Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 August 1893 — Page 10

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THE' INDIANA STATE' SENTINEL, WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 2, 1893 TWELTE PAGES.

m II A Novel: By Dr. CHAPTER XIII. .'the first days in fortune .telling proved reasonably successful. She got something to eat and 20 cents b?side, and was invited to tarry all night and sleep on a straw bed in a mountaineer's cabin. This was much better than she had expected. The next day ;ftnd for a week, it was an uneventful, lonesome tramp, tramp, up hill and down hill, over ravine and underbushes, sometimes lost, to return to the starting point again and again, demonstrating the fact that one side of the body was a little larger and stronger than the other, and when not checked by will-power or directed in one course, will always take us in a circla, and return to the place where we started. In what we call right-handed people, the right side of the body is larger i;d stronger . than the left sid1, caured by the left side of the brain being laiger and stronger, presiding over the rfpht side of the body which makes it stronger. In the left-handed the reverse is true. "When lost, the larger side, where the leg is just a shale longer than its fellow, will step a little farther each time than the one on ihe opposite side, and finally walk around the smaller side. Take a large and small man walking side by side undirected, they vlll walk in a circle toward the little feilow, as can be illustrated by two wheels fastened on opposite ends of an axle, fixed so neither can turn except the axle turns. Put them in motion, and of course they will describe a circle, the larger wheel making the outer track and passing around the smaller one. If the right side be larger, his circle will be to the left; if the larger, to the right, so the poor woman hobbled over hill and dell and got back to the point In the evening that she had left in the morning, and slept by the same log to renew her journey next day; and, either return or break the bewilderment of the confused mind. One night while she was, as usual, lost, and was groping her way down the irregular meanderings of a mountain path, aided by the light of the full moon, as it would ever and anon burst through the flying clouds that seemed to sail like black ships through a foamy ea till they approach the moon and then the imperfections of our vision makes us think the moon cleaved through them like a sharp, flat disk, nd slip out the other side to wait for another cloud to approach and repeat the dissection. When the moon was behind the cloud, the lonely woman would stop and rest; meditate, and wait for more light to guide her on her uncertain road, and with the return of the silver rays take up her journey again, to again be halted by the darkness. In this she was not unlike all humanity on all the various roads of life, advancing a little in the light and waiting long in the darkness. Now seeing the way clearly, but for a moment; then hesitating and feeling cautiously in the gloom. Sighing in the darkness, sighing for the light. Nor is it probable that it will be better, or be other than it is. while the laboring spirit carries its heavy burden of tlesh, and gropes through, the forest of mist that hangs like a robe over the shoulders of the world. Sometime, mayhap, in the far distant future, we see through a vista that the imagination alone can buiid into an avenue of clouds, clouds upon clouds, but in the . far beyond is one bright spot where all is light. It is there, after the untiring change of gradation has lifted the liner spirit, matter, and molded the coarser spirit, matter, into the etherial divinity of sanctilied humanity, and carried it up and up into the everlasting sunlight of the infinite and eternal. While thus groping- her practiced ear caught a sound. Looking back all was blackness. Waiting till the moon had cleared another cloud, and the soft light like silver hair uncurling over the mountain's broad bosom, till the world seemed to rise up out of its gloom. With her eyes fixed in the direction of the sound, to her great surprise and unmeasured horror, a few paces away the saw. crossing the path, in the bright moonlight, the form of a large, angular, lightly-stepping animal, in outlines resembling a monster cat. but larger than the largest dog. As it passed into the bushs the moon passed under a cloud j and it was almost Egyptian darkness i In the woods. Still peering through the gloom, with eyes on the spot where the animal had been seen, and with feelings quite beyond description, she heard a step in the dry leaves and saw two, gleaming, phosphorescent balls of fire, as he turned his eyes upon her. She now realized she was being tracked by some wild animal. What to do was a question of no small moment. Flight could offer her no promises as her speed was not to be matched against that of such an animal, which was. as she surmised, a panther. The thought of climbing offered quite as little hope of escape as did that of flight. To call for help was almost as hopeless. To do battle with the beast was not to be considered, except as a last resort, inasmuch as a stout club was the best weapon she had. Thinking it was possible that there might be some hunters in the hills, or a cabin within range of her voice, she cried out with all the fear and emotion a woman possesses when in danger, and to her indescribable delight was answered from the other side of the hill, but was horrified the next moment by seeing the fiery eyes of the beast, still within range, though she went down the path as rapidly as possible in the darkness, hoping to receive aid from those who answered. In the moonlight she saw her pursuer in the path, and in the darkness his fiery eyes gleaming out with an unearthly expression that would intimidate the bravest man. Again she called, and again she was answered from those who well understood her danger. The dogs, that accompanied the mountaineers, barking, kept time to the calling of the woman, aid now the screams of the beast, which wm answered by its mate from another direction who seemed to realize, as did the woman, and her rescuers, that a meeting was near at hand. Scream after, scream, barking of dogs, in the moonlight and darkness, gave a strange music to the grand, old hills, and under other circumstances would have awakened sublime echoes. Dashing now as rapidly as possible, falling down and quickly regaining her feet, the woman hurried on in the midst of fright, scarcely feeling the bruises, scratches and cuts from stones and thorns., -The pursuing beast, only held at bay by feap of his danger, did he approach too rap idly, and yet continuously lashing his great sides with his tail and growing more and more anxious, as the cat that pursues the mouse. Again a scream and. again the answering friends are nearer, the dogs are coming far in advance of their masters. Reaching a short br.d in the path, the cunjilnfc beast made a detour and placed himself several paces in front of the woman and between her and those who were coming to hr aid. To fly from him would be to fly from them; to fly from them would be to go into the Jaws of danger, and to retreat from danger was to put her beyond escape. Stopping for a moment, she perceived the

