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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Advocate, 1897-3-4, Page 6A Dark fflOElit's ork. By Paul Ingelow. (Calatx UED.) CHAPTER XXXIIL—HYPNOTISM, "Mr: Le Britta!" The name was spoken amid a glare of splendor and light. It announced a guest in the drawing -room of one of the state- liest mansions in the city. For a week the photographer had planned for this moment, which was to mark the initial step in a naw venture that bad for its motive the final securing of the Vernon treasure. Upon the receipt of that letter from the medical student in charge of the tramp, the d"utur audLe Britta had held a ling, serious eonveeeition. Then a hurried visit to the city had ensued, a secret investigation into the character of Darius Meredith, and then the two friends had arrived as a 'definite aonalusion. From what they could learn of the tramp's past, and. Inas association with this man, Meredith, one fact seemed certain—they had once been business partners. To the world Meredith was an honored, successful business man, in reality he was a thoroughly bad -hearted man. It made the open-minded Le Britta sick at soul, to contemplate so much hypocrisy veiled by the mask of social eminence. Meredith was a gambler. a usurer, a hard-fsted employer. Many a dishonor- able quire In his business evidenced his deceit and wiokedness, and the two friends soon knew the man they had to handle. Of a surety, from what they learned, the tramp, after securing the treasure, weak, sick, fearful of pursuit, had gone to the partner of his better days,aud bad intrusted to his charge the custody of the precious packet that contained the Ver- non treasure. Later, demanding its return, be bad been repulsed, rejected from the sumptu- ous borne of Meredith, and even threat- ened with arrest. Meredith certainly hada the money. How to establish that fact beyond a legal doubt, and recover it, was now the mission of Le Britta, and it would prove a delicate and a difficult task, he felt sure. Finally, his plan was developed, however. Through a letter from Doctor Milton he secured an invitation to the home of a lady who was a belle in city society, and where be knew Meredith was an honorable guest. Upon the evening in question, arrayed in full evening drew, Ms courtly bearing and familiarity with the usages of good society enabling him to act his part cir- oumspectly, Le Britta found himself in the gay drawing -rooms of thefashionable mansion. Its fair hostess greeted him cordially. An hour later Le Brirra had secured an introduction to Meredith. Before the .evening had passed be had succeeded in winning the complete good graces of the Man. The next evening they met again. Two nights thereafter to the satisfaction of Le Britta, Meredith invited him to his home. It was the culmination of his hopes. He was working slowly, deftly, for a result. As he rang at the portals of the stately home of "Darius Meredith that evening, the photographer's eyes flashed confident- ly as he murmured:— "The opportunity has arrived! It will be a battle to the finish, instead of an evening call, Mr. Darius Meredith, and I shall win!" As ho spoke ho fondled in his coat - pocket a tin phial that Dr. Richard Milton had given him. "That little cordial is my resource!" he eoliloquized. "Now to test the doctor's scheme—to Iearn what has become of the Vernon fortune. An hour's interview with Meredith, that little phial produced, and then—hypnotism!" was Le Britta's remarkable conclusion, as he entered the stately home of the man he had come to unmask. knew, also, that when a person is mesmerized he is under the direotion of the operator. In his pocket Le Britta •carried a little phial It wasto be an agent in the execution of his projeot in case his first resource failed. It contained a volatile preparation having the same properties as ether. Ouee administered it stimulated the senses. yet befogged the judgment. It unloosed the tongue, it sent the natural secretive instincts rioting, and developed the true hidden nature of the victim. Thus, under its influence, a miser would babble of his gold, a gambler would imagine be was playing for a stake of millions, a musical person would sing, C and a solemn individual would weep. Le Britta bad' determined to learn what had become of the missing Vernon fortune. This man, Darius Meredith, had received it from the tramp, undoubt- edly, and had misappropriated it. It was, furtherm»ro, probable that, having driveu the tramp away and denied ever having received the money, he would not convert it immediately to his .own use for fear a later invest'.gation might trace : it. He possibly had it hidden somewhere, and, acting upon this conjecture, Lo • Britta prepared himself to find out where, Meredith