, If society were to be recognized on the socialistic plan the reorganization would need to be made from the top to the bottom. It would not apply alone to those who are now wage earners, but also to those who are now employers—that is, the captains of industry would need to be couuted in as essential factors in the social reorganization. If the Bradford manufacturer had proposed to give his mill for one year to au honest demonstration of the value or defects of the socialistic plan of work and had said, "I will myself take charge of the administration of work under conditions as to a share in the profits that would be considered equitable under a socialistic dispensation," an opportunity would have been afforded of having at least an interesting test made. But for men who had spent their lives sorting wool or tending spindles and looms, and who had no practical knowledge of the wool markets or the demands of consumers, to uudertivk6 for twelve months to run a large mill would have lDeen to invite failure, hs the odds under such conditions would have been altogether against a successful outcome of th« undertaking.—Boston Herald vealed to me; my perception of hischar acter and his capabilities widened. L5j a wonderful and unexpected turn of tie wheel of fortune, the missing niece ant heir-at-law was discovered; the proof; of her identity aud whereabouts fol into his hands, instantly his activi "A. Nohth." "It's a perfectly regular proceeding. Mrs. Maynard, as you will presently understand," added North, answering the mute inquiry in her glance. "But we are los'ng valuable time. Allow mt to proceed without further delay to the brief narrative of fact." CHAPTER XVIII. M"CC1.Such welcome and unwelcome things Meantime the following note awaited Ollin Xorth at the Clement house: at once 'Tls hard to reconcile "Dear North: Your election is now assure-:!. KD'turns not all iu yet, but so far as canvassed indicate overwhelming majority. dozen extra on ice, and pledge fidelity to your new official duties. Warner." HKADgUARTERS iND. COM., 4:30 p. m. —Macbeth. It was early in the afternoon of election day that Allan North returned to One moment went by in absolute si lence—a moment full of dramatic interest to erery member of that little group. (sympathies were all transferred from my interests to Annie l)up Dnt"s. The desire to ingratiate himself with the successful heiress would be perhaps a natural and sufficient motive for this change in him; but that another and btill stronger motive exists, I haw become reasonably convinced. And this, my dear Myra. is the keynote of my warning to you." He drew out his watch as he spoke and laid it open on the small table at his elbow. He had the air of a man determined to accomplish a set task within a given time. The ladies waited, each composed in outward mien, for his recital. As he went up the steps of the Clement house, speculating with considerable anxiety as to what awkward complications might have arisen there  ing his brief absence, he was hailed by Col. Dayton with a jovial: [the end.] HOW THAT METEK WORKED. CHAPTER XJX, Duke—S'.ay, stand" apart—I know not which tBwhicu. —Comedy of Errors. Clea — Since my lord Is Anthony again I will be Cleopatra. —Anthony and Cleopatra. Tli« family Wag Out «i( Town, but fix Tliero was fire in his eye that morning he boarded an uptown elevated rail road train on his way to the gas office. On«*e tl»«» (ia* Bill Was Correct. "I say. Mr. North, you do beat all for stealing a march on people! It isn't ten minutes since Warner was around here with a telegram from you, saying that we were to expect you on the 4:--!0 train: and Here you are, walking in on us at three o'clock as if you had just dropped from the clouds! How did you manage it, anyway, man alive?" he added, with a blank look. "This three o'clock train comes from due south, and you telegraphed from up Vermont- "lt was in Baltimore, you recollect, Mrs. Maynard," lie began, addressing himself directly to that lady, "that Hamilton D upont's death occurred. He was a perfect stranger in that city, having gone thither in search of employment, leaving his wife'and child in "Well, Ollin!" "To me?" Miss Hilary repeated the words incredulously wi th a little start of amazement. "To me? Why, Mrs. Maynard, what have I to do with this matter?" "Inquiry naturally arose as to the disposition which the lady had made of .ier property. As there was no will to !»e found, the estate passed through the hands of administrators appointed by the court and went to Annie, the supposed daughter. "You, Allan?" "I've got them this time." he mnt tered savagely, "and they will have t hard time in explaining the freaks ot that meter. I am thinking." These two greetings, the former uttered in calm, deliberate tones, the latter in accents of keen amazement, broke the silence simultaneously; then the newcomer, with a curious blending of expressions