Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 34, Number 23, Indianapolis, Marion County, 11 July 1888 — Page 1

VOL.' XXXIY--NO. 23.

INDIANAPOLIS, WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1888. ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR.

ßStrai2eTessae BY DORA RUSSELL, Author of "Footprints in the Snw," "The Bkokxn Seal," "Tue Vicar's GoTiRxrss," "Axxabel's Eital." CHAPTER XXVI. WEDDIXQ GACDS. IF Biddulph proved a little exacting, it did not seem to make 2ora unhappy. Never had she looked so handsome as during the next three weeks, "which was the time of jgraeo her lover had given her. Mrs. Conway-IIope, of course, had her jigh and her groan at "the unnecessary haste "but then, we were prepared for righs and groans," said Biddulph; and,

as Mrs. Conway-IIope now wished to remain at Bossmore after the wedding, she was obliged to restrain tho expression of her feelings to moderate limits. Mrs. Jock, at Airdlinn, also thought Xora ought to have waited "a little longer." The poor mother remembered the blow that would lall upon her absent boy when the news of Nora Stewart's marriage reached him, though she was ,too sensible not to know that a marriage between them was now impossible. "He'll get over it the sooner," said Jock; "and Jeanie, wo must not forget all Jsora and Biddulph have done for us. "What shall we give them for a wedding present, do you think, my dear?" In spite of her grief, Mrs. Jock was still woman enough to have an interest in a wedding present. For one thing they are most diiiicult to choose ; for another, there is a charm about them which belong to no other gift. The gray-haired matron, the widow in her black robes, Etill looks with a softened emiio at the marriage presents which were given her, in the days when her life lay before her, clad in hope's delusive garb. And Nora received many presents, as well as the one which the kindly Jock could ill afford. James Biddulph's "father, who was rich, wrote a pleasant letter to f hi? future daughter-in-law, and sent her a pair of really magnificent diamond earrings : and Biddulph himself pave her some rtautiful diamond stars for her hair, and two valuable diamond bracelets; so, with the splendid necklace the lato Col. Biddulph had left her, Nora declared when the wore them all she would be a blaze of cKi'ninn cf An na & And Biddulph s aunt, Lady Barbara IMdduIph, tho widow of Gen. Biddulph, who had been the elder of the three brothere, also sent Nora a gift, with a note w hich was characteristic of the woman. "Dear Miss Stewart (Nora read with an , amused smile) My nephew James has written to inform me that you und he are poing to be married soon; and, as it is customary for relations to do so on such occasions, I send you a mall present. I myself am no great believer in the happiness of marriage, but come are, lad I trust yon will be among them. "Yours very truly, - "Barbara EiDDcxrn." "But Aunt Bab is not half bad, really," Baii Biddulph, with a laugh, after he had read this note. "I have known her to do Eome of the'kindest things." The present was a handom.3 gold bracelet, 'of lather a rigiil form, fctill, Nora was pleased to receive it, and pleased to think her lover's people were going to greet her pleasantly. But the pit which surprised tier most came from Alick Frascr. "When he had first heard that her marriage dav was fixed he had given way to a perfect Etorin of rage, in which wounded vanity, disappointed love (or what he Uiought was love), and also the remembrance of the coveted acres which had Eassed away from him, were all strongly atermixed. It wa3 a bitter blow to him, in fact; but Alick Fräser had the good sense to make to display of his feelings. And he knew, too, from" the way in which his brother's family, talked to "him of Nora's marriage, that she had kept his secret, and told no one what he had offered to her. And she had most honorably done this, cot even hinting to Biddulph of all the wealth she had refused. And when Aliclc heard them talking at Airdlinn of the present for Nora he was determined to give her a present, too, and made up his mind it 6hould be euch a one that 6he would begin to doubt the wisdom of her choice. He heard about the diamonds, of course, bo he would have none of them. He actually went up town and chose a sapphire necklace and earrings of such value that no one but a very rich man could have bought them ; and, strange to say, he did not grudge the money. "I will show her," lie thought, "what I rould have given her." And Nora, it must be admitted, had never liked Alick Fraser eo well as when he came in person to present his splendid marriage gift For there is no doubt that women, as a rule, are fond of gauds. He took her hand, as he was leaving in his strong grip, and a sort of softness crept into his brown eyc3 as he fixed them on her lovely face. "Well, Miss Nora Stewart, I wish you nil happiness," he said, not in his usual clear tones. "You know I wished things different, but it wa3 not to be ;" and, with unother grasp of the hand, he left, and Nora stood lookingpensively athisshining sapphires after he was gone. For she was not a vain girl, this, and it grieved her to have given this strong man pain. Of course, she did not think of the coveted acres, and naturally supposed that ?uch a rich man could only like her lor herself. And she thought it wa3 so kind and generous of him to give her this rorgeous present, too, not recognizing any mixed motive here also. But Biddulph was not so charitable. Nora was still standing looking at the sapphires lying in their satin beds, when he came into the drawing-room, and was at once attracted by the massive circlet, set with the magnificent 6tones. "What a splendid thing!" he exclaimed. "What millionaire has given you this, Nora?" "I want you to guess," she answered, smiling. Biddulph, wh". was rather a good judge of gems, took t e necklace from its case end examined it admiringly. "They are perfect stones, be said, "and the setting 13 magnificent. Well, who is the donor, my sweet?" "Alick Fraser." "Alick Fraser I" repeated Biddulph ; and be put the necklace rather hastily down. "Then the great Alick must have meant to cut us all out" "That is a very mean speech, and I won't allow Mr. Biddulph to make it," raid Nora, playfjlly putting her pretty hand over his hps. He held it there and kissed it tenderly. "Perhaps I'm jealous," he said, "and that makes me spiteful. Have I any reason to be, Nora?'' "No, none, none." she answered; "but you know very well you have none."

