Pittston Gazette

              T5£xt8ra?5?-} Oldest Newspaper in the Valley. PITTS-TON, LUZERNE CO., PA., FRIDAY. JULY 21, 18%. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. tfl.OO PER TEAR 1 IN AHVANUfc The Boers' National Hymn. Four colored Hate, shake out thy folds— | Another jab of the eraser, and one • hard enough to make him flinch, was explicable either to His menus ana acquaintances or to the police. Ho was a bachelor of sedate and regular habits, entirely devottd to the pursuit of business. In operations in thC* stock market he had been successful, accumulating a fine property. The last week in May he one morning made known to his clerk, John Kendall, his determination to leave the city, and after putting his affairs in such shape that his business interests could be protected by Kendall Mr. Powell disappeared. Word from him in some form was expected from day to day at the office, but as the weeks and months have passed without any news from him whatever, considerable anxiety has developed, and it has finally been determined to put the matter in the hands of the detectives. the present application dm not impress him as at all singular. And yet the number anxious to engage in the search for Mr. Powell had been gradually decreasing as the months had worn away. John could not recall at this moment that he had met one who appeared anxious to engage in the chase in the past five or six weeks. He signified his willingness to give any information possible and his caller proceeded: a-brac. His bedroom was the picture of comfort The third room contained a couple of wardrobes and a variety of light gymnasium apparatus. Opening from this were clothespresses and the bath. All were in perfect order, and, though the rooms had been ransacked by the detectives several times, it was evident that all had been restored by careful hands. auou a nameiess grave or a ceil in an asylum. In his past life there may have been a crime, and from some circumstances we cannot discover he may have been fearfui of detection, which he fled, 110 one knows where, to escape. Again, it is possible ht- intended a few weeks' rest in the country, and before he had time to apprise you of his whereabouts robbery and murder may have been committed. "If you have enough confidence in my theory to advance the small amount necessary to pay my way while following it out, I shall do my utmost to accomplish what I have undertaken. Success means as much to me as it does to you. The whole future of my life and the happiness of one who is very dear to me depend upon some effort that will lift mo out of this accursed poverty that binds one's hands and stifles one's abilities, robs him of manhood and makes him hate the world! Failure!"—and he smiled, oh, so sadly—"failure! My God, Kendall, failure means death to both of us! I have faced failure so long that I can never bravo it again. You are so encompassed by suspicion that you will be driven to escape it by suicide unless it can be silenced by proof that cannot be controverted. " come to his eyes and blot the paper upon which he is pouring out an impassioned farewell letter to his wife. Shortly after 4 o'clock the bookkeeper taps at his door and asks if he shall remain longer. "No, thank you, Morgan," is the reply. "I shall leave soon myself." Then, when Morgan is gone, Kendall hastens to bolt the door opening to the corridor. nis office tiie next morning a cbangea grown into mature womanhood—a handsome, intelligent, lovable woman, who has traveled extensively and is possessed of many accomplishment& She spends a certain portion of each year at her old home in this place. I think she took pity on my condition, for she has not been indifferent to the little attentions I have found time to pay her. I was not very sure of my ground with a strange mystery hanging over my life. No one knew, nor did I know myself, what had happened daring the vanished years. It might be that I had a wife and children somewhere, and I did not know that I had the right to even think of my old schoolmate as a lover. our Dutch republic's glory crown! And may the curse of heaven attend required to make Kendall believe it possible that he could be awake. He managed to murmur his thanks for his employer's kindness, and he added a pledge of careful attention to whatever business might be intrusted to him. man. The godless wretch who'd tear thee downl Shake out thy folds to freedom's breeze, In looking np his route he made the memorandum I found in "Ben-Hur." Some of the figures were superfluous. For instance, you will remember that he had checked the figures 3:19, and I supposed it indicated a change of cars. It was, however, the.time his train would pass through Middletown, Pa., and he wanted to catch a glimpse of the town, for when beating his way eastward as a boy he had spent several months at that point. Ho came directly through to Pittsburg by rail and then took a river steamer. Fit emblem of our loved Transvaal. Thy day of happiness has come— Thine enemies are vanquished all. While many a raging tempest bowlod Bight bravely you defied the blast. And now the clouds have cleared away 111 peace we pledge to thee at last. Assail''! by Kaffir, Lion, Brit, Tv.. ;ihant over cruel wrong. Thy vanquished foes shall see thee wave, Protected by our love so strong. "I have no doubt of that," said Mr. Powell assuringly. And then he added: "It has given me no little concern to observe that an attachment has developed between you and our stenographer, Mias Willis. I have believed that it would interfere with the usefulness of both, but uuder the changed circumstances in which I find myself I can assure yon that it would greatly please me if you would marry. In fact, I have been moved to olTer you the increase in salary that you may be able to do so." "These room® are as Mr. Powell left them," said Kendall as Cochrane looked inquiringly about him. "I have spent many hours hero in restoring order, for I knew it would grieve him to return and find things out of place. I do not think if he were to return this moment he could find any disarrangement of his effects that would suggest to him that he had been absent I have even kept lying upon his desk the book he had doubtless been reading the day before he loft. I found it the first tinw I came here, and so have left it with his bookmark in the exact place he put it" Cochrane picked up the book and glanced at its title. "'Ben-Hur,'" he said. "Not a bad book for anybody to read. He has quite a collection of books, I notice. Was he much at a reader?" He has finished the letter to his wife when the knob of the door is turned and some one attempts to enter. Kendall remains very quietly in his chair, scarcely breathing for fear his presence may be betrayed Again the door is tried, and when it fails to yield shuffling steps pass down the corridor. "I have said that I am an attorney. I should have added—a briefless one. I came to the city upon being admitted to the bar, but I havo met with little success in obtaining business. I am too proud to return to my old home and hang out my shingle with the burden of a city failure on my shoulders. I have followed this Powell mystery since it first appeared in the papers. It has attracted me on account of its singularity, and, while I may not be in fashion by refusing to lay the disappearance of Mr. Powell to you, I believe I have, some theories which may be worth considering. I have