Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 6 September 1895 — Page 7

By EDMUND DOWNEY,

Author of "A House of Tears," "Tied Post Park," Etc.

[Copyright, 1804, by Tillotson & Son.) Shortly before Mrs. Davorn closccl her eyes forever on the world Dr. Leclero got into trouble. He had left Dr. Percival for some time, and his own practice in Clayfields did not flourish. There were sinister rumors about his financial condition, rumors which reached the ears both of aunt and niece.

Mrs. Davom felt a certain amount of triumph at discovering that she had been instrumental in preventing her niece from entering into an engagement with a worse than penniless young man, but the news of the young doctor's difficulties had caused the wavering girl to make up her mind suddenly and decisively. She would marry her lover at any cost. Dr. Leclerc informed Ethel candidly of his troubles and declared he saw no way out of them except to flee from the country. He had a brother in the United States who would help him. He offered to release Ethel from an engagement which she had hurriedly entered into without her aunt's knowledge the moment the first sinister rumors of her lover reached her ears. Ethel was uncertain what to do. She loved the man wholly and earnestly, and while she was hesitating he threw himself at her feet and passionately implored her to marry him at once and to fly with him as his wife to a new country across the seas. Half in love, half in pity, she had given a reluctant consent to his wild proposal, but on calm reflection she had seen the unwisdom of taking so rash a step and had suggested to Leclerc at the last moment that the matter should be laid before her aunt.

Mrs. Davorn absolutely declined to countenance Leclerc's wild scheme for rehabilitating himself, and she was so indignant at learning that Ethel had made the clandestine arrangement for flight with the young doctor (who had already armed himself with a marriage license) that she declared neither one nor the other should fever have a penny of. her money. Losing her temper completely, she taunted Leclerc with having no object but that of escaping from the meshes in which he was entangled by marrying Ethel and possessing himself, through her of sufficient money to enable him to escape from his difficulties. This taunt, which was wholly unworthy of Mrs. Davorn and undeserved by Leclerc, had angered Ethel beyond measure, and on the night of the 9th of October she had given her lover at parting a promise to marry him on the following day.

Ethel had pondered over all this in the solitude of her own room on the night of the 9th of October. She was sorely grieved at having upset her aunt, but she had not yet been able to forgive the unworthy taunt which Mrs. Davorn had leveled, at her lovei. It was long after midnight when sire fell asleep, and the first sounds which had disturbed her in the morning were the sounds made by Constable Metcalf in his attempts to rouse the house.

Ethel Rodney was now in an utterly bewildered state of mind. She was frantic with grief and could not yet wholly realize that she was never again to see her aunt, whose last hours she had made miserable

Her dazed reveries were interrupted by Constable Metcalf, who knocked quietly at the half open door of the parlor. A faint "Come in" greeted him. "I am very sorry, miss," said the suave policeman as he entered the room and gazed at the distracted girl, "but," closing the.door, "I must atk you for some information."

Metcalf was determined to have a full notebook before the matter was taken out of his hands by his inspector.

The sight of the policeman seemed to have a steadying effect on the young girL "Of course," she said, "I will give you any information I can. I was almost stupefied when I opened the door for vou this mornine. but I th-inTr I feel quieter now." "I'm glad to hear it, miss," fumbling with his notebook. "The deceased lady, Mrs. Davorn, was your aunt?'J, "Yes." "When did you see her alive last?" "About 11 o'clock last night. "Where?" "In her bedroom." "Was she complaining of any illness?'' "I do not remember that she complained, but she had not been well for some days from overexcitement, I think." "By the woy, miss," said the constable after he had committed this information to his notebook, "are you aware that the window of this room here was opened during the night?"

Ethel Rodney rose quickly from her chair at the question, her face distorted with terror. "What do you mean?" she asked, panting. "The window opened during the night? You surely don't mean to convey that any one broke into the house last night. Oh, do not tell me this," she moaned. "It is almost more terrible than what I discovered this morning."

