Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 14, Number 34, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 16 February 1884 — Page 6

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THE MAIL

"A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

[B*rom the Author's Advance Proof 'm Sheet*.] %-f

Mike Patchett

Romance of the Gold Fields.

BY B. L. FARJEON.

'Author of "Blade o' Grass," "Grif," "Bread iee»e and Kisses," "Joshua Marvel," Ac.

[The story of "Mike Patchett" was commenced in this paper Oct. 27th. Back numr ben will be sent to any address on receipt of five cents for each copy.J

CHAPTER XXXV.

PEGGY'S NEW HOME.

This conversation took place at night in the public room of the Rose, Shamrock and Thistle. In this gold digging hotel there was no such thing as privacy, the very walls being made of thin matchboards or treacherous canvass. Near to those who conversed sat a man, with liquor before him,- apparently in no way interested in what was being said nevertheless, not a word escaped him. He was dressed in an ordinary digger costume, and wore a large brown beard, which effectively concealed the lower part of his face. His eyes and forehead were shaded by abroad wideawake hat, "As it is by your invitation," said Horace to' Antonio, "that I accompany you to your divinity, and you had best load the way."

4,I

know not the way," said Antonio, with a scowl. "Then I must take the command of the expedition," said Horace, and, in a commically melo-draniatic air, added, "Follow me."

They walked out of the Rose, Shatnrock and Thistle, and the stranger, who had been sitting near them, followed them unobserved. His movements were a clear indication that he was desirous to avoid drawing attention upon himself.

The moon bad not yet risen, and the only lights in tbe High street were those from oil and candle in the stores, which were still open and doing a trade. Pegleg had not yet achieved the dignity of gas. Despite this condition of semiaarkness tbe thoroughfare was sufficiently animated. Billiard saloons, dancing rooms and liquor stores abounded, and in those places the more improvident of tbe diggers were recklessly spending their money, with no thought of the morrow. Having traversed the

High street the three men and tbe man who was stealthily following them found themselves plunged in darkness. Horace led the way for three or four hundred yards and paused in the center of a gully dotted with shafts. "I advise vou to be careful," he said "the ground about here is undermined in every direction, and is fairly riddled with holes." "How much farther," inquired Antonio, "from this heaven-forsaken spot does the fair Marguerita live? This is my first night in Pegleg, and but for her would be my last." "It may be your last as it is," observed Horaoe gravely. "What mean you?" cried Antonio, clutching Spotty's arm in great agitation. "To assassinate me?" "Don't be a fool, Antonio reserve your fine tragedy airs for more profitable object than myself. What I mean is that if you tumble down one of these shafts it would be tbe devil's own work to get vou out of it alive. So be careful, as I said, and feel your steps before you take th.em." He laughed lightly. "A wise plan, Antonio, in all matters. Look before you leap." "Look you," retorteA Antonio, "before you leap." t~ "I will."

Jfou have not yet told me whether the fair Marguerita lives at a short or great distance from this circle of darkaess." "Calculate for yourself. Straight before yoj, midway on the range which rises from this gully, you see lights iu the window of a wooden house. This is Mike Patchett's house, and there lives your fair Marguerita." "Ah, you have acknowledged her mine!" dried Antonio exultantly. "Have I? A slip of the tongue, perhaps, my fervid Romeo."

The stranger In tbe rear gazed upon the lights in the window of Mike Patchett's house. "She lives there," he muttered incautiously. "It's so mach gained." ••What did you say, Antonio?" asked Horace. "I spoke not." "Forward, then, Romeo, to the f«lr—" He panned a moment—"shall we call her Juliet or Cresslda?" "Call he** what yougpleaae bntstop no fooling here!'* "A lack of gallantly is observable in

Krelywords

ur and tone, Romeo. It is possible that yon need a lesson in in the art of lore from a cold-blooded Englishman?"

Horace walked onward, and, whether from accident or design, led his companions into more than one bed of soft earth,*)m that, by the time they halted before the wooden building, Antonio and Spotty were bespattered with mud. Horace, as befitting so superior a young

EIm.

entleman, had but few splashes upon He knocked, and Peggy herself appeared at the door.

