davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1915-07-15
FIFTEENTH EPISODE
THE SERPENT SIGN.

Rescued by Kennedy at last from
the terrible incubus OF BENEFITS per
secution in his double life OF lawyer
and master criminal Elaine had. for
the first time in many weeks, a feel
ing of security.
Now that the strain was of, how
ever, she felt that she needed rest and
a chance to recover herself. and il had
occurred to her that few quiet days
with Aunt" Tabitha, who had been
her nurse when she was a little girl.
would do her a world OF good.
She had sent for Aunt Tabby. yet
the fascination of the experiences
through which she had just gone still
hung over her She could not resist
thinking and reading about them as
she sat one morning with the faithful
Rusty in the conservatory OF the
Dodge house
had told the story at length in the
Star and the heading over 1t had
caught her eye.
II read;
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1915-07-15

With a parting word OF instruction
from Wu. who remained in the car.
The Chinaman carried with him the
heavy bag with the oxygen helmet.
Long Sin hurried down the road
until he came to trolley pole. then
he looked hastily nj his watch. II
was twenty minutes at least before
the next car would pass.
Quickly, almost monkeylike. he
climbed up the pole. carrying with him
the end OF a wire which he had tax en-
from the bag
Having thrown this over the feed
wire. he slid quickly to the ground
again, then, carrying the other end
OF the wire in his rubber gloyed hand
through the underhrush until he came
to a passageway in the rough and I'M
cleared hillside-a small opening
formed by the rocks
II was dark inside but he did not
hesitate to enter, carrying the wire
and the bag with him.
II was nightfall before We arrived
with Elaine at Aunt Tabbys
Kennedy lost no time in examining
the fireplace
At one point in the drawing pc
culiar protuberance was marked. Ken
nedy was evidently hunting for that
He found it at last and pressed the
sort of lever. small section at the
side OF the fireplace opened up, dis
closing an iron ladder. leading down
into one of those characteristic hiding
places in which the Clutching Hand
used to delight.
Let's go down and explore it,"
suggested, taking step toward the
ladder.
Kennedy reached out and pulled me
back. Then without word he pressed
the little lever and the door closed.
81 think we'd better wait a while,
Walter" he declared 81 would rather
hear Aunt Tabbys haunts myself"
We were sitting about the room
when suddenly the most weird and un-
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1915-07-15
SYNOPSIS.

The New York police are mystihed by a
series of murders and other crimes. The
principal clue to the criminal Is the warn
ing letter which liz sent the victims. signed
with a "clutChing hand" The latest VIC
tim OF the mysterious assassin is Taylor
Dodge, the insurance president His
daughter. Elaine, employs Craig Ken
try to unraVet the mystery What Ken
nedy accomplishes Is told by his friend
Jameson. n newspaper man Enraged at
the determined effort which Elaine and
Craig Kennedy are making TO put an end
to his crimes. the Clutching Hand this
strange criminal Is known. resorts to all
sorts of the most diaholical schemes to
put them out OF the way Each chapter
of the story tells OF a new plot against
their lives and of the way the great de
tectfve uses all hts skill To save this pref
~ girl and himself from death
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1915-07-15
in BENEFITS effects. when the speak

In Benefits effects when the speak
ing tube sounded and answered it.
"Why-it's Elaine" | exclaimed
Kennedy's face showed the keenest
pleasure at the unexpected visit.
Tell her 10 come right up he said
quickly
opened the door for her
why -Elaine-l'm awfully glad to
see you" he greeted, but thought
you were rusticating
Il was, but, Craig. ii seems to me
that wherever | go something hap.
pens" she returned. You know. Aunt
Tabhy said there were haunts
thought it was an old woman's fear
but last night heard the strangest
noises out there. and thought saw
n face at the Window face in bel.
met And when Joshua went out this
is what he found on the ground under
my window
She handed Kennedy a box. a pc
culiar affair which she touched ginger
ly, and only with signs OF the greatest
aversion.
Kennedy opened H. There in the
bottom OF the box was a curious lit.
tie ivory devil-god, He looked at l.
curiously moment.
Let me see" he ruminated. still
regarding the sign. The house you
bought for Aunt Tabby once belonged
to Bennett. didn't it,"
Elaine nodded her head. Yes. but
don't see what that can have TO do
with II" she agreed. adding with a
shudder. Bennett is dead"
Kennedy had taken a piece OF pa
per from the desk where he had put
it away carefully Have you ever
seen anything that looks like this"
he asked. handing her the paper.
Elaine looked at the plan carefully.
as Kennedy and scanned her face.
She glanced up, her expression show
ing plainly the wonder she felt.
why, yes" she answered. THAT
looks like Aunt Tabby's fireplace in
the living room
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1915-07-15

