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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Advocate, 1894-11-29, Page 7A Woman's Crime. BY AN PX-DETEOTIVIS. Iehd bY pemission of the ownerp of the Copyright; (CONTINUED.) The front rooms on either side of the hall, being the largest as well as among the pleasautest rooms of the house, were fitted up as parlors for the use of the patients; .and. the private office and sanc- tum wasin a wing midway between the front and rear entranees, and overlook- ing but a smell portion of the grounds. It was here that Doctor Burton received his visitor, The doctor was a funny, pleasant little anan, who after all, possessed more hu. inanity than aetual professional skill, He was beloved by the most of his patients and his servants voted him the best of masters. "Be seated Mr, Austin," said the good num, as bis visitor entered his presece, "and tell me in what wayl: can serve you." The doctor was an energetie man, counting his time as valuable, and, he was f aro ous for coming straight to the poiet, The young man took the seat in- dieated, and proniptly began his busi- ness. "I have just come up from Fairlie, and have called upon, you at the request of Doctor Austin." "Oh I You come from my friend the Doctor ! Is he well, Mr, ---- why bless me, your name is Austin, too. Are you a rela,tive?" "A very distant one, sir. I am study- ing with him, end called to enquire in his behalf, after the young lady he left in your charge not long ago." 'bout Miss Lee. Yes, yes! Miss Lee is doing splendidly, splendidly. Her mal- ady was a peculiar one." "1 never saw Miss Lee," said Mr. Aus- tin, frankly- 'indeed, I hardly remember if my friend mentioned the nature of her peculiar aberration, as he termed it, ex- cept as an aberration. He desired me to call and to see her, if you consideted it best.'' "Oh, Miss Lee is well, comparatively speaking; why she is as sane as you or I, except that at times she becomes pos- sessed of the idea that she is about to be murdered. She has not hed this notion •for some time now, and seems as sane as anybody. Shall I send for her?" "If you please; I had hardly dem to receive full instructions, I came on a matter of business, and at a moment's notice, in response to a telegram in fact, having barely time to catch the stage. The doctor's messages were, necessarily, very hurried. He wished me to assure myself concerning her welfare, and ask when you would think it advisable to re- move her." "I don't think it would answer to take her to any public place," said. the doctor, gravely. "But if she were taken where she would have quiet pleasant surround- ings, and see few strange faces, the change might be made at any time." "Indeed Then under your treatment the malady has become a mere idiosyn- cracy, I infer?" "Merely that, Mr. Austin; merely that," replied Doctor Burton, touching a little hand -bell. "Step up to Miss Lee's room., Jane, and ask her to come down for a moment," he said, as an elderly woman anewered his summons. Then, as she went to do his bidding, "after you have seen Miss Lee, I shall be happy to show you some of my other patients, Mr. Austin." Mr. Austin signified his delight at this arrangement, and. they continued to chat pleasantly while waiting for the arrival of Miss Lee. Meantime, Jane proceeded up stairs and rapped at the door of the pretty front room. There was no sound from within, and she rapped again, at the same time saying "Mies Lee, are you there? It's I, Jane," Then she heard a movement from the other side, and. a soft voice asked: "What is it, Jane?" • "A message from the doctor, miss; please open the door." In a moment the door opened a little way, and the lovely young lady looked out. "Doctor Burton says will you please come down to his office; Miss Lee. Why, what's the matter, ain't you well?" "I'm a little tired, Jane. that's all. Who is with Doctor Burton ?" "A nice -looking young man, miss; some of your friends, I reckon." "I suppose so," with an odd laugh. "Did you say they 'see a leellse private office ?" "Yes, miss." "And -who is down in the hall?" "Nobody at all," replied Jane, won- dering a little at the question. "Jane," said the young lady, "I have been writing, my hands aro all inked, won't you just run down the back stairs, quickeand bring me a pitcher of warm water?" "Yes, roiss. Shall