AMay

we come in asked Horace. "I

bring some old friends with me." "Come in, come in," cried Peggy, and pulled him in. "Why, Signor Antonio, you have been along time finding your way here? And Spotty, too! You are welcome, though, all of you. Where are yon going, Madge. "Did you hear me ask you where you are going?" repeated Peggy, sharply. "Don't try my patience too far,sly-boots. I'm pretty well tired of yon as it is." But Madge, still without uttering a word, left the room with something more than vexation on her face its expression denoted both anger and contempt.

ooth anger and con-

Pemv laughed loudly. "She

looks as son as butter, doesn't she? But she's got a temper of httr own, I can tell

TOO

snd she's the most ungrateful

oat I ever met." "Rather late to make that discovery, isn't it?*' asked Horace, sinking lan* guidly into a chair. "Perhaps it is. I'm too trusting and confiding, that's fact, and women like me are easily imposed upon. I'll teach that young lady something, presently, when ws square accounts, and she wont forget it in a harry. If it hadn't been for mr kindness she'd have been In the gutter long ago." "It Is not a thing to boast of," remarked Horace, quietly. "I dont expect sympathy from you," /Morted Pwggy

ty.

.£

'Quite right my own affairs absorb all my sympathies. Besides, when women quarrel it is best to let them fight it out. The msn who interferes is certain to get scratched." ••That's about the extent of your devotion." "Yes, that's about the extent of it. An indolent selfish person cannot afford more." "What do you say to all this, Signor Antonio cried Peggy, turning to the Italian. "I! What do I say That you are an angel and whoever wrongs you wrongs me. I take upon myself your quarrels. I proclaim myself your champion." "That brings us," said Horace, with a nod of approval at Antonio, *'to the subject of our visit. Antonio insisted upon my coming here so that I might hear from your iipb that you despise me." "It is base," exclaimed Antonio, "it is unmanly thus to disclose what passed between us in confidence." "Pardon me," said Horace, taking his cigar from his pocket, "the conversation we held was not a confidential one. Do you allow smoking here?" to Peggy. "Of course, I do. I'll take one myself if you will condescend to offer it."

She was in a dare devil mood, and her eyes flashed as Bhe accepted a cigar from Horace and lit it with a match he handed to her. Horace also lit his cfgar and proceeded "Breaking the thread for a moment— where is Mr. Patchett "Daddy! O, he's at one of his claims. They have discovered a quartz roof, and he is at the bowels of the earth somewhere, a hundred feet down. Won't be home till past midnight probably, and expects me to stop up for him. A jolly sort of existence I've got before me, I can see that. Stuck away on a hill here, right out of the world, with a lot of inuddy gold diggers to amuse myself with. I am almost mad at the prospect of it. What did he mean by bringing me to such a place? Fit for savages, but not for a lady who has seen life, and. intends to go on seeing it. Have some champagne? Here, help yourselves." .•

Horace opened a bottle and filled the glasses. Peggy drank two glasses in about two seconds. "I'm glad you came in," she continued "you are gentlemen, at all events. We'll have a game of cards, presently, and I'll win your money, or you shall win mine. Now go on. What's the matter with you two? What have you been saying to each other about me, in confidence or not in confidence "I am, constitutionally," said Horace, lolling back in his chair, "so averse to anything .in the shape of fatigue, and Antonio is altogether so fiery and peppery. that I leave him to explain matt6r8» "It is." said Antonio, "that being detained In Melbourne against my will, and you having quited it, I could not eat, I could not drink, I could not sleep, until I am once more in your presence." "That is something like a declaration, isn't it?" said Peggy to Horace. "Very much liKe it," assented Horace. "Proceed, Antonio, proceed." "I proceed not at your bidding—" "So fierce," murmured Horace, "really so unnecessarily fierce and warlike!" "No, not at your bidding, but because it is my heart that speaks?' "S» very Romeoishl" murmured Horace. "So very very sweot and romantic!" "Shut up," exclaimed Peggy "and let the count go on with his story." "The count!" echoed Horace, with some slight show of interest. "Still more romantic." "I can call him count if I please, I suppose," said Peggy as Antonio gave her a look of reproaoh, "or a duke, or a prince?" "Most assuredly. He may have been them all in turns." "What do you mean?" "I was thinking of the opera. I will shut my eyes I promise you not to interrupt again." "You won't have the chance. Signor Antonio. I know all you want to say, and I believe every word of It. You are forgiven for keeping away so long, and now that you are here, I hope you 11, not desert me. If ever a woman in the world needed a true friend it is I, and the man who proves himself my friend shall never repent It." "I am that friend," said Antonio "you have but to try me." "And now," said Horace, "that everything is so amicably and so beautifully arranged, I suggest—in view of the pleasant hour at cards which our fair hostess has promised—that you wash and brush away some of the dirt which detracts from the nobility of your appearance. I managed to keep out of the mud. Antonio fell into it. Not symbolical, I trust, of the future." "Look here, old man," said Peggy, "are you going to make yourself pleasant or unpleasant?" "I shall be," replied Horace, "from this moment, the very soul of amiabil-

