VOL- xxxvi
MILLER'S |
SPRING FOOTWEAR
Strongest. Brightest and Most Stylish
Line Ever Shown in Butler.^^g2l^
This to Be Our Banner Year
This will surely J* our banner year. All our efforts have been with
success. We started a sale in Febrnary of our Winter Tans ami Box Calf Shoes. ]
The result is they are all gone. We have the money for them and the much-need- j
cd room for spring goods, and 110 back numbers 'in our hands for next fall
Pushing Spring Goods. m -
'.Ve are pushing spring goo Is har<l—and not a bit too early, for there is not a 1
man, woman or child in Butler that docs not want a nice pair of shoes for Kaster j
We have been thinking abou* you, planning for vou and studying your wants, and
we tl ink we know them However, we will let you be the in this matter
when yon see our new line for spring.
For the Ladies to Wear.^^>-
We feel safe in sayiaii that we haye the most complete line of Lvlie?' Shoes in
Butter. The Deisarte Shoes have no equal for styie **i 1 comfort, an t hive the
largest sale of any advertised shoe in the world. Our cheaper lines are B real lUs
year. We are very strong on lines running from 9S cents to {2.03, tan or black.
For Men to Wear. n^~—
The expressions we have heard from the young men of t'ae town since we dis
played a few of our spring styles in our window gives us the assurance that our
judgment has s.iited the tastes of our many customers who like to wear nice sh
<2uite a millibar of our spring shoes can be se*n 01. the streets an 1 we fee! }»r >u I o
them, as does the wearers, for they are certainly is the biys say. 'very swell
Our spring goxls are in all grades of Tan Shoes, Kid and Calf, and Black go MIS in
l'attnt Leather, Vici Kid. Calf, etc. Prices range from to #5 00.
For Boys and Girls to Wear.
We have not forgotten the boys and girls. We have sime very smsrt things
for you, and it is lime you was looking around to se„* where you will boy >'°" r
Kaster shoes. We like to have you look around and compare, for it always results
in our favor.
For the Baby to Wear.
Through the baby we reach the *hole family. S >tne dealers look on the baby
department as a very small matter. We do not. We know that the bady must
and will have nice shoes, and with that uppermost in our minds we bought t lis
line for spring. How well we succeeded can be told by the sa'isfied buyers
We Want to Met You.
Couie in and I'iok over our new goods. If you don't need any footwear, now,
you may later. We have not mentioned anything about our large line of Slipper.',
Walking Shoes, Tennis Shoes etc., but we will at some other time.
See us for Your Spring Shoes
C. E. TWiller
j HAN
# —WHO SECURES HIS CLOTHING FROM— £
S J. S. YOUNG, |
a THE .MERCHANT TAILOR, 4
2 The goods, style, tit and general iniike 4
. up of IIIH suits 6
J TELL their own j
■ - J -
—MEN^-
• I Won't buy clothing for the purpose of spend
• - j ing money. They desire to get the best
' j / X Ur&S possible results for the money expended,
it '; ( f \ JJC 11/ \ Not cheap goods but goods as cheap as can
j 1 1 a lAI 1 V ,)e and made up properly. Call and
j 1 * /I examine iny large stock of
'j r t/R SPRING SUITINGS.
1 <i ly jr* » Right up to date, the latest styles, shades
1 i • 'i/ \\ Tl a colors that could be bought. Call and
. 1 1 —'---W examine them"
i 1 1 Xifa 7*)
I I ■jg.l * \ yZZ, i Fits and Workmanship
i[ I \ j Guaranteed.
G. F. Keen,
142 North Main Street, Butler, Pa.
HWe are now Ready u
WA To show you our new spring line of Men's,
Hoys' and Children's clothing at entirely wA
A new prices.
Also our new spring line of Hats (in all WA
*2 tlie new shapes), caps and furnishing goods.
V We will make you a tailor made suit for wl
► 1 $15.00 up to $30.00, and if they do not fit M
4 or please yoj, we do not ask you to take >1
it. Come in and see the samples. 4
a We Have Two Stores and %
A We buy real cheap now. %
« DOUTHETT & GRAHAM, i
€ BUTLKR, PA, HIE CLOTH IKRS. J
k i>i A dk A A I
PAPE'S, JEWELERS.
Diamonds, Watches, Clocks, Jewelery,
Silverware, Spectacles, etc.
We have a large and well selected stock.
We Repair all Kinds of Watches.
If you have broken jewelery that you think beyond repairs
bring it to us and we will make it as good as new.
We take old gold and silver the same as cash allowing the
highest market price.
122 S. Main St., Huller, Pa.
THE BUTLIiR CITIZEN.
Rtv House. Hti Furniture j
Central Hotel. \
f bes, and yon feel bilious, cons J
P-sited, and out of tuni, with your J
MRS. JENNIE NIXON, Proo'r no appetite - J
Opposite Court Honse. { Hood's
""" Tw ™ { : ■ - :1 1 I £
5 Yon win be aorpru J
* t i. r i 1/ # they will do their work, . ure your £
I ( VV i headache and biliousne-s. rouse tl.. #
2 liver and make yon fee ! happy us:ain. 0
DKAI.KR IN 425 cents. Sold by all medicine dealers 0
Rough i Worked Lumber
Doors, Sash, Blinds, Mouldings. .
