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About The Eugene City guard. (Eugene City, Or.) 1870-1899 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 11, 1890)
LONE HOLLOW; Or, the Peril of the Penroys. CHAPTIH XX. VKUH A r-1 i I I. In the meantime CupUiin Htarhright mule his way to tho stables, led out his grays and with his own bauds attached thou to a Until vehicle I have been duped in the wont kind of way," he muttered through olose-suui teeth. "Mother Cabera lied to me when the pointed nut iii.it grave in the cellar and aa urod mo tii.it there lay tho mortal remain! of my enemy, Lura Joyce. That girl, Sharper Uian detective, la determined to lie my ruin. How did the MW death I lean only answer that tho ugly twins bavnentnred tho leairue against me. It wiu all a plot to bring doatrucliou upon me, but it will not work Worst of all, Karl Vatidiblo Uvea. I ran not understand that Wonders will never cease In thla world, and all of the fatei aeem just now to combine against uio, but 1 will defy tho fiitea and win Una giiine, olao go duwn with cnlora at the matt." Mounting tho aeal the Captain drove swiftly away. It wua luto at night when he reached 8,nncflcld - too late to conault with hia yer o ho put up at a little public house, re solved to real until the dawn of another day llu waa early uatlr Almost tliollrstper ton bo encountered in the lintel office after breakfast waa Iiouis I'liigul, thn hutulsninc young hunter. Tho Captain wua not riaetly certain aa to the atatua of Fiugal on th I Wbolo ho aet tho youth down aa not Ina friend at leaal, although be might uut bo In active league with ii i enetniea. "1 am glad to aee you, Captain." Fingal held out Ina hand. "Iudeed. Weaeem lomeetatuneipertod tlmea and plaeei." roturuud Btarbright, saooptlng th-i friendly proffer. "Yea. You cainu from Luna lloliow lalu laat night!" "Tim hour wai not early, tbat'a a fart - "Hid you meet Miaa Joyce I" "Hirl" Cantaln Htarhright glanred keenly into the fare of tho youth before liim. "I aaked If i nil Uiet Mia Jnyce. Hhe la a friend of mine, and aa aim aet out to viail hor cousin (Iraro I tlmught you might have met her Tne roaila aeviu dangeroui to travel thrae ilava, m il I tried to diaauado thn gir, from going, but she InalaUsl on It." "Indeed You astound me, air." "How la tliutl" 'I aiipioaed you were aware of ttin faet tlnit Miaa Joy-e disappeared mysteriously some vveeka alnee, and it was suppoaed that she met with an accident." "I heard about it," answered Kingal. eonlly, offering bis cigar case to tuc Captain, who selortvd a fragrant rull and proceeded to light it. "Then you will understand how absurd It seems t i me when you speak of seeing said young lady," said the Captain, aa hu aat dowu nest the window and proceeded to puf) great clouds of perfumed smoke up Ward. Kingal cast a keen glani-o about tliu riaim. returned Ins cigar case to his packet Willi out taking one bimaolt, and leamug on the Captuin'a shoulder, K'iTd dowu Into hia dark fare, and mill a half enillu allrnug hia lips, aald : "I suppose you do think it ubauril, my dear ('upturn, yet ilia, neverlln less, true that I d d are Ltiru Joyrc. and that she did go to lnn Hollow last night It acorns that n attempt waa made un her life by a Couple of low rulllaiia, and that It failed, tliauka to the Inli i renceof an iiiieiperted triced. I haven't learned the full partial Is ' vet, but 1 expect to wheu 1 see the jruuug lady ugalu." "You surprise me," uttered Htarnrigni. "I am glad, however, to know that the girl esrajH'd. Why did alio remain away so longl" "Of course yen are glud You and Miaa Joyce were audi good friends." Wua there a aurruatio ring in the voire f tho young hunter I Captain Htarhright Im igined so, and the sunilldark fare seemed totuU'onu mocking amUe The Captain fldgctc-l In lusseat, jet, somehow, seemed riveted q i)uj chulr. He attempted to rise, but Plngal's hand preaae I itlv yet firmly against hia shoul dor, und i it a low voire he said : "No no. my dear Captain, keep your seat lam becoming interested aa well as your self" And tho Captain remained. Ilosccined subject to a strong spell, and faces and objects began to float uud bo MM Indistinct. Even tho vulooof Klugul wan but mi Indistinct murmur. And Mill the Captain puffed a', his cigar, and permitted a 3 initio languor to steal over his senses. "Tlio girl was miraculously saved," pro ceeded I'lii.rul, "and she has returned to make M taMfftUng fnf the villain wlioeui pi iyod a rnunlaof ru.Hiusto murder her It wat til d taper It WW U of an asauaam -throwing ,,ff Hie detOOthTt thai was hot on his track A girl detective! That sounds odd, yet I do bc'.i. ve that l.ura Joyce Is nothing less, and that sbo will notecase her efforts until a pi luce ut villains Is run to earth " Captain Htarhright, although hearing but Indistinctly, yet frit a vibruliou of fear at his heart, and tlu smiling, dark face of lunula Pingsl s sened Ilka a black Nemesis frowning upon him. What was it that bound his limbs as though In a visa, and held him 011 the rack While b in lorture.lt Ha realised now tint Kingal wat his too and he strive! to citiicato himself from the unseen meshes. Vain effort " Although two tramps seised and burled the girl over a pree.p re, she was uot killed 8I10 lives, and N wi.l yet meet ber, if you have not already, since h-r resurrection (rum supposes! death at the bottom of Uaiiginau a tlulrh " "Why do you thus address met" arllo llatrd the CapUin with no little difficulty " What has Hut fate of this simple girl to do with met ' " 1 1 you say It haa nothingt" The mocking amild still lingered on the tare of Louis 1'ingal. "Of course, thai is tho fact" "Uut in that case who paid those twe ruffians for their workl'1 " 1 do not I, now " Captain C. niton titarbrigbtyouri'know,' Baser tod Kingal, Willi ringing cuiph.aia "You would gladly give your right baud u be assured thai l.ura Joyce Waa dead." " Where did you learn so mucu! ' 'From observation. You attempted U lake Lura Joyoa's Ufl last night, but frighten. 