North Carolina Newspapers

0 V - Mil I 1 J ' I VOL II. LINCOLNTON, N. C, FRIDAY, MARCH S, 1889. NO. 43 raff Ml 0 4 f I BY JOHN E. I JAR RETT. OOPYfUOHTKi Itt. nv OOM.IKK'S "ONCE A WERK." "Al.T. IMGHTS KKSERVKD ." PUB U8MFI) HY SPKCI.L, AHRANGBMKNT WITH THR PROPIUBTOK OF "ONX'K A W EKK." Neil Jiewcomb took advantage of the doctor's jueseuee, and withdrew quietly as possible, although he thought he saw something more than formality in Edith's parting jrlanoe of gratitude, when sho hoped that lie would call ajrain. It was a dismal day for the city of Grimsby. The injured workmen who were taken to the hospital diod shortly after being admitted, and nothing else was talked of but the great explosion. Everybody eould describe the accident, but nobody could tell what caused it. Noel Edwards' pain iuorea.od as the day advanced, and when evening came he was in a high fever and raved consider ably. His family was alarmed, and Edith expel ienc-cd a secret sense of plea-nre as he heard a knock at the door, bhe thought the caller must surely he Ned Newcumli. During her bhort acquaint ance with him, she had learned to place great confidence in this stalwart mechan ic. When she hastened to the door, there fore, and opened it, she was amazed and dismayed to find that the caller was not Ned Newcomb, but Clarence Carson. The presence of this man thrilled her with a thousand fears. What could he want ? Was he there to add a deeper orrow to that which overshadowed the family already? What could the visit of such a man mean ? These and numerous kindred questions flashed through her brain in a few seconds, while she stood looking at the unexpected visitor, who was now entirely sober, and apparently dazed by what he imagined to be au ap parition rather than a reality. Their unexpected meeting recalled to both the unpleasant incident of the morning to Clarence- Carson vaguely, and to Edith vividly. "Pardon me," he said, at last, reniotoig his hat in a respectful manner. "I wish o know if Noel Edwards lives here." Edith was puzzled tothink what he j jould want with her father, and hesita ted before making reply. Seeing her reluctance Clarence iVreooa aaidi "I understand that he was seriously in jured by the accident at our mill this morning, and my uncle is anxious to learn the condition of all the men who were hurt. This is why I called." His voice was subdued, his manner was that of a gentleman, and there was noth ing in his demeanor to show that he was conscious of the disasrreeable incident of the morning. Edith also tried to control her feel ings. " My father's injuries are very severe," she said, "and I fear his sight it destroy ed, lie has been delirious this after noon, and has talked wildly of the mill andtthe explosion, but I think he is rest ing uo'v, as we have not heard his voice in some time." Edith was deeply affected, and Clar ence Carson was sincerely touched by her sorrow. She did not invite him in. His presence gave her au unpleasant sensation. It deserves to be said for Carson that he also felt embarrassed. He did not expect to meet Edith there, and he would gladly have jrot away at first glance of her if he could have done so consistently. " I came to say that we shall be glad to So anything we can for Mr. Edwards," ald Clarence, after a pause, "and that if he needs a doctor we will send one at our own expense." "The doctor has been' here some time ago," said Edith, adding: "You are very kind, but I do not think we need any as iistance in that way." While she was speaking the doctor ar rived again, and he proceeded at onee'o the room of the sufferer, which was on the same Hoor as the little parlor. In a tnoment he returned and said: " I see you have removed the patient. Where have you put him ? " "Removed him ! " exclaimed. Edith, in surprise. " Why, no, doctor he is in that room." "He is not there," the doctor replied, shaking his head. Clarence Carsoa had become so Inter ested that he stepped inside, and Edith ind her mother hastened to the room in which they supposed Noel Edwards lay. At the samo moment there was a knock fct the door, and it was opened by Carson, irho was startled to see that the new ar rival was Ned Newcomb. Ned was taken somewhat aback to find Carson there, Out before he had time to advance or re treat, Edith came running from the sick foom and exclaimed: " Oh, what shall we do ? what shall we io? Father is gone!" At first Ned Newcomb and Carson thought he must be dead, and they were Jeepiy impressed