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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Advocate, 1894-11-8, Page 7A Woman's Crime. BY AN EX -DETECTIVE. Published by permiOsion a the owners of the Copyright. f001119110Eral Instantly the door is flung open; so prompt was the AOti011 that one would think that the int 1e could not have been fax from the key -hole. It is Miss Armin, and she bends over the prostrate form with a look of cold, critical writ iny. Closer she bends, and then puts her fingers over the heart and pulse of the insensible heiress. This done, she lifts her faee a,nd stands erect, wearing that baffled look once more. "This is genuine " she inutters, "and —I don't understand it." She rings the bell then, and soon help conies,and they set to work to restore their fainting mistress. She romains unconscious a long time; so long that they become: alarmed. But at lase she revives, and, opening her eyes sud- denly, looks about her. When at last she speaks, the look on Nina Annin's face tells that the words are not what she had expeeted,. or hoped, to hear. " Did 1--fain.t ?" she murmurs, in the lowest and softest of tones. " Yes, I re- raember ; I tried to get up, and—my foot failed me," Then she closed her eyes, and. seemed to fall asleep. After a time, Nina Annin turned. to Laura. 'Some one ought to remain near Miss Durand," she said kindly; "and you are too tired; go and. rest now, and I will lie down on that couch, and be ready if she needs anything. You must, Laura, I insist upon it." With seeming reluctance, and inward gladness, Laura goes, and Miss Annin commen.ces her vigil beside the sleeper. All night long Aura Durand lies with closed eyes, and calm, upturned face; she moved a little sometimes, as sleepers will, but although Miss Annin steals to the bedside Baty tines doing the night, although sometimes she bends very near, and waves a wax -light from one of the candelabra in the very eyes of the sleeper, although—acidentally, of course — she overturns something, or makes some sudden noise near the bedside, Aura never once opens her eyes, or gives evi- dence by any restlessness that her repose is in the least disturbed. At last morning dawns, and Miss Annin, pale and weary with her vigil, is A about to steal from the room, when the ee voice of Miss Durand calls "Laura," and then, as she turns involuntarily, "Oh, you, Miss Annin; how came you about so early?" "1 have been here all night," replied Miss Annin, coining to the bedside; "you were so restless, ax4 1 thought it best not to leave Laura with you." Miss Durand actually laughed, "You were very thoughtful. But I have had a good night's sleep, I think, Was I very restless?" "Ah 1" with a queer gleam in her eye. Then I must have disturbed you more or less. Please ring far Laura. I -want some breakfast." Miss Annin summoned the maid and then betook herself to her own room, sleepy and disappointed. " What a fool," inutteredMiss Durand when Miss Amain had left the room; then 6 reaching out for a little hand mirror that lay near, she surveyed her face crit- ically. "1 think that I look very well, consid- ering that I have not slept at all," she soliloquized. "What a satisfaction it was to hear that girl fidgeting about all night. I have done some needful think- ing, too—but the strain was very wear- ing; I must rest to-day—after I have set- tled with her." While she breakfasted she penned a hasty note and sent it away by a messen- ger. Then Laura attired her in bewitch- ing neglige, and she lay down upon her couch and waited. An hour later the footman came to the door and presented a card. "Show him up instantly," commanded Miss Durand, glancing at it hastily; then as the servant retired, "Laura, if Miss Armin should. come from her room, keep her away from here; tell her that I ani sleeping." A moment later and Mr. George Ford- ham entered the boudoir. He looked flushed and annoyed; Lenore's denun- ciation had made him unpleasanfly no- torious,and was already exerting a dam i aging nfluence against him. He had answered Miss Durand's summons reluc- tantly, supposing that she wished to question him in regard to the Arteveldt tragedy. "Sit down, Mr. Fordham," said Aura Durand, abruptly, as he paused. before her. "What I wish to say must be said quickly; I want no one to know of this conversation, you understand:" He nodded, and took the seat' indi- cated. . "When will your house be ready" " Soon. Why?) " Becanse I want you to hasten the preparations." "What!you have yourself retarded them hitherto. The sooner it is open the better