davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05

O'Rourke was not one to resist Its al
lure. Four bells saw him lounging at
the rail below the bridge, staring hun
grily over toward the land. 1t was In
his mind that another twelve hours
or so would see him relieved OF his
trust; and as the time drew nigh i'm
patience burned holly within him; he
had become full weary OF the Pool OF
Flame and was anxious to be free Of
the thing. to have Its chapter in his
history closed forever.
Far over the water white and
flashing light lifted up and caught his
eye, a nameless beacon bright against
kan hills. guardian of the periis Of
those shallow seas. And simultane-
ously he became conscious of pres
ence at his elbow; as he turned sharp
ly the English girl addressed him in
a voice sweet-toned and quiet.
What is that light. il you please,
Colonel O'Rourke?"
Faith, that l can't say, Miss Pyn-
sent"
Her eyes flashed laugh upon him
in the gloom. Then you know my
name?"
Even as yourself knew mine.
'Twould be strange otherwise, with
our ships company so small"
But l." she returned, animated, "am
such an insignificant person-while
you are the Colonel O'Rourke."
'Ye do me an honor I'm not deserv-
ing, Miss Pynsent, but it's proud |
am entirely that a humble soldier Of
fortune should be known to ye be
reputation"
"Oh, I've grown quite weary Of your
fame. Colonel O'Rourke." she coun-
tered with trace of laughing impu-
dence. Hardly anything has inter
ested Monsieur De Hyeres, these past
few days, save anecdotes Of your ex-
ploits."
"'Tis kind of him, 10 be sure.
must cultivate his acquaintance and
learn from him to know meself.
see"
If she detected the irony she over
looked or failed to understand 1t.
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05
SYNOPSIS.

The story opens at Monte Carlo with
Col Terence O'Rourke, a military free
lance and something Of a gambler. in his
beautiful girl who suddenly enters the
elevator and passes from sight. At the
gaming table O'Rourke notices two men
Gynn, while his companion is yiscount
pes Trebes. a duelist. The viscount tells
him the French government has directed
him TO O'Rourke as man who would
undertake q secret mission. At his apart
ment. O'Rourke. who had agreed 10 I'M
dertake the mission, finds a mysterious
letter. The viscount arrives. hands a
sealed package to O'Rourke, who Is not
TO open 1t until on the ocean. A pair OF
dainty slippers are seen protruding from
under a doorway curtain. The Irishman
finds the owner OF the mysterious feet to
he his wife. Beatrix. from whom he had
reconciled. and opening the letter he finds
that o RansS 9@r law firm oers hm
Pool OF Flame and left to him by a dy-
Ing friend. but now In keeping OF one
named Chambret in Algeria; q ,rhS ,1iSe
bids O'Rourke farewell and he promises
to soon return with the reward. He dis
covers both Glynn and the viscount on
there is an attack by bandits and his
friend dies telling O'Rourke that he has
left the Pool OF Flame with the governor
general, who at sight of signet ring
given the colonel will deliver over the
Jewel Arriving at Algeria the lrishman
finds the governor general away: Des
Trebes makes a mysterious appointment.
and tells ORourke that he has gained
possession OF the jewel by stealing H. In
duel O'Rourke masters the viscount,
.scures possession of the Pool OF Flame
olru starts by~Ship for Rangoon. He finds
the captain too a smuggler who tries to
steal the Jewel II is finally secured by
the captain and O'Rourke escapes to
land. With the aid of one Danny and
his sweetheart, O'Rourke RECEIVERS the
Pool of Flame. On board ship once more.
bound for Rangoon a mysterious lady
appears. O'Rourke comes upon a lascar
about to attack the lady. WHO Is Mrs.
Prynne, and kicks the man into the hold.
Mrs. Prynne claims she is en- route Tor
Indiana on a mission for the king.
O'Rourke Is attacked by the lnsrar who
secures the Pool of Flame. the captain
is shot and the lascar jumps into the sea.
The ship arrives in port. Danny hands
O'Rourke the Pool of Flame which he
has stolen from Mrs. Prynne. It Is the
real Jewell the one lost at sea being a
counterfeit. O'Rourl<e goes TO Calcutta
and discovers Des Trebes disguised. lie
now knows that Mrs. Prynne was an ac-
complice.
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05

