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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExeter Advocate, 1908-08-20, Page 2♦I'f+O+O#O+O,o. i+O+O+G+O+CF+O+SONO+t +0+O+10+*+R ♦J ♦ A House of Mystery OR, THE GIRL IN BLUE 01,Q f V ♦ Q ♦ O4 ?R +*+Cf +O i 0+0+ +lets Q+nl+IR+G+O+O +0+3Cf+10!+D CHAPTER XXIII. Readsr, I must take you still fur- ther into my confidence. What ou base already read is strange, but certain things which subse- quently happened to me were even still stranger. 1 held that astounding letter in my haud. My eyes were riveted up- on it. The words written there wore puzzling indeed. A dozen times I read them through, agape with wonder. Tho communication, upon the notepaper of the Bath Hotel at Bournemouth, was dated June <th, 1891 --five years before—and ran as follows :— "Dear Mr. Heaton, I very much regret that you should have thus misunderstood me. I thought when we 'net at Windermere you w. ra quite of my epinion. You, however, appear to have grown tired after the five months of our engagement, and your love for me has suddenly cooled; therefore our paths in life must in future he far apart. You have at least told me the truth hon- estly and straightforwardly. I, ( 1 course, believed that your de- clarations were true, and that you really loved me truly, but alas! it is evidently not so. I can only suf- fer in silence. Good-bye for ever. We shall never, never meet aeain. But I tell you, Wilford, that I bear you no malice, and that my pray- ers will ever bo for your welfare and your happiness. Perhaps, sometimes you will give a passing thought to the sorrowful, heart- broken woman who still loves you. "MABEL ANSON." What could this mean 1 It spoke of our engage:nent for five months! I had no knowledge whatever of ever having declared the secret of my love, much less becoming her affianced husband. Was it possible that in the first few months of my unconscious life I had met her and told her of toy affection, of how 1 worshipped her with all the strength of my being 1 As I sat there with the carefully preserved letter in my hand there arose before me a vision of her calm .fnir face, bending over the piano, her handsome profile il- lumined by the candles on either side, the single diamond suspended by its invisible chain, gleaming at her throat like a giant's eye. The impression I had obtained/ of her on that night at The Boltons still retrained indelibly with me. Yes, her beauty was superb, her sweet- ness unsurpassed by that of any other woman I had ever met. Among the other private papers pt eserved within the wallet were four scraps of notepaper with type- writing ype-writing upon them. All bore the same signature—that of the strange name "Avel." All of them made appointments. One asked me to meet the writer in the writing -room of the Hotel Victoria in London; another made an appointment to meet me "on the Promenade at Ea. :bourne opposite the Wish Tow- er ;•' a third suggested my office at Winchester House as a meeting - place, and the fourth gav; a ren- dezvous on the departure platform t King's Cross Station. 1 fell to wondering Whether I had kept any of these engagements. The most recent of these letters was dat- ed nearly two years ago. Rut the afternoon was wearing on, therefore 1 placed the puzzling communications in my pocket and ascended to my room in order to rest. and thus carry out the feint of attending to old Britten's direc- ti,.ns. The dressing -hell awakened me, hut. confident in the knowledge that should remain undisturbed, I re- moved the bandages from my head, bathed the wound, and applied acme plaster in the place of the handkerchief. Then, with my hat. cn, my injury was concealed. The sun was declining when I managed to slip out of the 11o118e unobserved, and set forth down the avenue to Littleham village. Tho quaint old place was delightful in the evening calm. but, heedless of everything, I hurried forward down the hill to %Vithyeembe Raleigh, anti thence straight across the open country to Lympston station. where 1 took a third-elass ticket for Exe- ter. At a wayside station a pas- senger for London is always re- marked. therefore I only booked as far as the junction with the main line. :1t Exeter i found that the up - snail was not due ter ten minutes, therefore 1 telegraphed to London for a roam at the Grand }h•tel, and afterwards taught some newspapers w