for me—now." "Very well, then. Listen, I want you to take away Nina Armin immediately— immediately, do you hear ?" " Why? Has anything more disagree- able than usual happened ?" with inso- lent ease, " No matter what has happened; I won.'t have her here; I won't! She will go to -day if yon use your influence. Yoe know that.'7 "Oh yes, I know that. I wish to the Lord. my influence over her would run out;, I'm heartily sick of it, I tell you." I sappose so. Being a man, you could not be expected to remain true to a woman for long. How soon can yoi take her away ?" "Soon as the house is ready," with a shrug. "That is, if— "If you are well paid. Do you want a thousand dollars this morning!" "1 should. think so, rather ' "Well, I will give you half that sumout any ordinary imeartinz nemelepiocis e Th me urcl:r now, and twice as much when she is VigniaTjet=e0Tereftle8d ey one a the ser. of ray sight for good. Mind, you must vents In the house, or one of theirt might have been bribed to admit the murderer and after - CHAPTER XXII,—MOTHER GOOSE'S I,OG BOOK. At last the curtain leas fallen upon the seene of Clarence ,A.rteveldt's life d mint. At last the grave closes over him, and the sorrowing mother, the horror-stricken friends and the onlooking speetatois turn their thoeghts from the murdered and buried victim to the ending of the mur- deress. For every one,save Kate Seaton, believes in the guilt ot the fugitive Le - mere, Even Kate has not dared to eon - fide her belief to any save the detective and her own sister. Mrs. .A.rteveldt would have Neil Bathe urst near her almost constantly, and be- cause of his infiuence over her the (looter has told. him it was best to humor her, "if he could." Mr. Hale objected, averring' that the search for Lenore Armyn should. be promptly commenced and vigorously prosecuted. But the detective had an- swered in a way that effeetually silenced further objection. on the part of the wor- thy lawyer. "You must allow me to be the judge as to how this work should be done, sir. If the guilty woman is to be found, it will be as easy to track her one week hence as now, even easier. I have some work to do in the city yet. This I shall not delay. But reraembor this, the -woman planned her flight so well that not a traces of her destination can be found; car- riage was driven away from the neigh- boring corner, but no one knowsif it took her. t shall not leave the city until I have a clue to follow." There was no naore to be said; after that the young detective went about his work in his own way unquestioned. A. large reward had been offered for the vapprehension of the murderess and one day just after the funeral, as 'Neil Bathurst sat beside Mrs. Arteveldt, she astonished him by saying: "Neil Bathurst, I want you to work now as you never worked before. I am now alone in the world; I have no near rela- tives; there is no one whom I could wish i to see n my stea,d when I am gone. Find me my son's raurderess, and the reward I have offered shall be doubled; and when I am done living this wealth, mine and my son's, shall become yours." The detective stood astonished, and then replied.: "You have many years before you yet, Mrs. Arteveldt, and. your wealth ca,n benefit others more than. it ever can me. The reward you offer I will accept, but nothing more. Look about you and find an heir or heiress. I have made money by my profession; I expect to make rn ore, and—the chances are that I may die first. The life of a detective is not always a safe one." "But, you need be a detective no longer if you become my heir. Find that girl fiend and then. abandon the profession." The detective laughed. "I could not give up ray profession, not even for a fortune "he replied. "Let us drop the subject,' Mrs. Arteveldt. I will find your son's destroyer, and then we will come to terms." Day by day he worked in his quiet, three calm way, and days after that he called at Mr. Hale's office and handed him his first report, "1 AM GOING To FAIRLDE, THE FORMER HOME 01' THE RUNAWAY BRIDE." "I must tell yout" he said, as the law- yer took it from his hand, "that this is not what in an. agency would be termed a complete report; that is, one minute as to the smallest details, and giving, not only facts, but ideas and suspicions. I have here reported the little that has been actually accomplished. I have made for my own benefit certain notes, set- tingforth some queer and very vague suspicions; of these I shall make no men- tion until they become less shadowy. My work here, for the present, is done; I leave the city to -night." " Really ! Am I permitted to ask where you are going ?" " Certainly, ' replied Bathurst with a' laugh. "I am going to Fairlie the former home of the runaway bride. Why I am going you will know when you read my report. Excuse me now, Mr. Hale, my time is limited," and Neil Bathurst bowed himself out of the law- yer's office. to be seen. no more in the city until 'the winter snows lay deep upon the earth and a new year had be- gun his round. Two hours later Mrs. Arteveldt and Kate Seaton sat listening while Mr. Hale read aloud the first report of the detec- tive: CHICAGO, NOV. 19,187—, a Report Neil R. Bathurst, in case of murder of Clarence S. Arteveldt, made to F. G. Hale as agent for Mrs. Arteveldt: Being summoned to the house of the dead, within two hours after the murder was discover- ed, I made a careful search in the room where the deed was done. Nothing had been disturb- ed, no robbery committed. Two facts seemed plain to me. 1st. That the murder was commit- ted for revenge, not plunder. 2nd. That the deed was done by a cool and skillful hand, and with & foreign instrument, similar, but not the same, as a stilletto. I made a careful examina- tion of tho house, and could find no indications of any one either entering or leaving it after it Was closed for the night. Every door,. window Or opening of tiny sort waS eloped and securely fastened—with one exception, of which I shall preseney speak. • During the excitement following ninon the flight of the bride it would not have been diffi- cult for her, or another, to have entered the house and seereted herself, but ba heve left in not let her come here to annoy me." They talked for a few moments longer, and then, $500 richer; Itfr. Fordham took his leave. "She's as good as a bonanza," he mat- tered,. as he hurried away. "And how elle does hate Nina; ehe seems to be pretty flush, even or a rich maxi's daugh- ter. I don't quite understand it; and she never once referred to the Arteveldt affair. She is a Cool hand.," wards fasten the house again. These theories, however, have their improbable side, and I may at: well remark here that I do not entertain either of them, neither do 1 believe that the servants are in any war implicated. I have made elose in:Pities of, and concerning, them all; and I believe that they are too holiest and too ignorant to plan and carry out audit a deed. Nevertheless I have placed a watch Mimi their JneVernenti, end would advise Mit. Arteveldt to 'retain them for the present at lona ; to set ha own housekeePer over them, and 10 keep the house Open until something Occurs to make the meaeure unneceesary. I have made every effort to tree° the eight of the fugitive from the house, hot to no purpose. it is probable that she escaped in the carriage whieh lliCaci seen to leave the yieleity a few MO' DIMAS after her disappearance, but we have no positive evidence of this. If she committed the murder, and the evidence in that direction is certainly strong: it Is. far more likely that she remained concealed in the neighborhood until after the deed WAS dOOO, beve said that there was a single exception, when stating that the house was securely fasten. ed. The try& or hatehway opening out upon the flat roof of the building waS not fastened, pro- bably never bad been. An expert alinher, who had a coefed.erate_, might have mounted to the roof by means of hooks and aro° ladder. I Bey Midget," for this is quite improbable; only the skilled housebreaker would dare attempt this feat, and a worpen could not accomplish it The houses on either side have shriller hatchways, hot they, as far as I Investigated, were all elosed and bore no traces of having -been recently open- ed, How the murderer or murderess entered or escaped from the house, then, remains a myatery —yet to be solved. I next set myself to work to obtain testimony of any end every description concerning the escaped woman, who is suspected, and with good reason, of being the murderess. There is much evidence, of the circumstantial sort, to in- dicate her guilt, and much to prove that her re. venge waspremeditated, long studied, skillfully executed, and—that she bad a:coadjutor of some Sort. I have made diligent search, and am con- vineed that she did not leave the city then, IflOr since, by any railroad, steamboat, or sailing ves- sel. Either she is far less unsophisticated than she is represented, or. she is ably supported. I find that her one friend, who might be able, uow OT later, to throw some light on the subject, is a Doctor Austin, who lives in Fairlie,the former home of Mrs. Armyn, now