6 [ HEARTS! AND MASKS Bv HAROLD MacGRATH Author of "The Man on the Box." etc. With Drawings by Harrison Fisher (Copyright, IWS, by Bobhtt-Merrill Co.) CHAPTER Vl.—Continued. "What Is it you think I have done?" 1 demanded. "You have, or have had, several thousand dollars' worth of gems on your person to-night." I shrugged. The accusation was so impossible that my confidence re turned. "Mr. Haggerty, you are making a stupid mistake. You are losing time, besides. I am not the man for whom you are hunting. My name is Richard Cornstalk." "One name or another, it does not matter." » "Plenty of gall," murmured one of the minions of the law, whom I after ward learned was the chief of the vil lage police. "The card by which you gained admittance here," demanded the great Haggerty truculently. 1 surrendered it. A crowd had by this time collected curiously about us. I could see the musicians on the stage peering over the plants. "The thief you are looking for has Rone," said I."He escaped by the coal window." By this statement my feet sank deeper still. "What did I tell you?" cried Hag gerty, turning to his men. "They had an accomplice hidden in the cellars." "1 beg to inform you that you are making a mistake that will presently tost you dear,"—thinking of the polit ical pull my uncle had in New York. "I am the nephew of Daniel Wither spoon." "Worse and worse! said the chief of police. "1 request Mr. Hamilton to be called. He will prove to you that you are sreatly mistaken." Everything looked pretty black, I can tell you. "You will see whom you please, but only after you are safely landed in the lockup. Now, Madame," turning swiftly upon the IJlue Domino, "what is your part in this fine business?" "It certainly has no part in yours," —icily. Haggerty smiled. "My skin is very thick. Do you know this fellow?" She shook her head. He stood un decided for a space. "Let me see your card." "1 decline to produce it," —haughtily. Haggerty seemed staggered for a moment. "I am sorry to annoy you, OUT you must be identified at once." "And why?"—proudly. "Was it for bidden togo into the club cellars for such harmless things as apples?" Apples! I looked at her admiringly. "Apples?" repeated Haggerty. "Couldn't you have sent a servant for them?" She did not repiy. "You were with this clever gentle man in the cellars. You may or may not lie acquainted with him. I do net wish to do anything hasty in regard to yourself, but your position is rather equivocal. Produce your card and be identified —if you really can." "1 refuse!" "Then 1 shall ask you to accompany i»3 to the room up stairs till the police patrol arrives." "1 will go,"—quietly. "Nonsense!" I objected. "On my word of honor, I do not know this lady. Our presence in the cellar was perfectly harmless. There is no valid reason for detaining her. It is an out rage!" "1 am not going to stand here argu iug with you," said Hagerty. "Let the. lady produce her card; let her dis close her identity. That is simple enough." "1 have already given you my deter mination on that subject," replied tin: girl. "I can very well explain my pres ence here, but I absolutely decline to explain it to the police." 1 didn't understand her at all. She had said that she possessed an alibi. Why didn't she produce it? So the two of us left the gorgeous ball-room. Every one moved aside for us, and quickly, too, as if we had had the plague. I looked in vain for Ham ilton. He was a friend in need. We were taken into the steward's office and the door was shut and locked. The band in the ball-room went, gal loping through a two-step, and the gaiety was in full swing again. The thief had been rounded up! How the deuce was it going to end? "1 can not tell you how sorry I am to have mixed you up in this,"l said to the girl. ' You are in no manner to blame. Think of what might have happened had you blown up the post-ofllce!" She certainly was the least embar rassed of the two of us. 1 addressed my next remark to the great Hag gerty. "Did you find a suitable pistol in Friard's?" "A man in my business," said Hag *e.rty mildly, "Is often found in such places. There are various things to be recovered in pawnships. The gen tleman' of this club sent mo the orig inal ten of hearts, my presence being necessary at such big entertainments. And when I saw that card of yours, I was so happy that T nearly put you on your guard. Lord, how long I've been looking for you! I give you credit for being