# ACTION! ACTION! Adventure—romance — mys- tery—bittle, murder and sud- den death! Well, rather. And action, action, action—on every page. That's Randall Parrish’s new story, “The Mystery of the Silver Dagger.” Suppose you were an Ameri- can diplomat and you fell in love at first sight with a won- derful, mysterious girl who was apparently deep in an interna- tional revolutionary conspiracy and you had the identity of a famous crook thrust upon you and you found one of the chief conspirators dead from a stab with the mysterious girl's silver dagger hatpin! And suppose you set to work to break up the conspiracy and solve the mur. der and win the girl-—wouldn’t you be busy? Well, that's this hero and this hero's job. As to Randall Parrish, all novel-readers know Bim and his stories. And this is one of his best. CHAPTER I of The Message in the Box. Anticipating the train arriving late, 1 had hour of my meeting with possibility of my Cummings loiter However, time, compelled to about the hotel for an hour. in passing through e¢ corridor attention was attracted by an unique curiosity shop occupying a small side room, and, merely to the time pleasantly, 1 entered and began exam- was th pass on display. There several articles | gered over, tempted to purchase, but drifted on, rather undecided, until my eyes perceived a very quaint lncguered Jewel box, of a class of workmanship quite unusual. The proprietor, ceiving my Interest, joined “The Jewel box attracts you,” he said pleasantly, opening the cause and bringing it forth. “You have love for such things?” “A deep interest at least,” I admit- ted, taking the article from his hand, “a collector in an amateur way. What Is the workmanship—surely not Jap- anese?” “No,” smilingly. tively 1 cannot answer as to its or igin. The inscription, which can only be read with a microscope” —he traced with his ancient Arabie, but no wild Arab ever did the lacquer.” were ne, “Although poslt- finger—*is “Yet so strange a curio must have a history, an fnaginary at What is the story? “Positively one, least. nore,” he admitted re gretfully. “The fact is, this article was found by a chambermaid in one of the hotel rooms, and turned in to the man- ager. He made every effort to trace ly. He even advertised, but with no the article.” “You have put a price on this?” “Yes, ridiculously low, no doubt, yet bringing me a good profit.” : box in my hands, 1 yielded to the temp- tation, and bought it. The article was appenred a little later, was soon for versation. We later had dinner gether, attended the theater company, my mind so occupled with other matters that 1 scarcely thought of the strange purchase 1 had made, which remained securely hid- den. It was only after returning to to- and that it was again recalled to memory. Only an idle curiosity and a feeling the article forth, and remove its wrap- pings, but the sight served fitely to Increase my interest. certainly a wonderful find, artistically beautiful, and most unusual in design. There was a mystery that must have exercised a strange spell over dead workmmn who fashioned it, for- getful of the passing night hours. clock somewhere in the neighborhood struck, and 1 counted twelve, arousing myself, sleeping, for as 1 turned to rise my sleeve struck the box at the edge of the table, and before 1 could prevent the fall, it lay upon the floor at my feet, - As 1 stooped hastily to recover the overturned box, 1 was astounded to discover the bottom slipped partially aside, as though some secret spring had been touched, revealing so narrow a receptacle that the ordinary eye would never suspect the possibility of its ex- istence, Not only was there a false bottom, but the opening revealed a closely folded paper. 1 grasped this quickly, a thrill running through me, What ancient and long-buried message was about to be unfolded? But no! This was plainly modern— a clean, white sheet, no folded parch- ment of old, but some mystery of yes- terday. There was writing there, in Spanish, so faintly traced 1 could barely decipher the words, yet clearly revealed as of this day and generation. I know Spanish fairly well, having had a year In Mexico City, yet it required some time before I could puzzle out the message on this sheet. The paper had been torn, seemingly sundered from a much longer letter, and pre- served merely because of the specific address and instructions it contained, Beyond doubt all else had been de- stroyed. What remained may have been sufficient guidance to the party who had the benefit of what went be- fore-in the original epistie, but was obscure to anyone else. Yet it was modern, something relating to this very time, a menace; something to be grasped and understood. This convie- tion absolutely gripped me. 1 stared at the rather sinister words, blindly groping at what lay hidden