VOL XXXI THE CLEVELAND BICYCLE. Constructed of the best known ma terially the best skilled labor, fitted with the best b^arings in the world, that are positively dust proof. The most resilient tire yet invented—that can In* repaired quicker and easier than anv other tiro in the market. Every wheel guaranteed. -'"i ROADSTER CLEVELAND NO. 8. Another great point The Punctures Competition Is the all around excellence of the CLEVELAND WHEELS. That explains their popularity. For Information, Prices, Etc. Address H. A. LOZIER ft GO. , Cleveland, Ohio,) OR J. E. FORSYTHE, A t ,ent. BUTLER, PA. AGENTS WANTED. HUMTOGET)! 1 DONT BE HUMBUGGED. 1 Don't buy a vehicle'or harness of any kind from a dealer who ( don't care what he tells you. Don't buy from a dealer who don't know the quality of the article he is selling you. "Never misrepresent nor try to get rich off one customer" has been our motto for 12 years and in that time you have never heard ■ of us having any trouble with any person who has dealt with 11s. Our experience in the business enables us to assist you in making selec tions of what will suit your purpose and we tell you just the kind of material it is made of. We guarantee what we tell you to be true and Aand right over it. We buy everything for cash. We pay no rent. We have more stock than any house in the State in the same line and SELL CHEAPER. There is no doubt about this. Come and see. No difference what you want about a team, buggy or horse come to us and get a d >llar's worth for a dollar. Top Buggies $44.50; Buckwagons $33; Horse Collars, either buggy or team, si.oo; Buggy Whips 10c; Rawhide B u ggy Whips 50c; Whalebone Whips, one-half length, 50c. Two seat Spring Wagons S3B; Buggy Tops, good rubber, $9.50; Single trees, Shafts, Wheels, Sweat Pads, Check Lines and everything be longing to harness. HI Our Own Make Team Harness $22 Hi complete, with breeching and collars. All kinds of harness and parts of harness made to order. We employ the best workmen and use the best leather. Come and see us. We never advertised a lie in our life and are not doing it now. S. B. Martincourt & Co. 128 East Jefferson Street, BUTLER, - PA. P. S. Price reduced on Kramer Wagons, the best wagon on earth and everybody knows it. THE HARDOAN ART COHPANY. We are located now at i;o Scith Main Street, adjoining the Butler Saving.-. Bank. Our rooms are large, fine and commodious. Photographic enlargements and Life Size, Hand Made Finished Portraits by the finest French artists obtainable. In photographs we give you results and effects that cannot be produced outside of our Studio. We use only Standard Brand Collodion Paper and not Gelatine, a cheep and inferior paper used by many. Picture and Por trait frames; special prices to jobbers. Compare our work with any Standard Work made or sold in the state. Our victorious motto, "We harmonize the finest work with the promptest service and the lowest prices for the quality of work." Beware of tramp artists and irresponsible parties and strangers. Have your work done by reliable and re sponsible parties that guarantee all work satistactory. Call and examine our work and samples and read our many tes timonials. THE HARDMAN ART COMPANY. J. S. YOUNG. WM. COOPER YOUNG & COOPER, I MERCHANT TAILORS I Have opened at S. E. corner of Main and Diamond Streets, Butler, with all the latest styles in Spring Suitings. Fit and Workmanship Guaranted. Prices as low as the lowest. TRY US. THE BUTLER CITIZEN. jr. I^Cheux ~^nt Leonard, Mo. In Agony IB Years With Salt Rheum Hood's Barsaparllla Cava a Perfect Cure. " c. I. Hood & Co., Lowell, Mass.: " Hood's Sarsaparilla is an excellent medicine. I bad eczema in my left leg for fifteen years. Part of the time my leg was one mass of scabs, and about every week corruption would gather under the skin and the scabs would slouga off. The Itching and Burning sensation made me suffer lndeseribabi« agonies. I spent a great deal of money for different rero- Bbut did not get relief. About a year ago, ig physicians advised ine to take Hood • parllla. I did so and have taken five bot- Hood's^Cures ties. Now all the sores, scabs and pain have vanished and lam enjoying perfect health. I think Hood's Sarsaparllla is second to none and gladly recommend It to all suffering humanity. M. L. Checvxoxt, Leonard, Missouri. Hood's Pills act easily, yet promptly and efficiently, oa the liver and bowels. 25c. A Scientist claims the Root of Diseases to be in the Clothes we Wear. The best Spring remedy for tlieibines, etc , is to discard your uncomfortable old duds which irri tate the body:-leave your measure at ALAND'S for a new suit which will fit well, improve the appearance by re lieving you instant- O J lv of that tired feel ing, and making you cheerful and active. The cost of this sure cure is very moderate. TRY IT. C.