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11 hi Ulli. J. A. Houser. path had taken a bend because It had reached the verj'e of the declivity, one more step and she would tumble headlong over the jutting rocks. With the hope of satisfaction, the fierce eyes of the beast glared out more than ever, as much as to say, "I have you now." The yelping dogs had reached the valley immediately beneath the beast, but to gain his position would have taken them a long way around the hill. With head, for an instant erect, straightening himself to his full height, then with head near the ground, with ears laid back, step by step, measured, but not slow, he advanced on the trembling, defenseless woman. Her screams availed nothing and she was silent. With greatest -terror comes profound silence, as with greatest grief there are no tears, and with greatest joy but emotion. A;'ter all, joy, grief and fear ends in emotion. She stood, motionless, speechless, transfixed, resigned. Looking still at the eyes, now lighted up by the darkness, and now dimmed by the light, as if nature waited for a perfect picture of weakness and strength, a helpless woman before an infuriated beast. He is near enough, one spring and he could reach her. He crouches low. his hind legs doubled under his body as he drops far back on his haunches to have a greater action of the muscles. With a low growl he springs high in the air and lights full upon the now bending body of the helpless victim, who, standing near the edge of the cliff, was carried over by the weight of the body, and animal and woman went down the crags, amid the screams and shouts of the witnesses that had now reached the little valley below. Over and over they went. The beast had loosened his hold upon the woman, thinking it well to take care of himself, for he found in the fall he was almost as helpless as she. Jso sooner had the animal reached the ground than he was seized by the dogs and hunters, who were there with axes, guns and such implements as were gathered quickly when they heard the screams of the woman and the panther. The fight was not long, but fierce. The animal was dispatched. The groans of the woman attracted the attention of the hunters, and now to see who and what she was. was their next duty. Under the torchlight they perceived what they could hardly give a name to, but finally discovered that it was the same fortune-teller who had stopped with them a few nights before, who was lost and came back the next night. The beast had scratched her flesh, had bitten her arm. but the fall was worse, she had broken the bones of one of her legs. When the rude mountaineers had slain the panther and turned their attention to the unfortunate woman who now lay upon the ground suffering and groaning, and discovered her deplorable condition, their savage visages softened down into that true sentiment of humanity, pity for its kind. Each tried to surpass the other in some little, gentle attention for the creature whrise late experience had ended in l'ttle short of her death, or conditions were promising to bring it about at the earliest convenience. When they attempted to raise her and the fracture of the limb was discovered, every hand lent willing assistance to carry her to the cabin on the adjacent hill, and did it as gently as if each being was pity itself. Succeeding in this, the poor outcast found a kindness that is alone found where the claws of destitution have busied themselves in scratching for existence. There was but one bed in the house, in which slumbered a mother and young babe. The crippled woman was forced, even against her protest, to take that, while the weakness of maternity fmind a bed upon straw on the floor. While this was being done the physician, who lived a few miles away, was sent for. Awaiting the arrival of the doctor, the story of the panther, his leap upon the woman, falling of both over the cliff, the killing of the panther, and the carrying: of the woman to the cabin was rehearsed to the wonder and surprise of the women and children, and suggested many other panther stories. On the arrival of the medical man. who proved to be a typical, backwoods, dd-fashioned. good-natured, homespun, fat doctor, such as were common at this period In the hills. His knowledge of the healing art was a mongrel between the batonle system and witchery. He doctored much in the moon: that Is. at certain stages of the moon's waxing or waning he could cure certain diseases with certain "yarbs" that would be, as he said, "pisen," at another time. Ills knowledge of surgery was even less than it was of medicine. It is possible that he knew a bone from a muscle, but he had never dreamed of the differentiation of endomosls and exesmosis. He believed in greasing babies from being "liver-grown." and had implicit faith in measuring with charm-strings for erysipelas. This measurement, which Is even common yet with some of the benighted, was carried on three times a day for ninetv successive days, and of course, usually these diseases would get well by resolution, a natural recovery, but the charm got the glory. For the urinary troubles of small children, he would prescribe three honey bees put into a bottle, to which must be added water from a south running brook: about the neck of the bottle mu?t be attached a string, it is best to have a blue ribbon, and tied about baby's neck, and when the bees had. by some cabalistic way. assumed some certain posltion in the bottle, diurisls would take place In a way that would brine to the infantile's dreams pictures of Niagara. For certain other ailments, and especially for tumors, nine little muslin basrs were filled with some dry herbs, with which, of course, there was connected some mystery, all tied about the neck of the patient Every third or ninth day one was removed and taken away and buried, accompanied with some incantations. After the burial of the lai-t one, if the patient did not get well, he would die, which seems quite probable. For sore eyes and scrofula, he prescribed a blue yarn string worn almut the neck. The