The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, September 20, 1903, Page 1

p o AD. (O )# ERE you have the author of “Chimmie Fadden” at his best. In “Lees and Leaven,” his latest work, E. W. Townsend ®ounds a new note in American liter- ature—the right of a young girl to & free cholcs of & husband. If you over read as far as the end of the ®eoond chapter you will never let the Test of this book escape you, so strong, so tense, so brisk and yet tic is the action. In fact you the tremendous sweep of events almost from the very first Hne. This publication is the more nota- ble frowa the fact that mot only did the suthor begin his career on The Oall, but the Sunday Call is the very first newspaper to present the tal- ented writer's latest novel in this form. In point of fact you cannot gt “Lees and Leaven” in any other form whatever for less than twenty times the cost of the Sunday Call That is a simple little fact worth pondering if you like the best that is being written in America to-day. blocks to the little station of the Valley rafiroad. The station was but a ticket- seller's box and one small waiting-room., heated to suffocation by & great base- burner stove, whose constant encourage- ment to do its utmost was the ticket- %fi..“‘fl.;'."‘,fi had disappeared. seller's chief duty and delight. Harry entered the waiting-room with the doctor's and leave this for him.” coat coller turned up, with hat tipped far aosy gounton enclosed the document—the over his face, with & swagger that seemed {loed for the land which Dr. Paxton had to him such evidence' of boidness ught—n a large envelope, sealed and gas to conceal his identity from even his Md?ond it, saying, “It's something the most intimate friend. But he had scarce- doctor forgot. He'll probably not be at ly passed the door when the ticket seller, O, Dt you can leave it with Howard perspiring at work shaking ashes from or Grace. If both of 'em are away, don't the stove, exclaimed, *Hello, Harry, leave it with the hired girl—keep it and whers you off to? ",‘_}’.}:""u":‘:""'_;:‘“‘"‘~ 5 “A little fun down the valley,” Harry every. e u'.n. 'Q:A‘"_Jm"r 10 replied in a dismay which turned Into a bo Deard the. merchase Touonless untl At of trembling as he saw a heavily velled Dt o S sharply to the horss JOTiAn-sifting in the darkest cormer of ;{';,fin’:“;‘w:,‘ fam to the bank befors " .-To look after some of Tke Bunton's A Sh that g, o ments, I'll bet,” the man sald cheer- ovkr: Fepread the clets pretty, wonthaish fully. ‘“More cars of coal pass here for ;,n';y”m:::h:".nmtp:mhel;’::; ::3' him than for any other dealer In town. o " He's a hustler, he is. Guess he’ll be mov- tiously out into bus: ard, th walked softly to s small wasdrobe in a INE Up to the Helghts among the nobs corner of the of pretty soon.” first & stroet cont, which he put o fn HArTy turned his back and lookad out place of his office jacket. In the coat's ©f & Window, but the man went on. “Hear inside pocket he carefully placed the min- Ike's folks have two hired gigls and a ister's quarterly salary. The envelopa ad. Stableman now.” He went to a box, dlled dressed to Dr. Paxton he thrust carelessly & scuttle with coal, poured it into the into a packet of a light overcoat he ne¥t top of the glowing stove, opened all the put on. Then from the bottom of the draughts, and continued, “Guess you re- wandrobe, hidden by loose papers, Le member when you went to~school with brought forth a valise. This he carrled his girl, Dalsy, and my boy went to the to the door and dropped on the sidewalk, same school, too, that Ike Buaton didn't Where ‘it was Invisible from the office. have two hired girls, nor one. Some folks ‘When he had put on his hat and gloves I8 born lucky that ain’t no better than other folks. There's the three-forty-seven, (Copyr stree on tim " The three-forty-seven was a train that did not stop, but the station man stepped to the platform to see it bass and wave a hand to the train crew. As he did so crow % Harry stepped to the woman in the cor- " ner. “All right, Dalsy?” he whispered “ taintly. “Yes, Harry,” came the firm reply. & *When will our train come?”’ “in elght minutes,” he answered. “Have c r paj kK to . € yard. Yet rushing Isa Bunton had, in the ¥ r € me synonyms in the w » ut d 5o rd w N P a you bought your tickets?” “¥es; for Round Valley.” Harry was back by the windgw when the agent returned and opened up the ticket window. *“‘Where to, Harry he asked. “Lime Ridge,” Harry replied; and as he pald ~for his ticket the accommodation train of two cars drew up to the ation. Harry Lawton boarded & car, and Miss Daisy Bunton the day coach. e sm. II-A CIPHER WEDDING CARD. he-went ts the shed door:and called in When Isaac Bunton starced hcme that * the yard foreman. $ evening he was a happy, confident man. *Dan," he saly, “1've got to go up to The had made the nec ry ad- 'Dr. Paxton’s with a paper he forgot, and vance to enabie him to secure the pig fron y . % o A . thien to:-Mr." Bunton's house. You're to he coveted: although, even with the $5000 m), Py 5173 s & C; Wfl SA/D.. \ ).uf, 03,‘{’.',,- the ofiice (ill closing time.” i,:!s transaction with Dr, Paxton .um:x to ("’ ) - > .2 Al right, Harr; ,the faréman replied. bis .margin of cash, the bank 8 Wi L LANDED 17 W'f ATRLL PHER 1 aAbe g0kl e Satle Ratler. ff wou -went. fated, and at the last agreed to s,,‘,':k:efh'e o /ZZ Jfififif wm /"/D jas 1) to bed, Bpt 1-suppgse being as sick as doan only when advices from Pittsburg a doctor, started toward his //"/D//}j ) you ook peiy count asaise the chance seported favorably on the pls iron market e door. } 55 4 of being with the ladles.” ".° It was dark and a sudden sharpness oc, §9t fve' Shoamand dojlars ¢ ] “You're /lucky’ not to have any social was in the air, when the merchant Bunton called after him — g s . ie? it an Mannix,” the clerk ¢ = oh, mo de'ay at the savings bank—I've the door Bunton checked him by a sign *The boat is discharsed” the clerk re- Cemtoy yfflflf&'}op.:ue L Sidecin i Alnters in pang: i e e advice about tie s you go? See ) the Mite Society meets at i) member.” i Grace reminded me of it told me to be sure to be with them. Now I'm off. My will all get well if I neglect ‘em s any longer,” and the big, % y less than five hundred po o e - Wil owed there before; yes, could even and said to'the clerk, “Harry, go out and ported. “May k D 4 ded. 4 i “';11,.fi"L"r Ipayneg... - get it to-day.” ask how soon'they*ll have the ‘canal bokt the ac;l]esht;:z r’e::arllgz ;v:ll:l":‘:u:f !‘\::‘sd. he s \:"S;et—all;zlg?;'l’gadmg that’ “Carric!. What, are you dJoing out.in ® ricnds Jooked at one another _Then the clerk heard less, for the discharged.”’ When the clerk’ was out of Bunton asked me fo come up and help 8X ‘a5 vha fordman wont to the window to So® lf with nothing over your head?" e ttor smilingly waftig SPeakers lowered their voices. Bunton earshot he added: “Doc, den’t deposit things for this evening. ook ook s et ettt eaid, “Good: 1o - Dunton exclaimed: surprised to find I ihere wat any serious sequel to 1014 the doctor that he would sell him for YOur check to my credit on the very day ‘“Thjs evening? Oh, the Mite Society! ‘o iite the e, picked:p the valse 2. Wife by his side, as he siopped: to hers joke: the merchant thinking, the SUI e so much needed some land that your appointment is announced. The If you were as keen about business a3 sy welkéd rapiile fl,‘m he' tarned the “Peak fo the man. “‘l came to see If you nad picked up kely quarter to ask help. I won. i1 @ promising iron ore district in Michi- bank people would start a lot of old ahout helping ,women make Ice cream nenrest corner. Theh he(stofiped; for DI ey anywhere. Have you her? . S seen her?” hit house”—then aloud—*“Doe, 3N He could sell it in Pittsburg for that mald’s - gossip—my borrowing from you, you'd suit me better,’ the merchant said. o Do mmoriesse on your house, have SUm—more—but that would take time, it Just after’getting you the appointment.” Y Rt iad. e The:'slatk :’““""'”,;d,‘,‘;‘{’"!? ::a:’,?.“‘,;:"" ,'h‘:,““',:: Mra. Bunton asked. would be a good investment for the doc- _ TDe doctor laughed heartily. “Ike,” he miudly insisted. 4.1.‘,',vb e hin 8 wosk, with overy. “Daisy? No. Where 1s eher* tor, or for any one who would hoid the S&id, “your Scotch ancestors must have “All right then,” Bunton replied, start- o :or:we“,. e was leaning againat - IS wife did not reply until they ‘were in down here a minute. Listen to land for a time. been a canny lot. All right. I'll have the ing for the door. “Go along s O o o drinking saloon; and ‘the house. “Why, Isaac, I don't under- Dr. Paxton knew-something of the land °.p DeTs for you by 2 g'clock.” “Excuse me,” sald the cierk, “Mr. Call- - drinking saloon, <%l stand about Daisy. She went out at 3 nton sat on the edge of his desk and Bunton offered, as he did of most of the »,“:;'d,:,u,.,',":;mf.h‘ deed to the land man's salary is dtie, nf DS Wanen :::: em:: rt‘:?mlrrov af the win-' 0'clock, to run over to see Grace Paxton leaned over 2s he Tapidly lfmfin;owtx)ffi :3"::—':‘5.:: 2 ‘:fi"fifi, 'n::i:!' r}c;r mlu:' were ", little after the agreed hour Dr. Pax- b | b:e::-fi;l:c&?;-:-on::? neto Pay it gow fixtures. It was so white and fright. 