dead, This man has oharge of the missing woman's pro- perty, and she may sooner or later apply to him, either directly or through an agent, for funds. It now becomes necessary to see what manner of man this doctor is, and my next move is to visit Penile; I shall go to -night, and my next report may he delayed one day or more. Thus ended the report, and the lawyer laid it aside with great care. While quick-witted Kate Seaton thought with blanching cheek, "Good heavens! Neil Bathurst must connect that skillful death wound. with Dr. Austin. Poor Lenore. How the plot thickens, and how dark it looks for her." In order to better un.derstand what Neil Bathurst meant when he informed Mr. Hale that he had. made for himself certain notes setting forth some shadowy suspicions that were not yet to be set forth in his reports, let us take a peep into "Mother Goose's Log -Book," at Bob Jocelyn absurdly called his friend's pri- vate note book: Having talked with Kate Seaton, I felt one- third inclined to believe that Lenore Armyn, as prefer to call her, was an innocent woman. Having since talked with friends, enemies and indifferent observers, and baying perused doz- ens of letters written by the accused, I am now prepared to assert—to myself—that she is either a pure -minded, fiery -tempered but high-souled martyr, or else she 3.8 the keenest, cleverest and most dangerous criminal in America Just at present the odds seem to favor the latter sup- position. Thus read. one entry, and on the pre- ceding pages occurred the following: Have talked with the Ruth -yens' they had held a high opinion of the escaped, but now feel as- sured of her guilt. There was a marked change in her manner after the engagement was an- nounced ; she was silent ancl reserved ; remained much alone, and seldom went out, exoept with Mrs. Arteveldt and her son. She never refused to go with them, in fact, seemed to desire to be i seen with them n public. Have talked with the widow Warren; she has: been turned out by her very sensible brother, and has taken refuge with Miss Van Buren, her worthy associate. It is remarkable that two fe- males, so thoroughly contemptible, could do so muth mischief. Miss Strayn would have risen in my estimation if she had killed off the lot. For if she was thus shamefully betrayed, then Clarence. If he died at her hands, did not die a martyr. Nevertheless, justice must be appeas- ed, and I will find this woman if she is atop the earth. I made the Warren woman and her chum tremble a little, just for my own private satis- faction—told them they were liable to be arrest- ed at any moment ; and so they are, most likely, being what they are. I learned from them that the fugitive seemed averse to meeting me. It seems that Ihave been mentioned to her on one or two occasions, and each time, if I am to be- lieve these women, she has manifested an emotion that looked like fear. The Warren -wo- man laughed, in making her statements. and seemed trying, for some reason, to mislead me. The Van Buren said that she had beard the War- ren speak of this peculiarity in the manner of the accused, and. on the night of the wedding, just before the direful supper, she overheard Arteveldt speak of my absence in regretful tones, mentioning me, against my expressed wish. as the "detective," whereupon the bride turned very pale, and changed the subject, while the eaves-dropper—it is likely—ran off to treat her co-conspirator to this morsel of meaning. If I have never seen Lenore Armyn, she is under the same disadvantage—she has never seen me. In this, we know, the detective was mistaken, and to this mistake he would, later, be indebted. for a signal defeat. Another memorandum ran thus: I have had a long talk with that rascal Ford- ham. tam still a a loss to know whether he is most knave or fool. One thing is certain: He knows something concerning Arteveldt's past that I must gaat in some way; if am not much mistaken, he could put his linger on the writer of those two mysterious billets. When I asked him if, to his knowledge, Arteveldt had broken off any old love affair, to espouse Miss Armyn, he was thrown off his guard for just a second; I could see, by his eyes alone, that he did know of such an affair, and that he meant to keep such knowledge to himself. So he may—if he San. I can't just make out what interest the veiled woman may or may not have had in this case; her visit was strangely timed, and altogether mysterious. The case for the accused, at present, stands about like this: Her revenge may have been completed when She forsook her husband on her