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, i, & er . THE ONTARIO REFORMER, THURSDA THE Cow By Robt. J. C. Stead PUNCHER CHAPTER XIX Conward paused to spedk to Irene before leaving the house, + "I owe you my good wishes," he said, "And I give them most frankly although, perhaps, with more dif- ficulty than you suppose." ; "You are very good, Mr, ward," she acknowledged. "I could not wish you anything but happiness," he returned, "And had I been so fortunate as Elden, in making your acquaintance first, I might have hoped to contribute to your happiness more directly than | can under the present circumstanc- es." He was speaking in his low, insidious notes, and his words sent the girl's blood rushing in a strange mixture of gratification and anger. The tribute he implied--that he him- self would have been glad to have been her suitor--was skilfully plan- ned to appeal to her vanity, and her anger was due to its success. She told herself she should not listen to such words; she should hate to hear such words. And yet she list- ened to them, and was not sure that she hated them, She could only say, "You are very good, Mr, Con- ward." He pressed her hand at the door, and again that strange mixture of emotions surged through her, Conward proceeded to the busi- ness section of the town ,well pleas ed with the evening's events, He found his way impeded by crowds in front of the newspaper offices. Con- He had paid little attention to the progress of the war scare, attribut-! ing it to the skilful publicity of in-| terests connected with the madnu- | facture of armaments. To the last he had not believed that war was possible. 'Nobody wants to fight, he had assured his business acquaint ances, don't want to fight. All they want, is to frighten more money out of fhe | Mis car to. the Hardy home, exchang-|1 won't know a thing To Confvard|¢d a few words with Irene, and sat | (hing." For a moment he stood irresolute, taxpayers of Europe." this explanation seemed very com-| plete. It covered the whole ground | and left nothing to he said, But to-night he woes aware of a keener tension in the crowd atmos- phere, They were good-natured crowds, to be sure; laughing,, and cheering, and making sallies of heavy wit; but they were in som# way more intense than he had ever seen before, There was no fear of war; there was, rather, an adven-| turous spirit which seemed to fear that the affair would blow over, as had so many affairs in the past, and all the excitement go for nothing. | That war, if it came to war, could last, no one dreamed: it would be a matter of a few weeks, a few months, at the most, until a thor- oughly whipped Germany would re- tire behind the Rhine to plan ways of raising the indemnity which out- raged civilization would demand. Conward elbowed his way through | the crowds, smiling, in his super- ior knowledge, over their excite- ment. Newspapers must-have head- lines. At his office he used a telephone Then he walked to a restaurant, where, after a few minutes, he was joined by a young woman. They took a table in a box. Supper was disposed of, and the young woman began to grow impatient. "Well, you brought me here." she said _at last. "You've fed me, and you don't feed anybody, Conward. without a purpose. What's the con- leration?" "Yes, I have a purpose." he admit- "I'm pulling off a little joke. I want you to help me." "You're some joker," she return- "Who have you got it in for?" 'You know Elden--Dave Elden?" 'Sure. I've known Zim ever since 1 jolt put him out <f business up your rooms, ever so many y 5 igo. He was too rural for that mix ture, Still, Elden has lots of friends decent friends, I mean." "I'm rather sorry you know him, Conward. *"But--what's more to the point--does he know you?" "Not he. I guess he had no mem- the next morning, and would have made a point of forgetting me, ven if he had." "That's' all right, then. Now I want you to get him down to your place some night to be agreed upon I'll fix the date later--anad keep him there until I call for him, wita | his fiancee." f "Some joke." she said, and there was disgust in her voice. "Who is it on: Elden, me, or the girl?" i "Never mind who it's on," Con- ward returned. "I'm pa¥ing for it. | Here's something on account. and if | you make a good job of it, I won't be stingy." He handed her a bill, which she kissed and put in her prurse. "I need the money, Conward, or I wouldn't take it. Say, don't you know you're wasting your time in this one-horse town? You ought to get into the! big league Your jokes would sure make a hit." id Sac ory i | certained "Even the armament people | YOu at= 'dull routine of husiness. (to the door. | way The woman tittered a moment, but! {pressed with its magnificence. <) This part of his trap set, Conward awaited a suitable opportunity to spring it: In the meantime he took Mrs. Hardy partially into his con- fidence. He allowed her to believe, however, that Elden's habits would stand correction, and he had mevely arranged to trap him in one of his favorite haunts, She was very much shocked, and thought it was very dreadful, but of course we must save Irene, clever. That's what c:me of being a man of experience--and judgment, Mr. Conward, and some knowledge! of the