OXFORD PUBLIC LEDGER, FRIDAY AUGUST 27, 1909 7 DUE OF THE WOODS, It Wasn't a Witch He Caught, but His Ideal of a Girl. By M. WOODRUFF NEWELL. Copyright, 1009. by Associated Literary Press.J Andrew Salisbury was on his vaca tion when he met his fate. A severe attack of typhoid had put felxn considerably on the bias, so that fee welcomed a quiet recuperating old farmhouse "twenty miles from a lem mu" as a desired haven and went there for a summer's sojourn the 1st of July. The old couple with whom he board d were one Lemuel Merxiwether and Sds wife, and they worried constantly 4or fear he should have a relapse. "I'm very apt to," Andrew assured Xhem often, "being so weak, you know. The delirium especially is likely to .return." Being a louc young bachelor, he en Joyed their anxiety in his behalf and Trorked shamelessly on their sympa thies. "My heaven!" exclaimed Mrs. Merri wether the morning that he told her j. xi r - i I x. vxiai, mruwiug away a raisiu iuai sue was seeding and putting the seeds into tie cake in her excitement. "Oh, it's a very sad disease!" con tinued Andrew pensively, reaching for &3s fifth cooky. Then he took his camera and went at for a morning's prowl through the broods." The country was in its summer glory, and just before he started back to the house he took the picture that vtarted the trouble. He had been walking along by the river, andf struck by a clump of birch treea thai jrlnged a dim woodland path, lie trained his camera on it and nought the finder. He smiled happily as he saw the picture it made the aUm young trees with the long path winding up behind them. "That's fine!" he told himself and. holding the camera steady, snapped it. He could scarcely wait to get home to develop it. Mrs. Merriwether saw him coming and exclaimed anxiously, "Gracious me, boy, Where's the fire?" "Got a prize package," he answered solemnly. Mrs. Merriwether, honest soul, stared after him. "You don't suppose, now, the heat's -affected his bead, do you?" she whis pered to Lemuel as he came up from the barn a little later. "He's been on the go all day in the hot sun, and after such a fever as he had he's liable to have spells of looney, you know he said so. I just asked him .what he was hurrying so lor, and he said he had a prize pack age, aiid I declare to goodness I didn't . see nothing but that old camera!" "Shoo, shoo, mother, the boy's all right. It's probably just some of his lunny business." If they had seen "the boy" at that precise moment they would probably - . i n ji have been .re ausiouSi. man tney 'were about him. He was looking at the developed film with startled eyes. His hands shook as he held it up dripping be tween him and the small ruby lamp on the table. "By George!" he said and put it' through the bath again. A second time he held it up and scru--tlnized it in the dim red glow. "By gum" he said, "it's a witch or I'm going looney!" There was the path stretching out al luringly into the woods beyond. There .were the b'-ch trees, tall and slender and beautiful, 'and there, just beyond them, peering out between two mass ive oak tree trunks that bordered the path, was a girl or a witch or a dry ad, with laughing lips, flying hair and an extraordinary eighteenth century gown. "How the dickens!" puzzled Andrew. ''Tt's'somethrng on the "film.-- There couion t naye- beeiv a real gin mere. alone,. Lord, there ain't one within twenty milc-ii! She surely wouldn't walk "lhat far, and there" was 'no team ict sight, and, anyway, what I would a girl of Revolutionary days be doing here?" He washed the film carefully and put it through the hypo bath. Then ho wasnea it again ana. nangmg it up to lry, went down to supper. There he talked at random, his mind heing full of the mysterious picture. His remarks were so rambling that they confirmed every suspicion that Mother Merriwether had formed that afternoon "He's off!" she whispered sharply to Iiemuel outside the kitchen door. "It's the heat. He's 'way off. Just see how funny he talks. If he ain't better in the morning we'll have Dr. Snow come over. We'll have to watch him with out his knowing -it. We must be mighty careful not to excite him. Oh, goodness, ain't it awful, that poor boy My, but typhoid's a fearful disease." Lemuel, vastly alarmed, was in Btantly "on . to his job." For a watch dog he proved Al. Andrew had diffi culty in shaking him off long enough to go to the dark room at bedtime, The film was almost dry, and he fcould scarcely wait until the next day To make a print of it. When morning came, however, he found Lemuel sticking closer than a brother. Wherever he went Lemuel Jent also, and when Lemuel had to leave him long enough to see about his Utr?tTjtwh?re he left j. uueaienuy