The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1888-10-25
CHAPTER Xxx.
THE DEBTORS RETURN.


brother constable. Number Two was
much more civil person in speech and man
ner than Number One; in fact, he speedily
made himself so agreeable to the housemaid
that she brought him a cup Of coffee, and
looked admiringly while he swallowed. By
the time Mrs Norcross and Irene came down
to breakfast, he had established an intimacy
with Biddy that was quite charming to look
upon. One would have thought he was an
old friend Of the household favored crony:
such an easy, familiar air he assumed. He
accosted the ladies with great gallantry-as-
sured them that they were looking finely
hoped they had passed a pleasant night, and
that Number One had given them no unnec-
essary inconvenience. Irene met him with a
naughty stare which nobody but woman Of
fashion can assume.
George, meanwhile, had risen and dressed,
and came out; spectacle, indeed,-a walk.
ing sermon on the perils that may follow
what are termed "good times" His face
would have been pale, except that his nose,
which was as puffy as an omelette souff1ee,
and his left eye with dropping lid sustained
by a livid crescent, gave it a rubicund ex-
preston His knees were shaky, his pulse
feeble, and his head top-heavy. He declined
assistance rather sulkily, and descended hold.
ing by the stair-rail and stepping gingerly.
Before the repentant owner of the puffy
nose and purple eylid had finished his soil
tary breakfast, Mr.. Norcross came home.
He had obtained bail and was at large.
Looking hastily into the parlor he saw a
stranger, with his hat jauntily on one side,
seated in damask-covered chair, with his
feet on an embroidered ottoman, turning
over bound collection of sea-mosses, and
Irene's guitar lying across his lap. He was
dumb with establishment. Polite Number
Two did not leave him to burst in ignorance
Gall right Mr.. Norcross, I suppose. An
'tachment put on, and I'm keeper. Sorry to
disturb family. But somebody has to. Can
l do anything to obleege you?"
eyes, by laying down that book which you
are spelling. And you may take your greasy
boots off that worsted-work, and put the
stopper into that Bohemian-glass BOTTLE"
"Beg your pardon, sir. Didn't intend to
make trouble. Boots has to be creased. YOU
know, else they crack all out an don't last
no time; mine do. This ERE cologne is nice,
to be sure. jest poured out bit on my
pocket handkerchief"
"Cologne It's altar of roses; and you've
spoiled more than your neck is worth-taking
yourself at your own valuation"
"Why, you don't say this is high-cost? It
does smell good, though, hal"
As he started to go up stairs, Mr.. Norcross
saw the linen caTpet-cover spattered with
frequent drops Of blood. He called aloud to
his sister
"Irene! are you there? alive? What's the
meaning of this bloods Who has been muir
dered? Or is this turned into butcher.
shopw
Irene and her sister-in-law descended. and
hurriedly explained the mystery. While
they were standing at the head of the stairs.
George made his appearance, and received
such congratulations from his brother as
might be expected. He vouchsafed no reply,
but went into the room where he had slept to
get some article he had left. A sudden
thought struck Mr.. Norcross. He followed
George into the room, and in moment after
returned, but SO changed! Imagine Cap.
tain Absolute at the duelling- ground turned in
a twinkling into Bob Acres, Lucy Bertram
putting on the frenzied look of Mag Mer-
rifles, or the even-tempered Gratiano meta
morphosed into the rror-stricken, despair
ing Shylock at the moment he hears his sen.
tence, and you have some notion of the ex.
preston which Norcross' face wore. His
eyes were fixed like baleful lights in bag.
| gard corpse-like countenance His hair was
disordered. He clutched his cravat as though
suffocating. His voice was gone: he wins
pered feebly, like one of Ossian's ghosts
"Gone! gone! Who has it2 Irene, Gather
inc, Georgel Who's got its Quick! The
money! Gomez
He rushed into the room again, deaf to any
reply. He got upon his lhands and knees.
looked under the bed, the wardrobe the
dressing-case, the chairs, muttering all the
while with voice like dying mans He
rose up, staggering, and seized Irene by the
arm, who trembled with terror at his f.
rocity.
"The money! Give me the money! You've
got it! You know you have! Give it to rue!
Give"
! "Pray be calm," said Mrs. Norcross, "you
shall know all about it.
"Idon't want to know, y he almost screamed.
II want the money, the money!"
| Then dropping his voice to lower key,
and with a tone which was meant to be
wedding, he turned to his sister-in-law-
"Yon've got it, then9 How you frightened
me! Come, dear sister! don't tri1e with me.
I'm poor, very poor, and the little sum seems
large. Give it to me. Let me see that it is
safe. Dear sisterp
II haven't it." said Mrs. Norcross aBut
compose yourself. You shall know about
it.n
| He cried audibly, like sickly child.
at isn't gomez No, you play upon my fears.
| Where is the pocket bookw
GLOW are you ever going to know, if you
won't hearp asked Irene. IT wouldn't be SO
humanity as to whine so even about a mil
lion"
mo, you think money is as plenty DIS but
tons Wait till you starve-sTARvE-till you
beg on a street crossing"
"Listen," said Mrs. Norcross
"Dos and stop your grooming like mad
man." said Irene, consolingly. "When
George met with his mishap and fell sense,
less, we asked the officer to carry him DIP.
stairs. Rather than go up another flight, we
had him taken into your chamber Your
dressing case lay on the table, in the middle
Of the room away from its usual place by the
mirror. The officer at once seized and
opened it. You had carelessly left your
money in it. He was evidently informed OF
the fact that you had money, and was di.
rected to attach it. He counted the package
before me, and then put it into hisspocket."
During this recital Mr.. Norcross' breath