I come back by the front and tell the doctor you will COMA ?" "Yes; no; bring the water right up the same way, and I will leave my door open, you can put the pitcher down out- side, and then run right down the front stairs, now hurry, Jane." Jane turned and moved quickly toward the rear stairway. Scarcely had she dis- appeared when the young lady snatched up a hat and shawl that lay in readiness and leaving her door ajar ran lightly down the front stairs, opened the door softly, and, in another instant, was speeding down the path leading to a small side gate; through this she hur- ried, and then, casting one swift glance behind her, turned. her face city -ward. Meanevhile Jane fulfilled her bidding to the very letter; she came pnffiing up from the kitchen and deposited the pitcher on the fioor as directed. "Here's the warm water, Miss lee," she said as she put it down, without glancing within the recta or stopping for an answer, she 'went down the front way and announced that Miss Lee would be down Doctor Burton and John Jacob waited nearly half an hour, and then the form- er began to feel surprised, and the letter uneasy. "Really, it's unusual for Miss Lee to be so slow'or so careless," said the doctor, finally. I'll just send her up an- other message." And he tottched the bell once more. "I think it is tie well," said the visitor. "The fact is, I am a little pressed for In'a moment Sane presented herself. "Jane, go tip and seei what detains Miss Lee, and be quick about it," said Doctor Burton. Jane was quiek about it. She went and came back im less than half the time usually employed in goieg up and down a Bight of stairs. "She ain't there, sir," she said, burst- ing into the cffice like a cornet; "she sent rne for a pitclier of warm water and told me to eet it outside the door • I did so, and the pitcher is just 'where I lett it, and her door open. just the same." "Bless me," cried the doctor, "she must have had one of her attacks again !" "Yes ; I presume she has," replied the visitor dryly. "Jane, did you. tell her that any one was with the doctor?" "Yes, sir," replied the wondering Jane, "she asked me who was here, and I told her, a young man was." "You. did? Well, I'm sorry for that, Doctor Burton. I must ask to see the room just deserted by this young lady at once, If you have arly idea where she may have concealed herself, please search for her immediately." Doctor Burton looked more than as- tonished; he looked indignant. "What, sir; what?" he cried, "you really presume too much. I do not run down mypatients in this manner." "I tell you, sir, you mint search for this one with all the force you can Qom - mend," cried the strange doctor's stu- dent. "Jane, conduct me to her room instantly." "Jane, stop," cried the little doctor. "Young raan, you have no authority for this: if my patient does not choose to see she shall not; I believe you are an iraposter." The visitor laid it firm hand on the shoulder of the little man, and said in a stern tone: "I am a detective doing my duty; stand aside, Dr. Burton, and let me pass." Then he set the doctor aside as if he had been a wooden man, and rushed out and up the stairs. As soon as he could recover his breath, Dr. Burton scampered after him, and Jane followed at his heels. he panted, entering the room, which Jane's mention of the open door and pitcher had enabled the detective to identify as the room of Miss Lee, "ex- plain yourself; did Dr. Austin send you here? dare you saY that he would bring a criminal to my house? Bless my soul!" puffed the little man, "if I don't think you are a madman." "Dr. Austin did not send me here, sir; neither is that good. man aware of the charge which stands against this girl. Jane, come here; is there anything miss- ing frora this room?" he asked quickly. Jane glanced about her. "I saw her hat and shall lying on that chair, sir, when she opened the door and sent me for the water; I expect she wore them." "Wore them ! Doctor, quick, how much liberty does this girl", this patient, have ?" Liberty! bless my soul! she has perfect liberty; she goes in and out as she pleases." "What! out of the grounds?" "Yes, anywhere." Muttering a remark not at all compli- mentary to the doctor and his system. the detective, without the ceremony of an adieu, rushed down the stairs and burst itt among a few mild