text: A 5fC«.vA? f»f f-\ &< Ffil |V a" ti IV 'V »&\ ROD w.. !C Siv Elvin took up some of the last ones, and looked them over. He nodded, and went to his own room. He had not touched the letters among which was hidden the one to David Horton. "Now, if it only gets into the post safely!" said Rob to himself. "But how is it going to be done?" No more was said about the letters that night, and Rob did not dare put his plan to escape into execution. He was so eager to have that letter off safely that he resolved to remain an other day and watch events. And he knew that if he escaped before the letters were mailed Elvin would suspect something and examine them all. So he slept that night again in the little room off the office. The next morning at breakfast El vin called a man who was working in the stables. He was a short, ugly fellow, almost black. "Govino," said Elvin, "you see those letters in there on the desk?" "Me see plenty," he said. "Many letters." "Saddle a horse and ride to Dolores. Go to the post office and see Negora. Negora is with us, and will send the letters without allowing the fact to become known. Do you understand?" Govino went out and saddled a horse, and then came in and got the letters. Rob breathed freely when he saw the man ride off, for even if he did read the names on the envelopes, it was Not likely that he would know that Horton was not to receive one. And perhaps he could not read anything. Elvin remained all that day around Gardner's Adventure/ 9 DRAINAGE Tired Antoon Laufard CHAPTER XII. When his task was finished, Rob Was very nervous. He did not know How these letters were going to reach The post. There was no station near. Slvin came riding in—he had been To Buenos Aires—about supper time, And came in where Rob was, still Wearing his high boots and carrying His whip. Rob shuddered as he thought Of what that whip would do if Elvin Discovered the letter to his uncle. "Finished?" asked the Englishman, Looking at the neat rows of letters Rob Had arranged. "Yes, sir." "WHERE IS HE?" HE GASPED, SEIZING ELVIN'S ARM. The place, and Rob found no opportunity to get away. He feared every Moment that Lemuel Starne would return and recognize him. And now, When there was such hope of rescue, He did not want Starne to know who He was—and to be killed when everything was going along so well. He Was glad when night came and he retired to his room. It was a warm Night, and while his door was open And the lights still burning, and while Richard Elvin sat just outside smoking, He opened his window. Elvin Bald he heard it, but suspected nothing. Then Rob put out his light, shut his door and pretended to go to bed. That night about twelve o'clock the Furious hoof-beats of a rapidly ridden Horse Sounded near the house. Someone leaped from him and thundered at the door. A moment later, Lemuel Starne, with white face and panting bosom, stood before the astonished Richard Eivin. "Where is he?" he gasped, seizing Elvin's arm. "Where is who? What's the matter with you? What's happened?" "Where's this fine penman, of yours? Where's that lovely nephew of Torrevo who was educated in New York?" "In bed. What the mischief has got into you? Are you mad?" "No, but you are. Do you know what you're done?" "I generally know pretty well. To what special act do you refer?" "I refer to your excellent private," gasped Starne, almost choking, "But cub! That—that teller, I left your chair. But now the nephew of the very cub!" From the Royal Mail. Hopkins. UDB, by Robert Bonner's Son. Read your fool cipher and sent the whole story—about me—and all—to Horton. He wrote a letter of his own, and sent it along with yours." Richard Elvin quivered with emotion. "Has Horton seen it?" he managed to gasp. "No. I caught it. Just in time. I'll tell you about it later." But where is he now? I will make sure of him now. I'll kill him within the next two minutes." With trembling finger Richard Elvin pointed toward the door of Rob's room. "In there!" he whispered. With an oath Starne drew a knife from under his riding coat and leaped. toward the door of Rob's room. He flung it open. He stood there with the knife in his hand, stupefied with amazement. The window was open. The boy he was to kill in the next two minutes was not there to kill. The boy he was to kill in the next two minutes was not there to kill. CHAPTER XIII. For once in his life, Richard Elvin was staggered. "He's gone!" yelled Lemuel Starne. The elder man made no answer. "He's gone!" shouted Starne again. "Don't you see what a fool you've been?" Richard Elvin was at all times quick to resent a taulit. "Fool!" he echoed. "Why have I been a fool? The boy may be outside." "Yes—a good way outside," replied Starne, in disgust. "Well, what do you mean, anyhow? You come here like a bellowing bull, rush around to stab people, and howl