by the girl's grief, but shey were perplexed wheu she said: "I know he is gone to the mills, he ipoke so muoh about it all the afternoon -and I must follow him. Oh, if he should fall in the river, what ever would become f us ? My poor, dear father ! ' "Then he is not dead?" said Xed New iomb. "No," answered Edith; "he has left his room. We found the window open, show jig where he went out. But why do I tay here, when every moment is to pre eious, and I may be able to save his life?" Saving this, she rushed out into the light, and kwu the street leading to the iver that ilowed a short distance from he diMiir'iitled steel mill. It wiP neee-t-aiy to ciths t his st ream by hi,'h, ii.utov foot-bridie in order to e;i n lii - mill. , Although her father was sightless, vtith knew that he could easily find his vay to i null bee. use of his long fumil nity .vdh it, and he had said so much ibo.u it nr his ravings, that she felt she '. as right in guessing that be had gone i here. Ned Newcomb, fearing for Edith's own afety, followed her, ami bo did Clarence Carson, who felt somewhat fascinated by !he novelty of the situation. The two nen found it impossible to keep up with !ier. The eager purpose of her mission aiade her swift, and near the edge of the treaiii where the street lights glimmered ftw and faint, they lost sight of her. Presently, however, they saw, dimly outlined in the gloom, a human figure crossing the narrow, slippery foot-bridge Ihat led across the stream to the steel roll'. Ned Newcomb followed. lie found the path a shaky one, and it was covered with ice. He called out to Edith to move slowly, but he had no sooner spoken the words, than the figure ahead of him tumbled headlong from the foot-bridgo, and fell with a loud splash in the water. Au agonizing cry rose up from the dark river. Carson exclaimed, "She is lost!" us he stood aghast on the river bank. Ned Newcomb said nothing, but ran swiftly along the slippery and haky foot bridge to the point where he thought he saw Edith falling, and glancing eagerly into the water, he caught fight of the face of the terror-stricken girl. Then, nerving himself for a great struggle, he plunged into the freezing flood, intent on saving her life at the risk of his own. CHAPTER IV. IN THE FLOOD. RANSFIX ED with awe, Clar ence Carson stood upon the bank as Ned Newcomb plunged i n t o the river to res cue Edith. He looked eagerly into the water to c a t c h h glimpse of a face, and lis tened intently for a voice, but the whitening foam was the only thinp he could see in the flood, while the turn blinj; falls in the distance, made toudei by the silence of the night, was the onlj sound he heard. Cheat masses of inky clouds rolle across the face of the sky shroiidiiij. moon and stars, while the skeleton o the shattered steel mill loaned up lik an uncanny apparition against the hoi zon. The w.nd blew In cold, cuttio gust along the river, and whistled o -Tially amoug tne lagged cornices of ic that lined the banks of the stream, while out in the midst of the current the whirl ing waters rushed forward with foaming activity, defying concealment. It was a grim picture for Clarence Cat pon to contemplate, but rendered doubly so by the tragic incident he had just witnessed the falling of Edith in Ihe water, the plunging in of Ned Newcomb to her rescue, aud the disaiwearance of both. "They are lost!" murmured Carson "Even should they outlive the current no nower on earth can prevent them from being swept over the falls." And saying this he moved cautiously a short distance down the slippery river bank, then drawing his overcoat close about him, turned away with a shudder, intend ing to go home and tell his uncle of the thrilling scene he had witnessed. Meanwhile Ned Newcomb was strug gling desperately with the swift current. A few stout strokes brought him within reach of the life that he had risked his own to save, but when he tried to make the shore, with Edith Edwards on his left arm, he found himself overborne by the flood, which was running like a mill race at that point, and grew faster as it approached the falls. Had Ned Newcomb been alone he could grapple successfully with the subtle strength of the icy current; but with two lives to save, and the voice of death, as it spoke in the fatal falls ahead, ringing iu his ears, it required more than human strength, courage, and fortitude to make the brave fight which he was now waging against overhelming odds. Although overpowered by