davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-27
dress, dancing with verbiioudovitch.

dress, dancing with verblioudovitch.
He glanced In the direction, and
started perceptibly. For some moments
his keen eyes followed her. Then l
noticed that his gray brows contracted.
and his usually e1pressionless face
wore strange. ominous look such as
/ had never before detected upon it.
is that your wife?" he asked, husk-
lily, turning and cycling me curiously.
YES"
WAS 1t she who alleged that your
friend Ogle was the victim Of foul
play?" he inquired, with emphasis. in
voice that betrayed dismay.
ut was" replied.
The Foreign Minister sighed. As he
again turned his eyes upon the pair at
that moment gliding down the room to
the strains Of the latest fashionable re-
frain his brow darkened, and his teeth
were firmly set. A silence fell between
nH
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-27

! have good news for you. Come *"
Il crammed on my hat and hastily
drove to Pont street.
The house was in darkness, save for
a light in the basement, and in answer
to my summons, after lapse OF some
minutes, tall. saunt woman in rusty
black appeared in the area below.
was surprised at being thus met
BY stranger. but inquired for Mrs.
LANG.
MRS. Laing amt at 'ome, SIR" an
swered the woman, looking up and
speaking with strong Cockney
twang.
mot at homer" l exclaimed, sur
prised. Where is she?"
She's gone abroad somewheres, but
l don't know where" the woman an
swered. She's sold all her valuables,
discharged the servants, and left me
ere as 'ousekeeper."
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-27

to Juckes to bring hammer. and with
a few sharp blows broke open the slop-
ing leather-covered top, finding a num-
Der OF letters addressed In unfamiliar
handwriting.
One, larger than the rest. crumpled,
dirty and worn. as II 1t had reposed
In some ones pocket for long period,
took out and eagerly opened beneath
the soft-shaded lamp.
MY God!" l cried aloud, scarcely
able to believe my own eyes, when next
instant realized the terrible truth.
my God! had never suspected this!"
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-27
CHAPTER XIX.
A BLADE OF GRASS.

Once, and only once since our mar
riage, had l made any mention Of the
death of Dudley Ogle. We we're driv-
ing into the ancient town of Chateau
roux, in the Indre, on the numbering,
dusty old diligence that has performed
the same daily journey for perhaps a
century when CHANGED to incidentally
utter his name and express wonder
when the mystery would be solved
mo, Godfrey. Do not recall that
terrible tragedy. Promise never again
to mention his name; 1t only brings
sadness to both Of us, while the mys-
terry surrounding the crime is irritating
and puzzling You have already told
us that he was not your friend al
though he posed as such, therefore for
get him. l have not forgotten; nor
shall ever cease to think and to strive
toward the solutioa of the problem"
"But cannot hep you to search and
investigator" l suggested. wv by
should you strive to elucidate this mys-
terry alone, now that you are my
wife?"
Because 1t is my ambition" she
answered, regarding me earnestly with
clear, trusting eyes. you will. l
know, allow me to retain one object in
life apart from yoa."
One bright Decen,ber afternoon re-
turned at three O'clock, and found she
had been absent since eleven that
morning. took cab to Pont street,
but, ascertaining she had not been
there, returned home, and impatiently
awaited her until nearly six. AS soon
as / heard her light footsteps I seized
a book that lay nearest and pretended
to read She burst in like ray of
sunshine, her face aglow with laughter,
and in her hand an immense bunch Of
sweet-smelling vielets.
The book CHANGED to be Koran in
Arabic. She came across to kiss me,
but l waved her off with dignity and
went on translating the Word of the
Prophet"
After a pause commenced: you
went out this morning ten minutes aft
er / had gone; it is now six o'clock.
You have been absent seven hours"
Ella nodded
"And how have you employed your
timer" l asked. Have you been shop
ping, as usual?"
Ella again nodded.
"You see," she whispered, with her
arms around my neck, this is how it
was. Last night / said to myself:
This poor, dear Geoffrey-he is so busy
with his country's affairs, and works
so hard--he will be away all day
therefore will go over to call upon my
aunt in Camberwell and take her bot
tie of wine and some tea, for she is a
great invalid and in poverty. Since
my marriage l haven't seen her, and
as she is in great straits I know dear
Godfrey will not Object"
But later that evening, on going to
her room alone to fetch something to
her, l noticed that her hish-heel
French boots, thrown aside, as she had
cast them off, were unusually muddy
although, strangely enough, it had
been dry day. took them up, and
upon examining tie soles found them
caked with damp clay, in which were
embedded some blades OF grass.
| slowly descended the stairs, en-.
crossed by my own thoughts. Grass
does not grow in the streets Of Cam.
berwell.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-27
CHATTER Xxx.
UNDERGRADUATES OF DIPLOMACY.