"I hope not. The 'green-eved monster' is not a creature I should like to nurse in my bosom. To me lovo means perfect trust." "It is perfect trust. But here is Cousin liargaret." Mrs. Conway-IIope entered ßmilinely. "More presents? ' she said, glancing at the cases lying on tho table. "The present, Mrs. Conway-IIope," answered Biddulph. "The richest man in the neighborhood has been determined to prove that he is so. These are truly regal." Mrs. Conway-IIope examined the sapphires with her 6hort-sighted eyes. "I suppose they are real?" she said, touching them with her bony fingers. "I suppose so," replied Biddulph, in a mock doubtful tone. "Oh, Cousin Margaret, Mr. Alick Fraser has just brought them ! Keal ? I should think so; they are splendid!" cried Nora indignantly. "Mr. Alick Frascr! Well, I am surprised, dear Nora. I always understood Mr. Alick was what tho iscotch call 'near' uncommonly 'near,' I have boon told." "Well, he ha3 not shown it in his present, at all events," said Nora, fastening her jewel-case. "Apparently not. "Well, my dear Nora, if I am not in the way, I want to talk to you about the arrangements for the fifth. "Which politely means that I am in tho way," laughed Biddulph. "Please, Mrs. Conway-IIope, make the arrangements as short as you can." "But things must be done properly, Mr. Biddulph; and living so far in the country as this it requires much consideration on the part of those who have the responsibility. "I quite agree with you. Good-bye, then, for the present, 2sora;" and Bid- . ulph smiled and went away. This conversation took place on the first of December, and Nora's wedding day was fixed for the fifth. It was to be a very quiet affair, by the bride's wish; but still, as Mrs. Conway-IIopo justly suggested, in the country a great many arrangements are required to bo made beforehand, even for a small party. And then, Nora had invited her two friends, Maud and Alice Lee, to stay with her for the occasion, and also Lord Glendoyno was to be lone of the house party. Nora'a reason for asking the good-looking Anglo-Indian she kept a profound secret, even from Biddulph. But the truth was that Glendoyne had paid pretty Minnie Fraser a great deal 01 attention, and then had gone south without saying anything serious to the young girl; and Nora had heard from her father, and had herpclf noticed a great change in this fair Highland flower, even before the miserable event which had cast so deep a shadow on the household at Airdlinn. Minnie was to be one of Nora's bridesmaids, and it came into Nora's kind heart that, if Glendovne would come north for tho wedding, there might be a chance of a match between them after all. Nora had always been on friendly terms with Glendoyne, whose languor rather amused her, and whose graceful manner made him a very agrceablo companion. She therefore invited him to come to Rossmore on the 4th of December, and was very pleased when he accepted tho invitation. Thus Nora expected four guests to stay with her, for she had also asked old Mr. Biddulph and Lady Barbara Biddulph. But tho old lawyer had begged to be excused. "It is too far for me to go in tho winter time at my age," he had written to Nora; "but I am looking forward to seeing my new daughter under my own roof." Lady Barbara, however, who was very enerpetic, had accepted the invitatfon.and was also to arrive at Bossmore on the 4th of December. Thus there were arrangements to be made, and Mrs. Conway-IIope felt herself justified in turning out the lover occasionally, whom she indeed found terribly in the way. Biddulph, in truth, was never happy out of Nora's sight. He could ßcarcely understand himself, how this absorbing passion filled his whole being. "If I read a page," he told her, "I want to talk to you about it ; and when I am not near you I feel as if I had lost something, but when I begin to look about for it I remember it is Xoral" "lie's unco' fond of her," the doctor (who was also to be one of the wedding guests) said once to Mrs. Conway-IIope, while he was feeling her pulse; "that's plain to see. His bonny gray eves grow saft each time they fa' upon her ace." CIIAPTEll XXVII. THE MARRIAGE EVE. It was a husy day, the fourth of December, at Bossmore, and the sun shone brightly during the morning, and the wedding guests arrived without accident or delay. The girls, Maud and Alice Lee, had enjoyed the long cold journey, because Lord Glendoyne, by Nora's arrangement, had met them at Edinburgh, where they had stayed the night, and escorted them the rest of the way. But I.ady Barbara, who had travelled only with her maid, had found tho weather chill and drear, and the iourney long. True, Biddulph had met her at the statioD nearest Kossmore, but she was somewhat in an irritable mood. "If I had known it wa3 so far, and the wind so cutting, I never would have come, James, I can tell you that," she said, as her nephew handed her out of the railway carriage, and her rugs' and furs after her. "Your father wa3 quite right." She was an erect, grav-haired, keeneyed woman past- middle age, and wa3 supposed always to speak her mind. She did this as she entered the softly lighted drawing-room at Kossmoro half an hour later, when Biddulph led her up and introduced her to his promised bride. "So you are Leonora Stewart, are you?" said Lady Barbara, keenly regarding her. 'Well, you are good to look at, anyhow." "Her looks are not the best of her, Aunt Bab," said Biddulph, ns his eyes rested proudly and fondly on tho woman of hi3 choice. Nora was, in truth, looking very handsome. The excitement had lent a lovely blush to her fair cheeks, and she was dressed to perfection in dark-green plush and otter. Her manner, too, was verv charming, as she clasped Lady Barbara's bony hand. "It i3 so good of you to come, Lady Barbara, all that long way," she said. . "If I had known it would have been so cold," answered Lady Barbara, "as I have been telling this nephew of mine, nothing should have induced me to come. But, as I am here, I havo no doubt I shall enjoy myself, as much as anyone ever does at weddings, at least." Nora laughed softly and saw about Lady Bab's comfort. Then she took her up to the warm, comfortable bedroom that was prepared for her, and Lady Bab glanced round approvingly. "You have a nice place here," she said. "The old colonel's place, that James inherited, is not far off, is it?" "Just across the loch." "So you two were neighbors, and fell in love with each other, I suppose? Well, I think James has mado a good choice, as

