davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24
CHAPTER XIV.
he Oval Hut.


n. night Dr. Fenton had a visitor.
Sweetwater, who knew when to be
frank and open, as we'll as when to
be reserved and ambiguous, made no
effort to disguise the nature of his
business or his chief cause of interest
in Oswald Brotherson.
His first word, therefore, was
plain announcement.
Or. Fenton, my name is Sweet
water. am from New York, and rep
resent for the nonce, Mr.. Challoner,
whose name have simply to mention,
for you to understand that my bust
ness is with Mr.. Brotherson, whom l
am sorry to find seriously, if not dan
gerously ILL., Will you tell me how
long you think it will be before
can have a talk with him on a sub
ject which l will not disguise from
you may prove a very exciting one?"
Weeks, weeks" returned the doc
tor. mir. Brotherson has been a very
sick man and the only hope l have
of his recovery is the fact that he is
ignorant of his trouble or that he
has any cause for doubt or dread.
What then, if any intimation should
be given him of the horrible tragedy
suggested by the name you have men
toned? The man would die before
your eyes. Mr. Challoner's business
will have to watt
THAT see; but if knew when
might speak"
Il can give you no date. You had
better return to New York. Later,
you can write me if you wish, or Mr.
Challoner can. You may have conf
dence in my reply; it will not mislead
YOU"
Sweet@ater muttered his thanks
and rose. Then he slowly sat down
again.
DR.. Fenton," he began, you are a
man to be trusted. I'm in a devil of a
fix, and there is just a possibility that
you may be able to help me out. 1t
is the general impression in New
York, as you know, that Miss Chal-
Toner committed suicide. But the cir
cumstances do not fully bear out this
theory, nor can Mr.. Challoner be made
to accept it. Indeed. he is so con-
WINGED of its falsehood. that he stands
ready to do anything, pay anything
suffer anything, to have this distress
ing blight removed from his daugh-
Ser's good name. Mr.. Brotherson was
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24

More than that, that you are ready
and eager to help us. Your very looks
show that"
you are right; would do anything
to help you. But what can a CIR
like me do? Nothing; nothing.
know too little. Mr.. Challoner must
see that when you tell him I'm only
the daughter of a foreman"
"And a friend of Mr.. Brotherson,
supplemented Sweetwater.
YES" she smiled, "he would want
me to say so. But that's his good
ness. l don't deserve the honor"
His friend and therefore his conf
dante" Sweetwater continued. "He
has talked to you about Miss Chal
loner?"
"He had to. There was nobody else
to whom he could talk; and then,
had seen her and could understand
Where did you see herr"
"In New York. / was there once
with father, who took me to see her
l think she had asked Mr.. Brothersor
to send his little friend to her hotel
if ever we came to New York"
"That was some time ago."
1--WE were there in June"
"And you have corresponded ever
since with Miss Challoner?"
"She has been good enough to write
and I have ventured at times to an
swer her."
Smiling a little, but in a very ear
nest fashion, he pointed to the letter
she still held and quietly said:
Remember that I'm not speaking
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24

then centered, he strolled into the
heart of the spring woods till he came
to a depression where a surprise
awaited him, in the shape of a pc
culiar structure rising from its midst
where it just fitted, or so nearly fit
ted that one could hardly walk about
it without brushing the surrounding
tree trunks. OF an oval shape, with
its door facing the approach, it nestled
there, wonder to the eye and the
occasion of considerable speculation
to his inquiring mind. 1t had not been
long built, as was shown very plainly
by the fresh appearance of the un-
painted boards of which it was con-
structed; aad while it boosted of
door, as I've already said, there were
no evidences visible of any other
break in the smooth, neatly finished
walls. A wooden ellipse with a roof
but no windows; such it appeared aId
such it proved to be. A mystery to
Sweetwater's eyes. and like all n1ys-
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24
Listenl Saw the Girls.

