Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 4, Number 45, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 9 May 1874 — Page 2

•sM

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smile on An- fw» that negatived .Uo pain Out Anght to poM*»»frart W

-J'

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?CHAPTER XIV. JL 'I JtoptPW prcif

No event that had ever occurred In Salem ex edited more attention, or prodmore rw MnL U»n B^ior Wita* -i ei

l=-:

it. To all

tbe young ladies, who had been well-fe-vered toward the handsome new physician, charmed with his lively eoti vernation, I te- I»care tor theft Imagin mala—-*, a^j. who had, in many ca~-, allowed themselves to indulge in l»appy day-dreams of a future conquest, it appeared an unforgiveable sacrileg© to find their hopes negatived by this prim old maid, whose only advantage, In tlieir eye*, wan a full pocket. To many of the male inhabitants it was as distasteful. Some, no doubt, appreciated to the mil thta on© advantage of Mto Gordon's, and chcr'-hed secret hopes of matrimonial am i. ement* with their rich townswoman. The busluees portkm of the community feared to lose a profitable customer if ahe should marry and P*J«»bly leave tF own. All of Mr. Josephs' friends loo) on it as a direct infringement of his right*. Tbe disci incy in age was dwelt upon until it evif monstrous in the eyes of interested parties. Mis® Gordon's forty years swelled to eighty in the expansive warmth ot their imaginations Doctor WUmer's thirty contracted to twenty in the frost of their displeasure and the unnatural character of sueh alliances was commented upon until it became a crying sin to the interested fknoiea of the people.

Tbe effect of this change in public sentiment became apparent in his practice, which fell off greatly, for the various causes above enumerated, to the intense gratification of the two old doctors of Salem, who had prophesied the speedy downfall of this ignorant pretender, as they chose to designate him. lie felt it, also, in his intercourse with the citizens,a coolness being manifest in many places where a warm friendliness had so far shown him. liis own deportment was ill calculated to allay this irritation of the public sentiment. Haughty disdain took the place of the humility that might have conciliated them, "in flict, the proud aristocrat took the position of not caring a straw whether they were conciliated or not, and made 'enemies of several puree-proud and influential citizens by this apparent contempt for their opinions.

With his cousin Laura he could not put on this impregnable armor of pride. She was deeply displeased by his action, rightly imputing it to its tr"~ cause.

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but obeyed your advice,' he said. My advice! You knew it was only a joke. I hope I am not to be driven into owl-like gravity for ftear all the wise young men ot the town will take my fun for earnest, and straightway propose to all the ancient spinsters. It is ungenerous in you, cousin Robert, to try to hold me responsible for a jest.'

How was Itoknow you were joking? he replied, gravely, but with a lurking smile in his eyes.

You knew it very well. You know very well that you have not a shadow of love for this woman. You know well enough that it is only jealousy, and revenge, and a desire for money, that moves you to this marriage that there is not the size of a mustard seed ot love in it. You are just going to make me ashamed of you, that is all and ashamed of myself for saying a word to you about it/ and she seemed ready to burst into tears of vexation. 'How anybody like yon could fell in love with a glorious woman like Miss Reynolds ana then offer to marriage to this old creature!' She turned away with a fiery impatience which she felt it impossible to express in polite language.

You dislike Miss Gordon, Laura, let that excuse your hasty remarks. I do not hesitate to admit to you that am largely influenced by revenge. I am determined that her villainous nephew shall be stung as deeply as be wounded me. But that you don't love Miss Gordon is no proof that a man in my position may not come to love her—may not love her now.'

She turned away with an impatient shrug.

You will please excuse my believing anything of the kind,' she said. '"Laura, (Mid, are you quite sure von know what you are talking about?' asked her mother, who had entered while he was speaking. 'For my part, Robert, 1 think you have shown great good i- §e. There is not a better catch In the mty than Miss Gordon. She is older than you. to oe core, but not enough so to make any great difference. She is intelligent, has great personal attractions, and is, above all, wealthy* The man who marries her marries one hundred thousand dollars. matter worthy of some consideration, even by sentimenal people.'

Laura left the room with an impulsive movement that showed an irreconcilable difference of opinion between herself and her mother on this poi nt.