"Go in there," said Peggy, to the Italian, pointing to the door of an inner room, "and brush and wash. Perhaps Id best come with you and show you where the things are."

She accompanied Antoni into the room which was Mike Patchett's bedroom, and lit two candles. Before she left Antonio seised her hand and whispered, "Listen Marguerita. That man is there —that Horace, who laughs and sneers and is trifling with you—is your enemy. Mark me, I speak the truth, he is your enemy. Trust him not. And I—I love you with my whole heart, with my soul! I am ready to die for you. Believe no word that he sjteaks. He has said that to-night, before we csme, for which I will kill him if you bid me." "I do nctt bid you," said she, in the same low tons. "I mutt not get myself talked about. He has been speaking against me, eh "He has said that which he would not dare to repeat. A ed and would not I would have accused He is a villain, a coward, a liar! Divine Marguerita, it tears my heart that you will not give me the privilege to defend yon!"

that which ne would not And but that you stopplot allow me to proceed, iccused him to his face.

You can prove yourself my friend in

abetter way—by keeping silence and retaining in Pegleg—i "Never you—an!"

-near me.1

maining in Never j— In case I want your assistance* And

I may want it, count, soon, for I am about tired of this life." He did not ssk permission, but pressed his lips softly on her cheek, and then went Into the room in which Horace and Spotty were sitting.

Antonio proceeded to make himself elegant. He drew from his pocket a small case, containing cosmetique with which he waxed his mustache, a metal comb with which he combed it, end a pair of twsessrs with which ha blocked out the gray hairs. While thus engaged his eves were busy examining the room. He noticed a safe under the bed, and stooping softy tried to lift it but it was too heavy tor bis strength. "Can it be," he thought that it Is filled with gold?" His eyes glittered, his lips moved convulsively. "If it could be managed," he thought "that with a fortune, she and I shall soon fly from this country, which already too hot to bold me? It shall be dons—it must bs done! To wait too long will be to spoil tbe gsms. She may

want me soon I She herself said it. She may want me soon, for she is tired of this life. I, too, am tired of it. Well will live another across tbe sea, she and I, and fortune shall never more desert me. It shall be—it must be." He noticed two revolvers on the table, and he would have drawn the charges bad it not been that he feared it might be discovered earlier than would have been convenient. His reason for wishing to do so was not clear even to himself, but it probably sprang from the circumstance that he was. by nature a braggart and devoid of true courage. But what chiefly attracted his attention was the wonderful mass of gold banging on the wall at the head of Mike Patchett's bed. There it was that tbe fortunate miner bad placed the Sacred Nugget, from a superstitious feeling that it was a protection against misfortune. Ordinarily, a treasure such as that would have been a source of danger in any tent on Pegleg, but there was a certain charm about this rough man which rendered him safe from robbery. "To fly with Margueria," mused Antonio, "and leave that behind would be an act of -folly. It is indeed hers, and she can claim it. If a question arises as to its possession, she can say it was given to her by her father. He loves his child, and would not harm her. It will be safe to take it when the time arrives." He placed his hands* upon it, and ascertained that it was not fixed to the wall: and then be joined his friends. "A perfect Apolio," said Horace. "It is no wonder, Antonio, that you are such a favorite with the ladies."

