Hillsboro independent., July 17, 1903, Image 4

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Dy R.OBER.T
LOUIS
STEVENSON
Ho found 111 bandbox where It bad
bceu described, arranged hit toilet wltB
rare mu left tbe bouse. Tbe tun shone
brightly. Tbe distance be bad to trarel
wns considerable, aud be remembered
with dismay that the genera I s sudden
irruption bad prevented Lady Vande
leur from glvlng'blin money for a cob.
On this sultry day there was' every
chance that bis eouiplexiou would suf
fer severely, aud to walk through so
much of London with a bandbox on
ills ii rm was a humiliation almost lu
supportable to a youth of h.'s character.
He paused aud took counsel with him
self. . Tho Yondclcurs lived In- Eaton
pluee. Ills destination was near Not
tlng Hill. IMainly he might cross tbe
park by keeping well in the open and
avoiding populous alleys, and be thank
ed his stars when he reflected that It
wus still comparatively early In the
day.
Anxious to be rid of bis incubus, be
wulked somewhat faster than bis or
dlnarv, rvA lie was already some way
thror.!, Kensington gardens when !i
a Koikui.. HM,t aioug trees be f.-ut-'
himself confrowcil by the general.
"I beg jour p.irdoii. Sir Thomas
obtwrved Hurry o.itelj. fullluit on one
side, for the other stood directly tat
Us putb.
"Where ore yon going;, sir?" asked
the generut " ;
- "I am taking a Httle i.ullr among the?
trees," replied the i.i-1
The general struck ti e t.mdlioi with
his c:i tie.
aspects tint 'July Tn ndeleur line
something to do with your friend's Bilk
hat-
Charlie saw that bo had committed
an unpardonable blunder, which be
hastened to repair.
"How, sir?" he cried. "I suspect, do
you say I Stuqiect nothing. Only
where 1 find strength abnsed and n
man brutalizing bis Inferiors I take the
liberty to Interfere."
As be said these word he niudo a
sign to Harry, which the latter was too
dull or too much troubled to under
stand. "In what way am I to construe your
attitude, sir?" demanded Vandelenr.
"Why, sir, as you please," returned
Pendragon.
The general once more rained his
cane and made a cut for Charlie's bead,
but the latter, biuie font ami all, evad
ed the blow with bis umlirellti, ran in
am) Immediately closed with his for
midable adversary.
I!im. Harry; run!" he cried. ''Run,
' il l iy stood petrified for a moment,
'. . t ii.w the two men away together In
ii - ii rev embrace; then be turned j
uijd look to his heels. When he cast a i
glnuce over bis shoulder, he saw the! plied Harry, with a glow of modest
He accosted the first pollcvuian and
courteously iunulrcd bis way. It turned
out that be was already not far from
bis destination, and walk of a few
minutes brought blm to a small bouse
In a lane, fresh! painted and kept
w'tb tha most w-rupulous attention.
The knocker ami bell pull were highly
polished, floweriiwt pot herbs garnished
the sills of tbe different windows, aad
curtaius of some rich material con
cealed the interior from tho eyes of
curious passengers. Tba place bad an
air of repose and secrecy, and Harry
was so far caught with this spirit that
be knocked with more than usual dis
cretion and was more than usually
careful to remove all Impurity from bis
boots.
A servant maid of some personal at
tractions Immediately opened tbe door
and seemed to regard tbe secretary
with no unkind eyes.
"This Is the parcel from Lady Vande
leur," said Harry.
"I know," replied tbe mold, with
nod. "But 'the gentleman la from
home, "Will you leave It with me?"
1 cannot," answered Harry. "I am
directed not to part with It but upon
a certain condition, and I must ask you.
I am afraid, to let me wait."
' "Well," sold she. "I suppose I may
let yen wait I am lonely enough. I
can tell you, and yon do not look as
though yoo would eat a girl. Hut be
lure and do not ask tbe gentleman's
same, for that I am not to tell you."
Do you say so?" cried Harry. "Why,
bow- strange! But indeed for some
time back I walk among surprUes,
One question I think I uiay surely ask
without Indiscretion Is be the master I
f this bouse?'
"He is a lodger and not eight days
old nt that," returned the maid. "And
now a question for a question Do you
know I-ady Vandeleur?"
