text: Akii!«jvkisgquntk American! M£sS£ier\ "> Sequel 4? °rwv*<yr IftgHk CTXEXAS.'jjWfIEWYOKK ~ £r ‘~' czaryfr/a/fr; /&o/- <- y - _^-=^ / &ODZJ M£A&<S<rO. A'.}? SYNOPSIS. Burton H. Barnes, a wealthy American touring Corsica, rescues the young English lieutenant, Edward Gerard Anstruther and his Canadian bride, Marina, daughter of the Paolls, from the murderous vendetta, understanding that his •reward is to be the hand of the girl he loves, Enid Anstruther, sister of the English lieutenant. The four fly from Ajac cio to Marseilles on board the French steamer Constantine. The vendetta pursues and as the quartet are about to board the train for London at Marseilles, Marina is handed a mysterious note which causes her to collapse and necessitates a postponement of the journey. Barnes gets part of the mysterious note and receives letters which inform him •'that he is marked by the vendetta. He employs an American detective and plans to beat the vendetta at their own game. For the purpose of securing the safety of the women Barnes arranges to have Lady Chartris lease a secluded villa at Nice to which the party is to be taken in a yacht. Suspicion is created that Marina is in league with the Corsicans. A man, believed To be Corregio Danella, is seen passing the house and Marina is thought to have given him a sign. Marina refuses to explain to Barnes which fact adds to his latent suspicions. Barnes' plans for the safety of the party are learned by the Corsicans. The carriage carrying their party to the local landing is followed by two men. One of the horsemen is supposed to be Corregio. They try to murder the American. The cook on the yacht—a Frenchman—is suspected of complicity in the plot. The party anchors at St. Tropez. The yacht is followed by a small boat. The cook is detected giving signals to the boat. Barnes attempts to throw him overboard, but is prevented by Marina and Enid. The cook is found to be innocent of the supposed plot and is forgiven. The party arrives at Nice and finds Lady Chartris and her daughter Maud domiciled in the villa rented with Barnes’ money. Barnes is amazed to find that Count Corregio is at Nice and is acting the role of admirer to Lady Chartris. BOOK TWO. CHAPTER VII. Maud’s Confidences. Miss Chartris pursues him along the walk between the citron and the orange trees, asking affrightingly: “Why do you look so terrible?” For Barnes is meditating sardonically: “If it were only the scar-faced devil, I’d kill him on sight as I would a rattlesnake. But this one who has turned up here, the real Corregio Cirriano Danella, what has he done to me that I can at present justly destroy him? Neither Emory nor myself, from the signature on his check, could say he wrote those letters. If he did, the bastard threat against my coming bride would make me send Cip to the devil in very short order. But I must have proof.” A moment later her mother sweeps affably down to him. During Barnes’ perusal of Emory’s letters and enjoyances. Meat of Maud’s confidences, Prunella has made a toilette that seems more elaborate than would be called forth by the arrival of relatives. “What, back again so soon?” says the widow, pleasantly, leading Barnes to her parlor. “Yes,” observes that gentleman, “I forgot to mention that the reason you could treat us en fanjille is that tomorrow I am about to wed —” “Enid!” screams the lady. “Oh, you darling boy!” and gives him a sudden, whole-souled kiss. After a moment she says deprecatingly: “This sudden matrimonial will not permit of a grand wedding.” Then, her eyes growing excited at the thought of social success, she exclaims: “Of course, the town is growing deserted, but Adelaide Carrington at the De la Mediterranea, Milly Portman of the De Rome and Lilly Vivian at the Hotel des Anglais, are three charming English girls who will be delightful bridesmaids for Enid. Besides, Edwin could invite the officers of her majesty’s Opal, which is lying off Monte Carlo. Oh, it shall be the most important wedding this season in the Riviera." “It is the most important wedding to me,” remarks Barnes, solemnly, “but it will be the most private one. Enid and I are only anxious to be wed. I must beg you to say nothing about this to anyone.” The gentleman's tone is deferential but imperative. “To-night I shall drive into Rice and see the pastor of the English church.” Here in this parlor, tomorrow evening, he shall say, by the blessing of God, the words that will make my darling mine. "Oh, of course, if you so desire it, Burton," answers Prunella, affably. "I suppose Enid thinks she can manage some kind of a wedding gown by tomorrow evening." "Anyway, that's the