Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, January 20, 1909, Page 8

“The Shadow Between” —— BY: SILAS K. HOCKING. CHAPTER XXIX—(Continued.)* Lord Richard belonged to a very different type and moved in a differ- ent circle. A man of small means and expensive tastes, a man who asso- ciated with the fastest sporting set, and whose gambling debts seriously interfered with the pleasures of life. Mr. Bice discovered all this without any difficulty. Every man’s reputa- tion is written in conspicuous type. When the lawyer came into the pres- ence of Lord Richard he knew his man. Mr. Bice did not beat about the bush. No sooner had he taken his seat than he plunged at once into the heart of his subject. “I am a solicitor,” he said, in his coldest professional tone, “and I have the honor of representing the daught- er of your late brother, Lord Edward Grovely,” and he waited for a reply. Lord Richard was not wholly unpre- pared for the encounter. He had been a diligent reader of the news- papers for weeks past, and he had passed through more mental agony than during any period of his life. He was still on the tenterhooks, not knowing what secrets might yet come to light. Evans was dead, he knew, but that was no proof that he had left no in- crimininating evidence behind him. He had read'‘the report of the inquest that while he lay at the bottom. of the pit waiting for death he had actually made notes in his pocket- book. What those notes were was not stated. The perspiration had started out on his forehead in biy beads, when he read that simple statement, and the horror of it had haunted him nearly ever since. When dying men made statements they were apt to tell all the truth. And if Evans had told the truth—if he had written anything in the shape of a _ confession =the chances were he would find himself in a worse hole than he had ever been in his life before. Like many other people, he was not squeamish about moral questions in the abstract. What he objected to was being found out, and he knew if he were found out in this case it would make all the differ- ence in the world to him. Society was quite aggressively moral on the surface. There was scarcely a rascal in the set in which he moved, and cer- tainly not a woman, who would not hold up his or her hands in pious hor- ror at any public breach of the moral law, however trifling, and if it were discovered that he had intrigued and plotted to cheat his niece out of her rights, Society—with a big“S”—would be aghast with horror, and he would be hounded out of every respectable club in London. This is what Lord Richard had been dreading ever since the finding of Evans. He was almost afraid some- times to open a newspaper lest’ he should discover that his trick had been exposed. He did not reply immediately to Mr. Bice’s statement. He felt that he had a difficult part to play. He want- ed to find out, if possible, how much the lawyer knew and how much he suspected. “Your statement is interesting,” he said at length, “but why have you come to me?” “To whom else should I go?” “Well, as to that, I don’t know that you need go to anybody. My brother, as you are aware, left England under a cloud. Not that he was to blame, poor fellow, but that doesn’t matter. He went abroad and died, and we do not talk about him.” “LT see. And so it is a matter of indifference to you whether he left issue or not?” “Quite a matter. of indifference. It does not concern me in any way.” “And never has concerned you?” Lord Richard started and turned a shade paler, but he said, quickly, “if I fail to see there levancy of that re- mark.” “I believe,” the lawyer remarked, dryly, “that in case your brother dies without issue, certain property in En gland would come to you.” “Well, what has that to do with it?” “When a long-lost heir turns up his claim is sometimes disputed.” “And sometimes with good reason, and with complete success.” “Quite true; and if you could prove that Miss Grovely is not what she claims to be it would certainly be to your worldly advantage.” “I don’t know. When an estate gets into the hands of the lawyers there’s usually nothing left for any- body by the time they have finished with it.” “Then you have no intention of dis- puting her claim?” “Really, the question has not oc- curred to me. I presume you have examined her credentials?” “T have.” “And they are quite in order?” “Had you not better, as next-of-kin, put that matter to a test?” “Why should 1?” “Nothing venture, nothing win,” the lawyer said, playfully. “The romance of the thing might be worth bringing to light. .People are naturally curious ‘| to know who Evans or Nevins was in the employment of. If the case is al- lowed to go by default there are