The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, October 12, 1902, Page 6

the Aldermen of the better class there had grown a feeling that the ordinance was a roper one. On every side they were met y men who said a good word for the measure; the papers controlled by Bidwell continued to print inierviews with leading citizens, while lawyers of standing, posing as property owners, had appeared before the council committee and argued in fa- vor of the passage of <he ordinance. Be- fore the committee had also come bus ness men to Stammer a few commenda- tory words—driven there like S0 many sheep prodded by the drover. The mem- bers of the phalanx commanded by Spro- gel were in high feather. They strutted and swaggered before their fellow-mem- bers. Lo ok “What did we tell you fellows?" sai Connie Moran. “See what the business " say. 1 tell you this is right. this ordinance. The ‘Duke’ wouldn't stand for anything that wasn'c dead on the square re than I would.” z mfi’!,{ml: all cut off and ready to serve, said Locksley to Bannerton. ““There Isr;ll any mose to it. They have some of the beer AlGermen down here, filling them up with champagne, and that setflcs 1. When you get champagne into a Dutch- he's lost, and that is all there is to it The business ‘guys’ have fixed the thing. Make one of those Googleheiser bo; think the business men want a thing, and he's for it. There ain't a thing so set in the world as a conserva- with the wrong hunch. . vas little wonder that Bidwell was in high spirits. He frequented the club late in the afternoon and early eveming and he had a warm grasp and a smile for all he met. His oid chuckle, tha had given him his first start as a_lobby- ist, had come back to him and many there were who wondered they had never b{:- fore noticed what a genial gentleman he "fhe three men—Bidwell, Sprogel and Ledlow—met one evening in one of th: private dining-rooms on the second floor of the clubhouse. Both Ledlow and Bidwell had agreed to stay down and take dinner with the bachelor millionaire. = “It does look promising. said the slen- der banker. rubbing his bony hands to- gether ut 1 wish The Watchman Would let up a little. They are getling pretty close to some ugly facts.” “Let them go,” cried Bidwell. What do we care what that paper say e “But it is liable to wake the people up, continued the banker. “I have had quite a number of men ask me about the or- at e.” ’ Well. you told said Bidwell, laughing T°tell you the people listen to the voice of the business men cvery time. Give me the foremen, and I will get the rest of the vote in & shop, no matter how big them, did you not?” ~That is just it. it is, or what the sentiment. The city is nothing but a big shop, and we have the foremen.” We have not all of them.” said Led- w, dubiousiy. “Elliotson, for instance, is talking ugly. and. by the way. I hear that young Bannerton, has been busying about for the last few days, trying (o stir up trouble.” i liotson is an oid grandma,” said Bid- and his knitting is coarse. He is »ehind the times in this matter e i§ in the banking busines Elliotson is a good banker,” said Led- iow, with some gleam of professional spirit. “No matter what else you may say of him, he is a good banker.” “Yes,” said Bidwell, laughing, for he was in the best of spirits; “he is a good banker, and that is the reason why you will have millions when he bas hundreds of thousands. Yes, he is a good banker —a goody-goody banker, afraid to take chances. Why, Ledlow. you will clean up more on one deal than he would make by his methods in business in fifty vears “Yes, if it goes through all right,” as- the cautious money-lender. through all right!” exclaimed “Why, what can stop it now? r, no power on n biock me now another bottle,” rumbled the ponderous Sprogel. opening his eyes; for he had been nodding while the two men talked. fes,” cried Bidwell, his eyes sparkling, Sprogel is right. Bring another bottl 1 have earned it. if ever a man has. “Henry, 1 wouldr't, if I were you, the banker, nervousiy. you said once, you never took a glass of wine that it did not bring you bad luck in some form or another.” v “Well,” said Bidwell, again laughing like a boy, “it is a stand-off in that casc. as I never had any real good luck when 1 4id not open one.” Ledlow looked appealingly to Sprogel. But Sprogel merely shrugged his beefy shoulders and said: “What's pleases, any wa Very little champagne had a great ef- fect on Bidwell. He was of the nervous, high-strung temperament that cannot hold in check the exhilarating influences of the blended vintage. It released all his energy, like the tearing away of a dam. In @ few moments an ecstasy of avarice came over him. “Millions!” he cried, holding the glass aloft and watching the bubbles whirl up the long stem—for the old-fashioned glass still lingered in the club. “Millions for us three! Why, this is only the begin- ning. The nexi step is to_consolidate them all into one company. Think of it! Capitalized for a billion dollars and held o= = right that none can take away for fi ™~ But we won't be here then,” remarked Sprogel, placidly “Why not? Why not? Who can tell?” cried Bidwell, his eyes blazing. *Giv enough—enough, mind you— and 1 will defy death itself”” The glass fell from his fingers as he spoke and he grew ghastly white. “I am not feeling well,” he said, feebly, as Ledlow and Sprogel hastily rose from their chairs. “But I will be better in a the banking Bidweil No power on earth. No, said “You remember, ? Henry does as he moment You were right, Ledlow; I should never drink it He recovered shortly and was taken home by Lediow. But the dinner was not lost; for Sprogel, with the instinctive fru- gality to waste nothing, sent at once for two other guests, Mayor Thorn and Con- nie Moran. And while they feasted and made merry over the prospects of a,victory over the people, whose interests” the Mayor and Councilmen had_taken solemn oaths to protect, Hugh Bannerton was parting with Elliotson, after a long talk. “The columns of the paper shall be open to you,” said Elliotson, “and I pledge my- self to stand by you in the movement. 1 dislike to precipitate a fight of this na- ture, which may grow personal; but you are right, and there is no other way out of it. Get your man as soon as possible.” As Bannerton hurried away to see Mrs. ‘Warrington and perfect his plans, he was filled with a fierce glow, a zest for battle such as had never before inspired him. For he felt sure Henry Bidwell had made him dishonored in the eyes of the woman he loved. But, even worse than that, his faith had been shattered: for he would have staked his life that Edith would have remained stanch and true to him, no matter who defamed him, =0 long as be followed what he thought his duty. CHAPTER XXIL HANNUM RECEIVES HIS ANSWER. ‘When Bidwell left Edith, after the in- terview in which he placed in her hands the prcof of her lover's duplicity (for the Gemning evidence of the letter was not to be doubted) she sat for a long time dazed and numbed by the shock. Her first feelings were those of a per- son who had received a blow and returns slowly to consciousness, striving to recail the incidents that preceded it and, as yet, but dimly aware of the extent of the in- She did not weep; there was no ng of keen anguish or acute pain; only & dull, dead sense of a great loss, It was a Joss not alone of the man whom she had loved, but a loss of faith in all men. She had never thought that Hugh would love another woman. She had feit no jealousy. And, after this blind faith in him, to find that he had