Shingles and Lath S Butler Steam Laundry.
in Stock. S 22 0 West Cunningham Street, \ :
LIME. lUIK AND PLASTER ( J. E ZICKRICK, Manager.
Office uppoKte P. & AV. IHpot. ( People's 'Phone, 236. S
SUTLER. PA. 1
I House Keeperss
| Give Ear »
S Now is the time you will tie buying WALL l'A i'Kr # 1
Huve vou consi.lere.l wlure vou ::r - t<. t.uy it- , , , I
V If you have 11 t >et seen our LARGK STOCK ; all the latest f
S Designs, Colorings, Tapestries, Uerlaps. I'resse.l an.t Metal effect.., et.
OT I* wiil pay vou to do so al once. Our stock was never so com pie e
S as it is today. Don't take our word for itobut call and ;ee tor your- .t
f? and he convinced, tt'e have the goods and it is to show th. in
5| We also carry »large line of ROOM MOULDINGS to match colors ol
paper.
Uk Stationery. Window Shades, *>
Paints Oils and Varnishes, etc
T- Picture and Mirror Framing a Specialty.
W A large line of unframed pictures. Call and si'* them.
Contract painting and paper hanging « M
R We lead and others follow.
| Patterson Bros.,
S 236 North Main Street. Butler. Pa. S
S Wick Building. Peoples" Phone 400.
1 Spring Goods.
Our Entire Spring Stock
• (3?) CompK slock of tht* SOROSIS Shoes
t tlie new shoe for women. Made of the finest
\ M W Dongola, Tan and I'atePt Leather; also corn
plete stock of liak'-r iS: Bowman's fine han
M jMvfl r5-, turn's and hand welts in Djugola and fin-
K wBJ v? Russett Kid, made on the laUst up-to-date
Sjßr q MEN'S SHOES.
asslr.rt'iiK ill of'' cJu,' 1 Vie:.' K?d.' "! "
UM '- a at "' K a "g arot> I'al'nt Calf M> •
a ''" '' aS ' S ' C ' U I ' ,l M
complete line Children's pilots in the late '
laige. Being made on the same style lasts
the Men's Fhoes in all the different leathers.
ig See Our Window Display.
JOHN BICKEL.
128 SOUTH MAIN STRKET -:- BUTLER, l'A
MRS. J. E. ZIMMEUM A N
\
Ladies' Spring Suits end Separate Skills
Lfdies'ready-to-wear tailor-made Jacket suits in Covert cloths, plain cloth.
Venetian cloth and serges, ranging in price from $5.00, ♦''i.y.s, JS s", #12.50
to These suits 111 Mack an»l all the new spring shades strictly tailored.
New Flared Skirts, fly front attd tight-fitting Jackets. A full line of Separate
Skirts to sell at st.oo up to Jio.txi.
SILKS AND DRESS GOODS!
Just opened a complete iine of new Spring S'lks in plain and fancy. The
handsomest line of Silks we have ever shown at attractive prices—50c to #1.50
New Spring Dress Goods in coverts, Venetian cloth, poplin, serges, hrijliantee'is
and lienriettas. Vou will have to see these goods to fully appreciate their lieauty
and value. Our prices are attractive, too.
BLACK DRESS GOODS AND CP.EPONS!
The dyes are deep and unchangeable and the prices are unmatchable.
Annual Opening Sale of Imported and Domestic Wash Goods
After many weeks of careful preparation, having been in touch with many of
the representative lines cf Wash Pabrices made in Europe and America, we are
now ready to submit to your inspection Till'. INITIAL DISI'LAY Ol' 1111'.
SEASON or 189 Q.
WASH FABRICS.
Fine Cinghams, Zephyrs, Madraj Cloth, Chint/. and Percales. All elegant
line of Welts and I'iijues. Organdies both in plain, white and fancy colors.
Swisses, Lawns and Dimities.
Laces and Embroideries.
Fine Embroidery from x cent to 75 cents per yard. This is the handsomest and
most complete line ever shown in llutler, consisting of Swiss, N'ains.,.>k and Ilain
burgs lace edge embroidery—all overs and all the newest effects in Embroideries
and Laces for Spring of 1899,
See window display.
MRS. J. E. ZIMMERMAN.
That Dizzy Feeling
f Imll.'al. s Hint tli.'rc |,s sotni-tliini: wrong with
till -.ystem. It Is a warnhiK slnu ami should l>.
S. ,"i'i* "ou'i" SA USAI'AKMj'.A COMI'OIMI we
.F-K&R-YJIISITT IPL. DII'. I- Hi. IK-SI toiil.' and 1,1. N«l iiurlli.T In HI.
e'hOr/, 'i. iTflKcTx " ' TfvSti wii..ie iki „r . 11.-s. it is .1. f«i 11> i>:. p..■. -i
/.] Or < P-Zf 'L Tr r, ' »*< "f I'lif'.lniKf- and will «l\. ton. and \ 1«..r 1..
>' f "hoi"' system. Il Is the Ideal spring
ReaiCK <k Grohman
n JW'IrJ Prescription Druggists.
' 'A FAIR FACE MAY PRO v
; MARRY A PLAIN GIRL li iii-iii it -riti
SAPOI ID
BUTLEH, PA., THURSDAY, MARCH 3().
