The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-07

IA despatch box" he remarked, turning to a
travelling case upon chest of drawers; ''very
like my own, and with my initials on the lid
Strangel Have really some work to do in the
world yet, that the other couldn't do2 Or is this
only smoothing my way to perdition9 But a
truce to philosophizing No more theorizing,
John-I mean Joseph-we must be practical
now-and cunning, devilish cunning"
He turned over the papers.
.'Ah! Mr.. John Needham's letters of intro
duction! Wonder if should keep thema Yes.
He may have shown them to his solicitor, the
family lawyer who arrived so OPPORTUNITY on
Saturday. Saturday! Last nights Why, i,
seems an age! Ali! letters of credit, $4,000
good! Portraits! My wifel Yes, no doubt
Ny sister, Of course. And her lovera Ger
tainly cheque book! What's this-a mem
orandum on the cover "f3O0 bank notes, in
charge of landlord" and the date-yesterday
Good. Shall have to sign my namea Let me
see"
He took up the letters Of credit, went to q
writing table, upon which there were pens ink
and paper. and an ornamental pad with j. N
worked upon the corner
IAN easy signature" he said, sitting down. "a
have found much more difficult ones easy before
now oseph bury"
He wrote each letter carefully and slowly.
my hand trembles, ehs Not is the position
of the elbow"
Then he rested the whole of his arm upon the
table and began afresh
''Yes that is better"
He tried again and again, writing the name
more quickly each time, and at last dashing it OIL
easily.
THAT will do"
Then he tore up his failures, and leaving his
last effort upon the table, went to the fireplace,
removed the paper ornament, tried the dampel
to see if it was down, found it up, and lighting
the bits of paper watched them blaze. Next he
took off his coat and washed and shaved him
self.
my travelling clothes are laid out ready"
Then he repeated Laid out" and paused tc
say "a grim phrase"
He changed his dress clothes, packed them
away. examined the dispatch box thoroughly
investigated the dressing case, which contained
several rings, few sovereigns, some silver, and
a miniature portrait of a lady in locket and a
letter bearing yesterdays London post-mark
who is this froms Ny sister? Yes-Kate
Norbury. He read as follows:
My Dear Joe-Good-bye again my dear. 1t is
| already very, very lonely without you, but car
will be the looking forward to your coming back, and
that will make the time fly. And you will take great
care of yourself won't you; if ever you are tempted
to any risks think of me, and Aunt Dorothy ano
Dick, and always remember that thinking OF
you. Aunt Dorothy arrived two hours ago and is
full of good spirits and she insists that Dick is te
come and spend Saturday and Sunday, usual,
thereby / am writing to him to say that Aunt
Dorothy insists, and that he can come if he
likes Dou know Joe, my dear think 1h Dick is a,
woman you know and you are not and if you were
should be jealous of you for if don't tell Dick that
love him very much there is harm in my telling
you is therel Because you know what love is, and
you know how much love you so much that would
never marry Dick without your consent, though Aun:
Dorothy says that is nonsense but she is very much
prejudced in my favor. The greyhounds missed you
yesterday and the old cob seemed to ask for you when
gave him some oats and in the village they al
talking of you and wishing you good voyage and
safe return. shall expect to hear from you in the
morning and you will send me Geographic message
from Liverpool won't yous Take care OF yourself,
and write to me the moment you arrive, and always
feel that are in all our thoughts and especially in
mine
your most loving and afectionate sister,
"Ah, he said, bordering the character of the
writing "she is woman of more determination
than her brother she writes a frmer hand,
makes no fiourishes; it is a pretty style, too,
jaunty; wonder what he said in reply2 Wonder
what he wrote in the letter that probably crossed
this? Did he mention me? And if so, how!
Did he say was like him in appearance, or he
like me9"
He waited to be called, pretended he was in
bed when the porter knocked, told him to leave
the hot water and his boots at the door.
"And the noosepapers," said the porter, 'two,
SIR
"All right" said Needham, and as he quietly
unlocked the door when the porter had gone
| away, he said to himself, Newspapers, indeed
Not if / know it. If discovery is possible they
will never get my head into a noose"
He locked the door and eagerly scanned the
two papers. They contained no reference to last
nights dark work. One of them had an on dit
respecting his coming financial fall; but that did
not disturb him.
By half-past 9 o'clock he had breakfasted,
paid his bill, received the parcel of money that
had been deposited at the bar, and was being
driven to Euston, the sun shining on him as
freely as if he we're not the least saint-like of
the thousands of worshipers for whose behoof
many church bells were already beginning to
chime for Sabbath rites and sermons