bridal night,and she may have witnesses to prove an alibi. Second. There is plausibility in the argument that a sane woman would hardly declare herself so publicly if she contemplated such an after- stroke—but then an Infuriated woman does not reason—and I have been convinced that, what- ever may be her graces and virtues, she has a volcanic temper. I fancy her now knocking down that poor brute of a Dutchman—if the worst is proven against her, why. it's a splendid case for an "insanity" plea. And any ordinary jury will grant a verdict to that effect, in ease of a young and beautiful woman. Third. Could such a woman have struck so cool and unerring a blow, evenif she understood the use of that rather unusual weapon? Fourth. There Is the chance of finding a sec- ond party who might have had a motive of re- venge, and there are the two notes and the secret which, I know, Fordbarn holds, as dues to work upon. Then there is the half burned note, written by the murdered man. On the other hand, every act of the accused, since the day of the scene at Gentleman Jeff's, an account, of whiela have bad from his lips, will tell against b er ; every att. Her refusal to dismiss Clarence at the request of bis mother, and the manner of' it—her nubile appearance with Mrs. Arteveldt and son, in order to make their after confusion more marked— her wedding arrangements —the absence of bridesmaids—and more than all, more than enough, her fiery denunciation and her flight. The story of the knocked down Dutchman will be dragged to light—even her intellect and self poise will tell against her—and ha evident aver- sion to the genius detective, as represented by me, will weigh like iron. I seem 10 see the scale going down, down, down I and the life of the beautiful fugitive hang- ing in the balance. CHAPTER XXIII.— JOHN JACOB AUSTIN. The lumbering old stage coach, or "hack," as the benighted ones called the doleful looking vehicle that lumbered through the little inland village of Fair- lie, four times a week, bringing passen- gers from the nearest railway, five miles distant, drew ul..) before the only hotel the hamlet boasted, and deposited a single passenger, who stood staring vacantly about him for a few seconds, then, clutch- ing his carpet bag tightly, hurried in to the shabby little liotel, "Here's another," exclaimed a languid - looking fat man, who proved to be a com- binetion of porter, clerk and proprietor, all in one, "Business is gottalively," Fairlie had a "frOint” old a "back" street, and, evidently boasted an grist°- craey ; for the front street was occupied by neat and pretty cottages, and some, a very few, houses pretentious enough to be called. dwellings; while the back street— well, that Was not much to speak /of. There were two or three prim churehes, and a neat now sehool-house. Fairlie was certainly a pretty village; a good place to some to if one wanted to take a nap. The villagers: went away in the disnaal old stage coach soraetiniee, and always hurried back, as if eseaping from untold clangers. Sometimes, too, in the lazy Summer, some one came to visit a relative—but what eould bring strangers to this sleeping village was a question to arouse wonder, even in the sluggish m bed of the fat landlord. The latest arrival was a plainly dressed, inoffensive young man, who bore a gene- ral reserablance to Neil Bathurst, except that the face looked ael stolid as a potato, the eyes had a most sheepish expression, the skin was somewhat browned and. freekled, the hands ditto, the mustache was the scraggiest of its kind, and the hair, plastered low upon, the forehead and "pomattuned" there, looked as if a rise in lard might soon be expeeted. "Just pat yer name down there," said the landlord, shoving toward the new comer a greasy ledger and a worn pen, The young man examined the ledger with much interest, and then pushed up his cuff, took the pen in an awkward manner, and, with many grimaces and as much apparent effort as a boy would use in making his first pot -books, inscribed therein in great sprawling letters, the name, John Jacob Austin. This clone, he laid. down the pen, with a sigh, and looked about him, ELS if wondering what he should do next. "Stranger in these parts, ain't yon?" queried the landlord. "Yes—rather," drawled Sohn jaeob Austin. "Goin' to stay long ?" "We-11—middline" "Ain't any related to Doctor Austin, be ye?" "N—not that I—know of." "Come on. business ?" "Y—es—rather." "Ain't a runner, air ye?' "No," replied the stranger, slowly. "I'm lookin' around ; maybe I'll buy a bit of land." At this moment a shrill