Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 10 February 1899 — Page 8

LOST MIl'S LANE.

By ANNA KATHARINE ORBBN.

rCopyright, 1897, by Anna K. Rohlfs.l

She had drawn ner liand away and suddenly tyad become quite composed. I turned my attention toward Loreen, but she was looking out of the window and showed no intention of further pursuing the conversation. William had strolled out. "Well," said I, "if ever a girl had reason for breaking such a compact you are certainly that girl. I could never have been as silent as you have been— that is, if I had any suspicions on so serious a subject, as from your appearance you certainly have. Why, your own good name is impugned—yoursand that of every othrr person living in this lane.'' "Miss Buttcrworth," she replied, "1 have gone too far. Besides, you have misunderstood me. I have no more •knowledge than any one else as to the source of these terrible tragedies. I only know that au almost superhuman cunning lies at the bottom of so many un accountable disappearances, a cunning 60 great that only a crazy person"— "Ah," I murmured eagerly, "Moth er Jane!"

She did not answer. Instantly I took a resolution. "Lucetta," said I, "is Deacon Spear a rich man?"

Starting violently, she looked at me amazed. "If ho is, I should like to hazard the guess that

I10

is the man who has held

you in such thraldom for years. "And if he were?" said she. "I could understand William's an tipathy to him and also his suspicions."

She gave

111

a strange look, then

without answering walked over and took Loreen by the hand. "Hush!" thought I heard her whisper. At all events the two sisters were silent for more than a moment. Then Lucetta said: "Deacon Spear is well off, but nothing will ever make me accuse living man of crime so dreadful." And she walked away, drav ng Loreen after her. In another lnomen. she was out of the room, leaving me in a state of great excitement. "This girl holds the secret to the whole situation,thought I. "The belief that nothing more can bo learned from the Knollys is a false one. I must see Mr. Giyco. William's rodomantades are

much empty air, but Lucetta'a

silence has a meaning we cannot afford to ignore.'' So impressed was I by this that I took the first opportunity which presented itself of seeing the detective. This was early the next morning. lie'and several of the townspeople had made their appearance at Mother Jane's cottage, with spades and picks, and the sight had naturally drawn us all down to the gate, where we stood watching operations in a silence which would have been considered unnatural by any one who did not realize the conflicting nature of the emotions underlying it. William, to whom the death of his mother seemed to be a great deliverance, hnd been iuclined to be more or less jocular, but his sallies meeting with

110

response lie

had sauntered away to have it out with his dogs, having me alone with the two girls and Hannah.

This latter seemed to bo absorbed entirely by the aspect of Mother Jane, who stood upon her doorstep in an attitude so menacing that it was little short of tragic. Her hood, for the first time in the memory of those present, had fallen away from her head, showing a wealth of gray hair which flew away from her head like a weird halo. Her features wo could not distinguish, but the emotion which inspired her breathed in every gesture of her uplifted arms and swaying body. It was wrath personified, and yet an unreasoning wrath. One could see she was as much dazed as outraged. Her lares and penates were being attacked, and she had come from the heart of her soliludo to defend them. "I declare!" murmured Hannah. "It is pitiful. She has nothing in the world but that garden, and now they are going to root it up." "Do yon think," said I, "that the sight of a little money would appease her?" I wished an excuse for dropping a word into the ear of Mr. Gryce. 'Perhaps,'' said Hannah. ''She dearly loves money, but it will not take away her fright." "It'will if she has nothing to bo frightened about," said I, and turning to tlio girls I asked them, somewhat mincingly for me, if they thought I would mako myself conspicuous if I crossed the road

011

this errand, and

when Loreen answered that that would not deter her if she had the money and Lucetta added that tho sight of such misery was too painful for any mero personal consideration I took advantage of this complaisance and hastily made my way over to the group, who were debating as to the point they would attack first. "Gentlemen," said I, "good morning. I am hero on an errand of mercy.v Poor old Mother Jano is half imbecile and does not understand why you invade her premises with these implements-. Will you object if I ondeavor to distract her mind with a littlo piece of gold I happen to have in my pocket? She may not deserve it, but it will make your task easier and save us some possible concern."