"I am her private secretary, re-
I owe you ay; life?"
"And now," she added, opening the1
door, "run aa hard as you cau, for I
shall let lir tha general."
Harry saiively required this adricc.
Fear bad ,"bliu by tbe forelock, and L
addressed himself diligently to flight.
A few step and be billeted be would
escape from bis trials and return t
Lady Vandeleur lu honor ami safety.
But these few steps bad not boon tak
en before be beard a man's voice bailing
blui by name wltb many execration,
ami, looking over bis shoulder, he be
held Charlie Pendragon waving him
with both arms to return. The shock
of this uew Incident was so sudd, n ittid
profound, aud Harry was already
worked Into so high a stute of nervous
tension, tliat be could think of nothing
better tbnu to accelerate bis pace and
continue running. He should c. rtninly
have remembered the scene In Kensing
ton gardens; be should certainly have
concluded that where the gvuvrnl w;;s
bis enemy Charlie Pendragon coubf bs
no other than a friend. But such were
tbe fever and KTturbatloti of bis miiiU
that he was. struck by none of these
considerations aud only coullnU"d t
run the faster up the lane. . 1
Charlie, by the sound of bis voice
and the vile terms that be burled aft. r i
tbe secretary, was obviously IkkM."
himself with rage. He, too. ran his
very best; bat try as be might, the
physical advantages were not upon bis .
aide, aud bis outcries and the fall of
bis lame foot ou the : lacadoin began
io the ground, it was crazy, ill kept
and of a menu appearance. On all oth
er sides the circuit of the garden wall
appeared unbroken.
Ho look lu these features of the scene
with uivcbauicnl glances, but bis mind
was still unablo to piece together or
draw a rational conclusion froia what
he saw, and when be heard footsteps
advuuciDs of ,tUe gravel, although be
turned bis eyes iu that direction. It
was with no thought either for defense
or flight .
The uewcouier was a large, coarse
and very sordid personage iu garden-
lng clothes and with watering pot in
his left bund. One less coufused would
have Ihh.1) affected with some alarm at
the sight of this man's huge proior-
tions nnil Mark unit lwrln l..if . " " "
Harry was Ion .rinvelv .hake., i.. I... tace l of wtudowa,
fall to be so much as terrilied, and if
be was unable to divert bis glances
from the gardener be remained abso
lutely passive aud suffered him to draw
uesr, to take blm by the shoulder and
to plant blm roughly on bla feet with'
out a motion of resistance. '
For n moment tbe two stared Into
each other's -eyes, Harry fascinated,
the muu filled with wrath and a cruel.
sneering humor. .
"Who are you?' bo demanded nt last.
"Who are you to come flying over my
wali aud break my Uluire de pljona?
V hat Is your name,", be added, sbak
lug him "and what may be your bus!
ncss here?" '
"Wltl that t!r i
lie, sir, and you k
"Indeed, Sir Ti:
ry, "I am not u-
U 'l
-J. "You
!t.
"trued Har
.0 Ive ques
tioned In so high a key."
"iou. no not nndemtaud your )osJ
tton." said the general. "Yon are my
r;ervant, aud a servant of whom I have
conceive, I the most serloui ati'niclons.
How do I know but that your bos Is
f;ill of teaspoons?
"It contains a silk bat bclouglng to
mend," said Harry. . .
"Very well," replied General Vande
leur. "Then I want to see your friend's
silk hat I have."- be added grimly, "
singular curiosity for .hats, and I be
lieve you know me to bo somewhat
positive."
"I beg yeur pardon. Sir Thomas, I
am exceedingly grieved." Harry apolo
gised, "but Indeed tbla la a private af
fair", , ,
The general caught blm muchly rvr'
general prostrate under Charlie's knee,
but still making desperate efforts to re
verse the situation and the gardens
seemed to have filled with people, who
were runnluc; from all directions to-
i ward the scene of light. This spectacle
lent tho secretary wings, and be did
not relax bis pace until be bad gained
the Rayswater road and plunged nt
random Into an unfrequented bystreet.
