Mr
Mi
m
flit
Si! ft
'VUL II.
LINCOLNTON, N. C, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1SS0.
NO. 48
BY JOHN E. BARRETT.
C0PTHIQHT2D 188, BY COLLIER'S "OXCS A
WHK." "ALL RIGHTS RRaEHVKD." PUB
JLISHKO BY SPECIAL AUKANGEMKNT
WITH THE PROPRIKTOH OF
"ON'CE A WEEK."
" You are tr'tMug, and you will ph-aae
excu?(. me if I decline to ! trlih'l with.
How can you say that you w.'-r- not mar
ried to Mr. Carson, when I taw you my
self and performed the ceremony that
made you his lawful wife? 1 should
think, my rood girl, that instead ol' try
lug to repudiate th'9 certificate, you
houM cherh it rva the apple of your
because it makes you the Lndt ol th
richest man in all Orimby."
"Is it politic, judg," ahta asked in a
doapairiu touo, "that you frw me rr8-
& at this man iatre ceremony you apeak
4, and that it wab performed by yon
With my consent if "
1 "Mont deoidiy," twiti the judge, "and
you see there were two other witnesses
wdo. There is r;o question about iht
validity of this marriage. Yoj are a;
urely the wife of Clarence Carson as
&xn Judge Ransom."
"Then, may Heaven pity met" ex
claimed Edith. "I have no recollection
whatever of any such marriage, and
there id no other living man I hate ho
much as the man whose name isinention
ed in that certificate. Oh, Gkd ! what
shall I do?"
Judge Ransom, who now begun to t-ee
the situation in a new light was deeply
moved hy the agitation and distress oi
the lovely girl, and he was at a loss to
account for her strange conduct. lit
thought it possible he might he insane
Jjut fhc did iict look, talk, or act like a
(demented person, and the more he eon
sidt red the case, the greater became h:i
perplexity. lie tried to argue Edith out
of her inteuso aversion for Clarence
parson, hut found this an impossible
(ask.
" It seems to me," he reasoned, "thai
instead of denying this marriage you
CUght to he pleased and proud to a
knowledge it. It is not every day that a
poor gii 1 marries a millionairo."
"It matters not," paid Edith. "Wert
he the richest man in the world, I would
not marry him, and I know there is some
terrible mistake about this marriage you
peak of."
"There is no mistake about it, young
woman. You are Clarence Carson's wife,
wad nothing but a divorce can now le
gally separate you from the husband to
whom you wero united in marriage bj
ine in the presence of witnesses."
Had Judge Ransom pronounced Edith'
death-sentence he could not have inflict
ed deeper pain upon her. It seemed tc
ber a if the world had suddenly eon
plied'to deprive her of all happiness and
peace of mind. She looked pityingly ic
face of Judge Ransom, but could find
no trace of sympathy in the severe ex
presslon by which it was masked."
The judge was silent. Edith knew thai
(nrtxiiT words on her part would be lr,
fin, ..d .-he rose to go. She found il
jifpf sraiy f;? bteady herself against tht
esk lest Phe jufght full, so dizzy did hei
ffin become.
tthe was determined, however, thai
Judge Ransom should not see how com
tletvy Li ushed and hopeless his words
jaad left her ;ipd she made a superhumat
effort to maintain her composure untk
he khould Leave h presence.
In the excitement of the moment sh
forgot the marriage certificate, and find
Jng it among his papers when she was
jtone, Judge Ransom placed it carefully
In his desk.
It was some relief to Eiith Edward U
into the cool air without. Her fe-
eted train was almost bursting with
pain no medicine could allay, and sht
felt that a shadow had fallen across hei
life, from which it would be impossibl
for her to emerge into the sunlight o5
happiness evermore.
All along the street she kept thinking
vt Jtidgo Ransom's words, " Yon are Clar
tnc Lrou's icijt," and they miuie hei
peart scut
On turnfn the corner, from tht
jronged thoroiighfare to the quiet sid
street which led to her home, Edith wai
grteted by a pleasant voice, and looking
tLD, ihe wa pleased to see the cheerful
manly face of her hero and her triend
)ed Newcomb.
Jhe tight of this brave, unselfish, braw
vf jeuu? mau, toward whom her hear)
fead been turning siuce first they met
fnade Edith for the moment forget hei
fears.
"How happy I am to see you!" sht
aid, and the lovelight in her eye tolc
ed that she f poke the truth.
