Pittston Gazette

              Oldest Newspaper in the Wyoming Valley. PITTSTON, LUZERNE CO., PA., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1894. ESTABI.I8IIE1»lHr,0. [ VOL. XLV. NV». .?» ) A Weekly local and Family Journal. tall and slim, was dressed in dark clothes and wore a dark slouched hat well down over his forehead. Ho was what I would call a military looking man, for I noticed his walk as he got off, but he wore big spectacles, bluo or brown glass, I should say, and had a heavy beard." { morning mounted a horse and trotted midnight when the man appeared at the cottage window. It was after 3 when Armitage gave up the search and went to lied. It was possible for tho man to have walked to Lakeville, six miles south, and reached the station there in abundant time to take the up train which passed Sablon, without stopping, a little liefore daybreak. If he took that train, and if he was Jerrold, he would have been in the city before 7 and could have been at Fort Sibley before or by 8 o'clock. But Chester's dispatch showed clearly that at 8:30—the hour for signing the company morning roport—Mr. Jerrold was not at his post Was he still in the neighborhood and waiting for the noon train? If so, could he be confronted ou the cars and accused of his crime? He looked at his watch. It was nearly 11, and ho must push on to the hotel before that hour, report to the colonel, then hasten back to the station. He sprang to his feet and was just about to mount when a vision of white and scarlet came suddenly into view, There, within 20 feet of him, making her dainty way through the shrubbery from the direction of the church, sunshins and shadow alternately flitting across her lovely face and form, Alice Renwick stepped forth into the pathway, and shading her eyes with her hund gazed along the leafy lane toward the road, as though expectant pf another's coming. flion, attracted by the beauty of the golcfenrod, she bent and busied herself with gathering in the yellow sprays, Armitage, with one foot in tho stirrup, stood stock still, half in surprise, half stunned by a sudden and painful thought. Could it be that she was there in hoiDes of meeting—any one? tne station, not caring to meet aa tne good people going to church. I felt like an outcast." of hoofs. Many others, too, had come out on the train, for the evening dress parade always attracted a swarm of visitors. A corporal of the guard, with a oouple of men, Was on hand to keep vigilant eyes on the arrivals and to persuade certain proscribed parties to reenter the cars and go on, should they attempt to revisit the post, and the faces of these were lighted up as they saw their old adjutant, but none others of the garrison appeared. "Let us wait a moment and get these people out of the way," said Armitage. "I want to talk with you. Is Jerrold back?" over to the railway station IVTTTTT? T? Y YT7 P P W TIP srm :u,!l,r n:w »rougn» up tne question DT II IjII I'i i\ 1 1 J I I lil i \\ ui of the proper treatment of gentlemen of the I Ixtlohamber. Wliat is your idea about it? Our "Has any train gone northward since last night?" he inquired at the office. "I, too, am a recreant today. It is the first time I have missed service in a long while. Mamma felt too unstrung to come, and I had given up the idea, but both sho and Aunt Grace urged me. I was too lute for the omnibus and walked up, and then J would not go in because service was begun, and I wanted to be home again before noon. I cannot bear to be late at church or to leave . it until everything is over, but I can't "None that stop; here," was the answer. "The fin t train up comes along at 11:56." VILLIAM IN THE GREAT NORTHWEST l%Tll WITH HIS MEDITATIONS j n; UID,1,,r*taiul it. For instance, if a gentleman j ol the bedehamlDer inadvertently drops Into a snore, in it the proper thing to heave a boot He Reflects on tl.e Delight, of Kakin* An- ht? "bIoody "ed." or *■ would it. bo morn in keeping with the wages A Short Review of the of tlic Ix'st society to keep a Rugby football Work of Kalzaae Peterson, r«.Ct I.C-K« r ,!.v: r 'l--t'-r to hit. him with? These gentlemen of the lnylehamber ought not to be driven to saieide by needless cruelty. How do IConvriL'l.t Ififii i,vP,l-.rU' x- i treat your gentleman of tho bedchamber? tuopj right, MM. hj Edgar \\ . N.-.l « it „!:m r the bed be properly called HUDSON, Wis., November, 1804. a gentleman C.f the JiedchamberJ If one waa Hero I am in the great northwest. k""lD "• gentleman of the bedchamber, where I grew up as a lad and wl.ero my ""the ,'"k early life ran quiet as the clear brook by would Jike to kC**p a gentleman of this kind If Which I sported. j tin y knew just how to do it, and do it right. My ancestors came from tho high bnsfo ,rs' jarf Johnson. cranberry hills and citron proves of During tho last two Democratic years, Sqnaw mountain, Maine, and settled r- ♦Tohnson, I have had no gentleman northwest of Sparta, Wis. I did not then ,0 bedchamber, preferring to put mow what war was, font my cheek Ihu money into flour, but once while in )urned, I knew not why, and one even- England I had one whose duty it was ng when the sheep were all folded my to tn( k 1110 i'1 night, prompt me a litrrandsire, an old man, was resting his 11'y "Now I lay me," bring in uddy gums on the top of his spiral cano n'V in the morning after playing | thn hose on them awhile and then warm' ing them in the oven. I miss him very much, but I must "I want to send a dispatch to Fort Sibley and get an answer without delay. Can you work it for me?" "Which way did he go when he left the bus?" tumn Lfavn "He walked northward along tho road at the edge of the bluff, right up toward the cottages on the upper level," was the answer. From a Hirsute Correspondent be away from mother so long today. Shall we walk that way now?" Armitage thanked him for his courtesy, explained that he had left the colonel only a short time before and that he was then expecting no visitor, and if sne had come it was perhaps neoessary that he should be hunted up and brought to the hotel; then he left the porch and traced huniedly through the park toward it# northernmost limit There to his left stood the broad roadway along nrhich, nestling nndpr shelter of the triiiff, was ranged the line pf cottages, tome two storied, with balconies end rarandaM, others low, single storied affairs, with * broad hallway Id the midlie of each and rooms ©n both north tod sooth Bides, Fartbensos* pofth on the row, almost hidden in the nearest the ravine, Blood Aunt Grace's sottage, where were domiciled the colonel's household. It was in the big bay windowed north room that he and the potopel had had their long conference larlier la (he evening. The south room, nearly opposite, wm psod as their par- Icq: and sitting room. A out Grace and Miss Berwick slept in tho little front **Wf}§ nortfi and south of the hallway, and the MgJjts in their rooms were extinguished; no, too, jj'aa that in the parlor. All was darkness pq fi}Q south and aaat All was silence and peaC*» a9 A?