To see two gentlemen of his acquaint
ance thus brutally mauling each oilier
was deeply shocking to Harry. He de
sired to forget the sight; be desired,
above all, to put as great a distance us
possible between himself and t'enernl
Vandeleur, and iu bis earnestness for
this he forgot everything about bis
destination and hurried before blm
headlong and trembling. When be re
membered that Lady Vatideleur- was
the wife of one and the sister Of tbe
other ef these gladiators, bis heart was
touched wltb sympathy for a woman so
distressingly misplaced In life. Even
his own situation in the general's house
hold looked hardly so pleasing as usunl
In tha light of these violent transac
tions.
He had walked some, little distance.
busied wltb these meditations, before a
slight collision with another passenger
I : , -
;KY GAVE IIIMSi.i-1 tl' KOH LOST.
.....el f I ( 1 .
I i iieut Ill-men m. d ,. ...i up
ev peeled defender 'i ." ' ' of
C'uirliv I'endiiiL'-m ': i ' strode
lorwnrd from be- -e ii
"Cnme." come I i ' i yon? '
band." said he . r cour
Icons jmr limn!' "
"A bar cried " - - - - liug
n mid upon bis ii . "Mr
P.'iidrngon' And or Xir.
1 ndracon. that I c.i ; mve had
tie misfortune to many vur sister Ii
t! all suffer my If to be " .;:. I anil
tr waited by a discredited and nank
ript HlxTtliie like you? M; aoinalnt-
s .ce wltb fjidy Vnndeferr. sir. has
l.'iScu away all my appetite for tbe
other nicmlers of her family."
"And do yoo fancy. General Vande
leur," retorted Charlie, "that becanet
my sister has bad the mlsfortnne to
marry you she there and then forfeited
her rights and privileges aa a lady? I
own, sir. thst by that action she did
as much as anybody could to derogate
from ber position, but ta me she Is still
a IVtidragon. I make It my business
to proti-ct her from ungrntlemanly out
rage, and If yon were ten times tier
huslnd I would' not permit her liber
ty to te restrained nor her private mes
tensrrs to he violently arrested." .
"How Is that Mr. Hsrtley?" Inter
mcated the geoeraL "Sir. rrndragon
1? J1'' 17 oplnlou. It spfcars. He, too, j
1 ' .. ua.1 of lit i '. uil
arm
"1I-: veiiaT ciled lie. "Where was
my h.jd, find whither have I wander
edr
Thereupon be consulted tlie envelope
which Ijidy Vandeleur had given him
The address was there, hut without a
name. Harry was simply directed to
ask for "the gentleman who expected
a parcel from Unly Vandeleur," and If
be were not nt home to await his re
turn. Tbe gentleman, added the mite,
should present a receipt in the hand
writing of the lady herself. All this
seemed mightily mysterious, and Harry
was alsive all astonished at the oinfv
slon of the iiMiue and tl.e formality .f
the receipt He had thought little i4
this last wheu be heard it dnpMil In
conversation; but reading It in oUI
blood aud taking It lu connection with
the other atrnnge artlcuhirs, he be
came ronylneel tlial be was eugnmil
In perilous affairs. Kor half a moment
be had a doubt of Lady Vsndeletir
herself, for lie found these obscure pro-
cwuings somewnac unworthy of so
high a lady, and became more critical
when ber secrets were preserved
against himself. Hat her empire over
his spirit was too complete; be dis
missed bis Suspicions and blamed him
self roundly for having so much as en
tertained them.
In one thing, however, his duty and
Interest, his generosity and bis terrors,
coincided to get rid of the bandbox
wljb the greatest possible dispatch.
pride.
"She is pretty, is she not?" pursued
the servant.
"Oh, beautiful!" cried Harry. "Won
derfully lovely and not less good and
kind
"You look kind enough yourself," she
retorted, "and I wager you are worth
a dozen Ijidy Vandeleurs."- '
Harry wua properly scandalised.
"ir" he cried. "I am ouly a secre
tary." ...
"Do you mean that for me?" aaid tha
girl. "Rccause I am ouly a housemaid
if yon please." And then, relenting at
the sight of Hurry's obvious confusion,
she added: "I know you mean some
thing of the sort, and I like your looks.
but I think nothing of your Lpdy Van'
deleur. Oh. these mistresses!" she
cried. "To send oat a real gentleman
like you with a lianillxix lu broad day!"