maniacs sit- ting in one of the parlors. "Ladies, I beg your pardon," he said, suddenly recovering his politeness, "did you see a lady go out from the grounds a httle while ago?" "Do you mean the proud woman with the yellow'eyes?" asked a young girl, who was religion crazed. "She went down that path fast, very fast, and then she went out at the gate and flew up, up, up; she is in heaven by this time." "She didn't fly up," said an elderly woman testily; she ran, ran, ran; I saw her." On one point the two lunatics had not differed, and the detective, .resolving to accept their testimony, dashed open the street door and hurried on to the side entrance. "Bless my soul!" cried the doctor, looking after him. "I must write to Doctor Anstin right away. Bless -my CHAPTER xXIX.-- THE BALL TOSSER'S DAUGHTER. For two or three blocks the flying girl kept on in a straight course, and then she paused and looked irresolute. She could not keep straight on like this; she could not tell how soon a pursuer would be on her track. At this moment the tinkle of a bell, sounding two blocks dis- tant,struck her ear -the street cars; if she took the first one, it would be far down toward the busy part of the city before the next would overtake it; and her pursuer had not brought a car- riage. She turned down the side street and ran swiftly; it is safe enough to run when one runs toward it street car, and her speed brought her to the track just as a down -car was passing ; she hailed it, and soon, panting, and breathless still, was jogging along 'down town." They were a long way out as yet, and, it being too late for many people to be going -down town, and too early for them to be coming home, therewere only one or two passengers in the car. Never- theless, the fleeing one drew her veil carefully over her face, and tried to look as indifferent as possible. Where was she going? She hardly knew; if she but dared to go straight to some railroad depot; but she knew that by so doing she would incur heavy risk; besides, she did not know where to go if she left the city. Sitting there, she thought of her first ride in a street car, and of Kate Seaton's laughing •plea, "You won't disappear soon, will you, Nora?" And she had replied that she would "not ride away on a broomstick," She would break even that promise now if she could. Oh, to be able to disappear, to vanish utterly ! On the seat, not far from her, lay a crumpled newspaper, one that had been abandoned, probably, by some passenger who had no use for a paper ten hours old. She put out her band and drew it toward her; if it would only tell her where to go ! Probably the last reader had been perusing the advertising page, for it was turned outward, and the eyes of the girl fell upon a column of wants, wanted, wanted, wanted, It was the miscellan- ous column, and presently she paused, and considered over this advertisement: 'WANTED IMMEMATELY -WA NTED- Y I' twenty young ladies for the ballet. Also, private lessons given in all branches of the theatrical profession. Apply to Mrs. A. Rams, 4.01 Street. "I wonder where it is," mused the girl. "I could go there and rely upon chance for my inspiration. It le the last place one would think of looking for Me." raoreent later the conductor enteeed from the rear platierm, and elle leaned toward him and asked in a low voice; "Where is street?" "5— street? About seven 'blocks away, Ve cross it." "I will get off there, pIesiec." "Row fortunate," elle thought; "X can't have far to walk, either." She left the our at the street clegugnated, and, after looking up and down tor a moment, to ascertain how thenumbers ran, she turned and walked briskly southward; three, four, five blocks, and then she eausedt.before No. 401. • Mercy, what a shabby little house it was, standing a little back from its loftier neighbors; and what a very muddy entrance; it looked as if people had been tramping to and from it through an ocean of need for ages and ages, Miss Lee, or Lenore Armyn, as we may as well call her, became conscious at this stage in her observations, that it feminine face was lookieg out at her through the not particularly clean window ; and with a mental resolve that let come what would, no one should see her play the coward, she drew her shawl closer about her and resolutily approached the door. More than once since her voluntary