The Red Cloud chief., 1898-10-28
(Continuea.l

cleaning with a mad terror and sus-
picion. There's nothing in it-noth-
ing at all, except what little money
have, and a few curios l picked up in
my travels. Let me have 1t at once,
please-at once, without single mo-
ment's delayw
Don't be in hurry" said Richard.
1T IL quite safe, I assure you. IL it
be OF so little value as you say, why ex-
cite yourself about It? How much
might there be in 1t, then? 1t seemed
to me pretty heavy"
"Oh. very little; but as II Is all I
have in the world, you needn't wonder
that am anxious about 1t. l must ask
you to give 1t to me at once; 1t will
make my mind easier"
Don't be uneasy; I give you my
word It's quite safe. Look here, I'm
rather fancier of curios myself;
don't mind giving you ten pounds on
spec for the belt just as II stands. IL
you tell me 1t Is worth more, I will give
1t to you"
Il wouldn't take ten pounds; not that
Il IL really worth more, but there are
things In 1t that have a special value
for me- / shouldn't think OF selling It
on any terms, and must again ask you
to let me have 1t in my own posses-
sion."
Il will give you a hundred" said
Richard mischievously, "and l Will let
you retain anything in 1t that you wish
specially to keep"
II tell you am not going to sell II on
any terms whatever" rejoined the
other testify, so we had better drop the
subject. And beg you will give 1t TO
me now without any further delay"
yet ] should think hundred
pounds would be something of a con-
alteration to a man who has parted
with the very last rag and stick he can
spare" said Richard. Come, my
friend. you may not meet such
chance again; what do you say to five
hundred pounds?"
"Dr. Falconer," replied the man ex-
citedly. "either this is very bad joke
or you must have lost your senses. For
the last time I ask you to restore my
property. II you do not, l will at once
walk out OF your house and put the
matter in the hands OF the police. Give
me what belongs to me and let me go.
Every WE'LL" said Richard. you shall
have It at once" He left the room and
returned in minute with the belt and
pistol In his hands. He found his pa
uent already half dressed. With fren-
xied haste he made grasp for the belt,
but Richard caught him by the wrist
and held him as IL in vice, while he
said sternly-
Listen to me, madman! You act as
II you think want to rob you. Why.
need not have SO much as lifted a
finger; I had nothing to do but to sit
still, and you would have been dead by
this time, and nobody to ask single
question about you. Instead OF that. /
have brought you to my house. have
restored you to life and you repay me
with insult and abuse. Even yet, II
wanted to possess myself Of this pre-
cious belt, should only have to go to
the nearest magistrate and certify you
insane, to have you shut up in lunatic
asylum for the rest of your days.
Much attention there would be paid to
your rawlings about being robbed OF
gold and Jewels! That is what could
do II l were the villain you think me,
Take your belt and be ashamed OF
yourself. you ungrateful wretch" and
be fang It with crash upon the floor
One of the pouches burst open and
the guineas rolled out In golden
stream. With shrek the owner flung
himself upon his knees to clutch them
when his new-found strength failed
him all at once and he rolled upon his
face In a dead faint
Richard knelt down, turned him upon
his back, and sprinkled few drops
from the Watering upon his face. Al
be did so he was startled to hear Q
knock at the door OF the room. Going
hastily to open 1t. he found Mary, In
q dressing-gown, a paper In her hand
her eyes wide open with anxious sus
pense.
"Oh, Richard! I haven't been able Il
sleeD all night" she cried. "and JUS
now heard loud voices and a scream
What has happened? Is anything
wrong?"
Don't be frightened. darling" sale
Richard. "You have come Just in tim,
to hslp me In restoring this man. WHIT
has tainted. Ia there any brandy In tn,
celiarettef"
"Yes, Just little. Shall I 60 ant
ieteh TT"
Please DO 3d." She turned to e
dOwn-statra. and Richard closed thu
door and made ha,te to pick up tn,
- oins which vcrs scattered over thu
ioor. "BsEt che Il ould not see them.
pc said 10 hinself as he returned then
TO the pouch ana fastened the belt SC
curely round the patients waist
Come In. MARY" in answer to anothe
knock. "A&I you have the brandy
Stopl not that way" as she was put
ting a wine glass to his lips; "he won
be able to swallow. Just hand me m.
hypodermic case; you'll find II In m!