davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-06-04
CHAPTER XIV.
"The Light That Never Was"

The changes which Mrs. Melville
had accepted so philosophically, the
metamorphosis of the tragic and lone
ly house of mystery into a luxurious
country villa, the finging open of the
shutters, the marshaling of servants
the turning, one may say, of the lime
light on a rich mans ordinary life
all this had occurred as swiftly and
with as little warning as a scene shifts
on the stage.
Mrs. Rebecca Winter may have the
credit for this Embarrassment of
plans. BY an astonishingly early hour
the next morning she was awake and
downstairs, where Kito and Tracy
were making coffee, toasting bread
and admiring the oatmeal which had
cooked, while they slept, in the Fire
less Stove. Tracy had planned a sur
prise of brown bread, but through no
fault of the Fireless, owing solely tc
his emitting what he called the pick
me-up," commonly known as soda
an accident. as he truly said, which
might happen to any lady-the bread
was rather too adhesive" The break.
fast, Notwithstanding. was a cheerful
one, because Miss Smith reported the
patient a shade better. She looked
smiling, although rather heavy-eyed.
Mercer and the colonel had taken
turns sitting in the adjoining room tc
bring her ice or hot water or be OF
service outside.
The colonel had suggested calling
a doctor, but Aunt Rebecca had de-
INJURED: Janet can do everything; 1t
is just a question of his heart; and
she has digitalis and nitroglycerin and
strychnine, the whole outfit of whips.
She has dressed the wound with anti
septics. Tomorrow will be soon
enough for the medical talent" l.
was she, however, who, as soon as
breakfast was over, took first Mercer
and Tracy, then the colonel. apart and
proposed calling up Keatcham's con-
fidential associates on the long dis
lance telephone. Strike, but hear
me. nephew" she said, languidly, smil-
ing at his bewilderment. Our only
chance now is to exhaust trumps. Yes
terday the game was won. Keatcham
had surrendered. he had his partners
in the deal to make no fight on Tracy's
election; they could get what they
wanted without the Midland; he ad-
vised them to cover their shorts and
get ready for a bull market"
How did he do all that when he had
lost his private code boOk?"
How would you do ite You would
use the long distance telephone We
caught them at Seattle. where his men
had gone for the meeting. don't I'M
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-06-04
NERVES OF LEARNED PEOPLE.
May Be Gained by Silence, Solitude
and Sleep, Says One Writer.

In an article on Nerves." published
in Harper's Bazaar, the story is told
of one of our noted scientists who went
to Dresden to consult the famous spe-
cialist for broken-down nerves. On
hearing his symptoms the great ply
stefan said, indifferently:
"Ach, so? 1t is probable that you
have-yes, all the gelehrten Qearned
have neurasthenia naturally" The
remedy suggested was PLAY golf and
go to Egypt. You can get Munich
beer in Cairo. though it is disgusting
ly expensive there"
Silence, solitude and sleep are the SOW
ereign remedies suggested for jagged
nerves. Slight daily doses of the three
"S's," it is claimed, will prevent a
nervous breakdown, and may be OBJ
tanned by even the most busy people.
But "All the learned have neuras-
thenia" is at once a warning and a
consolation to the brain worker. To
drive the machine" with skill and
care Is the problem of the successful
American.
The wrietr of this article urges that
we ought to thank God that we be-
long to the most nervous, restless, all
pervading race the world has seen
since the days of julius Caesar. 1t is
our nerves" that make us what
we are.
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-06-04
e5| OGZANE 77ZAlNE7
7 a gs@ TIE MAW ee5eSHouR o

