Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 31, Number 356, 1 February 1907 — Page 7

The , Richmond Palladium. Friday, February 1, 1907,

Pane Seven

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THE KNIFE THROWERS By FREDERIC VAN RENSSELAER DEY, Author of "Not Like Other Men," Etc

tio aid so, and she studied tt long and earnestly. Presently she asked "Is there nothing between this point" she placed the point of the pencil on the spot which he bad lndl cated as the position of the chair "and this?". She touched the place marked doorway. "I mean by that, is there no chandelier or table with tall object upon it directly on a line drawn from here to here?" And she Indicated the two points again, "Nothing whatever not even Chair," he replied. Carmen rose from her chair and crossed the floor twice. Then she re turned and resumed her seat "Mr. Wyndham," she said slowly and Impressively, "did yon ever bear that a favorite pastime among Mex icans Is knife throwing?" "Yes." "How far Is It from the door to the chair whera you found him?" "About twenty feet." "My friend you will permit me to so regard you the knife or dagger or vbatever it was that took the life of Burr Pendleton was thrown from the doorway, and he did not even see the arm that hurled it. But, Mr. Wyndliam," and she leaped to her feet In considerable excitement, "I have seen that arm and that hand many times, and so have you!" "Possibly," replied Wyndham, ui' moved. "You know, then?, Yoa know?" she Demanded. "No, senorlta, I do not know; I only Kuspect. But I mean to know some time." "Ab, but I know now. I do not sus pect I know. "Well?" Carmen burled her face In her hands, but she did not weep. She was think lag. "I can see It all," she said finally. "He pretended to leave the rooms, but be did not do so. He remained. . He watched his opportunity. When It rame, he stepped to the door, pushed It softly open, wide enough for his purpose, and then he threw the knife and walked quietly out of the bouse. Yes, I can see It. I know it is so." "Of whom are you speaking, senorlta?" "I am speaking of Carlos Escudera, my own cousin." "(iood God."' exclaimed Wyndham. "What? Did you not suspect him?" "Yes, but" "Hut it shocks you to bear that he is related to me?" ,"Yes. I think that Is what startled me." "I thank you for that thought, Mr. Wyndham. It means more than you 62 She leaped to her feet telth flashina eyem. Intended ft should or' more than you thought when you uttered it. My mother was a Romero. Escudera's mother was her sister. His name is, in Spanish, Escudera y Romero. My name is Del Puente y Romero. Do you understand?" "Yes. Who, then. Is the Romero with whom Burr fought the duel?" "Ah! We have not arrived at that point j'et. I will explain it all to you when we do, but first .let us finish with this one. Does Escudera know that you suspect him?" "I don't know; I don't think so. Par don me If I insist upon returning to the name of the duelist. Tell me, is Escudera related to him?" "They are cousins also."''" " "And is Captain Romero also a cousin tf yours?" "I do not like to admit that. Mr. Wyndham. Please remember that I have not done so. You will thluk all my relatives are murderers." "Pardon me. I am a brute. I am" "You are the living friend of the man who was foully murdered. I am tuj cousin of the brute who murdered him. But I am even more than that. Mr. Wyndham; more than that even tc Carlos Escudera, for I am his affianced wife." It was Wyndham's turn to leap to his feet, more agitated than he remembered ever to have been before. His heavy brows drew down in an ugly scowl over his eyes, half shading them, and his pquare jaws set themselves together with indomitable resolve. But the ex pression lasted only an Instant. Then his face cleared Into a settled look ot utter contempt. "So, be said, "yoa brought me here to trap me with your beauty. You brought me here to induce me to spare f:m the electric chair the murderer whom you would marry, whose wife you would become. You brought me here at the bidding of Escudera, to worm out of me for bis sake all I know. You would make me an accomplice with you In" She held up one hand, and he paused. There was no anger in her face. He raw with amazement that there were tears in her eyes, and he ground his teeth In renewed rage when he discovered that she was smiling through them. "You forget that It wa I who denounced him, not you. . Yoa. did not permit me to finish what I was saying," the said. "I am the affianced wife of Carlos Escudera, but I bate him oh. how I hate him! As only a woman of tor blood can hate! He killed Burr