im- prisonment at Dr. Burton's bad she fan- cied herself in a pcsition similar to this her present one, and she was not alto- gether neprepared for this portion of the emergency. She had had no forewarn- ing of the ballet mistress, of course, but she had thought it pcssible she might be traced even to it mad -house, and she had fancied herself as she was now, wander- ing alcne and asking for some secure hiding place. She h acl even prepared her "little story," and now, with a few im- promptu alterations, she must tell that story to the mistress of this the shabbiest the ludicrous, and, as in the case with abode she bad aver entered. all frank, fearless natures, it decided taste for adventures of the odd and ab - "Dees Mrs. A. Harris live here?" she surd sort. But she saw that Mrs. }Thr- ashed of the woman who had been look- ris had quite set her heart on tbe song and dance business, and she was dem( us above all things to propitiate Mrs. H ar ris. So she said, after reflection : "I am a graduate, madame, and axe Detere had hurried 011 determined to eensiderecl a fair elocutionist," get her story told all at oece, end, by the suddenly hadeg her animation time it was ±014, she began to believe on this subject. "Weh, you can do as herself quite an aetrese &reedy. It was YOU likitt. May I ask your motive for not a veeyoriginal story, to be snee, but taking lessons; you want to go on the et was original for Lenore, Meanwhile etage ?" • the,hallet mistress tat listening inteetly 'Why ---oh, yes et coulee, Mrs, Barris, and her insaginatioe began to lay its The stage is any ambition," adding sotto weedy hands upon many more ten-dplia3 voce, "ter the present," bills from the purse of the yonseglady itt "Well, then, tell you frankly that want of a friend, She was inwardly re., dramatic acting is poorly patronized and grating that her house • was not More worse paid. 3Cou. can make double the commodiona, lint back of this "place of montiy In some Other branches that you businese," there was only a small kitchen oan xn the dramatic business." • and a smeller sleeping zoom; end corn- "1iiiidactedto-stthueanyn.,e,rhaps you can adniee pared with the furniture, not to mention me .w "Can you sing ?" k the cleasilieees, of these more private rooms, this front parlor was a peoe. "Yes -that is -a very little." But let us not be unjust, poverty is it "Do you play the piano?" hard task -master, and Mrs. Rands bad • 4'Not-rauch."• learned her worldliness while struggling Mrs. Harris, being a close obaerver, hand to hand with fate, for her daily here made this mental note bread. The thee had been -when Mrs. "I believe she lies" -then aloud. "You Harris had been young and pretty; when have it fine stage presence, and it nice she had pirouetted behind tho foot - form ; I think you would make a decided lights, in the pinkest of tights, end the success as a song and dance lady."• airiest of gossamer, and 'when life had "I -Pin afraid I don't quite under- for her some dos ny places. Mrs. Harris stand," hesitated Lenore. had known some generous impulses in "'Why ! a branch of the variety her palmy days, and if she could have business, you see, and variety is the wily afforded. it, would have been generous business that pays in these times. In now; as she could not afford to be genus fact it is the ra'ge. I presume you could inely generous, she began to evoke from sing enough for that, and the steps are her "inner cox:solemness," a feeling very easy. You would look splendid in made up of two parts of avarice, and one a song and dance suit." part admiration and this combination "What kind of a suit is that?" she termed adfection, and promptly prof - "Why -knee breeches, you know, and fered it to Lenore. She pondered a mo- m cut -away cat-" ment, and her ready wit soon put her in "Do you mean dressed like a boy ?" possession of a bright idea. • "Well -yes, similar; only you wear "Let me see." she said, as if she had setin, etc. ' • not already made up her mine. "Your In spite of the shadows of her past, and story has interested me wonderfully, and the uncertainty of her future, Lenore a/- you may rely on me to do all for you most laughed ; she had a keen eeese of that lies in my power. My place is very small, or I would offer you a home with me. You don't want to go out much, I suppose?" "Oh, not at all, madame !" "And you will want to be pretty near me, then ?" "Yes, if possible." "Then, I think I have the idea. There is a lady living on the very next street, who has one or two very pleasant rooms; I have been of some service to her, and she will be glad to do me a favor. I can get you, in there I think. But we must use caution, we must not tell her your story." "Then I must trust you to invent one," said Lenore. "Then I would suggest something like this," said Mrs. Harris, becoming very confidential and business like, in her tone and manner. 