During this talk they bail remained
in their original positions, she on tbe
doorstep, he on the sidewalk, bareheud
eil for the sake of coolness and wltb
the buudbox on bis arm,
But upon this last speech Harry, who
was unable to support such point blank
compliments to bis appearance nor tbe
encouraging look with which they were
acouiupauled, began to change his atti
tude and glance from left to right lu
perturbation. In so doing he turned his
face toward tbe lower end of tbe lane,
and there, to bis Indescribable dismay,
bis eyes encountered those of General
Vandeleur. Tbe general, lu a prodigious
fluster of beat, hurry and Indignation,
bad lieen scouring tbe streets In chase
of bis brother-in-law, but as soon aa be
caught a glimpse of tbe delinquent sec
retary bis purpose changed, his anger
flowed Into a new channel, and ha turn
edon his heel and came tearing up tbe
lunc with truculent gestures and vo
ciferations.
Harry made but one bolt of It Into
the bouse, driving the uiuld before blm.
and the door was slummed in his pur
suers countenance.
"Is there a bar? WW It lock?" asked
Harry, while a salvo on tbe knocker
made tbe bouse echo from wall to wall.
Why, what is wrong with you?"
csked the maid. "Is It this old gen
tlenian r
If be gets bold of me," whispered
Marry, "I nta us govt as dead. He has
been pursuing me all day, carries a
sword stick and Is an Indian military
ollleer.
"These are flue manners!" cried tie
maid. "And wbst If you please, may
be his name?"
it ta tue general, my master," an
swered Hurry. "He Is after tbls liana
box."
Did not I tell you?" cried the maid
In triumph. "I told you I thought worse
than nothing of your I-ady Vandeleur.
And If you had an eye in your head
you might see wkst she is for yourself
An ungrateful minx. I will be liound
for that.-"
The general renewed his attack uiion
the knocker ami, bis passion growing
wltb delay, begun to kick and bent up
on the panels of the door.
It Is lucky," observed the glrL "that
I I am alone In tlie house. Your general
mny ha miner until be Is weary, and
there is none to 0en for blm. Follow
me!" -
So saying, she led Harry Into the
ktl'.-hen, where he made him sit down
; atid stood by him herself In nn affec
tionate attitude,, with a hand upon his
I Kboiilder. The din nt the door, so fa,r
rroui abating, continued to Increase In
volume, aud at each blow the unhappy
secretary was shaken to the heart
"What la your nnmef asked the girl.
"Harry Hartley." he replied.
"Mine." she went on, "is Prudence.
Ho you like it r
"Very innch." said Harry. ?But hear
for a moment how the general beats
upon the door. He will certainly break
It in, and then, in bearen'a name, what
have I to l.ilt for but death?"
"You put yourself very much -about
i.'ltb no occasion," answered Trudence.
'Let yonr geuerul knock. He will do
no more than blister hla hands. to
yon think I wonld keep yon here If 1
were not mre to save you? Oh, no; I
sun a good friend to those that please
me. And we hare a back door upon
another lane. But" she added, check
ing blm, for be bad got upon his feet
Immediately on this welcome news
"but I will not show where It Is unless
you kiss me. Will you, Harry"-..
"That I will,? be cried, remembering
his gallantry, "not for your back door,
bnt tieoMiise you are good and pretty."
And be administered two or three cor
dial salutes, which wcr returned to
bim i:i kind. .
Then Prudence M him to the back
gate and put her hand upon the key.
"AVlll you come and see meV ahe
asked.
., "STOP THIEF!"' " ' ' '
to fall farther- and further Into the
wake.
Harry'a hopes began once more to
arise. The lone waa both steen and
narrow, but It -was exceedingly soli
tary, bordered on either band by giir-.
ten walls, overhung with foliage, aud..
for aa far as tbe fugitive could see In
front of him, there waa neither a !
tura moving nor an open door. Provi
flence. weary of persecution. Was now
offering blm an open field for bis es
cape, -, . ,
Alna, as ho came abreast of a earden
door under a tuft of chestnuts. It was
suddenly drawn back, and lie could
ee inside, upon a gnrden path, the fig
ure of a butcher's boy wltb bis tray
upon bla arm. He bad hardly recog
nized tbe fact before be was some steps
lieyond the other side, bnt the fellow
had bad time to observe him. He was
evidently much surprised to ace a gen
tleman go by at ao nunsunl a pace, nnd
Be came out Into tbe lane and begau tc
call after Harry wltb shouts of ironical
encouragement
His appearance gave a new Idea to
Charlie Pendragon, who, althougn he
was now sadly out of breath, once
more upraised bla voice.