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Pendleton. For that, woma;i though 1 am, there Is no torture to which I would Dot willingly consign him. lie killed Burr rendition! lie killed my" She broke down and wept then with sobs that shook her as a raging storm troubles the sea, sinking upon the chair again and burying her face in her hands. Craig watched her silently. lie was wise enough to know that it was best to permit the storm to pass without interruption, lie felt that a great revelation bad fallen upon him like a flood of light A great pity for her filled hit heart. lie knew how engagements art' entered into In Spanish countries and that the woman is never consulted re garding the choice that Is made for her, and he knew he thought he knew that this woman had loved Burr. That of itself was sufficient in bis heart to render her and her wishes dear to him. He asked himself In that moment of waiting, "If I, a man, loved Eurr Pendleton so dearly, how utterly must she, a woman, have loved him'' When her sobs ceased, he was stand ing beside her, and lie touched her gen tly apon her shoulder. lie forgot hi own harsh words, forgot that he had ottered them, for he knew. In the other and greater sorrow, she had not heed ed them. "Was he so dear to you, senorlta?" he asked. "Did you love Burr like that?" She raised her face and looked Into his eyes. Then she rose and stood be side him. "Yes," she said, "I loved him. I think I would have worshiped him had he lived. He was all that I had left to love, but he died without knowing it without knowing me." "Without knowing you?" repeated Craig. "I do not understand." She placed one delicate hand on el-1 ther of his shoulders and looked steadily into his eyes with an expression that Craig Wyndham never forgot. "You were his friend, and you will be my friend," she said. "Mr. Wynd ham, Burr Pcndteton's father was my father. He was my brother. I wss his sister, and he is dead and never knew It. Oh, if I had only told him all that night! But I did not dare I did not dare. You will believe me? You will not doubt me? He was my brother my brother! And I was so proud of him! I loved him I loved him!" In her great sorrow she forgot all else. She remembered only that she was in the presence of the man wbu had been her brother's friend and who would be her friend, and she laid her head against his stalwart shoulder and wept anew. CHAPTER IX. A SERPENT WITU ITS FANGS DRAWN. w IIEN Carmen had recovered and the two were seated again, both silently think Ing. it occurred to Craig to glance in the direction of the duenna. Apparently sue nau not moved or glanced In their direction, for 6he was etill placidly engaged upon that inde scribable work. It was Craig who broke the silence. "Miss Pendleton," he began, and she looked up in amazement. "That Is your true name," he continued, "and I think I should eo address you," he added. "Not If you are to be the friend 1 need, as you will know after you have heard all that I have to tell you," she said demurely. "What then?" he asked. "Carmen," she replied simply. "So be it." he said gravely. "I will address you by your given name, and in all things I will try to be to you what Burr would have been had he lived. But that is not what I intended to say. There is something concerning the death of Burr that you should know. Perhaps you have heard that he left his fortune to me." "No," she replied, "I had not heard of it." "ne did, absolutely, as people suppose, but that la not true. It was left to me that is. the bulk of It was left to me In trust for you." "In trust for me?" "Yes." "But he did not know'- - "He suspected. There wa9 a document left to me with bis will. That we will read over together later. lie only believed that there might be a half brother or sister somewhere In the world, probably In Mexico, and he directed me to search." She raised one hand and stopped him. "Mr. Wyndham" she began, and he Interrupted her. "You have forgotten something, Carmen." he said. "What is It?" "My given name." "Oh. well. I will finish what I was about to say. I have a reason, a very strong reason, which you will under stand after we have talked about the duel, why I do not want one word said about Burr'a property yet. The time Isv i 1M . . dueU and , canQot Into tJjat ton,ght uoi at nana until we nave uiscusseu in I inherited my mother's property anc am what you call rich. Still It wa that rery subject that brought me to New York. "What subject?" "Burr's estate. Yoa must remembet that I did not know that my brothei was murdered. I only knew that luwas dead. I would have come at once had I known. Let us wait for nother Interview for all tbat we have to tall over. I am dazed tonight, I think. 1 must have time to compose myself and to give careful thought to what there Is to do. Ah. Craig" she uttered the name quite naturally "yoa do not know half the story yet. There Is sc much more. Will you come to me tomorrow at noon?" she asked. "Yes." "I will have breakfast served here in this little parlor at that hour, and yo will share !t with tne." -i ..ow u amendment. Carmen. 1

