4
The
Main
Chance
MY .
Mmrmditk N'.choUon
Corvsiairr 13
Til BojiMkhbii.l Commjtv
X
CIIAITKK XVII!.
Th affair of the Trartion Company
proved 1ft be fo fc wretched tangle. Sal
Ion .m)loytJ ao expert ar-t-ountant to
open a set of books for the company,
while he cave bis Immediate attention to
tbe phyalral condition of the property.
( 'The company's 'service was a byword and
hissing in the town, ami he did what
be. could to better It, working Ion bount,
but enjoy! nit the lalior. It had been a
midden im inline on Kenton's part to have
Mhxton made receiver. In Million's flrat
days at Clark son he had taken legal ad
vice of Fenton in matters which bad al
ready been placed lu ttie lawyer's band
by the bank ; hut mmt of then had long
been cloned, and tfuxtun had latterly tone
to Hariri&n for sink lejral assistance as
ha needed from time to time. Kenton had
firmly lutemii-d asking Wheaton's appoint
ment; this aeeiued to him perfectly, nat
ural and proper in rlew of Wheaton's po
sition In the bank and bii relations with
Porter, which were much lew confidential
than even Kenton Imagined.
Kenton had been disturbed to And Mar
grave and Wbeatoo together Id the direc
tors' room the night before the annual
meeting of the Traction stockholders. He
could imagine no fauainpaa that would
bring them together; and the hour and
the place were not propitious for forming
ww alliancea for the bank. Wbeatoo had
appeared agitated aa he paaaed out the
packet of bonds and storks; and Mar
grave's efforts at gaiety bad only increas
ed Kenton's auspicious. From every point
of view it was unfortunate that Porter
should have" fallen ill just at thia time;
but it was, on the wliole, just as well to
. take- warning .from circumstances that
were even slightly suspicious, and he had
decided that WheaUm should not have the
receivership. He had not considered
8 ton in this connection untlk the hour
of the Traction" meeting ; and be hud In
wardly debated It until the moment of
liia decMiitn at the street corner.
lie had expecied to supervise Haxton'
acts, but the rei-eiver bad taken hold of
the company ' affairs with a seal and an
Intelligence which surprised him, Saxton
wasn't ao slow as be looked, he said to
the federal Judge, who had accepted Hax
ton wholly on Kenton's recommendation.
Within a fortnight Saxton bad Improved
th service of the company to the public
ao markedly that the newspapers praised
tilm. He reduced the office force to ft
working basis and Installed a eaabler who
era warranted not to steal. It appeared
that the motorman and conductors held
heir positions by paying tribute to cer
tain minor officers, and Haxton applied
be role treatment h these abuse without
ado.
The motormen and conductors grew
used to the big Moiid In tbe long gray
slater who waa forever swinging himself
board the cars and asking them ques
tions. They affectionately called bin)
"Whiskers," for no obvious reason, and
the report that Raiton bad. In one ot tbe
power-bouses, filled his pipe with sweep
of tobacco factories known In the
Srs.de as "Trolley man's Hpeclal," had fur
Cher endeared him to those men whose
My checks bore his name aa receiver. In
enow atnrma the Traction t'ompauy had
HHially given up with only a tarn strsg
Sjtte, but Ha i tun deaed ft new snow
plow, which he bitched to a trolley and
drove with his own band over tbe Trac
tion Company's tracks,
J oka waa cleaning out tbe rieat of the
late secretary of the company one even
ing while lUridan read a newspaper and
waited for.hlm. Worry was often lonely
(hiw day. Pa i ton waa too much ea
rroeaed to find time for frivolity, and Mr.
