davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-30

rooms ana magnificent carving, and
there was bed on which Charles I.
had slept n short time before has
tragic end.
If could have got rid of that
haunting suspicion, that indeflnable
feeling Of fear, should have enjoyed
1t thoroughly: but once or twice l
tently with those decp-set eyes OF his.
that IL shame hadn't kept me should
have turned and run.
You must see my laboratory" he
said, when we had inspected the pic
ture gallery. II am an amateur chem
list and by way Of being something
of an inventor Perhaps that Ia too
h little. At any rate. have well-nigh.
perfected n gas which Is going to,
rovolutioniZe trade--co,nmerce. en-.
gineering--evcryth 1t Is going to-
pluck electricity from It's pedestal,
make medicine; and surgery new arts;
In short, can't tell you what 1t Is not
going to do"
long, narrow room full OF test tubes,
bottles and apparatus OF all descrip-
tons.
Going up to a shelf, on which was
neat row OF brown earthenware Jars,
all labeled, he took one down and,
WpplnE II, removed the I'D.
II am showing to you what have
shown to no living man yet" he said.
Look here."
/ looked, and saw a light grey sub
Nance, somewhat resembling calcined
bones.
"Ashes2" l asked interrogatively.
Yes, ashes" he said; and suddenly
felt rather than saw, that he darted
at me another OF those odd inscrutable
locks.
A shiver. which couldn't control
passed through my frame.
Ashes of what7" I asked sharply.
I seemed impelleda the question:.
OH. of IA particular mammal!'
|. he answered lightly. They are diff
cult to procure, and only a certain
kind Will serve my purpose. Therefore.
they arc worth more than their weight
| In diamonds" He covered, them up as
he spoke. restored the jar to It's place.
laughed, and changed the subject.
You are tired with your walking"
he said. coma downstairs and will
introduce you to my niece. I am a
bachelor. and she is the chatelaine OF
! this house. And then you'll let me
| offer you some lunch?"
! murmured an answer and follow
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-30

"He was late at the wedding she
said. II actually got to the church be-
fore him. Wasn't 1T shocking? 1t
showed such unbecoming eagerness."
Lady Marcia laughed grimly.
And you're ashamed of it?" she said
in her caustic fashion. 'Well, I sup
pose Humphrey was a catch in his
way. l always said All. here he is,
We wouldn't have waited another min
Ute for you, Humphrey. But the way,
! think you have met Miss Manners
before?" stlf AgesalI.f
The moment had come. Katherine
litter her eyes, having steeled herself
to look into those OF the man she had
cared for SO deeply, and suddenly the
blood rushed to her race. For this
was not the Humphrey Erlstoke she
had known
II think not" he said easily as he
bowed and thought,o himself that this
was the most amazingly lovely woman
he had ever seen. The bride was quite
1 eclipsed by her, Unless"
Katherine found her voice. He Won
dered at the great happiness in her
| blue eyes
IL met a namesake of yours" she
said; but 1t was not YOU"
MY cousin. suppose" he said
! Lightly. There is another Humphrey
I ErlStoKe, you Know. IL he nad nap
Ipened to nave been the son of the elder
! brother instead of the younger, he'd
| have ben in my place now. ! can't say
lld have been glad OF It. Now then
i Aunt Marcia, come along. I'm as hun.
CRY as Il hunter"
1t was after dinner, when they were
In the drawing ROOM that Katherine
vcntured TO comment on tho amethysti
slung round the BRIDES white throat.
II love them said Lady l1rlstoke, al
she stretched her pretty jeweled fin
gers to the fire. They're such pretty
4 soft looking things, But ] saw {
much nicer string than mine the othe
day, only Humphrey couldn't get then
for me. They belonged to his cousin
jtthe other Humphrey, you know--an'
goodness only knows why lie hoard
them up; but he wouldn't sell then
AT any price, Some fancy makes hir
keep them, I suppose"
yes ! suppose So" said Katherin
softly, and her heart was ready I
sing for Joy. SO he had not forgotten
She had misjudged him
lie haunted her thoughts in the trai
the next day She went away on lie
hrief holiday, being unwilling I
/ change her plans Lady Marcia woul
. have suspected something odd II sh
had done so, and now sitting alone
i her compartment lacking out on tn
, where he was and what he was do
/, ling and whether they would ever NEE
!. again, She had learnt Something abou
!. him from Lady Erlstokc. He had jus
come home from an expedition to Eas
Africa, He had been Ill, but was no,
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-30
a String Of Amethysts