at me for being a fool. What have you learned?" With a sneer of bitterness too deep for words, Starne drew a folded letter from his pocket. "Read that," he said. It was Rob's letter to his uncle. With trembling fingers, Elvin held it, and read it through. He returned it to Starne without a word. "Why don't you speak?" demanded the son. "How do you feel, now that your foolishness has upset the whole scheme?" "But has it?" asked Elvin. "I certainly thought the fellow was all right. How did you get this letter?" "Why, since it became known—or supposed, as this indicates—that Rob Cleverdale was lost overboard and drowned, old Horion has been so broken in spirits that he can scarcely attend to business. He had to have someone near him whom he could trust—and that someone was myself. More and more have I worked into his confidence. Of late he has not been feeling well, and I have attended to all his correspondence. In the last mail yesterday this letter came. I opened it with many others." You can imagine my feelings when I read it. Of course, I said nothing to Horton about it, but came directly here to find that cub and finish him. But now, with the same stupidity that has marked your course in the matter from the first, you have let him escape." "Perhaps no harm has been done. You got the letter and no one else has seen it." "But if he sent one to Horton, why not to the president or anyone else?" asked Sfarne. "I don't think so. He wrote that to his uncle, to bring him to the rescue. No, I think we are still safe. I was blind, that I admit. But Torrevo swore he was his nephew. Torrevo, then, must be a traitor." "Where did Torrevo find him? I am sure there was no craft near when threw him overboard. I might have been mistaken. The 'Black Cat' sails swiftly, and it was a dark night. She would have no lights showing." "I don't understand it," said Elvin. "Torrevo brought him here—to the Bay—and he wore a picturesque Spanish figure. He seemed to look upon Torrevo as his uncle. Torrevo was treated like a nephew, for he said the boy insisted upon being one of the crew of the 'Black Cat.'" "But it is certain that Torrevo lied, for no one but Horton's nephew could have written that letter." "True. Stay! The first time the boy came to Black Cat Bay, Torrevo beat him. This time he did not. It may not be the same boy." "It was the same boy. Torrevo is no doubt playing a deep game. I think I can see through the whole thing. The 'Black Cat' happened to be near when I threw the boy overboard, and picked him up. He told Torrevo who he was, and Torrevo agreed to help him. Of course, knowing our power, Torrevo would not dare do anything while that power existed. It was agreed between them to have the cub remain with Torrevo till an opportunity arose to warn Horton what was going on. This would place Torrevo in the light of being true to Horton and the government, and if we failed, he would not be punished. He would be rewarded for his aid. This is clear enough to me. It was a put-up job." "But how could it be? Torrevo did not suggest the boy to do the writing. I did. I saw the tally of the last cargo. The boy did it at Rio, I suppose while Torrevo was drunk." (To be Continued.) THEIR Own MIXTURES. Smokers Who Have Tobacco Compounded to Salt Their Tastes. The young and inexperienced are ever ready to smile incredulously at the seasoned smoker who offers his tobacco pouch with the remark, "Try some of my own mixture." In some cases, "my own mixture" may really be only the smoker's "own" in the sense that he has paid for a few ounces of it, but in spite of the copyrighted and much-advertised special mixtures in these latter days, it seems from what one of the most popular downtown tobacconists says, that the habit of buying one's own exclusive "mixture" is not so extinct as might be supposed, says the New York Tribune. "Here is a list of the special mixtures we make," says this authority, taking from a corner a large card, "you see, there are about fifty of them on this card. Each mixture is noted down, all the ingredients and the proportions in which they are to be used, and over each one is the name of the customer who first ordered it. The way of it is that a smoker makes his experiments on different combinations of tobacco until he hits upon something which just suits him. Sometimes he buys the ingredients and mixes them himself, but people have so much to do nowadays that more often they tell us what they want and we do the mixing. It takes weeks sometimes for a customer to get to just the thing he is aiming at, and, of course, it is all guesswork in the meantime. But you might be surprised to know how long a man will go on using the same mixture, once he has found out what suits him. This first name on the list does not belong to the mixture we have been making the long It