ith which go while away the jour- p,v. Sight of newspapers dated six years later t:'an th,se i had last seen aroused within mo a lively curiosity. How incredible it all seemed as in that dimly lit railway - carriage I sat gathering front those printed pages the history of the lost six years of my life! Tho only other occupant of the compartment besides myself was a woman. I had sought an empty carriage, but failing to find ono, was compelled to accept 1•er as travelling companion. She was youngish, perhaps thirty-five, and neatly dressed, hut her face, as far as I could distinguish it through her spotted veil, was that of a wo- man melancholy and bowed down L. trouble. In her dark hair were I-remature threads of silver, hind her deep -sunken oyes, peering forth strangely at rue, were the eyes of a woman rendered desperate. I did not like the look of her.' In travelling one is quick to entertain an instinctive dislike to one's coin - minion, and it w7,8 so in my care. I found myself regretting that I had not entered a smoking -carri- age. But I soon became absorbed in my papers and forg,flt her pre- sence. It was only her voice, a curious- ly high-pitched one, that made mo start. Sho inquired if I minded her closing the window because of the draught, and I at once closed it, responding rather frigidly, I re- lieve. But she was in no humor to allow the conversation to drop, and com- menced to chat with a familiarity that surprised me. Sho noticed how puzzled I be- came, and at length remarked with a laugh— "You apparently don't recognize rte, Mr. Heaton." "No, madam," I answered, taken aback. "You have certainly the advantage of rno." This recognition was startling, for was I not flying to London to es- cape my friends? This woman, who- ever sho was, would without doubt recount her meeting with me. "It is really very droll," she laughed. "I felt sure from the first, when you entered the compartment, that you didn't know n.e." "I certainly don't knuw you," I responded coldly. She smiled. "Ah! I expect it's my veil," she said. "But it's real- ly remarkable that you should not recognize Joliot, your wife's maid." "You! My wife's maid!" I gasp- ed, recognizing in au instant how cleverly 1 had been run to earth. "Yes," she replied. "Surely you recognize me 1'' and she raised her veil, displaying a rather unprepos- sessing face, dark and tragic, as though full of some hidden sorrow. I had never seen the woman be- fore in my life, but instantly I re- solved to display no surprise and act with caution. "Ah, of course!" I said lamely. "The light here is so bad. you know, that I didn't recognize you. And where are you going 1" "To London—to the dressmak- er's." "Mrs. Heaton has seat you on Boma corornission, I suppose 1" "Yes, sir." "You joi:.ed this train at Exeter, then 1" "1 came from Exmouth to Exe- ter, and changed." she explained. "1 saw you get in at Lympston." My heart sank within me. It was evident that this woman had been sent by my self-styled wife to keep watch upon my movements. if I intended to escape I should be compelled to make terms with her. Those sharp dark eyes, with a curious light in them—eyes that seemed strangely staring and va- cant at times—were fixed upon me, wh"Ie the smile shout her thin lips was clearly one of triumph, as though she had caught me in the act of flying from my home. I reflected, but ,text moment re- solved to take her into my confi- dence. I disliked her. for her man- r.er was somewhat. eccentric. and, furthermore, I had only her own word that she was really maid to that angular %seinen who called herself my wife. Nevertheless, I could do naught else than make a barrcain with her. 'Now." I said at last, after some desultory cony.-rsatioa, "I want to make a suggestion to you. Do you think that i, I gave you a ten -pound rote v''u a„old forget having met me to -night 1 Do you think that you could forget having seen me at all I” "Forget' I don't understand." ''Well. to put it plainly. I'm go - ivy. to London. and 1 have no de- sire that anybody should know that I'm there." 1 explained. "When I ant found to be missing from Den- bury. Mrs. Heaton will do all in her power to dist.»•er me Yon are the only person who knows that 1 ve gone to London. and I want you to hu!d your tongue." Sho smiled again, showing an even row of white teeth. "1 Was scut b.