Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-02-04

errand he rudely interrupted her. 'sShow
me your CIPHER" he said; Il don't promise
to study it unless find it worth my while"
Mrs. WeSterfeld was alarmed. do you
mean that you want large sum of money?'
she asked.
Il mean that l don't waste my time on
easy cipherS invented by fools"
She laid the slip Of paper on his desk.
"Waste your time on that" she said, sar-
casticaIly, s'and see how you like it,
He examined it-frst with his bleared red
trimmed eyes; then with magnifying glass.
The only expression of opinion that escaped
him was indicated by his actions. He shut
up his book and gloated over the signs and
characters before him. On sudden he look
ed at Mrs. Westerfeld. "How did you come
by this?' he asked.
That's no business of yours"
''In other words, you have reasons of your
own for not answering my question:
eyes"
Drawing his own differences from that re-
ply he showed his three last-left yellow teeth
in hOrrid grin. Il underestimate he said,
speaking to himself. He looked at the CT
pher once more, and put another question:
''HaYe you got a copy of this?"
1t had not occurred to her to take a copy.
He rose and pointed to his empty chair. His
opinion Of the cipher was, to all appearance,
forced to express itself by the discovery that
there was no copy.
'Do you know what might happen?" he
asked. THE only cipher that has puzzled
me for the last ten years might be lost-Cr
stolen-Or burnt if there was a fire in the
house. You deserve to be punished for your
carelessness. Make the copy yourself"
This desirable suggestion (uncivilly as it
was expressed) had its effect upon Mrs.
Westerfeld Her marriage depended on that
precious slip of paper. She was confirmed
in her opinion that this very disagreeable
man might nevertheless be a man to be trust
ed.
Shall you be long in finding out what it
means?" she asked, when her task was COM
pieted.
He carefully compared the copy with the
original, and then he replied:
days may pass before I can find clew.
I won't attempt it unless you give me o
week."
She pleaded for a shorter interval. He
coolly handed back her papers-the original
and the copy.
''Try somebody else," he suggested-and
opened his book again. Mrs. Westerfeld
, W
granting him the week of delay she APP
preached the subject Of his fee for the second
time. Chow much will it cost me?" she in
quired.
''Ill tell you when I've done"
''That won't do! l must know the amount
first"
He handed her back her papers for the sec
ond time. Mrs. Westerfeld'S experience OF
poverty had never been the experience of
such independence as this. In her beWilder-
ment she yielded again. He took back the
original cipher and locked it up in his desk.
"CaIl here this day week." he said-and re-
turned to his book.
''You are not very polite" she told him. on
leaving the room.
cat any rate,' he answered, 81 don't in
terrupt people when they are reading"
The week passed.
Repeating her visit Mrs. WeSterfield found
him still seated at his desk, still surrounded
by his books, still careless of the polite atten-
tons that he owed to lady.
"Well," she asked, ''have you earned your
money?'
IT have found the clew''
"What is it?'' she burst out. Tell me the
substance. | can't wait to read"
He went on impenetrably with what he
had to say. 'But there are some minor COM
binations which have still to discover to my
own satisfaction. want few days more"
She positively refused to comply with this
request. ''Write down the substance of it."
she repeated, land tell me what owe you"
He handed her back her cipher for the
third time.
The woman who could have kept her tenn
per under such pToYOcation as this, may be
found when the mathematician is found who
can square the circle or the inventor who can
discover perpetual motion. With furious
look Mrs. Westerfeld. expressed her opinion
of the philosopher in two words: you
brute!' She failed to produce the slightest
impression on him.
MY work. he proceeded, Unjust be we'll
done, OF not done at all. This is Saturday
18th Of the month. We will say the evening
of Wednesday next"
Mrs. Westerfeld sufficiently controlled her
self to be able to review her engagements for
the coming week. On Thursday the delay
exacted by the marriage license would eX-
plre, and the wedding might take place. On
Friday the express train conveyed passengers
to Liverpool to be in time for the departure
of the steamer for New York on Saturday
morning. Having made these calculations
she asked, with sulky submission, if she was
expected to call again on the Wednesday
evening.
mo. Leave me your name and address.
I will send you the cipher, Interpreted, at
O'clock"
Mrs. Westerfeld laid one of her visiting
cards on his desk, and left him.
S.-Ihe Diamonds.
The new week was essentially a week of
events.
On the Monday morning Mrs Westerfeld
and her faithful James had their first quarrel.
She took the liberty Of reminding him that
it was time to give notice of the marriage at
the church, and to secure berths in the steam
er for herself and her son. Instead of an
swer1ng one way or another James asked
how the expert was getting on.
HAS your old man found out where the
diamonds are?"
Not yet"
'Then We'll wait till he does..'
do you believe my word?'' Mrs. Wester-
field asked CURLY.
James Bellbridge answered, with Roman
breyity mo"