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About The Columbia register. (Houlton, Columbia County, Or.) 1904-1906 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 17, 1905)
!y Order of the Czar A Story of Russian Power By MARCUS E AS TL AX R ClIArrr.lt XtX. Oootlnned.l Rosea mutt bsve been watching out from the balcony, for he U lit the street when the droskl stop at tb door. To wlincM tl wild Malt of excitement, an onlooker might Biipioe that It was bit betrothed ha bad lveQ expecting, tod who bail arrived. II lift Maruwha to ha pavement, and shakes brr bauds with frantic rurrgy. "Wriouiiiel Welcome, Maria Petrov or b cries. Truly, if bo bad not confided to mo bis passion fur certain young lady, whoa Image bo carries la that lorkiH attached to bU watch rbalo, 1 could find It lo my heart to I jealous. II glvra brr bla no up tha tilra, ton, Ignoring my ex istence; and lo tha fitting room again lake poaarasloa of bar bands, aud gaiiug t bar with delight and allafartivo, re ' Iterate: "Welcome! W.lron.a. Maria IVtroroa. I am mighty glad to ee you! 1 was aura you would rowa to-night quit convinc ed of It, And all la la redluea fur you. and bar la Fran Mayrr lo show you to your room. , - to tha doorway appears, smiling, and smoothing bar balr, a Isrge-houed, frcah- colored German matron, whom I hav Dot seen before, and whom tha good fel low must bart got Into tha houto to wait n Maruarha. aud do tha proprieties, "Thank yoo ao much, llrrr Doktor," raatiouda Maruarha, in bar pretty, aoft German, though bo baa spoken ItuMlan', nd alio beam ou bkm In a way that would tura tha heart of tht veriest dul lard. "Not 'Herr Iw.ktor.' I pray yon." ba protests; "rail ma Don Car lot, aa of Id." I recollect wltb a foolish pang that Carl Itoaao knaw Msrnscha whan 1 did rrnt It waa at Rosen's 1 flrat mat bar, nd straightway yielded up my heart to bar. . "rJlnro 1 hava your parmlaalon, by all means, Ih.n Carlo. Without It I ahould not baa darts) to tak th liberty with o Important a paraouag aa you bav grown." Hh look at blio with charm Ing affectation of shyness. "You look quite awfully respectable bow, tha 'llarr lJoktor every Inch." Rosen blushes Ilk school boy "You bavo iMit forgotten bow to traaa, Mamarha." ' ba responds, stroking bla laak mustache with aldalong self-coo clous glance at bar. Rhe trip np to Fran Meyer aud takaa war arm with that winning familiarity. yt rotirtroua grare, which Marnaehn lUtjji alopta toward thoaa of brr Be whose position la Inferior to bar own (hut sweeping down with sulllm ron ainpt tha paltry barrier that an arrogant oclety baa raiaad between man and man Mamarha baa a profound revereuc for liiimault ftiiil m arlt a rt lit Urn right. She la a aorlaliat to bar haart'a ore. It I only with th baa that ah la haughty. "(bni; yoo will tak ma to my room, our madam 7" ah aaya. Ilia good woman' countensnce flush with pleasure. I know bar haart la go ing out to my awaat girl, whom at must hive, aa all rraaturaa do. CHAPTER .XX. Th momant wo ara alona Roaao rushes at m and begin to wring my tianda, alnc b ba bad to relinquish Maruarba'a. Thank God, Vlsahs!" b rrla Jnyoua ly. 'Thou hast hrr aaf at last! At Isat, at laat, thla great anxiety la lifted from the. It baa bean a terrible lima; but It I over, and all la wall." II wipes bla heatad, excited faca with bla handkerchief. 1 pr reel re that th affectionate little fellow'a aye ara moist Only now I become conscious 6f all I aw him, ao elf aloried hate 1 been. Ilia ear ready aympathy; bla grneroalty tn placing bla bona at my dlapoaal; bla forethought for Marnacba'e riTeptlon. Aa the recollection of It all romea to ma, gratitud overwhelm oe. I releaa my left hand and eurloa bla rifc'lit In tnith of mine with a fanrant rlnap. My vlaion growa dim aa I look down into hla gulla (eta vlaage. "lenr old Inn, tlmu hnat placed ma under obllgationa. auch aa I " lie rudely cut ma abort. "Com now, old fellow, nona of. that. Can a man not eutertalu bla friend with out having a peat lira mads at him? I ahould b offended only that 1 know thou meaneat welL" "1 am allrnt," 1 reply, with trembling Up. i Maruwha Join na. I aee her