davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-26

but only the Mortimer can smile they
kill" When the last smothered shout was
Enthusiastically dead Rolf swung himeslf
down from the bough, hung there for an
instant, stretching himself comfortably and
shaking the cramps out of his limbs, then
let himself Gown to the ground; and Alvin
followed
The soft sod lay trampled and gashed by
the grinding heels; and the frightening
shadows pointed dark fingers at the middle
or the nook, where shapeless thing of
white and red was lying.
Rolf bent over it curiousiy.
1t must be that these people love kill
ing for its own sake, to go to SO much
trouble over.it' he commented. Evidently
1t Is not the excitement of fighting
which they enjoy, but the pleasure of ,or-
turing. l will not be sure but what they
are trolls after ALL
1T was a devils deed" Alvin said
hoarsely.. He looked down at the CHASTITY
heap with-a shudder of loathine And we
are not without guilt who have permitted
II. Ut is OF no consequence what sort of q
man he was; he was a human being and
OF our kind-and they were fends. You
need not tell me that we could not helm II -
he added In fierce forestalling HID he
been Sigurd, we would have helped IT or
we would both have lain like that"
Roif shrugged his shoulders resignedly
as they turned away.
Have it as you choose" he assented
AT least you cannot deny that you were
helpless; let that console YOU Nav the
gaifows take my body II you are not the
most thankless man ever / met, Here are
you rid of your enemy, and at the moment
when he was most a hndrance to you and
not only do you reap the reward of The
deed, but you bear no dangerous resnorsj
bility-"
He was checked by a glimpse of the face
Alvin turned toward him. Pride and loath-
ing, passion and sternness, were all min
gled in it's expression
Inc Saxon said slowly, Heavens mercy
on the soul that reaps the reward of this
deed! Easier would 1t be to suffer these
tortures hundredfold increased. Profit
by such a deed, Rolf Erlingsson, Do yo,,
think that l would live life that sprang
from such a death? To cleanse NV hand
from the stain of such a murder. though
hew it off at the wrist"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-26
= UNEASY ABOUT TREATY.
Cubans Fear Amendments by House
of Representatives.

A dispatch from Havana yesterday says:
Although there is considerable complaint
here on the part of Cubans that the United
States Senate did not give the reciprocity
treaty a fair deal, the publication of the
text of the amendment has shown them
that the treaty is not materially damaged
from a Cuban standpoint, except through
the delay and uncertainty entailed by the
action at Washington. The present feeling
of suspicion is due principally to the lack
of assurances that the treaty cannot be
amended in the United States House of
Representatives and that President Roose-
welt will call a special session prior to the
regular meeting of Congress.
The presidents of all manufa curing and
commercial associations received today
list of inquiries from the senate committee
on foreign relations with regard to the eff
fects of the amendments. 1t is requested
that the replies be sent in by tomorrow
The report the treaty will be completed
by Friday.
The appointment of Mr.. Steinhart to sue
coed W. A Rubleie as consul general here
has given much satisfaction on account of
his acquaintance with the people and pre-
vailing conditions.
Paymaster General Alfred E. Bates, U.
S. A. has arrived here.
Minister Squiers today paid a visit to the
United States training ship Essex, now in
Havana harbor.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-26
TO KIDNAP CABINET OFFICIALS
Wild Story of Plot Matched bv Mon
tana Outlaws,

special to the Baltimore American from
St Paul, Mimi, yesterday says: To kid
nap Secretaries Shaw and Root and At
torney General Knox in the wilds of Mon.
tana and hold them for an immense ran
som is the object of the alleged plot re-
Vealed today to Congressman Tawnev of
Winona, the latteI's home by ]. c. Ere
mont, an aged colored orator Fremont.
who recently arrived from Chicago. this
morning sought Mr.. Tawney and told him
that he had been informed by members of
his own race while in Chicago that there
were well-laid plans to capture the cabinet
officers when the presidential special makes
it's tour of Montana
The success of recent train robbers in
eluding capture is said to have inspired the
scheme The leaders of the gang are said
to be cattle rustlers and desperadoes living
in the famous "Hole-in-t the Wall" country.
who are already living under the shadow of
the law and have nothing to lose and
everything to gain.
The plan is to hold UP the train in the
approved wild west style and rush the
cabinet members into the impregnable Hole
ln-the- wall, there to be held under threat
OF death If the ransom is not forthcoming
inside of three days, the time in which the
money could be secured if ARRANGEMENTS
were made at once by wire. Fremont learn
ed of the story through negotiations which
the bandits had with Chicago crooks the
plan leaking out among the colored popu-
lation.
Congressman Tawney was at first dis
posed to laugh at the story, but as FIRE.
mont presented a strong array of evidence
the congressman became convinced finally
That there was something in the story, and
at once wrote letter of warning to Sec
Ietary Shaw, telling him what he had
learned and advising precautionary meas
ures.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-26
DIPLOMATS TO ATTEND
UNEQUALFD REPRESENTATION
AT ST. LOUIS EXPOSITION.
Twenty Five Embassies and Legations
Have Accepted Invitations
to Be Present.

