davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-12-16
CHAPTER XIX.
A Blank Sheet of Paper.

Florence was a fortnight in recov-
ering from the shock of her expert
ence at the masked ball Of the Prin-
cess Parlova, who, by the way, disap-
peared from New York shortly after
the FIRE. no doubt because Of her fear
of the Black Hundred. The fire did
not DESTROY the house, but most OF
the furnishings were so thoroughly
drenched by water that they were
practically ruined. Her coming and
going were a nine days wonder, and
then the public found something else
to talk about.
Norton was a constant visitor at the
Eargreave place. There was to him q
new interest in that mysterious house,
with it's hidden panels, its false floors,
its secret tunnels; but ne treated
Jones upon the same basis as hitherto.
One thing, however: He felt sense
Of security in regard to Florence such
as he had not felt before. So, between
assignments, he ran out to Riverdale
and did what he could to amuse his
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-12-16

Found Herself in a Large, Musty Cave
down the girls throat. She opened
her eyes.
well, my beauty"
Florence eyed him wildly, not quite
understanding where he had come
from.
"I don't know how you got here"
he said; "and I don't care. But here
we are together at last. Whero is
your father?"
IL don't know" dazedly.
Better think quickly" he warned.
"I want lucid answers te my ques-
tions, or back you go into the water.
I'm about at the end Of my rope. I've
been beaten too many times, my girl,
to have any particular love for you.
Now, where is your father?"
"I don't know; / have never seen
him"
Braine laughed.
And Jim's boat ran afoul some rocks
and into the water he went. He had
not attracted Braile's attention, fer
tunately. He began to swim toward
the drifting launch.
where have they hidden that
money!"
II, don't know"
well, we'll; I've given you your
chance. You'll have to try your luck
with the water again"
Florence, weak as she was, set her
lips.
"You don't ask for mercy?" he said
banteringly.
"I should be wasting my breath to
ask for mercy from such monster as
you are she answered quickly.
THAT damned Hargreave nerve"
he snarled.
He rolled up his sleeves and stepped
toward her. She braced herself but
did not turn her eyes from his. Sud
denly, from nowhere at all, came
pair of hands. One clutched the gun
vale and the other laid hold Of Braine.
A cuick pull followed, and Braine be-
gan to toppIe But even as ne tell
he managed to fling himself atop his
assailant; and it was only when the
struggle began In the water that he
recognized the reporter. Ali the devil
in him came to the surface and ne
fought with the ferceness Of . tiger
to kill, kill, kill. In nearly every in-
stance this meddling reporter had
checkmated him. This time one or the
other Of them should stay IN the
water.
Norton recognized that he had
large order before him to disable
Braine. The recognition between
them was now frank and absolute;
there could never again BE any diplo-
matte sidestepping.
You're dead man, Norton!"
painted Braine, as he reached for the
reporters throat
Norton said nothing, but struck the
hand aside. For & moment they both
went under. They came up sputter-
ing, each trying for a hold. 1t was
terribly eneryating struggle.
Florence could do nothing. The
boat in which she sat continued to
drift away from the fighting men.
Once she tried to reach Braine with
the pole he had been using, but failed.
From the shore came another BOAT.
For awhile she could not tell whether
It contained friends or enemies. It
was terrible to be forced to wait, ab-
solutely helpless. When she heard the
newcomers call encouragingiy 70
Bra,ne she know then that the brave
fight Of her sweetheart was goin@ -
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-12-16