now without tier hat, and with her glorlnua rrown of goMaa hair. What a radiauc ah hed around her! My Minheatn! The great beauty and purify of her looka inaplre tn with a kind of aw. I feel constrained and awkward In her pre lira, Dndlng nothing to aay, though I watch her every movement, aa if apell bouud. AH aha aaya and does ia a won der to me, and I even neglect my aupper to feed my enraptured aenae of sight and bearing. With strange, perrendty th ncourage ma uot, neither by word nor glance, but devotea herself exclualvf ly to our boat, chattlug lightly on differ ut topics her journey, her traveling romnanloua, th excellence of Itoaen'i tuUlne. Grman fashion, w hava tea after . aupper, which Mamacha dispenses. In handing m my cup, our fingers meet. Th cup trembles between us. Was It du to my thrilling nerve alona, or thrill d also my aenaltlr dot at my touch! She aliuns my ardent gase, yet the tell tale color spreads from her cheek to neck and brow. At length there Ik a pause la th conversation and Rouen addresses "Where on earth bast fhon been all lay, VlashaT" h inquires. "I have not at eyes on the slues morning. Surely thou hast not spent th day at the sta tion T I roiiM. For th first tlm alnce Ma ruacha'a arrival I remember my patient. "Thou remlndeit m that I hava some thing to tsll thee. I hav set up an op coaltlon ihop." 1 laugh. "I bav got a patient. And what la more, I hav promised to go to him to-night II Mm t llotel London, unter aon unaen." I relet th clrcumstancM of th cai. "Poor old ganUman!" uclsiisa Iff ruacha, whao 1 bar ended. "Vladimir, thou runat return to hire at or. Itluk how lonely be muat feel In th trang hotel, and auffaring audi palu. It Is thy boumlrn doty to go to him now." rbat Is thy opinion, Maruecba I rrapoml, filing on bar a look of aratblng reproach, which shs refuse to see. "Ha It so, I go." I rl and begin baatlly isstlly cheat i the to button my cost serous my "(lood night. Xfsrusrha; I will aaa In tha morulng, onlaia unlaaa my pa tient should reo,u!r m. A burst of laughter from Roaea braaka la on tha flrat art of my tragedy. What Iraady. apltfirar b criew. nd Jumping up, cornea round to ma and puahea m bark to my cbalr. "Out of thla bou thou goest not until my re turn, which will b In a coo pie of hour. As I ant obliged to go to my patlanta, whatever Maruarha may aay, It la thy 'bounden duty' U stay aod entertala niy my guatH But If h bad given his word " begins Msruscha, demurely. "II will keep It." LntcrpoM Iloaan. "II has promised to turn np at Hotel Iondon some tlm between thla and mid night, and h will do so. MssnwhlK Vlsaha, if thou haet no objertion, I will Call In paaalng, and aa bow tha KnglUh- maa does. I csn also act bla mind at eaa sbout thee." I mumble something to which b listen not, taking my afflrmatlv aa a matter of courae, and lead th way to th aittlng mom, where b place Mam arha on the sofs. I stslk In tha rear, feeling my position to be so undignified one. I still contem plate entering a hypocritical protest galnat this arrangement of Roean'a. Surely I may be allowed to manag my own affairs? 1 hav It on my llpa to aay. that all thing considered. I think It ad visable that I ahould go, but It la too late. He le calling to ua a hearty adieu, and the door rloaea behind him. I am atandlng some pace from Ms- roach a. Phe sits looking down at bar fingers, whilst she tiervonsly twists round and round the ring I gav ber two years ago. I regard ber silently with growing wrath, for aha ralaea not her head nor makea any movement toward me. At length I apeak. "ManiM-ha, I ran still go If It la thy wlah." A panee. "Bine, thou would t Imply that 1 neglect a duty la remain lug." Another pauae. "I like not aurb Implications, even though they era nn grounded. Of murae, I left the English msn in good bsnds, In rharge of the landlady, who la a particularly kind, motherly person; nevertheless, 1 will go. sine It Is thy wish." I am by thla time In a frrniy of Indlcnntlou. Shs sits still In ber ptsre, and the sweet protestations I felt ao aura of are not uttered. Only "My wish?" she repasts. "8ald I aaght of any peronnl wish In the mat