behind them, instinctively scenting a conspir- acy of evil which I could not deter mine. All unintentioned I had stum- of its real nature. I put the words to- gether, weighing each one with fragment began and ended I wanted to know more, 198 sailed Saturday from Stockholm deposit letter of credit with Krantz your order. Amount ample all needs. to this at once, and advise 878 Gans so as to be no delay. Two raps, three vantes, Waldron favors action this mont} gest Watonia. Can you be ready? Use Fouth A code to {ors That this letter was authentic 1 had no doubt, nor was its meaning gether obscure in the light of certain events. Several allusions were famil- alto iar to me and these were what caused my earlier suspicions to erystallize into probability. It bore all the earmarks of a plot, a revolutionary plot, and one tericous Box, not yet brought to consummation. To be sure the note was undated, and the days before. Yet the Watonia was cer- memory suggested Central American trade. This did not necessarily imply that the conspirators had abandoned their purpose. More likely they were bly, even now prompt actlon and went to bed, but not to sleep, for the darkness brought new thoughts and suggestions for the morrow, I was still in government employ, al though unassigned, and felt this dis- While my first should naturally have been to turn the me in another direction—1 was suffi- fore creating any false alarm. » As 1 rested there, sleepless, staring up at the black cetling, the words of the strange fragment of letter re- mained vividly before me. Little hy little I dug at the truth, coming finally to this conclusion: "108" was, no doubt, the recognized number of some ngent who had been dispatched to Ameried on a special errand to the conspirators in this country. He had sailed Saturday, a month ago, or more, and must have long since arrived at some port, bringing with him instrue- tions not to be intrusted to the mall, and sufficient money, in form of letter of credit, with which to finance whats ever nefarious scheme of revolution might be contemplated. This money ‘By Randall Parrish Author of “The Strange Case of Cavendish” Copyright, by Randall Parrish was to be paid out to the authorized party through a man named Krantz Who was Krantz? There was a well. known banking firm, Kulb, Krantz & Co, In Wall Street, and it was quite probable these might prove the ones involved, although to my knowledge they had no outward junta connec tions of this nature, “Gans” was evi- dently a street, although I could reeall none bearing so pecullar appellation, while the password was in itself proof almost positive as to the South or Cen- tral American sympathies of the con- spirators, These facts were fairly clear as I thus weaved them together, but they were rendered more damning by the other name mentioned—Waldron, If this was Ivan Waldron, 1 had good res- son to know the fellow, and to con- nect his activities with any scheme destined to embarrass the government. most pronounced type, a socialist radi- cal, who in the past had openly ndvo- cated opposition to all law and order. Moreover, the fellow had a large and desperate following, to whom he was a high-priest. He was reported to be a Russian by birth, but spoke English without an accent, and 1 felt no doubt but what a sutficlent amount of money would engage his luterest In any des- perate cause. The desire to “get him” fdded zest to my interest in the affair. If he was actually at the head of these fellows, these plotters against the neg would be worth while, Ag soon as possible next morning 1 | sought out Burke, the manager of the hotel, with whom I had a speaking ae- | quaintance, awl, without confiding the extent of my discovery, questioned him | relative to the mysterious box, and the guests whe left it behind, Be said, both well dressed, | nothing Mrticularly to distinguish them, had registered together lute in Two men, but with the afternoon of Friday, September 27. and on one ron with twin request had been assigned to beds and The larger man, who had (nseribed him- self as “PP. 8. Horner, Detroit,” had a bag; his companion, known to the hotel Alva, Toledo, Ohio” being baggage. The blll was paid next morning by alone “instave without the ns ! It was an hour later when the cham- bermalid on that floor reported finding the box in the room vacated. After tation that it might be called for. no such inquiries being made, the hotel endeavored trace the men, but no avail. The fellows had either false to fo where they claimed The | first was the most probable condition. residence, After thirty days, and having exhanst- ed all reasonable efforts to find the rightful owner, the hotel felt legally Justified In selling-the trinket. That was all Burke knew of the matter, snd his interest In it was not keen. 1 am inclined to