voice kitchen- -ward called loudly for "father," and the landlord hurried away, looking somewhat apprehenshive. When he was gone John Jacob Austin opened the book again, and ran his eye over the registered nam es, Then he gave a low whistle. Just over the leaf was the name J. B. Brady, and the date of the registry was in August last, while on the new page the entries ran thus: "J. B. Brady." "Throe Sprague, State census taker." "John Jacob Austin." "State census taker," mused Mr. Aus- tin, "I should like to see a real census taker." Then he dosed the ledger, went languidly out upon the low, smoke-stain- ed. veranda, and looked languidly up and down the street. The afternoon sem was sinking, and things looked as if the in- habitants had already retired for the night. He could stand there and see all there was of the business of the village. Looking up and down, his eye fell upon a time -worn sign, suspended. between two windows, over a grocery almost opposite. Without a moment's hesitation he crossed the street, ran up the stairs, and tapped at the door of the room before which swung the sign. The door was opened by a pleasant -faced elderly man, who greeted !The visitor with a stare of sur- prise, and. then politely bade him enter. The visitor drew back, seeming to hesi- tate for a moment, and then entered the office, holding his bat awkwardly between his two hands, and seemingly much em- barrassed. "Beg your pardon, sir," he began, hesitantly; "but is this Doctor Austin's offi"c?Yee's', sir," replied the pleasant -faced man, "and I am Doctor Austin. Pray sit down." The young man took a chair and sat fumbling with his hat in a nervous way, while the dialogue continued. "I hope I don't intrude," he said; "but I have Just come in on the omnibus and I looked over and. saw your sign and then came right aleng. My name's John Jacob Austin," and he drew from his pocket a blue card, on which was that name engra-ed in gilt letters, and pre- sented it to the doctor. "You see, sir," he hurried on, "I am a stranger hereabouts and your name look- ed home -like ; besides, I want to ask you a question. Did you ever have a brother named Jason. Austin ?" "No," answered Doctor Austin, look- ing interested; "I never did." "And you didn'e never run away from home to study medicine, and never let anybody hear from you after that ?" ask- ed John Jacob, dolefully. "No," laughed the man of medicin.e, "I never did." "Then I am mistaken," said the young man, heaving a deep sigh. "You see, sir, I've lost all my relatives. I never had any brothers and sisters, and my father never had any, only his brother Ezra. My grandfather lived in York State, and was bound to make farmers out of the two. Well, Ezra wanted to be a doctor, and he and grandfather fell out. Pretty soon Ezra ran away, and my father never heard of him any more. Father stayed along on the farm, and when he died it came to me. Pretty soon I sold. out, for they were all gone, and I wanted to come west. I had always had a sort of longing to study medicine my- self, and father always used. to say, 'wait till we find your Uncla Ezra; if he has made a doctor of himself, he may take you in hand.' You see, I have been look- ing around some for a place to settle, and I came here to look at land.. When I looked over and saw your sign my heart jumped almost into my mouth. 'What if that should be my uncle?' I thought to myself; would Just give up the farm- ing business and go in for being a doctor too.' Then I ran right over, I'm a lone- some sort of a chap you see, doctor," said John Jacob, rising slowly', "and I really do feel disappointed." The face of the good doctor presented a picture of sympathy. "I am sorry that I have been the means of disappointing you," he said kindly. "Don't go, Mr. Anstin ; perhaps 5 can be of some service to you, even if you are not ray nephew." So John Jacob resumed his seat and conversed with Doctor Austin, until a cracked bell across the way signaled that tea was ready. As John Jacob Austin crossed the streee, and again Outered the little hotel, he looked a shade more cheerful than when he had presented, himself at the office of Doctor Austin, He was not thinking of the good doctor, however; his thoughts ran about in this wise; "That J. B. Brady is unmistakable, and what can he be doing here? If he is here, where is Jocelyn? This goes a little beyond my expectations. Let's Be0 what the slipper table Will develop," The sapper table was en 1141 operation when he entered the dining-roem and sat demurely down without even glaneing at his fellow boarders, That