a good many things that may never see; the light.” “I do not know why that should concern me,” Lord Richard answered, uneasily. “As brother of the late Lord Edward I thought, perhaps, you would be curi- ous to have the matter cleared up.” “Oh, no; I am not at all curious. The marquess might like his solicitor to go through the papers with you. By his opinion I am quite willing to abide.” “Thank you. Then I will see the marquess at once,” and without more words he rose and left the room. Mr. Bice’s stern face relaxed into a smile when he got into the street. “It’s easy t&see where he is,” he reflected. ‘He knows that the game is up, and the less said the better. That he’ll raise no opposition is now a dead certainty. Well, well, it’s an ill wind that doesn’t blow good t osomebody,” and he smiled again. On the following day he waited on the marquess by appointment and had a very different reception. The mar- quess was greatly ‘interested, and seemed bubbling over with curiosity to see the young lady who claimed to be his niece. He was a tall, fair man, with a bald head and a drooping,moustache, but his manners were delightful and his smile quite captivating. “For myself,” he said, “I have nev- er doubted the existence of this niece. And, indeed, every now and_ then, through a Mr. Mayhew of Exeter, we have been reminded of her progress through life. But the thing that has puzzled me is why she has never been allowed to come in England till now.” “Perhaps, if you will instruct your solicitor to go through the papers with me, he will be able to supply you with an answer to that question,” Mr. Bice answered, blandly. “A good idea—a very good idea. I will telephone to Smith, Smith, and Robinson at once.” Two days later Mr. Bice returned to St. Chloe feeling very well satisfied ith himself. From a mere profes- sional point of view. there might be much to be desired. If there was no litigation, how were lawyers to live? But the mere professional side of the question did not trouble him. He was not keen on making money. He was alone in the world. Wife and child were both dead. He had no one to heap up gold for. To be the friend of this sweet-eyed maiden was the greatest joy he had known for years. He called at Mawgan Chase on his way from the station to St. Chloe and found Marion in the drawing room alone, “Tf thought I would call on my way back,” he said, a little apologetically; “T have just returned from London.” “Oh, do sit down,” she _ replied, eagerly, “and tell me all the news,” and she pushed up an easy chair for him near the fire. “Everything is going on as smooth- ly as can be,” he said, rubbing his thin hands in the grateful warmth, and smiling. “My rights are not going to be con- tested?” she questioned. “T think not. Oh, no; it is going to be all plain sailing on this side the water, at any rate. What it may be on the other side remains to be seen.” “Do you expect difficulties?” “I don’t expect anything. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. I’m not going to anticipate trouble.” Marion laughed brightly and mu- sically. “And have you interviewed a lot of people in London?” she ques- tioned. i “Not a lot of people. I saw your uncle, Lord Richard Grovely, first. Afterwards the marquess of Fowey.” “And were. they agreeable, and all that? You see, I am dying of curi- osity. Think of being related to lords and marquesses! It’s like a chapter out of a fairy tale.” “When you get the true inwardness of life,” he said, gravely, “titles don’t count. A man is only a man, what- ever name he bears. I am not sure that I am not a littl esorry for you.” “Yes?” “Tt seems to me you grew up in an atmosphere of great freedom, and I find you today as natural as a village child. Excuse an old man speaking so plainly—” “You are not old at all,” she pro- tested, quickly. He smiled a little wistfully, went on: “In the society in which you will soon be called upon to move I fear you will find the conventions rather trying and the atmosphere not at all bracing.” “Tf it irks me I shall get | out of it,” she said, laughing. ‘“I don’t intend to make a martyr of myself for any- body.” “The conventions are very strong,” he said, looking abstractedly into the fire; “but time will tell. Meanwhile, you must prepare yourself for a visit to London.” “But you have not told me yet it my relations are agreeable.” and —with all the courtliness and grace that you associate with the true Eng- lishman. You will fall in love with him, I am sure. Lord Richard, you may find less to your liking.” “And when do we go?” “I have promised to take you as soon as you are ready.” “How good you are to me! “What should I have done without you all?” “What I have done is very little beyond