come, Mr. Kendall, to make a business proposition. I read this morning that the authorities havo practically given up the search. If that is so, I will take it up, with, of course, your help and permission. If after the lapse of a week I can furnish you clews which in your judgment are worth pursuing, you are to provide funds to enable me to follow them. I have nearly exhausted the small resources with which I was supplied when I came here. If I possessed any means of my own, I would freely hazard them in this search But I have nothing. If I win, the amount you advance shall be deducted from the re* Wfud." Float on 1 No air too pure for thee. Fit emblem of our loved Transvaal. Thy day of happiness has come— Thine enemies are vanquished all. Four colored Hag, shake out thy folds— Our Dutch republic's glory crown. And may the curse of heaven attend The godless wretch who'd tear thee downl —Freeman Putney. Jr., in Illustrated American. The river is nearly 50 miles south of here, and he left the boat where he could make connections by railroad tio the nearest town, seven miles away. By a careful study of the different time cards I hit upon the same route and left the train at the station xnentioned at 'the same hour and ininme Mr. Powell left his train about 16 months ago. As the train ncared the station it ran in on a side track, and on leaving the coach I was cautioned to "look out for the flier." Just then I heard the rumbling of an approaching train, and in an instant it dashed past at great speed. This caution was probably never given to Mr. Powell, for when he left his train he stopped in front of the fast express. There was a shout, and he jumped, but he did not wholly escape, for he was thrown against the depot platform, crushed, bleeding, senseless and almost lifeless. "A detective!" he exclaims in a whisper. ' * Let him come later and look upon the work he and his fellows have wrought" Today after dinner I called upon her and told the whole story. I know I made a botch of one part of it, but she understood me, and that is all that is necessary. We are to be married three weeks from today at her home in Cincinnati"Mr. Powell has not been seen since he entered his apartments on the evening of June 1. The janitor says that he appeared as usual on that occasion. He did not see Mr. Powell go put that evening or the following morning. The missing man's rooms have been examined, but they furnish no clew as to the probable direction he took upon leaving the city. It has also been diaoovered that no one here knows anything of Mr. Powell's early life. Kendall, the clerk left so mysteriously in the possession of his employer's property, says he does not believe that Powell had any living relatives, although he is not certain. He also says that Powell carried with him less than $1,200 in money." This was too much for honest and tini''' ~ ' . IlendalL Ho knew he was dreaming now, and the pricking of the «harp blade of the eraser could not make him believe otherwise. How had this stern, gray, quiet, speculation absorbed bachelor surmised the secret heretofore held only by Anna juid himself? They had been so careful at all times when he was present not to betray by look, tone of voice or manner the regard they felt for each other, fearing that his apparently cold and selfish nature would lead him to look upon honest love making as inimical to the pursuits of business. They had heard him scoff about wiveg and children as encumbrances to business or professional men; his cynicism had frequently in their presence been sharply directed against lovers and love making, but here he was, sitting calmly at his desk before John Kendall, apparently in his right mind, and in one moment granting an increase in salary and in the next proposing a marriage that both had felt pertain he would bitterly oppose. Now he bends himself to the task of writing to the authorities and the public. He unbosoms all his pent up agony, and declares that in this his last hour of THE OIFOLDHG OF I DREAM. By W. W. OANTIELD. Now, dear John, I want you to shut up the office at once and with your wife cobie here for a visit Yon will both enjoy this delightful spot and the beautiful weather. I cannot be contented till yon are here with me, and you must certainly stay till after the wedding. Cochrane has promised to be my groomsman. He has a little affair of the same nature on his own hands. It seems be has been engaged about five yean, waiting all the time till he should be able to support a wife The reward you offered for my discovery, and which he has more than earned, will enable him to venture the marriage. As we return from Cincinnati we are to accompany Cochrane to his home and be present at his wedding. {Copylight, lHOfi, by the Author.] CHAPTER L It was said by his acquaintances that Charles Powell never rested except when he waa in bed or in his barber's chair. He was a buyer and seller of stocks, bonds and other securities, waa nearly 40 years of age, slightly gray, tall, thin, nervous and restless. When he ate his meals, he had a paper on the table beside his plate, and his eyes were constantly running through columns of news, markets, advertisements and editorials, looking everywhere for bargains. After business hours he continued his labors till late bedtime by reviewing the transactions of the day and toy writing letters of inquiry to men in all ports of the country concerning the oondittan of wheat, corn, cotton, railroad properties, town bonds, banks, manufactories and many, other subjects. From the answers received he drew his own conclusions as to which side of the market he should take. "I do not think he was," replied KendalL "Rather his reading was mostly confined to newspapers. I have heard him say, however, that when he saw a book he thought he would like he bought it, and that some time he was going to take a year off and read them alL " Cochrane paced the floor rapidly, his form trembling with the emotion caused by his thoughts. He had been rendered desperate by his inability to secure either business or employment and was almost unnerved as he contemplated another failure. Kendall was deeply touched by this exhibition of despair. Cochrane's words were the echoes of his own thoughts. He knew what a failure meant This was followed in other papers by several sensatioual arMcles, in which all the details concern *g the romance of John Kendall and Anna Willis were dwelt upon with variops embellishments. Nov. 22 one of the papers contained the following paragraph: Cochrane turned the leaves of the little copy of "Ben-Hur." Suddenly he stopped and glanced curiously at a slip of paper that had dropped from the book and fluttered to the floor. When the physicians had patched him np as best they could, they searched his clothing for something that might give a clew to his identity. They found over $1,000 in money, but not a scrap of paper, a card, a letter or anything to disclose his name. Kendall gazed steadily a moment at his outspoken visitor before he replied. There was something about the man that impressed him. Afterward he learned it was earnest enthusiasm. "Oh, that's the bookmark," said KrndalL '' It belongB between pages i 62 aiifl IBS. It is just a scrap of paper upon which Mr. Powell had evidently been figuring and which he picked up from his desk as he laid the book aside." "I have no hesitancy, Cochrane, in advancing the sum you need for your proposed trip," he said "The money