had better go, too. Ernestlne is sure
to bring stack of luggage, although
they are only going to stay a few
days. Just like them. to change their
plans and put every one ont However,
IL cant be helped. I suppose there
will be something for them to eat
must see Mrs. Williams at once"
And as Lady Marcia BUSTED away
to interview her housekecper. and her
companion slowly proceeded to execute
her orders about the carriage, it really
did seem as IL Fate had deliberately
planned to throw her and Humphrey
Erlstoke together again.
Well, she must contrive to put a
brave front on for this one evening,
she must never let him see what she
felt. and Tomorrow she would be able
70 ny from them. 1t was very un-
Willingly that she put on her pretty
white frock that evening and saw that.
despite her nervousness. she had never
looked so we'll. The gold of her hair
and the speedwell blue of her eyes
contrasted SO deliciously with her
creamy skin and white frock. She
thought with a sharp pang how well
that string of amethysts had looked
so long ago She trembled to think
that she might see them shining to-
night on Lady Erlstokes neck
The mutlied sound OF the broughams
wheels broke in on her nieditations
She listened J es. they had come! She
heard the ringing tones of the brides
voice: then a deeper voice--his! And
for a long time the girl fingered. 10th
to go down, waiting to let them all get
| down before her.
| When the first boom of the gong
sounded through the house she went
slowly. down the stairs and her heart
leaped up Internationally as in the big
hall, with It's CHEEKY log fire and soft
colored rugs, she caught glimpse of a
graceful figure all alnallve and faint
pink draperies standing talking to
Lady Marcia. AS Lady Erlstoke turned
round something caught Katherine by
the throat. A blaze Of soft niauve
light came from the brides throat.
round which was clasped the string of
amethysts.
My companion Miss Manners said
Lady Marcia, Lady lIrstolle, my dear.
4 Humphrey is late. as usual Did ever
any one find him punctual, I wonder?'
Lady Erlstoke laughed softly. She
had shaken hands with the grave, beau
tiful girl in white andiilooked at her
curiously the while. Somehow she did
not look in the least like a---paid COM
panion.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-30

n HAD only seen her onoe--at
dance. Call me mad, infatuated
idiot, IL you will; BUT l knew
Il positively, after our third waltz,
that she was the only woman
in the world for me.
The ridiculous part of II was, that
when our hostess introduced US. i
didn't even catch her name---her sur
tame, that Isl for middle-nged lady
who appeared to exercise some espion-
age over her called her "Lota," and
with that l had to rest content.
My sister and | were staying With
fr.ends--presumnbly she was doing
the same--and were leaving the day
after the festivity. The friends con-
sisted of four girls and their father.
The girls, on cross-examinatlon,
knew nothing of Lota. and refused,
quite politely. to find out, My sister
said 1t was jealousy. Possibly she was
right
rhe father was deaf, and devoted to.
conchology. and more hopeless than
his daughters.
you'll forget her, in fortnight"
prophesied my sister, You know, JEFF,
you have been like this before.
But she was wrong. ] went back to
worl1-1 ain reading for the Bar--and
matters grew worse
became morbid and depressed, lost
my appetite, and neglected my work.
ana all because 4LOtasS eyeS--l Wish l
could describe their color--.camc be-
tween me and everything else.
l think 1t was chiefly at my sisters
suggestion that resolved to take u
walking tour across Norfolk with a
friend. She thought 1t would divert
my mind. The friend fell through at
the last moment as friends have a
lsnack Of doing, and / resolved to take
the tour alone. don't think that the
first two or three days did me much
good. at any rate, they didn't change
the current OF my thoughts; for. hav-
ing no one to talk to, dwelt more
than ever on my hopeless infatuation.
Where did Lota live? Had she a
happy life? Had she ever been--was
| she In love-was she--horrible
acknowledgements?
built up little romances about
her. demolished them. and built up
fresh ones, and hundred times day
cursed my folly In not having found
out more about her when had the
chance.
One afternoon it was scorch!ngly
hot. and the road along which
tramped correspondingly dusty.
| turned down q byway. which led
past one OF tho most glorious parks
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-30