• my mistress to travel by this traia and to see where you went," she said blunt- ly. "Exactly as I thought," I an- swered. "Now, you will accept this little present, and return to Deubury to -marrow after a fruit- less errand—utterly fruitless, you understand?" She took the ten sovereigns I handed her, and trans'erred them to her purse, promising to say no- thing of having met me. 1 gathered from her subsequent conversation that sho had been plaid to Mrs. Heaton ever since her marriage, and that she had acted a•, confidential servant. Many things she mentioned incidentally were of the greatest interest to me, vet they only served to show how utterly ignorant I was of all the past. "But why did you disclose your identity 1" I inquired, when the lights showed that we were enter- ing the London suburbs. "Because I felt certain that you didn't recognize ate," she laugh- ed; "and I bad on wish to spy up - en you, knowing as I do that your life is the reverse of happy." "Then you pity rue, eh?" "I scarcely think that is the wed that one of my position ought to use," she answered, with some he- sitation. "Your life has, since your marriage, not been of the hap piest, that's certain." "And so you have no intention of telling any'ono where I've gone l" I asked eagerly. "None in the leapt, sir. Rest as- sured that I shell say nothing — not a single word." "I thank you," 1 said, and sat beets pondering in silence until the train ran into Waterloo, where we parted, she again reassuring me of her intention to keep my secret. I congratulated myself upon a very earrow escape, and, taking a cab, drove straight to Trafalgar Square. As I crossed Waterloo Bridge the long line of lights on the Embankment presented the same picture as they had ever done. Though six years had passed since I had last had knowledge of Lon- don, nothing had apparently chang- ed. The red night -glare in the leaden sky was still the same; the same unceasing traffic; the sante flashing of bright dresses and glit- tering jewels as hansoms passed and repassed in the Strand—just as I had known London by night during all my li:e. The gold -braided porter at the Grand handed me out of the cab, and I ascended by the lift to the room allotted to me lil:e a man in a dream. It hardly seemed pos- sible that I could have been absent in mind from that whirling. fevered world of London for six whole years. I had given a false name in the reception bureau, fearing that those people who called themselves my friends — Heaven save the mark !—might make inquiries and cause my arrest as a wandering lu- natic. 1 had no baggage, and I saw that the hotel -clerk looked up- were made in the way I have just on rue with some suspicion. In- described. Perfect as to texture spoons, matches, hooks, pens or deed, I threw down a couple of and closeness and ready for the the like, are easily slipped into sovereigns, well knowing the roles market in the same length of time openings provided in the wooden that no person without luggage as curds worked in the more moist wrists, which practice has enabled was taken unless he paid a depusit and more general style. These h' tido govern accurately. Tho beforehand. firm curds. of course, require light- hooka, handy in dressing, are used I laughed bitterly within myself. er salting. i do not say that one more than any of the other attach - How strange it was! can keep from having white whey menta. Next morning I went forth and day after day, as common condi- Murray says that in the forty- one years of his life be has never taken a drink, but be chews plug tobacco incessantly. He seldom smokes, disliking to handle fire. Ile tells an interesting story of his life. 1le++++++.+++1+1++♦ 11. +++ • • • • • • About the Farm • • • ♦ 4. ii++++++++++ ♦ ♦ +4+4 • +++! GETTING RID OF WHITE WHEY. Is it possible to make Cheddar cheea with no loss of white whey 1 How can it be prevented l These are questions asked and answered irp a recent issue of the New York Produce Review and American Creamery. One of the answers, by William Windor, a Wiscon,iu cheese maker, is given below : "In answer to the first part of this question, I would say, yes. How it may be done would require ra- ther a lengthy paper. There are many conditions when it is an im- possibility. Tho first requirement is a vat of sweet milk free from any bad odors or taints, a small quan- tity of good commercial starter — say '/., per cent.