As Elaine glanced down the column
Jennings announced that Aunt Tabby.
as she loved to call her old friend,
had arrived and was now in the Ii
brary With Aunt Josephine
With an exclamation OF delight
Elaine dropped the paper and. fol.
lowed by Rusty. almost ran into the
library
"Oh. I'm 30 glad TO see YOU" half.
laughed Elaine as she literally flung
herself into her nurses arms. Il feel
90 unstrung-and | thought that II |
could just run or for few days with
you and Joshua In the country. where
no one would know. II might make me
feel better. You have always been so
GOOD to me. Marie Are my things
packed Very we'll; then get my
wraps"
Her maid left the room
BLESS your soul" mothered Aunt
Tabby. stroking her soft. golden hair,
I'm always glad to have you in that
fine house you bought me. And, faith.
Miss Elaine. the house Is a splendid
place to rest in. but don't know
what's the matter with 1t lately
Joshua says it's haunts.
"Haunts?" repeated Elaine In
unused surprise Why. what do you
: -aean?"
Marie entered with the wraps before
Aunt Tabby could reply. and Jennings
followed with the baggage.
Nonsense" continued Elaine gayly.
as she put on her coat and turned TO
bid Aunt Josephine good bye
elaine went out. followed by Rusty
and Jennings with the luggage
Now for long ride in the good
fresh air" sighed Elaine. as she
leaned back on the cushions OF the
Dodge limousine and patted Rusty.
while the butler slowed away the
bags.
The air certainly did. II anything
heighten the beauty OF Elaine and at
last they arrived at Aunt Tabby s.
tired and hungry.
The car stopped and Elaine. Aunt
Tabby and the dog got out. There.
waiting for them. was Uncle" Joshua.
as Elaine playfully called him, n for
mer gardener OF the Dodges, now a
plain, honest countryman on whom
the city was fast eneroachiug; jolly
old fellow, unframed by the world.
Aunt Tabhy's was an attractive.
small house. not many miles from
: York. yet not In the general line
uburban travel
.eanedy and had decided TO bring
Bennefts papers and documents over
20 tho laboratory to examine them.
We Were now engaged in going over
the great mass OF material which he
had collected In the hope OF finding
someC clue TO the stolen millions
whic4, he must have amassed as a re.
suit {ot his yillainy. The table was
STAG led high.
Knock at the door told US that the
eSpn ssman had arrived and mo-
ment later he entered. delivering .
heav box. Kennedy signed for II
an tarted to unpaek It,
ss hard At work when ! came
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1915-07-15
canny rappings began to be heard.

| lOu tdu explore IL WIN me HOW,
Walter" he said quietly, touching the
lever and opening the panel which
disclosed the ladder
Together. Craig and | descended in
to the darkness about eight or ten
| feet There we found a passageway.
excavated through the earth and rock,
along which we crept. 1t was crooked
and uneven. and we stumbled, but kept
! going slowly ahead.
Kennedy, who was few feet in
front of me. stopped suddenly and |
almost fell over him.
What Is it," l whispered
|
Long Sin had made his way from
the opening of the cave to the point
on the plan which was marked by a
! cross. and there he had set up his cleo
trio drill which was connected to the
| trolley wire. He was working furious
| ly to take advantage OF the fifteen
minutes or so before the next car
would pass
| Il was evident that Long Sin had
already been at work digging and
/ drilling through the earth and rock
He had gone SO far now that he had
disclosed what looked like the face of
a small safe set directly into the
rock
As he worked he would stop from
! time 10 time and consult the map.
Then he would take up drilling again
He had now come to the point on
which Bennett had written his warn
ing. Quickly he opened the bag and
took the oxygen helmet which he ad
'us,ed carefully over his head Then
he SET To work with redoublod energy
The man must have heard us apz
proachiHr down the tunnel for he
paused in his work and the noise of
| the drill ceased
From our vantage point around he
bend in tho passagewav We could see
this strange and uncouth figure
Who is it. do YOU thfnkq" I whis-
pered crouehfng back AGAINST the
wall for fear that he might look even
| around corner or through the earth
! and discover us
As | spoke II" hand loOsered n
piece Of rock hat 1utted out and be
fore knew IL there was a crash
"Confound Il Walter" exclaimed
/ Kennedy.
Down the passagewav the figure
! was now thoroughly on the alert. star
ing with his regrle-lika ewes into the
hlackness in our direction He vas
watched and h. did not hesitate a
minute To act
He seized the bag and picked his
vav quickly through the massage as #
thoronrhlx familiar with every turn
Of the walls and roarhness 81 the
floor
Kennedy dashed forward and fol
lowed clos after him
We were making nucb better time
than eur strange visitor and were gain
Ing on him r8pfaIv
Suddenly he turned rafeed his arm
and dashed something 10 The earth.
,,rr1, ,i5 % .y,t14 ..,,,1..5,-. , 49,. +,-..
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1915-07-15
THE CluTcAlNG HAND DEAD.