1 f 1 .ail vour work - Captain ,N ai Onght tbk the tiaud o! Fingal from bis shoulder and attempted t in his (eel Kor the lifts of biin ha ooul-t act A11 ; I.... I him down, aud id to bind the very Uirobbuigs of hia Mart An! wl.at tpall is tidal Ceuta.n K ... 1, ri.i writhed and twiste-! SB sua omul wane nngal ouuVlaucal to re gard hiut With that pitying yet nisltaswis em ile A tinkle on the glass caused the helpless Captain to look without A face was nresssd against the pane, the sight of which broke thu lethargic spell and caused Star bright to ooine to hia feet with the quack aeee of an assatrte Caah. a cry of terror fall lax from his lip. "Heavens! 'hot at ;a(a"' walked Star bright, la a parui) am of aalouudaueat aad friiihL ciiAm b xxl A via 1 a. us, Tbe face at tho wiudnw waa not a aat one ruigai had seen and ruvgnuad it aa that of Hi strar .e man, Lvn Beullo One lustant only it remained at the window thou diaepio-arcd IB the crowd Captain Hurbitgut aloud Slauiaf like a bereft of atBse. "Beta ea." Crone," answered fingal. "Who wan wK " Bow should 1 knowl" If jou do not, your act 100s belle your words," declared Fmral, grimly. "To lu be seemed like a madman." "He u mail an asoaped lunatic' breamed the CapUin, gladly oatchiug at a loophole of escape. "Ma ought to M secured at once." "You will offer a reward for blsoapt are " Captain Btarbright, however, now that bo waa out from undor tba magnetism ol Louis Fingal's presence, hastened to separate himself from that Individual, In wardly vowing, however, to learn more ol the hunter in the future, and If need bu to crush him. Before Kingal could finish bis sentenro the Captain had paaaed swiftly from the room, and waa around the corner like s flash. " You can't escape me that way, yoa vil lain," muttered the youth, who seemed deeply lutcrostod In the movumnnU ol Captain Htarhright Quickly Kingal passed out to watch the movements of the Captain, lie glanced keet.ly upand down the cross street down which Htarhright bad turned, but that In dividual was nowhere to be seen. "Confound it!" muttered the young hunter, "he seems U have given me the slip. Clinton Btarbright Is like an eel, when yuu put your finger on him he Isn'tthere. I Imagine I had him completely under the in fluence of the drug, but It seems that the cigar was not aa heavily charged as I imagined. I waa foolish to permit him to escape. I should, In Justice to all con eerned, have placed bim under urreal And jot such a move might block the game entirely, and prevent tho ends of Justice. "No, I must permit the CapUin full swing for a little longer. Tim faro of D m benlM baa startled the Captain, and that cert linly means something 1 might be able to guess tho truth hail the queer old fellow com pleted the story be waa once telling. He seemed sane enough then; bo is at times, and but for aa interruption I should have kuown all. However, danger menaces Don Benito and I must avert it If possible." In tho meantime the Captain turned down the nearost alley, crossed a block, and thence paaaed down a narrow at reel to the stable where he bad sheltered b s horses. Beseemed to think lhal It Would be Hum lost ill searching for Dou Benito In Hie city, since bo ordered his animals at once and was soon riding swiftly out of the city. Bo waa uot long in crossing the ten mile atreleh tn Lone Hollow. He paaaed into the bouae, to his own r.im, without disturb ing the inmates, seeming regardless of Hie fact that Mrs I'enroy had once ordered him to depart from lone Hollow and never to return. Aa he paced the floor he muttered "Tho elements of danger thicken Tim man I left for dead in California still lives, although I believe him to be Insane. What of that I Bo saved l.ura Joyce from my hand laat night There's method In Ins madness Be seems to recognize me, and while he lives the danger Is doubted. Me must not live. I have gone too far to t urn bark now. "I have entered the race and must con tinue to the etid. Tbe end! What is It destined to lel Hucceas or failure I A bold heart und atrong hand Will malic 11 the former. I possess both, If I do pot permit my nerves to lie unstrung ut thu outset " Mrs. I'enroy threatens, too. Confound the sex. I will n-iver trust a woman again, never They are ell treacherous. That w ill riie loss of that precious paper bus doomed me to much irouble." Be turned to a small cupboard and drew forth a flask. Be placed this to hia bps twice ere he spoke again. ' Ah! that is the pure stuff,'' he Dually ejaculated. "That gives me strength, and nerves n o to the work in band." Thrusting tho flsak In an Inner pocket be -laaaed from the room aud the house. He Jul not go toward the mad, but waited around the mansion and ilisapHared in the Woods at the foot of tho hollow. Au old man stiaal on the verge of Hang man's (luleh In the twilight, tall and slender, with long beard aud hair of silver. Be presented a patriarchal appearance as he stood leaning lightly on a stuff of native wood, and giued with eagle ere over tho scene "The Doge has sent for me. There Is to bo some reconciliation," muttered tho old mun. "I am glad of that I iuw linnet tho tavern and he seemed gentle ns a lumb It Is well. If the gentle maid was only hero 1 might send a message by her." Be pauaod. The sound of a step uttriicted his notion He luruod, lifted bis staff, but waa too late lo avoid the blow that fell with tho swittueas 01 11 ."