the flood, he felt that he could still save his own life by deserting Edith to her fate, but he banished the thought, and resolutely determined on saving both their lives or neither. "Better live or die together,' were the words that Hope whispered in his ear. And now, indeed, it seemed as if it would be death for both. The hurrying water renewed its speed for the final plunge over the falls, and "the stout-hearted swimmer, the spray at his lip," was no longer able to resist its fierce onset. "Heaven pity us both!" he prayed as he closed his eyes, and clung tenaciously to his precious burden. He expected that both would be dashed over the falls the next instant, and en gulfed for a brief space in the depths of death before being tossed into the winding-sheet of foam that whitened the rocks beyond the .black and dismal abyss. But to Ned Newoomb's great surprise and joy there was a sudden halt in the swirling waters, and the foaming falls roared louder than ever, as if clamoring for their prey. A fallen tree that jutted out from the bank of the river impeded their progress and held them there. Ned Newcomb realized that his fair com panion and. himself were on the brink of death. The slightest jar might hurl them over the foam-covered cliff It seemed as if a feand the hand of God had been thrust into the flood to save them. It was then that Edith beau to mani fest igns of life for the first time since he caught her drifting helplessly in the swifl water. Thi ; was a pource of pleas ure and apprehension to. Ned Newcomb. pleasure to know that the brave girl wa still alive, and apprehen iom lest hei exertions might prove too great a strain for the fallen tree in the Hood, that seemed to be the only barrier between themselves and death. Occasionally the friendly tree swayed with the current, then righted itself Would it yield to the stress of the flood, and slip over the falls ? Ah, no, too much depended uion Its tenacity now, and Ned Newcomb prayed earnestly that it might not lend or break, as he groped slowly along the slippery trunk until he- got fai enough out of the deep, seeth ing curt cut to obtain a foothold. His prayer was heard. In less time than it takes to tell it, the entire scene of tenor was at au end, and the big, biii e-heai led mechanic was safe on shore, dripping wet in the frosty nighfcf with Euan Edwards trembling iu his arms. "Poor girl," he thought, "what a noble spirit hers must be to risk her life for her father's sake." Edith showed signs of returning con sciousness, but as it was yet some distance toherhome Ned Newcomb realized that in her present condition it would imperil her life to take her so far, and he resolved upon claiming the hospitality and friend ship of the ver3' first house they met. But a short distauee from the rivei bank, in a narrow alley, a lignt was seen in the window of a low-roofed two-story building. Thinking it to be the home oi some friendly fellow-workman at the mill, Ned knocked at the door for admit tance. The door was opened by an old woman, who was somewhat stooped and wrinkled, but who had a most agreeable and sympathetic voice. "If you please, ma'am, I would like you to give this young lady a few hours rest and care at your house," said Ned Newcomb. "I have just rescued Lei from the river, and want to gyt her a doctor without delay, as I fear her life it still in danger." The old dame hesitated in open-mouthed wonder. "It's a case of life or death, ma'ain,' continued Ned, speaking up promptly fot fear the woman might let use. "And you'll be well paid for your trouble. The young lady's home is but a little way from here, ami she will not be left 01. your hands long. Do take care of hei for a short time, and let me run for the doctor. You sha'n't lose anything by ;.t." The old dame evidently suspected thai everything was not all right, and darted a look of suspicion from beneath hei shaggy brows ;it Ned Newcomb, as niucL as to say: "There's foul play here, and you know more about it than you cans to tell." "Come," said Ned, somewhat impatient ly; "every moment is dear; won't 501 care for her while I run for a doctor? '' "Been atry in' to drown of herself?' queried the old dame, whose furiosi was greater than her sympathy. " Not at all; it was a mere accident, an it was only by a miracle that both 01. lives were saved." "Well, I'll eee my son about letting her stay here," said the old woman, disap pearing up the stairs a good deal quicker than Ned thought possible for one