PROFESSIONAL CARDS.
L. 1"MIZ,
ArroilNEY-AT-LAW,'
Oiuck Front Hooru, Over l'outofllcc.
MiOOMHllUHU, IA.
i " KrWAMililt,
U ATTOl INK Y'-AT-Ii A W,
omco over IbU National Dank. """"""'"'rg. r
. ATT()HNHY-AT-LAW.
ULOOM8BUHU, I'A.
O.i co in Knl'8 Uulldlnff.
I OIIN M. CLAMC,
ATTOKNKY-AT-LAW
AND
JUdTlOB OF THE l'KAUR.
Hloowisuro,
o.i:c over Moycr Ilroa. Drug store,
Pa
. W. MILLKB,
y ' ATTOltNKY-AT-IiAWi
,fllc In llrowcr's butldlng.sctond fluor.room
Uloomsburg, pa.
No.)
FRANK zakk,
ATTOHNHY-AT-LAW.
JsloomHburg, l a.
nrrrncciLcr tdCiLtic rn.fi aid Mltdr (Jail .
Building.
Can bo consulted In (lorman.
1 1TU. bliWELti
-IK
ATTORNEY -AT -LAW,
JlLOOMBIIUltO, l'A.
Olllco ou First floor, front room of Col-
nuiilAN lill lllllll!. illttlU BirtXl, UCIOW ill.
cluiigo Hotel.
-pAUL K. WIHT,
Attorney-at-Law.
onioo In Colombian lluiLMNa, Koom No. , Bocond
1IL00MSLJUKG, l'A.
jj V. W1IITK,
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW,
BLOOMSBURQ.PA.
Olllco iu llrowcrs' lluihling, 2nd lloor.
may 1-tf
fl (NOKR. L. 8 W1NTKKSTKKN.
KNURK & WINTERS! EI5N,
A r.fconiov a-at-Liivw.
onlco la Ut National Hank building, second lloor
nrsiuuor iu uiu mi- -
streets llloomsburg, Pu.
Hel'cnnoM and Iloutuiet Coltccttd.
Jji V. MLLMEYKK,
djstjuot A TTOJIXJSY.)
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW.
CiTOIllcu over Ikiitltr's plmo store
Uloomaburg, I'm lpi-iJ0.80
ty II. 1MAWN.
ATTOHN KY-AT-LAW.
Catawlsia I'a.
once.cornor ot Third and Main streets.
M
ICHAKIi Jb KYEIILY,
Conveyancer, Collector of Claims.
-AND
LUOAb ADV1CK IN HIE SETTLKSI KNT OF
ESTATES, AC
nrcfl.ee In rcntert. building with V. P. Mil
miir, iillomry.nMaw, Kont lOomB, Slid Boor
ltloomsourg, ru.
E. BM1TII,
" ATTOHNKY AT-LAW
Uerwiek, I'a.
D
II. 1ION011AA. HOllltlNS.
i mien and residence. VeBtFlibt Mreet. lllooma-
. . l.rm llUt IT
uurg, i u.
-r it .ITVT.VV M Tl. RurifHin i,ndHT
J .elctan.nortb side Main Btrtot.bolow Waiket
I)
It. J. 0. ItUTTEK,
PUY8I0IAN ftSOUUKON,
Onlco, North Market Btrret,
PloomBburg, l'n
DH. WM. II. REHEH, HurRCOn nutl
Physician. Ofllco corner or Hock and Market
treet.
EXCHANGE HOTEL,
W. R. TDBBS, PROPRIETOR
BLOoidSEuna, fa.
oitositbojuut rjOUHB
I.nitrn niid rnmrnlcnt Kan nln rooms. I'ntll room.
liolund told water: nnu ail modem const iilci.ccs.
B
F. 1IARTMAN
BSPKKSKH1H Till FOLLOWING
AIIKIUCAN INSURANCE COMPANIES
North American of Philadelphia.
Franklin, " "
Pennsylvania, " "
York, ot Pennsylvania.
Hanover, of N. Y.
oueens, of London.
North Urttlsb, of lndon.
Olllco on Mirkot street, No. G, llloomsburg.
oct.J4. 1"
F
IRE INHURANt'h
CnHIHTTAN V. KNAPf, ULOOMHUnt'l, PA,
iiuaiic, ur Tit z.
MM101I ANTS', OK NKWAKK, N. J.
LINTON, N.V.
J'KOPLICS' N. Y.
KUA1HN0, PA.
Tbcso i ld coiii'ohations are well Bcaaoncd by
axe and pike tested and Uave never yet bad a
loss Killed by any court of law. Their assets are
all Invented in solid BicuuiTiKd are llablotothe
hazard of HKKonly.
Losses mourTLY and honestly adjusted and
paid as boon as determined by Cukistian r.
KNi rr, SPECIAL AOKXT AND ADJUSTER llLOOUBUl'HU,
Pa.
Tho people of Columbia county should patron,
ue tho agency where losses It any are settled and
pal) byonnofthcrownclllioDS.
FKOMPTNUas. JiOUlTY. FAIlt UBAUNO.
J?UKA8 HHOWWS 1NKUHAN0E
. AdKNUY. Moyer new bubding, Main btreet,
ooinsburg, Pa.
A ftflf t B
;l!tnalr.surancoco.,oniartford, conn tr.OTH.ss.'O
Jloyal of Llveriiool ia,Mio,ixio
Lancashire 10,ii,i)
I'lreABsoelaUon, Philadelphia 4,1B7I0
l'hcinlx, of London V.-tAS-O
uindpn ijincaBhlre, ot England l,;w,tf7B
Uartfordof llaitford. . a.aW'M
fcprliiEUcld Mro and Marino 2,os2,M0
As the-agencies are direct, policies are written
or lho Insured without delay In tho onlco at
Uloonuburg. OCU 28,
"yyAimvHiGirr &CO.,
WHOLESALE GROCERS,
1'llII.AUEI.l'JIIA, I'A.
TKAH, HIIIT.", COFFEE, BUGAII, MOLASSES
Itlt'K, BPlCie, III0A1III B00A, KTC, KIO.
N. E. Corner Second and Arch sts.
'Orders will reecho prompt attention.
w,
II. HOUSE.
DENTIST,-
1LOOM8I1UKO, C'OLUMIIIA COUNTY, I'a
AliBtylosof work dono In a auperlor manner.wor
warranted as represented. Ttu Eithaot
id wituobt I'aim by the ubo of (las, and
(roe of charge hen artlrlclal teeth
are Inserted.
Omco In Harton's liullillnp, Main street,
below Market, llvo doors below Klelm'n
drug store, Urst floor.
lobe open at all hourt during the dai
Novjii.iy
pUKSEIrlUAltllKHSHOl', .
Umltr lixciiango Hotel,
i'lio ToiiBorial Ait in all its biftiitlicc.
HOT AND COLD BATHS.
IlAItlllK It. I'UUSIII,
'Ji'in'Z.VJ J'ropiietor.
Benton Hotel,
WWUEIj DHAKE; I'ron'r.
m'?'l,iwe"'ill0wn 1,0,01 lias been re-opencdnnd I
.,!.,? raelii)g jmbllc, 'Jho bar and table are
I'Piledwllhthelioat the market affords. A large
commodious stable Is connectea with the
t5t." ,JJ.'crms alwitjB leosonable.
Slmaytrj LEMUEL DHAKE, Proprietor.
SUBSnitlJJE FOH
THE COLUMBIAN,
1 M -
J K BIXTENBEHDER, "Prioton.