—added to the milk, and then set sufficiently sweet or rather with the right development cf acid to insure a sufficient time for a good cook. Raise the tempera- ture to the cooking point in one hour and forty minutes or there- abouts. If the acid development's about right the curd should be ready to remove wliey in 2% to 3 hours. A string of '/s inch on the Trot iron, or about .18 per cent. ac- idity, will be plenty at this stage. Although not necessary, a curd sink and racks aro a real benefit and help in securing desired re- sults. With the above acidity quickly get the curd on the racks and keep loose and free from mat- ting until the curd attains a crisp and quite dry feeling. A handful will require a little pressure to ex- pel any moisture if the curd is in proper condition. This may require four or five times stirring through school teacher named Miss Free- factorily explained by scientists — ttith short intervals for draining, man lost her four limbs just as I was the remarkable and unaccount- but it is not a difficult matter if did. When the roof was blown able prolongation of the gists of well cooked and the proper amount from over the heads of the children twilight, with the complete absence of acid at dipping. Pile curd 6 or huddled inside the school -house she (f darkness during the whole of the 7 inches deep evenly over sink and had the presence of mind to tie the night, which recently so startled when well matted—probably 20 children together instead of turn- north-western Europe. A beauti- minutes—cut into strips of 6 inches ing thein out to seek their hones fol sunset hue pervaded the north - wide and turn, leaving an inch or separately. That wou!d have been ern heavens, as though, the axis of more between each piece. sure death. the earth suddenly changing, the "In a short time, or as soon as "After fastening them in lre.irs sun had not sunk so far beneath the underside of curd has faced up she connected all with strips torn the horizon as usual, and the posi- ao as to pick up all loose particles, turn again. It may be left single or if real firm and dry two deep will he all right. Turn at intervals un- til ready to mill. Two deep will be sufficient. Mill with i% to 2 inches cf acid on hot iron or about .75 per cent. acid. Keep well stir- red and at a depth of Q or 8 inches. If curd is rather too stiff and firm a trifle higher piling will not hurt, but is not usually necessary if con- lectures in small towns. He ap- ditions are favorable and the curd Pears in tights showing the arms has been properly handled. A curd extending just below the elbows of this kind will get ready to salt and the legs just below the knees, quite quickly, and 1 have had them when no moisture would drip from vat or sink until salt was added. "The finest cheese I ever trade If you want to thoroughly enjoy your vacation don't for, i get to take alone. a supp!y of TRISOUIT—Che Dainty Shredded Wheat Wafer, Nutritious and appetizing. Try it with butter, cheese or fruits. ALWAYS READY TO atRVZ -Sold by A 1 Orocsrs: 10'5 HE RAS NO II.ANDS OR 1F'EI:'t'. Had to Undergo :lntputatiin of Frozen Members. Although lie eats and drinks with ease and dresses without assist- ance, Arthur J. Murray, of Port- land, Oregon, has neither herds nor feet. The members had been frozen in a Canadian blizzard and their amputation could not bo avoided. Murray is ono of the happiest men on earth. His hur.tor is sin- cere. He is glad he does not have limbs that are racked with rheuma- tism. To the man glum with brood- ing over ill fate, Murray's magnetic uplifting conversation always puts things in a more cheerful light. STORY OF BLIZZARD. "Like every one else, I learned the benefit of my blessings only af- ter I lost them. In the big bliz- zard that swept some of the North- ern States and Manitoba on Jan. 12, 1889, there were many pitiful deaths among teachers, school chil- dren and settlers. In Omaha a sense came to her aid, and in her desperation she placed her whole terrible position before her mother. Idappily she was a w•o,nan of hon- orable character and much decis- ion. "She went herself to her daugh- ter's temptress, and two women of the world met face. to face --one a good one and one evil. Unfortu- nately in such cases the balance of triumph is generally on the part of the sharks, but here this dovourer's reputation was ton shady for here to r'sk a public scandal, and she agreed to forget that she had ever met the girl. Those debts that were made with strangers were paid, but the wpman herself was obliged to forego her ill-gotten gains."