VOlxxxv i A STREA/W OF N6WN6SS. New goods are coming in daily. 'The thought and care which were bestowed 11 [Kin theii selection are manifest. We've l**en telling voti alwut Silics and Dress Goods. Other lilies deserve mention Embroideries and Laces. JL The newest and daintiest productions await you here , V:-- ' has brought here the thoroughly good and dependable kinds. An opportunity to buy—and save in the buying—is presented here. / u- 1 \ GLOVE TALK - -Those of you who know onr Dollar Kid Glovt \ ; Vs._ V "> know that n<'thing u retailed at the price that equals it for \P I\ / uniformity o! skin and perfection of finish and fit. yP \ "ROVALE"- I'cst Dollar Glove in America. \\C\ \ Black and all shades-—Button, Hook or Clasp fastening. ,*^V L. STEIN 8c SON, 108 N. MAIN ST.. BUTLER, PA Rockensteln's OpenThg of Spring and Summer Millinery; We cal' your attention to our large and well selected stock of Choice Millin«;j>-. 1 We have end'eav red to make our stock surpass all previous years in .style, d« sir ability, quality and prices. We feel sure we have more than maintained our reputation in the selection of CHOICE MILLINIv a Y GOODS. We can show you an immense varittv of Hats, Flowers, Ribbons, Braids and Chiffons and all that goes to make up ah UP-TO-DATE MILLINERV STOCK, and at prices that will surprise you. We would call especial attention to our Ladies', Misses' ami Chil dren's TRIMMED HATS, in which we have always excelled. You can always get the right goods at the right prices at ROCKKN iSI'K IN , 328 South Main St., _____ _ _ Butler, Ta -fSPECCIAL, FROM| MILLER'S House. Spring Season Opens With a Rush-People are Buying Early- Prices and Styles are Right, which was the Cause of Our Great Easter Trade. The spring trade has opened with a rush. From now on we expect to be busy all the time. We may not be able to give the newspapers the attention we would like to, but always remember this: We are headquarters for Footwear in Butler. Our spring stock is much larger than ever before, and our prices are always the lowest More Business Than Ever. We want to do more business than ever this year. We have the goods. We are in shape to make prices, and we start the season with these weapons: GOOD SHOES AND LOW PRICES, and they are winners every time. Our Only Weapons: Men's New Tan Shoes.. $1 25 Ladies' Cloth Gaiters 48 Men's Fine Kid Shoes 1 25 Ladies' Strap Sandals 4S Men's Fine Buff Shots 98 Ladies' Tan Volish 98 Men's Fine Patent Leather Shoes... 300 Ladies' Kid Button Shoes S8 BoyS' Fine Vici Kid Shoos 1 48 Ladies' Kul Polish 9.8 Boys' Fitie Tan Shoes 1 25 Ladies' Clotb Top Polish $t 25 Vouths' Fine Kid Shoes 1 25 Ladies' Tan Oxfords 75 Youths' Fine Tan Shoes 98 Low Shoes and Slippers. Our stock of Lo\ yfc. Fits and Workmanship jln 1 1 j Guaranteed. G. F. KGCK, 142 North Main Street, >* >: >: Butler, Pa. SEND ONE DOLLAR *«?-« --ga,-| S *' C'l'JM. .ro.l you Uii TOP Dt'litiY BT rlulivilT I °l). D. \ \ 7Si«j ICXAMISATIOX, Y« a tin «*mn INR It al your frrigul DOPOT UID if found \ A OJW s " SSIi T "nswiiitr, trntm is ctftiESKSTiiii, hgi »i. TO BCUUIKS \ \/ afe:< CO THAT BiT4lLiT#c«.ooto TH £ CSANOEST IARBAIN YOUEVER SAW, \X /tKv « —> "S.®?. f^" 1 . OUR SPECL VL PBICE $38.90, _ ana freight less the9l.oo sent fith order. \ Wt MAKE THIS TOP BUGGY "• oIR "iFtrrnr.Tlx CHUAOO, f N iW/ 7\ rTTT Imm bci trr material than most / s / -A Siii ,1 f i 0 ° s. Latest : »>lc For J899. imj, \ B»lM ,r S2. t t! '•" Son..':,ed W«,<.d. lira. •, lira Viol Money ' J , ••';! : n ; ' iff ill i Are sold by us, only Kings wear the gold article and they very rarely. Our liats are fit'for a King or gnyhody clre. We can su ,'i all classes of trade. We Lt.udv your style and se! 1 aCvWdingly. I 'rices are low co usidering quality. Everything ttf-W in Men's I-ur uisbings. /Swnitiful Negligee Shirts, two C Viiars and CufTs 50 cents, finer ones' too. Come and see the new th'ings for Spring. *i* •$* *J**K Ed. Colbert Fomeriy Colbert & Dale, 24? S. Main St.. iiutier, I'a. Buiitii Savings b&nk Hi_i tier, Pa. Capital - $60,0tj0.00 Surplus and Profits - - .$170,00000 JO-. PI 1 KVIs I'rvH.di ril J. •CKN'K'V 'I ROUTMAN Vic-President WNi. ■ :A MP RELL, Jr Cat l»it r LOl rt h.SI EIS. Teller f)I•JBTri>HS- -Joseph U I'urvls, .1. Henry TiuilieiiD, W. "I - lirandou, W. A. St :r.. J. S. Tho Butler Savings Hank is the Oldest Blinking 1 nstltuifcm'. 