-lining in a smut heap the old man of tho gulch lay ut the roots of a tree. A aUmt club In the bands of one of tho twins had done the work. Hlrougsrnis listed thn silent form and bore it into the thick woods. A thud person followed the twins as they entered tho shadows of lliewood. " I cannot trust the rascals," muttered Captain Hlnr bright, aa be glided awiflly after the twin assassins. The two men, with their helpless burden, pauaod at last beside a small pool some rods iu extent, the waters of which were shallowed by a thick growth of cedars. The ground waa swampy about thu little lake, and a solemn atillneaa aceiucd a part of thu situation. Aa the twins deposited their burden en the ground near the edge of ttso water, the llmd person uiacd quickly forward and ato.nl before them " Kli, Cap'n, yog herel" "1 am," answered Captalu Btarbright, grimly. " I want no deception this time " " Deception Maybe you think" " It doesn't matter. Let the past go," In terrupted the Captain. Then he bent and examined the clothing of the murdered old man Au ejaculation of disappointment fell from bis 1, is He thought perhaps to find valuable pawn, and III this ho w as sere y disappointed It might bo that he thought the miasmg will was 011 the peraon of Hie dead. It was not, however, and hence th disiximtltureef the wicked schemer. Due of the twins was working at some thing uoar while the Captain was making this examination He now came toward, revealing 111 his hands a heavy stone about Which be had alt a, bed a stout buckskin cord. "This will forever hide the worV" mut tered the brute, aa he proceeded to attach tho weight to tho body of his victim. "You are verv thoughtful, liana," said the Captain, at the same time moving Into the dense shadow where he could watch tbe movements of the twins Without beiug bim elf seen. Presently a splash and gurgling sound announced the work complete The man la the shsdows breathed easier as ha saw tho form of Don Hemto sink beneath the waters of the forest pool lie had nothing U fear from the madman of the gulch. Neverthe less he realised that he had placed himself m a dangeroua pmitloo by empioy.ug the twins tn coin ui t a niurl or aa uow in ine power ot tnese two lew vdlaina II a only safety lay In placing a wide distance between theCBbrras'aiid him- 1 aalf. The Captain would never have vent tired upon this last tragic work bat tor the atlgenciee of tbe case. Tba audd-'a up pearai.ee of one he had snppoaed long linca dead quite unnerved him Bo had shown I hie hand In the attempt to remove Lure Joyce from his path, and every step la erinia seemed by fste te aeoeasttats an other, so that to night he stood a b'and-sl murderer in the eyes of at least three per- It was highly necessary that be tiuUl speedily get his hand Into the rich offers at the late Morgan Vendible ; once thus, aad be felt that he eoeid bid defiance to all deafer Hurried ' he walked from tba spot, ae esapanied by the tw os Once more a aoav eullatjon waa held in the f real raosB of the aaaaa wtlh Mother Cabers aa one of the auditors "HaWik. heaaltsi all yog gn trom thjs place ," concluded tnptafn Btarbright, urter a long and earnest talk. "Oo west, anvwhere to be out of this neighborhood." "A nice plin," cackled Mother Cabera. "I'm onto vour tricks, Cap'n." 1 Then you refuaeto go!" "No, we don't," put In Hank Cabera. "Ef you make It pay for us to go, we'll ab scond " "Youknowlwilldo that." After a btllo further parley the Captain placed' u roll of bills In thn hand of the wom an, a considerable sum of money, which at some futuro time Btarbright promised to duplirute many times. "One of you come to me again at Lone Hollow six nv nths from this date and you shall hare money enough to make you all Independent," answered Captain Htar hright. This seemed to be satisfactory, and tbo unsavory two promised to dejrart and re main away during the time specified, whon one of thoin would return for tho promised money. Thus did Captain Htarhright shake the tools of his villainy for tho time. Be was ready tn repent using them, but It waa too lato to recede. One false step led to an other, ami now the Captain was on tho highway to what to him seemed a grand eonsutnmatiou of all his hopes, or to utter ruin. ' Now, then, to find tho will nnd mnke my. self master of tho Vendible million," mut tered Captain Htarhright, aa ho walked hurriedly on his return to Lone Hollow. ORAMM xxif. Tim baWTMfl fiuzit. Reckmorn liri's aat alone in his private gBot one warm day when n visitor was sniiounced. It proved to be Cuplain Htar hright Of course tho lawyer realized that bis client had comu with reference tc tho missing will. "I have beurd nothing with regard to the lost legal document," said tho lawyer, smoothing Ins knee with the back of Ids band while hu talked. "It's a most puziliug cuao, Indeed 1 never saw any thing like It during my long legal experience, Dover." "What would you advise!" "The sen iocs of a detective, perhaps " The Captain corrngnted nts orows and looked troiitilfd, us well its thoughtful "1 have but lllUi faith In detectives," he finally said "I have a suspicion that I Sould point out tbo -rson who Is at the bottom of tho theft," "Wellt" "Mrs. Martini I'enroy." "Who labanta la noM no will is found." "Cortumly." "Did I ii -i underBtuiid you to suy some tlmo allien that you had perfect confidence In this ffOtDBJl and lhal in fact alio was anxious for you to marry bur datigbtorl" " I might iiavo siud all of that," returned the Captain, "it was truu four weeks since, but now -" " And now!" " Now u great change has como over tho woman. Hhe insists that no w.ll was mode." "Indeed." " Hho hits gone so far as to order mo out Of the house ua au interloper." "That is biul," ugris'd tho luwver. "Hho doesn't seem to bo the weuk creulure you Imagined." "Far from it. Homethlng must bo done I at mire or I 11111 ruined " The Captain seetned riuilly pale and cou ! corned. Beelimoro (Iripcs regarded the j floor Intently, and slowly polished hia kin e i with the back of Ins baud. "It's n peculiar case, us I said before," finally proceeded the lawyer. "There cer talnly was a will made, and it Is exceedingly ' annoying that It can not be produced Time tuny aid ua. If this woman has I sen 1 red the will t liiough a second party ills I evident that she bus luudosuroof its de struction." "True. Yet I mn not suro that she has 1 had u hand in the theft." " Do you suspect any one else!" For a