- approached, but Just at# luj reached jthe shadow of the stunted oak tree growing in front of the house his Bars were starred by an ngouiiwd Off, Roman's half stifled shriek. He bounded op the steps, seized the knob of the door and threw his weight unrinat It It ww flnnly bolted within 4jOU4 ne thundered on Toe puuew. ft "fi* I—Armitagel" he calleii He heard the quick patter of little feet, the bolt was slid, and be rushed in, almost mumbling against a trembling;, terror stricken, yet welcoming white form—Alice Remvjck, barefooted, her glorious wealth of hair tumbling in dark luxuriunco all down over the dainty nightdrc Alice Benwick, with pallid face and wild, imploring eye*, "In a minute. I must find my horBe. Ho is in hero somewhere. Tell me how the colonel is feeling and Mrs. Maynard.""Yes. He came in just 10 minutes after I telegraphed to you, was present at inspection, and if it had not boen for your dispatch this morning I should not have known he had remained out of quarters. He appeared to resent my having been to his quarters. Calls it spying, I presume." JCONTINUFD ] very edge ot tne stone retaining wall out on the point. Miles away to the southward twinkled the light* of one busy little Itown. Others gleamed and sparxled owr toward the northern short, close under the pole star, while directly opjiosite frowned a massive wall of palisaded rook that throw, deep and heavy and far from shore, its long reflection in the mirror of water. There was not a breath of air stirring in the heavens, not a ripple 011 tho face of the waters beneath, save where, close uihVp fchw bold headland down on the other side, the signal lights, whito and crmnson and green, creeping slowly along in the shadows, revealed one of the packets plowing her steiidy way to the great marts below. Nearer at hand, j just shaving the long strip of sandy, woodul point that jutted far out into the lake, a broad raft of timber, pushtMl by a hard working, black funnelwl stern wheeler, was slowly forging its way to the outlet of the lake, its shadowy edge sprinkled here and therewith little sparks of lurid red—the pilot lights that gave -warning of its slow and silent coming. fat down along the southern shore, under that black bluff line, close to the silver water edge, a glowing meteor seezued whirling through the night, and ithe low, distant rumble told of the Atexpress thundering 011 its journey. Here, along with him 011 the level plateau, were oilier rotmiy cottages, some dark, soum* still sending forth a guiding ray, while long lines of whitewashed fence gleamed ghostly in the moonlight and Mere finally lost in the shadow of the great bluff that abruptly shut in the entire point and plateau and shut oat all further sight of lake or land in that direction. Far beneath he could bear the soft plash upou the sandy shore of the little wavelets that came sweeping in the wake of the raftboat and spending their tiny strength upon Che strand; far down on the hotel point be could still hear tho soft melody of the waltz. He remembered how the band used to play that same air and wondered why it was be used to like it. It jarred him now. "Both very nervous and worried, though I see nothing extraordinary in the adventure. We read of poor hungry tramps everywhere, and they rarely do harm." - j He wanted to think calmly and dispassionately. He meant to weigh all he had read and heard and form bis estimate of the gravity of the case before going to bvd. He meant to be impartial, to judge her as he would judge any other woman so compromised, but for the life of him he could not. He bore with him the mute image of her lovely face, with its clear, truthful, trustful dark eyta. Hp saw her as she stood before him on the littje porch when they shook hands on their- laughing—or his laughing—compact, for she WopJ4 not laugh. How perfect she was I Her radiant beauty, her uplifted eyes, so foil of their self reproach and regret at the sjHDeoh she had pierfe at his expense t How exquisite was the grace of her slender, rounded form as nho stood there before him, one slim band half shyly extend**} to meet the cordial clasp of his own I Ha wanted to judge and be just, but thai image dismayed him. How could he look on this pfetsre and then on that, the one portrayed in £ba chain of circumstantial evidence which the colonel had laid before him? It was monstrous ( It was treason to womanhood 1 One look in her eyes, eapeifc in their innocenoe, was too much for his determined impartiality. Armitage gave himself a mental kick for whag be termed his imbecility and went back {to the hotel. "I wonder a little at your venturing here in the wood paths after what occurred last night" "What permission had ho to be away?" "I gave him leave to visit town on personal business yesterday afternoon. He merely asked to be away a few hours to meet Mends in town, and Mr. Hall took tattoo roll call for him. As I do not require any other officer to report the time of his return, I did not exact U of him, but of course no man can be away after midnight without special permission, and he was gone all night What is it, Annitage? Has he followed her d6wn there?" "Why, Captain Armitage, no one would harm mo here, so close to the church. Indeed J never thought of such a thing untij you mentioned it Pid you discover anything about the man?*' oconomize. Regarding yonr otlior inquiries, I would say yes, certainly, in most cases, but we must be patient, loving and gentle, and shun the flowing bowl. It's wine, oh, wine, for the debauchee. But water, oh, water, is the truck for mel "Nothing definite, but I must be at {he station again to meet the up train &nd have to see the colonel meantime, Lot me find Dobbin, or whatever they call this venerable relio I'm riding, and then I'll escort you homa " He mounted it honw unit trotted over i the rttiluau utatloH. The agipot nodaeu una puFiioa over r package /of blanks. Armitage wrot« rapidly as follows: Another correspondent writes as follows, inclosing photograph: "Somebody was there last night and capsized the colonel pretty much as he did you the night of the ladder episode,'* said Armitage coolly. "By heaven, and I let him go!" "How do you know 'twas he?" "Who else could it be, Armitage?" "That's what the colonel asks, but it isn't clear to me yet awhile." "| frish it were less clew to me,'' said Chester gloomily. ''The worst is that |he story is spreading like a pestilence all over the post The women have got hold of it and there is all manner of talk. I shouldn't be surprised if Mrs. Hoyt had to be taken violently 11L She has written to invite Ijfw Renwiok to Tisit ter, as it is that Colonel and Ifri Maynard pannot come, and Hoyt came to me ft horror of amaze yesterday to know if there were any ftBth In the rumor that I had caught % man coming oat of Mrs. Menard's window the other night I wonld tell him nothing, and h® Bays the ladies