11 Hutler County. UeiK'i a! tun: kin* business transacted. We solicit accouuU of «il producers, mer chants, farmers and < chers. All business • •litrns.urd to us will receive prompt, attoutio.i. Interest paid litr.e deposits. o i Batter Coiimy National Bank, Hi.it lei- Penn, Capital paM ill - - ft x>,000.00 Surplus and Profits - #114,647.87 Jos. Haatman, .President; J. V. Ritts, Vice Priwident; C. A. Bailey. Cashier; John G. rtfcMarlin, Ass't Cashier. / generaJ banking Imsine trunsiu'ted. Interest paid on time deposits. Money loaned on approved security. We invite you to open an account wTtli this bank. DIRECT 'Ri - —llor:. Joieph Ilartman, Hon. W. S. Waldron, Or. A. M. Hoover. 11. Mc- Sweeney, E. E. Abrams. C. P. Collins, I. G Smith, Leslie i'. Ila/.iett, M. Finogan, W VV. 11. l.ark U). John Humphrey, Mr. W. C. MeCandiess, - Hen Massetli. Levi M. Wise J. V. Hlttf Braun's Pharmacy, Gor. 6th St, and Duquesne Way, Pittsburg, Pa,, L, I). Telephone 2542. Wholesale and Retail. Importer and Jobber of Drugs, Chemicals, Perfumes, ooaps, Brushes, Etc. The only house west of New York carrying' a full line oi Meyers' Grease, Paints and j theatrical goods. Physicians' Prescriptions Compounded Day or Nig'it by j "Registered Pharmacists" only. j Wholesale and retail dealer in Lubricating and Illuminating Oils, .Capital Cylinder, Dynamo, Water White and Standard Gas Engine Oils, Gasolein, Ben zine, Paraffine Wax and Petrolatum. Address all mail orders to W. F. Braun. Niw House. New Furniture Central Hotel. MRS. JENNIE NIXON, Proo'r Opposite Court House. V~xt Door to Park Theatre L C. WICK, DEALER IN , Rough f Worked Lumber OF \r,l. KINDS. I Doors, Sash, Blinds, Mouldings, Sliitigles and Lath Al.va/s in Stock. LIME. HUR AND PLASTER Office opposite P. & W."Depot.j BUTLER. PA. iSnbsscriba 'or tbeC'rizcN MADAM OF THE IVIES. BY ELIZABETH PHIPPS TRAIN. [Copyrighted t>y the Author.] SYNOPSIS: CIIAPI Kit I. I -le of the story U laid in the village of •. o■. hi .tu .'>l i; 'ine ga ;ai, "The Iva it».m \v. cli there la • considerable ui> s«■ ry. I) loiiiy I.othrop f tin- heroine, app a # f«»i e position of c 111- panion to Mr*. Kldi*. the mistress of tin: house. At the uion slits makes the , acquaintance of I)r. Spencer, one of tU» prominent characters of the stoiy. CIIAITF.H 11. -Dorothy is engaged by : M-v. Kldridge, who fhc discovers is blind, au: enters at once upon her duties M companion. CHATTKR TIL —She makes the ao (piainiauct of the hous< keeper, JJrs. May l'l-ny, a curious chain r who ha* lived ! at The Ivies a great uuiny years. On one ' of Dorothy's visits lc the village a sudden i iline s drives her vo the house of Dr. ' Spencer. CHATTER IV—The doctor and hla mother care for her. and tin- latter is about Ito iiiv:i some of the secrets relating to The Ivies and its people when she is \ checked by her son. Dorothy discovers j that Mrs. Kldrcdge l :,s a son, who has baei, 1 al v i:t from home fir years, and is now 1 abou' to return. .-I also notes some Btranv bappeitiugs at .11 abandoned blind ing on the grounds snowi; as the "Stone House." ( CHAPTER V. Karly the next morning I made a 1 special expedition down the avenue I to discover it' tin s: utter still remained | open, but found thnt such was not the case. Two days later, us I was about starting out for my usual exercise, 1 jiiei ' iayberry hovering about the low el' liali. \s she observed me she came 1 forward and said. if i'i a casual way: '•Miss Lothrop. will you permit me to caution you a little? This neighbor hood is au isolated one. I do not think it quite wise or safe for a young girl to be out alone here abouts after dark." There was a look of anxiety on her face, a forced attempt at carelessness about her manner., thai made me su spect the genuineness of lie* coueera for me. "Madam has always seemed to con sider it safe enough," 1 returned. "Is there any special reason for alarm V" She hastened to reassure me upon this point, and I was about to assert my determination to continue my laje wanderings unmindful of her wam int'. her nevertheless for her soli.-iipne. when 1 was struck by the thought il'at if there were any under hand profit-filings in pr< gross in which she had a share it would be as well to throw her CO' her guard as far as I was concerned. "Perhaps you are right." 1 said. "After all. there is never any telling what sort 01' persons may be prowling about a lonely neighborhood. 1 will return before dark. Thank you. Mrs. Mayberry." I had evidently relieved her mind, for she smiled and proe-cded 10 open the door for me with ail the obsequi ousness that a humble servant would show to a feared ami deeply-respected mistress. She had certain ways and mannnerisnis thai 1 det sti d. a cring ing. servile deportment being that which most revolted me. I fulfilled my promise to her and came back before twilight fell. I took pains also to let her know of my re turn. but. almost Immediately after. I again stole out of doors aud took several turns up and down tlie a venue, mounting guard ovr the Stone II - !