davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Monticellonian., 1904-09-22
Illinois Central May Get chOctaw.

It is stated in Little Rock that a deal is on foot by which the Illinois Central will purchase the main line of the old Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf railroad from the Rock Island It is said that party of Illinois Central officials will inspect the line soon. Head officials of the Rock Island at Little Rock refused to either confirm or deny the rumGr.
The Monticellonian., 1904-09-22
Lumber Plant Burned.

The plant of the Sawyer X Austin Lumber company. in the suburbs of Pine Bluff was burned September ii. with a loss of half million dollars. The fire originated in the store room and spread rapidly, a strong wind driving the flames directly towards the main plant. Much dressed lumber and finished material was burned.
 Arkansas had ginned 76 bales of the 1904 cotton crop prior to September 1, as compared with F bales last year for the same period.
The Monticellonian., 1904-09-22

Rabbi Raphael Lasker recently died in New York. He had relatives in Little Rock
The Monticellonian., 1904-09-22

of Scott, Thomas W. Milan of Garland and A. T. Cross of Crawford
 Following is complete roster of the next house and senate. showing changes made since the publication of the rosters in the Little Rock dailies:
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-13

he looked up. Kitty was on her feet now look of terror in her eyes. "Oh!' She screamed excitedly This nieo lady's tumbled wight in the water
 stop tnere." fie sfot,Jd perenIptorrty to the child. Don't move!'
 Another instant and his coat was Of. ! With q quick bound he was in the water
 A dozen rapid strokes and the girl was in hls arms.
 All right" he said. "Keep cool; you're quite safe now "
 She gave a gasping little sob and ceased 1 struggling, while the men slowly swan
 with her to shore.
 "oh!' she sobbed. as she sank down
 on the beach, you have saved my life! How can I ever thank you! My foot slipped Oh, thank God, you were here 70 I shouldn't have been of much survice
 had it not been for the child" he said, shaking the water from his clothes. Ut was she who saw you" It was a week later. The man with the book had companion now, and the com
 panion seemed entirely to have eclipsed , the book. Only a week, yet many won derful things happen In a week. And this was nothing very wonderful, after all. Love at first sight? We'll it may be so. But, at any rate, i here they were-rescuer and rescued-with
 the!r hands conspicuously close together. with the forsaken book artfully arranged so as to conceal the fact.
 Tt beats me" said the man, how on
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-13

house and confront him with the crime ? At last she decided to do so.
 The door was opened by quiet, sweet faced young woman.
 ''ls Mir. Wkitcombe in?" Inquired Alma briefly
 The woman nodded. smiled and ushored her into q Cozy little sitting room. A man rose as she entered. and, as she saw him. Alma gave little gasp of astcnish- mcnt.
 ''Eric!" she exclaimed. "You here! l. I asked for MT. Whitcombe"
 Erie Charteris smiled.
 'I am Mir. Whitcombe-pro tem," ho said, laughing.
 "l thought your name was Charteris?'
 So 1t is," responded Eric promptly. II see l must explain. But tell me-what do you want with MT. Whitcombe?"
 And then Alma sat down, still bewiI- dered, and told him who she was and why sho had come to the town. Eric list ened in blank amazement.
 "You-a detective!' ho gasped. and laughed again. Well, now I must toll you my story. Gerald Whitcombe Is the husband of my sister Rose and the father Of Kitty. The night before the discovery of the-er-little clerical error in his books he came to mo and told me all It was q sad story. and pitied the man. More over, could see ho was deeply penitent. l decided at once that he must be got out Of the country. But there was little time.
 "The officers of Scotland Yard think
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-13
H RATIONAL NZOWXHN LILY
EsNEsAfsAfs.N

