davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-05-21

though curiosity was not silent within
me, even at a juncture so critical as
this.
Il gave your observation so much
credit. 1t was procured by me, through
a quarter | will not mention, and rep
resents an actress who delighted the
generation before yours, Mr.. Napier,
until she married and went out to Aus
tralia with her husband. A man who
had loved the lady, and been disap-
pointed, had kept the framed picture,
until borrowed it from him.
His name is Seaford," | recklessly
cut in, throwing caution to the winds,
now that my secret was a secret no
longer. HE had hired you to k.N his
brothers daughter. | know why the
picture was there, at the inn, and | fell
into the trap-very nearly fell into it
in more ways than one"
'Ah, yes, that is a clever little con-
trivance, which has been worked very
successfully with inconvenient persons
more than once. You have my re-
spects for your intelligence to thank,
Mr.. Napier, that it did not put an end
to you and save me further scheming.
Your face questions me, and | will ex-
plain. The portrait was to be the test,
as you naturally guessed. But the or
der for the operation to follow was
given before received the message
from my detective-and yours.
For once, l had not thought out
every possible conclusion. l had al
lowed for anything but a resurrection,
but when l heard exactly what had
happened-or at least, how extremely
confidential were the relations between
you and young lady who had, my man
informed me, been mysteriously added
to your party-a new and somewhat
annoying possibility presented itself to
my mind. l thought it not unlikely
that you would have hidden the lady in
some place of which the discovery
might involve delay, even danger-to
my client if not myself. II you had re-
sorted to such an expedient before Wis
iting the Spinning jimmy, your destrue-
ton would only involve US all in an en-
broglio of vexation. Immediately on
receipt of the second wire-which did
not come into my hands until some
hours after its arrival telegraphed
instructions that if not too late, you
were to be retained in your present
sphere of usefulness. Through what I
learnt afterwards, from an agent sent
OF hurriedly to Edinburgh that same
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-05-21

after them. how many sudden deaths
occur, leaving enviable positions open
to the next incumbent? Railway acci-
dents. orownings, accidents in the
hunting field, or during the shooting
season, claim many distinguished vic
Tins in England; while in Russia, Ger
many, France. Italy, and lands which
we need not pause to mention, men of
rank and wealth frequently pass from
life in manner even more sensation
al. Suicide is a method which is much
in request
"Such things have occurred within
my knowledge" answered.
Few have taken place within the
past twenty years." Mr.. Smith went
on quietly, ''for which l have not been
responsible
In spite of myself, l gave a start,
and stared at him in establishment and
horror. Great Heavens!" l ejaculat-
ed.
Il have not asked the blessing of
Heaven on my business" the man said
with horrible smile that sent out a
white lightning flash of teeth between
the lips of vampire red. 81 may call
it a 'business'-an organization which
/ have brought to state of perfection
you would hardly credit, without ex-
plantations that at present would only
delay us to go into. Suffice it to say,
none of my undertakings have even
aroused suspicion of foul play; and my
employers invariably work for en-
ployers-have been subjected neither
to inconvenience nor trouble. They
have placed themselves unreservedly
in my hands, and l have gone ITO work
in my own way. In good time, they
have received the news of a certain
event; have been paid and the affair
has had fms written after it. l have
served kings and princes. More than
one crowned head would still be I'M
crowned, had it not been for me; while
almost literally, countlt SIS millions have
changed hands through me and the SER
wants of my system, of whom there
are two classes. One class assists me
consciously; the second work in the
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-05-21
WHY WOMEN ARE so PECULIAR

