Pittston Gazette

              ESTABLISHED 18SO. » VOU XLlIli NO. as. f Oldest Newspaper in the Wyoming Vi lley. PITTSTOX, LUZERNE CO., I'A., FRIDAY. MAY :D, i sd:;. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. *i.r»n IM'K AXSI'M IN AIJVAM'K 9RTvR* J jjgp Then she added, m a tone of tragical despair: terveued between .North's question and her answer; then, turning and looking gravely at him, she said: nard," he said, slowly, "but I shall see you soon again. In the meantime 1 ask tnr slop mil; out or auou the eon I "I perceive that you are right. Mr. North: shred by shred the unsubstantial fabric is going to tatters! What next?" v6u to consider very seriously the suggestion that I have offered. It is vitally worthv of your attention." Iiu'am that tUt? pi (roiu thi1 lethargy ir is forged CALIFORNIA TREES. above sum net. If lie had put 20 aore« into hotel, lie would have made $400,000 "Thus far 1 think I understand you. Mr. North, but 1 confess there is something beyond your wonts that 1 cannot quite divine. 1 am in no mood for penetrating mysteries when they touch upon a matter of such vital importance; but I will endeavor to comprehend your meaning so far as you will trouble youiD self to render it intelligible to inc." indulged. hau men in wlinsis ii S 1))| clear ME I u to In BILL NYE DESCRIB A FEW SAMPLE "El bridge Carversou bought a quarter acre in January, 1st)-,?, anil net out an electric plant on it. He only regrets now that lie haCl not utilized 160 acres, fC ir he cleared sk.ooii on the quarter acre/' Again the color came and went in her cheeks, her breath fluttered and her white tingers closed convulsively together. It was evident that at his words some powerful tide of emotion :iad swept over her, almost overwhelm- auti to whost with prid Ml*. Nt l tor a s tins' 1 li;fd bnen SPECIME "Next," pursued North, with a rutliej inexplicable smile, "we come to the disclosures made by the experts. The whole affair, you see, has been mercilessly sifted. Hunter and Ketchum art unrelenting." man. Of his espechil qualitUM tions tke no one that has watched his j This is i of t c.irpcr fur tfie padotitit: and the ■ carry w!;h Mm Into the C throe years t: •nKt'.cn that I must try tC. sol 11 C!iCl not | l:c my I Santa Cruz anil Lick Observatory, W liich social tD That I did I* AVitliin the of All —A Vniing These oric-. I think, do California more harm than good, for people come here with too much hope and too little gray matter. It is not a xood place for a poor man where land is so high and the distance from the east so great* If some of the unfortunate people here who wish to return to the home nest by borrowing of our successful lecturers would use the same genius and industry in trying to raise onions or start & daily paper, they waril elcvatiuK R ill C l.ady'* S**»r«-li K«»r 111#- I'uattainalitle — lif- "Unprincipled! Mercenary!" cried Mrs. Maynard, with a sudden little flasl. of resentment. "All that they wish i.s to secure for themselves handsome fees from the estate!" yiug. she controlled herself so resolutely that both voice and manner her with its force, hut. quickly ral- Vot' rs, t'ODBHlcr well tl tlieu. did'.' Itulftinz a A\ She turned from him with the words and continued her slow pacing. North reflected gravely upon her answer: then, failing to make anything satisfactory of it, he hastened his meditated coup d'etat. greatest danger that eati po*sip] is at our doors. gulf i\ x*r u •fatrn us \'iDtliiny ooiiid tic j whfrt iff thC [Ooj r W. Nye.] i i'.v calm when she ans\vereCl hiin more implacable, than thai \v.. the destruction nf Home Is vuwiiuu it demands thD- sacriticeof our .nobu. tlie pride of our social iiff. the tb.-.v. r . chivalry, err it will coascut to .. North, like brave Ciirtlus of old. stands forth as our deliierer. and is ready to fling himself into the gulf, that our municipal itovernment may Iv saved. Tlie office cau confer no honor upi him: he will honor t|ie office. Since he has c Kented to net as our candidate, not for the D• of any (rood •!iat may thereby result to hiij hut from the patriotic desire to take tfef of our publlt affairs out of the hands of th scrupulous demagogues who have aires, brought us so perilously uear the verge CDJ.ruii let us show our appreciation of hi* seyVice hv uniting on" a11■ l a'l. i\ hatever our party. \ihever our prejudices. whatever our fe Ct fritter ami h threatened at our feet: I tliinl iFoRMA. Bound North. We have jnDr visited the lDi-_; Santa Cruz. The wagon road was impassable, and so Superintendent Fillmore took us tip on a special train. He knew me when 1 was a poor boy. Even then he could see that I would 1m* ajjcreat man. He knew tluit J was a (food boy and foresaw that I would one day he a nice old Years havo proved that he had a In C *• Your suggestion, Mr. North?" There was a delicate sarcasm in her tone as -lie repealed the words. "It is unworthy ■ D{ nic—I will not (five it a second thought! Have j'ou so little true iiie» ■St lulfi: .itor Irs. M is near "Oh, possibly," returned North, with indolent amusement. "Nevertheless my dear Mrs. Maynard, whatever theii motive, the fact remains—they are re lentless. Up to this point the only evi dence offered has been the ordinary verbal and documentary sort; but novi rind tl [costixved.] "Thank you. Mrs. Maynard," he said, calmly. "That is all I can possibly ask. Now. I venture to predict that you would have no difficulty whatever A prim little smue crept upwaru iron) the drooping ends of North's mustache and just illuminated for an instant the sharp plance of his eyes. When he .spoke his tones seemed full of mocking barcasm. her ne\t rows suf CHAPTER VIII. Ham.—I will speak daggerx to her. estin I anticipate evm some C niisjht succeed, I $5 K/Jry r Dl plea v. from a purely profC 1 have succeeded in defeating several jrreeti room lDt*fcgars who live on the actors and other traveling show people. Referring to my route bogk, I say, "The Poet Riley was here iu December, wasn't he-1" —Hamlet Ant. E.—I tell you, 'twill sound harshly la her ear. — Comal y of Errors. standpoint, in tracing it all up; tukin a more 'personal view jDf the mutt or— man to clinch the previous testimony the experts arc introduced." C'(\Dt great head During the time that intervened between his leaving the office and presenting himself at No. 33 Delaplaine street, North had hastily arranged the plan of his attack, his own assumptions and conclusions being the basis thereof. "Well fortified? So we did appear to he. It was a strong case until the tearing and rending of our opponents began; then our really unsubstantial fabrie went to tatters in an instant." At tl int his thouji'l straight line of Uctinitv ,  / C y % \ Di \r "Experts-.'" repeated Mrs. Maynard in a tone of vague speculation. pu:sD ness. i to rir "Yes, 1 saw liim here iu this very room." "Yes; chirographical experts, yon know, to decide as to the genuineness of the signature*. Submitting the document to the usual tests, in connection with unmistakably genuine specimens of the handwriting of the attorney, the testatrix and the witnesses, the experts unhesitatingly swore that the will was a forgery from beginning to eud. Thus you see, Mrs. Maynard." and here North leaned back in his chair and folded his arms composedly, half closing his eyes to complete the effect of a superficially indifferent manner. ■ji.' toward the other candidates may lDe, toy him a vote that shall be as one voicc—th" u iiuous vote of the city.