burned with iove for another woman while professing love for her! The letter was before her. 7t was overfiowing with love, with pas. sionate love, and teemed with endearing’ expressions. It was a letter such as 5 man might have written who wished to tell all his love in one letter. And it wag signed, “Your own faithful Hugh.” Faith- ful! Pal if this was the faithfulness of man, she was done with them all, She felt no sting of jealousy; only a sickening scnse of loss of faith. There could be nc explanation, no extenuation, no recon- c'liaticn. With a coolness that surprised her, she took pen and rper and wrote a short letter it curt, told the man she had loved that they could never meet again.. She made no accusation, expressed no ets, and left no opening for a reply. asked onc thing only; that he should tell no one, not even Mrs. Warrington. It was a letter cold, formal and hard; one that left no doubt &s to the firmness of the writer. When she had posted the letter, for she went to the letter box on the corner and dropped it in herself, she drew a long brezth, and instinctively clutched to re- gailn it It was ner mist weakness, her uisl waverng. lu a paanic of doubt and jear she huried home; lor the thougnt Lau come o her that perhaps tnere misit Solie MuStane—dicy Possioly the leued 4l 0L Leve beea writien by Hugh. wus the suaw ioau she ciutebed at agouy vi hepe. KOr no_sooner bau she luuked al tne .etier again than Bljpe Liew. AL was mis nandwoang, tue Bl cire Was knew Lhe peculiar iwisl oI the ‘0 e u. wve, recollection, toat was yet ive n her heary weal out thal insiant. She resvived w rorget, to be tuansiul tuut she tad found out in tune. Hence- forth sne wolid Leust no man, aad uo vie Snould Know. ‘Iuat mgnt sue wepl over & much ower letler, bul she was aione i Ber rcom, where no ohe Couid see.. Tns was repeatea mght after n.gut, but ea Guy SLe 1ose, Strung and I i Der res- viution, hed up by wer prige, and a grest sense of WroLg. She was sSOIL and pieds- aut in her mauners, sie smited oteu and wusily, and was tue uelignt of her uncie. Who hua expeclea au _catirely alfiereat atituge on uer part. S0 he caucx.ed tu LiSED, and, KDOW.LE Gich, ald Lot Wum- €, JUGE U L) Lie IascUiue s.uluald, and Suld Dlie W LUl ale loF i, aler wil. She 15 a sensivie gir.” : On every side in tne set in which she moved nuith heard Hugu Bannerion newd UD 10 Geilslon 4bd SCurl. fe was ue- uUUGCes ux @ young auarchisi, as an iu- grale, who had been p.caea Up anu be- iriended by Henry bidwel, auu NOW re- palu mis Kind benefacior wiln he basest ingratiiude. Some wongereu ibat such a felow hud been tuierated In the upber cir- cle at all; uthers remembereu wnal tuey had always been susp.civus vl hun, kven Very youlg mnen anu women lwok up Lue gus=ip, and repeated the lusinuation that Hugh had been arcppea from his position by reason of some grave offense. John Hannum was an exception. He made no excuses for the youus wan, but he stopped those who spuke to hun di- rectly by declaring that it was a matter which he did not care to discuss. He had 1o opinion on the ordinance, nor upvn the matives of those who advicated or op- posed its passage. His attitude was in such contrast to that of many who had professed friendship for Bannerton that it aroused In Edith a feeling of admiration and gratitude; for she heid Hugh guiitiess of everything but faithfulness to her. This feeling toward Hannum she re- vedled to him by a chance remark. With the quickness of a trained attorney to seize an opening. he asked a question con- cerning Hugh. Her reply released him from an obligation to which a_sense of honor had thus far bound him. Instantly, cool-headed and shrewd as he was in all other things, he was carried away. He asked another question, a great and =igni- ficant one to a woman. The answer came at once, and it came with the deadly kind- liness that there is no mistaking. When there is kindness and pity in this answer it is immutable. This Hannum knew. for there are some things in which all women are alike. CHAPTER XXIIL FRIENDS AND FOES. One day there appeared on the first page of The Watchman a boxed notice, printed in black type, and headed “A Cail to Arms!” I wads read by every one who took the paper, and soun the news was taken up and carried about by word of mouth. It was a call for an uprising of citizens to fight the passage of the ordi- nance, to prevent the city from being tied down by a monopoly for fifty years. Ail persons ready to enlist were asked to send in their names, those wishing to take a public part in ‘the fight to signify that such was their intention; others, who might not wish to be publicly identified with the movement could express them- selves privately. A pledge was made that the names of those who might wish to contribute funds to help pay the expenses of the fight would not be published. A citizens’ committee would be formed at once, and officers elected. The call was signed by John Brawley, a business man whose standing was of the highest. He was a Scotchman, honest and fearless. The ice once broken, there was a quick response on the part-of many men who had hung back for lack of a leader. The standing of Brawléy was such that his name inspired confidence, and that after- noon a_number of business men, Eiliot- son and Dee among the number, gath- ered in his private office to discuss plans. Outside, Bannerton ‘was taking down the names of other men who came to enlist, men of all classes, and in various walks in life. It was decided to organize at once. Brawley was named as president, and Bannerton as secretary. The next day mopey began to come in, and the manner in which it came was a striking proof that the power that Bidwell and his associates wieided. Messengers brought the largest contributions in cash, and departed without telling from whom they came. A few sent checks—but none through Ledlow’s bank. The next day small subscriptions poured in through the mails; letters came by the hundreds, commending the work, and pledging fur- ther assistance. “The people are with us,” sald one of the men who had been chosen a member of the executive committee of the or- ganization. *“There will be little more heard of the ordinance now.” “I am not so sure of that,” said Braw- ley. ‘From the facts Mr. Bannerton has laid before me, 1 am convinced that Bid- well has resolved to 2o through with this at any cost. They are in too far to back out now. But as for the people being with us, there is no doubt of that. The people are always right when they under- stand. “It our aim to make them under- stand,” said Bannerton, lcoking up from his desk. “It is also our duty.” “‘Precisely,” assented Brawley, “and for that very reason we must arrange for meetings at once.” The siory of a battle may be told in a paragraph, or made into a book. 1t held true of this battie; for the incidents of the two weeks’ engugement, during which a peopie, tied and hampered by the law, and menaced by those who respected no law, fought to save a public nght from being prostituted to private gain, were many and varied. They were enough to make a thrihing tale of attack, defense, trials and templations, some men stanca and true, others bending to ignoble deeds under pressure. There were all phases of human nature that the friction of strife brings to the surface. Let it suffice to treat of this dark drama of modern life, this massacre of men's consciences, in general terms, and spare the details that would but lead to the slums and the brothels. Of Tubbett, Moran, Mayor Thorn and those of the hardy and reck- less band