" I was afraid you would never speal
to me again, Edith, after having so stu
pidly lost you when I carried you from
the river to that wretched hut when
h7 cheated us so cruelly," said Nec
JJewcomb, in a voice that was rife witt
musical tenderne-ss of leve.
E41th' answer startled hirn.
"Ah, I wish you had lost me in the riv
then I should never awake to tht
iniery that surrounds me."
"But, Edith, there is hop ahead."
" Not for me, she replied. "Hope anc
I fire strangers."-
Puriiig the remainder oi the journej
home Ned Newcomb tried hard to maki
tfce wearisome girl take leave of her de
fpondency, but Edith's replies to all hii
cheerful remarks told him plainly thai
ihe was under pome cloud which all hb
lightness of heart could not dispel, and
Mlojigedto learnt fee jecrej; of her sor
ow. in the hope tha'. l e m'.trht eharo it
h little did he krmw, in that hour 01
ii:'. r yivpathy uul .'oli.-.tiHle. f ,r tht!
"oj.u.u J Iweci, that the cuiie ol
:il!'s .. ilf wan com. tiling that would
t m'.Urr Liu uau liie.
Ci'M Tl H XIII
ZeLUX f.Al.SoN b-thJ-LY IfclEI.
tifc&Jc& HLlif.-.,f I'j.iiipCar
i i -on. the Pj i .icnt ol
CoiiipaiiV; hunf
l ii.bliM in tiie bal
ai:c- n r iimny nays
TL-'.v w-n- .lays ol
on in, aiixi'.ty, ana
tinivsi for his familj
id fi lends. Thft wo nd' . man lingered
ii in :. stioior JiMt was ttl ' eiter than
i.fiil: ir--.il r. case continued to Lain
:hc di.ct .-.r !i;s devoted daughter, Zel
da, was coii.-.ntiy at his bed ide, watch
b:g for i n: .it stray of intelligence thai
!-jighi even a faint rav of hope, and
pvaing tiiat his lite might be spared
'::: - ;;ii .-. r u.iy she watched in vain
'r tf . ve was no ti.aii ol improve
X v r did daughter love a father Dion
!,' . 5y. :'.orl it would seem a- if n great
i iti.iillii.; death could liciull in.
' . ! . i: lie realiz.-d tlnit witli 1h:- '
ivi im would come the crushio
fi'Mi that was involved in th'- 1.-. ;
itumght th:t nim own nephew Lu ;
n ruu was his murderer, she U '.t
her heart would break. From childhood
her cousin Clarence had been her play
mate, and she had learned to regard
him as a brother. Ah ! how could he
have been so criel as to strike the blow
that deprived one who had been more
than a father to him of the priceless
boon of life?
Zelda shunned everybody, lest some
one might suggest the horrible suspicion
that haunted her, notwithstanding her
great efforts to get away from it. She
dreaded the very thought of Tom Eck.
ert imparting his knowledge on the sub
ject to the authorities; and yet, as if di
vining by intuition the use to which he
intended to put his dread secret, she pur
posely shunned him, in the hope that her
father's recovery might ba1!ie the
schemes of the designing book-keeper,
and throw new light upon the dark mys
tery which made the Carson mansion a
house of mourning and of misery.
Rut as the days dragged drearily by,
and the stricken millionaire showed no
sign ot returning consciousness, aciuh j
heart sank, an 1 she prayed fervently
that death might take her and spare her
dear father's life.
Tom Eckert called at the house several
times and sought to see her, in accord
ance with the promise; she had made
him the morning after the crime was
committed, when the chief of police was
there, but on every occasion he received
the reply that Zelda was in her father'
room, and could not be disturbed.
Eckert felt that he was purposely
slighted, and grew impatient. He urged
the members of the Grimsby Steel Com
pany to take action toward tiackin
down the criminal, and in accordance
with his advice one of the be9t detectives
in New York was bi ought to Grimsby to
look after the case. He had been de
tailed for the work by a celebrated d
tective agency, and he introduced him
self to the people of Grimsby as the real
dent representative of the Modern Mu
tual Accident Insurance Company,
whose capital was expressed in an un
limited amount of figures.
The office of the Modern Mutual Acci
dent Insurance Company was opened on
the principal street of the city, and
glittering sign announced the fact that
its general ageut, Isaac Sawyer, was pre
pared to write politics for fabulous fig
ures at reasonable rates.