SYNOPSIS:
CIIAI-l EK 1 T -eene of ill str.ry is
laid in the village of !. • 0.1. at .111 old 1:> ma-
Hlea.l, "The lv:. s," aL".ul which there i
Cousiiletable BJltcnr. 1> !".hy
the heroine, applies for the position of com
panion to Mrs. Klilr.'.lee, the tnib-ri- of
the house. At the station she niak. s the
acquaintance of l)r. Spencer, one 01 the
prominent characters of the story.
CIIAI'TI'.R II -Dorothy is cusasrd by
.Mr.,. Kldridge, who f.he is ill 1,
ami euteis at once upon her duties us
companion.
She must have 1... 1 at that tinio
ilwitit sixty y. ars rf agi-. althoush she
| had the appearance of a creater sijr*'-
| j his was due to the absolute whiteness
.f her still luxuriant lmlr. which wits
somewhat hidden from sight by a coif
lure of finest I duel; laee, that looked
i like an enamelled arab.'Sijue tr.'Ved up
,on silver. Her flgi.re was tall, eom
niandiug. and very erect; lier face
gentle, and filled with the pathos of
supreme suffering and self-renuncla
tion: her manner that of a higli-bred
gentlewoman, into ivliose mind the re
flection that she is a being superior to
the meanest of those about her has
never obtruded. Her eyes— brown,
kindly and wistful were very beauti
ful. and touched one's deepest sym
pathies by the strange look of appeal
that lay in their depths.
As the servant pronounced iny,iiann>
she rose from her chair, and extended
a cordial band to me, saying in a slow,
gentle voice:
"You are the lady who has volun
teered to consider the thought of shar
ing my solitude? Will you not come
close to the tire? You must be chilled
from your long ride."
She motioned to n chair directly fae
lng her own. and resumed her s. at. I
had touehed the IOIIK fragile lingers
with devout reverence, and. still stand
ing before her, made the amende for
my presumptuous appearance in her
house.
".Madam," I said, "I bad the temerity
to think 1 could fulfill your require
ments. I'arilon me for the audacious
thought. I bad not at that time seen
you. and was unaware how little
worthy of you my companionship
would lie. My discovery has .eoiae 111
good season. ho\v« vcr. and I beg you
to allow me to withdraw."
/ M | n=n
/!<&*& i l II
/w* |yj
UMfp M
urns l l ' i (3vP h''/ ; :i
IP Upji!
I ■ m
thi
I ' Ji r J
SHE WAS SITTING IN A HIUn-BACKED
EBONY CHAIK.
There wns great regret as well as
firm conviction in my voice. My dis
appointment was a.-, intense as my as
surance of disqualification. I longed
to be of service to this woman; all my
romantic Impulses were stirred by
sight of her beauty and tragic iso
lation; and yet I WRS convinced of my
own inadequacy as regarded her needs.
I sighed Involuntarily and was about
to turn away, but she stretched out a
detaining hand, while a little smile of
amusement flitted across the gravity of
her expression.
"Nay, my child, be not so hasty in
your decisions," she returned. "After
all, It Is I who should be the Judge of
your capabilities unless. Indeed, you
are already discouraged by the lonell
ness of this place, and use your modes
ty to conceal the real reason of your
flight?"
The words were In the form of an In
terrogatory, and 1 hastened to deny
their false accusation. I spoke with
considerable warmth, and tln- smile
deepened 011 Madam's face.
"You are quite young," she remarked.
"Not more than eighteen or twenty, I
should say. That is in itself a strong
recommendation to me. 1 should like
something youthful about me in my
old age. Hut my longing Is a selfish
one. Youth needs youth, and gaiety
and bright surroundings. My home Is
no place for it to shelter in."
Slie gave a little sigh, as If her
thoughts were introspective, and I took
advantage of 11. pause to tell her how
little I prized the pleasures which were
so dear to most girls of my age, and
how devoid of terrors I held dittide.
I think the eagerness In my voice
touched and won her, for a slight flush
crept into her face as she listened.
"You have probably never dreamt of
a household so qui"t and monotonous
as this," she said. "We are all old
people who inhabit ll Franklin, poor
May berry, and I. And I I am, in ad
dition blind."
I cried aloud at this, so shocked and
startled was I. Blind! those beautiful
eyes with their profound depths!
"You are surprised," she exclaimed,
while I could have bitten out my
tongue In annoyance at my own in
advertence. "All! my old eyes are sad
hypocrites, my dear, and 'assume a
virtue when they have it not.' Now
shall I iR-gin my catechism?
There Is no need to go Into the de
tail of question and answer by incaus
of which Madam became convinced
that my endowments were sufficient
for the position I coveted. I had re
ceived, at the expe e of a well-to-do
uncle, an excellent education, an ?. be
ing naturally of a studious habit of
mind, had ranged even beyond the
lead of my preceptors into the fields
of general knowledge. I could speak
with confidence of my Ungual familiar
ity with French, German and Italian,
besides being able to claim a tolerably
Intimate acquaintance with the most
celebrated literary productions of each
of these nations. Nor had my En
glish acquirements suffered neglect
through absenteeism. Well stocked
had I been by native harvesting be
fore being allowed to stray afield in
search of foreign gleaning.