There were cards on the table, and Peggy asked what game they should

hat do you say to poker?"' asked Horace of Antonio. "You must have a vivid remembrance of that famous match between you arid our fair hostess's father at the Bull and Mouth. You burnt your fingers then, Antonio.'' "I shall not burn them again,*' said Antonio. "Did daddy win of you?" asked Peggy. "I had no idea be gambled." "Win!" exclaimed Horace "he won a fortune."

Peggy was not acquainted with the story, and it was related to her. "By the way, Horace," said Antonio, "it is only you and Mr. Patchett who can relate bow the game was really finished. It was you he was playing for not himself. "He insisted upon my taking the winnings." said Horace, "and I was compelled to accept them, much against my inclination." "It could not bo otherwise," said Antonio, maliciously. "A gentleman like yourself has so greata despisal of money. A poor refugee like me cannot afford to despise it. Yes, yes, it must have been painful to receive it. It was a great service he did you." "I hope to be able to repay him," said Horace, "but if I am not I shall not be hurt at the thought that I am under an obligation to him." "You have a high opinion of my daddy," said Peggy. "In my estimation," said Horace, earnestly,' "there lives not a man more worthy of a admiration for unselfishness, for natural generosity, for singleness, of heart, than Mr. Micbsel Patchett. In all sincerity I declare-it." "You must look upon him," said Peggy, somewhat ironically, "almost as an equal." "In all things which ennoble a man, apart from tbe accident of bit tb, for which none of us is accountable, he is more than my equal. I should not be capable of the acts of sell-sacrifice wbiqh cau be honestly placed to bis credit." "How proud be will be," shid Peggy, still with irony, "when I tell him what you say. It is something to live for, is it not, to earn the admiration of such a swell as Mr Horace Blakensee?"

Horace did not reply and tbe game was commenced ana continued with ying fortune. Before playing Horhadi resolved not to be tempted into

var ace high play, whatever might be the cards he held, and Antonio could scarcely conceal bis chagrin at the quiet manner in which Horace declined his challenge from time to time.

CHAPTER XXX VI.

^/'STARTLING TURN IN THE CHAIN OP

EVENTS.

For an hour or more tbe game continued and then came a startling interruption. Loud voices were heard calling from without, and they all roseand went to the door. The men who were calling were still at some little distance the night was pitch dark and they were making their way towards Mike Patchett's wooden house. "What can it be?" asked Peggy. "Are they coming to rob us?" "Is Miss Patchett there?" cried one of the gold diggers, who were climbing the hill. "Yes," she answered. .» "All right, miss," called the man, "don't be alarmed, but we thought you ought to know."

Something in the man's voice caused Horace to run forward* and meet tbe man, and be presently returned in their company. His face was white with pity. "Miss Patchett." he said, hurriedly, "an accident has happened." "It may be little, it may be much," ssid the gold digger, striking in before Horace could say what be intended, "and it was decided upon down there that you ought to know." "You have said that before," said Peggy, impatiently. "Can't you tell me at once what it is I ought to know and what may be little and may be much?" "It is out of consideration for yon," said Horace, "that these men have spoken ambiguously. "Surely you can guess what has occured." "No, I can't," replied Peggy, "and that's fist."

Horace stepped aside and allowed the gold digger to speak. "Your father, miss." "Well, what of him?" "You see, miss, on the Shsdow Reef down there, in the clsim that he's got hslf interest in, they putin blast at tea time and waited till it was fired. Then we went to tea, Mike Patchett as well ss the rest of us." "I know all that, or at least as much of it as I'm able to understand. My daddy came borne to tea as you call it. Whether we have dinner or tea at that hour is no business of yours." "We dont wsnt to make *it ours, miss, bur dinner time's twelve o'clock and that's always been Mike PStchett's dinner time." "Well, cant you go on?"* "Yes, miss, I can go on, but I ain't quits a brute, and I want to break it gentle. The blast that was pat in wss expected, from indications to lay the reef open, and we were anxious about it, all of us along tbe line. For tbix reasoa, miss—that if tbe reef was struck snd proved to bs a golden reef, which all of us believed it would bs—else why should we spend our best months in sinking shafts there!—why, then, miss what would turn out to be another fortune to Mike Patchett would turn out to be a fortune to us. Yon sss, miss, we got to believe In Mike Patchett's lock, and we followed it and when be marked