Ferrars. absolutely bewildered by the storm his unwary words had raised. drew near. and tried to take her hand, but she pushed him roughly away.
 "Go away. leave me, don't touch me. never want to see you again! Goodbye l forever. Mir. Ferrarsi"
 She rushed from the room, leaving him speeches. with pain. The words she had just uttered in her wrath seemed to enter his heart like a knife. especially did 1t strike an ominous knell to his hopes-the fact that she had called him Mir. Ferrars After a few moments he rang the bell, and, when the maid appeared. he bid her go to Miss Dalton and tell her he awaited her pleasure in the drawing-room. With In very short space of time the servant returned with curt message from her young mistress:
 'Would Mir. Ferrars excuse her coming down, she felt too Ill to leave her room" The young man mournfully left the house. Good Heavens. 1t could not be that he had s!nned past forgiveness. that AgEy meant, as she had said. never to speak to him again, and to break of their engagement. He had been rash, i'm petuous to denouncs this horrible rational dress 50 very cand!dly. but then he had been inexpressibly shocked and grieved to see his darling attired in this masculine garb. It seemed to go against all his old fashioned notions on womanly modesty and feminine dignity. His Aggy, the idol of his heart. his angel of purity and para gon of perfect womanhood. to have donned coarse. vulgar bloomers, the very thought was maddening. And now he had offended her. she declared. past all for giveness
 He spent .sleepIess night and cams round early next morning to call at La- burnum lodge. slipped past the maid, who wanted to announce him and went straight to his Eweetheart's boudoir.
 Agnes sat on low couch, her eyes red with recent weeping; on 6 small table at her elbow was placed cabinet photo- graph Of young Ferrars which he himself
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-13

"Daddle." said Alma. coming over to the chair and laying littlo hand ca ressingiy on his shoulder. don't Do in q hurry. dear. Find 6rt why ne-di6 ,itt.''
 How can IT" responded tho old man irritably.
 "Then let me-
 ''Youf"
 Gabriel wilmot gazed at his daughter in stupefed astonlshment But Alma never fiinched.
 "Yes. me-" she repeated boldly. "You always said I was cut out for a detec- tive. Why not put 1t to the test now? If there should be extenuating circum- stances in the case, you will be glad you did not call in the aid of the police. If there be none-which l doubt-or If fail which l doubt still more-it will ba time enough then to communicate with the proper authorities. In all probability the man has left London. l have been want ing a holiday for some time, but the coun- try lacks interest thls time of year. This little business will just fill up the blank and save me from ennui"
 Gabriel Wilmot was only half convinced.
 But you'll never find him." he pro- tested weakly. You've had no ex--" But the look he got effectually stopped him.
 Don't you trouble your old head about that" replied his daughter scornfully. "I
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-13

earth you came to be down here alone I'm afraid you're q spoilt daughter! If were your father---''
 Father. indeed!'
 Well. yes--it's better as 1t is. isn't it2' he admitted. with 0 twinkle.
 Much" assented the girl. archlv.
 There was @ curious and quite unac- countable movement about that book And the girl said:
 'Don'trf
 There was silence for a moment or two and then she added:
 ''T don't know what dad will say"
 ''Oh, never mind him." responded the man. "Tll manage him all right as soon as I get hack to town.'
 When will that be inquired the girl
 IT don't know. When will you?"
 1T don't know, either
 It was three days later. Alma Wilmot had searched the little seaside town with praiseworthy persistence. And at last she had discovered the present whereabouts of MT. and Mrs. Whitcomb. At the out set, she had been somewhat surprised to find that the abSconding clerk had been so careless of his liberty as to leave be- hind him the name of the town to which he had removed. But the town was one thing and the street and number were another. It had taken her almost fort night to find out the house that sheltered Mir and Mrs. Whitcombe. The question now was-should she 80 straight to the
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-13
THE LADY WRRION

20 years on to her age. and in this dis guise she sailed forth one morning in answer to a letter requesting her to call arh see Lady Northampton in person.
 Terribly nsrvoes. lest her trick should he discovered, and at the same time feel ing like 6, child playing practical joke, Miss Grant rang the bell of one of the houses in Park lane.
 <. It was Immediately opened by the foot man. who Informed the butler that 1t was another lady come to soc her ladyship about the situation of governess. Marion was at once conducted to tho boudoir, where Lady Northampton was writing.
 A tall, beautiful woman, still in the thir- ties, rose as she was announced, and stretched out her hand in kindly well come.
 At a glance her eye took in the slen- der figure, and high-bred air of the grey haired woman before her; quite a differ ent type from those who had hitherto applied for her situation.
 "Ycur letter sounded so promising Miss Grant. that I thought would ask you to come and sec me. am devoted to my three little girls. and very anxious about their welfare, so l thought 1t best to see everyone before engaged their servi- ces."
 "Yes. indeed, Lady Northampton, I am sure 1t must be a great anxiety choos- ing 0 governess. for 1t is such a respon- sible post" Marion answered, in a clear sweet voice, that certainly seemed very fresh and impetuous for the owner of , grey hair.
 Lury Northampton gazed at her cu- riously. and the girl felt herself growing red.
 "You have. I understand, had no pre- vlous experience at teaching?"
 "No, I have always lived with my father; we travelled about a good deal. and 1t was not until his death that found myself compelled to earn my own living"
 Here the voice faltered, and Lady Northampton gave q sympathetic move mant.
 But" she continued. 1T have always been devoted to children, and I think
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-13

