The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-06-26
vas more Than one curious phase about

"Steph."
"How long have you lived here?"
Bout ten years. +"
''Have you no family"
"Not much; only Dine, my wife, and
'leben chillen"
ELEVEN childrenl Where are they all,
and where is your wife?'
''She and dc chillen went to dc sarcus
dis ebenin. "
''Where is the circus?'
"Ober ct Hackumsack, five or six
miles of. -
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 or 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
1t war to be de same. l related TO him
bout de sarcus. Dat war special
provendence. | alters blebes in such
t'ings- Sh"
He Strengthened up with the quickness
of an Indian scout. had heard nothing,
but the next moment the soft sound Of
approaching footsteps fell on my ear.
dat yo', Mr.. Joues?" asked Steph,
rising to his feet and peering into the
gloom.
There was no answer, but the man
walked forward until the lamplight
through the open door revealed his iden-
tity
"Good evening am here ahead Of
you.
1t was I who made this salutation,
though | did not rise TO my feet Tom
Discce was looking for me, and, recog-
nizing my voice, replied:
Il didn't believe you would come. "
"Ely not?''
" Cause didn't think you had the
sand. You're a big coward -
"You may find before this business is
finished that have as much courage as
you
"We'll see. Steph, want to see you
minute. -
"Yas, cir. F."
Without apologizing to me, he led the
negro off in the darkness beyond ear
shot | could hear the humble of their
voices, but was unable to catch a word
of what passed between them.
Since Discoe came back alone, the
explanation of the 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 1 sat
in the chair smoking. He remained
standing, hating directly in front of
me.
Did you bring the money with your"
Didn't say l would? Isn't that an
swer enough?'
II won't believe it till 1 see it
TWAS clear that Discoe was in one of
his ugliest moods. He had not forgiven
me for deferring this payment until the
present. / had bluffed him at Engle-
wood, and it ranked in his memory. 1t
was natural that he should not expect to
meet me here at night; that / had done
so was proof | was scared into the step.
1t would be strange if | came that far
with $4,000, but still stranger that,
knowing his desperate character, / should
have ventured to make the journey
without the money. He was not the
man to stand trifling.
l studied the scoundrel. His face had
a look so malevolent that l was con-
WINGED he meant to assault me after l
should turn over the money He seemed
20 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, l rose, and, carrying the chair in
one hand, went inside and sat down by
the table.
He took his position on the other side,
with the bright lamp between us.
Nov let me see that money.
withdrew the large pocketbook from
under my arm, opened and held it up so
that he could observe the crisp 81 900 |
bills.
''Do you note them? One, two, three,
four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten
an even $40, 000,' 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.
care you satisfied" 1 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 amt |
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.
81 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 |