tooK up I-PHL " Andrew, impatient and totally uncon scious of their anxieties in his behalf, jluntly locked his door in her very ace and, getting out his printing raine, settled down to business. The sunshine was bright in his south irindow, and he had a print complet ed in quick time. He held it to. the ight excitedly, the water dripping .to in it. "Christmas, it's a goddess!" he ejac ulated. She peered out at him, her laughing face round and mischievous. Her dress was of olden style, with huge panniers at the side and a trim, laced bodice with a low French neck and little puff sleeves. One tiny foot stuck out saucily in a high heeled French boot. Andrew g tared at her amazed. The arched eyebrows and delicate face were patrician. She might have just stepped out of some old French paint ing. Why had he not noticed her as he snapped the picture? It was all mysterious. Then he heard Mr. Merri wether's step outside and called tc him: "Any little French court ladies around here?" he inquired. Andrew opened the door, and Lemuel came in, a puzzled expression on his honest old face. "Not that I know of," he answered. "Well, then, I'm seeing things," laughed Andrew, "because I saw one in the woods yesterday, puffs and ruf fles and high heeled shoes." "You did?" exclaimed Lemuel slow ly. "You did, eh?' Then, to Andrew's surprise, Lemuel quickly took the key from the lock and, putting it in again on the outside of the door, went out, locking it behind him. Andrew pounded and yelled In rage and surprise, but all to no purpose. A half hour went by; then a carriage drew up to the door, and a second lat er Lemuel unlocked Andrew's door and entered, a strange gentleman with him. "Not feeling well, I hear?" the strange gentleman remarked. "First I knew of it," spluttered An drew. "He's got a relapse," exclaimed Lem uel. "Gone crazy like. Seeing things. Saw a French court lady in the woods yesterday" But he got no further. Dr. Snow broke out into a mighly roar. "So you are the young gentleman?" he said. "Let's see the picture." Andrew brought it sulkily forth, not yet understanding. "It's my niece, Dianthe Barrows," explained the doctor after a minute, still laughiug. Andrew smiled. Dianthe! How the name fitted her! "She was attending a fancy dress lawn party at Stratford, about six miles up the river, on the other side. She paddled down in her canoe and, seeing those pretty birch trees, wan dered into the woods, hiding her canoe in the bushes. She saw you, but you, of course, did not see her. She knew that she would probably show in the picture, as she happened to peer out from behind the trees just as you snapped it. She was dressed in a French costume that used to be her great-great-aunt's. We had a good laugh last night when she told us about it. We could imagine what a surprise it vould be to the gentleman, whoever he might be, after, the picture was printed." "It was," said Andrew, laughing him self now. ! ,iJs iw siiti c 1 11 7 n witti von hrp in town?" The doctor smiled a little. "Yes; for the summer. At present she is sitting outside in my buggy, holding the horse." "I'll come out and meet her," said Andrew promptly. "I always knew I'd marry a girl named Dianthe." No Place Like Home. A native of Prince Edward Island had gone forth to see the world. When he reached Boston he engaged a room at a modest hotel, intending to remain there while he hunted for work. 'Will yovf register?" asked the clerk, handing him a pen. "Register?" said the traveler. "What is that?" "Write your name." "What for;" "We are required to keep a record :of all our guests." The man wrote his name and was about to -lay down the pen when the clerk added: "Now the place, if you please.". "What place?" "The place you come" from. Where do you live?'' "I live on the island." "Well, but what isiand?" The other man looked at him in amazement. Then he said, with an emphasis that left no doubt of his feelings: "Prince Edward Island, man! What other island is there?" Social Amenities. Little Marion was about to make her first call unattended by a member of the family. She was to stay a half hour, inspect a wonderful new doll belonging to a small friend and return home. "Now, Marion," was her mother's parting admonition, "Mrs. Rogers may ask you to stay and dine with them. If she does, you must say, 'No, thank you, Mrs. Rogers; I have already dined.' " . "I'll 'member, mamma," answered Marion and trotted off. The visit finished, the little girl donned her hat and started for the door. "Oh, Marion," said her hostess, over taking her in the hall, "won't you stay and have a, bite with us?" This was an unexpected form, and for 'a second the child hesitated. Then she rose to the occasion. "No, thank you, Mrs. Rogers," she answered quickly: "I have already bit ten." Woman's Home Companion. WTP m t li.il imping a r i nil i.hpm.j.,.1 M, .I, mmf T w. .. iT'S DEM. An Informal Call That Had Happy Ending. By GARFIELD MAC NEAL. rCopyrishted. 