1“;°“‘t ‘:‘& “‘“Is‘::“;'l 2‘“ knew what a octor, sea b s . He knew the p g E ot o ngs t fhcreasing interest. The cierk caught bits land was worth all that he was asked tg [O%.dreYe up to. the coal office in his ~ rGlad you reminded me.” sald Mr. Bun. ghed @ face be o e o'l ' and.promised to-De b:cxcn::m’.:.:r“:’n?i 3 : g buggy, and Harry, the clerk, was agali . 1d a of his employer's eager explanation: pay for it—and the man who urged him gent into tht’ylrd'to see about lh:‘unl: :gfi‘flgm:tp;m?d;‘:“:lv?;; :;:;":-t?fi; smartly upturned mustache, “If Daisy % o'clock.” sees me Hke this,” he thought, nell - “Well?” atened early close of lake navigi buy:»it had just done him a great favor, . 3 - loading of the canal boat. ., Jortage of iron ore; proposed Tal 1 deposit 2 check for $5000 to your Befor salary. der if o “Well, Isaac”—Mrs. Bunton aki Z, " ¢ e ‘the clerk returned to the office the safe a casl ask questions. I wonder if a drink''—he L n put her ns making big future:de: credit in your bank before 3 o'clock to- the doctor had handed to the merehant -~B"’z§":“£'?£° ArirAead Gl ':‘??; 3nd Gokeds at: his watch—"almost an hour .hand to her heart: her comely face was mands for pig iron; a valley* furnace day.” he said, as he arose to go. the ‘five. thousand dollars. ‘an. ined, | ¥et.” s drawn by fright, but she smiled, 1 pressed for cask; like finding money to _ “Thank.you, Doe,” Bunton sald. “You've away. on’his delayed nrotm(o:ub;lru?:-d; ml:eb:::m".l; t‘l?: :;le‘rh:. :x;’d! umr'.', litted " ée entered the saloon and drank sev- apologize, and them, in mmph(:. p:n!l: £rab its offer of 10,000 tons; bank timid— - landed me under a tree where I'll shake neglécting in his haste to take the'deed the, box to return it to the safe he e€ral times, for once'{nside he was seized began to cry. lend only @ per cent; pig iron as good as . down & pippin: and I'm confident you're .ofsthe land with him. Bunton was.-pre- . knocked a document from the desk, with a sudden fear of appearing’in the “Carrie! Carrle, dear!' What s it? Teil d mnkh‘;“ lhlood Investment for yourself paring to leave as the clerk re-entergd ' By, jingo!" he exclaimed, as he picked Open street. Bit'the unaccustomed stim. me.” ‘; the fi&f’g"‘;k “ _ " fhe office. “I'll not be back this after- the paper up and glanced at it. “See if ulant soon brought blood to his cheeks, “Oh, Isaac! T sent the man to the Pax- Jm sal 2 e’ Dr. Paxton replied he sald. “Look "after the docfor §s in sight.” ccurage to his'heart, and he confidently tons’ at 5 o’clock, and Daisy had not been e\ again wal}d toward The clerk, from the door, reported that set forth on a brisk walk of several there. I've sent to the Spencers’, Rus- from the doctor: “Five thousand f= a lot of money; yes, could get that: 5 smount on mortgage. When? '—laughing Cheerfully. As sells’, Carters’—no one has seen her to- day.” “Well, well, dear! Don't take on ke that. She's met some friend from the ltkely, and gone home with her. nothing to be frightened about. It wasn’t very considerats of her to leave you with all the fixings of the party to got ready.” “It's those dreadful railroad crossings, Isaac. They keep me in a tremble all the time. They're not half protected by flag- men; and more and more trains rushing in and out with ore and coal all the time. There's scarcely a day that some accident doesn’t happen.” “Well, Carrie, we'll make the Town Council order more flagmen. Nothing has happened to Daisy or we'd hear of it.” “And there are so many rough charac- ters drifting Into town for the winte: Oh, where can she be? Isaac, I'm frigh- tened. ““Nonsen: Carrie, nonsense! BShe'll soon be home and I'll scold her, too, for not helping you this afterncon. I suppose, though, that Harry pitched in and helped you I “Harry? astonishment. “Certainly, Harry—Harry Lawton. He e office at 3 o'clock to come here you.” on questioned in left th and b “Isaac n, are you sure “I am. 1 had to return te the office late and Dan Mannix sald Harry started for here.” Husband and en here. wite stz t each other, speaking; but her eyes bega she said, with a sigh of relief, “like as not Daisy met Har calling somewher rry iIs f v for she usbund's eyes si of storm. ! med. “He has no right to be calling. I gave him some business to attend to for me—busi- ness that had to do with money.” He started uo with the last words, and sal “I want to send the man over to the par- to ask Mr. Callman about some- There was a ring at the door, and, with- out waliting for the mala, Mr Bu T answered it. A telegram. He did not open it until he had returned to th - ting room. Then he read It, and let It drop from his hand with & cry of rag “Married! To a sneaking good for naught!