Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-10-02

ent-Sir Lewis Mallaby-who not only
did not trouble himself to back up the
invitation, but when the performance
was actually begun was at no pains to
conceal his contempt and disgust.
The c0njuror made the conventional
plum pudding in d hat, fired wedding
rings iato quarter loaves, did all man
ner of card tricks, and juggled on con-
scientiously right through his repertoire.
There was never smile on Sir Lewis
face; he sneered Enthusiastically. Final
ly, with an ostentation that sqvorad "
rudeness. he took out his watch. great
gold repeater, looked at it, an uIlis-
takaply yawned.
Jack hungered for that watch directly
he saw it. Perhaps through it he might
make its owner uncomfortable, if only
for moment. But how to get it into
his bonds. He asked for a watch,
dozen were offered. No, none of these
would do. It must be a gold watch, a
repeater. Sir Lewis Appleby's was the
only one in the room, and he at first
distinctly refused to lend it. But so
many earnest entreaties were addressed
to him, the hostess leading the attack,
that he could not in common courtesy
continue TO refuse. With something
like a growl he took his watch off the
chain and handed it to Jack Newbiggin.
A curious, old fashioned watch it was,
which would have gladdened the heart
Of a watch-collector-all jeweled and
enameled, adorned with crest and in
script On-an heirloom, which had
probably been in the Mallaby family
for years. Jack looked it over curiously,
meditatively, then suddenly raising his
eyes he stared intentIy into Sir Lewis
Mallabys face, and almost as quickly
dropped them again.
"ThiS is far too valuable" he said
courteously. "too much of q treasure
to be risked in any coniuring trick; an
ordinary modern watch [ might replace,
but not work of art like this
And he handed it back to Sir Lewis,
who received 1t with ill-concealed salts
faction. He was pleased, probably at
Jacks expression of probable failure in
the proposed trick as the recovery of
his property.
Another watch, however, was pound
ed up into a jelly, and brought out
whole from cabinet in an adjoining
room; and this trick successfully &C
complished, Jack Newbiggin, VINO was
now completely on bis mettle, passed
on to higher flights. He had spent the
vacation of the year previous in France
as the pupil of q wizard Of European
fame, and had mastered many of the
strange feats which are usually at
tributed to clairvoyance. There is
something especially uncanny about
these tricks, and Jacks reputation rap
idly increased with this new exhibition
of his powers. Thanks to his cross-ex-
animation of Mrs. Sitwell at dinner he
was in possession of many facts con-
nected with the company, although
mostly strangers to him; and some of
his hits were 50 paipably happy that be
raised shouts of surprise, followed by
that terrified hush which not uncom-
monty succeeds the display of super
natural powers.
Oh, but this is too preposterous,"
Sir Lewis Mallaby was heard to say
quite angrily. The continued applause
profoundly disguised him. This is
the merest charlatanism. 1t must be
put an end to. 1t is the commonest i'm
posture. These are things which he has
coached up in advance. Let him be
tried with something which upon the
face Oft he cannot have learned be-
forehand by artificial means"
Try him, Sir Lewis, try him your
self, cried several voices.
81 scarcely like to lend myself to
such folly to encourage so pitiful an ex-
hibition."
But he seemed to be conscious that
further protest would tell in Jacks
favor.
81 will admit that you have con-
siderable power in this strange branch
of necromancy if you will answer few
questions of mine"
Proceed" said Jack gravely. meet
ing his eyes firmly and without finch
ing.
Tell me what is most on my mind
at this present moment"
"The want of male heir" Jack re-
piled promptly, and thanked Mas. Sit
we'll in his heart.
''PShaw! you have learned from Burke
that I have no children" said Sir Lewis
-
Anything else?"
The memory of the harsh deed that
you now strive IN vain to redeem"
"This borders upon impertinence.' y
said Sir Lewis, with a hot blush on his
cheeks and passion in his eyes. "But
let us leave distractions and try tangible
realities. Can you tell me what [ have
in this pocket" He touched the left
breast of mis- tail coat.
"a pocketbook."
Bah! ca 10 sans DIRE. e. Try one car
ries pocketbook in his pocket"
"But do you? asked several of the by
ISLANDERS, all of whom was growing deep
! ly interested in this strange duel.
Sir Lewis Mallaby confessed that he
did and produced it-an ordinary mo,
rocco leather purse and pocketbook all
in one.
care you prepared to so on?" said the
baronet haughtily to Jack.
Certainly"
"What does this pocketbook contain?"
Evidence"
The contest tween them was now u
OutrGnce.
Evidence OF what?"
'Of facts that must sooner or later
come to light. You have in that pocket
book links in a long chain of circum-
stances which, however carefully con-
cealed or anxiously dreaded, time in its
memorable course, must bring eventual
ly to light. There is no bond says the
Spanish proverb. which is not some day
fulfilled; no debt that in the long run is
not paid"