win call nere witn'a carriage at noon. Yoa and I and the stone image At the other end of the room will drive out together and have luncheon at a place I know." She assented without question, and neither could foresee what grave complications this arrangement was destined to bring about. A moment later Craig bade the sister of his friend good night and was driven to the Waldorf, where for ten minutes he showed himself conspicuously In tle corridors. Then he had himself driven directly to bis own apartments. It was midnight when he entered, and the party were jt'st leaving the card table to devour the ample spread that had been prepared for them by Wyndham's orders. Of course they chaffed him about his absence. Men always do that sort of thing, and Wyndham expected it. Escudern alone had nothing to say regarding the matter. As soon as there was an opportunity Carleton Biggs drew Wyndham aside and whispered: "Awfully sorry, old man. I played as recklessly as I could, but I won like a house afire for all that. The Mexican Is the biggest loser, but I think It

is because be seemed to have no heart in the game. Half the time he didn't seem to know what he held, and almost always he had to be told when to come In. Funny thing, that. I have been told that be is an expert with cards." "It's all right. Carleton," replied Craig. "I am glad you won. The winnings are yours, you know; the losses would have been mine. Not a word. You have done me a greater service than you kuow, I think 1 know why Escudera iid cot pay much attention to the gpme. but it does not matter." The Kame was brought to a close ac cording to the arrangement, at G o'clock in the morning, and as the guests wre departing Escudera. who had partially retrieved his losses of the earlier part of the game, loitered behind the others and was the last to bid bis host goodby. Wyndham guessed that he had something to say. but be was hardly prepared for what came. I should not think you would enjoy living iu these rooms," he said. "Why not?" a.ked Wyndham. Oh. nothing; only there is something suggeUIve of the uncanny about a place where a man has been murdered." "Not when that man was your best ftnd dearest friend, senor. On the contrary. these rooms keep rne reminded of something that I have to do, "What Is that?" "Bring the murderer to Justice.' The Mexican shrugged bis shoulders. "I will confess." he said, "that I have felt rather grewsoiue here. I have not been here before s'nee that night. You know I belong to a superstitious race. Good morning." "Now, what the dpvil was he driving at?' muttered Wyndham after Escudern was gone. "He had something else to say. but he didn't dare say it. I wonder what It was that made him nervous. Was it because he was in the rooms where be had killed a man or Will you come to me tomorrow at noont" rslietmkcd. was It because fie was' worried over toy absence? Whatever It was, his time for uncertainty is short. He at least will soon know the worst." Instead of taking a few hoars of rest, as most men under the circumstances would have done, Craig Wyndham plunged into a cold bath, after which ! old James gave him a thorough "rub down." Then, although it was still so early that he knew none of his ac quaintances would be abroad, he went out on the street and took a sharp walk f three miles or more. "If a man avoids stimulants, takes brisk exercise and cold watec baths, he can do without sleep for seventy-two hours," he said to a park policeman to whom he talked while he rested from his brisk peregrination. He had walked all the way out to Mount St. Vincent to make arrangements for that luncheon, and with all his straightforwardness he would have laughed to scorn any implication that he had done It for any other reason than the exercise; but all the while as h walked thrr wort liricht nn hril-

llant-eyes leading him on. the eyes of w? hecause I respected your fee 1the sister of his dead friend, the eyes lnfi because I bel eved the knowledge