in his countenance, Stepped forward hastily, and grasping North's hand continued in the same' incredulous tones: "Instead of acquiescing in this decision without a murmur—which ci lm philosophy, by the way, would have prevented this story of mine from being told £o m.v present select audience—the girl was angry, and she visited all her resentment upon the child who had in nocently overthrown her ambitious air Charleston, This latter fact, by the way, corrects a mistaken impression of mine. I had always supposed that Mrs. Dupont also died in Baltimore, and that in order to discover any trace of Annie the search must commence in that city. This same idea was doubtless what baffled Mrs. Dunkirk's detectives. They persistently sought in Baltimore for the The clerk ie the gas office came for ward to attend to the wants of Mr. B. » few minutes later. B. was mad througl and through now. He had worked him self into almost a rage by thinking o the outrageous charge which the ga; company had mailt. "Perhaps I can satisfy you that you have a very important part to play in this interesting little drama," returned1 Mrs.' Maynard, with a rather forced smile. "1 date Mr. North's sudden interest in you. which you yourself noticed for the first time, to a certain day this week when we drove by the Cleineni house and saw him about to step into a carriage that was waiting there. With him was a man who had called here an hour before, and left the house in company with Mr. North: the mysterious man through whom all the repent discoveries about Annie Dupont were made. Mr. North had just had a private interview with this man, and doubtless had heard his story. And. as we drove slowly pa*t. it was you that absorbed his whole attention: yon at whom he gazed with such rapt interest that he did not see me at all. I bowed to him as usual: he paid no heed; his eyes were tixed upon your face, while a strange excitement and agitation were apparent in his whole manner. I did not see him again until he called this morning. During the few moments that we were alone in the conservatory he told me that Annie Dupont had been discovered, and that he should soon be in possession of all the evidence necessary to establish her legal position and rights; told me exultingly, as if he took a cruel pleasure in taunting me with my defeat. He little knew that I had divined the truth, the secret that he was so jealously guarding, that he had discovered Annie Dupont under my own roof." "The household was quickly broken ip; the villa was closed and suitseluently sold; the housekeeper married I'utriils O'Gorman (the cousin of her ate mistress' coachman, Dennis O'Reily). and went to Evansburg to live. .along with her the stolen papers, whic h she has preserved all these years, never quite daring to destroy them, and no doubt having an eye to a possible -peculation if any demand for them should ever be made. Thus it comes that I was able at last to secure them, ind that they are now in the hand* of Hunter and Ketchum. Decision in a Suit, The moral of a case that has just been d«D eided in the county court at Barnsley, England, Is that a party to a cause should not make sure of a victory till he has heard all the judge has to say. North laughed as he hurried on to his way! "Allan North! Well, by all that's astonishing, how came you here? I never should have dreamed of such a thing! Here in X , and at Mrs. Maynard's! How does !t come? What does it mean? Speak, some one, and explain this mystery!" room. "See here," he blurted out, "if thi( company doesn't correct that bill, I'l have the whole business indicted fohighway robbery." "1 could reconcile that for you. colonel, if I had time," he said, "but just now I cannot stop. Be patient, and it will soon be explained." child, following up one false ciew after another, on the theory that if she were living at all that was the place to And her. As a matter of fact, neither Mrs. Dupont nor the child was in Baltimore at the time of Hamilton Dupont's death, although the published accounts of the affair gave the impression that they were there. Mr. Herbert Smith, a pit contractor' of that part, being dissatisfied with a suit of clothes which he had ordered of a Huddersfield tailor, refused to accept the garments or to pay the bill. He had sent the goods back for alterations, but still Mfc Smith was dissatisfied and even refused to try them again. Tlie clerk picked up the bill whicl bad been so spitefully thrown down and examined it as calmly as if sncl outbursts were ordinary affairs. Ther he went back and compared the bill with the books. He came back evident ly in the same contented frame of mind Waiting only to make a careful toilet, North repaired to No. 33 Delapiaine street, anxious to get through with his coming interview with Mrs. Maynard Allan started perceptibly at these words, as he exchanged a flashing glance with Mrs. Maynard. Ollin was too wholly absorbed in his own thoughts to notice this at all. "What does it mean?'