received him cordially. Ue was a shrewd man. While Le Britta was cultivating his friendship diligently so as to win his confidence, the scheming wolf in sheep's clothing fancied he was getting in bis clutches a new victim to pluck. Le .Britta seerned to have plenty of money, he had acted the innocent, inexperienced and inoffensive society idler to perfection. Meredith had invited him to his house to treat him well, to profess great friendship for him, and later, to lead him into gambling, when he would fleece him of all his available cash. Le Britta found preparation for a pleasant evening in the cozy library. The shades were drawn, the gas brilliantly lighted, and wine, cigars and cards were near at hand. He never smoked, drank nor gambled, but, oven at the risk of slight nausea, he took a few puffs at a havana, his mental exouse being the exigencies of the occasion, and was soon , engaged in a brisk conversation with his ' host. The latter discussed business, society and politics. Then lie began descanting on the rare good fortune attending some of bis recent speculations, Tlien he drifted to cards, "A quiet game, once in a while, is a relaxation," remarked Meredith. "A small stake makes it still more interest- ing. I had quite a run of luck with the governor's adjutant a few evenings since. Won enough to invest in a now diamond pin. Am baying it reset now. By the way, Le Britta, suppose we have a round at poker, just to while the time away" Le Britta ascertained that the con- versation had reached a critical point. He never played cards, in fact, he was ignorant of the details of any gtune of chance. If he confessed this Meredith would probably shorten the interview peremptorily and defeat his intentions. On the other band, if he feigned to play, Meredith would win his money, and Le Britta could scareely afford to lose any- thing, even in pursuit of a eherisbed purpose. "I'll try ray experiment," he enur- mured, decisively. "Now or never!" Meredith had arisen to secure a card- case ardcase front the side board. His half-filled glass of wine on the table stood. tempt- ingly near to. Le Britta, Quick as a flash the Latter drew the tiny phial from his pocket. Deftly he uncorked it. With u rapid movement he reached over and reversed the little bottle. Only a part of its contents fell into the wino glass, but he felt sure there was sufficient to affect bis intended victim Meredith resumed his seat, all un- couseicus of this little side -play. He began shuffling the cards. "Oh! by the way" remarked see Britta "You were speaking of dialer 4. CHAPTER XXXIV.—THE EXPERI- MENT. Jera Le Britta braced himself for a conflict, as he found himself seated in the luxurious lounging -room of Darius Meredith. With that keen mental prescience that erendered him an accurate physiognomist, 'the photographer read as in a mirror the mind of his host. Tr outward semblance a thrifty business man, respectable and 'honest, from what he had learned and tsurmisod, Le Britta was satisfied that the was a black -hearted scoundrel in reality. Furthermore, he was assured that he 'had possession of the Vernon fortune. As in a dream.Tera Le Britta in a Bash went over ail the details of the strange case that had brought about the present culmination. Upon him devolved a sacred duty -the righting of a wrong, the unmasking of villainy, the disentangling of a mighty web. All his efforts tended to the recovery .of Gladys Vernon, the finding of her lover, Sydney Vance, the conviction of 'the real murderer. Ralph Durand, the lemming of the vast fortune hidden by the dead Vernon, found by the dead or dying tramp, now seed as lawful booty !by the unprincipled schemer before For days Le Britta had studied the oharaote'r of Darius Meredith. He had slowly acquired infarmation regarding him. He had simmered him down as a glib, smooth schemer, as a bold, defian enemy. No amount of pleading would ever wrest money from this unscrupulous villain. It must be aggressive, yet secret Gunning that would win the victory! So firmly resolved to bring affairs to w speedy issue, determined to make a final effort to cause the wealthy thief to disgorge his ill-gotten gains, Le Britta summed up his m3 sterious designs in that single expressive, and yet ominous word, "Hypnotism!" The photographer was no superstitions believer inthe occult sciences—olairvoy- ,anas, second sight, and the like. In the .mysteries of magnetism, . mind-reading and mesmerism, however, he had witnessed many peculiar experiments. He knew that a strong will could dominate a weaker one, that the glitter - bag eye of a serpent has power to magne- tize the bird, just as the diamond in the hands of the hypnotist allures the sight of the, subject until visual concentration fades into a glance of the senses. Se