of the woman o whom be intended to be a brother! Self deception Is deception of the worst sort, for there can be no betrayal. Craig Wyndham did not know that he was deceiving himself. All his life he had been so direct in everything he did that the "symptoms were unrecog nizable. He only realized without know ing why that something was strange i and new. If ever a man hated deception of any sort, Craig Wyndham was one. The interview with Carmen, the exercise and the conscious force of bis own strength had given him a new and strange confidence, and while he was returning from the park be made up his mind that there should be no more of that.. With the knowledge he now possessed he believed that he could not only defy the machinations of Carlos J Escudera, but that he need no longer pretend friendship for a man he hated; also he resolved that he would make no effort to conceal from him or his followers if he possessed any what he should do that day. In other words, he felt entirely competent to care for and protect Carmen Pendleton. There may he some who read who have had this same sensation and can understand better than it can be described hero the sensations by which hewas actuated. It was in consequence of these stevernl emotions if they may be defined by that word that at the.axuioinlcd hour

the hotel where the sister of his friend was stopping and. without any attempt at concealment, drove away with her and the duenna. Nor was It with sur

prise that, as they drove up the avenuo, he was saluted with raised hat and flourishing bow by Carlos Escudera. Carmen's seat In the carriage was .uch that she did not see the Mexican, and It was therefore supposable that the Mexican did not see her. The duenna, being ou the front seat, was, of course, unseen, and Wyndham smiled when be realized that after all it was only his own movements that Escudera and his hirelings were watching. As yet Escudera did not even su.pect the presence of hla cousin In the city. At Mount St. Vincent they sought a far corner of the restaurant. The duenna, Maria, was given an adjoining table. A tip to the waiter made it Impossible for other guests to occupy the nearby tables at an hour when there were so many that were vacant iu other parts of the room, and thus Wyndham felt confident that they would be undisturbed. They had been seated scarcely half an hour and had not yet got beyond j mere generalities in their talk when j there came a m0st unexpected interj ruption. Wyndham, who sat with his back to ward the doer, saw Carmen make a sudden start and then turn deathly pale, and he heard her exclaim, almost under her breath: "Dios mio! Carlos esta aqui!" He understood her words as well as if she had spoken In English, but he remained perfectly calm and unmoved. He did not even turn his head, but he could hear the footsteps of a person approaching them, and his ears were so well attuned to time that he recognized the step of Carlos Escudera. "Be calm. Carmen," he said rapidly and In a low voice. "Remember that you are not In Mexico now." She recovered herself Instantly, but the next moment Escudera was beside them. "This is an unexpected pleasure, senorita." he said coldly in Spanish, Ignoring utterly the presence of Wyndham. "I did not kuow that my fiancee was In the city." Wyndham saw that he was deadly pale and that he was struggling with all his strength of will to speak calmly. This man, usually so self possessed, for once had lost his power of self repression. His eyes seemed sunken back in his head. His white teeth gleamed ominously under his black mustache. His bands trembled with excitement. Craig