davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1907-09-13


though. as told George that It
would when he was foolish enough to
lend IL to her; and George had spo-
ken OF the possibility OF cure. too
And so"-shrugging her shoulders
this is the result. am alone in the
great city, my lover and my sister
having both deserted me-"
When did your sister go?"
This morning" she replied.
George Fairfax might have es-
corted her for some part of the Jour
ney last night"
"Oh, no! she would not have gone
with him." Della looked a little grave
as she said this; then she said. But
1t has happened for the best, though
] am always nervous when u Byacintha
takes these sudden fits into har head,
and goes away without warning"
She Is very impulsive, evidently"
"She makes up her mind suddenly.
and not always unwisely," said De-
ia; and here seemed chance akin
TO salvation. II the man Tracey were
70 be believed. And so she hurried
away, and 1t may be for the best, az
] say, Tor l should have had to leave
her too much alone here, and the
neighborhood is not lively. and this
is dull. dead house enough"
1T will be especially dull for Won
till she returns"
II shall not mind. / do not grievo
Ms Hyacintha does, and George Will
not be long away. And there are my
rehearsals. and presently the acting.
10 keep me busy. And | am not OBJ
hged to stay here IL get afraid OF the
place. can share rooms with one or
two OF the girls In the COMPANY. /
can 60 But you are not interested
In my plan OF action, are you?" she
said, starting TO her feet, land time
1s on the wing. and a manager who
has been kept waiting is a terrible
thing to confront. You will excuse
me, Mr. Lissamer, | am sure"
She was anxious to be gone now
Her face was flushed, and there was
u nervousness In her manner that
was new to me. She talked with the
rapidity and f'uency OF last night. but
she kept her dark eyes fixed upou
me, as II to make sure of the efScct
her words were conveying words
which seemed to have framed them
selves into something like excuses
and those far too numerous to Inn
suspicion--rather to create 1t. had
j been Inclined to reegard the matter
suspiciously. / was sensible of a sud
hen antagonistic feeling to this fair
The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1907-09-13

He will when he gets this letter :.
she condescended to reply at las;
do you think I would keep any
thing back from himr
Yes"
The dark eyes flashed at me an
extra degree of anger for an instant.
then they wandered to the closely
written sheet before her on the desk.
PERHAPS I would-perhaps
would" she murmured almost to
herself. God knows have kept too
much back all my life, and not for
my own sake always"
You have acted strange part.
You"
"Oh, sir, I am an actress" she
said, intcrrupting me. Have you
forgotten that 1t is my profession not
To seem as l really am, but to look
and talk and breathe. II possible, nKe
some one else?"
upstairs"
And l will not speak of him to
you. Do your worst. and say your
worst, Mr.. Lissamer 1t Is not my
duty. l apprehend. to satisfy your
curiosity"
II think 1t is"
II know 1t is not" was the quick
retort. To George Fairfax tell
everything-the whole, miserable.
heartbreakinS story which my life
has been. I have not kept every
thing back from him: he knows al
ready as much as I dare have told
him and kept his love for me. But
nothing matters now. Here will be
the full, true, and particular conres-
sion, she said. touching the letter
on the desk. which your interfer-
ence has extorted from me-"
You do not know"
And YOU do not know. sir, what
you have done yet. You will in time,
perhaps, and regret 1t. My sister
Hyacintha thought you one OF the
best men whom she had ever met: |
shall always consider you as one OF
the worst. Oh, If Hyacintha had not
left me-" she cried, giving way for
the first time now, "and left me to
fight this battle all alone-and with
you. hard, eXacting, mercilcss, guess.
Ing only half the truth-thc worst
half-and influenced by II to my dis
comfiture, But" she added, with q
petulant stamp of her foot II will
not explain to you. Please go away
and leave me to myself"
Il do not ask an explanation now ::
at some other time | may demand II
OF YOU"
'Iou-demand it," she said. with
the old scorn of me once more appar-
ent
Il wish to explain" / said, "and
1 must beg you to listen patiently for
the next few minutes"
Il Will try. | am your prisoner In
this house. and can do little I'm my
own defense. But warn you"
What ="
That l Will not answer your ques-
tions, and that I dispute your right
to put them to me-"
II wish to state what is my next
step, and whether you approve of 1t.
Tonight l will be content with one
answer"
Go on. What Is it?"
Your permission to take your
husband away with me at once"
Sho stared at me long and steadily.
as II she did not understand and
The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1907-09-13
CHAPTER XIV
IN THE UPSTAIRS ROOM.