ayes" "Did. you ever notice reeft 'tn. wear?" As he spoke the photographer showed a small but exquisitely chiseled diamond on a linger of his left hand "No, not particularly" To Le Britta's satisfaction as Meredith turned his eyes upon the circlet in ques- tion he mechanically raised the wine glass to his lips and drained its contents. He started slightly with a quick grimace, and seemed to detect the peculiar flavor of the liquor, but Le Britta hastened to divert his attention from the drugged wine by removing his finger -ring. He held the gleaming gem in the full radiance of the light, and said:— "Just keep your eyes fixed on the diamond, Mr. Meredith, and observe bow peculiarly the facets reflect the light." Now, this was a ruse. Understanding the modus operandi of hypnotism, Le Britta was proceedint in a line with the system adopted by its most skilful ex- ponents. They fascinate a subject's gaze first, and then cel: tralizing all their mesmeric strength endeavor to force the subject into hypnotic sleep. Le Britta brought all the energy of his will to subjugate Meredith. He was disappointed at the result, however, for Meredith puffed coolly at his cigar, and there was not a particle of evidence in the hard, evil face that he was affected by either the drug or the mesmeric efforts of bis guest. Suddenly, about to turn his eyes away from the diamond w'th some indifferent remark as to its beau; y, Meredith started, Caused by some sudden dizzying effect of the medicine, an observation of Le Britta's steady glance or a latent taste of the drugged liquor in his mouth, Mere- dith shot a penetrating look at his com- panion. Le Britta, engrossed in hypnotizing him,did not observe the suspicious move- ment Meredith veiled his glance with a grim expression. Thin, noticing the spot on the table, where half the contents of the phial had been spilled, his lips becamne'oompressed. He fixed his eyes again on the diamond ring extended by Le Britta, the cigar dropped to the table, he drew back, and then --his eyes began to close. gi A quick flush of delight sprung to Le Britta's cheek. Not for a moment did he doubt but that the combined mesmeric influence and the drug had conduced to, bring his companion under his influence completely. "Success!" he breathed, fervently. "My man is hypnotized!" CHAPTER XX :V—DUPEDI "And now for his secret!" Le Britta arose cautiously and approached Meredith, who had sank back in' his 'chair until his body had assumed a half -recumbent position. He imitated : professional hypnotists, by making several passes beforethe subject; then he stroked his eyes; they opened. The tansus ioiousphotographer was p satisfied that his experiment had suc- ceeded in every particular. Meredith was certainly in a mesmeric trance. His appearance indicated the fact plainly. Le Britta kept his eye fixed upon him in silence for a moment or two. Then he directed, in a low, steady tone of voice: "Turn that wine glass upside down." Meredith put forth bis hand and obeyed.. "Arise to your feet." Meredith struggled to ' an erect position, steadying, himself on the back of the chair. s "Will. you answer me some'questions?" was the next query. "You know a man named Dave Whar- ton, harton, a tramp?" "I do." "He was your former business partner?" Meredith swayed slightly, and he hesi- tated a moment or two before replying. His eyes were rather clear and intelligent for a person under mesmeric spell, but he finally said:— "Yes, he was" "Have you seen him lately?" No reply "Did be not come to you a little over a week ago?" Stubborn silence "Answer!" ordered Le Britta "He may have done so" "And brought a package of money? It was intrusted to your keeping He returned for it.. You denied having it Speak!" "Alt 1" Meredith uttered the ejaculation with energy; his eyes dilated "That package you must give to me Do you understand?" It seemed as if Meredith was about to spring upon Le Britta, • His eyes glared, bis fluters worked nervously. Then, of a sudden, his fano resumed its vacant expressinn, and he murmured, "You want it?" "Intact have it!" rejoined Le Britta, firmly. "It is in the house?" "Probably." "In this room?" 1'No," "Where, then?" "Shall I lead you to it?" "Yes." "Come!" Meredith started for the door, Le Britta followed him. In the hall, he took up a lighted lamp. Down a corridor he proceeded, stopped ab a door, took a key from his pocket, unlocked it, and entering the apartment, placed the lamp on a little table in the center of the room. Le Britta gazed. curiously about the apartment. It seemed to be a sort of study or business room, for it had a desk, and, sunk in the wall of one side, a huge iron door resembling that of a bank vault. This; moor had the con- ventional combination lock and knob. Meredith swayed dreamily. He