* echoed Mrs. Maynard excitedly, as she looked from one to the other in growing perplexity. "You are the very same—and yet not the same! What strange mystery, what wonderful coincidence, what unfortunate complication can this be?" fin! 'And now, Mrs. Maynard," continued North, speaking slowly and looking earnestly at Mrs. Maynard, who. with her hands still held in that tense clasp anil her fixed upon his face, was listening to him with rapt attention "You see,'' he went on, without pause, as, throwing off his ulster and giving it to Williams, he returned to the little group who were all eagerly awaiting his next words, "1 felt a little doubtful about the genuineness of that will when I found that Hunter and Ketehum were going to contest it. To be sure, it seemed all right enough, so far as 1 could judge from the mere copy that Jenner sent us; still I could not help feeling some serious misgivings. Without mentioning this fact to you. 1 set myself to the task of discovering whom, in case the will should prove to be fraudulent, I could suspect. 1 was not long in arriving at a definite conclusion. That very generous legacy to Jenner had looked rather significant to me from the first, and I made up my mind that if there was anything wrong about the will, Jenner was the first person to be investigated. Her mysterious disappearance as soon as Hunter and Ketehum had thrown the case into court couflFmed my suspicion; consequently, (when I received a telegram from our New York attorneys, announcing the decision of the court and demanding an explanation from me—which was natural enough under the circumstances—my plans took definite shape at once. I resolved to hunt Jenner up. if it took half my fortune and all of Pinkerton's men to do it! It would take too long to detail the curious circumstances that gave us our first clew; but at last I found her away up in Vermont among strangers and on her deathbed. She had been fatally injured in a railway accident while on her way to Rutland, the accident occurring within a short distance of her destination. She was perfectly conscious when I visited her. and she seemed to realize hercondition. When I told her for what purpose I had come, she immediately and voluntarily confessed that she herself forged that will, relating every attending circumstance with minute detail. I have the confession in due form—legal affidavit, sworn to in the presence of a magistrat—now in my possession, and 1 telegraphed the substance of it to Hopkins and Shepherd without an hour's delay. Thus the awkward uncertainty as to who it was that willfully anil feloniously forged that. Dunkirk will is happily and forever at an end. Why, Allan— oh, congratulations? Thank you, my dear boy, thank "you!" "Put the things on," said the judge, "and let us see." "As you yourself told me, Mrs. Maynard. the poor young wife died sewn after of a broken heart; and little Annie, thus cast upon the cold charities of the world, found refuge and loving care in an orphan asj'lum in that city. She was received and registered there in her own name, as I discovered a few days since on searching the records of the institution. The date o{, this registr—I d( not recall it at the moment, but I have a memorandum of it somewhere—corresponds exactly with the date furnished me through another source: and thus it affords a most satisfactory corroboration of my chief documentary evidence. "Well!" from Mr. B., and the word sounded like the report of a gun. Accordingly Mr. Smith "put the things on," mid returning into court invited inspection. Up to this stage nothing could have looked more promising than Mr. Smith's case. The judge at once declared that "the cutter evidently did not know his business, for there was room for a big pillow underthe waistcoat." Further, heexpressed the opinion that by "the alterations to the coat sleeves the cloth had been so awkwardly put together that it was more suitable for a lady than a gentleman.'' "It is simply, Mrs. Maynard," interposed Allan with assumed lightness, "the closing scene of the little comedy A errors that we have been playing; or perhaps my brother will be disposed to call the piece 'My Double, and How He Cndid Me.' Can it be possible, Ollin,'' turning to that gentleman, "that you have never told Mrs. Maynard about your twin brother, and our remarkable resemblance to each other?" "The bill appears to be all right," r» plied the clerk as calmly as before. "All right! Great Jehosaphat! Sw here, young man, that bill is for aboni the same amount that I pay in the win ter; isn't it?" 