*' 1 r.vCD!io -tion CDf tin t, hist iii "Mr. North, what do you mean?" demanded Mrs. Maynard, while her beautiful eyes grew darker still with alarm and excitement. "Let me know the whole truth—the worst that there is to tell! Speak plainly, if you please!" liinu- tl Mavnard came C "\\ ell, I met him on his return at Evaiisville, Ihd.. and lie gave me a long; liDt of beats at the different points on the coast. All, here is his description of you: 'Long man with short breath laden with rum. .aid he was an actor and writer, anthi of "Laugh and the World LaugLt With You." Gave him 10 cents. Wish now that I had Ixiught Star tobacco with it. He is a liar and boards with his The expression on Allan Xorth'ji. f Jas he reached the conclusion of the #n»r**e C 11 his face ar, I was a grave spi .jlati vie-,veil it 1 won dor how often those nil article furnished a rather grim . mentarv on Col. Clipper's enthvisi •om- irsg litt le cr mused, app are liable to ooenrV astie irehensivelv Mrs. Mavnard J I -J ■I jl ••I will do so, Mrs. Maynard, if you insist, although the plain truth is not always an agreeable thing to hear. In brief, then, the will that was put forward in support of your claim to Mrs. Dunkirk's fortune has been opeuly declared. and furthermore proven to be, a forgery!"' evidently regarded my proposition to take upon myself all the oCnisei]iienves of "this forgery without revealing her share in the transaction a-, a purlieu- larly edifying' eshSbitkin of tenderhearted chivalry. Littledoes she know Allan North! I»e!■ Dre I would languish a h mother.'" THK WHITE LIPS PARTED. The narrow gauge railroad leading from Santa Cruz has been impassable for three months at this writing. The trouble exists at the tunnel. This tunnel passes through a disagreeable mountain which slides after continued rain, and this tima it took the tunnel with it. A movable tunnel is one of the most disagreeable things to contend with in railroading. Mr. Fillmore will try to utilize the tunnel if possible,-and if not he will sell it and build a new one. There is going to be a chance there this spring to get a desirable tunnel cheap. By tliis tinin the man is gone. "they have made affairs extremely awkward for us. Who knows, now, for instance, who may be suspected of having1 had a hand in this business? Why, they may even honor me with some such suspicion; there's no doubt of the possibility!" in convincing' the court, Hunter and Ketchum, and the public generally, that the latter hypothesis is correct— that the entire responsibility of this forgery rests upon myself. Very good; suppose, then, that you consent to adopt this measure, which is certainly open to you, and I agree to close my lips and make no sign; or, to make matters pleasanter all around, take myself off suddenly to Europe. In such a case your first step will be to move at once in an investigation.'' "is that rtiu, wii.uAiis?" in durance vile for lovely wC "A forgery!" of me, then? Do you really believe me to be capable of t he utter lieartlessness of sueli a course? Oh. never! Even if 1 did not blame myself so bitterly for this—and my self-reproach is unspeakable!—I could never consent to take such a course as that. Whatever consequence may threaten you, whatever consequence inay overtake you. incurred for my sake"—her voicp was but faintly audible here, and her eyes, now filled with tears, fell before the grave stead}- paste of his—'"let me share!'* 1 Should try to lieCDp the laws of un Mrs. Maynard repeated these words mechanically, as if she were unconscious of speaking aloud; then with sudden vehemence she cried: •orintrv in something mating an nnsliattrrcd condition. Tha isn't my wry of showing devot ion. Or t hecomrary. 1 indorse the sentiment o the poet who sang in immortal verse: "thf.n" they coot: back and bite." "Who says it is a forgery! Who dares to say so? How can they prove it?" The big trees have been often referred to and by people who were so much more gifted as liars than I am that I shrink from the task of writing about them. Wo saw probably a hundred of them, but I will nut try to speak of more than lour or five. Each of "the" larger ones is named—some of them for the gr.:;it generals, one for the Y. 31. (J. A. and one for t 'iDlonel IngersC D11. The name of Colonel Iugersoll has been torn from the tree it belongs to. and it is not known who did it. Probably some one who differs from Colonel Ingersoll, but lias not been able to express himself otherwise, has torn his name off. This shows that if we cannot readily reply to a man we may hamstring his pet horse and thus show that we do not indorse him anyway.Mrs. Maynard had risen excitedly, and she was now pacing restlessly to and fro, her trailing dress sweepfcig over the carpet in creamy folds. Her delicate dark brows were contracted, her expression was troubled, her tone edged with asperity. "Mr. North!" 'I'd sigh forlier, ' J'«i cry for tier, ' Hilt hai LEANING BACK LANGUIDLY. North was watching her closely, realizing with how much significance hei words and manner at this crisis would be weighed; yet he was unable to determine the precise effect produced upor. lu-r by his announcement. That sht was startled and dismayed he could ol or sacrifice my so If in any other way! True, there's no telling what 1 might do if I were in love- that semi deftiented condition in which no man should Ikheld accountable for his actions. I never was in love but once, and that time C.% roe if I'd die for li There was a pitiless mood beneath the suavity with which, on reaching Mrs. Maynard's residence, he inquired for that lady. North spoke slowly and distinctly, realizing all the daring of tliis venture, all the disastrous consequences of a false move. He was nerved for any result, prepared for an adroit change of base if Mrs. Maynard's countenance or manner should warn him that he had gone too far in his assumptions. He had hardly expected this: yet he was not prepared for the overwhelming confirmation that his suspicions now received.Monterey is a very interesting old town with a dozen ojd houses that would tickle the' antiquarian. One, in an excellent state of preservation, was brought here its ballast from England, being one of the first houses ever built in the state. There are three others in the town. The first hotel is here also and covered with old fashioned tile., The first piano ever brought to California is here. It was made by the manufacturers, which makes it exceedingly rare. Pianos now are mostly made by one concern