thought, somewhat vaguely for he was intent upon watching the manbow fortunate it was that Carmen had told him that she was affianced to Escudera! He realized in that moment how appalling the statement would have been had he not already been fortified against it. At the same Instan) he decided that It was best to treat the Mexican in a perfectly natural manner. Anybody who has found himself at some time In a critical position realizes how rapidly one can and does think at such moments. He sprang to his feet before Escudern had ceased speaking and exclaiml ed in a tone that evidenced both surI prise and pleasure, for Escudera did ' not know that he understood Spanish, f "IJHn. Escudera! This Is an unexpted pleasure. I supposed" yoa were sleeping the sleep of the just after last night. Termit me, Miss Pendleton, to . present my friend, Senor Escudera. He comes from your own country, by the way. Escudera. Miss Pendleton." It was a shot that told, for it stag-, gerea uscuaera utterly If such a thing were possible, he be came a shade whiter" than before, and for Once in his life he was outdone in presence of mind. It was clever, too, on the part of Wyndham, that assumption for Carmen of the name of Pendleton, for it explained without further words their presence there together. Escudera bowed with a gesture that was truly Mexican, and he smiled with an Insolence that he did not try to conceal, and while he bowed and smiled he made another heroic effort to control himself. In that, however, he was only partly successful, for he still Ignored Wyndham. He could not play the game with the cool head of his antagonist. There were mlleposts beyond which he could not travel. "I do not think that I require an introduction to you by this fellow or by anybody," he said in Spanish, believing that Wyndham could not understand him, "but I do require an explanation of your presence here." "1011 have it," she replied calmly, "in the letter you sent to me announcing , the death of Burr Pendleton, in which you refrained from telling me the truth." It was a delicate method of telling him that he had lied to her. and It angered him beyond endurance. "Shall I tell you why I deceived you?" he demanded hotly, forgetting tbat he had demanded an explanation and that Instead he was making one. . ii nun juur uaii uiuiu-i vi-iut: iu ma j death would shock you; because alI ready I knew the name of the man who killed him and only awaited evidence to convict him of the crime, and that man, the man who killed Pendleton, Is your present companion this man who sits opposite you at the table." Wyndham rose slowly from his seat and, taking a step forward, confronted Escudera. "Senor Escudera," ho said, also speaking Spanish, "it is my misfori tune or good fortune, whichever you choose to call it, to understand you. It is certainly my good fortune to recognize in you a despicable scoundrel Will you Kave us quietly, for the sake of the lady, or shall I call" He did not have time to complete what he would have said, for the Mex- t ican. who now lost every vestige of self control, started back and with a rapid motion thrust his right hand into the opening of bis waistcoat. In an instant it was out again, am1 something even the quickness of the eye eould not determine what it was gleamed in his grasp. The hand was drawn back. Carmen uttered a low cry. Wyndham started forward, for he knew ierfect!y w II the meaning of that gesture, the onthat had hurled death into the heart or Burr Pendleton, and he Intended tc seise the Mexican before he could oar the terrible missile. But Eeudcra"f writ seized from behind, th?

weapon was torn witn a sudden wrencn from his grasp, and he stood before them like a writhing serpent whose fangs have been drawn.. Nobody had noticed Maria, the duen

na. Her presence was utterly rorgotj ten. but she was a Mexican Indian wo man, and she knew the man who had Interrupted the luncheon. During the scene she stole behind him. as if she anticipated what he would do, or suspected that he might do it, ami when he drew back his hand to cast th "weapon she tore the implement from him and left him harmless. In the excess of passion under which the Mexican struggled It is not strange that bis rage turned upon the woman who had disarmed him. He wheeled like lightning and seized her by the throat with both bands, but his fingers had scarcely time to turhten before jic seized her by the throat. two powerful arms reached around him, one on either side. His wrists were seized In a grasp that was tenfold stronger than his own. his fingers relaxed and loosed their hold, his arms were drawn resistlessly behind him, and be was pushed unceremoniously though not rapidly toward the door. The waiter, who happened to be the only witness to all that bad occurred, obeying a nod from Wyndham. preceded them and opened the side entrance, and there Craig lifted the Mexican bodily from his feet and dropped him outside. Then he closed the door and returned quietly to the table. "I think. Carmen," he said "I think we may now proceed with our luncheon." And she looked at him with eyes that spoke all too plainly of the admiration she felt. crrxrr THE MYSTERY EXPLAINED. )OTH were silent until the luncneon was finished that is, sllent regarding the subjects nearest to tne mougnts or each. Maria, who had returned to her table as placidly as if nothing unusual had happened and whom Wyndham had warmly thanked for her part in the scene so lately enacted, had turned ber back to them and was gazing out through the window at the carriages that were constantly passing to and fro. "Now, Carmen," said Craig at last, "war is declared. I do not know what Escudera has got up his sleeve" "A knife, doubtless," she interpolated, and Craig smiled and continued: "but I do not doubt that he haa Bomething. We have forced his hand, aml T haye not a doubt tbat he will at once endeavor to fix this crime that we know he committed upon me. Still I have consi(lerabie time to act, so we need not make unnecessary haste. There are several things that I must know to complete the knowledge I already have, for I already know more about the history of your father and Burr than you think I do. I think the best way to get at what I require now will be to ask you a few questions. It will save time, and in that way we can get directly at the Important points." "I will reply to any question you will ask if It is one that I am informed about." "Under what name did your father first visit Mexico?" "Bridge. That is why my cards are Inscribed Del Puente of the bridge." "Did your mother know his true name when they were married?" "Yes. He never deceived her." "Do you know why he went to Mexico under an assumed name?" "Yes. Pancho, who was his servant and is now mine, has told me. A syndicate that had been formed by my father in New York met with disaster of some kind at the hands of the then Mexican eovernmenL He was known t th . Mexicans by namc only and lie went among them to Investigate the affairs of the syndicate. In order to accomplish the task betteV he assumed a name at random. Bridge happened to be the one he selected. The government of Mexico was very unstable 'at that time. Life was not valued at a very high price not much higher than their bonds, which were then wort bless. There were national complications of some kind which I do not understand, t but" . . , j "I know about that. Carmen, and I j will tell you in a few words enough so ! that you will know what a really great ; man Robert Pendleton was. An Amcrlcan officer cf the government was j eminent. Your father might, by Informing his own government of all he knew, have brought on dllilculties be- ! tween the two nations, which would ' probably have resulted in the downfall of Mexico, at that time torn by internal ; conflicts. Your mother plead for her country, and for love of her he not only kept silent, but he voluntarily relinquished a fortune, cr what they would call there several fortunes. He did net return to Mexico for the same reason, because his life would not have been safe for a momeut and because she begged him not to do so. She promised to come here to him, but she dietL That much I have learned from documents that I found in Burr's safe. And here let me add: Burr knew that bis father had married again in Mexico and that his wife had died. He did not know that there was a child, but he believed it probable, and that !e why he left the property in trust to me, with private directions what to do. Now. Carmen, were you the only child of that marriage?" "No." She cast down Ler eyea so that ho could not meet ht-r glance. "I had a twin brother." "You Lad a twin brulbvrV lis is

"No; he lives, but I will not recognize him. Captain Romero, with whom Burr fought the duel. Is my brother, lie was born at the same time that 1 was born." "My God! Brother against brother! What a fortunate thing it is that the duel did not terminate fatally! Did you know about it at the time?" "Yes. and I tried to prevent. But for Pancho, my old servant. I would have done so. But for once in his life, and only once. I believe. Pancho betrayed me. But he hates Ignacio for bis own