of her years and appearance. She had no sooner gone than Ned placed Edith on the rickety lounge whi-h formed the principal article of furniture in the room, aud then darted off for a doctor. He knew there was no time to lose, and that it would only take a few minutes to bring such help and healing as Edith needed. As soon as the old dame ascended the creaking stairs 011 a pretense of seeing her son about the propriety of letting the poor girl remain for a few hours uuder the shelter of their humble roof, she ran nimbly along a lengthy corridor which led to the rear of the building, then pass ed across a narrow bridge and through a door which cuminunicated with a large, well-lighted, and gorgeously furnished apartment. In the middle of this room, seated around a table, were six men, so deeply absorbed in cards that they did not no tice the stealthy entrance of the old dame, who glided with a cat-like tread over the rich velvet carpet to the side of a tall young man, who would be de oidedly handsome were it not for the sin ister expression of his eyes, which roved about restlessly. His loug black hair was combed low over bis right temple to con ceal the deep mark that had been left there by a bullet, and he glanced fre quently over his shoulder as if expecting the approach of some loe from behind. The old womau touched this striking character on the arm lightly, and in a hurried whisper said, "Dick!" "Danger, mother?" the young man re plied, turning sharply around, his face alert with a look of inquiry. "No, my son." she answered, "but trouble trouble for somebody else. Come with me." Dick disliked to leave the room. Bus iness was good. The players had partak en freely, and were in a jolly, reckless mood, and the customary supper, which formed a regular feature of the night s' gambling, was due iu a short time. Put Dick rarely ever questioned the prudence of the ancient looking person whom he addressed as " mother." She never called him away from his money, makiug without good cause, and so he accompanied her along the corridor, down the creaking stairs and into the shabby little room that fronted the alley. Edith was moaning and tossing on the louuge, and would have rolled upon the floor but that Dick Dawson sprang to her assistance. The unexpected presence of a woman, young, beautiful and half unconscious, with her clothing drippiug wet as she was taken from the river, gave Dick I). 1 w son au unpleasant sensation, which was intensified as he raised her head ami the eyes of the sufferer were opened" wonderingly to meet his own. " Heavens !" exclaimed Dick Dawson, "what docs ail this mean, and who biotulit her here?" " She was carried In by a big, g.KxJ-look. ing chap, who wouldn't take no for an answer, and who said that she tell in j the river, lie was v.i t, too, so I think; both must ha;e been in the water. But where can he be? I left him here wheu I went up stairs for you." j "The deuce! He has deserted her. j Wh it kind of a looking chap was he?"j us Ken vu-k. ti ! "Tall, broad-sLouldered, black-haired, j with l.irge erii that seemed to look 1 straight through'a body. Seems us if he was a mechanic of some sort. He said I'll be well paid for curing for thU girl while he ran for a doctor, and I told him I'd ask my son, but you see he has skipped while I was gone up staii-s, and I don't believe he'll come back. Do you, Dick ? " I ain't quite sure of that," answered Dick, "and I ain't quite sure as I want iim to come, cither. There may be trouble iu it, as I've seen this pretty face before," and Dick fastened the door as he spoke. "Seen her before, Dick?" queried the old dame. "Where could that be, and who is she?" " I don't know her name, but this is tl girl, that dare-devil Carson was knocked down for, Mhen I was helping himself and his chum home from here. He wagered a bottle he'd kiss her, but he got a good knock-down instead, from such a mechanic chap as you have just described. I should uot wonder but that fellow is her lover, and whether so or no. I don't want him here with his doc tor." "But what will you do with her?" a-ked Dame Dawson, as Edith staggered to her feet. " First keep her from falling," answer ed Dick, with a sneer, adding: "The girl is pretty: what the deuce could have put it in her head to destroy herself?" "Father, father!" called Edith, iu pitiful accents. "Oh, don't go to the mill; don't go near the river. Ugh! how cold it is." "Let nie get you dry clothing," said Dame Dawson, with an