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no A __~_~' ,f.>4_ va‘u‘ » u w f ,Mflm.-..._~. ..... _._....._...~._ ,_, _ « .. -""“,’w¥€ amass... ' .wmnwm. fififigflflfiam fimm‘fg} : CHAPTER. V1. “Ellen!” exclaimed Lady Brom- ley, somewhat sternly, although she was herself not a little startled by the girl’s wild manner, her strange and incoherent language, “get up from the floor at once, and sit upon this chair. There!” as her young servant obeyed her; Ihocked into a semblance of compo- sure by her mistress’ unusual tone, “now collect your thoughts and tell me what all this excited mumb- ling means. What is that you know 'l Why were you so startled when 1 spoke of Mr. Hubbard? What is it that you are gomg to tell, even at the supposed risk of your life?” “Oh, it is a queer story, marm, and 1 didn’t understand what it all meant at the time; but now 1 see! now 1 see!" “Hush! be quiet! don’t excite yourself again l” interposed Lady Bromley. “Do you know Mr. John Hubbard 1”â€" “Don’t I know him! think so; he kicked me once, the girl vindictively. “Kicked you?” “Yes; 1 was letting him in one day, and not meaning to, I knocked his hat, and it got jammed. Then he swore, and gave me a kick.” “You were letting him iiiâ€"- vwhere'l” “into our house.” “What was he doing at your house '( Was he in the habit of cal ling there'l 1 thought your aunt was very poor.” I should ’ ’ said “Yes, so she was; but we livcdj _ ' THE MYSTERIUUS KEY OR, PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE. ' him. 1t was the second day after that 1 went, and 1 have never seen either Aunt Lu or Anna since.” “But if there was a prospect or your aunt becoming rich, why did you wish to run away? You might have fared better if you had re- mained with her,” her ladyship nh~~ served. “You’ll see why, when I’ve told you what 1 heard that night,” Elâ€" len replied, with a shiver. “ ‘Well, Mrs. Brown,’ Mr. Hubbard said, as he sat downâ€"” “Brown 1” repeated Lady Brom- ley. “Yes, that was Aunt Lu’s name â€"she married my uncle, Alan Brown." “Ali l” “ ‘Well,’ he said, ‘1 guess I’ve got everything fixed just as I want it at last, and you can change your name and position just as soon as you chooseâ€"that is, if you think you’ve got grit enough to carry out this plan of mine.’ “ ‘1’ve got grit enough for any- thing on earth that will get me out of. this terrible grind,’ said Aunt Lu. ‘Have you been to New Ha- ven yet, to look at those records 2’ ” “‘Yes,’ he said, ‘and, as luck would have it, 1 found them exactly as you said. Brewster was mar- ried on the same day you were ; how did you happen to- know about it 'l' i “ ‘Why, Alan was one of the janiâ€" tors at the college, and knew young Brewster well; and when he went for our license, he met the swell just coming out of the city clerk’s of~ lfice. He thought ’twas queer, but ’the book was lying open on the ling in every nerve as she began will be” ' len,” Lady Bromley here interpos- " 2W§MIA’L'»L%W'§W9MW" in a tenement that belonged to My. 'desk, and he saw his. name and his Hubbard, and he used to come girl’sâ€"Miriam Harrisâ€"and under- every month for his rent. After stood what was up,’ Aunt Lu ex- a while he and aunt Lu got very iplained. ‘But as he_was a rich chap thick over something they were land not through college, Alan knew planning between them. I couldn’t he had done it on the sly, and that make head nor tail out of it, though it would be for hisiut crest to keep 1 used to listen when I could, ‘ mum; he never said a word about said Ellen, as innocently as if li-sts- it; he didn’t tell even me until ening were the most proper thing years afterward. How queer things in the world to do. “But one day ido come about," she said; Ilknew 1 heard him tell her that if she’d Miriam Harris, and she _wasn .t any help him out, he’d make her a rich better oli’ than 1, even if her father woman, and she’d never have to was a musician, and mine a journey- sew another stitch for her living; man tailor; they were as pron as he said he’d come the next night Lucifer, and as poor as church and explain the whole thing to her. mice, and now here you propose The thought of being rich almost that 1 step right into the shoes that took my breath away. I got alllwere intended for her!’ stirred