—Glasgow Herald. + IN TENEBRiS LUX. (By A Banker.) One of the strangest phcnomen., which have occurred for many years —strange, because altogether un- intelligible, and, so far, not satis- from her underskirts and started tion of the pole had altered five and the line, with the oldest in the lead, twenty or more degrees, the arctic to the nearest hone, a half mile circle therefore moving downwards. distant. She brought up the rear The .phenomenon was entirely dif- and picked up some that fell. A Dakota schoolmaster sent his pupils to their death in the storm and re- ferent to aurora borealis, and the cause retrains an absolute mystery. It was as though a Joshua had com- mained himself by the fire, keeping n.anded the sun to stand still in comfortably warns burning seats order to prolong the length of the and flooring." day. Recently this man started giving But however beautiful and strange, this phenomenon could not compare in splendour and magni- ficence with the startl't1 ,lisplay of aurora le realis which t,, place in England 'n l&59. As the twilight disappeared strange coruscations of colored light were observed in the northern heavens, gradually taking the form of a gigantic luminous each of many colored fires. Depend- ing from the arch were geometri- cal columns, of carying length, of quivering, many -hued wildfire; scene a brilliant amethyst, seine a deeper purple, or some a vivid car- mine or emerald. Now a throbbing Fulsation passes Over the entire glowing arc, and it flashes in gold (•r orange, azure or vermilion, mauve or violet ; now for a moment partially fading away, again sud- denly, with a quavering tremor, scintillating and flashing as bright- ly as before. The spectacle is now beyond expression sublime and ina jcstie, and those who had the good fortune to witness it were alto- gether overwhelmed at this magni• ficent and sumptuous display of the nighty forces of Nature. On another occasion, instead of a prolongation of daylight, for a space of three hours, commencing at noonday, a supernatural dark- ness overspread the land, a dark- ness in which, it is believed, the entire earth was plunged, fur Na- ture was then veiling her face, shocked at the dread tragedy which was taking place on Golgotha, where the pure and holy Son of God was bearing the ahnmeful lend of our sing, and, itirnselt on behalf of then proceeds to dress after apply- ing his artificial members. Fully attired he can run and even dance a bit, and swings along the street with careless grace. Knives, forks, wandered down the Strand the doer old Strand that I had once leved so well. No; it had in no wise changed, except, perhaps, that two or three tnunster buildings had sprung up. and that the theatres announced pieces quite unknown to me. A sudden desire seized me to ire what kind of place was my own office. If, however, I went near there I might. I reflected, be recog- nized by some one who knew me. tions v, ill not permit it. Under pro- per conditions it is not only pos- sible, but the finest results can be obtained." LIVE STOCK NOTES. When a burse buries his nose in RO1'SE GAMING PASSION. water it is because he likes it and 'Young Women In London Enuring• because it is good for hint. it re- freshes and invigorates hien on a led in (lard Drbte. Therefore I turned int., a barbers hot day. Under the title of "Saciety and had my beard cut elf, then, fur- When th-re are one or two empty Sharks," Olive Christian Malvery ther on. bought a new dust -coat combs in the brood chamber it 's recently contributed a rather atrik- and another hat. In that disguise often quite difficult to get ti tte bees ing article to the Christian Globe. I took a hansom to Old Broad started to work above. Italiana Concerning the bridge victim, the Street. are touch more troublesome in re.writer says: - 1 was not long in finding the bu- gard to this point than hybrids. ('an anything be more horrible sincss headquarters of my Other } laek bees also cap their honey than for a woman of experience to self. How curious it all was My 1 whiter and smoother, which gives it invite to her house young people name was marked upon a huge , a nice appearance. with the express purpose of encour- brass plate