far as I can sec, and I hope he will make a good husband." "I have no fear." "Quite right to stand up for him ; and I expect and trust that he will. But don't let me detain you from your other guests. I shall make my appearance at dinnertime." And a very good appearance it was. When Ladv Barbara re-entered the drawing-room she wore velvet and point lace, and, with her gray hair and diamonds, looked a very dignified lady indood. The whole partv soon assembled, and Jock Fraser, with his shy, pretty, fair Minnie leaning on his armj presently entered the room. Nora led him up to Lady Bab, who received him graciously. "And are you to bo at the wedding tomorrow, Mr. Fraser?" she asked. "I am to have the honor of giving away the bride," answered Jock. "She's a handsome creature," said Lady Bab. "It's a pity sho is a little lame." "But that was an accident, you know, and will ail go right in time. I shall never forget the day it happened ;" and Jock sighed, and a far-away look came into his kind brown eyes, for ho was thinking of his boy. Mrs. Jock had refused to come, and also had declined to appear at the marriage ceremony. "Don't ask me, Nora, my dear," she said, when Nora was pressing her todoo, and tears came into her blue eyes as 6he 6pokc; "it would only upset me. Jock will take Minnie. I am better at home." And Nora felt that perhaps this was true. Mrs. Jock's jealous love for her sou would have mado her miserable, seeing another occupy a place she had fondly hoped would have been his. But she had sent her Minnie, and this fair girl, with a blush and a start, had recognized Lord Glendoyne, whom she had not expected to see. He crossed the room and shook hands with her in his usual linguid, elegant way. "And how havo you been ?" he said, just as though ho had parted with her yesterday. "Very" well at least, not very well," answered Minnie, with heaving breast and trembling lips. She was wondering if he knew all the dreadful story about poor Malcolm, and of their trouble and grief. Glendoyno did know all about it. On the way from Edinburgh Maud Lee had told him the sad details, and said she was so sorry for "poor Minnie." "And so am I," he had answered ; and he felt really sorry, but the little girl who had been telling him did not. Maud Leo remembered, as sho graphically detailed the tragedy in tho Glen, that Lord Glendoyno was supposed to admire Minnie Fraser, so she thought it as well that he should know all the disadvantages of the family. But after dinner was over, to Maud Lee's annoyance, Glendoyne found his way to Minnie's side instead of her own. He" was a very gentlemanly man, and the thought of the poor girl's trouble made him more attentive to her than, perhaps, he had intended to be. "Minnie looks very pretty and very hap)y," whispered Nora to Biddulph, who was bending over her. "I know some one else who looks very pretty and very happy too, he answered. "I don't know about being pretty, but I know I am very happy," 6he said softly, lookinrr up at his handsome face. She felt proud of him proud of his love, and his good looks. Ihere was no one like him, she thought; and Lady Barbara, looking at these two at thrs moment with her keen gray eyes, was satisfied that their affection ior each other was very great. They kept the party up late, but at last Jock Fraser rose and said it was time for Minnie and himself to bo crossing the water. Biddulph also was going to return to Dunbaan, ns it is not considered lucky for the bridegroom to sleep in the house on the night before the marriage. Norn went out of the drawing room with Minnie, and, after she had parted with her half-cousins, she was re-crossing the hall, when she encountered Biddulph. "I have waited for one last sweet kiss," he Baid, drawing her arm through his. "Come down this corridcr, Nora, and we shall be alone." She went with him and he took her in his arms. "I like Aunt Bab," she said softly, lifting her dewy eyes to his. "I did not come hero to talk about Aunt Bab, my dearest, my sweetest love. I thank heaven this i3 our last parting!" About an hour later, perhaps, Biddulph was sitting in his own library at Dunbaan, thinking of Nora still, and no man ever thought of his future wife with more complete content. Nora Stewart satisfied every wish of his heart and every desire of his soul. Sho was a perfect woman to mind, physically and mentally the fairest, purest, and most lovable he had ever known. And to-morrow was his wedding day! To-morrow by this time he and Nora would be far away from here far away from a placo haunted for them both with such painful recollections still. lie got up to stir the fire and light his pipe. He had not been in the room many minutes when he did this, and as he bent over the fire a slight noise behind him attracted his attention. He turned sharply around and as he did so he staggered back, the poker Jell from his hand, and a look of unutterable horror and dread came over his face. Was he mad? Had his br.ain