IWter's illness rat sharply hi on Worry's
visits to the Hill. He waa resting while
be wailed for tbe Transcontinental to
i banal its usual tactlcea of delay and
route to trial. On Kenton's Merest lea
Haxton bad intrusted to lUridan some
tnettera pertaining to tbe receivership,
and these served M carry Warry over aa
Interval ot Idleness and restlessness,
"You may bang net" said Saxton, aud
eVuiy. He bad that day unexpectedly
am apoa the long-lost stock records sf
the company tad was sow examining
them. Thrust Into ooe of the. bowks ore re
two canceled certificates,
"It's certainly ooeer,' ho aid, aa War
ry went eve Is h seek. He spread oat
one of the eertlacatea which Mart rave
bad takes from Wbeatoo the sight before
the anaaal aweting. "That's certainly
Wheaton's sudors meat all right "enough."
tUrleaa took ot klo glasses and
fsroughl hts aesr-slgbted gas to boar
critically pea the paper.
-There's aa doabt skoal ft
"And look at this, tea.! Saztoa haad
d him EvWy Porter's certificate. Rart
alas saaaieed It sad Evelyn's signature
om tbs book with reenter ears. He car
vied tbe faper nearer Is tbe hgkt, aad
canned It again while aaxtea a
hum and smoked kin pips.
Yon aottce that Wheat srl
who sayaatata, . m
sUriaas dead, arngtaa, wa kaow
ads rrtsasTs assess fhesaagaly. saw that
ask waa kraajaeisV .. r.
"I ss and so plausible explanation at
that," said Box ton. "Anybody stay be
called on to witness a signature;, bat 1
can't explain this. He opened the stock
record and followed tbe, history of the
two certificates from on page to anoth
er. It waa clear enougb that the certifi
cates held by Evelyn I'orter and James
Wheat on bad been merged Into one.
which had been nude out In the name of
Timothy Margrave, and dated tbs day be
fore th ansual meeting.
"It doesn't make much difference at
present," said Haxton. "When Mr Por
ter comes down town be will undoubted
ly go over this whole business sod he can
easily explain These matters.'
"It makes a lot of difference," said
Warry, gloomily.
"We'd better not say anything about
this Just now not even to Kenton," Sax
ton suggested. "I'll take these things
over to my other office for safs keeping.
Some one may want tbem badly enough
to look for tbem."
Rarldan sat down with his' newspaper
and pretended to be reading until Sax ton
was ready to go.
CHAPTKH XIX.
The iron thrall of winter was broken
at last. Great winds still blew in the
valley, but their keen edge was dulled.
Robins and blue Jays, coming before the
daffodils dared, looked down from bare
boughs upon the receding line of snow on
the I'orter hillside. The yellow river
bad shaken Itself free of Ice", and Its swol
len flood rolled seaward. I'orter watch
ed It from his windows; and early in
March "he waa allowed to take abort
walks In tbe grounds. He was much
weakened by his 'illness, and though be
pleaded dally to be allowed to go to the
bank, he submitted to Evelyn' refusal
with a tamenoss that was new In bim.
Kenton came several times for abort In
terviews; Thompson called aa an old
friend as well as a business associate.
Wbeatoo waa often at the bouse, and Por
ter preferred bis account of bank mat
ters to Thompson's, Wheat on carried the
figures in his bead, and answered ques
tion! offhand, while Thorn peon waa help
less without the statements which he
was always having tbt clerks make for
bim. I'orter fretted and fumed over
Traction matters, though Fenton did his
beat to reassure him.
He did not understand why Saxton
should have been made receiver; If Fen
ton was able to dictate tbe appointment,
why did he Ignore Wbeatoo, who could
have been (pared from the bank easily
enough when Thompson returned. Ken
ton did not tell bim the trus reason
but he urged the fact that Saxton repre
sented certain shares which were enti
tled to consideration, and be made much
of tba danger of Thompson's breaking
down at any moment and having to
leave. I'orter dreaded litigation, and
wanted to know how soon the receiver
ship could be terminated and the company
reorganised. The only comfort he de
rived from the aituation was the victory
which had been gained over aiargrave.
who bad repeatedly sent messages to tbe
bouse saklng for an Interview with Por
ter at the earliest moment 'possible. The
banker's bumor bad not been Injured by
ths fever, and ho told Evelyn and the
doctor that he'd almost be willing ta stay
In bed s while longer merely ta anaoy
Tim Madgrare.
