davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-23

little heed to that. The gloating away
in which he said he and his dogs would
fill 1t had given me sort of turn.
began to have something more than
an aversion for the man. He inspired
me with something like terror
Your Wishes" said 1 with as little
expression as possible seem to leave
your sisters entirely out of your cal
culations. How would your mother
regard that if she could see you from
the place where she has gone?'
He turned up with me with look of
anger that made his features positively
ugly.
What do you mean by speaking of
her to me. Have 1 spoken of her to
you: Is there any reason why you
should lug my mother into this CONVEX
sation? If so, say so and be-
He did not swear at me; he did not
dare to, but he came precious near to
it and that was enough to make me
recoi1
"she was my friend" said I. ST
knew and loved her before you were
born. That was why 1 spoke of her,
and [ think it very natural myself"
He seemed to feel ashamed. He grun-
bled out some sort of apology and look
ed about quite helpiessly, possibly for
the dog he manifestly was in the habit
of having forever at his heels. l took
advantage of this look to smooth my
own ruff1ed features.
"She was a beautiful girl" I re-
marked on the principle that, the ice
once broken, it is not best to hesitate
about jumping in. WAS your father
equally handsome for a man?'
My father-yes, let's talk of father.
He was a judge Of horses, he was.
When he died, there were three mares
in that stable not to be heat this side of
Albany, but those devils of executors
sold them, ard I-weH, you had
chance to test the speed of old Bess
yesterday. You weren't afraid of be-
ing thrown out, l take it. Great Scott,
to think Of q man OF my tastes owning
no other horse than that!'
You have not answered my ques-
ton ] suggested, turning him about
ard moving toward the gate.
"Oh, about the way my father look
ed! What does that matter? He was
handsome though. Folks say that
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-23
CHAPTER X.
Secret Instructions.

Secret Instructions.
For moment William and myself
stood looking at each other over this
frail and PROSTATE figure. Then he
stopped and with an unexpected show
of kindness raised her up and began
carrying hsr toward the house
''Lucetta Is a fool" he cried sudden
ly, stopping and giving me a quick
glance over his shoulder. Because
folks are terrified Of this road and come
to see us but seldom, she has got to
feel a most unreasonable dread of visi-
tors. She was even afraid of you COM
ing till we showed her what folly it was
for her to think we could always live
here like hernlits. Then she doesn't
Ike Mr.. Trohm; thinks he Is altogether
too friendly to meas if that was any
of her business. Am I an idiot? Have
l no sense? Cannot l be trusted to take
care OF my own affairs and keep my
own secrets? She's a weak, silly chit,
to go and flop over like this when,
On it, we have enough to look after
without nursing her up and-I mean"
he said, tripping himself up with an
air of polite consideration so out of
keeping with his usual churlishness as
to be more than noticeable, that it
cannot add much to the pleasure of
your visit to have such things happen
as this"
ooh, don't worry about mer I cried
CURLY. Get the poor girl in. I'll look
after her.
But as if she heard these words and
was startled by them Lucetta reused
in her brothers arms and struggled
pass.onately to her feet. "Oh, what has
happened to me?" she cried "Have I
said anything? William, have I said
anything?" she asked wildly, clinging
to her brother in terror
He gave her a look and pushed her
off.
What are you talking about?" he
cried. "One would think you had some
thing to conceal"
She steadied herself up in an instant.
Il am the weakest of the family"
said she, walking straight up to me and
taking me affectionately by the arm.
''All my life I have been delicate and
these turns are nothing new to me-
Sometimes I think I will die in one of
them; but 1 am quite restored now"
she hastily added, as 1 could not help
showing my concern. See! I can walk
quite alone" And she ran, rather than
walked, up the few short steps of the
porch, at which we had now arrived.
Don't tell Loreen,'' she begged. as I
| followed her into the house. "She wor
ries so about me and it will do no
| good
William had stalked off toward the
stables. We were therefore alone. I
turned and laid a finger on her arm.
My dear" said I, 7 never make
promises Of this kind, but 1 can be
trusted never to heedlessly slight any
ones wishes. If see no good reason
why I should tell your sister of this
fainting fit. I shall certainly hold my
peace"
She seemed moved by my manner, If
not by my words.
oh" she cried, selling my hand and
If fFTP T dared 70 toll Won -
my troubles! But it is impossible, quite
impossible" And before I could urge a
| plea for her confidence she was gone,
leaving me in the company of Hannah,
who at this moment was busying her
self with something at the other end Of
the hall
had no wish to interfere with Han
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-23