Robert himself felt the first true impulse of shame lor the motive of his engagement that had yet affected him. He belonged to what 'his aunt called sentimental people, «ti to have his marriage placed In this t^Jid light, by another than himself, was a bitter cap to swallow. He could rea Ti'y enough combat opposition from iout, as lie had already done from within. But to receive congra'n'atlons for an act which his whole ed i.ition and native feeling taught him to view wi thai touched him in a tender point ch not before been reached. He saw, in a plain light how the world at f:snrr- would view his engagement, and in the more from it as he felt that it would be the just view of the rtvt.

The return of is enemy shortly after 'I'-i inten i- gave strength again to has ijging iti jlutkm. Mr. Josephs gave out that he had deemed ini» much longer than he hrt-l inrerniwi. What more private reason for i-- '»ng absence he have had, were kept strictly to hin^f.

Srewdncas,

«C*u-k 1'

of success and u.. «m «to the r—1, and hl» ipsa toco iattheneur dang that l|».-:*U»-Qdh lie was astut too n.oeh aocttaUjn8dlossl»enta||Ls'-B**r perccdvethem tn.-(W thlsentfagement, n^ to see th iu» ajr^ny in the late «v. (itahidbM'U disoeiyei and that this was a measure «4 rev- He ki also that the fcilure of tlxu oil well si nlatkm was now public news, and his wed ab»- had been partly to ax a teanger hU virfim in the first impulse of nis »i ippbinf'n.'nt. More than a r^*h of ptowoiurtd u. iijs—possibly atolipal assault, for which be was well jpared, he had mi njecturedj and truth came upon t. ta with tbe crunhing weight of the avalaitche.

Men of his nature, when tfcev allow passion to make vifl i« conquest of them, we apt to go to extiemea. An-

for the time dominated all his usual and he made the unwise move of calling on his aunt while still under the in ince of the rage that had taken such deep posse-in of him. What passed in the inter\ was not known or, at least, if overheard by any of the servants, was not revealed. HeJwas in the mood to accuse Ids aunt with the same violent tone which he had just before used In pre»enoe of the friend, who had revealed to him the feet of her engagement. Whether they had an altercation or not—what pamed really between—was known only to themselves, and to them as a secret which they chose to keep inviolate.

But l)r. Wilmer, that evening, was startled by a hurried message from his betrothed. She had taken suddenly and alarmingly ill, and for his presence was at oaoe imperatively demanded.

CHAPTER XV,

A MEDICAL CONSULTATION.

Br. Wilmer wss indeed alarmed on seeing the condition of his patient. He had supposed that nervous fright at an unimportant aggravation of her illness had induced hernasty message to himself. He found her to be prostrated to a degree far exceeding anything he had been led to fear from his previous knowledge of her illness. The face was bu ft used and swollen, as if with excess of blood, the pupils of the eyes contracted, the lids distended, the breathing heavv and rapid, the pulse lieating with feverish rapidity. She lav in a condition of half-insensibility, the eyes open, but with an observant fixed stare, and with a glassy lustre.

How long has she been in this condition he asked of the servant who sat, incapable from fright, beside the invalid. 'About an hour. She took with a weakness in the head, and poured out a dose of this medicine,' pointing to a phial on the table, 'which she took. It wasn't five minutes after when she fell down as if in a fit, and we just lifted her into bed and sent for you.'

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Was she jnsensible She told us to go for the Doctor, but hasn't spoken a mortal word nor looked at anybody since.'

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Apoplexy, to all appearance,' he said to himself, smelling at the phial to which the woman had pointed, and then replacing it upon the table, he hastily wrote a row lines on a slip of paper, and gave it to the servant.

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Run instantly to the drug store. Don't lose a moment!' he cried. 'Her life may depend on your speed.'

The woman needed no second bidding. The nervous haste of the Doctor's speech roused her to the greatest exertion. He meanwhile loosened tho invalid's throat, and took the other measures necessary in an attack of apoplexy.

The woman returned in a few momenta with the emetic for which ho had sent for. It was at once administered.

The Doctor now left her with the servants, and went to his office for his instruments, deeming it best to bleed her, as the most ready means of relieving her brain from the apparent suffusion of blood.

On his return he found that the medicine had produced its proper effect, and the symptoms which had so alarmed him were greatly alleviated. Her face was more natural in appearance, the heavy breathing allayed, and the semicomatose state in which she had lain relieved.

She noticed him as he entered, and with a a faint smile motioned him to approach.