a clever rascal. You have fooled us all nicely. Not a soul among us knew your name, nor what you looked like. And but for that card, you might still be at large. l T nlil the lady submits to the simple process of identification, I shall be compelled to look upon her an treat her as au accomplice. She has re fused the offer I have made her, and she can not blame me if I am suspi cious, when to be suspicious is a part of my business." He was reasonable enough in regard to the girl. He turned to the chief of the vil lage police, who was sitting at the desk ordinarily used by the club stew ard. "No reporters, mind you." "Yes, sir. We'll see that no re porter gets wind of the capture." .The telephone bell rang. One of the police answered it. "For you, Mr. Haggerty," he said. Haggerty sprang to the telephone and placed the receiver to his ear. "What?" we heard him exclaim. "You have got the other fellow? A horse and carriage at once!" "Take mine," said the chief ex citedly. "What is it." "My subordinate at the railway sta tion has just landed the fellow with the jewels. Mighty quick work. I must hustle into town at once. raaajEiiMilJiL »IJWII 11 n^g?T?tjajL^ALai?mi^r!»gnBrT'*i I , rj.,!KMFH> .Ijiaean'z&tSLrimßm WF)^I vS/ JPSI ,11 jjgjfii&l 8 - apf -nn^- " ** j "What?" We Heard Htm Exclaim. There'll lie plenty of time to attend to these persons. Bring them to town the moment the patrol arrives. The gems are the most important things just now." "Yes, sir. You can rely upon us, Mr. Haggerty. Billy, go down with Mr. Haggerty and show him my rig." "Good!" said Haggerty. "It's been a fine night's work, my lads, a line night's work. I'll see that all get some credit. Permit no one to ap proach 'he prisoners without proper authority." "Your orders shall he obeyed to the letter," said the chief importantly. He already saw his name figuring in the New York papers as having assisted in the capture of a great thief. Haggerty departed. A silence set tled gloomily dqwn on us. Quarter of an hour passed. The grim-visaged po lice watched us vigilantly. Half an hour, three-quarters, an hour. Far away we heard the whistle of an out going train. Would I had been on it! From time lo time we heard faint music. At length there was a noise outside the door, and a monment later Hamilton and two others came in. When he saw me, he stopped, his eyes bulging and his mouth agape. "Dicky Cornstalk?" lie cried help lessly. "What the devil does this mean?"—turning to the police. "Do you know this fellow, Mr. Ham ilton?" asked the chief. "Know him? Of course I know him," answered Teddy; "and I'll stake my last dollar on his honesty." (Thanks, Teddy!) I began to breathe. "But —" began the chief, seized with sudden misgivings. "It is impossible, I tell you," inter rupted Hamilton. "1 know this gentle man is incapable of the theft. There is some frightful mistake. How tbe dickens did you get here, Dicky?" And briefly I told him my story, my ass's ears growing inch by inch as I went along. Hamilton didn't know whether to swear or to laugh; finally he laughed. "If you wanted to come, why didn't you write me for an invitation?" "I shouldn't have come to your old ball, had 1 been invited. It was just the idea of the lark." "We shall have to hold him, never theless," said the chief, "till every thing is cleared up. The girl—" CAMERON COUNTY PRESS, THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1907. Hamilton looked at the JSlue Domi no. "Madame, will you do me the honor to raise your mask?" She did so; and I saw Hamilton draw in his breath. Her beauty was certainly of an exquisite pattern. He frowned anxiously. "I never saw this young women be fore," he admitted slowly. "Ha!" cried the chief, glad to find some one culpable. "Did you receive your invitation through the proper channels?" asked Hamilton. "1 came here to-ninht," —coldly, "on the invitation of Mrs. Hyphen-Bonds, who sailed for Europe Wednesday." Here was an alibi lhat was an alibi! I was all at sea. Hamilton bowed; the chief coughed worriedly behind his hand. The girl had told me she was an impostor like myself, that her ten of hearts was as dark stained as my own. I could not make head or tail to it. Mrs. Hyphen' Bonds! She was a law in the land, especially in Blankshire, the larger part of which she owned. What did it all mean? And what was her idea in posing as an impostor? The door opened again. "The patrol has come," said the of ficer who entered. "Let