Jaw bone of a frog, worn in the bosom, never failed to cure goitre, while a potato carried In the pocket was a dead shot on rheumatism. However, with all his Ignorance, he had a look of profound wisdom. Upon the doctor's arrival, the mountaineers in the cabin gave him an ample opportunity for an exposition of what he did not know. Investigation soon showed him two fractured bones midway between the knee and ankle. This discovered, he asked for assistance in "setting the bone." In this case, as In the fracture of bones, the contraction of the muscles draws one end of the broken surface past that of its fellow, and it takes considerable force, sometimes, to stretch these muscles and bring the brokn parts together. To accomplish this, the most common way' and the only way left open for the old doctor, was to have a strong man or two hold the woman, with hands under her arms, while one or two would pull in opposite direction, at the foot, while he would adjust the broken hones. Jle had no trouble in finding men to do the first part, but to stand before the exposed limb of a woman, or catch hold of it, was more than could be expected of any man outside of the leading "four hundred" in a fashionable city. Ho, as is always the case, when the men lack the courage for a heroic undertaking, women will perform the same -wlTh alacrity, which they did in this, cane, quite easily. A rude splint of elm bark, flexible and bending nicely when fresh and moist, but when dry, unyielding, was put on neatly and the leg was set. Here she was for many a week's siege, nursing a broken limb and telling fortunes for people from far and near, dividing the limited gains with the kind bertefactors, which was such a boon

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to them that they would have been quite willing to have the house full of broken-

legged fortune-tellers. J CHAPTER XIV. At the Drooke Home. Returning to Carl Brandon, who Is still fresh in your minds, the accident of the unfortunate evening, we can stop and meditate on what the superstitious would call "special providence" to save the honor of Sparkle Brooke. Providentially, the girl leaped from the buggy, the horse started with fright, dashed down the road and over the hill, killing himself and crippling his master, but why providence should have a panther leap upon a defenseless woman, throw her over the steep, craggy wall of rocks and wound her in a like manner, is more than human ken can penetrf.te. Perhaps it was to bring the beast within reach of its slayers, and thus prevent its further depredation that it had been committing in their flocks. The benefit of these providential things is only seen in their translation. The death of his fine horse, of course, had a very strange moral effect, as the minister said on Sunday, "It was a severe blow to vanity." A stiff-kneed, old farm horse could not. would not. have dashed over the cliff and been killed, but then, when we come to think of it, the girl, had she not jumped, would have been dashed over the cliff and would have been morally dead. So. after all. the good men concluded that providence had to have a fast horse right there to kill himself and wreck a fast man. The good minister explained, too. how providential it was that one of their converts, that they had immersed in the ice-covered water, had died from lung fever from a cold taken at that time, for in all probabilities, judging from the number of times he had "backslidden." and "fallen from grace," he would have been back to the world next summer and probably have died in his sins, as a scourge of typhoid fever had decimated the whole region round about at that time. Carl Brandon's faithful companion proved to be as magnanimous in soul as she was virtuous in heart. She was as forgiving and patient as that purest personification of unselfishness. The Divine Gallileean, when on the cross, raised his kind, sad eyes to heaven and in a voice that will be echoed and reechoed as long as the waves of the sea wash the shore, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." So thought Sparkle) Brooke. That terrible, deceitful, inhuman man was daily crucifying her on the cross of her own admiration, and yet she could truly say, "I forgive you, you know not what you do." Alas, if we always knew the end from the beginning, how different would our lives be ordered. Through like Caesar's wife. Sparkle Brooke was above "suspicion." yet her fair purity was the cause of all. She was the bright sun and the refreshing showers that grew such a great crop cf weeds. Could she cultivate them until they would bear flowers, or would they be but nettles, where the hissing snakes would sting the loving virgin to death? Carl Brandon had no relatives, no friends, nor had he made acquaintances in Cedar Dell, excepting one, who would care for him. If he was taken to the boarding-house Sparkle could be there always, and without her she felt he would not recover. There are times in the hours of affliction when the loving word of some kind woman will accomplish more for the sufferer than all the medicine and all the wisdom of doctors. The soul being the fountain of all life, receives its portion direct from the fountain of all love. Taking the whole situation into consideration with a quick, perceptive sense that belongs to the sensitive and logical nature of a woman. Sparkle decided that Carl Brandon should be taken to her mr ther's houst and there she would nurse him back to life, if that could be done, and if not, she would gently soothe him back into the dreamless sleep that awaits the nightless dawn. She directed the men to take him there: he, more dead than alive, neither spoke nor understood. Upon the arrival at the house the mother was quite willing that the crippled mar should have a home there until he recovered, or was buried, and bent every energy to make him as comfortable as possible. Had the mother known all how differently she would liave acted. We are all like Turks groping under a veil, neither sees the face of the other nor knows his intentions. When at rest in a good bed and receiving every attention from the very one whose utter and hopeless ruin he had sought, he realized what It meant by "heaping coals of fire upon an enemy's head." As he lay there, day after day, helpless as a child, sometimes doubting whether he would see another sun rise or set. now racked by excruciating pains, now depressed by that worse than pain, a pang of conscience. Sinking into the hopeless gloom and melancholy that visits all suffering from severe wounds and again dragged to the verge of insanity, and again tortured into grief and wearied out of patience, and all the while that smiling, beautiful