Hillsboro independent., August 07, 1903, Image 4

S3ES3
Arabian
By KOBER.T
LOUIS'
STEVENSON
From' tliiW'to time 'he risked a mo
mentary luok In the direction which
principally Interested blin, tnd one at
least he felt certalu'that bU eyes en
countered those of the young girl. A
bock passed over bla body, and be
saw all tbe colors of tbe rainbow.
What would be not bare given to over
bear what passed between tbe Vande
leurs? What would be not bare given
for the courage to take np bla opera
glass and steadily luspect tbelr attitude
aud expression? There, for augbt be
knew, bis wbole life was being de
tlded, and be nut able to Interfere, not
even able to follow the debate, but con
demned to sit ami suffer where be was
In Impotent anxiety.
At Inst tbe act came to an end. Tbe
curtain fell, and tbe people arouud blin
liegan to leave tbelr places for tbe Inter
val. It was only natural tbat be should
follow their example, and If be did so
It was not only natural, but necessary,
thut ho should as Immediately In
front of the box In question. Summon
ing all bis courage, but keeping bis eyes
lowered, Francis, drew near tbe spot
Ills progress was slow, for tbe old gen
tleman before him moved wltb Incredi
ble deliberation, whecsing aa be weut.
What wa he to doT (Should be ad
dress the Vandeleurs by name as be
weut by? Should be take tho' flower
from his buttonhole and throw It into
tbe iHit? Should he raise bis face and
direct ono long and affectionate look
Ulton the lady who was either his sister
or his lM-trollicd? As be found himself
thus struggling among so many alter
natives he had a vision of his old equa
ble existence in the bank and was as
sailed by a thought of regret for the
past. - -
ty this time he bad arrived directly
opposite the box, and, although be was
still undetermined what to do or wheth
er to do anything, he turned his head
tnd lifted his eyes. No sooner had be
done so than he uttered a cry of disap
pointment and remained rooted to the
sjsit. The box was empty. Iurlng his
siow advance Mr. Vandeleur and bis
daughter bud quietly sllped away.
A juilite person In his rear reminded
liliu that be was stopping the path, and
he moved on again with mechanical
footsteps anil suffered the crowd to car
ry nliii. unresisting, out of tbe theater.
Once In the street, the pressure ceas
ing, he came to a halt, and, the cool
night nlr speedily restored him to the
pussessiam of his faculties. He was
surprised to tlnd that bis head ached
violently and that he rememliered not
one word of the two acts wblcb lie bad
witnessed. As the excitement wore
away It was succeeded by an over
weening apis-tite for sleep, and be ball
ed n call and drove to his lodging In a
state of extreme exhaustion and some
dlxgust of life.
"1 DO NOT KNOW WHO AllB
Next morning be lay In wait for
Miss Vandeleur on ber road to market
and by 8 o'clock brhcld her stepping
down a bine. She was simply and
even poorly attired, but In the carriage
of ber head and Issty there was some
thing flexible and noIHe thnt would
hare lent distinction to tlie meanest
toilet. F.ven tlie basket so, aptly did
she carry It. liecame ber like an orna
ment. It seemed to Franeis, as be
slipped Into a doorwsy, that the sun
shine followed and the shadows fled
before her as she walked, and be was
cimsoloin. for tlie first time, of a bird
stnelng In a cage above the lane.
He suffered her to pass the doorway
and then, coming forth once more, ad
dressed her by name from liehind.
".Miss Vandeh-nr." said he.
She turned and, wheu she saw who
be was. Iccaine deadly pale.
"Pardon me," be ciitlnneil. "Heaven
knows I bail no will to startle you,
ami IndiH'd there should l nothing
Startling In h reenee va? One who
wishes you so well as I aba. Ami, be
lieve me, I am acting rather from ne
cessity than choice. We have many
p;ft
ill ill 4
things In common, and I am sadly In
the dark. There Is much that I should
be doing, and my bawls are tied. I du
not know even what to feel nor who
are my frleuabrand enemies."
She found ber voice with an effort. '
'I do not know who you are," she
aid. - 1 .