A few nights latsr we went together
to ball at the Russian Embassy. Per-
haps of all the fuHations in London
ball at Gresham lsouse is one of the
most brilliant and imposing, for it is
always on scale n keeping with the
dignity Of the representatives Of the
Gear.
Toward the end of the evening my
wife clutched my arm and in a half
frightened whisper exclaimed:
Look, Godfrey. Look at that serv-
ant in uniform over there. Why, it's
our man, Helmholtz!"
glanced in the direction she had in
dicated and sure enough there was the
detective Renouff, who, in the Laing
household posed as Carl Helmholtz, in
the handsome blue and gold livery of
the Embassy, handing an Ice to a lady.
Instantly l graspes the situation.
1T is strikin. resemblance, dear
est" l said; nothing more"
But I'm certain It's Helmholtz" she
declared, excitedly. Take me closer
to him."
when we were at Pine street this
afternoon Helmholtz was there wasn't
he?"
Eyes. He brought tea into the draw
ing room"
Well no doubt he is at home now.
This fellow may be his brother, or
something"
For a moment we stood watching,
and saw him make a servile bow For
tunately he turned his back upon us.
fastening to execute some command,
otherwise he must have come toward
us, and met us face to face.
I'm certain it's Helmholtz," Ella
exclaimed in tone Of conviction.
Without doubt 1t is very striking
resemblance" l admitted, "but the
servants of an Enbassy are not re-
cruited from the nearest registry Office.
Besides, they would never employ a
German here"
At that moment Paul approached
and claimed her for the next dance,
while l wandered on alone amid the
crowd, my mind full of strange
thoughts
Presently, while watching the dane
ers, CHANGED to glance aside and rec
ognized sparse, well known figure
approaching. 1t was the Earl of Warn
ham. Attired in plain evening dress
of rather Anticipated cut, he wore no
decorations. save the broad blue ribbon
across his narrow strip of shirt front,
the highest honor his sovereign had
bestowed him. was surprised to find
him there, for I had believed him to be
at Osborne in attendance on Her
Majesty.
'fAh, Decides" he exclaimed in low
voice, with slight smile upon his col
orless wizened face. in the enemy's
camp-eh?"
Eyes. my wife wished to come" ex-
planned.
"Of course. Women like this sort OF
thing. | have never met her. You
must introduce her presently"
"She will esteem it an honor" l said,
adding. "She is over there in cream
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-27
CHAPTER XXI.
TO ERR Is HUMAN.


Once he glanced back to Ella but she
did not turn; then he went on and
was lost in the darkness while fol-
lowed my wifes neat figure through
the bustling throng Of foot passengers.
Instead OF keeping behind her
straight home, turned from the main
road, and, with my mind full of gloomy
thoughts, wandered about the dark,
quiet thoroughfarea in the neighbor.
hood of Campden Hill until, having
walked for over an hour undecided how
to act, awoke to a consciousness that
was before my own house.
HAS my wife returned Juckes?" l
asked my faithful man, who stood
ready to relieve me of hat and coat.
Eyes, sir. She returned an hour ago.
and is now in the drawing-room."
"Ah, Geoffrey!" she exclaimed. jump
ing to her feet with an expression Of
Joy and coming forward to meet me. Il
expected you home long ago, dearest"
And she raised her face for the habit
ual kiss.
"Oh," said coldly, placing her away
from me without caressing her. Have
you been home long?"
"A long, long time" she answered,
regarding my GOODNESS with unfeigned
surprise.
Were you alone the whole timer"
4 linz hor int f1y
Her lips quivered slightly, and her
glance wavered.
YES" she answered, 81 did not meet
any one l knew"
THAT is lie, Ella" cried.
1T is not" she stammered, pale and
agitated. Il have told you the truth. "
"To prevaricate is utterly useless"
said angrily. Il followed you through
Kensington Gardens, where you were
walking with your lover. r.
my lover" she cried hoarsely, in
dismay "He-he is not my lover.
had never seen him before
You told me that once BEFORE"
said gravely, and l trusted you. To-
day l have discovered my confidence
ill-placed."
Trust me once again." she cried
hoarsely. only once, and l will show
you ere long that your suspicious are
utterly without foundation"
took another turn up and down the
drawing-room, my hands clasped be-
hind my back, my gaze fixed upon the
carpet. / was still undecided.
With a sudden impulse she rushed
forward, and flinging her arms about
my neck kissed me, next second burst
ing into tears. and burying her face up
on my shoulder. My hand unconscious
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-27
y stroked her hair, and, bending, J.