Yes" He thrust hand into his wAis;-
coat pocket and produced penknife.
with which he began to slit the
stitches that enclosed the ruby.
You've been wondering, no doubt
why so enormous reward was Of
fered. /.
Il have that" assented ORourke.
1T was partly because of the dan
GER" said Sypher. intent upon his &C.
cupation. you know. these Burmese
are a curiously pious folk; when one
of them grows rich he employs the
major part OF his fortune In building
temple-'or in some such work. This
particular sentleman-a very wealthy
observation-disclosures to give half OF what
he had to the restoration Of the Pool
of Flame to the Buddha from which 1t
was originally stolen. But he. too,
was afraid. He's superstitious about
the stone-believes 1t bad luck. to
touch It SO long as 1t remains away
from its Buddha. So he came to us.
/ myself am not superstitious.
but :"
He ceased to speak abruptly, for the
Pool Of Flame lay naked. binding
marvel, in the hollow Of his palm.
O'Rourke heard him gasp and was
conscious of his FASTENED respiration.
Watching the man intently, he saw
a strange shade OF pallor color his
face.
"'Tis meself." said the adventurer.
that's no more superstitious than ye.
sir. Yet I'm willing to confess I'm
glad the things out Of me hands at
last"
Sypher seemed to recollect himself
as one coming out of a state OF stu
por. He stood up and buttoned the
ruby carefully into a pocket of his
trousers. Come" he said crisply.
Let us step across the street to the
bank. The moneys there for you. sir
the reward"
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05

under a mistake. / am merely
French gentleman without title;
Raoul de Hyeres Is my name"
"Ah!" said the wanderer. TWAS
the resemblance misled me. Pardon,
monsieur"
Granted. my dear sir. .. Des
Trebes? The name has familiar
sound. Do l not remember reading
somewhere that the Vicomte des
Trebes died last spring? In Tunis,
was 1t! -. Suddenly. | believe"
is it so?" said O'Rourke drily. Pos
sibly. The vicomte lived in the man.
ner OF those who meet with sudden
deaths"
The subject languished, and after
few more noncommittal observances
De Hyeres wandered of, presumably
in search OF the English girl. to whom
he had been paying assiduous atten-
ton.
On closer scrutiny, she had proved
to be a remarkably pretty girl; al
though. in point of fact, O'Rourke. for
all that he admired her looks i'm
mensely. had purposely avoided her.
This he did from motives of prudence;
he mistrusted the combination formed
by De Hyeres and the Girl. The latter
might be all that she looked and claim
ed to be: sweet, wholesome and rath-
er ingenious young Englishwoman. an
orphan, resident in Rangoon in the
household of an uncle. to whom she
was returning after visit with
friends in Simla. On the passenger
| list her name stood as Emilia Pyn-
sent. But the adventurer felt it the
| course of wisdom to deny himself the
| pleasure of her acquaintance, so long
as she permitted the attentions of the
Frenchman
Altogether, considering the hot
weather and such self-imposed re-
strictions, O'Rourke considered the
voyage hardly a success from a social
| point of view. He kept pretty much
to himself and to Danny, and to make
assurance doubly sure he instituted a
new regime with regard to the Pool
of Flame: that jewel never left his
stateroom. When O'Rourke was on
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05
Awful.