Double Life Exposed by Craig Ken
nedy.
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1915-07-15

Perry Bennett. the Famous Young
Lawyer. Takes Poison Kennedy
on Trail of Master Criminals
hidden Millions.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-17

preparation Of such dessert accom-
pauirnent Is an attractive feature af the
sweet course The canned or fresh fruit
Is cut in small pieces. cooked in the
brandy. sweetened to taste and then ig-
nited and served direct from tho dish.
Small chatting dishes are used for this
purpose. and for private tables they may
be found holding as little as a half pint
For serving with ice cream the burn
ing fruit sauce may be OF fruit cut in
bits. or half peaches, pears or whole
figs may be used In this latter case
the large piece OF fruit Is often mounted
on round Of cake or hidden in a little
shell OF pastry and served at the side
of the individual portion of Ice cream
Pears or peaches so served should be
wei. drained Of the syrup In the jar,
thoroughly impregnated with the sweet
ened brandy and then arranged for
serving
At the last moment the cavity left
after removing the core or stone, as
the case may be. should be filled with
brandy and lighted When the brandy
has stopped burning. retill. surround tho
brick of ice cream with the fruit ar
ranged on rounds OF cake or pastry
| and send TO the table with the liquor In
! flames. Eclair shells make good hold
ers for burning fruit sauce and any
httle patty cakes can be followed out
and easily utilized to create this novel
effect
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-17

Another novel sewing bag IL SO clev-
erly wired and trimmed as to suggest
dainty dolls dress in hoopskirt fash
ion. The bag can be of any depth de-
sired but before attaching 10 the c4r-
cuiar base two castings are run two
and five inches from the lower edge.
In each casing a strip OF featherbone
is run and a shirred ruffie or plating
of ribbon or lace sewed on at these
points, so that the fulness of the lower
part Of the bag is held out. giving the
appearance of stiffened and beruffed
skirt In pale colored satin or silk with
fIells of lace these bags are pretty ac-
cessories for the popular afternoon
dances.
A sash or scarf bag Is another nov
city ornamental as well as convenient.
A strip of plain colored silk or satin,
hemmed on each edge or q soft sash
ribbon eight inches wide and two yards
long. Is required for one of these bags.
At each end turn up the material on
the right side to form pocket, over
handing the selvage edges and making
buttonhole at the top of the pocket tc
fit over an ornamental button sewed on
the scarf.
On the imported bags of this sort the
upturned pocket is deliberately trimmed
with Fittings of lace and festeons of tiny
ribbon roses and vines. When in use
the strip of silk can be worn around the
| shoulders. the pockets falling at con.
| venient place in the lap and holding
small sewing accessories. If preferred
the scarf can be used as sash. the end:
thrown over each other in front or al
one side.
| A little bracelet bag which slips over
| the hand and IS a practical way of safe
guarding bali of yarn or worsted re.
quires half yard of five inch ribbon
| Double 1t end on end and join in {
| French seam. using this for the bottom
Of the bag, which projects from the wrisl
when the bag is worn. Overland the
selvages together, leaving a sufficien,
space open to pass over the hand
| Reduce the width Of the part which /.
worn on the wrist by folding u box
plat on the under side This, when re.
| leased, gives fulness at the top Of the
/ bag portion. In the centre of one sidt
OF the bag work an eyelet so that the
crochet cotton or worsted can be easily
pulled through.
| A wrist knitting bag is similar to tn,
bracelet bag, but is longer, as 1t hang.
from the wrist instead of projecting
from It. Such bag requires three
quarters OF yard OF five inch ribbon
preferably a light colored one, with &
| heavy dark selvage SO that when joinet
the two selvages form an effective edg
| of contrasting color.
An ornamental knitting bag resemble
a Japanese lantern. being shirred OF
embroidery hoops Of graduated size, tn
! largest hoop placed at the centre OF tn
bag Being collapsible 1t can be carries
under the arm like book
Representing knitted purse witt
- - 80. is .naT Ia i
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-17
FLAMING SAUCES.