'the strangest part of my story is yet to come. For five long.years Mrs. Dun- 'cirii was searching far and wide in the lope of discovering some trace of hei liece. never dreaming that the younp I « hom she had taken into her hear and home was the very one whom sne so vainly sought; for Nina Kingsbury and Annie Dnpont are indeed one and the same, and the lady whose name 1 have withheld from you until now was Mrs. Kingsbury—your adoptive H HI The clerk examined the booka agate *nd replied that the last assertion war cine. 1 J /' // / 8HT. IJHTEXED WITH ALMOST BKEATULESfl "Exactly," continued B., "and in spit* of the fact that my house has been closer, np for three months and not a soul has bepn in it, my gas bill is just as big af it is when my family is all at home What kind of a way of doing business do you call th?it?" Verdict for the defendant seemed now a matter of course. But not so, for thereupon his honor went on to say that the tailor was entitled to further opportunities of making the garments fit, whereupon he gave a verdict for the plaintiff with costs—less only seven shillings and sixpence, the estimated value of the needful alterations.—St. Louvi Republic. ATTENTION castles. I have thus represented to yon, Mrs. May nurd, the peculiar attitude of this person toward Annie Dupont, that you may the more readily perceive a motive for the line of action that she subsequently pursued. A quick exclamation fell from Mrs. Maynard's lips as the first inkling of the truth now entered her mind! Before Ollin could reply to his brother's question she exclaimed to Allan: "Now, before the child had been in the asylum three weeks, a lady who was then a transient visitor in Charleston presented herself at the institution, inquiring for Annie Dupont. She soon became convinced that the child who was entered by that pame upon the books was the Annie Dupont whom she was seeking; and, that question settled, she proceeded to declare her reasons for making this inquiry. She had known Hamilton Dupont and his wife intimately, and was greatly attached to them both; and for their sakes she felt an unusual interest in their infant daughter, who was. I am told, at that time a remarkably beautiful child—which I can very easily believe, having seen for myself what a charming woman she has be- mother!" The thought, the suspicion, wildly Improbable" though it seemed, had occurred to Mrs. Maynard's mind even while North was speaking; she had in one flash of divination perceived the truth as he led her on step by step over a pathway as familiar to her as the one that her own feet now daily trod; yet when the actual statement fell upon her ear she seemed to be incapable of grasping its meaning. Looking at North in a dazed way she said, slowly: "Is it possible that you have been deceiving me—personating your brother? Oh, dreadful! Why did I not suspect that there was something wrong? And yetr you were so like him—and you knew all about my business affairs—oh, I cannot understand it at all!" and she, stopped short, once more baffled by the mystery confronting her. This was rather a tough one for thf clerk, and there was a gleam of trinmpl in the eye of the customer as the clerl hesitated. Would Mr. B. have time ti jo up tC» the house with an inspector U discover the leak? "After a lapse of several years, spent very happily abroad, the lady's health began to fail seriously, and she.jk.as warned by her attending physiciairthat the insidious disease which had been developing for months, unsuspected by herself, might at any time prove fatal The dread of dying in a foreign land end leaving Annie once -more among strangers, alone and unprotected, induced the lady to return at once to her American home, a beautiful little villa on the Hudson, where for a few months her health seemed to be materially improved. Encouraged by this favorable change, she decided to wait a little longer before making known to her adopted daughter the secret of her true parentage, seeming to shrink with an instinctive dread from making the dis- One Day In the Week for Mending. HIS ENTRANCE WAS UNEXPECTED. One day out of every week should be set aside for mending in every well regulated household, and it will be surprising how little time it will take to do the work in this way, while if left over for several weeks it will accumulate until the busy housewife will And it quite an undertaking. before Oil in, whose telegram had preceded him but a brief time, should appear upon the scene. Again Myra started with visible There was no clearly defined perception of Mrs. Maynard's meaning in her mind, yet. the words had been spokf*n with too much significance to fail utterly in impressing her with their suggestive trend. She repeated them mechanically, with vague speculation in her tones: "Certainly," he said, with the air of i man who has won an im]Dortant battle and then he made some sarcastic re marks about the "leak." Allan North was in better spirits than he had been at any time since he began this investigation. Success had attended his efforts to trace and identify the long-missing heiress; and, though an undoubted source of anxiety yet remained, he