Mr. Sawyer's real business was known
only to a very limited number of persons,
and the interest taken by Tom Eckert in
the great robbery at President Carson's
house was, unfortunately, sufficient to
include him in that number. Isaac Saw
yer did not wish to be known in his ca
pacity of detective to anybody in Grim
by, and those whp knew him were as
good as sworn to secrecy. He was active
ip pushing the interest of the insurance
company he represented, advertised lib
erally in the local pabers, and soon came
to be looked upon as a "hustler," and
was regarded with u jealous eye by his
business rivals. This was just what he
wanted, because it effectually disarmed
suspicion, and he was now free to work.
A few days after Sawyer's arrival in
Grimsby, Tom Eckert called at the Car
son mansion and asked if he could 6ee
Zelda. The servant knew that his visits
were unwelcome, and might have told
him he could not see Miss Carson, but she
delivered his message, and returned im
mediately wilh an answer to the effect
that Zelda was busy attending her father,
and could not be seen.
Eckert had been repulsed so often by
this reply, that it piqued him. He felt
that he was entitled to her confidence
rather than her coldness, and resolved
that he would no longer permit himself
to be slighted and snubbed in this way.
His eyes snapped viciously when he re
ceived the stereotyped reply of Zelda
through the servant, and his white teeth
gleamed through a sinister smile. Then
his thin lips became compressed, and
putting his hand to his forehead, as ii
revol v ing some important matt ert hrough
his mind, he said:
" Stay a moment. I want you to take
an important message to your mistress.'.
Then taking a note-book from his
pocket, he wrote these words upon one
of the leaves:
"The detective has arrived to work up
the case. I want to see you before con
sulting him. Tom Eckekt."
Folding this note carefully, he handed
it to the servant and said:
" Give this to your mistress, and say I
The answer came much sooner than
Eckert expected, in the shape of Zelda
Carson herself, who looked weary and
worn irom wiiicuiii: hum wecpicg i i r t
bedside of her dying father. Tut- liveli
ness by which Eckert had so Lng been
fascinated was uii.liinhii-h-d, howover.
an.; it kin. lied tit-sire n.-v in th.- Iic;.st
of the iinwt l.-onie visitor, I :il i. did liol
feel siUgl1 touch of piiy t-.r Ji.i beauti
ful gill in her bitter luur of soi r.'.v.
He greeted her witii In ;. .. i t : mile, ,
although he read hei clisiil. c ,r. i. r eye-.
" You want to see me," she -;r"n. "Be
kind cuoiih to state your l.u-iii. ss, ilr.
Eckeit, as I cannot afford to b3 long
away from my father."
"As I .-tatedin the n .te Isei.t vou, a
detective has arrived in Gnm-b to work
up the ro:j'-ery and the :".-ne.lt. He is
brouirht L' i e by friend of your father,
who dou't know as much as I do. When
I was here the other day you said vou
would sec me again, and alihou. h I have
called several t'me to renew the oufer
ence, I have been unable to obtain an in
terview until now. I feel that the time
has come, Mis-s Carson, when justice
mu?tbedone. and the guiity brought to
light, no matter where the blow may
fall."
"Iam aware of yoc.r suspicion," sak!
Zelda: "but is it not possible that you
may -be mistaken? How do ou know
that what yo:t hinted the other day is
t nie ? "
Eckei t laughed, a dry, hard laugh.
"You simpiv deceive youv.-eM, TlissCar
."ou, in tr u.i to bluff in:-, as they say, in
this maimer. Isuppo-e this is wh you
have changed your mind sin-e our last
interview, when j ou were most anxious
that I should not 1 reathe my suspicion
to a soul. Rut I am armed with proof of
the strongest kind that your con-iu Cl
yenne is the man."
J- 'ai: srrey w wh terror.
"Hush! not so loud," she said, as she
struggled against the dismay that filled
her soul at mention of her cousin's name.
" Why, I should think," continued Eck
ert, growing bolder, " that you would on
ly be too glad to have t he dastardly per
petrator of this fiendish crime brought to
justice and punished, cousin or no cousin.
He raised his hand against one of the no
blest men in Grimsby, and he ought to
feel the heavy lash of the law."
" It would kill my poor father to know
that Clarence was even suspected of
such a fearful crime," said Zelda, strug
gling to retain her self-control, "and in
the absence of proof it would be wicked
to fasten such a terrible stigma upon him.
As a friend of my father, Mr. Eckert, I
trust you will not mention your suspicion
to a soul for the present."
" The ends of justice must be served,
Miss Carson, and I am bound to hunt
down the villiau that did this deed, I
care not who it may be."