What's the matter with the girls
these days? Can't they hold the at
tention of any one? Is it necessary
to keep repeating the word listen"
in an ordinary talk where the "talkee"
is all attention? A miss of perhaps
II years asked for certain brand
of face powder in drug store re-
Gently This is fair account of what
she said: Listen! ] want box of
yuh face powder. Listen! Do you
keep that there kind that comes with
with a mirror? You know the kind
l mean. Listen! What shade do
you think / need? Is Raychel IRA
chey) too dark? Listen
That was as much as I heard, says
a writer In the New York Sun. But
1t was enough. If girl has tooth
ache or a wart on her finger or a
headache. 1t is Listen, listen. listen"
to the patient or in many cases impa-
tient drug clerk No miss, it seems.
considers her vocabulary up to date
unless it is burdened with listen"
Girls. take a tip. Put listen" pm the
shelf.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24
CHAPTER XVI.
Sweetwafer Returns.


you see me again, Miss Scott.
hope that yesterdays intrusion has
not prejudiced you against me-"
Il have no prejudices," was her
simple but firm reply. Il am only
hurried and very anxious. The doc
tor is with Mr.. Brotherson just now;
but he has several other equally sick
patients to visit and ! dare not keep
him here too long"
Then you will welcome my abrupt
ness. Miss Scott, here is a letter
from Mr.. Challoner. 1t will explain
my position. AS you will see, his only
desire is to establish the fact that his
daughter did not commit suicide You
have seen Miss Challoner, I believe.
Do you think she was the woman to
plunge a dagger in her heart in a
place as public as a hotel reception
room?"
NO, Mr.. Sweetwater. l saw her
once and it made me want to be
quiet and kind and beautiful like her.
never shall think she did anything
so horrible. Nor will Mr. Brotherson
ever believe it. He could not and live.
You see, am talking to you as if you
knew him-the kind of man he is and
just how he feels towards Miss Chal-
Toner. He is" Her voice trailed
off and look, uncommon and almost
elevated, illumined her face. 81 will
not tell you what he is; you will
know, if you ever see him."
Sweetwater watched her for a mo-
ment, and then remarked: I'm going
to take one thing for granted; that
you are as anxious as we are to clear
Miss Challoner's memory"
20 yes, o yea"
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24
CHAPTER xxIv.-continued.

His rise had been rapid. He had
come from the east three years be-
fore, new to the work Now, he was
the one man there. OF his relation
ships east, family or otherwise, moth
ing was said. For them his life be-
gan and ended in Derby, and Sweet
water could see, though no actual ex-
preston was given to the feeling
that there was but one expectation
In regard to him and Doris, ID whose
uncommon beauty and sweetness they
all seemed fully alive. And Sweet
water wondered. as many of us have
wondered, at the gulf frequently ex-
listing between fancy and fact.
Later there came a small excite
ment The doctor was seen riding by
on his way to the sick man. From
the window where he sat, Sweetwater
watched him pass up the street and
take the road he had himself so lately
traversed.
And so an hour-two hours passed.
Others we're watching the old horse
now. The street showed many an ca
ger figure with head turned north
ward From the open doorways wom-
en- stepped, looked in the direction of
their anxiety and retreated to their
work again. Suspense was every
where; the moments dragged like
hours. A sudden change took place
in the aspect of the street; he saw
people running, and in another mo
ment saw why. The doctor had shown
himself on the porch which all were
watching. Was he coming out? No,
ne stands quite still, runs his eye over
the people waiting quietly in the road,
and beckons to one of the smaller
boys The child with upturned face,
stands listening to what he has to
say, then starts on a run for the viii
lage He is stopped, pulled about,
questioned, and allowed to run on.
Many rush forth to meet him. He is
painting, but gleeful. Mr.. Brotherson
has walked up conscious, and the doc
tor says, HE will live"
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24
CHAPTER XVIII.