She fell back into her chair and buried her face in her hand Constable Metcalf stood silently by, still busy with his notebook. "Yes, miss," he added, after a pause. "It does look to me as if some one had broken into the house last night."

The girl took her hands from her face and gazed at the officer of the law. "You surely don't mean to suggest," she asked, with a calmness which disconcerted Constable Metcalf almost as much as Mr. Steinworth's early volubility, "that my aunt has been—has"— she hesitated, the words almost choking her—"that my dear aunt did not die a natural death?" "Iam afraid it loojjs as if she didn't,

miss." "Oh, this is terrible—terrible!"cried Ethel Rodney, rising from her chair .and walking up and down the room beating her hands against her skirts. "Terrible I"

Uonstaoie Metcaii stooa,

noteDooJi

hand, watching her furtively. He did not attempt to speak until he saw that, she had again become calmer. "Could there be any reason in your mind, miss," he asked, "why any one should break into the house?" "There might be. There might be a reason," answered Ethel, standing still and clasping her hands. "And it is almost too awful to think of. Oh, what shall I do? And we quarreled bitterly last night. My dear aunt! My dear aunt!"

Again she made a violent effort to restrain her emotion. "You must think me very strange, very wild," she said. "But heaven knows I have reason now to be strange and wild. There, I am better now." "That's right, miss. It won't do to give way too much, you know. There is always some trouble around us. If it is not past and gone it's in front of us," he added, with a wise shake of his head "But tell me, miss—that is, if you wish to give me the information—what in your opinion might be a good reason for a person to break into this house last night. People usually do that sort of thing for plate or for money." "Thene was monev here." uo you mean any considerable sum V' "Thirteen hundred pounds." "Phew! Have you any idea where the sum of money was? Of course it may still be in the same place, and you're not bound to give me any answer if you don't like. "Why should I not?" asked Ethel, with flashing eyes. The money was in my aunt's bedroom. She had drawn it out of her bank on Tuesday.'' "Where was it placed do you know, miss?'' "In a desk in the cupboard in her bedroom.'' "Might I ask did you search for it this morning?" "I did not search for it, but I saw on the floor in the room the desk broken open. The money, no doubt, is gone— but do not think it is the loss of it that distracts me.'' "And who knew of the money, do you think, miss?" "I knew it was there." "Only yourself knew of it? Are you sure?"

Ethel Rodney panned for some moments before answering. Then in a chokir.g voice she said slowly: "Only myself and one other."

CHAPTER V. MAURICE LECLERC.

There was a knock at tlio hall door as Miss Rodney, having made the statement that she was not the only person who was aware of the money being in the house, flung herself into a chair and again burst into a passionate fit of weeping. "Excuse me, miss," said the constable. I must leave you for the present to yourself. No doubt this is my inspector.

He folded his notebook and put it into the breast of his tunic. Then he left the room, closing the door quietly after him.

In the hall he saw four men—Constable Young, who, hearing the knock and learning there was no servant in the house, had decided to make himself useful as well as ornamental. Albert Steinworth and Bernard Vickery, who did not like his fellow lodger and preferred not to be left alone with him on the landing, were well known to Constable Metcalf—but the fourth man, for whom the hall door had just been opened, was a stranger to the constable, though he fancied he had a memory of his face. The first impression was that this was a gentleman from Scotland Yard, but a swift glance at his carriage and bearing, as he passed into the hall, convinced Metcalf that he was not a man who had passed through the force. "Your business, sir?" demanded Young as the newcomer stood in the halL

