Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-01-11
DARK DEEDS.
CHAPTER IL lCoNrINuEpl.
BY HENRY W. NEsFIELD.

Salu captain SturglS, as sne rose from inc
piano. "Yo r singing is positively charm
ing. l don't know any one whose voice
pleases me so much"
Captain Sturgis is an adept at compli-
ments," she replied, as she took up some
needlework and settled herself quietly at
a small table near the window. at Is evil
dent hat he long since become past
master In the art of how to after"
Platter? j latter Upon my honor
you do me an Injustice. never did such
a thing in my life-now did /, Atwood?
People generally consider me quite
brusque and rude In my remarks i as
re you that when say that your sing
ing Is perfectly exquisite ] mean it do
indeed, Mrs. At wood.
''Of course yos do, " remarked Atwood;
'but let's play If we are going to play
not chatter"
A ring of the bell at this moment an
nounced a fresh arrival.
"Who the mischief can that be ~
growled Atwood, who never heard a bell
ring without imagining 1t TO be taxes.
water-rates, or summons.
'Mr. Delaney, ST." said lizabeth,
showing young man into the room.
"Why, Jack, how late you are tonight,
and what dreadful cold you have cried
| violently upon entering.
AS she spoke she rose and greeted him
with warmth of manner which contrast
ed perceptibly with her demeanor towards
Captain Stulgis,
John Delaney was a deicate-lookin
young fellow OF ado o five aud-twenty.
but his firm mouth and chin proclai ned
/, him 10 be man of determined character.
"Hallo, JackW said Mr.. Atwo d care.
lessly, looking up from his game. "Sit
down and light your pipe. You don tknow
Captain Sturg s, Go you? This is Mr.
! Delaney, Sturgs, a pet boy OF ouls--a
young man Of very strong political opin-
ions Delaney, this is Captain Sturgis-"
| "0f no political opinions whatever,
remarked Sturgis, gra iously noddIny at
! ] clancy, as the latter took seat near
Mrs. Atwood table.
"Anl what news have you, ,Iack?," she
asked. "loI have not been near us for
nearly week and now you drop in Just
when all respectable people are thinking
OF going to bed. -
ayes; | thought it was rather cool of
me when / ran the bell, but knew you
would not mind. and
"Ani YOU did not reckon Us among the
respectable people, interposed Mrs. At
wood, laughing Say plainly wha; you
mean,
There, that's not kind OF you" he
said; ii is not far To put such words into
my mouth. No; have been to meeting
! oh those awful meetings. A politi-
cal one of coursc'"
We'll, never mind let me explain. AS
i was passing the door on my way home,
| | cav that you had not yet gone TO bed
= IL ha \ l..nly In ,,l
have chat for few minutes
"Of course, Jack, You know | am
only teasing yOu-you know George and
are always glad 70 see yoI."
Il know that" he answered; ''and
often think how good you both are TO
me. >"
Nonsense, We both like you, or else
we would not trouble our heads about
you, Well and how are your mother
and Nary she ntinued, bending busi-
ly over her work.
"Much "a usual thank you said De
laney-''that i, Mary is-mother worries
and fidgets herself good deal about
trifes."
"Ah, the oil story-eh?" remarked
Mrs. Atwood, smiling. =. he does not
like your taking such prominent part in
all these Socialistic affairs. Neither do /,
Jack. Why do you? What possible good
do you think can come OF it!''
What good" exclaimed John Delaney
excitedly, but In subdued tone "tan
any one with his senses about him posi-
bly, exist In this great CT y, AMI kee his
eyes shut to the misery OF the millions go
the enormous wealth Of the few-the
starvation and wretchedness of the so.
called lower orders, and the wicked ex-
| trau nd Al f.f En n
Mrs. Atwood, IL makes me nearly mad
sometimes to see the real want in the
streets, and the carriage, tearing past with
their powdered men ~ wants throwing
the slush and mui upon IN lse whose only
crime Is poverty"
Eyes, but. my dear bo =" said Mrs At
wood sOothingly, there a. WAYS have been
poverty and richie. They are not inven
tons only of to-da and l'royiIence never
could have intended al men 10 be iual.
One man has bra ms, another scarcely
any. ne man Is thrifty ID indu strious.
another lazy and a srendiuriIt If they
were all made ual to-day, so Tar a.
4 worldly possessions are concerned, they
would be as far removed from one ano. her
In soc al pc mt of view, Nv the nd OF a
Q year as they are now. Nl.y should we
feel ezra ed b cause the 60 le next
uOOI hdNo Ten our lHCoule,
and live in ,ompara i've luxury? We can
not and never shall be all tn same 1t Is
utter nonsense ] wonder huv sensible
> fellow like you can believe n suoh rub
}, bish."
4 "Ah. you talk Ike every on else-ex.
cuse me for sa ing 20. Mrs, A wood-whc
has not taken the trouble To try to study
4 the matter What / demo nee Is tina,
there should be two such eXtr mes I'm 30
cley. l do not speak Of h. difference
between e cry individual spoke of the
: great lad er which come Is wealth and
restitution"
what at It again, jack" cried Mr..
' Atwood, as he caught the last of Deline :
g remarks. That boy is rank & mmun
ist lie will bring us all TO the guillo
line. sooner or later. arr AIDES an 4 the
toes n Ell. Jack? Well. II your Social
! Ism would only bring me In anolh 10 Il