"And are our feelings not to be con
sidered in this matter? Can it be that
you have no regard for us upon whom this
terrible blight has come ? Is it possible,
Mr. Eckert, after the close friendship
which has existed between yourself and
my father, you have no more regard for
his wishes than to proceed, upon mere
suspicion, to bring shame upon his good
name and his children, at a time when
he is not able to speak for himself ? "
Zelda spoke with energy and earnest
ness, and Eckert was amazed at the vi
gor of her words.
" You wrong me very much, Miss Car
son, by harboring such ideas, and you
wrong your father if you think for a mo
ment that he would shield a criminal
who might happen to be of hiaown blood,
and especially in such a case as this,
which is without a parallel in the history
of Grimsby. No, Clarence Carson must
not be spared because of false sympathy
or futile notions of honor. Upon his own
head alone must fall his punishment and
his disgrace. "
Zelda's face, hitherto so white and
calm, now Hushed with anger, and hei
eyes flashed with indignation.
"You talk," she said, "like oue who
possessed positive proof. How dare you.
upon mere suspicion, accuse my cousiii
of this great crime? Mr. Eckeit, be
ware ! You may go too far in your pre
tended zeal."
Eckert was taken somewhat aback by
her tone and manner.
"I see you arc determined to brave it
out, Miss Carson,'' he said. "Very well
you may have an opportunity of doinij
so. My suspicions, as you call them, art
capable of proof, and the detective wht
is now here can trace a clew with tht
unerring scent of a greyhound. You
think I have no proof; you are mistaken
On the night, or rather the morning ol
the robbery, your cousin paid a gam
bling debt of fifty thousand dollars that
he had lost in a certain room in this city,
and before he left the place he was mar
ried, I understand, to a poor and pretty
girl of thi9 town, who happened to be
present. Do you think it possible thai
such things could occur without wit
nesses who can be produced when tht
proper time arrives? "
Hi-i words almost made Zelda duml
with amazement.
"My cousin pay a gambling debt oi
fifty thousand dollars ! My cousin mar
ried! "she exclaimed. "Why, Mr. Eck
ert, you astonish me. You speak im
possibilities. You "
"It's all true, and I can prove it be
yond a doubt, "he replied coolly, as ht
noticed the change which his words pro
duced.
"At any rate, you will not do any
thing in this matter until my father re.
covers. He ought to be consulted it
whatever is done in a proceeding that sc
closely concerns him, " said Zelda, whe
was at a loss to know how to regard thii
man that she detested so heartily.
"To delay in so grave a matter is tc
trifle with justice. I do not think I would
be just to your father, who has been sc
cruelly injured, or to the community,
should I fail to use the information whict
I now possess. Do you know where youi
cousin is, Miss Carson?"
"He has not been home since that fa
taLnjgb"
She'stud the words without thinking
and s-iw the effect of them as mjii a:
they were uttered. If she had thervph
to i:i tke ov-r pgaiu she would have a4.
wen d differently.
"ignite so," said Eckert. "Even m.
d:sapptai-.iiice is against him, arid a.
.thi.t i- needed now to fasten the guih
of thi ci iuie completely upon him, nut.
drag him into the toil.-, is to say the word
and put this ke n detective on his track.'
" Why do you torture me ? " said Zelda
' Your word:' cut like r-o mnuy aoourges
My Go I, man. have you no pity for t hi
uti iken family in it s bitter ailiiction ? L
your interest in thi.; case greater that
mine ? "
For the Hist time .-ince their interveiw
began, Eckerl noticed in Zelda s eyes hl
appealing look that spoke the i.uniuh ol
her soul more eloquently than words
and he thought his tune had wo:ne at last
"I have pity, Misi ZeMi, he i eputti.
in u tone of tenderness, "audi feel t'c-i
this family, but I fear it is you that have
no pity. For years I have been devoted
to yen, and would do anything in my
power to make you happy. If you are
so deeply interested in averting thedis
grace ol our cousin's capture and pun
ishment f..r this crime, you can easily
prevent it."
" I did hope, " she said, " tliat you would
respect my request to 9ay nothing about
it at present, or at least until my tat hei
was well enough to be con-uited."
" I would be silent for ail tune, for youi
sake, " said Eckert. " And all I ask in re
turn, Mi-s Ciisv.li, is that you, whom 1
have adored so long, will consent to be
my wife. "
He regretted the words as soon as they
were spoken, when he saw the storm they
aroused. Zelda looked him straight in
the eyes. Her steadfast gaze was not
softened now by sorrow or di.-may. In
diguation was depicted in every line ol
her fair face, and hei- firm mouth was
closely set. It was evidt nt to Tom Eck-
J ert that his words had greatly displeased
her, and he braced himself torn lierce,
disdainfid rt-piy.