believed that, with this accomplished, the datager that menaced the goCDd name of the family could be averted. Further than this he scarcely dared allow himself to hope; and yet there was a hope down deep in his heart, so closely akin to despair that it sent the color from his face as swiftly as a summer cloud obscures the sunlight, when he entered Mrs. Maynard's drawing-room and found himself in Myra Hilary's presence. It was now Ollin's turn. His mind had been rapidly at work during this little interchange of dialogue between Allan and Mrs. Maynard, and a very disturbing train of speculations had been the result. No old saw was ever more true than "a stitch in time saves nine." Indeed it may really save ninety-nine. The small rent in the little girl's apron, the tear in the boy's sleeve or the tiny hole in the stockings may all be mended this week in half an hour's time, so as to be scarcely noticed, which U left longer will have to be repaired with large patches, to say nothing of the time it will occupy that could be given so much more pleasantly and profitably to reading or walkiug out. It is an excellent plan to have the mending basket beside the irouing table, and drop all articles of clothing in it as soon as ironed. This will save time in looking over the clothes later, and will insure everything requiring to be mended to be noticed while spread on the ironing tabl* -Ladies' Home Companion. Mr. B. and tjie inspector examined thi meter, and sure enough since the las: record had been taken It had gone oi Industriously at the same rate as it h&f evidently been moving for th* last three months. Then they went ou up into tin house. No Btnell of escaping gas me' tiieui. The inspector examined the barn ers in the hall, parlor, dining room kitchen and bedrooms. Everything seemed to be all right. He began tC lowk mystified, while Mr. B. became more exultant every moment. Matches were lighted and placed near all the joints, but without effect. The leak still remained a mystery. "I, Mr. North—I am Annie Dupont? It cannot be! I thought it was Miss Hilary! Have you made no mistake?" "Under yonr own roof? "In yon, my dear Myra." continued Mrs. Maynard, her white lips smiling fahrtly as she returned the girl's in•quiring gaze. "Don't ask me for proof. I know it; partly by intuition and partly by an endless chain of trifles that would vanish into thin air if I were to attempt to put them into words, but which are nevertheless as convincing to my mind as the most palpable evidence could be. I cannot bo mistaken; 1 feel. I know, that it is sol" "There is no mistake," returned North, firmly but quietly, for he perceived that she was in danger of breaking down under the conflicting emotions and the nervous excitement of this scene. "You will find everything to be exactly as I have told you. That letter of Mrs. Kingsbury to yourself was among the papers that I forwarded to Hunter and Ketehum; but I particularly requested them to return it as soon as they were through with it, and so after all these years it will reach you at last. I will add that you may expect to hear very soon from those gentlemen; as the executors of your aunt's estate, thev w ill doubtless communicate with "Can it be possible, Mrs. Maynard," he exclaimed, his countenance a perfect kaleidoscope of expressions as he looked anxiously at her, "that you have mistaken my brother for met" come." As he spoke these last words with the same air of simple good faith that had characterized all his previons statements. Mr. Maynard glanced involuntarily at Miss Hilary, as if putting his verdict to the critical test of her own dispassionate judgment. Miss Hilary, with eyes downcast, was unconscious of the swift scrutiny, Smiling a little as he observed it, North continued: The question, the tone, perhaps something in his eyes as they looked eloquently into hers, conveyed whole volumes of enlightenment to Mrs. Maynard. The misunderstandings of the past fewdays. which had involved Ollin North in such serious suspicions, were suddenly swept away, and, though there still remained much to be explained, there was for the time room for no other thought in her mind but the triumphant one of his complete vindication. Her face was radiant, her voice vibrant with happiness as she answered: closure. "Annie was now sixteen, and very finely accomplished, having been since the age of five years under the care of governesses and tutors who had taken great pride in fitting their pupil for the social position that she was destined to occupy. Anxious, however, that heT daughter's education should be as broad and deep as possible, the lady de- li is entrance was unexpected and unannounced. and he had advanced half way across the room before the two ladies, who were conversing together in low. earnest tones over their needlework became aware, that he was there. "I will not ask for proofs, Mrs. Maynard," said Miss