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l .., we. - z l, ‘z .1 l . .../~,'-\.-_.., ,4 .p-wry-_ t , W17,’ .Mqv<q..¢~.f ,__.,,,,‘> , vcxkfmfivflw<-> ,s "ifs-memo‘: mihrmmnwem _ ‘$2.’? 1 i1 r WWW 9W 633 £90 CHAPTER XV.â€"-(Cont’d). i “I am confident you won’t do that. My hand is not a weak one. $11011 a course would render public the fact that" the Earl of Wolver- holme sold his country for a bride, and the Earl, in a short time, will .be your daughter’s father-in-law. I am not to be bluffed, Mr. Josephs.” “Neither am I, sir. I absolutely refuse to be blackmailed. You seem to imagine that the twenty-five thousand pounds was obtained from me by threats. You had something to barter, I valued it at the price and bought it from you. That’s all. What is your position if I refuse to give you money’.l You can do .two things. You can publish to the world the Ear.l’s infamy, or you can keep silence. The former will do you no good. In fact it will give you a couple of years’ hard labor. That is not in your line, Mr. Ack- royd. If I am any judge, you will hold your tongue.” “You are quite right, from your point of view. But you forget one thing. I have had a taste of wealth, and I like it; unless I get money I shall be made a bankrupt. I have no intention of going back to my former poverty; I would ra- ther kill myself, but before doing so I should publish my story to the world,” Ackroyd said earnestly. “You have omitted one thing. You handed the proofs over to me, and I do not think your reputation is sufficiently high that your bare word would ‘be accepted as irrefut- able evidence,” Joel said with a sardonic smile. _ “Perhaps not, but for once in your life you were not so careful as you might have been. I’m no foo], Mr. Josephs, and I decided to retain evidence in my own hands.” “You blackgnard!” Joel said cutt-ingly. “But I don’t believe you. More bluff.” “Not at all, for I have photo- graphs of the letters. You can sec them if you like.” Ackroyd held forward the prints and Joel glanced at them. Then he was silent and appeared to be thinking deeply. “That does not help you much,” he said at last. “Iam convinced that a respect for your own skin will keep you quiet. N0, it’s of n0 use. I’ve made up my mind, not another penny.” “Think again, sir,” Ackroyd said impressively. “You are naturally proud of this marriage; it is a good one for your daughter to make, much better than you could reason- ably expect.” Ackroyd broke off and in a flash he saw the use that had been made of the letters. “You are a fine fellow to call me names,” he said triumphantly. “New I see why you wanted the letters. It was not t0_protect the Barks name, not for a moment. It was to do a bit of blackmailing on your own account, but money was not your object. could not get the husband you wanted by legitimate means, so you descend to chantage. There is not much to choose between us. I think you will prefer to pay, and, Mr. Jocsphs, I am not going to ask you for a large sum again.” Joel was annoyed that his act had l been discovered, but his fighting in- l he stinct was aroused. Ackroyd had l5 86W moomemeeomeeemme 80606890 his: Heals Most Wounds A Tale of Love and Disappointment a WQWQWMGGWQSGQQ 5W £2 “How am I to know that you haven‘t a dozen prints’! No, this must be put an end to. going to be worried by you. Good afternoon, sir,” Joel said firmly, and rose from his chair. He moved towards the door, but Ackroyd retained his seat. He would not give in without another efiort. “I haven’t finished yet. I will see Lord Harecastlc, perhaps he will be more generous,” he said re- fiectively. “You won’t do that, for he will naturally refer to me. If you do that you will force me to violent measures. I am not a patient man, Ackroyd.” “I must have this five thousand pounds. I appeal to you, but at lt'ne same time I swear that I will lhave my revenge if you do not give it, me,” he cried desperately. Just for the moment Joel waver- |ed, but it was only for the moment, for his obstinacy reasscrted itself, ‘and he closed his lips determinedly. “Remember what I have done‘ for