"Stop thief.- he cried.
And immediately the butcher's boy
had taken up tbe cry aud Joined In the
pursuit.
This was a bitter moment, for. the
bunted secretary. It Is true that bis
terror enabled blm once more to lin
prove tils pace and gain with every
step ou bis pursuers, but he was well
aware that he was near tbe eud of his
resources, and should be meet tin v or.e
coming the other way bis predicament
in the narrow lane would be desperate
Indeed.
I must find a place of concealment"
he thought, "and that within the next
few secomK or all is over wltb me l:i
this world."
Scarcely bad the thought crossed bis
mind than the lane took a sudden turn
ing, and be found himself bidden from
his enemies. There are circumstances
In which even the least energetic of
mankind learn to behave with vigor
nd decision and tbe most cautions
forget their prudence and embrace fool
hardy resolutions. This was one of
those occasions for Harry Hartley, and
those who knew bim best would nave
been tbe mmt astonished at the. lad's
audacity. He stopped dead, flung the
bondlsix over garden wall, and, leap
ing upward wltb hicredible agility and
. Harry could not as much as proffer
a Word In explanation.
Bat just at that moment Pendragon
and tlie butcher's boy went clumping
lust and the sound of their feet and
their hoarse cries echoed loudly In tbo
narrow lane. The gardener bad re
ceived his answer, and be looked down
Into Harry'a face with an obnoxious
smile, - - : .
"A thief,", ho said, "upon my word,
and a very good thing yon must make
of It, for I see you dressed ilka a gen
tleman from top to toe. Are you not
ashamed to go about the world in such
n trim, with honest folk, I dare say.
glad to buy your enstoff finery second
hand? Spenk up, you dog," the man
went on. "You can understand Eng
lish, I suppose, and I mean to have a
bit of talk wltb you before I march
you to the ta,tlou."
-inaeed, sir," said Harry, "tbla Is a!!
n dreadful' misconception, and If yon
will go with mo to Sir Thomas Vande
leur's, in Katnn place, I can promise
thnt all will lie made plain. The most
upright person, as I now perceive, can
be led-Tnto suspicious positions."
"Sly little man," replied the garden
er. "I will go with you no farther than
the station house In the' next street
The ltiMieetir, no doubt will be glnd to
take a stroll with you as far aa Eaton
place.aiid have a bit of afternoon tea
with your great acquaintances. Or
would you prefer to go direct to the
home secretary? Sir Thomas Vande
leur. Indeed: Perhaps yu think I
uou i Know a gentleman when I see
uue from a common r'n t he-hedge like
you? Clothe or no clothes, 1 can read
you like a book. Here is n shirt that
maybe cost as much as my Sunday bat.
and that coat I take it, has never seen
the inside of rag fair, and then your
doois
The limn, whose eyes had fallen upon
the ground, stopped sliort lu bis Insult
ing commentary and remained for n
moment looking inteni:y upon some-'
thing at his feet When he Sske. his
Voice was strangely altered.
"What In Cod's name," said he, "Is
all this?"
Harry, following the direction of tlie
man's eyes, beheld a Hctacle that
struck bltn dumb with terror and
nmaxement. In bis fall he had de
scended vertically upon the band hoi
and burst It open from end to end.
Thence n great treasure of diamonds
had ponred forth and now lay abroad,
part trodden In tbe soil, part scattered
seising the copestone with hla hands oa the surface in regal aud glittering
be tnuilded headlong after It Into tin'
garden.
