The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-09-12


and daughter, of Musselshell, Montany.
I'm a rancner and miner, DR.. Dolliger.
What are ,You?=
@Mere)y mine owner" replied Wy
mans with a smile "We're going out
there to see what chance there is 10 Sc
cure certain lands and mines"
"Bravo! You have fallen in with
the very man you wanted to
see, Doctor" assured Jerry, Of
ering his hand. "What dent
know about lands and mines in Montany
isn't worth knowing. we can talk busl-
ness on the way out, while the girls get
acquainted Capital! delighted!"
A step on the stairs just without the
parlor gave WynanS start. Should
the newcomer prove to be Mrs. Long,
the landlady, she would address him by
name and so betray his identity to the
Skidders. This must be prevented. He
stepped toward the door, but was re-
lieved to see that the footsteps he had
heard were those Of a guest ascending to
the next floor He faced about, taking
note of the time.
@As matters stand, Mr.. Skidder," he
said, swell all go to the station together.
But first wei! have good dinner in
private parlor, and start off on the
right basis"
The proposition was eagerly accepted
@While we are being served, Miss
Skidder," pursued Wynans, turning to
Daisy, "you will have time to make
few purchases, If such Is your DESIRE"
"You think so?" returned Daisy, with
almost childish delight
.You can have half an hour, and that
will be ample" assured Wynans 3You
have only to 60 a block or two, and you'll
find all sorts of stores. My sister will
g with you, If you would like her COM
pany."
The suggestion was gratefully &C
cepted and the young ladies vanished,
Jerry pressing large roll OF bills into
his daughters hands, with instructions
to buy anything on earth" she wanted.
3Come up to my room, Mr.. Skidder,
and have glass Of champagne" then
invited Wynans. at will give You an
appetite"
Jerry was nothing loath, and in another
minute he was making himself comfort
able in the private parlor OF his enter
tainer.
sEXcusc ne moment" pursued Wy
mans, sand I will order our dinner as
well as couple bottles of wine shall
merely step to the Office"
He was gone scarcely three minutes,
but in this short interval he had taken
several measures calculated to preserve
his secret, settled his bill and that Of the
Skidders, feed the walters, and even
taken leave of the landlady.
ave shall be served here in just twen-
ty-fve minutes, Mr.. Skidder," he an
nounced as he came back to the parlor.
Meanwhile, 1 think you and can read
ily dispose Of glass OF Cliquot to our
better acquaintance"
Jerry smiled his approval, becoming
animated
A waiter soon appeared with the wine,
uncorking the bottle and serving the
first two glasses, and then vanished
The heat and vexation Of the day had
made Skidder very thirsty, and he was
outside Of the largest half Of the cham
pagne almost before he knew 1t.
Then the couple talked until the re-
turn Of Ellie and Daisy-the latter fond
ling one or two choice purchases, and
followed by porter who was loaded
with parcels
swell, You look as II you had had q
good time, girls" said Skidder, assum-
ing his most genial air, as the porter
vanished.
sYou Just bet we have, replied Daisy,
emphatically. *Oh, such q place! Wen
come here again, pa, as soon as we've
attended to business at home, and stay
a whole week"
aYou almost need q trunk for your
purchases. Daisy" said her father.
mo, pa, I can stow away everything
in the two we've brought with us
everything except that hat and cloak,
which are just too lovely for anything,
and which I'm going to wear!"
SWELL, you must be prompt about 1t,
suggested Jerry, the rattling of dishes
reaching his hearing from the stairway,
afor here comes our dinner"
We need not pause upon what fol-
lowed.
A sumptuous dinner was served the
quartette by the attentive walters, and
an hour passed to the Skidders like a
dream, so greatly were they pleased to
find themselves provided with such pleas
ant travelling companions
sAbout time to be off, isn't It, friend
Dolliger?" at length asked Jerry Skid
der. who had become mellow with the
rich cheer thrust upon him.
sAlmost" replied Wynans, consulting
his watch, and dismissing the walters
by gesture. slave no fear, sir. Well
start on time, ! assure you!"
Il think we had better settle the bill
now," pursued Jerry, who could not
quite divest himself of his nervous un'
easiness-
aOh, it's all paid-everything, even TO
our ride to the station" said Wynans.
Il took the liberty of making this my
treat. Besides, as we're all going away
away together, there was no use making
two bites of cherry"
GALL right" returned Jerry, "but it
will be my turn next time, hope We
may soon have the pleasure Of entertain
ing you and your charming sister at our
house in Montany."
At this moment servant appeared,
ushering in formidable-looking stran-
ger.
"A gentleman to see you on important
business, MIR. Skidder," announced the
servant who had doubtless been well
paid for this service. @Mr. Grimshaw,
detective"
Jerry arose uneasily, changing color
and staring at the newcomer, who waved
the servant out of the room imperatively
and closed the door.
"Sorry, Mr. Skidder, to trouble you,"
said Grimshaw, bowling gravely. "But
l believe you arc brother OF we'll
known merchant of this c:ty?"
sYes, of Hiram Skidder. the biggest
fraud on earth!" answered Jerry. with
n1az,no o eyos and rearnrea az aIao With a