I had an excellent ear for music, anil
a fair contralto voice, which had been
carefully cultivated, so that my singing
really afforded pleasure to even criti
cal listeners; I had « knowledge of
bookeeplng sufficient to make an ex
ceedingly accurate domestic account
ant; 1 could rend aloud for hours with
out fatigue of my well-trained vocal
muscles, and thoughts and Ideas wen.
bred rapidly enough in my brain, even
If these were al times too odd and
original for easy assimilation by Ihosi
to whom I might chaucc t•« utter them,
to ensure my being a fairly entertain
ing and easy conversationalist.
1 did not offer Madam (his frank In
veutory of my accomplishments as I
rflAWh^i/iEsTj
If. ' by
L+ -*dC >
-P ' f r. ;v . <a. p
\U J COPYRIGHT 1898. BY THC AUTHOR
ff.-r ii ' my readers. She was sup
plied with the opportunity of dis
covering it fop hers -!f which is denied
>Oll. 1 am not egotistical in thus ac
.nowledglng uiy gifts and attainments;
they wire simply the stock-in-trade by
means of whi h T hoju'd to secure a
'ivlng. and s* •em-, necessary to the
"ing . f my .al • 'hat I should make
.ention without ni-iclt modesty of the
extent f.> which I was equipped for my
career.
I'll.' manner of Madam's interroga
tory reveal, d to 111.' her possession of
great tact and cleverness. So adroitly
she led me 011 to disclose my abilities
that I am sure 1 revealed my whole
scope and character within fifteen min
utes of entering her Iwmdoir, while at
the time I had almost 110 suspicion of
the probe she was skilfully inserting.
It was not until afterwards, when I
was alone in my chamber, that I real
ized how much ]>. rsonal information
she had extracted from me.
"My dear," she said finally, "you are
very tired. Your voice betrays a cer
tain strain and w viriness that w ill be
followed by an exhausting reaction if
you do not get Immediate rest. If you
are satisfied with my terms"—tli y
were very lil»eral ones iei Franklin
dismiss your carrl-ige. and let 11s try
for a week, by practical experience, tlie
question of our mutual suitability.
Will you do so?"
My vanity whisnered that lieueath
! the outward calmness of her manner
I it could detect a strain of suppressed
' eageri!) ss as to my decision, which
i flattered me beyond words. I gladly
! ass :: 'tl to her proposal, and 111 ol»edl
( ei.e to her ■ -I rang Hi" bell and
1 ga-.e the old bi il. r tlie order to send
' off the waiting carriage. Madam ftir
, tlier d. sired him to tell the lions-keeper
jte ; ire my roi m. and as slie de
ij, . she extend.-1 to me her right
; iiaiid with the g. sture of one iiskiiu
a charity.
I "Will you allov ;ne a inore personal
j Inquisition my child?" she asked v/ilh
some hesita!ion. ' Will you mind it
very much if 1 touch your face and
read your expression by the only
ie >ii '1 thai 1 mains to PI -? Perhaps
you v.-ll! . - be -i -nough to color
"for me the crude Hkntdi which is all
my rude lint, .v are aide to form?"
I knelt at It. r side, and she passed
her slender 'iiig.r'- deftly, shrevv.lt>,
over my features. I thrilled IKS' . th
her gentle touch almost as a
maiden beneath the caress of her lover.
"A goodly growth." she remarked, as
her hnn.l dwelt upon the thick masses
of my hair. "Its color?"
"Chestnut, my mother calls it. Mad
am." I replied.
"With golden lights threading it?"
she asked a little eagerly.
"It is indeed of changeable shades,"
I returned modestly, for I well knev,
that my only patent <>f l.eauty was
composed of the sun-fleck..i hair that
was my mother's pride, together with
the white and perfect teeth that were
my own delight.
Madam drew a tiny chain from its
seclusion beneath the bosom of lxr
gown, anil opened a massive locket,
as large as a man's watch, that de
pended from it. I could tell by Its con
struction that it was divided into four
compartments, but only one of these
was revealed to my curious gaze.
That held the miniature of a radiant,
blooming girl, upon whose . xquislte
brow rested the suggestion <0 a dawn
ing inatronhood which, when it as
sumes natural and graceful possession
of 11 woman's face, enhances n thous
andfold the beauty of immaturity.
It was Madam. No one could for an
Instant doubt that. But oh! Madam
with hope and Joy and anticipation ir
radiating the features whereon havoc
had since marked its course.
"Is it such as this was?" she asked,
holding the ease towards me.
"Much the same, I think," I replied.
"Only yours was doubtless more beau
tiful, Madam."
She sighed and closed the case.
I'robably for the sake of one who had
admired and loved its beauty, she
mourned the fading of her locks.
And so together we painted for her
enlightenment a sufficient likeness of
my outward aspect.
"Hazel eyes, chestnut hair, perfect
health, which Implies a fair CM, ~!. N
lon. good features, and a noiily -baped
nml well-set head you should lie some
thing of a heauty, my dear," my ap
praiser concluded with a humorous
little smile.
"And yet. Madam. 1 am not," I an
swered truthfully. "My mouth is far
too large, my face is too thin, my skin
too colorless, and with all I am too
tall and lanky to he attractive to lovers
of beauty."
CHAPTT.It 111.