time," observes Barnes, quietly. All the while he is studying Lady Chartris, wondering if her appearance has attracted Corregio Cipriano Danella, or whether the Corsican has in some subtle way learned this is the retreat of the pursued, and is here on account of family vengeance. "There is slight possibility that a man of 35 can be attracted by cosmetics," muses the American. Then he suddenly asks: "Has anyone called here for me?" "Nobody, I believe. The only person I observed in Nice who knew you was La Belle —" Lady Chartris' cheeks glow with modest blushes of an English widow as she checks herself in the mentioning the awful Blackwood. Barnes blushes. When a man of the world is about to wed youth and purity, the follies of his wilder youth seem some kind of things. So he cuts off this mention of the great American adventuress by saying shortly: "Mr. Emory, my agent, has not been for me yet?" "Why, no, I haven't heard of Emory since we left Marseilles," remarks his hostess. . “Ask your servants, please. This matter is important.” Lady Chartris goes out and after a few minutes returns and says that she has no question, and they all assert that nobody since their arrival at the villa had called and asked for Mr. Flames. “But if you don’t bring your party on shore,” praties Prunella, “they'll be late for dinner, and —my goodness! I had forgotten — I have an engagement in Nice this evening, so I’ll have to be leaving immediately after.” The additional tint upon the lady’s cheeks shows that it is a love tryst. "All right, I’ve got to see that minister," replies Barnes, easily, “so, if you’ll be so good, you can drive me in to Nice. Now I’ll get our party on shore." He lights a cigar and strolls rapidly down to the little landing place between the trees and oleanders, the thoughts of his coming nuptials raising his spirits. “Since the new Danella is here, I’m glad to know it," he thinks. “A discovered danger is better than a hidden one. Who the deuce is that scar-faced scoundrel?" Emory was to be here by the 4th—this very day. It’s nearly expired and no signs of the detective, a man that Barnes knows is prompt in his appointments. “What can this mean?” This is his reflection as he is in the “Are We Never Goin boat being rowed alongside of the Wildfowl, for Edwin has had the yacht warped tolerably close to the landing stage, and the little pleasure vessel, looking like a slovenly merchant schooner, is now lying not over a hundred yards away from where the soft waters flap lazily upon the grounds of Lady Chartris’ villa. Barnes climbs hastily on board, takes the lieutenant to the retirement of the stern and rapidly tells him of the appearance of the true Corregio Cipriano Danella. “This complicates matters,” he whispers. “The scar-faced scoundrel we could have put out of the way without compunction, but till this new arrival does some overt act I hesitate at sending him to Kingdom Come!” “So we have been blaming these letters on the real Count Danella, when some other land pirate has been doing the dirty business,” mutters Edwin, disgustedly. “Of that I am not absolutely sure,” answers Burton; then he asks: “Has Maria yet told you what her note contained?” “Why, I was questioning her on that only a little while ago and she simply begged me to trust her. You see, I’m getting more and more anxious about her. As the time for landing gets nearer my bride grows more pale, more nervous, more despairing,” sighs the young Englishman. “And my sweetheart becomes more resolute, more determined. Bless her pluck, she is singing in the cabin now!” whispers Mr. Barnes. “And yet,” remarks her brother, gloomily, “my bride was as brave as Enid is, before her wedding. Can Maria know of some hidden danger of which my sister doesn’t dream?” “Then you’re not the man I think you,” answers Barnes, almost savagely, “If you, her husband, don't.” Get it out of her. Don't you see, you've got to know; that no sentimental reason should stand between you and everything that is in your wife's mind, Edwin? "All right, Marina shall tell me tonight," answers the young sailor, determinedly. "But there's one thing we've got to do first, that's to see our girls are mighty safe for the present. I’ve fixed it, I think, pretty well with Graham. We leave the cook and one man aboard as anchor watch, and the mate takes his Scotch tars ashore and keeps careful lookout all night about the grounds.” “You’ve told them to reward them liberally?” remarks Bariws. “Oh, it didn't require money. Graham and the rest of the crew have kind of got it into their heads that we are being pursued by some murdering foreign gang and the honest fellows from