'I vrill tell Mrs. Horne that your father is a German ball tosser." "What's that," interrupted Lenore. "A performer who juggles cannon halls with his feet, yet ignorant child," laughed the now elated Mrs. Harris, "Oh! well, my father is a cannon ball tosser, is he? Go on, Mrs. Harris." .11 will tell her that he is travelling with a circus—" "A circus?" "Of course! Ball tossers always go eteetialemeeoaesseaaaa+a-44....eaaes •••titi•••••••••••••••••••••• with circuses." "Oh, do they? Well, I won't interropt you again, Mrs. Harris." "I will say that he is away: with a circus, and that you have been in a con- vent school; that now your education is finished, and he intends fitting you for the stage; as he is constantly travelling, he has put you in ray charge; don't you • "A Box of see?" "0h, yes; that s excellent." EDDY'S "Well, if you: are knownto have money, some suspicion may be excited, Matches, please," so, as your guardian, you had better put some money in my hands, from time to Says Experience'and time, and let me attend to all expenses; • Gets what pleases him. this will be safer for you all around." MORAL:: When yotfwant a good thing, "And will please me better, too," said Lenore, as if she did not see throtsgh ASK FOR IT. this proposition. "You make all the necessary arrangements, Mrs. Harris, and I will let you attend to all the busi- ness, and be (ToglBaEd."C ONTINUED.) a••••••••••0••0••+•••••4•• ing from the window, and who now beaaned upon her from the half -open doorway, not quite half open either,for the woman's forma filled up the opening, and it was a very meagre form indeed. "I am Mrs Harris," replied the wo- man, opening the door an inch or two wider and scanning her visitor closely. "Do you want to see me ?" rk; "'Yes, madame' " and now the -woman observed that the Tailed stranger spoke with a slight foreign accent, "if I may talk with you alone." "I am alone," said Mrs. Harris, step- ping away from the opening; "come ha, please." nere was only too glad to get meted the street, sr d she glided in quickly. "I understand that you want some pu- pils kr the stege, mhdame?" she said, without lifting her vail. "I take a few pupils," replied the bal- let ss, loftily, and at the same time removing some show bills and papers from the only really safe looking chair in the LOM 'take a seat. miss." Lenore seated herself and took a rapid survey of her surroundings. There was, fast, a very dirty and very much worn carpet; a table, that creaked when you touched it, was covered with an ink - stained scarlet cloth and littered with old play -bills, older looking letters, two or three play books, a quantity of photo- graphs of the "profession," one or two shabby bound volumes and a pile of printed business cards that looked as if fresh from the press; pens and ink and a big ledger completed the contents of this table. Above it hung a few cheaply framed pictures of scantily clad actresses and one larger than the rest and better framed of Mrs. Harris arrayed as the Goddess of Liberty. A rusty stove that looked like an elon- gated barrel, and gave out a little more - heat than does a refrigerator, stoodnear- ly in the centre of the room. A piano, the sroallest and oldest and most hope- lessly tuneless of its kind, stood opposite the table, and six cane chairs, all more or less decrepid, were ranged along the walls. And this was the drawing -room, receiving -room and private office of "Mrs. A. Harris, Ballet Mistress." Mrs. Harris herself was a little ferret - eyed woman with sandy hair, sallow complexion, ;harp features and figure to match, and was apparently on the border land of her fortieth year. An observer of ordinary intelligence coulcl hardly fail to interpret aright some of the characteristics of Mrs. Har- ris. Her surroundings gave evidence that she was not overburdened with riches, while Lenore, who was something more than an ordinary observer, quickly decided that she was keen, cunning and avaricious. A woman whose affections and sympathies would be quickly drawn toward a full purse. Having taken a hasty inventory of the lady and her sur- roundings, Lenore renewed where she had left off. "I called in response to an advertise- ment, madame," she said, as if duly im- pressed with the majesty of Mrs. Harris. 