it wait," growled the chief. "Haggerty has evidently got us all balled up. I don't believe his fashion able thief lias materialized at all; just a common crook. Well, he's got him, at any rate, and the geins." "You have, of course, the general invitation?" said Hamilton. "Here is it," —and she passed the engraved card to him. "I beg a thousand pardons!" said Hamilton humbly. "Everything seems to have gone wrong." "Will you guarantee this man?" asked the chief of Hamilton, nodding toward me. "I have said so. Mr. Cornstalk is very well known to me. lie is a re tired army ofiicer, and to my knowl edge a man with an income sufficient to put him far beyound want." "What is your name?" asked the chief of the girl, scowling. It was quite evident he couldn't understand her actions any better than 1. "Alice Hawthorne," with an oblique glance at me, I had been right! "What is your occupation? I am obliged to ask these questions, Miss." "I am a miniature painter,"—briefly. Hamilton came forward. "Alice Hawthorne? Pardon me. but are you the artist who recently completed the miniature of the Emperor of Germany, the Princess of Hesse, and Mrs. Hy phen-Ilonds?" "I am. I believe there is no fur ther reason for detaining me." "Emperor of Germany?" echoed the now bewildered chief. "Why didn't you tell all this to Mr. Haggerty?" "I had my reasons." Once again'the door opened. A bur ly man in a dark business-suit entered. His face was ruddy and his little grey eyes sparkled with suppressed ire. He reminded me of Vautrin, the only dif ference being that Vautrin was French while this man was distinctly Irish. His massive shoulders betrayed tre mendous strength. He was vastly an gry about something. He went to the chief's desk and rested his hands upon it. "You are a nice specimen for a chief of police, you are!" he began. "And who the devil are you?" bawled the chief, his choler rising. "I'll tell you who I am presently." We all eyed him in wonder. What was going to happen now? "Which of you gentlemen is Mr. Hamilton?" asked the new-comer gruffly. Hamilton signified that he was the gentleman by that name. "Some ladies at your ball have been robbed of their diamonds I under stand?" "About ten thousands dollars' worth." To be Continued. THOUSANDS CURED! Dr. David Kennedy's Favorite Rem »dy has cured thousands in every ivalk In life. For over thirty years t has been wonderfully successful. !t.s cures have been permanent, and ihousands of grateful people sing its praises. Not a "patent" medicine, but 1 prescription used by Dr. David Ken nedy in his large private practice, long Defore he introduced it to the public. It remains to-day the best and surest Medicine for Kidney and Liver dis ;ases, some of the most common symptoms (or results) of which are: fieadache, aching eyes, backache, in ibillty to regulate the flow of the blad ier, burning and scalding pain In the iffected parts, pale or discolored or iloudy kidney secretions and "brick lust" deposits, swollen ankles, swell- Tig under eyes, constipation, dyspep sia, rheumatism, gout and illnesses peculiar to women. Large bottles fI.OO, ot all druggists. FREE SAMPLE BOTTLE. Write Dr. David Kennedy's Sons, Rondout, N'. Y., for a free sample bottle and medical booklet. Physiological Mystery. According to some curious investi gations conducted by English scien tists, eldest sons tend to be criminals and youngest sons paupers. A great many thousand school children and many family histories have been ex amined to yield these results. First born children were found to be, as a rule, taller and heavier, with greater ability and endurance than the others. This Is in accordance with the popular feeling in many countries that the oldest child Is superior to the others and deserving of special privileges. It is a well established fact that among men of genius an undue pro portion are eldest so»s. —Detroit Free Press. THE ARTISTIC WALL. One cf Solid Color Will Always Give Eest Effect. The dearest, daintiest, most arti3tic ■wall is a solid colored wall. It fur nishes a perfect background for all kinds of pictures, it throws them out in their correct proportions, and does not detract from their artistic value. The solid colored wall is also much better as a background for furniture, and harmonizes much more artistical ly with carpets and rugs than any other method of wall treatment. The less breaking up of color on a wall the more artistic it is. The most successful