^ D D. A business that keeps grow ing through a season of de pression, such as the country has experienced, is an evi dence that people realize they save money by trading with us. We know, and always have known, the days of large profits are past. Without question we are giving more for the money than last year. Our stock is select from than last year." CALL AND SEE US. Colbert & Dale. SPECIAL SALE OF PANTS. Ig.OO Pants for $5 00. $5 50 Pants for $4 50, $5 00 Pants for $4.00. $4 50 Pants for $3 50. $4.00 Pants for $3 00. $3 00 Pants for $2.50. $.2.50 Pants for $1.75. $2.00 Pants for $1.25. Warranted Jean Pants sold by none for less than $1 00, *** for 89e. : : *** THE RACKET STORE 120 South Main Street, Butler, Pa,, WALL PAPER. SPRING PATTERNS HAVE ARRIVED. Retail price lower than ever. Window Shades,etc. AT DOUGLASS', Near P. O. - - 241 S, Main St- lUTTLKH, FRIDAY. MAY -4, 1894. GREAT "OOME." SAID KENT. "I WILL SHOW TOU MY POSSESSIONS.*' CHAPTER IV. Laport marveled at the particular ity with which the escape had been planned and at the address of Kent in hoodwinking the governor while con spiring to free bis prisoner. Without reasoning upon the matter deeply ha set about following out the pro gramme laid down for him and his methodical training enabled him to do it carefully. Laport was over fifty five but he was made of tough vital material and the prospect of liberty stirred all his old sagacity. Kent saw him for the last time in prison on Fri day morning; gave him his additional instructions and tools and left osten sibly for New York at noon, much to the regret of the Ixtels. Kent's provision had been unerring with regard to Laport, but he made one or two miscalculations about his own movements, and as the gov ernor's special efforts were directed to hii capture, stimulated no doubt by the Chagrin on having been so successfully duped (he having learned that his guest was unauthorized and unknown In the New York newspaper office), One of the best detectives in the coun try got upon his track and followed him to Louisville, Ky., when the trail was a week old. From this point he traced him into western Tennessee and there tho pursuit ended. Kent had disappeared from the surface of the earth. What is remarkable about this part of the hunt is that nothing occurred publicly to awaken the sus picion that Bench and Kent were the same person. Laport's escape from the prison was effected with but slight variations as it had been planned for him, and there was nothing in his methodical execu tion of the plan but a grim and un eventful determination accompanied by a silent apprehension, until he ar rived as arranged at the old mill, and there the whole character of the pro ceedings changed as if by magio and began to wear the aspect of a sixteenth century romance. While yet some fifty feet away from the mill and hidden in the brush, he listened and distinctly heard female voices of merriment coming from the other side. His heart sank. Some pic nicking- party had taken possession of the secluded retreat and cut off his last chance. There had been no pro vision for this contingency in Kent's plan. While Laport stood listening to the bursts of laughter and subdued Screams that mingled with the voices of men in some kind of sport, he dis tinctly heard some one singing the strains of "Home, Sweet Home," in a clear soprano. It might be one of those fatal coincidences, for the air was one that anybody would be apt to warble He considered a moment and deter mined to take the risk. Working his way through the thick ets he came out on the overgrown bank where the mill stood and went delib erately round to the side from which the voices proceeded. He had scarcely turned the corner of the mill before he found himself in full view of a party of ladies and gentlemen who had evi dently rendezvoused here for a lunch. Their horses were tied to the neigh boring trees; a white cloth was spread upon the grass; a colored servant was opening wine. They were elegantly dressed and were unmistakably people of means and leisure taking an outing. At the same moment Laport saw pro truding from the grass almost at his feet the circular form of an old mill stone and, with a feeling of helpless ness, he sat down upon it. A minute had not passed when he was aware "that some one was ap proaching him. It was a woman. She had left the group Immediately and was standing very near him. He looked at her with the greatest amount of interest and suspense. She was handsomely and jauntily dressed in a riding habit and appeared to bo at least thirty years of age. Her whole bearing was easy, but dignified. Her handsome oval face was expressive of determination, softened by sensibility. She carried a riding whip. "You are late, professor," she said, looking at her watch, "and have kept us waiting. Did j-ou meet anyone after you