herself to some light inconvenience
than move"
Il am much obliged to you" said
she and came at once from the door.
don't know but after all like Lucet-
ta's fidgety ways as we'll as this I'M
moved self-pOssession.
Snail L order the coach for your
she suddenly asked as I turned toward
the corridor leading to my room.
The coach?" 1 repeated
Il thought that perhaps you might
like to ride into town. Mr. Simsbury Is
at leisure this morning. I regret that
neither Lucetta nor myself will be able
to accompany you"
thought what this same Mr. Sims.
bury had said about Lucetta's plan and
hesitated. 1t was evidently their wish
to have me spend my morning else
where than with them. Should 1 humor
them or find excuses for remaining
home. Either course had it's difficult
ties. If L went, what might not take
place in my absence. If I remained,
what suspicious might I not arouse.
decided to compromise matters and
start for town even if did not quite
go there.
II am hesitating," said I, because I
noticed when I was standing at the
gate with your brother two or three
rather threatening looking clouds to-,
ward the east. But if you are sure-AIr.
IoHllSOuIy Call De spared L Lnlnk L VIII
risk 1t. 1 really would like to get q
key for my door, and then riding in the
country is so pleasant"
Miss Knollys, with bow, passed i'm
mediately down stairs. I went In a state
of some doubt toward my own room.
Am seeing all these things through
highly magnifying glasses?" thought [.
[ thought 1t very possible, yet not so
possible but that 1 cast very curious
glances at the various closed doors I
had to pass before reaching my own.
Such a little thing would make me feel
like trying them. Such a little thing
that is, added to the other things which
had seemed to me in any way unex-
plainable.
1 found my bed made and everything
in apple pie order. I had therefore
nothing to do but prepare for going out.
This L did quickly and was down stairs
sooner perhaps than L was expected. AT
all events, William and Lucetta parted,
very suddenly when they saw me. she
in tears and he with a logged shrine,
and some such word as this;
You're a fool to take on so. Since
it's got to be, the sooner the better 7
say. Don't you see that every minute
makes less our chances Of conceal
ment?'
1t made me feel like changing nv
mind and staying home. But the habit
of a lifetime is not easily broken into
[ kept to my first decision.
Go be Continued
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-23

again, Miss Knollys," were his parting
words. IF you want anything of Oba-
diah Trohm, you know Where to find
him. His doors will always be open to
you"
Lucetta, with start, laid her hand
on her brothers arm as if to restrain
the words she saw slowly laboring to
his lips, and leaning breathlessly for
ward watched the fine figure of this
perfect country gentleman till it had
withdrawn quite out of sight. Then
she turned, and with a quick abandan-
ment of all self control, cried out with
a pitiful gesture toward her brother:
Il thought all was over; 1 feared he
meant to come into the house, and fell
stark and seemingly lifeless at our feet.
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-23
plcst character if Lucetta's keen wits
were to be pitted against mine.
CHAPTER TX.
A Visitor.

When my mind Is set free from doubt
and fully settled upon any course, l am
capable of much good nature and SEEM
ing simplicity. [ was therefore able to
maintain my own at the breakfast table
with some success so that the meal
passed off without any of the disagree
able experiences of the night before
Perhaps the fact that Loreen presided
at the coffee urn instead of Lucetta had
something TO do with this Her calm,
even looks seemed to put some restraint
upon the bosterOus OutbUrsts to which
William was only too liable, while her
less eXcitable nature suffered less if by
any chance he did break out and startle
the decorOus silence by one OF his rude
outlaws.
I am slow eater but 1 felt forced
to hurry through that meal or be left
eating alone at the end. This did not
put me in the best of humor toward it's
close, for | hated to risk an ind gestion
just when my faculties needed to be
unusually alert. I compromised by
leaving the board hungry, but 1 did it
with such a smile that 1 do not think
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-23