19CD, by Associated Literary Press. The chimes were still ringing as Tom Hastings sat down in the half darkness of the little church. He had strolled in hoping for temporary re lease from his bitter thoughts, but the quiet of the place only seemed to rouse his brain to greater activity. Yet he could not think of his story, the story already due at tthc publisher's. In stead he saw only a girl's face, now sweet and gracious as it had been be fore the quarrel, new cold and repellent as the past two weeks had shown it. A strain of music broke the silence. The choir was filing in. Hastings glanced carelessly at the white robed procession. The face of the first boy caught his attention for a moment, se rious, spiritual, framed in an aureole of golden hair, an ideal face for a choir boy. But again his thoughts ran back in the old channels to the quarrel and its consequences. Her work had seemed to go on as usual. She was a success ful miniature painter at least fine car riages often stopped at the doorway of the big studio building, and her room rang with feminine voices. That was the maddening part of it. She lived just across the hall, so he must see her many times a day. He had made up his mind to move. But, then, he had such a beastly lot of traps, or per haps it was some lingering hope that kept him there. . Some familiar chords on the organ startled him. Was it the offertory al ready? Yes, and the ideal choir boy was singing alone. His handsome face was flushed, and in his earnestness he waved his sheet of music gently to and fro. "Oh, rest in the Lord," he sang. Hastings leaned forward. The words were apparently- for him. The abso lute certainty of the boy's tones car ried conviction. "And he shall give thee thy heart's desire." The tender voice went straight to the man's heart and comforted him. Yes, he, too, would wait patiently,, and perhaps some day he, too, would hitve his heart's desire. Till then he would wait and work. The next two weeks went by very differently. Under the press of a new enthusiasm the book seemed to write 1 itself. The last sheet had gone in t the publisher, and he had always worn a smiie when he met the girl on the stairs. Her bow7 was still as freezing but he only smiled again and hummed the few bars from "Elijah," "And he shall give thee thy heart's desire." Again Hastings sat in the little church. Perhaps his choir boy would sing for him. But the figure of the small leader drooped. In the glare ct the choir lights his face showed white and haggard, while his eyes were swoll en from weeping. A wave of pity went over the watching man. It might now be his turn to comfort. The sweet soprano voice was low and broken. Hastings determined to find the meaning of the change, so he lingered after the service, and a kind faced cu rate told him the sad little story. "You mean Jack Haines? He has just lost his mother consumption and the poor little fellow is left all alone. He is being cared foe by neighbors, but we must find him a place in some charity school." That delicate child in a charity school ! Hastings could not bear the thought of it. The face of the child and his own loneliness helped him to come to a sudden resolution. His voice was very eager as he said, "Let me have him." And so Jack came to live in the big studio building. Slowly the roses came back to his cheeks. He did not forget the pretty 'nother who had gone to sleep so qutly, but he haunted this new big brother like a shadow and crept into his arms to cry away the grief that time was trying to heal. But it worried Hastings that the lad should be so solemn. . When he came in and found the boy poring over some big book ho would half -'laughingly ' scold him for turning into such a little bookworm. "You need some one to play with, Jack," he would say. "It is bad for you to be always cooped up with an old fellow like me." Tom was only thirty, but somehow he had felt very old and settled since that night. But Jack always declared that he didn't want to be with any one else, and he was such a shy child that Hastings forbore to press the point. He was therefore much surprised one afternoon on coming in to find the rooms empty. Where could Jack be? As the minutes went by, bringing no boy, he became really anxious. The janitor had not seen him. He was returning from fruitless inquiries when he stopped short at a burst of child ish laughter. Could it be Jack? He never laughed like that. But, yes; il was his voice, and it came from the girl's rooms. . - Hastings hesitated. And now the girl laughed. It was the same saucy little laugh he had loved so much in the days gone by. It decided him. She had stolen his property and should answer for the theft. He knocked boldly on the door. Silence. He knocked again. Evi dently they did not hear him. So he turned the knob and entered the for bidden chamber. Surprising sight! On the floor in true Turkish style sat the stately Miss Trevor. On her lap were a big sheet of cardboard and sundry brushes and paints.