tar? I wonld not have thee break an engagement on my account that la alL Thou k no went I pledged myself to return at particular time. However. It matters not. I do thy will. Good night. Maruarha. Bleep well." I go to ber and bold toward her my band. She heeda It not, and tha corners of her rosy mouth go down and Quiver. Now she burst forth "How deplorable la It that I muat alwaye Buffer to be misunderstood by thee!' A tesr glistens like a diamond In the corner of her eye. "Nay. Maruscha; thy words are plalu - 1 begin. "Yes, twist and misconstrue them, my poor words, to fit tby cast! 1 am used to this." She speaks with a beautiful resigns lion, and her handkerchief goes up. I am at once overwhelmed with the con vlctlon that I am a brute, and that Ma ruscha Is the moat Injured of women. I throw myself on my knees beside ber. "rorglve me, my long suffering dsrl Ing! 1 indeed misunderstood thee. It Is my unfortunate temper to be forever seeking a grievance. And now, misers ble wretrh rhst I am, 1 have made thee weep on this evening of all other! Sweet, patient heart, once more forgive me! Ah, It ia alwaya 'forgive, forgive,1 for I am always woundiug thee! Look up agalu, tny dove, and let me read my pardon in thy tender eyes. 1 venture to draw her gently to my breast. She resists not, and I stop my pleadings, scarcely drawing my breath for fear of disturbing so perfect an ar- rangemeut. My cheek reata on her gold en hair, my anna encircle ber. I feel the agitated rise and fall of ber bosom. She heaves a sigh. "Vladimir, she whisper presently; and, oh, the wonder of it; her soft arms steal about my neck; "I am deceitful and wicked." "Thou are an angel," I murmur. "No, no! I try to torment thee. It waa cruel and stupid of me; and how frivolous, too, after all thou batt auf fered." Her month Is close to mlue. I kiss It . "Thou wilt hav mueff to endure with me," she continues mournfully, If I had not Interrupted her with that kiss, "Yes, Maruarha, in marrying thee, I make a martyr of myself; yet I will bear the cross, thou wilt find, with becoming fortitude," I respond cheerfully, lifting her fare and looking Into her eyes. "Thou kuowest not how perversa I ara." "I know It well; and alas, I cannot re sist thee!" "Vladimir!" with sudden energy and a contraction of the browa, "I wlah thou wouldst . recognise my faulta now! It will prevent disappointment afterward." "I do, I do, my love. , I anticipate th hocks that ara In tsre for me, yst am I bewitched. I know exactly how Soc rates felt wlten be waa courting Xan- tlppe." Maruscha'a mouth beglna to twitch. She bite her Hp, yet ber eye betray th rising laughter. And alaat to bid It aha freea herself from my arm. "Thou art moat provoking, Vladimir," ah aaya. "Not a word of aeosa can ona talk with thee." Nevertheless, It la In eober ieni w talk, aa wa ait ld by aide, half an hour flator, my arm around bar waist, her haud In mine. In reply to many qu tiona of bum she give m aa account of ber oneventfol life t home, w!f It silent and ennoetiH t!!frrr.rTf2t cf guUb; broken barahly In upon by Mtar from OIgs, with tha Intelligence of the death of our nohle brother, Ivan lvaoo vltch. Condemned to a long term of exile, ha bad poisoned himself lo prison. 1 knaw be carried the means of bla ra laea on bis person, but little thought be would na It so soon. Could at thou not bsve bean patient and learnt from my experiences that whilst there Is life there la hops? The art bitter drop In my cup of happiness, eh, my brother! 1 hsv lost In the what tb world rarely give but once, and seldom last a true friend. And the stout besrt. Tarsi Gregorel vltch. banished too. Yet I know 1'avaL He will find bis feet, will Risks himself a boms In the diatsnt Isnd whither bis devoted wife will follow him. And be LwlII rslse an army of converts to tha cause of liberty, and live aa full a life In Siberia a a In St Petersburg. will rslse an army of converts to the (To ba eBtloue4. MANQINQ AS A JOKE. Macblae for Initiatory Caremowlee Dw elgoed by a a laventar. Among tb Invention recently grant. 