The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-10-18
4 HulRHyN.

doors"
"Den I'll brung yo' cheer" which
he proceeded to do.
"Thanks And I seated myself near
him, while he resumed his place in the
doorway. / lit cigar, crossed my legs
and leaned back at ease, intending to
question him as to the past, for there
was more than one curious phase about
this business.
"What is your name?"
"Steph."
"How long have you lived here?"
"'Bout ten years"
"Haye you no family?"
"Not much; only Dine, my wife, and
'lebon chillen."
ELEVEN children! Where are they all,
and where is your wife?'
''She and de chillen went to de sarcus
dis ehenin.''
Where is the circus?"
sober at Hackumsack, five or six
miles off"
"When do you expect them homer"
"Waal, de sarcus orter be ober bout
10 o'clock, and dey'll be SO hungry dat
dey'll hurry home, and orter got here
in free OF four hours"
"Did Mr.. Jones, when he called, ar
range that your family were to be
away"
"Wheneber he comes heah, dem am
his Engagements. He tole me today dat
it war to he de same. ! related to him
bout dc sarcus. Dat war q special
provendence. I alters blebes in such
things Sill" &C.,"
He Strengthened up with the quickness
Of an India, scout. had heard nothing,
but tile next moment the soft sound Of
approaching footsteps fell on my ear.
dat yo', Ir. Joues?" asked steph,
rising to his feet and peering into the
gloom.
There was 10 answer, but the man
walked forward until the lamp!iGht
through the open door revealed his iden-
nty
Good evening. l am here ahead of
you"
1t was who made this salutation,
though l did not rise to my feet. Tom
Dlscon was ling for me, and, recog-
nizlng my voice, replied:
81 diGnt believe you would ccme."
'Wly not!"
"'Carse l didn't think you had the
sand. You re IL big coward. "
you may fad before this business is
finished thut Lave as much courage as
you"
"We'll see. stoph, I want to see you
a minute. -
"Yas, SIR"
Without apologizing to me, he led the
negro off in the darkness beyond ear
shot l could hear the humble of their
voices, but was unable to catch word
of what passed between them.
Since Discoe came back alone, the
explanation Of tho incident was simple.
Steph had been placed on guard to give
warning Of the approach of strangers.
Evidently Mr.. Discoe did not mean to
neglect any precaution.
He speedily returned to where I sat
in tho chair smoking. He remained
standing, halting directly in front Of
me.
"Did you bring the money with your"
Didn't say would? Isn't that an
swcr enough"
II won't believe it till see it,
TWAS clear that Discoe was in one Of
his ugliest moods. He had not forgiven
me for dcfcrring this payment until the
present. I had blutfed him at Engle.
wood, and it ranked in his memory. 1t
was natural that he should not expect to
meet ne here at night; that had done
SO was proof l was scared into the step.
1t would be strange if came that far
with $4,000, but still stranger that,
knowing his desperate character, I should
have ventured to make the journey
without the money. He was not the
man to stand tritiiug.
studied the sccundrel. His face had
look so malevolent that was con-
WINGED he meant to assault me after
should turn over the money. He seemed
to hold an inextinguishable hatred Of
me.
"Come into the house."
The command could not have been
gruffer had it been addressed to Steph.
1t angered me; but, secure in my posi-
ton, rose, and, carrying the chair in
one hand. went inside and sat down by
tho table.
Hc took his position on the other side,
with the bright lamp between us.
"Now let me see that money"
withdrew the large pocketbook from
under my arm, opened and held it up sn
that he could observe the crisp 1000
bills
do you note them? One, two, three,
four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten
al even &c. said, sliding them
one after the other between my thumb
and forefinger, SO that all passed in re-
view before him.
His evil eyes took on new glitter.
Are you satisfied" asked, button
ing my coat, showing my hands into my
pockets and leaning back, with my legs
crossed.
"They seem to be all right, but Iain't
sure
"They came out Of the bank this fore
noon. If you have any doubt about
them, why, Of course you don't wish to
receive the bills. -
ri didn't say that. Pass 'em over,
and I'll soon let you know
"There is no hurry. Steph's folks
won't be back from the circus for sew
eral hours. Besides, the understanding
was that Jake Huke was to meet me
here. Why is he not PRESENT.
He's as good as here. He's within
call"
So, in addition to the negro, one Of
the criminals was Oh guard.
"Hadn 'tyou better call him? I should
like to have witness when I pay over
this money to you"
The hideous scowl OH the face Of Tom
Discoe showed for the first time q suspi-
cion of treachery Oh his part. He half
rose to his feet, as if about to leap over
the table at my throat.
whats the matter?' I coolly asked.
&.,v Al,a%