It was her pleasure to accompany
me to my room, whither I led her .ie
cord'ng to her direction, her hand rest
Ing on my arm. We were nearly of
equal height, which made it specially
easy for me to become her guide.
Slie left me after a while, having as
sured herself that things had 1
comfortable for my reception. And.in
deed, far more captious person than
I, and one used to far greater luxury,
could scarcely have found anything to
complain of in the small suite of rooms
—chamber, sitting-room and bath
that had been recently appointed. In
view of the fact that Madam was
about to receive into her house a new-
Inmate.
I made a cursory Inspection of my
apartments, disposed my belongings
for the nlglif. after refreshing my
self with the dainty supper which Mad
am insisted I should take In my own
room, being firmly of the opinion that
I was too fatigued to dine below stairs,
went to the window and stood for
some time gazing in dreamy abstrac
tion out into the night.
A small crescent of light hung low
lu the heavens, and shed the tend or est
of possible illuminations over the
world. The night was so still that an
almost unearthly hush seemed to have
fallen from its wings. On the left,
winding away Into unfathomable dis
tance, was the avenue which had been
my way hither, and far below on the
right, dimly and partially discernible
through the sombre branches of the
grim and forbidding poplars, gleamed
forth that cold and spectral mass of
masonry that formed the house wliicli
had attracted my notice as I approach
ed The Ivies.
Almost beneath me It lay. for I was
in a wing of the house In close prox
inilty to the cliff that overhung it. Its
utter gloom (there were no lights about
1 it) and air of ghostly mystery struck
eold anil chill upon my fancy. I fell
• It to be 11 bouse with a history, and
fell n- wondering what that history
might be; whether I should ever l. arii
It; whether it had connection with the
tragedy which seemed to stalk nakedly
and yet closely masked about the house
I in which I had elected to take tip my
1 abffde. Would the time come when the
, secrets of Madam's life would be mat
! ters of familiar dwtall to me? Would
my courago and the support of that lu
ner monitor on which 1 so largely de
pended be sufficient to counteract the
loneliness anil depression of my sur
round ings?
, Urave and possessed of cnthusiasn
for my mistress tboi". I w:t- hide
pendent of tlie divers- of : . as
i hail professed uiys -if. 1 • -i. 1.. 1
cl.ise my eyes 10 the > 1 that bad
never Itefore been tented by - ■ \
treme conditions as th. sc. .i::«l i
dered if. after tlie novelty of t: • .1-
tioii had worn off, 1 shot:! ■. >
find enough matter of IPI. iv*l I: 'he
place to bold at :iv a l!ri":i .1 and
110 means exaggeiaii .l yoar.:ii - tor oc
cupation ai d diversion.
I fell asp ep Still revdvit "1 my
mind the possibilities in tie •
The next morning was as . 1 ut
from the aftert: > :i that pi •- -ed i' as
it is possible f.ir two ila>s al tl -a
season of the year to 1. ■ Wii •" as
lh«* evening had Iteen cold, bleak and
dreary, sng- 'stive of th LIES IT ON
and alionii: atioti cf winter, the dawn
wns balmy, mil 1 ami pleasant, indica
tive of spring and nil things vernal
and joyous.
I made a hasty toilet with my wind
ow thrown wid" open 1 the pure coun
try air. which was deliclously invigor
ating to my city-bred lungs. Thin I
went out iqto the long corridor <>u
: which my ro.uos opened, and wh
led to the large lipp* r hall which I
j have already described. Having gain
ed this. 1 p.. ,-.s il al the balds: rade. ad
miring its ciirveu leauti.s and .....ing
down int.• the liall beneath, fen ng
my ey. s upon the harmonious p . lure
of still life the splejilid apartment pre
sent! d.
My occupation of it th previous
afternoon had been too brief and the
light too iiisutticieut for IUC t>. Jis. over
half its beauties; but now they stood
in the brilliant morning sunshine, 1 .lly
revealed to my admiring eyes. Es
pecially did the sunlight bring into
i prominence a stain, d-glass window of
enormous proportions, which made a
i glow ing bit of mural decoration 01 ihe
, fun I.er end of *he hall. It bad for su •
J.. 1 the r.-p main Mag
dal. n. and a masterpiece of design
| and effective coloring. Alwut the walls
ran low book cases of dark mahogany,
; filled to overflowing with books in
' costly bindings, suggesting tlie, thought
i that formerly one of the,.uses of the
i place had ween that of a library. The
shelves which topped 111. s. cases were
; covered with beautiful vases, curios,
| ornaments of modern ami antique de
sign; and above these pictures lined the
j spaces, extending way up tin vast
■ stretches of the walls until they mingl
ed with the gallery a bow.
While I stood thus, enjoying to the
: full its rare l ast of delight. I heard
I a weak uncertain footstep behind me.
' D never cross- ! my mind that it could
Ibe Madam. Despite her blindness,
! there was 110 faltering or indecision it,
1 any of her movements. 1 turned,
therefore, expecting to confront some
servant, and such, ind •. .1. proved to
lie the case. I!til tlie servant was of a
type far differ, nt from any I had ever
i been acquainted with.