suddenly reeled over? ho thought, with quick fear. There, standing between the half-parted window curtains, which had been closed when he entered tho room, was the form, the mocking face of the woman who had once been his wife, whom he had seen lain in the grave in the kirkyard at Ballal Biddulph was a brave man, but an inexpressible shuddering dread passed over him at this moment, lie put his hand up to his head, he rubbed his eyes; it might be a delusion. It was there still ; the next moment the familiar voice the voice of the dead sounded in his shocked ears ! "I am afraid I have given you a start." "Woman I fiend 1 why are you here?" now burst from Biddulph's white lips. "Why have you arisen from the dead to disturb my peace !" "Ferhaps I havo not risen from the dead," answered those mocking lips; and the form slowlv advanced toward him. "I'm awfully cold, James; may I come beside the fire and have a chat?" Biddulph stood staring at her, bewildered horrified. "You think I am a ghost, but I'm not. There! feel my hand and my arm; they are substantial enough," and she laughed. Sho put out her hand and touched Biddulph s as she spoke; the hand was warm. And tho man, with wide distended eyes, with loathing, with sudden anguish, gazing at her face, saw it was seemingly the face of a living woman the face of Katalie. Oh, God, tho face of Natalie I "What hideous farce is this?" he cried. "I 6aw you die; I saw you deadl llow how are you hero?" "My poor James, do you know I feel quite sorry for you. I admit you have been the victim of a shabby trick:, and, on

my honor, if I hadnot been obliged to do it, I should have let you believe I was dead still! It was not me you saw die it was not me you saw dead ; it wa3 my twin6ister, Josepuine, and no one could ever tell the difference between us." "Your twin-sister?" repeated Biddulph hoarsely, still staring at her face. '.'I never heard of a twin-sister of any sifter." The woman shrugged her shoulders. "No, we did not mention the name of poor Josephine in the family circle. Tho truth is. James, that my twin-sister Josephine made a sad fool of herself in her youth, some years before I saw you, and ran away with a married man, and went down, down, I don't know where very low, at any rate, and my mother would never hear her name mentioned. She was supposed to be dead, in fact, but, strange to relate, sho cast up last year, when I was at Monte Carlo, before I came down here to see you, you know, after you got your money ; but naturally I said nothing about her to you." "And you mean to tell me," said Biddulph, forcing himself to speak, and then pausing, overcome by the horror of the position in which he found himself "you mean to tell me that you are "I am Natalie Biddulph, if every one had their dues. But I declare I am sorry for you. I did not know until I got here to-night that to-morrow Mas to be your second wedding day. You have been pretty quick about it, you know, James, for a despairing widower ;" and again she laughed. This misplaced mirth roused Biddulph to suddeu iurv. "I believe it's'all a hateful lie!" he cried. I believe you are a liend some fiend in that woman's shape! I saw you dead. Go! don't speak another word, for you are dead to me 1" But the woman did not flinch. "It's all very fine talking like that," she said; "but I'm not dead, and I'm forced to come down here and tell vou tho whole storv, because I am so hard up. There don't swear, but that's the truth. I've had a frightful run of ill luck at Monte Carlo, and could only scrape enough money together to get back to England, and come down here indeed, I had to borrow it and I must have some, James. And, if you like, if you will pay me well for it," I'll pretend to be dead still." No word came from James Biddulph's writhing lips. He covered his face with his hand; intense anguish overwhelmed his soul. "Come, vou need not break your heart about it. 1 admit it's rough on you, but I can't help myself. And it was not my scheme, but poor Josephine's that made her come to such an awful end. You remember the letter you wrote me, telling me that it had got blown about here that I was really vour wife ? Well, when I got that letter i wras in a great rage, because you said in it you would put me back on my old allowance, if the story of our marriage came out. Josephine was with me in town then, and she urged me to go down to Scotland again, and get more money out of you, as, she said, you evidently would pay any amount to keep tho marriage a secret. But I was ill at the time, and, as I told her, our interviews were neer over-pleasant. Then she proposed to personate me, and declared you would never find out the difference." Biddulph put his hand down, and again began staring at the woman's face with a stern, searching look in his eyes. "We are the living image vf each other, that's the truth, even to tho little brown mole on my cheek. You remember the little mole, don't you?" Biddulph shuddered, spoke no word, but kept his eyes 6teadily on her face. "Poor Josephine had little or no money, and wanted some to try her luck at the gambling-tables, as we ha I fixed to go to Monte Carlo together. Well, to make a long story short, we settled between us that she was to go to Scotland and endeavor to get 1,000 from you as a little extra hush-money; and she was quite sure you would never find out the difference between us. I wrote the letters, but poor Josephine was the woman j'ou were suspected of murdering. So, you see, I am not a ghost, after all." As she "paused, Biddulph started to his feet, went up to her, and, seizing her by the hand, drew her beneath the bright lamp-light. "Let me look at you," he said hoarsely, gazing gloomily at her face. "How do I know you are not