4 a patent la ont for a banging ma chine, which tb Inventor explalna la not real! for tha purpoe which Its nam wonld aeeta to Indicate, but to give aecret society candidates all the preliminary aenaatlon of auch an ex perience without any danger of fatal tulahap. Tha machlna la also designed for us on tha ataga to atlmulate hang ing scenes. Tb Inventor of this ma chine Is John J. Duffle of Los Angeles, Cat., according to th Philadelphia Uec ord. "My Invention," aaya Mr. Duffle, "re lates to a burlesque hanging machine. nd la to b used In Initiatory work In secret organizations, tbeatera and otb er place of amusement and U ao con atructed that th party aupposed to be hanged aud operated on by thla piece of mechanism cannot be Injured In th lightest degree. "It ! Intended tn secret organlza tlona," further explalna th inventor, to test the bravery and fortitude of tha applicant and to test hla confidence In his friends, and In theaters and oth er places of amusement to represent a a real hanging." Tli Initial wears a jacket for the banging ceremony. That may be put on while other trlcka ar being played and th victim thus la hardly aware of its significance. Thla jacket haa aome weights and braces under the arms, pads on th blps and a strap attached to the lega, all designed to distribute tbe Weight of the body when In the air. Hark of the neck la a book from which the spiral spring runs to the dangling rope. The noose la not part of the rope, which la aeen hanging from the gallowa, but la merely tied to It by a piece of at ring, ao that If th hook In the jacket should break the man would not be hanged by acci dent. The victim la placed on a trap door. which at tbe proper moment la sprung by the executioner on a platform. The ahock of the fall of a few feet la broken by a set of springs and weights concealed In the posts of the gallowa. i It la the first hanging device of the kind ever patented, offlclala at the pat ent office said. It takes Its plac among a large array of devlcea more or less generally used In Initiatory cere monies. It lay a claim to no utilitarian mission, but on other grounds aeeka to take Ua place with the thousands of In ventions, rccorda of which are crowded in the patent office. Dill of Fare too Sleep. A tall, raw-boned Individual who didn't need a graashopper peeking out of a alda pocket to tell he was from Kansas wandered Into a 2d avenue cafe a few days ago. After looking tbe room over carefully he selected a scat at a table near the door. After he had arranged hla chair with much noise and not without attracting some attention It dawned upon him that th other men In the eating place bad ta ken off their hats. The Kansas man removed a battle-scarred felt and de posited It carefully under the table. A waiter brought him the regular dinner bill of fare and waited for the order. The Kansas man didn't say a word. He was hard at work. He atudled over that program for nearly half an hour and then with a slfrh arose, put on the green hemlet and started for the door. "What Is the matter, air?" anxiously queried a waiter, thinking that the pa tron had been offended. "Too steep fer me, young feller. can't pay f'23.4r fer one meal. It's too rich fer my blood." On the bible at which the Kansas man had been seated was found small piece of paper covered with fig ures. He had added the prices of ev erythlng on the bill of fare. Seattle rost-Intelllgencer. Not' Qualified. "I would like to get a position as assistant bookkeeper," said the young ronn at the door. "Can you keep a day book?" asked the merchant. "I I'm afmld not, sir," faltered the applicant "I only attended night school." list ping; Hand. "I am awfully poor, you know," b gon the amltten young man, "but "Well," Interrupted the frigid-heart ed belresa, "I'm willing to help you along In th world. Here's a nickel to pay your car fare home." London has the largest proportion of insane of any English city, the num. ber being 881 to every' 100,000. Not tl&sham la a close second, with 813 to I the 100,00a lJtz rz -2 ttU 8 8Hodi7d by a bpeii ml CHAPTER IX. (Continued.) We bad left the bona by this time, and war walking down the green Una. bat In an oppoait direction to that by which we bad come