left the stile?" "Yes, I did," answered Laport. "I met a woman in the wood road going to town with a basket, and she re garded me suspiciously." "Then we have no time to lose," said the woman, calmly. "These people are all friends. You are to change your garments immediately. My serv ant will help you. Explanations and further directions must wait." She called the negro servant and said to him: "Now, then, Fan, be as quick as you can. We are fifteen min utes late." "This way, professah," said the serv ant, with a grin, as he pointed to the old mill. Laport, without further words, made a bow and followed the negro into the dilapidated structure, llere, in one of the recesses where there remained a clear space and a flooring, there was a hamper such as is used at picnics. There were one or two plates and a napkin conspicuous on its strapped lid. The negro brushed them away and hurriedly tore open the basket. It was packed tightly and carefully with a complete outfit of clothes, which the man lifted out and spread in a pile upon a clean newspaper. Laport was •watching bim curious Interest. "Excuse me, sah," said the servant, "you ain't got no time. You got to git dem duds off lively. I'se goin' to dress you. Take 'em off—take 'em off —l'se got to put 'em in dis yere wicker works." DB. BAMCKL FIU.KKI.IN, OT CINCINNATI. Thus recalled to the urgency of the moment Laport began at once to divest himself of the disguise he wore. As fast as he relieved himself of his cloth ing. the negro placed It in the hamper, and when it was full he excused him self and carried it away. He was not gone more than flvo min utes, and when he came back he wan empty handed. What he did with it Laport never knew. But even then he had an instinctive feeling that its com plete destruction or effectual hiding had been provided for. Fan then proceeded to dress him in the most expeditious, but the same time the most scrupulous, manner. In spite of the nervous anxiety of La port, he could not help wondering at the systematic provision that had been made for a thorough and complete change of appearance. The linen, cuffs, collar, studs, sleeve buttons, finger ring, watch chain, had not been forgotten. He was quickly dressed in a handsome suit of gray tweed, an im maculate vest and a fine soft black hat with a broad brim. He was shaved with marvelous dexterity, fitted with a flowing gray wig and gold glasses, a pair of silk stockings and riding boots with spurs, a field glass thrown over his shoulder and rouge given tc his face; and when Fan held up a little mirror before his eyes, Laport saw himself transformed Into a comfor table well-to-do governor with a florid face that indicated good living. "Excuse me, sah," said Fan, as he admired his work. "You'll liav' to sojei up; jess frow out your bress and put yei shoulders back. Yer got a bad sag ic yer backbone. Der duds ain't made for it. Jess one more pint—good nuff, if yer can hold him dar." Fan ran his eye over the details and looked at a little watch that he carried in his vest pocket. Laport saw that it was exactly like the one Kent had given him and that the womau had ex hibited while he was on the millstone. Indeed, it reminded the servant to re place in Laport's vest pocket the time piece that Kent had given him. He did this with the remark: "Dat's de gen eral's time. T'other one's for to make a gallus show." A moment later he had gathered up all the evidences of his work and sum moned the lady who appeared to be his mistress. She came in flushed, as if she had been riding, looked at Laport critically and said: " Yoi/'are I)r. Samuel Franklin, of Cincinnati, and I am your daughter. You are to assume, to the best of your ability, the manner of a rather per emptory but kind-hearted parent. You can scold me for my extravagance a little if you like. You are to carry this roll of bills and when called upon pay our expenses. You are also to take this little checkbook and draw your check as I direct. Further direc tions I can give you as we journey. The horses are at the door." Five minutes later Laport was on the back of a handsome horse, riding by the side of a jaunty and spirited com panion. Immediately behind them rode three others, who made up the group. The way for some distance was across fields, but presently they came into one of those grass-grown lanes that divide farms, and a little later struck a common country high way running southwest. Sot a word was spoken by Laport's companion for a mile or two except an occasional direction as to speed. But after an hour's ride they came to a group of houses, when she said: "It is neces sary that we show ourselves here. You are to preserve the air of the father of the family—that is all." At the largest of the houses the party 4rew up and asked for a drink of wai ter of a man at the door. While it