lving now, as you have lied all your life ? There were two of you, you say two devils. How do I know which you are?" "I am Natalie," said the woman, moving uneasily. "Y'ou look changed. I begin to doubt I shall see you both face to face the living and the "dead. Then I shall know." "You won't drag the poor woman out of her grave, Eurely, will you ? Oh, James, spare me this!" "Have you spared me?" he answered, in a hollow voice. "Do you know what you have done? To-morröw " A groan broke from his whito lips as he uttered the last word, and his expression was so terrible that it moved even the woman's callous heart to some sort of pity. "Don't make such a row about it," she said. "Get married to-morrow, as you intended, and I'll not 6ay a Bingle word. I'll go away early in the morning, if you'll give me a check for 5,000, and no one shall ever know I've been here, except that old man of yours, and you can bribe him, too." Biddulph flung back her hand, as she said this, which he had been still holding in his fierce grip, and once more sank down on a chair, and again covered his face with his hand. A temptation, powerful, horrible, had rushed into his heart- Should he take her at her word? pay her, and let her go away, whoever she might be ? Her face seemed changed to him older, harder, but still the samo face; tho face that had been the black bane of his life, and had now come to snatch tho cup of joy from his lips. Should he do this ? Again he looked up. The woman had turned her back to him, and was warming her feet at the fire, as ho remembered at this moment seeing Natalie do when she had been in his room before. But how did he know this was Natalie? This hideous doubt this likeness, which the woman admitted was so strong, mado the difference to him between misery and joy, between happiness and unutterable 6hame ! And Nora? At this moment Biddulph's eyes fell on one of Nora's photographs which was standing framed on the mantelpiece, and as he looked at it, at the fair, noble, gentle face, that dark and doubtful expression passed away from his own. "I will not lie to her, I will not deceive her," he mentally decided. "I shall go to her now and tell her tho truth, and tomorrow the woman that is lying dead at Calla and this woman shall bo put face to face then I shall know." Ho had made up his mind. Ho moved slightly, and the woman at the fireplace, turned round anddooked at him. I "Well," she saidi "will you agree to this ?i Give me five thoufcmd pounds, and Fit not interfere wira you? I suppose this is the lady ?" and she pointed to Nora's portrait.

"Yes," answered Biddulph, with intense

bitterness, "that is the lady;" and he crossed the room as he spoke, and took Nora's picture in his hand. "Look at her face!" and ho held the photograph where the woman could more plainly isee it "the face of a pure woman, of a woman with an angel soul to whom evil is an unknown thing, and sin but a namel This woman was to bo my wifo to-nxor-row; and when we talked of our future life, how do you think we planned to spend it?" "As most people do, I suppose," answered the woman, with a shrug. "Not in gambling, nor drunkenness," said Biddulph, with scathing scorn. "We planned to spend it in houcst work, and trying to do some little good. And do you think I'd deceive such a one for yout Do you think I would bribe you to go away to-night, and fear you always like a nightmare ? Don't I know what you would do if I were to put the hush-money, as you call it, into your hand ? You would lose it at your favorite gambling tables, and then come for more! Come with a threat a hint, perhaps, in the ears of my pure wife 1" "What do you mean to do, then?" "I will tell you what I mean to do. I shall go now and tell the truth to the woman I was to marry to-morrow ; and I shall have the grave opened, where I befieve Natalie is sleeping still." "Then you don't believe a word of what I've been telling you ?" "I do not. I believe you are this twinsister, this Josephine you pretend came here." "I swear I am not, James. And just think what you are poing to do; think what this poor young lady even will feel, and and all the dreadful scene you will make if you open poor Josephine s grave. Whatis'a little money to this?" And she approached him and tried to tako his hand, but he pushed her away. "Give me two thousand, then, less even, rather than all this." Biddulph gave a harsh and bitter laugh. "No," he said; "I will know the truth. You have brought this on yourself, Josephine, or Natalie, whichever you be, and I mean to lock you up here until I return from Bossmore ; you shall not escape me now." "I should never have come if I had not been reduced to my last shilling. Will vou give mo something to drink? for I am half fainting." He crossed the room and opened a 6mall cabinet, where wine and spirits were standing, and the woman eagerlv drank some brandy, Biddulph watching her curiously a.s she did so, and her look and attitude seemed terribly familiar. "That has done mo good," she said, drawing a long breath. "I can't get on without it now." "You had better take some more, then," he answered. "I am going now. I shall not be long away." Ho left the room as he spoke, locking the door behind him, and putting the key into his pocket. T,hen he opened the house-door and looked out. It was a dark and stormy night, fierce gusts of wind and rain driving past him. "It is is no matter," he thought 'gloomily; "what can anything matter to a man going on an errand such as mine ?" (To be continued next week) THE SUMMER RESORJS. Old Point Comfort is rapidly filling with guests. West Baden Springs is accommodating parties from Northern Kentucky and Southern Indiana. The White Sulphur Springs of Virginia lacks its fuU quota