TERRE HAUTE SATtJ itiJ AY 'EYMIM MAIL.

out a claim on the hill, and said he wa3 going to sink for the Shadow Reef, we rushed to the hill, every one of us that could, and pegged out our clain north and south. So when Mike Patchett says 'The Reef will be opened to-night, boys,' we asked him, as a favor to us, to come back after tea, when the smoke from the blast had cleared away, and see whether the shot had laid tbe reef bare, and, if so, what kind of a reef it was. He wasn't tbe man to say no, though he did say he'd got his daughter in the tent begging paidon for calling it a tent— and he looked forward to spend the evening with her." •'Will anybody tell me," interrupted Peggy stamping her foot, "in just as many words as it will take to tell, what these men want to say

Horace moved forward, and in atone that was Rtrange, as coming from him, because it was stern and impressive, replied to her. "Mike Patchett has fallen down a shaft a hundred and ten feet." "Fallen down a shaft!" exclaimed Peggy, softly. "Is he hurt much, and why don't they bring him here?" "How much he is nurt," said Horace, "it is bard to say as yet, and the reason they haven't brought him here is that he is lying at tbe bottom of tbe shaft, and they are preparing to bring him up. A difficult task, and a work of time." "And seeing," said the gold digger who had previously spoken, "that it may be a matter of an hour or two before we can bring him to the surface, we thought it proper to run across here and let you know. In case that as he can't come to" you, miss, you might have a mind to go to him." "Of course, I have a mind to go to him," said Peggy, petulantly "you all of you seem to think I have no fueling. Though I'm sure, when I get to him, I shan't know what to do." "In cage he's alive"—Peggy gasped— "aud conscious," said the gold digger, "it would do him a power of good to see you by his side. He's never tired of speaking about you, miss, and if some of us don't know you direct, we know you through him. It's partly because of his feeling for you that we ran here to tell you the bad news." "I ought to go,, oughtn't I?" asked Peggy, appealing to Horace. "You ought to do," replied Horace, stiffly, "exactly as you have a mind to do." "Why do you speak so crossly to me?" "Did I speak crossly. I beg you to excuse me for the liberty. It sometimes happens that a man connot be accountable for his words." "Indeed? Then I will have nothing to do with you. Signor Antonio, I will just run in and put on my bat, and perhaps you'll be good enough to give me your arm." "I am in your service," said Antonio, "and at your commands, everywhere and at every time."

Two persons, in addition to those who were present at the commencement of the scene, who witnessed it In silence and heard what passed. One was the stranger who had followed Horace and Antonio from the Rose, Shamrock and Thistle, and who, while they were in the house, had remained quietly outside. As the case when be followed Peggy's acquaintances from the township, no one saw him or took notice of him he was careful to keep in the shadows, so that he should not be observed. The other person was Madge, who now moved to Horace, and asked. "Miss Patchett has an escort. Will you be mine "Certainly, I will. But you cannot go without you hat."

She gilded into tbe house, and in a moment reappeared with her hat and cape. "Hallo!" cried Peggy "soyou're going to honor us with your company. How condescending of you "Come," said Horace to Madge, "let us move quickly.

In less than five minutes the house was deserted. Marshalled by the gold diggers, the whole party, with the exception of the stranger, was walking in the direction of the shaft down which Mike Patchett had fallen. Some yards in front walked Horace and Madge, with the.miners Peggy, Antonio and Spotty walked behind. "I have him!" whispered Peggy to Anotonio. "It is as it should be," said Antonio, pressing her arm close, and taking her hand in his. "It is what he deserves."