attempt at kind ness, "lean let you have a nice gown and otlier thiii-'s to mat,eyou comforta ble until your li iend come ', hack." Edith was dazed. Her eyes were wide open now, and she seemed to be strug gling hard to comprehend the situation. She gazed in amazement .at Dame Daw son, who did not look much better than one of the witches in the play of Mac beth, and from this weird-looking bel dame the girl glanced rapidly at the tall, handsome, and rather gracious young man beside her, who presented such a pleasing contrast to the uneaiu-v f-male. "Oh, sir, you may have se n my father go this way," said Edith, in a voice of touching entreaty. " If he -should coine, I beg of you, for the love of Heaven, do not let him go into the river ! " "It seems to me," said Dame Dawson, in a whisper, and with a quick glance at the handsome Dick, "that this person is not in hev right mind, and that unless we do somt 1 1. ing quick we may have a crazy woman on our hands." " There's no danger of that," replied Dick:' "she'll soon be all right. Get hei to change those wet clothes for some thing dry, without delay, and you'll find I; r : s rational as any body. But I'n. wasting tim, and time is money just now I'll look to you to see that this mysteri cue young person does not die or go era zy on our hands, aud we must also see tc it that neither the big mechanic nor tht doctor is permitted to enter here. Wt cannot afford to answer too many ques tions." In his younger days Dick Dawson had studied medicine, aud when occasion re quired it, he could give some good ad vice, but the desire to make money rap idly was his ruling passion, aud of late his thoughts were concentrated on his elaborate gambling-room, which yield ed him a princely income. The "best men iu town" were Dick Dawson's pa trons. They dropped in frequently to fleece a neighbor in Dick's quiet nook, and went away fleeced; but nobody knew of their loss, or of the manner in which they lost, except the initiated, and the secrets of Dick's lair were kept as sacred ly by its habitues as though it were the lodge-room of some oath-bound organiza tion. Those who were bitteu by the "tiger" hid their wouuds bravely. Every man who could be trusted had a j key to Dick's "club-room," and entered it by way of a drug-store, whose pro prietor was liberally rewarded for con veniently keepihg his mouth shut aud his door open. In the rear of the build ing, the female, described as Dick's mother, warded off suspicion and uu welcome intruers from the swell club room. The presence of Edith was an annoy ance, but Dame Dawsou, aud Dick felt that they ought to make the best of it. "Come, my dear," said the dame, tak ing the girl by the hand, "land get those wet clothes changed." Edith could not comprehend the sit uation, but the pleasant voice in which the woman addressed her won her con. fidence, and bhe suffered herself to be led away. As they were about to leave the room, there was a loud knock at the door. Dame Dawson started to open it, think ing it was Ned Newcomb and the doctoi coming to see Edith, but Dick seized her by the wrist and in a hoarse whispei said, "Don't stir a step for your life." The knocking was repeated vigorously, followed by the words " Open this door ! r in a sharp tone. Dick Dawson speedily put out the light caught Edith in his arms, aud ascending the rickety stain, which creaked aloud at every step, called to the dame: "Fol low me ! " The next minute the door of the shanty came in with a crash, and the voice oi Ned Newomb was heard, in the dark, deserted room, calling "Edith, Edith, Edith !" but Edith did not answer. The bewildered girl tried hard to re spond to her name, but a strong hand choked her utterance, and a voice whi pered iu her can " If you speak, you die ! " CHAPTER V. THE BLIM WITNESS. F Noel Edwardi had not disappeared from the room i 1, which his fa mil y thought he was rent ing quietly awaiting the arrival of tin il o c t o r , t his story would not be writ tell. The current of hu man life is some times influenced f 01 good or ill, for tiin and eternity, by some f rifling episode which in itself is scarcely worthy a pass ing thought, but which leads to counties cost and consequences, as the narrow path leads to the tangled forest or tin tiny brook to the limitless sea. When Noel Edwards found himself alone in his room, and began to broo i over the great calamity that had befal len him, a thousand fautattio fancies peopled his scorching brain. To find one's