Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1898-11-18
(Continued.)

ness of aspect returning and his eyes
cleaning with a mad terror and Sus-
picion. There's nothing in it-noth-
ing at all, except what little money
have, and few curios / picked up in
my travels. Let me have it at once,
please-at once, without a single mo-
ment's delay
Don't be in hurry" said Richard.
at is quite safe, | assure you. If it
be of so little value as you say, why ex-
cite yourself about it? How much
might there be in it, then? 1t seemed
to me pretty heavy
ooh, very little; but as it is all |
have in the world, you needn't wonder
that am anxious about it. | must ask
you to give it to me at once; it will
make my mind easier
Don't be uneasy; l 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 it stands. II
you tell me it is worth more, | will give
1t to you
81 wouldn't take ten pounds: not that
1T is really worth more. but there are
things in it that have a special value
for me / shouldn't thiuk of selling it
on any terms, and must again ask you
to let me have it in my own posses
sion"
81 will give you a hundred" said
Richard mischievously, land | will let
you retain anything in it that you wish
specially TO keep"
IL tell you am not going to sell it on
any terms whatever" rejOined the
other testify so we had better drop the
subject. And | beg you will give it to
me now without any further delay
"Yet ! should think hundred
pounds would be something of con-
sideration 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?"
Or Falconer," replied the man ex-
citedly. either this is very bad joke
or you must have lost your senses. For
the last time l ask you to restore my
property. If you do not, | 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 60.
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
tient already half dressed. With fren-
zied haste he made grasp for the belt,
but Richard caught him by the wrist
and held him as if in a vice, while he
said sternly-
Listen to me, mailman. You act as
if you think l want to rob you. Why,
you IDIOT, if that had been my design
need not have so much as lifted a
finger; | 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 10 life and you repay me
with insult and abuse. Even yet, il |
wanted to possess myself of this pre-
tious belt, | should only have to go to
the nearest magistrate and certify you
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 IL | were the villain you think me-
Take your belt and be ashamed OF
yourself, you u.igrateful wretch" and
he flung ii with crash upon the floor
One of The pouches burst open and
the guineas rolled out in a 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 a few drops
from the watering upon his face. AS
he did so ne was startled to hear a
knock at the door of the room. Going
hastily to open it, he found Mary. in
dressing-gown, a paper in her hand
her eyes wide open with anxious sus-
pense.
ooh, Richard. haven't been able to
sleep all night" she cried, land just
now I heard loud voices and scream
What has happened? Is anything
wrOng?'
Don't be frightened darling" said
Richard You have come just in time
to help me in restoring this man, who
has tainted Is there any brandy in the
cellarette?"
Eyes, just a little. Shall go and
fetch it?''
please do So She turned to &C
downstairs, and Richard closed the
door and made haste to pick UP the
coins which were scattered over the
floor. Best she should not see them,
he said TO himself as he returned then
to the pouch and fastened the belt Sc
curely round the patients waist
Come in, Mary" in answer to another
knock. "Ah, you have the brandy
Stop, not that way" as she was put
ting wine-glass to his lips; "he won
be able to swallow. Just hand me m.
hypodermic case; you'll find il in m,