will be ready for you in half an hour." " John Kendall, who says he was left in charge of Mr. Powell'a affairs, and who exhibits as proof a typewritten document which it is claimed bears Mr. Powell's signature, appears to have grown exceedinply inrv..ns over the stories published concerning his em* ployer's disappearance. He was much disturbed yesterday afternoon when in(onned by a reporter that many entertained suspicions that he knew more about the case than he had told. It is understood that a liberal reward is to be offered for a solution of the mystery. " Now, my dear old fellow, let nothing stand in your way. Juet lock the office and leave affairs to take care of themselves. No doubt you have the business all in such good shape that no interests will suffer by five or six weeks' absence.. Write us what day you will start, and Cochrane and I will meet you in Pittsburg.With love to Anna and goodby till 11 see yew again, I will close. Yours ad "Mr. Cochrane," he said at length, "yop are a stranger, and 1 must say you appear as a decidedly frank one. I will try to be equally frank with you. The search for Mr. Powell must be kept up, and some one must do it who is possessed with more than the single idea of proving in the end that I am my employer's murderer. Through Mr. Powell's generosity and advice I have been enabled to make a few fortunate investments of my own. Much of their proceeds has been spent in the employment pf detectives, but J have something left and can save more. I will double the reward and advance to any one who proves himself worthy and capable whatever is necessary to sustain the most careful search. I will give you every scrap of information possible. When will you begin your inquiries?" Cochrane turned suddenly and caught both of Kendall's hands, shaking them with all the enthusiasm of a schoolboy. "Kendall, if I don't find Charles Powell or his grave, you will never meet me again. I will leave the city in the morning at 9:80." He hovered between life and death for nearly two weeks, but finally partially regained consciousness and told them his name was Charles Preston Howell, and that his residence was in this place. Efforts were made to find his relatives here, but none was now alive. Many remembered the boy of 25 years ago, but could not tell where he had been in the interim "Yon don't say anything, Kendall. Does the plan suit you?" asked the com posed employer. It teems hours before he con unfold and read the dUrixitch. life ne cannot look back over the past and discover one dishonest act. "Let the suspicion that I am guilty of crime die when I die," he writes. "Time will clear up this mystery, but I cannot live and go out and in among you a suspected man." "These are Powell's figures, are they?" inquired Cochrane as he examined them with care. "I—I can't say anything, sir—that is, I don't know what to say, sir. I am afraid I was inattentive and did not hear yon correctly," he stammered. "Yes," replied John. "Though a somewhat hurried and illegible write*, lie displayed oare with his figure*" "Iobserve,"noddedCochrane. "Ken* flail, I don't believe Powell, if he ever tomes back, will care for this column of figures. Put some other mark between pages 162 and 163 and let me take these to my room and study out what sort of a problem he was figuring upon. I am tired and hungry and need something to divert me." The only confidant Mr. Powell had was hie clerk, and to him he tcld no more than was actually necessary for the smooth transaction of business. He employed a young lady stenographer; but, as he wrote fully half his letters after business hours at his rooms, she knew little of his affairs. He had been in New York nearly 25 years. During that time be bad never left the city. He had not made a princely fortune, but had steadily advanced, for he started in as a messenger boy, and now he calculated that he was the possessor of securities that could be sold the dullest day in the year for 9750,000. "Oh, you heard me all right, John. Yon are not hard of hearing and were looking directly at ma " CHAPTER VI ever, Charles Powkul. It is October. Nearly four months have dragged along since Cochrane started on his search. He has not been Successful, and hope that he will be has died in the hearts of the two anxious ones in New York Frequent letters have been reoeived detailing his progress. He has been constantly traveling, searching, groping for the key to unlock the secret of Powell's journey. Ho has read his letter* carefully and sealed them in envelopes. His hand trembles when he tries to write his wife's name on the one intended for her, and it is several minutes before he can finish the address. Slowly he rises from his chair and stands with bowed head and clasped hands, his lips moving in broken appeals for mercy and forgiveness for the horrid crime ho has determined to commit. He turns suddenly, and thrusting his hand into one of the compartments of the desk brings forth a weapon of glistening, polished steeL There is no trembling, no hesitancy now. He is as firm, as unyielding as iron, and with a deliberation that is "blood curdling he examines the revolver to make sure it is in order. Satisfied with his examination, he moves toward the rear of the office as though he would not have his body lie in the doorway, but pauses and stands likening breathlessly as he hears footsteps again approaching his door. The knob turns and the door is shaken gently. To Mr. Powell his whole life from the moment he ran away from the home in which he received ill treatment until he awoke to consciousness in the hotel was a blank. He was simply Charles Preston Howell, a farm lad, anxious to escape from his uncle. He had no recollection of any other place, of business transactions, of names, dates or events. He closed his eyes as a runaway boy; he opened them to find himself a man in the possession of money, strange clothing, jewelry and other articles in his pockets and valise which he had never seen before to his knowledge. • • • • • * • j The firm of Powell, Kendall & Coch-i rane is as well known as any in the city of New York. It has a reputation far honorable dealing with al men, for if has never yet been concerned in a shady transaction and confines its Dperations' strictly to those lines of business that are above suspicion. Its members have the fullest trust and confidence in each Dther, and since their partnership relations began, now about dght years ago, their friendships have ripened and besome stronger with each day. Every autumn there is a migration to i quiet little Ohio town just outside she Muskingum valley, and there for teveral weeks the three inseparables and 'heir wives haunt the woods and itreams, wander through meadows and jastures and take delightful drives "8. Around * racing trimmed lawn among the place with a troop ayes of growing "Well, then, Mr. Powell, to tell the truth, sir, I don't believe I am awake. I am of the opiuion that I am dreaming."Wifljin the next-Tour weeks there appeared in the newspapers pf many cities and larger towns advertisements offering a reward of $5,000 for information that might lead to the discovery of Charles Powell, alive or dead Similar advertisements also appeared in various newspapers throughout Europe, Canada, Mexico and South America. "People have very strange dreams sometimes, Kendall. " And he paused a moment, as though recalling one. "You are not in the middle of one now, however. Yoj} are