davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-11-19

| my head which blocked on. all the light
and made it difficult for me to breathe,
/ and ! was dragged down backward on
! 10 the deck. | could not struggle, be
throat seemed to be driving the sense
all out Of me. Then two hands were
slipped under the cloth, my Jaw was
forced open. somcthiIp as thrust into
it-and there was as helpless as a
trussed fowl and incapable OF utter
ing sound
am free to admit that it was very
we'll done, evidently by persons who
had done that sort OF thing before.
had not the use of my eyes, but, il
| could trust my ears, not word was
spoken nor an instant wasted. Pres
emily two pairs of hands lifted me by
the mead and heels; | was carried a
few feet, and deposited under what !
have no doubt was cover. and there |
remained for ! have not the faintest
notion how long.
Time passed: the hours went by
they seemed to me years-and as was
wondering if | had become an old
woman and my hair had turned gray,
| was lifted again by two pairs Of
hands, though I had not heard sound
of anyone approaching. ! was carried
this time some distance; a rope was
tied round my waist. and Immediately
aftcrward | became pleasantly con-
scious that ! was being lowered over
the side of the ship. took it for
granted that my two friends, DESTROYS
OF avoiding the noise of a splash, had
adopted this method of dropping me
into the sea. | feared my end had
come, and was momentarily expecting
| to come in contact with the water,
when went plump against something
solid instead, and on what | had
bumped against | stayed. The tension
of the rope ceased. | was being low
cred no longer; apparently / was on,
or in, something. ! suppose ! was
there some minutes before ] discov-
cred that the igaturc which bound
my wrists together was not so taut as
it had been, and it did not take ME
very long after the discovery was
made to wriggle both my hands loose,
Then | put them up and pulled that
covering off my head and face !
found it was a canvas bag which had
contained something undesirable, be-
cause my eyes. and nostrils, and mouth
were full of grits, and something gritty
was worrying my hair and skin, |
took the gag out of my mouth; they
had actually used piece of cotton
waste. Then ! sat up, and | learned
that ] was in a small boat, which was
all alone on what--literally to me--was
a trackless ocean.
There was nothing to see, except
water; and there was too much Of
that. | must have been lying for hours
with that disgusting bag over my head,
because it was clear, from the appear
ance Of the heavens that the dawn
was OH the point Of breaking 1t did
break; ! hoated on, and oil, and on.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-11-19

much Obliged II YOU can tell me VIII
Miss Balfour is TO be found at
present moment"
He pulled rather a long face
"1 wish I could; that is wha
hoped you would be able to tell n
No one is less likely to be able
tell YOU about the movements Of
woman who, according to you,
-alls herself Miss Balfour than I
Are you no longer in her enploy?-
He shifted his cap little to one
md scratched his head. ] thought "
ructul-looking object he was all
once.
Well. its rather long story.
IKE this He paused, as if to
back 10 the beginning. q wasn't
actly in her employ; the fact is.
uncle Of mine left me a legacy, an
laid 1t out in buying motor
meaning TO hire it out to people
wanted one. It's first-rate car.
| wanted 10 get at people Of be
class. Miss Balfour hired it--frst
the day, then by the week, and Their
the month. We used to 60 of tog
cr for tours in the country OF cot
she paid my expenses, and moth
would suit her but that we should !
our meals together-late dinner
al. that; and-well"-he looked
shccpish--"shc began to make out
she had taken a liking 70 me, and
course, liked her. 80 then gave
the motorcar."
you did WHAT" almost shot
in that Tube station.
You see, We were going to be
ried--"
: "Oh, you were going 20 1e marrie
/ OF course; ! knew she'd got
Of money, and that it would be a
rate thing for me. and 50 I thou
/ there being only one thing I could
her worth having. that was the lea
could give her, so l gave her the
/ torcar. thinking he quickly ad
that, as what was hers would be n
it would make no difference, and
It would be as much mine as
only the mischief was | gave il her
/ fore witnesses; and that very
night, if she didn't get up in the
die of the night, and go down to
garage, and take the car out, and d
of with it, and I've seen nothing
either of them since
This was such a. astounding
, that if it had not been for the sin
air Of depression which marked
man | should have thought that he
having Joke at my expense; bu
was serious enough, as he had
reason to be.
1T was no Use my going after
even il I had known where she
because, OF course, she hadn't st
the motor car, seeing that I had
II TO her in the presence OF witness
and that's how it was"
DO you mean 70 say you've
your motorcar?"
| 1T looks as if I had. 7 did hea
a sort OF side wind that she's take
to France, but seing that it's her
don't see what I can do to her if
has. She's had me fairly. It was
OF the best motorcars that m
could buy; l didn't grudge anythin
the way of fittings
He sighed. Ny train came up,
left the youth lamentinC. He
only another example Of what abs(
idiots all sorts and conditions of
old and young, can make theIns1
over a woman.
1t was not very long afterward
q letter reached me which bore
/ Paris postmark. AS a specimen
will call It courage give it
batim. There was no date and
was no address.
My dear Miss Lee-may I call
! Judith''
1t was at This point that rea
that the letter was from that wo
Might she call me Judith rea(
with my teeth set pretty close
gether.
When | saw you the other da
Regent street, don't know if
saw me; | was in a motorcar and
were walking-quite a wave of end
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-08-06
pigeon Makes 7oo-Mlle rrIp.