'Have you -room for any more pupils?" Mrs. Harris looked dubious. "I have a pretty large class on hand," she said, as if her large class were at present securely packed in sawdust and carefully put away. '"What branch do you wish to study?" "Really, I hardly know," replied Le- nore, flinging back her vail, as if she hadjust thought of it. "I am quite ig- norant regarding these matters. What do you teach, Mis. Harris ?" "Everything !" with a comprewensive flourish of her bony fingers. "Acting, singing, burlesque, song and dance, clog, jig, club swinging, ballet dancing, tea - p5. While Mrs. Harris was running through this list of "branches" she bad been mentally catalogueing Lenore after this fashion: "Handsome, educated, no fool, little feet and hands nice form: lovely voice, dressed awful dowdy, but rich; may have a little money, but still green -one could make a fortune off her if one could catch her." All unconscious of this mental review and ultimatum on the part of Mrs. Har- ris, Lenore sat struggling to recall the list of :accomplishments as given by her and wondering vaguely if she taught them all herself. This question shaped itself into words. "Do you teach all these -branches yourself," she asked. no. I can teach everything but trapeze and club swinging, I have several teachers; but some of nay pupils do not care to have a gentleman teacher, and so I take them myself." "I should not like a gentleman to teach me.' said Lenore. "No, I Suppose not." With a nod of approval. "What do you think you would like to study ?" "I -I think I would prefer acting." "Oh! dramatic lessone." eyeme "tet me eee. Row is YOUr elocution 2" "I will leave it with you, 11/1rs. Harris. Your judgment is better than mine. If you really think that I will do nicely in that line I will try and learn, But Tmay prove stupid." "If I didn't think sol should not say so," replied Mrs. Harris, with her lofty air, at the same time drawing her chair to the table, opening the him ledger with much alacrity, and taking up the pen. "Do you wish to give me your name to- day, and begin immediately ?" "Yes;" leoking curiously at the big book. "Myname is Lena Voss." Mrs. Harris bit the end of her pen, and sat as if waiting; finally she said: "Then, ahem -I suppose you wish to make a payment?" Lenore atonce saw her cue. Of course this ballet mistress must have money. She promptly clrevrout a wellfilled purse, and did not fail to mark the hungry look in the eyes of Mrs. Hams as she saw it appear. "This woman wants money, needs it too, I should think," thought Lenore. "So much the better for me." Then she said "'I:had neglected to ask your terms, Mrs. Harris. What am I to pay you?" "I shall charge you twenty-five dollars for a course of twelve lessons," said Mrs. Harris, rising unblushingly from her usual price of fifteen dollars. "And I find it necessary to require at least ten dollars in advance." Lenore promptly opened her purse and took out a .roll of bills, from which she drew a crisp ten dollar note and passed it to Mrs. Harris. "Now, then, Mrs. Harris I may be in- truding upon your time if Harris, long, but I want to consult you., or ask your advice, when we have settled about the lessons," she said. Mrs. Harris wrote out a receipt for the ten dollars with a flourish, and handed it to Lenore before she replied. "There is nothing to settle except when you will take your first lesson. You must get the steps the first thing. So I am ready to hear whatever you wish to say." "The truth is, Mrs. Harris," began Le- nore insinuatingly, "I am in want of a friend and advice very much just now. I am alone and and an entire stranger in the city. and I want a quiet place to board at. I shall be glad to pay: you for any extra trouble I may cause en asking ad- vice or aid from you. I am not without income but I am in a little trouble at presentl" Mrs. Harris began to