The president of the university had
dark circles under his eyes. His cheek
was pallid; his lips were trembling:
he wore haunted expression. Every
now and then he turned and glanced
apprehensively behind him.
you look ILL.," said his wife. What
Is wrong. dear?"
Nothing much" he replied. But
II had fearful dream last night.
and feel this morning as if-as II
-" He hesitated and stammered. 1t
was evident that his nervous system
was shattered.
What was the dream" asked his
wife.
Il dreamed the trustees required
that-that l should-that / should
pass the freshman examination for
admission" sighed the president
Youths Companion.
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05

deck or at meals. Danny sat behind
bolts. alert and under arms, and vice
versa. BY night they stood regular
watches together. the one on guard
while the other slept. Clearly the ad-
venturer was determined that no lack
Of safeguards on his part should again
deprive him of the ruby.
But It's no easy matter to avoid
meeting any particular person on a
ship with a small saloon list, unless
one is willing to be purposely rude
and discourteous. For all his war;.
ness the Irishman was to carry with
him a personal impression of Miss
Pynsent.
On the last day of the passage, To-
ward evening. the Poonah raised the
coast of Burmah; by dark she was
steaming steadily southwards along
the littorai. heading for tho delta of
the Irrawaddy.
Astill. bright night with little wind:
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05
CHAPTER xxx.

AS time went on. however, IL his un-
easiness were not sensibly dimin-
ished, nothing happened, the voyage
proving entirely uneventful; and
O'Rourke was forced to the conclusion
that, IL Monsieur de Hyeres were real
~ the Vicomte des Trebes, he was
strangely content to play a waiting
game.
The Irishman, however, had known
stranger things than that one man
should seem the counterpart OF an
other. And by nothing more than
this questionable accident Of resem-
,blance did De Hyeres give him reason
to believe him anything but what he
claimed to be. The mans demeanor
was consistently discreet and self
contained he moved about the ship
openly and without any apparent at
tempt to pry upon the doings OF the
adventurer whom he fell into the
easy ship-board way of greeting ami
ably but coolly. Only in one instance.
indeed, did they exchange more than
but courteous salutations, and then
the interview. approaching O'Rourke
directly.
This was at night, when ORourke
occupied chair on the leeward side
OF the saloon deck, consuming a medi-
tative after-dinner cigar. De Hyeres
stepped out OF the companionway.
glanced swiftly this way and that, and
sauntered toward the Irishman with
an unlighted cigarette held conspicu-
ously between his fingers.
O'Rourke likewise surveyed his sur
roundings In two brief glances: aRd
was contented to find that they were
alone, or as much alone as two can be
upon a steamship. For they were,
after all. wolf matched; and one OF
them he knew to be armed. Shifting
in his chair so that his revolver lay
convenient to his hand, as De Hyeres
approached the Irishman removed his
cigar from between his teeth. fiicked
away an inch of ash and silently prof
fered It in the prescribed fashion.
The Frenchman accepted the cour-
tesy with bow. applied the fire to his
cigarette. inhaled deeply and returned
the cigar with formal phrase of
thanks. He fingered for a moment,
pufing and gazing off over the black.
starlit expanse of the Bay of Bengal.
lonely to its dim and far horizon. then
observed quietly: II am not mistaken.
I believe, In understanding have the
honor to address Monsieur lie Colonel
O'Rourke, Chevalier Of the Legion of
Honour?"
"You are not mistaken, monsieur"
returned O'Rourke pleasantly. then
with the directness which he some
times found useful. watching the man
closely as he spoke: And | believe
1t is my pleasure to recognize Mon
sier lie vicomte des Trebes?"
"Des Trebes. monsieur" The
Frenchmans look OF wonder was be-
yond criticism and there was no least
trace OF discontinue to be detected
in his manner. But no. You are
=
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05
DUBIOUS
About What Her Husband Would Say.