the land of cakes are mighty eager to meet the Corsican thugs.” Here Enid stops the interview. “Are we never going on shore to dinner?” asks that young lady, hungrily, but laughingly, as she steps lightly on deck. "I heard your boat, Burton," she adds. “Please help me down the side ladder. Marina has Edwin's sailor skill to prevent her tumbling into the water. My, isn't he tender to her!” This last is whispered as Mrs. Anstruther, having come on deck, is half carried by her husband down the yacht’s side to the cutter. “Guess I can do the ladder act as well as he," and Burton's clutch upon his coming bride as he places her in the stern sheets of the boat is as fervid as that of the English bridegroom. As the boat draws up to the landing stage, Maud comes rushing down to the landing and cries eagerly: “Bully! Everybody on shore quick! Ma's got to drive into Nice after dinner to meet her new beau. “Her new beau! How about Von Bulow?” laughs Edwin, as he assists the ladies to the landing stage. “Oh, Von's on the back shelf!” cries Maud, letting her tongue run away with her. “Count Correglo Cipriano Danella is now first favorite.” At the name, Marina quivers as if under a blow. Then suddenly the nervous dread seems to leave her dark eyes and the courage of devoted love files into them. She starts from her husband's arm, to which she has been clinging. “By heaven, Marina knows this Cipriano Danella is the real king-pin on Shore to Dinner?" of this death feud,” Is Barnes’ astute reflection. He notes that the bride’s head is held on high; that this delicate creature steps lightly but resolutely in front of her stalwart sailor husband as if to meet and shield him from coming danger. Her impassioned eyes affright the American. “My Lord,” he shudders, “this devoted girl means to sacrifice herself in some way for this husband she adores. How? Eternal powers, I must find what that letter said!” But Enid and Maud, as they step up the path, are now joking and laughing; the latter is saying she’s such a good little girl she’s to come in to desert. “Keep your nuts and raisins for me, every one of you,” she entreats. At this, Marina smiles so blithely that Edwin whispers to Barnes: “Getting ashore makes her normal again.” Then after a few words of caution to Graham and his tars, who tie up the cutter and step ashore. To patrol the outside of the grounds till morning, Anstruther follows the rest of the party to the house. A few minutes after, the ladies already dressed for evening on the yacht, have thrown off their wraps and are seated at the dinner table of Chartris which, influenced by Mr. Barnes' liberal purse, has become a luxurious one. The attempt at youth in their hostess' appearance seems to strike the party simultaneously. Enid gazes at the marvelous effects of Madame Duval's art upon her ancient subject's face and can scarce restrain a merry snicker. Marina, despite the conflicting emotions in her heart, smiles almost sadly and proceeds during the progress of the meal to draw from Lady Chartres information of her new cavalier and how Cipriano Danella came to visit her. "Did his brother's recent death affect him greatly?" asks the young bride, eagerly. "Oh," remarks Prunella, "when he begged to be presented to me in Marseilles, the count was very sad, but —" "Cipriano met you in Marseilles," ejaculates Barnes, his fork stayed in air over his salad. (TO BE CONTINUED.) Trusts Control Burma. Burma is controlled by trusts. There are two transportation lines which always keep in reserve 6 percent of the importer's last six months' business, which is liable to forfeiture if an independent shipment is received. Washington Gossip BROTHERS IN OPPOSITE PARTIES IN CONGRESS WASHINGTON.— The Fulton family is well represented in the Sixtieth congress. There is a Fulton among the Republicans in the senate and a Fulton among the Democrats of the house. The senator is Charles William Fulton, of the state of Oregon, the member of the house, Elmer L. Fulton, who comes to Washington as a member of the first congressional district. Delegation from the state of Oklahoma. The oldest officeholder at the capital made to recall another case just like that of the Fulton Brothers. Brothers have served in congress before. In the last congress, Charles B. Landis and his brother, Frederick Landis, represented districts in Indiana. But both are Republicans. Some years ago there were two brothers in congress at the same time, one in the senate and the other in the house. They, too, belonged to the same political party. But the Fultons are the only brothers who have come to congress together but divided against themselves