Constable Young was a burly man of about 5 feet 10 inches in height. His manner was brusque and hectoring, his voice a deep, rasping bass. Every hand that did not wield a policeman's staff was against him. It is most likely he would have felt kindly disposed toward one who wielded the magical wand of the musical conductor, and probably he would have gazed at a marshal in full fig with a benignant eye. But "the force"—its honor and glory, its unlimited power, its dignity, its infallibility —was all in all to Constable Young. When he wore his helmet or other headgear, there was nothing very remarkable in the smug, shaven, fat face or in the great round chin. But when Constable Young slowly lifted his helmet or when you encountered him bareheaded you were at once startled by his head. The shape of his head was that of an inverted fir cone, the bald top of the skull making the apex of the cone more startling than if it were clothed with hair. The base of the cone—that is to say, his chin and the lower portions of bis skull —was puffed out with fat and seemed as if it might at any moment melt and run down his enormous chest. Indeed, you felt—if you were of a kindly disposition—that it would be a great relief to Constable Young if his flesh would "thaw and resolve itself into a dew.

The newcomer glanced scornfully at his challenger. "I wish to' see Miss Rodney," he said.

Constable Metcalf stepped forward. "Would you kindly walk this way with me, sir?" stepping toward the door of the room which lay behind the front pailor—a room used chiefly as dining room. Our inspector is taking his .time of 'fit," addressing himself to Young. "May be sure ho has good reasons for being slow,", said Young. "Seems rather awkward to have these gentlemen standing about,'' pointing to

and Vickery.

Steinworth

""Very sorry, "but we can't help that just now. Our inspector won't be long, I'm sure, and he'll settle everything. Now, sir," to the stranger, "will you follow me:"

The two men walked into the dining room. "You wish to see Miss Rodney. Your name, sir, please. I suppose yon heard what happened here this morning?" "Yes I heard that Mrs. Davorn was found dead in her bed, and already there is a rumor abroad that there has been foul play.'' "Reports will travel, sir. You did not give your name!'' "Maurice Leclerc." "All, I thought I remembered you. Dr. Leclerc, of course. You used to be with Dr. Percival—pardon my familiarity. "This is awful!" exclaimed Dr. Leclerc, tearing off his glove and apparently forgetting the existence of the police constable. "It will drive Ethel crazy. Where is Miss Rodney?" he asked, in a quieter tone, glancing at the policeman. "Is she in the house, ana can see nerr suppose you are in charge here?"

A lot of questions to answer all at once. "Yes, sir she is in the house, but she is greatly upset. To tell you the candid truth I did not think it would be fair on her to let strangers intrude but, of course, it is different with you, sir." "What do you mean?" inquired Leclerc angrily. He knew the constable was alluding to the relations that existed between Ethel and himself—a liberty he could not tolerate in this meddlesome policeman. "Where is Miss Rodney?" he inquired again abruptly. "I must see her at once." "She is in the next room—the front room.'' "That will do. Thank you. Perhaps I have not been overpolite, but I feel as if I were about to go mad.''

He snatched up his hat, which he had laid on the table on entering the room, tore off his other glove and strode out into the hall. "Excitable person!" reflected the constable, following Dr. Leclerc into the hall and watching him as he opened the door of the front parlor. "Now, gentlemen," said Metcalf, addressing himself to Steinworth and Vickery, "I think the back parlor will be the handiest place for you until our inspector arrives. It is at your service.''

The two lodgers entered the room at this invitation, followed by the policemen. "Evidently the young medico thinks he is a person of some importance here,'' sneered Steinworth. "Impudent snob! We were introduced here and met sev-

rv

"She is in the next room."

eral times under this very roof, and he had the insolence to cut me dead in the hall ontside."

Bernard Vickery was silent. He acted more like an automaton than a human being. He did just as he was directed, and seemed as if he were walking about in a dream.

After some moments of awkward silence in the back parlor Steinworth spoke again. "It is a horrible affair altogether. Seems to get worse the more you think of it. Poor inoffensive lady, murdered in cold blood!" "Wliat's that you say?" exclaimed Vickery, suddenly waking into life and glaring round the room. "At least so I am told by the constable there," pointing to Metcalf. "It is impossible to say yet how the lady came by her death," said Metcalf. "It might have been suicide?" suggested Steinworth. "I can't tell, sir." "Then there is that odd business of my being locked into my room and the front parlor window being forced."