that served for pay, what can be told but the same old story? Sworn to stand firm, caring naught for the threats of irate citizens, unless reinforced by numbers, and the dangling emblem of Judge Lynch, they passed a wild and hi- larious existence during this memorabie struggle, swaggering about, drinking, living on the fat of the land, and filled with the lust for booty that was prom- ised in case of victory. But of other men who were at, this time members of the Common Council, it is a different tale, and praise to that it is so. For, had it not been for the cunning artifices that deceived many of them, for sophistry that was beyond their grasp, and for a certain rugged sense of honor that bound others, there would have been ,small chance of success for Bidwell and his eomgnnlonl. On these men Bidwell turn- ed the full force of his manifold and dis- guised influences. The character of Bidwell was such that he fought best when hard pressed, and never before had he been so hard pressed when far into a project and no longer able to retreat. The organization of forces to combat him now brought him face to face with the public he feared, and which he had almost grown hate. But to meet such a contingency "he had behind him the powerful confederation made possible by his dual grasp™f business and poli- tics. In all the city there was not a business or professional man whose name he not studied to find the one fulcrum by which' he could be moved. The strain was beginning to on him—the - strain of ceaseless mental activity, and an upeasy con- science. For—and it was something new to him—he had begun to doubt—to doubt if it really was right; this gi up of everything for money. The breaking off with Mrs. Warrington had left him alone and, being now always alone o far as his inner thoughts were involved, he had grown to think, advancing timidly,and unwillingly, along & new road. The very warnings and advice which .she given him had afforded him an opportu- nity to talk back, to justify by words, and thus relieve himself. Now it was all pent up within him. But he pulled him- self together and resolved to meet the storm that was brewing and to push the ordinance through at any cost—to stop 4t notning. The lust for gain glowed within him. and he soon put his forces in motion for the final assault with all the =kill of a general old in the wars. m’l‘hle’ cmu;-' v:ommltt?e culledk a mass eeting and arran, or speakers. At once Bidwell cau-e«fehdis papers to clamor for fair play. -What was the sense of . killed, stirring up hatred and strife when all that was asked by the company was a cuim discussion? Let other speakers be heard at the meeting! The Watchman commended this as proper enough, and the committee yielded. Then Tubbett and Moran sallied forth to rake the slums to pack the meeting in behalf of the com- pany, while Bidwell and Sprogel brought every pressure to bear to secure the at- tendance of men of standing whom they controlled. Bidwell sent for one of the lhe‘adlnz lawyers of the city, and said to m: “You must sreak at this meeting in behalf of the ordinance.” s “Good God! Mr. Bidwell, how can I? cried the lawyer, aghast. “I am on rec- ord as making the strongest speech of the evening at the mass meeting a year ago that passed the resolutions which re- sulted in the killing of the other ordi- nance. And it was not nearly as bad as this one.” “I cannot help that,” answered Bidwell, grimly. “We need you now. and you must stand by us.” “I cannot afford to do it,”” said the law- yer You can better afford to do it than you can to refuse,’' said Bidwell. *You want power of attorney in a very tickiish case,’ and 1, together with Sprogel, am in cohtrol. Refuse me, and you are in the minority.” “I will do the best I can,” said the at- torney. *I will speak at the meeting. What do you wish me to say?”’ “Whatever you would say if you were retained as a_lawyer and were address- ing a jury. Mind you, if you were ad- dressing a jury—mot a Judge. We will have the jury, too. T will to that.” But this plan was miscaiculated, for there was such an cutpouring of men that the pluggers and heelers found them- selves in the minority. But they decided to capture the chairmanship by force of noise and were marshaled to vote for a man_friendly to the ordinance. Banner- ton heard of it. and hurried to Brawley. “Well, what can we do? The cHairman must be elected, must he not?” asked the business man. “No: not under these circumstances. answered Bannerton. ‘‘You just get up and announce that Samuel Filiotson has been selected as chairman.” “But that will be gag rule,” protested the man of trade. “Will they stand any such hlgh-handed procedure “*Stan it!” exclaimed Bannerton. “They have got tq stand it. What can they do about it? This is our meeting.’ It was a wild and stormy meeting. The great lawyer, white and trembling, made a sorry spectacle of himself. but he filled his contract. Then some of the speakers of the citizens' commit- tee got the platform. They riddled the ordinance. They pointed out what it really meant, what a great steal it was. The people roared In approval. Other speakers followed and when the adherents of the ordinance began to interrupt there grew a savage spirit among the men wlio had come to the meeting in good faith. There were angry mutterings, and one by Qne the heelers slunk out of the hall, cowed and afraid to go through with their plan. The next day with a full- The Watchman came out ge account of the great uprising of the-people. Men talked of it on the street corners, in the saloons, in the cars, everywhere. It became the opinion that the Aldermen would 1ot dare o go ahead. The papers controlled by~ Bidwell came out in the afterncon de- nouncing the men who had cailed the meeting as little better than anarchists, and deploring that respectabie citizens should have been hooted down by the ri<f- raff of the city. The meeting was pre- sented as one in which the better element favering the ordinance had been outnum- bered by thugs, brought there by the mischisf-makers and busy-bodies, fighting organized capital out of pure envy. Bannerton, who now saw much of Shut. tle. and was welcomed as an ally, be- sought the editor to print the facts about the meeting. But Shuttle demurred. It would be undignified, he said, to notice such accusations, 5 “Who brought the thugs there?” h¢ demanded. *“Give me the proof, and I will print the facts,” he said, at last. ““Ed Tubbett brought some of them,” answered Bannerton. ‘l don’t believe it. well,” I know Tubbett too returned Shuttle. - will bring you the word of a dozen You look that up,” said m “Very well. the editor. The next night Bannerton came with what he had found tvonfirming his first information. * 1. don’t believe it,”” said Shuttle, short- L)q d':’l‘ubbeu wouldn't do anything of tne “‘Look here,” cried Bannerton, hotiy: “I will not stand this.. You ask me to get you certain information and when 1 give it to you you tell me you do not believe i What do you mean?” ‘Oh, I do not mean to guestion your word, Bannerton, or doubt the aceuracy of vour information. But I don't believs Tubbett would do anything of the sort. 1 see him every night and he is very reasonable about this wicked world.” Bannerton turned away in disgust. What was the use of talking to such a sincere and trustful man in such a wicked ‘world? To follow the combatants in this fight or even the leaders, would make a thrill- ing tale, but it would be an over-long one. The members of the citizens’ committee were jubilant. Men congratulateG them on every hand, some stealthily, it is true, but congratulated them just ‘the sam. organizations passed resol tions denouncing the ordinance and com- mending the citizens’ committee. So did the Turners and many other civic so- cieties. A few ministers, in little, out-of- the-way churches, preached sermons against the passage of the ordinance. The people had risen, the ordinance was sald the people. Brawley and El- liotson and John Dee and the rest of the committee were sure the victory had been Wwon. But Bannerton was not so sure. For Locksley, who had a keen sense of professional etiquette, and . would tell nothing concerning the secrets of his pa- lrfzns, had said to Bannerton: A “They I:Vllllx‘llck, Hugh. There are a ‘ew wea! sisters, but the; i enl?ugh ol{' lhefl'lr in line.” e o nder the surface, Bidwell, Spre 3 Ledlow were hard at work. Thl; ;fi;!