Thirteen-year-old Marion Olram OF
Goldfield. New, is in her new San
Francisco home today, and 80 is Dizzy.
according to dispatch to the New
York Sun
Dizzy is not homer, but for an or
binary pigeon 1t has an acute travel
ing sense. 1t followed its little mis-
tress all the 700 miles by train from
Goldfield to San Francisco, and then
to her home here. Marion kissed Dizzy
good-by at Goldfield and then wept.
She looked out of the car window
and there was Dizzy. She took it In.
kissed it again and tossed 1t out once
more
But the pigeon wouldn't go back
When the Olrams got on the ferry at
Oakland, across the bay from San
Francisco, Dizzy alighted on the girrs
arm.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-08-06
Reconciliation.

Remuneration.
On the third day after the singular
trial of Hetty Castleton in Sara's IL
brary, young Mrs. WrandaIls motor
drew up in front Of lofty office build
ing In lower Broadway; its owner
stepped down from the limousine and
entered the building A few moments
later she walked briskly into the
splendid offices of Wrandall & Co.,
private bankers and steamship-own-
ers. The clerks in the outer Offices
stared for a moment In significant
surprise, and then bowed respectfully
to the beautiful silent partner in the
great concern.
1t was the first time she had been
seen in the offices since the tragic
event that had served to make her a
member of the firm. Al boy at the in
formation desk. somewhat impressed
by her beauty and the trim elegance
Of her long black broad-tail coat, to
say nothing Of the dark eyes that
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-08-06
island Paradise Of Birds.

On one little island in Gatun lake.
formerly known as Lion Hill, before
the impounded waters of the Chagres
river isolated it from the rest of the
Canal Zone, are more species of bird.
than in any one locality in the west
ern hemisphere. e. A. Goldman of thu
biological survey department of agr;
culture, in two short collecting trip.
to Panama has procured about 500
different species, and it is estimated
that larger variety Is to be foung
within the limits Of the Canal Zons
than in any one state in the Unitea.
States-about 600.
In the neighborhood Of Gatun, at thu
Atlantic entrance of the Canal Zona
no less than ESQ species have beea
found
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-08-06