4 WENT my way slowly and eau
4 tiously up the uncarpetcd stairs, Il
man upon guard. When | had turned
the corner OF the first flight ii became
more impressed upon my mind that
/ was not acting wisely. / was at the
mercy of any unprincipled man;
was unarmed and in the dark, e
strange house in an unpopulated
street knew so little OF these
Nashes, and what | did not know
after all, was fraught with suspi.
cions. Stlll. 1 gropef my way dog
gedly toward the top floor. in the
front room of which man was lurk-
ing | felt my heart beating a Ht,lo
faster, as though the mystery h.,
which | was surrounded, or the ua.
certainty Of what might lie before
me, or be presented in the next few
moments. had shaken that strength
of nerve Of which at times | had been
Just trine vain.
was at the top of the house at
last wondering What | should do ~
| found tho door locked against nc.
did not hesitate. however; felt
like man who would decide quickly
for hio!-"lf. and get it over. | must
The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1907-09-13
Strenuous ChiNalrY.

1t is complained that modern condi-
tions arc killing the chivalry OF the
middle ages" But mcdiaeyal tales
and romances show what that chivalry
really was. Wife beating was com
mon incident on the part of those
knights and gentlemen whose gallantry
was mere convention. The Chcva!ier
dc la Tour-Landry in his book Of coun-
sells TO his daughters tells them the
story of q woman who used TO contra
dict her husband in public. One day,
after cxpostulating in vain. he knock
ed her down, then Kicked her face and
broke her nose And So" comments
the good chevalier. she was disfg-
urcd for life, and thus through her Ill
behavior and bad temper, she had her
nose spoiled, which was a great mis-
fortune 10 her" But not II word is said
about the husbands brutality.
The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1907-09-13

know the worst, or Dest---ano 80 an
end to it,
| did not even knock at the door
before turned the handle and stood
It last within the room. Politeness,
ander the circumstances, seemed too
much out OF place.
1t was bedroom upon which
iad intruded. and, lying in bed. with
, torn coverlet drawn closely up to
is chin and held there by two trem-
bling. clawlike hands, was man
sick unto death.
II was the man with the green face
yho had watched me down the street
asst night. and who now lay Watching
nc again, with every expression of
nental and moral trepidation that a
hunted, half-demented animal might
ilsplay. There were some shabby
hansings to the forepnrt of the bed,
and they and the curtain rings from
which they were suspended shook
With tho terror OF the invalid. Ho
was man about my own age. prob
ably, and might have possessed at
come time or other a full share O.
good looks, but 1t was q wasted.
CHASTITY, horror-stricken countenancp
Gow; a galvanized corpse would have
looked Ike it, possibly The ewes
werc deep set IN the head, and hard
" distiaguishable from the black
shadows underneath them. The room
vas almost destitute of furniture: on
wainscot washstand in q corner OF
The room fragment of a tallow can
niplsnriny it, ~
hour of light.-a symbol. as it might
be, OF the fitful lie before me. On
the mantelpiece were two or three
medicine bottles. one of which was
nearly full, and bore the Inscription
and the written instructions Of a
cheui-, 1T Camberwoll.
Th. " was bare and ill-kcpt
There v;@ fire burning In the mar.
row CRATE, and kettle on the nob
was puilinS forth a jet OF steam.
AT last! you have found me out
at last. then" said the man. In 30
cultural and gasping tone that IL
sounded as If his own death-rat.
tie was acting as Interpreter for
him. We'll, you're n bit behind
time, as usual. and L can't be talIon
away. 1t wouldn't be human to drag
me away In this condition-it's more
than my lifc's worth, and YOU dare
not do it. Mind you, it would be
murdcr--willful murder for ] am
dying; YOU can see that plain enough
for yourself, and so you'll let me die
IN peace, won't YOU? For the Lord s
sake, sir, say YOU will" He grew
more excited In his pleadings and
the wooden curtain rings clattered
their accompaniment as he lay shud-
dor!ng there. 1t was my task to re-
assure him, by way of commence
mcnt.
Il have not come to take you
away" | said.
Thank Cod" answered the man,
gratefully.
Il am here, hope. as friend" /
added
aren't you In the polico?"
No"
"Not In the police" he said. Won
deringly. You pledge your immor-
tai soul yoa are not In the police.
Yon hope you may be struck dead,
| standing there, at once, If you're one
of that lot Say that. will YOU? This
isn't trick, new dodge, to get
hold OF me?"
The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1907-09-13

"Oh, they haven't tod you tnu.,
then. What's that for. worlderf
What the devil does that mean?"
Il am not in the confidence of the
sisters" said. "and | have only
seen Della twice In my life"
why did she send YOU up here to
me, then? Who did she tell you
was?"
II have come upstairs against her
wish" 1 replied: "you watched me
from this house last night and l was
apprehensive of some danger"
You are curious" said the man,
very sullenly again Had | been
what l was even last week, It would
have been as much rs your life was
worth to come spying upon me.
But am only child now;
""'"na can do what he likes to
'.>,--,-,tc'" e.od Insult me. u...
inc sick lion, and the foxes ana
asses come to my den to spit at me.
It's the way of the world. don't
care-I don't care-I don't care"
You must not excite Yourself"
said, possibly my professional air too
predominant; you are destroying
your chance"
NJ aAaaoo!" ne screamed. in a
still higher key "Iou -; m2an Is
say | have chance, then? My God
is ft possible is It really possible?
Did YOU say chance for life for me?
How do you know? What makes YOU
think so? What can have put it into
your head that can live? BY Hcay-
en-! If it's true, I'll remember you In
tho first prayer | will teach myself,
ont of eternal gratitude for this. !
VIII. l.
He came suddenly to full stop.
and lay and gasped for breath, and
struggled desperately. till raised
his head higher upon his pillow. He
tried TO speak again after had done
| this, but IT was beyond his power;
and when | raised my finger to him
TO be cautious, the effort ceased, and
he lay watching me very earnestly
and breathing very hard.
What are they giving You In the
way of medicine?" l said, proceeding
TO the mantelpiece and taking up the
bottle which | had already noticed
was nearly full and had the newest
label on It, rs this the last? Don't
try to speak yet. but nod If am
right"
The man nodded. and | read the
inscription, the chemists name. and
the instruction as to time and guam
tity, before ] held the bottle TO the
light. took the cork thercfrom, and
| smelled and tasted the contents
Then there wuS q long md solemn
The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1907-09-13

} of this 10 a risky piece Of business.
Il know III but I hope you will
chance that"
"you seem devilish anxious about
me all OF a sudden.
"Yours is an interesting case, and
I should like to try my hand at IT my
self"
"Oh, make experiments upon me,
You mean?"
Eyes, II they will help to save your
life. why not?"
Another reason. Becausc-lets
have It," he said, insolently now.
IL may offer you another reason
presently"
Out
"But l am not going to allow yon
to talk. when so much talk is bad for
YOU: ] am going downstairs to sug-
g.st this change ~ youI "..>. -.
see If she approves of it," I said, In
as matter-of-fact way as 1t was
possible for me to assume.
"Ah. yes; see what she says, and
tell her that you think II will b. best,
Will you? That I'm agreeable -GnX'
ious. That she can nurse me as well
In any other house as this. Then she
won't mind; then--''
But he run on too fast, and was
compelled to come to an abrupt con-
clusion. He lay painting again for his
breath, and unable to articuiate
further. He was terribly weak.
was not so sure that ! could save
him. Was l even sure that he was
worth saving?--looking down upon
him critically. and watching his
scowling. sin-stecped countenance.
II will return shortly" said to
him. crossing to the door
He nodded In assent. his eyes fol-
lowing every movement that made
| When | had opened II he found the
strength to scream at me. TO sit up
in be suddenly. and point with one
| long shaking finger to tho medicine
vial which i still held In my hand.
| "What--what--''
"I am taking this away"
"To put something In It, MY GodI
I sec now you arc"
| went back to his bedside. At my
touch upon his shoulder he fell back
into a recumbcnt position, as though
had struck him down to 1t.
"You must not excite yourself In
this way" l said, very sternly; "lf
you value your life. you risk It's last
chancc-do you hear me?--your last
chance. by going on in this insane
fashion ] must take the medicine
away; ! have no faith IN 1t. am very
sure 1t is doing YOU more harm than
good. | will not even trust you with
1t whilst | am down stairs"
II Will not touch 1t whon-when It
comes back again. Not L." he gasp
ed out.
Touch nothing more In this
house" said.
He struggled into a sitting posi-
tion again, till l put him gently back
into his n!aCe. On his face saw the
warning which | had conveyed
which thought it my solemn duty to
convey take effect at once Ii had
hardly seemed possible for those
features TO assume u more unearthly
grccnish hue than they had hitherto
presented, but they did | was con
sclouS at once that | had said 100
much, that as regards this sufferer l
had made Il mistake. | hastened to
rectiEy ii so far rs ii lay in my power.
The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1907-09-13


toune woman confronting me. snu
who wes anxious--natural as that
might be-to get me out OF the
house.
Il am sorry have detained YOU
80 long," said, rising. yours is q
painful position, and l do not. as
George Fairfax's friend. care TO con-
slider you as the only inmate OF this
house. l am sure George would not
like it,
"Ho knows can take care OF my
self wonderfully We'll" she said, with
a light laugh, land am not subject
to nerves. | have fought too loaG
and hard battle since / have been
| q woman to give way ever again"
But there is no necessity to put
your nerves to the test. You are
completely alone in this house, you
tell me?"
"Yes."
"Will you allow me from the fam
lilies of my poor and respectable pa
tents to select for you female com
panion or servant--some one who
can assist you, and take off your
hands"
"Oh thank you--no," she said,
interrupting me. THAT is like your
old kindness, your consideration for
us. You are very good, Mr.. Lissa-
mer. but would prefer to be alone
here"
1T Is a strange preference"
Il can leave the house at any mo-
ment II | get too dull" she said;
but / shall not be much I'm the house
hardly at all. And | have plenty
Of female friends of my own, and
But ] have said al this before. Aud
you Will not understand mo, or you
profess not to understand me
which is it?" she cried. petulantly.
Il have no more to urge" said.
In mild reply. or rcproof Il was
thinking that George Fairfax would
not admire the position in which you
are placed
"He would let me have my own
way; he would not argue with me;
&c is good and kind and brave and
generous and trustcul. Cod blcss
aim for the best man | ever mcti"
She exclaimed, with sudden and deep
pathos, as she turned away her head
and passed one glovcd hand rapidly
across her eyes: and yet If he had
never met with me it would have
been so much the better He de-
served some one so much better than
am. It But there, / am Il fool"
she said, frankly; Il am giving You q
bit OF my histrionlc powers instead
Of hurrying YOU on the premises and
getting away TO the theatcr."
81 am ready" I said.
We were III the passage again
with the parlor door open and the
lamplight streaming from the room
Her hand was on the lock of tho
street door before ! could take tho
office upon myself, when suddenly
there was noise aboyc-al !rs-a
scufIling, unmistakable noise that
was too real to be ignored, and which
held her. as well as me, spellbound.
She stood with her hand upon tho
lock, looking back toward the stair
| case, her face full Of new fear and
surprise, and / could see her painting
very much, like a woman who had
been running
Miss Nash, there is someone IN
the house." | said.
-no-impossiblew she Cx-
| claimed. 1T is you who are nervous
! rot l. PRAY let us be going NV sc.
The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1907-09-13

N...'s,.-., - ..~.~ "y " ",.""4..r7 ....uu.
Come away" said Della, family:
1T is no concern OF yours, sir" "
Miss Nash, YOU have deceived mo
for some purpose OF your own. am
here as friend as FairfaX's friend
AS yours. If YOU are in need OF
one. Miss Nash. If YOU will only cx.
plain"
Il have nothing 70 explain TO YOU"
she cried. II must insist, Mr. Lissa.
mer,. upon your leaving my house."
mo. Miss Nash" said, STORMY;
IL am going to see who is in hiding
In the rooms above There is Il mys.
terry here; have already been warn
ed OF danger lurking here. and at I'LL
hazards l will go"
You dare?"
81 dare"
go, then" she said, angrily.
But the instant afterward she tot.
tered toward the room we had re-
Gently quilted, and | heard faint
cry OF gricf-a wall as 1T were OF de-
spair-escape, as | went slowly and
doggedly up the uncarpcted stairs.
For George FairfaX's sake" (
muttered to myself as | passed up
Into the darkness that had followed
the light there.
The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1907-09-13

for his testimony and following the
example set by Sister Jones, said: II,
too, have been sinner for more than
forty years, and do not think II would
be fitting for Inc to stand before this
assembly as model. ! think my place
Is behind the door, In dark corner
with Sister Jones'" And he wondered
why the meeting was convulsed with
the laughter OF those who came to
Drly
The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1907-09-13
90
DARK
STREET.:
THE ACTORS
DAUGHTERS.
By r. w. Robinson.


irrepressible author. I would ask YOU
TO step inside. Mr. Lissapier, but"
Pray do not let lne detain YOU"
j said: II will see your sister for
few minutes. II she will allow NO."
My sister is not In this evening""
said Della at once.
Indeed" I said. betraying very
clearly my establishment at this
statement
"She Is not likely to be with me
for many long day, fear" Della
continued, with little sigh; but
perhaps you had better step in and
hear the story. You are one OF the
family now, you know" she added,
very cheerfully, "and have been en-
Joined by George to trust you al
ways. and can do hat-impNcitly."
II hope So" l replied.
"This Is hardly etiquette" she
said, leading the way into the parlor.
where an oil lamp was burning, but
society will not make n stir about II
In our case. Sit down, Mr.. Lissamer
while tell you what has happened.
win not detain you many minutes"
She pointed to the chair had oc-
cupied last night by the fireside.
took 1t. noticing that the fire was
burning brightly, and that the lamp
had not been turned low, as pru-
dent housewife would have done had
she been going to leave the house for
awhile. Della Nash seemed to read
my thoughts with surprised quick
ness" "
when l go out I don't like to
leave the impression to any one who
may be lurking in Dark Street that
the house Is deserted she said; $50
Iinety-nine puts on its brightest and
gayest aspect when there is nobody
ut home"
Il see," l answered slowly.
And now about Hyacintha," said
Della, very readily. "Well, that book
you took away with you last night 10
answerable for my sisters Hitting.
But then we do fit to and fro-liko
the bats"
was silent.
THAT horrible, ugly. bloodcurd-
ling book, reeking of the hospital
and the slaughter house. is the mo-
tive force" Della continued "She
has gone to Northborough-to your
wise friend, Tracey-with a recon-
mendation from Mr.. Fairfax to be
cured cr t'''ed az one = auu''
The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1907-09-13
Two of n Kind

4 revival meeting was I'm progress.
and Sister Jones was called upon for
TESTIMONY. Being meek and humble.
The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1907-09-13

1, TOO with a
md new horror:
dy that there
II the vial which
and that this
en- plotted and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-22
MYSTERY ON UPPER RIVER.
Several Garments Found Yesterday OPP
posite Sycamore Island.

Detectives Baur and Burlingame are in
vestigating report that was made to the
police this morning respecting the finding
of several articles Of clothing on the Yir-
GINA shore, opposite Sycamore Island, yes
terday afternoon. The articles were found
by Joseph Carr member Of the Sycamore
Island Pleasure Club and were taken to
the island for Identification. Mr.. Carr was
canoeing along the Virginia shore and dis
covered the garments, which consisted Of q
dark suit Of clothes. light coat. a dark
coat and pair Of khaki riding breeches
In the pocket Of one Of the garments was
found a card upon which was written the
name of Joseph Cook. and the inscription
upon it showed that he was a member OF the
There was also a bag of tobacco in the
pocket.
1t is stated that the garments were wet
when they were found on the river Shore
their condition indicating that they had
been left there by the high water
The detectives found that Joseph Cook
who had belonged to the association men
toned, lives at 1113 23d street northwest
His mother said to the detectives this after
noon that he was at home this morning,
but had gone to work. 1t is believed by
the detectives that the garments found by
Mr. Carr represent three suits OF clothing.
and suggests the possibility Of triple &C
cident. They think, however, that IL any
of the canoeists had disappeared their alb
sence would have been reported fur
ther effort will be made to find the owners
or the articles of wearing apparel.