On the way the attention of tbe party was variously occupied. Those in front learnt the particulars of the accident. "He came back," said tbe gold diggers, as he promised to do, and was let down the shaft. There was a heap of stuff to clear away before he could find out whether the reef bad been unmasked, and he sent, perhaps, thirty buckets of loose clay and stone. A number of us were standing round tbe windlass and we examined the stuff. It did our hearts good to see bits of gold in it here and there, and some of the pieces of quartz bad specks of gold in tbom enough to crush twenty ounces to the ton, if all the reef was as good. Then Mike gave the signal to be hoised up. and he was hoisted to the top. 'Boys, he said/it's all right we've struck the reef.' We gave a shout st that. 'It's so rich,' he said, 'the vein that I struck that I want to send up a bucket or two of the stone that we may take a better look at it. Those that like to stop can stop and satisfy themselves, and if any of you care to go down to-morrow to take the run of tbe reef you're welcome to do it.' That was Mike Patchett all over be had done well himself, and he wanted others to do well, though, between you and me. there's never another in thlis or any gold field that'll make what he's made. He wanted candles—that was wbst brought him to the top—and he took a packet down with him. We, standing above, heard his pick go chip, chip, chip, and we waited for an hour snd more, till the signal came from below to wind up. It was a dead weight tbe two men at tbe windlass wss called upon to lift, and we judged that Mike was standing on ths top of ous of the large buckets, wbicb was filled—so we said among ourselves —with specimens from the reef. When Mike was within fdtty feet of ths surface, he cried out, 'Three cheers, boys! We've struck the richest roof on Pegleg!' We did give three cheers, and three more on top of 'em, and hadn't done cheering when the two men at tbe windless screamed, *0, God!' and slackened. It wss soon known what bad happened. Tbe rope had broke, and poor old Mike with his bucket of stone snd gold fell to the bottom. We beard the bucket go thump, thump, thump against tbe sides of the shaft, and beard one shriek. No mors—only one. Then there wss nothing but silence. We called, snd shouted, and hung over tbe month of the abaft, but no answer came and we knew sure enough, without being told, tlrat

rrWhile

Mike was either dead or very near some ran for a rope long enough and stout enough to put on tbe windlass—for Mike's shaft is tbe deepest in Pegleg—we hurried hers to tell his daughter what hsd happened. When we get to the shaft we shall know mors than we know now."

That was tbe story told to Madge and Horaoe ss tbey walked through the dark nlgnt with their eyes filled with tears.

"God help him—the dear old fellow!" The tears were streaming down Madge's face, and she breathed the words, "Goo pity him—and forgive him!"

Those behind scarcely spoke as tbey walked. Ihey had sufficient mental food to engross them. Especially was Peggy'8mind busy,and bad nerthought been "put in words their expression would have been— "In.case he is alive! That is what the man said. In case he is aliveJ "What if he should be dead? Then I would be safe and all his money would be mine. All his money! A hundred thousand pounds, and more. I can't realize how much that is. What should I do with it? A hundred thousand pounds! I couldn't count it. "But would It be mine? Would not somebody step in and claim it Then sbonid I not have to prove I was really his daughter "There's that sly cat, Madge, walking before. I would give two ol my fingers to know if she suspects. She has never said anything. But if she is playing a deep, quiet game of her own. where should I bo? She is a woman like me and may haye her secrets like I have. "He does not suspect. No, of that I am convinced. He aoes not suspect me. The man who has fallen down that shaft believes me to be his daughter. Do I wish that he is dead I must think a bit, though my head is in such a whirl that it is almost impossible for me to think clearly. "Do I hope that, he is killed Let me fix my mind upon that. Do I hope that he is killed How would it affect me Should I get his money Supposing no one else comes forward, should I get it? Is there anything in tbe law that would prevent it? Ob, if David Bannister were only heie now! With his cleve/ brain, he would be invaluable. You fool! Why did you not come ov.t with me, and keep in the background? It is my opinion you were afraid. A man hasn't half the courage of a woman. If I had said, 'Look here, Dave I don't go without you,' he would have been compelled to come, or to throw up his cards. He would have come. The prize was too great for him to have refused. I ought to havfi forced him to come. He could easily have disguised himself, and have taken another name. Then I shotild have had some one to depend upon, some one to advise me. And Madge would not have been with mo. Dave Bannister, if things go wrong, it's your fault, not mine, I have done all I could and more than one woman in a thousand would have had the daring to do. "But he's not with me to advise me, and it is madness wasting time over him. Every moment is precious. I most look to some one else to help me. Alone I am like a fly in a web. "Someone else. Who? Mr. Horace Blakensee? What is that young man's opinion of me He has been all sugar till to-night. Sinco we have been in Pegleg he hasn't given me a moment's cause for uneasiness, except—except— except what? Out with it. It's not a bit of good trying to disguise things. Well, except that he has continued to pay too much attention to Madge. But why should that be dangerous to me? He likes her better than me, pefbaps. Well, he is welcome to do that, if there is nothing more serious at the bottom of it. I am not so much in love with him as to break my heart oveir him. Only it is galling to think that a pale young cat like Madge should be preferred to me. But that's not the question now. The question is, how am I to get hold of Daddy Patchett's money, fn case he is dead. Would Mr. Blakensee help me to it? No. Best to look it straight in tbe face. He would not help me. 'Icannot take it upon myself,' he would say, 'to interfere in this matter. I am constitutionally indolent I hate worry I hate fatigue pray excuse me!' Poor fellow! Poor fool, rather! Pass him. "Signor Antonio? I must give him his title though. He is pressing my arm now as hard as he can. I like him the best* Yes, there's no doubt of that, I ,do ha'e Mr. Blakensee, because be is one thing one day and another thing another day. He looks down upon me,l believe.