"Ah, yes. Miss Vandeleur, you do,"
returned Francis, "better thun I do
myself. Indeed It Is on thnt. aliove all.
tbat I seek light. Tell me what you
know," be pleaded. "Tell me who I
am, who you are and. buw our des
tinies are Intermixed. Give me a littlt
help with my lire. Miss Vandeleur
ouly a word or two to guide mc, only
tbe name of my father. If you will
and I shall be grateful and content"
, I will not attempt to deceive you,"
she replied., "I know who you are, but
I am not at lllierty to say."
"Tell me, at least, that you have for
given my presumption, and I shall wait
with all the iwttlence I have," he said.
"If I am not to know. I must do with
out It is cruel, but 1 can bear more
upon a push. Only do not add to my
troubles tile thought that I have made
an enemy of yon," - ... ... ... .
"You did only wbat was natural,"
sue saw, "a mi i nave iioiiung to Tor
sive you. Farewell."
"la It to be farewell?', uo asked.
"Xay, thai I do not know myself."
aha answered. 'Farewell for the pres
ent, if you like."
And wltb these words she was gone.
'Frauds returned to hi lodging In a
state of considerable commotion of
mind. He made the most trifling prog
rcsa with bis Euclid for thnt forenoon
and was more often at the window
than at his fnirovH-ed writing table.
Itut lieyond seeing the return of Miss
Vandeleur and the-meeting between
ber and her father, who was smoking
Trlchiuopoll cigar In tho veranda.
there was nothing notable In the neigh
borhood of the house with the green
Minds before the time of the midday
meal. The young man hastily allayed
his npix-tite In a neighboring restau
rant and returned wltb the sliced of
nnallayrd curiosity to the bouse In the
Rue Lcptc. A mounted servant was
leading a saddle horse to and fro before
the garden wall, and the porter of
Franeis' lodging was smoking a pipe
against the doorpost, absorbed lu con
templation of tbe livery and the steeds.
"Ixwk!" ho cried to the young man
"What Due cattle! What an elegant
costume! They licking to the brother
of M. de Vandeleur, who is now within
upon a visit. Ue la a great man, a gen
eral. In your country, and you, aounv
less, know him well by rcputntlon."
"I confess." returned Francis, "that
I have never beard of General Vande
leur before. .We hove many officers of
that grade, and my pursuits have been
MY FRIKNDS ANl ENEMIES.'
exclusively civil."
"It Is he." replied tbe porter, "who
lost the great diamond of the Indies.
Of that, at leant, you mnst have read
nffrn In tU" papers.'"
As siti - as Francis could disengage
himself from tbe srtcr 'he ran up
at.ilta and liitrrlcri to the window. Im
meiliately below the clear space In the
chestnut leaves the two gentlemen
were seated In conversation over a ci
gar. The general, a red, military look
ing man, offered some traces of a fam
ily resemblance to bis brother. He had
somethingalthough very little, of the
same free and powerful carriage, but
he was older, smaller and more com
mon In air, bla likeness was that of a
caricature, and ha seemed altogether a
poor and debile being by tbe aldeof the
dictator.
They spoke In tones so low. leaning
over tb table with every appearance
of Interest, that Francis could catch no
mora than a word or two oo an occa
sion, for aslritks as ht beard, he was
convinced that the conversation turned
upon ulmscn ami nis own career, er- j
ral times the nam of Serymgconr
touched lil m. for it JTM T
tlngulsu, and still mot frequently he
funded ba could disUugulsu tb um
Francis. ..
At length tu general, s If In hot an
ger, broke forth Into $tirt TkHeot -clamatlona.
' .
"Francis Vandeleur!" b cried, acceu
tuatlng the Ust word. "Francis Van
deleur, I tell your
The dictator made movement of
bla whole body, half affirmative, ball
contemptuous, but bli answer wa In
audible to tbe young man.
Was be the Fraucia Vandeleur lo
question? be wondered. Were tbey dis
cussing the name under wblcb ba rraa
to ba married, or was the whole aCrlr
a dream and delusion of bis own con
ceit and self absorption?
After another Interval of Inaudible
talk dissension seemed again to arise
between the coupla underneath the
chestnut, and agaiu the general raised
bis voice angrily so aa to be audible to
Fraucia.
"My wife!" he'eried. "I have done
with my wife for good. I will not bear
her name. 1 am sick of ber very name."
