Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1899-01-20
VII.

race was more liyid and drawn than usual.
The fears inspired by the surgeon had
taken hold of him. AS the sun declined
Mr.. Jordan became uneasy. He could not
remain in his study. He could not rest
anywhere. The money had not been re-
turned. He had taken out OF his strong |
hoX Ezekiel Bubb's acknowledgment and
promise of payment, but he knew that it
was so much waste paper to him.
Seventeen years ago, on Midsummer
day. there had stood on the Nttlc folding
oak table under the window II tumbler
fun of china roses, which were dropping,
md had shed their leaves over the pol
ishrd. limos black, table top. They had
been picked somc days before by his wife.
Now in the same place stood a glass, and
in il were roses from the same tree, not
dropping. but fresh and glistcning, placed
thai morning there by her daughter. AT
. O'Clock, seventeen years ago. Ezekiel !
Rabb had come into that hall through
that doorway. and had borrowed his
money. The clock told that the time was
ten minutes to five. III MIR. Babb did not
appear 10 the hour. he would abandon the !
expectation of seeing him.
He thought of the pocketbook on the
gravel. How came ii there? Who could
have brought it? Mr.. Jordan's eyes were
fixed on ti,c clock. The works began to
wllir-r. AT the last stroke the door of
Jasl"r's sick room opened. and The con-
valesrcn. slowly entered the hall and CON
ironted his host.
The last week has! wrought wonders in
the man. lie had rapidly recovered flesh
md vigor after his wounds were healed.
AS he entered. and his eyes met those
OF Mr.. Jordan. the latter felt that a mes
sriser from Ezekiel I5abb stood before
him. and that his money was not forth
coming.
We'll. sir:" he said.
II am Jasper, the eldest son of Ezekiel
Babb. of Owlacombe in Rnckfastleigh,"
ne said. My father borrowed money of
sou this day seventeen years ago, and
s~olcimnly swore on this day to repay it,
'Wcll:'
Il, is not well. have not got the
nioi.cy."
y mean of disappointment broke from
the heart of Ignatius Jordan, then a
slasm of rage. such as might seize on Il
mailman, transformed his face; his eye
blazcd. aud he sprans to his feet and ran
toward Jasper. The latter, keeping his
eye on him. said firmly. Listen to me, Mr..
Jordan, and | will explain TO YOU why my
father has not sent the money"
Mr.. Jordan hesitated. His face CULVER
ed. With his raised hand lie would have
struck Jasper. but the composnre of the
latter awed him.
My father is a man of honor. He bor-
-owed of you a large sun, and he laid it
out in the purchase OF some land. He
has been fairly prosperous. lie saved
money enough to repay the debt, and per-
haps more. AS the time drew nigh for
repayment he took the sum required from
the bank in notes and locked them in his
bureau. Others knew Of this. One day
he was Mt Totncs at n great cloth fair.
He did not return till the following day.
During his absence his bureau was broken
and the money stolen"
WAS the thief not caught? Was the
money not %recovcrcd!' asked Mr.. Jor-
dan. trembling with excitement.
The money was in part recovered"
Where is it?
Listen to what follows. You asked If
the-the person who took the money was
caught. He was"
lis he in prison:"
1.-The person who took the money was
caught. tried and sent to Jail. When TAX
Ell. some of the money was found about
him; lie had not spent it all. What re-
manned l was bringing you"
Give it me-"
II nave not got it. l have lost it."
Again did Mr.. Jordan start up in a cit
of rage. He ground his teeth, and the
sweat broke ont in drops on his brow.
II had the money with me when the
accident happened, and l was thrown
from my horse. and became unconscious.
1t was lost or taken then"
who was your companion? Hc must
have robbed YOU"
~ charge no one. ! alone am to blame.
The money was intrustcd to my keeping
Cursed he the day l lent the money!
moancd lgnatius Jordan. ''Ihc empty,
worthless case returns. the precious con.
tents are gone. What is the she'll without
the kernel? My Eve. my Eve lie clasp.
ed his hands over his brow.
and now once more ~licarken to me-
pursued Jasper. My father cannot i'm.
mediatcly find the money tilat tic owc
you. He does rot know Of this second
loss. However. as you say the money i.
for your daughter. will you allow it to Ii,
where It is for a Will: ! will undertake
should it come to me after my father:
death, to sell land or transfer it. so as 1,
make up to Miss Eve Mt the rate Of five ne,
cent on the loan. l will do more. If yo,
will consent to this. / will stay here an,
work for you. l will act as your foreman
ove.,ooker or bailiff. l will put my han,
to anything. Reckon what my wag
would be. l will work for you as long a
my father lives: 1 will serve you no,
faithfully as no hired baiiiff would scrv
yoN. My presence here will be a suara,
toe 10 you that ! will be true TO my III
lertaking to repay the whole sum Wit
interest. I can see that this estate need
an active man on it; and you, sir, are, ar
too much given up to scientific pursuits
to cope with what is required"
CHAPTER VIII.
Those words. scientific pursuits" sof
encd Mr.. Jordan. Jasper spoke in goo
faith; he had no idea how worthless thos
pursuits were. how little true science el
tered into them. He knew that Mr.. Jo
g.. .,njo u,;Dorn1oO;oo1 o<nd:N~ ovd 4