really appeared like a man under the combined influence of narcotics and mesmeric force. "Is it here that I shall find the packs age belonging to the tramp?" queried Le Britta, sharply Tho other nodded affirmatively "Where?" Meredith pointed to the vault door "It is in there?" "Yes." Le Britta sprang to the door, but found it secured. "Can you open it?" hequeried,eagerly.. "I can." "Do so." Meredith approached the door, set the dial against the indented diso figures, swirled it once or twice, and the door swung bank, Shelves and cages showed within, crammed fall of papers. "Go and get the package," ordered Le Britta. Meredith took a step forward. Then he reeled, recoiled, and sank to aohair His head fell upon his breast Le Britta, alarmed at a fear of failure in hie nission when so vitally near to apparent success, seized his arm roughly "Arouse yourself, I order yon," he spoke, hurriedly and with force Meredith only mumbled a few incoher- ent words "Get the package!" "No l" "You must!" "I cannot. You get it." "The drug bas dalled the mesmeric intelligence," murntured Le Britta, ap- prehensively. "Come Meerdith I Yon tell one to get the package?" , ryast, `Where is fedi "In she eaves "Where?" "Left hand cabinet. Lower drawer." With an exultant cry, Le Britta sprang into the vault. The light from the outer room illu- mined its dark norners sufficiently to show the cabinet described. Toward this the photographer ad- vanced, his heart beating high with hope. Sudden darkness supervened. Sud- denly, too, horror sent his blood curdling in every vein. He dimly saw Meredith, his face wreathed with cunning triumph, spring to the door. There was a crash and a mocking, exultant laugh. Then— Announcing defeat, peril, deep, de- cisive, unmasking the clever rogue who had penetrated his designs and led him into a trap, a resounding echo told Le Britta that be was ct ged, in the toils of a shrewder man than himself. CHAPTER =XXVI. -. A DARK NIGHT'S WORK. The hypocritical scoundrel who posed before the community as a business man of probity and enterprise, and yet who was at heart a conscienceless villain, Darius Meredith, uttered a chuckling cry of. satisfaction, Tile ponderous iron door was shut with a crash. 'In a scnond more, clink- clicketty-clack! went the tumblers shut into their lock. "Cal id" muttered Meredith. "I sus- peotor' his game. The drag and his looks bstra, a him. I decoyed him here. Ayel yell my friend, you'll bide my will, now." Meredith, sat down at the table, a muffled sound echoed from behind the iron. door, but he paid not the slightest attention it. "I've gotto ]aim safe," he reflected. "Now' to think out this complication. What does it mean? Who is this man? A detective in disguise? Scarcely, for his. credentials come too straight. Yet' he has shadowed me—has purposely cultiva- ted my acquaintance He knowsmy former business pat the; the tramp, he knows that the package was intrusted to my keeping. How? Has Wharton told haul? How far, can they prove my pos- session of that money? I must thinkout this unexpected complication. on. I am forewarned. Row much does this fel- low Le Britta know?" For fully ten minutes the plotter medi- tated, bis sinister brows bent in a thoughtful scowl. "I have it!" he cried at last, arising suddenly to his feet. "I will release Le Britta, but at the point of a revolver. He will be weak, inert, passive from Imprisonment in that close vault. • I will force him to tell me all he knows. Alt! what is that?" .At a window something seemed to tap—to fade in the outer darkness as he glanced thither, startled. He . ran to it, peered anxiously out, and then drew the shade closer, with the careless remark:— "The wind blowing a branch of the oak against the panes." (To HE CoNTINUND.) Differences with Germany. Germany cannot forgive our country for attracting every year a large number of young men who are fit for military service. She says, and'with some show of justice, "We have given these young men their education at the expense of the state, and snowy, when they are in position to pay back to the fatherland the debt they owe, they sail away to a new country and become Americans."' The German is unwilling to believe that bis fellow countrymen emigrate to America because they prefer American institutions to those of their own coun- try. On the contrary, he is firmly per suaded that we, in some underhand manner, entice good Germans away by means of heavy bounties or fraudulent representations made by government agents. In fact, so deeply grounded is tale German suspicion regarding things American that they are ready to believe anything about our country, so long as it is not complimentary. For instance, I have not only seen it taken for granted in print, but even heard it stated in conversation