world, But concerning another part of his programme Conward was even less frank with Mrs, Hardy, He was clever enough to know that he must observe certain limitations, tA length all hig plans appeared to he complete, The city was in a tumult of excitement over the but for Conward a deeper interest centred in the plot he was hatching under the unsuspecting Irene' and Elden, If he could trap Dave the rest would be easy, If he failed in this he had another plan to give failure at least the ap- pearance of success, The fact that the nation was now at war probably had an influence in speeding up the plot. Jvervthing was under high tension; powerful currents of thought were bearing the masses along 'unaccustomed channels; soci- ety itself was iAga state of flux. If he were to strike'at all let the blow fall at once. On this early August night he as- that Dave was working alone in his office. Then he cabled a number on a telephone. 'This is the night," he explained. "You will find him alone in his of- ice, I will be waiting to hear from He quoted Mrs, Hardy's telephone number. Then he drove down to a hand of cribbage with her mother, Poring over his correspondence, Dave tried to abstract his mind from the tumultuous doings of these last days. Office organization had been paralyzed; stenographers and clerks ment. It was as thougn some gre excursion had heen announced: something wonderful and novel, which divorced the interest from the And Dave, with his ear cocked for the cry of the latest extra, spent the evening hours in.a! valiant effort zt concen- tration. Suddenily the door; knock; not an a hesitating, knock. "Come in," he called. tered, but presently he knock again. he heard a knock at not a husiness man's office girl's knock: timid, apologetic heard He aros: and walked Outside stood a youn looked up shyly, her woman. She face half concealed beneath a broad! hat, "If you please," she me, hut--you are Mr. you?" "Yes: said, "excuse Elden, aren't can/ I help you in any resumed soberly, "You will wonder at me coming to you, but I'm from | Did you think that?" it," said Dave, knocked----" the country. "1 suspected a smile. "You paused. SY ag "Like a boldly, She He country girl," he said, "Well, I'm got off the My aunt tittered again she confessed. "I short. time azo. was to meet me, but there are such crowds in the street--I must missed her. And 1 saw your name on the window, and I had heard of you. So I just thought I'd ask--if you wouldn't. mind Lowing this address." he fumbled if her Dave invited her into There she produced a torn paper with an addres "Why, that's just said Dave. "I'll walk id with you." He turned for , but at that moment there was timid knock on the door. ed it. A boy of eight or stood outside. "Can I come in?" the lal ventured. "Why, of course you can. What is it, son?" J 'ou Mr. Elden?" have pocket, and the office piece of He open- ten years > lad looked shyly It was evid he about the was im- Sud- denly he pulled off his hat, disclos- ing a shock of brown aair. "Are you Mr. Elden lots?" "Yes. Or, rather, T did sell lots but not many of late, Were you thinking of buying a few lots?" "Did you sell lots to my father?" "Weill, if 1 knew your father's that sells A Fine Introduction |". to your day's work-- SEAL BRAND Sold only in 14, 1 and 21b. Whole, Fine Ground for pe grow. Fine Grom per A cup of CHASE & SANBORN"S (0 ada CHASE & SANBORN. Montreal. " war, | noses of | No one en-| the | with | me to | anofher | name perhaps I could tell you, Who is your father?" "He's Mr. Merton. I'm his son. And he said to me, before he got so bad, he said, 'There's just gne honest man in this eity, and tha r. El- j den.! T8 that you, Mr. Elden?" I "Well, T hepe it is, but I won't | claim such a -distinction. I remem- ber your father very well, Did he send you to me?" "No, sir. "He's too sick. He don't know anybody now, He didut' know me tonight." The boy's voice went thick, and he stopped and swallowed. "And then I remembered what he said about you, and I. just came, Was that all right, Mr, Elden?" "You say your father is very sick?" '""He don't know anyioly,~ "Have you help -- a doctor -- a nurse?" "No, sir, that he bought from you." more urgent case than yours, call a dress.' To his surprise his visitor out in & ribald laugh, She had seat- ed herself on a desk, and was swing- ing one foot jauntily. she said. 'Say, Dave, {loge me in this burg. ou don't re- member, me, do you? Well, all the (better, I'm rather glad 1 broke down down job, 1 used to he something of an actress, and I'd have !put it over if it hadn't kid. The fact is, Dave,' ued, *1 was sent up you, Jt wasn't didn't like it, but money has heen mighty slow of late. I wonder how much you'd give to know who sent me?" Dave pulled some bills from pocket and held them before She took them from his hand. "Conward," she said. Dave's blood went to "The scroundrel!" he cried. low down dog! than appears on the rurface." "Sure there is," she raid. 