1 The woman who had approached me
so silently that until she stood within
arm's length I had been unaware of
her presence was of so stran-.e and
singular an appearance that Involun
tarily I shrank from neater association.
| with a recoil of my person of which 1
was at once ashamed. She was a
creature so inharmonious of aspect, of
such woeful incongruity of design and
fulfilment, so evidently an .-aibodi
meut of a living grief, that one instinc
tively shunned contact with so un
niistaken an abstraction of despair.
Have you ever seen a garden so fair
and gracious of appearance that to
gaze upon il satisfies every aesthetic
craving of your nature; a garden w hose
form and <b sign seem abs lutely per
fect. whose Mowers are of the rarest
species anil most exquisite develop
ment. in which the sun loves to linger
like a lover, and over whose pleasant
paths and veruiire the blue skies brood
tenderly and peacefully? Have you.
later, beheld Ibis scene of natural and
cultivated lovlincss after it has been
devastated and laid waste by some
monstrous cataclysm, after it has been
swept and ravaged by ruthless winds,
and all its gentle features have been
marred and distorted by stress and
storm?
That is the only parallel I can think
of to the Impression this woman pro
duced upon my mind at first sight.
Later I came to pity her, to tolerate
her presence without shrinking, to en
ueavor to cheer aud comfort her even,
but it took a mighty effort to conquer
my natural reluctance to approach
wlhin the circumference of that de
pressing atmosphere which she ex
haled. All the buoyancy of my young
spirit shrank from the contagion of her
misery.
She had been probably in youth
somewhat above medium height, but
her spare form had so yielded to the
crushing weight of adversity that sle l
was bowed and bent almost to de
formity. One would have taken her
for a dwarf at a casual glance. Her
face still preserved traces of a once
marvellous comeliness, and this very
suggestion of former beauty, dis
figured and ib spoiled as it was, marred
her couutornunce far more deeply than
native ugliness would have done. Her
features were as small and regular
as those of a French doll; her eyes,
originally blue, were now. through
constant weeping, quite devoid of
color. Her cheeks, of ghastly white
ness, bad so long been the mere wafer
courses of her tears that they were
ploughed with lines worse than th.«
wrinkles of extreme age. All tills was
repellent enough, but the most repuls
ive feature of her personality was the
strange incongruity that existed be
tween her scarred and pallid counten
ance aud the glorious mass of golden
hair that rippled riotously back from
her se,'lined brow. I have never In my
life seen, in color or texture, the like
of her hair. It was like a flood of sun
shine falling upon a desolate, devastat
ed ruin. There was not a grey thread
in 11. It had not faded in any degree,
nor b id it lost any of Us rich abund
ance. On the head of a girl, accom
panied by the bloom and freshness of
youth, il would have aroused the ad
miration of the beholder. On the head
of this Jaded, wan, miserable woman it
jarred upen the sight. Its inliarniony
smote upon one's sensibilities as might
the introduction of a waltz motif Inio
a funeral march.
the addressed me as I turned to con
front her. I have unconsciously en
dowed her with a gentle, perhaps plain
tive, intonation; instead of which thero
Issued from her drawn lips a harsh,
raucous whisper, which Increased the
repugnance with which she Inspired
me.
'This Is Miss Lolhrop?" she asked.
1 bowed.
"I am Mrs. Maylierry, Madam's
housekeeper," she continued. "Madam
tells me you uic to become ber com
panion."
Again I liowcd assent
"You will not allow yourself to fie
dlsi otir.i|fcd or dissuaded by the drear
bless or this place?"
"I think not."
As I uttered this commonplace
phrase, imagine my surprise at seeing
this curious creature fling herself up
on her knees beside me, seize a fold of
my gown in her thin, claw like linger.-,
and lift a pleading, beseeching face f >
mine, while she cried, in a very agony
of entreaty:
"Ah! do not, do not! I have seen. Ibis
morning upon my mistress's face the
first ray of brightness that lias crossed
It since- O God! since when since
when?"
She let go her clutch upon uiy skirt,
and covering her face with ber bauds,
liui'Ht Into a fit of uncontrollable weep
Ing. cowering like a whipped dog at
my feet.
It was evident lhat she was stirred
by some powerful memory, and I felt
miserably embarrassed In the prcsem e j
j of this passionate outburst, which I |
| knew not how to comfort or soothe.
1 However. 1 could reassure her upon tin
point which had seemed to provoke the
attack, Ihe probability of iny remain
! 'I": Ivi s. at.il this I proCi'ftlill
I 1 - <-i .ig '1 ill tills nttciupt when
r -k and mjrrfnlljr tnlnMl ears
' i i. il ;i s»n :..l that escaped my own.
MI if '»• r mistress's ilrui and
ly tr< ail approaching from h«»r
l« 1 ir she rose rt ont*, and catch j
• y hand to ||. r Hps. piv>- .1 a
i ! nis kis- upon it, while she
i I' d quickly: "Mr denv. you will
>■ d< * mis-ionnry work if you re
" and ti.iii. jrli«Uiijr noiselessly
■ <•! l -ft me to meet Madam
eondnet le-r down the wide >tair
to the dainty morning-room in
w!. Ii it was la-r custom to breakfast.
As tar :'.s eoinfort and luxury were
nl. life at The Ivies wits ideal
l'ii- staff of domestics was limited in
numlx-r. I'Ut fully adequate in service.
