davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-19
$1,000 FOR 100 WORDS.

Tho Million Dollar Mystery" story
sciH run for tsoenfy-t,00 consecutive s0eeks
In this paper. By an arrangement scith
the Thamhowser Film companyit has been
made possible not only to read the story
In this paper but also to see 1t each sCeck
In the vari0Ms morinO picture theaters.
For the solution of this mystery story
$4,000 sciH be giren by the Thanho3ser
Film corporation.
CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE
CONTEST.
The prize of $4,000 sciI be .con BY the
man, scoman, or child scho scrites the most
acceptable solution of the mystery, from
srhich the last too reels of motion picture
drama sciU be made and the last tico
chapters of the story scrittes BY Harold
M0cGrafh.
Solutions may Be sent to the Than
k0usw Film corporation, either at Chicago
Jan. III. This allos0s several tceeks after
the last chapter has been published.
A board of three judges s0iH determine
schich of the many solutions received is the
most acceptable. The judges are to be
Harold MocGrath, Lloyd LonergaN, and
Mise Moe Tinee The judgment of this
board .ciH be absolute and final. Nothing
of literary nature s0iH be considered IN
the decision, nor 0iren any preferences ~
inc SetCCttOW OJ tW0 WSWUcJ VI Two pAVsVVV
prize. The last tsco reels, tchich sciH 0tre
the most acceptable solution to the mys-
terry, ioiH be presented in the theaters
having this feature a. soon as 1t 10 pos
sibIe to produce the same. The story corre-
spondin1 to these motion pictures sciU ap-
peor in tho nesospapers coincidentdlly, or
az soon after tho appearance of the pic
lures as practicable. With the last tico
reels sciH be shoson the pictures of the acin-
ner, his or her home. aud other interesting
features. 1t is understood that the netos-
papers, so far as practicable, in printing
the last too chapters of the story By Har-
old MacGrath, .ciH also sh0so q picture Of
tho smccessful contestant.
Solutions to the mystery must not DO
more than 100 soords long. Hero are some
questions to be kept in mind in connections
scifh the mystery as an aid to a solution:
No. I-What becomes of the millionaire?
No. 2-What becomes of the $1,000 DOOR
No. S-Whom does Florence marrys
No. @-What becomes of the Rassid~
countessi
Nobody connected either directly or in
directly 10Th The Million Dollar Mys-
terry" sciH be considered az q contestant.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-19

ought to have funeral services, and let 1t go
at that"
~But what was the reason for TINT fake
cable from Gibraltar saying that Orts was
alive? don't see any sense In that"
"The man who pulled it off did. think,
for my part, that both Orts and Hargreave
are dead, and that the man picked up by the
trump steamer Orient was riding some other
balloon"
You're wrong there. The description Of
it proved that it was Orts' machine. o. Jim
probably has got mans size yarn up his
sleeve, but he's a long time in delivering the
goods. He's beginning to nope good deal.
Woman back Of it somewhere. Haven't held
down this copy job for twelve years with
out being able to make some tolerable
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-19
CHAPTER TX.

TIM LEAP m THE DARK.
- o far as Jones was concerned, he was
rather pleased with the turn Of affairs.
- This was no time for lovemaking; no
time for silly, innocuous quarrels and
hckerings, in which love must indulge or die.
Florence NO longer rode horseback, and Nor
ton returned to his accustomed haunts, where
no one made the slightest attempt upon his
life. In his present state Of mind he would
have welcomed it.
"whats the matter with Jim?" asked the
night city editor, raising his eye shade.
IT don't know" answered the copy reader.
"Goes around - II he'd been eating dope;
bumped into the boss . while ago and never
stopped to apologize"
Perhaps he's mapping out the front page
for that Harsreave STUFF" laughed the copy
reader. Between you and me and the gate
post, don't believe there ever was . man
BY the name Of Hargreave."
20, there was chap by that name, all
right. He's dead. A man can't swim 300
miles In rough water, life buoy OF NO. They
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-19