*.». expecting 1 know not what devi l, p menls to reward my observation. But my vague anticipations were doomed to*disappointment. The dwelling gave forth uo signs of life or habitation. It remained simply the cold white corpse of a once happy home. Two or three days after this, how ■ver. I was detained by the very severe illness of one of Madam's beneficiaries until an unusualh 1 tte hour. S<> hue was it that I)r. Sp r. whom 1 met as I was passing through the village, remonstrated with me concerning my being out at such :t time, and insisted upon accompanying me as far as the gates. As I approached the Stone House I detected perhaps no one but a person bent 011 discovery would have noted it—a line of light, a mere lumin mis thread, gleaming through the inter stiee of the shutters of one window. I pausid some moments, watching it closely. I gained nothing further, from my observation, however, and. Tearing to dehV Madam s dinner-hour by my absence, shortly after forsook my post jind went back to The Ivies, in a state of great doubt and perplexity. 1 could not see my course clear in the matter. Had I been instructed in the story of Madam's life. 1 should have better known how to act. As it was I feared to touch rr.w wounds, to make trouble for my beloved mistress, by alluding to a mystery w-hicli might be connected with past suffering aud sor row. But I did resolve upon one thing —that I would put a few questions to old Franklin, and, possibly, take lilm into my confidence. Accordingly, that •.right, after I had conducted Madam t, '•••11 ii in © % "FRANKLIN, DOES ANYONE EVER GO INTO THE STONE HOUSE.'' back to the boudoir when dinner was over, I asked her to excuse me for a few moments, and returned again to the dining-room, where I found the ancient servitor clearing the table. "Franklin," I began, "does anyone ver go into the Stone House for any purpose ?" The old fellow lad greeted my ap pearance ■with a welcoming smile, for, as I have said. I '.'as a favorite with him, and he was always gratified if I singled him out for special notice. At my words, however, his face fell into gloom, and his voice, as he replied to my question, was grave and troubled. "No one. Miss Lotlirop," he said, with curt brevity. "Who has the keys to it?" I continu ed, determined nut to be discouraged by his apparent disrelish of the sub ject. "Mrs. Mayberry," he answered "Don't you ever go down there, to see if things are 11s they should be? Does not Madam expect someone to see that it is kept in proper repair? She has told nie that she has an affection for the place; is it not your duty to see that the house does not suffer from neglect ?" I almost regretted my questions, so shocking an effect did they produce upon the faithful old soul His a red face worked, his lifs trembled, and 'lis hands, that held a tray of glasses, shook so that tl#*ir burden jingled noisily BUTLER TPA., THURSDAY. APRIL 13, lfcyo "O Miss Lotlirop." he begged, "don't ask me to go down there! What is ' wrong? I will send proper pcr-ons to 1 ike any repairs hat may be ueces : s ay. but I cannot go down there my self. I cannot—no, indeed 1 cannot, i Madam knows that I have ue> > r been j down theie sine. .at cursed day and . she would not as*',. of me. Mr. t'hest | er will soon be li. now: can't vvhat | ev« j*s wrong wait ii he ' enes? Can't 3 ! it. now? Can't it miss? His voice - i broke down at the last with emotion 9 ; and anxa tj j I raw that for some unknown reason - lie was too powerfully affected by the f ! neighborhood of ie. eiirious old dwell e ing to serve me as a I in unravelling its » 1:1.1 teries. I thought it better, there fore. to throw him win ily off the scent, for. as he was not available as coad f I Jutor. lie might be obstructive if su spicious j | "Ob. Ido not know that anything is [ really wrong there,"' I replied, "i dare say thyigs are in very good condition. - I was only speculating about it. and - I as I have a woman's curiosity. Frank -1 lin. I thought I would ask you to let s tne go over ih< house some tluif v.i'h l you. If you were ii the habit of visit ing It occasionally." He gave an unaffected shudder. a "I would as soon go into a house t where I had committed murder," ho remarked gloomily. s "But perhaps Mrs. Mayberry would s take me down then some time: does n't she ever go down to air it?" r 'The housekeeper herself an --\ i d 3 me She bad com ' out ffoip b. iiind ) . screen that hid the pantrjr, ami ndvam.