my strict professional duty. If you are in debt to any one it is to Mr. Grayton. But for him everything would have been lost.” “Oh, yes, I know. I think of him every day. Some day I hope to be able to tell him what is in my heart.” That night and all next morning Marion kept wondering whether she could summon up sufficient courage to go and visit Grayton in his sick room. She wanted to do the right and proper thing, but she was dread- fully afraid of shocking Mrs. Maw- gan. By lunch time her mind was made up. Whether it would be con- sidered strictly proper or whether it wouldn’t she did not care. She would take nobody into her confidence. Her determination was fixed, and, as we have seen, the visit was paid. She was very quiet during the rest of the evening. She badly wanted to tell Esther what she had done, but there seemed ‘no opportunity. She had a number of things to pack for the morrow’s journey, and Mrs. Maw- gan could talk of nothing but the great people she was about to visit and the glorious time that lay before her. She could not help shedding a few tears when she went away in Mr. Bice’s company. She loved Mawgan Chase. It was her first home in Eng- land, her first shelter from the storm, and she had a feeling that no other place in the country would ever seem to her so ‘much like home. She thought, too, of the other time she went away. Clement was with her then, and sh ewas going out into the great unknown, not knowing what lay before her. How strangely things had happened! How good God had been to her! How good everybody had been! She had talked then with a heavy heart about the chances of life, and her compan- ion had tried to cheer her with brave and comforting words. She liked Clement Mawgan; he was so gentle, and yet so strong. How nobly he was fighting the world in the big city, and all the more nobly because he had never been taught how to fight. Yes, she liked Clement Mawgan, and he—he—loved her. She caught her breath for a moment and stood still. She never recalled that night when he unburdened his heart to her without feeling a sudden stab that was half pleasure, half pain. What was this love, she wondered, of which men spoke? Would it ever come to her? Did women ever feel it? She felt very doubtful as to the last. Women married for position and took a husband as they took a situation, and naturally took the best that offered. For herself—if Mr. Bice’s expectations were realized—she would not need a husband to maintain her; she would have enough and more than enough, and so would live her life un- trammeled, and do good in the way that seemed best to her. Her meditations were interrupted by the approach of Mr. Bice, and soon after the train came in. They drove in silence from Padding- ton to Keasington Gardens, where the marquess had his town house. All the wonder and excitement of the day seemed to concentrate itself into a sin- gle period of time. She held her breath with a feeling of physical pain while waiting for the door to open. Five minutes later she found bérself in a large room that seemed full of people, and a dozen wondering and questioning eyes were leveled at her from all points of the compass. {To Be Continued.) FIVE FOXES IN ONE NEST. Hunters found a den of foxes in the hills south of Hagerstown and un- earthed five little foxes about as large as well grown cats, writes a corre- spondent. The mother fox escaped before the hunters reached the den, which was lined thickly with soft grasses and feathers. Instead of running away, she kept within sight while the hunters worked with their shovels. She apparently understood what they were doing, for she endeavored by every means to at- tract them away from their work and toward herself. She approached quite near and acted as if lame and distress- ed. She would lie down on her side and writhe along the ground, uttering whines and moans. Then she would limp off as if very lame, going very slowly and halting frequently. The hunters were not to be drawn away from the work in hand by such tactics, and finally after much digging came upon the den where the five pretty little fellows were shrinking. They made no resistance and seemed rather to like the handling and petting they received. All of them were taken to a farmhouse, where they were con- fined. Yet 4 They will not be released, but will probably be painlessly dispatched. Grown foxes do not make good neigh- bors in farming communities. Hunters say it is very rare for moth- er foxes to leave all their young in one place. It is their cunning habit to scatter the family, one and two in widely separate retreats. It is said, too, that foxes will not rob roosts close to their dens, but will go miles away for food and carefully