Hope Never to See That Man.
Mr.. Challoner continued to pass the
house twice day and the time finally
came when he ventr-ed up the walk.
Doris was in the window and saw
him coming. She slipped softly out
and intercepted him before he had
stepped upon the porch.
Miss Scott?" he asked.
Eyes, Mr.. Challoner."
"You know me?" he went on, one
foot on the step and one still on the
walk
Before replying she closed the door
behind her. Then as she noted his
surprise she carefully explained:
"Mr. Brotherson, our boarder, Is
just recovering from typhoid. He Is
still weak and acutely susceptible to
the least noise. I was afraid that our
voices might disturb him. Do you
mind walking a little way up the
road? That is, if your visit was in
tended for me-"
Her flush, the beauty which must
have struck even him, but more than
all else her youth, seemed to reconcile
him to this unconventional request.
Bowling, he took his foot from the
step, saying, as she joined him:
Eyes, you are the one l wanted to
see; that is, today. Later, | hope to
have the privilege of conversation
with Mr.. Brotherson."
She gave him one quick look, trem-
bling so that he offered her his arm
with fatherly air.
II see that you understand my err
rand here" he proceeded, with a
grave smile, meant as she knew for
her encouragement. 81 am glad, be-
cause we can go at once to the point.
Miss Scott" he continued in voice
from which he no longer strove to
keep back the evidences of deep feel
ing, 81 have the strongest interest in
your patient that one man can have
in another, where there is no personal
acquaintanceship. You who have ev-
cry reason to understand my reasons
for this, will accept the statement, l
hope, as frankly as 1t is made"
She nodded. Her eyes were full of
tears, but she did not hesitate to
raise them.
when lost my daughter. lost ev-
erything," he declared, as they walked
slowly up the road. Nothing excites
my interest, save that which once ex-
cited hers. / am told that the deep
est interest of her life lay here, / am
also told that 1t was an interest quite
worthy of her. / expect to find it SO.
l hope with all my heart to find it SO.
and that is why 1 have come to this
town and expect to linger till Mr..
Brotherson has recovered sufficiently
to see me. / hope that this will be
agreeable to him. l hope that l am
not presuming too much in cherishing
these expectations.
Doris turned her candid eyes upon
him.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24

clothes. One day my husband got the
neighbors in to see what the matter was
but they could not help me. My first
thought was for Lydia E. Pinkham's
Vegetable Compound and sent my hus-
band out for it and took ituntil I was en-
tirely cured. am woman of perfect
health and my health and happiness
came from Lydia E. Pink ans medi-
cine. You may rest assured that l do
all can to recommend your wonderful
medicine to my friends. - Mrs. FRED
STONE, Route No. 3, Malone, N. Y.
The success Of Lydia E. Pinkham's
Vegetable Compound, made from roots
and herbs, is unparalleled. 1t may be-
used with perfect confidence by women
who suffer from displacements, iniam-
nation, liberation, tumors, irregularities,
periodic peins, backache, bearing-down
feeling, fatulency, indigestion, dizziness,
or nervous prostration. Lydia E. Pink
hams Vegetable Compound is the STAN
dard remedy for female ills.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24

for myself, Miss Scott, when seem
a little too persistent and inquiring.
You have correspondent with Miss
Challoner; you have been told the
fact of her secret engagement to Mr..
Brotherson and you have been wit
ness to his conduct and manner for
the whole time he has been separated
from her. Do you, when you think of
it carefully, recall anything in the
whole story of this romance which
would throw light upon the cruel trag-
edy which has so unexpectedly ended
it? Anything, Miss Scott? Straws
show which way the stream flows"
She was vehement, instantly vehe-
ment, in her disclaimer.
81 can answer at once" said she,
because I have thought of nothing
else for all these weeks. Here all
was we'll. Mr.. Brotherson was hope
full and happy and believed in her hap
piness and willingness to wait for his
success. And this success was COM
ing so fast! Oh, how can we ever tell
him! How can we ever answer his
questions even, or keep him satisfied
and calm until be is strong enough to
hear the truth. I've had to acknowl-
edge already that I have had no letter
from her for weeks. She never wrote
to him directly, you know, and she
never sent him messages, but he knew
that a letter to me was also a letter
to him and I can see that he is
troubled by this long silence, though
he says l was quite right not to let
her know of his illness and that l
must continue to keep her in igno-
rance of it till he is quite well again
and can write to her himself. 1t is
hard to hear him talk like this and not
look sad or frightened"
Sweetwater remembered Miss Chal-
loner's last letter, and wished he had
it here to give her. In default of this.
he said:
Perhaps this not hearing may act
IN the way of a preparation for the
shock which must come to him sooner
or later. Let us hope so, Miss Scott. "
Her eyes filled.
she. Then added, with yearning &C
cent, II wish were older or had more
experience. / should not feel so help
less. But the gratitude owe him will
give me strength when need it most.
Only l wish the suffering might be
mine rather than his"
Unconscious of any self-betrayal,
water by the beauty of her look
81 don't think I'm so sorry for Os-
valid Brotherson," he murmured to
himself as he left her. He's more
fortunate man than he knows, how
ever deeply he may feel the loss of
his first sweetheart"
That evening the disappointed
Sweetwater took the train for New
York. He had failed to advance the
case in hand one whit. yet the counte-
nance he showed Mr.. Gryce at their
first interview was not a wholly
gloomy one.
Fifty dollars to the bad!" was his
first laconic greeting. "Al1 1 have
learned is comprised in these two
statements. The second o. B. is a fine
fellow; and not Intentionally the
cause Of our tragedy. He does not
even know about it. He's down with
the fever at present and they haven't
| told him. When he's better we may
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24
SYNOPSIS.