- , ed softly as she sp .ke. "Mrs. Mayberry has too much con j coloration for your n« rves, my dear young lady." she said in her liarsh, unpleasant tones, '..iii. it ;i<> effort on her part could rend r pliant or agiv * | able, "to subject >•>: to the influence , of that dreary dwelling. No one enters it, even to care for It—uo one," she tv , peated emphatically. "And yet." I said, in a lowered tone for Franklin, probably rind to shift 1 upon other shoulders tl; i :rden of a I theme he shrank from had moved sway and was busying h .us. If , about the table, aud I lii.J tint • ish him to catch my words —"as' I <•; up the avenue this evening I am sure I , saw the glimmer of a light in the house." If she was m any way vutir. i iwd In the mystery, she was too wary to ; caught napping. Her air of mingled | surprise anil incredulity was inin'ta ble, and if she was acting a part 1 thought she possessed a rare gilt of dissembling. "Oh. that could not he!" stie said: ' "unless, indeed, the Stoue House is be coming haunted." I laughed, and back to Madam, wondering as I went if she perhaps thought to arouse in m». superstitious fears, thinking tliat'if she suce ■ \ d I should of my own accord give up protracted wanderings which v. • !d oblige me to pass the dismal dwelling after nightfall. Two weeks passed without further event, and I was abofit concluding that I had really imagined the singular Incidents which had aroused my su spicion, lvheU they received fresh con firmation I had been reading one evening to Madam, and later she had fallen into a somewhat confidential mood with me. and had dwelt at some length upon • the character of hi r sou. who- advent we were now expecting from day to day. She spoke of him in flattering terms, yet 111 a sort or strange and dis tant way. that appeared to t.i > unlike tlie übu.il attitude of mother to son. Mingled with the ku.xix admiration of her regard for Idm there was a kind of veiled respect such as we accord our superiors, but which we rarely testify towards our equals. It evinced an aloofness ii; intimate sympathy. I thought, and it created in 1110 a feeling of awe of the man who had inspired such sentiments in one so dear as a motuef. "Dorothy." she said, "you will soon gee one of the noblest men that I have ever known, lie if not handsome, my son Darracott, ami you will not per haps be able to discover in him the out ward semblance of u hero. Hut learn to know him well, see him tested by experience, and you will feel, as I do, that the world seldom produces men of such type as his." "And yet you do not love him," I felt like saying, though, of course, I gave no such license to my speech. When I returned to my own rooms for the night. 1 put ou a loose wrapper, and. as was my custom, seated myself beside my comfortable fire for an hour's reading before going to bed. But my thoughts refused to centre themselves upon my book. I felt it borne in upon me that I was living a romance amid an environment of strange shadow and mystery. I could spare no thought for the consideration of fictitious narrative. Who was this man who was so soon to Invade the seclusion < f our lives here in this old mansion? I knew his name and his relationship to my mistress, but who was lie? Of what character istics was he composed? What was his nature; what were his habits: what his likes and dislikes his tastes, sympa thies, prejudices? Would his presence in the house constrain me? Would my society be unwelcome to him? What could be the cause of the incompatibil ity between him and Madam? These aud kindred rellecttlons were occupying my mind when a timid knock at my door brought me back from dream land. "Come iu," 1 called. The handle I turned, aud Mrs Mayberry appeared upon the threshold. I urged her to enter, and she did • o, carefully closing the door behind 1 »r. Her face was even whiter than u lal, and I could see that there was an intense tremulous uess iu all her mus les, which she only commanded l>y im ense effort. "I am sorry to disturb you, Miss JJotlirop," she said, ind 1 ooserved that she was glad to st ad.v herself by the support of the bat of a chair, "but I have no one else o go to, as I never trouble Madam wit 1 domestic matters. One of the maids h: s burst a blood-ves sel, and I do not k low- what remedies to apply. I have had HO experience in similiar cases, and ! thought you might be able to offer me some suggestion." I rose at once from my chair. At first it did not occur to me that the woman was not s leaking the literal truth. I had a In rror of blood my self. and thought li r unusual agitation was due to a like : >ntinient. My first thought was to go o the sufferer. "Has the hemorrhage stopped?" I asked. "Nearly." she replied. "I will go to her at once," I said. "My father died of consumption; I am per fectly