was being served La port remained in the road—the rest drew up chatteringly at the door and managed adroitly to tell the man how they had been disap pointed in their ride and wre hurry ing back to Shirleyville. Some ques tions were also asked about better roads; and then, with flippant jests, some coin was flung to the man and they started off again. It was now half-past three o'clock and a ride of half an hour brought them to an inter secting and evidently not much traveled road. "We turn south," said Laport's companion. "The rest go on to Shir leyville. Do yon understand? There is no telegraph on our route." The moment they were in the new road she said: "I shall have to ask you to make the best time you can for the next five miles, until we come to an other highway. Your horse has a pood gait—let him have his head." She then struck her animal and La port followed her. The pace was a painful one, for he no longer had the supplenessof youth. But determination supplied him with endurance, and they rode at a rapid pace through an unin habited tract, and he was much re lieved when they turned once more into a well-traveled road that ran in a west erly direction, and his companion said: "You can take it easy now. We'll walk our horses here and let them dry. We are safe. If you are pursued the scent will lead to Shirley ville." She drew up by his side as she spoke. "I can now tell you," she said, "what your route will be. We shall stop for the night at a hotel in Charlotte. It is ten miles farther on. You will pay our bill in the morning- with a check which the landlord will cash because I have already cashed the two which Mr. Kent got you to sign, and the land lord knows they are good. There is a branch railroad running from Char lotte to Penkanky—thirty miles west We shall succeed in the morning in getting oft with our horses on a trip to the Penkanky glen. The horses will go on to Brankenford, where they will be taken care of. they having- been ob tained there. At the Penkanky house we give out that we are going to stop with a friend in town and leave the hotel in the evening-. You will then have to walk three miles to reach a trunk line railroad. If we catch an express train we shall most likely be In Wheeling just six hours ahead of a dispatch." "But if we do not?" asked Laport with considerably more curiosity than apprehension. "In that case we shall have to de pend on the discrepancy between the description and the appearance. The probability is that the pursuit will be thrown off at Shirleyville. There is no means of knowing- that we left the party until the pursuers reach the party. They will then have to retrace their steps. The landlord at Charlotte will tell them that he has been receiv ing your checks before the date of the escape, and saw you sign one with his own eyes. It will take some time aft«?r ward to ascertain that we are not in Pankanky yet. If, however, the tel egraph is used without waiting to as certain that fact the detective will board the train when we pull into Wheeling." "Are you prepared for that?" "Ye 6. You change your disguise be fore taking that train." "Ah," said Laport, with relief. "And you go on alone," added the woman. "Yes?" said Laport, inquiringly. "You reach Cincinnati and go to the Columbia hotel, an obscure place. You will look on the register for Bernard Biddle. He's your old friend. He will get you over into Kentucky that night. On Friday morning at ten o'clock you will be at the rendezvous appointed by Mr. Kent. I will myself join you three days later. Once at that point you are absolutely &afe from pursuit." Laport looked at her. "I do not quite see how that can be," he said. "You will sea clearly enough when you arrive there," replied his compan ion. CHAPTER V. On Friday morning a tired and dusty traveler in a miserable Tennessee wagon was driven up to the ragged acclivity In Henderson county now known as Fort Surges. It was then a wild, overgrown region and all the traveler and the negro who drove him could see sticking out of the brush half a mile up the rocks was the un painted roof of a small frame house. The traveler got out, stamped his feet as if he was cramped by long riding, gave the negro a two-dollar bill and began climbing the rocky bank. It was Laport. He sat down on the doorstep of the house somewhat winded by the climb and looked about him. The prospect to the east and north was open revealing what appeared to be a desolate wilder ness of rocks and forests, with here and there the blue peaks of the distant mountains showing between. While he sat there, the door opened; a man whom he did not recognize appeared and spoke to him familiarly-. "Come inside, professor—you can rest yourself much better indoors." He looked at the speaker. It was Kent, but save for something in the tone of his voice, Laport did