Half of the men at once took off their hats. Tho other half nudged each other's elbows and whispered and grimaced like'the fools they were. The first half were gentlemen, though not all of them wore gentlemen's clothes. ". It was Mr. Gryce who spoke: "Certainly, madam. Give the old woman anything you please, but"—

And here he stepped up io me and began to whisper: "Youwant something. What is it?"

I answered in the same quick way. "The mine you thought exhausted has still its possibilities. Question Lucetta.

It may "proveTTmore IruIffuTtaSE Elian turning up the soil." The bow he made was more for the" onlookers than for the suggestion I had given him. Yet he was not ungrateful for the latter, as I, who was beginning to understand him, could see. "GivoitP'he cried out aloud. "We would not disturb the. old crone if it were not for ono of her well known follies. Nothing will take her over 40 rods away from her home. Now what lies within those 40 rods? These men think we ought to see."

The shrug I gave answered both the open and the underlying question. Satisfied that he would understand it so 1 hurried away from him and approached Mother Jane. "See!" said I, astonished at the regularity of her features, now that I had a good opportunity of observing them. "I have brought you money. Let them dig up your turnips if they will."

She did not seem to perceive me. Her eyes were wild with dismay and her lips trembling with a passion far be yond 1x1 j- power to comfort. "Lizzie!" *he cried. "Lizzie! She will come back/and find no home. Ob, my poor girl! My poor^ poor girl!" it was pitiaDie. couia notaomu

ikt

anguish or her sincerity. The del of a broken heart cannot bo simulated And this heart was not controlled by reason that was equally apparent to any one who could see. Immediately my heart, which goes out slowly, but none the less truly on that account, was touched by something more than the surface sympathy of the moment, She may have stolen, she may have done worse, she may even have been at tin bottom of the horrible crimes which have given its name to the lane wt wero in, but her acts, if acts they were, wero the result of a clouded mind fixed forever upon tho fancied needs of another and not the expression of personal turpitude or even of personal lougin or avarice. Therefore 1 could pity her,! and I did.

Making another appesl, I pressed the coin hard into one of her hands till the contact effected what my words had been unable to do, and she finally looked down and saw what she was clutching. Then iudefd she changed, and in a f«v minutes of slowly growing comprehension became so quiet and absorbed that she forgot to look at the men and even forgot me, who was probably nothing more than a flitting shadow to her. "A silk gown," she murmured. "It will buy Lizzie a silk gown. Oh, wh^re did it come from, the good, good gold, the beautiful gold, so little, but enough to make her look fine, my Lizzie, my pretty, pretty Lizv'ie?"

No numbers this time. The gift was too overpowering for her even to remember that it must be hidden away. To gloat over it, she must keep it in her hand. I walked'away while her delight was still voluble. Somehow it eased me to have done her this little benefit, and I think it eased the men too. At. all events, every hat was off when I passed them again on my way back to the Knollys gateway.

I had left both the girls there, but I found only one awaiting me. Lucetra had gone in, and so bad Hannah. Why I was soon to know. "What do you suppose that detective wants of Lucetta now?" asked Loreen ns I took mv station again at her side. "While you were talking over there to Mother Jane he "stepped over here, and with a word or two induced Lucetta to walk away toward the house. See, there they are in those thick shrubs near the right wing. He seems to be pleading with her. Do you think I ought to join them and find out what he is urging upon her so earnestly? I don't like to seem intrusive, but Lucetta is easily agitatcd, yon know, and his business cannot be an indifferent one after all lie has discovered going on in our house." "No," I agreed, "and yet I- think Lucetta will bo strong enough to sustain the conversation, judging from the very erect attitude she is holding now Perhaps he thinks she can tell him where to e:sr. They seem a little at sea orer there, and living, as you do, a few rods from Mother Jane, he may imagine that from some sign or other shu can direct him where to first plant the spade." "It's an insult." cried Lerren. "All these talks and visits are insults. To be sure, this detective has seme eicuse, but"— "Watch!" I interrupted. "Lueetta is shakiug her head and looking very positive. She will prove to him it is an insult. We. need not interfere, I think.'