Bittvnbentlcr & Co.,
WAGON MAKERS'
AND
BLACKSMITHS' SUPPLIES,
No. 120 .fc I as Kmnklin A v...,
SCUANTON, PA.
Iron, an,a Steel,
apiUMy.
J.R.SMITH&"C6.
LIMITED.
MILTON, Pa.,
DRAI.Rns IN
PIANOS
Uy the following well known makers;
Chickcrinjr,
Ivuabe,
Weber,
Hallet & Davis.
Can also furnish any of lite
cheaper makes at manufacturers
prices. Do not buy a piano be
fore getting our prices.
.'.o.'.
Catalogu and Pric Lists
On niiiilieation.
sept3-sr.tr.
JOHN II. 1IAHIUS, l'h. I)., Principal
A school for both sexes.
Location healthful. Instruction thorough.
Discipline strict. Expenses moderate.
Property cost 5,oio. llulldlng of brick.
Warmed by steam. Campus vo acres. Library
3,000 volumes. ApparatusworthtlflO.
Prepares for College, for Iiuslness, for Teaching
For catalogue, or Information, address the
Principal at Fnctoryvlllc, Pa. 3mjun10
PARKER'S
HAIR BALSAM
tlie popular favorlle for dnwiintf
Mm hair, lU'Ktorlit? color )Vii
fray, and pibtciitfiig Ititndriiir.
t cleniwa the N.Up, opn tbu
Luiir fallmfr, nurl U uuro to ptVau.
hie, nnd 1.m at Imifttrf't.
HINDERCORNS.
TheKflfptt.imrentniiin'Ktcuriirorrurlift.Pmiinnii, Arc,
StoMatluln. KiiHiin.iicuinrnictutlK.riit. Nevurfallii
tocuru. l& ti'tiUut DrutctfUU Ilisctix & Oj., N. Y.
JulyS-.'dlt.
DTTATr'TyTTTCC itsenuseH nnaa new and
Slili.1' XiK'M mnewful tlJKU at your
own iiiime, bj rnn ho ns denf twenty.
eight j'cart. Treated by mobt of tho noted
bpeclallis without bemut. fund himsrif In :i
months nmlFlnce then Mi ml reds of others Full
parllcul.irssenl on application. T. K. P.MIR, Na
11 West 3lst St., New York city. Julymdlt.
VI V . JLJL A
nans
Chlorides
HMTIIMII mi I WWIT
THE HOUSEHOLD
Disinfectant
An oUork'i'u, colorU'H- limud, itowerfiil, clllcicnt
and chnip. Imnii'i J lately ilc-truys nil twui rtlnrs,
pnrtfirgct'ryliiiiinrt'F))ot find clirmirally iieutrallzca
ilI lnfcctioimftiia dlscjito-priMliicinu nrnttrr.
INVA LUAHLK la this hick nroiix. Sohl by JJrug
jLbu everywhere Quoit butllcu 6U ccutts.
ulyetfiM.
THE SUCCESSFUL REMEDY
l' OK
AY - FKXV.
H
R
KhY'S CIKAM HAUt
contains no njurluwt itnifjn timl huxuo ftMi-Wiv
Hav Fevor ITata o a 14
la n tli.d.tfil hv nil In
llamed condition on
tho lining mcinbraw
of tho nostrlN, tear,
ducts and throat, nt
fectlnir tho lungs. An
acid mucus Is secreted,
mo dlschanro Is accom
panied with a ptlnful
burning sensal ion.
T hero nro bevcre
enasnis of biicezlng,
frefiueut attacks of
t.lln.lln.. li.nflilfll, (1
WZlt tho,eell.'"nc"HAY-EEVE R
ti lii.iitii. ntniirr of murder Ahhlirl into
tit,3i,iin,iti,,ii lit nl a thf sorts. HfktUVtfi
'the tmteitoS ItiHtfrimt PUitlK
W fritlS t ItrUi'J"'11': "if '"""i i!inni,iMin.
uiiY imoTiJiius. .
Oflicp, 235 Grcenwicli St., N. Y. City.
TO CONSllMPT IVES
ii.iKfuifUPriiu IIVIVIPIIA'JIMIITKS tV
coughs, Astluiia', Hronchltls and (lenerol IJc'blllty
It Is an acknowledged sr'Cltlo remedy, auyil.
'repann on y uy ) ir.i.nr.nn.n, a. u., ...."...
noVllllaln Kl NnW Vork. BOld ! DrUggUlH.
Send for Circular. Julys-tt-d.
YOUNd MEN
Kniufiirtinn or inoncv relunded. Address F. M,
AI.I.UN, Mlllainspoit, Pa. J"1)"1'11-
MARVELOUS
MEMORY
DISCOVERY.
Wholly Himue nrllliciai mhiiik.
.uy lioolt iL-nriietl Hi one rcminiK
llecommcndftl by 'akk Twain, JIiciiakd Plioo
ti tlin Kfli.illht. Hons. W. W. Aok, JlllAII P.
IKNJAJ1IN, Dr. MINOR, C. ClabS Of : 1 0 1 '''
UwBtude.it; toehus.i of aucacli at Y u 4W
Blty. PlUt-pwlUSIMUT IHEt tiom , ,,
PKOF, LOUKITtt, l rmu At.,
jub diu
ADVEETISIWG AGENTS
nuYffio PHILADELPHIA
Cor, Chr.luill aud HUklh Ma.
Itrcfho AilMTlUeuienlK fur tun Papor.
ESTIMATESLooirtEch
-.'iil.f.V-AYER & SON'S MANUAL
'" HI ! I w Mlliwmj
3b yMM
AT J TllK (
Williamsport Commercial im
i ri
Sir
NO ONE NEED
Remain
A DYSPEPTIC.
"I li.tVB been MilTuiing for
over two Jims with l)ynioi
sin. Ko- Mm last year I
t'oulil iiiittiiko a tli ink tii col I
water nnr i-nt nny inuai with
out vomiting it up. My hf0
was 11 misery. I had had ru
cniiitiibiidcd SimtnoiiH Liver
HeRtilaior, of wliit-h I am
now taking the Keeimtl lioit'u,
and lliu faet U that wonN
cannot cxjiiwh the leliif 1
feel. My nppclile is very
Hood, and I dlgcitevir,vtliiiig
thori.utjMy. I Hee well now,
and 1 uifd lo he Miy resthss,
I am Ilrbliii tip f;i; good
strong fond nnd Simmons
Liver Ki-fjulator have dot e it
all. I wrilothis in hopes of
hetifliting nome onu wlio has
sulTered as 1 did, and would
taku oath lo Uhko HlaKmeiits
if debited."
E S. 15ai.i.ou, tSyrucitsc, ATch.
SCOTT'S
EMULSION
OF PURE COD LIVER OIL
OS
Almost as Palatable as Milk.
Tho only preparation of C(ll) MVKIi OIL that
can bo taken readily and tolerated for a lonir time
By dclirato ttomarht.
AKIt AS t HKllRnV 10". f0;niPTI0V,
S( KIIH 1.01 S H-H-l llOs. A.thBU. IK.N.
Kit tii miiiuii, nil mis ami ihuocTaT:
H,(TIO,s. n.l all rtTsilMl lllsllllllKHS OK
t IIII.HItKN It In mttHl..m In ItH reliaiiZ
1'ncrllHtl and endom-il ly tUo besi t'hyBicians
In tl'O cjur.tri(8 of tho world.
FOR SALE BY ALL DRUGGISTS.
ocir-isMy
MKfurACTUREQ OMIVfft
GEQ.MMMBE-THlEO.