angel, the bright wings of whose soul he had tried to stain, came and went, at all hours of the day and all hours of the night, helpful and cheerful, anticipating every want and soothing all the anguish, thus continuously heaping more coals of fire upon his head. At times his grief, when Sparkle was not present, would become convulsive, and again he would be so vexed at himself he poured curses and imprecation upon himself and many times thought he could endure his suffering much better and with less complaint if Sparkle Brooke had turned her bick upon him and resorted in every possible way to resent the wrongs offered her, then he would regret less deeply any of his acts; but for her to come to him continuousy with some kindness, day after day, almost unconscious that he was the worst enemy that she or any other girl could have on earth, was beyond human endurance. He observed also as the days wore on that she was rapidly showing the effect of care and worry. The rosy cheeks had paled and faded, that full, voluptuous life that had bubbled over like a fountain and flowed like a river was wearied and failing. Those bright eyes, that gleamed and burned like arctic stars, with a ceaseless joy of living fire, grew languid and heavy. Though he had never seen tears in her eyes, her tell-tale face said she ci!ed often. Several times when he had attempted some explanation and apology for his acts, she would gently lay her hand upon his mouth and hush him by saying. "Do not worry; It is all right now." Those whom we love we always forgive. When a woman's heart is filled with kindness there is no room or even remembrance in it of one wrong. Once when he attempted to upbraid himself, she said: "No, .'tis I who is the cause of this, and I have fretted and cried snd prayed that you would forgive me. It was I who frightened your horse, had I not forgotten that the greatest power aj woman had, that honesty of her own heart, by which I could have silenced the flame of your own destruction." Looking steadily at the face of the sweet, sad girl, he realized that, though but a child, she seemed to possess the wisdom of ages, with a spirit like that that calmed the waves of the stormy sea with a sweet, "Peace, be still." The wounds and misery had so exhausted her enemy that now Sparkle Brooke had absolute control over him, but how would it be when returning life and vigor swelled out every vein? Poor girl! she was distressed at his affliction, but she shuddered at th thought of his recovery. Usually after a long spell of sickness or long spell of suffering there are some radical changes observed in the character and condition of the former sufferer, nor is it always for the best. On day Sparkle handed Carl a beautiful rose and said, "Take this and call it me." While holding It, gazing upon It with a deep faellng that sometimes possessed

him, he thanked- her much in words, but more In looks. An ugly little worm crawled up between its petals, making the gift too suggestive. Returning it, he said: "I. as usual, seem to be present." dashing off the worm, returned the rose to the hand of the girl, saying: "You are only safe without me." This was too. much for Sparkle; she translated it to mean that he considered their path divided, a trial a girl's heart is never prepared to endure. Many a woman buries her husband with less sorrow than a young girl loses her first lover. Sparkle's heart got a new pang one day when in bringing Carl Brandon's letters from the postoffice she discovered one of the envelopes addressed in a delicate, beautiful hand, and flowing out from it some exquisite perfume, such as a backwoods, country girl had never inhaled before, but such as is known to the frail denizens of cities as valerian, is known to the hunter who wants to catch male minks. As every thought Is excited through some of the avenues of the five senses, perfume has its office as much as words of objects. Some of the so-called fashionable perfumes would better be called a concentrated essence of the charms of Venus. No surer mark of indecency or vulgarity accompanies any woman than the odor of these strong perfumes. Carl Branconi would always hand Sparkle his letters to open and have her read them for him, and when too weary to write with a pencil, propped up in bed, the bright little girl would be his amanuensis. While carrying this perfumed message of indecency home to Carl, Sparkle had been imagining it was a letter from some elegant, beautiful sweetheart in some faraway city. The postmark she could hardly make out, but thought it Philadelphia. She wondered if he would also ask her to open that and read it to him. Something said she would not read that letter. She handed him the letters, one at a time, he looked at each a moment and then would hand it back and say, "Open i Sparkle," which she did. saving the suspicious one until the last, holding it with a look that showed embarrassment and knowing she should have with drawn before he could have the opportunity to hand it back, and yet tarrying a moment to observe his embarrassment and agitation, which was of no small consequence just then. His face colored to a deep crimson, the first time nature had found enough superfluous blood for a capillary congestion, but the flame was not greater than that in her owi face. It was one of those embarrassing positions that the only way to get out of is an immediate separtion of the parties, so, as he could not, she had to go. Rising with much confusion, she said. "I beg your pardon; you may read that one." Carl Brandon did not even attempt a reply. What reply could he make? The letter explained all. Later in the evening, when she appeared, having been absent a greater length of time than upon any othr day since the accident, she was truly a picture of despair. Jealousy and wounded feelings had done their work. Alternately she had been thinking and crying, and had settled beyond question, in her own mind, that she was nothing to him and this fair writer was all. Remembering a photograph that she had found in the papers he gave her, looking at It carefully, recognized it was a beautiful woman and perfumed with the same odor the letter bore, and on the photograph observed, further, that it was the work of an artist in Philadelphia. Linking each fact to the other, she understood It, yet, womanlike, with a heart heavier than the burden of care, approached her task once more, resolved to do her duty, be it ever so unpleasant. Carl Brandon observed the change; it was too marked to be unobserved, and felt in turn quite as miserable as the girl. It was one of those events that suggests the necessity of an explanation, the very attempt at which would increase the trouble.