'There's another woman, There always is." you on this she contin- to de "The drawer he took a revolver; with it a moment in his hands; broke it open, erushed it full of cart- ridges and thrust it in his pocket ly interest. | said, *if Conward turns not a d | He could only guess what Conward's | { plan had heen, but that it had been diabolical and cowardly and that it | concerned Irene, he had no doubt. | His impulse was to immediately con- front Conward, force a confession, | nright seem to require. But his eye fell on the boy. with his shock of i brown hair and wistful, half-fright- | ened face, | | "I'l go with you | with quick decision. Then to (girl, "Sorry I must tyra you {but this case is urgent." "That's all right," she said, Sud denly there was a little ecateh in her voice. "I'm used to Leing turn d out." He shot a sharp glance at | "You're too decent for your job," he said, abruptly. "Thanks, Dave." she and he saw her eyes glisten. helps---some."" And before he it she was into the street. "All right, son," said Dave (up the matter now in hand, your name---your first name?' "Charlie." > "And your address?" The boy mentioned 2 division. "That is out, isn't it? Well, we'll { take the car. We'll run right out and see what is to be dome. [I guess I'd better call a doctor at once." He went to the telephone and g: {some directions." Then he and {boy walked to a garage. and {few moments were hamming the by-streets into the country. ! had already become eng: od his errand of mercy at Conward, if not lore temporarily {mind He he drove first," he said the out lier "That knew taking distant sub- missed year. Of course Loe ! | | | \ | | | | | There's more in this | | i { were incapable with excite-! and deal with him as the oceasion | "What's | themselves into the darkness. We naven't any money, My father spent it all for the lots Dave winced. Then, turning to the Mr, Conward was very young woman, "I'm afraid this is | I'i | taxi to take you to your ad- | broke | "It's all off," | fouldan't | been for the | fair fighting, and 1! his | her. | | his head. | | | | | Elden walked to his desk. From a! toyed | | | The girl watched him with friend- | "Believe me, Dave," she | up missing | FRY'S NUT VINELLO VINELLO CHOCOLATE with Nuts and Raisins FRY'S MILK CHOCOLATE FRY'S NUT MILK FRY'S MILK CHOCOLATE with Nuts and Roisin: -- Do BR 3 . ENE DE [ EC Mani ENN REFORMER WANT ADS. BRING QUICK RESULTS night, leavifig the cit streets bh apswered, hind and following what was little | more than a country trail. This was crossed in every direction, and » every possible angle, by just such other country trails, unravelling Here humped over pieces infinitely rougher once Dave nt y co! and, there they of graded street, than the natural prairie: dropped his front wheels lapsing water trench; once he just grazed am" isolated hydrant Th city lights were cut off by a shoulder { of foothill only their dull glow the distant «lk» hung in h To be continue fr STUDY ENTHUSIASM A nthns RECIPROCITY 0 i i | THIRTY YEARS AGO From The Reformer | We are pleased to learn that | Bishop Bethune College is likely to {be continued as a Ladies' School. | x = = | Montreal Dec. 14, 1892--A fast (line of Canadian steamers is to he established between Canada and | England. > i 5 # i Wm. MeCabe, Esq... Manager of 1 North America Life. and his daugh- | ter were, for a day or two, the guests lof Mr. and Mrs. Conant. | * + + The closing of the Demill Ladies' { College was celebrated on Mondag jnight by an address from Rev, Johu {C. Ferguson. = ® Ld ; | Paris Dec. 14. 1892 To-morrow i the political careers 'of Mr. Georges Clemenceau and Coastans are end- ed." «(From the Paris edition of the New York Herald). i - * LJ | manager of the Bell | Telephone Company here. has re- ceived instructions, from" the head office. to notify all the subscribers that they must not allow nen-sub- scribers to use their telephones. Non- subscribers can have a three minute conversation, from the Cent- ral office, with any of the subscrib- ers in town for the small sum of The local Live cents, The Ontario Malleable Iron (Com-' pany of Oshawa, capital £100,000, has been incorporated with W. F. | Cowan, John Cowan, R. J. Cowan. Frederick W. Cowan and Susan Cow- | an as incorporators. | * * » A meeting of the Oshawa Tow n Council was held last night. An ac-| count was. read from Ritchie, Leam-/ ing and Ludwig, barristers Toronto. | of $636.14 for fees in connection | with the Masson debenture suit. Mr. Fowke reported that am offer | of $104.05 had been received row | R. W. Smith of Montreal for $5.000 | worth of debentures and advised the | acceptance of the, offer. The report | was adopted. Mr. Mclaughlin brought up the question of the validity of the Car-| ter railway bylaw. The treasurer's financial state-! ment of receipts and expenditures | up to Dec. 15th, were: Receipts .. Expenditures ........ Mr. Tamblyn. seconded by Mr. Fowke moved that. this council de-| sires to convey to W. ¥ Cowan, 4 Esq.. Mayor of the Corporation. its | high appreciation of the impartial and able manner in | $40,893.17 | $40.699.77 which he has presided over its deliberations dur- ing his term of office. & Xmas Shopping » Y 1 If you want something foryour Sweet Tooth, visit our r Department Candy D i : : tr iQ Po ind Phoné 181. . i Grapes or Layer ig I 2 | yon or Pe © 2.11C want a nice Xmas see them 'at The Elite Groceries as, | ) Prd 2 Cake or Pues". -- a -- I ---------- ------------ we nor -- " ro {fae rns evn on ee -------------- tN