informed regarding the proper remedies. Come." 1 spoke somewhat peremptorily, as one having i»uthoriiy; but she made no motion of compl auce. Indeed, she stretched out her bund as tf to detain me. "No," she responded: "tell me what to do. The girl is of a strange dispo sition; she has begged me to allow 110 one to come near licr." "That is nonsense!" I returned im patiently. "Of course, she must have proper medical attention at onee. All I can do is to suggest temporary relief. You must wake Holmes (the gardener) and despatch him for Dr. Spencer." "Dr. Spencer!" There was a wild ness iu the ejaculation that first awoke my doubts of her story. She gave a hoarse, hysterical little laugh that Struck painfully on the ear; it suggest, ed a pathetically overwrought con dition. "Yes, Dr. Spencer," I repeated. "I would not take the responsibility of this woman's life into my hands. Even I. prejudiced against her as I was. melted beneath the tragic alarm that came into her glance as I sptike! It was apparent that my words first gave her cause for grave apprehension. "Is it so dangerous as that?" she , Uluttered. I nodded. She wrung her hands hi "i.ven then he must not come," she said. "How foolish!" I exalalmed, out of t patience at the delay. "As If M: laiu 1 would pi ruiit any s> urfijin nla! ooi.: ider- : ations to stand in 'b- way of such j 1:* cessity as this. 1 csides. she n« <-d j not see the doctor it -ijl. In bed. she ; need not even know that lie is her.*, tin- j til he is gone. 1 w'T taKvalliher- -.ion- | sibility ot his cot - .. upon n lown j sbov'.d 'is. You net ei:c r never come.s to this house, do you? 1 sjV by yiuff look you don't. Then let nae ffell yoti that Madam would rajher div tlnin have him enter her doors. Now will you be satisfied?" Although at the time i Iftid not much •ojirtdeHcc in her statement ag? lation was so great airtl sincere that I had not the courage to ii»4.st upon i suggestion which carried n«Mi terror with It . "I wash my hands of you." I said. • If this girl dies I sjiall kfv \ier il it your door. You will netthei: ssnul tor the doctor nor will you let am eh r. There is some mystery at wo{J; hvr.e*. 1 am sure of it: and I tell you frailly that when Mr. Chester i-jftues 1 shall share my suspicions vkth Mm. New I will describe what you ant to do for the maid." Tlie misery in ner facotjaufc appaiiliig, "Miss Lotlirop." she Au'TTl. wlt^ tears of agony coui'*ii\g imwn her seamed cheeks, "what I dime to you that you si. mid hunt uu' like this? Haven't I tried to make v Madam about eleven o'clock. We werp wont to vary our occupations by a Wt lie music, of which she was passfcuiutfly fond. She had, in especial, a lilting for old ballads, although she had also a classical taste, aud was well ac quainted with the works' of modern composers. I had been singipg an old Knglish song. "She wandcivd down the mountain side," and the Vibration of my voice was still echoing through the room when a knock came upon the door. I rose, as was my custom, to answer it. I expected to liii|l either Franklin or Mayberry si am ring With out, but, to my amazement', my eyes fell upon the figure of a stiluiger! tt did not require wendetful tjUiUttou to tell me who stood before iffie, but mo' first thought was for Madeira. I feared for the effect of this su&s4se; there fore 1 acted as if 1 iufel a right to govern his conduct. KjhMl 1:0 iov.* 1 for him iu her hear*. In another 111001- ] ent his arms were about hen and 1 was , standing upon the other side of the s closed door. The home-couiius of its master i- H urally made a con sidernble diiTei . :.ce , in the simple domestic routine oi Tae , Ivies. A more ceremouiotis manner <;f living always folio vs upon the Instal , lation of a male ln-sd of a household. . Madam and I had r referred informal- | Ity; Darracott Ches;. r. altlsmgli a man , of few requirements, wished those re- , quireinents prop, iy fulfille-1. Our } household began to broaden itself out; , unused rooms we:- denuded of their j swalbings and opeaed to the light of | day; more elabora.-* and more uuuier- j I otis eonrsea wro * :.i ! ita' : .s re 1 iv I t: : jan air of birth or s .: I than of death. .- . ■ . .. place. As t< r my , : . tt b: • * r!,t a I! il . . ! i. . •. ■ ... to Which .1 ions I 1. a j 8 trailer. CHAP, ;-:H VI. it was not g, v ail:* before th. j news of Itarraco: Ch ster's teiiiii: j cri pt through ill.' neiahb-.t h .>•!, lie I degrcf s amaaltitai e. Sb .an to pre 1 sent thems !v. sat The lvit and th. s. I uo longer found their inquiri ~ gr.-. 