| and her draw all the plans of it, but
he insisted on attending to the con
struction himself; he said he was not
| going to have any contract work or
"scamping," such as | am reliably in
formed has been common in these tow
ering new buildings in San Francisco;
he picked out all the materials him.
self and inspected the inspector. 1t
has what they call reinforced con-
crete and all the beams, ETC., are
steel and the lower story is enormous
ly thick as to walls, in the genuine
Mission style. He said he built for
earthquakes. The house is all in the
Spanish hidalgo fashion. l wish you
could see the bas-reliefs and the
carved furniture with cane seats of the
seventeenth century, all genuine; and
the stamped leather and the iron grille
work-rejas they call tall copied
from famous Spanish models from To
ledo; you know the ancient Spaniards
were renowned for their rejas. The
pictures are fne-all Spanish; | don't
know half the names of the artists,
but they are all old and imposing and
some of them wonderfully preserved
The electric lights are all in the shape
of lanterns. The patio, as they call
the court around which the house is
built, reminded me of the court in Mrs
GARDENERS palace in Boston, only it was
not so crowded with objects and the
pillars are much thicker and the trop-
ical plants and vines more luXuriant
ON account of the climate, | suppose.
1t is all certainly very beautiful
There is a great arched gateway for
carriages-which reminds me, do be
sure to send the horses into the coun-
try to rest, one at time; and have
Erastus clean the stable properly
while they are gone. You can keep
one horse for golf; but don't use the
brougham ever; and why not send the
surrey to be done over while | am
gone? Is the piazza painted yet?
How does the new cook do? Insist
upon her cooking you nourishing food.
You might have the Bridge club of an
evening-there are only the four of
you-and she might, with Emily's
help, get you a nice repast Of lobster
a la Newburg, sandwiches and chicken
salad; but be sure you don't touch the
lobster! You know what happened
the last time; and shan't be there to
put on mustard-plasters and give you
Hunyadi water. If Erastus needs any
more chamos skins Emily knows
where they are. but admonish him to
be careful with them; l never saw
mortal man go through chamois skins
the way he can; sometimes think he
gives them to the horses to eat!
GOod-by. Your aft. wife,
NJ
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-06-04
He Meant Well.

The soda-fountain clerk was en-
gagged in vigorously shaking up choc-
olate-and-egg when suddenly the glass
broke In his hands, and the ensuing
deluge made him look like a human
eclair.
The Mortified customer leaned over
the counter. trying to be sympathetic.
Not knowing exactly what to say, he
finally blurted out:
"Oh!-er-too bad-did the glass
break?"
Dripping chocolate from head to
foot, the clerk looked at him wither-
ingly.
did the glass break?" he roared.
did the glass break, eh?" And then,
with freezing sarcasm: "Ohi no
not at all, not at all. You just hap
pened to step in while l was taking
my morning shower"
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-06-04
SYNOPSIS.

The story opens at Harvard where Col.
Rupert Winter, U. s. A. visiting, saw the
suicide of young Mercer. He met Cary
Mercer, brother of the dead student.
Three years later, in Chicago. in 1906,
Col. Winter overheard Cary Mercer APP
parently planning to kidnap Archie, the
Aunt Rebecca Winters millions. A Miss
Smith was mentioned apparently as a
'conspirator: A great financial magnate
was aboard the train on which Col Win
ter met his Aunt Rebecca, Miss Smith
and Archie. Col. Winter learned that the
financial magnate is Edwin S. Keatcham
trated a hold-up on the train He took
great liking to Miss Smith, despite her
alleged kidnapping plot. Archie mysteri-
ously disappeared In Frisco. Blood in a
nearby room at the hotel caused fears for
the boys life. The lads voice was heard
over the telephone, however, and min
ute later a woman's voice-that OF MISS
Smith. Col. Winter and detective set
out for the empty mansion owned by
Arnold, Harvard graduate. They We're
met with an explosion within: Mercer
had returned. The colonel saw a vision
fitting from the supposedly haunted
house, 1t was Miss Janet Smith. Col;
Winter to himself admitted that he loved
Miss Smith. Mercer told Winter that
Archie had overheard plans for coup
and had been kidnapped. One of Mercer's
friends on returning the boy to his aunt
had been arrested for speeding and when
he returned from the police station to his
auto the lad was gone Mercer confessed
he was forcibly OBTAINING Keatcham.
Mercer told his life story, relating how
Keatcham and his scoundre secretary
Atkins had ruined him. the blow killing
his wife. Mercer was holding him prison.
er in order that he could not get control
OF a railroad which was the pet project of
the father of his college friend Endicott
Tracy. Aunt Rebecca saw Archie in a
cab with two men. Then he vanished.
She followed in an auto into the Chinese
district and by the use of a mysterious
Chinese jade ornament she secured
promise from an influential Chinaman
that the boy would be returned. Archie
returned and told his story, Atkins, for
rner secretary to Keatcham being his
second kidnaper. Col. Winter and Tracy
returned to the "haunted house. They
found Keatcham, apparently stabbed to
death. Keatcham was not dead, how
ever. Cary Mercer appeared on the scene,
Winter believing his actions suspicious
and observing blood on his cuffs and
trousers
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-06-04