not know him. He appeared broader and heavier and older. He considerately assisted Laport to rise, saying: "I've been waiting break fast for you. You may dismiss further anxiety. Your troubles are ended. You must be hungry after your long ride." Once inside the house, a well-spread table presented itself and the men sat down. "Let us," said Kent, "avoid the usual formalities. Explanations will prepare the way to rest. You are naturally amazed at what has taken place and anxious to know the motives of my action. I will proceed at once to relieve your mind and replenish your system. Let me advise you to drink coffee—it is a necessary prophy lactic in this place." He called to a servant who came in from the one other apartment and brought the meal. Laport looked on with expectancy and was silent, while Kent both ate and talked. "You have been most cruelly wronged,'' he said. "You are not guilty of murder, for that was not your intention. Society took from the world a genius and locked him up. You are at present, and so long as you stay here, beyond the reach of society. I do not intend to interfere with your liberty. I shall malce you a business proposition. If it does not meet wit j'our approbation you can depart, will not betray you. If it does yoi can work for me a year, save a hand some competence and spend the re mainder of your days in some safe place comfortably. You arc not eat ing." "Pardon me," said Laport. "I will drink this coffee and listen to you. I have no appetite." "Perhaps a drop of stimulant?" "No." said Laport. "My curiosity to hear what you have to say is too great to permit me to eat. Proceed." "There are two orders of men, Mr. Laport," said Kent. "One order deals with ideas, the other with events. They are incompatible, but supple mentary. The greatest achievements are brought about by the association of the two orders of talent. One order Is reflective and creative; the other is executive and administrative. e lep lcseut the two orders. lam not satis tied with events as tU e .y going to manufacture them on a l&rgt scale." He paused a moment and took a few mouthful* of food. I-aport was re garding him curiously. "This sounds a little abstract, but it !s a necessary postulate. I'm not a crank. Like yourself, society has wronged me. I propose to rectify some of the evils of society. If that sounds chimerical, let me remind you that the details of your i««eue ought to con vince von tint I i .in man of method. / ' / "I PROPOSE TO RECTIFY SOME OF THI EVILS OF SOCIETY." accustomed to deal with facts and ad just myself to circumstances. You are under some obligations to me. I pro pose to avail myself of those obliga tions ir >nly one way—it is by making a confluent of 3*ou and depending upon your sense of loyalty, no matter what arrangement we effect. The pledge is implied. I have to put myself in your hands to a certain extent. You are a free man. You are not directly or in directly to betray my confidence, even if you do not stay with me. That, I merely say. is understood." Laport bowed his head in acquies cence. Kent smiled. "It is hardly neces sary for me to say to you that I would not have this confidence in your sense of loyalty if I had not acquainted my self with your character and I hardly would have taken th ■ extraordinary means to secure your services if I had not believed I could depend upon you. Verbal pledges are unnecessary, my dear sir. "In carrying out the vast projects which I have in my mind for the recti fication of some of the evils of so ciety, I shall neoessarily come In col lision with society and it was neces sary first of all to find a secure place safe from interruption, impregnable and unknown to the world, where I could carry on the extensive organiz ing scheme. That place is under your feet." "I do not understand you," &aid La port, looking curiously about him. "Under this floor," continued Kent, "is the entrance to the largest cave that has probably ever been explored by man. I discovered it by accident seven years ago. I bought this piece of land and erected this house over the entrance. I purpose to buy the whole two thousand acres of wild land that covers a great portion of It, and erect here a large building ostensibly a san itarium. It is for the fitting up of this underground domain that I have taken 6uch pains to secure your aid. I need in it an electrical plant; a water sys tem; electric railway, and heating ap paratus, besides means of defe ise and other modern appliances. I have esti mated the cost of my internal—or, perhaps, I should say, intestinal—im provement at something like a mil lion dollars. It is for you to say, when I have taken you over the ground, if you will sell me your mechanical skill for a year and what it will be worth." Kent waited for a reply. After a moment's hesitation Laport said: "It