awake and about to realize the fuflllment of your hopes and a partial reward for your faithful, honest service. If you have any doubts, step into the inside office and repeat to Miss Willis the proposition I have made you. J guarantee your doubts will vanish." When he bod parted from Kendall, he hurried to a chcau restaurant and ate bis supper, after whioh he repaired to a hot, comfortless room he called his home in one of the "furnished rooms to let" houses on Eleventh street He rested a moment after his long climb, then lighted his pipe, fished the little scrap of paper from his memorandum book and spread it before him. The figures thereon were as follows: "I am confident," he wrote in one letter, "that Powell carried a part of his time table in his head. Possibly a day, or even two, may have intervened where he drew the line through the column. I have studied out several other combinations and shall continue to follow them as long as I have strength enough to do so. X am not yet discouraged, but distressingly puzzled." It was his custom to visit a modest little barber shop near his office about 4 o'clock in the afternoon of each day. The shop was a cozy corner, just big enough for its two barber chairs, three or four seats for those who might be waiting, a table containing periodicals and a small case from which the lovers of good cigars could always make satisfying selections. It has been said that Mr. Powell rested only when Id hi? t*4 or in his barber's chair. Once, when talking about his past life and this particular event we are about to relate, he said that it had long been his practice to relax every muscle when he had composed himself in the chair and was tyVered by the barber's apron. He would close his pyes, pay no heed to any sarronndings and, so far as possible, cease to think. On thi# particular occasion, the 27th day of May, he f-efnepobercd nothing that happened after he had assumed his custopiary attitude nutil he felt- the ap !Dlication of the toilet water to his freshy shaven cheeks, evcept this incident: A year from the date of Mr. Powell's disappearance a review of the whole case occupied several polumns in one of the New York papers. The sfoiy of the disappearance wftS retold, followed in detail by the steps taken to unravel the mystery. The advertisements had produced a crop of impostors who had endeavored by every possible subterfuge to obtain the reward. The review concluded with the following summary: "Now," replied Cochrane, "and here." The young lawyer remained at the fowell offices throughout the remainder of the day. Much of the time was spent In making inquiries of Kendall as to the missing man's habits, characteristics, peculiarities, tastes, likes, dislikes, hopes, plans and failings. Kendall was asked to imitate Powell's walk and voice, to sit at his desk, enter and leave room-, to Jiold a paper while reading r-rall as pearly like Mr. Powell as possible, Toward evening Cochrane asked: It was something over five months before he was able to leave his room. The railroad company made a satisfactory settlement w ith him, and when he had regained his strength he came over here to his old home, used a portion of his money to buy out a dealer in produce and settled down to the prosaic life of a country storekeeper. Sometimes he would almost succeed in grasping the secret of his past, but it would slip away from him, and he would plod along in his every day rut very quietly. I learned all about the accident before I made his acquaintance, and then 1 visited his store two or three times a day for nearly two weeks. Every time I went there I talked about New York, the Stock Exchange, the streets, buildings, etc. Then I would bring in the names of prominent brokers and operators, mention the rise and fall of securities in which be had been interested and discuss bonds, mortgages and loans. Sometimes he would look at me ia a manner that led me to believe he was thinking more than listening. One evening he made the remark that all I had been talking about sounded very familiar to him, and that it must be he had in »me way been connected with the big city and its transactions during his long absence. This gave me encouragement, The first smile John Kendall eye? saw upon the face of the man by whom he had been employed now nearly ten years was when he turned to follow out this suggestion. Afterward John recalled that in the brief moment occupied by his stepping across the room and over the threshold of the inner office where Anna Willis was engaged with her work he made up his mind that he had the good fortune to be employed by the kindest and most considerate man in all New York ' A few minutes later the happy little stenographer was of the same opinion, for John told his story quickly, and they came into Mr. Powell's room arm in arm. 0.90 12.25 d f «! 11 SQ In a letter a few weeks later he wrote: ' 'I have less hope tonight than at any time since I left you, and it is only by the exercise of every particle of will power I possess that I am kept from going to bed and sending for a doctor.'' along the pleasant highways, the big, old fashioned homestead, up and down the well and playing hide and seek shrubbery, filling all the their laughter and sunshine, u of happy children, on whom thf three fond mothers rest with pride. THK END. "The fullest possible investigation has been made, but the piystery remains as profound M when Qbarles Powell first disappeared. There Is no probability that it will ever be solved, unless through the confession of some one who accomplished his destruction, for it is now believed by every one who has had any connection with the case that Powell was murdered and his body destroyed months before his absence was made known to the authorities. 1.99 fl 20 8.40 Still later he wrote: "I have spent an entire week here in fruitless search. Twice I picked up what I believed might be clews worth following, but after running them to the gronnd I am disappointed again and can only write you of failure and heaviness of heart Yesterday I drove and walked nearly 60 miles over some of the most horrible roads I ever saw. I leave here in the morning." Kendall wishes his heart would not beat so loudly, for he fears the detective will hear it and demand entrance. ' 'It will all be over before he can force the door," whispers the despairing man as he raises the revolver to his templa "John!" '4 And among all his papers and letters you say there is not one line that would indicate where he was born?" CHAPTER V. Cochrane's inspection of the problem was of long duration. At length he leaned back as though satisfied he could read nothing more from Mr. Powell's memoranda and gave yenf to a long drawn sigh. "Wby under the sun wasn't the man considerate enough to designate which railroad he intended to take?" Here he picked up the paper. "He'starts from somewhere at 9:30—evidently in the morning, for at 12:25 there is a stop for dinne*. At 8:10 I think he changes cars, and at 7:4Q he must have his supper. At 11:30 he makes a stop—wonder whether that is the same night or the next day? Deuce take itt Didn't the man know the meaning of a m. and p. m. ? I believe he stays there the remainder of the night, and that's the reason of- that mark through {he polumn. Then he starts out at 4:30, which may be the next morning or the next afternoon, and at 6:20 he changes again. At 8:49 he reaches the end of his journey, but he doesn't leave as much as a dot to indicate where that is." "Not one word," was the reply. "Did Powell never refer to occurrences in his childhood—anything contenting his school, his sports, his boyish pranks?" r "Never, except once." "Ah," said Cochrane, *raq that?" Disappointed In the Gift. "I've never preached or taught," said Ben Adhem, ' 'bat I've had some little experience in the myself. I remember one instance which occurred on my father's farm in good old Ohio. Zeke was a very raw, very ungainly and very poverty stricken 'hand,' who hailed from the least respectable region of country roundabout He had probably been brought up on parched corn and maple sirup and never had a Sunday Buit in his life When he came to us, at any rate, he was almost barefoot, and as the days began to grow chill father took it upon himself to buy Zeke a pair of stout shoes. The presentation was a sorrowful scene. Zeke held the shoes disconsolately by the string which tied them together and tried to look grateful, with alarming unsuccess. 