Yes," said Constable Metcalf. That locking of your door is very puzzling, but I suppose there was an object in it." "No doubt to secure the person who broke in from interruption or discovery." "I was locked in, too, you say?" inquired Mr. Vickery in an eager tone. "Yes. Just the same as the other gentleman, Mr."— "Steinworth," said the young man "You are quite sure I was locked in from the outside?" asked Vickery.»

Quite sure, sir.

v.

"That is very strange certainly. Have you any idea, constable—I suppose you do not mind me asking the question I know you will not answer it if you don't like—have you any idea what time of the night was the horrible deed done? Heavens! it makes my blood run cold to think of it." "I haven't the least idea, sir. That will be for the coroner's jury to settle." "I never thought of an inquest. Of course, of course." Mr. Vickery again relapsed into his dreamlike condition. "I was quite upset this morning," sadd Steinworth in a jaunty tone, "at finding myself a prisoner in my room, but as matters go it would seem as if it was the one thing I ought to bo truly thankful for. Perhaps the burglars—if burglary of a bit of a house like this was their object—meant only to stupefv poor Mrs. Davorn." "Stupefy Mrs. Davorn!" exclaimed Vickery, starting into -life again anrt trembliuK violently. "Why! How is she

supposed to have been "killed? The thought of such a thing,'' slimgging his shoulders, "is perfectly horrifying." "She is supposed to have been chloroformed," said Steinworth, addressing his fellow lodger directly for the first time. "Chloroformed!" exclaimed Vickery, with a despairing upward movement of his hands.

A loud rattat at the hall door was now heard. "All, here comes Inspector Briggs at last. I'm not sorry to have the prospect of relief," said Constable Metcalf, eying Mr. Vickery fixedly. "Nor I either," echoed Constable Young. "It's past my breakfast time, and I'm as hungry as a hunter.

CHAPTER VL UNDER A CLOUD.

While the two lodgers at 13 Felspar road and the two policemen from the station at Clayfields were discussing in the back parlor the murder—for murder it was deemed to have been—of Mrs. Davorn, the young doctor was in the front parlor endeavoring to comfort the weeping girL At first he almost dreaded to refer in any way to the terrible tragedy. Maurice Leclerc was himself in a wildly excited condition. When he felt that Ethel had grown calm he could contain himself no longer, and commenced to pace the room, his hands folded behind his back In a few moments he felt that he must speak directly of the tragedy. "It is a horrible business altogether, dearest," he said. "The more I look at it the worse it seems.'' "I should not feel the awfulness of it so much only for the hot words I had last night with her—with my dear aunt, who has been my only friend and protector since my father died. It cuts me to the heart to think I can nevermore see her or hear her voice, never be able to seek her forgiveness." "I know, I know, Ethel, dearest." Baid Leclerc, standing still a moment, and then seizing the girl's hand "I must seem horribly selfish to you, I am horribly selfish, but try not to blame me, dearest. I love you better than all the world I cannot think of anything or anybody calmly when my thoughts are of you. Do not think too badly of me if I cannot share the sorrow you naturally feel at your terrible loss. We were never friends—she and It is your trouble and my own selfish troubles that are now distracting me. Let me be candid, dearest, as I have always, I hope, been with you, whatever may have been my faults. I awoke this morning the happiest man in England My hope of calling you this day my wife dashed all my dark clouds away I am now the most wretched mo- in the world.''