and sold by another, the seller putting his own name on in gold with a stencil; hence the name "stencil piano." The dealer gives his orders for so many pianos, and tjie artisan makes them at his little home in Newark or Brooklyn by the light of a pine knot. This is another reason why the piano as a musical instrument in the house is a bitter disappointment and will some day be succeeded by the music box. which never has a headache or gets out of tune. They say that the music box has no soul in it. Neither has the piano, and Paderewski has' just refused to play at private houses in return for a boiled dinner. So there you are! Williams, answering that Mrs. Maynard was at home and at leisure, took Mr. North's hat with an air of great solicitude, leaving that gentleman to make his own way to the drawing-room and enter unannounced. '•Mr. North! I must ask you not to trifle. Affairs are -far too serious for that.. Tell me, please, precisely how we stand. This forgery having been discovered, the will, of course, is set aside. Does the matter end there, or is it to be investigated?" North bowed his head and stood a moment a very effective figure, tall, slender and motionless, outlined against the portiere. His wliole attitude expressed more than the most vehement words could havp told of deep overmastering emotion; but his eyes, as they were bent upon the floor, flashed only with a cool and merciless triumph. BX FELL TO REVIEWING HIS 8 ECO AD CALL eillogium. But when, after a few moments' meditation, with that cynical little smile lingering ou his lip, he tossed the paper aside, it was merely with the comment: —well. 1.m none tin* worse for it iuiw! lint at first lly Jove! it. was hard to believe that Myry Jpould be false tome, that stu b a strange inexplicable shadow eourse pcrceive at a gla.nce;*beyond this he could not analyze her emotions. Holding himself steadily in hand and continuing his watchfulness of her. he replied to her last excited words with a touch of reckless nonchalance in his manner: con 1C1 eoine bet.veen us and separate u; forever! \\ i II. it didn't break mv heart Mrs. Maynard was quite alone there. Leaning back languidly in a crimson fauteuil, with the train of her white cashmere morning dress sweeping in soft graceful folds around her, she presented a picture that struck North's artistic fancy at once. She was partially turned from him, as he entered; and, as she rested her head thoughtfully on one slender white hand, the clear, delicate profile of face and figure In its perfect repose reminded him of an exquisite piece of statuary He Involuntarily paused to contemplate her; and. proof though he was against the fatal spoil of beauty, even he, the ••ynieal North, felt a singular thrill which was all admiration, but which - might have been something else had the soul of an unspoiled man been in it. "1 must try to call on Col. Clipper today. After I have seen and talked with hun I shall be safely past one more danger which at present seriously embarrasses my peace of mind. ' N jrth was radiant. Fortunately tiiat important or ;in isn't ' Oh, the proofs are invincible, Mrs. Maynard. I, myself, see clearly now that it was very poor policy to risk that business." '•That is cleverly to the point!" he declared to himself with admiring approval: then to Mrs. Maynard he responded guardedly: "So 1 was right!" he thought—with a cruel, passionate exultation. "Has she not admitted it completely? Now, for proofs more tangible, and then I shall hold everything in my own hands!" made of such brittle material: but it ha recklessness, intensified all my faults. At least my friends, with true friendly candor, assure me that 1 have elianged thus within the last four years: and 1 know only too well what is the bitter ielicd iny character, in used mv While he was speaking those last words ho saw a sudden quiver seize her whole frame as if a powerful electric current had passed through her; the delicate white hands that hatl been so listlessly relaxed were interlaced now in a Convulsive clasp that caused their sparkling rings to send out quivering rays of light; she turned so white that even her lips were perfectly colorless. Breaking off abruptly in her restless pacing, she turned to North with passionate eagerness and seemed to be on the point of addressing him. of uttering some vehement demand. The white lips parted, but as if the look that she encountered from his steady gray eyes, the conscious power of mystery that like an invisible atmosphere surrounded him. had frozen the words ere thev were uttered, the protest, demand, appeal— whatever it was that had so nearly forced itself passionately upon him — died on her lips, and only a faint, quivering sigh escaped them. Then she sank down in a chair, still white as death; all her cold self-possession, all her magnificent hauteur replaced by a look of pitiful despair. If ever a proud woman's heart could break, then surely in* that moment Mrs. Maynard must have felt the bitterness of tliat experience.Having settled himself in an easy chair with a perfumed eigar which called up a momentary amused recollection of Wee and the offu-e. he fell to reviewing his second call on Mrs. Maynard and summing up the results. ••Oh, there will be an investigation, of course. The affair is quite too serious. as you say—forgery and conspiracy, you know; state prison offense, if proven—to be passed over. For this reason," he added, with a significant glance at Mrs. Maynard, "I advise that you take immediate action in the matter."There is one big tree around which the entire trainload of people stood. This gives one an idea how large it is. There is a solemn grandeur about these trees, which makes even excursionists and tourists silent for live or six minutes. I .measured one tree and have the strinu with me. It is 01) feet in circumference, and yet it is not the largest in the red wood faniilv. He spoke at random, knowing that his first venture must be made more or less daringly in the dark; but no sooner were the words uttered than he congratulated himself that his random shot had hit the mark. The brief dramatic silence came to an end. and in quite his nsual tones North said, lifting his eyes to Mrs. Maynard's face: drop that has thus diffused itself throughout the whole draught of my life. The wound in my heart healed quickly and left no visible trace: but there is a restless discontent and long- "When may I come again to consult with you further about this matter, Mrs. Slaynard?" "On the whole," he reflected with m self-satisfied little smile, as he lay back in his chair and watched the blue smoke circling in delicate puffs and wreaths around his head, "I may conside' this morning's call quite a commendable stroke of business. I find that every hypothesis upon which 1 s*«.rt»;d out has been strengthened, every suspicion confirmed. The links "Poor policy!" repeated Mrs. Maynard, in perplexed tones, while she raised her eyebrows inquiringly. "And pray, Mr. North, who