hide their trails, Sajna on gaan ae A WILL GIVE TO THE FARMERS OF WEST A SPLENDID RETURN. formation appeared in a Montreal paper: " “Last December, in reviewing the harvest considerably smaller in vol- ume than in the previous year. Against ninety millions in 1906.the wheat crop of the West in 1907 only totaled some seventy-one million bushels, and much of this of inferior quality. But the price averaged high, and the total re- sult to the farmers was not unprofit- able. This year we have to record by far the largest wheat crop in the coun- try’s history. Estimates vary as to the exact figure, but it is certainly not less than one hundred million bushels, and in all probability it reaches one hundred and ten million bushels. The quality, moreover, is good, and the price obtained very high, so that in all respects the Western harvest of 1908 has been a memorable one. The result upon the commerce and finance of the country is already apparent. The railways are again reporting in- creases in traffic, the general trade of the community has become active after twelve months’ quiet, and the banks are loosening their purse strings to meet the demand for money. The prospects for 1909 are excellent. The credit of the country never stood as high. The immigrants of 1907 and 1908 have now been absorbed into the in- dustrial and agricultural community, and wise regulations are in force to prevent too great an influx next year. Large tracts of new country will be opened up by the Grand Trunk Pacific both in East and West. If the seasons are favorable the Western wheat crop should reach one hundred and twenty million bushels. The prospects for next year seem very fair.” An inter- esting letter is received from Cardston, Alberta (Western Canada), written to an agent of the Canadian Government, any of whom will be pleased to advise correspondents of the low rates that may be allowed intending settlers. “Cardston, December 21st, 1908. “Dear Sir: Now that my threshing is done, and the question ‘What Will the Harvest Be,’ has become a cer- tainty, I wishsto report to you the re- sults thereof, believing it will be of in- terest to you. -You know I am only a novice in the agricultural line, and do not wish you to think I am boasting because of my success, for some of my neighbors have done much better than I have, and I expect to do much bet- ter next year myself. My winter wheat went 53 bushels per acre—and graded No. 1. My spring wheat went 48% bushels per acre, and graded No. 1, My oats went 97 bushels per acre, and are fine as any oats I ever saw. My stock is all nice and fat, and are out in the field picking their own three square meals a day. The weather is nice and warm, no snow—and very little frost. This, in.short, is an ideal country for farmers and stockmen. The stock requires no shelter or win- ter feeding, and cattle fatten on this grass and make the finest kind of beef, better than corn fed cattle in Ills. Southwestern Alberta will soon be known as the farmers’ paradise; and I am only sorry I did not come here five years ago. Should a famine ever strike North America, I will be among the last to starve—and you can count on that. “I thank you for the personal assist- ance you rendered me while coming in here, and I assure you:I shall not soon forget your kind offices.” What the Dollies Had. Little Mary was realy very ill. Moth- er said she was sure it was an attack of appendicitis, but grandma was equally sure the little one was threat- ened with convulsions. The argument waxed warm in Mary’s presence, and appropriate remedies were used, and the next day she was better. Coming into her mother’s room dur- ing her play, she said: “Mamma, two of my dollies are very sick this morning.” “Indeed, dear, I am very sorry. What is the matter with them?” “Well I don’t really know, mamma, put I think Gwendolyn has ‘a pint o’ spiders’ and Margurite is going to have ‘envulsions.’” HOME COUGH CURE. Go to your druggist and get one-half ounce Concentrated pine compound, two ounces of glycerine, half a pint of good whiskey; mix it up, and use it in doses of a teaspoonful to a table- spoonful every four hours, shaking the bottle each time. Any druggist can supply ingredients. The Concentrated pine is a pine prod- uct refined for medical use and comes only in half ounce bottles, each en- closed in a round case which is air- tight and preserves the fluid in its full strength, but be sure it is labeled “Con- centrated.” A prominent local druggist says he has filled this prescription hun- dreds of times aid has seen it work wonders. Sardou’s Quip. “Victorien Sardou hated shams,” said a Cincinnati theatrical manager. “If you tried to impose on him, he would call you down. “At the