‘u’:’g that they brought to bear on some of ‘the Aidermen was powerful enough to have made even better men wince, ; One man, representing a constituency that was overwhelmingly opposed to the ordinance, and a man of business himself, was beset oxn every side. He had been the recipient of an office of honor at the han Bidwell. At the time he had pledged him- self to return the favor with anything Bidwell might ask. And now Bidwell not only asked, but insisted. Another, Carl Zimmer, a simple and honest German, had given his word to the Mayor long before —his word to,return a favor by anything the Mayor might demand of him in his capacity as an Alderman. “l gif you my word of honor, Mr. Mayor, that my vote is yours when you ask for it,” he had said. “That a Ger- mfi" never bren.ksl.l‘i' ow, on every side, Carl Zimmer hea; that made him doubt. But, Wor‘:} thin; of all, men came to him, saying: “‘How much do you get, Carl Zimmer? It is a big robbery, and, if you get noth- ing, you are a fool. If you take some- thing, you are then a thief, Carl Zim- mer. That I do not think. No; Carl Zim- mer will vote for the ple. The series of meetings were all but over; the matter was to come up in the Council on Monday, and it was now Fri- day. Bidwell had planned his last public move. It was to hold a business men's meeting at one of the theaters on Satur- day night. He would demonstrate that the business men of the community were in favor of the ordinance. The citizens' committee was also to hold its last meet- ing on the same evening. Bannerton went to Shuttle. * ’ “‘Mr. Shuttle,” he said, “I have warked pretty hard through this fight, and I wish to ask one thing now. I deem it an es- sentlal.” “What is it if I can.” “It is to handle this business men's meeting of the company as it deserves. If it really is a meeting of business men, say so. But if it is a packed and made- up meeting, with simply the business men who have bought stock in this specula- tion, or who have been notorious in their -u&pon of the measure, 'why, say so, cold and flat. - A good deal depends on the way the meeting is handled.” “I suppose you want me to say it is a gang of toughs, no matter who is % sneered Shuttle. “I will be fair, Mr. Ban- nerton.” ““Tell just what the meetis proves to be,” said Bannerton, all T ask.” “I hear they are goi dinance, anyway,” said Shuttle, his coun- tenance falling. “I have inside informa- tion that they have a ity.” “It s a question whether they can hold “They- it?” asked Shuttle. “I will do ng really “That fs to pass the or- them,” replied Bannerton. them before we stirred up the le. A number of them are pretty w now.” Yes,” sald Shuttle, perking up. ‘Watchman has done great work." “There is That evening Bannerton received a mes- the earth. For there he buried his love. sage sa. l:l‘;hn Hannum wished to see All that day, that bleak Sabbath, Bid- him. He found thé lawyer waiting for well's men of every station and degree him in his study. .. Worked on the wavering Aldermen. ““Come in, my anarchistic young friend,” business men are with us! Here, look at ““Well, Hugh,” he continued, The Watchman, if you don’t believe it. when Bannerton had taken a seat, “I am Would that paper say so, if it were not rcally pleased at what you have dome. true?” 4 You may not make anything out of this, There was no answering—it was strong but you have had a heap of satisfactlon. 'proof. In the evening there had- been There is nothing so good for a man, both ‘arranged a meeting of the Aldermen who at the time and long after, as to do what had promised to vote for the ordinance. he thinks is right.” To this meeting came the lawyers in the Hugh made no reply, for, to tell the service of the corporation. Kach spoke in truth, he had grown wary, and knew not turn, fold of the duty that lay hefore where he mlgfl not find some cunning them, and with every sophistry of cun- move by Bidwell. ning minds stilled the conscience of the “Hugh,” resumed the lawyer, rising doubting Aldermen and assumed the sin and beginning to walk back and forth, themselves. The passage of the ordinance “this ordinance is one of the most outra- Wwas rehearsed, the motions made by des- geous measures ever prepared by a cor- ignated men, the chair ruled, the roil- poration in this country. It is such work call taken, the ordinance passed. as this that will bring the storm down on But why follow with further details of the heads of all corporations, be 'theéy the real passage of the ordinance at the ever 80 honest, and 1 hold there are hou- meetitg the next day? \What if police- est_corporations.” men did stand guard at the doors and re- “S80 do 1, John. You have heard me say fuse admiss.on to citizens? \vhat if the that many a time,” said Bannerton. whole thirg was cut aud dried und car- “This measure is one that will disgrace ried through with a high hand, in ac- tke city,” continued the lawyer. “lt is cordance with the weli-iaid pians of two 50 bold that I am astounded at theeffront- corporation ‘lawyers, wno sat concealed <ry of the men who are behind it. Why, behind the president—the smart Hitle 0 you know what it means? It takesawuy Connie Moran—iest there shouid be some from the city vy force of contract the slip in parliamentary procedure? And rights of citizens yet unborn. It seizes what if the Mayor, the official head of vested rights that no body of men should this fine American’city, did strut down dare deed away to become the instrument 1o the clerk's desk fn 'nis shirt sleeves of taxation for private enrichment. - A and sign the ordinance ere the clerk had king would not dare do what this Councii announced the vote? Wrat of it? The will do. He wouid lose his throne, and ordinance passed and there was the end perhaps his head.” . ofit. No: not guite the end of it, for ten “That the Council will 'pass!”, repeated minutes later Henrv Bidwell and nis as- Hugh. *“Do you mean that the ordin- Soc.ates were enjoined trom accepiing the ance will be passed after all?” ordinance in behaif of the corporation. “1t looks very much thac way, Hugh” John Hannum had replied the lawyer. I have information the coutts now, that leads me to believe they have got ple ail they need.”” 7 “Jobn,” sa.d Hugh after a pause, “if you feel the way you do about the or- dinance, why have you not come to our ] gsked moved. It was up to the bulwark of the peo- CHAPTER XXIV. A LATE REPENTANCE. Who shail fathom the vast and deep oystery of a city? Who has a fair and JUsL conceplion of its manifold life? For S what American has de.ved beneath the telt this ‘way for any length of time.” surface, has penetrated this wilderness of cried Hugh, “for I did not mean by brick and meriar, to the fnner life of its poney cofitribution, but by YOUr Vvoice. ccuntless caves and caverns? Who has and the weight it would have brought t0 trained an ear to cateh the heart-throbs our cause.” 