sight gradually growing dim, until the pleasure of vision is finally withdrawn, is a loss so overwhelming that language fails to give it adequate expression; but to be stricken blind by a single flash of fate, and have those wi love shut out forever from our gaze, is 11 deprivation little less than death itself Noel's vivid imagination made him fee) keenly the lull extent of his great loss He knew that he could never look upoi, the great city, the sky, the river, tht gleaming furnaces, or the faces of dear ones again, and this thought wat more painful to him thau the physical suffering caused by his injury. Although the room in which he 1 ty wui in darkness, he thought he could see: through his delirium, once again th glowing converter of the steel mill, with its whitening flame and myriads of gold en stars, as they had appeared to him hundreds of times iu reality at the 1011 verting room. This waking dream be came so intensely vivid, that Noel start ed up from his pillow to give his order; to the workmen with which his busy brain had peopled the scene about tlu casting-pit. But the hallucination was not mor than a minute's duration. Just as Noe' was about to address his men, the entin interior of his imaginary convert n; room seemed to be glowing with light and he saw, revealed in the midst of it with startling vividness, a human fac clouded with hatred. It was the t.-.ce o.. Clarence Carson, and Not 1 thought In saw him precipitating the di aster whicl h id caused the explosion. Then came darkness and pain, and tht stricken workman, exhausted by his wilu vision, fel! back on Irs pillow. He coulo not rest. His brain was 1.11 lire. ()n overmastering thought possessed bin: however, and that was the guilt of Cla euce Carson. He had only seen th young man do the deed in a dream, bu Noel was now in such a frame ot uiin that dreams were rapidly becoming real ities, and he could not tell the dividing line between the actual and the imagin ary. This thought controlled him now and made him its slave. He wanted t meet Clarence ('arson, ami confront h!u. with his crime. ."Ay, he diil it !" Noel would mutter t. himself; "but what motive c..uld h h-we? never mind the motive; it wa who did it, and I cannot rest until I ao Ouse him of the crime before his uncle's faoe, and denounce him lor his dastardly detnl. The motive? I have it. Lr.reg on Newcomb ! " Controlled by this thought, Noel felt that he must carry out his plan without delay, and hasten to the Carson mansion for the purpose of denouncing Clarence before he could iiave time to escape jus tice. Confused as his ideas were, he knew that it would be a difficult matter to leave the house if his family became aware of his determination, and he soon found a way to evade them. His bed room was on the ground floor, and be could easily open its window and step noiselessly outside. This he did, aud fearing that he might be discovered, he groped softly away, aud for the first time realized the utter helplessness of being blind, liut his eagerness to carry out his idea made him overcome his in firmity. He wanted to reach the Carson mansion as speedily as possible, and ex pose what he, in the wild delirium of his fevered frenzy, considered the real char acter of Clarence. Noel knew the direc tion in which the house of the Carsons lay, but owing to his blindness, his pro gress along the streets was extremely slow and painful. . The hastily improvised bandage that had been placed on his head at the mid shortly after the accident, proved a com plete disgi use, so that his dearest friend might pas- him by on the street and not be able to recognize him. But such a dis guise was uot needed now, for the disas ter which robbed Noel ot sight, had dis figured his manly face beyond recogni tion. Slowly and cautiously he groped hi.) way along the streets that led to the Car son mansion, stopping frequently to m.ce sure that he was right, aud to recall thy ideas that he had formed of the local ity before he became blind. The crowds hurried by iu the chill night air, and paid but little heed to the blind man s mutter Ings. Those who heard him talk aloud regarded him a a drunkard or a dotard and passed on. A loy went whistling by, and Noel bniled him. The offer of a dime enlisted the lad's services, and he agreed to lead Noel to the gate of Mr. Carson's residence. From that time forward progress was not slow, and th: cherry "Here we ate!' of th guide wa spoken much mxilier th in Noel expected. " 