up over it. 1 thought of no-l “ ‘you think you can keep a stiff thing else 3’11 thht day and heXtyEupper lip 'l’ said Mr. Hubbard. and finally made up my mind that! H ‘you bet,’ said Aunt Lu, 1 would know what was going on} H Iweu, get me your certificate,’, if 1 could manage it. There was an he told her, ‘and 1’11 fix it; up for , old-fashioned sofa in our Sitting~ you} r00m; ill had a valance around ityl “Aunt Lu took a paper from her to hide the legs; and it Popped into I pocket, and handed it to him. 1 my head that if 1 0011161 Slip uhdel“ couldn’t see what it was, but it ratâ€" lneath it, 1 coufd easily hear all med like letterâ€"paper, that was said. So I pretended to; H 1131' 1 heard him laugh, “it’s have a boot/11340118, SO I could {nuke a_ piece of real luck to have every- an excuse '50 80 to bed right after thing turn out so cleverly; when Eflipper-’4' '1 found out that your husband’s “Oh, 113110“ 1” Said Lady 15mm“ name was Alan Brown, it struck 18y regretfuuy, at this POiht- me that it might very eas1ly be made “Oh, of course, 1 know that a over into Adam Brewster.’ lady like You, OFâ€"hera” glahCihSl “ ‘1 don’t see how you are going at Allison’s Pietm‘e: “WOUIdD’t dofto do it,’ said Aunt Lu nervously. anything like that; but You lustl ‘1 don’t want to get caught in any try being as poor and abused asjmv scrape,’ I’ve been, and see if you wouldn’t} H ‘b‘ee here,’ he said, and then Sell to lying after a While; it’s aWhe showed her how he could make good school for liars,” said the girl an ‘1’ into a ‘d,’ andâ€"oh, 1 can’t half-defiantly “W611,” She r€"remember all the rest; but when 811mm: “1 lust W310th my Chance; i he got through explaining, she While Aunt Lu was in the bedroom? seemed satisfied and well pleased. changing her dress. Anna had gone “ ‘yes, yes,’ She said, ‘1 believe putâ€"" |you can do it; and if 1 do my part, “Stop 3' moment: Ellen,” herlyou swear that you will hand over ladyship here interrupted; “who is ? a. lot of money to me '2’ Annal” “ ‘Mrs. Brown,’ he said, speak- “She’s my cousin; Aunt Lu’s mg very slow and positive, “you’ll daughter." another day’s “Yes, yes, 1 see; now go on,” said her mistress eagerly, and ting- work as long as you live.’ “ ‘Oh! what a blessed relief that she told him, and just to grasp certain important points. ready to cry. ‘1 don’t think I could in this remarkable SWI‘Y- have stood it much longer without “AS 1 was saying," E11011 res‘lm- ; going mad. 1’ve been more’n half- ed, “1 watched my chance, craned tempted to jump off the Brooklyn under the 30m, and lay flat on thel Bridge into the East River many 3. BOOK it wasn’t very comfortablevltimeâ€"guess .1 should if it hadn‘i especially after that man came and' been for Anna; 1 thought it would PlumPEd himself down right over; he cruel to leave her to struggle me, for 1 didn't dare to move solon alone} ” ' much as a fingerâ€"hardly to breathel “Uh !” here breathed Lady Bram- full and Strong-” ley, with a shiver, “what misery “NOW, Whit lust av minul'le- El"there is in the world! To what desâ€" perate deeds poverty drives man- thisâ€"how longI land 1” ago was it when Mr. Hubbard paid} “ ‘Yes’ said Mr. Hubbard,” Li. this “Bill to your hunt?” len went on, without bee-ding the “Uhâ€"let me 880," said the gubinterruption of her mistress, ‘_‘ ‘An- reflectively; “it must have beenina, is too fine a girl to be left to mmeWhel‘e ahOUt the laSt 0f Jilly; hoe her own row alone. What have It was on Tuesday nightâ€"4m? next you to say to that other plan which day 1 went to Doctor Ashmore to, 1 hinted at a, few days ago '1’ have the splints taken off my arnrl H ‘what‘l About your marrying That was the time 1 fainted, and' Anna? said he told me 1 might go 1:. olive with iliever need to do I ed. “When was Aunt Lu; When DWIâ€"she was ready to swear 1'. heart gave. such a jump that 1 came '. thing, MY near crying out, I was so stirred easy time for the rest of her life. up. time, and shut my teeth together hard. “ ‘Yes,’ that man said, as if he thought he was the Great Mogul, ‘don’t you think it would be a rare chance for ‘her ’l’ “‘1 know it would, of course,’ she answered, ‘but 1 can’t tell how she may feel about it. I haven’t said anything to her yet; but 1’m of the opinion that she’ll be ready for almost anything that will im- prove her condition.’ - “ ‘Well, it strikes me that we had better all cast our lots into one box together, and have a good time for the rest of our lives,’ he went on. ‘1 will settle a handsome income on you the day she marries me, then 1 will take her all over the world, and she shall have ev- erything she wants. She’ll make a hand-some woman dressed in her satins and diamonds.’ “ ‘1 don’t believe there’s a bit of doubt about her doing as you want her to ; she’s dead discouraged with the grind she’s had ever since her father died. J’ll do my best to per- suade her. Oh, 1’d almost give my eye-s to see her wearing velvets and diamonds,’ Aunt Lu said, almost ready to cry again. “ ‘lt would be the most comforâ€" table way to settle matters, for all parties,’ he said; ‘but what will you do with that little fool of a niece of yours 'l’ “1 tell you, marm, I'was nearly choked again with the jump my heart gave at this,” Ellen here ob- served, her face growing very pale with the remembrance of the ex- perience; “it told me right 01f that i. wasn’t expected to have any share in the good time that was coming. “ ‘She isn’t any niece of mine, and I’d have been mighty glad to get rid of her long ago, if I hadn’t needed her in the kitchen,’ she told him, in a spiteful way that made me just ache to strangle her.” “0h, hush! Ellen,” reproviiigly breathed her companion. “1 know it’s wicked,” said the girl stoically, “but poverty is the devil’s training-school, and it fin- ishes off more devils than anything else.” - “My child, you must not talk so,” said her mistress authoritatively. “But it stirs up all the bad there is in me, whenever I look back and think of how that woman treated me,” was the sullen reply. “Well, go on and get through with your story as soon as you can, then we will try to find something better to think about,” responded Lady Bromley, in a gentle tone. “You were saying that Mrs. Brown wanted to get rid of you.” “Yes, and he answered, sharp and quick, ‘We must get rid of her now; she’d make it very hot for us if we kept her on the string; sue would be sure to blurt out, some day, that your name was once Mrs. Brown, and then our fat would all :be in the fire.’ “ ‘But what can 1 do with her ‘4’ Aunt Lu asked. “ ‘1 think 1 know of a-â€"-a school, in a certain town out West, where she could be sent, and would never be likely to trouble us again,’ Mr. Hubbard told her, in a voice that made me creep all over. But I said to myself that neither of them would have a chance to work me on in that wayâ€"that 1 should light out all of a sudden, and then, if 1 ever saw my way clear to give them too grand bounce for their golden stilts, l’d do it. At first 1 thought I’d go that very night, after the house got quiet; but a few minutes afterward he told her that it might take a few days to fix things up before he could bring them to aâ€"aâ€"â€"” “Crisis '1” suggested her ladyship, as Ellen appeared unable to think of the word she wanted. “Yes, that was it. So I told myâ€" self that 1 needn’t be in any great hurry. 1 could look about a bit ior a place. 1 had that ten dollars that she,” with another fond look at the photograph across the room, “gave me, and 1 knew I needn’t suffer; 1 could take care of myself for a while, even if 1 ran away before 1 found anything to do. Before Mr. Hubbard left he told Aunt Lu that in a week or so, he should want ,her and Anna to move into a bet- ter place, and they must have some good clothes to wearâ€"they mustn’t get anything swell or showy at first, but a few nice things to make them look ladylike and respectable. He was going to New Haven the next day, ‘to file the records,’ and when he came back he’d be ready to push matters, and .would give her some lessons on law points, and what she’d have to say and stick to in court; for he expected there might be some tough fighting, as there was somebody else who would try to get the Brewster fortune.” “Did he say whoâ€"â€"did he men- tion any names l” inquired Lady Broniley. ‘ “No; and he didn't talk as if he had” any fear of them.. Aunt Lu said she’d do whatever he told her But 1 caught myself just in He went away then, and a little while after Anna came in. Aunt Lu told her all about Mr. Hub- bard’s call, and