Ambigu, during a rehearsal, he said he doubted an actor’s state- ment that he had given forty hours of study to his lines. “*You doubt me?” said the actor, hotly. ‘I assure you, Monsieur Sardou, I have never lied but twice in my life.” “Sardou smiled dryly. “Then this makes thrice, eh?’ said he.” The following interesting bit of in- year 1907, we had to record a wheat WORK INVOLVED IN MAINTEN: ANCE OF CAPITOL. Yearly “House-Cleaning” Is a Task of Magnitude and Is Accomplished in the Most Thorough Manner. The capitol is a huge building and perhaps in no way could this fact be more vividly im- pressed on the mind than by a simple mainte- nance of it—in its “upkeep;” what a hou sekeeper would probably term the house cleaning incident to its manage ment. There isnot a day in the year, even when con- gress is in ses- sion, that the small army of employes under Superintendent Elliot Woods is not busy with cleaning, painting, car- pentering, repairing, plumbing and wiring work. But it is after congress adjourns—after July 1, to be accurate —-when the appropriation for the new fiscal year becomes available, that the real activity becomes apparent. It is a long way to the top of the statue crowning the dome, but some one must go to the top of it to find out if the lightning has damaged the metal points put there to receive and conduct it down to the earth where it can do no damage. Then even the best roofs will at times show wear and allow the rains to come through. When the word goes forth that the capitol is to be cleaned, David Lynn, as general foreman and right bower to the superintendent, sends for all the other foremen—those who have charge of the heating, ventilating and lighting departments, for instance, and all the rest, and instructs them to turn in at once full reports of the require- ments of their respective departments. It is found that a committee room, for instance, is to be enlarged, that a new floor must be laid; that certain plumbing must be renewed; that fres- coes in the lower corridor are scaling off; that there is a leak in the vice- president’s room; that a hundred and one things need attention. Supplies are issued out of the store room on requisition from the foremen, each requisition stating what the sup- plies are needed for. And all the foremen are directly answerable to Mr. Lynn, who finds that they are the easiest men in the world to get on with, and there is no longer any trouble anywhere. As happens almost every year there has been a good deal of work done involving the tearing out of old wood- work and the replacing of it with new. It is the practice in such cases to re- place the old wood—usually pine or some soft wood—with mahogany, but the new work is made to conform with the old work in pattern and design. Many new mahogany doors have been placed in the building. Much new fur- niture is annually installed, and in consequence it becomes necessary yearly to hold an auction sale of old, worn-out or obsolete furniture. Very often this old furniture brings a great deal more than it is worth because of its associations. It is generally bought up by persons not living in Washington, who place a sentimental value on anything that has ever been used in the capitol. There was plenty of work to do this year in the overhauling of the kitch- ens and restaurants, there being one catering establishment for the senate end and another for the house end of the capitol. In fact, practically everything is duplicated in the capi- tol, and this fact should help to im- press on the mind of him who has never seen it what an immense build- ing the capitol really is. The kitch- ens are in the basement, where the casual visitor never sees them. In every respect they are complete and up-to-date, and doubtless would re- joice the heart of any professional cook who might have the chance to inspect them. They are planned with especial reference to cleanliness. The floors are cement and the walls are lined with white enameled tiles to the height of a man’s head. Every day in the year, but more especially when congress is in session, the walls are washed down and the whole place is Between repair cleaned. needed thoroughly sons any is done, for then the kit- chens are not worked to their full ca- ir" cciMaye 2 2 pacity. Dancing Expected in White House.. There are not many accomplish- ments which the wife of the president: elect possesses that are not being dis- cussed and made much of in the capi- tal. Those who know her best are commenting on Mrs. Taft’s fondness for dancing, and are hoping she will revive the terpsichorean era in the White House. Why the American chief executive should think it be neath his dignity to dance is what ‘society cannot