by edu- cated Germans who certainly meant no disrespect to me, that our war of inde- pendence, as well as the civil war, was won because we had in our racks so large a number of Germans or because our men were drilled and commanded by Germaus. These absurd propositions are made in such good faith that it is impossible to dispute the matter with a German for fear of wounding his na- tional pride. To him there was but one hero in the war of 1776—namely, Steu- ben—and as for the war of 1860, of course the hero was Franz Sigel. North American Review. Lady Fingers. A. general and justifiable complaint is lodged against the ubiquitous small cakes known as "lady fingers," and ev- erywhere seen during the season upon the tray which bears a teapot at o o'clock. It is asked why "lady fingers" should be so generally dry and stale, and the inquisitive wonder if it is im- possible to procure them under a week or two in age. The trouble lies in not knowing how to treat the cakes. If they, or any other sort of sponge cakes, are taken while still warm from the baker's oven into the excessively cold outer air, it will be found on reaching home that they are dry and leathery. Should they be set in a closely covered vessel, as a glass jar, in a cool place they will soften again, and thus cared for last for several weeks and be perfect- ly palatable. Bread also suffers from exposure to extreme cold, and a loal should hare several layers of paper wrapped about it if carried any distance in winter. Otherwise it will seem as hard as if it had been baked for a week. Lady fingers, it may be added, serving as goodies at cheerful feasts, are always a surprise to country bred English folk when they come over here. In rural England they are commercially known as "funeral biscuit" and sold only for use as mourners' refreshment with a glass of wine after the long drive to as- sist at some county funeral. New York Post. Tools of the Lake Dwellers. Since flint is not plentiful in Switzer- land we find the larger implements, such as axes, generally made of diorite, serpentine and the other bard stones, and even of jade. The presence of the latter stone is a matter of great interest, inas- much as it probably was imported from the far east. It therefore seems to bear witness to, the fact that the lake dwellers had commercial relations with other countries. Jade is not found in Europe, but occurs in China, India and Egypt. This subject, however, is still rather a matter of controversy, for, though in spite of many inquiries, no site for na- tive jade has been yet discovered in Eu- rope, some authorities believe that the people found it somewhere in their own neighborhood. It is certain, from the presence of chips in many places, that they worked it up themselves on the spot and that gives some countenance to the idea. . There are as many as 4,000 specimens of jade from Lake Constance alone. Two other minerals, known as jadeite and ohloromelanite, closely re- semble jade, and these aro also found in the settlements, as well as in dolmens in Europe.—Hutchinson's "Prehistoric Man and Beast." An Optimist. The palsied old man sat by the fire, his head shaking from side to side in the manner peculiar to his complaint. "It must be awful to be afflicted that way," said the sympathetic young per- son. "Oh," oleirped the old gentleman, "3 find it right handy in. the summer when I want to look at a two ring circus!"- Indianapolis Journal. Felt the Boot. "I hear that Goldy is going to take s company to Cuba and help the insur gents? He thinks there's rich plundea in it." "Doesn't surprise me • a. bit. I felt that he was a free hooter when I asked him' for his daughter. "—Detroit Fret Press. UNSPOKEN, When yoit owe a follow money, It is always hind of funny Bow you'd junk a little rather that you didn't Chance to meet. Of course you mean to pay it, And you know he wouldn't say t If he even got to thinking; you artfie India greet.' Yoe know he wouldn't bone you For the tehporary loan you f: nthinkinglyasserted you'%oald very prompt lv PRY;. Bat, though cordially you greet hitt, it it, true you never meet him, But you Wonder if he's thinking of the things he doesn't say. fitough you grasp hit hand with ardor. Thnmth yen grip •t, hard and harder, You 11 , tine br. r.adiy conscious of a something in between, (if a,.o,ne'h:ntr'nterveaing, Of the with h you eaess the meaning For you know it's but the spirtter the cash he hash t seen —Chicago Journal. MY LUCKY FIND. I was almost in despair. What a lot of trouble I have brought on myself for my good nature! Police investigations and reports, annoyance, chagrin, perhaps, at the outcome, Yes, it was eajough to make a man swear! And the cause of it all was Baby Mouse, hapless Baby Mouse! But, be fore you, dear reader, will