positive that they were preparing to strike
again. But from what direction and in what
manner? He had not the GIFT of clairvoy.
ance, so he had to wait; and waiting is a
terrible game when perhaps death is bal
ancing the scales. 1t is always easier to
make an assault than to await it; and it is
a good general who always finds himself
prepared.
But it made his heart ache to watch the
cLild. She went about cheerfully any
one was in the room with her. Many .
time, however, he had stolen to the door
Of her bedroom and heard the heart rending
sobs, a vain, attempt being made to stife
them among the pillows. She was only 10;
it was first love; and first loves are pale.
evanescent attachments. 1t hurt now; but
she would get over it presently. Youth for
gets. Time, like water, smooths away the
ragged places.
The Countess call, ID regularly. She was,
of course, dreadfully sorry over what had
happened. She had heard something about
his character; newspaper men weren't always
the best This one was a mere fortune
hunter; two faced one, at that She was
never more surprised in her life when he
threw his arms around her. And on, and
80 forth, half lies and half truths, till the
patient Jones felt like wringing her neck.
From his vantage point the butler smiled
ironically. He could read the heart of this
Perigon woman as he could read the page Of
q book. The affrontery! And all the while
he must grayely admit her and pretend when
the blood rioted in his veins Mt the sight Of
her. But he dared not swerve 4 single inch
from the plans laid down. 1t was cup Of
bitter gall. and there was no way Of avoid
ing the putting of It to his lips. She ems
mated poison AZ nightshade emanates 1t, the
upas tree. And he must bow when she en-
tered and bow when she left! Still, she had
done him an indirect favor in breaking mp
this love business.
One afternoon Braine summoned his rum
about and called upon two physiciana. Whea
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-19

he was uihered into the deserted once Of the
first he sent his card in. The doctor replied
In person. His face was pale and his hands
shook.
Good Afternoon" said Braine, smiling
afably.
The doctor eyed him like . man hypno-
tixed. You you wished to eco me
ON some particular business?"
@very particular" dryly. Ny car Is out
side. VIII you be 20 good AZ to accompany
met"
The doctor slowly went into the hall for
his hat and coat. He left the house and 60:
into the car with never . word Of protest.
Thinking?" said Braine.
ct am always thinking whenever / see
your evil face. What devilment do you re-
Quire Of me this time?"
"A mere stroke Of the PEN"
Where are we going?"
To call ON another physician Of your
standing" significantly. -" 1t is a great thing
to have friends like you two. Always ready
to serve us, for the mere love Of it,
There's no need Of using that kind of talk
to me. You have me in the hollow Of your
hand. Why should bother to deny it?
have broken the law. broke it because I
was starving
1t is better to starve in freedom than to
eat fat joints up the river. Today it is
question Of sanity"
And you want me to assist in signing
away the liberty Of some person who IL per-
fectly sane"
The NAH on the head" urbanely.
"You're q fine scoundrel!"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-19

" Not 80 loudl" warningly.
:" As loud as please. 1 am not forget
ting that you need me. I'm NO coward. 1
recognize that you hold the whip hand. But
you can send me to the chair before I'll
crawl to you. Now. leave me alone for
while.'
Of conscience. He was ready at al times
for the generous emoluments which accrued
from his dealings with the man Braine.
The Countess Perigoff was indisposed: 50
it was quite in the order Of things that she
should summon physicians
There is a law in the state of New York
just unjust, whichever you please-that
reads that any person may be adjudged in
sane If the signatures of two registered physi-
clans are afnxed to the document. It does
not say that these physicians shall have been
proved reputable.
There were, besides the physicians a
motherly looking woman and man Of benign
countenance. Their faces were valuable
assets. TO gain another persons confidence
is. perhaps among the greatest human
achievements. A confidence man and woman
in the real sense Of the word. In your minds
eye you could see this man carrying the con-
tribution plate down the aisle ON Sunday
mornings, and his wife Kate putting her
mite ON the plate for the benefit Of some poor,
untidy Hottentot
On Tuesday of the following week
Florence and Susan went shopping. The
chauffeur was strong young fellow whom
Jones relied upon. II you pay . man wen
and hold ont fine promieea. you generally
can trust him. Al their car left the corner
another followed leisurely. This second auto
mobile contained Thomas Wendt and his
wife Kate. The two young women stopped at
the great dry goods shop near the public
library, and for the time being naturally for
got everything but the marvels which had
come from an parts Of the world. Il = ~
natural for woman to buy ~ it b for q
man to SELL
n sone manner or other Florence became
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-19