from the churchyard. A little way down the lane debouched lute a blgb road, and there my kind friend (topped to take leave of ma. if you find things turn out badly, and you a re reduced to any great strait write to ma; but mind, ia that case yoa mast tell roe ell sbout yourself. There mast be no disguise and no deceit I moat say you're rather a rloee customer for one so young all the better for tlst, perhaps. Hera's my address; and now good by, and a safe journey and good luck." The next moment be was gone. How full of gratitud waa my heart for bla klndneaa! I reached the railway ata- Hon some minutes before the trslu wss due. Ignorsnt ss I wss of the com monest transactions of everyday Ufa. I waa obliged to tb kind offices of a friendly porter to procure me a ticket nd put me on the right platform. The train came np and I took my Best Tbe excitement of stesm traveling was a strsnge one to me, and for a time I wss lot In wonderment at the variety of objcts we flew pest and at the rap idly chancing landscape. Suddenly I remembered tbe address thst the old gen tlemsn bsd given ms. I drew it cut curious to know bis name. It was an old envelope, directed to "Jonathan Hod well. Woodbine Cottage." What a bound my heart gave as I read that name! Was it simply by a strange coincidence, or was be relsted to thst man who hsd so trsgicslly Influenced my life? So sstonlshed was l.at this discovert and so absorbed In specula tiona, snd a train of thought which It auggested, thst I bees me quite uncon scious of the progress of th train, of my fellow passengers, almost of where I wss. My thoughts went bsck to the marriage day, and every Incident pasted tn review through my mind. When I came to the Incident of tbe locket my heart gave another leap; It was gene left behind in the suit of clothes! Of course, it wss Quite safs. But I waa troubled that it bsd passed out of my possession. I prised it ss tbe supentl- lious would a talismsn. Crowding quickly on the heels of this regret, csrae a startling revelation: that portrait that had puiilad me at tne oia gentleman's It wss her very Imsge, ms turad to womsnhood! Thst wss the re semblance that bad ao powerfully struck uie. snd that I could not understand at the time. Projected Into thla new field of thought, I waa still wsndering amidst its mnea when I wss warned max my lournev bad come to an end. Aud. step- pint- out of the csrrlsge, I found myself on the bewildering, crowded platform of a great city terminus. CHAPTER X. Deafened by the rush of steam, whist ling engines, the shouting of men, jos tled and knocked hither and thither by eager passengers seeking their luggage, and by heavily laden porters, l waa qnu confused. At length L Inquired or oulet-lookina poliremsn the way to Rsrkstraw a buildings. "There may be a huudred Rackstraw i bulldinsTs. for whst 1 know," he said. with a laugh. "What part or tu city Is ur "Camden Town ia the rest of the direc tion." I answered. "Ob! thst Is miles wy from here. The best wsy for you to get to Caicden Town Is to get into a 'bus that you'll ae pass those Iron gstes Jbelow." I thanked him for ms inrormsnon and managed to get into the right bus. felt very sick and weary when I emerged ouce more into th streets. I went into a pastry cook's to et a buo. nd inquire for Raekatrw' buildings, snd they directed me. Small houaes, one story high; town-looking In their dir ty bricks; country-looking in their little gsrdens tbst lsy in rroni. l snocsea st No. 3. ud the door w nswered by Msrtha herself. "What! Msatar Silae." exclaimed she. with surprise, "Is that you? Oh, what a turn you've given me! Do come In, dear! How poorly and tired you do look!" Ejaculating astonishment and kindly welcome, she led me Into the little front room, and forced me to sit down iu an old armchair. Now sit down there and rest while I a-et vou a nire run of tea; I'm sure you must want it. Dear me! the idea of aeelng you!v How long have you been here, and what's brought yon up; some- thlne wronc down there? But there! don't answer sny of my question till jon've had something, for I'm sure you look bslf desd. BuRtliug about all the time she was talking, putting the cups and saucers, ard preparing the mesi. 