The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-04-14
CHAPTER IL

full in that moment the wonderful re-
| lief that comes from the fact of COM
partnership in serious trouble.
"For Gods sake, sir, he cried. help
me in, somewhere, out of this horrible
storm! You're stranger to me, but
if you'll get me shelter right Oft l
won't mind giving you-giving you--
| The offer came hard, even at such
time of sore need, for the speaker
loved money better than anything IN
the world; but with an effort he said
"Pll give you five dollars"
Another flash of lightning briefly
disclosed the men to each other 1t
was youth of about twenty who
shouted back against the roaring wind:
who are you, and where are you
bound?"
The explanation was given in few
words.
"Well," reioined the youth, you
can't get to the village in this
storm. / was On my way over to Tom
Bryson's when it broke out. That's
the nearest house to us now and |
guess I'll take you there. Let me
carry your sachel, sir
Mr.. Belmont refused to let go of his
charge, but took the offered arm, and
the two slowly wendell their way along
in the darkness and the storm. In the
brief conversation that was possible,
the traveller learned that his companion
was named Edgar Van Wyck, and that
he was the only child of widow living
a short distance away on cross-road.
Presently the two turned from the
highway into a wide lane, and followed
it some distance The lane led through
thick patch of woods, which entirely
hid the house they were approaching
from the road. AS they cleared this
wood, they found that the fury of the
storm was over. The wind rapidly
went down, the rain ceased, and almost
as it had arisen the tempest was stilled.
The guide at last paused before
house. "This is the place." he said.
The light was ample, now, to permit
an examination of the exterior of the
building. 1t was a two-story frame
house of considerable size, standing
broadside to the lane. In past years
the lane had been pleasant drive
through the wood. Occupied once by
some wealthy proprietor, the house
had, through misfortune or other
change, been let for some years. It's
occupants had almost ruined it, and it
had been long since repairs were made.
There was no trace of paint outside,
many panes OF glass were missing, and
at least one whole sash was broken in;
a chimney had fallen, leaving but
few ragged bricks above the roof, in
one end of which was large hole. 1t
was evidently the home of poverty; it
did not strikingly indicate hospitality.
This is theplace," Edgar Van Wyck
repeated.
well, let US go in, then"
The youth hesitated
What's the NATTER" Mr.. Belmont
sharply asked. Il hope you haven't
brought ne here on FOOLS Grand"
you can go in here, sir or I'll show
you the way to the village"
How far is it?"
Something more than q mile"
I'm wet as a drowned rat, and all
tired ont, body and mind, with expos
ure. If [ don't get myself dried right
away, one of my rheumatic attacks will
lay me up for a month among you
Doors about here; then goodby to the
object of my journey. Why did you
/ uuuSLldh6 W Seb me SuelteT II you
did not mean to keep your word?"
L have kept 1t. sir. You can go
right in here. I'll come over in the
morning in good season to show you
the way to the village, in time for the
coach. The fact is, sir, Tom is pc
culiar; some folks think his head isn't
right. He don't like the people about
here any better than they like him
Pm no favorite with him, though T
come over sometimes. You'll get bet
/ ter reception from him by going alone
than you would if [ went in with you"
Mr.. Belmont was greatly dissatisfied
with this state of affairs, and urged his
/ guide to remain.
"You must help me to get in," he re-
monstrated. Wasn't you coming here
when you found me?"
/ My business will keep till morning."
replied the youth, with laugh. I'm
as wet as you are, and in no shape to
make calls. Good-by. till morning."
! He was gone with the words. Grum-
bling to himself, the traveller went up
to the door-not the large door that
/ was midway of the front of the house,
I for all the windows about it were dark
/ but to small door near the end, the
windows about which were lighted.
! He gave loud knock.