Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1895-03-28

ana SAID TO himself that he WAS De-
ginning to feel a good deal better.
And the next observation he made to
himself was that it was lucky he had
happened to remember, just as he was
going down stairs, about the notes,
for otherwise before this he should
have killed the young 'un.
From which it will be understood
that Emmeline had had indeed a very
narrow escape from n very terrible
death.
Il must go and ease the young 'un's
mind n aX his pardon" we know
Nicksey's state Of confusion concern
Ing EImmeline's sex, land I'll confess
my fault and tell her honestly that l
meant to kill hint"
NickScy turned and was about to
leave the room, and then he started,
and hastily thrust the bank notes and
letters into his pocket. A man was
standing In the doorway.
The fire had burned low and the
meagre tallow candle, which at best
gave but a feeble light, had remained
unSnuffed since It had first been
kindled by Emmeline; so that what
appeared to be, In the semi-darkness,
but the shadow Of a human being thus
suddenly and unexpectedly confront
ing Nicksey, it Is no wonder that, for
a moment or two. he felt his knees
tremble and a creeping sensation about
the roots Of his not numerous and
struggling hairs.
A perfectly innocent man. with the
most powerful nerves, might have been
shaken by so strange and sudden an
apparition, and Mr.. Nickspy was not
an innocent man and crime and de-
bauchery hao sadly shattered his nery-
Gus system.
And shadow and substance both had
he to fear, and was saying to himself
is IT a ghost or a Bow street runnerT'
His doubts as to the former were
allayed as the nan strobe heavily to
the center of the room.
Have you come to grab mer' Nick
sey asked, %retreating a step or two,
and clutching the heaviest and best
conditioned Of his chairs.
The man shook his head negatively.
"Wen, then, let's have a look at
your
Nicksey topped the candle with his
finger and thumb, and then. with the
light In his hand. advanced to the
stranger and looked him closely over.
But Nicksey gained little by that;
saw only that the stranger was q
rather tall man. with no other d'stin-
gushing mark about him: for his figure
was well concealed by q loose great
coat: a scarf was folded around his
throat and chin, and his hat pressed
far down over his brow.
You appear to take good care OF
yourself, whoever you are!' Sa.d NICK
sey. placing the candle on the mantel-
piece.
THE night is rather chilly, and l
am not very WELL" the stranger said.
Have you any business with mer'
Nicksey asked, all his holiness re-
turning.
Yes; il I am not pistaken in my
man" ,
MY name is Nicksey," staggered
that gentleman. and as II he had good
reason TO be proud Of his identity.
Then I must pray you to excuse
me- said the other.
Seemingly about to leave the room,
the stranger stopped when ne had
reached the door. and looking back o
ward Nicksey, said abruptly and sig
nificantly:
But perhaps you may be able to
tell me where I may hope to find one
Nicholas ShearmanT'
And Nicksey rebounded a step or
two. stammering out. THAT name"
II see I am right" interrupted the
intruder on Mr.. Nicksey's privacy, and
quietly returning and again closely
confronting him.
.Who are your cried Nicksey, his
voice firm again.
DO not be afraid. I am a friend"
IT don't recognize you; but, then, you
are so muffied up"
"Y0u do not know me-" said the
and as II by mere accident,
placing the table between himself and
the gentleman Of the house.
How did you contrive to make your
way into my domiciler'
And In reply TO that question Nick
sey's unwelcome guest said he had
fonnd the street door not perfectly
closed and so had entered without
having been saved the
trouble Of knocking.
course himr' muttered Nicksey;
meaning Jarvis, by whom he rightly
c%oniectured the door had been left un-
fastened.
Jarvis had pulled the door to after
him, but had not tried II II were prop
erly closed; he had been In too great
perplexity to think of that trifie.
"And now You are here. / should like
TO know what you have come for?'
Nicksey next said. and not yery amia-
bly,.
reply.
Nicksey laughed. That was all rub
s;sh, he said. There was nothing
against him just at present, he knew
that well enough.
II tell you," pursued the stranger
ut is a very pressing danger OF which
l have come to warn you"
And what Is II all aboutY
Have you already forgotten the ROD
berry SO lately committed by you AT
Mrs. Chesterton'sY
Nicksey laughed again; and this time
more loudly and heartily than before
"A robbery he exclaimed; IT was
nothing out the settlement or a long
standing account between us; now, l
am paid, and l will give her, II she
likes, a written receipt"
And Nicksey still laughed on.
al Xoy, ,.on ., c,iaJ the THAT,