What was it he said about Daddy Patchett 'Thero lives not a man more worthy of admiration for unselfishness, for natural generosity, for singleness, of heart, than Mr. Michael Patchett. In all sincerity I declare it.' His exact words—and he meant them. Wbyj then should he not help me in the, way I wish, even though he likes Madge better than be likes me. But if be suspects me! That would be the vprv reason why be wouldn't help me. More than that. Tbe very reason why be would do all he could to spoil my game. For If be Is stirred up he can do things—and that is what mqkes me both doubtful and afraid of him. And there's another reason. Suppose that Madge Is playing her game while I am playing mine. Suppose that secretly, she has confided in him. Suppose that tbey are both in a plot against me. 1 pass him again. There is something I must do this very night. I must open Madge's box—I must, if I have to break it open—and get at her desk. That certificate, if she possesses it, is the only evidence against me at this end of the world. I will have it before I sleep. 1 swear solemly I will have it. "I comeback to Signor Antonio. Can he help me? I think not. He Is a foreigner—a refugee—snd is obliged himself to keep out of sight, for political reasons. No—bs will Lot do.1 It must be some person who knows tbe law, and Who knows how to work it. "There are plenty of lawyers in Melbourne, as there are everywhere, who with a large bait before them, would take up su3i a case a* mine and carry it through. I could offer bim something very tempting. If successful, five thousand pounds—or ten. I shouldn't miss It, out of tbe pile (that is what tbey call it here) Daddy Patchett would leave behind him. "Yes—it must be a lawyer, and Signor Antonio's advice would be valuable there. He could recommend one, I dare HHj "Then, do I bope that Daddy Patchett will be dead before we get to tbe shast We must be very near it now I can see lights and a lot of dusty figures In tbe distance. That must be the place where

suddenly will! "He cannot have made one, or be would have spoken of it to me. No— there Is no will. But if be be alive be may make one, even if be was dying. And bs may make it, leaving everything to me, in any name I choose. I am sure I could manage that, and blind bim, for reasons I could not give bim when no one else was near. Then I should be safe. Then all Ms money would be mine—all mine—*11 mine! No, Daddy Patchett, I do not bope that you are dead. I hope you will lire, if only for a few hours, so that you can make me happy!" [OOKTHTUKD NKXT WEKK.J

An exchange remarks that, "the be teachers are those who learn something new themselves every day," so we announce this day that several thousand important cures have been made by tbe use of Dr. Bull's Cough Syrup.

It is a fact that remedies almost without number, already contest tbe claim to cure all tho ta» that afflict suffering humanity. Thousands Uavn found them powerless to work a cure for them.

No diseases have so haffled all attempts at permanent relief ail have Rheumatism and Neural* Along1 succession of disappointments has mada tr agonised victims despair of tho possibility oC cure. For centuries they .have been considered bayond the power of medical skill to cure.

And yet we say both can be cured, and that ATHT-OPHOROS will do the business. The best proof that it can do it

is that it has done it

Rev. S. R. Dennen, D.D., pastor Third Congregational Church. New Haven. Conn. RIKTImat&m had kept him from the pulpit four or firm inonths at a time. He says he had suffered all that one could, and live. He took his first dose of AraZ.OPBOROS

on Friday Sunday he was in Ins pulpit

JKonday he was well, and has remained so since.