, Capt. Hardcastle told her that he knew
 she was coming. and wanted to know
 what dress she was going to wear, but
 h.s utmost cntreaties only won the re- spons Q. "a white one" At g clock that night. when she was
 CT ssrg, aN knock came ct her door. "Who's thore?"
 Ut IS only l. Miss Gnant. may I come in?' said Ledy Northampton Mar on felt herself in a dilemma. she could not refuse her kind employer en- trance. but how would she take tho de- ception of ago she had practiced on Ter?
 However, there was no time to think, for again came the voice:
 Please let me in--I won't tell. Marion opened the door, and hastily re- treated into the shadow Of her room, in eas anyone pas sing should catch sight
 of Ler. 'Mles Grant" exclaimed Lady Worth ampton in astonishment, as she saw ! star ding before her one of the most beau- tiff fl girls she had ever set eyes upon. "Oh forgive ne, I had to make myself look old. no one would take a young foverness, and I really didn't deceiva you about my teaching" she said im-
 plorin Ny.
 There was pause. and then Lady Northampton spoke, as only one woman in million would have been generous enough to speak.
 "Ch'd. for you are little moro than
 that. I forgive you. for 1t Is many long day since I saw anything so lovely" and tro elder woman took the girls pure,
 beautiful face between her hands and kissed her, as if she had been her sister.
 "No wonder Lance has lost hts heart
 to the governess, though he has never
 seen you like this. has he?" she inquired holding up ono of the golden tresses ir | her hands.
 Not since was 1S," was the 'blushine
 response. T remembered Capt. Hard f castle quite we'll for he dined with my father one evening when we were in Paris, and I was still a child in short | frocks; but he docs not remember mo, she added.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-13

know what I'm about and shall take care not to bungle the business. You leave it to me. Now tell me all you know about t9e maIttwhat his name Is, where he { lived. and what he looks like. ''--T--- It was a delightful day. The air was fresh-for 1t was not yet summer-and the i blue sky was innocent of a cloud. A man was sitting on the beach, in the shelter of great groyne that jutted out into tho sea. A book was in his hand, and a little girl of five frolicked merrily about him. Put me wight up there" she pleaded. T want to sit on the edge and look down at you"
 The man took her on his back and, mounting the great timbers, set her on the top of the groyne.
 Don't move Kitty" he commanded, as he again leapt down to the beach. Sit quite still and tell me when you are tired"
 "All wight" responded the child "1ll wemember."
 Once more the man took up his book. while the child. looking down at him from hor pinnacle, began singing softly to her self
 There's a nice lady coming this way" she observed presently, pauslng in her song.
 But the man never heard. The book had claimed him once more. How long they remained thus he never know, but he was suddenly startled by hearing a cry from
 the child above him. Dropping his booE
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-13
BY, ". HOEY