She can laugh with her lips, make a
man think she is the merriest cricket
in the world, while her eyes are full
of unshed tears and her heart is beat
ing as if it would burst. She can for
give a great sin like an angel and nag
a man about a petty vice like fury
She can 90 up old frocks and wear them
with a cheerful heart that she may
help somebody, and she can spend the
first money that she really feels she
can use for herself in going to mat
inee or on sweets when she needs a
new pair of shoes.
She can quiet baby with one or two
reassuring pats when a man might al
most knock the life out of it. give it
a whole bottle of soothing syrup, and
it would still be open eyed and ag-
gressive. She can cry out her troubles
on a mans shoulder and feel a relief
that is only possible from masculine
help, and ten minutes later she can
laugh in that mans face and wonder
what men were made for.
What can't she do? She will never
be able to resist either the man or the
baby who has got the love of her heart
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-05-21
warning. Wait"

warning. Wait"
Mechanically stopped to pick up the
weapon, and as | did so he was on me.
his eyes and mouth like a VOLTS. |
felt his hot breath on my face, and
madness of anger caught me up as If
in a whirlwind. Strength had gone out
of me, but now strength came again.
He would have flung me forward.
pushing me down as bent, ie,t lifted
myself and struck him off, staggering
against the table against which he fell.
Recovering myself l caught him by the
throat with my left hand, and then
dragged him back. feeling along the
floor for the revolver.
Like wild cat he fought me. a hor-
rid rafting in his throat under the
pressure of my fingers.
1.-TWO can play at this camel" The
words came thiekly from my lips, and,
bringing a sort of dull surprise, a gush
of blood followed. l saw it only dimly.
as the bright drops trickled over my
white shirt, for a blur had come like a
rising mist before my eyes.
Franz, Franz" he ehoked, and l
was conscious that the door had been
flung open, that some one was behind
me- Something very curious had hap
pened. / had sense enough to know
that, and to know that such strength as
1 had left was ebbing. though but five
minutes ago had felt strong enough to
match myself against a giant.
l dashed the wretch from me, tear
ing OFF his clinging hands that cIawed
my wrists, and seeing, as his head
struck somewhere, that snowy wig and
white false beard were gone. Then /
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-05-21
A MAN FROM THE DARK.
By MRS. C. N. WILLIAMSON,
Barn Sormer he Woman in Grey fortunes
Sport aThe House by Lock- &c.
Copy right.)

other, darting look of dislike at me.
You are to wait for him here" and he
opened door leading off the hall. I'm
less was greatly mistaken had look
ed into this room, and found it unfur-
nished during the secret exploring ex-
petition l had undertaken. But now a
fire burnt on the hearth, and the place
had been made more habitable with
certain articles which it seemed to me
were more or less familiar. | fancied
that, in honor of this occasion, they
had been brought down from Mr..
Smiths room, upstairs.
There were two chairs, one on either
side OF a table with a lamp upon it,,
and decided, for obvious reasons, that
if circumstances rendered it advisable
later to sit down for talk with my
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-05-21
q villainous defiance from across the

= = S1AA 90 80 LAY
table.
SO that Is IT, calculated.
THAT is exactly it. have had your
secret from the first. A wire from my
man, whom you thought was your
man, followed that which you sent IN
der his name and in my cypher. His
contained such particulars as he was
acquainted with. My intelligence sup
piled those which were lacking: but
the only difficulty was that / learnt the
truth rather late at night. The wire
was sent when the fellow paid his bill
at the Glasgow hotel, as he humorously
explained to me in cypher, almost I'M
der your nose, as you stood writing
near the door. You need some lessons
in diplomacy yet, my friend
l bit my lip. The whole scene was
clear to me- The little traitor hand
ing over his money, and waiting fol-
change, my eyes upon his insignificant
profile. What a consummate fool
had been to let him betray me, and
then shut the stable door when the
horse was stolen. The momentary
liking I had allowed myself to feel for
him at parting in Edinburgh was turn
ed to bitterness now; yet / could al
most have laughed at my own stupid
ity.
why did you spare me- l question
ed shortly of Mr.. Smith, "at the Spin
ming jimmy, when"
"Ah, | confess to a certain amount
of vanity, Mr.. Napier. 1t has always
been the one failing of somewhat re-
markable man, though it has never car
ried me too far for prudence trust
never will. Still, it leads me to an
swer your questions, that you may the
better appreciate him with whom you
have to deal. promised you certain
explanation, few moments ago, and
these details form component parts OF
it. 1 am in the mood for frankness
and as you will presently admit, l am
committing no real imprudence,
stand to lose nothing through the in
diligence"
l awaited his next words in silence
though my aspect must have been 9
threat I had something to learn yet
before l could afford to carry it out.
you shall hear as much of this mat
ter as intimately concerns yourself;
and you will, l prophecy, in the enc
pay me the compliment of apprecia-
ton, whatever you decide regarding
Lord Hardhurst: but. l warn you thai
decision cannot be postponed after to-
/ night You observed the photograph
of a charming young woman, in Shaks-
perian costume, on wall of a certain
room of the Spinning jimmy, which es-
adjustment, | do not mind admitting
is leased by me for a servant of my
own?'
l bowed my head in wordless assent
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-05-21