It consisted ot the liousek -cper and
butler whom I lmve named, an old
general out-of door servant, who slept
iii a room in the stable, and attended
to tin' grounds and to The pair of
coach-liorsi s that alone composi
J! dam's stud, and a cook and lions,
!:t;i'• t.iiddle aged women, nieo s of
Franklin. who had occupied the same
positions since they w. ;v girls. May
berry also served -is Madam's aid.and
1 si i>:t discovered that she was exceed
ingly j-'alo«K of any attempts to rob
In i HI th ■ petforuianee of In r duties in
this capacity.
Mj duties proved to IK' tfiorougbl>
in.'.nial and in no degree • u-rous.
Madam fnllllled uiy most extravagant
anticipations, and charmed and fas
, inated me 1»y her many gifts and rare
i intellectuality. The most cultured
minds might have found her a eon
genial companion: to a young, ardent.
Ituprt "Klonable girl, such then was,
she appeared almost divinely cndi-We 1
and accomplished. She never, afti r
that iirst mention of it. made allusion
to her blindness, but I felt sun it musi
have I teen of recent date, for she had
nlade no attempt to train her other
set"- s to the assistance of this defect,
is would naturally have Iteen the ease
if the alllictlou had been of very long
| standing.
At the end of the lirst week she
quest lolled me as to my willingness lo
remain, and the fervor of my r -spouse
set that matter for ever at rest between
us. From day to day 1 could see that
I Bile grew dependent upon me. and this
i flattered me and increased my enthu
' siasm for my work. Work! It was
scarcely that, the service which was
ri quired of uie. It was employment, it
i is true, but the sort of employment
j that was dearest to my soul, and which
i was amusement as well as occupation
i to out* ot my tasit'*.
Old Franklin and Mavberry. grate
ful to me for the biMietlt which they In
' sisted 1 was doing tlieir beloved mls
: tress (1 think 1 was the only being who
1 came in contact with Madam of whom
the housekeeper was never Jealous),
studied my comfort to a degree that
led me to remonstrate with them,
i'lider their united i»Torts my rooms,
always attractive and amply supplied,
attained such luxurious equipment that
1 felt constrained to speak of it lo
Madam, fearing that should she ever
discover the numerous additions my
apart tn»ut was continually receiving
She might think trie guilty of soliciting
theni. However, 1 had scarcely opened
the subject than the laid her hand
lightly oi; my lips.
"My littli Dorothy," she said, "on
one matter Mnyberry, Franklin and 1
are In perfect accord. We all agree !n
thinking that nr.tbing in this great
house can be put to better use than
in helping to detain and attract the
sunbeam that has it rayed through the
losed shutters of our lives. Let them
have their way, my child. It is a great
pleasure to these old people. I>o not
deprive them of it."
The retirement o* our existence was
well-nigh coniplftt. Madam received
absolutely no one. 1 ven the clergyman
"THIS IS MISS IX>TIIIN»*? SIII-: ASKKO "
of Kldon parish having abandoned all
utteinpts to penetrate within the walls
of the secluded dwelling. Yet, al
though priestly counsel was not ac
ceptable to her, Madam was not un
mindful of the necessities and priva
tions of the poor, and every month a
generous check was despatched by me
In her name to Mr. Booth, the rector,
to be disbursed as he saw lit.
lb-fore long I suggested an amend
ment to this custom, which, as she was
constantly urging upon me the neces
sity of exercise iu the open air, Madam
gladly adopted, it was to tin- effect
(liat. instead of continuing this method
of general relief, sly should allow me
to become her almoner among the poor.
It would give aim and object to my
walks, sind I felt that by its means 1
could bring outside interest Into Mad
am's life.
I had been with Madam about three
months when one day, in the middle
of May, I rose in the morning with a
tight Iron baud about my In-ad. The
weather for a week had been,an al
most incessant downpour, so wet that
only an amphibious creature could
have found it inviting. Madam and
I had been deeply Interested in a new
German work which I had been read
ing aloud, and either application to its
dtizzllng text, or too close confinement
to the house, or perhaps a combination
of both causes, had resulted In this
acute physical depression. Feeling ti
longing for fresh air, and believing
that a brisk walk would be my best
medicine, I obtained Madam's consent
to pospouc my usual morning duties
until later in the day. and started out
ou an errand that would carry me
well Into the village, a distance of per
haps four miles.
Although I was a stranger to Its
people, for I had only recently begun
lo administer Madam's liounty among
the poor. 1 was by this time fairly fam
iliar with the little hamlet. I had call
ed upon Mr. 1 tooth to acquaint him
personally with the change Madam
proposed making, ami had found him
more than pleased to welcome nil
ussistaut iu his parish work, lie was
an agreeable man, earnest, sincere,
but extremely modest and retiring; -i
bachelor, living alone, with a maid of
-111 work to minister to his needs. Save
the few poor people whom I visited.
In- was the sole acquaintance I had
made Iu the place.
I had done my errand, not without
some physical discomfort, for the liv
ing room of tile cottage in which 1 had
IH-CII received was close from the
fumes of tobacco and strong vt gctables
and over heated by a tire burning iu
the range, and was returning through
the village street, when I felt myself
overcome by a distressing dizziness.