seems to me, sir, that at this time I am not in a position to make terms. If you succeed in demonstrat ing to me the practicability of your plans, the best I can do ia to offer you my services and advice in so far as the scheme meets with my approbation." "Well, I can only say that such an arrangement will not do at all. I do not Intend to implicate you in any of my sehemes. I wish to employ your con structive ability at a reasonable price. If the work that I want done is practi cable to the engineering and mechan ical mind, and you give me your serv ices for a year, will fifty thousand dol lars compensate you?" For the first time it flashed over La port's mind that he was listening to a monomaniac; one of those restless and harmless characters who conceive pro digious schemes and make fabulous in vestments with no other capital than their disordered imaginations. Kent guessed what was passing in his mind, for he said: "I see the suddenness and largeness of my schemes have disturbed your confidence. Two or three days of In vestigation will restore it. We can talk farther of the matter after we are better acquainted. Before I show yott the underground laboratory, let me explain to you the topographical pe culiarities of the country." As he said this he picked up a map and, moving' his chair closer to La port's, spread out the paper on the table. "There," he said, indicating a point on the map with a pencil, "is about where we are. This original map is a sketch-plan of the subter ranean domain as near as I have beer able to survey it. I estimate the south western extension of the cave to b« about eighteen miles in length. Ther* is another hidden entrance at that ex treme limit, but it needs a little exca vating to be of practical use. I intend to purchase that land also and erect a house over it. That entrance, or t« speak more correctly, that exit, it within four miles of the great Wash bayou on the Mississippi. The coun try is such that a hard road can b« easily made. The bayou is one of th« deepest and wildest on the river. A Bternwheel boat can land her suppliei there entirely hidden from the rirei with little difficulty. The nearest house is eighteen miles distant. The transportation overland is not much of a problem, but the eighteen miles underground needs an engineer's skill. That is where I want an electric rail way. You will see the necessity of that when you examine the place, for it is the northeastern end of the cave that can best be fitted up for habita tion and workshops. "The difficulties to be overcome, as you will readily understand, are physical difficulties and involve light ing, ventilation, transit and defense. My idea is that the subterranean do main offers a magnificent field for the abode of an army of mechanics and soldiers." Laport was amazed. "Would it bo Impertinent," he asked, "if I Inquired what you are going to do with the soldiers?" "Not at all," replied Kent. "But It would be better perhaps if you were kept in ignorance of my ultimate plans or at least not made acquainted with them until you had grown to under stand their possibility. In case you did not approve of them, it would be better not to be implicated in them. Let me ask you one question— did you not offer to the government a gun con structed on a novel plan?" "Yes, I did," replied Laport. "And the government rejected it?" "The government laughed at it, and I spent months and all my money try ing to lobby through an appropriation to get it tested." "When was that?" "It is eight years ago." ''Very good»' f "kfrid Kent. "I should like to have a talk with you about that gun later on. The first thing to do U to give you a sense of security and to do that I shall have to show you my hidden retreat. Before down, let me say that this House Is ac cessible only by one road, and we can see anyone approaching by that road for two miles. Besides, I keep a sentry in the woods who can communicate by signal with the house. If by any ac cident an officer or detective should get into the other apartment, you have ample time to disappear. Let me show vou." Here Ivcnt got up and golnsr to the corner of the room, leaned with his hands upon the wall and pushed vigor ously with his feet upon the floor which Instantly moved as if it were on rollers, and as it withdrew from the cor ner in which Kent stood, a smooth rock showed itself about a foot be neath. He jumped down upon the rock and with his foot gave the flooring a push and it receded about three feet, exposing a descent to which had been fitted a rude wooden rail and steps. Laport stepped to the edge of the floor and looked over. He saw part of a rough shaft which was apparently ten «r twelve feet in diameter, that sank away obliquely in a westerly di rection and was very dark and repel lant. "Come," said Kent, "I will show you my