Send them from the room,' she whispered, indicating the servants. He at once dismissed them, saying that he would take their place for the present.

I am very ill, Robert' she said, In low, broken voice, 'so ill that I fear

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Do not let yourself fear anything, he interrupted, in a cheerful tone, 'and do not try to talk much. You are safe enough, but must be very careftil, and avoid all exertion. You must have given way to some undue excitement.'

She was about to answer, but he prevented her. 'To-ruorrow will be time enough to hear what you have to say. For the present you must keep quiet.'

He placed his hand with a gentle touch on her lips. She kissed it eagerly and clasped it in both her own. He shook the finger of tho other hand in disapproval, but she lay smiling and still clasping his hand, as he sat by the bedside. 'Sit there, dear Robert. I will get well looking at you. I want no better medicine.'

41wish

4

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He was not kmg in learning the im-r*-rt event that! vt transpmt in his -•••ii. e. At first »med ovet iseliaed by the news, hut soon fc rst ni. a of hitler Inventive whtint he had Indeed been strk In the most part of tlx* nature. Tha*aii i»- M-h-nws should bav. .rentt«d In That hi* enemy, whose V-i-toeasst.iiltf deapir^n, w1--= .-ney he »«-«4 «Uy st*-'. ii, w.—love nt Si.'itl U"S»t!i:tr i.-|. had -M:1.-.lid ir.j*e uan* upon him in tbe very harvest of of a irr.i.-.i-i of iitfe, fe I!". Win •(». lv all his kfVi' tvUij" 'Mid i^.j.li'-a Uis p»:"'i gttshed oat in a \i u:enoe in a for which his Or"' prepared. He -i »'nit ht marry, a--1 broken d-mtr brmaam n-!.yery-but In whi he had sh his handlu^rk. But

!'r n". r!v nnJ. .ir. ,i :-:4hfcl had :xs\j *rr intiuwM^ to himself, fdlv concealed attention had

been so closely directed toward the rel»* t' 1

1ft.

could euro all my patients so

cheaply,' he said, laughing.

You might, if you could sweeten the doae to them as it sweetened to me.' Her voice had grown stronger, but tho other symptoms of illness continued unchanged.

am afraid you would not take it so kindly If I drugged my young lady patients, with the same medicine,' he said, still laughing.

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No, ind- d! I cannot spare the least fraction oi your love to auy lady in tbe land.'

She H1 his Imprisoned hand more eighth iiiie he could feel the violent throbf ji.f of ber heart through the covertc of the b'~fl. on which Iheir hands i.u^tnd the ilng glance which she Axed upon iimi a utea kindled sa much bv fever n- lovt 'TherV. the»e. ihis won't do, child/ he answered, soi« irm. 'Yon ir© taking too la\j, a r. this psrw .L'

He tri- -I to rem-TO hi* handft ou her grasp, but sh* Wid !t firmly th.u lie thought It be-? not to ibly ro! her of apJeas-f'- th-u v.a- .1-umher 'Ywi -hall n-.-l h»\'- tm» iMi'-t It Is my Jiri^oner nntr,*#he t»restft.* i! t" !i! lips. He ntrt,rr'J, witfl the I um'± instbH-t, as s.'i' aid so, the extreme of the yemenk raster* in, Kowjt* she•*«'!, lower I-!*, "and ft*I dreadfully fled. 1 a !t• -ij

I must !r -t

-d In his

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W-jer and Mitt

noi it no thoi it of possible danger from this quarter bad crossed Jjirn.

The rude awakening from his dream

W y9u will find folded up within

lie did as alw desired, finding a larp-s square sheet, folded in onvelopo shape, and sealed with sealing wax,

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Take that, Robert, and keep with the grestost care. If anything happens, —her vM' grew feeble and broken again as ahe spoke-lf mv fears are well founded, if our* wedding-day should never come, then I charge you to open, and use that paper. But not tillthen.'

She foil back exhausted with the effort of king, yet till waiting anxiously for hi- reply, the eyes continuing to spire)ir alter the voice had foiled.

He placed the packet carwftilly in his pocket, answering ber with a grave smile as he did so.

41shall

It to you the day after our marriage,' he said.* 'Be silent now. I will not let you speak another word. I have allowed you to injure yourself now with too much talking.'

He was right in this. She had overtaxed her strength, and now lay jerftecfc ly exhausted, too weak even to turn her head so as to see his face.