But Loreen had grown pensive and did not heed my suggestion. A look that was almost wistful had supplanted the expression of indignant revolt with which she had addressed me, and when next moment tho two we had been watching turned and came slowly toward us it was with decided energy for her she bounded forward and joined them. "What is this:" she a What does Mr. Gryce want, Luc ti

Mr. Gryce himself spoke. "I want hei\" said be, "to give me just a littlo clew from nor inmost thoughts. When I was in your house," he explained, with a careful consideration for me and my relations to these girls, which was one of the good points with which he offset some which were of an exasperating nature to me, "I saw something in her attitude, being, ns you may surmise, something of a keen observer, which convinced me that as a dweller in this lane Miss Knollys was not without her suspicious as to the secret cause of the dread mysteries which I have been sent here to clear up. Today I have frankly asked her, and she—she will not tell me, Miss Loreen. Yet her face shows even at this moment that my old eyes were not at fault in my reading of her. She does suspect somebody, and it is not Mother Jane." "How oan you say that?" began Lucetta, but the eyes which Loreen that moment turned upon her seemed to trouble her, for she did not attempt to say any more—only looked equally obstinate and distressed. "If Lucetta suspects any one," Loreen

now ffcmarked steadily, "then 1think she ought to tell you just who and why." 'You do. Then perhaps you"—commenced Mr. Gryce—"can persuade her as to her duty," he finished as he saw her head rise in protest of what he evidently had intended to demand. "Lucetta will not yield to persuasion," was her quiet reply. "Nothing short of conviction will move the sweetest natured but the most determined of all my mother's children. What she thinks is right, she will do. I will not attempt to influence her."

Mr. Gryce, with ono comprehensive survey of the two, hesitated no longer. I saw the rising of the blood into his forehead, which always precedes tbe keginning of one of his great moves, and filled with a sudden excitement, 1 awaited his next words as a tyio awaits the first unfolding of thn plan ho has seen working in tho brain of some famous strategist. "Miss Knollys''—his very tone was changed, chLV:?d in a way to mako ns all start notwithstanding the preparation his momentary silence had given us—"I have been thus pressing and perhaps rude in my appeal because of something which has come to my Knowledge which cannot but make you of all persons extremely anxious as to tho meaning of this terrible mystery. I am an old man and you will not mind my bluntness. 1 have been told—and your agitation tells me it is true-*-tliat you have a lover, a Mr. Ostrander"— "Ah!" She had sunk as if crushed by one terrific blow to tho earth. The eyes, the lips, tho whole pitiful face that was upturned to us remain in my memory today as the most terrible and yet the most moving spectacle that has come into my by no means uneventful life. What has como to him? Quick, quick, tell me."

For answer Mr. Gryce drew out a telegram. "From the master of the ship on which lie was to sail," said he. "It asks if Mr. usrrander left this town on Tuesday last, as no news lias come from him."

Loreen! Loreen! Ho passed down that way!" shrieked the girl, rising like a spirit and pointing down tbe road toward Deacon Spear's. "He is gone! He is lost, but his fate shall not remain a mvsterv. I will dare its solution. I1— Tonight yot. will hear from me again."

And without another glance at any of us she turned and fled toward the house.

CHAPTER. XXXIIL AT THK G.'.Ti:.

But in another moment she was back, her eyes dilated and lier whole person breathing out a terrible purpose. "Do not look at me, do not notice me," she cried, but in a voice so hoarseno ono but Mr. Gryce could fully understand her. "I am for ns one's eyes but God's. Pray that he may have mercy upon me." Then as she saw us all instinctively fall back she controlled herself, and, pointing toward Mother Jane's cottage, said more distinctly: "As for those men, let them dig. Let them dig the whole day long. Secrecy is for us, a secrecy so absolute that, not even the birds of the air must see thr our thoughts range bevond the 40 rods surrounding Mother Jane's cottage." febe turned and would have fled away for the second time, but Mr. Gryco stopped her. You have set yourself a task bevond vour strength. Can vou perform it?" "I can perform it," she said, "if Loreen does not talk, and I am allowed to weep my tears alone." "But"— I had never seen Mr. Gryce so agitated—no, not when he left Olive Randolph's bedside after au hour of vain pleading. "But to wait all day! Is it necessary for you to wait all day?" "It is necessary." She spoke like an automaton. "Tonight at twilight, when the sun is setting, at the great tree just before the road turns. Not a minute sooner, not an hour later. I will Le calmer then." And waiting now for nothing, not for a word from Loreen or a detaining touch from Mr. Gryce, she llew away for the second time. This time Loreen followed her. y:r 5 "Well, that is the hardest thing 1 ever had to do," said Mr. Gryce, wiping his forehead and speaking in a tone of real grief and anxiety. "Do you think lier delicate frame can stand* it?

Will she survive this day and

carry

through whatever it is she has set nerself to accomplish':'' "She has

110

organic disease," said 1,

"but she loved that voting man very much, and the day will be a terrible one to

lis v.

Mr. Gryce sighed. "I wish I had not been obliged to resort. to such means," said lie, "but women like that only work under excitement, and she does know tho secret of this affair." "Do you mean," I demanded, almost aghast,'"that you have deceived her with a false telegram that that slip of paper you hold"— "Re.td it," he cried, holding it out, toward me.

I did read it. Alas, there was no deception in it. It was bona fide and read very much as he had said it did. "However"— I began.

But he had pocketed the telegram and was several steps away before I had got any further. "I am going to start these men up," said he. "You will breathe no word to Miss Knollys of niv sympathy nor let your own interest slack in the investigations which are going on under our noses."

And with a quick, sharp bow he made his way to tho gate, whither I followed him in time to see him set his foot upon a patch of rosemary. "You will begin at this place," he cried, "and work east, and, gentlemen, something tells me that we will be successful."

TO BB OONTPfOED.

man

can cure consumption. You

can prevent it, though. Dr. Wood's Norway Pine Syrup cures coughs, coldB, bronchitis, sore throat. Never falls.,...

Piaid fancy mixtures and plain cashmeres, worth 15 to 20c yd 10c Ladies' cloth serges, cashmeres in all colors tttftl plaids and fancy mixtures, 34 to 40 in. wide, worth 25c, 30c and 35c, all at, per yd.. 20c All wool cloths, henriettas, serges, black brocade novelties and fancy mixtures, 25 to 40 in. wide, worth 35c, 40c and 50c. Choice, yd 25c 50c, 60s, 75c checks plaids and brocade novelties, per yard 35c Vlngna cloths in fancy mixtures for taiior made suits, and silk and wool novelty goods that sold from 75c to $1, per yard 50c 5 pieces 42 in black twill worsted for tailormade gowns, worth gl, per yard 65c 50-inch black all wool serge, worth 75c, per yd 45c 50-inch black gloria silk, worth 85c, per yd.... 59c 27-inch Corduroys for bicycle costumes, worth 75c, per yard 50c

Special low prices on every article in the dress goods department, including a line assortment of etieviots, kereeys, meltons and broadcloths for tailor made gowns, aDd the famous Priestly and Gold Medal black goods. 12 fine dress patterns that sold for S 6.00... .$

Remember, you can buy all linings and trimmings at a discount of 25 to 33% per cent. also. Ladies' dress skirts, worth SI.50 to 82 SI.25 Plaid dress goods, 30-in. wide, worth 10c 07 Black satins, worth 75c, per yard .57 Black satins, worth 90c, per yard 69 Black Peau ae Soies and Armures, wth SI, yd .75 Black Taffettas worth 81.15, per yard 87 Black Taffeitas, extra wide, worth 81 25, yd.. .84 Black bengaline silks, worth SI 50, per yard.. l.Ou Plain and fancy silks, worth 25c, 35c, 50c, yd. .15 Plain and fancy silks, worth 50c, 75c, 81, yd.. Plain and fancy silks, worth 75c to 81.25, yd. Plain and fancy silks worth SI, SI.50.to

S2, R2 35 and S2.50, best value ever offered 81.39 Umbrellas, p-loria silk, steel rod, Dresden and natural wood handles, trimmed, wth 81.35 and SI.50 Good fast black umbrellas including small sizes for school children.wth 60, 75 and 85c All silk ribbons, No. 5 and 7, worth 5 to 10c per yard Qros grain silk ribbons,-No. 5, 7, 9, 12, worth 10, 15 and 20c, per yard# Satin, taffeta and fancv ribbons, to 4 in. wide, worth 30 35 and 40c, per yard

28—Ladies' Jackets-=28

(AU Wool)

O O O O O

Will Be Justified By the Result.