NJ.I? I TT S U R G HI P A-JJ
IT3R EALCaKREALERS jgytAVwUERE.
dec 3 in n c co.
CL0TElKG!n CL0THING
THE MKUUIIANT I'AILOK.
Furnishing Us, Hats I
OK EVEliY DESCIUI'TION.
Suits madu to older at short notico
and afitnlwaH guaranteed or no salo.
Call and cxr.miiio ll.o largest and best
selected stock of goods ever shown in
Columbia county.
Store next door to Kiist National Hunk,
MAIN STltEET,
Blooms lni Pa.
ORNAMENTAL "IRO TWSS
OF CAKT ('.II WltOUQHT IKON.
Suilublti for
Yards,
Cemetery Lots
and
Public Grounds
The follow IngshowB tho Picket nothtc, one of
tlio several beautiful st) IcboI t'encu manufactured
by tho undersigned.
Kor beauty ana Durahlllty they are unsurpass
ed. Set up by experienced hands and warranted
to glvo satisfaction.
1'rices and specimens of other de
signs sent to any address.
Atlilress
BLOOMSBURG PA-
BLOOMSBURGFLANING MILL
The undersigned having put Ills Planing Ml
on Kallroad street, In tlrat.ciubs condition, U pre
pared to do all kinds of work In his lino,
FRAMES, SASH, DOORS,
BLINDS.MOUwDINGS,
FLOORING, Etc.
furnisned at reaaonaMei rices All lumber usoa
la well seasoned and none Lut skilled workmen
are employed.
ESTIMATES FOE EUllDJNGS
urnWiod on application. l lanB and Bpeclflca
onaproparod by an experienced draugbuman
CI!AniS KRCG,
Itlooiusliiir, I'a
"M. UL0AN & RRO.,
ULOOJISBUHG, PA.
lunufafnioraof
CARRIAGES BUDDIES, PHAETONS
SLEIGHS, PLATFORM WAGONS &C
Plrat-class work always on band,
REPA Ulim NKA TL Y D OA'A.
Priut reduced to tuit the timet.
-3 tri SEETHTTHE Vl Jo
i O iff EXACT LADLE IS ON Wt f
O !t EACH CHIMNEV A3 M j
g 8HOWN IN PICTURE,
i1- s
5 ST'JyTil-'BSJ 5
LI
BLOOMSBUTIG, PA., FRIDAY, JULY 29,
THE WITCH'S HEAD.
iiy n. riijer iiagoahd.
.lust nt tlio moment that Jeromy tieant the
ole, tho gluut 6bl(tl Llsbolil a little, pro
lnratoiy toinnklnga fresh cttort, and thus
enabled lib nntagonUt to 1111 bis lungt with
nlr. 1'riiest Hiw tho broad w hlto ebobt heave
with relief (tor by this time most of tho up
pnr clothing of tho comlintnntu had lcii
wrenchcil away) ami the darkening eyo grow
bright ngaln, nml lio know that Jeremy hail
liennl him mul that lio would cono,uor or dlo
where bo wus.
Anil then, lo nnd beholdl just na the Boer,
leisurely enough feeling that at last ho was
master of the situation prepared hlmsolf for
tlio final strugglo, suddenly tho Kngllshmaii
ndvniieeil tils right leg n few Inches, and, with
tho rapidity of lightning, entirely shifted bis
p ip i nnd then ho gathered himself for tho
cfTort. What mighty icset vo of itrengtb he
drew on, who can sayl Hut Ernest's voico
had excited it, nnd it came at his call; anil ho
did a thing that few living men could have
done, and tho f aino whel eof will go down in
south Africa from generation to generation.
Tor tho lltho nrins tightened and gripped till
they mnk in uliuost lovel with tho llosh of his
mighty foe, nnd then slowly he began to
gather purchase, swaying backward and for
ward. "Make nn end of hlml Make an end of
hlml" shouted tbuilioorsi hut beholdl their
champion's eyes nro stai ting from his black
ened facoj ho cannot stir.
To nnd frosnuys Jeremy, and now the
giant's feet are lifted from tho ground. And
then ono mighty ellort oh, gallant Jeremyl
up, ttlll up nbovo tho grasping of tho won
der stricken crowd, up to his shoulder by
heaven, over itl
Crash I V'un Zyl fell, to I carried away
by six strong men, a cripple for life.
Cheer nrter cheer nroso from tho English
men around, nnd angry rurses from tho
Dutchmen, n, Jeremy turnod to look at tho
senicless cnicuss of the giant. But, even as
ho tin nod, exhausted nature gavo out and ho
fell fainting into Ernest's ui'ms.
CHAPTER XXV.
EIUiKST'S LOVE LETTER.
"1 say, old fellow, what on earth brought
you out herei"
"Well, you see, I camo out to look you up.
You did not writo any letters, and they be
gan to get anxious about you at homo, so I
iwckod up my duds uud startod. Your uuelo
stands unlimited tin, so I nm traveling liko a
prmco in a wagon of my own. I heard of
you down iu Miirltzburg, nnd guessed that I
hail best mnko for Pretoria, and hero I am
and thcro you are, and 1 am devilish glad to
seo you ngaln, old chap, lly Jove, what n
head I have! But, I say, why didn't you
write! Doll half broke hor heart about it,
and so did your uncle, only ho would not say
so."
"I did wrlto. I wroto from Sikukuni's
country, but I suppose the letter did not
fetch," nuswereil Ernost, feeling very guilty,.
"Tho fact is, old fellow, I had not tho heart
to writa much, I linvo been so confoundedly
down on my luck ever slneo that duel busi
ness." "Ah I" interposed Jeremy, "that shot was n
credit to you. I didn't think you could havo
dono it,"
"A credit! Ill tell you what, It Is an
awful thing to kill n man llko that. I often
see his face as ho fell, at night iu my sleep."
"I was merely looking at it as a shot," re
plied Jeremy, Innocently, "nnd considered as
n shot at twenty paces and under trying cir
cumstances, it was a credit to you."
"And then, you see, Jeremy, there was
another thing, you know about about Eva.
Well, I wroto to ben, and 6ho never answered
my letter, unless," with a gleam of hope,
"you have brought on answer."
"Sho told mo to tell you that 'she loved
you deal ly.' "
Slowly Ernest sat down on tho bod ngaln,
nml throwing a blanket over his head and
shoulders, lemaikal In a tono befitting a
thcoted ghost:
"Tho devil sho did."
Then ho got up ngain and commenced
walking, blanket arid all, up and down the
llttlo room with long strides.
Ho was already, after his quick brained
fashion, employed in concocting his letter to
Eva,
In tho course of tho morning ho drafted it.
It, or rather that part of it with which wo
need concern ourselves, ran thus!
"Huch, then, my dearest Evn, was the stato
of my mind toward you. I thought God
forglvo mo for tho treason! that perhajis
you were, as so many women are, a fair
weather lover, and that now I am ill troublu
you wished to slip the cablo. If that was so
I felt that it was not for mo to remonstrate.