sweetheart. Later, they took short
rides in the runabout, and at length
she became as lively as she had ever
been.
But often she would catch Norton
brooding.
What makes you frown like that?'
'rWas I frowning?" innocently
enough.
Il find you this way a dozen times
In an afternoon. What is the matter!
Are they after you again.
Heavens, no! I'm only vague IS
sue. They will not bother me so long
as I do not bother them. 1t has
dwindled into game of truce"
"Do you think so?" eying him curl.
ously.
'Why, yes"
whats the use Of trying to fool
me, Jim? If they haven't been after
you, you are sensing presage OF evil.
I'm not child any longer. Haven't
/ been through enough to make me q
woman? Sometimes feel very old"
"To me you are the most charming
in all this wide world. No, you're not
child any longer. You are a woman,
brave and patient; and I know that l
could trust you with any secret have
or own. But sometimes a person may
have a secret which is not his and
which he hasn't any right to dis
close"
She became silent for awhile. II
hate money" she said. Il hate it.
hate it,"
'Tt's mighty comfortable to have It
around sometimes" he countered.
CAS- in my case, for instance. If I
were poor and had to work no one
would bother me-"
II would" he declared, laughing.
Come; let's throw of moods and go
into town for tea at the Rose Garden;
and If you feel strong enough wen
trip the light fantastic"
They had been gone from the house
less than an hour when man ran
up the steps Of the veranda and rang
the bell. Jones being busy at the rear
Of the house, the maid came to the
door.
els Miss Hargreave in:" the stran-
ger asked.
"No," abruptly. The door began to
close ever so slowly.
"Do you know where I can ind
herr"
The maid eyed him with covert keen
ness; then, remembering that the re-
porter was with Florence, said: Il
believe she Is at the Rose Garden this
afternoon"
'That is in town."
'Yes."
Thanks" The man turned abruptly
and ran down the steps.
The maid ran back to Jones.
'Why didn't you call me?" he de-
manded impatiently.
"There wasn't time"
OIQ you lSll ILL WuS40 oAO "e@9 .
eyes. But I shouldn't have told him
If Mr.. Norton had not been with Miss
Florence"
Jones ran to the 'front.' dashed out
eyed the back Of the man Fastening
down the street, smiled, and returned
to his work, or, rather, to the maid.
He took her by the shoulder, whirled
her about, and shot a look into her
eyes that Quailed her.
always call me hereafter, no mat
ter what I'm doing. That man has
never laid eyes on Florence and has
no idea what she looks like. Why did
you drug my coffee the night Of that
ball?"
She stepped back.
"And how much did they pay you
for letting that doctor send Florence
to Atlantic City? I know everything.
Hereafter, walk straight. If you play
another trick I'll kill you with these
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-12-16

was up and away like the mischievous
sprite that she was. Jim remained
Sn his chair, twisting his fingers and
wondering whether to laugh or grow
angry. After all, ne could not blame
her. To him an affair like this was an
ancient story; to her it was the door
Of fairyland swung open. Let her en-
Joy herself.
. Florence was having a splendid
time. Her partner was asking all sorts
Of questions and she was replying in
kind, when out Of the crowd came
Norton Gas she supposed), who touched
her arm. The cavalier stopped, bowed
and made of.
! Norton whispered: Il have made an
important discovery. We must be on
at once. Come with me-"
: Florence, without the least suspicion
in the world. followed him up the
bread staircase What with the many
sounds it was not to be wondered at
that the difference in the quality OF
voices did not sirike Florence's ear
as odd. The r. : Of her confidence
was that upol ochiag the upper
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-12-16

Trap.
world again. On, on she was carried.
Even though she was half dead, she
could hear the roar Of falls some
where il advance.
Braine thought he really had a clue
to the treasure, and with his usual
promptness he set about to learn if it
was worth anything. He procured
launch and began to prowi about, u.s.
ing a pole as feeler. All the while
he was being closely watched by Nor
ton, who had concluded to hang onto
Braine's trail till he found something
worthy OF note. Braine was disguised,
but this time Jim was not to be fooled.
But what was he looking for, wondered
the reporter? Braine continued to
pole along, sometimes pausing to look
over the gunwale down into the We
ter. In raising his head after the last
Investigation he discerned something,
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-12-16

two hands. And listen and tell this
to your confederates: I always know
every move they make; that is why no
one is missing from this house. There
is a traitor. Let them find him if they
can. Will you walk straight, or will
you leave?"
Il will walk straight" she fall
tered. "The money was too big a
temptation"
did they give it to you?"
Eyes. And more to stay here. But
this is the first bit Of dishonest work
I ever did"
"Well, remember what I have said.
Another misstep and I'll make an end
to you. Don't think I'm trying to
scare you. You've witnessed enough
to know that it's life and death IN
this house. Now run along"
At the Garden Jim and Florence
sauntered among the crowd, not hay
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-02-26

