The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1892-12-23

ny now 10 DO u maCter OF just precisely
Just exactly"-and here he paused
and stumbled-"of just exactly forty
pounds" This last he raped out with
sidelong glance over his shoulder, and
the next moment added, almost with
scream, "Scotsr'
The pound Scots being the same thing
as an English shilling, the difference
made by this second thought was con-
siderable. I could see besides that the
whole story was lie, invented with
some end which it puzzled me to guess,
and made no attempt to conceal the
tone of raillery in which answered:
"Oh, think again, sir! Pounds ster-
ling, believed"
"That's what 1 said," returned my
uncle; pounds sterling! And if you'll
step out by to the door minute, just to
see what kind of night it is, I'll get it
out to We and call We in again"
Ibid his will, smiling to myself in my
contempt that he should think was so
easily to be deceived. 1t was q dark
night, with q few stars low down, and
as | stood just outside the door 1 heard
hollow moaning of wind far off among
the hills. / said to myself there was
something thundery and changeful in
the weather, and little knew OF what o
vast Importance that should prove to
me before the evening passed.
When was called in again my uncle
counted out into my hand seven and
thirty golden guinea pieces; the rest was
in his hand in small gold and silver;
but his heart failed him there, and he
crammed the change into his pocket.
"There," said he, "that'll show you!
I'm queer man, and strange wi stran-
gers; but my word is my bond, and
there's the proof of it,"
Now my uncle seemed so misery that
l was struck dumb by this sudden gen.
crosby, and could find no words in which
to thank him.
"No wordr' said he. "Nae thanks;
want nae thanks. do my duty; I'm
no saying that everybody would have
done it; but for my part Though I'm
careful body, too) it's pleasure to me
to do the right by my brothers son, and
it's pleasure to me to think that now
we'll can agree as such near friends
should"
spoke to him in return as handsome
| ly as l was able, but all the while L was
wondering what would come next and
why he had parted with his precious
guineas, for as to the reason he had
given baby would have refused it.
Presently he looked toward me side
ways.
| "And see here" says he, "tit for tat"
told him was ready to prove my
gratitude in any reasonable degree, and
then waited, looking for some monstrous
| demand. And yet, when at last he
| plucked up courage to speak, it was only
to tell me very properly, as thought
that he was growing old and little
broken, and that he would expect me to
help him with the house and the bit gar
| den.
ANSWERED and expressed my readiness
| to serve.
"Well," he said, "let's begin" He
pulled out of his pocket rusty key.
There" says he, "there's the key of
the stair tower at the far end of the
house. Ye can only win into it from
the outside, for that part of the house is
no finished. Gang We. in there, and up
the stairs, and bring me down the chest
that's at the top. There's papers init"
he added.
"Can have light, sir?" said 1.
Mae said he very cunningly. "Nae
lights in my house."
Every well, sir" said I. "Are the
stairs good?'
"They're grand" said he; and then as
I was going, "Keep to the WALL" he
added, "there's nae banisters. But the
stairs are grand underfoot."
I Out went into the night. The wind
was still moaning in the distance, though
never breath of it came near the house
of Shaws. It had fallen blacker than
ever, and was glad to feel along the
wall till came the length of the stair
tower at the far end of the unfinished
wing. 1 had got the key into the key.
hole and had just turned it when all
upon sudden, without sound of wind
or thunder, the whole sky was lighted
up with wild fire and went black again
had to put my hand over my eyes to
| BCO DttCh W IllC COlOl VI bllO udl hLCoo
and indeed was already half blinded
when 1 stepped into the tower.
The house of Shaws stood some five
full stories high, not counting lofts
Well, as I advanced, it seemed to me
the stair grew airier and thought more
lightsome, and was wondering what
might be the cause of this change, wher
second blink of the summer lightning
came and went. If l did not cry out II
was because fear had me by the throat
and if l did not fall it was more by
heavens mercy than my own strength
1t was not only that the flash shone in
on every side through breaches in the
wall, so that 1 seemed to be clambering
aloft upon an open scaffold, but the same
passing brightness showed me the steps
were of unequal length, and that one OF
my feet rested that moment within two
inches of the well.
This was the grand stair! l thought
and with the thought gust of kind Of
angry courage came into my heart. Ny