It came upon me suddenly, but not be
fore I had found strength enough to
I push open a little gate close by iue,
' and stagger up the narrow path whlcn
'led to the doorstep of a quaint little |
i house which I had frequently noted
| In my walks.
i I ieineml'iT seeing a lady sewing In
I tin- window, but that was my last |
U'i< -am ol consciousness, until I found 1
N0.13
' !c . • fa in a cosy sit
i.: _i my brow bathed by
i la iv« looking woman,
w. s, Ilea*i -.as t rued aside to ad*
□ i | It#
f 'A
: H
I THINK Slit-: J." MKS. KI.nRKDUE'S
COMPANION,
lress someone out of my range of vis
ion. She did not observe the unclos
ing of my eyes, anil 1 hastily shut them
again, being so weak and languid of
spirit that I had no inclination to meet
ir respond to interrogatories.
"I think indeed. 1 an; sure she Is
Mr?. I'.kirlge'.- compan'on, !>avid,"
she was saying. "Poor child, she Is
young to be doomed to live within such
shadows!"
"Where are worse fates than that,
mother. A girl who is forced to earn
her own living may consider herself
fortunate If shadows are the only evil
she has to combat."
I recognized tin- voice nt once, its
cheery tones hail comforted me once
before.
"She seems a fragile creature to light
tier way through life: and. too. she has
more lieauly than it is altogether safe
for a working woiuau to bo adorned
with. Look. David, what richness and
abundance!"
She laid her hand upon my hair, from
which she had drawn the pins that the
strain upon my head might Is- re
lieved. Its masses overflowed the
coueli and fell upon the floor. 1 felt
that 1 had no right to lie there an 1
listen to further flattery, and, suddcnlv
npening my eyes, .net her solicitous
gaze.
"Ah. that is right, my dear," she
said kindly. "Yon are better? Daviu,
she has come to herself.
Dr. Spencer came forward.
"Do m try to exert yourself quite
yet," he said, as I made a motion as
if to arise. "I'ieaoe rest as you are
until my mother shall have prepared
a cup of tea for you. Von will bo all
right then. 1 think."
1 was more tnan willing to follow his
advice, and with a little nod of ac
quiescence again closed my eyes. My
hostess bustled away, and silence took
possession of the room. Presently
curiosity got the better of my lassi
tude, and I opened my eyes again to
discover what my companion might be
about. lie was standing at the wind
ow with his hands in his pocke'H
looking out into the street with an
expression upon his face which as
sured me t.iat he had forgotten there
was such a person in existence as
Dorothy Lothrop, and that his thoughts
were far distant from the present
scene.
He was a tall mac. broad-shouldered
and vigorous of frame, with a strong.
Intelligent face, blue eyes anil fair hair.
I could not tell his age very exactly,
for there was a look of mature gravity
and wide experience about the eyes
and mouth at variance with the rest
of his appearance, lie might have
been anywhere between thirty-five and
forty. 1 had been prepossessed In his
favor from the moment lie addressed
me on my arrival at the Kldon station,
and this second good turn lie had done
me quite won my heart. It occurred
to me that 1 owed him tin acknowledg
ment of his former kindness and act of
self-sacrifice, and I seized the present
occasion to make it. Perhaps 1 was al
it
"DR. SPENCER" —I HHiAN.
so urged lo lircii* the silence by a less
commendable motive, for I do not be
lieve that any woman likes to have her
presence in a room ignored by a man,
even if she be Iu a dying condition.
"Dr. Spencer " 1 began.
He turned at once with a start. It
was proof that he had forgotten me.
"I am much better. I want to thank
you now, while I have the opportunity,
for your great consideration in giving
up your carriage to me the night 1
arrived at Kldon."
His expression of surprise, as he
scrutinised me closely, was most dis
concerting to my vanity. It was more
than apparent that he hail not recog
nized me. And yet his mother had re
marked upon my beauty!
"Oh!" he returned, coming forward,
"were you the lady who was stranded
that night on our inhospitable shore?
Pardon me; I had thought it an older
woman."
[CONTINUED IN OUH NEXT.]
Nmallrat Republic.
The smallest republic in the world is
the little community of Gaust, compris
ing 110 souls, who sxist on the flat top
of a mountain in the Pyreueea. This
miniature republic Is only one mile In
area, has existed since lti-18, and is
recognized by both France and Spain.
It has a council of 12, who elect their
president.
A Nen lnilu«tr».
A Georgian woman, thrown upon her
own resources, has hit on a novel plan
for earning her dally bread. She lakes
care of graves, assuming the responsi
bility of keeping cemetery lots in order
with well-trimmed grass and walks.
A Powerful lleelle.
The rhinoceros beetle has as tena
cious and as powerful a grasp as the
most ferocious bulldog. Itß head may
be two-thirds torn from its body, and
it will not loosen its hold. It has real
horns and not mandibles, like many of
its family.
Good If True.
Frederick llachman, of Milwaukee,
rlaims to have invented a telegraph
instrument that will print messages In
typewritten letters without the aid of
an operator at the receiving .office,
which may be hundreds of miles away.
A Itrmnrkablr Sun IMnl.
A huge sundial made entirely of
plants and flowers adorns the South
park, Chicago. The standard which
j i-asts the shadow it also decked with
I (lowers and is made to resemble u gl
-1 tjiuitk: ear of corn.