Had she done so, she might have traced on It some unpleasant revelations, if the thoughts which flashed through his brain mourned Ids features in their rapid pas-

"ft knew full well the character of the paper she had given him. Apoplexy was a dangerous disease. If It was really this that ailed her, if she should die, was not his revenge secure, and without tbe meanness of giving his hand In marriage to a woman to whom he had not given his love?

Shame came strong upon him at the thought of his yielding his soul—proud as he had been of its integrity—to the mean deed of marrying for money, and the equal meanness of allowing this woman to deceive herself with the thought that he really loved her.

Would she die? Some evil spirit whispered to him a hope that she would, and relieve Mm from the weight which oppressed him.

He rose and paced the room with hurried, agitated tread. After a moment he took a small case from his pocket. It contained several minute bottles. From one of these ho carefully poured a few drops into a phinl of medicine, which he nad brought with him from his office

Replacing the case in his pocket, he called to the ser*'ant—who was iust out side tho room—giving her strict directions that she and the other servants were to relieve each other in sitting up with the lady all night. If he could sue ceed in getting a nurse, he would send her, and relieve them irom duty. 'If she sleeps, or remains without any visible change for the worse, you need do nothing, he said. 'If there is any change, give her a tea-spoonful of this medicine every hour, ana send for mo if there appears to be danger.'

His voice trembled as he spoke, and the hand with which he pointed at the phial shook as with nervons agitation. Without another glance at the patient he turned and left the room.

The night passed without any further call for tne Doctor's services. Not that he passed it in utter comfort, or in the full environment of sleep. There were too many sources of disquiet in his mind, too much of import to his future life depending upon the result of Miss Gordon's illness, to permit him to enjoy quiet slumbers.

Three may have been causes of mental disturbance deeper than any we have named—causes connected with the unbidden hope—that had entered his mind, with his nervous agitation in preparing Miss Gordon's m^hcine. W6 cannot tell what nightmare of wakefulness came upon him in the silent watches of the night. We can but say that he slept little and rose unrelreshed burdened, despite himself, by unspoken thoughts, and by an invisible and unapparent weight in the package he had received from his betrothed.

He was startled at breakfast, by another message from the bed-side of the invalid—a hasty and frightened demand for his immediate services.

Mistress was took this morning worse than she was yesterday, and I'm afeared she's dying, Doctor. 'Did she sleep last night?'ho asked, while hastily donning his overcoat and hat.

Kind of broken, sir. She woke up about an hour ago, atid I gave her some of the medicine you lefL I thought first that she was better, and then she took sudden to hard breathing, and frothing at the lips, and her fece and eyes puffed out-just as they were last night.'

He listened nervously to her statement, and as if feeling that tho symptoms she described were of the most dan

Siting

erous character. He stood a moment, his lips as from some inward vexation, then turned to the Servant, saying:

Go at once to Dr. Bartrum's office, and ask him to step up to Miss Gordon's as soen as he can. Tell him that I wish to see him there.'

He found the patient indeed in a peril ous condition. She lay in a state or deep coma, breathing stertoriously, whilo tho suffusion of her fhee and the other svmpr toms hefhad before observed were alarmingly increased. In addition to these, there was a peculiar expression of the face that puzued him more than all the other appearances combined.

He took up the phial of medicine which lie had prepared, smelted at It carefully, and after a moment's hesitation, placed It in his pocket. He had hhraly done so before the old Doctor for whom he had sent entered the room.

Dr. Bartram was about sixty, a portly, dignified man. with the bearing of one who has a realizing sense of his importance, and of his professional ability. He had felt keenly tho loss of his practice by the advent of this dangerous young rival and his readiness to answer the professional call of the latter was actuated less by friendship than by enmity. The old Doctor was highly gratified to find that he had to be called in for consultation In the first really difficult ease of the young upstart, as he thought him. There was indefinite idea in his mind to think differently from Dr. Wilmer. no matter what view of the case the latter

might take. He started as he beheld the condition of the patient, and turned to his col league with a grave fttee.

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A bad case/ he said, shaking his head doubtfully. What emirs of treatment would you recommend asked Dr. Wilmer, determined, If possible, to disarm his opponent by an appearance of subserviency to his opinions.