The attendance of the members Of the
diplomatic corps at the dedicatory cere-
monies of the worlds fair at St Louis April
80 and MAY 1 and will be larger than
upon any similar occasion, If the responses
received at the State Department to the in
vitatlons extended by the fair management
are an indication. Out Of thirty-siX en-
bassies and legations in this city twenty-five
have signified to the State Department that
they will be represented either by the am
bassador or minister or by charge Of
equal though temporary rank. So far only
three destinations have been received, while
eight have not yet responded AS it stands
today, assuming that the head of the en-
bassy or legation in each will go where ac-
ceptances lave been noted, the following
will attend:
The Russian ambassador, the Mexican
ambassador, the Italian ambassador, the
British ambassador. the French ambassa-
dor, the German minister and special en-
voy, the minister from Guatemala, the
Haytian minister the Brazilian minister,
the Costa Rican minister, the Japanese mill
lister, the Peruvian minister the Bolivian
minister, the Corean minister, the Argen-
tine minister, the Chilean minister, the Co
lombian minister, the Portuguese minister,
the Spanish minister, the Salvadorean min
lister, the Swiss minister, the Turkish min
lister, the Venezuelan charge d'affaires, the
Uruguayan charge d'affaires and the Do
minican charge d'affairss. The Austrian
ambassador, the minister from Denmark
and the general aid de camp to the Shah Of
Persia are the only members of the corps
who have declined the invitation.
1t has been decided that owing to the ra-
pidity with which the party will move it
will not be feasible to have these diplomatic
representatives accompanied by the ladies
OF their households, a fact which has caused
Keen disappointment in some quarters
The fair committee has formally requested
Mr.. Jusserand, the French ambassador. and
Senior de Ojeda, the Spanish minister. to
deliver formal addresses, and these repre-
sentat1ves have communicated with their
respective governments to gain their assent
ihey were selected from the diplomatic
body for the reason that tn, countries which
they represent played important part in
the early history of louisiana
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-26

ing chorus of cheers. The chief sat under
the spreading maple tree, watching the
sport critically, with an occasional gesture
of applause. Over the head of the bear cub
she was fondling, Helga watched it also,
with unseeing eyes Those who had come
IN from hunting and fishing sprawled at
their ease on the turf. and shouted jovial
comments over their winecups.
They welcomed Rolf and the Norman
with shout when the pair appeared on
the edge of the grove.
Hail. comrades!'-"It was in our minds
to give you UP for lostr'-"Your coming
we Will take as an omen that Kark will
also return some time.-"Yes, return and
COOK US some food. We are becoming
hollow as bubbles"
Rolf accepted their greetings with an easy
flourish.
You will become also as thin as bubbles
If you wait for kark to cook your food" he
answered. lightly. II bring the chief the
PAD tidlngs that he has lost his thrall
fushlng MS companion gently aside, ne
walked over to where the Lucky One sat-
1T Will sound like an old woman's tale to
you, chief he warned him: yet this is
nothing but the TRUTH
While the Skin-pullers abandoned their
contest and dropped cross-Iegged upon the
hide to listen, and the outlying circle picked
up its drinking horns and crept closer, he
1eiated the whole experience, simply and
quite truthfully, from beginning to end.
From all sides EXPLANATIONS Of amaze
ment and horror broke out when he had fin
lshed. Only the chief sat regarding him
In silence, skeptical pucker lifting the
corner of his mouth.
Left said finally: Truth came from
your mouth when you foretold that this
would appear to ME as strange as the tales
old women tell Until within the last month
We have passed through this district almost
daily, and never yet have we found aught
betokenlng the presence Of human beings
That they should thus appear to you
They came like the monsters in a Dream
and vanished like them," Rolf declared
Saving in the fact that dream monsters
do not leave mangled bodies behind Them
Left reminded him, and his eyes narrowed
with an unpleasant shrewdness. Rolf Err
hngsson, he advised, confess that they
are the dreams you liken them to. That
kark was no favorite with you or your
friend he nodded toward the Norman
was seen by everybody Confess that 1t
was by the sword of one of you that the
thrall met his death"
For once the wrestler's face lost Its gen.
tleness. His huge frame stiffened haughtily
Left Ericsson" he returned. fercely
''when-for love of good or fear Of ill-have
you ever known me to lfeg'i
The chief looked at him irlcreduously.
you will swear to the truth of the taller
IT will swear to its truth by my knife, by
my soul, by the crucifix you wear on your
breast
After moment Left arose and extended
mis- hand. I'm that case, would believe
a stafement that was twice as unlikely,
he said with honorable frankness And a
sound Of applause went around as their
hands clasped.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-26