A Mich. woman tried Postum be-
cause coffee disagreed with her and
her husband. Tea Is just as harm
full as coffee because 1t contains caf-
feine-the same drug found In cof-
fee. She writes:
MY husband was sick for three
years with catarrh of the bladder. and
palpitation of the heart, caused by
coffee. Was unable to work at all
and in bed part OF the time.
II had stomach trouble, was weak
and fretful SO l could not attend to
my housework-both Of US using cof-
fee all the time and not realizing 1t
was harmful.
"One morning the grocer's wife
said she believed coffee was the cause
of our trouble and advised Postum.
took 1t home rather dubious what my
husband would say--he was fond OF
coffee.
But took coffee right off the table
and we haven't used cup Of 1t since.
You should have seen the change In
us, and now my husband never COM
plains or neart palpltation any more.
My stomach trouble went away in two
weeks after began Postum. My chill.
dren love It, and 1t does them good.
which can't be said OF coffee.
"A lady visited us who was usually
half sick. I told her I'd make her a
cup OF Postum. She said It was taste
less stuff. but she watched me make
It, boiling 1t thoroughly for Is minutes.
and when done. she said 1t was sp,en-
did; Long boiling brings out the fla-
vof and food quality" Name given by
Postum Co., Battle Creek, Mich.
Look In pkgs. for the famous little
book, ''The Road to Wellville"
Ever read the above letter. A new
are senuinc, true, and full OF bumss
interest. ~
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05

seems my kismet to abide In Rangoon
forever and day. You see, my only
living relative Is an uncle, Mr.. Lans-
downe Sypher, and he's got no one
else to keep house for him."
'Lansdowne Sypher !"
The ejaculation sprang to O'Rourke's
lips before he could restrain 1t.
Yes. Do you know him? He's the
junior, you know, of the firm of Sec
retain and Sypher."
Solicitors, are they not? 4.
No; tbs me misfortune not to know
your uncle. But the name of his firm
I've heard"
The genial nature Of the Irishman.
which had insensibly warmed to the
girls charm, withdrew abruptly, tor
toise-like, into a shell Of reserve. The
element of coincidence had again en-
tered into his affairs. and he Had
learned bitter lesson from experience
to distrust coincidence on general
principles. There's naught so COM
mon In life as condolences" he phil
osophlsed. land be the same token
naught so dangerous"
For which reason he invented an
early excuse to terminate the CONVEX
sation, and ungallantly withdrew to the
seclusion of his stateroom, where he
passed night that seemed intermina-
BILE; for he lay long in wakeful pan
ic of imagination, scheming out hun
dred stratgems whereby he might con-
fuse as many possible attempts to pre-
vent the due and safe delivery of the
Pool of Flame into the hands OF Mr..
Lansdowne Sypher.
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05
CHAPTER xxx.