Dr. Leclerc spoke with almost breathless rapidity. "Don't say that, Maurice. Try and control yourself. Why should you be the most wretched man in the 'world?" "Why? Am I not already suspected— I can feel it, know it—of the crime that has been committed under this roof?" "Oh, you must not say such wicked, such foolishly wicked things!" cried the young girl, rising and staring at him with wild and horror laden eyes. "Listen to me, dearest listen to me I am trying to control myself. On my way here I met Percival and a police inspector in the Crescent road They told me what had happened—so far as they knew. I guessed the rest The money is gone—this cursed money that is always at the bottom of all mischief Is it not so?" "I think the money is gone," answered the girl in a trembling voice "The desk is lying on the floor broken up. It caught my eyes before I knew anything of the terrible discovery I was about to make." "My poor darling. It is selfish of me to be able to think of little else but my miserable self. But don't you see how much reason I have to be almost mad'r Don't you see that with that other charge hanging over me, with the knowledge that I was in sore trouble t'oi money, that money would save me from disgrace, from rain—don't you see that suspicion will be fastened upon me, such suspicion as I can never hope to outlive? Suspicion—God help me!—not only of theft, but of murder.

He flung up his arms as he spoko and was again about to continue his wild walk up and down the room when thcyoung girl caught him firmly by the wrists and drawing him toward her kissed his lins. "Dearest!" he murmured, rapturous ly. "You almost make mo forget that I am so utterly unworthy .of you. "Come, .Maurice, you must not give way to foolish fears. The guilty person, whoever he is, will be discovered." "My darling, my darling! But," with a weary sigh, "you must think of the situation as it stands. Here am I—a man desperate need, a man about, to fly from the country—the last person who visited this house last night—who visited it—but who will believe me?— only to be near her who was to have been my wife today. "Yes, dearest Maurice—who will b» your wife today if you wish it. "No, no, no," he exclaimed. "Not with tlii.s new cloud hanging over me. It would be a cowardly act, a dastardly act, to give you my doubly smirched name." "What concern is it of any one on earth if I choose to accept that name? 1 have no fear. I am alone in the world I have only you.'' "You tempt me sadly, dearest," he murmured, "but I will not bo mean enough, selfish enough, to take advantage of your great generosity. No, it cannot be. Ethel. Just think of it calmly. liook at matters as 11 were notning to you." His voice was now quieter and his manner well under control. "I alone—apart from you, my angel, upon whom no suspicion can rest—I alone knew this money was in the house It Nvould have saved me from exposure and ruin if I could but possess it I was in the house last night, unknown to every one eveerit. l.he dead woman and vour-

Dr. Leclcrc.caught her hand and pressed

ght,

it to his lips.

self. We had hot words. "Alas! we had," 6ighed the young girl. "This will all come out I do not intend to deny anything. I am already a man with a stain on my character which I cannot wipe out without money— curse it—without money! Do you not see what a strong case there will be against me?" "But, Maurice, you must not talk so very wildly. You forget that no one has accused you of any connection with the theft here. Whoever was wicked enough to steal the money was probably wicked enough to commit the blacker deed—the deed I shuddor tn thinlr nf

Dr. Leclero i*mght her hand and pressed it to hia lips. "The culprit will be discovered, Maurice. Why rack yourself with suspicion which exists only in your own mind? Some one broke in here lastnight—at least the police think so." "Of course. What would be more natural than that I should break in I, who knew the house I, who knew what no one else was aware of—that the money was in the room up stairs." "It is very wicked of you, Maurice, to torture me." "I am a brute. But, Ethel, my darling, you must not think too badly of me now. I am not in my normal frame of mind This awful news has made me nearly frantic. I cannot think of anything reasonably now. I admit that. I can only regard my miserable self as one to whom the fates have been unkind." "My poor Maurice!" "Most unkind, dearest, except in one way—that they have willed that you should have the patience, my angel, to bear with me, that you should not fling me from you as I deserve to bo flung." "Maurice!" "For days and weeks I have been foolishly weak, engrossed in one thought, lost in one dream—that you loved me and that this was to be our wedding day."