understand whyBaby'.Mouse should be to blame you will want to know who he is. It's a strange story, and yet sweet and tender withal And it ends well—that's its best part. Three mouths ago Iwas coming home with the evening shades. It was bitter cold, and 1 rejoiced in anticipation of my cozy, warm home and the simple, dainty meal which my old housekeeper, Johanna, knew how to prepare so well. I was lost in just such comfortable bachelor reverie, when Idescended from the L road to weud my way toward my little Washington Heights home. I walked rapidly and soon reached there, Opening the iron gate that led. into the tiny garden patch in front of the house, I saw a small package lying on the fro- zen sum ro-zensuew, "A present from somebody," I said half aloud, stooped and picked up my find. My elands, a bit numb with cold, despite my fleece lined gloves, had scarcely grasped thebundle when it be- gan to kick and squirm. Nor was that all. It raised such lusty howls that illy neighbors' windows flew up, and they stuck out their heads to see what it meant. It would have done me good to see my face just then in a convenient mirror. All the nursery tales of cry babies and bewitched castaways come to nay mind with a rush. I felt like depositing the lively packet in the place where T had found it, but that would have been cruel. Aye, it would have been worse than murder to /cave such a little mite out in the open with the thermometer at 10 above zero. I had no desire to make the acquaintance of the state attorney. But, better than all, great pity swelled my heart for the unfortunate creature whom loveliness bad cast away, and as fast as 1 could run with my burden I ran into the house. Johanna met me in the door. ".ice what I have brought you," I said, with a laugh. The good woman gazed with horror on the squirming, shaking babe and held out her hands. "Doctor, what does it mean?" she gasped, "It means, Johanna, that for the next few days you are going to bathe and feed and fondle this little waif, just as you did me once upon a time." And then I told her the story of bow I had found Baby Mouse. In the lamplight I examined the little foundling, and Johanna, too, looked him over with critical eyes. He was a jolly little youngster, 8 months old per- haps, with chubby face, eyes as blue as a summer sky and lips that soon took on cherry hue, as their blue, pinched. look died away in the genial warmth of the room and Johanna's embraces that alternated with mine. Johanna brought out fresh linen, ar- ranged a bed and bathed and washed the foundling. Tucking him comforta- bly away in an improvised crib, she gave him a bottle filled with milk, and, when he had appeased his hunger, he fell into a peaceful slumber. I hissed the baby's brow and said to Johanna: "1 am going to report that case to the polies in the morning, and I'll ask them to let me keep the little one until his relations are heard from." Johanna gave me an amazed look. "My life is so lonely," 1 continued, "he may bring some color into it!" I may have sighed as I walked away. 'You haven't forgotten, doctor," an- swered the good woman, "no matter how hard you've tried!" Next day I went to the chief of po- lice. He recorded the case and had no objection to my keeping the baby. This is the way 1. came into possession of a lovely and beautiful child. Johanna and I decided to call him Robert, but his pet name—Baby Mouse— was older than that, and it clung to him. And now you know who Mouse ts. Nobody ever came to claim him. and my heart opened to the tender waif as !t bad never opened before. Mouse, of course, was treated like a king. Now and then Johanna would say, "You are spoiling the child, doc- tor!" But she was as weak as l• with regard to Mouse. He grew and prospered like a flower in the sunshine of our love' and was the lustiest youngster on the block. • But there must be rainy days as well, One day Mouse was taken ill, and be- fore night we knew that he had been attacked with diphtheria' With flaming cheeks and trembling hands he . lay in his crib, and 1 bent over hint with breaking heart. Long nights of anxious watching followed. At last care and tender nursing drove death from the door, and the doctor told me that the danger was passed, But another blow nine severer even than, Mouse's illness. My old faithful servant had caught the infection and had to take to her bed. There 1 was, a helpless man, with an ill woman and a convalescent babe on my hands. Surely it was a desperate situation. I engaged a trained nurse to wait on the sink, but I could not expect her to look after me too. The 'little comforts to which I had been accustomed dropped,` (away one by one. '• If only my wife was here!' MY wife! Yes, f had beau married—in fact. 1 tvas still married And rice, too, is