1- I ed by the old formula of exclusion. Presently it seemed to me that every •me within a radias of twenty miles had called, with ti.e exception of Dr. Sp. nccr and his mother. They only, or < all whom I visited, refrained from "ask- ! i.'.g news of the traveler or ineuti-'uins | him iti any conn *ction. And yet 1 knew that formerly David Spencer aial j Darracott Chester had been close friends. What had caused the breach between them? Notwithstanding the fact mat ,\lad ! am had prepari'd me for the absence I of heroic attributes iu her sou's appear ance, 1 was distinctly disappointed in him at first sight, lie was neither tall nor short, graceful i. .r awkward, hand -5 >llll* nor liotnely,. My first impress:. 11 of him was one o. exu-eding medio- I crlty. Meeting hit 1 in the eiivet, I i IN ANOTHER MOMENT HIS ARMS WERE AHO I " fc * HER. twice, nor have bestowed a second thought upon him. Meeting him in tho close familiarity of daily inter course, I looked at him many times, and soon grew to think of him with a ulir degree of exelusiveuess. I am going to make no secret of his attraction for me. I am not the hero ine of this story, aud my love affairs are merely incidental to the true nar rtitive. I shall be honest and frank at the outset of my acquaintance with Darracott, and take the reader im mediately into my confidence, acknow ledging with uo false modesty or re serve that I had not been thirty-six liours beneath tlie same roof with him before I had wholly changed my first Impressions of him, and had fallen under the charm of his personality. This personality was strangely com pounded. it was an odd mixture of contradictory qualities; and this pe culiar incongruity possibly was tho reason of the fascination it exerted over those who came to know him well. For I do not think that strangers ear(4l for liini at all. nor ao I think that young girls in general would have found him interesting. For there was nothing of the haughty* and mysterious llero about him. He was a silent, and, iu company, an indifferent man. He hail certain tastes which strongly ap pealed to him. and concerning which he waxed enthusiastic. Beyond these tastes he appeared to feel little interest in life, and I have often remonstrated with him because he did not exert him self to be more generally entertaining. Byt he had done with that sort of thing, he would reply; he was growing an old man the was, in point of fact, tljlrly-uine years oldi and he meant in future merely to humor his own in clinations. This would give one the Impression that lie was a selfish 111:111, while, in truth, self was his last consideration. Une of the characteristics which most won me to him was a rare and never failing tlioughtfulness. which antici pated the need of others almost be fore it was experienced. Yet I felt it illustrative of the contrariety of his nJiture that, while so considerate of the small requirements of those about him, he could yet have left one to whom he was bound by the closest ties of nature to a desolate, lonely and bereft old age. One day, after Darracott had been at home some ten days. I receiyed a note from Mrs. Spencer, containing au in vitation, or rather a request, that I should dine anil pass the evening with them upon the following day. "We feel sadly forsaken of late," she wrote. "David has grown dull and dis splrited, and I am too old a sto-*y to entertain him. Do come and cheer us uiv there's a good child. Davul will being you safely home, if you will al losy him to do so." It happened that, as I was presenting t4u» case to the Madam and asking for luijve of absence, her son entered the room. Observing that I was reading a letter, lie was about to withdraw with a word of apology, but 1 prevent him. "It is nothing hut a note of invita tion," I said. "Do not go. 1 shall be thtxuigh iu a moment. May I finish?" When 1 concluded the note I dis covered that he was regarding me with a ljH>k of unusual interest iu his eyes. "So you are a familiar friend of the Spencers," hi* remarked. "How arc fla*y David and his mother?" "Well," I answered. "Shall I go, Madam?" "Of course, my child." •%>o you really think you are capa hlf of cheering up 11 man?" Darracott asked in a bantering touc. "I have not seen Spencer for years; is he become offi.