The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-08-26


warm, in her hands. Here it is in this
package" she continued, as she handed
it to him. $500, 600 in money, which was
mys teriously left at our door last night l
suppose, and we want to put it in your
bank, or deposit it, or whatever you call
IL when money is put in there to be taken
care of. 1 wouldn't sleep in the house
with it for a million dollars" she con-
cluded, in an extravagant form of speech
not uncommon among women.
Mrs Tankerman's cousin held the
money in his hands and simply stared at
her
What's the matter now?" she asked
nervously. Are you getting like the rest
of everything. Has everybody taken a
day off just because my husband and 1
have had the best luck we ever had in our
lives?' and Mrs Tankerman laughed hys-
terically, as if she had at last, discovered
the key to the puzzle.
mo, no, no." he exclaimed; but my
wife and 1 have had the same luck exact
ly. We found the same amount al our
door as you did, and while it quite I'M
nerVed me il has sent Kate clean to bed,
where she now is, trying 20 compose her
self and comprehend the meaning OF it.,
and to realize that she is-that we are
rich beyond our widest dreams"
us, too put in Mr. Tankerman, al
most with a hurrah and suddenly caught
himself. rs that why you didn't go to
the bank?" he asked.
"Of course. Why should I go to the
bank? When man has 5000 COO. do you
suppose he cares for a 81, 800 cerkship? l
guess not. l go to the bank hereafter
as one of the directors and depositors"
Mr.. Tankerman looked at his wife with
a significance that Mrs. Tankerman' 8
cousin did not understand.
Jane" he said, with great earnestness,
have 1 been down TO my office to-day?"
mo, John, you haven't. But I have
been too worried to notice 1t before"
DO you know why?"
Il hadn't thought about H. I was
thinking too much about the money
80 was I, Jane. And so was Cousin
Jimmie thinking of his. Why should I
go to an Office TO earn a $1,000 salary
when we have 5000 600 to earn three times
that for US and not work lick? Haven't
you a messenger cali here?' he asked OF
Mrs Tankerman's cousin. Give me some
! paper and I'll write a note to the Office
explaining why I'm not there, and tender
ing my resignation to take effect inlme-
diately."
While Mr.. Tankerman wrote the note
Cousin Jimmie rang for the messenger.
None came, after repeated calls and long
waiting. Then Mr.. Tankerman tried the
telephone, but there was no response to
his ring.
"Confound them" he began, but stop
ped ON the instant. by George, I won
der" he SAID, and said no more. Have
you had any mail this morning?" he in
quired of the cousin.
1T hadn't occurred to me before" adj
mitted Cousin Jimmie. "but guess we
haven't"
The plot was thickening.
At this moment the front door bell rang
and Mrs. Kate, who had come down
stairs, admitted a gorgeousiy dressed
lady. She was the cook in her Sunday
finery, come TO call on her late mistress
and inform that owing to the fact of her
having fallen heir 10 a fortune of hun
bred thousand dollars she would not be
working in anybody's kitchen, and she
would be pleased 20 leave her card, ETC..
etc. ETC. All of which was refreshing
to Mrs. Hates husband, who had sue
ceeded the lady as cook.
Aher q half hour or more of earnest
discussion, Mr.. and Mrs. Tankerman set
out on the return to their fiat, Mrs. Tan
herman taking the valuable belt home
with her in the same manner she had
brought it. on the way they met a
friend. who stopped them only long
enough to tell them that he was in great
luck, and wouldn't have to work any
more, and he skipped along like a school
boy let loose for an afternoon. At the
fat they met the janitor who informed
them that he had resigned his position,
owing TO a fortune having been left 10
him. The elevator boy was there, too.
"Betcher sweet life" he said, II don't
run no more ups and downs. I've got me
little hundred thou. and I'm a gent. l
am. See? Come out and I'll blow you to
a cold bot. Gully. See?'
Mr.. Tankerman was inclined to resent
the familiarity, but the boy was evident
ly what he represented himself to be,
AMI he made no reply. except to decline
the invitation, and at once began the te-
dious climb up the stairs
IL was now noon, and John Tankerman
felt as If there had been some tremen-
dous upheaval OF all mundane affairs. He
was hungry, besides but there was moth
ing to eat except what was left over
from yesterday and the morning break.
fast.
Jane. my dear" he said to his wife,
with almost cathedral solemnity 1t is a
long way down those stairs and the ele-
vator boy supply seems to be exhausted,
but I'm going out again, and stay till
learn something definite about this bust
ness, II it takes all summer. You lock
yourself in here with the money, and
trust 10 providence"
BY this time Mrs Tankerman was far
more composed than she had been i'm the
morning, and she had become more ac-
cutomed to the presence of wealth. She
was no less curious than her husband to
know what was going on, and she.
therefore, made no objection, stipulating
only that he get back again as soon as
he could. lie wanted 70 kiss her goodby,
but, insisting that IL gave her the cold
chills, and made her feel as II he were
going out into the mysterious unknown
never to return. she absolutely refused 10
permit any demonstration OF that kind,
and he went out unkissed, to grapple the
problem alone.
II was nearly o'clock when he came
home again. ana his wife was on the
verge OF Mysteries Six hours had seemed
IKE six months TO her. and she thought
her husband had desc ed her forever.
IIo carried IN his arms a can Of condensed
milk. some canned meats and vegetables.
a box Of sardines. some bread and cheese.
and a few odds ana ends Of other edibles.
Bradley had his store open.' he ex-
planned. az he dumped the load on the ia
bic. and 1 CHANGED 10 come along just IN
limo TO pick up enough 20 last over Sun
day, or until times improve and The curse
OF capital IL removed from the country"
Whatever DO you near, John2' she eE-
claimed. ciutching az her belt, as n her
husband might be rosbeE IN Disguise.