Toward the close OF the following
day the Poonah dropped anchor in the
river roadstead off Rangoon; and with
In the ensuing hour her passengers
had deserted her, De Hyeres and Miss
Pynsert In their van, O'Rourke among
the last to leave. And nothing him
dered him. not the least hitch delayed
1t was incredible. 1t was disturbing.
He took away with him no ease Of
mind whatever.
There were tikkagharries waiting,
and without breath's delay the ad-
venturer and his servant climbed into
the nearest and desired to be con-
veyed to the offices of Messrs. Sec
retain and Sypher. The vehicle whirled
them swiftly away and into the main
travelled way of Rangoon, Mogul
street
In front of structure of stone and
iron so palpably an Office building
that II might have been transplanted
to the Strand without exciting COM
ment-save for the spotless cleanli-
ness of it-their tikkagharry drew up.
The gharriwallah indicated the Of
fees Of Messrs. Secretan and Sypher,
one flight up-and named his fare.
O'Rourke paid him and alighted, with
Danny at his heels and his heart try
ing to choke him. The hour OF full
filment was at hand-and all was
well! He who had faced death in a
hundred shapes Of terror, unflinching
found himself In a flutter of nerves
that would have disgraced a school
girl
He lodged into the building, took
the steps three at stride and
suddenly found himself in the pres
ence of, more than that, closeted with
the man to meet whom he, had crossed
half the world at peril of his life:
Mr.. Lansdowne Sypher.
Colonel O'Rourke?" Sypher's man
ner was very cordial. I'm glad to see
you. You are within your time, yet
had begun to despair of you. Be
seated" He indicated a chair beside
his desk. and permit me; you of
all men will appreciate the precau-
ton"
He laughed and went to the win
dows, adjusting the wooden shades in
such a manner that the light was
tempered and no portion of the room
could be visible to anyone spying
from a window in one of the adjacent
buildings. The he turned and smiled
cheerfully at the stupefied adventurer
Il have 1t here" said o Rourke; safe
be the mercy of several highly poten-
tial saints!" He laughed uneasily
fumbling In his breast pocket. There
Il Is" said he, tossing the stone In It's
channels covering upon the solicitors
desk
Sypher himself betrayed some evil
dences of nervousness as he sat for
ward and lifted the case by its leath-
ern thongs. He let il dangle before
him for an instant, watching IL with a
curious, speculative smile. :.
Well" he said. really -. ="
And after a pause; Il congratulate
you, Colonel O'Rourke. And I admire
you immensely You see.
when this commission was offered us.
considered seriously the project OF
going in search of you In person and
bringing the stone back to Rangoon
myself. Bdt then--although I'm not
really dmorous mani knew the
circumstances so WE'LL feared
should fever reach Rangoon alive
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05

He's very entertaining" she com
mented. pleasantly. But then most
Frenchmen are, don't you think?
hope to see much OF him in Rangoon. "
80 he's landing there, too?''
O'Rourke filled in the pause.
Il believe SO. And you. Colonel
O'Rourke?"
Il may have to wait over until the
next steamer" he admitted warily.
Il sympathise heartily with your
disgust at the prospect" laughed the
girl.
"Eh? And why? IT'S land OF fair
repute for climate and beauty"
"Ah, but live In Burmah, you see,
and so have come to know II far too
we'll But that's the way with all ex-
patrlates. isn't Ito hate their homes
so far from homer
Must ye endure 1t, then. Miss Pyn.
sent?"
IAN orphan has little choice. 1t
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05
A Judge Without Prisoners.

st. Helena Is curiousity among our
colonies. inasmuch as its governor 10
also chief justice, although he may
never have opened law book. The
retiring ruler. Sir Henry Galloway, IL
n soldier. and In reviewing his nine
years administration the little loca.
paper mentions that he presided 1T
33 courts OF quarter sessions, but at
81 OF them there was no business ex-
cept presentation Of white gloves. The
absence OF serious crime is declared
to be both remarkable and gratifying
in view If the struggle for existence.
and the ,act that since the Withdrawal
of the garrison st, Helena has been
in a state OF bankruptcy."-Londo
Chronicle.
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05
CHAPTER XXI.