D URNING brandy Is a characteristic
r. feature of many holiday desserts.
1t Is no longer associated exclu-
sively with plum or other hot buildings,
but can be served with mince and fruit
pies and tarts. eiaboratefy gaTnis1ed
cakes and even frozen creams.
A burning dish should always be made
as ornamental as possible and the fam
ing sauce SO arranged as to produce a
novel effect. Individual holders for
burning brandy can be made from the
shells of lemons. tangerines or oranges.
These should border the plum pudding
and give torchlight garnish to the
platter.
The oil from the rind gives an added
flavor as the liquor burns. Piles Of lump
sugar arranged at intervals around the
pudding may be saturated with brandy
and when ignited give the appearance
Of series of miniature volcanoes.
Any pudding or cake mixture cooked
| IN a ring mould. is well adapted to the
burning decoration. Select a fireproof
custard cup of the proper size to fill the
centre cavity. Dip the stems of holly
sprays In melted parafline so that the
WoOQ snail not come IN contact Win the
pudding. arrange them in a circle and
sprinkle the leaves with water to pre-
vent their catching fire. FIJI the custard
cup with brandy and send it to table
burning.
Individual puddings. each with a small
! holder for the liquor inserted IN its cen.
tre make cheerful showing at the holi.
day table, and each person has his OWE
flaming little pudding.
| BY removing circle from the centre
Of a uiince pit shallow ramekin can be
inserted for holding brandy. A spoon
fui of the burning liquor should accom-
pany each portion. This suggestion il
attractively carried out with largs
| fruit pie. with single crust. Peache.
lare especially delicious for this purpose
Though canned cherries and pears arr
used in similar fashion, favored ethel
with brandy or rum.
! The long list of branded fruits ha.
made possible many delicious burning
fruit sauces Branded peaches, pears
cherries and figs are served In this wa,
at some Of the hotels and restaurant!
making a speciality of table novelties
/ Any dish designated "lucifer." 'diable'
or "au feu d'enfer" presupposes Its ap
| pearance in flames.
! The chatting dish is in great demand
| for thGsa- burning fruL sart,a.s--a ~ L. y.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-17
DRESSING UP THE BACK.

n TEVER before have fashions orna.
NJ mented the back of coiffure and
costume to so striking degree
as now. One might almost call IL q
season Of backs, In many models the
distinctive note of new style exists only
in the back. The front view shows no
novelty. Manikins in dressmaking es-
adjustments take frequent poses to give
the back view, and models in fashion
Illustrations and window dummies quite
as often turn their back upon the pub
lie as face ii.
For generations woman's attention
has been focused upon the front Of
costumes. II the back went smoothly
and in good general line, that was
all that was required. Every possible
charm of line and adornment is now
required OF the back. 1t must be pic
turesque and charming
As no woman is going to fall TO pre-
sent a charming front to the world, in
spite of the modes preoccupation with
the back. the result OF the new fad II
an all round beauty that never existed
when the front was featured to the
comparative neglect of the back
The woman who wishes to succeed in
this all round perfection must havea the
proper equipment of mirrors in her
dressing room--mirrors that will reflect
her from every angle. This, not only
that she may be sure that every detail
on the back OF her couture and costume
goes just as 1t should go, but that she
may teach herself a hundred and one
pretty poses that will set her back q
rh 6 ~s,rs~ . 'yteS-- ge
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-17