Though they have in no way hurried
the matter. believe that he is almost dead
now" Rolf comforted his captive
Even he spoke the last faint cry end
ed in gu-gling choke-and there was
silence.
Instantly the scarf was slipped from AL
wins mouth, and the living letters unclasp-
ed themselves from his limbs.
Thanks to me" Rolf was beginning.
The brief interval of silence shat
tered by cry from the sentinel on the
river bank. followed either by an echo or an
answering whoop from the opposite shore.
Rolf stretched himself along the branch,
just in time to see the men below scatter
n widest confusion and plunge headlong
INTO the thicket.
I'm the Trolls namew he calculated.
when dwarfs run like that giants must be
comingr
Alvin had clambered to his feet and stood
with his head thrust up through the leafy
roof.
ut is more out of the same nestr' he
gasped They are coming from the other
bank, swarms of them. There!
Some of them have landed
Rolf laughed his peculiar soft laugh OF
quiet enjoyment
by Thor. was there ever such a gamer,
he exclaimed. Il can see them now: thew
are after the first lot like wolves after
sheep-no, kark was the sheep! These
are the hunters after the wolves Hear
The last. ones have climbed out of the
water. Alvin bent to report ".Do they
also folow?''
AS dogs follow deer. Saw / never such
sport. When We can no longer hear them
II VIII be time for us to run race of our
own" ~ NA
Alvin made no answer, and thew waited
In silence. Gradually distance drew son
folds over the sharp cries and muffied Their,
as women throw their cloaks over the sharn
swords OF brawlers in the hall. Once ara n
the drone and the ch.rping became audible
ABOUT them. and the smile of the sunshine
Alvin that the peacefulness of nature was
IKE the gentleness Of the wrestler: and
there noated through his head the saying Of
wrinkied Old nurse of his childhood. The
English can die without dinchine. .he
French can die with laughs on their lips:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-26
CHAPTER xxvIII--continued.

See now what you are missing by your
headstrongness," he reproved his captive.
1T is seldom that men have the oppor-
tunity TO sitsas we Sit and learn from the
experience of another what would have
been their fate had their fortune been
equally bad Such great luck is 1t that |
get almost afraid for your ingratitude. 1t
will be great mercy II some god does not
punish you for thanklessness. BY
Thor In his terror the fool has attacked
them Ahr'
From below came sudden snarl, a sud-
den savage yell, the noise of struggling
bodies, and then a shrek of another kind
from Kark. no longer cry of mere appre-
hension. but sharp. piercing scream OF
bodily agony.
Let me go,'' Alvin painted through his
muffled jaws. ut is nithing deed for us
to permit-the death of one of our number
so. Let me go. Rolf-he is human be-
ing. Let me go!
A man of wood could not have been more
relentless than Rolf; man OF stone could
hardly have been less moved.
He argued the matter amiably: 1T is
true that by some mistake other Kirk
wears a mans shape" he admitted: yet
II is easily seen that in every other respect
he is dog Indeed / think there are few
dogs that have less of courage and loyalty.
Take the matter sensibly, comrade. If you
cannot rejoice In the death OF your enemy.
at least consider what interest it is thus to
study the habits of dwarfs. The cur who
was useless during his life will be honored
by serving good purpose in his death.
Left win think IL of great Importance to
learn how these creatures are disposed to-
ward white men. They have the most I'M
usual methods of amusing themselves. Now
they are doing things to his ears"
Renewed shrieks for help and mercy
drowned the remainder of his words and
called forth fresh exertions from Alvin.
But when at last the Fearless One ceased
and lay spent and painting against the
Drawn chest. he became aware that the
cries were growing fainter.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-26