they won't go to tho gernym if she doe*. Heavens! J'm thwikful you are come. The thing has been driving pie WtW these last 12 hour*. I wanted to tfo ftwir mvself. Is she eomlntr no?" No, she isn t, but let me say this, Chester—that whenever she is ready to return I shall be ready to escort her." But Dobbin had strayed deeper into tho wood. It was some minutes before the captain could find and catoh him. The rich melody of sacred musio was again thrilling through the perfumed woods, the glad sunshine was pouring its warmth and blessing over all the earth, glinting on bluff and brake and SJisaded cliff, the were all Bingg their rivaling psaltery, and nature seemed pouring forth its fcomage tq the preator 'and of all' on this his holy day, when Frank Armitage once more reached the bowered lane where, fairest sweetest sight of all, his lady stood waiting him. She turned to him as she heard the hoof beat on the turf and smiled. Si-artanburo, S. C„ Sunday, Oct. I. Bill Nye. Esq., Buck Shoals (I think), N. C.: I it" A it Sir—I write you on a little matter of bu.-ines*. I heard some man nay that you furnished him food for thought, and as I am about to go into the thought business I allowed to write and see if you could also furnish me with some of the same and at what prioa and if it could Ik- sent per mail, poet paid. You see, I never mind paying what anything is worth.provided the transportation doesn't cost more than the article is worth when I get it. And please give directions for use—how much I onglit to eat at once and how often. Captain C1»esfnr, Poniiuitud nK Fort Hb'.e; In jei'Mld I tin rt-V 'fell him I will urtlvn Tup day. An wur. F. Abmjtao::. He retook his foot from the stirrup, and relaxing tho rein still stood gazing at her over his horse's back. That placid quadruped, whoso years hud been spent in these pleasant byways and were too many to warrant an exhibition of coltish suiyrj$D( promptly lowered his head and resumed his occupation pf grass  hling, making a little crouching noise which Miss Renwick might have heard, but apparently did uot. She was singing very softly to herself: It was along toward 0 o'cloek whei the return message came clicking in 01 tJjo wires, was written out and handeC to th« tali »I«Jic-r with the tired bluD eyes. He read, start od, crushed the paper ill his hand fuicj turned from the office. The answer wan xtguificant: I am running a hair vigor plant and thought maybe we could swap some of one for the other, as the winter in coming on, and a fine (new) crop of luiir might be refreshing to you. I Inclose you my photograph (copyright applied for), taken after using, which will show you what a luxuriant growth (considering the soil) that the vigor will induce. Please •end me your photograph before uaing. so as to compare the same with one taken after using. I have jiLst read your essay on the historical aspect of jokes and was eepeciak- Lieutenant Jeirolil Jefi y yesterday »fter'noon. Not yet returned. Absent without Jeave this morning. Cuecteu. CHAPTER XI. "Daisy, toll my fortune, pray, lie loves mo not—he loves me." and tolling of Marathon and Lenctra and how a email band of Spartans at a narrow pass on the Pennsylvania road had withstood a whole army. BAKING AUTUMN LEAVES "It's no use," he muttered. "I'm » slave of the weed and can't be philosopher without my pipe." Nature never vouchsafed to wearied man a lovelier day of rest than the stilJ Sunday oil which Frank Araiitnge rode slowly hack from the station. The soft, njif4lf)\y tone of the church bell, tolling tW'suinfiiijxis for morning service, float (4 puj; frouf fhe Wo$ui fpwei and  ocbpetl hack from the pocky puff glistening ill thu August sunshine on the northern bluff, Groups pf villagers hung about the stejw of tlie little sanctuary and gazed with mild curiosity at the arriving parties from the cottage* and the hotel The big red omnibus came up flrttb 4 load of worshipers, aud farther away, d.owi+ fhe vista of the road, Armitage could see others on fC*tt fuid in car riages, all wending their way to church. Ho was in tio moid to meet them. The story that he had been out pnrsuiug a tramp during the night was pretty thoroughly circulated by this time, lie felt assured, and every ono would connect bis early ride to th" station, in some way, with the adventure that the grooms, hostlers, cooks and kitchen luftiri# had all been dilating upon ever since daybreak. Hfl flreaded to meet the curious glances of the wwme«» and the questions of the few men whom he had taken so far intg his confidence as to ask about the mysterious j tenon who carno over in the Stage with them. And still Armitage stood and gazed, while she, absorbed in her pleasant task, still pulled and plucked at the goldenrod. In all his life no "vision of fair women" had been to him so fair and sacred and exquisite an this. Pawn tq the tip of her'prcbpd and slender foot, peeping from beneath the broidered hem of her snowy skirt, she stood the lady bofji ajid b®ed, f"»Cl }»•* py«» }ooked pii and worshiped her — worshiped, yet Questioned, Why came she here? Absorbed, he released his hold on the rein, and Dobbin, nothing loath, reaohed with his long, lean neck for farther herbage and stepped in among the trees. Still stood bid negligent master, fascinated in his study of the lovely, graceful girl Again she raised her head and looked northward along the winding, shaded wood puth. A few yards away were other great clusters of tho wild flowers she loved, more sun kissed goldenrod, and, tyith a little murmur of delight,  ing her clainty skirts jh puis hand, she flitted up tho pathway like an unconscious humming bird garnering the sweets from eveiy blossom. A little farther on the pathway ben* among (lie trees, aud (the would be hidden from his sight, but still he stood and studied her every movement, drank in the soft, cooing melody of her voice as she sang and then there camo a sweet, solemn straiu from the brown, gpfllit Wftlls jusi visible through tho trees, and reverent voices and the resonant chords of tho organ thrilled through the listening woods the glorious anthem of the church mili^tujt, "Can we wait and hear that hymn through?'' VAye, sing it" Up to his little box of ft room be climbed, fonnd his pipecase and tobacco pouch, and in fire minutes was strolling out to tho point onpe more, when he came suddenly upon the pight watchman, a personage of whose fanptions and authority ha vm entirely Ignorant Tho man eyed him narrowly and essayed to speak. Not knowing him, and desiring to be alone, Armitage pushed past and was surprised to find that a hand was on his shonldcr and tho man at his side before he had gone a rod I listened till at last tny mother kissed my throbbing temples and bade mo go to rest, to soak my head and think no more of those old tales and savage wars. She looked suddenly in his face. Sqmpthiug in the very tone in whioh he §poke startled her—something deeper, more fervent, than she pyer heard before—and iW expression in the fiuudy, dpep blue eyes was another reytdation. Alice Ronwick hacj a womaq'g intuition, and yet sfeo had not known this wan a day. The oolor again mounted to her temples, and her eyes fell After oue quick glance. "I heard yon joining in the Te Demn," he urged. "Sing once mora I love It. There, they are just beginning again. Do you know the words?" "What is wrong?" he asked in baste. That very night the Norwegians landed on our coast. I saw the broad that should have nourished mo fed to a hollow Norseman with a red cowlick on his brisket and nine pairs of pantsc-s on at one and tho same time. .'