schemes, too, very large ones, which
need the man at the wheel Now,
have talked with Cary and Endicott
Tracy and my plan is to call up
Warnebold, his next friend who knows
his voice and knows he is a trusty
man (for Mercer has done some in
quiries for him and saved him once
from buying water-logged steel
plant to call him up and-tell him the
truth. We can say Mr.. Keatcham was
mysteriously stabbed; we can ask
what is best to do. BY that time we
can report that we have the best med
ical assistance-young Arnold will get
his family physician, who can be
trusted. Warnebold will instruct Mer-
GER, | reckon, to keep the fact of the
assault a secret, not even mention
that Mr. Keatcham is i'll; and very
likely he or some one else will come
straight on here. Meanwhile, young
Arnold can open the house, hire some
servants who won't talk-I can get
them for him; we all say nothing of
the magnate's presence. And the bull
market will come all right"
After a little reflection the colonel
agreed that the bold course was the
safest Thus it came about, with
amazing rapidity, that the haunted
house was opened; that sleek, smiling
Cinnamon whisked brooms and clean
ing cloths at open windows; and Haley
and Kito frankly told any curious in
quirers who hailed them over the lawn
and the flower-beds that young Mr..
Arnold was coming home and going to
have a house-party of friends. The
servants had been carefully selected
by Mrs. Winters powerful Chinese
friend; they had no dread of white
spooks, however they might cringe
before yellow ones. Mrs. Winter and
Randall left their hotel, after all the
appropriate ceremonies, amid the Law
ish bows and smiles of literally paid
bellboys and porters. They gave out
that they were to visit friends; and
the colonel, who remained, was to take
charge of their mail; hence, with no
appearance of secrecy. the trail took
to water and was lost, since the motor
car which carried them was supplied
by Birdsall and driven by safe man
of his own.
Regarding the detective. Rupert
Winter had what he called "a stiff
think" he could not afford even the
remote risk of his going with the pic
turesque assortment of information
which he had obtained about Casa
Fuerte and Mercer. into Atkins EN-
ploy; therefore he hired him, still,
himself He made a partial but alb
solutely truthful statement of the
case: he said frankly: "Birdsall, I'm
going to treat You fair. for I'm not go
ing to tell you all know. because
we'll. for one thing. | don't feel sure
how much / do know myself. But all
I'm going to ask of you is to watch the
house, day and night, without seeming
to watch it. You will oblige Mr..
Keatcham as we'll as me. There is a
big game going on. but it isn't what
you thought. Mr.. Keatcham's best
helpers are right in that house. Mer-
Ger and | and young Fireless and
Arnold are doing our best to guard
him. not hurt him. Now, there is big
money for you II you will watch out
for u.s."
Birdsall reflected a moment before
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-06-04

derstand why they needed me to sug-
gest that. There the poor man was,
as your Harvard stove agent calls,
rubbering about the library, trying to
find The Fortunes of Nigel in the
edition barley had illustrated; of
course, it wasn't there. He had lost
1t just before he came to the Palace,
he thought. 1t seems his old cipher
needs a particular book, that kind. No
doubt in my mind that your theory is
right and that Atkins stole it and
perhaps thought he stole the key, but
didn't get it. He took a memorandum
of ciphers which looked like a key.
There Keatcham was, with millions
hanging on his wires and his modern
substitute for the medieval signet-
ring that would enforce the message
quite lost. What to do? Why, there
was nothing to do but get another
cipher! They made up temporary
one, right in that library, yesterday
afternoon"
But how could Mercer be sure
Keatcham would not play trick on
him? Did he hear the conversation?
Certainly not. He took Keatcham's
word. Whatever his faults, Keatcham
has always kept his word. Mercer was
sure he would keep it. He wept out
of the room. He was in the library
when Keatcham was stabbed"
The colonel drew a long, difficult
breath. "Then you don't believe Mer-
Ger did it,"
I'm sure he didn't. He didn't hurt
him. Why should he kill him after
he had surrendered? He had nothing
to gain and considerable to risk If
not to lose. We want that bull mar
ket."
But who did, then? Atkins? But
he is trying to rescue him."
rs he? How do we know? The
rescue was only our supposition. I'm
only certain none of our crowd did it.
"Kito?"
mo, Kito keeps absolutely within
his orders: he knew how things stood
when he went away. Mercer saw him
81 ne COuluH Get ILL., clNlcIs ut HdO
to signal to be let in. They were as
careful as that. Now, assuming they
are all innocent, isn't it the best plan
to telephone to Seattle to Keatcham's
next friend there?"
He hasn't any family, has he? His
wife died and there were no children,
| think"
mo. and If he ever had any brothers
or sisters they died when they were
little; his business associates are the
only people Cary knows about. He is
anxious to have word sent at once. be-
cause there are important things to do
in Keatcham's own interest; he came
to California and he has employed
Cary in big Portland cement invest
ment; Cary has been working all the
time on it for him beg your par
don" for the colonel had raised his
hand with little gasp.
DO you mean" said he. that Mer-
Ger has been acting as Keatcham's
agent. working in his interest all the
time he was holding him a prisoner
and ready to kill him rather than let
him go?"
why not? Cary is a man of honor
This cement deal is a perfectly fair
one which will give fair price to the
present owners and make a great bust
ness proposition. There are other
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-06-04
Delicate Way of Putting Il.