sanctioned this poor policy?" in;* there that nothirlfj has over satis- My raM.vra! It is you that 1 "I. Mr. North?" she echoed, faintly, as silt paused and looked appealingly at him. There was a weary effort shown in the answer that came in low tones from the Mtill white lips: tied want The first big tree in Calaveras county was about 80 feet in diameter, and the stump is used for a dancing floor. Thirtytwo people have danced there at one time, and IT besides the band stood on the stump and looked on. It was cut down by five men. who worked 22 days at it. using pump augurs for the purpose. Auother larger tree was used in making sufficient ties for the Southern Pacific railroad, and the top furnished the woodwork for the Palace hotel 111 San Francises, a hotel so large that the office does not know what guests are in the house, and escaping criminals often secrete •themselves by engaging a room there. "1 am at leisure every morning except Wednesdays. Come when you will— when it is necessary." lie started up and paced to anil fro for several moments. In that brief time he seemed completely transformed, there-was such forceful emotion, such passion and longing in his rapidly- "Precisely what I propose to find out." said North to himself, with grim determination. "By strong implication, mysel—or rather Noll. However, that remains to be established." lie was leaning bpek languidly, the very picture of graceful composure, with his elbows resting on the arms of his chair, and hisdelicately white hands clasped idly, while he trifled with the solitaire ring on his little finger. - Even in the midst of her troubled thoughts Mrs. Maynard's eye caught the flre and sparkle of the diamond. She had never noticed it before. Suddenly recollecting himself, North advanced toward Mrs. Maynard across the rich, velvet carpet. The scarcely audible movement aroused her from her reverie. Lifting her head quickly she met North's eyes; a slight change came .over her as she rose to receive him. She stood for an instant He bowed and turned awav from her, carrying with him a last vague impression that as he disappeared beyond the sweeping portiere her voice had uttered a name in a swift, impassioned, halfsmothered appeaV not his name, though evidently the appeal was meant for him. , ure not vet connected, but I see Ik me a chain of evidence which 1 am «Dsitive will in time be complete. I have a much more confident feel ins now in regard to my position with Mrs. Maynanl. and my future investigations, so far as she is concerned, will l»e comparatively easy to pursue, if 1 proceed with ilne caution. 1 tlunk when 1 next see her 1 will question her in regard to that letter of Mrs. Dunkirk's, of which, by the way, neither of spoke to-day. I can scarcely determine what use Noll hoped to make of such a document: though probably he had no definite knowledge of its contents and took it entirely at Mrs. Maynard's valuation. If she imagines that it would constitute for her a legal claim to that fortune, she is greatly in error. However, I will be indulgent to the fancy, if it exists. utid thus derive whatever lDenotit to my side of the case a thorough canvassing of the document may furnish. By skillfully arranging my questions concerning it, I may be able to gain some insight into her personal relations to Mrs. Dunkirk: not that this is material exactly, but it is relevant. I wish, if possible, to learn her whole personal history so far as it has any near or remote connection with this case. To be sure, 1 know the story set forth by Hunter ami Ketchum. in which she is made fo figure as a sort of juvenile adventuress with a chronic weakness for coveting her neighbor's wealth, and consequently a soul not above the temptations that beset the lovers of filthy lucre. She is an orphan, so 11. and K. maintain, the only child of a widow with whom Mrs. Dunkirk was once intimately acquainted, who. when her own mother died, leaving her a slender hank account, managed to gain admission to Mrs. Dunkirk's household: in the hope. I am further assured, that by skillfully playing her cards she might become the childless old lady's heir. Well, after living with Mrs. Dunkirk for five years, anil presumably " insinuating herself into the good graces changing countenance. Then to Mrs. Maynard he added, in his most conciliatory tones: 1 lint he was resolutely fighting against this mood, having sworn long ago that he would never yield to such weakness: and at last he conquered himself, though it was with sternly-set lips and a few hard lines in his brow. "Oh, well, Mrs. Maynard, we can scarcely afford to discuss that point at the present interesting crisis. Of course, whatever has been done thus far has !Deen undertaken with the rfery best intentions and a confident anticipation of success. A few days ago our position seemed tenable enough: now, however, since the case has been subjected to such a merciless examination, I see very clearly the weak and utterly untenable points. Therfact is, Mrs. Maynard, that forgery, as I now perceive, was far from skillfully contrived, and the best we can say for—ah—for the perpetrators thereof"—he paused just for an instant here, with a meditative little laugh, while he mentally commented: "There! f got over that very neatly!"—"is, that it proves them to be rather inexperienced in such work. Now, let me go over the whole ground, Mrs. Maynard,'' he added more seriously, "and point out to you the fatal discrepancies that ed to our de—defeat." Nor startled, but betwixt thin -rist, Divided in a trrscetul quiet." * m "neither self-possessed "I, Mr. North?" She repeated, with \arue caution; for in North's glance and manner there was something subtile, intangible, that placed her, she knew not why, instantly upon her guard. "And pray, why should I more in an investigation?" CHAPTER IX. Duke—Th£u go you forth. Resolutely forcing his thoughts from the bitter past to the present and future. he took out his memorandum hook and wrote briefly the results of his first twenty four hours in X : then, having still an hour's leisure before dinner, he decided to Improve it by making his meditated call upon Col. Clipper. A delicate flush, a faint, fweet smile, a doubtful, questioning, wondering perplexity: swiftly as a ray of light or a passing thought these changes came and went: and then, as if by magic—so quickly that North almost doubted whether she had changed at all—a cold stateliness came into her manner, a touch of hauteur that made him feel as if an impassable distance had suddenly lDeen put between them; as,acknowledging his greeting with a gracious formality, she said, in her low, flexible tones: Anil fortune play upon your prosperous helm. —All s Well thai Ends Well. Returning to the Clement hoube. North retired to the privacy of his own apartments, intending1 to (five himself up to a serious review of his position. The "Father of the Forest" was 110 feet in circumference and 400 feet high. In "The Tree of Refuge" 238 