.'Jfc/jl piother — her room—and it'i Jockod and sh«. jyon't answer," was the gasping fepiy. Aroutage sprang to the fW gf the hall, leaned one second againiii the opposite wall, sent his foot with mighty impulse and muscled impact against tha opposing lock, and the door flew open with # (Craah. The next instant Alice was bending aver her senseless mother, and the captain was giving a hand in much bewilderment to the panting oolo pel, who was striving to olamber in at the window. The ministrations of Aunt Grace and Alice were speedily sufficient to restore Mrs. Maynard. 4 teaspoouf ul of brandy administered by the oolonel-'a O Christiania, thou hast been a tender nurse to me. Thou hast given to that tender shepherd lad ideas on politics of which he had not dreamed. Tlion hast taught him to ask a Norwegian blessing at his table during tho campaign and to swap his vulcanized conscience for the Scandinavian vote. "Beg pardon, sir," said fhe watchman gruffly, "bot I don't know foo. Are you stopping at the hotel?" Chester looked at his friend in amazement abd without speaking. "Yes, I see yoq are astonished, but yon may as well understand the situation. | haye flU the colonel oonld tell even seen the letter, and sinoa she left here a mysterious strange? has appeared by night at Sahtan, at the cottage Window, it happened to be her this, time, and I don't belief Alice Reuwick knows the first thing abuut it" Presently the distant crack of a whip and the low rumble of wheels were heard, the omnibus coming hack from the station with passengers from the night train. He was in no mood to see any one. He turned away and walked northward along the edge of the bench, toward the deep shadow of the great shoulder of the bluff, and presently he oome to a long flight of wooden stairs, leading from the plateau down to the hotel, and here he stopped and seated himself awhile. He did not want to go home yet. He wanted to be by himself, to think and brood over his trouble. He saw the omnibus go round the bend and roll np to the hotel doorway with Its load of pleasure seekers and heard the Joyous welcome w£th which some of their number were received by waiting friends, but life had little of joy to him this night. He longed to go away, anywhere, auywhere, could he only leave this haunting misery behind. He was so proud of his regiment. Ho had been so happy in bringing home to it his accomplished and gracious wife. He had been ao joyous in planning for the lovely times Alice was to have, the social successes, the girlish triumphs, the garriaon gayeties, of which she was to be the queen, and now, so very, very soon, all had turned to ashes and desolation! She was so beautiful, so sweet, winning, graceful. Oh,Uod! could it lxD that one so gifted could possibly be so base? He rose in nervous misery and clinched his hands high in air, then sat down again with hiding, hopelesa face, rocking to and fro as sways a roan in mortal pain. It was long before he rallied, and again he wearily arose. Most of the lights were gone. Silence had settled down upon the sleeping point. He was chilled with the night air and the dew and stiff and heavy as he tried to walk. "I am," said Annitage coolly, taking his pipe from his tipg ftpd blowing a cloud over his other shoulder. "And who may you be?" She nodded, then raised her head, and her glad young voioe caroled through the listening woods: "TtHoly , Uy, holy I JleaVtm'o triumphant choir shall sing, Wlicn vlD6 r&nsotued nations fall At the footstool of their Kins. Then shall saints and' seraphim. Hearts and voices, swell one hjVOM Aroiuid the thru no witfe full #ooord, $olf, holy, holy Lord!" Thon hast taught him to love tho rich nnt brown flavor of a Norso convention and to look into tho glaring eyeballs of a Pop Svonske men even as a smooth cheeked boy might look upon a laughing girl. "I am the watchman, and I do not remember seeing yon coma today." "Nevertheless I did." "On what train, sir?" "This afternoon'* np tjnin.'* "Yon certainly were not on tb«omnibus when it got here." Vv trembling baud helped matters materially. Then he turned to Armitage. "Armitage, are you in love?" "Chester, I am In my sound sense* Now oome and show we the ladder and where tWfA it and tell me the whole wary over •gate. I think it grows interesting. One moment. Has he that picture ye*?*' Recently I have been raking autumn leaves off tho lawn. "Come outside,'' he said. Qnoe again In the moonlight the two men f aoed M!°h other. There was silence when the mualo ceased. She had turned her face toward (he church, aud » the melody died away in oue prolonged, triumphant chord still stood lu reverent attitude, jvi though listening far the wards at benediction. He, too, was silent, but his eyes were fixed on her. He was 80,' she not SO. He had lived his soldier life wifeless; but, like other soldiers, his {loart had had its rubs and aches in the days gone by. Years before he had thought life a black void when the girl; he fancied while yet he wore the act-, depalc gray calmly told him she preferred another. Nor had the intervening years been devoid of their occasional yearn- '■ lugs for a mate of his own in the l»ola- i Hon of the frontier, of the manotonv of gamsou We, out OUtlng xanciep naa left no trace upon his strong heart The love of his life only dawned upon him at this late day when he looked into her glorious eyes, and his whole soul went out in passionate worship of the fair girl whose presence made that sunlit lane a heaven. Were he to live a thousand years, no scene on earth could rival in bis eyes the love haunted woodland pathway wherein, like forest-queen, she stood, the sunshine and leafy shadows dancing over her graceful form, the goldenrod enhancing her dark and glowing beauty, the sacred influences of the day throwing their mystic charm about her as though angels guarded and shielded her from harm. His life had reached its climax. His fate was sealed His heart and soul were centered in one sweet girl, and all in one brief hour in the woodland lane at Sablon. "Very true; I walked over from beyond the school house," Dear sedentary reader with tho lack htttar fye, didst ever l-ake the autumn leaf In order to promote a healthful glow? It is about tho most attractive task for one who looks on and about as joyless for the one who is doing it as anything of