Hilary, still l»e-wildered and incredulous. "I will simply ask you how this can be true. Oh, it seems utterly impossible! I cannot believe it!" she added quickly, waving her hauds toward the fire with a resolute gesture of rejection. "It must be in the walls or ceiling,* said the inspector at last, "and it must be found, or the whole blamed house might be blown np some day." "This lady furthermore stated that she was siightly acquainted with Mrs. Dunkirk. Hamilton DuDont's sister. •Now'—this is in effect what she said to the authorities at the asylum— •Mrs. Dunkirk is a wealthy widow, and Annie, as her only living relative, has a claim upon her which no one can dispute. Hut Mrs. Dunkirk is a cold, stern woman, utterly unfit to be' the guardian of a tender child like Annie. Let me adopt this little one and rear her lovingly for her own and her parents' sakes. Lest Mrs. Dnnkirk should discover her and try to take her from me, I will conceal her real name and call her by my own: not even the child herself shall ever know that I am not her own true mother until I shall deem that the proper time has come to disclose the secret. I will have all necessary proofs of her identity at hand, so that if her aunt should die leaving her fortune to the next of kin. Annie's claim can easily be established. All this I promise and will fulfill; only let roe have the child to care for and love a.' "The Pueblos are the jewelers of the aH. origjnes,'' said Captain Howard Barker, of New Mexico. "They cut. grind and polish turquoises, and although their work is juite primitive, it is much sought after by members of other tribes. The Pueblos get In return for it many of the necessaries of Indian life. As many as ten ponies nre sometimes given for a fine string of turquoises, polished and strung by t hese primitive lapidaries. The Navajoes have been long and justly famed for their.silver work, which Is a much prized article of barter among Indian tribes. The Navajoes use mostly coin silver in their work, in making small ornamentsthe coin is not melted, but. is beaten out thin and shaped to suit. A few chisels and hammers, a wooden block and a small furnace constitute the kit. of tools of one of these dusky silvcrsm.itJ*." —St. Louis Globe-Democrat. Indian Jewelers. Then, with a noticeable lack of cordiality. they both greeted him, and Mrs. Maynard coldly invited him to be seated. ciaea to give ner tne advantage oi""a thorough collegiate training; and a few weeks after their return to America found Annie Dupont at Vassar." Mr. B. began to look uneasy. Hi opened the bathroom door, and the firsi tiling he saw was a sickly looking flame of gas. The slats in the window blind* were partly open and the sunlight made the gas flame look pale. But there it was, turned on almost full forte. The inspector saw it at the same time. "I am fully undeceived now, Mr. North, though I confess that I have for the past two weeks believed this gentleman to be you. I see so many things, now, that ought to have opened my eyes to the truth!" She turned a glance full of wonder and speculation wpon Allan North as she spoke. "Dly dear Myra. it shows a very limited knowledge of life to say that anything is impossible," returned Mrs. Maynard, with a slow shake of her head. "But for my familiarity with your early history, I might have considered my present theory improbable, to say the least; as it is. I see no reason to doubt it. You were very young when Mrs. Hilary adopted you, were you not?" North was sufficiently annoyed by this reception to be quite thrown out of his usual suavity for the moment. Mrs. Mavnard's attention now appeared to be wholly withdrawn from Miss Hilary and concentrated  North's story. Her hands, clasped together closely, lay motionless in her lap; her eyes were fixed upon North's face; she listened with almost breathless attention to every word that he spoke. "I fear that I ain interrupting an agreeable tete-a-tete, Mrs. Maynard," lie said stiffly, "but I shall ask your in- "That's a 0-foot burner, and it's burning about five feet an hour," he said quietly. dul invitee loriff euouffh to communicate to vou the results of my recent trip to ('liarlcston. Tie fact that your own in- He looked grave and disturbed: he found it difficult to rally his usual lightness of manner, fur a vague presentiment had seized him that affairs were about to take some turn that he had not toreseen nor calculated upon. Dtrs. Mavnard's ■ glance tacitly challenged him to an explanation, but he was not yet prepared to take up the gauntlet, and he was therefore compelled to plead for a delay. For Allan, after standing in apparent stupefaction during this rapid recital, had advanced .excitedly and seized his brother's hands in a singularly imptilsivu-and hearty grasp. His countenance indicated an excess of joy and relief so mingled with self-condemnation that Ollin stared at him in speechless astonishment. But Mrs. Maynard's countenance suddenly grew luminous with the dawninp of a new idea. Mr. B. looked foolish. He made • mental calculation. Five feet an lionr, twenty-four hours a day, thirty days it month, and three months, »D gas bill of about fifteen He only uttered one word, and that lDegan with a big D. Then he paid the bill and gave the inspector two dollars to say that the leali was due to the carelessness of the serv aula in the kitchen.