~ stroked her hair, and, bending, 4
pressed my lips upon her soft cheek,
Then she knew that l had forgiven,
and holding back her sobs with difficult
~ raised her face. and kissing me pas
sionately thanked me in low broken
voice, assuring me that l should never
regret the step had taken.
After we had eaten, I smoked a Gig
arctic and fingered as long as possible,
happy with my well-beloved, then kiss
Ing her fondly was compelled to take
a hanson to Berkeley Square, promis-
Ing her to return at the earliest posi-
BILE moment. and expressing confidence
that our love would last always.
Not until eleven o'clock was l able
to get away from Berkeley Square, and
leaving the aged statesman alone, deep
ly immersed in the puzzling applica.
tons for advice OF all sorts from Her
Majesty's representatives at the vari-
GUS Courts Of Europe. drove back to
Phillimore Gardens.
On arrival home my first question of
Juckes was whether Ella was in the
drawing-room.
mo, sir. Madam is out, SIR"
"Out! When did she go out? ?"
About an hour after you had left,
sir" replied the man. "She has gone
into the country, believe"
Unto the country? What makes you
think so?"
Because she put on her travelling
dress, and took two trunks with her."
he answered. Roberts, her maid, says
she packed the boxes herself three days
ago."
did she say whore she was going?"
l inquired, breathlessly.
mo, sir. She left no message with
any one"
Entering the drawing-room with my
overcoat still on, l noticed, lying upon
her little rosewood escritoire, q note
addressed to me.
Eagerly took it up, tore it open, and
read its contents. There were only a
few hurriedly scrawled words-a brief
and formal farewell.
you cannot trust me-" she wrote,
therefore, we are best apart Do not
attempt to follow me, for you cannot
find me. Do not think i'll OF me, for
even if l have wronged and deceived
you, have, nevertheless, been your
friend"
1t commenced formally, without any
endearing term, and concluded abrupt
ly with the two words, Your wife"
For few moments I stood with it
in my hand, staring at it in blank
amazement. Then 1t occurred to me
that in that very escritoire she kept
all her correspondence, and 1t was more
than probable that might learn the
truth from some o. the letters therein
contained.
l endeavorsd to open it, but 1t was
as usual. locked. She had taken the
key. In my sudder excitement called
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-27

prompted me to endeavor to ascertain
what he had been gazing upon so in
tently while my back had been turned
in penning the instructions to Sir Phil
lip Emden.
Quickly l took his keys and unlock
ing the tiny drawer, opened it.
Inside there reposed highly finish
ed cabinet portrait of my wife.
Amazed to find this picture in the
possession of my chief, took it in my
hands and stood agape. It's pose was
unfamiliar, but the reason l had never
before seen copy of it was instantly
made plain. 1t bore the name of we'll
known St. Petersburg photographer.
Ella had lied to me when she had de-
MED ever having been in Russia.
Months of anxiety went YEARLY by,
but no tiding of her could l CLEAN.
Time could never efface the bitter
memories of the past. r. lice had,
at Lord Warnham's ms i, exert
ed every effort to trace 2ut with
out avail. She had disappeared with
a rapidity that was astounding, for,
apparently expecting that some attempt
might be made to follow her, she had
ingeniously taken every precaution to
battle her pursuers in the same manner
as her mother had done The cause
of her sudden fight was an enigma
only equalled by my discovery of her
portrait in the Earl's possession.
On the day after Ella had fled 1 call
ed at Andrew Beck's Office, at Win
chester House, Old Broad street, but
found he had sailed a few days before
by the Union liner Scot, for Cape
Town The movements Of the popular
member for West Rutlandshire were
cabled and chronicled in the newspa-
pers as diligently as if he were Prince
of a reigning house, and it was with
extreme satisfaction that one morning
in June | saw it announced that the
mail had arrived al Southampton from
the Cape bearing hin on board. re-
turned to London, and that same night
sought Beck at the House of Com
mons.
How is Ella?" he said, after a while.
Il quite forgot to ask after your wife"
81 don't know l replied, after
brief pause.
Don't know" he echoed, looking at
me, puzzled. why, what's the mat
ter?"
"She has left me-" answered grave
ly.
LEFT you!" he cried, removing his
cigar and staring at me. Have you
Quarrelled2"
ITO be continued until completed.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-27