think now that I went at the problem without much system, and that any success achieved was through accident, the forengon I dropped in upon Clem- pire bank. We had been | classmates at college, and | generally { ealled on him when in the city. This | Krantz & Co, on the pretenge that 1 { had received mail from them relative to some recommended Investment. | Clement knew Krantz well and favor. { formgtion that the man wns Austrian rather deeply Interested In political matters. If his sympathies were at all {| revolutionary he had carefully | frained from any soch open expres. sion, of handling South American business and had intimate fingneinl connections in both Rio and Buenos Alres, company ranked high in financial circles, “The present war must have cost them a rather heavy loss” | hazarded, | “However, this is nothing to me. Dy | the way, Clement, do you chance to | know of a Gans street in this town?” “Gank? That I=.a new one on me. | Try the city directory-—there on the edge of the deak™ The name was not to be found. nor any other approaching it In sound or spelling, and 1 finally drifted out onto i the street, really no wiser than when i 1 first entered. 1 made one more effort, | however, telephoning to a detective sergeant whom 1 knew well, as to the present whereabouts of Ivan Waldron. The last heard of Waldron, he was In West Virginia, speaking to striking miners; that was less than a week ago; he had not been seen in the city since, (TO BE CONTINUED.) And There You Have it, Elizabeth, when asked the ages of her two brothers, answered, “1 am big. ger than the littlest one and lttler than the biggest one.” . ONE-PIECE DRESS Blue Serge Outfit Has Lost None of Its Popularity. Favorite Frock Is Simpler This Sea. son--Many of Them Have Lit. tle or No Trimming. The blue serge one-piece dress has lost nothing of its genera! popularity. ft Is, perhaps, simpler this year, for 7ery many of them have little or no trimming. There Is the blue serge cont dress which Is a stunning thing One of them was made with a wrapping sort of col- tar trimmed only with two wide folds of the serge itself, There were three- quarter length sleeves with wide cuffs formed from the grouping of folds, And the dress then opened at the left side where a diagonal line tormed the opening, snd the “whole thing was held in place by a narrow tied belt of the serge. You can see that there was not a single bit of re- same IN RED AND WHITE GINGHAM There is a tendency to trim many the serge dresses with bands of either of brald or of a soft luvetyn that looks like flannel or with applied in way, that is always good and it lilvens up a without making it In any salle touch with dark blue serge, gown conspicuous Most of the new cont to close in front with onits are made link buttons, so ing Instead of buttoning over, ns w Rose on Beige Wool Coat Dress. always necessary In the past. ‘luis The serge sults that combine a one combinations and were some of full length, some hat With rufflings of outfit. It is youthful, too, ers that, like the French were quite short, These a tendency to chop in two the shorter fi4 at waoinan Ones, figures, | no with the possibility of ob- taining one will want to be without it, FASHIONS IN BRIEF serge skirts are nckets of quilted India silk. A red i frock, ithe Wihh i jet hy vas tle ie worn bip- and white of with bindings and pipings ix a distinctive style, A touch of Wack cleverly the best things to Rive char red nsed 10 gray. however, LEERY Hemstiteliing : und linen frocks a use of several g for cotton is the { threads, hree te» five red] dotted swiss fabric for irim YORrs, Ould the or six SOP ost approved 1 dress up frocks, Sometimes a plain Cold r white organdie hex the frock aang of finis is the most popular fabric selection for the sheer, lingerie blouse, i price that very fine weaves can be had | at regsonable figures } ! and of Freach knots, | LONGER IN BACK THAN FRONT hemstitehing perhaps groups | little Skirts in New Style Afforded inter. esting Note in the Recent Paris Openings, Recent openings by Parisian { digtes revenled quirks in styles and reversions to old styles. Skirts that much longer the were in in varying Panels sane nofe, this lengths at ion gave hem. Many of the gowns had all the trim- ming on the front, and very little back. Plain draperies In back con tracted oddly with flower trimmed overdresses in front. The new mings are wood uneven line and black ivy beige afternoon dress Few evening gowns without pleture hats, garlands used ments Fastened to Velvet, Bronze Articles Afford Good Effect, mse. Color contrast ig a good rule for hair is set off with gold ribbon or braid, while auburn locks are stun ning with jet ornaments fastened fo a velvet bandean. Bronze.ornaments are likewise stunning for the titan-toned coiffure. Bronze paint wil