A vivid flush mounted to Ethel Rodney's tear stained cheeks. Then slio lifted her wliito hands and drew his head toward her. Dearest,'' she said, "one part of your dream is no dream I love yon with all my heart. (TO BE CONTINUED.)

LINDEN.

A stepdaughter of Charles McBee itvery low with typhoid fever. The Junior I. O. G. T. met last Saturday and took in a new member.

Farmers can now get ready and sow their wheat as the time of year is here seeding.

Frank Piggott came home from Gas City Jast week not feeling well. He says there is lots of typhoid fever up there.

Jobe Miller, of Waynetown, was here to see home folks last Sunday. He reports everything lovely down in his neighborhood.

The sick of our town are Miss Sparks, and Miss Jennie |Rush, with typhoid fever. Mrs. Zack Bales is also sick but we did not learn her ailment.

The people here went Thursday some to the fair at Lafayette, some to Veedersburg to the I. *0. G. T. picnic and some eDjoyed staying at home.

V. H. Miller is building- the second tenement house in Shanklin's addition It will be inclosed this week and ready for the plasterers by next Monday.

Quite a good many people will take in the fair next week if the weather is favorable for the speed ring,

for

that

is a drawing card to all agricultural h«,ws. nl) Parker will soon have his new dwelling liuu.se finished in the north end. lie will .have good property t-o 1 ve iu. .John Parker is trie buildt a i'i contractor. some nie that weie once mernWrs of th« i. O. T. would ni/t sign tlureiuoristruuce against licensing John Vyse 'I hey linve forgotten how binding- the obligation was as a Good Templar.

Two brothers in our township when •if-keil^to sign a remonstrance against licensing the saloon in our town augheil and said: "No, we want plfce to drink when we are in town and want to drink."

On Sept. 4 at the brides home 'p

Covington occurred the wedding of I Lay

ton,

of this place, and Miss

ivlvra

Stevenson at 8 o'clock p. m. Thev came immediately to this place. Wi* tend congratulations.

How strange iu is that some men who have boys will stand hack and refu*e to sign a remonstrance against Hernsmg a saloon in our town, yet w« have them and some of them have been members of the I. O. G. T.

It almost beats the world hovv man1' people want a little spirits fermen for tickness and John Smith is ge ting rid ol it moderately fast, but not without a prescription we presume. Oh. no, they must have a prescription from the doctor.

It is a fact that some of the saloon lovers did circulate a paper among •ionie of the men that signed the remonstrance and tried and did succeed in getting some to say they were ready '.o sign for the saloon after«considering the matter. £Zack Mahorney, of Crawfordsville, lie. owner of the unlinished dwelling 'hat Hen Perkins began to build, was acre last Mondstv to do something with 'he building. He and V. H. Miller vere on a irade but what terms they iiue, to we failed, to learn.

Si I

Ihe new seats are being placed and fastened to the floor in the school house and new slating will beiputin all the rooms. The heating arrangements will be made do good work or stoves will be put in to heat the. houso with. The wielders of the birch are A. S. Fraley, principal eighth year, Miss l'auuie Watson intermediate. Miss Josie Imel primary, Aliss Laura Grubb. All are competent teachers.

Some little excitement was caused in this place on Thursday of last week. When No. 0 train came in from the south one of our wide awake citizens got off the train who had learned at the county seat that John Vvse had applied for license to retail lienor by the small, and it was soon ascertained that a remonstrance would be circulated against granting license. After 2 p. m. the men started out and by p. m. next day had 228 names of legal voters of the township that said no saloon and had twenty-fonr hours more time beftn given 300 names could have been had to the remonstrance.

VAKKfiJtSiiUltG,

John Adams, senior, is on the sick list. -V Miss Letha Quinley is with home folks.

J. W. James has been quite sick for the past week. Mrs. M. J. Brown is with her sister. Mrs. Lizz'e Gardner.

Pete Freeman is preparing to build & new residence at this place. Ed Call and family, of Pawnee, visited at Sam Call's last Sunday.