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elf fear.' here*

rfui t'ui'S, 'Wnenthe ainud. It ll time ent to show dread, fui if 1 frit that you

J| »... *frr to f,„ 'te Mid -»SO

It-iusd Li a.ni-

Now ytm wok: -'"laB"^"!' 1.

$ me with sopblstiUntsmlk.

•a an I i' wha of dread 11 icr that strong mask—your fece? Say buiiiins, Robert 1 know my Open the bookcase there, and bi me

Youliave called me too late, air,' he replied, with the gold head of his cane at his nose. 'There not medicine enough in Salem to keep that woman alive ten hoars.'

We can only try,' was tho reply. *What do you consider it Apoplexv

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There are .several diseases to which the symptoms might apply. It might be softening of the brain It might be excess of rmc add In the blood It might be He paused, looklngsignlficantly at the young physician.

Whatr aaked the latter. No matter. Better treat fbr brain softening. But I tell you plainly, Dr. Wilmer, all the treatment that can be d^rte now will be bat to satisfy her t: ids and give her a flew hours more of

TERRE HAUTE SATURDAY EVENING MAIL.

have the pleasure of returning

Mi

lifts. What might have been done had you called me in sooner, of oourse I cannot say. 8hw la past help now, and I would not wish to accept responsibility In the caw it this late boor.*

I do not aak yoo to be pmpomdbltL replied the other, somewhat nettled. 'Nor am I willing to accept yowr verdict aa final. I shall certainly make an effort to aave her at all events.'

He sat down and wrote off a prescription, which he handed to his consultant. The latter glanced his eye over it. «Very goo3 for apopl exy,' ho said-

I wrote it for urte acid poisoning, which I think is the real trouble,' the other simply replied, aa he called a servant and gave directions to have it made up immediately.

I doubt It. sir,' replied the old Doctor, in a sarcastic tone. 'I have treated her before, and found nothing wrong with the

Anew and very dangerous symptom,' be said, turning to the other.

re right ride. Your patient ready.'

There was something in the tone that stirred the quick blood of the man. It was with a strong force that he restrained himself from the answer that rose in his mind.

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It may be as you say,' ho quietly replied. 'So much the more reason for effort.'

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You will excuse my further presence,' said Dr. Bartram. '\As you appear to have decided what treatment to pursue, I am not neoded. I forgot to mention

cause.'

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What is that asked the other, anxiously. Narcotic poisoning,' was the reply, in a hard. Insulting tone, as the speaker stalked out of the room.

Dr. Wilmer could have struck him. He made astride toward the door, and would have given some violent feply but for the thought that crossed Ins mind. Dr. Bartram was right he saw several ot tho most decidea symptoms were those of narcotic poison.

The medicine which was a moment after brought in to him proved inefficacious, to appearance. She continued in a deep stupor, from which all efforts failed to arouso her, breathing still with a loud, distressing sound, the pupils contracted,

The Doctor tried by every means in his power to arouse her from this stupor, but in vain. It was evident to him that she was gradually sinking. He had, at the time, felt that Dr. Bartram was correct in his opinion of her condition, though unwilling to acknowledge the great danger of a fatal termination.

As night approached, the invalid was taken with convulsions, not strong, but seeming to sap rapidly the foundations of life. About sunset, her breath fluttered and ceased, and death, like a shadow, fell upon her.

The Vacant Chair.

A SOUTHWESTERN SKETCH.

jiu-ty.

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It all happened, when I was veunger iii \aa YwuiiKi-r ~*l~ than at present, at the Met addens'

Tliey were neighbors of my

'ousin Ned. to whom I was paying a vis-1 it. McFadaen, perc, had a store and re-

ligion to each of which he was equally and separately devoted. He never mixed the Bible with have seemed to know about that. People said his future state would depend on where death found him: if in the store, for once the devil would get his due while if at church or class, not Lucifer and all his angels could keep him out of Heaven. But then people are so malicious.

I hate a purposeless digression, and have given these facts as essential to a roper understanding of what follows.

McFadden

do

£5o

-yt Ky t?

aouki, moved tw chivakous devotion, or the oold, were inside the aharmed circle, painfully Stooping, or more painfully— their boots were tight—Viuatting, beside as torny women, whoee fooes of delight made a strong ooafarast with tbe listta* aww»tef their leas fortunate neighbor*. I thought, if those who are well known' jure thus beanies*, I. a total stranger, can only expect too look on in this Vienna: but hardly was tbe reflection shaped when Cousin Ned leaned over ine and presented 'his friend, Mr. Long, one of our solid men." Now, I am rather proud of my distingue style of receiving strangers, but I defy the Graoea themselves to make a respectable abc isance over the back of a rocking-chair and I -was conscious that the bob of my head on this occasion was totally unworthy that distinguished member.