ptrey Erlstoke's eyes-her, Humphrey.
"You!" was all she could gasp. and
that so family that perhaps he did not
hear her. He was looking at her anX
Isicusly.
care you pretty comfortable?" he
asked Leg hurting you?
"A little" She lied bravely, wink
Ing back the slow tears that sheer pain
was forcing from her pretty eyes. He
turned and spoke a word to the man
behind him, and that worthy departed.
They were virtually alone.
IF 1t hadn't been for YOU" she said,
as he turned and sat down beside her,
| II should have been-dead, perhaps"
"Oh, / don't know! Some one would
have got you out" he said with sort
Of shamefaced cheeriness; but, all
the same I've sent that Johnny for
the doctor. and he'll see what's the
matter with the leg. It's hurting you
badly, Ell? You needn't tell lies about
| II, Kathy."
His tone melted her, In an instant
he had his arm around her: her head
was Very near his shoulder
MY poor girl" he said fondly. It's
a beastly accident. but It's got this
good point. It's brought US together
! again. You won't send me away this
time. Kathy."
i II never did, 1t was you that wanted
to be free. There was some mistake
and I was miserable ever since. IL
thought you did not care"
THE thought was false. Kathy. al
ways cared. Who made the mischief
wonder? Well, no matter now. No
one shall make any between me and my
Wife"
'Your WIFE"
The words whipped the color back tc
, her white cheeks. He met her startled
: eyes with smile.
YES that's what Ill call you. please
; goodness. In months time. Haven't
: waited long enough, Kathy, for hap.
r piness?"
The doctor was we'll in sight, but
: perhaps they did not know that. OF
\ perhaps 1t was that they didn't car.
$ who saw them. Anyway there Were
n bright tears in Katherine's eyes, but
n smile on her lips MS they kissed quite
simply. That was her answer to Fri
Q stokes query.
o She told him the whole story later
\. when she was taken back to tho Mano
House with broken leg, but no othe
injury and l1rlstoke found his cousil
n and the owner OF. the title installe,
y there 1t WAS news TO Katherine t
a iind hat her Humphrey was Lady Mar
d ota's savorite,
= = And YOU dared to think I'd have sol
:. the amethysts?" he said, you coul
y refused three times their price Whe
d my cousin wanted to get them out O
;. me for his Wife, They shall shin
y round your pretty throat in a day @
u two, my dearesti
st And they did, to the immense amaze
y ment Of Lady Erlstoke and her hus
" band.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-30
The Mistulgcd Prune.

With the possible exception Of hash
there Is no common form of nutriment
on which more undeserved obloouy has
been cast than prunes 1t is no ex-
PLANTATION to say that the partality
Of landladies for this fruit accounts
for It's unpopularity If this were true.
bean soup. blanc mango. and other
regulation connections of the board
ing house menu would share in the
public eXecratlon.
AS matter of fact, the prune has
been considered plebeian for SO long n
time that the origin of the belief is
hidden in the mists of antiquity. Look
up the literature of romance and poetry
from the most ancient times! Do you
ever read Of golden prunes. or blush-f
ing prunes. of purple prunes. or even
delicious prunes? Not once. These adj
jectlves are reserved for other fruits,
An occasional referenS, may It Is
true be found to demulcent or laXa-
tive prunes. Richardson has some-
thing to say about prunes being "com-
inodious unto the stomach" and
Shakespeare refers to thcm IN con-
Inection with pies
But poets MS rule. have let the
prune severely alone. The reason for
this probably lies in. the fact that at
some rembte period In history the
early almanac makers began to use
the prune rs butt for their Wit
The tradition has descended from these
1 pioneers to the modern comic weekly
and the newspaper. The rrune occu-
pies to-day a position among foods
closely analogous to the mother-in-law
among animated beings In the arma-
mentarium of the fun-maker. 4
This state of affairs would excite no
sympathy in the heart of the dieteti-
can II pruncs in any way deserved
its position of ignominy. But know
| ing as he does that the species is nu-
ltritious, and wholesome to an eXcep-
tional degree. and belongs by breeding
| as well as personal character and
| therapeutic effciencyrto the food aris-
tocracy, It is little h to be wondered
lat that his chivalrous Instincts are
aroused. For commercial reasons also
the prune deserves better treatment, AS
far back as 1900 tho annual output OF
! the United States amounted to over
l100,000,0O0 pounds.--NeW York Globe.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-30

ed him mechanically, for he seemed to
exercise quite hypnotic influence
over me. would be introduced to the
r:ece. I resolved, and then make some
excuse to depart With the clearer air
outside the laboratory my courage re-
turned.
He led me to small, octagonal room
under one OF the toners, where an ele-
CANT repast was set. The table glittered
with silver and wine. and one man SER
want stood by the sideboard.
The appearance OF the servant was
almost as disquieting as that of his
master. He had the face and general ex-
could not keep my eyes off him,
My host looked round the room.
"Ah, she isn't down yet" he said.
Then. turning to the servant: Tell Miss
Lota am in, and have brought a
friend!"
He must have noticed the start gave.
I felt I must account for 1t,
Your niece has an uncommon name"
I stammered.
"Ah! You think so? 1t has been borne
by the eldest daughters OF my house
for many generations. She Is my dead
brothers orphaned child"
AS he spoke, the door opened softly,
and in came tall. slight woman with
an aureole of that identical soft bronze
hair which had haunted my dreams for
weeks. Fate had indeed been kind. 1t
was the Lota-my Lota!
All Idea of escaping lunch and dis
appearing left me. The house that held
Lota was the house for me, Her face
looked very pale. and under her eyes
there were dark rings; but she Nrecog-
nized me, as the tender pressure of her
land showed. though the look that ao-
companicd 1t warned me liot ~ .nen-
tion our acquaintance. was In heaven!
| The sombre man servant returned and
we sat down to our meal.
Everything was excellent OF It's kind
and my host hospitality itself; hut the
| food might have been Dead Sea fruit
for all tasted OF ii. That intangible
something pervnded even the repast;
there was a haunting menace beneath
the smooth speeches and polite atten-
ton of the tall, thin man who was
| Lota's uncle,
Several times towards the end OF the
| meal caught Lota's eye--it warned
4 implored, insisted that I should dc
something--only failed to understand
4 what.
| Once even she ventured to mako q
1 furtive sign to me, but her uncle looked
| up quickly, and she turned It off into
a request for bread. Without seeming
to observe us, both my host and tht
i convict servant We're, ! felt certain
watching lis closely, Towards the enc
of the meal the servant withdrew, ant
lhis absence seemed to lift a weight from
me, though for the first time 1t struck
fine that the roora was remarkably
/ warm.
You get tile fun heneht of tho sur
\ here" remarked. ~,
I "Ah, you feel too hot'' said my host
lend suddenly saw Lota shtYer all over
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-30

quite we'll again, and was going to
the south coast to visit some. friends.
THAT was all. But she knew he had
rot forgotten.
She went over and over again In her
mind that past when all the world
had shoneH colored rose before her
dreaming eyes. when she had been az
tho Manor House She had thought
OF the charm Of title when she mar
rled Humphrey Erlstokc but katherine
had thought of nothing in her case but
Just the man she loved, tho man who
loved her. And what had happened
to ruin her dream of happiness she
never knew.
Her dreams carried her into another
land Of dreams and for little time
she slept, till she was rudelS reused
by an appalling crash, a grinding ana
swaying OF the train. kissing Of
steam, and then an upheaval that left
her senseless. She knew no more.
She came to, to find herself on u
bank, mans coat beneath her. some
one bending over her. A rough but
kind hand held a flask to her lips, and
she obediently swallowed a. little Of
Its contents. She felt strangely weak
and giddy, and a numoness In one leg
made her struggle painfully into a sit
ting position
II think my leg Is broken" she said
family. The man nodded. The mir
was rent with groans and now and
then a scream of anguish made her
SILVER. 1t was collision. of course,
and in n few minutes her brain cleared
a little.
I'm In no danger" she said to the
man who was Watching her. II am
sure there are others who want help
more than lido. Please leave me-"
The man shook his head.
"rhe gentleman particularly told me
not to leave you miss. he said
"Leastways, not till he comes back
He's a-working getting people out. a
very brave. pleasant spoken gentle
man. too. lie saved you. miss---you'd
have had worse than broken leg but
for him..
Katherine closed her eyes and leant
back for a few minutes. Her head
was Keeling and her leg was beginning
to pain her terribly, but she did not
lose consciousness again, and she sud
denly sat UP as q strangely familiar
voice said almost in her ear:
rs she all rigtt?"
| She found herself looking into Hum
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-30

I have ever seen. Great over-archng
trees made tempting shade. and COOL
vclvety grass spread out right and
left. Only a low stone wall divided it
from the dusty dull road,
Thee temptation was too great to
be resisted.
II suppose it's breaking the law
said to myself. but I must stretch
my limbs under that old oak, If I
swing for It."
i had honestly meant to read and
muse for a few moments. and then to
continue my way; but what with the
scftness of the grass. and delicious
made me drowsy, in ten minutes was
sound asleep.
don't suppose I had slept more
than q quarter OF an hour. when
awoke suddenly with the uncomfor-
table sensation that some one was
bending over me.
My instinct had not deceived mo. A
very tall, thin, elderly man of aristo-
cratic appearance was standing at my
side. gazing down at me curiously.
Involuntarlly a shiver ran through
me. for stranger face / have never
sc en-.
The eyes were very piercing. deep
set. and near together. and the shaggy
eyebrows and pointed beard gave an
features.
II fear I am trespassing." said,
rising hastily.
mot at ALL" he answered cordially.
You are very welcome to make use
of my poor place"
"A very beautiful one" said 7. not
knowing what else to say
TT Is kind OF you to think so.'' He
seemed pleased. you are lover of
| the beautiful? You must see the house;
| 1t is an old lIlizabethan place OF some
historical interest"
lie began to stroll on as he spoke,
az II expecting me to accompany him
| For moment ! held back, for an
instant something seemed to warn me
| TO make an excuse and hurry to the
road; but I disregarded 1t. An adven-
| ture would be welcome change. aud
| help to distract my thoughts. would
go,
The house--a gloomy pile of build
irgs. which was about half mile
oft--Was far more wonderful than oven
It's owner had led me to suppose It
was full of strange, rambling old
Well. take good care OF herr ant
| he hands over the check. "And--giyt
her my love, Good day"
l The editor has been sitting think
Ing, with his head restig on his hand
for "a long time, tear trickle
i through his fingers II knew til,
u name as soon as ! saw It. And 81
that's the fellow she married. Well
4 and he's writing her valentines, an;
they've been married, let's see, yes, 81;
years. can't publish It." taking III
4 Toms valentine, hut I'll keep It," AM
4 he places It In his desk; and anothe
tear falls from the editoTs eye.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-30

ARR1E!" cries Tom Travers,
. leaning back despondently
In his chair, II haven't
~ got an idea
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-30

I have ever seen. Great over-arching
trees made tempting shade, and cool.
vclvety grass spread out right and
left. Only a low stone wall divided it
from the dusty dull road.
Tar, aAot inx,- tao IA,
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-30

ishes.
Now, here are the last lines:
'"The only thing have to send
Is love--a love that knows no end :"
That's awfully pretty" she cries,
clapping her hands. "Why don't you
take 1t around to paper now?"
II believe WILL"
'And Tom" she calls out, an he Ia
pulling on his coat in the hall, ~ 1t
Isn't accepted, don't be discourage d---
we'll have 1t framed!"
She stands and mods to him from tn e
window. "Dear Tom" she says. and
then adds. foolish fellow. to write me
valentine"
Tom presents himself at the office
OF the Epoch, and Is duly ushered into
the editors room AS he enters the
door he sees that the editor is still
looking at his card.
What can do for you, Mr., Trav-
ers?" looking UP keenly at Tom,-
Tom hesitates, ~ have poem---a
ST. Valentines poem---I would like to
show YOU"
did you write that to your lady
love?" says the editor quickly.
'N-o--well--yes," Tom bushes q
little. 1.-THE fact Is wrote 1t to my
wife"
You did, chr excaims the editor
rather brusquely, though Tom thinks
he sees something glistening in the
editors eye. We'll, 1T isn't bad. Say
I'll give you Ave dollars for It," Ton
Is overjoyed.
you must have sweet wife, eh?'
Says the editor, looking up at Ton
| while writing out tho check
!, "Rest in the world.'
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-30

The heat was growing insufferable,
the cracking OF tho flames louder. l.
made one super-human effort 20 break
my bonds, and something soft and
warm passed over my face, and
sweet anxious voice from above me
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-17
officers Reelected.

At - the last meeting of Mckinley
Council, No. 992, National Union. held
the 18th instant, the present officers were
unanimously reelected for the coming
year. as follows: President. Jesse B. K.
Lee: vice president. John c. Rinehart: sec
rotary, r. ]. Jones; financial secretary. w.
G. Belts, treasurer; hCarles G. Robinson
speaker, T. B. Lear; ex-president, NJ. A.
Lynch; usher. George w. Slater: chaplain,
John It. Burdine; sergeant alarms Kirk
Few; doorkeeper. William E. Peake: trus-
ices, H. J. Bright. w. J. Carey. William
c. Nicholson. Delegates to cabinet, NJ. A.
Lynch, W. w. Chase. John c. Rinehart,
Jesse B. K. Lee. W. c. Nicholson, Charles
q Robinson, John T. Burdine. Thomas B.
Lear, II. J. Bright. w. G. Belts, hear es
Fl. squier, George w. Slater. Delega .e
to Immediate Relief Association. F. D.
Chambers.