sake and because he has been unkind to me. After Burr left Mexico he came to me and confessed what he bad done. It was Pancho who drove my carriage yesterday, so you may know that I still trust him. He came to New York once with a message from my mother to my father, and he remained here a month. Now you understand how It is that he knows bis way about the city." Then In a few words she related to Craig bow she. having learned that there was to be a duel, determined to prevent it; how she sent a messenger to Burr requesting him to meet her In the garden at "Jenks';" how, falling to Influence him and not daring at that time to betray the relations between them, she had her servants kidnap him on the road between Tacubaya and Chapultepec; how she kept him prisoner, and how Pancho liberated him and conducted him to the dueling ground; she told of her anxiety to get hlin out of Mexico lest Ignacio Romero should have him assassinated. "Was Ignacio aware of the relation--ship between him and Burr?" asked Craig. "Yes; that Is why he hated him so. lie would never consent to bear the name of Bridge or Del Puente, but selected instead our mother's name. Romero. But If he could have killed Burr or have bad him killed he would gladly have taken the name of Pendleton in order to Inherit the property. My mother's family never forgave her for m'arfylflg' an American and a Ker tic, as they styled my father. Their hatred! fills the veins of Ignacio.' "Whc is Captain Agramonte?" "A very dear friend one whom I esteem most highly, ne has been a brother to me In many kindnesses. Ignacio and he are not friends, although there has never been an open rupture between them. I love him dearly." She uttered the last sentence quite "tmly. as one might speak of a faorite horse, and the sudden leap that Craig Wyndham's heart had given was not repeated. "Now tell me about Escudera," he said. "I have already told yon that he Is my cousin and my fiance. 1 can only add that he and Ignacio are Inseparable friends. In fact, there are four friends In the group, and they are known as the "four dueliats" throughout Mexico. They pass their time at the shooting gallery and in the gambling houses, and tbey are bound to'J tcant to remember it always, Craig. gether by the ties of some secret society which, I believe, is Inimical to the government, but I do not know. Ignacio is still bedridden with the wound he received from Bnrr. The remaining three came here to accomplish the death of Burr, now well they succeeded you know." "Three r exclaimed Craig. "Where, then, are the others?" "They are In the city. They are not far from this spot at this moment. Between them they would have served you as Burr was served long before this only that they await the recovery of Ignacio so that he may be on hand to claim the estate. It is a tangled skein, Craig, but It is as clear to me as noonday." "It begins to be clear o me also," he replied. "Now that you have served Carlos as you have," she continued, and she smiled again when the scene recurred to her, "I do not think they will have the patience to wait. Certainly you are in constant peril. With a Mexican that is, with such Mexicans as they are vengeance comes before money." "You have already told me," said Craig thoughtfully. Ignoring her refer ence to his own danger, "that you are not in need of money In short, that you are er rich. Did the property of your mother all descend to your" "No; Ignacio received the same that I did. but he has gambled his portion away until he has nothing. It was to demand money of me that he accosted me one day ou the Paseo, when Burr interfered, and which was the real cause of the duel. ' "That was the first time that Burr ever saw me," she added after a mo ment's pause. "One word more about the property. Carmen. I know that there are estates in Mexico, In the state of Michoacan, which were In the hands of a man named Sepulvida. and I know that Burr's father in a letter directed him to go to Mexico and recover them. I know that Burr wrote to Sepulvida several times, or. rather. I wrote for him, and that no satisfactory replies were received. I also know that those properties were transferred by Sepulvida to Burr while he was there, for I have found copies of the papers relating to them, but I do not know any of the particulars. The real cause of Burr's trip was to find a brother or a sister; ostensibly it was to recover this property, for which he did not care a fig. Can you tell me anything about that?" . "Yes. Pancho knows about it and has told me. My father made my mother a very rich woman before he left Mexico, and be. was thoughtful enough to place it all in Uuitcd States government bonds In her came. He also possessed large estates in Michoacan. but $uoe be did nnt daro. fYr some reason, io transfer directly t-jt her. Therefore he u:5c Jri-u.r Scnulvida the ostensible i

FACTS HT IIATUUE.