I w roto to you, and I know that the letter
camo safely to your hands. You did not an
swer it, and I could only come to one con
clusion. Henco my own silence. And in
truth I do not at this moment quito under
stand why you have not written. But Jeremy
has brought me your dear mescage, and with
that I am content, for no doubt you have
reasons which nro satisfactory to yourself,
and if that is so, no doubt, too, thoy would
bo equally satisfactory to mo If only I knew
them. You sec, my heart's love, tho fact Is
that I trust and bcllovo In you utterly and
entirely,
"0 my sweet, tho troth wo plighted was
not for days, or years, or times it was for
ever, NotlUng can ilisiolvo it; Death him
self will bo powerless against it With each
now and progressive existenco it will real ise
as surely lis tliu llowers in tprlug, only, unlike
them, more fragrant mid beautiful than be
fore, Bometlnun I think that it has already
oxiited through countless ages, Btrango
thoughts come into n Hum's mlud out here on
tho great veldt, riding alone hour after hour
nnd day after day, through sunlight and
through moonlight, till tho spirit of nature
broods ujon him nnd he liegius to learn the
rudiments of truth. Bome day I shall tell
them all to you. Not that I have ever boon
quito alone, for I can say honestly that you
have always been at my side since I left you;
there has been no hour of the day or night
when you have not bum In my thoughts, and
I bellevo that till doatli for a irlod blots out
my sensos, no such hour w III ever como.
"And now, what does all this lead up Lot
WIH you make a sncrillco for me, who am
ready to give all my life to you no, who
havo already glvon itl That sacrifice is thlsi
I want you to come out here and marry me,
as you know circumstances prevent me from
returning to you. Jf you will come, I will
meet you at tho Cape and marry you there.
Ah I surely you will cornel As for money, I
have plenty from home, and can make as
much mora as we shall want hero, so that
need lio no obstacle. It Is long to wait for
your answer threo months but I hope that
the faith that will, as the Bible tells us, en
ablo people to movo mountains and my faith
In you la as great us that will al.o enable me
to I tear the suspense, and in the end prove its
own reward. Oh, how lifo has changed for
me since yesterd ly I"
Ernest posted his letter, and thon, partly
to employ bis thoughts, and partly because It
was his nature to throw himself Into what
ever stream of lifo was flowing past htm, bo
set himself to master the state of political
alTalrs in the couutry In which he found
bliusolt.
This need not bo enteral Into here, further
thai) tq say that It was such as might with
advantage havo employed wiser heads than
his, and indeed did employ them. Suffice it
to say that he contrived to make himself of
considerable use to the English party, both
liefore and after the annexation of the Trans
vaal to the dominions of the crown. Among
other things he went on several missions in
conjunction with Mr. Alston, with a view of
ascertaining the real state of feeling among
the Boers. lie also, together with Jeremy,
joined a volunteer foria which was organltal
for the defense of Piftoria when it was still a
matter of doubt whether or not the contem
plated annexation would or would not result
In nn attack being made ujioii the town by
the Boers. It was a most exciting time, and
once or twico Ernest and Jeremy had narrow
escape of lielne; uiurdertd. However, iioth
lug worthy ot note huppciuxl to them, ami at
last the long expected anuexutlon came off
successfully, to tho intense joy of nil tho Eng
llslimen Iu the country, and to tho gnat le
llef of tho vast majority of tbi Doers.
Now, together with the proclamation by
which tho TrunsvuiU wai uiu.oi.d to her
majvsty's dominions, was bhued uuothr that
was to have considerable bearing upon our
hero's fortunes. This wiw none other than a
promise of her majesty's gracious luutlou to
all such ai had been resident in the Transvaal
for n period ot six months previous to tno
dato of annexation, being former British
subjects and offender ngalnst tho English
cilnilnnl law, who would register their name
nnd offense within a given tlino. Tho object
of this proclamation was to give Immunity
from prosecution to many Individuals for
met ly deserters from tho English army, and
other leopte who had In some way trans
greswil the laws, but wero now occupying
rescctablo pcnlllons In tholr adopted country.
Mr. Alston read this proclamation atten
tively when It camo out In a seclal number
of The Onsetto, Then, after thinking for a
while, ho handed It to Ernest.
"You havo read this amnesty proclama
tion!" ho said.
"Yes," answered Ernest; "what of ItP
"What of it! Ah, the stupidity of yotithl
Go down, go down on your knees, young man,
and render thanks to the Power that inspired
Lord Camnrvon with tho idea of annexing
the Transvaal. Can't you very well see that
it takes your neck out of tho halter) Off with
you, nnd icgister your name and offense with
the Bcrretnry to government, and you will bo
clear forever for any confluences tbntmlght
rlisuo from the slight Indiscretion of shooting
your own (lrt cousin,"
"By Jove, Alston I you don't mean that!"
"Mean Itl of course I do. Tho proclama
tion diw not specify nnyjiartlcular offense to
which pardon is to bo djsiod, and you havo
lived more than six months on tho Transvaal
territory. Off you go."
And Ernest went llko an arrow.
Ernest reached tho government offlco and
registered his name, and In due course re
cchod ''her majesty's gracious pardon nnd
indemnity from and against all actions, pro
ceedings and prosecutions at law, having
arisen, arising or to arise, by whomsoever
undertaken, etc., etc., conveyed through his
excellency the administrator of our said ter
ritory of tho Transvaal."
CHAPTER XXVI.
FOUND WANTING,
Ono morning It was a particularly lovely
morning Ernest was standing after break
fast smoking. Jeremy was lounging on nn
easy chair on the veranda, iu company with
the boy Roger Alston, nnd Intensely inter
ested in watching a furious battlo between
two lines of ants, black and red, who had
their homos somewhere In the stonework.
For a long while the Issuo pf the battle re
mained doubtful, victory inclining, If any
thing, to the side of the thin red line, when
suddeily from tho entrance to tho nest of the
black anU there emerged a battalion of
giants, great fellows, at least six times the
slw of the others, who fell upon the red ants
and routed them, taking many prisoners.
Then followed the most curious spectacle,
namely, tho deliberate execution of tbocjp
tlvo red ants, by having their heails btttui
off by the great block soldiers. Jeremy and
Roger knew what was coming very well, for
tlicso battles were of frequent occurrence,
and the casualties among the red ants simply
frightful. On this occasion they determined
to save tho prisoners, which was effected by
dipping a match in some of the nicotine at
tho liottom of a plie and placing it in front
of tho black giants. The ferocious insects
would thereupon abandon their captives, and
rushing at the strange intruder hang on like
bulldogs till tho poison did its work, and they
dropped off senseless, to recover presently
and stagger oil home, holding their legs to
their nnteun-u nnd exhibiting every other
symptom of frightful headache.
Jeremy was sitting on a chair oiling the
matches, and Roger, kneeling on tho pave
ment, was employed In beguiling tho giants
into biting thnn, when suddenly they heard
the sound of galloping horses and the rattle
of wheels. Tlio lad, lowering his head still
more, looked out toward tho market square
through a gap between tho willow stems.
"Hurrah, Mr. Jouesl" ho said, "hero comes
the malL"
Next minute, amid loud blasts from tho
bugle, and enveloped in a cloud of dust, the
heavy cart, to the sides and seats of which
the begrlmmod, worn out passengers were
clinging like drowning men to straws, como
1 attling along as fast as the sis: grays resol ved
for tho last stage could gallop, and vanished
toward the postofllce.
"There's the mail, Ernest," holleood Jeremy ;
"she will bring the EnglMi Utters."
Ernest nodded, turned a little pale, and
nervously knocked out his pipe. No wonder;
that mall cart carried his destiny, and ho
knew It. Presently he walked across tho
squaro to the postofllce. Tho letters were not
soi led, nnd ho was tho first person there.
