The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-07-01
-zonnds, this is pos,,1ve!v susfocaud

POUNDS! this is positively suffocaung,
cried Marlowe, in rage. ~Creak, what
a superlatively mean brute you are! IT
you'll but throw away that pipe you can
send Mrs. Beane across the way for what
you like
! other, carefully putting away the pipe,
but opening the window shutters to let
in the fresh air. Il gave Mrs. Beane per-
mission to 60 out this evening but that
! wont prevent my running over the way
nyself and telling Miss Winford what is
wanting. Hello! But can't 60 yet,
either. Bless me, hew It does blow and
rain!"
1T is wild night. sure enough" said
Mariowe, Also going 10 the window. De
you consider it lucky or unlucky fol
Wormer'e enterprise?"
Couldn't be luckier," said Croak
Jasper will not fail to keep his ap.
pointment with the boy, down among
the cliffs, in spite of the weather, and this
storm will facilitate Wormer's plan fol
coming OF him unswares in some lonely
spot. ,
And Wormerhas provided himself with
An able assistant, you say?'
with most likely young ruffisn, he
informed me-some sort OF footpad who
was only released from prison week
ago, and is consequently half-starved and
desperate. Never fear, Gilbert; l feel
certain that this venture will bring your
missing paper back again"
The fates grant that it m ~" exclaimed
Marlowe, with a groan. This anxiety is
wearing me out--1 feel that I am growing
old under it. All, if but have that ac-
cursed seH-accusirg bit ct writing once
more within my grasp, what short work =!
will make of my cousin Jasper! BY all
the furiesl If"
Flush Footsteps are coming down
the street on the rum" interrupted
| Croak, craning his neck out into the
rain. 1Ha, here he is! Here he is once
pere!"
AS he finished speak ing, mufled fig.
ure, bowing its head against the fierce
wind and rain, threw open the garden
gate, and came rushing up to the house.
Open the doori let me in, quick!'
cried Normer, in hoarse voice, for il
was be.
Dripping wet. and looking wild and
furied, with his coarse Disgusting cos.
tune in great disorder, he was quickly
admitted. Then, finging a stout staff
he carried into one corner, he glared at
them, and, without saying word,
helped himself to great drink from the
bottle.
Speak, mani What's come over you?"
cried Croak. You're white as a sheetl
You haven't committed murder, hope"
The paper? The missing paper?" ex-
claimed Marlowe. That is the only
thing worth considering! Have you got
the pdper7"
Wormer shrugged his shoulders,
seemed to recover his self-eontrol, and,
bursting into coarse laugh, he threw
himself into chair. eying them both in
quisitively.
-What am going to get for this sort
Of business, anyway" said he. with an
oath. Il haven't seen the color of any
ones money SO far and I'm getting sick
You know you've been promised five
hundred pounds in case you bring me-
back the missing document, you rascal!
exclaimed the banker in rage. Speak
out! What have you accomplisheds"
Suppose you shell out hundred on
account, before I give myself quite
away" was tho reply, accompanied by
knowing and secretive smile. MY u.s.
sistant in to-night's affair is off to his
den, with O bullet-scatch in his leg, and
will be apt to grow surly without soft
ener.
"A hundred pounds! Do you think
carry my capital stock in my pocket
book?"
Il feel certain that you have got now
the amount named, Notwithstanding.
Marlowe made an angry gesture, and
still hesitated; but after exchanging
glance with Croak, he reluctantly pro-
duceu his pocketbook and counted cut OF
it some notes, which he handed to Worm.
or with trembling hand.
There, curse your disrespectful greedi.
ness!' he growled.
1T is correct-it is the amount named
said Wormer, examining and securing
the money in business-like manner;
after which he threw of moleskin cap
which he had not till then seen fit to re.
move, and quietly helped himself to the
brandy again.
Come, come; let US have the result,
my boy!' said Croak. himself beginning
to lose patience. 1t really hasn't been
murder, hope?"
The paper, tn ,t's what I want-ths
missing paper! cried the banker, pranc.
ing restlessly around the room in his ex.
citeGent.
"Ah, the papor to be sure? Well.
only hope you may get it. that's all,
said WolmeI, coolly; and then, after 0
pause, which he seemed to enjoy. he
added, deliberately, 1T isn't Iuite
murder yet, and it isn't quite the paper,
either. The job has missed fire"
But the banker took his disappoiut.
mont in q very different spirit.
'IJu internal, treacherous. swindlins
scoundrel!" he exclaimed, rushing upon
Woruer, and seizing him by the throat.
Dog of lawyers rat. Would you trife
with me-would you cut my purse? Curse
you! I'll shake your bones out OF your
skin!"
As if to suit the action to the threat,
he tore him from his chair, and was ad.
tainistering to him q most tremendous
shaking, when the lawyer interfered, and
at last, by dint of persuasion, brought
about q cessation rf hostilitieS.
Then Mr.. MarlCwe sank back into q
seat, pale, breathing hard, and almost
exhausted with tho excess Of his own
fury.
As :eor Wormcr, instead of appearing
much the worse for this shaking-up, be
resumed his seat with an unrufled smile.
Why, I'm used to that sort OF thing,
old mani" said he, in an easy y-going, ex.
planatory way. And it has always paid
me in the long run. You shook me up
gust five times-fve times precisely-and
it is going to cost you just one hundred
pounds per shake. So we'll call it an
nine hundred pounds that you still owe
me-