Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-01-04

The stranger followed. Perhaps a du,
regard for social propricty should hav,
restrained me from following; but tn,
impulse 20 do so, growing out of m,
recognition OF the voice and my power
full interest in Mr. Bostocls, was IRE
sistible. As for the pugnacious over
seer, the sharp words that he had hat
with the stranger and the constraint
under which the planter was aetna
were sufficient reasons to cause him tt
90 in also.
Coralie had heard the sound of voice,
and our entrance into the parlor. She
came In with lamp. The stranger
was revealed. had last seen him
when he was put ashore by the captain
OF the Cotton Queen.
He sat down on sofa and stretched
himself out. Nobody else was seated.
His impudent eye ranged round over
the luxurious furniture OF the apart
mcnt and coolly examined each one OF
us. Then, 30 my establishment and dis
gust, he took a cigar from his case and
scratching n match on the finely
grained panel of the wall he lit it and
began 10 smoke.
lie Fcvre started forward.
"Say the word, Mr. Bostock, and I'll
pitch the insolcnt blackguard out Of
here, neck and heels"
The planter sat down and groaned.
mo was all he said.
The intruder laughed, threw his
head back, and blew rings Of smoke
upward TO the ceiling.
you won't be SO fast my friend,
when you hear how good n right I've
got 10 be here. That's Coralie, / sup
posc?'
Mr.. Bostock gave gesture of assent.
"Fine girl. Who might you be.
young fellow? ! don't rcmcmbor to
have met you before"
This was addressed to me-
81 have seen y0H before, certainly"
you havel Whcre?"
"Up the river, when you were put
ashore from the steamer for cheating
with cards"
spoke from impulse, just rs often
acted. II would have been wiser for
me TO keep the words back A little
reflection would have told me that this
was dangerous man, and that ought
not ncedlessly 10 incur his enmity. But
had spoken, and the shaft had gone
home The mans evil face flushed and
palcd, and he gave me n vindictivc look
lie addressed himself to Mr. Bostock.
My business H. with you, sir |
want nothing with these people,"
With slight pause, he continued:
81 was at Boutellicr's, In New Or
leans, yesterday. For the first time,
he refused to advance me anything.
only asked him for hundred dollars.
lie said you had stopped the account"
at has been SO long since heard
anything of you"
THAT you thought | was dead-eh?
You hoped so, no doubt. II you'd
taken the trouble to send TO Boutellier,
he'd have told you that your money
never stayed very long in his hands"
lie Fcvre whispered excitcdy in my
ear:
"What the devil does this mean?
Since have been there, the old man
has deposited thousands Of dollars in
that bank, and not cent has he
drawn from there. Who Is this fell
low?"
Tell me what you want" said the
planter, "You promised me years ago
that you would not come near me
again. Go, now, and trouble me no
more"
"Give me two thousand dollars
first"
Mr., Bostock turned TO lie Fevre.
oh
New Orleans, for the amount payable
TO bearer"
Nothing that had thus far happened
had greatly surprised me- I knew
about this man what was not known
to Coralic or lie Fevre and, while she
stood in CONSERVATION by her fathers
chair, the oyerseer did not cease to
regard the interloper with threaten
ing looks, as II he only wanted little
more provocation to attack him with
his fists. Amazed as he was by the
direction about the check, he went into
the other room, prepared IL, and
brought II back on book with pen.
Mr. Bostock signedait with trembling
fingers.
Give IL to him"
The overseer took II and threw IL
upon the lounge. The man who lay
there glanced at it and thrust it into
his pocket
Co. said the planter,
Pretty soon; don't hurry me. You
must remember that we haven't met in
many years All your own fault; YOU
would have II so. Now you have COM
PEELED me to come here to get money,
you've got to acknowledge me-"
"No-no"
You wilt You're likely to die le-
foro do; and where shall como Z =
money then? You know | was onl "A
boy when we moved from here; MIGHT
find II hard to get myself recognized
around here. II would be- casicr near
NiclIsburg; but want the witnesses
right here, in your own family, Tell
these people who | am
You are one Of the devils who has
helped to make my life miserable"
was the dcspairiug cry of the planter.
Twin you tell thom?"
"No."
"Ncry.wcn, All La Fourchc shall
know the whole truth tomorrow.
Mark mc-thc rhoie truth, saym
lie turned todepurt, Again he was
recalled.
"Do You promise to keep that secret?
| DO you promise never To return here?'
81 win keep the secret, will not
return here in your lifetimc-providcd