Many people are wondering at the delay in completion of our new store. We are unable to say just when it will be ready for occupancy, because we are making it more complete and build' ing better than we knew when we started it. The delay will give us more time to close out our present stock and we are determined to have only bright, new merchandise for the new store. You may.not realize it, but the array of bargains we are offering will not be duplicated by any store in the state after our Rebuilding Sale is over. Read the list again and come this week, You'll save money.

4.50 5.63 6.00 6.65 7.50 S.44

7.50. 8.00... *9.00.. 10 00... 11.25.. 13.50.. 15.00...

10.13 11.25

.35 50e .75

£2,

L. D. Brown & Sons' famous silks, satin ducbesse, faille francaise and Peau do soie: Worth'Sl-15, per yard.... S S7 Worth 1.50, per yard 112£ Worth 1.75, per yard 1.32 Worth 2.75, per yard 2 07 Embroideries worth 5c, per yard 4c 6&c. per yard 5c 20c to 25c, per yard 15c 35c, per yard 25c Laces worth 5, 8 and 10c, per yard 3c Laces worth 10, 15 and 25c, per yard 7c LaceB worth 25, 30 and 35c, per yard 12}*c Laces worth 35, 50 and 60c, pc yard 19c Beaded block laces worth SI, SI 50, §2, yard 50s Odds and end6 of corsets, wth 50c to 75c 25c Odd sizes in corsets worth SI 60c Ladies' plain aud ribbed wool hose, per pair 15c Ladies' fleeca liued hose, high spliced heels, double soles, worth 30c, per pair 19cCbildren's Spanish yarn hose, double knees, worth eoc, per pair 32c Bny6' wool hose, double knee and toe, wth 25c. 15s Boys' school and bicvcle bose, fleece lined, pr. .12c Odds and ends infants' wool hose, worth 25 to 30c, per pair ^.i, 19c Men's wool halt hose, per pair ...... ,l Ladies' and children's black hose and men's half bose in black and tans, per pair 3c Ladies' jersey ribbed fleece lined vests and pants, worth 25c and 35c 19e Ladies'jersey ribbed vests and pants, sold at 19c, for 12J^e Ladies' scarlet all wool vasts and pants, worth 75c, at." 59c Men's Jersev ribbed shirts and drawers worth 25c Childrens flpece lined union suits wth 25c.. .. Childrens and misses Onieta and Melba union suits worth 50c Infants fleece lined ribbed vpsts tvorth 10- .. Choice of any fe.H. s»ilor or walking hat iu the store, worth SI, SI.50 and S2 Childrens cap's worth 50 to 75c Dewey caps worth Bovs'shirt waists, St.sr&nrt MotH--r's Friend, worth 75p, St to SI 50 Mph's night. shirTs. wtti Fl S'.25 iifc Hand knit fascinators, blnc.k srd white, wth 25c Larjrn size Shetland wool squares black, white and colors, worth 60c Umbrellas, gloria silk, steel rod, "Princess of Wales," nearl and DreRdemhandles. wth

19c 19c

E A S

Siik ana colored beltingBgworth 25 and 35c, per yard Tinted and fringed doileys, and stand covers Finishing braids, per bolt Crochet silkB 3 spools for Ladies' scaliopped eage and plain linen itand-

Icerchiefs worth 12% and 15 Ladies' scallopped, embroidered ana plain linen, and mens' colored bordered handkerchiefs worth 20c 12J«jC Ladies' embroidered and plain linen, and mens' colored bordered handkerchiefs, wth 25, 35 and 50c, 6 for SI, each Ladies' wrappers,fleeceback material, wth si Ladies' wrappers, fleeceback, worthSl.25.. Ladies' fleeceback wrappers worth SI.50 Ladies' fleeceback wrappers worth 81.75 White cotton blanketb wth 50c pr, each White and fancy cotton blankets worth 75c to SI pr, each 1.. Yountsville crib blankets worth SI, each Wool blanket®, extra large, wth $3.50, per pr S2~50 Wool blankets worth S4 50, S5 to 86, including Yountsville goods,per pair 83 49 Wool skirt patterns worth 81, each ~9C Wool skirt patterns worth SI.50, each 81.15 Colored wool flannels, including Yountsville twilled goods worth 35 to 40c, per yd Tuli size bed spreads worth 65c Extra large bed spreads wth 83 to 83.50 csuKolines and golden draperies worth 10 and 12}*'c, per yard ej£c Fancy tickings, denems and cretons worth 15, 20 and 25c, per yard i2e Upholstery and drapery materials wth 75c and SI yard, per yard 50c