head of stock sheltered themselves for 11 days during a large storm. It is a hollow tree with hot and cold water in it. North waited for a moment to give a (freater eflect to his answer, while he steadily returned Mrs. Maynard's inquiring gaze. Then with deliberate emphasis he said: He had brought with him the noon edition of one of the daily papers; and, •uriricnlv recollecting it. lmdrew it from his pocket and glanced catilessly at the telegraphic news. |TO UK I'ONTIXI Kn. | Was it fear? Was it remorse? Or what was the emotion that had thus strangely unnerved her? North could only speculate; the certainty lay beyond his present reach. Visitors pin their cards on these trees, thus giving an added dignity to the tree by showing its wide circle of acquaintance. These cards show generally how our job offices are progressing and the wonderful age in which we live. Some talk is now heard about bringing "The Tree of Refuge" to the World's fair and setting it out near the plaisance, but wiser men think that the exposition should be removed to the large tree. "Why should you move in an investigation, Mrs. Maynard? The reason is obvious; to clear yourself of all suspicion of complicity in this forgery!" IHmn.lt. "Oh, I see!" he exclaimed, with a sudden start of recollection. "The Daily Times; this is the paper that Warner mentioned in connection with myfriend Clipper. By the way, let me see if that eulogistic leader is in it. 'A Retrospective Glance'—that is not it, of course; 'A Word to the Wise'—that might refer to mc; ah, here it is. 'Our Candidate for City Attorney.' Now I shall see what my friend Clipper has to say about me." "Is it possible, Mr. North? You never came more opportunely. I am suffering from ennui." A death-like silence fell upon the room. It became oppressive to North; he finally spoke again, his low voice ringing out on the stillness in clear decisive tones: She started, and her lips grew ashen. "Do they suspect me?" Her tone was scarcely audible; her breath came quickly in nervous, irregular gasps. ••You, Mrs. Maynard?" cried North, in gallant amazement. "Surely you should be exempt from that affliction; 1 thought it was the peculiar privilege ,of commonplace mortals like myself." RF.PtT.SIXG A DEAD BEAT. "How can I tell, Mrs. Mavnard? Whatever suspicions there may be in regard to this affair, they are safely locked up thus far in the wise brains of our opponents. You and I are not likely to be the first ones to hear of theml" "Mrs. Maynard, will you act upon my suggestion? Will you heed my earnest wish and advice? You do not know, you cannot realize, all that may be at stake, or you would not hesitate for one moment. I am not advising you at random; 1 have viewed the case from every possible standpoint, and I can see no other course for you to take. For myself 1 shall offer no defense. I am prepared to face whatever consequences I have incurred. Already our own lawyers suspect us; to-morrow—this very day—the truth may all become known, 'i'herc is little time for you to act; your resolution must be taken at once. Will you promise that you will do as I have advised?" It was in San Francisco that an old acquaintance turned up whom I had not seen for years. He was educated for the ministry and received one of the most elaborate educations I have ever seen, having graduated with honors from several different colleges from which I was expelled. I had the honor of being expelled from the best always. "Why fool away time," my father used to say, "in being expelled from ordinary colleges. Get fired bv the very best or none." He had commenced to say "detection," but just as the word was trembling on his lips he substituted for it the more non-committal term. Santa Cruz is a tidy town on the bay with the best kind of bathing facilities. The streets are beautifully covered with bitumen, which is quarried near by and shipped everywhere. It is a most remarkable street covering and lasts forever. If there 1m- anything that California needs except greenbacks for gold, 1 do not know what it is unless it "be coal, and that will be found some day. "Together with humility and all the •otJser graces of character?" queried Mrs. Maynard, as she motioned to him !to be ;u;ated and sank back languidly into the crimson depths of her fauteuil. "•.1 always knew. Mr. North, that the latter were your peculiar privilege and jK*session.** And he immediately became absorbed in the editorial, which ran thus: Mrs. Maynard having assented silently to his proposition, he proceeded at once to his critical review of the forged will. There was "an unmistakable significance in tone and words. He threw his head back with an indolent laugh, and looked up sharply to note the effect."It ba« always been the policy ot the Times to support the administration; consequently w he-j, two years ago,the popular outcry for "Noyes and Reform -aided, as the public has since Lad reason to believe, by such practical illustrations of reform as bribery, intimidation and ballot-box stuffing—turned the scale against the men whom we had supported and would gladly have seen filling the chief municipal offices, we accepted our defeat gracefully and commenced at once to fight the battles of the gentlemen who been fairly or otherwise elected, 'l'hey started out with flying colors and such glowing prophecies of what they were going to do, that the impression grew abroad that the millennium was about to dawn upon X . For a lime all went well, and the besom of reform with which the new administration had promised to sweep away all cobwebs from the structure of city government was shaken vigorously In our faces. Nevertheless, the public waited In vain for any substantial results. A few policemen were removed from the force, ostensibly for neglect of duty, but really because it had been ascertained that they had voted against Mayor Noyes! This was reform; A clerk was removed from one of the departments at the urgent demand of the citv press, because of his flagrant misdemeanors in office. He had done efficient campaign work for the successful party, however, and in recognition of this service he was soon after put into a position ol trust, where to-day he flaunts his incapacity and loose morals in the face of the public with the defiant 'what are you going to do about it1" which has always been the favorite taunt of such pampered scoundrels. This also is reform, with a very big R' A few such instances were enough for the Times. "In the first place," he began, looking at her so steadily and keenly, with such strange at tent iveness, that her eyes fell, she scarcely knew why. "this document purporting to be the last will and testament of Mrs. Jane Dunkirk was represented to be. and in truth did appear to be. in the handwriting of James Kernan, Esq., now deceased, but formerly a prominent New York lawyer. It was inevidence. and not disputed at all, that the late Mr. Kernan was for several years—a period embracing the date of this will—Mrs. Dunkirk's attorney, and, naturally, the person to whom the would intrust the drawing of this document. So far, very good. There is a fair degree of plausibility for us, just on the surface. But unfortunately competent evidence was produced by Hunter and Ketchum. showing that on or about the l#th of July, which is the date of our will, you know, and for a certain time previous and subsequent to ♦ 'I*♦-* ♦.