2 of this composite mass, to know and in- “Nonsense,” exclaimed Hannum, “law- terpret the guverning impulse of its life? yers do not carry any weight out of krum the Lerty of the country swarm court. The only hope for the people is in men and women' to a new bondage, to be the courts. This trust will not be mis- waiped and twisted by the fierce heat of placed, In my opinion. The courts will competition—competition for all things, never sustain the ordinance after it has for the very air they breathe. From the passed. . The courts are the bulwark Of bottom vice and crime reach up and meet the people. 1 wish to do my part, Hugh, £es, abuses of power and selfish ag- to prevent a great wrong; to prevent the r.dizement, coming from the top, Be- agents of the people from making a bind- (wcen the two the great middle class is ing bargain wherein they knowingly be- expesed to the contagion of familiarity tray their trust.” on the one hand and is plundered on the ‘Well, let me put you down for one of other. The bass from the slums locks the .speeches to-morrow night said bands with men who pose as men Hugh~ Wwerth and integrity and ‘who stand at the “I will appeal to juries, or to judges, top with a serene countenance for those not to mobs,” replied Hannum signifi- about them, but with a cunning leer for cantly. those below. The city is the Dark Con- ““Then why don’t you begin suit your- tinent of this country, into the depths of asked Hugh. which have gone many explorers, each ugh Bannerton, have you lost all returning with but a fragment of knowl- your old quickness? 1 am a lawyer. edge; none with the whole truth. Suddenly a great light came fo the The ordinance once passed, the Alder- ¥ men ran to cover, fearful of the storm ; he cried, “wil you—will thut might break over thelr heads. The you take the case?” adherents of the corporation were filled The lawyer gave a sigh of relief. Wwith apprehension. But no storm arose; hy, of course. Why not? the very boldness of the Aldermen und ‘Then 1 engage you now,” said Hugh the high-handedness of their action chai- decigively. “I have that authority, and if lcnged admiration, there is not money enough, you can “It is no use to ‘buck’ against money,” have all T bave when you present your was the great and all-pervading senti- bill. We have plenty of money t0 80 ment, uttered in a different mood by dif- ahead with proceedings.” o ferent men. It was all over. What was “For my services.” sald Hannum, “my the use? Good men shrugged their shoul- fee shall be a nominal one. You could ders, bad men swore and made threats. pay it and not suffer much. Hugh, some- Some hurled taunts at the Aldermen whom times the man, the citizen, and the laW- they knew, accusings them of having sold yer may be blended in one. themselves. But what was the use? ~There {s more than lawyer in you, A few grasped at a straw and placed after all,” cried Hugh, throwing his arms faith in the courts declaring the measure about his friend, now come back to him. jilegal. But the great mass was skeptical. “You are all man.” . It winked and shrugged. Among those not,” sald the lawver dryly. who were confident that the courts would Men—simply men—draw a dollar a day. not sustain the action of the Council were But jog along now, Hugh, as I expect 0 Sumuel Elliotson, John Brawley, and work to-night. The papers will be ready. men of the same type, and with them Wwhen they are needed, if ever they are.” many who had thought it unwise to open- The next day Bannerton reported to El- ly oppose the passage of the ordinance. liotson and Brawley concerging. the re- These men sent in money to pay the cost ‘How do you know 1 have not Hannum. J “I beg your pardon, John, if you have taining of John Hannum. LA of the legal proceedings, and, when they ‘“He will have nothing to d(?_;‘. éaid El- were sure of their com?an);. they consoled liotson, in a confident tone. ““Whyi'they ezch other and deplored existing condi- ‘will never dare to pass the ordinance 3 'l'he| best men in the city are quietly posing its passage.” said Bannerton, “and some of the ‘best’ men in the city are quietly urg- g it on. You has been wi tiors. John Hannum was filled now with the heat of battle. He had arrayed against him the flower of the legal talent of “the city, buit he felt that he had the % nfi - urself told me the stock ramaon Jiis side. He was confident of u _distributed among men The legal action was a setback for ready [IIVIV.io gt i on.a ApcuimLie: by (209 it came'in o form that kept romis! Tetul -~ e . & 2 L3 P"Walfi"ther‘e Wil Be. no, returns on.thig T a! is” associdtes from _realizing the expected profits on their great stogk - speculation. Theistock jumped five points and there it stopped. Ledlow, the banker, was in a tremor of fear, and sold what he could unload with- out ‘attracting attention. Sprogel, calm and passive, looked to Bidwell for guid- ance. ‘““The courts!” exclaimed Bidwell. “Why, of course it must go to the ccurts. Of what use would the ordi- nance be if it had dangling over it the danger of an adverse ruling? The court decision is the tradé mark that gives value to the goods.” investment,” nance will “‘He sald Elliotson. “The ordi- never pass.” incurred no expense, Elliot- son.” d the cautious Scotchman, “‘and perhaps ‘a lawyer may come in handy. vo teiling when a man like Bid- well is beatén. It is a great clan he has raised up tq follow him on this raid.” The meetifig at the theater—the meeting of the business men in Bidwell's behalf— filled Bannerton with a great and over- whelming' joy when he beheld it. The business men had been hoodwinked into giving interviews, they had beel": brow. e Bemn made o oay e kiadly mom "4 "\Bu¢ are the courts sure to sustain us?” the ordinance. But when it came to com- asked the trembling banker. “May the ing down to attend a meeting for a cause Supreme Court not declare the ordinance to which they were opposed at heart, it Invalid? was another matter. Here was a chance _ ‘‘Good courts, honest courts, such as we to show their independence, and nothing have, Ledlow, sustain the acts of dishon- to fear—for who cannot give a good ex- est councils, if those scts be legal. This is cuse for not having attended a meeting? simply a matter of law now, in a purely We learn that early in life. technical sense. The men who drew this ‘As Bannerton looked about him, he first crdinance would not take a place on the saw a sprinkling of men who had been Supreme Bench if it were offered them. prominent in supporting the company in They are too good at the business of law. its fight. They numbered scarcely a score, They interpret, and thus make the law: On every side he saw the faces of political courts merely mark their work with the heelers whom he knew well, men gathered stamp of official approval. from lodging-houses and cheap saloons, “I guess 1 won't sell,” said Sprogel. the followers of any standard for one “Sell!” exclaimed Bidwell. “Why, we night and for a price. There were even have a sure thing for millions. It is as boys, showing that the recruiting agents go0d as gold now—with what I shall use had been unable to fill thelr quota with {, see that we are fairly treated in the men. % courts. No, gentlemen, we have won, and ‘“We have won,” he said to himself, as we now own the greatest property in this he hurried to the office of The Watchman. country. Think of it! We are safe from To Shuttle he told the character of the competition or leglslative annoyance for me“et; hwlth no attempt to conceal his half a century. What is there like it on satistaction. this earth? It was well worth the fight.” Then up spoke the big millionaire, an unusual light in his eyes, his face ani- ated. L don't lflnow'nb‘oul‘éhu. HC)I’II‘I'Y." hel began, speaking faster than was his usua “Well, vou wiil hear all right.” sald cusiom. I would not go through It again Bannerton. = “There were enough mem- for the rest of the money on earth. It bers of the staff there. By the way, Shut- ain’t right. You know It afi’t, and I know tle. come over with me yourself. It's not i ain't: I haven't been any too $00d. bt ! I draw the line at any more of this work. How can T get away Saturday night? What have I been doing, and what have How can I get away Saturday night?’ you been doing? You know, and I know. cried the editor, aghast, still mixing the Robbing a lot of people that never did us Asscc'ated Pre:s report with the death no- any harm, and mixing in with a gang of tices. “Saturday night! Saturday night!” pirates and sand-baggers. It's all right ‘“Well,” thought Bannerton, as he for you, but I had the dirty end of the dragged himself home, foot-sore and deal. I found it out before I got through. hl‘lfg!lead for lack of sleep, “they cannot but it was too late to back up and be on make capital out of that meeting. It was the square. What am I going to do with Bldwell's last chance, and he has failed. this ‘money? 1 had more than 1 knew We will not need John Hannum, for ‘whet to do with when I came into this which I am sorry, in a way.” deal. No, Henry, you are all right, but The next morning Bannerton arose. am going to cut it out in the future. bright and early, and. without waiting to This outbreak surprised Bidwell even dress, he got The watchman. He took one more than it did the banker, who was not lance at the first page, and then dropped perturbed, seeing that the profits were in finto a chair, with a sickening sensation in no wise endangered by this late recanta- the pit of his stomach. in great, tion. staring headlines, he saw: “Why, Herman." he exclaimed. trying GREAT MEETING OF BUSINESS MEN, to treat it lightly, “has the Municipal League outfit converted you?" Merchants, Manufacturers and Business “No," answered Sprogel, the rumbling Men Turn Out to Support the Ordinance. menace in his tone causing Bidwell to Theater Packed to the Doors. start a little, ““but 1 heard a couple of my Calmly, very softly, he laid the paper employes, good, loyal fellows, talking down. Then he went back to his bed. about the wnole deal, and they had right. He drew the covers up until they cn- They had me just where I stand in the veloped his head, so as to cut off all eyes of -most of the people in this city. view of the world—and then he dropped 1 'tell you I don't like it, lsl;d néver agaii off to sleep. The strain of the fixht was “Oh, you will feel différently, Herman, over—he felt, he knew, he was beaten. ‘when the dividends begin coming in,” ven- ‘When he at last awoke, the sun was tured Bidwell, trying to laugh. high in the heavens. At first ti old _ “No, I won't,” roared Sprogel. “That is sickening sensation came to him when he just the worst of it. 1 won't feel any dif- thought of the news, the “‘fake” that had rerents and I lnow it. But I'll be differ- been distributed that day among the peo- ent, though, and don't you forget it. ple of the city. But he shook it »ff. tok _He caught up his hat, jammed it on his up the pw" agaln and read it all ‘(‘q‘)?fmm went out of the room, mumbling . Wh it aside at last, 'O a7 " “ 1‘:2";“ d, -pe-kel'r‘:gh:lgaiad'm Himasifs ox ‘Well, "Henry,” sald the banker, “you “The greatest of ‘all curses that can DAYS 108Cyour partner at last” betali & maan and bis friends 1n an amm- con%“k! e alinoeds that 'heufeelt?f"l:: f}l&on!t: ":,“..F‘”“ fellow with everybody. |ikes money as well as the rest of us. et “I don't know about that,” said the ‘He could not trust himself to see Elliot- banker; “he has always been too free son: for he would not have sald anything with his subscriptions to suit me. He fs “I'm afraid you are prejudiced. T am afraid you are prejudiced,” said the editor, mixing copy.on the desk before him with both hands. “I shall have to wait until T hear from my men.” For, against Shuttle for the world. Nobody getting what the ycall higher ideals, and else did. Why should he? Shutlle was g;u'd {gner '.u:g out. ?l‘hey won't mix immune by mutual consent of all those wwith yours, Henry.” whom he nagged, or whose plans he top- 1t was the first joke the banker had pled over. cracked in twenty years. But, then, ke The street railway fight passed from his had just made a great deal of money, so mind and his own SOTTOW rose up to he was not atly shocked at himself. harrow him. The j et of letters! Fcr The words of his friend Sprogel, the letters! His letters! Why had she sent man who knew so little of the etnics of a them back to him? It was a bleak and cause, haunted Bidwell. He tried in vain dreary day, but he: boarded a car and tc drive them out of his mind. What an- rode as far as it. went. Then he walked, noyed him _most was the fact that it all hi sounded very much to him like the gos- ; At last he came pel Mrs. Warrington had so often preach- Country Club, now ed. In coarser. more direct lan, it dreary and and dropped on a was true, but much the sameg. hat had lake. And there, he gained? What di ink of him? ‘What could any bench overloo] id men under the same where Bidwell had But that was nonsense. stood man gain, but—hut—some old remem- brances crowded themselves forward and and ylelded to his great tem u:lon. foot, _hed, a tear fell upon filled his mind, despite his protests. For ““The . the first time in many years he looked back. The mood seized him and he tried in ~ain to shake it off. He went home early and tried to talk with Edith, who was now grown very quiet, attentive and dutifui; and for the t time he noticed that a change had come over the girl which was not for the better. Edith,” he said; “you T should like to get ncle—away from myself, some- ‘where. He ignored the suggestion conveyed— one that, followed up, might lead to a talk which he wished to avold as long as pessible, but her words struck home. They were so close to his own thoughts. “Very well;” he said. “Pack your trunks to-night, and to-morrow we will start for the East.” He went up to his room, but the words of Sprogel were with him, and he kept l‘e‘pe;mng them over and over again in his mind. To Bannerton the shock of defeat had come sooner than to any one, for he saw it- the moment he read The Watchman's account of Bidwell's mass meeting, and it remained with him longer than with any other. A dull. blank feeling of de- spair tock possession of him. He did not go to the Council chamber to witness the triumph of his enemies. He balanced Lis accounts as secretary of the citizens’ committee, turned them over to the treas- urer, and went 'back to his lodgings. The life seemed all gone out of him as he climbed the stairs and fumbled at the lock-with his key. He staggered into the rcom and dropped into a chalr. His body was weak, but his mind burned with the thoughts that came to him. Edith! To think that she should have sent him such a letter; that she should have cast him aside for doing simply what was to him a duty. For what else could she mean by her words: “You have only your own acts to blame, and they have brought sorrow to me as well as to yo He had read the noté a hundred times, had read it through nightly when