The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-06-22

an ordinary person, - trunk wor.,
have been ground to p AS IL Wa
he lay as if dead, and nearly every or,
believed him fatally injured
At the end of ten minutes of indie
scribable confusion the physician an
nounced that the stricken pugilist wa
reviving and would rally from the blow
Then something like order settled upon
the house, and the master of ceremonies
announced that the bout had been woI
by Mr. Wcstcott.
"And | would add" said, advanc,
ing to the front Of the platform, NOW
that the Western Cyclone has been dis
posed Of that l will be pleased to meet
any one who would like to take his
place"
The only answer to this challenge
was a renewal of applause, amid which
/ withdrew to the dressing room, soon
resuming my seat. But the exhibition
was over, and, escaping the tiresome
congratulations, | sauntered homeward,
Harold joining me in front of his
apartments aud accompanying me to his
rooms as the guest of myself, or perhaps
of himself
He wrung my hand and capered with
JOY.
'Ye godsl 1t was the most glorious
sight on which 1 ever looked. What a
wonder that you did not kill himp'
$50 l would had not restrained the
blow just as | was launching it. -
Restrained the blow! 1t was as re-
sistless as the stroke of piston rod.
AT any rate, it settled the hash of Mr..
Richard Mortimer, the Western Cy-
clone"
"But," said l seriously, "what is to
be the end of all this? cannot masquer-
ade IS Harold O. Westcott while you
sink your individuality.
"Why not?"
"Why," | said wonderingly, cit
must end some time. "
"True, but not yet awhile See here,
HarmonW exclaimed my friend, drop
ping into a chair, drawing it up in front
of me and leaning over. Eve propo-
sition to make. -
81 am listening"
81 wish you to become myself, while
/ become somebody else. "
81 don't quite catch on"
With your consent, | shall disappear
for one year. No one but us shall know
the fact. will go TO Europe. | will be
utterly lost TO the world for that time. ~
"And at the end of that period?'
If alive, | return and resume my
identity. Meanwhile you are to be
Harold o. Westcott Our initials are the
same, so there need be little trouble. "
What is the object of this prank
Il wish you to take my place for one
year, in order to scrape off the barnacles
that have gradually attached them
selves to me. | can't do it. Your task is
to free me wholly of those parasites, so
that when | come back it will be like
life over again, with every
thing smooth sailing.
1t was an extraordinary proposal, and
bent my head in thought. In shout
1ering the name and character of Harold
Westcott what responsibilities would |
assume? Suppose he had committed
some serious crime and was arranging
that l should incur the penalty?
But / dismissed the last thought as
III unworthy one.
You have nothing TO fear. There are
some annoyances, but you are at liberty
o treat them rs you choose. / only ask
hat everything shall be smoothed out
o the best of your ability against my
eturn. | will pay you $50, 600 for the
avor. "
Fifty thousand dollarsr'
Instead of explaining, he said:
Take the pen there and let me see
cur handwriting. "
/ signed my Name underneath several
words. He scrutinized it carefully and
hen did the same alongside it.
There was scarcely hairs difference |
n the penmanship.
Neither of us was surprised. We ex-
ected it.
That's good. You will sign your
hecks H. o. Westcott, which is my
ustom, so there Will be no forgery Oh |
our part | shall draw out all the mon |
y can possibly need for two or three
ears to come and leave something like |
100, 600 in the bank subject to your or
er. You may need more than the
l have named and must feel free |
} draw upon it. But if all goes well
on are to receive $50, 900 for PERSONAL
~ me for one year from date
Il foresee good many embarrass-
rents and complications
Were it otherwise 1 should not
lake you the offer. Do you accept"
eyes, even though it is taking leap
I the dark. 4"
"Give me your hand on it,
We shook hands.
CHAPTER V.