—New York Tribuna terests m e so closely involved therein is my sole justification for intruding the matter upon you now." As if influenced by this change in her. North's manner altered; its lightness vanished and his tones grew earnest and sympathetic as he proceeded. "So young," answered Myra, with a little break in her voice, "that 1 never realized that she was not tny own mother." "You have secured my eager attention in advance. Mr. North,'" said Mrs. Maynarv. with quiet sarcasm, us she leaned back idly in her chair and folded her hands with an air of expectancy. "1 cannot lie indifferent to a communication that affects my own selfish interests. I'ray allow me to ask, is it the mystery of Annie Dupout that you are about to clear away?" "For a few months all went well. Annie was happy in her college life, winning friends and popularity, and little dreaming of the blow that was soon to fall suddenly upon her. When at last, summoned by the telegram which, like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, had startled her out of the routine of her busy school life, she reached her home on the Hudson, she was too late to receive the loving farewell of the one who had been her dearest earthly friend. "Did she ever tell yrtii"—Mrs. Maynard's voice was slightly unsteady as she asked this question, while all her nerves were tense with anxiety—"anything about your parents?" It W*« a High T*rlrr. The New York newsboy had concludes to go west, and when he reached Omaha he dropped off the train by the assistance of a brakeuian and began looking around a bit. After four days of travel and tribulation he thought it time to go into business or leave town, so he tackled a fellow craftsman, a kid about his own »ge. "I must throw myself upon your mercy for the present. Mrs. Maynard," he said gravely. "I trust that 1 shall be able to render a satisfactory account of myself, but 1 can say nothing more until I have had a private interview with my "Oh. Mr. North!" she exclaimed, turning to Allan with angelic reproach in her face. "1 comprehend this strange affair at last! You thought—you sus- W alklng In IIrr Sleep. "Nothing, except that they were dear frieiltifl of hers, and were both dead. But, my dear Mrs. Maynard"—Myra clasped her hands and laid them on the arm of Mrs. Maynard's chair while she looked earnestly into that lady's face— '•if there were such a history as this connected with me, I should have learned something of it long ago. I cannot believe anything so wildly improbable. ** A young niri some time ago was observed to be perambulating the housetops io a certain street (if oue of our large towns. Her parents were communicated with and steps were at once taken to prevent any mishap befalling her. She sueeessfully walked the length ol several houses, then returned and passed through the window into her own room.—Boston Globe. "Well, to be brie* about it. the lady carried her point. The adoption papers were duly made out. and before another day had elapsed Annie Dupont had left the orphan asylum, never to enter it again. She was taken to the home of her new mother and given the name of that iaCiy—the name by whicn she was ever after called; and she lias never known to this day, though 1 shall marvel very greatly if she doesn't begin to suspect it soon, that she ever was Annie Dupont." my own.' "That is, indeed, the purpose that I have in inind," returned North, with an involuntary glance toward Miss Hilary. It was the merest idle glance, yet she fancied that i-t had a purpose, and she rose at once to withdraw from the room. Mrs. Maynard hastily interposed: NINA KINOSBt UV AND ANNIE DUPONT ARE pected INDEED ONE ANI) THE SAME "Spare me, Mrs. Maynard!" entreated Allan, throwing up his hands with a gesture of despair. "I know a blunder is accounted worse than a criiue. and in this case 1 have proven myself to lDc the champion blunderer!" the newly-disfovered heir-at-law at an early a date as possible. And now. Mrs. Maynard, may I ask you to accept tny congratulations? I sincerely rejoice in your identification as Annie Dupont, and I wish you all happiness now and hereafter!" "I say. cully," he remarked as * feeler, ''how's do lay in dis town?" "Good enough for me," responded the Omaha kid. "The end had come almost without warning, but it seems that the lady had felt a presentiment of her impending fate, and had sent for her lawyer in order to make every provision for Annie's future. Unfortunately