And he swore aloud and beat tbe ta
ble with bis fist
The dictator appeared by bis gestures
to pacify blui after a paternal fashluu.
and a little after be conducted hlui to
tbe garden gate." The' pair shook bands
affectionately enough, but aa soon as
the door bad closed behind his visitor
John Vandeleur fell Into a fit of laugh
ter which sounded uuklndly and even
devilish In the ears of Francis Scrym
geour. ' ' -.';"
Bo another day had passed and little
more"! earned. But tba young man re
membered tbat tho morrow waa Tues
day and promised himself some curi
ous discoveries. All might be well, or
all might be III; be was sure at least
to glean some curious Information and,
perhaps by good luck, get at the heart
of the mystery which surrounded bis
father and bis family. -,
As the hour of the dinner drew near
many preparations were made in the
garden of the bouse with the green
blinds. The table which was partly
visible to Francis through tbe chestnut
leaves was destined to serve as a side
board and carried relays of pjates and
the nuujrlals for sa!a1; ' the other,
which was almost entirely concealed,
bad been set fliart for the diners, and
Fruucis could catch glimpses of white
cloth and silver plate.
Mr. Holies arrived, punctual to the
minute. He looked like a man npou
his guard and spoke low aud sparing
ly. The dictator, on the other hand,
appeared to enjoy an unusual flow of
spirits. Ilia laugh, which was youth
ful and pleasant to hear, sounded fre
quently from the garden. By tbe mod
ulation and changes of his voice it was
obvious that he told many droll stories
and Imitated the accents of a variety
of different nations, and before be and
tbe young clergyman had finished their
vermuth all feeling of distrust waa at
au end and they were talking like a
pair of school companions. .
At length Miss Vandeleur made ber
appearance, carrying the soup tureen.
Mr. Holies ran to offer- ber assistance,
which . she laughingly refused, and
there was an Interchange of pleasan
tries among the trio which seemed tc
have reference to this primitive man
ner of waiting by one of the company.
"Oue Is more at one's ease," Mr. Van
deleur was beard to declare. -
Next nouient they were all three hi
their places, and Francis could see as
little as be could bear of wbat passed.
But tho- dinner seemed to go merrily.
There was a perpetuulliablile of voices
and sound of knives and forks below
the chestnut, and, Francis, who bad no
more than a roll to gnaw, waa affected
with envy by the comfort and delibera
tion of tbe meal. The party lingered
over oue dish after another and then
over a delicate dessert, wltb a bottle of
old wine carefully uncorked by the
band of the dictator' himself. As it be
gan to grow dark a lamp was act upon
.the table and a couple of caudle oo
the sidebourd, for tlie nlgbt was per
fectly pure, starry and windless. Light
overflowed besides from the door and
window In the veranda, so that the
garden was fairly Illuminated and the
leaves twinkled In the darkness.
For perhaps the tenth time Miss Van
ttelcnr entered the house, and on this
occasion she returned wltb the coffee
tray, which she placed upon the side
board. At the same moment her father
rose from his sent.
"The. coffee Is my province," Francis
henrd him say. . .
And the next moment he saw his sup
posed fattier stauding by the sideboard
In the light of the canities.
Talking over his ahonlder all the
while, Mr. Vandeleur poured out twe
cups of the brown stimulant and then,
by a rapid act of prcMtidlgltatlou. emp
tied the contents of a tiny vial lute
tbe smaller of the two. Tlie thing was
o swiftly done that even Francis, who
looked straight Info tils face, bad hard
ly time to perceive the movement-lie-fore
It was completed, and the next In
stant and still blushing. Mr. Vandeleur
bad turned again toward tba tab!
with a cop In either hand.
"Kre we have done wlth"lhTs,"'sald
he, "we may expect our famous He
brew." . .
It would tie 1nioalhle to depict tho
confuilon and distress . of Francis
Parymgeonr. He saw foal play going
forward liefore bis eyes, and be fctt
bound to Interfere, I Hit he knew not
how. It might be a mere pleasantry.
and then how should he look if be were
to offer an unnecessary warning? Or,
again. If It were actions, tbe criminal
might lie his own father, aud then how
should he not lament If he were to
la-ing ruin on the author of bis dsys?
