Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-06-19
YORKVILLE, G, SATURDAY, JUNE Is, 1897

was renewal Of applause, amid which
I 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 and accompanying me to his
rooms as the guest of myself. or perhaps
of himself.
He wrung my hand and capered with
JOY.
"Ye gods! 1t was the most glorious
sight on which I ever looked. What a
wonder that you did not kill himp'
$50 I would had not restrained the
blow Just as I 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 I seriously, what is to
be the end Of all thisp cannot masquer-
ade as Harold o. Westcott while you
sink your Individuality" ,
"Why not?''
why" l said wonderingly, "it
must end some time"
"True, but not yet awhile. See here,
Harmonl'' exclaimed my friend, drop
ping into chair, drawing it up in front
of me and leaning over. ''I've propo'
sition to make.
II am listening"
II wish you to become myself, while
I become somebody else. /"
II don't quite catch on. d"
with your consent, shall disappear
for one year No one but us shall know
the fact. 1 will 60 to Europe. will be
utterly lost to the world for that time. "
"And at the end of that period?"
IF alive, I 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"
II wish you to take my place for one
year, in order to scrape off the barnacles
that have gradually attached them
selves to me. I can't do it Your task Is
to free me wholly Of those parasites, SO
that when I come back it will be like
beginning life over again, with every
thing smooth sailing"
1t was an extraordinary proposal, and
I bent my head in thought. In shoul-
dering the name and character Of Harold
Westcott what responsibilities would I
assume? Suppose he had committed
some serious crime and was arranging
that I should incur the penalty?
But dismissed the last thought as
an unworthy one.
"You have nothing to fear. There are
some annoyances, but you are at libert..
to treat them as you choose. I only ask
that everything shall be smoothed out
to the best df your ability against my
return. I will pay you $50, 900 for the
favor"
Fifty thousand dollarsP'
Instead of explaining, he said:
"Take the pen there AID let me see
your handwriting.
signed my name underneath several
words. He scrutinized it carefully and
then did the same alongside it.
There was scarcely hairs difference
in the penmanship.
Neither of us was surprised We e1-
pected it.
"That's good. You will sign your
checks n. O. Westcott, which is my
custom, so there will be no forgery on
your part. shall draw out all the mon
ey I can possibly need for two or three
years to come and leave something like
$1OO, 900 in the bank subject to your Or
der. You may need more than the
amount I have named and must feel free
to draw upon 1t. But if all goes well
you are to receive 500. 900 for PERSONAL
ing me for one year from date.
II foresee a good many embarrass-
ments and complications'-
"Were il otherwise I should not
make you the offer. Do you accept?'
"Yes, even though il is taking a leap
in the dark"
"Give ME your hand on it A.
We shook hands.
I,T