At last tho llttlo shutter of the postofllce
wna thrown up, and Ernest got his own let
ters, f-ttlu.T with thoso of Mr, Alston and
J'-rumy He mined Into tlio shade of a
luMhluiiing veranda and rapidly sorted tho
plli'. Them mu. no letter in Eva's hand
wilting. Hut there was one in that of her
i.ist, r rioionoe. Ernest knew tho writing
well; there whs no mistaking its peculiar, up
light, powerful looking characters. This he
"pened hurriedly. Inclosed In tho letter was
u note, w hu h w as iu the writing he had ex
pected to bee. lie rapidly unfolded it, and as
be did so-u llaih of fear passed through his
bi nln.
"Why did hho write In this way!"
Tho note could not have liecu a long one,
for In another mlnuto it was lying on the
ground, nnd Ernest, pnlo faced, and with
catching breath, was clinging to the veranda
post w ith both hands to savo himself from
falling. In a few iseconds ho recovered, and
picking up tho note, walked quickly across
tho square toward his house.
A few seconds later Mr. Alston and Jeremy,
from their iwiut of vantage on tho veranda,
witv Ernest coming with swift strides up tho
gnrdsn path. His face was drawn with pain,
and there was a fleck of blood upon his lip.
Ho passed them without a word, and, enter
ing tho house, slammod the door of his own
room. Mr. Alston and Jeremy looked at one
another.
"What's up!" said the laconic Jeremy.
Mr. Alston thought a whllo before he an
Bwcred, as was his fashion.
"Something gone wrong with 'tbo ideal,' I
bliould say," ho said at length; "that Is the
way of ideals."
"Shall we go and seel" sold Jeremy, un
easily. "No, give him a minute or two to pull hljj.
felf together. Lote of time for consolation
ufterward."
Meanwhile Ernest, having got into his
room, sat down upon tho bed and agnlu
lead the note which was inclosed la Flor
ence's letter. Thon he folded it up and put It
down, slowly and methodically. Next he
ojiened the other letter, which he had not yet
looked at, and rea.d that too. After he had
done it he throw himself face downward on
the pillow, At that moment he heard foot
btops opproaclilng. Mr, Alston nnd Jeremy
entered.
"Any letters, Ernest!" asked the former.
"Letters I Oh, yea, I beg your pardon, hen)
thoy are," and ho took a packet from tho
pocket of his white coat and banded them to
him.
Mr. Alston took them, looking all tlio
while flxodly at Ernent, who avoided his
glance.
"What Is tho matter, my boyr'ho said,
kindly, at last; "nothing wrong, I hope!"
Ernest looked at him blankly,
"What is it, old chap!" said Jeremy, seat
ing himself on tho bed besido him, and laying
bis baud ou bis arm.
Then Erncit broke out 'nto a paroxysm of
grief painful to behold. Fortunatoly for all
concerned, it was brief. Had it lastod much
longer, something must have given way.
Suddenly his mood changed and he grew
hard and bitter.
"Nothing, my dear fellows, nothing," he
Bald1 "that Is, only the sequel to a pretty
littlo idyl. You may remember a letter I
wroto to a woman some months back.
There, you both of you know the story, Uovr
you shall hoar tho answer, or, to bo more cor
rect, the answers.
"That woman has a sister, Both she and
her sister have w ritten to me. My her sis
ter's letter Is the longest. We will take it
first, I think wo may skip tho first page,
there Is nothing particular in It, ami I do not
wish to waste your time. Now listen!
" 'By the way, I havo a pioco of newt for
you which will Interest you, and which you
will, I am sure, bo glad to hoar; for, of
course, you will havo by this timo got over
nny Hub tr ndreno j ou may havo had in that
direction. Kva' (that is tho woman to whom
I wrote, an t to w hi mi I thought I was on
gaged) 'Is t iug to bo iH,iri iil to a Mr, Plow,
den, a gentli iiun who has Imvu acting ns
locum teuens for Mr. Ilalford.' " Hero
Jeremy sprung up aud sworo a Ereat oath.
Ernest motioned him down and wcut out
"'I say I mil certain Hot you will bo glad to
hear this, because the match is in every respect
- -utlfaotory one. aud wlU I anj sure, b.riruj
188'
flearEvalinliplness. "Mr, nowflen Is well otr,
and, of course, nclergymnn.two great guaran
tee for tho success of their matrimonial
venture. Eva tells mo that sho had n lotter
from your last mall' (tho letter I rend you,
gentlemen), 'and asks me to thank you for It.
If she can find timo sho will send you n line
shortly; but, as you will understand, sho has
her hands very full just nt present. The
wedding Is to take placont Kesterwlck church
on the 17lh of May' (that is to-morrow, gentle
men), 'and, If this letter reaches you In timo,
I nm sure that you will think of us nil on Hint
day. It will lie very quiet, owing to our dear
aunt's death being still so coinimratlvely
recent. Indeed, tho engagement has, in
obedience to Mr. Plowden's wishes, for ho ii
very retiring, been kept quite secret, and you
aro absolutely the Drst person to whom it has
been announced. I hope that you will feel
duly flattered, sir. We are very buy about
tho trousseau, and just now tho burning ques
tion Is, of what color the dress In which Eva
is to go away In after the wedding shall bo.
Evn and I are all for gray. Mr. Plowdcn Is
for ollvo green, and, as is natural under tho
circumstances, I expect thnt he will carry tho
day. They aro together in the draw lug room
settling It now. You always admired Eva
(rather warmly onco; do you remember bow
cut up you both wero when you went away!
Alas for the fickleness of human nature) ; you
should see her now. Her happiness makes
her look lovely; but I bear her calling me.
No doubt thoy have settled this momentous
question. Good by. I nm not clover nt writ
ing, but I hope that my news will mako up
for my want of skill. Always yours,
"'Floukncb Okswick.'
"Now for the inclosure," said Ernest:
" 'Deaii Eiinest I got your letter. Flor
ence will tell you what there Is to telL I am
going to be married. Think w.hat you will
of mo; I cannot help myself. Believe me,
this has cost me great suffering, but my duty
soenu clear. I hope that you will forget me,
Ernest, as henceforth It will bo my duty to
forget you. Good by, my dear Ernest, oh,
good by. E.' "
"Humphl" murmured Mr. Alston beneath
his bieath, "as I thought, clay, and damned
bad clay, tool"
Slowly Ernest toro the letter Into small
fragments, threw them down, nnd tamped
upon them with his foot as though they were
a living, thing.
"I witI had shaken tho life out of that
devil of a parson I" groaned Jeremy, who was
in his way as much affected by the news as
bis friend.
"Curse youl" said Ernost, turning on him
fiercely, "why didn't you stop where you
wero and look after her, instead of coming
huinhtiggluR after mel"
Jcicuiy only groaned byway of answer.
Mr. Alston, as was his way when perplexed,
filled bis pipe and lit it Ernest pasod swiftly
up and down the llttlo room, the white walls
of. which ho had decorated with pictures cut
from illustrated papers, Christmas cards and
photographs. Over the head of the bed was
a photograph of Eva herself, which he had
framed in somo beautiful nutlvo wood. He
reached it down.
"Look," ho said, "that is the lady herself.
Haudsomo, isn't she, and pleasant to look on!
Who would have thought that sho was such
a devil! Tells me to forget her, and talks
about 'her duty I' Women love a llttlo joke!"
He hurled tho photograph on to tho floor,
and treated it as he had treated tho letter,
grinding it to pieces with his heel.
"They say," ho went on, "that a man's
curses aro sometimes heard wherever it is
they arrange theso pleasant surprises for us.
Now, you fellows, bear witness to what I
say, and watch that woman's Ufo. I curse
her before God and manl May sho lay down
her head iu sorrow night by night, and year
by year I May her"
"Stop, Ernest," said Mr. Alston, with a
shrug, "you may bo taken at your word, nnd
you wouldn't llko that, you know. Besides,
it is cowardly to go on cursing at a woman."