quickly coat all sorts of appropriate ora. ments to make a headdress, such as flowers, leaves, grasses, jewelry and feathers, A sliver wreath of small flowers or just plain leaves Is lovely on black hair. Golden hair is beanti- ful with pale-green turquoise or Dres- den effects In ribbon ornaments, Tur quolse velvet caught with sparkling rhinestone slides Is another sugges. tion for. balr ornamentation. WORD TO THE NEEDLEWOMEN Applique Work Enhances Charm of Blouse and Frock, Especially for the ildren, Most dainty Is the organdie’ blouse or frock with appligne of wild roses, An especinily attractive blouse of this description shows a spray of flowers in wild rose design at the point of the yoke In front. The applique Is in pale yellow on a white background. Around the edge the buttonhole stitch Is used, with French knots in the center. The sprays of leaves are in white mercer ized cotton. For children’s frocks nothing gives us, prottier touch than patchwork fruit, haskets, Insects und sallboats, The ing to the little boys. flaring pockets blouse pockets, MOORISH SWAGGER IN PARIS Oriental Note is Creating interest in France; Artificial Flowlirs Play Part in Picture, of trousers and on If the fashionable women of Paris { adopt the Moorish style of dress, which {Is dominant in the new spring vogues now being shown by the dressmakers in Paris, they will be seen hiding thelr hair under turbans smd learning to walk with a swinging motion of the hips, says the Dally Mall The oriental note shows itself not only in the brightly colored turbans and in scarfs and sashes, but also ir the use of sequins as ornaments for evenings gowns, Artificial flowers of gaudy color and great size are fa vorite trimmings. A single bloom worn on the left hip, or a loose garland hung round the body some inches be low the waistline, enhances the orl ental style, Prevent Runners. 8ilk stockings that are the least bit too short should have the hem ripped out at onge. It will not rave! But if worn too short, the garter will pull the stockings tight and it fs Just ag apt to begin to drop stitch at the heel or about the ankle as at the gar ter top, A row of stitching below Shere the garter is fastened will keep the hose from laddering from the top downward, . . RA Is backache keeping you miserable? Are you “all played out,” without strength or vigor for your work? Then find what is causi the trouble and correct it. Likely, it’s your kidneys! You have probably been working too bard and neglecting rest and exercise. Your kidneys have slowed up and poi- sons have accumulated. That, then, is the cause of the backache, headaches, dizziness and bladder irregularities. Use Doan's Kidney Pills. Doan's have helped thousands and should help you. Ask your neighbor! "Rea, A Virginia Case : Mra. ¥F, MM. Entwisle, 1907 Gibbon Bi. Alex- andria, Va. spayse: “There was a sore and lame feeling and EY heavy, bearing ~ down ache In my back all the time. My head felt as though someone were pounding it and I became very nerve. ous. 1 had dizzy spells, "too. The way my kid- neye acted bothered me a lot 3y the time I had finished the sec- ond box of Doan's Pills 1 was entirely cured.” Get Doan’s at Any Store, 60c & Box DOAN’ KIDNEY PILLS Renew your health - by purifying your system with ick and delightful re. lief for biliousness, colds, constipati higadaches, and stomach, i an blood troubles. The genuine are sold only in 35¢ packages. Avoid imitations. Wanted SALESMEN To Sell Our West Virginia Grown Nursery Stock. Pine canvassing out?! FRER Cash Commission Paid Weeidy WRITE for terms, THE GOLD NURSERY CO. Mason City, W. Va. Kill All Flies] "nz Plased any where r, DAISY FLY KILLER attracts kills all Slee. Nest, cleus, ornmmental, oonverient AIRY FLY KILLER or XPRES " gn ERS, paid, 8 . 0 De Kab Ave... Brodkiys, KX, “A CARPET OF GREEN" in Montgomery County is a real farmer. For booklet, Farm Sec, 215 Bell Bidg.. Montgomery, Ala Saw Both Sides Little Roy doesn’t care for dancing there i i i i i aloof as much as possible. His sister said, “Roy, don’t you realize that ev. ery time you don’t « there is some little girl not having a good time? “Yes,” said Roy, "and don't you realize that every time I do dance there is a little boy who isn't having 8 good time?” ance Shave With Cuticura Scap And double your razor efficiency as well as promote skin purity, skin com- fort and skin health. No mug neo slimy soap, no germs, no waste, no twice daily. One soap for all uses-—shaving, Bound to Be Saved. Hazel—Aren't you afraid of going In beyond your depth? Helen--No; all the men here think Borneo gather the ald of Coconut farmers In most of thelr crop with trained monkeys, A Jewish giris’ ciud hasibeen an ganized in Shanghai, China. Do you know can roll IOcts fro one bag »
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers