Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 74, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 April 1917 — Page 2

In Deadly Peril

By F. L. HENDERSON

(Copyright, by W. Q. Chapman.) I was sorry, indeed, when Luigi Marevelli curtly informed me that my services were no longer required, and «I hoped that someone else in that strange home that had been my abode for two months was also regretful. This was Miss Naomi Sterling. She acted otherwise; in fact, distant, and I fancied an expression of distinct censure in her beautiful face. At all events no opportunity was afforded me to fathom or explain. Her employer and my own had coldly handed me an envelope containing. I knew, my week’s salary, with the words: “You can go at once.” And he added, a darkly suspicious And resentful look in his ever-restless. ever-probing eyes: “And you need not refer to me.” Miss Sterling, who was the reading companion of his invalid wife, stood nearby as he spoke. She had directed a searching look at me. Then she dropped her eyes. I saw a tear fall. Then, there being nothing more to say, I bowed politely and left the room' and the house. I need not have been surprised at the action of Marevelli, for he was ever an autocratic, eccentric old man. He was of Italian-French extraction, had inherited a fortune and had given his life to study along artistic and scientific lines. He had whole cabinets stored with curios, and a magnificent library. I had been employed to catalogue all of those, besides acting as his secretary. The mien of my employer and the general atmosphere of the dull old house were gloomy and unfriendly alike. My labor was light and congenial, however., and then again I was occasionally thrown into the company of Miss Sterling.

I cannot; describe the rare dream of grace and beauty that drew me under , the influence of this peerless creature. She waslmostiy in the~ roOms of the In- - valid mistress, and there was little opportunity for more than a casual greeting, or a few words exchanged at the table. There was the walled garden, however, and I managed to stroll there whenever I saw Naomi among the flowers and shrubs. Twice I spent a delightful half-hour with her. I left after those occasions fully impressed with the trope; nay, the conviction, that she read my love for her clearly. A fluttering emotion which she had betrayed had given me hope. One day she gave me a rose from tier bosom and blushed and moved away quickly. I determined tipon a confession of love the next evening, but before that day was over I was summarily dismissed from the service of Marevelli, as I have told you. I had only a small amount of money at my command and my first idea was of going East, where I had business friends. The thought of Naomi deterred me. While her latest action had clearly repelled me, yet I could not readily forget her. As I left the Marevelli mansion I tried to fathom the cause of the drastic action of its owner. Suspicion seemed to be the impelling- motive of his behavior; hut. why in my case? 1 was aware that he had been the victim, as a countryman of wealth, of that mysterious league of villains known as the “Black Hand.’’ I had seen their letters, menacing him, demanding a large amount of money as blackmail, or his life. Outside of the Usual sordid motive of personal gain of these schemers, I had heard that Marevelli was especially detested by these especial members of the league on account of some political differences reaching back to his former cureer in Italy. ■ Always on guard against those malevolent plotters, generally viewing them with contempt instead of fear, was it possible that Marevelli suspected me as a possible spy in their interest? Further, was it probable that he had imparted these suspicions to, his wife, who in turn had communicated

them to Naomi? , I ciwelt strongly, mentally, on this phase of the situation. Several times during the ensuing week I hovered about the Marevelli place. I caught sight of Naomi only once. She was ih • -the garden. I lifted my hat. —She - bowed in return, sadly, I thought, and went into the house. I was aggrieved.disappointed; but at least she did not betoken her former coldness. I had just finished a promenade past the house one evening when a sinisterfaced man of foreign cast swung along by my side. He was specious and insinuating in his address. After dwelling upon a few indifferent, everyday comments, he eyed me keenly. “Had I better say something in my mind I had to speak?” he inquired, craftily. "Why hot?” I submitted. “Very well. I know who you are — Adrian Noble, recently the victim of a whim of the hard tyrant in yonder, Luigi Marekelli.’.’ “I was his secretary once, yes,” I adimitted. “Yob cannot feel very kindly toward 'him. If I should tell you that the nipping in the bud of a vast political conspiracy in which Mareyelll is involved da our object, and a thousand dollars

cash will be yours for a trifle of cooperation, what would you say?" I had my clue in .an instant 1 feigned the resentment toward my employer which the stranger sought to. i fan into, a flame of rancour and venj geance. To make ii long story short, .1 | pretended blindly tp accord with the designs of the man and his accomplices to whom he later introduced me. What lie wanted of me was a practical use of the intimate knowledge I had of the interior of the Marevelli home anil the ways of its inmates. There were certain papers in the library they wished to secure, they represented. A burglarious entrance was necessary. I feigned interest and willing co-operation in their plans, expecting. sooner or later, to learn the full extent of their motives until the critical moment arrived, acting upon the same when they least expected Thus it was that one night 1 found myself with thejprio in the cellar of the Marevelli home. I had not intended to allow affairs to go so far without warning Marevelli, but it was too late to do that now. One of the men left us iu the cellar and ascended into the upper portion of the house. He returned speedily.. waving , a package of papers. “Safe!” he announced, in malevolent triumph. “Now, then, for the rest!” One of his confreres had carried an oblong box all the time. He opened it now. Within was a bomblike object .with a long fuse attached. I discerned their design to destroy the house and all within it by dynamite. It Was then that I resisted, to be downed by the trio. I was knocked senseless. The three men’were gone when I recovered; but, not five feet away, was a spluttering fuse, steadily eating Its way to the deadly explosive, My hands and feet were both tied. First. I writhed; then I shouted; then I rolled. It was no easy task to make a final lunge which landed me directly across the fuse, two feet away from its hissing, fiery end. My lips and teeth closed over it. I bit, chewed. Success! It was severed. Almost immediately someone came down the stairs from above, holding a lamp. It was Mr. Murevejli. I had, it seemed, kidked shut an electric con-

Someone Came Down the Stairs.

trailer of the electric light meter, thus plunging the house into darkness. Marevelli had descended to the cellar to Tfearn the cause of the sudden darkness, He needed only my simple story and environment to comprehend. My description of the men fully advised him of enemies who had threatened him with death time and again and who, after securing papers that incriminated them in past criminality.- had started the execution of brutal revenge. The men were under lock and key within twenty-four hours. Before that space of time had elapsed I was a hero in the eves of Marevelli, who had previously suspected me as an emissary of the plotters. And Naomi? I was basking anew in the sunlight of. her loving smiles!

OLD GOLD AND SILVER MINE

Was Worked by Aztecs Before Cortez Came to Mexico, and Is Still in Operation. >J «. ■ ■ .1 i «■ , The oldest silver and gold minc-ln Americajs the Rayas mine in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. . Thefeis conclusive evidence that the mine was worked by the Indians before the time of Cortez and the defeat of ‘Montezuma and’ the Around 1550 Rayas discovered the mine which bears his name. Fire and water blasting was used ny the Indians. They mined only gold. The Spaniards, coming later, used black powder. Under improved mining methods the mine has been greatly developed and much of the discarded materia! worked over. The main shaft is. 1.400 feet deep; with 35 miles of underground operations, and 1,500 men are employed.

Fond Father.

“Did you tell my boy he might be president some day?” asked the man. “Yea, I did,” replied the female teacher. “What do you think (about It?” “Oh, I think he may if his toother doesn’t talk him out of it.” —Yonkers Statesman.

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, INI>.

Authentic Styles in Spring Coats

The fabrics used In new spring coats are soft in texture with rich surfaces that give the new luxurious look. This is accented by the more than ample collars that are a style feature of the season and by the way In which coats are adjusted to the figure. Like dresses they are divided as to the silhouette; some of them hanging in straight lines from shoulder to hem and others showing some definition of the waistline. The latter oftemhavegathered.-Skirts. Duvetyn, English velour, a light w r eight ip Bolivia cloth, glove cloth, tricotine and wool jersey are especially appealing in the new models. They look cozy and soft without being too heavy for btit-

Collars to Complete Spring Costume

Collars and Jabots must not be left out of tlie reckoning in completing the spring wardrobe, for costumes of any sort are not well finished without them. They are an essential part of the mode and sometimes the feature of greatest importance in the garment they finish. The best of the new models in lingerie Mouses demonstrate the importance of collars for it is In this particular that they differ from blouseS' of past seasons. Separate collars of organdie, swiss, batiste, georgette and crepe de chine are shown in a considerable variety of styles, with favor turning to those that are daintily finished rather than to much decoration. Tassels having attached themselves to everything else that women wear, find themselves particularly well placed on the new collars. A good example of this kind appears in the picture with a tassel depending from the point of a collar of batiste edged with narrow crochet lace. This is a long cape collar extended into points on the shoulders and shaped in the manner of a sailor collar at the front. Some of these collars have a square cape across the back and remarkably daiuty models are trimmed by rows of narrow ruffles with picot edges, running across the back. In georgette crepe the collars are usually hemstitched at the head of a moderately wide hem, but without other decoration. 1 Just now there is a great demand

tons and plaits are accented as decorative . features and some models are handsomely braided, — For younger women fancy l pockets give a touch of youth and smart style. A sensible and attractive coat for general service is shown in the picture. It is of wool velour with raglan sleeves and wide cape collar. It is -belted across the back and front_ with a belt that does very little in the way of belting, but offers a good excuse by making place for two very large buttons. There are big, inset pockets on the side panels, just where pockets are expected to be and two plaits at each side of the panel add their testimony to the good style of this model.

for high collars with Jabots attached at the front made of net top laces. The jabots are long, falling nearly tothe waistline, and they are full and frilly—just , the prettiest things imaginable with new spring suits. But their prices are high, beginning at a dollar and a half for a fairly well made jabot of a net top lace and bravely atlvfttrcrng to five or seven dollars for fine embroidered net. There are cheaper grades but they are not well made. Among recent showings there are some Jabots made of fine lace handkerchiefs, set on to a plain high collar of batiste or organdie. 1 V

Hints for Housewives.

A little salt rubbed on earthenware pudding dishes will take away brown spots. A new clothesline, if boiled for a short time, will become tougher, will last longer, and will not tangle. Renovate patent leather by rubbing wjth a linen cloth soaked In milk. To remove ink from white clothes, soak spot in sour milk, then wash as usual. . ~ Remove fresh coffee stains by pouring boiling water through the fabric. Polish mirrors with a cloth soaked la alcohol, followed by a soft, dry cloth.

Gales of GOTHAM and other CITIES

Two Amusing Stories About New York Street Cars NEW YORK.—If It hadn’t been for tielng up traffic on the busiest car line in this city, a conductor on a Broadway car would have caught the meanest and trickiest passenger who ever has cyme to his attention. The man

At Eighteenth street, after endless communication, the man agreed to get off the car. When he had done so he walked toward the curb and called back, “You write a swell hand there, kid;” “ " The conductor lost his temper, pulled the bell for the motorman to stop, Jumped off the car and giive chase, but the passenger was too fleet. In the meantime the motorman was clanging his gong like mad. When the conaTCtdl* m'draed 'be asked him 1 f hewnsrrn ‘iyr n ™ The conductor of the north-bound Sixth avenue surface car held his hand ant for the slim man’s fare. The slim man began searching his slim suit and overcoat diligently. The conductor was patient, but after a moment startea on, saying lie would come back. ~ „ Presently he did, but* the slim man* was still searching. For the nrst time the conductor noticed that the man had a transfer in his mouth. He drew it forth, smiled at the slim searcher and wenfi>aek to the end of the car. The slim man sht down, and a,jpleasant-faced passenger next to Idm giggled. “By George! you’re as absontminded as I am. lie said. “Absentminded nothing!” answered the retired searcher. “I found that I had come away from the office without a penny. It took me a minute or two to lick the date off that veteran transfer.”

Strange Flag Excites the People of Pittsburgh PITTSBURGH. —A flag of strange markings was hoisted on the flagstaff atopthe Union Storage company’s building, at Liberty and First avenues, the other day. It was marked with perpendicular red and white stripes, and ia

one corner was a white field with a blue eagle almost filling it. Five minutes after the flag was put up all the telephones in the storage company’s offices began to tingle and voices—some querulous, some angry and some obviously awed by the foolhardiness of the thing—inquired what had tempted the company to put lip a German flag. In five more minutes an auto bearing two detectives pulled up before the office and dash-

ing in, they voiced like question. To ■ all the*saine answer was made: “The flag was put up by the Lnited State® government.” That was the only satisfaction given the telephonic inquiries, but the detectives were directed to the United States custom appraisers office In one corner of the building. Attaches of the custom office had also been subjected to much telephonic questioning within a few minutes after the flag went up, and when the detectives arrived, were scurrying about in search of an atlas with which to fortify their position. They explained to the detectives that, the (lag-was a United States revenue ensign and must be hoisted over every revenue office. The detectives went away satisfied,dmt a Liberty avenue business man. who later entered the appraiser’s office, was much more insistent in his contention that it was a German flag and not a revenue ensign.—His eloquence was so convincing that the government men renewed their search for the atlas whit*, they were certain, contains a picture of the flag. Failing to find it, they assured the business man that they would send at once to Washington for a picture of the flag and its Classification.

Adventure of Otto Schafer and His “Tiger Baby” NEW YORK. —Otto Schafer, who when not indulging in an outing such as ho had the other day, is employed as a machinist, is probably convinced that this is a bad season to -combine a black bag and a dialect. He alarmed hun-

All things considered, Mr. Harbin thought it quite likely. He crossed, the street and,followed the course of the lurching Schafer up Fourth avenue, Imping to encounter a policeman. Schafer, in the meantime, stopped several persons to inform them that within the black bag which was ajar at one end was something which might well make anyone’s hair stand on end. Persons began to paint at him, and finally a throng of nearly 200 persons followed at a good distance. * , „ At Thirty-first street Policeman Curry strolled into Fourth avenue, and excited per«»”« who had run ahead of the bng carrier told the policeman all about It. The dizzy Schafer was halted, the bag carefully opened and there within it was seen a little kitten. “Huh,” said she policeman, “it’s only a kitten.” “Kitten!” exclaimed grasping the hag and staring into it intently. “A man gived me dot und said it voss a tiger baby.” Grief and disappointment combined to take away Schafer’s sense of direction..and he was taken, kitten,, bag and all, to the East Thirty-fifth street station.

Women Are Making Munitions of War ia Bridgeport^ BRIDGEPORT, CONN. —As the Merchants’ limited from Boston crashes t> through Bridgeport on its way to New York about nine o’clock every evening passengers invariably glance up in curiosity at the great blocks of lighted

factory windows which suddenly loom up out of the night. “Those are the munition factories,” some well-trav-eled person remarks, as one after another the* great buildings slip by. Behind those lighted windows men and women are working ail night long making cartridges to- be , shipped abroad by the Remington Arms-Union Metallic Cartridge company, and half a mile away, in a still larger factory adjoining the first and under the same management, thousands more are mak-

ing rtfies for the battlefields of Europe, New workers, recruited in part from nearby towns, from industrial cities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania; from Canadian farms, but mainly from the, city of Bridgeport itself, many of them untrained and inexperienced in this occupation, have gathered in the great munition factories to share in the war work and in the war prosperity. By the summer of 1916 nearly 4,000 women and muny more men were employed. Even small explosions make the new' girls very nervous, but familiarity with danger so»n permits experienced workers to pay little attention to it. A kind of fataHsm possesses some of them. ‘We have only once to die,” said a worker who had seen men seriously Injured and had herself been prostrated* by the force of an explosion, “and it might as ifttbe in the shops as anywhere else.” „ yC-

Boarded The car at Broadway and t-or-ty-cightii street.' H« . presented Jk trqpsfer which was tattered with age, and furthermore could not be accepted at that point. I The conductor told him so, but the man sat down, indicated • that ho was deaf and dumb, and took out a pad to argue out the matter with tlie conductori Both he and the conductor wrote out a full argument, which made steam rise from the conductoes collar and spoiled the whole trip for him.

dreds of persons in Fourth avenue and finally was arrested for a far less important crime than those who encountered him had expected. At Twenty-ninth street Schafer approached John Harbin, an accountant. He asked for a match. Mr. Harbin supplied it and the incident seemed closed until Schafer staggered around in a circle, pointed to a black bug he was carrying, and said: “If you knowed what iss inside here you vould run like anything.”