turned on the man Who vas Hassan
transformed.
There was a knife in his ape-hand,
which-still with my lett wrested
from him; but, gorilla-lfke, he wrapped
me in his long arms. giving a peculiar
twist of the leg which upset me and
felled us both to the floor, rolling to-
gether.
Again came that gush of blood from
my mouth: but savage determination
not to owe defeat to so vile an enemy
kept my muscles tense.
He was on the top at first. then r;
and seizing momentary advantage /
would have been up, had not been
struck down again from behind. The
master, his forehead streaming blood,
had risen to the servants rescue.
Only for an instant was / down, but,
staggering from my fall, and the
strange, insidious weakness that was
increasing, l was no longer their
match. Unwounded, I should have
been equal to three such men, but in my
present condition could not stand out
against this couple long.
They had forced me TO yield ground
by degrees, until my back was to the
open door. ! knew this, knew, too
what it might mean for me; and as
looked desperately round for some
weapon ready to my hand, | saw by
the light of triumph which sprang to
the mems faces that their side had
been reinforced.
A man leaped at me from behind,
With incredible celebrity rope was
passed twice round my arms. jerked
into intolerable tightness, and in an
other second they had me at their mer-
cy, lying bound and helpless.
ITO be concluded1
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-05-21
WILLING TO OBLlGE.
His Wife Preached a Sermon on Econ.
omy and Said II Applied to Him.


Mr.. Meekton had been reading
rather long piece of poetry and had
fallen asleep with one finger in the
air-the finger which he was inyaria-
bly, accustomed to use in reading
poetry, to mark the accents aid avoid
any confusion in metrical Interpreters
toin.
I'D be willing to wager anything
exclaimed his wife. that this page of
hints on household economy was writ
ten by a man.
He awakened at the sound of hen
voice, but evidently did not eompre-
bend her remark.
lie is some man." she went on.
who doesn't dare speak out fearlessly
and tell his wife he wants her to be a
slave. He'd rather sit down at desk
and write it down and trust to her see
ing it in print some time"
why, Henrietta" he protested, II
never did any such thing"
No; but you would if you had
thought of it. The sole ambition OF
some men seems to be TO convince their
wives that they never need any new
| dresses. How would you like it," she
went on, IF an effort were made to
convince you that the great test of
good husband was his willingness to
wear old clothes? It's time the tables
were turned" she circulated fiercely.
Mr.. Mee4Ston drummed nervously on
the edge of the table, but said moth
ing.
You can take your turn at 1t for
awhile" she resumed, crumping the
paper and throwing 1t aside.
He smoothed his hair where the back
of the chair had rumpled it while he
slept, and rejoined with gentle du-
boiusness:
Can 10"
Women are not the only people who
have old clothes to be used again. Up
in the old clothes press in the attic are
some clothes of yours that you had
when we were first married They're
just as good as some that we women
are expected to fix over and wear.
Now, if you are so anxious 10 econo-
mize, you can put them on and go
make that call we planned for to-
night"
He made no protest. but left the
room.
She picked up the paper again. and.
taking a lead pencil, began 10 mark
paragraphs of which she did not APP
prove. Her eye was attracted by the
door leading into the hallway. 1t was
being slowly opened. She gasped, but
she did not scream until she saw the
figure of a man, strange man, man
dressed in long, toothpick-toed shoes,
tight trousers, a light prince albert
coat. with faring skirts and little fat
hat which sat close against the crown
of his head.
Go away" she cried, "or l will
send for the police"
who'll you send"
"My husband"
"Why, Henrietta, I'm him." was the
ungrammatic reply.
She looked at him closer, and then
exclaimed:
"Leonidas! DO you mean TO say that
you had any idea of going out with me
this evening looking like that?"
"Why, you know you said you want
ed me to economic, and did what you
suggested"
She merely stood off at the other side
! of the room, gazed at him sternly, and
said that if there was anything on this
earth more exasperating than man,
| she'd like to know what 1t is.-Wash-
/
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-05-21