politically. Senator Fulton was born in Lima, la. It was there, too, that the future Representative Fulton was born. The season of social gayeties which was ushered in by the opening of congress again calls attention to an eminently useful personage in the realm of fashion — the social secretary. Although the social secretary is a creature of modern development, and a most interesting one at that, her place in the fashionable universe of the national capital has become firmly fixed and there are more positions at good salaries than there are social secretaries to fill them. The demand is so great and the pay is often so alluring that a number of Washington girls whose social status is near the upper edge of the top crust, but who are not as well favored financially as some of their sisters in society, are preparing to take up this as their life work. Someone has said that “good social secretaries are born, not made,” and there is much truth in the observation. She must be a natural-born diplomat or she will not be a success, but she must be more than that. It is necessary that she shall know intimately the society with whom her patron will ride a horse. ROOSEVELT AND TAFT TO DECIDE OFFICERS’ WEIGHT CONFLICT of expert opinions as to what kind of army officer should ride a horse has brought about such a state of confusion, especially in the engineer corps, that the president and Secretary Taft will be compelled to solve the problem. For instance, one board appointed to determine the fitness of officers to take the equestrian test prescribed by President Roosevelt, decided that the exercise would cost Col. Charles E. L. Davis, otherwise known in the army as “Alpha bet Davis,” his life. He was accordingly ordered here from Detroit, where he was in charge of river and harbor improvements. Try as hard as it could, it appears the board which has been known as the Davis retirement board, found no physical disabilities which would warrant his retirement. Oddly enough, a testimonial from the Lake Carriers’ association came along, telling what wonderful work Col. Davis has been doing. Then an order: YOUNG QUENTIN A TRUANT; IS FOUND BY DETECTIVE QUENTIN ROOSEVELT, aged eight, one time the protector of Pete, the White House bulldog, and charmer of snakes that terrified cabinet members and sent chills up and down the spines of diplomats, gave the White House another jar the other day. When time came to dress for dinner, which is seven o'clock, Quentin was nowhere to be found. Garret and cellar were searched. But no Quentin. Then the grounds and the offices were hunted for traces of snakes or bulldogs or bonfires, but never a trace. The secret service squad was called out next, and a search of all was made. Janitor's Good Memory. Of the late genial and kindly-hearted Henry Burch, it is told that, a good many years ago, while he held the position of Janitor of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church, the minister one summer Sunday morning delivered a sermon which, it appears, had been given by him once before, perhaps two or three years previous. On the Sunday in question, and during the progress of the sermon, a violent thunderstorm came up which created some little nervousness among the congregation. After the services were over, and as the minister was about to leave the building, he met the janitor. “Henry,” said he, “that was a pretty interesting Bits of News Picked Up Here and There at the National Capital.” From there the family went to Pawnee City, Neb., where the brothers studied law and were admitted to the bar. Charles later went to Oregon and was elected to a lot of offices as a Republican. Elmer went first to Stillwater, Okla., then to Pawnee, and finally settled down at the practice of law in Oklahoma City. In 1903 the term of Senator Joseph Simon, of Oregon, expired and Charles Fulton came to the senate as his successor. When congress passed the bill admitting Indian Territory and Oklahoma to statehood, Elmer was announced as a candidate for the house in the Oklahoma City district. He was nominated by the Democrats and was elected, defeating ex-Gov. T. B. Ferguson in what was The supposed to be a Republican district. He was assisted in his campaign by William J. Ilryan. Pawnee City is Mr. Ilryan's district and he had known Elmer Fulton there. Bryan made five speeches for him in the campaign, in each speech emphasizing the fact that Fulton stood well with the people of the Nebraska town. MUCH TROUBLE IS SAVED BY SOCIAL SECRETARIES have to deal. She must not only be able to segregate the social mountebanks from the real factors of society but she must have an exhaustive