they nay. We've got two ends Of the net
down, and with little care wen have them
all. Now, let me have Z hundred"
Norton drew out . packet Of bills and
counted OF five twenties.
why don't you draw the cash yourself?"
It happens to be in your name, SON."
81 forgot" said Norton. But what =
chance for me! Nearly Eve thousand, an
mine for a ticket to Algiers!"
A grunt was the only reply.
Il want you to tell me about the Perigoff
woman"
~ know only one thing-that Braine il
there every night"
E"No!''
The orders are for you to play the game
just as you are playing it. When we strike,
it must be the last blow. All this hide-and-
seek business may look foolish to you. It's
like that Japanese game called jo.' 1t looks
simple, but chess is tyro's game beside it.
Can you find your way back all right?"
can"
well, you'd better be going. That's all
the light 1 have, in this torch here. Got q
lot to do tomorrow and need Sleep"
Norton stole away with great caution. His
first intention was to proceed straight to the
city, but despite his resolution he found
himself within a quarter Of an hour gazing
up at the windows of the Hargreave house.
Not at home!
Quite unconscious of the fact, he was as
close to death as any mortal nlan might care
to be. The policeman, suddenly looming ND
under the arc lamp, proved to be his savio.
The lull made Jones doubly alert. He was
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-19
- MlIlON [OILAp MYSTTPY grHaod Mac (1aatt},

What did they ask you to dot"
% You asked me to come down to the onlce
at once, and requested you to come to the
house, and you said you could not. de-
clined to stir"
"What do you Think"
Exactly what you're thinking-that they
hare come to life again."
Jones, is Miss Florence awake7"
'No."
do you think there IL any hope Of having
her understand what really happened?"
:" 1 am here only to guard her. cannot
undertake to read her thoughts"
You're not quite in favor Of . reconcflia-
tom"
20, yes, if it went no further. Young
people are young people the world over"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-19

What does that meant" -;
That they would not create imaginative
heart aches if they were not young. Better
let things remain exactly as they are. When
all these troubles are settled finally, the lesser
trouble may be talked over sensibly. But
this is not the time. There is no news.
Goodnight"
Norton returned to his chair, gloomier than
ever. With his feet upon the window sill,
he stared and stared and dreamed and
dreamed till a hand fell upon his shoulder.
1t belonged to one Of the office boys.
Note f'r you, sir
Norton read it and tore it into little pieces.
Then he rose and distributed the pieces in
the several yawning waste baskets which
strewed the aisle leading to the city desk.
"I'm not wanted for anything?" he asked.
"No. Clear QUIT" laughed the night city
editor. "The sight of you is putting every
body in the gloom ward"
Norton went down to the street. At the
left Of the entrance he was quietly Joined by
a man whose arm was carried in a sling.
He motioned Norton to get into the taxicab.
They were dropped in a deserted spot in
Riverdale. On foot they went forward to
their destination, which proved to be the
deserted hangar Of the aviator William Orts.
81 want you to tell Jones that a tug and
several divers are at work on the spot where
he threw the chest. That's all. Now, doc
tor, rewind this arm of mine"
The amateur surgeon made a very good
job of it; not for nothing had he followed
fighting armies to the front.
did they find anything?"
Not up to date. But might if we
cared to. They have left buoy over the
spot they're exploring. But just now it floats
quarter Of mile to the east of the spot"
who were the men in the motor boat
that chased Jones?"
"Only Jones can tell you. Queer old
codger, eh?"
a bit stubborn. He wants to handle it
without police assistance"
And he's right. We are not aiming to
arrest any one,'' sinisterly. "There can't be
any draw to this game. Here, no smoking
Too much gas afioat."
Norton put the cigarets back into his
pocket What's the real news?" he de-
manded. You would not bring me out here
just to rebandage that arm. 1t really did not
need it Come, out with it,
you're sharp
I'm paid to be sharp
eve found where the Black Hundred
holds its sessions"
BY George, that il news!"
The room above IL vacant. A little hole
in the ceiling, and who knows what might
happen7"
Wl,>% 1o 80 H.
TEL Jones. When the next meeting
comes around I'll advise you I've stumbled
upon dissatisfied member. So, buck up, q
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-19
SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.