'Why, what's the matter, Zeke? Don't you like your shoes?' father asked in real concern. Zeke's face quivered and presently broke into a lubberly expression of woe. 'Yes, sir,' he said, gulping hard, 'but I could have went without shoes, an I'm just sufferin lor a scarf pin.'"—Chicago Interior.Parly the Monday morning following, on June 2, Mr. Powell's footsteps were turned in a direction wholly unfamiliar, for daring his long residence jn the city he seldom stepped outside of certain streets which led him to and from his business. fii.s thoughts, too, were in a God! It Is his wile I What has brought her here? Never mind; he will keep quiet, and when she receives no reply she will think he is elsewhere and go away. He cannot, he must not see her again. "It must be remembered that Kendall, by the operation of a power of attorney, was placed in full possession of the securities, deposits, currency and personal effects of the fich speculator. Those whq fcnew PowplJ say he had never before betrayed spfflpiept fftittl1" any man to so completely trust him with his fortune. So far as known, Kendall has lived a quiet, honest life, but the romantic story told by both Kendall and his wife concerning Powell's sudden change of manner, his anxiety for their immediate marriage and his advice to Kendall concerning certain investments he might make og fils ojvp appopnt, are so foreign to the man's nature that people cannot If blamed tor entertaining dark and unpleasant suspicions." "and when Early In September he had written again. It was evident that he was almost hopeless, and Kendall read his words with a sinking heart. Cochrane did not wholly give up, however, for in the last few lines he said he would go to Pittsburg and try a steamer ruute down the river from that point "If this fails," ho wrote, "my resources will have been exhausted, and I shall be compelled to admit that I can do nothing more. God only knows what will happen to me when I stand face to face with another failure. " "We stood here by the window watching some men driving several cattle along thp street One of the steers brokaway and rap back in this direction, and we were both interest**! over the commotion caused by the occurrence, Mr. Powell remarked that it brought back old times, and that when a boy he had frequently seen many droves of cattle in a single summer. Then he turned suddenly and retired to his private office."Two gentleman with whom he bad often done business on the market stepped through the open door and approached the cigar case just as Mr. Powell moved forward to take his place In the chair. While the apron was being adjusted he heard this conversation: "Ypy Wppe not on the market last wee*?" "John! My husband!" rises the pleading, anxious voice at the door. "Let me in, dear! I want to see you. Quick!" No answer. He dare not see her. Though his slender form shakes with an emotion that almost causes him to fall, he makes no reply. He hears her drop on her knees at the threshold and theu the beating of her hands against the heavy oaken panels. "Q God, if it be thy will," she cries, "let this cup of bitterness pass from my lips I John, John, if death has not claimed you, open this door I it is I, Anna, and I have news for youl Come, quick—it is here-r-a telegram! The messenger could not find you and so brought it to the house." "JJo; out of town." and so last night I invited him to my room in the little hotel. I proceeded to detail aa carefully as possible the story rt bis life in New York. I described his office, his employees, his daily habits, ais investments and his rooms. Then I told of his visit to Kreeger's shop, his Ire am, his changed manner in the morning, his attendance at your wedding and his disappearance. Then I took out his ►rain memoranda and followed him to Pittsburg and down the river on the steamer. Toward the last I could see that he was becoming greatly excited. He was walking the floor rapidly, both hands pressed against the sides of his head, when he suddenly pitched forward into my arms, exhausted and almost fainting. "Too bad. Yon lost * good chance to make $15,000 or $20,000." "How old yraa Mr. fowelj (hen?" "Thftit might have been two years ago. Probably 87." "Yes, I know it But I haven't been to my old home in years. Too much business to get away. I determiiiM to pay the old town a visit and so locked up the office and started. It did me a world of good, too, and I will never rejflret the flip. " wilj jpoi} ever jnisfl what von failed to make,'' tv:uC the reply. *'We all work too hard. There jsii't a man 00 the sljeet who wouldn't be the fetter for wore recreptiop," Since that time Kendall had heard uothiug from him. The days dragged wearily along and hope sank with each as twilight faded into evening. Far a time Kendall avoided his wife's inquiries and tried to put her off by declaring that he was saving up good news as a surprise for her, but she saw him grow daily more nervous and apprehensive, and finally, in response to pleading, he confided to her his gravest fears. "When he was a boy, cattle were driven to the eastern markets in droves from Ohio, Illinois and Indiana," mused Cochrane. "Mr. Powell was bom in the country, as I suspected. All our most successful men are. That's why I thought I would succeed in the city. Good night, Mr. KendalL I will be here early in the morning." Mlli^ OHAPTJSK IV. Then Cochrane thought it all over again, refilled his pipe, walked around his narrow room several times and sat down to talk it over with himself. John Kendall read this review of the Powell mystery with care, and when its perusal was concluded he bent his head upon his desk and groaned in bitterness. yjjar had passed, and the bright hopes that characterized its opening were clouded with a shadow that: was eating pot bis life. He had growq pale, thii} find nervous. One by one had been destroyed the hopes they entertained that the mystery would be solved, Suspicion, faint at first, but gradually growing stronger as theories came to naught, was now generally directed against the unfortunate young man, and in the minds of many his wife shared his guilt His actions, he felt certain, had been carefully notetj for utonth*. Every transaction be madg in the affairs of bis employer wan watched and commented upon. No mutter which way he might turn, he was confroptec} wit* suspicion, Throughout the long search he had given the authorities pyery