Mr. Longwasnot long at all, being ex

kidneys. However,as Isaid, Iaceeptno I actly five feet two inches high but his responsibility.' solidity could not be questioned. His Dr. Wilmer slightly smiled as he pass- head might have served as a model for ed to the bedside, but became suddenly all cabl of the flat Dutch persuaaon grave on reaching there. I his nostt was oft he snubblest, his fingers

The straqge expression of the face stubby, and he had a general overfed which had pusdod him was now much look of having been melted and run into more plainly defined. It was produced I his clothes. In character he was affirm by a drawing of the nose and mouth to I ative, even of negatives, and bore wittho left, as Iflhe muscles of the right ride I ness with equal heartiness were you aohad relaxed, orj lost their power. He cused of being an angel or a fool. He carefully felt the two sides of the face, managed to squeeso through the circle, There was an evident difference of tern-1 and the vacant chair received its first ocperature.

cupant.

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We've had a beautiful day,' he said 'Splendid,' I answered, with enthusl asm.

4

It will rain about to-morrow.'

4

Oh, I hope not.'

4

Ned's your cousin, ain't he

4

My mother's nephew.' You don't liveaoout here?'

4

No Kent is my country.'

4

Anywhere close to Bellville?'

4

Seven miles out on the Columbus road.'

How pretty the girls look to-night.

4

liamplight becomes most women.' Ours are pretty all the time.'

4

I'm glad to hear it.'

4

Do you play?—on the piano, I mean.

4

No all my music is still in my soul.

that the symptoms of &e case, to my I My hearers "not myself, are "saddest mind, point still more clearly to another when I sing.

1 4

Ah !—I didn't quite hear

4

It's not worth repeating.'

4

Do you know I've heard of you—a heap?' Indeed! What? Nothing ill, hope.'

No. Mighty good, ail of it.' Time's up, Tom,' said Ned, the inexorable. 'Do your best, Bob, and don't let the grass grow under your feet. There are others coining.'

Mr. Breeze's name was a striking example of the eternal fitness of things. He was dressed in a full suit of light gray, was very short and slight, with abundant hair and beard the color and texture of dead corn-silk with an air and manners generally suggestive of gossamers. He spoke in a way that had

P,

and glaring upward with a fixed, glassy the effect of a combined lisp,_ drawl, and stare. The marks of partial paralysis were still more declared, the left corner of the mouth being drawn much to one side.

The relations he had borne to this wo-

stutter, without really Being either. With a profound bow, he seated himself and saia:

I have envied Ned his relatives, Miss Gay, since he told me you were of the number.'

You do me proud,' I murmured, with a mock obeisance. You quite

Now don't laugh at me. chill my enthusiasm.' Oh, well, you can warm In it to-mor-row's sunsliine 'Or the light of your eyes.' I would h§ve answered in

man—who lay slowlv but surely dying I he didn't seem to think of before him-rose ujion his mind with 5 Perhaps, too he had a regard for force which he had not before felt. All'tru

that was unpleasant in his knowledge of her faded from sight all that was attractive in her became magnified, and as he sat for hours, almost hopeless by her bedside, regret and sorrow for the first time came neavily upon him. He felt as if he could have learned to love one who appeared now so lovablo to him, and grew strongly repentant for the thoughts —almost hopeless—of her death that he had more tnar\ once allowed to posses his mind. All the green leaves were falling from his life, and a lonoly, barren bachelorhood appeared his destined future.

an(*

80

uistead he said:

The weather is beautiful.' 'Lovely,' I answered, thinking the while what great minds I had fallen among, if, as I've been told, they—tho

ffreat

minds—have a knack of running the s$me channels.

4

It will not last.' 'So says Mr. Long. An conlraire, Mr. Lee says it will and I never risk my reputation by decision where such doctors disagree.'

I have heard from Colonel Blanton that you never commit yourself.' Colonel Blanton spoke, then, what he did not know.'

Now, Miss Gay, don't deny flirting with the Colonel.*It has given you quite a celebrity hereabout.'