SYNOPSIS OF 0HEVIOUS CHAFTk06Ss
Stanley Hargreave, millionaire. after .
miraculous escape from the den OF the
gang Of brilliant thieves known n the
Black Hundred, lives the life Of . recluse
for eighteen years. Hargreave accf-
dentally meets Braine. leader Of the
Black Hundred. Knowing Braine will
try to get him, he escapes from his own
home by . balloon. Before escaping he
writes q letter to the girls school,
where eighteen years before he mystefa-
ously left ON the dooRstep His baby
daAghter, Florence Gray. That day
HarErcave also draws ONE million doll
lars from the bank, but 1T - reported
that this dropped into the sea. when the
balloon he escaped In was Dunctured.
Florence arrives froa the girls school.
Countess Olga. Braine's c0mpani0n, Wis
fts her and clains to be . relative. Two
bogus detectives call. but their plot II
1oaled by Norton, . newspaDer man.
~ bribing the captain Of the Orient
Norton lays q trap for Braine and his
gang. Countess Olga also visits the ORR
ent's captain and she easily falls into the
xsporterss snare. The plan proves abor-
i've through BRaine's good luck ana
oaly hiFelings fall late the hands Of the
Dolice.
After failing In their Afst attempt the
Mack Hundred trap Florence. They ask
her for money, but she escapes, again
1ealing then.
Merton and the countess eall On Flor.
0Aee the next day, once more safe At
Aoae. The visitors having gone. jones
removes . section Of Aoorang, and from
q cavity takes . box. Pursued By nea-
bsrs Of the Black Hundred. he r1shes to
the water 1ront ana succeeds In droD-
Dlsg the box into the sea.
Dralne eoneeives the idea q gavang .
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-19

guesses. Jim's star man. When he gets
started nothing can stop him. He covered
the Chinese Boxer rebellion better than any
other correspondent there. l wonder how old
he is?"
20, should say about thirty lone or two.
Here he comes now. 10. Jim!"
"Hello! Where's Ford? He gave me a
ticket to the theater tonight, and want to
punch his head What's drama coming tn,
anyhow? Cigarets and booze and mismated
couples. Can't they find good enough things
out Of doors? o. know. They cater to a
lot of fools who believe that what they see
is an expression Of high life in New York
and London. And it's rot, plain rot It's
merely the scum on the boiling pot. And
any old housewife would skim it off and
chuck it into the slops. Life? Pif1e!"
whats the grouch?"
Looking for the dramatic job?"
No. I've just been wondering how far
these theatrical managers can go without
Sitting the golden goose"
Norton sought his desk and began rum
maging the drawers. He was not hunting
for anything; he was merely passing away
the time. By and by, when the pastime no
longer served, he pulled his chair over to the
window and sat down, staring at stars such
~ Copernicus never dreamed of. Ships going
down to sea, ferries swooping diagonally
hither and thither, the clockwork signs; but
he took no note Of these marvels Of light.
Not at home!" he muttered.
He had called, written, telephoned. No
use. The door remained shut, Jones an
swered the telephone, and the letters came
back. He began to think very deeply con-
corning the Perigoff woman. Had she played
. trick? Had that fainting spell been bum
combe for his benefit as well as Florence's?
But he had not a shadow Of a proof. The
thing that puzzled him equally with this was
that all attempts against his life had mirac-
ulously ceased; safes Numbered down in
front Of him, and no autos tried to carve him
In two. The only thing that kept him active
was the daily call of Jones by wire. Miss
Florence was well; that was all Jones was
permitted to say.
Restlessly Norton spurned his chair and
walked over to the telephone booth. 1t was
midnight. He might or might not be able to
get Jones. But almost instantly voice
said, What il it?"
Jses?"
"Yes. Who is tit"
Morton"
"why. you called me up not ten minutes
ago."
Not T."
1t was your voice, AZ plain as day"
"What did I want?" keen all at once.
The reply did not come Immediately. 81 You
are certain it was not your"
Wait a moment and IN ca1 the editor.
He win prove to you that I've been here for
an hour, and that this is the first call I've
made. Some one has been imposing on Jon.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-09-23
Hoosick