He came to himself a few moments
afterward seated In a bordiT of small
mxebosbes. Ills bands and knees were
cnt and bleeding, for the wall bad been
protected arslnst such an escaiadv by
a liberal provision of old bottles, and
he was con clous of a general d!sloca-
tlon sod a painful swimming In the
bead. Facing blm acruee the ganlen,
which was In admirable order and set
tr 1 1 S- fl,-bwr nf thm tnnmt dellrions rtcr-
Ifnme. he beheld tbe back of a house.
It was nt ennsiilprstile extent snd
"l will Indeed." said Harry. "Do not olalnly habitable; but, In odd contrast
profusion, i'bere waa a magnificent
coronet which be had often admired
on Lady Vandeleur, there were rings
and broodi, eardrops and bracelets
and even unset brilliants rolling here
and there among the rosebushes like
drops of- morning dew. A princely for
tune lay between the two men upon the
ground a fortune In the most Inviting,
solid and durable furm, capable of be
tag carried In an apron, beautiful in It
self and scattering (he sunlight In
Hillion minlmw flashes. , ,
-Owil heavens!" said Harry. "I am
lost!"
Ilia ui!ud raced backward Jnto tlia
past with the Incalculable Telocity of
thought and be began to comprebeud
hla day's adventures,' to conceive them
as whole and to recognise the sad
Imbroglio In which hla own character
and fortunes had become Involved. He
looked round blm. as if for help, but
bt was alone in tbe garueu, with hla
scattered diamonds and his redoubta
ble interlocutor, and wheu be gave ear
there was no sound but tbe rustle of
tha leaves and the hurried pulsation of
bia heart. It wqs little wonder If the
youug man felt himself deserted by
his spirits and. with a broken voice,
repeated his lust ejaculation:
"I am lost!"
Tha gurUvuer peered in all directions
with ao air of guilt, but there was no
nd be
seemed to breathe agalu.
"Pick up heart," he said. -you fool!
Tha worst of It Is doue. Why could
you not say at first there was enough
for two? Two?" ho repeated. "Aye.
and for two hundred! But come away
from here, where we may be observed. '
nd, for the love of wisdom, straighten
out your hat and brush your clothes.
You could nut travel two s!eia tbe fig
ure of fun you look Just now."
v hile Hurry mechanically adopted
these suggestions, the gurdcuer, get
ting uimju bis knees, hastily drew to
gether the scattered jewels aud return
ed them to .the bandbox. Tbe touch of
these costly crystals sent n shiver of
emotion through the man's stalwart
frame; bis face was trausilgured, and
bis eyes shone with concupiscence. In
deed it seemed as If lie luxuriously
prolonged bia occupation aud dullied
with every diamond that bo handled.
At last, however. It was done, aud,
concealing the bandbox In bla smock,
tbo gardener beckoned to Hurry and
paeceded blm iu tbe direct lou of the
house. . ,.
Neur tho d-xir they were met by a
young inaii evidently In holy orders,
dark and strikingly handsome, with a
leek of mingled weakness and resolu
tion, aud very ueuliy attired after the
maimer of bis caste. Tbe gardener
was plainly annoyed by tbla encounter,
but be put as good a face uisin It us
lie could aud accosted the clergy ma u
With au obsequious and Binding ulr.
"Here is a fine afternoon. Mr. Holies,"
said he, "a fine afternoon, aa sure as
Clod mudu It, aud bore is a . l ounj
friend of ml no who had a fancy to look
ut my roses. I took the liberty to bring
blm In, for I thdbght none of tbe lodg
ers would object " :
"Speaking for myself." replied the
Rev. Mr. Holies, "I do not nor do t
fancy any of tbe rest of us would be
more difficult npon so small a matter.
The garden ia your own, Mr. Raeburn
We must none of us forget that And
because you give us liberty to wulk
there we should be Indeed ungracious
if we so far presumed upon, your polite
ness as to Interfere with the conven
ience of your friends. But, on second
thoughts," he added, "I believe that
this gentleman and I have met before.
JUr. Hartley, I tbluk.. 1 regret to ou-
Mt-ve that you have had a full."
, And be offered his bund.
A sort of inafden dignity nnd a desirt
to delay a lot.jr us pc-rr.lt le the uecea-
alty for explanation i txcj Harry to
refuse tbls chance help and to denj
his own Identity. He chose the tender
mercies of tbe gardeuer, who was at
least unknown, to him, rather than tbe
curiosity aud perhaps tbo doubts of an
acquaintance.