CHATTER XV. Jrnloiinj-. For the first time In Sparkle Prooke's life she felt the sting of Jealousy, but scarcely comprehended what It was. Before this event she never realized how truly she loved that man, even when bending over him at the foot of the hill in the moonlight, and looking at his upturned face, she had not that strange, foreboding feeling, mingled with grief, suspicion, hate and 'anguish, that ehe had now. As he had no sister, and his mother was dead, there could be no explanation of the letter except that it was from a sweetheart. The penmanship on the envelope suggested a refinement and education that the girl of a country village could not lay claim to. The perfume and the size of the envelope precluded all business ideas, and hi3 embarrassment settled the rest; then to remember the beautiful photograph of the woman in Philadelphia, with the same odor the letter carried, made the whole story, to her minu, perfect; each truth squared with the other truth. He was not only wicked but he was false. She could have forgiven him for all else, but double dealings to a woman, a Janus-faced lover is the greatest criminal. Carl Brandon was distressed, even more deeply, if that could possibly be, than the wretched girl. He had begun to look upon her as a strange kind of a female deity. She had brought him back to physical life, and now she was struggling to carry him up out of his moral putrescence, and out of the dark night of his vice, to a higher life, a purer light. She was daily patiently waiting on him as gentle as a mother would care for a sick child, at the same time ministering to his morally diseased nature, hoping, trusting, praying that the worse disease might be cured by the time his wounds were healed. Her whole life and strength was flowing out and sacrificing her daily and hourly upon the altar he. love had erected. He had just been thinking how it was telling upon her, and thinking Sparkle could not long stand the burdens she was bearing. If she should give way at this time, what would become of him, or worse, what would become of her? He hoped for an opportunity to explain, expecting at each interview the girl to take the initiative, and she expecting him to, so each interview ended with giving the potions as the doctor had directed, and in feeding him the most dainty, little dishes she could prepare, or the handing of a cup of water. When this was done, Sparkle did not linger at his bedside to cheer him. but withdrew. Her absence was even more painful to him than her presence. Days went on in this way. the girl now having passed from the province of a sweetheart to that of a sister of charity, attending the sick man as a pure Christian duty, realizing that he could never be more to her than a man whom she pitied. The do r of anticipation was forever closed. Between her and Carl Brandon a great gulf had quickly intervened, and in that gulf was a woman. The meetings, and these attentions she paid him, were tepeated over and over, while the wagging tongues of the village gosslpers told village tales. One day while Sparkle was attending her patient, as usual with that calm kindness, bending over him with that pale, sad face, no more lighted with smiles, he as calmly thanking her for each attention, and as she was about to take her, departure, he said: "Sparkle, would you please see if there are any letters for me today?'' As she was only too glad to be of any service to him, she accepted with that sad reserve, "Certainly, Mr. Brandon." She had not said "Carl" Elnce she fetched him the perfumed letter. Throwing a light shawl over her shoulder, and taking a sun-bonnet th;it she had worn since her face became pale, tuat it might be hid, she was off o the office. This time she received but one letter for the sick man, and that was Just like the one she had carried before, written In the same hand, and perfumed with the same odor. If the bystanders.

In the little village postofnee had teen looking closely, they could have seen her hand tremble and the letter drop upon the floor, and, when r,he stooped to pick it up, the play of emotions on her face. For a moment the had to stop, leaning upon the show-case as if looking at the cheap, little trinkets within which she did not nee. When her strength returned, the girl again mastered her grief, and walked calmly and bravely out. Her first thought was that she would not give him the letter, she would have her mother present it, but in doing this she feared her mother would see her grief and suspicion, and would know all. The letter itself was a telling tale. To perform this task she must summon all of her strength and courage. The question was with her, could she summon sufficient courage to accomplish this? As it had now become a duty, it was no longer a sentiment. A faithful woman can do anything. She resolved to present the letter, and hide every emotion. She stepped in the door and said, in the same calm voice. "This is all I got for you today," handing It to him, but scarcely looking at him, passed out of the room. He saw Sparkle no more that day. Her mother attended him, excusing Sparkle, as she was feeling ill. This intelligence was too much for his nerves and he asked many questions. If she would have a physician? If she was lying down? If she was crying? If she complained of pain? To all of which her mother answered she had the headache; that she was so nervous, and had become so pale and looked so badly, and at times she talked in such melancholy strains, a trace of which had never occurred before in her nature. The next day Sparkle did not come into the room. The physician said she was nervous and needed rest. Nor did she enter the room for nearly a week, by which time Carl was able to sit up a little. When she again entered the room, she addressed him with. "I am so glad you are sitting up, Mr. Brandon. I hope you will soon recover." "Sparkle," replied Carl. "I am so sorry you were sick, I was so distressed. I have inquired about you every hour, and last night I slept none, thinking and worrying about you." "Oh you need not worry about me; I am nothing to you." This was his opportunity. "Nothing to me." said he. "To you I owe my life and even more. To you I owe all the better thoughts that I have