Luther Grover is reported not so
well.
Miss Minnie Sweet of Pittsfcld is
visiting Mrs, K. Sweet.
Frank She man of Troy is spend
ing a few days with his mother, Mrs.
Matte Jepson.
Mrs. Matio Jepson. who has been
seriously III, is convalescing aud is
able to be out again.
Josiah p Reynolds OF Marquette.
Mich, has been a guest at the Rcy-
nolds homestead.
The woman's mis- sion circle will
meet with the Misses Crandall next
Thursday afternoon
Prof. f. c. Butcher has returned
from England t9 resume his duties as
teache- at Hoosiok school d.
Miss Anna N'olfrom OF Hoosick
Falls was an over Sunday guest OF
Mr. and Ms Albert Brown.
The remains OF Edward Grover
we're brought to his home in Hoosick
from the North Adams hospital Mon
day morning whe-e he was taken
Friday morning. he was hit on the
head by falling tree which he was
chopping in Dir. Reynolds woods. Mr..
Grover passed away Sunday without
gaining consciousness. Funeral no
tice later.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-09-23
Men and Women

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trouble. DR.. Kilmers Swamp-Root,
the great Kidney remedy, is highly
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Swamp-Root stands the highest for
the reason that so many people say
it has proved to be just the remedy
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At druggists in soc. and $1O0 sizes.
You may receive a sample size bot
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also a pamphlet telling you about 1t.
Address DR.. Kilmer & Co., Bingham
ton, n. Y, and enclose ten cents. al
30 mention the Bennington Evening
Banner.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-09-23

The Cosmus family returned TO
New York on Saturday and closed
their place here.
Mrs. w. II. Burroughs went the
first of the week to Mancheste.
where she is to teach.
Mrs. Herbert Knox and children,
who have been spending few weeks
at her home place here, returned to
her home in Nuw Canaan, Conn. on
Monday.
Mrs. Ernest Edgerton and son of
Dorset spent a part of last week
with her sister. Mrs. Delmer Stone.
Miss Clarissa Cooledge also visited
there over Sunday.
Mrs. Jones and daughter spent a
few days in New York recently re
turning on Wednesday afternoon.
They are occupying G. l.. Richard
sons cottage in the village.
The burning OF his house was es-
pecially grevious to NJ. j. Hapgood
on account of it's being his birth
place and having contained the an
cestral relics of two of the most
prominent families in the early set
Element of the town, the arnards
and Hapgoods.
The subject of the sermon next
Sunday morning will be The Whole
family in Heaven" which is the
the seventh and last ola series of SER
mons on the home. The evening
service will be under the auspices of
the Christian Endeavor. The subject
of the meeting will be How Every
Christian Can be a Missionary and
the leader is to be Rev. Stephen S.
Wood. The usual session of the Sun
day school will be held at noon. The
usual mid-week. prayer meeting will
be held at the usual hour. At the
meeting last Thursday evening it
was voted TO send the Pastor and
one delegate to the Ecclesiastical
Council in East Arlington Sept. so.
Harlan Blodgett was chosen as the
delegate. Also a vote OF sympathy
was taken for Brother and Sister Hap
good.
The most disastrous fire which has
ever occurred here was on wednes-
day evening about ten o'clock. when
the village residence OF NJ. j. Hap
good with its entire contents was
destroyed. Mrs. Hapgoods mother.
Mrs. Higgins. a lady Of SO years old
was burned in the house. the smoke
and flame being so dense il was i'm
possible TO get to her room which
was upstairs. The rest of the family
escaped in their night clothes. Il is
thought that the fire caught from an
exploded OF overturned lamp which
was left in the kitchen. Only by
hard work was the store saved.
which was in danger for some time.
The Hapgood home was an old land