Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-12-14

The accompanying card, to his great
surprise, was his own-the one he had
left at Mr.. Burrows house.
''What the deuce is the meaning of
this?" exclaimed Tom. as the waiter
prepared to leave the room.
"a young person called Just now and
left the parcel for the gentleman whose
name was on the card,'' said the man,
lingering.
''Was there no message?" inquired
Tom.
"No. sir; only the parcel was to be
given into your hands directly" re-
turned the waiter.
Tom began to perceive that there had
been a misunderstanding. No doubt
the parcel had been sent by Mr.. Bur
rows in consequence of the letter he had
delivered, and was intended for some
n else. 1t was rather a strange pro-
ceeding to return a visitors card, but
probably the messenger had bungled
over his mission. The most likely ex-
PLANTATION seemed to be that MIR. Bur-
rows, imagining that the bearer of the
letter had left the wrong card by mis-
take, had sent it back with the parcel.
At all events Tom was too Sleepy
to speculate over the matter, and
he therefore carried the parcel up to his
room, intending to return it when he
called upon Mr.. Burrows in the morn
ing
He was rather surprised at the weight
OF the package, which was out of all
proportion to it's size, and when he got
upstairs he was seized with curiosity to
know what it contained. As it bore no
address, he felt, under the circum-
stances, justified in opening it, and he
therefore cautiously undid the wrapper.
Inside the brown paper covering was a
neat deal box, also without address or
inscription. 1t was nailed down, but
the fastening was by no means formida-
BILE. After a few minutes hesitation
Tom whipped out his pocket-knife and
pried open the lid sufficiently to be able
to take a peep inside. Another cover
ing-tissue paper this tlme-ba1fled his
curiosity, but on lifting the edge of this
he beheld a CLEAN of gold. His amaze
ment now orercame his scruples, and
without more ado he wrenched off the
lid completely.
''Sovereigns, by Jove! The box is
literally full of them!'' he muttered be-
low his breath.
Tom could hardly believe his eyes,,
but he o convinced himself that he
was not mistaken. The ~sovereigns were
neatly arranged in closely-packed lay
ers, and, as far as he could Judge, the
box contained $500 at least. He pro-
ceeded to do up the parcel again in an
absent manner, while he speculated
upon the meaning of Mr.. Burrows con-
duct. Even assuming the box was in
tended for some n else. it seemed an
extraordinary proceeding to leave a
large sum Of money at a hotel in such a
reckless way. He had previously ascer-
tanned that MI. Burrows was a retired
tradesman Of very good repute, and
from all accounts he appeared to be the
last person to commit such a rash and
un~business-like action.
This singular incident somewhat dis
turbed TOMS nights rest, for it seemed
as though fate had placed in his hands
the means OF freeing himself from his
pecuniary embarrassment. There was
nothing to prevent his appropriating
the money and making. off with it, and
as it was all in gold there would be but
little risk of detection. OF course, he
was too honorable to seriously entertain
such a project; still, the temptation was
SO vivid that he quite longed to dismbar-
rass himself of his treasure.
Accordingly he set forth as early as
possible next morning to Mr.. Burrows
house with the parcel under his arm.
He sent in his card and was ushered into
a small sitting-room; but. after a short
interval, the servant returned. with u
message that her master was too unwell
to see him.
81 called about this PARCEL said
Tom. ''It was left at my hotel last
night, and I think there must be some
mistake. Will you ask MI. Burrows?"
The servant disappeared again, but
presently brought back word that MI.
Burrows did not understand what he was
abiding to, and knew nothing about any
parcel.
''What!' exclaimed Tom in amaze
ment. "Why, it was left at my hotel
last night with the card which | deliv-
cred into your hands at the door yester-
day afternoon. OF course. I imagined
Unjust have come from Mr.. Burrows"
''Mr. Burrows says he don't know
anything aboutit it," said the girl, looking
mystitied.
'.You gave him my card, 1 suppose,
and the note?" said Tom, after a pause
of establishment.
eyes, sir! directly he came in," said
the servent.
''This is most extraordinary. Just 90
up to your master again, my girl, and
repeat what l have told you. You might
also ask him if he would kindly let me
know the contents of the note [ deliv-
cred" he added,.as an aforethought.
Before Tom had time to collect his
scattered ideas, the servant came back
again, looking rather scared, with an
envelope in her hand, which he recog-
nized as the note he had brought the
day before.
''Master has forbidden me to come
near him again." said the servant, lay
ing the note on the table. '.He is in a
dreadful passion. He says its a cock
and-bull story, but you're welcome to
ga Ock-and-bun story is ftp. provided