look interested. It was not unusual, by any means, for Mrs. Harris to come in contact with young ladies who were in a little trouble. In fact among the young ladies who ap- plied to Mrs. Harris for "situations" on the stage, those who were in "a little trouble,' were the rule, not the excap- tion. But young ladies who were itt trouble, and yet carried a full purse, were exceptional characters, and to be treated as such, therefore'Mrs. Harris bestowed upon Lenore a look of beaming interest and her undivided attention. "I shall have to tell you a very little about myself," went on. Lenore, who had not once forgotten her foreign accent. "I am, as you perceive, a foreigner. I ani also an orphan; I have a small for- tune in my own right, and it is so ar- ranged that no one can prevent my draw- ing the interest of it, so long as I retain my liberty. But my guardians, who are also foreigners, decided Germau in fai.t have fairly lived upon my income, and have supported, and partially educated their own son and daughter at ray ex- pense, and I have submitted, because I knew no one wile could help me -had no acquaintances, in fact. They move fre- quently, and give me no chance to make friends; arid about a month ago they came to this city. Well, last night I overheard them planning to try and make me promise to marry their son, and I found that, to put me in their power, they had given their neighbor the imprersion that I was partly derang- ed ;saying that they had only to watch mi e n °dos to be convinced of my in- sanity. Well, to -day I had to draw my money, and my guardian's wife came with me to get it. I had made up my mind to leave them for good, for I knew that they would shut inc up if they could not make me marry their Hans in any other way, and I Was very unhappy bhere, 1 had seen your advertisement, and made up my mind to come to you, and if I could 'become an actress I would go away somewhere where they would never find me. We went into a store, and while the woman Wee looking at some silk, I stepped out and found my way here. These people will look every- where for me, but if I can find a safe place to stay in, 1. can pursue my studies for tke stage unmolested; and the banker who pays my income to me, will never reveal my hiding place -indeed, he need not know falls -ea ererreor throws up his heeds'and tumbles to the e a r drivPr gets & firmer grin on the /incr., and matter*: "Splendid! splendid !"" Tile warriors are •gaieivg, Withi a endden reel the mob parted to lake the step right and left aid te get at, the bones. `fliest from tho oven door rifles. and revo)vera clacked- from flie weaned" ed crouched on the floor witk faces buried in their+ hands came khrieks and i%ails of despair, "It's a straight run now, and the Lord help las !" whiepel(d the driver, as he s shifted all the lines to his left hand and drew his revolver and ()relied lire, "Take that, ye painted deed/! Down ye go, ye. spotted cayuse! Tere'si y...r rst arrer ! Revolvers is the thiug, boy -down with yer rliles and use thens barbers!" "Ole God! have pity or, us !" prayed the women between their sobs, but the white-faced rnen firing through the oPela doors ovEr their heads heard th(rn rot. Thud ! splash! 'whizz! came bullet lied barjoroodwsn .eTilliveorezt was tt the _jtiluagrxlleecoi ffbarceeaskainngd glass -splinters flew about -a drops of burned like fire, All at once pan demen- ium ceased and sileece reigned. • The in' diens had abandoned the atteck. 011 that are e-niile stretch lay a dozen dead and wounded bucks -more than that nilinber of dead and weunded ponies. "Whoa my beauties !" called the driver, as he laid aside his pistol and sep- arated the lines. "This ere lout is over, and ve needn't throw anymore shoes off. Easy now -whoa! How is it with you fellers back tiler?" As the frightened horse e hegan to slacken their pace he met a swift glance over his shoulder. The three men were lying down on the roof. • Half a mile fur- ther on he 'brought the horses to a halt and called to those is side, A. man with blood on his face and hands stepped out and asked : "Are they gone?" "Yes -licked 'era in a fa'r font. Any- body hurt down thar?" "Wemen all right -men all wounded. How is it up there ?" "Whoa, horses l Lemma see. This fel- ler's dead -that one's dead--ltother one only hard hit, • I guess. That'll