- Her hair was disheveled, and sever El daubs of color ornamented her aheeks and nose. Over her shoulder hi a state of great excitement leaned the truant Hastings hardly knew him. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes were dancing as he cried, "Now, that is the way the little monkey swung off by his tail !" His cheek was pressed close to the girl's, and his arm rested lovingly on her shoulder. Evidently she had won his heart too. Hastings felt a swift pang of jeal ousy and started forward. Then they heard him, and Jack sprang up, with a cry of delight. The girl was too loaded down to rise, and so she sat there. Perhaps it was the sudden flood of color to her cheeks; perhaps it was the upward glance of her eyes. At any rate, a sud den light came to Hastings. For-a moment he stood there blinded, dazed. Then his customary coolness came to his aid. It .was his turn to carry things with a high hand, and be must make the most of it. His eyes challenged hers as he said: "How long have you been a receiver of stolen goods, Miss Trevor? I am glad to see that you- have the -- grace to blush for your sins, even under your paint." Jack was quite shocked. "She did not steal me," he protested. "I was lonely, and I was waiting for you in the hall, and she asked me to come in, and I came, and we've had a beautiful time," he added in a joyous outburst. "That's just as bad," Hastings an swered severely. "You mean to say that she enticed you in here." Jack was speechless. The girl had said nothing. "You might at least invite me to sit down since you are so comfortable," Hastings went on, "and let me join in the beautiful time, though I don't know, on second thought, that it isn't pleasanter standing. It is so unusual to see you at my feet." Miss Trevor started to scramble up, but two strong hands lifted her gently into a big chair. It was a new experi ence to her to be either commanded or helped. But she did not seem to mind it nor to notice that he was still hold ing her hands. Both had forgotten Jack as Hastings bent over her and asked, "Are you glad that I have come?" Jack is delighted with it all, but he never will understand why Tom al ways calls the girl "Heart's Desire" when her name is Alice. Easily Coaxed. The new schoolteacher had a talk with Mrs. Hobart one day in regard to discipline. "I don't see how you manage Bobby as well as you do," said the teacher. "I like him, but he's such a mischievous little fellow, and he will not mind, yet every one says he minds you. I wish you'd explain it to me." 'Well," said Mrs. Hobart doubtfully. "I'd just as soon tell you, but I'm afraid it won't help you much. You see, I kind of ccax him." "Coax him!" echoed the teacher. "Yes," said Mrs. Hobart, "that's what I do. I say to him, 'Now, come, Bobby, wouldn't you rather be mother's good boy and have griddlecakes and sirup for supper and play games till 8 o'clock than have just plain bread and milk that's been through the sep arator and go to bed right after it, with the curtains drawn so you can't see the stars?' "I can most always coax him that way. "Once in awhile, if he's real set to be naughty, I'll say, 'See here, Bobby, which 'd you rather have mother fry you some doughnuts or cut a little willow switch, not so very . little, either?' "I can coax him that way sure if the other fails." Youth's Companion. Giving Her the Benefit. The dressmaker looked at the bill which had been made out for the plain little frock and then threw up her hands in horror. "That will never do," she said emphatically. "Twenty for making and .