'liien snc csn ed tn ber mother from tha bsck to see Master Silas, whom she had talked about so much. Her mother was a very stont. klndlv looking woman, who came In wip ing the soap suds off her arms, and vho welcomed me as sincerely as her daugh ter did. After a hearty tea I felt better. I then Droceeded to satisfy Martha a curiority, which waa all on edge; and while 1 waa about It I made a clean breaat of every circuruBtnnee. from the time that I over heard the first conversation between the Rev. Mr. Porter snd his dsnghter, until the day of my marriage. Passing over the month, upon the events of which I told ber my lips were sealed, I related the particulars of my flight. Thla long narrative, of course, was not given with out repeated Interruptions on her part. "There! 1 always said yon waa be witched. She ought to be burnt. The wicked old hypocrite, he ought to have six months! That's the reason they gave me notice, because I shouldn't see too irucu; but. you know, a marriage can't stand good that's brought about by witchcraft She can't be your lawful wife." "She Is no more my wife than you are, Martha," I answered; but, the next moment for various reasons, I waa sor ry that I spok so openly. w 0 "Only think af that, now! What a wlrkad, nnnatural creature ah mast la!" cried Martha. "But what a merry II I thst you're out of their clutches; I'm sure my heart alwsys felt fer you. I was In a way when 1 beard you was to ba married. I knaw soma awful vil lainy waa going on. But what a pity you didn't bear more about that grim old woman thst be followed from Grsy's lun! Yoo might bsve found out your re'-"'' na. snd who knows? they may ! rich people." Rich people wouldn't be likely to own one of the Rev. Mr. Porter's bosrd- ers." I answered bitterly. 'Ah, poor lads, they're much to be prried." sighed Msrtha. "And now. Mss- tar Silas, whst do yoa mesa to do?" 'I most gaf some employment I sn swered, vsgnely. Msrtha brightened up. "Well. well. we must see sbout something for you; but there's one thing I can tell yon yon shsn't wsnt a meal'a victuals while I've one to share with yon." I pressed ber hand warmly, assuring her, however, that I could not think of taking anything from ber. 'Nonsenae. nonaense! If you ssy thst again, you'll seriously offend me. I shall never miss whatever I give to you; and who koows but whst yon msy be rich soma day, and then think what a profit I shall get out of your gratitude! But the first thing we must see about Is your dress; yon rsu't go sbout like tbst Tha Idea of dressing a young msn np thst fright! It's shameful!" It was now night and just as the csn- dies were lit Mertha'a fsther csme in. He was a porter at a railway ststion; a melanrholy, wiry looking msn, who sst in a corner without spesktng a word. Tbe next consideration wss where I should sleep. "We bsven't an Inch of room here; mother's got two lodgers. who sleep In the second room upstairs snd I've to mske a shift down here." After a little discussion it wss dis covered that Mrs. Jackson, two doors shove, had a spare bed. and thither I went The lodging was neither particularly comfortable nor particularly clean, but I waa too worn out with fatigue to be fastidious; and in spite of its short comings, I fell asleep almost tbe moment I laid my weary head opon the pillow, CHAPTER XI. Until 10 o'clock next morning I slept calm, dreamless sleep, and arose more fresh and Invigorated than I had felt for months. It bad been arranged that I ahould breakfast at Martha's. So ac cordingly, as soon aa I waa washed aud dressed. I adjourned to No. 3. Two strsnge men were in tbe room when I went in. The elder of the two wss a tsll. thin msn, with a sallow complexion, sharp, aquiline features, hollow cheeks, full beard and mustache, and dark, griuled hair, which be wore very long and parted in the center. He was dressed In seedy blsck; an extremely open wsistcoat dis played a somewhat dilapidated fancy shirt front very much soiled and cram pled. A frayed black aatin necktie sur rounded a very frsyed and limp skirt collar; hla boots were