understand. The kaiser likes to dance, and gives at least four dancing affairs a year. King Edward, almost 70 years old, does not disdain a whirl occasionally, and both he an¢ the queen like to watch others dan cing. Mrs. Taft has traveled exten sively and knows the customs of for: eign lands. It will add much to the picturesqueness of official life if — ging affairs are given, _ sea- work re sbRuine, R. WILLIAM A. PRESSER, 1722 Third Ave., Moline, Ill, writes: “Lhave beensuffering from catarrh in the head for the past two months and tried innumerable so-called reme- dies without avail. No one knows how Ihave suffered not only from the dis- ease itself, but from mortification when in company of friends or strangers. “I have used two bottles of your med- icine for a short time only, and it effected a complete medical cure, and what is better yet, the disease has not returned. “I can most emphatically recommend Peruna to all sufferers from this dis- ease.” Read This Experience. Mr. A. Thompson, Box 65, R. R. 1, Martel, Ohio, writes: ‘When I began your treatment my eyes were inflamed, nose was stopped up half of the time, and was sore and scabby. I could not rest at night on account of continual hawking and spitting. “I had tried several remedies and was about to give up, but thought I would try Peruna. ‘*After I had taken about one-third of a bottle I noticed a difference. I am now completely cured, after suffering with catarrh for eighteen years. “I think if those who are afflicted with catarrh would try Peruna they would never regret it.” Peruna is manufactured by the Peruna Drug Mfg. Co., Columbus, Ohio, Ask your Druggist for a Free Peruna Almanac for 1909. Feminine Finance. Crawford—I hope you followed my advice and exercised due care in the selection of the presents you pur- chased for your friends. Mrs. Crawford—Indeed I did, dear. I bought only the things with which they gave a double quantity of trading stamps.—Puck. BRETON TWO-STORY BEDS. Many in Peasants’ Huts, Richly Carved and Ornamented. The Breton peasant has some charming qualities, courtesy, good hu- mor, detachment from the prosaic side of life, but the virtue of cleanliness is not for him. The cottages are frequently ver¥ dirty, and the approach to them is sometimes over a pile of refuse. There is nothing of luxury in a cot- tage interior, but you may generally count on two things to beautify even the poorest. One is the white coif of its mistress (always spotless, however dirty anything else may be), and the other is the brass trimmings of the armoire, usually polished to a degree of brightness that is positively daz- zling. Some of these armoires are really beautiful, with elaborately carved panels, and in many cases are heirlooms that have been in the fam- ily for generations. Then there are the beds—one of them, of which the mistress is very proud, will be mod- ern, with very coarse Nottingham lace curtains draped over it. You give it a few complimentary words in order to satisfy its owner, but what you really want to see is the “lit-clos” in the far corner, and if it is a “lit-clos a deux etages” you are more than content. Some of these ‘lit-clos” are things of great beauty, like the armoires, and the carvings on the sitting panels are enough to make a collector green with envy. HER MOTHER-IN-LAW Proved a Wise, Good Friend. A young woman out in Ia. found a wise, good friend in her mother-in-law, jokes notwithstanding. She writes: “Tt is two years since we began us- ing Postum in our house. I was great- ly troubled with my stomach, complex- ion was blotchy and yellow. After meals I often suffered sharp pains and would have to lie down. My mother often told me it was the coffee I drank at meals. But when I'd quit coffeeI'd have a severe headache. “While visiting my mother-in-law I remarked that she always made such good coffee, and asked her to tell me how. She laughed and told me it was easy to make good ‘coffee’ when you use Postum. : “I began to use Postum as soon as I got home, and now we have the same good ‘coffee’ (Postum) every day, and I have no more trouble. Indigestion is’ a thing of the past, and my complex- ion has cleared up beautifully. “My grandmother suffered a great deal with her stomach. Her doctor told her to leave off coffee. She then took tea but that was just as bad. “She finally was induced to try Postum which she has used for over a year. She traveled during the winter over the greater part of Iowa, visiting, something she had not been able to do for years. She says she owes her present good health to Postum.” Name given by Postum Co., Battle Creek, Mich, Read, “The Road to Well. ville,” in pkgs. “There’s a Reason.” Ever read the above letter? A a orp Gr : ten