'I hat will !o, my boy," he said, and he enteti d the fiate and ascended the steps that led to the gorgeous bouse of the wealthy rtel king. He found the outer dinr closed but unfastened, and he passed into the ample hall, whose warm glow , formed a pleasing contrast to the piercing old of the winter's niht without. Nw that he had re:u h-d the place to ward which he hail toiled so painfully, No -1 Edwards was unde4ded as to what heouj'ht to do next. His brain was throbbing feverishly, and his senses were in a mad whirl. Nobody seemed to n tice his presence there. The sounds of somr and silvery laughter floated nut from an inner room. A pure, clear s ;i ano voice rang out with thrilling sweet ness, and as Noel stixxl and listened, he could distinguish the familiar words: ' It miT b for roar, and it miiT b l-.rever. Then why art thi.u silent, ihou voice of my hwnrt ?" The song seemed to linger in the atmos phere long after the singer had ceased, and it seemed little less than profanity to break the sjtell of th silence which fol lowed, with sounds le-s sweet. Noel was startled from his reverie by n biuM of rippling 1-iu-rhtcr. as merry a a moun tain brook, and it embittered his spirit. " Cruel wretches !" he muttered, as h grated his teeth. "Ami this is all th-y care forth- victims at the mill." Again the frenzy which made him sus ! t Clarence Carson of causing the dis aster at the mill took possession of him. The sounds of mirth which he had just ii -tened to increased his anger, and made hnn feel that there was no sympathy iu the Carson home for the poor workmen who had been roasted to death in the casting-pit at the mill. Nobtnly noticed Noel's presence in th- hall, and he was growing impati nt He could stand it no linger, ami he groped his way along un til he reached a door. This he entered, biit he 11 sooner did so than he was startled by a chorus of screams which were set up by some of the young ladies of the Carson family, who experienced a severe shock 011 seeing such an uncanny visitor enter the imiii unannounced. The frightened girls fluttered around the room like startled birds, and continu ed to scream with all their might, in bnsifjing the wild contusion of Noel's tumultous thoughts. They imagined he must be some terrible apparition who h id come t destroy them, and it was not until the dignified head of the house. Philip Carson himself, appeared upon the scene that they felt comparatively secure. The president of the Grimsby Steel Works was tall, white-haired, austere, and not easily angered, but the appear ance of Noel, whom he considered an im pudent tramp, made him terribly in dignant. Noel, standing in the middle of that elegant and richly-furnishe.l parlor, was like a harsh discord in the midst of a sublime harmony. Philip Carson's first impulse was to knock the intruder down, but h splen did spirit of self-control held him in check, and thinking possibly this must be some poor lunatic, he resolv ed on giv ing him into the care of the police. " What's the meaning of this imperti nent intrusion?" demanded Mr. Carson, with a supreme effect to smother his great rage. " I want to meet your nephew Clar ence, Mr. Cai"sou," su:d Noel who was trembling with excitement. "And now that you are here, I would like to see him before your face." " What business can a tramp like you have with him ? " asked Cars n with a sneer. "To tell him that he is a murderer ! " re torted Noel, with t rrilii lophasis. "Stop! say no more." :c. i n:d Philip Carson; "quit the h.au at ou e. ' The young ladies. wi.o fears had been calmed by the presence of Mr. Carson, lingered at the door to ' what disposi tion would be made of the intrude!, aiei ijuferwl their faces in horror a they h vard hi? fearful word?. " Surely, the man is mad !" whispered Z. lda Caiao.i, a lovely youii Lady of the b; uiir-tte type of beauty, to her compan ions, two ( banning Boston girls, who had been her guests for several days. " I have used harsh words," said Noel, who now stood as still as a statu' iu the centre of the room, unmindful of the fact tiial he had been ordered to quit tho house. " but they are not too severe. It w.'.s your nephew, Clarence, that caused the trouble at the mill to-day." That Philip Carson could bear to listen to so much was a surprise; but something j t compelled his attention And who are you that dares to tt-ll ma this?' asked the President of the Grims by .Steel Works. "Is it possible you don't know me? Ah, well it's no wonder. I scarce know myself in my dismal plight. But there wjis a time in the hi.