"How dare you, " she began, "talk tQ
me at such a t me as this. Mid in such a
itraln ? You are a coward, and take ad
vantage of my adversity and of my fears;
but j-ou mistake me if you think I would
make such a bargain as you suggest,
were it necessary to save the entire name
of Carson from annihilation. I hate you,
and as soon as my father gets well he
shall have a full history of your conduct.
Now go ! " and she pointed to the door.
Eckert felt that ho was too well armed
to receive such a cutting. He hid felt
his wav cautiously up to the point at
which he thought it was time to speak,
even going so far as to hujU-at aome of
the circumstances that migLt be potent
factors in fixing Clarence Carson's guilt,
aud he was unprepared for such a sharp,
uncompromising reply.
Zelda's contempt for him burned right
into his soul, and made him realize his in
feriority, and her words almost robbed
bim of the power of speech. He sum
moned up sufficient strength and self
control at length to say :
"And this is your answer to a friend
who was willing to be more than a friend,
and save your family from everlasting
iisgrace. Very well, Miss Carson. I
shall act upon it, believe me. In your
pride and selfishness you would shield
your reprobate cousin, Clarence, from
bis just deserts. I was not wholly sel
fish in my proposition, because I loved
you. But that love is now turned to hate,
iiid I will prove to you that I can resent
".he deepest insult that woman can show
o man. "
He was about to leave the room when
Zelda's younger sister, May, came rush
aig in with clasped hands and streaming
eyes. The girl's sobs were choking her,
and it was some time before she could
dnd words. Tom Eckert saw by her man
ner and appearance that some great dis
ister had occurred, and thinking he
aught hear what it was, he moved slow-
iy.
At last May succeeded in putting her
zreat emotion into speech, and she sob
bed aloud as she threw her arms about
Zelda's neck:
"Oh, Zelda dear, father is dying!
What shall wc do ? " she cried.
"Then may God pity and protect us ! "
exclaimed Zelda, fervently.
Eckert did not wait to hear any more,
out hurried from the presence of the
erief-stiicken sisters as 6peedily as pos
sible. The cause of their sorrow was a
source of joy to him, for he felt that
when her father was dead he would
have Zelda in his power, and he kaiew
that her share of the family fortune
would be more than a million dollars,
and possibly two. Although he had met
with a sharp rebuff, he realized that the
stakes were well worth playing for, and
he resolved mentally, with an oath, that
Zelda would yet become his wife, or suf
fer the bitter humilation of a keen dis
grace. On his way from the Carson i esidence,
Tom Eckert met Mr. Isaac Sawyer, with
whom he stopped for a few miaute's
chat.
" Bad news up there, " said Eckert, in
dicating the Carson mansion.
"Of what nature?"' asked the detec
tive. C'
"Mr. Carson is dying. "
"That was expected," said Sawyer,
unconcernedly. " I learned the first day
I came here that lie could not recover,
and don't you know, Mr. Eckert, I feel
that I can lay my hand on the man that
killed him?"
As the detective said this he laid hia
right hand on Eckert's left shoulder, and
Eckert changed color.
"Ah, I see I have given you a start,"
added the detective, with a pleasant
smile. "You must please excuse me, I
was only joking. "
" Oh, confound your joking," said Eck
ert, with a forced laugh. "Let us go
and take something to drink. "
But the det ective begged to be excused,
said he had an important matter to at
1 tend to, and hurried forward, leaving
Eckert leelicg very comfortable.
CHAPTER XrV.
A ELI D MAX'S HOPES.
HEN the detective
p.u-sed on, Eel-ert V
yes, as if actuated I
by Home slrn go fa--
ciii'ifmn, followed
him for a short d is
lam e.
"1 wonder what
' - he could posil:ly
mean " mused the book-keeper, biting
his lower lip till the blood almost came.
"Can it be that heu -peet-s? Ret no : H
1 i ho.n.'ht lie did. (ii.cifbv wt.uhl kn v i
me m inoreaftet thi-uiht. ImjM.s-sil.lc! j
There was n thing deeper than one ot
the ( oinmonplace coincidences . t h i
pi t.fes ion in the remark. I presume he
will possibly sa the same thing to a hun
dred men. in the hope of b ing :i.h
thereby to make r-nine one betray him
self. Rut this bird i- too old to be t au-ht
by Mr. Sawyer's chatl. "
n-i l I ... I. ...i. !
xi.itc n..,.u i.i..
udou loin r. wel l s lace, ami a t lost
reader of character ; ould ree that hi?
mind was not at ease, as he stood on tht
street corner under the pretense of wait
ing for some one, but in reality so occu
pied with his own thoughts that he H!l:
undecided what dim t ion to take. Whlit
in this mood he suddenly di-coveied a
pair of keen, bright eyes nbeerving bin.
intently from an adia-.-etit doorway, and
it gave 1:1 m a real st-.uv.