you. Cwn that if I asked you for fifty thousand pounds you would have given 1t, if I had stuck out for it.” “Yes, probably I should, but that does not affect the position. I think you’ve said everything you came to say?” Joel said quietly. Ackroyd still kept his scat. His brain was busy trying to devise something that would move this lman of iron. He realized that he had pursued the wrong tactics in, for a moment, trying to browbeat him, for he was not one to give way to force. He again thought of what this money meant to him, and he would not leave without making another effort. “Forget all I have said, Mr. Josephs,” he began pleadingly. “Will you lend me five thousand pounds? In a few weeks I shall be able to repay you.” Joel laughed harshly. “I never lend money unless I see a return for doing so. I sometimes give it away, but I usually get a quid pro quo. You rather amuse me, Mr. Ackroyd. You are not strong enough to play the villain, .you had better try an easier role.” I “You are forcing me to do what you will repent. You seem to think that I am going to accept the posi- tion and to tamely sing back into poverty. These photographs are worth a. good deal to somebody, and some one will have to pay.” “Weaker and weaker, Ackroyd. New, if you had come to me with a bold front, and convinced mc that you meant business I might have parted. But you sec I have built up my fortune by my judgment of men, and in a very few minutes I knew that you were all wind. You’ve got yourself. into a pretty mess, and you w0n’t get any help from me. That’s final.” Still Ackroyd would not budge. His brain was working at high pres- I suppose you sure, but he could not determine .upon his next move. There seem- .ed to be nothing lcftbut an ignom- inious retreat, and this was but little to his liking. He could im- agine himself in the'Bankruptcy Court and going through his pub- lic examination. “I shall be made a bankrupt,” began eagerly, “and they will ask me some awkward questions. l made a falSe move if he desired the l shall have to state where I got this money, for he had touched the Jew l money from. on ‘his tender spot, pride in his daughter. l for twenty-five _ My banking account w1ll show two of your cheques, each thousand pounds, “Again you make a 1niste.ke,”lund one of them payable to the Joel said coldly. not fitted for this kind of game. The facts you maintain strengthen your hand; you can do nothing.” “I can stop this marriage,” the. other cried angrily, for he began' to think that his errand was likely to be a fruitless one, but he did not yet completely despair of success. “My same argument applies; the fear of imprisonment will prevent yen.” “Yes, but there is such a thing as revenge. I suppose your daugh- ter does not know of this little transaction 'l” i Joel flushed hotly at the insult. “Of course she docs not,” Ack- royd continued. “I Will do you, that justice. Come now, be reas- onable. Give me five thousand pounds; it will enable me to tide over my difficulties, and the sum is nothing to you. You shall come with‘ me to destroy the negatives, they are in the safe at my cham- bers.” ' “You really arelEarl of Wolverholme. that shall l say when I am asked what they do notIare for l” “Th-at is your affair. You might tell them that it’s hush money. It would be the truth, if that’s no ob- jection,” Joel said jeeringly. “Won’t you change your mind’! It will remove all these complica- tions. It’s sheer obstinacy on your part.” “Call it what you like. It’s im- material to me,” Joel said cheer- fully. “Very well, Mr. Josephs,” Ack~ royd said, and at last rose from his chair. “I will give you twenty-four hours before making any move. ,You will find me at my chambers until this time to-morrow. You arc wrong to think I am blufling. At any rate I will have revenge,” he wound up vindictively. “Just as you please,” J0el.an- swered easily. His plan was to make Ackroyd think that he was firm in his decision, and he suc- ceeded in doing so. :..a'i iii’? 