acquaintance with the maze of precedents and formulas and distinctions for which Washington society is noted. A good social secretary has all of this information at her tongue’s end and is able to steer her patron’s social back past all the reefs and rocks that render navigation so uncertain and dangerous for the tyro. Fashionable Washington is coming nearer every day to the belief that a good social secretary is as essentially a part of the household equipment as a good cook. This view is accentuated by the sorry spectacles presented by women of the ultra fashionable set who come to Washington to establish reputations for polite hospitality, only to end in sad failure because they have no one to inform them as to the real members of the smart set, and the pretenders, or to point out the numerous social distinctions that are peculiar to Washington life, the infraction of any one of which is counted an unpardonable mistake. was Issued granting Col. Davis leave until February when he would be retired by age. Too fat, as Taft, is the charge that the Davis board has brought against Col. W. L. Marshall, of New York, in charge of the Ambrose channel work. The preliminary examining board could find nothing the matter with Col. Marshall, but Gen. Fred Grant excused the big fellow from the ride out of sympathy for the horse. The last board to examine him could find no disability except his corpulence. His retirement has been held in abeyance until Taft’s return. The secretary and the president will decide how fat a man can be and yet be serviceable in constructing a big channel. Meanwhile, Col. Marshall is said to be reducing his weight by the delicate process of rolling on the floor. Officers are scarce in the engineering corps and a retirement of half a dozen would create havoc. Washington was begun for the trust. With knowledge born of experience, a couple of men were dispatched to the humble home where lives a pretty little dark-haired, dark-eyed lass of 12 or 14 years, the object of Master Roosevelt’s affections. But he was not there; he had left two hours before, bound, so the girl said, for a snake and bird emporium. But he was not at the emporium. Quentin was finally found playing in Massachusetts avenue, a couple of blocks from the home of his little sweetheart and near the school. The detectives hustled him home. "Yes, Mr.," replied Henry, "and the singular thing about it is that there was a thunderstorm the other day." Last time you preached that sermon.” —OU City Blizzard. Wished to Be Truthful. “There are several seats up forward in the car, sir,” said the conductor to the man who was hanging to a strap. "No, thank you,” replied the strap hanger; “I’m about to write an article for the newspapers on the streetcar indignities and I want to say honestly that I’ve ridden down town six successive days hanging on to a strap.” Yonkers Statesman. Items of Interest From Our Correspondent at the State Capital. Bank Statement Very Gratifying. Des Moines.—A remarkably fine showing is made by the bank statement just made public by the auditor of state showing the condition of the state and savings banks and trust companies of Iowa at the close of business Dec. 3. Deposits decreased between the last preceding statement made Aug. 22 and the statement of Dec. 3, less than $10,000,000, which is less than 5 percent of the total deposits on the former date. Half of this decrease was due to the transfer of its commercial business by the Des Moines Savings bank to its consolidated Iowa National bank, so that the decrease in deposits in the Iowa banks from Aug. 22 to Dec. 3 was only about 2½ percent. This remarkable statement surprised the public officials who have been compiling the reports from the state and savings banks. It had been supposed that the deposits had fallen off very much more than 2½ percent. The surprise and gratification of the auditor were augmented by the fact that the reports showed a reserve. Of 18 1 4 percent in the banks, which is a falling off of only about 2 percent. The reports showed a decrease of $1,870,409 in bills receivable held by the state and savings banks. This is much more than covered by the transfer referred to by which the commercial business of the savings bank was transferred to a national bank. There was a decrease of $160,000 in capital stock, which is more than covered by the same transfer. The showing discloses the fact that there has been an increase in deposits of more than $18,693,000 in the state and savings banks during the past year, since the official statement of Nov. 12, 1906. Under the supervision of the auditor of state, there are 556 savings and 