which I know. "You must excuse me, Bit, I did not think of that, and the manaoer reoulre* mo co Know everyDoay. u tnu Major Armitage?" "Armitage, can yog get •fcoeeef" "Certainly. What then?" "Qo to the station, get men, if possible, and bead thin fellow off. He was here again tonight, And it was pot Alice be called, bat my—but JAn. Maynard. I BOW him, I grappled with Wu» here at the bay window where she piet him, and be hurled me to grass as though I'd been a child, J want a horse I I want that man tonight flow did he get away from Sibley?" AFTER USIXG. ly interested in the stylo of the shoe worn by tho young -westerner spoken of. I judge them to be No. 2'i (two cowhides and half a bushel of jh'Rs). Please state where such can be purchased at a moderate price and oblige. He reined up his horse, and then, •eeing p little pathway leading into the thick wood po ills figtif-, hu tamed in thither and followed it some 50 yards among bordering treasures of coreopsis and goldenrod and wild luxuriance of vine pn4 foliage. Dismounting in the shade, he threw the reins oyer his arm and let his horse prop the juicy grasses, While be seated himself on a little stump Dui4 fell to thinking again. He could hear the revereuf voices of one or two visitors strolling about among the poaoeful, flower decked graves behind the little church and only a short stone's throw away through tho shrubbery. He oould hear tho low solemu voluntary of the organ and presently the glad outburst of young voices in the opening hymn, but he knew that belated ones would still bo coming to church, and lie would not rouie forth from his covert until all were out of tho way. Then, too, he was glad of a little longer time to thinlc. He did not want to ten tne colonel the result of his moruiug investigations."I suppose so, { don't know. In these last few flays everybody la fighting shy at him. Re thinks It is my doing and looks black and sulky at me, but is too proud or top much afraid of oonse- Qucnec# to ask the reason of the cold shoulders and averted looks, Gray has taken seven days' leave and gone off with that little girl of his to place her with relatives in the east He has heard the stories, and it is presumed that some of the women have told her. She was down sick here a day or two." "Armitage la my name, bnt I'm not a major." "Yos, sir; I'm glad to be set right And the other gentleman—him as waa inquiring for Colonel Maynard tonight? He's in the army, too, but his name don't seem to be on the book. He only 3ame in on the late train." You begin with a bounding heart and a sharp toothed iron rake, and the sun comes down warm and welcome on your corrugated back, but ere long you find that most of the time you are pulling autumn leaves off the sharp teeth of the rake, and the wind is blowing them bock over the little patch which you have raked. Is it proper to allow a young man to lay his hc:»l in one's lap by moonlight? Pleat*- reply at your earliest convenience. Respectfully, Miwa Sunny Mtt.t.th Thanks, girlie girl. I would like some tresses like yours with 25 or 80 white mice in them and will send for a home treatment in a few .Jays. At tho first not oh she lifted op her queenly head and stood, listening and appreciative. Theu ho saw her rounded throat welling li]te a bird's, and the rich, full tones of her voice rang out through the welcoming sunshine, and tho fluttering wrens, and red breasted robins, and rival song queens, the brown winged thrushes—even the impudent shrieking jays—seemed to hush and listen. Dobbin, fairly astonished, lifted up bis hollow eyed head and looked amusedly at the white songstress whoso scarlet sash and neck ribbons gleamed in such vivid contrast to the foliage about her. A wondering little "cottontail" rabbit, shy and wild as a hawk, came darting through the bushes Into the sunshiny patchwork on tho path, and then, uptilted and with quivering ears and nostrils and wide staring eyes, stood paralyzed with helpless amaze, ignoring the tall man in gray as did tho siuger herself. Richer, rounder, fuller grow tho melody a*, abandoning herself to the impulse of the sacred hour, she joined with all her girlish heart in tho words of praise and thanksgiving— in tho glad and triumphant chorus of the Te Deum. From beginning to end she song, now ringing and exultant, nqw soft and plaintive, following the pqlemn words or the ritual—sweet and low and suppliant in the petition, "We therefore pray thee help thy servants whom thou hast redeemed with thy [irecious blood," confident and exulting n tho declaration, "Thou art the king of glory, O Christl" and then rich with fearless trust and faith in the thrilling climax, "Let me never be confounded." Anuitage listened as one in%a trance. From the deDth of her heart the sirl noa joined ner glorious voice to tne chorus of praise and adoration, and now that all was stilled once more her head had fallen forward 011 her bosom; her hands, iaden with goldenrod, were joined together. It seemed as though she were lost in prayer. "Another man to see Colonel Maynard?" asked the captain, with sodden interest "Just come in, yon say? I'm ture I'vo no idea. What was he like?" "Do yon mean—do yon think it was Jerrold?" How is your mother? Yours truly, op "Good God, yes! Who else could it be? Disguised, of course, and bearded, bnt the figure, the carriage, were Just the same, and he came to this window —to her window—and called, and she answered. My God, Armitage, think of it!" One can rake autumn loaves off the lawn until the 1st of April in foiyio climates, and then some more leaves will grow and get ready for him to rake by September. "I don't know, sir. At first I thought you was him. The driver told me he brought a gentleman over who asked some questions about Colonel Maynard, but he didn't get aboard at the depot, nod he didn't come down to the hotel— got off somewhere up there cm the bench, and Jim didn't see him." "Well, now for the window and the ladder. I want to see the outaide through your eyes, and then I will view the interior with my own. The colonel bids me do so." P. S.—You had better try malted milk a few years till you get strong and Fort of" live up to your hair more, and Mien I will send you some food for though*, as you suggest. Together they slowly climbed the long stairway leading up the face of the cliff. Chester stopped for a breathing spell more than once. A hidebound Republican here who bought me a hat on the New York state majority said that with a little more combined Manchester and West Virginia tariff legislation ho allowed that by a year from next fall raking autumn leaves would be the principal industry. "Come with me, coloneL You are all unstrung, " was the captain's answer as he led his broken friend away. At the front door he stopped one moment then ran np the steps and into the hall, where he tapped lightly at the casement. "Where's Jim?" said Armitage, "Come with me, watchman. I want to interview him." Shall I have it ground, or would you like it in the ear? E. W. N. "You're all out of condition, man," said the younger captain, pausing impatiently. "What has undone you?" (P. S.