a strange story. My wife was an only chile, spoiled by rich and indulgent parents. When 1 took her to my modest borne, 1 discov- ered that iscoveredthat she bad uiany little faults- all women have—auci 1 thought I could wean her away from them. The big .faults. of course, 1 was willing to con- done. for they were part of the bargain. My wife was a bit gay, a bit frivolous, a bit stubborn and a bit too fond of dress But I loved her with all my heart, and she loved hie. And because l loved her I endeavored to cure her of these little imperfections. It was a difficult piece of work. Sharp words were spoken on one side, tears shed on the other, and the upshot of the matter was that one day my wife left me and returned to her parents. They wrote mo a long letter, expressing.re- gret that my wife could not live with me and advising that we had better separate. I might have applied for a divorce, but could not bring myself to do it, and the'other side took no steps for a legal separation, My life became dreary and sad, and I believe I was on the short road to hypo< ehondria. Mouse came just in the nick of time and saved me from that fate. I gave him all my love, and he wan all the world to me. But my present dilemma was due to the coming of the little castaway. "Mouse, Mouse," I said more than once, "what have you done?" There were days when I dreaded to go home—two sickbeds, nothing to eat for myself; forsooth, a cheerless, lonely home, When I sat down by Johanna's bed, she tried to console me as best she could, but her cheerful words fell upon deaf ears. One evening in March I again wend- ed my way homeward. I thought of Mouse, of Johanna, of the trained nurse, and was in the worst possible humor. Opening the door with any latchkey, I hung my overcoat on the rack and made more noise than was necessary in, tak- ing off ak-ingofi my rubber shoes. Iweut into the dining room, and— Had Johaung been prowling about in spite of the doctor's express orders to remain in bed? The tea steamed over the alcohol lamp. There were fresh bread and golden butter, ham, coldroast bee the evening papers were nicely staekeff on one side; on the other, my box of ci- gars, the ash tray and the matches. Just as Johanna was wont to arrange things in the good old days, before hap- less Mouse interfered. I went into the next room, where Mouse was kept. The lamplight was muffled, but in the semidarkness I rec- ognized the form of the trained nurse bending over the baby's crib. "The trained nurse! Was I dream- ing? I knew that head, with the dain- tily molded ain-tilymolded cheek, the rich blond hair, gracefully arranged at the back. I had kissed it many times. A step, and I was near her. "Anna!" I cried. "My wife!'' I caught her in my arms. She pressed her head to my breast and whispered: "Richard, forgive me!" It was not a dream. It was sweet re- ality. .Again the lovely woman in my arms whispers: "Can you forgive me, Richard?" I can only kiss her again. and again and listen to the story of her coming. Johanna had written her in what a plight 1 was. She had told her about the coming of Mouse, the child's illness and her own, and my helpless condition in the face of all this trouble. And then Johanna had lectured her about the great virtue of forbearance and tithe• wholesome truths with regard, to the anarried life of two people who in reali- ty loved each other. The old woman's words went straight to Anna's heart. She came, and I held her in my arms and begged her to stay forever. • By this time Mouse had been aro d from his peaceful slumber. Wbev hs saw me, he stretched out his little arms, and 1 took him and laid him into those of my wife. "Will you be a mother to him?" 1 asked, "I will love him as you do, " an- swered the sweet woman' by my side. And thus peace has once more Dome int• to my house And the cause of it alt was -Mouse. Blessed mouse i—From the German For St, Louis Republic, Our Forefathers' Books In the course of some remarks at the London dinner to Poynter, the a cad envy's president. Conan Doyle said: "It is difficult uow to realize the avidity with which our forefathers fell upon a good, solid book. For them'thore were no book stalls crammed with cheap lit• erature, no little pirating magazines: containing the looted spoils of a dozen goodly books. Consequently they had time to absorb •a book, so that it be came part of their mind and soul. We could tot put back the clock and make books rarer, We would not if we could: But it would not be a bad thing now and again if we went into a retreat for a month or a year and swore off all ephemeral literature and turned back to the classics of our language." Evident Reporter—Did you find out the cause of that suicide this afternoon? Officer McGobb—Yis, sore It wor rope, —Indianapolis Journal.