4.1;;z'wumm~ I am not __ Joel accompanied him to the door and watched him get into his car. “A fine ‘turn out,’ Mr. Ackroyd,” he said pleasantly. “Fit for a mil- lionaire. How much do you want for it?” Ackroyd recognized that the Jew was jeering at him, and his face lushed with anger. “I am afraid it's too quiet. The colors aren’t gaudy enough for ,men of your race,” he answered ,qulckly, but his shot missed the mark, for Joel merely smiled. Ackroyd gave an order to his chauffeur and they swiftly raced down the drive. Joel watched them disappear and returned to his lib- rary well content with the way he had handled his visitor. He felt sure that he had heard the last of him. Just for a moment he wished that he had given him the money, for he knew that if by any chance Ackroyd did carry out his threat the effects would be awkward in the extreme. But he dismissed the idea as absurd. 4 Once out of sight of. the house, Ackroyd gave full vent to his dis- appointment. In his heart he had never dreamt that he would not succeed in getting the money. I'Iis position was dismal in the extreme, and in vain he tried to think of a solution of his difficulties. He knew that it was useless trying the Bank, for no one would lend much on the fpiegulativc copper shares that he 1e . He pulled up _.at the first hotel and ordered a stiff brandy and sod-a for hc was feeling t'hc effects of the strain. Just as he was re-start- inp; a large car appeared behind them, and kept them in sight dur- ing the run up to London. Even when they reached the outskirts the car still followed. Ackroyd in vain- tried to get a glance at its ~cccu- pant, but the body was closed, and he was unable to do so. . IIe began to grow nervous. Could Joel be coming after him, and if so, what was his object’? I-Ic tried an experiment, and just past Croydon he left the main road, but the car Ilook the same turning and he felt convinced that he was being fol- lowed. Was it possible that Joel really feared his threats and had been blufiing? A horrible fear seized hi'm that the Jew might be about to take criminal proceedings against him, but he quickly dis- missed it. The pursuing car kept closely in touch with them. Once Ackroyd pulled up and the other did the same. . “If they want me they can come .to my chambers,” Ackroyd said desperately to himself, and he told his chauffeur to drive straight home. When he reached his cham- bers he saw the car dash round the corner. He did not wait to see who it was, but at once entered. He stood cxpectantly in his room, and in a few minutes his servant entered. . “Miss Josephs to see you,” he an- nounced, and Ackroyd was dumb- founded. “Ask her to come in, quietly. ” he said ,. (To be continued.) +-_â€"â€"-â€"_ ROBBER FOUND IN TRUNK. Left as “Luggage,” He Was Bent 0n Theft. Mme. Simon, an innkccpcr at Savignysous-Faye, near Poitiers, France, and is congratulating her- self on her escape from robbery, if not death. On a recent morning‘ two men drove‘ up in an automobile with a heavy trunk. They asked the inn- kcepcr for permission to leave the trunk in an upstairs room until night, when they promised to call for it. Mme. Simon, who was alone at the time, consented. Ten o’clock came and the-re was no appearance of the visitors of the morning, and the woman began to think of clos- ing up and going to bod. ' At this moment two gendarines came along. They enquired why the inn was being kept open after the prescribed hour. Mme Simon told them the story of the trunk and the gendarmes, their curiosity aroused, decided to examine it. It was long and very heavy, and the gendarm'es decided to open it. In- side they found lying at full length, a powerfully built man, who was armed with a laoded rcvolpcr and two daggers. I'Ie was prompt- ly overpowered and arrested. - Early next morning the man’s companions returned to the inn, and were also arrest-ed. There is little doubt that the man concealed in the trunk had intended robbing, if not murdering the innkecpcr, some time during the night, and to es- cape in ‘the automobile with his companions. __-w “Binks is weak financially, isu’t he?” “He hasu’t much money, but he gives employment to a great many men.” “Who are they?” “Other people’: bill collectors.” __.