he came home after trying ordeals of the great fight which gave him no time to think. But that fight was over now, and there was nothing left but to think—to think of all he had lost. It was hard, it was cruel, but he did not regret the course he had taken. What would {t have profited him to have won the love of a woman, and ever after despised himself? Suddenly a thought came to him. Perhaps he had not read her note aright. He had read it a hurdred times, but, after all, there might be some mistake. He rose, catch- ing a chair to support himself, and drew it from the place where he had lald it away. No! It was clear and plain—the white sheet, the black letters. Suddenly the sheet grew black also and Hugh Ban- nerton passed away for many a day— away from himself, out into the border- l2nd - where hot fever holds sway. CHAPTER XXV. DR. DUSSELDORF'S PRESCRIPTION. Hugh awoke one morning to find him- self lying in bed in a great white-walled room, with a high ceiling and an old- fashioned chandelier hanging from the center of it. He tried to raise himself, and discovered, with surprise, that he was too weak to even lift his head from the pillow. He heard the rustle of a woman's garments, and a nurse, in the striped uniform of her cailing, stood be- fore him and raised a warning finger. ““You must be very quiet,”” she said, “and not ask any questions now. You are in Mrs. Warrington’s home and you Wil soon grow stronger. Here, drink this.” She pressed a glass to his lips and he drank the contents as directed. A peace- {ul low suffused him and he dropped off o_sleep. When he awoke Mrs. Warrifgton was by the bedside. She placed a cool hand on his forehead and kissed him. “You are back with us again, Hugh,” she murmured, and a tear-drop fell and ran down his pale and sunken cheek. “I am repaid,” he said, looking up at her dear face with love in his eyes, try- ing to raise his wasted hands from the counterpane on which they lay. “Now, you must be very, very quiet,” she said, in her old, authoritative tone. “You have been very sick, Hugh, and yer have come back to us as if by a miracle. When you have gained your strength you shall know all about it.” Under careful nursing he improved rap- idly, until at the end of a week he was able to sit.up in a great easy ehair. Han- num found him thus and was rejoiced to see him on the sure road to recovery. “Mr Hannum has called every day, Hughf,”" said -Mi ‘arfipgton. “I don’t krow what I uld have done without his_ch 1 aid. He Is the most persist- ently optimistic man I “‘met.” ““Oh, pshaw!’ exclaimed the lawyer, wing red in the face. “I called merely use Mrs. Warrington has become a client of mine.” “‘Yes,” she said, something like a blush coming to her handsome face. “I have placed some business matters in Mr. Han- num's hands.” “And the ordinance?” queried Hugh. “Have the courts sustained it?” “Court time is long time,” responded the lawyer. “There will be no decision for a while, but when it comes it will be our way, if I know the law and the courts. But we will not discuss that now. for what is the usg? It is in the hands of the Supreme Court, the court of last ap- peal for things of earth.” “And another friend came every day to inquire about you,” .said Mrs. War- rington, eager to change the subject. ‘“He ‘would never come in, but he never missed a day. Once, when you were very low, I asked him if he would cobme in and see you. I shall never forget the look he gave me out of his great blue eyes. “‘See him! he exclaimed. ‘No: it is bad enough to hear and to know.’ ™" “Laurie!” murmured Hugh. “Poor, dear Laurfe. He has the heart of a child.” “The rarest nature that I ever knew,” said Hannum. Eteldflfiflugh gained in strength until he was able to walk about the house. Then- he began to fret over what he was to do for a living. It was his plan o leave the city, to go East, and seek em- ployment at what he considered his pro- fession. He refrained from any mention of Edith’s name, but the old hungry love of her was still within him. The fever had not burned it away: it had burned it in, as fire makes etérnal the design of the potter. At last he broached the sub- {ect of his future plans to Mrs. Warring- on. ‘‘Hugh,” she said, “I believe you are strong enough now for us to have a busi- ness talk.” “I am as strong as I ever was,” he ex- claimed, stretching out his thin arms and trying to cord their shrunken muscles, as he raised hig hands above his head. “Yes, stronger than ever, every way.” *“Well,” she began, “I wish you to re- main here. You are to go on The Watch- man as an editorial writer.” “What!” he exclaimed, “work under Shuttle! I would do anything else you might ask, but I could never do that. No; do not ask that of me.” “I did not say to work under Mr. Shut- tle,” she continued. ‘You are to be in charge. I have talked it over with Mr. with me.” Hugh; “I would never do It would break Shuttle's heart, and he has been honest and faithful, as he saw his duty. He has given his life to the paper. He lives, breathes and—and— and hesitates through it. Besides, the stockholders would never consent.’ “The stockholders have consented,” she said, rising and going to a desk in the corner of the room. ‘“Because”—she paused as she drew forth an envelope and handed it to Hugh, who took it in vague surprise—‘‘because Hugh Banner- ton owns the controlling balance of stock. Open the envelope and read.” He rulled out what he saw was the block of stock Be had secured from the Malden Bank. It was indorsed over to him—Hugh Bannerton. “Why, T can never accept this,” he cried. looking up in surprise. *““T: - 000 from vou. No. nu!” “Yes.” she said. again seating herself, “‘you can accept it. and you shall. Listen, and 1 will tell you a story I have long kept locked within my breast. not interrupt me. for 1 wish to tell it al She then began and told the following Ty: 'My father was a merchant of some means in an Eastern citv and reared my sister and myseif in a manner befitting girls of our station in life. We were both passionately fond of music and E and these ywere branches in which we were given the best of tuftion as a re- ward for improvement in_more serious accomplishments. When I was 19 and my sister 17 years of age, my father died suddenly. An examination of his affairs disclosed that. through having trusted all to ; pn'l"tmr. he d'l'.n.. practically and when our debts were ‘was almost nothing left ln.:th")"dw'm sist myself. of my mother, my 1 was a time in business ‘What were we o do ‘which there were few for wemen and, besides, we were h untrained in any business by 'hlelh}n could hope to earn to keep our- selves and our mother. ‘haps we were Wi . perhaps we were foolish, but we re: ?