He paused, standing for a moment w ith his
clinched fist btill raised above his head, his
pale litis quivering with intense excitement,
and his dark eyes flashing and blazing like
stars.
"You aro right," ho said, dropping his flst
on to the table. "It Is with tho man that I
have to deal."
"What manl"
"This Flowden. I fear that I shall disturb
bis honeymoon."
"What do you mean!"
"I mean that I am going to kill him, or ho
is going to kill me, It does not much matter
which,"
"Why, what quarrel have you with tho
manl Of course he looked after himself. You
could not expect him to consider your Inter
ests, could youl"
"If he hail cut me out fairly, I should not
havo a word to say. Every man for hlmscl
in this pleasant world. But, mark my words,
this parson and Florence have forced her into
this unholy business, and 1 will havo his life
in payment If you dou't believe mo, ask
Jeremy. Ho saw something of tho game bo
foro ho left"
"Look here, Kershaw, the man is u jiastor.
He will take shelter behind his cloth, he
won't light What shall you do then I"
"I shall shoot him," was the cool reply.
"Ernest, you aro mad; It won't do; you
shall not go, and that Is all aliout it. You
shall not ruin yourself over this woman, who
is not fit to black an honest man's shoes."
"Shall notl shall notl Alston, you use
strong language. Who will prevent mel"
"1 will prevent you. I am your superior
ofllcer, and- the corps you belong to is not
disbanded. If you try to leave this placo
you shall be arrested as a deserter. Now
don't be a fool, lad;" you have killed one man,
and got out of the mess. If you kill another,
you will not get out of it Besides, what
will the satisfaction be! If you want ro
venge, be patient It will come. I havo
seen sometjiiiiB of life; at least, I am old
enough to bo your father, and I know that
you think mo a cynic becauso I laugh at your
'bighfalutln' about women. How justly I
wained you, you see now. But, cynio or.no,
I bellevo In the God above, and I believe,
too, that there is a rough justice in this
world. It is in the world priacipally that
people expiate the sins of tho world, and if
this marriage is such a wicked thing, as you
think, it will bring its own trouble with it,
without any help from you. Time will
avenge you. Everything comes to him who
can wait."
Ernest's eyes glittered coldly as he
answered-
"I cannot wait I am a ruined man al
ready, all my life is laid waste. I wish to die,
but I wish to kill him before I dlo."
"So suro as my name is Alston you shall not
go I"
"So suro as my name is Kersliaw I will Bo"
For a momont tho two men faced ono
another; It would have been hard to say
which looked tho most determined. Then
Mr. Alston turned and left the room and the
house. On the veranda ho paused and
thought for a moment
"Tbo boy moans business," ho thought to
himself, "Ho will try and bolt. How can I
btop hlml Ah, I have it," and he set olt
briskly toward tho Government house, saying
nloud as ho went, "I love that lad too well to
let blm destroy himself over a Jilt"
CHAPTER XXVII.
E UN EST HUNS AWAV.
Ernest, like many other pleasant, kindly
temjiered men, was, If once stung Into action
by tho sense of overpowering wrong, ex
tremely dangerous. Ill, Indeed, would It
have fared with Mr. Plowden If ho could
havo como across him at that moment. And
ho honestly meant that it should fare 111 with
that reverend gentlemun. Bo much did ho
menu It, that Ufore he left his room howrote
his resignation of memliershlp of tho volun
teer curtis to which he lielonged, and took it
up to the government olllce. Then, ro
meinlKsiing that the Potchefstroom post cart
left Pretoria at dawn on the following morn
lug, he made his way to tho olllco, ami as
certained that thero were no passengers
booked to leave by It But ho did not take u
place i he was too clever to do that. Leaving
tbo office, ho went to tl l.-.nb ,id drowouj
hundred and fifty pounds Iu gold. Then he
went home agala Here he found a KafTcr
messenger drtwsod In the government w hlto
uniform, waiting for htm with uu olliciul
letter.
Tho letter acknowledged loeelpt ih bis
mlanntion, but "regretted that Iu the pusvnt
unsettled Kate ofaffalin his ex.ellency was,
in the interests of the pui.llo .ervb e, uual 'o
to dl-petise with his services."
Ernest dismissed the messenger and torn
the letter across. If the government could
not disjienso with him, he would dispense with
the government Ills slut was to go to PoU
chefstroom, and thence to the diamond fields.
Once jhere. Us could take the (Knit cart to
TUE COIiUiMItlAN, VOJ . XXI NO 80
COLtMUlA DEMCCKAT, VOL.LI, NO 19
Cnjio Town, wlici-o he would meet tho English
mail steamor, and In ouo month from tlio
present date lie once more In England.
That evening he tllned with Mr. Alston,
Jeremy nnd Roger ns usual, and no allusion
was made to thg events of the morning.
About 11 o'clock he went to bed, but not to
sleep. The post cart loft at 4. At 8 ho roso
very quietly and put n few things Into a
leather saddle lug. Then he slipped out
through tho window of his room, crept
stealthily down the garden path and strutk
out for the Potrhefstroom road. But, silently
nnd secretly as ho went, thero went behind
him one more silent and secret than he ono
to whose roco, through long generations of
tracking foes and wild Imasts, silonco and
Bocrecy had become an instinct.
Tlio Hottentot followed blm in the dim
light, never more than fifty paces behind
him, sometimes not more than teni and yet
totally invisible. Now bo was behind a bush
or tuft of rank grass, now ho was.runnlng
down a ditch, and now again creeping over
tho open on his Itelly llko a two legged snake.
As soon as Ernest got out of the town and
tiegan to loiter along the Fotcbefstroom road
the Hottentot halted, uttering to himself a
guttural expression of satlsfactlom Then
watching his opportunity be turned and ran
swiftly back to Pretoria. In ten minutes he
was at Ernest's house
In front of the door were five horses, three
with whlto riders, two being held by Kellers.
On the veranda, as usual smoking,, was Mr.
Alston and with him Jeremy, the latter armed
and spurred.
Tho Hottentot made his report mid van
ished. Mr. Alston turned and addressed Jeremy
in the tone of ono giving an order.
"Now go," he said at last, handing him a
paper, and Jeremy went; and mounting ono
of the led horses, a powerful cream colored
animal with a mow white mane and tail,
gallojied off Into the twilight, followed by tho
three white men. ,
Meanwhile, Ernest walked quietly along
the rond. Onco he paused, thinking that ho
heard tho sound of galloping horses, half a
mllo or so to tho left. It passed and he went
on again. Presently the mist 'began to lift
and the glorious suu came up; thon came o
rumble of wheels running along the silent
road, and the post cer with six freili
horses was hard upon him. He hailed, oud
bold up his hand to tho nntivo driver. Tho
man know him, and stopped tho team at
once. 1
"I am going with you to'Potchefstroom,
Apollo," ho said.
"All right, sar; plenty of room Insldo, sar.
No passenger this trip, sar, and damn good
job, too."
Ernest got up and off they went Ho was
safo now. There was no telegraph to
Potchefstroo,m, and nothing could catch tho
post cart if it had an hour's start.
A mile further on thero was a hill, up
which tho unlovely Apollo walked his horses.
At the top of the hill was a clump of mimosa
bush, out of which, to the intense aston
ishment of both Ernest and Appllo, there
emerged four mounted men with a led horse.
One of these men was Jeremy; It was
impossible to mistako his powerful form
sitting on his horse with the grip of a centaur!