Misses Sallie Ailnut and Rena Johnson are visiting friends at Judson. Singing at the Christian church on Tuesday ard Friday nights of this week.

May Bradsliaw is very sick with typhoid fever at the home of her uncle Mr. Bart Grider, of Raccoon.

Miss Bertha Hyten and Mrs. Victoria. Welch were in Crawfordsville last Wednesday having some dental work done.

1

,.TJh.os- ?,oster, of Ladoga, and Miss Birdie RicUen, of Il&ccoon, were married at the home of the bride last evening, Aug. 28th. Only the immediate relatives were present. Mr. Foster and his bride will reside in Ladoga. Congratulations are extended.

BOWKRS.

What has become of the Center school house scribe? George Turner and family moved to Colfax last week.

Ed Black and wife .were at William Turner's, Sunday. W, R. Turner was in Crawfordsville, Monday, on business.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Coons have gone to housekeeping in thejhall. Miss Delia Turner was the finest of Miss Florence Strain, Sunday.

Mrs. Will Warren and Mrs. Bird Dunbar went to Colfax, Tuesday. Miss Maud Cooley was the guest of Miss Delia Turner, Tuesday niuht and Wednesday.

Wm. Strain moved to Darlington, Tuesday. He rented his house to Walter Weasner-

Mrs. Lily Dunbar made a birthday supper office cream and cake for her husband last Friday. They report a very pleasant evening.

Mrs. Ilettie Mikesell, of Hlooniington, 111., visited her brother, W. It. Turner, last week. She went to her father's at Stockwell, Friday, and returned home Monday.

W111TKSV11,L15,

Cary Snyder, of Ladoga, called hern Friday. Frank Linn is nursing a first-class bone felon.

Thos. Keefe will move to Illinois about Oct. ]. Miss Jane Smith is home to remain, during the winter.

N. J. llostetter, of Ladoga, was hereapart of last week. J. W. flanks and wife, of Bainbridge, were here Thursday.

Joe Nichols and family visited in Crawfordsville Sunday. All our teachers attended institute at Crawfordsville last week.

Will Friend and bride, are in Kentucky on their wedding tour. Matt Sharp and wife, of Fountain, attended church here Sunday.

Wm. Lustt-r. Sr., and Isaac Howard were at the county seat Thursday. Jasper Dinsmore. wifcand daughter, of Ladoga, spent Sunday at Zeb Auuiati's.

The many friends of Miss Ella Wingert met and gave bur a verv pleasant surprise Friday night, it being her 18th birthday. 'Ihe base ball club of Cornstalk concluded they had improved enough to defeat our boys, so they came up Friday. but were "not iri"il" at, all. The score^ was 21 to 11, in favor of U.S. £-, Co This is the seventh game for our club, with only one defeat.

AvulU Cosmetics.

Ladies, shun cosmetics! Most of the-c-mimon preparations contain poisonis chemicals which exert a deleterious a:tion on the skin, and at the best, no paint, powder or wa*h can supply the natural beauty of a fine complexion. I'hey are palpable and a palpable fraud is an abomination. Pure rain water and good health are essentials to a healthful skin. The former is plentiful the latter can be regained and kept by the use of Dr. Pierce's Golden Discovery which purifies the blood, removes pimples, blackheads and roughness, strengthens impaired digestion and wards oft' pulmonary diseases. Without pure blood you cannot have & '.lear complexion. '. A. It.—Utumrillc.

All who expect to attend the National Encampment at Louisville should bear in mind that the Monon Route is the only line which can carry people" flora this territory without change of cars. Those who have attended similar gatherings realize that a change of cars, especially iu a large city, is not only annoying but, subjects one to numerous delays. The Monon is the direct route.

MANV physicians use Dr. Wheeler's-. Nerve Vitaii/er for Nervous diseases, because, with their knowledge of medciine thejr no better remedy. Sold bv Cotton & Whitenack.