possible ns-UHtaiiei*—throwing open to their inspection all the books and papers in Mr, Powell's office, subjecting his own home and private life to tha'r research, telling the whole story of the happenings of those four eventful days of  dozens of times over, only $Q' be met with suspicious looks and plied with suspicious questions. Detectives dogged his footsteps. Men pointed him out to each other as he passed. Revolting criminal characters leered at hilty A telegram! News! The blood surges to his head and the room seems to whirl about him. The revolver drops from his nerveless fingers. He dashes to the door and shoots back the bolt. The pitiful, almost despairing woman kneeling there realises she has not come too late and tries to extend the hand in which is crumpled a bit of yellow paper as she sinks prostrate in the doorway. In his awful haste it seems hours before he can unfold and read the dispatch, and when he has done so he reels, gasps, feels that the floor is slipping away from him and sinks into unconsciousness. "Here's a castaway about whose earl y life no one knows anything—a rich, clamlike, oold hearted old bachelor, who is so devotyd to the pursuit of money that ho has to use the time when be is getting shaved for rest aud sleep One day, just as he was dropping off into his usual uap, a chance remark by another customer turn his thoughts to his old home and he dreams of his childhood. Of what else I have no Idea, but whatever it was it changed him as completely as though b° had had a dangerous sickness. The next he turns philanthropist, double* pis plerfc'a salary, advises him t°i marry the girl be loves, makes them a munificent wedding present, draws up a power of attorney and puts all his business into the hands of his clerk- Then he takes a supply of ready money and goes back to where there was once a father and mother, brothers and sisters—possibly a sweetheart. But why doesn't he return t° look after his business and hin property? Why hasn't b« written or telegraphed? Why has ho left this poor Kendall in the lurch, to become suspected of forgery, abduction, murder and everything elae? "Oh, well, the otily thing to do is to follow Ui'n and find out, but with scores of railroads and thousands of railroad! connections, and with only a fain$ plow to lead me to believe fce puce  off west of here somewhere pq a road oyer years were driven to, the eastern marketsj in droyea, ) shall have a very interesting little chase." Nor did Cochrane forget bis promise, for when John Reached the pffice in the morning he found bim pacing up and dow"n the corridor quite impatiently. Then followed another long series of questions, some of which had been asked the day before, but many upon fresh lines. At length, when it seemed as though he had exhausted every possible trait in the missing speculator's make up, Cochrane suddenly asked if it was practice to shave himself. "Formerly it was," replied Kendall, "but pit late years he patronized a barber, and I don't think ne missed a visit to the same shop a single  (or at least ten years, He was vvryfrg- Ular in every habit aud practica " ••Where's that shop?'' asked Cochrane, Stroking bis chin. ' 'I need a shave." IMS FUgbti of Birda. Then Mr. Powell lost himself, and when the toilet water was applied to his face he started, sat bolt upright in his chair, looked in astonishment at his barber and demanded how he came there. WorH that any othsr pipn p/ hU wealth would have to a valet. strange channel, for instead of looking ahead and trying to fathom curious phases in financial transactions, they were dwelling on the events of the past few days. Wednesday there had been the announcement to John Kendall of his intended departure, the raise in his confidential man's salary, his advice to hipi tQ marry fhe stenogr&pfipr, their pffusive thanks, and tnen a Icing consultation concerning business affairs, which Was closed by all three applying themselves to work that lasted almost without intermission through Thursday and Friday. Saturday morning he had crossed the grept bridge that spans the East river for the first time in his life and at a modest little church in the City of Churches, at 10 o'clock, he had witnessed the marriage of his faithful employee. At this time he has become but a fhadow of his former self. $is eyes dark and hollow, bis face pale and drawn, his form* bent and shrinking, his step unsteady and hesitating, his hands cold, clammy and clinched. He starts suddenly when spoken to, he is abstracted and wandering in his talk, he can set himself at no task at which he can remain, he can sleep but little, and walks his bedroom at night with head bent forward listening, ever listening for news of the missing. The distance which birds travel is marvelous, the naturalists say, and laymen are inclined to believe them. W. Herbert Purvis writes to the London Field that every spring great numbers of golden and ringed plover arrive in the Hawaiian Islands and leave the first week of May. "I see it all, Cochrane," he sobbed. "I am Charles PowelL I remember everything now; it haa eotne back to me like a flash!" "You came in by the door, sir," was the reply. .'.'How lopg have I been here?" ''Veil, t gne»» 'bout plenty fninutes. Pere yas no gustomers vaiting und you TM asleep, so ) take piy time." It was after midnight when Mr. Pow*11 came to a full realization of his past We talked till nearly morning, and ] finally induced him to go to sleep in my bed, while I went out for a long walk in the dawn of a beautiful October day. It was nearly noon before he awoke, but his mind was as clear as at any time in his life. The nearest points of the American coast to which they go are in southern California and the Alaska peninsula respectively, about 2,000 geographical miles, and there is no intervening land. It may be that the birds drop into the water to rest occasionally, as ducks do, during such long flights, but it is not probable This is the longest regular flight known of shore birds over water, but it ia known pretty certainly that some sea birds fly as a regular thing much farther than this during their migrations. The brant geese, for instance, are said to nest in Siberia and to fly north over the Arctic ocean and south again to Cape Hatteras, or thereabout and beyond, every year. The dcteotive, whose coming Kendall had anticipated, hurries along the hallway, foi he has heard the fall of a body and feara that he may have been too late ta prevent the crime of self destruction. He stands for a moment appalled at the sight before him, believing that be is ua the presenoe of death. Theu he notices the open telegram lying close by Kendall's outstretched arm, and catching itj hastily from the floor reads this tne»-. sage: "What day is this, Mr. Kreeger?" ' 'Dis is Tooaday, May dwenty-seven, Mr. Powell." And no wonder. Honest John Kendall, in whom there is not tbe faintest trace of deceit, guile, dishonesty, cruelty or wrong, who would sooner submit to death itsulf than become the possessor of a dollar dishonestly secured, is the suspected murderer of his employer. The terrible strain begins to tell upon him as hope of success by Cochrane dies out Men shake their beads and say: "I told you so! He's breaking down, and some of these days you'll read in the papers of his collapse and confes sion. The detectives, are watching him very closely now. How well they've planned it all]! They H him take his own way a»d wade him