The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1894-04-19

S?TlFTWY You know what I'll
need for week or ten days absence.
Get your sister to stay with you for
company. Goodbye, dear, s'Iong. Take
care cfyourself."
Then he rung of, and Mrs. Bascomb
went in search of the satchel, which she
packed with a deft hand. She was
young woman, sensible, well-balanced.
and nothing ever disturbed or annoyed
her to the extent Of making her fdgety
or nervous. Being in robust health,
she hardly knew what nerves meant.
She was seif-re!iant, but domestic, aud
absorbed n her home life, which com-
prised Ter world. And she Sever crossed
any bridges until she came to them. She
knew that her husband had intended
going to New York on the following
DAY, and did not wonder OF ponder over
his change Of plans.
When the messenger came for the
satcael she sent it carefully packed, just
as she knew her husband wanted it.
She sdded nothing to its usual contents,
aud subtracted nothing. Yes, stay.
She did take out his sevea-shooter,
every chamber of which was loaded, and
laid it on the table under the mirror, in
the back parior.
s'Howdy has one revolver with hin.
That will have to do him this trip. I
like to have one handy in case should
need it."
She smiled and smiled again without
being villain. The idea of needing
firearms seemed so incongruous and
absurd.
In the afternoon she went up to her
home to 'sborrow her sister," as she ex-
pressed it. But Miss Madgie had gone
away with some young friends, and was
engaged to spend the night at the house
of a schoolmate. So Mrs. Bascomb re-
turned home alone. -.
: TWO men stood in the doorway Of an
unused fight of Office stairs and read al
evening paper.
q They were much occupied in discuss.
ing one item among the personal news.
It was this:
THE Rubber Horseshoe Company is
an assured fact. Mr. Howard Bescomb
drew $500 from the N. 6 N. Bank
to-day, the investment of the branch
company formed here, and will leave for
New York Tomorrow. A capital Of
So, is assured"
"Do y see!" calculated the younger
aud smaller Of the two men. "Drew
$4,000 in spordulicks. Goes home
with it in his vest pocket, blow me ef he
don't"
-'Maybe not, pard. s'posin' it's g
certified chsek?"
"Then tberell be reward offered to
get it back-see?"
iJin, g'roun' to th' bank an find out
which and whether it were," suggested
the older man.
"Bank clussed, remarked jim seaten-
tiously.
"S'pose il air. Did yer expect to send
in yer card to the cashier OF the presl-
ders2 Get aroun' an interview th' jani-
tor. Represent yerself as Mister Bas-
combs confidential bizness man carat
yer2"
jim started OF at once without wait
ing to give his ':pard" any outline Of his
plan. He was goue an hour, but wheu
he returned be was f-eighted with in
teligencs.
"Bills," he chuckled, "Gve hundred
and one thousand dollar bills-whew!
An he'll sleep with them about his
honorable pusson to-nig!lt-mebbe."
'Does yer know the house2" asked
the other man, alter a spell of silence.
II don't, pard. But I've looked it up
in the directory, and it's as handy as a
nitten on yer nose. Let's go and get
sonethin' wet to Improve our minds.
It's tween US this time-you outside, ms
in-savey2"
The rascs's, who, ir appearance at
least, might have passed for honest yueH,
walked out OF the doorway aud parted
company, 70 avoid the eagle eye Of the
police, which would have recognized in
their duality conspiracy against Law
and order.
When Mrs. 3asaon,o returned from
ner visit i w2s dark. She had stayed
to supper, and as the girl opened the
door size saw 1iias sae was somewhat eS-
cited.
"Wha: sit, Kitty she asked 7athe,
g-aveiy, because tie g;gi was inclined 70
get frustrated easily.
"Oh, mem, what was the name Of the
girl IS lived here before / camel' she
responded w;th L counter question.
Here r.!ne2 Sarah something, ]
cannot rcn:em3er JUS: now-why?"