&»• Mr Karnon oio* in Europe, and therefore he couia not have had any active personal share in this or any other transaction of like nature that may have occurred In New York during thai time. In short, they proved, by the utter impossibility of the thing, that the late Mr. Kernan did not draw that will, all our representations to that effect notwithstanding! There, you perceive, is their first point, as clear as noonday; it is something that we cannot possibly controvert." "Is sarcasm an infallible antidote for rnnui?"' inquired North, as he wheeled a chair forward slowly and seated himself near Mrs. Maynard, while his eyes held hers steadily for a full moment by their direct, quizzical glance. "If so. Mrs. Maynard, proceed. Your most cruel satires will sound in my ears like sweetest music." A quick color rose to her brow, a sudden flash came in her brown eyes, a nervous irritability betrayed itself in her manner; Dut tne source oi una very perceptible agitation he did not Lick's observatory is supposed to be at San Jose, but you have to ride 27 miles This young man had been on the coast for over 15 years and had written hom« that he was getting on very well, guiding his'poor dying fellow man toward a better land beyond the grave. Still 1» did not seem to make any great showing "COULD YOU OBI JO K ME WITH A LIMIT? Ml- Up. o see it. high in San Jose that the observatory had to go out of town to locate. In some places in the state land was so high a few years :igo that an observatory was not necessary. Now it is within the reach of all. This was because land was so likMiaeiirc The proprietor of a large bnildirife in ono of the eastern cities which contains several ••H;;ts," or living apart incuts, ok the upper floors, says that he never succeeded in rent iug these apartments readily until lie employed a very eloquent Irishwoman as janitress or agent for the care and letting them. There was no trace of lightness or mockery in his manner now; so intensely interested was he in the result of this last bold venture that an earnestness quite different from anything that he had yet exhibited made his manner seem almost as tragical as Mrs. May- in the papers, and so his family thought he could not be regarded as a successful minister. I remembered his face very well, and so I recognized him at once when I suddenly saw him attending to tne unties tnat nave engrossed ms attention for 13 years. "Then I shall have no inducement to utter them. You quite disarm me, Mr. North. Besides, some mysterious intuition warns me that you have come this morning for something of far greater importance than a mere passage at arms. What is it, Mr. North? Word from New York at last? Ah! I see that I am right! Tell me at oaoe, please, is the news favorable? Oh, it must be—I cannot endure the thought of disappointment!" Mr. Lick wt» an eccentric man with throat whiskers and some Wishing to contribute something to science, he secured the greatest lens he could buy and then fitted it up fC Dr the purpose of prying into the firmament a little farther. With this instrument quite a number of new stars have been discovered, but no improvements made on them so far. Eastern people wishing to see these new .'-tars can obtain excursion nard's. Several times tin ill "Mar She started to her feet, the color flushing vividly over her white face; a singular light, half defiant, half tender, but full of suppressed excitement, came into the beautiful brown eyes; a certain impulsiveness, which under ordinary circumstances was only half suggested in her manner, seemed to take possession of her. She looked for a moment as if suddenly lifted from the depths of despairing grief to the heights of a sublime daring, sacrifice, self-abandonment. of the old lady, she married this Maynar—Muj. Maynard—and they- went abroad for a few nfonths. This much I have learned from Hunter and Ketchnm: however, I am not satisfied to- accept the story on the mere strength of thenassertion. 1 should at least lilie to hear the case stated by Mrs. Mavuard herself.of this excellent wom an has customer where a less gifted a probably have failed. KJ"» As a yonng man he was very fond of horses, and yet he could not forsake the mission of aiding" iDoor dying man in his solemn jonrnev toward eternal life, so he had compromised the matter and driven a hearse fur 15 years. lit Would Kiirvayiiieiiees. i- it?" says she to ajD- plirants for the an could wathcr at all horns of the day an uoight aurayable to yer t, Sure, it'* hot lie claimed to have the lDest pair at matched black stallions west of Kentucky. and on the road home from the grave often got in ahead of the electric The delicate color that had flushed into her cheek deepened now and her dark eyes were sparkling with excitement as, clasping her hands daintily, she looked up at North with a bewitching expression of hope and suspense. tickets for .s:!tx» to embracing a pleasant anil soul stirring drive over the mountains to where the observatory is set toobs that wud make a washervvom "Now," North's soliloquy r;ni on. "11. and K. stoutly maintain that there never was any lej_"»fl adoption of Mrs. Maynard—Nina -what washer maiden name? Oh. Nina Kingsbury- Dunkirk; that her jxjsition household during those live yt an o' the quant- of England b}-priftVr encc! ituated cars. He asked me to get on the box with him. but I was afraid people would think 1 was burying my audience, so I refused. aska an inquirer Aro t lie rooms comfC»rtablv warmed The,big trees were formerly the home of the grizzly bear, for they were both monarehs in their own line, but now the bear lias seemed to disappear. The last one in the wild and wet west beard this spring that hoopskirts were coming back again, and with a convulsive shudder he turned his broad stomach toward the firmament and passed away. A peculiar emotion which was neither pity nor remorse, yet curiously resembling both, held North silent for a vbrief time; then, with his grave, keen glance resting on Mrs. Maynard, he answered, in a low tone: North rose quickly. He had a dim sense of impending danger, a confused intention of quelling the storm that he had evoked, before it could break upon bv Mrs Are they wahnneil!" with a surprised Sure, will a sknght turn o' yer MRS. UAYNABB HAD RISEN EXCITEDLY. "We could not.even for the principle of public unity, defend an administration that jiermitted and committed such Blaring abuses of executive authority, and we therefore renounced ail alle (fiance to the reigning.powers, calling upon tho people to take the work of reform out of the incompetent hands