$3.13 for findings. How would that appear oh paper, $23.13! Why, the lady would look upon the frock as hoodooed and imagine that every time she wore it it would bring her bad luck. Here; let me have tl.o list of findings." She figured rapidly and soon had the bill $24.37. '"There," s'ie said contentedly, "that will satisfy her. And she will be still more pleased when I discount thV i change and accept an even $21." "Bui," sail the girl who had made out the bill, "isn't that somewhat of. an overcharge?" . "Oh, well," answered the dressmaker1, j "an overcharge isn'tnearly as bad as j an unlucky number. Besides, I couldn't j very well charge her less than the real j amount, couid I?" New York Press. Animals as Weathrer Prophets. Before a rainstorm a cat nearly al ways washes its face. Why? Some claim that the atmosphere excites the electricity in the cat's fur, and to over come the tingling sensation she sets to washing herself. Or if there is no cat in the house you may possess a parrot. If the bird sits down and makes a sort of hissing noise, look cut for rain in the night. One need seldom fear getting wet in the country. Horses, cows, sheep, hogs, dogs all evince certain peculiar ities before a storm. Dogs bury bones; horses fidget and neigh; cows lie down; hogs grunt. Some day you may walk into a field and see a Coc k of sheep in a corner, all with their backs turned to the north west. If you wait, long enough you will feel a-wind blow up from that di rection. London Answers. x - Space. "Nobody realizes the Immensity of Space." .'. -?' . "Except the man who has to fill a daily half column with alleged humor." Ixroisville Courier-Journal. : ? A FATAL F R ENDSKIP Devotion of Princess Lamballe to Marie Antoinette. SLAIN BY A PARISIAN MOB. The Assassination of the Princess, Who Escaped and Returned to Com fort Her Friend, Was One of the Worst Acts of the Reign of Terror. It was in the historic Carignano palace at Turin that the Princess Lam balle was born. Her father was Louis Victor of Carignan, of the royal house of Sardinia and Savoy. Her childhood was spent in Turin during the period that followed the defeat of the French through the bril liant military tactics of Prince Eugene of Vienna. At; eighteen she was mar ried to Stanislaus, son of the Duke of Penthievre of France. The chief place of this -duchy was the town of Lamballe, about fifty miles from Rennes. The Prince de Lamballe died in one year, and as soon as etiquette allowed a marriage with Louis XV. was contemplated. This did not go into effect, however, and the princess withdrew from the court. She met Marie Antoinette when that princess first came to Paris, and they were mutually attracted and became friends. The Princess de Lamballe saw the dangers to which this young foreigner was exposed, and when Ma rie Antoinette became queen of France in 1774 and appointed the princess su perintendent of the royal household she enteretl upon her duties with the sym pathetic understanding of a loyal friend. The closest ties of affectionate regard drew these two young royal personages together. Through the care less gayety of court life the Princess de Lamballe was the judicious friend. When illness came to the queen she was faithful and devoted. When the storm of adversity broke over the royal family and it was ar ranged that an escape should be ef fected Mme. de Lamballe got safely to England, going across from Dieppe, but the royal family were arrested a Varennes and declared traitors to France. Mme. de Lamballe's devotion was so true she at once hastened back to Paris to be with the queen. Her friends urged and implored her tc think of the danger to herself and pointed out that she could be of no .real service at such a critical time. But she knew better than they did what a comfort her presence would be. and her heart was entirely occupied with the sorrows of her sovereign. She was allowed to become a prisoner with the royal family in the temple, and for one week she was a cheerful and helpful companion, full of affec tionate arts to make the hours lsf bitter and giving to Marie Antoinette the loving, devoted care that only a friend so loyal could give. When those about the prison saw what an influence of joy Mme. cle Lamballe brought to the royal prison ers an ord r was issued for her re moval to the prison of La Force. From ; here she was taken for a mock trial j and offered her life if she would take oath against the monarchy. With scorn she refused to do this. ; Then came one of the most terrible acts of the period of the reign of terror. She was delivered to the poo- pie, -vild with the desire for blood, and was killed in the c ourtyard of L i Force prison. The-y stabbed her with j sabers, cut off her head, tore her heart from her body while it was yet pal- ! pitating 'and then dragged her body 1 through thn streets to the temple. j On the w.iy there they stopped at a j hairdresser's and made him rouge the j beautiful face and friz and powder the j hair. This man nearly died with fear j while at this awful work. When it 1 was done and the head set on a pike. I the long, fair curls of her pretty hair fell about the neck. Those of thr j mob who suggested this hideous work i upon the head said, "Antoinette will j now recognize her friend." - j The heart was also put on the end i of a pike and the route to