Rev. William P. Corbit, D.D., pastor George St M. E. Church, New Haven. Conn., waslsia up for two months with Inflammatory suffering most excruciating torture. ATHLOFHOKOSRhenmatMm, cured mm, and he believes it to be Infallible.

H. S. Chandler, of

tlic

N. Y. Indepen

dent," sayB ATHLOPHOBOS cured him of Rheumatism from which he had suffered for a year and a half.

Rev. W. B. Evans, Washington, D. C, says- "I consider its work almost in tho light of is miracle. It is a most wonderful medicine. It ought to be spread throughout the land."

The great question is, Will it cure me* Wo believe it will. Is it worth trying You must decide. If you cannot get ATHLOPHOROS of your drutrgte*, we will send it express paid, on receipt of regular price—one dollar ier bottle. We prefer that you buy it from your druglrist, but if he hasn't it. do not» persuaded to try somothintr else, but order at ono» from us as directed. ATHLOPHOROS CO., 112 WALL ST.. NEW YORK.

mmiiiiiiiiiHini

I HI UIIMIIIIIIHUHHUBI

"Will the coming man smoke was settled by Prof. ITiBk In his charming pamphlet He says, moreover, that the rational way to use tobacoo Is through the pipe. All agree that only the best tobacco should be used. Which is the best? That to whioh Nature has contributed tho most exquisite flavors. Blackwell'8 Bull Durham 8moklng Tobacco

AUB

tho bill completely.

Nearly two-thirds of all the tobacoo grown on the Golden Tobacco belt of North Carolina goes into the manufactory of Blackwell, at Durham. They buy tho pick of the entire section. Henco

Blackwcll's Bull Durham Smoking Tobacco Is the best of that tobacco. Don't be deceivod when you buy. The Durham Bull trademark is on

(Continued from latt wtck.)

How Watch Cases are Made.

In 1875, thirteen ifien comprised the entire working force used in tho manufacture of the James Bona? Gold TKac/i Case, Now over five hundred are employed, and the number is constantly increasing. The reason of this increase is this: in the Jamt* JBosJ Gold Watch Case all the metal in sight and subject to wear is solid gold, while tho remainder, which only lends strength to tho case, is of stronger metal than gold, giving gold where gold is needed, and strong, elastic metal where strength and elasticity are needed, a combination producing a watch case better than solid gold and at

ONE-HALF

the cost.

Over 200,000 of these cases 27"^ havo been sold, and every .jeweler in the country can testify to their quality and merit. LtrmsoTOK.Micn., Dec.6,1J83:

E. W. Marsh, of tlic tjought a Jun.

Alumucr.n,

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that natural to any case, and I am satiHlled cari safely guaranteed for at least ten years more. I hatc» sold the James BOBS' OoldWutoli Case for many years, and toe parties who bmiKlit the tlrst ones nrp carrying them to-day, as well Hotinfled as though they ha? bought a solid gold case cnHtinirtwieethe money. I regard them as the only cases of this kiiul a Jeweler should sell who desires to (rive his customers worth of their money or valuos his

WM.3. CUSHWAY,Jewttir.rcpu,Utlou.

rtimil rnr* r1-~r to *rpln» W«lfh CM* rwtarlii, fklto. felpfcls, Pa., for ksadMate !ll»trst»4 Piaipblrt nhowlas b««R

sad E*ritene Wattk CMS* art auU*

(To be Continued^

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Twtwi good

BatiConxn

by druggists

The Great

Consumption Retnedv'

BROWN'S

EXPECTORANT

e.H

unted in hundreds of eases.

Jmrfn'lrd to nmmt COXhV HPT ION, If tmken im Ume. It Cures Coughs. it Cures Asthma, Jt Cures Bronchitis. It Cures Hoarseness. J* It Cures Tightness of the Cn •s It Cures Difficulty of Breait

BROWN'S ExpEcyo:

Specially Kcrommendtd

WM&OPJJTG CO

jt teUt tkorle* the duration a -d ai'.erial* th* parotci/am to tm mabtm tUe chUd to without leaving any mriau*

RICE,

50c

KIE India:

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