The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-06-10
NEEDHAM'S FAILURE
By JOSEPH HATTON.
.Author of "Ths Queen of Bohemia" "1ha
Three Recruits" Etc.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE WOLF IN sHEEP's CLOTHING

Needham, having ring the door-oeu' en-
tered the hall. :,
1.-THE trains alter their times on Sund ay,'
said Needham, ''and had to walk seVeral
miles before could get cab
'sYes, sir, that's the worst Of Sunday
travelling"
bar closeda" asked Needham, sitting in
the porter's chair.
YES sir; but they leaves me out soms
whisky and brandy aud soda; which wil
you TAXA sirf'
"Soda and brandy"
eyes, sir"
The porter foraged about in mysterious
corner aud produced the liquor. Needham
drank it OFF at draught.
II was very thirsty" he said; "can you
give me another7"
ayes, sir"
And pair Of slippersl7
sThsre they are, sir" said the porter,
placing bootjack and pair OF clippers at
the guests feet, and then proceeding to
open another bottle Of soda.
Needham dragged of his boot with some
difficulty, and tho porter assisted him to put
on the slippers.
'sAny cigersF'
eyes, sir.n
'sNever mind; think have ona"
He pulled out Joseph Norbury's cigar
case, took out cigar and lai1 the case on
the shelf Of the bar window. 1t was
rather showiy embroidered Casa present
from his sister. He hoped the porter would
recognize it.
The porter gave him a light and then
handed him the case.
"a pretty thing, is it not!" said Needham.
That's just what was a-thinking, sir"
"a present from my sister,"
Eyes, sir, and it's very becoming, snowy,
but not gaudy, as they says"
Needham drank his second brandy with
only very small quantity of soda, and
then asked for candle.
Taking it from thu porter he hesitated,
and then said: II always forget my mum.
Der; will you not show me the way?"
'Oh yes, sir, with pleasure; let me see
now, what is the number; sitting AMI bed
room, amt it9'
Needbam did not answer; he was busy re-
lighting his cigar.
You come in Thursday nights Midland,
of course; I remember the overcoat, OF
course, Mr.. Norbury, No. IS, seeing you in
evening dress didn't strike me, and you
speaks little different; got cold that's
what you We got, sir; walkin' in the wet,
stupid Of me to forget, and prides myself
in my memory for customers, you goes TO
Liverpool tomorrow morning, of course,
henroot for America, beg your pardon. sir,
I'm sure"
Don't mention it," said Needham, fol-
lowing the porter, who led the way up two
flights Of stairs and along winding pas.
sage, to what seemed to be the back part OF
the house.
Then pausing the porter turned the
handle of the door.
Locked, sir.''
There's the key" said Needham; lis it
unusual to lock ones oor?'
ifYes, sir; if gentlemen have any va1u-
ables they generally leaves 'em at the
barr
The porter unlocked the door; Needham
followed aim into the room.
Have you no more candles"
"Oh yes, sir; there's two on the dressing
table"
s'Light them."
Yes, sir"
Amy moreW
Candles, sir!'
Yes"
There's two on the sitting room mantel."
he opened another door, and went into
the sitting room.
"Light them"
eyes, SIR"
II have some writing to do before going
to bed"
Yes, sir, what time will you be called,
Sr1'
my train goes at ten, thinkl'
"Euston for Liverpool' Yes; sir"
Call me at seven."
eyes sir.n
do GU get The Observer herer'
1.-THE what, sir9"
''Tbe Observer newspaper"
''The Sunday papsr9 Yes, sir"
'tIshall want something to read in the
train. There's five shillings; get me all.
the different papers you can that come out
on Sundays. Let me have them when I
am called. Shall you call meF'
"Yes, sir. Igoes off at eight"
That's all right"
"Thankee. sir Good night, sir"
"At lastr' Needham exclaimed, finging
himself upon a couch, "at last!'
He spoke no more, nor spoke for long
time, but fell into a profound sleep-slept
as quietly as an innocent, good man is sup
posed to sleep. He wss physically tagged
and worn out, and nature would no longer
be denied.
The candles were nearly burned out when
he awoke. He rubbed his eyes and looked
around him. Then he got up and shivered.
The sunlight was struggling through the
Witty brown blinds. He walked across the
room, drew the blind aside, and peerei
out.
eyes, have been to Sleep" he said; ut
is no dream, have done it all-all What
energyl And I thought I could only lie
down and die. What crime! thought
had waded in it already to my very ips"
He looked at his watch
-Four o'clock-morning. They used to
talk of Covent Garden as q sight to see at
four o'clock, the country folk-Covent
Garden and Billingsgate"
He drew up the blind, and, standing back
from the window, contemplated the scene.
But it is Sunday he said, land all is
quiet-awfully quiet, as if every body had
gone to Hampstead Heath to see the work
roip