* of the lugubrious sort?" I repudiated the suggestion with so much spirit that perhaps the warmth of my manner Implied a particular in terest in the 1111111 I was defending, for my interlocutor laughed knowingly, which so tilled me with a desire to prove indifference to David Spencer that I was inspired to make a most unusual request of my mistress. •'Could Holmes drive in for nie about ten o'clock. Madam?" I asked. "I 1 should prefer not to trouble Dr. Spen cer to see me home." Khe gave a ready assent, but her sou confiuued to teaflse me by beggiug me tfl consider the doctor's disappoint ment. ' "You will simply be forced to go back ■ the next day and cheer him up again.:" he protested. "What a mission you ' have found in life. Miss Lotlirop! ! Mother, you are not half so solicitous ( fair my welfare as Mrs. Spencer is for Dili'id's. I have never heard you sug- 1 gesjt that Miss Lothropshould exert her- 1 si*lf to cheer me up. Why is it? Have 1 I not as great need of cheering as 1 Spencer, or is it that there is a ' difference in the solicitude of moth- ! crs?" litis tone, which had been of jesting character in the b(ing nn effect upon slit- x .i one to disphiT dlsturbai co. unless for - •; . but now ht'r feaaires worked «N.uvnl«hvl,.\ her cheeks turMV *■> ::!• ashcli palter. :tll(l her hands • I ■! < :i« it other tightly, while Ifer ] .... ey< » fell ; imsllt j to th< tlodr 1 i ; • r sc (>r a ehil i viiiu has been de i it. 11 K arm about her | drooping should* rs. •Yon are a cowjrd!" t cr;..«.i, IUIU- I ins: ail euraged. reproachful face upon ' the master of tin house, beneath v.lmii j roof 1 was merely a hired d pendant. "You are woise than that: vi.tt .«-!• ! 1 brutal and unniar.lv, »o distress »y ■ your veiled insinuations • who, through affliction It not through re ; lationsliip. should In- sai r< <1 fr.>n> •-jr j shafts. Madam, Madam, do not heed But my dear lady had i>y Hi»s ■ | time re>.ov< «•••«» herself, and I was iff. terrupted by the placing of fl s. ft li.uul j over my Impetuous lips. i "Dorothy. I»oroth.v, hush!" she eu | treated. "You know nothing .i>vvu it, jmy child. I deserve it all aid m«se. i Nay. Dare, my son"-oh! what HII in finity of tenderness Juki iviuorsefulnpss was there in the g?ntle voice as It ad , dressed the man wlicj, repentant ami eager to atone, approached with n piV liniinary ejaculation of "Mother! "nay, you need not seek to maki a mends for your Juat Implications: they Mk ' "YOr ARE A COWARD!" I CRIBD. are grounded on fact; It is but common retribution that I should be reminded of my sin." But the man, upright and honest in bis acknowledgement of error, would not allow his culpability to be fiius condoned. His manliness had be«s stirred to bitter self-revolt even lmf£ru 1 had made my attack upon him, :ted his self-respect would not permit it self to lie satisfied without apology. "You are too lenient to me, my motft er," lie returned, and his vol'fe very deep and grave. "With akl lij* ig norance, Miss Lothrop is the bPtfer Judge of my conduct. Before I wish to assure you of my deep regftt and sincere sorrow for my misepahlfe gratuitous reflections upon the and to ask you to pardon my laek of consideration and respeofT' The words were well enongli, and they were uttered with a certain efrui tion : but 1 felt that one kiss laid upon tlie faded cheek, one loving touch plac cd upon the bowed fojui, would have been worth all the correct apologies ib the world to Madam. She sighed an 9 extended her beautiful hand to him, and he raised it with graceful courte9V to his lips. 1 was much abashed, now that the moment of excitement wap over .at the thought of ufy outbreak. Yet I was too proud, and- still too re- Kf'iitfill of his treatment of Madain, to acknowledge my want of proper decorum. But after he had left thjß room, which he did almo* immediafre ly, I made my excuses to my inislrojw. 1 spent a charming evening at tßt- Spencer's. Botli mother anil son wero in good spirits, and the hours sped rapidly away. I told Dr. Spencer that i had arranged to have Holmes con*? for me, and, probably understanding my motive, lie considerately made no comment on the arrangement. 1 must not forget, by the way, to mention.a little incident which occurred I set out for my visit. Franklin had conn" to my room dur ing the afternoon with a very dis tressed face. "Miss Lothrop," he began. "I aft* afraid we arc going to have frunble with the new servants. They and Mrs. Mayberry are at odds, and there's row ing below-stairs about all the timq," "What seems to be the trouble?'' I asked. "What do they confplain of 'A' "They don't complain exactly," fie re plied. "But they've taken It into their heads—the stupid fools!—that the Stone House is haunted .and the idea sends Mayberry into tits. She gets regufcse!" 1 cried, a little hotly, finr memory brought l»efore my eyes ♦he rlstmi of my dear lady as she had looked when those words were uttered. "Of &?*rsc they were cruel! And lo >^idam ~%>t all persons In this world! 