| Ai1C dUOut 4ci. oil duSC " soy nav
never disliked her"
IF you had made the slightest ef-
fort to ike us, no doubt we could
have
my dear Mr. Wrandall,' she inter
rupted quickly, Il credit you with the
desire to be fair and just to me. You
have tried to like me. You have even
deceived yourself at times I-but
why these gentle recriminations? We
merely prolong an unfortunate con-
test between antagonfstic natures.
with no hope Of genuine peace being
, established. do not regret that
am your daughter-in-law, nor 60 | be-
lieve that you would regret 1t ii had
not been the daughter of Sebastian
| Gooch."
Your father was as little impress
| ed with my son as / was with his
daughter" said Redmond Wrandall
drily- Il am forced to confess that he
was the better judge. We had the
better of the bargain
Il believe you mean 1t, Mr.. Wran-
DALI" she said, note of gratitude In
her voice Goodbye. Mr.. Carroll
will see you tomorrow" She glanced
| quickly about the room II shall send
for--for certain articles that are no
longer required In conducting the bus
iness OF Wrandall & Co."
With a quaint little smile, she indi-
Gated the two photographs of herself
by Jove, Sara burst out Leslie
abruptly Il wish you'd let me have
that Gypsy NAB picture. I've always
been dotty over 1t, don't you know
Ripping study"
Her lip curled slightly.
GAS a matter OF fact" he explained
conclusively, "Chal often said he'd
leave 1t to me when he died. In a
| joking way, of course. but I'm sure he
meant It,"
''You may have 1t, Leslie" she said
slowly It is doubtful If he correctly
interpreted the movement Of her head
as she uttered the words.
Thanks" said he. '1'll hang it in
my den. If you don't object"
1--WE shall expect Mr.. Carroll tomor-
row, Sara" said his father, with an air
OF fnality. Goodbye. May ask
what plans you are making for the
winter?"
They are very indefinite"
II say, Sara. why don't you get
married." asked Leslie. surveying the
Gypsy NAB photograph with undis-
| guised admiration as he held 1t at
arms length. "Rippingi" This to the
picture.
She paused hear the door to stare
/ at him for a moment. unutterable
scorn in her eyes.
1--WE had notion you were pretty
keen about Brandy Booth" he went
on amiably.
She caught her breath. There was
an instant's hesitation on her part be-
fore she replied.
"You have never been very smart at
making love guesses, Leslie" she said.
TITS trick you haven't acquired
i He laughed uncomfortably. Meat
stroke, that"
| Following her into the corridor out
side the offices, he pushed the elevator
bell for her.
Il meant what said, Sara" he re-
marked somewhat doggedly. you
ought to get married. Chal didn't
leave much for you to cherish. There's
no reason why you should go on like
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-08-06

this, living alone and all that sort of
thing. You're young and beautiful
and"
"oh, thank you, Leslie" she cried
out sharply.
you see, it's going to be this way:
Hetty win probably marry Booth.
That's ON dit, / take it. You're depend
ing on her for companionship Well,
she'll quit you cold after she's mar
ried She will
She interrupted him peremptorily.
IF Challis did nothing else for me.
Leslie, he at least gave me you to
cherish. Once more, goodbye"
The elevator stopped for her. He
strolled back to his office with a pug
zled frown on his face She certainly
was inexplicable
The angry red faded from her
checks as she sped homeward In the
automobile. Her thoughts were nc
longer of Leslie but OF another &.
She sighed and closed her eyes. and
her cheeks were pale
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-08-06
CHAPTER xxI.-continued.