the temple i resumed. The. royal family were-to-! gether, and Louis was reading to them j j-tfhen : they- heard the sound , of ..the 1 fnloh and-joud, high voices. Suddenly fhe: door ascopened violently jancli they all started to their feet some men pushed themselves pastiche guard and shouted to the king: ''The" people 'Have something to show you. .If you don't wish them to bring it lip here -you had better go to the window." With the deadly, fear in their hearts they did as directed and looked into the dead and painted face of their de voted friend and also saw her tender . heart 'and her poor body, hacked by the sabers of these wretches. With a cry of horror and despair Marie Antoinette fell into -a state of stupor. Mine. Elizabeth ; forced ; her into a chair, and her children clung to her and cried with fear. .Louis.. triet. to control his voice as he said with pathetic dignity, "You might have spared the queen the knowledge df this frightful calamity." Boston Globe. To Make a Hit. "You send me violets every morn," said the beautiful girl. "I do," responded the ardent lover, "no matter what the cost." . "Quite so. Now, why not send up a bunch of asparagus tomorrow -instead. It would be just as expensive and would make a big hit with pa." Pitts burg Post. V In adversity it -is easy to despise life. The true, brave man is he who can endure to be miserable. Martial. 1909 falls Drug The Old Reliab Drugs, Patent Medicines, Toilet Articles. The Prescription Department IS MY HOBBY. Purity, Accuracy, No Substitution, Quick Deivery 30 YEARS it m nn"nn rfp iLlni Is what I Offer You. Spectacles and eye glasses fitted to your eyes orvors money back. Prices right from 5c to 10. J. G. HALL, Druggist, Oxford. N. C. Oxford Seminary, OXFORD, N. C Apply for Illustrated Catalogue con. taining full information as to course of study, charges, etc. F" P. HOGOOD President. Dr L V- Henderson DENTIST. Office over Hamilton Drug Company. 0XF0RD.K0RTH CAROLINA Phone Nisnber 82. may 21st Sale of Valuable Twn and Country Property. The town lots and larms hereinafter de scribed will be sold by public auction at t!t; court house door in Oxford on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th, 190i. said sales will be xnade to facilitate the division of the estate of the late Johh K. Cannady, Esq., among his heirs at law. First. The prize house and lot situate near the old Oxford & Henderson depot adjoining the lots of Mr. John Webb and others, and describ d in a deed from Ij. H. Currin and wife to R. T. Smith, deed book 41 page m w Register of deeds office, said lot is 120 Jeer wide and 100 feet deep. Second. That valuable two story residence on north side of Alexander Ave., in the town of Oxford. Said lot is 84x319 feet and has a frontage ou three streets. Third. That cottage and lot on the west side of Granville street in the town of Oxford adjoining ihe lands of Mrs. Sarah R. Eiliott and others, said lot is 90x100 feet, and has ;v good house upon it aud known as the i. . Moore place. Fourth. The place known as the Alexan der Crews or poor house tract containing 1114-5 ticres. Adjoining the lands of M--Lanier, dee'd, 11. V. Lassiter, the poor house tract, and others for accurate description st e deed book 49, at page 120, etc. This tract :s about one mile from town and is a very Mi farm. Fifth. The J. A. Crews place situate in I iug Creek Township on east side of the I Dam Road, adjoining the old Wm. JJarnctt place on the East W. V. Bcummitt on tiie north the fish dam road and B. C. Aired, on the west, and C. W. Bryan on the south a!:i containing 150 acres. This tract is ncavny timbered and is a fine farm. Sixth- That tract of land in Tally Ho i own ship. 1 1-2 miis fmi Stem known as the H. si-em place containing 113 acres more or less, adjoining the lands of Win Washir. z on and others, for accurate description sec- ott i book 51 at-page 312.. This tract is henvii -timbered and is a gopd farm hi n good . o -mnnity.: Terms ?ash." Time of sale 12 in. : . j; v- : n. h. cannai For the heirs.:- and Exfeonior-ijf ; Jno. F. - r.: -. -toady, dee'd.' V A. A. Hicks AU y- NEW Crop Turnip For seveial years I have offered prizes for Turnips raised from seed purchased from my store, and this z year;! offer three prizes as follows: Largest Turnip one $2,00 Razor. 2nd Largest Turnip one $1.50 Hair Brush 3rd Largest Turnip one 50c Comb. or any other goods in my store of - the same value. Seed to be bought from and Turnips brought to my store and weighed on or before FRIDAY, NOV. 26. Begin now to break your ground and fertilize it. I want Granville to be?.t the State on big turnips. Yours for big crops generally o and big, turnips particul arly "The Seed and Drug Man. Store, S86u.