Il met relative of Bill Jones the
other day, and he told me Bill had
gone into business where he was max.
ing money so fast that he had to give
1t up and go into secluslon for a
while"
$50 he did
rs he at a sanitarium for his
health?"
NO; he's in the peniteHtiary for
counterfeiting.
The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-04-24
BEWARE OF olNTMENTS FOR
cATARRH THAT CONTAIN
MERCURY

AS mercury viii surely destroy the
sense of smell and completely derange
the whole system when enerting It
through the muscous surfaces. Such
articles should never be used except
on prescriptions from reputable physi-
clans, as the damage they will do is
ten fold to the good you can possibly
derive from them. Halls Catarrh
Cure, manufactured by F. J. Cheney &
Co.. of Toledo. Ohio, contains no mer-
curry, and is taken internally. acting
upon the blood and muscous surfaces
Of the system. In buying Halls
Catarrh Cure be sure you get the gen.
uine. It is taken internally and is
made in Toledo, Ohio. by F. J. Cheney
& Co. Testimonials free.
Sold by all druggists. Price. 75c.
per bottle.
Take Halls Family Pills for cOnsti
patton. Z
The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-04-24
MalQzu1aM1M
zlaz sEsal Sc

Our stock of millinery is always the
latest as we buy often and sell them at
such moderate prices that we are com
PEELED to get them by express almost
daily. The Peoples Store. 23-2t
The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-04-24

Tomato plants at so cents per hun.
dred 622 choctaw avenue. Phone
1t4' 24-3t
Miss Morrison Caldwell, stenog-
rapher for the Chickasha Abstract CO.
is convalescent after several days Sc
rious illness.
The M. B. AS will hold an important
business meeting this evening and all
members are requested to be present
For Sale-One gentle driving mare.
Inquire at SOS Colorado after 6 D. m.
24-St
The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-04-24
Brief Bits Of City News

@ ~-a n-ahn--a
City Blacksmith Shop is sole agent
for Firostone tires. Put on wheels that
viii roll. 4-7-lmo
BE sure to get Fly Killer when You
register at Callaways. 24-6t
Mrs. Frank Henley OF Amber was
shopping in Chickasha yesterday.
See the largest stock OF baseball
goods and fishing tackle in the city
at the Palace Drug Store. s-29-dtf
Twenty-Five patterns OF Davenports
at Callaway's Big Furniture Store.
Register. 24-Gt
Anything in the crug line at the
Model. and It's the best. 3-stf
Mr.. and Mrs J. T. Stevens visited
their daughter, Mrs Walter Keith Of
Duncan, this week.
Always the newest at the lowest
prices. The Peoples Store 23-2t
Have you purchased a pair OF knee
pants for IS cents or two pairs for 25
cents, from the Cochran Clothing Com
pany, l16 South Third street. 24-2t
Remember, we give you bowl or
platter with each SO cash purchase.
Taylor's Hardware Store. $40 Chicka-
sha avenue. post
Lawn swings and porch chairs at
Claycomb & Anderson's. 22-tf
Let us show you a sealy mattress
when you register at Callaway's. 25-Gt
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Ridley have
been the guests of relatives in Mar
low the past week.
Ladies' pumps and oxfords, new
shapes and shades. all sizes. Prices
the lowest. The Peoples Store. 2S-2t
Ask to see the Hoosier Kitchen Cab
met at Calaways when you register
24-6t
Mr.. Jos. Bubser. piano tuner. Phone
$50 or 5s5. 17-10
Boys blouse waists and shirts Very
special, at 2ac and 4sc. The Peoples
Store. 2S-2t
Save your money and buy pair of
handmade tailored trousers at whole
sale price from the Cochran Clothing
Company. III South Third street 2+2t
Mrs. Reese of Anadarko is visiting
Miss Halle Chesher Of this city to-
day.
The largest line Of furniture and
carpets at Claycomb & Andersons.
22-f
Adlers "Collegian" clothes for men
are correct Our prices are low. The
PEOPLES store. 23-2t
Miss BERTHE Overstreet Of Chicka-
sha. is visiting her sister, Mrs. A. G. !
Davidson, this week.-Marlow Review |
Call and see our Immense stock of
fishing tackle and baseball goods.
Palace Drug Store. S-29-dtf
Don't forget to register at Callaway's |
Big Furniture Store You may be
lucky. 24-6t
Go to the Lunch Roor. first door
north of postoffice and try bowl of
vegetable soup like mother made; 10
cents. 4-2l-6t |
Mrs. ]. Potter went to Chickasha |
this morning, where she will be the
guest OF relatives for the remainder
of the week.-El Reno American.
Let US fill your prescription. The
Model 3-9-tf
You will find nothing but bargains
in suits and pants in the wholesale
clothing sale at the Cochran Clothing
Company's, l16 South Third street.
24-2t
Horace Humphrey of Wichita. Kan,
is spending few days in Chickasha
visiting friends and attending to bust.
ness matters.
The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-04-24