"If I'd known I was going ta bo sick,
I guess 1 woudn't have tackled It," be
es id to Fenton one day, holding up his
tbln band to the Are. The doctors had
fouud bis heart weak and bad cut off bla
tobacco, which he missed sorely, "I might
unload aa soon aa wo can rebond and
reorganise."
"That's for yon to say," answered the
lawyer. "Margrave- wanted It, and no
doubt be would be glad to take It off your
hands If you care to deal with bim."
"If I was sure I had s dead horse, I
guess I'd aa lief let Tim carry klm as
any man In town ; but I don't believe this
animal Is dsd." -
"Not much,' said ths lawyer, reassur
ingly. "Saxton says 1-e'e making money
every day, sow that nobody la stealing the
revenues. He's painting tbe open cars
and expects to do muck better through
the summer."
"I guess Saxton doeen't know much
about the business," said Porter.
"He knows mors than be dM. He's sit
right, that fellow alow but sure. He's
been a surprise to everybody. He's solid
with tbe men, too, they tell me. I guess
there won't be any strikes while he's ia
charge.'1-
"You'd better get a good mas to -keep
Iks accounts." porter suggested. "Wbee
ton's pretty keen oa sack thlags."
"Oh, that's all fixed. Saxton brought
a man out from an Rasters audit com
pany to run tost for bim, and he de pos
its wltk the bonk."
"All right" said Porter, weakly.
Saxton came and talked to kirn af the
receivership several times, and I'orter
aniseed klm a boot it la bla characteristic
vein. Saiton was vary patient under bla
cross-examination, aad resssured the
banker by bis msnner and hts facta. Por
ter bad lost hie Jaonty way, and after the
Bret Interview he contented himself with
saklng how tke receipts were running and
kow tbey compared with those of the
year prerwaa. Haxtns suggested several
Haass ta Featoa last be would relinquish
ths receivership, now 4hst ports wss
able ta nominate some oas to bis own
Ukiag. The lawyer would sot have It so.
Ho believed hi Saxtoa and be felt sure
that when Porter rasld get about and see
what tbe receiver bad accomitked he
would be satlaned. It weald be foollsk
ta make a change uattl porter bad fairy
recovered sad wss able to take held of
Tract tea asattirs ht ssraoat.
flaatoa bad aaddeal become a seteoa
sf Importance sa tk eoeasaaaity. The
subtle osatlaaed ta he mystified by tke
legal Stroke whiek aad placed William
Ports rhrtually hi pssenalaa of tke
pispsr tj aad ft aotaralr took a seep
at tores, la the sourt's sgaat waa was
axaaagtag It as saaeassrally. Warry Rar
daa waa sol tested is lad ftaxesa maw),
aad hm dealt ItaassalsT with uama.'wsw
expressed surprise at Sax ton's capacity.
He waa glad to be associated witk John,
and when he co;itd find aa excuse, be
liked to visit the power house with him,
and to, identify himself In any way pos
sible witk bia friend's work. During the
tttrema cold he paid from bis own pock
et for Ins bot coffee Which was handed
up to the njotoruien along all the lines,
and gave- ft. out to ths newspapers that
tb receiver was doing it. John warned
him,that this would appear reckless and
injure klm with the Judge of lbs court
to wbos) he van responsible.
Though Porter was not strong enough
bo resume his business burdens, he was
ths better a We in his abundant leisure
to quibble over domestic and sue la I mat
ters with an invalid's unreason. , He was
troubled br-aue Kvelyn would not go
out; she bud missed practically all the
social gaiety of the winter by reason of
This Illness, snd he wished, bar to feel
tree to leave bim when ane iixeo. in
bis careful reading of the newspapers be
noted the items classified under "The
Giddy Throng" and "Social Clarkson,"
and It pained him to miss Kvelyn's name
in the list of those who "poured," or "as
sisted," or "were charming" In some par
ticular raiment.
The doctor advised a change for Por
ter, the purpose of which was to make it
impossibls for him to return to his work
before bis complete recovery Kvelyn
and the doctor chose Asheville before
tbey mentioned it to him. and the plan,
of course. Included bla son Grant. Mrs.
Whipple still Huperviaed the Porter house
bold at long range, and the. general fre
quently called alone to help tbe banker
over the hard places la bla concalevoence.