™ Mrs. Bunton picked up the dispatch, but hers was a ery of joy: “Oh thank God! Dalsy 1s safe!” She had never before seen the man who now turned on her, the man to whom she had been nearly twenty years married ate, and you thank God? I would have thanked God had the cars crushed her life out, as you feared, rather than this! A silly! A pretty, witless thing that I gave work to—as I would give food to a puppy that you lked—to keep it from starving. A smirking, mincing, dancing, girl-of-a-boy! Such a thing to be the only son I am to have! A timid, lazy—" He stopped, and his expression of rage turned to despalr, as he whispered—"And, perhaps a thie He rushed from the house, but in a few minutes returned. “Yes, a th! he #ald. “He stole the take our daughter on her wedding jour- ney After a little he spoke more quietly. “Carrie,” he sald, “perhaps we can save her—ourselves—from public disgrace. See, this dispatch means nothing to others than us. ‘H. L. and Margle married.’ Margie.—Our pet name for her and only ours. Seven o'clock. I can catch the seven-thirty.” He went for his coat and hat. *“Isaac, Isaac, don't be hard om her!” begged Mrs. Bunton. “On her!” he answered. “No, net on her. Listen, Carrie: we must keep this secret. The folks will be coming soon. Say I'm suddenly called away on bus ness; that Daisy Is w me. That'll sat- sty all of 'em. If you care for my life’s peacge of mind give no sign of this. Per- haps it necd never be known publicly.” “Oh, Isaac,don’t be hard on her,” wept the mother. When he was gone she became calm. “He'll not be hard on Daisy. He'll for- give them both. Harry couldn’t have meant to take the money. He's such & sweet boy”" she sald over and over. And so she met her evening guests; the fathers and mothers of families with whom every interest of her life had be- gun, developed and matured. None of these was surprised at the absence of res less_ rushing Ike Bunton; nor that Daisy should have gone with him to Round Val- ley, since that was her grandfather Bun- ton's home, where she frequently visited. She had been looking 111 Jately, more than one matron observed, and the visit would freshen her up. But Harry was missed. Many asked for him and said they hoped he would be there. Their simple cial doings were much dependent upon Harry. None so apt as Harry at charades and all kinds of games. Not even the minister was as clever at riddles as Harry; and he was as good as a professional at sleight-of hand. .Even the young beaux admitted his cleverness—though he was se popular with the belles. But he was not the kind of man to be jealous f. Grace Paxton was there and good naturedly helped en- tertain-by playing the plano when the young folks wanted to dance, while the oldsters talked over the church cholr, or discussed arrangements for the Sunday- school Christmas tree. Howard Paxton, accepting modestly many compliments upon his growing fame as a newspaper man, dutifully seconded his sister Grac in her neighborly efforts to make the guests not too much regret Harry's ab- sence. Howard told Mrs. Bunton that his father, the doctor, had not been home to dinner. He had not seen him, indeed, to salute him as postmaster, for the doctor had be®n called out of town just before supper and before Howard returned from his work: He left word with the hired gir! that he would look In at the Buntons’ if he returned b:!on » Lz'clocl. . But Dr. Paxton did not return in time to look, in.at the Mite Soclety, nor was he at_home when Crace and Howard re- turned there at 10 o’clock. “Poor papa!™ said Grace: “I hope he will not be kept out -yery late. “The, serving girl said that the dector was very tired when he came In and felt disappointed when he got the call for distant visit. “I don’t know which is the most used up, the horse or L he had said, when he asked the girl to make him