ever had. You have resurrected me." This was a joy too great. The poor girl's emotions bore her away as the floods would sweep the driftwood. Did he still love her? Turning toward him with the looks she once had, "Carl Brandon, had I realized all this it would have saved me suffering, during which it seems I have lived a thousand strange lives, through a thousand dark years. My nature seemed to have let go of all that it ever held or touched before. It seemed to have first tasted a cup of grief that refines through sorrow, faith and endurance, and then It seemed to me I was no longer anything in the world, and I met strange, sad creatures somewhere, and one of them told me that joy and grief were only the sensations of a nerve; that to be happy we must be without feeling, must be nothing, and how I longed to be nothing; but when you tell me this, I come back again to this world, where I have found only thorns and thistles." She extended her hands to him, as if to make friends anew, when she heard a voice at the gate. Looking, she saw a carriage, and a lady alighting, saying: "Is this the home of John Brooke?" The girl was powerless to speak. The

- I woman was the original of the per fumed photograph. The driver answering in the affirmative, the woman walked directly to the open door, but upon entering she only found Carl Brandon. CHAPTER XVI. A IIa by. As Sparkle Brooke turned to take one more look at the approaching woman, before hiding herself away in her own room, she saw in the strange lady's arms a very young baby. Overcome with Jealousy and grief and fearing she would have to give way to weeping, which would be heard by Carl and his friend, she withdrew from the house to the garden, where she seated hefself on a rustic bench in the deep shadows from overhanging grapevines that clustered and matted about her head. There was nothing for her to do but weep, and as often before, she found relief in tears. After weeping the next thing for her to do was to think. What could all this mean? It seemed plain enough, that was Carl Brandon's wife. Arriving fully at this conclusion she could only love and respect the lady as much as she detected the dishonorable man, and continue as nurse, as sister of charity, extending her ministrations also to the woman and baby, for she said to herself. "The poor woman's burdens are enough without being augmented from anything I may do." Sparkle Brooke's nature to decide quickly and act immediately was again exemplified. Rising to the foregoing conclusions she returned to her room, bathed her face, brushed her hair, made ps presentable appearance as possible and determined to make the lady welcome and perfectly at ease. In Sparkle's absence Carl Brandon and the woman had a hasty conversation and arranged things suitable to the woman, as they generally are arranged. Entering the room without ceremony she laid the young babe on the bed by Carl Brandon and said with more plainness than feeling: "I have fetched your brat. We received the money, and as that settled everything with my husband, and as I thought it would be quite cruel to separate you from your family, I have brought him. You will find this brat very bright for his age, and, if he lives to reach manhood, may, possibly, be as honest as his sire." "But." said Carl Brandon. "I thought the understanding was that the money was to pay for keeping the child." "Oh, yes," replied the woman, "I know that was the promise, but since none of the contracting parties to this bargain have made any particular effort to be guided by the truth, that part of the statement may be considered off." "But, woman, can you have no possible regard for the little creature?" "Why, most certainly, sir; for that reason I have brought it to you. What on earth could a soiled dove promise to such a bunch of humanity? You," she continued, "being a man of the strictest moral integrity, of course could raise it up in the virtue and admonition of the Lord. I can even imagine I see you now. In a few years, when this thing can wtlk. on Sunday morning taking it by the hand, and at the summons of the old church bell, wending your way to Sunday-school. Oh, yes; I know how good and moral you are, that is the reason T want to see you nave it." "But," replied the man, "will you leave the poor, little thing here to die? You see T am incapable of even sitting up. What can I do for it?" "Oh," said the woman, with an Indifferent air, "I heard all about your simple little sweetheart, whom I suppose is another victim, she can take care of it. perhaps with one of her own." This insult was both cutting and surprising, and really more than Carl Brandon could endure. With his gaze, calm, immovably fixed on the face of the woman, he said: "Call me what you may, for being guilty of even associating with yovt makes me worthy of being called anything that is not nice. I lay no claims to being a saint, but you, at your home, have even professed sanctlficatlon. My life has been a blot, a wreck, a lie, say what you choose about it, but never take the spotless name of that pure creatuie, whom you have mentioned, again in your vile mouth. It is an accursed sacrilege that, though helpless and crippled as I am, I would resent if it cost me my life. As to the child, be It so. I will do the best I can for It. It is surely not to blame. Children, un

fortunately, have r.ot the choosing of their parents. If they had and would take morality and decency into account, you and I would have died without heirs." "Oh," said she. with a curl of her contemptuous lips. "I see you have gotten out here in the hills and started a salvation army, but as my mission is done, I caie not to waste any more time with you or your progeny. You will find your brat likes milk, but I swore he should never touch my breast." "Thank heaven for that." said Carl Brandon, "the milk of harlots should only be sucked by vampires." Waving her hand as she bowed out at the door, she said, "Good-by, Mr. Brandon, may your cup of Joy always run over." "And yours," said he, "be no greater than that which you bestow upon others." The woman was soon in the carnage and rolled out of sight. Carl, though bad, had a heart, took his offspring in his arms and kissed it. (Continued Next Week.)