they were WirY few he could tell without looking, Re ate away, somewhat awkwardly, and said. 44thank you" to the girl who waited, whenever the shedow of an opportunity offeeed itself. After some time he lifted his eyes from his plate and looked sheep- ishly about him, There 'were two or three men who looked like mechanies, one with hair as well greased as John jaeob's own, whO was evidently a de*, one pretentious looking individual wile proved to be , a fwerier, and next him set Mr, Jason Bradwardine. Next him sat a elerical-loOking chap, who shot a mirth- ful glance straight into the stolid eyes of John Jacob, and last—was John Jacob himself. The farrier and the elerical-looking man kept up a brisk conversation, dux,. mg which it same out that the latter was none other than Hiram Sprague, the owl- ets taker. After supper the boarders, with the exception of the gentleman registered as X. B. Brady, lounged about and smoked, and balked; and John Jacob, feeling more at ease, brightened up a little. The census taker strolled out, and pres- ently strolled in again, and soon lowame the life of a group of loungers. Ile was not such a solemn man as he looked, after all, and presently they were all roaring at his jokes John Jacob with the rest. Alter a little 'John Jacob arose and walked toward the door. "Take a cigar, young man?" asked the affable census taker, holding one toward "No, thanky ; I don't smoke. In—in fact—tobacco smoke makes me a little sick sometimes, I-1 believe I'll just walk about a bit." "It is pretty close here, that's a fad. Do you object to smoke outdoors, young fellow ? If you don't, why I will take a turn. with you." "Oh, no, I don't mind it outside," re- plied the young man, as he twirled the door handle. "Well, then come along." So saying the census taker lighted his cigar, clapped on his hat and followed, or rather, drove John Jacob out of the room. They walked. on without speak- inguntil they had. passed the places of business and were walking along past the quiet cottages, then the census taker drew a little nearer his companion and asked, in. a low voice: "Neil, my boy, what the mischief are you doing away down here ?" "I didn't shadow you, old man. I was struck all of a heap, as they say, when I saw Brady's name on that dirty old reg- ister," replied the disguised, or rather disfigured, Bathurst. "So you didn't: follow Brad—and nae? Then. perhaps I had better not ask your business." [TO RD C01TINUED.7' The Carpenter kixett the Piano. A 17tica family changed their residence from one street to another a few days since. Among the household effects was a handsome square piano, the cover of which had in course of transportation been slightly cracked. When the tuner came he noticed the cracked cover, and told the lady of the house that he knew of a man who could repair it so that it would not be no- ticed. There was a carpenter work- ing about the house, and as the cost of moving had been considerable, the lady decided to have the carpenter do the work, and informed the tuner that he need not send his expensive expert. Call- ing the carpenter, she showed him the damaged cover and informed him that he could easily fix it with glue. The carpenter set about his task, and the lady paid no further attention to him. A. day or two ago she had company, and was requested to play upon the piano. Acquiescing, she went to the in- strument and. attempted to lift the lid, It would not budge. Thinking that it was locked, she spent ten. minutes look- ing for the key. Having found it, she learned that her surmise was incorrect. Failing after repeated and strenuous efforts to lift the lid, she was compelled to forego the pleasure of entertaining her guests in this way. When her husband came home he exercised his muscle, but to no more avail. After three or four trials he began an examination, and found that the carpenter had labored under the mistaken notion that the lid ought not to raise, and had. accordingly placed a thick coating of glue between it and that part of the piano upon which it touched. To make tho job undeniably complete he further secured it by driv- ing a tenpenny nail through it. The British Regular Army. The British regular army at the end of last year numbered 220,000 mei). of all ranks, which was about 3,000 above the "establishment." The reserves number 80,849 men, the militia 124,700, the yeo- manry (volunteer cavalry) 10,400 and the volunteers 227,800. During 1898, 34,847 recruits joined the army. Of these 11,582 were 5 feet 7 inches in height or over, 11,215 measured 34 to 35 inches around the'chest and 14.224 weighed 130 pounds and upward. These weights and measurements are a better average than in any other rocent year. MISt01. 