when she came to what he had said about marrying .ierâ€"Annaâ€"she laughed until I lhpught she’d burst a blood-ves- se . ’ “ ‘Oh, he’s a clever one, mother,’ she said, when she could get her breath. “ ‘What do you mean '1’ Aunt Lu asked. “ ‘He means to nail everything, so there will be no fear of ever los- ing his grip on that money,’ said Anna. “‘1 don’t understand you,’ her mother told her. “ ‘Why, 1 should think you’d have seen through his game from the first,’ Anna snapped. ‘Of course, John Hubbard meant to have the lion’s share of this feast, under any circumstances; but he was keen enough to see that it wouldn’t do to leave any loophole for us to go back on him; so if he married me, our interests would be so mixed up with his that we couldn’t blow on him or be grinding more money out of him all the time.’ “ ‘Yes, 1 see,’ said her mother, then she went on anxiously, ‘But 1 hope you «will marry him, Annaâ€" he can’t be such a great deal older than you; girls often marry men older than he. Then just think of the good times you’ll have â€"- the travel, nice clothes, and jewelsâ€"’ “ ‘Oh, yes, 1’ll marry him,’ she said sharply. ‘1’d marry almost any other dried-up, old bachelor for the sake of getting out of such a hole as this, and having all the money i want to spend. Good gracious! it seems almost too good to be true, though!’ “’l‘hey went to bed soon after that," Ellen resumed, “and I was mighty glad of it, for 1 ached in every bone from lying still so long upon the floor. Then, as soon as they settled themselves to sleep, 1 crept out from under the sofa and slipped away to my room. “But 1 didn’t get much sleep that nightâ€"1 kept thinking over and over of what 1 had heard, and, be- sides, 1 was mad through and through, to know that when to been doing all the drudgery in the house for years, Aunt Lu had no notion of letting me share the easy time and good things that were coming to her. I’d have been glad it 1 could have stopped their game then and there, just out of spit-e, but 1 didn’t understand it very well, so didn’t know just how to go to work. , “The most 1 could get through my brain was that by some kind of trick they were going to get a lot of money, but Mr. Hubbard was a great lawyer, and I thought nobody would believe me if 1 tried to give them away, and 1 might only gel myself put in jail for meddling. 1 suppose 1 could have told thai Aunt Lu’s name had always been Brown, and she was only playing at being Mrs. Brewster, if 1 had waitâ€" ed until they sprang their trap ; but 1 was afraid of them all, and I knew they’d be just about ready to kill me if they should find out all til: 1 had learned of what they were up to. At any rate, it was plain enough that they meant to get rid of me by sending me off to some horrid place, so when 1 fainted that next day in Doctor Ashmore’s of- fice, and he said 1 might go to live with him, 1 made up my mind right off what 1 would do. 1 made up my bundle that night and skipped out the next morning, as I’ve told you.‘ “And you have never seen either your aunt or cousin since ’I” in- quired Lady Bromley. “No, and 1 don’t want to,” said fillcn sharply; “1 want to give them a wide berth, and hope they’ll do the same L-y me.” (To be continued.) v ’1‘ OWN 0n the Farm ALFALFA FOR SWINE. As a pasture or soiling crop for sows and young pigs, alfalfa proves a wonderfully helpful ration for milk-making in the sow gand for growth in the pigs. Experiments have sliown that pigs make better growth when the dam is fed con- v siclerable alfalfa than. those from sows fed the best of commercial ra- tions, but wit-h no alfalfa. Of two sets of pigs, one fed clover, rape and soaked corn, and the other with access to alfalfa, in lieu. of clover and rape, those having alfalfa seem- ed to grow the more rapidly. For brood sows, it is a most valuable food, either as hay, a soiling crop, , f3 9111.3" or as pasture; The litters of such {or the sake Ot- hmmg “’1 l sows are generally large- and vigor- ous, and the dams have a stron flow of nutritious milk. Alfalfa meal in slop may be used with pro- fit where the hay is not to be ob- tained. It is aISo claimed that sows fed on alfalfa during pregnancy will not devour their young, its mineral elements seeming to satisfy the appetite