Upholstery materials worth§1.25 toS2,peryd 75c Upholstery materials worth S3 to S7.5C, yard SI.98 Large sizd chenille table covers wth Si 50.. 89c Plain and fancy stripe 6crim wth 7J£ to 10,yd 4c Unbleached muslin yard wide, per yd ... 2J^c Regular 5c unbleached muslin per yd 3j£c Extra heavy 6Mc, unbleached muslin per yd 4c Best 8J^ unbleached muslin per yd 6J£c Yard wide bleached muslin per yard 7c bleached muslin, per yard 4%c Lonsdale, Maeonville and Fruit of Loom, yd 5c Extra fine bleached muslins and long cloths wth 12£ to 15a peryd 9c Good cambric muslin yard wide, per yd 5c Lonsdale cambric worth 12J^c, peryd 8}gc Unbleached sheeting over2 yds wide, per yd 9c Regular oc shirting checks, per yard .*. 3c 7£c checked shirting, per yard 5c Fine shirting worth S% to 10c, per yard 6Kc Good feather ticking worth 15c, per yd.... -A 9c Feather tickings, staple and fancy stripe, 18 and 20c, per yd 12}^e Choice of our 5c outing flannels, per yard... 3£c Choice of 7,M and 8 J»c outings, per yard .«'££ 5c Best 10c outincs, per yard. 6J^c Our 5c canton flannels, per yard 3j£c Qur 7Hc canton flannels, per yard 5c Extra heavy 8 Jc canton flannel, per yard.. Table oil cloth, ner yard 8C Good apron gingham, per yd 3C

Needles, per paper

3Sa 3c

493 17c 35c

45c 69c

15c

40c

90c

45c

19c

...LOUIS BISCHOF...

Temporary Quarters, Y. M. C. A. Building and 122 W. Main Street.

UA tti

10c 10c 5c 103

10c

17c 68c 79c 93c

81.25 15c

29c 60c

wrapper mater-

Choice of our 10c fleeceback ial, peryd Choice of our best 6c prints, per yd 40c 100 pieces f»ucy prints, worth 5c, per yd 3c Cotton crash bleached, per yard /i} 2Ue 1 nbleached linen crash, per" vard. **£?:&

Chocked glass crash, worth 6J£e, per yard 5c Turkey red table damask, 35c quality vard 22e 2-yd wide all linen damask, per yard.'.... 35c Linen finish thread, spool jc Machine thread. spool °c Silk twist, spool •••••••. D^rnintr cotton, 2 cards for lc Mourning pins, ner box '3c 2 papers good pins '"t Wire hairpins, per bundle lo Invisible hair pins, per be -i .... Safetv pins, worth 5c, per dozen 1

Kant Open hooks and eves, per card !!!."! 3c Hooks and eyes, worth ioc

Cotton beltirp, per yard [A'AVi!!!' 2c 4 yards vnlvoteen binding i. ..... .^7.... Cnrliosr irons gc Dress stayR, per set 5C Rnhbpr dressing combs, worth 10c 4e Tooth brushes worth 10 and 15c r.fi Clothes brushes worth 15c Children's hose supporters worth 15c pc Lwdies' hose supporters worth 30c and 35cK ?. !20c Latins' beauty pins, per card of 6 ^13C Talcum onwitpr. per bnx Mennen's Talcum powder, worth 25c

Craddock blue rord r.e Woodbury's facial sosp. dpntal cream, facial^ cream and facial powder, all 25c articles 17c ^-uticura soap, worth'25c Eastman toilet w&ters, bay rum and Florida water, 25c articles Witch hazel extract, 10c bottles jc Household ammonia, laree bottles ec Large bottles blueing, worth 10c 5C 10c bof'es perfum? §c Ivorette oap, per b\r 2c Castile soap, per cake 3C Tar soap, per cake ic Japanese toothpicks, per box 3C

Plush and Cloth Capes

Fur and Braid Trimmed, worth 810 to 815

5(J

35,.

.OO

"The Big Store." jjj