The eyes were those of a newsboy, oui
little friend Sam Sharp, who had taker
shelter from th-; cold, cutting blast ol
the January afternoon in the dooiway.
and who had come to regard Mr. Eckert
as a mysterious personage ever .-incc that
morning early, when he had seen hux
emerge from the mine slope aloi.e, and
without a light. Sam knew that peoplt
didn't visit mint s in thai way as a gener
S.I thing, and he w aso impi e-sed w itt
Mr. Eekei t's stiunge conduct that he re
garded hiin with awe ever since, antf
could not help stai ing at him wht nevei
they met. The large, frank, unlltn. -hhuj
eyes of the b?y mado Mr. Eckeit ft el un
easy, bed he icsisicd the feeling, nnc
sneered at his otn weakness. Then
pulling him.-eif t -.u 'tber, be was about ti
hurry down the i-Mvd t a fa vol ite sa
I o;i, at which he ?pe t'd to revive hii
Sturgbig spirits ;th a gl-s of whi.sk-y
when the boy ran out from his place of
shelter, and holding up a copy of an af
ternoon newspaper lefore him, said:
"Buy a paper, Mr. Eckert ? "
As first Eckei t did not heed the solici
tation, but when it was repeated, with
all the persistency of the bright, active
newsboy, who is eag- i to sell his wares,
the morose man lost his temper, and with
an oath exclaimed:
"Get out of the way, you young whelp,
or I'll break your back. "
"I Ad not mean to give any offeuse,
sir," said Sam, politely; but this only in
creased Mr. Eckert's ire, and grabbing
the boy by the collar, he growled:
"You young weasel, you've been watch
ing me, and I'll fix you for it. Thi is not
the first time, either, and I owe you a
good kicking, that will probably teach
you discretion."
Eckert's face was flushed with hatred
and anger, and he was about to kick Sam,
when he felt a strong hand laid en his
shoulder, and a firm voice said:
"nold on, Mr. Eckert! Don't strike
that orphan boy, at your peril ! "
Tom Eckeit lot iked around in a rage,
and found himself face to face with Ned
Newcomb, for whom he knew he w is no
match.
"Oh, it's you, eh? " said Eckert, with a
sneer. "You are the knight-errant of
Grimsby, who goes about like the live
cent heroes of the story-books, protecting
the weak and virtuous from the assaults
of the wicked. I've a good mind to teach
this monkey a lesson that he will not for
get, all the same, even if you are here."
"And if you do," said Ned, who was
stung to the quick by the irony of Tom
Eckert's words, " I'll teach you a lesson
that you will not soon forget, either. "
"Oh, well, darn the little puppy.; he is
not worth bothering about, auyhow, "
said Eckert, in a bitter burst of impotent
passion, and with a vicious jerk he let go
his grip on little Sam.
"You're a great big cowai-d; that's what
you are, " said Sam Sharp, taking refuge
behind his stalwart friend, Ned Newcomb,
" and some day I'll make you sorry for
this."
Eckei t tried to laugh it off with:
"Well, I like the little fellow's impu
dence anyway. Here, Sam, let's not lw
enemies. Here's a quarter, and we'll call
it square. "
Eokert was a man of policy, and
thought it best to conciliate the boy, in
Ned Newcomb's presence, with a pretense
if generosity, but Sam was not to be sub.
lidized in that way, and he said:
"Keep your money, Tom Eckert, and
&uy a lamp with it. You may need it the
aext time you go a-playing spook in the
Carson slope. "
It was clear to Ned Newcomb that if he
nad not been there the boy would pay
dearly for this speeeh; for, although Eck
ert did not pretend to hear it, there was
a balef ul look in his eye that boded noth
ing good to Sam Sharp.
Ned Newcomb cut the interview short
by taking the boy by the hand, aud say
ing: " Come with me, Sam; I am going to see
some friends of yours."
Eckert, without saying a word, walked
off in the opposite direction, his heart
find of hatred for Ned Newcomb and the
newsboy.
"He's a bad 'un, " said Sam.
