The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-12-12


what had happened, what he should
find Oh the road, how he should find
the stranger. Mr.. Wicks; would he be
safe at the station, would he be injured
by the roadside or-or would he be dead2
AS this last horrible conjecture flashed
across Jacks mind he recalled his wish
of only an hour ago-that Mr.. Wicks
might never come to the house. At tho
thought he drew up the horse with
sudden jerk. then shook the reins, and
with stern face drove faster than be.
fore.
1t was lonely road and for some
distance Jack drove without seeing q
soul. Then at a sharp turn of the road
he suddenly came upon James, the
coachman, sitting on heap of stones.
At first Jack felt inclined to laugh
The effect of the man, in his long light
brown livery coat, seated Oh the top of
heap of stones and hopping his head
with red handkerchief bordered or
the ludicrous, but almost at tho same
time he saw that it was indeed no
laughing matter, for blood was flowing
from deep cash in the man forehead.
1.-THE box has gonr sir. You've been
robbed" said James ..intly.
"What box?'' asked Jack, jumping
down from the dogcart. 'But never
mind the box now; we'll tie this hand
kerchief around your head and get you
home"
"Its the box from the bank, sir, T"
continued James.
Jack gave a long whistle of astonish-
ment. All his aunt's jewels gone at one
swoop, but he said nothing and tied
second handkerchief around James
head. For the moment he had quite for
gotten Mr.. Wicks.
"Now see if you can't get into the
dogcart Take hold Of my arm. That's
it." Then he asked. "But what hap
pened to Mr.. Wicks?"
No answer.
"You know the gentleman you had
to meet?"
Still no answer, for James had faint
ed.
Jack was up on the box seat like a
shot. He loosened the mans collar
There was no time to think of Mr..
Wicks or thieves. He whipped up the
mare, and the dust rose in clouds be-
hind them.
Passing through the air so rapidly
brought James gradually back to con-
sciousness, but so feeble was his condi-
ton that Jack refrained from asking
questions. He drove straight into the
stables, saw the unfortunate James
we'll cared for, sent message for the
doctor, and then, turning to the coach
man, asked again the question, "What
happened to Mr. Wicks?"
James thought for moment. Their
he said:
"He was in the dogcart when the
mare bolted, and the tramp didn' t ge
hold of him. Il"
Then Jack ran to the house, hoping
that Mr. Wicks had arrived.
At the front door Miss Cherryton ant
Sylvia met him. .
"Where is Mr.. Wicks?" they botl
cried in the same breath.
THAT'S what l want to know" re
piled Jack. "Mr. Wicks has disappear
ed. There has been chapter OF acct
dents, consisting of robbery, injury ant
mystery. All your jewels have BEEF
stolen, aunt; that's the robbery. Jane
has been badly hurt by the thieves, an
Mr.. Wicks has disappeared
Miss Cherryton was ruffied out OF he
complacency into saying:
"This is most unfortunate. Jane
ought not to have gone. There neve
was time when he didn't bungle, bu
do trust nothing serious has happene
to Mr.. Wicks"
81 hope not, indeed" said Sylvia
"What n dreadful afternoon this ha
been. Can't we do something! MI
Wicks may be hurt, and it seems
wrong to be standing here doing notf
ing" She spoke impetuously and gaze
along the avenue of trees that led
the house.
Jack noticed all Sylvia's movement
and her great anxiety for Mr.. Wick
safety aroused all the bitter feelings !
! had experienced when told OF Mr.. VICE
coming, and there was just q shade
GOODNESS in his voice when he said:
81 am going to walk into town
make inquiries, and hope to goodne
that we shall find Mr.. Wicks safe an
sound somewhere.
All this time Sylvia had been leal
ing against the doorpost with her han'
behind her back, but at this momel
she suddenly ran forward, with lit
, cry of joy. =,
"Oh, Mr.. Wicks, my sweet little M
Wicks, you are safe after all.
Very slowly and with extreme d'gn
ty small fox terrier walked benea'
: the tall trees toward the house. WI
head erect he looked from side to SID
|, but no sooner did he hear Sylvia's volc
!. that well known voice, than his who
attitude changed in the twinkling OF
4. eve. His ears sank down fiat; his hit
= stump of tail wagged frantically
> gave one sharp, delighted bark, al
then few toward Sylvia and positive
! wriggled with glee.
ssVall Mr.. Wicks, here you are