old and patched, but they were the remain of what had one been radiant patent leather. Hla hand were white, and carefully tended. and ornamented with two large bras rings. He greeted me with great polite ness aa I entered. His compsnion wss a young man of about twenty; full-faced, rather sanguine complexion, with an expression of oddly mixed good nature and self-satisfaction. His drros wss less pretentions than that of the elder, although there was the same style of shsbby gentility and the aecond-haud clothes shop. Msrtha introduced the elder as "Pro fessor Montgomery," and the younger aa Mr. Fitxwalton. The elder acknowledg ed the introduction with an air of great politeness; the younger, with a familiar nod, and a twinkle of amusement in his eye at my odd appearance, which slowly changed to one of doubting recognition; an expression which wss reflected in my own fsce; for, in Mr. Adolphus Fitzwal ton, I believed thst I recognised my whilom bed-fellow, Josiah Cook. We both came to the same conclusion st the same moment "Can' It be possible " "It can't be " "That you art Josiah Cook?" "Whst! Silss Oarston!" Martha, who was prepsring my break fast, looked very much astonished st this recognition. "One of the Rev. Mr. Porter's old boarders, I said, iu explanation. "Why, yon don't mean to sny that you know that old hypocrite?" cried Josiah, turning round to her. "She was servant there for two years only left about a month ago." I said, answering for her. "Well, if this isn't the queerest start I ever knew," cried Josiah. "Whoever should have thought of seeing you here, What are you doing? How's old Snuf fles getting on? Has Miss Gooseberry eyes got a husband yet?" These questioi.s were very embarrass ing, and 1 should have been greatly put to for sn answer, but Martha came to my assistance. "Wall, look here. Mr. Fitxwalton, she said with a sign to me; "Master Silss has got some very particular husi ness on hand just now thst obliges him to be cautious, so I know you'll excuse him answeriug your questions for a day or two. "Oh, I don't want to pry into any body's secrets," retorted Josliili, with something of pique iu his tone. .. There was an awkward ailenc for some minutes, during which I discussed my breakfast, with the embnrmaxing sensation that the "Professor," as 1 af terwards heard he liked to be called. waa sharply scrutinising me. It was impossible for Josiah to "keep silent for any length of time, or to re frain from talking about-, himself. So, in spite of my reticence, be soou put me in possession of the whole of his his tory, from the time h quitted Mr. Por ter's establishment up to the time in I which I fonnJ him !tt!ng la Mrs. Ja- "lo yon remember that night you got ' out of window, and I took you to the theater? WelL vou e. I didu't car i tor th printing buaineee much. I had a soul abor scraping rollers sod rolling ink: snd. from th first night I went into the tbester I wss 'stag struck.' It seemed auch a j!ly, easy life; and sock a glorious thing to see all the plays, and act in them, and get munds of applause, and wear fin clothes, so X determined to be an actor. I bsd tha Impudence to apply to old Tomkias, the manager of Bury, for an engagement 111 anawer was to kick me out of the thester as ji presumptnons young ape. But, slthonjh this hurt my pride, it did not dump my ardor. I heard of a booth two or three mile off. One evening I walked over to tb village snd ifter ed my services there. They happened to be in wsnt of some one to pull up the scenes, deliver the bills sod go on foe smsll psrts. I was engsged at once. The printing business saw m no more. bo Instead of roiling Ink, I rolled np scene. I was very happy for a tlm. especislly when I got a few lines to speak. By snd by I grew ambition and oared in Imagination from th first offl cer to Macduff, and even to Macbeth. I got disgusted with tbe menial portion of my work; and one fine morning, at a fair, deserted to an opposition show. next door, where. In a spangled tunic, snd a pair of russet boots, 1 scowled ferocioosly at my old compsnion. Then 1 managed to get taken on as super at one of tb big theaters, and