comes first because the list is alphabetically arranged, but that recipe has been standing here for ten years to my knowledge. It was first ordered by an Englishman his name still goes with it and he is still using it, but scores of other people also use it who have never heard of him. So, you see, it is possible for a man to be using another man's particular mixture and go on using it for years, thinking it his own exclusive mixture all the time. There was a dinner party at the Mills house, and when all were seated, a lady tremuously observed that there were thirteen at table. The painter asked his son to dine in another room, and he did so. When dinner was over, no one seemed anxious to be the lint to rise, so Matthew Arnold, who was one of the guests, suggested that he and two stalwart undergraduates should get up simultaneously. The three men did so. Within a year each of them was dead—Arnold by heart disease, one of the lads by suicide, the other by drowning. But why did not fate seize upon Mr. Mills, who left the table first, and by all the rules of superstition should have paid the forfeit with his life? Perhaps he was spared because of his amiability in leaving the table to please the worthy goose who called attention to the risk they were all running. How Dog Fool On Aacth A correspondent noticing any stories of "Dalies" (who "make believe" in order to draw off each other's attention from desirable things, and to outeat other from comfortable chairs, promising burrows, and so forth, makes the following remarks: "Dalies" and the retriever pretend at rabbit holes, just like your dog friends, whether you're a dog or not, the dog who, in the cold, as were, let up some, and thus humbly. This is the dog's version, and the news is published in the Moscow Times. The "Russian Government Closes Public Libraries in Finland." Public libraries in Finland are now closed and school libraries are to be censored rigidly under the direction of Bobrikoff, the infamous governor general. This action is taken to prevent the spread of "dangerous literature," which includes a great many works known as classics in civilized countries. The St. Petersburg Finlandskaya Gazette reports that Finland possesses about 1,500 libraries, which largely serve as reading rooms. Most of the reading rooms in the large cities have been established through the energetic efforts of the so-called "Young People's association." To this large development of public libraries and reading rooms is chiefly due the high intellectual attainments of the Finnish people. "But," says the official report, "as these reading rooms are not under the supervision of the government, the leaders of the revolutionary movement have made use of this opportunity to smuggle in their publications and thus further the spread of their socially dangerous doctrines among the people. Even in the school libraries these forbidden and dangerous writings have been smuggled in, and the school authorities are usually unscrupulous and do not seem to have any idea of the duties and obligations which they owe their pupils. In order, therefore, to protect the people against the fatal consequences of conspiracy, and to prevent the reading rooms being a hot bed of socially dangerous agitation, the governor general has ordered a revision of a large number of the libraries." After this came the imperial ukase empowering the governor general of Finland to "break up, or to close for a certain period, those libraries which contain such dangerous books and writings, in order that the peaceful and loyal subjects might not be led to commit offenses." The governor general immediately carried the czar's edict into effect and the government is henceforth to supervise the libraries— mainly by suppression as the easiest and most inexpensive way of furthering the noble cause of ignorance, so ear to the heart of the Russian government. ART OF SVENDSEN. He is a master of color—a strong individuality. Svendson's success with the beautiful rose tints of sunset light streaming across the new fallen snow reveals the love of colors which each of us has inherited, just as we naturally love sweets, says an art critic of a recent work by that artist. Art connoisseurs are disposed to distinguish between a display of colors and a manifestation of "color." The Dutch painters all have been inclined to revel in ripe grays, without any use of individual primary colors, and are pronounced fine colorists. Svendson has the widening stream spread out to its full extent and occupying the entire frame at the bottom, with a flat expanse of pretty positive blue. It is a well-managed and agreeable tint of sky reflection, but quite expansive and certainly blue. Over this is an arrangement of picturesque banks loaded with snow, over which sweeps the rosy sunlight. A broken line of