George Anderson and wife see q re-
markable looking man come OUT OF lLle
Clermont hotel, look around Iurtive ~,
wash his hands In the snow and pass on.
Commotion attracts them to the CIeIHI!o3int,
where il is found that the beautlIui MIsS
Edith Challoner has fallen dead. AnuSI-
son describes the man he saw WASH ms
hands in the snow. The hotel manager
declares him to be Orlando Brotnerson.
Physicians find that Miss Challoner was
stabbed and not shot, which seems 10
clear Brotherson Of suspicion. Gryce. an
aged detective, and 5weetwater, his as
sistant take UP the case. Mr.. Challoner
tells OF a batch Of letters found In his
daughters desk, signed 30. B." All are
love letters except one, which shows tnat
the writer was dspleased. This letter
was signed by Orlando Brotherson. Ano o
erson goes with Sweetwater to identity
Brotherscn, who is found in tenement
under the name Of Dunn. He Is an IN
ventor Brotherson tells the coroner MISS
ChallOner repulsed him with scorn when
ne offered her his love. Sweetwater re-
calls the mystery of the murder OF
Washerwoman In which some details were
similar to the Challoner affair. Chal-
loner admits his daughter was deeply IN
terested, IL not in love with Brotherson.
Sweetwater gets lodgings in the same
building with Brotherson. He watches
tected by the latter. The detective moves
to room adjoining Brotherson's. He
bores "A hole in the wall to spy on Broth
erson. He visits him and assists the IN
ventor in his work girl sent by Sweet
water with Edith Challoner's letters Is
ordered out by Brotherson. He declares
the letters were not written by him.
Sweetwater is unmasked by Brotherson.
who declares he recognized him at once.
The discovery is made that the letters
signed 20. D." were written by two
different men, Sweetwater goes to Derby
in search Of the second 20. b., whom he
expects to locate through one Doris Scott.
mentioned in the letters. She Is found
acting as nurse for Oswald Brotherson,
who Is critically sick and calls the name
of Edith In his delrium.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24
Alone Twenty-Four Years.

1t was stated at an inquest on a
woman at Newington, England, recent
ly that she had been a tenant of Pom
sonby buildings, Blackfriars, for "a
years, and the porter said he had new
err known her to have visitor. Her
sister happened to call, and at her re-
quest he burst the door open and
found the woman dead. Further evil
dence showed that the cause Of death
was bronchitis, and that the woman
had been dead for two days.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24
hear something; but I doubt even

hear something; but I doubt even
that"
Tell me about it."
Sweetwater complied; and such is
the Inconsistencies with which we
often encounter the pivotal circum-
stance upon which our future or the
future of our most cherished under
taking hangs, he omitted from his
stoSy the sole discovery which was of
any real Importance in the unraveling
of the mystery in which they were so
deeply concerned. He said nothing
of his walk in the woods or of what
he saw there.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24
Prove Cycles of Fashion

question American archseologists
should strive to solve Concluding
that Cretan ruins bear witness to the
durability of the corset, may they not
also give encouragement to the hope
that it was not always worn as q
straight front?
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24

tainly done me a lot
of good. first heard
of it when / was q
girl andI always said
that if I ever had fe-
male trouble / would
take it.
al suffered from
organic inhamma-
ton and would have
spells when / would
be in such pain that
j would tear nv
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24
CHAPTER XVII.
The IMAGE Of Dread.