Developments in wool have encour-
aged holders, as the demand is brisk
and the tendency of values upward.
Another reassuring point in iron and
steel seems to have been definitely
reached.
The above comment of Dunn S
commercial agency of New York is
their summary of last weeks business
in the United States. And Dunn's is
not a democratic concern, by any
means. The point is that holders OF
wool are finding a strong demand
and that prices are tending upward
when every prediction of wool grow
ers was that the new free tariff was
going to ruin their industry and close
all the wooden mills. People who
have been so much alarmed over the
results of the new low tariff law Will
wake up to the fact after awhile that
the law of supply and demand has
not been repealed and that products
are going to bring the prices they are
worth just the same as ever before.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-02-26
TIT DUTY THAT FACES THE
DEMOCRATIC PARTY THIS
YEAR.

That democrats everywhere are
beginning to realize the supreme i'm
portance of the outcome of this
years congressional elections, and
also the necessity of commencing at
once an aggressive campaign of edu-
cation and organization, is shown by
an almost nationwide response to
the appeal published in the last is
sue of The Commoner
From every section of the country
comes the word that democrats are
lining up for the battle which will
determine whether the congress to
be elected this fall shall be in har-
mony with the principles pledged in
the national democratic platform and
championed by the present democrat
ic administration.
1t is apparent that the rank and
file democrats in every state are
keenly alive to the fact that the i'm
perative duty that faces the demo-
cratic party this year is to make sure
that the next congress will be demo-
cratic, not only as an Endorsement
of President Wilson's great work on
behalf of the people, but to give the
democratic party full and fair OPP
portunity to carry out its splendid
progressive program, and to demon
strate in the most practical way. its
capacity to serve the people of this
country. Every earnest democrat
realizes that a failure to return a
democratic congress this fall would
prove a serious set back to the plans
of the administration, and place the
democratic party in a defensive posi-
ton, without the requisite power to
put it's policies into action.
The election of a democratic ma
jority in the next congress will not
be an easy task. Let no democrat
regard the result as certain. The
fight must be made-regardless Of
the plans of the opposition-in ev-
cry state, in every district, from now
until election.-The Commoner.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-02-26
A good many newspapers that

A good many newspapers that
have speaking liking for having
the legislature rule instead of the
people are worried because some
democratic papers, they say, are try
ing to make an issue of the capitol
grab-and then they spill quarts OF
ink to show that the grab was not a
party measure, and that democrats
voted for it as we'll as republicans.
The esteemed lickspittles who are
toadying to the legislature are mis-
taken in some RESPECTS; they have
missed the whole point of the agl-
tation against the capitol grab. The
Express does not care how many
democrats were for the bill, or how
many republicans opposed it; this
paper is against it because it was an
iniuuitous measure, needless in it.
self, and setting a dangerous pre-
cedent 1t is not political issue
unless one party shall espouse it by
endorsing it in it's platform or noml-
mating for Office the men who stand
for the grab. In such case it will OF
course be used against the party and
the candidates who favor it, and to
the advantage of those who oppose
it-and this is right. The Express
is free to say that the republican
party in Iowa is not responsible for
the capitol grab unless it shall as
sumo responsibility by it's course in
endorsing the measure or in naming
for Office the men who are identified
with and favor it.-KnoXville Tx
nrpSS
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-02-26
THE X. OF c. "OATH."

Two men have pleaded guilty to
conspiracy and libel in Philadelphia
in connection with circulating the
scurrilious knights of Columbus
oath" placed in circulation two
years ago to prejudice people against
members of this worthy and patriot
ic organization. The defendants ad-
mitted that the oath absolutely
was without foundation. The nation
al officers of the Knights OF Colum-
bus, satisfied with this showing, de-
clined to prosecute the case further,
the vindication of the order being
complete. The reputation was COM
plete enough in the minds of all
fair minded citizens before this &C
ton was brought in court. Such
vindictiveness as characterized the
authorship and circulation of this
defamatory document should have
no place among decent Americans,
who should be willing at all times to
unite in any movement to fight bigot-
nv and Observation-Disclosures Ga
zattp
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-02-26
QUESTIONING A MANS FAITH.