259 state banks and fourteen trust companies. Life of Polk Wells. The state board of parole is in receipt of information to the effect that the widow of Polk Wells has brought out a new edition of the history of his life. Mrs. Wells now lives at Halls, Missouri, and she has sent out copies of the prospectus of the book. It includes the autobiography of Wells with amplifications by his widow. Wells was one of the most celebrated colonels in the history of Iowa, having participated in the most sensational escape in the history of the prisons of this state. He was serving a term in the penitentiary for robbery, which had been his most heinous crime. Having procured some opiate from France, he administered the drug to one of his guards, who failed to wake from its influence. It was in the trial of Wells for this murder that the question first arose in Iowa, whether an accused charged with having committed murder by poison could be convicted of any crime except murder in the first degree. The court held that in such a case the accused must be convicted of murder in the first degree or be found not guilty. It is this question which has been reopened before the United States supreme court in the case of Charles Thomas, convicted of the murder of Mabel Scofield. Between the time of Wells and Thomas, fifteen or more persons have been sent to penitentiary for life on the rule established in the Wells case. Hearing on Live Stock Rates. Announcement has been received here that first hearing of the complaint of Iowa livestock men that interstate freight rates on livestock are too high will open in the federal building in Des Moines Jan. 17. The hearings will be before the interstate commerce commissioner to whom the appeal was directed and it is expected that Commissioner Prouty will preside but it is not known who his associate will be. The case is of vital interest to Iowa livestock breeders and feeders as it is an effort to secure a general reduction of about 20 percent in the freight rates on livestock. The action was instituted in accordance with the wishes of the Corn Belt Meat Producers’ association of Iowa by Clifford Thorne, an attorney of Washington, Iowa. Mr. Thorne will represent the livestock men at the hearing. It is expected that he will be opposed by some of the best legal talent that the railroads can secure. $25,000 Gift For Drake. President Hill M. Bell returned from Corydon, bringing with him a splendid Christmas present for Drake university in the form of a gift of $25,000 for its endowment fund from Mr. and Mrs. B. E. Freeland of Corydon. The gift is in money, available at once, and it is without condition, except that it be used for the endowment of a chair of Greek in the university. Stockholders Are Hard Hit. It is believed that the stockholders of the Corwith bank, which was closed by the auditor of state recently, will have to stand an assessment of about 90 percent on account of the losses due to the missing cashier, J. H. Standring. It has developed that the letters written from Minneapolis by Standring at the time that he confessed his defalcations were in a very despondent and melancholy tone. It would not be surprising if he had put himself out of the way. To Retire Certificates. The clearing house certificates which were issued a couple of months ago by Des Moines banks, in accordance with the plan generally followed in the larger cities of the country, for emergency currency, are gradually being withdrawn from circulation. It is estimated that only about half as many are now in general circulation in Des Moines as there were a few weeks ago. The certificates are being withdrawn by the banks taking them up when they are deposited. The certificates have practically served their purpose. Editor W Will Show Up Well. Iowa life insurance companies, according to statements of officials will make one of the best showings in their history Jan. 1, when they report on the 1907 business to the auditor of state. Some of them may not show as large an increase in new business written during the year as in former years but their condition will, it is claimed, show up much better. A novel feature of the report, in comparison with the statements of companies of other states, will be that the securities of the Iowa companies will show practically no shrinkage in value, while the others will. The Iowa legislature a few years ago enacted a law restricting the investment of insurance funds to high class securities, principally farm mortgages, and at the time this was generally secured by insurance officials, who claimed that the growth of the home companies would be handicapped by the