For the first time he liecame consckms
tif bis own position as a spy. To wait
Inactive at such a Juncture and with
such a conflict of sentiments In his
Iiokoiii was to suffer the most acute
torture. He clung to the bars of tbe
shutter, his heart neat fast and with
ln-!guliirlty. and he felt a strong sweat
break forth linn bis body..
heveral minutes passed.
He seemifl to perceive the conversa
tion die away and grow Ins ami lean
In vivacity and volume, but atlll no
sign of any alarming or even notable
event.
fitiddctily the ring of a glass breaking
was followed by a faint and dull sound.
as of a rini w should hare fallen
forward with his bead upon the table.
At the same moment a piercing scream
rose from the garden.
"What have you done?" ctlod Miss
Vandeleur. "He Is dead!"
The dictator replied In a Violent whis
per, so strong and sibilant tbat every
word was audible to tba watcher at the
window.
ruenaw:- saiq nr. anueieur. "'lue
man Is as well a ( am. Take hlui by
too beets while I carry him by the
shoulder.
Francis beard Miss Vandeleur break
forth Into a passion of tenr. '
"IH you bear what I say." resumed
the dictator In tba same tones, "or do
you wish to quarrel with ni? , I give
yon your choice. M ls Vandeleur."
There ..was another pause, and the
dictator spot again. .
"Take that man by the heels. be
anld. "I must have blin brought lutv
tbe bouse, if I were a I'.ttle younger,
I could help myself, against the world,
but now that years and danger are
upon me and my bands are weakcued
I must turu to you fur akL"
"It Is crime," replied the fib I.
"I am your father." said Mr. Vnwk
leur.
Tbis appeal seemed to produce Its'
effect A seutHlug nolno followed upou
tba gravel, a chair was overset, and
then Fraucia saw the father and daugh
ter (tagger across the walk mid disap
pear under tho veranda, bear in 14 the
Inanimate body of Mr. Holies embraced
about tbe knees aud shoulders. The
young clergyman was limp aud pallid,
and Ida bead rolled iiihiii his shoulders
at every step.
Was be alive or dead? Francis. In
spite of the dictator's declaration. In
c lined to tbe latter view. A great crime
bad been committed. .1 great calamity
bad fallen iqioii the Inhabitants of the
bouse wltb tlx green blii.da. To hla
surprise. Frauds fouud nil horror for
the deed swallowed up hi sorrow fox
a girl aud an old man whom bo Judged
to be In the height of peril. A tide of
generous feeling swept Into bla heart.
He, too, would help bis father against
man and mankind, against fate and
Justice, and. casting open the shutters,
be ekised Ids 1-yes and threw himself
with outstretched arms Into the foliage
of the chestnut. .
Branch after branch slipped from bis
grssp and broke under his weight
Then be caught a stalwart liougb tin'
der his armpit and bung suspended foi
a second, and then be let himself drop
and fell heavily agnlnst the table. A
cry of alarm from the bouse .warned
blin that bis entrance bad not been
effected unobserved. He recovered bint
self with a stagger and In three bounds
crossed the Intervening space and stood
before the door la the veranda.
In a small apartment carpeted wltb
matting and -mirrouuded by glazed
cablueta full of rare aud costly curios.
Mr. Vandeleur was stooping over the
body of Mr. Holies. He raised himself
a Frauds entered, aud there wn an
Instantaneous passage of' bands. It
was tho business of a second, Aa fast
as the eye, can wink the thing was
done. Tbe young, man had not tlie
time to lie sure but It seemed to bliu
If the dk:tatfr bad taken something
from the curate's breast, looked at It
for the least fiactiou of time a It lay
In bis band nnd then suddenly and
swiftly passed It to bis daughter.
All this was over while Francis bad
still one foot upon the threshold aud
the other raised In tba air. The next
Instant be, was on his knees to Mr
Vandeleur. - . -.
"Father!" be cried. "Let me, too. help
you, I will do what you wish and ask
do quest Ion. I will oliey you with my
life. Treat me as a son, and you will
find I have a sou s devotion.
A deplorablr explosion of oaths was
th dictator's first reply.
"Son and father?" be cried. "Father
and son? What dunned nnuatural
comedy Is all this? How do you come
la my garden? What do you want?
And who. In God name, are your
Francis, with a stunned aud shame
faced aspect, got upon bis feet again
and stood In silence. .