An hour later Sapt. Hardcastle ed the Delle or the bal into the conservatory t1 rest, afto~ Scr last dance with nirn Iiarion, for It was she. had never 10 Sed sn lovely; d pink flush was on nGr tneeks, the ltshs of luTe fl. her eyes, and joyous elasticity in her step that nai been lacking ever since her father s death
 Half the men in the room were In love ith her. and 1t VT. with n th.ili
 oi sisterly. pride t-at Lady worthhan.p- ton noticed her brother lead the girl tn secluded niche.
 Marion. my darlng, I could not wait Eany longer. Ycu know that all thcse weeks past I have grown to love you You Know, do you not. dear. that it is
 Marion, and mot Lady Marion that I want for my wife?'
 "I krow." answered the girl, raising her lovely eyes to his, so that he might see the answering love of his own. q know" she continued softly. that you loved me as the poor, middle-aged gov- | erness; and, oh Lance, I believe l have loved you ever since that night more ! than three years ago. when you gave me some chocolates. because my father
 would not let me go with him to the 1 ocera."
 My love, my little Marion" answered l the enraptured soldier. as he folded her 1 lovely form in his arms, and kissed ono Of the golden curls that lay near his l lips.
 But Marion. do you really not know what your fathers title was: have you
 no clew?'
 ''None," she answered. "only these threo 1 brooches I now wear as heirlooms" | Scarcely were the words uttered than 1 two men entered the conservatory, talk ! ing in low and agitated tones On seeing 1 that one of them was the Earl on Mon 1 tague, for whom he entertained strong ! dislike, Lancelot drew his betrothed into l an alcoyo shaded by huge palm tree
 and laid his finger on his lips to enforce 1 silence.
 'I tell you, Caston, it must be the girl 1 how else could she have those brooches? You know they have always gone to the eldest daughter of the head of the house
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-13

horribly mixed up in putting the right question to each of us; he might tell mo perchance to obey you instead of only loving and cherishing you "
 "You are very pat with the service for tho solemnization of matrimony."
 well, Aggy, it's only wisdom to pre- pare ones self for coming events.'
 "Bertic," she said softly Unwilling to assume the appearance of giving in, and yet she felt there was nothing for it but thaO "wilful man must have his way; if I consent to give up wearing my beautiful Paris suit. will you promise me to throw off this grotesque costume and never to let me see you arrayed sU?"
 Darling. of course I'm willing to sac rifco all my personal tastes to your wishes, You know connuhlal bliss consists mainly in reciprocal concessions on the part oc husband and wife. The only thing that worries me Is to know which, ,charac- ter you really mean to assume, the mans CT the woman's. take your choice, dear est. ] am not particulars [ only wish to know, definitely, and then to take the part you do not wish to enact"
 "Oh, Bert. you are too silly for words" Still, she could not help laughing. "Oi with you now, and mind you come back lr an hours time properly dressed and l shall then be ready 10 go for that long postponed ride, with a bicycling skirt There. are you satisfied now. o.. most obstinate of mem"
 Delighted, I am sure. The fact is so long as you insisted on being rational woman I had to be an irrational man"
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-13

Punctually at 2 o'clock that same after. noon' Jessie came up to her young mis tress's bedroom. She seemed to be con. vulsed with suppressed laughter and held her handkerchief over her mouth, as ii she feared her unseemly mirth might break forth
 "Please, miss. Mir Ferrars Is in the drawinG-room and wants to know if you arc ready"
 Aggy was putting the finishing touches on her rational dress.
 'Yes in a few minutes. Jessie. how do look? Don't you think these bloom. CTS are the sweetest thing in the vorld?''
 Yes. miss. you're all rlght-but Mir Ferrars. he does look funny" and she giegled audibly.
 Don't be an idiot, Jessie. Whats the matter with you laughing in that silly way. and what in the world do you mean talking like that of Mr. Ferrars?"
 So saying. as she had just put the fin ishing touches to her masculine dress, she hurried down to the drawlng-room But she stopped aghast on the threshold, thinking her eyes must be playing her false. or else she was the victim of an Extraordinary optical delusion. Bertram stood before the glass over the mantle piece, complaeently admiring the gro- tesQue figure cast back at her by the mirror. Indeed. his Get-up was ludicrous In the extreme His athletic figure was robed in the complete outfit of lady bi- cyclist. His dainty pale pink blouse was tucked in at the waist with a belt and buckle, the dark blue serge skirt fell in graceful folds just above the ankles. while on his head was set the iauntiest Of white sailor hats; a white spotted veil shaded His bronzed face. and fell over his hirsuts mustacha which protruded in tho most aggressive way.
 "Bertie!" Aggie exclaimed. her voice bristiing with indignation. What on earth do you mean by this absurd get. upT'-
 Mean, my angel, why I mean to take you out for a ride on your new bicycle.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-13