—Once more for the cigars)— Yonr handwriting looks like that of a great coarse man. (Jan it be that you are chuffing me in order to prove my Politics hero is carried to excess, 1 think. I am able, though, to take politics or let it alona Together they walked over to the tiarn, which the driver was jnst looking up after making everything secure for the night "What is it?" was the iow response from an invisible source. "This trouble and nothing else. By gad, it has unstrung the whole garrison, I believe. You never saw our people fall off so In their shooting. Of course we expected Jerrold to go to pieoesf but nobody else." To begin with, the watchman, the driver and the two men whom ho had questioned were all of an opinion as to the character of tho stranger—-"he was a military man." The passengers described his voice as that of a man of ednoation and social position; the driver and passengers declared his walk and carriage to be that of a soldier. He was taller, they said, than the tall, stalwart Saxon captain, but by no means so heavily bftilt As to age, they could not tell- His beard was black and curly —no gray hairs. His movements were quick and elastic, but his eyes were hidden by those colored glasses, and his forehead by the slouch of that broad brimmed felt hat "Miss Alice?" "Yea." overthrow? Down at the foot of tho stairs he ooold see the night watchman making his rounds. He did not want to explain matters and talk with him. Ho would go around. There was a steep pathway down into the ravine that gave into the lake just beyond his sister's cottage, and this he sought and followed, moving slowly ana painfully, nut nnauy reaching the grassy level of the pathway that connected the cottages with the wood road up the bin IT. Trees and shrubbery were thick on both sides, and the path was shaded. He turned to his right and came down until once more he was in sight of the white walls of the hotel standing oat there on the point, until close ut hand he could see tho light of his own cottage glimmering liko a faithful beacon through the trees, and then he stopped short. "Who was it Inquiring far Colonel Maynard?" asked Annitage. "The watchman is here now. I will •end him around to the window to keep guard until our return. The colonel is a little upset by the shook, and I want to attend to him. We are going to the hotel a moment before I bring him home. You are not afraid to have him leave you?" Last week a poet sent me a long poem for publication and criticism, and I had written the critique already for this letter, but casually looking down the left hand side of t,lio thing I discovered that it was an acrostic reading "Bill Nye is a plain man, mostly spectacle,-; and throat, and I'd rather have his money than his promissory note." Therefore 1 have suppressed the poem and will boil down my criticism to a few terse, keen and searching sentences. /\n unjecuou i nat to nu rejection* "Her father did not receive you very graciously when you went to ask few her hand?" "I don't know, sir," was the slow answer, f There was a man got aboard as I was coming across the oommoo there in the village at the station. There were several passengers from the train and some baggage, so he may have started ahead on foot, but afterward concluded to ride. As soon as I saw him get in I reined up and asked where he was going. Ho had no baggage nor nuthin, and my orders are not to haul anybody except people of the hotel, so he came right forward through the bus and took tho seat behind me and said 'twas all right, be was going to the hotel, and he passed up a half dollar. I told him that I couldn't take the money —that bus faros were paid at the office —and drove ahead. Then he handed mo a cigar, and pretty soon he qpked me if there were mauy people, and who had tho cottages, and when I told him ho a-sked which was Colonel Maynard's, but ho didn't say he knew him, and the next thing I knew was when we got hero to tho hotel be wasn't in the bus. He must hswe stepped back through all those passengers and slipped off up there on tho beuch. Ho was in it when we Rinsed the littlo brown church upon the hill." ''There were others that seemed to fall away too. Where was that cavalry team that was expected to take the skirmish medal away from ns?'' "He did not." "Was the old m»n pnt out?" "Na I was."—Boston Courier. She oopld not fail to see the deep, emotion in h's eyos as at last she turned to baeak the silence. "Sound as a dollar, every man, with the single exception of their big sergeabt I don't like to make ugly comparisons with a man whom I believe to be more than half Interested in a woman, but it makes me think of the old story abont Medusa. One look at her face is too .much for a man. That Sergeant Mc- Leod went to grass the instant he oaught sight of her and never has pioked up since." .Inst For Kxpcricnce. "Not now, captain." "No,"said tlio shade, bring my wealth with me." "I conldn't "Is Mrs. Maynard better?" "Yes. She hardly seems to know what has happened. Indeed none of us does. What was it?" *"Phal} we go?M she said simply. *'It is time, but I wish we could remain. " "I am sorry," rejoined satan. "I would lifco to know how it feels to have money to burn fox once."—Detroit Free Mr. Balzaac Peterson, the author of the poem, is a rising young poet of South Stillwater, Minn. Ho Writes broad verso on the lumber piles and unprotected buildings of Baytown and hauls saw dust over to the penitentiary by means of a blue dray and a white mule which needs to bo rinsed off in the lake. "A tramp, looking for something to eat. tried to open the blinds, and the oolonel was out here and made a jump at him. They had a scuffle in the shrubbery, and the tramp got away. It frightened your mother. That's the sum of it, I think. " "You do not go to church very often at Sibley, do you?" * Press. At the station, while awaiting the answer to his dispatch, Armitage had questioned tho agent as to whether any man of that description had arrived by the night train from the north. He had seen none, ho said, but there won Larson over at tho postoffleo store, who came down on that train. Perhaps he could tell. Oddly enough, Mr. Larson recalled just such a party—tall, slim, dark, dark bearded, with blue glassos .and dark hat and plothes—but he was bound for Lakeville, the station beyond, and he remained in the cur when ho (Larson) got off. Lursen remembered the man well, because ho sat in the roar oorner of the smoker and had nothing to say to anybody, but kept reading a newspaper, and tho way he came to take uoto of him was that while standing With two friends at that end of tho car they happened to bo right uround the man. The Saturday evening train from the city is always crowded with people from the river towns who have been up to market or the