Have you s57 That is start. Buy
some lots in Highland Park addition.
Double your money in a short time ;
So cash. s5 per month. Sale starts
next Thursday. C. Edgar Honnold,
office Brown Drug Store. Stone Build
ing. 2S-5t
The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-04-24

The owl soda fountain Is more popu-
lar this season that ever. l7-3t
The swellest line OF mems pants In
chickasha, Sc down to s1.9s. The
Peoples Store. 2S-2t
Miss Sophia Mccoy Of Lindsay is
visiting Chickasha friends today.
Buy your drugs at the Model anc
get chance on the rec automobile.
s.9-tf
Carpenters tools for all at Taylor's
Hardware store. $40 Chickasha ave.
nue.. 22-St
Louis Means is spending the day
in Oklahoma City.
Have you seen the Charter Oak Ven
tilated iron stoves and ranges at Tay.
lor's Hardware Store? $40 Chickasha
avenue. 22-St
To the most economical buyers we
have some specials in skirts and waists
which viii pay you to investigate. The
Peoples Store 23-2t
T. S. Clements, the contractor, has
Just completed 1000 feet OF sidewalk
on South Fourth street.
c. Edgar Honnold about lots in High
land Park addition; S. cash. s. per
month; no interest Lowest price and
easiest terms. Sale starts next Thurs
day, April 2e. 2S-5t
A big car Of iron beds at Callaway's
this week Register. 24-6t
Have a comfortable evening in a
lawn swing. Claycomb & Anderson.
22-tf
Mrs. John Clary returned home to-
day from sapulpa, where she has been
spending the past two weeks.
Our stock Of wash suits is the new
est the market can afford at the very
lowest prices. The Peoples Store.
2S.2t
Our trade was never better join the
crowd. Clsycomb & Anderson. 22-tf
Ray Clark and P. w. Glass we're
Minco visitors in Chiekasha yester-
day.
Get It at The Owl Drug Store. SLIT
They found their rug at Claycomb
& Andersons. 22-tf
Miss Ninon Shields of Oklahoma
City is spending the day with relatives
in Chickasha.
The talk of the town is the whole
sale clothing sale at the Cochran
Clothing Company 24-2t
No substitute for the White Frost
Refrigerator CIavcomh A. Anderson
22-tf
win Mann of Coffeyville, Kan, spent
yesterday in Chickasha, a guest at the
home of his niece, Mrs. John Driggers.
Lots Of lots in Highland Park addi-
ton, but they Will not last long; IS
cash, S. per month. SO cheap that you
must buy some. Next Thursday is the
day. c. Edgar Honnold. Phone $50.
23-5t
Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Crosby returned
yesterday from months visit in Bat
tie Greek, Mich.
Get 1t at Brownson Drug Store.
2-23-tf
Trade at the Model and get an auto
mobile ticket You NAV win. 9-9-tf
Jack Reynolds, Maurice Smith, Mrs.
c. B. Mason, Mrs. Campbell and DR.. |
w. P. Snyder we're among the Alex
visitors in this city yesterday
BEWARE OF OlNTMENTS FOR
cATARRH THAT CONTAIN
MERCURY
The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-04-24

Col Kendall Charles f. Woodward,
who has been the guest of Lawrence
martin for several days, has returned
to his home in Boston, Mass.
The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-04-24

w. B. Betty, manager of the Mis-
souri, River Railway and Hotel Adver-
tising Company of Kansas City. Mo-,
lis in Chickasha on business today.
The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-04-24

Mrs T. H. Dwyer, president of the
Woman's Auxiliary of Oklahoma, went
to Oklahoma City this morning, where
she holds a meeting of the state Off
GERS of that organization.
The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-04-24

Special sale on our entire stock of
white waists. The Peoples Store.
23-2t
The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-04-24

Horace Humphrey of Wichita. Kan,
is spending few days in Chickasha
visiting friends and attending to bust
ness matters.
The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-04-24

You will find nothing but bargains
in suits and pants in the wholesale
clothing sale at the Cochran Clothing
Companys, 116 South Third street.
24-2t