to which they had intrusted It and carry it on then, selves, beginning at I ha gnat of government, whertthey would find an abundant fie'.d of labor. For this we have been assailed and falsified by the zealous friends of the administration, whose championship has not been "like Dian's kiss, unasked, unsought,' but, on the contrary, has been knocked down to the highest bidder in the 'peremptory sale' which their circumstances rendered necessary; but in our war upon the unblushing malfeasance in office which has already brought 0011- tempt upon X . we have had the cordial support of all good citizens. There are n»o in X today who feel the disgrace Into which our unworthy officials have brought us as keenly as if it were a personal reproach, and who are willing for the sake of public good trD undertake the formidable task of purifying our local politics. Conspicuous among these gentlemen is Ollln North.esqulre, the distinguished citizen who has honored us by becoming our candidate for city attorney. It will be rememered that the Times was the first paper In the city to suggest Mr. North's candidacy for this office, though he now has the unanimous support of our reputable press, irrespective of party. In consequence of our active participation in the movement that secured this gentleman's nomination—and to no one can this happy result be attributed more directlyCihan to Col. Clipper—we feel a peculiar interest in the fortunes of Mr. North; though of course the Times, cordially desires and confidently anticipates a sweeping victory for our entire ticket air." I may write another letter on life in California next week, for it is a very interesting state, and aside from those people in it who claim to have been the first White child born here I like the people very much. feel justified, at that point, in definitely assuming. His own suspicion, however, remained unshaken, and he determined to hold resolutely to the slight advantage already gained, and, if possible, to push it still farther. •s wa wrisht ye have aimy defray o* timpera his head. But fate kindly interposed in Ms behalf. merely that of wel n warn. t ture known lo the tberiineter! lint tin either. They admit that during that period of tire years Mrs. Dunkirk made there was no go UlD "Now. thin." says tho eloqvuait as if sht' wen' reaching tin; climax of oil the wouiUrful aCl vantages of Hip bniM- cast "Unhappily for me, Mrs. Maynard, it has been beyond my power to control this case or determine the results to suit ourselves. But, whatever we may have to regret, our suspense on at least one point is ended, and on this we may well confrratulate ourselves." There was the sound of some one at the drawing-rooin door; starting a little and turning'toward the door. Mrs. Maynard controlled herself by a visible effort, and said, in her ordinary tone: "NoW consider, Mrs. Maynard," he resumed, in an argumentative way, a will in which slu.' bequeathed her Fruit growing is a groat industry in this! state, and lioney is always referred If the lirst white child born in California would hold a reunion somewhere in the state, it would In* a great success. '•(.'an it be possible!" exclaimed Mrs. Maynard, looking up at him with the words. "They proved, did you say, Mr. North, proved that Mr. Kernan was in Europe as early as the l#th of July?" fortune without reservation, except fur a leifa.-v of a few thCiu.s:tnCl «' "consider how the case must look to our opponents. You are the claimant, the person in whose interest this will was forced. Mr. North is your confidential legal adviser, presumably the person by whom your whole course has been dictated. It has already been established that the New York lawyers who represented you in court, Messrs. Hopkins and Shepherd, are in no manner connected with the forgery. Practically, then, this divides the responsibility between the claimant and her confidential legal adviser. At the very outset, however, arise two separate and distinct hypotheses, either of which is sufficiently plausible. First, that you were fully aware of the character of that will before it was discovered in court—in fact, when it was first put forward in support of your claim—and an active and willing agent in the conspiracy by which it was produced; or, secondly, that you are the innocent victim of a scheming and dishonest lawyer—myself, for instance—who, not having the fear of the law before his eyes, forged this will by his own unaided efforts, palmed it off upon you m one old fitinilv servant. to h« S tl tug ye're goiu opp ye would well In lave that ye're coniin down!" "the staivcase is 1 v that whin to by tlie ton "Is that you, Williams? Come in." friend. N ina Kingsbur VOWll!* 1 asked a young lady at the Del Monte if sho had met with any bitter disappointments since she came to California. She said yes, she had met with a great many when she first came to the coast. I asked her what thev were. We are going through the grain conntry now, where people own farms that produce 50 bushels of wheat to the acre, and there are *1,000 acres in the farm. They give me a jealous pang when I compare them with my babv grand upright farm in my mountain home in North Carolina, where I raised #800 worth of corn at $7.50 per bushel, not counting The footman, thus bidden, presented himself with a low bow and his habitual air of apology., the marriage iif that young la low The intenuin tenant usuall An expression of dismay, succeeded quickly by incredulity, swept over Mrs, •LtajmorrVa mnnfpiuuicf. Tieaniner forward in her chair, she exclaimed, imperiouslf:"They proved it, Mrs. Maynard, in black and white; proved it by his own unconscious testimony; proved it, I regret to add, beyond a peradventure or a shadow of doubt." ever. souie minor revived M ID1111 liU.es at this iK.iint Y on tli's Com j jui ih Du, "Maj. Maynard's compliments," he said, "and will Mrs. Maynard soon be ready to drive?" kirk's old belief that her brother's daughter was still living. and could lie found: and acting upon that belief, the old lady destroyed her will. And now the mooted question is: Did she ever make another? Hunter and Ketchuin -.ay, "No." ami they have kept to this lenial through everything, but Hopkins and Shepherd, acting upon the instructions of Mi's. Maynard and my Oil in. brirg forward a doeument apparently genuine and well certified, and aftirr.i: "She did make a HI&Ii Water Hark The Parisians are not exactly an tin truthful people, but foreigners who live among them note a deposition to keep any fctorv which they tell at least as "You are speaking in riddles, Mr. North! I'ray tell me, to what important announcement are these vague and general observations the prelude?'' "Well." she said naively as she sort of rubbed her beautiful elbow, for it was evening, and dimple after dimple seemed to chase each other across her eliest and neek, "I have been disappointed a thou- "Oh/' she cried impulsively, with a quick disdainful little gesture, "to think, Mr. North, that we