believe they had »o suspicion whatever. They'll have him yet, and much good the handling of poor Powell's thousands will do him then." "And are you sure I haven't been here more than 20 minutes?" "Yah, Mr. Powell, I am certain. You come in as usual, nod to me a leedle und hang up your hat and umbrella, pen in a gouple of minutes, ven I finish a gtuttomer, you come in dis chair, und fcefor I had lathered your Chin you vas asleep," Mr. Powell glanced at his watch. Then he went to the stand, upon which wen spread the daily papers, and examined several of them. He then stepped to the door, beckoned to a newsboy and bought two of his last edition, both of which he looked through carefully. Then he turned, paid for his shave, adlusted his peckwfcar,' remarked that "it Wa8 very strange," pnd went out Mr. Powell also writes you by this mail, and I will write again in a day or two. I am very anxious to get hold of your honest hand, and I hope the good news I have sent you will put the rosea once more into your cheeks. In less than an hour he returned to the office greatly pleased with the result of his visit, for the loquacious barber had given him in minute detail the Incidents attendant upon Powell's last visit to his shop. PrHALVIU.B, ©., Oct. 4, To John Kendall, Room 08k Commercial Euildtnjc, Nev York: yowell her* and ▼ell. Letters follow this yDeeaag«. Stacby Cochkahk. When the newly married ooaple were }eaying the churcn, they wepa surprised fo find Mr. Powell awaiting them in the vestibule. He expressed his congratulations in an earnest manner, and as he bade them goodby he laughingly told them to make the most of their brief holiday, speaking with sincerity when h® regretted that he could spare John from the office only till Monday morning. The afternoon had been devoted to the further arrangement of business affairs and flie preparation of a power of attorney for Kendall's use in the transaction of fDu«iuC«s. Sunday was ftpent by Mr. Powell in that almost any other man of his wealth would have intrusted to a valet, but as Mr. Powell was unlike any one but himself he carefully brushed and packed away his own olothing, except sitcjj as he desired to use during his abseuce. When he had arranged his belongings, he took from his byokcase one of its unused volumes and read until bedtime, Remember me kindly *» Mm Kendall. Ever your true friend, Ym. Kendall was present when Cochrane returned, and ho took the opportunity to question feer, the name poifltq fead already covered with her pusbancl Slowly he drew from them eVery detail of a day neither could ever forget Tipie tinw fee fea4 them describe just how 1/ii. Powell apjx'ared, put not 6uce did fee ask for their impressions as to why the pojd, pypical tod austere man had in a night changed Into a gentle, confiding, solicitous, generous friend. He wanted a picture of the man he was endeavoring to finfl, pot p, mere photograph, features pi ay he changed by disguises, sickness, lapse of time, exposure or death. Cochrane wanted to see the man himself, and he could only do so through the eyes of pfhero po wanted to, Powells mind ftnu discoyer his motives, and he could only do so TDy asking others to recall distant inoidt nts, hoping that  some one of them might hang the thread that would guide him from the labyrinth of mystC ry into which aU were plunged. lyfttf* in the afternoon he asked John if Powell's apartments were retained for him and were in practically the same condition as when he Jeft thC*iu. St acky Cochrane. • • • CHAPTER VH. * * Rcralville, O., Oct 4*. My Dkar Kendall—You can never know with whut joy I write these words. I feel that I am onpe more restored to life, and I know that I can never repay you and Cochrane for your brave fight agonist public opinion and for the persistent search that has finally resulted in my discovery. In all probability after the lapse of years I would have fully recovered my memory, but I am none the less grateful that you, my dear old fellow, pushed the search, and that Cochrane found me and "brought me to life." Rcralviltjc, O., Oct 4 During all the long period when Great Britain was striving against Spain, Holland and France, and building up her empire in ipite of them, the Germans were working out their destiny on a smaller scale, and in a mode which never brought them into collision with this country. English or My Dear Kendall—I feave put a telegram into tjlio hands of a man who has promised to ride the seven miles across the hills to tl« station as rapidly as possible. I hope you will receive it early this afternoon. I have no doubt it will convey to both you and Mrs. Kendall the most welcome news you have ever received. Cochrane went out and searched amoug bookstalls till he found and purchased a year old railroad guide, whicfe he brought back to hia roqn\ for study. Xt was nearly pooq whet} he reached (he 4fVDw«l\ offices the next day, for he had spent most of the night in pouring over maps and time cards. During a But KendaU is not unaware of this. He gees it in their faces, hears it in their voicea, feels it in their presence, knows it by the way they act. His home is watehtd, he is watched at the office, .le is followed in t ho street. He is a suspect, ugainat whom nothing can be proved, but who cannot prove his innocence.CHAPTER I}. Just how long Mr. Powell pondered that evening oyer the occurrence in the barber shop he never told his most intimate friends of after years. It is certain, however, that he wrote no letters, and he reached his office in the morning looking considerably fatigued. Per fore the lapse of an hour he called his pjerk, John Kendall, to his desk and told him he had made up his mind to leave town fdr a fortnight Possibly the time might be extended indefinitely. It j||) depended upon circumstances. " We Cast devote the remaindej* of the week closing np as far as possible all transactions which may be concluded without sacrifice," he added- "I feel that I eta trust you with the conduct of such Other matters as it may be impossible ♦6 conclude, j hope to be within easy reach of the city by mail or wire, but Unless some emergency should arise J flo not care to be bothered With business affaiA until my return." John Kendall held in hi' hand a dharn steel desk eraser and as Mr.1 fowejj made this announcement the astonished clerk found himself jabbing the point of the instrument into his leg to make sure he was awake. "Of course," continued Mr. Powell, "1 shall consider your future service much more valuable than it has been in tfie past. Your responsibilities will be greatly increased, t do not expect to give affairs rach close individual attention hereafter, and commencing at once your salary will be double the present From an electorate of Brandenburg they struggled into a kingdom of Prussia, and when wiped off the face of the earth by Napoleon they rose from their ashes with renewed vigor and laid the foundations of a great empire, and consolidated it at the expense first of Austria and then of France. Great Britain has welcomed its rise as a guarantee of peace, « means of maintaining the balance of European power. It cannot compete with England for world empire. It comes too late into the field. It has not the preparatory political training. It has other duties to accomplish, and its geographical position forbids it —Black- Blackwood's Magazine Briefly I will tell you what you do not already know about Powell's disappearance and discc