I had given her; on her knees and on the notes he had on various occasions written to her, also the sundry presents and sou vonirs he had bestowed on. her, such as books. music, bouquet holders and scent ing bottles. fans and bangles: all theSmis- | cellaneous gifts a young fellow thinks of to bsstow on the lady of his choice.
 A slight movement of his revealed his presence and she turned hastily. When her eyes met his a hot flush suffused her cheeks and she rose angrily to her feet, all the letters fiuttering to the ground.
 "You here, Mir. FerrarsT'
 "Yes, Agnes, darling. I have come to implore you to forgive me"
 1T really thought you were geptlomanly enough not to force your way into a ladys presence when she refuses to hold any sort of intercourse with you in fu- ture." she said scornfuliy. polntedly averting her gaze from him while she spoke.
 Agnes"
 "Call me Miss Dalton. please"
 He bent his head in aequlescence to her naughty command. "Be 1t as you will, but. Miss Dalton. may inquire If you wish to dismiss me so entirely from your thoughts, why l find yod seated with all the little gifts l ever gave you7"
 q was preparing to pack them and send them back to you" came the chilling an- swer
 ''Indeedi'. And these ietters7"
 T was going to burn them"
 And this photo?"
 Was meant to share the fate of the letters"
 Quite coolly and deliberately Bertram walked back towards the heavy velvelt hanging. waved 1t back with one hand. then turned and bowed coldly to Agnes
 "I sec my best and wisest course, Mss Dalton, is to bid you goodbye and the sooner l put your name and personality out of my thoughts the better for my peace Of mind"
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-13

sn saying he strodc rapidly out of the room and Agnes thought he had forever passed out of her life She was aghast, she never expected him to take his dis miSsal so calmly; she thought he would beg and implore her forgiveness, Instead of which lie was content to go at her bid ding. and his sudden departure over whelmed her with despair
 She flung herself on the couch burylng her face on tho softly tinted Liberty silk cushion
 "oh, Hertie, Bertie, my darling, you never loved me" she moaned piteously.
 As she uttered this agonlzed wall, two strong arms lltted her in q close and tender embrace. 'Agey Aggy, my own darling, why your Bertie loves you so, that your cruel ty drove him to the brink of despair"
 Sine gave little gasp and made a fee- ble pretense at freeing herself from his h. clrcling arms, but she soon gave up the attempt. and nestling her head on his shoulder. murmured:
 oh Bortie, I thought you were gone forever-that I should never geo you again."
 Well, little orN, and was it not what you desired me to do"
 She looked rogulshly into his face, SC dangerously close to hers.
 You dear old goose. don't you know yet that a woman always expects a man to do the opposite of what she bids him do? But now prove that you love me by going out for a ride with me this after. noon in my rational suit"
 She said this, half fearing this bold and final test of hers to see if hls re. pentance were indeed sincere.
 Certainly. darling. you are absolutely free to wear whatever attire you think best"
 This newborn blind deference to hel wishes delighted Agnes. IL was worth all tho agony of quarreling with Bertie. il only to come out triumphantly from tho debate
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-13

to come back to the family at her mar rfage. or the coming of the age of the daughter of the next in succession.
 These brooches have been searched for everywhere. I know that my uncle had them in his possession when he left En- gland, but so cleverly did he disguise his identity that we have never been able 10 find out what name he assumed. He may indeed be living now, for all we can prove to the contrary"
 And what is 1t your intention to do?" asked the man addressed as Caston. DO? Why. nothing; do you think that after all these years I intend to try and find a claimant for either the title or tho money? am not quite such a fool, my dear fellowv
 "Blackguardt' muttered Lancelot to himself, you will have to sing another tune presently"
 Marion had listened breathlessly, and when the two men walked off, turned to her lover. saying:
 Did they mean meT'
 'Yes, dear, undoubtedly they meant you; those jewels are recognized
 Then I am"
 Lady Marion Montague. My darling, do you know what the world will say of me?" he inquired anxiously, as he drew her arm within his own.
 
 But little more remains to be told. Backed by Lord Northampton money the lawyer soon succeeded in proving Lady Marion's Identity, and Lord Mon tague had 10 disgorge a good jointure out of his immense income
 Directly the case was settled, Lady Marion Montague became the wife of Capt. Lancelot Hardcastle, and was presented at court on her marriage by her sisterinlaw. Lady Northampton, who lived to bless the day when she took q fancy to the gray-haired. young-voiced governess.
 AS for tEe children, they were incon- soleble at the thought of losing her. and their aunts visits were always looked forward to as red-letter days in the schooroom.