I wonder how people hear so much. Colonel Blanton, indeed! I would as soon think of flirting with my grandfather.'

He! he! I must tell him that. Come, the piano is vacant pray give us some music.'

I don't play anything—not even seoond fiddle.' You don't? I am surprised. You have the eyes of a born musician. Don't

Whenever I can. I think the sight of this company's inaction Is enough to convert to its aavocacy its stoutest opponents.'

4

sole daughter of the house and heart. I fathers had held offices of trust, profit, 'On tbe contrary, quite the reverse,* she ^d'lonorin

Our host would not agree with you.

th his business. It might vours a dancing neighborhood him profanation I don't Very,much so. it. Vnnnlfl mtrl liis fnhirn I Oil live near liftllvillel

4

Vn

I had not, how could you realize what a party at MePadden's meant? The bare mention of dancing gave them the horrors, and cards were worse than the abomination of desolation. They did. play the brain-exhausting game of dom- y°u,' noes, and Miss Mc.Fadden was, in virtue I

But I am there a good

Not very.

deal.'

charming town.'

I'm told it is I find it so.'

41

must pay Kent a visltsome time. Your postofnee is

4

Echo.' What a romantic name 1 I story about it

Is there any

None but an echo between two hills that repeats every noise.' The noise, I repeat, is—'Get out of that chair, Bob,' said Cousin Ned, at my elbow. 'Mr. Heywood, Miss Gay. Sit re elected for the

Mr. Heywood was and lawyer, consequently I to look both, with a success far from re­

next

born a politician he did his best

fifteen minutes.

of her city education, too intellectual for 'Snap,' 'Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley.' 'Steal Partners,' or anything of that kind. .. Miss McFadden wasn't by any means °,j

t|lree

generations his

the

gift*f

was one of eight, whereof seven still deniablv, they wero ^pular men. Nearwithered on the parent stem. I merely one-fourth of the county were made mention tho fact, without in any way

UP

oonnect ing it with the other fact that one Jonwes, or Prank Heywood with eligible masculine connections, near

ftIK* an,a^,r

pose (to, from the forvent inquiries made succeeded exactly In being owlish. Jle after mv brother Will's health and my oneof the courageous few- I l»ve Cousin Jack's whereabouts. mentioned as talking to the. tadies. and

It was a sit-down-conversation party, had made their circuit to®,P®*4®"®® We wero the last comers, and on enter-

.r„^?s -z

fire, and eighteen of them were filled by women. I don't know if there was ai—^ paralysing influence about the place, but I parliamentary caution,, lias Gay, I it was evident that none had gone further j™*4 ?^u tolmv than was necessary to reach a seat for the

hfv®

the people. Un-

Heywood 8mltlw, or John Hey-

Bp2w"* wa8J^!

or remote, was an object of interest to anJ slim, with a faultless evening^ suit, the

family—or, at least, I sup-

that aimed to be judicial, and

a,lnai^^r ai,\

ing the parlor an apprenLensive shiver for^b—hoM^verlong orshort,

impartially of drath

a vote, and the ftiture great

man bullded secure from tho foundation. He opened tho campaign with

?, a

unoccupied ones were the length of the night—ipleasant par scml-clrcle from the door, whieb subject- *5" w® *r® ®tv°y*nS' ed Cousin Fan and me to a raking cross- I looked at him keenly, but no

fire of eyes ere we, too, foil into position karasum^was in life eje. Evidently he —a circumstance

L"

much, as my dress oughltf mmme it faut, and, besides, of a I before, but from its present source it sty* new to that region. does not need the charm of novelty.

Cousin Fan took the chair beside the Furthermore, in the outset of our aelast woman and I the one next to hers, qualntance, let me take tbe initiative by which left between me and the jamb the telling you that I have heard of you, vacant chair who»e strange eventful his-1 that you are very intelligent, and I lory I propose to relate. I want you to prove it by not asking me

After the stir of our entranoe had sub-1 where I live or making a remark on the sided I looked about with interest. The weather.' gentlemen—twenty-five in number— I wlli do It, certainly. In such a were mainly gathered In disconsolate, scene, and such a presence, I never reshivering groups in the outer corners or sort to geographical or meteorological the room. Some half a dozen intrepid I observations: is It all in my eyes, or do

,1

the ladies really look mere than usually charming to-night?'