"And that is all the more reason why
you should be on your guard," added Ned
Newcomb. " Take care not to approach
him hereafter, or he may do you some
injury. I don't think the fellow is above
hurting you if he cot the chance, and
you must keep out of his way. "
"He don't like me ever since I saw him
coming out of the mine slope, " said Sana,
. TVnenssUW?? tu&eil Kea, comins
MM
to a : ltd h n h:i t.
"Hi. i i.. iL..rniii that Edith's father
resoi h-r ti oui t ho-e i um.tiis, " answ er
ed the lad.
"1 here may le soincThimr in that, Sam
my l.o, . 1. r the pre.- nt keep it loyour.
Mlf. though, and ! not v. Mure in Tom
Eckert's way. lie's a dark, dangerous
man, and would not scruple to hurt even
a chiid if it were necessary for his sel
fiMi purpo-H. Ltok out, lad, and dont
get in his way again. "
"I'iii goin' to watch him, all the same,"
said Sam. " Rut I aint goiu' within his
reach again, Ned. never fear. Good-hy,
and Sum darted off to dispose of the re
mainder of his -toek of afternoon j.aj.ers,
while Ned Newcomb went to take a look
at hi fii lid Noel Edwards, who had
been ordered by the doctor to go to some
iu-titutioit for the treatment of the eyes
in I hiia icipina. win ie, umier proper
t i.le, he might Vet 1 eg llll his sight.
This was Noels only hope his last
bailee of ever beimr able to see iltraill;
aud even thomih the piospe. t wa not a
t hi et ing one, he had been pt r-u ided by
'
hi wife and damihtei to give il atrial.
The purpose ot Ned Newcomb, yis't
was t act ompan j Noel to the railway
station, alo i, ; witii Edith and her moth, r
and see him comfortably cared tor in tin
train. Edith's luothi-r was to go with
hirn all the way to Philadelphia. How
glad they all were to tee Ned Newcoiuh
and bear his brave oUe, that seemt d tt.
inspire tht m with courage a:id ith hope
in ihe midst of their mi-cry.
Eilith. especially, had learned to look
for Ned's coming with more eagerness,
within a short time, than she eared to
confess even to herself, she loved him
with all her heart, but the great joy
which this wealth of love ailoided her
was clouded by a sinister mystery, which
she would give all Mie world to penetrate
and unravel the n ystery of that hate
ful marriage certificate, w hich told hei
that she was the wife of another, aud
that man the one of all others whom she
huted most.
Tube Continued.'
An .Yt Abolish the While
Manual Schools of Ihe Slate.
And to provide foh holding- county
institutes throughout the state.
The General Assembly of North Car
olina do enact :
Section 1. That th eight uotma1
schools lieietotore esiahlialied fo
the whiles ate hin-by abolished, nd
the four thousaml dollars beretofoie
appropriated to said schools is he?e
by appropriated for the purpose ol
hoMing county institutes aud con
ducting ex-tininatious of teachers,
and for such other work for the in
structiOD of teachers as may he
deemed alviable in the various
counties of the s'ate. j
2. That the state Hoard of Edu
cation shall make all needful iulcs1
aud regulations, and shall provide
for ihn holdiug of the institutes iD
all the counties oi the it ;- oMet
as practicable, and the money to de
tray expenses sha'l bt paid as th
State Board of Educition may di
rect cut of the fut'd appropiiated
by this act.
3. It shall bo th-" dutv of the
c unty superintendent to afsit in
tf-e institute woik, and lie Count
Board of Education shall provide a
Mutable building atd deftay all ex
penses except the salary arid Havel
incj expenses of the insiructory em
ployed by the State Boaid.
4. It shall be the duty of all
while public school teachtrs of the
county in which the institute is held
to attend continuously the sessions
of said institute, and on failure- m
to do, without satisfactory lea-ofs,
they shall not be certified a. teach
eis lor 1 he ensuing ear; and in
case an institute is held while the
schools are in session in any coun
ty they tdiall be . suspended d.iinf
the session ot the institute.
5. At the close or duting the ses.
sioijs of every institute the conduct
or thereo', in onnetioti with the
county supeiintendent, shall hold
writteu examinations of all pu'du
school teachers, white and tolottd,
who may apply, aDd sk all grant
first and tecoud grade certificates,
which sba 1 be signed by both aud
be good lor three jeais in t'e coun
ty in which the insiitutc is held, aud
in any other county of the state,
when eudorsfd b the county sup
erintendent thereof ; I ut the sdd
certificates Fhall be subject to iev-
ocation by any c unty superinttn-
dent for immoral conduct.