young man Ogle? Remember, whatev-
er you tell me l shall regard as strictly
confidential"
II seldom mentioned it, as she De-
sired me not to do So"
When you referred to it, what was
her attitude?" he inquired, in panied
tone, the burrows on his high white
brow deep and clearly defined.
"She declared always that he had
been murdered, and vowed to detect
the author Of the crime"
Are you, in your own mind, con-
WINGED that there was anything really
mysterious regarding her actions; or
were they only everyday facts distort-
ed by jealousy" he asked gravely.
There is, believe, some deep mys-
terry regarding her past" l answered.
He knit his gray shaggy brows, and
started perceptibly.
Her past!" he echoed Were you
aware of any-er-unpleasant fact pri-
or to MARRIAGE" he inquired, quick
ly.
Eyes. She promised to explain ev-
crything ere long; therefore, loving her
dsvotedly as l did, resolved to make
her my wife and await in patience her
explanation"
"Love!" he cried, cynically. "She
did not love you. She only married
you, it seems, to accomplish her own
base and mysterious ends" Then,
pacing the room from end to end, he
added: THE more reflect, the more
apparent does it become that Ella
Lainge, by becoming your wife, to &C
complish some great coup, but, pre-
vented by some unforeseen circumstan-
ces, she has been compelled to fly, and
In her haste overlooked this incrimina-
ting paper"
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-27
CHAPTER XIV.
9HE MAN OF THE HOUR.


This, too, was my own opinion, and
taking from my pocket the whole OF
the letters that were in the escritoire.
placed them before him.
They are from your wife's mysten-
GUS lover" he observed, when few
moments later he had digested them.
who he is there is no evidence to
show. You suspect him, of course, to
be the man she met in Kensington
Gardens?"
nodded. A sigh escaped me.
Well" he went on, leave them
with me. A caligraphic expert may
possibly find some clew to the identity
Of the writer"
Well" he said, reflectively, at last.
There is but one person from whom
we may ascertain the truth"
"Who?"
your wife"
But she has disappeared"
I'VE must trace her. She must not
escape us" he cried fiercely. with set
teeth. "She has wronged you and act
ed in collision with a man who has
betrayed his country and met with a
tragic end, even II she herself did not
actually sell the copy of the secret con-
vention to our enerlies-which appears
to me more than likely"
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-27
JOYS OF MATERNITY.
VIGOROUS MOTHERS AND STURDY
CHILDREN ADMIRED.

WHY SO Many Women Are Childless-A
Problem That LAS Puzzled Physicians
for Centuries.
Reproduction is law of nature, and
no picture of joy and happiness can
equal that of the vigorous mother AMI
l., IL.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-27
Helped by an
Honest Doctor.

Determined to restore health TO stricken
wiM paralysis The physician prescribed lie remedy
that has PROCEED most Powerful IN snah cases and
e6s1ed complete Il earning and lesson
for hard apoykeys
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-27

This is plain, straightforward account
Of farmer who worked too hard, who
became helpless through stroke Of pa
ralysis, bot who had the good fortune to
be attended by an honest doctor, who cured
him by prescribing DR.. Williams Pink
Pills for Pale People.
The farmer is William Simpson. His
farm is near Rugby, Ind. Like thousands
Of other intelligent, Woodworking men Of
his vocation he owns valuable property
and is considered by his neishbors we'll
TODD man.
Like thousands Of others he worked
through fair weather and foul to provide
comfortably for his household.
Like thousands Of others, on arriving at
the age when the strain Of toll should
slacken up and rest begin, the grim enemy
paralysis, clutched him.
His cure was so unexpected, so rapid and
complete, that it is a ..sighborhood wonder.
"While gathering heavy fall harvest"
ne says worked early and late. My
hired help left me and finished the fall
work alone, but the end Of the harvest
found me exhausted.
About the first Of December had
stroke Of paralysis. We called in the doctor.
HI: said overwork had caused my trouble.
MY left leg was dead and helpless; my
right leg was fast falling into the same con-
dition.
After treating me week without any
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-27