___....._._ ......__.____. .. M muwkvn mwll'q.iy_~a:‘5~ 's +1.; -_ '1'; “mm-v. . mm ":m'. vir“nekmmawwncamawmh..mn . m ~- “Wm”. . \. AFTERSUNKENTREASURE hb~vwno~WVWnowwfnoe __ i a snuzcn FOR A rumor: g Hg FAR Pounce OFF ZULULAM). z“ ., . 4- a“: ‘ The Story of the Wreck 0f a Gold AMOUNT OF PROTEIN IN (.‘Ellli- ALS AND ‘GPASSES. vasslm'n Vessel in Aime. ..... . . ..21.19 1m cent, 1893_ led clovcr .. ...... 15.08 per cents Oats _ .1300 per cont. The first full and“ complete story Wheat ....18.4=1_p@r cent. of the gold that was smuggled out biweet corn ~--13-00 P9P (IQ-‘lt- of the Transvaal just before the £19m 00m ..... 12.00pm cent. Boer war is now forthcoming from 1231105’ ....11.oo P91‘ 000$- the diary of Colonel Clarke, novrllll'e1 ----------- 11-00 1391‘ 600$- Chief Commissioncr of the Natal 'Illlll'el} -- 5.91 PC!’ cent. Police, and formerly head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the colony. From this it appears that “Kruger's gold” is a myth ,but that the smugglers were a syn- dicate of illicit bold buyers who were plundering the Transvaal mines. The value of the gold iscstimatcd at from £600,000 to £1,000,000, and search for it is now being made off Cape Vidal, St. Lucia Bay, Zulu- .llanr. The gold, according to the l While alfalfa is a good fattening. feed by itself, yet, it is somewhat deficient in carbohydrates, and for this reason it gives the most satis- factory results if mixed with some other feeds, which supply the doli- ci-ency. One ton of al'alfa mike-d with two tons of gren corn fodder makes- a~pcrfect feed for milch cows." Another common. practice is to- mix the chopped hay with corn meal and this will make a perfect- ly balance-d ration which is worth diary, was put on board the bP-Tklmore pound £01. pound, than th Dorothea at Delagoa Bay. in January, 1858, that the vessel L H ~ ' ' v “ éhlorigmal corn meal. Experiments _ conducted along; set sail but she was wrecked the certain lines to agccrtajn the ac- 7 I day after her departure. The gold, it is said, was put in the vessel before the captain and crew engaged for the journey went on board. The treasure w. s SECURELY PACKED AWAY g tual results from feeding alfalfa, either alone or in a mixture, have brought to lig. t marvelous fact-s. Pigs have gain-ed 1-50 pounds each from May until October. when lturncd loose in an alfalfa'patch; steers have gained 2%, pounds per' . _- _ | . 1T1 strong-boxes, “"thh were placed lday for periods of over 100 days. at the bottom of the hold, cement- lcd over, and then covered with l .. n n . . . . stone ballast. ‘Inc vessel was. well lout to sea when the strain of the sails caused an opening of the sea-ms (the vessel was a wooden one) and the ship took in water. Fearing that there was a danger of the vessel foundcring, the cap- tain hailed a Union steamship which was passing and asked the captain of it if he would tow the Dorothea back to Delegoa Bay- The Union boat signalled that-she was tied to time and could not tow the vessel, but the captain was lwilling to take off the Dorothea’s Icrew. As there would be too much difficulty in attempting to get the ballast off, and as there was every. indication that the vessel would founder, the captain decided to sc- cept the Union captain's offer. ‘The crew of the Dorothea were ltaken over and the vessel was abandoned. The vessel went ashore at Cape Vidal and broke up. One side of the ship floated up the coast to a point fifteen miles distant, and on this portion of the vessel two ox- peditions have worked in the belief that it CONTAINED THE GOLD. l ‘Colonel Clarke is convinced, how- ever, from whet he was told by na~ tives who witnessed the wreck and information obtained from other sources, that the gold went to the bottom off Cape Vidal. In 1899 Colonel Clarke carried out search- ing operations, but it was necessary. to wait for a calm day to permit a diver to go down. Only one such day presented itself, and on that occasion another boat appeared off the cape, and the search was post- poned. Subsequently other duties compelled Colonel Clarke to leave the spot. A syndicate has been formed at Johannesburg with a capital of £3,000, and is now prosecuting the search off: Cape Vidal, The expe- dition has a concession from the Natal Government for a period of one yea-r, and until that period ex- pires no other persons will be al- lowed to search on the spot. >1| SI'IE DID. Mr. Wiso-â€"“I’d invest that little Xsurplus 'money you have on hand lso that you’ll have something for IZL rainy day. if I were you.” Mrs. 1Wiseâ€"“I did so to-day, I bought a new raincoat, a rainy- ,day skirt and a gold-handled um- ' brclla.” _____*..