restriction. They pointed out that the foreign companies, over which the Iowa legislature had no control, would have greater leeway in investing their funds and consequently might earn greater profits and make difficult competitors. Now, however, it is shown that the outside companies are feeling the financial flurry severely while the Iowa companies are not affected at all. New Colonel Named. Commission has been issued to W. T. Chantland of Fort Dodge as colonel of the Fifty-Sixth regiment, Iowa National guard. He has been relieved Lieutenant Colonel Willard, M. Flynn of the command, Colonel Flynn. was in command following the issuance of his commission, pending the decision of Governor Cummins with respect to the charges filed by Maj. George M. Parker against Major Chantland, involving the election of a colonel. These troubles have been adjusted now and the controversy is thought to have been put to sleep effectually, and finally. As soon as the protest filed by Captain Rankin against the election of Captain Hyatt to be major to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Colonel Chantland, has been withdrawn, as it is understood in guard circles it soon will be, the whole trouble will have been adjusted and the Fifty-sixth regiment will be prepared for a vigorous and enthusiastic reclamation of its old standing. Baseless Charge Against Hospital. Charges made recently against the management of the state insane hospital at Mount Pleasant by an eastern magazine, Physical Culture, and by former Mayor James Hourhan of Mount Pleasant, have been pronounced groundless by the state board of control and a report to that effect including a vast volume of sworn testimony on the point, has been filed with Governor Cummins. The board has carefully stated the substance of the charge made by both the quarantine and the attorney, at Mount Pleasant. The former printed an anonymous article charging brutality on the part of attendants toward patients and the diversion of presents and property of patients. Mr. Hourhan made specific complaints of inhuman treatment of a woman who was an Inebriate patient, the refusal to pay for the tools of an Inmate which burned and the retention of portions of the pay of employees under a system of fines for intoxication. One Convention for Democrats. Chairman Miller of the democratic state central committee is quoted Having stated that in his judgment, the democrats of the state will be able to dispose of their business next year with a single convention. On account of the fact that the national committee called the national convention for July 7, which is a month and five days following the date of the primary election in Iowa, it will be possible for the democrats to hold a single convention. The primary law provides that the convention held in pursuance of the primary election for nomination of candidates shall be held between two and five weeks following the primary. Owing to the fact that the republican national convention is to be held two weeks after the primary election in Iowa, it will be necessary for the republicans to have two conventions. Think Have Postoffice Robber. Llge Edwards, alias Charles Munson, alias “Dutch,” supposed to be the man who robbed the Decatur City post office last week, was captured at Linwood, Mo., by Deputy United States Marshal G. E. Bldwell and brought to Des Moines. The federal authorities regard Edwards’ arrest as one of the most important in many months, for he is known to be a desperate character. He pleaded not guilty before Commissioner McArthur but asked for an attorney and will be given a formal hearing. Republican State Conventions. Chairman Frank P. Woods of Elkhart, chairman of the republican state central committee, will call the central committee together in Decoines sometime during the next few weeks. The date of the two conventions will be left then to the committee, as well as where they shall be held. Des Moines has been conceded one of the conventions. Out of courtesy to the other cities in the state it is likely that the other conventions will be held. Will be called for some other city. Both Waterloo and Cedar Rapids are seeking the honor. Pleads Guilty to Forgery. For forging the names of two on a bond which he gave to the Relief Medical company, J. R. Bell was sentenced to the penitentiary for nine months by Judge Brennan. He entered a plea of guilty to the charge of forging the names of two prominent farmers of Polk county. Afterwards, he became short in his accounts, and when the company started an investigation, they found that the man whose names appeared as sureties on the bond did not sign it. 