moment the Captain hesitated. Ho thought of I, urn Joyce and of the crnzed brother of Mr Vnndible, who slept quietly now ut llir bottom of the forest p .; Kilher of tho two might have spirited the will away. And there wua Kingal, too; bo was certainly none too good a friend ; yet what motive be could bavu the Captain was tin- I able to inrmliBi "No one in particular," finally nnswered 1 Btarbright. "I bavu enemies, however, ! and Hia possible that, some of them are ut j tempting to ruin me. 1 would give ten thousand dollars to get hold of that will once inure Mia. 1'riiroy RUOWi that no will baa been nrobaii d bhc IflUtgtBfa nona was made, und unless something is done ut OOoatO prevent, alio will institute proceed- lugs for a settlement of tho aatata iu her favor. Htie h is threatened It." Kor some time Mr. (iripcs remained lost In thought. " Bhe w ill undoubtedly visit the city to consult some legal authority," he Anally aid. "If you cm. Id tniimigu to send her lo me every thing would be well." "l'oaaibl.v I mlfbl do that." " 1 Hun I. that wen Id lie Hie surest way out of the difficulty," laid Mr. Oripes. The Captum came lo bis feet "1 will andaat or to send her to you," he aid, slowly " Flftti however. I shall an nounce to her thn tho will la in court read to be probated, and, if possible, prevent ber Tlsiliiig Hie city at ail, that la, for the present " A clang of the office bell cut shurt further sperrh Mr 11 lp s came to Ins U ot "I will call again to morrow." And then Cantata Htarbright left 'he place, untM'c'iug the presence of the vailed woman whepasvd m us he went out " Mr. drip s, tba gn at lawyer, I 'anae.' said the woman, aa alio confronted the law yer. " My nume is fjrrlpBB) but I can net take any mere cases J m now," returucd ho, OOilBg With keen pi er sioti that his visitor was poorly dial, uud evidently from Hie lower walks of life. Be was courteous enough to shew her a chair, however. Hhe InadS no 111 -vo to bo seated. "ivoget ucuso 'ut you may bo willing I hsik at an liew." proceeded the woman. "I reckon you're Cap'u Btarbrielit law yer, lialu't voul" "Uo sunietiin s employs me." "llaiu i yon 11 Ma got into trpnbfci lateiv kind of a muss like over tho Lone Boilow proierlyl" "Mad.aan. please OBflM at another time," guinted Mr Uripea, wilh mauifcat impa tience "Mebt'e, now, you wouldu't give somo thitig for ih:s " Hhe drew from the folds of her dress s largo legal etneiepe aud held It toward the lawyer. Be took It mechanic lly. drew forth Its , mii tents, a folded sheet of legal cap, ami then, aa he glanced at the tlrst page, started and stared al the woman iu evident perplcxitr Slid surprise "Wuthany th ng'"questtonrd the woman. "Boiuethitig Where did you find it!" "lu the wissls. on tbe ground, where a eraiv fellow d divinxsi it. fur I sea hi t.xsk n btBISMW noee test arore a picaea it Bp- "Indeed!" Mr t!r wa thrust his hand Into his pocket and drew forth several pieces of silver. Be held these tew ird the woman. She lilted her va 1 then and regarded the wean'n-fased lawjer with ecs-utcmptuoue sneer. We have seen this woman before Mother Cabera of Hangman's Ouleh. She had purchased a new outfit, I jarrver. aad seemed iesa filthy than when we laat Imbed upon her parchment countenance. "It's wuth more, ' she said, harshly. "How much!'' "Otve Be a hundred dollars t don't sur render valyble papers like that fur aoihiu' short ef that Agues." "flea Sere, madam, if I cYl the proper thing It wrnld be to put you under arrest for s leaving this paper I don t propose to oatapssjad a feloay by rewarumg you for it "But I didn't steal ll" "Not a word. Oo. or I'll pat you oader or rastV" reutrted "-yn ttrusaa. aiavaat. Jtolber Cabora realijed that she had solo out "Jlrt cheap. ' Bhs bad permitted tbe paper to go out of her bauds, and uow it was too late to m ike demands. Accepting tho paltry reward, sbo turned and shuffled from tbe room, dropping ber vail as she did so. " Ho," muttered Heekmore Onpes, aa be went to tho window and examined the pre cious document. "This was stolen by Hiut old womnn fa- tbo purpose of extorting money. Hoe didn't make 0 fortuuo outo! me, tho poor fool It takes somebody mighty sharp to get tho start of Book more Oripcs." Ha chuckled al tho last, and then made preparations to go out, scunliog the will ou bis person A little later ho might have been seen driving nut of the city ou tbo road leading past Louo Hollow. Iu the meantime Captain Hlarbnghl drovo awiftly from tho city, and a little past noon hulled at the goto next vhe stables at lyuio Hollow. Boon tbo stable boy grinnod st bim from tba opaa lxr of the stable. " Hern you. Ham," cal.od tho Captain in a peremptory voice, "put out my horses, rub 'em down and bad well aa soon as they are ok!" The darkey only grinned without moving- " Aren't you coming, von blues- rnanil!" demanded Captain Hiarbr.gbt, uugrily " II I, Cap'n, mistis aa il I wasn't W permit your bosses in do stables again," Bnalljr artioalatad the black boy, tba rln aliug from tws fnce when n-' saw the vruth ga'hermg in tho coiintennnoe f tho ;aptain. "Not to permit my horses in these stables! fonrnilstress raid that!" "D'cl ihadld, Cap n." "Miss Orator' "No, Cap'n 1 Mistis Ponroy." Well see kbOnt that,' muttereil tho in-ref Cap', n under Ins breath. "Mrs. Ponray sboirs nor hand early." Ho sprang to tba ground and went about taring tor his anlmall with bis own hands, lam aald nothing, nit hough on realised that w was just now between two Ana, Bp lltioo not cnviablo by any meiins. "Now. fot black laaeal) you can go!" ibjiadorod Captain Btarbrlfbt, turning leriTiy tipin the aiabl 1 boy. "I am ntnstar lore, and, since y m refuao to obey me, I'll mploy yoO no longer " a the speaker reached out to satse ths lack Ik.vIiv til-collar tbut. lmlivuluiil dart da.vay nnd SOBmpsn d to the rear of the s -, thus eluding f"r tbo uma las nana 01 punishment With frowning brow Captain Btarbright strode toward th- bouse, only to meet I i