From the spot where the Norman had
halted when his, companion pushed for
ward, there came the rustic of a slight dis
turbance. Sigurd had caught his friend by
his cloak and was pleading with him in a
passionate undertone, growing more and
more desperate at each resolute shake of
the black head. The instant Left resumed
his seat, the Fearless One wrenched him
self free and strobe forward. Rolf strove
to bar his way, but Robert Sans-Peur evad-
ed him also, and took up his stand before
the bench under the maple tree.
THE Fates appear to be balancing their
scales tonight, chief he said, grimly. For
the dead man whom you believed to be
alive, you see here living man whom you
thought to be dead For the trail that you
have lost, present to you another"
Winding his hand in his long black locks,
he tore them from his head and revealed
the crisp waves Of his own fair hair.
From either hand there arose a buzz of
amaZement and incredulity' mingled with
grunts of approval and blunt compliments
and half-muttered pleas for leniency. Only
two persons neither explained nor moved.
Helga stood in the rigid fearless silence she
had promised, her eyes pouring into her
lovers eyes all the courage and loyalty and
love Of her brave soul And the chief
sat gazing at the rebel brought back to life
without SO much as wink of surprise
without any expression whatever upon his
inscrutable face.
After moment Alvin went on steadily
II hid myself under this disguise because /
peiiSNSu Thai luCh hight grant HE the
chance to render you some service which
should outweigh my offense. Because
was short-sighted fool, did not see that
the better the Norman succeeded the worse
became the Saxons deceit. My mind
changed when your own lips told me what
would be the fate of the man who should
deceive you"
The chiefs face was as impassive as
stone, but he nodded slightly.
"a man of my age does not take it well
to be fooled by boys" he said. "It is a
poor compliment to his. intelligence, when
they have the opinion that they can mold
him between their fingers. Though he had
rendered the greatest service in the
world, the man who should deceive me
should die
Silence fell like a shroud upon the scat
tered groups. With a queer little smile
upon her drawn lips. Helga softly unsheath-
ed her dagger and ran her fingers along
Its edge. Alvin, earFs son, drew long
breath, and the muscles of his white face
twitched a little; then he pulled himself to-
gether resolutely. With one hand he pluck
ed the knife from his belt and cast 1t into
the chiefs lap; with the other, he tore his
tunic open from neck to belt.
II have asked no mercy" he said, proud
ly-
Left made no motion to pick up the
weapon. Instead CLINT OF something like
dry humor touched his keen eyes.
NO. he satd quietly. You have asked
nothing of what you should have asked.
You have even failed to ask whether or not
you have deceived me-
With her dagger half drawn, Helga paus-
Cd to stare at him.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-26