___.____. TI-IE IDEA. Blinksâ€"“I-Ic’s a pretty good boat builder, but he’s very slow.” .links-“Slo-w, ch?” > Blinks-â€"“Well, I should say. If he had had the job of building the Ark we wouldn’t have had the flood yet.” - me “You arc an iceberg!” exclaim- ed her elderly but well-preserved adorer, pale with anger and mor- tificatiou. “A dozen Cupids,‘ with a hundred arrows each, could nev- er find a vulnerable place in your flinty heart!” “th if they used .a-n old beau to Sho'ot with?" coldly replied the beautiful girl. I l ,r | | r o | ~_-l 1 l l l l I l I It seems as if all domestic ani- mals are only too willing to help‘ convert the offerings of nature in form of alfalfa into money for the practical farmer of. to-day. When quietly making your plans for next or; son consider your own best inter.- ‘t3 by arranging for a low acres of alfalfa, if you art not already the happy possessor of a- gcc-d size-d hell. SI'ILEC"‘INO TIIE FLOCK. _( Increasingr t-l e egg producing car- pacify of a lice r requires selection. The mistake mad-e 13 not in the .e- ecticn of the hens, but of the male, as be is the sire of all the chicks. hatched. lI-Zgg's from the best lay~ crs only should he used for hatch-- iug, and the male should be hatch- ed from an egg laid by the best. hen in the {lo-ck, using only purc- bred fowls, and avoiding kinship- if possible. as prolifieacy can be- transmittcd to the progeny. If this rule is adhered to there: will lic a marked improvement m the nun'rber of [eggs lail by each, menz-zber of the flock. The difficulty is to discover which hen in a flock lave the largest number of eggs4~ "his cannot easily be done, er;- cept- by watching the hens, which is. impossible; but the ‘difficulty 15 les- sened by using small flocks, as then the hens are known. One method is to have the nests-in a localion so arranged that after a hen lays~ she cannot get back into the yard from which she came,’ but must- pass out of an'entranceleadmg m- to another yard. At night all the hens that have laid, will then be. together, leaving the others 1n the first yard. l l x USES FOR ICE ON FARM. Among the use-s for ice on. ‘the. farm. may be mentioned: .. l. To put in tanks of water for' cooling the cans of milk as soon as- milkcd. If the ice be broken into- small pieces, it will cool the. milk more rapidly, because it melts more rapidly. 2. To cool water for raising the creei'u on milk set in deep cans, by gravity. I'ce is almost a. neces- sity for this form of crcaunug' milk. 3. For cooling cream as scam as the milk is separated with a cream: separator on the farm. Mostlof; the troubles in cream-gathering‘. cream-cries are caused by patrons. neglecting to cool the cream at. once after separating. Cream al- lowed to stand for some time after- separation, without cooling. soul-s: quickly, and usually develops a. bad flavor. 4. For. keeping butt-er, cream, milk, meat and other perishable- iousehol'd necessities in hot wea-r thcr. A great deal o-f food is wast-- ed in the average house in sum- mer because of lack of i-i'c to keep‘ the food cool, thus ‘causing a loss. of what otherwise wbuld be valu- able human food. _ 5. For making cooling drinks 111-. summer. While it is an error to- Pour icy-cold water ‘down ends. oesophagus, a cool drink in hot weather is always refreshing. >1" . Lulué-“ch, I was introduced to- bim‘ yesterday, and he told me I. was the prettiest woman he had. ever met.” Ccliaâ€"“Ab, you see, l was only introduced to him this. morning.”