The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-11-11
THE DEAD HAND.

I'VE DIH0 SlHnVs
A servant found it under tho front
door early in the morning-a large,
coarse sheet of letter paper, intricately
folded and sealed with a red wafer. The
simple superscription, Charles Client,
Wildlands, was legible enough, despite
the cramped, irregular penmanship. Sc
also were the following lines, destitute Of
date, address AID signature:
Years ago you did me kindness,
which I vowed never to forget. In re-
turn I now pen the warning that your
house will be entered tomorrow night.
It is we'll known to certain tlSrving
gang that you have u large sum OF money
by you. Be wise, and have it removed
to a place Of safety. Above all things,
employ some trustworthy person to act
for you. So surely as you neglect this
charge, suspicious will he excited, and
your life possibly pay the forfeit Of your
folly.
''Be careful also to provide good
and open reason for any journey yol,
may deem it advisable you should make.
for assure You every one OF yourmoyc-
ments is closely watched And, lastly,
10 not he foolllarly enough to give
battle. The money is all that is
wanted, and DO personal injury will be
offered if you keep quiet. Whether or
not your servants have been tamp,r:,l
with I can't say
Heavy lines Of anxiety marked Mr..
Clients fine forehead as he read, md it
was not surprising, the region being at
that period q rough one in every way.
Its locality and the circumstances which
sent him there with his family it is need
less to mention.
Strange how the thing ever leaked
out, }" he muttered to himself, "but ]
suppose through Oscars folly, and now
what am I to do? Oscar will DO off in
ten minutes" CHANGING from tho letter
to the pale, jaded countenance of his
dissipated step-son: who stood at little
distance, making hasty preparations for
q journey. "And perhaps it is as we'll
those gambling bells have SINK him
too low for any honest employment.
The entrance Of the two remaining
members Of his family, with the hurried
adicus and departure of Oscar Layne,
ended, for tho time, his uncomfortable
reflections. But the morning cup of
coffee, just then served, fully discussed,
lie passed tho letter to his wife and
daughter.
Mrs. Client sat in mutc horror. The
daughter, q noblc-looking creature of
some 20 years, was stronger ncrved
She read the letter slowly and critically.
Tomorrow, she commented,
thoughtfully. "That may either mean
tonight or tomorrow night, papa. You
see there is no date. We don't know
whether it was written twelve or twen-
ty-four hours ago.
'You are right. That never occurred
to me. We have even less time than I
supposed. But see nothing for it but
to let the money CO."
1t is too badly needed, papa, to be
quietly yielded to those wretches," Bes-
sic quietly answered.
"True. But what is to be done? If
you and your mother wero not here I
would risk my life in taking it to the
Bolton Bank. But, as it is, L can't con-
scientiously do so, and there is no one
upon whom can call"
Yes. there is; will take it,
"You!' exclaimed both parents, ut
erly aghast for the moment.
eyes, I am going," was the cool re-
joinder.
"You are demented, Bessie p cried
her stepmother. cit is far better to
lose the money than for you to rim so
great risk
Determined, mamma, not dement,
ed" said Bessie, as her father said
"You, forget, Bessie, that you will
have drive of three miles over road
too lonely to make you feel quito ut
ease, considering the character of those
about us"
II am too much like yourself to be a
coward, she answered, firmly. "And
indeed I don't believe there is the slight
est danger, except in imagination. My
best protection, I think, will be oul
market-basket, and that shall take and
bring home we'll filled. Your vest pistol
would not, however, be out of place in
my pocket, and will take it also. since
can handle it as dexterously rs your.
SELF"
A few more objections were urged
only to be skillfully overruled, and MIR.
Client, feeling also that there was nc
actual danger, at last fully consented,
"Why not send for assistance.
Charles?" suggested the not very Der.
spicacious Mrs. Client.
THAT would never do in such region
and under such circumstances, unless we
intend to keep an armed force about us. y
Bessie answered promptly, Mr.. Client
echoing her opinion most emphaticallv.
Owing to various trying delays, nearly
two hours passed before Bessie could
start. As she left the sitting-room for
the light wagon at the door, q small
Ratchet which Oscar had that morning
carelessly thrown on a chair attracted
her eye. She picked it up half absently.
and, with glance at the keen edge
slipped the handle under her belt.
What are You going to do with
that? Mr.. Client asked, as she con
cealed it beneath her sacque.
II don't know" she laughed "Tt
had friendly look, and I was seized
with an irresistible impulse to take pos
session of it, without any actual reason
for doing SO. Somehow it is i'll higl,
favor with me-"
'You are brave girl, Bess."
"And I have right to be-" was the
proud rejoinder. " My grandfather was
brave soldier, and you are a brave
civilian, or you would never be here
The morning was deliciously balmy
one, and Bessie drove fearlessly on. en-.
loving the wild scenery about her.
though eye and ear were ever on the
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