G. The State Superintendent may,
in his discretion, set d out fiora his
office questions Joi the cxamin-it ions
of teachers, which, when sent, t-hall
be used by the county superintend
ents in their regular examinations',
as specified in the public school
lav.
7. This act shall be in foice Horn
and after its ratificatioo.
Itat p t the ii th ,mv of March,
A I. lsS'..
Xote Thi m k cfintiMiiphitHtl by
til-i i at ut i- is in lit ii .f the wliilft
ini iiiai scl.. o! ami ?i hitr ti'iic'i-
eis, except thai cob. led le.iehcl
may lie examined for three year cer
tificates. This wotk in not hteuded to take
Iih place of the institutes now al
Iowtd to be held b the county
'vv'l ' I1 loUlity Hlpt l'nU hdentS.
These institutes havo usually bten
belt! in .Inly and August, and it is
advised that I hey tie continued so
tar as may Impracticable, with such
oeal help as m iy be available.
The St Ate Board, in the execution
of this statute, find ditfietil ties in the
way, thd principal one being the ne
cessity, apparent to them, of holding
many institutes at seasons of the
year when the public schools will
be in sesstou, and ho of departing
liom the custom of crowding them
all into the summer mouths.
But this statute pl.iinly implies
that it will be necessary to hold in
stitutes wheu the schoids are iu ses
sion, and provide lor their suspen
sion. This is no! at all unusual in
other States, and alter all it may be
well contended that the best time
ro do the teachers good uervice is j
when they are actively iu the work
f the school room when their dif- 1
riculties in subjects and methods of
teaehiug and governing are actual
ly being put to the test, and wheu
they are not busy in other avoca-i
tious to which so many of them find
it neccssaiy to resort, to earn a liv
inc. ,
With the heartyoojeratiun of the
county boards and county superintend
lents this woik can be made very
oelpfu', not alone to the teachers,
mt al-o to tho committeemen and
all school officers, and instructive
to the general public by public lec
tures which will bo givec.
Appointments wrtttfe mad i so as
fO cover, if possible, all tbe cooniies
of the Stato during the year, aod L
titute conductors will be sent to fill
them. Whenever the county bordl
ind county supeiintendents are no
(ified of these appointments, they
will, iu accoi dance with this stats
ute, make the necessary apfoptia
riou to defray local expenses, in
cluding the board of the persou
who may De sent by the State
Board or by the State Supeiinten
Jenf, provide a suitable building,
make all necessary arraDgeineut
or the iustitute, and notify all white
eachers that the law requires them
to attend continuously upou the ses
sions of the iustitute .
It the county board determines
to hold an institute at the same
t'me there will be no objeciioa to a
union of effort, and perhaps this is
the best course to take.
S. M. Fi.fGHii.
Superintendent and Secretary
Board of Education.
Physician OoiiIchm
All honest, coDscieotioUri phyiiciaui who
me VB li (Botanic Blood Uilm) a tml,
frankly admit its superiority over all other
blood ineiicine3.
Dr. W J Adair, Rockiimrt, Ga., writes:
I regard li B Ii as one of the beat blood"
fi)eiicinea.'
Dr. A II Jtoieoc, "tshvijle, Termee,
wites: 'All reports of B B B are favor&ble,
and its speedy action is truly wonlrful.t
Dr. J. W. Rhodes, Crawfordsville, G.,
writes: '1 confess B B B ii thi best and
iuicket medicine for rheumatism I have
ever tried.'
Dr. S. J. Farmer, CrawfOrdsville, 0,,
writes: 'I cheerfully ecoruuienl li B Ii in
fide tonic alterative. Its use eurd an cx
crescence of the neck after other reinediei
effected no perceptible good.'
Dr. c it snntgonery, Jacksonville, Ala ,
writes: 'My mother insisted on my getting
B B B for her rheumatism, us her cae
stubbornly resisted the unual remedies
ahe expaiienced immediate relief and ber
improvement has been truly wonderful.' '
A prominent physician who wishts Ms
name not given, says: 'A patient of mine .
whose case of tertiary syphilis was surely J
killing him, and which no treatment I
seemed to check, was entirely cured with f
about twelve bottles of B B IJ. He was
fairly made up of skin and hones al ter
rible ulcers.'
j
11 You are as full of airs as a mu.
sic box," is what a youug man said
to a girl who refused to let him see
her home. "That may be," was the
reply, "bat I don't go with a crank."