'W> Madam--who can never have caus ed pain to the smallest of living filings!" He an.d looked at u#e. His brow was a little lifted, and was a qufslicnl and yet stern smile in his ayes. "I am a of average proportions. Miss Jjflthrop; scarcely Infinitesimal enough \o be reckoned outside your category. "Ten mean " 1 paused in amaze ment absolutely unable to construe him. "I ntt'au," he replied, quickly and with n haftl. metalic ring in his voice, "twit no one living in this world to day lias .ever caused me pain and suf fering eqtiai to that which my mother has infected ufkin me.' I cfcled protestingly, "I cannot —no. I «atim»t believe it. If It Is so, It ufi unconscious act on her part." He give laugh. "Vo, « tliiffK not," he answered. "In- perhaps; but not uncon scious. She Is awnre of it" "Then she Is deeply repentant also," 1 said, recalling now the peculiarities which I notefl In Madam's regard for hcf only son. IJe 'shook his head. "One does npt sincerely repent a criHiltV while still practising it," Ift* re ttfrnea. sentontiousl^v. Mj\ lete and veneration for Madam flared tip ffotly at this. •*Vou calumniate her!" I burst forth. "It is treason for me to discuss her with yv»u. Let us change the subject Mr. Clieatejr. You are wounding me beyond words." We wtjre turning into the avenue as 1 sjuikej ahd he curbed the eager pace of tlltf horse lilto a walk before he an swered. I>llim. letting the raifis fall sUhntayf! on the scat and looked iSjOftrely and earnestly down upon me. "Mfts Lortrop," he lH>g«u—and there was iI6 longer either bitterness or cyn , Icistn in his voice, only gravity anJ controlled emotion—"lt Is not my discuss my mother or my own frjmigs and sentiments with afliers. But neither is it my habit so to forget myself as I did yesterdny. if that incident had taken place before ajtmost anyone else in the world I sSt>uld l>ave been too proud or too in different to attempt to Justify myself; blfr wltlfwou it is dillVrcnt. What you have donf for my mother has given y.on a claim upon my regard second to H./iui Mi the world. I can't bear you to think me wantonly and wilfully cruel. I hirM mj-self generally pretty well in hand; btt* yesterday some devil got Inside me while you wefe reading that letter and pulled all the piifs out of my self-command. Perhaps I was jealous of the claims of others upon that chariness which has brought new life wkltfn our old walls"—he made an effoft to lighten his tone a bit. but a wither unsuccessful one—" or perhaps yotrf reference to your friends In the village brought back to my mind wf broke off abruptly. I made uo re ply. What was there for me to say? The btjrst was walking slowly up the avtjntne. The moon iiad gone under a cloud. My heart was beating violent ly, partly in unaltered championship of' the mother's partly ta sym pathy the son's wrdng, of whose mature I was still iguorant, partly In accord with the mystery and romance of eur surrountliugs. [CONTINUED IN OUR NEXT.] '; Cars of tlie Erelnahe*. The ancients made a art of the cul tivation of the eyelashes. It was rec ognised that, besides adding to the expression of the eyes, the lashes pre served them from the dust, cold, wind and t glaring light, all of which telfil to Irritate and often inflame the eye. It is therefore not a vanity to endeavor to obtain them and then pre serve them front filling out. A Itffls pure vaseline applied to the eyui ashes eaery night wll aid their gro\v»t> .*id strengthen tßem. Tab»c£o l'knit as a Floral Eoiblcm. "J"hci;e is one flower," says n writer ii a London paper, "which has ap parently been overlooked by Ameri cans in their search for a suitable floral emWlcm, which I think Is worthy of their, attenUpn. I refer to that of the tobacco plant (nlcotiana) in Its many Varieties. It Is handsome; the plant is, I believe. Indigenous to Ameri ca. and its importance as the solace of tire human race is indisputable. Coal v*. Man. An interesting calculation has been made, which shows that a pound of good coal rtjuals the work of one man for one day. One square mile of a seam of coal only 4 feet deep would exceed tlie work of 1,000;<>00 moil for 20 years. Growth «»f SJiruba. It is perfectly amazing to notice ciwefully how much an ordinary shrub will grow In a single summer. A silver fir UVi fee., lilgli was lately carefully measured. It &ad put forth 585 new shoots, varylrg from % an Inch to tl Inches cacti. Dang«roui. Doctor—l hope your liijsband fol lowed my prescription. Mrs. Chubb!*— No, indeed! IT he had he \wuld Have broken his neck. Docto*-Broken his neck? JHra. Cfltiblis—Yes. He threw It out or the *>urth story window. A Krmlmler. Father (calling from the head of the sthirs at 1.30 A. M.) Fannie! Fannie -Yes., papa; what Is it? Father—l wish you would ask that young man where he would like to have his trunk put when it comes.