knowing something about tb business, got pro moted to super-msster. There I met my esteemed friend, 'tbe Professor, a gen tlemen who csn write B. A. after his name; who has moved in the most dis tinguished circle, but who, being at present under a cloud, is compelled to plsy General Util at tbe Royal Corin thian Tbester." "But whst sort of characters do yon take?" I inquired, referring back. In my mind, to my solitary theatrical ex perience. Ob, I veer between the heavy busi ness snd the light comedy," be answered carelessly. Yes; between csrrying on the chairs and tables sod the candles," dryly re marked his friend, speaking for tbe frst time. Ob, hang it I aay, now!" expostulat ed Josiah. "Yoo know the stage man ager is very much struck with me. aud Intends giving me a smsll part in the new piece. Once let me get my nose In, and I'll show them what I can do." Yon may more correctly ssy thst the stage mansger via struck by you." sgsin remarked tbe Professor, in the same sarcastic vein. 1 thonght yoa hsd broken his nose with that banuer the other night;, in bis best scene, too just as be was working np. n ex pressed his admiration of yon in very strong terms; it ia a wonder you did not get your nose between his fingers." Josiah wss getting very anry. To avert a quarrel, I asked who "General Util" was. A person who's supposed to be able to do everything, and consequently do nothing, and who' bullied for every body else's blunders," spitefully replied Joinh. . After a little more bickering, the two friends, as I suppose I must style them, went out for a walk. I felt quite re lieved at being freed from the strange, scrutinizing glance of Mr. Montgomery's . eyee. that had acarcely ever been taken off me the whole time he remained in the room. After this, Msrtha came, and 1 had a .little quiet talk. "I couldn't go to sleep for hours laat night thinking of what you'd better do," ahe said. "A clerkship is whst you wsnt; but, you see, you've got iio r:fer-" enrea. and it Is so hard to get a situa tion without them and. indeed, with them, for the matter of that. I think you ought to try and find out youi frietds: yon know the name of the law yers that Mr. Porter drew the money from. I think yoa ought to go to them." 'Snppose they were to bsnd me over to thnt man again?" I said, shuddering. "True! and not being one-and-twen- ty yet, yon are not your own master. Now, there was a thought csme into my head. thon?h I scarcely think it worth while to mention it as 1 should hardly like to sdvise you on such a point" (To b continued.) HAIR COMBING IN PUBLIC. Foreiarnera Cannot Understand tha American Girl. "It Is tbe most extraordinary thing the way you women orer here comb your hair at the theaters." exclaimed a foreigner. Tve just been watching that girl over there. "She haa taken every coiub out of her hair, ruu it up the back of her head several times and then replaced It. Now she Is patting her hair to see that It Is all as she wishes it to lie. "I've seen lots of girls o-.er here go through the, performance. Rather shocking, when you come to think of It. Look at this one she's going to do the same thing!" It was a very fuz.y blonde head that was being combed this time. A good many sweeps of the big side combs were needed to bring together the little frowsy curls that had sprung their confines and were hanging down from the pompndour. The girl's gestures in arranging ber hair were not' In the least furtive. They were as deliberate as though she were standing before her bureau at home. "Can't see exactly how It ever start ed." murmured the American whose attention had been called, to her coun trywoman's action. "I never do It my self, but I'm afraid that I have seen so many girls do it that I have be come hardened to the sight. "I remember an American woman's look of disgust when she saw a Frenchman couib hlu mustache In pub He. That's pretty bud, too; but this Is In my eyes the more awful, for one expects daintiness and charm from women, and this energetic combing and arrangement of hair In public places Is extremely vulgar." New York Sun. In buying fish, the gills should bo red, i