They rode up to the -post cart In silence,
Jeremy motioned to Apollo to pull up. He
obeyed, and one of tho men dismounted and
Bcisod the horse's head.
"Tricked, by Heavsn'l" uaid Ernest
"You must como bock with me, Ernest,"
said Jeremy, quietly. "I have a warrant for
your arrest as a deserter, signed by the gov
ernor," "And if I refuse!"
"Thon my orders are to tako you back:"
Ernest drew his revolver.
"This is a trick," he said, "and I shall not
go back."
"Then I must toko you," was the reply;
and Jeremy coolly dismounted.
Ernest's eyes flashed dangerously, mid he
lifted the pUtoL
"Oh, yes, you can shoot me if you like, bnt
If you do, tho others will take you;" and be
continuod to walk toward him.
Ernest cocked his revolver and pointed It.
"At your peril!" ho said.
"So bo it," said Jeremy, nnd he walked up
to tho cart. Ernest dropped his weapon.
"It is mean of you, Jeremy," ho said. "You
know I can't fire at you."
"Of course you can't, old follow. Como,
skip out of that; you ere keeping tho mail. I
havo a horse' ready for you, a slow ono; you
won't bo able to run away on him."
Ernest obeyed, feeling rather small, and In
half an hour was back aluhis own house.
Mr. Alston was walting for him.
"Good morning, Ernest," he said, cheer
fully. "Wout out driving and come back
riding, eh I"
Ernest looked at him, and his brown cheek
flushed. 9
"You havo played mo a dirty trick," ho
said.
"Look here, my boy," answered Mr. Alston,
sternly, "I am slow at making n friend; but
when onco I tako his hand I hold it till ono of
the two grows cold. I should have been no
true filend to you if I hail let you go on this
fool's errand, this wicked errand. Will you
glvo mo y.onr word that you will not attempt
to escape, or muct I put you under arrest?" -
"I givo you my word," answered Ernest,
humbled, "and I ask your forgiveness,"
Thus it was that, for the first time iu his
life, Ernest tried to i un uwuy.
That morning Jeremy, missing Ernest,
went into his room to see what he was doing.
The room was shuttered to k'eep out tho glare
of tho sun; but when he got'usal to the light
he discovered Ernest sitting at the table, and
staring straight before him with a wild look
in his eyes,
"Como In, old fellow, como In," ho called
out with bitter jocularity, "and assist at this
happy ceremony. Rather dark, isn't it) but
lovers hko the dnik. EookThe went on
IKDlnllng to his watch, which lay upon tho
table liefore blm, "by English time it is now
about twenty minutes post 11. They ure bo
iug married now, Jeremy, my boy. I can feel
It By heaveul I havo only to shut my eyes
and I can see It."
"Comecomo, Ernest,", said Jeremy, "don't
go on like that You aro not yousbclf, man."
Ho laughed and answered:
"I am sure I w Mi I wasn't I tell you I
can see it all. I can see Kesterwlck church
furl of people, und before tho altar, iu ker
whlto dress, is Kva;Jbut her face is whiter
than her Oits, Jeremy, and her oyee nro very
much afraid. Aud there Is Florence, with
her dark smile, and your friend Mr. Plow,
tlen, too, with his cold eyes and the cross
upon his forehead. Oh, 1 assure you, I can
soejhem all. It is a pretty wedding, very.
Thurc, it is over now, and I think I will c0
away before the kissing.''
"Oh, hang it ol, Ernest, wake up," tald
Jeremy, shaking him by tho shoulder. "You
will drive yourself mad If you givo your im
agination so much foim"
"Wnkoup, my lioyl I feel moro Inclined
to sleep. Havo some grog. Won t yeu I Well,
I will." ,
He roso and wcut to tho mantelpiece, ou
which stood a square lwttlo of Hollands nnd
n tumbler. Rapidly filling the tumbler with
raw spirits, ho drunk It as fast as tlio contrac
tions of the throat would allow. He filled It
again, and drank thut too. Then he fell in
Bensiblo mou tho bed.
It was n strnngo scene, and in some wuys a
coni-so one, but yet not without a pathos of
its own,
"Ernest," sold Mr. Alston, three weeks
later, "you nro strong enough to travel now;
what do you Bay to six months or a year
among the elephants! Tho oxen aro In first
rate condition, und wo ought to get to our
ground in six or seven weeks."
Ernest, who was lying back Iu a low cane
chulr, looking very thin and pale, thought for
a moment liefore ho answered!
"All right, Pin your man, only let's get off
soon. 1 am tired of this placo, und want
something to think uUut"
"You huvu given up the Idea of returning
to I'.nglaudr
"Vto, quite."
"And what do you say, Jeremy!"
"Where Ernest goes, there will I go also.
Ilesldes, tu shoot an elephant is the one ambi
tion of my lite."
"Good! thou wo will consider that settled,
e shun want to pick up another eight -bore;
but I kn .w of ono ii telluw uunls toscll, n
bi m' J, I y IWiy. I will Ix-luto mako ar
rji' . mints ut onco."
Mr Alston, Ernest and Jereinv had verv
r.n ! i'i)i t among the elephants, killing in nil
lunttu.ii bulls.
CHAPTER XXVIU.
MR, I'LOWDEJf AbSERTK HIS 11KIIITS.
When last wu saw Evu she hail just bocoma
privately engaged to the Rev. James Plow
den. But the marriage was not to take
ulaco till thofollowlng spline and the follow-'
n tiii Sua rtiT-.il long way iTff Vnguely she
boM that sunn tlilntf might trur to prevent
It, foigcltlug that, ns u rule, in lenl life It is
only happy things llintneeldentswTiirto pre
vent, llnm, Indeed, Is It that tho l'lowdens
of Hits world nro ii-pvonll from marrying
tho I.vnifnl! lias sulllclent lo do In thwart
ing tho Ernests, And, munmvlillc, her po
sition was not nltogethor unendurable, for
sho had mndo n bargain with lier lover thnt
tho usual nmcultles of courtship wero to to
clliicnscl with. Tliero were to l no emlirno
lugs or other Under panhngM, sho ns not
even to lio forcrsl tn rail him James. 'Jnincsl-'
how sho ilefr-itoil tho name' Thus did tho
wretched girl try to put off Hie evil day,
much ns tho ostrich I supliosisl to hide her
head 111 u bush and Indulge in dtvnms of
faui'lcil HM-urtty. Mr. PIuwiU-ii did not objoct,
lie was too wary n hunter to do so. While
his stately prey wn thcro with her head in
tbo thickest of tho bush he was sum of her.
Bho would lit-vir wake from her foolish
ditaim till Hie rl inonieiit rams lo deliver
tho fatal blow, nnd nil would lio over. But
If, ou the coin ivu-y, be stnrtlisl her now, she
might tnl.e flight more imiftlv than he could
follow, nud Us i si him nloiio in the iIcm rt
Ho when Evn innde her little stipulations,
he nopilcM'cil in thcinnfter only Just so much
hesitation lis he thought would ncs iii love like,
"Life, Eva," he sold, tviitentlously, "Is a com.
promise. I yield to .your wishes." But iu his
bcaitbo thought that n time would come
when sho would have to yield to his, nnd his
cold eye glcuuied. Evn kw tho gleam, und
Bhuddoicd prophetically.
