Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-12-12

the cipher, and made in vain.
James Beilbridge had his moments of good
hum0f, and was on those rare occasions east
iy amused. He eyed the child with conde-
scending curiosity. Looks half starved"
he said-as ii he was considering the case Of
a stray cat. '.Hullo, there. Buy a bit Of
bread" He tossed a penny to sgd as he left
the room and took the opportunity Of bind
ing his bargain with Syd's mother. Mind!
IL | take you to New York I'm not to be
hardened with both your children. Is that
girl the one you leave behind your
Mrs. Westerheld smiled sweetly and an
swered: YES, dear"
THE Cipher.
An advertisement in the newspapers, adj
dressed to persons skilled In the interpreta-
ton of ciphers, now represented Mrs. West
erfield's only chance Of discovering where
the diamonds were hidden. The first answer
that she received made some amends for
previous disappointment. 1t offered refer
ences To gentlemen whose names were in
themselves q sufficient guarantee. She veri-
fed the references, nevertheless, and paid a
visit 10 her correspondent on the same day.
His personal appearance was not IN his IA
vor-he wa old and dirty, infrm and poor.
His mean room was Uttered with shabby
books. None Of the ordinary conriesies OF
life seemed 10 be known to him: he neither
wished Mrs. Westeriield good-morning nor
asked her to take a seat. When she attempt
ed to enter into explanations relating 10 her
errand he ridely interrupted her. 'Show
me your cipher" he said Il don't promise
10 study il unless | find il wcrth my while"
Mrs. Westerfield was alarmed. DO you
mean that you want a large sum of money!
she asked.
Il near that | don't waste my time OH
easy ciphers invented by fools"
She laid the slip of paper On his desk.
"Waste your time on that" she said, sar-
castically, land see how YOU like IT,"
He examined %it--iifst with his bleared red
trimmed eyes; then with a magnifying glass.
The only expression OF opinion that escaped
him was Indicated by his actions. He shut
up his book and gloated over the signs and
characters before him. On a sudden he look
ed at Mrs. Westerfieid. How did you come
by this?' he asked.
''rhats no business of yours"
In other words, you have reasons Of your
W for not answering my question:"
Yes"
Drawing his own differences from that ne,
ply he showed his three ~last-left yellow teeth
in a horrid grin. Il understand he said,
speaking TO himself. He looked at the Ell
pher once more, and put another question:
Have you got a copy of this%?'
1t had not occurred to her to take a copy.
He rose and pointed 10 his empty chair. His
opinion of the cipher was, 10 all appearance,
forced to express itself by the discovery that
there was no copy.
do you know what might happen" he
asked. The only cipher that has puzzled
me for the last ten Years might be lost-or
stolen-or burnt ii there was a fire ia the
house. You deserve 10 be punished for your
carelessness. Make the copy yourself"
This desirable suggestion (nnciyilly as IL
was expressed had its effect upon Mrs.
Westerfield. Her marriage depended ON that
precious slip of paper. She was confirmed
s." no" opinion that this very disagreeable
man might nevertheless be a man to be trust
ed.
'Shall you be long in finding out what Is
means?" she asked, when her task was COLI
pleted.
lie carefully compared the copy with the
original, and then he replied:
Days may pass before | can find a elew.
| won't attempt IL unless you give NE "a
week."
She pleaded for a shorter interval. He
coolly handed back her papers-the original
and the copy.
Try somebody else" he suggested-and
opened his book again. Mrs. Westeriield
yielded with the worst possible grace. In
granting him the week of delay she APP
preached the subject OF his fee for the second
time. ''How much will il cost me?' she i'll
quired.
IN tell you when I've done"
THAT won't do! | must know the amount
first"
He handed her back her papers for the see
ond time. Mrs. Westertieid's experience Of
poverty had never been the experience Of
such independence as this. In her bewilder-
ment she yielded again. He took back the
original cipher and locked it up in his desk.
'Cali here this day week" he said-and re-
turned to his book.
You are not very polite" she told him, on
leaving the
AT any rate" he answered, Il don't in
terrupt people when they are reading"
The week passed.
Repeating her visit, Mrs. Westerfield found
It'll Ntttf SttS at htS tt6ns sum CtAfothftfto
by his books, still careless of the polite atten-
tons that he owed TO a lady.
WELL" she asked, 'have you earned your
money!
II have found the clew."
What Is it?' she burst out. "Tell me the
substance. can't wait to- read"
He went on impenetrably with what he
had to say. 'But there are some minor com-
binations which ! have still TO discover To my
own satisfaction. | want a rev days more"
She positively refused to comply with this
request. Write down the substance Of it,"
she repeated, 'and tell me what | owe you"
He handed her back her cipher for the
third time.
The woman who could have kept her teni-
per under such proyocation rs this, may be
found when the mathematician is found who
ran square the circle or the inventor who can
discover perpetual motion. With a furious
look Mrs. Westerfield expressed her opinion
of tue philosopher in two words: You
brutev' She failed to produce the slightes.
impression on him.
MY work" he proceeded, must be well
done, or not done at all. This is Saturday,
18th of the month. We will say the evening
of "Wednesday next"
Mrs. Westeriield sufficiently controlled her
self to be able to review her engagements for
the coming week. TN Thursday the delay
exacted by the marriage license would ex-
pire, and the wedding might take place. On
Friday the express train conveyed passengers
to Liverpool TO be In time for the departure
of the steamer for New York ON Saturday
morning. Having made these calculations
she asked, with sulky submission, II she was
expected to call again on tho "Wednesday
evening.
mo. Leave me your name and address.
l will send you the cipher. interpreted, ats
O'clock"
Mrs Westeriield laid one of her visiting
cards ON his desk, :nd left him.
a.-The Diamonds.
The new week was essentially n week Of
events.
On the Monday morning Mrs. Westerield
and her faithful James had their first quar- cL.
She took the liberty OF reminding him that
Il was time 10 give notice OF the marriage ut
the church, and IL secure berths IA the steam.
or for herself and her son. Instead OF am
swering one way or another James asked
how the expert was getting on.
HAS your old man found out where the
diamonds ares'
"Not YETI
ssrhen wei wait till he does.."
DO you believe my worly' Mrs Wester
field asked CURLY.
james Bellhridgs answered, with Roman
breyity. mo"