Back in his stateroom on the Poo
nah, O'Rourke, threw himself into the
lower berth and lay there, a forearm
citedly. disturbed by formless fore
bodings.
Beside him Danny was packing In
dustriously. with now and again q
pause during which he would stand
reflective, his gaze fixed upon his en-
ployers face, little puzzled and per-
picked.
The Poonah was pausing overnight
to discharge and take aboard cargo;
for this reason O'Rourke in his haste
to get ashore had not delayed to take
his luggage with him. :. On
deck, fore and aft donkey engines
were putting and chugging ard chain
tackles rafting as they lifted freight
to and from the hold and the lighters
| alongside.
Abruptly. without moving. O'Rourke
spoke. I'll want evening clothes.
Danny" said he. "''fis dining am
tonight with Mr.. Straker and his
niece, Miss Pynsent. who came with us
from Diamond Harbor. Twill save a
bit of bother to dress before 60
ashore"
"Aw-w." said Danny, assimilating.
And the missus?" he said
suddenly, some minutes later. Man
in Madam O'Rourke, sor. Did We get
no word from herr"
For what else would I be driving
to every hotel in the town after leav-
ing Mr.. Sypher. Danny, but to inquire
for her? She's not here; but she'll
come be sure. She's still got several
days-three or four-in which to keep
our tryst. IT'S disconnected I am not
to find her waiting for me. but I'm
satisfied entirely she'll keep faith"
"And,' insisted Danny eagerly
begin yer honor's pardon-but what
will We have to tell her. sor?"
O'Rourke sat up. Have to tell
her? What dye mean?"
Il mean, sor, I'm dyin' wild the wish
to know how ut's all turned out.
Phase, yer honor, won't We be tellin'
me? Is ut-is ut all right?"
BLESS your heart, Danny!" laughed
O'Rourke, "'Tis so dazed I've been
that l never thought to tell ye--think-
ing all the time that We knew. IT'S
all right, indeed, me boy. The Pool Of
Flames in Mr.. Sypher's keeping and
the moneys in mine-in the bank,
Danny, payable to me order. Think of
it-one hundred thousand pounds Of
real money, and all me own. 'Tis
ridiculous, tits absurd. IT'S meself
hardly credits the truth of 1t all; yet
| was there-saw the man, gave him
the jewel. went to the bank with him
and for the space of five minutes sat
at table, with all that money before
me. counting 1t over, bill by bill. a
square hundred of them, each for a
thousand pounds, guaranteed by the
Bank of England! -. Think OF
that--all that belonging to me-to me.
ORourke! :. :"
Thank Cod" breathed Danny de-
votedly. But did We Earn nothin'
about the stone?"
Little enough, Danny-only a part
OF the meaning of the whole divilish
business; the rest I'm to know to-
night Mr.. Sypher IL be tellin' mo
after we've dined: he wants to hear
me own end of the story. too"
(To BE CoNTINUED)
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05
Astonishing Experience.

The whale. after parting with Jo-
nah. was gazing after his retreating
form.
III any one had told me-" murmur-
ed the great mammal. bitterly. that
would find man ready to jump down
my throat. never would have swaL
lowed 1t whole"
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05
OF Course Not.

Jimmy said: my pa Is church
member"
80 Is mine." boasted Henry.
"He amt neither. My pa says your
pa don't come to church. and even
when he does he doesn't put nothing
in the collection box
Huh! My pa is an honorary mem
Der. and honorary members don't haf-
ter chip in!''
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05
Rather an open Secret.

ndtneT an OpeH oeCTets
very important citizen was drawn
on a jury, a week or two ago, and
met him after he had been discharged.
He seemed to think that he was en-
titled to be on the bench, at the very
least
What was your verdict In that
case" / asked.
1.-The defendant was unanimously
acquitted on the first ballot
Indeed? And how did you voter
"'That, sir, is one Of the sacred Sc
crets Of the juryroom. "-Cleveland
Plain Dealer.
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05

A splendid and highly recommended
remedy for tired, weak. infamed eyes.
and granulated eyelids. is Paxtine An
tiseptic. at druggists. 25c box or sent
postpaid on receipt of price by The
Paxton Toilet Co., Boston. Mass.
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05
At the End Of the spat,

Hubby-You know, dearest, that you
are my star
Wifey--Do you mean a sky star or
O stage star?
Hubby-Oher-why?
WHEY. because IL you mean the lat
ter, want to tell you that your star
doesn't handle as much money as an
ordinary soubrette.
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05
Stop the Pain.

The hurt of a burn or a cut stops whom
Coles Carbolisalve Is applied. 1t heals
druggists. For free sample write to
]. w. Cole & Co.. Black River Falls. Via.
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05

II some people have any good In
them they evidently keep 1t bottled up
pretty tight
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-07-05
And many a sober young man turns
out to be a gay old boy.

Garfield Tea. a laxative Of superior quail
ity! For those suffering with constipation.