matinees, and even the smoker was filled with standing men until they got some 30 miles down. Larson wanted to light a fresh cigar and offered one to each of bis friends. Then it was found they hud no mutches, and one of them, who had boon drinking a little and felt jovial, turned to the dark stranger and asked him for a light, and the man, without spooking, handed out % little silver matchbox. It was just then that the conductor came along, and Larsen saw his ticket. Jt was a "round trip" to Lakeville. Ho was evidently going there for a visit, and therefore, ■aid Larsen, he didn't get off at Sablon station, which was six miles above But Armitage Knew better, it was evident that he had qnietly slipped out on the platform of tho car after tho regular passengers had got out of the way and let himself off into tho darkness on tho side opposite tho station. Thence %e had an open, unimpeded walk of a tew hundred yards until ho reached tho Joinmon, and then, when overtaken by the hotel omnibus, ho could jump aboard and ride. There was only one road, only one way over to tho hotel, and he could not miss it Thero was no doubt now that, whoever he was, the night visitor had come down on tho evening train from the city, and his return ticket would indicate that ho meant to go back the way he came. It was half past 10 when that train arrived It was near]* "I have not heretofore, but you would teach me to worship." "You have taught mo," he muttered below his breath as he extended a hand to assist her down the sloping bank toward the avenue. SUo looked up quickly once more, pleased, yot shy, and shifted her great bunch of goldenrod so that she could lay her hand in his and lean npon its steady strength down tho incline, and so, hand in hand, with old Dobbin ambling placidly behind, they passed out from the shaded pathway to the glow and radiance of the Bunlit road. lie pondered in silence for a moment When the ormolu clock had measured a moment, he spoko. Symptoms. "Consider mo considerably more than half interested in the woman in this case, Chester. Make all the comparisons that you like, provided they illumine matters as yon are doing now, and tell me more of this Sergeant McLeod. What do yon mean by his catching sisht Of her and arointr to grass?" Far be it from me to criticise or speak lightly of the humble employment of any poet or his scanty equilibrium at the bank, but I do decry and deplore the sad environments which seem to force Mr. Peterson to contribute his verse to the shingle pile and the deserted building instead of the leading magazines and periodicals. "Darling," he said, "do yon think your father divines my purpose?" The lovely £irl did not ponder at all. She answered at once. A tall, slender tigure—a man in dark, •nug fitting clothing—w s creeping stealthily up to the cottage Window. "Is papa hurt?" "No: a little bruised and shaken and mad as a hornet I think perhaps I'll get him quieted down and sleepy in a few minutes if you and Mrs. Maynard will be content to let him stay with me. I can talk almost any man drowsy." "Figborthold," she whispered, "I think he suspects. For upward of week now he has devoted an hour each afternoon piaC-.:u ing the drop kick with a bag of sand."—Detroit Tribune. The oolouel held his breath. His heart thumped violently. He waitod— watched. Ho saw the dark figure roach the blinds. He saw them slowly, softly turned, and tho faint light gleaming from within. He saw tho figure peering in between tho slats, and then- God, was it possible?—a low voice, a man's voice, whispering or hoarsely murmuring a name. He heard a sudden movement within the room, as though the occupant had heard and were replying, "Coming" His blood froze. It was not Alice's room. It was his—his and hers—his wife's—and that was surely her step approaching the window. Yes, the blind was quickly opened. A white robed figure stood at the casement He could see, hear, bear no more. With one mad rush ho sprang from his lair and hurled himself upon the shadowy stranger. [to be continued.] "Mamma seems to worry for fear he is hart" A «Jullty FM«. And this was the girl, this the pure, God worshiping, God fearing woman, who for one black instant ho had dared to fancy had come here expectant of a meeting with tho man whoso aim had been frustrated but the night before I Ho could have thrown himself at her feet and implored her pardon. He did stop forth, and then, hut in hand, baring his proud Saxon head as his forefathers Mr. Peterson is a native of Norway and wears a heavy yarn afghan around his throat winter and summer to protect his voice, which is a rich shingle mill baritone, and chords well on a kuiiidk i evening with the Suutii Stillwater trolley car. Oau "Assure her solemnly that he hasn't ■ scratch. He is simply fighting mad, and J'm going to try to find the tramp. Does Mrs. Maynard remember how he looked?" CHAPTER XIL "Hear mo out," he implored. "Certainly," she answered. Maynard, I admit everything you say as to the weight of the evidence," said Frank Armitage 20 minutes later, "but it is my faith— understand me, my faith, I say—that she is utterly innocent. As for that damnable letter, I do not believe it was ever written to her. It is some other woman." "What was ho like?" In the struggle that ensn«d between tho youth and her old man she did not forget her promise. "I couldn't set) him plain. He steppod out from behind a tree as we drove through tho common and came right Into tho bus. It was dark in there, and CD11 I know is ho was tall and had on ilark clothes. Some of the people insido must have seen him betted but they are all gone to bed, I supposed' "She could not see the fcce at all, She heard some one at the shutters and a voice and supposed, of course, it was papa and threw opeu the blind." His verso need hardly lie referred to here, as there is nothing in it (especially for me). It is a feeble* imitation of Thomas Brower Peacock of Kansas, with a sort of cod livCDr oil flavor and the nngraoeful meter of a razor hack' hog passing nurriemy over an acre or glass covered hotbeds on the Harlem on a spring evening. She listened until she distinctly heard her suitor strike the sidewalk. Thru she knew he was out.