Vot Only So We Oat Inspiration HaUur, But JXealta mm WU. For people who are run-down and nervous, who suffer from indigestion or dyspepsia, headache, biliousness, or torpid liver, coated tongue with bitter taste in the morning and poor appetite, it becomes necessary toy turn to some tonic or strenathener which will assist Nature and help them to get on their feet and put the body into its proper condition. It is becoming more and more apparent that Nature's most valuable health - giving apents are to be found In fores plants and roots. Nearly fory years ago. Dr. R.V. Pierce, now consulting phvsicTan to the Invalids Hot' I and Surgical Institute, at Buffalo, N. Y., discovered that by scientifically extracting and combining certain medicinal principles from native roots, taken from our American forest, he could produco a medicine which was tnarvelously efficient in curing cases of blood disorder and liver and stomach trouble as well as many other chronic, or lingering ailments, 'ihis concentrated extract of Natare't vitality he named "Golden Med-h-al Discovery." It murines the blood by putting the stomach and liver lnu teal thy condition, thereby hlpiug t he digestion and assimilatlA of food which feeds the blood. Thereby it cures wwk stomach, indigestion, torpid liver, or biliousness, and kindred derangements. If you have coated tomtue, with bitter or bad taste in the morning, frequent headaches, feel weak, easily tired, stitches or paiu in side, back gives out easily and aches, belching of gas, constipation, or Irregular bowels, feel flashes of heat alternating with chilly sensations or kindred symptoms, thev point to rangment of your stomach, liver and kidneys, which the "Golden Medical Discovery will correct more spejdily and permanently than any other known agent. Contains no alcohol or habit-forming drugs. All its ingredients printed In plain English on wrapper. The sole motive for substitution is to permit the dealer to make a little more protit. He gains; you lose. Accept no substitute for "Golden Medical Discovery." Constipation causes and aggravate many serious diseases. It is thoroughly cured by Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Pellet. One a laxative; two or three are cathartic owner, with directions to transfer them to my mother whenever it was safe to do so and In the event of ber death and his to his son In New York. Senor Sepulvida Is a very conscientious man. It was his wish long ago to give the property to me, but he did not believe he had the right to do so. Ignacio knows nothing about those properties. It is the regret of my life, Craig, that I never saw my father only his picture," she added pensively. "What are the names of the two Mexicans who came here with Escudera?" asked Craig, suddenly changing the subject. "Juan Rodriguez and Emllio Bustamente. Both are rather light complexloned and might readily pass for Americans, for they speak English fluently. "Good!" exclaimed Craig, rising suddenly. "I know them both. I have seen them with Escudera twice when' they did not see me. Now let us go. I will take you back to your hotel, and 1 want to see Pancho. "lie Is there; but if you take him away I will not be safe a moment. I am afraid of Carlos." "Carlos will be kicking his toes against Iron bars before he Is twentyfour hours older," replied Craig, with frown. "But he la crafty, and much may be atcdmpllsfiei' in " tWenty-fbur hoars. You mast not leave me unprotected." - "Unprotected, Carmen ? Unprotected? X will never leave 70a unprotected as long as X live It yon will ghra ne the right to protect you. Bush! Husbl That slipped out without permission. Carmelita; but X mean it, X mean It, It la too sudden, but X am a sudden fellow, and you mu6t not mind. Have I frightened you. Carmen? Am I a great big brute? There; keep back your tears and forget that I said what Aid." She raised her glowing eyes to bis and, looking deep Into bis own replied: T do not want to forget it, X .want to remember It always. Craig. After that neither spoke during a fun minute, but sat like two statues gaslng into each other's eyes. What silent sentences passed between them then nobody will ever know. Presently Craig broke the silence. "Come, Carmelita." be said gentlyj we must go. There Is so much to do. bnt I believe with It all that I am at this moment the happiest man on God's green earth. God has been good to me always, but better now than ever before, querlda mla. And when be turned around he for the first time that day discovered the old duenna looking at him, and she murmured so that the words Just reached his hearing: "Esta blen. senor. Esta may blent (To Be Continued.) A' live Wire Every nerve Is a live wire connecting some part of the body with the brain. They are so numerous that if you penetrate the skin with the point of a needle you will touch a nerve and receive a shock pain it is called. Aches and pains come from a pressure, strain or injury to a nerve; the more prominent the nerve the greater the pain. When the pain comes from a larere nerve it is called Neuralgia whether it be the facial nerves, or the heart, stomach, sciatic or other prominent nerve branch. To stop pain, then, you must relieve the strain or pressure upon the nerves. Dr. Miles' Anti-Pain Pills do this. I suffered Intense pa in. caused by neuralgia. I doctored and ul various medicines without setting- relief cntil I b"san taking Dr. Miles Antl-Pnln ifilir Tbey dii me more good than ail the medicines I ever used. They never fail to cure my headache. anl their usa never leaves any bad 'tfr-r-Tm" MRS. WM. r.ECKMAX. 17 TV. 4th St., Erie. Til, Dr. Miles' AntiSain Pills are sold by your druggist, who will Guarantee that the first package will benefit. If it fails, he will return your money. 25 doses. 25 cents. Neve- snld in bulk. Miles Medical Co., Elkhart, Ind