should have failed to detect so fatal a discrepancy as that!" "Yes, Williams. In half an hour. Tell the major so," answered Mrs. Maynard, with irritable haste. large in the succevsive tellings as it waa at the start. my own work, The footman promptly retired; then, turning again toward North, Mrs. Maynard continued with an evident effort to speak lightly, though her tone and words contrasted strangely with the death-like pallor of her face: "Why—ah—in fact, Mrs. Maynard, nothing could be worse;" and North, after vainly casting about for some happy phraseology by which to soften the intelligence, now plunged recklessly into the explanation. "Nothing could lDc worse than the news that Hopkins and Shepherd have sent us. It is my duty to inform you that a decision was reached in our case on Wednesday." Two Americans who worn dining at tables in front tDf a cafe in Paris, near the Seine, noticed ttj) on the front Mltil sand times, for as I wet my finger to locate one of these old time ileas they evade nieand are soon lost in the beauti- "It is amazing,'' assented North dryly. "Nor is this all. You see, the fault lies primarily in that date. In the second place, one of the witnesses—let me see, what was his name?" He threw his head back reflectively, and the sharp, gray eyes swept the frescoed ceiling for an instant. wall of the 1 Dn underneath if tl it red mart ful climate i lien they com back and Uling fition. evidently bitt Very. "That dreadful man! He insists upon my driving with him this morning, and he will not be put off, though I have pleaded every possible excuse. It i9 very rude to send you away, Mr. North, but the major's will is our law, and he has to be humored like a child." second will and here it is Of tin painted: ter mart Inundation of High wa- I respect the judgment of the flea now more than ever. Fleas never pester me hardlv at all. | ! V \i 7 A J fc vf j * ' ' manner in which thi* forger was handled by my Colleagues, 1 can only sav that it was merciless, but masterly. Coin*'! come!" jjnid otic of the Aineri Many items, arc pnblislitxl regarding "Was It Norrlstown?" suggested Mrs. Maynard, faintly, as she twined the slender glittering links of her watch chain aropnd her finger, in a preoccuoied wav. "Now. Mrs. Maynanl was awaro, it soems, of the existence of that ttr:.t will, and she also knew about its beinif destroyed: though how she came to be in possession of such direct means of communication with Mrs. Dunkirk's end of the line, and how she contrived to tfain information which that lady would not be at all likely to furnish her, 1 cannot for my life conjecture. Here is the place where a missing1 link must be supplied. There is evidently a third party somewhere! Ilowevt r cans 11» tlio | restaurant keej»'r Volt tlie s S of fruitgrowers, for iiistanct i A » • ? "A decision at last! and what is it?'' don't cspfH-t us ini lit lit v*' that ltiC- river ever rose as hi"h as that! "Mr. Frank Kimball of National City reports olive trees on liis place only 4 years old that vield over 80 gallons to the '/ri "*■ *■ "A deathblow to your hopes and to mine, Mrs. Maynard. We have suffered a total defeat!"' OIj. ho! 'said tin' proprietor, blandly; • lie in,ule a iuiinb nail tloWit North slowly walked across the drawing-room with his head bent and his eyes fixed upon the carpet until he reached the arch doorway with its sweeping portiere; then, turning around, he lifted his head and looked calmly at Mrs. Maynard across the little distance separating them. There was a faint flush of excitement on his face, a smoldering fire in his eyes, a curious touch of repression in his manner; strangely, too, a suggestion of triumph that he vainly sought to suppress."Of OIHn North's blameless record as a professional man and as a ciltizen we could not fav one word of praise that would not be heartily Indorsed by all our readers, whatever their party bias or affiliation. Socially, professionally and politically he is a man of unmeasured popularity. Ever since he first came among us, now three years ago, a young lawyer with no credentials save a polished address, a genial, courteous disposition and a knowledge of his profession that soon placed him long strides ahead of even older and more experienced prac Ulloners. he has possessed a strong hold on the regard of the public and an undisputed social position of which he may well be proud. Altogether. the candidacy of such a gentleman as OUln North means something more than the mere elevation of gne man to • DUblic office ana "it only C ;,iikD up uD hi i sort (Df «-iatC li with hi-o I'.Ui. yuti st As he spoke, in a cool, deliberate way, Mrs. Maynard sank back in her chair as if quite overcome by the announcement. "It was Norristown, thank yon!" The sharp gray eyes returned with the words to Mrs. Maynard's face. "Well. then, it was shown conclusively that Norristown died exactly ten days previous to the date of the will (an unquestionable alibi, by the way!) which important fact, in the judgment of the court, rendered all his subsequent proceedings invalid, at least within that jurisdiction."J. w tree Packer reports from 950 black near the & the mark Dvas ditwn t ee. when children lxDrry vinos H.50G boxes, or $210 from a Quickly rallying, however, she exclaimed, in resolutely incredulous tones: rubbed it nut so continually tl:ut we liat quarter of an acre, or §840 iDer acre a genuine document, and boldly carried it into court. Have you followed me clearly thus far, Mrs. Maynard? Do you quite comprehend my meaning?" to put it up tbcro out of their reach! "J. R. Dobbins of S:iu Gabriel sold from l.io trow of Valencia lato oranges 2,100, worth $3,000 net. If lu* had haCl 2.00O trees, ho would have made $-1,000,- old ind in "Then we have lost our case? Oh, Mr. North, how can this have happened? We were so well fortified at every point, ■even granting their claims concerning the niece to be correct; so you have repeatedly assured me yourself, Mr. North —so Hopkins and Shepherd have reiterated again and agaiji!" ____ Fon'.Vs CoDipanion Tlie Truth Alnuit It. He broke off anxiously here and awaited her response. acting He—You say you love me, but cannot be my wife. Is it because 1 am poor? There are better tilings in the world than The trees w 75 year upon her own knowledge of the circumstances whenever, wherever and however gained, she proceeded, with the aid of my brother and that third per* 'son. whose identity I must yet discover, tra good soil Mrs. Maynard was again restlessly pacing the floor with head slightly bowed and hands clasped listlessly before her. Ope moment of silence in,- "Yaughah Collinyhope of Fnsadena made $10.(KM) last year frorr. half an acre. He put a hotel on the ground, and at the end of the Tsar it yielded tho "Norristown is dead?" echoed Mrs. Jijurn&jrd, with a quick change of color. She—Quite true, but it takes money to buv them.—'Tit-Bits. money "What hizness yer in now, Jimmy?" Jimmy—Stationery.—Truth. I ajn obliged to go mow, Mrs May