—Detroit Tribune. "Oh. I seel That's all, Miss Alice. I'll go buck to the colonel. Good nlghtt" And Armitage went forthwith • lighter step. Extra Weight* "What other is there, or was there?" was tho colonel's simple reply. "Yon ought to exert yourself more," said the physician. "Give your muscles something to da" "I will go over to the hotel and inquire anyway," said Armitage, and did 'o. The lights wero tamed down, and no one was there, but be could hear voices chatting in quiet tones on the broad, sheltered veranda without, awl going thither found three or four men enjoying a quiet smoke. Armitage was a man of action. He stepped at once to the group: ' 'One sensation knocked endwise, colonel. I have it on the best of authority that Mrs. Maynard so fearlessly went to the window in answer to the voice and uoise at the shutters simply because she knew you were out there somewhere, and she supposed it was you. Bow simple these mysteries become when a little daylight is let in on them, after all I Come, I'm going to take you over to my room for a stiff glass of grog, aud then after his trampship while you go back to bed.'' "That is what I mean to find out. Will you have my boggago sent after me tonight? I am going at once to the station, and thence to Sibley. I will write you from there. If tho midnight visitor should prove to have been Jerrold, he can bo made to explain. I havo always held him to be a conceited fop, but never either crack brained or devoid of prinoiplo. Thero is no time for explanation now. Goodby and keep a good lookont That fellow may be hero Again." "Feodora, yer have bin a-deceivin of me. Yer band tells me yer have biu married twicet."—Lifa "I'll dc. it," replied Choi ly, with resolution in his voice. "I'll weah two ch'wysanthemums instead of one."— Washington Star. To Mr. Balzaac Peterson I would say as a friend: Do not saerifico so much of your motif to the building of your acrostics in the future, and do not allow the Stillwater police to catch yon writing any of your sonnets on dead walls and things, for there is an ordinance against it "Yoh hound 1 Who are yDP?" But 'twas no shadow that he grasped. A muscular arm was rounrl him m a trice, a brawny hand at his throat, a twisting, sinewy leg was curlcd in his,, and he went reeling back upon the springy turf, stunned and well nigh breathless. In Early Youth, "I was not aware that you knew him," said Tom Snack to an Irish friend the other day. "Knew him I" he exclaimed. "I knew him when hi&fatherwas a boy!"—Burlivgton (la) Gazette. Why lie Mo'x-ned. "Pardon me, gentlemen, but did any of you come over in the omnibus from the station tonight?" When he could regain his feet and •each the casement, the stranger had vanished, but Mrs. Maynard lay t lit to on the floor within, a white and sense- And Then He Wm Showq the poor. You will please also consider our correspondence at an end, as 1 shall not pour out my soul to a great coarse man who does not respect me. "I have here," said the sculptor, "a plaster oast of a young woman of Boston.""I did, sir," replied dne of the party, removing his cigar and twitching off the ashes with his little finger, then looking up with the air of a man expectant of question. "Armitage, you seem to make very light of this night's doings. What Is easier than to connect it all with the trouble at Sibley?" And in an hour moro Armitage was skimming along the winding river side en route to Sibley. Ho had searched the train from pilot to rear platform, and no man who in the faintest degree resembled Mr. Jerrold was on board Ho had wired to Chester that he would reach the fort that evening, but would not resume duty for a few days. He (node another search thronsrh the train as they neared the city, and still t n- m was none who in stature or appearance Corresponded with the descriptions given of the sinowy visitor. less heap. CHAPTER X. Perhaps it was as well for all parties {hat Frank Armitage concluded that, he I will now go ont and rake a few an tumn leaves and croquet lialls and rub ber dolls and corsets and things. Oh, the autumn leavtw is falling. They're falling here and tluro; They're falling in th« atmosjihere* And also in the air; They're falling o'er the briil That dwells in beauty's Iwwer, And also o'er the brieve herself And the statesman in his power. "I see," said his visitor genially. "The pale cast of thought, so to speak. " —Chicago Record. "Nothing was ever more easily explained than this thing, colonel, and all I want now is a chance to get that tramp. Then I'll go to Sibley, and 'pon my word I believe that mystery »nbe made as oommouolaoe a niece of petty larcuuy uH this was of vagrancy. Coma." "The watchman tells me a man came over who was making inquiries for Colonel Maynard May I ask if you saw or heard of such a person?" must have another whiff of tobacco that night as an incentive to the "think" he had promised himself. He had strolled through the park to the grove of trees out on the point and seated himself in the shadows. Here his reflections were Speedily interrupted by the animated flirtations of a few couples, who, tiring of the dance, came out into the coolness 01 the night and the seclusion of the grove, where their murmured words and soft laughter soon gave the captain's tierves a strain they could not bear. He feroke cover and betook himself to the Armltii(/c I fattened an one in a trance. would liuve uncovered to their monaxoh, ho waited until sho lifted up her eyes and saw him and knew by the look in his frank face that he had stood by, a mute listener to her unstudied devotions. A lovoly flush rose to her very temples, and hor eyes drooped their pallid lids until tho long lashes swept the crimson of hor cheeks. Hurt. "I'd like to find out how I have offended Harry." •groom "A gentleman got in soon after we left the station, and when the driver hailed him ho went forward and took a seat near him. They had some conversation, but I did not hear it J only know that he got out again a little while before we reached the hotel." Madge—Hasn't he called this week? "Yes, but he only hid me good night si* times last night."—Chicago Intel Orean. _ But when Armitage left the colonel at a later hour and sought his own room for a brief rest he was in no such buoyant mood. A night search for % tramp in the dense thickets among the bluffs and woods of Sablon could hardly be successful It was useless to make the attempt He slept but little during the cool Auirast night and early In the The following letter is just received, after some delay, owing to the fact that I am traveling to and fro a good deal lately: Late iu tho af ternoon Chester  him as he alighted from the train at the little station under the cliff. It was a beautiful day, aud numbers of people were driving or riding out to the fort, and tho high bridge over the gorge was constantly rnsonnHjnw to the thunder Brutal. "What do you consider the most original idea iu my verses?" said the modest poet. "Ilello, Hodge! What's the black band 011 yonr hat for?" "My wife's first husband." "Your wife's first husband?" "Yes. I'm Korry he's dead."—Buffa- "Could you see him and describe him? I am a friend of Colonel Maynard's, an officer of his regiment, which will account for my inquiry.'' CouDraiDo Springs, Sept. 15. William Nye, Esq., Asheville, N. C.: "Have yon been hero, captain? I never saw you," was her fluttering "Your Idea that they are poetry," replied the heartless editor.—Washington Star. Dear Sir—The following it* m recently appeared In the public prints: "The Duke of San Carlos, a gentleman of the of fluking of Spain, has committed suicide." This question "Well. vcs. sir. I noticed he was verv "I rode in here on my way back from lo Express.