"I fear there Is some mistake," aaid
he. "My name la Tliomlinson, and I
am a friend of Mr. Kaeburn'a."
"indeed?" aaid Mr. Holies. "Tbe like
ness Is amaEing,
Mr.- Raeburn, who bad been upon
thorns throughout this colloquy, now
felt It high time to bring it to a period.
"1 wish you a pleasant saunter, air,1
sum ne.
And with that he dragged Harry aft
er him into tbe houso and then Into
chamber ou tbe garden. His first car
was to draw down the blind, for Mr.
Holies still remained where they had
icrc mm in an attitude of perplexity
aud thought. Then he emptied tha
broken bandbox on the table and stood
before tbo treasure, thus fully display-
ed, wltb au expression of rapturous
greed and rubbing bis bauda mmn bla
thighs. For narry the algbt of the
man's face under the Influence of this
base emotion added another pang to
inose ue wn already suffering. It
seemed iucredlblo that from bla Ufe of
pure and delicate trifling be should be
plunged in a breath among sordid and
criminal relations. He could reproach
nis conscience wltb no sinful act am
yet he waa how suffering the punish
ment of atn In lta most acuta and cruel
forms the dread of punishment the
suspicions of tho good and tba com
paulouship and contamination of vile
and brutish natures. He felt he could
lay his life down with gladness to es
cape from tbe room and tbe society of
Mr. Itaeliurn.
And now," said the latter after he
had separated the Jewels Into two
nearly equal parts and drawn one of
them nearer to himself "and now y-
erytbltig In this world has to be paid
for, and some things sweetly. You
must know, Mr. Hartley, If such be
your name, that I am a man of a very
easy temper, and good nature has been
my stumbling block from first to last
I could pocket the whole of these pret
ty pebblej If I chose, and I should like
to see you dare to say a word, but I
think I must bare taken a liking to
you, for I declare I have not the heart
to shave you so close. So, do you
In pure kind feeling I propose that we
divide, and these," Indicating the two
heaps, "are the protiortlona tint seem
to me Just and friendly. Do you see
any objection, Mr. Hartley, may I ask?
am not the man to stick upon a
brooch."
But lr," cried Harry, "what you
propose to me Is Impossible. The Jew
els are not mine, and I cannot share
what Is another's, no matter with
whom or In what proortlons."
They are not yours, are tber not?"
returned Raeburn. "And you could not
share Ihem with anybody, couldn't
you? Well, now, that Is what I call a
pity, for here am I obliged to take yon
to the station. Tbe police think of
thnt," ha continued. "Think of tbe
disgrace for your respectable parents.
Think," be went on, taking Harry by
tbe wrist, "think of the colonies and
tbe day of Judgment"
I car. not help It." walled Harry. "It
not my fault Ton will not come
with em to Eaton place?"
AO," replied tbe man, "I will not:
that is certain. And I mean to dlvkla
INTERESTING!
When people ace contemplating a trip
uciiicr uo uusiurss or pleasure,
they naturally want the bot service
obtainable ss far at speed, comfort,
and rafety is concerned. Employ
em of tha VU-onin Central Lines
are paid to serve ths public and our
traius oner-ited so as to make close
minnectii n ith diverging lines at
all junction points.
Pullman Palace Sleeping and Chair Cars
ou through trains.
Dining Car service unexcelled,
served s la Carta.
In order to obtain this first-rlass
ak Ilia lickei agent to sell
ticket over
Men!
service
yu a
THE WISCONSIN CENTUM LINES.
Birect connections st Chicago ami Mil,
nke for all Kaau-rn polula. ...
Kor full Information csll ou your -iiwrrat
ticket agent, or wute ....
Jas a Pomd, or Jas. A.Clo ,
Uen. Pas. Agt., Oonrral Agent,
Jlilwaukro.Wis. S-lui'tark
Porllaud Markets.
Wheat Walla Walla, 7'.V; bluestem.
7e; valley, 74,
Flour beat grades, f t t us
barrel ; graham, ft 1 M :t 5.
Oats Xo.l while, fl 17(U$1 "0 ; gray
?1 16 per cental.
tarler Feed, 21 per t jn ;
brewing rolled, $22 per tun.
MillsioITs Hrnn, 23; middling.
27 ; shorts. 23 ;diop, 1H
Jlay Timoiby, 2u21j clover, fl7
Buter Fancy creanierv, 20ri.22.'.c
daiiy, nominal ; More. 17c (U8 r pouna
Kegs lreb liii,17jc.
Cheese Full cream twins, lt'(.il7Jc;
Young American, I7jc is'c per tHiund.
Poultry Chickens, mixed, 12 Of l:tcier
ll, lieuss l.ii do He, roosters 1II.J .C'? l:tc;
broilers (n 17c., fryers, 14 W 15.:, ducks
I'll ( 14e, geese 8j, turkeys, live 17c,
dressed 18 (. JOc per lb.
Hogs Gross, heavy, f 1)60(27; light,
ft-76 (i5; ilrctwed, SWS'jO per pound.
Veal Hmall, 7,itS'c; large, 7tiC7'sO
per pound.
Reel tirosa top steers, f I.50i"i5 60;
Hops 19(20 c per pound.
Wool Valley l.ii(iHic;KstcrnOrefcou,
al Hj ; mohair, 8i at S-Ke er touml.
Potatoes fsj (o s.tiu per suck
Onions 4J5Jc por centi 1 ; J
$202
Pddishuh
f flO 2
Tka
Be.:
lo
Pnc.S
iMtelMji
witch
AOS
Non-Magnetic
sTIcksl surer Cass
Fully Guarantied
For sals Iqr
ALL JEWELERS
"Ttloatrated Booklet
aa request, saawlag
COLORED
FANCY
DIALS
Tlit New England
Watch Co.
Hauysarr.CMs.
Oltkts
tow Vark, Ckkar.
Saa FraaiJica,
these plaything with yoo here."
A."j.ig y'oy n applied a sudden aide.
and severe torsion to the iad'a wrist.
Harry could not suppress a scresm
and the perspiration burst forth iiion
hla face. Perhatia patu and terro
qnlckened bis Intelligence, but certain
ly at that moment the whole business
flashed across blm in another light.
and be saw that there was nothing for
It but to accede to the rutflun'a pro
posal and trust to And tbe bouse and
force him to disgorge under more fa
vorable circumstances and when ha
himself was clear from all suspicion.
I ngrce, be suid.
"There la a lamb," sneered the gar-
dener. "I thought you would recog
nize your Interests nt Inst. This band-
box," be continued, "I shall burn with
my rubbish It Is a thing thst .curious
folk might recognize and aa fur you.
crape up your gnyctles and put them
Ui your pooket."
Harry proceeded to oliey, Raeburn
watching bim and every now and sua In.
bis greed rekindled by some bright
scintillation, abstracting another jewel
from the secretary's share and adding
It to bis own.
When tbla was finished, both proceed
ed to tho front door, which Kneburn
cautiously opened to observe the
street This was apparently clear of
passengers, for he suddenly seized
narry by the ntiie of tbo neck and,
holding bis tare downward so that he
could see nothing but the roadway upd!
tbe doorsteps of the bouses, pushed
him violently liefore him down ono
street and up another for the space of
perhaps a minute and a half. Harry
had counted three corners tie fore tho
bully relaxed his grasp and. crying,
"Now, be off wltb you!" sent tho lad
flying headforemost with a well direct
ed and athletic kick.
When Harry gathered himself up,
half stunned and bleeding freely at tho
now. llr. Itueburn hud entirely disap
peared. For the first time anger and
pain ao completely overcame the lad's
spirits that he burst Into a fit of tears
and remained sobbing In tbe middle of
tbe rood.
AftiT he had thns somewhat assuaged
his emotion be begun to look about him
and rend the names of the streets at
whose Intersection he hail Ix-en desert
ed by tbe gardener. He was still in an
onfretjiicuted portion of west London,
omon villas and large gardens, but ha
could see some liersotis at a window
who had evidently witness. -d his mis
fortune, and almost Immediately after
a servant came running from tbe house
and offered bim a glass of water. At
tbe same time a dirty rogue who had
been slouching somewhere in the neigh
borhood drew near bltn from tba other