Sf1fAF- ! < N<Nts---C
4 did not see the register at the
Inn did not know till afterwards
that we were not booked. Once up
stairs, refused to remove my hat or
my veil or my coat until he brought
mis- friend to me- He pretended to be
very angry over his friends failure
90 be there beforehand, as he had
promised. He ordered a supper
served In the room / did not eat any
thing. Somehow 1 was beginning to
understand, vaguely of course, but
surely-and bitterly. Mr.. Wrandall.
Suddenly he threw off the mask.
He coolly informed me that he
knew the kind Of girl was. l had
been on the stage. He said 1t was no
use trying to work the marriage game
on him He was too old bird and
TOO wise to fall for that. Those were
ais words. | was Mortified, stunned.
When began to cry out In my fury.
he laughed at me but swore he would
marry me even at that II 1t were not
FOR the fact that he was already mar
RED rs. tried to leave the room.
lie held me. He kissed me hundred
times before | could break away. L
tried to scream. A little
later on, when l was absolutely des-
perate. II snatched up the knife.
There was nothing else left for me
TO do struck at him. He fell back
on the bed. l stole out of the
nouse-oh, hours and hours afterward
It seemed to me. / cannot tell you
how long I stood there watching him.
l was crazed by fear. Il"
Redmond Wrandall held up his
hand.
We will spare you the rest. Miss
Castleton," he said, his voice hoarse
and unnatural There is no need to
say move"
"You-you understand You do be-
fieve me?" she cried
He looked down at his wife's bowed
head, and received no sign from her;
then at the white, drawn faces of his
children. They met his gaze and he
read something in their eyes.
IL think your story is 80 convinc-
shame Of having it repeated to the
world"
Il cannot ask you to forgive me,
sir. I only ask you to believe me"
she murmured brokenly. IL am
sorry it had to be. God Is my witness
that there was no other way"
Mr.. Carroll came to his feet. There
we're tears in his eyes.
Il think, Mr. Wrandall, you will now
appreciate my motives in"
Pardon me, Mr. Carroll, If | sug.
gsst that Miss Castleton does not re.
quirs any defense at present" said
Mr.. Wrandall stifiiy. your motives
were doubtless good. VIII you be SO
good as to conduct US to a room where
we may-may be alone for short
while?"
There was something tragic in the
mans face. His son and daughter
arose as If moved by an instructive
realization of a duty, and perhaps for
the first time In their lives were sub
nfssive to an influence they had never
quite recognized before-a fathers
unalterable right to command. Fol
once in their lives they were meek
in his presence. They stepped to his
side and stood waiting. and neither
OF them spoke.
Mr.. Wrandall laid his hand heavily
on his wife's shoulder She started
looked up rather vacantly, and ther
arose without assistance. He did no
make the mistake of offering to assis
her. He knew too well that to ques
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-08-06

Workmen from a picture dealers es-
Establishment we're engaged in hanging
full length portrait in the long liy-
ing-room Of her apartment when she
reached home. She had sent to the
country for Booths picture of Hetty,
and was having 1t hung in conspicu-
Gus place.
Passing the open library door, Sara
paused for an instant TO peer within
Then she went on down the hall to her
own sitting-room The canary was
singing glibly In his cage by the win
dow-side
She threw aside her furs. and with
out removing her hat, passed into the
bed-chamber at the left OF the coy lit.
tie boudoir This was Hetty's room
Her own was directly opposite On
the girls dressing-table. leaning
against the broad, low mirror, stood
the unframed photograph of man
With furtive glance over her shoul.
der, Sara crossed to the table ami
took up the picture In her gIoyed
hand. For long time she stood there
gazing into the frank, good-looking
face Of Brandon Booth She breathed
faster; her hand shook; her eyes
were strained as II by an inward sug
gestion of pain
She shook her head slowly, as II In
final remuneration Of secret hope or
the Punishment Of an unwelcome de-
sire, and resolutely replaced the pho
tograph. Her lips were almost white
as she turned away and re-entered the
room beyond.
"He belongs to her" she said, I'M
consciously speaking aloud; and he is
like all men. She must not be unhap
py"
Presently she entered the library
She had exchanged her tailor-suit for a
dainty house-gown Hetty was still
seated in the big lounging chair. be-
fore the swapping fire, apparently not
having moved since she looked in on
passing quarter Of an hour before
One of the girls legs was curled up
under her, the other swung loose; an
elbow rested on the arm of the chair.
and her cheek was in her hand
Coming softly up from behind, Sara
leaned over the back of the chair and
put her hands under her friends chin,
tenderly. lovingly. Hetty started and
shivered.
ooh. Sara. how cold your hands
are!"
She grasped them in her own and
fondly stroked them. as If to restore
warmth to the long, slim fingers which
gave the lie to Mrs Coburn's declara-
lions.
1--we been thinking all morning OF
what you and Brandon proposed to
me last night said Sara, looking
straight over the girls head, the dark,
dangerous, mysterious glow filling her
eyes. ut is good of you both to want
me. but"
Now don't say but Sara. cried
Hetty. 1--WE mean 1t. and you must
| let us have our way"
'It would be splendid to be near
you all the time, dear; 1t would be
wonderful to live with you as you so
generously propose, but cannot do
it. must decline.
And may / ask why you decline to
| live with me?" demanded Hetty re-
sentfully
Because love you so dearly" said
Sara.
THE END.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-08-06