dark, yet none the less efficient for that
Now, do you begin to understand why,
from the day l read of your disasters
in the morning paper (such paragraphs
come to me, through those | can trust,
from all countries) l felt that you and
l ought to know each other?"
81 think do understand" l answer
ed, with dry lips, and fingers that
clenched themselves for self control
"Yet l wonder that you dare speak out
unreservedly. You seem to anticipate
my decision, in trusting me with your
Secrets
mot at all, my friend You I'M
derrate my perspicacity. You can do
nothing to injure me, even should your
intention be to betray."
Il should like to hear how you will
allow me. l should prefer to explain
later. Can | be of service to you in
this little matter of your succession?
You can scarcely conceive how quietly
all can be arranged. | have taken the
trouble to ascertain that Lord Hard
hurst is subject to sudden attacks
which, he insists, are caused by heart
disease, his doctors say arise merely
from Indigestion. You have but to say
the word, and one morning within the
next three months Ct could hardly
guarantee less) your brothers theory
will have been individually proved cor
rect"
81 must have time to think it over"
I muttered, keeping the fire in my eyes
we'll covered from his searching look.
"You originally ntended-er-consult
ing me as to this, when your attention
was first attracted to my case?"
CAS- l limited. But at the moment,
a rather pressing emergency arose, and
as l often contrive, it was arranged
according to an old proverb, that
should stand chance of killing two
birds with one stone You are the
stone-a precious stone, we might say.
You have served me. and now l am
ready to serve you. We shall be quits. !"
My time was close at hand. l felt
the electric thrill of it in the air.
GAS proof of your skill which might
influence my decision 1 said, would
you object to confding in me exactly
how l did serve you by going to the
Elsinore Hotel in Glasgow, and leav-
ing some jewelry and box? Was l,
by any chance, one of your 'uncon-
scious' auxiliaries in changing the liv-
ing pieces on your remarkably extern
sive chess board-putting pawn in
place of queen, for instance?"
l spoke with an affectation of al
most jocose ignorance of the subject
with which l dealt. But the face of
the man who called himself Mr.. Smith
altered into sudden hideous and wolf
ish feroeity. 1t was as though he had
torn away mask, and shown me the
features of his nature, Satan.
You know how you were to have
served me-" he Kissed. "If you did not
| know that, you would not be here to-
night. Your body would be lying I'M
der quicklime was left of it
beneath the inn in the High street Of
Edinburgh.
| sprang to my feet and faced i'm.
He, too. was up. and glazing at me with
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-05-21