that / was not altogether sure Of NV
ground, and waited to be certain before I
stepped Or perhaps l was curious to see
what you woulG Go next and felt able to
crafty my curiosity since / knew that
through all your antics | held you securely
in the hollow of my hand Or perhaps
Lelt hesitated for an instant, and there
crept into his voice a note SO unusual that
all stared at him,-''cr, perhaps in becom-
Ing sure of my ground. l became uncertain
OF the honor of the man whom L wished
to place highest in my friendship, and SO
deemed 1t wisest to remain under cover un-
til he should reveal all the hidden parts of
his nature. 1t may have been for any or
all or these reasons. You, who have come
nearer to me than any man alive. should
have no difficulty in selecting the true
one
Was it possible that reproach rang in
those last words? 1t sounded so strangely
ike 1t that Tyrker involuntarily curved
his hand around his ear to amend some
flaw in his hearing.
Alwin's face underwent a great change,
Suddenly he flung his arms apart in q ges-
ture of utter surrender.
II will strive against you no longerv' no
cried, pasSionately. You are as much SUI
perior to me as the king to his link boy.
Do as you like with me. l submit to you
in everything" He fell upon his knee and
hid his face in his hands
Then the tone of Leifs voice became so
frankly friendly that Helga's beautiful head
was raised as a dropping flowers b. the
soft spring rain.
:, ALREADY you have heard your sentence
The fair words l spoke to Robert the Nor
man / spoke also to Alvin of England.
When | promised wealth and friendship
and honor to Robert Sans-Peur, / promised
them also to you Take the freedom and
dignity which befft a of your accom-
plishments and-with one exception-ask OF
me anything else you choose"
With one exception, Helga sprang for
ward and caught Leifs hand implorngly
in hers. And Alvin, still upon his knee,
reached out and grasped the chiefs man.
tie.
Lord" he cried you have been better
to me, hundred fold better. than / de-
serve! Yet would you be kinder still.
Lord, grant me this one boon, and take
back all else that you have promised"
The chiefs brawny hand touched Helga's
face caressingly.
DO you still believe that I would rub
salt on your wounds. If it were in my rover
to relieve your" he reproached them But
one man In the world has the right to say
where Helga shall be given in marriage;
he Is her father, Gill of Trondh5em. Al
readytI have done him a wrong In permits
ting. by my careiessness, that one OF thrall
estate should steal his daughters love In
>honor, I can do no less than guard the
maiden safely until the time when he can
dispose of her as pleases him do not
say that viii not use with him what In
fiuence I possess; yet i advise you against
expecting anything favorable from the re-
suit think you both know his mercy"
(To Be Concluded Tomorrow
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-26
"You-knew-?" she gasped.

'You-knew-?' she gasped
Left smiled dry. fine smile: Il have
lost" he said. And 1 had SUSPECTED the
truth since the night of the day upon
which we sailed from Greenland"
He made a gesture toward the shield
maiden that was half hooking and half
stern.
You showed little honor to my judgment.
kinswoman, when you took it for granted
should not know that love alone could cause
a woman to behave as you have done. Or
did you think / had not heard to whom
your heart had been given? That my ears
only had been dead to the love tale which
every servant-maid in Brattahild rolled
like honey on her tongue? Or did you
imagine that 1 knew you so little as to
think you capable Of loving one man in
the winter and another in the spring?
Even had the Norman borne resem-
blance to the Englishman, still would L"
But Helga stammered, but
Il thought that you might-Rolf said that
Sigurd--'
For perhaps the first time in his life
Rolls cheeks burned with modification as
a derisive snap of the chiefs fingers fell
upon his ear.
'Sigurd Your playmate! With whom
have you quarreled and made up since
there were teeth in your head! By Peter,
II 1t were not that the joke appears to lie
wholly on my side, I could find 1t in my
heart to punish the four of you without
mercy. for no other crime than your opin-
ion of my intelligence!'
Alvin took hesitating step forward.
He had been standing where his first de-
fiance had left him. light Of comprehen-
sion dawning in his face, and also spark
Of resentment kindling in his eyes.
Now he said slowly: ut is not your
anger which appears strange to us, chief.
1t is the slowness of your justice That,
knowing all this time of our deceit. you
have yet remained quiet That you have
allowed to live in dreams, and led us on
to behave ourselves like foolsi We have
been no better than mice under the cats
paw" He glanced at Hega's thin cheeks
and the pain lines around her mouth and
the full force OF his indignation rang out
in his voice. ITO US it meant life or death,
heaven or hel-was 1t worthy of a man
like you to find amusement in our suffer-
ing?"
Though it was as faint as the rustling of
leaves, unmistakabe applause swept
around. Rolf dared to clap his hands
softly
The chief replied by direct question, as
he leaned back against the maple and eyed
his young rebel piercingy.
.sBefooling and bejuggling were the drinks
you prepared for me; was 1t not just that
you should learn from experience how sour
taste they leave in the mouth?'
Though moment after moment dragged
by. Alvin did not answer that His eyes
fell to the ground, and he stood with bent
head and cienched hands
The chief went on. you who could so
easily fathom. the workings of my mind,
should have no need to ask my motives. 1t
may be that found entertainment In play
ing you like fish on a line. Or 1t may be