possessions. You had better let me take your hand. I am familiar with the steps." Thus assisting and guiding Laport, they descended carefully the rude but solid stairway which for some distance was very steep. At the end of twenty feet they came to a rock landing and a new opening leading downward more gradually at right angles to the main shaft. Laport saw that the entire pas sage was a natural rift or chasm. He turned at the landing and looked back at the stairway dimly seen in the dark ness stretching up above them. "I know what you are thinking of." said Kent, "it is that by the destruc tion of the steps one is caught like a rat In a trap. But you forget that there are other exits and, besides, 1 have bored into the stratum above with an artesian drill and know where it is thinnest. Let us go down." A light shone in the distance, and ita reflection enabled Laport to descend without further difficulty. In plaoea the natural slant of the rock needed no steps. At others Kent warned him of a sudden rise or fall in the path. As near as Laport could judge the second passage was fifty feet long and only at a few points wide enough to pass two men abreast. On reaching the bottom of the declivity, he found himself In an enormous stone room or arena, that was lit in part by two or three power ful lamps and reflectors. As accurately as he could determine with his eye, the roof rock was eighty or a hundred feet high where it was lit by the reflected lights, beyond which was a pitchy gloom. The walls of this rotunda were uneven and slanted away at different angles, that portion through whose fissure they had come being the nearest to a perpendic ular. "The dimension of this room," said Kent, in an explana tory way, "is about half an acre. It letkds by a sort of corridor, fifty feet wide and two hundred feet long, to a much larger opening. This at present is my workshop." As his eyes became familiar with the. light, Laport saw figures moving about, and he thought he heard the sound of hammers. "There are alx workmen," said Kent. They have been fitting up the plaw:e for offices and headquarters. Let me show you your rooms." They crossed the area, their figures making shifting and fantastic shad ows, and came to a rude wooden struc ture built against the side of tfie rock. Externally it presented the appear ance of a mere shanty, but when Kent opened the door, he found it comfort ably carpeted and furnished and lit by a large lamp. A table stood in the center upon which were heaped papers and writing material. A bookcase filled with books, a handsome filter and water-cooler and a little buffet with decanters and glasses pave the place an air of luxury. The wooden walls had been tastefully papered and Beveral pictures hung upon them. Kent waited to see the effect upon his visitor and then said: "A fairly comfortable retreat, professor, and I think you will now agree with me that it is a safe one. Here is a speaking tube and signal bell communicating with the house above. Here is a sleep- ing room," he added, as he threw open a side door and disclosed a narrow apartment with a comfortable bed and all the necessary chamber appurten ances. "You can work oat your de signs here without fear of Interrup tion and be entirely safe from the vari ations of the season, as this thermom etei will show you. But of course Ido not expect you to spend all your time out of the sunlight. I should advise you not to give more than half your day to this part of the establishment unless there is danger of discovery. You are free to go and come at your inclina tion." Laport sat down in a comfortable chair. "1 should like to ask you a few practical questions," he said, "but the fact is the whole disclosure is so much like one of the stories of the Arabian Nights that anything practical seems out of place." "Well, pray dismiss all notions of magic and illusion," replied Kent with a smile. "The cave is the only thing that approaches the miraculous—all the rest is plain sailing hard work with the assistance of science. It remains for you to say, after you have made a thorough examination of the place, if it can be made tenantable for a year.' 1 "I should say at once," said Laport, "that if you have the means at com mand—that it can. I know nothing about the ventilation or salubrity of it, and the work is so gigantio that at first sight I should say it would require a stock company with unlimited capi tal to effect the purpose." "I have roughly fig-tired the improve ments at a million dollars," said Kent, "and that of course is an economical estimate. The money I have. It la not a question of resources. It is a question of practicability. I want you to familiarize yourself with the place—make yourself comfortable, look over my plans which you will find in that portfolio there, estimate care fully just what tools