do, though. Git in ancl chirk up the women. We've passed the danger p'int, and it' k only two miles to No. 4, Somebody must hay bin prayin' to God to pull us through, and He's dun it in purty good. shape, Way to spend a winter 11 10 attend the Northerz, nee - nest College, Owen Sound, Ont. All who ,,rould successin life Should prepare for it Send Announcement -free. - C. A. Fl^*- '•••^ • •• ' "A Box of Matches, please," Says Inexperienee, and Gets what the dealer Pleases. E. B. EDDY'S MATCHES. On the Overland Trail. "Did ye see that?" A stage coach which has been pushing along the Overland Trail in Western Kansas is suddenly pulled up by the driver, who rises in his seat, points to the broken ground on the right and ahead, and turns to the two outside pas- sengers to repeat: "Did ye see that? Thar's Injuns am- bushed in the dry ravine ahead !" Two passengers on top- five inside - seven in all, but two of them are women -wives of army officers. Five men with guns and pistols. The driver won't count unless a bullet brings down one of the horses. "Ready inside the,r?" he asks. "Tell them wimen-folks to crounch down on the floor and keep quiet. Throw open them doors and fasten 'em back. One of you better cum up yere. Now, then, thar' may be ten or fifteen, or thar' may be fifty or sixty of the varmints. They have got their ponies, in course. They'll make the rush jest 3,shar' the road bends to'rds the river. They'll come whoopin' and yellin' like lunatics broke loose, but don't let the noise rattle ye. I'm goin' to put my horses on the dead run and keep 'em going' at that, and I expect the rest of ye to do the shoothr. Everybody ready? Then here we goes !" Two women crouching on the floor of the coach praying to God -five pale -faced men with teeth 'hardsset gripping their rifles and determined to make a good fight of it. With a shake of the luxes the driver breaks the four horses into a runt and then braces his feet aiadlooks straight ahead. The spirited animals will be terror-stricken at the first yell, mad run away. He must keep the coach in the road or a wipe-out is certain. Yes, the Indians axe there -half a hun- dred of thein. They have been in, am- bush for an hour. This is the first stage to the west for three days it will be the last for a fortnight. 1t is another In- dian outbreak and Ouster's men will ride over the Smoky Hill section to find muti- lated corpses at every relay -house for a hundred miles. The bend in the road is reached, of a sudden fifty ponies rush out of the dry ravines, which spread out there like the fingers of a human hand, and fifty In- dian warriors whoop, shriek and yell at the top of their voices. They fire their rifles and discharge their arrows as they charge, but it is it wild fulled°. "Steady, now !" calls the driver, but keeping his eyes on his flying horses. "My little trick has knocked 'em out. They'll luiV' to swing in 'behind as, and you fellers want to take it cool and riot waste yer lead. Gee whew, but ain't thou horses cuttin' out the pace ?" The Iadians fire at the men on the roof -they urge their ponies to overtake the swaying, /sounding, flying coach - they yell like devils lot loose. Crack! crack! crack! go their rifles. A on THEATRICAL GOODS. Wigs, Moustaches, Paints, Makeups, Clogs and Song and Dance Shoes. Also tights supplied to order. Moustaches on wire frames 85 cents. Send stamp for price list. Address CHAS. °LAREN 1 Richmond St. W., Toronto. 4,8444 044-0•40044.4.0.4104eiseeeefease •il4fieeslatesa4iseiateletee44011404e040•104i LAKEHIIRST SANITARIUM • e> ‘.3r reser/ea ---e- OAKVILLE, - ONT For the treatment and MUM 01A ALCOHOLISM THE MOBPHINN HABIT, TOBACCO HABIT, AND NHAVOIIS DISEASItS. The system employed at this instittiotin is the famous Double Chloride of Gold System. Through its Agency over 200,- 000 Slaves to the use of these poisons have been emancipated in the Tut four. teen years. I,akehurst Sanitarium is this oldest institution of its kind in Canada and has a well-earned reputation to maintain in this line of medicine, In ite whole history there is not an instanee of any after 111 -effects from the treatnxent, Hundreds of happy homes in all parte of the Dominion bear eloquent witness to the sidleacy of it course of treatment with me For terms and full information write THE SECRETARY, 28 Bank Of Commeree ChaMberse Taranto, ant,