The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-03-30
CHAPTER XIII.
PLANNING AN ABDUCTION.

CHAPTER XIII.
PLANNING AN ABDUCTION.
Most of what follows learned after
ward from various sources, but for sake
Of continuity it is told here.
Yes, one or two little incidents had
served to annoy Mr.. Keighley Gates that
morning His letters, in the first place,
had been far from satisfactory, and then
there was DR.. Fitzgerald 8 visit. He had
not come by appointment, and it was
evident from his reception that he was
not welcome.
ooh, it's you, is it?'' said Mr.. Gates,
ungraciously, when he entered. II did
not hear you knock"
"No more did I-knuckles out of or
der-umbrella handle loose-all sorts of
reasons if required"
GIVE not the slightest doubt of it.
Well, what do you want with me?
Don't beat about the BUSH"
DIR. Fitzgerald gave his silk hat a
loving polish with gaudily oolored
handkerchief and then deposited it gin
gerly on the table. He hung up his um-
brella on the mantelshelf, carefully
pulled off his gloves, folded them up
and pocketed them, and finally, after
some deliberation, deposited himself in
the easiest chair in the room, from
which, with elbows resting on the arms
Of the chair, hands clasped in elegant
manner and one leg swung negligently
over the other, he blandly surveyed Mr.:
Keighley Gates.
81 hope you are quite comfortable
now," said the latter, politely.
Perfectly, Bob. Delightful room
perfect chair-genial host-what more?
Congratulations-excellent tastb in fur
niture-hire system?'
"When you are quite ready perhaps
you will tell me what you want" said
Mr. Gates, ignoring Dr., FitzgeraId's
flattering remarks.
sc S. d.-friend of my youth--only
too delighted to assist-Q. E. D."
"Theu you've como to me for money!"
"The dear boyI Guessed it first
time"
Mr.. Keighley Gates unlocked draw.
er and produced book.
''Look here, Richmond; this is my
bank passbook. Do you see tho balance
$500 on the wrong side?''
"Why bless my soul, SO it is! Who'd
have thought it?" said the imperturba-
BILE DR.. Fitzgerald.
"Here is a letter." continued Mr.
Gates, received this morning from my
bankers, Syrac & Co."
"Most respectable firm-know 'em
we'll"
"You see, they respectfully call my
attention to the fact that they will not
be able to honor any more Of my
checks"
"Confound impudencel Call in the
police"
''Here are a few dunning letters"
continued Mr.. Gates, showing pile to
his visitor, who daintily surveyed them.
"Snippit & Paddom-hunting suit
silk faced frock coat-norfolk jacket
fur lined overcoat-not in the militia,
are you?-total, one-fifty -fve-six. Abys-
sinia & Co.-gold repeater-diamond
studs-ditto rings-got 'em all on, Bob?
total neutrality-suspicious.. Pansy
& Sons, forists-large bouquets-oh, I
say; it was becoming interesting"
Mr.. Gates had snatched the bills out
Of DR.. Fitzgerald's hands.
Here" he said, diving into his
pocket and producing purse, which he
emptied on the table-"here is my
ready cash. Look--one sovereign, two
half dollars and threepenny bit"
''Total, one-four-three," said DR..
Fitzgerald.
Exactly. That's the state of my
finances today. You'll have to apply
elsewhere for assistance.
Non sequitur-j'y suis;' here I
STOP" said the other.
''Then perhaps you'll kindly explain
how am to advance you money when
/ haven't got any for MYSELF"
"No good at details. Ask another.
"Don't be an ass, Richmond. You
can't bleed stone"
SCOT to be done. Send to Moses for
particulars. -
"Look here, Richmond, stop this fool
ing I'm in tight corner-a deuced-
ly tight corner-and it's no use your
applying to me today"
EUR lined overcoat-gold repeater
diamond studs-ditto ring-large bou-
quets-must be in militia-or is it
house of lords?'' murmured DR.. Fitz-
gerald.
Mr.. Keighley Gates was in bad
health, his prospects were dark, his as
sets nil and his visitor unwelcome. So
he may fairly be excused display of
bad temper.
"Confound it, man, don't sit there
muttering like jaokdaw. Take your
traps and CO."
DR.. Fitzgerald was equal to the occa-
sion. He rose to his feet and lowered
over Mr.. Gates, and from this eminence
gave vent to his feelings. He was CO.
herent enough in his remarks now.