CHUM'S CCLUMN. How Tom's Life Was Saved. Tom Strahan was an infant of two and one-half years at the time and dearly loved a cat. Now, a live cat Is rather a dangerous plaything for a very young child. So Aunt Biddy bought Tom a beautiful cat that couldn't scratch. It was made of cloth and stuffed with hay. But its sides and face were painted so like the real cat that Tommy hardly felt that it was only a rag cat. He became fond of it. Tom's father was an engineer, and every pleasant day Aunt Biddy used to take little Tom down to the railroad to see the train go past. One summer afternoon as it got to 4 o'clock Biddy said. "Come, Tom, boy, we will go down to the curve and see daddy and the 'choochoo.' ' They arrived at the curve about ten minutes before "22" was due. As they were walking along Aunt Biddy saw that htr shoestring had come untied. She turned and let go Tom's hand and put her foot upon a stone and fixed the string in a good stout knot. She double knotted it, in fact. just then she heard the rumble of "22" tearing along on the other side of the curve with the long train of coal cars. When Biddy turned round, she never came so near fainting in her whole life as she did then. For what she saw was Tom on the track, with his back -to the engine, tugging away at a wild flowethat grew between the ties. It had caught his eye and he had made for it while Biddy was tying her shoe. Engine 22 was rounding the curve. The distance between the curve and the boy with his red dress on the track was not great enough to bring the engine to a standstill, and Biddy knew she could not get there in time to snatch him away and then she saw the old limp cloth cat lying in front of her, where Tom had dropped it to go for the flower. She grasped it, and shrieking, "Tom, kitty, poor kitty," and threw it toward him. He heard her and he saw the darling old cat drop some yards away, and he uttered a cackle of delight and ran for it. Just as he clutched it in his hands engine 22 tore by, and the wind of It rolled Tom over. Daddy had seen that red spot on the track and had nearly dropped out of the cab as he had realized it all. As soon as he could he rushed back and there was poor Biddy all of a heap on the ground, her face white as a sheet, and so weak she could not stir. But Tom. who had not been hurt at all by his roll, was on his feet holding out his darling old cat to his father. The way daddy whipped him up into his arms and kissed him was a surprise to Tom. And then daddy kissed the cat that had saved the boy's life. New York Press. How Chineae Are Educated. The Chinese school children have instilled into them at an early age habits of hard, steady study. At the age of five a boy begins his schooling. At daylight he rises, and after dresing as quickly as possible he starts breakfastless to school. He is given a task, and after it is completed he is allowed an hour for breakfast. Again later he has an hour for luncheon, but he is at his study nearly twelve hours a day, seven days a week. All this time when he is not reciting his lessons he is studying aloud at the top of his voice. -He is under the eye of his master, both in school and on his way to and from school. The lad is taught rudimental astronomy, physics and natural history, but greater stress is put upon writing and his literary studies. "A Thousand Letters," a poem, is the study that forms the backbone of his literary education. In it are taught the duties of children to parents and all such matters. Whatever the study may be history, classics or science every lesson is learned and repeated word for word. Chicago Inter Ocean. When Qneen Victoria AVnn Girl. Among the many stories told of the childhood of Queen Victoria is one of a visit made with her mother at Wentworth house in Yorkshire. While there the princess delighted in running about by herself in the gardens and shrubberies. One wet morning shortly after her arrival the old gardener, who did not then know her, saw her about to descend a treacherous bit of ground from the terrace and called out: "Be careful miss; it's slape!" a Yorkshire word for slippery. The ever curious princess, turning her head, asked. "What's slape?" and at the same instant her feet flew from under her and she came down. The old gardener ran to lift her, saying as he did so, "That's slape, miss." Youth's Companion. Entertaining: n House Tarty. The house Itself may be a valuable adjunct in the entertainment of one's friends or a kill-Joy whose influence it is hard to overcome, writes Mrs. Burton Kingsland in a delightful article on "Entertainng Friends in the Country" in the August Ladles' Home Journal. If possible, let us do away with "company rooms," and make your friends welcome in those made homelike by our daily presence and .that of our families. Nothing but living in it will take the stiffness out of a room. The Ideal room for the entertainment of friends in a country house is a large, cheerful "sittingroom." that shall be library, music and drawing room in one the heart and soul of the house. Here should be collected all that we care most to have about us souvenirs of travel, favorite pictures, photographs, low bookcases containing readable books, luxurious divans with bright-hued pillows, and every chair made for comfort. A piano standing across one corner, so that the player face the room, may be draped with gay stuffs and made a "thing of beauty." The addition of a tall lamp with gorgeous shade near by, and a fine palm or two, makes a "cozy corner" that would prove alluring. If you wake In the morning with a bitter taste in the mouth, coated tongue, perhaps headache, your liver is torpid. You need Carter's LitUs Liver Pills.