of the sow while contribut- ing to the foetal development of the pigs. On a farm of former Governor Hoard, in Jefferson County, Wis- consin, all the brood sows have for several years been wintered on al- falfa hay of the season‘s third cut ting, and their drink skim milk from the dairy, without any grain until the last two weeks of gesta- tion. Mr. Hoard says the object is to give the sows a food that will keep them in a non-feverish state, and furnish protein sufficient to build the bodies of the forthcoming p1,“. A Il'inney County, Kansas, farmer reports having pastured W pigs on one acre of alfalfa from May lst to September 1st, when they weighed IOO‘pounds each, and were in fine condition for fattening. Another Kansas farmer reports keeping 100 pigs from about the middle of April to September on five acres of alfalfa j'asture. A little grain during the last two months would have gained him many pounds of 'pork. Many alfalfaâ€"raising pigâ€"growers insist that their pigs can be maintained from May to October on alfalfa for oneâ€"half what it would cost for alâ€" most any other feed. The Utah Station found that young shoats gained oneâ€"third pound a day on alfalfa pasture, without grain. But the Station found. also, that the gain was not so great in older hogs. A Wiscon- sin dairyman reported that he kept nine ,sows all winter and spring on alfalfa hay and skim milk, with- out any grain, and raised from them 75 pigs, all healthy and vigor- ous. The Colorado Station considelrs that a ration of three-fourths corn and one-fourth alfalfa hay is the best for fattening hogs for market, but for young hogs not ready for fattening the proportions should be reversed. The Station does not re- commend grinding alfalfa hay for hogs, probably on the theory that the hog’s time is not worth much, at best, and he can do his own grindingâ€"From Coburn’s “Swine in America.” KILLING elmâ€"25A THISTLE. At least one experiment station in the United States has suggested a practical method of fighting Can- ada thistle. An Iowa press bulletin says, truly, that a good method to eradicate the weed is to plow shal- low and cultivate frequently dur- ing the summer. It is pointed out that the roots of the Canada thistle extend deeply down into the soil, hence for this reason deep cultiva- tion will be of no avail. After plow- ing, the soil should be dragged, and the roots exposed to the sun and removed when possible. necessary to run over the field with a hoe to cut off stray plants that appear. This method was tried on a patch several years ago, and .110 Canada thistl-es have since made their appearance in this place. Various crops, such as clover and sorghum, are said to be effective in subduing the tliistles. Of the chemicals which have been used to exterminate Canada thist- les, none are more effective than sodium arsenite. It is applied at the rate of one and one-half to two pounds to 52 gallons of water. Carbolic acid, at the rate of one part to one part water, destroys the root where it comes in contact with the mixture, and for a little distance beyond. This is not an effective method, as the roots sprout out from below. In response to circulars of inquiry sent out by the station, the majority of correspond- ents recommended shallow plow- ing, disking and harrowing, and continuing cultivation and hoeing as long as the thistles‘ make their appearance. Some report success- ful treatment with salt, when scat- tered thicle about the thistlcs, especially if cattle or sheep are given access to it. Some reported success with carbolio acid where it is applied directly to the stem. ob~_ SUBSTITUTE FOR LEATHER. Seaweed, dust, goat’s hair, and IriSh moss, compounded by a secret chemical process, is claimed to be, by its inventor, Mr. John Camp- bell, a perfect substitute for leather, vulcanite, wood, and marble. As leather, it makes serviceable soles for shoes. Among the things the compound is good for are picture frames, ornamental mouldings, imi- tation Wood partitions, belting for machinery. upholstery, cotton- spinning bobbins, electric sw1tch- boards, flooring, golf balls, fountain pens, “marble” in all colors, chess boards, bookbinding, and “ivory” combs. It may be ' - a- 1 1 1 1 .1 1 ‘1 I 1 1 l I 11 1 1 1 l . 1 1-1 1