Nature makes the cures
after all.
Now and then she gets.
into tight place and needs
helping out.
Things get started in the
wrong direction.
Something is needed to
check disease and start the
system in the right direction
toward health.
SCOTS Emulsion of Cod
liver Oil with hypophos>
phites can do just this.
1t strengthens the nerves,
feeds famished tissues, and
makes rich blood.
sos. and $r.oo; ali druggists.
SCOTT & BOVINE, Chemists, New York.
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-23

-- AUTHOR OF TIE LEWENretcRTH CA5Ee
OfHiNO ClC@EO OCotSC Thai kFFPiR DOOR,
. K
The Yale expositor., 1898-04-15
BY CHARLOTTE N. BRAEME,
INTERNATIONAL PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Which of the servants told you that
woman was here?"
"Will you tell me why you wish to
know, Lord Caraven?"
Yes; the moment / know shall dis
miss him without a character, for dis
obedience"
IF she disobeyed YOU" she said, II
am sorry for it. But pray do not al
low that to influence you against my
petition"
PLAINLY speaking, Hildred," he said,
81 have quite enough annoyance with
my tenants without interference from
you, and l can not allow"
Lord Caraven," she interrupted,
eagerly, "do believe mel have not the
least wish to interfere, but this poor
woman-if you had seen her pale, hun
CRY face and sad eyes"
1T is easy enough to look hungry"
he said, impatiently.
You do not mean that. l know you
have pity and compassion for the un-
fcrtunate-I have seen you kind and
generous to them; and this poor wom-
ans husband-and she loved him, mind
her husband, Lord Caraven, died TO
save your birds. Think-a man killed
that few birds may liver
Mildred, you must not ask me TO
interfere 1t does not do to give way
to ones feelings always. l can not in
terfere with my tenants. They must
pay their rents"
But" she added, pleadingly, "this
Is matter Of only four-and- siXpence a
week-it can not possibly hurt you"
ct is not a question of money. but OF
principle. AS Blantyre says, If l let
this woman live rent free, every widow
on my estate will want to do the same.
II / excuse her l may excuse all the
rest. AS Blantyre says, it is bad
precedent. l might go on until every
tenant on the estate found some touch
ing and pathetic reason why he should
not pay any rent-then what would
become of me?
But that is not probable; and l ask
this as an especial favor. You will not
refuse, l am sure"
"Blantyre especially warned me
about this very matter. He said she
would be coming again and again. Do
you know that we could get more for
the cottage if we tried?"
It was with great difficulty that she
controlled herself. To grow impatient
would be to lose her cause.
will you let me pay the rent for
her then?" she asked.
"If you do that we shall raise II to
hundred a year. Seriously speaking
Hildred, you must not interfere-it will
not do. It would be a fatal precedent
The Yale expositor., 1898-04-15
PROPHECY CAME TRUE.
The yindictive Snakes Bided Their Tim
and Struck.

The vindictive Snakes Bided Their Time
and Struck.
The following incident is told in Mis-
sissippi and, if no more, relates sim
gular coincidence, says the Galveston
News. A gentleman riding along
plantation path, followed by negro on
mule, struck a large cotton mouth
with his whip lash as it glided across
the road. AS soon as under cover and
out of reach of the whip the snake
raised it's head above the bushes, stand
ing almost upright on its tail, and
glared at him with flashing eyes, ct the
same time kissing fiercely and exposing
its fangs. "Yo' ort'n ter "a done dat,
Maws Joel" exclaimed the negro. why
not, Pomp?" Cease dat snec1l lay fun
yo' sho. ian sometime er notherll hit
yo' back" "Pshaw, Pomp! don't take
any stock in such nonsense. More like
ly he'll take care to keep out of reach
Of my whip. l wish, though, had
killed the beastl" Dat would "a bin
err sight wusser, Maws Joe; case de
mate would jes' foller tel hit cotch't
yo'; an when er cotton mouf's mate
hits, yo' goes dead powerful quick!"
"All nonsense, Pomp! There isn't any
mate, or, If there is, it doesn't know
more than other dumb creatures. A
man may be hit of course, but not more
often by the mate of a snake he has
killed than by some other that lust
happens in striking distance" well,
least ways, Maws joe" urged Pomp,
"yo'd better not happen erlong his PAT
any more dis year, 'ceptin' on hoss-
back!" This good advice fell on heed
less ears. The next afternoon Maws
Joe followed the path on foot probably
without any thought of what had oc-
Cured the day before, and when pass
ing the spot where he had dashed the
snake the day before he was struck at
the same instant by two large cotton
mouths, one from each side of the
path. He managed to get home, but
died soon after. The negroes in that
neighborhood, and many white people,
too, are firm believers in the cotton
mouths mate and its vicious intelli-
gence.
The Yale expositor., 1898-04-15