President Wilson did not answer
the professional protestant, who com
planned to him of Secretary Tumulty
religion, according to his folly, put
he answered him conclusively never
theless.
The suspicion which prompted this
attack upon Secretary Tumulty be-
cause he is a Roman Catholic does
little credit to the theory and the
fact that religious freedom ana toll
Grafton have been firmly established
in this country. Whether the better
or the worse for religion as a propa-
ganda, progress in the United States
has been steadily away from preju-
dice and bigotry. Americans are
first of all Americans. In political
life most of them are democrats, re-
publicans, progressives or socialists
before they are churchmen.
This is not due so much to weak
ness of faith as it is to growing re.
spect for the opinions and rights OF
others and to the almost universal
agreement that matters of creed nave
no place in political, business and
social life. The spirit that accuses
Secretary Tumulty of misleading the
president in his correspondence be-
cause one is a Roman Catholic and
the other a Presbyterian might IN
days of less liberality have manifest
ed itself in other quarters because
neither of them is a Methodist, a
Baptist, or an Episcopalian.
We respect Joseph P. Tumulty's
faith, whatever it may be, and we
hope that if he finds strength and
consolation in it, it may be increased
rather than diminished. 1t is upon
men of faith and honesty and cour-
age that the republic has rested in
the past, and there is not other fu-
ture for it that does not lead straight
to dishonor.-New York World.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-02-26
PRESERVES POWER OF STATES.

When it was suggested that the
time had come when congress ought
to provide for the direct nomination
OF candidates for the presidency by
a vote of the people instead of by the
convention system there was VigOr-
Gus opposition from those who
thought direct voting tended to wipe
out state lines.
Under the direct voting system it
was urged that state like Nebras-
ka with about 100000 inhabitants
would count for about one-ninth as
much as New York with 100000,
but with the present system which
gives two delegates for each con-
gresham and two senators, Nebras-
la with eight congressman and two
senators would have twenty dele
gates and New York with forty-three
congressman and two senators would
have ninety delegates in the conven-
ton and be only four and a half
times as strong as Nebraska.
This difficulty is to be avoided by
the plan announced by Congressman
Rucker and approved by the presi-
dent. Under the bill now proposed
all the voters in party will ex-
press their choice for the party NOM
inee. The votes will be counted in
each congressional district and the
presidential candidate who is the vic
tor in each district will be the choice
of that district just as he would have
Teen the choice of that districts
delegates under the convention sys-
TEN. The vote of the whole state
will also be considered, and if vic
tory in congressional district
counted as one nominating vote a
victory in the state as a whole would
count for two nominating votes.
This plan meets the objection rails
ed in behalf of the smaller states,
for it distributes power among the
states just as it is now distributed.
1t cannot be objected to by any
friend of direct primaries within the
states.-Republic.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-02-26
REGISTER AS A DEMOCRAT.

A progressive democrat of Pendle-
ton, Oregon, suggests that all pro-
gressives who approve of the wilson
administration should register as
democrats so as to be in a position
to take part in the democratic prl-
maries and help to decide who shall
have the gun" The reasons he
gives are clear, logical and I'M
answerable. His appeal is as fol-
lows:
Register as democrat for the
following reasons:
/. That party is now in the hands
of progressives.
2. 1t is in power, making good
as no party has done, except under
Jefferson, Jackson and Lincoln.
3. The progressive element no"
controlling it is none too strong with.
in the party and needs the help OF
all progressives in the coming prl-
maries.
4, You yourself are in reality a
democrat, if you believe in the rule
of the people as now exercised
through your president and con-
gress.
S. When a party comes to express
YOUR views through its policies anu
enactments better than any other 1t
is your party and 1t is your duty as
a good citizen to register under its
banner, so that you may help to
make it serve yourself and your
country.
6. Register as a democrat, re-
CARELESS of what you have called
Yourself heretofore. For a party IS
merely an organized instrument IKE
a gun which will shoot for anybody
in possession of it. The democrat
ic party is now working fine and
Wilson, your friend, has got the gun.
1t is shooting for you and will always
shoot for you while the progresslVes
control it. You, Mr.. and Mrs. Plain
People, if you register as democrat
can help to decide in the democratic
primaries who shall have the gun.
z. Owing to the sharp division OF
sentiment within the republican par
ty, the democratic organization is IN
a better position than it to execute
YOUR will as witnessed by the revision
of the tariff, the reform of the cur
rency, and the regulation OF the
trusts, all in your interest," record
of achievement not equaled since the
civil war.
s. You will be warmly welcomed
by your fellow progresslves IN the
democratic party
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-02-26