Tho Rev. Ml. Plow.leii did not suffer muh
distress at tli" coldm-a with which hesni
treated, He knew that his day would como,'.
and was content to wait for it like a wise
man. He was not In love with Evil A nntiiri
r liko bis is scarcely capabtd of any nn h f?.
lug as that, fir Instance, which Eva und
E.-ncst lure to each other. Tina Love,
clowned with Immortality, veils bis shining
face from such men ns Mr. Plow den. Ho was
fascluntid by her lionuty.'thnt was all. But
, his cunning was of n superior order, and he
was quite content to wait. Ho lio Contrived
to extract n letter from Eva, iu which she
talked of "our engagement," an 1 alluded to
"our forthcoming marriage," nnd waited.
And thus tho llnio went on nil too quickly
for Evu. She win quite miserable, but die
was not iictunlly unhappy. Thnt was ytt to
come w Ith other evil things. Christmas came
and went, tho spring cam.', too, and with the
daffodils nnd s lolets enme Ernest's letter.
Evu was down tho first ono morning, nnd
was engaged iu mukliia the tea In the Cottage
dining room when that modem minister to
tho decrees of fate, tho postman, brought the
letter. She recogniz.d tho writing In a mo
Incut, and the tea caddy fell with a crash on
to tho floor. Seizing It, sho tore ojien the
Eenled em elope nnd read it swiftly. Oh,
what a wave of lovo surged up in her heart
usshereadl Pressing tho senseless paper to
her lips, sho kissed It again and again.
"Oh, Ernest!" she murmured. "O my love,
my darhng!"
Just then Florenco camo down, looking
cool nnd compowd, and giving that Idea of
quiet strength which Is the natural attribute
of homo w omen.
Eva pushed the lotter Into her bosom.
"What is the mutter, Eva!" sho said,
quietly, noting her flushed fnc, "and why
have you upset the tear'
''Matter!" she answered, laughing huppily
bhe hail not laughed no for month; ?oh,
nothing I have heard from Ernest, that is
all."
"Indeed!" nuswered her sister, with a
troubled smile on her dark faco; "and what
has our runaway to say for hlmselff'
"Say! oh, he has a great deal to say, nud I
hnve something to tny, too. I nm goiug to
marry him."
"Indeed"! And Mr. Plowden f"
Eva turnod pale.
"Mr. Plowdcn! I havo dono with Mr.
Plowden."
"Indeed r'snld Florenco ngaln; "really this
is quito romantic. But pleaso pick up that
ten. Whomever you marry, lot us Iiavobome
breakfast ill the meanwhile. Excu,e mo for
one moment, I have forgotten my handker
chief." Evn did ns the was bid, and made the tea
after n fcsliiou.
Meanwhile Florenco went tp her room nnd
Bcribbled n note, inclosed it Iu an em i lo und
rang tho 1x11.
Tho serynnt answered.
"Tell John to take this to Mr. Plowden's
lodgings ut once, nnd if lie bhould be out fol
low him till ho finds hlui, and deliver it."
Ten mluutesi later Mr. Plowden got tlio fol
low Ing note:
"Como here at once. Evn has heanlfrom
Ernest Kerbhnw, nnd announces her intention
of throwing you over nud marr ing him. Be
prepared for n struggle, but do not show that
you havo Leard from me. You must llnd
menus to hold your own. Burn this."
Mr. Howdcn whistled as he laid tlio paicr
down. Going to bis desk he unlocked It uud
extracted a letter ho hud received from Evn,
111 which bho acknowledged her engagement
to him, nnd then seizing his hnt wnlkodswlft
ly toward tho cottage
Meanwhile Florence mado her way down
stairs again, Baying to herself ns tho went:
"An unlucky chnnci'. If I had seen tho Utter
flnt, I would havo burned it But wo bhull
win yet Hho has not tlio stamina to stand
out against that man."
As soon as sho reached the dining room,
Evn began to bay something more about hor
lotter, but her tMer btopped her quickly.
"Let me have my breakfast In iieuce, Eia.
Wo will talk of the letter afterward. Ho
does not Interest me, your Ernest, and it
takes awayiny nppetlto to talk business nt
meals."
Eva ceased und but silent; breakfast hail no
charnts for her that morning.
Presently there was a knock at tho door,
and Mr. Plowden entered with a smile of
forced gayoty on his fnco.
"How do you, Florence I" lie said; "how-do
you do, dear Eva I You w o I has o como to
see you early this morning. I want n little .
refreshment to enublo me to get through my
day's duty. The early suitor has come to pick
upthoworm of his affections," and ho laughed
at his joke,
Florenco bhuddored at tho simile, ami
thought to herself that there was a fair
chance of the affectionate worm disagreeing
with the eai ly suitor.
Eva said nothing. Shu sat quito Btill and
pale.
"Why, what Is the matter with you! Havo
you been aghostl"
"Not exactly; but I think thut Eva has re
ceived a messago from the dead," said Flor
enco, w ith u nervous laugh.
Eva i-oso. "I think, Mr. Plowden," sho
said, "that I had bettor lie frank with you
at onco. 1 ask you to listen to mo for a few
moments."
"Am I not nlwuysut your service, dear
Evnl"
"I wish," began Evu, nnd broke down "I
wi,h," bhu went on uguin, "to appeal to your
generosity and to your feelings as a gentle
man." Florenco smiled.
Mr. Pluwden liowed with mock humility
oud smiled too a very ugly smile.
"You ure awaru thut, before I Uvamo
engaged to you, I had bad a previous
affair." "With tho boy who committed a murder,"
put in Mr. Plowden,
"With u gentleman who luid the mis
fortune to kill a man In a duel," exclaimed
Eva.
"Tho church and tlio law call it mur
der." "Excuse me, Mr, Plowden, we are dealing
neither with the church nor the law ; we aro
dealing with the thing as it is called among
gentlemen and ladles."
"Oo ou," said Mr. Plowden.
'Well, misunderstandings, which I nowl
not now enter Into, arose with reference to
thatuffair, though, as I told you, 1 lotcd the
man. Today I huvu heurd from htm, nnd
hts letter puts everything straight iu my
mind, uud 1 see hqvv wrong and unjust has
been inr behavior to him, and I know that I
lovo him more than ever."
"Cuioo tho fellow's Impudence!" said the
clergyman furiously; "if he wero here, I
would give lilui a bit of my inlud!"
Eva's spirit rose, and she turned on him
with flashing eyes, looking like queen In
her hniwrial beuuty.
"If he were here, Mr. Plowden, you would
not dure to look hlni in tho face. Men like
you only take mlvautago of tho absent"
Tho clergyman ground his tooth, Ho felt .
bis furious tenior rising nud did not dure to
answer, though ho wus u 1M man In fueo ol
a wouiuiL Ho f canst lwt it should get bo
yondhlui; butlieneafu his breath ho mut
tered, "You shall pay for thut, my lady !"
"Under these circumstances," went on Eva,
"I appeal to you us a gentleman to release
mo from an engagement into which, as you
know, I havo been drawn moro by forco ol
circumstances than by my own wish. Surely,
it is not necessary for me to say auy more."
Mr, Piowdeu rose and camo uud stood
quito eloso tu her, so thut his fuco was within
a few IiicLk of her eyes.
"Evn," ho said, "I nm not going to lie
trilled with liko this. You have promised
to marry me, aud l shall kenp you to your
pioinisc You luU yourself out to lu my
nlfectiuu, the uffection of au honest man.
Ab-alu Florenco smiled, and Eva made a
taint motion of dissent.
V' , l.ui you illi, you encouraged ms, h
i very well for you to deny it now, whwi ft
suits your purpuio, but you did, uud you
know it, und your bister thero know it"
Florenco luwed her head iu usseut.
TO HE OONT1NUKD IN Ollt MiXV
A bins' blll-sllclitr-lht mttipiUa