L must absolutely lOIDlu you 10 say
any more"
She turned from him, her face grow
ing pale, her lips quivering with an
ger. He saw it, and felt almost sorry.
II regret to refuse you, Hildred," he
said, rising to quit the room. 1T Is the
first favor you have asked of me, and |
should have liked to grant it, But l
promised Blantyre faithfully that |
would not interfere. We must make
what we can of the estate, and we shall
never do it If we interfere with Blan-
tyre"
She raised her head with a charm
ing air of pique and disdain.
Pray, my lord" she said, may
ask If you have left your conscience in
Mr.. Blantyre's hands?"
"He would not have much to hold
laughed the earl. MY conscience
would go into small space"
Her face flushed. her eyes shone
brightly.
Let me ask YOU my lord" she said,
"have you ever remembered that all this
wealth was given to you, not for your
own especial self-indulgence, but in
trust for the poor and the needy?"
81 should like you to tell Blantyro
that" sneered the earl. II have never
remembered anything of the kind"
Then let me tell you it is true. /
would sooner be the poorest beggar
turned from your door than l would be
You. with your title, your estates, your
wealth, your dead conscience, and your
dead heart Good-morning, ny lord. .
And with am air OF dignity the young
countess swept from the room, leaving
him dumb with rage.
The Yale expositor., 1898-04-15

CHAPTER XXvI.-(Continued.)
"But, my lady, 1t was the keepers
who buried my husband-I think the
earl forgot him. We lived then in
little cottage-one belonging to the
earl; and, my lady, since my husbands
death, have lived there-I do not
know why-rent free. Living there has
been my livelihood. 1 have had no
rent to pay; and every week l have
earned a few shillings by taking in
washing for the people at Court Raven.
So, my lady, the little cottage has, att
er fashion, kept me and my children.
But now a paper has come to say that
henceforth we must pay rent-four and
sixpence each week-for the place; and,
my lady, if 1 pay it, l shall not be
able to buy bread for my children to
eat"
But you shall not pay it," said the
young countess.
"Oh, my lady, bless you! If you
would but speak to the earl for me!
He is young, and he does not think
he does not know. If you would but
speak to him for mel"
II promise to help you," said Lady
Caraven. 81 will speak to the earl, my
husband; he will let you stay without
paying rent"
81 know he will-if he understands;
but, my lady, Mr.. Blantyre does as he
likes with the poor, and the earl knows
nothing about it. What could four
shillings and sixpence a week matter to
the earl? And my husband died to
save his birds"
81 will do all I can" said the coun-
tess; come and see me again in three
days time from now"
And Lady Caraven placed in the thin
hand that which made the widows
heart beat fast with joy.
The Yale expositor., 1898-04-15