ot guests. July usually brings the crowd. Sec'y Whitney and family have left their Washington residence and gone to the Warm Springs, Ya., for the Eammer. Wisconsin summer resorts are nreparing for a prosperous season. Nearly all ot the large hotels will be open early this month. At Cotuit Port, one of the oldest summer resorts on the south 6ide of Cape Cod, the coming Beason promises to be the most successful for years. The Weirs, the most noted resort on Lake Winnipeseogee, was opened for the season last Saturday and never started oil' so auspeciously before. Already there are more cottagers at Bar Harbor than there were last year at this time, and among the number are lots of new faces. The hotel opened July 1. null's cove, two miles from Bar Harbor, has recently sprung into prominence as a summer resort, and its lovely slopes are furnishing charming sites for cottages. At Newport the trades people are all gay and dissipated just now. Their harvest time is coming, and they are on the lookout to 6ectye customers from the newcomers, who are generally rich picking for the enterprising. Mrs. Langtry is contemplating the engagement of the Wallaek cottage at Long Branch, the property of Mr. R. J. Dobbins. It is pleasantly situated among a cluster of trees back of Ocean-ave., and has a commanding view of the sea. The tide of tnivel to Long Branch has set in. Many cottagers from New York, Philadelphia and elsewhere have already opened their houses. The number of applications for rooms at the hotels is quite lane and everything points to a bright and prosperous season. The National temperance society will hold its annual temperance camp-meeting at Ocean Grove, beginning Wednesday, August 1, and continuing five days. The speakers will be George W. Bain, Edward CarsweLl, Mrs. Emily L. McLaughling, Bishop John P. Newman, Miss Julia Coleman, Hollo Kirk Bryan, Gen. Clinton B. Fisk, Bev. Dr. T. L. Poulson, Rev. W. W. Steele and others of prominence. Iter. J. N. Stearns, corresponding secretary of the society, will preside. The work of building the new Casino at Arcadian park on the Eagle Lake road, Bar Harbor, is being pushed briskly. A large gang of men are employed and it is confidently expected that the building wilt be completed by the time the season fairly opens. Two acres and a half in the park at the northern end will be devoted to base ball grounds, while at the southern end wiU be four tennis courts. The race track is being p'ut in. excellent shape, an d some fine racing is promised. The Fred Vanderbilts are absorbed in the building of their fine new house at the end of the avenue in Newport, where the old Dunnell place used to be. It gets on slowly, but surely, and promises well. A more magnificent location could not be desired, even by a fastidious billionnaire, for it stands at just a particular corner of the ClnTwalk where the view of sea. and sky, and rocks, and landscape is beyond the feeble power of a stab pen to describe or express. The house is built after the fashion of the day, long and low, of stone and wood, picturesquely and substantially. Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt are in town and overseeing the work as it goes on. One often sees them driving quietly and unostentatiously like the simple-mannered, gentle people they are. Mr. Vanderbilt, in a black overcoat such as any ordinary citizen might wear, ana Mrs. Vandebilt, closely veiled and dressed in most unobtrusive garments, which yet show to the practised eye the tonch of swell tailors and dressmakers. JVcw York Mail and ExpreM. He Understood Her. Life. lie "Why, it is growing quite dark! You can hardly distinguish the people at the hotel." &he ;"And rather cool, too. I ought to have something around me." He (with a familiär movement of the arm) "That's sol"

Kpltnph for Gresham. St. Louis Republic Epitaph for Gresham: "Died of the journalistic colonels Col. Medill of the Chicago Tribune Col. Nixon of the Chicago Inter-Ocean and CoL McCulLgh of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat."

TO EXCAVATE IN BABYLONIA.

A Tarty of American Explorers Going; to Study the Mound in Central A Bia. Sew York Sun. Dr. John P. Peters, professor of Ilehrew in the University 01 Pennsylvania; Dr. Harner, instructor in As.syrianat Yale college, and Mr. J. D. Prince, of the class of 1&SS, Columbia college, will leave this morning on tho steamship Fulda for London, "with the purpose ot eventually conducting explorations and excavations in Babylonia, Middlo Asia. They win be accompanied by Mr. J. II. Ilavnes, photographer, and Mr. II. T. Field" of Brooklyn, artist. The only previous expedition of archaeological character to Babvlonia was the Wolfe expedition of lbS4, though French and German savants have long proiecuted their researches in this region. The expenses of Dr. Peters' party will be defrayed by the Babylonian exploration fund, which has been subscribed by citizens of Philadelphia. Among the "members of the executive committee of this fund are Prot. Allen Marquand of Princeton and Mr. Langley, secretary of the Srnithsoniau institution. While describing the nature of the expedition to a ,Sui reporter last evening, Dr. Peters said: "Babylonia is the general name for the whole region around the city of Eabyion. It is a vast plain, dotted with mounds, which indicate the burial places of ancient cities. The mound over tho city of Babylon is about ten miles square; that over Erach ten miles square. Other mounds are very small and cover probably only 6ingle palaces. Just where we shall excavate, how long we shall stay and w hat we shall do with the inscriptions or relics discovered, all depends on the result of negotiations now pending with the Turkish governmeut. We shall all