in the entrance hall of 1 „A merciful man is merciful to aging there to gamble, and fleecing that colossal block of offices. and I I his beast," we are told. If so, thein of their money 1 The history ascended to the first floor to find what is to be said of those who use of one of these girls who fell into sli wlv, will but come to Him, en my name inscribed upon the (door' (r allowed to be used on their the snare laid for her might be told (luring the punishment due by thorn of One nt the largest ,.f the suites. horses, the overhead check rein 1 In is a few brief words. I stood in the corridor carelessly many instances it is, doubtless, used "Her mother was a widow, and t(• Eternal Justice. Aye, well reading a paper. and while doing thoughtlessly Lecanse it makes they possessed a small income. hut might `store then, aghaat at the driving easier. but it is a distress- one that was sufficient for their heart-rending eufferings of her ing sight to witness a horse rest- needs and that allowed of their liv- Lord, shroud herself to darkness, lessly tossing up its head in order ing in comfort. The girl, by some t, relieve the pain caused by hav- ill -luck, got introduced to one of "alts of His dastardly murders But be Continue ing to carry its head and neck in these smart women in London, and and screen Him from the ribald in His death is our lite, His suffering: such an unnatural position. You Sas drawn into a vortex of a • life. our passport to the glories end au - permit y permit joys of heaven; Hiss town ^--# may sornetimcs see a horse over- She was encouraged to play cards , f thorns our title to a Crown of HOPEFUL. •checked until his head is almost for money until the gambling pas- glory. parallel to its back. sion in her was thoroughly roused, ,t, Collector (warmly)—"I've been In order to succeed in breeding and two months after her intro - ducks it is necessary to have water duction to the woman who ruined in which the breeding stock ran her she had gambled away a thou- ro witnessed many persons. seve 'Al of them smart -looking City m'n. leave. as though much business was being conducted within. (Tod ) rely herr a dozen times, sir. and I posi- tswon't call again THE l.Uu•.1L FOitECAST. ?fir. I'uorpa} (cheerfully) --"Oh, Flake ty aur.eyed the clear . "Oh, ,wim. Without this the young bird sand pounds and stood heavily in sky w:th a frown "It'll sure he come, now. incl man, don't he SO will never be strong or healthy, debt. A terrible time ensued, and raining to -day," he announced. anperstitious about snaking the thir- and it is not difficult to make a the woman in whose house she had gloomily. duckpond, if there be an insufficient lost most of her money began a "What makes you say that?" supply of water naturally. There system which in reality amounted Nuked his friend. can also be no question but that to blackmail. "Because." said Mr. Flaherty, ducks which have a good pond do "She advised the girl not to tell "I'to taken notice that whin i don't expect it to rain at. a11. that's ti,n time it does. an' nobody cmuld bo expecting it to -day, wid a sky Ilke that." y. ', ran give a man good advice t'll yen are hl.ie in the face, hue give him a go(d scare and you will get ults. Yesres. .11onzo. it is possible to get ly in this case tba girl's comtnonIs p..ir of pinchers at • olive stets. tcenth call: nothing will happen, I assure you." GETTING BACK :1T HIM. He (peevishly) --"Here and now I wash my hands of the whole affair ' She (calmly)—"And don't forget your faee and neck while engaged in the laundry act." plete sacrifice of honor or an ex - portant elements in their natural posure ,and being probably estra- It's a safe bet that a girl doesn't toed. When they are seen with cized from society altogether—for enjoy the first kiss she gets from a, heads in the water and feet tipper- these thinga are not done in open certain yoll,tg man unless she pro-. must they are engaged in this daylight, but secretly. Fortunate• tends she doesn't. l work. not cost nearly so much to keep as do those who have not this privi- lege. This can be seen by the time which dueks spend in scouring the bottr,m of the water, where they find worms galore. and other in - her mother of her debts, but intro- duced her to people who she said would prove good friends. So the c(.ila were wound firmer and firmer, until the choice lay between com- S astbk •