4

A stranger cannot decide. Bishop Berkeley to the contrary notwithstanding, I always believe my eyes.'

1

If you were a lawyer you would soon lose faith in them. Clmimstandal evidence Is the hardest sort to deal with, and the most unreliable.1

41wish

I could be one. The whereases

and wherefores, and law terms generally have a fascination for me.'

41

presume they would loee it when you liad to study them out. Wo have to learn the meaning and origin of them all. For Instance, the word 'compound' cornea from com, and—and—something else,'

Immensely Instructed, I was about to reply, when tbe crowd marched out to supper, and my distinguished escort proved himself no mean adept in the art of attendance. Gentle Heywood! If I bad the grace of suffrage I would vote for you early and often, in recompense of tbe care that held my plate and replenished my cup, and made me the most envied woman around the festive board.

After supper I regained my corner, and, with ever varied sameness^ the play went on. Back and forth the gamut I have noted ran the conversation. j» to the twelfth man I made desperate efforts to vary it, but then I grew callous, and answered by role while watching the crowd: or wicked, and gave such genealogically pu7.7.1ing answers as that ho was 'my grandfather's son once removed,' or that 'we had the same neat grandfathers,' and stated the number of miles I lived from Bellville with startling recklessness as to the facte in the case, or disclaimed a residence in Kent county or anv knowledge of any postoffice.

It was two o'clock. The nineteenth man had gone to get me a drink of water. Cousin Ned and Fan were just opposite, and I was trying to catch their eyes to sign

4,go

home." Did you ever

learn to know what people say'from the motion of the lips? It is almost equal to second sight when ypu do it, and more damaging to one's vanity, sometimes. I saw Fan say, 'I'm tired enough, but let's stay awhile on Nellv's account. She seems to be enjoying it. How did you manage it, Nea Tnere are prettier and richer girls here, vet our little cousin is, undeniably, the belle of the evening.'

Dear honest old Ned! I know your grav eyes twinkled, though I coukl not see It, as you answered, and, in answering, gave unwittingly my vanity its severest blow.

4I

haven't managed at all.

That vacant chair did the business. Anv of those half-fro«?n fellows was glad enough, by talking to her, to get a chance to warm his nose and toes.'

We stayed an hour longer, and tho whole twenty-live were duly presented. Ned tried hard to make nio believe I was dreaming, and swore his friends were mightily struck with his piquant cousins but my faith in eyesight is not to be staggered, and to this day Fan and I laugh, wnen we meet, over popularity and propinquity, as exemplified in tho vacant chair.-*[N. Y. Grapnic.

-Mb. Alienky McKissick, of Rockdale Penna., in writing to Dr. Wishart says: "My son was pronounced incurable with consumption, but hearing of pour Pine Tree Tar Cordial, we purchased three bottles, and he commenced using it, and from that day to this he has been getting well."

County Election.

SHKHIFF.

We are authorized to announce the name of JOSHUA M. HULL, present Rheriff, as a candidate for re-election, subject to the decision of the Republican nominating convention.

FOR TREASCKEK.

We are authorized to announce the name of James M. Sakkey, Of Riley township, iu» a candidate for the onlce of County Treasurer, subject to the decision of the Democratic Convention to be held May 23,1874.

RECORDER.

We are authorised to announce the name of John B. Tolbekt, (the present deputy Recorder,) as a candidate for the office of County Recorder, subject the decision of tho Democratic county nominating convention, to be held May 23,1874.

Please announce DAVID I'CGH, of Honey Creek township, as a candidate for the office of Recorder of Vigo county, subject to the decision of the Republican nominntingconventlon. MANY FRIENDS.

OEE THIS THING OF BEAUTY *TI» A^TOY FOREVER.

A. O. AUSTIN & CO.,

Display the most beautiful paterns of Wire Flower Stands and Moan Bankets, Ever brought to thfcfmarket. You have not seen It all until you See them.

LACE POINTS.

We bought during last December a quantity of LLAMA LACE POINTS at about half their value which we are now offering to our friends and patrons at the following figures: $18 Lace Points for $10 20 25

30^

38 45 50

4sar-

12 16 20 25 30 35

An opportunity like the above for the purchase ofhandsome Lace Points will not present itself again.

Felsenheld & Jauriet,

620 Main Street, Terre Haute. Ind.