my surmise: and now you have kindly
come here to tell me exactly where I
can put my hand upon Miss Seaford."
t.Really?" retorted with sneer.
AS for your surmise, it happens to be
incorrect. 1t did not occur to me that
it would be well to put Miss Seaford
into secret place for safety, until aft
er you had CONSIDERABLY made it posi-
BILE for me to escape from the Spinning
jimmy. So you see, had you left mat
tiers as they were, without the telegram
which came only just in time, you
would have found your victim waiting
for you at the hotel where had been
foolish enough, mad enough, to leave
her unprotected"
The blood red lips writhed down.
ward at the corners in second of I'M
concealed chagrin. You have convict
ed me of an error in judgment! 1t is
the first time / have had to confess as
much. But so far, you have certainly
not brought me luck, Mr.. Napier. Sew
eral features of the affair for which 1
engaged you have been disastrous. But
tonight will retrieve all"
Tonight shall retrieve ALL" I &C.
hoed, with meaning which he was not
slow to understand. Only his eyes
flashed deadly answer, however; for
his lips smiled and he did not contra
dict my words.
Il have to ask for your decision re-
garding Lord Hardhurst," he went
suavely on, repeating the sentence he
had spoken some moments before.
Also, l may have another offer to
make you; but we shall see."
you vile scoundrel!" l exclaimed,
letting myself go at last. THE hid
eous crimes on which you confess to
me that you have battened all these
years have found you out tonight.
God has appointed me the avenger of
many life cut short. Who you are
do not yet know, but shall know, and
so shall the world, which, from to-
morrow, will share the knowledge
have-and more that l mean to have"
l drew the revolver from my pocket,
and was surprised that he did not fol-
low my example and produce a weapon.
But he did not, and still stood facing
me unarmed.
81 do not wish to cheat the law and
kill you, richly as you deserve to die, y
/ said. with all your horrible astute-
ness how you have thus let yourself fall
into my hands l cannot guess. But
the cleverest rogue has his weak points
no doubt, and somehow, you have over
reached yourself. Now, if you don't
march out through that door without
making me too much trouble, am go
ing to shoot you'll"
Il have no more to say" he cried in
loud voice, which sounded like cue
given on the stage. simultaneously
came crash. The stained glass of the
window close behind me was shattered,
and | heard the jingling fall of many
fragments on the floor. Again, so
quickly that I could scare have counted
two, the crash, or explosion, was re-
peated. | fancied that piece of glass
must have struck me in the back, for
had felt a blow, painless, but curious
ly numbing, and another, following in
an instant, which struck me on the
right arm.
To my intense surprise, though there
was no pang of suffering, the arm drop
ped nerveless at my side, the revolver
falling from my relaxing fingers to the
floor. Then l knew what had happen
ed had been shot.
Waltz l heard Mr.. Smith cry out
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-05-21

Governor w. ID. Bloxham, OF Flor
ida, has frequently navigated his own
yacht about Cuba, and is now said to
have a knowledge of those waters bet
ter than that of most pilots.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-05-21
A MILE TOO LARGE

Flossie-I don't care, think Jack
Downley is real meant
AnnetteLWhy, Flossie?
Flossie-He wrote to me from Flori-
da, saying he had shot an alligator sew
en- feet long, and said when he shot
another he would have pair Of slippers
made for me.-Harlem Life.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-05-21
DOAN'S KIDNEY PILLS.
How 1t Spreads.
Can't keep "good thing" down.

Can't keep "good thing" down.
Ever notice how good things" are initiated?
Better the article more the imitators.
How they will try to attach the success of merit
Hang on behind and reap all the benefit they can.
Fortunately the public have safeguard.
DOAN'S Kidney Pills have been initiated,
But you cannot initiate the praise of them,
And true praise takes root and spreads.
There different kinds of praise, too.
There's the kind you cannot prove correct.
1t comes from strangers living in far away places.
That's not the kind ask you to believe.
The praise for DOAN'S Kidney Pills
Comes from people you know, friends and citizens,
From Wheeling people-here's case of it:
Albert capps No M Market Of The city cleo
attack
steady aching the hollow which . strain
chair would and mad IRE
ded relief Deans Kidney F spoken or oy parties
1 had me n 1pe fs a r Oes IN and h IA
ouoe and baekache"
All druggists keep DOAN'S Kidney Pills
Remember the name, DOAN'S, and take no substitute
Price 80 cents per box. Foster-Milburn Co., Buffalo