very. He was bom and lived here till he was nearly years of age. His parents died when he was young, and he was adopted by his mother's brother,who treated him rather harshly. His name was Charles Preston, and as the uncle who adopted him was named Howell he was known as Charles Preston HowelL Smarting under some indignity, he left his home and ran away. In a year he had drifted to New York. He chivnged his name at once on getting away from this locality, fearing that should he give his own name he might bo more easily followed. Rest assured it shall be my aim to see that you and Anna are well repaid for the great anxiety and trouble I have caused you. Most of all. I regret the imputations that have been cast on jour character, but now that I have been ''discovered" they will vanish like magic and you will hear those who were foremost in directing suspicion against you loudly declaring that they knew all the time I would eventually be found. Last night ho talked the /floor till daylight saw him stagger and fall upon a couch, where scarcely an hour passed in fitful slumber. His' tearful, anxious wife camp to, him, $s she had many times befoire, and put her arms about his Meek and tried to whisper words of encouragement. '' My poor, dear boy,'' she said, "this cannot last always. Good news must come. God will not permit you to be so falsely accused." Kendall gazed steadily a moment at bit puttrjiokcn tHHtor. winked at each other, as much as fo say that he was a shrewd tad funning one to thus be able to so completely cover his tracks. On the Wednesday following Kendall informed the proprietor of the block that Mr. Powell had gone away for a visit. His rooms, however, wer8 to be retained, and the Ciiretaker was cautioned to see that they should be in perfect order at all times, This announcement caused considerable riuxprifle among the occupants of similar suits in the building, and they devoted no small part of their time in speculating as to what had finally induced "the miser," as they called Powell, to take one step outside his well beaten path- J "Where will it ei»d?" he thought this morning. "How long can | stand this intense suspense—this 'stifling, crushing suspicion? Which way can I turn or what can I do to make men know that I am innocent?" Jfc-r Cochrane has left me one thing to tell you, and only one. In my dream at Kreeger'a I saw the face of a girl, several years younger than I, who attended the village school with me here 25 years ago. I saw her as a little schoolgirl, bright, pretty and interesting, and in thinking it over I remembered that as u boy 14 or 15 years old I had hoped some time to marry her. It was this memory that changed me from an unpleasant cynic and induced me to make it possible for you and Anna to marry. It brought me to a realization of my selfishness. I had known for some time that you loved each other, and when I recalled how shabbily I had treated you I was heartily ashamed of myself. "They are," replied Kendall. "My instructions were to pay the rent and provide for the care of his suit UJitU his return. The detectives have made the rooms a number of visits and searched the letters, papers, clothing and furpiture. They discovered no more than they did hern." He shook his head sadly. "$f°» "°. Anna, dear; there is no hope." And then he gently unclasped her arms and continued bis ceasehss tread. M. Vanderheym, a well known journalist of Paris, who spent some time at the court of Emperor Menelek of Abyssinia, says that the feet and hands of the dusky monarch are of an unusual size. He adds that the negus was a great admirer of President Carnot and sent a wreath to be placed upon his grave. When some of the native priests saw a photograph of their ruler, taken by the correspondent, they upbraided him foi allowing a European to reproduce hia features by means of an instrument invented by the deviL "Idiots!" replied Menelek. "On the contrary, it is God who has created the materials which make the work possible. Don't tell me such nonsense again, or I'll have you beheaded." King Menelek. He tells me that when he went into Kreeger's shop a year ago the 27th of last May he heard two customers talking about business matters, and that one of them spoke of a recent visit ho had made to his old home. Powell at once fell asleep, as was often his custom, and dreamed of a visit to his own birthplace and of beautifying and improving his father's burial plot and of erecting suitable monuments oyer the graves of his father and mother. He dreamed of the streams where he used to fish, tho hills over which he had hunted, the orchards from which he had eaten fruit, this quaint little town in which he had been a boy. Ho could scarcely believe when he first awoke that he had been dreaming, so natural had it all seemed. That night he thought it all over and wer* to And h» bowed his head upon the desk before him and closed his pyea as thougli to shut out the vision of suspicious crowding in on every side. As he thus sat the door opened and a tall, somewhat awkward appearing man about 25 years of age entered the room. He was clad in a well worn business suit and bore the appearance of a clerk who had been out of a position some months. "But, John, dear,"she pleaded, "you must rest, or you will kill yourself." "Would to God J might die a thousand deaths, each one as full of agony was the death of him on the cross, if by fo doing I could clear my name of this (rushing, stifling suspicion, which makes |ne in the eyes of men a thing to be feated, reviled at, shunned!" CHAPTER IIL ' 'Which was nothing," said Cochrana "Let us go and see for ourselves. I may fee better able to judge the man when I examine his home surroundings." pn the 18th of the following November, under proper headlines, appeared in one of the metropolitan papers the following article: Cochrane turned suddenly and caught both of Kendall'n hand*. long consultation with Kendall he explained the theory he formed as to Powell's disappearance: Mr. Powell's apartments were not overfurnished. The rooms were three in number, the larger one being used as a library and sitting room. It contained a bookcase, desk, easy chairs, a handsome pouch, several fine pictures, most of which were rural scenes, and a mantel UDQtt which were some rare bits of bric- Today Kendall has devoted the entire forenoon to a careful examination of the account books, in which each transaction is noted with scrupulous care and sufficient detail. This done he retired to the private office and commenced writing rapidly. Pape after page is covered in nervous, restless haste. Often tears "Inquiries have recently been made among the acquaintances and business associates in Wall street of Mr. Charles Powell, with a view to discovering, if possible, his present whereabouts. "My name is Btarey Cochrane," he said, "and I am an attorney. I have called to obtain from you some information that may aid in clearing up the powell mystery." "I know tho chances appear slim for the discovery of the man whose disappearance has placed you in such an unenviable situation. My theory may be entirely wrong. He may have become suddenly insane and lone before this But. it is all right now, John. You are happily married, and I—well, when I canio here nearly recovered from my •mident I found the same stirL now "Mr. Powell's disappearance was one toee mvsterioua episodes wholly in- Kendall had heard similar words so manr ' tst few months that