4
In the comfortable little sitting
room of the Scott cottage Doris stood,
looking eagerly from the window
which gave upon the road. Behind
| her, on the other side of the room,
could be seen through a partly opened
door, neatly spread bed, with hand
lying quietly on the patched coverlid.
Several weeks had passed since the
departure of Sweetwater and the in
valid was fast gaining strength. To
morrow, he would be up.
Was Doris thinking of him? I'm
doubtedly, for her eyes often flashed
his way; but her main attention was
| fixed upon the road, though no one
was in sight at the moment. Some
one had passed for whose return she
looked; some one whom, if she had
been asked to describe, she would
have called a tall, f1ne-looking man
of middle age, of cultivated appear
ance seldom seen in this small manu-
| featuring town; seldom seen, possibly,
in any town. He had glanced up at
the window as he went by, in a man.
| ner too marked not to excite her curl
osity. Would he look up again when
to see. Why, she did not know. She
was not used to indulging in petty
suppositions of this kind; her life was
too busy, her anxieties too keen. The
great dread looming ever before her
the dread of that hour when she
must speak-left her very little heart
for anything ASSOCIATED with this
coming event.
But her interest had been caught
today, caught by this stranger, and
when during her eager watch the
small messenger from the Works
came to the door with the usual daily
supply of books and magazines for
the patient, she stepped out on the
porch to speak to him and to point
out the gentleman who was now rap
| idly returning from his stroll up the
road.
"Who Is that, Johnny" she asked.
The boy looked, searched his mem
DRY, not without some show of mis-
giving.
"a queer name.'' he admitted at
last. Shally something. Shally-
! Shally-"
"Challoner?"
Yes, that's 1t. How could you
guess? He's from New York. Don't
seem to have no business"
well, never mind. Run on, Johnny.
And don't forget to come earlier to-
morrow; Mr.. Brotherson gets tired
waiting"
Does he? I'll come quick then;
quick as I can rum" And he sped
off at pace which promised well for
the morrow.
Challoner! There was but one Chal-
1oner in the world for Doris Scott
Edith's father. Was this he? 1t must
be, or why this haunting sense of
something half remembered as she
caught glimpse of his face. Edith's
father! and he was approaching, ap-
preaching rapidly, on his way back to
town. She had not closed the door;
something within-a hope or a dread
had prevented that. Would he take
| it as an invitation to come in? No,
| no; she was not ready for such an
encounter yet. He might speak Edith's
name; Oswald might hear and-with
| a gasp she recognized the closeness of
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24

We make friends not by explaining
things to them but by allowing them
to explain things to us.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24
IN SUCH PAIN y
WOMAN TORE
her CLOTHES
Testifies She Was Restored
to Health by Lydia E
Pinkham's Vegetable
Compound.

Malone, N. Y, "Lydia E. Pink
hams Vegetable Compound has GER
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24

his step; heard it lag, almost halt
just where the path to the house ran
into the roadside. But it passed on.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-24
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
This Girls Number Is Z
him.

Should it ever be necessary for the
little daughter of David B. Glass of
Marshallton to choose lucky num-
Der there is no doubt that seven will
be her choice. 1t already has played
a prominent part in her life. The
child was born on the seventh day
of the week, the seventh day of the
month and the seventh month Of the
year. She was seven months old on
the seventh day of February and
weighed seven pounds. She is the sew
enth grandchild.
Her mothers age is five times sew
en-, her fathers age is six times seven
and her grandmother's age is eight
times seven. An only living brother
is in his seventh year. There ere
just seven letters in the child's name.
Wilmington correspondence Phila-
delphia Press.