Raven, the town which belonged al
most entirely to the Ravensmere es-
tates. He did not return until late in
the evening, and she did not see him.
On the day following she determined
to make an opportunity As 1t hap
pened, the earl was at the breakfast
table.
1T will be easy enough" she
though now. When breakfast Is
over, will ask him to spare few
minutes for me-"
But, when breakfast was over, the
earl went off with some gentlemen to
the stables. There was a fear that
his favorite horse was i'll, so it was no
time then to plead the widows cause.
She tried again at luncheon-it was
equally in vain; and the young coun-
tess smiled to think that there should
be so much difficulty in the way of
speaking a word TO her own husband.
AS a last resource she went to the Red
room.
"Raoul," she said, Lord Caraven al
ways comes when you want him. VIII
YOU make some excuse for sending for
him? want to speak to him very
particularly, and 1 can not find an OPP
portunity."
Sir Raoul was only too pleased; he
thought that the fact of her wishing to
speak to him at all was a good sign.
He sent for him, and in few minutes
the earl arrived, pleased, as he always
was, to be of use to Sir Raoul.
The soldier talked to him for few
minutes about an imaginary want, and
Lord Caraven was deeply interested.
He had bowed to his wife on entering
the room, but had not spoken to her.;
now she came up to him.
Lord Caraven," she said, "can you
snare me ten minutes? 1 will not de-
tain you longer"
An expression of impotence came
over his face; she saw it, and her own
blanched with anger.
Have no fear" she said, sarcastic
ally; at is not of myself that wish to
speak"
81 was just going out" he told her,
hastily.
Her first impulse was to sweep dis
painfully from the room, and never to
speak to him again. For one half min
ute she felt that she hated him; and
then she remembered that she had
promised to plead the Widows cause
te widow who loved her home for her
dear lads" sake.
Lord Caraven," she said, gently, 81
promise that l will not detain you
long?" Will you come with me to my
room?"
81 will follow" he said to his wife !;
and she led the way to her boudoir. 1t
was pretty octagon shaped room; the
ceiling was painted, the walls were
beautifully decorated, the hangings
were Of rich rose silk and lace, a pro-
fusion of flowers perfumed the room.
what a lady's bower" said the
earl-"fiowers and lace and perfume!
What a dainty little nestp
Thea it struck him that this was the
first time since their marriage that he
had entered any room belonging to his
wife.
Lord Caraven," she said, 81 have
favor to ask from you-a great favor.
Will you grant it?"
II will hear first what it is" he re-
piled.
Then she told him. Her heart sank
as she saw his face grow dark and an
cry.
The Yale expositor., 1898-04-15

II was unheard Of. She did not give
vent to her anger by any loud outburS
OF emotion. She did not pace up and
down the room, clinchlng her hands;
but she stood silent, her face pale as
death, her eyes filled with angry fire.
That he should dare to be unklnd to
her! That he should ave listened with
that satirical smile on his face, perhaps
laughing at her in his heart! She
shrank from herself.
Heaven help me-" she said, "but I
am afraid that hate him!"
Her hands trembled slightly.
81 am in passion" she said to her
self-"and no wonder. Was ever wife
refused such trife?"
While she stood trying to stem the
wild current of anger and to cool the
fire that seemed to burn in her heart
and brain, servant, her own maid, en-
tered.
my lady," she said, "the earl is
seeking you. Shall tell him that you
are here?"
eff you please, she replied.
She neither moved nor stirred when
the earl came in. She neither turned
her beautiful head nor raised her proud
eyes. He looked at the tall, slender fig
ure, so unbending, so defiant.
"Hildred," he said sharply, Il wish
to speak to YOU"
She did not even raise her white eye
lids or give the faintest sign that she
had heard him.
II wish to speak to YOU" he repeat
ed, more sharply.
II can hear" said Lady Caraven.
Speak on"
But l do not choose to speak, mad
anne, unless you give me your atten-
ton.
Never did empress of old turn a
| laughter face to her foe than she
| turned now to him-proud, defiant, un-
bending.
Il would not submit to him now"
she thought, IF l must die for It,"
She might have stood as statue for
! Pride.
Listen to me-" said the earl. 81
have been thinking over what you said,
and l do not like it. Do you hear?
do not like il.
She answered him never a word
do not irritate me-" he said. Il am
| always master of myself. II have a
good temper generally, but when I am
angry forget myself. Do not irritate
me-
II have no wish to irritate you" she
replied with quiet dignity. Say what
you have to say that l may go quick
| ly"
II have to say this, Lady Caraven,
| that you must not speak to me again
as you have done today-never; l can
not permit 1t. The wealth of Ravens
mere is yours, not mine; but the right
to manage my tenants is mine, and
will allow no one to dictate to me-"
"The right to manage them most GER
| tainly is yours, but contend that they
are cruelty mismanaged, and that the
wrongs done to the poor on your estate
will recoil on your own head, as will
the waste, the extravaganza, and the
folly"
II am willing that they should. Still,
l will take anything but advice, and
that least of all from you, Lady Cara
ven, although you may think that you
have the best right to give it. l have
no wish to repeat any angry words but
you must understand once and for all
| that I brook no dictation."
She bowed to him.
'Is that all you wished to say, my
lord?"
He looked at the beautiful. white
proud face, so still, so full of repressed
feeling.
(To be continuedl