Then a light seemed to. break upon
Mr. Vandeleur and he laughed aloud.
"I ace." cried be. "It Is th Scryra
yeour. Very well. Mr. . Bcrymgeour.
Let me tell you In a few words how
you stand. You bat'e entered my pri
vate residence by force, or perhaps by
fraud, but certainly with no encour
agement from me, and you couie at a
moment of some annoyance, a guest
having fainted at my table, to besiege
me with your protestations Ypu are
no son of mine. You are my brother's
bastard by a fishwife. If yotrwaiit to
know. I regard you with an Indiffer
ence closety bordering on aversion, and
from wbat I now see of your conduct
I Judge your mind to be exactly suit
ble to' your exterior. " I recommend
yon these mortifying reflections for
your leisure, and. In tbe meantime, fet
me beseech you to rid us of your pres
ence. . If I were not occupied," added
tbe dictator, wltb a terrifying ontb, "I
should give you the uuholiest drub
bing ere you went." ' - - ,
Francis listened In profound humilia
tion. He would have fled bad it been
imsHihle; but as be bad no mennn of
leaving tbe residence Into which he bad
so unfortuiuitely penetrated, he could
do no more than stand foolishly where
he was. -
It was Miss Vandeleur who broke
the silence. "Father." she snid, "you
speak In amrer. Mr. Bcrymgeour may
have Iteeu mistaken, but he meant well
and kliidlr." .
"Thank yon for speaking," returned
the dictator. ,'You remind me of oui
other observations which I hold It a
point of honor to make to Mr. Scrym-
geour. 1 My brother," be continued, ad
dressing the young man, "has' ticen
foolish enough to give yoipan allow
ance. He was foolish enough and pre
sumptuous enough to propose a match
between you ami this young lady. Yon
were exhibited to ber two nights ago,
and I rejoice to tell you that she reject
ed the idea with disgust. Let me add
that I bare considerable Influence wltb
your futhcr, and It shall not lie my
fault If you are not beggared of your
allowance and sent back to your acriv
eulng ere the week be out."
Tbe tones of tbe old man's voice were.
If possible, mora wounding than bis
language. Francla felt himself ex-pisv-d
to tbe most cruel, blighting and
unbearable contempt. HI bead turn
ed, and be revered bla face with hlr.
ha mis, ottering at tbe same time a tear
less sob of agony. But Miss Vandeleur
once again Interfered In bis liehnlf.
"Mr. Hi-rytugcour." she sakl, speak nig
In clear and even tones, "you must aot
be concerned at my father's barsb ex-l-rcxxlons.
I felt uo disgust for yon.
n the contrary, I asked au oportunl.
y to make your better acquaintance.
Aa fisr wlmt has passed tonight believe
lie It has tilled my mind with both
pity and esteem." '
Just then Mr. Holies mad a convul
sive movement of bis arm, which con
vinced Francis that be was only drug-
1 '
1 emt and was f cglujilug to tarow'otl tRo
influence of iJo ouiatw. Mr. Vandeleur
riuuiu-u uht v iuj una exuiumeu uis race
for an i4iiMOt ., -r i
"Come. , coo-. !" cyled be, raising his
bead. "t. t there be an end of this.
And, since you are so pleated with hi
uuduct, MUa Vuudtleur. tuke a candle
and slmw tlie cur out!"
Tlie yonng lady hastened to obey.
"Tim nfc you," said Francis aa aoou as
ba ma aloue. wltb ber iu tbe garden.
"I thank you from my souL This baa
been tho bitterest evening of my life,
but tt will have alwaya una pleasant
reculjoctiom" " - ,
"I spokeas I fc!t," shoreplled. "and In
Justice to you. It mudu uiy bcart sorry
thut you should be so unkindly used."
Itv this time they bail reached th
garden gute, and iiUs Vandeleur, hav
ing set the rnjidle on tho grouml. was
already unfastening tbe baits. .
"Oue , word wore," gald. Fraud.
"This Is uot for the lust tliuo. I shall
sec you again, shall I nut?" ' , .
"Alus," sua., answered, "you have
heard my father. - What can I do but
olieyV'i .
"Tell r-.m at least that It la not with
your comfcmt," returned IYancts. "Tell
me that yon bav uo wish to see tbe
Inst of me? ... .
"Indeed," replied she, "I have none.