Fingal on th- veranda. Tho young hunter was smiling and apparently in a pleasant mood, which fact annoyed Hie Cap ain 111 r" tli.ui u fr own would have) don 1. "Thai boyaoemi to cross my path crery where I" was tho mcmui ojaoulaiion of aha Captain, "What are you doing beret" dennnrtail Btarbright, In a ourt tone. ' I inn 11 privileged character," answered Fingal. " 1 might with more propriety put be same query to you." Captain Btarbright was boiling beneath the mrruce Ho bad been crossed ao muny times that now ho w as fast losing Ins tern par. ' Confound you I " be sani, hoarsely, "1 Mliereyou are leagued against mo with hut woman, but" " just u word," interrupted the Imper turbable yonng hunter, "How about the itraaga gentleman who frightened you so in H oiieileld a few days sincul You re member hlml" " No" "The fellow that stared at us through he window, Burely you haven't forgotten lhut." "No. Be had asoaped from au insane asylum. His look was en ugi to frighten inybody," and tbe Captain forced n laugh, " You met him again f " "Yes. A dangerous lunatic whom 1 turned over to thn proper authorities. He is now In an asylum from which he is uot ikely to cucnpe a.Kin." " N vv, Captain Htarhright, do you ejpoot tne to belicvo tliatl " Fingal bent forward and pierced the Til i it y Captain well eyes of s eel. A throb at alarm awepl to iim villain's heart. " I do net rare " " Hut I do," interrupted Hie yoalh, stern I ly. "The blood of Karl Vandiblo cries out from Hie ground for jusuce ou nil taurder- " Ba, do yon hOCnsS me" " 1 noouse you of murder," hissed FlngaX i Tho nest Instant n set of d gl clossd about tin- young hunter's throat, and ho was forced backward, gasping forbrcuth. Ttie Qrewtn or Modern Improvements t, I Im- Cell It lal tltnplre. The news from Peking la that tho Km I parol "f liina lias laaued an edict whl. ll i authorise! Ihobulldtngof the projected railroad botween Peking and Hankos A pr-'v loilS edict Of roc nt date hnd gii I ' authority for the construct . m o.'anolhci I Una, and there are n number of otbei j railroad projeota thai an- nowawaltlni the Imperial sanction, it is reported ' that the Well-known promoter, Chang Chi Tung, will carry OUt the Peking Hankow scheme, and that the Mafqnll Taeic iin been appointed Qeneral li rector of all reUroada in china. These i dt. ts Indicate tho triumph ot Viceroy l.t and the other progressive leaders who, amid tnany liaOOUrage incuts, linvi- striven to establish a polio by which tho Cliinesc empire may In provided with a oomprehenslre railroad system, against the protests and OOttjUrB tiulis of the censors and astrologers. These powerful paraOBI have carried on a desperate struggle a-rainst this polirv, on the ground that Us adopt-on would mark the l- ginning of an era in whlcli the andenl lastltutlona attd cuatotna ol CbiM tuns! he wholly drsttoved. It wu reported from Peking laat January that the conservative leader, the onole ol the young KmH-rur, Kwang BltV hud obtained full control of the whole btisi ness, and th" ltnMrial action st that time appt a-cd to give continuation tc this report, lint tho riven t reversal ol that action shows that by some iman '.he great Viceroy 1.1 has regained his former ascendancy In the palare. He hs maintained for manv vcars that the j establishment of a railway system ts ! necessary to the development of Chinese i resources and the advancement of l hi n, se prosperity; and the victory he hu won o. the censors and astrologers ghe evidence that practical statesman ship may yet oirrrome the greatest ob stacles in China. Not long ago 1,1 overcame the con servatne opposition to the introduction . of the telegr.i !i s ;em, which Is now ereu ing s,i rapidly that tnany thounndj of null's of ire are already radiating through the Chinese empire. The evils i which, as the astrologers pnsl ti-d. aan to l- cri sji -l by the use of elivtriclty, have noi lv rea'ilied. and the ad vantages it has conferred are pal able even to the SfMa miad. The ag--l Vircnv Li haa always pre dict. si the sinve-s of his rsilrcuhi policy, and he has freely given hia opinion that It would bring about an industrial trans formation of imjvirtanre to the whole world. Wiihln half a decade the pr,g laaa of China In the use of machinery snd In the sdopiion of modern methodi 1 of manufacturing has added lsrgeiy aa the previous productive force of the S00,- I 000.000 of her population; and now again, through the service of the tele graph snd tbo railroad there is assurance 1 0t its further increase to as extent lhal can nut be computed -y y. Sun. HUMORS OF THE BENCH. An .tiiiualng ( iillei-tlun f Vtell-AotbeotL eated .ludlelai Anecdotes. Among the humors of the Bench, the Florists say nothing Is gained by stsrt Spectator has quoted the remarks of the i lnr ?ia4i0iue in the house In advsnee Judge who reminded sn advocate in the iof tt,e outIoor planting time, following manner that be was wasting . jt i tj,,, nlture of the polnsettla to the time of the court. The barrister ,jrop iu it.aves sfter blooming, when hsd ix-en explaining at great length own n the sitting-room. It ofton certain transactions in regard to s fur- drop!1 th,.m (,.fore, unless a good deal nlshod house. Having deslt with the of wator ls llscii on m, foliage, bouse In a long and dreary oration ut- ia( v Kon-stor, of London, is a prse torly besldo tho point, he coughed and tlcai 'philanthropist. Each week she began: "And njiw, my Lord, I propose M.nt;s t the factory girls of London up to address myself to the furniture." wanj of ., 000 min(;b(.s of llowers gath "You have nut been addressing your- er,.j ,y Horvants on hor ostatos. ta-lf to any thing else for the There is a chrysanthemum furor In last hour nnd a half," was tbe , tlu, i nij states, whioli started ten reply, l.'nder certain clrcumstancea, j Tears a(fo (rom ,i. umaiiest lie-rinnings. a Judgn may find in his wit the means j it hal) n(.rt.aH,Hi until the November of bringing clearly home to