and materials you need and be ready to talk to me more fully at the end of a fortnight. Your salary will commence from to-day and you can draw on me for money whan you please. The sooner you get an ao eurate estimate of the material, the sooner I can begin to get It In. The first thing Is to mak« a surrey for an electric plant and a tramway. We must have light and means of convey ance. It is Impossible to deliver the heavy material at this entrance. lam going away to-morrow and will be back In about a week. In that time 1 expect you to have formed a clear judgment of what yon can do. You are too tired to-day to go over the ground, but I will introduce yon to my right hand man here who will be subject to your diractlons when we get to work and he will guide you in your explora tions. I shall be gone one or two weeks. You will find many of the conveniences of life here. The mail is brought once a day and includes the principal pa pers of the country and some of its best periodical literature. There are stationery and appliances in the rooms. I would aot, if I wer® you, trass?* - f » r . D>2i? NO 19 ground alouc, and remember that my name hero is llendri«ka and yoon ii Franklin. Is there anything yov would like to say to me before I go?" Lapt.rt li.-sitaWd a moment, and then replied: "Yes. There Is one persoa whom I should like to know ol nay freedom. It is the only person on earth for whom I hare a deep alfeo* tion, and who on hearing of my escape will be tormented with anxiety." "And who might that person be?" "It is uiy daughter." "Whore is «-hc?'* "In RoM.ia." "You . .int to communicate with her?" "I should like to set her mind at rest in vime way, even if I cannot see her." "I need not tell you," said Hen dricks. "thai communication with Hf» is exactly what the detectives who are searching for you expect. Thay have already put a watch upon her; know all her actions and foUow every one who calls upon her. Her mails are even intercepted. No, no. Not at present. By and by when the soent ii cold, we can get word to her, and when we have proper accommodations, you can have her with you If yon like, but not now." (TO BE COSTIXUED.) It TV*« About All H» r^ft •*Excuse me." said the gourmand oi the boarding-house, addressing the landlady, "excuse mo, madam, leaving the table." "Pray, don't mention it," said the lady, politely, as she glanced at the few eatables that remained; "we know you are obliged to leavo it or yoo would not do so." Then the other boarders looked at each other and smiled significantly.— N. Y. Press. Retornrd the Call. Ethel—My! These western men are unconventional. I hadn't known that young Mr. Breezy, of Chicago, half an hour before he was calling me by my first name. May (quizzically)— What did yon call him? Ethel (energetically)—l called him down.' —Truth. Conrtahlp. Be cat an hour with her In the Toon, At ere, in the warmth and light; Then he stood three hou.s outside la the gloom And the storm, bidding her good night -N.T. Pratt TUK CAUSE Or TBI ROD. Mrs. Flaherty (proudly)—Do ye* hear me Mary Ann singing? Mrs. Dooley—lt's her voiee Oi wish Oi had, Mrs. Flaherty. Mrs. Flaherty (unsuspiciously)— An' phwat would th' loikes av yon do wid aioh a voice, Mrs. Dooley? Mrs. Dooley—Oi'd toie a shtone to it and t'row it to the bottom «v a well!— Judge. Hli Fond Wife. "Take carp," she said, "you do not go On icy walks and break your back; Take care, dear spouse, I lore you SO Besides I don't look well la back." —Chicago Record. Incomplete. Mrs Ver Million (dressed for a ball) —How do I look, dear? Mr. Ver Million—Beautiful', beauti ful! But you want a little bine paint on your nose and chin. Mrs. Ver Million—You horrid thingl What would I have that for? Mr. Ver Million -Complete the ns> tlonal colors.—Judge. Matrimonial Item. "Why, Clara, you look radiant! What has happened?" "I've just received an invitation to * wedding." "Well, there's nothing particular in that to go into raptures over." "Yes. Rut it happens to be my own." And she showed the new en gagement ring.—Alex Sweet, in Texas Sittings. Spring Diamond*. They were passing a fruit Btor* en Jefferson avenue. "Oh, my," she exclaimed, "look at those strawberries. Aren't they a lovely red?" "Of course they are," he replied; "that's the way they blush at the price asked for them." —Detroit Free Press. Connotation. Doctor —How is your appetite? Sick Man —Good. Doctor—And your sleep? Sick Man—Good. Doctor—And your general health? Bick Man—Also Rood. Doctor Well, don't worry; f'tt change all that within a week.—Hallo. ller Destruction. First Young Lady—Do you always buy two kinds of paper? Becond Young Lady—Always. You see. when I write to Charlie I use red paper; that means love. When I an swer Jim's letters I use blue paper, which means "faithful unto death. rt See? —Brooklyn Life. Lost Hte Iliad Compl