You seem to mo both bravo and lion-
..7?S,:,r ' lf( JV
" 1 mWSk My
TUK DICTATOU HAD TAKEN SOMETHING FROM TUB CUUATE'S
.- - v ; .., .' . BREAST. - - .
' "Then;" said Francis, "give mo a
keepsake." ' . ..- . . ,
S!ie paused for a moment, with her
hand upon tlie key, for the various
bars and bolts were all andone, And
there was nothing k-ft but to open the
lock, ':'.-. . .
;"lf I agree," she sold, "wlil you
promise to do as I toll you from point
to point?" ' . -i
"Can you ask?" replied Francis. - "I
would do, so willingly on your'bure
word." . , ,
She turned the key and threw open
tho door. !
"P-a It bo," said she. "You do not
know . what you ask, but be ft so.
Whatever , you hear," lie' continued,
"whatever happens, do not return to
tills house. Hurry fast until you reach
the lighted and populous quarters of
the city. , Even there lie ou your guard.
Yon are In a greater danger than you
fancy. Promise me you will .not so
much as look at my keepsake until you
are in n place nf safety."
"I promise." replied FrancI.
She put something loosely wrapped
In a handkerchief Into the young man's
hand, and at the same time, with more
strength than he could have antici
pated, she pushed blm Into the street
"Now run!" she cried. . ... . -
Hq beard the door close lehlud blm
and the noise of .the bolts being re
pluceia -
'My faith," anli! he, "since I bav
promised." . - ,
And be took to tils heels dorvn the
bine that leads Into the Rite U:i i-rufia
lti was not fifty paces from the
bouse with tho green blinds' when the
most diabolical outcry suddenly arose
out 011 t host Illness cf the night Me
chanically be stissl still; another -scituer
followed his example. . In tbe
neighboring floors he saw people
crowding to liie windows. A couflam
tkui c nld uot haw produced more dls
turhniice in this empty quarter. And
yet it seemed to be all the work of a
lush- mini, roaring between grief and
rag, like n lioness roblml of ber 1
whelps, and Francis was surprised and
alarmed to hear his own name shouted
with English lir.urccntlons to the wind.
Ills firt movement was to return to
the Wi'ser hi second, as be remember
ed Mia Vnudcleur' advice, t con
tinue bi flight with greater cxwd!t!on
than before, and he was In the net. of
turning to put his thought in action
when the dictator, bareheaded, bawl
ing Blond, bia r l.itr 1. r 1 1., .1. i.'ti.ii
bis bi-sd. :.llot l-asj li.'tii !., a t . il out
of the cannon s mouth mid .i,t ca
reerlug 1 r. c the str. ct. c
"That vens ft, close shnvc,"- thought
Franf's to himself. . "Wt.nt be wants
with me raid why he shocUl b en U
turbed I (unfiet think, but be is 1 !.iiuly
not gwl compary for the iiu.nient, rt:d
I cannot do better ttrrn fallow Miss
Vandehur' advice." .
Foi saying, he ttirmil t n truce hi
teis.' thinking t-i i'.o.i J 1 , 1 .-,ci'ih1
by th" K'tt- I'p;; itM-if u: pur
suer slm;:! 1 lit'ioic t- f Ikov niter
him Mi t!.r frflvr Fine f sircet. The
plan v.ns iVved. As a inattir of
fact, be ill -net have taken his s-i.t In
tbe ueari .-:t cafe and walled there until
the first bout cf the pursuit was over.
But beside that Francis bad ao ex
perience snd l.ttle natural aptttudo for
tbe smull war of private life. He wa
aa uncoHwloiis vt any evil an bla part
that ho taw nothing to tea beyond
a disagreeable Interview, and to dis
agreeable Interviews be felt be bad
already served hi apprenticeship that
evenlug;' nor could bo suppas that
Mlaa Vandeleur bad left anything un
wild. Indeed, the young man wa sore
both In iuuly and mind the ono was all
bruised, the other was full of smarting
arrows, and be owned to himself tbat
Mr. Vandeleur was master of a very
deadly torgue.
.The thought of bla bruises reminded
htm thut ba bad not' only come with
out a tint, but that his clothe had con
siderably - suffered lu his descent
through, the client nut At the first
maguzlue bo purchased a cheap wide
awake, and had the disorder of bis
toilet summarily repaired. The keep
sake, still rolled in the handkerchief,
be thrust lu the meauwhil Into bis
trousers pocket
Not many steps beyond the shop be
was conscious of a andden shock, a
hand upon his throat' au lufurluted
face close to bis own aud an uien
mouth bowling curses In bis ear. Tbe
dictator, having found no trace of bis
quurry, was returning by th other
way. Francis wa a stalwart jroung
fellow, but be was no match for bla
adversary whether In strength. or skill.
mid after a few Ineffectual strugglca
he resigned himself entirely to hi cup
tor. .
"What do you want wltb we?" said
he. ,
"We will talk of that at borne." re
turned the dictator grimly.
And he continued to march tbe
young man up bill In the direction of
the bouse with tho green blinds.
" But Francis, although he no longer
struggled, was ouly waiting an oppor
tunity to make a bold push for free
dom. .With a sudden Jerk, he left the
collar of hi coat In the bauds of Mr,
Vandeleur and once more made off at
hi best speed In tho direct lou of the
boulevards. . - ; '-
The table were now turned. If the
dictator was the stronger. Francis, In
the top of hi youth, waa. the more
fleet of foot and b had soon effected
bis escape among tbe crowds. Relieved
tor a moment be walked briskly uutil
he debouched upon tbe Place de
I'Opera, lighted up like day with elec
tric lamps.
"This, at least," thought he, "should
satisfy Miss Vandeleur."
And, turning to bi right along the
tmulevnrds, ho, entered the Cafe Amer
ica In nnd ordered some beer. It waa
both late and curly for tbe majority of
the frequenters of th establishment.
Only two or three persona, nil men.
were dotted here and there at separate
table In tbe hall, and Francis was too
much occupied by bis own thoughts to
observe their presence.
He drew tbe handkerchief from bla
pocket vTb object wrapped In It
proved to be a morocco case, clasped
nd ornamented' l:i gilt, which opened
by means of a spring and disclosed to
th borrifled young man a diamond of
monstrous bigness and extraordinary
brilliancy. The circumstance wa so
Inexplicable, the value of tbe stone wa
plnluly ao enormous, that Frauds sat
staring Into tbe open casket wltlwnit
movement, without conscious thought
like a man stricken with Idiocy.
A hand was laid upon his shoulder
lightly, bnt firmly, and a quiet voice,
wblcb yet had In It the ring of com
mand, uttered these word In bi ear:.
. "Cke the casket and compose your
face." '
Looking up, bo beheld a man, still
young, of an urbane and tranquil pres
ence aud dressed wth rk-h simplicity.
This personage had risen from a neigh
boring tuhle ami. bringing bis glass with
blm. had taken a scat beside Francis.
"Close tlie casket." repeated the stran
ger, "and put it quk tly liack Into your
pH-kcT, where I fed persuaded It should
never have been. Try. If you please, to
throw off year Isrwildcrcd air and act
a thongh I were one of your acquaint
ances whom ynn bad met by chance.
io! Touch glasaea with me. That la
better. I fear, sir, yoa must be an am
ateur.' , . 1
And the stranger pronounced these
In ft Word with a smile of peculiar
meaning, leaned back In bla seat aud
enjoyed a deep inhalation of tobacco. . 1
To he (ontinurJ,
INTERESTING
FACT2MS-
When peoplo are contemplating a trip
. Whether no business or pleasure,
they naturally want the bct service
obti iuablo s lr as ced, comfort
and ufety is coiueri.ed. Employ
oe o( the WiM'onstn Central tines
" are puid to serve the public and our
trains oocraled so s to muko closo
d-iiueclioii with diverging lines at
all join lion iiit.
Pullman Palace Sleeping and Chair Car
un through train.
Dining Car service nnxcelled.
served a la Carte,
Men!
In order lo olila11 thi t'.i- t
. ask the ticket agent to
ticket over
tervi v
you
-eil
THE WISCONSIN CENTRAL LINES.
Direct connections at I hieairo an.. Mil
waukeeforall Eastern points. . . .
For full information cull 011 your lu-an-at
ticket at;eiit, or ut
Ja C. I'onu, or Ja. A. Clik ,
tien. Pas. Agt., i"ner.il Afeiil,
Milsukre,M is. 'J-lii hlstk
Portland Markets.
Wheat Walla Walla, 72.:; bluestem
"c; valley, 7 ,
Flour best grsdrs, t!:r..i.l(A per
barrel ; grulinm, :l l.r tri H.
Ohis No.l while, fl 171 2d ; gray
I 1ft per cental.
Barley Feed, 2l pertain; f'Jt
hrem ing rolled, fJ2 pa-r ton.
Milli-iufT Bran, f-'-i; mi. Idling
(27 ; shorts, (.:; ;chop, (IH
llay Timothy, AK 21 ; clover, J17
But'er Fancy creamery, 2ti(n;221c
daiiy, nominal ; store. 17c ( i IS per unu
F.sga rah trKal7.','c.
Clieose Full cream twins, lOlfu !7J" ;
Voung American, I7jcm ISIc per pound.
Poultry Chickens, mixed, 12 u 1:1c H-r
lb, lieiiHa 1:14 te. 14c, roosters 10 bi i:ic;
niilers (i 17c, Iryers, I t ( "c, ducks
13) ! lie, giH-se 8e, turkeys, live 17c,
dra-sseil lit (a ()c ier Hi.
Hogs Gross, heavy, tjii 6(1(3)7; light,
f l.7t(a5; alrewed, MurS'ye per JxuiiJ.
Veal Small, 7irHc; large, t(i7'ae
perlound.
Bea-l Gross to- steers, f 4.riO(u5..ri0;
Hops IHdii'iO c per oii ud.
Wool 'alleyl;p4di 10e;KnBt.rnOrenon,
at lit; mohair, 3.) al 3Sc xr pound.
Potato c Ml (i Ik) vr ai k
Onions ItVklj per eeutal ;
Padishah
Non-Magnetic
iskel BUrsc Cat .
Fully GuannUed
For ssk by
AI4, JEWELERS
rthatiatsd Booklet
OS miuast, ahowlac
COLORED
FANCY
DIALS
Thi New England
Witch Co.
fscswtsi-
Ottfcas
taFnadssl?''
Th; W'et-t hmt fminil in Preside!.
II oevelj a pretty giHsl iminigralion
biirasu. Il i nil lie M t r tins (if
telling of tltt- country as lie saw it am
his M'lriil tour anal tbst lie can. al.
ways pet a crowd !' alia'inguinhtil
lisletit r w lien be logins to talk
atMHit the i'.icillc coisi. The K wlern
Vnm (iinta- liini and eminent Hfii
have liexMine wi iiutiin I wild a al-
sire to so our country lim ansny if
tlietii are arranging trips through thi
Pacific empire.
Thrt Mpiulihn Liiiii Ciiuiptny
that ha its mill at H-mU'tg, Yfii
hill Caiunty hsssaibl a Uig lilm-lc ail it
stick lo Portland capitalists. The
new iatple en.tMi'a the com puny to
rxp nil.. Oue of Hie drat tiling to
do U IhiIIiI a new ami laig-er mill
er-tlmatasl to oust t0,(Mh). Tbi will
ba lnstalle-1 al Newls rg ou Ih bankit
of tho Willaniettn If the city will
saturc wllhoiit rait to the Saiibllng
Lo.'ging Co. a smIh list k Ironi Ilia
I'. C-. track tat tho mill sit a all-
t a lice id threat fourths of a mile.
Sit ii it rta-ls fiaiui f MKHNI to t-IHMHJ j er
mile 1 1 build railruiad it is wen what
kitial id a ailiiily N-lrg lis lo
raise.
Orsnf I'iism piriia-s wrilini; from
Na w H-rl My a large si -a lion rreateil
Uita h rommoiiaio at Nye IVeik
Is sell Huiialsy aftiTtniaiii. A Inrge
0 am her worn in luthintf, when Hit
vorsa'iiHM looklog animal suddenly
apM-sreal In I heir midst. Tho Im!:
era at oncw haal buslnavs on land
much lo tliei f atanu-vnient (if llicnn
lookers. Tb0 on welcome l -itor ha I
raipsl in Just to the sigh, h i
roiitinuel his liMirney toward Ilia
feallOak.
IB n
rne II
IradMtll
Mas II
ir w.
M; 'fit " ll