ionable work bag is usually out of the
ordinary.
For instance, a sun bonnet work bag,
deep enough to hold knitting needles
but furnished with a needle book which
adapts 1t for use as a sewing bag. pre-
sents quaint appearance when hung
on the arm. The shirring of the bag
marks the neck line Of the bonnet, the
projecting heading resembles the sun
bonnet's cape. and the stIffened needle
book portion, edged with lace. repre-
sents the part which frames the face.
Such bags can be made in all sizes,
from little ribbon receptacles just large
enough to hold a thimble and few
spools, up to big model suited to the
holding Of knitting work.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-17

long enough to carry large wooden knit
ting needles. This bag is made Of yard
OF handsome sash ribbon doubled, and
selvages Joined except for a space IN
the middle at one side. This opening is
protected with sliding rings covered
with shirrings Of silk. None of these
bags requires lining and none entails
fine hand sewing. so that they produce
an appearance quite out of proportion
to the time and labor involved
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-17
NEW STYLE WORK BAGS.

7 Holiday knitting and sewing par
II ties bring to light the latest
novelties in work bags. Some
Of them are deep enough to carry knit
ting needles. while Others are dainty
affairs in which the knitting needles
are held across the top or slipped
through an ornamental ring in one
side Whether OF expensive brocade
with trimmings of gold lace. or made
of black and white plaid Bingham. EN-
broidered in bold design with cherry
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-17

taffeta frills cut In tiny scallops and
embroidered. and the designer has not
troubled himself to fiIl the points at
all This irregular bottom finish APP
pears on many Of the prettiest models,
Lace very deeply pointed Is used on
the bottoms Of both silken and lingerie
pc,ticoats and left IN all its irregularity.
Deep scalloped iaces and lingerie en-
bro.deries are applied in the same way
and founces are cut in deep or shallow
scallops and finished with narrow lace
or binding or tiny ruching. Very often
these lower skirt sections are so trans
parent that they count but little in the
way Of covering but they froth prettily
around the ankles when the fun frock
skirt pillows out in the whirl OF the
dance. and the few more substantial
frllly models in silk suggest that the
movement for more aggressive petit
coats has a future.
Among the other undergarments ag-
EreSs lvenaSs is not the word. unless
one counts audacjty as aggreseiveness.
Some ~ the models are audacious
enough In all conscience, so audacious
that one finds It difficult to associate
Them with customary standards. but
there are others that are novel and
original without giving up the tradition
;hat underwear is intended primarily
as covering.
The eher1tee IS greatly worn. Many
women have never abandoned II for
any Of the more snugIv fitted comhina-
tons and during the large wasted
stra5gi. nrure era II has been as we'll
shifted TO tho situation as ANYTHING. pro-
,lded. Of course. II is made OF very fine
soft material so that # viii give no
puIltlncss about the hips
A cbcm!se vest has found consider
all" favor az substitute for the more
closely rliueiny undcrycst and ts merely
"A chemise cut short to ordinary under
vest length. Il Is made ip lingerie or
crepe and may be- trimmed as daintily
as any cnemrse about the top. present
ing a much .dasniier appearance when
the corset cover is off than any ordinary
undervest does
Another new model in underyests
comes In the shane of an under and
over combination OF Italian or glove
silk II consists ~ kntcksrs associated
with two unper sections. one of which
poes under The corset and one over
perbans a better idea Of the thing can
he convened bv describing q as vest
q IA Lrscl,er COMMITMENTS, which has A..
,tr.bs.d -, i, a t,,,s,sse,,, ~, fr,,,s,.4 co,,or
,ha+ ron bo ar,u,, DOWN o,,ar tho cor.
set and drawn In snuglv at the waist
line The vest and cover have oniv
single shoulder straps. hut otherwise
ora sanorafa ard tho oltr,inatton ~
fine extrs shoulder stran with the add
Oh ,oo,rosa soc,raa IN +bta yay
.rocor,r,a,ds tbts cor,htra+io, IN rnopy
women
-. 49,, A..
4'"'ii.9t'o SIN u''N''' "V"' - Nir - ~
~, 19ii e9S.,'o" o'''s ~ ''1''Al
sim mas nioosi' III" piiee VI sum ga.
fhei'S oo"h 10 point "hefe 1hes Ut
not seem Rleat eAti "Fasa'i0e' anu ~
polh PINK ana white IheS arc very
SeIicL any "ol IL
| t"ans BACK 20 discussion OF tht
| gheiniSe' t'e f1Feiole oi'ei'iise ~ Wv
ATTEST ana fhos' popular Fe'Sioh Oh In,