naked trees works interestingly under the narrow sky. The sunset light falls in mellow tones on these confused stems. Thus we have blue, rose, russet, blue, all of them decided in color. One of his best and entirely true to nature, it has the right to please lovers of Svendson's work. SWEDEN HELPS CONSULAR PLAN. Norwegian Minister of State Says There's No Hitch. Dr. Sigurd Ibsen, Norwegian minister of state at Stockholm, denies positively that there is any hitch whatever in the negotiations for the establishment of a consular service for Norway. His statement sare so positive that there is no reason to believe that he is concealing the truth. No impediments have been placed in the way by the Swedes, nor has anyone shown any inclination to delay the proceedings in any manner. The negotiations have been met by the Swedes in the most friendly and loyal manner, and the progress is wholly satisfactory to the Norwegian conferees. There is, Dr. Ibsen says, a great deal of detail work to be looked after before the separation can take place, but the matters are mostly of minor importance, which would be of little interest to the general public hence silence does not mean delay, by any means. Dr. Ibsen does not pretend to say what the Swedish riksdag will do, but the work going on is present in making excellent progress and Norway has no reason to fear unfavorable results. He looks for a completion of the work by next fall. Another Prize for Hedin. Dr. Sven Hedin, the noted Asiatic explorer, has been awarded the Tchietchef prize by the French Academy of Science. The honor arises with it emolument of 1000 francs. TgMly# It Uie flttt Ima In iKilBSto'.'' 7 la Dr. Reindeer Herds are Greatly Diminished and Famine Is.Nlflh. Recently published rumors of the partial destruction of the reindeer herd in Swedish-Lapland have not been exaggerated. The Lapps' wraith consists almost wholly of reindeer. During the unusually severe weather of last spring, most of the calves died from the effects of frost. Subsequently, the Lemmings, a species of jerboa or field rats that exists in the Arctic circle in immense numbers, destroyed most of the reindeer moss on which the herds depended for subsistence. The reindeer, in consequence, either starved to death or became an easy prey to wolves and bears. The Lapps themselves, deprived of their means of living, are now in danger of starvation. FORESTS ARE DWINDLING. Sweden Peering Robbed of Great Wealth Every Year. Thoughtful men in Sweden are watching with alarm the disappearance of the famous forests of that country. Lumbering and the constantly increasing demand for wood pulp is laying waste magnificent forests, the small trees only six inches in diameter going with the monarchs of the forest, and little is being done to provide for the future. Trees that do not fall before the axe are destroyed in large numbers by fire. Where once was wealth is now barren, dreary wastes. Modern forestry carried out intelligently on a large scale by the state is becoming imperative, else one of the principal sources of the country's wealth will soon be lost. HOUSE OF SWEDENBORG. To be Reproduced at the St. Louis World's Fair. Gilbert Anderson of St. Louis, a leading member of the Swedenborg family, has been appointed to the position of director of the Swedish-Lutheran World's Fair. In the church there, has secured permission for the erection of a house on the exposition grounds which, with its furnishings, will be an exact counterpart of the house which Swedenborg occupied during his residence in Stockholm. According to Mr. Anderson, the Swedishborgian faith has more than a thousand followers in St. Louis. They have three churches there, two German and one English, but no Swedish. DEPOPULATING NORWAY. Many Thousand People Left for America. An emigration of 15,000 persons was noted during the year 1903 from Christiania. This was 3,000 more than in the year previous. From Trondhjem 10,000 persons emigrated. The emigration from Norway aggregated, it is estimated, 33,000 persons, but from this sum must be deducted several thousand Swedish and Norwegian Americans. The emigration probably was 20,000, of which the largest part went to the United States. Two thousand persons went to Canada. Whales Travel Far. Addressing the Academy of Science of Christiania, Prof. Goldlob said recently that the whales that swim about the islands which lie off the coast of Norway and Finland in March and April travel immense distances. In May they turn up at the Azores or even at the Bermudas, and sometimes pay a visit to the West Indies. They swim fast, for in June they are back again off Norway. Some of these whales are known to bring back evidences of where they have been, for harpoons of the peculiar kind used off the coast of South America have been found stuck in them. Will Try