Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-09-27

piece of newspaper around it and
slipped it into my overcoat pocket.
l did not feel quite easy to have so
much money about me; but as
Winston's house was at least a mile
distant, concluced to keep it until
morning, when | could deposit it
In the bank.
closed the damper again, drew
on my gloves, took the Office key
from the nail just over the door,
and stepped up to put out the light.
AS | did so, | saw bit of paper on
the floor, which on picking up l
saw was the receipt | wrote for Mr..
Anderson. He had dropped it in
his hurry. I'put it in my pocket
and thought no more about it, only
that l would mail it to him. |
would have done it then, but as the
last mail for that day had gone out
on the train which took Mr.. Ander-
son, | could do it just as well in the
morning. Then, too, | was in
something of hurry that night,
for had an appointment, and !
may as well state here that it was
with young lady who ! hoped
would be my wife before many
months.
| FASTENED to my clearinghouse,
ate my supper, and then went over
to Mr.. Warmers, wearing the coat
with the money in it, as | did not
feel easy about leaving it in my
room. Carrie was at home as she
was expecting me, and leaving my
hat and coat in the hall, l went
into the parlor. | do not think a
repetition of our conversation would
be very interesting, SO l will pass it
over, merely remarking that moth
ing occurred to disturb me, until |
rose to take my leave.
Carrie went into the hall for my
coat and hat, that ! might put
them on by the fire; but she came
back with only my hat.
"Why, Fred, you certainly did
not venture out on such a night as
this without an overcoat?"
mo cOatw | exclaimed, in a
dazed sort of way; for the though
of the money flashed upon me so
suddenly that it almost stunned
me.
The next moment | tore past her
like mailman, as was. The coat
was gone!
Then | was unnerved. | grasp
ed at the stair-rail, and caught it just
in time to support myself. Carrie
came running out, her face pale
with alarm.
"Oh, Fred! are you i'll? Let lie
call mother and the Doctor! You
are as white as sheet"
mo, no, Carrie" | entreated.
There, | am better now"
! And | was better. | was strong,
all at once-desperately strong.
And what brought about this
change? That simple receipt which
I had in my pocket. Anderson
had nothing to show that the
money had been paid; and was not
my unaided word as good as his?
was foolish enough to believe
that | could brave it through, and I
grew confident and quite easy at
once.
"There, Carrie, l am much better
now. The room was too warm,
guess. So some sneaking thief has
lodged in and stolen my coat ?
Well, let it 60. 1t was an old one,
and now I'll have better one."
But was there nothing in the
pockets?" asked Carrie.
1t is strange how suspicious
guilt will makeu Ireally thought
Carrie suspected me, and an angry
reply was on the end of my tongue.
l suppressed it and uttered a false
hood instead.
Nothing Of consequence, Carrie.
A good pair of gloves and some
other trifling notions"
81 am glad it is not worse, Fred.
Now, if you will wait just a mo-
ment, | will get you one Of fathers
coats to wear home"
Thus equipped, left her. You
may guess that my slumbers that
night were not very sound, nor
very refreshing. never passed a
more miserable night, and in the
morning my haggard looks were
the subject of remark.
"Why, Fred, you look as though
you met legion Of ghosts last
night" said Winston. "What is
the matter?"
III had bad night of it," | an
swered, with silly smile.
| ~ nj ,,o,,,lI bo,,c ,,otLo~:e .o.,,--