meet at Aleppo, a four days' ride on horseback from Alexandretta, about Oct. 1. We shall then ride on horseback six weeks through the mountains, with a caravan to Bagdad. We go armed, not so much on account of tho brigands, which are not so numerous as formerly, as to protect ourselves from the wild beasts, eights we shall go into camp, I bought our tents to-day. I havo ordered 1,000 cans of fruits and meats for tho journey, so as to break the native fare upon the party gradually. If we work in the sheepraising section we can get plenty of mutton, fttherwiso wo must live on goat flesh and goat milk. V'heat, I am glad to say, grows wild there, so that we need not want for something like bread. The Arabs, who will do the excavating proper, will be paid 10 or 20 cents a day. Their work is correspondingly bad. If wo make largo excavations we shall employ two, three or four hundred. The picks and Ehovels we take with us. As an experiment I have also ordered six wheelbarrows, though the natives always work with baskets. I may have the experience of the American who first tried to ue wheelbarrows in Brazil, where, the natives put them on their heads and then Eiled the things on top of them. Wo ave mado all arrangements for one yeara work, though everything depends on our success and the disposition of the Turkish government." IJoodle Loose in Chicago. CniCACO, July 3. Much excitement exists around the city hall growing out of rumors that some of the aldermen have been approached ia tho interest of one of the derated railroad companies which are now seeking franchises from the council to operate on the West side. It is alleged that agents have visited several of the city fathers and ofl'ered them blocks of stock of the par value of $",000 in exchange for a vote lor the ordinance grantin the franchise to the road in question. It is further alleged that there had been a mix ia the diplomatic work, and that the agents had gone to the wrong parties, having been deceived by the similarity of names. A well known politician named Eugene A. Sitticf is charged by Alderman liix -with having ofi'red hinj $3;0(0 worth of stock for a vote, frnttig denies it vigorously. Alderman Iieu-b, who ia als- Merk in Judge Jamieson's court, and was pn . nt when the boodle county commis sioners wero tried and sentenced, declares, with the most solemn oaths, his innocence, adding: "I want no boodle in mine." The Hand of Elkins. Dctroi 1 :te Press.. Steve Elkins has long' been known as the right bower of the maa from Maine. lie is also known as one of the bosom friends of ex-Senator Dorsey. He ia further known as one of the most astute as well as unscrupulous politicians in the United States. Those who know him well know that a9 a politician honor is a stranger to him. He would not hesitate to debauch men or politics provided he could turn the act to his own account. lie plays with men as if they were puppets. This is astuteness, lie uses their passions and their weaknesses to gain his ends. There is his unscrupulousness. This is the man who virtually brought about the nomination of Benjamin Harrison. He is the real force, because in his hands Harrison would have to do as Elkins commanded him to do. The obligations weigh too heavy, and Elkins is the last man to let this opportunity pass by unnoticed. If Blaine had been the nominee Elkins would have been his subordinate. But with Harrison, Elkins is on top. What the G. O. F. Proposes, (Buffalo Courier. The proposition of the republican party is thi the internal revenue taxes shall be abolighVl for the precise purpose of maintaining high taxes on clothing and the necessaries of life of the millions whose industry produces the wealth of the country. In other words, the Earty says to the masses: "In order that the igh protected classes may continue to levy heavy taxes on your industries with which to enrich themselves, and in order that the wheels of industry may not be entirely stopped by a complete locking up of the working capital of the country in an idle surplus, we propose to take $118,000,000 yearly out of your pockets and give it to the whisky distillers and tobacco manufacturers. Hurrah for the untaxed whisky and tobacco J" It remains to be seen how the masses like the plan. Opposed to the Mills Kill. Ft. Worth, Tex., July 3. A state convention of farmers, laborers and stock raisers of Texas met here to-day and nominated a state ticket and adopted a platform. The platform denounces the Mills bill for placing wool on the free list, den mnces the repeal of the internal revenue laws, demands the abolition of the national bank system and the election of the president and vice-president by the people. The state ticket is headed by Evan Jones of Erath county for governor and II. L Broils of Tarrant county for lieutcuant-gov-ernor. A committee was appointed to confer with the union labor state convention to meet here July 5 and to urge the union labor party to endorse the ticket nominated here to-day. An active campaign was decided upon. A Good Choice. JNe Albany Ledger. Mr. S. P. Sheerin of Indianapolis, at present vice-chairman of our state central committee, has been chosen secretary of the national democratic committee. It is a good selection. Mr. Sheerin is an ardent, consistent, conservative democrat. He possesses the requisite qualifications for the place. lie is thoroughly well posted in Indiana, where hard work is always necessary for success in political campaigns. Why the Kids Celebrated. Richmond DemocratThe greatest enthusiasm on the reception of the news of Harrison's nomination was among the kids. We suppose it is because he is a kid glove candidate. The state of 6iege at Havana, Cuba, has been raised, brigandage having been suppressed.