the public ,!,. haV(. become fis-d lnHtitutions. mind the tll-reaulta of any portion of j and th(, Jjaplajl aro very ma-rnitlcent. our legal system which he considers im- Anion the most beautiful of tho late perfect. Baron Maule had onoe to ai'n- ( autUmnal blossoms nisy be mentioned toncc a man tried In-fore bim In a case of guT,,ra sp,-rlis of blue pentlan. Tho bigamy, in which It appeannl that though jfpnt;an !,, 0( ,(, ery few flowers the crime had actually lA-n committed, wj,U-h may Im described as a truo blue there were very great excuses for tho j m,Hl f hioho generally called blue prisoner. Mis wife had been drunken badog in reality moro of a purplo order. and unfaithful, and leaving mm wmi a famllv of children to bring up, had die appeared for several years, under such circumstances, he had thought himself abb- to marry again. In giving sentence, Baron Maule in detail stated how the prisoner ought to have acted, how he should have brought one action for rrim. run. in the civil courts, and another in thn ecclesi astical courts for a divorce, and Anally, how be should have obtainisl a private act of Parliament dissolving the first marriage, and allowing him to contract a second. "You will probably reply," ended Baron Maule, that this would havo cost you (1,000, and "that you have not a thousand pence. But let me tell you. prisoner at the bar. that this is no excuse, and that In Kngland the law Is thn same for the poor as for tho rich." As may be deduced, this passage led up to a Sentence of three days' imprisonment, to begin from tho first day of tbe assizes, and therefore, in this ease at least, the prisoner bud something beyond "his judge's joke for consolation." It was a Justice of tbe High Court to whom In former days, waw attributed the famous exordium of a charge to a jury in a case of larceny! "Kor forty centuries the thunders of Sinai have ivhocd through the world, 'Thou sbalt not steal.' This is also a principle of the Common Law and a rule of Kquity." Almost as delightful, though expressed without the same literary skill, is the sentence of a presi dent of a court-martial: "Prisoner, not only have you committed murder, but you have run a bayonet through the breeches of one of Her Majesty's uni forms." Perhaps, however, the best of all such judicial utterances Is that as cribed to a rural justice of the pence,: "Prisoner, a bountiful Providence baa endowed you w ith health und strength, Instead of which you go about tbe coun try stealing bens." AN UNCONSCIOUS TRIBUTE. A I II ir I ' ' ns, ii- .iiinuuin ,,i ,,,. .- 1 ,. ,, . , , , .,, ,..., ,, l oau uvuie inns pevavj rwwwH ; , town to Huston just as Little Women i was published, and having its tlrst won- dor till su ss. I was in one of Boston's largest circulating libraries, beginning I to earn my ow n bread and butter. I be furor for the new Insik was entirely un preoedented, and we had over two bun- i dred OOpleS of it, not one of which was ever In. The order-book was filled with calls for it. and as fast as a copy came In it was sent out again. One day when I bad been about a week In tbe library, a lady Mtme in, whose face I liked very much, and asked me for something "do Ughtfully funny and nice" to read. By the merest chance I had in my hand a ; copy of Little Women that had just i been returned to the library, and that I was about to do up to send out again. Wit!, a sudden impulse I banded it to the ladv. saving: "I'm suro this will please you." She tevk it. looked at it a moment in side and out. then threw it aside. 1 was astonished to see the cherished hook trealed with disdain, but 1 managed toask: "Have you road it?" "I've seen it," was tho curt reply. "Don't you like It'.'" I again ventured. "It's a ridiculous thing," was the an swer. This was tin) much for me, and I pro ceeded then and there to glvo a most eloquent defense of the book, mingled with a little satire at the taste thai could And nothing but what was ridicu lous In It. The lady listened to me without re plying, then turned away and sought the proprietor of the library, and was soon BJUJftfCd in an earnest conversation w ith him. I saw be -glanoe round at me, and his eye- ' ,v I her glance. She was no doubt couinlainino1 of mv imner- Unenoe, and I was suro of reproof, pos- siblv dismissal. Suddenly the proprl- etor burst into a hearty peal of laughter, in w blob the ladv joined. Idon't know why it was. but I felt a little reassured, and just then I was called to tho receiv ing d sk. "Do you know who the lady Is whom you were ju-t serving?" asked the girl In charge there. " hat! the one ti.lklng with Mr. Inir Ing?" "Yes." "Xo; I'm sure I don't," I answered. "Well. It was tho mother of LittU Women. " "What: M' Alcottr "Yes. certainly; Miss Alcott" "Oh, dear! and I've just been abusing her because she wouldn't take her ow r book." And that was just w hat I had been do Ing; but It was such an unconsoiout tribute to her story that Miss Alcott re garded It as a compliment, and it ia perhaps, needless to say, neither of Bj ever forgot our tlrst meeting. Sullii Jov White, in Wide Awake. A bundle of spider-webs not large than a buck-shot and weighing less that one drachm, would. It straightened ou' and untangled, reach a distance of MV miles, or farther than St Louis to Kan sas City PUNGENT PARAGRAPHS. He Jinks "Do I owe vou any thing oH follow?" Merritt "You can't or you'd never think of It" He "How timid and shy the bride ippears!" 8he-"Xaturally;" this Is her fourth husband." Life. It it not ofteB that doctors know so much that they must sit with cloeed Joors to prevent information from get- ting out-S. O. Picayune. Texan marriage notice are quit n the national style of manners "No .