A day had been Axed for their depar
ture, and Mrs. Whipple was reviewing
and approving their plans In the library,
as Evelyn and her father and Grant
discussed them. j -
We ahall probably not see you at
homo much in the future," Mrs. Whipple
said to Mr. I'orter, who lay In Invalid
ease on a lounge, with a Uoman com
forter over his knees. "You II bo. aura
to become the wont of gad-abouta Eu
rope, tba far East, and all that."
I gues not," he said, emphatic Hyp
"I never expect to have any time for
loafing."
WelL you're going now. anyhow. Don t
let tkis girl get Into mischief while you're
away. An invalid latner only a -young
brother to care for her and keep the suit
ors away I Re sure and bring her back
without s trail of encumbrances. Grant,
she said, turning to the boy, "you must
protect Evelyn from those Eastern men."
"I'll do my bMt." the lad answered.
"Evelyn doesn't like dudes, and Warry
says all the real men live out West."
"I guess that's right," said Mr. Porter.
She rose, gathering" ber wrap about
her. Srant rose as she did. Hla man
ners were very nice, and ho walked into
the hall and tnok up bis hat to go dowa
to tba car' with Mrs. Whipple. It was
dnsk, and a man was going through the
grounds lighting the lamps, Mrs. Whip
ple talked with her usual vivacity of the
New Hampshire school which tb boy
bad attended, and of the trip k waa
about to make with his father and sister.
They stood at tb curb in front of the
Porter atewaitlng for ber car. A buggy
stopped near then and a man alighted
and stood talking to a companion who
re ma. i Bed seated.
"Ia this tba way to Mr. Porter's sta
ble?" one of tb men called to tbem.
Tbs," Grant answered, so he stepped
Into the street to signal tbe car. Tbe
man who bad alighted got back Into the
buggy sa If to drive into the grounds.
Tb street light overhead biased snd then
burned brightly above them. Mrs. Whip-
pi turned and saw on of tb men plain
ly. Tbe car came to a atop ; Grant help
ed her aboard, and waved hi hand ta
ber ss she gained the platform.
At 0 o'clock's general alarm was sent
out la Clarkson that Grant Fortcr aad
disappeared.
(Ta b continued.)
What tm Nasast
An old German, wearing a fadeu
blue coat and a campaign bat, limped
Into th office of a palatial dog and
hors hospital, bequeathed by a hu
mane millionaire to the town of X.
I wish to be admitted to dls hos
pital," h. announced to ths superin
tendent. "I've got heart trouble. I'm
a G. A. R. man, and I can prove It" -
But you can't enter this Institution,
my good man."
"Sure l can. I fight at Gettysburg.
I haf got a veak heart afar senc. I
can prove it. '
Yes, but you can't enter tkis k ca
pital; It's s
Can't huh? Vny not I va
solcher, I tan prove ILn
"But this la n veterinary hospital."
"I know dot A rod I choose Ulltn'
ron dot I'm veteran rLipplncott'e.
- He waa ) Means.
Miss Goldlng Here's your ring- 1
hav decided tkat 1 eftft never be your
wife, so the engagement Is off and I
shall expect yon to return everything
you may have la your paasission that
belongs to me. '
Mr. Hamlin All I bare la ft lock of
four hair and ft photo. I doo't sup
pose yon care anything for the pboter
but the lock of hair you will no doubt
wast te preserve ft a souvsaJr.
Mis Goidiar-Aa a -souvswir t
what?
Mr. H ami isOr-tbe time ,wha yaw
irer ft ktanetkft.
Father Mv sj
at aehooL - . .
mend He foes
ratbr-Yei ft !
fourth wat eft taJft terav--TiabiBn
New Ts Is Mllst Jar.