PRESIDENT JACKSON'S PIPE. A Donation to tho England Historic Genealogical Society. fllofton Transcript. In our report of the last meeting of tho 2ew England historical cenealodcal society we stated that the Hon. William A. Richardson, LL.I)., of Washington, D. C., chief justice of U. S. court of claims, has sent to the society as a donation the last pipe smoked by President Jackson at th& executive mansion. Judge Eiehardsoa accompanied the gift Avith the following statement: "In Eebruary or March, 1S37, a few months before President Jackson left the white house at the expiration of his term of office, an old friend and admirer, with his little daughter, made a farewell call upon him. "They found tho president in ujs room, alone, smoking his pipe, having on his dre?sing-gov. n, slippers and smoking-cap, and sitting by a wood lire with his feet upon a brass fender. As they were leaving, the president Faid: 'My little girl, what can I do for you?' "The child, charmed by the pipe with its long stem and red top, and looking wistfully at it, exclaimed : 'Oh, if I could onlv have that pipe to blow soap bubbles with!' To this the president said: 'You shall have it, my chila ; 1 will send it to you.' He did not forget nor negiert his promise. Soon, after tho president had left Washington, hia private secretary, by his direction, took the coveted pipe to the little girl. This was the last pipe smoked by President Jackson in the white house It came into my possesion from the original donor just iify years after its presentation to her by President Jackson. "The mahognny of which the box '13 made is part of the inside shutters taken out of the west windows of the state dining-room of tho executive mansion (white house) in the course of alteration." The following incident relating to President Jackson and Judgo Kichardson, which is told in a paper by Mr. Z. E. Stone, on "The Visit of President Jackson, to Lowell in June, ISSo," may be interesting in this connection. The paper was read before the Old Residents' historical society "ov. 11, 1S75, and is printed in their published "Contributions," no. , pape 132: "The course of the presidential party toward Nashua was that generally traveled on the south side of the Merrimac river. "While psssing throuph Tyngsboroujjh & boy camo out upon an eniineuco which commanded a fair view of the president ami his companions. He had in his hand a fowling-piece, having that morning been out hunting, without a thought, however, of the possibility of coming upon tho lion a which he suddenly confronted. When the president's barouche came opposite the lad snatched oif his cap, swung it in the air and gave three as vigorous "hurrahs" as his small voice would permit, at the same time discharging his gun. "Observing the act of the boy, the president removed hi3 hat and bowed with as much formality as he would have done had there been a regiment before him. The boy who was favored with this consideration was the Hon. Wm. A. Richardson, a native of the town, late secretary of the treasury of the United States." MAKING IT SMOOTH.

A Texas Judgo raves the IiougU Koad to l'lison. Texas judges do not amiaister tho laws in a spirit of cruelty, but give th j condemned their sympathies and gooi advice. The Castroville Anv'd prints thf sentence of Judge Paschall on a colored, hoodlum named Anderson, aged twenty, , for shooting at a barber. The judge is re--ported to have said: "You have no trade, I suppose; a trado at which you can work and make an honest living. I am now going to point out to you an opportunity by which yoa will be able to better your condition. It is this:. When yon get to the penitentiary you mast eelect a trade the shoemaker's, . the carpenter's or some such pursuit. But ' do your duty and you will have nothing to fear. Several months will bo knocked off the time for which you are to attend these services and you will be presented with a new suit of clothes , that will make you look handsome ' and stylish. You will also be given-i money enough to pay your way back home, to this country or any other to j which you may want to go. You will get ! back in picnic season, just in time to cut a swell with the girls. Even-thing por I tends for you a bright and useful career. Isow go back to jail with the sheriff and wait until arrangements can be made for vour departure ; 1 assure you it will not belong." "Yes sah, yes sah, jedge. I'so much obliged to you gentlemen for taking sich, interest in my future eomfnrtment." He then walked away light-hearted and smiling, only seeming to regret that he hadn't got a chance to go long before. j Disease of YVlue-Tasters. The diseases of wine-tasters, says the Dcutsehe Medizinal Ztitunn, were studied by : Donnetof Bordeaux, and Lr. C. Marandon offj Dijon. Wine-ta-sters are freqtiendy suffering with disturbances similar to alcoholism, although the claret-tasters do not swallow th wine, but, on the contrary, reject it, and even rinse their mouths afterward. In one case of ; Dr. Donnet's a man thirty-two years old used. 1 to taste every day thirty or forty samples of ' wine, occasionally liquors and rum, without ever swallowing any part of them. Alter two years he became very excitable, lost his appetite, did not sleep well, and suffered with disturbances of sensibility, pains in tha breast, a fcelinu of weakness, dilliculty ia breathing. He improved after abandoning his profession, although a nervous debility still remained, as noticeable by the facility with, which he was set in tears. Another statement made by Dr. Donnct is the great number of apoplexies in Bordeaux, where many person . drink one and a half litres of wine with each meal. This number exceeds the number of apoplexies in any city of the world. Dr. Marandon did not notice any symptoms oC intoxication in Rurundy tasters, althouph some of them would swallow the samples. He remarks that tea-tasters always swallow ' some tea, and this fact, he snys, explains ti nervous symptoms they are afiected with. A Clean Campaign. J fBrooklyn Eagle dcm.l ' We observe with pleasure the evidence of sv i purpose on the part of democratic orators and journalists to conduct this campaism without resort to exaggeration and personal hies. This is all the more gratifying for the contrast which it offers to the course pursued by the more bitter republican "onrans." The abus and ridicule of President Cleveland, in which, the Iftttpr imlulpf is so offensive to intelligent republicans that, if it has any efi'ect at all, it must be unfavorable to the cause which it ia designed to promote. An Indignant Judge. Texas Sir.Injs. Judge "You have been convicted of forging a check for t5." , , Doomed Man "I hope your honor will tat into consideration that it is a small amount." "Just so. I do take that fact into consideration." "I'm glad to hear that" "It is my opinion that the man who forged check for $06, not baring sufiicient self-respect to make it at least an even $100, deserves no mercy. Ten years at hard labor." The Two Offers. Sew York Herald. A high tarifTand low wares is the republican oiler; free raw materials and high wtges is tfc democratic ofler.