form of the solid colored wall is an alabastined wall. There is as much difference be tween tinted walls, as there is be tween shoddy and all-wool gowns. The shoddy gown holds its color for a few days, while the all-wool keeps its color to the very last thread, so also in solid colored walls, there are shoddy walls and permanently colored walls which retain their color down to the very last particle. The ideal wall coating never rubs off, never flakes nor chips off and is always ready for a fresh coat. If there is wallpaper on the •wail, soak it off with warm water, then go over the plaster after you have removed the paper with warm water to remove every trace of paste. Have the wall thoroughly clean for a clean wall cannot be built on an un clean foundation. If there are any particles of foreign matter adhering to the wall scrape them off with a putty knife. Then if there are any discolorations on the wall, size it with a material made from cheap varnish, thinned down with benzine and Japan added for a drier, then cover your wall with your tinting material. Be sure your man uses a tinting ma terial mixed with cold water. If he ccmes to you and asks for warm wa ter, you can make up your mind that there Is glue in the material which he proposes to put on your wall, and you can be certain that you are going to have a shoddy wall, for glue means shoddy. Glue means that it will hold its color long enough for the man to collect his bill and not much longer. Insist on your tinting material being mixed with clear, cold water. Be sure that your wall is made from pure ma terials, then you will have a perma nent, artistic, sanitary wall. A wall that will be a "thing of beauty and a joy forever." FOOLED THE PREACHER. A Doctor's Brother Thought Postum Wa3 Coffee. A wise doctor found out coffee was hurting him, so he quit drinking it. He was so busy with his practice, however, that his wife had to write how he fooled his brother, a clergy inun, one day at dinner. She says: "Doctor found coffee was injuring him and decided to give Postum a trial, and we have used it now for four years, with continued benefit. In fact, he is now free from the long train of ills that follow coffee drink ing. "To show how successful we are in making Postum properly I will re late an incident. At a dinner we gave, Doctor suggested we serve Postum instead of ordinary coffee. "Doctor's brother, a Clergyman, sup posed It was old fashioned coffee and remarked, as he called for his sec ond cup: 'lf you do preach against coffee, I see you haven't forgotten bow to make it.'" This goes to show that well-made— fully boiled —Postum ha 3 much the flavor and richness of good coffee al though it has an individuality all its own. A ten days' trial will prove that it has none of the poisonous effect of ordinary coffee, but will correct the troubles caused by coffee. "There's a reason." Name furnished by Postum I Co., Ltd., Brvttle Creek, Mich. WOMEN IN HOSPITALS Experiences of Mrs. Rockwood and Miss Tierncy A large proportion of the operations performed in our hospitals are upon women and girls for some organic trouble. Why should this be the case ? Because they have neglected them selves, as every one of these patients in the hospital beds had plenty of warning in those dragging sensations, pains at left or right of abdomen, backaches, nervous exhaustion, in flammation, ulceration, displace ments, and other organic weaknesses. All of these symptoms are indica tions of an unhealthy condition of the female system and if not heeded the penalty has to he paid by a dangerous operation. When these symptoms manifest themselves, do not drag along until you are obliged togo to the hospital and submit to an opera tion—but remember that Lydia. E. l'inkham's Vegetable Compound, mado from native roots and herbs, has saved hundreds of women from surgical operation s. Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compounds has cured more cases of j feminine ills than any other one remedy. Such letters as thefollowing | Mrs. Pinkham's Standing Invitation to Women Women suffering from any form of female weakness aro invited to promptly communicate with Mrs. Pinkham, at Lynn, Mass From the symptoms given, the trouble may be located and the quickest and surest way of recovery advised. Out of her vast volume of experience in treating female ills Mrs. Pinkham probably has the very knowledge that may help your case. Her advice i 3 free and always helpful. Ask Mrs. Pinkham's Advice — A Woman Best Understands a Woman's Ells. A eulL tive CATARRH Ely's Cream Balm Is quickly absorbed. Gives Relief at Once. °*. i % ™ HF/lpjß It cleanses, soothes heals and protects j ; tho diseased brane. It cures Ca tarrh and <1 riv os away a Cold in the IWW Ilead quickly. Re-girty STFWfR stores tha Senses of HW I I bf bit Taste and Smell. Full size 50 cts.,at Drug, j gists or by mail; Trial Size 10 cts. by maiL j Ely Brothers, 50 Warren Street, New York. LirvteweKt^S For Cougli, Cold, Croup, 13 Sore Throat, Stiff i Rheumatism ancL Neuralgia 1 7 J At all Dealers I - W «"*■ j Price 25c SOo 6 HOO < I Sent* Free a.^*- "Sloan's Book on Horses .v. Cattle, Hogs 6 Poultry NO MORE MUSTARD PLASTERS TO BLISTER. THE SCIENTIFIC AND MODERN EXTERNAL COUNTER-IRRITANT. CAPISICUM . VASELINE EXTRACT OF THE CAYENNE PEPPER PLANT A QUICK, SURE. SAFE AND ALWAYS READY CURE FOR PAIN.—PRICE 15c.—IN COLLAPSIBLE TUBES—AT ALL DRUGGISTS AND DEALERS. OR H BY MAIL ON RECEIPT OK 15c. IN POSTAGE STAMPS. DON'T WAIT | TILL THE PAIN COMES-KEIP A TUBE HANDY. A substitute for and superior to mustard or any other piaster, and will not Dlister the most u<»!icate skin. The pain-allaying and curative qualities of the article are wonderful. It will stop the toothache at once, and relieve Headache and Sciatica. We recommend it as the best and safest external B counter-irritant known, also as an external remedy for pains in the chest and stomach and all Rheumatic, Neuralgic and Gouty complaints. A trial will prove what we claim for it, and it will be found to be invaluable in tha household and for children. Once used no family will be without it. Many people say "it is the best of all your preparations." Accept no preparation of vaseline unless the same carries our label, as otherwise it is not genuine. SEND YOUR ADDRESS AND WE WILL MAIL OUR VASE LINE PAMPHLET WHICH WILL INTEREST YOU. CHESEBROUGH MFG. CO. 17 STATE STREET, NEW YORK CITY W. L. DOUGLAS/^ $3.00 AND $3.50 SHOES HI W. I. DOUGLAS $4.00 GILT EDGE SHOES CANNOT BE EQUALLED AT ANV PRICE. I&f SHOES FOR EVERYBODY AT AIL PRSGES: \ { v V Men's Shoes, 95 to 91.fi0. Boys' Sliors. SM to 91.35. IVoiwii'il T f-V Shoes, 94 to 91.50. Misses' £ Children's !SlioeH, 93.35 to 91.00. r »»• Douglas shoos are recognized by expert judges of footwear .l to bo tho best in stylo, fit a*nl wear producer! i*j this country. Kacli JgtjAy. ■ 1 part of the shoo and overy detail of the making is looked after . <K and watahed over by skilled shoemakers, without regard to \ jsS§)l time or cost. If 1 could take you into uiv factories Brockton, Mass., anil show you how carefully \V. L. Douglas shoes are made, you would then understand why they hold their shape, lit better, •wear longer, and are of greater value than anv other makes. TV. 1.. T>im<tly« name 11 ml price It •tsmpml 011 Ilia Ixjttoin, whlfli protc-ts Hie hum spalnxt Hlrt arm Inferior shoe*. 1 rtktt No Hold 1 11»«» t«*sl *hoe (lenlTß everywhere. Fatt Color bt/elctt tucd •jcehaiwtly. Catalog mailed/r**. W. L.I sJkU, hnHUiou.lUi.^ are constantly being received by Mrs. Pinkliam to prove our claims. Mrs. C. A. Rockwood, teacher of Parliamentary Law, of 58 Frea St., Fredonia, N. Y., writes: "For vears I suffered with female trouble. It was decided that an operation was neces sary, nnd although I submitted to a serious operation my sufferings continued, until Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound was recommended and it proved a marvclou# remedy, so quickly did it restore my health. I cannot thank you sufficiently for the good it has done me. " Miss Margaret Ticrney, of No. 328 W. Bsth Street, New York, writes: Dear Mrs, Pinkham:— "When only eighteen years of age our physician decided that an operation was necessary to permit of my womanly organs performing their natural functions, lly mother objected and being urged by a relative to try Lydia E. l'inkham's Veget able Compound did so. I soon improved in health, the proper conditions were establish ed and 1 am well and strong, thanks to Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound.'* No other remedy has such un qualified endorsement, as Lydia E. , Pinkham's Vegetable Compound. No j other remedy in the world has such j a record of cures of female ills. 6*5-4 Is so thin that It cannot fill the tnesb. 6-5-4 hac chemical properties that dissolve rust as water does salt.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers