davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-21

Mr.. and Mrs. Chester Reynolds sat
In the back parlor of their pretty new
cottage looking at their surroundings
with qualified approval.
The carpets and the curtains and
the furniture are all right said the
lady; but we are deficient In pictures
and bric.a.brac.'
They had been married a month and
had Just returned from their wedding
trip on the coast and settled down In
their new home. Chester Reynolds
was a ~bookkeeper on a salary which
hight have been larger; and he had
spent all of his capital on the build.
ing and furnishing of his house. The
engagement, indeed. had been extend
ed first to two and then to three years,
that the young man might save
enough to make this start in married
life. Sylvia had at first insisted upon
a wedding trip to Europe also; but her
lover had rebelled against further
postponement of the marriage. He
had compromised. however, by prom.
Using the coveted trip In the second
year OF their marriage. the money for
the purpose to be saved from his sal.
airy. Sylvia was to be the %fnancier.
receiving the funds and expanding the
necessary amount on the housekeep.
ing. reserving the balance for the trip.
Now, however, as she looked about
the tastefully furnished rooms, she
seemed more sensible OF certain bare
places on walls and mantel and cabi.
net than of the pretty furnishings that
had delighted her at the time OF their
purchase.
III we could only get a few things"
she said, before we begin to save for
Europe, I think l should be salts.
fed"
81 suppose It would not matter II
we postponed the time a month or
two" replied her husband, III you
would feel better satisfied
you know we entertain the whist
club the next time" said Sylvia
t%houghtfully, land really | would like
for the house TO look Its best. What
I would like for the parlors," she con
tinued TRANQUILITY, would be a water,
color copy OF Guido Rents Aurora
and a European carbon of the Ma
donna of the Chair" In the front room
and Hofman's Christ In the Temple
and portraits of Raphael and Heine
out here. Then" she added. 'of course
! should want several Austrian vases
and marble busts and s~tatuettes scat,
tered around"
Her husband groaned.
1T would take two or three months
postponement Of our trip to get those
he said.
We'll, OF course" said Sylvia, 81
shouldn't think of buying them all al
once. l was only saying what | want
ed to have In the course Of time. Then
there Is the side-board," she unused
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-21

glancing through the sliding doors
that opened into the dining room; at
looks rather bare"
The first month they got an electric
lamp and the Aurora" and u Wedg.
wood milk pitcher. There was moth.
ong saved for the European trip. but
they spent much time In the evenings
admiring their new possessions, which
had been noticed by several members
of the whist club.
But we really must save some
thing the next time" said Sylvia; and
Chester assented.
But at the end Of the next month
cousin OF Chester's Ten word that he
and his wife would be passing through
the city and would spend a day or two
with them.
"Will and | were old play-fellows
and school chums," said Chester. land
he has done pretty well In the world
l would like to make as good an ap
pearance as possible"
1--WE will need a Haviland salad
set" said Sylvia, land some oyster
forks"
Again the European trip was Sc
forward a month in the future.
The third month there was a bank
rupt sale of Austrian cut glass, anC
they decided 1t would never do to lie
such an opportunity pass.
I'VE might never have anotheI
chance to get these things so cheap
they said; and we will not be satisfied
without them" And they tried to pu
from their minds the thought OF tn,
postponed trip. as they looked proud!
at their new treasures and saw wha
an air of elegance they gave to tn,
rooms.
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-21
MR7zYZR RE7Nyy NyEI


IONS" the eyes said, whle the lips
asked how | had slept.
Admirably" answered gayly.
And we are to start at once for your
Castle Of Happisess?'
you have a sublime faith to sti1l
believe 1t that?" she questioned mock.
ingly as she poured my coffee.
"Why not?" | cried mockingly, In
my turn. rs It not happiness to be
with you, madam"
PAS des banalites, monsieur" she
replied with an impatient gesture.
But you really believe that the tire.
some journey will repay your"
Since l am resolved to hear your
secrat, yes"
"Oh, u~ngracious!" She smiled al
ME ruefully. 81 think / prefer an in.
sincere compliment to an awkward
truth"
Madam, It is not / who made the
condition"
"Ah. you are a very cautious friend
monsieur"
81 generally try to look before
leap" / returned with c%omposture.
was not unwilling that she think II
curiosity that prompted me to accept
the extraordinary invitation given will
so little heed to convention. She haf
limited that we we're to be Of mutua
use to each other; but Of this ! was
skeptical. accepted the invitation
precisely in the spirit in which 1t wa!
given. It would be shocking form, t.
say the least, to be a guest that one
might have the opportunity to pla!
the detective. But she and l haC
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-21

placed ourselves beyond the pale Of
conventionality. Either distrusted the
other. An armed truce-that was the
word that described our relations, and
she had suggested that word.
DIR. Starva entered.
EN- route" he said grufny. THE
carriage is waiting"
II was very early, scarcely past Ave.
The night porter, drowsy-eyed and sui.
len, took US down on the elevator and
put our luggage In the carriage. |
confess | breathed more freely when
the hotel was some miles behind us
and we had seen neither Helena Brett
nor Captain Forbes,
As Madame de Varnier had warned
me, the journey itself was long and
tiresome; nor did Madame de Vernier
and her companion exert themselves
much to relieve its monotony.
II was almost dusk when she pointed
out TO me the pinnacles Of her cha.
teau.
For the last hour the horses had
been struggling up a dusty road wind
ing about the mountainside. Forests
Of fir were on either side. From far
below came the impetuous murmur OF
a stream. High above the forests Of
fir trees there were herds of cattle,
We could hear the faint Jingle of the
cow-bells. Only rarely had there been
any view, but the clear and pure at
mosphere told me that the altitude
must be considerable. But this sylvan
scene suggested nothing of the horrors
Of a few days ago. The mountains,
purple and pink in the dusk, were TOO
far away.
Suddenly there was a turn in the
rrsd. Now we had ar uninterrupted
view Of the chateau across a green
valley, In this vague light Its towers
and turrets seemed as unreal and
ghostly as u fairy fabric.
At the base Of Its white walls q
tiny village, crouching close to the
chateau for protection. found a pre-
carious foothold on the steep hillside
There was a maze OF red-tiled roofs
high-gabled and sloping, tier upon tier
OF them. each pierced by numbers oil
quaint dormer windows.
A wild river, fed by the turbulent
streams OF the mountain SHOWS, fluns
itself In headlong rage down the slop
ing valley, straight for the chateau, al
II 10 sweep It from Its base, Reach
ing tie castle, It spent Its fury % the
rocks. then. a. " haffled OF Its prey,
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-21
Waters Are by No Means Free from
Pest Of City.

when an old salt speaks OF a
dusty ocean highway the average land,
lubber looks incredulous and thinks
he is stretching the long bow a bit:
but those who spend their lives on
sailing ships know that. no matter how
carefully the decks are washed each
morning, dust will gather in large
quantities every day. said a sea cap
tain. "Of course, on the modern liner
the burning OF hundreds OF tons Of
coal every "a hours and the myriads
of footballs daily will account for a
considerable accumulation Of dust. but
on a wind'jammer manned with a
dozen hands or less, no such dust
producing agencies are at work, And
yet 1t is a recorded fact that the
sailing vessel collects more sea dust
than does the steamer, which Is prob,
ably due to the fact that while the
dust laden smoke blows clear OF the
steamer the large area Of canvas
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-21
CHAPTER xiv.-continued.


took refuge In silence. l closed
my Eyes YEARLY.
Before ! bid you good night, sir, l
think 1t right that you should know
that your mother and sister are In this
hotel. At the risk that you think me
impertinent l dare to hope that your
meeting with them tomorrow may be
free from any embarrassment or un-
happiness"
He bowed stihly and lett the room.
stared after him vacantly.
The dispatch he had left, gorgeous
and brave with Its royal crest and en-
bossing, lay passively in my hand.
And now a new dilemma confronted
me. | was supposed to be under the
influence of an opiate; they would not
scruple to take from me the dispatch.
To allow that might give them such in.
formation as would make their con
spiracy. whatever its nature, the more
effective. To resist would tell them
that | had been feigning.
/ must hide the papers. But where?
II was a bare little chamber; my
heart sank as | noted how bare.
I leaped out Of bed. Again | threw
open the shutters. | could hear Capt.
Forbes speaking sternly; II he could
but hold them half a minute!
In the garden below the marble
basin Of a disused fountain at once
caught my eyes.
l tore the corner of the envelope,
inserted my penknife to weight the
packet, leaned over the balcony and
dropped 1t.
1t fell squarely into the basin among
the leaves and moss.
To regain the room was the work Of
an instant.
heard Captain Forbes wish then
a cold good night, and Madame d.
WARMER answer him mockingly. Ther
the bedroom door was opened ant
Starva shuffled into the room.
who was that man." I demanded
languidly, and regarded him with list
less eyes, my hand to my forehead.
He shrugged his shoulders, dlsdain
ing to answer.
HE has left some papers here b!
mistake"
Perhaps" / muttered indifferently
and pretended to sleep.
heard him moving about the room
for some time. Madame de Varnie
and he whispered together. I felt 81
little concerned as to the result Of thi
search that l actually fell asleep. Tn
strain Of the evening had exhauste'
me. No doubt the search was extend
ed to me personally; l believe l wa
vaguely conscious Of 1t.
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-21
THE STORY.

&C URELY they will remember my
y charge to deal gently with the
young mani"
Thus spoke King David half aloud
to himself as he sat In the gate Of the
city waiting for tidings from the army
which had gone forth that morning
to battle with the army Of Absalom,
his son. Over and over again he had
repeated the words as he had kept his
long vigil. and the plaintive yearning
In the voice and the haggard, care
worn look upon the face indicated the
depth Of feelings which surged within.
1t was David the father, and not
David the king. who strained his eyes
out over the plain, and longed for
tidings Of the Maynard son. Not
since he had left Jerusalem, driven
forth BY the strong conspiracy Of Alb
salon. had he ceased to yearn for the
young man or plan for his safety II
the rebellion should be successfully
crushed.
For this reason when the army
which had rallied to the support OF
King David vas marching forth he
charged the captains Of the three divi.
sions, saying: Deal gently for my
sake with the young man, even with
Absalom." And the men standing
neal heard and told others 80 that II
was known to all the army what
David had said. And now as he sat
there in the gate and the hours
dragged slowly by, David wondered u
his admonition would be needed. His
heart vas troubled because OF the
weight Of personal guilt which he felt
was responsible In large measure for
the present trouble.
"Ah," he sighed, how / wish l could
go back 20, 80 years. II Is my sin
which has brought this upon me
Had ! done my duty my son would mol
to-day be seeking my life and the
Kingdom"
Vain regret Is a poor comforter, and
so II was that David found only har
assment for his soul In living ovei
again his life In memory. His mis-
takes and sins rose up before him
He recalled the beautiful boy Absalom
his fair co~untenance and noble bear
ing, and he remembered the pride with
which he had watched his physica
and mental development. He had no
been conscious then that the influence
OF the mother Maacah. who was {
daughter Of the king of Geshur, wal
strong enough to turn the heart Of the
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-21

made an abrupt half circle about tho
base and continued It's stormy career.
seeking a less powerful foe.
AT last" breathed Madame de Var
nier. well, my friend, does 1t prom
ise diversion fer your"
THE village and the castle breathe
1.-THE spirit of romance" | cried with
animation.
"Ah, romancel what II I say to
you" she whispered, that your day
of romance has Gomez"
| glanced toward DR.. Starva whose
| shaggy head was nodding. Even we
Americans, madam, are not Indifferent
to its glamour. But too often the ro-
nance Of medievalism suggests dis.
honor"
She looked at me startled, then
shrugged her shoulders. One must
take the world as one finds H." she
said indiferently.
We we're making the last steep
ascent to the village. We crossed the
noisy stream; the driver cracked his
long whip: We passed under a dllapi-
uhltu dTCH, we were Tdllllnb ONtT the
cobblestones OF a winding street.
II was too dark for me to see much
of the quaint beauty OF this pictur'
esque village. caught a glimpse OF
the tlmbered Rathaus, its silt clock
proudly conspicuous on the squat tow.
er, and Of the fountain In front Of 1t,
its basin radiant with scarlet flowers,
There were little shops dimly lighted,
their wares heaped about the doors
and windows.
AS we passed, women and children
dropped delighted courtesies, and the
men took pipes from broadly grlnnine
mouths and doffed their hats. Evi
IDENTIFY Madame de WARMER was loved
by this simple folk.
you seem to be very welcome"
said smiling, surprised that the vi.
layers should have greeted her so cor
daily. You are the Lady Bountlfu'
to these simple people, | suppose"
She smiled family. II have beer
here for two summers. l am the event
Of the year in their stupid lives. | try
to bring them "A little pleasure. Wher
| leave | like to think that they re
member me with love-"
Then | should not have said tina
the glamour OF romance Is always as
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-21

ISOLATED with dishonor," l ventured
boldly.
Il can see no glamour in this OBJ
scure village" she replied, yawning.
But the chateau Is a part of the vii
lage?" | persisted.
Monsieur" she cried pa~ssionately,
You weary me with senseless ques.
tons"
| smiled quietly. ! wished Madame
de WARMER to know definitely that 1t
depended on her playing the part of
Gree or Lady Bountiful whether the
armed truce was to continue. or
whether there was to be open warfare.
We turned at an abrupt angle from
the village street. We were entering
a mere passageway Just wide enough
for the carriage. It was flanked on
either side by the houses of the viii
lage; over the arch, too, was a dwell
ing. Suddenly we emerged in a court
yard large enough to permit a squad-
ron Of cavalry to perform its evolu-
lions. A low wall inclosed 1t. We
drew up at the doorway. l was wei.
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-21
SIavs Make Farms Paw.

The Slavs are colonizing Connect.
cut valley. Old Hadley is said to be
full of them occupying the old colonial
residences up and down the elm.shad-
ed streets of that beautiful New Eng
land town in tenements. four or Ave
families to a house. and even taking
boarders. Industry is their watch.
word. and they are taking up the
farms that the New England stock is
abandoning. They bring a lower stand,
ard Of living. This is to be regretted
but, 1t Is said, that they r making
the New England farms pay, and as
they get rich they spend more and live
liberalization Journal.
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-21

youth away from the true God, but
now Il was all plain to him how the
| taking of wives from among the
| princesses of the heather nations
| about had led to ali manner OF evils,
not only In his own family, but In the
nation as we'll AbsaIom had moi the
fear Of the Lord before him. and he
knew now that he had failed to help
his son BY precept and example to
know and serve the true God.
Surely" he exclaimed again, they
will remember my charge to deal
gently with the young a Gladly
would | ri re my life for him, oh, that
he were restored to me that | might
help him into the right way. Gladly
will forgive him all II he will but
turn and serve the God Of Abraham,
and Isaac, and Jacob"
His musings were suddenly cut short
by the cry of the Waterman upon the
tower far above his head.
"A runner, my lord the king!" he
shouted.
"Cometh he alone?" a~nxlously in.
qulred the king, for IL SO, there be
tidings in his mouth"
Yea, he runneth alone" was the
reply, and then after a m pause
he added, excitedly: Behold, | see
another man running and he ia also
alone"
"If that be so. he also bringeth It'd.
ings," calculated the king, and rising
from his seat he paced back and forth
in nervous expectancy.
me thinketh,' shouted down the
Waterman again. that the running of
the foremost IA like the running of
Ahimaaz the son of Zadok"
God be praised" cried David. che
is a good a and bringetb pood lid.
ings."
And without waiting To hear moro
he hurried through the gate and nj.
most ran in he direction of the man
who by this time was I'm plain view
The sight of the king caused the run
ner TO redouble bis efforts. and "a
he drew within baiIing distance be
shouted;
"AlJ ia Welt"
AID tha, ~. H. A..
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-21
Dusty on the Ocean.

spread by the sailer acts as a dust
collector.
TIC give you an instance, l may a
that no less than 26h barrels OF fine
dust are swept from the decks OF my
" ship during a voyage of IS days.
which recently made from San Fran.
cisco to New York. Bits OF leather,
cord wood and vegetable fiber were
found mixed with the sea dust-a con
dltion which would seem to d~isproye
the theory Of scientists that such
matter emanates from the interstellar
spaces"
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-21
The Lesson Of the Flowers,

One Of the first flowers to bloom In
the spring is the hepatica or liver
wort. The chill of the winter was In
the air, and the SHOWS we're hardly
gone. when l saw some beginning to
grow amid the dried leaves my stick
had poked away. The sturdy hope of
the plant moved and helped me. Never
give up; keep alive and alert even
amid the dreariest scenes and times.
Chance will open somehow II you are
getting ready for It by the faithful
daily duty.
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-21

least tax on the mind or eyes; the mo
notonous moving OF the shuttle requir-
ing Just enough thought to sooth the
disturbed brain, There was method,
too. In her selection Of primitive pat
terms. For, as she reminded me,
nervous people like broad, fat effects
Of color. That is why such sa%natori-
ums In Sweden are hung with big,
simple posters for ornament, as well
as provided with looms for the dis.
traction of the inmates.
my Swedish friend has accom-
plished such q lot Of good at my place
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-21
CHAPTER XIV.
The Castle Of Happiness.


"You sleep soundly. my friend"
DR.. Starva was looking down at me
with grim intentness.
It was not yet dawn. His immense
figure seemed even more huge than
It was in this uncertain light. 1t APP
peared to threaten, to menace me.
And yet l welcomed his presence; at
least they had not made their escape.
l looked up at him with cool assur-
ance.
"a light conscience gives deep slum-
Der. Do we start so early?"
yes. Your coffee is waiting for
you In the salon"
I dressed rapidly. A certain depres-
sion would have been natural. The
night Is the time Of %follies; with the
morning come clear thought and pru.
. dence. But not so with me. 1t is true
that | detested DR.. Starva. His meth
DDS were too gross; his eyes were too
closely set together; his mouth too
cruel and sensual. Icould have wished
him out of the game. And yet l be-
lieved hat l was a match for him.
But this woman who tempted and
pitied! This woman whose beauty
fascinated and whose treaclfery re-
PEELED! This woman who lied and
prayed In the same breath!
AS ! thought Of her | was at once
furious and eager. l was ashamed
to think how eager. l had pledged
myself to the cold Diana OF my dreams.
For her ] ran these RISKS; for her /
might be disgraced and a felon. 1t
was her gratitude | coveted; her for.
giveness ! craved.
And yet for the moment ! was seek
ine the flame and the glamour Of the
other woman-this warm, mysterious
creature Of diverse moods.
Her fantastic chateau held u a
promise, not of happiness. indeed. but
OF the Joy Of doing. Of daring.
So as | dressed my spirits were
buoyant. The little garden below,
half hidden in the mist that came
from the lake. was fresh and charm,
ing In the morning dew. Patches OF
flowers, brave In scarlet and purple
and blue, opened their eyes to the
dawn. l followed mechanically the
graveled paths, geometric and straight,
threading the sparkling lawns.
| looked eagerly down at the bat.
tered fountain choked with refuse. |
could see no trace of the long, white
envelope. 1t was completely concealed
by tie leaves.
| found II impossible to rescue the
little packet from its hiding place. My
hostess and her cousin kept too care
full an eye on me for thct. But 1t was
a tolerably secure hiding place; and
frankly | was not sorry to leave the
proof OF my completely behind me,
A faint breeze, cold VITA the snow
OF the mountains, famed my cheek
The poetry Of the dawn thrilled me
Before the evening came the placid
lake might be dashed into fury. The
trees, now gently swaying, might bs
bent and broken by the violence Of
the storm. But now the sky was
clear. When the storms came ! woult
try to meet them. But before they die
come why should | not enjoy the pres
ent? threw open the door ant
stepped into the salon where ooffet
and Madame de Varnier awaited me
She greeted me with vivacity, Blu
WAS not blind to the ">oi glance tina
measured. "1'hs ssoi has no snspic
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-21
poaa useful In War.

Another field Of usefulness has been
found for the dog In war. He is al
ready employed as a scout. He Is now
to serve in the ambulance corps. Two
French army surgeons have taken up
the question with eagerness, pvnting
out the limitations OF human agency
In collecting the wounded, OF
whom, after every engagement, large
numbers go to swell the dismal list OF
the missing" 1t Is c~ontended that
dogs of keen scent could. with proper
training, render aid.
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-21

coined by Madame d. varnies with
exaggerated difference. We were A.
hW Castle Of Happiness.
l felt the ms~incerity Of the welcome
They looked on me as a puppet ~
move only wlten they pulled the
strings. saw, too, that had not left
In the hotel at Vitznau the character
Of Sir Mortimer Brett.
But before the next day vas past ]
determined to know ono for all the
reason of this deception. | was de.
termined to put an end to this farce