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iru B REMEDY. On 7 require minutes, sot boon, to ra'.iava pais sad cure acute diseases. ADVYAY'S READY RELIEF. The Cheapest and Best Medicine For Family Use in the World. In from on. to twenty minutes, never falls to relieve PAIN with one thorough application. No matter bow vio'ent or eicrutiating the ptiu, the hruraatic. Bedridden, Infirm. r. pried. Ncrvoo, Nenrs'?:c or prostrated with disease may aller, KADWAY'3 kvEADT KüLIfc-F affords instant ease. Inflammation of the Kiclney, Inflammation of the ItladUer, Inflammation of the Uovsels, Congestion of the Laue, Sore Throat, Difficult lirent hin;, Palpitation of the Heart, Hysterie. .Croup, Diphtheria. Catarrh, Influenza, Headache, Toothache, enrnlgla, Kheumatlam, Cold Chili, Axne Chills, Cliilblalnea, Front i3ite, Braise, rrvoainfii, Sleeitleannena, Coaghi, Co Ida, Sprjtina, I'jtltia In the Cheat, Dark or Li in ha, are instantly relieved. In Its Various Formt, FEVER AND AGCS cured for 6J eenta. There Is not a remedial agent in tb a world that will eure Fever and Ague and other Malarious, liilioti. carle! end other levers (aided by BAU WAY'S PILL) quickly as KaDWAi' KLADY KELItfr. BOWEL COMPLAINTS. It will in a ! moments, when taken according to directions, cure (.ramps, fepasros, Soar stomach. Heartburn, Sick Headache, Diarrhea. Pysentery, Cholera Morbus, Colic, Wind in the Bowe.a and aJ internal pains. CHOLERA. The BE IDY BELIEF is almost a specific in this terrible epidemic; if used in time will save nearly every case. Travelers ahonld always carry a Dott e of Rad war's Beady nelie with them. A few drops in water will prevent sickness or pains from chungs of water. II is belter than French brandy or bitters as a stimulant Miners and lumbermen should always be provided with it. O-eVCTTTOlSJ". All remedial agents capable of destroying life by ea overdose shoal'" be avoided. Morphine, r.pium, strychnin, arnica, hyosc.smus and other powerful remed es do, at certain times, in very sma 1 doses, rail i v e the patient during their action in the system. But perhaps the second dose, if repeated, may ay cravat e and increase the su Bering and another Oos cause death. 1 here is no necessity for using these uncertain agents when a pos tive remedy like Hadway's Kcady Kellef will stop the most excrutialing pain quicker, without entailing the least d.Sculty la either inlant or adult. " THE TRUE RELIEF. RADWAY'S READY RELIT' F is the only remedial agsnt in vog-?s that will Instantly stop pain, FIFTY CENTS PER BOTTLK. SOLD BY DRUCCISTS. Bfi Sie to Gel "Raflw's." S12 iADWAY'S U Sarsanan man 3"SE23Bsa3sia Resolvent. The Great Blood Purifier. Pure blood makes sound flesh, strong bona and a clear skin. If you wou d have your flesh firm, your bones sound, without eariea, and your eompleaioa fair, use UiUWAi't biüsArABllJJAN MatOLVNT. We extraot from Dr. Radway'e "Treatise on Disease and its Cure," aa lollowa: LIST OF DISEASES CUBED BY DR. RADWAY'S SARSAPARILLIAN RESOLVENT. Chronic skin diseases, caries of the bone, humors la the ulood, scrofulous diseases, fever, sores, chronic or o.d ulcers, salt rheum, rickets, wh t swelling, scald head, cankers, glandular awcl.mgs, nodes, wasting and decay o; the body, pimples and blotches, tumors, fiyj-pep'ia, kidney and bladder disea-es, chronic rheumat.sm and Jtout, consumption, gravel and calcuiu arposiia, and varieties o. the above complaints, to which sometimes are I Tto apeciflo name. In cases wher the 6ytem has been salirated, and mercury has accumulated and become deposited in the bones, joints, eic, causing caries of the bones, rickets, spinal curvatarea, eoniortioos, white sweiliiigs, varicose ve.ns, e.c, the Sareapanlla will resolT away those deposits and exterminate the virus of the d.sease from the system, A Great Const itntlonal Remedy Skin Diseases, Tnmors, Ulcers and Bores of all kinis. particularly Chronic Diseases of the skin, ara cured with great certainty by a course of i adway'a SarsapanUian. We mean obstinat oases that hara res.sted all other treatment. SCROFULA, Whether transmitted from parents, or esquired, ta witmn the curative range oi the tsarsaparilnan Resolvent. It possesses the same wonderful power in curing the worst forms of strumous and eruptive d:nliii, sypbilloid ulcers, sores o. the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, throat, glands, exterminaticg the virus of theaa chronic lorms of disease from the blood, bones, Jo nts, and in every part of the human body where there exists disaed depos.U, ulceration, tumors, hard lumps cr B'-rofulous ir.fUmmst on, this great and powerful remedy w.ll exterminate rapidly and permanently. ... Cne bottle contains more of tbe active principle or med, eines than any other preparat.on. taken in teaspoonful dosts, while others require five or six time i much. ONE DOLLAR PER BOTTLE. SOLD BY DRUCCISTS. PILLS. TIib Great Liver anä Stomacli Remefly Purely vegetable, mild and rel'able. Cause perfcet digestion, oomtlete absnrtion and hea.lhful regularity, h or the cure o. all disorders of the Moniaoh, Liver, Bowels, Kidney, Bladder, Kervous Diseases. Loss of Appetite. Sick Headache. Indigestion. Dizzy FeelingSr Biliousness. Constipation, Dyspepsia. Observe the following symptoms resulting fem dlsesses o; the digestive ergans: Constipation, iward piles, ullness o blood in the head, acidity of the stomach, nausea, beartbarn. disgust of lood, fullness or weight of the stomach, sour .ractation, ink. inv or flu txrint of the heart, choking or suffocat ng sensstions when in a lying posture dimn'se of V sion. dotn or webs before tbs tight, fever and dull pan ia the bead, deQoieney o: peron ration, yel own, o tbs kin and eye, pain ia the eide, che-i, limbs and sadden flushes ot heat burning in I hi flesh. A Jew doses or 4DW AY'S KILLS will free the system o' all the above-named disorders. Pr'ee 1 cents per box. fold by draggtsta. Send a letter at imp to i)H. ,U.aaV & CO., 31 Warren at.. aw York. Information worth thou and. will re ent te vou. TO TliK PUULIC-B. aura and ask for Bin WAY'S, and ae. that tbs nam. "atADVYAY" ta wnetTOUIbuT.