Two purpose arc served by ths
combined cover and handl for milk
tar dssigned by a Massachusetts man.
as tb name of tit
dsvle indicates
Tba cover la a elr
eular plsca of flat
mstal with clasps
sx tending down
ward so as to so
gage th upper and
of th nock of tbt
Jar or bottls. Tbt
handl.- which li
connected with thi
milk Borru tor. Covr, has its lowt
ends sxtsndlng downward so as to
form lock-buttons, which keep tba tor
from sliding off th Jar laterally. Thi
davlc Can b adjusted In a twinkling,
but It will not com off unless th han
dl Is turned at right angles with ths
Jar. When a bottle of milk hi belm
carried by this moans It can be swung
around with no fear of th top com
ing off if anybody wants to swing. It
rouno. ' -
T Caw AsBMiraarae. - - -
Select heads of asparagus as perfeex
as possible In every way. Wilted veg
etable will not can nicely. In fact,
tba difficulties of canning vegetables
Ilk aaparagua are ao great -It scarce
ly pays for tbe trouble. Trim and
prepare tbe aspanujas. Place it un
cooked In the cans, filling as evenly
aa possible. Steam constantly for four
hours. Fill th cans with boiling wa
ter. Screw on the covers aa tightly
aa possible and stand away to cool,
being very careful not to put tbem In
a draft of air. When cold, tighten the
coven and keep where It Is dark and
cooL
Apple Tair.
Peel some One cooking apples ana
simmer tbem very gently till tender
in a little water with a atrip of lemon
peel, a couple of cloves and llttlt
ugar. Remove them and set them
aslds to cooi. --Cut soinf small round
of sponge cake and moisten tbem with
a few drops of wine. Arrange In ' a
dish and place an apple on eacn;
sprinkle chopped pistachio nut on the
cake around the apples, eacb of which
must be covered with- little liquid
red Jelly of the consistency requisite
for coating th fruit Set In a cold
place until wanted, place ft spoonful
of whipped cream on each apple and
serve.
alsaasi Saaslerlahee
If ft housekeeper baa grown tired of
the conventional sandwich she should
try those mad of salmon. Tbey are
most palatable. The salmon Is flaked
and moistened with mayonnats and
then put as a filling between two extra
thin siloes of brown bread with tbe
crust cut off. Sweet sandwich sr
also in fashion for luncheons and
after-theater parties. Th newest ones,
served by ft clever housewife, have
filling of candled cherries, chopped
fine and moistened with orange Juloa,
fisssi id Cherries.
Stone the cherries, preserving every
ounce of Juice. Weigh the fruit, allow
ing pound for pound of sugar. Put a
layer of fruit to one of sugar until
all hi need op: pour over the Juice and
boll gently until tbe sirup begins to
thicken. Use sour cherrle.
Heweeraalah gawea.
Grate two Ublespoonfuls horserad
ish; stir It into on cup of tblek
cream, add on teaapoonful sugar and
two Ublespoonfuli of beet ' vinegar.
Stir well together; serve cold.
ft wBTfttlns.
Tarragon vinegar Is an
sntlai
touch to a sharp salad dressing.
The best fluid te use la washing
muslin dresses ot uwlicar color la
rice water.
Silver may be cleaned and brighten
ed by letting It stand half an boar la
sour milk. .
On housekeeper advises the us f
half a lsmoft for removing match
marks from paint
To clwaa steel use emery powder and
ft mixed Into pasta, Polish wltk
ft clean duster.
If your paint has been marred by
ear less scratching of matches, try
rnbblnf It with th flaast sandpaper.
Glass tumbler, when being filled
with hot water, should be stood oa a
tray or table. They are thus far less
llkaly to crack than It bold la th
Celery that has btowsi far three
days Is tough. It must he sheet two
days eld, or vwa ena day's growth
should he rut for use. If weedy, par
It th same as rhubarb.
Da not pour scald lag wntar late vs
whleh save bM smlik. n
tba milk ast tbs sides at tke
saakiag It Boere dlaVeit to"
Ittoee flrat with ftsM water.
SOJfETHTJra FOB XTOSYBODT
Flvs books ot fiction ax published
dally in this country. ,
The Salvation Army preaches tb
gospel la thlrty-ooe different Un-.
fuagea. -, - -
An Investigation of th boy work
era of London show that, the nsrvs-
boys are lbs nasi thl est and tbe bak-
New York Stat has 16,00ff uniform
ed and equipped eltlsen soldiers, yet
Governor Hughes manages to get
along with staff ot aightssa onV
osrs.