Electric Railways. The management of the Swedish railways has asked for an appropriation of $425,000 kroner with which to experiment with electricity as a motive power on the government railways. It is proposed to establish a temporary power station at Tomteboda, Sweden. possesses almost countless waterfalls which are particularly adapted for obtaining electric power. Medals for Uruguay's Crew. Scandinavians in Argentine Republic are raising a fund to bear the expense of striking medals for the officers and crew of the Argentine corvette Uru guay for their timely rescue of the Nordenskjold party from the Antarctic regions. Their deed was a noble one, and all who took pa^t In it,easily merit a medal. _• Explore South America. Baron ^rland Nordenskjold and his party of explorers sailed from South ampton on Jan^ 6'for South America. They are planning to visit the Compar atively unknown regions between Bo livia and Peru, and expect to leave La Paz. the capital of Bollyla, about Feb. 15 .-.v j... mi 4* jr* "fy Victor *1 vt feiMberi^tttraJdng noy- ,1 "Sin^ia4',fes*,&«n rendwefl into -tih. A Aid from A iherlfea.•' ft contribution' of 686' kroner from the Norwegian Lutherin synod ln^ America has been sent from the church department to the dean at Hamme?f?st tb be distributed as he sees best-1 There is considerable dfsti-ess lfehtp district. wiili- wmmm i\te m$ «k ns,»M 11 1 AM 4 1 MMMMi niin n. M* .This Is a remarkable-o" •. Balser Seed flukn. TheyH. plantandsfcad eMU^ASM ta%row.., solid dkL. t,000dellc»u*Carrol cwogbiittttSafe^att their bl*' WltS Trr. 1,000 splendid ..Onions. r^l,lu!Sf°airSl»l,,l8hell-iFlowers.bfcUUant 1,000 gloriously' This great offer Is ittide jh order to induce you to try their warranted seeds —for when you once plant them yon Will grow no others, and •u. vox BUT 16o POSTAGI, providing ybu ."will return this notice, *nd If you wUl send them 20c In post age, they will add to the above a frack- of the famous Berliner Cauliflower. 4™'T V1' iW%- Ambiguous.'*, Miss Marigold—How do you happens1' to be so much brighter than other peo' pie, Mr. Author? Mr. Author—Well-^-er—you see, the criticisms of my bpoks make mo smart.'' ... PATENTS. List of Patents Issued Last Week to Northwestern Inventors. A. Campbell, Minneapolis, Minn., coupling for awning frames William Conner, Minneapolis, Minn., vending machine Joseph Dietrich, St. Cloud, Minn., saw set William Fleming, Bemidji, Minn., safe Norman Traviss, St. Thomas, N. D., colter Edwin Washburn, Minneapolis, Minn., car coupling Edward Washburn, Minneapolis, Minn., coupling support. Lothrop & Johnson, patent lawyers, 911 and 912 Pioneer Press Bids., St. PAUL. Confidentially. Rose—Shakespeare says that true love never thinks ill of its dear one. Violet (engaged)—Perhaps not but I notice that it is very suspicious of its dear one's gentlemen friends.—Kansas City Journal. Mother Gray's Sweet Powders for Children Successfully used by Mother Gray, nurse in the Children's Home in New York, cures Constipation, Feverishness, Bad Stomach, Teething Disorders, move and regulate the Bowels and Destroy the Menses. At all Drug Stores. Address A. Drama. "Well, Jones has brains." "Brains don't make a dramatist. Jones has no more sense of indecency than a newborn babe."—Detroit Free Press. Mrs. Winstow's Soothing Syrup. For children teething, softens the gums, reduces inflammation, kills pain, cures wind colic. 25c a bottle. All people who make it a business to kill time are allowing time to kill them. You cannot make clouds for others. Miss Gannon, Secretary Detroit Amateur Art Association, tells young women what to do to avoid pain and suffering caused by female troubles. DABBERS. PINKHAM:—Let me consult your doctor. I can conscientiously recommend Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound. Pinkham's "Vegetable Compound" to those of my sisters suffering with female weakness and the troubles which so often befall women. I suffered for months with general weakness, and felt so weary that I had hard work to keep up. I had shooting pains, and was utterly miserable. In my distress, I was advised to use Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound, and it was a red letter day to me when I took the first dose, for at that time my restoration began. In six weeks I was a changed woman, perfectly well in every respect. I felt so elated and happy that I want all women who suffer to get well as I did. Miss GUILA. GASNOIT, 359 Jones St., Detroit, Mich., Secretary Amateur Art Association. $8000 for the original of a letter proving genuine, cannot be produced. When one considers that Miss Gannon's letter is only one of the countless hundreds which are continually publishing in the newspapers of this country, the great virtue of "Mrs. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound" must be admitted by all. 