7W044 fully, ' if you are giving it as au in- stance of reasoning as against what my 'boy said of the man at the barber's," "Reasoning ?" hotly repeated Gregeby. "I never said anything about reasoning. I was poetic:al, She said she thonglitthat dresses grow on trees, and that ribbons were the blossoms, She told me so her- self. A.ad then another time she and her mother were conversing—" " have to excuse roe," said Snaggs, rising, "I remember Dove that I have an appointment at the club." •••••$...••+••••••••••••44," 1141444/410.0.40•••••••••••41.44) Isere ea- --ea- LAKEHURST SANITARIVA OAKVILLE. - ONT For tbe treatment and. cure of ALCOHOLISM, THE MORPHINE HABIT. TOBACCO HABIT, AND NERVOUS DISEA.S/11., The systero eMployed at this instituotit Is the famous Double Chloride of Gale' System. Threugh its agency over 200.- 000 Slaves se the -use of these pi 1SC TA have been emancipated in the last too - teen years. Iailiehurst Sanitarium is eles oldest instittiliaa of its kind in Canada and has a well-earned reptile -tem tc. maintain in this line of medicine. In it whole history there is not au instance oi any after ill-effects from the trentim r Hundreds of happy homes in ali parts ra tho Dominion bear eloquent witness to the. efficacy of a course of treatment with ns For terras and full information write THE SECBE'l'ARY, 28 Ba,n14of Commerce Chambers, Toronto, Ont. •••••••••40.04444-*P4104.40.4,ttvV0,-,- •••••••••••4".-1,4 .04P4304$414 *40,6, Tc-• fr '.• hita7A., ktErriiu AMR Two of a Kind:, "By the way, Bremner, clid I tell you what ray boy said the other day when I took him to have his hair cut?" said Bremner, enthusiastically. "Tell it to us, Snaggs." "Girls," put in Gregsby, "don't have to have their hair sub. My little girl has the most beautiful head of golden hair you ever saw. You've seen it, Sommers; everyone turns to look at her when she walks out with her mother." "Humph," said Snaggs, -with ill -con- cealed contempt. "I was saying that I took my boy to have his hair cut, and it was the first time that he had ever been in a barber's shop. A man was being shaved, and his face was covered with lather. Without a word the boy drew his hand from mine and bolted for home, running so fast that I didn't overtake him until he was at the door. 'What did you do that for, you young rascal?' I said. " 'Oh, papa,' he answered, 'if ray face is goirig to break out all like that, I don't want to have my hair cut,' Funny, wasn't it. He thought the lather was the result of the haircutting. He's awful- ly qui& at reasoning, that boy." "Well, it seems to me that he didn't reason to a very correct conelusion. Now my little girl was having a dress fitted the other day, and elie asked the dress - Maker where the dress orehard was. She thought that dresses grew on trees." "I must confess that I can't see tench reason about that," said Snaggs, spite - PA4r74.i<1. 'PLECTRIC MOTORS from one -hall Horse Alt Power up to Eleven Horse Power. Write or prices, stating power required, voltage of current to be used, and whether suprlied by :tieet car line or otherwise. TORONTO TYPE FOUNDR oronto and Wm/ pea THING a young man or woman can do L t . tend The Northern Bueiness College for a term. Do you want to know what you can learn? Then write fot Announcement to C. A. Fleming, Owen Sound, Ont. atT-RX:VereTARTERYkester4WPFIW gjentiffigatt ' ' -.1,ffirigglisftgimeeidtmitug. "A Box of Matches, please," Says Inexperience, and Gets what the dealer pleases. "A. Box of 'EDDY'S! 14 Matches, please," Says Experience, and Gets what pleases him, MORAL : When you want a goodthing, ASK FOR IT. E. B. EDDY'S MATCHES. .Kiglinkeitimao ma,i,g2; ,Rviewp, avid $4,2 LTHEATRICAL GOODS. Wigs, Moustaches. Paints, Makeups. Clogs and Song and Dance Shoes, tights supplied to order, Monsthehes on. wire frames 35 cents. Send stamp for price list, Address CHAS. MARIN 35 Davenport Road, Toronto. KHIER Wit.TER MOTOR, iron: one:eighth to twenty horsepower. Comparativutests have demonstrated this water motor to be the Most economical agent known for generating power from a systie,n of waterworks furnishing a preseure of 80 pounds and upwards. In wriiing fer biforMation stets the water ibrasure yoo pro- pose to Mie and the eleati of work to he done, and We will be pleased to furnish, all information re' gerding the size motor and th e pipes necestary to drive any kind of machinery. TORONTO TYPV, VOURIllty, Toronto and Winnipeg.