shone through the narrow veil, forgot
the dignity of his Office and went so
far as to politely ask her who she
wanted to see and what name,
! please"
The senior clerk rushed forward
and transaxed the new boy with a
glare.
"A new boy. Mrs. Wrandall," he
made haste to explain To the new
boys surprise, the visitor was con-
| Quoted with much bowling and scrap
! Ing into the private offices, where no
one ventured except by special edict
of the powers.
"Who was it?" he asked, in some
awe, Of veteran stenographer who
came up and sneered at him.
Mrs. Challis Wrandall, you little
simpleton." said she, and for once he
failed to snap back.
| 1t Is of record that for nearly two
whole days, he was polite to every Wis
itor who approached him and was
/ generally worth his salt.
Sara found herself in the close lit
tie room that once had been her hus-
bands, but was now .scrupulously held
in reserve for her own USE Rather a
waste Of space, she felt as she looked
about the office. The clerk busted an
easy chair and threw open the long
unused desk near the window.
1--WE are very glad TO see you here.
madam" he said. This room hasn't
been used much, as you may observe
Is there anything can do for your"
She continued her critical survey OF
the room. Nothing had been changed
since the days when she used to visit
her husband here on occasions of rare
social Importance: such as calling to
take him out to luncheon, or to see
that he got safely home on rainy after
Moons. The big picture of steamship
still hung on the wall across the room
Her own photograph, In a silver frame
stood in one of the recesses of the
desk. She observed that there was
clean white blotter there too; but
the Ink wells appeared to be empty
| IL BIC "do " Ju06c w LILO looh VI
chagrin on the clerks face as he In
spected them. Photographs Of pole
scenes in which Wrandall was prom
inent figure, hung about the walls
with two or three pictures Of his favor
tie ponies, and one of a ragged gypsy
girl with wonderful eyes, carrying q
monkey in a crude wooden cage strap
ped to her back On closer observa
ton one would have recognized Sara's
peculiarly gipsy-like features In the
face of the girl, and then one would
have noticed the caption written In
red ink at the bottom of the photo
graph: 1.-THE Trumbell's Fancy Dress
Ball, January 10. '07. Sara as Gypsy
Nab"
With start. Sara came out of her
painful reverie She passed her hand
over her eyes, and seemed thereby to
put the polite senior clerk back into
the picture once more.
mo. thank you. Is Mr.. Redmond
Wrandall down this afternoon?"
"He came in not ten minutes ago
Mr.. Leslie Wrandall is also here
Shall tell Mr.. Wrandall you wish tc
see him7"
@You may tell him that / am here
II you please" she said
Il am very sorry about the inf
wells, madam" murmured the clerk
! We've were not expecting"
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-08-06
eood ones.

DO you want me to misrepresans
the goods and say they are fine whaa
they are not?" asked the new sales
man.
Yes sternly answered the ur
scrnpulous dealer. Always rcmens
Der that our Assets arr yeu MeszLa,
itiee.~
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-08-06

tion her strength now would be but to
invite weakness. She was strong. He
knew her well.
She stood straight and firm for a
few seconds. transfixing Hetty with a
look that seemed to bore into the very
soul OF her, and then spoke.
You ask US to be your judges ?"
= ask you to judge not me alone
out-your son as well,' said Hetty,
meeting her look steadily "You can
not pronounce me innocent without
pronouncing him guilty 1t viii be
hard"
Sara raised her head from her arms.
q Ynu knnxg tho xsav In t. - na44s.