\’e\ipeto zpo‘ to New York and there try the stage, where our merits as danc- ers and singers should yield us a fair in- come. So, framing an excuse that de- ceived our mother, we went to the city and were at once successtul in securing engagements as chorus girls. Yes, Hugh, I was a chorus girl, and { have never been ashamed of the fact. We both had some talent and, if [ may be pardoned for saying 8o myself, we were not unattrauctive to the audiences that then attended one of the leading theaters of the city. My sis- ter—her name was Jeanie, Hugh—was younger, a more graceful dancer and pos- sessed of a better voice than I, and she soon made a pronounced hit. Her ad- vancement was savid and, as I was not muéh behind her in popular favor, the two Green Mountain girls, as we became known, were soon the talk of the town. Our joint earnings increased and soon we were well on the way toward amass- ing a competence for ourselves and our mother. We were inseparable and, while we were both light-hearted and gay, our moral training was sueh that neither had the least misgiving for the other, and scandal never smirched our names. It was along toward the end of our second season that an English manager made us a very tempting offer to go abroad. To this our New York manager objected so vigorously that, after prolonged negotia- tions, a compromise was reached, by which I was to make the English trip, while my sister remained in New York for an extra season. We parted on the old — street landing. hat was the last time I ever saw her face.” Mrs. Warrington paused, overcome for the moment by the force of the remem- brance, but she held l;).a her hand, warn- Hugh not to speal I o mot speak, Hugh, but walt until I have finished,” she said, in a moment mastering her emotion. “I was gone a year, during which I continued to keep up .a correspondence with ~Jeanie and with my mother. Jeanle's létters were particularly light-hearted, and in the last one I received from her she spoke of be- ing very, very happy. I remember at the time reading those linés aver and over, filled with a vague suspicion, for when a young woman is' very, very hap- py. Hugh, she is at the fork in the road of life, where one way leads up, the other down. T migsed two letterz(t’hnt I ex- pected from T, but attribu it to the defective mail service of those days. One day 1 landed in New York again. My inquirfes for Jeanie brought forth the in- formation that she had not been seen for several months and, as it was summer, I concluded she must have gone home to mother. I hurried home as fast as the train would carry me, and there (I _found my mother bowed down with grief. My only sister was under a new-madé grave, and she bad left a baby boy. Ah, Hugh, Wwho can realize my anguish, my sorrow at that moment? In that instint my Whole nature changed. She had come home to die. She fell insensible at my mother’s feet as she entered the house and never regained consclousness. No scrap of paper was there to disclose the name of the man who had ruined and deserted her. After the first shock I re- solved to have two objects in_life—one. to care for the child so long as God would guide and permit me; the other, to find the man who had deserted my: sister in her greatest hour of need. . And that child ‘was you, Hugh Bannerton, for that was the name I chose to. give you.” “And 1" groaned Hugh, st hands out to his friend, “T & “No,” she cried: ‘“no, Hugh, not that, for I have every reason to believe that your father and mother were husband and wife. She wore a plain gold wed- ding ring when she died and. hidden un- der her bosom. were two letters, signed ‘Your Loving Husband."*" ‘‘And you.” cried Hugh, catching her in his arms, “vou have been a mother to me all my life. ¥ have loved vou as a son; I have long done so. There can be no change now. “But why?" he asked suddenly, “did you not" tell me this be~ tchll\E his v fore?” “‘At first 1 concealed your identity for your mother’'s sake, as I had no proof of the marriage,”” she an- swered. “Then I deferred for your own sake. Then I decided it Wwould Le better to bring up up self-reli- ant, to have you alone in the world, with no one on whom you might look with the €Xxpectation of some day inherfting a for- tunz, for my marriage with Captain War- ringlon made me the wife of a wealthy man. I wished, moreover, to pursue my search for proof of your mother’s mar- riage unhampered and alone.” “Is there no proof? Have you found nn(gln lIl'l llht ~ 2" asked Hugh. “Nothing, ugh,’ e answered, “but my faith 1S as-Stro¥g as the day I first set.out om my quest. I traced- your mother, my sister, my only beloved sister, to the house where she lodged in New York. It was vacant, and the family with ‘whom she had lived had disappeared as if swallowed up in a night. You and I spoke once of the things that we know and feel, and yet do not know how we know. It is so with me in this matter. There is no clew, no trace, but I know that some day we shall know. And now, along these very lines, let me explain how I came to tell you at last, and also how you come to yet be in the land of the liv- ing. The doctor gave you up; you had passed the time when you must rally or pass away, when there came a ring at the docr and the servant ushered in a ven- erable man with a long, white beard.” _“Dr. Dusseldorf!” exclaimed Hugh, let- ting the name slip out in his surprise. “He gave no name,” continued Mrs. ‘Warrington. “In fact, he refused to give any name or accept any fee. Well, to go back. He demarded to be taken to your room at once. It was a last chance, and 1 complied. What he did for you, I do not know. But when he came out and sent the nurse into the room. you were sleeping, and the fever was broken. There ‘was discovered br the nurse a tiny scar on your arm_as if you had been given a hypodermic injecticn. As I showed him to-the door, for he refused to give his name or accept any pay, he said, turning and looking at me with a pair of glitter- ing eyes: ‘Madame, you have kept a se- cret a lonf. time—a lonf time, for a woman. It time to tell it to one whom I have brought back to hear it.” When I bad recovered from my surprise he had gone. But the warning was too direct and true for me to ignore it. I resolved to tell you; especially as I saw you would never accept this stock unless I proved my right to give it to you—you, the son ln-; 1:! sister. Will you take it now, ugh “My mother’s sister, my mother in all but having borne me,” answered Hug ‘“there is nothing you could ask that would not grant. ~ You have given me something to live for now—for you, to clear the name of my mother, and to make a place for the name you gave e ‘Amen, and God bless you, Hugh!” said Mrs. Warrington, holding out her arms to him, and smiling through the tears that welled up in her eyes. “And now kiss me, Hugh, for the sake of Jeanie Downs, my only beloved sister, your mother.” Mrs. Warrington was eager to know more concerning the mysterious man who had come so opportunely to save Hugh's life, and who seemed to have knowl e of the mystery which she had sought to solve for so many years. What might he not know, she reasoned, if he knew that much? To her questions Hugh at first returned evasive answers, until she at last broke forth in protest. ke 1 3 Is'{nllr duty to tell me, Hugh,” she sald. “You have no right to keep any- thing coneerning this matter from me. You have told me to command you. 1 command you to tell me.” “No.” Le said, “do ne.t command for | caruct cbey 1 am bound by solemn pledges to speak nothing concern- ing this man. This much I may teil,and that is that he knew only what you thought and knew. Do not ask me any more.” ‘When Bannerton returned the borrowed money to Dr. Dusseldorf he listened to so strange and weird a story that it filled him with amazement, a his lips were sealed until he should be released from the binding promise that he made. And he made other covenants which he faith- fully kept.* R To his aunt, whom now looked upon almost as his mother, Hugh poured out the story of the letter he had from Edith. She listened in silence, ‘when he had finished she admitted freely that it was beyond her comprehension, for she had no such estimate of the girl. ““There is some terrible mistake, Hugh, for I believe you when you tell me there is basis for nnym-lf O By R B e R ™m ru un;um:l 'nlnd h‘.mhhdm-m Thoa:l“b-'; a heart, ug! and no womai Edith Crosby has grown to be :m:l.:‘:h:: -