About 1,000,000 at th native ot
Slam are kspt busy cultivating rice.
requiring only two months, wblis the.
others require op to six months to
ripen.
M. Marcol Provost has been elected
to the Academic Franeaiss In sncoes-
sion to victories Baraou. There wen
four ballots, at each of which M. Pro
vost secured the largest number ot
votes. .... . .
Oil has been struck 150 miles sonth
of Sues, on tb Red Sea coast, the
gusher giving Incrsaslng quantities
daily, and Indicating large reserve.
The possibility of ft cheap supply ot
fuel is a discovery ot the greatest Im
portance to Egypt
An electric heater for thawing ex
plosive is used at the Roosevelt
drainage tunnel In Cripple Creek, It
Is in successful operation.. The cost
ot this method of beating Is about 10
cent ror twenty-tour soars, and is
said to be far more economical than
coal.
That valuable energy which should
he conserved for thinking and doing
Is used by vegetarians la digestion.
In th meat eater the steer doss th
drudgery of vegetable digestion for
the man, while s vegetarian makes of
himself and hla faculties ft kind of
animal. New York Press.
On Its through trains on ot the
eastern railroads has installed a sani
tary system of supplying water to
passengers. In every ear a elot ma
chine Is Installed, which supplies par
Biuu m, lu.ug ihh iui mut semi..
The passenger uses this paraffin vessel-
and throws It away after use.
Nftthanlel Osborne, who used to
blow the organ In the Brlckf church in
Fair haven. Conn., was once asked how
much salary he received. "Twelve
hundred dollars," he replied. "Twelve
hundred dollars!" exclaimed th ques
tioner In surprise. "Yes," replied
Nat "but that's for one hundred
years.'
It has been decided to remove tbs
notice on the pier at Yarmouth, Isl
of Wight, which runs as follows:
"Any person going on th pier with
out first producing his railway ticket
or paying the authorised toll or In
sulting or annoying th pier master
or any other official Is liable to a fine
of a?." London Evening Standard.
California Is to try acclimating ths
orean wild fig. The fig, growing on
ft hardy vine, on trees, trellises and
beds row to a height of thirty feet.
seed baa been sent to the department
of agriculture, California State uni
versity. Tbe fig grows wild to Korea
and baa proved of great value there,
- The sofa on which Dickens died at
Oadshlll has fust been presented to
th Dickens museum at Portsmouth.
H was at work on "Edwin Drood" on
th evening before his death, when ho
came la fatigued and after a few
words to his slster-m-Iaw, Miss Ho
garth, fall to the floor, never to speak
again. The couch Is of rosewood and
covered with green plush.
Th old gentleman was not aeeus '
tomsd to having the new railway ta
bis town; upon seeing a train ap
proaching he whipped bp hi boras
ana tnea to cross tns track in front
of ft He and his boras cam out
safely, but th wagon was badly
broken. Whea be found that he waa
not Injured he called to the engineer:
"Why, 1 thought you saw m eomln."
Bishop Samuel Fallows of the Re
formed Epleeopal church, preach Ing
tn St Paul's church, Chicago, recent
ly, oa The Race for Life," took eccav
stoft to warn his mngregatloa against
automobile speeding. " 'Let your mod
eration be Unown to all men' should
be Inscribed on every car," said the)
bishop. "The eontmerrtal, military
and other uses of ths automobile are
ndlaas. W therefor ball Its advent
with Joy not un tempered, however,
wltk a wholesome fear.'
of New York, la a ease which grew
out of a dispute over tbe right to
ear seat hoU that ptaetng a plow off
baggage ta a seal doe not pre-empt
th space, Tb court rules that paa
aftgst oar are to carry psrsowa, not
baftvags, and that filling a aaat with
luggage roofers no title to th seat
oa the mawr sf tb grto. In sthsr
wards. If ft traveler wishes to saaam
are of stttkag- ta an rdtaary day -eoftoh
be sv so mast take a aaat aaut
on to tt.