gain, my doctor became uneasy. He did
something for which can never thank him
enough.
"Fis brought me box Of DR.. Williams
Pink Pills for Pale People and told me
they would do me more good than any
thing he knew Of. He had used them with
great success in a case similar to mine.
The case in question was that Of l.
Phillips, Of Petersville.
an all took nine boxes Of the pills. !
need not 60 over my gradual recovery In
detail, but you must imagine my Joy and
relief when, after two months Of helpless
ness, felt life and strength return day by
day to my dead limbs. When had taken
the ninth box was completely cured.
~ am hale and hearty to-day, with no
traces Of my awful experience, and give
all the credit to DR.. Williams Pink Pill
for Pale People. They probably saved nx
from the grave"
Mr.. Simpson, to give more strength to
his story, made affidavit TO its truth before
Abner Norman, Notary Public at Rueby.
The power of DR.. Williams Pink Pills
for Pale People in the vast number Of dis
eases due to impure or poisoned blood OF
to arrangements Of the nervous system, has
been demonstrated In thousands Of In
stances as remarkable as the one related
above. No one who is suffering can right
fully neglect this way TO restore health.
Druggists everywhere sell DR.. Willians'
Pink Pills for Pale People.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-27

.
ache, catarrh of
the stomach, hys-
terra and heart
trouble, fainting
spells and leu Z
corrhoea. Can
you wonder that
/ sing the praises
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-27

a medicine that has cured me of all
these ills ?"-MRs. GEO. C. KIRcHNER,
are Belmont Ave, Brooklyn, NY.
La Junta tribune., 1898-02-12
Machinery Coo. tn Lessee.

Judge Allen, in the District Court Mt
Denver, gave judgment the other day
for $2,196 in favor of Samuel
Lesem against J. s. Updegraif and 9th
ers. The Judgment was for the value
of mining machinery that had been
seized by the defendants. Mr.. Lessen
took bond and lease on n mining
property in Clear Greek county belong
Ing to the defendants and put In n
plant to operate 1t. Nothing WINS said
In the lease In regard to the ownership
of the machinery in case the lease
should be forfeited. Alleging that Mr..
Lesem Ind not complied with the
terms of the lease, they forfeited
II and seized the plant.
The decision establishes the import
ant precedent that in the absence of
any express stipulation in the lease MS
to what shall be done with improve
ments put on by the lessee, he may re.
move them within the term of the
lease. or before, IL the lease be for
feited.
La Junta tribune., 1898-02-12
Coal strike Arb,tr.tor..

Denver, Feb. 5.-The State Board
OF Arbitration finished It's work at La
fayette yesterday and the investign.
tion Of the conl miners strike will close
to-day. after short session in Den
yer, when evidence will be heard reln-
tive to the price at which the coal is
sold in Denver. The board will also
wait on Judge johnson of the District
Court to get certain figures concerning
the transactions of the United Coal
Company, over which he has exercised
control since It went into the hands Of
n receiver.
The members of the board returned
to Denver late last night. They were
accompanied by n committee from the
Miners Union consisting Of Clark,
Smith, Banson and Beckett.
At yesterdays session Of the board
both sides presented testimony and the
hearing was not closed until each side
was satisfied. President Grant said
last might that the board would proba-
bly, announce decision next Monday
or Tuesday.
La Junta tribune., 1898-02-12
Big Load Of Klondlker..

Tacoma, WASH, Feb. 5.-Stenmship
Queen. the finest vessel In the Pacific
waters and which has been the sum-
mer excursion ship to the Ice fields of
Alaska, sailed from Tacoma tonight
for Skaguay and Dyea. She carries
northward 1000 passengers, 1900 tons
Of freight, 1000 dogs. 80 horses and a
score of cases of dressed cattle, hogs
and sheep, the latter for the markets
Of the coast cities, juneau, Skaguay
and Dyea.
The departure of the ship was a sig
nal event on the water front. Al
though drizzling rain prevailed all
day, thousands of people visited the
ship and mingled with her band of In
trepid men and women fortune hunt
ers, arrayed in mnckinaws. furs, heavy
boots and sombreros or Klondike
caps. The women wore short skirts,
knickerbockers and other snug CO.'S
tunes. Nearly all the passengers on
the Queen intend to ultimately go to
the Interior of Alaska and have bought
outfits on the sound. The passengers
are from every quarter Of the globe.
The customs officers searched the
ship here and found 150 bottles OF
whisky, all In small lots, which was
con6scnted,