-tory of Grimsby ivlieu Philip Carson would be able to recognize Noel Edwards." ".Great heavens! Noel, can this le you!" exclaimed Mr. Carson, starting back la astomshinent. ' And what is the mean ing of this disguise ? " "The meaning of this disguise. Mr. Car son, is that I am blind, and 1 am here to -ay that your nephew caused the acci dent that made me blind. He V a murder er ! I saw it all in my room, i see it uuw BUCKLEN'S ARNICA SLVK TLe bf st Salve in the world for cuts and bruUes, sore3, salt rheum, fever sores, tet ter, chapped haDds, cbilMa ns, corns, and all skin eruptions, aDd pos;tively cure piles, or no pay required. It is guana teed to give perfect satisfaction, or mony refun drd. Price 25 cents per box. For f ale by J. M. Lawing, Physician and Pharmacist. Now is the time 'to take your county paper, the Cotjkir, S1.50. Hi 1 1 1? 1 I.1 T U 1 k T t nni-w 1 II Pi u Pil VtW : Ij AoaCjAr HIiY KKNATK-JtiTII DAY. S. H. (Mr. IVsjiiVh hill) to amend firricle nine, section two, ot the Constitution, to provide lor taxes In. 111 rwopertj anl polls of tbe white tax-payer 10 be applied to education of white children, aud taxes from property and polls of tho tho colored racd-to Hehoola for colored children, was taken up oq its wecoud leading. Mr. Tui net oi Iredell, moved to postpone till today week on account of the importance of the subject. Mr. Tayne HuggeNtcd Monday next immediately after the morning hour. Mr. Campbell moved to refer tho bill to Uih judiciary committee. The motion to postpone prevailed .itid the bill weut over as a special order for Monday next. The calendar was renamed and a bill to incorporate the Womau's Home M.hsioh Soc.iet paused its 1 hiid leading. S. II. 18, to empower morraeea 10 purchase at their owu sales of estate, came up on its secoud read inp Mr. Means explained the bil and spoke in support of it. Messrs Lucas, Turner, of Iredell, Williams, of Pitt, and LeOratid opposed tbe bill as beiug dangerous aud graut ing special favor. Under a call of the roll, the bill failed to pass its second reading ayes 0, noes 3D, HOUSE oK R E 11 1 E SENT ATI VES. A petition was offored asking tor a change of the county Meat of Ua ta ba from Newton to Conover. TIih committee on jud c ary re potted unlavoiably the bill remov b'g the polit'cal disabilities of ex Gov. Holder. HILLS INTRODUCED i t move county veat of Catawba county Itom Newton to Conovei; to amend the Constitution with res pect to the corporation of town ; protecting wire fences; to rnak fective proceedings before b -i i- of aldermen and other bodn; lor the relief of S- II. Taylor, ex-sheiill" l JSurry county. RAILROAD COMMISSION RlLL. The hour of 12 having arrived, which was tet for the considerat'ou of the railroad commission bill as a spec'al order, the Speaker an uounced the question of its pipage upon the third reading. Ou motion of Mr. Cooke the amendments wr re voted upon as they were offered. Mr. Alexander off-red an amend ment thiinging tiie nalaritrs of the commission, rs from 2,50 to ?2,0O0 aud of the cleik from 1,200 to 1,000. He fpoke at. Home length advocat ing the bill and bis amfniment. Mr. Amis (ltep.) opposed the bill the only o'ie of bi9 party wbo spoke against it said the people did not want if. Mr. UeddingfieM -p ke in oppo sition to the h'Ji salaries but lav ored the 'nenMire in nlroug terms. He spoke in aorcf Mr. Alexan der's Mtuendm- n Alt. Fianks ( who oppose! the b.ll) r illr-il 'cr the yeas and n i s. Mr. Cooke spoke in .-uppoit ot the bill. He said tbe question of sa'aries bad been euibarrissing to the committee, hut that it bad fi nally settled down on the seme a those paid to the judicial bench and for this reason they were fixed at 2,500 and $1,200 Mr.CookeV speech was strong aod eloquent. He ban died be measure from tbe side of the people anl sustained bimse'f with credit. A vote was taken on tbe substi tute offered by Mr. Alexander, re ducing the salaries. The amend- rneot was adopted by a vote of C9 fo 38. . Mr. Lonp, ot Meckbnburg, offered an amendment changing the pay of witness from two to one dollar per day. Lost. Mr. Baiid offertd an amendment striking out the clause relating ro the professions of the CommissionerK. Lost by a vote of 49 to 33. Mr. .Cooke moved the previous question ( the parage of the bill upon its third reading) aud upon this motion Mr. Bed iinpfield ra'lf d for the ayes and uas. The main Continued to Fourth Page.