St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-07-08

| answered promptly, for l had struck
the balance not more than half an houl
before.
"Eleven thousand seven hundred anC
fifty dollars and twenty three cents"
"Humph! Less than I supposed
Write me out a receipt for that amount. ,
He left the stove and came and locked
over my shoulder while wrote.
cit is all right. Mr.. Putnam. I know
you now. You've been with Winston g
long time. l can tell your signature
anywhere"
He drew from IN inside pocket large
black wallet, very round and full, and
counting out eleven different piles OF
banknotes, he told me to count them It
was short and easy task, for each pile
contained just one hundred bills. The
balance was in fives, twenties, and took
more time to count them; but at last we
got it so that both were satisfied.
AT this moment we heard the whistle
from the station. Anderson sprang for
his traveling-bag, and giving me hasty
hand-shake, was off on the run. closed
the door and counted the money again.
Finding it all right, wrapped piece of
newspaper around it and slipped it into
MY overcoat pocket. I did not feel quite
easy to have so much money about me
but as Winston's house was at least a
mile distant, concluded to keep it until
morning, when l could deposit it in the
bank.
1closed 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 I saw a
bit of paper on the floor, which, on
picking up, saw was the receip pit wrote
for Mr.. Anderson. He had dropped it
In his hurry. putt in my pocket, and
thought no more about it; only that I
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.. Anderson, could do it just as we'll
| in the morning. Then, too, I was in
something of hurry that night, for l
had an appointment; and I may as we'll
state here that it was with a young lady
who hoped would be my wife before
many months.
l fastened to my boarding house, 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, of course, as she was expecting
me, and, leaving my hat and coat in the
hall, went into the parlor. do not
think repetition of our conversation
would be very interesting, so I will pass
1t over, merely remarking that nothing
occurred to disturb me until I rose to
take my leave.
Carrie went into the hall for my coat
and hat, that might put them on by the
warm fire; but she came back with only
my hat.
"Why, Fred, you certainly did not
venture out on such night as this with
out an overcoat?"
Ono coatw exclaimed, in a dazed
sort of way for the thought of the money
flashed upon me so suddenly that it
almost stunned me-
The next moment tore past her like
a mailman, as | was. The coat was
gone!
Then l was unnerved. l grasped 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 ill Let me call
mother and the doctor! You are as
white as sheet"
"No, no, Carried" Ientreatcd. "There,
l am better now"
And was better. was strong, all at
once-desperately strong. And what
brought about this change? That SIM
pie receipt which l had in nv pocket.
Anderson had nothing to show that
the money had not been paid; and
was not my unaided word as good as
his?
l was foolish enough to believe that l
could brave it through, and l grew conf
dent and quite easy at once
''Iherc, Carrie, am much better now.
The room was too warm, | guess. So
some sneaking thief has lodged in and |
stolen my coat? Well, let it go. 1t was
an old one, and now I'll have better
one"
"But was there nothing in the peck
cts !" asked Carrie.
1t is strange how suspicious guilt will
make us. l really thought Carrie sus
pected me. and an angry reply was
on the end of my tongue. | suppressed
it, however, and uttered a falsehood in
stead
Nothing of consequence, Carrie. A
good pair of gloves and some other tri-
fling notions"
II am glad it is not worse. Fred.
Now, if you will wait a moment, will
get you one of fathers coats to wear
home"
Thus equipped, I left her. You may
guess that my slumbers that night were
not very sound, nor very refreshing. l
never passed more miserable night, and
IN the morning my haggard looks were
The subject of remark.
"Why, Fred, you look as though YOU
net legion of ghosts last night" said
Winston. ''What is the mattcr?'
II had bad night of it." l answered
with sickly SMILE
Sand you'll have another if you're not
careful; you had better keep quiet to-
lay: By the way, did you write to
Anderson ?"
I do not know how I managed to re-
ply, for the question set me shivernr
rom head to foot, and was so weak
hat could scarcely sit in my chair.
must have answered in the affirmative,
however, for he said:
"Thcn we may look for something
rom him tomorrow or next day."
Immediately afterward he added:
"Why, Fred, you shivcr as though
you had the ague, and you are sweating
ike butcher! You're i'll. man Come
Jump into my trap, and I'll take you