-ar-da. ao rake, no'flowere. no thank, ao regrets, aobolv'a buainraa- THE FLORAL KINGDOM. Instraellvs and t'seful Informatton Lovsrs of Fiowsrs. f.,t Cut flowers con bo kept freih forqulte a len, h of tlmo by putting a few drops of liquid nmmonia In the water In which they an- placed. This water should DC Changed daily, anil at each change the stems of the flowers should bo cut off an im-li or two to present a fresh sur face to the water. Asa florist's flower the orchid will hold a far in -re imp irtant place, In tho near future In this country than In the past, and the day is not far distant when prices of the different orchid blooms will lie quoted together with roses and other flowers in the horticultural bulle tin, and there will be few retail florist that can alTord to do without them. A very HI at and inexpensive window box for bulbs or plants is made by nail ing small strips of tree boughs I which have previously lu-en split or whittled Hut on oik- side) on a common wisidnn soap or small packing Iki.v. obtained at any grOOCry store. Tin-strips uri- pointed or ronnded at the ends and tacked on perpendicularly, close together, project ing above the top of the box so as to en tirely cover it. Tbe beautiful daisy opens at sunrise and cIom-s at sunset, whenco Us name, 'day's eye." The morning-glory open Its "flour with the day. Thn "John-gO-to-ln-d-at-n ion" uwakos at four o'clock In the morning, but closes Its eyes in the middle of the day. and the dandelion lain full bio mi only during the hours of strong light. Chryaanthem urns can be propagated by -eeds and ruttliigsand by separating the old plants. The sued may lie sown in February or March in well-drained boxes of mellow noil, in which thero is some sand. Sift, n thin covering of flne dirt over tbe seed, press down into the soil with a block and wator gently with a sprinkler. Keep moist And shaded. They w ill be up in about a week. When the little plants have three leaves set out in a nicely pri-pared bed in the gar den, or. If the weather Is cool, they may be put In other boxes or in Jars, rather ebiselv. s.iv one inch anart. ,, , . , . , , ,. , Orchids ar.- not short-lit ed under care- ful treatment. The constantly increaa Ing demand (then now being five hun dred cultivators whero there was one when they were first Imported) has kept the prioee up. and the likelihood is that, while flow ers may bo somewhat cheaper. goisl plants for florists stis-g will re main about the same: again, the cost of collecting is constantly increasing. It being almost impossible to underesti mate the trouble and hardship under gone, especially as the plants in their native homes become scarce, and tho collector must travel greater distances than heretofore. Chicago Mail. SECOND-HAND HAIR. it la Not I'srd ss Qeaeratly as It Waa u lew Years A150 A State street hair dealer: There isn I as niuen Talso liair worn now as alien you and I were boys. One reason I of this is that tho styles in which women wear their hair won't permit ol it. Hut 1 prefer to think that the real reason lies in the fact that the women of the present day have more common sense about such things than our mothers had When did you see a chignon! How often do you see the "waves," which were once so prominent? Women have found out that they can havo their own hair by bestowing upon it the same at tention that they bestow upon their teeth and their nails. Your city lady Igeelain her attention in this respect. Most of our orders for false hair come from the country. Tho day for chang ing the color of hair is also going, and 1 im glad of it. I know there havo been ages for blonde hair, and red hair, and brown. And some women who were not favored by nature with tho prevailing diado went to work to change theirs by ihemlcal solutions ami otherwise. 1 I n""0- t"H you bow injurious that was. j u has l,(Vn toW thousand limes, I Women do funny things with their hair. my way. talking about hair, here is in interesting thing which I picked up lomttwhere the other day: "Four hundred hairs of average thick ness covers an inch of space. The Monde belle has abouf iso.immi Unntenaj I to comb and brush; the red-haired beauty has to be satisfied with !S,000. she of the brown hair may have luti.OOO; tho blaek-haired but 103.000. Ladles 1 -arry some forty to fifty miles of hair on 1 their heads. Tho fair-haired ones may yen have to dr-iss seventy miles of .olden threads every morning. A single iatr will suspend four ounces without oroakim;. Stretching under the process md cont-acting again. The hair thus ieavily weighed must lie dark brown, or blonde hxir breaks down under two ml a half ounces." Chicago Tribune. A eoinposi-or at a printing office waf a-tting in type this verse of S-npture: And Daniel had an excellent spirit in him." But he made it read: "And Daniel had an excellent spine in him." Mr. Spurgeon said that it was not much if a mistake. All g-od men now a days I need "an excellent spine." "Pa. what is a blanket mortgage?" asked .lohnnv Cumssx "It Is one which keeps a man warm working to pay it." replied Cumso. -N. Y. Sun. "Well. Mr. Assasor. what are yon rolng to make out of vour hnr-" ! think he will do for a policeman, be- 1 "WJi oar wh'n h a member of l 5aue I can never find him when I want the Legislature he Introduced a bill that him." j Undue bundle in it andwaao t a particle "W'l at? I the Widow Brown going I 3t lB,ert aaybody except tai j to be led to the altar for the third i Pf" time?" "No. I rue not. She on.ht ml Fond mamma -11 imi. . u..u , he able to find her way there herself by m - w elf by , ume. t negvnile Blatter "We hab a little mo' dan to thou- mnd member," aald the colored brother, "but dry re not so maav aa aat t. If f MWeVl wtd da cullecttoa paper for I le minuter s aelarv." TOASTS OF ALL KINDS. Many Weva In W hich lloaaeaeepers lea mUOe stale Hreaa. There are a variety of exoellont dishes thst can be made from stale bresd which la thrown away as useless. Economical boueekoepers iitriTo to utllUe every par ticle of food, aud ofton with admirable results. The following will bo found good methods of using stale bread, wblch otherwise would bo thrown away. Buttered Toast Cut be slices some what thick: when toasted, butter them . . . . . .11 on both sides, and Keep warm uum served. A toasting fork should be used, and care taken thut tho bread doos not get burnt. Milk Toas: -'I oast the slices ot Dreau, pile thetn In a dish, which must tie well warmed, boil some milk with a llttlo salt, a teaspoonful of Hour, one of bi-ir U.r, rubbed together; pour this over too toast, and serve hot. Vegetable Toast Take the remains if any cooked vegetable, the flavor of . . . . . ut. which lilrnns well, season wuii a 11,110 pepper, salt and 1'ronch mustard, add tho yelk of an egg, and mix well; thicken over tho fire, thon spread tho mixture over tho slices of toi-t, brush over tnem a Deaien egg, strew uuo bresd crumbs on the top, and serve hot. French Toast Heat two eggs, add one cupful 01 mux, ran pepper mm " m taste; dip into this slices of bread, and fry thorn in hot butter until brown. Sausage Toast try some sausages. strip the skins off, and mix with the meat some scalded parsley, ciioppeovery line, add a little cheese grated, mix in a very little mustard, and spread tbo mix- . . , . , . , 1 tu re on brown nreau mat. uas ueea toasted and buttered. Lemon Toast Take the yelks of thros, eggi, bet them well and stir them into a cupful of milk; cut some stale bread in slices and soak them Tor a minute ia tho eggs and milk, then fry to a light brown in butter, and dust on a little powdered sugar, and thon add a little lemon juico. Peach Toast Cut somo round slicos off milk rolls, removo tho crust, and fry them a pule yellow in butter. Take a tin of preserved peaches, turn out tho juice into a saucepan, add a little sugar and a glass of white wine; boil it up, put in the peaches, simmer a few minutes, drain them, and place ha'f a peach, con cave side uppermost., on each pieco of bread, place a pieco 'jf currant jelly In tho cavity of each peach, pour tho Byrup round, and servo. Egg Toast Poach some eggs, lay them on buttered toast, and pour over them some Worcestershire sauce. Serve hot lli.m Toast-(Irate some cooked ham, a'.d an -trg well beaten, a small pieco of butts-r, and a llttlo cream, mix all to gether, ar.il stir over a fire until hot; fry slices of bread in a llttlo butter, and pour the mixture over them. Hash Toast Chop very fine cold roast beef, and lioil in a little water, add a little milk, and thicken with flour; season to taste, and pour over slices ol toast. Anchovy Toast Wash and pound finely a quarter Of a pound of anchovies, mix them with some curry powder, a llttlo mustard, a few drops of lemon juice, and a teaspoonful of butter. Cover buttered toast with the mixture, and serve hot. Chicken Toast Chopcold chicken very fine, put Into a saucepan, season with pepper, salt and mustard, add a small piece of butter, one tahlespoonful ol BNmm, and just enough water to covet tho chicken, simmer altogether flften minutes, and servo on buttered toast. These dishes arc all simple an 1 inex pensive, and make an excellent variety for breakfast, luncheon and tea.-Dem-oreat'l Monthly Kashion Journal. LEFT-LEGGED HUMANITY. Curious Revelations Regarding Oar Nat ural Pedestrian BeoeatrleUlea, Professor Hall, in "Lo DuadlamC Cere bral," speaks of man as a right-lianded animal. Being right-handed, it is popu larly assumed that he Is also right legged, but this does not appear to lie the case. Standing working with the right hand thero is a tendency to use tho left leg for balance. Many people find less exertion in going round circles to the right than to tho left; race-tracka are nearly always made for running cir cles to the right. So the majority of the movements are more readily performed to the right, as dancing, running, etc. The rule in walk ing is to keep to the right, and this ap pears to be almost universal! It is more natural to bear to tho right. Of a large number of people from tho bettor edu cated classes asked about the existence of a rule, only 0" per cent, males and 53 per cent, females were awaro of the rule; the larger majority obey it uncon sciously in w alking. Crowds tend to boar to the right. Tho left leg being tbo stronger is more readily brought into action; hence troops start off with the left foot; it is the foot which is placed in th stirrup of tho saddle or stop of the bicycle in mounting: so that the left toot la the foot from which a man takes off from iu jumping. In the experiences of Mr. O. II. Dar win blindfolding boys and telling them 10 walk Straight, tho right-handed ono divcrgi-d to tho right and vice-versa. Prom measurements of Dr. Carson of the skeletons of tho two legs, in MJ per cent, the left was the longer and Vi.S the right. For measurements ol the feet thn writer collected tho draw ings and measurements ot -JOl) pairs with the result that in 44 per ctnt. the left was longer, in HLB per cont. the right and in ;!4.S per c.nt. they were ths same size. Sleasurements at the first joint gave 5tl percent, larger, and at thr tnstrp 4!..i per cent. Prom the table ol the tejuiee it Is observed that the loft foot is the moro frequently the largei in the mab' than In the female sex, and the percentage of feet of th same size is greater in the femala. Th percentage of the right larger than thr left Is teij constant, whereas the num ber of tbe left larger than those la which both feet were the same size art much more variable. Man. le-ing nat urally or artificially right -handed and left -legged, tends unconsciously to beai to the right; low er animals, on the otbei band, appear nearly always to circle tc 'he left. - Pall Mall Gazette. Weaning faded carpet ina strong so iotion d s-ilt wator will restore 11a color ."udge "lhd yon evir notice any deceased?" signs 01 insanity in tbe ""nesa la member of the Lee-islnnsi i , ---- , , it uuuin r darling befcy when I pi, the piano ue ju.t Juw-n. by the hour, aad wbea I ceaae playing the aurae ba to iae mm away br crie aa awfully." I ynieai uarle Peruapa-aw my dear. I kv--eeps toeaw lev r - pi, ' asargh gsU4la. r