pared that will settle the water pow
er question and allow the develop
ment of water power now going to
waste, with proper safeguards to the
people.
Congressman Maurice Connolly of
the third district is being urged In
letters and kilograms from Iowa to
announce his candidacy for the SEN
ate. Chairman McCOmbs of the demo-
cratic national committee and other
administration leaders also are urg-
ing him to enter the field, believing
that the elements of leadership he has
shown, the standing he has gained as
one of the men of the administration
looks to for counsel and support and
his ability as campaigner and great
personal popularity make him the
logical candidate to enter the field
against Senator Cummins. Mr.. Con-
nolly's friends believe that the youth
and fire and vigor he would bring
into statewide campaign, his un-
usual educational attainments gain
ed from study in universities here
and abroad and the signal success he
has scored since entering politics
would give his candidacy a strength
that would prove irresistible.
With the appointment of Editor
Gass of the Monroe County News and
Editor Rosecrans of the Oskaloosa
Times to postmasterships, Congress-
man Kirkpatrick has about cleared
the slate of appointments in his dis
trict. The appointment question is
one that worries every congressman
and he is always glad when his task
is done. Mr.. Kirkpatrick expects to
20 back into the district after adj
journment to carry on his campaign
for reelection. District leaders are
behind his candidacy and he is not
expected to have any active opposi-
ton. His reelection to the house by
an increased majority this year is
thought to be practical certainty.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-02-26

Now that number of enterprls-
ing gentlemen have usurped the
government of Peru, the kindly re-
marks of President Wilson on the
18th of March last, when he resolved
to put stop to cut-throat pontics
on this hemisphere, may as well De
repeated 1--WE can have no sym
pathy," he said, with those VINO
seek to seize the power of govern
ment to advance their own personal
interest and ambition II Or.
Auguste Durand, or whatever his
name may be, expects by intrigue and
assassination to take his place among
American rulers whose titles are
recognized, it is evident that he has
not read the latest returns from
Mexico.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-02-26
FOR GOVERNOR, JOHN T.
HAMILTON.

One of the most interesting politi-
cal announcements of the past week
was that of the candidacy OF Hon.
John T. Hamilton, of this city, for
the democratic nomination for COVER
nor.
From a democratic standpoint this
nomination would be ideal. His ex-
perience as a speaker at one time in
the Iowa legislature, as member OF
congress and later as a member OF
and chairman of the board of con-
troll of state institutions, gives him
Qualifica tons much desired in the
incumbent of this important state Of
fee. Politically as we'll as privately
Mr.. Hamilton has always been clean,
doing courageously his duty as he
saw it. He has ever stood for econ
omy in the expenditure of the peo-
pies money. He has always been
safe and sane.
His neighbors and friends here at
home respect his integrity and have
confidence in his ability. Should he
be the democratic standard-bearer
he will poll a large vote among his
home people, those who know him
best, and who have regard for his
sterling qualities.
Should he receive the nomination
at the primaries, the republicans will
have at the November polls the
strongest possible opposition. We be-
lieve Mr.. Hamilton can command
more votes for governor than any
other democrat in the state.
If the rank and file of his party
are wise, they will with practically
unanimous vote nominate John T..
Hamilton as their candidate for gov
ernor.-Cedar Rapids Republican.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-02-26
George w, Clarke is making

George w. Clarke is making a
campaign on the defensive to be re-
nominated as the republican candl-
date for governor of Iowa. His ad-
yocacy of the extension of the capitol
grounds at Des Moines is causing him
much trouble. 1t is rather a serious
matter to be involved in spending
100000 of the peoples money
without consulting them. The COVER
nor might have thought of that and
stopped before he began practicing
extravaganza. but he didn't. And
so John w. Rowley is making it in
teresting for Governor Clarke
Clarinda Journal, Rep.