he was absent from home and could not respond to the summons in time to receive from her lips her last instructions. The only person who was with the lady at her death was the girl whom 1 have already mentioned. This girl, who had been with Annie and her mother during all their long wanderings in Europe, was the only one of the present household who knew the history of the adopted child; it was she who received the final directions of her mistress concerning Annie's welfare. How these instructions were treated, the sequel will show. "I'lease remain, Miss Hilary," she said. "You are sufficiently familiar with the matter that I have mentioned to feel an interest in this promised solution of the mystery. Indeed." she added, In a significant tone, turning toward North with cold inquiry, "it is possible that your forthcoming revelations will prove to have a deeper personal interest for Miss Hilary than for myself. How i* this, Mr. North?" Inventive. "Mike anything sellin papoif" "Yep." "Useter be in de biz meself." "Where at?" "New York city." "Make much there?" asked the westera kid with his eyes bulging. "Well, I say, Allan," interposed his brother, recovering the power of speech. Small Son—I know what I'll be whet 1 grow up. I'm goin to lDe a great inventor."But, if it be true, what then. Myra?" ■questioned Mrs. Maynard quietly, a singular little smile on her face as she looked directly into the girl's eyes. ■"You will be a rich woman; rich enough, perhaps, to hold the allegiance of this self-lover, who has at last «hosen between us. Oh. how bitter that sounds' But it was the dread of seeing you sacrificed to his mercenary selfishness that forced me to speak these words of warni ng and enlightenment. My responsibility ends here. .You are free to deal with him as you think best, knowing *11 that he has done and is capable of jet doing If his selfish ends require it." , Mlaa Hilary rose Quickly from the low Could he have had the faintest realization of the cruelty of these words, he would have cut off hie right hand rather than have uttered them. Mrs. Maynard rose slowly, looking at him with a strange expression which, like the dead calm of her manner, seemed but the prelude to a storm of passion. When she spoke she knew not what impulse lay behind'the words; she only dimly comprehended that, what she would have said remained unspoken, while the thought that she would have buried in her hoart found a passionate utterance. "if your repentance is truthfully indicated by your expression of counte- Papa—That's encouraging certainly, What makes you think you have invent' ive genius? nance. you are certainly entitled to mercy. Miss Hilary, what do you think of this brother of mine? You have had an opportunity to observe his conduct and gauge his deserts. Shall wo forgive him fir the blunders to which he has confessed?" Again Mrs. Maynard's glance sought Miss Hilary, this time to encounter Mvra's eyes, full of eager speculation. If each had spoken the thought in her own mind in that instant, the denouement of North's story would have been materially hastened. But they both held their peace ami waited for him to unfold the mystery in his own way. Small Son—Why, I wanted to take a screw out. and I couldn't find any screwdriver. and so 1 unscrewed it out with your razor.—Good News. "Cent er cent *n half on a pape. "That all?" and the Omaha boy's face fell. ''We makes two aud a half cents on ourn." North looked at her sharply for a moment. while a faintly perceptible shade of amusement blended with the grave, annoyed expression on his face; then he said, with furtive satire: The New Yorker glanced up and down the street, swept his eye over all the buildings and turned tip his nose disiainfully.15ut Miss Hilary did not hear the question. Unable to conceal the agitation caused by the revelations of the past few moments, she had taken refuge in the conservatory: and when Allan looked around anxiously for her Mrs. Maynard silently indicated to him the place of her retreat. "Why don't yon go home for yoct noon lunch?'' inquired the city man. I He i iuf f ully r T|DiHliien "Beyond this point," he went on, catching up the narrative again after a meditative little pause. "I cannot in this necessarily brief outline follow her-liistory step by ste» fgr the ue*t lifteen or Becatlst answered the suburbanite, "Your discernment astonishes me, Mrs. Maynard! But indeed. 1 had no Juntention of excluding Miss Hilary from "I don't reach my office soon enough to be able to return home sufficiently early to get back again in time to start home for my dinner."—Chicago Tribune. "Yes, cully," he said in a pitying tone, "but youse got to live in Omaha to do it, and I ain't gettin rich at dat price, beef Ooodby."—Detroit Free Press. "You wish me happiness, Mr. North?" ■he repeated slowly., la tones that "With the full knowledge that it was "WE! LL, OLLia!" "Tor, ALLAXV